The Monster Mall

For the first time, in a long time, I stepped foot into a shopping mall.

It is a curious thing to be inside of, I think. So many colours, lights, smells, people, things...

It is like a religious place, you know? Somewhere where people gather together, to worship and idolize the things that they are buying. Sometimes I go into a mall with no intention of buying something and come out a hundred dollars poorer...

Why?

We are so easily lured into consumption; it is all we do. It got me thinking, how much do humans consume and out of all the stuff that we buy, how much of it lasts and how much of it ends up in our ever-growing landfills?

Check out this video, kind of long (20 minutes), but well worth the watch! It is extremely enlightening to see how much we consume and how our purchasing habits affect the Earth.

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star!

Picture provided by google images

Twinkle, Twinkle little star, how I KNOW what you are!

Have you ever wondered what a star really is? or why it twinkles like it does?

As a kid, I liked to believe that a star is something more magical than a bright ball of gas. Now I don't have to wonder, thanks to my astronomy textbook.

Basically, like water in a swimming pool bending light (hence why looking out to the sky from unerneath water is trippy) Earth's atmosphere bends the light from the stars, making it appear to twinkle. Stars tend to twinkle more on windy nights, do you think whoever made the song happened to be pondering up at the vast night sky?

Music Madness

The state of the mainstream music industry is a disaster...

From short skirts to flashy bling to voice edited singing, what has happened to TALENT?

I don't know about you guys, but the only time I open my ears to mainstream music is at the bar because I really don't have a choice in the matter.

Now a days, I feel like anybody can become famous in the music industry. The new thing seems to be voice editing so musicians sound like robots. How is this talent? It's not.

I feel like back when records were still in use is when music was at its purest. There was no fancy technology to altar a voice, it was just PURE rock and roll. Sweat, blood, and tears ya know? I have a record player and I love it.

The cracking of the sound, the spinning of the record, the nostalgic feeling it omitts..I'd much rather pop on a Steely Dan record then turn Much Music on to see the latest robot voice!

In reaction to mainstream music, I compiled a list of artists that beat the buzz:

1. Anita O'Day (1950s jazz)

2. Steely Dan (If you love to groove)

3. Bob Marley (classic)

4. Crosby, Stills, and Nash (Folk)

5. Fleetwood Mac (if you love to dance)

Why Pay More

I was standing in the line for Subway on campus at The University of Western Ontario and the first thing I noticed was that the prices are higher then a normal Subway off campus...

I don't understand why and I want to know why.

How is it that corporate fast food eating joints, like Subway or Harveys can jack the prices of regular menu items if the store happens to be located on a university campus?

If anything, the prices should remain the same as anywhere else, or be mildly cheaper. Why do I say this? Mostly because University students are on a tight budget (some of us at least) and because OUR university is promoting THEIR company -- free advertising. We don't have a choice over Subway or Quiznos because Subway is the only choice...Since we are sort of running a monoploly over fast food eateries, why are we paying more...

If anyone has some insight into this, please leave a comment. I am very curious. I also intend on seeking some answers and posting them in a later blog.