So I thought of something therapeutic to do, and that is to make a list of ten things that you one day fully intentionally plan to do. Try it, seriously, it's liberating.
One Day I'm gonna move away.
One Day I'm gonna run for office.
One Day I'm gonna be a dad.
One Day I'm gonna own a Fortune 500 company.
One Day I'm gonna see Europe.
One Day I'm gonna graduate from at least Grad School.
One Day I'm gonna direct a movie.
One Day I'm gonna drive a very nice car.
One Day I'm gonna be able to spend money recklessly.
One Day I'm gonna finish my book.
Extra: One Day I'm gonna love and be loved in return.
Showing posts with label 2015. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2015. Show all posts
Monday, September 21, 2015
Sunday, August 23, 2015
Last Five Songs Played on My Shuffle
5. Your Sword Versus My Dagger - Silverstein
4. I'm Ragin' - Bei Maejor (feat. Sammy Adams)
3. Heaven Nor Hell - Volbeat
2. In The Morning - J. Cole (feat. Drake)
1. Back to the Future (Theme Song) - John Williams
THE MAZE RUNNER REVIEW
So.... finished The Maze Runner book and had to see the movie because based on trailers it looked pretty spot on. Let me start with the book.
The book was phenomenal. Like really, really good! Kudos to Mr. James Dashner for keeping me questioning and on my toes throughout the entirety of the novel. The whole idea of this dystopian society that you don't realize is a dystopian society until the end is so haunting. Throughout the novel, the kids (who all happen to be male until the arrival of Theresa) involved are put through hell living in the "Glade" which basically translates to a low-scale homestead which is surrounded by the "Maze" in which creatures called Grievers live and attack those who enter it. The Maze also changes everyday and within the Maze lies the answer to the boys freedom. On top of all of this, none of the boys have any memories of their life prior to entering the Glade. This left Dashner with a unique storytelling viewpoint in that the reader literally knew as much about well, everything, as the main character Thomas, and his cohorts. As the story progresses, Thomas bonds with the leader Alby, his second-in-command Newt, the Keeper (leader) of the Runners (boys who run throughout the Maze looking for the exit) Minho, cute adorkable sidekick Chuck, antagonist Gally, among others. The day after Thomas's arrival to the Glade, a girl named Theresa is delivered to the Glade by the "Creators." This is strange for two reasons: 1. Theresa is a girl and 2. "Gladers" have always been sent up a month apart from each other. This is when things go from bad to worse, Theresa comes with a message from the Creators, and the events of the book starts rolling towards the climax which is the escape from the Maze. All of stuff happens in between, which I will not spoil here, and the book ends with a cliffhanger leading to the second book The Scorch Trials, which I have yet to read.
Dashner writes in a way that doesn't allow you to put the book down once the action starts, AND DOESN'T END. Literally the plot moves at a break-neck pace until the last page and he handles it fabulously. You want to keep reading for answers, some of which you receive as the story goes on, many are still burning. The character dynamics are incredible and the characters feel like real people. You feel for them. The Thomas-Theresa relationship is so deep and described so well by their "gift." The Thomas-Chuck relationship is so lovely and I saw how that would turn out a mile away. Thomas and Newt, Thomas and Minho, and the list goes on. (As the story is told from Thomas's perspective, most of the relationships in the book are his.) Cannot wait to pick up Book 2. Easily 4 1/2 stars out of 5, simply because of how frustrating the first few chapters were although they made sense later on. Complete sense.
The Maze Runner
The movie deviated from the source material A LOT and quite frequently. It more-or-less fleshed out some minor characters more, and showed more character to character interaction. In changing some plot points, a lot was lost (Especially in the dynamics between Thomas with Theresa, Chuck, and Newt) but the changes that were made, made sense for the story the movie was telling. It did a lot more showing, than telling and dramatized the novel. Dylan O'Brien of Teen Wolf plays Thomas eloquently, and is supported by a cast including Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Kaya Scolderio among other new and seasoned young actors. All of the actors portray their characters believably and I have said in conversation many times how amazing an actor O'Brien is. The soundtrack makes your blood pump and the visuals are stunning. The Grievers were especially scary.
I think what I love about the movie the most is that it's just as must everybody else's story as it is Thomas's. Wes Ball (the director) has a certain dark take on the story that brings a sense of realism to it. the changes were overly justified and although risky, I would say the risk worked out in his favor as the film is critically acclaimed by readers, and movie goers alike. I would give the movie four out of five stars.
The book was phenomenal. Like really, really good! Kudos to Mr. James Dashner for keeping me questioning and on my toes throughout the entirety of the novel. The whole idea of this dystopian society that you don't realize is a dystopian society until the end is so haunting. Throughout the novel, the kids (who all happen to be male until the arrival of Theresa) involved are put through hell living in the "Glade" which basically translates to a low-scale homestead which is surrounded by the "Maze" in which creatures called Grievers live and attack those who enter it. The Maze also changes everyday and within the Maze lies the answer to the boys freedom. On top of all of this, none of the boys have any memories of their life prior to entering the Glade. This left Dashner with a unique storytelling viewpoint in that the reader literally knew as much about well, everything, as the main character Thomas, and his cohorts. As the story progresses, Thomas bonds with the leader Alby, his second-in-command Newt, the Keeper (leader) of the Runners (boys who run throughout the Maze looking for the exit) Minho, cute adorkable sidekick Chuck, antagonist Gally, among others. The day after Thomas's arrival to the Glade, a girl named Theresa is delivered to the Glade by the "Creators." This is strange for two reasons: 1. Theresa is a girl and 2. "Gladers" have always been sent up a month apart from each other. This is when things go from bad to worse, Theresa comes with a message from the Creators, and the events of the book starts rolling towards the climax which is the escape from the Maze. All of stuff happens in between, which I will not spoil here, and the book ends with a cliffhanger leading to the second book The Scorch Trials, which I have yet to read.
Dashner writes in a way that doesn't allow you to put the book down once the action starts, AND DOESN'T END. Literally the plot moves at a break-neck pace until the last page and he handles it fabulously. You want to keep reading for answers, some of which you receive as the story goes on, many are still burning. The character dynamics are incredible and the characters feel like real people. You feel for them. The Thomas-Theresa relationship is so deep and described so well by their "gift." The Thomas-Chuck relationship is so lovely and I saw how that would turn out a mile away. Thomas and Newt, Thomas and Minho, and the list goes on. (As the story is told from Thomas's perspective, most of the relationships in the book are his.) Cannot wait to pick up Book 2. Easily 4 1/2 stars out of 5, simply because of how frustrating the first few chapters were although they made sense later on. Complete sense.
The Maze Runner
The movie deviated from the source material A LOT and quite frequently. It more-or-less fleshed out some minor characters more, and showed more character to character interaction. In changing some plot points, a lot was lost (Especially in the dynamics between Thomas with Theresa, Chuck, and Newt) but the changes that were made, made sense for the story the movie was telling. It did a lot more showing, than telling and dramatized the novel. Dylan O'Brien of Teen Wolf plays Thomas eloquently, and is supported by a cast including Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Kaya Scolderio among other new and seasoned young actors. All of the actors portray their characters believably and I have said in conversation many times how amazing an actor O'Brien is. The soundtrack makes your blood pump and the visuals are stunning. The Grievers were especially scary.
I think what I love about the movie the most is that it's just as must everybody else's story as it is Thomas's. Wes Ball (the director) has a certain dark take on the story that brings a sense of realism to it. the changes were overly justified and although risky, I would say the risk worked out in his favor as the film is critically acclaimed by readers, and movie goers alike. I would give the movie four out of five stars.
Aloneeeeeeeee
Might I just reiterate how single I am? I sat at home tonight alone like a lonely old man and fixed myself dinner, watched Big Brother and yelled at the TV as if the houseguests could hear me, and cleaned the house. Then the girls downstairs offered to share some of their weed with me and I turned them down. What even.
Current Mood.
My phone died forever three days ago and not one person besides my mother has really tried to contact me.
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
7 Things Unique to Buffalo
Absolute;y obsessed with this article just give it a read.
7 Things That Are Uniquely Buffalo, Because There's More To This City Than Wings
7 Things That Are Uniquely Buffalo, Because There's More To This City Than Wings
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Friday, August 14, 2015
Football is Back!
Football is officially back with the preseason games starting yesterday and I thought this article pretty well summed up the best teams in the NFL based on win ratio. Although with "Deflategate" being exposed is 122 truly the Pats win count, or is that contrived. The world will never know.
It is disconcerting to see the Bills so low on the totem pole though, good God. At least they're not last like the Sabres. *Cue eye roll.* The thing is, we Buffalo people know our teams are garbage but we still root for them harder than anybody else. I will say this though, if the Bills get their shit together early on in the season, and don't fuck up their fourth quarters in most games as per the usual, playoffs is a possibility.
Anyway, check out the article below courtesy of For the Win! and USA Today Sports.
The NFL's winningest teams over the past 10 years: RANKED!
Maze Runner - Book
I'm reading The Maze Runner right now by James Dashner. It's ridiculously good and got good really quickly after an annoyingly confusing beginning, will update with full review when finished.
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
I Am Old
I just sent an edible arrangement to my mom's office for her birthday today from my work computer. I am so old it's disgusting. On the card attached to the basket I told her that we should catch dinner some time next week since she'll be gone all weekend with her boyfriend. I am a fossil. Last weekend I stayed in and slept/"Netflixed" for 2 days. What. However, I have gone pretty hard for every weekend since summer began so it's only natural to hit a wall at some point, I suppose.
UPDATE: Mom just texted me. She's gushing over the edible arrangement, I did well! Now I'm just waiting for the obligatory Facebook post, moms love "the book."
UPDATE: Mom just texted me. She's gushing over the edible arrangement, I did well! Now I'm just waiting for the obligatory Facebook post, moms love "the book."
Summer 2015 Playlist
These 15 songs are the songs I have listened to the most this summer (in no particular order):
1.) Lean On - Major Lazer feat. MO & DJ Snake
2.) Bad Blood - Taylor Swift feat. Kendrick Lamar
3.) Take Your Time - Sam Hunt
4.) House Party - Sam Hunt
5.) Marvin Gaye - Charlie Puth feat. Meghan Trainor
6.) Beast - Mia Martina feat. Waka Flocka
7.) Bad Girls - MKTO
8.) The Hills - The Weekend
9.) Never Been In Love - Cobra Starship feat. Icono Pop
10.) Post To Be - Omarion feat. Chris Brown & Jhene Aiko
11.) Worth It - Fifth Harmony feat. Kid Ink (Hate to admit this one, but it's catchy af.)
12.) Help! - The Beatles
13.) Bartender - Lady Antebellum
14.) Bitch I'm Madonna - Madonna
15.) Back To Back - Drake
1.) Lean On - Major Lazer feat. MO & DJ Snake
2.) Bad Blood - Taylor Swift feat. Kendrick Lamar
3.) Take Your Time - Sam Hunt
4.) House Party - Sam Hunt
5.) Marvin Gaye - Charlie Puth feat. Meghan Trainor
6.) Beast - Mia Martina feat. Waka Flocka
7.) Bad Girls - MKTO
8.) The Hills - The Weekend
9.) Never Been In Love - Cobra Starship feat. Icono Pop
10.) Post To Be - Omarion feat. Chris Brown & Jhene Aiko
11.) Worth It - Fifth Harmony feat. Kid Ink (Hate to admit this one, but it's catchy af.)
12.) Help! - The Beatles
13.) Bartender - Lady Antebellum
14.) Bitch I'm Madonna - Madonna
15.) Back To Back - Drake
Monday, August 10, 2015
Crazy
Summer really can seem like forever in comparison to the rest of the year. I feel like it's in it's own temporal loop or something. So much has happened this summer; it's probably one of my favorites ever! So many new memories and amazing moments. I shall dub Summer 2k15 as the Summer of New Experiences. So blessed to be alive and truly appreciate this precious time in my life.
Make it a great one!
Make it a great one!
Thursday, August 6, 2015
How Much Does Personal Appearance Have to do with Perception?
Making little changes in order to feel good about yourself can never steer you wrong. Have confidence and unleash it on the world! Let this experiment be a little indication on what you can do too!
 |
| Left - Before (with a slight shave) Right - After |
For the last two weeks, I've been conducting a little social experiment on how people perceive/treat you differently depending on aesthetic factors. In lamens terms, attractiveness. The experiment was conducte on my peers and customers at the Target store where I work in North Buffalo.
I have only been working in this Target store since April, due to transferring from the Niagara Falls Target store. Right around this time I decided to stop cutting my hair. I think I was going through a BoHo phase, or maybe I was just plain cheap, I couldn't tell you; the point is I had never had my hair short at my new store, I had also stopped shaving for the most part, and wore only my glasses, never contacts.
Two weeks ago, I buzzed off all of my lucious curls, and I decided to go the whole nine yards after receiving compliment after compliment on my hair. This led me to the creation of my hyptohesis, which was: the more effort I put into my appearence, the more likely people were going to A.) treat me abnormally and B.) customers would be more willing to buy things from me. The next day I showed up in a Target polo, tight khakis with a belt around my waist (typically I would wear khakis with some sag to them and no belt.), my earrings in, contacts in, chapstick on (making my lips look fuller and shinier in a "manish" way, and white Nike Air Sneakers (usually I would wear a pair of Nike running shoes). I shaved my unruly beard into something much more tame and not so long; just a thin chin strap to accent my face better. I also threw on a splash of cologne for good measure.
The response was instantaeneous. Over the course of the next week my co-workers were asking "where are your glasses?" There were also a ton of double takes from my peers and customer's alike. Some of my co-workers thought I was somebody else entirely or a new employee. The compliments and exclamations of disbelief kept on pouring in. Eye contact increased, people smiled upon laying eyes on me, and I have found that I was approached with questions more and more.
The other thing that I found insane was how different I felt. I felt confident. I found myself smiling for no reason, and I found myself flashing my teeth and teasing my co-workers and customers. I found myself flirting harder than I ever had with everyone. I used lines and winks that I didn't even know I had in me. I was bubbly, and now I realize I had become an independant variable, and an unexpected one at that.
I think the mixture of my confidence and people bolstering that confidence led to the biggest increase in my sales. People have begun buying things without question simply because I suggested it and smiled. I've also begun to get people to sign up for credit cards through Target which before my transformation, was almost impossible for me. I would just get a stoic "no" when I asked customers.
So in conclusion, it would appear that my hypothesis was spot-on despite the unexpected variable of my confidence increase, which I didn't even know I was suffering from a lack of. People treated me differently, smiling at me more, complimenting me more, hitting on me, flirting with me, and staring/talking to me longer than usual. My sales have also incresed ten-fold. Hell, yesterday I got a lady to buy an iPod Touch with four accsessories, and a replacement plan, and a couple to sign up for a credit card despite their reservations. People treat you better when you take care and groom yourself. People treat you better when you feel good and look good. People treat you better when you are confident in your own skin, and smile more often.
Make it a great one!
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)