No Laggard in Love: Chapter 2 Review

No Laggard in Love, that cheesy book of wonder, continues on in Chapter 2. Last time we saw her, she was driving down a windy road in Scotland during a storm, recounting her life.

Chapter 2

Louise Membury, still driving down curvy Scottish roads in her ancient (10 year old) Forrester, continues to fill us in on her history. It turns out that her niece Lynnette was to meet Alistair (to get married) on Thursday, and was to bring both her engagement ring and a secret sealed packet which she smuggled through “the Customs”. (Is that the British way of saying Customs or was just how they talked in the 70’s?) Anyway, Lynnette managed to elude Louise’s questions about Alistair’s suspicious behavior (because a guy who proposes on a boat is suspicious, no?). Lynnette convinced Louise to go meet Alistair in her place. Thus, Louise taped the secret smuggled package underneath her Forrester’s back seat and set off for Scotland.

Back in the present, Wow-wow is on the trip with Louise and is getting anxious due to the weather. He whimpers and whimpers. However, when the automobile behind Louise causes her to catch a fright and end up in the ditch, there is nary a peep from him (which is odd, because there are two pages dedicated to explain Wow-wow’s scary behaviour to strangers)… even when the dark lanky stranger from that automobile approaches and helps Louise out of the ditch (after reminding her that she has a reverse gear). Later, when the stranger meets Louise at the ferry crossing, Wow-Wow (whose name continues to amaze) does not bark (which is still odd after the two pages dedicated to Wow-Wow's ferocity toward strangers). It turns out that the stranger (who, as far as I can tell, has an afro) smokes the same tobacco as Louise’s dad. That stranger then asks her to drink coffee with him on the side of the road. She doesn’t want to, but…he knows her name. Dun dun dun…

MVOTD: Audio Adrenaline (Day 179)

"....Big House? We're a band?" This was the question I had when it came to which Audio Adrenaline video to post. Finally, I decided. It had to be We're A Band because even though Big House is more interesting I hadn't actually seen it as a child. Therefore, We're A Band from Audio Adrenaline's Don't Censor Me album caps off my week of childhood memory music videos. It was a good music video as a child because the song was good and the camera angles were dramatic. Other than that it was a typical rock group music video.  

For you I imagine it is much the same. For a 90's rock group, it is a pretty good music video. The camera angles are good, although the dramatic camera sweep under people gets repetitive. There is mild change of scene, as one guitarist leaps into the mosh pit and awkwardly lays there on top. ...Of course, it seems like crowd surfing on mosh pits was more of a 90's thing, so that's actually cool.

So it's repetitive on the one side, and very rock on the other side. An average music video in total.

Monday Review: No Laggard in Love

Otherwise known as No Laggard in Love: Chapter 1 Review.

Four years ago my Mom bought a bunch of large print books at a local book sale. Last weekend, she finally pulled them out. It turns out that she bought a jem, No Laggard In Love, by Leslie Lance. Clearly this was a book to be read. Why? Because it was obviously a cheesy romance set in Scotland (which is a land renown for its romance, no?).

In Chapter 1 many things happen. Many questions arise, just one of them being, how is a 10 year old car ancient? Car years aren't that small.

Chapter 1

Louise Membury, whose name you don’t yet know, is driving down a muddy track of a highway in Scotland pondering on why she agreed to do ‘this task’. ‘This task’ she then describes, from her tiny age gap with her niece and her father’s remarriage to a woman half his age, to her niece’s sudden engagement to a Scottish man. Louise’s father having remarried at 45, Louise is a second child, a mere 9 months younger than her niece, Lynnette. Her niece, Lynnette, is a model who travels the world doing modeling gigs. On the most recent trip, Lynnette becomes engaged to Alistair of Scotland. A passionate romance it probably was, but Lynnette wants to get out of the marriage so that she can go do modeling somewhere else (committed, wasn't she?). Thus, Lynnette confers the job on Louise who was going to take care of her father's estate during his honeymoon with the live-in nurse. Now Louise is stuck driving on bad roads in terrible weather.

Some notes: There are also five pages on how she got her dog, Wow-Wow. Amazing name, yes? Also, Louise, called Linnet for some reason, is an author. She writes books about her dog Wow-Wow. Also amazing, yes? 

Topic of the Day: Alligator Hair Clips (Day 178)

If you are a person with hair, you probably have hair issues. Reasons why it is hard to style your hair. It might be frizzy or slippery or the wrong length. Whatever it is, you are super happy when you find something that works.

I have lots and lots of fine hair. It is slippery, knots easily, and is too thick to use bobby pins on. Other people can' t understand why I complain until they try to do my hair, and then I feel vindicated because they have a hard time too.

Yesterday I found some great clips at Ardene. Apparently they're called alligator clips. They actually hold most of my hair in an up-do. I only have to use like three bobby pins. It's amazing!

Picture from Ebay.com

That's about all I can say. I'm still thrilled to have something to do up-do's with. My hair woes are halWhat f over.

What about you. What do you use for your hair woes?

MVOTD: Steve Taylor (Day 178)

The week continues with music videos of my childhood. Here's one of the boring ones via a more mature Steve Taylor.

Steve was a satirical singer who often wanted to make a point. He had several songs people didn't agree with. For this one, I think that probably many Christians didn't like it because they didn't understand it. I certainly didn't understand the lyrics for a good long time, so that makes sense (considering the phrase "Jesus is for losers" is repeated frequently).

The music video's song, Jesus is for Losers, is about how Jesus is for imperfect people, for people who are willing to lose prestige or power or friends in order to be in relationship with Jesus Christ. The only things that make the music video itself interesting are the location and the special effects (which were duplicated on the cassette cover. Who knew?). This music video is a case of good music with average cinematics. Thus, please enjoy the music and the 90's ness. 

MVOTD: PFR (Day 177b)

Of all the music videos of my childhood, one was my favourite. That music video was Wonder Why by PFR (Pray For Rain). Actually, Wonder Why is my favourite PFR song ever. As a child I liked the convicting tones, the smooth sound, and the wintery contrast of the young lads in the snow. It resonated with me. My favourite part was, "like a man lost at sea, for thirst, is lead to drink the water. The more you drink, the more your throat will run dry." Whether it was the words that got me or the bearded guy's face, I don't know, but that part is great.

As a music video, Wonder Why is pretty solid. Because PFR was a 'rock' (contemporary) group, there is obviously no dancing. There is the classic playing their instruments in open nature though (so 90's). The characters of the music video are twin teenage brothers and a younger lad, all in 'stark' outfits of collared shirts and trousers with suspenders. These characters fight, run, and are sad in the crispness of a forested winter's day. Visually it is very pleasing, and because it is stark, it matches the lyrics. There is also a mystery. Who is the man in red and what significance does he have? Is he representative? Maybe.

All in all, Wonder Why is a good blend of music, vocals, and visuals. A solid music video.

MVOTD: Joy Electric (Day 177)

Music videos I grew up on continues with Joy Electric's Burgundy Years. I remember this music video being vaguely creepy but cool, because essentially the Joy Electric man lives in Candyland. Strangely enough, my childhood assessment of it is still accurate. Joy Electric man has a dead pan expression and flat hairstyle that can come off as creepy, especially since the background behind him is so festive and joyful. It's like Edward Scissor Hands.

Here's some backstory...on my childhood music videos. 

Previous to the internets ruling the music video realm, there were VHS's. My parents' collection included a Tooth & Nail VHS (which Burgundy Years is from), and a 'Message in the Music' VHS. I guess some friends owned the Steve Taylor VHS, and that plus some music videos taped off of MuchMusic made up the music videos of my youth. Pretty impressive for someone who grew up on farmer vision only the basic channels. Also pretty impressive was this music video.

MVOTD: Newsboys (Day 176)

Second in line of music videos from my childhood, Shine by the Newsboys. I must say, this particular music video was much better as a child, especially since I didn't realize that the music video makes joke(s) about Asian people.

As a music video, Shine is actually pretty trippy. They use lots of harsh lighting, and what happens doesn't make terribly much sense. The stuff that happens actually relates to the lyrics... although I'm not sure that clarifies anything.

As a music video, Shine is pretty interesting. It's got dancing (better than NSYNC?), random faces, a waiting room full of interesting characters, nice cinematography, and a catchy meaningful tune.

MVOTD: Steve Taylor (Day 175)

Alright. It's time to interrupt MVOTD's normal flow to have a week of childhood memories. My childhood memories to be exact, starting with the oldest music video, Steve Taylor's Lifeboat.

Steve Taylor was a satirical artist/singer, so all his songs have a point. With Lifeboat he made fun of the lifeboat game children were made to play in the 60's, where the children decided who was worth keeping and who wasn't. I think this song makes its point fairly bluntly.

As far as the music video goes, it turns out that Steve was a fairly handsome guy at one point (what does that have to do with music videos?). He is also a very elegant elderly lady (also irrelevant). The children are cute and over the top. The chalk board is great. The lead up is pretty blunt so you will understand that Steve isn't racist/sexist/ageist. The best clip is where Steve is sharpening the pointer stick.

In general it's a pretty good music video, especially considering that it's from the 80's. 

MVOTD: SHINee Sherlock (Day 174)

Now that MVOTD has focused on English songs for awhile, it's time to head back to the basics of the daily music video. For that, there is only SHINee's Sherlock, because they are just so curious.

With Sherlock, SHINee returns to the stage...not that they ever left it. This time around they are hard to tell apart. Yep, that's right. Just as I was beginning to be able to tell them apart, they get new looks and age a bit. Clearly I am not in their fanclub, eh. Did anyone else have this issue?

As a music video, Sherlock has some interesting elements. There's the the vaguely North American Aboriginal inspired outfits/jewelry. There's the guy Key wearing giant star spangled boxers/swim shorts with long underwear underneath. There's Taemin with long hair. And then there's my favourite part...the dance move where they trot forwards in formation. That move gets me every time. Their dancing is usually quite complex and interesting, so this one move makes me laugh at little bit. Other than that, I liked the 19th century Englishman look with the retro cameras. Very appealing as a look. It's a nice little music video.

MVOTD: Donna Summer (Day 173)

Donna Summer is dead. The newspaper said so. Thus, today we celebrate her singing career with a  most amazing song, McArthur Park. McArthur Park is one of the easiest songs to make fun of. In fact, it almost makes fun of itself. McArthur Park is about a cake that got ruined in the rain. There are also little birdies singing in a tree, cotton dresses, and old men playing chinese checkers.

Pretty much McArthur Park rocks. Super rocks. Donna Summer knew how to dance and be amazing at disco. She waves that mic around like nobodies' business. Even though she barely moves she is really interesting and sounds great. Therefore, hers is a truly great 'music video'.

MVOTD: BOA (Day 172)

BoA. She's super famous in South Korea, and once upon a time she tried to be famous in the States too. Here is one of the songs resulting from that attempt. Energetic. 

Notice the harem pants? Those were cool in 2009. Just saying.

 BoA is actually really pretty in this music video even though she's trying to be gangsta. I approve of most of her outfits. The wing shoes are cool, the 'B' braided into the side of her head is cool, the corset thingy looks cool, and I like the large amount of jewelry she wears. The only weird thing is the face glitter. BoA is also quite good at dancing and shows off her moves. BoA even has a pretty good English accent, which is great because 90% of singers in the same company(S.M. Ent.) don't. The biggest improvement to this music video would be a better song because the song is easy to get sick of. Other than that, this is a fine music video, and a good attempt at gaining the American audience.    

Topic of the Day: Yard Lettuce

There is an interesting phenomenon occurring on my lawn, and I would like to talk about it. Yard Lettuce. That's right, lettuce that grows on your yard...in your lawn. It looks alot like dandylions without the flowers, and is often streaked with red.

It turns out, if you let your garden lettuce flower too often, the seeds actually do something. Check it out, parent and child.

Yard lettuce is my new favourite random thing that grows in grass. It's super cute and has a funny name.

MVOTD: One Republic (Day 171)

'English Week' continues today with One Republic's Secrets. My cousin really likes this song. The music video, which is almost the same but completely different from Savage Garden's Truly Madly Deeply, features a woman at a 'bistro' in not Paris not waiting for someone. The lead singer of One Republic creeps on her, and there is much tie/collared shirt/vest wearing. People play great instruments like cellos and violins. Then the woman walks around not Paris only to return to the 'bistro' and sees...a man...whom she walk away from.

MVOTD: Coupleskate (Day 170)

Joe Christmas's Coupleskate. It's one of the few songs that I originally liked because of the music video (because VHS is so cool). The music video, which stars two awkward teenagers going roller skating together, is well, awkward. And cute. And just a little bit silly. The band, while not beautiful (as we are becoming accustomed to), are charming. It's a very nicely packaged music video.

Coupleskate as a song tells the story of someone going rollerskating with the person they adore. It is all very cute as they want to impress their special someone. Also, it is a tale of mild and pleasant happinesses. The world won't explode if things don't go right, which is nice because sometimes we need to relax. Here's Joe Christmas's Coupleskate.

MVOTD: Savage Garden (Day 169)

Savage Garden. They were soooo cool in the early 90's. Or maybe it was the late 90's. Either way, they bring it. Counter-tenor high notes, romantic lyrics, smooth instrumental, and clips filmed on location in Paris (which we know thanks to a clip of the Eiffel Tower). The storyline, two (ruggedly handsome/pretty) people trying to meet each other at a bistro who miss each other by minutes and find each other through extensive and sad wanderings, would not work in today's world. The concept would not have worked now due to the extensive use of cell phones (call, problem fixed). However, for Savage Garden, the theme is poignant enough for the song, but not too romantic. Plus, the swagger walk the lead singer does is pretty great for filming. 

For people who can hear colour, Truly Madly Deeply, is burgundy/maroon (thanks Youtube for that tidbit). I think knowing that makes the song sound even more smooth and romantic, but maybe it's just me.

MVOTD: NSYNC (Day 168)

NSYNC. Kings of cheese. In It's Gonna Be Me NSYNC brings the cheese. They bring it good.

In It's Gonne Be Me The members of NSYNC are Ken dolls roaming around a toy store. They fight G.I. Joe's, get jealous, flirt with Barbies, and are generally very plastic in general. And that's not even including their cheesy 90's choreographed dancing. Thanks to NSYNC I know that if one purchases an NSYNC Barbie, they'll turn into real people when they go over the scanner. Yup, It's Gonna Be Me is very 90's and wonderful.

MVOTD: New Kids (Day 167)

I was rocking out to this song on cassette earlier in the day and decided that, once again, Step by Step  by New Kids On The Block would be the music video of the day.  

There is really is so much to appreciate in this music video. The 80's dancing, the monotone colour schemes, the 80's dancing, the magical rainbows, the jumping, the random dance moves, the 80's dancing. It's all so wonderful and cheesy. I give it 4 and a half hearts. <3<3<3<3<.

MVOTD: CNBlue (Day 166)

Today's music video is the one I refer to as "the cute but creepy one". You shall see why. Yes, it is called Love Girl, and does feature CNBlue mooning over a girl, but it is creepy. There is a woman in a house. She is dancing about. Since CNBlue thinks she's cute, they jump out of a poster, rifle through her stuff, and hide in her room. Then, because hiding in her room isn't creepy enough, they follow her around the house and pretend to be lamps (oh wait, that was earlier in her bedroom).

I should mention that it's also really cute because it is soooooo ridiculous, but that doesn't stop it from being creepy.  It's impressive how cute they made it considering the concept.

Ramblings (Day 166)

Life is busy. It just is. So much happening. So many things to do. That's why it's nice when you have a moment. A moment vivid and clear and fun. Something that will stick in your head for years.

I recently had such a moment, and I'm very happy for it. A friend, let's call her Agatha, came over to do a photoshoot. When she showed up, she was toteing massive nerf guns. I was like, "okay, so we're taking pictures with nerf guns." She handed me one and disappeared to elsewhere. Meanwhile, I finished up work on my blog...which was when those little nerf bullets started to hit me in the head. I was like "Agatha, stop it." and turned my head...which is when I found out that it wasn't Agatha, it was Pants.

I was confused. How did Pants get into my house? Whatever. I cocked my nerf gun and went after him, only to find out that there were several other friends invading my house with nerf guns. Nerf gun wars ensued, involved me pelting certain peoples in the head with nerf bullets. It was all very much fun, and we cleaned up afterwards because we're responsible.

For me, this moment will stay with me, because it was very meaningful to have friends surprise me like that. I hope that you too can have these moments. Moments to reminise over.