Wednesday Listens: E02

Second episode of “Wednesday Listens.” Are you excited?

Is it the horns? The beat? The vocals? I don’t know but whatever it is, it’s working. Super catchy, instant mood improve, Saint Motel do not disappoint with this single! “Just My Type,” where were you a few months ago?

A bit on the older song, I know. But I’m liking it! Now that you’ve grown tired of “Take Me To Church,” watch Natalie Dormer in “Someone New.”

I wish I had taken Alabama Shakes seriously when I first saw their image posted by SNL on Facebook. Man oh man is this song promising.

Jill Alexander Essbaum “Hausfrau”

Well, well, well. Hausfrau. This book was tough to get into, but about half-way through it started to captivate me. The “plot” picked up, had me gasping at some key points, and also made me angry.

I’m not sure what changed. Either I became accustomed to Jill Alexander Essbaum’s writing, or the writing became better. Continue reading →

Aziz Ansari “Modern Romance”

20150621_191036Aziz Ansari presents the reader with a compelling, well-researched, and entertaining read on the landscape of modern romance. I appreciated that within the introduction he had a full-disclosure of the type of research that was conducted and the type of relationship (predominately heterosexual) that would be covered. He realized that not all types of relationships could be achieved within this single book, and because of his own experiences he could not discuss them effectively.

When reading this book and knowing I would write a review, I was unsure just how candid I wanted to be Continue reading →

Wednesday Listens: Edition 01

Each week I will present you with three tracks that you should keep on replay for the weekend. Welcome to the first edition of “Wednesday Listens.”

This is a solid track from Beck. I remember scoping through my dad’s music and seeing albums from Beck, but nothing stuck with me. I feel that it has been this past year that his music has grown on me. Morning Phase had some noteworthy tracks including his single “Blue Moon.”
After listing to “Dreams,” I’m excited to see where his new album goes!

Awe yeah. Who can forget our American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert? Say what you will, but come on, this track is hella catchy. Unfortunately it’s paired with a video that makes you want to look away due to the amount of flashing images.

Country? Pop? ELECTRONIC? I’m confused yet can’t stop listening.

Howard C. Cutler “The Art of Happiness”

The full title of this book is “The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living” written by Howard C. Cutler based on conversations with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Like others, at first glance it appears as if HH the Dalai Lama would be the one who wrote this, this is not the case. Rather, the book is a write-up on a collection of conversations Howard C. Cutler, m.d. had with HH the Dalai Lama. Because of this connection between the two authors, it makes for a great comparison between the Eastern world to the Western world. Something that will help Westerners relate scenarios to their own life.

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I have a strong appreciation toward Buddhism, and even had the pleasure to see HH the Dalai Lama speak in Toronto a while back. With each day attempt to bring more of the philosophical elements into my life. This book was an excellent method to help bring happiness to my life, and has provided a look into how one can become happy. I think this book will be something that needs to be read every few years.

Something that stuck with me:
“On the other hand, without expectation and hope, without aspiration, there can be no progress. Some hope is essential. So finding the proper balance is not easy. One needs to judge each situation on the spot.” pg. 232

Alan Moore “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen”

I liked it, and as far as a graphic novels go, it was a good read. Not as intense as V for Vendetta which I guess I was expecting from Alan Moore, but it was still good.

I enjoyed the first volume more so than the second volume. Drawings fit the characters, liked how it was rougher sketches.

I also enjoyed the use of classic Victorian literature mixed in with the plot lines, a good inclusion.

 

Neil Postman “Amusing Ourselves to Death”

The full title of this book by Neil Postman is “Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the age of Show Business”

Reading this book, I just kept thinking about how much it made me seem like a Communications grad. I actually knew what Neil Postman was talking about because of my studies. #win
I understood references, theorists, arguments, it was great. And I felt it perfectly encapsulated my academic studies in 164 pages. Continue reading →

Music on the Rise

These are the following bands and musicians I’m predicting will be featured on (mainstream) radio this upcoming year. Have your first listen here, then tell all your friends that Victoria Chiasson directed you to the beautiful sounds. Continue reading →

Dean Koontz “Odd Apocalypse”

Odd Thomas is quite possibly my favourite character. As this if the fifth Odd Thomas book in the series, I was not disappointed. This book is more supernatural (I know right, how can that be when Odd sees ghosts) than the rest, and has many crazy elements.

Carrying off from Odd Hours, Annamarie and Odd find themselves at Roseland estate (built by a Roaring 20s Hollywood Film Maker). In typical Odd Thomas fashion, Continue reading →