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Drugstore Beauty Essentials

Talia Santarossa
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If you’re anything like me, you have a terrible time justifying spending any large sum of money on beauty products. You walk into Sephora with the mindset that, yeah, you’ll probably find about a million things you want but seriously, who would actually spend that much on makeup? If I use a product regularly, I’m more likely to choose a less expensive product so I can actually afford to buy more later. All that said, these are just a few basic drugstore beauty products that are not only really easy to use and are of good quality but aren’t going to break the bank.

IMG_9736Concealer: Wake Me Up Concealer – Rimmel

This is by far one of the best concealers I’ve ever used. It has an applicator wand like some lip glosses, so it’s easy to use and you don’t lose any product from having to apply it using your fingers. It blends really well and has great staying power. An all-around great product.

Lipstick: Lasting Finish Lipstick by Kate Moss – RimmelIMG_9739

I own about a million different lipsticks and no matter how many brands and formulations I try, this is always the one I go back to. The colour stays on for hours with little need for touchups unless you’re drinking from a glass frequently. Not only that, but it is also available in matte, which is really nice if you want deep colour without the normally characteristic sheen of most lipsticks.

IMG_9738BB Cream: Dream Fresh BB Cream – Maybelline

I’m not a huge fan of wearing foundation all of the time and this BB cream offers a great alternative. It acts more like a tinted moisturizer but still has a nice light coverage. It doesn’t clog your pores either so isn’t as prone to causing acne. This is a bit unconventional, but if you want more coverage than BB cream without the heaviness of foundation, mix 1 part this product to 1 part of your foundation and blend for a bit more coverage. It’s also SPF 30, which is always a bonus.

Eyeliner: Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil – PrestigeIMG_9740

Since the *dark* days when I used to dance, I’ve been using this eyeliner. Sure, it used to be stage makeup, but hey, it’s great stuff. It has a really smooth and creamy application and doesn’t smudge. Prestige also makes other really good eyeliners, but the waterproof pencil is my fave.

IMG_9737Mascara: The Falsies Flared Mascara – Maybelline

This is the only mascara I’ve ever used. Well, except for this one purple mascara, but that’s another story. I love the curved brush, the way it catches every lash and doesn’t clump. Granted, there’s usually a little bit of clumping when you open a brand-new tube, but after you use it a few times, that goes away. Many a friend has tried to make me try something else, but I refuse because I love this product so much.

Nick Jonas makes a comeback

Didi Moffat
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Very few people want to admit it once they reach their teens, but deep down there’s no denying it. Basically everyone passed through a Disney phase, at least once. Personally, one of my favourite shows was the Jonas Brothers. I loved the music they made as a band and was one of the disappointed fans when the band broke up.

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However, Nick is back to making music and while it’s not the whole band back together, I’m still very excited.  With his new song ‘Jealous’ that recently came out and has been topping the music charts, it was no surprise that his performance of the song at the Billboard Music Awards on May 17th was ranked as the number 1 performance.

This doesn’t shock people at all. Although we didn’t see his guitar skills come into play, Nick really brought it with his outfit, dance moves and voice. The background visual effects were also phenomenal. I really can’t wait for his next performance and to see him go on tour. He really is making a come back!

Astrological Phenomenon Explained: Mercury Retrograde

Kandace Peroramas
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For two weeks now, my life has been off-kilter. Whether it be physically, emotionally or mentally, everything feels weird. As much as I’ve tried to brush it off, there seems to be no way around it. So if you’ve been feeling off recently or something/someone is giving you a hard time, you’re not alone! We both may be going through the pre-effects of a 3-week event astrologists call the Mercury Retrograde.

For anyone already familiar with this topic, it’s known that people handle this period of time optimistically, pessimistically, and even nonchalantly. For those even more confused now than back before they read this post, it’s totally okay because that is exactly what Mercury Retrograde does. It’s a time of confusion and delays, but also for readiness and positivity. Your time spent now is a time for exposure to the highs and lows of the retrograde, and preparation for the next time life is not going according to plan.

☿ WHAT IS MERCURY RETROGRADE? ☿

Three to four times a year, the planet Mercury passes the Earth during its orbit. During these elliptical orbits, Mercury slows down and appears to stop (station), and then move backwards (retrograde). Be aware that Mercury isn’t REALLY slowing down or moving backwards, but instead is an optical illusion of when the planet is racing along the farther side of the sun rather than on our side. To give more perspective, take a look at the gif below. Depending on where you’re looking, it seems like the train is either moving towards or away from the tunnel:

The stationary and retrograde periods cause miscommunication between people, technology problems, and travel delays as Mercury rules these aspects. In addition, depending on which of the twelve astrological signs Mercury is in during its annual retrogrades, there may be further problems for those 3-4 signs.

For 2015, specifically, Mercury Retrograde will happen in the Air signs of Aquarius, Gemini, and Libra:

☿ January 21 – February 11, 2015 in Aquarius

**May 18 – June 11, 2015 in Gemini**

☿ September 17 – October 9, 2015 in Libra

Although the retrograde technically lasts until Mercury is moving forward (direct) again, there are periods before and after the retrograde we have to be aware of. For this reason, Mercury Retrograde can be divided into phases:

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  1. Pre-shadow phase: for May & June’s retrograde, the dates highlighted in blue represent Mercury entering the region where it will later go backwards. This phase is when things start to become off-kilter. As for the dates in violet, this is when this phase is intensified. People will often make incorrect assumptions or pay less attention to detail in their work & relationships that will later be accentuated once the retrograde begins.
  2. Retrograde Station: the two dates highlighted in bold red are when Mercury appears to have slowed down and will begin to move backwards. The dates in the two shades of pink are when the retrograde intensifies. Here, we will really start to feel the effects of previous actions. As we are currently in retrograde in Gemini, a sign known for its spontaneity, natural curiosity, and interaction with others through interesting facts and ideas, there will be greater sensitivity to the aspects of communication, traveling, and scheduling. Blunders such as pressing “Reply to All” to private emails, broadcasting too much information, getting stuck in traffic or missing deadlines could happen. However, this also means productivity for anyone with a message to broadcast such as journalists, educators, salespeople, and, of course, bloggers! Revamping of old ideas or having a flourish of new ones are prominent in this period. To see how the retrograde affects the other signs, click here and scroll until you see “Mercury Retrograde and the Sun Signs“!
  3. Direct Station: the date in dark brown signifies the end of the retrograde station when Mercury appears to have stopped moving backwards and is about to move in the same direction as the Earth around the sun. This is when the consequences of our actions, both good and bad, are revealed to us.
  4. Post-shadow phase intensified: the dates in light brown are when Mercury is moving forward again, but at a slow pace. The receding effects are more intense here than in the dates highlighted in grey, which symbolize the official end of this astrological event and the mishaps it could have brought upon us. Consequences are made apparent here and could also be used as a time of reflection.

Shown on the right side of the diagram below from a previous retrograde, the blue lines represent the DIRECT phases, the green and yellow for the PRE and POST SHADOW phases, and the red for when Mercury is in RETROGRADE.

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☿ MAKE THE BEST OUT OF MERCURY RETROGRADE ☿

While some people may decide to accept whatever is coming, there are others who like to use this time as a reflection of what they can do in times of adversity. We may not be able to control the galaxy, but we sure can control how much we let it affect us! Here are tips to bring a positive light to the retrograde:

  1. Review tests, emails, and documents before sending/signing/handing them in! Check for any loopholes or mistakes that could cause you trouble in the future.
  2. Leave for flights and special occasions early. You never know what could happen on your journey from point A to point B.
  3. Back up important data like photos, contacts, and files! Your phone or computer could crash anytime so be prepared if it happens.
  4. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box! Though the retrograde is not an ideal time to begin new projects, not subjecting yourself to closed thinking will open doors for projects you have already started. Also, now is a great time to handle unfinished business. Bring forth anything you have put on the back burner.
  5. Use the prefix “-re” to your advantage! Revamp, revisit, reconsider, renew, review, reflect, refresh, redecorate…there are so many ways in which you can go backwards! But instead of causing mishaps, this gives you time to breathe and focus on what needs to be done efficiently.

Life will get crazy in the next few weeks, but make sure not to let it stop you from accomplishing your tasks at hand. And although it does get crazy way beyond the retrograde, who says you still can’t make the best of your situation? It’s all up to you.

“One day, in retrospect, the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful.” – Sigmund Freud

Best wishes,

Kandace  🙂

Studyblr: the online community promoting academic success

Katja
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What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of the Internet? Maybe it’s knowledge, technology or possibly… procrastination? Yeah, it happens to the best of us — scrolling through Twitter or checking out the latest in your subscription box on YouTube is just so much more appealing than your social homework.

Maybe that’s what’s so refreshing about the Studyblr community; it’s motivation where you least expect it. That’s right, a whole network of Tumblr blogs dedicated to promoting and getting people excited about studying. So how do they do it? How did this seemingly-niche idea become so popular? I’ve been loosely following the community for a while now, and I think I’ve gained a pretty good idea of just why it has such a surprising appeal.

A huge part of studyblr is the focus on aesthetics. You’ll notice there’s a trend of pretty coloured pens, MacBooks, hot beverages, and, best of all, study snacks. Somehow, a lot of these blogs are able to take what is generally a pretty dull activity (lined paper, textbooks and review packages usually aren’t anyone’s idea of “pretty”) and make it look, well, dare I say appealing?

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Also available are networks of support that can be extremely comforting to a student undergoing exam-season anxiety. Sometimes, the scariest part about studying is figuring out how to get started. Many studyblrs create masterposts providing readers with resources on study strategy, productivity, organisation, and stress management, including fun websites for study breaks.

All too often the internet is pegged as a place of negativity, a cesspool of bad habits. Then, every now and again, something like studyblr comes along and proves just how positive social media can be. If you’re interested in finding out more, a great place to start is this list of blogs. A few of my personal favourites also include saturdaystudying, way-to-study, and studivation.

Image credits: 1 2 3 4 feature

 

Nail Polish picks for spring and summer

Jessica Liu
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What are your favourite things about spring? For me, the liberty to wear fun colours and designs on my nails definitely makes the cut. I’ve compiled a list of my favourite spring and summer nail colours – the ones that I instinctively reach for when the weather gets – and stays – sunny.

 

1. Essie’s “Go Ginza”

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Baby Pink + Lilac + Cream = Go Ginza.

According to Workplaypolish’s review, “Essie describes Go Ginza as a soft cherry blossom color. That description makes me think “pink” and this is more lavender to me. Super pale and delicate.” This colour, is muted, soft, very chic, and very feminine. As someone with a tanned complexion, I thought it would be too light to suit my hands, but wrong! It stands out on its own, and when done right, has such a beautiful, clean look to it (prepare yourself for compliments, ladies). I can’t really tell if it’s a cool or warm tone… too unique to categorize!

 

 

2. Essie’s “Bikini So Teeny”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Baby blue + Periwinkle blue = Bikini So Teeny.

What a BEAUT! It has a subtle silver shimmy inside the bottle, but it’s barely visible on the nail. This photo shows 2 coats, but I usually apply three thin coats just to be safe (with a Seche Vite top coat it looks absolutely perfect). After 6+ months, it tends to get goopy (maybe because I’ve used it so many times, thus exposing it to the air), but a couple drops of a nail thinner does the trick! It really pops on medium skin tones like my own, but it’s not bright enough to make my hands look darker than their true colour. Bikini So Teeny is a MUST HAVE. The name itself is beyond adorable.

 

 

 

 

3. Sally Hansen’s Xtreme Wear “Mint Sorbet” (#340)

Sally Hansen Mint Sorbet swatch

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Classic Pastel Mint = Mint Sorbet

This polish has quite an opaque formula (as with many Sally Hansen polishes), so 2 coats usually works for me. It looks different under different lighting, and at one point it looked eerily similar to Tiffany Blue. I don’t have much to say for this colour – it really speaks for itself. Sally Hansen really hit the bulls-eye and created the perfect “classic” mint green in my opinion, making it a universally flattering colour.

 

 

4. Sally Hansen’s Complete SALON Manicure “Gilty Party” (#130)

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Trust me: this picture doesn’t do it justice! 

This polish only requires two coats, and combines the best of gold, silver, and rose-gold. There are very fine copper flecks in the mix, which makes it look “grainy” up close. However, from a distance, it is extremely reflective, and very foil-like. If you’re into metallic polishes (which are quite popular in the summer), but don’t know what shade would suit you, try this flattering colour!

 

The NDP: not a Socialist Party

Jasmine
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The day after the elections is always full of altercations about the victorious party. This year was no exception.  However, the name that dominated student mingling– the explicit difference between this year and all others — was the New Democratic Party. The phrases that permeated every discussion consisted of uninformed assumptions such as “socialism” and even “communism“. What was even more alarming was when the announcements started as I was entering my classroom on the school day after the election. The familiar crackling sound signalled the start of the announcements and the first words that blared out of the PA system was “good morning comrades”  as if we were the citizens of North Korea.

Why tell such a story? As a student fairly involved and engaged in current events and interested in political action,  I’ve noticed that there is a common misconception and misunderstanding of the difference between local political spectrums and global political spectrums. Scrolling down social feeds,  one can lucidly spot opinions and statements all using inaccurate variations of the term “socialism”. In the aspect of Canada’s political spectrum,  the fact that NDP has dominated the government with a majority government does mean that our decisions will be shifted left on the continuum.  This shift,  however,  is only a centimeter on the global spectrum; a miniscule move to the left.  I believe it is unreasonable to entitle our government as a socialist government now from such a tiny shift in comparison to global continuums.

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Rachel Notley speaking as the premier.

My experience volunteering with the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank

Michelle Hua
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The Calgary Food Bank is a non-profit organization that collects food donations and distributes them to those in need. Supported by sponsors and help from the community, the food bank offers relief for people across Canada. I started volunteering at the food bank in January 2014 on Wednesday nights. Although all new volunteers must go through orientation and training process before actually starting.

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* New volunteers must be at least 12 years old, but must be accompanied by a guardian until you are 15. At special events volunteers must be at least 8 years old.

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According to the website, I got a list of a variety of activities that volunteers can do at the food bank:

  • Sorting incoming food donations
  • Receiving and recording donations
  • Assembling emergency food hampers
  • General light warehouse duties
  • Welcoming people who have come to the Calgary Food Bank
  • Handing out emergency food hampers
  • Administrative duties
  • Assembling Birthday Bags for children
  • Organizing and operating the Baby Room
  • Answering the Hamper Request phone lines
  • Driving throughout the community collecting donations
  • Accepting donations at various special events across the city

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At the food bank, I chose to help assemble emergency food hampers. The food is organized into varying amounts for different sized families and then put into crates. From there, the food is handed out to families or put into trucks to be driven to other food bank locations around the city.

Overall, I find volunteering at the food bank very gratifying and it helps me de-stress after school. Although not a lot of youth volunteer often, it is still a great way to meet new people. Everyone is super friendly and trying to make a difference, so you can’t help but get inspired by their motivation.

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If you’re interested, make sure to check out their website and fill out a volunteer application form

 

CPO’s Cello Concerto + 2014/15 Season Reflections and 2015/16 Season Thoughts

Hui Wen Zheng
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Cellists all across the city rejoiced on the 9th after a virtuositic performance of the quintessential Dvorak Cello Concerto by  Johannes Moser with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. If you must know one thing about me, it should be that I absolutely love cello music and, let’s not try to bypass this, cello players. This experience was definitely reaffirming of that. Moser’s execution of the piece was very interesting, as he had made different stylistic choices when compared to other recordings of the famous concerto. However, his skill and expertise in execution made it a nice take on the piece. It was impressive how much he could project his sound. Sitting at the top and far back of the concert hall, everyone was in awe of his amazing range of dynamics that still allowed him to be heard.

Once his performance was finished, we rushed to the atrium of the Jack Singer in order to get his autograph. He was incredibly friendly and sociable, taking the time to speak to each patron. Afterwards, the person I had attended the concert with informed me that her friends that attend Julliard were jealous of the fact that we had gotten to meet him. This came as a surprise to both of us, since we were unaware of just how popular Moser was in the “elite” music scene.

Autograph Moser

At the end of the concert, the 2015/16 concert lineup was also announced, and many of the performances (and one especially) has me excited for what’s to come. As a reflection of their terrific 2014/15 season, which still has a few concerts left until its completion, I have compiled a short list of 3 of my favourite CPO concerts from the past year, as well as 3 concerts from the upcoming season that I am most excited to see.

2014/15:

New World Symphony and Jan Lisiecki 

https://youtu.be/dz_tahEgMtI

Oh boy did I love this concert. The repertoire, which included  Mozart’s famous Eine kleine Nachtmusik, Jan Lisiecki‘s take on Shumann’s Piano concerto in A minor (which remains one of my favourites), and Dvořák’s 9th symphony, was an amazing compilation that kept me interested all night.

Beethoven and Mahler with Stephen Hough

I was extremely excited about this concert since it was the first time I was going to see a piece I was working on at the moment being performed live. And by someone as amazing as Stephen Hough too! Needless to say, the night was incredibly inspiring.

Classic America: Rhapsody in Blue

I attended this concert with fellow blogger Katja, and I know that she, too, can offer confirmation to the fact that it was absolutely incredible. Rhapsody in Blue itself is a fun piece to listen to, and listening to it live added a new dimension to the famous tune. Andrew von Oeyen displayed virtuosity and the guest conductor, Carols Miguel Preito, got the entire audience clapping for the final encore. Now that’s a sight you don’t see much in classical music!

 

2015/16:

Entwined: Butterfly Lovers & A Midsummer Night’s Dream

I find it hard to put into words how excited I am about this concert! I remember wondering when the CPO was going to bring this beautiful concerto into the Jack Singer, and now they have. The Butterfly Lovers concerto is an incredibly famous work of music in Chinese culture, and I have grown to love it ever since I accompanied a friend on it for a performance. This is no doubt my most anticipated concert of the 15/16 season.

Romeo and Juliet & Rachmaninoff with Pavel Kolesnikov

https://youtu.be/VDQCuTDCNC8

Pavel Kolesnikov was the 2012 winner of the prestigious Honens International Piano Competition. Really, anyone who has won Honens is worth listening to. The video above sees him performing with the CPO in the 7th round of the competition in 2012. It isn’t hard to figure out why he won.

Greatest Classical Hits

I think it’s always really interesting to see famous tunes performed live. Luckily, this entire concert features classical hits that have been popular in TV and popular culture. Repertoire includes Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1 performed by Sheng Cai, Debussy’s Clair de lune, and Beethoven’s 5th Symphony (1st mvt only).

To see more of what the CPO has to offer in its 2015/16 concert season, view the brochure here.

Parkshow 2015

Malika Daya
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“I don’t do fashion. I am fashion.” ~Coco Chanel

PARK- the non-profit arts and fashion organization- is hosting PARKSHOW on May 23rd in the newest parkade at Chinook Centre, bringing a coastline experience to their guests by transporting them into a serene ocean inspired setting. It will be an evening in paradise. PARKSHOW, Calgary’s most intriguing fashion show of the year, is all about showcasing emerging designers work from all across Canada.

The ten talented designers showcasing their work at the runway this year include:
Eliza Faulkner (Vancouver)
Bano eeMee (Calgary)
SP Badu (Calgary)
Vivian Lee (Toronto/Calgary)
LUXX RTW (Edmonton)
Suka (Edmonton)
Coutu Kitsch (Calgary)
Lennard Taylor (Winnipeg)
6 Streets (Calgary)
Forge Apparel (Calgary)

Come out and support our local designers and artist Jenny Vallis– on the 23rd at 7pm at the Chinook Centre. All the funds raised on the 23rd will be donated to our local arts organization, to support more of our talent here in Canada. It will be a breath-taking night full of fashion, culture, and art. Don’t miss out!

To purchase tickets visit: http://bit.ly/1GQYJPl or to learn more visit http://www.ourparkonline.com/parkshow-calgary.html


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Otafest 2015

Wayne Lin
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Celebrating Calgary’s Classical Talent, One Month On

Hui Wen Zheng
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Do you know someone musically talented around you? If so, chances are they attended the Calgary’s Got Classical Talent concert in celebration of the winners of the Calgary Concerto Competition (C3) on the 12th of April. Four incredible young musicians, Yan Li; violin, Peter Wang; piano, Yunzhi Han; piano, and Nicholas Kwan; piano, were given the amazing opportunity to play in the Jack Singer Concert Hall with the Calgary Civic Symphony.

It may come as a shock to those more familiar with the Calgary Philharmonic that Calgary has another full orchestra (as if you needed any convincing that our city is arts-oriented).  The Civic Symphony is made up of a group of dedicated volunteer musicians and is directed under the baton of Rolf Bertsch, who has made solo piano performances in Carnegie Hall and also has served as the resident conductor of the CPO. The symphony was also one of the founders of the C3 competition, an annual musical competition open to all instrumental students 18 and under who study with a Calgary teacher.

For most of the performers, who were all 15-17 years in age, it was their first time playing with a full orchestra. Every single one of them was absolutely terrific, and I was definitely left in awe of all the amazing things youth my age are capable of. It definitely stands as a testament to the hard work and dedication of these individuals.

From left to right: Nicholas Kwan, Yan Li, Yunzhi Han, and Peter Wang. (source)

Now, it has been a month since the concert, and the performers have fully returned to their routines, I decided to catch up with one of the winners about how the experience has continued to affect them both personally and musically. You may remember her from an interview I performed with her regarding the opening of the new Mount Royal conservatory. Read what Yan Li had to say below.

Q: How did the day of the performance feel?

Yan: I can’t believe I performed the Brahms violin concerto with an orchestra! I remember myself thinking about all the famous artists who had performed in the Jack Singer walking from backstage to the main stage. They were like ghosts in that hall.

Q: What was it like rehearsing with the Calgary Civic Symphony and working with Rolf Bertsch?

Yan: The first time I rehearsed with the orchestra, I was shocked by the volume and the energy. It was such a full and strong support for my solo. The adrenaline of playing with an orchestra really inspired me to really play out and give off the new energy I felt. Rolf Bertsch was amazing and understanding; I had a lot of fun. 

Q: What new aspects of the music had to the considered while working with an orchestra?

Yan: When playing with an orchestra, you don’t only listen to yourself, you also have to listen to other musicians in order to collaborate and adjust accordingly. It’s not easy, especially the competition between one violin and the 20 something violins plus violas plus cellos plus woodwinds all at once. I definitely had to project my sound more. 

Q: How has playing with an orchestra changed the way you perform or empowered you in any way?

Yan: Like many musicians, performing with an orchestra in such a beautiful concert hall has inspired me to discover my potential. Plus, being able to share my love for music is always the greatest feelings ever, like ever. 

 

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A huge thank you to Yan for her time and warm congrats to all the winners of the C3! To find out more about the Calgary Civic Symphony, their upcoming concerts (which, I must add, are very affordable), and the C3, visit their website at http://www.calgarycivicsymphony.ca/.

 

What to see in YYC: Weekend Preview May 16-19, 2015

Katja
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At last, May long weekend has arrived. This much-anticipated and much-needed break leaves us with only one question: what’s happening around YYC? Here are a few of my top picks for the next few days:

OtaFest (Friday/Saturday/Sunday)

Kicking off 2015’s festival season is OtaFest – the place to be for anime and Japanese culture enthusiasts. With dozens of vendors, shows, panels, and plenty of opportunities to see incredible cosplayers, the U of C’s most popular annual cultural festival will not disappoint.

 

Adventure and Sci-Fi: The Music of John Williams and More! (Friday/Saturday)

See Hollywood’s biggest sci-fi and adventure themes brought to life in a lively evening with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Featuring iconic compositions from Star Wars, Harry Potter, Jaws, Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, Back to the Future, and more, this is a night at the orchestra that the whole family will enjoy. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the CPO Box Office at 403.571.0849.

 

The Dewey Decibel System at Central Library (Friday)

In the grand opening of the Central Library’s new teen section, the CPL is shaking things up; less books, free poutine, and rock music will all be featured at Friday’s event. The celebration will include live performances from The Night Committee, Lunatique, The Nitehawks and Heavy Weather. This is a free event, but registration is necessary and available here.

 

 

Regency Springtime Ball (Saturday)

In this unique annual event, don your best period outfit and unite with Jane Austen lovers at Calgary’s most prestigious historic venue, the Royal Palliser Hotel. Live music, dinner, refreshments, dancing, and traditional card games all make for an unforgettable evening.

 

 

Image sources: 

Otafest     Jack Singer Concert Hall       CPL Logo      Regency Ball      Calgary skyline

 

Youth of YYC: Dan, 18

Wentao
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Youth of YYC: Dan, 18

YouthofYYC64

“Jet fuel can’t melt steel memes, and I can’t sleep because there’s too many pretty girls.”

– Dan, 18

Rainy Days: A 55 Fiction

Elene Otte
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55 fiction is a super super short story. One under 55 words to be exact. Initially over 75 words, the idea was successfully narrowed down to 55 words. Here it is:

rainy days

Rainy Days

Drip.

Rain. Never did like the cold. Miserable weather, too unpredictable.

First time I ever hit back, it was raining. Felt good then. 

I didn’t stop. Couldn’t.

Punch. Kick. Punch again.

A girl found me there, unconscious. Gentle touch. She said things would be ok.

A hard judicial stare. Behind cold iron tomorrow.

Drip. Drip.

[Featured Image Source]

GIVEAWAY: ‘Every Last Word’ Welcome to Poet’s Corner Prize Pack

Clea Cosmann
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‘Every Last Word’ Welcome to Poet’s Corner Prize Pack

One winner will receive:
• Journal, pen & magnetic fridge poetry kit;
• copy of Every Last Word to inspire the poet in you.

PoetsCorner

About the Book:

If you could read my mind, you wouldn’t be smiling.

Samantha McAllister looks just like the rest of the popular girls in her junior class. But hidden beneath the straightened hair and expertly applied makeup is a secret that her friends would never understand:  Sam has Purely-Obsessional OCD and is consumed by a stream of dark thoughts and worries that she can’t turn off.

Second-guessing every move, thought, and word makes daily life a struggle, and it doesn’t help that her lifelong friends will turn toxic at the first sign of a wrong outfit, wrong lunch, or wrong crush. Yet Sam knows she’d be truly crazy to leave the protection of the most popular girls in school. So when Sam meets Caroline, she has to keep her new friend with a refreshing sense of humor and no style a secret, right up there with Sam’s weekly visits to her psychiatrist.

Caroline introduces Sam to Poet’s Corner, a hidden room and a tight-knit group of misfits who have been ignored by the school at large. Sam is drawn to them immediately, especially a guitar-playing guy with a talent for verse, and starts to discover a whole new side of herself. Slowly, she begins to feel more “normal” than she ever has as part of the popular crowd . . . until she finds a new reason to question her sanity and all she holds dear.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER

 

AuthorTamaraIrelandStone

About the Author:

Tamara Ireland Stone (www.TamaraIrelandStone.com) is the author of Time After Time and Time Between Us, which Melissa Marr praised as a “beautifully written, unique love story,” and has been published in over twenty countries. A former Silicon Valley marketing executive, Tamara  enjoys skiing, hiking, and spending time with her husband and two children. She lives just outside of San Francisco.

 

 

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