Youth Are Awesome, commonly referred to as YAA, is a blog written by youth for youth.
YAA provides the youth of Calgary a place to amplify their voices and perspectives on what is happening around them.
Youth Are Awesome is a program of Youth Central.
Any views or opinions expressed on this blog belong solely to the author and do not represent those of people or organizations that the blog may be associated with, unless explicitly stated. All content is for informational purposes only.
Shruthi Bandi of Queen Charlotte School in Charlottetown won gold at the Canada-Wide Science Fair for her project on antibiotics. (Lindsay Carroll/CBC)
Shruthi Bandi, a Grade 8 student competing in the A.P.E.I. national science fair, won gold for her work in antibiotics. Through her research, she has discovered that not all bacteria are as menacing as they seem. In fact, Bandi has found that some micro-organisms can be used to defeat two common infections.
One of her isolates were able to fight against Staphylococcus aureus and two of her other isolates were used to combat Candida albicans. Bandi hopes to utilize her knowledge of the benign nature of some micro-organisms, to one day, procure medicine and treatments against infections and diseases.
“Everyone thinks micro-organisms are bad and they cause diseases, but I wanted to prove that micro-organisms are actually really good and they help fight diseases,” said Bandi. (CBC News)
Bandi will forever be a beacon of inspiration for youth. We can truly make a difference. Look out for the name, Shruthi Bandi, she may one day develop cures along with the micro-organisms she is not scared to befriend.Who knows, maybe we all need to step out of our comfort zone and ally ourselves with bacteria and not worry about getting dirty. As a youth, I am irrevocably proud that a youth has made a compelling contribution to the science community. Bandi has taught us that age is but a number; do not be deterred from your youth but embrace the fact that you can have a fearless perspective on life.
Staphylococcus aureus causes a Staph infection which may result in an eruption of boils and rashes on the skin. (link)
In recent weeks, my fellow bloggers Malika and Audrey have shared playlists that emulate happiness, an easy-going attitude and a certain letting go of inhibitions. Music is such a great outlet and playing upbeat music can cheer you up in nearly every situation or help you slip away from the world. However, being someone who embraces emotion, instead of always listening to cheerful music when I’m down, I tend to dig into the melancholy and sombre part of my music library. I think it brings me closer to what I’m feeling and can help me better understand what I’m going through instead of just throwing it under the mat. Ramblings aside, here’s just a snippet of my *very* long playlist of slow, soulful and sad songs.
Note: Most everything here is classic rock, alternative, alt-rock, indie, post-hardcore or punk-pop. Sorry, just my closed-minded and rather picky taste.
In a way, I think the sight of Mt. Fuji in the distance from Tokyo is a parallel to the scenery the Rocky Mountains provide for Calgary. Let’s take a look at that sunset. Maybe we’ll see an experience like that perhaps one day?
You’ve worked hard all year (or not worked at all) and now, graduation season is approaching. From the end of May to June, most high schools will be having graduation ceremonies to celebrate the achievements of their Grade 12 students. Whether graduation signals the end of school torture, or the beginning of success, it is a time for all students to ask yourselves: “What does graduation mean to me?”
For myself, Grade 12 has been a variety of ups and downs, filled with surprises and disappointments. I am still not sure of what to expect come September, but I hope it will be just as amazing. While I will be going into post-secondary, others may choose to take time off to travel, go into the workforce, or start a new business. Graduation means having your high school friends together one more time, before we say separate into our own ways. Looking back, it is these people that have shaped who you are the last three or more years.
I have always tried to take graduation as a time to focus on the now, not the future. As excited as I am for university and the summertime, I wont be able to enjoy my last months in high school if I do not focus on them. Try to experience something new, pickup a new hobby or just spend quality time with your friends. Grade 12 does not just have to be about marks and tests, it can also be a celebration of your life so far.
Are you on your Macbook, iPhone, or iPad right now, reading this blog? If not, I’m sure you are still curious to know how the Apple logo came to be. Did you know Steve Jobs had just came back from an apple farm after he had started a fruitarian diet? At first, he made the apple logo rainbow-coloured because he wanted to represent the fact that they could make colour graphics. The apple is bitten simply because without it, Steve Jobs thought that it looked like a cherry to people!
NIKE
Carolyn Davidson was the one who create this logo. In 1971, she was chosen while she was working on a graphic design assignment at her school. She didn’t really like it at first, but she said that she would grow to get used to it. The crazy part is she was only paid $35, which sounds a bit low compared to what it is worth today!
STARBUCKS
I thought this picture was funny!
If you haven’t seen the old Starbucks logo, you may be in shock because it is a mermaid who is sitting with two tails, not one! In addition, she is shirtless and is surprisingly sexual. The mermaid is thought to actually be from the many other symbols/people from Greek mythology. Due to the fact that it was sexual, it has been adapted to fit into today’s society.
You’ve seen him in both cartoon and movie renditions swinging from one building to another, but trust me, you’ve never seen him like this.
An independent election candidate, a martial arts trainer and fitness consultant for the Mumbai police, Guarav Sharma a.k.a the “Indian Spider-Man” is representing his district in South Mumbai in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Wearing his red and blue Spider-Man costume, Guarav’s strategy for attaining voters is rather unique and unusual. Instead of campaigning from door to door, he scales buildings from window to window calling for voters to vote for him.
He has the chosen the window to be his election symbol and keeping true to it, he climbs buildings and knocks on people’s windows to grab their attention. He has definitely taken up the popular catch phrase “with great power, comes great responsibility “by running to conquer the poor sanitation system due to the various slums in Mumbai. In addition to this, he is also running to combat a way to uneducated kids growing up in the slums, if he gets elected.
Who knew that a comic superhero such as Spiderman would have a phenomenal global impact as big as this.
Attention all Otafest newbies: Are you planning on attending Otafest next year and don’t know how to plan your day? Do you know what to pack? Just what the heck even goes on at Otafest? If you have ever thought about any of these things, or are an old-timer just wanting a guide book to making your Otafest trip a success, I have got you covered. This guide will be especially helpful for those of who you don’t want to attend all three days as it will advise you on how to not waste your time unnecessarily. Keep an eye out for more Otafest 101 blogs to come!
This guide is quite lengthy, so feel free to skim through and read the sections that you feel are of help. Please also enjoy some sneak peeks of items I purchased at Otafest.
Navigation
Getting to the University of Calgary may already be a challenge for some, and I can assure you that navigating inside the buildings won’t be much easier. For someone as directionally challenged as myself, a map will be your friend. Before you head off to Otafest, study the layout of the events. They change each year, so even if you’ve been to Otafest before, it’s a wise decision.
Each year, Otafest will post a map of the building layout and highlight where main events will be happening. (http://otafest.com/map)
Scheduling
Unless they decide to randomly change things up, Otafest will also post a schedule along with their map, usually on the same page (this year it was http://otafest.com/map). No matter which day you’re going, check this schedule ahead of time. Events do overlap and chances are you will miss most of them. Each event is held in a different room in a different building. If two of your events overlap or are being held on opposite ends of the campus, make sure you account for this. The panels fill up quite quickly so you’ll want to be there 5-10 minutes early. Even if it looks like no one is waiting in line, you will be glad you’re the first one there.
What to Bring
First and foremost, you will want to bring along your wallet. It’s a good idea to take out cash beforehand (although there are ATM machines), mainly to prevent yourself from overspending and eliminates the worry of losing a credit card if you’re cosplaying. For me, excluding the cost of admission, I like to bring around $80. Warning: They do not take debit cards anywhere, so you might as well not bring that at all. For the 18+ events, they will take ID, so you will need to bring that should you decide to attend.If you are going to cosplay, bringing a bag might not be your best option because people will ask to take your photo a lot (if it’s a good cosplay). Also, if you’re not planning on visiting the Vendors or Artist Alley (which would be quite sad), then a small clutch will suffice. If you’re a guy and are lucky enough to have pockets, that should be good enough as well. Personally, I’m always over-prepared so having a bag full of everything just makes me feel secure.Should you decide to bring a bag, don’t forget to check it in at the Bag Check before heading into the Vendors. If you get into the line (a very, very long line) and realize that you still have your bag, it’s going to be a huge waste of time to go check your bag and then have to line up all over again. They will just take the number on your wrist band and you can collect it after your Vendor trip is over.Optional: Otafest is always held in May, and although our weather is unpredictable, it’s always good to have an umbrella just in case. I’m also going to say that a jacket is optional because the weather usually is nice during May. I went all three days in a skirt/dress and barely felt cold. Most of the events are inside, and the outside events don’t last long. Unless you want to hang out on Cosplay Hill outside and take lots of pictures, carrying around a jacket may not be worth your time.Optional: I take my 3DS with me most places just to get Play Coins. Otafest is the perfect place to rack up steps, unless you are sitting in the panels all day long, but otherwise walking around the Vendors and Artist Alley (plus navigating around the campus in general) will get you lots of steps. Otafest may also be one of the single places where you will find hundreds of people on a DS at the same time. If your Animal Crossing town is lonely or your Pokémon box is in need of updating, you can find many new friends at Otafest.
Vendors and Artist Alley
Again, be prepared for crazy lines. The Artist Alley doesn’t fill up as quickly, but there are some who line up outside the vendor area 30-50 minutes before they even open. If you don’t feel like standing in a line for that long, you’ll probably just have to suck it up, but you can pull out your phone, DS, or talk to that person beside you there (so overrated, I know) and the time should pass quite quickly.
I suggest visiting the vendors during a block of time when there are no panels or other special events that you plan on going to. Overall, a trip to the vendors will take a toll out of your schedule (and wallet). Unless you only plan on browsing and not buying, set aside 1-2 hours for roaming the vendors. The Artist Alley I also suggest setting aside an hour for, but the wait is not nearly as long.
The vendors are only open during Saturday and Sunday, so don’t come on Friday expecting them to be open.
Panels
One of the things that makes me slightly irritated is the fact that Otafest does not advertise what their panels are. Some of the events, such as Cosplay Battle Chess, are pretty self explanatory by title. Although, there are some events called Anime Things or Themed Torture Tag that make you wonder just what the heck is going on. Should you decide to take a chance and visit an ambiguous panel, don’t feel obligated to stay if you would rather attend something else. If you are a true Otaku, it will be quite unlikely that you end up in a panel you don’t enjoy.
There are AMV showings and an improv show which are both very popular (for good reasons) so you’ll want to make it there very early in order to get a good seat for these two.
Food (Trucks) and Maid Café
The University of Calgary cafeteria is packed with different types of foods, so there should be something that strikes your fancy. The prices are quite high (unless you’re going to A&W or Orange Julius), with a meal ranging from $6-$10, so be sure to set aside an appropriate amount of your spending money for food.
The food trucks are even more expensive, and they also tend to run out quite quickly. If you’re planning on going to a food truck, it would be best to head over before 4:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. just to make sure that anything you want to eat will actually be in stock.
I’m not sure if this will be applicable every year, but the reservations for the maid café were crazy this year. If you want to get in, it’s best to make your reservations right at 9:00am when the doors to Otafest open. I didn’t end up making it any of the days I was there so I can’t give a solid opinion, but the friends I talked to said that the maid café was quite good this year.
Other General Thoughts and Tips
I love walking and I can walk for a very long time without getting tired. For some, this may not be the case and walking for five hours every day for three days might not seem fun. Wearing comfortable shoes (cosplay or not) is going to prevent you from having some very sore feet.
Set a limit and stay within it. Take out a certain amount of money beforehand and budget it so that you don’t end up spending too much (like I probably did).
Bring a water bottle with you or buy some sort of beverage for your trip. You will get thirsty at some point and if you wait until lunch, the lines will be quite long for food.
Have a camera or a phone with a good camera because I guarantee you will run into at least one person you will want to take a picture of/with. But just remember that cosplay does not mean consent! Don’t creepily take people’s pictures without their permission.
Looking for a way to eat healthier? You’ve come to the right place. Scroll through the links to find the perfect healthy breakfast recipe for you. Watch out for healthy lunch recipes next week!
Quick breakfasts:
Strawberry Milkshake – Milk is always a healthy option, but maybe you should shake up your routine with a Strawberry Milkshake! Check it out here. Cheesy Mushroom Scramble – This fast and easy breakfast will leave you satisfied and ready for the day. Check out the recipe here.
Blueberry and Maple – Pecan Granola Parfaits – Substitute the blueberries with whichever fruit you like and you’ll get your perfect healthy breakfast. Recipe link.
You wanted a war? Looks like you’ve got one! This line, alongside about as many lines as there are stars in our universe, is “vintage Harry Kim.” Now you may or may not have grown up a Trekkie, engulfed in the lives of Lieutenant Spock, Captain Kirk, Scotty, Chekov, Dr.McCoy, Harry Kim, Tom Paris, Captain Janeway, Seven of Nine, and so on; however, Star Trek’s legacy has carried over into 21st century entertainment. The Big Bang Theory’s Sheldon Cooper’s trademark “Rock, paper, scissors, lizard, Spock” game was inspired by Leonard Nimoy himself. Other popular modern TV shows including Breaking Bad, Castle, Chicago Fire, Community, CSI, Dexter, and even Canada’s Worst Driver 2 have been the platform of Trek references. So for anybody living back around 1995-2000, interviewing Ensign Harry Kim would have most likely been a big, big deal. It would be akin to interviewing Benedict Cumberbatch, Dean Norris, Jonny Lee Miller, Tatiana Maslany or Corey Stoll in today’s world of entertainment. For some however, Ensign Harry Kim and the man behind his character, Garrett Wang, will always be remembered. Now, if you’re unfamiliar with Ensign Harry Kim, educate yourself!
– Best known for his role as ENSIGN HARRY KIM on Star Trek: Voyager.
– Voyager ran from 1995 to 2001.
– He was keen to participate in a new role for the 2007 fan production Star Trek: Of Gods and Men, saying, “It’s always more challenging for an actor to play the bad guy.”
– Made an appearance in the TV series All American Girl as Raymond Han.
– Named the Director of the Trek Track for Dragon Con in 2010.
– Interviewed Stan Lee at 2012 Comicon.
– Surprise speaker at Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG) Exposed.
– Was a science fiction fan, in particular Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica.
– Watched all the Star Trek films that came out in the theaters but never really got into Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG) prior to working on Voyager.
– On three separate occasions (in a span of a year and a half) he tried to watch TNG again and it was always a repeat of “Code of Honor”. Wang considers this a good thing, as he believes if he was a huge fan of TNG, he might have been so nervous during his auditions for Voyager that he might have ended up losing the role altogether.
Such a humble individual, Wang has been putting smiles of the faces of fans ever since he became an instrumental part of Star Trek: Voyager. Attending as many conventions as he could, he truly reached out to his fans, as a symbol of appreciation for everything they had done for him. The phrase, “I love my fans, I couldn’t do anything without them. I thank each and every one of you,” has become awfully cliché; however, with Wang, it’s simply an honest statement. Now I’m certainly not suggesting that every celebrity needs to hold a house party (well, it’d most likely be a mansion party) and invite all their fans; however, as Wang points out in the interview I conducted with him (which you can view HERE), genuine appreciation can go a long way. “You know you can spend a lifetime idolizing somebody and they can literally take two seconds for that idolization to shatter, that image is completely shattered in one meeting. So you know that’s the sad part about it.” That statement could not be more relevant in today’s society, where children, teens and adults alike, truly idolize celebrities. Remember the Beliebers? I wouldn’t exactly bet on Justin being super pleasant and genuine to meet in person. Garrett Wang has been putting smiles and creating life-long memories for his fans since 1995, what is there not to like about that? This is not some sort of paid, promotional article about Mr.Wang, it is simply my way of saying ‘thank you’ to this celebrity, this human being, for his honesty, his dedication, and the years he spent entertaining people, and pouring his heart out to his fans.
Thanks for reading, and be SURE to check out my interview with Garrett Wang HERE.
And follow the man on twitter, he is extremely entertaining!
I had the privilege of interviewing Garrett Wang, best known for his work as Ensign Harry Kim on Star Trek Voyager. I could go on and on about Garrett Wang and Ensign Harry Kim, but that’s what this post was for! Check it out here. It’s all about Garrett Wang and is a great prelude before you read the interview. AL stands for myself, while GW stands for Garrett Wang. Enjoy!
GW: Yeah, I was born in California, moved after a couple of years to Indiana, onto Bermuda – six years there, onto Memphis, Tennessee – eight years there, and back to California and went to California for college. And now, Vegas. I think if anything, moving around helped my acting. I had a broader view of the world. And I think part of being a good actor is being a good people person. I would say that having all these addresses was an advantage when it came to my acting and also as a human being. I always suggest to people to travel overseas and see how other people live. It gives you a perspective regarding your own life when you see how other people live.
GW: There are basically two ends of the spectrum when it comes to celebrities or people who are on TV shows at conventions. There are two ends of the spectrum. One end is the one that literally… a fan will be in the line saying ‘Oh my god, I got my sister on the phone, here can you please say Happy Birthday to her? Please, please, please, please!’ Some actors will say ‘sure,’ such as myself, ‘let me go ahead and do that for you. Let me go the extra mile.’ And on the other end of the spectrum is the actor who does not go the extra mile. That actor basically, as soon as they’re done with their time commitment at the convention is like ‘take me to my hotel room.’ Let me go there and lock every lock, deadbolt possible because I don’t want to be around the fans any more than I [have to be]. When you’re in line for a Shatner autograph, the staff come up to tell you before you walk up there and they’ll say ‘ok, when you get up to Mr. Shatner, make sure you do not engage him in conversation. Do not talk to him about blah, blah, blah. Do not try to ask for anything. Just hand him the article that needs to be signed and then move on. The majority of the time the man is just looking straight down at the table and signing, as the assistant takes the item to be signed. And he doesn’t even look up! So my feeling is that if you’re paying anywhere from $80 to $120 for a Shatner autograph, UM… I think Shatner should look up and say ‘hey, how are ya?’ Just the acknowledgement, that’s all! And so I hate the way he treats fans and then all of a sudden… you look it up on the internet and it says ‘Garrett Wang hates William Shatner,’ and it’s like OK… This is how press can blow things out of proportion. I don’t hate William Shatner. First of all, I love the character of Captain Kirk and I think that he does justice to it in his own quirky, staccato acting delivery. I mean everyone knows who he is, everyone knows what he’s done. I just dislike, strangely dislike the way he treats the fans. My feeling is that if you’re not even going to acknowledge them while they’re there… DON’T COME TO THE CONVENTION. DON’T USE THE CONVENTION AS YOUR PERSONAL ATM MACHINE. The fact that money is exchanged anyways at conventions, it’s just a little touchy feely there. You know actors need to come on out there and make a better living at times, I understand that, but you know you… Let’s face it, Captain Kirk is what put him on the map. That is what put him on the map and so I just feel that I would like to see him be a little bit more appreciative, that’s it. You know what I’m saying? Especially, especially since he charges such crazy amounts of money for an autograph, more so than anybody else out there, so that’s all. And he doesn’t have to have a conversation, ‘how’s your kids, blah blah blah.’ Just say ‘Good morning,’ ‘Good afternoon,’ ‘Good evening,’ ‘Thank you,’ you know that’s it! That little snippet after being in a long, long line is like a piece of gold to fans. You know, that’s all.
Wang at the Comikaze Expo in LA, speaking about his relationship with William Shatner – Source
AL: For sure, seeing your idol and kind of taking that extra mile is huge. Also, taking the time to recognize that being a celebrity is a two way street. As an actor, you need the fans, and as fans, you want the actor, because you enjoy that type of entertainment.
GW: You know you can spend a lifetime idolizing somebody and it can literally take two seconds for that idolization to shatter, that image is completely shattered in one meeting. So you know that’s the sad part about it.
GW: She didn’t play any favorites in class. She was just a solid acting teacher that really inspired me to continue in acting. I just love her style of teaching, the way she was as a person. Those are the beginning days of me having an acting instruction, and they’re wonderful days because I soaked it up like a sponge.
GW: I would say advice for those who want to (and this is something inevitably in every convention I go to, there is always someone trying to get into acting, and ‘what’s your advice? What do you think?’) I think that Hollywood itself is a very difficult environment itself to succeed in. The biggest thing is if you’re Canadian, you do have Toronto, you do have Vancouver, you do have cities that are utilized by Hollywood to film shows in. You know, there are a lot of shows being filmed in Canada. So you know my best advice is study, and take acting seriously. Realize that show business is only 10 per cent show and 90 per cent business. And that you have to, even if some people are like ‘well, I’m beyond that, I’m an artiste. I don’t depend on that business.’ Well you’re just going to be an artiste, you’re acting for yourself! Because you have to realize that. And I always say get the training that you need, take acting classes, take improv classes, take scene study classes, do everything you can in your home town, wherever that is, and then go to areas you know, hopefully, Toronto and Vancouver that have acting productions going on and find an agent to represent you. To send you out on roles. And also, know your type, you know, sometimes people that are… a man who is 5 foot 3 and extremely… got a limp, says ‘well I want to play the hero.’ Well you don’t really fit that archetype. Or someone who’s 6 foot 7 and looks like glaringly, blaringly menacing and without them saying a word, it looks like they can really hurt you.
Fargo filming in Calgary, near Western Canada High School – Source
GW: Well not Shatner, but you know someone really, what we call a person who plays the heavy, instead of the bad guy. There are those guys who have hearts of gold and are like ‘I just wanna play in family movies, where I’m the dad,’ and it’s like NO! That doesn’t work! Because nobody is going to believe you as dad looking at you. So, always watch, make sure that you play your archetype to what people perceive you as. And if you make a living out of that, then you can call the shots and try to play against your type, which can work also, but in the beginning it doesn’t. So, I always say, stay in your own town, take classes there, go to whatever metropolis has some type of production work going on, on a regular basis, get an agent there, and give it a shot. That’s my advice there.
AL: And finally, the last question, who were your idols growing up and who have you had the best experiences working with. Who do you want to give a shout-out to?
GW: Yeah, you know, my idol growing up as a child, he’s not an actor, but he’s an impressionist, he does accents and impersonations of famous people, his name is Rich Little. Wonderful in terms of talent level and his uncanny ability to sound precisely like famous people around the world. It was basically a human being using their body as an instrument. An instrument to sound exactly like somebody else… Same pitch, same tone, same everything. And also to make the audience laugh and wow in amazement. That was my idol growing up. And pretty much anybody who worked on SNL (Saturday Night Live), because I like sketch comedy. I mean, let’s face it, drama is great and all, and you know Star Trek Voyager is definitely… they’re all dramas with some sprinkled in romance, and comedy. But if I had my choice, oh my goodness, I would only be on a sitcom, because I just love sitcoms. But back to what I spoke about earlier, sitcoms or comedic movies… Hollywood tends to think they got to be all about quirky looking people, not people who are like lady-man looking. So they don’t give Brad Pitt that many options and comedy, they don’t give all the guys that seem to be more lady-man looking comedy choices, so people in comedies is kind of something that I’ve always looked up to. SNL players, Rich Little the impressionist, so those are the ones that I’ve been inspired by. If you ask me to name a serious actor or dramatic actor, pound for pound, I would name Viggo Mortensen, who played Aragorn in the LOTR (Lord of the Rings) movies. You know, for those model good looks, to have that high quality acting ability, is rare. So, big fan of him.
Rich Little – SourceViggo Mortensen – SourceSaturday Night Live! Who doesn’t like it!? – Source
GW: Yeah! I do put myself in there, but it’s also very difficult for me to say, ‘wow, I’m such a handsome guy.’ I’m a pretty humble guy when it comes to that, and it’s difficult for me to accept compliments a lot of times, but thank you. I appreciate that.
You may remember Melanie Martinez from the third season of the Voice, where she did an amazing acoustic cover of Toxic by Britney Spears but now, she has moved onto bigger things. Unfortunately, she did not win the singing competition, but that doesn’t mean her amazing talent went unnoticed. She still had many followers, like myself, after the competition and now has a brand new EP out on iTunes!
Melanie’s EP has four songs and a music video for her single “Dollhouse,” which was released earlier this year. Her voice is haunting and the only way I can describe it is a mixture of Lana Del Rey and Miley Cyrus. All of her songs have a unique and eerie style and tend to flashback on childhood memories with a dark twist. The lyrics are amazing and her voice is even better. It is so smooth and somehow soothing, despite the creepy melodies in the songs. The only critique I do have is that she tends to repeat words often which can make the songs a bit monotonous, but seeming this is her first experience with actually releasing original music, I am very proud. Melanie has come a long way since the Voice and it really shows in her music. She has found her own style and stuck to it, there’s minimal auto tune to her voice and I was pleased to see that her hair has not changed – and she still has her adorable gap tooth.
The music video for Dollhouse was beyond my expectations. It is my favorite song on the album because it speaks the sad and scary truth that even the most perfect families have problems beyond closed doors. With the title “Dollhouse” and lyrics like “everyone thinks that we’re perfect, please don’t let them see through the curtains,” it’s easy to see why she went with a Dollhouse theme. She looks adorable in her doll makeup and the music video is equally as haunting and powerful as the song!
The cover art for the album is gorgeous as well. It really reflects Melanie’s personality; it’s in eye capturing pastels and is quite adorable, but at the same time, there is something creepy about it all . There’s little paper houses all across the bottom and felt clouds in the fuzzy pink sky which, I suppose, symbolizes how fake people can really be. However, Melanie Martinez is not at all fake, in fact she is the complete opposite; true to herself and an unique talent. So please go take a look at her debut EP “Dollhouse” on iTunes!
Although it is rare that we will ever see the bite of radioactive spiders produce the powers of Spider-Man, science may be bringing us closer everyday. Today, we will explore the primary aspects that makes Spider-Man our hero.
A demonstration of the SpiderSense. Photo: Lance Long. Retrieved from http://www.vmateevitsi.com/
Spidey’s web:
Spider-Man’s iconic weapon, of course, is his web. Contrary to belief, Spider-Man’s web is spun from cartridges of high-pressurized “web fluid.” This fluid is released from contraptions built from steel (MARVEL Universe Wiki). This type of technology has yet to be known. However, many other experiments using the silk of spiderwebs have occurred. For instance, the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom has calculated that spider silk is strong enough to stop a runaway train (Wired). Spider silk is known to be as strong as, if not stronger, than steel. Yet, the technology of spider silk is hindered by the inability to mass produce the silk.
The suit:
The uniform makes the man. Humans may be closer to replicating Spider-Man’s gravity-defying crawls up walls and ceilings. Using the natural aspect of spiders and geckos being able to climb up walls and ceilings, scientists have created a hierarchy of adhesives that will allow humans to suspend their whole weight on walls and ceilings, while still being able to detach and move (Science Daily). Spiders and geckos have feet that are water-resistant and self-cleaning. With further research in this matter, hopefully we may one day see Spider-Man’s suit come to life.
A spider’s sense:
The alert awareness of Spider-Man always garners him an edge when dealing with his adversaries. All senses tend to be heightened for Spider-Man. This sort of cognizance may not be too far with developments, such as Victor Mateevitsi’s SpiderSense. SpiderSense is a wearable technology that will revolutionize how humans can perceive their environment. This sort of technology has led to advances that will allow smart sensors to detect hazards and humans through the use of different energy levels and radiation.
With the further advancements of these technologies, perhaps science may present us with a real-life Spider-Man. Our friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man would be very proud.
As teens, we have playlists for everything, music is our lives, we have songs to fit all of our moods – exuberant, flabbergasted, upset, heart broken, and in love. A lot of the time, life is not always butterflies, clear skies, and roses. We all go through our everyday mood swings and sorrow, so in order to let go of the pain and grief, we listen to music. SO… I thought I would share with you my very own playlist, that cheers me up regardless of the situation. I hope you enjoy!
1. Happy By Pharrel Williams
This upbeat song will make you bounce with the tune and uplift your spirt.
3. Heart Attack by Demi Lovato
The vibe this song gives off will radiate and make every nerve in your body feel alive.
4. Lean on Me By Bill Withers
The melody and lyrics of this song just has a way of filling my heart with warmth.
5. Feeling Good- Michael Buble Version, originally by Nina Simone
Michael Buble’s voice is just magical, along with the great composition of music and lyrics, this song just has a way of making you feel good.
6. Neon Trees- Everybody Talks
Oh how I love the feeling this song gives me, it just boosts my energy and my positivity.
9. Hit the Lights by Selena Gomez
This song just happens to remind me of my dreams and aspirations, it is a push for me to get off my butt and start working towards accomplishing those dreams.
10. What I Wouldn’t Do by Serena Ryder
What I wouldn’t do, reminds me of all the support I have in my life, and the tune just makes me feel thankful for what I have in my life.
Do you have a personal playlist? Is music also a therapeutic cure for you? We all have ups and downs in our lives; that is inevitable, but how do we cope? For me, the answer is music. What is it for you?
“Have you ever read a John Green novel, finished the novel, and then wandered around in a confused stupor for a week while questioning your entire existence and every decision you’ve ever made?”
I certainly have! John Green has a way of connecting with his audience on a personal level and make them reflect on their own lives. The words printed on the pages of Looking for Alaska, The Fault in Our Stars, An Abundance of Katherines, Paper Towns and any other John Green novel has a way of making you feel not only emotionally connected with the characters but also it allows you to discover yourself. John Green is an author who changed my views and taught me the importance of truly enjoying life. I would like to share a few of my favourite quotes with you. Who knows, maybe you’ll be inspired to live life John Green style!
Awesome Restaurants is a segment where I share my favourite places to get delectable food in Calgary.
Today is Holy Grill, where all the food is just heavenly.
From inside their restaurant
Where can I find it?
Holy Grill is located at 827 10th Ave SW near downtown. It’s open 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. from Monday to Friday and it’s open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Closed on Sundays.
They also offer free two-hour parking in the lot beside the restaurant, so it’s great to just drop by for a bite and continue with your day.
How I heard about it
One hungry afternoon, I was scouring through urbanspoon in search of places to dine. I came upon Holy Grill, with a 94% rating and raving reviews about how good the food was. I knew I had to go try it for myself.
The reviews were right. Although seemingly normal on the outside, inside was a bustling atmosphere of the tsss of meat on the grill, the lunch-time chatter of happy customers and of course the clinking of cutlery as people dig into their food.
When you walk in, you’re instantly greeted by friendly staff. A thing that I particularly like about Holy Grill is that they’ll ask for your name to go along with your order. When it’s ready for you to eat, they’ll call you up and the chef hands you your dishes. This is important because it helps build strong relationships with the customers. I only go there once in a while, but I’m sure the staff would know you by name if you were a regular.
Besides great service, Holy Grill offers delicious food at an affordable price. Their cuisine focuses around brunch and they offer items like eggs benedict, paninis, burgers, fries and so on. They also have some touches of humour on their menu. One of their beverages are called “Holy Water Red + White” which I can only assume is their version of red/white wine.
What are my favourite dishes?
This dish is sure to satisfy your breakfast cravings as the English muffins are topped with creamy hollandaise sauce. Under the poached eggs is a bed of fresh spinach and salty smoked salmon. It also comes with a generous side of smash browns, another touch of creativity instead of your typical hash browns. Overall, it would say the Pacific Benedict is a smashing hit for only $13.
Their signature dish, the Mr. Chicken is a grilled panini stuffed with moist chicken and juicy vegetables. Described on the menu as “Holy Grilled Chicken,” I have to say that the meat tastes heavenly. The crispy panini shell contrasted with the soft interior creates an enjoyable eating experience. Coming in at $8.50, it’s well-worth the price.
Although made with simple ingredients, this burger is bursting with flavour. The cripsy bacon along with the melted cheddar and tangy BBQ sauce is perfect. According to their menu, their beef burgers are all natural and no hormones. Just looking at the picture makes me hungry. Priced at $7.75, it almost sounds too good to be true.
The above dishes wouldn’t be complete without ordering one of their sides. These sweet potato chips are fried to crispy perfection and they go great with their homemade dip. Made with simple ingredients, the dip provides a little kick from the chili and the sour cream to balance everything out. Good as just a snack or a partner to your meal, sweet potato chips and homemade dip are affordable at $4.75 in total.
Fries, who doesn’t love them? Despite the name, the sea salt fries are not overly salty. They’re great alone, but they’re even better with their homemade dip or just some regular old ketchup. Just a warning if you’re eating with a group of friends, the fries may all just magically disappear if you don’t pay attention. $3.75 is not bad for a plate of quality fries.
More to Come
These are just some of my favourite dishes from Holy Grill and I haven’t had a chance to try everything on their menu yet. They also offer a variety of vegetarian options, even a veggie burger featuring a patty made from mushrooms, rolled oats, brown rice, spinach and mozzarella. Additionally, they also serve a Roasted Beet Salad, sounds yummy. With any burger you order, you’re also allowed to personalize by adding on some ingredients such as: avocado, blue cheese, extra bacon, etc.
If there’s an Awesome Restaurant that you know of that you want to share, feel free to tweet me. I’m always excited to discover new food places around Calgary!
