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The Other Queen: A Book Review

vicky
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Out of my favourite authors, Philippa Gregory definitely tops the list. Possibly the best historical novelist since, oh, the beginning of time, Gregory never disappoints, and my most recent read, The Other Queen, follows suit.

An insightful depiction of the life of Mary Queen of Scots as a prisoner of her cousin Queen Elizabeth, The Other Queen is a lushly detailed and splendidly engaging novel. Loaded with love, betrayal, rebellion and power, it highlights one extraordinary woman’s repetitive rise and fall as she brazenly attempts to obtain what was hers all along: the throne of England. While mid-16th century England falls in love with the beautiful and betrayed Queen of Scots, Elizabeth’s wrath is not to be underestimated and everyone is torn by conflicting loyalties. While by history the story of Mary is tragic, The Other Queen finds a way to declare the triumph and courage of a young woman’s fight with fate.

While The Other Queen is a long and winding tale (events constantly bring the book closer to victory, only to have it impossibly ripped away), the book’s spellbinding impression leaves the reader wanting more, and it just so happens that Gregory has plenty more to offer.

The magic of Gregory’s writing is greatly developed by how she tells history throughout many books. Each story in her series of Tudor Court novels focuses on certain characters, but they all overlap to form an epic tale of British royal history, from King Henry VIII and his six wives to his daughter Elizabeth and her ruthless elimination of competition.

While I highly recommend The Other Queen, I might as well recommend every novel Philippa Gregory has ever written; the first I read was The Other Boleyn Girl, which is still my favourite to this day. Gregory also writes plenty of other novels, ranging from the settings of the Civil War to modern-day.

You can check out a list of Philippa Gregory’s books, including The Other Queen, at her website. What are you waiting for? Go and get one today! I can guarantee you’ll become an addict (not to mention a British history buff) in no time.

Video of the Day: the things we take for granted

sheliza
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0daM97RT0k&feature=related

This video just shows you that we take everything for granted. We don’t realize it, but we are so fortunate to have working arms and legs. The next time you complain about your life, just stop and think about that. You’ll realize that you are one of the lucky humans on this earth. Enjoy every day while you have it. Live life to the fullest because you never know what is coming your way! 🙂

Even better photos with the iPhone 4/4S

Richard
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Many of us have iPhones, more specifically, the iPhone 4/4S. The camera on the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S is simply amazing, as is already taking stunning pictures that are comparable to point and shoot cameras. Due to it’s huge popularity, the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S are the top two most used cameras on Flickr. However there’s only been one option to further increase its photo taking capabilities, which was with DSLR mounts made by Photojojo (see previous post by Bill). Now Photojojo has made a second viable option for those talented photographers out there.

iPhone Lens Dial

Photojojo has come out with a product called “The iPhone Lens Dial”, which essentially is three different lens’ mounted on a dial that you’re able to turn. It comes complete with a fish eye, wide angle, and telephoto lens, giving iPhone photographers even more flexibility in what types of creative ideas they can come up with. For just $249, it’s quite the bargain for three different lens’ which will give you endless possibilities in taking new astonishing photos.

Yet We Live – Mustard Seed shirts

missCarrie
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The Mustard Seed, an organization that helps homeless people get back on their feet and rebuild their lives, has created the Yet We Live line, so far consisting of three different t-shirt designs. For only $25, you get a stylish shirt with a tag that can also be used as a bookmark. For all you buy-one-give-one lovers, this is a great charity for you to participate in! With Christmas coming up, all non-profit organizations need as much help as possible, so if you feel like getting a new shirt (or even giving a shirt to your friend), then please support this.

I don’t know about you, but if I received a gift that helped others, I would feel way less guilty for making you spend money on me. As Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory says, “Oh, Penny. I know you think you are being generous, but the foundation of gift giving is reciprocity. You haven’t given me a gift. You’ve given me an obligation. The essence of the custom is that I now have to go out and purchase for you a gift of commensurate value and representing the same perceived level of friendship as that represented by the gift you’ve given me.” So if you feel like your friendship is more than just giving back some amount of money in the form of an item, then help someone else in the meantime by purchasing that said item!

 

Men's Urban Hipster T-Shirt

 

Women's Fly Against T-Shirt

 

Men's Nature Lovin' T-Shirt

P.S. I’m getting the Fly Against one 🙂

Video of the Day: “We Are The Many” by Makana and my views

dhruv
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[youtube xq3BYw4xjxE]

It is my opinion that, despite having a valid point at first about the decreasing amount of control the financial minorities have in the world’s economy, the Occupy movement has gotten increasingly off track. Although many of the protesters raise a fairly significant point about how financially successful minorities control a large part of the lives of the financially unsuccessful majorities, the recent attraction that some people have had towards riots in the last few months do not actually raise any significant points but simply cause most people to view the riots as an inconvenience or an annoyance.

Although many countries do have simple and peaceful protests, it is my belief that people of other countries will soon start to follow the method or rioting, since they will start to believe that is the only way they will get their point across. It is also my belief that the main purpose of the protests is to raise awareness among people and get to follow the Occupy movement, but I feel that riots cause people to miss this purpose, as it often leads to negative impacts on the protesters or the rioters themselves, out of which much of the blame falls on the people who feel they are protecting their community rather than negating the efforts of the protesters.

University of Calgary Blackberry Challenge

missCarrie
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[youtube HNBMxTYgcxc]

If you’re wondering why I posted a lip dub, then check out my previous post about this! I hope that was an entertaining five minutes of your time, because the Chinese Students’ Society has spent over a month being involved in the Blackberry Challenge hosted by CampusPerks.  CSS is representing the University of Calgary and is competing against 15 other schools for a grand prize of a $4,000 scholarship as well as sweet Blackberry swag!

Jason Chan, a valued executive in CSS took the initative to represent the club in the challenge. He hopes to inspire leadership within the club and around campus as well as have fun with the competition. The goal for the Chinese Students’ Society is to connect students to Chinese culture, socialize with other members and support the community and charities around the world.

Despite the tough competition, Jason as well as the other executives and members of CSS are hoping to not get in last place and just have a great experience with the challenge! Support them by watching their videos and following them on Facebook as well as their website!

Rabbit Racing: Ready, set… hop!

cathy
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Last month, the very first European rabbit-hopping championships was held in Switzerland. Rabbit hopping is a sport for rabbits in which they hop over barriers, much like a horse show event. There are four levels ranging from easy to elite, with obstacles increasing in difficulty. Winners are judged based on time, number of cleared hurdles, and skill level.

This sport was originally organized by children, but soon adults have taken interest in this event to interact with their bunnies. Rabbit hopping has become a growing trend in Central Europe and rabbit owners take the hopping competitions very seriously. You might think it’s simple to train a rabbit to hop because they are born with the skill, however, hopping over barriers and following specific courses take much training and practicing. Owners spend many months training their rabbits from guiding them with leashes to increasing the height of their jumps – talk about dedication!

If you’re interested in this event, check out bunny hopping clubs that can be found in Canada, the U.S., Japan, and many European countries.

Video of the Day: Google Tricks

E
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Bored? Here’s a video on some really cool tricks you can do with Google search:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7R-UIHFmu8

Also, try searching for “do a barrel roll” and “askew.”

Who says we can’t teach an “old dog” new tricks?

YouTube Space Challenge 2011-2012

sarthak
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Ever wondered what it would be like to have your very own experiment executed in the outer space? Or having someone as accomplished as Stephen Hawkings judging your proposal and evaluating if it’s fit to be executed by astronauts?

If your answer is yes, then get prepared to jump on board for the first-ever YouTube Space Lab Challenge! Follow these simple steps for a video submission and a shot at the gold medal!      

  1. Choose a buddy or two and get a team ready. You could take this on your own if you so choose.
  2. You can choose any field of science, Physics, Chem. or Bio. and design a novel experiment which has never been done before.
  3. Create a YouTube Account, if you don’t already have one, and get the parental consent for your submission.
  4. Make a two minute video explaining your project to judges and explain why they should choose your project over anybody else’s.
  5. Upload the YouTube video in time for the deadline: Dec 7, 2011.

Want more incentives to compete?  Well, they got that taken care of too. Some of the prizes for the winners include:

-ZERO-G flights

-Lenovo IdeaPad laptops

-Choice of either a trip to Tanegashima Island, Japan, to watch your experiment blast off for the ISS or—once you’re 18—a one-of-a-kind astronaut training experience in Star City, Russia, the training center for Russian cosmonauts.

 

To check out more details on the Lab submission or the contest details, click here!

 

Sporcle: How to procrastinate productively

Bill
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If you’re a procrastinator and you try to justify your procrastination by doing things to test the extent of your knowledge, then Sporcle can offer you hours of further delaying your actual work!  By all means, waste your days and nights away all the while enlightening yourself on just how much you know (or don’t know). And if anyone asks, you didn’t hear it from me, and in no way will I be held responsible for your advanced procrastination.

What’s great about the site is that there is literally a category for everyone, whether you’re a movie junkie, a bookworm, or just someone with a deep interest in Pokemon, it’s all there. Filled with trivia, Sporcle will likely be the most productive procrastination you can ever partake in. How’s that: productive procrastination. Talk about the perfect excuse to put off your homework. Though it is all for fun, it really is interesting to see how much knowledge you have stored up in your brain! On top of that, once you’ve diminished the near-endless archive of quizzes, you can add your own quizzes to see how much more you know than other people! How awesome is it to procrastinate by helping other people procrastinate. It’s definitely a win-win situation. Give it a try, and again, you didn’t hear it from me.

Dear Santa: This Christmas I Want to Give

Sarah
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Christmas is a time of year that many look forward to: waking up on December 25 to a Christmas tree surrounded with presents, spending time with family as we sip hot chocolate by the fire. Christmas is a time to give and a time to cherish as we spend time with loved ones. People can get lost in the excitement of buying expensive presents that they forget to give to those who are not able to afford to give gifts. There are many globally and even within Canada that cannot even put dinner on the table. So maybe this Christmas, instead of worrying about what iPhone case to get your mum, or a new wallet for your dad, lets give to those who can’t; lets make a change. Every bit makes a difference, no matter how small. If everyone takes part, it can be something huge. Next time you spend $3 (or more!) on a Gingerbread Latte at Starbucks this Christmas season, think of those less fortunate. When I was little I lived in Africa, where I saw kids every day with nothing other than the clothes on their backs and no bed to be tucked into at night, who would spend every day trying to survive for the next. I believed in Santa Clause, but I would always wonder that if I asked Santa Clause for a doll and got it, why all of these families wouldn’t just ask for a house and get it, or ask for clean water or food. Life is so simple when it is seen through the eyes of a child, but in reality it can be as simple as that. There are so many wealthy people, especially in our part of the world, who receive things that we don’t even need for Christmas, and if that money was given to those in need, it can and would change lives.

Top 10 songs to cheer you up!

ali
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In no particular order:

1. Mr. Blue Sky – Electric Light Orchestra

2. Don’t Worry, Be Happy – Bobby McFerrin

3. Have a Nice Day – the Stereophonics

4. Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen

5. You Make My Dreams – Hall & Oates

6. Daylight – Matt and Kim

7. Friday I’m in Love – The Cure (**The proper way to write a song about Friday ಠ_ಠ)

8. No Woman No Cry – Bob Marley

9. Isn’t She Lovely? – Stevie Wonder

10. Send Me on my Way – Rusted Root

BONUS SONGS

(11) Home – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

(12) Vagabond – Wolfmother

(13) Here Comes the Sun – the Beatles

Enjoy!

Video of the Day: How to grow longer hair faster

MJ
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This is a five-minute video on growing longer hair faster. So all you girls posting photos on tumblr or posting statuses on Facebook saying “I WANT LONGER HAIR,” watch the following video! But remember, your hair is fine just the way it is. Waist long hair isn’t the only type of hair that’s beautiful.

The Green Thing!

arjun
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A very interesting chain mail called the Green Thing is going around trying to encourage youth to take a more positive stance in tackling the current issue of global warming instead of lamenting of the mistakes of the previous generation. The message has is a very interesting tone that really puts a lot of notions the media portrays into perspective:

“In the line at the store, the cashier told an older woman that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren’t good for the environment. The woman apologized to him and explained, ‘We didn’t have the green thing back in my day.’ The clerk responded, ‘That’s our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment.’”

What it goes on to say is that today’s issues with global warming cannot be the sole responsibility of a single generation. It starts to quote a phrase of the opening anecdote (“Green Thing”) as it tries to prove that no single generation tarnished the world but rather the cause of global warming rises from the natural progression of human society and that the issue is all of ours to solve.

“We walked to the grocery store and didn’t climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks. But she was right. We didn’t have the green thing in our day.
We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But we didn’t have the green thing back then. ”
So, at the end of the day, this chainmail has two takeaway messages:

1. No need to blame a single generation for the problems of global warming, it’s something everyone has to take part in

2. Sometimes the “retro” way of life is one we can try to adopt for the sake of the environment 🙂

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMkUdFNeJQQ

Review: Beats Solo Headphones

Qiwifruit
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Last weekend I spent a small fortune on this beautiful piece of technology. I’ve been wanting to get them for a while now and when they went on sale, I did. Having owned them for a few days I thought I’d give a review for anyone who might be interested in purchasing a pair.

First I’ll just let you know that I am one of those people who has music on 24/7 and don’t mind paying a premium price for some good quality headphones. If you don’t listen to music very often or have music files that are around 2 megabytes, then these won’t be worth your while. If you have low quality mp3s then headphones won’t make a difference. That said, if you have music files that are 192 kbps+, or better yet, lossless music files, you will likely notice the difference in sound quality, especially if you like bass. After listening to them for less than a day I never wanted to go back to my old headphones.

In my opinion, these are one of the most aesthetically pleasing headphones on the market, but of course aesthetics are personal preference. They come with two separate cables, one with the iTalk Control which works great with my iPod touch (I have not experimented with other devices). Its convenient that the cable is removable, making them easy to store. Also, in case the cable breaks, your headphones are perfectly safe. The headphones are foldable and come with a carry case for practicality. While they are considered portable, they can’t compare to a normal pair of in-ear earphones on this front.

These headphones are on ear headphones and while they’re decently comfortable my ears do start to get a little sore after having them on for the majority of the day. I have also read on numerous customer reviews that they are delicate and poorly crafted. I kind of have to agree with the latter as the construction does seem flimsy but whether they are durable or not I can’t say for sure. Opposite to what some reviews say, there are videos on YouTube showing them as being able to withstand a great deal of force.

Overall, I’m pretty pleased with them. Price-wise they will generally run you $199.99. There is no doubt a premium behind the brand but I didn’t mind paying the extra $50 or so. When I got them they had been on sale for $139.99, so if you have some money to spare and love listening to music and care about sound quality, I would recommend them, especially if they’re on sale. If you’re tight on cash then they might not be the best idea since there is in fact other good quality headphones out there that will cost less; and if you’re someone who frankly doesn’t care too much about sound quality or listen to music often, well I don’t think you need me to tell you not to get them.

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