New Shoes Test, Going Outside and Attack of the Hair

I tried out my new running shoes today. I wanted to really like them. But I didn't. I felt like a horse clopping along. What are the rules to returning shoes? I've got 90 days, but I ran quite a bit in them. I had to get my run in! Guh, I dunno.

The other day, something that seems very depressing to me happened. No, not like a death or something like that. Just... let me explain. I had past my dad who had just woken up from falling asleep in front of the television. As I passed by I heard him say, "Wow, it's pretty hot out there today, isn't it?"

I paused. He had just woken up from a nap, he hadn't been outside. "Dad," I asked. "Have you been outside at all today?"

"Hm. I guess not. I just saw it say something on the weather channel."

Pictured: What nature feels like from the comfort of your home.

That? That depresses me. I know my dad is kind of a vampire (he burns to a crisp), but to spend the entire day in front of a TV, dozing off every few hours? What kind of life is that? Sure, he's an old man but that's just sad. Life was meant to be lived! At least step outside for a couple of minutes.

From that point, I made a little resolution for myself. Never spend an entire day indoors during a beautiful day. Why waste what nature has to offer? If I have a book, I'll read it outside. Maybe it'll inspire me to actually do more activities while outside. I just don't want to spend my live inside forever, wishing I could have spend more time in the sun.

In other news, my hair is getting ridiculous. If I don't push it to the side, I'm blinded by a sea of golden brown strands.


Sadly, this is the picture that looked the least like the girl from The Ring.

 I suppose it's good for covering the ever-growing brows. I just need to make a hair appointment.

What personal maintenance have you put off? Made any mini resolutions recently?

Bring in the British Imports!

I'll be honest with y'all. Today, even though I've done some of it, I've been distracting myself like crazy in the hopes of my homework disappearing. ...Well, some of the work is done. Anywho...

Ah, the British. Here in the U.S., we've had quite the interesting relationship with the Brits. As if you didn't already know. And if you didn't... you're probably under the age of 5. However, our relationship is not only recognized by the fact that we're almost known at the rebellious teen of England.

However, that's not the only type of relationship that we have with jolly ol' England. (No, I'm not going to get into politics or the global economy or any of that. Definitely not that intelligent in said fields.) You see, there's an interesting phenomenon that happens here in America. We freakin' love the British.
Okay, I know that's not true for every American. There are a lot of Americans who don't really care about the British, or perhaps they're superfans of other countries (see: Anime fans). However, many younger Americans love other countries and their culture, especially England. Just think about it.

• When the Royal Wedding happened, millions of Americans stayed up/woke up in the middle of the night to watch the festivities.
• What accents are Americans trying to imitate? A British one. (Then again, that might be just because we can't imitate anything else.)
• We're constantly taking British shows and trying to make them Americanized.

Now, the last one up there is the biggest one. British shows are a big deal in the U.S. of A., and there have been many many shows that have been changed to become American. Some shows have thrived, and others have not. The biggest success obviously has been The Office, and the biggest bomb has been Skins.

The show that instead of being compared to the original, was thought of as better than the original. Then again, I wouldn't know. I haven't watched it.

Since we're on the subject, let's take a look at Skins. Before the Parent Television Council of America (or whatever they're called) started having aneurysms about the show in America, the British version was a cult sensation. There was a bounty of angsty teenage fans of the scandalous show, and when news of the show coming to the United States was announced, fans were skeptic. Sure one of their favorite shows was coming to their country, but the fandom was already weary of their own country. "Geez, I wish I was from England instead of this dumb old country. GAWSH!"
Don't tell me that's not true of a boatload of middle class teens. You know it is. Anywho, as we've already seen how it turns out, the U.S. version bombed. When that happened, it made me realize something.
Foreign versions of media being Americanized are like books being made into movies.

Just think about it! You have your base fans, who were there from the start. Then, when the rest of the world gets word of your story becoming a big deal, you get a little worried. What if they don't remember this character? Aw, the slang is going to be all wrong! Remember that one part? That part is super important! Oh man, they're never going to find someone to fit that role! Whoever they end up using is going to screw it up big time. Oh, plus there are probably going to be a ton of people who say they're fans, and they don't even know that this version isn't the original! Posers. Well, maybe it's a little cool.

See? Now, was I talking about a British show or a book? You decide, but the part about the original fans kind of comes to my mind whenever people say, "I'm a fan of Harry Potter", but have never read a single Harry Potter book. (Chloe, you know who I'm talking about. Why won't she read for fun?)

In conclusion, you can't always make an American audience like an Americanized version of a British show. Sometimes you just have to go with the original, and sometimes the culture clash is simply too large.

Truth be told, the idea for this whole ramble came to mind after watching an episode of this British show I like on Hulu. I'd constantly see advertisements for it on the sight, so I decided to take a look at it. It wasn't until I was freaking out about the content on the new episode that I discovered that I was hooked. Oh, and you know how there was a whole freak out about Skins being extremely dirty. I don't think it's just Skins. I think it's all British television. Just sayin'.

So my British import of choice currently is called Misfits, which I'm a little ashamed to say because well... It's dirty, violent, and effed up. Take one part superpowers, one part criminals, another part sex and drugs, a dash of violent crimes, a sprinkle of swearing... and that's Misfits.
Geez, my mother reads this. Oh well, she watched Sex in the City when she was younger.

Orange jumpsuits= Role models!

Yeah. About that homework... I'll see y'all later.
Oh, and on the foot front! I was able to run on it, yes! Hurts more to walk on it... Huh. Less pressure? Dunno.

What's your favorite British/Foreign import?

The Deal With The Television

So it's only Tuesday? Okay, sure.

The world today is filled with a ton of distractions. It's easy to say that you'll only spend a few minutes looking at something only to discover you've been observing whatever it is for almost an hour.

One of the biggest distractions of today? The T.V.

I know that I've admitted to enjoying a few shows, which I think is fine. However, there are times I think, "Why bother?"

I know that I've spent summers wasting my time watching reruns and all that jazz. It's a bit depressing really, but what's done is done. This summer, I've hardly spent time gazing at the tube. I watch my Glee Project on Sundays, Futurama on Thursdays, and occasionally watch E! news, but even that is looking less appealing lately.

I suppose that things clicked when my sister was flipping through channels one day. She proclaimed, "There's nothing on!", which instantly made me think, "Then why bother watching it?"

Seriously though. Why waste your time on something that you don't even find entertaining?

One of the other things that has made this summer so summer-y is the fact that I'm not wasting a bunch of time watching TV. Plus, I'm actually using the sunny times of the day to be out where it's actually, you know, sunny. The shows I like are on when it's dark and cold out, so it's not cutting into that.

Somehow, I'm not sure how though, I was taught that badmouthing the T.V. makes you pretentious. No, I wasn't actually told that, but you know how you get the vibe of something you should be doing? It kind of felt like that. Y'know, like those uppity people who sneer, "We don't own a television." It's not quite the same, but call me pretentious. I also happen to like spending time with *gasp!* quiet! Helps me think.

When my dad gets home from work, he almost instantly turns on the television. It stays on as he falls asleep on the couch, and finally gets turned off when he wanders up to bed in the middle of the night. I don't want that to be me.

So yeah, I like T.V., but more than an hour at a time isn't happening.
(But if I'm running on the treadmill at school, it's a pretty good distraction.)

As a last little bit since I'm on the subject of TV, does anyone out there watch The Glee Project? It's kind of my guilty pleasure. This week's episode featured Hannah getting annoyed at Samuel because he stole her "Skadoosh" line.
Sorry to break it to you, but that's from Kung Fu Panda. Get over yourself.

Are you a constant TV viewer, an occasional viewer, or someone who never watches TV?

Televisions, Waxings, and Super 8

I can constantly hear the muffled sound of televisions at home. I forgot how nice it is to have quiet, but I suppose there's nothing I can do about it. It just feels like everyone is continuously watching TV in this house. Now, I know I love Hulu, but for some reason I'm not much for TV.

My room right now? It's disastrous. I wonder how on earth I was able to get so much stuff into my dorm, because my room is insanely full of things. Where did it all go? I have no idea. I'm currently in the process, or should be in the process of cleaning things up. I keep on doing other things, or getting other things done, ya know?

In random news, I got my lip waxed for the first time ever! I've always been terrified of the idea of waxing my lip, but it wasn't that bad. She did use this numbing stuff though...

And yesterday, I went to see Super 8 with my sister and dad. SO GOOD. If a movie can put me through a spectrum of emotions, I tend to think it's a good movie. I don't really want to go into film review mode though, so I'll just leave it at that. Even if it is a little predictable.

A bit of a ramble, but that's just how things are working out lately. A lot of random thoughts just strung together. Have a lovely evening!

Have you ever gotten anything waxed before?