Serialism of the Heart

32 notes

stevesigloo: Taken just outside my front door.  Every evening the neighborhood rings up with the sound of banging  pots and pans from balconies.  Then through the evening, multiple protests continue through the city with the same sound. Where the city was divided on the issue of tuition hikes, it has become united in protest of bill 78, an emergency law passed which requires police approval of any assembly or protest of over 50 people.  Virtually all protests now are illegal, and the odd mass arrest occurs of people peacefully protesting.  For the most part police do nothing, given this extreme power they are using “discretion” with regards to arrests.  The protesters are my neighbors, friends, parents and regular people out for a walk to show support against a law in which they feel is unjust.    Contrary to what makes for good TV and Youtube bites, the protests are virtually all peaceful and festive, with a relaxed feeling among the population and the police alike. A few months ago I made this video http://vimeo.com/stevesigloo/manifencours as a reaction to what I saw as the medias opinion on the protests.  I would have never imagined the government would take away our right to assembly as a solution to the conflict.  What’s next…?

stevesigloo:

Taken just outside my front door.  Every evening the neighborhood rings up with the sound of banging  pots and pans from balconies.  Then through the evening, multiple protests continue through the city with the same sound.

Where the city was divided on the issue of tuition hikes, it has become united in protest of bill 78, an emergency law passed which requires police approval of any assembly or protest of over 50 people.  Virtually all protests now are illegal, and the odd mass arrest occurs of people peacefully protesting.  For the most part police do nothing, given this extreme power they are using “discretion” with regards to arrests.  The protesters are my neighbors, friends, parents and regular people out for a walk to show support against a law in which they feel is unjust.   

Contrary to what makes for good TV and Youtube bites, the protests are virtually all peaceful and festive, with a relaxed feeling among the population and the police alike.

A few months ago I made this video http://vimeo.com/stevesigloo/manifencours as a reaction to what I saw as the medias opinion on the protests.  I would have never imagined the government would take away our right to assembly as a solution to the conflict.  What’s next…?

Filed under Protests Pot banging Photography Quebec Montreal

3 notes

Shows I Love #9: Running Man

I’m sorry I vanished for so long Dx I’ve been doing everything I haven’t had a chance to do because I’ve been in school which means going out with friends, watching television shows, movies, and biking and swimming! The weather here has also been calling me to go outside, so how can I resist that? Still, I’ve been catching up on shows, as I mentioned, and one of them I watched maybe a year ago because my friend loves it. He kept telling me to watch it, but I never had the time. Finally I started watching it again, and oh my god, it’s amazing. The show is Running Man - a South Korean variety show with a current cast of Yu Jae-Suk (he’s the main host), Garie (or Gary), Haha, Ji Suk-jin (aka Big Nosed Hyung), Kim Jong-kook (aka Tiger), Lee Kwang-soo (aka Giraffe), and Song Ji-hyo (the only female on the current cast). There were two members other members were past of the regular cast, Lizzy and Song Joong-ki, but I never watched any episodes with them, heh…

As I said, the show is a variety show. I never watch reality or variety shows, but, according to Wikipedia, it is an “urban action variety” show, and this is a new genre of variety show. Basically the show consists of the cast running around, either working teams or by themselves, and trying to win a grand prize at the end. They run around different places, either in South Korea, or in another country, and are given a different objective every episode. Probably the part that is even more fun about the show is that they have guest stars! For example, SNSD (episodes 63 and 64) and Big Bang (episodes 84 and 85) starred on the show as a group, and individual members from the band also starred in some episodes. Super Junior, f(x), T-ara, 2PM, and TVXQ members have also appeared on the show, as well as many other groups and actors. I just named the groups I know, but there are more. Although the cast themselves make the show funny, when guests come on the show, man, it gets even better. I honestly love the Big Bang episodes - one because Kim Jong-kook and Lee Kwang-soo are put together, and because T.O.P. is absolutely adorable. I digress… Shall I talk about the current members a bit more in depth? Yes? Let’s go!

Yu Jae-suk is the main host of the show. He was also the host of another Korean variety show, Family Outing, before Running Man started. He is known by many nicknames including Grasshopper, Yu-ruce Willis, Yu-hyuk, and Yu-mes Bond. He is also known to have a good relationship with the guest stars, and a pretty strong member in the races.

Gary, also known as Peaceful Gary and Gae-colas Cage, is not the most intelligent member among the Running men. He is easily fooled by other members, but earlier in the series, he and Song Ji-hyo are often paired together in team fights (“Oppa!”). He also can be a strong player at times, and, spoiler, managed to win both the special race missions and go to Europe. Nice!

Haha, also known as Haroro, Ha-rad Pitt, and Penguin, is a joker. He likes to make fun of the rest of the cast as well as the guests. He apparently resembles Pororo, an animated penguin, which is why he has the nickname Penguin. I find myself laughing at him pretty often, mostly because of his facial expressions. He’s a pretty strong member in my opinion.

Ji Suk-jin is known as Big Nosed Hyung, Sunflower, and Impala, and he is the oldest member of the group. He is also, unfortunately, one of the weakest. He tends to get out really early on in a game unless he hides, haha! He and Yu Jae-suk are good friends as they have known each other quite a long time. Ji Suk-jin tends to pair up with Lee Kwang-soo since they’re both the weakest.

Kim Jong-kook is the strongest and one of the most intelligent members of Running Man. He is known as Sparta-kook, Commander, Kookie~♥^^, and Tiger. He takes Running Man very seriously, and he scares the other members in solo races pretty often, haha. Whenever he comes into play, you’ll often hear a “Sparta!” cry in the background. One scary guy, but still awesome!

Lee Kwang-su, also known as Framer Kwang-su, Kwang-vatar, Kwang-potter, Gwangsoo (I have seen it spelt like this), and Giraffe, is a very weak member in the group. He’s very tall, but extremely timid, and often lies in order to survive in a game. He’s probably my favourite member because he is so cute! Kim Jong-kook beats on him a lot because of his weakness. He is often one of the first members to be taken out of the game.

Song Ji-hyo is the only female of the cast. She is known as Song Ji-yok, Mong Ji-hyo, and Ace, and she is one of the strongest and most intelligent (equal to that of Kim Jong-kook) members in Running Man. She gets aggravated at members when they screw up, especially towards Haha and Lee Kwang-su. She often has a blank expression on her face, and she and Gary often paired up together earlier in the series.

The show is different than any other show I have ever watched. I never watched or watch variety shows, but I decided to check this out since a few of my friends watched it. I was not disappointed. It’s a really great show, very funny, and keeps you entertained. If you are into the South Korean culture, it is even better because you can watch the episodes with the guests you know and see how well they play the game. I highly, highly recommend this show to anyone who likes to have a good laugh. For anyone that is interested, you can watch subbed episodes here, or if you can make an account, here. Happy viewing! ^.^

Filed under Running Man Shows Shows I Love Korean South Korean Variety shows Genre Awesome

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nationalpost:

122 Quebec protesters arrested in raucous night before proposed strike-breaking legislation
A bid to restore order in restive Quebec was met with streets clogged with thousands of protesters, a multitude of flying projectiles, several smashed windows, and blasts of pepper spray leading to 122 arrests.

The unrest on Wednesday night followed the Quebec government’s announcement it would suspend the current academic session for striking students in an effort to calm things down.

It also hinted at more punitive measures, without sharing details. (Photos: ROGERIO BARBOSA/AFP/GettyImages)

I live in Montréal where these protests are happening, and let me tell you, the students are not protesting fairly. I’ll you a run down for those that are interested. Tuition fees for university in Québec are very low in comparison to the rest of the world. Let’s say the price of a year here in a general program was four thousand Canadian dollars - somewhere else it would be ten grand. The reason our fees are so low is because students have protested every year against raising it significantly. This year, the government finally said they were going to raise the fees 75% over the course of five years, and there was no negotiation. The students, in usual form, started protesting.

Students from different universities and cégeps (colleges), both English and French, were asked if they wanted to go on strike for an undefined period of time. My cégep, and every other English cégep, voted against a continuous strike. Most of the French cégeps, if not all, voted yes. I’m not sure about universities, but a lot went on strike. The strike started some time in March if I recall correctly. At first it was like every protest before it. It was calm and well organized. The students walked down the usual streets in Montréal, and it was going well. The government did not listen. The relaxed protests continued for a month, but after being ignored, some students decided to block a major highway in Montréal. That’s where things got dirty.

The metros (also known as subways elsewhere) now are regularly delayed because students are throwing smoke bombs and bricks into the metro. My friend told me he thought it was fair that they are pissing off the government, but the problem isn’t that the government is mad. The problem is the people are mad. My friends were regularly late for school because of the idiotic people who think destroying Montréal is the way to be heard. I disagree. You’re pissing off the people you want to support you. First by blocking a major highway, and now by destroying different buildings and the metro. My god, you dumb?

Students are also denying students who want to go back to school their education. Some students are allowed to go back to school, and students are throwing stuff at them and blocking the entrance to the schools. Is this fair? You’re fighting for education, but you’re denying others it. I know you don’t want high tuition fees, but who’s going to support you when you destroy and piss off people with your ludicrous acts of vandalism? No one. Not all the student protesters are asses, but some are, and they’re the ones who are being remembered.

I think it’s great students are getting together to protest, but right now, they’re doing a bad job.

(via incoherentsmile)

Filed under Students Student strikes Strike Democracy Opinion Ridiculous

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This is Lee Byung-hun. He is a Korean actor who, as I write this, is forty-one years old. You probably have never heard of him, but I want you to. This man is one of the best actors I have seen on the screen (my computer screen, that is. GOTCHA!), both with his amazing martial arts skills and superb acting skills. I have watched four films where he has been the main protagonist, and I have loved his acting in every one. The real reason I’m bringing him up is because this man has accomplished something that has never been done before - this man, along with Ahn Sung-ki, will be the first Korean actors to be part of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In fact, they are the second Asians (they’re going together so they’re both second) ever to be part of the walk of fame after the famous director John Woo. I don’t know Ahn Sung-ki well, but Lee Byung-hun is being recognized for his work in South Korea and the United States. Yes, Lee Byung-hun speaks English, French, and Mandarin fluently, and he played a major role in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. This man learned English in two years, and listen to him! He’s brilliant! He’s also starring in more American films, and considering he is Korean born and raised, that’s a big move on his part. Although I love watching foreign films, I’m sure a lot of foreign actors dream of getting to Hollywood, and I’m glad Lee Byung-hun is being recognized for his work in Hollywood. So thank you, Lee Byung-hun for your amazing work, and I hope you get into better than films that G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra because, frankly, it was beneath you. Lee Byung-hun and Ahn Sung-ki will be imprinting their hand- and foot-prints in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on June 23rd.

This is Lee Byung-hun. He is a Korean actor who, as I write this, is forty-one years old. You probably have never heard of him, but I want you to. This man is one of the best actors I have seen on the screen (my computer screen, that is. GOTCHA!), both with his amazing martial arts skills and superb acting skills. I have watched four films where he has been the main protagonist, and I have loved his acting in every one.

The real reason I’m bringing him up is because this man has accomplished something that has never been done before - this man, along with Ahn Sung-ki, will be the first Korean actors to be part of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In fact, they are the second Asians (they’re going together so they’re both second) ever to be part of the walk of fame after the famous director John Woo. I don’t know Ahn Sung-ki well, but Lee Byung-hun is being recognized for his work in South Korea and the United States. Yes, Lee Byung-hun speaks English, French, and Mandarin fluently, and he played a major role in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. This man learned English in two years, and listen to him! He’s brilliant! He’s also starring in more American films, and considering he is Korean born and raised, that’s a big move on his part. Although I love watching foreign films, I’m sure a lot of foreign actors dream of getting to Hollywood, and I’m glad Lee Byung-hun is being recognized for his work in Hollywood. So thank you, Lee Byung-hun for your amazing work, and I hope you get into better than films that G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra because, frankly, it was beneath you.

Lee Byung-hun and Ahn Sung-ki will be imprinting their hand- and foot-prints in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on June 23rd.

Filed under Lee Byung-hun Appreciation Korean Men South Korea Yay Byung-hun Lee

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Shows I Love #8: 3rd Rock from the Sun

Hey guys! I’ve been so busy studying for exams that I thought I would be studying forever, but yesterday I had my last exam for the semester and now… I am FREE. FREEEE! FREEE- *cough* I decided I might as well write another “Shows I Love” since it’s all I contribute here besides the odd reblog or post about nothing. Today I present the wonderful nineties’ sitcom called 3rd Rock from the Sun starring John Lithgow, Kristen Johnson, French Stewart, Joseph Gordon-Levitt (yes, the Joseph Gordon-Levitt!), and Jane Curtis.

The show was created by Bonnie and Terry Turner, a husband-and-wife writing team, and it aired from 1996 to 2001. The plot involves a group of aliens sent on a mission to Earth to learn about humans. The aliens end up in Rutherford, Ohio, and in order to blend in, they each get a different human body to live in, but their ignorance to human beings often leads them to reveal their not-human side. It’s a comedy, a cheesy one in fact, but it’s quite funny. Let me introduce you to the characters, shall I?

The leader of the group is Dr. Dick Solomon (John Lithgow). He is the most pompous, arrogant, and egotistical men to ever be placed on Earth (see what I did thar?). However, he does have a kind side, and bad things happen to him (remember the hole?), so even if you hate his guts, at least it’s not all peaches and cream. He is a Physics professor at Pendelton State University. You would not want him as a teacher. He belittles his students, and I mean, c’mon, he knows physics! He eventually goes out with a colleague of his, Dr. Mary Albright.

Dr. Mary Albright (Jane Curtis) is an Anthropology professor at the same University as Dick. She is his on-and-off girlfriend throughout the series. She’s definitely crazy (if she can put up with Dick, she must be!), but a very loving woman. If I recall correctly, she isn’t so much a main character at the beginning, but eventually becomes more of a protagonist. Dick also tries his best to make sure she never finds out their aliens… I won’t say anything more. Next!

Sally Solomon (Kristen Johnson) is the security officer and second in command. She’s the only alien that got transformed into a woman (against her wishes), and damn, is she a womanly, yet scary, woman. It’s never defined how, as a human, she is related to the group, going between being Dick’s sister or Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s character’s sister (mouth full). She’s about in her thirties, and eventually falls in love with an overweight policeman, Officer Don Leslie Orville (Wayne Knight). Definitely one of my favourite characters!

Harry Solomon (French Stewart) is the comedy relief guy in the series… I mean, more than the others. He wasn’t actually part of the original mission, but he was brought along as an extra seat was available, and he is the one who communicates with the Big Giant Head (king of the universe portrayed by, in human form, William Shatner). He’s a bumbling idiot, but extremely lovable, hehe. As I said, he’s mostly there for comic relief, and probably one of my favourite moments with him is this one. Totally not because I thought of Iron Maiden! Nope, sir!

Finally, we have Tommy Solomon (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), who is actually the oldest and most intelligent of the aliens, and ironically gets put into the body of an adolescent male. He was the Information Officer. He was considered as Dick’s son in the series. He eventually develops a relationship with a girl, Alissa Strudwick (played by Larisa Oleynik), and even though he is quite obnoxious and not always very caring (see “dance of death” clip), he does a pretty good job considering he isn’t human. As Joseph Gordon-Levitt eventually sought higher education, after season six, he was no longer a recurring character, and his character also went to college.

I’ll just clump Mamie Dubcek (Elmarie Wendel and Nina Campbell (Simbi Khali) together since they’re not protagonists. Mamie Dubcek is the woman who rents out the place where the Solomons live. She’s a nymphomaniac, though a bit older now. Nina Campbell is the professional assistant to Mary and Dick, and she’s often put down by Dick. She’s an intelligent, smart-mouthed woman, and doesn’t necessarily take everything Dick throws at her.

The show is simple and entertaining. My love for it was pretty short-lived (I watched it back in 2009 because I had watched it when I was really young and because of Joseph Gordon-Levitt), but whenever an episode plays on television, I usually know it. Especially the older episodes because I found them much funnier. It’s cute, and definitely worth a watch.

Filed under Shows I Love Shows Love Series Television 3rd Rock from the Sun Nineties 90s John Lithgow Kristen Johnson French Stewart Joseph Gordon-Levitt Jane Curtis Wayne Knight William Shatner Larisa Oleynik Elmarie Wendel Simbi Khali

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[Flash 10 is required to watch video]

perfectshock:

[PV] ARASHI Face Down full ver

(Source: ohnosatoshi-world, via junbaitarashian)

Filed under Arashi Face Down Sakurap Awesome PRETTY Ninomiya Kazunari Matsumoto Jun Aiba Masaki Sakurai Sho Satoshi Ohno LOVE

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My Name Is…

1. Make a list of 5 things that are in reach:
Calculator, mechanical pencil, eraser, Physics textbook, headphones

2. What is your favourite holiday?
Victoria Day because my birthday falls on it sometimes :D

3. What is one item of clothing you wish you could always wear?
Gym shorts because they are comfortable.

4. What’s your occupation?
College student.

5. What do you hear right now?
Arashi’s With Me (Jun :D)

6. Who was the last person you hugged?
My mother

7. What random song just popped in your head now?
Megadeth’s Poison Was The Cure (I was listening to it before)

8. What did you do today?
I woke up from Martin’s, went to school from eight to twelve, got home, started doing some Physics homework, and I still am.

9. What was the last text message you received?
From a friend: “Haha when you have the time check skype”.

10. What websites do you always visit when you go online?
Omnivox (school website), Twitter, Wikipedia, IMDb… That’s about it.

11. What is your next big planned purchase?
I need to get a new sound system, but I’m waiting to see if I’m going to get a job in telemarketing first.

12. If you could afford to go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I would go everywhere, except for countries that are currently in any type of war. Totally going to North Korea b :D d

13. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In school… Or working so I can afford to go to school.

14. Where’s your tattoo/Where would you like a tattoo?
None, and I would not like a tattoo.

15. What are you doing this weekend?
Studying for my Calculus test, and hopefully Physics and Chemistry as well.

16. If you could play any musical instrument, which one would you play?
I play piano, but I wish the talent to play guitar easily.

17. Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?
The kids’ll find her!

18. Are you a creeper?
Evil, evil creepers…

19. What is your dream job?
Particle physicist working in Japan and teaching piano on the side to children. 

20. What’s the last good movie you saw?
I started watching “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” because Byung-hun Lee, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Christopher Eccleston are in it, but it was pretty bad so I went to sleep instead.

Filed under Self Quiz Questions Tired