Acadaemia (British spelling seemed appropriate here)

I share the ironic sentiments about acadaemia expressed in this passage:

"Beware of first- hand ideas!" exclaimed one of the most advanced of them. "First-hand ideas do not really exist. They are but the physical impressions produced by live and fear, and on this gross foundation who could erect a philosophy? Let your ideas be second-hand, and if possible tenth-hand, for then they will be far removed from that disturbing element - direct observation. Do not learn anything about this subject of mine - the French Revolution. Learn instead what I think that Enicharmon thought Urizen thought Gutch thought Ho-Yung thought Chi-Bo-Sing thought LafcadioHearn thought Carlyle thought Mirabeau said about the French Revolution. Through the medium of these ten great minds, the blood that was shed at Paris and the windows that were broken at Versailles will be clarified to an idea which you may employ most profitably in your daily lives. But be sure that the intermediates are many and varied, for in history one authority exists to counteract another. Urizen must counteract the scepticism of Ho-Yung and Enicharmon, I must myself counteract the impetuosity of Gutch. You who listen to me are in a better position to judge about the French Revolution than I am. Your descendants will be even in a better position than you, for they will learn what you think I think, and yet another intermediate will be added to the chain. And in time" - his voice rose - "there will come a generation that had got beyond facts, beyond impressions, a generation absolutely colourless, a generation

seraphically free

From taint of personality,

which will see the French Revolution not as it happened, nor as they would like it to have happened, but as it would have happened, had it taken place in the days of the Machine."

Movie Lists

I just wanted to say a few short words on movies. They're great in that you don't have to watch a whole 30+ episodes to have consumed the media work in its entirety (vs. TV shows). But like my cousin, I too have recently found myself losing the attention span for even movies. For example, everyone has pretty much only said good things about Interstellar. I get that it might in actuality be a great movie, but I have no interest in watching it. Something about the duration and the fact that it's a "space" movie--"but it's such a GOOOOOD movie"--I get that yet I still somehow can't bring myself to care about seeing it. 

Anyway I'm going off on a long-winded tangent as usual...back on track I just wanted to say that it's a pretty common thing for people to come up with lists of their favourite movies or maybe just a few all-time favourites (usually because it's a common small talk topic: "so what's your favourite movie?...What kind of movies do you like to watch?", etc, etc.). I feel like people actually have two lists of "favourite movies". 

The first list is the one that is socially acceptable. This is the one more commonly divulged, and it is usually comprised of movies that were popular at some point or another...tending to be some timeless classic or of the more recent variety. The second list only ever comes out if the person feels immune to your judgement. This is the list of movies that person actually enjoys but for whatever reason can't admit to liking to just anyone. I guess if someone admits to having weird movie favourites, you should consider yourself lucky. You're likely in their good books and they're comfortable opening up to you a little. 

Avocado > Guacamole (but not actually)

Throwing a curve ball by not writing an essay for once and employing visual aids. Here is my friend Avocado. My peers insisted I rename her Guacamole, but that name is clearly inferior. We make quite the cheeky pair don't we?

I Love April

And no, I'm not in a wonderful part of my life, nor am I particularly partial to the current month; I'm referring to a different April. So here goes...If you know me, you know that I'm not a big fan of comedy--at least not in the sense that is enjoyed by most people. I'm not a huge fan of movies, shows, or even stand-up. With one distinctive exception: Parks and Recreation. 

I recently got into this show because one of my classmates, who is actually a stand-up comedian as a hobby/talent/part-time gig/not totally sure tbh, started posting a countdown of his favourite moments from the show as it was nearing its series finale. Even though I usually lack the attention span to click on video links, something compelled me to click on these ones--and I'm glad I did! I found these clips intriguing and got into the show. So I've been binge watching the show for roughly the past two months, and I finally finished it today--only a few minutes ago actually. It was great and surprisingly enjoyable/entertaining/touching in all the right ways. It not only appealed to my sense of humour but I also identified strongly with two of the major characters. 

My first pick is probably fairly predictable, as I get the impression that most fans of the show gravitate towards this character. I personally identify with his quirks and strive to exhibit many of his traits and values. It's...Ron Swanson. Maybe you guessed it, maybe you didn't; doesn't matter. We (yes, Ron and I) don't need your approval. We also like our privacy; most people don't make the cut for knowing personal things about us (e.g. birthday, how we feel, etc.). We are also both men of few words (specifically around people we aren't that close with), love meat, and share an aversion to small talk. I also strongly admire how he is a man of principle; he knows what he stands for and believes in and sticks to his guns, making exceptions (which is usually just a strategic navigation of loopholes) only for the most valued of people. As a general rule, I'm not a fan of mustaches--even less so of them on faces, but I'll make one for Ron Swanson. Call me Tammy 4, but who can resist that adorable giggle he does?

My second pick is, I'm guessing, one of the less popular characters of the show: April Ludgate-Dwyer. I also see aspects of myself in April. She is, of course, a hyperbolic stereotype, but I identify with the traits they are trying to suggest. Apathy, a dark sardonic sense of humour, disdain for social norms, lacking passion but still looking for a purpose, hesitation to express physical/verbal/any kind of affection, etc. April's basically my twin sister.

So...to be honest, I'm not totally sure what made this show click with me. It might be the right humour? Good acting? Strong personal identification with the characters? Who knows. Thank you, Parks and Recreation, for making the last two months of my crappy school-infested life a little not crappy, kind of. I love you. Or I hate you. But I love you.

P.S. I am somehow writing this the night before a practical and written removable denture exam--and a month of 9 final exams in 3 weeks, but that's okay. This satisfied feeling of completing this great show was too good to let die without some sort of tributary recognition.

"Niceness" is a Ninja

Something annoying that I've encountered a lot recently mostly through my academic setting is people trying to be "nice" or convince others that they are "nice". This has always been something that annoyed me, but lately it's presented itself in a specific form. 

Even if all evidence points to someone being a "bad" person or having strongly negative qualities, some people will say "Well, I STILL don't think they're a bad person..."--and here's the kicker--"...because they haven't done anything bad to me." This is the most selfish and pretentious thing that I've heard these "nice"-strivers say so far. Extreme analogy: The Nazis didn't do anything bad to ME; therefore, I can't hold anything against them. They're not bad people. 

Mid-Dental School Life Crisis

Not sure what happened over the break, but I feel less stressed and uptight about school since I came back after Christmas. I know school is still picking back up, but I feel like I'm also in a better mood and my hobbies are changing. Gone are the days where I got my daily guilty fix from online (usually MOBA) gaming and non-stop board gaming. Instead, I've been sleeping earlier, getting back into reading (non-academic literature FINALLY), watching a few strongly recommended TV shows and movies, and listening to Classical music. 

For those interested, a bit more detail on each of the changes I mentioned:
1. Sleeping earlier around 10:30 pm - 1 am (vs. my previous 2-4 am bedtime).
2. Reading up on classics I only ever heard about but never read. Currently working on Dickens' Tale of Two Cities. Reading this classic piece of literature serves as a sad reminder of how long it's been since I've read a decent book. Some of the language is hard to wrap my head around, so I have to give certain passages a few tries before it sinks in. I feel like my reading maturity/skills stopped around grade 12 (i.e. like most people, around the time high school English ended and university started); this is something I'd like to work on. This change is particularly refreshing because I feel like I'm getting back in touch with everything I love about language, words, and fresh storytelling. Also trying to get back into the habit of noting new/unfamiliar words that I come across to expand my own vocabulary (the growth of which probably also halted around grade 12).
3. I've found a few TV/movie buddies (one in particular!) that have very similar tastes. As a result, I've been exposed to goodies like There will be Blood, Cube, and Fargo (TV show). I also finally watched Sin City 2. I don't care what the ratings say; I loved it.
4. Classical music listening...this probably started when I visited my friend's website promoting his music school. Every time I hear him play a serious Classical piece, (it sounds crazy and totally cheesy, I know) I fall into a trance-like state. This experience reminds me of the days when I used to support my brother at his violin competitions and he pulled off an amazing performance that made me proud to be seen with him (for once, jk). I think I might be approaching that age that I was forewarned about all my life...where I regret not putting more effort into practicing piano. Everyone (especially my mom) taunted me with this forecast, and I'll never admit it to their faces, but I think it is finally coming true...now...? For those who don't know, fun fact: my favourite Classical composers are Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy, Rachmaninov (roughly in that order). Yeah, surprise (or not) I'm essentially a Romantic girl.

I can't even attribute these positive changes to the new year because I didn't make new year's resolutions, and I barely remember to write "2015" or "xx/xx/15" at the top of my notes. It all just feels very new and strange...is something wrong with me? Am I having some sort of personal crisis with oddly beneficial side effects? Maybe after school gets back into full swing, I'll just lapse back into the game-addicted, sleep-deprived slob I was/know/am comfortable with...I'll report back with whatever happens.

Yeah, this was a post of me complaining about how happy (?) I am...