Educate yourself.

It's that time of year....midterms, essays, projects, critical analysis, what have you.
Do you see the Ethiopia theme? Yes, writing an essay on political repression in Ethiopia. It's actually a very interesting topic, ask me anything about Ethiopia involving politics, economy and social issues from 1974 to present and I'm pretty sure I'll know the answer.
Fun fact: Ethiopia and Liberia are the only two countries in Africa that were uncolonized.
Anyway I just thought for those of you non-students I'd share my pain and for those of you students we can bond together at how we dislike essays and midterm and etc.
Then again, at least I'm getting an education, right? At least I live in a country where my gender isn't a complete disability (I say complete because in some cases it is), at I have the means and money to educate myself.
I think all of us who say, ew another paper or gross I don't want to get to class we still understand it really is a priveledge to be able to go to school and have a higher education.
I have an Amnesty International poster in my room title: Getting an education shouldn't be this tough. The picture is a man getting beaten by three police officers as he tries to keep schools in his country open.
Caption says:

"Let's face it. We've all hoped for a natural disaster to close school on the day of the big exam. While you were glued to the weather channel, this protester tried to
keep schools in his country open - and got beaten by police.
Kinda makes you wonder, eh?
THINK. JOIN. ACT."

So though we may complain or procrastinate, we know how lucky we are.
And this is my cue to leave and continue writing my paper

Autumn Baking

While baking... they are apple allspice sticky buns. Need I say more? No, I don't so here are some photos.

Christina Hendricks is so sexy.

Reasons why I love Christina Hendricks:
1. She's a red head - I'm not a red head but I love red.
2. She's not a size 0, or a size 2, or a size 5. - Apparently she's a size 10.
3. She has unbelievable confidence and oozes sex appeal.
4. She's charming.
5. She's smart!


Okay, I did not take this photo. I wish I had cause then I would have met Christina Hendricks, who plays Joan on Mad Men. But I couldn't help posting this because my next big project is pin-ups! No promises yet since I'm juggling the whole school thing, but hopefully soon.

Anyway, you can see more sexiness here: http://socialitelife.celebuzz.com/archive/2010/10/11/christina_hendricks_gets_pinned_up_.php?img=3&gfmt=m#alpha-inner

A day in the life

A grainy scanned in photo from my film camera.
Thought it was appropriate seeing as this post is about paparazzi.

Found this article today on my favourite feminist blog, Jezebel. It gives a view of what happens behind the camera as a paparazzi photographer. One of the writers of Jezebel accompanies the photographer through the city of New York as they bike, run, wait just to capture the couple shots that will make it on the internet or magazines.

One of the interesting points the writer makes and the commentors discuss is why we have such a hate for paparazzi. Many of the commentors go into their own personal experience and opinions. The link is at the bottom so I'll let you read as you please rather than me trying to summarize the whole thing.

But if you'd like my humble opinion, if theres a demand there will always be a supply. Magazines that run off paparazzi photos get their funding by consumers eating up all the new gossip. I won't lie and say I've never bought a gossip magazine, I think we all have. Once you create something like this - a celebrity and media dominated society - there is no turning back. You can't just stop what just happened.

Common opinion is that having your picture taken constantly comes with being a celebrity. Others think the paparazzi are crazy jerks and harass actors/actresses/models etc. Who's to say its a bit of both? Being in the public spotlight of course people want to see your picture, what you're wearing, who you're with. Does that really come with the job of actor/actress/model? Isn't the reason why you're famous because you started out as one of the above? With exceptions from certain heiresses whose names we know too well. If I were an actress or model and I entered the public sphere, I know that my private life would be breached and people would know or pry to get to know me. It's just something that, in modern world, is actually part of 'the job.'

At one point the photographer featured in the article says as he is trying to get a picture of Kourtney Kardashian "Wagner comes over to me, cursing. "Right after the guard moved us out of the way, they kissed," he fumes, referring to Scott and Kourtney. "I said, my friend, I know you are doing your job. But you have no idea how much you doing your job just cost me."
It's so interesting and weird. How obsessed we are with others lives. Photography wise, the photographer is amazing. I mean, I think it takes real raw talent to get very good photos, under pressure, in tight situations where people (celebrities) can potentially flip out at you.

Read more: http://jezebel.com/5660461/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-paparazzo?skyline=true&s=i#ixzz12BwTflHN

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Turkey! I mean, that's all this weekend is about isn't it? Yummy warm turkey, stuffing, potatoes and sweet potatoes, gravy? Even better is the leftovers. Which I get to take home. Below is a picture of a happy turkey! Does this make you feel bad? Mmmm...I would, but it's too good.

Searching for books

In a used book store in the Glebe, Emma searches for Shakespeare.
Ever want to curl up on a compfy couch in your fleece pijamas and read your most loving book? Perfect for rainy, cold dreary days when all you want to do is escape reality and dive into a perfect novel. While book shopping today I realised I miss books. In the bustling life we live we hardly ever have time to sit down, read a book, escape from life. This is what I want to do. Now. But instead I'll research, write some papers, research some more, write some more papers and so on.

Happy Monday!
Morgs

Autumn and Sisters