First off, I read an article stating that a University in the US is making fitness classes mandatory for overweight students or else they may not get their diploma.

An interesting tactic.

For more information, read here.

I, for one, think this is a positive move, but I feel like this should be executed at a high school level, and not necessarily at a college level. I find it funny that one commenter on the above article stated being offended that the requirement was only being made of fat students --- well REALLY? I wonder WHY? There isn't a skinny epidemic.. there's an obesity epidemic in the US.

Anyway, point is, if parents are too lazy to teach their kids to eat and live healthily, then maybe it SHOULD be up to the education system to feel obligated to teach such lessons. After all, a school's for learning, right? I mean why should we only study knowledge and pass that to graduate? Maybe there should be a health component too, and not just from gym class. I mean maybe we should go back to the Ancient Greek values -- they highly valued the arts, and physical fitness.. I mean they DID invent the Olympics, right?

Fact is, diabetes and other health issues occur more frequently with those who are overweight because they are at a higher risk simply by being overweight.

I'm also tired of people saying that women/men should be proud of being "bigger" (NOTE: by bigger, I mean OBESE, not "a little overweight".. just to make that clear). I mean... what is there to be proud of? That you're at a higher risk for a wealth of diseases and body-part-failures? Higher risk of dying younger? That's like saying smokers should be proud of smoking. They shouldn't.

I think women should find ways to be happy for themselves, certainly, but being "proud" of being obese is ridiculous.

No one is a single shape-type... but no one's supposed to be severely overweight either. "Healthy" is different for everyone.. some men and women are skinnier when healthy, others are a bit stockier, but that doesn't mean they're not healthy (example: compare Edyta with Lacey, both are professional dancers, yet Lacey is a bit "bigger" in terms of her overall stature, curves, etc. Edyta is more akin to the fashion models we see in magazines. They're both insanely healthy, as they are pro-dancers, yet their shapes are different.

This is what I mean by everyone's "healthy" looks different.

ANYWAY --- thoughts on the University's decision.. should it be implemented in other schools too? Should it be started earlier? Should elementary schools introduce "healthy eating" lessons and fun ways to stay active starting from Kindergarten?


Last thing: I exclude people with health issues that directly affect their ability to manage their weight, but seeing as that applies to a small, tiny fraction of those who are obese... that argument is hardly justified in relation to the epidemic.

Does anyone else find the level of criticism of Obama "bowing" to the emperor rather ridiculous???

"The President of America bows to no one."
"It shows weakness."

WTF?!?! So much for the constitution, right? Freedom and all that? So much for RESPECT of CULTURE which Obama displayed, when I'm sure America wants respect from everyone else.

Weakness? Wtf is wrong with these people??? It's CULTURALLY NORMAL TO BOW IN JAPAN, DICK CHENEY.

Also, based on a video I saw, he isn't the first American president to bow to another nation's leader. Apparently they neglected to remember that.

The show centers around the Porn industry, and how many women are viewing porn, and one lady who is an erotica/lingerie boutique owner said something about how women used to feel embarrassed about watching/buying porn, but that they shouldn't, and so now that it's more widely accepted women are just taking advantage of it a lot more now and I was just... really sad.

Because frankly, I think people DO need to be embarrassed about it. I don't think it should be accepted, because it's so disgusting and degrading and stupid.

I'm sorry if this offends any porn watchers out there, but seriously.. if it's SO "normal", then why is it that almost NO normal mother and father out there would ever want their daughter or son to aspire to be a porn star? Hm? And if you do hope they become a porn star, then you have sad dreams for your child, I"m sorry.

And what makes me more sad is that a lot of these porn stars are married, and that their spouse apparently has no issue with their partner having animalistic sex with a random person...

So really, if you think pornography is "normal", consider whether you'd want that for your child, whether you're willing to "share" your partner's body with other people as a job (which I suppose is a branch of prostitution when you REALLY think about it).. and other factors like that.

Think about it.

By the way, Jenna, who is the world's top porn star, lives a "lavish" lifestyle and I don't think she gives much to charity or does anything philanthropic with her crapload of cash. Some contribution to society.

Today at work, I was sending captions for the TV drama GREEK, concerning the lives and dramas of US college sororities and fraternities. The weirdness of Sororities and Frats and the backstabbing that can possibly go on is a whooole other subject, but it was this one episode that I was listening to that bothered me... rather, it made me think about certain values that entertainment is promoting in general.

You see, it showed all these college kids just.. having sex with each other left and right, and then ONE of the main characters' roommate was a "right-wing southern christian" who didn't like that his roommate was asking to use their room alone some nights for sex.. and just like, I know they made the roommate have a rather extreme personality like.. in that, he was a germ-aphobe (what's the proper term for someone who has an unreasonable fear of germs??) but... it bothered me that his view of pre-marital sex was projected through quite a subtly negative lens.

Then I got to thinking, and one of the ONLY times I can think of a modern film or TV show where the couple waited until after marriage for sex is (rather ironically), "The 40 Year Old Virgin".

And like, yes, I do view pre-martial sex in a rather negative view myself because of my own personal beliefs but I also understand that a lot of the world is out there having sex at any age, at any time.. BUT, media seems to project one supposedly-preferable image and I feel like, if media is to reflect current society, it ought to be 50/50 because I know plenty of people, both religious and non-religious, who believe in waiting until after marriage...

It just really bothered me quite a bit.. :/

Feel free to share your thoughts.

Also, I would very much appreciate if you could vote for my scent at this contest: http://www.downy.com/en-CA/designyourdowny.jspx

Just click "Scent Entries" and then use the search field to look up "Rachelle". My scent is Berry Fresh. It's a rather strange combination, but I think it could work.

So, apparently I'll be stuck in the states after marriage due to some... I dunno.. Visa restrictions or something, so um, if anyone can recommend good UNIQUE honeymoon destinations within the US.

So that rules out: Hawaii, Alaska, and boring places like Niagara Falls or something (yea that's right. it's boring. pretty, but boring.)

Suggestions are welcome because I can't think of anything that would appeal to me.

Alrighty guys... sooo....

http://www.youcouldgetme.com/ViewWishLists.aspx?UserName=chicurbanity

Visit that page, and enter "chicurbanity" in the "Enter Friend's UserName to View His/Her Wish List" field.

And remember... GIFT RECEIPTS ARE ESSENTIAL!

I have in the past received duplicate items.. haha, so gift receipts are always good.

Please take this poll!

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Poll #1459875 Screen Resolutions
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I'm bored. But even if I had something to do, I'm in no mood to do anything. I can't even converse very well today. The whole day I've just been feeling really crappy.

I dunno why.. maybe it's hormones, maybe it's something else, who knows? But I don't know what to do and I don't feel like sleeping at all anytime soon, so I'm just writing here for now...

Guess that's it. No other thoughts. Maybe I'm just an incredibly boring person.

Sooo I haven't updated here in a while. Any questions? Feel free to ask them in the comments...

I'm sorry if I haven't commented on any of your journals.. lol I really don't frequent lj as much as I used to. I think the main reason is I honestly don't feel like I have much to share lately. Life's just been me looking for work, for the past 6 months. Around May I've started working at the same daycare as my mom, so that's been helping me stay afloat financially, but it's not very rewarding, fulfilling, or enjoyable.

Also, I think my brain has been realising that HP is truly coming to a close, in terms of "new material" coming out, so until 3 weeks ago, my mind has been feeling rather empty of an obsession - and it's true, I do function this way. My mind moves from obsession to obsession, depending either on me maturing, or whatever it is I love to be ending (such as Harry Potter). First it was Sailor Moon, then it was Spice Girls, then it was Nancy Drew, then Harry Potter came along and lasted 10+ years (and I hope it never truly fades away), but in that time there was also anime, which has long since faded, and so with Harry Potter ending and anime out of my mind, along came True Blood.

While people's obsession with Twilight remains a mystery to me (particularly older fans), if someone had an obsession with True Blood, I can see why. I mean, heck, Anna Paquin is an amazing actress and won an Emmy award for her role as Sookie Stackhouse, but I can never, ever see Twilight or any of its actors winning any awards... except those based on votes, such as the joke that is the Teen Choice Awards, or the MTV Movie Awards. Back to True Blood - the characters are interesting, the romance is a lot more developed and also unpredictable, and when I started reading the books on which the show is based (the Sookie Stackhouse series, aka the Southern Vampire Mysteries), I found them to be rather decently written and developed. Charlaine Harris (the author) knows she isn't writing the most groundbreaking literature out there, but she also knows how to shape a good story, and give the characters sufficient flair and development.

So yes... True Blood/Sookie Stackhouse series has become my new obsession. Rather ironic given my past bashing of vamp-obsessed Twitards (how I love this oh-so-effective term). I still hate Twitards (mind you, the term "Twitards" does not encompass ALL fans, but the brainless, cultishly-obsessed fans), but alas... I too have been sucked into a vampire romance.. but hey, there's a bit of mystery thrown in there, and I rather like it.

Lastly, I'd like to give my regards and condolences to the families of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcet. Both extraordinary people, and as for Jackson, a true pioneer, icon, and entertainment legend. Sigh.

Every night (or, shall I say, every morning) when I lie in bed my heart squeezes tighter and the pain increases each time until the vessel is no longer sufficient and spills over in a trickle of tears. My mind and heart are locked in an endless struggle between truth and lies. I don't know how to end this. I reach out to God and know He is there yet my pain is such that I reach to Him through a thorny prison and fail to see the fragrant rose, fail to see the hope I know exists beyond my vision.

I loathe this despair. I see no spark in the eyes of the woman that gazes intently back at me in the mirror. I function but I no longer live. I want to live. And because I want to, I find a way to relax the fist around my heat long enough to fall asleep so I may go through another day. Another day of pushing aside the thorns and waiting for my battered hand to someday finally close around the silky texture of a rose.

So I guess I haven't posted a proper entry in here in a while.. lol. I don't know what to say really. I guess I'll do point form updates! rawr!

- I'm in love with Franz Ferdinand again, with their new album being full of win
- I'm also in love with James entirely.. ♥
- I'll likely move to St. Louis once we marry since... well that's where he'll be living/working.
- I've recently visited him in Indiana for the v-day weekend and it was so awesome and I miss James so much =(
- If any of you can recall when I posted a bunch of squee-filled convos with "mannerism"... yes. That's James. :P
- I'm a bit jobless and my money is running lower and lower but I'm still job hunting and trying to remain relatively hopeful.. it's tough being a recent graduate :(
- Otherwise, I'm quite happy. Things aren't perfect, but life never is, and I'm happy with where I am despite certain external circumstances.. but I do believe happiness is not something that comes to you, but a frame of mind, and something you gotta create.

Also, why is it that fat people get offended if you call them fat but it's totally okay to call someone skinny? I mean, of course there's a difference between using the word "fat" offensively or using it as a term of observation.. but I mean the truth's the truth and why get so worked up over it? I mean that's a totally random thought but I totally think it quite often.. and just as randomly. And I totally mean no offense by this question. It's just a thought.. and I see no reason for people to get angry over it cuz.. well it's rather pointless cuz it's true. Anyway...

I would also like to point out that a huge reason for me being happy with where I am in life is because, thanks to James, I can attest to the love of Christ and His goodness.. and how all things work for the good of those who love Him.. I can say I am truly blessed by His grace, and though being jobless is always rather stress-worthy, I know I trust Him ever more and in His guidance of my life.. I will follow even if it means leaving my comfort zone.. and who knows, maybe my comfort zone IS Toronto and I do need to leave at least for a while to experience more blessings beyond what I can imagine.

So.. I thank God, and I guess this concludes my rare journal post... ahaha. :)

Okay soo.. this headline caught my eye, and it absolutely disgusts me.. so first, please read the following article:

"It's Affair Game"

Like.. WTF? The state of society continues to disgust me. I mean.. sites for like... sugardaddy services.. you know, whatever, it's uh.. their... preference? But a service that promotes easy access to affairs??? And they're PISSED their ad isn't being shown? I'm frankly relieved.

This made me laugh:

"Biderman accused CTV of being "extremely hypocritical" for spurning his ad while running others for alcohol products, which he said cause more harm than Ashley Madison. Labatt Breweries is one of the advertisers during Sunday's game."

Yeah but do you see alcohol ads going, "hey, it's cool to get smashed and puke your guts and get behind the wheel of a car so you can go ruin someone's life".. NO? In fact they usually have a message about drinking responsibly. But this website is basically promoting the type of shit that DOES tear families apart.. often quite bitterly.

This is soooo upsetting to me.. :/ I friggin' hate this company. A lot. I saw their ads on TV before late at night and they pissed me off.

What are your thoughts?

I'm wondering if anyone else is able to view torrentz.com or torrentz.eu?? It seems to be inaccessible to me, so I'm wondering if the problem is solely on my end, or if they're suddenly down. I can't seem to find any related articles on the matter... so if anyone has any info on this, let me know!

EDIT: Nevermind.. it works in IE but doesn't work in Chrome for some bizarre reason. If anyone has info on THAT, let me know. XD

oh gosh. right now I'm handling the sound system at church for practice and I'm reading the Tales of Beedle the Bard but I also brought my Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them book cuz I know Dumbledore advises us to refer to it in the footnotes of his commentary.. >_>

Soooo. Yes. IF you're thinking of getting gifts, but of course I don't really expect anyone to cuz ya.. commercialism for the fail. Buuut if you really want you.... then I want you to surprise me. But I understand not knowing exactly what to get can be frustrating. But, instead of telling you things I want, I'll tell you what NOT to get me.

- no magazines
- no scarves, hats, gloves, etc. please. H&M's cheap. I'll get those myself if I need them :P
- do not get pointless decorative items that will collect dust on my shelf, though ornaments are not included in this category.
- nothing related to the Twilight series. Please.
- No toys/stuffed animals/etc. Unless it's related to Harry Potter.
- No posters


That's about it... and JUST in case you need more help...

- I like harry potter.
- I like H&M
- Books are love
- So's music and movies
- Thinkgeek.com and Shakespearesden.com are love. That is all.

So there.. things NOT to get me, and helpful vague categories and/or idea-starters. :P

ChicUrbanity (3:13:52 AM): but I love belle because she's a bookworm
ChicUrbanity (3:13:54 AM): like meeee
ChicUrbanity (3:14:04 AM): and the Beast's library.. GUH
ChicUrbanity (3:14:14 AM): I would've orgasmed the moment I Saw it if I was her
mannerism53 (3:14:18 AM): haha
mannerism53 (3:14:26 AM): my personal library will make you moist
ChicUrbanity (3:14:32 AM): ooooo?
mannerism53 (3:14:44 AM): i have.....close to 3000 books, last i counted
ChicUrbanity (3:14:48 AM): ....
ChicUrbanity (3:14:50 AM): ......
ChicUrbanity (3:15:00 AM): ............
ChicUrbanity (3:15:08 AM): <3

later..

mannerism53 (3:18:09 AM): i have first editions of most of C.S. Lewis' books
ChicUrbanity (3:18:21 AM): plz.. stop...
mannerism53 (3:18:56 AM): one of my bookcases contains only leather bound, gold leaf books
ChicUrbanity (3:19:07 AM): ....
ChicUrbanity (3:19:11 AM): STOP STOP STOP


*BREATHE* must... fight.. urges...

mannerism53 (2:37:47 AM): i wish you were a little close so i could take you out on an actual date
ChicUrbanity (2:38:03 AM): ya well, the feelin's mutual
mannerism53 (2:38:11 AM): :)
mannerism53 (2:38:34 AM): hey, if it's meant to be, things will come together as they should, n'est pas?
ChicUrbanity (2:38:42 AM): yea man
ChicUrbanity (2:38:54 AM): if God wants it, no distance stands in the way
ChicUrbanity (2:38:56 AM): ftw
mannerism53 (2:39:07 AM): for sure


....I AM IN HEAVEN... AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

UPDATE!!!

mannerism53 (2:51:17 AM): well, i don't want to get your hopes up too high, but i've definitely added Toronto to the areas where i'll be looking for jobs after i graduate. :)
ChicUrbanity (2:51:25 AM): hahahaha
ChicUrbanity (2:51:34 AM): there's plenty here :P big city
mannerism53 (2:52:07 AM): well, if you know of anyone who needs a librarian...you just let me know. :P
ChicUrbanity (2:52:16 AM): sure thing :P

....AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH if it wasn't so late I'd be dancing like a maniac and screaming right now.. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HEEEHEEHEEEEE

UPDATE AGAIN

ChicUrbanity (3:00:24 AM): since we're sorta on the subject... I've been wanting to say this for a while now but ah.. I just think you're extremely cute
mannerism53 (3:01:06 AM): awwww. :) i think you're exceptionally beautiful.
ChicUrbanity (3:01:32 AM): aww :3 soft fuzzy moment!
mannerism53 (3:02:08 AM): haha. :)


*giggles*

ONE MORE UPDATE.. geez..


ChicUrbanity (3:05:05 AM): cuz.. ya.. extremely shy
mannerism53 (3:06:11 AM): haha. no worries about that. i'll charm the shy right out of you. *waves wand*
ChicUrbanity (3:06:26 AM): which wand? :P
ChicUrbanity (3:07:05 AM): (plz note: I may often crack ah... improper humour)
mannerism53 (3:07:19 AM): haha.
mannerism53 (3:07:20 AM): oh.
mannerism53 (3:07:24 AM): i do that.
ChicUrbanity (3:07:27 AM): LOL
mannerism53 (3:07:29 AM): a lot.
mannerism53 (3:07:32 AM): <.<
mannerism53 (3:07:33 AM): >.>
ChicUrbanity (3:07:36 AM): HAHAHA
mannerism53 (3:07:37 AM): more than i should.
ChicUrbanity (3:07:40 AM): ya
ChicUrbanity (3:07:41 AM): me too
mannerism53 (3:08:40 AM): haha. i made a bunch of people uncomfortable tonight because we were playing Risk and everyone was yelling and i yelled "just roll the dice, muthaf***ah!"
mannerism53 (3:08:48 AM): as a joke.
ChicUrbanity (3:08:50 AM): LOOL
mannerism53 (3:08:58 AM): and everyone got REALLY quiet
ChicUrbanity (3:09:01 AM): LOOOOOL
ChicUrbanity (3:09:06 AM): I'd be on the floor laughing
mannerism53 (3:09:12 AM): and i was like....crap.....Christians.....

Last night I had a most peculiar dream... I was younger in my dream... maybe 12 or something, and I was being kept in some type of high-rise building by these... people. Like sorta like scientists, and there were other people with me in the building, and I can remember being observed. I was also unable to escape due to the observance. Almost like "1984"? Haha. Anyway, and there was a building beside the building I was in, which the scientist people worked in. It was very high, and the outside was all glass. I don't remember most of the dream, unfortunately, but it was definitely nightmare-ish.

I remember one part where I was trying to escape and I was running around the building being chased, and I ended up in the basement eventually and was desperate to get out, so I pushed open this really small window that I could barely get through, and when I pushed my head out first, I found my head within a small area dominated by spider webs and spiders and I was so scared I actually ducked back inside (haha Ron-moment anyone? XD).

I can't remember what happened after that, but I do remember the last part of my dream. The scientists led me out of the building I was in and we went out a certain distance then they turned me around to face the glass building. They said something to me that I can't remember, then they took me into the glass building and we went up the elevator to the rooftop.

There, they said some more things to me, but the part I remember most was when I looked at them in nervousness and they said, "There is no love. There is no joy. Everything is a lie, do you understand this?", or something to that effect. And I remember I either started crying or felt like crying and I told them they were wrong and they kept insisting that I would understand and it was horrifying. They were so calm and it was almost monstrous. They released me then and I could wander anywhere I wanted to but I remember feeling so worn and troubled... it was peculiar.

If there is one thing to be said that can explain the apparent popularity of Sarah Palin and the apparent faith that people have in her possibly leading the country of the United States, it might perhaps be answered by that one episode of Family Guy in wchihc Lois makes a go at trying to run for the position of Mayor of New Cohog.

I mean I’m no political expert but based on the few real quotes from her (I am aware of fake quotes that have been circulating and thus ignore them), and some of the actual interview clips, it boggles my mind that anyone could consider her as remotely ready for the position. I mean people pick on Obama for being so “young” and “inexperienced” but when put in perspective with Palin it’s a little bit of a joke.

I’m sure some of you may have noticed the clips I’ve been posting from Saturday Night Live, of Tina Fey’s parody of Palin, and the scary thing is that MANY of the “jokes” in the skit are not actually jokes, but pretty much verbatim repetitions of actual responses that Palin provided in her interviews and whatnot.

I’m almost experiencing a flashback to Miss Teen South Carolina… anyone else feel that way?

I just have the slight feeling that although McCain chose Palin for obvious strategic political reasons, she’ll somehow be the downfall of his campaign. But who knows… I may end up eating my own words, so we’ll see.

In Canadian news… I have no idea who I’ll vote for. It’s like trying to choose between evils and having to choose the lesser evil. I mean I guess politics is ALWAYS about choosing the lesser evil but ah… I don’t know. The weakness of the Liberals and my general dislike of the Conservatives leaves me with two voting directions for which I feel little enthusiasm.

Okay, so I meant to post this earlier, about the Subway incident, but I forgot. So anyway, I was on the Subway with my mom and she was sleeping, and I was listening to my iPod. I saw this really really cute man sitting a bit further down the subway car, and I kept looking at him hoping he'd look my way (he didn't... sigh.. they never do), and then suddenly his stop comes along and he gets up to prepare before the subway's even in the station, and as he does so, my iPod shuffles to "At Last" by Etta James, and I ALMOST burst into snickers. I snorted and had to suppress the laugh and control my face... it was HILARIOUS. The timing couldn't have been better. If you don't know the song, just go google the lyrics and you'll see why it's so funny.

And lastly, I have been scared of not being able to buy Downy's Wrinkle Releaser cuz I wasn't sure if it was still sold in Canada... I couldn't find it in the Shopper's Drug Mart and some other place that I checked. So I went into the Wal-Mart near my workplace unsure of whether I'd be able to find it. And I went to the Travel/Trial section and scanned the area. I ended up picking out 2 mini bottles of DEET-infused bug repellent lotion, and 3 mini bottles of nice-smelling body wash, 2 travel-sized packages of band-aids, 1 bottle of foaming hand sanitizer.. and then suddenly on the very bottom shelf I see a random travel-sized spray bottle placed in an area where it shouldn't be (so many travel products end up like that)... and I bend down and 'lo! it's the REMAINING bottle of Wrinkle-Release spray from Downy (for the cruise). I could NOT believe my luck. I plan on checking a different wal-mart to find another one if possible, since one bottle seems small for all the clothes I'll have.

But yes.. the evilness that is Wal-Mart saved my lack-of-irons worry. Haha.