Chelsea Clinton & Marc Mezvinsky Married (PHOTOS)

Gorgeous gown and not surprised that it's strapless - most Vera gowns are
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

This is the camera I want...

...or something LIKE this. It's the Sony NEX3KB with 18-55 mm lens.  It's much more compact than a standard DSLR, but it's NO point-and-shoot either.  A girl can dream, can't she...

Religious Guy Handing Out Lit on the Corner of Yonge and Bloor

You rarely see them there. There's a(n Evangelical) Christian guy on the corner of Yonge and Dundas (who has been standing there for YEARS). There are also Muslims in the same area, handing out Qu'rans. I haven't seen other faiths thumping like this, though. I guess most religions consider it tacky (I think so, too).

Essence's White Fashion Director Ellianna Placas Causes Controversy

This woman is a fashion editor. She isn't writing about racism or social experiences of black women, so it doesn't matter what one's ethnicity or even sex is for this job. Clothes are clothes, no? I can understand why one would hire a black person if they wanted to talk about social issues, however (even though it would be ILLEGAL to say so in a job posting. It's just something that is "understood," I guess - one reason why I, as a female, would probably never apply for a job at, say, Maxim unless they're looking for someone who can write from a woman's point of view)
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Don Draper's "Mad Men" Apartment Identified?

I've heard of Sex and the City tours - buses which take tourists to Manhattan spots where the SATC girls have gone to. Will/are there Mad Men tours?
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Chelsea Clinton Visits Vera Wang Store (PHOTOS)

I honestly hope her dress has straps or sleeves. I can't tell you how sick I am of strapless dresses. I mean, they've been "in" for nearly 10 years!!
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Arizona Immigration Law: Sections BLOCKED By Federal Judge

Don't a lot of old people live in Arizona already? Snowbirds go to either Arizona or Florida. Wait..that's not an island.
About Arizona Immigration Law
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Still here!!!

Apologies for not posting for a while.  I'm moving into a new place and I've been crazy-busy packing!!!  Hopefully, I'll be able to post things later this week!

Banned Abortion Episode of <i>Family Guy</i> Coming on DVD: See Excerpt Here!

You know, most TV shows make fun of society. Heck, that's probably the reason WHY many more intelligent shows have moved to cable. Mainstream society has gotten so stupid that the big networks need to make TV shows where they can sit back and LAUGH at us.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Leonardo DiCaprio In 'Rolling Stone': Shirtless & Talking Women (PHOTO)

If I said I liked Leo in high school, I think my friends would have laughed at me...only the teenybopper types were obsessed with Romeo & Juliet and Titanic (though most of us did...we were just not open about it, just like we weren't about liking the Backstreet Boys. We were "too old" by then at 17ish) These days, though, I am not afraid to admit it!!



And that picture is HOT AS HELL!
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

A Letter to Uber-Religious People (think Duggars)

Dear Really Religious People,

Thank you for your concern of my not having any faith. As you have never really spoken with me, you probably do not know that I am Roman Catholic. We believe in the same Jesus Christ as you. However, we do not believe in going around people's homes promoting the Word of God. In fact, I was raised to believe that it is improper and unlady-like to do so. Instead, we promote religion through education, which I assume you do not have much of, since you believe that the world is only 5,000 years old and that Adam and Eve roamed the world with dinosaurs. At least, that is what I assume you believe, since your two of your 12 lovely children have told me so. I feel extremely sad for all of them. They don't seem to get out much, do they? I have never seen them play with the Goldbergs across the street nor have I seen them with the Khalids next door. Heck, I've never even seen them with the Jameses, who go to St. George's Anglican!

Speaking of your children, I have heard that the eldest is to be married. Twenty is very young. I realize that in your culture, having as many children as possible is required, but does she have to spend the rest of her life tending the home? I thought old fashioned rules valued lady-like behaviour. I have spoken with her before, and she does not seem to reflect my version of "lady-like." I was raised to believe that ladies had some good polish, including speaking a smattering of languages other than English. I learned about this from reading Jane Austen in high school. What? You haven't read any Austen? What do you read, besides the Bible, anyway?

Really, I think you are doing you and your family a big disfavour. I would actually love to find a way to send your children to a good home where they will receive an excellent education (including college) and where they are encouraged to question. Keeping them in the dark is very dangerous.

Sincerely,

TorontoGal

Proper is a Good Thing, No?

One thing that bothers me about my parents is how they always rant on dinners at home being a casual thing.  It might be cultural, but I don't think it's always the case.  I think "dressing for dinner," even if it takes place at home is a good thing, once in a while.  I have always worn dresses or skirts - or at times, nice pants - to Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.  My parents think it's ok to wear jeans, and maybe even sweats.  Isn't this  WTF situation?  I understand the need to be casual, but really, sweats?  When you have guests?  When it isn't a backyard barbecue?  Of course, I've seen my parents wedding reception home movie.    It looked like a big fat regular dinner out to me.  Le Sigh.

Kid-Free Restaurants?

Well, if you're a parent in Ottawa, you'd be suing.  Honestly, I think grown-ups should be able to dine, kid-free, at a place that isn't technically a bar/lounge (i.e. a place where you have to be 19 to get in).  Kids can be loud, and the pre-school aged ones are rude, especially if the parents don't think it's necessary for them to learn "grown-up" rules.  I was very young when my parents taught me proper table manners.  I was probably three or four years old when I knew how to properly use a knife and fork as well as chopsticks.  Not so for today's kids.  An acquaintance of mine has a five year old son.  At a lunch (which usually is at some kid-friendly restaurant with what grown-ups consider crappy food) a few months ago, he helped his son cut up his food.  The kid is five.  He should be old enough to use a fork and knife, and to hold it properly (well, relatively, anyway).  But no, the kid fists.  If the kid still fists his cutlery in a few years, it's not going to be fixed unless someone tells him to do so.  I know adults who do this.  A guy I knew while I was studying abroad in England did this.  But then again, he didn't care about "the rules" and hated mainstream society.  He wouldn't wear suits, he wouldn't use products from big corporation, etc...  He was probably 20 years old at that time, so hopefully, things have changed by now.  He was the kind of guy I wanted to send a copy of Emily Post to. 

So yes, parents, you really need to teach your kids proper manners.  And you need to do it EARLY.  Like age 2. 

Top 100 Girls' Names of 2010

I like nice, normal names. I don't understand the strange, creative names which some celebrities like to give their kids. I guess these kids aren't going to grow up to become doctors or lawyers, so it doesn't matter. I think parents need to put "Dr." or add "CEO" after a name they think they like and see if it sounds good. If it doesn't sound professional, then nix it.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Hugh Hefner Offers To Take Playboy Private

Maybe Hef should retire. He should also stop taking on women young enough to be his GRANDDAUGHTER as mistresses/wives. Heck, these girls shouldn't be sleeping with icky old men!!!
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Chelsea Clinton Wedding Update: Will The Bride Convert?

I honestly won't be surprised if Chelsea and Marc are going to have a civil ceremony with a JP. That's what my fiance and I will be doing - we, too are interfaith. It just makes things easier that way. It might mean pissing out both sides (not in our case) but at least you're ticking them off equally! As for converting, I think more people would convert if it were a friendly option. Depending on the denomination of Judaism, conversion can be very, very difficult.



As for OUR wedding, we will incorporate traditions from both my (cultural only. My family's technically Catholic, but to varying degrees. My parents are RC in name only, and I am very, very lapsed. My grandmother, on the other hand goes to Mass regularly. But even SHE isn't expecting an hour-plus ceremony!) side and his. Kids? We aren't even thinking about it yet!!!
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Celebrating the World Cup

So Spain won in over time (or "extra time") as they say in FIFA-land, 1-0.  Here in Toronto, people were celebrating.  The crowds weren't as crazy as when Canada won gold in hockey, but still mad.  It's interesting, how OTT the celebrating was, though, considering that the Spanish (as in descendants from Spain) community here isn't that big compared with, say, Italians.  I was actually expecting quite a quiet World Cup here after Italy and Brazil were kicked out.

Snooki and Twilight: The Best Thing Mass Media Has Done for Young Skin

Goodness, both Bella and Snooki are tacky in their own way. OK, I don't know too much about Bella, since I've never read the books or seen the movies, but Snooki gives me the vibe of being rude and unsophisticated. Are there any normal, polite people on TV?
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

White House Silent on Mass. Gay Marriage Ruling

Something I've always wondered: If John marries Jim in Connecticut, leaves without a divorce and marries Jane in Alabama (or some other state that doesn't recognize gay marriage), what becomes of Jim and John's status if John and Jane move to, say, Iowa? Would Jane still be John's legal spouse, or would Jim be?
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Broadcast TV Viewership Hits RECORD LOW

Yeah...that's because the vast majority of shows on broadcast TV are pretty cr@ppy. Sorry, but I'm sick of reality shows where people act like idiots and/or have zero talent (which brings to the fact that most SINGERS have zero talent, too). What happened to sophisticated programming? Or do the networks think we're so stupid that we'd be interested in this kind of stuff? Of course, they could also be MOCKING us with shows like this. What do you think? Do you think the big bosses are laughing in their boardrooms?
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Do You Get It?

Why is it that some cultures adapt to "mainstream" Canadian culture quicker than others? And why do people criticize non-Anglos who ummm...Anglicize? They're not exactly losing their culture, are they? Honestly, the worst offenders are often older Anglo types who think they're being politically correct by bringing up old country cultures or by new Canadians who come from very traditional cultures. Why is that, anyway? Why are people so...ignorant? The worst offender was a young woman of about 30 who grew up in Toronto and had immigrant parents. It was as if she didn't talk to anyone at school. Yeah...she asked me if I was going to have an arranged marriage. WTF?? She GREW UP IN TORONTO (Scarborough, actually)! She SHOULD know that Chinese Canadians DO NOT have arranged marriages.

Mel Gibson Rant (AUDIO): Scary Oksana Conversation Released

He's probably screwed, but you know, people said that Tiger's career was screwed too...and look what happened.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Glenn Beck University? Fox News Host Starts Own College

Does anyone find it scary that the US is becoming more and more like their enemies, yet they don't realize this at all?
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Honestly, I feel sorry for this girl...

Has anyone read the Razing Ruth blog? It's written by a young woman who escaped a very religious family. While I do believe in God, I would never, ever force religion on anyone, nor would I be as extreme as her parents. Religion can't rule your entire life, especially to a point that it makes you ignorant of society. Of course, people who ARE this religious don't believe that they are ignorant. They think they're helping the world. Sadly, they are not. The most extreme are those who don't believe in a classical or proper education, especially for women (as it is the case for the woman behind the Razing Ruth blog), which I think is very dangerous. Since traditionally, women are the ones who rear children at home, they are continuing to spread ignorance to the kids. Living in a world of religion only will keep you in the dark and will breed danger in society. There's a reason why the Middle East is so screwed up.

Another thing religion thing I have issues with is how some people spread it. There are those who proselytize in public spaces by reciting scripture (which I usually ignore) and then there are those who actually approach you. Usually, I gently decline - the appropriate thing to do. The scariest are the places of worship who ask you if you've accepted the religion - you know, places who give out cards which say, "Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord?" To me, that has GOT to be the rudest thing anyone can do. I also have issues with churches do services as if they were concerts, but that's an entirely different thing. Anyway...

Lebron James....

(couldn't find a picture of Lebron's Big Decision yet. Using this as a placeholder)

OMG....who the F__K does this guy think he is? I mean, the guy has an entire TV SPECIAL dedicated to announcing his BIG DECISION....yeah....the DECISION includes some movie trailer like dramatic voice in the intro. Really, NBA, is it that necessary? Do I have to say WTF? I don't get it, and I don't think I ever will.

Does anyone think his venue for the announcement is kind of strange? I realize that many basketball players make the Boys and Girls Clubs their main philanthropy, but why in front of a bunch of kids? Is this another WTF? I know he can't announce this in say, Miami, since it'll be obvious, but Greenwich? It's still a little close to New York City (one of his so-called possibilities), I think. It'll be like some hockey player who may or may not be going to Toronto making his decision in, say, Guelph. Heck, maybe even somewhere like Oakville or Mississauga.

I don't think any other athlete has ever made a "big decision" on prime time TV like this before. Actually I'm pretty sure people would have laughed at Michael Jordan's face if he did that 15 years ago. You make these decisions over a press conference which will later be aired on the news. That's the proper way of doing things. Of course, Lebron being Lebron will not do that. He plays by his own rules. He isn't just some big star athlete. Though I still think he's a media whore.

By the way, Lebron is going to: Miami....yeah, everyone was right.

What's the point of this?

You know how you sometimes want to just talk about random views? In a way where you can let the world know, yet at the same time, remain anonymous? Well, this is the place. It isn't connected to my Facebook page, so people won't know who I am. Heck, I even have a different email address for this. It's totally the place where I can talk about whatever I want. Yes, every WTF and not-so-WTF thing....I can even complain about family and they would probably never find out (while my parents are pretty web-savvy for baby boomers, they aren't really into the blog thing (i.e. they are NOT on Facebook, nor do they really believe in it)). Toronto's a big city, I can be just about any woman in the city, right?