dear Joe

disclaimer: Joe is a fictional character made up of many different traits I observe in many different people. This is not slander to one particular person.

Dear Joe,

when we meet, and we greet each other at the exact same time with the exactly tuned phrase of "Hiii! how aare youu?" and we reply exactly at the same time "im aaarrriight, you?" then we smile at each other for a few seconds before saying something mundane like "ma what a drag this party is ay?!" or "im so zibel man!" or "hows *insert other acquaintance name here* been, I haven't seen him/her for aaaages?" and after a few graceful head nods and drawn out vowels we Kiss Kiss and go out separate ways. Do you really think that was worth the spit? Not quite for either of us. So, how about this plan! Next time we meet, we will have a PROPER conversation, about the things that are actually going on in life...how does that sound? Scary, too much work, some more spit to waste?

 XOXO Pete

I mean honestly...prefabricated conversations just like the one mentioned are SO common its a little bit mind numbing...and they happen often because I think some people enjoy have a million and ten acquaintances and having their head look like a bobble toy. Now this obviously doesn't refer to every person I converse with at parties or events, but still...I know its probably impossible to actually have a proper conversation with everyone you know, and to be very honest with some you wouldn't even be interested, so then why don't we just wave and be on our merry way to the bar...or the restroom...whichever.

TBH Im not to sure as to why I posted this, but these types of 'conversations' are lame no?

the clash of the gibberish

as promised to a friend of mine earlier on today I will blog about my issues with people who interchange languages within the same sentence.

I find it very offensive when someone doesn't speak a language properly especially when it is out of choice rather than knowledge. For if someone knows they are doing wrong, then why do it? Many examples can be drawn from everyday life; And whats more they manage to give the word from the other language an accent and pronunciation all to itself.

such examples may be:

• kemm hu najs
• jghogobni dak il pic
• i have a headache taqsam il blat
• ghandi mother u qedha three, issa nibdija fuq synto ten u naraw.
• I cant sand it when they put the vara-hagu in a parking space!
• etc...

so as one can see...the random omission of a word or phrase from one language - only to be replaced with one from another language is a very common occurrence. As Maltese we generally understand both languages equally well, and therefore have no problem with understanding the "sentence". But it is actually incorrect. A foreigner wouldn't understand. And I cannot imagine anyone filling in any sort of official documentation in that format, so why do we speak that way? I think we believe we are shortening our words and making it easier? maybe? possibly?

I still don't like it. I mean imagine a sentence: Jiena I want zu den Kino to go, u immorru quickly ta! Ghax it closes for us! Vamanos hbieb? E poi, wir konnen un gelato nixtru! ***MAYHEM***

For those who aren't proficient in German, Spanish or Italian that was meant to read: "I want to go to the cinema, but we should hurry because it might close soon. Shall we go then? After we could go buy an ice-cream!". Now wasn't that a lot easier on  the eye/brain/etc.?

But alas...it is like trying to convince an old dude that his pills aren't trying to eat him - reasonable to most, but impossible to achieve. I understand this post might make me sound obnoxious and pretentious, but on my recommencement of my OBGYN placement, I was reminded about such common practices.

P

for the hate of akon

ok...I think I have made a decision...I really don't like Akon..
his voice is really annoying and he's so...blah I mean there's a lot of music out there that is rather pointless and full-o-crap but for some reason his songs tend to get under my skin. They make me want to throw him off one of those ridiculously expensive boats/cars/escorts hes riding at any moment in time in any of his videos and unleash a deamonized bunny rabbit with blood shot eyes at him. Yes I know its rather dramatic...but alas...I am.

I find his songs really pretentious, super anti-feminist, pro-perversion, as deep as a teaspoon, and his voice really bothers me. Although coming to think of it...most songs are as so...and they probably reflect our current society very well...then I guess I just don't like his voice.

Don't get me wrong, I don't mind dancing to a song of his if it comes on in the club when I'm buzzed and having a good time, but I would actually rather listen to the Bieber child or Kesha twice over. Now going though my music collection I realise that I have quite a few songs with him in them (due to album and collection bulk downloads)...maybe I can hear them over and over to de-sensitize myself...or I should just delete them.

So here's a cute short vid of a baby duck:

studying time

here it is...AGAIN...study time..and its incredible how many distractions one finds to distract oneself with especially around these times...

• facebook
• twitter
• email
• internet dating sites
• series
• chocolate
• tea
• more tea
• coffee
• asos
• GQ
• msn
• facebook again
• sandwiches
• bed...zzzz

Its such a pity that we humans arent more efficient...or rather myself that is.

I do have some really good days when I really focus and can do hours of reading and work and get into it only to realize the whole day has passed and Ive completed more than I thought I would...but those are very rare and far in between. Currently I find myself dragging a 15slide presentation into an hours work and thats just ridiculous. But alas I am but a human.

Off for dinner and a party night ....hmm I think I can see where I may be failing at this whole studying thing..

P

Kate Nash - Mouthwash - Official Music Video

I rly like the crudeness of this song :)

I think embedding has been removed so here's a direct link.

clothes are the new loin-cloth

I know I know, its quite stereotypical of me to actually like fashion, but I do. I enjoy wearing things that make me look good and in turn make me feel good. I enjoy playing things up and trying new combination, I enjoy watching people and the way the dress. It provides information as to how they see themselves or how they want society to see them, its quite a regular exercise of mine.

anyhow..i am not in the mood to rant about the obvious lack of style that some people have...but I'm sure there will be a post about that soon. And I don't pretend that I am the do all and end all of the fashionable society in Malta, but I do try. And I am a mere observer of this world.

So, as far as I can see there are three types of people:
1. people who care
2. people who don't care
3. people who lie somewhere in between.

Now for the people who actually do care about their image, some get it right and some get it terribly wrong. Body shape issues and price ranges aside I do think its possible to dress onself properly without the major price tag and still respecting their body shape. I agree that no one likes free fashion advice, I know I would get offended if someone came up to me and gave me "FFA" but there are things such as guidelines that one should follow to achieve the most flattering look possible.

A few websites that I follow for basic advice include:
http://www.gq.com/style - basically the man's bible, its got a lot of everything, and some really easy to follow up to the season trends
http://mensfashion.about.com/ - the ultra basic but very informative site about what colours go together and when to wear what....simple and easy to use.
http://www.askmen.com/fashion/ - another pretty much all round the park kind of website with cars and gadgets and all the shiny stuff guys like to look at, with a very good section on fashion.

For those of you with more adventurous tastes, I suggest you check out the runway shows and take note of what you like and don't and try them out. Possibly even following blogs such as Jak and Jil, The Fashionisto,  and The sartorialist which are big on the fashion scene.

One little disclaimer....not all looks are good looks, and not all looks will look good on everyone - unfortunately.

To those that don't care and have gotten this far - maybe you actually do care, or maybe you are bored and had nothing else to read? Yet another possibility.

For those that are in the third category of people: stick to basics and classics while accenting and modernizing the look with a few now-pieces. Make a style your own by adding pieces that appeal to you - Have fun with it :)

the variety

so I love travelling, I get a massive rush of adrenaline when I plan a trip and when I get to go abroad and execute it! its such a great feeling when you are in a new and fresh environment with a massive array of experiences open to you, new people to meet, things to taste, aromas to smell, sights to see, temperatures to feel.

Coming from a small island with a very large generic population I easily find the "new" very exciting and tantalizing. I love meeting people with fantastic stories to share, and it just makes me more hungry for that life experience that there is so much of! Some say its like chasing the wind because there isn't a finite amount of life experience and it is impossible to do it all in one lifetime...and I am inclined to agree, but at the same time I still yearn for it. I love walking around new towns and discovering little gorgeous cafes and small boutiques, maybe even a quaint restaurant. I love observing peoples houses and imagining the kind of life the residents lead.

When travelling I find it so liberating, because the people you meet do not have the same preconceptions that people from home have, so therefore if they see you they are less likely to type cast you as one type of person or another. Therefore its a lot easier to be whoever you want yourself to be, and to allow yourself to grow and your mind to expand beyond the pre-set traditions and expectations that come with a tight knit community. I know some people say that one should be who they are no matter what and I completely agree with this, although I believe that no matter how open minded you are, you still have to censor yourself or dilute-the-crazy as it were, so that you remain correct within the social standards.

Do not speak about religion, politics or money I was once told, and its true, avoiding these topics with most people will maintain a very light and easy going relationship, although one cannot deny, that it feels good to speak about these topics with people in an honest and open manner without the pressure or fear of offending someone, and this I feel is much easier to establish in a multicultural society.

I realise this post must seem rather all over the place, but in essence I guess I just like new random things and travelling provides me with that sort of opportunity.

tschuss