America-Conscious and American Apparel

This past week I decided to mix up my reading pattern with a nonfiction selection. Okay well, it's more of a political commentary.

RADICAL CONSERVATIVES--CLOSE OUT OF THIS PAGE NOW!
For this book was written by none other than esteemed film maker, Michael Moore.



With chapter titles like "Kill Whitey" and "Idiot Nation", Moore's tone is blatantly obvious from the start. The book opens with a small foreword by Moore in which he explains the year long battle he had to fight with his publishers to get this book on shelves. Ironically enough, the battle began on September 11th. Moore wrote Stupid White Men in the sheer DAYS leading up to the memorable attack. His book was scheduled to be on the shelves by the 11th. Needless to say, Moore's publishers weren't too keen on the idea of releasing a harsh political commentary of America right after such a horrible tragedy.

They told Moore to rewrite the book. He refused.

Because he stuck to his guns, we have one of the most successful nonfiction books in the past two decades. Days after 9/11, people were barging into bookstores hungry for some tough love. They got what they ordered.

The first chapter, A Very American Coup, is a play-by-play of the Bush vs. Gore election--and how America was cheated. From Florida's mistaken ineligibility list, to Florida's governor, one of the lead conspirators, relative Jeb Bush--Moore has the facts, and he spits them like venom to wake everyone up.

Beyond the startling first chapter, Moore never ceases to shock but also comfort as his sarcastic sense of humor fills the pages. With full chapters devoted to the sorry racism of white men, and the possible end of the male race, Stupid White Men is entertaining from beginning to end.

*Deep breath* Now on to...



Anyone that's been shopping with me knows that I'm obsessed. I counted in my head today and I think it comes out to about 25 American Apparel pieces in my wardrobe. That means that just about every outfit I put together has something from American Apparel thrown in.

But more specifically I wanted to write about a trend I finally picked up on this afternoon, harem pants. Looking at them, one usually wonders "Are they supposed to look like that?". So floppy, so saggy, so awesome. With the help of a girl working in the store, I tried on some comfortable, 90's reminiscent, black and white harem pants today.



Just a visual aid for those that haven't seen these before. Mine are exactly like this, except black and white.

They're extremely comfortable, extremely trendy, and I hope to see more this fall/winter.

Thanks for reading!

Come Around Sundown, KOL Chills Out

So Kings of Leon, band of brotherly love, was so kind to release an album the day before my birthday! Thank you guys, this means a lot. Best birthday present ever.

Anywho, Come Around Sundown is hot off the..uh, CD-making-machines? Eh, well I don't think it's on Piratebay yet. That being said, I haven't read very many critiques. The band admitted to "calming down a bit" and producing a more "chilled out" album..which scares me a little. My Bible, the Rollingstone, mentioned the upcoming album in one of the July issues (Lady Gaga machine gun boobs cover). At this point, Kings of Leon had played a couple of shows debuting four new songs from the album. I admit that I'm not a bow-down-at-Caleb's-feet kind of person; I was newly converted when my boyfriend made me listen to Because of the Times and Aha Shake Heartbreak.
Since I don't pretend to have enough credibility to review the whole album, I'll take the four songs that the Bible interviewed KOL about.



1. "Radioactive"
Radioactive is intriguing, no doubt. The bright guitar tapping intro contrasts almost immediately with Caleb's earnest tone and the pounding bass line. Over all Caleb sounds anxious, looks sweaty and impassioned--that's just how we like him. Though a bit repetitive, the song has a gimmick. Caleb's voice takes it's wonderful liberties in the chorus, moments that weren't really captured on Only By the Night.


Oh hey, Caleb

2. "The Immortals"
There isn't a lot of video for this one yet. However, I think this selection is a testament to the band's pledge to "calm down". It's immediately pleasing with harmonies in the chorus and a very soothing tempo. Once again the boys work the contrast with a strong, popping bass line in the verses. This is definitely the most "chill" of the four.

3. "Going Down South"
Okay. Everybody makes mistakes, right? Even gutsy southern rock bands that let producers dial them down for a whole album..right? I won't lie, when the video for this song started playing, I had to seriously contemplate dying. Yes that was an exaggeration BUT this song sounds more like Kenny Chesney than the Kings of Leon. Did they sign some sort of contract that I didn't know about? Or maybe all the Leon boys have a soft spot for mainstream "country" music. Suffice it to say I am NOT impressed. The song has little energy and shamelessly trudges along. I bet Kenny was in the front screaming "Good job boys! This is mah jam!"



4. "Mary"
I saved this one for last because it's my personal favorite. The second the music starts I thought "This was a really good idea". Caleb plays lover boy standing outside Mary's house with his guitar and roses or something like that. The surf rock feel lulls the audience and you can't help but sway as you listen (even as I sit alone in my room, I'm swaying). Above all, the song is heartfelt. This is what we WANT from the Kings of Leon. I WANT to hear Caleb's voice crack. I WANT to feel his pain and longing. "Mary" is definitely a winner with me. Please go to Youtube and watch the video. It's so worth it!

Comment if you agree, disagree, or you just want to feed my ego. It all sounds good to me.

Doublethink, Telescreens, and Flies

As I say goodbye to summer with the rest of my BL comrades, I'm putting my time to good use..writing reviews of our summer reading. I DO HAVE FRIENDS, I PROMISE.

I was particularly inspired to put my opinions out there this year because, as seniors, my class read two phenomenal books, very different yet classic in their own ways.


Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Well here is your Survivor and Man vs. Wild gone horribly, horribly wrong. When their plane crashes on a deserted island, roundabout sixteen school boys are left with no adults, no food, and very little hope. At the outset, a seemingly normal boy named Ralph becomes the leader of the "clan". However, a pushy and controlling boy named Jack also wants power, and he's not ready to share. The story is essentially a power struggle between the good and moral (Ralph) and the cruel and self centered (Jack).
JUST TO CLARIFY
Yes, people get killed. No, they don't actually eat each other.

The story is revolutionary and the writing is fantastic, courtesy of Nobel Prize winning William Golding. However, the downside to this selection is the slow pace. The buildup seems to last forever. However, the last ten or fifteen pages make the slow climb worth it.

Favorite Character-Piggy
Favorite Scene-Ralph hiding from Jack's tribe
Favorite Line-"Sucks to your assmar!"


1984-George Orwell

Silence. I was stunned absolutely silent when I started this book. After merely reading the first line it's blatantly apparent that this book is a masterpiece. The sheer creativity and mind power required to not only create a haunting, completely different world, but to create characters as rebellious and dynamic as Winston and Julia. I've heard a variety of things from my peers, but this was an incredibly fast read for me. Of course buildup is required if Golding wanted readers to understand his new world.

In a world where people can be incarcerated because of their thoughts (Thoughtcrime), where everything is ruled by a small, bigoted group of nobodies (The Inner Party), where every normal person is required to install a camera in their own home (telescreen) so that the Party can watch their every move, who wouldn't want to kill themselves? This is precisely the view of protagonist Winston Smith. Although he works for the Party erasing all discrepancies from the publications, making the Party always right and the people always wrong, he dreams of a normal life. According to the novel, this totalitarian way of life began in the mid to late sixties. Though they are faint, Winston has memories of the past and he wants it back.

The chilling story of what Orwell calls "negative utopia" has been scaring readers since he published it in 1945. Winston's fearless rigor propels him into the life of an anarchist. Of course, he isn't safe for long. No one can be trusted in 1984..

Favorite Character-Winston
Favorite Scene-Winston and Julia being arrested by the Thought Police
Favorite Line-"The clocks were striking 13.."

Hopefully I didn't bore you too much! To the BL kids, I'll see you at school tomorrow *gag*. And to the rest of you who are going back on a reasonable day, suck it. Especially you Ursuline.