The words "swagga" and "science" don't normally make it into the same sentence...well, not until now. "Whatevs!", I hear you shout. Yes, I admit after my last post stating that "Science is boring", it might seem a little far fetched. Maybe my boredom/stress is metamorphosing into madness/delusion, well, yes, maybe?!? But before jumping to that conclusion, take a look at the evidence...
Defence exhibit A:
Taken from 2010 exam paper
Fo' sho' Arabidopsis knows that shh. FYI, Arabidopsis thaliana is one hell of model plant - it's the King of the lab - if you want to know anything about plants, you go to him for answers.
Defence exhibit B:
Those calcium (Ca2+) ions be mackin'. Good to see that the authors of this paper - Hetherington & Brownlee (Annu. Rev. Plant Biol. 2004. 55:401-427) - know how it goes down.
Defence exhibit C:
Science Kitty has some serious ice round her neck, in the form of a molecule of resveratrol - a phenolic compound found in abundance in red wine, especially in Pinot Noir. Representin' fo' Wine Science!
So, there it is. Science got swagga pumping out it's Gilson pipette.
Term is only 2 and 1/2 weeks in and I'm bored/stressed/depressed/anxious/mad and in need of a holiday. I was told 3rd year was fun - I'm finally doing what I want to - but it clearly is not. As one of my lecturer's said "I don't know why we tell kids science is fun because it's actually really boring!" At this moment in time, I couldn't agree more ^_^ So, I'm taking that to mean I don't have to work! Procrastination is now the order of the day...I'm currently glued to twitter & youtube (I need to live up the moniker "youtube generation"). So, what has peaked my interest recently? A mixture of new music (White Girl Rappers), fashion (Spring/Summer 2012 shows & promo videos), nails (of the pornographic variety), & shiny science bling things (it's much more fun than actual science, I promise). Seems like pretty standard stuff but there are a variety of intriguing trends emerging - women whose freestyle rap will melt your face off, creative S/S 2012 fashion films going viral, and the evolution of nail artistry - manicures are now officially an art form! Join me in the magical land of procrastination - see below for directions.
1) White Girl Rappers
Iggy Azalea - Pu$$y:
Warning: the video above may be potentially NSFW! ^_~
Iggy Azalea - I have a girl crush on her! Download her mixtape "Ignorant Art" now. She also has some awesome freestyle videos - the girl has got game!
In recent months, there have been several other white girl rappers appearing on the WWW (I'm not wanting to group rappers together according to their skin colour but hey, attractive white women that can rap are a rarity). One rapper that's gone from zero to hero in six months is Kreayshawn (her video went viral and landed her a big, fat record deal - how is life so simple?). You've gotta love "Gucci Gucci" (below) purely for it's "kreazy" video - Minnie mouse ears and a fat blunt - what a combination!
Kreayshawn - Gucci Gucci:
However, Kreayshawn's skills as a rapper are somewhat dubious - her freestyles seem like she's reciting a nursery rhyme very slowly - probably all that weed. Without a shadow of a doubt, I'm team Iggy Azalea. Anyone that can successfully combine a love of Tu Pac and Grace Kelly gets my vote! Plus, the intro to Pu$$y is the best I have heard - where is that cat? =^..^=
2) S/S 2012 - fashion videos:
The video above is a remix by David Sherwin of the Lanvin A/W 2011/12. The original, starring Raquel Zimmerman and Karen Elson (who clearly can't dance to save their lives), went viral as soon as it hit the net but I think the remix is a lot more fun - go on Susie Bubble, shake that booty!
Not all fashion films are quite so happy-clappy, dancing jazz hands as Lanvin (be warned: NSFW). Gareth Pugh by Ruth Hogben is a short bondage horror film, while Spike Jonze and Olympia Le-Tan's "Mourir Aupres de Toi" is a story of an uncoordinated skeleton and his lover - it features plenty of skeleton sex O_O! As a biologist I would have to argue that that is biologically/physically impossible - but I'm willing to suspend my disbelief this one time, although skeleton babies might be one step too far (see below)!
SHOWstudio - Gareth Pugh by Ruth Hogben:
Mourir Aupres de Toi - Spike Jonze and Olympia Le-Tan:
This is turning into quite a lengthy blog so I shall leave the delights of bad-a$$ manicures and shiny science things for another time.
In the meantime, if you are wanting to procrastinate for a little longer, feel free to comment on any of the videos I've posted above - what do like, what do you hate, and let me know of anything you think I'll like (or hate)!!
People's spending habits are often an accurate reflection of the state of the economy - when times are hard, such as now, people budget for and spend only on essentials - the iPad 2 isn't on most people's shopping lists (apart from mine) - sad news for the world's largest company, Apple. It is sensible behaviour as the economy is still recovering but it makes shopping a lot less fun. Boo-hoo! Especially as the new season (A/W) approaches - although it seems that Autumn and Winter are already upon us in England - bringing with it some awesome new trends:
* The futuristic take on the vintage glamour of the 1940s (@Marc Jacobs - video below) and 1960s (@Prada & Burberry Prorsum)
Prada A/W 2011
* The 18-hour dress vs. The Tomboy - hourglass vs. tailoring.
L'Wren Scott vs. Paul Smith
But these are all way over budget for those who are still feeling the pinch. So the best way to update your look for A/W 2011 lies in your make-up bag - no need to buy more products, simply adapt what you already have.
* Make your make-up work harder by multi-tasking - use the same product on lips, cheeks and eyes. Steer away from green, purple and blue.
* Following the 60s revival, coat your lashes with mascara but avoid clumping.
* Blush can be applied below the cheekbones to give an outdoorsey, healthy glow.
* No need to visit the salon for your fortnightly eyebrow wax, brows are bigger and bolder in-line with the tomboy look.
* But if there is one thing you should give into it would be brightly coloured, glossy lips - reds, purples and pinks. In fact, Reuters states that "When times are tough, women still treat themselves to a new lipstick" - in the US, lipstick sales have increased by 13% since the start of 2011. And analysts can now use lipstick sales as an economic indicator to gauge the mood of the consumer. Whatever reason you buy it for, it is a great way to stay on-trend without maxing out the credit card.
The Month of August - Hot Sunshine (and Cold Rain), The Harvest, Cider, Summer Holidays, Picnics, Festivals, the next fashion season...And a Lack of Inspiration! There is so much to enjoy this month - International Beer Day anyone (5/08), but my brain seems to be experiencing a period of hibernation - stagnation - perhaps the Zombies did actually eat my brain? So how does one solve such a dilemma? Jazz, Magazines and Wine are my only options. Oh, and maybe cake?
Jazz music not included
Having flicked through all the magazines (we all know we only buy them for the nice pictures!), they are abuzz with A/W 2011/12, so I could do a round-up of all the top trends but I'd suggest buying this month's Vogue - Lots of pretty pictures in DVD format. However, I would like to highlight one designer, or rather milliner, that is beyond brilliant, total bleeding genius - Piers Atkinson. I've chosen some of his past and present creations below that I absolutely adore! Any takers for a 24ct Gold Fez? Too mad for the Mad hatter?
Even with the lack of motivation/inspiration/brain I have been snapping like a "Japanese Tourist in Cambridge" - catching anything related to fashion, wine, cakey-bakeyness, flowers, and sillyness on my various digital devices.
What I have caught - Cambridge Folk Festival, Leicestershire, Baking, Cider Drinking, and Country Walks and inappropriate footwear. I ask you one question, who is wearing the more sensible walking shoes?
Leicestershire has some beautiful countryside - regardless of blisters (fashion-induced) I thoroughly enjoyed them and I had the privilege to see the World's Largest Beer Mug. I wonder where the World's Largest Wine Glass is? Probably in one of my handbags!
I hope you have enjoyed the rambling, pretty pictures of all that August has to offer, so far - be it rain-free or not!
Well, that's what my iPhone tells me. Anyway, brains are overrated...So, in lieu of a cerebral cortex and Central Nervous System I'm forced to rely upon Espresso Martinis - oh, the tragedy! Thankfully I have my own cocktail maker - The Barista Bar Geek, formerly known as the Bushcraft Bioscientist. He does indeed make the best Espresso Martinis on this un-dead planet with hints of cocoa, cinnamon and maple syrup, and plenty of coffee, rum and vodka. Shaken, not stirred.
Rice Milk is Optional
Barista Bar Geek, I'll have three please!
But my synapses have retained the ability to function on other brain-replacing cocktails. My pre-zombie self enjoyed a delicious Granita and the Herb and White Wine version looks particularly appealing - I'll have two of those, please Bar Geek! Oh, and add a The Bernard Black Lolly...
I think all these liver-damaging beverages will serve as the perfect accoutrement to human flesh - blame the zombie in me...
