Nobody said it was easy, nobody said it would be so hard...

Hi!
Sorry for being AWOL last weekend, let's just say that the teachers decided that last weekend was the perfect opportunity to hand out some homework (such as, I DON'T KNOW, an oral presentation, an essay, reflections, diagrams, etc etc!?) and it's the beginning of the Peak Homework Season in school. As usual, I wasn't prepared for it. Well, who is prepared for a lot of homework that comes just on the day when you want to go home, plop on your bed and basically, pass out for the next few hours or so?

Anyways, let's just say the reference to "The Scientist" did refer to...science class.

*insert photo of Archie blowing up the entire science lab that I spent about 30 minutes finding...but failed*

My teacher is a total asshole. No kidding, his face does resemble that area sometimes. But it's just absolutely nasty about how he wants to rip all our faces off just because we don't understand something.

Someone: Hey I don't understand-

Teacher: Stop wasting my time! You guys are so irritating!

Last class we did this experiment on gravitational potential and kinetic energy, and let's just say I forgot to save the document with all of our measurements on it (I didn't think it was required! It wasn't going to be turned into a lab report or anything, so I was definitely sure of that) and then he asked for our final two values, which we clearly did not have, thanks to me (we gave the two values to him last class as well, he wanted to review something). But in my OneNote documents, I had some calculations there, so I could easily just get the numbers back again and work it out once more. Before I got the second final value, the teacher asked our table what the values were, and we told him we had to wait a few more moments. And then before I could get the calculations, about two seconds later he asks for the values again. Once again we aren't able to provide them.

After I finally get the numbers, he comes back from talking to another table who also didn't have their calculations, and judging from their faces when he left, they obviously got screwed over. I was about to tell him about the final numbers, and he interrupts with the "I'm very unimpressed and disappointed with this table because you obviously haven't got the ability to read instructions...you guys have missed on important skills you need for future assignments and that's your fault..." speech. It also included, "Are you guys able to read? Judging from this evidence, I think you aren't able to!".

Okay, first of all, in no way are we illiterate, we DID read the instructions, and we also gave the values to him last class too. We just weren't able to give them to him this class because I forgot to save the document (he didn't even give me a chance to speak up for myself and my giant mistake because he was concerned about the fact that I couldn't read). Now we are probably going to be marked down for not providing the values, even if it clearly did not count for our grades.

And then he assigned an experiment. With a lab report. That's due on the exact same day another important assignment from a different subject is due. The times I wish I was a ventriloquist so I could say how much I hate him and not get in trouble...

Sheesh. 

Anyways, on a brighter note, once I finish off all of my homework (which I need to start...now) I'm going to review Sara Bareilles' new album, "Kaleidoscope Heart", which I'm really excited to hear. I'm going down, follow if you want, I won't just hang around, like you'll show me where to go, I'm already out, foolproof idea, so don't ask me how, to get started, it's all uncharted...

- K.

Uh huh, and you're Mary Tyler Moore...

Who just totally got the Weezer reference up there? Uh, never mind about that then.

Anyways, my third week of school just finished, and it's the first moment of the absolutely disastrous HOMEWORK OVERLOAD. I need a vacation. And I need it now. I've been procrastinating for ages, haha.

Well anyways, today I went for my regular singing class, and my music school randomly has these workshops where you try out different classes and see if you like them.

My sister and I were assigned a modelling workshop. 

I had no words.

The teacher's sort of a dedicated psycho - who thinks I can control four muscles at the same time. Keeping my feet straight up while tip-toeing, thrusting my pelvis side to side, moving my shoulders and keeping my hands on my hips - it was all too much for this awkward-walker to handle. At the end, I was this close to screaming, "FOOT RAPE! FOOT RAPE!". The times you wish when you have clones who've studied ballet and are able to stand up on their tippy toes without shaking like a cold chihuahua...

I'm probably going to take the class, as I slouch a lot and it's better if I learn to keep my back straight naturally. But come on, when a man who can swing his hips better than you can is telling you that you have "banana feet" (I couldn't keep my feet straight upwards while I was on my tippytoes) it's quite unnerving. Damn, if this is what wearing high heels feels like, (yes, I rely on mostly flip-flops and flats to walk me through life) I should go ahead and kill myself.

So that's all for today. New posts coming next weekend! Also, be sure to catch my review of Katy Perry's latest album "Teenage Dream" below.

Have a great weekend everyone! May you all not have banana feet...
-K.

Album Review (Song-by-Song): Katy Perry - Teenage Dream

Her first album, "One of the Boys" was a hot mess. She improved a bit when she collaborated with Timbaland and 3OH!3. Now, she's the latest challenger of the highly dreaded sophomore slump with her new album "Teenage Dream", which came out with a bang when the so-called anthem of the summer "California Gurls" on May 11th, which was then played for at least a good three million times over the course of the summer. I'll be reviewing her commendable efforts song-by-song, and making sure to spot out anything ranging from pleasant to horrible, and not being distracted by the saucy cover like a hormonal teenage boy would. Anyways, moving on...

1. Teenage Dream (Length 3:47)

Sample Lyric: Let's go all the way tonight / no regrets, just love / we can dance, until we die / you and I / will be young forever

Thoughts: A nice Max Martin/Dr. Luke collab, this is the perfect start to the album. It's a pleasant, danceable track, with the annoyingness factor close to zero (unlike her song rhapsodizing California and it's "gurls") as Perry sings about being with a guy that makes her feel as if she's a teenager again.

Rating: 9/10

2. Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)  (Length 3:50)

Sample Lyric: Last Friday night / we went streaking in the park / skinny-dipping in the dark / then had menage a trois

Thoughts: This song borders on Ke$ha-like for a while, with the speak-singing in the verses and the giant, amplified chorus, but actually has some undeniable charm, unlike the ditzy blonde song?stress, as Perry sings playfully, "Pictures last night ended up online, I'm screwed!". It's a nice listen, improving as it goes along, with Perry actually making use of her vocals by the end of it. The infectious chanting of "TGIF! TGIF!" also helps quite a tad. This is another nice Max Martin/Dr. Luke collab, but it fails to live up to the first track.

Rating: 8/10

3. California Gurls (Length 3:54)

Sample Lyric: I know a place / where the grass is really greener / warm, wet and wild / there must be something in the water

Thoughts: I guess we all know what that sounds like, don't we? Whilst a good listen for the first time or seven, Perry's rhapsodizing of California and it's "gurls" is quite deriative, and also shallow, with lyrics such as "Sunkissed skin so hot, we'll melt your popsicle!". 

Rating: 6.5/10

4. Firework (Length 3:47)

Sample Lyric: You just gotta ignite, the light, and let it shine / Just own the night like the 4th of July

Thoughts: The song starts out on quite a sour note - the verses are quite painful to listen to. The song improves in the chorus, but Perry's wailing whilst she tries to show off her vocal skills is very unnerving to listen to. With this Stargate collaboration, I find myself focusing a tad more on the synths than Perry's voice. 

Rating: 5/10

5. Peacock (Length 3:51)

Sample Lyric: Word on the street, you got somethin' to show me, me / Magical, colorful, Mr. Mystery, ee / I'm intrigued, for a peek, Heard it's fascinating / Come on baby let me see
what you're hiding underneath 

Thoughts: The first thing that came to my mind was, "HEY MICKEY!", as Perry sings not-so-subtly about wanting to take a look at his "peacock, cock". Whilst x-rated in parts, this song is a lovely, head-bopping tune that's great for dancing, and also acting like an insane freak to whilst making silly faces and swaying side to a side (not that I've tried...). A nice hook and an incredibly catchy beat, this one of the album's best moments next to the title track.

Rating: 9/10

6. Circle the Drain (Length 4:32)

Sample Lyric: You fall asleep during foreplay / 'Cause the pills you take are more your forte / I'm not sticking around to watch you go down 

Thoughts: This Tricky Stewart collab fails to impress by a long, long mile. This is the album's most negative moment so far - Perry's voice fails to mesh with the guitars, and the echo doesn't help either. Whilst the song actually touches on an important issue (a druggie boyfriend), Perry just isn't able to communicate it so that people will take it seriously ("Wanna be your lover, not your f**cking mother"? Hmm). Also the longest song on the album, this 4:32 of my life was clearly wasted.

Rating: 3.5/10

7. The One that Got Away (Length 3:42)

Sample Lyric: I was June and you were my Johnny Cash / Never one without the other / We made a pact / Sometimes when I miss you / I put those records on 

Thoughts: This song starts off on a nice note, for once. The piano loop grows on you pretty quickly, and basically fulfills Perry's aim: a lovely, catchy song that's a tad serious at the same time - even though this Dr. Luke/Max Martin collaboration gave me visions of Cascada. Not a standout moment, but definitely better than the previous track.

Rating: 7/10

8. E.T. (Length 3:26)

Sample Lyric: You're from a whole other world / A different dimension / You open my eyes / And I'm ready to go / Lead me into the light 

Thoughts: Personally this is my favourite track on the album. It brings a dramatic touch that actually works (unlike Circle the Drain), the bassline induces fun head-bopping, and the song is very catchy (though not in an annoying way, actually). The alienlike synths (well, the song is called E.T.) mesh perfectly with the song, and Perry's voice helps enhance the mood. Overall, quite awesome, and one of the best moments of the album.

Rating: 9.5/10

9. Who Am I Living For? (Length 4:08)

Sample Lyric: I can feel a phoenix inside of me / As I march alone to a different beat / Slowly swallowing down my fear, yeah yeah 

Thoughts: Another Tricky Stewart collab? Hopefully it'll be good this time. It finallly turns out to be not as horrendous as Circle the Drain, but it's the type of song that's quite forgettable and doesn't need to be bothered with a second or third listen. In summary, it's just plain boring. Also, I got distracted with some homework I needed to finish. That's not a good thing.

Rating: 5.5/10

10. Pearl (Length 4:07)

Sample Lyric: She was a hurricane-cane-cane-cane / But now she's just a gust of wind / She used to set the sails of a thousand ships / Was a force to be reckoned with

Thoughts: This Greg Wells collaboration has nothing much to offer. It's okay, certainly tolerable, but if I had to describe it in a word, it would be "filler". I suspect my skip count for this song will increase rapidly in the next few weeks...

Rating: 5/10

11. Hummingbird Heartbeat (Length 3:32)

Sample Lyric: Let's pollinate to create a family tree / This evolution with you comes naturally / Some call it science we call it chemistry / This is the story of the birds and the bees 

Thoughts: Please, God no! Not more Tricky Stewart! He's already jinxed up two Katy Perry songs. It turns out now, that it's a pleasant surprise. The beats and melody are a tad deriative, but once again, it's a nice "let's go insane while making faces and sitting down dancing to it" song. Guess third time's the charm, isn't it, Tricky?

Rating: 9/10

12. Not Like the Movies (Length 4:01)

Sample Lyric: I didn't feel the fairy tale feeling no / am I a stupid girl for even dreaming that I could?

Thoughts: Greg Wells has only one more chance to show us that he can actually produce a good Katy Perry song, and he succeeds. This song is a sweet closure to the album, subtly hinting that no matter how much Perry relies on her synths and random echos, there's still some vocal talent there that she'll happily serve.

Rating: 9/10

In summary this album was much better than Perry's 2008 debut "One of the Boys", with some nice moments to serve their purpose. But of course, there was the usual filler, mostly owing to "meh" or sometimes "GARGH!"-like collaborations with Greg Wells, Stargate and Tricky Stewart - and also Perry's inability to communicate the song well in general. If you're a die-hard Katy Perry fan, go ahead, buy the whole album. But if you're looking for a couple of nice snippets, I recommend these songs: Teenage Dream, E.T., Hummingbird Heartbeat, and Not Like the Movies.

:)

Marshmallow TOAST?

Hi!
These are a bunch of light pictures that I took recently of the most random objects - most are traffic lights, but there's even a palm tree, a pool, and an apartment involved in some of them. Click on the thumbnails to enlarge the photos, and if you use these, please give credit to TheHallofK and do not direct link my photos or distribute them as content on your website.

Since blogspot does not allow me to have those teensy thumbnails where you click on them and the image nicely enlarges like a marshmallow being melted in the microwave, minus the POP! sound afterwards in which white stuff ends up in the corners of the microwave, and your marshmallows burn to a crisp, leaving you with not a perfect attempt at marshmallow sauce to put over ice cream, but a crispy, sort of marshmallow toast that looks kinda too scary to eat. It's like lava leaking out of a volcano, but a much more disgusting colour - I will provide a link to a folder in which the photos are kept in. 

Welllll that didn't quite work. Yep, the marshmallow sauce and the attempt at a nice-sounding simile. In fact, before the link to the photo I shall show you my wonderous attempt at marshmallow sauce. At least the thumbnails will work for THAT.





Yep after all that waiting for the photos to actually upload to the folder marshmallow toast business, here's the link...let's stall some more...12% more to go...:)

LIGHT PHOTOS

That's it. A whole three paragraphs for a link, yep, that's totally me :) 

- K.

Blogspot!? Blogger? WHAT!?

Hi,
I'm K., and I'm new to blogspot :) just to let you know that I'll be posting boring, er, EXCITING things about my life, but also posting reviews of the things I love most: movies, music, and comics, and also some old graphics and possibly some photography!

Just to let you know, I've been weblogging for over 3 years now, but only on the website builder Piczo, where I owned a site called TwistedWishes11, which I created when I was 11 (of course). There, on Piczo, I made graphics of celebrities (mostly Disney ones, which were obviously any 11-year-old's obsession at the time, unless you're some music-freak saint, which I doubt any 11-year-old was...), ran competitions for who could make the best graphic of a celebrity, and only actually blogged about new graphics of celebrities. I quit when I was 13, deciding to devote my time to schoolwork and fun with my friends instead of a website where I would waste hours on making pointless graphics which nobody would use, because they would already be making their own celebrity graphics to distribute.

Yep, that's my website experience in a nutshell. I'm only here to attempt to entertain my followers and passerbys, and if you don't like my blog, that's perfectly fine with me - all I request of you is that you change the URL in your address bar, press the enter button straight away, and don'tbothercommentingoryouwillbecrucified never cross paths with my blog again.

Thanks a bunch for reading my boring, er, introduction, and forgive me if I sound a little like a principal, but I can't wait to start blogging and posting things for all you guys to see :)

- K.