California: From a Student's Perspective

I remember last month that I was about to step on to a plane to head towards Toronto, Canada. But before I could do that, I noticed a headline on the Los Angeles Times that stated that Jerry Brown was going to take another million dollars off from the education budget in California. (and the many millions that are continuing to be cut ).

I recently started Summer school at one of the local community colleges. Community colleges these days are not offering Summer school at all, so you could imagine how impacted they become when people are trying to take a basic English or Math class. I’m one of those hundreds of people who are trying to make the cut and get into a class. For the past 3-4 days, I was trying to get into the first level of Calculus (known as Calculus 5A). Little did I realize that 60+ people were trying to get in as well. With a couple of students, together we banded to try to get the college to open up another section.

The problem is that community colleges have a very limited budget. To just offer ONE section, costs an estimated 7,500 dollars. This includes classroom use, utilities, materials, etc. I never thought about the expenses that came with opening a section. The school opened two sections for this particular Calculus class, and yet there were people who could not get into those classes. So as students, we worked (or tried) to work with the school to see if another section could be opened. Unfortunately, because the funds for the section would come out of the school’s budget, the dean of the Math department was not willing to help out our cause. Which also brings a point that the community colleges that offer Summer school are only given a certain budget by the state of California to spend. And of course, the school doesn’t want to use whatever funds they have to pay for a section for 30 people (30 is the max a section is supposed to have, supposedly).

It’s these things that make me think about the education system in California as a whole. You cut more from education and you’re cutting the funds for students to pay for school. In a way, I’m beginning to think that California doesn’t want anybody to go to school. If there are no classes, then there are not students paying the school. However, if the student doesn’t have any money, then they can’t go to school. I see this as a lose-lose scenario. How are schools supposed to improve when they don’t allow people the opportunity to pursue an education? Let’s also keep in mind that some people cannot afford to pay for school on their own. I certainly can’t pay for school without the help of Cal Grants. Many can’t go to school without the help of grants.

I can’t help but feel that California is conspiring against students. I feel that if they cut from education, it’ll lessen their chances to go to school. And if California cuts student funding to pay for school, the chances to go to school will be even LESSER. I do not understand why education is the primary target for budget cuts. Students are about to affected greatly if the loan rates are set to double. It’s these things that affect students and their future. I’m sure some of the individuals behind these cuts and proposals have an idea of how hard it is to pay for school. Maybe their economy wasn’t so bad then, or perhaps they do not have an idea of how bad things really are right now and just want to continue hurting students.

I worry about the future of California and the entirety of the United States. I worry about being in the position of a student. I have been aware of what has been going on, but when taking perspectives at a state funded school, everything just seems to hit you much harder.

I actually wish I knew there was a solution to all of this. People pay taxes and increasing taxes just pisses everyone off. I’m just here crying out for all of these cuts to stop. It affects people on levels that I could not imagine. I hate admitting it, but money does play a major factor when choosing to further your education.

The Leading Girl and Men

As I watching the Season 5 premiere of HBO’s “True Blood”, I catch myself noticing a line from Alex Skarsgards’ character, Eric Northman, when Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer), senses that Sookie
Stackhouse (Anna Paquin) is in danger. He says “Fuck Sookie.” Though, the reason why Eric is even saying that in the first place is because of last season’s turn of events when Sookie decided not to be with Eric or Bill. Given the choice to decide who she wants to be with, she ended up choosing neither. Most fans, like myself, probably yelled at the television when this occurred. In all honesty, I wanted Sookie to be with Eric.

However, aside from fandom, It seems that there is always this scenario when there are 2 males trying to court the leading lady. One of them will be spiteful of the rejection, while the other will just feel some form of sadness and hurt, but will still care so much about the person whom he was rejected by. This isn’t the first time I see this particular scenario written for television.

The first time I think I saw this was when I was watching ABC’s “Ugly Betty”. Yes, this version of “Ugly Betty” was NOTHING like the Columbian version “Betty La Fea”. The first version was by far my favourite, much more serious than the American version. In the American version, during Season 2 of the series, we see that Betty (America Ferrera) is with the lovable, adorkable, Henry Grubstick (Christopher Gorham). Although that they seem quite happy together after a whole season of fighting all the odds to just to be alongside with one another. The boat is rocked when Betty starts to develop a crush to Gio Rossi (Freddy Rodriguez). Gio is handsome,  and much more spontaneous than Henry.

Though, at the end of season 2, Betty had to choose between Henry or Gio. Henry asked Betty to marry him. Gio asked her to go to Rome. Both very tempting choices. Most would like a hand in marriage or some would like going to Europe. In the end, Betty chose neither, which pissed off a lot of people. Gio was angry when he saw Betty again, to the point where he told Betty that he hated her. Sounds like a familiar plot, right?

Or even in “Betty La Fea”, Betty has to choose between Armando, dude whom she falls in love with, but lies to her and breaks her heart, or being with the nice, honest, French photographer, Michele. She ends up picking Armando in the end because he finally cleaned up his act. But still, in television, the leading lady has to choose between 2.

I’m only here stating the obvious. I just began to realize that these plots for the leading lady are always placed on television. She is left to choose between 2 eligible bachelor’s and she choose neither. The rejection of two men often leads to one of them to hate the leading lady. Then there is plot where she chooses the first guy she falls in love with (just like in the original “Betty La Fea.” In this case though, the second guy isn’t spiteful, and can only wish the leading girl the best (which I consider odd because I think the other guy feels a sense of rejection and hurt. Maybe anger?).

Like I said previously, I am only here to point out a plot line that I have become very familiar in the development of television programs. I’m not saying that I don’t enjoy these plotlines, if anything, they make things interesting. However, the climax revolves around what the leading girl decides to do, which can vary from time to time. I’m sure there are more outcomes than the ones I have been able to point out. Yes, there are certainly times that I do get angry at the decisions the girl makes. But, it goes to show, even in tv, the girl could have both, the girl could have one, or she just decides that she wants neither.

We can’t be angry at a character who decides to do something based on what she needs, wants, or just realizing what makes her happy. In real life, that’s how it plays out too. I think I have watched way too much television that I realize that I hope my situations will pan out like a leading girl. It’s yet to happen. And in a way, I’m glad that I never had to pick between two males. Too stressful.

Stay posted. I’ll TRY to go watch Moonrise Kingdom soon and then talk about how much I love Wes Anderson. I’m also going to go to a few free concerts in my local Los Angeles area, so I’ll be writing about that too.

Kuhn Rikon Fail

As a lover of films and tv, I also have a love for food. My dad is chef, so he has taught me how to fix meals for myself and others. But with that, I also have to learn of the latest gadgets used in the kitchen.

My father has always raved about using the Kuhn Rikon can opener by Swiss. One day while walking around a Sur La Table, my dad stumbled upon it because it was only 10 bucks! He said how he uses it at the kitchen at work all the time and how it’s supposed to be “clean” and “easy” to use. You could probably tell that this is simply a rant to say that it is not really clean or easy to use. At all.

The can opener that hails from Switzerland said it was supposed to be clean and easy. The video here shows how simple it's supposed to be. The problem, my version of the can opener does not have 2 handles. The sad part too was the only thing I was trying to open  was a can of tuna. I thought they promised that it was going to be clean to use the can opener since canned tuna can be messy and smelly.

What ended up happening is that it took me an hour to just open the can. On top of that, I kept watching tutorials and reading instructions online on how I’m supposed to use the can opener. That didn’t work so much in my favor. As soon as I figured out how to open the can, the water inside of the canned tuna spilled out. It was not supposed to be messy. There is this little hook on the side of the can, and what it’s supposed to do is just lift up the opening to avoid any messes. Well if the smelly water spilled, I do not think that the can promised what it said in its tag when it was purchased.

My dad would later show up home and I told him the story of the can. Turns out, he can’t even open a can of tomato paste without a struggle. His version of the can opener is different at work. Granted, it did take him less time to open it, but it turns out that even for him, it still manages to cause spills and make a mess.

Without said, I think Swiss is lying to consumers like myself and my father. It was supposed to be a cleaner, neater option than the usual can openers that tend to rust and get moldy over time. If this option of a can opener is supposed to be cleaner, then how is it possible that someone who belongs in a kitchen setting, cannot work this particular can opener to work either?! Even after reading instructions?! For me, it was by miracle that I got the can opener to function correctly, despite that it turned out to be messy and not as easy. The only positive thing is that once you open the can, there are no sharp edges. The only thing that I can say about the Kuhn Rikon can opener is that it is safe to use. That’s it.

I’m sure that it’ll get easier to use as I use the product continuously. However, this was just a rant on this Swiss product. I’ll be back here to tell you my thoughts of music, television, and movies - things that I usually write on positive notes. I’ll be back soon! Stay posted!

Oh Canada...

I am well aware that I have not written on here in nearly 7 months. However, to be fair, I do have a horrible tendency to have ideas, but never write them down. As well, everything else that seems to be going on around me also seems to hold me back from ever writing anything on paper. Mostly, it’s because I’m lazy.

Alas, I am now back in action. I recently went to a beautiful place called Toronto, Canada. Smaller than my extra-large metropolis of Los Angeles. Though, as I did tell my Canadian chums, I was much more comfortable in Toronto than in Los Angeles. My reasoning? For one, it’s nice knowing that not everything is scattered and broken up like it is here in Los Angeles. No need to run far and wide and be stuck in traffic just to get something specific just because you crave it or want it. Everything is within proximities. Secondly, the air is cleaner, not exactly smoggy. As well, the people being nice and amazing, who wouldn’t want to live in such a wonderful place? And may I add, apparently the rent is not that expensive (it beats paying 1300+ dollars for one room here in LA).

Though, I’m not here to discuss the full details of my trip (it sounds lovely, doesn’t it?). I’m actually here to tell you my opinions on Canadian music. Up until 7 months ago (when I last wrote on this), I was introduced and re-introduced to Canadian music. Several of which I have heard of because I heard some bands through friends or because they reached some level of success here in the States. The few that I NEVER heard of in my life, have this on-going trend. For one, they all seem to have a message of hope and messages of risk-tasking. In addition to that, they seem to deliver this message in a very cutesy, adorable manner. Such bands like Joel Plaskett Emergency, the Elwins (a favourite band of mine at this moment), and Sloan, to name a few, give messages of optimism; For instance:

There’s nowhere left to go but down//don’t believe that no one cares//cause we’re here for waiting you- Sloan, “Everything You‘ve Done Wrong”

Don’t be scared to make amends or ruin your new dress with me//Waiting for an apple to fall into my hands//waiting seems to be the master plan- the Elwins, “Paper In Your Pocket”

I’ve been looking for pies in the skies//I’m feeling my temperature//Is the right time only the nighttime?//Is my way only the highway?//Is this slow dance my only chance to find me a little bit of romance?- Joel Plaskett Emergency, “Slow Dance”

It’s these songs that can be interpreted differently by listeners, but I feel so full of hope and happiness when I listen to these songs. Songs that tell me to go forward and  take my chances, while I risk getting hurt; songs that tell me that I’m not alone when I feel alone. In Los Angeles based bands like Best Coast, the Airborne Toxic Event, and Weezer (which I love!), they tend to be fun and focus on matters of getting away or just enjoying the sun. Or even sometimes, they can focus on matters of heartbreak to an extent. However, they do not seem to have a lot of focus on leaving optimistic notes to the listener, like the Canadians do.

One thing I also want to point is that Canadian bands tend to be very patriotic. They take pride. If you ever visit Canada, you can probably see more than 10 Canada flags as you drive or walk by. It’s actually really nice to see that a country is very proud of who they are and how they present themselves. Musically, I like the hip-hop turn of Canada’s national anthem by Classified, which from what I remember, it was featured in the Winter Olympics not too long ago. I would also like to add that when attending a show in Canada, and if the band is from Canada, it’s a big homecoming party. The crowd shows much more enthusiasm. In fact, Canada has showed a lot of enthusiasm in their concerts than any other concerts that I have ever attended. The crowd jumps, they sing, they heckle (just generally being loud), and the people just tend to be incredibly fun. I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a Joel Plaskett Emergency show, and the last show of their tour. The crowd went wild; It was also one of the first times that I have ever rushed a stage to get a setlist without getting tackled by a security guard (well, security guards are less douch-ie there too).

Lastly, the last thing I ever want to mention of Canadian music, is the charisma they bring. While on my trip, I had the luck to being introduced to a musician who goes by the name of Bahamas. His album, Barchords, is one of those albums that you MUST own. In a nutshell, it is a break-up album, but it deals with all forms of what comes from a break-up; Dealing with losing the person you love, you saying that you’ve let them go, but then later you catch yourself missing them and would probably do anything to have them back. I know we have all been there, the feelings of longing for someone. This is the album. It’s beautifully written in lyrics and the guitar rhythms are very entrancing. My favourite track off the album is “Your Sweet Touch.” I assure that song will capture your heart just like it did mine (which I thank my Canadian friend for making me listen to this song).

I’m glad that Canadian music can reach the United States; Bahamas performed for local radio station KCRW in Los Angeles on June 9, 2012. It was a part of KCRW’s Summer Nights Concert series. If given the opportunity to go see a performance for free, then one should do it. Bahamas has this likeable aura to him. Cracking jokes on stage, commenting on the admiration that he receives from fans, and staring at any fan that tends to squeal really loudly for one song (that would be me). It’s all these things that have built up and make me feel much more happy. Barchords has helped me cope with certain things on better levels, and I am happy I got to tell the talented musician how much the album meant to me while I was in Canada, and how much it still means to me now. 

My dearest reader, I got to tell you tiny significant bits of Canada and it’s wonderful music. I hope that I have encouraged to you to listen to some of the Canadian bands that I mentioned above. If you would like to hear of some more Canadian bands, you could always contact me. I’ve been blown away by many bands; I would be more than happy to introduce you to more music to add to your listening lists. But truly, Canadian music has added hope and hints of optimism in my current life, it could also add that to your life too.