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The Thrilling Tales of Cah Cah: February 2014

Sunday, February 23, 2014

The Best Unreleased Songs By Lana Del Rey

There are some artists who are good, some that are amazing, and then there is Lana Del Rey. I know there has been a lot of controversy surrounding her origins, the Lana Del Rey "persona", and her live performances, but if you bother to look into these things you know what it's all about. In case you haven't, let me explain (Short version! That's why you guys love me - I do the dirty work and then compress it for you): Lana Del Rey was born Elizabeth Woolridge Grant on June 21 1986 (some sources say she was actually born in 1985, but I haven't been able to confirm this). She is the daughter of a millionaire yes, but everyone that has ever worked with her (even the people who aren't making money off her now) will tell you he's not to blame for her success - her talents (especially her song writing talent) are genuine. Is Lana Del Rey a constructed persona? Yes, and she'll be the first to tell you. She has given countless interviews about why she chose that name, how much effort it takes to transform into full blown "Lana Del Rey", made jokes about how they've had to hoist her into her shoes for photoshoots because they have been so high, and looking at her street style, it's obvious that she's much more laid back in every day life. For some reason, this has gotten on a lot of people's tits. I don't understand why? Beyonce doesn't prance around in a leotard and full drag makeup at home, no matter what Lady Gaga says there is no way she hangs out in that ghastly meat dress, Rihanna doesn't even go by the name "Rihanna" in private, but by her actual name "Robyn", and so the list goes on. Has she had plastic surgery? I can't say it for certain, because she really is the only one that can, but if you're asking my opinion (and I do have a good eye) I would say that yes, without question, beyond any doubt has she had at least a (fantastic) nose job and lip injections. Why does she deny it, then? Because it's none of our fucking business, and when people ask you about your personal life, it's your prerogative to say whatever the fuck you want. She is a singer/songwriter. Please ask relevant questions. Why are men not questioned about these things? An example that illustrates this:




One more thing I have to say is that even if it turns out that everything about Lana is made up i.e. her entire backstory etc. I really won't care. I'm not interested in her because she was supposedly a teenage alcoholic and lived in a trailer park - I love her music, her lyrics, and the art she creates, and I truly believe that to be authentic. Also, creating a fake life to match your stage persona is brilliant on many levels, most importantly because it allows you to keep the details of your private life private. We are not entitled to know everything about the people we see on TV or in magazines, no matter how much we like to believe we are.


On to her music! Like I said, I fully believe she is the creator and/or co-creator of her own songs, not least because of the fact that song writers (and artists in general) tend to be very proud of their creations, and wouldn't happily let someone else take all the credit for what they've created (I just used the word "create" more than creationists). That being out of the way, we can get down to mindless adoration. Few people in the world make me feel the way she does with her music. Her songs are, in my humble opinion, perfection! All artists have unreleased songs, but unlike most others, all of Lana's are incredible (at least, all the ones I've heard). I figured I should make a list (in no particular order) of my favourites so that you, dear reader, might also enjoy them. I hope you will love them as much as I do.

Kinda Outta Luck





While unreleased, this does have an "official" video. It's very "Video Games" featuring scenes of Lana singing along in between old movie clips.

Favorite part: I really don't have one. This is a very entertaining song, and it's difficult for me to pick out a certain part that is "extra entertaining". Listen to it and you'll know what I mean.


Paris






Ironically, this song reminds me of New York City. I spent a few weeks there in late 2012 visiting one of my best friends, and we had this song on repeat. It's just so sweet!

Favorite part:                                    "Walking through the streets at dawn,
we dance by empty carousels.
Singing 'bout the Sacre Coeur,
and climbing up the Tour Eiffel."


Never Let Me Go


Impossible to find a decent version of this song on YouTube, but I found it here. Just a really.. pleasant song.

Favorite line: "I can be your Nancy, you can be my Sid."



Hollywood's Dead






Favorite line: "I always fall for the wrong guy, things that are bad always taste nice."



Every Man Gets His Wish






Another one of those songs I have a hard time attributing to any particular genre. Maybe someone with greater musical knowledge than myself can help out here.


Favorite part:                                      "I learned how to make love from the movies
                      He found me waitressing at Ruby Tuesdays
                      He said I wanna buy you a classic white milk shake
                      I said I'll serve you up a special side of heartbreak
                      (Special side of heartbreak.)
                      I was working down in the corner café,
                      you drove by in a Chevrolet,
                      whistle at me as my hips go sway
                      'Lana Del Rey, how you get that way?' 
                      'How you get that way?'.
                       I said 
                      'He loves my heart shaped sunglasses.
                       He loves the heart shape my ass is.'"



Driving In Cars With Boys





This song is like a Lana Del Rey version of "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun". That's the best way I can describe it.

Favorite part:                                   "I was born to live fast, die young
 Leave a beautiful corpse, live my life on the run
I got my cash, my Louis Vuitton, diamonds and guns
 Girls just wanna, just wanna have fun."



Queen of Disaster





A recent love of mine, this song is just.. perfection. If you love Lana, you'll fall completely in love with this one.

Favorite part:                             "No other boy ever made me feel beautiful,
When I'm in your arms, feels like I have it all,
Is it your tattoos or golden grill,
That makes me feel this way?

You got me spinning like a ballerina, 
You the bad boy that I always dreamed of,
You're the king and I'm
the Beauty queen of
disaster,
disaster"


TV in Black & White


Another one that's impossible to find on YouTube without featuring an unnaturally high pitched Lana, but is readily available on other web pages, like here. This is currently my very favorite Lana song ever of all time. I am completely in love with it! Such a beautiful song and I feel it epitomizes everything that is Lana Del Rey.

Favorite part:                       "Nobody does have to know that our love is alive
Keep it on the low if you want to hide
Got that same address if you want to write
One Greenwich Avenue
Wishing and thinking of you!

Living without you is like TV in black and white
You turned me on and brought color into my life 
When I'm around you suddenly I realize 
that I was blind before I saw the world through your eyes.

If you get lonely, think of this only
heaven hasn't forgotten about you 
Though you can't hold me, pick up and phone me
use your one phone call on your ex-girl boo"



Hopefully I introduced you to some songs you haven't heard before, and if not, well then at least you have a handy playlist here of songs you already know and love! I'd also like to add that I haven't heard all of her unreleased songs, so you might have a personal favorite that seems like an obvious choice for a "Best of Lana" list, that I might simply never have heard.


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Yours,



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Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Living With Loss

For the past 2 weeks, I haven't been feeling too well. I've been having trouble sleeping no matter how tired I've felt, finding the energy to do my homework has been impossible, and just this morning I missed a presentation. I haven't been able to figure out why, and it's been frustrating! Why have I all of a sudden turned into someone who can't seem to keep her life together? Am I sick of what I'm studying? Yes, very much so! That's not it though. Have I been sick? I thought so, but not really. For some reason, though, I've been more or less like a zombie, and it seems to have no logical explanation. I simply have had no spark and it's been making me feel useless, which in turns makes me less motivated, less inclined to do work, and that's how the circle goes. Then, earlier today, while I was at the library doing homework (yes, I actually managed to do work, mostly due to my wonderful friends) it dawned on me. I suddenly knew what it was! I suddenly understood why I had been feeling like this, why I had been acting so out of character, because it has happened every year around this time for the past 7 years: today is the day! That day. Today, February 18th 2014, it has been exactly 7 years since my baby sister died.



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Monday, February 17, 2014

14-Year Old Girl Secretly Gives Birth To And Kills Her Son

While heavily procrastinating my homework, I stumbled across this article from 2012. If you're a regular reader of this blog, you know I don't usually talk about specific incidents, but rather deal with general topics (not including when I talk about my own life), and this is not going to be so much about what that girl did, but rather what an atrocious piece of journalism that article is. We can all agree that what she did was terrible, but the article leaves so many things unanswered and even raises a few questions about the girl's background (albeit unintentionally considering the author makes makes his feelings on the girl very clear).
  
  What we see in this article is classical witch hunt mentality: the girl is called a monster and the author feels she is "rightfully" charged as an adult and wants to see her behind bars for a long time, but he doesn't question one single thing about the circumstances this all happened under. A 14 year old girl keeps her entire pregnancy secret from her parents, has the baby in secret, kills it, and doesn't even dispose of it, but instead hides it in her cupboard, and the author doesn't pose any questions? Let's look at the most obvious one first:

How does a 14 year old girl hide an entire pregnancy from her parents?

This is what the article says:

When her parents were asked how the 5’ 3’’ 100 lb Cassidy was able to hide her pregnancy from them for 9 months, they admitted that there were some suspicions afloat, but that Cassidy was very devious and conniving in her attempt to hide her pregnancy – constantly wearing baggy sweats and long oversized t-shirts.

That's it. Apparently, that is all the author needs to know. To be fair, this tells me a lot as well. "What? Pray tell, Cah Cah?", you're probably thinking right about now, and I shall indulge you (although, you are probably there with me already at this point). Let's begin with a dictionary definition:

Devious - showing a skillful use of underhanded tactics to achieve goals.

The fact that her wearing baggy sweats and oversized shirts to hide her pregnancy is described as a skillful use of tactics speaks volumes as to the intelligence of her parents, and the fact that they supposedly suspected it and yet somehow were still duped by their daughter's admittedly genius behaviour also indicates a complete lack of interest in her. This is obvious, so why is it not mentioned? If a 14 year old manages to hide a full pregnancy from her parents, they themselves are unfit parents - isn't that a given?


Yes. The answer is yes.


What drives a 14 year old girl to kill a baby?

There are many other options out there. At 14, how is she not aware of them? What scares a 14 year old girl into killing a child? She didn't even have the mind to rid herself of it - she simply left it in her cupboard! Surely, if she had the capabilities of an adult, she would have thought to rid herself of it. Between you and me, isn't that what we would have done if we'd killed a baby? (Yes, I know you never would, neither would I, but work with me here!). According to this article she hid the pregnancy out of fear that her relationship with her parents would change if they found out - does that sound adult enough to be tried as one?


No. The answer is no.


Where is the father in all of this?

This question has me feeling very curious. Who impregnated her? Was it someone from school or was she being used and abused by someone older? If it was a guy her age, did he know about the pregnancy? If he did, how did he react? In a way that would deeply hurt a young, vulnerable girl in a situation that even to adults can seem impossible and terrifying?


Probably. The answer is probably.

What's with all the jaw dropping gifs?

I just can't believe that these obvious issues weren't addressed. I'm pretty sure you had the same reaction reading the article.


I knew you did! You're my people!

While I'm not trying to defend this girl's actions, I feel that in cases like this it's important not to lose your head, look at the bigger picture, and ask the right questions, especially because those involved are so young. We all know that what she did was terrible, so we would be much better of if you journalists actually addressed some of the questions surrounding cases like these, rather than wasting our time labelling a 14 year old girl from an obviously dubious family "a monster".


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Yours,



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Thursday, February 13, 2014

How Do People Fall In Love?

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Everywhere I turn, I see people in love. If I go for a walk, I inevitably run into at least a few couples holding hands on the street, when I go to Uni I see them sitting together being all cute and cuddly in lectures, if I go to a restaurant I see them having romantic dinners, and if I go online I'm presented with lovey-dovey pictures and posts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Tumblr. Now that Valentine's Day is coming, this is becoming ever more apparent everywhere, and it's left me wondering: how do people meet and fall in love? Don't get me wrong, I understand the biology of it, but that's not what I mean; I'm talking about how these situations even present themselves, because to me it's a complete and utter mystery.


One of the most catching songs ever, but does it work irl?

I was in love once many years ago. It was unrequited and I was devastated (plot twist: I'm completely over it, and we're really good friends, so don't cry for me Argentina). That was the only time I've ever been really in love. Sure, I've liked guys, perhaps even been infatuated with a few, but this guy was the only guy I've ever thought of as "Wow, I'd like him to be my boyfriend" (not counting the, to be frank, quite embarrassingly long list of celebrities that I of course have been in serious, committed relationships with. These don't seem to last beyond your early to mid teens though, I'm afraid). It takes a lot for me to fall in love, I suppose. Perhaps I'm picky, but I don't think so. It just seems that preferring tall, dark, and handsome men with a very high IQ eliminates a lot of possibilities, but I just couldn't ever date anyone stupid (I said "stupid", how very non-PC of me). Intelligence is at the top of my list, sharing first place with "great sense of humor", and of course I want this wrapped up in a pretty package.


Someone who looks like the guy on the left (Spanish male model Alejandro Rosaleny), but has the brains of the guy on the right (in case you're really thick that's Stephen Hawking). Is that really too much to ask for?

Back on point. I don't think that my idea of an "ideal man" is to blame for me not falling in love; we all have all sorts of ideas of what we want, and more often than not we end up with something else. The really interesting question is why doesn't anyone seem to fall in love with me either? Am I really that unlovable? To my knowledge, no guy has ever been in love with me. No guy has ever given me the slightest inclination that they even like me! Well, obviously many guys "like" me, I mean, I have a lot of male friends. It's easy when you're the chick that loves to eat pizza and play video games, and doesn't feel the need to gossip or flirt with your male friends. Doesn't really inspire attraction, though. Not in my experience anyway. I think, secretly, most guys really do want a dominant, whip-lashing, mother-hen girlfriend, and I'm just not that girl. It's way too much effort having to control another person. Also, I hate playing mind games. I just lay everything on the table from the start because I feel it simplifies things, and you don't have to get mad about things later on that you said you were OK with in the beginning ("Noooo honey, PLEASE go to strip clubs with your friends, I'm totally cool with that!).


I think this is pretty much ideal, most of the time.

I guess I'm sort of to blame myself. I never accept dates, tend not to write men back, and don't believe in one night stands. You could say I'm kind of setting myself up for failure. I just need to feel the spark instantly, you know? If it's not there immediately, it just doesn't happen for me. If I'm not thrilled at the prospect of going on a date with you the minute you ask me, I have a very hard time saying yes, and it's not because there's anything wrong with you or because I don't expect to have a good time, it's just.. if you've experienced that spark with anyone, you know that that's what you want.


What was that? Unrealistic? STOP BEING SUCH A PESSIMIST!

In the end, I probably should try doing something out of my comfort zone, seeing as the style that I'm currently rocking isn't really doing me any good. I guess if I was one of those "ermahgerd I need a berfrernd" kind of girls, I would, but changing patterns takes effort and when you're pretty much happy as is, it takes extra effort. I really should try to change the kind of guy I become interested in, though. I seem to be a magnet for men who seem nice, but really aren't. I wonder if all men are liars, or just the ones that seem to gravitate towards me (YES, I am projecting the responsibility onto them!).


Please confirm.

What is it with the lying anyway? I'm such an open person, there is no need to lie to me. I was recently involved with someone for a very short period of time, but (for reasons unknown to me) I fell hard and fast. There were problems with it from the start, and it turned out I had been lied to from day one. I guess, somewhere, I should have known, but sometimes even when you try to do it right and play by the book, it still goes really wrong.


They're never different!  Don't fall for it!

So now, here I am. February 13th, Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and everyone is getting really excited. I've never actually celebrated Valentine's Day with anyone, but I can say that this year will be different: I actually have a date.. with a bunch of friends! We're going out for my friend's birthday, in fancy dress, and having a lot of few drinks! It will be the best Valentine's Day ever! I'm going as a hippie, I think. Very appropriate, free love and all that. Very V-Day!


Let's hope there won't be any of this happening on Valentine's Day!


As per usual, this blog post started out as one thing and turned into something completely different. But please, if you're the type of person that's always seeing someone/always in a relationship, leave me a comment explaining how this works, because I'm in a completely different boat! Perhaps we can swap tips (you'll be like "You just need to settle and be happy that anyone is willing to even tolerate you", and I'll be like "don't settle for anything less than a supermodel oil sheikh with the brain of Einstein").


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Yours,



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Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Marius The Giraffe And The Reality Of Eating Meat

There has been a lot of outrage in the media about the "slaughter" and subsequent autopsy and feeding to the lions of Marius the giraffe at Copenhagen Zoo, with public outcries, online condemnation, and forums exploding with people expressing their feelings on the subject. I didn't want Marius to die either. I think giraffes are wonderful animals, and I hate the idea of killing one. However, there are a few things I can't understand:

1. Is there a difference between killing a giraffe and killing a cow?
2. Do some animals deserve more protection than others? (side note: obviously some animals require more protection, but do try to keep up with what I'm saying here)
3. Aren't all animals equally important?
4. Are you vegan?

If your answers are "yes", "yes", "no", and "no" (if the 3 first questions are answered like that, the 4th will inevitably be "no"), you relinquish the right to have an opinion on the matter. If you happily eat cows, pigs, sheep etc. you have no right to complain that a "healthy" giraffe is "slaughtered". All of the animals you eat were perfectly happy and healthy before they were killed for your benefit. No wait, scratch that - most of them were actually living lives of misery in confined spaces, being fed "food" that's not natural to their systems, often being fattened to the point of it affecting their development, leading to all sorts of injuries and troubles. Many of these animals are also handled in ways you wouldn't wish on your worst enemies; chickens, for example, will have the ends of their beaks cut off, and male chicks will be ground alive because they're not "useful". These animals are the animals you and I buy - we support this treatment of them by giving money to the people who are behind it. But lo and behold: a giraffe - who's had a much better life than most cows we've ever eaten - is put down by the zoo (by people who most likely loved him and were sad to do it), used for educational purposes (the children were not traumatized, and considering the state of teenagers nowadays we might want to implement a bit more hands on education everywhere in the world), and then fed to lions (who eat giraffes on the savannah). Unless you're vegan or just don't eat animals without applying a label to yourself, please do not comment on sensationalized stories like this one. You're making a fool out of yourself. The video below is an interview with Bengt Holst, the chief of Copenhagen Zoo, and I feel he answers the questions posed by the rather emotional and infantile reporter very rationally.






I'm all for animal activism, but unless you're a herbivore, please refrain from commenting on which animals are used for food. This giraffe may, in your opinion, have been killed for "no reason", but so is each and every cow that makes up the burgers you eat in the eyes of, say, anyone who's vegan.


What dictates who's more important?


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Yours,



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Monday, February 10, 2014

The Problem With Being Unique


I'm an extremely open and honest person. Appreciate individuality, respect differences, and treasure what makes yourself and other people special. These are things I live by, and to most people the concept sounds great. In practice, however, it's very lacking, not because of the philosophy behind it, but because people don't really adhere to it. People have always, as far back as I can remember, considered me "different". I didn't have a lot of friends growing up, but I didn't mind; I'd rather be myself and be alone, than be like the rest - the flock, if you please - and have what they called "friends". Having to pretend to be something other than who you are to make people like you, didn't really sound like having friends to me anyway. When I became a teenager, I finally got to know people who wanted to be my friends. I had changed nothing about how I expressed myself - I had simply found people that appreciated the person I was. This is how you make real friends, and 12 years later they're still my best friends. Over the years many things changed, and I was exposed to, if may be so immodest, quite the popularity surge. I don't think this was due to the fact that more people wanted to know me - they just wanted a deeper look at (what they considered) the "exotic" personality that I was. I'm from a small community, and figured that when I moved things would be different. That somewhere else I wouldn't be so different. I was wrong. I have moved, I am in a different place, and I still feel as alien as ever. It's like the very core of me, how I am made, what I was born of, and what nourishes me is just so fundamentally different to that of other people. No one has ever spared any expense informing me of this either: "I've never met anyone quite like you", "You're unlike anyone I've ever met", "You really are quite special, aren't you?", "You're just so different to everyone", and in some cases the good old "Freak", are all things people have told me for as long as I can remember. I always thought they were wrong, that fundamentally we're all the same. We are all human, after all. I was, perhaps, just more open and honest, more unafraid and raw. More human? After all these years, however, I'm starting to wonder. Maybe, just this once, about just this one thing, they were right and I was wrong. In my life, I've felt like Megan Fox's character Lily from the movie Passion Play. Like I was the bird woman at a circus carnival. There is one particularly powerful scene, where she goes to have her wings removed (which of course symbolizes her getting rid of her uniqueness). In comes Mickey Rourke's character to try to stop her, and she's like..




and he's all "You're not a freak, don't change yourself, you're special" and stuff, and she's like...





and I know how she feels. I've had people point out everything I "should" change about myself my entire life, and I'm like...


..pretending to be pondering what they tell me..

and then I'm like..


If it threatens your commonality, sorry. I'm not sorry.


I can't really care..


..and I don't have time for your negativity or jealousy.


So I'll keep talking about things that I find interesting and relevant..



..eating junk food..



..and just being me.


Because, I like myself..

..and listening to the bad things people who don't know me tell me is not going to get me anywhere.

So if you still have these toxic people in your life, you gotta be like..


Sayonara, bitches.

Because they aren't worth it. Don't be tempted to go soft and be all..

..because they're not when they're dishing out their "opinions".

So..



and be all..




Most importantly..






and..




As for me..


Adds a bit of fun to life, doesn't it?

..and I know a lot of people have opinions on that..

..I don't. Sorry. I'm not sorry.

I am me. I am more than good enough. I am just who I need to be. Sometimes though, even I need to remind myself of that. Hopefully, if anyone is reading this and feeling the same way, it also reminds you.


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Yours



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Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Bill Nye The Science Guy vs Ken Ham

For reasons unknown to me, Bill Nye - Emmy Award winning educator and CEO of The Planetary Society - decided to humor everyone and attend a debate (which can be seen here) with Christian author Ken Ham at the Creation Museum. I don't really know what to say about it. The debate was inevitably filled with "Hamisms", illogical deductions, and embarrassing "points" made by Ham. Nye, bubbly and likable as ever, certainly held his own, and remained so extraordinarily respectful, you would almost believe he took Ham seriously. - an incredible feat considering the, uh, case he presented. Here are just a some points I'd like to make (the debate is long, so I've just picked a few random things).


"Hamisms"

These are things that Ham has become quite known for. For example the quote "Were you there?". Ham tries to provide solid arguments and rebuttals, but whenever he feels cornered i.e. he can't make an effective counter argument (which is a lot of the time) he asks "Were you there?" in the smuggest voice, as if to suggest that he just pulled the rug from under you. Listen up, Hammy: you cannot have a scientific debate about what happened in the past and then exclaim "Aha! But were you there?", or when Nye presented the story of what happened to the largest wooden ship built by the foremost experts of the time (long story short - it sank) and based on that questioned whether a man and a few other presumably much less skilled (obviously based on the science available at the time, education, resources etc.) individuals could actually have pulled off building the ark, Ham's counter argument was "But did you meet Noah? No. Neither did I. None of us have. So what do you really know about his skills?". Nye, why did you even bother?


Unsurprisingly, only one of them even mentioned dinosaurs in their presentation. Hint: it wasn't the one who would have difficulties explaining them.

Illogical deductions

Ham does seem to be a master at these. The question was asked "what was before the big bang?". Nye excitedly exclaims "we don't know!" with a big smile on his face, and starts talking about how wonderful and mysterious it is and how scientists are trying to figure it out (and a whole lot of other things - watch the debate). Anyway, in comes Ken Ham with his rebuttal "Actually there's a book out there that tells us where matter came from, "in the beginning god created the heavens and the earth" and really it's the only thing that makes sense." OK, let me get this straight: because we don't know something (yet), the only thing that makes sense is god? This sounds like caveman logic, Ham! Caveman logic (fire equals magic, sun equals god etc.) when applied to greater things (like how "everything" began) is still caveman logic!


Screen capture of Bill as Ham is making the aforementioned deduction. He is visibly impressed by Ham's logic and obviously agrees that it makes perfect sense.


Embarrassing points (listed in no particular order)

1. One point Ham made, was that there certainly were Christian scientists who agreed with the billions of years old model "model" of the earth, but many who didn't. Contrary to what many religious people think, being an atheist isn't about disproving religion, and if the evidence for a 6500 year old earth (which is what Ham believes) was overwhelming, we would accept that as the probable truth. This left me wondering: while there are Christians who agree with "our" view, do you think there is any atheist scientist who, based purely on "evidence", believes the earth is only 6500 years old, or am I rightfully assuming that the only, ahem, scientists who believe this based on whatever "evidence" they claim to have are in fact Christian scientists? If you know of any atheist scientists who believe the earth is 6500 years, please let me know. I would find that very interesting!

2. "You believe that when you die, it's over. So what's the point of discovery anyway? You'll never know you were here, and no one you knew will know they were ever here, so what's the point anyway. I love discovery, because this is God's creation, and I am finding out more about that" And this is why I feel so bad for many religious people. Because this - this is where we differ so greatly. To only value experience, knowledge, wisdom, discovery - life! - because you believe in an afterlife? It makes no sense! If anything, knowing that we only have this life and that it is so limited makes me appreciate it all so much more!

3. Ham made a very cringy statement about how amazing God is for creating the stars to show us how powerful he is. Christians may find that awe inspiring - I find it creepy, narcissistic, quite frankly it sounds like he's trying to cope with feelings of inadequacy. He also went on the usual rant about how amazing it is that God created faulty human beings and then sent his own son to die for sins he knew we'd commit. It's hard to fathom that he doesn't grasp how absolutely tragic that sounds.

4. He used the phrase: "The fact of Noah's flood". It's not a fact, Ken. It doesn't matter how convinced you are or how hard you believe it! Not. A. Fact. Use the correct terminology, please.

5. Ham was asked "what, if anything, would change your mind?". He couldn't answer this question. He went on a rant about a whole host of things that were completely unrelated, because ultimately the answer to this question is "nothing", and that's what poses the ultimate problem: as scientists we want challenges, we encourage change, we strive for discovery, and anything that can shake our world and completely throw us off our feet we embrace and rejoice in. We want our minds changed. This is why scientific debates can be so fulfilling! Many religious people (Ken Ham included), however, already know what they need to know, and any debate with them is certainly not so they can be enlightened.  They will only accept evidence that support what they already know, whereas a scientist will relish in that which challenges what is already established - it's what keeps things interesting! Of course there are scientists who drown in their own ego and would rather die than see their research refuted, but it's not the norm (just like gay bashing, funeral crashing people with signs saying "god hates fags" aren't the Christian norm). It should be mentioned that Nye offered up a whole host of things that would change him in an instant - trouble is it was all solid evidence, and we all know that is apparently very difficult for Creationists to produce (for good reasons).

6. But the absolute most embarrassing point was not one that was stated nor was it a new revelation to anyone who's ever watched or read anything by Ken Ham - he doesn't have the most basic grasp on what science is all about. He uses big words and likes to pretend, but essentially what he does is so far removed from actual science that it's embarrassing that he's even trying to market this as anything even remotely similar. One issue with Ham's version of "science" is that it deals only with the past. What is one of the most basic signs of good science? That we can accurately predict future outcomes based on what we know! What did Ham say about this when Nye addressed the issue? Nothing of course! Never responded to it. Another thing is that if you're going to make extraordinary claims and market them as science, you need to have very solid evidence backing up what you're saying (In fact in science, for any claim to be accepted, you always need very solid evidence). If Ken Ham had that we wouldn't even be having this discussion.


Jesus showing of his amazing powers.

These were only some of the things that were discussed and stood out to me. I really recommend you watch the debate (here)! If you enjoyed this post, please tweet it, like it and share it with your friends!
Yours,



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Tuesday, February 4, 2014

10 Things I Can't Live Without

As I'm standing in front of the microwave oven, reheating the pancakes I made last night I start thinking deeply about life, for example "like, what even was life before the microwave oven? Like, yeah..", and it got me reflecting over things in my life that I really can't live without (the microwave oven doesn't really count here, because I've actually been without one for 4 years - still very much alive! That being said I'm really happy to have one again). Anyway, here are a few things I can't live without (Cue "Ken Lee") in semi-particular order (good luck figuring out what that means).


10. Make up

I'm not one of those people who needs to apply a different face to take out the trash, but I definitely love a bit of make up, and if it's up to me I'll never stop using it. I like it very subtle and natural on the daily, though.


Just me in my natural, everyday make up.


9. Cake

This wonderful woman I used to work with once said  "Generally, I eat healthy food, but I love cake and I'll tell you - as long as I live - I will never stop eating cake. I love cake, and I will continue to eat cake until I die." That's pretty much how I feel about cake. Fuck you, Hollywood and fuck you Vogue - I'll keep eating cake until I die!


I've wanted that cake since the first time I saw "Matilda".


8. Junk Food

There are times in my life where I get really healthy and completely cut out junk food, and to be fair I do feel so much better physically, but I always miss it so much, and I'm not a fan of denying myself the pleasures of life. Good old fashion burgers, french fries, and deep fried chicken are favorites of mine. Also, I will keep eating this because YOLO, so there's an irrefutable argument.


How I live my life.


7. Pizza (deserves a separate space)


I don't think I need to explain this one.


6. Books

One of the most important things in my life are undoubtedly books. My dad used to read fairy tales to me when I was a kid, I used to listen to audio tapes with stories, and most importantly I used to (and still do) read a lot. Books are a godsend for a child with a vivid imagination, and they are a place of refuge for kids without friends (which I was), and they also provide shelter from a busy adult mind.


Mhm, you got it, son.



5. Humor

Life without a sense of humor? Tragic. Obviously, some of you may read my blog and be all like "yeah, you'd know about that" because you don't find me funny at all. That's OK - I do!


Look how happy they are!  Must watch this movie!  It's even called "Smiley" so you know it must be hilarious!



4. The Internet (and all it entails Facebook, Skype, Youtube etc.)

I have used the internet my entire life. I can't imagine living without it. No Facebook (where would I post all of the random things I think????). No Skype to keep me in touch with friends around the world! No YouTube to watch cat videos on! Life is definitely richer with cat videos..


I mean.. INTERNET :')



3. & 2. My friends & family

This might be an obvious one (unless you're a friendless orphan, in which case I apologize for my assumption). I had to combine these, because they're both equally important in different ways. The amazing thing about family is that they are people who will (or should!) always be there for you. You can disagree, you can fight, and you can even walk out, but you'll never truly stop being someone's mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter etc. The incredible thing about friends is that they can actually walk away and be done with it, but through it all they choose to stay. I wouldn't be anywhere in my life if it wasn't for my family and friends. Was it not for their support I'd never be able to write this blog that makes me no money whatsoever and gets me nowhere in life! Thanks you guys!


Probably how a lot of  you felt after reading my explanation of why family and friends are amazing.






And the number one, ultimate, most important thing in the world to me that I can't live without is...





1. God

Nothing is more important to me than my faith. That's a joke, nr 2 is actually nr 1, and nr 1 is fake. Like "God".


Worth it!


So there you have it! The 10 (well actually 9) things I can't live without! If you enjoyed this post, please tweet it, like it and share it with your friends!
Yours,




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Saturday, February 1, 2014

Whale Killings In The Faroe Islands

OK, there have been countless blog posts about this topic now, and since I am no expert I've held my tongue. Be that as it may there are so many things being said  that even the slightest attempt at basic research would disprove, that it's becoming increasingly frustrating to identify as human - the stupidity is overwhelming.

One of the greatest strengths of the internet is also one of its greatest weaknesses: everyone gets a voice. That means people, whose thoughts and opinions would be much better served if they never reached the light of day, get to express themselves. Sometimes this is harmless; everyone is allowed their own opinion. It is when an opinion is based on misinformation and lies that it becomes not only wrong, but also invalid, because contrary to popular belief you are not entitled to have a wrong opinion. If there are facts that prove the reasoning for your opinion is wrong, there is no reason at all for anyone to accept your opinion as being neither valid nor acceptable, and this is what is happening with the whale killings in the Faroes.
  You are completely in the right to disagree with whale killings for the simple reason that you may really like whales. It's not an opinion that holds a lot of weight, and it most certainly is no argument for you to try to get them banned, unless you are in fact vegan and are equally against the slaughter of all animals, in which case you are completely allowed to fight against whale killings all you want equally alongside your fight against the killings of other animals. Might I even suggest that you start with the millions of animals whose entire lives are spent in tiny enclosures alongside their peers, living in their own urine and feces, whose existence is filled with misery, sickness, and broken bones, until they are killed in completely inhumane ways, rather than the few hundreds of whales that are killed by the Faroese people - as quickly and humanely as possible - after living free, full lives at sea.
  However, if you're going to disagree with whale killings because you've read some bogus article about it being a "rite of passage" into adulthood, because pilot whales are "endangered", because it's something that's done "for fun" at "blood festivals", because "look at all the blood in the ocean! They're savages", or because "whales are intelligent", let me tell you a few  things.


1. It is not a "Rite of Passage"

Is it a "tradition"? Yes! The Faroese people have been doing this for hundreds of years. It's a part of their heritage and it most certainly is "passed down" - how else would it survive? However, this is done for food. The Faroes have a harsh climate and agriculture options are limited. Nearly everything has to be imported. Can you really judge them for getting food from where they can, especially considering that this is not an industry, the whales are not actively hunted, and the meat and blubber gets distributed evenly for free?

2. Pilot whales are not endangered

I have no idea where this started. Pilot whales most certainly are not endangered, and if they were, it would not be because of the 0.1% of the whales that the Faroese people kill, that has long been deemed a very sustainable number.

3. There is no such thing as "Blood Festivals"

I actually don't even know what more to say about this. How this one got started is a mystery to me. It is a complete fabrication - someone must have a very vivid imagination.

4. When you kill something, there will be blood (unless you use poison, or something)

When cows and pigs are slaughtered there is a lot of blood as well. Only difference is they don't get slaughtered on a beach. Would you rather they moved the whales off the beach, bringing more suffering to everyone just so that it would look more appropriate? The Faroese mostly have great respect for these creatures, and don't wish to cause them any unnecessary suffering.

5. Whales are intelligent

..but so are cows and pigs, and considering how they are treated during their entire lives in the meat industry, you really need to rethink this one. Did you know, that cows allegedly mourn the deaths of and even separation from those they love, even shedding tears over their loss. The mother-calf bond is particularly strong, and there are countless reports of mother cows who continue to frantically call and search for their babies after the calves have been taken away and sold to veal or beef farms.

6. There is an entire system to all of this

You may not be aware of this (actually if you're one of the people who believe the propaganda I'm sure you're not), but there really is an entire system to how this is handled. Pilot whales are not actively hunted and no one is out searching for them, trying to find a nice group of whales to kill. If they are spotted by someone, "Pilot Whale Foremen" - who are experts in the area - are informed and they have to judge whether the whales are close enough to shore, if the direction of the winds and currents are appropriate to ensure that it's easy to drive the whale onto a beach, but not just any beach: the beach has to have been specifically approved for pilot whale killing. If all of these requirements (and probably more that I'm unaware of) aren't met, the killings do not happen. If they are and the whales are driven onto shore, everything is monitored by officials and there's a whole system to all of that too. If it looks "savage" it's because people are bending over backwards to kill the whales as quickly as possible to ensure the least possible amount of stress. Killing something so you can eat it doesn't necessarily mean a lack of respect for the life and integrity of the animal (unless you're vegan or just don't eat meat, in which case I - yet again - welcome your criticism).

7. This is the ultimate in "free range" meat

These whales live free lives right up until they are killed. They swim freely in the ocean, they eat what they're supposed to eat, and they are not bred for the purpose of being eaten. Faroese agriculture in general is one of the best in the world. Sheep roam freely around the islands, contrary to most countries where farm animals live on top of each other in enclosures so small even an ant would get claustrophobic.


How all pilot whales that are killed by the Faroese live up until their deaths.

8. Look at yourselves and reflect

Do you even know what is going on in your own countries? If you're Danish check out this link. If you're American read this book or watch any undercover video by PETA. If you're from a more "exotic" location where poachers hunt animals to extinction for their tusks, horns, or fur I'm sure you can agree you have more important things to focus on.


How many cows live for great parts of their life. Go on, judge. Did you know, that animal behaviorists have found that cows interact in socially complex ways, developing friendships over time and sometimes holding grudges against other cows who treat them badly.



Why do the Faroe Islands receive this kind of attention for what they do? Is it merely because of the lies and propaganda, or is it because you want somewhere to point your finger, somewhere to direct your attention, so you don't have to think about where that burger you're about to eat really comes from?


Good boy.


If you'd like to know more about whaling press this link here.
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Yours,



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