crushes
Space men, Thug Kitchen, Luck of the Irish…
Mar 20th
*turns around slowly* Oh hello there, friend. I didn’t see you come in… to my blog…
You guys know Bobak, right? Bobak Ferdowsi?
As in the brilliant-hot flight director on the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity mission / “NASA Mohawk Guy” supermeme I covered (multiple times) at work / boy I told you I was going to marry on this here blog last August? SPACE BIEBER OF SUMMER 2012?!?
I randomly walked into him on Saturday under the St. Party’s Day tents. Talk about luck of the Irish, eh?
I could barely believe my eyes. What are the chances that a) some superfamous NASA rockstar would be chilling out in Toronto on (day before) St. Patrick’s day? b) that I’d run into him and c) that he’d be cool and kind enough to let me talk his ear off about how much I love Curiosity’s adventures, and then take some pictures with me.
I don’t even care that my eyes are pink and my tongue is green. ‘TWAS THE SEASON.
I haven’t fangirled that hard since I met moot, which would probably be weird to you if you knew of all the band guys and actor guys I’d interviewed since then. Not even a humble brag — I just really get excited over smart people. SPASE PEEPOLE.
Thursday’s night’s episode of CBC Live Online was pretty amazing.
Big ups to producer Fabiola Carletti for giving me a chance to speak with retired astronaut Dave Williams, Edward Tabarah of the Canadian Space Agency, and Chris Hadfield’s son / social media manager Evan Hadfield on the day that Canada (okay, a Canadian commander) took control of the ISS!
That experience, combined with rogue fashion week activities, solid hangouts with funny friends, some cool stories at work and… some other stuff… made for a really good week. It’s been a rough month and it’s been nice to get my head up out of that fog a bit. Fingers crossed that the swing keeps ticking up?
*sigh* time will tell.
Here are some more photos from St. Patrick’s weekend if you’re into the Green&Green&Green&Green&Green…
P.S. Thug Kitchen is my new food bible. Peep this healthy shhh:
Parody of the year: I’m Farming and I grow it (+ Maslow’s revamped heirarchy of needs)
Jul 7th
The Peterson Farm Brothers > LMFAO. Seriously, these clever and strapping young farm boys from Kansas or some place like that just put Berry Gordy’s offspring to shame.
In fact, I’m so impressed with the Peterson Farm Bros right now that I think they should be called LMFAO from now on.
The acronym can stand for something different, of course. “Livestock makes fertilizer all organic” or “Like my farming apron, Oprah?” or “Let’s Milk Foals And Oxen.”
Except maybe not that last one, because I don’t think it’s actually possible to milk a baby horse… or an ox, since they’re almost always male.
But I digress.
This videos has raked in almost 5 million views in less than two weeks on YouTube and actually prompted me to google “How to become a farmer.”
Congratulations, boys! Google has lead me to believe that I don’t have what it takes to be a farmer, but I LOVE being outside, am great with baby animals, and could probably learn how to bake a pie, so if you’re looking for a wife or a farm-crasher or something… Hollah.
I’m off to an early sleep tonight. Big morning tomorrow! But before I go, please enjoy this new and improved version of Maslow’s Heirarchy of needs:
That would be hilarious if it weren’t actually true. For the very same reason though, this picture is genuinely funny:
Shashashasha…
OH! AND HAPPY CATURDAY from laurenoutloud, Kurt Cobain, and Kurt Cobain’s kitty cat friends:
#RealMenLoveCats
Money is the anthem of success, so put on mascara and your party dress…
Jul 2nd
When I first heard that Lana Del Rey would be playing both Marilyn Monroe and Jackie O. to A$AP Rocky’s JFK in her new video for National Anthem, I was like… “ew.”
And then I saw the video.
Believe me guize, I WANTED to hate this — Really, I did.
Perhaps I wanted it to dislike it because the L.A. Times told me to, or because trout mouthed betches drive me crazy, or because A$AP Rocky and Lana Del Rey wearing those square shades and that white mailot (respectively) in a video that looks like it was shot through a rotating series of Instagram filters is just more hipster culture than I can handle in 7 minutes and 41 seconds? I’m not sure.
The fact is, I don’t hate it. I really, really like it.
I think it’s beautifully shot and cut together, fuzes contemporary culture with nostalgia nicely, and tells a charming story. Not to mention the fact that this song is just dope as heck.
Also, as one astute commenter on Hypebeast noted (quite accurately, imho), “anything A$AP is touching in 2012 is fire… ”
True story. You heard this yet?
I’ll stop there and let you judge the video for yourself. Reviews have been mixed and, of course, there’s plenty of controversy over the whole “recreating history” thing (See Complex’s shot-by-shot photographical inspiration piece on the video here.)
There’s no doubt in my mind Del Rey (or whoever controls her career) knew exactly what she was doing. Homegirl’s never had a hard time getting press, ja? Good on her.
She’s exactly the type of artist I’d love to hate… if only I could stop liking her so damn much.
Talent Crush: Fun Time Internet’s “Say Yes to the Pants”
May 29th
That is actually and undoubtedly the best thing I’ve seen online all blerrdy week (okay, the second best thing)– and that’s saying a lot, this being the fokking INTERNET and all.
Fah! In the past 24 hours alone, I’ve seen Spiderman pop tarts, a pot that stirs itself, this guy and a bunch of freaking robots dancing to MJ’s thriller. Also, this:
I had to Google this Fun Time Internet crew after watching that because I was all humour-swooning and WHAT DO I FIND?
Not only are they Canadian, not only are they Torontonian, they’re… well, no. That’s it. That’s as far down as it. They’re from the same city as meeeeeeeee!
Uh, anyhoo, I like that video. I like ih’ a loh’.
I’ve got to go now because my lunch break is OVER and even if it wasn’t, I should stop before I freak these poor guys out with my fangirlism any more. Please enjoy this cute PSA about online predators in my absence:
Love,
Lauren “Not a creepy rapist” O’Nizzle
Sweet Brown gets autotuned and I dream of Jeannie(‘s ponytail)
Apr 23rd
If you liked Backin’ up, Backin’ up, Backin up (and who didn’t? WHO DIDN’T?!) you’re going to looooove the Sweet Brown remix:
Is that not a really, really good song? Even out of context, the soulful mix is dope. And the video? Well…
‘Nuff said. And if you don’t know who Sweet Brown is, watch the original viral video here:
Anyhoo, Antoine Dodson Sweet Brown is totally famous for another 15 seconds thanks to that remix, and I’ve got a new morning hype-track for another day or so (I’ve already been jamming to this for 10 so… ya know.)
Speaking of news memes though, did you know that Antoine Dodson is going to be at ROFLcon this year? Well OBBBBVIOUSLY he is. Everybody is. Including ME, WEEEEEE!
I’m going to run and tell that homeboy how much Canada loves him if I get a chance. Maybe Sweet Brown will come too. That would be gravy.
I put some purple in my hair this evening. With chalk.
It’s faint and only in the bangs. I’m going to go nuts with some turquoise later this week, but only on the ends, a la Kate Bosworth:
You know what’s fun on a Sunday night? Watching cheesy Raven-Symoné movies and teasing the heck out of your hair.
BIG PONYTAIL!
Oh oh oh, hold up now – what is THIS? I started watching this “Jane By Design” show on Netflix and I’m madly in love, not even 10 minutes in. HI BILLY:
Google tells me his real name is Nick Roux and that he’s a total Disney kid. Blergh. This gen’s Chad Michael Murray circa One Tree Hill season 1. *sigh*
Hehe, Oh Chad! Stop!
I’ve got to go to bed now…
PS – In case you were wondering, Sweet Brown finally got her cold pop! Awwww…
Jack and Rose could have both fit on that plank, guys…
Apr 19th
THEY BOTH COULD HAVE FITTTTAHHHH-AHHH-AHHH-AHHH….vWAHHHHHHH!!!!
*instrumental Titanic music (without the stupid Celine Dion part) starts*
OoooOoooOooooooo, OoooOoooOoooOooOoooOOOOOOOO…
OooOooOoooooOooooOoooo….
Oooo… Nahhh… Nah NAAAAH-ver you are….
I BELIEVE IN MY HEART AND…
MY HEART WILL…
*record scratch*
Oh. Sheet. Nevermind.
I won’t let you go Jack… even if you get old and skeezy and kind of fat.
Let’s share this moment of lambitty goodness together, all of us.
KTHXBYE!
Pay the Writer: Harlan Ellison’s Rant and Hattie Stewart’s Magazine Illustrations
Feb 6th
Hay friends! Stop drooling over that for a second. We’ll get to Hattie, but first up is HARLAN. Big ups to my office-pal Rob for sharing this gem at work this morning:
RIGHT?
Harlan Ellison is a hugely successful American science fiction writer. He’s brand new to me, but I love him already. That fire, that passion, that refusal to be taken advantage of. I admire that kind of gusto and sincerely hope I have the courage to be more like him one day.
You can read some of Ellison’s short stories here, and I recommend that you DO. Who would you rather take reading recommendations from? Oprah Winfrey or some Canadian chick who irons her cuffs with a hair straightener most of the time?
You know who else I love? Hattie Stewart. Also new to me, but her style is 110 per cent *UMPH*. This is the shick I see in my head when I have sweet dreams:
Hattie is a young and higggghly succesful artist living in London (the real one). Her illustrated magazine covers are blowing up the web today and with good reason. They are, to paraphrase your grandmother, the bomb sheezy.
My entire blog could be about showcasing the talents of other people. Maybe one day it will be.
Here’s Eric Cartman, IRL. Now that is talent, maybe.
via Reddit, obvs
Nizzle, OUT.
Girl Crush Trifecta: Azealia Banks, Mandy Maynard and BitchesGottaEat.
Jan 10th
Oi, ickle biddies. Happy “It’s not Monday anymore”
That young lass is Miss Azealia Banks: a delightfully foul-mouthed rap chick extraordinaire and self-professed “Rap Larry David” hailing from Harlem.
Maybe you’ve heard of her? She’s blowing and blowing and blowitting UP right meow. Has been for a while I guess.
Photo by Matt Barnes
I remember seeing her name pop up round the webs a while back (actually, I think I discovered her first on Matt Barnes’ portfolio), but never took the time to check her out. After finally seeing this video, I very much regret that. It’s sick as that pale kid from the Secret Garden, holy man:
MRAOW! Imma ruin you ____….
That fooking BEAT-t-t-t-t. She’s got flow, too. Raunchy as sin, cute as a puppet. My kind of rapper 
Photo by Matt Barnes
I also kind of love how openly disses her competition whenever she gets the chance (no disrespect to Kreayshawn or Nicki, both of whom I know read this blog religiously.) Starting feuds is stupid, right? Except for when it’s not.
Anyhoo, I’m glad I finally gave Ms. Banks a thorough creep. I can feel cool calling myself a fan right now while she still in that “post-Internet famous but pre-hit single on the radio” zone.
GIRL CRUSH 2 = A Chicago blogger named Samantha that I know little about other than the fact that she’s the coolest person on Earth right now. Please read this hilariously poignant post. Well worth the time spent, I promise.
GAHDDAMNIT READ A BOOK, BOYS!
GIRL CRUSH 3 = Mandy Maynard, who I also stumbled upon tonight after catching this “Hunger Games parody video she created on The Mary Sue.
I can honestly say that I like it one thousand times more than the original because a) it’s awesome b) HUNGER GAMES and c) The original is creepy as hell.
What kind of guy would actually get himself blown up for a girl and then have the nerve to be angry with her for not wanting to do the same? Bruno Mars. That’s who.
Oh. The lineup for Coachella was released today…
Is it a sign that I’m losing my cool if I think this year is kind of “meh” (save for day 3, which rules entirely)?
The Twitter kids are all “OH EM GEE AMAZEBALLSZZZSSS, THE BLACK BEARDS AND UNITARDLET! TOGETHER AT LAST!” but I’m not into many of the bands performing on the first two days. Sorry Pitchfork.
That said, I’ll still go if I can swing it.
How sick would it be to see Snoop and Dr. Dre In Califor-nigh-yay? And the mysterious prince of TO hype-music himself? Snning among legions of sweaty young bathing suit clad thangs in the middle of nowhere…
The vlogs… the vlogs! The videos and street-style snaps would be legendary. You should hire me to cover it for you, magazine editor / website editor / newspaper editor / TV show producer.
Rolling Stone Managing Editor? I’m a good journalist, I am…
I was, at least, before I sold out to ad-land.
Anyhoo, I just finished shooting an unboxing video for my sweet new Tassimo brewer! The love is already strong. You’ll see it in a couple of days if you come on back here. Until then, here’s a photo of WILLIE’s experience with the Tassimo(‘s box):
Cats. Drats. Cat Tats.
That’s that.
“
RIP Jack Layton: Video Professor, Stache Master, Coolest Politician in Canada
Aug 23rd
Kagan McLeod for National Post
In the rally against solitary moustaches, I have long maintained that only two men on earth can successfully rock the lone caterpillar look: Ned Flanders and Jack Layton (nice try though, Lindsay)
Sadly, this morning the beloved Canadian politician succumbed to his battle with Cancer, leaving one fictional Springfieldian to carry the bur-diddly-urden of bringing back the stache.
I’m Sorry for making light of death. That’s what I do when I’m sad or uncomfortable… and I really am sad about this. I know it’s sadness because Layton’s final letter to Canadians made me feel like I should cry. I will, once it sets in that he is actually gone.
The first time I saw Jack Layton in the flesh was at Toronto’s Pride Parade in 2007. He was wearing orange and dancing his heart out, waving to all of us sidewalk gawkers with a huge smile on his face.
Me: “Hey Look! Video Professor is gay! I had no idea!”
Friend: “Dude, that’s Jack Layton…”
Me: “JACK LAYTON IS THE VIDEO PROFESSOR! How have I never noticed this before? Sweet…”
Jack Layton was not the video professor and while it is unclear to me at this time WHO bit WHO’s style, I like to think that Layton is the OG. Homeboy has multiple Facebook groups dedicated to his moustache alone – and he was quite the nerdboy hottie way back when:
I could go on and on about why Jack Layton was the coolest party leader my generation has ever seen – how he actually had the foresight and the passion to engage his younger constituents, unlike many other politicians – but people with far more time and talent than I have already done that in spades.
Instead, I shall share with you the link to this massive Toronto Star Jack Layton photo gallery and another link to the Canadian Cancer Society‘s website. Learn about cancer, fight against cancer, help make the future a better place.
FreddeGredde Does The Simpsons
Mar 16th
Oh my love.
Do you remember a couple of months ago when I blogged about Swedish Youtube star FreddeGredde and the TV theme show medleys he does with his *sigh* guitar?
My future husband is at it again, folks, and if there was ever any doubt in my mind that we weren’t 100% perfect for each other before, it’s as gone as this jug o’ginger ale in front of me is about to be. I’m hella thirsty and swooning hard.
Brace yourselves ladies and gents! Freddie Gredde tackles some of Springfield’s finest songs ( “Happy Birthday, Lisa,” the Be Sharps’ hit single “Baby on Board,” “The Monorail Song,” “We Do (The Stonecutters’ Song),” “Canyonero,” “We’re Talkin’ Softball,” “Who Needs the Qwik-E-Mart?,” and Mr. Plow)
Based on his song selection, I’d wager to say Mr. Gredde has his hands on this CD – the very same one that I used to sing along with while I cleaned my bedroom on Saturday mornings as a kid, and later while I drove my car as an older kid:
I remember choreographing entire tracks from that disc in hopes of organizing a full-scale Simpsons musical at my elementary school. Needless to say it didn’t fly. Keep in mind that this was the school that axed me from the talent show for auditioning with the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s theme song because rap music was too racy for white suburban Ontario school teachers in 1996. Bitches.
St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow! Blog ya then.
Love,
Lauren O’Gredde
