Mix Tape Monday: Somebody That I Used to Know

My friend Ryan posted this on Facebook a few days ago. Let's mix it up this week. Watch the video first, then let's discuss.




I think the song is great. But what really keeps reeling me in is the video. Here's why:

Rumpelstiltskin (played by Robert Carlyle)

1. The geometry and colors is vivid and intoxicating.
2. I'm fascinated by his teeth.
3. I keep thinking he looks like Rumpelstiltskin/Mr. Gold in Once Upon a Time. 
4. His mouth is really wide. Probably in order to fit those crazy teeth.
5. And yet, I'm still kind of attracted.
6. Kimbra is so pretty. Dang it.
7. Her green neck makes me think she's some type of amphibian. Is that weird? It's even enhanced when she sort of slithers over to him.
8. The whole thing is pretty awkward, but I can't look away. How does it do that?
9. Both of their voices make me super jealous.
10. You can totally tell he's checking out her boobs at the end. I just cheapened it, didn't I? Oh well. Saucy.
11. It opens up an interesting debate; is it wrong to cut yourself off from an ex? Or is it just part of the healing process? Changing your number might be a little extreme for a run-of-the-mill breakup, but I unfriended my ex on Facebook and have never gone out of my way to reconnect. Break-ups are hard, because you generally have shared a big part of your life with that person, and I don't see a problem with trying to head off the pain. Unless the union resulted in a child, there's no law that states you still have to talk to your ex.

Here's another video (a live version) and then the lyrics, if you want them.

Somebody That I Used to Know by Gotye (Featuring Kimbra)

Now and then I think of when we were together
Like when you said you felt so happy you could die
Told myself that you were right for me
But felt so lonely in your company
But that was love and it's an ache I still remember


You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness
Like resignation to the end
Always the end
So when we found that we could not make sense
Well you said that we would still be friends
But I'll admit that I was glad that it was over


But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened
And that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger
And that feels so rough
You didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records
And then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know


Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over
But had me believing it was always something that I'd done
And I don't wanna live that way
Reading into every word you say
You said that you could let it go 
And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know...


But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened
And that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger
And that feels so rough
You didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records
And then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know


I used to know
That I used to know

Why is fat a bad word?

Last night I made what I thought was a witty comment on Facebook that did not receive the response I expected. In my comment, I referred to myself as a fat girl. This was not intended to be self deprecating, nor was I expressing shame at who I am. I know how hard I've been working out. I won't be fat forever, I just am right now. It's a fact. Nothing more.
So why did I receive the criticism? The reasons I thought up was that maybe people misread my remark as me being sensitive about my weight. Or maybe they felt I was making fun of fat people (I wasn't).

Whatever the reason, it became very clear that "fat" is just a bad word, even when you're talking about yourself. And this makes me kind of sad.

I especially get sad when I read fashion magazines and find the advice for "all shapes and sizes" to be horribly deficient. They have models who are skinny, tall, curvy, bootylicious, and boobylicious, but some of us aren't any of those. Some of us are simply fat. Even the self improvement magazines like Self and Shape can't throw us Works in Progress a bone, even though they know we make up a large part of their readership. I know what will look good in me when I get thin; but what can I wear when I'm not quite there yet? The term "plus size"  and "shapely" just sound dregrading and decietful, too. I'm not saying we should go around calling everyone fatties. That would be rude. But sometimes the other words out there aren't correct. Why can't we just call it like it sometimes is: fat?

UPDATE:
For the record, this is what I said, and thank you to eHarmony for understanding my meaning.

11 Movies to Watch For

1. 

"Upside Down": An otherworldly romance starring Kirsten Dunst and Jim Sturgess. Just look at those colors.

2.

"Snow White & the Huntsman": You'll probably laugh at me for this one, but I think it looks awesome and Chris Hemsworth is extremely attractive.

3.

"The Hunger Games": I just finished reading this book and it was quite good. I liked Jennifer Lawrence in X-Men First Class, so I think I will really like her as Katniss. I watched some BTS last night with my friend and it showed her training and doing some stunts. She has really put a lot of work into it, and I respect that.

4.

"Apart": This film looks so interesting and haunting. I have a feeling it's going to leave me feeling similarly to "After Life" - like my brain has just been fucked. Pardon my French. Couldn't think of a better way to express that.

5.

"Salmon Fishing in the Yemen": It's been a while since I've cared about Ewan McGregor. This, however, looks quite good. And I'm always pleased by the performances of Emily Blunt (even in "Gulliver's Travels").

6.

"The Five-Year Engagement": Another Emily Blunt. It probably won't be the greatest movie of all time but I'm pretty easily amused and it looks like something that could give me a few chuckles.

7.

"Seeking a Friend for the End of the World": Ditto. Plus, I am rarely let down by Keira Knightley's choice in roles. 

8.

"The Avengers": Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans,...I might need to watch this one by myself.

9.

"The Amazing Spider-Man": Because who wouldn't love Andrew Garfield in tights and Emma Stone in blonde? Plus, I still loves me some Spidey. I'm a geek. Get over it.

10.

"On the Road": This just looks like a great cast and it's Jack Kerouac, so come on!

11. 

"American Reunion": Gang's all here!

Frank Turner Friday: The Road

from Sarah

So, a week ago I got to see Frank Turner live; he did not disappoint. As I said on Monday, he ended the night with Queen's "Somebody to Love." I was really impressed with how well he and band The Sleeping Souls covered it. Especially the guitar solo; nicely done. Anyway, we (my friend Sarah and I) got to meet him after the show and he was very friendly and pleasant. I have to give him props for managing to stay so down to earth amongst so many drunk people hanging on him.

Me and Frank. Geez, he's tall.

We had positioned ourselves fairly close to the stage and we were up on a step so that we could see over some very large gentlemen up front. Some kids squeezed themselves in front of us and one of them was so close to me that I could see his dandruff inches in front of my face. The back of his head was eclipsing my vision. I told him, "Dude, you're way too tall to be right in front of me," and he graciously moved away and apologized.

from Sarah

Sarah and I had a great time and we were both getting a little crazy. I was pretty much shouting every lyric I knew while jumping up and down, and Sarah was shamelessly dancing to her hearts content. I could tell some of the people around us were a little unnerved by our behavior but I think most people understood we were just having a good time and encouraged it. I mean, that's what going to shows is all about, right?

One of the songs in his set was, "The Road," and it got the everyone in the audience moving. Sarah and I weren't the only ones dancing crazy then. It's one of my favorites. Here it is:

Gold.

"The Road" by Frank Turner
To the east to the east
The road beneath my feet
To the west to the west
I haven't got there yet
And to the north to the north
Never to be caught
To the south to the south
My time is running out


Ever since my childhood I've been scared I've been afraid
Of being trapped by circumstance and staying in one place
So I always keep a small bag full of clothes carefully stored
Somewhere secret somewhere safe
And somewhere close to the door


Well I've traveled many countries I've washed my feet in many seas
I've drunk with grifters in Vienna and with punks in old dc
And I've driven across deserts driven by the irony
That only being shackled to the the road could ever I be free


To the east to the east
The road beneath my feet
To the west to the west
I haven't got there yet
And to the north to the north
Never to be caught
To the south to the south
My time is running out


I've felt old before my time but now I keep the age away
By burning up the miles and yeah by filling up my days
And the nights a thousand nights I've played
And a thousand more to go
Before I take a breath and steal myself
For the next one thousand shows


To the east to the east
The road beneath my feet
To the west to the west
I haven't got there yet
And to the north to the north
Never to be caught
To the south to the south
My time is running out


Yes so saddle up your horses now and keep your powder dry
Cause the truth is you won't be here long
Yeah soon your going to die
To the heart, to the heart there's no time for you to waste
You wont find your precious answers now by staying in one place
Yeah by giving up the chase


To the east to the east
The road beneath my feet
To the west to the west
I haven't got there yet
And to the north to the north
Never to be caught
To the south to the south
My time is running out
To the south to the south
My time is running out
To the south to the south
My time is running out


I face the horizon everywhere I go
I face the horizon the horizon is my home
I face the horizon everywhere I go
I face the horizon the horizon is my home