Monday, August 29, 2011

Anderson Cooper @Google Talks & A Post Grad Reflection

I often watch (and find great joy in) these @Google Talks, so imagine my excitement when I heard Anderson Cooper would be on to promote his new daytime talk show, Anderson. I am a huge fan of the silver fox, and I'm still sad that our paths never crossed when I worked at CNN. I've somehow convinced my (deluded) self that if we met, he'd decide that we would have to become bffs. Come on, Anderson! We're biffles! I've been known to giggle like a high-pitched girl too, except I am a girl. But that's beside the point.



At around the 12:00 mark, he starts talking about his college experience and his life post-graduation. He made the comment that he didn't find his college experience that fulfilling and that he didn't understand why people always say college is the best four years of their lives. I often have that same thought and I've spent a long time reflecting on my own experience, trying to pick apart decisions that led to taking classes, making friends, etc., and I always somehow end up blaming myself for thinking it wasn't that great. Like Anderson says, it was okay, but if that was the greatest four years of your life, then you're screwed. College is like a timewarp where you put your life on hold in a little bubble, and spend time studying abstract theories, memorizing facts like your life depended on it, and scribbling in blue books like you were writing an epic novel. Sprinkle in (or heavily douse) some lame fratboy kegger parties with too many drinks and too little regrets, and you have yourself the typical college experience. Come graduation, you have high hopes and big dreams. Fast forward a couple of months later, and you wonder if you'll ever use your political science degree for anything even remotely related to what you want in life, and where you and your dreams fit into the whole workplace/world. I think I missed the course on what do after college and how to cope when letter grades and GPAs don't mean a thing in the real world.

Nothing like a mild dose of self-deprecation for a Monday!

Anderson then goes on to say that A) his political science degree was basically useless (hey, guess who else majored in poli sci?) and B) upon graduation, he made a list of the things he wanted in life.

Here's my list (roughly):
  1. Happy life. This is a work in progress.
  2. Travel. I'd love to see you, ____ (Tokyo, Milan, Paris, Sydney, etc. etc.).
  3. Own french bulldog(s).
  4. Keep and nurture longlasting friendships and relationships. I'd also at some point, like a totally gratuitous, self-indulgent Sex and the City montage. I'm talking about the clothes, shoes, bags, and the strut down 5th Ave. This may or may not include my male buddies.
  5. Live in New York.
  6. Discover L.A. I've lived here all my life, but the city is still a stranger to me.
  7. Learn to love myself, imperfections and all.
  8. Learn to love the gym.
  9. Find the perfect place to call home, and then decorate it with reckless abandon.
  10. Achieve the perfect, no fuss, no muss, roll out of bed hair by actually rolling out of bed, not by spending 1 hour with an arsenal of product, tools, and growing frustration.
  11. Visit (or work) on a television or movie set.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

The Royal Totoraums



This is pretty much the best thing ever.

via Fanartica

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Missoni x Target Full Lookbook; Wallet Already on Fire..

I am in trouble. My credit card is already starting to smoke.. poor thing.

My only gripe is that so much of the collection is only available online! Come on, Target! I need immediate satisfaction.

There are about a bagillion products, so head over to Nitrolicious to get a full look at the lookbook, including prices. Missoni for Target hits stores September 13. It's so close, I can taste it!

Things I clearly need:

Cardigan, $49.99:


Skirt, $39.99:


Sweater Coat, $79.99:



Rainboots, $34.99:



Scarf, $24.99:


Clearly, there's a trend here. If I could deck out my walls in Missoni print, I would.

Duvet and Pillow Sham Set, $99.99


Quilt, $39.99. THIS QUILT IS AMAZE.



Serving trays, $19.99-$24.99:



Espresso Set, $39.99:



Wood Frame, $12.99:



6 Pack File Folders, $4.99, File Sorter, $9.99. I don't know why I need these, but I just do, okay?!



Sweater Box, $14.99:



I bet you'd want to come over to my house if I let you ride my Missoni bike and lounge on my tres chic patio sectional.

Awesome bike, $399.99:


Patio Sectional, $599.99

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Missoni x Target Lookbook Preview

Thanks to Nitrolicious, we now have a first look at the Missoni x Target lookbook. They weren't kidding when they said the collection would include 400+ items from a wide variety of household and clothing departments. I'm feeling some of these pieces, but I'm a little underwhelmed. I think I need that stack of coffee cups in my life, though.

Also, a legit serious question. Is a $400 Missoni bike frivolous? I need that in my life, right?

Just kidding, guys. I'm a responsible adult! Obviously I'm smarter than that and I'm going to get that lone $430 Hello Kitty bike sitting in the corner of the Sanrio store I've been obsessively eying for over a year now. Everytime I see that friggin' bike I start to squee! and the thought of actually biking everywhere creeps into my head for just a second. It's just a second, though. I'd probably die of exhaustion 200 feet away from my house.

Missoni for Target launches September 13. You all better get in line behind me at the housewares department. Check out the rest of the sneak peak of the Missoni lookbook at Nitrolicious.












Currently:



This pretty much sums up my mood to a T right about now.

To preface: I'm on yet another job search. My contract expiration date at work is nearing, and soon I'll be out on the street, begging for job-sized scraps once more. That's not too much to ask, is it? College education schmeducation.

Speaking of, I got a call from a sweet, young student from the UCSD alumni office last week asking for a donation. She was perfectly nice, but girl, please. First of all, if UCSD had actually helped me find a job post-graduation, sure, maybe. Second of all, girl, please.

Also, sidebar: I kind of love how they train the people in the office who have to make cold calls for alumni donations. They start off with this really chipper tone, and then ask about your life, how you're doing, and all that jazz (i.e. charm you into thinking your life is totally awesome now, even though it's a little far left of awesome, and a little more mediocre). Then they thinly veil the premise of the phone call with a contact information update and mention of the alumni events schedule. Yeah, okay, right. Like I don't know where this is going. And just when you think you can politely hang up, they start hounding you for donations. And you know what? You can't just say no because then you seem like a total jerk. So you've got to indulge them, right up until the point when they make you feel guilty for not being able to donate a measly $100 for their fantastic establishment. Oh, I'm sorry, UCSD! I didn't realize that the thousands upon thousands of dollars I spent on a piece of paper simply wasn't enough. Oops. Here's another $50. Can we call it even now?

Okay, Bitter Betty is cutting herself off.