Unleash the power of Vitamin Water!

Here's a hilarious stand-up comedy bit on vitamin water I just had to share:

And if you thought YOU were bad at spelling bee's...

Tagged! (I'm exhausted after finishing this)

This thing is EVERYWHERE, isn't it? It's spreading like a deadly virus! Anyway, Aysh from Meow Meow tagged me. Yes, I'm speading the deadly virus :)

The rules: (Which I'm sure everyone knows by now!)

Rule#1: Put the rules on your blog.

Rule#2: Every person tagged should tell 11 things about themselves, answer the 11 questions asked by the one that tagged you, tag 11 other people and ask them 11 different questions.

Rule#3: Let the people whom you tagged know you've done so.

Rule#4: Don't tag anyone who's been tagged before.

Rule#5: Really do tag 11 others, don't go all ''if you want to take this tag''
11 Random things about myself:

1) I looove classic black and white horror movies and thrillers like Pyscho. I'd rather watch something psychological and terrifying than gory movies.

2) I've decided that the first thing to do after I'm married is to travel the whole world! No going back on this whatsoever.

3) I love Spongebob! <3 I still watch cartoons from time to time.

4) I'm not fond of people who don't have manners (Saying please, thank you and excuse me never hurt anyone). I have a habit of instantly saying sorry even though it's not my fault.

5) I dreamed of being an all star athelete, whatever the sport. This is why I always join sports teams eventhough I'm not great at any sport. Hell, I even tried out for sports I never even played before (Yay for field hockey and lacrosse!).

6) I have a billion nicknames which I won't be mentioning here.

7) I'm more fluent in my second language (English) than my native language, Telugu which is a south indian language.

8) I love Leonardo Dicaprio. He's brilliant. I think his best role is in Blood Diamond. Damn, I love all his movies! Did I mention how amazing he is?

The best looking man on the planet :) Yes, I had to include a picture.

9) Number 6 and 3 are my lucky numbers. I choose these numbers for anything, like microwaving leftovers for exactly 63 seconds. Weird, I know.

10) I'm a virgo!

11) My favorite chocolate bar is a milkybar, which is a pure white chocolate candy bar but I do eat any kind of chocolate offered to me :)

11 Questions I answered:

If you could change one thing about yourself physically, what would you change?

I'd change my height. I'm like 5'10 and I wish to be a couple of inches shorter.

If you had to choose one song to listen to everyday for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Tough question since I get sick of songs easily. I think 'Drops of Jupiter'.

If a wizard randomly appeared, and offered you the gift of immortality, would you take it and why?

Hell no! This would mean I'd outlive all my loved ones and friends. I'm not good at dealing with deaths, it tears me apart.

If you could be one character from a book/comic/movie, who would you be?

I want to be Blair from Gossip girl. She's gorgeous. Not to mention young, powerful and wealthy!

Red lorry or Yellow lorry?

Red!

What's your favourite type of food (curry, chinese, italian etc.) 

I love indian food and hakka chinese. Anything really spicy and flavorful actually!

Are some people born evil, or is it a learnt behaviour?

I think it's a learnt behavior but maybe some are more prone to evil than others.

Who is your hero? Why?

Sachin Tendulkar, a cricket player. He's just so inspirational and hard working.

What was your favourite subject in school?

Gym class! I loved playing dodgeball.

Do you think animals have consciousness like we humans do? Do they have a sense of selfhood, and are they aware of their feelings and experiences?

Yes, I think so but maybe not all animals. I think they are aware of feelings and experiences. How else can animals like dogs, cats and even domestic animals like cows, sheep and goats be so loyal and loving, right?

 Do you believe in Aliens?

No, not yet.


My 11 questions:

1) What's your favorite place?

2) If you had to marry a celebrity, who would it be?

3) Do you want a twin?

4) How long is your oldest friendship?

5) What's your greatest achievement?

6) If you could only talk to one person for the rest of your life, who would it be?

7) Socks and sandles- yes or no?

8) Choose your power: Mind reading or invisibility?

9) What's your method of transportation?

10) Favorite book?

11) Facebook, twitter or neither? Why?

11 People I tagged:

Raphael

Magiceye

Rads

Jen  (The Butterfly Effect)

ItsReallyJenny

Raj

Birdy

Garima

Sakshi Singh

Rob Z Tobor

Anthony

Happy Tuesday!

What? It'sValentine's day? I had no idea, especially with everyone prancing around with red roses in my university but for me, it's just a regular tuesday more or less. Anyway, Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! For those who hate Valentine's day for any reason, Happy Tuesday!! <3 Happy anything, really. Just be happy!

Check out Google's super adorable animation today for Valentine's day! It's so sweet, I loved it.

Here's something awesome I came across today which I personally experienced myself (All three scenarios!)
Note: I don't take any credit for these cartoons!

Visit theoatmeal.com for more!

Could this really be the return of the woolly mammoth?

The Sun recently revealed a "jaw-dropping" live footage of what people claim as a live woolly mammoth! The video, taken last summer in Siberia, became somewhat of a viral phenonmenon striking lots of interest online. Firstly, this is news from The Sun and everyone knows 'The Sun' isn't exactly considered as a legit source. Secondly, the video is so hazy and blurry, it might as well be a dirty elephant that rolled around in mud..or anything!

Watch it for yourself and let me know what you think.

Thankfully, most people aren't gullible enough to fall for this. Here are the two theories that emerged from online discussions:

1) It's fake, the 'woolly mammoth' was digitally manipulated and the video is intentionally blurry.
2) It's a real video but it's just a wild grizzly bear with a fish in its mouth.

Which theory do you believe?  Do you have your own ideas on what this creature is?

For those who are interested in this topic, check out this interesting article here on whether science is capable of cloning a woolly mammoth or click here to learn about this fasinating creature. Both are great reads!

(Source)

The stupidest invention ever?

Why waste time on a washroom break when you can use this?  For more images, click here

It's exactly what it looks like...It's the 'Gotta-Go-Briefcase'! I couldn't stop laughing when I first heard about this but yes, it's real.

Japan's Niban Too Corporation invented the briefcase to maximize employee efficiency in the business world. Features include a cup holder, a mirror, a hand sanitizing dispenser, and room for a newspaper. Best of all, the briefcase is water proof, made with quality Mahogany leather and a stainless steel bowl.

How much weight can it hold? (I'm sure everyone's dying to know!) Approximately 175 lbs! If you go over the limit, be warned! The waste tank can break down, disgusting smell (obviously!) and other things can occur that I really don't want to imagine.

If business professionals are so strapped for time that they resort to using this, it shows that someone needs a vacation from work!
(Source)

Competitive Eating at its best

How many chicken wings can you eat in half an hour? before your stomach tells you ENOUGH!

 A competitive eating champion, Takeru Kobayashi ate an astonishing 337 chicken wings in 30 minutes at this year's Philadelphia wing bowl. That's 152 more chicken wings than the previous title holder, Jonathan Squibb!

The grand prize for his grand feat? Kobayashi left $20,000 richer.

Looks like the man's still hungry!

This isn't his only huge win; Kobayashi has a huge record of such achievements! He can eat 14 twinkies in a minute, 69 hotdogs in 60 seconds, set a record for most turkey eaten in 10 minutes, and claims the title for gobbling down 43 pizza slices in 12 minutes among others. Impressive huh?

By the way, this guy isn't even chubby! He's 5'8 and weighs only 128 lbs according to his official website.

Who said you can't be fit and an accomplished competitive eater?

I always wondered how profession competitive eaters can still be in shape! So I did some research and a site mentioned overweight people cannot eat as fast or consume as much as normal people (source). I also found an informative video where a competitive eater answered lots of questions.

The video below reveals lots of frequently asked questions about competitive eating. Questions we all want to know, like "Do people puke at competitive eating contests?", or "Is it dangerous for your health?" or "Are all competitive eaters obese?" 




Video from www.videojug.com

Main source
Takeru Kobayashi's website

Short story: A Doll Maker

Image from www.collectibleporcelaindoll.com

 Note: I wrote this story for one of my writing classes last night. The underlying theme is labor estrangement (Based on Marx' Labour Estrangement text).

Claire squints her eyes to focus on the one-eyed porcelain doll’s face. She waits for the small paintbrush in her hand to stop shaking. She carefully paints the outer rim of the new eye with jet black ink, using small, quick strokes. Claire took great care making all her dolls, paying close attention to intricate details such as size, symmetry, color and texture. Claire enjoys naming each doll, giving them a unique identity and story through their facial expressions, clothing and accessories.

“Mommy!!” Rachel tightly hugs Claire from behind, throwing her coat and pink Hello Kitty backpack to the floor.

“Ah!”  Claire nearly drops the delicate doll in her hands. She sets the doll and the paintbrush aside on the wooden table.

“What’s the dolly’s name, mommy?”  Rachel’s bright hazel eyes twinkle, “Who’s it for?”

Claire picks up Rachel’s coat and shoes. She stuffs them inside the narrow closet overflowing with old cardboard boxes and a few winter coats and jackets.

“It’s for Mrs. Waterman’s doll collection, sweetie. I’m planning on presenting it to her. If she’s pleased, Mrs. Waterman might even recommend me to her friends and display the doll as part of her doll collection. Since Mrs. Waterman’s picky, Mommy has to do her best.” Claire reaches for the doll and paint brush again, “I’ll call her Laura, after Aunty Laura. She has the same soft smile, see?”

Rachel giggles with excitement.

Claire notices the growing pile of bills stacking up on the kitchen counter. Her headache returns. Claire’s crafts and doll making business hasn’t picked up after moving into the cramped, one-bedroom apartment after Jacob’s death last spring. Being a single parent, Claire couldn’t afford their old house with her sole income. When Sally Waterman invited Claire to a dinner party at her posh mansion, Claire decides it is the golden opportunity she needs for her business to prosper, especially as a new doll maker. Doll making gave Claire the freedom to work at home and take care of Rachel. Claire never imagined her childhood summers spent watching and helping her grandmother making and painting antique dolls at their cottage would help now.

“Hor d’oeuvres, mam?” A waiter offers her a tray full of colourful gourmet finger-food.

“Oh, Thank you.” Claire took a bite of her bite-sized caviar dish with a sip of her chardonnay.

“So this is how the rich live.” She mumbles to herself, her eyes filled with wonder and excitement at the breathtaking avant-garde paintings on the walls and the shimmering chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling. Chatter, live classical music and laughter resonate from the enormous room. Claire glimpses at the beautiful silk dress and glittering diamond jewellery of the woman next to her.  Claire feels out of place in Mrs. Waterman’s lavish mansion. She is hyper-aware of the fact that she’s in a foreign world, a world of aristocrats and celebrities.

 “Claire, dear!” Sally Waterman approaches Claire in a glittering, green sequined dress, her sparkling emerald earrings matching perfectly with her dress.

“Let me introduce you to a dear friend of mine. Claire, this is Madame Veronica. She owns a famous doll making business.”

Claire extendes her arm towards the distinguished looking middle-aged woman in the dazzling red velvet gown, “Hello, nice to meet you.”

“How do you do?” Madame Veronica politely nods and shook Claire’s hand. Madame Veronica has a thick French accent.

 “I am currently recruiting more workers for my doll making company, Magma. We just opened a branch right here in old Carlton Hill. Would you be interested? Sally told me you are a single mother. We have very flexible hours.”

“Umm...” Claire didn’t know how to respond.

Claire is happiest working from home but she thought about the bills piling on and the lack of steady income. Claire already used up all of her savings. What if there’s an emergency? Didn’t Rachel want to join Tae Kwon Do this year? Claire didn’t know much about the company and how they’ll use her talent but she made up her mind.

 She bit her lip, “sure. I’d like to know more.”

Madame Veronica smiles, “Here’s our business card. We are located right behind the Mimico buildings on Wesley drive.”

After the mouth-watering feast at the dinner party, Claire realizes she forgot to present her creation. Mrs. Waterman is nowhere in sight. Claire stumbles through the crowd towards the door. If she likes the job Madame Veronica mentioned, she wouldn’t need to present the doll after all.

Claire stares up at the gloomy grey factory building. Dark, billowing grey clouds of smoke puff out from the factory. Unsure if she’s at the right address, Claire hesitantly scurries in. Steady motor sounds and buzzing fills the hallways. Maybe my office is upstairs away from the factory, Claire wonders.  She still didn’t know many details regarding the job. Claire spots a yawning watchman in a khaki uniform seated in a wooden chair beside two large metal doors. 

“Hi there. Do you know where Madame Veronica’s office is?”

The watchman sneers, “office? Why would she need that? She owns the place but she never even set foot inside this factory once. You should see how horrible the management is down here!” he grumbles.

He rubs his rough grey stubble, “Anyway, why do you need to see her?”

 “Madame Veronica hired me as the new doll maker. She told me to come here Monday morning to get acquainted with my new position,” Claire glances around the dim-lit corridors, “Is there someone who can assist me?”

“Oh!”  The watchman rubs his eyes; the flickering lights strain his sensitive eyes.

 “A doll maker, eh? Is that what they call a factory worker now? Funny fancy names they come with these days for all kinda jobs.”  He snorts, “They called my position ‘security operative employee’ when they first hired me.”

He opens the heavy metal doors. Claire peers in. Hundreds of factory workers in identical grey uniforms restlessly assemble individual parts of a doll on the massive conveyor belt. A supervisor yells orders to a middle-aged man to stop lagging behind. He hurriedly attaches the doll’s arms and places it on the conveyor belt, monotonously repeating his steps. Claire shook her head, disgruntled.

Claire scoffs, “This is Madame Veronica’s idea of doll making? They’re...they’re all just attaching individual parts of a doll.” She mutters to herself.

Claire thought about her experience of naming each doll she made with Rachel and the unique clothes and accessories painstakingly hand-made for each doll with love and care. She enjoys working on a doll from beginning to end, every bit of the doll made by only her with the individual customer in mind. No two dolls were the same, like people. Claire believes after a hard day’s work, the joyful expressions of a happy customer made her work worthwhile and rewarding.

Claire sighs, her eyes frozen at the conveyor belt fervently whirring on. Working as a factory worker wouldn’t offer any of these rewards. She knew she’d never be happy labouring in a factory assembling dolls for eight hours a day. She hates the idea of mass producing thousands of identical dolls with no individual identity or story or a sole creator. Claire drove back, strangely content to return home and work on her next doll but first, she headed to Sally Waterman’s mansion to present her latest antique doll.