When Bae Learns... Geography!!

Geography!!

One of my biggest pet peeve is people who don't know basic geography. Especially those who claim to love travel but can't point to Brazil. If you can't tell me where Portugal is, we are done. I consider this half a life guide to seeming less like an idiot and half a rant. To be honest, this is very much in response to a friend I had that said something like "Spain? Isn't that in the Middle East?".

According to a Kent State Study:

Professors John Dunlosky and Katherine Rawson asked 671 college students in 2012 the same 300 questions as Thomas Nelson and Louis Narens back in 1980. Guess what? We got stupider for the most part. Here are the geography related ones. See the article in Forbes for more details (http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesmarshallcrotty/2013/09/10/10-questions-that-most-college-students-cant-answer-but-you-probably-can/)

• 30% of College Students thought Baghdad was the capital of Afghanistan. (BTW Baghdad is the capital of Iraq and the capitol of Afghanistan is Kabul.) I wonder how many of those students have strong opinions on the US presence in the Middle East.
• 12% thought that Mount Everest was in the Appalachians.
• 6% of College students thought that Nairobi was the capital of Africa, the continent. NAIROBI?? Not even the country of which Nairobi is the capital, Kenya??
• 21% thought that Budapest (of Hungary) was the capital of India (whose actual capital is New Delhi).

Some Quite Ridiculous Common Confusions To Get Right:

• China may be the biggest country by population, but Russia is the biggest by land mass.
• This one needs to be said...

  

  South America

  
  

  

  Africa

• New England is still not a state. It is a region. The states in the region are just too small to warrant football teams of their own, hence the New England Patriots.
• The Middle East: If you've got opinions on the government, Al Queda and ISIS, know where Iraq and Syria are on a map. Also note that Kuwait is a country, not a city.
  

Thank you for reading what definitely sounded more bitter than I meant to. 

Top TV Shows

My Favorite TV Shows

First I must mention two things:

Firstly, this list is notably missing very well-known and respected shows because I have yet to watch them. That includes Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, Empire, Transparent, Orange is the New Black (this one I've just yet to finish so I feel inadequate to judge), Daredevil and The Flash.

Also, this list is obviously only including TV shows of the past few years. I'm aware that I need to watch some older shows and I have several favorites from the 90s but I felt this list was better suited for new shows.

1. Sherlock

No other TV show in recent history has been so expertly written, directed, acted, and even scored. Every single person that put any effort into the show has extreme talent. I refuse to even compare this to other film or television adaptations of Sherlock Holmes. Nothing even comes close. It has won multiple awards in almost every category.  Anything less than perfection would make 3 90 minute episodes a way to short season to garner as much attention and acclaim.
Favorite Episode: The Reichenbach Fall
Why: I think it might be too hard to explain without spoiling but if you've seen the series, you'll know.

2. Gilmore Girls

I was so addicted to this show that it only took me less than a month to watch. The writing is the best I've ever seen. Every quip and every touching moment was timed and written perfectly. My plan is to model my mothering after Lorelei: she is a realistic balance between friend and mother. Some TV shows will have you crying at the season finale but this will have you crying every other episodes.
Favorite Episode: Raincoats and Recipes
Why: I don't recommend just watching this episode because it'll spoil it for you and you won't get the same feelings as someone who knows and loves the characters. This is one of the most touching episodes of television I've ever seen. I think about it a lot, months after first viewing it. That's how much I love this episode.

3. Gossip Girl

I put this show on here mainly for the plot twists and the intensity. If a page turner book was a TV show, it'd be this TV show. I started this show one morning and continued to watch it for the next 24 hours without sleep. It's pretty inappropriate but that fades into the background with the kind of plots that develop around all the drugs and sex. They also get a lot of flack for the way they handle sex but I found it very realistic (can't stay the same for the way they handle alcohol). Don't even bother picking a favorite character because no one is who they seem.
Favorite Episode: G.G.
Why: If you're going to put a show on the list for twists, you'd better have a real game changer episode to mention as well.

4. Parks And Recreation

The absolute funniest show I've ever seen. I'd recommend being able to pause and rewind because if you laugh too much at one line, you'll miss the next joke. The characters are on the very edge of being relatable and being way too over the top. It makes every episode heartwarming, for at least one moment. Because the 7th season isn't on Netflix, I haven't actually seen it. I've heard very positive things about the finale and can't wait to see it.
Favorite Episode: Jerry's Painting
Why: This is the moment I fell in love with Chris Pratt.

5. Scandal

I can only speak for the first two seasons. Every single episode feels like a season finale. The best thing about the show is that it feels like the cliff hanger at the end of each episode is going to be followed by a long wait but, if you're watching on Netflix, its just 10 seconds away. The characters are on point in every aspect. Kerry Washington's Olivia Pope is the new feminist hero of our generation, only behind Emma Watson. Thank you, Shonda Rhimes, for making the most powerful people in D.C. women. You go, girl.
Favorite Episode: Seven Fifty-Two
Why: Huck is absolutely my favorite character behind Olivia. His backstory is also the best.

Met Gala Fashion Review

Met Gala

So the Met Gala was a few days ago and there were some crazy fashion risks taken and some of those who played it a little too safe. As a result, I have some opinions to share with you!

Kim Kardashian in Roberto Cavali and Kanye West

The first of several unsurprising choices. I am disappointed in them. I had higher expectations for her stylist and Kanye to tell her to wear something better. I've seen more fashion forward looks at my prom. At least try something new when you know you'll be forgiven. So many missed opportunities.

Sarah Jessica Parker in Philip Treacy

She took some risks and dressed to the theme so I respect that. Her makeup made her look older than it should and I don't get why she feels that headpieces are the only way to take risks because she does it so often. Maybe her agent thinks that becoming a meme is a marketing tactic? Despite what Sarah thinks, the most important part of the outfit is the dress. This dress is a failed attempt at recycling old fabric, which is an idea I like, but I also value execution. This gown looks like something from a tragic Sex and The City episode.

Amanda Seyfried in Givenchy (and Justin Long)

I didn't actually know that she was with Justin Long but I love it. I have nothing but positive things to say about her outfit. The different textures balance well, being the same color. The flowers that extend out don't go too far out. It's interesting and different but not overtly crazy. It isn't Met Gala crazy but Amanda Seyfried isn't one to take fashion risks so this is interesting for her.

Emily Blunt in Prada

She dressed well to the theme. It's not obvious and simply elegant. Emily looks like a queen. It may not be a risk but its perfect for her. Although she suffers from the most common fashion faux pas of a too long dress, everything else is perfectly tailored.

Beyonce in Givenchy (and Jay Z)

I thought this dress was a typical Beyonce move. It didn't surprise me in the slightest. Givenchy isn't a new designer to the Met Gala and definitely knows how to dress a woman with curves. Her hair style was obviously an effort to do something different which doesn't doesn't do much for her facial structure or head shape. This whole "I'm showing a lot of skin so I'm sexy" look needs to stop. It's much more sexy to show less skin (see Kendall Jenner below). Also Jay Z was there.

Jennifer Lawrence in Dior

I loved this dress but I was disappointed in how little risk she took. As a co-chair, I understand why she didn't want to wear something too crazy but at least do something different! I wish I could have worn this dress to prom. Not to the Met Gala, to prom. That's saying something. On a positive note, its perfectly tailored.

And then you see her after-party dress and think daaaym!! She looked really hot and effortless. It wouldn't have been enough to wear on the carpet but neither was the dress she chose to wear.

Selena Gomez in Vera Wang

This look was different but beautiful on her. Tell them fat-shaming haters to suck it because her body was rocking. The only thing was that I wish it was a little better tailored. I also don't like the earrings but that is just nit-picking. She looks gorgeous. I can understand why all the boys want to hit that.

Zoe Kravitz

She is the bomb. I love this dress. It could be shorter but its chain mail so I'm sure that hemming it would be more trouble than its worth. With the see-through legs, having the high neckline made it classy. I love how effortlessly punk she is. Unlike some of those who try so desperately to seem as at ease as her (see Miley Cyrus), she actual looks like she is true to her own style. Also accessories and makeup is on point.

FKA Twigs in Christopher Kane

This is exactly how you should do the Met Gala. I'm not saying you should wear a penis on your thigh but do something unexpected. Wear art. I don't always love her style but she never does something you'd think. The shoes don't make her seem any taller so she could have chosen a different one. I do love her jewelry especially the engagement ring. (Robert Pattinson and Twigs seemed really in love as well).

Zendaya in Fausto Puglisi

Nailed the theme and nailed the perfect amount of sexy. I can't even believe we are the same age! This is the perfect way to transition from Disney to legit: slowly and with your own sense of style. I love how different she is. 

Cara Delevigne in Stella McCartney

PANTS! The perfect way to stand out! I love that she is highlighting the beauty of tattoos and letting the theme of the night shine. Honestly she was my favorite of the night. She did something never done before and rocked it with her own touch. There is something about the group of up and coming models that can do no wrong.

Miley Cyrus in Alexander Wang

I don't know if its her or if its me but I don't like it. Her hair looks greasy and that makes her whole body look gross to me. The waist cut outs go to low on her hips for my liking. It just made her look sleazy. I hate people who hold their head up high like they're better than everyone else. Also, she needs to stop over lining her lips.

Kendall Jenner is Calvin Klein

So chic and simple. I love it. It was barely a risk but I guess it was risky in terms of nip-slips. Her makeup and hair was typical model: clean and perfect. With a high neckline and high back, the side cut out allows a small amount of tasteful side boob. Can I just be her already?

Katy Perry in Jeremy Scott

Shoulders up= Kris Jenner. Shoulders down=The side of a building in downtown Detroit. I hate it. Enough Said.

Rihanna in Guo Pei

This dress is insanely beautiful. Rihanna was one of the few to truly push the boundaries of fashion. I think of yellow and China together often so I'm glad many women used tonight to wear yellow because on any other night, yellow would never be encouraged. This was the simplest take on the theme of China: actually wearing a designer popular in Chinese couture. To me, she doesn't look like a pizza or an omelet. She looks like she is dripping in gold.

Anne Hathaway in Ralph Lauren

After reading about the creation of this gown, I understand why I get the feeling of China from such a simple dress. It is inspired by a statue of the Buddha. I know that Buddha isn't a strictly Chinese character but I do tend to see them together often. My only real problem with the dress is how it wrinkles along the seams. Perhaps another fabric would have created a more polished look instead of what almost seems like the execution of a fashion class project.

Solange in Giles Deacon

I get the origami reference. Its a little too literal for my liking. What could have made this look much more photograph friendly is a different pattern. I'm sure in person the trippy, holographic pattern was interesting but from the other side of a computer screen, it looks kind of silly.

Kris Jenner

Sorry but she is wearing way too much. Perhaps without the earrings or the crazy, funky fake lashes, she may have been able to get away with wearing an over draped mess of a dress. The strap across her ankle made her seem short. The earrings brought too much of the attention to her face which looked like she had some botched face lifts added on top of her other botched face lifts.