Ja'mie Private School Girl

I first read about the HBO show Ja'mie Private School Girl (pronounced juh-may) in Elle magazine.  I was intrigued by its catty comparison to Mean Girls.  Honestly, who wouldn't be?  That movie was hilarious.  I was also looking for new, interesting shows to watch.  So, what the heck?  Why not?

The show revolves around Ja'mie (Chris Lilley) and her friends who attend Hilford private school in Sydney, Australia.  Shot reality show style, the episodes are full of awkward camera angles and strange confessionals/narration.  Designed to satirize teenage girl life, the show deals with drama on a whole new level.  Frankly, I wasn't prepared for what I was about to experience.

Ja'mie is wealthy, foul-mouthed, vulgar... and completely unlikeable.  First, it's important to note if you don't know who comedian Chris Lilley is... he's a dude.  Yes, it's a grown man dressed as a teenage girl.  That fact alone takes some reconciling while watching.

Every problem s(he) has fits fully within the category "Rich White Girl Problems", like reinventing her image to get over a break-up.  S(he) decides to be a rebel by wearing a pile of bracelets, hoop earrings, knee-highs and hair extensions.  Ooo, so rebellious.

Like every mean girl, s(he) has her clan of minions - known as the Prefects.  They verbally assault nearly everyone who offends their senses and take it upon themselves to solve the world's problems (like people showing up to events uninvited).  Worse yet - s(he) pretends it's all altruistic.  Barf.

In addition to ridiculously overblown incidents, the dialogue includes some seriously offensive terms (read: racist) and foul language.  The "F" word is spoken every 10 words.

I watched three 30-minute episodes.  I'm surprised I made it through so many.  I would love to use the "track wreck" analogy, but it was worse than that.  Let's equate it to watching two dogs fight.  I know it's bad for everyone involved.  It was sad and painful to watch.  I had the power to stop it.  But I wanted to see how it would end up.

I will never get that hour and half back in my life and I so desperately want it.  Maybe Chris Lilley's humor isn't for me.  Maybe I don't understand why life is sooo haaard for an Australian Private School girl... who is also a man.  Whatever it may have been, my hope is this saves you from making the same mistake I did.

You're welcome.

The Simpsons - Best. Lego. Set. Ever.

I make no effort in my daily life to hide that I am a Simpsons fan.  I was a born a Simpsons fan.  I will die a Simpsons fan.  Daily, I play The Simpsons Tapped Out on my iPhone (friend me! jeneevans109).  I'm not a creepy fan - I just like what I like.  I like ridiculously sarcastic cultural humor.  The Simpsooooooons.

So!  You can imagine my sheer bliss then when I heard that Lego was releasing a Simpsons Lego set.  I literally squealed with excitement.  Yesterday, Gizmodo released the Official Photos of the Lego Simpsons House.  I about died!

 See more photos here

What an amazing set to bring joy to your household!!!  Yes, I am a grown ass adult and I will be buying this set.  Don't judge me.  This is 25 years in the making and I will indulge.

Are you excited for The Simpsons set?

New Year's Resolutions 2014

resolution - the act determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc.

I have never made a New Year's Resolution they way most people do.  I don't make grand promises to myself about losing weight, making more money or being a better person.  Why?  Because these grand statements never come with a plan of action.  If you resolve to change something, you also have to have a plan.  Otherwise, your gym membership goes unused and those books on your Amazon.com wishlist never get purchased.  

Instead, every year I make a list of Personal Goals.  {You can find a free printable list here.} 
I find that I consistently want the same things from year to year.  I want to read more and see more movies.  I want to try new foods and see new places.   However, I would very rarely achieve these things because I didn't have a plan.  So, let's make a plan.

This year, I'm dividing my resolutions up into the categories of my blog.  This way you can keep me accountable!

Beauty
1.  Find my signature hair style.  I feel like I'm almost there.  Aaaalmost.  This year will be the year.
2.  Get more manicures.  I occasionally get pedicures with my mother-in-law and do my nails at home, but there's nothing quite like getting your nails cleaned up professionally.
3.  Try out at least 3 Pinterest Beauty Tips.  I pin all day but let them go to waste.

Books
1.  Game of Thrones series by George R. R. Martin
2.  Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
3.  Read 4 other books. 

Decor
1.  Create a chalkboard for our front living/dining room.
2.  Create pegboards for my craft room.
3.  Hang more pictures of family and friends around the house.

Fashion
1.  Buy a new work bag.  This seems really simple but I've been carrying around the same big black Target tote bag for at least 8 years.  I want to upgrade but I always find myself looking at cheap bags.  I need to make an investment.
2.  Invest in my wardrobe and accessories.  More isn't necessarily more.  I'm finally fed up that cheap clothing and accessories are ruined or worn out very quickly.  Again, it's time to invest. 
3.  Clear out my closet.  Time to ditch items that no longer fit my body or sense of style.

Fitness
1.  Use every workout DVD in my collection.  I seriously have DVDs I've never played that I have had for at least 5 years.  Pointless.
2.  Run a 5k.  You have to start somewhere, right?
3.  Continue on my path of working out 3 times a week.  Maintaining my workout schedule is the best thing I can do for myself right now.  

Food 
1.  Try eggplant.
2.  Make soup from scratch.
3.  Make duck.

Humor
1.  Find and share one humorous article, video, etc a week.  My stress level goes through the roof if I'm not giggling.  Let's make this a team effort.

Movies
1.  Finally see "Lincoln".
2.  Finally see "Gigi".
3.  Finally see "An American in Paris". 

T.V.
1.  Get caught up on "Scandal". Totally addicted - need to get up to speed.
2.  Write at least 2 blogs a month about what I'm watching.  I know you probably don't care what I'm watching, but I'm spending my time on it, so I might as well make it feel worth it.
3.  Watch the news 2 times a week.  I usually avoid the news but it makes me feel disconnected from my world and community.  

Web
1.  Blog and share fun internet finds at least once a week.  I typically do this on my personal Facebook page, but you guys aren't there, so I'll share here.
  
Wisdom
1.  Share it, live it.  This is the only one that I'm going to be vague on.  I will only post when inspiration strikes.

There you have it.  I will use the tag "2014Resolution" to keep myself accountable.  Wish me luck!

What are you putting on your list this year?