Thinking, Think, Thought

Anorthoscope: Joseph Plateau: Early Visual Media - Pre-cinema - Optical toys

Old and new and blue and black. No periods are allowed in these, but I'll bend the rules. Someone/something/some guy burned or rusted the edges of this (picture). I see something tiny in the right bottom corner, I wonder what it says? Can you see can I see? I wish I could see what this guy is wearing, black mysterious coat paired with a kind of leery look gives me this feeling. This=curious. Ha this makes no sense, but what sense does sense make? I spot a blue fire in some places in this picture. If i tilt my head and close my eyes I'll find strange faces making themselves known to me somewhere here. I'll train myself to make interesting facial expressions/sentences/statements one day.

.............

That is/this is what I think when I see this picture.

What do you think?


Free Writing

TiLT #7

Zink Magazine - Because I'm a blond

my new skull candy earbuds: A classmate of mine named Harvey randomly gave away an HMV gift card because he didn't know if it had money on it. I think he also said something about how he never shops there anyway, so I was lucky enough to get the card. When I went to LimeRidge today to see if there was any money on the gift card, I was pleasantly surprised by a 25$ balance =D. So I spent most of the money on a new pair of pink skullcandy earbuds and they are wonderful. They block out sound really well and were only around 23$ with tax.

choir: I was only interested in choir at first because Ailish told me that the choir is going to be going to NYC this April. Today after school I went to the first choir rehearsal and it was intimidating at first since I know zilch about music and pitches and notes, but Mr. Abell (I think that's how you spell his name) is really nice and easy to talk to. I had fun and I like the atmosphere of the group and how we sound. I'm Alto in case any of you are curious.

ugly betty: =DDDD I'm actually in the middle of watching the 3rd season premiere right now. I love this show.

not much homework: My light homework load hasn't changed yet and that makes Valentina a happy camper. That's going to change soon since I'm gonna have to start working on my Sociology, Anthropology, and Psychology culminating soon. But the fact that I'm really really happy with who I'm working with is easing the pain ;)

my new-old mp3 player: Martha gave me her old mp3 yepp player today and I've got my music on it now and I'm ecstatic that I can listen to music on my bus trips to and from school now. Thank you Martha!!

University: Ryerson, Carleton, Western or Wilfred Laurier. Those are the Universities I'm going to be applying to next year. I'm going to be studying Journalism somewhere and planning for my future makes my heart go all a flutter. I'm not exactly sure why I'm so in love with the idea of University but studying and immersing myself in something that I'm passionate about with other passionate people makes my heart pound in excitement. I'm going to Toronto tomorrow with my friend Tiffany, my mom, and my two sisters. The first thing we're doing there is going to the Ontario University Fair. =D The rest of the day we'll be doing sight-seeing things. Anyways for me University=love.

Quote from Snow...

... by Ann Beattie

"This is a story, told the way you say stories should be told: somebody grew up, fell in love, and spent a winter with her lover in the country. This, of course, is the barest outline; and futile to discuss. It's as pointless as throwing birdseed on the ground while snow still falls fast. Who expects small things to survive when even the largest get lost? People forget years and remember moments. Seconds and symbols are left to sum things up. The black shroud over the pool. Love in its shortest form becomes a word. What I remember about all that time is one winter. The show. Even now, saying "snow", my lips move so that they kiss the air. No mention has been made of the snowplow that seemed to always to be there, scarping snow off our narrow road -- an artery cleared, though neither of us could have said where the heart is."

TiLT #6

Lonely Girl photoshoot shot by Louise Park (Vogue Girl Korea)

*my parent's clothes: Why bother buying new clothes when you can "borrow" your parents? Today I wore, this white shirt. I thought it belonged to my dad but it was (mine now =D ) my mom's. She wore it when she was my age and couldn't bear to throw it out because she loved it so much.

*Martha!: Martha is a friend from school. Martha is getting a new ipod soon. Martha is giving Valentina her old mp3 player for free. This makes Valentina a very very happy girl.

*the bus: The bus has been frustrating lately and has lead to me being late a couple times for class but I still love it. I like seeing all these people and taking my time going around the city when I need to get somewhere. Also the other day when I was busing home, the cutest little boy was fascinated by my briefcase/school bag. He played with my bag and tried to figure out how to open if for the 20 minutes that I was on the bus. His name was Jackson and he was beautiful baby. As I got off the bus I told him that my bag would never forget him, hehehe.

*Helena!: Helena is a close friend of mine who has mad drawing skills. I like the header I have for my blog right now but it's too confusing to tell what it is, if you don't know what to look for. Sooo I asked Helena to draw something for me to use and she said she would. She said she could most likely finish drawing it in her art class tomorrow. I roughly (and I do mean roughly, my drawing skills aren't as ummm nice as Helena's) sketched out some ideas I had and gave her the paper. I can't wait to see what she comes up with!

*SYTYCD Canada: I'm not falling head over heels in love with any of the dancers from the auditions (yet) and the different "vibe" of the show is a little weird to me since I've only watched the American SYTYCD. I really really like it thought and am anxiously waiting for the Toronto finals episodes to come on. Ugh I have to wait two weeks for that though.

School

School by shazie28 @ deviantart
(Anyone else reminded of Matilda?)

During summer break I did a whole lot nothing. The only productive thing I did was find new blogs and start blogging regularly. Wait, I take that back, August was the month I didn't do anything, during July I went to Summer School for g.10 math so that was productive. I was around some very smart people and since Math is not my strong point at all I was feeling less than stellar intelligence wise. Which isn't to say I was necessarily feeling sad, I just felt like "Okay, this is how it is. I'm not stupid, but I'll never be a genius or particularly intelligent". I know it's silly to compare myself to others but it's an old habit that tends to pop up into my mind at times. During August with this whole "not stupid/not a genius" rolling around in my head I started to doubt my abilities to write anything that isn't hot poo.

Then comes school, and because I refused to take any more sciences and I don't have 11 math 'till 2nd semester, I'm in love with all my classes. My brain is pumping and I'm getting excited about discussions I can bring to the table. I got my first World Religions assignment back on Friday. I got 80%, and lost most of my marks on communication. Barrett said he thinks my problem is that I think faster than I can type. He also said that he's impressed with my insight and thinks I'm one of the brightest students in his class(es).My reaction to that was --> :O/=D He has a policy that if he thinks the student tried and didn't rush the assignment that he'll let them re-write it, so hopefully the 2nd time around I can get a 90 something on that paper. In my English class we had to write a streamline of consciousness that stemmed from two short stories that we read. Myself and James (Minor) read ours in front of the class and the teacher liked what I wrote.

Compliments are awesome and are making me realize that maybe I don't suck as much as I think I do when it comes to school. Just don't talk to me about math. I think part of, or most of my fear comes from the fact that grade 6 was the last time I really put effort into school, so I'm worried that when I try and push myself with school that I'll end up with the same results that I've gotten academically for the last 4 years. I know that can't happen but the fear is still there, lurking in the back of my brain. I'm looking forward to the rest of the semester and I'm even looking forward to exams which is odd. Another thing I can't wait to do is a University road -trip. Since we are car free right now, we'd rent a car and myself and my mom would drive around looking at Universities I might apply to next year. My first choice right now would be to go to Ryerson for Journalism, other Universities I might apply to are Wilfred Laurier, Western, and Carleton.

For extra-curriculars I'm getting super excited about Stage Crew. Stage Crew is the behind the scenes people who do lighting, sound, design sets etc. for Westdale's plays and musicals. Stage Crew also includes doing costumes, make - up or being a stage ninja (the person dressed all in black moving stuff between scenes). So there's all these sub-categories and parts of crew that people can be a part of. For this year's musical, they're doing Cabaret and I'm trying to get myself into the costumes/stylist position for the musical. I want to try and learn about lighting and/or sound and do that stuff for the Sears Drama Festival. Then there's Classics which is my other major club that I'm in. I need to start getting my ass in action and start cross-stitching my projects (I'm doing 2) for this years' Conference. Umm, I'm also trying out for touch football and Rugby. I'm going to be a general member of Triune (student council), and SPA (students for political action), and if I find the time do yoga at a studio or at home. OH! And I want to try and go to Romania this summer for two weeks for a Journalism program, more on that later.

-Lady V

TiLT #5

Peter Stanglmayr

my light homework load: I've been lucky this week in concerns to homework. I've barely had anything to do but at the same time I have enough that I'm not bored with my classes.

cool weather: =D The weather is finally starting to cool down and I couldn't be happier. Today was on the hot side though (booo) but Fall is still going to be here soon.

school clubs (model un, triune, SPA, classics etc.): Tomorrow is the first meeting for SPA (Students for Political Action) and I'm excited to see who's going to be leading it this year. I'm going to try and get really involved with this club in addition to Stage Crew, Model United Nations, yoga annnd sewing. Ignore the fact that the last two hobbies are not school clubs.

Rob Brezsny's Astrology Newsletter: I love this man, the quotes he puts in his newsletter and his belief in Pronoia. Here are some excerpts from his most recent newsletter that I got on the 9th.

"We are experiencing the initiation of the human race into a new level of
consciousness, and that is a very terrifying experience. It does no good to
turn and run from the terror of our darkness into light; we must sit it out:
zazen.

"We must take our counsel from *The Tibetan Book of the Dead* and
realize that these frightening projections of famines, economic disasters,
ecological catastrophes, floods, earthquakes, and wars are all only the
malevolent aspects of beneficent deities. If we sit and observe them, do
not identify with them, but remember our Buddha-nature, we will not be
dragged down by them into an incarnation of the hell they prefigure.

"If we run from them, we validate them; we give the projections the very
psychic energy they need to overtake us. Then, as Jung has pointed out,
the situation will happen outside as fate."

-William Irwin Thompson, *Evil and World Order*

SHARING YOUR BREATH
Quoting geneticists, Guy Murchie says we're all family. You have at least a
million relatives as close as tenth cousin, and no one on Earth is any
farther removed than your 50th cousin.

Murchie also describes our kinship through an analysis of how deeply we
share the air. With each breath, you take into your body 10 sextillion
atoms, and—owing to the wind's ceaseless circulation—over a year's time
you have intimate relations with oxygen molecules exhaled by every
person alive, as well as by everyone who ever lived. Right now you may be
carrying atoms that were once inside the lungs of Malcolm X, Christopher
Columbus, Joan of Arc, and Cleopatra. (Source: Guy Murchie, *The Seven
Mysteries of Life*)

my 2 free razors: I filled out some questionnaire or survey a while ago, and the other day I got 3 new free razors as a reward. I got a Gillette Fusion and Venus. They're pretty spiffy and fancy compared to the ones that I usually use.


The fact that a possibly "New Most Embarrassing Moment" (TM) was avoided: There was a Stage Crew meeting after school on Wednesday. Rachael and I were finger fencing on stage and my scarf-as-a-shirt got loosened in the tussle and my bra covered breast was saying hello to everyone. Not to mention we were on the stage in the Auditorium with other people playing with the spot light. Rachael pointed it out to me and I fixed my scarf-shirt. I'm pretty sure Matt was the only one who noticed because he was looking at me funny before Rachael pointed out my breast to me. Anyways I'm glad this didn't happen when people were paying attention to what I was doing.

This cookie commercial: my friends fail and haven't seen this commercial. Anyways ever since I saw this I've been playing Rod Stewart's "Do you think I'm sexy" on repeat, on my computer and in my mind.

What I Wore - x 2

Wearing a scarf as a shirt is a viable alternative

This is what I wore to school yesterday.
I'm wearing;
-my dad's sweater
-a scarf/pashima (as a shirt). I bought this in Egypt for about 5$.
-Red headband salvaged from an old torn pair of stockings.
-Skinny jeans I got from Urban Outfitters for about 15$.


Photo taken by Tala

This is what I wore to school on Monday and on the 6th to Locke Street Festival. The only difference would be the footwear. I wore sandals on the 6th and on Monday I wore my black mary jane's with my polka-dot socks.
I'm wearing;
-grey tank from H&M
-my mother's jacket
-red headband
-UO skinny jeans
-polka-dot socks
-my mary-jane heels (about 2 inches high)
-my VV briefcase

And in case you're wondering I'm holding my keys in my hand.

Val's Adventures - Second Installment

"Val's Adventures" are photographic and voyeuristic peeks into my every day life. Basically these are snapshots taken at school at home or anywhere else and I wanted to put them up somewhere. Plus since I'm now Facebook free it's easier for my friends to save pictures they want from me this way.

Locke Street Festival
On the 6th, I met up with Rachael at her house and we headed off to the festival. It was really fun and we bumped into Tala and Hannah while they were doing booth duty. We walked around looking at different things, stopped and watched a street performer (I'm a fire eater hahaha), walked around some more and stopped at the Bagel Shop (I think that's the name) to get something to eat. After that we headed back to her house, where I ended up watching the Shining for the first time. When the movie was done I walked downtown and caught a bus to my house. The whole time I was walking I had "Red Rum!" stuck in my head.

This is my type of bike. My mother's bike looks like this but without the working wheels and brakes. The company name is Raleigh, so if I end up buying a new bike I'll check this company out.


Jewelry


Belt buckles and other knick knacks.


I don't have anywhere in my room to hook up a telephone but I was very tempted to buy these anyway.


Some killer and massive bird houses.



If I was allowed to have a pet and wasn't paranoid about a bird flying away somewhere, I think I'd get a bird as a pet.




My self-engagement ring has been eaten by my house so I'm searching for a replacement. I didn't end up buying this one but I took a photo of it because I really like it but didn't have enough cash on me. If I'm lucky I'll be able to find something like this on Etsy.


Yeaaahh, it was pretty crowded.


Cutie!


Some tin man marching band members.

I have no idea who this man is but he was hilarious. He was standing and posing for change for Breast Cancer. Is anyone else reminded of Fabio?


Tala & Hannah face painting.


Tala painting Rachael's face. She painted a peace sign on Rachael's face and a heart on mine.


This is the street performer we watched. I can't remember his name but he had a good sense of humor and was amusing. He had a female volunteer lighting torches that he was putting out with his mouth. He had told her earlier if his clothing happened to catch fire that she was to put it out (she was wearing an oven mitt). His shirt caught fire so she put it out. And then he light his ass on fire and she put that fire out for him too. He jokingly tried to light her butt on fire too and when she backed away he said that was too bad because he's a fire eater. Zing!

My yummy lunch that I had at the bagel shop. They didn't have any cinnamon raisin bagels left. Rachael suggested that we have these cinnamon sugar (can't remember for sure it that's what they're called) bagels instead. They were delicious and sticky and sugary. I had my standard choice of plain cream cheese on my bagel. Also, some old women peered intensely into the window (she was actually right up against it) to see what we were eating. She seemed like quite the character. I kind of wish I took a picture of her.


A picture that I took while I was walking home.


Before I went to the bus stop I made a pit stop at a Tim Horton's to get some grub. The picture on the counter is one of the two vintage pictures that I bought for a buck each.

True Dat

Winter, I miss you. please come back sometime soon.

Au milieu de l'hiver by *roseonthegrey (@ DeviantArt)

Winter I'm missing you pretty badly right now. You have snow, my birthday and wonderful layers (of clothing) and I can't have any of that 'till you come back. Fall is a decent rebound for now but I'm sick of Summer-like weather.

What If Google was Your.....

Hehehe, I love this. Found this on Winona's (of Daddy Likey fame) tumblr blog. (24 Free Dinners)

Link Love #3

**

fashion editorials
Made In China
A Long Day's Journey Into Night
Classic Kate Moss
The Greatest Show on Earth
Is It Better To Be Alone?

If I was old enough and had the money for it I would live here, here, here, here, here or here.

ONTD is a huge celeb gossip site. The launched a political remix of the site a while ago. Go check it out.

Gala why you so hot?

Part 1 & Part 2 of Upcoming Fall Movies

Who We Choose to Be, a really interesting introspective post on what really defines "us".

Why being rough is the better answer sometimes.

Say it ain't so! Crocs? In French Vogue?!?

**This is one of those pictures that I saved but either couldn't or forgot to save the file as the photographer. So I have no idea who it belongs to. If you know, let me know.

TiLT #4

Zipper Magazine

School: I had my first full day of school today and it's pretty awesome. The whole taking classes I'm much more interested in and thus more invested in won't hurt my GPA. The only thing I don't like is how hard it is to find my friends since I don't have classes with them and how crowded the school is. But those things aren't putting a damper on my good mood.

Camera Charger: This thing has been missing for at least the last 3-4 months and yesterday I was riffling for clothing to wash, I picked something up and there was my camera charger. Just sitting there. I'm telling you it was a pretty powerful moment. I can't say how relieved I am that I didn't rush off and buy another 30$+ charger.

Cold Rooms: I'm so ready for fall weather. No more of this beaming sun with no winds to balance it out. The cold rooms in Westdale are evening things out but for my future outfits sake I'd appreciate cooler weather.

My Hair: I love playing with it and finding different things to do with it. I usually wear it either pulled back because I didn't have time to do anything or out & down in crimped waves.

Self Timer & Mini Tripod: I got a pretty nifty mini tripod with my camera which definitely helped me earlier yesterday while I was taking photos.

My Friends: I don't get to see them that much at school since I don't have classes with any of them. But being able to see them every day or every 2 days in the hall for a quick chat or at lunch is really nice. I enjoy goofing off with them and I'm looking forward to my Valoween Halloween party and my 2nd Annual Virgin RHPS party =D

Val's Adventures - First Installment

"Val's Adventures" are photographic and voyeuristic peeks into my every day life. Basically these are snapshots taken at school at home or anywhere else and I wanted to put them up somewhere. Plus since I'm now Facebook free* it's easier for my friends to save pictures they want from me this way.

Lunch


Diana & Ailish


The Gang


My wonderful Briefcase


(From left to right) Tiffany, Ailish, Diana


Tiffany & Helena


Ailish & Rachael


Ailish rocking (I'm using that word a lot now) my sunglasses


Steph being interesting (=P ) & Helena


(hahaha) Diana & Tiffany in some..... idk weird leg dual

Ailish has a crush on the man in the magazine.

At Home

Me & my 9 year-old sis Olivia in our backyard.


My legs on my bedroom wall


=O Me without my glasses! This is a rare occurrence, treasure it!


That's all folks!

*I got rid of it because I stopped getting what I wanted out of it. It was really useful for organizing my parties but besides that I was using it to feed into my ego by friending people I didn't even like to up my friend count. I wasn't digging the atmosphere of it, if that makes any sense >_> Some people would think it's hypocritical to get rid of Facebook then get a blog, twitter and modepass etc. But to me at least, Facebook was more of a RL thing I used to keep in contact with friends or acquaintances from school. I think my biggest problem, personally with Facebook was that to me it was useless chatter. After the novelty wore of it became meaningless communication to me. It was a lot of small talk (HBD, what do we have for homework? etc.) gossip and other stuff that wasn't very vital to my social or personal life. Plus there's the whole capitalist agenda and the whole you can get rid of your account but you have to delete everything by hand thing that's really fishy. My blog, twitter, modepass and style mob are ways for me interact with people (globally) about personal style, Fashion in general and all things blogosphere. I will admit that sometimes I regret getting rid of Facebook but with all the stuff I'm doing and my blog I don't think I'd have time for a Facebook account anyways. So for simplicity's sake I'm glad that people just email or call me now instead of writing on my wall.

What I Wore - School Girl

So today I rocked a modest beehive but I'm not sure if you can see it that well in these pictures. I'm doing another post today with some pictures of my hair do, so hopefully you'll be satisfied with the detail in either of these pictures. Today I was a weird Valentina version of a school girl. The clothes I wore were:

1. Old School Uniform
2. Sunglasses from the Dollar Store
3. H&M Grey Tank
4. Striped tights from Sears
5. (You can't see them here) Beige Ballet flats from Old Navy
6. Old black tights as a headband & a turquoise bow headband on top from H&M
7. Thrifted Briefcase that I nabbed at Value Village's big 50% sale for 2$!

YUS! VICTORY IS MIIIINE =DDDD

*does a little internet jig* HA! Take that, messy room of mine. You couldn't hide my camera charger from me forever! (Yes this means I finally found my camera charger)

Guys I'm so happy right now. I can start posting pictures now. Life is grand.

Tomorrow I'll be doing my own twist on the "School Girl" look. Cross your fingers that I won't have too much homework, so I'll be able to blog quicker.

e x p o 7000

Also first day of school was amazing! I love all my classes, yes even my grade 10 French one. Even the "scary" Mr. Barrett doesn't seem that bad but I think that's because he likes me so I won't be on the receiving end of his wrath.

-The classes I have in order for 1st semesters are-
Sociology, Anthropology & Psychology - Mr. Barrett
Grade 10 French - Mme. Panton
University English - Mrs. Newton
World Religions - Mr. Barrett

Dun dun dun......

Girl Walking Octopus by Barnaby Ward

School starts tomorrow. I'll be in grade 11. Time flies by so quickly. I still remember freaking out (just before grade 9) because homg Westdale is so big compared to Norwood and omg I'll get lost etc. Now it's time to stress about University choices and "What I Want To Do With The Rest Of My Life" (TM)

Value Village is having a 50% off sale tomorrow and I'm heading over before school to try and find some new clothes. I'm lucky that I'm in grade 11 because school doesn't start for me until noon so I have the chance to stop by VV in case you were wondering why I had the time.

Hmmmmm stillll no sign of the ever elusive camera charger. Push comes to shove I'll be able to start posting recent pictures of myself by mid September thanks to Amazon.com

I'm gonna run off now and watch some more Buffy while trying to pick something to wear tomorrow. Tata~