The New York Mets Sensation

    The New York Mets made it to the 2015 World Series...and I couldn't care less. Right now you're probably astounded by this statement. Astounded and disgusted and utterly appalled. But walk outside and take a good look at the people who surround you. Do you see them? Well, with absolute certainty I can tell you that 80% of them agree with me. Whether or not they're willing to admit it is another story...
    Whenever a team makes it to the Championships, Super Bowl, or in this case, World Series, suddenly "fans" come out of the woodworks. Suddenly people who have probably never watched a game all season claim to be die-hard fans. Suddenly my Twitter feed is full of "Let's go Mets!" posts and my Instagram but an endless stream of blue and orange. But where were all of these fans when the Mets played their first game in April? Where were they then?
    I compare these people to the "Holiday Churchgoers" aka those who don't attend mass throughout the year, but suddenly become super religious on Christmas and Easter and go to mass. Honestly, what's the point? In today's society, it's like everyone is skipping the dinner and heading straight for the dessert. But doesn't that apple pie lose its sweetness without a nice, hearty meal before? Doesn't that chocolate cake lose its decadence?
    I just don't see the point in pretending to be something I'm not. The Mets are in the playoffs, and I am most certainly happy for them and proud to be from New York, but I'm not going to suddenly transform into a super fan. I'm not going to go out and buy a Steven Matz jersey. It kind of ruins it for the true Mets fans. They've devoted all their time to rooting for a team and suddenly everyone and their mother is kind of, in a way, taking the spotlight away from them. People are kind of taking away their moment.
   It always used to disgust me when I would see new faces at Christmas mass sitting in the front row, while elderly men and women who hadn't missed a Sunday were standing in the back. Likewise, there will be a million and one posers filling the stadium throughout the World Series while mets fans - true mets fans - sit at home watching from their TV's.

Weekly Consumptions #7

FOOD
Avocado salad - La Bottega
Crispino salad - Lia's Pizzeria

MOVIES
Employee of the Month

PODCASTS
Beauty and the Vlog

YOUTUBE
Vlog channels (Tara Marie, Daily Polina, Aspyn & Parker, etc.)

MAGAZINES
People

MUSIC
Sorry - Justin Bieber <3

Bob's Burgers

   For one of my classes, it was required that I watch the show Bob's Burgers. Let me make one thing clear: under no circumstances would I ever willingly sit and watch this show. Never in a million years would I kick my feet up, relax, and happily tune in to Bob's Burgers. But an assignment is an assignment, so I swallowed my pride, and tuned in.
    Within the first 2 minutes, I could already tell that I was not going to like it. First of all, it's a cartoon. I would like to say that I have nothing against cartoons, but the truth is, I do. I outgrew them when I was about 8 years old and I haven't looked back since. Second of all, it's the most predictable show in the world. You could easily guess every line that will be said. And most importantly, it's dumb. There's nothing witty or clever or insightful about it. Bob's Burgers is full of nothing but crude humor and one-dimensional characters. As I watch this show, I can actually feel myself losing IQ points. It's like they're running away, shouting, "We don't want to be in the brain of someone who watches such garbage!"
   Maybe not, but still...I feel so dumb.
   And it baffles my mind - absolutely BAFFLES MY MIND - that some people watch this for fun. Some people sit down and enjoy it. I get that we all have our own unique likes and dislikes, but Bob's Burgers? Really? How in the world can someone sit there and laugh at this dialogue that's on a 3rd-grade reading level?
   I'm pretty sure my 10-year-old cousin could write better than this....

Weekly Consumptions #6

TV SHOWS
Bob's Burgers

MOVIES
Age of Adeline

MUSIC
Stole the Show - Kygo
I Took a Pill in Ibeza - Mike Posner/Seeb Remix
Hula Hoop - OMI

YOUTUBE
Jimmy Tatro

BOOKS
Nicholas Sparks - See Me (still reading)

Vegan YouTube Community

   There is nothing worse than a passionate vegan. That's what I always say, and I really do believe it. While not all vegans shove their beliefs down your throat, most treat their dietary preferences as a religion. Actually, let me correct myself: as a cult.
   However, recently I've been very interested in the vegan lifestyle and I've been watching a ton of videos on the subject. In particular, Rawvana and Elle Tayla are two vegan YouTubers who show you their lifestyle without forcing it upon you. And it really makes me want to go vegan!
   For the past few years veganism has been sweeping the nation. What started out as a fad that many scoffed at has turned into a lifestyle. It's not just giving up eggs, dairy, and meat; it's a way of living. Vegans adopt a high carb, low fat, plant-based diet, and famously eat as many fruits and vegetables as their hearts desire. Most are incredibly lean, in-shape, and overall seem so happy. The vegan YouTube community is proof of this. It's like they're part of an elite clique and you can only join if you give up the chicken and cheeses.
   It's weird what our world has come to. Diets turning into lifestyles. Since when are people categorized based on the food that enters their mouth? Shouldn't we be categorized on...oh, I don't know...morals? On how good of a person we are?
   I admit that I watch these YouTube videos with a whole lot of curiosity and a bit of envy. These vegan girls claim to live the happiest of lives since going vegan and I want in on this happiness! But...the other part of me (what I believe is the better part) knows that this is stupid. You shouldn't classify yourself based on what you consume and you shouldn't let it control your life. I'm never going to introduce myself saying, "Hi, I'm Clancy and I love chicken," so why does every vegan feel the need to classify herself?
   Overall this whole veganism trend has left me confused, curious, and unsure what to think about the future of a nation that spends more time worrying about food than things that actually matter.

 

Weekly Consumptions #5

FOOD

Barbecue Chicken Salad - Panera

Avocado toast 

TV SHOWS

Survivor 

MAGAZINES

People 

YOUTUBE
Rawvana
Elle Tayla

MUSIC
Headlights - Robin Schulz 

City of Blinding Lights

   If you want a recommendation for a good song, don't come to me. Honestly, just don't. I am known for liking what everyone refers to as "bad music." Of course, I don't see the music as bad, but my friends always make fun of me for liking the worst songs. And then playing them over and over and over again. Let's just say my iPod isn't the one playing at parties...
   One of the bands that has been deemed "bad" amongst my friends is U2. A lot of people my age don't like them, but I just can't get enough. In particular, I've been listening to the song City of Blinding Lights on repeat for the past few days. I don't know what it is about the song, but it gives me a feeling of pure happiness whenever I listen to it.
   The intro is classic with a lot of guitars, piano, and various other instruments. It makes you feel so...inspired. Whenever I'm at a restaurant or out with friends and hear this super recognizable intro start to play, I can't help but smile.
   And then the words...I just absolutely love the words to this song. They don't come in until over a minute in, but I think that's what works for the song. It's this big anticipation of what will be said. I'm the type of person who typically needs to like the beat AND the lyrics to a song, and City of Blinding Lights has both an electrifying beat and powerful words.
   "Don't look before you laugh; Look ugly in a photograph."
   Those are two of my favorite song lyrics of all time. Why? I don't know. They're so simple, but so meaningful at the same time.
   This is one of those songs that can bring me to a place other than where I am at this present moment. It has memories behind it; stories. Ultimately, it's not just a song to me. It's so much more than that.

Weekly Consumptions #4

FOOD
Zucchini noodles (zoodles)

BOOKS
Down the Rabbit Hole - Holly Madison

YOUTUBE
Elle Fowler

MUSIC
Taylor Swift
Avril Lavigne

Diners

    Some of the best meals I've ever eaten have taken place in dingy, hole-in-the-wall diners. I've dined in five star restaurants that serve the finest Italian cuisine and fancy steakhouses with famous chefs. I've eaten in multiple countries and have tried a variety of foods. Still, nothing seems to beat a diner.
    Last Saturday night, my friend and I opted to skip the college festivities and instead went to Palace Diner. While most girls were carefully applying their mascara and lipstick, and most guys were... well, doing whatever guys do...we were pouring over a seemingly endless menu at a shabby diner in Poughkeepsie. Most of the time I'll experience regret and apprehension when I decide not to go out on a weekend night, but on this particular night, I couldn't have been more content with my choice.
   Diners. I don't know. There's just something about them. They might not be known for serving five star meals, but they have just about everything else going for them.
    Fast service? Check.
    Comfy booths? Check.
    Variety of food? Double check.
   Finding a restaurant that all your friends will enjoy can be quite the challenge. Amanda might be in the mood for burgers, but Kate has been craving an omelette all day. And Cynthia? She's in the mood for a panini. Not many places could offer you all of these entrées, but at a diner, anything is possible.
    Diners are kind of like a little piece of home to me. I don't think I've ever shown up to one in anything but sweats (which is perfectly acceptable) and it feels like I'm eating a meal in my very own dining room. You could never feel like that at a fancy French restaurant. I mean, who eats their dinners at home in suits and dresses?
   Going to the diner on Saturday made me so genuinely happy. I ordered a grilled chicken salad, but honestly that's beside the point. They probably could've given me pig feet and I would've been just as content. Going to the diner isn't about the food; it's about the experience.