The Little Roku Box that Couldn’t

Tired of seeing this message.

This is the story of the little Roku box that couldn’t.

You see, I bought this handy little box back last August because I was excited about all the media possibilities that it would make available for me. Netflix? Hulu? Pandora? Other stuff? And all from the same place!?!?!? I was pumped.

But then I ran into my first road bump: the UMD internet. Turns out, when you have a secondary device like this one, you have to register it online. No big deal, right? Except, for some reason, the university IT wasn’t recognizing me as an on-campus resident. Awesome, right?

NO. This little hiccup began the biggest headache of my life. Okay, that’s an exaggeration, but it was annoying for sure. I needed to be recognized as a university resident to even complete step one on this process, which meant I had to call the IT Department for their assistance. And that right there poses a problem.

The only way I can currently get my ethernet cable to reach the Roku....

I hate, HATE, making phone calls, especially to annoying departments with people I don’t know who make you stay on the line for sometimes up to 30 minutes and then get frustrated with you within the first 10 seconds as if YOU were the one keeping them on hold for 30 minutes.

Not that that has been my personal experience, or anything.

The first few times I tried to coordinate with IT to fix my problem, the process always failed, or the IT person never followed through. So I went through one semester without being able to use my little Roku box. And I had pretty nearly forgot about him until….

Last time I found a creepy crawler in my apartment...nice surprise right? I wasn't even scared after the initial shock of opening my drawer and founding him there, just curious as to how he got there in the first place.

Rahul subtly brought it up in conversation, motivating me to finally follow through with IT. They finally recognized my resident status, and I was finally able to register my computer and Roku box. And then….

MY ROKU BOX STILL DIDN’T WORK.

So now I don’t know what to do. I guess it’s Netflix on my computer for the time being. But if anyone knows why, when I plug an Ethernet into my Roku box and the Roku completes all the set-up before telling me “Try again,” then please, please help me. Rahul is going to try helping me too, and he’s a pretty big genius when it comes to matter of technology. But if I keep getting the failure message, this might happen.

In other news, I have some kind of scary bug-mouse-uncertain-what-it-is living in my radiator. AWESOME.

10 Songs You Should Add to Your Running Playlist

So lately, I’ve been trying to become more consistent with my exercising again after becoming pretty much lapsed toward the end of the semester last fall and also just being a bum in general. One of my big problems in the Fall was adjusting to a new schedule that effectively included exercising as just another thing I needed to do that day, like homework, instead of viewing it as something to brush off for the next day. This was something I got really good at doing while living in Missouri, like really good. Part of it was due to finally becoming 100% comfortable living on my own and finding the joy in bike riding (it’s almost like a spiritual experience); the other part, one that really kicked into high gear last spring, was that I trained for and ran my first half-marathon.

Before my half. The race started on my undergrad campus, thus the picture with the bell tower (thanks, Dad!).

Now, that’s definitely not something that’s on my horizon for the foreseeable future, but integrating exercising into my daily schedule again is. Let me do say that right before I started writing this, I was eating out of the gigantic bucket of cheese balls a friend gave me but, regardless, I’ve still been doing good so far (as in the past two weeks) in making exercise part of my life again.

My favorite is running. It’s the best way to relieve stress, enjoy the weather, and work out the legs. There are definitely runs that make me hate my life but, usually, I find them to be the best parts of my day.

So, to encourage all you other runners or new exercisers out there, enjoy.

10 Songs You Should Add to Your Running Playlist:

Run, Forrest, Run! (Jackson Marathon & 1/2 Marathon)

1. “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO: I don’t care how old or overplayed this song is. Every time I hear this song, I think of the hamsters dancing in the KIA commercial and it motivates me to keep running, no matter how tired I am. It also motivates me to start shuffling, which I usually have to save for after the run. Let’s call that my cool down.

2. “Transformers Look at Me Now Dubstep” by Ember Waves: I don’t know if there’s really an official song title for this mix. But it takes a song I have a guilty pleasure for, Chris Brown’s “Look at Me Now,” and turns it into a badass song to run to. And just to listen to in general, as the fact that it also incorporates “Here’s Johnny” from The Shining and David after Dentist saying “Is this real life?” make for a good laugh. And if you like laughing, watch this literal paint version of “Look at Me Now.” Seriously. Do it now. You’ll thank me later.

3. “We Found Love” by Rihanna: If I have to convince you to run to this song, than you obviously haven’t listened to it yet. Also, any Rihanna song in general. “S&M,” “Hard,” “Only Girl (In the World),” “Disturbia,” and “You Da One” are excellent as well.

Spotted: My weapon-of-a-ponytail in the crowd of runners.

4. “Something Good Can Work (The Twelves Remix)” by Two Door Cinema Club: I’m so obsessed with this song lately. It’s kind of ridiculous. And worthy of the running playlist.

5. “Good Feeling” by Flo Rida: The random dupstep toward the end of the song is kind of a downer, but the rest of the song makes you want to kick up your feet. And also sing out loud.

6. “Wonderman” by Tinie Tempah: I don’t really know anything about this song other than that Rahul recommended it to me as a good running song. Oh, and that it’s AWESOME. Seriously. I run to this song nearly every time I run because it picks up in just the right times.

7. “Sleepyhead” by Passion Pit: I will always love this song. If you haven’t heard it yet, shame on you. It serves multiple purposes, by waking you up in the morning, energizing a long drive, or perking you up while running. And just for being badass in general.

Rachel and I after a 5 mile race this past October.

8. “Stereo Love” by Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina: I can’t describe it, but the first time I heard this song I knew I wanted it on my running playlist. You know, like when something other than yourself moves inside of you. Okay, so maybe not that romantic but still—follow your instincts. It has not let me down since.

9. “Sprawl II” by Arcade Fire: This is just an absolutely beautiful song to run to, especially outside on a really nice day. In the countryside. When the weather is PERFECT. Hint: the song reaches its amazing peak at 2:57. Almost makes you want to cry.

10. “Festival” by Sugar Ros: EXCELLENT song if you need to slow down for a few minutes during your run, as the first 4:38 of the song is slow, melodic, and relaxing. After 4:38, the beat literally makes you want to jump higher than the sky, especially if you’ve seen 127 Hours.

Runner Ups:

“Give Me Everything” by Pitbull: I love this song, not just because “Kodak” is rhymed with “Kodak,” but because it makes life fun. And speeds up your run.

“Hey Daddy” by Usher: Need I say more? Perfect running beat. I thank Rahul for introducing me to this one.

The entire Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack. Seriously, all of it. I jammed this soundtrack so many times when I picked up running again in 2009. Sometimes it was the only way I could convince myself to make it through. Of course, it probably also had something to do with the fact that I was running inside on a gross treadmill all the time. I’ve linked the first song on the soundtrack for you to check out.

Enjoy. This is just a sampling, as my running playlist reached 300 songs today (I’m all about the even numbers), but they’re some of the best, in my opinion. As the weather warms—I’m beginning to think we’re never getting a winter, it was 66 degrees here today—add these to your iPOD and rock out while enjoying a little run in the great outdoors.

25 Things that Amuse Me about the Entertainment Industry

One of my friends told me my last post was kind of depressing. So in an effort to make January more exciting, I’m listing 25 random things I wonder or think about when it comes to the entertainment sphere—you know, since it’s supposed to be a representation of “reality.” You might find that you’ve pondered some of the same things. You might also find that you definitely have not. Don’t worry. Like Loreali Gilmore, my brain can be a wild jungle sometimes and this is just a sampling of the things that go through my mind daily.

1. I don’t find it believable that NO ONE says goodbye when they talk on the phone on TV shows/movies.

2. Are they really drinking wine/beer/liquor on TV shows/movies, or is it something else? I’ve been watching a lot of “Friends” lately, and they drink a crap load of wine, so this question has been forefront in my concerns as of late.

My sister, mom, and I with a "Law & Order" tunnel in Central Park. I later saw an episode where they legitimately filmed in this very spot.

3. Christopher Meloni, pleeeeaaassseee come back to Law & Order: SVU. PLEASE. You AND your crazy large forehead.

4. Why does everyone use phrases that are never used in real life? If I ever use the phrase “Now if you’ll excuse me” in a conversation, I’ll be shocked.

5. Did anyone else throw their copy of HP6 and then apologize to the book for throwing it when Dumbledore died? Or was that just me….

6. I want a complete list of all the different ways Facebook has been referred to on TV shows/movies without actually having to say Facebook. My favorite: Facespace.

7. Do show pets have owners in real life like actors have real families?

8. Who the HELL 1) came up with the idea of radio talk show hosts on pop/current music radio stations and 2) thought it was a good idea to let them talk in the morning instead of just playing some good ol’ tunes? I haven’t had to drive to work early in the morning in a while, but I guarantee you I can find a truckload of people who agree with me when I say “It’s 6 am. Just give me some freakin’ music, please.”

9. To continue with radio talk show hosts (I HATE THEM), do they listen to the things they say? In the car yesterday, I heard these gems within 30 minutes of each other: “Adele has a big butt,” “Rihanna doesn’t like to wear pants,” and “And no, no depressants were used when writing this song (in reference to “Good Feeling” by Flo Rida). Not even Paxil.” WTF!?!

10. Do they film car crash scenes more than once?

11. I don’t find the amount of cheese sandwiches consumed or coffee drank in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo relevant to the plot.

12. Did Steve Carrell learn to play the guitar for Dan in Real Life or is it a previously acquired skill?

13. I miss The Hills. Sooo much better than Jersey Shore.

14. Pretty soon, Apple will somehow have landed product placement in every single TV show and move in existence. Don’t even get Rahul started on the Apple product placement in Mission Impossible 4. Now I have to see if my dad’s iPad will create a fake wall like the one in the movie did.

15. If Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga had a child, what would it look like?

16. Is it soooo hard to find someone to play Bruce Banner/The Hulk in more than one movie?

17. Is it really necessary to remix Adele’s “Someone Like You?” Can we just not listen to a slow song without an annoying beat in the background?

18. NO ONE KNOWS HOW TO DRIVE IN MOVIES. If I drove moving my hands so much on the steering wheel like actors do, I WOULD DIE. Recent best example: Taylor Lautner in Abduction.

19. Let’s continue talking about Taylor Lautner. In his last movie, every time he cried it looked like he just had bad allergies (give Rahul credit for this). How long is he going to get by on just being pretty?

20. Pitbull rhymes “Kodak” with “Kodak” in “Give Me Everything.” Yeah, that happened. I still run to the song, though.

21. The movie version of HP1 is painful to watch now. Plus, they took out the best line: “HAVE YOU GONE MAD? ARE YOU A WITCH OR NOT?” Yeah, I’m still bitter about it, even though the movie came out when I was in 9th grade.

Me "jumping" over the very same spot Ben Gates does in Independence Hall.

22. Why do all radio stations go on commercial at the same time?

23. Why was The Return of the Jedi so much better in my mind than The Empire Strikes Back? So far, no one I’ve talked to about this agrees with me.

24. Yeah, please. I’m not buying it that that’s what so-in-so character’s cell phone screen actually looks like it. I never received a picture message on a flip phone that took up the whole screen.

25. National Treasure is one of the best movies of all time. Period.

I ♥ Sophia Grace

So I just found the Sophia Grace videos on Youtube for the first time and I have to say, I love that little singing girl. Not only is she a badass singer, but she wears a princess costume every time and owns it. She has also revitalized my interest in Nicki Minaj’s “Super Bass” and I would sooner watch Sophia’s version than Nicki’s video.

What I wanted to write on, though, was Sophia Grace getting to meet Nicki Minaj on “The Ellen Show.” I love when things like this happen on talk shows, and I don’t even watch talk shows. I’m more interested in the stories of people like Sophia Grace than I usually am of celebrities, especially when it’s Tom-Cruise-jumping-on-Oprah’s-couch comparable. I mean give me a break.

That’s why I’m totally in love with the moment when Sophia Grace realizes she’s about to meet Nicki Minaj—so many emotions cross that little girl’s face in less than five seconds and the best thing about them is that they are raw emotions. She’s not afraid to essentially freak out, scream, and jump on Nicki Minaj to give her a hug. Essentially, she’s not afraid to just be and display what she’s actually thinking, instead of remaining contained in the risk of losing face or embarrassing herself. And that’s the great thing about children—up until a certain age, they’re not afraid to show what they’re really thinking or wanting because they don’t know any different. I guess you could say that in some cases, this could be annoying, like maybe if a kid wants to beg for a snack all the time because they don’t any better but, I would argue that most of the time when this true emotion happens, it’s completely wonderful.

If you haven’t seen the moment on “The Ellen Show,” watch here. It will definitely brighten your day.

Bring home the bacon and fry it in the pan

The first time I heard Keri Hilson’s “Pretty Girl Rock” was while watching the Thanksgiving day parade. She was on a float with a bunch of girls dressed as princesses and I remember thinking what an annoying song. I never thought I would hear it played on the radio, but then again, when they play a song where Pitbull rhymes Kodak with Kodak, what else can you expect. But, on the subject of radio, I’ve noticed not only more songs with the word glitter in it (thank you, Ke$ha and P!nk), but a rise in girl power songs.

A decade ago, when The Princess Diaries was one of my favorite movies, I remember bopping to the girly pop songs, like “Ain’t Nuthin But a She Thing,” by Lil J that preached messages of how being a girl is awesome and that “I can be anything that I wanna be.” Before that, popular female power songs consist of “Woman” by Helen Reddy, “I’m a Woman” by Peggy Lee and, of course, the ever-popular “Respect” by Aretha Franklin.

But these songs and their messages are a far cry from the recent girl power songs playing on the radio. Artists used to sing messages of taking pride in one’s womanhood, never allowing oneself to feel intimidated, and not conforming to the gender minority role laid out for women. Songs today are essentially preaching the same message, but songs of past generations got this message through by pointing out how capable women are of competing and succeeding in this world. “I am Woman” starts out listing all the things a woman can complete in the same time a man can complete a task, such as “I can starch & iron 2 dozens shirts ‘fore you can count from 1 to 9.” “Ain’t Nuthin’ But a She Thing” makes a strong case for why women don’t need men in their lives to live from day to day.

On the other hand, Beyonce’s “Girls Who Run the World” starts out with the line “Some of them men think they freak this like we do” and includes the word motherf*cker when singing about how “We run the world.” Keri Hilson’s “Pretty Girl Rock” essentially gives the idea that you have to be pretty to feel empowered. Now, while these are both good messages to send, and Beyonce has certainly done her fair share of emphasizing the ability of women to take pride in themselves, it also gives the idea that one has to be fierce or beautiful or strong to truly “run the world.” Instead of stating woman have the ability to do their own thing, no matter what, many recent songs give the impression that this is only possible after a checklist has been marked—looks, ability to dominate a man, power, etc—and only after this checklist has been completed can a girl truly “run the world.”

Now, I’m not a super feminist or anything like that. In fact, I wouldn’t consider myself a feminist at all, just a woman that wants to be successful in life, whether that be in my relationships or my career. Women and men are, for the most part, given the same opportunities these days, so it astonishes me that not only are there men out there who still demean women in every way possible, but also that it takes pop songs to remind young girls that they can “bring home the bacon and fry it in the pan.”

But, that being said, I have had friends in relationships where their talent, intelligence, or looks (anything that made me them stand out more than the guy) was demeaned in any way possible, so I know it sometimes comes down to an issue of power among gender roles. However, I’d like for young girls and women to not need the “pretty girl rock” or a hard-core pop song by Beyonce to remind us that we can, really, run the world.