[QUOTE=DaveSavesTheDay;17236568]Too lazy to read.

What master's are you applying to?[/QUOTE]

What program, or what universities? If the latter, I have no idea.

Program-wise, I want to do something very modern. Modern literature, or technology/cultural studies. Something relevant, haha.

[QUOTE=BenJammin;17236575]What program, or what universities? If the latter, I have no idea.

Program-wise, I want to do something very modern. Modern literature, or technology/cultural studies. Something relevant, haha.[/QUOTE]

Bah, I couldn't stand 1 year of university, let alone another 2 on top of my undergrad.

In other news, I write my RCMP aptitude exam tomorrow night. I'm hella nervous.

[QUOTE=DaveSavesTheDay;17236621]Bah, I couldn't stand 1 year of university, let alone another 2 on top of my undergrad.

In other news, I write my RCMP aptitude exam tomorrow night. I'm hella nervous.[/QUOTE]

Eh, you'll be fine. I've got a couple of buddies who've gone through the whole process, and say it's not fine as long as you're in shape, and have nothing to hide.

[QUOTE=BenJammin;17236629]Eh, you'll be fine. I've got a couple of buddies who've gone through the whole process, and say it's not fine as long as you're in shape, and have nothing to hide.[/QUOTE]

Dang, so I'd have to tell them about my drug trafficking, exotic animal trade and the fact that I was actually born Davina, a Russian female?

[QUOTE=DaveSavesTheDay;17236676]Dang, so I'd have to tell them about my drug trafficking, exotic animal trade and the fact that I was actually born Davina, a Russian female?[/QUOTE]

Correct. :p

They'll ask if you you've ever engaged in bestiality, though.

Seriously.

[QUOTE=BenJammin;17236681]Correct. :p

They'll ask if you you've ever engaged in bestiality, though.

Seriously.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I read through some of the questions. Some of them are truly bizarre.

[QUOTE=Raayl;17233796]lmao everyone is a professional film critic i forgot about that[/QUOTE]

I wouldn't say professional but I have spent 5 non-consecutive years studying film, television as well as creative writing and film reviewing.

[QUOTE=funkyhoney;17237035]I wouldn't say professional but I have spent 5 non-consecutive years studying film, television as well as creative writing and film reviewing.[/QUOTE]

thats actually pretty cool i didnt know that

i am not a critic-hater like most "artists" or "film makers" are so werd.

[QUOTE=BenJammin;17236379]Nah, not awful. It's what I want to do. I'm not even going to seriously look for a job until after my MA.

Unless something happens during my time off to drastically change my desires, I've got probably several more years of school left (assuming my masters is the bare minimum). Might go for a PhD, even.[/QUOTE]

Serious question Ben, what IS it you actually want to do? I'm doing a creative writing degree in lieu of journalism because it covers a much broader range of writing [I]including[/I] journalism and also has literature components and stylistics/writing theory units. Main reason being because it's what I'm best at, ideally wanting to just freelance around doing odds and ends whilst working a day job in something I love like animals/pet/aquarium industry. Oh, and because it gives me skills I need to write half-decent fiction.

But you're doing some kind of English Lit. course right? Are you aiming do be a linguistics/stylistics writer or something?

[QUOTE=Raayl;17237041]thats actually pretty cool i didnt know that

i am not a critic-hater like most "artists" or "film makers" are so werd.[/QUOTE]

I'm not surprised dude, you don't know anything about me :eek:

I wouldn't call myself a critic at all, I know how to write film analysis' and critiques and reviews, but it's not really what I want to do. I toyed with the idea of studying film too, but I was infinitely better at pre-production and film theory than actually making anything; so my current studies help me with screen writing and such as well.

I'm not a critic hater, but you have to take everything with a grain of salt, especially old pricks like Roger Ebert, he has all the experience in the world but after a while I think he just forgot that not all films are pieces of artwork and are intended for pure entertainment. Just like anything, pop music, pop lit, cigarettes, whatever. There's always a division between "serious" films (even with over the top plots and ideas) and films that are still "good" but aren't intended to be taken seriously; the whole poking fun at yourself notion.

Like B-Grades, and so-bad-it's-good, but to a lesser degree. I like films that are just pure entertainment sometimes, like Cloverfield or Quarantine, the whole first person thing, no plot, just go go go.

Film analysis is actually pretty interesting. I took two semesters of cinema courses. I really liked the new Nicholas Cage movie ([I]Knowing[/I]) purely for the incredible use of mis-en-scene.

That, and the plane crash has to be one of the most surreal scenes I've seen in a movie in a while. It felt as though, if in that situation, it would be exactly like that.

Funkyhoney, do you write for a living?

[QUOTE=FunkMetalBass;17237576]Film analysis is actually pretty interesting. I took two semesters of cinema courses. I really liked the new Nicholas Cage movie ([I]Knowing[/I]) purely for the incredible use of mis-en-scene.

That, and the plane crash has to be one of the most surreal scenes I've seen in a movie in a while. It felt as though, if in that situation, it would be exactly like that.

Funkyhoney, do you write for a living?[/QUOTE]

It's very interesting, just like music analysis, there's a lot more too it than your average viewer/listener notices, although that's usually the intention. Suspension of disbelief and belief and such. As well as things that are intentionally well-designed but not fore-grounded so it works on a more subconscious level.

The only reason I watched it was because I was hoping they hadn't butchered the book, at the moment there's about a 50/50 ratio on Philip K. Dick books made to films that are good/bad.

I know I'd never make it in film, I don't have the practical skill, although reviewing is fun, analysis is interesting, but less fun. My options for study after school were vet nursing, music, film and writing, I chose writing because I'm not passionate enough to become a full veterinarian, music I see more as a hobby and a small income and I was better at pre-production and film writing than actual filming. So writing it was.

I'm doing a fairly broad course at the moment, about halfway through, I do reviewing (food, film, music etc. the finer points of the writing itself not so much the theory behind each particular strand, having a grounding in music and film I tend towards those, but food is fun), personal essays, creative non-fiction, traditional journalism, children's writing, screen writing, media writing, persuasive writing, stylistics studies, poetics, literary studies to an extent, short stories, practical skills, fiction skills, almost anything under the sun. And that's just what I've done so far, got a lot more to come.

By the time I finish I'll hopefully have a bit of a CV under my belt with the odds and ends I submit for publication and will be able to work freelance and not be tied down to any one thing. Writing reviews, opinion columns and such and then working on fiction and maybe poetry for my own gratification and maybe publication if I get lucky. Would love to have a book published, moreso than a regular article or column, a book would mean so much to me.

So I don't write for a living, yet, I make a bit of money from it, a bit more from my band and most of it just plain old working in the bottle shop. Ideally when I finish, being a freelance writer, or maybe a regular column is what I want to do; so I have time to do the things I like to make up the rest of my income, like working with animals, in music or something similar.

P.S. does anyone love Emilie Simon as much as me? I've got her covers of I Wanna be Your Dog, Come As You Are and Space Oddity, pure heaven.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekHvzepeIJo&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56dy-P3i2SM&feature=related

This is maybe even better, I just love how they can get such a good sound like that, live. They're even better than the recordings in some cases.

Exercise is totally rubbish :(

I feel great for doing it, but not at the time :/

I run 4/5 days a week, usually only 3 or 4km's but it's enough to keep me fit. If I'm training for an event, which I rarely do I step up a bit, I'm doing a 10k in a few months time and I'm really a sprinter, not a long distance runner so it'll be tough for me.

I can't do weights or any of that ****, boring as **** for me.

I do a tiny bit of weights now and then if I can be bothered. I don't have time for a dedicated exercise program.

Starting next week (finals f**ked my schedule up this week) I'll be back on routine of running for 20-30 min a day and do mild strength training on Tues/Thurs/Sat.

[QUOTE=funkyhoney;17237665]I run 4/5 days a week, usually only 3 or 4km's but it's enough to keep me fit. If I'm training for an event, which I rarely do I step up a bit, I'm doing a 10k in a few months time and I'm really a sprinter, not a long distance runner so it'll be tough for me.

I can't do weights or any of that ****, boring as **** for me.[/QUOTE]

did triceps and biceps today :)

kind of a light day, im exhausted from yesterday. did core, biceps, bench and shoulder press.

[QUOTE=Sablate McNuff;17238151]Starting next week (finals f**ked my schedule up this week) I'll be back on routine of running for 20-30 min a day and do mild strength training on Tues/Thurs/Sat.[/QUOTE]

if you want to get into serious shape you need to maintain your lifting schedule. the best way to eliminate body fat is to replace it with muscle as you do cardio. people who specifically do nothing but cardio have a hard time seeing any real difference in fitness level. they may lose weight but they're not increasing their metabolism, building muscle, or really improving their overall health.

i can make you a fitness schedule if you want. follow it and you'll be in great shape in no time. :thumb:

also, start watching your diet. when you're doing any kind of fitness training it is key to make sure you're getting enough protein. most nutritionists suggest using protein as a good way to make sure your diet is balanced. because if you're getting enough protein everything else tends to balance out.

get some protein bars and protein shake mix. you're 200+ like me, correct? that means you'll want about 200 grams of protein a day. protein is fuel for your muscles as they rebuild after you tear them up working out. most people get about 50 grams a protein a day. you're going to need to maintain that protein diet to see good results.

also, make sure you're getting it from good sources. check the labels on your food - if there is ANY trans fats in it ditch it immediately. that is pure slime for your body. for meats, you're going to want fish. get some crab meat from your deli (the fake stuff is fine too. comes in a bag, its cheap) and make some sandwhiches. it tastes good, its lean, and its a great source of lean protein.

chicken is also pro, and any kind of fish. get some tuna and sliced chicken breast from your deli. make sure you eat whole grain bread.

And ditch any and all dairy in your diet. I recommend switching to hemp or almond milk. high in omega 3 and 6s, and a good source of lean protein. Plus it's dairy free, and low cholesterol.

[QUOTE=Raayl;17238177]if you want to get into serious shape you need to maintain your lifting schedule. the best way to eliminate body fat is to replace it with muscle as you do cardio. people who specifically do nothing but cardio have a hard time seeing any real difference in fitness level. they may lose weight but they're not increasing their metabolism, building muscle, or really improving their overall health.

i can make you a fitness schedule if you want. follow it and you'll be in great shape in no time. :thumb:[/QUOTE]

I'm interested.
As it is I bike every day and hike on the weekends, and I'm looking at doing something more rigorous.

also remember that diets do not work. diets are temporary, what you need is a lifestyle. go to the gym EVERY-DAY. Once you do it for about a month or so, your body will get used to it. You'll feel great afterwards and that high+being routine will make you stick to it like glue. Get some good music to listen to or a friend to go with.

And if possible, when running - don't jog. The best kind of cardio exercise is what is known as "high intensity interval training." It is what I do, when I do cardio. Here is an example of how it works:

Run for 1 minute at 8 mph. Walk for 1 minute at 3 mph. Run at 1 minute 30 seconds at 9 mph. Walk for 1 minute at 3 mph. Run for 2 minutes at 10 mph

etc, etc. Do it for about five minutes, then you're done. Your body will be dead. It's a good way to end a mild lifting workout.

Jogging is fine, but it's a mild exercise for moderate fitness levels. High intensity interval training will do just that - TRAIN your cardiovascular system.

Also, learn the various exercises and lifts and what areas they target. Also learn what kind of repititions do what. For example, strength-increasing/muscle building occurs between 2 and 4 reps. If you max out at 2 reps, you're building muscle. What maxing out means is that after two reps, your body physically just can't do any more right now. Other good indications that you're around the right weight is if you do a negative. A negative is a rep that you try to do but can't finish. A bench negative would be when you're lifting the bar, but can't get it all the way back up and your spotter has to help you. That's a negative, they're really good for you if you struggle and strain properly.









I recommend this schedule.

Monday - Chest/Biceps. Do 4 sets of two different chest exercises, and 4 sets of two different bicep exercises. Bench press, shoulder press, bicep curl machine, freeweight bicep curl. Finish off with some high intensity interval training.

Tuesday - Back/Shoulders. Do 4 sets of two different back exercises, and 4 sets of two different shoulder exercises. Row pulls/overhead pulldowns, freeweights, shoulder press, and bench press. Finish off with some high intensity interval training.

Wednesday- Repeat monday.

Thursday - Repeat tuesday.

Friday - Your choice. I prefer to keep this day open as a light cardio day. No high intensity interval training, maybe just a light job or practice some martial art techniques. Key is to make sure you do at least 30 minutes of whatever activity you choose.

Weekend - time off. Rest, your body needs it. :lol:

there you go, good luck.

remember to FOLLOW this schedule. Do not slack or miss a day. Trust me, after a while, you'll feel TERRIBLE if you miss a day. Your body will reject the lack of activity.

It is also okay to change the order of exercises if you want to. For example, if you like to do 10 reps instead of strength building 2 reps on a certain exercise and want to do it daily, that is totally fine. Don't over-stress yourself, though - and always make sure to give your muscles a night or extra day of rest in between working out. Its when you're resting that you actually become stronger, btw. Working out breaks down your muscles and tears them, and when you rest - your body builds them back together tougher. Keep that in mind. Rest is just as important.

Make sure to keep your energy up with carbs and protein, too. Fiber is good, and dont slack on the breads. Eat when you're hungry. Avoid big single meals. Eat a bagel crab meat sandwhich at noon, and if you're hungry for some almonds at 1:30, go eat a handful. It's important to eat frequently all throughout the day, and NEVER EVER EVER ****ING MISS BREAKFAST. ALWAYS EAT BREAKFAST. i dont give a **** if you're late. Breakfast is more important.

look at me im like a high school gym teacher wtf

oh and here is another note - when lifting, allow at least 1/2 minutes in between each rep set. Your muscles need time to cool down after a hard maxed out rep. And always increase the weight each time.

Here is a good technique to follow:

Shoulder press. Start off at 100 lbs at 10 reps. Then do 110 pounds at 8 rep. Then do 120 lbs at 6 reps. Then max out at 140 lbs at 2/4 reps.

Thanks a lot. I'm not so worried about the diet thing, I just don't know enough about exercise schedules.

[quote=Raayl;17238177]if you want to get into serious shape you need to maintain your lifting schedule. the best way to eliminate body fat is to replace it with muscle as you do cardio. people who specifically do nothing but cardio have a hard time seeing any real difference in fitness level. they may lose weight but they're not increasing their metabolism, building muscle, or really improving their overall health.

i can make you a fitness schedule if you want. follow it and you'll be in great shape in no time. :thumb:[/quote]

When I "run", it's on an elliptical runner with the resistance at 40-50%. It gives my legs a great burn.

The lifting is consistent as far as the routine goes, but it is a rather short workout, as I don't usually have more than about 15 minutes to lift after my run. Usually just some bicep targeting on tues, thurs is triceps, and sat is pects.

If you could plan a routine for me 30-45 min a day, I'd be so game. All I have are a couple free weights and the elliptical runner, though. I'm also horribly out of shape for my age, so you'd have to start me off slower than someone like yourself of Efrim.

you dont have a gym nearby you can go to? it really helps.

[quote=Raayl;17238241]you dont have a gym nearby you can go to? it really helps.[/quote]

I'll have to look into that, now that I have some free time away from school. I know there are a couple around me, but I haven't really explored what they have to offer and how busy they are.

I miss my apartment with the 24-hour fitness center downstairs.

I really need to find a workout buddy.