Lets get Michael Moore and Trump in a room together...

"You don't need no gun control. You know what you need? We need some bullet control. We need to control the bullets. I think all bullets should cost five thousand dollars. Five thousand dollars for a bullet. You know why? 'Cause if a bullet cost five thousand dollars, there'd be no more innocent bystanders. Every time somebody get shot they'd be like, "Dang, he must've did somethin'! Shit, they put fifty thousand dollars worth of bullets in his ass!" And people would think before they killed somebody if a bullet cost five thousand dollars. "Man, I would blow your fuckin' head off... if I could *afford* it! I'm a get me another job, I'm a start saving some money, and you a dead man!” couldn't be better stated by Chris Rock in one of his stand up comedy shows that was shown in the thrilling documentary Bowling for Columbine. Michael Moore’s documentaries have become my favourite, more and more of them I watch, the straight up truth he promotes smacks me in the face (when I have been saying that I want to do THAT to you guys… he does it to me). This documentary surrounds gun laws in America and the high school shooting(s) in and near by Columbine. Moore takes matters in his own hands with going to celebrities, head of the NRA (Rational riffle associational), he even caused k-mart to stop selling bullets that can be bought for handheld guns (ones not for hunting). Such a powerful documentary that shows what these open gun laws in America are doing to the country. 

I didn't think I would have to make another blog about shootings and hate crimes so soon… but here we are, only a handful of blogs later…a couple months…and I need to react to yet another school shooting that occurred last week in Florida. 17 people, including teen student and teachers, were shot by the hands of another student. In 2018 alone, only 2 months (by the way), theres already been 18 school shootings in the US (stat resource). That averages, 2.5 shootings a week… like WTF? I cant imagine being a teen in high school in the states. Being surrounded by all these hate crimes, the feeling of being safe is totally gone! 

Leaderships and the “higher power” think this violence is due to movies, video games and the media… but so many other countries have restricted gun laws AND still watch the same movies and play the same video games YET no other country even comes close to the amount shootings that occur in America. Australia changed their gun laws right after their 2000 school shooting… there has never been one since then. All these stats and ideas come from this documentary and it BLEW MY MIND! They cannot just admit that their gun laws, the easy access of obtaining weapons and ammunition, is causing all this violence, it is the rest of the world that is causing the problems. It is their take on the amendments of freedom and the right to bare arms that think they have a right to give guns to every “able” bodied man and woman. Well this man that committed the recent shooting in Florida was mentally ill, yet purchased a gun and ammo, and then went on to kill dozens of people… but he had the RIGHT to protect himself by committing a crime his sick mind created. 

I want badger this issue anymore, I’ll just leave this attached video for you to watch of a brave young woman that attended the high school, stating in front of a huge rally of people, what is so corrupt and wrong with this situation. You then think what can be done to make the US a safer place, and if you do not live there, you then feel lucky for where you live. 

Emma Gonzales CNN video.

Love;

Rachel

Want more real shit? Follow my Instagram page True20something or search the hashtag #true20something. MUAH  

PREACH!

  

1/2 priced Valentines candy today... See y'all later!

“When you love someone, you love all of them... you gotta love everything about them, not just the good things but the bad things too. The things that you find lovable and the things you don’t.” explains Estelle (the ever so lovely Shirley MacLaine) in the prestige-actor filled film, Valentines Day. Honestly I may have mixed emotions about the holiday but this movie… LOVE IT! I am a fan of cinema that is filled with mini separate stories that all somehow connect in the end, so to show diverse feelings and stories about Valentines day in this movie just made it an emotional rollercoaster! Everyone has their own opinions of this day, my fiancé, for instance, hates the idea. He thinks it is more romantic to do something spontaneous on a random day then a previous planned one where everyone knows something will be coming and will be coming with a price tag. I of course agree, spontaneity gives me goose bumps and well… excites me! However, though I agree with the commercialized aspect and how some corporations have ruined the true meaning of holidays, being in love is a feeling that cant top anything, Valentines day is just ANOTHER excuse to share it and spread it! 

Take the first quote of the blog, to love a person for all of them and not just what you like… biggest life lesson that can be preached! There is no such thing as perfect, sorry thats life, everything or everyone and a knick, a knack, a flaw or a tare. Having someone that is perfect FOR YOU however, is totally plausible! You could love so much about them, their laugh, sense of kindness, smarts, their looks, but there will always be something that will maybe annoy you even in the slightest. They way they eat, or how they reacted to something, anything that may make you twitch a bit. Estelle is trying to explain, if you love this person, you'll accept their so said “flaws” because love is an entirety, a whole, not bits a parts, but a fully functioning emotion with all parts attached. 

I am going to keep this short as myself and I know most of you have plans during the Valentines week, but I just wanted to say don't make this day and time be objectified by commercial products. Spend this time with people you love, a friend, a family, a companion, or maybe share the love with people that need it, Valentines day sometimes brings out sad times in peoples lives (a long with most holidays), but with a kind gesture their day can be brightened and filled with LOVE! Happy Valentines Day to all of you, share and spread the love! 

PS: Sorry for the day late post, my internet obviously didn't like Valentines day...

Love;

Rachel

Want more smack you in the face reality? Follow my Instagram page True20something or search the hashtag #true20something

Hands up if this is your kind of party?

Hakuna Matata... I want my life to be like Pumbaa and Timon

"Oh yes, the past can hurt. But you can either run from it, or learn from it.” states the great and colourful, inspirational yet confused monkey Rafiki from The Lion King. I know I’m throwing it way back for most of you, but children movies are straight up, real, and have many life lessons. To having many layers like an onion (Shrek), to wanting to live rather than surviving (Wall-E), to just keep swimming (Finding Nemo)… so many life lessons hiding behind quirky characters and entertaining story lines, it is truly great actually. Just think of how many subliminal messages were pushed into our young minds, some for worse, but some for better. For a classic, world known cartoon to state not to dwell in the past and learn from it, by referring to Simba about learning from Mufasa’s death, pure genius to put that in kids heads! We would have not realized it then, though we may be able to go back into our past decisions and mind sets to think how we followed some of these lessons without realizing it. Learning from Ratatouille, with “everyone can cook” and “your only limit is your soul”… look how many things in your life you weren’t afraid to do even when other people told you that you couldn't. Look at Monsters Inc., a film surrounded by friendship. “You and I are a team, there is nothing more important than our friendship”, which I know can apply to many of your guys experiences in the past. That is why my kids will be watching cartoons that I grew up with, and hopefully if they keep creating GOOD children films, newer ones too. 

Like I said however, these movies can also send not so positive subliminal messages as well. Mostly surrounding womanizing and prejudice. The common prince saving the “damsel in distress” has and will be talked about in feminism articles for years. Cinderella, Snow White, and all princess fairy tales pretty much… except for Brave, great ass movie… show a fragile woman being swept off their feet by a prince charming riding in on a gallant stead… BLAH BLAH BLAH! Those scenes being pushed into kids heads leave as great as an impression as good life lessons. Girls start to think they have to wait for a boy to save them from a  situation or they have no say in a relationship and that men are their superior. Its been talked about for years about these subliminal messages in children movies and fairytales, take a look at this short video  for examples. 

Overall… I will forever love Disney, Pixar and all cinematic adventures that truly make me feel like a kid again. Now I know about these messages and are more aware, my mind will only intake the fun in these movies… and sometimes the sad moments where I ball my eyes out (the last Toy Story when Andy dropped off his toys… I couldn't handle it!!!). Don't be afraid to live like a kid and enjoy films like these. Show your kids them… as long as you explain the importance in the movie and make them see the good life messages and not the bad, they can truly enjoy the experience even more, and so can you!

Love;

Rachel

Want more real life shit, follow me on Instagram True20something or search the hashtag #true20something. MUAH

Going from the weekday to the weekend...

Stiletto Heels were meant for stabbing society in the face...

"'This... stuff'? Oh. Okay. I see. You think this has nothing to do with you. You go to your closet and you select... I don't know... that lumpy blue sweater, for instance because you're trying to tell the world that you take yourself too seriously to care about what you put on your back. But what you don't know is that that sweater is not just blue, it's not turquoise. It's not lapis. It's actually cerulean. And you're also blithely unaware of the fact that in 2002, Oscar de la Renta did a collection of cerulean gowns. And then I think it was Yves Saint Laurent... wasn't it who showed cerulean military jackets? I think we need a jacket here. And then cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of eight different designers. And then it, uh, filtered down through the department stores and then trickled on down into some tragic Casual Corner where you, no doubt, fished it out of some clearance bin. However, that blue represents millions of dollars and countless jobs and it's sort of comical how you think that you've made a choice that exempts you from the fashion industry when, in fact, you're wearing the sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room from a pile of stuff.” Miranda (forever my idol Meryl Streep) explains to Andy (the beautiful Anne Hathaway) in The Devil Wears Prada, on why two belts that look the same are not because of fashion. Due to this past weekend of the Women’s March that occurred all over the world, I thought I would dedicate this blog post to all the strong ass woman out there and to remind them that not all movies are misogynistic and that its main purpose is to ruin any credibility woman (or sometimes men too) have in this world. This film along with others like Brave, Mamma Mia, Hunger Games, Salt, Kill Bill… just to name a few, features strong, courageous and determined woman that does not fall into a damsel in distress character, yet one that may be “expected” as a males role.  

Now first I want to state I am a feminist the preaches EQUALITY, I do not think women are superior over men but that we are all equal (including racial and sexual orientation as well). However, seeing something that stands out of norm, such as a beauty kicking ass in heels and being a superhero with red lipstick pasted on… gets me so hyped and feel so empowered as a woman! Not to run circles around men, but to feel as empowered and strong as they are perceived to be. 

The “me too” campaign has been all over social media so lets not pretend that any of you have not seen it. It truly has made a change in this world! To have a campaign that shares how many people have been sexually assaulted or know someone who has is INSANELY courageous and great! 1.7 million women and men, in 85 countries, have used the #metoo hashtag (reference link on CNN). I believe it can be used for both genders as well, I have seen way too many videos of women and men talking about that time… or how they cannot forget… or how much they hurt, it is all around us with any gender, any age, any race and any sexual orientation. Am I saying this hashtag is going to make an actual change on sexual harassment? No, but after seeing the amount of people sharing their stories or concern or support, I believe more will be done about it. With organizations that support victims and push to stop it, the law system and regulations on sentencing, and authority just cracking down more on people that are looked up to by statute, like celebrities and people in parliament. We all heard the allegations of Kevin Spade, and even George W. Bush. Women (and men) standing up and being a part of this movement, makes me still have pride and hope in civilization. 

To end this brief (yet so important) blog I want to quote a statement that my girl Aly Raisman (a USA Olympic Gymnastics star) made in her speech to the court and to her abuser (her old gymnastics doctor) Larry Nassar. The speech was about sentencing him for the pain he has caused to her and 70 other gymnastic legends and young girls. However, she did not make it as negative as everyone would of thought, but shared the strength of her and the other ladies that were there coming forth to put him away. "Larry, you do realize now that we, this group of women you so heartlessly abused over such a long period of time, are now a force, and you are nothing.” LIKE OH SNAP! YOU TELL HIM GIRL! When I listened to her speech, I was expecting to cry, but a rush of empowerment just came over me. I have never personally been sexually harassed but know people that have been, and her speech along with many other movements that have been occurring recently… I know we all have the strength to get through this pain and push to greatness! 

Though this blog wasn't centred around film, I believe I have shared a message to all of you: Be a strong woman today and for your whole life, then teach strength to women that come after you!

Love;

Rachel 

 Video link to Aly Raisman's Speech on CBS

Want more hit you in the stomach and make you feel real reality? Follow my Instagram page True20something, or search the hashtag #true20something. MUAH

Look at all those strong and beautiful women (heart eyes)

Jake Gyllenhaal can warm me up in any ice age...

“Jason Evans: What do you think's going to happen to us? Jack Hall: What do you mean? Jason Evans: I mean "us"? Civilization? Everyone? Jack Hall: Mankind survived the last ice age. We're certainly capable of surviving this one. All depends on whether or not we're able to learn from our mistakes?” a conversation between two men, Jack (cinemas father figure Dennis Quaid) and Jason (the little odd, Dash Mihok) while looking for the gorgeous Jake Gyllenhaal, Sam Hall, in an apocalyptic snowstorm in the film The Day After Tomorrow. Due to a huge climate change from a sheet of ice shearing off Antartica, an ice age arose. This cinematic adventure was mostly centred around just that, an adventure, it did not go deeply into the reasoning for this world disaster. Just a brief description of the ice sheet occurrence (however, it is a great movie and though a little older, graphics are well done). I do wish they expanded and pointed out a little more about the obvious reasoning of their ice age… global F***ING warming! Now we have all heard Trump and his environmental associates view on global warming… a Tweet of his in 2012 read “The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.”. Am I missing something here? Since when is the state of our Earth and climate been imagined to be a part of the Chinese marketing strategy? Global warming is not a concept, it is an observation and it surrounds us with proven facts daily. Such as, it snowed in the freaking Sahara Desert this month… that has only happened 3 times in the last 40 god dam years… FORTY! 

There has been numerous apocalyptic, end of the world based movies; War of the Worlds, Cloverfield, World War Z… to name a few. Most are far fetched (or to what you believe in which is totally in your rights to believe in aliens and such), though The Day After Tomorrow, 2012, and other Hollywood movies (that are not as famous) show a more accurate representation of how the world COULD meet its end. The way we as people have treated the Earth over the many years is straight sickening. Don't get me wrong, I am totally at fault as well; I have not recycled as much as I should have, I should have not littered as much as a child, I should have no put harmful chemicals into the air or into the ground. We have taken the beauty of this world for granted and built buildings over agricultural areas, cut down billions of trees, and used water from our beautiful oceans and lakes as dumping lands. Did you know, 9 billion tons of litter end of oceans every year (Littering Facts Website), that is equivalent to one billion elephants. 

I want to state that this isn't a blog to rag on humanity. As my first quote states, we have a chance to save the world if we are able to learn from our mistakes. I am merely, and hoping, I put a suggestive thought in all your heads about how messed up we made this world, but that we can fix it (in a climate but also humanitarian way). Little by little even; recycling and dividing trash more, using natural products on our lawns, refrain from littering, chose to buy from “kosher” and caring companies, using recyclable products… so many small changes you can make and enforce in your families to maybe start the recovery of our world. Also another small bonus… helping slow down global warming will help with these crazy cold winters and intense hot summers we all have been having (or unusual weather patterns). Makes us enjoy the seasons more am I right? A little food for thought for you guys this week.

P.S. I would like to apologize for my missed post last week as I was on vacation with no sight of functional Wifi near by. 

Love;

Rachel

Want more smack you in the face truth and quotes, follow my Instagram page, True20something, or search the hashtag #true20something. MUAH

This eye of the storm is me, the calm before I attack a whole pizza

I want Sarah Jessica Parker’s style (heart eyes)!

“And as you all can see, the ball has stopped half way to its perch. it's suspended there to remind us before we pop the champagne and celebrate the new year, to stop, and reflect on the year that has gone by, to remember both our triumphs and our missteps, our promises made and broken, the times we opened ourselves up to great adventures... or closed ourselves down for fear of getting hurt, because that's what new year's all about , getting another chance, a chance to forgive. to do better, to do more, to give more, to love more, and to stop worrying about what if... and start embracing what will be. so when that ball drops at midnight, and it will drop, let's remember to be nice to each other, kind to each other, and not just tonight but all year long.” Claire Morgan (the gorgeous Hilary Swank) explains to the world on national television in the amazing movie New Year’s Eve. December 31st and January 1st every year brings on a new attribute to people, a drive and aspiration… how long that lasts however, though varies from person to person, usually doesn't last long. I highly do agree with this quote that New Years Eve should be a time to reflect on the past year and see how you were as a person and see how you can grow and be more true and even better then this year. However this thought of a “new years resolution” or “new year, new me” being posted and done all over the world is honestly a set up for disappointment.

Im not saying no one completes a resolution or works on their new years goal, but look around, even at yourself…I know I do it too…we give up, even if it is super small, we sometimes fail before the end of the year. I like to look at working on your goals should be thought of year round and not started at the beginning of the year but created through out your life. That way you don't get disappointed as much because you didn't complete your new years resolution in 2018 but you are continuing to work on your goal into 2019 and 2020 and so on. Working on yourself is through out your life. Becoming kinder to people and the world, being better to yourself and showing off who you are… thats not done in a year…you work on it each day for your whole life. 

“Sometimes it feels like there are so many things in this world we can't control. Earthquakes, floods, reality shows... But it's important to remember the things that we can. Like forgiveness, second chances, fresh starts... Because the one thing that turns the world from the longing place to a beautiful place... is love. Love and any of its forms. Love gives us hope... Hope for the New Year. That's what New Year's Eve is to me. Hope and a great party!” Sam (the heartthrob Josh Duhamel) states so beautifully. I will keep saying it… love is what makes the world go round, it can triumph any disaster especially coming in on a new year. 

Be kind to everyone but most importantly, to yourself. Be you and grow you! Live this year fully and make new goals everyday to become a better you!

Love;

Rachel

Want more slap in the face real talk? Follow me on Instagram True20something or search the hashtag #true20something. MUAH 

True dat home girl...

We should all be more like cousin Eddie... our hearts should be bigger than our brains.

"Hey! If any of you are looking for any last-minute gift ideas for me, I have one. I'd like Frank Shirley, my boss, right here tonight. I want him brought from his happy holiday slumber over there on Melody Lane with all the other rich people and I want him brought right here, with a big ribbon on his head. And I want to look him straight in the eye and I want to tell him what a cheap, lying, no-good, rotten, four-flushing, low-life, snake-licking, dirt-eating, inbred, overstuffed, ignorant, blood-sucking, dog-kissing, brainless, dickless, hopeless, heartless, fat-ass, bug-eyed, stiff-legged, spotty-lipped, worm-headed sack of monkey shit he is! Hallelujah! Holy shit! Where's the Tylenol?”, exclaims Clark W. Griswold from the classic Christmas movie (I’ve repetitively mentioned in my last couple blogs) National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. I feel this is how many people are feeling the last couple days, right after Christmas. Where everyone’s money is spent on gifts and boxing day deals… many people may be blaming their work place and bosses for the fact they are god dam broke now. In reality, we spend WAY too much on the holiday season. Also many of you are probably feeling the need for Tylenol like Clark; with the drinking, the abundance of loud family members, screaming cousins, and the crazy amount of (rude ass, inpatient) people on the streets with shopping… I know I need a bottle… now!

I truly wish all of you had an amazing Christmas and continue to have great holidays into the new year! However, I know many people are struggling over money and are stressed (stress eating as well!) around this time of year. The fact that Christmas (and all other holidays) has become so commercialized and surrounded around monetary gifts drives me insane! I do admit, growing up, I was an only child, therefore the spoiled kid around the holidays and I wanted all the best toys and gadgets. Now, as I have grown, I realize money for sure does not grow on trees and I really don't want any gifts. To show appreciation to family and friends over the holidays, I do believe gifts should be given, though ones that are thoughtful and directed to how you feel about those ones. My wonderful fiancé got my a snow globe, I AM IN LOVE WITH SNOW GLOBES! He knew this obviously, and got a romantic and Christmas joy filled one with a nice and sweetly written card. That is all this girl needs! I am one to want to give a lot to those who deserve it and are in need, but my bank account is not on the same page as me. So giving gifts that “keep on giving” is a happy medium for both my heart and my wallet. Such as written notes, picture albums or charity work.

The holidays is about being with family and loved ones. I know I sound like a broken record over these last couple blogs but that truly is what this time of year is about. I agree, throughout the year, shit gets busy and I don't find myself seeing family and friends as much as I want. With the time off people get around Christmas and New Years, it should be taken advantage of. Like every Christmas movie made, at the end, they always show that loved ones triumph all monetary objects and gifts. The Grinch, I’ll be home for Christmas, Santa Clause, all Hallmark Christmas movies, and more… they all have that same moral or message about the holidays.   

I am sorry for the short blog this week, I have been spending a lot of time out and about (planning my wedding as well YUUUSS!). I wish you all a continuous happy holiday and a Happy New Year! Start your new year off right and be with people you love! Make accurate new years resolutions (hear ALL about that in next weeks blog), learn more, see more, read more, and most importantly… be more who you really are! See you all in 2018!

Love;

Rachel

Want to get more real life, punch you in the face stuff? Follow me on Instagram true20something or search the hashtag #true20something. MUAH

How I feel walking around during Boxing day...