The Midwestern Miscreant

Oliver

2011-06-22T20:12:00.002-05:00

These Days

2010-08-07T19:58:00.003-05:00

These past months has left me jaded and uninspired, or as much as I can be of those things at my age. I can't be moved much. Maybe I've put myself in this position though. Of course, it is so hard to get comfortable, let alone allow my mind to grow, if my heart is somewhere else. Is that trite? Is that naive? It doesn't matter much now. The fact is that this is that I am where I am. There's no turning back now. But I am still feeling stale. Like a the foot of a loaf of bread that's been sitting on your kitchen counter, next to the toaster, for far too long. When was the last time I was moved so forcefully by art, or creativity, or whatever you want to call it? Moments ago, I suppose. Otherwise I wouldn't be here. It wasn't the piece of art itself, though. It's what it reminded me of, primarily of myself. Of how I used to talk, and carry myself. I was a survivor. Now, I'm just along for the ride.

Oh, but no more. I need to freshen up. Here's me taking the cold towel to my bloodshot eyes. I'm waking up, turning the kettle on. It's time to get my hands dirty.

By way of the Green Line Bus, I will return.

I'm Tumbln Now

2010-06-22T09:58:00.002-05:00

http://midwesternmiscreant.tumblr.com/

Weeerrdd.

Coolest pillow ever

2010-05-03T06:35:00.001-05:00

Coolest pillow ever

Posted using ShareThis

Fill It In

2010-04-23T20:44:00.003-05:00

There's something missing here.

Ah, much better.

Mysterious Shape

2010-04-14T17:13:00.009-05:00

Currently listening to: Concerning The UFO Sighting Near Highland Illinois by Sufjan Stevens, German Love by Starfucker

For exactly one year, I lived in a town about half an hour outside of Oklahoma City called Mustang. It was the year David the Cat ran away, the year I watched Titanic for the first time, the year I memorized the lyrics to about 20 Elvis Presley songs. I celebrated my eleventh birthday. It was the year that I became completely and totally obsessed with I Love Lucy. I would sit through an hour of Just Shoot Me And Frasier reruns just to fall asleep to the screech of Lucy, as she realizes that she cannot remove the white beard. I was in love with the show, and started scouring the TV Guide for when I could catch Lucy. I would resist sleep for as long as my youthful eyes could stand. Nearly every week night, I would sneak into the kitchen, pour myself a modest glass of chocolate milk, and prepare for the deviant late night television viewing.

I don't ever remember actually laughing at the antics of Lucy and Ethel and Ricky and Fred. Perhaps why that is not why I was so entranced with the show. Perhaps it was the black and white, the nostalgia. Maybe even the routine was comforting, despite the perversion of my bedtime. But something about that show made everything seem a little sunnier. I was a happy camper. And I have Jess Oppenheimer and Ms. Ball largely to thank for that.

The point is, I need to figure out what channel TV Land is on our cable.

Disposable

2010-04-10T10:00:00.011-05:00

Currently listening to: Faker by Miike Snow

Sleigh Bells was beautiful. I reignited a love of disposable cameras and head banging.

A friend of mine told me that every year she buys three digital cameras and uses each one sporadically throughout the year. She rotates their usage, so the chronological order of the shots is completely shuffled. At the end of the year, she develops all of the rolls of film and just looks at all of the moments she captured. Sometimes, it's nice to look at events out of context. The will have a different significance.

A Skeleton Hat

2010-04-04T19:11:00.006-05:00

Currently listening to: Forgive Me by City and Color

This weekend was the first in a while that I didn't do much of anything productive. I remember how last semester felt.

Also, the weather was nice. I have been taking numerous lengthy walks through campus. People always have questions to ask you when you pass them on the street; if you have any spare change, what the time is, what cross streets are you nearest, ect. I guess a short girl with pink headphones looks like she would know these things.

One thing I did manage to get done this weekend was to go to CVS and develop some old rolls of film. The following picture was taken outside the Chicago Urban Outfitters at roughly 11 AM on a cold, winter day. I was planning on posting more pictures, but I think this one is in a league of its own.

whatever you find

2010-03-26T14:14:00.008-05:00

Currently listening to: Kilojoules by Freelance Whales

Oh, what a flammable heart I've been given.

Amazon Woman

2010-03-22T22:03:00.004-05:00

Currently listening to: See These Bones by Nada Surf, Play With Fire by The Rolling Stones

The following are things I purchased online today.

under

2010-03-09T06:50:00.005-06:00

Currently listening to: Seventeen by Marina & the Diamonds

I'm headed home in a few days, bound to be greeted by the smiling faces of my mother, Aamena and Pearson. The new airport is starting to become more familiar to me, and I feel that it is largely under-appreciated. It needs more love. More presence. Et cetera.

Next week also holds the promise of SXSW. I plan on posting a daily blog while in Austin, logging my misadventures. I have a general plan of how I will get to all the shows I want to. Plus, Gracie has agreed to be my partner in crime for the week. There are five people staying in the hotel room I'll be in. I'm sure I'll have stories about this as well.

The weather has been fabulous the past few days. I walked to Wescott, talking to Aamena on the phone and taking pictures of the sunlit street. Sometimes all we need is a little sunlight to make life seem a little brighter.

Next blog will be about Theophilus London, because he is a beautiful man.

whole night, whole night

2010-02-26T12:28:00.006-06:00

Currently listening to: Two Towns From by Blind Pilot

Yesterday's

2010-02-14T21:28:00.006-06:00

Currently listening to: Hummingbird by Cocoon

"Sans toi, les émotions d'aujourd'hui ne seraient que la peau morte des émotions d'autrefois."

THROW IT BACK!

2010-02-06T09:12:00.005-06:00

Danish 80's throwback consumes my being.

I will definitely be discussing "Secret Lover" in great depth today on my radio show. It is hands down my new favorite song. Thanks, Miss Nava, for getting me hooked.

Anyways, listen on WERW from 1-3 for The Miscreant's Mixtape. Be sure to wear your dancing shoes.

Danmark, jeg elske jer.

this is

2010-01-30T07:32:00.004-06:00

The words will come. I'm just at a lost.

But for now, these.

omgz

2010-01-18T09:17:00.004-06:00

idk.

der uke

2010-01-10T20:53:00.004-06:00

Currently listening to: Lua by Bright Eyes

Here are some videos of ukulele performances that I enjoy. I know this isn't about hip-hop, but this is more prevalent. And let's be honest, you can just go look at Hold My Coat. More on that later.

My ukulele is probably my most favorite birthday present. I have yet to learn "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." Once in the airport in Honolulu, I heard that rendition of it at least six different times. It was interesting.

One of the best parts about getting coffee with old friends is the fact that you smell like lattes the rest of the day. I'm a firm believer in this. It's amazing how you can go six months without seeing a person, and pick right up where you left off. Even when your life goes really strange places.

Uh. Um. Okay.

My Unsung Hero

2010-01-08T12:00:00.011-06:00

Currently listening to: Will I Stay by Colin Munroe

The next few posts are going to concern hip-hop music. I'm trying to prove to Max Gredinger that my pallet is diverse. I know about artists outside of Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin and Madonna (pre-1986). Let's begin.

I have an ever-developing, indescribably large crush on Colin Munroe.

Since returning to Indiana, I downloaded his mixtape, "Colin Munroe is the Unsung Hero." In an interview, he says he is referred to this because he always considered himself an underdog; he's "never been the biggest kid or the best looking kid." But I feel that there is quite a bit of truth to it outside of the coming-of-age ideal. He appears to be a character actor, constantly a featured act, his name perpetually in parentheses. Other bloggers have described him as one of those always a bridesmaid, never a bride artists.

"Unsung Hero" has been proving for the past year that Munroe is good for way more than a hook. His near to and all solo tracks showcase his versatility. Hell, he whips out the banjo in "Sunday Bloody Sunday." Additionally, Munroe establishes utility by eloquently putting a "revox" of Bob Dylan's "Who Killed Davey Moore?" right after a collaboration with fellow Canadian hip-hop phenomenon, Drake. Outside of this mixtape, he's worked with get-ups from LIGHTS to Izza Kizza to Che Grand. He's a musical chameleon.

But perhaps the most respectable aspect of his music, is Munroe's lyrical prowess. In interviews, he explains that many artists (specific to his genre, maybe) have fallen into the unfavorable habit of singing about what's cool, and "trying to sell cool."He fights this by "telling his own story." And although, it seems cliche in text, you can tell he is genuine. For example, "Piano Lessons" recounts his quitting piano lessons at the age of twelve, and how he was consequently more inspired to pursue music. "I guess it was then that I said they were wrong / that I don't need these skills to help me write a song / I'm fine on my own," Munroe says. He believes that too structured of an environment can turn anyone away from creative expression. Thoughtful concepts like this can be hard to find.

Whatever he's singing about or whoever he's dolling out tracks with, Colin Munroe totally has my heart. 2010 is sure to hold more opportunities for his voice to be heard. His talents are sure to become more widely dispersed, outside of just the chorus. Most recently Munroe can be heard on Statik Selektah's release "So Close So Far." You can also hear Wale and Bun B.

Download the free mixtape here.

Wonky

2010-01-02T05:38:00.000-06:00

Currently listening to: Always Up With You by Alphabeat, Everything I Am by Kanye West

I've been listening to Jason Nevins remixes all day. While in Chicago a few days ago, I heard one in Forever 21. Although I couldn't recognize the song, I knew the words. It ended up being "Supergirl" by Saving Jane. Aamena laughed, but I was not embarrassed. If it's cool enough for F21, it's damn sure cool enough for me.

Anyways, here are some songs with which I am ringing in the new year.

Alphabeat - DJ

Alphabeat - The Spell

Bay City Rollers - Saturday

Death Cab for Cutie - This Charming Man

Does It Offend You, Yeah? - Being Bad Feels Pretty Good

Fanfarlo - Fire Escape

Florence and the Machine - Dog Days Are Over

French Kicks - Abandon

Harlem Shakes - Sunlight

I'm From Barcelona - We're From Barcelona

Jordan Looney - Sleepy Head (ft. Passion Pit)

Miike Snow - Animal

Sad Brad Smith - Help Yourself

The Smiths - This Charming Man

There will be no distance that can hold us back.

2010-01-01T00:31:00.005-06:00

Currently listening to: Here's the Thing by Girl Talk

I'm not going to post any New Years resolutions or shocking confessions. No tears, no concerns, no dreams. There will be no resounding exclamations to fix the world, no promises that I will fail to keep. I will not dress up, stand up or shut up. "I don't feel any different." No bombs are going to blow, no clocks are going to stop. Maybe a couple hearts will break, but nothing that a little time can't heal. Here's to a year that is going to change everything, while it all remains the same. Here's to no expectations and no regrets. And thank you, Mike, for calling me to wish me a "Happy Happy Happy New Year!" It means so much. I'm ringing it in, and bringing it back. All back. Every last one. I just hope I sleep well most nights and eat more vegetables.

On New Years my Freshman year of high school (or eighth grade?), I watched the movie Garden State with my parents. Although I find the film slightly irritating now, that was one of the most meaningful nights in my life. I remember being particularly moved by the movie and the soundtrack. I think of that night occasionally, and it makes me feel at home. That was one of my favorite New Years celebrations.

Tonight was pretty good, too.

Here is this. Whatever it is.

"You could have been a donkey..."

2009-12-28T08:04:00.005-06:00

Currently listening to: Comfort by the Weepies

Here is something that makes me very happy and confused.

Thank God for Peter Dinklage.

How much does your life weigh?

2009-12-23T22:03:00.006-06:00

Currently listening to: Mr. Blue by Catherine Feeny

Tonight, I went to the movies with my parents. It one thing we can do together that connects us. The wheels in our minds turning. Though we each process films differently obviously, we're processing them thoroughly. We saw Up In the Air, as Mom and Pop are writing a review on it for Psych Critiques. It was nice. It was a nice movie.

It was one of those movies where all I wanted to do afterward was drive around a circle path I've developed from 135 to Fairview to Morgantown to Smith Valley, talking to myself. And because my parents and I had gone in separate cars, that's what I did. I guess I admitted a few things to myself about some of my relationships. As I admitted these things, a person stationed next to me at a light looked curiously over, observing that I was deep in conversation with an invisible passenger. It wasn't the first time. I turned left, they turned right. All was settled.

I have always wanted to be a shark. Life would be easier that way.

Here are a list of movies that I saw for the first time this year that I feel impacted my life in some capacity. I'll narrow it down to 10 for time's sake.

10. Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans -- This was one of the films I had to see for my film survey class later in the semester. It's an important landmark in cinema history, primarily because of developments in not only story-telling, but also camera work and lighting. I wrote a really thoughtful essay about fidelity in response.

9. Watchmen -- I didn't like it the second time I watched it. But when Clarissa and I went to the midnight showing, all I saw was one of the most meaningful stories written in the past 100 years be recreated on screen. I also sat next to a couple of comic book fiends who I have run into repeatedly at Half Price Books; it's interesting. Also, I saw it the week I found out I had cancer. So, I associate it with an important period of my life.

8. All the Real Girls -- After about six months of searching and waiting, I finally found this movie available for purchase, and bought it blind. Well, I had seen one minute-long excerpt from it. I was very pleased with the entire thing, though.

7. Fantastic Mr. Fox -- It served as a friendly reminder for various things.

6. Purple Rose of Cairo -- "You'll hate the ending, but you will know there was no other way for the story to go full circle. It'll break your heart a little for Miss Mia Farrow. You'll love and hate Jeff Daniels three or four times over. But life really isn't like the movies. Nothing is black and white; it's all gray. Just watch it." (May 28, 2009)

5. Revolutionary Road -- Alex Carlisle and I went and saw this movie after work one night. It's a really devastating movie.

4. The Go-Getter -- As I write this, I feel like there should be another movie I have to fill spot number four. The Go-Getter was not that good of a movie. It's all right, but I know that Up In the Air is much better for many reasons. But I guess this list isn't based off of which are the better movies, just the ones that left a mark. There are parts of this movie that make a whole lot of sense. This movie makes me like phones.

3. American Beauty -- Maybe this is unfair, because I had, in fact, seen this movie before this year. However, I watched it for the first time when I was old enough to actually understand it. Writing this reminds me of a conversation I had with Jordan Alper, in which we discussed how we wish people spoke in a certain way, and said certain profound things. Oh, May-December.

2. Me and You and Everyone We Know -- This is another Cinemateque from Film History. Miranda July changes things for me. When I simply think about this movie, I become immensely inspired.

1. (500) Days of Summer -- It'll remain one of my all-time favorite movies. This is most probably because it emulates my all-time favorite movie ever so closely, and tips it's hat so beautifully. All I really have to say about this is that the scene that I refer to as "Expectations vs Reality" is one of the most poignant moments for me personally in...well, basically film in general. It means a lot to me.

Pink Streamers

2009-12-13T15:41:00.004-06:00

Currently listening to: Shoplifters Of The World Unite by The Smiths, Nomenclature by Andrew Bird

Yesterday was unexpected. I had many semi-adventurous experiences; going to the local co-op, drinking straight yerba mate, dancing to "Her Morning Elegance," finger painting, learning Christmas songs on ukulele.

Staring at the camera in front of me, I fiddled with the wad of pink and blue party streamers in my hands. My hair was unwashed, and I attempted to part it in such a way that the large flood light would not emphasize its ill state. Cue music. I twirled the wrinkled paper around in the air, and periodically punched it towards the camera. I was a model. I was representing something artistic. What idea was I embodying? Or was I just an oddly proportioned blond girl with a pink streamer framing her face? Tonight, I briefly glanced over the fruits of the photo shoot. I haven't been able to stop sneezing all night.

I learned a lot this weekend about who I want to be.

My last radio show is this Friday. Everyone should listen. 11AM - 1Pm.

words and words and words

2009-12-09T13:49:00.003-06:00

In reality, I need to be doing one of the following things (or something else I have forgotten): transcribing my notes from the Soyars Lecture series, studying for tomorrow's Intro to World Music Final, studying for tomorrow's Math 183 test, writing a paper on the nuances of The Bicycle Thief, brushing my teeth, arranging a playlist for my radio show on Friday, buying my mother a Christmas gift, eating lunch, or preparing for any of the four finals that await me next week.

I am doing none of these things, unfortunately. Fortunately? It's irrelevant.

Over the past few months, I have found myself with the compulsive need to creatively write. Now, you would think that this blog may be an appropriate medium for these outbursts of thought. But I have found myself self-conscious, and, thus, have failed to actually write anything. Which is stupid, isn't it? This sounds like such a petulant thing to say. "Oh, look at me, my angst and my crippling self-awareness!" You watch some Italian neorealism in your shitty Film History Survey and now you think you're inspired enough to be the next Miranda July.

Who am I talking to?

Over break, I'm going to read. Chuck Klosterman came out with a book in October. Not only did I not read it, but I totally forgot that it was released. Chuck Klosterman is the reason for a lot of good things in my life, in very indirect and obscure ways. My parents, more so, obviously. But whatever. My desire to create something is coming at such an inopportune time. Here, at the end of the semester. I have no time to channel this. I mean, I have class in less than 40 minutes. And I was supposed to be taking notes the whole time I was writing this. This isn't even good. This, what you're reading, is simply a reminder for myself that I haven't done anything useful for myself, just for myself, in a really long time.

No, I'm not going to write some bullshit short story about how an NYU student falls in love in a coffee shop, or how a Bright Eyes song was playing in the background, or how "James took a long drag of his cigarette and sighed as the rain collected in the cracks of the sidewalk." I'm also not going to fall into my own personal habit of describing everything in the setting, especially the kitchen sink. All right, that sounds pretentious. But I have been letting all of this build up. If only it were NaNoWriMo, or something. Oh, well. November's come and gone. I need to get my brain's hands dirty.

The first snow in Syracuse is nice. But what am I doing? I hope nobody reads this. I'm coming home in less than two weeks. I like the XX and the dining hall's banana bread. I need to get a life.

Jo March, where are you?

I'm walking through the city.

2009-12-02T18:49:00.003-06:00

Currently listening to: Dance Anthem of the 80s by Regina Spektor

The following apply. When I can't find my words, I use those of others.

"And it's been a long time since before I've been touched
Now I'm getting touched all the time
And it's only a matter of who
And it's only a matter of when

An addiction to hands and feet
There's a meat market down the street
The boys and girls watch each other eat
When they really just wanna watch each other sleep"

More to come.

Inch Worms

2009-11-30T12:17:00.002-06:00

Currently listening to: Abandon by French Kicks, Park Song by The Dodos

I have neglected the blog for a while. And even though I have quite a bit of work to do, I thought I would put some thoughts down. I thought I would avoid the pile of reading and writing for just a little longer. United lost my luggage. My back hurts. I missed my Econ class. Enter any number of excuses here.

My trip was good. Simple as that. I go back and forth; missing home, missing Syracuse. It changes by the hour. When I was packing the day before Thanksgiving, I grew apprehensive of Winter Break. A month seemed almost too long for me to be away, and I grew weary of where my budding relationships here in New York would go. The next day, though, as I sat on the stairs of the Kimmel Food Court, waiting for my cab, I wanted to be home more than anything in the world. My feelings are fickle, almost as much so as my geographical location.

Driving was weird. As I sped down Railroad Road Saturday night, I was reminded of muddled memories of driving on the same street. Three or four came to mind, most of them relatively insignificant, a few moments of clarity. It reminded me of how simple things can change your life, and how cumulative changes add up. Like in a movie, a character visits a setting at both the beginning and end of a movie, aged and more aware. But they're there under completely different circumstances. But you're still at the same place. "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

What the hell am I talking about?

Whatever.

Expect something more meaningful when two papers, a math assignment and a week's worth of laundry aren't glaring at me.

We're All Complicated

2009-11-17T10:31:00.004-06:00

"A Soundtrack of Angst and Awkward"

You Wouldn't Like Me - Tegan & Sara
I Want to Hold Your Hand - The Beatles
Why Bother - Weezer
Two - The Antlers
Piano Song - Meiko
Everything I Am - Kanye West
Shimmy Shimmy Quarter Turn - Hellogoodbye
Oh, La - Ra Ra Riot
We Know Martha Webber - Now, Now Every Children
Be Still My Heart - The Postal Service
I'm Not Calling You A Liar - Florence And The Machine
These Arms Of Mine - Otis Redding
These Days - Nico
Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now - The Smiths
Cathedrals - Jump, Little Children
Red Cape - Priscilla Ahn
I Don't Know - Lisa Hannigan

I, and some others, feel a little like all of these songs. They're all relevant in some way. It's so fucking weird.

The Woman From the City

2009-11-11T13:10:00.006-06:00

Currently listening to: Walking by The Dodos, Theo B by Sunny Day Real Estate

Fidelity is a subject that I never really thought about. Perhaps a fleeting judgment, a small consideration. Taking into account the films I have been watching, books I have been reading, scenarios I have been approached with in recent years, I realize, now, that I have been steeped to my nose in themes of unfaithfulness. I guess I just accepted it as wrong. Nothing else.

At today's Cinemateque, we watched Sunrise: The Song of Two Humans. I sat there watching this character stray from his loving wife, with whom he had established a family. He met "The Woman From the City" a distance from his home, and kissed her passionately. Eventually he became convinced that drowning his wife to escape to a life of bliss with this woman would be the most rewarding course of action. The man was willing to sacrifice his life that he had built from the ground up with a lovely woman to go off to somewhere else with someone else for something else. But isn't this other woman full of empty promises? Sure, she's a person like any other. He was already married, though, and, at one point at least, was very much in love. Murnau, being a gracious storyteller, offers up a happy ending. But you're wondering why this supposed monotony gets to people so quickly. On a larger scale, people often fear change, and yet crave the its idealistic promises. After spending a day in the city, the couple's love is renewed. Any thoughts the man once had about leaving his wife have diminished. I think it's interesting that a change in setting encouraged such a dramatic change in disposition. His wife was there the whole time. Anyways, the lesson was learned. There are storms in the city, too, after all.

Although I have never solidified my personal ideas about marriage or relationships in general, I think it is generally stupid to make promises you cannot keep.

But there's always that "what if," right? I'm thinking about stories and films like Purple Rose of Cairo, where you find yourself rooting for that affair. That gets into a discussion of morality that I don't feel confident in pursuing. But I thought I would qualify everything I am saying with that. You never know if the grass is really greener. Sometimes you're in a position where that's all you can hope for. Other times, it's just a matter of realizing what you have, and how much you should appreciate it.

For most, I suppose it could all come down to reality, the brass tracks of it all. This reminds me of something Matthew Gray Gubler's character said in 500 Days of Summer. He is asked to describe his "dream girl," and he does so in comparison to his long-time girlfriend. Gubler pauses for a moment, though. And he says something to the effect of, "Robin is better than the girl of my dreams. She's real."

I'd Like to Talk to You

2009-11-10T07:06:00.000-06:00

Currently listening to: I Don't Know by Lia Hannigan, Weekend Wars by MGMT

Sunday afternoon, I washed my hair.

In Soyars Lecture on Thursday, we will be having a video conference with Marty Bandier, Rob Light, Sara Bareilles and Akon. Once, I had a conversation with Aamena about star worshiping. She described to me instances where she had intellectual conversations with celebrities, which were interrupted by the desire of other people to take pictures with said celebs. As for me, I haven't really met anyone famous. Unless you count that time that Christofer Drew of Nevershoutnever stayed at my house. But I don't think he's really that famous (he was on MTV for ten minutes). Whatever, the point is that I'm realizing the further into the Bandier Program I get, the more I will be talking to people who are declared "famous." And I can't really say I'm overwhelmed by it. They're just people, right? I mean, don't get me wrong, Thursday is going to be really interesting. I mean, if it wasn't for Marty Bandier, I don't know where I'd be, musically, geographically or emotionally. But Akon and Sara? They're talented people who I'm honored I will be able to meet via technology. But they're just people like me (and you and everyone we know).

There are other things in development that get my heart beating a whole lot faster than that video conference. I have a really good feeling about the future. Optimism is the name of the game, I think. Just gotta keep on the sunny side.

I need to do laundry. I wrote myself a not on the whiteboard Helen got for our door. It reads,"Jeanette-- If you don't do your laundry, it will come alive and devour you." Next to this note is a note from Mike, accosting me for not being in my room. Someone had erased my note to Kyle from Friday tell him to come to my radio show and to have a happy birthday.

You all are listening to my radio show, right? The other night some of my fellow DJ's got up to 30 listeners. I found myself envious.

Shoot. I have to go to class. Damn class.

Nobody Really Knows

2009-11-02T12:59:00.008-06:00

Currently listening to: Everybody Knows by John Legend, Coney Island by Death Cab for Cutie

In fifth grade, I received my first 'F.' It was on a Math test that I had wrongly assumed I did very well on. I don't remember much about my teacher, my classmates or even myself from this period of time. I do, however, remember the aftermath of my extreme disappointment. Sitting in my desk, eyes welling, arms crossed, paper glued upside down to my desk, I desperately wondered what I had done to deserve this. Why me? My reserved, Adobe expert, fifth grade self based her self worth primarily on the fact that she excelled so much in academics. This failure devastated me. And as I sulked, I remember I allowed my eyes to wander aimlessly around the walls, in hopes of avoiding eye contact with any concerned bystanders. Eventually my eyes fixated on a poster which read, "Mistakes are made, we don't deny; but they're only made by those who try." I repeated this statement over and over again in my mind. In reality, it probably didn't exactly fit into the context of my Math test. However, I spent the rest of the class reciting this statement and memorizing it.

I couldn't tell you much about my grade school career, but I can still visualize the poster above the chalk board so vividly. To this day, whenever I am disappointed in myself about something, I still repeat those words under my breath. Even if I didn't try. Even if I know I could have easily done something different. Even if this "mistake" is a complete lapse of judgment. Somehow, these words provide a sort of temporary comfort for me when I am facing the reality of a situation I have created for myself.

In light of recent of events, I suppose I have found the falsities in this statement. Sometimes mistakes are made, because you were just being really, really stupid.

I have had this John Legend song stuck in my head for the last few days. He has a point.

Goblins

2009-10-31T14:31:00.004-05:00

Currently listening to: I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked by Ida Maria

Plan on hearing this song on the upcoming installment of The Miscreant's Mixtape. The inaugural show went pretty well. It was a little rough to start off, but I think I pulled everything together after played some Run-DMC. Then the party really started cranking.

Last night I dressed up and put a bunch of face makeup. Being a zombie Elizabeth Bishop (I was apart of the "Dead Poets Society") was quite a gas. Tonight, being that is actually Halloween Eve, will undoubtedly be equally, if not more, fun than last night. Certainly more face paint.

I've been working on my schedule for next semester, and it's shaping up to be pretty interesting. There is a course over Hinduism that I was rather struck with. Also, a Creative Nonfiction class is offered and it sounds like something that'd be right up my alley.

I was just assigned by the 20 Watt's staff to write for a collection of articles about the best albums of the decade. My assignment will be discussing Sigur Ros' Takk. I don't have this album, and I don't know a lot about Sigur Ros. Perhaps I'll be an expert now? Oh, well. If anyone has any thoughts on this album, let me know.

"Seriousy. Buy your Posner tickets."

2009-10-28T12:32:00.004-05:00

Currently listening to: Evil Woman by Mike Posner

Won't lie to you, I'm really excited to post a blog while in the studio on Friday. I'll probably be all over the place, but I plan on integrating this blog and the show. Hopefully I can handle all of it. I'm not so worried anymore, though. All of the WERW staff have been so nice and welcoming. Multiple people have agreed to train me and let me sit in on their shows. Kyle even let me talk with him on air on Monday. Another plug, please listen to City Sounds on Monday nights. It's a wonderful show. Also, I will formally announce the details on my shows (and some other shows I will be picking up on the first few Sundays of November) after my first show. I don't want everyone listening if I completely screw up the show.

This week has been (and will continue to be) nonstop. There are so many shows and parties and festivities this week. As a side note, if you're at SU and reading this, make sure you have your Mike Posner tickets for tonight. I know I'll be there for most of it. I can't wait to hear "Still Not Over You." Yesterday when I was tabling, it was constantly on repeat. So, if you were in Schine yesterday and felt the need to dance, you know what I'm speaking of.

As the week progresses, as fun (eh) as it has been, I'm starting to worry that my school work is suffering. Classes have taken second priority to my extra curriculars, as in I have skipped my Math class two weeks in a row to work for Concert Board. How much longer can I use the excuse that this is my first semester before this really backs up on me? Is that really an excuse? It's so appropriate that my Econ professor (who is speaking at the front of the room I am in right now) continues to encourage our consideration of opportunity costs in decision making. If a trial and error method is how I need to figure this out, then I am well on my way to experiencing some serious learning.

For now, I'll just enjoy the ride, and try not to become too overwhelmed.

Catchy!

Oh, and as far as a Halloween costumes go, eye dee kay.

Intro to World Music Is a Boring Class

2009-10-20T09:44:00.000-05:00

Currently listening to: Elephant Gun by Beirut, Mrs. Cold by Kings of Convenience

So, I decided upon a DJ alias and show name for WERW. After much deliberation, I have decided to just go by The Midwestern Miscreant, my show being titled "The Miscreant's Mixtape." Other names I thought of were DJ Right-Of-Way, Dr. Wall (a pun for my parents), or Brainstorm (one of Moby's DJ names). I am still not exactly sure when my show will officially start, but I have training on Sunday. Which is good, because I really don't understand.

The other day, I woke up and I walked down the hall to go to the bathroom, like I usually do. As I neared the bathroom, I saw a boy re-enter a girl's room down the hall in front of me. This is not unsurprising, nothing that hasn't happened every other weekend I have been here. But as he opened the door, he shook a Yoo-hoo and opened it, releasing carbonation from the can. He took a short sip, glanced at me, and walked in the room, letting the door slam behind him. It's sad that alcohol fuels so may romantic endeavors at this tender age. Since I have been at college, I have had countless conversations, mainly with Aamena, about my incapability to comprehend these relationships. I guess none of these people really understand them either. They just drink a Yoo-hoo and hope for the best.

Rezak emailed us about the Yellow Bird Project and encouraged us to snag one of these shirts. The description says, "Like Cinderella, this pumpkin also transforms, the profits from this Ra Ra Riot t-shirt go to the John Ryan Pike Memorial Fund, which encourages and promotes music and the performing arts. So whether you trick or you treat, YBP encourages you to Halloween Suit up!" I know I'll be getting one, and you should too. Click on the picture below to order.

In other news, I got a ukulele, and it is totally bad ass. I plan on learning "Talking Bird," as played on the Open Doors EP as soon as I can get this sucker tuned to perfection.

Tender Age

2009-10-18T11:40:00.006-05:00

Currently listening to: I Can Feel a Hot One by Manchester Orchestra, 1989 by Portugal. The Man

Yesterday was my birthday. To be honest, it was probably the best birthday I've had in a while. I had no expectations, whatsoever. Well, I mean, maybe there were a few phone calls I thought I would get, but never came. But that's beyond my control. Clarissa sent me a 1972 copy of Time magazine with Woody Allen on the cover. In the article about him he says, "All literature is a footnote to Faust. I have no idea what I mean by that." It was relevant. Also there is a still from Play It Again, Sam that I rather enjoyed. This magazine is one of the coolest things I own. Oh, and, also, before she left, Colleen got me a Keyboard Cat shirt that's really cool. There's a strong probability of me wearing it many times a week. So, you might not be able to expect everything, but I have some really great friends who gave me some very cool things.

For most of the day, I sat in the lounge, eating cake and watching NCIS. I was by myself for a large portion of time, people filing in and out to grab some birthday snacks. Around six-thirty, Alex, Mike Tassini, Mike's girlfriend Rachel, and I all headed down to the Wescott Theater to see Portugal. The Man play. The other two bands were pretty good, but Portugal was amazing.

After the show, and after I had my photo taken with John Baldwin Gourley (I am such an ass hole), Alex and Mike and Rachel and I went next door to Alto Cinco an grabbed a table. Alto Cinco is one of my favorite Mexican eateries (Don Pablo's can shove it) now. We had such a good time eating a discussing robots, "Atonement," and nachos. The walk back was cold as all get out, but Rachel and I stayed merry by making fun of the intoxicated girls who weren't even wearing coats. Mike and Alex spoke Russian. Overall, it was a nice birthday. Even if Kyle and Colleen weren't here. And I wasn't in Indiana. We made it work very well. So, yeah. Success.

Now, I need to save up for the Minus the Bear show next month. November 17, Wescott Theater. Go listen to some good music and have a good time before you go home on that Wednesday.

Also, be looking for a new review from me on 20 Watts. Kings of Convenience. Brand spankin' new.

After this weekend, I feel like I have started some new rituals here in Syracuse. I'm starting to create a routine. For instance, every Friday I go to Sound Garden and give them all my money for used records. I finally found It Happened One Night, and I found it there. It's a wonderful place. Plus, I think I have made a new friend who works there. He's nice. He likes documentaries. Another tradition may be going to Alto Cinco for every birthday dinner. I'd like that.

A Fine Femininity

2009-10-12T17:43:00.004-05:00

I am in Film History now, discussing feminine beauty in film. We're watching this short film called "Your Name In Cellulite." The credits seem longer than the film itself. But whatever. I get it. I agree. Femininity is wrongly portrayed in some movies. Well, primarily earlier films. I guess that's why I enjoy movies like Juno that portray respectable female role models in film who encourage positive psychology and independent mindsets. I'm no feminist. But I still think aspects of popular culture (Twilight for example, perhaps) that manifest poor and inaccurate views women should not be so heavily promoted.

Recent developments have got me thinking about this, anyhow. Beauty? I guess I try not to concern myself with it all, as hard as that is. When I lived at home, my mom used to tell me every morning how great I looked, even if it was clearly not true. But I know she believed it, so I just took her word for it. Whenever I see my female peers making themselves up or walking around Saturday nights with crippling heels and too-short of skirts, I wonder what the point is. To get attention? But why do you want attention from someone who cares so much about the way you look? Of course, I am at times just as shallow as the next, but I try not to let outward appearance affect who I talk to. And still, I say this, and part of me wonders what some people, outside of my mother, think of how I appear. This weekend, a young man accused me of hiding behind my glasses. He said that I would look so much prettier with contacts, or my beauty would show more readily without my frames. Maybe that's true, but I don't know if I should concern myself with such a meager aspect of my life. I guess I had a strange weekend.

"Motherfuck a window. Radio Raheem is dead." Now, we're talking about Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing. I am interested to watch it later this week.

Speaking of beauty, how about I spend all of my birthday money on this little get up? I am tempted.

Hello, goodbye!

2009-10-05T14:03:00.008-05:00

Currently listening to: Bonnie Taylor Shakedown 2k1 by Hellogoodbye, When We First Met by Hellogoodbye, Dear Jamie...Sincerely Me by Hellogoodbye

You can scoff all you want; I am dusting off my old iPod and jamming to some good ol' Hellogoodbye. These songs are therapeutic.

Well, going home proved to be for the best. I guess it was all a tad anticlimactic for me, since I found myself packing and leaving for the airport as soon as I had made it there. However, I had a lot of fun visiting everyone. There wasn't much else I could have asked for. There were trips to museums, pizzerias and grocery stores. So, not much has changed. Hopefully I can start the parkour trend here in the Northeast. It will catch on eventually.

Now, I find myself looking over the semester calendars, picking good weekends to go home. As of now, the next time I'll be back in Indiana will be Thanksgiving, then a month for Winter Break. After that, it's sort of up in the air. I'll be at SXSW over Spring Break. Good news is that I have doctors appointments scheduled for May 1st and would be home for the rest of the weekend, which is igniting rumors of Prom attendance. That would be weird on so many different levels. But not that weird. I feel as though I am getting ahead of myself here. Who knows? I don't even know what is going on tomorrow, let alone months from now.

I miss home. If this weekend showed me anything, it is that leaving the people I love will always be hard. It doesn't get easier. As Nils Edenloff from The Rural Alberta Advantage says in an interview in the latest Spin, "You can't escape your home. It's so much a part of you, whether you like it or not."

"Home is where my heart is being held hostage."
-Robert Reichle

i'm packing light: a suitcase, some toiletries

2009-10-02T00:50:00.001-05:00

Currently listening to: You're the Reason I Come Home by Ron Pope, Coming Home by the 88

Yes, I am listening to these songs in light up my homecoming today. In four hours or so. It's funny, because Center Grove's homecoming football game is tomorrow night, and it'd be precious if I attended. I think I'll go to First Friday instead. Please join me! I know it'll be wonderful.

I just watched The Shining. And I am seriously freaked out. At least there was a Fury in it. It may have been only for a few seconds, but I spent the rest of the movie laughing about it. And now I will spend the rest of the night freaking out about it and trying to work on my Econ. But really just freaking out about the movie. Because it's terrifying. Russian Alex is making fun of me as I write this saying, "Are you serious? That movie actually scared you?" Yes, Alex. Yes it did.

As I sit in the lounge now, I am listening to Kyle and Alex and Mike talk about their plans for the weekend. And even though I will have so much fun back home this weekend, and I have been living for Friday for the past week, I will miss these guys. This gives me hope. Maybe things will get better. These friends are giving me serious hope.

Now I will attempt to do some homework, so I can party hardy this weekend and not have to worry about it. I will watch the Rachel Zoe Project and hopefully calm down enough to catch some sleep soon.

I'm coming back for you, Indy.

"Seriously, take anything you want."

2009-09-25T09:10:00.003-05:00

Currently listening to: Flashlight by Punchline, Detroit by Black Gold

Last night I went to see Shen Wei's dancers at the Landmark. I probably would have been content just walking around the theater. It's one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever been in. Just very ornate; there are golden elephants everywhere. Anyway, SU set up a "First Year Experience Program" to try and get all of the freshman involved. So, they hauled bus loads of students to downtown Syracuse. The really interesting part is while 2/3 of the seats in the theater are SU kids, the rest are people from the community. It's weird how they assimilate us. Like an elementary school field trip.

So, Rezak recruited his trusty Bandier students to help at the merch table. Gabz and I were the only takers, so we were there until the last bus left. But the people we worked for were very nice, and they gave us free Shen Wei shirts. Actually, they offered us anything we wanted ("Seriously, anything"), but I followed Gabz's lead with the shirts, since they were cheapest. Mine is much too big, but no worries. They had these beautiful tapestries that Shen Wei painted with the dancers, and each one was different. I sort of wish I had grabbed one of those, I would have a much greater use for it. But since I get to work the table again tonight, maybe a I can buy one.

And even though Gabz and I had to stay late, we got to walk around downtown Syracuse, and I still got home in time to catch It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia. It was a good night.

Once again, I cannot describe how much I love the Landmark. Robin Williams will be performing stand-up there in November, and I'm so there.

In other news, look for a new review on 20 Watts soon. I'm talking about Florence and the Machine this week.

Hello, Normal

2009-09-22T13:48:00.000-05:00

Currently listening to: Let's Be Easy by Jim Seem, Little Black Sandals by Sia

Thanks, Zooey Deschanel, for marrying my future husband. You just made my life way more difficult than it needed to be. See you in Divorce Court.

I had a shitty weekend.

If you get a chance, read my review on 20 Watts. I want to write a lot for them. I want them to like me. Isn't that childish? Oh, well.

Read it here.

Breakfast

2009-09-14T09:41:00.000-05:00

Currently listening to: The Only Living Boy In New York by Simon & Garfunkel

Girl Talk was sick yesterday. I got my groove back. It was a good time.

I have my flight booked for my trip home on the second. I'm nervous about getting a bus to and from the air port and nervous about getting back to class on time. Still, that weekend holds a lot of promise. A lot of doctor's appointments, but it happens.

Right now, I am sitting in Haven Dining Hall. It isn't very busy yet. They have the slowest cook on omelet detail. She also skimped me on the mushrooms a little bit. But it's okay, because, for the most part, the students that get up this early don't complain. Most of the students here right now are reading the newspaper. They're eating a lot of fruit (or meat if they're athletes). Most of the students here are drinking chocolate milk and have a cup of coffee. Most of the tables are singles. I realize now that most of them are sitting the opposite way that I am. Awkward.

You know, this is what I thought college would be like. Sitting alone in a dining hall, with all of my thoughts to myself. With time allotted before class for me to write. It hasn't really been like that, though. I actually was just talking to Aamena about how little time I really have for myself. There is always someone around. It's a great contrast to living at home, where I was constantly on my own.

I just drank the milk out of my cereal bowl and someone looked at me funny. Is that a Midwest thing? I think that a lot, actually. Most of my peers are form New York or New Jersey, and if they do hail from anywheres near Indy, it's Chicago, and, let's face it, that's not really the Midwest.

People are starting to mosey on in, now. Mostly in groups, mostly drinking Pepsi.

I'm thinking of doing "A Day In the Life" photography project. Probably mostly for my parents and Aamena.

Ha.

----

Celebrity politics are the least of my concerns, but I thought this was funny:

"She is very talented. I like the lyrics about being a cheerleader and she's in the bleachers!"

Yeah, you do, Kanye.

I'm Going to Sing It

2009-09-07T21:21:00.002-05:00

Currently listening to: Here Comes Your Man by Pixies, I Got a Song by Ray Charles

In World Music, we watched a video that discussed bećarac singing. It is a form of vocalizing that Bosnian Highlanders practice. The video said it was as if the highlanders were "conquering space with their voices." Since they're out there, herding their livestock in the hills, surrounded by nothing, I can imagine that would be a wonderful feeling. In the Wikipedia article about this type of singing, it is described as humorous. But my first impression of it, though, was that it was a spiritual thing, not a joke. It's strange to Westerners, I guess. For the most part, we refrain from sporadic, loud singing. But, hell, who cares?

I want to conquer this space with my voice!

In other news, I am signed up to go to CMJ and SXSW. So, that's cool as can be.

Happy Labor Day! Here's to watching the NCIS marathon while catching up on all my reading. Also, I still have to write my paper on Me You and Everyone We Know, which I was excited about doing until I sat down to write and realized I have no idea where to begin. My peers in that class intimidate me. They're all film students or art majors. I feel out of touch.

Last night, people in my hall kept slamming their doors. It was infuriating.

Also, I video chatted with Clarissa for the first time today. Giving her a "tour" of my room, she commented on how my Pulp Fiction poster is right above my bed, just like it was in Indiana. I showed her that I still had my blue comforter with me and my eagle blanket and my Zac Efron poster and a bunch of pictures of her and others. We shared a nostalgic sigh. It made me realize how much I miss home. Perhaps homesick isn't the right word; but I really miss the comfort and solitude my room provided. I could avoid time, not being able to see the sun and all. Privacy is a luxury in college, it seems. But, like I've said before, it'll get better with time.

Please send me mail.

Everyone I Know

2009-09-03T00:03:00.000-05:00

Currently listening to: Can You Discover by Discovery

So, I am almost finished with my first week of classes. Huzzah for a four day weekend!

Cinema History is hands down my favorite class. I love the teacher, I love the TA, I love the cinemateques, I love every minute of the subject.

In the first cinematque, we watched Me, You and Everyone We Know. It made me want a lot of things. It made me want to be with certain people. It made me want to speed up time by tapping a coin on a post. It made me want to speak in a different way.

In other news, I will be meeting Lyor Cohen tomorrow. So, I should probably rest up. Not to mention I have World Music at 9:30, and that class is the biggest crap fest in the world.

I am letting my hair grow.

"Yeah, but we're not even there yet. We're still at the good part. We're not even sick of each other yet."

Clearly, there isn't much to be said about much. Just a lot of little things. But, I was talking to my new friend Steve tonight. I said, "I think it's the little things that count." I remember little things before I remember big things, many times. I remember the way my mom used to tell me I smelled good when I left the house every morning. I remember how Chase didn't smile when I gave him his Christmas gifts. I remember all the little, inconvenient things I wanted to say at the end of the day, but never did. I remember the way my calves hurt when walking to Funk N Waffles tonight. And I remember how much it sucks to wake up after five hours of sleep to get ready for a stupid World Music class at 9:30.

The Orange Grove

2009-08-27T08:14:00.003-05:00

Currently listening to: You Remind Me of Home by Ben Gibbard, Grey Or Blue by Jaymay

Being here just feels like being at all those summer journalism camps. The only problem is I have not made myself conscious of the fact that I am not leaving in a week. If all goes well, I won't want to leave in a week. Or a month, or ever, at least until the LA trip junior year/London trip senior year. There are just a lot of things I'll have to grow accustomed to that I never really thought about. For instance, fun fact, I have never used a closet before to hang clothes. So, you know, this is a first. And since my living area is now about 8 x 12 feet, there is no room for a dresser. Or all my movie posters.

Another first I have experienced since arriving on campus was my first time at Funk N Waffles Open Mic Night. I kicked some ass in Othello with my new friends, and listened to new-agey poetry about mountains in Appalachia. Next Wednesday, I will definitely be grabbing me a waffle; they smelt divine. All in all, the night was enjoyable and I met some very nice people. At some point there was a group of us who, as we were walking back to the dorms, stopped at the Syracuse "Orange Grove" (three trees in the Quad apparently constitutes as a grove, now) and all agreed to go apple picking in the fall. Also, I met someone who loves Ra Ra Riot and will go to Ithaca with me to see them next month.

(http://www.funknwaffles.com/)

The really good news is that I found a private bathroom on my floor so nobody ever has to hear me go.

"...a person has to try."

Back2School

2009-08-21T04:27:00.005-05:00

Currently listening to: Little Green Bag by George Baker, A Perfect Fit by Tilly & the Wall

So, anybody catch Project Runway last night? Christopher is definitely my favorite from this season thus far. I enjoy getting caught up in that show. A lot.

I went to the high school this morning. The visit was eight shades of weird. I mean, all I wanted to do was give Warner and John Frank their thank you cards and high tail it out of there. Of course I made a few extra and very necessary stops (including interrupting David Lawson's class, which, considering how many times I did so last year, should not have surprised him much), but I just felt uncomfortable there. Watching the new newspaper staff was strange, too. It just made it very apparent that I don't belong there. Seeing as how I am no longer enrolled in CGHS, though, I guess I really don't. There was one young man, new to the Tojaneer staff, who approached me as if I were some sort of celebrity. He told me how he used to read all my articles. Then we talked about Nick Nolte.

When I got home, I packed everything, outside of things I need for the next four days. My walls are unnaturally bare. I had to rearrange a few posters, so I could sleep properly.

I feel homeless. Sort of.

“I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they’re right. You believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself. And sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.” – Marilyn Monroe

Also...

I wrote this in early April. Seemed appropriate. The doctor called. There are no more cancer cells in my body.

"I’m not here to make a quick buck, to bask in inconveniences of the world. I certainly didn’t come here to spend my days crying over the cruelty in the world, no matter how apparent and overwhelming it may be; and I sure as hell didn’t come here to bitch. This is the time. This is where it starts. This is where hearts leap to catch some dream, where the buck stops, where the journey begins. I know a lot, more than I ever have, but I have more to learn than I can fathom. I need to learn how to love, how to embrace it all at once, and let everything go when it hurts the most. Yet nothing can stop me, not one single thing. Not even death. I am so full of life, that little old thing has got nothing on me. I beat it, I’m over it. I’m moving on. I’m moving forward, faster, farther. It’s all over now, and it’s all new. I’ve got places to go, people to see and ideas to formulate. You won’t shut me up, shut me down, shut me in. I’m here to stay, kids. Don’t you dare get in my way, and don’t you dare forget me. I’m the trailblazer, the artist, the thinker, the lover. I am the one. Be proud! Be thoughtful! Be beautiful! Be everything that your mother wants you to be! Get it together, get it in line, and go, go, go! Now, think. Plan. Then, get the hell out of here. I know I am. I am gone with the wind. I am faster than a speeding bullet, and that’s fast. I’ve got a mind of my own, and I’m going to use it to it’s full potential. The world is my oyster, my silver platter, my canvas. I’m leaving my mark, and it’ll be here forever. I love you, and I always will."

Always Over the Mountain

2009-08-17T12:55:00.000-05:00

Currently listening to: Can You Tell by Ra Ra Riot, Upward Over the Mountain by Iron and Wine

I have been editing this blog post all morning.

Most people have already left in my mind. I want to spend time with the people who haven't. So, that's what I aim to do this week.

Last night, MacKenzie and I watched PBS for a really long time. I know more about David Foster and his "friends" than I ever wanted to know. Seriously. To make up for it, though, we also watched a tape of Adventures In Wonderland. Twas a reuniting for Kenz and I of us and Disney's weirdest television programming. The musical numbers were dry. Brings back memories that I unsuccessfully suppressed.

Everything is so strange lately.

So, here's my tentative schedule...

ECN 203 - Economic Ideas & Issues

Status Units Grading Course Attribute
Enrolled 3.00 A-F with plus/minus starting Fall 1987
Class Nbr Section Component Days & Times Room
18799 M003 Section MoWe 12:45PM - 2:05PM Lyman Hall 132
18803 M005 Laboratory Tu 5:00PM - 5:55PM Hall of Languages 205

FIA 195 - Performance Live

Status Units Grading Course Attribute
Enrolled 3.00 A-F with plus/minus starting Fall 1987
Class Nbr Section Component Days & Times Room
18361 M002 Section TuTh 3:30PM - 4:20PM Hall of Languages 107
18559 M003 Laboratory Tu 8:00PM - 9:40PM Hall of Languages 107

FIA 285 - Introduction to World Music

Status Units Grading Course Attribute
Enrolled 3.00 A-F with plus/minus starting Fall 1987
Class Nbr Section Component Days & Times Room
19345 M001 Section TuTh 9:30AM - 10:50AM Hall of Languages 107

MAT 183 - Elements of Modern Mathematics

Status Units Grading Course Attribute
Enrolled 3.00 A-F with plus/minus starting Fall 1987
Class Nbr Section Component Days & Times Room
15647 M100 Section TuTh 2:00PM - 3:20PM Heroy Geology Building Aud
17715 M105 Recitation We 11:40AM - 12:35PM Carnegie 316

MHL 071 - Weekly Studnt Convocation

Status Units Grading Course Attribute
Enrolled 0.00 Pass/Fail
Class Nbr Section Component Days & Times Room
28440 M001 Section Th 12:30PM - 1:50PM Crouse College AUD

MUI 010 - Soyars Lecture I

Status Units Grading Course Attribute
Enrolled 0.00 Pass/Fail
Class Nbr Section Component Days & Times Room
31170 M001 Section Th 6:45PM - 8:00PM SOM007

MUI 103 - Music Industry Forum

Status Units Grading Course Attribute
Enrolled 0.00 Pass/Fail
Class Nbr Section Component Days & Times Room
28550 M001 Section Tu 7:00PM - 8:00PM SOM007

SPA 102 - Spanish II

Status Units Grading Course Attribute
Enrolled 4.00 A-F with plus/minus starting Fall 1987
Class Nbr Section Component Days & Times Room
16599 M002 Section MoWe 10:35AM - 11:30AM Eggers Hall 070
TuTh 11:00AM - 12:20PM Link Hall 371

Tuesdays and Thursdays suck, but yay for three-day weekends?

"Maybe the poets are right..."

2009-08-10T08:47:00.012-05:00

Currently listening to: Darkmatter by Andrew Bird, Everyone Gets a Star by Albert Hammond Jr

"That's why I can't say enough times, whatever love you can get and give, whatever happiness you can filch or provide, every temporary measure of grace, whatever works!"

I went to the doctor today and had needles poked in my chest scar. It hurt a whole lot. If anyone who reads this becomes a doctor, remember to be personable. I don't know. A lot of my thoughts have had to do with hospitals in recent months. I've listened to a lot of music that has to do with illness. Hell, I listened to "Casimir Pulaski Day" more in the month of April than I have probably listened to the rest of Sufjan's songs combined. Throughout all of this, I have had lots of realizations. And now that all of this cancer stuff is pretty much taken care of until next summer, I thought I would share my final thought on the issue. And that is this. There was a specific moment when I realized I wasn't invincible. I think everyone will have one of these moments soon enough, where you're faced with the fact that your body is destructible. There were also many moments throughout these past months when I have seen that people can be really unreliable. Indescribably so. But through it all, I must appropriate the words of Mr. Woody Allen. "Whatever works." That's what will get you through life with some meaning and some happiness. That's really all you can ask for.

I think ideas like this are why I love Woody Allen so much. You can say what you want about his personal life, I really could not care less. He's pathological, but we all are a little bit, aren't we? But the man has said some wonderful things about life. I was just discussing Anything Else with Clarissa the other day. It's not my favorite, but it holds one of the best, most underrated lines in movie-making history. Same with Hannah and Her Sisters. "Maybe the poets are right. Maybe love is the only answer." Maybe I'm just overly fascinated with semantics.

Anyways, I hope everyone has a good day at school tomorrow!

For a Change

2009-08-04T00:12:00.003-05:00

Currently listening to: On My Way by Cocoon, She Is Love by Parachute

I am growing impatient. I am running out of time. I am feeling rushed.

As I buy these Twin XL sheets, this bathroom caddy, that computer lock, those snow friendly boots, I am increasingly compelled to press the proverbial pause button. I stand there thinking this is what I have waited for my entire life. This life is what got me through last year; this is the light at the end of the tunnel. And now that I have three weeks left, all I can think of are the opportunities I missed, the chances I didn't take. That's normal, right? I keep telling myself everything is normal. I'm just like everyone else.

657.12 miles is a really long fucking way, though.

Fun fact: Ra Ra Riot is alumni.

Maybe this is trite, but I keep having dreams about driving down an interstate at night. I think it's my subconscious trying to calm itself. My favorite song to listen to while driving at night is probably "Let it Rain" by Tilly and the Wall. You know those songs that sort of make you feel like your car is floating down the road? Everything is at peace. "You were lying there in the passenger chair sound asleep." I really like that song. Tilly writes great lyrics. I want to make a playlist of songs like this.

"Let It Rain" by Tilly and the Wall
"There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" by The Smiths
"Rollercoaster" by M. Ward
"Chicago" by Sufjan Stevens
"I'll Be Seeing You" by Billie Holiday
"Meet Me In the City" by The Black Keys
"Undone (The Sweater Song)" by Weezer
"Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman
"The Only Living Boy In New York" by Simon and Garfunkel
"You Alone" by Dawn Landes
"Southern Comfort" by Arrah and the Ferns
"Calling All Cars" by Sean Hayes
"Arizona" by Pedro the Lion
"Birds and Boats" by Gregory and the Hawk
"Northern Downpour" by Panic at the Disco
"Let It Be Me" by Ray LaMontange

The music video for "She Is Love" is really stupid. Don't watch it. It'll make you want to punch the lead singer. Who looks exactly how you picture him when you hear Parachute on the radio. It's sort of creepy. He looks exactly how you imagine. He doesn't have much of a chin.

On the other foot, the music video for "On My Way" is adorable, and you should definitely watch it. Cocoon makes a girl swoon.

Tom Hansen, you have me hooked.

Take Away Shows

2009-08-01T11:43:00.003-05:00

Currently listening to: Are We Different? by Priscilla Ahn

Happy August! I'm turning a page in my Zac Efron calendar.

I was on Blogotheque for the first time in a few months the other day. My cousin Louis got me into it a couple years ago, and ever since I'll go through weeks where all I do is watch Take Away Shows. They're so raw and gritty, many times I like the street recording of a song that's captured on one of these videos more than I like the studio version. Most days, I'll take the bare essentials these videos provide over a studio record. They just mean more to me. Personal preference.

Anyways, here are some of the videos that meant a lot to me, I guess. That sounds like a stupid way to phrase that, but whatever. You can not know what I mean and still enjoy these videos. I realize there are many videos. I guess if I had to tell you to watch four, I'd say the first one, "Walcott," Yeasayer and the last one. But they're all very good.

Ra Ra Riot - Oh la - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

I want to dance to this song.

Margot and the Nuclear So & So's - As Tall as cliffs - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

One weeks last year, all I did after school was watch this video over and over again. It was a slow week, but still.

THE WOMBATS - LET'S DANCE TO JOY DIVISION
by lablogotheque

Throw Me the Statue - Lolita
by lablogotheque

#54.1 - VOXTROT - Trouble
by lablogotheque

#44 - THE SHINS - PART1
by lablogotheque

"Hahaha! We're having fun in the metro." I think this one is Louis's favorite.

Cocoon - On my way
by lablogotheque

I think this was the first Blogotheque video I saw, but I could be wrong.

This is my all-time favorite Concert a Emporter.

I like how messy this looks.

Admitting, Accepting

2009-07-26T05:56:00.004-05:00

Currently listening to: Finish Line by Fanfarlo, One Night In October by Little Comets

Reflecting on my older blog posts made me realize that, with time, this blog quickly became about me. It was created for a totally different purpose. I remember telling myself that I wouldn't diverge from the material. What the hell ever, though. I've decided I'm through with keeping up appearances. I'm going to say whatever the hell I want.

I'm seventeen and stark raving mad.

This hidden link right here leads to want I want for my birthday. Day One is actually on my birthday. I don't know if it would even be possible, having no idea what my schedule will be, but it would be beautiful. Kelsey's birthday is Day Two, so she could go too.

Fanfarlo sounds like Beirut, and that's totally cool with me.

Also, I will take this time to welcome all the new bloggers to the blogosphere. May you continue to post your hearts' decree for more than a month straight (it took me starting three different blogs before I actually stuck with it).

This song makes me think of 500 Days of Summer, which I, as posted earlier this month, was blessed with the opportunity to see at an early screening. Hopefully all of you reading this have gotten the chance to see it. I told Clarissa last night, "it's one of those movies that makes me really excited to fall in love one day."

3 AM

2009-07-23T06:10:00.003-05:00

Currently listening to: 3AM by Matchbox 20

So, I actually wrote this right after I edited my last blog post. Didn't want to post it without tinkering with it some more. I amended it from it's original version just a bit. After reading it, I am not entirely sure what the point is, but by 4AM when I was too tired to write anymore, I felt like I had said something meaningful. As a whole, the following is oddly self-indulgent and based off a pop song from the 90s. The inability to sleep can make things of this nature make more sense.

3:19 AM (July 22)

“She says, 'Baby, it’s 3 AM, I must be lonely.'”

How is it that certain people are happy, and certain people are unhappy? I understand the quasi-truth that “life’s not fair.” I know it’s not. Perhaps the idea is that is not fair now, as in, everyone gets their just deserves at some point. Although, how can one be sure of this? Fairness is relative, anyways. One gets an experience of young love, another gets an experience that makes them not believe in love at all. One person digs a hole, another falls in said hole. One person makes millions, another, of the same skill level, is perpetually stuck in a minimum wage job.

Does the universe have some weird way of evening itself out? Is life just like that episode of Seinfeld? People are on a scale, up, down or “Even Steven.” Of course, it could be argued that everything happens to us is based exclusively on our actions and choices we make. This, I think, is viable. However, seeing the parallels in my life, the timing of certain situations, I think sometimes that, God, or whatever force you think is arranging the universe, is composing human life for distinct reasons. For me, I look at my life and see literary devices, poetic devices as if an author if writing my life story with precision.

Life, for me, and perhaps for others, feels like a movie (or movies feel like life?). Looking back, I see events happening in a meaningful sequence. Sometimes metaphorically similar events happen simultaneously. You hear a song, watch a movie, read a book in the span of a few days of each other, all of which essentially say the same thing about life, have the same life lessons attached to them. Meanwhile, you are dealing with seemingly two unrelated situation that end up looking identical to one another, almost, like two lines are moving forward and parallel. How I've ended up responding to these events emotionally has been effected. Most days, I don't know how to feel.

I woke up, stomach upset from, I’m assuming, the dose of radiation I was given yesterday. My clock read roughly 3:02 AM and immediately thought of the Matchbox 20 song. I laughed, thinking about how that song, “I’ll Be” and “Iris” were the only songs I heard anywhere in 1998. I made a failed attempt to fall back asleep and, subsequently, looked on YouTube for a video of a performance of “3 AM.” I came across a rendition of Rob Thomas playing the song acoustic on VH1 Storytellers. Before he played the song, he explained how he had found this song to mean different things to different people; but that it was, actually, about his mother’s battle with cancer. Perhaps it is coincidence; perhaps it is just some fluke that I should overlook. But I can’t. I think about how my diagnosis came at such a fundamental time in my life, and how even a relationship I had could be easily compared to the procedures I’ve gone through. The entire experience has changed me, and will affect me for the rest of my life. The whole experience has changed the way I see "happiness." “I can’t but be scared of it all sometimes.”

So, is happiness “a mat that sits on your doorway”? Is happiness how you view life? Is it something determined by how you face a situation? Well, yes. I suppose that answers my first question. Humans experience events that are relatively bad and relatively good, based of societal definitions. But ultimately, I think the answer to my original question is certain people are happy and certain people are unhappy because of how they view the things that happen to them, that they make happen or however the hell you think it works.

I guess I should add that I didn’t realize Rob Thomas comes out and answers my original question in the song until I listened to the lyrics before starting the previous paragraph. Maybe that in itself is just my subconscious at work. Maybe it’s more.

12 Things I Feel Like Doing Right Now

2009-07-22T15:09:00.002-05:00

Currently listening to: Meet Me In the City by The Black Keys

I had my official dose of radiation today. It has made me feel pretty sick, but it will pass. I feel horrible. Not having my thyroid hormone replacements for the past two weeks has given me a pretty gloomy disposition. My whole body is kind of like, "Wtf?"

Oh the bright side, my mom bought me the director's cut of Watchmen today.

So, here's a list of twelve things I feel like doing right now:

12. watching Lost In Translation
11. listening to The Black Keys
10. vomiting
9. sleeping for an extended period of time, say, two weeks
8. kissing the cute lab technician I met with, his name escapes me
7. having a meaningful conversation
6. taking a long car ride
5. being reassured that people (outside of my mother) care about me
4. splashing cold water in my face, then lukewarm coffee in that of a certain someone else
3. telling people what I really think of them
2. reading your list of twelve things
1. not feeling like shit

I'm serious about number two.

Edit: My life's sort of a Matchbox 20 song.

Days of Summer

2009-07-17T20:17:00.007-05:00

Currently listening to: Reasons to Love by Meiko, Rollercoaster by M. Ward

Last night, Courtney, Kat and I drove all the way to Landmark to see Away We Go and I noticed 500 Days of Summer was on the listings and I asked the ticket girl, "Is that really playing?" and she said it was some sort of pre-screening deal, so we got in line. She had just enough passes left for us but we'd have to find seats (honestly, I would have sat on the floor if I would have had to). And when we pulled out our wallets and asked how much it cost; she said it was free. And it was the most amazing movie I have seen in a while. Afterward, we took a scenic drive through Indianapolis using back roads and staying off the highway. It was very zen. I made a great On-the-Go Playlist.

Also, I got a web cam when I found out that I wouldn't get my MacBook in time for me to use it during my isolation for the next couple weeks. Now that it's all set up I don't have anyone to talk to. I want someone to change that.

Some of you may be unfamiliar with my comedic work.

Dear Reader,

2009-07-12T19:27:00.006-05:00

I saw Whatever Works today with my dysfunctional parents. There was some insight from the film I'd like to share, but it escapes me now. I guess I'll just have to wait for some avid movie-goer to jack the script and put all the Woodyisms they fancy on the Memorable Quotes page on IMBD, and hope they took to this certain line they way that I did.

For now, I just have one thing to say.

Whatever it is that's wrong, whatever it is that hurts, whatever it is that's plaguing your mind and preventing sleep, whatever it is, it'll all come out with the wash.

Love,
Jeanette

Lentils!

2009-07-09T13:24:00.002-05:00

Currently listening to: Cold Desert by Kings of Leon

These past couple days on the new diet have been nice. I'm starting to feel tired, though. Being off my medicine is starting to take it's toll.

I bought eight movies and a season of Seinfeld yesterday. And my dad's birthday present. We're celebrating his birthday this weekend. My mom's so sweet, she's making a cake that I can eat. I have no idea how, but I believe she can. She's magic.

I'm watching The TV Set. It's painful. Like, it's a good movie, but I feel so bad for David Duchovny's character. Sigourney Weaver is being a bitch.

"I'll tell you in another life, when we are both cats."

2009-07-05T17:18:00.003-05:00

Currently listening to: Helen by Nizlopi

Someone make you remember
those dreams you dreamed in Decemeber.
I feel the life coming through you
and it makes me want to persue you.
I feel alive.

My life got real weird, real quick.
God forbid I go into details.
Maybe when I write my memoirs?

Having my last iodized meal tonight.
I'm not too emotionally distraught.
Just worried about not taking my meds.

Whatever.
I am so confused.

Also, the following is for Kacie.

And if you ever get lonely...

2009-07-04T08:34:00.004-05:00

Currently listening to: Use Somebody by Kings of Leon, Crawl by Kings of Leon

I could use somebody, I tell you what.

But I guess I'll go by Penny Lanes's apothegm. I believe it goes, "Never take it seriously, you never get hurt. Never get hurt, you can always have fun. And if you ever get lonely, you just go to the record store and visit all your friends."

I have an idea for a list: movie characters whom I wish were real people for me to befriend. It goes, roughly, as follows; Bob Harris, Rob Gordon, Amélie Poulain, Zia ("Wristcutters: A Love Story"), Phil "Duckie" Dale, Julia ("The Wedding Singer"), Lloyd Dobler, Miles Monroe, Harry Burns, Ricky Fitz, Gina ("Empire Records"), Susan Vance, Mercer ("The Go-Getter"), Jamie Bennett, Paulie Bleeker, Juno MacGuff, Brodie ("Mallrats"), William Miller, ect.

Remember, it can't all be wedding cake.

Something, something, Harmony Korine

2009-07-02T10:01:00.008-05:00

Currently listening to: I Summon You by Spoon, Florescent Adolescent by Arctic Monkey

The strangest things happen when I actually get around to reading Post Secrets. There is one that I thought I must have posted in my sleep. I mean, I totally mentioned to a certain someone that I wanted him to go with me to see that movie. Before I get bored with flirting with him, anyways. A stranger and I have something in common.

Anyways, I am eating all the iodine-saturated foods I can this weekend. Starting Monday, there will be no more of that for a few weeks.

So, I started watching "Gummo" with Clarissa the other night. We didn't finish it, but I watched enough that really shook me. It documented a desolated town devastated by a raging tornado in rural Ohio. There were children huffing glue, violently killing cats and partaking in prostitution rings. It was so surreal, a group of people so isolated from the world around them that they have lost all sense of morality. Do they even know other societies exist? Of course, Harmony Korine is a seriously disturbed and drug-addled individual, and his films are a skewed reality. However, Clarissa and I recognized the fact that there are towns in America, and all over the world, just like this. It was seriously unnerving.

Another thing about Harmony Korine; he directed "Mister Lonely," which is a lame excuse for art cinema. Chase gave it to me for Christmas or something one year just because he wanted to watch it. Not that Chase has any knowledge of film as an art. He just thought it sounded "indie," I think. Which is one of the many reasons he and I no longer speak.

July was named for Julius Caesar.

There's a note on the door.

Waging War

2009-06-25T09:31:00.009-05:00

EDIT: Please read the latest Global High Five post. Add to the list.

Currently listening to: Use Somebody by Kings of Leon

I adore this song. I don't care what radio stations play it. I love, love, love it. Last night, Courtney and I listened to it on repeat on the way home from Traverse City. We readily admitted to both having it bad for the lead singer. This is the kind of song, we agreed, you want to get a little mack action during. All around, it's just a beautiful song.

It reminds me of when I was in New York last summer, gallivanting through the streets of Harlem, around the Columbia campus. It was a wonderful week. I can see making a music video to that song with footage from the CSPA camp. We journalism students can be very photogenic.

Anyways, things with my lomocamera are going swimmingly.

I like hidden links.

Monetize This!

2009-06-22T00:16:00.000-05:00

I don't know what that title is really supposed to mean.

Currently listening to: "The End's Not Near" by Band of Horses, "Bent (Live)" by Matt Nathanson

Earlier's was not a good post. I knew the moment is was published I was just typing to be typing and there wasn't much of a point.

What the past four months have taught me: I have a crippling control problem. And I very, very rarely have control over anything. Especially when it comes to relationships. So, please tell, what's your problem? Seriously, I would like to know.

There's a Jolly Rancher on my desk. It's probably been there for about three years. It's cherry flavored; a flavor I have often tried to avoid. Many times, I find it unpleasant. But, now, I sit here, slouching in the stench of Tex-Mex cuisine, my shirt being one I wore under my uniform all day. I am very much compelled to eat said Jolly Rancher. As soon as I unwrap it I can tell this is a mistake. It takes like eggs more than cherries. Surprisingly stoic, I spit it out into a near by waste bin. I pick the crumbling remains out from the crevices of my teeth. It still tastes like eggs. I need to brush my teeth. Where the hell is my tooth brush? Why does this taste like eggs? They couldn't possibly put eggs in Jolly Ranchers. Isn't it just food dye, corn starch and sugar? Ha. Screw oxford commas. I'm not British. I wonder if we have soda upstairs. Remember that dialect test Mr. Hanlin gave us freshman year in AP World Geography? Was "soda" Northeastern or Southern? I hope it was Northeastern; I have an image to maintain. I'm so cool. I need to empty my trashcan. I hope that Jolly Rancher doesn't make my room smell like eggs. I return to my seat, filled with contempt for hard candy. Also, I am struck with a reminder of Ellen Page's performance in "Hard Candy." That movie was terrifying.

Why the hell does Matt Nathanson start singing "Such Great Heights" at the end of "Bent"? What the hell is that? I mean, part of me almost likes it, and part of me thinks he's a jag off.

I'm Not a Girl of My Word

2009-06-21T21:42:00.003-05:00

Currently listening to: "The Beach" by All Time Low, "Birds" by Kate Nash

Is it sad that I'll probably blog a lot more when I get my MacBook.

Yes, yes it is.

I had to work for eleven hours today. That is ridiculous. Don Pablo can, essentially, suck it.

I have been getting weird about relationships lately. Many conversations with Clarissa have shed some light on my weirdness, but it still makes me uneasy. What I've realized is that nobody has any idea how sensitive I am. It's pathetic. Not that they don't realize it, but the fact that I am so touchy.

Well, now, you can't say I didn't tell you so.

Unless, of course, you don't read this.

By the way, I recently developed an affinity for all aspects of the 1974 TV show "Land of the Lost." It's beautiful.

Not Into It

2009-06-08T07:11:00.002-05:00

Currently listening to: Electric Feel by MGMT

I saw some (I'm assuming) lesbians at the First Friday Art Show dancing to this song. It was regal, truly regal. Before that I bought some clip on earrings at Jackalope.

I'm bored with depressing blogs.

My friend Santa Monican Jordan and I started a new blog. We met in New York City a year ago. When we're on the phone, we only talk about ethnicity and old movies. When we talk via the internet, it's pretty much the same. It's hilarious.

http://aglobalhighfive.blogspot.com/

Shock me like an electric eel? Essentially.

Anyways, I need to sign up for classes for next year. Soon. And wash my hair. Now.

So, I just watched He's Just Not That Into You. I didn't really like it. I basically just realized that it's people like Justin Long's character who will be the death of me. Also, all human beings are pathetic, primarily those that cheat on their spouses. Just throwin' it out there. But yeah, it wasn't worth the money I paid to rent it. I'm, just glad that I also rented Best In Show. Christopher Guest makes everything right in the world.

Green Ribbons

2009-06-01T09:46:00.003-05:00

Currently listening to: Little Bit of Red by Serena Ryder, Black Hole by She & Him

Graduating was nice. It didn't feel like it was happening to me, but I didn't expect it to. I shook Shockley's hand and threw my confetti and still walked out to the Hall of Excellence, "I hope they serve grilled cheese more next year." It's still home. Which is stupid. But I'll survive. I'll figure it out.

During the ceremony, all of the graduates wore green ribbons to support a classmate who was in the hospital due to leukemia. She was actually experiencing her graduation via Skype on a laptop gracefully carried by her twin sister. I realize leukemia is probably put on a higher regard than thyroid cancer, as it should be. I mean, my grandmother died from leukemia. It's a very serious, and now, with immense thanks, a treatable condition. For most of the ceremony, my thoughts were with my peer. I could feel the sweat accumulating on the back of my neck as I remembered the hospital bed and hourly needles and the persistent panic that fell over me every ten minutes or so I was awake. There was a perpetual weight on my chest, and amidst the rushing nurses and beeping machines, I kept thinking I going to stop. It was terrifying. And honest to goodness, my heart breaks for her. I'm sure it felt good to hear the standing ovation of her community, but I know it would have felt much better to be in the gymnasium with us.

But life goes on, right? I mean, hell, there are more important days in a person's life than graduating high school. I know this simply based off of the little emotion I felt as I crossed the stage. Anyways, I don't know what I'm trying to say. But life is confusing and hard, and I'm glad to end that chapter and get on to something new and, undoubtedly, better.

"This song right here, this song is my jam!"

2009-05-29T12:27:00.006-05:00

Currently listening to: I Believe In a Thing Called Love by the Darkness

I literally said that about this song probably sixteen times over the course of my freshman and sophomore years of high school (and thought it every single time I heard it). I really, really like this song.

I remember sitting in Alex Kuka's living room playing air bass to this song, insisting that I knew how it went. In truth, I had spent maybe a half of guitar lesson session on it and gave up. Probably abandoned it for a Hellogoodbye song or whatever it was that I listened to two years ago. I remember when it was on the radio during Driver's Ed and hoping that I could convince my mom to buy me a CD player for my car. I remember hitting that high note with the slightest tremor and wanting to be in a band that only sang that song and "Misery Business" (any takers?). I remember when I thought all of these memories made me a more interesting person (about seven minutes ago when I was brainstorming this blog post). I see now that they make me sound kind of lame. At least I'm honest.

I believe in a thing called love. I really do. I mean, listen to the rhythm of my heart. I really, really do.

Oh, and I graduate today! Huzzah!

Between a rock and a Myspace

2009-05-28T12:27:00.002-05:00

Currently listening to: State Street Residential by Death Cab for Cutie, Halloween by Matt Pond PA

So, Anthony and I did a cover of a Tegan and Sara song and it'll be up as soon as he finds time to finish it. But he has a new song on Pulscapades and it's neat.

Anyways, it's finally summer, so I will be blogging all the time, every time.

Watch Purple Rose of Cairo. You'll hate the ending, but you will know there was no other way for the story to go full circle. It'll break your heart a little for Miss Mia Farrow. You'll love and hate Jeff Daniels three or four times over. But life really isn't like the movies. Nothing is black and white; it's all gray. Just watch it.

So, I've been listening to a lot of Matt and Kim. The music video for "Lessons Learned" is stellar.

And I got a Twitter.

http://twitter.com/JEANETTEWALL

Straight From the Panda's Mouth

2009-05-09T06:43:00.002-05:00

Currently watching: Pulp Fiction

I just posted the following note on the Panda Expressions blog. More to come!

May 9, 2009 - Saturday

Explain!

Dear fans,

You may be few and far between currently, but our baby of a band appreciates you very much. I thought you'd want to know.

So, some of you may have noticed recent changes to TPE and its members. I thought I would post a blog explaining some things; probably not as in depth as I would like, but an explanation just the same.

I guess most importantly, I should address why the hell it took so long to record another song. This may be long, but I hope you'll read some of it.

Firstly, Chase and I actually had another song recorded, but he was not satisfied with it, so it was never released. If he hasn't deleted it, I would like to get my paws on it someday, since it meant so much to me, and I always wanted to share it with you. Maybe you can hear it.

Also, before I explain why Chase's involvement ended so abruptly, I should delve into some other things.

Namely, about two months ago, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and under went a pretty invasive surgery. Let me tell you, I am thankful that it was caught so early and at such a primary stage, but finding out you have cancer three months before you graduate from high school can prove to be, at the very least, a challenge. I was scheduled for surgery in early April and left to stew for a month. By the time I actually had my surgery, I was so drained from AP classes, my work as editor of our school newspaper and the disease itself, my modest attempts at music were ignored. Music is a major catharsis of mine, and this probably just perpetuated the emotional effects of my illness and surgery. I do not consider myself a musician by trade, but it has helped me work some things out. Either way, I did what I had to do. And I had to remain satisfied with the one song TPE had recorded.

During this surgery, there were also multiple suspicious skin legions found on my back and leg. I just under went a surgery which removed those yesterday, and I am hopefully done going under the knife for now. I will, however, have to undergo iodine radiation. Thankfully, this won't happen until the summer, so I can finish school on time, and go off to Syracuse (go orange) without a hitch.

As to why Chase and I went our separate ways, musically: Our relationship has been put under an immense amount of strain in the past year. I can't/won't point the finger at one element (although, if you get me in a surly enough mood, I might be able to) that led to his bowing out of the band. But I will say, to fans of his, he is just as human as you are. As am I. As are all of us. Our human qualities make us capable of making music. But they are also the qualities that hurt others. Sometimes, as teenagers primarily, we don't think enough about what we say and do. The most important part about growing up is learning to admit when you are right and when you are wrong, and also to learn you're being right and wrong is all relative. These things are difficult to conquer.

Anyways, Chase is the big man around campus, and at his show I just recently went to, he had mole skin journals, t-shirts and non-hand-crafted CD sleeves. He's come a long way from just a couple years ago. I'd like to think my pain-staking efforts at promoting him and producing those little EP's had a little to do with it, but I guess his success was inevitable. If nothing else, if I find myself needing to justify all that time I put into his music, I can say it was, at the very least, for my best friend. I hope he cares.

So, seeing as how Chase had moved on to other things, I found myself on my own, musically (?). My attempts at compiling music myself were fruitless, and I had some learning to do. However, Anthony offered to not only to take me to my Senior Prom, but also to assist me in recording recent tunage. Realizing we were quite the team and that I'm pretty inept when it comes to mics and stop buttons, I formally invited the young man to join me in my musical quest (I think that TPE is worthy of this term). He's a very talented kid who likes to jam. (Shameless plug, here; please check out Pulscapades).

So, I'm about through waxing. I just hope as our "project" begins to grow, you'll let people know about Anthony and I. Maybe an iTunes release is in order? There are quite a few things in the works, and we will keep you updated.

Finally, thank you so much for the support. These past few months have been quite...yeah, you know. So, it means the world that you guys keep pressin' that play button. You are the best, and I mean it. New music VERY soon.

Love,

Jeanette

Alive!

2009-04-12T17:03:00.003-05:00

Currently listening to: Beach Baby by the First Class

I am living. I am going back to school tomorrow. I am a person who likes fondue.

More to come.

ChkFajNach

2009-04-05T07:58:00.003-05:00

Currently listening to: After Hours by the Velvet Underground, Chicago by Joshua Michael Robinson

Nachos are an amazing invention.

I planned on putting up a Post Secret this morning for my blog, but I didn't really relate to any of the one's posted today.

I don't have any secrets, I don't think. Usually, I'm just afraid that what I say to people is going to make them dislike me. In the past few months, though, it's become more and more apparent, it's not what you say, it's what you do.

Anybody have any secrets they want to share?

Oh, and tomorrow is the big day.

The Night I Became Cool

2009-04-04T07:09:00.005-05:00

Currently listening to: Harvard Blues by Rivers Cuomo, Dead On Arrival by Fall Out Boy

Oh, God. Fall Out Boy. Here comes a story about being thirteen.

I sat in my room with an old CD player, and three friends. Boy 1, Boy 2 and Girl. They were all fairly new friendships, but strong friendships that I thought would last forever. They didn't. I think all of us went our separate ways entirely.

I still had a tub of old CD's from a past life. Most of them were birthday gifts from children I had befriended the year I lived in Oklahoma. A lot of Dixie Chicks B-sides, the Lilo and Stitch soundtrack and five or six copies of the same Hilary Duff album. My taste is music had never defined me. I listened to music because I knew the words, essentially. Therefore, I was never embarrassed by this CD collection that I had grown out of. I had moved on to Green Day, Counting Crows, Jonny Lang, Diana Krall, Michelle Branch and Good Charolette ("Little Things" was my "Anthem"). Even still, my more expansive taste in music had never made me question what I had listened to before. It was obsolete to me.

However, I learned that night that I should be embarrassed. Boy 1 found the tub of my musical high-water jeans and laughed at them, laughed at me. Boy 2 chuckled along as well, Girl began holding her stomach in pain from the belows that were escaping her lungs. Boy 1 asked me if I was serious. I said most of the time. He shook his head, and grabbed the old CD player. He put in Take This to Your Grave and skipped it to track three. As Patrick Stump sang his rejection song (one of many, it seems), my boxed up albums sang their swan song. They were dumped on the floor and stomped on by my three friends. They picked the shards up and broke them. I sat on my bed and watched.

I learned absolutely nothing.

Wokin' hard, hardly workin'

2009-03-29T21:53:00.002-05:00

Currently listening to: Past In Present by Feist

I work a lot this week.
I am going to prom with a friend.
I am losing friends.
I am gaining momentum.
I get angry and sad.
I need to buy my dress. I need to do my homework. I need to study for my Calculus test. I need to see if Victoria can trade me one of my shifts.
I was hurting a lot more a couple days ago.
Now, I am sore.

I am making many to-do lists.
I am making myself get over it.
I am making guacamole for lunch tomorrow.

ugh.

2009-03-24T21:13:00.004-05:00

I am not really listening to anything. I'm too something unpleasant.

This melodrama is making everything worse.

And that's all she wrote.

I Want to be Forever Young

2009-03-22T06:48:00.006-05:00

Currently listing t: Wolf Like Me by TV On the Radio, Casimir Pulanski Day by Sufjan Stevens

This Sufjan Stevens song is almost about me. Hahahaha! Excellent.

I bought a fleece blanket with an eagle on it, a very regal eagle. It was wrapped around me Friday night when I snoozed while two of my friends watched Clue on my bed and photographed a string on Mardi Gras beads.

I'm going to Syracuse, and I'm very excited about it. I hope I'll meet some people that I really like and I don't have to try so hard to impress them. We can mimic the way people in Wes Anderson movies. We'll tell jokes like Woody Allen. We'll wear horned rims and drink black coffee and own way too many clothes. They will not be fickle or fair weather. They will be understanding and they will curse too much. We'll be in love with life, finally. We'll be be forever young.

Alphaville!

I hate having to go to work. I want to quit. But I won't, not yet. The end.

Tilom the Tiny Tumor

2009-03-11T04:29:00.003-05:00

Currently listening to: Coney Island by Death Cab for Cutie, The Times They Are A Changing by Bob Dylan

It's weird how the word "cancer" has the most unforgiving ring to it. I'm not going to die or anything. It's just the Thyroid, y'know. But still. Cancer.
My surgery is April 6. I'm not scared. I'm over it.
It's weird how this innocent little biopsy turned into to me wandering the halls of my high school as my newspaper adviser told the staff they'd have to work a little harder this issue. They're not allowed to stress me out. But, honestly, I'm over it.
On the bright side, I have plans every night until Sunday. I'm not saying that sarcastically. I am really glad.
Maybe this is where my luck starts turning around. Maybe the universe is bored with trying its best to make me feel like its out to get me.
I think this will be my only entry about this until April. I have a month to stew. It's too long, but whatever. I'm over it.

I bought "Penelope" and I'm not embarassed.

2009-03-07T05:49:00.004-06:00

Yeah, well, I'm not.

Currently listening to: Good Riddance by Greenday, Midnight Train to Georgia by Gladys Knight and the Pips

I saw the midnight showing of Watchmen and I really enjoyed it. I don't want to say much else besides that story means a lot to me. I'll leave it at that.

Anyways, I have a lot of homework and not a lot of time to do it in. Also, have you ever woke up and you couldn't get back to sleep and about twenty minutes into watching Chinatown you feel like you need to take a nap? Soon, I think I'll take a nap.

I'm probably not going to Prom, and I'm kind of pissed that I will have never gone. In the grand scheme of things, I realize it has very little merit and I probably would have just ended up wasting my money anyways. But it's one of those rights of passage I wanted to experience. Ah, hell. I hate high school. Especially the parts you spend being rejected after asking someone to Prom. I think my blog is a misrepresentation of how much time I spend thinking about Prom.

There are days that I'd really just rather fall off a cliff than do whatever it is I have to do. For instnce, today, yesterday and most days. No Syracuse letter yet either.

But, either which way, I watched Play It Again Sam last night, which I really enjoyed. Young Woody Allen is kind of adorable. Just sayin'.

"I fell under, in love."

2009-03-02T20:27:00.004-06:00

Currently listening to: "Chicago" by Joshua Michael Robinson, "Empire State" by All-Time Quarterback!

www.myspace.com/joshuamichaelrobinson
Listen to him. He has something to tell you.

Today...
I went to Broadripple. I got the All-Time Quarterback CD, finally. Ben Gibbard melts my heart (everyday). The new Paste came, and I need to listen to the sampler. That vintage shop near College Ave has agreed to help me find a prom dress. If I go, I mean. Whatever. Friends are few and far between.

Tomorrow...
I have a diagnostic intervention. Sounds scary (now).

Thursday...
Watchmen at midnight. IMAX. I'm so lucky (every once in a while).

Everyday...
Is another day.

I mean, I know, I have...

2009-03-01T07:03:00.006-06:00

Currently listening to: My Last Song for You by Joshua Michael Robinson, Wait by Death Cab for Cutie

I feel unguided in this blog post.

Joshua Michael Robinson is coming out with an EP later this month. You need to check him out. This Death Cab song is a cover, I know.

I find out about Syracuse in two weeks. With Mid-March comes my fate. I mean, Tuition Exchange is pissing me off, because I already know I have a full ride, but I don't know what programs I have been accepted to. Universities are such teases.

More and more, I have been perpetually smelling like Mexican food. Working at Don's is becoming stinky. Plus, my managers are becoming disenchanted with me. I don't know why. It's upsetting. After you work really hard at something, just to find nobody cares or is even impressed or is just not disappointed is pretty hurtful. That's how many things have been going lately.

What the hell can you do?

I'm still reading Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

I like Betsy Johnson perfume and Milk and Joshua Michael Robinson and my new Hollister jeans and breakfast and Watchmen and Chuck Klosterman and old movie posters and holding hands.

List blogs are easy and fun. Expect more.

Top 10 Things I Don't Care About

2009-02-25T04:25:00.002-06:00

Currently listening to: Third Planet by Modest Mouse, Lily Love by Dreams of University

10. Prom
9. Fall Out Boy
8. My Calculus grade
7. "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
6. Britney Spears
5. Indiana State Senate Bill 16
4. Prom (really)
3. My chipping nailpolish
2. Brangelina
1. Prom

Guess which one I really do care about.

Psst. It's Britney Spears.

Walpurgisnacht

2009-02-22T20:29:00.002-06:00

Currently listening to: I Am a Cage by Right Away Great Captain

Once again, Half Price Books has seen me through. Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? is a production that I have seen in movie form, but have been told that reading it is much more fulfilling. I am already entranced by the facade presented by the main characters, George and Martha; they are very telling of the 50's and how wrong the "Leave It to Beaver" ideal was. It reminds me of a more comedic, yet still equally disturbing, image presented by Yates' Revolutionary Road. I also have seen the film version of this (Oscar buzz for Kate and Leo?) and it was also scathing of this decade and the falsities it presented. The post-war ideals have been mirrored in an ugly light in many works, and obviously hurt many family lives. The constant need to be seen as the infallible, beautiful family forced many people to be something that they weren't and led to self-degrading. Another book with serious overtones of this theme is The Hours. However, that book also presents many modern criticisms about the facades we live under today.
Anyways, I have made it to Act II, titled "Walpurgisnacht." This is a German word refers to the night before May Day, in that culture, a sort of Halloween, nightmarish sort of evening. It's pretty representative of the entire play thus far. These couples are just tearing at one another. At first it was just George and Martha (presidential reference, perhaps?) but now Nick is beginning to marvel on how he only married Honey because he thought she had a bun in the oven, so to speak. George and Martha keep referring to their son, and it's hard to tell if either he's dead or he doesn't exist and they're just making it up to egg their guests on. I don't exactly remember.
It funny, I just saw an episode of American Dad! where they play on this story. Not having seen the movie for so long, the show serves as my most recent point of reference, which throws me off. Either way, I won't lie, understanding the parody makes me feel kind of smart.

Revisiting the "Garden State"

2009-02-11T14:49:00.002-06:00

Currently listening to: Such Great Heights (Remix by John Tejada) by The Postal Service, Brothers On a Hotel Bed by Death Cab for Cutie, Broadripple is Burning (Daytrotter Sessions) by Margot and the Nuclear So & So's

I haven't watched Garden State in a while. It used to be my favorite movies, and then I kind of got sick of Zach Braff's bullshit. I mean Last Kiss was possibly the worst movie I have ever seen. I grew weary of a bunch of young, rich suburbanite teenagers and young adults bitching about the problems they create themselves. Is it not common knowledge that if you sleep with someone who is exponentially younger than you your wife will be seriously pissed? Good one.
Anyways, I think Garden State remains and, by the looks of it, will remain Braff's magnum opus. Although, I find it a little more trite than I did when I was thirteen, there is still something very enchanting about screaming into the "infinite" abyss. It was one of those movies that made me want to be twenty-two for about ten years. And maybe then some. It made me want to live.
On a different note, I'm very excited for the Margot show on the 27th. "Broadripple Is Burning" is probably one of my favorite songs. Speaking of Broadripple, I need to get a prom dress. Oooh lala!

Wowee Zowee!

2009-01-27T04:35:00.003-06:00

Currently listening to: Crawl by Two Tongues, Oregon Homeboy by The Kid Espi

I love Max Bemis so much. Two Tongues. Check 'em out. And sadly, TPE songs still in the works. Chase is lame. Whatever. You'll know when they're ready, though.

Dancing at Discos

2009-01-21T14:34:00.003-06:00

Currently listening to: Merry Happy by Kate Nash, Our House by Crosby Stills Nash & Young

So, long story short, Chase decided to invest time into "mastering" the Panda Expressions recordings, so they aren't ready yet. Still in the oven, so to speak. Not quite ripe. Actually, he's probably just putting in a banjo solo, either way, it won't be done for a couple more days.

February issue of the Trojaneer is going to rock. I hope. Perhaps. Comes out end of next week.

Anyways, I think my dog may have peed on my work uniform, Neko Case is on the cover of Paste and I found out I got 30,000 dollars to go to Syracuse. The more things change, the more they stay the same I guess.

And now to something completely different...

Turbo Mode, F'real

2009-01-19T07:05:00.006-06:00

Currently listening to: Go On Girl by Ne-Yo

I'M LE PUMPED!

Chase and I are totally recording three songs for The Panda Expressions today. So now we won't be totally weak with a music Myspace and no music. I mean, I feel like it's time to expand our fan base beyond me, Kelsey and Matt Hires (although, he's got a supa fly voice). We'll being finishing up two original songs that I wrote, which probably consist of vair similar chords, but I'm not here to be Hendrix or anything. Anyways, more importantly, we have a wicked cover of a Postal Service song that will be up too. And it should be really easy to guess which one it is. Lame. Anyways, check it out tomorrow! Beteedub, those are banners down there. Click 'em, son.

It was all a dream

2009-01-18T06:42:00.013-06:00

Currently listening to: Juicy by Notorious B.I.G., You and I by Ingrid Michaelson

So, I really like Chris Wallace's music. I mean, no, I don't know all the words to any song off "Life After Death." Hell, I admit ignorance on most any R&B/Rap music produced before 2006. And probably after as well. (But I will say I like the new Eminem song.) But watching "Notorious" probably just dumbed me down even more. It was the worst movie I have seen in the past six months.

I won't touch on how bad the acting was, how the script wasn't even close to saving it, nor how the cinematography was full of artsy crap that made it even more clear what kind of philistines were making this movie. No. I'm not going there. All I'm going to say is that it glorified a man who did a bunch of terrible things and never realized that any of those things were bad. It was like the filmmakers were saying it's not wrong to deal drugs, you'll just go to jail if you. Or, it's not wrong to cheat on your woman, as long as you don't get caught and give her a bunch of money. It's not wrong to abandon your dying mother for a singing career, as long as you make it. It's not wrong to never spend time with your daughter, as long as you send a check every once in a while. It's not wrong to act like a child, as long as you're famous.

Nobody owns up to anything in this movie. All is forgiven, no questions asked. And then he dies. I mean, really? Is that how real life is? It falsely portrayed many important themes in underdog movies, like hard work and being a decent human being. Perhaps I'm being more conservative than usual, but to be totally honest, "Notorious" glorified a man who, while he may have been an amazing storyteller and artist, was very dark and did a lot of terrible things. He doesn't deserve fawning over. The movie should have accomplished an honest depiction of this man's life, like "Walk the Line" or "Ray." However, all it did was paint an angelic, still melodramatic, picture of a petulant boy-man who couldn't get his act together.

And if Kelsey doesn't express this in her review that's coming out next issue of the Trojaneer, I will be totally pissed.

All I have to say is...

2008-12-28T13:11:00.003-06:00

applying to college kind of sucks.

I hear it's worth it, though.

(Currently listening to: RoboCop by Kanye West)

"You're far superior to my cocker spaniel."

2008-12-14T06:24:00.009-06:00

Well, here it is, eleven days until Christmas. Without a doubt, it's my favorite time of year. I love nothing more than to snuggle in my Target slipper moccasins and watch every Christmas flick I can rent at my local library. It's sublime.
So, this year I was trying to conjure up some sort of marathon for a couple of my friends. It would, of course, include the recent favorites like "Love Actually" and "Elf," as well as the comedy classics, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "Christmas Vacation." It would not, however, entail "It's a Wonderful Life," because I really don't like it at all no matter how much everyone else likes it. That film doesn't get me in the spirit at all.

Anyways, so I figure I need a blast from the past, to "legitify," if you will, my holiday movie festival. And but of course, Friday night I meandered over to my friend Aili's house to find she and her family watching "White Christmas," the best Christmas musical ever. Ever. Ever. As Aili's mother wrapped homemade holiday caramels, I lounged on the couch, falling in love with Danny and Bing all over again. So, if you haven't seen it, you should get to the library right now. Scour through that single, outstanding DVD shelf, sifting through all the "Tales of the Crypt" episodes and Tom Hanks movies until you find it.

Anyways, the movie is simply stunning. And this is coming from someone who finds most musicals put a sour taste in her mouth. It's darn good.

Purple Spanish Onions

2008-12-11T14:41:00.001-06:00

This is one of my favorite short films. I've been thinking about it a lot lately, considering the few months I have left in Indiana. Losing the comfort you get from someones familiarity is heart-wrenching, whether your love is platonic, romantic, or even if you don't love someone. You just love the idea of consistency in a person's presence.

Lord knows I've had my bags packed for a while, but I guess even when you can taste the opportunities that await you somewhere else, it's hard not to turn around. What with Rosie and the Originals humming in the background? You're probably going to tear up a little.

The flip side is just as true, I suppose. To watch everyone relocate, literally or figuratively. The picture you have of them strolling into the airport terminal; you're musing about the blaring speakers announcing that a flight to Phoenix is presenting the last call for boarding. The only comfort outside of their promises to call you is the warm scent of Cinnabon flowing from the baggage claim area.

Oh, but I guess there's always something else. Dare I quote Semisonic? I'll leave it up to you. I have to illustrate my children's' story for Creative Writing tonight. I need to find some colored pencils.

Say It Ain't So

2008-12-09T14:55:00.000-06:00

Currently listening to: Welcome Home by Radical Face, Bishop Allen Drive by Bishop Allen

So, best news I've had all week: It's Weezer Week! I heard Ben Davis High School's radio station that Weezer was in fact their pick for Band of the Week. It just so happens that I was wearing my Weezer shirt, which I had humbly acquired from my friend Kat this weekend when we went to Clay Terrace. It was fate, I swear. =w= for life, son.

Anyways, anybody notice how similar Dana Perino and Cameron Diaz look? Is this just me? Am I crazy? I think not, my friend. I think not. Perhaps it's just the mouth. Perhaps it's just the hair. But you have to admit, there are some striking similarities. I mean, I was sitting there eating my Frosted Flakes, reading Cliff Notes for Melville, and I look up to the news to see none other than Camer-- I mean Dana Whatsherface talking auto bailouts. I swear I thought they were coming out with The Sweetest Thing 2.

On a totally different note, I was watching the second season of Extras the other night, and I have to admit, I may have a crush on Daniel Radcliffe. Oooer.

"I was anticipating your whim, sir."

2008-12-08T19:34:00.000-06:00

Currently listening to: "Cars" by Now Now Every Children

So, I just finished my review of the new, full-length Now Now Every Children album for the Trojaneer. Needless to say, I gave it an outstanding five out of five stars, grins and thumbs. I don't have five thumbs. It's comforting to write something that will be published. Since I have handed Michael, our Web Editor, the editorial, I have been forced into my management position without too much comfort in knowing I can still write periodically. I mean, I can, I just won't. I mean, this second it is 8:39 and I could definitely go to sleep right now. And, hell, I'm sure in the next twenty minutes I will, but I still have assigned chapters to read of Melville's Billy Budd and I have managed to convince myself I have too much on my plate.

We all know that's only half true. Now, I don't think I have "Senioritis." I think I have Cabin Fever. Much like in Muppet Treasure Island or whatever. God, I effing love that movie. Yeah, for a blog title reference. Here's to Jim Henson!

So, anyways, here's my rough draft.

On the surface, Now Now Every Children looks like, well, children. They appear to be of the over-exaggerated eyeliner variety, with hair in their face, and some weird mix of Kimya Dawson and Brand New on their iPods. If you saw them on the street, they might pose a friendly reminder than you need to head to Goodwill for some funky new sweatshirts and worn-out Chuck Taylor’s.
But underneath the ultra-hip, pop-indie, “I want to be watching ‘The Royal Tenenbaums,’” skin that Now Now outwardly displays, there is a goldmine of delightfully poignant lyrics and mature musicianship that will make you think that they’re all grown up.
An undeniable cohesiveness of lead Cacie Dalager’s pretty vocals, and they are in fact quite pretty, with the trio’s rough symbol clashes, bell chimes, keyboard loops, and distorted guitar all shine brightest on their debut album “Cars.” Of course, they won’t stand to be your average underground sensation with a Myspace launch pad, though. These Children bring something new to the table: a versatility of mood. This music is relatable, listenable at most any time. You can soak in the melody of say, the title track of the new album whether you are having a dance party in your bedroom or driving home from a funeral. The music is comforting, appropriate. Their tunes are what you need them to be.
All three members of the band are quite young, too. “Cars” could certainly be the first step in a very promising career. Sure, they are not necessarily what you might call “radio friendly.” Still, neither are their feasible protégés, like Eisley. However, they are bound to pop up at some festival or in some Starbuck’s speaker, sooner rather than later. Do not be the least bit discouraged by the knowledge of their status as paramorefans.com’s April Band of the Month. They really do rock.
Now Now was signed to the impeccable, Midwestern-front Afternoon Records, finding themselves rubbing elbows with label founder Ian Anderson. They released two EP’s earlier this year, which contributed some tracks to the full-length album. The aforementioned album was released in stores Dec. 9.
Especially for fans of Tegan and Sara, Tilly and the Wall, and Islands, Now Now Every Children could become your new favorite band, no matter how childish they seem. As iTunes customer StaceyRockSteady reviewed, Now Now Every Children are the "best thing to come out of Minnesota since the Mighty Ducks." This is most certainly true.