Living in a world where the most watched music video on youtube is Rebecca Black's "Friday," I've become jaded by the bullshit music that is coming out of the radio these days; in my opinion Auto-tune is probably the worst thing that has ever happened to the music industry. Of course the surge of the "underground" indie music community helps to keep my sane when I have my headphones blasting, trying to block out the Ke$has of the world. Every once in a while, I have a resurgence of happiness for the music of the world I live in that lifts my spirits and calms my stressed beyond belief mind.
A Bon Iver youtube video did just that for me today. I have been constantly frazzled and stressed out recently and I thought a dip into the pool of excellent music videos would help calm me down before I tackled a mountain of homework. After watching a couple of videos from my favorite bands, I came upon Bon Iver singing "For Emma" a cappella in the hall of an apartment building. The rawness of the setting and the beauty of the vocals despite not having a studio (or auto-tune) touched me, and I instantly felt myself release my tension as I took in the video. These are moments to live for: this is real music.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Airport Security?
Currently, I am sitting in the San Francisco Airport waiting for my flight that will depart in about an hour. I've been here since 5:30. Despite the terrible layover, I enjoyed my time by eating a bowl of soup while reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, a classic, and listening to a mixture of Arcade Fire, Dawes, and Neutral Milk Hotel. Around 7, I finished my soup and decided to go sit at my gate and await my flight. When I found gate 88 I sat at the end of a row nearest to a Pete's Coffee and Tea so that I could sufficiently contemplate whether or not I needed a chai tea latte (I did). While contemplating I saw a man that had to be the model for the old guy from Up walking towards me with two suited personal following him. Now I was a bit surprised by this as it seemed like the little old man was doing nothing wrong. Despite this, the personal seemed determined to catch up to him. As this was happening a man who was sitting clear across the room came and sat near me, prompting me to think "WTF." But I ignored this gesture in order to see what these suit-clad strong men were after.
I realized I was wrong about the mens' target when they passed the man from Up and instead continued to the row of seats in front of the one I was perched on, reading. They proceeded to ask about the suitcase that was under the seat in front of me. I told them it was there when I got there (I actually hadn't noticed it until they mentioned it). The creeper who followed me explained the same thing. One of the suited men poked the bag with his foot prompting me to think "hey, I don't want to be anywhere near this bag" at which I moved clear across the room. The creepy man followed me. I only shook this man once I got up to "go to the bathroom" and when I returned I sat as far away as possible. Now, while I was away, the suited men had moved the suitcase to an empty service desk where it remained unattended (strike one) for about a half hour (strike two) until a large man in yet another suit came to examine it. Now, I am no expert on airport security, but wouldn't it make sense that if there was a suspicious bag sitting alone at an airport that it would be seen as a matter of relative threat and importance? Call me old fashioned, but isn't this the subject of what those annoyingly chipper voices that come over the loudspeaker every 20 minutes say over and over again?
Maybe I am being paranoid but, check out the damn bag.
I realized I was wrong about the mens' target when they passed the man from Up and instead continued to the row of seats in front of the one I was perched on, reading. They proceeded to ask about the suitcase that was under the seat in front of me. I told them it was there when I got there (I actually hadn't noticed it until they mentioned it). The creeper who followed me explained the same thing. One of the suited men poked the bag with his foot prompting me to think "hey, I don't want to be anywhere near this bag" at which I moved clear across the room. The creepy man followed me. I only shook this man once I got up to "go to the bathroom" and when I returned I sat as far away as possible. Now, while I was away, the suited men had moved the suitcase to an empty service desk where it remained unattended (strike one) for about a half hour (strike two) until a large man in yet another suit came to examine it. Now, I am no expert on airport security, but wouldn't it make sense that if there was a suspicious bag sitting alone at an airport that it would be seen as a matter of relative threat and importance? Call me old fashioned, but isn't this the subject of what those annoyingly chipper voices that come over the loudspeaker every 20 minutes say over and over again?
Maybe I am being paranoid but, check out the damn bag.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Yeah, that seems legit!
| I've been looking for a sublessee on Craigslist because I'm going to Italy fall term. After I posted the ad, I got quite a few replies. One was especially interesting. The first time the person contacted me it was normal, but after she replied to tell me about herself and her name changed from "Beatriz" to "Beatrix," I figured something was up. By the way, if you want to pretend you are from a foreign country to hide the fact that you cannot speak english, Ireland really is not your best bet. I lobe reading as well. Enjoy. Hello, Good to read back from you...Am glad that the place is available, am currently in Galway , Ireland, i will be coming there to further my education, so i will be coming there for my move in as soon as the space is ready for move in...But i will not be coming there to look at the room due to distance, and i would love to call you but my phone just got disconnected and i dont want to reconnect it cuz i will be relocating soon, but my step dad will call you asap, however if you have the pics of the room you can send it to me so that i can see the place and send it to my step dad to see it as well, Meanwhile let me tell you a little about myself. Am Beatriz Coker and am 23years old i lost my dad some years back when i was young so my mom had to remarry, so she got married to Mr Scott Andrew who is my step dad now he is a very busy business man. He has been the one who has been taking care of me all this while i believe he is a God sent to me cux i have never regretted a moment with him. I lobe reading,swimming and chatting with people around me and also make them happy. I have always been thinking of how i will affect peoples life positively by making donations to the less privileges cus when i looked at my pass when i lost my dad from the story my mom told me. I noticed it is not easy for people that has no parent. Presently i donate to (W.H.O) for the support of the motherless home. Although i donate little amount, but no amount is too small to help..Well i hope when we meet in person you will know more about me. Meanwhile my step dad will need the followings information to make payment to you ASAP 1....Your name in full 2...your Address in full with the zip code 3.....Your phone number. I wait to have this information from you so that my step dad can make payment for the rental fee and security deposit in advance. |
Monday, April 18, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Nerdy: The new "Hip"
Growing up I was often called a nerd: I loved to read and to get good grades, I liked Pokemon much longer than I should have (I still like it), and I wore clothes that I thought were cool (my sentiments were not shared by my peers). Things only got worse as I got older because I began to realize that I liked being smart, and hell: my clothes rocked. In high school took Advanced Placement classes, headed clubs such as "Harry Potter Club" and "Junior Statesmen of America," and I danced and worked on top of it all. I had my handful of friends and that was really all that I needed.
Coming to college I did not expect much more than I already had in high school- but I wanted the whole college experience. So, I rushed Greek Life, I went out with people that I met, and I played down my geekiness to a painfully low level. Things went alright but I was not really invested in my new life. One day during winter term I let my nerdiness slip to a friend who was suddenly intrigued by it: he actually liked who I was. Crazy, I know, but it's true. I began to let my wall down and show my natural nerdiness more often, and I was happier because of it. People actually liked me better because I was weird and I liked them better for the same reason. The more I looked around and noticed people and their personalities I realized something: being a nerd is awesome. Not only that, but in the new "hipster" culture, it is something to be sought after.
Nerds are becoming mainstream these days: just look at the show "The Big-Bang Theory," it is an extremely popular show about four physics nerds. I hadn't realized that physics was so funny. Acceptance of nerds is perpetuated even further on sites such as Collegehumor.com where short shows such as "Nerd Alert" talk about the best news in the land of nerds. Personally, I am overjoyed that our society is starting to accept the different types of geekiness and calling it personality. Especially at this point in my life where I can actually enter college and show people who I am without fear of complete rejection.
For all the nerds out there: where that Pokemon shirt proud, read books just for fun, and there is no shame in playing video games instead of going out on a saturday night.
Coming to college I did not expect much more than I already had in high school- but I wanted the whole college experience. So, I rushed Greek Life, I went out with people that I met, and I played down my geekiness to a painfully low level. Things went alright but I was not really invested in my new life. One day during winter term I let my nerdiness slip to a friend who was suddenly intrigued by it: he actually liked who I was. Crazy, I know, but it's true. I began to let my wall down and show my natural nerdiness more often, and I was happier because of it. People actually liked me better because I was weird and I liked them better for the same reason. The more I looked around and noticed people and their personalities I realized something: being a nerd is awesome. Not only that, but in the new "hipster" culture, it is something to be sought after.
Nerds are becoming mainstream these days: just look at the show "The Big-Bang Theory," it is an extremely popular show about four physics nerds. I hadn't realized that physics was so funny. Acceptance of nerds is perpetuated even further on sites such as Collegehumor.com where short shows such as "Nerd Alert" talk about the best news in the land of nerds. Personally, I am overjoyed that our society is starting to accept the different types of geekiness and calling it personality. Especially at this point in my life where I can actually enter college and show people who I am without fear of complete rejection.
For all the nerds out there: where that Pokemon shirt proud, read books just for fun, and there is no shame in playing video games instead of going out on a saturday night.
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