Realist. Surrealist.

2011-02-04T10:39:00.000-08:00

midterms music

2011-01-23T17:52:00.001-08:00

this playlist is going to get me through the next week and a half of midterms :)

Bruno Mars - Just The Way You Are (Skrillex BatBoi Remix)

Robyn - U Should Know Better feat. Snoop Dogg

Arno Cost - Cyan

this, as well as "Almost There" from Princess and the Frog on repeat and a few other songs not on soundcloud.
gluck to everyone else toiling away for midterms!

burst of inspiration

2010-12-05T21:00:00.000-08:00

I've always been a firm believer in having a strong atmosphere and aesthetic in every single aspect of one's life, so I don't know why that concept didn't encompass my work area. I guess I didn't see work as an visual venture or any kind of fun, really. and I suppose it's good that I separate work from play, but today during a study break, inspiration gripped me and didn't let go until I acted on it.

so amidst frenetic finals studying, I had to redesign my entire workspace.

the most amazing thing about this workspace is that it's made the conventional overhead lights virtually obsolete! all the light I need for my work comes from the wall and a tiny spotlight lamp. so it's insanely practical and amazing to look at.

everyone has that visual fantasy land in their head, right? I feel like I've brought some of mine into the real world :)

(and for those that care: don't worry, I'll still get an A. econ is pretty easy. plus now I'm actually really stoked to start studying!)

Atom: I'm positive I've lost an electron!

2010-12-02T21:53:00.000-08:00

Wow, I haven't been here in a while. But I guess this is where you end up when you have a Humanities paper to write.

There are times -- completely random times -- that I find myself on this page, staring at this dusty old blog, scoffing at the bold, pseudo-intellectual statements I've made so many times with such conviction, tempted to take them down out of embarassment. Frankly, I feel I've lost that contentious spark that made me want to take on the world's ignorance and exert my own crippling intelligence.

But that seems pretty passé to me at this point, because my priorities have changed a lot. I guess I've gotten more relaxed and honestly, I don't feel like I have anything to prove. I'm just trying to be positive now; I'm satisfied with a warm chai (or iced, I'm not picky!), my Snow White iPod and a solid 4.0. Life is pretty idyllic right now, I'd say.

Anyway, what I'm getting at is this: I'm taking a break from cynicism and realism and rationality (shocking, I know). This blog has always been what I needed it to be, and what I need now is an outlet for positivity to help me breathe my way through stress and strain.

Let's see how this goes. :)

2010-04-05T08:40:00.000-07:00

New York 2010 from Minh Bui on Vimeo.

2010-02-02T21:26:00.000-08:00

Strangers are the spice of life.

I'm not sure if anyone will understand what I mean, but I'll try and explain.

Certain strangers can just draw you in, regardless of your own intentions. Ive run into such compelling strangers on rare occasions, and I've never been able to pinpoint what exactly it is about them that makes them so alluring.

Maybe it's promise. You know, that idea that your correspondence could grow into something flawless and beautiful, that your brief exchange could potentially change the course of your life on some level, that if you don't take advantage of the precious few minutes you have with them, something will go terribly awry. But I really do wonder how practical that is. Could one really give so much clout to one potentially pivotal moment?

It might be simplicity. Like a conversational or emotional one-night stand. If you do initiate a conversation, you'll always have the option of walking away, of forgetting. There's no next-day awkwardness, no regretful silence, no complications, just connection. But then that becomes a bit selfish, doesn't it? You're using their magnetism as an excuse to stumble upon an outlet for your own shortcomings and yearnings.

But who has the time to think these things through? I certainly don't.

The good, the bad, the return of real animation.

2009-12-14T06:28:00.000-08:00

How many three-dimensional bubble-faced graphics does it take to massacre a studio's animation credibility?
About a decades' worth, apparently.

But Walt Disney Studios, after a long deviation from quality after their acquisition of Pixar, has finally proclaimed its return to grassroots hand-drawn princesses with "Princess and the Frog" and "Rapunzel".

Not to mention Wes Anderson is currently on the bandwagon with some analog animation of his own in "Fantastic Mr. Fox".

So this is it: two of my favorite production powerhouses have brought back oldschool animation. It's been an absurdly long time coming (I was done with Pixar after "Ants"), but it's finally here.

Welcome back, quality animation!

Some thoughts.

2009-10-16T22:33:00.001-07:00

Shreya: I am going to die.

Jaime: I am already dying.
Shreya: That's you, Jaime, always ahead of the curve, doing the next big thing.
(pause)
Shreya: You know, if one day I decided to commit suicide, I will write on my suicide note, "Everyone is going to die anyway, I am just ahead of the curve."
Jaime: I think I will write that on my tombstone.
(pause)

Then we both realized what an Oscar Wilde thing to do that is.

And so the days go by. Two more years till I leave the country.

2009-09-30T23:55:00.000-07:00

"When I was six, I thought my life
would come together [at] 16."

Jaime Chu

2009-09-25T21:54:00.000-07:00

Weed, CA.

Afloat in a pub, somewhere far away

2009-09-14T00:25:00.000-07:00

It'd be raining outside. When the show began it would have been just a drizzle, but now it'd be raining outside, and heavily.

That wouldn't matter, because I'd be sharing an inebriated stranger's drink. Probably a Dartmouth graduate (he'd have shown me his ID to prove it), and I'd be quite content.

If it occurred to me, I might explore the place. I'd find brilliant architecture, probably, something that emulates something else that's a parody of something old and magnificent.
You know how it is.

But the whole time, I'd be wrapped in an oatmeal-colored blanket, or maybe it's a nubby beige cardigan. And I'd be listening to something fantastic. It'd be otherworldly in the sense that the places the music takes me would be aeons and oceans away. Surreal, even.

I'm not even sure I'm back yet. My inebriated stranger's glass is still half full, so I might just stick around.

Oh, these Saturdays.

11:11 lasts forever.

2009-09-13T18:21:00.000-07:00

A friend once wrote that she makes her own wishes come true.
I think she's a closet cynic.

Or maybe she's just more empowered than I am, waiting for a fairy godmother to save me. But I can't help it.

Every night that I see my star, every feather or dandelion I find, I make a wish. Sometimes I make a wish when I see a striking sunset or hear a moving song. I make wishes in the middle of conversations, when I see candles burning, when I close my eyes.

Counterintuitive as it is, wishing for me is a way of expressing contentment. If I close my eyes and think about something I'll never have, I'll never have to stop. I can wish and wish and nothing will happen, nothing will change.
It's a way to preserve the moment.

I understand that decisions and actions shape the future, and what happens is directly correlated with what you did to make it happen. I understand this, and I know my friend was probably right, but I can't help wishing it were otherwise.
A girl can dream.

2009-09-05T23:47:00.000-07:00

All that we see or seem

is but a dream within a dream.

On a side note...

2009-08-28T17:17:00.000-07:00

Regime is not the same as Regimen.

Sporadic is not spelled Sporatic.

Your is not the same as You're.

Misuse is not the same as Disuse.

And it is never okay to invade personal space.

If you lost all hope...

2009-07-17T00:27:00.000-07:00

Who would you call?

This took me over a decade to realize.
Odd as it sounds, I'm not the center of the universe.

Selfishness is no fault. Self preservation is a virtue.

So why is it frowned upon?

You've heard it before; I know you have. You've been told that you're not the most important thing in the world, so stop acting like it. That's where I disagree. I'm the most important thing in my world, and so it's understandable for me to act like it.
The beauty of my selfishness, however, is that I want what's best for myself. But my own happiness depends at least partially on the happiness of those I love. The people that comprise me are the ones I want to see happy, the ones that will make me happy.

So over one and a half decades after my world came into being, I've finally figured out how important it is to cherish the ones you love.

Because without your loved ones,

you couldn't possibly be selfish.

Photo copyright Dina Goldstein

When the dog bites, when the bee stings.

2009-07-15T19:29:00.000-07:00

So I've had a surprisingly crap week, and I hope if I simply make a list of my favorite things, then I won't feel so bad.

Favorite...

Smell - New book, roses, clean smells, cologne and Old Spice

Place - In the bay, Villa Montalvo. In the world, Venice.

Beverage - Chai! Cocoa! Espresso!

Male You'd Marry - Normally it'd be someone between Henry Cavill and Hugh Dancy. But in reality... it's Draco Malfoy, love of my life :)

Time of the Day - Right when I wake up, at like 12.30

Haircolor - Mmm, jet black!

Article of clothing - Dark wash jeans and sweaters

Store - Urban Outfitters!

Genre - For movies, chick flicks. For books, historical fiction.

Thing that happened this week - Hanging out with Brian at the HP6 premiere (and then leaving at 12.10).

Thing that happened today - A stranger telling me I was pretty! So random, so nice. I glowed for like the next ten minutes.

--

Also, I've been loving art recently.
Check out Danny Roberts, who I recently got addicted to.
And obviously, the creative mastermind (and my idol) Gris Grimly.
:)

Why can't a woman be more like a man?

2009-07-13T18:37:00.000-07:00

I'm no misogynist,

but I'd hate to be a modern woman.

See, I have an affinity for men's magazines.
Yes, it's embarrassing sometimes when the cute guy next to me looks at me weird because I took the last copy of Details, (Of course, I immediately offer to share!) but I do have reasons for choosing Esquire over Elle.
Let me explain.

This month in GQ: The comedy issue!
(Featuring a nude and superwaxed
Sacha Baron Cohen. )
I'm always blown away by GQ's range of content - from styling tips for the fashion conscious lads, to political stories with brilliant angles (ie: Levi Johnston), and even a few of international value (something about Africans this month), all written with brilliant diction and biting hilarity. "Zis season’s vardrobe essential, thanks to Madonna und me, is ze 'Little Black Child'," Baron Cohen declares in the issue.

Funny, cheeky, self-deprecating.

This month in Cosmopolitan: 100 sex questions!
(Featuring Lauren Conrad in a bra 1000 sizes too small.)
Among the cover stories are "Virgins in Cosmo! (We never thought this day would come)", and "4 Signs He's Craving You". There's also a story about cutting down on calories and getting ahead at the workplace. And briefly, I mention the paucity of words over 3 syllables - "orgasm" doesn't count. Enough said.

How is it that GQ can feature Levi Johnston in a credible, entertaining way, but Cosmopolitan needs to feature women that haven't put out yet to maintain the attention of its readers?

The thing is, I do want women to succeed.
Then I look at Cosmo and the mini-skirted 15-year-old reading it, and I know why women aren't taken seriously.
I'm all for women pushing for a voice, breaking into the male-dominated ranks of the worldwide hierarchy, becoming the true equals of men.
But first, I think we need to grow some balls.

Montana out of a molehill

2009-07-08T23:27:00.000-07:00

Not loving Miley Cyrus?
You're definitely not the only one.
But have you ever considered exactly why you hate her so much?
Maybe it's because she's a bad actor; she's a bad singer; she's just not funny; she's slutty; she doesn't deserve to be making Forbes lists before she even has a drivers license.
True that. You're totally right.
But if you think about it, you're not. You're really not. At all. Sorry to break it to you.

She's the star of a sitcom. If you're expecting quality acting,
go watch Cate Blanchett - not Disney Channel.
She's a popstar. Chances are, pop music's just not your style. You're probably too hip for it. And that's totally okay. But why pick on a singer (shitty voice or not) that legions of people adore, just because you don't like her style?
Go pick on someone your own size.
She may not be funny to you, so get back to Beerfest.
That shit is bomb.

And it's important to point out that any teenage girl at the ripe age of 16 that has a chance to date a doting, ripped underwear model would not complain. Ever. Even if he's 20. Not to mention I haven't heard anyone ragging on Ashton and Demi. So what's the problem?

Lastly, the one thing you're right about: She doesn't deserve to make Forbes lists at 16. But she has, and there's nothing we can do but covet, covet, covet. And that's just in our blood.

All I'm trying to say here is,
put your actions where your condescension is.

Then we might get somewhere.

Some things are meant to be taken seriously.

2009-07-02T19:45:00.000-07:00

Peachy: WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY HERE.

Shreya: YOU'RE JUST NOT STUDIOUS ENOUGH FOR ME.

Peachy: ...well.

Shreya: YEAH

YEAH I WENT THERE

I BOUGHT PROPERTY THERE

NOW I'VE GOT A RANCH

AND I'M RAISING MY FUCKING CHILDREN THERE.

Peachy: and you're the cow, so don't bother buying one :]

Shreya: well at least i haven't got a shortage of goats.

If you lost your identity...

2009-06-29T19:05:00.000-07:00

Where would you look?

The other day I was asked for identification. As I rifled through my purse for my school ID card, I realized how naive it is to claim that we're each "just a number" in society. It's so much more complex than that.
Numbers are just the beginning.

I mean, let's think: you've got your ID, driver's license, memberships cards (for libraries and such), address, phone number, name, face, fingerprint, credit cards, bank statements, bills, passport, and so many more ways to be identified.

But how do you define yourself?
Consider your priorities, passions, possessions, emotions, loved ones, quirks, likes, looks, dislikes, traits, thoughts - everything that makes you you.
Society's identification is just an appendage on your persona.

I think we all owe it to ourselves to take some time out of our lives to learn what makes us tick.

I think we owe it to ourselves to cultivate some habitual introspection.

Photo Copyright Dina Goldstein

I fell asleep watching the clock.

2009-05-18T23:27:00.000-07:00

And dreamt that we cared about people.

Not SAT scores, mile times, GPAs, dress sizes, shoe sizes, ACT scores.
Not numbers and not inanimate objects.

The way I imagined it, we loved our parents instead of our cars.
We would take the time and think instead of mechanize,
learn instead of memorize.

Time went at the pace of life, not light.

I think it's time we all realized how fast life's not going.

It's time we understood that life is more than a to-do list.

It's more than a race.

Time doesn't exist. Clocks exist.

Do you see what I see?

2009-05-15T19:50:00.000-07:00

People are strange.

This is especially true when you're a stranger.

I've found recently that people have been growing increasingly insipid. They say the most banal, boring things and they have the most pathetic conversations. They care about everything that doesn't matter, and they industriously avoid everything that does.
And recently, that's been my set opinion. But today, it occurred to me that "people" is a very general term.

I'm "people" too.

Maybe, in someone else's eyes, I say the most banal and insipid things. Maybe in their eyes, I'm the most stale of the lot. I know that I keep many of my personal or important thoughts to myself, and I'm definitely aware of how I usually come across. Maybe in someone else's eyes, we're all as vapid as we think everyone else is.

Who's to say the person next to you doesn't think the exact same thoughts you do?

Maybe it's time for us all to find a fresh pair of eyes.

100 degrees: Things I Love

2009-04-22T18:19:00.000-07:00

Frizzy Hair

The hotter it gets, the more I realize that I live for myself. And something as mundane as frizzy hair is what got me that epiphany.

Shit, it's a beautiful day, everything's glowing, and in front of the mirror is not where I want to be.
Because in the heat, there's no reason to care.
Airy & Ethereal
You can't avoid the inevitable sense of romance and the gossamer, empyrean feel of the season. I dwell in it.

And once again, a totally prosaic little detail that makes it so beautiful: airy clothes. Whether it be a filmy tunic or a dainty dress, anything (beyond the annoyingly harsh neons) that evokes a sense of otherworldly exquisiteness makes these days livable.
Wish Upon...
A dandelion, maybe?

For some reason, summer seems to be the time that wishes are made. Whether they come true or not... well, that's really up to the wisher.
Something about making a wish in the summer seems so quaint.
Plus, it gives us all something to look forward to when winter comes around.
Whole New Worlds
California is constantly underestimated. Constantly.

We've so much more than just beaches and bleached hair.
I mean, the hills right here are so close to us, yet beyond an occasional jog or perhaps a hike, no one takes advantage of that. And it's all so lit up in the summer (besides the bugs- just don't wander off the trail).
You'd be surprised what beauty a little walk on the wild side will reveal.
Lose Yourself

I'm a relentless bookaholic.

Honestly, books aren't seasonal at all. It's just incredibly appealing to sit outside (or maybe at Peets Coffee), alternately reading Jane Austen and people watching.
Summer's the only time I have for such satisfying frivolities as this.

Realizing I truly miss winter...

2009-04-04T14:20:00.000-07:00

JUNIOR PROM.

It's kind of like middle school "graduation".

Antisocial? Join the club.

2009-04-01T19:17:00.000-07:00

People may consider themselves introverts.

I know I do.

But by nature, people are a social species. We work in communities and societies, albeit sometimes small ones. These people that consider themselves introverted (or antisocial in extreme cases), are probably the farthest from that description. These are the people that read extensively in their free time, spend hours and days on World of Warcraft, and rpg for a living.

And these hobbies make them introverts. Why?
Because they're doing very little face-to-face communication. But think about it- books contain characters and vivacious dialogue. They're usually more satisfying than real life, actually, in terms of relationships. Roleplays and games like World of Warcraft are just unconventional social arenas. Roleplays let you establish relationships that seem more valid to you, and games like WoW give you a purpose and a shared understanding with other players.

So no matter how anyone goes about finding them,
life is about communication and relationships.

There is no such thing as a true introvert, because it's your relationships that link you to reality. And it's reality that you live in. There is no real question of introversion, because there is no real basis for introversion.

The question is how you go about your relationships, and how you reconcile yourself with reality.

2009-03-31T20:23:00.000-07:00

Same place, different time.
Is this what we want to be?

And thanks to Deepa for the photo.

keepin' it simple

2009-03-30T18:00:00.000-07:00

I can't think of anything to write.

Honestly, I can't think of any biting little observations or assertions to make right now.
There's nothing tickling my brain.

Because this blog is generally somewhat sharp (I hope), and I'm feeling very blunt.

But here's a thought: why should I always have to be smart?
Why should anyone always have to be successful, or beautiful, or kind?
Yeah, everyone says that we all have our days. But in reality, we don't.
People are expected to keep it stable, keep it simple.
So what if someone decides to be a failing, ugly jerk for a day?
Not acceptable.
See, I don't buy that. But I'm not saying we're all always expected to be perfect-
quite the opposite.
I'm saying that there are certain types of flaws that are acceptable.
And that, I think is BS.

So for today, I'm not going to think of anything to write.

I'll be a rebel.

DWAYNE CARTER.

2009-03-28T13:19:00.000-07:00

Warning: this post isn't that intelligent.

I'd like the world to know that I saw Lil Wayne live last night.

It was SO BRILLIANT! And he was hilarious. And I might be in love, perhaps. Perhaps!

Except not. Because Travis McCoy (Travie! Gym Class! Really!) smiled, waved and winked at me. I definitely swooned a little bit :)

This is like the third time I've seen Gym Class Heroes live, and they're amazing every time.

Okay, that's all. Oh, and now for some very important words from a very important person:

"Make some noise for intelligence, people!"
-Lil Wayne

Taxonomy for the Teenage Soul

2009-03-26T14:02:00.000-07:00

I'm an ISFP.
The Myers-Briggs personality test says so.
The ISFP is an Artist.
Earlier today I was an INTP, a Thinker.
A few weeks ago, I was more of an INFP, a Dreamer.
My chakra is now Third-Eye,
though I was Navel chakra about an hour ago.
What I just spewed all over the page might sound like rubbish to a lot of people.

That's because it is.

How can anyone put themselves in a box like that, and assume that's the way they will act and react, no matter that happens?
Either others totally misunderstand what personality tests are all about, or I'm too skeptical of them. But the way I interpret it all is like this:

If you take a test and find out you fall under the "Thinker" category, you cannot accept that.
(It'd be especially paradoxical if you actually did get the INTP result and accepted it.)
Because personality quizzes are not there to box you in and set foundations for you to build your personality around - they are there so that you can question their validity and in so doing, learn about yourself. That's the way I see it.

One of my tests said that I'm a romantic. That's total BS.
In recognizing that I'd puke at the sight of a loveletter, I've realized something about myself.
That's how I think personality quizzes work - for me, anyway.
Because people change, and their reactions and opinions change with them on a situational basis.
So why are we in such a hurry to understand every nook and cranny of our personalities that we have to take these ridiculous and narrow tests? Why not just smile and marvel at how we handle things when they actually come along?
Getting to know you is half the fun of being yourself.

Savour it.

Oh, and thanks to Serena for the inspiration. She's an INFJ :)

2009-03-23T22:31:00.000-07:00

I regarded the world as such a sad sight

Until I viewed it in black and white.

Dear Vienna,
are you singing?

2009-03-21T22:00:00.000-07:00

Girl Anachronism

2009-03-21T18:00:00.000-07:00

Most people would use a time machine rewind back to that quiz they messed up on.

I'd like a time machine to go back to the Medieval era.
Yes, the Dark Ages. I think it's where I belong (assuming, of course, that I'd be a duchess or countess or marquise of some sort).
Living in contemporary society is a lot like smoking weed- detrimental to mental and physical health, and dulling to social and interpersonal acumen. Not to mention total loss of mastery over the nuances of language, subtlety, and munificence.
To me, the worst part is the addictiveness of it all. I want to be away from things like Facebook and television, but I can't bring myself to leave them. The most satisfying alternative is reading, but novels always leave behind an obscure but obvious void, making me realize I'll never get to explore that world again, so I return to Facebook and the cycle continues. Duchesses didn't have Facebook.
A supposed advantage of contemporary society is the lengthened lifespan. I want to take this opportunity to mention something I've always wanted to say:

A longer life does not always mean a happier one.

Even if I can't be a duchess or a marquise, I'll compromise. I can deal with being an abundantly successful landowner or merchant.

All I want is to live organically.

Kissing frogs

2009-03-16T22:27:00.000-07:00

Disney's back!
The newest, The Princess and the Frog, has been getting some crap because Disney's taken so long to create a black princess.
Now, I understand this culture's touchiness toward racism. Any public insinuation of a black stereotype or black subservience and you're toast. Browned to a crisp.
But what I don't understand is why Disney's getting skeptical glares for taking so long to put a black princess in the throne, when their first coloured princess was coronated over ten years ago.
I'd like to point out that there have been a Middle Eastern, Native American, and Chinese princess before the black one's coronation. Furthermore, I'd like to remind everyone that African Americans aren't the only oppressed race in history. Just in America, Natives have had land, livelihood and respect wrenched away from them, beaten into a sliver of their former glory. Chinese Americans have literally been excluded (Chinese Exclusion Act) from the country and have endured their share of discrimination. Japanese Americans had segregated schools as well and put in internment camps. Obviously, the list goes on. But what I'm trying to say is mainly aimed at the oversensitive black and white folk:

Get over it.

Ye Olde English.

2009-03-15T11:47:00.000-07:00

Over the years, I've watched English slowly morph.

From the original British form I knew as a child (back when they weren't too lazy to put the "u" in words like "colour") to its modern and often lackadaisically spoken form.

Of course, there are the obvious "chat speak" problems that parents are constantly whining about.
But when did it become commonplace for teachers to say "there is three things"? How is it that PhD certified professionals can say "a stomach upset where she wanted to throw up" with a straight face? And why the hell can't anyone spell "sporadic" or "conceited" correctly?
Really. We have terms like "hella pimp" that we say every day.
What does that even mean?
I mean, I'm not exempt from the last two either. I say my fair of "lol"s. Sometimes in capitals, if I'm particularly impressed. I walk around talking about "how G" people are. I'm not saying it's okay.

Things dwindle away from disuse (which is not the same as "misuse").

I just hope the Engligh language isn't on that path.

Productivity makes the world go round.

2009-03-11T22:02:00.000-07:00

The Tragedy of the Human Condition

2009-03-07T21:13:00.000-08:00

Death. It's not something I run into very often.
On the odd day I do, however, Death tends to make quite an impression. Flamboyant and bold, sadistic and cruel, thought-provoking and somber. Death is quite a multifaceted character.
When someone dies, it's a sad day for all those impacted.
Each person that dies is someone's son, friend, brother. Every death is a tragedy.
But the greatest tragedy of all is the death that occurs outside of any network, the death that no one mourns.
That death is a tragedy to mankind.

Where's my pony?

2009-02-08T11:55:00.000-08:00

Lately, I've been hearing a lot about how Disney princesses are sending the wrong messages to young girls everywhere.
How the Disney princesses' inability to stand up for themselves is damaging to a child's sense of independence and self esteem, feeding them a manufactured dream.
Is it wrong that I still love Disney? That I still want to be a princess?
Now I can't speak for other girls, but I for one am not going to get on my knees and start cleaning the kitchen and singing to birds just because I've watched a couple of Disney flicks.
Besides a certain affinity for glass slippers, Cinderella's cavorting hasn't pushed me to any kind of persuasion of an empty fantasy.
I'm not waiting for Prince Charming (or Prince Eric or Prince Phillip).
I'm not looking for the white steed that'll take me to Happily Ever After.
I'm definitely not crying for a fairy godmother.
And this brings me to my point.
If you've got a firm grasp on reality, it doesn't matter what kind of dream you dabble in. Your homework will still be there when you wake up.

Popularity Contest vs. Battle of the Bands.

2009-02-06T22:16:00.000-08:00

Folks, there is a difference.
I was at my school's Battle of the Bands tonight, and the band I was there for won second place. I was perfectly fine with that - I even guessed the first place band would be the one to win.
They were very worthy opponents. So after the attendees voted and the winners were announced, I celebrated.
But here's the thing: after the show, all the second placer's fans were complaining, claiming that Battle of the Bands was just a "popularity contest".
And when I cheered for the first place winners, all I got was a glare from the second placer fans. It would seem that tonight, winning was everything. The thing is, I was there to cheer on the second placers as well - but that didn't mean I couldn't appreciate another band's talent and applaud another's victory.
Yes, it's important to win. But in the larger scheme of life, learning to lose may be the greatest skill of all.

Welcome to the Circus.

2009-01-31T16:57:00.000-08:00

The Sadies theme this year is "circus".
Upon first thought I was super excited, because A) girls ask guys, which is always the best, B) I would dress up as one of those shiny Cirque do Soleil people, and C) Crazy crazy makeup!
But then I realized... Shit. Girls ask guys! And I'm going to have go and shop for a costume (I'm a failure at shopping)! Not to mention having to spend an hour beforehand on makeup.
Then came the weighty realization that I'd have to pick just one Cirque character, just one costume... and worst of all - just one boy.
Why does the world have to be so unfair?
It doesn't make sense to me to have to commit to just one date - I've got my twenties and thirties for that. And if I was really dying for a boyfriend, I'd have one. My teens are meant for me to be free and to live off my whims.
But I'm willing to compromise. I'll pick just one Cirque character and one costume - but I'm not guaranteeing I'll only take one boy.
Because if you can't make up your mind on what to pick, it's perfectly acceptable to take all the cars for a test drive.

2009-01-30T22:35:00.000-08:00

Because there's really no such thing as

rock bottom.

Saturday Night Livin'

2009-01-24T14:16:00.000-08:00

Last night, I saw my school's production of SNL.
It was hilarious and I thoroughly enjoyed it, except for one nagging problem: I knew I had an article due. That sinking, sloshing feeling in the pit of my stomach was the the dead giveaway. It reeked of chronic procrastination.
Yet there I was, watching my friend in a sketch about how to pick up girls. While the sketch on it's own didn't really enhance my life in any way (I'm not particularly interested in picking up hot girls), I realized that by the end of the production, I was laughing and animated and alive. It was the happiest I'd been all week.
The nagging feeling didn't go away, however. But then I wondered if procrastination is really a problem.
Maybe it's just lack of confidence in your priorities.
All night, I was thinking, Maybe I should have just stayed home and done that article. But quite honestly, in the greater scheme of things, turning in that article one day late won't really make a difference. Not in my grade, not in my work quality, not on El Estoque. Spending the night unwinding and reanimating myself, though... that will provide me with jokes for a lifetime.
So which is worth more?

O for...

2009-01-21T22:49:00.000-08:00

Barack Obama was sworn in yesterday, at 12 pm eastern time. Of course, I couldn't be happier. The democratic political agenda will be met, so hurray.
But it occured to me as I watched the president give his speech that there is something here beyond just the representation of the democrats, the minorities, the environmentalists, the common man.
The more I thought about it, I realized that there is a lot more to Obama than simply a political agenda or an extra paragraph in a history book.
This man has defined a generation.
He has woken up an entire sector of the nation that would otherwise still be in hibernation.
He has stirred the hearts and souls of so many, and all with a brilliance and charisma thus far unmatched.
This man has defined a generation.
And as of January 20th, 12 pm eastern time, I realized how incredibly blessed I am to be a part of that generation.