Groove, Jams, ADD, COOKIES!!!

    Well, my finger is healing up nicely, thanks for asking. However, I have recently encountered another problem. Working out while recovering from a cold/mangled digit. In fact, I was much looking forward to getting back to my routine at L'Ru Studios. I was going to buy classes with my newfound birthday money until last Friday happened. Instead I am stuck with a very limited amount of movement make it difficult to even visit the gym upstairs. Oh, but fear not my friends, I didn't sign up to be in the creative industry for nothing...

   When a practical solution doesn't exist, invent one. I have been battling ADD most of my life - oh....look at the sky!! - making things like housework nearly unbearable without some type of distraction, namely music. While MB studied for the bar, this habit translated over to cooking as well; replacing the "family-friendly" cooking conversation into a full fledged dance party complete with headphones.

   Today I spent the day baking various things and cleaning the house - wifey I know. While I'd love to go on about the awesomeness of my oatmeal cookies (recipe found here) I think I'll share some tracks that are essential for what I like to call cook-aerobics-fantasmic-dance-off. NOTE: if you have hard wood floors socks are highly encouraged...the more slide in your step the better.

    I fully endorse any shameless music choices found beyond the break. I spit on musical elitists because I can, I used to be one. Everyone is entitled to their own playlist and anyone who pretends to be above anyone else always has skeletons hidden in their iTunes...don't kid yourselves.

Thank me later....more after the break.

    Well, my finger is healing up nicely, thanks for asking. However, I have recently encountered another problem. Working out while recovering from a cold/mangled digit. In fact, I was much looking forward to getting back to my routine at L'Ru Studios. I was going to buy classes with my newfound birthday money until last Friday happened. Instead I am stuck with a very limited amount of movement make it difficult to even visit the gym upstairs. Oh, but fear not my friends, I didn't sign up to be in the creative industry for nothing...

   When a practical solution doesn't exist, invent one. I have been battling ADD most of my life - oh....look at the sky!! - making things like housework nearly unbearable without some type of distraction, namely music. While MB studied for the bar, this habit translated over to cooking as well; replacing the "family-friendly" cooking conversation into a full fledged dance party complete with headphones.

   Today I spent the day baking various things and cleaning the house - wifey I know. While I'd love to go on about the awesomeness of my oatmeal cookies (recipe found here) I think I'll share some tracks that are essential for what I like to call cook-aerobics-fantasmic-dance-off. NOTE: if you have hard wood floors socks are highly encouraged...the more slide in your step the better.

    I fully endorse any shameless music choices found beyond the break. I spit on musical elitists because I can, I used to be one. Everyone is entitled to their own playlist and anyone who pretends to be above anyone else always has skeletons hidden in their iTunes...don't kid yourselves.

Thank me later....more after the break.

    Well, my finger is healing up nicely, thanks for asking. However, I have recently encountered another problem. Working out while recovering from a cold/mangled digit. In fact, I was much looking forward to getting back to my routine at L'Ru Studios. I was going to buy classes with my newfound birthday money until last Friday happened. Instead I am stuck with a very limited amount of movement make it difficult to even visit the gym upstairs. Oh, but fear not my friends, I didn't sign up to be in the creative industry for nothing...

   When a practical solution doesn't exist, invent one. I have been battling ADD most of my life - oh....look at the sky!! - making things like housework nearly unbearable without some type of distraction, namely music. While MB studied for the bar, this habit translated over to cooking as well; replacing the "family-friendly" cooking conversation into a full fledged dance party complete with headphones.

   Today I spent the day baking various things and cleaning the house - wifey I know. While I'd love to go on about the awesomeness of my oatmeal cookies (recipe found here) I think I'll share some tracks that are essential for what I like to call cook-aerobics-fantasmic-dance-off. NOTE: if you have hard wood floors socks are highly encouraged...the more slide in your step the better.

    I fully endorse any shameless music choices found beyond the break. I spit on musical elitists because I can, I used to be one. Everyone is entitled to their own playlist and anyone who pretends to be above anyone else always has skeletons hidden in their iTunes...don't kid yourselves.

Thank me later....more after the break.

    Well, my finger is healing up nicely, thanks for asking. However, I have recently encountered another problem. Working out while recovering from a cold/mangled digit. In fact, I was much looking forward to getting back to my routine at L'Ru Studios. I was going to buy classes with my newfound birthday money until last Friday happened. Instead I am stuck with a very limited amount of movement make it difficult to even visit the gym upstairs. Oh, but fear not my friends, I didn't sign up to be in the creative industry for nothing...

   When a practical solution doesn't exist, invent one. I have been battling ADD most of my life - oh....look at the sky!! - making things like housework nearly unbearable without some type of distraction, namely music. While MB studied for the bar, this habit translated over to cooking as well; replacing the "family-friendly" cooking conversation into a full fledged dance party complete with headphones.

   Today I spent the day baking various things and cleaning the house - wifey I know. While I'd love to go on about the awesomeness of my oatmeal cookies (recipe found here) I think I'll share some tracks that are essential for what I like to call cook-aerobics-fantasmic-dance-off. NOTE: if you have hard wood floors socks are highly encouraged...the more slide in your step the better.

    I fully endorse any shameless music choices found beyond the break. I spit on musical elitists because I can, I used to be one. Everyone is entitled to their own playlist and anyone who pretends to be above anyone else always has skeletons hidden in their iTunes...don't kid yourselves.

Thank me later....more after the break.

Note to Self:

     I’ve been told I can write. I never thought I was any good at it. I tend to ramble, drift off topic, and write in a stream-of-conscious-I-don’t-give-a-damn-about-grammar kind of way. I can’t spell to save my life - I’m seriously not kidding, ask anyone who knows me. However, despite this, I’ve been told I can write by people that don’t know me as any better than “Marlene’s daughter.” Speaking as someone who has trouble spelling ‘grammar,’ I take this as a compliment.

            I still don’t think I’m that good at it. In the grand scheme of things my opinion is worth nothing more than the wisdom of a 20-something graduate student in the crumbling economy of another world empire. What do I really know about the world? Who knows, or cares. All I know is that if you asked me what I could actually see myself doing after I graduate I’d answer you with either working with C to ‘save the world, one bamboo stick at a time’ or write.

I enjoy the stories of the people I meet, especially the ones people tell without even realizing it. As of right now, writing is my back up plan. I have no idea how I would go about, or even fund either of these endeavors, but that’s all part of the thrill for me. I can’t see myself thriving in an office environment. I’m too restless. Although I know that beggars can’t be choosers in this environment, I also feel that now is the time because of this environment. It isn’t like the job market in the west is going to magically change drastically in the next year so what do I have to lose?

The way I see it? Screw how things are ‘supposed’ to be done; just go for it. If it’s an idea worth pursuing, the rest will follow.

I know I usually give you a little something extra if you make it through my posts so this has been on my playlist lately enjoy!

     I’ve been told I can write. I never thought I was any good at it. I tend to ramble, drift off topic, and write in a stream-of-conscious-I-don’t-give-a-damn-about-grammar kind of way. I can’t spell to save my life - I’m seriously not kidding, ask anyone who knows me. However, despite this, I’ve been told I can write by people that don’t know me as any better than “Marlene’s daughter.” Speaking as someone who has trouble spelling ‘grammar,’ I take this as a compliment.

            I still don’t think I’m that good at it. In the grand scheme of things my opinion is worth nothing more than the wisdom of a 20-something graduate student in the crumbling economy of another world empire. What do I really know about the world? Who knows, or cares. All I know is that if you asked me what I could actually see myself doing after I graduate I’d answer you with either working with C to ‘save the world, one bamboo stick at a time’ or write.

I enjoy the stories of the people I meet, especially the ones people tell without even realizing it. As of right now, writing is my back up plan. I have no idea how I would go about, or even fund either of these endeavors, but that’s all part of the thrill for me. I can’t see myself thriving in an office environment. I’m too restless. Although I know that beggars can’t be choosers in this environment, I also feel that now is the time because of this environment. It isn’t like the job market in the west is going to magically change drastically in the next year so what do I have to lose?

The way I see it? Screw how things are ‘supposed’ to be done; just go for it. If it’s an idea worth pursuing, the rest will follow.

I know I usually give you a little something extra if you make it through my posts so this has been on my playlist lately enjoy!

     I’ve been told I can write. I never thought I was any good at it. I tend to ramble, drift off topic, and write in a stream-of-conscious-I-don’t-give-a-damn-about-grammar kind of way. I can’t spell to save my life - I’m seriously not kidding, ask anyone who knows me. However, despite this, I’ve been told I can write by people that don’t know me as any better than “Marlene’s daughter.” Speaking as someone who has trouble spelling ‘grammar,’ I take this as a compliment.

            I still don’t think I’m that good at it. In the grand scheme of things my opinion is worth nothing more than the wisdom of a 20-something graduate student in the crumbling economy of another world empire. What do I really know about the world? Who knows, or cares. All I know is that if you asked me what I could actually see myself doing after I graduate I’d answer you with either working with C to ‘save the world, one bamboo stick at a time’ or write.

I enjoy the stories of the people I meet, especially the ones people tell without even realizing it. As of right now, writing is my back up plan. I have no idea how I would go about, or even fund either of these endeavors, but that’s all part of the thrill for me. I can’t see myself thriving in an office environment. I’m too restless. Although I know that beggars can’t be choosers in this environment, I also feel that now is the time because of this environment. It isn’t like the job market in the west is going to magically change drastically in the next year so what do I have to lose?

The way I see it? Screw how things are ‘supposed’ to be done; just go for it. If it’s an idea worth pursuing, the rest will follow.

I know I usually give you a little something extra if you make it through my posts so this has been on my playlist lately enjoy!

     I’ve been told I can write. I never thought I was any good at it. I tend to ramble, drift off topic, and write in a stream-of-conscious-I-don’t-give-a-damn-about-grammar kind of way. I can’t spell to save my life - I’m seriously not kidding, ask anyone who knows me. However, despite this, I’ve been told I can write by people that don’t know me as any better than “Marlene’s daughter.” Speaking as someone who has trouble spelling ‘grammar,’ I take this as a compliment.

            I still don’t think I’m that good at it. In the grand scheme of things my opinion is worth nothing more than the wisdom of a 20-something graduate student in the crumbling economy of another world empire. What do I really know about the world? Who knows, or cares. All I know is that if you asked me what I could actually see myself doing after I graduate I’d answer you with either working with C to ‘save the world, one bamboo stick at a time’ or write.

I enjoy the stories of the people I meet, especially the ones people tell without even realizing it. As of right now, writing is my back up plan. I have no idea how I would go about, or even fund either of these endeavors, but that’s all part of the thrill for me. I can’t see myself thriving in an office environment. I’m too restless. Although I know that beggars can’t be choosers in this environment, I also feel that now is the time because of this environment. It isn’t like the job market in the west is going to magically change drastically in the next year so what do I have to lose?

The way I see it? Screw how things are ‘supposed’ to be done; just go for it. If it’s an idea worth pursuing, the rest will follow.

I know I usually give you a little something extra if you make it through my posts so this has been on my playlist lately enjoy!

Music, one of life's many unifiers and dividers...

     So lately I've been downloading some music for my upcoming departure. Now this is an unusually rare event for me. I pay for my music for various reasons. Pay equals money. Graduate student = no pay. Therefore no music aside from kind 'donations'. However, it would be nice to have some new tunes for the 19.5 hr journey, so I've been window shopping in iTunes. It lead me to think about the bands I still listen to from high school. The list is short and if you asked me then I probably would have only guessed maybe 2 on the list. It doesn't include classics/classic rock or any groups that were around and I may have heard of in high school, but didn't listen to until college or after. They aren't bands I listen to religiously, but they show up, often without skipping when listening to music. By now, you know how much I love lists so without further delay, in no particular order:

1. Modest Mouse: I actually disliked them the first time I heard them. I remember sitting at a picnic bench with a friend at the time, and she asked me why, which caused me to re-examine. However, I fell for Good News I ended up buying their earlier stuff. I would listen to them every now and then, but after falling in love with the movie 108 Deg South, I have re-discovered them. If you don't know what I'm talking about get one of those free-for-a-month Netflix accounts and watch it. It's worth the effort.

2. Say Anything: I would say this one is one I would have not guessed, but not been surprised to see either. I listen to them significantly less in the past couple years, but they made a huge comeback as my artist of choice for music when working on my senior year project (oh how I miss that studio space...) so I give them props here, namely for both ...Is and ...Was a Real Boy. Let's face it devotees, he was so much better when he was all messed up.

3. Sigur Ros: This one doesn't surprise me only because I'm not quite sure if I first heard them in college or the end of high school. Needless to say, I love their general vibe or whatever you want to call it. It may sound nerdy/snotty/elitist/..gasp...hipster, but I studied art and can relate to them from an art theory perspective. I appreciate their unique sound and use of mixed media.

4. Saves the Day: I'm not afraid to admit it. They grew on me. It's a rarity for me to listen to them, but they or on my "once in a blue moon" playlist.

5. Red Hot Chili Peppers: Another one I'm not surprised to see. I grew up (10 onward) in LA. It's a part of my culture. Plus, Flea is a badass. I realize they haven't evolved a significant amount. Consistency is what I like about them.

6. Gorillaz: This is actually really surprising. I remember seeing one of their music videos late at night after one of my early experiences from alcohol and being absolutely terrified. However, I always thought they were catchy. Over the years they've grown on me and I love 'em.

7. Dr. Dre: What can I say other than 2001 was one of the first CDs I got in trouble for owning. My mother was appalled.

8. The Weakerthans: I can't say much else other than I have a sticker of theirs stuck on my calculator that I still use from high school and I've had more than one person make a comment about it.

9. Oasis: What's the Story Morning Glory was one of my first CDs. Sometimes it's necessary to bust out "She's Electric" while doing chores.

    I don't really know what to make of the list other than I seem to have stuck with the weirder ends of the genre, which is why I wouldn't have expected it then. Amazing sometimes to see how much you've changed and what you keep with you. Something I'll have to keep in mind this summer.

Cheers!
-M

     So lately I've been downloading some music for my upcoming departure. Now this is an unusually rare event for me. I pay for my music for various reasons. Pay equals money. Graduate student = no pay. Therefore no music aside from kind 'donations'. However, it would be nice to have some new tunes for the 19.5 hr journey, so I've been window shopping in iTunes. It lead me to think about the bands I still listen to from high school. The list is short and if you asked me then I probably would have only guessed maybe 2 on the list. It doesn't include classics/classic rock or any groups that were around and I may have heard of in high school, but didn't listen to until college or after. They aren't bands I listen to religiously, but they show up, often without skipping when listening to music. By now, you know how much I love lists so without further delay, in no particular order:

1. Modest Mouse: I actually disliked them the first time I heard them. I remember sitting at a picnic bench with a friend at the time, and she asked me why, which caused me to re-examine. However, I fell for Good News I ended up buying their earlier stuff. I would listen to them every now and then, but after falling in love with the movie 108 Deg South, I have re-discovered them. If you don't know what I'm talking about get one of those free-for-a-month Netflix accounts and watch it. It's worth the effort.

2. Say Anything: I would say this one is one I would have not guessed, but not been surprised to see either. I listen to them significantly less in the past couple years, but they made a huge comeback as my artist of choice for music when working on my senior year project (oh how I miss that studio space...) so I give them props here, namely for both ...Is and ...Was a Real Boy. Let's face it devotees, he was so much better when he was all messed up.

3. Sigur Ros: This one doesn't surprise me only because I'm not quite sure if I first heard them in college or the end of high school. Needless to say, I love their general vibe or whatever you want to call it. It may sound nerdy/snotty/elitist/..gasp...hipster, but I studied art and can relate to them from an art theory perspective. I appreciate their unique sound and use of mixed media.

4. Saves the Day: I'm not afraid to admit it. They grew on me. It's a rarity for me to listen to them, but they or on my "once in a blue moon" playlist.

5. Red Hot Chili Peppers: Another one I'm not surprised to see. I grew up (10 onward) in LA. It's a part of my culture. Plus, Flea is a badass. I realize they haven't evolved a significant amount. Consistency is what I like about them.

6. Gorillaz: This is actually really surprising. I remember seeing one of their music videos late at night after one of my early experiences from alcohol and being absolutely terrified. However, I always thought they were catchy. Over the years they've grown on me and I love 'em.

7. Dr. Dre: What can I say other than 2001 was one of the first CDs I got in trouble for owning. My mother was appalled.

8. The Weakerthans: I can't say much else other than I have a sticker of theirs stuck on my calculator that I still use from high school and I've had more than one person make a comment about it.

9. Oasis: What's the Story Morning Glory was one of my first CDs. Sometimes it's necessary to bust out "She's Electric" while doing chores.

    I don't really know what to make of the list other than I seem to have stuck with the weirder ends of the genre, which is why I wouldn't have expected it then. Amazing sometimes to see how much you've changed and what you keep with you. Something I'll have to keep in mind this summer.

Cheers!
-M

     So lately I've been downloading some music for my upcoming departure. Now this is an unusually rare event for me. I pay for my music for various reasons. Pay equals money. Graduate student = no pay. Therefore no music aside from kind 'donations'. However, it would be nice to have some new tunes for the 19.5 hr journey, so I've been window shopping in iTunes. It lead me to think about the bands I still listen to from high school. The list is short and if you asked me then I probably would have only guessed maybe 2 on the list. It doesn't include classics/classic rock or any groups that were around and I may have heard of in high school, but didn't listen to until college or after. They aren't bands I listen to religiously, but they show up, often without skipping when listening to music. By now, you know how much I love lists so without further delay, in no particular order:

1. Modest Mouse: I actually disliked them the first time I heard them. I remember sitting at a picnic bench with a friend at the time, and she asked me why, which caused me to re-examine. However, I fell for Good News I ended up buying their earlier stuff. I would listen to them every now and then, but after falling in love with the movie 108 Deg South, I have re-discovered them. If you don't know what I'm talking about get one of those free-for-a-month Netflix accounts and watch it. It's worth the effort.

2. Say Anything: I would say this one is one I would have not guessed, but not been surprised to see either. I listen to them significantly less in the past couple years, but they made a huge comeback as my artist of choice for music when working on my senior year project (oh how I miss that studio space...) so I give them props here, namely for both ...Is and ...Was a Real Boy. Let's face it devotees, he was so much better when he was all messed up.

3. Sigur Ros: This one doesn't surprise me only because I'm not quite sure if I first heard them in college or the end of high school. Needless to say, I love their general vibe or whatever you want to call it. It may sound nerdy/snotty/elitist/..gasp...hipster, but I studied art and can relate to them from an art theory perspective. I appreciate their unique sound and use of mixed media.

4. Saves the Day: I'm not afraid to admit it. They grew on me. It's a rarity for me to listen to them, but they or on my "once in a blue moon" playlist.

5. Red Hot Chili Peppers: Another one I'm not surprised to see. I grew up (10 onward) in LA. It's a part of my culture. Plus, Flea is a badass. I realize they haven't evolved a significant amount. Consistency is what I like about them.

6. Gorillaz: This is actually really surprising. I remember seeing one of their music videos late at night after one of my early experiences from alcohol and being absolutely terrified. However, I always thought they were catchy. Over the years they've grown on me and I love 'em.

7. Dr. Dre: What can I say other than 2001 was one of the first CDs I got in trouble for owning. My mother was appalled.

8. The Weakerthans: I can't say much else other than I have a sticker of theirs stuck on my calculator that I still use from high school and I've had more than one person make a comment about it.

9. Oasis: What's the Story Morning Glory was one of my first CDs. Sometimes it's necessary to bust out "She's Electric" while doing chores.

    I don't really know what to make of the list other than I seem to have stuck with the weirder ends of the genre, which is why I wouldn't have expected it then. Amazing sometimes to see how much you've changed and what you keep with you. Something I'll have to keep in mind this summer.

Cheers!
-M

     So lately I've been downloading some music for my upcoming departure. Now this is an unusually rare event for me. I pay for my music for various reasons. Pay equals money. Graduate student = no pay. Therefore no music aside from kind 'donations'. However, it would be nice to have some new tunes for the 19.5 hr journey, so I've been window shopping in iTunes. It lead me to think about the bands I still listen to from high school. The list is short and if you asked me then I probably would have only guessed maybe 2 on the list. It doesn't include classics/classic rock or any groups that were around and I may have heard of in high school, but didn't listen to until college or after. They aren't bands I listen to religiously, but they show up, often without skipping when listening to music. By now, you know how much I love lists so without further delay, in no particular order:

1. Modest Mouse: I actually disliked them the first time I heard them. I remember sitting at a picnic bench with a friend at the time, and she asked me why, which caused me to re-examine. However, I fell for Good News I ended up buying their earlier stuff. I would listen to them every now and then, but after falling in love with the movie 108 Deg South, I have re-discovered them. If you don't know what I'm talking about get one of those free-for-a-month Netflix accounts and watch it. It's worth the effort.

2. Say Anything: I would say this one is one I would have not guessed, but not been surprised to see either. I listen to them significantly less in the past couple years, but they made a huge comeback as my artist of choice for music when working on my senior year project (oh how I miss that studio space...) so I give them props here, namely for both ...Is and ...Was a Real Boy. Let's face it devotees, he was so much better when he was all messed up.

3. Sigur Ros: This one doesn't surprise me only because I'm not quite sure if I first heard them in college or the end of high school. Needless to say, I love their general vibe or whatever you want to call it. It may sound nerdy/snotty/elitist/..gasp...hipster, but I studied art and can relate to them from an art theory perspective. I appreciate their unique sound and use of mixed media.

4. Saves the Day: I'm not afraid to admit it. They grew on me. It's a rarity for me to listen to them, but they or on my "once in a blue moon" playlist.

5. Red Hot Chili Peppers: Another one I'm not surprised to see. I grew up (10 onward) in LA. It's a part of my culture. Plus, Flea is a badass. I realize they haven't evolved a significant amount. Consistency is what I like about them.

6. Gorillaz: This is actually really surprising. I remember seeing one of their music videos late at night after one of my early experiences from alcohol and being absolutely terrified. However, I always thought they were catchy. Over the years they've grown on me and I love 'em.

7. Dr. Dre: What can I say other than 2001 was one of the first CDs I got in trouble for owning. My mother was appalled.

8. The Weakerthans: I can't say much else other than I have a sticker of theirs stuck on my calculator that I still use from high school and I've had more than one person make a comment about it.

9. Oasis: What's the Story Morning Glory was one of my first CDs. Sometimes it's necessary to bust out "She's Electric" while doing chores.

    I don't really know what to make of the list other than I seem to have stuck with the weirder ends of the genre, which is why I wouldn't have expected it then. Amazing sometimes to see how much you've changed and what you keep with you. Something I'll have to keep in mind this summer.

Cheers!
-M