Why hello everyone out there in Internet land. It's me. Stephanie. Yes, yes. I have been gone a very long time...
Lost at sea, you ask? Oh dear me! No. Though I often dream about being a pirate...
Chased away by a city-crushing neo-dinosaur, you suggest? Oh for Spielberg's sake! If that were to happen (which sadly it didn't) I call dibs on driving the Jurassic Park Jeep!
Okay, fine. Did I fall backward in time, you say? Why in Doc Brown's name, I wish. Though time-traveling would only be fun if narrated by Huey Lewis and the News and chaperoned by a one Martin Seamus "Marty" McFly.
To be quite honest and to throw all joking aside, life has been quite hard on my end lately. The details I will spare, but it should be noted that grief, anxiety, and a long to-do list do not go well together. All that being said, I'd like to slowly begin reestablishing the waxin' on this here site so please stay tuned!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
17 going on 30
Some people say that they are "forever young," always living in the moment and mocking the severity with which others approach life. Others we deem "old souls." Typically, these are the ones who listen to a lot of old jazz and like to wax philosophic about the meaning of random moments in time.
I find myself perpetually crossing back and forth between these thresholds of age-appropriateness. It is very frustrating! One day, I am a participant in a freestyle running group that gallivants through Millennium Park wearing highlighter-colored clothing and the next day I am a 23-year-old entrepreneur renting an office, hiring interns, and creating financial benchmarks for my fledgling creative management company.
Better put, sometimes I find myself viewing life with optimistic and outlandish fervor, saying "hello" to strangers on the street and honing my superhero senses in order to hear the birds and smell the coffee in this big bad city. Other days, I wake up wanting to break my alarm, clumsily dropping everything in my hands, and feeling so overwhelmed by my to-do list that life neglects to have meaning.
It is strange to one day be so convicted about saving money, going out less, and taking myself seriously. Then the next day I am throwing caution to the wind, buying shots for my friends, and sleeping in till noon.
I believe this is called the plight of the 20-something.
But why the perpetually swinging pendulum of happiness? Why the ups and downs? What's with the mood swings, headaches, and sleepy twitching eyes? Is it the caffeine? The 3am bedtime? Or something else? It can't be just me who feels this way, right? I think I should stop watching House...
I find myself perpetually crossing back and forth between these thresholds of age-appropriateness. It is very frustrating! One day, I am a participant in a freestyle running group that gallivants through Millennium Park wearing highlighter-colored clothing and the next day I am a 23-year-old entrepreneur renting an office, hiring interns, and creating financial benchmarks for my fledgling creative management company.
Better put, sometimes I find myself viewing life with optimistic and outlandish fervor, saying "hello" to strangers on the street and honing my superhero senses in order to hear the birds and smell the coffee in this big bad city. Other days, I wake up wanting to break my alarm, clumsily dropping everything in my hands, and feeling so overwhelmed by my to-do list that life neglects to have meaning.
It is strange to one day be so convicted about saving money, going out less, and taking myself seriously. Then the next day I am throwing caution to the wind, buying shots for my friends, and sleeping in till noon.
I believe this is called the plight of the 20-something.
But why the perpetually swinging pendulum of happiness? Why the ups and downs? What's with the mood swings, headaches, and sleepy twitching eyes? Is it the caffeine? The 3am bedtime? Or something else? It can't be just me who feels this way, right? I think I should stop watching House...
Thursday, May 14, 2009
ok, cosmo...the jig is up!
BREAKING NEWS: Cosmopolitan publishes the same magazine every month.
Really...I never knew. Wait...that article on sex does seem familiar.
Let's break this down into headlines, shall we. It really is quite simple. Here is my version - and every future version - of an issue of Cosmo mag...in simplified terms:
"How to have more exciting sex than you're having now with that mediocre guy"
"You can look prettier by putting on makeup"
"There are new fashions this season...you should buy them if you wanna keep up"
"Breaking news you can use: men like sex, as much as possible, and in any position you can come up with"
"If you have to read this article entitled, 'how to spruce up your love life,' then you should probably just dump him because you're both not right for each other"
"We're gonna talk about sex again"
"Clothes and jewelry are fun and, WHO KNEW, gals love em!"
I think I liked them better in the 60s when the articles were hilarious and taboo. Now they're just redundant.
Look, I made my own cover:
Really...I never knew. Wait...that article on sex does seem familiar.
Let's break this down into headlines, shall we. It really is quite simple. Here is my version - and every future version - of an issue of Cosmo mag...in simplified terms:
"How to have more exciting sex than you're having now with that mediocre guy"
"You can look prettier by putting on makeup"
"There are new fashions this season...you should buy them if you wanna keep up"
"Breaking news you can use: men like sex, as much as possible, and in any position you can come up with"
"If you have to read this article entitled, 'how to spruce up your love life,' then you should probably just dump him because you're both not right for each other"
"We're gonna talk about sex again"
"Clothes and jewelry are fun and, WHO KNEW, gals love em!"
I think I liked them better in the 60s when the articles were hilarious and taboo. Now they're just redundant.
Look, I made my own cover:
the social-tech takeover
There was probably a day in the past when two people were sitting in a classroom or dusty library quietly discussing the future of the exchange of information. They probably shared torn books, sent telegrams, and socialized over tea in a parlor room.
Today, there are still a few people here and there who embrace more "old-fashioned" ways of living. They probably still use a land line, like film cameras, continue to buy books (having no idea what a Kindle is), and still enjoy meeting for long conversations over coffee or many course dinners.
For the rest of us, we are bombarded by new media and technology. Most of us love it, despite being completely overwhelmed by the immensity of it. We have so much information at our fingertips - available 24/7 - and yet many of us have not yet successfully learned how to balance all that is available.
We check our cell phones for texts and emails every 5 minutes while we are at an intimate dinner or (ick) a date! We can't help but check out blogs and online shopping sites when we are supposed to be working on our computer. We interface instead of face to face. We surf the web instead of surfing, biking, running...you get the picture.
Multitasking has replaced the need to work hard at one thing. Why be really good at one thing when you can be mediocre at many things? Media-savvy-ness has replaced knowledge of current events. Who cares that India is a growing world power when their tech guys just created a new gadget that lets you read books via sunglasses!? (Note: not true...I don't think). "You can Google it" is the new "let me explain it to you."
Don't get me wrong, there are obviously many merits to new technology and networking sites. MySpace revolutionized the way indie bands get heard. Facebook, despite it's monopoly on real human interaction, has still enabled many people to connect and share photos, messages, and events in a revolutionary way. And don't get me started on how Twitter is amazing for bouncing ideas off of people and how iPhones are really helpful if you get lost and need to Google map yourself. I am aware.
I just often wonder...is having access to everything and everyone all the time a good thing?
Today, there are still a few people here and there who embrace more "old-fashioned" ways of living. They probably still use a land line, like film cameras, continue to buy books (having no idea what a Kindle is), and still enjoy meeting for long conversations over coffee or many course dinners.
For the rest of us, we are bombarded by new media and technology. Most of us love it, despite being completely overwhelmed by the immensity of it. We have so much information at our fingertips - available 24/7 - and yet many of us have not yet successfully learned how to balance all that is available.
We check our cell phones for texts and emails every 5 minutes while we are at an intimate dinner or (ick) a date! We can't help but check out blogs and online shopping sites when we are supposed to be working on our computer. We interface instead of face to face. We surf the web instead of surfing, biking, running...you get the picture.
Multitasking has replaced the need to work hard at one thing. Why be really good at one thing when you can be mediocre at many things? Media-savvy-ness has replaced knowledge of current events. Who cares that India is a growing world power when their tech guys just created a new gadget that lets you read books via sunglasses!? (Note: not true...I don't think). "You can Google it" is the new "let me explain it to you."
Don't get me wrong, there are obviously many merits to new technology and networking sites. MySpace revolutionized the way indie bands get heard. Facebook, despite it's monopoly on real human interaction, has still enabled many people to connect and share photos, messages, and events in a revolutionary way. And don't get me started on how Twitter is amazing for bouncing ideas off of people and how iPhones are really helpful if you get lost and need to Google map yourself. I am aware.
I just often wonder...is having access to everything and everyone all the time a good thing?
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
where did my money go?
It has come to my attention lately that many a person has begun to blame their misfortunes on this thing I have heard called, "the economy."
"Aw, no. I can't afford that because of the economy."
"He is having a nervous breakdown right now because of the economy."
"My dog ran away because of the economy."
But what is this mysterious "economy" that they speak of and why does it have everyone's panties in a twist? Perhaps it is the newly appointed name for A(H1N1)? Probably...I heard all the H1N1 farmers were getting mad about the bad rap...
Okay okay. Obviously, I jest. But I have started to wonder lately how much of what is changing in our world has to do with our financial problems. As I have mentioned before regarding the slow death of newspapers, perhaps it is not a lack of advertising dollars but the public's lack of need for a tangible, paper news source that is causing a shift in the way we view media.
In the bar industry, we complain when not enough customers come in and blame it on the fact that people are cutting back. But don't people statistically drink the same amount - if not MORE - when they are depressed over their financial woes? Maybe the businesses have lost touch with their clientele.
People are still spending. Media is still thriving (online). What we must do is change our mindset on what people need right now.
Big pricey cars are out. Good, less traffic and more parking spots! Newspapers are dying. Great, more trees and less annoying black print all over my fingers! Credit card limits are shrinking. Sounds like a good idea to make people actually earn their money! And boutique, niche market businesses are popping up all over. Awesome, more creative perspectives and more money for the little guy or gal!
Yes, I'm an eternal optimist, but it sounds to me like we'll be alright.
"Aw, no. I can't afford that because of the economy."
"He is having a nervous breakdown right now because of the economy."
"My dog ran away because of the economy."
But what is this mysterious "economy" that they speak of and why does it have everyone's panties in a twist? Perhaps it is the newly appointed name for A(H1N1)? Probably...I heard all the H1N1 farmers were getting mad about the bad rap...
Okay okay. Obviously, I jest. But I have started to wonder lately how much of what is changing in our world has to do with our financial problems. As I have mentioned before regarding the slow death of newspapers, perhaps it is not a lack of advertising dollars but the public's lack of need for a tangible, paper news source that is causing a shift in the way we view media.
In the bar industry, we complain when not enough customers come in and blame it on the fact that people are cutting back. But don't people statistically drink the same amount - if not MORE - when they are depressed over their financial woes? Maybe the businesses have lost touch with their clientele.
People are still spending. Media is still thriving (online). What we must do is change our mindset on what people need right now.
Big pricey cars are out. Good, less traffic and more parking spots! Newspapers are dying. Great, more trees and less annoying black print all over my fingers! Credit card limits are shrinking. Sounds like a good idea to make people actually earn their money! And boutique, niche market businesses are popping up all over. Awesome, more creative perspectives and more money for the little guy or gal!
Yes, I'm an eternal optimist, but it sounds to me like we'll be alright.
Monday, April 20, 2009
when millenials rule the world
Welcome to the mobile millennial world. We are so happy to see you.
Please turn up your iPhone. We really like the music pulsating from it. Make sure to charge your Blackberry. Emails are always a-coming. And don’t put down that coffee and Red Bull stained laptop. You will need it to interface, Facebook, and bookmark multi-pages…
So what does it all mean? It means that Mac is the new black, baby. It means your first boss out of college may just be a few years your elder. It means the millennials have begun their hostile…I mean, computer file…or perhaps more like new style takeover.
TheCreativeCareer.com talked recently and briefly about what an office designed by a 20-something would look and function like. It was a short article, but got me thinking. At the end they ask, what would your office look like? As someone who just rented a studio space, this is an exciting question.
Now, I am not necessarily like all my millennial counterparts, but I'd like to think we share some characteristics. Certain aspects will inevitably incorporate themselves into a Gen Y workspace. Let's analyze them, shall we?
1) Stimuli - Coffee. Red Bull. Buzzing phones. Thumping headsets. TV on your computer. Computer on your phone. Phone on your iPod. iPod in your hand while holding your coffee...and it's buzzing...and you're rocking out to MGMT...and....phew! This sound hard? Are there any parents out there reading? I can tell you now that this is normal, if not exciting. They call our generation many names. Strangely, "The Head-to-Phoners," "The ADD-is-cool-ers," and "The Caffeine Heads" didn't make the list.
What does all this stimuli indicate about Gen Y-ers? The small cubicle, the white blank-walled office, the elevator music...NOT FOR US. We need freedom. We need music. Not overheard throughout the office, but at our individual desks that caters to our individual style. We need a little funkiness in our office space as well. I'm talking art, visualization boards, couches, comics cut out of the newspaper, whatever.
Now I know what you're thinking. These young whipper snappers can't just be walking around, rocking out, and getting distracted all day. They'd never get anything done gosh darnit! Wrong. If we've learned anything from Google it's that. Besides, I find that when I'm surrounded by creativity, be it within other people or via visual examples, I work my very best. White walls don't inspire, plain (pun intended) as that.
2) Room to move - this is seen in every aspect of the millennial generation. Our approach to career life is marked by a need for flexibility, for the possibility of movement. Whereas our parents' and grandparents' generations stuck with a job for the sake of company loyalty, we find the need to be expansive.
Our office spaces must reflect this. This is not to say that we won't be working behind desks, but that when it comes to work spaces, we need them open, airy, organized, yet arty. When it comes to a staff meeting, there will be no stuffy conference rooms. There will be a meeting of the minds around unique coffee tables. Like the beatniks before us, I always find that gathering together in a coffee shop gets my mind running with ideas. Let's bring this to the board room. Imagine what can be done in a space that is generating as much creativity as it's employees.
3) Free Speech / Free Rule / Free Coffee
Let's face it. Millennials are assholes. At least in comparison with the harder working generations before us. We stay up till 4am, sleep through our alarms, show to work late, then bitch later to our friends about how our boss was all shades towards us throughout the day. Strangely enough, people are putting up with us. We get pissy if our bosses try to micromanage us, but then seek constant approval from them. We run our mouths in class, want free reign at our part-time job, and go nuts when the only coffee is instant decaf. We grew up telling our parents "leave me alone!" and "you don't get me!"...wah wah. Unfortunately, "the trophy generation" - as we are called - want to be simultaneously pampered and respected as independent adults at the same time. Not sayin' it's right, just how it is, folks.
May God help the older generations who have to deal with us...
Rock on and out,
Stephanie
Please turn up your iPhone. We really like the music pulsating from it. Make sure to charge your Blackberry. Emails are always a-coming. And don’t put down that coffee and Red Bull stained laptop. You will need it to interface, Facebook, and bookmark multi-pages…
So what does it all mean? It means that Mac is the new black, baby. It means your first boss out of college may just be a few years your elder. It means the millennials have begun their hostile…I mean, computer file…or perhaps more like new style takeover.
TheCreativeCareer.com talked recently and briefly about what an office designed by a 20-something would look and function like. It was a short article, but got me thinking. At the end they ask, what would your office look like? As someone who just rented a studio space, this is an exciting question.
Now, I am not necessarily like all my millennial counterparts, but I'd like to think we share some characteristics. Certain aspects will inevitably incorporate themselves into a Gen Y workspace. Let's analyze them, shall we?
1) Stimuli - Coffee. Red Bull. Buzzing phones. Thumping headsets. TV on your computer. Computer on your phone. Phone on your iPod. iPod in your hand while holding your coffee...and it's buzzing...and you're rocking out to MGMT...and....phew! This sound hard? Are there any parents out there reading? I can tell you now that this is normal, if not exciting. They call our generation many names. Strangely, "The Head-to-Phoners," "The ADD-is-cool-ers," and "The Caffeine Heads" didn't make the list.
What does all this stimuli indicate about Gen Y-ers? The small cubicle, the white blank-walled office, the elevator music...NOT FOR US. We need freedom. We need music. Not overheard throughout the office, but at our individual desks that caters to our individual style. We need a little funkiness in our office space as well. I'm talking art, visualization boards, couches, comics cut out of the newspaper, whatever.
Now I know what you're thinking. These young whipper snappers can't just be walking around, rocking out, and getting distracted all day. They'd never get anything done gosh darnit! Wrong. If we've learned anything from Google it's that. Besides, I find that when I'm surrounded by creativity, be it within other people or via visual examples, I work my very best. White walls don't inspire, plain (pun intended) as that.
2) Room to move - this is seen in every aspect of the millennial generation. Our approach to career life is marked by a need for flexibility, for the possibility of movement. Whereas our parents' and grandparents' generations stuck with a job for the sake of company loyalty, we find the need to be expansive.
Our office spaces must reflect this. This is not to say that we won't be working behind desks, but that when it comes to work spaces, we need them open, airy, organized, yet arty. When it comes to a staff meeting, there will be no stuffy conference rooms. There will be a meeting of the minds around unique coffee tables. Like the beatniks before us, I always find that gathering together in a coffee shop gets my mind running with ideas. Let's bring this to the board room. Imagine what can be done in a space that is generating as much creativity as it's employees.
3) Free Speech / Free Rule / Free Coffee
Let's face it. Millennials are assholes. At least in comparison with the harder working generations before us. We stay up till 4am, sleep through our alarms, show to work late, then bitch later to our friends about how our boss was all shades towards us throughout the day. Strangely enough, people are putting up with us. We get pissy if our bosses try to micromanage us, but then seek constant approval from them. We run our mouths in class, want free reign at our part-time job, and go nuts when the only coffee is instant decaf. We grew up telling our parents "leave me alone!" and "you don't get me!"...wah wah. Unfortunately, "the trophy generation" - as we are called - want to be simultaneously pampered and respected as independent adults at the same time. Not sayin' it's right, just how it is, folks.
May God help the older generations who have to deal with us...
Rock on and out,
Stephanie
Sunday, April 5, 2009
dig list 4.5
==To bring ya revving up to speed on all that I am knee deep diggin' right now here is the latest DIG LIST==
Song: "All I Want Is You" by Barry Louis Polisar--a song from the Juno soundtrack. Pure cutesy, loveyness...makes sense since Polisar is known for his children's songs.
Album: The Presets "Apocalypso"--been listening to this album non-stizzle. Getting ready for the show this Wednesday!!!
Book: "My So-Called Freelance Life" by Michelle Goodman--inspiration for my new journeys into the world of freelance writing and entrepreneurship.
Website/blog: CAR (Chicago Artists Resource)--one of the best best best resources for Chicago creatives. They sponsored the Creative Chicago Expo that I stopped by yesterday. It was très cool!
Upcoming shows: The Presets @ Metro Chicago, April 8 & The Victory Gins @ Double Door Chicago, May 24 9pm
Song: "All I Want Is You" by Barry Louis Polisar--a song from the Juno soundtrack. Pure cutesy, loveyness...makes sense since Polisar is known for his children's songs.
Album: The Presets "Apocalypso"--been listening to this album non-stizzle. Getting ready for the show this Wednesday!!!
Book: "My So-Called Freelance Life" by Michelle Goodman--inspiration for my new journeys into the world of freelance writing and entrepreneurship.
Website/blog: CAR (Chicago Artists Resource)--one of the best best best resources for Chicago creatives. They sponsored the Creative Chicago Expo that I stopped by yesterday. It was très cool!
Upcoming shows: The Presets @ Metro Chicago, April 8 & The Victory Gins @ Double Door Chicago, May 24 9pm
Saturday, April 4, 2009
island albums
Here is the scenario: you are stranded on a desert island and can only bring one album with you. What musical masterpiece do you choose? Oo, the fun begins...
This reminds me of when someone asks, "What bands do you like?" or "Would you rather eat pizza, chocolate ice cream, or spinach and bacon quiche?" I mean really! Do I have to decide?!
It is as if someone said, "You have lived about 8,450 days so far in your life. Which days did you like the best?" Um, excuse me. I may just say the day I learned what music was, or rode my first bike, or got drunk for the first glorious time, or...holy cow this is hard!
At some point, you will be conversing with your most musically inclined friend and will (if you haven't already) stumble upon the island album query. You will rack your brain, running song after song after artist after album through your head. But what constitutes a "favorite" album?
I recently had this very conversation with my very musically inclined friend, Lee B. We decided that a truly great album must be one that when listening to, there is not a single song you dislike or wish to skip over. This album must - from start to finish - be a wonderful experience in itself. It doesn't technically matter whether the album makes you feel happy or jubilant or energetic or melancholy...it just matters if you feel like you can be everywhere and anything while listening.
Now, there are some simple rules to this game. 1) You are not allowed to pick "Best Of" or "Greatest Hits" albums. Sadly, this eliminates my choice of the "Experience Hendrix - Best of Jimi Hendrix" album. Too bad. 2) You must truly love ever single song on the album. 3) No live albums allowed. Face it...it's not really an album...just a show you wish you went to. 4) No soundtracks. Duh.
That being said, I shall reveal my choice...
Yes.
I will.
I can do it.
I can narrow it down!
Really.
OKAY, here is what I'm gonna do...
I'll break down (Rob Gordon style, like always) my Top 5 Favorite Albums of All Time (in no particular order):
LED ZEPPELIN, IV
Songs that kick so much you just wanna go air drumming down the street with your headphones blaring (think "Black Dog," "Rock and Roll"), songs that transport you to an airy meadow of folk and mandolin poetry heaven ("The Battle of Evermore," "Going to California"), and songs with a quasi-bluesy flair that seasons the otherwise early metal-driven guitar riffs that make Zeppelin famous ("When the Levee Breaks," "Four Sticks"). The only thing that slightly ruins this album for me is when Cadillac used it to kick off a their new advertising campaign in 2002.
WEEZER'S self-titled debut, aka THE BLUE ALBUM
Without fail, I find ever song and note and chord on this album pleasing. Arguably, Rivers Cuomo is not the most profound or dulcet singer/songwriter on the planet. This I will admit to with the same heartbreaking simplicity adopted in each of Cuomo's lyrics. Strangely, it doesn't seem to matter that this hopelessly romantic and ever-fatalistic crooner's songs would get their ass handed to them in a lyrical battle with Jeff Buckley's Grace (my dear friend, Lee B's pick). I know it to be true that any Weeze fan accepts this fact and fittingly so since true nerds have found peace with their existence.
INCUBUS, MAKE YOURSELF
Brandon Boyd's intensity expressed through an impressive range of screaming and singing beautifully, all against a funk-rock background that boasts a well composed sampling of all that was good about rock music in the late 90s.
JIMI HENDRIX, ARE YOU EXPERIENCED?
Debut album of The Jimi Hendrix Experience, 'nuff said. I cheated a little on this one seeing as how I don't love love love every song on the album and because my favorite Jimi song, "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)," isn't even on it. Can't win 'em all but with Hendrix, it somehow seems like it.
MICHAEL JACKSON, THRILLER
Truly, 'nuff said. If you have ever tapped your foot to a song or shaken your hips to the beat, you'd better like this album. Any move-breakin' lover's indisputable fall back (in a good way) album.
My runners up and reasons why:
JEFF BUCKLEY, GRACE - reminds me of my freshman year of college when I was depressed and homesick. My roommate introduced me to this album and I loved it. Now when I hear it I always feel kinda homesick. That doesn't mean that I don't think this is one of the greatest albums of all time. It just means I sometimes have a hard time listening to it.
Any BEATLES album - too easy. That's like saying you like breathing air.
Other LED ZEPPELIN albums, particularly HOUSES OF THE HOLY - I didn't think it made sense to put all my favorite band's albums on my top 5 list.
NIRVANA, NEVERMIND - fantastic, relatable, heartbreaking, everything that angst should be, but only good in small doses. Not a whole album at a time. Sorry grunge lovers.
BEN FOLDS FIVE, WHATEVER AND EVER AMEN - If I could play piano and write silly heartbroken songs and kick overall ass, these are like the songs I'd write. Problem is, there are a few too many songs off this particular album that I feel are boring and/or overplayed...i.e. "Brick," "Missing the War," "Smoke," etc.
I could probably say that JOHN MAYER, ROOM FOR SQUARES was also a runner up. That album is pure pop/rock/catchy/lovely-dovey/everybody-friendly/awesomeness. Every song is good, over and over again, yet now perhaps a bit overplayed.
Oh, there are so many more...but now my fingers hurt and I need a sandwich.
Rock on and out,
Stephanie Helena
This reminds me of when someone asks, "What bands do you like?" or "Would you rather eat pizza, chocolate ice cream, or spinach and bacon quiche?" I mean really! Do I have to decide?!
It is as if someone said, "You have lived about 8,450 days so far in your life. Which days did you like the best?" Um, excuse me. I may just say the day I learned what music was, or rode my first bike, or got drunk for the first glorious time, or...holy cow this is hard!
At some point, you will be conversing with your most musically inclined friend and will (if you haven't already) stumble upon the island album query. You will rack your brain, running song after song after artist after album through your head. But what constitutes a "favorite" album?
I recently had this very conversation with my very musically inclined friend, Lee B. We decided that a truly great album must be one that when listening to, there is not a single song you dislike or wish to skip over. This album must - from start to finish - be a wonderful experience in itself. It doesn't technically matter whether the album makes you feel happy or jubilant or energetic or melancholy...it just matters if you feel like you can be everywhere and anything while listening.
Now, there are some simple rules to this game. 1) You are not allowed to pick "Best Of" or "Greatest Hits" albums. Sadly, this eliminates my choice of the "Experience Hendrix - Best of Jimi Hendrix" album. Too bad. 2) You must truly love ever single song on the album. 3) No live albums allowed. Face it...it's not really an album...just a show you wish you went to. 4) No soundtracks. Duh.
That being said, I shall reveal my choice...
Yes.
I will.
I can do it.
I can narrow it down!
Really.
OKAY, here is what I'm gonna do...
I'll break down (Rob Gordon style, like always) my Top 5 Favorite Albums of All Time (in no particular order):
LED ZEPPELIN, IV
Songs that kick so much you just wanna go air drumming down the street with your headphones blaring (think "Black Dog," "Rock and Roll"), songs that transport you to an airy meadow of folk and mandolin poetry heaven ("The Battle of Evermore," "Going to California"), and songs with a quasi-bluesy flair that seasons the otherwise early metal-driven guitar riffs that make Zeppelin famous ("When the Levee Breaks," "Four Sticks"). The only thing that slightly ruins this album for me is when Cadillac used it to kick off a their new advertising campaign in 2002.
WEEZER'S self-titled debut, aka THE BLUE ALBUM
Without fail, I find ever song and note and chord on this album pleasing. Arguably, Rivers Cuomo is not the most profound or dulcet singer/songwriter on the planet. This I will admit to with the same heartbreaking simplicity adopted in each of Cuomo's lyrics. Strangely, it doesn't seem to matter that this hopelessly romantic and ever-fatalistic crooner's songs would get their ass handed to them in a lyrical battle with Jeff Buckley's Grace (my dear friend, Lee B's pick). I know it to be true that any Weeze fan accepts this fact and fittingly so since true nerds have found peace with their existence.
INCUBUS, MAKE YOURSELF
Brandon Boyd's intensity expressed through an impressive range of screaming and singing beautifully, all against a funk-rock background that boasts a well composed sampling of all that was good about rock music in the late 90s.
JIMI HENDRIX, ARE YOU EXPERIENCED?
Debut album of The Jimi Hendrix Experience, 'nuff said. I cheated a little on this one seeing as how I don't love love love every song on the album and because my favorite Jimi song, "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)," isn't even on it. Can't win 'em all but with Hendrix, it somehow seems like it.
MICHAEL JACKSON, THRILLER
Truly, 'nuff said. If you have ever tapped your foot to a song or shaken your hips to the beat, you'd better like this album. Any move-breakin' lover's indisputable fall back (in a good way) album.
My runners up and reasons why:
JEFF BUCKLEY, GRACE - reminds me of my freshman year of college when I was depressed and homesick. My roommate introduced me to this album and I loved it. Now when I hear it I always feel kinda homesick. That doesn't mean that I don't think this is one of the greatest albums of all time. It just means I sometimes have a hard time listening to it.
Any BEATLES album - too easy. That's like saying you like breathing air.
Other LED ZEPPELIN albums, particularly HOUSES OF THE HOLY - I didn't think it made sense to put all my favorite band's albums on my top 5 list.
NIRVANA, NEVERMIND - fantastic, relatable, heartbreaking, everything that angst should be, but only good in small doses. Not a whole album at a time. Sorry grunge lovers.
BEN FOLDS FIVE, WHATEVER AND EVER AMEN - If I could play piano and write silly heartbroken songs and kick overall ass, these are like the songs I'd write. Problem is, there are a few too many songs off this particular album that I feel are boring and/or overplayed...i.e. "Brick," "Missing the War," "Smoke," etc.
I could probably say that JOHN MAYER, ROOM FOR SQUARES was also a runner up. That album is pure pop/rock/catchy/lovely-dovey/everybody-friendly/awesomeness. Every song is good, over and over again, yet now perhaps a bit overplayed.
Oh, there are so many more...but now my fingers hurt and I need a sandwich.
Rock on and out,
Stephanie Helena
Sunday, March 29, 2009
when harry met sally
It's the age-old question humankind has been discussing in platonic circles forever. Can men and women really be friends?
Like many women before me, I recently sat on my couch with a dear female friend and debated this topic. What if they are gay? What if they are incredibly out of your league? What if you've never had sex with them? There are indeed many factors that can change the dynamic of a relationship.
In my experience, I have had MANY great guy friends...ALL of which eventually confessed their secret adoration for me in one way or another, thus negating the friendship. But does it? When you find out someone "like-likes" you, does this automatically eliminate any chance of friendship? Perhaps not. Many of these gentlemen remain my "friends" to this day. We occasionally meet up for coffee when I am in my hometown or get together in groups of old friends, but none of them really know much about my life or I about theirs.
Then I consider some of my other female friends. One in particular has a very successful BEST friendship with a boy...and get this...they are both not-so-secretly IN LOVE with each other and have confessed it to one another on more than one occasion. So how does this work?
I have concluded that friendships between men and women can exist under certain conditions: 1) One friend is gay. 2) The friends are aware of the pending feelings of either one or both parties and have decided to ignore them for some reason...In some cases this is complicated by the fact that one party may not have actually been aware of the other's feelings and thus are actually in the dark about the whole "like-liking" thing...In addition, sometimes feelings go away and friendships progress into resembling relationships you have with family members or pets or something...Furthermore, these two friends may just be f#$% buddies. In which case, they are truly "friends" in one sense, but do not possess a deep understanding of one another. But then, how well do we ever really know our male and female friends?
My head hurts.
Then there is the friendship with an ex debate...but that is for another day.
So what do you all think? True friendship with a member of the opposite sex: possible or awkward mess? Let me know.
Rock on and out,
Stephanie
Like many women before me, I recently sat on my couch with a dear female friend and debated this topic. What if they are gay? What if they are incredibly out of your league? What if you've never had sex with them? There are indeed many factors that can change the dynamic of a relationship.
In my experience, I have had MANY great guy friends...ALL of which eventually confessed their secret adoration for me in one way or another, thus negating the friendship. But does it? When you find out someone "like-likes" you, does this automatically eliminate any chance of friendship? Perhaps not. Many of these gentlemen remain my "friends" to this day. We occasionally meet up for coffee when I am in my hometown or get together in groups of old friends, but none of them really know much about my life or I about theirs.
Then I consider some of my other female friends. One in particular has a very successful BEST friendship with a boy...and get this...they are both not-so-secretly IN LOVE with each other and have confessed it to one another on more than one occasion. So how does this work?
I have concluded that friendships between men and women can exist under certain conditions: 1) One friend is gay. 2) The friends are aware of the pending feelings of either one or both parties and have decided to ignore them for some reason...In some cases this is complicated by the fact that one party may not have actually been aware of the other's feelings and thus are actually in the dark about the whole "like-liking" thing...In addition, sometimes feelings go away and friendships progress into resembling relationships you have with family members or pets or something...Furthermore, these two friends may just be f#$% buddies. In which case, they are truly "friends" in one sense, but do not possess a deep understanding of one another. But then, how well do we ever really know our male and female friends?
My head hurts.
Then there is the friendship with an ex debate...but that is for another day.
So what do you all think? True friendship with a member of the opposite sex: possible or awkward mess? Let me know.
Rock on and out,
Stephanie
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
so dad says
I was jump-reading from blog to blog the other day and came across a post addressing recent college grads. I had mixed feelings - as a recent grad - about many of the points made in the post. SO, in response to this post by Dad, here are some thoughts:
Yes, college was fun and "the real world" is supposedly a bit harder. Blah blah.
Let me start off by saying that I had a remotely entertaining time in college, but nothing spectacular. Many of my good friends had a blast, drank a lot, joined a soro/frat, and kicked it Old School style. Not me. Nor many others I have spoken to in months since my "education" ended (finally!) last August. College consisted of me working my butt off: Class. Organization meetings. Work. Homework. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. I wanted to make my family proud and actually show them some results for their money. That's what college is really about, right? As an overachiever, I was discontented if I had a moment of free time (yet strangely when I was super busy, I wanted nothing but a day off). Vicious cycle? I think so. I digress...
For me, college should have been a breeze. My tuition was paid for by a generous family member (thank you Poppie). My family made sure I had money on my food plan so I didn't starve and a place to live so I didn't freeze during Chicago winters. I met amazing friends and found a fabulous boyfriend I'm still with to this day...Hmm. What was so tough about it? I'll fill you in.
Dad mentions "that marketing professor" who promises you big bucks if you get an education. He neglects to differentiate between the dreamy professors who sing the praises of a liberal arts education and all the wonderful (and most of the time useless) skills it brings you - AND - the well-experienced (in both life and career) professor/mentor who tells you to work your ass off, get internships galore, and plan plan plan for the future. I happened to be surrounded by adults of both sorts (believe me it's not that hard to find them...adults LOVE giving advice), leaving me with an appreciation for my education but a realism that reminded me over and over the value of real life experience.
As a result, I finished college having worked 6 different jobs - some at the same time (hostess, fine dining server, clothing brand rep, barista, front desk assistant, and cocktail server), participated in 4 internships (PR/marketing intern, communications and govn't relations intern, art gallery owner's assistant, children's art education assistant/art program web designer), was a peer mentor to younger students, and was a vice prez in my dry sorority.
I know everyone isn't like me. That would be horrible. BUT, many many students nowadays are multi-tasking like crazy (and simultaneously creating an anxiety epidemic) in an attempt to gain any kind of advantage - not just because of the struggling economy - but also in order to compete for knowledge and that "leg up."
So let's address some of Dad's points. He says:
#1 "Get serious about finding a job. The last thing you need is to take a three month vacation after school. I know, I know. YOU worked hard and need to experience life a bit. Spare me. Mommy and Daddy just spent their retirement on your educational experiment so out of respect, the least you can do is go through the motions of becoming a real live, functioning, support yourself semi-adult."
WHOA. When I graduated, my mother, father, step-father, and grandfather were the ones who suggested to me that I take time off to experience life outside of the bubble that is college. As a result, I sold my car that was eating up gas in the big city, moved to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, learned to snowboard, freelanced for the local magazine, and became a bartender. Do you know what a Frontside 360 Truckdriver is? How about what ingredients go into a Colorado Bulldog drink? I didn't think so. And mommy and daddy were proud proud proud that I had branched out and learned many unique, new things.
The whole experience changed my perspective on life completely. As my aunt (who I lived with there) always says, "change of latitude, change of attitude." May I say that is some of the best advice someone can give you, especially to someone who just spent 4 years living in dorms and stuffy classrooms. The time I spent in Steamboat got me thinking hard about my life and goals in Chicago, and by the time it ended I was amped(!) to move back to the Windy City and hit the ground RUN RUN RUNNING.
#2 "Your major doesn’t much matter. You will be surprised how infrequently you get asked about your major, so don’t be all that shocked when your communications major background holds no water. Your GPA will count for something now, but no one will care really because it varies so much, school to school, major to major, etc. You think we don’t know that?"
I always get asked what I majored in in college - communications mind you, focusing on PR & advertising w/ an unofficial journalism minor. Most people I tell this to - many of them in business - are usually impressed and ask me quiet a few questions. What it REALLY comes down to is whether 1) you actually worked hard and learned a lot in school and 2) did you expand upon your major and participate in internships that pertained to your ultimate career goals. I will AGREE with Dad that schools and programs vary, but I would also suggest that many employers already know which schools hold more clout and can decide for themselves how much the candidate knows by simply talking to them in an interview.
#3 "If you send out a resume, proofread it over and over and over. Seriously. Can you spell? Make it easy for the employer to find you and contact you. Lose the studmuffin@gmail.com."
This I couldn't agree with more. I have proofread many resumes for friends and can tell you, many of them are poor spellers. What I would add is that you MUST find someone reputable to proofread your resume for you. Often I go to past professors - or - older, experienced business friends and ask for their opinion. Looking over your own work too many times oftens makes it harder to find the small errors.
#4 "If an employer happens to call you after you send out a resume, respond. Here is the sad reality. Monster and all these BIG job boards have devalued your resume to the point where you will send out hundreds of resumes and NOT get ONE reply. So, when you do get a reply, answer back. It will send a clear message to the company that there is a reason for them to acknowledge receiving your resume."
One question: why would you NOT RESPOND to a potential job offer?! If your entire goal is to find a job then wouldn't you jump on responding?
#5 "Even if the job sounds terrible, interview anyway. You should go on an interview a day, at least. Interview for the jobs you don’t want, too. This is like asking the hottest girl at the bar for her myspace page, you don’t make the shots you don’t take as Michael Jordan used to say."
Very good advice. Get as much interview practice as you can. BUT there are a few things you can do for yourself that will automatically bump you a few steps up on the interview champion ladder.
1) Do research on the company with which you are interviewing. Lots of it. You NEVER want to get to the "so-do-you-have-any-questions-for-us" stage of the interview and start simply asking them questions you can find on their website.
2) Plan some questions ahead of time. After doing research on a company, think of the other aspects of working there that were not addressed on their "about us" page. What is their company community like? What are their expectations for the ideal candidate? What do they consider to be exceptional performance from someone working in this position in the first 90 days? Etc.
3) Make sure you have a fantastic handshake. 'Nuff said. Practice it if you must. Eye contact, articulation, and professional appearance are VERY important as well. If you don't have the stuff, you've gotta fake it till you make it, kids.
#9 "Not sure of your passion quite yet? It is easier to find your true calling once you have a job. Plus, you don’t really know what you love, do you? I mean really? Those soap opera watching jobs are so hard to get, anyway. Get started…finding what you don’t like is even helpful. Practice showing some passion even if you are not in your keeper job."
Finding your passion is tough. Everyone has had a hard time at some point or another figuring out, "What do I really love?" To Dad's advice, I only have a couple things to add: A good exercise in "finding your bliss" is to think about what activities really excite you. It doesn't matter if the activities don't seem to relate to job fields at all. Just play along. Okay? Good.
What are your hobbies? Favorite childhood activities? Were you always planning and organizing plays or inventing new games in your basement? Start writing all these things down. Remember in High Fidelity how Rob made lists of his top 5 dream jobs? Do this! Make it a top 20 list if you'd like. Just get the brainstorming going. This doesn't mean you have to quit the job you're in now. Just start thinking hard about the things you really love.
Another thing I have found to work: ask the people who know you best what they think you'd be good at. I have found that somehow my mother always seemed to know what I was fantastic at doing. Often, I wasn't aware that certain things were my strengths because they had always seemed like second nature. Get feedback in your search for happiness.
The post-college career world is hard. College was hard. Life is hard. When it comes down to it, it's all in how you approach each opportunity and learning experience. When college ended for me, that was when I started to have fun. I am now truly on my own, have stopped relying on my parents financially, and am free to find myself outside of a predetermined college student mold.
Yes, the job market is hard. Yes, it is even harder to make money doing something you love. But it is worth it to do anything and everything in your power to find your bliss. So stop reading and start making your dream career list NOW.
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