Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Graphics
I really want to learn to make graphic art. I wish all of these images I found were posters I could put on my wall.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
New Music Finds
I love music, and have a very random and eccentric musical taste. I don’t know how I find some of the music that I own. This is what I’ve been listening to lately.
1. Tokyo Police Club
If you take the quirkeyness of an Owl City song, mix it with the electronic beat of The Postal Service, and add a pinch of and the lyrical cleverness of Panic! At the Disco, you’ll have something that sounds a bit like Tokyo Police Club.
To be honest, it’s hard to pin their sound down because it’s extremely unique, but you will not be disappointed. Despite the playfulness of the music, the lyrics are actually quite cleaver and meaningful.
My current favorites include ‘Bambi,’ an upbeat song that seems to express the emotions of someone dealing with addiction and feeling guilty about how it affects someone they care about. Another song I enjoy is Favorite Color, which isn’t full of as much meaning (at least not any that I can conjure out of it) but is still a stand out song because of its unique sound.
2. Cults
My fellow intern at The Indianapolis Recorder, Rachel, introduced me to this band. The only word I can use to describe the sound is witty and adorable. The songs speak about relationship issues a lot, but they do so in a way that’s not whiny. I feel like the sound of this band takes dominance over the lyrics. The songs are just feel-good and nice to listen too.
My favorites include “Go Outside,” in which she contrasts her restlessness to someone else desire to say safe and comfortable. Other songs to look into include the unrequited love song “Abducted” and “Bumper,” which chronicles a complicated relationship.
3. Paolo Nutini
Paolo Nutini is a Scottish singer whose music is mostly released in the UK, but thanks to the good old Internet everyone can listen in. He sings everything from pop rock to R&B and soul. Artist I could compare him too would be Jason Mraz or Matt Nathanson.
Some songs I would recommend would be the upbeat “New Shoes” or the soulful “Lovin’ you.” He also has an amzing cover of Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me a River.”
4. Dewy Sinatra
Having a hard time finding positive r&b and hip-hop? Dewy Sinatra is a British rap artist who mixed laid-back old school instrumentals and lyrics full of puns and world pay. He considers himself a “Christ-centric” artist who’s christen faith often comes through in his lyrics.
You could compare his sound to a much cleaner version of Kid Cudi, and his lyrical style similar to that of Lupe Fiasco. Try listening to “In my Zone” or “Popular.”
5. Tanisha Renee Brown
I think I’ll give this last spot to an amazing unsigned artist. I first met her on tumblr. I think her music speaks for itself. Her newsiest single Live Loved, which speaks about life, love, and faith, can be found here. On her Youtube channel, you can listen to more of her amazing music. I brought Live Loved, and trust me the song is worth your 99 cents.
I can’t decided which songs to post, so I’ll post two. The song above is a cover of 'everywhere you go' by Lissie and the song below is a cover of Jesus Culture's "Can I Have More Of You?"
1. Tokyo Police Club
If you take the quirkeyness of an Owl City song, mix it with the electronic beat of The Postal Service, and add a pinch of and the lyrical cleverness of Panic! At the Disco, you’ll have something that sounds a bit like Tokyo Police Club.
To be honest, it’s hard to pin their sound down because it’s extremely unique, but you will not be disappointed. Despite the playfulness of the music, the lyrics are actually quite cleaver and meaningful.
My current favorites include ‘Bambi,’ an upbeat song that seems to express the emotions of someone dealing with addiction and feeling guilty about how it affects someone they care about. Another song I enjoy is Favorite Color, which isn’t full of as much meaning (at least not any that I can conjure out of it) but is still a stand out song because of its unique sound.
2. Cults
My fellow intern at The Indianapolis Recorder, Rachel, introduced me to this band. The only word I can use to describe the sound is witty and adorable. The songs speak about relationship issues a lot, but they do so in a way that’s not whiny. I feel like the sound of this band takes dominance over the lyrics. The songs are just feel-good and nice to listen too.
My favorites include “Go Outside,” in which she contrasts her restlessness to someone else desire to say safe and comfortable. Other songs to look into include the unrequited love song “Abducted” and “Bumper,” which chronicles a complicated relationship.
3. Paolo Nutini
Paolo Nutini is a Scottish singer whose music is mostly released in the UK, but thanks to the good old Internet everyone can listen in. He sings everything from pop rock to R&B and soul. Artist I could compare him too would be Jason Mraz or Matt Nathanson.
Some songs I would recommend would be the upbeat “New Shoes” or the soulful “Lovin’ you.” He also has an amzing cover of Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me a River.”
4. Dewy Sinatra
Having a hard time finding positive r&b and hip-hop? Dewy Sinatra is a British rap artist who mixed laid-back old school instrumentals and lyrics full of puns and world pay. He considers himself a “Christ-centric” artist who’s christen faith often comes through in his lyrics.
You could compare his sound to a much cleaner version of Kid Cudi, and his lyrical style similar to that of Lupe Fiasco. Try listening to “In my Zone” or “Popular.”
5. Tanisha Renee Brown
I think I’ll give this last spot to an amazing unsigned artist. I first met her on tumblr. I think her music speaks for itself. Her newsiest single Live Loved, which speaks about life, love, and faith, can be found here. On her Youtube channel, you can listen to more of her amazing music. I brought Live Loved, and trust me the song is worth your 99 cents.
I can’t decided which songs to post, so I’ll post two. The song above is a cover of 'everywhere you go' by Lissie and the song below is a cover of Jesus Culture's "Can I Have More Of You?"
This was going to be a blog about me. Then I realized I’m not that interesting. I think I will start doing music/book/blog reviews as well. I will also post interesting things I write for classes.
But first, a tiny glimpse of my life.
1. I went to a creative writers group the other day. some people recited spoken word poetry and prose out loud as well as read from books. They meet every Monday. I think I will keep going. I also joined another group full of journalism and English students that publishes a book each year. This is their second year. The first meeting is this Saturday. I think I will write a story every month for the Ball State Daily News, but I want to focus on this now because to publish a book is a unique opportunity. I want to write YA books someday, so it would be a good first step.
2. I joined a bible study with a campus group called The Navigators. I am still in a bible study with Cru. I will not do both; I just wanted to see what else was out there instead of just sticking to what I am used to. I like the small size of the Navigators, and the people in it are really nice, but I still feel like there is something about Cru. Cru has so many opportunities to outreach and give back to the community. I know these are not the only two groups on campus, and I may visit some others. I also want to look into a christen sorroriry/fatunrity on campus called Alpha Nu Omega, but I don’t know anyone in it (except I kinda know the one person who told me about it, but haven’t spoken to her in a while…) and I can’t find any information about it. I also want to find a church in Muncie. I might wind up at The Revolution because it meets on campus. My car is in Indianapolis so I currently do not have a car to drive anywhere else.
3. The weather is already becoming kind of cold. It’s August, and this depresses me. I prefer 100 degrees to a tiny hint of cool air. Walking around campus in ice and snow is no fun. I know that in a few weeks it will be even worse, so I spent a good portion of my day laying outside on the grass, doing homework while absorbing the final bits of summer.
(this is my book for brit lit. so interesting, right? Why do I feel the need to illustrate everything)
(and this is me in the grass, reading said book.)
But first, a tiny glimpse of my life.
1. I went to a creative writers group the other day. some people recited spoken word poetry and prose out loud as well as read from books. They meet every Monday. I think I will keep going. I also joined another group full of journalism and English students that publishes a book each year. This is their second year. The first meeting is this Saturday. I think I will write a story every month for the Ball State Daily News, but I want to focus on this now because to publish a book is a unique opportunity. I want to write YA books someday, so it would be a good first step.
2. I joined a bible study with a campus group called The Navigators. I am still in a bible study with Cru. I will not do both; I just wanted to see what else was out there instead of just sticking to what I am used to. I like the small size of the Navigators, and the people in it are really nice, but I still feel like there is something about Cru. Cru has so many opportunities to outreach and give back to the community. I know these are not the only two groups on campus, and I may visit some others. I also want to look into a christen sorroriry/fatunrity on campus called Alpha Nu Omega, but I don’t know anyone in it (except I kinda know the one person who told me about it, but haven’t spoken to her in a while…) and I can’t find any information about it. I also want to find a church in Muncie. I might wind up at The Revolution because it meets on campus. My car is in Indianapolis so I currently do not have a car to drive anywhere else.
3. The weather is already becoming kind of cold. It’s August, and this depresses me. I prefer 100 degrees to a tiny hint of cool air. Walking around campus in ice and snow is no fun. I know that in a few weeks it will be even worse, so I spent a good portion of my day laying outside on the grass, doing homework while absorbing the final bits of summer.
(this is my book for brit lit. so interesting, right? Why do I feel the need to illustrate everything)
(and this is me in the grass, reading said book.)
Monday, August 29, 2011
Writing
I wrote this for the Invictus Writers group, a group of ball state students I joined that writes and publishes a book each year. They told me to “write a scene and bring it with me” to the first meeting:
I don’t know why words come to me in the wee hours of the night. Witching hour, some would say, can conjure literary magic. I can’t convince my mind to shut up and shut off. I might regret these words in the morning, but right now they are the only ones keeping me company.
Sometimes I prefer writing to talking. It’s not that I don’t enjoy good conversation, but speech can be hastily. It behaves like fast women in nine inch heals and too short dresses, drunk with there own foolishness.
Writing is slower, leaving less room for lies. Written words conduct themselves with a bit more poise. However, it’s a nervous type of composure; something like a 15-year-old girl selecting her attire before going on her first date.
Even more horrifying is when the writer suspects her words might actually have an audience.
I lay in the dark, my keyboard faintly illuminated by the light from my screen. I didn’t need to see to know where the letters were. Light doesn’t make finding the right keys any easier.
What did I sign myself up for? I knew this would be different than the stories I’ve written for the Ball State Daily News, different from the stories I wrote during my internship with The Indianapolis Recorder. Even different than the summer where I had so much free time that I decided to write a 40,000 word novel that’s now collecting dust on webook.com. That hassle of a ‘novel’ was the start of my creative writers block.
Pen to page, I pushed myself now. Why call yourself a writer if you refuse to write anything good? Writing is about perseverance, above most anything else. In that way, a writer is a brave person.
I didn’t feel brave. In journalistic writing, you tell others people’s truths. In books, you tell your own truth. There can be a wealth of fact in fiction, but even more fact in fact.
All of my facts run over themselves, a perfect picture of the noise in my brain. They race each other and refuse to stop in agreement that their purpose was accomplished. And I’ve never been good with endings.
I don’t know why words come to me in the wee hours of the night. Witching hour, some would say, can conjure literary magic. I can’t convince my mind to shut up and shut off. I might regret these words in the morning, but right now they are the only ones keeping me company.
Sometimes I prefer writing to talking. It’s not that I don’t enjoy good conversation, but speech can be hastily. It behaves like fast women in nine inch heals and too short dresses, drunk with there own foolishness.
Writing is slower, leaving less room for lies. Written words conduct themselves with a bit more poise. However, it’s a nervous type of composure; something like a 15-year-old girl selecting her attire before going on her first date.
Even more horrifying is when the writer suspects her words might actually have an audience.
I lay in the dark, my keyboard faintly illuminated by the light from my screen. I didn’t need to see to know where the letters were. Light doesn’t make finding the right keys any easier.
What did I sign myself up for? I knew this would be different than the stories I’ve written for the Ball State Daily News, different from the stories I wrote during my internship with The Indianapolis Recorder. Even different than the summer where I had so much free time that I decided to write a 40,000 word novel that’s now collecting dust on webook.com. That hassle of a ‘novel’ was the start of my creative writers block.
Pen to page, I pushed myself now. Why call yourself a writer if you refuse to write anything good? Writing is about perseverance, above most anything else. In that way, a writer is a brave person.
I didn’t feel brave. In journalistic writing, you tell others people’s truths. In books, you tell your own truth. There can be a wealth of fact in fiction, but even more fact in fact.
All of my facts run over themselves, a perfect picture of the noise in my brain. They race each other and refuse to stop in agreement that their purpose was accomplished. And I’ve never been good with endings.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
There are days when my prayers sound like:
“Lord. I cannot do this. You expect too much from me, I am incapable. My heart is incapable. I cannot feel this without losing a piece of you, without allowing evil to enter my spirit. I do not know how to hold these feelings inside anymore. I need you to help me.”
then there are days (like today) that my prayers sound like this…
“Lord, thank you. For calming my heart and clearing my eyes, I thank you. You’ve lifted my spirit and from this altitude I can see the many blessings you’ve given me, I can find respite in the peace and quiet of knowing you are with me. I love you.”
“Lord. I cannot do this. You expect too much from me, I am incapable. My heart is incapable. I cannot feel this without losing a piece of you, without allowing evil to enter my spirit. I do not know how to hold these feelings inside anymore. I need you to help me.”
then there are days (like today) that my prayers sound like this…
“Lord, thank you. For calming my heart and clearing my eyes, I thank you. You’ve lifted my spirit and from this altitude I can see the many blessings you’ve given me, I can find respite in the peace and quiet of knowing you are with me. I love you.”
Friday, August 19, 2011
The Help/New Semester
I saw The Help the other day. It did have the girlish feel of a lifetime movie, meaning it strived to be emotionally touching and dramatic, but it was a great movie none the less. It kind of even reminds me of why journalism is important because the main character wanted to be a journalist and a novelist, two things that I would want to be. I would recommend it!
I move back to Muncie tomorrow and classes start Monday. Spending all my time today packing and trying to finish my journalism internship portfolio that I have to turn in to school.
Also, i've been reading The Hunger Games. Good book series.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Hair/End of summer
So last summer, I cut off pretty much all of my hair because it was damaged. At the end of this summer, its interesting to see how much is has grown in one year. I feel like I have a normal length of hair again.
Take a look at my hair back then
Compared to now
The hardest part is learning how to manage it no longer being relaxed.
Anyway, hair aside, it's the end of summer. This Saturday, I'm moving back to Muncie. Crazyness. And this is my last year (I may have to do one extra semester, but I would only have to take one class during it really...) Time moves so fast.
After my internship was over, I had a pretty chill summer. I hung out with friends a few times. I got stuff for going back to school. I read the book The Hunger Games (good book). My moms birthday is this thursday and my dad, my grandma, and I are taking her out to eat and then to see the movie The Help. Should be a good movie. And then saturday, back to Ball State. I feel like I accomplished a lot this summer. This was my first summer here with a car, so I learned my way around a lot.
It weird thinking last summer I was on a missions trip in Chicago, and next summer i'm pretty sure i'm studying abroad to get some extra credit hours. Then graduation. This summer may well have been my last summer at home with my parents.
Just a few random thoughts.
Take a look at my hair back then
Compared to now
The hardest part is learning how to manage it no longer being relaxed.
Anyway, hair aside, it's the end of summer. This Saturday, I'm moving back to Muncie. Crazyness. And this is my last year (I may have to do one extra semester, but I would only have to take one class during it really...) Time moves so fast.
After my internship was over, I had a pretty chill summer. I hung out with friends a few times. I got stuff for going back to school. I read the book The Hunger Games (good book). My moms birthday is this thursday and my dad, my grandma, and I are taking her out to eat and then to see the movie The Help. Should be a good movie. And then saturday, back to Ball State. I feel like I accomplished a lot this summer. This was my first summer here with a car, so I learned my way around a lot.
It weird thinking last summer I was on a missions trip in Chicago, and next summer i'm pretty sure i'm studying abroad to get some extra credit hours. Then graduation. This summer may well have been my last summer at home with my parents.
Just a few random thoughts.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Blog Kitten
I haven't posted anything on here in a while, but I really don't have much to say.
This kitten will have to do.
I hope you have a lovely day.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Moving in
My parents are moving into a new house. Moving in was HOT. (no air yet in the house)
This is the inside of the house and the backyard.
Gonna take a while to get the house all together.
This is the inside of the house and the backyard.
Gonna take a while to get the house all together.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
The last day of my internship was yesterday. Things I still need to do:
- Write thank you letters to everyone in the office.
- Ask Erica to re-send my recommendation because it didn’t go through. (Maybe ask Jessica for one as well)
- Write 3 page assessment paper for school
- Finish article for Indiana Minority Business Magazine before next Friday and send it to Brandon.
- Put together portfolio for swingy (including updated resume)
I think, overall, my experience as an intern was good. I covered events such as Expo Summer Celebration, I had both articles and photos published and redeveloped my love for photography, I know my way around the city better (this is my first summer with a car here), I had to be responsible, and I realized that the people you work with can be kind of like a small family in an office. I got the feeling that people at The Recorder genially care about each other, and their interns as well.
Though my Internship was unpaid, Shannon decided to give me a $500 scholarship for books, which will really help when going back to school.
- Write thank you letters to everyone in the office.
- Ask Erica to re-send my recommendation because it didn’t go through. (Maybe ask Jessica for one as well)
- Write 3 page assessment paper for school
- Finish article for Indiana Minority Business Magazine before next Friday and send it to Brandon.
- Put together portfolio for swingy (including updated resume)
I think, overall, my experience as an intern was good. I covered events such as Expo Summer Celebration, I had both articles and photos published and redeveloped my love for photography, I know my way around the city better (this is my first summer with a car here), I had to be responsible, and I realized that the people you work with can be kind of like a small family in an office. I got the feeling that people at The Recorder genially care about each other, and their interns as well.
Though my Internship was unpaid, Shannon decided to give me a $500 scholarship for books, which will really help when going back to school.
true story
So I had a dream (that i wasn’t even in) about two sisters who were immortal. They lived with all of these older, immortal people. The people were mean to squirrels and they would like, catch a squirrel and beet it with sticks. So, sensing danger, the sisters ran away and tried to start a new life.
Then I woke up and walked outside. I had left my car window down and a bird had flew inside and pooped on my dashboard.
true story.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Real Women
I saw this on tumblr and I felt the need to share:
I see all of these things about 'Real Women Have Curves' on my dash. Real women are tall. Real women are short. They’re wide. Gaunt. Their bones can stick out of their collarbones, or be disguised by curves or fat. There are real women with breasts and real women with flat chests. There are real women who have had to have their breasts or ovaries removed, and not having those doesn’t make them any less of a real woman. You’re taking two (huge) steps backward when you tell a woman to be proud of her curves, and in the same breath, tell a thin woman to eat a sandwich.
Self-love is not about empowering one kind of woman.
I see all of these things about 'Real Women Have Curves' on my dash. Real women are tall. Real women are short. They’re wide. Gaunt. Their bones can stick out of their collarbones, or be disguised by curves or fat. There are real women with breasts and real women with flat chests. There are real women who have had to have their breasts or ovaries removed, and not having those doesn’t make them any less of a real woman. You’re taking two (huge) steps backward when you tell a woman to be proud of her curves, and in the same breath, tell a thin woman to eat a sandwich.
Self-love is not about empowering one kind of woman.
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