Sweet Escape

surprisingly catchy tune by Gwen Stefani:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3agPX2NUHQ

Relapse...

I've been a Sufjan fan for a while now, but I got annoyed when everyone else started turning into huge fans (I know, snobby). After some time, I've had a chance over winter break to catch up with music, meaning, a new purchase was in order. So, as this confession would appear contradictory to my thoughts above, I am completely taken by a song from his new album–The Age Of Adz. I read an article in "Under The Radar" magazine, and after seeing much more of his character from an interview, I now have even more respect for him not only as an artist, but also as a person. Let's just say my obsession has been renewed. Anyways, a song called, "I Walked" (track 04 on the album), has been put on repeat for some time now.

Thus, my new favorite song...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tghLxt9Qqo

a tropical mind...

Hello, friends.

As usual, I realize it's been quite a while since my latest post. Before, it was the heart of fall, and now, I find myself writing this at the crux of winter. Speaking of which, I am slightly annoyed with this particular season.

Now usually, I absolutely ADORE winter...the cold, the grey skies, the tactful layering of warm clothes and of course, hot caffeinated beverages. Sooo romantic, but in a non-romantic way. But since yesterday, I have been super frustrated with my lack of ability to stay warm. Unfortunately, my room at home is part of the roof, so it doesn't have as good of insulation as the rest of the house. And for some reason, the heater doesn't work as well with the door shut, so if I really want to get warm air circulating, I have to prop the door wide open : / . I even closed the shutters to keep the cold from seeping in, but as a little test, I walked up to the window and actually felt the cold seeping in from the CRACKS of the shutter. >:[ Imagine my frustration! I just wish I could stay warm without weighing myself down with several pounds of shirts, hoodies and a coat. Don't get me wrong, winter is still my favorite season, but I just wish I could not feel dry/burning skin when I go outside. And to my dismay, I just discovered that my parents are jetting off to Hawaii in the dead of January, while I'll be in Boston. Oh well, the Boston thing is my fault...I knew what I was getting into when I applied, unfortunately.

Anyways, that is what has been on my mind as of most recently. Right now I'm enjoying the new Stars album, "The Five Ghosts." I'm in a bit of a musical muddle right now–I haven't been able to get my hands on any new material lately. But I am still content with Belle and Sebastian and Stars...together, the might quite the lovely pair. I've been too lazy to dive into the latest up and coming bands, so I've just been enjoying some old favorites :] .

"Changes" Stars http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiDE_Pyca28&feature=related

Just some thoughts...

Weather like this makes me want to run across the grass through all of the leaves. The cool air feels nice when you are running. The leaves all flicker before they fall like candles about to be blown out. We have to remember that somewhere, it is summer. The separation between creates division but at least those on the other side can still enjoy the view of a blazing chimney silhouetted against a crumbling sunset.

Castles In The Snow

Greetings, friends.

I find myself writing this a little less than a month since the last time, and for that, I apologize. Truthfully, you didn't miss much. I'm glad that the time between then and now has passed. Now is a good time. Today, I feel, was some sort of turning point. Clearly, it is November (yay ^-^), but it feels like winter to me. I know it's Boston, but something about today WAS decidedly wintry...it was overcast, and the air feels like ice melting on your skin. I keep picturing some film montage, where it's winter and everything that seemed so complicated would finally be coming together for the main character...the camera would pan his/her face smiling incandescently, cold wind blowing by, and then you would see that the sky is overcast and you would notice the clash of blazing autumn leaves silhouetted in color against the grey clouds above. And everything would start moving really fast and you would sea ice skaters and snow and be passing through so much life. Ok...I just realized how carried away I got with that. But that's what's been in my head all day! It's good to have that written down so I'll remember now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUlVZKqs5oc (This song seems to fit what it feels like really well).

Tuesdays feel just like Mondays

Alas, here we are, once again at the beginning of a new week. Yesterday was Columbus Day (no school! whoopeee), but now it's time to jump back into that circuitous cycle of work and play that has been carved out for us by calendars.

I figured that today was a good day to flip the pancakes and finally start a blog. After much prodding from Sergi (who just so happens to be a blogger himself), I was hesitant to create a google account so I could be listed as his "follower." I mean, what the hell? Why not, right? I've always been skeptical of cyberspace, buuuut, now that I have made an account, I'm hoping that blogging will keep the wheels turning, the fires burning, the pancakes simmering– whatever you want to label it as, I've officially decided that blogging will help me keep that flicker of creativity lit, before the monotony of Mondays and Tuesdays stomps it out. So, I guess I should thank my dear friend, Sergi, for propelling me into the blogosphere, so...thanks.

Well, I am slightly unsure of how I should go about this. I've always gotten the impression that blogs are more or less journal entries. Don't worry, I will not be writing any "dear diary," style recollections of the day. One of the things that both Sergi and I noted about journaling is the inconsistency that we often encounter in writing formal entries. "Dear Diary, I know it's been a long time since I've written in here but...[insert big event here]." It always has to be the big mind-rattling events that make me feel obligated to "let it all out" via pen and paper. And I will admit, I always feel like I just took a yoga class or something after I finally force myself to hunker down next to my reading lamp and devote a good hour or so to writing. It's like your mind finally exhaled a long breath after holding it in for so long. It's always been a battle for me to get into this groove of writing, regardless of any big events that may or may not occur. But I guess that is the challenge of many writers: inspiration. But anyways, this "blogging" seems different in my mind, because it doesn't necessarily carry the same poetic sense of formality that hard-core journaling does. I'd never really considered that before...different forms (BREEDS!), of journaling– how curious!

On a different note (pun intended), I've been listening to a new band lately called Galaxie 500. I wish I had known more about nineties music when I was actually living in the nineties. Although, the album I'm on, On Fire, was finished in the late eighties. BUT, the reason I associate it with the nineties is that it influenced another band called Carissa's Weird that led me to finding Galaxie 500..same lo-fi laid back rock of late eighties/early nineties feel. I picture myself sitting in a garage on a folding chair, nodding my head to the band (who would, incidentally, all be wearing flannel shirts and black converse), sipping a Tab soda and possibly smoking a cigarette. Smoke flavored fluerescent lights turned on low to heat up the room in winter months. I don't know why this is, but for some reason I always picture a scene like this taking place on the Northeast coast, and the weather would be overcast. Anyways, as a token of my departure, I leave you with this to ponder:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuWdBpOjv6s&p=2BFEEB6067FC45A7&playnext=1&index=16

"Well I'm lookin at the snowflakes

and they all look the same"