So, last weekend marked the beginning of summer... and with summer comes my seasonal playlist. I had a weekly playlist blog but that was too much. Anyhow, over the past few years I've been really consistent about the summer list, so I'm going to keep up that tradition now. It should be noted... these are not necessarily songs that just came out this summer. Rather, they are songs that I am relating to for this summer.
Marissa's 5th Annual Summer Playlist - 2009
One Day - Matisyahu (I freaking love this song. It doesn't get old for me. I've been listening to a lot of his stuff more lately.)
Busy People - The Limousines (but we always have time for new friends...)
Queen of the World - Ida Maria (Her single is "I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked," and I love that... but when I was doing some further listening into her stuff I discovered this one. I also love "Wherever You Go" but this one is more conducive to summer fun)
Folding Chair - Regina Spektor (her new album was released Tuesday. This song is very peppy, quirky, and fun like a lot of her stuff. I wish I had this kind of talent.)
Close to Me (Cure cover) - The Get Up Kids (I heard this as a teaser in a promo for their upcoming September concert in KC... immediately had to have it.)
Shindig - Red Hot Chili Peppers (Some peppers "pep" up the summer indeed.)
Anything Anything - Dramarama (Old. School. And, awesome)
Buddy Holly - Weezer (I'm seeing Weezer live in September! Heyo!)
Could You Be Loved - Bob Marley (Wow, Bob Marley AND Matisyahu. Someone's feeling a little reggae this summer...)
Time to Pretend - MGMT (I also very much like their current single, "Kids.")
Now We Can See - The Thermals (Thanks to the TV show "Chuck" for introducing me to this song.)
Hold On - Wilson Phillips (No, seriously.)
Uptown Girl - Billy Joel (I always like to have a little fun at the end of my playlists...)
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
No need to say goodbye.
So, I've really been obsessing over this song by Regina Spektor called "The Call." It was in the Prince Caspian soundtrack, but I've yet to see the movie. She had a new album come out today and I've listened to it obsessively as well, but this song is so meaningful that I'd like to share it.
Click here to hear the song.
The instrumentals are beautiful, but what really touches me in this song (as in most songs that move me) are the lyrics. To me she's describing this developing passion for something in life that is bigger than oneself. It's a passion that I was full with while at LVR and that I'm working on finding again now. To have a "battle cry" to me means to have something to pursue and try to achieve with my whole heart. I'm attracted to people (for friendships... and otherwise I'm sure) who have a drive or passion for something in their heart. I'm not talking about career advancement or money. I'm talking about what moves you. What is it that gets you out of bed in the morning? What experiences do you want to make for yourself?
I also especially related to the end where she sings "just because they can't feel it too doesn't mean that you have to forget." It's important to give yourself permission to re-experience your awesome memories. Better to be thankful that you got to experience such things than to be bitter that they're not happening anymore.
I've decided to volunteer on my weekends. The idea of providing something for others is really important to me and I've been very selfish with my time lately. Granted, I work full time and am going to grad school... but this Summer is pretty light and I have weekends fairly open. It seems like I can always make time for the things that are important. So, that's what I'm doing. Volunteering is important and therefore I will make time for it. Altruism aside, it's also a good way to hone interests and gain clarity or insight on life goals. Also, the places I'm looking at offer me some good practice in counseling. I hope to find the niche where my joy and the world's need meet... and then make a difference that way.
Click here to hear the song.
The instrumentals are beautiful, but what really touches me in this song (as in most songs that move me) are the lyrics. To me she's describing this developing passion for something in life that is bigger than oneself. It's a passion that I was full with while at LVR and that I'm working on finding again now. To have a "battle cry" to me means to have something to pursue and try to achieve with my whole heart. I'm attracted to people (for friendships... and otherwise I'm sure) who have a drive or passion for something in their heart. I'm not talking about career advancement or money. I'm talking about what moves you. What is it that gets you out of bed in the morning? What experiences do you want to make for yourself?
I also especially related to the end where she sings "just because they can't feel it too doesn't mean that you have to forget." It's important to give yourself permission to re-experience your awesome memories. Better to be thankful that you got to experience such things than to be bitter that they're not happening anymore.
I've decided to volunteer on my weekends. The idea of providing something for others is really important to me and I've been very selfish with my time lately. Granted, I work full time and am going to grad school... but this Summer is pretty light and I have weekends fairly open. It seems like I can always make time for the things that are important. So, that's what I'm doing. Volunteering is important and therefore I will make time for it. Altruism aside, it's also a good way to hone interests and gain clarity or insight on life goals. Also, the places I'm looking at offer me some good practice in counseling. I hope to find the niche where my joy and the world's need meet... and then make a difference that way.
Friday, June 12, 2009
We didn't light it but we tried to fight it...
This sign is posted right by the elevators in my office:
I agree. It is very sound advice. If there is a fire in the building, you don't take the elevator. Everyone knows that. I do take umbrage, however, with the picture. Look at the placement of the fire in question. It's in the stairwell! If the fire is in the stairwell, I'm not taking the stairs. I'll risk falling to my death from a window, thanks.
Additionally, look at the placement of the ambiguous figure on the stairs. Not only does it appear to be much too calm in regards to the situation at hand, but has somehow managed to get past the fire in the stairwell. Given where he/she is located in relation to the fire, here are a few possibilities:
1. This individual is impervious to fire. Hopefully, he/she uses this power for good and not just for dumb party tricks.
2. This a-hole stick figure started the fire. Maybe the company stole his stapler.
3. The person is psychic, but also selfish.
4. The figure is actually a firefighter, walking up the stairs backwards to avoid smoke inhalation. This hardly seems the quickest or smartest way to move into a burning building, but I'm not a firefighter. I can't judge.
5. The person crossed through the flame, but is not impervious to fire. He/she clearly lost an arm in the process.
I agree. It is very sound advice. If there is a fire in the building, you don't take the elevator. Everyone knows that. I do take umbrage, however, with the picture. Look at the placement of the fire in question. It's in the stairwell! If the fire is in the stairwell, I'm not taking the stairs. I'll risk falling to my death from a window, thanks.
Additionally, look at the placement of the ambiguous figure on the stairs. Not only does it appear to be much too calm in regards to the situation at hand, but has somehow managed to get past the fire in the stairwell. Given where he/she is located in relation to the fire, here are a few possibilities:
1. This individual is impervious to fire. Hopefully, he/she uses this power for good and not just for dumb party tricks.
2. This a-hole stick figure started the fire. Maybe the company stole his stapler.
3. The person is psychic, but also selfish.
4. The figure is actually a firefighter, walking up the stairs backwards to avoid smoke inhalation. This hardly seems the quickest or smartest way to move into a burning building, but I'm not a firefighter. I can't judge.
5. The person crossed through the flame, but is not impervious to fire. He/she clearly lost an arm in the process.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
So close to something better left unknown...
I've been working on my MS Paint skills lately. While I'll never be as good as Catharine, I like to think that I've come a long way in my ability to operate a computer mouse as a paint brush. I like to think that my strong points come mostly from extensive interpretation and use of the copy/paste function. Below, you'll find my visual representation of the phrase "crazy but entertaining."
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
I keep my grammar well rehearsed...
Last Friday I had the wonderful opportunity to join some former colleagues/current friends for lunch. It was my first experience with Indian food, which proved to be interesting. My special thanks go to Nick for showing me the way of such ethnic meals. (At this point, it would be appropriate to also give a shout out to Dan, Luke, and Jeremy in thanks for a nice time - not that any of them read this.)
These guys are all analysts, so as I'm sure you can imagine, there were several interesting points of conversation throughout the meal. The most noteworthy of which had to be the heated debate on contemporary language, specifically the phenomenon known as "textspeak." I happen to be ANTI "textspeak." When I text, I tend to spell words completely and use mostly complete sentences. There are few exceptions. I also have very little patience in "textversations" with people who use text abbreviations, especially "u" for "you" and "r" for "are." In fact, I've taken to just disregarding most texts that use those abbreviations. I simply ignore them. No response.
Dan and Jeremy both agreed that they also spell words completely in their texts, whereas Luke was the leader of the "textspeak" argument. Dan, of course, played plenty of Devil's (read: "textspeak") advocate though. All of this leads me to the argument Luke (and Dan) made for "textspeak."
The argument: "Language is always changing and evolving. By using abbreviations, we are able to communicate more efficiently. We don't communicate the same way people did 100 years ago, and 100 years from now we will be communicating differently."
My thoughts: While this is a seemingly valid point, it doesn't cover all the problems that I have with "textspeak." Here are a few issues:
1. "Textspeak" is still not used in a professional atmosphere. This alone should speak to the not only informal, but also uneducated feel it has.
2. Anytime you shorten or simplify language, you take away some of its meaning. This creates more ambiguity and less clarity in messages.
3. Come on, it just looks AND sounds (or reads, I guess) ignorant. Besides, how much space do you really save by shortening two and three letter words? I'm okay with acronyms for longer phrases and even occasionally "bc" for "because" if a lack of space warrants the use.
4. Do we really want to keep "dumbing down" our diction? Is this really the direction we want society to be moving? Think about it. How will we be represented through our communications? "OMG, ur so funny. L8R." Gross.
That's all. I'll step down from my soap box now.
These guys are all analysts, so as I'm sure you can imagine, there were several interesting points of conversation throughout the meal. The most noteworthy of which had to be the heated debate on contemporary language, specifically the phenomenon known as "textspeak." I happen to be ANTI "textspeak." When I text, I tend to spell words completely and use mostly complete sentences. There are few exceptions. I also have very little patience in "textversations" with people who use text abbreviations, especially "u" for "you" and "r" for "are." In fact, I've taken to just disregarding most texts that use those abbreviations. I simply ignore them. No response.
Dan and Jeremy both agreed that they also spell words completely in their texts, whereas Luke was the leader of the "textspeak" argument. Dan, of course, played plenty of Devil's (read: "textspeak") advocate though. All of this leads me to the argument Luke (and Dan) made for "textspeak."
The argument: "Language is always changing and evolving. By using abbreviations, we are able to communicate more efficiently. We don't communicate the same way people did 100 years ago, and 100 years from now we will be communicating differently."
My thoughts: While this is a seemingly valid point, it doesn't cover all the problems that I have with "textspeak." Here are a few issues:
1. "Textspeak" is still not used in a professional atmosphere. This alone should speak to the not only informal, but also uneducated feel it has.
2. Anytime you shorten or simplify language, you take away some of its meaning. This creates more ambiguity and less clarity in messages.
3. Come on, it just looks AND sounds (or reads, I guess) ignorant. Besides, how much space do you really save by shortening two and three letter words? I'm okay with acronyms for longer phrases and even occasionally "bc" for "because" if a lack of space warrants the use.
4. Do we really want to keep "dumbing down" our diction? Is this really the direction we want society to be moving? Think about it. How will we be represented through our communications? "OMG, ur so funny. L8R." Gross.
That's all. I'll step down from my soap box now.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
something the prince never knew
If anyone ever wonders why I'm not married yet, I think that this email (received from my stepdad, Terry, last summer in regards to gentlemen suitors) can offer some insight.
It reads:
You know brown nosing doesn’t work with me!
Yes, I was bad last night but you have experienced my poor behavior before. No, my attitude towards certain items doesn’t change and when my mind is made up it stays that way! However, in this case and with consultation with my advisor I may reconsider this matter given the proper materials. They are:
It reads:
You know brown nosing doesn’t work with me!
Yes, I was bad last night but you have experienced my poor behavior before. No, my attitude towards certain items doesn’t change and when my mind is made up it stays that way! However, in this case and with consultation with my advisor I may reconsider this matter given the proper materials. They are:
1. Life resume
2. Documentation showing ancestory with Iowa roots
3. Documentation showing college participation in athletics
4. Life goals
5. Personality testing—you don’t want to end up with someone like me!
6. Parental background and quirks
When that package is presented, I will scour the data to determine if my mind can be changed to allow for more than limited conversation.
Love ya
So, good luck to me on that.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Get out of my dreams...
...get into my hot pink minivan?
Seriously, where can I get one of these?
Sorry - it's not the best shot. I had to be sneaky and the van was moving. Apparently people find it creepy if you randomly take pictures of them inside their vehicles with your cell phone. I've done worse.
Seriously, where can I get one of these?
Sorry - it's not the best shot. I had to be sneaky and the van was moving. Apparently people find it creepy if you randomly take pictures of them inside their vehicles with your cell phone. I've done worse.
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