Canadian artist Dallas Green of post-hardcore Alexisonfire as acoustic hit "City and Colour"
favorite tunes: "Hello, I'm in Delaware", "The Girl", "Save Your Scissors", "Comin' Home", and "Waiting"
record label: Indie
sounds like: wearing your heart on your sleeve
San Francisco-based singer-songwriter Matt Nathanson
favorite tunes: "Bent", "Fall to Pieces"
record label: Acrobat Records/ Vanguard Records
sounds like: a killer blend of folk and rock
New York rock band The District
favorite tunes: "Georgia"
record label: none (gasp!)
sounds like: "really good music"
A 20-something's exploration of life, love, the pursuit of happiness, and art.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
save your scissors
Today I really do feel as if my head is about to explode and amused to find that "exploding head syndrome" is indeed a disorder listed on Wikipedia. Everything is listed on Wikipedia.
My head will not explode--I'm just stressed and a little worn from a few late nights in the studio, early mornings writing papers, prepping for this installation (still trying to figure out the kinks), program prep, misc. millions of little things/errands, and now...unexpected conflict with a coworker.
Honestly, I'm have not been physically present or speak enough when I am to cause conflict with anyone. When I am around the rest of the staff, I generally don't talk and this is hardly something new. I keep to myself, get accomplished what needs to, do what people ask of me, and lend a supporting hand whenever I can. Other than that, I don't bother anyone...but apparently feathers have been ruffled in a rather dramatic way and it's now being made my problem.
I'm at a loss for what to do but I'm thinking that you just might not be able to appease everybody and in any case, I can only do the best I can.
I have too many legitimate concerns to focus on and the insanely negative bits of "conversation" and energy coming my way are an unnecessary waste of my energy. I simply don't have the time to deal with this.
On a more positive note: I turned in a final paper today. One down and four to go...
My head will not explode--I'm just stressed and a little worn from a few late nights in the studio, early mornings writing papers, prepping for this installation (still trying to figure out the kinks), program prep, misc. millions of little things/errands, and now...unexpected conflict with a coworker.
Honestly, I'm have not been physically present or speak enough when I am to cause conflict with anyone. When I am around the rest of the staff, I generally don't talk and this is hardly something new. I keep to myself, get accomplished what needs to, do what people ask of me, and lend a supporting hand whenever I can. Other than that, I don't bother anyone...but apparently feathers have been ruffled in a rather dramatic way and it's now being made my problem.
I'm at a loss for what to do but I'm thinking that you just might not be able to appease everybody and in any case, I can only do the best I can.
I have too many legitimate concerns to focus on and the insanely negative bits of "conversation" and energy coming my way are an unnecessary waste of my energy. I simply don't have the time to deal with this.
On a more positive note: I turned in a final paper today. One down and four to go...
Saturday, April 26, 2008
it's nice to know
Finals make me feel like this sometimes...but there are so many good things going on I can't complain. :D
Talked to an old friend today and it made me so grateful that no matter how your relationship with someone who played a major positive role in your life might change (and it happens) you can still pick up the phone or send them a message saying "hey, hope all is well with you".
I'm grateful that, despite personal experiences with a few guys who may not have been particularly nice, I have only good things to say about others and the actions of the minority haven't in any way shaped the way I view the male population in general. Not only would that be completely discouraging--it just wouldn't be fair. While I've learned to be more cautious, I have a lot of hope in the goodness of genuine people. :)
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
some exciting yet stressful news
So I've gotten permission to continue an installation I began a few weeks ago for my final project in photo silkscreen. I've been silk screening a collage of images taken from newspapers I titled "Piercing the Emotional Armor of Indifference Amid a Heavy Atmosphere"on to 22"x30" paper (about four layers a piece). I've been loaning them out to friends, requesting that they write about personal experiences they might not otherwise share or think about. So far, I've collected stories about abuse, eating disorders, sexual assault, prejudice, and drug addiction.
The project began a wish that people would take ongoing matters in world events a bit more seriously--a need and desire for the cure of apathy. It has become an experience and psychological process through which others have begun to pierce their own emotional armor to take a closer look at the social issues and ongoing situations within their own lives.
I briefly had the beginnings of the installation (about 10 prints) up in my hallway for the art show I hold every semester and I've begun to have people request to be a part of the project and share their own stories. I wrote one as well.
The goal is to print 100 more of these and to loan them to family, friends, and perfect strangers. By the end of the semester, I'd like to have them displayed in the rotunda of the Fine Arts building. I'm thrilled about the project and how meaningful it has become to someone more than myself. I'm grateful the experience has become a method of healing (albeit a minor one) for some and a catylist of reflection for others.
That being said...not a lot of time left, 100 prints at 4 layers each will probably take me an entire weekend in the studio and then I have to track people down and ask them to share incredibly personal stories....it'll be incredible to have it up. That's all I keep picturing in my head--each pannel filled with these prints. So much has been forgotten--so much that shapes the amazing people around me and I can't help but think that it's despite/inspite/or perhaps because of these experiences we have become better people so long as we never fail to lose the awareness we've begun to develop with regards to our own thoughts and actions.
The project began a wish that people would take ongoing matters in world events a bit more seriously--a need and desire for the cure of apathy. It has become an experience and psychological process through which others have begun to pierce their own emotional armor to take a closer look at the social issues and ongoing situations within their own lives.
I briefly had the beginnings of the installation (about 10 prints) up in my hallway for the art show I hold every semester and I've begun to have people request to be a part of the project and share their own stories. I wrote one as well.
The goal is to print 100 more of these and to loan them to family, friends, and perfect strangers. By the end of the semester, I'd like to have them displayed in the rotunda of the Fine Arts building. I'm thrilled about the project and how meaningful it has become to someone more than myself. I'm grateful the experience has become a method of healing (albeit a minor one) for some and a catylist of reflection for others.
That being said...not a lot of time left, 100 prints at 4 layers each will probably take me an entire weekend in the studio and then I have to track people down and ask them to share incredibly personal stories....it'll be incredible to have it up. That's all I keep picturing in my head--each pannel filled with these prints. So much has been forgotten--so much that shapes the amazing people around me and I can't help but think that it's despite/inspite/or perhaps because of these experiences we have become better people so long as we never fail to lose the awareness we've begun to develop with regards to our own thoughts and actions.
maybe next time will be the right time
Sometimes it's hard for others to understand the things we need to do in order to preserve ourselves--especially when it means you're asking them not to be a part of your life that they might wish to.
All I can really do is say "I hope you understand" and make decisions I feel are fair and for the best...and hope that that's right.
All I can really do is say "I hope you understand" and make decisions I feel are fair and for the best...and hope that that's right.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Better Days
There are 11 days of class left and still a seemingly insurmountable amount of work to be done. I can't seem to think straight and though you would think the pressure of looming deadlines would inspire a superior work ethic, I find myself severely lacking focus.
This semester--this year has been and continues to be a year of tough lessons and a great deal of reflection. There have been early morning conversations I wouldn't trade for the world, nights curled up on the couch listening to my friend's twelve string trading song lyrics, afternoon runs with best friends, and drinks with old friends. I've grown "fearless" in some ways--unabashingly friendly, I talk to strangers without hesitation. Circumstance has forced the cultivation of a kind of comfortable solitary calmness both within and with myself that I don't remember ever having.
I have made mistakes from which I have learned to trust my own conscious and sense of self more than the opinions of others. I have challenged myself to stop downplaying my own aspirations and achievements. I no longer sweep my own needs and wants under the rug for the sake of others. More than anything, I have developed a kind of cautiousness regarding trust in others and a healthy confidence in myself.
I have nothing but kind wishes for everyone (yes everyone) who has entered my life in any way. I am thankful for the opportunities I've been given and the experiences I've had.
This semester--this year has been and continues to be a year of tough lessons and a great deal of reflection. There have been early morning conversations I wouldn't trade for the world, nights curled up on the couch listening to my friend's twelve string trading song lyrics, afternoon runs with best friends, and drinks with old friends. I've grown "fearless" in some ways--unabashingly friendly, I talk to strangers without hesitation. Circumstance has forced the cultivation of a kind of comfortable solitary calmness both within and with myself that I don't remember ever having.
I have made mistakes from which I have learned to trust my own conscious and sense of self more than the opinions of others. I have challenged myself to stop downplaying my own aspirations and achievements. I no longer sweep my own needs and wants under the rug for the sake of others. More than anything, I have developed a kind of cautiousness regarding trust in others and a healthy confidence in myself.
I have nothing but kind wishes for everyone (yes everyone) who has entered my life in any way. I am thankful for the opportunities I've been given and the experiences I've had.
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