A maverick's quest for culture

OP!

2009-05-13T14:37:00.002-04:00

Hey everyone, it seems I have neglected to tell everyone that I am now on Wordpress.

You can still read about my misadventures on http://mynameisreb.wordpress.com/

Now that school is finally done, I will have time to add all the updates I have been dreaming about for months. Stay tuned for some exciting new features.

apologies for tardiness

2009-03-03T19:19:00.006-05:00

i didn't even get a chance to tell you about my glorious Friday past!!!

During our lunch break, my friends Lise and Laurie (two lovely ladies I intern with at Rubenstein) and I decided to take an adventure into the unknown.

We went to Times Square.

We found an inflatable colon.

The ASGE ( American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy) had a large, inflatable pink colon in Times Square until 3 pm last Friday. It was 8 ft tall and 20 feet in length. We approached with caution. We entered the colon...and was slightly disappointed. I was able to compare moderate colon cancer with severe colon cancer. We received blue rubber bracelets saying "Colorectal Cancer: Preventable. Treatable. Beatable!" I had the English version - Laurie and Lise both had it in Espanol.

We found a naked cowboy.

This was my first experience with the Naked Cowboy of Times Square --- and was surprised about how friendly he was. Did YOU know that he has a website with merch? A kind, artistic looking fellow took pictures for us. Whoever you are artistic lad, thank you for the hilarious photos.

After work, Lise and I headed to the J. Cacciola Gallery on West 27th and were joined by Tiel, Steph, and Nick. An exhibition was opening called drawing/not drawing with works by Danielle Frankenthal, Hollis Heichemer, and Ron Kingswood. Friday nights are great on that stretch of avenue between 11th and 12th with all the exhibit openings you are sure to stumble upon. Some skeeves from LA happened to stumble upon my friend Steph and I, but we prevailed - no worries.

This was my favorite by Hollis Heichemer "Barefoot beachcomber" 22" x 80-1/2", Oil on Mylar on Board

Afterwards we moved to Brooklyn for my dear friend Anna's birthday at Fette Sau, off of North 3rd and Metropolitan in Williamsburg. You walk through the door and are welcomed by a whiff of the most mouth watering barbecue (keep in mind I used to be vegetarian and it is still delicious to me). As cheesy as it sounds, spending a few hours there was the typical night you would hope for on a cold wintry Friday night - many friends (some I haven't seen in months), beer flowing, a place that seems to avoid the pretentiousness that can come from being located in Williamsburg.

twas a glorious Friday night, and the reason I couldn't share it sooner was due to my life as the typical overworked college student. Every week the same; nodding off in classes, waking up early to cram in extra studying, late nights at the laptop...and then we wake up and realize.....oh my god.....it's Friday again.

(saturday I always wake up after only three hours of sleep and work a full day at LICM. reminds me of this song. again, for your listening pleasure: Amy McDonald's "This Is The Life".)

how'd i get here?

2009-03-02T20:07:00.004-05:00

my snow day was used productively: discovered two watch worthy shows by way of hulu.com:

Dollhouse - something to quench the thirst i have had since buffy ended (same writer and everything)

Chuck - best soundtrack of any comedy series hands down. hot chip, pop levi, talking heads, cake...all were heard as I spent 3 hours + watching past episodes. also appearances with jenny mccarthy, nicole ritchie, and that boy meets world kid. lame? - i think not

My dear friend Christina shared this with me tonight:

Litany in Which Certain Things Are Crossed Out

by Richard Siken

Every morning the maple leaves.

Every morning another chapter where the hero shifts

from one foot to the other. Every morning the same big

and little words all spelling out desire, all spelling out

You will be alone always and then you will die.

So maybe I wanted to give you something more than a catalog

of non-definitive acts,

something other than the desperation.

Dear So-and-So, I'm sorry I couldn't come to your party.

Dear So-and-So, I'm sorry I came to your party

and seduced you

and left you bruised and ruined, you poor sad thing.

Your want a better story. Who wouldn't?

A forest, then. Beautiful trees. And a lady singing.

Love on the water, love underwater, love, love and so on.

What a sweet lady. Sing lady, sing! Of course, she wakes the dragon.

Love always wakes the dragon and suddenly

flames everywhere.

I can tell already you think I'm the dragon,

that would be so like me, but I'm not. I'm not the dragon.

I'm not the princess either.

Who am I? I'm just a writer. I write things down.

I walk through your dreams and invent the future. Sure,

I sink the boat of love, but that comes later. And yes, I swallow

glass, but that comes later.

And the part where I push you

flush against the wall and every part of your body rubs against the bricks,

shut up

I'm getting to it.

For a while I thought I was the dragon.

I guess I can tell you that now. And, for a while, I thought I was

the princess,

cotton candy pink, sitting there in my room, in the tower of the castle,

young and beautiful and in love and waiting for you with

confidence

but the princess looks into her mirror and only sees the princess,

while I'm out here, slogging through the mud, breathing fire,

and getting stabbed to death.

Okay, so I'm the dragon. Bid deal.

You still get to be the hero.

You get the magic gloves! A fish that talks! You get eyes like flashlights!

What more do you want?

I make you pancakes, I take you hunting, I talk to you as if you're

really there.

Are you there, sweetheart? Do you know me? Is this microphone live?

Let me do it right for once,

for the record, let me make a thing of cream and stars that becomes,

you know the story, simply heaven.

Inside your head you hear a phone ringing

and when you open your eyes

only a clearing with deer in it. Hello deer.

Inside your head the sound of glass,

a car crash sound as the trucks roll over and explode in slow motion.

Hello darling, sorry about that.

Sorry about the bony elbows, sorry we

lived here, sorry about the scene at the bottom of the stairwell

and how I ruined everything by saying it out loud.

Especially that, but I should have known.

You see, I take the parts that I remember and stitch them back together

to make a creature that will do what I say

or love me back.

I'm not really sure why I do it, but in this version you are not

feeding yourself to a bad man

against a black sky prickled with small lights.

I take it back.

The wooden halls likes caskets. These terms from the lower depths.

I take them back.

Here is the repeated image of the lover destroyed.

Crossed out.

Clumsy hands in a dark room. Crossed out. There is something

underneath the floorboards.

Crossed out. And here is the tabernacle

reconstructed.

Here is the part where everyone was happy all the time and we were all

forgiven,

even though we didn't deserve it.

Inside your head you hear

a phone ringing, and when you open your eyes you're washing up

in a stranger's bathroom,

standing by the window in a yellow towel, only twenty minutes away

from the dirtiest thing you know.

All the rooms of the castle except this one, says someone, and suddenly

darkness,

suddenly only darkness.

In the living room, in the broken yard,

in the back of the car as the lights go by. In the airport

bathroom's gurgle and flush, bathed in a pharmacy of

unnatural light,

my hands looking weird, my face weird, my feet too far away.

And the the airplane, the window seat over the wing with a view

of the wing and a little foil bag of peanuts.

I arrived in the city and you met me at the station,

smiling in a way

that made me frightened. Down the alley, around the arcade,

up the stairs of the building

to the little room with the broken faucets, your drawings, all your things,

I looked out the window and said

This doesn't look that much different from home,

because it didn't,

but then I noticed the black sky and all those lights.

We walked through the house to the elevated train.

All these buildings, all that glass and the shiny beautiful

mechanical wind.

We were inside the train car when I started to cry. You were crying too,

smiling and crying in a way that made me

even more hysterical. You said I could have anything I wanted, but I

just couldn't say it out loud.

Actually, you said Love, for you,

is larger than the usual romantic love. It's like a religion. It's

terrifying. No one

will ever want to sleep with you.

Okay, if you're so great, you do it—

here's the pencil, make it work . . .

If the window is on your right, you are in your own bed. If the window

is over your heart, and it is painted shut, then we are breathing

river water.

Build me a city and call it Jerusalem. Build me another and call it

Jerusalem.

We have come back from Jerusalem where we found not

what we sought, so do it over, give me another version,

a different room, another hallway, the kitchen painted over

and over,

another bowl of soup.

The entire history of human desire takes about seventy minutes to tell.

Unfortunately, we don't have that kind of time.

Forget the dragon,

leave the gun on the table, this has nothing to do with happiness.

Let's jump ahead to the moment of epiphany,

in gold light, as the camera pans to where

the action is,

lakeside and backlit, and it all falls into frame, close enough to see

the blue rings of my eyes as I say

something ugly.

I never liked that ending either. More love streaming out the wrong way,

and I don't want to be the kind that says the wrong way.

But it doesn't work, these erasures, this constant refolding of the pleats.

There were some nice parts, sure,

all lemondrop and mellonball, laughing in silk pajamas

and the grains of sugar

on the toast, love love or whatever, take a number. I'm sorry

it's such a lousy story.

Dear Forgiveness, you know that recently

we have had our difficulties and there are many things

I want to ask you.

I tried that one time, high school, second lunch, and then again,

years later, in the chlorinated pool.

I am still talking to you about help. I still do not have

these luxuries.

I have told you where I'm coming from, so put it together.

We clutch our bellies and roll on the floor . . .

When I say this, it should mean laughter,

not poison.

I want more applesauce. I want more seats reserved for heroes.

Dear Forgiveness, I saved a plate for you.

Quit milling around the yard and come inside.

Yeah yeah yeah yeah...

2009-02-24T22:58:00.001-05:00

Here's the playlist for tonight's Airwave on WRHU 88.7FM Artist	Song
Gospel Claws	Don't Let It Die
Arctic Monkeys	Leave Before the Lights Come On
Cosmic Starfish	Don't Give Up
Nada Surf	Where Is My Mind?
The Juliana Theory	Musicbox Superhero
Fol Chen	No Wedding Cake
Various Artists	Lovesong
M.I.A.	Paper Planes (DFA Remix)
Shout Out Louds	Hurry Up Let's Go
Charles Spearin	Anna
Myka 9	To The Sky
Dragon Fli Empire	Fast Break
Shy Child	Kick Drum (feat. Spank Rock)
el Goodo	Feel So Fine
The Honorary Title	Stuck at Sea
A.C. Newman	Like A Hitman, Like A Dancer
Interpol	P.D.A.
Talking Heads	Life During Wartime
Vampire Weekend	A-Punk
Pavement	Roll With the Wind
Natalie Portman's Shaved Head	Slow Motion Tag Team
Dan Auerbach	The Prowl
Reel Big Fish	Gigantic
Golden Boots	Knife
Portugal the Man	Shade
Bright Eyes	We Are Nowhere and It's Now
Titus Andronicus	Fear and Loathing in Mahwah, NJ
Spiral Beach	Kind of Beast
Pixies	Hey
Hot Panda	Cold Hands/Chapped Lips

Look at me!

2009-02-24T10:10:00.002-05:00

I'm currently in the computer lab in Calkins trying to force this guy who was in one of my drawing classes two years ago to look at me.

Another reason to love my recently created igoogle: the featured video today on Youtube was Fol Chen's "Cable TV". Just last night I added a few tracks from them into the Airwave format. (Listen tonight at 9 pm Eastern @ wrhu.org or 88.7FM in the New York area)

In today's New York Times there is an article about Kindle, another electronic book reading tablet. As a traditionalist and avid book worm, it smarts when new technology replaces what I am used to - a physical old fashioned book in your hand. I can't help but admit how cool the Kindle sounds though. The screen makes the pages appear authentic, and downloading books is cheaper than buying the hard copy (NY Times bestsellers around $10, older books between $3 and 6$). However, Pogue does make the point that traditional books could never be replaced: "you can't pass on or sell an e-book after you've read it." Yet again, as far as technology will take us and threaten the replacement of favorite pasttimes, traditionalists will always stick around - and you can never beat a classic.

oh yeah --- i got a wave and a hi.

A Few of My Favorite Things

2009-02-18T10:00:00.009-05:00

It's a Monday night and I'm already flustered from this week.
In times of crisis I make a list of my favorite things. I'm also breaking one of my personal rules about not blogging about things that are not current.

Forgive me?

Last week my friend Sara Knee , an Airwave DJ and digital media extraordinaire, live Twittered while doing her slot for Airwave. It was a success, getting transcontinental requests, more followers for herself, and gaining more listeners for WRHU.org. I wonder if this is the possible answer of how to get people to start listening to Airwave again; bringing the concept of the college radio station together with today's obsession with social media and all things internet.
BTW - my slot for Airwave is tomorrow night. Be sure to listen from 9-11 PM Eastern Time at WRHU.org. Let's do an experiment: feel free to Tweet me with requests. Remember my_name_is_reb

I've come full circle where clothing I bought two years ago belong in the trash. I've come full circle - I am an adult (sort of) and cannot wear Target clothing forever. I have been searching for some new and interesting finds and here it is: Modcloth. They boast to carry "indie" and "vintage" clothing but at prices I could agree with.

Some Favorites:

Who knows who Poster Boy really is. The link is an interview with

Henry Matyjewicz, the man who was arrested for being Poster Boy. He claims he is one man in an movement...but who really knows the truth? Or wants to know? Isn't mystery half the fun?

All I know is that I go for the artistic type and rebels without causes. I haven't seen an actually peice of work in subways but I have seen where he has taken out parts of ads.

And finally, discoverd by myself on thesixtyone, Lady Danville, a Los Angeles based band that is absolutely precious with Michael, a 9th grade math teacher, Dan, a financial analyst and graduate student, and Matt, an actor. The song, Sophie Roux, I fell in love with at first listen.

and you're you

2009-02-16T20:35:00.002-05:00

I stopped by WRHU tonight to do my weekly charting and ran into Steve, who is now the sole DJ for "Ska Show" in Studio South. It prompted a conversation about the station itself and the fear of more news programs being included in the format and Airwave and other music shows facing extinction. There has also been much talk about how the "music kids" of the station feel like outcasts. My theory is that the "music kids" have nothing to collaborate on. The staff who work on Morning Show and Newsline work together to research, report, and deliver award-winning newscasts. The Sports Department works tirelessly to bring forth talented announcers. Through these projects, there is a camaraderie between all those staff members which "music kids" are lacking.

My hope is to propose (for a second time) a music news show dedicated to talking about today's music and where the industry is leading. As producer of Airwave, I know it is a show worth being listened to. The difficult question is how you get college students to listen to radio again, period. The music industry is changing and the discussion over it has gotten old. Everyone knows the majority of today's music is downloaded and music is listened to by peers' suggestions and through word of mouth. The "word of mouth" tactic is much more effective than pushing something on audiences on a daily basis (i.e. Top 40). As much of a fan I am of digital media and the boundless opportunities with the Internet, I still want to have my two hours a week, wearing my headphones and playing music.

What is the answer?

Speaking of being thrown for a loop by the boundlessness of the Internet, The role of the librarian is changing for all you bookworms. Instead of simply shelving books, librarians are teaching school children how to do research and find correct information (via the Internet). They also teach children how to create Powerpoints and the like.

If a career such as that of a librarian can adjust to this ever evolving world of Web 2.0, will others?

Other exciting news - Neko Case was interviewed for this week's T Magazine. I was only about a page through when I fell asleep last night, but I was pleased nonetheless for an indie artist to make it to a prominent publication.

Then I thought - is that what I want? To have "best kept secrets" shared with the rest of the world?

I was livid when Kanye West used the bit from Daft Punk's "Harder Better Faster Stronger".

There is that great feeling of discovery when finding some great new music/art/designer/restaurant/bar/website/athlete that makes one feel hesitant to share with anyone else.

Or should we think more along the lines of "good for you!" when new music/art/designer/restaurant/bar/website/athlete gets more recognition?

the opportunities are endless for all walks of life in Australia

2009-02-15T21:22:00.003-05:00

Friday I had to go to an event for the Times Square Alliance. Gage/Celemenceau Architects presented a sculpture to Times Square, a "valentine". Zales also sponsored a contest where five couples had to profess their love to one another. The couple who professed the best received a 2 carat diamond ring. Not bad. My job was to spot anyone with a camera who vaguely resembled some one from "the media". Towards the end of last week, New York experienced turbulent winds and Friday was no exception. I was standing outside for about two hours, lost feeling in my baby toes, but oh how it warmed my heart so hearing all the poems and songs about love. In my head I couldn't help thinking about how it was technically only the 13th.

The sculpture will be on display on Duffy Square until February 22.

What do you think of it's beauty?

My friend Mike and I were discussing what boundless opportunities were before us if we graduated from college and DIDN'T find a job right away in NYC. One option was Australia. I like sunshine. This discussion prompted another about the third best band in the world - The Kinks.

walking on air

2009-02-12T10:54:00.003-05:00

I am an FA minor.
I like drawing.
I would like to get better.
That is why I am taking a figure drawing class and see nude models at 9 am every Tuesday and Thursday. If that wouldn't wake you up, I'm not sure what will.

As I was sitting this morning drawing our male nude model with a fantastic handlebar mustache, my teacher talks about the female model from Tuesday who had a belly chain. The nude model then asked her name, giving the impression that they must have run into each other at some point.

which made me wonder - is there a nude model coalition where people converse together about having a job that others would have a phobia about? A quick google search confirmed that yes, there are nude model unions but most studios and classes don't want them.

***************************

I have been missing Italy for a few days now, primarily because I miss MTV Italia (they actually PLAY music videos!). There were a few top hits that I must bring to America.

The first is Amy MacDonald's "This Is the Life" that makes me recall the question on every commuter's mind when they go out in NYC "where am I going to crash tonight?"

the second is not for the faint of heart. Kerli's "Walking On Air" always transports me to some warped version of Alice in Wonderland or Dollhouse. I apologize for the quality of the video. The original has been taken down by Youtube so I'm left with a ringtone commercial. I am still trying to decipher the video. Anyone want to help out?

I'm on standby

2009-02-11T22:56:00.003-05:00

David Binkowski, SVP of Word of Mouth Marketing for MS & L Worldwide, spoke at Hofstra University's Monroe lecture hall tonight as part of a special speaker event series. The event was organized by HAMA and PRSSA as a way to educate students about not only to acknowledge social media, but how to utilize it to further their careers.

For myself, every point that Binkowski made only validated what I have been wondering all week: "where am I actually going with all this?" I have been programed since birth to follow the right path: to be in these clubs, to read about this, to learn about this, basically following what others have recommended. As I was sitting at Rubenstein today, staring at the same master circulation list, it dawned on me: for the first time, there is no set path to follow. I have to carve out my own way, but somehow I can't limit myself to following just one passion.

I felt I could relate to Binkowski when he said he enjoyed working and that there is great value in investing in yourself. Therefore, ladies and gentleman, solves the query I have had for years: that while I feel like my time in college isn't spent doing typical "college activities", the things I do invest my time and energy in will pay off in the end. As Binkowski said "everyone has 24 hours a day" and it's up to the individual to use those 24 hours to their advantage.

I also appreciate the point he made that with all the good that social media does, it "can't replace face-to-face". The way I see it, I'm both the introvert and extrovert. I find myself in "thinking spells" and would rather absorb and observe. I'm shy initially when approaching people for the first time; I prefer sharing information with others by communicating through writing/print/online (however you would like to view it). The Midwestern Mentality I find in myself (must I always remind everyone my parents were born and raised in SD?) is overly friendly, outgoing, personable, kind, and would bend over backwards for people. There is a way to balance both and cover all forms of networking.

After much teasing, I no longer bring my terrible Staples-printed, business card monstrosities to networking events. I had to resort to writing my info on a piece of pink paper from my Lisa Frank notebook to give to Binkowski. An internship at MS & L this summer would be ideal; I need to be pushed to learn more and invest in learning more skill sets. Hopefully it all works out. Hopefully he doesn't think less of me that my twitter username was written on a piece of pink paper. Binkowski said generation y has nothing to lose and therefore we can take more risks. I took the risk of coming off as a 12 year old girl.

It runs in the family

2009-02-10T23:01:00.003-05:00

Went to "Shake It!", my friend Pamela's belly dancing club tonight. My tummy hurts and I am not mentally prepared to think out the logistics of the proper pelvic roll.

DJed for Airwave tonight, still have producer responsibilities to handle. Thankfully enough I can walk into Rubenstein at 10 am tomorrow morning. Small miracles.

Artist	Song
Gospel Claws	Don't Let It Die
The Decemberists	I'm Sticking With You (Velvet Underground Cover)
Cotton Jones	Gotta Cheer Up
Myka 9	To The Sky
Blue Giant	Blue Sunshine
Spiral Beach	Made of Stone
Francois Virot	Not the One
Kinetic Stereokids	Have A Nice Day
Ladyhawke	Magic
Howlies	Smoke
Los Campesinos!	The End of the Asterisk
Pavement	Stereo
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart	Come Saturday
Hot Panda	Cold Hands/Chapped Lips
Nickel Eye	Dying Star
Kyle Andrews	Sushi
Charles Spearin	Anna
Golden Boots	Easy Lie
Killola	Strung Out On Sunshine
Matt & Kim	Daylight
Black Peter Group	Kamikaze Kid
A.C. Newman	Submarines of Stockholm
Gangi	Subject Position
Miniature Tigers	The Wolf
Thao	Beat (Health, Life and Fire)
Portugal, the Man	Lay Me Back Down
Shy Child	Kick Drum (feat. Spank Rock)
!!!	All My Heroes Weirdoes
Amanda Palmer	Runs In the Family

"I love eating locusts, it gets me high"

2009-02-10T16:36:00.002-05:00

I acknowledge there is cultural confusion and barriers we must live with. My French teacher for this semester is eccentric and loud and has invented her own version of a French accent. This means of course that she is amazing and worth listening to.

However, today while reviewing the verb "faire" (to do), she pauses and tells us this story:

"When I was a little girl in France, I used to love cooking locusts. You call them grasshoppers. I would take my bed sheet and tie the corners to make a pouch. I would then run run run outside and catch all the locusts since they are so low. Then, I would go and boil a large pot, like for lobster, with water and a little salt. Then I would quickly quickly quickly pour all the locusts and put the lid on! For they like to jump OUT. After five minutes I would take all the greasy locusts under a tree. I eat them like you would eat french fries. First you pull off the part of the legs below the knees, for I do not like for them to get stuck in my teeth. Then I would pull of the wings for they do not taste good. Then the antennas I would pull out for I do not like them to get stuck in my teeth. And then, in they go. They are delicious. I am always so sad because at Jones Beach they are too skinny and I can never catch enough."

A girl raises her hand innocently and asks "You do know that's illegal..."

"What? I do not want to break the law!"

"No, they are an endangered species."

"Oh no...."

The girl raises her hand again and asks "Is this something normal in traditional French culture or just a personal preference?"

"Oh, you do not know what you are missing."

That was my day so far.

25 random and obscure things (because everyone else is doing it)

2009-02-10T01:08:00.004-05:00

2009 as of far has been eventful - to say the least - and I rarely have time to catch a breath. Between being in Italy during the month of January, starting my internship at Rubenstein, fulfilling duties as Airwave Producer for WRHU, thinking of new ways to develop and promote PRestige Agency, being PR coordinator for FORM, drawing naked people every Tuesday and Thursday morning, working at LICM, and trying to get a life.......just looking at the laundry list frightens me so.

But I always somehow have time for Facebook and judging how popular I am based on wall posts. The trend as of now is to list 25 random things about yourself - frankly, I tried to do that last week and I couldn't limit it to only 25.

Now is my chance to start blogging regularly again and maybe have people read this regularly as well and the only way to do it is to create a complete picture of myself with another LAUNDRY list of both important/unimportant and interesting/boring tidbits about myself.

1. I secretly love Prince, the movie Purple Rain, and the song Little Red Corvette
2. I'm self conscious about my smile, so I just make faces for every occasion
3. More than once I have gotten the impression that my male professors have crushes on me. Everyone in my CL 150 class last spring would agree with me.
4. Some people would go as far as say I'm interesting, while I really think I'm a big dork who loves Prince.
5. I hate living by myself. I like being around the company of others. The only time I like living alone is when I dance by myself in my room. Which happens sometimes. Very often. Nightly.
6. In all honesty, when people tell me I'm very good at something, there is a small part of me that thinks "yes, I know"
7. I always buy books but never get a chance to read them.
8. My goal in life is honestly just to live well and be happy.
9. People sometimes think when I'm quiet I have nothing to say. I actually have a long running inner dialogue with myself, often about the people around me, that I probably shouldn't say.
10. I believe in falling in love at first sight. I usually invent a story about some one that I hope is true. Then I will actually talk to them and even if it doesn't quite match up, I still believe in the story.
11. No matter how old I get, I still always feel and act like an awkward twelve year old girl. I confirm this often with everyday life.
12. I can't say no to anyone. Ever. I would never want to cause some one unhappiness.
13. I have a phobia about people in full costume. When Kate & Willy are around, I have to look away and walk in the opposite direction.
14. I love James Dean and the idea of Sid Nancy. I know a guy who seems like a combination of both, but because of #11, I have little hope anything will happen.
15. I am finally old enough to admit that my parents are pretty amazing people and I wouldn't change a thing about them.
16. I wish I could have studied a more scholarly field; actually, I just want any excuse to become a college professor and be the epitome of bookishness.
17. I always wanted to be a rock star. I think I have the attitude for it.
18. I decided there are two types of people in this world: people who are waitresses/waiters and people who bar tend. To wait on people shows great humility. To serve drinks at a bar as a female requires stubbornness and sass. Guess which group I think I belong in.
19. I am anxious for the day that I will date a guy who will teach me to love football.
20. I was so sad when my skull earring broke over Christmas. It felt like a part of me died.
21. I really want to go to Japan. and the Bronx zoo.
22. I need to have at least three pens with me at all times or I have a slight panic attack.
23. I am insanely good at typing. people have commented. and i thought "yes, i know"
24. I was dead set to convert to Judaism when I was fourteen.
25. I miss watching cartoons on Saturday mornings

I promise there is better to come...

back from travels abroad

2009-01-27T22:24:00.003-05:00

it's been my second day back in the states. jet lag has been kind to me; i just want to sleep around 10 and 11 each night - as the average person should - but the average college student definitely should not. i uploaded my pictures today from Italy - there are over 700. it may take a bit to find the patience to upload them to facebook and this blog.

i started yesterday at Rubenstein and somehow was only mildly awkward.

tonight was my first Airwave show of the semester. sara (old producer) stuck around a bit for moral support.

CONCERT CALENDAR:

Wed 1/28 9:30 PM

Cold War Kids = Mercury Lounge 21+ $22

Thu 1/29 7:00 PM

Kings of Leon = Madison Square Garden All Ages $44.50

Fri 1/30 8:00 PM

Dan Deacon, Thank You, Future Islands, Secret Guests, These Are Powers, USAISAMONSTER = Danbro Brewery Warehouse (Bklyn vs. B-more Battle Marathon) All Ages $3

(hopefully going to this show with steph and sara)

The Pretenders = Roseland Ballroom All Ages $49.50

Apes & Androids, The Phenomenal Handclap Band, Bonnie Baxter = Music Hall of Williamsburg 18+ $15

Sat 1/31 11:00 PM

The Thermals, Pretty & Nice = The Bell House 21+ $14

Mon 2/02 7:00 PM

Lykke Li = Webster Hall 18+ $22a/$25d

PLAYLIST

Artist	Song Title	Album	C/A
The Decemberists	I'm Sticking With You (Velvet Underground Cover	Always the Bridesmaid: A Single Series	C
Matt & Kim	Don't Slow Down	Grand	C
Land of Talk	Some Are Lakes	Some Are Lakes	A
MGMT	Kids	American Teen Soundtrack	A
Arctic Monkeys	Brainstorm	Favourite Worst Nightmare	A
Charles Spearin	Anna	The Happiness Project	C
My Dear Disco	For Your Love	Dancethink LP	C
Gangi	Subject Position	A	C
Joy Zipper	Just Like Heaven	Just Like Heaven	C
The Mae Shi	Party Politics	Hillyh	A
Howlies	Angeline	Trippin' With Howlies	C
Pavement	Shady Lane/ J vs. S	Brighten the Corner: Nicene Creedence Edition	C
A.C. Newman	Submarines of Stockholm	Get Guilty	C
Ladyhawke	Magic	Ladyhawke	C
Her Space Holiday	The New Kid Revival	XOXO Panda and the New Kid Revival	A
Golden Boots	Easy Lie	Winter of Our Discotheque	C
Titus Andronicus	Fear and Loathing in Mahwah, NJ	The Airing of Grievances	C
Thao	Beat (Health, Life, and Fire)	We Brave Bee Stings and All	A
Dan Auerbach	I Want Some More	Keep It Hid	C
Kinetic Stereokids	Have A Nice Day	Have A Nice Day EP	C
Crystal Castles	Crimewave (Crystal Castle vs. Health)	S/T	A
The Cure	The End of the World	The Cure	A
Lonely, Dear	Distant	Dear John	C
Cotton Jones	Up A Tree (When This Heart I Have)	Paranoid Cocoon	C
Los Campesinos!	All Your Keyfabe Friends	We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed	C
Dragon Fli Empire	Fast Break	Redefine	C
Francoise Virot	Island	Yes or No	C
Lights On	John and Anne	Waiting for the Heart to Beat	C
Black Lips	It Feels Alright	Good Bad Not Evil	A
Natalie Portman's Shaved Head	Slow Motion Tag Team	Glistening Pleasure	A

Holiday Break Woes

2008-12-28T18:26:00.003-05:00

I find when I come home I lose all track of time - a sort of vacuum in the sales tax free state. I had no idea Christmas eve was Christmas eve the day of, but I have to pat myself on the back for spending only one hour shopping for my entire family at one store. the gifts were stellar if I do say so myself - antique jewelry for my sisters and my mom and an antique Kodak pocket camera for Dad

While in the vacuum, I feel cut off from the outside world. you never realize how dependent you are on Hofstra's free subscription of the NYT's until you are without it. All I do when boredom hits inside the vacuum is make lists.

Never
- watch Will Smith's I Am Legend at night in the dark by yourself.
- get sucked into the same chick flick on HBO all weekend (P.S. I Love You - I HATE YOU FOR MAKING ME CRY!)
- forget I do NOT watch football. I'm waiting for the right guy to come along and only then will I feel obligated to watch football for hours on Sunday afternoons.
Books to Ready Before Going to Italy :
Let's Go Italy 2009
The Ugly American
Rick Steve's Best of Europe 2009
1984 (it's been 6 months since I started)

"Top Albums of the Year" (according to Pitchfork) I need to acquire:
The Walkmen - You & Me
Portishead - Third
Gang Gang Dance - Saint Dymphna (if you have never seen them live it's an out-of-body experience)

Top Places to See People from My High School Whilst At Home:
Borders Books & Music
Church
Anywhere on Main Street in Newark

favorite christmas song ever

2008-12-23T10:18:00.002-05:00

............too bad this was the only video available on youtube. consider it an homage to the way American suburbia celebrates the holidays

semi-babe

2008-12-20T00:59:00.004-05:00

insomnia is lame.
apologies for the lack of entries the past few weeks - very lame on my part.
the end of the semester kind of spiraled out of control, what with finals and wrapping up last minute meetings to plan next semester. I'll only have a few weeks and the craziness will enfold again (sigh).

I've been home in my sleepy small town and comfortably content for roughly 30 hours. I left behind in NY my cell phone, an unpaid parking ticket, and the strenuous but exciting life I've gotten used to for the past few years.

I was in the room that has been mine since I was born just now and was laying there (what else) thinking. I thought "for over the past 20 years, no matter how much I think I have evolved to be the person I think want to become, I always end up coming back here - and I'm twelve again listening to music and reading late in the night. I'm still imagining the story some stranger might have that is different from my own."

Maybe it's because I never officially moved before (save going to college), but now I feel in limbo of not quite having a place to call my own. My room at home isn't mine - the closet is empty and the library incomplete. The jail cell of a dorm room on LI will never be fully mine - the walls are eggshell and the floors tiled and there is nowhere near the amount of space my turntable deserves. The place I truly want to call mine IS visible on a daily basis - the view of the NY skyline from my window.

I'm in layover. But normally I don't mind a delayed flight.

This weekend I'm going to Baltimore to act as maid and jester for my sister who broke her foot.

It doesn't feel like Christmas - despite the fact my family actually has our decorations up a week beforehand.

Everyone is doing end of the year "Top Albums List"s for 2008. I'm giving my list of sixteen random albums which came out this year and had some sort of impact. All I recommend for your listening pleasure:

In no order

Born Ruffians - Red, Yellow, and Blue
Foals - Antidotes
Girl Talk - Feed the Animals
Hot Chip - Made In the Dark
Thao - We Brave Bee Stings and All

Deerhoof - Offend Maggie
The Black Keys - Attack and Release
Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
Dr. Dog - Fate
Santagold - Santagold

Portugal, The Man - Censored Colors
Hot Lava - Lavology
Islands - Arm's Way
Bon Iver - For Emma
Land of Talk - Some Are Lakes

Drop the Phone

2008-12-11T23:03:00.001-05:00

I wanna go to:

Thu 12/18
9:00 PM

The Rapture (DJ Set), Andrew W.K. (DJ Set), Gang Gang Dance (DJ Set), Spencer Sweeney (DJ Set), Eamon Harkin (DJ Set)

Santos Party House (Free admission with toy donation)21+freeInvite A

last Airwave playlist for the year.

2008-12-11T22:55:00.003-05:00

Pshhh --- new WRHU Airwave Producer for 2009!

Hear is the final playlist as a mere DJ!

artist	song	album	A/C
Ladytron	Ghosts	Ghosts	A
Her Space Holiday	Sleepy Tigers	Sleepy Tigers EP	C
Hello Operator	Chasing Satellites	The Breaks	C
The Decemberists	I'm Sticking With You (Velvet Underground Cover)	Always the Bridesmaid: A Single Series	C
Black Lips	Off the Block	Good Bad Not Evil	A
Amanda Palmer	Runs In The Family	Who Killed Amanda Palmer?	A
Portugal. The Man	Lay Me Back Down	Censored Colors	A
Land of Talk	Some Are Lakes	Some Are Lakes	C
Hot Lava	Blue Dragon	Lavology	C
Yelle	JeVeux Te Voir	Pop Up	A
Thao	Beat (Health, Life and Fire)	We Brave Bee Stings and All	A
Be Your Own Pet	Wildcat!	Be Your Own Pet	A
Sally Shapiro	Anorak Christmas (Piano Mix)	I'll Stay Till After Christmas Compilation (Force Field)	C
Jay Reatard	An Ugly Death	Final Boss	C
Belle & Sebastian	Sleep Around the Clock	The BBC Recordings	C
State Shirt	Time to Go	This Is Old	C
The Pipettes	It Hurts to See You Dance So Well	We Are the Pipettes	A
Natalie Portman's Shaved Head	Slow Motion Tag Team	Glistening Pleasure	A
Miniature Tigers	The Wolf	Tell It To The Wolf	A
Deerhoof	Offend Maggie	Offend Maggie	C
Boy Eats Drum Machine	Plants + Stars	Booomboxxx	C
Gangi	Subject Position	A	C
Les Savy Fav	The Equestrian	Let's Stay Friends	A
Peachcake	Did I Just Do That, Or Was It Jim Carey?	What Year Will You Have the World?	C
Times New Viking	Call And Respond	Stay Awake EP	C
Japanese Motors	Coors Lite	Japanese Motors	C
Women	Black Rice	Women	C
Megapuss	Theme From Hollywood	Surfing	C
The Blood Brothers	USA Nails	Burn Piano Island Burn	A
Religious Knives	Basement Watch	The Doors	C
Los Campesinos!	The End of the Asterick	We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed	C
Larytta	Money For Pizza	Difficult Fun	C
Islands	Creeper	Arm's Way	A
Shy Child	Kick Drum (feat. Spank Rock)	Noise Won't Stop	A

success success

2008-12-04T22:03:00.004-05:00

this week has been ridiculous. leaves little time for blogging. here are some bullet points.

spent late Tuesday night watching the uncut director's version of Factory Girl on Youtube. (here is part 1) Much better than the original and was actually impressed with Sienna Miller. Originally tried to watch it on surfthechannel but twas much too slow.
thinking about a second minor in art history. this means rethinking the associates degree for HUHC, probably having to take six classes for at least one semester, maybe taking a summer course, and basically driving myself crazy. this is also on top of WRHU, LICM, internships, PREstige and PRSSA, FORM, and trying to maintain a shred of humanity. However, if I don't do it, there is the almost definite possibility of regretting it for the rest of my life. When I imagine myself in the future, it's not the high powered executive. It's a culturally aware, interesting, intelligent person who maintains a satisfied and pleasant life. I look forward to the time when I can reclaim Sundays again - not having to work or do mass amounts of studying, but just read the paper in bed and drink coffee. An art history minor would open doors, leading me along a path I want to take for my career and life. I know it's not practical, I really don't want to be. This is the worst thing to happen right now - causing more worrying for an already constant worrier.

opened this week's edition of The (Hofstra) Chronicle . In the features section is a full page article about Destination Runway by Liana Satenstein - including a quote from myself. Also, I know that the Media Alert I sent was used - all the information I provided about the charity was in it! It was a beautifully written article and seeing it actually boosted my spirits - to see that my work actually paid off was very reassuring. I go back and forth about whether I will help out again next year - but we shall see.
had a glorious food shopping experience yesterday. spent $8 at the Uniondale Supermarket and got lots of yummy protein filled vegetables.
took Jarvis Cocker album from WRHU - thoroughly enjoying it, I must say.
this is the last weekend in the city for me this semester - two friends are having birthdays and I plan to enjoy myself and try to not think of troubles.
Just realized in exactly one month I will be in Venice. GAHHHHHH

is this the real life?

2008-12-02T00:45:00.003-05:00

First off - look at another great outfit I put together today (vanity at it's worst)

Tonight I went to "Art of Healing, Healing Through Art" held in Adams Playhouse at Hofstra University. At the last minute I volunteered to loan two of my drawings for a gallery they held in the basement. They are two drawings of hands done with charcoal and oil pastel. They didn't quite go with the theme of the event but eh, what can you do.

I have to say first off that the performances this year were amazing. I was surprised to see Jackie Hlavenka of The Chronicle sing Neil Young's "After the Gold Rush" and she was fantastic! (it also was inspiring - here was an example of some one who is ambitious with their career and area of study, yet still utilizes their creative talent)

Another girl, Jade Keena, read an original poem called "Girls" which caused her to pause twice due to the emotion she felt. The poem itself was both meaningful and humorous at times and I really want a copy of it (hint hint).

Members of the Groove, a creative club at Hofstra that serves to bring together all forms of talented performers and artists, also performed various music and dance numbers.

The final performance was "Seasons of Love" by Masquerade, a musical theatre group here at Hofstra University. It was good - though I'm somewhat scarred because of that song. When RENT came out as a movie, my high school chorus, among many others, sang our own personal rendition that was TERRIBLE. It's one of those embarrassing instances where the memory haunts your dreams but you are still proud of the fact you had the balls to do it in the first place.

everything looks different in the light

2008-11-28T16:17:00.003-05:00

I wish everyone was as lucky as I. The drive to my house in DE is the perfect length for the perfect solo sing-at-the-top-of-your-lungs road trip. The best thing anyone can do when in the need to soul search is put the Ipod in shuffle and sing along with everything. All anyone needs to know is that I sang (on key and everything) the following in full succession without skipping:

Spoon "Someone Something",
Her Space Holiday "Sleepy Tigers",
Less Than Jake "The Science of Selling Yourself Short",
Yeah Yeah Yeahs "Tick",
Yo La Tengo "Mr. Tough",
Hello Goodbye "Shimmy Shimmy Quarter Turn",
Prince "Little Red Corvette",
Jamie Lidell "You Got Me Up".

My name is Reb and now you know all that needs to be known. (thank you last.fm for an accurate playlist)

I plan to write for Buy or Don't Buy about my unacceptable love for Prince.

After the whirlwind of the past few months, it's nice to finally come home for the Thanksgiving holiday and remember what is most important in life: books, music, a sweet turntable buried underneath more books, and pumpkin pie. Whenever I move back to LI for school, I have to leave what's most precious behind: the lovely turntable/stereo/speakers I've acquired (for free) the past few years and my astronomical collection of books.

I also found this beauty in my closet. At the end of my senior year of high school, my friend Liz and I put together "Rock the World" a benefit show with all of our friends' bands to raise money for environmental charities. It was a success - we raised about $1,000. It's now an annual event at our high school and gets larger with every year. It still stands as one of my proudest accomplishments - basically because I brought my passions together with what I was good at.

I got an internship with Rubenstein to work with them on the Tribeca Film Festival. I've been looking forward to it for over a year and it's a step in the right direction. I would rather do public relations work for cultural institutions and events than anything else. One of my biggest fears is as I am evolving into a professional and starting a career, I'll lose the artistic, creative, sub-culture bohemian self. Is it a matter of being corporate 9 to 5 and then in after hours listen to records and long for "the better days" of artistic revolutions and revelations?

I've been watching a lot of Andy Warhol specials and documentaries. He understood marketing, branding, and public relations far more than anyone believes.

you moved to montreal to be closer to france

2008-11-19T01:17:00.006-05:00

I opened a letter from my mom that included the insurance card for the car (not so fun).

However, she did send a card with a thoughtful note including leaves from our backyard.

I started crying and hyperventilating slightly.

Odd reaction, no?

As much as I love being in NY, it's unbelievable how homesick I get for my house and my family.

Thanksgiving couldn't have come at a better time.

Tonight I went to Witches' Brew with Pamela. They had a sign saying they were hiring - I was asked such important questions such as "how long can you stand on your hands?" (not long, I'm tall and have little upper body strength) and "how long can you hold your breath underwater?" (i don't swim, i like to float). I wrote my previous experience on a brown paper bag.

Also picked up a copy of New York Twist Magazine. Very excited to read it - there's an interview with Portugal the Man! If anyone has been keeping up with my playlists from WRHU, I play them too often.

i can't keep quiet any longer

2008-11-18T21:01:00.004-05:00

(positive note: I was searching for an image of an angry little girl after writing this rant of an entry and I discovered "Angry Little Girls" cartoons by Lela Lee. Good does come out of ranting!)

Jim Cameron of Cameron Communications, Inc. spoke tonight at Hofstra in the Cultural Center theater to a bored, apathetic crowd of PR students. I am embarrassed on how barely anyone answered questions nor gave input. Cameron himself kept commenting about how he "was afraid for the next generation" and how we students "need to know what's going on in America".

Tonight just capped off another cycle of my love/hate relationship with PR. Though I did thank Cameron afterwards for giving his time to us, the information he provided only reinforced what I already learned in Chapter 6 of my media relations textbook. I must say it is not Cameron's fault that I had a headache, it was the end of a long day, and earlier I had an awkward verbal discourse with a fellow PR student.

I don't find PR courses difficult; courses in your major shouldn't be if it is something you are meant to do. It blows my mind how PR majors try to pass by with C's in PR 100. It blows my mind how there are 75 members of Hofstra's Chapter of PRSSA and maybe 20 who are actively involved in committees.

All the basics of PR I learned from my mother: always put on an optimistic air, be aproachable and courteous, watch your grammar, follow up and call back right away, keep that hair out of your eyes.

By holding on to your true sense of self - that inner child that won't go away - is what sets you apart from the masses. Therefore, my true self is a middle child who feels they never get enough attention and constantly worries about what others think; a self-proclaimed creative nerd who would like everyone to be her best friend; who though she looks great in corporate wear rather wear the forbidden ripped band shirt and scraggly hair. I have been genetically molded to be a PR person - always seeking attention, wanting to be in the know, hiding in order to keep up appearances.

I will be really pissed if after going through the painful experience of high school, having to enter another sort of popularity contest.

I might be incredibly delusional to "how the real world works" and I may get backlash for not wanting to join the official club of bubbly clueless pr girls who just want another sorority (there are males in the pr industry after all, let alone in our major).

I am tired of apathy overall, and the nasty competitive nature of the PR major at Hofstra. To give some credit, it may just be a bad year. However, I have to admit that I need reaffirmations that this is where I belong.

I also made a snarky comment to Jim Cameron during the lecture. I am a terrible person.

but at least I can find interesting cartoons.

the most interesting part of the weekend lasted 45 minutes

2008-11-16T23:55:00.008-05:00

Before my train back to LI on Friday I was able to duck into the MOMA for a bit. I walked across two exhibitions: Looking at Music and Here is Every: Four Decades of Contemporary Art. Looking At Music looks back at the 1960's and 70's and the connection between music, art, media, and technology. In other words, a reason to show music videos of The Beatles and David Bowie.

Here is Every was an exhibition created out of the MOMA''s personal collection (i.e. economy is terrible = art and museums have to suffer for it). A majority of the works were obviously selected due to how groundbreaking it was when it first appeared. In other words...random. There was a video of a deer and a wolf together...chasing one another?...

I was interested in one work that consisted of hundreds of framed photographs of body parts - all body parts. It took forever to take this picture since many people could not help but stare.

I also get a kick out of how certain art is created in the intention to provide great meaning - yet is interpreted for practical uses. I speak of the girl using the mirror....for a mirror and the little girl that stood by a wooden sculpture and saw a playground.

I also love/hate my habit of taking Myspace inspired photos. Maybe it's due to a need to expose my narcissism.

A girl's needs just don't agree

2008-11-14T10:36:00.004-05:00

i literally woke up from a dream this morning about a buttered chocolate chip muffin. of course i satisfied my dream after French this morning. does this happen to other people?

my sad little LG of two years officially failed me yesterday. it only works when it's charger is plugged in, therefore defeating the purpose of a cellular phone. though I have been planning on buying a blackberry, now is not the time - i need to save for Venice and money has been especially tight this semester. Also, I know nothing about cell phones and need any one's recommendations. I have Verizon Wireless and have been happy with it, therefore the Iphone, Google phone, or Sidekick is not going to work out.

I usually get random friend requests on Facebook. As long as they go to my school and we have similar friends, I honestly see no harm. This morning I was "friended" by this grad student who has a little project called New York Twist Magazine - "dedicated to the lovers of multimedia art" (that's me that's me!) The Myspace itself didn't say too much about the content of the magazine, but evidently issues are available around the area. When I pick up a new phone tomorrow at the Verizon Wireless store in Roosevelt, I'll stop by FYE to pick up a copy.

There is a great article on the front page of the New York Times about how Obama is adapting to his new life as President-elect, from not being able to visit his bartender Zariff to having a date with Michelle at Chicago's Spiaggia accompanied by 30 secret service agents. I can't help but think of the comparisons to Kennedy when I read articles about Obama's life. Idk if it will extend to the extreme voyeurism that most celebrities experience today.

I'm going in for another interview in the city with Joe Carozza of Rogers & Cowan, an alum of Hofstra. It's odd - I looked at a picture of him and I recall seeing him around campus my freshmen year. Professor Frisina said to give him a hug for her - but he may be put off by that first impression, who knows. Hopefully today will go well (i.e. make the train on time and not have to pay for a taxi).

I'm going to try to run into the MOMA for their free Target night in order to see some van Gogh afterwards. can't stay long - I need to get back to LI tonight to work at an event at LICM.

I found The Cribs' Men's Needs (Remixes) at WRHU, which has three different versions of "Men's Needs", which is awful since I will listen to those three versions in succession, constantly over and over again.

(just filled out survey about improvements on the Computer Labs at Hofstra. pat on the back for taking time out to do a good deed)

Fear and Convenience

2008-11-13T23:04:00.003-05:00

TONIGHT'S AIRWAVE PLAYLIST

artist	song	album	C/A/R
Hot Lava	Blue Dragon	Lavology	A
Miniature Tigers	The Wolf	Tell It to the Volcano	C
Peachcake	Did I Just Do That, Or Was It Jim Carey?	What Year Will You Have the World?	C
Yelle	JeVeux Te Voir	Pop Up	A
Thao	Beat (Health, Life, and Fire)	We Brave Bee Stings and All	A
TV On the Radio	DLZ	Dear Science	c
The Size Queens	Can A Woman	Magic Dollar Shoppe	C
VHS or BETA	She Says	Bring on the Comets	A
Starf*cker	Myke Ptyson	Starf*cker	C
Moving Units	Pink Thoughts	Hexes for Exes	A
Foals	Cassius	Antidotes	A
The Dirty Hearts	Record Store	Pigs	A
Her Space Holiday	The New Kid Revival	XOXO Panda and the New Kid Revival	C
Pale Young Gentleman	This Is A Place?	Black Forest (Tra La La)	C
Mad Gregs	White Out	Big Nun	C
Bat For Lashes	What's A Girl To Do?	Fur and Gold	A
Land of Talk	Young Bridge	Some Are Lakes	C
A Block of Yellow	You Shook My Head	Do I Do	C
Boy Kill Boy	Back Again	Civilian	A
Chop Chop	I Met You At A Space Station Bar	Screens	C
Caw! Caw!	Escape the Read Giant	Wait Outside EP	C
Amanda Palmer	Runs In the Family	Who Killed Amanda Palmer?	C
Women	Shaking Hand	Women	C
Ladyhawke	Danny and Jenny	Paris Is Burning EP	C
Boy Eats Drum Machine	Planets + Stars	Booomboxxx	C
Japanese Motors	Coors Light	Japanese Motors	C
State Shirt	This Island	This Old Shirt	C
French Miami	Science Fiction	French Miami	C
Larytta	Ya-Ya-Ya	Difficult Fun	C
Black Kids	I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You	American Teen Soundtrack	A

typical angst filled entry - please ignore if you take me seriously

2008-11-12T10:41:00.004-05:00

If you ever see me wearing this outfit, it could mean one or all of these things:

I had three hours of sleep the night before
I had/have a french test that morning
I am NOT in a good mood

Frankly, I have been procrastinating everything important this entire semester. The following is the typical cliche rant of all college students. Wah wah I have too much work blah I need to sleep wah I can never catch up meh I would be perfectly happy instead to live in a box and be a starving artist (maybe not so typical).

This is what my desk looks like after TWO days of classes:

It's getting ridiculous. On the bright side, I was asked out on a date (kind of) online. Is this where social media/dating is going? As you can obviously tell from the evidence above, I don't get out much - at least during the week.

Man, I always have great plans to write a ranting and raving entry, but then when I finally get home and get online, the effort is too much. I'll make it up to you, I promise.

like a monkey with it's miniature cymbals

2008-11-09T23:48:00.004-05:00

Friday morning was my big "wear corporate gear" day. It also made me realize that it's the little things that matter when it comes to my love for New York. Friday morning at the School of Comm.'s internship fair I met these great people from DScribed Strategic Communication and Design . Both young and fun. Just their website alone makes them attention worthy. I drove to Mineola to try to catch the 12:03 train and had a living nightmare about no parking, an unreadable debit card, and three inch heels. I caught a later train, got in around 1:33, hailed my own cab for the first time, walked into Rubenstein Associates, Inc. and razzle dazzled HR rep Megan Wheeler. I felt I did well.
Went to Union Square to wait for Sara to get out Edelman Digital . I was looking at beautiful flowers and thinking about their existence in an otherwise gray environment when I heard Daft Punk floating through the air. Two dancers, one of which was evidently a yogi, were performing. Basically they spent about 20 minutes warming up to dance for five minutes, do a creepy spider crawling thing, and jump over eight children.

Went to Strand, bought books. Go figure.
Sara and I met Steph and Tiel at Aperture for the gallery opening for Luigi Ghirri's "It's Beautiful Here Isn't It..."
( November 8, 2008– January 29, 2009) to have Julia aid us in drinking surprisingly potent wine.
Sara, Steph, and I then took the JMZ to Myrtle Ave for the smokiest loft party I have ever been to. Keep in mind - I am still wearing corporate wear (trust me, I regret it now). Met a cute Jarvis Cocker look alike from Oklahoma. Hopefully he wasn't put off by my placing a business card in his pocket.
Passed out on the JMZ to Jamaica around 2 am.
Drove the girls home, slept well.
Saturday wouldn't stop raining on my parade.

Worked all day today at the LICM's "Friends Around the World" event. Pamela was dancing with Shake It!. Her camera died, so I tried taking pictures with my cell phone. Obviously not stellar.

Have been listening to Hot Chip's "Over & Over".....over and over again.

it's a little after the fact but.....

2008-11-06T08:25:00.001-05:00

I can't wait for Venice

over and over and over again

2008-11-05T22:29:00.007-05:00

yet again, one of those long days that can only be shared through bullet points. At least I look good in business casual...

PRestige meeting. Next semester I will have a new position focusing on Development and Publicity. The ideas in my head go on endlessly. Some possible clients for next semester are HTVi and the Hofstra Music Fest. I suggested that when searching for new members to fill the soon to be vacant positions of On-Campus Account Executive and VP, we ask them to submit resumes to better judge their overall work ethic and potential.
PRSSA meeting, wondering about whether to run for E-board next year. This will mean no internship in the fall. Will have to weigh out the odds.
Met with Frisina about creating a general Hofstra PR blog to work as an internal communication vehicle for the major as well as a way to "boast" to the world about the successes of Hofstra's PR students. Frisina puts on the role of momma bear by asking if I can take on the workload. We think we can make it where I earn three independent student credits and maybe some Individually Negotiated Honors Option credits too. Hopefully so, time is winding down.
went to "From FACEBOOK to Face-to-Face:Ace Your Professional Style in a New York Minute!" networking dinner with speaker Trish Rubin - a woman who I officially want to make my best friend. My goodness. She was vivacious and passionate and definitely pulled off the "personal but professional" aura I want to perfect. Rubin opened with asking us in a year from now, "where do you want to be?", and then plan backward from that. Rubin mostly discussed how to network and make first impressions. She gave great pointers, such as to put "good energy" out there and say good morning to everyone, including the doormen, new stand people, and construction worker. Another point she made that I live by is be a continuous learner. she also said above all, be not humble! Rubin also referenced Wawa oh how i miss that mid-atlantic convenience store with wonderful iced tea....Frankly, she was a fascinating, engaging person and I hope I will become that admirable in the future. I barely had the time to run to her. I basically blurted out "I'm the PR person - I came to see YOU!" and handed over my strangely geometric shaped business card. As creepy as it is, never before have I heard a speaker at Hofstra that I want to make my best friend. It shall happen -- thanks to social networking ta DA!

I was originally planning to write about the brilliance of Obama's campaign, but here are two articles (thanks PRSA email)about it. From PRWeek :Obama's savvy c omms propel him to victory. Advertising Age: How Obama Killed 'Election Day' and Became President.
Basically, everyone agrees that Obama's campaign was smart enough to use the Internet and social networking to increase support. Kudos.

On Friday I have the first interview with Megan Wheeler of Rubenstein Associates, Inc. for the Tribeca Film Festival internship I have been looking forward to for a year. Next Monday - Interview with Joe Carozza of Rogers & Cowan. Frankly, just entering their website I heard birds singing. The Arts/Culture page is so beautifully written. I nearly teared up.

I don't even want to think about the butterflies. According to Trish Rubin, I should listen to music before the interview in order to emit *SPARKS* , something equivalent to what "We are the Champions" was for the Mighty Ducks. How do I feel? Scared, nervous, excited, anxious to be uber impressive. Hopefully I can buy a pair of tights without holes before Friday...

Speaking of Tribeca Film Festival, I get this handy daily email filled with various "film" news from Tribeca Film. Today: 5 More Reasons to Love Paul Rudd. I'm trying to think of the first movie where I fell in love with him. Either Clueless or The Cider House Rules.

The lil sis Angela turned 18 today....AFTER the election. Poor baby sis.

Obama-rama

2008-11-05T00:46:00.003-05:00

Yeah we did.
I am in complete awe of this monumental event in history.

I just wish people would stop screaming "Obama" outside my window so I could get some sleep.

peter shankman speaks about "poking" and it's west coast origins

2008-11-04T18:29:00.008-05:00

In Breslin Hall in front of 4 PR classes, Peter Shankman begins in the typical way by sharing stories of his youth, delivering in a manner where he is rewarded with laughter. He first warns he is in a "crappy mood" since his MAC crashed. He advises to get rid of kegger photos from Facebook. His shirt is untucked. Social media is moving fast. Social media provides transparency, relevance, brevity.

One is always on camera. We are in a society that moves towards everyone being on video all the time- we always have been, we are not just aware of it.

We see corporate America as old white men - when you are old, you are set in your ways and you die. You get replaced. The boards are now being replaced by younger people: a generation who has seen companies disseminate, such as ENRON. Companies would get away with everything. Our generation says Screw that! "we will be transparent!"

Press releases are going to die. (knew that ) But the
ability to write will never go away. As PR practitioners we will be doing more writing than ever done before. info is now delivered in short micro bursts: blogs, facebook, twitter, stadium walls. 40 percent of news come from citizen journalists. How does it play in pr? It's the future of communication. Shankman is of the "mtv"generation - attention as long as music videos. For mine, it's a 140 characters.

Society takes mass events to appreciate new technologies. Twitter will be massive - a student was arrested abroad. He twittered "arrested" and 7 hours later it got to the State Department and was released.

Social media is the ability to screw up faster and to a larger audience than ever before.

Facebook is better than linkedin. One must be smart - no bong shots - one must be personal, yet professional. Facebook can be the first introduction to a new employer. It's more than a resume - it shows a person's personality and professionalism combined.

People like to feel special - not crappy. We like to make our friends feel our misery. We must treat our friends one level above crap - they will become fans.

Used well, pr is the ability to get other ppl to do your press for you: you are not telling story - you are getting other ppl to tell story for you. The ideal end result - you made $$$. You better help sell something. "Get one mom to tell 150 moms...that sells something."

This is where it gets crazy

Shankman uses examples of facebook birthdays - you remember most the people who wished you a happy birthday. No one cares anymore - it's always about me me me MEEEEE.
Going to networking events is "like watching a factory assembly line". As a society we do not listen. Networking is not throwing business cards. Shankman asks to see our business cards - forgot my cards at home ---damns---
are u basically telling me to have a more unique card? i know that. i was thinking about drawing with a crayon on mine -- childish or unique?
now Shankman is sharing a baboon story.
baboons and bananas.
i apologize - i missed the baboon story that somehow relates to corporate jobs.

People will remember a tactic if it has not been done that way before. Just because no one said you could do it, doesn't mean you can't. Shankman throws his business card at Micah Jesse - a poker chip with a picture of him skydiving.

Shankman made "It sank - get over it" t-shirts: He hated the movie "Titanic". One Friday night - he sold 500 shirts in 6 hours. Next day he was called into USA today.
Two months, 250,000 t-shirts, 250 media outlets.

You don't need a trillion dollars to start a company anymore. Don't be afraid to show off - (not a problem for me). "When you get made fun of in junior high, you grow a thick skin and don't care anymore" and never be afraid to have a new idea. We have a world where you can try anything that is different.

My generation will be "the one who takes it." Shankman is jealous to be in our position.

say it aint so

2008-11-02T20:42:00.002-05:00

Halloween weekend is officially over, and so far I have counted 27 beer bottle caps in my room.

I forgot today was Daylight Savings. I originally set my alarm for 9:45 am in order to get to the gym before work. Therefore, I woke up at 8:45 - yet was not upset, for I had another hour to sleep. I loving "FALLing back" an hour.

Now that it's November it's time to get serious. I have two networking dinners in the next week and a half, an internship fair, 5 agencies to email, and 60 or so business cards to print out. Every ounce of spare time is being used for catching up. My time management for classes has been lacking. However, after this semester I will be done distribution courses and everything I learn will be more meaningful.

Masked Avengers - comedy duo from Canada, evidently prank called Sarah Palin .

I ordered Chinese takeout for dinner tonight and my fortune is great.

"The joyful energy of the day will have a positive affect on you."

Glorious way to start off the week.

I have been going through last.fm for the past hour and I found this Junior Boys video for "In the Morning". Not only is it a throwback to two years ago, but when watching it, you can't think help but think about what a great tutorial video it would be to drink responsibly. Don't get trashed --- you'll pass out on street corners and sink into the sidewalk.

Equally Cursed and Blessed

2008-10-30T22:06:00.007-04:00

Today was one of just plain awfulness. Almost every aspect of the day that could have gone badly did so.
Woke up tired - hurried to finish PR Research Methods and Assessments paper before work - found out halfway through giving a tour that my school group was part of the ESL program and could barely understand English - printers were backed up in Hammer Lab - kept nodding off in PR RM's and A's - got charged too much for Chinese food - had my Physics teacher randomly talk about the importance of insects - got a migraine - called my grandmother since it was her birthday and she just sounded...old - tried on Halloween costume, doesn't fit - dinner (more Chinese food) was an hour late - had two trackers sign up for my Airwave slot (thankfully both didn't show up).

It sounds terrible for anyone to rant and rave and whine like that, but one must understand that these past two weeks of midterms have by far been the worse since starting college. What with all the Jewish holidays and the Debate, I've missed so many classes and put off work that I just ended up overwhelming myself. Not to mention I can't say no to helping some one out and I'm an overachieving perfectionist (goddamn me). It is somewhat encouraging to think I can't be the only one with constant migraines, lack of sleep, and a tendency to cry in front of the entire Marketing Department.....it's all worth it in the end though, right? Character building? Maybe one day I'll show off my bicep?

And to THINK they wanted to place trackers during my slot so I couldn't have the ONE thing that is all mine. I am too young to have children, I have no significant other, and my family is two hours away, all I have--- I spoke too soon...a tracker just walked in. GAHHHH

This was fun to find from PR week - student run agencies. The article made me think about how I want to take PRestige, call it my baby, and rework it to something better. Right now, we meet twice a week with just the main staff. I wish we could set it up more as a conference and include everyone involved with the committees. If only, if only.

Oh! and I just got Glue . What happens is that you download this application that sits in your toolbar. It is supposed to track sites you visit and take note of books, music, and movies you look at. "Friends" can follow you and track whether they have the same interests. It doesn't work on all sites - for example, I listen to music on thesixtyone primarily. Glue doesn't acknowledge the artists I look up on that site, but it does on Last.FM. Also, when listening to music and opening Glue, the song stops and you have to restart the browser all over again. I'm trying to be as fair as possible and not to purposely look at sites. I want to see how well Glue tracks what I look at. Hopefully in the future Glue will track what blogs and sites you visit.
what really matters is what you like, not what you are like. books, records, films -- these things matter! Call me shallow, it's the fucking truth." -High Fidelity-

This week's Airwave Playlist:

artist	song	album	C/A/R
Portugal the Man	Lay Me Back Down	Censored Colors	C
Amanda Palmer	Runs in the Family	Who Killed Amanda Palmer	C
Boy Eats Drum Machine	Planets + Stars	Booomboxxx	C
Arctic Monkeys	Brainstorm	Favorite Worst Nightmare	A
Miniature Tigers	The Wolf	Tell It to the Volcano	C
Thao	Fear and Convenience	We Brave Bee Stings and All	A
Shugo Tokumaru	Green Rain	Exit	C
El Guincho	Palmitos Park	Alegranza!	C
Black Lips	It Feels Alright	Good Bad Not Evil	A
Lykke Li	Dance Dance Dance	Youth Novels	A
Santogold	Creator	-----------------	A
Karl Blau	Mockingbird Diet	Nature's Got Away	C
Hot Lava	Blue Dragon	Lavology	C
School of Seven Bells	Half Asleep	Alpinisms	C
Beirut	Postcards from Italy	Gulag Orkestar	A
Deerhoof	Offend Maggie	Offend Maggie	C
TV On the Radio	DLZ	Dear Science	C
Pop Levi	You Don't Gotta Run	Never Never Love	C
Ratatat	Falcon Jab	LP 3	R
Rafter	Sassy	Sweaty Magic	C
Hot Chip	Wrestlers	Made In the Dark	A
The Heavy	Set Me Free	Great Vengeance and Furious Fire	A
Her Space Holiday	Same Song Sing Along	Sleepy Tigers	C
Mad Gregs	White Out	Big Nun	C
Dan LeSac vs. Scroobius Pip	Thou Shalt Always Kill	Look for the Woman	A
M.I.A.	Paper Planes	Kala	A
Peter Bjorn and John	Objects of My Affection	Writer's Block	A
The Receiving End of Sirens	Disappear	The Earth Sings Mi Fa Mi	A
Self Against City	Record Store	Pigs	A
VHS or BETA	She Says	Equally Cursed and Blessed	A
Starf*cker	Myke Petyson	Starf*cker	C
The Mountian Goats	Lovecraft in Brooklyn	--------------------	C
Karl Blau	Make Love that Lasts	Nature's Got Away	C

Over 600 Sarah Palin costumes have been sold at Ricky's Halloween Costume Superstore in Manhattan - courtesy of NYTimes

2008-10-29T10:27:00.002-04:00

I spent two hours last night rewriting my resume and updating my Linkedin profile. I have three papers due tomorrow and Friday as well as a French test I NEED to do well on. As of late, what with so many priorities, it is hard to choose what deserves more attention. I value my education above anything else. When I selected Public Relations as my major, I should have realized that I had to cast my scholarly self aside in order to enhance my chances of recieving a successful career in PR.

I've been fully more appreciative of Mark Twain's philosophy: "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." Steve Rubel wrote a blog entry earlier last week about how PR professionals need to find new ways to simplify their lives. I'm doing so by listening to my French textbook Francophone on audio while blogging and skimming my Google Reader. It's not working. I signed up for a tutor, who I know only as "Sarah". I am meeting with her today for the first time. I'm wondering how to explain to her that my biggest problem with French is my inability to feel motivated to study it - period. Despite the fact it's a beautiful language, I would rather spend my time gaining more points on thesixtyone than listening to recorded voices speaking French and having no idea what they are saying.

Professor Frisina has asked if I could help her create a blog or web album or what not in order to post pictures taken of PR majors at the Presidential Debate. Somehow I have become the "new media" girl despite that fact I am still a novice. I don't think a blog is the right way to go - since it would show photos of the debate, it is dated material and something temporary must be used instead.

In the future I envision making some sort of web source primarily for PR majors to get news about the major, read updates about PRSSA and PRestige, share experiences about internships, or write opinions about PR in general.

I should probably learn French first.

I was going through Gawker and despite the fact this was posted yesterday, this post still cries out for attention. Pepsi spent millions of dollars to create a new logo - probably just to give one lucky graphic designer something to do. Let's compare and contrast:

Money well spent. It reminds me of sailing.

"better a Republican than a drug dealer"

2008-10-28T16:39:00.004-04:00

Just left the Educate '08 event "A Daily Briefing: Former White House Press Secretaries Dee Dee Myers and Ari Fleischer" in Monroe Lecture Hall. PR majors were reserved seats in the front from second to fourth rows. Thanks professors and University Relations!

Fleischer said McCain initially had a chance to win this election but due to his reaction to the economic crisis he lost the race. The introduction of Palin as Vice President boosted enthusiasm and "reinforced McCain's maverick convention". Where McCain made his error was by "introducing an unknown" before Palin had a chance to prepare herself, according to Myers. Fleischer stated Palin was a victim of "brutal and biased press coverage". Obama declared his candidacy early enough in the race to make mistakes with little reaction. McCain also erred when misreading the depth of the financial crisis (but we all knew that already).

Myers said the Internet was a large factor in changing the way we view presidential politics. The Obama campaign successfully utilized the Internet to raise funds, transfer info, and to organize and implement their strategies. In general, the role of all media has been redefined. Myers reiterated that even CNN and The New York Times, "mainstream media", have their own websites and blogs. Instant Internet access to information has created "pressure on journalists" according to Myers, having short deadlines and therefore running the risk of inadequate fact checking.

Fleischer predicted that Obama will win and Democrats will be given more power in the government by acquiring more seats in the House and Senate. Democrats will also start to "meddle". Fleischer also said that Palin's "star will rise" and to "not be surprised" if she becomes the first female president (yeah right). Fleischer and Myers both predicted the economy is going to get a lot worse (no shit).

Both Fleischer and Myers said 2008 was a monumental year for one of the longest campaigns in history. Myers compared the lengthy campaign to the 8th inning of the greatest baseball game but "they stopped serving beer two hours ago". Myers said that Election Night will be "uplifting" for all Americans.

Both speakers were excellent, sharing personal stories and cracking jokes. Myers was a pro at creating similes for certain points, such as the fact that trying to find a message in McCain's campaign is like searching for "the prize in the cereal box". Showing the ability to relate is the sure fire way to have an audience place their trust in you.

Myers said that what Obama has over any other candidate in the past is his ability to not get disturbed easily. As a Public Relations enthusiast, how one presents themselves, to me, is a deciding factor of their accountability. Especially in the debates, Obama has presented himself cool, calm, and collected.

sidetrack - it's raining today and I forgot my umbrella. Even when I do remember, it's a miserable experience because the wind always catches on it's red and white hearted nylon brilliance. It never fails that when it is storming on Long Island, I feel like I could fly away like Poppins.

take a trip and multiply

2008-10-24T14:45:00.004-04:00

This is leading to be the most glorious weekend ever. I have planned for weeks to go see my friends MR. HURT at Club Europa tonight, but it is also my friend Tiel's birthday. We planned originally to go into the city around 3 to the MOMA and then get Japanese around St. Marks.

THEN

I get an email first from University Relations and then from Assistant Dean Susan Murphy from School of Comm. asking to interview me for WRHU's "Studio South" today to talk about my art show! I'm going in about an hour to record the interview and then we are off. GAH so exciting. Talk about affirmations!

I should have known this day would have been glorious. It was all because I listened to Jamie Lidell's "Multiply" as I fell asleep. I also had a wonderful nutritious midday snack of dark chocolate "autumn color" M & M's and cereal that was a combo of Kaski Go Lean! and Flax Plus Pumpkin Raisin Crunch with vanilla soy milk inside my Tomagotch bowl.

what do you want from me?

2008-10-22T13:17:00.003-04:00

It's been a while since I have had an entry. What with the debate, the art show, and midterms, I have had to keep priorities in check. Sadly, I realized that as much as I love writing ALL about myself and my fascinating life, I need to devote more attention and affection to academics.

The gallery reception went wonderfully on Sunday night. Thank you to the 30-odd friends who attended. Throughout the past few days people from every walk of life at Hofstra have come up to me saying what a great exhibit it is. I'm creating a slide show to share on this blog of pictures of my paintings and drawings. I was going to put it up earlier but I didn't want to spoil the surprise for those attending the gallery reception.

There have been many occurrences involving the debate, PRSSA, my job at the LICM, my friends, etc., that have made me think about fairness and debt and being given what you are owed. Margaret Atwood, one of my favorite authors, contributed to the Op-Ed of the New York Times about the "Matter of Life and Debt" today. She brilliantly discusses the economic crisis over debts and then applies it to life and how from an early age we have been concerned over fairness. We forget the "human factor" of being given what we are owed. We work with others in order to recieve a "mutual benefit".

I've read before how the baby boom generation believes that in the work force, it is the amount of time you work at a company that entitles you to a promotion. Younger generations believe that by proving your work ethic and skills make you more deserving of a promotion. I was raised believing that the time AND dedication you give to something, the more rewards you will reap. That is why I have been frustrated as of late. Though random affirmations are great (the assistant dean Susan Murphy has been reading my entries on the PRestige blog. Professor Frisina said my entry about the debate was outstanding.), I have an innate feeling that others are receiving more favors and opportunities than I. It's difficult though; evidently I have a habit of always wanting to do more - family and friends and professors alike tell me I shouldn't worry so much.

It may just an affect of being at this point in college - the "what am I doing with my life" period. Compared with last year, PRSSA meetings have gained almost double the members. I've observed that many majors (mainly broadcasting, journalism, and marketing) have been trying to learn more about public relations because "it's where the money is". It is great for PRSSA, but it doesn't decrease the pressure of having to compete with more students.

In separate conversations with my friend Sara, my committee member Lindsay, and Stacey from LICM, they have all said I'm impressive with all I have done and what I can do. Stacey especially stressed that all of this work and energy spent will be worth it in the end. It will take time though - but the best things are always worth waiting for.

Lately I have been receiving positive karma: tips from work, successful art show, positive feedback about the blogging.

It's all about perspective I guess.

Two trackers in one slot....mehh

2008-10-16T23:14:00.002-04:00

Antonio the Truck Driver called again to request Skamper's Number 9. I love having fans.

Tonight may be an all-nighter save 3 hour nights. I have so much to catch up on school work due to volunteering for the Presidential Debate.

This weekend is my show and I'm super excited.
Here is tonight's playlist and concert calendar. I'm sitting here typing this during Greg's slot of Aggressive Edge. The producer, Vinny, is here too. Greg mocks me for blogging now, but eh, he enjoys the gloriously charming company.

Artist	Song	Album	A/C
Women	Shaking Hand	Women	C
Moving Units	Pink Thoughts	Hexes for Exes	A
Land of Talk	Young Bridge	Some Are Lakes	C
Hot Lava	Blue Dragon	Lavology	C
Thao	Fear and Convenience	We Brave Bee Stings and All	A
Flight of the Concords	Business Time	Flight of the Concords	A
Deerhoof	Offend Maggie	Offend Maggie	C
Miniature Tigers	The Wolf	Tell It to the Volcano	C
Portugal the Man	Lay Me Back Down	Censored Colors	C
XX Teens	Sun Comes Up	Welcome to Goon Island	C
TV On The Radio	Dancing Choose	Dear Science	C
St. Vincent	Jesus Saves, I Spend	For AB & Rough Trades Seen and Heard Comp.	C
Deerhoof	The Tears of Music and Love	Offend Maggie	C
Bloc Party	Flux	Flux Single	A
Dirty Projectors	Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie	Rise Above	A
Skamper	Number 9	Thunder Beasts	R
M.I.A.	Paper Planes (DFA Remix)	Paper Planes	A
Starf*cker	Myke Ptyson	Starf*cker	C
Natalie Portman's Shaved Head	Slow Motion Tag Team	Glistening Pleasure	A
Rafter	Sassy	Sweaty Magic	C
Youth Group	Forever Young	Casino Twilight	A
Tobacco	Hairy Candy	F***cked Up Friends	C
Japanese Motors	Coors Light	Japanese Motors	C
Concrete Blonde	Roxy	Group Therapy	A
The Ugly Suit	Chicago	The Ugly Suit	C
The Cribs	Men's Needs		A
Caw! Caw!	Escape the Red Giant	Wait Outside EP	C
Madgregs	The White Out	Big Nun	C
Headlights	Cherry Tulips	Some Racing, Some Stopping	C
TV On The Radio	Love Dog	Dear Science	C

Concert Calendar

Fri 10/17
7:00 PMBeach House, Jana Hunter, Santa Dads, Lexie Mountain Boys, Lesser, Teeth Mountain, Nautical Almanac, Lizz King, Creepers, WZT Hearts, Ed Schrader, Sandcats(le) poisson rouge (Baltimore Round Robin)18+$8

7:00 PMFrom Monument to Masses, Kalpana, Golden City Knitting Factory $8a/$10d

8:00 PMRa Ra Riot, Walter Meego, And The Moneynotes

Music Hall of Williamsburg18+$15

Sat 10/18
11:45 PMDan Deacon, Adventure, Videohippos, Future Islands(le) poisson rouge $8

7:30 PMJohn Vanderslice, Michael Showalter92YTribecaAll Ages$12a/
$15d

CMJ

Tue 10/21
12:00 PMOxford Collapse, Women, Dan Friel, Bridges and Powerlines, The Antlers, Secret Life of Sofia, Hot Lava, Brownwater Cake Shop (Downstairs)21+tba

8:00 PMProject Jenny / Project Jan, Hottub, French Horn Rebellion, Menya, Henny C

Lit (CMJ)21+tba

10:00 PMDeerhoof, Fat Worm of Error, Nymph Spiegeltent18+$16

Wed 10/22
7:00 PMFujiya & Miyagi, Tobacco, Who Made Who Mercury Lounge (CMJ)21+$15

Thu 10/23
8:00 PMThe Magnetic Fields Landmark Loews TheatreAll Ages$35

7:00 PMCrystal Castles, Fujiya & Miyagi, Who Made Who, Lymbyc System

Webster Hall18+$20

Fri 10/24
7:30 PMBroken Social Scene, Land of Talk Brooklyn Masonic Temple (CMJ)18+$25

9:00 PMGang Gang Dance, Growing, Psychic Ills, Sian Alice Group

Santos Party House (CMJ)18+$15

Debate '08

2008-10-15T17:00:00.013-04:00

This is how Reb dresses
business casual :
a stellar, Jackie-o like halter dress that is the envy of all the women in the Media Filing Center. Also got recognized by the gorgeous Secret Service Men...but that is simply an aside....this is what happened in the past 36 hours...

At the Long Island Children's Museum yesterday, "Every Child Matters" was created as an event to let local and national leaders to remember the well being of children in politics. A press conference was held as well as a town hall meeting with a panel consisting of David Foulk, Dean of Education and Allied Human Services from Hofstra University and Dana Friedman, Moderator and Executive Director of The Early Years Institute among others. Activities were held for school children such as making "crazy election" hats and voting for their favorite gallery. Since summer school children throughout Long Island were asked to submit tracings of their hands, hoping to decorate the museum with about 1,000 pairs of hands. They received 3,000.

This room has been my home for three days : the prison-like, somewhat barren concession stand of the PFC. The piles of the New York Times and CNN on TV adds to the homeyness. The actual Media Filing Center is something to be impressed with; hundreds of rows of flat screen TVs and seats that will be filled be all important media for tonight's debate.

In the Media Filing Center I answer phone calls from journalists all over the world and people asking if they can buy tickets for tonight's debate. Occasionally there is the frantic phone call from a relations person screaming that they need to speak to so and so right away, CNN needs to do an interview. Occasionally we have had to take messages down for Obama and McCain that will never get to them. Yesterday I typed up the same fact sheet three times in order to print out fifty copies and then throw out to fix an error. I see Professor Geyer and Professor Frisina in action making phone calls and hurriedly typing out press releases. This morning I met Art Harris and tried to help him make it to the Student Center to take pictures of the "action" = Hofstra students. Technically, I got a business card from him, though it was just in order to call about where the van would pick him up.

There are two separate and confusing worlds on campus today. Near the PFC and the Arena is the air of many people waiting around aimlessly, excited but anxious. Fellow students I know carry themselves differently due to the badge around their neck and the business attire they have donned. A new security measure was created today - only a certain amount of Media Center overlay passes were created for those to actually be in the Media Filing Center during the debate. Samuel Rubenfeld of The Chronicle was not happy.

I left from my shift on two and walked onto campus, leaving the high security area. I found mayhem, with the air of a political Woodstock. Demonstrations were in the parking lots, in the Student Center, outside, everywhere and from every walks of life.

it's been a while since I've worn a polo shirt

2008-10-13T09:29:00.004-04:00

And so it begins.

The area closed off for the debate has the feeling of a movie set. Stages and displays are being set up, trucks are everywhere, and there is a Budweiser tent. Random people are walking around with credentials. The crews for all the networks were friendly, some of the suits not so much.

The Media Filing Center volunteers reported to Information and Hospitality room i.e. the concession stand of the PFC. At the desks busily working was Lindsey Calabrese and Ellen Frisina. Myself and the other volunteers began the day handing out hospitality bags to the media. Inside was filled with the typical swag, including r,w, and b m&m's, and leaflets about Hofstra. Melissa and I stood outside from 10:30 until close to 1 giving out bags pretty to whoever had a badge and wanted them.

Bless her heart, Jacqueline Hlavenka of The (Hofstra) Chronicle was walking around in wedges trying to get pictures.

Saw Becca Bellush, President of PRSSA at Hofstra. She landed a big task - she is working in the Media Office at University Relations. While I was handing out bags from a cart, she was compiling Media Binders. That's why rank and titles come in handy then.

It's a fun atmosphere. The magical blue polo of the student volunteers unites us all for a common cause. The revered yellow polo of the IT guys we feel jealousy towards since they get to actually be in the Debate Hall.

Some of the volunteers were able to sneak in to see the Debate Hall. When it comes down to it, it's a small stage with a bright blue backdrop, in a huge arena for 5,000 +.

One trife female reporter in a red satin trench (?) took about 4 and would go inside and back out to collect them. CNN complained that they received hospitality bags without these cheap portable laptop lights Verizon Wireless donated. Verizon gave us about 3,000 and we had 5,000 bags to fill. They made the girls comb through 30 bags so thier keyboards can be further illuminated despite the blaring overhead lights. It was a quiet day, so they actually let us leave early. I got a swag bag, a copy of today's NYT and The New York Observer.

During lunch I grabbed my Secret Service Credentials. All the volunteers were grieving that they used our Student ID pic taken during our Freshmen Summer Orientation oh so long ago.

Tomorrow night should be more exciting since it is the night of.

The ironic thing about this week is that as we are missing classes and putting all hw aside...we have midterms in one week.

what a BUY

2008-10-12T21:49:00.005-04:00

Greg and I went in to the city before the BODB launch party to Aperture Foundation an d gallery in Chelsea. On display was Josef Koudelka's Invasion 68: Prague. In short, it consisted of 250 moving photographs of the 1968 Soviet invasion of Prague. The photographs were smuggled out and until now were labeled anonymous.

Aperture also publishes great photography books. Here are a few on the wish list.

Erwin Olaf takes these beautiful and serene photographs that transport you to the 1950's .

Thomas Allen's Uncovered brings characters to life. The use of pop-up images from books creates a fun, toylike demeanor.

The BODB launch party was glorious - "critical party mass" according to Sara. Evidently I can sumbit an entry if I do please (which I do).
We left the party late & got stuck in Jamaica for over an hour. I got back to my dorm at 5:30, got three hours of sleep, went to work, came home only to more work.

Tomorrow is the first day as a Debate '08 volunteer.
Prepare yourself with exciting political posts.

this is what you get...

2008-10-11T12:12:00.004-04:00

My friend Sara doesn't believe how excited I am for the Buy Or Don't Buy blog launch party tonight. They made a new layout, and oh, it's pretty snazzy. Tonight will be the equivalent of meeting not-so-famous-celebrities-your-friends-never-heard-of, sorry guys. See you tonight.

Sara also gets brownie points for showing me another nifty music site. I thought Last FM was glorious, but the sixtyone : the music adventure brings music listening to a new level. Now music listening is an interactive game that sucks you in to compete with fellow music snobs.

You create an account and listen to music that artists upload onto the website. You earn points according to what you listen to and recommend to other users. The obvious trick is the more obscure and unknown the artists, the more points. I signed up this morning, so I'm just on the "listen up level". You can browse music according to genre and even sub genre, which I definitely appreciate.

Could you tell this was a result of paint?

2008-10-10T16:25:00.002-04:00

obviously, right?

mtvU and Santa Claus come to Hofstra

2008-10-10T14:05:00.005-04:00

This morning I was walking from class to the Honors College Office when I saw a crowd in front of Axinn Library. A film crew was filming an intro for mtvU's "Dean's List" with a varied demographic of Hofstra students (whoever they could find) in the shot. University Relations was involved, represented by Lindsey Calabrese. As I was snapping pictures on my phone, I got to hear Calabrese school Sam Rubenfeld, Senior Editor of the Hofstra Chronicle, about media ethics ( a girl was filming for a documentary and she wanted to be in the shot, Rubenfeld went on about a code of ethics involved).
Surprisingly enough, there were a lot of "McCain" chants.

Sadly enough, the crew did not capture Mike LaFemina dressed as Santa for PSU's "Energy Theater". Headed by Progressive Student's Union (PSU), the group "works collectively on generating awareness of energy issues before the third and final debate arrives at the University." (Thank you Chronicle). Today's act was called "Clean Coal is as Real as Santa Claus". (there was concern about the day care groups of young children wandering the campus).

IT'S COMING!!!!!!!

it's "drink a whole carton of oj" season

2008-10-08T13:21:00.005-04:00

Last night I became full aware of my incompetence at driving around aimlessly on Long Island. I was supposed to meet my Media Relations class at Newsday in Melville. I was lost for about two hours. I saw a corn maize, Walt Whitman's birth place, and my life flash before my eyes as I drove the wrong way down a one way road. After a while and many tears of frustration later, I gave up, somehow ended up driving by Jones Beach and rolled the windows down to smell salt water. That familiar smell of home and blasting angry punk music from Last FM when I got back helped me get over the driving disaster.

I'm from DE, there is a reason why there is a joke that if somewhere is more than twenty minutes away, we choose to stay home.

edit: 10/10/08 - I am terrible at returning phone calls, so I have my family read my blog so they feel like they are a part of my life (sad, isnt' it?). After reading this, my mom send an e-mail to me. Hopefully she won't be too upset at me for showing off her loving motherness:

Greetings!

Inbox
X

Imagine you might be getting a little crazy now with the debate upcoming. Wish I had the guts to experience it, but not sure I would want to be anywhere close to that campus these days. My great claim to fame was when I got to shake hands with Bobby Kennedy in Watertown, SD. Obviously that was before he was shot. Those were the days when the secret service weren't quite so in your face.

Got a little bit ... no a lot scared when I was looking at your blog about your driving around aimlessly in Long Island. Please, Please, Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease be careful, responsible, etc. Someone has to help eat all that pie at Thanksgiving. I want you to make sure you have good maps if and when you head out. Why was it that you had to drive there anyway? Didn't they go as a group? That car is old and it needs its rest.

Wanted to give you a call but decided to send an email instead. Don't know if you are crazy with debate, classes, radio, clubs, socializing, studying or getting some rest. Take care, love you. Mom

Speaking of which, I guess I was last to jump on the Last FM bandwagon. The presence of it on my desktop has filled a void I never knew existed. Now everyone who wanders on the site can criticize me for my obscure and random music tastes.

This is the perfect example of bringing classiness to dorm life. Ever wondered how to pair fast food with wine? My friends and I are experts on take out and wine pairing.

Had PRestige and PRSSA meetings today. The client I want, Destination Runway, is scaring off people because of the upcoming deadline, November 4th. What we need to do as an agency is brianstorm creative ways for students in order to build excitement for the event. We shall see. I need to create a contract and meet with the e-board again and blah blah blah

Every day I think of my dream to drop out of school and become a bohemian artist who lives in a box on Bedford Ave.

Hofstra Association of Graphic Artists (HAGA) had thier opening show in the FORM Gallery in Calkins this morning. They display variious ways to use design in terms of merchandise. It's interesting and a world I only know a little about. Check it out.

golly gee...i wonder what the next FORM show...could it be mine?

Oh, and guess what is coming?

"eggs....?"

2008-10-05T10:25:00.005-04:00

I think it's safe to say I will never look at Jell-o the same way again. Thank you Bedford House for giving me the experience last night of having jello sprayed on me due to my front row seat for one of the most ridiculous spectacles I've seen at any Hofstra party for a while.

I have to admit it: Jell-o wrestling + "Pride" colored jungle juice = a glorious time.

Yay college.

A random blog I stumbled upon this morning: "Marc and Angel Hack Life" lists 30 books everyone should read. The blog gives the author and plot of each book. The titles enlarged are ones I have read, the italicized are ones I actually own but haven't gotten around to reading.

1. Siddhartha 2. 1984 3. To Kill a Mockingbird 4. A Clockwork Orange 5. For Whom the Bell Tolls 6. War and Peace 7. The Rights of Man 8. The Social Contract 9. One Hundred Years of Solitude 10. The Origin of Species 11. The Wisdom of the Desert 12. The Tipping Point 13. The Wind in the Willows 14. The Art of War 15. The Lord of the Rings 16. David Copperfield 17. Four Quartets 18. Catch-22 19. The Great Gatsby 20. The Catcher in the Rye 21. Crime and Punishment 22. The Prince 23. Walden 24. The Republic 25. Lolita 26. Getting Things Done 27. How To Win Friends and Influence People 28. Lord of the Flies 29. The Grapes of Wrath 30. The Master and Margarita

six books....wow that's lame.

I'm working on this little number for Chinese Lit.

yes that is a toy wooden train.

I had to make mixes for evergreens yesterday for "Sidetrack" (little project Sara is putting together for WRHU)
and so I have two random cds if anyone wants one. Each evergreen had a theme, so one cd is "shuffle" with random but really good songs. The other is "shame": if you feel a need to make me feel humiliated, def pick that one.

I'm forcing myself to run away to the city a few times this week before Debate '08 takes over my life; hopefully there will be something more interesting to write about.
gasps : museums!!!

plesae excuse this brief bout of vanity...

2008-10-03T21:33:00.003-04:00

...but this is too good to not share

my friend liz from home who goes to elon let me know about this film "Fully Awake" being shown in ny at the MOMA and Guggenheim Bilbao.

have a glorious friday night

I beat the fire alarm again today - small victories are what keep me going

2008-10-03T09:47:00.002-04:00

Inspirational Quote of the Day

Brit outsider Toby Young has made a career out of getting fired from Vanity Fair, among other things. How to Lose Friends and Alienate People is now a movie—take that, Graydon Carter. A gathering was held at Soho House to celebrate, and to give people the chance to pretend to be friends with some while alienating others. What advice would Young give to the young creative underclass trying to make it? "Don't get too comfortable," he said...

courtesy of Gawker - orginal article

We brave bee stings and all

2008-10-02T23:04:00.002-04:00

Just finished my Airwave slot on WRHU. Ran a lot more smoothly this time. I brought in the laptop and did everything (playlist, concert calendar, PRestige emails) on it, twas quite convenient. In case you missed it, here is the playlist. The starred are my personal favorites. AW1 means a current, AW2 an archive. I also included the concert calendar I compiled.

I finally got a request tonight, from Antonio the Truck Driver to Big Jeff. He requested Skamper "Number 9" which was pretty legit. Greg came early and talked. I'm typing this up whlie sitting with Greg and Vinny in the WRHU Studio giving Greg guidance during his Aggressive Edge Slot.

Artist Song Title Album C/A

Nightmare Of You "Why Am I Always Right?" AW2

*TV On the Radio "DLZ" Dear Science AW1

Clem Snide "Beautiful" A Beautiful EP AW2

*Caw! Caw! "Escape the Read Giant " Wait Outside EP AW1

*Les Savy "Fav Patty" Lee Alopecia AW2

*Hot Lava "Blue Dragon" Lavology AW1

The Mountain Goats " Lovecraft in Brooklyn" 4AD & Rough Trade’s Seen and Heard Compilation AW1

*Born Ruffians" Foxes Mate for Life "Red, Yellow, and Blue AW2

Pivot" Fool in the Rain" O Soundtrack My Heart AW1

!!! "Myth Takes" Myth Takes AW2

Black Kids " I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend American Teen Soundtrack AW2

How to Dance With You"

XX Teens "The Way We Were" Welcome to Goon Island AW1

*Deerhoof "The Tears of Music and Love" Offend Maggie AW1

Panda Riot "She Dares All Things" She Dares All Things AW1

Kimya Dawson "Wiggle My Tooth "Alphabutt AW1

*Miniature Tigers "The Wolf "Tell It to the Volcano AW1

Women "Shaking Hand" Women AW1

St. Vincent " Jesus Saves, I Spend " 4AD & Rough Trade’s Seen and Heard Compilation AW1

Shy Child "Drop the Phone" Noise Won’t Stop AW2

*Portugal the Man " Lay Me Back Down" Censored Colors AW1 R

*Pop Levi "You Don’t Gotta Run" Never Never Love AW1

*Santogold " Creator" Creator Single AW2

*Thao "Fear and Convenience" We Brave Bee Stings and All AW2

White Fang "Green Beanz" Pure Evil AW1

Rafter "Sassy " Sweaty Magic AW1

Skamper "Number 9" Thunder Beast R

Land of Talk "Yuppy Flu" Some Are Lakes AW1

The Ugly Suit "Chicago " The Ugly Suit AW1

Shugo Tokumaru "Parachute" Exit AW1

*Grampall Jookabox "That Steamboat Graphic" Rill Bruh AW1

The Kills "M.E.X.I.C.O." Midnight Boom AW2

Concert Calendar

Fri 10/03
Cake Shop

8:00 PMTyvek, Blues Control, Thomas Function, Liquor Store

21+$7

Music Hall of Williamsburg
8:30 PMThe Kills, Magic Wands

16+$22a/
$25d

Terminal 5
7:00 PMHot Chip

All Ages$30

The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza
8:00 PMStereolab, Antipop Consortium, Hospitality

16+$25

Sat 10/04
Apollo Theater

8:00 PMJenny Lewis

All Ages$30

Manhattan Center Grand Ballroom
8:00 PMFleet Foxes

All Ages$19.50

Roseland Ballroom
7:00 PMCommon, N.E.R.D.

All Ages$42

Sun 10/05

Maxwell’s

8:00 PMThe Bird and the Bee, Willoughby

All Ages$13a/
$15d

Sun 10/05
Terminal 5

8:00 PMTegan & Sara, City and Colour, Girl in a Coma

All Ages$32a/ $35d

The New York Times was actually good today. First time in a while. During my Physics class I read about this anatomy textbook illustrated by David Macaulay. Here is an example: a skeleton juggling red blood cells.

ran away into the city Monday night, ate at Vegetarian's Paradise by 6th ave and 4th with Pamela and Michael Douglas. MD dj's with our friend Max - together called MR. Hurt, will be performing October 24th @ Club Europa in Brooklyn as part of an Official CMJ After Party. Gloriously impressive.

this weekend:

selecting On-campus client for PRestige
teaching a young man how to flirt
making evergreens for "Off the Record"
being legit

magician at my birthday party

2008-09-26T14:37:00.003-04:00

The debate is back on. A recent update on the New York Times website says McCain is making his appearance after all. As much as McCain is making me detest him, I would have been disappointed if it was "The Obama Show" tonight. I like when stuffy politicians let their tempers flair. Maybe some one will point and yell. Sara introduced a great idea to make the actually watching of the debate a game. Use your imagination.

I thought this was beautiful too: The Prison Art Gallery. This gallery in Washington, D.C. showcases work by incarcerated prisoners, using everything from coffee beans and floor wax.

My agenda book given to me so generously by Hofstra is a pathetic nightmare of scribbles, lame attempts at notes, scrawled out lists, assignments written in cramped chicken scratch, and the schedule I need to make myself daily. I think I am a big girl now....and I should get a BlackBerry. Or the new Google Phone "G1"? Thoughts?

I am broken hearted that Junior Senior broke up. I remember vividly watching the video for "Move Your Feet" on MTV years ago. Today I still youtube it and dance around in my room in kneesocks, trying not to slip.

One more time, for old times sake.

i'm gonna make it through this year if kills me

2008-09-26T08:52:00.003-04:00

I stayed up until 3am typing up a backgrounder with Q's and A's for HMWC. I woke up around 6:30, got dressed, grabbed coffee, rubbed the crust out of my eyes and walk to the station. It's pouring today, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I have stellar rain attire.

I definitely went above and beyond. It was only a five minute interview, which is still generous since they plan out their show well in advance and this was last minute. I was flustered since in my head I was thinking why am I really here? What is the point to all this? Does anyone even LISTEN to WRHU at 8 am on a Friday looking for PR work? I guess it is all for the experience, and I think I could be great at media relations and acting as a spokesperson due to my unfailing wit and eccentric attire. I didn't get photos or a recording, but I'll probably write about on the PRestige blog and try to sound a little cheerier.

I need to run to class but quickly...

new blogs i have become attached to: Hipster Runoff and Techcrunch

On Gawker there is a bit about how Al Gore's network wants to let viewers have the opportunity to Twitter Obama during the debate. Seriously? Am I worthy? Does Obama deserve better than this?

what is it?

2008-09-26T02:56:00.003-04:00

as i was up late frantically typing up a Q & A prep sheet for this morning (gahhh), i came upon this little beauty. no purpose, just for laughs.

off the record

2008-09-24T22:26:00.007-04:00

yesterday : the negatives
i canceled yesterday morning's lab with my physics professor (i'm taking the course as honors credit) because scheduled was the PRestige Agency meeting -- which got canceled.

Also, yesterday, Hofstra University's Center of Civic Engagement held Day of Dialogue IV : Facing the Future Together , with 19 different events and discussions about "the most pressing issues facing the nation, and the world". Many great talks, very moving, interesting and such. I don't want to go on and on about it, mostly because I wasn't able to go to any. I had to figure out PRestige stuff with Lindsey.

The first PRSSA meeting was held during Common Hour yesterday as well and therefore was another reason for me to freak out wondering whether I could possible do more to further my pr future.

i made a list of my top priorities for this fall, and there are fourteen.

a positive

An idea came around that PRestige wanted to speak on WRHU about the agency and how we needed more clients. After finally chasing down the operations manager, John Mullen, he agreed that I could show up for the Morning Show on Friday to be interviewed. I sent out an e-mail to the staff and got a return from Professor Geyer saying I did a good job and to make sure we record it to place in my portfolio.

The plan for tonight is to make a prep sheet for myself and send questions to Chris Ortiz (running morning show).

Tomorrow morning, 8 am, you can hear me be interviewed on WRHU 88.7FM or stream it from wrhu.org. How exciting.

i gave myself a pat on the back.

--- And what the flip is going on with John McCain? Suspending your campaign? Seriously? Seriously! ...Seriously? I will admit I am not the most political savvy lady out there, so I do need some one to explain to me what that means. If a potential future President can take a time out on his election campaign, why can't everyone? ( didn't he also play hookie with Dave Letterman?) Gawker was very helpful to inform me today about what will happen if McCain does not show. Obama is keeping promises and plans to be there. If McCain doesn't show, John Lehrer will just interview Obama or have a townhall and such.

Thanks Gawker. For more giggles, read the "5 Reasons This Depression Really IS Going to be Fun!" Edit: I'm an idiot and just remembered how to include links. what a burn out I am.

Office premiere tonight. wicked.

"french is the language that turns dirt into romance" stephen king

2008-09-23T23:16:00.004-04:00

last thursday - first airwave show for the fall at WRHU. was very very VERY rusty. played obnoxious electronica mostly. greg sat in for my last hour and we took cute mic breaks together. he played black sabbath for me during Aggressive Edge, the slot he dj's for right after mine.

---- earlier that day Amy Goodman spoke as part of the Educate '08 series. mind blowingly insightful about the role of media in today's society

last friday - finished watching "Hero" in Chinese Literature. consumed 1/2 triple lindy burrito from Moe's afterward, then played hostess that night

last saturday - Hofstra's homecoming. pamela and i got breakfast at 10 am, then wondered why we got up that early for a 1 pm game. we bitched and moaned until after half time and left. consumed other 1/2 of Moe's burrito. wandered about that night looking for a place to socialize. got to drive a bmw home.

past sunday - work, burrito from Chipotle. was not productive. asleep by 9:30pm. madmen was a repeat

yesterday (monday) - became deathly ill overnight. tylenol allergy medication + kleenex + 1.5 cartons of minute maid orange juice. watched gossip girl, finally got interested after 1.5 seasons

today - feeling better. proceeded with classes. it's 11:27 pm and i still haven't read the paper.
dammit

i wish i had something exciting to share, but currently my attention is focused entirely on french notecards.

i had an urge to listen to Rilo Kiley's "Always" from Take-Offs and Landings and could NOT find it on youtube, nor with any google search. i've procrastinated enough from studying for french so i must abandon my search. if some one is feeling generous....

i should have office hours. professors and RA's alike are required to have them; I should be required to get them. Just my reading routine repeated periodically throughout the day (order of importance and most likelihood to actually be read) includes:
e-mail
facebook
ny times (online, sometimes physical paper)
pitchfork
google reader (includes twitter search of jack cafferty and rick sanchez, jack cafferty's blog, gawker, and random art blog)
this blog
links on this blog
twitter
search for new and interesting sites
look up areas of interest

i feel i forget the big picture. or sometimes show signs that i am not entirely sure what place i am at nor what age i am. in one day, i will talk about meetings, clients, research, and reading up on the news, and do all that while eating 5 chocolate chip poptarts and dreaming about my sailor moon halloween costume

everything comes with time

2008-09-17T14:08:00.004-04:00

Today was another Wednesday where I was too tired to shower. I overcompensated by thinking "what would a french anime character wear?" I even wore leggings, which despite the fact it is a popular article worn by many LI girls, when worn correctly I think they might overshadow the existence of the obvious bags under my blue peepers.

This morning I had to attend a PR Majors meeting during CH. Supposedly it was mandatory, which is why about 75 of the 200 odd majors showed up. Simply put, more Cosco oatmeal raisin cookies and Strawberry Flavored H2O for me. The majority of the meeting was about how the requirements for the major changed AGAIN and how the Holy Trinity of PR (Prof. Geyer, Berman, and Frisina) deserve pats on the back for having our courses renamed to "PR" instead of "JRNL". It matters, indeed. As PR majors, we should also be proud to say we are from Hofstra. I already feel proud that despite my ridiculous accent (NY/DE/Midwest/Proper English Pronunciation), "Hofstra University" rolls so easily off my tongue.

Some PR students also talked about thier summer internships, including my friend Dani from PRSSA who introduced the concept of social networking to the travel agency she was interning at and my friend Sara Knee, who I regard in my heart as a Hofstra PR super rebel. She is starting this Friday at Edelman Digital, a sect of Edelman Group (one of the top three PR agencies in the world and one of my first loves). Sara owned the meeting. While the PR courses at Hofstra were not "doing it for her", she went out on her own to intern at a digital media agency. What I lack in tech-savyness she more than makes up for with her adorable yet badass demeanor. Sara and I enjoy ranting about how in a way we are PR outcasts who both agree that Perez is NOT our homeboy. With her standing up front, talking about her success, gave a glimmer in hope that for PR rebels like her and myself, we will be okay.

I also talked to Frisina afterward (she is writing my letter of rec for my study abroad in Venice next January) about how Sara and I rant together since we both relate to feeling like PR outcasts. Frisina gave a knowing look and a whispered it was because we are two of "the smart ones". Frisina, thank you for making my schedule with me during Freshmen Orientation '06 - I would probably still be a Journalism major and plague the Chronicle Office. Disclaimer - there is no offense whatsoever in that statement; I have written pieces for the Hofstra Chronicle that are currently in my portfolio. I really am not worthy.

Other news - Catholicism made the front page of NY Times.
Yet again, another instance of reassurance. Evidently, there are such things as progressive Catholics.
My favorite part of the article: “I think that one of the teachings of God is to take care of the less fortunate,” said Susan Tighe, an insurance lawyer who identified herself as “a folk Catholic, from the guitar-strumming social-justice side” of the church.
It's true. Of anything I took away from expensive private Catholic education (the reason I sometimes had to bring peanut butter fold overs to school for lunch), is that it is more important to be an ethical and moral person who is open and caring to others than following ancient religious doctrines (often misinterpreted by those "Crazy catholics").

Also - I have been reading this book for the past month. At the point I'm at, the protagonist Leigh-Cheri has made her attic bedroom into a prison cell since her boo, Bernard, is in real prison for blowing stuff up with home made bombs. For shame. Not only is it smartly written, quotes such as these make me want to cuddle with it every night. This is Leigh-Cherie in "prison":
"'When we're incomplete, we're always searching for somebody to complete us. When, after a few years or a few months of a relationship, we find that we're still unfulfilled, we blame our partners and take up with somebody more promising. This can go on...until we admit that while a partner can add sweet dimensions to our lives, we, each of us, are responsible for our own fulfillment. Nobody else can provide it for us, and to believe otherwise is to delude ourselves dangerously and to program for eventual failure every relationship we enter. Hey, that's pretty good. If I had pencil and paper, I'd write that down.' Alas, she had no pencil, while the roll of paper that sat by the chamber pot was destined for a different end.

the cross is a present from Nicaragua from my sister Tree and is a shoutout to Catholicism. The cymbal banging monkey is for kicks.

comment appeliz vous?

2008-09-08T00:30:00.004-04:00

friday i woke up too tired to care about hygiene. it was a band t-shirt day minus washed hair plus crankiness. still, the entire ensemble encouraged more people to say hi to me. my grandmother like sunglasses probably attract too much attention. the exciting portions of my french class consisted of seeing the line "qu'est ceque ces" on the board (from the chorus of psycho killer by the talking heads) and experiencing first hand the fun of french pronunciation and the toll it takes on your facial muscles.

saturday morning started better - contrary to the fact i had another late night i found the ability to get all spiffified for the first Debate '08 training session at ten. while doing the exact opposite of what i was supposed to be doing (listening) i was flipping through the wonderful "this is hofstra" publication orginally intended to inform all about our glorious university (it's 12 pages long). the most savory piece of information was the distinguished alumni list which included Lou Berger, head writer of Sesame Street from the class of '72 and Francis Ford Coppola, who is just the Oscar winning director of one of my favorite movies THE GODFATHER (gahhh!) from '60. My Hofstra pride increased steadily.

Due to certain social circumstances, I went to White Castle for the first time ever today. I wish I had the excuse that I had some odd check list of random fast food joints to visit. Sadly, I don't. I just wanted to fulfill the wish the fellow from California I met last night.

Sara, always the informer, sent me this beauty:
Evidently indie kids have low self esteem despite the presence of their pretentiousness.
i knew it all along.

sunday times today was not interesting.
i ate amazing sushi in long beach.
and i wish i didn't miss mad men last week
i also bought stegosaurus bookends -- all voids in my life are filled.

like a caged animal i is

2008-09-04T21:19:00.003-04:00

during the lazy days of summer, where the sun through your windows is your alarm clock, it's hard to not wish for the eventful structured days of the new york and the academic year. how silly i was to be sitting in a t shirt and shorts eating cereal in front of my kitchen tv and long for the days on campus when i felt like somebody. how silly indeed.

as of now the only thing i have learned since coming back to Hofstra is that is is impossible to read about media relations and public relations research while listening to girl talk's feed the animals.

the kick off class for media relations consisted of professor bloom sparking a heated discussion about the train wreck spears. it's subjects such as spears and tabloids that are of popular discussion amongst pr majors at hofstra that make me question whether i'm in the right major. my friends, who range from film and art majors to poli sci and anthro, question why i'm in pr. despite the obvious dreams of working in the pretentious but amazing world of art, my only answer is that pr is something i feel i could be sickenly good at, as overly confident as that sounds. it's too late in the game to change majors now. the only hope is to score the internships i dream about in my sleep (because i am that dedicated). also the prospect of grad school is becoming a major consideration of mine. we shall see.

other areas of interest this week include the Rage Against the Machine incident at the RNC. They were scheduled to play, but because of thier tendency to have violent audiences (like every one of my favorite live performances in the past few years) they were prevented from doing so. what transpired was an impromptu acapella performance involving hand clapping and a bullhorn.

also, my friend sara showed me the blog she and her friends created: Buy Or Don't Buy

it's perfect for when the cynical mood strikes....when doesn't a cynical mood strike anyway?

plans for next week - first PRestige agency meeting and first FORM meeting. also training at LICM

2008-07-03T16:27:00.002-04:00

whenever i am at the arts alliance to monitor the gallery, i usually spend my time on the beautiful iMac in the office. i have never been a "web surfer", spending hours on the internet. when i do find the time, i am often at a loss of what to look for, so i do the last thing that an undergrad does during the summer.

i start looking up graduate programs.

NYU has this great program for art administration and sounds like my cup of tea. however, it suggested a "strong background in art history". i assume they imply a major in art history...which i will not have. i was a little heartbroken.

today at work i was talking about my dilemma with my co-workers (camp counselors) and it led to a discussion about majors in general. "the colonel" wondered what one could do with a major in art history. "jail bait school boy" answered 'to be a snob'.

at first i was a little appalled, and then i realized the culture differences between new york and well, the rest of the country. one of the issues i have with coming home has been the attitude of the average citizen of my small town. most go to college here in order to stick around with the friends they made in high school, marry some one they meet in college. settle down, start working, have kids, and the cycle repeats itself. it seems like only in new york (and probably other metropolitan cities) the family and home and friends are last priorities compared to having a career, being success, and living up to the cultured norm. a degree in art history is interesting and respected in a metropolitan area. in small town america...or just maybe my small town, a degree an art history gets you laughed at.

but that is besides the point.

i also realized that i could finally identify a previously unnamed conflict i had when first starting school. a majority of the people i met and the friends i made in ny would be regarded as snobbish and pretentious to the people i know from home. the norm at home believe in doing what is practical. somehow i have gotten myself associated with people who insist that the luxuries of life are worth having and sacrificing that is preposterous. some at school have had more experience in seeing the world and understanding the luxury of culture than my friends from home could ever dream of. maybe that is the point, that to be cultured is a luxury.

it seems often enough to be true that an appreciation for art and culture goes along with status and wealth. i could only hope that it would not be so, that art is something that should be appreciated by all. In this modern age, above anything else, culture had become the voice of the masses. the majority of the masses are not the select and privileged view.

the united states is criticized for lacking culture compared to Europe. the best way to promote the arts is with an understanding of the average patron of our society.

therefore.....i think NYU should let me in to the visual arts administration program without needing a silly art history major.

the end

oh...pitchfork in 2 weeks!

good golly miss molly

2008-06-23T21:49:00.003-04:00

gah!!!!
i have had a fondness for reading andy warhol biographies for the past year. i have this weird fascination with his celebrity and how his lifestyle progressed into it's own kind of art form. in the past year i have always had a little shock whenever i saw an original at the moma or met.

lo and behold, while checking my e-mail...i come across this lil headline :

Hofstra University Museum Receives Unprecedented Gift of Andy Warhol Art

oh yes, IT IS TRUE

Today's press release from University Relations says the Hofstra University Museum received "an unprecedented gift of Andy Warhol art from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. The gift, made through the Andy Warhol Photographic Legacy Program is in honor of the foundation’s 20th anniversary. The Museum will take ownership of its gift of 103 Polacolor prints and 50 Black and White Gelatin Silver Prints valued at $150,300 at the beginning of July. The Hofstra University Museum is one of 183 college and university art museums that will receive some of the 28,543 original Warhol photographs valued in excess of $28 million. Each institution is slated to receive approximately 150 original Polaroid photographs and gelatin silver prints selected by Jenny Moore, curator of the Photographic Legacy Program."

here's the link for the entire press release from the Hofstra University website

home again

2008-06-22T20:23:00.002-04:00

i came home for the summer in order to save money for studying abroad next year. while my fellow pr peers have big fancy schmancy internships in huge metropolitan cities, i work at a day camp talking to nine year olds about iron maiden. at least i technically have a title: "arts and crafts director". yes parents - i am the one your 4 year old refers to as "the art lady". i can think of at least twenty creative things to do with leaves alone. it's an easy enough job - one week down and i'm all the rage in the parks and rec department of my hometown.

i'm also kinda interning kinda volunteering at this non-profit arts organization in my town. they have their main gallery, the shop, a million art classes and various different events throughout the summer. my boss is a little scatterbrained - sometimes i have to remind her about the full page resume i gave her in may that sats, yes, i'm an art minor and yes, i do have pr experience (granted, one course and one year in PRSSA isn't that legitimate but something is better than nothing). however, how can you not love the free spirited graphic designer turned art advocate/official muralist of my town with "Bleecker Street: Greenwich Village of the '60's" (contemporary covers of folk music) in her gallery who also gives great advice on how best to utilize oil pastels?

one of my best friends, gallo, is spending his summer at his school in Virginia, having a glorious old time while leaving me slightly stranded here. i gave him my "best american short stories of 2005" to remember me by (which isn't actually mine - it was a loan from a guy i dated last year. whoops) elizabeth sold her soul to nannying for this 10 and 12 year old who could def take care of themselves and mike is galivanting throughout the area being the stud that works at Dick's Sporting Goods and dates girls from jersey. that leaves me trying to awkwardly reconnect with friends from high school and hang out with my fellow day camp counselors outside of work trying to not talk about camp.

there are the comforts of home to consider though such as the family and sleeping in the room i've had since i was born (not to mention i finally have my turntable set up. my proudest purchases as of far have been neutral milk hotel's "aeroplane over the sea" and the live recording of orson welles' "war of the worlds" from 1938)

i can't complain and home has been splendid - but i'm still biding my time until i get back to new york.

oh - and pitchfork in chicago will be glorious as well.

the pile of newspapers in my dorm room measures about 3 and a half feet high

2008-04-07T12:07:00.008-04:00

I was in painting this morning and a girl was playing music off of her computer (the thing was minuscule, it was literally half the size of my laptop!!!) and she was claiming to be playing an Eric Clapton mix. Without any preparation or warning, "Lady in Red" starts playing and I wonder what sort of mood this girl was trying to create at 9:30am on a Monday morning. When hearing the song, everyone remembered the Smart Ones commercial from a few years back with a woman dancing around in a red dress. Honestly, I had no idea that Clapton is responsible. Oh, how I was ashamed of the amount of tv I watched as a kid (too much).

My pet peeve is when commercials on tv somehow sneakily have the ability to use music I adore. This past year along, I have heard Fiest, Apples in Stereo, Arcade Fire, Band of Horses, The Rapture, and I think Devotchka more often on tv than my own ipod. I know the origins of the music, but what happens in a few years when our children are talking about how that funeral song they guess was by Band of Horses just makes them recall a girl staring out of the moon roof of a Ford Edge 2008.

Music is created, ideally, to help evoke some sort of emotion or progressive insight, not to help recall advertisements for luxuries like cars, cell phones, and diamond necklaces your husband lays on your neck while you're sleeping (what if she didn't wake up and instead rolled over and broke it?).

perez is not my homeboy

2008-04-07T03:10:00.003-04:00

i didn't think this would happen
but in response to a week's worth of information overload about how technology is constantly changing and how we need to keep up with it...somehow I, a somewhat non-technological, incapable traditionalist, have made a blog.

because when I think of blogs, I think of Perez Hilton...I hope to not go down that road...

Steve Rubel from Edelman Group spoke at Hofstra University last Wednesday to inform PR and Journalism majors alike about new media and how basically it is an unstoppable force we cannot control, but can utilize for our own benefit.

it scares me to imagine a future where people are more isolated than they already are and real personal contact is limited. I was reassured when Rubel stated that in order to reach consumers, business organizations must create relationships with their consumers. A collaboration between customers and businesses will generate the most success overall.

But still, I have always preferred interacting with people one on one and researching information independently. However, I realized that I must be more humble and come to the understanding that you have to keep up with what is already happening. My personal quest to bring about a society that values art, literature, music, and culture is not going to be successful until I adopt the habits and skills as my fellow consumers and peers. Which includes learning to appreciate blogs and those who read them.

On a personal level, my brain is fried. I spent about three hours in Calkins studio painting while listening to the new Devotchka album (thanks maggie), then I had to find the motivation to make this silly thing while waiting for my infinite amount of clothing to be washed. I'm going to attempt the crazy idea to sleep for three hours - the supposedly perfect amount in order to not be a zombie the next day. Which means if I sleep for three hours now...I'll be up before the sun still.

Tomorrow morning is more painting, reading Gargantua and Pantagruel by Francois Rabelais before class, and attempting once again to actually read the paper on a Monday.