Study music

So I read somewhere on the internet (so it HAS to be true) that while you're studying, if you listen to music (which I always do), you should listen to music that's in a language that you don't understand.  That way your brain isn't trying to process this auxiliary information.  Lucky for me this creates a large pool of music for me to choose from since I'm your typical ethnocentric American and only speak English.  It also makes me extra thankful that the cafe by my apartment that I study at has a young Hispanic barista who mostly plays Spanish music.  The barista is probably in his early twenties and when I asked him about the music, he went on to tell me all about his favorite songs and how they make him feel.  One song in particular about "your heart feeling very sad because someone left you.  I listened to it a lot after my last breakup" he said, then with his index finger made the gesture of a tear falling from his eye.  Super cute and vulnerable to a stranger - how radical!
Anyways, my Swedish cousin recommended this band Kent.  And I found one of their full length albums on youtube.  Need to hit up Amoeba after work and find the album Isola which is the one he specifically recommended.  So far really enjoying this musical endeavor!

Kent - Hagnesta Hill (Complete Album - Svenska)

Here's a good Spanish one:  Ojos de Brujo Bari

Newz

I need to write about something besides music but so far this week hasn't been very inspiring... just reading a ton of news - somehow I've acquired subscriptions to NYT, WSJ, and FT.  Being exposed to all this crap just creates a sense of how fucking complicated and depressed the world can be.  How can I grasp what's happening in Iraq, Israel/Gaza or Ukraine/Russia when it just sounds like complete chaos and rooted in generations of political/religious conflict?  I've never heard a bomb go off or shots fired.  What would it be like to live somewhere that this is your everyday reality or fear?  I feel sad for those people caught up in all this madness and wish I felt a better understanding of what's going on and why...

Oh Land: Monday Morning Music

Oh how I'm loving Oh Land today.  Their self titled album is making this Monday morning much more enjoyable and gently ushering me into the week.

Here's a taste:  Wolf and I by OhLand

Her music video for Rainbow is kinda bizarre but she's artsy and Danish, so I'm probably just not cool enough to get it.  Love the song regardless.

Let's cuddle! ($60/hour)

Of course this would exist in Portland:  Professional Cuddler!  I get it, we all get lonely sometimes and human touch can heal emotional wounds.  But definitely not a job I'd want - even though now she's creating a curriculum so you can become a certified cuddler!  Totally legit, right?!  Now there is something to put on your OKCupid profile...

Anyways what really interested me more is this article about her where it says:  "The idea came to her when she read an article about a guy with a 'Free Hugs' sign at a local Saturday market. Another man stood next to him with a 'Deluxe hugs, $2' sign, and ended up getting more hugs than the first guy."
For reals?  Found the youtube video of this.  While I wouldn't say the deluxe hugs dude is raking in dough on his hugs, he's a great salesman and works it.  I love his sales pitches for the hugs "I use both arms"... "the free ones feel cheaper"....  Guess goes to show you can make a market in anything, even as simple as a hug  :-)

(Also, in case you're wondering, I came across this story as I was researching a, now defunct, brokerage firm... never know what nuggets you'll stumble upon on the interwebs).

Fashionable feminism

"When reality television star and fashion blogger Lauren Conrad was asked what her 'favorite position' was on a live radio program a while back, the women listening held their breath. When Conrad cleverly retorted 'CEO,' it was hard not to aggressively high-five our laptop and mobile devices. The words 'hell' and 'yeah' could be heard all across the nation."

I really like this bit about Lauren Conrad.  I will shamefully (and somewhat boastfully) admit that I've been a fan since she was young "LC" on Laguna Beach.  (fantastic ground breaking show, I'll stand by that).  But just did a google search and found out she's engaged (congrats!) and getting married on Valentines Day (barf).  I'm all for romance, rare as it's become, but c'mon, Valentines Day?  So cliche and predicable.  Thankfully, girl's got style, so I'm sure she'll pull it off in the classiest way imaginable.

Writing letters to people that I never intend to send

Or maaaaaybeee I will send it!  Maybe it's addressed to you!

Either way, I highly recommend this practice.  

Namaste, punks.

Background music 8/7

Enjoying the ladies today.

Rediscovered the most recent First Aid Kit album Stay Gold in my iTunes library this morning.  Loved their first album, The Lion's Roar (even got it on vinyl).  But their current album has gotten little playtime in my musical rotation.  I'm so glad that it popped into my consciousness today though.  Their voices are beautiful and a little haunting.  The music composition is interesting but flows smoothly, so it doesn't distract my attention away from my work.  Sing it, sisters!

Also really digging Jenny Lewis' new album Voyager.  Was sucked in by the first single Just One Of The Guys, which I find relatable  (as I'd imagine most women do, especially in business).  The whole album has a yummy poppy energy to it.  I adore her guitar riffs paired with girly ballads.  Bet she'd be fun live - will have to keep my ear to the ground for the next time she'll be in SF.

Citing my sources

Photo cred for the main picture on this site goes to a good friend of mine who is far more skilled behind the lens than myself.  Thank you, you-know-who-you-are, for filling my life with beautiful imagery (and allowing me to use it for my own purposes).  XO

Starting back up

Decided to start this blog back up... Well, maybe.  No pressure right?  If I abandon you again, blog, I'm sorry.  It's not personal.  I just have a tough time with commitment.  Not even sure what I'm going to post... I suppose the answer to that is, whatever the hell I want.  Shall we begin?

motivation

I deactivated Facebook. It kind of felt like putting a pet to sleep, I had gotten so attached. Now I need a new outlet, so here you have it... let us begin.