Happy HO-lidaze!

Merry Christmas to all!

For all you non-Christians, Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy Chrismukkah! (sp?) No matter what you celebrate, this holiday season should be approached with a couple essential things:

1. nostalgia 2. happiness!

Why is it necessary to be nostalgic you might ask? Well sometimes when a year comes to an end, it's easy to forget the particular awesome times you had. In a sense, the year becomes a big blur. You may look back and think, oh, there was swine flu. MJ died. Uh, what else happened? But when you really think about it, I'm sure there are some particular moments that kicked ass-- and that is what matters! Think about the good times because, ultimately, no year is "perfect" in itself.

After reading way too many Best of 09 lists, I decided to talk to people, look through old pictures, etc etc, and come up with my own "Best of '09" list. It's in no specific order -- just a list of the great times I shared with family, friends, and myself.

1. New Years Day, '09- After my parents offered their newly purchased house last year, we decided to throw an epic NYE party... And we kinda did. Overview: Sin city themed, way too much alcohol, at least a bottle of bubbly per person, sexy decor, lots of make outs and LOTS of dancing. Anyways, it wasn't just the party that rocked, but New Years Day itself. On Jan 1st, 2009, my mom walked into her new house to find my best friend passed out in the backyard on an air mattress (with a beer bottle in the air hole) and the worst amount of damage that can be done to a completely empty house (I guess we got a little carried away). After receiving verbal threats from my parents, my friends came over, we drank our hangovers away, jammed to good music and CLEANED HOUSE. This was then followed by one of the best lunches of my life (appropriately accompanied by many comments like "remember when" and "wow we were really fucked up last night."). Nice start to 09.


2. Dinner on top of Mount Tibidabo, Barcelona- Being abroad in Barcelona this past Spring was just incredible. But we're sticking to the moments, so here's my first one. When a few of my friends from home came to visit, we hiked up Mt. Tibidabo-- a mountain overlooking BCN with an old, famous restaurant on the top (fun fact: the carnival scene in Vicky Cristina Barcelona was shot on this mountain top as well). The hike was long (two hours?), it was cold and pitch black out. Basically my friends who were visiting wanted to kill me. When we finally did make it to the top, we found out the restaurant was CLOSED. At that point, my friends had the right to kill me. Desperate times call for desperate measures. I went over and knocked on the restaurant window where the owners were sitting down to a family dinner (they were not happy). After much pleading, they opened the restaurant for us and we had our own private dinner. With so much wine. With such good food. With so many laughs. Ah, perfection.

3. Watching the Obama inauguration in an Irish Pub, Barcelona- Need I say more? I am so in love with our President. And Irish pubs. And Barcelona. The end.

4. Late night drinking games & dance party with Irish dudes in a house in the suburbs of Dublin- ....I cannot even divulge these ludicrous details. I mean Alli, how are we still alive?

5. When Alyssa visited me in Barcelona- when Ms. BFF, Alyssa Navia, came to visit me during her SB09, we decided that she would stay a night in Barcelona and then we would do a little Parisian honeymoon for the rest of the break. Although Paris as a whole was wonderful, the night in Barcelona was even better. We started out with a delicious meal celebrating her February birthday then went to my favorite bar in BCN for a gluttonous amount of booze and hipster eye candy. After getting wasted to the point where some Spaniards started throwing peanuts at us, I was reminded why this girl is my ultimate partner in crime. P.S. Alyssa, so sorry you puked on the way to Paris the next morning. P.P.S Sorry I just told everyone you puked on the way to Paris.
6. "Eurotrip '09" in Berlin with Erina- During my Easter break I went to Berlin, Prague and Budapest with my close friend for years, Erina. Even though my poor little Erina threw out her back while we were sightseeing in Berlin, we still had one of our favorite times during our last night there. We stumbled from one German bar to the next and found this underground candle-lit hole in the wall where the bartender loved us so much that he served us never-ending alcohol and played non-stop classic rock. We had so much fun that night that we missed our morning flight to Budapest. Oopsies.


7. Dinner with parents in Granada, Spain- After study abroad came to an end, my parents and I did some traveling together through Spain. We rented a car and road-tripped through the southern countryside-- it was gorgeous. While visiting Granada we had a delicious and hilarious dinner after seeing the Alhambra all day. The 4 course meal was accompanied by jokes, tasty food, wine, wine, wine and funny Asian tourists that were sitting at the table next to us. I am stopping there before I make any non-PC comments about awk Asians. Gracias!
8. Kings of Leon concert, University of Miami- When I got back home after being abroad, this could not have been a better start to my summer. Pregaming with tequila shots in my kitchen + my best friends from home + KOL up close and personal (floor seats, baby) + post gaming and reminiscing about my Barcelona experience = just what I needed. Oh yeah, and Caleb Followill is hot.

9. Manayunk Bike Race- In June I visited my brother in Manayunk, PA for the annual bike race (thank god he moved to center Philly because I would not stop calling this place "Trashyunk"). We drank lots, befriended many, and owned as the "Daly sibs" team in a tailgate beer pong tourney. What was awesome about that day was not the race itself, or the partying, but just being with my broski. After having a not so great summer in NYC, it was so nice to visit Sean, talk about life and just enjoy his much needed company.

10. Austin City Limits Music Festival, Phoenix - I wish I could put "Austin City Limits" as one big, wonderful moment, but if I had to choose my favorite performance from that weekend, I think it would be Phoenix. Maybe they kicked so much ass because it was their first big U.S. music festival? Yeah that could be it. Or maybe because they are just perfect? That could be it too. Basically, just imagine sitting under a hot sun, surrounded by sexy hipsters, drinking huge beers, and watching the beauty that is known as Phoenix. I don't know what was more perfect-- watching Thomas Mars lie on stage during Love Like A Sunset or touching him when he ran through the crowd during Lisztomania. WOW. God Bless France.

11. Girl Talk, Vanderbilt Gymnasium, Barcelona Reunion- Wow. Where to begin. In a nutshell, my abroad friends came to Vanderbilt for a sleep deprived, party infested reunion weekend. And Girl Talk was there. We spoke to Greg Gillis after, he's a cool dude. And for those that said the show was "ehhh," well you can go SUCK IT.


Ones that almost made the cut:
- Dinner with Italians, Barcelona- Sexy Italian boys made us dinner in their apartment- 2 courses of homemade Italian, dance party to The Killers, and endless drank.
- Jay Z, Vanderbilt Homecoming '09 - UH... Can I get an encore?
- Austin City Limits, Bon Iver- Pouring rain, ridiculous hippies, huge mud fest, beautiful music and an amazing moment with a DILF, his raincoat, and his lighter...
- Tiesto, Nashville- Too bad I remember NONE of this. I will take everyone's word on it though.
- UF/Vandy Tailgate at UF- FUNNEL CITY with my Miami peopleeee! Yeaaaah! Best birthday gift ever. Oh yeah and I know Vandy sucks as football.
- Wine night with best friends at the Daly household, Thanksgiving break- I mean these nights happen all the time. But this one, which included sing along's and deep convo till the wee hours, was particularly exceptional.


If you have the time to sit down and make up this kind of list, I highly suggest it. In the end, the whole is not always greater than the sum of its parts-- when looking back at a year, it's the moments that count.... Good memories take you back to the good times. Which is why nostalgia --> happiness! yeah!

For next week: Best Films of 09.

Till then, Happy Holidays!

Mommy what am I gonna be when I grow up?

If you are a senior, I am sure you have heard this before: "So, what are your post graduate plans?" Recently, my answers have come out in the form of indistinguishable sounds: "eh, er, eek, mehhh, meow." It sucks because I am usually semi-articulate and personable-- but to be honest, I am still figuring it all out! Strangely enough, I knew this answer at the beginning of my junior year. But things have changed-- I have changed. I am writing this post because if you are a senior too, I have a sneaking suspicion that you have gone through/are going through the same thing, or at least something like it. Is what you are going through OK? Yes. But is it normal? Yes. (Or at least I keep telling myself that). Should it freak you out? Not yet! (Or wait, should it!? AHHHH! YOUR LIFE IS OVER.... I kid, I kid.....P.S. remind me to ditch the advice posts in the future).

Before I went abroad, I pretty much had it down. Law school. (Yes, I actually thought I was going to law school. I know it's funny). But then I went abroad, I saw other parts of the world, met new people, traveled, traveled, traveled. Things change when you go through these experiences-- your life changes. Overall, I think that the change was, and has been, very positive. Great things happened to me while abroad but, when I came back home, I realized that I had no idea what I wanted to do. I did know this: I wasn't going to be a lawyer. What next?

When I hit this wall, my dad did what he always does. He challenged me. What do you love? When you really think about it, figuring this part out isn't hard. I love writing, film, music. I spoke to people about it, read a lot, checked out different classes I could take, did some hobby/job researching. And I actually found a lot of stuff: this semester I took a Creative Writing class, added a Film Studies minor, started writing for Versus magazine, started writing in my blog. I realized I love doing all these things. What's next? Helping out with the Vandy Film Festival next semester, taking MORE film classes, going to MORE concerts (gaaaah I love concerts), checking out even MORE cool, artsy stuff around Nashville (thanks again, blog!). Ultimately, even though I still don't know my "life plan," I'm starting to get an idea of what direction I want to go in. For now, I think that's good enough.

(FYI my current "direction" involves following the footsteps of Ms. Sofia Coppola. Check it out: she is GREAT screenwriter & awesome director. Her music taste also kicks ass-- this is evident in both her film soundtracks and the fact that her baby's daddy is Phoenix lead singer, Thomas Mars. Oh and she also makes me feel a lot better about my most recent fashion choices-- dressing up in boy'ish clothes can be cute! I mean what's cooler/comfier than converse, boyfriend jeans and cotton t-shirts?).

...One more thing: I am only going to have these "advice" posts every once in awhile--PROMISE! Happy holidays!

Music can change the world!

....It's true. Music is awesome. Others think so too:

"Music the great communicator" - Chili Peppers

"Music is my religion." -Hendrixxxxx

"One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain." - Bob Marley

"Music and rhythm find their way into the secret place of the soul" - Plato (sorry, I'm a philosophy major...)


I think I made my point?

Finals are approaching... The next week and a half will not only include lots of library hibernation, binge eating, no eating, illegal study drug smuggling, lack of sleep and too much sleep (shit! I'm late for my exam! FML!) but MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC.

I have this terrible tendency of listening to the same kind of music over and over again because when I like a song, I become obsessed. This is a problem when it comes to studying though because sometimes the song becomes a broken record in my head (Which can be really annoying to say the least... Especially when studying Ancient Philosophy... which is next Tuesday... which I haven't opened a book for all semester....).

ANYWAYS, thank god I happened to walk into Urban Outfitters the other day to do some pre-X mas shopping-- if I hadn't, I would not have stumbled upon this hidden music gem. While at the cash register I spotted a double-disc compilation album called "Give.Listen.Help."-- a $15 dollar benefit CD that gives proceeds to 826 National (a nonprofit that raises money to help low income students improve their writing/reading skills). I didn't recognize some of the music on the CD but still wanted to buy it because 1) it's a great cause 2) the music that I did recognize included some of my fave artists.

Basically, music really CAN change the world! And in a cool way!

The CD includes all different types of music, with some acoustic and remixed recordings from a wide range of awesome artists. Some really great songs that I would like to point out: Demons (The Dears), Santa Ana Winds (Cold War Kids), Lisztomania (Phoenix remix), Help I've Alive (acoustic, Metric), Animal (Miike Snow, remix by Peter, Bjorn and John), The Reeling (Passion Pit, remix by Shuttle), Give Blood (Rain Machine), New Moon Rising (Wolfmother), Slow Hands (Interpol cover by Zee Avi)

Did I not convince you yet? Below is the link to the Urban Outfitters site with the complete track list. And you can buy it too...

Good luck with exams! And life.

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=17455270&navAction=jump&navCount=

For all you cinephiles...

It's a weekday or even a weekend and you are thinking, "HMMMM do I want to go out to the same bars? Drink the same drinks? See the same people? Make out with the same people?" As a senior, I can say that I am not the only one who thinks this (Actually, I am pretty sure I was thinking this as far back as the first semester of my sophomore year). Just a little FYI- there are other cool, cultural things that you can do with your free time. Why not start with the Belcourt? Yes, that cute little theater that shows all the new indie and foreign films in Hillsboro Village. If you haven't been, GO.

The week before Turkey Break I went with some of my suitemates to an event there -- a wine tasting/catered buffet reception before the screening of the new film "Coco Before Chanel." The movie itself was great, very much a chick-flick, but overall a fantastic performance by the wonderfully adorable Audrey Tautou (remember her in Amelie?) as Ms. Coco Chanel before she hit fashion stardom. But what I loved most about the night was not just the film but the experience itself-- being surrounded by hipsters of all ages, drinking, talking and eating yummy little appetizers from Whole Foods.

The Belcourt is the epitome of an untapped resource-- most of the time people just go to Green Hills to watch the new stoner/bromance/Seth Rogen/Jennifer Aniston flick that just came out. Or they just go to a frat party. Or go on Facebook. But the Belcourt is kickass! Trust me. Not only does this hidden gem offer a nice selection of indie films, it also shows screenings of the classics (this week- "Rebel Without a Cause" with hottest man alive, James Dean). And there are concerts! I saw "Stars" play there a couple years back. The concert was awesome because the theater is tiny and intimate-- very fun way to see a live show.

So instead of going to a bar you have been to WAY to many times (yeah, that bouncer knows you on a first name basis), why not do a wine night with friends followed by the Belcourt? (I swear to god I am not a senior citizen-- this place is really cool). It will be a perfect change of pace.

http://www.belcourt.org/

now playing: revanche, red cliff, coco before chanel, rebel without a cause, female trouble, the room

next "wine, food & film"- jan 11
next event you must check out- Sundance Film Festival screenings (with some filmmakers included!)- jan 28

Thanksgiving.

I have a pretty weird family ... and I love it. So when I walked into the kitchen the other morning and my parents were imitating a Three Stooges skit, I wasn't fazed. My mom, pointing a pancake spatula at my dad, was saying "Thank YOU!" in this really silly voice then laughing at how funny she was. My dad then promptly responded in a French (ish?) accent, "No, but thank YOU!" They went back and forth with this, improvising with new voices and doing funny little hand motions.

This entertainment went on for awhile. But the rest of the morning was like any other: my dad blasted some Wilco and we stuffed our faces with yummy pancakes (all the while my mom said my bed hair looks really funny when I drink and party the night before).

There's a point to this. Thanksgiving is TOMORROW (who has started counting down, by the way? Eeeeek pumpkin pie!!) and it makes me wonder: what am I thankful for? Well the other morning, I knew the answer. As I stood in the kitchen watching my parents act like crazy weirdos-- as I watched them laugh till they were almost crying-- I couldn't help but feel so thankful for them.

I think that Thanksgiving is about realizing what moves us in life and feeling grateful for that. It's a day where we look around and give thanks for the things that make us happy-- our favorite hobbies, love, friendship, companionship. It's a day where we can turn to someone and say, "thanks for everything."

I am lucky to have a ten day Thanksgiving break. Right now I am in beautiful North Carolina with my WHOLE family (add lots of wine and bizarre humor to the mix and we are having a damn good time). It's been a relaxing and much needed break. We hang out by the fireplace, watch cool indie movies (thanks to my dad the self-proclaimed film connoisseur), do a little hiking (emphasis on little), and eat SO much food (whenever I come to NC, I find myself either eating or talking about eating).

The first few days of the break I was home in Miami. While I was home, it was so easy to see what I am thankful for: my incredible friends (imagine a wine night until 6am), my huge, comfy bed, going out to the best restaurants and places (Miami Short Film Festival was going on! AMAZING), and family dinners that last HOURS. I am thankful that I have such a wonderful home to go back to whenever I want. And when I say home, I mean it in every sense of the word.

For Thanksgiving, there are so many things you can do to give thanks. But in the end, it doesn't even need to be something that big. It's a day where you can turn around to your friend, a family member, a boyfriend, a girlfriend, whoever, and say, "thanks for being you." (I admit it-- such a corny post, but come on people! It's thanksgiving!)



"And so today, my world it smiles, your hand in mine, we walk the miles,
Thanks to you it will be done, for you to me are the only one."

-Led Zeppelin

Time

It makes me sort of cringe to think that my last post was about the first week of school. We can look at it literally: Alex, you are a lazy ass. But let's be nice to Alex and look at it symbolically: Alex, can you believe the semester is almost over?

Time has flown by so quickly that it scares me. It seems as though as we get older, time moves a lot faster. Does anyone agree? Or am I just really anxious since this past weekend was our last tailgate (ever)? Ok. Don't stop reading, I promise this post will not be emo.

A lot of good things have happened over the past couple of months. I have grown closer with my friends, I really like my classes, and I have come to love and appreciate Vanderbilt (Nashville especially... who woulda thunk it?). When you acknowledge the fact that time is fleeting, you realize that you should REALLY enjoy it. What do you have to lose?

So when my older brother got on my ass about sticking with my blog, I had my excuses: "I have NO TIME," "the GRE," "so much work," "it's just a hobby," "I'm going to start fresh in the spring." He responded, in a nice way, cut the bullshit. "Don't wait till spring, do it now. If you like doing it, make time." In the end, we have to admit that we have no control over time. But we have control of what we do with it. So, I'm going to make time for my blog and stick to it. I like writing it. I hope you like reading it. And even if you don't, I'll be doing it every Wednesday. Wednesday wrap-up if you will.

Enough about time, now about artsy. In my most recent music experiences, I saw Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes do a small set at Grimey's record store (above The Basement on 8th ave). I had never heard of them so I am very glad I found someone else who loves music as much as I do and decided to invite me! Ed Sharpe sounds smooth, soulful and folky. By folky I don't mean in a weird way but in a "let's hold hands and laugh and dance" kind of way. The show was simple and sweet. And I REALLY loved seeing this band jam out stoned off their asses (imagine a group of happy hippies in bizarre garments and greasy hair just having a fun time talking shit and performing great music.) Check out one of their most popular and one of my favorites: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjFaenf1T-Y

Just this past weekend I had the chance, no the great fortune, to see JAY-Z perform at Vanderbilt. There really are no words, except that he's not a businessman, he's a business, man (ha! had to do it..) No but really, he is the epitome of cool. Honestly, this guy knows how to put on an AMAZING show. He did a lot of songs from the new Blueprint 3 album (almost cried when I heard "Empire State of Mind," who wouldn't?) and of course the classics, including one of my faves of all time, "Public Service Announcement." Others to be mentioned for their greatness: "Big Pimpin',""99 Problems,""Hard Knock Life," and... wait for it... "Forever Young" to finish it all off.

What's so great about Jay Z is not that he is such an amazing performer but that he really loves his audience. Who will ever forget the ten minute shout out he made to people from the floor to the nose bleeds ("ye boy I see ya in ya jamaican shirt.." "ye girl, I see ya in yo bling. damn!")? Or the fact that he thinks Vandy girls are hot ("y'all got some pretty ladies here! what the fuuuuuck!")? My roommate and I convinced ourselves that he was looking at us directly. All in all, such a perfect experience. Thank you Jay Z.

Shit. I really always tell myself to write shorter posts. ANYWAYS. Recap, I will be writing a post every Wednesday about any cool artsy experiences and will try to include things going on in Nashville. About the time thing, take it in stride, but realize that time does fly. Why not enjoy it? In the words of HOVA himself:

"I'd rather die enormous than live dormant."

Stuff to check out if you are here this weekend before the break:

Deadmau5, this thursday, Limelight, 8pm

Dan Auerbach (of the Black Keys), this Saturday, Cannery Ballroom, 9pm

First Week

So, I have been slacking. Badly. But it's not like I have many committed fans (yet...) so I guess I don't feel too guilty. I arrived in Nashville over a week ago and it has felt really great being back. A lotta good things are happening right now: I like my schedule (there is some breathing room for the *arghhhh* GRE), my friends are still the shit, the weather's nice and I am finally living in a single (which I fixed up oh so cutely with bohemian chic linens and things-- I am a big girl now!).

I am going to add posts on a weekly basis, with news of upcoming artsy stuff and reports of the artsy stuff I have done. Last weekend, we went to the Nashville BBQ fest where we noshed on yummy sausages, pork sandwiches, grilled corn and the cob and got our buzz on while sippin cold beers and firefly (burn, baby, burn). There was some live music, jewelry booths, an airbrush tattoo stand (we all got one, duh, mine being EnErGyYyYY), and some good ol' hot liquour drankin nashtrash. It was a fun time.

Things to check out this week: Belcourt for "In the Loop," or "Outrage," Live music Wednesday nights at the Crescent and Oyster Bar on 21st ave, Shakespeare in the Park (Free Thurs-Sun, 7:30 thru Sept 13 in Centennial, donations accepted), and some other cool activities I'll pick up on ze fly.

Don't lose faith in me.

PS, the photos are from the BBQ fest, courtesy of photog bestie Kelley Cook:

"After the Wedding" & Incubus

Hello everyone,

It has come to my attention that I have a very dedicated reader of my blog! Yay! I thought I was just rambling into cyberspace, but today a friend sent me an email requesting another post-- apparently I have been slacking. Although I wasn't really planning on kicking this into gear until school starts, my blog follower/fan/real-life-friend has left me blushing. So, I'm back!

As a I lie in my backyard tanning and drinking a margarita (I'm actually not that cliche-- so ignore the marg comment), I would like to talk about two artsy experiences that thoroughly impressed me recently, both filmically and musically (did I just make up the word filmically? Note to self-- add to Urban Dictionary).

...

A few nights ago, a couple of friends came over for some good sober fun. You might be wondering, "Wait, huhhh? Whaaat bro, does that, like, exist, bro?" It does-- it's called Movie Night. My father, aka Mr. Film Freak Extraordinaire has set up a little home theater in our very own living room. Per Dad's request, we picked up a film he has not stopped raving about: "After The Wedding." And let me just start off by saying, Wow.

The film, which debuted in the US in 2007, is a drama set in Denmark. It follows a middle-aged man named Jacob who manages an orphanage in India. When the orphanage faces financial problems, he travels to Denmark where a big corporation has offered to help with a substantial donation. Jacob meets the company honcho, Jorgen, who although initially agreed to help, is now saying he needs more time to think about it. Jorgen tries to reassure Jacob of his financial commitment and befriends him, asking Jacob to come to his daughter's, Anna's, wedding. Jacob reluctantly accepts, but it is at the wedding where he runs into someone from his past, Jorgen's wife, Helene. And then it is after the wedding when things start unraveling and unraveling and unraveling. It doesn't stop.

The themes are powerful-- ranging from love, to betrayal, to sadness, to happiness. Because the themes are so universal, it is hard not to become completely engrossed in the character's thoughts, actions, and emotions. As viewers we understand these characters-- we grieve for them and feel for them.

Writer/Director Susan Bier does a fantastic job exploring the conceptual paradox between family and privacy. She shows how each character faces tough situations the best way that they can-- in the end, all of them try coping with these situations in their own unique way in order to save the ones they love, even if they are forced to lie or betray their way to this resolution. We soon realize that it is the truth that saves them all.

The movie is excellent. Although some of the stylistic choices seem disconnected, even unnecessary (Bier's focus on eyes and gestures), overall the acting is great. There are two beautiful moments-- one in which Helene discovers a tragic reality about Jorgen and another in which Jorgen confronts this reality. Both moments are so sad yet filled with impeccable authenticity.

Hopefully, this review has convinced you. But if my persuasive powers are weak, then maybe you will like the fact that it was an Oscar nominee in '07 (it lost to "The Lives of Others" -- another MUST SEE).

For your enjoyment, the trailer

And "The Lives of Others" trailer

...

OK, now onto the other artsy experience that impressed me-- Incubus. I'll keep this "short," I know my movie review was a lil long.

Anyways, you might be thinking, Wait, Incubus still exists? Yup-- I saw them last night in concert. I have been to many concerts, and although we were stuck with last minute lawn seats, I still was thoroughly amazed by this concert. Incubus delivered a KICK ASS show. Not only is Brandon Boyd incredibly sexy (those abs? are they real?), but the vocals were pretty much flawless-- they sounded just like recorded tracks. Actually, the vocals were better live.

They started the show with Pardon Me. And believe me, that song never gets old. Everyone was freaking out, roaring their way through the sing along, just absolutely loving it. They played classics like Nice To Know You, Stellar, Drive, Wish You Were Here, and ended with (wait for it....) Aqueous Transmission. While swaying with my friends and holding up my cell phone as a makeshift lighter, I couldn't help but feel nostalgic. I think every Incubus fan has some sort of connection with this song whether they have heard it sober or wasted or buzzed off something. Gotta love the frogs. Oh yeah, and Are You In? encore-- heck yes.

They also played a lot of newer stuff from Light Grenades, They raged through Anna Molly & A Kiss To Send Us Off, Dig was (uh-duh) great, Quicksand was super trippy, and of course everyone screamed slash cried slash made out to Love Hurts.

My faves of the set were Megalomaniac and Oil and Water and Talk Shows On Mute and... can I just say EVERYTHING?

Other pluses: 1) He took his shirt off (did I mention his abs?) 2) He brought out some bongos 3) They were selling jumbos beers AND arepas (Gracias Mee-a-mee!) 4) Second encore: a Prince cover.

Amen.

P.S. A very good friend of mine, the wonderfully hip Ms. Sarah Turner, will be joining this blog and adding her artistic two cents!

500 Days of Summer

Since I won't be in Nashville until the 23rd, I am going to add some other fun artsy stuff to this blog. While at MTV, I was the Intern Film Critic (how silly does that sound?) and did some reviews for this summer's "hottest" flix.

Anyways, considering this movie is bad ass and summer is almost over (whaaaaaat), check out the film review I wrote. If you don't want to read it, at least watch this movie. It's awesome. What else will you be doing today? Exercising? Yeah, ok.

500 Days of Summer is definitely not your typical love story. And if you haven’t already realized this from the trailer, a narrator will tell you so in the film’s opening scene.

Just like any other rom-com, this self-righteous chick flick is filled with romance and comedy, but what makes it especially unique is the fact that there is also heartbreak and disappointment in the face of romantic fantasy. It shows us how love isn’t like the all the sappy movies we cling onto in our youth— sometimes love is unreciprocated and sometimes love can inevitably fail.

The film follows the story of Tom and Summer. Tom Hansen, played by indie cutie Joseph Gordon-Levitt, is true believer in love. When the adorably aloof Summer Finn (Zooey Deshanel) becomes a new assistant at the office where Toms works (which is, ironically enough, a Hallmark-like greeting card company), he falls head over heels for her. And he falls hard. But there is just one twist: the feelings aren’t entirely mutual.

The movie is structured in a non-chronological fashion, beginning with the tail end of their failing relationship and followed by random snapshots of their good and bad times together. The unsystematic movement of the storyline introduces a new dimension to the romantic comedy genre, fueling the audience with curiosity and also symbolically revealing how love can be messy and inexplicable.

The film begins with previews of the two characters’ unique childhood experiences: Tom grew up disillusioned by British emo/pop music while Summer grew up disillusioned by the failure of her parents’ crumbling marriage. Although these introductory bits are humorous, they also explain why both characters see the world so differently.

We see their diverging views of love at work during their first outing together at an office-coordinated karaoke night. In a tequila-drenched, whimsical voice Tom says, “Wait. What happens when you fall in love?” Summer retorts in a dry, disinterested voice, “Love. You don’t believe in that. Do you?” He quickly responds with a (predictable) comedic comeback: “What. It’s love, it's not Santa Claus.”

I guess that opposites (initially) attract because the two do make it happen. But as the story unfolds, we see how the two characters stay true to form. Inevitably, their personal perspectives of the world lead them towards their downfall. While Tom falls victim to his needy tendencies in the face of unrequited love, Summer is still able to look into his puppy eyes with a casual/cool, soul mate-are-for-suckers attitude and say things like “let’s just be friends” (Ouch?).

It makes sense that the relationship doesn’t last even though we all hope that this artsy duo can survive and live happily ever after. But in the end, that’s what makes the film honest and real.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Maybe I am biased, considering I fell completely in love with Tom Hansen. But if you don’t have the capacity of lusting over fictional characters, there are a few more reasons why you should still check it out. A) It was a breakout hit at Sundance. B) There are some really great scenes, including a happy-go-lucky dance sequence starring Mr. Levitt himself and another in which the couple plays fake house in a furniture store. And lastly, C), For all you music lovers, the soundtrack is pretty kick ass.

So, whether you are on a first date or just in the mood for a Sunday matinee with family and friends, 500 Days of Summer is definitely worth it. Whether we are hopeless romantics or raging cynics, we can all relate to the love in this film in our own fresh and special way.

Hello Blog, Hello World!

Hi friends,

Today is my very first blog. I would like to call this a fresh start.

I am good at starting things, journals especially, but I am bad at finishing them. I usually get distracted by bigger and better things. Or just succumb to laziness.

But this summer, I have gone through many interesting, personal changes. I have realized that instead of sitting on my ass, waiting for the world to give me something good to look forward to, I would like to take manners into my own hands (literally).

This Awakening came to me first in waves. I lived for the past two months in New York City, interning at MTV in Media & Licensing.

As an incoming senior at Vanderbilt University, completely oblivious about my future career, I figured the best option was law school (me? lawyer? huh?). My parents and friends alike gave the thumbs up to this potential career choice. I signed up for the LSAT, went to my internship, drafted licenses, emailed fellow lawyers, negotiated financial deals (Etc, Etc, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH).

But then I was hit by the waves; waves of boredom, frustration, anxiety. All the bad stuff. I realized that I hated what I was doing.

When creativity is idle, it later comes crawling out in bizarre (wave like?) ways. Point in case, I had abandoned my creative passions and interests during this whole "I need to be successful and grow up" process.

After some personal realizations while running by the East River and many, many conversations with close friends and loved ones, I decided to drop the whole law school thing and am planning on Grad School, in Creative Writing or Film (in case you were curious). Not only am I anxiously working on writing samples and studying for the GRE, I am also picking up some fun hobbies. Lately I have been exploring, film, music & art -- things that makes me tick and thrive.

Basically, I have reconnected with my old artsy self.

As I prepare for Grad School, I would like this blog to be my side project. At Vandy, so many people (me included) have completely forgotten there is something outside of the Vanderbubble (yes there are cooler things to do than fratting out). There is much more than people think. Nashville has a lot to offer to those of us who are artistically curious (and daring) enough.

As a music freak, I have taken advantage of many concerts these past three years. But I still haven't explored other parts of Artsyville. There is art, film, and even more music than I probably don't know anything about. Therefore, this blog is going to be a way for me to discover those other artsy parts that haven't been yet discovered. I want to scope out the underground scene, party with the hipsters, and everything else funky like that. And I want to share it with all you starving artists and bored bloggers. Aren't I nice?

I have recruited some others to my side; this blog is a collaborative effort. I'm excited. This might be a very cool thing.

School starts in less than two weeks. Until then, I will be doing some artsy stuff here in my hometown, Miami, FL (ehem, Mee-Am-EE). I will also be tanning, a lot. Maybe eating some cuban food. Maybe a club or a bar, here and there.

Oh yeah, and I will be blogging. Don't worry, there will be no more lifestory bullshit like you witnessed in the earlier part of this post. I just needed a juicy intro.

Stay tuned.