I decided that I'm either going to be in advertising or marry someone who is. (I'd prefer the latter. No musician likes resorting to jingles.)
Why?
Well, when little kids see the commercials for My Little Pony and Play-Doh and Barbie and whatever the hell else is out there, they hear their stupid claims and just WANT them more than anything. I don't want to raise these kids.
I want to raise the kids that have used those toys and can testify to the B.S., that can make their own decisions; even that young. I'll teach them sooner and they'll get it before they're caught up in the adolescent whirlwind of materialism.
See, if the family is in advertising, I assume we'd get the endorsed product for free or at least heavily discounted or something like that. So the kids will play with it, make what they want of it, and then watch Mommy or (hopefully) Daddy's glorified commercial. They will totally realized the difference and won't always believe in the overkill praises on TV about a pink plastic pony.
Because, frankly, this causes a lot of problems. And it's not just commercial products that are shopped around. It's ideals, opinions, and standards. I want to help in creating a future generation that is trained not in certain "built-in" opinions, but rather in thinking for itself from the very start.
Now, I know you're supposed to shelter your kids in a certain way, but this doesn't mean you can't teach them decision-making early on. Believe me, it's a good thing. Otherwise, you'll end up like me: choked by a control freak with siblings who love battling for power and don't think for themselves.
Yeah.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Music
I once heard someone I knew describing why she likes absolutely loves the band The Fray. She said:
Unfortunately, all we have these days in the way of popular music is the neverending cycle of "Love you so and never wanna let you go" songs. Or those horrid breakup songs which we all know have no emotions behind them, because really, you have to be some kind of douchebag to write a song to your significant other about how you no longer want to date them so that they don't know how you really feel until the song is on the radio. Everyone thinks Miley Cyrus's "The Climb" is just so damn deep, and that "Fall For You" by Secondhand Serenade is just so touching. "The Climb" took a bunch of studio writers to help Ms. Cyrus write, and it was a product of a movie, so it's all fake; and "Fall For You" portrays hardly any emotion, if you listen to it. It's nice, but it's not what people think it is.
I think that music these days has been severely diluted. To find someone like Jason Mraz or John Mayer is almost rare now. To wedge oneself in the music industry is all too easy: look good, sing decently, be very friendly, and you're in. The funny part is that looking good is the most rigorous part. Take a look at Cassie. All looks? I do think so. It's especially a hint when the songs are spelled in text message language.
My favorite is "Soulja Boy"'s song that all the kids dance to and is really freaking disgusting. I won't deny it, I know the dance, and it can be fun. But in the song, "Soulja Boy" is rapping about how pissed he is that his girlfriend didn't give him any last night, and so he's so blue-balled about it that he's going to rub one out and make sure the ensuing fluid lands all over her while she's sleeping. And the kid was 16 when he recorded it. Corruption? I think so. But that's another issue.
The point is that music can be used so well to portray emotion, to touch people, to express what words can't dare to do, to take the artist and listeners to another world where everything is what they want it to be. And yet, it's being further and further reduced into a tool for enjoyment, and a mood enhancer, like a drug. People will play music because they're sad and want to be happy again. In this function, it is no more than an antidepressant. Others will play music so they can dance. In this function, it is no more than Ecstasy. Some will just play it as background noise. In this function... wait, this makes it have no function.
I remember when I was younger, I thought that this was what it was. How when JoJo was 13 years old when her single "Leave (Get Out)" was on the radio, and a bunch of critics went up in arms because, first of all, it's another breakup song, and second of all, she was just too young to sing about such things. How I was her age and thought, It's just a song; who really cares? Because this is what I had gathered that music was. Entertainment. Who cares where it came from? It's just a nice sound.
I have since discovered that music does have genres for nice sounds: Ambience. Techno. Dance.
But then there are those other genres that we primarily use as expression and inspiration for others: Rock. Easy listening. Pop. Rhythm & Blues. Soul. Jazz. Funk.
Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. I think I'm being a little bit pompous here, since I'm so young and haven't even experienced much in the way of music. But it just frustrates me a great deal to see such a wonderful art be brought down to such a low sometimes.
Their songs have meaning, you know? Like it actually came from somewhere and they experienced it!She said this as if this were a novel concept in the world of music, and that this is what makes them totally unique in the large world of musicians. Funny, I've been listening to lots of music that came from somewhere; is this part of a new wave?
Unfortunately, all we have these days in the way of popular music is the neverending cycle of "Love you so and never wanna let you go" songs. Or those horrid breakup songs which we all know have no emotions behind them, because really, you have to be some kind of douchebag to write a song to your significant other about how you no longer want to date them so that they don't know how you really feel until the song is on the radio. Everyone thinks Miley Cyrus's "The Climb" is just so damn deep, and that "Fall For You" by Secondhand Serenade is just so touching. "The Climb" took a bunch of studio writers to help Ms. Cyrus write, and it was a product of a movie, so it's all fake; and "Fall For You" portrays hardly any emotion, if you listen to it. It's nice, but it's not what people think it is.
I think that music these days has been severely diluted. To find someone like Jason Mraz or John Mayer is almost rare now. To wedge oneself in the music industry is all too easy: look good, sing decently, be very friendly, and you're in. The funny part is that looking good is the most rigorous part. Take a look at Cassie. All looks? I do think so. It's especially a hint when the songs are spelled in text message language.
My favorite is "Soulja Boy"'s song that all the kids dance to and is really freaking disgusting. I won't deny it, I know the dance, and it can be fun. But in the song, "Soulja Boy" is rapping about how pissed he is that his girlfriend didn't give him any last night, and so he's so blue-balled about it that he's going to rub one out and make sure the ensuing fluid lands all over her while she's sleeping. And the kid was 16 when he recorded it. Corruption? I think so. But that's another issue.
The point is that music can be used so well to portray emotion, to touch people, to express what words can't dare to do, to take the artist and listeners to another world where everything is what they want it to be. And yet, it's being further and further reduced into a tool for enjoyment, and a mood enhancer, like a drug. People will play music because they're sad and want to be happy again. In this function, it is no more than an antidepressant. Others will play music so they can dance. In this function, it is no more than Ecstasy. Some will just play it as background noise. In this function... wait, this makes it have no function.
I remember when I was younger, I thought that this was what it was. How when JoJo was 13 years old when her single "Leave (Get Out)" was on the radio, and a bunch of critics went up in arms because, first of all, it's another breakup song, and second of all, she was just too young to sing about such things. How I was her age and thought, It's just a song; who really cares? Because this is what I had gathered that music was. Entertainment. Who cares where it came from? It's just a nice sound.
I have since discovered that music does have genres for nice sounds: Ambience. Techno. Dance.
But then there are those other genres that we primarily use as expression and inspiration for others: Rock. Easy listening. Pop. Rhythm & Blues. Soul. Jazz. Funk.
Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. I think I'm being a little bit pompous here, since I'm so young and haven't even experienced much in the way of music. But it just frustrates me a great deal to see such a wonderful art be brought down to such a low sometimes.
The fakeness of human beings
As my high school years come to a close, everyone sits around a metaphorical bonfire and goes, "Awww, look at how close we became over the years! We're all friends now!"
And then there's me and my friends, as well as those who kind of don't have any, who just sit on the side and go, "What about us?"
And there's still the same cattiness going on that has been going on since we were preteens, and it will always be going on, since we have all known each other since we were preteens. And yet, some feel the need to pretend it's all Kumbayah and wonderful, when it's not.
Why? Why do people feel like they have to kid themselves? Why can't we just go on being cordial and then move on with our comfortable cliques? Why do they have to make this Declaration of Mutual Friendship that makes people who are clearly excluded feel extremely awkward?
It has never made sense to me and never will. I mean, it's one thing to just not say anything and exclude others; but to vocally pretend that it's all great when it's not is just mind-boggling. And I'm not one to always think things are wrong, mind you. I love optimism and whatnot. But there is no good to be seen in this declaration, especially when one girl in particular constantly treats me like the annoying younger sibling her parent makes her drag around all day and pretend she's friends with.
Being phony has always confused me and will never cease to do so.
And then there's me and my friends, as well as those who kind of don't have any, who just sit on the side and go, "What about us?"
And there's still the same cattiness going on that has been going on since we were preteens, and it will always be going on, since we have all known each other since we were preteens. And yet, some feel the need to pretend it's all Kumbayah and wonderful, when it's not.
Why? Why do people feel like they have to kid themselves? Why can't we just go on being cordial and then move on with our comfortable cliques? Why do they have to make this Declaration of Mutual Friendship that makes people who are clearly excluded feel extremely awkward?
It has never made sense to me and never will. I mean, it's one thing to just not say anything and exclude others; but to vocally pretend that it's all great when it's not is just mind-boggling. And I'm not one to always think things are wrong, mind you. I love optimism and whatnot. But there is no good to be seen in this declaration, especially when one girl in particular constantly treats me like the annoying younger sibling her parent makes her drag around all day and pretend she's friends with.
Being phony has always confused me and will never cease to do so.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
My walks.
So I go on these insanely long walks around this city. Yes, city, not town. Because really? This place is huge. And I don't just "walk around town". Honey, I go into other neighborhoods. I walk until no one knows who I am within a mile radius. I walk until my head is completely clear and I am sweating like a pig in a sauna.
You wanna know why I go on these walks?
Well, because I wanna lose weight.
You wanna know why else I go on these walks?
To gain serious perspective.
I mean, I didn't really notice that until later walks. But it really does help me gain perspective on the world.
See, the city I live in is pretty damn big. There are so many areas with such different people and structures; it's amazing. I'll be walking through my little blah area and then enter a whole brochure-perfect wonderland that makes me want to beg someone who lives in one of the multi-million dollar homes if I can be adopted just so I can live amongst all that beauty. Then I'll be walking through wacky-and-weird-land, where there are street performers galore and people in costume and whatnot. And then suddenly, hi there, I'm passing by a bunch of restaurants, and then there are just a ton of concert halls, and then whaddya know, I'm back at Fancypantsville again, resisting the urge to buzz myself in the front gate.
I don't know how people can say they don't like this city. They always are. I'm constantly hearing critiques about this place, about how dumb it is, how overrated it is, yadda yadda yadda. Some people haven't even been here and just criticize the industry we have, some people have only stayed in one neighborhood, and some people get off at the train station and just jump right back on because, dammit, they put the train station in one helluva shady area. But no one sees the whole thing! They don't see the beautiful areas and the bustling areas and the nice little friendly homeowners' association areas; just Hollyweird. (Yeah, okay, I live in Los Angeles. Born and raised. And loving it.) And I didn't either; I used to just see my own little nondescript area and, well, Hollywood. Oh, yeah, and the beach and Disneyland; when you're little in Southern California, that's pretty much what you know. But there's so much more to this place! There's Beverly Hills and Bel-Air (Fancypantsville)! And downtown (bustling areas)! And sure, there are the shady areas, like where the train station is (also a part of downtown) and East L.A., but the city as a whole is pretty frickin' cool!
I realized that this is like every instance in life where we have to see the big picture, and not just the up-close details.
I will rant no more, because that pretty much sums it up, and I'm tired.
Get yourself dressed instead
Of running around and pulling at your threads and
Breaking yourself up
You wanna know why I go on these walks?
Well, because I wanna lose weight.
You wanna know why else I go on these walks?
To gain serious perspective.
I mean, I didn't really notice that until later walks. But it really does help me gain perspective on the world.
See, the city I live in is pretty damn big. There are so many areas with such different people and structures; it's amazing. I'll be walking through my little blah area and then enter a whole brochure-perfect wonderland that makes me want to beg someone who lives in one of the multi-million dollar homes if I can be adopted just so I can live amongst all that beauty. Then I'll be walking through wacky-and-weird-land, where there are street performers galore and people in costume and whatnot. And then suddenly, hi there, I'm passing by a bunch of restaurants, and then there are just a ton of concert halls, and then whaddya know, I'm back at Fancypantsville again, resisting the urge to buzz myself in the front gate.
I don't know how people can say they don't like this city. They always are. I'm constantly hearing critiques about this place, about how dumb it is, how overrated it is, yadda yadda yadda. Some people haven't even been here and just criticize the industry we have, some people have only stayed in one neighborhood, and some people get off at the train station and just jump right back on because, dammit, they put the train station in one helluva shady area. But no one sees the whole thing! They don't see the beautiful areas and the bustling areas and the nice little friendly homeowners' association areas; just Hollyweird. (Yeah, okay, I live in Los Angeles. Born and raised. And loving it.) And I didn't either; I used to just see my own little nondescript area and, well, Hollywood. Oh, yeah, and the beach and Disneyland; when you're little in Southern California, that's pretty much what you know. But there's so much more to this place! There's Beverly Hills and Bel-Air (Fancypantsville)! And downtown (bustling areas)! And sure, there are the shady areas, like where the train station is (also a part of downtown) and East L.A., but the city as a whole is pretty frickin' cool!
I realized that this is like every instance in life where we have to see the big picture, and not just the up-close details.
I will rant no more, because that pretty much sums it up, and I'm tired.
Get yourself dressed instead
Of running around and pulling at your threads and
Breaking yourself up
The mysterious workings of the world
I stuff envelopes in my mom's office sometimes. Today was one of those times. And while I was doing that, I noticed some addresses that I routinely walk by on my nice walks around the city. So, of course, the next time I walk by these, I'm gonna be like, hey, I sent you that memo from my mom's office. You are a part of that organization. Cool.
But the people inside that house are totally not going to notice. Sure, they might see a vaguely sweaty female strolling by their house and kinda peering at it, but they'll be used to it, since they're in a nice neighborhood and all. They will not realize that I work at the office of that one of many organizations they subscribe to, and that I actually know them, because in their world, I don't exist.
I know I have said something like this before, but the subject completely fascinates me.
(Plus I am on a roll, but that's beside the point.)
My momentary fangirliness over Jason Mraz kind of reminded me of all this. Because here I am, with a blog based on the fundamental concepts of one of his songs, practically worshipping his sage advice, and he doesn't even know. Because he doesn't know who I am, this person with a whole army of words that she lets out every now and then. He leads a completely different life, doing one of the coolest things out there (inspiring people with what inspires him and just sharing his gift with the world), while I can only dream to do so and am at the training stage to the marathon he's won.
So fascinating.
But the people inside that house are totally not going to notice. Sure, they might see a vaguely sweaty female strolling by their house and kinda peering at it, but they'll be used to it, since they're in a nice neighborhood and all. They will not realize that I work at the office of that one of many organizations they subscribe to, and that I actually know them, because in their world, I don't exist.
I know I have said something like this before, but the subject completely fascinates me.
(Plus I am on a roll, but that's beside the point.)
My momentary fangirliness over Jason Mraz kind of reminded me of all this. Because here I am, with a blog based on the fundamental concepts of one of his songs, practically worshipping his sage advice, and he doesn't even know. Because he doesn't know who I am, this person with a whole army of words that she lets out every now and then. He leads a completely different life, doing one of the coolest things out there (inspiring people with what inspires him and just sharing his gift with the world), while I can only dream to do so and am at the training stage to the marathon he's won.
So fascinating.
Talk about putting people on pedestals...
Jason Mraz.
*waves*
So he has a blog.
I think I knew this before, but I kind of just wasn't a blog person then. And now that (duh) I am, I read it, and I was even more inspired by him than I was before. He writes such awesome stuff and really I can't say anything that will do it justice so go read it yourselves, whoever you are that actually care.
That's the one.
GO, what are you waiting for?! The good stuff's over there!
*waves*
So he has a blog.
I think I knew this before, but I kind of just wasn't a blog person then. And now that (duh) I am, I read it, and I was even more inspired by him than I was before. He writes such awesome stuff and really I can't say anything that will do it justice so go read it yourselves, whoever you are that actually care.
That's the one.
GO, what are you waiting for?! The good stuff's over there!
Life. It's more valuable than you realize.
So today, I was kind of getting frustrated with my computer and my sisters.
And then my dad told me that two people he knew died of unknown causes. One of them sat 2 seats away from me at a dinner last summer. And now she's no longer with us.
Made me realize how little my problems were, and that I should just calm down and take a deep breath whenever I get stressed about such little problems, because really, life is so much more than just whatever goes wrong in the moment.
I'm not saying it's bad to get upset; we're all human. But I feel that I really need to work on myself and put things more in perspective.
Calm down, deep breaths
And get yourself dressed instead
Of running around and pulling all your threads and
Breaking yourself up
And then my dad told me that two people he knew died of unknown causes. One of them sat 2 seats away from me at a dinner last summer. And now she's no longer with us.
Made me realize how little my problems were, and that I should just calm down and take a deep breath whenever I get stressed about such little problems, because really, life is so much more than just whatever goes wrong in the moment.
I'm not saying it's bad to get upset; we're all human. But I feel that I really need to work on myself and put things more in perspective.
Calm down, deep breaths
And get yourself dressed instead
Of running around and pulling all your threads and
Breaking yourself up
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