Feeling Sentimental

Yesterday I received an email from the current Editor-in-Chief of The Xavier Newswire, the campus newspaper I worked out for three wonderful, crazy years while in college. As with all mentions of the Newswire, and a peak at the list of who it was sent to, it makes my heart surge with nostolgia, in a good way.

I met some pretty awesome people while I worked at the Newswire. I still keep in touch with three of them, one even lives out here in Denver, and I look back at my time there with a huge smile, though it wasn't always the case. Sometimes it was unnaturally stressful to spend my entire week thinking about Tuesday night. There were always interpersonal conflicts of varying degrees and dramatics, but that happens whenever a group of people get together (especially when they are "creative types").

That's not the main thing I remember when I think of my time at the student newspaper. I think of cackling with my office mates over something stupid on the Internet, or the late night food runs, the times we would all get together at parties and dance and drink and enjoy one another. I think of putting together the April Fool's issue and making fun of our advisor.

As I mentioned earlier I still keep in pretty steady contact with three people I worked there with, at the very least. Others I say hello to on Facebook or when I run into them in Cincinnati. There's one person I worked with, whom I haven't spoken to in almost two years, and that makes me sad. Perhaps life will bring us back together one day and we can be friends again. It's weird that simple things like an email can make me miss him.

Basically feeling nostolgic is a good thing, as long as it happens every now and then. If there were no happy memories, nostolgia wouldn't happen at all. 

Why the World Needs Taylor Swift

I'm pretty sure that if we were to comprise a list of people who ruled the world Taylor Swift would be pretty high on the list. Talk about motivating the masses to buy music and at times everyone is talking about her. Of course, with success comes backlash, and the ever popular 'she can't really sing' or 'I'm just so tired of her and her blatant, candy-coated optimism.' I used to have torn feelings about Taylor Swift and I would definitely agree that her voice isn't her strongest suit (but then again, neither is Katy Petty or Ke$ha's). But, after having listened to her new album 'Speak Now' about a hundred times, I have to come to terms with the fact that I really do appreciate Taylor Swift and no longer ashamed to admit it.

'Speak Now' is the kind of album that is like a buffet of material. Not only does Swift stick to what she does best, singing about storybook love and making it seem like it really is possible, she has branched out from singing about heartache to singing about other things, like losing one's innocence by growing up. I feel like she has expanded and grown and her songs are more mature. She's sometimes angry, sometimes hopeful, and sometimes wise beyond her years.

I feel a sort of sisterly kinship with Taylor. She's about four years younger than me, the same age as my brother, and I can relate to a lot of the things she has gone through. It's one of those, 'been there, done that, sister' kind of things. Surprisingly, even though she's constantly photographed and has a list of celebs she's been involved with, her reputation is fully in tact as a girl who just wants to love and enjoy life.

The other thing I like about Taylor is that she's not afraid to speak her mind, whether it's lamenting about how much pain she's in, pointing out flaws in others, or how much she herself has messed up. The album is so personal, yet so out there in the public. I think the thing I like most about the her is her bravery. The world needs people like her to speak for all of us when we are hurting or joyful. That's really why the world needs music to begin with.

Top Five Best Episodes of 'Friends' (in my humble opinon)

5. The One With Phoebe's Wedding

First of all, Phoebe looked absolutely beautiful in her wedding dress. I loved how it looked in the snow, how she just radiated next to Mike, and how all the friends were involved in the wedding. Mike himself was a good addition to the cast and fit in well with the six friends though he never tried to take away from the show being about the six of them.

4. The One With George Stephonopoulos

The first season of Friends is interesting to watch because it's so 90s and sometimes the humor is a little off. I love it when the Friends pair off by gender and this one is the best because both the ladies and the guys are funny in their own way.

3. The One With The Embryos

This is probably one of the classic Friends episodes purely because of the game of who knows who better. There were jokes about jokes in those segments, my favorite of course being who the TV Guide is addressed to (that's Ms. Chanandler Bong) and Joey's imaginary friend who was a Space Cowboy. On the flip side, we had a more serious story line with Phoebe getting artificially inseminated, but it still had the old Phoebe charm and made the line "my sister is gonna have my babies!" possible.

2. The One With The Rumor

Guest stars on Friends are hit or miss, but this guest spot by Brad Pitt was definitely a hit. He was hilarious and totally hot as Will, a friend from high school who also used to be fat. Thanksgiving episodes are a great Friends tradition and they rarely let you down. This one exceeded expectations.

1. The One Where Everybody Finds Out

This is probably my favorite episode of Friends because it's hysterically funny, and very sweet at the end. It never fails to make me laugh. I love Chandler and Monica together, and the fact that they hid it from people was pure comedy. The great 'they don't know that we know' line is from this episode, as well as the end of an era, as Ross gets Ugly Naked Guy's apartment.

Honorable Mention: TOW the Holiday Armadillo, TOW Chandler Can't Cry, TOW All The Thanksgivings

William's picks for Round 2

East

Ohio State, Villanova, West Virginia, Kentucky, Xavier, Syracuse, Washington, North Carolina

West

Duke, Tennessee, Arizona, Oakland, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Penn State, Northern Colorado

Southwest

Kansas, Illinios, Vanderbilt, Louisville, Georgetown, St. Peter's, Texas A&M, Akron

Southeast

Pitt, Butler, Kansas State, Belmont, Gonzaga, BYU, Michigan, Florida

Five Concerts to See Before I Die

I've been to some pretty good concerts in my time. John Mayer before he hit it big and became a terrible person, The Killers closing out Lollapolooza, and Sara Bareilles' recent show here in Denver which could only be described as awesome. I love going to live shows and my list is always growing, but there is definitely a divider between those I want to see and those I must see. Below are five acts I have to see in my lifetime (or theirs since most of them are older than me).

Bruce Springsteen

I think it's safe to say that the next time he tours and comes to Denver, I will be there. I don't care if I'm by myself, if I'm the youngest person there, or if I have a seat in the very last row, I've got to see Bruce sing some songs and really rock out. I hear it's awesome and I'm sick and tired of being left out. I've always read or heard how great he is live, how he puts everything he's got into singing and playing for his audience. I could go on and on about my love for this man, which only started about a year and a half ago, but feels like forever. If he songs get to me just when I listen to them, then I can only imagine what it would be like to see and feel them as well.

Paul McCartney

Since he's probably the closest I'll ever get to seeing the Beatles lives, I'm determined to see Paul McCartney before the man retires from music. Paul was always my favorite Beatle, really. He didn't attract attention like John Lennon did, but that doesn't make him less of a genius. I mean, the man wrote 'Hey Jude' and 'Let It Be,' two songs that our world would sorely miss if they never popped out of his head. Also, the man went on to write some pretty great songs with Wings and his own solor career. I hear he can still really jam when he's live. A friend of mine saw him in concert and texted me afterwards. The text read “face=melted.” If that's not a rave review, then I don't know what is.

Adele

Adele's voice is amazing, and it's definitely something I want to hear live and in person, but it's not just that. I want to feel Adele's voice live and in person. There's something about the way she sings that really gets under your skin and I have a feeling that going to her concert would be a moving experience. I've watched a few of her smaller, radio shows and she has a good rapport with her band and with the audience. She's witty and charming and even has that fantastically thick accent. Her show in Denver is sold out, so we'll see if I get to go or not.

Kanye West

Oh, Kanye. Such an enigma. While the man walks the fine line between world's biggest douchebag and world's biggest genius (a link to his Twitter account could easily prove both), there's something about the way he performs and the way his music is assembled that would make me want to see how he pulls it off in front of thousands. West feeds off an audience, too, and they seem to really energize him. Kanye concerts are just him rapping though. He puts on a show. I would much rather see him over other performance-based artists simply because he would give us something to talk about and even think about.

Billy Joel

It's a simple things really, a man, a piano, and some songs, but with that man is Billy Joel, the simple thing becomes a beautiful thing. I've heard great stories of people at Billy Joel concerts, which attract all ages, getting up and just dancing to his music. The man has been around for what seems like forever, and his personal life may be in shambles, but he sure does know how to write a good tune filled with melancholy, heartache, hope, or a great beat that makes you tap your feet.

Baby Fills Out Bracket

It's just like that squid that predicted the world cup games, only much cuter!

I can feel people scoffing at this, but really, filling out your March Madness bracket is kind of a crap shoot. One year, in college, my roommate spent like two hours filling out her bracket. She studied college basketball and was very well-versed in it. Me? Well, I didn't put much thought into mine, filled it out in about 20 minutes, and for a while I was in like 5th place in our apartment complex and the only girl. I forget what dethroned me, but my basic point is that anything can happen. Last year's tournament had so many crazy games and this year I'm hoping that something great happens (like XU going to Final Four...or Duke not advancing at all).

So I figured while I was picking out my bracket that Wee William watches so much bracketology with me that perhaps he could pick? Plus, it could be amusing to see what a 10-month old decides.

Now, I had to hone the selection process to William's skills, which mostly involve picking things up and sticking them in his mouth. What I did was write all the teams on index cards. I would put them in the obvious pairs, then put them in front of him and let him chose. He did this pretty well for a while, then he was pissed at me for taking them away from him (he tends to stick things in his mouth and I refuse to let him eat paper). We stopped for lunch, and then we finished up in the playpen. I then entered his picks onto the CBSSports.com bracket app on Facebook. You can view them there if you have Facebook. If not, never fear, I will update you on the mornings certain rounds start with William's picks!

So what does this brilliant baby say about March Madness. Well, he's a fan of #1 seeds, picking Pitt to win overall. He did a good job picking XU to win a couple of games. I was proud.

Everyone's A Little OCD, Right?

I have this theory that everyone, in one way or another, is a little OCD. Well, perhaps I should say 'quirky' or 'anal retentive' or 'strict' instead of OCD, which is clearly a popular disorder, and one that involves me watching shows like 'Hoarders' when there are clearly better things to do with my time. Anyways, I actually think it's fun to check out what other people are obsessive about. And since I'm using this blog as a Lenten project to reconnect with me, I'll lay it all out there about how I'm OCD. Or in other words, how I'm weird.

First of all, I'm very weird about my bookshelf. This is probably the things I obsess over the most. First of all, the books on said shelf have to be in alphabetical order. When I recently moved into my apartment and my mom came over to help me put some things together, she started rearranging the bookshelf based on the size and color of the books and I almost kicked her out. For starters, it took me like two hours to alphabetize all those books, and second it's my bookshelf and it has to be a certain way or it bothers me.

Also, the books that sit on the bookshelf have to be ones that I've read. There's nothing that bothers me more than asking someone about a book on their shelf and they simply answer 'I don't know, I haven't read it.' That's not the case with me. There's nothing better than the sense of accomplishment of putting a book on the shelf. That is, of course, after I write it down in the list of books I've read. I've been keeping a list for every year since 2006.

So there you have it, I'm compulsive about my books. Though, I will admit, I'm pretty adament about keeping my iTunes organized. All songs need to have the correct title, artists, and album, and there can't be any duplicates. I can't start a TV show in the middle, I always have to start from the beginning, even if the show sucked in the beginning. When I was younger and used to journal all the time, I had to fill the entire journal before moving on to another one. I'm the same way with notebooks. If it's a spiral notebook and not filled all the way, chances are I'll keep it and use it for something.

I sometimes wonder why I couldn't be OCD about things that would make my life easier, like cleanliness. I am the queen of the stack, and if I was one of those people who had to put everything in their proper place, I wouldn't have to devote time to going through those stacks to find what I need. I have noticed though, as I get older, I don't like to look at something that is considered dirty. I don't like trashcans or recycle bins on display (I prefer to put them under the sink) and I don't like to look at dishes in the sink, either. This does not correlate with the stack problem I have. Today I cleared a stack of eight books on my nightstand. Well, by cleared, I mean dwindled. Now there's only three.

Alright, enough about my weird habits. Do any of you have some?

Letters to Musicians

When I was in college, a friend of mine's mother used to send letters to her daughter when she felt like she hadn't heard from her in a while. I was going through my iTunes the other day and thinking about certain musicians that have sort of fallen by the wayside that I would like to hear from soon. So, if I had a chance to write them little notes, this is what I would say:

Dear Justin Timberlake,

I know you are currently working on being a “serious actor” and I applaud your performance in “The Social Network,” but I really miss you in the music scene. You are charming and hilarious and we all love you, but I'm exhausted from playing Futre Sex/Love Sounds since my sophomore year of college. That was four years ago! You need to get back to what you do best, making music that makes women everywhere just want to dance. I read in Entertainment Weekly that you are spending some time in the studio this summer. Spend more. I love you!

Dear Amy Winehouse,

What I'm about to say comes from a good place, Amy, but you need to go back to making music because I'm afraid that you will die soon. I know you have health issues (the drugs and drinking don't help this, by the way) and you seem a little confused in matters of love, but channel it into your music. It will make you feel better. You were born to sing and I will be sad if you are not around to make the music industry more awesome. Pull yourself together!

Dear Santigold,

I've heard rumors that you are working on a follow-up album to your first, which was a great success considering you used to be one of M.I.A.'s back up singers and you've come a long way. Speaking of M.I.A., I really liked her but her last album sucked. There were like only two good songs on there. I hope that when you come out with your new, unique sound that it's good and something you are proud of. I'm excited to see what you do next.

Dear Shania Twain,

The other night at a club I heard one of your songs and it made me realize that I was in HIGH SCHOOL the last time you released a full length CD. A lot has happened then, and I'm not just referring to your dramatic personal life. Either way, I believe that you are a classy and fun lady and you can write some really wonderful songs from all of this. The music industry misses you! Come back!

Dear members of Coldplay,

If I have to hear 'Livin' la Vida' one more time on the radio I'm going to turn it off forever. Ok, I'm exaggerating, but seriously I feel like you have been gone for a while and not a lot of people are noticing. Well, I notice. And I want you back. I don't care if it's lame to like your band, but I do. I like the soaring piano epics and the interesting production behind your music. I wouldn't mind hearing some new things in the future.

Dear members of Modest Mouse,

So once upon a time you guys made this really great CD called “We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank” and I listen to this album in it's entirty often. It's that good. I really want another great project from you guys because I think you could really be something. I have faith in you. Don't let me down.

Dear members of No Doubt,

Didn't you guys go on tour with the hopes of reuniting and making new music soon? Whatever happened to that? Get on it! I can only make the iTunes play count of 'Bathwater' go so high...

Dear Jack White,

I'm trying very hard to write this note with clear, concise thoughts, but the sadness and anger at the break-up of The White Stripes clouds it. You two reminded us what rock and roll could be and what it's supposed to be. Still, Jack, you're a genius. I watched 'Get Loud' and it was great. You really are one of those bizarre musical sevants and I say that in the nicest way possible. I hope you continue with your various projects, but that we will soon get to see you, your guitar, and your crazy rock voice front and center.

Love and peace to all of you, even you, Amy,

Emily

The U.S. Version of 'Skins': Do not want.

Longtime readers of this blog will know that one of my favorite guilty pleasures in life is the British show 'Skins.' I adore it. Right now the show is currently in it's fifth cycle over in the U.K., which means that we're focusing on a whole new generation of kids, the third overall for the series. The show does not feel tired or ridiculous yet. I'm still addicted to the drama and emotional intricacies of life in Bristol.

Unfortunately, here in the States we've been saturated with “controversy” over the MTV adaptation of 'Skins.' There's the claim that 'Skins' might be child pornography, and then there was the news of it losing it's advertisers because of it's racy content. While I applaud MTV for taking on a show that attempts to deal with teen issues realistically, in my opinion their biggest crime is the plain and simple truth that their incarnation of 'Skins' simply isn't good.

If any of you were to go to Netflix Instant and stream the first season of Skins (or find it lurking on the corners of the Internet), I'm sure parts of those episodes would make you feel uncomfortable. I know I was a little taken aback by the language, the nudity, and the excessive drug use, and I like to think I'm pretty open minded about those things, mostly because I started watching 'Sex and the City' when I was 17.

The American version of 'Skins' makes me uncomfortable in a different way. First of all, they have changed some of the names on the show. They've also left out certain characteristics to the characters that are essential to plot development later on. For example, Cadie, who is supposed to be based on the quirky, free-spirited Cassie, does not have an eating disorder. She also has absolutely no chemistry with the boy who plays Stanley, based on Sid, and it's almost awkward to watch their interactions. In the British series, viewers want Sid and Cassie together from the moment they first innocently hold hands on the trampoline.

I don't think it's the minor details that bug me the most though. To me, the overall tone is completely wrong. The adults on MTV's version are made to look completely asinine. In the British version, the adults make a plethora of mistakes as well, everything from affairs to outright neglect, but they also offer pearls of wisdom. Teachers and coaches provide support and some of the parents take care of their kids in the hour of need as only really good parents can do.

MTV's approach to be in your face when it comes to the drugs and sex, and it seems almost comical to watch a show with some of the language bleeped out. Perhaps 'Skins' would find a much better home on another network that wasn't into titilating and exploiting. Not all of MTV's programming is for those reason, and the creators claim they are trying to depict real teenage life, but it seems to me they've crossed over into something that doesn't quite have the spirit, soul, and emotion of the real and original 'Skins.'

Taking a Moment to Be Serious...

In the 24 hour news cycle we live in, it's hard to ignore when something truly ridiculous or truly sad happens. After a week or so of Charlie Sheen saturaion, it's nice to see the news outlets focusing on something that really matters, like covering the destruction in Japan.

There have been many stunning photographs from that corner of the globe, a place that seems so far away, but at the same time, so close thanks to the immediacy of photography. Amongst all of my thoughts about the destruction and my overwhelming feelings of general sadness, for some reason I was compelled to think of my trip to the Newseum in March.

The Newseum, located in Washington, D.C was by far my favorite thing on the DC leg of my east coast tour last spring. Not only am I truly interested in newspapers and writing, the museum offered a lot of other really cool exhibits, such as part of the Berlin Wall. One of the best exhibits and my personal favorite was the collection of Pulitzer Prize winning photographs.

Dating back to when the prize was first handed out, the photographs were spread out amongst a few walls and included little summaries as well as information about the photograph. I saw some very moving pictures from all over the world, depicting civil war, poverty, political upheaval, suffering, and, in the rare occasion, joy. I was especially moved to see the pictures from Columbine, which won the Pulitzer back in 1999. It was almost eerie to see a photograph I saw so often when I was in junior high in a completely different setting. In some ways, being in the sixth grade feels like a lifetime ago, but the pain and confusion I felt then came back by simply by looking at this picture.

By the end of the exhibit, I was in tears. I wasn't self-conscious though, simply because I wasn't alone. Other tourists were dabbing their eyes as well. That's the amazing thing about photography; it captures what sometimes the words on a page cannot express. It's why we need it and why it is important. I have so much admiration for the real photographers, the ones who risk their lives to tell a story captured in just one frame.

One of the things about seeing all the pain and sadness in the photographs is wondering who could cause such things to happen. It was easy for me as a sixth grader to blame the two gunmen for their horrific acts of violence at Columbine High School. It's easy to blame the dictators of various African countries for starving their people. But in the case of natural disasters, such as the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, you can't blame anyone. It's the weather, it happens, and most frustrating of all, it's out of our control.

I'm thinking that assigning blame doesn't help. It certainly didn't help when it came to 9/11 or the Virginia Tech shootings, and it won't help in this case either. Perhaps the only thing that we can do when disasters like this strike, is help where we can. We can pray, we can donate money, we can volunteer our time and resources in any way possible. But after we make our donations we may feel like we're at a loss for what to do next. I don't think we have to be extravagant. We can call our parents or siblings and simply say I love you. We can hug our roommate when they come home, even if they did leave their dishes in the sink. We can surround ourselves with what really matters. I think it's important to appreciate the times of togetherness because you never know when the earth will shake and we will fall apart.

10 Things I Like Right Now

This Book

The Paris Wife

I absolutely love McClain's style and her depiction of Hadley Richardson, Hemingway's first wife. The language of the book is so well-crafted, fun, serious, and everything a good book should be. I simply cannot put it down! I find this time period, and Hemingway himself, more fascinating the more I read. Plus, it's got loads of references to the famous writers and painters who were scattered in Paris at the time. The English major side of me squeals with joy when the Hemingways encounter Sherwood Anderson, James Joyce, and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

This TV Show

Parks and Rec

It got off to a shaky start, but the third season of this mockumentary set around Pawnee, Indiana's parks department is absolutely hilarious. I love that these characters seems fresh and exciting. This was once Amy Poehler's show, but now it's clearly an ensemble. Aziz as Tom Haverford is surprisingly deep, but at the same time funny in a "that guy" kind of way. The man who steals the show is Nick Offerman, who plays Libretarian Ron Swanson (who has his own pyramid of greatness). This show makes me howl with laughter every time I watch.

This Singer

Robyn

Her music is dancey and her hair is weird, but there's something about this Swedish-born singer that I absolutely adore. Perhaps it's her style of defying the industry by releasing to EPs and then a full LP in the same calendar year. Or her disenchantment with paparazzi and being famous. More than anything though, it's her great lyrics and thumping beats that really get me. Very rarely does a song about heartbreak make me want to dance. The single above "Dancing on My Own" is great, but I encourage you to listen to some of her others, such as "Hang with Me" and her collaboration with Snoop Dogg, and her full length album "Body Talk."

This Movie

The King's Speech

Yes, I know it recently won the Best Picture Oscar and it's a period drama, but I promise it is anything but boring. Colin Firth, a favorite of mine, plays King George VI, a man who reluctantly became king of England during a turbulent global climate and despite a personal struggle with a stammer. Geoffrey Rush, not dressed as a pirate, plays his unconventional therapist. This is a heartwarming and truly lovely tale of class and overcoming not just personal handicaps, but the kind of baggage we all carry around. I absorbed every minute of it and loved it.

This Restaurant

The Cherry Cricket

I don't know about any of you, but I've always wanted breakfast in the form of a hamburger. Okay, I know that sounds disgusting, but in all reality you can get a combination of all kinds of crazy things on your burger at this little hangout in Cherry Creek. I love the atmosphere, the great drink specials, and the burgers really are very good. I never have a bad meal. Plus, it was featured on the Denver episode of "Man vs. Food" so you know it's good!

This Song

"Helplessness Blues" by Fleet Foxes

The Fleet Foxes managed to make a surprising, but blissful, ear concoction in this song off their upcoming LP. The lyrics can be interpreted as completely hopeful or completely depressed. The instrumentation is what I enjoy most. It blends haunting harmonies, border on bluegrass a la Mumford and Sons, and soars in an unexpected, quiet kind of way.

This CD

21-Adele

I'm pretty much obsessed with this CD, but before I praise this epic, timeless album, I must first say that Adele's voice is truly beautiful. It's so distinct and so flawless. Having a voice like her's is rare, and what's even rarer is that there are no cans of whip cream attached to her boobs and no popping out of egg and people are still paying attention to her. That's how powerful her instrument is, and she uses it on this album to lament heartbreak. Her experience is so personal and so raw that I feel like she's understood every crumbled relationship I've been a part of. Her best tracks, besides the Johnny Cash inspired ">"Rolling in the Deep", are "Set Fire to the Rain" and the beautiful "Someone Like You." I absolutely adore Adele.

This Man

Stephen Colbert

I find Stephen Colbert to be a giant ball of amusement. His sense of humor is unlike other's on TV. He's so good at his ridiculous 'character' on 'The Colbert Report' that I sometimes think he is that way in real life (not so, or at least so I'm told). I find him charming and smart, a lot of things that Jon Stewart is as well, but for some reason, Stephen seems more ridiculous and I love him for it. Also, I hear he is a huge nerd in real life and this makes me respect him more.

This Video Game

Beatles Rock Band

There are few things I love more in life than the Beatles and pretending to be a rock star, and this game is a heavenly combination of both. The graphics are trippy, cool, and make you appreciate the growth of The Beatles. I like playing Rock Band in general (even more fun when the roommate and I make it into a drinking game), but getting to rock out on 'Day Tripper' and 'Hello, Goodbye' is as close as I'll get to a rock and roll lifestyle.

This Cookbook

Hungry Girl

If you know me at all, then you know that I have quite an appetite. This is sometimes not a good thing, but I feel like I've found my kindred spirit in Hungry Girl. The book contains loads of recipes, all of which are good for you! True, she substitutes some of the good things in life with healthier options, but I figure it's fine when it still tastes good...and it does. Check out her plethora of books or her website!