Blank.

My mind is so full of junk, that i am empty of expression. I assume. However, creativity best flows in chaos.


Blank.


Wasteful.


Creation.


Blank.


Empty.


Fulfillment.


Blank.


Lost.


Overcome.


Blank.


Blank.


Blank.


Blank.


Blink.


Blank.

Memorial Day Weekend

I went camping with a few friends last night/this morning. It went pretty well; we made our own fire, we cooked hotdogs and beans, roasted marshmallows, hiked, etc. But we had to improvise when we opened up the box with the tent, all of the equiptment was there--except the tent!!!
I've slept on the grass with only a sleeping bag before (which I loved), but there was a chance of thunderstorms last night, and we needed some kind of cover. Luckily, my friends are quite avid campers (via camping for two weeks in the Mountains of West Virginia) and saved our asses. We tied tarps to trees, it ended up pretty nice. But in the morning, the sun came out at 6 AM and bugs started crawling all over us.

I brought my film camera, with one roll of color film. When I remember to go get it developed, I'll post a few photos. Hopefully CVS develops color film, because thats where I bought the it, and I know that they get really angry if you bring them the wrong kind of film or something.

The rest of the weekend will include a few more graduation parties/bbq's, my sister's birthday, and a shit load of final projects that are due this week (I am definetly going to be cramming/procrastinating/and complaining about them for the next few days).

**This song came on while I was driving home today, it kinda fits the mood of the weekend:

Things That Make Me Genuinely Happy:

• cute puppies/animals
• roasting marshmallows
• laughing too much 
• cuddling
• napping on couches
• playing with silly putty/clay
• comfortable silences
• clicky pens
• finding candy/chocolate in my lunch
• driving around on a sunny day
• chillaxin' with my 'bros' and 'hoes'
• having deep discusion on life/music/everything
• "things hugging things" (via animalswithstuffedanimals)
• being goofy
• dancing in cars

I can't think of anything else right now, but I know there are more.

**on another note, isn't James Blake beautiful?

<3 u.

team peeta

The Hunger Games is one of my guilty pleasures. Not gunna lie, I loved those books. Now I can't wait for the movie; I keep checking the movie website  to see who has recently been cast, or if there is any new info. Its a little embarrassing, but I am definetly going to be one of those girls that go in costume to see one of the first showings!
The newest news is that Lenny Kravitz has been cast as Cinna. Not what I expected, but ok!

Have you read The Hunger Games?
Is it a 'guilty pleasure' or are you a 'die-hard fan'?
Which book was your favorite?
Are you excited for the movie?
Are you 'team Peeta' or 'team Gale'?

I am most definetly 'team Peeta'....and I think Catching Fire is the best. Mockingjay was so depressing.

FREE FILEP KARMA!

Filep Karma is a prisoner of conscience in Indonesia. Sentenced to 15 years in prison for raising a flag casually. Today, May 26th, is the anniversary of his sentence.
There will be a rally in DC today in his honor, asking for his release (aswell as the many other prisoners of conscience). It will be at 7:00 pm, in Dupont Circle (easily excessable via metro). One does not need to be affiliated with Amnesty International in order to attend; all are welcome! Please join me in advocating human rights!

Read more about him in this article from the amnesty international website.
**it says the rally is on May 18th, but it was rescheduled to the 26th.
If you are unable to attend, or would like to help more, please spread word about the rally, or knowlegde of Filep Karma.

pretty chill-y

So, i think i have writers block? the only thing i can think of to write about, is this:

I just watched this video (below), it was clever. I am not really a fan of Aziz Ansari, but i love Bobby Moyniham (via SNL)!



It was filmed in Other Music, a record store that I went to recently (while in NYC--the same place where I bought Pandy Bear and Flying Lotus vinyls). I'm thinking that I might want to work there when I am at NYU. Its in walking distance, and seems real 'chill'...maybe not so much in this video, but definetly in real life!

I found this video while reading an article on Spin.com (like the magazine). I think Spin trying to be mainstream, while appealing to the 'indie' crowd. I don't know, but they are definetly a little bit behind the curve on (indie) music.

Oh and I love this post on Hipster Runoff! Its suposed to resemble Dr. Suess' "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" (if you didn't get it).

bblllaaahhhaaagggghhhh

^^that is how i feel right now.
I feel: exhausted, happy, congested (cold or allergies?), sleepy, so relieved, and unproductive.

Yesterday was really busy. But everything worked out, and went almost flawlessly.
I had a great time partyin'/hangin'/dancin'/eatin' with some of my closest friends. I love that I can be a complete goofball with my friends, and they still love me anyway! I am going to cry when I leave for NYU, and I might not see some of my friends ever again.

Anyway, here is a video for the Panda Bear song, Alsatian Darn, from Tomboy.    

completely necessary

workin' the rave muscles arnold?



puppy stampead!

Modern Drift

Efterklang is an exceptional group of musicians. My friend Alex, who is an exceptional musician, introduced me to them. Thanks bro!

Riding the 3D-wavves!?

Pitchfork in 3D?
At first I thought it was a joke...but no, its legit, and it works!


The funny thing is, when I bought a few vinyls (Flying Lotus, Panda Bear) from a recod store in NYC (I think it was called 'Other Music' or something), I saw a pile of the 'official Pitchfork 3D glasses' and picked one up just because it was free. So I can actually see it in 3D!

Tibet in DC

There are a few really nice places in DC that I always want to stop at, when I am in the neighborhood. My favorite place in Adams Morgan (nortwest DC) is this Tibet Shop (my second favorite place is Smash Records). The owner is a really nice guy, he taught me how to strike those singing bowls that are used for meditation. I think I have gone there, just to look around, and smell the amazing insences, at least 4 times.
The owner is a Tibetan photographer and journalist, and his photos (that are beautiful) are the ones that they sell there. There is also amazing jewlery there, and his wife makes most it! But my favorite things there are the fabrics for hanging (on walls) that have quotes from the Dalai Lama.
I once went there with a few friends and we stayed there for over an hour...just looking, we keep finding new and interesting things that we wanted to buy. But unfortunetly, none of us had enough money to buy something, and still pay for the metro ride home.

Jazz June

One of my favorite poems of all time (even though its pretty well known, I still like it):

We Real Cool - Gwendolyn Brooks

We real cool. We
Left School. We

Lurk late. We
Strike straight. We

Sing sin. We
Thin gin. We

Jazz June. We
Die soon.

I love being lazy.

NEW Bon Iver!?? YES!! Its on NPR's 'All Songs Considered' mix, listen to it, as well as some other good new music here!
I was confused when I first heard Bon Iver on Kanye West's Monster, but its a great collaboration (with Nicki Minaj as well).

My new favorite thing on the interwebz: URL Hunter!

Being lazy, gunna post more later.

Sunday Bluuess

I discovered my grandfather's polaroid camera in the storage room of my basement today.
It still has a ton of color film left in it. But I tried it out, and its way to old and expired to use (the film I mean). The camera still works alright. It must be at least 40 years old. The instruction manual used great photos of people with '60s style hair-cuts for examples. I laughed. The '60s was an amazing era for art, music, fashion, activism, just about everything. I like to think of it as the begining of 'pop-culture', in the '60s  blues and jazz started to fade and garage bands (like The Beatles) came into view. In someway one could think of it as a cultural revolution, but there is more to it then just that. I am not about to disect the 1960s like a documentary, there are tons of those if you want to watch one.   

Anyway, I hope that I can find the right kind of film for this camera at Penn Camera or on Amazon or something, because I would love to use the camera. Polariod prints are fun, because you never really know how well it is going to turn out untill it finishes drying (like any film cameras), and sometimes you can get some really interesting/experimental effects by accident.

The best part of the day was finding a dirty old polaroid photo of my grandfather in the case that holds the camera. I cleaned it off a little, and scanned it in to my computer (posted below). My grandfather looked heavier than I remember (he died of Leukemia 10 years ago), but he has a sweet smile. I an really proud of finding it, I thought my mom was going to cry when I showed it to her. 

letting go.

Today, I spent the day watching netflix movies I've never gotten the chance to see before.
Everything is Illuminated was more enlightening than I expected, I loved it. I hadn't realized that the singer from Gogol Bordello was in it, he is also a good actor.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was not as good as I hoped. For whatever reason I don't like Jim Carrey, and I get annoyed by Kate Winslet (even though she is a great actress).
The Science of Sleep was also interesting; it was a cute movie, with a sad ending.
But Into the Wild was inspiring, even if it didn't end the way I expected it to. Letting go of money/society the way he did, and taking so many risks, everyone should feel that way at least once in their life (but maybe on a smaller scale). I don't want to give away the end, but his final understanding of happiness is beautiful. 

*Any suggestions on what I should watch next?
These are some of the films on my netflix instant queue: Broken Embraces, Being John Malkovich, La Femme Nikita, One Week, Heartless, Talk to Her, Dorian Gray, Revolutionary Road (not on netflix, just bought it used for $7). Anything else sound good to you?

Fo Reals This Time

That last post was just a joke. This is the real post.

Here is some good music to chill-out to:


I think Yann Tiersen is a musical genius.

Here is some NEW Beirut!

Also, I heard that 'Goblin', the new Tyler, the Creator, album came out yesterday. Pitchfork gave it an 8.0, which is good. I've only heard 'Yonkers' (he eats a bug and then throws up in the music video), its alright--I am not one to judge because I dont know hiphop/rap all that well (I guess because I'm a white chick?). But the ironic thing is that he got arrested yesterday, that was also on Pitchfork.

going mainstream

Do you like Katy Perry?
Have you heard her song 'Peacock'?
Do you think it is catchy/do you want to sing to it?
Do you want to see what is 'hideing underneath'?
Are you gunna 'peace out' if you don't get the 'payoff'?

What do you think about Willow Smith, is she chill?
Have you heard the dubstep version of 'Whip My Hair'?
Do you 'whip your hair'?
Who is more 'alt' Katy or Willow?

*This post is dedicated to Charles (via HRO).
**Oh, and thanks to Sarah, Kelsey, and Nadia for making me unproductive/laugh untill I cry.

giifffssss

I was having so fun today (searching for .gifs instead of doing work).
Here are some of my favorites:


Cool. Cool. Ouch...



Chinchilla kisses!


ABS OF STEEEEL!!!



Jejejeje!



Oh shit.



Oh hey, you do look like him.



You crazy gurl, you crazy!



Too much momentum!



SOO CUUTTTEEE!!!


Lolz.



Polar = Poller. Clever.



Kitty duet.

dont miss this.

The Fleet Foxes are playing live in Texas, and broadcasting the concert online, on NPR tonight (9:30pm) right here! You can also listen to there new album on NPR, here. I will definetly be watching this tonight, I love the Fleet Foxies!

While on the NPR music website, I was checking out what other concerts they have recorded or filmed. My favorite are the Tiny Desk Concerts. I am listening/watching the Mount Kimbie one right now (below). Although dubstep is sometimes cheesy, I love it--when it is done well (like real music/purposeful art). 

They also have a recorded Wavves & Best Coast concert that I went to, it was a lot of fun. When Wavves came on, they threw a ton of beach balls and blow-up aliens into the crowd. Most of them stayed up for a few songs, but by the end there was only one beach ball left. One of the half-deflated aliens landed close to me and I saved it. I kinda felt guilty about it, but it didn't have much air left...I keep it in my closet now.

So Soon.

Somehow it always happens that I cannot make it to make favorite bands' concerts when they come to my area. First with Animal Collective (who will play in Barcelona when I am in DC, and in DC when I am in Barcelona), and now with Bon Iver. *sad face*

But hold on, what is this amazing Northside Festival in Brooklyn?
It lasts from Thursday, July 16th to Sunday the 19th. Wait....I have to go to this: Beirut, Atlas Sound, Wavves, Surfer Blood, Woods, Twin Sister, Teengirl Fantasy, and more!! This might make up for all of the concerts that I am missing over the summer. But I will have to find someone that is willing to travel to NY to see this with me, the same weekend as graduation (hmm, graduation present?).

I can't wait to move into the City, it's going to be amazing! I am so tired of living in a suburb where everything closes at 9pm (DC is only 30 minutes away via metro, but I don't get to go as often as I'd like). I just hope that I am able to limit myself on staying up late and doing crazy things.
I'll probably end up spending all my money on concerts and food. I just sent in my application for housing (for NYU) with my roommate yesterday, I think we are going to get along really well, especially because we like a lot of the same music.   

Demand Dignity for Mothers!

Happy Mother's Day!

While you're celebrating the life of the most important person in your life, help other women by demanding dignity for their health. Amnesty International has a Mother's Day campaign, asking for women's maternal health, which is an important human right. This article gives the disapointing statistics on the truth about maternal mortality, as well as what you can do to help. I have already sent several congressmen hand-made letters, thanking them for support in women's rights, and asking for their support in maternal health care.

You can also do so online, click here (to send a letter to senators) or here (for representatives). Thank you for taking the initiative to help other women all around the world recieve the proper care they deserve.

functional fixedness?

Today was a pretty good day. Saturdays are the best (but we already knew that).

I went went on a picnic with some close friends:

We got up at 4:30 am so that we could get to the park in time for sunrise. I fell asleep to Sufjan Stevens on the way there, and missed most of the sunrise, but it was still beautiful. We got to the park around 6:15 and found out it didnt open until 8....So we waited by a cow pasture, and then layed out blankets, ate, and tried to play my ukelele.



the sun was in my eyes, but it came out pretty well.



I feel infinite.

I just started reading "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chobsky. I don't know why I waited untill now to read it. Friends have always told me I would like it, I love it. I don't read that much, but I had to take this book everywhere with me today, and I can't wait to finish it. I am reading it for a book report project in AP Psychology, the project is to relate the novel to psychology or something like that...

What I like about it so far is that I can relate to the characters, I think Charlie (the narrator) is experiencing/thinking/questioning a lot of the same things I have. I also have friends that remind me of the other characters, and makes it seem realistic. A lot of them are depressed or having trouble. I have been there, I know what it feels like, I've have seen many others deal with it aswell. I really 'get' this book, and I definetly recommend it. Probably, if you liked "The Catcher in the Rye" then you'll love this book because Charlie reads it in the story.

There was one part in the book that really spoke to me. It was about feeling 'infinite'--when everything just feels right. I know what it feels like, I think I've tried to discribe it as 'feeling free', but 'infinite' works better. I crave to feel that way right now, hanging around close friends, listening to music with comfortable silence, and just sharing the moment/feeling the love.

This is the main character's favorite song, it means a lot to him. I 'get' that.



**Other books I have recently started or finished:
On the Road-Jack Keroac (started months ago, but I cant find it now...)
Shoplifting From American Apparel-Tao Lin (finished last week)
The Kite Runner (reading it for English class)
The Omnivore's Dilemma (finished last month)

**Books I hope to read over the summer (but most likely won't get to):
The Tibetan Book of the Dead
EEEEE EEE EEEE-Tao Lin
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Tao Lin
Life of Pi
Ishamel
The Electric Kool-aid Acid Test
House of Leaves
Extremely Loud and Increadibly Close?

Any suggestions on what else I should read?

New Porto!

It says you have to "like" them on Facebook in order to listen their new stuff, but the link on the title of this post should get you there. Portugal. The Man is one of those bands that itsn't really 'relevant' but I still chill out to them. I am really happy to hear new stuff, I hope its good.

Last March I saw them live at the 930 Club with one of my best friends. It was probably one of the best shows I've ever been to, they are such great performers, and the music was even more enticing and edgy (via bass and distortion) when they played. I think they turned their 5 minute songs into 10 minute jams in a lot of different styles (jazz, folk, metal?). But I guess the best part is John Gourley's mustache:

Lookin' funky bb!

Hispter-licious

He has no eyes, just stache.

They took a photo of the crowd durring the show. But I am so disapointed, I was just barely cropped-out of this photo. I was in the front row, all the way to the left (I should have been next to the guy with the scarf). But if you look closely, I am in this pic of the opening band...hidden behind the keyboard.

I was disapointed to find out that they signed to a major record label (Atlantic) last year, but they wrote a long letter (via email list) to their fans about the decision to sign. The letter said something like: 'we've thought it over for a long time, because we've never wanted to be on a major label...but we thought it through...they are going to give us special artistic freedom..and all we want to do it make music, making money is just a benefit...' Then they said really nice stuff like: 'we really appreciate that our fans are happy to see us evolve as musicians...' The letter made me feel a little more confident about their decision.

Then I saw this video (below), and decided I wanted to be best friends with them.

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Being part Mexican/Spanish I love anything that has to do with fiestas!

However, there is a huge misconception in America about el Cinco de Mayo. People believe it is like Mexico's Independence Day. But it is really only a small celebration in rememberance of a victorious battle in a small town in Mexico, during their fight for independence from Spain.

Other truths about Mexico:
- there is no such thing as a burrito there
- tortillas are made with corn (not wheat), and are never 'hard-shell'
- only a small percentage of hispanic immigrants (and illegal immigrants) in America are Mexican

Here's a photo I took of my dog, Chuleta, today (with no photoshop!):



Feliz Cinco de Mayo :)



Staying up late and falling asleep to music

What I've listened to extensively in the past few weeks:

Panda Bear - Tomboy (Album)
- The whole album is really good. I think my favorite songs right now are 'Slow Motion' and 'Surfer's Hymn'.

Yann Tiersen
- I believe he might be a musical genius.

Beirut
- I recently wandered through DC with some friends on a rainy day. We belted out 'Nantes' while dancing with umbrellas. It was wonderful. The faces of passer-bys in Chinatown made it even better.

Fever Ray
- 'If I Had a Heart' is mesmerizing. Is it possible to say her solo work is better than The Knife?

Peanut Butter Jar

I just spent 10 minutes scraping the inside of a peanut butter jar with a spoon. Then I ate pizza. I feel disgusting. I wish I had the will power to go vegan and stop eating unhealthy food.

I disapprove of consumerism in the modern world, especially after reading "The Omnivore's Deilema" and watching documentaries like "Food Inc." How to large corporations get away with all of the horrible, dangerous, and discusting things that they do? Food is just one example of this problem. What about everything else humans spend their money on? The production of manufactured goods is keep secret from the consumer.

I don't know if there is much to change this phenomenon, but I like to do what I can, even if it probably wont help: trying to convince myself and others to buy local, fair-trade goods, and boycotting companies that are involved in sketchy tactics.

Scenes from the Suburbs

Trailer For Spike Jonze's Arcade Fire Short 'Scenes from the Suburbs'

Its May, so I would like to get the DVD and see the entire film now!

I've seen the Music Video for The Suburbs, I didn't completely understand it. It made me feel something...saddness?curiosity? anger? catharsis? I don't quite know, but its one of those feelings that makes me think a lot about life. Its almost the same feeling I had after watching 'The Curious Incident of Benjamin Button' its a great movie, but I refuse to see it again because it made me cry....I am a loser. Anyway, I really want to see the whole story behind this film because it looks beautiful/mysterious/reminisent.

Why I decided to start this blog:

I need a website to put some demos and mixes on.
I would like to promote political and social activism.
While I'm in Barcelona for the summer, I'll need an outlet to speak in English.
People sometimes ask to read my creative writing/poetry, I guess I'll post some on here (via being a generic emo)?
When I go to NYU (in a few months) I want to share my discoveries and adventures in NYC with everyone.
Maybe this sort of artisitic expression will help me 'find some kind of happiness or something'.
I don't want to get a flicker, lookbook, tumblr, twitter, etc and have to keep up with them all.
Maybe if I get enough traffic to this blog, I can make a little money to pay for my NYU tuition?? (but that is probably not going to happen).

This Will Do For Now

First Post.

Nothing to say quite yet.