Tag: Summer

the endless circle the endless circle the endless…

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It’s funny. I didn’t think that I’d find such depth and meaning in my summer reading.

 

A Confederacy of Dunces
Image via Wikipedia

 

I was assigned four books over this past summer, one of them being Toole’s The Confederacy of Dunces. In reading this book, it opened up my eyes of the vicious circle that has been plaguing our society since the birth of mankind and undoubtedly will do so for eternity (or, in my mind, the Rapture).

People want to be viewed by others a certain way. They portray themselves accordingly depending on who their audience is. As shown through the main character of Ignatius J. Reilly, one might strive for acknowledgment but receive nothing but judgement in return.

Prejudice is a instantaneous reaction, an almost inbred behavior. It may take your brain a few seconds to scan a stranger before you feel like you already have a grasp of the kind of a person he or she is.

People, whether conscious of the fact or no, put on a guise in order to recreate themselves. Most people describe going off to college as a time to “start with a clean slate.” This is essentially people putting on a new persona. You are given the opportunity to leave your past behind. So you used to be the girl who was too shy to approach anybody? Well now that same girl is the first to introduce herself at her new college. You are allowed to break the binding chains of the stereotypes that you had been associated with during these chance times. And in this vicious cycle, there are many opportunities to change.

We are afraid to be judged (on different levels of course) yet, we judge almost all we see. The circle feeds on insecurities, on fears, on secrets and it generates even more. Just as Van Gogh‘s potentials were never realized (at least not until after his death) and Ignatius’ motives were misinterpreted, humanity will always reject what is not the norm. And, in one way or the other, people will always strive to live up to the standards of their peers.

Friendly Fires.

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Friendly Fires.
Ever need some dance but good quality music for the summer months? Well Friendly Fires offer the perfect solution for this problem. The group’s alternative beats and sounds, described as dance punk, along with their fast and spontaneous lyrics combine together to make the perfect summer BBQ music.

Forming at the age of 14 in school, the St Albans group came together to produce great music. As the group progressed through the different stages of education so did their music and in 2009 they released their first album “Friendly Fires.” Including hits such as “Jump In the Pool” and “Paris” the album was announced as one of the shortlisted bands for the Mercury Music Prize.Now, two years later, the English band is set to release their second album “Pala.”

Expected to be released on the 16th of May in the U.K and the 24th in the U.S, the first song off the album “Live Those Days Tonight” has already been previewed.  With similar but more grown up sounds in comparison to the first album, “Pala” is deemed to be a great success in the coming months.

Angus & Julia Stone

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Angus & Julia Stone

Although the sun has currently disappeared in South California the summer sun will once again return in the next couple of weeks, we hope.  The grey days may sadden many but this doesn’t mean it’s time to put on some heavy metal; instead we should listen to those summer songs that make us feel happy once again.

The music of Angus & Julia Stone is the definition of great summer music. Their rustic tones and acoustic sounds paired with simple lyrics such as and rhythms make for music that is truly great.A brother and sister combo from New Port, Australia the pair have astonished many with their paired talent and unique sounds.

Growing up with a strong love for music the siblings decided to give the profession a go releasing their first EP “Chocolates and Cigarettes” in 2006. This followed on to the release of a second EP in 2007 titled “Heart Full of Wine” and the later album “A Book Like This.” Their first album went platinum in their home country following on to its release across the world.

At the beginning of last year the group released the album “Down the Way,” which reaped much success. Featuring songs like “Big Jet Plane” and “Hold On” the album won numerous awards with many of the group’s song featuring on TV shows across the globe.

The pair create great music which is simple but great, proving that often simplicity is often the key. If you need to get in the mood for summer blast out some Angus & Julia Stone and I assure you it will make you feel better.

http://youtu.be/yFTvbcNhEgc

The Kooks.

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The Kooks

As the sun and heat have returned to California, us residents often celebrate by going to the beach. For me this means I get to wack out some of my all time favorite tunes and listen to the sweet acoustic sounds of great bands.  Such artists include my ultimate favorites, The Kooks.

Listening to both albums just fills me with warmth. The Kooks music is full of merriment in the form of unique guitar rhythms, rusty tones and quirky lyrics, each song setting the scene for the perfect picnic at the beach or breezy bike ride through the hills of the countryside.

An indie pop band from the seaside resort of Brighton, a place I also associate with home, the group started off very successfully, getting signed 3 months after forming by Virgin records. In 2006 they released their first album “Inside In/Inside Out” and followed with”Konk” in 2008. Both albums were extremely successful and we can only hope that they will release some new material soon.

So as the sun is shining I would recommend that you get into the summer spirit and get listening to The Kooks !

I HATE THE SAT!

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Yesterday was the big huzzah. It was the day that would determine the fate of my summer. Yesterday, Thursday, March 31st, 2011, was the day I had been waiting for. And it was nothing short of disappointing.

I was home sick yesterday, but I still remembered, the moment I woke up from my slumber, to check my SAT scores. It only made my condition worse.

The screen read 650-reading, 670-math, and 620-writing. Goodness, it seemed as if my previous summer had been a waste. I had spent two months of pure studying for this one test and I had gotten a 1940. The colleges that I am hoping to get into require over a 2000.

I did remind myself, however, that I was sick that Saturday I took the test and the week following up to it. But a 1940? That is no exception.

I haven’t told my mom my score yet because I am afraid for her reaction. This summer, before taking my first SAT prep class, my diagnostic grade had been in the low 1900’s. My mom was very disappointed in me and I know that she will still be disappointed in my score if I tell her that after two months of sending me to classes, I have arrived at a almost identical score.

My goal for the SAT’s is a 2100. A 700 in critical reading, a 700 in math, and a 700 in writing. I know this is attainable because my scores (650, 670, 620) are not too far from my goal. But sadly, I will have to spend my summer not at the beach and having fun, but in a cold, isolated classroom, shoving hundreds of vocabulary words into my head in SAT classes. Oh goody, I just CAN’T WAIT!

Spring.

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Daffodils
I am happy to say it is nearly Spring. The flowers are getting ready to bloom, Shrove Tuesday has passed and lambs are in abundance. It is a season for new life, new starts and ultimately a preparation for the summer months to follow.

To me Spring also means a new iPod playlist. I am on a mission to find new artists and songs to take me through the coming months and gradually take me into the Summer.

Although I cannot drive I do like to listen to music in the passenger seat.  To me a ride in the morning with the windows rolled down and idyllic acoustic music is perfect for these months.  In the past albums by The Kooks and Razorlight have been great but I feel I need some more theme tunes for 2011.

I feel it is time to get exploring for some new anthems.

Here’s a song from last year that I enjoyed over the Spring months.

The Old Times.

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Love
I miss the old times, I miss my friends and most importantly I miss the life I used to lead. Don’t get me wrong. After reluctantly immigrating to the United States I have become a better person. But I still can’t fight the yearning feeling that greets me everyday to return home.

At first I refused to move to the U.S but after realizing the only option was to live with my restrictive grandparents I decided to move to California on a trial basis. I wanted my friends, I wanted my family but I also wanted a life.

“Do you know your making my life hell, why do you want to ruin everything?” These were accusations I threw at my parents on a daily basis after they told me I had to join them in the move. Believing I needed parental figures and boundaries they refused to leave me thinking that I would “spiral out of control,” consequently getting no where with my life. The concept was unbearable to me, why did everything have to change?

Repeatedly my parents would say “we’re doing what we think is best for you” but to me that was no consolation. I was leaving school, I could now decide what college I wanted to go to, and what subjects I wanted to do,  yet there was one thing I couldn’t change. Moving to America.

I can’t even begin to describe my last summer with my friends. Our time spent together was some of the best moments in my life and will always be ingrained in my memory.

Listening to the radio this morning I heard Two Door Cinema “What you know” an anthem me and my best friend shared.  I couldn’t help but wonder where I’d be now if I had stayed and who I’d be.