I don't understand how people can be so unaccepting sometimes.
All the closed-mindedness, unwillingness, predjudice, intolerance...
Yet they claim to be people of plenary virtue?
That is just absolutely terrifying to me.
Saturday, 27 February 2010
It's Only One Point of View
Oh, the bitter cold.
Not just the temperature, but the eyes.
I am the minority.
Hues of browns, blacks, purples, blues.
What's left -- 10 percent.
It's some man in a business suit,
Headed to where?
Or a homeless man asleep,
Conquered by the drink.
I look over my shoulder,
Has it come?
That steeple in the clouds?
But then the sky was blue.
And none of it mattered anymore.
Not just the temperature, but the eyes.
I am the minority.
Hues of browns, blacks, purples, blues.
What's left -- 10 percent.
It's some man in a business suit,
Headed to where?
Or a homeless man asleep,
Conquered by the drink.
I look over my shoulder,
Has it come?
That steeple in the clouds?
But then the sky was blue.
And none of it mattered anymore.
Thursday, 25 February 2010
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
BUSY!
I apologize to my adoring fans that I have not written in ages. I work a 32 hour week Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and on my only day "off" I have classes from 8:30-5. Rough, eh?
And when I get home from said business I usually head straight to the gym and work my patooty off for 2 hours (including the 30 minute walk to get to/from there). Then I feed my ravenous protein-hungry body and work on what pathetic (yet still ridiculously frustrating) excuse for homework I have that night.
And then I go to bed.
Or have to go hang up Tossers posters.
Okay...Chicago...or ANYONE in the surrounding area. I will only say this once:
IF YOU ARE FREE ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY (MARCH 17TH), PLEASE GO TO THE METRO TO GO SEE THE TOSSERS.
They rule.
K thanks. :)
Anywho...
So yes. My point here is I barely have time to myself or to write on this contraption.
If that even makes sense.
Well great...now that I had a minute I've entirely wasted it on telling you how I'm too busy to write.
:P
And when I get home from said business I usually head straight to the gym and work my patooty off for 2 hours (including the 30 minute walk to get to/from there). Then I feed my ravenous protein-hungry body and work on what pathetic (yet still ridiculously frustrating) excuse for homework I have that night.
And then I go to bed.
Or have to go hang up Tossers posters.
Okay...Chicago...or ANYONE in the surrounding area. I will only say this once:
IF YOU ARE FREE ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY (MARCH 17TH), PLEASE GO TO THE METRO TO GO SEE THE TOSSERS.
They rule.
K thanks. :)
Anywho...
So yes. My point here is I barely have time to myself or to write on this contraption.
If that even makes sense.
Well great...now that I had a minute I've entirely wasted it on telling you how I'm too busy to write.
:P
Sunday, 21 February 2010
Darn that Mrs. O'Leary!
I feel like I'm being selfish...not writing as much as I should. I need to get my story out there -- write it down, have it read -- get it out of me.
I went to 3 concerts this week. Last Sunday, Valentine's Day and the start of the Chinese New Year, I went to go see one of the artists on the Victory label called The Sleeping. I've been to metal/hardcore concerts before, but this one was special. I felt a strange connection with the band because they were one of the artists that helped me to get my internship. Without them I would not have the position I do. If that group of people did not exist, I would not be needed...there may not be a record label at all.Well, long story short, I moved along to the music trying not to get smacked, stepped on, hit or punched by anyone's two-steppin, windmill flailing arms or other assorted body parts. I saw several of the guys I work with, including Rick, Evan and "t-shirt guy" (I should probably learn his name...) and cheered along with them as our band was up there on that stage.
Then this past Thursday I hooked up with my friends from The New Diet (http://www.myspace.com/thenewdiet) at a really funky place called The Empty Bottle to see a great band they suggested called Weatherbox. Wow were they good! The atmostphere of the bar/venue was great too. It had such an odd assortment of decorations ranging from a shark lamp to an ex-ray of a foot (that was missing a toe?) to some old classic greeting cards with funny things written on them. Overall, amazing show. Definitely going to check that place out for more shows...just wish it wasn't so far away and in a bad part of town.
Finally, last night (Saturday) I had the incredible opportunity to go see one of my favorite bands at the Subterranean in Wicker Park -- Ha Ha Tonka. Just...WOW. :) They played all the new stuff from their newest album along with all the old favorites I knew and I just had an absolute blast. Those guys always know how to get everyone dancing and singing along.
Here's a list of websites if you're interested in checking any of them out -- they all come highly recommended. ;)
http://www.myspace.com/thesleeping http://www.myspace.com/weatherbox
http://www.myspace.com/hahatonka
Hmm...now that I have a bit of time I should probably reflect on a few things. In beginning my internship here at Victory, I was never really nervous. I was so tired of orientation, being led around, being in huge groups, etc. I just wanted to really get out there on my own and start doing what I knew I was meant to do here. So what does this mean?
In Lamans terms, I guess it's that I feel that it really showed that I was ready to take on a job -- I was really ready both mentally (psychologically) and emotionally -- to help promote bands and the music they create. I knew from the beginning it would be a lot of work, but I knew that I was passionate about it, so it wouldn't really be "work". And it still isn't.
As far as the skills and benefits I hope to gain? Well I knew from day one that networking would really be of some good use to me. The day I interviewed with Rick, he told me that either the interns at Victory end up working there full-time or the company helps them to find another job in the same field. That would be awesome.
Besides that, I know that I'll learn everything I can about sales/marketing/publicity in the music industry, and even learn things from other departments like accounting and licensing -- I'm getting the whole spectrum here without even trying.
With this whole experience I know I am supposed to make some huge connection between the classroom world and the real/working world and how it all ties in to Chicago. Well, I have discovered that these annoying Wednesdays that mess up my work schedule at Victory are realistically teaching me a lot about the place I now live. I'm learning about all the neighborhoods in Chicago. For instance, the neighborhood/area I work in is called West Loop (near West Side).
I'm also learning a lot about the way the city has transformed over the years, especially after the Great Fire of 1871. Economically speaking, the area where I'm working has declined drastically, and can explain why all the buildings I pass are entirely abandoned. Neat, huh? I'm really learning and understanding why business is the way it is today.
Now here's a little diddly that reminds me of my father. The Ashland/Lake stop I get off at even has a little depiction of the scene.
Amazing. :)
I went to 3 concerts this week. Last Sunday, Valentine's Day and the start of the Chinese New Year, I went to go see one of the artists on the Victory label called The Sleeping. I've been to metal/hardcore concerts before, but this one was special. I felt a strange connection with the band because they were one of the artists that helped me to get my internship. Without them I would not have the position I do. If that group of people did not exist, I would not be needed...there may not be a record label at all.Well, long story short, I moved along to the music trying not to get smacked, stepped on, hit or punched by anyone's two-steppin, windmill flailing arms or other assorted body parts. I saw several of the guys I work with, including Rick, Evan and "t-shirt guy" (I should probably learn his name...) and cheered along with them as our band was up there on that stage.
Then this past Thursday I hooked up with my friends from The New Diet (http://www.myspace.com/thenewdiet) at a really funky place called The Empty Bottle to see a great band they suggested called Weatherbox. Wow were they good! The atmostphere of the bar/venue was great too. It had such an odd assortment of decorations ranging from a shark lamp to an ex-ray of a foot (that was missing a toe?) to some old classic greeting cards with funny things written on them. Overall, amazing show. Definitely going to check that place out for more shows...just wish it wasn't so far away and in a bad part of town.
Finally, last night (Saturday) I had the incredible opportunity to go see one of my favorite bands at the Subterranean in Wicker Park -- Ha Ha Tonka. Just...WOW. :) They played all the new stuff from their newest album along with all the old favorites I knew and I just had an absolute blast. Those guys always know how to get everyone dancing and singing along.
Here's a list of websites if you're interested in checking any of them out -- they all come highly recommended. ;)
http://www.myspace.com/thesleeping http://www.myspace.com/weatherbox
http://www.myspace.com/hahatonka
Hmm...now that I have a bit of time I should probably reflect on a few things. In beginning my internship here at Victory, I was never really nervous. I was so tired of orientation, being led around, being in huge groups, etc. I just wanted to really get out there on my own and start doing what I knew I was meant to do here. So what does this mean?
In Lamans terms, I guess it's that I feel that it really showed that I was ready to take on a job -- I was really ready both mentally (psychologically) and emotionally -- to help promote bands and the music they create. I knew from the beginning it would be a lot of work, but I knew that I was passionate about it, so it wouldn't really be "work". And it still isn't.
As far as the skills and benefits I hope to gain? Well I knew from day one that networking would really be of some good use to me. The day I interviewed with Rick, he told me that either the interns at Victory end up working there full-time or the company helps them to find another job in the same field. That would be awesome.
Besides that, I know that I'll learn everything I can about sales/marketing/publicity in the music industry, and even learn things from other departments like accounting and licensing -- I'm getting the whole spectrum here without even trying.
With this whole experience I know I am supposed to make some huge connection between the classroom world and the real/working world and how it all ties in to Chicago. Well, I have discovered that these annoying Wednesdays that mess up my work schedule at Victory are realistically teaching me a lot about the place I now live. I'm learning about all the neighborhoods in Chicago. For instance, the neighborhood/area I work in is called West Loop (near West Side).
I'm also learning a lot about the way the city has transformed over the years, especially after the Great Fire of 1871. Economically speaking, the area where I'm working has declined drastically, and can explain why all the buildings I pass are entirely abandoned. Neat, huh? I'm really learning and understanding why business is the way it is today.
Now here's a little diddly that reminds me of my father. The Ashland/Lake stop I get off at even has a little depiction of the scene.
Amazing. :)
One dark night,
When we were all in bed
Mrs. O’Leary lit a lantern in her shed,
And then the cow kicked it over, winked its eye, and said,
There’ll be a hot time in the old town tonight.
FIRE, FIRE, FIRE!
Art Institute of Chicago
Art -- as in paintings, sculptures, print screen work, the kinds of pieces you see most often in museums and art galleries etc. -- has always been a huge part of my life. My parents have always tried to take me to see as many different art galleries, exhibits and museums as they could while I have grown over the years; and for this I have always been very thankful, especially now that I can add the Art Institute of Chicago to that list.
I was very excited about seeing the modern wing. I have looked up to artists like Georgia O’Keefe, Pablo Picasso, Grant Wood, Henri Matisse and Claude Monet my entire life; seeing new or repeats of their beautiful pieces is an incredibly motivating thing for me. It was also very relieving to see such gorgeous works in equally gorgeous surroundings. Renzo Piano, the architect of the building, definitely got it right when he tried to make the art within the building as well as the city outside of the building all a part of one another. The city reflecting through the large vertically paneled windows was almost a piece of work itself. Piano not only helped me to really appreciate the works inside more, but he helped me appreciate the connection everything surrounding them and the building and city around as a whole. I even took that suggested moment to trace a line from one side of the building to the other in the great Griffin Court. That concept alone made everything come and fit together within the building; even the lines in the bathroom lined up.
While we were browsing through the different galleries, we were asked to pause for several minutes in front of a piece that drew us in. As suggested, I took the liberty of writing through a stream of consciousness while standing in front of one of these pieces. I chose an oil on canvas called Dopo La Fine (After the End). It struck me at first because of a woman’s figure in the top portion of the piece. I could not look away. The following is what I wrote:
I was very excited about seeing the modern wing. I have looked up to artists like Georgia O’Keefe, Pablo Picasso, Grant Wood, Henri Matisse and Claude Monet my entire life; seeing new or repeats of their beautiful pieces is an incredibly motivating thing for me. It was also very relieving to see such gorgeous works in equally gorgeous surroundings. Renzo Piano, the architect of the building, definitely got it right when he tried to make the art within the building as well as the city outside of the building all a part of one another. The city reflecting through the large vertically paneled windows was almost a piece of work itself. Piano not only helped me to really appreciate the works inside more, but he helped me appreciate the connection everything surrounding them and the building and city around as a whole. I even took that suggested moment to trace a line from one side of the building to the other in the great Griffin Court. That concept alone made everything come and fit together within the building; even the lines in the bathroom lined up.
While we were browsing through the different galleries, we were asked to pause for several minutes in front of a piece that drew us in. As suggested, I took the liberty of writing through a stream of consciousness while standing in front of one of these pieces. I chose an oil on canvas called Dopo La Fine (After the End). It struck me at first because of a woman’s figure in the top portion of the piece. I could not look away. The following is what I wrote:
It looks as though this woman is lying on the bed facing me. Her eyes bearing into me as mine bear into her. We are becoming a part of one another. We are entering each others’ souls. Her mouth rests slightly open as if she has something to say, but she says nothing. “Why is she silent?” I wonder. Her arms lay behind her -- it seems as if she has none at all. Again I ask, “Why are her words and her limbs taken from her? Why does she have no limbs at all?” She is just a figure with a staring head. The brightness of the bed spread in front of her is a huge contrast to the dreary grayness of her dress and the near corpse-like look to her face. I cannot look away. Why does the bed sheet have a rumple in the same way as her dress? The exact same. Her hair is pulled up and braided. Is she Dutch? Is she German? Is she at all? I want to help her. I want to be the voice she does not have -- the limbs she was not given. The longer I look, the bluer/grayer her face becomes. Maybe this is social commentary. She is beneath the flowers, below the happy earth -- down below where it is dank and dreary.
But I do see hope. A beautiful solid blue surrounds her. The more I focus on that…the good…I can still see the glimmer of life left in her eyes. In this glimmer I know that she knows that I am here. That smile. Maybe she is happier than it seems on the surface. The closer flowers are not really in any physical form. They are blobs, liquid masses of color. She at least is a whole form. She is beautiful. More beautiful than the flowers. She is life. She is strong. She is not bound. She is every woman -- so strong. So powerful. So alive. The world may place burden, oppression, restraints upon you, but it is within you to carry on.
I can almost feel her breathing.
I could have gone on forever writing like that. I hope more opportunities present themselves in that same way so that I can really reflect upon what I am seeing and better unravel what I am thinking as I envelop myself with a piece of art. That was a wonderful assignment.
I did not go to the Cultural Center this past Thursday. I have already been there in the past and was actually interviewed there the first week I was in Chicago this past January. I think it is a great building -- an old library -- with a great café and reading/studying/eating area. The beautiful, large stain glass window is definitely a favorite of mine. I plan on going back in the future to really delve into some of the exhibits there, much like how I plan on going back to the Art Institute as often as I can.
Wednesday, 17 February 2010
My ILC - Rough Draft
Keeley Carson
Internship Learning Contract
First Draft
2/17/2010
OVERALL OBJECTIVE
To master the area of the music industry that I am in.
To fully learn everything I can about marketing in the music industry.
GOALS
To get the artists on the Victory Record label known.
To sell records of the artists on the Victory Record label.
To learn how to work with different retailers/businesses to sell the Victory Record product (e.g. the artists & their music).
To really get to know the product that I am selling (e.g. the artists at Victory Records & the music they create).
SPECIFIC TASKS
Learn how to boost record sales at Victory Records by finding new ways to promote the artists on the label.
This involves pulling research information from different sources/different media outlets) to put together marketing plans.
These are used to find the best way to promote the artists and to get their records sold.
Research the artists on the Victory Record label to better get to know them.
This involves listening to the artists’ music, going to see their shows, attempting to get into contact with the artists, attempting to get into contact with different retailers/businesses and finding out information about them from difference resources (e.g. the internet).
*My research will primarily pertain to the list of bands I have been specifically assigned to work with, though I do seek to learn as much I can about all of the artists on the label.*
Interact with individuals from the other departments at Victory Records to see how what they do influences my job and vice versa.
In doing this, I hope to learn about all of the areas of the industry so that I my master my own.
This involves doing tasks in other areas such as publicity, VSP (the t-shirt “factory”), Accounting, the front desk, etc. when they need for me to help them. This will give me a better understanding of the company, the artists and how everything fits and works together.
Disclaimer: Since time is a very crucial thing in the music industry, I will attempt to do all of my tasks before they are asked to be completed. I will accomplish each of the larger goals by completing the coinciding tasks on a weekly basis. My site supervisor and I will sit down once a week to verbally discuss my progress and to evaluate whether or not I have accomplished these goals.
Practicum Leader X _________________________
Site Supervisor X _________________________
Student Signature X _________________________
Internship Learning Contract
First Draft
2/17/2010
OVERALL OBJECTIVE
To master the area of the music industry that I am in.
To fully learn everything I can about marketing in the music industry.
GOALS
To get the artists on the Victory Record label known.
To sell records of the artists on the Victory Record label.
To learn how to work with different retailers/businesses to sell the Victory Record product (e.g. the artists & their music).
To really get to know the product that I am selling (e.g. the artists at Victory Records & the music they create).
SPECIFIC TASKS
Learn how to boost record sales at Victory Records by finding new ways to promote the artists on the label.
This involves pulling research information from different sources/different media outlets) to put together marketing plans.
These are used to find the best way to promote the artists and to get their records sold.
Research the artists on the Victory Record label to better get to know them.
This involves listening to the artists’ music, going to see their shows, attempting to get into contact with the artists, attempting to get into contact with different retailers/businesses and finding out information about them from difference resources (e.g. the internet).
*My research will primarily pertain to the list of bands I have been specifically assigned to work with, though I do seek to learn as much I can about all of the artists on the label.*
Interact with individuals from the other departments at Victory Records to see how what they do influences my job and vice versa.
In doing this, I hope to learn about all of the areas of the industry so that I my master my own.
This involves doing tasks in other areas such as publicity, VSP (the t-shirt “factory”), Accounting, the front desk, etc. when they need for me to help them. This will give me a better understanding of the company, the artists and how everything fits and works together.
Disclaimer: Since time is a very crucial thing in the music industry, I will attempt to do all of my tasks before they are asked to be completed. I will accomplish each of the larger goals by completing the coinciding tasks on a weekly basis. My site supervisor and I will sit down once a week to verbally discuss my progress and to evaluate whether or not I have accomplished these goals.
Practicum Leader X _________________________
Site Supervisor X _________________________
Student Signature X _________________________
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
See, Mom & Dad, I HAVE gotten over my "not-calling-the-pizza-guy" syndrome!
I can't decide which I like more...Lady Gaga's 3 most popular songs on video repeat or the Best Buy elevator music-esque song they force you to absorb when you are stuck on hold for all of eternity.
All day I felt like I was stuck in the middle of a marathon of the film "When Harry Met Sally" -- minus the exhiliration of the diner scene -- with the most romantic bits being played over and over and over again. That little heart-felt piano diddly seemed like my best friend today; it was the one thing I spent my most time with.
I got to talk to sales reps from practically every Best Buy in the nation, alongside other companies like FYE, Hot Topic, Newbury Comics (look them up -- they are the coolest people ever!), Bull Moose Records, Zia Record Exchange, etc.
That was like 800 calls.
Maybe.
Plus the ones where I got to call different Irish pubs in the U.S. and get yelled at by true-blooded Irish folks for being too much of a "telemarketer" -- "NO, we don't do that here!"
I was just trying to see if they'd help us out with one of our bands, The Tossers, this sweet Celtic Rock band (feel free to check them out via their myspace page shown here: www.myspace.com/thetossers) by hanging up some posters or playing their music in their bars.
But nope.
Not happening apparently.
Whatevs.
What was the highlight of my day, you ask? Well...it was talking with a sales rep from Bangor, Maine.
Awwww yeahhh. That rocked. "Ban-gor".
The second half of the day was truly amazing though. I got to act like a fan girl and call all those same stores (in different areas, mind you) just to see if they had our newly released cds.
Here was my shpiel:
Me: "meekly" Um, hi. I was wondering if you have Close Your Eyes' new cd in stock?
Sales Rep: Oh yeah. No...we didn't get that one in.
Me: Well...could you have it ordered?
Sales Rep: Yeah definitely, but it will cost $6 up front plus the price of the actual cd and you have to come in and sign a form.
Me: click
:)
"Thank you for calling FYE. Speak to one of our sales reps to reserve a copy of the new Twilight Film, NEW MOON, today!"
Teehee. <3 xx
All day I felt like I was stuck in the middle of a marathon of the film "When Harry Met Sally" -- minus the exhiliration of the diner scene -- with the most romantic bits being played over and over and over again. That little heart-felt piano diddly seemed like my best friend today; it was the one thing I spent my most time with.
I got to talk to sales reps from practically every Best Buy in the nation, alongside other companies like FYE, Hot Topic, Newbury Comics (look them up -- they are the coolest people ever!), Bull Moose Records, Zia Record Exchange, etc.
That was like 800 calls.
Maybe.
Plus the ones where I got to call different Irish pubs in the U.S. and get yelled at by true-blooded Irish folks for being too much of a "telemarketer" -- "NO, we don't do that here!"
I was just trying to see if they'd help us out with one of our bands, The Tossers, this sweet Celtic Rock band (feel free to check them out via their myspace page shown here: www.myspace.com/thetossers) by hanging up some posters or playing their music in their bars.
But nope.
Not happening apparently.
Whatevs.
What was the highlight of my day, you ask? Well...it was talking with a sales rep from Bangor, Maine.
Awwww yeahhh. That rocked. "Ban-gor".
The second half of the day was truly amazing though. I got to act like a fan girl and call all those same stores (in different areas, mind you) just to see if they had our newly released cds.
Here was my shpiel:
Me: "meekly" Um, hi. I was wondering if you have Close Your Eyes' new cd in stock?
Sales Rep: Oh yeah. No...we didn't get that one in.
Me: Well...could you have it ordered?
Sales Rep: Yeah definitely, but it will cost $6 up front plus the price of the actual cd and you have to come in and sign a form.
Me: click
:)
"Thank you for calling FYE. Speak to one of our sales reps to reserve a copy of the new Twilight Film, NEW MOON, today!"
Teehee. <3 xx
Sunday, 14 February 2010
Victory = Love
I seriously have the best job on the planet.
Best people to work with.
Best atmostphere.
Sweet colored walls.
Television sets everywhere.
Music constantly playing.
AWESOME tasks to do.
Oh yeah...and I get to go to concerts as if they are company parties.
FOR FREE.
I have arrived. xx
Best people to work with.
Best atmostphere.
Sweet colored walls.
Television sets everywhere.
Music constantly playing.
AWESOME tasks to do.
Oh yeah...and I get to go to concerts as if they are company parties.
FOR FREE.
I have arrived. xx
Saturday, 13 February 2010
YES!
I LOVE dancing!
I LOVE my friends!
I LOVE music!
and I LOVE chicago!!!! :) :) :)
I've needed this...BAD. Thanks so much to the amazing people I spent tonight with! Dancing the night away with you 3 was exactly what I've needed!
Ta.
xx
I LOVE my friends!
I LOVE music!
and I LOVE chicago!!!! :) :) :)
I've needed this...BAD. Thanks so much to the amazing people I spent tonight with! Dancing the night away with you 3 was exactly what I've needed!
Ta.
xx
Love
You know you've finally found just exactly what you want to do with your life when you come to the point where you don't want to leave work.
That's where I'm at in my life right now.
I love my job so much that I don't want to leave.
Except I'm in flippin Chicago and kinda have to experience EVERYTHING! :P
I'm just kinda bummed now because I found out I have to miss work to go do practicum work once...a month?...for half of the day. That really blows. I understand why we're doing work/learning about different neighborhoods, but why can't we do it when we HAVE THE PRACTICUM GROUP!? That's like wayyyy too many hours of being with those people.
Maybe we're supposed to bond and become bffs or something.
Forced bffs are not cool.
Can I go back to work now? What's this weekend junk I've gotta deal with? Why can't I be working? :P
OH! I forgot to mention the best part!
All of the girl interns are going to go see one of Victory's bands called The Audition. Well they were all chit chatting about it (while Rick was showing me how to use the new program about marketing retail info) and Rick jumped in saying how funny it was that all the girls were going to see The Audition while the guys were all going to The Sleeping. I perk up and say, "Well I must be a guy then because I'd rather see The Sleeping." He looks at me for a minute, busts out his wallet, grabs one of his buisness cards and hands it to me, "Call me if you decide to go. I'll put you on the list."
Yeah. I rock. The LIST, baby! I'm legit.
AND THEN LATER...when I told him I was taking off for the day he's like, "WAIT! Do you like cookies!?" And I was like, "Uh...yes...!?!" He opens one of his drawers, snatches up a tiny brown bag of cookies and offers me one. All the other guys around us looked at me with jealousy. Even Brett, the radio guy, walks up behind me and eyes my prize. He's on a "diet" so he always seems to flock where food is...it's funny.
I felt special. It's funny how something so small can mean so much. :)
I feel accepted.
I'm on the list.
I rock. :)
xx
P.S. Rick told us a story about how he used to work for Sony when he was "our age" 10 years ago. I'm not really sure how he starts going on about certain things but it's always hilarious to hear his stories. Well...the moral of this one was that on his first day of the job, Sony had put together a show for Destiny's Child back when they were a four piece and he got to meet Beyonce. He thought that was rad. I just thought it was hilarious -- especially because he listens to METAL now...total opposite of Beyonce. :)
That's where I'm at in my life right now.
I love my job so much that I don't want to leave.
Except I'm in flippin Chicago and kinda have to experience EVERYTHING! :P
I'm just kinda bummed now because I found out I have to miss work to go do practicum work once...a month?...for half of the day. That really blows. I understand why we're doing work/learning about different neighborhoods, but why can't we do it when we HAVE THE PRACTICUM GROUP!? That's like wayyyy too many hours of being with those people.
Maybe we're supposed to bond and become bffs or something.
Forced bffs are not cool.
Can I go back to work now? What's this weekend junk I've gotta deal with? Why can't I be working? :P
OH! I forgot to mention the best part!
All of the girl interns are going to go see one of Victory's bands called The Audition. Well they were all chit chatting about it (while Rick was showing me how to use the new program about marketing retail info) and Rick jumped in saying how funny it was that all the girls were going to see The Audition while the guys were all going to The Sleeping. I perk up and say, "Well I must be a guy then because I'd rather see The Sleeping." He looks at me for a minute, busts out his wallet, grabs one of his buisness cards and hands it to me, "Call me if you decide to go. I'll put you on the list."
Yeah. I rock. The LIST, baby! I'm legit.
AND THEN LATER...when I told him I was taking off for the day he's like, "WAIT! Do you like cookies!?" And I was like, "Uh...yes...!?!" He opens one of his drawers, snatches up a tiny brown bag of cookies and offers me one. All the other guys around us looked at me with jealousy. Even Brett, the radio guy, walks up behind me and eyes my prize. He's on a "diet" so he always seems to flock where food is...it's funny.
I felt special. It's funny how something so small can mean so much. :)
I feel accepted.
I'm on the list.
I rock. :)
xx
P.S. Rick told us a story about how he used to work for Sony when he was "our age" 10 years ago. I'm not really sure how he starts going on about certain things but it's always hilarious to hear his stories. Well...the moral of this one was that on his first day of the job, Sony had put together a show for Destiny's Child back when they were a four piece and he got to meet Beyonce. He thought that was rad. I just thought it was hilarious -- especially because he listens to METAL now...total opposite of Beyonce. :)
Friday, 12 February 2010
Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh
Note to self: Never be an accountant.
I hate auditing. The accounting department needed me ALL day yesterday so I was the lucky one who got to do the auditing for all of last year's sales.
Even Rick's getting upset every time I have to do to some other job (i.e. filing, auditing, t-shirt folding, etc.) and apologizes profusely every time I get yanked away. At least he understands.
Mer.
So when can I start my actual job again?
I'm hopeful about today. :) It's Friday. Awwww yeahhhh! :D xx
I hate auditing. The accounting department needed me ALL day yesterday so I was the lucky one who got to do the auditing for all of last year's sales.
Even Rick's getting upset every time I have to do to some other job (i.e. filing, auditing, t-shirt folding, etc.) and apologizes profusely every time I get yanked away. At least he understands.
Mer.
So when can I start my actual job again?
I'm hopeful about today. :) It's Friday. Awwww yeahhhh! :D xx
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
Victory Day #4
I actually feel like a part of the Victory team.
Yes, I had to continue folding the 9,000 + 300+ t-shirt orders in the dry, hot heat, nearly passing out.
HOWEVER!
First thing when I walked into the office, Rick practically pounced on me, asking if I wanted coffee and told me how excited he was that we finally get to start really working on the marketing plans. I happily walked over to the intern room and grabbed a dinosaur-esque computure to work on, but then literally 2 minutes later (before I could even have a chance to sit down on that oh-so-comfy spinny chair...you know...one of those scare-you-to-death-when-it-tilts-back-just-too-far chairs) here comes Rick, bounding into the room, hands filled with magazines. "Keeley," he said, "change of plans." In response, I looked at him quizically, shrugged my shoulders, grabbed a pad of paper and returned to his side -- ready for whatever it was he had to throw at me.
Apparently, the night before, Zippo lighters agreed to post the video of one of our big bands - A Day to Remember - in their weekly newsletter. This e-mailed newsletter reaches an audience of a whopping 300,000+ subscribers.
And now, every single one of those subscribers gets an amazing, new ADTR video flying at their face when they open that newsletter.
So, my job yesterday was to find out every brand possible from clothing to food to alcohol to sports to phone companies to music instrument companies, etc. and see if they had a newsletter or somewhere to post videos. We want to find out of we can copy what we've done with Zippo into as many other brand/company newsletters as we possible can.
How. AWESOME. Is. That!?
10 pages, 8 hours and 9,000 t-shirts later I had finished the day smiling...proud...stoked to be in music promotion.
xx
Yes, I had to continue folding the 9,000 + 300+ t-shirt orders in the dry, hot heat, nearly passing out.
HOWEVER!
First thing when I walked into the office, Rick practically pounced on me, asking if I wanted coffee and told me how excited he was that we finally get to start really working on the marketing plans. I happily walked over to the intern room and grabbed a dinosaur-esque computure to work on, but then literally 2 minutes later (before I could even have a chance to sit down on that oh-so-comfy spinny chair...you know...one of those scare-you-to-death-when-it-tilts-back-just-too-far chairs) here comes Rick, bounding into the room, hands filled with magazines. "Keeley," he said, "change of plans." In response, I looked at him quizically, shrugged my shoulders, grabbed a pad of paper and returned to his side -- ready for whatever it was he had to throw at me.
Apparently, the night before, Zippo lighters agreed to post the video of one of our big bands - A Day to Remember - in their weekly newsletter. This e-mailed newsletter reaches an audience of a whopping 300,000+ subscribers.
And now, every single one of those subscribers gets an amazing, new ADTR video flying at their face when they open that newsletter.
So, my job yesterday was to find out every brand possible from clothing to food to alcohol to sports to phone companies to music instrument companies, etc. and see if they had a newsletter or somewhere to post videos. We want to find out of we can copy what we've done with Zippo into as many other brand/company newsletters as we possible can.
How. AWESOME. Is. That!?
10 pages, 8 hours and 9,000 t-shirts later I had finished the day smiling...proud...stoked to be in music promotion.
xx
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Victory Day #3
It may be raining in London, iGoogle...but it's SNOWING here! Yay! I'm just worried about the girls I work with who don't have the privilege of taking CTA and have to drive. I hope they get there okay!!! Good luck, ladies!
Anywho, yesterday was my 3rd day at Victory. As soon as I arrived, Rick stuck me in accounting, only promising that once the other two girls, Jamie and Tori got there, we'd start buckling down and get our bands and marketing plan assignments.
WRONG!
The two other girls didn't show up at noon like we had originally planned. Now what does extra time mean for an intern at Victory? FOLDING BAND T-SHIRTS! Woooo! So I was led back into the sweaty, dry printing shop (which reminds me of daddy's screen printing so I don't entirely mind =]) only to find...DUN DUN DUN...9,000 A Day To Remember tees...ALL Medium...that I had the honnor of folding. ;)
2 hours later...
Rick came back, leading the two other girls I'd be working with. In my head I was thinking, "Okay, sweet! We get to start working on our real job!"
WRONG!
lol.
He plopped them right next to me and made them start folding shirts too.
"Oh well!" I thought.
1 hour later...
We had just finished the last of the ADTR tees when 300 + Carnifex shirts came down the line. Awesome!
1 hour later...
We FINALLY finished all 9,300 + shirts and decided to go hunt down Rick. When we got to his desk he looked up at us warily. "Let's meet at 5," was his response.
So the three of us headed back to the intern room to work on updating the marketing plans.
THEN 5 o'clock came!
Rick gathered Jamie, Tori and I together in the frigid meeting room. He told us that after looking at our resumes, we were his 3 best interns and he knew he could trust us with this responsibility. He handed us each a sheet that listed our band assignments along with a huge list of tasks we had to better update our marketing plans for each of them.
He gave me at least 3 huge bands for right now.
I am SO excited!!!!!
I'm glad I get to go to work this morning and finally be able to start my job.
Life is good. :) xx
Anywho, yesterday was my 3rd day at Victory. As soon as I arrived, Rick stuck me in accounting, only promising that once the other two girls, Jamie and Tori got there, we'd start buckling down and get our bands and marketing plan assignments.
WRONG!
The two other girls didn't show up at noon like we had originally planned. Now what does extra time mean for an intern at Victory? FOLDING BAND T-SHIRTS! Woooo! So I was led back into the sweaty, dry printing shop (which reminds me of daddy's screen printing so I don't entirely mind =]) only to find...DUN DUN DUN...9,000 A Day To Remember tees...ALL Medium...that I had the honnor of folding. ;)
2 hours later...
Rick came back, leading the two other girls I'd be working with. In my head I was thinking, "Okay, sweet! We get to start working on our real job!"
WRONG!
lol.
He plopped them right next to me and made them start folding shirts too.
"Oh well!" I thought.
1 hour later...
We had just finished the last of the ADTR tees when 300 + Carnifex shirts came down the line. Awesome!
1 hour later...
We FINALLY finished all 9,300 + shirts and decided to go hunt down Rick. When we got to his desk he looked up at us warily. "Let's meet at 5," was his response.
So the three of us headed back to the intern room to work on updating the marketing plans.
THEN 5 o'clock came!
Rick gathered Jamie, Tori and I together in the frigid meeting room. He told us that after looking at our resumes, we were his 3 best interns and he knew he could trust us with this responsibility. He handed us each a sheet that listed our band assignments along with a huge list of tasks we had to better update our marketing plans for each of them.
He gave me at least 3 huge bands for right now.
I am SO excited!!!!!
I'm glad I get to go to work this morning and finally be able to start my job.
Life is good. :) xx
Sunday, 7 February 2010
People are wonderful.
It's funny how this program forced so many of us to bond so quickly, yet many of us are not quick to exclude new people into fun adventures.
Last night Jess and I hung out with a girl we had only once sat across a dinner table from before. We went from merely making small chat to laughing and talking into the night at a great Mexican restaurant. And what bonded us? Searching for a nice place to go out to that fit our budget, was close enough and didn't have sketchy old people. It was great.
Then today we threw our very own Superbowl party, inviting new and old friends from our building. Luckily, word spread beyond the 6 original people we knew were coming to a whopping 15 people! Everyone knows how big of a part (American) football plays in the lives of the people in this country, so we really lucked out in finding a great way to bring people together.
I am just so thankful for this opportunity I've been blessed with. I've really needed something to hold onto and to keep me going after coming back from abroad. Ever since I left Wales I have felt like a big chunk of who I am has been missing; I haven't felt whole. I miss my incredible friends who are the most amazing people I have ever met. Leaving them, leaving the country, made me feel stuck in an odd place. I didn't know where I belonged in the world anymore. I hadn't felt right.
Until now. Coming to Chicago, making these new great friends, finally getting to work and living in a new place has really helped in starting to re-shape and re-fill my empty, confused self.
But don't get me wrong. No one and nothing can ever replace anyone or anything in this world. Everyone and everything has his/her/its own special place in my heart and plays his/her/its own special role in my life in making me who I am and how I want to live my life. But Chicago, its people, my friends, the trains, my job, the atmosphere, etc. have helped me to find hope and a newfound optimism in the world. I've begun to find my place in the world again and figure out where I fit in the world.
It doesn't matter where you are. Your home, your life, your love is where your heart is. And now I know that my heart doesn't just have to be in Iowa or Chicago or Wales or England or wherever; my heart is in all of those pieces. All of those places, all of the people from those places that are in my life make up a piece of my heart. My heart is citywide...statewide...national...international.
And it's always growing.
You...yes you...the one who is reading this.
No matter who you are...if you are reading this it means that you are a part of my life, and I want you to know that you will always be in my heart.
Thank you for everything.
Thanks for wanting to be in my world.
You are wonderful.
xx
“The world is truly round and seems to start and end with those we love.” –Nelson Mandela
Last night Jess and I hung out with a girl we had only once sat across a dinner table from before. We went from merely making small chat to laughing and talking into the night at a great Mexican restaurant. And what bonded us? Searching for a nice place to go out to that fit our budget, was close enough and didn't have sketchy old people. It was great.
Then today we threw our very own Superbowl party, inviting new and old friends from our building. Luckily, word spread beyond the 6 original people we knew were coming to a whopping 15 people! Everyone knows how big of a part (American) football plays in the lives of the people in this country, so we really lucked out in finding a great way to bring people together.
I am just so thankful for this opportunity I've been blessed with. I've really needed something to hold onto and to keep me going after coming back from abroad. Ever since I left Wales I have felt like a big chunk of who I am has been missing; I haven't felt whole. I miss my incredible friends who are the most amazing people I have ever met. Leaving them, leaving the country, made me feel stuck in an odd place. I didn't know where I belonged in the world anymore. I hadn't felt right.
Until now. Coming to Chicago, making these new great friends, finally getting to work and living in a new place has really helped in starting to re-shape and re-fill my empty, confused self.
But don't get me wrong. No one and nothing can ever replace anyone or anything in this world. Everyone and everything has his/her/its own special place in my heart and plays his/her/its own special role in my life in making me who I am and how I want to live my life. But Chicago, its people, my friends, the trains, my job, the atmosphere, etc. have helped me to find hope and a newfound optimism in the world. I've begun to find my place in the world again and figure out where I fit in the world.
It doesn't matter where you are. Your home, your life, your love is where your heart is. And now I know that my heart doesn't just have to be in Iowa or Chicago or Wales or England or wherever; my heart is in all of those pieces. All of those places, all of the people from those places that are in my life make up a piece of my heart. My heart is citywide...statewide...national...international.
And it's always growing.
You...yes you...the one who is reading this.
No matter who you are...if you are reading this it means that you are a part of my life, and I want you to know that you will always be in my heart.
Thank you for everything.
Thanks for wanting to be in my world.
You are wonderful.
xx
“The world is truly round and seems to start and end with those we love.” –Nelson Mandela
Saturday, 6 February 2010
Victory Day #2
Yesterday was my second day at Victory Records. Luckily, I was able to really start doing my job. The girl who was initially supposed to train me was out sick with strep, but Jamie, another marketing intern, was there on Friday and able to help me out! What we did all day was look over the current marketing and sales plans for all of the bands on the label, making sure they were up-to-date. These marketing and sales plans include such things as total sales (shipped -returned albums) of all their albums, top 10 selling cities, album details, band bios, where/how they advertise (online and/or print) and what type of ad it is, etc. To get this info, we had to go to several different sites or pdf files, so it took quite a bit of time to get every little bit of info updated.
It was awesome. :)
Well...awesome, despite the fact that my computer screen was all wavy and off color and the mouse did not work at all.
On the other hand, it was neat because we got to work in the room with the guy who works with about 15-20 different radio stations in Chicago and across the U.S., trying to get all the bands' stuff played on the air. Unfortunately though, he was all "pot" this and "bang (younger) chicks" that. No wonder his late 30-year-old self was so happy to have Jamie and me working in his office (we are both cute and under 25 so we apparently "fit" his list).
Oh...and I guess there is one other little bit of info...
I mean...it's no big deal...but I just kinda got to hang out with some members of one of the bands for a while (Chase Long Beach...they had a show last night!).
Yeah that's it.
Except...wait...one more even COOLER thing!
One of the bands on the label - Destrophy - is from Des Moines, IA and Ari, the vocalist/guitarist, was actually my substitute art teacher back at Marion H.S.
So I was casually talking to Mr. Radio man about my connection to Destrophy and he slides his chair over to mine, phone in hand, and starts dialing a number. He's kind of an odd fellow so I didn't think much of it at the time, but then when the person on the other end answered and Mr. Radio smiled at me (as if he knew I would be excited very soon), I knew something was up. "Hello, Ari?" Radio man said. "Yeah, I'm working here at Victory and actually have one of your former art students here, you wanna talk to her?"
AND THEN HE HANDED THE PHONE TO ME!
I blushed, grabbed the phone, and ended up talking to Ari for a good 20 minutes or so, just catching up on things back home and what I am up to in Chicago. It was so easy to just chat with him. I loved it! He even told me to stay in contact with him and to hit him up if I ever needed any help with anything.
Yeah. Ain't no thang. I'm just talking to celebrities and it's only my 2nd day on the job.
God Bless Chicago. :P xx
P.S. I love you, Jess. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers right now. Good luck and God Bless. <3
It was awesome. :)
Well...awesome, despite the fact that my computer screen was all wavy and off color and the mouse did not work at all.
On the other hand, it was neat because we got to work in the room with the guy who works with about 15-20 different radio stations in Chicago and across the U.S., trying to get all the bands' stuff played on the air. Unfortunately though, he was all "pot" this and "bang (younger) chicks" that. No wonder his late 30-year-old self was so happy to have Jamie and me working in his office (we are both cute and under 25 so we apparently "fit" his list).
Oh...and I guess there is one other little bit of info...
I mean...it's no big deal...but I just kinda got to hang out with some members of one of the bands for a while (Chase Long Beach...they had a show last night!).
Yeah that's it.
Except...wait...one more even COOLER thing!
One of the bands on the label - Destrophy - is from Des Moines, IA and Ari, the vocalist/guitarist, was actually my substitute art teacher back at Marion H.S.
So I was casually talking to Mr. Radio man about my connection to Destrophy and he slides his chair over to mine, phone in hand, and starts dialing a number. He's kind of an odd fellow so I didn't think much of it at the time, but then when the person on the other end answered and Mr. Radio smiled at me (as if he knew I would be excited very soon), I knew something was up. "Hello, Ari?" Radio man said. "Yeah, I'm working here at Victory and actually have one of your former art students here, you wanna talk to her?"
AND THEN HE HANDED THE PHONE TO ME!
I blushed, grabbed the phone, and ended up talking to Ari for a good 20 minutes or so, just catching up on things back home and what I am up to in Chicago. It was so easy to just chat with him. I loved it! He even told me to stay in contact with him and to hit him up if I ever needed any help with anything.
Yeah. Ain't no thang. I'm just talking to celebrities and it's only my 2nd day on the job.
God Bless Chicago. :P xx
P.S. I love you, Jess. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers right now. Good luck and God Bless. <3
Preoccupation
It's the weekend.
That means the tinkling bottles return. But now the 7th day has passed, the sounds from outside fade into the distance -- now only are they sounds of reassurance and life from afar.
I instead turn my attention to the sounds inside the walls that encompass me. I know it's nighttime when the hiss of the radiator dominates any of the comforting noises from outside. Now the comforting noises are inside.
At home.
Yet the bustling sounds from outside do tell residents of life beyond their tiny, 1 bedroom worlds. The sounds are a reminder of travel, of entertainment, of movement.
Suburbanites (and others) are preoccupied with the daily pursuit of the comfort of their material lives. In many cases they literally wall themselves off into comfortable communities, both physical and social, in which they can safely avert their eyes from the ugly realites that afflict so many of our people.
They even forget who brought together our nation, who put up the walls of our cities, who made their Prada dresses and Jimmy Choo shoes, and who it was that suffered so that they could thrive in the tiny, selfish materialistic "luxury" world they live in now.
I have my tinkling bottles...my hissing radiator...my home.
I often wonder if the owners of those far-too-pricey products have these things.
I can only pray they too can be comforted by the outside world rather than only feel safe and happy in their tiny, selfish materialistic worlds.
But I'm not ignorant.
That's not safe or happy.
That's fake.
Deprivation.
Deprivation of others. Less for others, more for them.
Where's Chicago's Robin Hood?
To ease my troubles of wonders of the materialistic others, I place my head upon my pillow as my ears search for the tinkling from outside and the hissing within.
At least I'm lucky enough to have these things.
That means the tinkling bottles return. But now the 7th day has passed, the sounds from outside fade into the distance -- now only are they sounds of reassurance and life from afar.
I instead turn my attention to the sounds inside the walls that encompass me. I know it's nighttime when the hiss of the radiator dominates any of the comforting noises from outside. Now the comforting noises are inside.
At home.
Yet the bustling sounds from outside do tell residents of life beyond their tiny, 1 bedroom worlds. The sounds are a reminder of travel, of entertainment, of movement.
Suburbanites (and others) are preoccupied with the daily pursuit of the comfort of their material lives. In many cases they literally wall themselves off into comfortable communities, both physical and social, in which they can safely avert their eyes from the ugly realites that afflict so many of our people.
They even forget who brought together our nation, who put up the walls of our cities, who made their Prada dresses and Jimmy Choo shoes, and who it was that suffered so that they could thrive in the tiny, selfish materialistic "luxury" world they live in now.
I have my tinkling bottles...my hissing radiator...my home.
I often wonder if the owners of those far-too-pricey products have these things.
I can only pray they too can be comforted by the outside world rather than only feel safe and happy in their tiny, selfish materialistic worlds.
But I'm not ignorant.
That's not safe or happy.
That's fake.
Deprivation.
Deprivation of others. Less for others, more for them.
Where's Chicago's Robin Hood?
To ease my troubles of wonders of the materialistic others, I place my head upon my pillow as my ears search for the tinkling from outside and the hissing within.
At least I'm lucky enough to have these things.
Friday, 5 February 2010
Victory: Day #1
Unfortunately, the girl who is supposed to be training me at Victory is out with strep.
HUGE BUMMER!
Because yesterday and today, rather than getting my list of artists and putting together marketing and sales plans, I get to be a slave of anyone and everyone at the company. Yesterday I had the priviledge of learning how to fold t-shirts, file documents in reception and accounting and look up/enter def numbers in the accounting database.
Do not fear! I have learned some things!
Before yesterday I had no idea what a "def" number is. I'm still unsure as to exactly what "def" stands for, but I deduced that it is a labeling number that coincides with labeling codes. What rocked though was that some of the "def" numbers lined up with the numbers in the labeling codes.
For example, one of the cd label codes would be something like VR123-CD. The "def" number then would be 123. Cool, aye? Unfortunately, the shirt labeling codes and "def" numbers did NOT match up. An example of that would be something like VT123-ZUL with a "def" of 543.
But what does ZUL mean, you ask? Why Zip-up large hoodie, of course!
TSL
SXL
ZUS
ZUM
TSM
etc. etc. etc.
Muahahahaha! My secretive code!
...that I may never see again. haha.
Who knows what is in store for me today. Hopefully I get to chill more in the marketing department and listen to some BTBAM with Evan who either just loves em naturaly or is forced to love em because he has to promote em. :)
TGIF! :) Only because I want my REAL work experience to start and my REAL seminars and PG to begin next week.
Right on. More later.
Peace!
xx
HUGE BUMMER!
Because yesterday and today, rather than getting my list of artists and putting together marketing and sales plans, I get to be a slave of anyone and everyone at the company. Yesterday I had the priviledge of learning how to fold t-shirts, file documents in reception and accounting and look up/enter def numbers in the accounting database.
Do not fear! I have learned some things!
Before yesterday I had no idea what a "def" number is. I'm still unsure as to exactly what "def" stands for, but I deduced that it is a labeling number that coincides with labeling codes. What rocked though was that some of the "def" numbers lined up with the numbers in the labeling codes.
For example, one of the cd label codes would be something like VR123-CD. The "def" number then would be 123. Cool, aye? Unfortunately, the shirt labeling codes and "def" numbers did NOT match up. An example of that would be something like VT123-ZUL with a "def" of 543.
But what does ZUL mean, you ask? Why Zip-up large hoodie, of course!
TSL
SXL
ZUS
ZUM
TSM
etc. etc. etc.
Muahahahaha! My secretive code!
...that I may never see again. haha.
Who knows what is in store for me today. Hopefully I get to chill more in the marketing department and listen to some BTBAM with Evan who either just loves em naturaly or is forced to love em because he has to promote em. :)
TGIF! :) Only because I want my REAL work experience to start and my REAL seminars and PG to begin next week.
Right on. More later.
Peace!
xx
Thursday, 4 February 2010
Time for Living
The morning passes as I watch the ceiling fan twirl above my head.It never ceases to surprise me how quiet it is, especially when cast against the hum of the city surrounding it.
I climb from the room of beds after hearing the alarm chime thrice, letting me know it's my turn to rise.
I have to do good today.
I have to make a difference; be brave.
Be an adult.
Oh, but I've done this before.
I've been waiting.
My stomach turns on itself with anticipation.
The happy butterflies within dance, yet are still clouded and caged with suspense.
When the clock strikes a quarter past 9, it will be my time.
It will be my time for life to begin.
http://virb.com/thenewdiet
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Young Man Luther
Psychologists should never be trusted solely as historians. They are psychologists who are meant to be professionals who apply psychological research, theories and techniques to "real-world" problems, questions and issues, most typically in health and mental health care services, or in business and industry. They are not meant to double as historians who, concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race, are the real ones who study and write about historic events and the ones to be considered the real authority over such events. Regardless, Erik Erikson, famous developmental psychologist and psychoanalysit attempts to take on this double role as a psychologist/historian in his book, Young Man Luther: A Study in Psychoanalysis and History. In it, he applies his insights on human development, identiy crisis and moratorium to bear on the prominent figure of the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther.
Go Metropolitan Seminar. Putting my Psych minor to good use!
So cool. :)
Go Metropolitan Seminar. Putting my Psych minor to good use!
So cool. :)
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Snow!!!
Yes, that's right folks, it's a-snowin in the windy city!! What a lovely view to wake up to, aye?
How Pretty!
For us general track students, today marks the first day of introduction to our Practicum Group sessions. In these sessions we will reflect upon our living, work, seminar and city experiences, and somehow learn to make sense of it all and how they intertwine. I somehow landed in the group that got hosed because we are the only ones out of any of the groups that have to start at 8:30 am instead of 1:00 pm. Laaame! But I feel like I'm getting spoiled today because it's starting at 9 as opposed to what will be the regular 8:30. That meant a whole extra half an hour for me to sleep today, right!? WRONG! I've got the same genes as my momma so I ended up waking up a half an hour EARLIER than I should have. Basically, I woke up when I would have anyway.
Bahahaha.
K now look at this pretty candle:
My lovely roomies, Jess and Rachel (see picture below for details), and I decided to hit up a hoppin' Hot Cocoa/Tea party last night! Woo! We hung out with some cool guys (aka Timmy and Cheesecake boy) from down the hall and all the sweet people they invited over. We chatted on and on about everything from how "old" we are to Terrificly Tasty Toe Tossled Tea.
Great times!
Ohhhhohohoh! Here's a shot of our TELEVISION! YUSS!
((Please ignore the fact that it is on the floor, unplugged and entirely unconnected to any cable what-so-ever))
We plan on hosting a superbowl party with our friends. I'm stoked! Go Colts!
Well it's time to head out for the day. Hope everyone has a great Tuesday! :) xx
How Pretty!
For us general track students, today marks the first day of introduction to our Practicum Group sessions. In these sessions we will reflect upon our living, work, seminar and city experiences, and somehow learn to make sense of it all and how they intertwine. I somehow landed in the group that got hosed because we are the only ones out of any of the groups that have to start at 8:30 am instead of 1:00 pm. Laaame! But I feel like I'm getting spoiled today because it's starting at 9 as opposed to what will be the regular 8:30. That meant a whole extra half an hour for me to sleep today, right!? WRONG! I've got the same genes as my momma so I ended up waking up a half an hour EARLIER than I should have. Basically, I woke up when I would have anyway.
Bahahaha.
K now look at this pretty candle:
My lovely roomies, Jess and Rachel (see picture below for details), and I decided to hit up a hoppin' Hot Cocoa/Tea party last night! Woo! We hung out with some cool guys (aka Timmy and Cheesecake boy) from down the hall and all the sweet people they invited over. We chatted on and on about everything from how "old" we are to Terrificly Tasty Toe Tossled Tea.
Great times!
Ohhhhohohoh! Here's a shot of our TELEVISION! YUSS!
((Please ignore the fact that it is on the floor, unplugged and entirely unconnected to any cable what-so-ever))
We plan on hosting a superbowl party with our friends. I'm stoked! Go Colts!
Well it's time to head out for the day. Hope everyone has a great Tuesday! :) xx
Monday, 1 February 2010
It's Aliiiiiive!
As I sit here on the morning that starts the first week of the rest of my life, I'm allowing myself to really reflect on what's going on in the big world around me.
I sit here in silence.
Except this city never seems to quiet itself.
At night while I rest in bed, outside my window I hear the tink, tink, tink of the bottles the bartenders are tossing out into the large bins behind their pseudo-Irish pubs on Division St. Out that same window I can see neighbors in the adjacent complex playing video games, reading and laughing.
And in the living room, at all hours, the little lucky cat goes click, click, click, waving down to State Parkway below and to the big, bustling, city buildings above.
All the while, Legolas is keeping guard with his eyes following any movement as it passes.
As I sit here now, in our cozy kitchen, sipping my freeze-dried coffee and looking out to the same view our feline friend spreads its joy upon, I hear no silence. But inside I feel that if the silence were to begin, everything outside my window would stop.
The noise reminds me that the world outside my window is alive.
I sit here in silence.
Except this city never seems to quiet itself.
At night while I rest in bed, outside my window I hear the tink, tink, tink of the bottles the bartenders are tossing out into the large bins behind their pseudo-Irish pubs on Division St. Out that same window I can see neighbors in the adjacent complex playing video games, reading and laughing.
And in the living room, at all hours, the little lucky cat goes click, click, click, waving down to State Parkway below and to the big, bustling, city buildings above.
All the while, Legolas is keeping guard with his eyes following any movement as it passes.
As I sit here now, in our cozy kitchen, sipping my freeze-dried coffee and looking out to the same view our feline friend spreads its joy upon, I hear no silence. But inside I feel that if the silence were to begin, everything outside my window would stop.
The noise reminds me that the world outside my window is alive.
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