Friday, March 30, 2012

Because StumbleUpon Is That Cool

Take a look at what my Friday night web-browsing consists of!:)


These will make your life easier, plus is makes you seem quite resourceful.  I recommend this page very mucho.
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2s6rJ7/:1TxE@$AqV:SKShPePY/xaxor.com/funny-pics/39562-funny-smart-tips-to-make-life-easier.html/

The Dalai Lama is one of my favourite inspirations in life.
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1cGFJO/:1TMTcdZby:Ti5O@-DQ/cdn.iwastesomuchtime.com/March-02-2012-01-41-35-thedalailamawhenaskedwhatsurprisedhimmostabouthumanityansweredmanbecausehesacrificeshishealthinordertomakemoney.jpeg/

This is just cool.  I wish I had a Tron suit.  Wait.. I wish I could dance like that!
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2f5v6d/:wn4Mn8uf:Ti5O@-DQ/blog.pokkisam.com/content/japanese-dance-team-illuminates-floor-tron-suit/

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1U7zXc/:1GTYa9vgW:Ti5O@-DQ/i.minus.com/j03Evz2wQcrGD.jpg/

This is just fun.
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2oscGz/:Vdt!sW7k:Ti5O@-DQ/wonderfl.net/c/iNy0/fullscreen/


Well my lovies, enjoy having no life.
TTFN!
Sierra

Country Happenings

Something interesting I've noticed about the only country star I really listen to...

T-Swifty has plenty of songs about getting her heart broken by some jerk (You're Not Sorry, You Belong With Me, Forever&Always, Tell Me Why, etc.) and we all feel bad for the poor girl.  However, when she finally meets a nice guy (The Way I Loved You) who is "sensible and so incredible", she misses "screaming and fighting an kissing in the rain".  Hmmm....  sounds like Miss TayTay keeps getting stuck in abusive relationships?  I dunno, but not the greatest outlook on life.  Taylor should get her priorities straight!  Me, I personally prefer Love Story or Mary's Song, they are upbeat, lovey-dovey hearts of confetti and glitter.  Good times.

Monday, March 19, 2012

YOU ARE A RADAR detector

I'm not sure if it's his real hair.  If it is, I really would love to cut it for him.  If it's a wig, then cool for him and his spunk!  But otherwise I think he could manage just dandy with short hair, as long as he's still rockin that moustache. 


This picture is the epitome of Mr. Darwin Deez, the artist that gave me my new favourite song.  Neat-o, oversized sweater, standard and lovely buildings, and flurries of boxed mashed potatoes.  It doesn't really make sense, but it just works.  To be honest, I'm not very familiar with his work as I just discovered him last night and have only listened to that particular song a couple of times, but I love it!  He's just a funky guy from North Carolina who enjoys making music and quirky videos- all in all a pretty awesome hipster indie mashup of a character.  He's one of those guys I wish I was friends with, because I feel like artsy and random people are definite keepers as friends, just so long as he's not an arrogant musician or anything.  They get annoying.  But I would want to have a couch painting party with him.  With fun lights and comic strips.  That sounds good to me.

I advise you to listen to Radar Detector by him, and check out the video too!  It's like the picture- doesn't quite make sense, but it works.



You are a radar
                          detector.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pbdLqTh_x4

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Concert Breakdown

Did I happen to mention I went to a concert last night?  Yep, CRUSH, Seas and Centuries, and others opening for Come Home Geoffrey. It was a good time.  Anyway, so I wouldn't call myself an expert (I'm probably a long way from it), but with last night being my second concert at the Knitting Factory, I would say I have at least some experience as a concert goer.  And from my observations, I'm going to provide you with a nice little list of the labels and types of characters usually found at these events.  


The Musicians
At every concert you're going to see some musician types: people from other bands, local artists, etc.  For example, last night not only did I see a few band members milling about, but I as well saw some people from other neat local music stuff like open mic nights and such.  The Musicians can usually be recognized by their style and attitude- their style changes depending on the genre of music they are, (see indie or garage band) and you will note that the attitude of Musicians while at another concert is cool and collected, getting pumped when necessary but overall just observing.  Trust me, they have a fun time, but they shield their emotions with a mask of chill- they rock concerts for a living, so it's not a huge deal for them.  Overall the Musicians fall into two categories- super nice and cool or egotistic jerks.  Either way they can make great friends, as long as they're not too obnoxious.

The Scene Kids
These people can be found at nearly every type of music event, although more often at hardcore shows.  Notorious for their ridiculously layered, neon coloured, and side swept hair, numerous piercings, heavy use of eyeliner, and accompaniment by the scent of cigarettes, all I can say about these people is that they are true to their label.  They want to make a scene!  Dramatic and moody, most of them dress up this way to "make a statement", although what that statement is they're pretty vague about.  At most concerts you can find the scene kids lurking in dark corners, too cool to dance or smile.  I have found in my travels that most scene kids only care about getting wasted and trying to seem cool, however sometimes you can find some super neat and quirky scene-sters to chill with.

Straight Edge 
Like the scene kids, those who call themselves "straight edge" are typically found at hardcore shows and love to start mosh pits (see mosh pit monsters)  Straight edge kids are pretty much exclusively under the age of 21, and can be identified by Xs tattooed or inked on the back of their hands.  What do the Xs mean?  No drugs, no alcohol, and no sex.  Sounds like a great idea, except most in the straight edge cult take this philosophy to the extreme and take it upon themselves to beat the crap out of anyone not abstaining from the three things aforementioned.  Why are they mostly all 21 and under?  Because once people turn 21, suddenly they can legally drink alcohol and "what? straight edge? what's that?" POOF.  All philosophy gone.  Clad in bro tanks and cutoffs, I usually try to stay away from anyone who looks too angry when I'm at a concert.  Mosh pits are scary!

Stoners/ Drunk People
No matter where you are, what venue, what music event, there are sure to be these people here.  It's inevitable.  I grouped stoners and drunks together because honestly, I can't tell the difference between them, so I'll leave that part up to you guys.  For the most part, just keep your eye out for anyone who seems out of it or mentally insane- at a concert, they're probably under the influence of something.  Now personally, I follow straight edge morals minus the fighting, so stoners and drunk people gross me out.  However I will admit that sometimes, when they're not zonked out they can be cool people.  Sometimes.  Does not mean I approve!    

Teenage Music Lovers/Band Groupies
Before I go further, yes, there is a difference.  Music lovers are typically chill, young tune addicts who love to dance it up to loud music.  Band groupies are the same except they religiously follow a bands every movement, attempting to get closer to the band and look "cool".  Both are excellent types of characters and can include any of the other types of people in this list, however band groupies do have a tendency to get annoying with their endless rants of how amazing or spectacular a band is, whereas music lovers tend to merely appreciate or quietly love, and only band crush slightly.  




Garage Band Style
Indie love
This is a quick followup to the style of Musicians!  Any guy musician who falls into this style plays up their hottness with ripped jeans, regular old tshirts and the classic garage band style!  Girls are edgy cool with skinny jeans and leather jackets.
Indie Style
Indie band members are quirky and thrifty, and look similar to hipsters- just rolled out of an old time movie.  Guys in skinny jeans, vests, tweed jackets and glasses, and girls in cute dresses with tall socks and bright colours.  

Mosh Pit Monsters
The way I see it, there are two types of people who jump into mosh pits: psycho chicks who want to prove how badass they are, and guys who want to release their pent up energy.  Basically it's just a contest to see who can flail their limbs around the most, and it's an excuse to punch random strangers in the face without receiving too much punishment.    Personally, I stay away from the mosh because even if you're doing nothing more than standing on the edge watching, there is a chance you will either get pushed in or someone will get pushed into you.  But that doesn't mean they couldn't be fun!  Despite my disliking of them, a concert isn't really complete without one, and I can see how the craziness appeals to some people.  Nevertheless, it's always a good idea to keep one eye on them and make sure they don't get too out of control and become a major kickfest.  


Lots of love my concert friends, and make sure if you ever go to a concert you help people not fall down (because no one wants to be trampled to death), you dance your life away, and you have a fun time!
-Sierra

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Kony 2012

Have you heard of Kony?  If not, watch the video.  If you know who he is and have not seen the video yet, watch the video.  Get back to me once step one is completed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4MnpzG5Sqc&feature=g-like&context=G2a902c7ALT1b3YQAAAA













Okay?  Okay.  So this entire incident has been going on for the past twenty years.  I've known about it for the past two.  While this makes me overjoyed that finally people are taking a stand to get this noticed, it also makes me very, very sad and makes me feel slightly unpractical.
Firstly, it makes me sad because I hate the fact that misfortune has to last this long before people unite to end it.  In the video I especially appreciated the reference to the Holocaust because I feel like it brought up a valid point: The United States did not officially enter World War II until after Pearl Harbor on December 8, 1941.  The Holocaust began roughly January 33, 1933.  For eight years Hitler was allowed to continue violating the rights of human beings.  For eight years Jewish people suffered in ways too numerous to count and too horrifying to think of.  The United States still holds on to a sense of glory, an idea that the American people were fighting for freedom, that we were the ones to rescue Germany from the Nazis.  But honestly, we just jumped on board to save our own skins when we were attacked.  I understand the logistics that accompany war.  I understand that America was in the middle of a depression and still struggling economically- engaging in battle overseas was most likely the farthest from anyone's mind.  But what if it didn't have to be that way?  What if we lived in a world where we prevented tragedies before they had time to take their toll?  A world where all countries coexisted together, fighting to preserve basic human necessities.  I think that it's a stretch, but it sure is possible- if people actually made a conscious effort to achieve it.  So maybe Kony 2012 is just the way to arrive at this future.
Anyway.  Secondly, I feel terribly impractical when I consider the fact that I can't drive, I don't have a source of income, I am still legally in my parents' custody, and I can't do all of the things I want to do now, when I want to do them.  Which is now.  Don't get me wrong though.  I realise there is still plenty I can do for now.  I can still sign petitions, call the governor, write letters, raise awareness, stay educated and hang posters, which I am for sure planning on accomplishing.  In the mean time though...

I've always struggled with what I wanna be "when I grow up".  Sure, when I was way younger I had ideas of being a movie star, or an author, and even more recently I've toyed with the idea of cinematography or a job as a photographer for National Geographic, but nothing has ever quite sit right with me.  This past year I've thought of involvement with Peace Corps and human rights activism, or maybe a position in the liberal arts or teaching, and once again I've revisited the idea of becoming an author or a journalist.  However, the entire viral blowup of Kony and the Invisible Children has only reinstated the definite belief that I want to enlist in the Peace Corps as soon as I'm able to.  Signing petitions is great, but it also makes me restless.  I want to be out, fighting for causes I believe in, right in the middle of the action.  I want to be escorted peacefully from D.C. in handcuffs after advocating for the legalisation of gay marriage.  I want to be camping on Wall Street with other Occupiers, or lobbying for better education in the White House.  I want to be in Africa helping build better homes, solar panels, and providing education and clean water.  I want to DO something.  So yes, now when people ask me the question "what are your plans in the future?" or even "what do you want to do when you grow up?"  I can answer faithfully and honestly.  I want to join the Peace Corps and then see where life takes me from there.  Maybe I'll change my mind in the future, but for now I'm fairly certain that this is where I see myself, and I'm beyond satisfied.

Love,
Sierra

Monday, March 5, 2012

I'm Not a Hipster. No really.

Defined.
Hipsters.  They're everywhere.  What is a hipster you ask?  Well I'm assuming if you didn't click the link that so obviously said "define" then you don't deserve to know.  But, I'm a nice person, so I'll tell you what people are talking about usually when they say "hipster".  It's a label- much like jock, nerd, punk or goth- applied to anyone who listens to obscure bands, has a unique mix of thrift store indie apparel,  and is in to really eccentric things.  Go to Berkeley and walk around the college town or take a trip to San Francisco.  Or Portland.  In fact, go downtown anywhere, find any liberal arts related venue, and I can promise you that you will see a minimum of one so called "hipster".

I'm pretty sure I've already expressed my hatred of labels before for y'all, but just to be clear, I hate labels.  Like really.  I just hate the idea of being slapped with some term that people will describe me as for years to come, because it gives people an expectation of who I am way before the get a chance to get to know me, and that's no fun.  To clarify, there's a difference between describing someone and labelling someone.  Describing is going into some amount of depth, whereas labelling is one term, hit and run.  Getting to the point, yes, I have been known as a hipster.  Which I'm not...

Sure, I do shop at antique stores when I can.  Sure, I listen to a lot of music, and a lot of stuff that's not "mainstream" or familiar to the public.  Yeah, I am a liberal, and I periodically enjoy reading or watching satires and dancing at concerts.  I have been to ArtTown down by the river and I love it.  I go out of my way to shop at local stores and try to avoid chain companies.  All of that is true- but that doesn't mean I'm a hipster.  I'm simply Sierra.  Nothing more, and nothing less.  So if I happen to fit right in with some of the hipster group, so be it.  But that's not all there is to me- there's actually a real person with a real personality. So please oh please don't leave me as one term, and then figure I'm as good as known.  Get to know me!

I guess the main problem I have with hipsters is the irony.  The entire point of being a hipster is to avoid being "mainstream", but so many people have decided that's super-dee-duper cool and now they're joining in on the fun.  Which is all great, except for the most part it's people changing their opinions in order to gain a certain look.  And I hate that! It's one of my worst pet peeves- just be yourself, and do whatever you want BECAUSE YOU WANT TO.  I guess I'm saying.. wanna be hipsters can leave.  Wanna be anything can leave.

Enjoy your life!
-Sierra


Turn the speakers up all the way and jam to this my friends 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aZFcosBTaQ&ob=av2n