More Than a Test Score

Alright 2009ers. I have a question for you. Are you ready?

Everyone is guilty of listening to the bittersweet “graduation” song. Everyone who listened to it has either a) cried or II) teared up or 3) thought about crying then realized you’re not even graduating yet so you’ll wait until then.

“As we go on, we remember
All the times we had together
And as our lives change, from whatever
We will still be friends forever”

This tune creeps inside your radio during the last month of exams and high school lunches. It appears suddenly in picture slideshows of your senior year. People are walking down the halls humming it. It’s sneaky and you cannot escape it. You are doomed to balling your eyes out before the end of the school year, there’s no doubt about it.

I’ve always been the nostalgic type, so thinking about the future when I’m looking back on my high school years is something I do quite often. Just the fact that I’ll have to “remember” all these people and teachers is mind-blowing to me. The song is right…we’re all going separate ways. Each of our lives are starting on a completely different course. Some of us will be lawyers, some of us will be doctors. Some of us will have 8 cats, and some of us will win “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.” Some of us will forget about our facebooks, and some of us will continually be internet geeks…for eternity.

In elementary school I though middle schoolers were at the top. When I got to middle school I only wanted to be in high school. I soon found myself a silly little freshman in high school, and all I was concentrated on was being a glorious senior.

Here I am now, and that was what…12 years? Really? But…but…I was just warming up to my school principle! I haven’t even thought about my senior prank! I never even went to a basketball game! What happened the last 12 years of my life?

But any even bigger question haunting me….what will happen the next 12 years of my life?

I don’t know, but I’ll miss you. You being high school. You being that girl in my biology class who gets a perfect score on every exam without studying. You being my best friend. You being my english teacher who never gave me an A on any essay. You being the cafeteria lady who says “Hey baby doll!” to everyone. You being the security guard who smiles politely and waves goodbye as you swiftly escape class. You being the last 12 years of my life. Goodbye, you.

Hello college. Hello occupation. Hello life.

“Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow.”
- William Shakespeare

I mean, isn’t that uncomfortable? Girls can do it…but guys in skinny jeans wear their pants down to their thighs so everyone gets a plaid surprise. Doesn’t that feel awkward when they walk? Don’t get me wrong…If I see a guy wearing tight girl pants I sneak a second look…but why?? I thought guys liked pockets! Skinny jeans = no pockets, no flexibility, and no comfort.

What’s the deal with pre-ripped jeans?

This is a question my grandpa asks me every time he comes into town. I’ve walked in the mall with him and heard his reaction to the trendy shop windows many times. “Why do kids these days want to look like hobos? Back in my days you had to rip the jeans yourself!” “Ohhh grandpa,” I say, “it’s the in thing, don’t you know?” But in my head I know he is exactly right. I compare prices. The pre-ripped jeans are exactly $13.95 more than the perfectly in tact ones. (more…)

Who is Jack Conte?

Glad you asked.

Jack Conte (Jack Cont-eeee) n. 1. a musician who thinks outside of the box 2. a really awesome guy who makes music (as seen on youtube) 3. one of those music artists you don’t hear on the radio, but you hear in your dreams

Or your nightmares.

So obviously the titles for his two EPs “Nightmares and Daydreams” and “Sleep in Color” seem fitting. While listening to his songs, you hear everything from high pitched squeals (which is very impressive considering the his gender) to SCREAMS. He’s not afraid to yell into the microphone. His music is “Electronic Acoustica” as described on his music myspace (click it). I prefer to call it “Hypnotic Sounds of Charming Turmoil.”

Alright, how about a 4th definition of Jack Conte: The result of Radiohead and The Postal Service having a baby, which resembles Muse a lot.

Jack (I’ll come him Jack, just to pretend like I know him on a first-name basis) caught my attention when is music video “Yeah Yeah Yeah” was featured on youtube. Other than school and facebook, my life is youtube. So naturally, I would be a lucky one to stumble upon the world of Jack Conte. He makes these fascinating things called “videosongs” that let you see each element that goes into making a song. There are two simple rules to his videosongs:

1. What you see is what you hear (no lip-syncing for instruments or voice).
2. If you hear it, at some point you see it (no hidden sounds).

Jack uses a plethora of instruments. Along with his master skills in vocals (his range is ridiculous!), comes his master skills in all of the following instruments: Piano, guitar, accordian, synths, mini piano (I don’t know the word for that), xylophone, and drums. But he’ll use anything to create a song.

Look him up, buy his music, and fall asleep to it. It’s a recipe for insane dreams and happy mornings.

Oh, and he does brilliant covers as well:

The Grandin Theatre is like my second home.

Working at a local independent movie theatre has its advantages and disadvantages. One main disadvantage is the indubitable feeling of boredom that will take over when all there is to do is read a book or eat popcorn. Popcorn is coincidentally my favorite food…but eating popcorn for 6 hours straight can be a bit of a drag.

Which sodas should I mix today? Yesterday I tried Coke and Sprite, which surprisingly tasted like Mr. Pibb…

How many light bulbs are surrounding the marquee sign? Well, I tried counting last week but then I got distracted by the freshly cooked popcorn smell…

I stare out of the box office window in a daze…pondering anything that pops into my mind. The people at concessions are laughing about something. Lucky them and their socializing opportunities! I’m stuck here in this room called “the box” all by myself! Who wants to be stuck in a box? Nobody.

The touch screen computer is quite entertaining for about five minutes, then I get bored seeing how much 100 tickets would cost. I decide to turn the intercom up all the way and say “boo” when people walk by. I’m ready…the adrenaline is building up…any moment now someone will walk by and it’ll be the funniest thing that has happened to me all day….

Nobody walks by.

Suddenly a car trying to parallel park (trying being the key word) catches my eye. Across the street I watch in amazement as an elderly woman attempts to back into a spot on the side of the rode. I serve as her commentator. “Ohhh and she goes too far…cutting the wheel that late was not a good idea!” She decides to try again. “One more try, come on! Oh…oh….so close…..uh, woops.” She bumps the car behind her. This becomes my new favorite game. For the next 2 hours I see 3 cars bump into other cars while trying to parallel park. Does this really happen that often? Are people really that off on their judgmental parking skills?

I really wish I had brought a magazine to look at.

My mind wanders and I am suddenly pondering “de ja vu.” I’m silently coming up with an explanation for it inside my head. We’re all from the future. The future isn’t that great, though…so we all decided to choose a different time when we were alive. This “de ja vu” feeling is the result of re-living what we’ve already been through. I’ve found the explanation! I am….

Suddenly a customer is standing in front of the window. “Can I have a ticket for Slumdog Millionaire?” She leaves and I get back to pondering.

After getting brought back into reality I realize my whole de ja vu theory makes no sense at all. That’s what I get for day dreaming. I come up with a new theory: If everyone kept a record of the moments they’d have de ju vu in a journal, they would eventually find a connection between all those moments. That connection would be the answer.

I’m so close to figuring it out completely…if only….wait! Eureka! The answer is…

Woahhhh do I smell freshly popped popcorn?

Everything these days in what we call “modern times” has turned digital. Digital cameras, digital clocks, and now our TV’s are going to be broadcasting only digital signals (goodbye bunny ear antennas!). Why so much digital? What ever happened to the old days of analog clocks and record players? Personally I prefer doing things vintage style. That’s why a certain new obsession of mine revolves around something very far away from the digital fever. I’m talking about a certain 35mm film camera. I know what you’re thinking….film?? What’s that?

I’m referring to the type of camera that involves a little bit more than just a click of a button. The camera of subject is also less one feature you may be used to…get ready….there is no screen so you can see the pictures you take. Omg, right?
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