Ben Folds Stole My Dreams

Really Ben Folds?

An album of college A Cappella groups covering your songs?

Could you be any cooler?

I mean, I may never be as fond as any of your new albums as I am of "Rockin' The Suburbs", but you are still damn cool.

First, you collaborated with Shatner.

And now this!

Do you purposely try to steal my dreams straight from my slumbers?

As most of my friends know, creating a "Choir Band" is one of my MANY outlandish goals in life.

Laugh if you will, but A Cappella and Choir music is amazing.

And of course Mr. Folds understands the power of an A Capella group. He would. Because he's kickass. We see eye to eye like that.

" 'Music education has been atrophying,” Ben Folds says. “And yet, at any given school, any number of a cappella groups are getting together a few times a week to rehearse and perform. What’s more is they’re really good.' An idea was born. 'If there are thousands of a cappella groups out there,' Ben says, 'it must be amazing to sing in them. I wanted to capture that magic.' And so Ben Folds—one part Jane Goodall, two parts Ahmet Ertegun—set out to recruit and record these university a cappella groups. You hold the result in your hands." - From his website, visit http://www.benfolds.com/acappella to read more.

I am buying it.

I am there.

It will be my inspiration.

To either go back to college and join a choir, or finally make my band happen.

Ben Folds on iLike - Get updates inside iTunes

Dear Public Dancing Organizers: Recruit Me!

I am prepared to do this at any moment in time.

I am prepared to put my dancing shoes on at any given moment and chime into choreographed dance moves.

I have NO problem doing this in front of stangers and making a fool of myself.

So, if you ... dear reader ... happen to be someone who is organizing such an amazing stunt ENLIST ME IN YOUR ARMY OF DANCERS!

Please. Thanks.

Videos like this make me believe.

In people.

In life.

In dancing.

In happiness.

I just wish someone would do something like this around LA. Perhaps Improv Everywhere will do something like this.

Well, more specifically their LA affiliates (whose group I technically belong to, but I have yet to be able to make it to a Mission).

Sound of Music Train Station @ Yahoo! Video

This one is floating around the internet today. I stumbled upon it during my morning browse of the internet. Thank you Yahoo home page for your ridiculous stories.

It took place at the Central Station in Antwerp, Blegium , and apparently it is viral advertising for a reality show in Belgium. At least that is what I have gathered thus far.

Have I ever told you that I love "Sound of Music"? Because if not, I do.

The choreography in this one is supurb, especially for the wide angle shots from up above. A+

The T-Mobile Dance - The funniest home videos are here

This one you have maybe seen by now, it has been floating around the internet for awhile. Obviously I am not on the cutting edge of blogging new things. But I thought I would share it anyways, because viewing this multiple times can only result in a happier state of being.

The songs used for this video make my day. Actually, everything about this video makes my day. The only thing about it that makes me sad is the fact that I wasn't there dancing. Someday.

I need an army of dancers and maybe someone who could choreograph it.

I can take care of the enthusism and vision.

Together we can change the world.

Or at least make someone smile.

In the Future, we will do NOTHING

http://www.good.is/post/going-down-the-rabbit-hole/


Ray Kurzweil is an interesting man. I don't know TONS about him, but after a co-worker shared an article about him from "Rolling Stone," I was shocked by this inventor and "futurist" . He can apparently predict the oncoming changes in our society. Wowza, right?

Mr. Kurzweil has successfully predicted technological advances in our society for years now, and has lead the way on ideas and field such as text to speech synthesis, speech recognition technology, electric Keyboard instruments, and laid down the foundations for Xerox. The man is smart, the man is tech savvy, and his intelligence is something I cannot fathom. This I do know.

The thing is, he has some outrageous things to say.
In his article in Rolling Stone, he says that we will be able to download and upload our own memories and the ideas that exist in our head. He also says that we will be able to basically bring dead people back to life, re-create them. He has a few psychological issues going on in relation to the death of his late father. It is made apparent in the article through his determined desire to bring him back to life (or father 2.0 as it is called in the article). There are somethings that are hard to fathom, and it can be hard to distinguish between his own fantasies and desires, and what is realistic/beneficial for our society at large.


Today I ran across a blog on Good Magazine's site (http://www.good.is/post/going-down-the-rabbit-hole/) and in this he proclaims not only flying cars by 2030 (finally, right? I mean, come on, according to movies ... we are long overdue), but also we will supposedly replace most travel with virtual reality.

"By the late 2020s, nanobots in our brain (that will get there noninvasively, through the capillaries) will create full-immersion virtual-reality environments from within the nervous system. So if you want to go into virtual reality the nanobots shut down the signals coming from your real senses and replace them with the signals that your brain would be receiving if you were actually in the virtual environment. So this will provide full-immersion virtual reality incorporating all of the senses. You will have a body in these virtual-reality environments that you can control just like your real body, but it does not need to be the same body that you have in real reality. We’ll be able to interact with people in any way in these virtual-reality environments. That will replace most travel, but we’ll also have new travel technologies for our real bodies using nanotechnology."

I am just going to say, that I sincerely hope this means that we would cut down on business travel. In this imagined future.

But, by GOD!, don't let me live in a world that prefers virtual reality over actual travel. I already have fallen victim to a world that prefers communication through wires, signals, and computer screens. At times I feel it sucking the life out of me. I can feel my personal communication skills diminish, I can feel myself lacking and desiring human touch, and needing real conversation when I spend too much time with my dear laptop. Don't tempt us to spend our time in a world that is virtual, that is a similacra for real life. It would not be the same, it isn't "real" (what is real? good question), right?

I fear many people would be more vunerable to living in a virtual reality; be it a fantasy, or anightmare, than we think. Who knows what I would do if faced with the possiblity. I might. I have easily fallen victim to this world, the world online.

But I hope I would not succumb to it, I would hope I would access life experiences through real time travel, and real experiences with things that you can on experience through actually being there. The sights, the smells, the conversations, the things to learn. It can only be learned in person, right? I mean, we can't learn these things in a virtual head space, or maybe we could. But I can't imagine it being the same.

It all brings up some interesting things to contemplate.
In the mean time, I really should attempt to spend less time with my computer and live.
And let me travel.

At Last

In a previous post I mentioned that 2009 was a going to be a year of action and exposure. I said I knew this.

I say a lot of things sometimes.

Like a lot of people, I am human, and I can easily fall into the trap of making excuses for not taking risks and not getting out of my comfort zone.

Luckily, I try to remind myself everyday, that if that happened, I would truly never grow and become very unhappy.

So with that, I decided to not become most people. I decided to take the risk I have been waiting for quite sometime to take.

I decided to travel abroad. I am going to London and Scotland in May!!!

Traveling abroad is pretty common place for middle class and upper class twenty-somethings now. College age students flood overseas for fun, or for school, frequently now. It is easy, it is possible, and it is an almost expected a rite of passage.

You have backpacked Europe ... OK good ... you're cultured.
Now go get a job!

It is a good thing people are doing this early. Exposure to other ways of life, being in a brand new environment, and becoming curious about seeing new places is something that I feel can only benefit a person and their view towards life (at any age really).

But for me, I never did it.

In college, I always kind of thought about it.

But I was in the confines of a very long term relationship, and that held me back.

Not a good reason, but it's the truth. I held myself back from doing a lot at that point in my life.

Well, to rely completely on the relationship as my excuse isn't completely fair.

Part if of it also had to do with confidence.

At the time I didn't think I was adventurous, or rather, deserving of adventure. I thought I wasn't "that type of person." Other people were people who did this kind of thing, went to other countries and explored.
My friend Michelle for example. She was a free spirit; she lived in London, she went to Australia for a long term stay, she has . Thought I do remember the slight hint of jealousy, I thought I had made my choice and I wasn't ever going to do that.

At the time, I just simply wasn't capable of being that person. I was in a relationship, I was dedicated to school. I defined myself that way and that held me back.

To me, I was just some girl, who wasn't sure what she deserved.

In retrospect, I wish someone slapped me and told me his was absurd. Putting boundaries like that on yourself is stupid, especially at 19, 20, 21 years old.

I would have told myself, of course you are adventurous, of course you deserve to go to new places, and anyone can do these things. Don't let your lack of confidence stop you, and don't let some relationship limit your future possibilities.

But I have always been a late bloomer. So this all took me quite some time.

But a break up happened, and as a result a lot o self reflection took place and a world of possibilities opened.

Once a formative years passed I realized I was an explorer, a traveler, and very free to still create who I was, in fact that was a never ending evolution.

It was exciting. For the first time I began to dream big.

Being Roadie for Roadtrip was instrumental in shaping my perception of myself and what I was capable of. After that trip I knew I HAD to go abroad. I wrote about this in past blogs.

But, then I let circumstances get in my way.

Money, job, money, not enough vacation time, no one to go with, etc ... etc ... blah blah blah.

Last week, I said enough is enough.

A few days ago I booked my plane ticket to London.

I am going alone.

I am taking my first trip abroad at 25 (outside of being in Toronto and some beach with my family in Mexico) years old. And I am happier than ever that I am doing it now.

Had I done it earlier, I don't know if I would have been in the right mind set. Or appreciated it as much as I do now. The fortunate position I am in to be able to do, to see, to explore. I also don't know if I would appreciated it as much as I do now, or would have been emotionally prepared for it at that. I have become a bit rougher in the last two years. I can handle more.

I also now can afford to do this on my own now.

I have no fear of being alone in another country , I have no fear of hostels, I have no fear of meeting new people, and I have no fear of myself.

I am capable and I am ready to expose myself to the world at large.

This is the beginning of something new.

This is another step in my life, growing as a person.

This is one of the most exciting things I have done to date.

It isn't anything extraordinary in a large scope, many people go to Europe all the time.

But in the scope of my life, this is a huge step. I am proud of myself. I am ready to get addicted to travel.

I hope I will forever be curious, and will never make excuses again.

And I hope you stop making excuses, whoever you are. Don't let them, her, him, or yourself stop you.

TO TRAVEL! TO LONDON! TO SCOTLAND!

I will keep you updated.

Immature Hopes, Dreams, and Wishes

Once upon a time, in a land called Kristin's hopes and dreams ...

There was a perfect world in which candy and lollipops made you skinny, beer flowed freely at no cost, money grew on trees, and Benjamin Gibbard and Colin Meloy were both single men fighting over my honor and love.

It was beginning to get hard for her to watch them fighting over her. It was terribly stressful and made her emotional.

When Kristin couldn't take it anymore, she finally proclaimed,

"GENTLEMAN STOP! Stop all of this senseless arguing! It is futile, and your fighting is vexing.

The resolution is simple, I will love you both. You two will share my love, make beautiful songs that you can play for me , and we will live happily ever after!"

The two men smiled, realized their foolish mistake to compete with one another, and agreed that Kristin was very wise in her words. To come together a team would be the most peaceful and enjoyable solution. The arrangement was made for the marriage, a partnership of three ... and then ...

She woke up.

Yea, I know silly. But can't you let a girl wish upon a star every once and awhile?

Can't you just let me dream?

Don't act like you don't have foolish adolescent fantsies about your favorite "celebrities" every once and awhile. Don't act all high and mighty.

You do.

I see it in your eyes.

What inspired me to communicate my day dreams via this blog post?

This video (yea, you got to copy and paste): http://www.everythingnotrelated.com/coversalbum/vids/dcfc2005-08-18.mov

That's right, Colin Meloy and Benjamin Gibbard sang on stage together once, in New York at Summerstage. I think my head would have popped off if I was there.

It isn't a particularly amazing performance.

But Gibbard and Meloy, sharing the same mic? Practically kissing? Where was I?

It is the single closest moment there will ever be to my dreams coming to fruition.

Unless of course they collaborate again? * HINT HINT! * (I have no idea who I am hinting to, because if either of those men ran across this blog, and read this, I would sort of hate myself. But that won't happen, people don't read this.)

Oh to be 25 and still have silly "celeb" crushes. Add Ira Glass to this mix and you have the men that own my heart.

They are the standards that all "real" men I meet must live up to. You hear that boys?

Hence why I am probably very single.

Eh, oh well.

I'll just keep dreaming.

Bonus ridiculousness: This ones for the ladiez.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq3imtB3U6o

This is how I spend my quiet Saturdays. Watching videos of my crushes.
I am so cool.

Obsession: Gettin' My Groove On

Let me introduce you to two of my current heros:

BOOMBOX from Ely Kim on Vimeo.
This is Ely Kim.


And that is Matt.

Now I have to admit, Ely has way better moves, music, and style than Matt.
But Matt wins on location, location, location.
It's a tie on the "awesome" scale.

If you are a friend of mine, you may be aware that I love to dance.
I am not a talented dancer, nor a trained dancer, but I am a flippin' amazing "bad" dancer.
I have enthusiasm for dancing that is off the charts, I don't mean to toot my own horn, it's something I simply can't help.

Dancing is an obsession of mine.


According to my mac dictionary widget, the definition of dance is as follows:

"to move rhythmically to music, typically following a set sequence of steps."

No.
It's not.

Dancing is to let go.
To let go of all fear, of all judgment from those around you, and of your anxieties about the future or the past. Those two places in time are not here, they are not now, they are not the present.

What is present in the moment of dancing is the music, your body, and the space you occupy (which may or may not inhabit other bodies).
When I am dancing it is one of the rare occasions and spaces in my life where I don't feel the need to worry about what is to come, or what has happened. I only exist in the present and only do what my body feels is right in the moment.
If my arm feels like flinging up ward, then I hurl it up. If I feel like spinning, I spin. If I want to attempt to be semi sexy by dipping down low, then I do it. If the beat requires me to do a foot shuffle, then I shuffle my feet. If I want to do the chicken dance, then I do it damn it.
I don't think about it, I simply respond to the music and exist.
I am.
I am.
I am dancing.
It is sexual, it's physical, it's emotional, it's natural, it's philosophical, and it's living.

Some people feel the opposite, they feel like the are going to be judged when they dance. They are worried about how they will be perceived when they dance, and they hate the pressure. To these people I say ... you are going about it all wrong.
Just Let Go. That's what it is about. Who cares what they think. Just move to the music. Listen to your body, and don't let your ego get to you.
Ely and Matt sure as hell know how to let go.

I cannot get enough of dancing. I cannot get enough of the dance music, of any genre. I cannot get enough of the exhilaration. I cannot get enough of the release that it is. I need it.
I truly believe that if everyone danced, with friends or in private, for 10 minetes every day ... the world might be a better place.

P.S. Since my wedding is going to be the epic dance party of the century, whenever this takes place in my future ... I am pretty sure I want the 100 songs Ely used in his video to be my wedding playlist. Just so you know.

Oh MUSIC!

I am so excited I can't contain myself. Every once and awhile I hit these moment of pure enthusiasm for something, something that makes me so filled with joy that I want to shout about it and share it with the world, in hopes that everyone else will be made as happy as I am by the beauty of what I have discovered.

Right now is one of those times.

Right now the "something" is music.

More specifically, it is a handful of bands that have come to inspire me over the last few days. You may have

heard of a few, but hopefully a few are new to you, something to be discovered, uncovered, and admired.

This craze all began a few nights ago when I decided to go to a show at local venue. This venue being "The Detroit Bar" in Costa Mesa, walking distance from work. The Detroit Bar is a local haven for the young and the hip, a place to go hear local bands for free on Monday Nights, where you are inspired to sing Karaoke under the influence of one of two Stella Artois on a Sunday night, and the one real place in Orange County to see worthwhile bands. In my opinion.

I rarely pay to see bands here, even though they manage to book fantastic acts (which in the past have included Dr. Dog, Sebadoh, The Album Leaf, Datarock, The Ravonettes, The Black Lips just to name a few). But with sudden inspiration from a co-worker, I decided to head out and see a $12 show on Monday. What is $12 really?

Two of the bands there are bands that I would like to preach here from my virtual soap box about:

1) Ra Ra Riot

I had heard of them before hand, but they impressed me live. The voice on the lead singer, combined with the vigor and energy he had singing on stage inspired me! He made me want to be a lead singer ... and once again affirmed that you don't need to play an instrument to be a lead singer. Your voice and presence alone are an instrument and gift to the audience.

Please, I invite you to view the video above for their single "Ghost Under Rocks", it is the catchiest song I have listened to in awhile. Also, I highly recommend their single "Dying is Fine".

Also note-able about this band, they are touring with my favorite band, "Death Cab For Cutie" this spring. Along with "The Cold War Kids". Rad. Now if only they would add an Los Angeles date.

2) Telekenisis

This band opened for "Ra Ra Riot" at the Detroit Bar on Monday. And they won me over, fast.

It helps that I instantly started crushing on the lead singer (a male drummer who is a leadsinger who has red hair, a beard, glasses, and quite the vocal abilities ... yep). But aside from that, their music made me happy. It's catchy, poppy, and fun. And there is nothing wrong with that. At all. Check out their Myspace and give them a listen, seriously.

3) The Decemberists

Do I need to defend this? Do I even need to explain.

Oh Colin Meloy! Oh Lyrics! Oh Everything about this band! Oh pretentious hipster bands that I love to love.

Just do me a favor, go to their myspace page @ www.myspace.com/thedecemberists, and listen to the two singles from the new album posted. "Hazards of Love 1" and "The Rake's Song." A little dark and a lot of amazing. The new album drops on March 24th and I'll be buying it.

4) Aushua

A local OC band that deserves a listen or two.

They are the resident band at The Detroit Bar during March and will be playing most Mondays of the month.

I highly recommend checking them out.

And give the single "Sister Saves" a listen @ their myspace. www.myspace.com/aushua

It will change your life.

5) The Colourist

The Colourist are a new band out on the scene here in my humble town of Costa Mesa. They played their first show at a great local art venue, eVocal, in town last weekend and I was blown away! They are a band to watch!

Also, they have quite the lovely drummer (who does some enchanting supporting vocals) if I do say so myself! They are now recording, so be on the look out for their music to be online soon. AND they have a few shows in L.A. that you might want to catch if you can.

Now I hope you end up like me, listening to some of these bands and their songs over, and over, and over, and over again. Until your fellow co-workers are wondering why you have played the same song 20 times in a single day.