Okay, I understand that some professors have the ability to make you think, make you question, make you want to investigate. However, then you get those certain professors that just make you wonder what is wrong with people.
My journalism professor sent me to a junkie-filled haven full of prostitutes, homeless people, and drug addicts. I get it. I get that places like that exist. I don't mind having to go to places like that for a good story. However, when he told my partner-in-crime that the reason he sent us there was because he thought I would "fit in," that pissed me the hell off.
I'm sorry, but when did being Mexican and having tattoos automatically place you in a less-than-desirable group. It's bullshit. It's stereotypical, egomeniacal crap. I'm sorry I don't have light skin, and no tattoos, but that's just how I was born. That's what makes me who I am.
Upon confronting him about it, he declared, "you're too sensitive. Stop looking so much into it." Thanks, Prof. Bob Mann. That made me feel a lot better, and now I understand how the world works. Another lesson in the life of a journalism student at the University of Texas.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Spring Has Come...
Man, the city of Austin, TX has been beautiful lately. Not too hot. Not too cold. The perfect in-between. The sunny weather. The windy increments. Love it.
I feel like the Spring is bringing about a surge of creativity both locally and nationally. Music artists are coming out with new albums left and right, and they couldn't have picked a better time. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs new album, It's Blitz! is brilliant. It's definitely not up to par with Show Your Bones or Fever to Tell, but it's still a great album. I love "Zero," "Skeletons," "Hysteric," and "Little Shadow." It's definitely a good buy.
Also the Strange Boys released their new album in March, titled And Girls Club. Very bluesy, gritty, straight-up rock n' roll at its finest. The funny thing is I saw this band a few years ago at Sonny's Vintage on Guadalupe St. during SXSW. They had it then, and they have it now. Great CD!
Although, it's not coming out til June, Jack White (one of my all-time favorite musicians) has a new album coming out. With the Raconteurs? No. With The White Stripes? No. With The Dead Weather? YES! White is now on drums, the vocals are being handled by the beautiful and dangerous Allison Mosshart of The Kills (one of my all-time favorite bands). Damn, that collaboration is gonna be the bomb-ass-diggity. I've only heard the two songs they've put out, "Hang You From The Heavens" and "Are 'Friends' Electric?" Good tunes, good direction, can't wait to listen to the entire album, which has already been completed. Someone leak it now!
I have also been getting into The Knack again. "My Sharona" just makes you want to dance, especially when you were in a bad mood five minutes prior. I love their energy.
I am also excited because The Brian Jonestown Massacre is only 12 days away, and The Kills is 22 days away! I can't wait! I'm about to crap my pants (not literally). Man, everyday I wake up, the sun is beaming on me, not a cloud in sight, and everyone just seems more cheerful. The past week has been excellent to the point where I wake up everyday and thank God that He gave me another day. That's all you can do when you're exposed to such excellence.
Well, that's all I got for now. Peace!
I feel like the Spring is bringing about a surge of creativity both locally and nationally. Music artists are coming out with new albums left and right, and they couldn't have picked a better time. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs new album, It's Blitz! is brilliant. It's definitely not up to par with Show Your Bones or Fever to Tell, but it's still a great album. I love "Zero," "Skeletons," "Hysteric," and "Little Shadow." It's definitely a good buy.
Also the Strange Boys released their new album in March, titled And Girls Club. Very bluesy, gritty, straight-up rock n' roll at its finest. The funny thing is I saw this band a few years ago at Sonny's Vintage on Guadalupe St. during SXSW. They had it then, and they have it now. Great CD!
Although, it's not coming out til June, Jack White (one of my all-time favorite musicians) has a new album coming out. With the Raconteurs? No. With The White Stripes? No. With The Dead Weather? YES! White is now on drums, the vocals are being handled by the beautiful and dangerous Allison Mosshart of The Kills (one of my all-time favorite bands). Damn, that collaboration is gonna be the bomb-ass-diggity. I've only heard the two songs they've put out, "Hang You From The Heavens" and "Are 'Friends' Electric?" Good tunes, good direction, can't wait to listen to the entire album, which has already been completed. Someone leak it now!
I have also been getting into The Knack again. "My Sharona" just makes you want to dance, especially when you were in a bad mood five minutes prior. I love their energy.
I am also excited because The Brian Jonestown Massacre is only 12 days away, and The Kills is 22 days away! I can't wait! I'm about to crap my pants (not literally). Man, everyday I wake up, the sun is beaming on me, not a cloud in sight, and everyone just seems more cheerful. The past week has been excellent to the point where I wake up everyday and thank God that He gave me another day. That's all you can do when you're exposed to such excellence.
Well, that's all I got for now. Peace!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Spring is on the Horizon!
I am so excited that Spring Break is finally here. My badass professors declared that school does not need to be attended tomorrow; however, my bullshit math professor is having class on Friday, and since I skipped today, I have to go on Friday. Wah Wah Wah.
Anyways, I am mucho excited that South by Southwest is going to be here next week. Free booze, free shows, and free fun. However, I always reach a dilemma when it comes to the free booze aspect of it because most places that provide free booze only provide beer. Sorry, but not everyone likes beer. I think it tastes like piss and shit with a hint of sunshine to add something special. It's okay, I'll buy a bottle of some obscure liquor that I'll end up sharing with everyone, and end up going broke once again.
Lately I have been listening to Devendra Banhart's Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon. My goodness, it is such a good CD. Don't you love it when a singer/songwriter that you have an intellectual crush on keeps getting better and better as they progress with age? Well Mr. Banhart is doing it and doing it well. My favorites are Seahorse, Bad Girl, Saved, Lover, Carmensita, and the sad, but soulful, I Remember. This is a good CD to listen to when you are home alone and need something calming and jamming at the same time to get you through the lonely hours. LOVE IT!
Well, peeps, I am on a high that cannot be brought about with narcotics. I suggest everyone feel the same. Peace and love!
Anyways, I am mucho excited that South by Southwest is going to be here next week. Free booze, free shows, and free fun. However, I always reach a dilemma when it comes to the free booze aspect of it because most places that provide free booze only provide beer. Sorry, but not everyone likes beer. I think it tastes like piss and shit with a hint of sunshine to add something special. It's okay, I'll buy a bottle of some obscure liquor that I'll end up sharing with everyone, and end up going broke once again.
Lately I have been listening to Devendra Banhart's Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon. My goodness, it is such a good CD. Don't you love it when a singer/songwriter that you have an intellectual crush on keeps getting better and better as they progress with age? Well Mr. Banhart is doing it and doing it well. My favorites are Seahorse, Bad Girl, Saved, Lover, Carmensita, and the sad, but soulful, I Remember. This is a good CD to listen to when you are home alone and need something calming and jamming at the same time to get you through the lonely hours. LOVE IT!
Well, peeps, I am on a high that cannot be brought about with narcotics. I suggest everyone feel the same. Peace and love!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Good News
Wow, it's so strange when you can feel the changes in the air. Things are moving along so fast, that i don't even have time to stop and see where it's all going. My friend Sarah just broke the news to me yesterday that she's moving to California to be with her man and start her life. I'm happy for her, but damn, I'm gonna miss that girl.
My family is doing excellent and even got my brother to go on a religious retreat with them, which only proves the power of God overrules everything.
One of my best friends is moving to Egypt in a few months to study abroad.
I am more than ever determined to go to NYU once I finish school here in Austin.
ALSO, on an excellent note. I actually got to do a phone interview with Vanessa Grigoriadis, my favorite writer from Rolling Stone, for a story for my journalism class. WTF!!!! She was THE SHIT! If you don't read Rolling Stone, you should read it just for her features because every story she does, you cannot help but be intrigued. In the past issue, she did a feature on Taylor Swift. Personally, I don't like Taylor Swift, but the story was still amazing. She can do no wrong. Check her out...NOW.
Lately, I've been listening to The Heartless Bastards cd, Stairs and Elevators. It's excellent, cool, straight-up rock n' roll. Love it.
That's all I got. Peace.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Same Same - We Know Your Name
Well, school is moving along just fine. At least I think it is. My classes seem to be going better. I'm turning in all my homework on time. I even finished reading an entire book in two days just so I could keep up with my English teacher's lectures about the book. I've been procrastinating more than I should, but I'm still getting everything done. And I've managed to add helping my friends write their papers to my workload.
On an EXCITING note, I E-mailed my favorite writer from Rolling Stone, Vanessa Grigoriadis, and to my surprise, she E-mailed me back! I was so excited. I thought that it would probably take months, if not weeks, for her to get back to me, and she got back to me in 2 and a half hours. That type of shit doesn't happen everyday. So, that will definitely be an email that I will print and save.
Also, I've been listening to the Robert Plant & Alison Krauss CD, Raising Sand, and I think it is advisable that everyone listen to this CD. It's brilliant, authentic, and knows no lies. Buy it, download it (legally or illegally), and feast on brilliance.
Also, I quit my job at the UT Call Center because I got tired of calling mean, rich people and asking them for money. Plus, my boss hated me because I'd call in on an average of once a week, but I couldn't help it if I had other pressing engagements. Besides, it was the biggest joke of a job ever. I think everyone that worked there when I worked there will be gone in about two months anyways. I'm sorry Corporate America, but companies cannot survive unless you're good to your employees. Please, take that into consideration. We are people, not labrats.
Also, another band to check out is The Vox Jaguars. I have to review their cd for KVRX and it's a pretty good EP. I'm curious to see how their first LP is going to pan out. Very exciting...
Well, that's all I got for now. Peace and prosperity!
On an EXCITING note, I E-mailed my favorite writer from Rolling Stone, Vanessa Grigoriadis, and to my surprise, she E-mailed me back! I was so excited. I thought that it would probably take months, if not weeks, for her to get back to me, and she got back to me in 2 and a half hours. That type of shit doesn't happen everyday. So, that will definitely be an email that I will print and save.
Also, I've been listening to the Robert Plant & Alison Krauss CD, Raising Sand, and I think it is advisable that everyone listen to this CD. It's brilliant, authentic, and knows no lies. Buy it, download it (legally or illegally), and feast on brilliance.
Also, I quit my job at the UT Call Center because I got tired of calling mean, rich people and asking them for money. Plus, my boss hated me because I'd call in on an average of once a week, but I couldn't help it if I had other pressing engagements. Besides, it was the biggest joke of a job ever. I think everyone that worked there when I worked there will be gone in about two months anyways. I'm sorry Corporate America, but companies cannot survive unless you're good to your employees. Please, take that into consideration. We are people, not labrats.
Also, another band to check out is The Vox Jaguars. I have to review their cd for KVRX and it's a pretty good EP. I'm curious to see how their first LP is going to pan out. Very exciting...
Well, that's all I got for now. Peace and prosperity!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
School's In Forever!
It is Sunday, the day of rest. I have woken up pretty late today seeing as how I was up til 4:30 watching Independence Day. The first day of school has erupted from the once dormant vacation that my mind decided to take. Now, it is back to a life of schedules, books, and sucking up to professors so I can get an A.
I am extremely angry at the fact that I still do not own a car. There are several cd's that I have been trying to go to the store and buy, and seeing as how I don't have a car, it sucks that I have no way of getting where I need to be going. I know...I know...why don't I take the bus? Because I don't know the bus routes, much less want to sit behind my computer trying to learn the entire map of Austin, TX trying to figure out how to get somewhere, then figure out how to get back.
On the upside, my journalism class is going to be a pretty intensive writing class, which is pretty much what I need to knock me back into my senses. Our first assignment was to start our "autobiography." I think that is a little weird, seeing as how I'm only 21. If I have lived anything worth writing about, I would have already written it, published it, and be living in paradise or traveling all over because that is a void in my life that has still not been filled.
Either way. Cheers to the return of UT! It's going to be hell!
Peace!
I am extremely angry at the fact that I still do not own a car. There are several cd's that I have been trying to go to the store and buy, and seeing as how I don't have a car, it sucks that I have no way of getting where I need to be going. I know...I know...why don't I take the bus? Because I don't know the bus routes, much less want to sit behind my computer trying to learn the entire map of Austin, TX trying to figure out how to get somewhere, then figure out how to get back.
On the upside, my journalism class is going to be a pretty intensive writing class, which is pretty much what I need to knock me back into my senses. Our first assignment was to start our "autobiography." I think that is a little weird, seeing as how I'm only 21. If I have lived anything worth writing about, I would have already written it, published it, and be living in paradise or traveling all over because that is a void in my life that has still not been filled.
Either way. Cheers to the return of UT! It's going to be hell!
Peace!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
The People in the Houses
...and I'm struggling with my sensitivities.
And I'm still constructing anonymity.
But it keeps on getting harder and harder,
when the people you love keep moving farther and farther.
The people in the town are a-talkin'.
They think we better keep a-walkin'.
But I'm not finished here.
There's no room to distinguish fact from fear.
And she's steppin' on that pedestal.
Trying to keep lookin' cool,
but there's nothin' better than the exact.
And I've got blood on my shoe from kickin' you,
kickin' around this whole damn school,
but I'm tired of bein' tired for you.
I wasn't listenin' for the music cause you said so.
The saddest part of this whole damn thing is
the fact that you never knew anything,
and it makes me happy in some sick, twisted way.
...and the people keep on talkin'.
They think we are a-stalkin'.
They place their napkins on their happy laps,
taking dirt naps, with their baseball caps,
those poor old saps...
...and so we think about our demons,
the ones that are never leavin'.
But we found them in the cellar,
with their bowties lookin' stellar,
and we chase them from the house,
hopin' the neighbors won't be found,
but then there is no dynasty left,
from the happiness that leaves us bereft...
...so the captain is still taking hits,
from the people who are fed up with it,
and we thank him for his services,
and sing a song about nervousness.
Cause God is placed in high ragard.
We placed a marker on His star.
And now He's coming down real hard,
and we're left to wonder where you are.
We keep our heads to the ground.
Ignoring the same old dragged-up sound,
and still, you're nowhere to be found.
And I'm still constructing anonymity.
But it keeps on getting harder and harder,
when the people you love keep moving farther and farther.
The people in the town are a-talkin'.
They think we better keep a-walkin'.
But I'm not finished here.
There's no room to distinguish fact from fear.
And she's steppin' on that pedestal.
Trying to keep lookin' cool,
but there's nothin' better than the exact.
And I've got blood on my shoe from kickin' you,
kickin' around this whole damn school,
but I'm tired of bein' tired for you.
I wasn't listenin' for the music cause you said so.
The saddest part of this whole damn thing is
the fact that you never knew anything,
and it makes me happy in some sick, twisted way.
...and the people keep on talkin'.
They think we are a-stalkin'.
They place their napkins on their happy laps,
taking dirt naps, with their baseball caps,
those poor old saps...
...and so we think about our demons,
the ones that are never leavin'.
But we found them in the cellar,
with their bowties lookin' stellar,
and we chase them from the house,
hopin' the neighbors won't be found,
but then there is no dynasty left,
from the happiness that leaves us bereft...
...so the captain is still taking hits,
from the people who are fed up with it,
and we thank him for his services,
and sing a song about nervousness.
Cause God is placed in high ragard.
We placed a marker on His star.
And now He's coming down real hard,
and we're left to wonder where you are.
We keep our heads to the ground.
Ignoring the same old dragged-up sound,
and still, you're nowhere to be found.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Nananananana
Man, it's been a while since I have written anything. Everything is pretty good right now. I am back in Corpus Christi for the Christmas break, which is pretty cool. I have had time to wind down instead of partying all the time, but sometimes, when it gets a little boring, I miss the parties.
On a different note, End of an Ear finally got the T. Rex cd that I have been wanting, and much to my dismay, I do not have the funds to buy the cd. My luck is withering as we speak. The last cd I was able to obtain is a band called Mad Juana, and the cd is called Bruja on the Corner. It was a cd that I had to review for KVRX, but the cd itself is pretty good. It's kind of gypsy punk with latin flavor, very much a cd for a wild drunken night in the city streets.
I'm almost finished reading The Fountainhead and it's so good. A few of my friends deny the validity of the book based on the fact of the writer's philosophy, but as a wise person once said, "You can say that the book showed you a world you did not know about, which is what writing is all about in the first place." I keep seeing the signs written before me that keep guiding me towards becoming a writer. Everything mixes and matches like a quilt of concepts and I feel like it's coveting me to make the right choices.
God is definitely speaking to me from so many directions. One thing that I have noticed is that my family has become very religious, not to say that we never were. It's just cool to see that my family is extremely happy in their faith and they feel they are choosing the right path. I'm young and still tongue-tied with everything. I love God and God guides me. I still make mistakes. I am nowhere near perfect. This is a struggle all in its own to determine how well I am justified in my actions, or whether my actions deserve no justifications whatsoever.
People will laugh. People will cry. People will raise their hands, and look to the sky. They might live in the moment, might try to get by, but to live within triumph, we do not have to die.
Some will seek fortune. Some might seek fame. Some might forget the background from which they came. We might walk with someone, might go it alone. But we don't need a map to tell us how to get home.
Peace!
On a different note, End of an Ear finally got the T. Rex cd that I have been wanting, and much to my dismay, I do not have the funds to buy the cd. My luck is withering as we speak. The last cd I was able to obtain is a band called Mad Juana, and the cd is called Bruja on the Corner. It was a cd that I had to review for KVRX, but the cd itself is pretty good. It's kind of gypsy punk with latin flavor, very much a cd for a wild drunken night in the city streets.
I'm almost finished reading The Fountainhead and it's so good. A few of my friends deny the validity of the book based on the fact of the writer's philosophy, but as a wise person once said, "You can say that the book showed you a world you did not know about, which is what writing is all about in the first place." I keep seeing the signs written before me that keep guiding me towards becoming a writer. Everything mixes and matches like a quilt of concepts and I feel like it's coveting me to make the right choices.
God is definitely speaking to me from so many directions. One thing that I have noticed is that my family has become very religious, not to say that we never were. It's just cool to see that my family is extremely happy in their faith and they feel they are choosing the right path. I'm young and still tongue-tied with everything. I love God and God guides me. I still make mistakes. I am nowhere near perfect. This is a struggle all in its own to determine how well I am justified in my actions, or whether my actions deserve no justifications whatsoever.
People will laugh. People will cry. People will raise their hands, and look to the sky. They might live in the moment, might try to get by, but to live within triumph, we do not have to die.
Some will seek fortune. Some might seek fame. Some might forget the background from which they came. We might walk with someone, might go it alone. But we don't need a map to tell us how to get home.
Peace!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
The New America!
Barack won bitches!
I am so happy. I just hope that everything he says sticks. This is going to be a time or re-adjustment and a time to determine where we stand as Americans and as a people.
On another note, I am currently a volunteer for KVRX radio station as a CD reviewer. I recently went and picked up the first CD's that I am supposed to review. I have til Monday to listen to them both and write reviews on them.
I'm excited that I'm finally doing something along the lines of what I hope to do in the future. We'll see how it goes. Have an awesome day! Peace! Love! Prosperity!
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