Requisite Thanksgiving Blog

Um, I'm going back to St. Louis for Thanksgiving.



...so excited!

That's all.

little things

Last night, a spectacular boy named Dan drove three gorgeous ladies to Swing City. However, he was too "exhausted" to stay and cut a rug, so he left. And returned 3 hours later to pick us up. Cambridge is 45 minutes away from Gordon. I'm no math major, but according to my calculations:
45+45+45+45=180 minutes.

That's a lot.

Naturally, we were all witty, beautiful, and charming on the ride there and back again. We teased him, we laughed with him, we talked about the suspension of his car. For my part, I asked him horribly inane questions, like, "What is your middle name?" and "How long have you been playing the drums?"

Anthony. 4th grade.
I decided to go a little further with the drum question, though. I asked him if he played bongos. He did, but apparently had a little fracture in one of his fingers that made it painful to play. I told him of the glory of the U-City Loop drum circles on Sunday afternoons. I told him of my secret dreams of becoming a bongo-playin'-queen.

This morning, when I opened to door to speak with dear Miriam, I saw them.

There, sitting innocently outside my door, were the bongo drums.

I grinned.

Don't take much to make me happy.

I thank God for all of you.

I thank God for all of you.

I thank God for all of you.


...my faith is not a meaningless comfort.

and then, like lightening, it hit me

State and Main!


Remember, Laurel?

Aristotle says pride is a virtue

Upon entering my philosophy class, the professor asked me what my last name was. I told him. I saw him mark something on a piece of paper. At the end of class, he told us which pile we were to place our papers in based on our last names.

Letters A-C? Graded by him.

::grins::

I love it when girls cross their legs and you can see their foot make tiny, almost imperceptible movements that match the beating of their heart.

No, really.

I talk pretty, alright

In honor of Dave Sedaris, I present the English translation of my latest German journal. I have some issues with word order.

"In the breakfast, I apple or orange eat or if I am hungry, eggs and sausage. Around lunch, I fruit and up cut eat, and bread. Sometimes, I eat a cookie or a cake. I drink milk always. Around supper, I bread and Hahnchen eat or ham, and fruit and perhaps ice one time, I Brokkkoli or potatoes eat. Potatoes love I. It is meant favorite nourishment. Milk is meant favorite drink. I love eat! For Thanksgiving, my family eats turkey, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie."

Spooky

I look like an anime character today. No joke.

I've got it all: the pleated skirt, the combat boots, the pigtail-bun things. And you know what my eyes look like when I smile.


Sheesh... I keep waiting for me to pull out a gun.

Procrastination games, continued

Still not a word on that English paper!

But I am now officially a college student.
That's right folks, I just made my first bowl of "Easy Mac"
Let me tell you, ladies and gentlemen, the name is no misnomer.
It truly IS easy- even I can do it!

Did I have measuring cups? No! Did I have any experience? No!
And yet here I am, enjoying the fruits of the microwave's labor.
Life is good!

I was worried, I admit. It looked a little watery when it first came out of the microwave. But the package assured me that I had done nothing wrong, that I should not "put bowl back in microwave" and informed me that "sauce will thicken after a few minutes."

The package was correct.

It's 28 degrees outside. I'm a mile from the cafeteria.
I have a feeling this package and I are going to become very close over the winter months.

Burn, baby, burn!
-Meglet

Procrastination Games

I'm supposed to be writing a paper.

Instead, I'm playing a game.

You go to Google. You type in a few words. You try to find a combination that leaves you with only one result.

Careful, it's addictive.

My best of the day: "hearthcake invitation"

-Your friendly neighborhood Meg, always available to provide methods of wasting time.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LAUREL!!!

That's right! It's your friendly neighborhood Laurel's birthday. Be sure to leave her lots of well-wishes on her blog (link's on the left hand side). Or leave them on mine, if you're lazy.

Laurel Is:
L-Lovin'
A-Always Around (well, in an emotional sense)
U- Understanding
R-Really Really Neat
E-Exceptional
L-Lovin'

You see how her name is encased in lovin'. That is VERY SYMBOLIC!

And, in honor of her inordinate fondness for alliteration:

Laurel is: lovin', laughin', life-givin', lovely, and...erm...hmmm

Man, that alliteration thing is harder than it looks.
Laurel, I have a new respect for you.
Remember when you weren't Laurel, but Laura?
I'm glad I fixed THAT abomination.
It shows that one person can change the world.
Well, kinda.
Remember all the notes we wrote?
We need to read them together over Christmas break.
Scandalous!
I'm sure my family misses you.
I miss you.
You're the bestest best friend a girl could have.
I love you, Laurel!

MWAH!

"If my name was Muffin, I'd shoot myself"
-Holly

Yeah, the girls I live with. They're funny.

Quotable

"You’re a vintage post-emo Anne of Green Gables."
-Erin

Yeah, the girls I live with. They're funny.

Dilemma

Alright, kids, it's that time again:

Come Thanksgiving, do I:

1) Wave my hair.

2) Continue growing it out straight.

Cast your votes ladies and gentlemen; revel in the fact that your response dictates my actions.

I'm a whore for fame, alright.

snippet

There was a girl sitting on a bench as I walked by, and she was talking into her cellphone:

"Hello, lover. No, my brother hasn't been arrested. No, he hasn't been put in jail."


ok, so that was a completely pointless post.
but here's some love: Holly.

Enjoy!
Mwah.

shhh we've got to be more careful about what we imply shhh

yummy

you think it's bad that your house has no water, and you have to go next door to shower, and it's midnight, and you take a long, relaxing shower, and you walk out into the cool night and it feels so fabulous you want to fall asleep right there on the sidewalk.


yes, this is how it should be.

i love you.

Rules for Mixtapes

I done be a published author now! Enjoy.

Although (insert guy's name here who wrote article in last issue of paper) showed his proficiency at creating mixtapes, there are many on the Gordon campus who may not be familiar with the rich tradition of these types of albums. In light of this misfortune, I’ve put together 11 easy steps to a successful mixtape.

1) Theme- Themed or concept albums are sometimes looked down upon in the world of serious mix makers. Having a cohesive theme that unites a compilation, however, can be a thing of beauty: full of subtle allusions and nuances. Lyrics can share words or idea, guitar riffs and string arrangements can echo throughout. Usually, a compilation is made with a certain someone in mind, and this can help shape a themed album. With members of the opposite sex, a good mixtape can signal mutual interest and a hope of something more. But this can be a very delicate matter. With some themed discs, creators are often enticed into including tracks they may not normally simply because they fit so well with a certain concept. This can get sticky, and lends itself to the inclusion of novelty tracks, which brings us to the next rule:

2) Novelty tracks- These are cutesy little numbers that grate on a listener’s nerves after the third listen. Do not include them on any mixtape. You will regret it.

3) Transitions- Arguably the most important aspect of a compilation, transitions are the difference between a group of songs thrown together on a CD and a work of art. Good transitions show that the creator has spent time listening to and carefully placing each song. It is also where creativity can be most subtly expressed. A slow jazz number can be placed next to a ragtime piece. New new wave and old new wave can stand side by side. Noticed that Belle and Sebastian’s “Dylan in the Movies” ends on the same note the Shins’ “Girl Inform Me” begins? Now’s your chance to share that with the world. Transitions, however, serve a much larger purpose than simply bridging the gap between two songs. Well-crafted transitions help give the album an overarching flow, which is the next point.

4) Flow- Flow is the impressionistic soundscape of a compilation. Ideally, a mix will include upbeat, energetic pieces as well as more somber songs. The tendency to create mixes that only encompass one particular emotion is a common mistake. Even break-up albums should have the occasional pop piece, if only to add a note of irony. Also, there are plenty of sad-happy songs that fit in nicely on any type of mix. The Velvet Underground’s “Who Loves the Sun” is a prime example of this phenom. There are several tricks of the trade regarding flow, but these guidelines are more giving, and can be bent or even broken, accordingly. They are as follows:

5) The Opener- The first track should introduce the listener to the mix, allowing them to situate themselves “audially” before inundating them with a really spectacular song. If anything, the first track is a bit of a tease: a hint or promise of what is to come. This is not to say that it shouldn’t be a great song, it just should not be the greatest song. Allow yourself an appetizer before getting to the pot roast.

6) The Hook- The hook is traditionally the second track on an album, although it can be the third. This space is where you place your baby— that song that perfectly embodies the feel of a given compilation. A hook’s purpose is clear: to catch a listener off-guard, to draw them in and keep them listening.

7) The Centerpiece- As the name suggests, the centerpiece serves as a sort of second hook. This is where another favorite song is placed. Depending on the length of the compilation, it is usually the 6th or 7th track. If the mix is generally upbeat, the centerpiece song will be a full-out, climactic rocker. If the mix is mellow, or even somber, it will be a lush, deep, highly emotional song. After the centerpiece, the mix should take an emotional turn, to create a lull after the storm, in effect.

8) The Closer- The last track can be difficult to choose, but it usually ends a mix in one one of two distinct ways. The first type of closer lets the listener down easy and softly, and ends the compilation on a quiet, powerful note. The other option bombards the listener with one final, glorious, upbeat track, bringing the album to a decisive musical end.

9) Simmer Period- Don’t give the mix away just yet. If it’s at all possible, a good mixtape should be allowed to marinate before it is given away. Listen to it over the course of a week. Are there some tracks that don’t seem to fit? If there are, it’s back to the drawing board. Shuffle tracks around, delete and add on. If it doesn’t sound perfect, don’t give it away.

10) Title- After the mix has been created, a well-chosen title is essential. Although some mix makers use the words “mix” or “complilation” in the title, others prefer to leave those words out. Theme can often dictate a title, although lyrics or song titles can also have a part. Often, simple and enigmatic is the way to go. “The Starlight Mix,” “No No, Yes Yes,” or “Wakeup Shakeup” are all fine examples.

11) Cover Art- The fact that you can only draw stick figures does not mean you are exempt from cover art. (See explodingdog.com). If you are not artistically inclined, be on the lookout for quirky illustrations: in books, magazines, or online. A beautiful cover makes a CD look very professional, and lets the recipient know you’ve put a lot of thought into the album.

So there you have it, Gordonites: how to make a mixtape. If you’ve not had any experience with making them, now’s your chance to break out your CD burner and try your luck. Anyway, it’s easier than actually telling her you like her.