May 29, 2010

Escapism

Its seems recently that we're all trapped. Jobs. Friends. Family. Hobbies. The routine is getting us all down. How does one escape? Personally, I've planned my escapism for 4th of July weekend. I'm jumping out of a plane.

Ever since I was a kid I've had an obsession with jumping off of things, in hopes that maybe, just maybe, if I timed things right I could fly. Well I never flew anywhere, but I got really good at jumping off of things and learning how to land without injuring myself. Now I finally get the chance to jump off of something AND fly (even if the freefall is a short one)! I'm going with an awesome group of people, many of whom I have strong bonds with. No doubt this will make our bond even tighter, but we'll also get to escape together. A vacation where one gets to fly....I'M THERE!

May 23, 2010

Philly Weekends: Spring '10 Edition

There truly is nothing like enjoying a FULL weekend with awesome people. Friday night started off a little slow on South St., but quickly became a night to remember....well most of it anyway. Saturday was mainly business, but fun nonetheless. Had an amazing breakfast at the Waffle House. If you've never been to one, you're missing out. I suggest you take a drive on 95, go south and don't stop till you hit one. The waffles are legendary and the hash brown are heaven. Ended the weekend with shopping which I haven't done in months, definitely broke the bank, lol. Isn't that the purpose of money anyway? Spend, spend spend! Lastly, a free beer and awesome veggie burger at one of the coolest restaurants/bars in Philly, in one of the trendiest hoods. Now that's what I call a weekend. Hope you had a good one too!

May 21, 2010

Pac Man made me loose my job


...Well not really, but kudos to Google for allowing millions of office workers worldwide to kill time via their home page! To commemorate the game's 30 year existence, Google has decided to make it easier (at least for a day) for you to play games at work. I mean can your boss be that upset? It is directly on Google's home page enticing you with its "insert coin" button, and it IS a Friday. Hmmm, maybe Google can read minds!

Failure: The Only Option

Recently I've been reminded of how many times I've failed. Completely and utterly failed at something. How many things I've given up on or never completed. A dream deffered if you will. Usually when you think of the things you've failed at, you don't smile about it.
When I think of all the things I've failed at in a strange way it bring me a sense of peace. I HATE admitting to myself that I can't do something, and I abhor not achieving a goal. However, I am guilty of doing just that. I'll spare you the list of my shortcomings, but for everything I've attempted and failed at, I've gained a lesson. I've gotten up and kept moving, licking my wounds and wallowing in self regret the entire way. Life experiences are similar to a cycle. A cycle of particular emotions set in rotation.

I recently had a conversation with my co-worker, like a real conversation.
Sidenote: If you know me, I keep my private life away from my business. The less we all know about each other, the better. That's my motto.
I discovered that before he was 30 he had a wife, 2 kids, a successful Credit Repair business that netted him six figures a year, and was in top physical condition. Within a few years he had lost everything. All of it. The business, the family, drowned his sorrows in the bottle, got diagnosed with cancer, was sued multiple times, filed for bankruptcy, and even served a minimal amount of prison time.
Now, he's not in the business of trying to get back what he had, but he's trying to live a better life. Loving his kids more than he's ever had before, settle down with the right woman, and just be comfortable in his own skin.
His cycle is trying to fix itself; get back to a center where good emotions, thoughts and feelings create a healthy body and soul. Needless to say I felt moved by his story. For all that he had, and all that he was, he picked himself back up. Sure, he may not be the same guy he was 6 years ago when he was on top of the world, but he's a better man. A lived man.

The story of a person's life is never extraordinary to them until it is compared in cycles. I never think I am interesting or that I have a lot to share or offer people sometimes. There are quite a few things I am not experienced in, but I am experienced in observing the human condition, and learning from my own mistakes; my own down cycles. The Universe and cycle of Life work in conjunction with each other and NEVER against each other (even though it may seem like it). There is a lesson to be learned here. Just live it, for the answers are always revealed when you are ready.

May 19, 2010

A Kid Named Mars

There's this kid, maybe you've heard of him. They call him Bruno Mars. Well, I think he's one of the most diverse and talented artist/producers in the game. He's currently featured on 2 singles (the catchy "Nothing on You" by B.o.B, and the heatseeker "Billionaire" by former Gym Class Heroes frontman Travie McCoy) that are blowing up radio. Mars is scheduled to drop an EP this month entitled It's Best If You Don't Understand.







Quick History Lesson: EP stands for Extended Play. Back in the day there were these large round things called records, commonly referred to as vinyl (because of the covering on the actual disc). EPs served as precursors to a full albums, referred to as a LP or Long Play. EPs contain more than one single, but not enough songs for a Long Play.

After perusing his Myspace page, and listening to what he's been cooking in the lab, I've become a big fan of this half-Filipino, half-Puerto Rican, 23 year old from Hawaii. He's written for the likes of Sean Kingston, Adam Levine, and Flo Rida, as well as B.o.B and Travie McCoy.

Yes, his songs are catchy and poppy, but they tell a stories of kids from the '90s generation. Somewhere in Brooklyn explores the typical pangs of a "maybe love", while ballads like Talking to the Moon take you through the journey of your first heart beak, and that feeling of utter loneliness. He's also recorded with the likes of Cee-Lo, which lets you know the kid has a WIDE range of musical influences. From 60s-70s rock, Hip Hop, Folk, and Pop, Mars ties all genres together through simplistic rhymes, creating an audible storybook. Insert your pictures here.

May 18, 2010

Fashion Tuesdays: Spring Edition

This Spring its all about hats for me. I love a good hat; from a fitted to a fedora. Hats just add so much to an outfit, and much like hair can be an expression of your inner beast.

While I am akin to my fitteds, this year I'm stepping up my cranial game to include all types of styles. From pork pie to derby, my goal is to create a more subtle and adult look. Being in your mid-20s is a strange time. Your too old for most things, but you don't feel grown just yet. Accessories add allure and can create just the "look" for any occasion. From playful beach bunny, to smoky jazz club hipster, to clubbing it with friends, a hat can have a thousand lives. I hope mine will be prepared.

Vernal Equinox

I've been out of the game for a minute! Almost 2 months and NO blog!! Wow, well what can I say I'm a hot commodity these days, lol. From working 50+hrs a week, to traveling, meetings, planning, etc... its left little time to write (I'm sure my fellow bloggers at www.DMVSpectrum.com miss me as well)! I miss blogging, and so much has happened in the world in the past 6 weeks:

-I've officially lost 20 pounds and need a new wardrobe
-I've FINALLY traveled to the Midwest...neat little place
-Arizona passed legislation reminiscent of apartheid era South Africa
-I can't turn on the radio without hearing a Drake, Usher or a B.o.B. song
-Gov. Christie of New Jersey hates public schooling apparently
-Glenn Beck's ratings have tanked (there is a God)
-Graduations galore!

And finally.... the Gossip Girl season finale was CRAZY!!

Well, you get the picture, a lot has happened! However, I must say I am more than excited for the summer to start! I can tell its going to be filled with new experiences, new life long friends, and taking MANY risks. In the coming weeks I know you'll read all about them. In the meantime, I'll leave you with a few of my favorite pics/memories from the past few months. Enjoy!

No one on the corner got swagga like CUS!

Successfully jumping a car


Making Art!
Have food....Will travel

Arts Fartsy