Wednesday, April 29, 2009

The Joy of Singing

When I was young, I went through various "phases" of talents and aspirations. Art was always in the background, but it took a while for art to accept most of my concentration. My earliest aspiration I can remember was to be the first female pro sports athlete in a men's league...but I quickly gave up on that dream after attempting to play basketball on the playground with a group of guys. It was pretty boring running around screaming, "I'm open, I'm open!" and then blowing the open shot on the off chance that I actually got a hold on the ball. Nope, pro sports was not for me, though I still enjoy playing sports.

But enough about sports, what I really wanted to write this blog post about was singing, my second major childhood aspiration. From probably about the time I was 5 or 6, I can remember frequently singing solos at church. It was something I enjoyed doing, but I mainly did it because I knew A) that I was good at it, and B)My mom loved it, asdid the rest of the church.

The first time I really thought that I wanted to be a singer was (wow, this is kind of embarrassing) when I first saw a broadcast of Cats on PBS. I think I was probably about 11 or 12 at the time, and by the end of the show, I had a new aspiration: I was going to be a Broadway star. I began singing even more, singing in school programs and auditioning for school talent shows. I mostly was drawn to musicals by Andrew Lloyd Webber...I would listen to Phantom of the Opera and dream of one day playing the part of Christine Daae. I thrived on the feeling of standing up on stage in front of an audience, the exhilaration of applause and the congratulations after the performance. It was the best feeling in the world.

It all changed at my sixth grade talent show. I was going to sing Whistle Down the Wind, a beautiful song from an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical of the same title. The day of the performance came, and I didn't feel the same excitement that I usually felt before a performance. Instead I felt physically ill, like I was going to puke if I even tried to go up on stage and sing. The thought of my voice being heard by so many people made my mouth go dry, my palms sweaty, and my throat close up. I think I called my mom crying at least 4 or 5 times that day, saying "I can't do it Mom. I'm going to be sick." I had completely lost confidence in myself and my abilities. I tend to blame the whole ordeal on the self awareness that puberty tends to bring (along with awkwardness and zits).

Somehow, I made it up on stage and I sang my song. I know it wasn't as good as it could have been, but truthfully I was happy to make it through the whole ordeal. I decided that I would never be a Broadway singer, or any kind of singer for that matter. I didn't sing in front of an audience again until high school, when I was in musicals in drama club.

Had I stayed on the path of "Broadway Musical Star," I doubt I would have ever been good enough to make it there. But I still love to sing, it is one of my favorite things to do. I started thinking about this because I was just in the shower singing "Defying Gravity" and thinking about how great it feels to just let loose and sing. Music is to this day one of my major loves in life. Maybe someday I will sing again...but for now, I guess I will just have to be satisfied with Tracy and I's rendition of The Phantom of the Opera...which if you have not had the priviledge of hearing, boy, are you missing out!


Monday, April 27, 2009

where the wild things are

I am sure most of you have already seen this trailer, but for those of you that haven't...



I am a little skeptical, but still looking forward to this movie a lot. I absolutely love the book, and I absolutely love The Arcade Fire (their song "Wake Up" is featured in this trailer). At some points, the big costumes look silly, but I am really happy that they didn't opt for CGI on this one (as they do with Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, which honestly I am not really excited about at all).

I just hope that they translate it to an hour and a half movie while also retaining the integrity of the original book.

Friday, April 24, 2009

a beautiful weekend


Myers - Heat 2
Originally uploaded by Glen Mullaly
Its supposed to be a beautiful weekend here in Boston, so I am looking forward to getting out and getting my mind off of things that have been troubling me. Its been a rough week, though I know its all for the best.

Here's to turning over a new leaf, and to Spring!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Monday, April 20, 2009

North Shore

On Saturday we had a mini road trip up the North Shore.


First stop: Lynn Beach


Ahoy! Gloucester! But how do you pronounce it?




Those guys were filming a commercial for fish or something... I got a picture of James smiling!



Lobstah!


Woodman's: Where skinny men go to get fat.

I love my Boston buddies!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Frank Chimero


Clever slogan, eh? I really like Frank Chimero's work, especially his illustration.


Payless goes Green


I love low price fashion, so I admit that I occassionaly shop at Payless Shoe Source. Payless just released their zoe&zac line of low cost green footwear, and I must say I think the shoes for the most part look pretty nice. They aren't quite Simple shoes (in design or green-ness...from what I can tell, it seems as if the shoes aren't 100% recycled and organic) but its good to see accessible products going green. At 29.99, I might have to pick some of these babies up myself (and maybe another style, since its BOGO until May 4)!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

A list

Things I want to do someday:

-get a dog
-start a club (books, music, crafts, etc.)
-write and illustrate a children's book
-go to new zealand, greek isles, or both
-have a place that i can decorate and "nest" in

le sigh.

More Boston Adventures

The gang waiting for the T

This co-op in Boston is the first time that I have ever lived somewhere with a large public transportation system. The T, as the subway system is called in Boston, is the most user friendly public transportation system I have ever encountered.

I get a good feeling every time I take the subway somewhere...many of you have probably already gotten used to using public transit, but the feeling is still new for me. Every time I hop on the train to go somewhere I get this feelinf of liberation and freedom...I don't know why, I guess its just because it has never been so easy to get places before!

On Friday (we had Good Friday off) I explored Harvard square with Megan, where we found a really cool little store called Black Ink. I got a gift for my mom for Mother's Day there, and I bet I might be getting some gifts there in the future....


Pantone Mugs at Black Ink

Yesterday the New Balance boys took us to the New England Aquarium with their free pass employee perks. It was quite crowded since it was a rainy day, but fun nonetheless.

Starfish!


I have a feeling it is impossible to go downtown without stopping over in Little Italy for pastries. This time we went to Mikes, where I got a chocolate mousse cannoli and a Boston creme puff.

Yum!

A great weekend! I am a little sad that I am not home with my family for Easter, but I will get over it. Happy Easter Everyone!

Thursday, April 9, 2009

creature

Yay for creatures! I am getting a lot better at drawing in pen, since that is what I have to use for work. It scans so much better than prismacolor!!

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Boston is already 1000 times better than Cleveland


Don't get me wrong, Cleveland was a fine place and I enjoyed my time there, but Boston is a whole new adventure. I had my first experience riding the T today, and it was surprisingly easy! A bunch of us went to the Samuel Adams Brewery for a tour and beer tasting, then into the city for dinner and dessert! A very good day.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Dale Chihuly




Years ago, I came across a PBS special on Dale Chihuly, master of glass sculpture. I was (and still am) so inspired by his work: so colorful and organic that it feels as if it is alive. If you ever get the opportunity to see an exhibition of his work, do it! If you have ever been to the Cincy Art Museum, the blue glass chandelier in the lobby is a work of Chihuly.

Although this is a little extreme for most product design, Chihuly's forms embody the things that I love in design: color and energy!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Recent musical findings



Another wonder from New Zealand. I so want to go there!!! ah!



Weird video, cool song. I like their song "What World" better, if you want to look that one up.