I feel like I am back in college cramming for finals. I have officially reached the 11th hour. I am leaving for CKU tomorrow and I just started the homework for the album track!! I know I am a procrastinator, but even I am appalled at myself. I guess I just couldn't get motivated to journal. Every time I tried to get started I became sidetracked. I don't want to force anything, because then the album will ring false. I am now completely overwhelmed as I stare at a blank word document.
I have decided to let myself off the hook. I love myself too much to get so stressed about what is supposed to be a fun weekend. I have decided to just do as much as I can, and not worry about the things I can't finish. Now that I am relaxed, I am actually getting more done. Amazing.
Monday, March 27, 2006
Sunday, March 26, 2006
My Musical Map
I am a really big music fan. My tastes are all over the place. I have been thinking about diversity 24/7 these days. I am a profile in diversity. Not for the obvious reasons - my gender, my culture, my race, my hubby - but because my tastes in all things wander the globe. Especially my music. I just stared at my CD collection this morning (yep I am old school. I even still have cassettes, that I refuse to get rid of) and I noticed how eclectic it was. I have 80's hair band Poison next to 90's Euro-popsters Ace of Base, next to The Best of 2 Live Crew, next to a big band compilation.
The changes of my life can be mapped out in this collection of audio recordings. I went through phases where I loved all things metal, then I wanted to become a club kid so I have a nice range of dance mixes, then I wanted to be "deep" because I was about to go to college so I have alternative stuff. Of course, there are the albums I own because some boy I had a crush on was really in to the group, so in my attempts to garner his attention I bought something I really didn't like. Or the albums I had to have because everyone had them too. Peer pressure can be the most cruel when you are forced to spend money on Kokomo by the Beach Boys.
My list of the Top 10 Artists that are Profiles in Diversity (in no particular order)
Black Eyed Peas - They are all over the place musically. Are they conscious rappers or fun loving pranksters? Then with the addition of Fergie...I am still not sure where to categorize them.
Prince he just may be the human personification of diversity.
Linkin Park - Rock and Rap merge in this multicultural band. Faint is one of my all time favorites.
Aretha Franklin - the woman sang opera on the Grammys when Pavarotti was ill.
Madonna - she is like a chameleon. I love how she created herself and morphed with the times. Did anyone ever expect Madonna to make a CD like Ray of Light?
Speaking of morphing with the times... LL Cool J. What other rapper has remained this successful throughout the years. I think he may have 3 generations of fans.
Santana - Do I need to explain?
Rod Stewart - Rock, pop, disco, now standards. I am HUGE fan.
Red Hot Chili Peppers - They rap, they rock...I can play them when I want to be mellow or when I want to dance. Very cool.
Ice-T - Isn't it ironic that a rapper who had a rock band (Body Count) that openly criticized the police, plays a cop on SVU? I smirk every time I watch him on that show.
The changes of my life can be mapped out in this collection of audio recordings. I went through phases where I loved all things metal, then I wanted to become a club kid so I have a nice range of dance mixes, then I wanted to be "deep" because I was about to go to college so I have alternative stuff. Of course, there are the albums I own because some boy I had a crush on was really in to the group, so in my attempts to garner his attention I bought something I really didn't like. Or the albums I had to have because everyone had them too. Peer pressure can be the most cruel when you are forced to spend money on Kokomo by the Beach Boys.
My list of the Top 10 Artists that are Profiles in Diversity (in no particular order)
Black Eyed Peas - They are all over the place musically. Are they conscious rappers or fun loving pranksters? Then with the addition of Fergie...I am still not sure where to categorize them.
Prince he just may be the human personification of diversity.
Linkin Park - Rock and Rap merge in this multicultural band. Faint is one of my all time favorites.
Aretha Franklin - the woman sang opera on the Grammys when Pavarotti was ill.
Madonna - she is like a chameleon. I love how she created herself and morphed with the times. Did anyone ever expect Madonna to make a CD like Ray of Light?
Speaking of morphing with the times... LL Cool J. What other rapper has remained this successful throughout the years. I think he may have 3 generations of fans.
Santana - Do I need to explain?
Rod Stewart - Rock, pop, disco, now standards. I am HUGE fan.
Red Hot Chili Peppers - They rap, they rock...I can play them when I want to be mellow or when I want to dance. Very cool.
Ice-T - Isn't it ironic that a rapper who had a rock band (Body Count) that openly criticized the police, plays a cop on SVU? I smirk every time I watch him on that show.
Friday, March 24, 2006
The inability to color within the lines
I attempted to do a challenge posed on the forum today. Basically it was do a layout with a picture on a tag. Simple right? I guess not for me. No matter how much I plan I can never do things according to set guidelines. I truly had intended to use a tag, but somehow the page took on a life of its own. It is the same problem when I try to scraplift. I have never been successfully able to take a page I loved and adapt it for my own album. I guess my mind is too rebellious to follow a set pattern.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Finding my inspiration in a pop song
I just finished a pre-Cku Chicago circle journal with the theme "Where do you find your inspiration?" Of course I answered that I don't really have any inspiration, I just stare at the page until something comes to me. And that is true. Lately, though I have been starting to notice the world around me and how it could translate into my art.
I have not found many instances of visual inspiration that could help my layouts but I have found things that inspire my journaling. Take song lyrics for instance. I was listening to the words of Natasha Bedingfield's song "Unwritten". Talk about inspiring. That whole song could fill up a layout. But there was one line that struck me:
"I break tradition, sometimes my tries, are outside the lines
We've been conditioned to not make mistakes, but I can't live that way"
That is so me! This is about so much more than scrapbooking. This is like an inspiration for life. Are we really living if we don't dare to fail? Are we really scrapping if we don't dare to use our prettiest papers?
Yep, I am back to paper again. I have this real fear about using my favorite papers in my stash. What if I make a mistake and it is ruined? Sure I could go buy more, but that is not the point. Logic is clearly not working for me on this issue. I am going to take Natasha's advice and feel free to use some of that Basic Grey I have been collecting instead of cropping. My hands are shaking, but I am determined. Wish me luck.
I have not found many instances of visual inspiration that could help my layouts but I have found things that inspire my journaling. Take song lyrics for instance. I was listening to the words of Natasha Bedingfield's song "Unwritten". Talk about inspiring. That whole song could fill up a layout. But there was one line that struck me:
"I break tradition, sometimes my tries, are outside the lines
We've been conditioned to not make mistakes, but I can't live that way"
That is so me! This is about so much more than scrapbooking. This is like an inspiration for life. Are we really living if we don't dare to fail? Are we really scrapping if we don't dare to use our prettiest papers?
Yep, I am back to paper again. I have this real fear about using my favorite papers in my stash. What if I make a mistake and it is ruined? Sure I could go buy more, but that is not the point. Logic is clearly not working for me on this issue. I am going to take Natasha's advice and feel free to use some of that Basic Grey I have been collecting instead of cropping. My hands are shaking, but I am determined. Wish me luck.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
2006 HOF - the Oscars of the scrapbooking world?
There is such a frenzy of enthusiasm over at 2peas. The 2006 CK Hall of Famers have been revealed. It is so exciting, and I didn't even enter. Congrats to all.
These types of contests are such a great way to celebrate the work of talented artists. It really got me thinking there should be more "awards" like the HOF or Memory Makers Masters. In the film industry there are countless awards given that lead up to the Academy Awards. Films are given many opportunities to shine and be seen. And that is what awards are really about EXPOSURE. Artists in all mediums appreciate that.
The cogs in my brain are turning... I will have to revisit this one day.
These types of contests are such a great way to celebrate the work of talented artists. It really got me thinking there should be more "awards" like the HOF or Memory Makers Masters. In the film industry there are countless awards given that lead up to the Academy Awards. Films are given many opportunities to shine and be seen. And that is what awards are really about EXPOSURE. Artists in all mediums appreciate that.
The cogs in my brain are turning... I will have to revisit this one day.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Here I am: The Beginning
I can't believe I started a blog. I have been resistant to it for so long. One would think an opinionated, passionate person like myself would be the first person to join the blog train. But really I didn't want the stress. I just knew that if I had a blog where I ranted and raved at will, I would be forever on my soapbox. Too much grandstanding can be tiring.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)