iMovie

The last couple of days i have been trying my hand at imovie. I figure if i have the software i might as well learn how to use it. Here is a little movie of Treasure Island Music Festival 09 footage and pictures. It's pretty shitty, but i've got the main tools in imovie figured out.


Music: 11h30 - Danger

List for the week (or maybe last couple weeks) of things i'm liking/interested in/etc. Sarah and Claire will be back in approximately 3 short days! Obviously this is the number 1 thing that excites me right now.

1) New Music: Kush and Orange Juice mixtape by Wiz Khalifa, Neon Indian, Born Free by M.I.A, and Mayer Hawthorne
2) lots and lots of rings
3) crazy dreams
4) Brotanks, brotrucks, broshades, and brocal
5) guys with beards

Random thoughts i've been contemplating:
1) Has anyone heard the song "Little Freak" by Usher? Well go listen to it and particularly pay attention to Nicki Minaj. Then go watch the Virginiaca skit from SNL with Blake Lively. Is it just me or do they sound quite similar? I'm not sure why this is important at all, but i thought it was interesting.
2) The weather in Sacramento has been crazy bipolar this week, especially today. Stupidly, i didn't bring a real jacket to school today and was scared shitless when i heard the rain pounding on the ceiling of the portables. Luckily it subsided, and was actually sunny, long enough for me to exit to my car.
3) I need a job and some money, but its not like this is news to anyone.

Music: Deadbeat Summer - Neon Indian

Leaving you with this (because i'm obsessed. duh.).

First Kisses

Don't be embarassed. Tell me about your first kiss. If you want it to be one from a middle school game of truth or dare then i guess that's alright.


Music: A Strange Arrangement - Mayer Hawthorne
Next video blog probably won't be for a few weeks. I have am idea i'm working on. In the mean time, i'll obviously continue to update with other things.

Video Girl

kind of embarassing, but the next one will be better i swear! And obviously if you are watching this you already know where to find my blog. haha. I hope you're enjoying it!

Vampire Weekday

Monday night i had the pleasure of seeing Vampire Weekend at the Fox Theatre in Oakland. I'd previously never been to the Fox, and i must say the place is a lot nicer than i expected, although a little bigger than i usually like. Vampire Weekend was so fun! The last time i saw them was at Treasure Island Music Festival 2008. At the time they were just beginning to get really popular so they were a bit awkward, like "o hey...you guys are like reeeally excited to see us..?? cool!". By now they've obviously embraced their popularity, but quite humbly, and have a bit more success under their belt with the relatively recent release of their sophomore album, Contra (which i HIGHLY recommend). It was also nice to see them all gain a huge amount of stage presence, notably front man Ezra Koenig who i personally find delightfully cute. They played all the favorites (which pretty much includes their entire discography), supplemented by some audience participatory vocals, back stories, and smooth dance moves. My award for best dancing of the night goes to bass player Chris Baoi. The set decorations were modest, but thoughtful. A giant banner of their album cover's infamous unidentified blond woman hung behind them with holes in her eyes for lights to shine through and dangling chandeliers also featured in the album's artwork hung from above. As predicted, the show was great dancing fun!




Music: Diplomat's Son - Vampire Weekend

any-night LIVE

Last night i went to UC Davis' Freeborn Hall with Eden to enjoy the music stylings of Passion Pit. In addition to hearing one of my current favorite bands play live, i also had the pleasure of discovering Mayer Hawthorne, dancing the night away, and realizing all the things i love about live shows. Now, i've gone to my fair share of live musical performances. From arena concerts to seedy bars/clubs and hardcore to top 40 pop, i've experienced quite the variety. Each show is special (although i've been to way too many to remember them all), but some stand out for certain reasons. I thought i'd go through a list of things that make a show memorable and noteworthy to me.

1) Danceability: one of my top favorite things to do at a show is dance. now i recognize that not all the music i like really allows that but there are some other factors at a show that might stop one from shaking their groove thing. for example, if no one else is dancing. I love a show where i leave drenched in sweat, euphoric from endorphins, and with cramps in my legs. The soreness and exhaustion the next day should be a rewarding reminder of the fun i had the night before.

2) Crowd Connection: you know when you're in math class and the teacher has been talking for hours, but when you look down on your paper there is a huge page of doodles and you have no idea what is gong on? yea, well a concert should never be like that. I like concerts where the artists are great entertainers and engage the crowd. That doesn't always mean cheesy shout outs like "everybody screeeeam!", but rather that the crowd feels emotion and care from the performer and is interested in watching, singing, dancing along. I've definitely been to shows where i find myself more interested in watching the girl two rows back pick her nose than watching the band. That would be a concerts' equivalent of a full page of doodles.

3) Good Sound/Mixing: obviously this is important. I mean, you paid money to here the band play their music and not some unrecognizable static. I hate when you're at a show and you feel like you're in your own never-ending version of the Tell Tale Heart because all you can hear is the kick drum and nothing else. Now, this is usually not the performer/artists' fault, but it definitely a contributor to the enjoyability of the concert. (for sacramentans: know that the boardwalk is notorious for shitty sound)

4) All Ages Shows: Yea, i'll admit i complain about the 13 and 14 years olds running around screeching and wearing to much glitter and hair spray, but i will also admit that i was once one of them. Honestly a concert is about the music and i don't feel that anyone who is a genuine fan and wants to enjoy their fave band live should be limited by age. After all, it is just a number, right?

5) Cost/Venue ratio: what i mean by this is how much the ticket costs compared to the size and quality of the venue. Shitty, tiny bars and clubs should range around $10-$25, depending on the artist, and arenas can range from $30-$100, depending the artists and arena. (Arco Arena should not charge $100 for a ticket, but sadly can.) People might feel i'm asking too much, but really it is important. Live music is one of the 3 things i'm really willing to spend my small amount of money on (clothing and food with friends being the other 2), so you can imagine that i've weighed the pros and cons. Trust me. It's not worth it to pay $45 to go to the Boardwalk to see Paramore. And by see i mean watch with your eyes as Haley Williams is confined to a 15 ft stage and listen to her drummer's kick drum as her lips move. Yea, not worth it.


Music: Passion Pit!!!!

me, me, me!!!

A little fun insight about me i posted on my tumblr! So if you don't read my tumblr, you can still learn. Best of all, it is in the form of little lists.


three names you go by:
1. Amy
2. Amester
3. Pete

three physical things you like about yourself:
1. Hair!!!!
2. Eyes
3. Fingernails

three physical things you don’t like about yourself:
1. Legs (specifically thighs)
2. Feet
3. Height (kinda)

three parts of your heritage:
1. Panda Express
2. Meet The Fockers
3. Bill O’Reilly

three things that scare you:
1. Death
2. Being alone
3. Loosing the people i truly love

three of your everyday essentials:
1. Spartacus (a.k.a. Sparty, or my Macbook)
2. Frederick William (a.k.a my mobile tele)
3. Contact lenses to see things

three of your favorite bands or musical artists:

1. Starfucker (or…Pyramiddd?)
2. Tokyo Police Club
3. The Shins

But really, I can’t choose 3. These 3 just have longevity in my musical library and i still love them. Current obsessions are Broken Bells, Discovery, Bat for Lashes, She & Him, Ra Ra Riot, Sparklehorse, Novels, and Taylor Swift.

three of your favorite songs (right now):
1. “Let Your Love Grow Tall” by Passion Pit
2. “You”re Not Sorry” by Taylor Swift
3. “Bruises” by Chairlift

three physical things about the preferred sex that appeal to you:
1. Clothing/Dress/Style
2. Lips/Mouth
3. Butt (but not big butts. I like perfect butts. not too big or little. no caving in butts!)

three careers you’re considering/ you’ve considered:
1. Graphic Designer
2. Art Director
3. PR Management


three places you want to go on vacation:
1. Santa Barbara (with le Trifecta!)
2. New York
3. England/France


three ways that you are stereotypically (your sex):
1. I over think EVERYTHING.
2. I can take a long time to get ready due to adjustments to my appearance.
3. I get sentimental.

The Taxman

With tax season here and April 15th quickly approaching i hear a lot of "fuck this" from my angry father. I'm not quite up on politics, policy, the economy, etc. completely but i know my dad pays a lot of taxes and it makes him upset because he works hard to earn the money he earns (which has become less and less due to the suffering economy) and he doesn't like to give it to the government. He doesn't like the government telling him how he should use his money. I understand. He works hard and he should be able to choose where it goes. And i also see the other side. Our country and its infrastructures can't function without tax payer dollars. It is a dilemma in my mind.
I've been finding myself in more and more dilemma's such as this. The other day in my Persuasion class we got into an "argument", or more of a discussion, over the benefits and disadvantages of private, catholic education. It was hard, being a firm believer that the extreme costs and sacrifice of certain freedoms are well worth the Catholic education. I've attended secular private school, public school, and catholic private school and i do believe that the quality of education, as well as the community and support provided are beyond anything you will experience at a public school in the Sacramento area. And another student in my class made the very valid point that people who choose to send their kids to private school are still paying taxes to support a public school system that they are not benefiting from. A girl highly opposed to Catholic education feels so because she is Native American and the Catholics have a long history of using Catholic education as a name for their oppressive, slave-like institutions. I understand her concern and i don't condone what those people did in the name of a Catholic God, but all i can say is she has not experienced Catholic education like I have.
There are many other ethical and moral debates arising everyday.I suppose my point is that I am having trouble taking a stand an certain issues because i don't want to offend those around me who don't feel the same way as me, or rather I don't want to tell them what I think in fear that they will give me a lecture about how their opinion is right and mine is wrong. And sometimes i just am not sure how i feel about a certain issue, and I also don't want anyone to try to drag me to their side just because i don't yet have one.
I support gay marriage, I'm pro-life, and i think we should legalize marijuana, but i also am a huge supporter of the military, free enterprise, and capitalism. Somehow i love party loyalty and yet i hate bi-partisan politics. Sometimes i really wish i were just more extremely liberal or conservative. It might make these internal struggles easier. I seem to have so many strong philosophies about meaningless things, but on these real life issues i can't seem to take a stand.

Music: Vote - The Submarines

Spring Break List

This past week was my "spring break" which really kind of meant i did what i usually do minus go to class. Although, i have to say it wasn't too bad of a break. I got to spend some unexpected quality time with one of my best friends (which did prevent me from really sleeping in too much) and i did appreciate the 4 days of not going to classes. I only wish that i might've gotten to go to my beach house.

Spring Break 2010:
1. Tennis Racquet Research (brought to you by Brian, of course)
2. reading lots and lots of magazines
3. homework, homework, and still not even done with my homework
4. Spring Cleaning
5. official acceptance to PSU!!!

Music: Taylor Swift, Brand New, and Rude Boy - Rihanna

Tell Me Why

I'm not sure if you've noticed, but this month's Elle Magazine graced its cover with the angel-faced, teen, pop-country sensation Taylor Swift, and I have to say I've never seen her looking better. I'll be the first to admit that i originally was a Tay-Swift doubter, probably because of the bad rep she gave Joe Jonas after he broke her heart, but after reading the article i have to admit that Joe lost on that deal. Taylor naturally glows (even without the spotlight) and is exactly what the world of pop culture needs right now. Her dreamy, girlhood lyrics, sans sex appeal and drug references, remind girls everywhere that it is ok to be good. Growing up in a generation raised by Britney Spears, Mary Kate Olsen, and Lindsay Lohan, i have to say I'm glad that my young female cousins will be looking up to girls like Swift. Many poke fun at her innocence and count down the days until they will find her nude photos on the internet, but the haters will have to wait. Taylor is as genuine and innocent as she seems, and that is ok. So much of the time young people (myself, at age 18, included) are made to feel like they have to act older than they are. When we are 12 we want to be 16, 16 we want to be 18, and 18 we want to be 21, but I've found that being older is not necessarily better. Taylor Swift is a 20 year old just being herself, and although at times her fairytale lyrics might seem childish, that is exactly what they are: dreams from one girl to all of the girls out there who should enjoy being girls and not worry about when they will become a woman. So now I don't feel so bad to admit to you all that i have posters of the Jonas Brothers and Harry Potter on my walls, sleep with my teddy bear by my pillow, and i even listen to Taylor Swift.

*this post is dedicated to Claire Taylor. You can officially count me in (publicly! ha!).

Music: Tell Me Why - Taylor Swift