Stop Telephonin' Me-Eh-Eh-Eh-Eh-Eh...

Yes, I really just used a Lady GaGa song as a title to this post. Yes, yes I really did.

But anyway...

Telephones. Now I normally (surprisingly) do not use my phone that much. I used to be obsessed with texting (let's face it, I still text a lot) and I never called anyone. I have certainly gotten over that and now call people more rather than text them... but I still hate phones.

Now I got an opportunity to have a "phone interview" (haven't had it yet though). I have never had a phone interview and I'm not too sure how these work. Do I feel more comfortable sitting in my house, talking on my phone? Why yes, I do. Do I feel comfortable doing this while talking to a complete stranger? No. I do wish I could interview in person, since I am actually good at interviews, when they are face to face. I can talk to anyone face to face, yet put a phone to my ear... oh boy. Can't do it! I don't know what it is, but it makes me nervous.

Now this phone interview... what am I suppose to do? I can't look like I am engaged in the conversation and charm them with my smile. I feel as though, more than half the time, I get the job, or whatever, is because I can keep eye contact and I can keep the conversation going (and I am outgoing about it too). But on the phone... no one can see my eye contact and outgoing-ness (well, they could hear it) unless I look in a mirror the whole time and pretend... which would be weird.

This really is just me being anxious... and nervous, really nervous...

So I guess what I am saying is... anyone have some tips for a good phone interview?

:)

"... and I want it to be a struggle."

I never do this during the right week. Whatever. haha.

I saw this movie over winter break. It was mind blowing, inspiring and all about electric guitar. If you are a fan of music, any kind, and love documentaries, watch this! Seriously!

This film is about three icons: Jimmy Page (Led Zepplin), The Edge (U2) and my main man Jack White (The White Stripes). It shows the first time these three came together to talk (and play!) as well as following these three to different locations to watch them discover their unique sound. Each man has a different story to tell, a different way that they came across their sound (The Edge spends hours trying to figure out the sound that is playing is in head). This film is definitely a watch. It does not disappoint!

Something else about this film was something that Jack White said, something that intrigued me. He was talking about playing his guitar: "The neck's a little bent and it's a little bit out of tune and I want it to be a struggle." This guy, the guy that I have been watching play for I don't even know how long, plays on a guitar that a lot of people wouldn't play and would probably consider "broken."

Also, I do admit that I am not a fan of U2, yet The Edge, oh man. I will never doubt a band with this guy in it. His mind, his incredible mind- genius! Seriously.

The trailer for this movie is here if you want to check it out (there is a clip of Jack White talking about his 'broken' guitar in it with the quote that I brought forth).

I definitely suggest, if you are into music (again any kind) and/or love docs, check this one out.

"...it might get loud for a second" -The Edge

One Wicked Summer... oh, excuse me, I meant Summah.

If you haven't heard by now, Jersey Shore is coming to Boston. Now, I have never watched a full episode of Jersey Shore, nor do I want to, but with the clips I have seen and the stuff I saw/read online, I really just have one thing to say:

Dear MTV, please don't ruin my city. Thanks.

Why Boston? Clearly, MTV could careless about the sports factor. We drive like idiots, we swear and flip people off if they cut us off, only to cut them off as soon as we can. We have a whole part of Boston dedicated to Italians as well as a whole part of Boston dedicated to the Irish. We have Plymouth Rock (which is honestly, nothing special). Conan O'Brien is from MA (I take this with pride, love that man). Why Boston? Couldn't MTV ruin some other city?

If anyone watched Real World Boston (that house is still there by the way - Mt. Vernon St, Beacon Hill), the people made themselves look like fools, not the city. But MTV is casting Boston people to live in Boston for the summer, to party, sleep with each other and oh yeah, party.

I'm just hoping they don't decide to take a trip to the Cape. Hyannisport is perfectly fine without them.

This post is just a rant of how stupid this idea is.

Also, I go into Boston a lot over the summer (for concerts, fun times, birthdays, concerts- I only live 20 minutes South of it). I won't lie, if I see them shooting, I will purposely walk by. Ha!

... the concept is still lame to me.

Shameless Promotion

Tomorrow I will be taking part in something extraordinary. I am posting this up here, well, because internet is the best way to spread the word.

Tomorrow, April 8, 2010, over 80,000+ across the globe will take their shoes off to promote awareness for the children who do not currently have shoes. These children cannot do simple tasks that we take for granted. While you sit in your college classroom, there are kids in the world who are wish they could be where you are. While you walk to a class, complaining about the professor or the paper you had to do the night before, there are kids wishing they could be where you are. You can walk around the streets without any worry. These kids have to watch their step. You don't have to fear for your health if your shoe breaks, you just buy some new ones. These kids don't have a choice but to wear the same ratty, probably doesn't fit them anymore, broken, disguisting shoes everyday.

What you take for granted, these kids bust their asses to get.

I'm not asking you to walk 7 miles barefoot, hell, I'm not even asking you to walk barefoot. But while you are sitting in class, or at home, or even at work (if you are at a desk job), just slip your shoes off. Sit for 5 minutes, 10, 30, one minute without shoes. Give the kids who don't have a voice, kids who can't say "hey! I need shoes! I want shoes!" Give them a voice. Let the world know that you care at least a little bit. A little caring goes a long way.

One Day Without Shoes - Do it.

I understand if this doesn't get credit, I'm not looking for credit, I'm looking to spread the word for those who can't. Even if you don't feel like doing this, at least look into it. Look into the company, Tom Shoes. Look into helping a community. Like I said earlier, a little caring does really go a long way.

Procrastination at its Finest.

I was trying to do a project with my friend today yet both of us found us trying to look up other stuff besides what our topic was on. I realized that no matter how bored I get, or how annoyed I am with the internet, which is usually always since I have a love/hate relationship with computers (and I am a media studies major, because? haha), I always find myself on youtube.

A couple of weeks ago, we had to watch the fan videos. I have always found myself watching weird/funny (at least to me) videos on youtube. I thought, why not share? So I am going to! :)

This one is my absolute fave and I keep showing everyone it:
Lady Gaga Poker Face a capella ( click here )

Ke$ha - Tik Tok Parody (which actually refrences Gaga more than Ke$ha) ( click here )

If anyone knows of that site Chatroulette, these are definitely must watch videos:
Merton ( click here )
Ode to Merton by Ben Folds ( click here )

And if you have never heard of the Lonely Island, I suggest you move from under your rock and watch these videos:
The 'Bu Episode One ( click here )
Just 2 Guyz ( click here )
Jorm Dances ( click here )
[The Lonely Island is made up of Andy Samberg, who is on SNL and two SNL writers, Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer]

Also, if you haven't seen Jimmy Kimmel's video, definitely check it out. Hilarious! ( click here )

These are pretty much my fave. I have probably watched them like 8484823 times, especially the Merton and Ben Folds one (they are totally the same person. Don't care, Merton = Ben Folds).

I'm glad I just admitted my complete dorkiness on this blog. Ha!

Do they know that you gotta STAND UP, STAND UP? Use your voice, speak out.

Africa, my favorite continent. I have wanted to go there since I was about 10. I love everything about it. The culture, the people, the spirit and hope just shining off of the kids faces. I even made a pact with my best friend that when we got older, we would adopt from Africa. Everything about this place makes me more interested. But what I am about to discuss shows why I love Africa so much and have a need to help it.

In the 1980's a guy by the name of Joseph Kony started the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) who targeted the Ugandan government for their unfair treatment of the Alcholi (it was originally the Holy Spirit Movement run by Alice Lakwena, but she got exiled, so Kony took over). Kony, who couldn't get a following, turned to abducted children and teaching them to fight. After 23 years, over 20,000 children have been abducted. Some have been lucky and have been able to escape, but some have been not so lucky with escaping, or being apart of this war, and have either been beaten or shot, or worse.

Out of those 20,000 children, there have been some lucky ones who have been able to survive and escape the dangers of Kony and the LRA. Those children are called "Night commuters." During the day, they do their normal routines but at dusk, they pack up only what they need and can carry and they walk to a "safe location" to stay the night, so in the morning they can walk home and get on with their normal routine, yet again.

Imagine being in these kids shoes... or lack there of (some of them don't have shoes). This life isn't one that any of them asked for and that a lot of them were born in to.

In 2003, 3 USC students traveled to Africa looking for a story for a film. When they left, not only did they have a story, but a new hope and a new ambtion to help.

And helping is what they are doing. From 2003 to today, over 2 million people have seen the movie they have created. That video is called Invisible Children (if you haven't, check it out). These three guys, with the help of friends and family have created something way bigger than they ever imagined. They created the non-profit Invisible Children. With the help of many in the US as well as around the world, IC has helped many of the abducted, as well as the commuters. They have even gotten the US goverment, as well as other governments from around the world, to pledge to help the Ugandan government come to terms with the LRA. But of course, things go sour.

I read this article ( click here! ) the other day and my heart broke. These people deserve better and I am willing to try and make sure of that. So with this blog, I am educating you (whoever you may be) on this subject in hopes of you spreading this information.

Now I am not asking you to go buy Toms shoes (but seriously, check those shoes out. I got myself two pairs. So comfy!) or run to the White House and make sure Obama is doing something about this (read this article [ here! ], US has already done something!), I'm just asking you to get informed and maybe, just maybe, pass along the word.

Here are some places to check out (you can just click on the name):
Invisible Children
Resolve Uganda
Free the Children

I also suggest you watch this video-- Displace Me: The Aftermath

If you are like me and love to help out, here are some companies (non-profit and profit) helping:
Tom Shoes
BeadforLife
One Mango Tree
Take the Walk

Get informed and get involved. :)

And a Britney song was on. And a Britney song was on. And a Brintey song was on.

I hardly ever listen to the radio. The main reason: I'm pretty sure the music I want to listen to isn't going to be playing on the radio anytime soon. How do I know this? I called Kiss once and asked. And yes, yes I really did that.

So I decided to listen to the radio yesterday while I did my work, for the first time in about 500 years (mainly just 3-4 years). I heard Miley Cyrus, Britney Spears, We the Kings, Taylor Swift, Jonas Brothers, some rap song about sex and alcohol, some rap song about a birthday and saying ahh (I think?), and finally BedRock (Drake will forever be Wheelchair Jimmy to me). Within 30 minutes, Taylor Swift actually came up twice. I know that radios have a certain list of songs that they have to pick off of to play, but there was no other song besides two Swift songs to listen to?

I found it weird that it took a while for a Lady GaGa song to come on (Rah, rah, rah, ah ah!). GaGa should be played more than Swift.

But anyway...

I respect bands/singers that don't put their music up for radio play. One, their song won't get old so quickly. Two, their song won't get old so quickly. I love being able to put on my iPod and hear Bon Iver, Butch Walker, and Kate Voegele (sorry for name dropping artists I like) instead of turning on the radio and hearing Swift sing about another broken heart and some ore fairytales.

The radio annoys me... that is basically all. Sorry for a rant. ha!