musical influences

It's surprising to me that for being a music major i'm really not that into music as a whole. I listen to the same music day after day, month after month, year after year sometimes, and it's all music that's been recommended to me by someone else. I don't know why, but i've just never really been into finding music for myself. Maybe it's because i've always found those people annoying who're like, obsessive over finding new indie bands that they can brag about. I've always just listened to whatever music my loved ones or people I respect tell me to listen to. Like I said, strange for a music major. But i'm not complaining; it's lead me to a lot of good music over the years. Actually, all of my favorite artists andsongs are from recommendations from other people. Ben Folds, Dashboard Confessional, Queen, Belle and Sebastian, Neutral Milk Hotel, Chet Baker, Scissor Sisters, Rooney, Vampire Weekend, Lady Gaga (who i'm hesitant to put in the same category as all the previous artists but oh well), they're all artists I never would have thought to listen to on my own but have been recommended and they're some of my favorite, most feel good music to listen to.

I think part of the reason that is is because of the fact that people I love told me to listen to them. Every single artist I mentioned reminds me of one specific person and I love that about music. Actually, every single artist either reminds me of Sam or my sister Jenna (with the exception of Vampire Weekend). What can I say, they both have great musical taste. Ben Folds, Queen, Neutral Milk Hotel and Chet Baker (as well as just jazz in general) all remind me so strongly of Sam. I can't listen to any of that music without thinking about him. I like it, but I guess it would suck if we broke up. The music I listen to would be cut in half. Hahaha. All the others remind me of Jenna (with the exception of vampire weekend, like I said. Maddie got me into them). She's always influenced me with

music, probably more than anyone else in my life. She was the one who got me out of listening to mainstream music at a young age. Hahaha. If it weren't for her, i'd be listening to shitty rap and all the pop songs they overplay on the radio. My parents also had a pretty big influence in my music. They've always liked the oldies, like most parents do, and i've grown up listening to 40's big band jazz and Billy Joel and stuff like that. This is a random blog, but it's just always been interesting to me how I've come across all the music I love and listen to on a regular basis. I didn't even get into classical music myself, it is always my Grandma who buys me classical CDs, or my old flute teacher who loaned them to me. Anyways, I'm listening to Belle and Sebastian right now, and they are like, the most feel good

music for me to listen to. they put me in such a good mood. I'm gonna go practice now that I got that rant off my chest.

procrastination

Today is the third day i've spent exactly $6.32 at Starbucks. We're completely out of coffee creamer AND milk. I only realized that after I made myself a full pot of coffee the other morning. So, I've been forced to go to starbucks in the bookstore every morning, wait in the out-the-door line with the sorority girls ordering their passion teas and venti double shot iced soy skinny vanilla lattes, and pay that much for a tall pumpkin spice latte and a scone that I down in ten minutes. This morning I watched the barista put the whipped cream and lid on my drink, then look at the cup for my name and get that puzzled look on her face like they always do, and call out "Pumpkin spice latte for Louis."

Um, I've gotten Elsie before, and Alice many times, usually as the result of the misspelling "elise," but never before have I gotten Louis. I was embarrassed to go up and claim my drink. The lady got confused and wrote "louise." I guess it's always too loud in starbucks. Anyways, dorm life kind of sucks and i'm quite tired of eating shitty food all the time. Today all i've eaten is my latte, my scone, and some pringles. This sucks. I can't wait to go grocery shopping.

I've been feeling the need to blog more. So I figure, why not start now, when i'm supposed to

be writing a 5 page, 150 point essay or practicing scales and my orchestral excerpt for my most important midterm tomorrow? I get the most unnecessary things accomplished when i'm trying to procrastinate something. Maybe if I wear my glasses it will help me feel more scholarly and inspired. What I want the most is to just have a clear, clean desktop and make myself a pot of coffee and drink it out of my favorite mug. That always makes me feel more able to get started on work. But... we have no milk.

I like thinking that no matter how bad I might mess up my scales and excerpt, no matter how late I stay up writing this paper, tomorrow at this time I will be done and have this weight off my shoulders. And then i'm going grocery shopping.