A Mother's Voice

Gotta love your mom!

Life these days can be pretty stressful at times, no matter who you are, or what you are doing. Something always seems to go awry at some point. Either you are overwhelmed, burned out, anxious, nervous, whatever, I've found something that could help you out! 

Psychological studies done by Dr. Leslie Seltzer at the University of Wisconsin in Madison have found that after a stressful situation, talking to your mother on the phone significantly reduces the stress hormone cortisol. 

I can vouch for this 100%. These past few weeks have been pretty stressful on me. All my classes seemed to have a project or paper or test to give me. Not to mention the 6 week long project that I had for my Layout class. I was feeling burned out and overwhelmed. So I called my mom for advice. Honestly she just told me things I already knew, but the fact that I was talking to her really calmed me down for some reason. 

So if you're feeling a bit under the weather, or like things are becoming to much to handle, call up your mom. Talk to her for a bit about whatever, it doesn't have to be about whatever is bothering you. Maybe she'll be able to get your mind off of it! Who knows. 

Small Changes for the Better

If you could change something small to make you a little more happy, would you do it? I sure would. The little things in life are the things that matter the most. For instance, with some of the money I make from my job, I bought a nice pillow, and a nice office chair for my dorm. I buy things that I will use every day, and that will last for a long time. People ask me, "Why don't you buy games, or something like that?". Well honestly, I get bored of those, and besides, I live in a dorm room. So I'd like to make it as comfy as possible. Sure new computers and stuff are cool. But I am content with what I've got set up right now. It does what I need it to do, and that's that. 

It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. 

Arthur Conan Doyle

I like this quote because it is so true! Some people just don't understand it. "Oh, why would you want to buy those dumb little things?" Why? Simply because they make me happy. Another example! I like the faucets that pour the water out smoothly, not with a ton of bubbles. I think that the little grate on them is what makes them all bubbly, and I was telling my friend that I think I was going to remove that piece. He said "Why? That's stupid." Well, because it is something little, that would make using the sink a little nicer. Sure it still works without me tampering with it. But the moral of the story is, If you can change something little to make you happy, go for it! Because why not?

Time Management

From a young age, we were all told at one time or another to "Use our time wisely". Sadly, the importance of that message doesn't become apparent for most until it is too late, usually in college. The further you get into your college career, the more work you are going to get. It might not seem like a lot, but it will most likely be time consuming. Since these days everyone seems to be on the go, and in a rush, I bet you were wishing that you had taken that advice as a kid. 

However, if you haven't needed to time manage for some reason, here are a couple tips that'll make all those daunting tasks seem a little smaller and definitely more manageable. 

Tip One: Make a list of things you need to do

Tip Two: Organize your tasks in order of longest/hardest to easiest/shortest

Tip Three: Focus on one thing at a time (If you lose motivation you can go to one of the shorter tasks for a bit and then go back to the first thing)

Tip Four: Isolate yourself from distractions.

Tip Five: Take breaks! (This is one of the most important tips I can give you. If you don't take short breaks during your work process you are going to wear yourself out, and that is never good. Your work will suffer, trust me!)

Time Management can help you through that to do list!

If you follow these steps, it'll help you stress less about big projects, and heavy workloads that life can toss at you sometimes. We'll leave off with a quote today.

Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort. 

  -Paul J. Meyer

Being Specific Lowers Stress

Now that's specific!

We've all worked for someone who wasn't the most specific person, and you'd get confused because his instructions were so general. You end up asking a lot of questions and they get frustrated. What if I told you that could all be avoided if the person giving the instructions were a little more clear in telling you what they wanted? Now I understand that sometimes you know exactly what a person means when they tell you what to do, and there is no need for them to go into such detail. But even in that situation, by telling you what exactly to do and where, you'll remember it a whole lot better.

So remember, when giving instructions, it's always good to be specific. Tell the person exactly what you mean and what you want done so that they don't come back with a million questions, or end up doing the wrong thing. Pretty simple and it'll save you a lot of hassle.

Easily Courteous

“Courtesy is a small act but it packs a mighty wallop” 

         

           -Lewis Carroll

Always remember to use these four words when asking for something.

Common courtesy is not something that is easily found in people these days. As Lewis Carroll said, it can be a small act, but have a pretty big impact. If you have read my previous posts, you'll know that I like to look at and appreciate the little things in life, and this is definitely one of them. 

Sadly I am stuck in a place where people don't usually realize what they are doing, a college dorm room. My next door neighbors play their music loudly at late hours, which I don't care about on weekends, but during the week when I have an 8am class? No bueno. For some reason, the new freshman that have arrived this year are obsessed with the volleyball court that is outside my window. They play every night from about 8-12. Now, dorm quiet hours start at 10pm, but most people obviously don't respect that. I know I didn't last year but that is because I had a room where I didn't share a wall with anyone so I could be loud and what not without any complaints. I suppose what I am trying to say is that if you are not in your own house that isn't connected to someone else's (duplex, apartments, dorms) then be aware of how much noise you are making. I guarantee that your walls aren't sound proof, and your neighbors will love you for it. 

Another example of being oblivious to those around you happened this very morning. I was sleeping in because it's Saturday, and I can do that. My roommate however got up earlier than me and he was getting ready. When he was brushing his teeth, he woke me up with how loud it was. His mouth was literally an amphitheater. It's not that hard to brush your teeth quietly in all honesty. I don't know, I guess some people don't take notice to their surroundings, and I feel bad for those people. Because if you do not take notice of the things around you, you are walking blind, and will not notice the beauty of life.

Headphone Review: Bowers & Wilkins P5's

Bowers & Wilkins P5 Headphones look pretty slick!

I recently bought a pair of Bowers & Wilkins P5 headphones. I had heard about them through a friend of mine who said that they sounded amazing. I had seen them on display before in various Apple stores but had never really tested them out. As you know from my previous posts, I am very interested in music, and it takes up a large chunk of my life. If it weren't for music, I'm not sure what I would do.

About a week ago, I decided to go check them out, and possibly buy them. I made sure to bring my iPod into the store with me, because lets be real, no one listens to the music that they have as demos. I plugged them into my iPod and played a variety of music to test out the bass, depth, vocals, and other such things. I played genres such as: Rock, House, Metal, Rap/Hip-Hop, and Ambient music. Overall they had amazing depth, vocals, and the bass was pretty good. Obviously if all you are concerned with is bass (like most teenagers these days) then you might be better off buying some Beats. Gross. 

I went to the shelf and picked up a pair and proceeded to check out. I'm going to be straight with your guys and say that they DID cost ~$300, however they ARE a wonderful pair of headphones. I was reading through the little booklet they gave me in the package and saw that the material that sits on your ears is New Zealand sheep skin leather. Pretty damn fancy! And the cone inside the actual speaker is made of Kevlar. So if you ever get shot in the ear, you're pretty much set.

There are a couple of things included in the package. There are the headphones with their original cable that has a microphone on it, along with volume adjustment buttons. Also it comes with another cord that you can easily switch out with the original cord, the 2nd one does not have the microphone or buttons. It comes with an adapter for larger AUX ports, such as ones that you might find in a recording studio. Along with all that, it comes with a pretty nice case, although it does look a bit girly. The best part of all this is that you get 3 months of free access to the Bowers & Wilkins Music Download Manager, which you can use to download tons of lossless audio files. If you don't know what lossless audio is, it is the highest quality music file type. So you get the perfect music to test your brand new headphones out with! Isn't that great? One last cool feature about these headphones is that the leather earpieces are magnetic, so it is super easy to take them off and replace the cable, or replace the piece if need be. That's the first time I have ever seen THAT on a pair of headphones.

Overall, I am thoroughly impressed with these headphones. I think that they were a good investment and would recommend them to anyone looking to buy high quality headphones.  

New School Year

Everyone is back to school, some people are just arriving to college as freshman, and some have been here a year or so like myself. There are of course, new things for everyone though. New classes in new places, new people, new living arrangements, new events. Speaking of new classrooms, I am currently sitting in a room that I never knew existed, in a building I have never stepped foot in. Odd. But oh well, a new adventure I guess. 

I suppose this is a typical back to school post, wishing everyone a good year and hoping you all survive whatever classes or work you might be enduring. Keep your head up, and push forward!

Driving

When I first got my drivers license, like any other kid, I was stoked. I was going to drive everywhere, do whatever I wanted. The whole nine yards. However, I had forgotten about the 6 month restriction where you have to drive with a parent in the vehicle. Definitely rained on my parade. 

Now that I have been driving for a few years, I have a lot more freedom. I have posted before about jamming out in the car by yourself, or with friends. But in this post it's going to be a little different. Just the other night I was feeling a little stressed out over some issues with a friend of mine. It was around midnight, and I suddenly decided I felt like driving somewhere. It didn't matter where. Personally I think driving is relaxing. However there are a ton of people that have to sit through traffic every day that would disagree. 

To me, driving feels a little like this.

I couldn't go too far because I didn't have much gas, and stopping to get some would ruin the whole experience. But I drove down the road and stopped and sat in a parking lot for a bit. Windows were rolled down, music playing, it was nice. 

Driving may not be your "happy place", but when you are feeling a little stressed, go take a walk, or work out, or lay down, or whatever it is that calms you down. 

Sudden Productivity

With it being my summer break right now (Sadly it's almost the end of it) I have had many days where I just lay around the house doing nothing interesting. I had been meaning to get a picture printed and order a frame for it. As I was sitting in my room talking to a couple of friends on Skype, I told myself I was going to do it. And if you tell yourself to remember to do something, most likely it won't get done unless you do it at that moment. So that's what I did, I went and got the picture printed, got my frame ordered, and went back home feeling better about the day. 

This guy probably wasn't as satisfied with his day

However, if it is a situation where it is your only day off of work or something, then relax it up. No need to be productive on your one day of R&R. But, if you are on summer break like me, increase your productivity. Go out and do something, learn a new skill, hang out with friends, something, anything. You'll feel better at the end of the day guaranteed. 

Your Little Quirks

Everyone is quirky in some way or another, some more than others, but we all have at least one little thing we do that might be considered weird. I know I have my own, for instance, whenever I eat waffles (usually the circle shaped ones, and always 2) I cut them so that they are a square. Cut both squares in half, go get a glass of milk, eat the half squares and down the whole glass of milk. I don't know why I do it, it is just a habit now.

People might think that their quirks are a bad thing, but really it's those that make you who you are. They make you unique, because everyone has a different set of weird little habits, even if they won't admit to it.

Embrace your oddity!

Hey, maybe this is your thing. That's cool too!

Enjoy Your Journey

As I have been reading a little on Buddhism recently, I have found some great lessons that they teach. One of my favourites is from the quote: 

"It is better to travel well than to arrive."

To me this is a fantastic quote, because I found it to be so close to my own beliefs. As I have said before on this blog, you have to stop and realize the beauty around you some times. You cannot always be in a rush or else life itself will rush by, and you will wonder where the years went. 

You don't have to always try and notice wonderful things, at some points, things should stick out to you and you should take the time to appreciate them.

Stop and smell the flowers...

These Flowers.

Long Showers

Feeling stressed lately? Long day at work or school? A very easy way to relax is to take a long shower!
Just standing in there and letting the water pour over you is a very relaxing feeling. Especially if its warm water. It helps relieve tension and makes your muscles relax.

What a great feeling

A lot of the time we take quick showers because we are running late, or have lots of other things to do. If you are a morning shower taker, you can still take one at night as well to help you relax after the wear and tear of the day.

Showers are great for relaxing, and even help with personal hygiene as a bonus!

People Watching

I myself love to people watch. If I am in a public place, you can most likely see me looking at people. Even a friend of mine noticed it, I always sat in a seat at dinner where I could see people. Looking at people around you can be very interesting, you never know what you will see. There are tall people, short people, people that are blonde, brunette, redhead, and every color in between. You wonder where they are going, why some are in a hurry, what they are thinking about. Its a very simple thing that you could wonder endlessly about. 

Don't you ever wonder what other people have going on?

So head over to your local public place, and just hang around and see what people have to offer. Don't loiter though. That's bad haha. 

Rediscovering Your Inner Child

Whenever you finally look at your room or closet and decide "Sheesh, I need to clean this thing", you might come across some "lost" treasures. For instance, I was cleaning out my closet and found all sorts of neat stuff tucked away in my draws that I had forgotten about. It kind of takes you back to a time when things were much simpler, and your days were not filled with school or work. Some things you find might trigger certain memories. I found a note from a mystery crush back in middle school! Who would have known that I still had that if I had not decided to clean out my closet. 

So many things to be found!

So if your room is looking something like this, might be a good idea to sort through some of that stuff! You never know what fun things you might find.

Independence Day

Yesterday was Independence day for America. Mostly it's celebrated with fireworks, cookouts, and hanging out with family. I went to the waterpark. But it was still with my family, and the best part is that it wasn't as crowded as it usually is. 

That morning my parents woke me up at around noon and told me to get ready because we were going to Schlitterbahn in 15 minutes. It was a last minute trip, but it was still awesome. 

I couldn't have asked for a better 4th of July. I had tons of fun at the water park, and on the way back home, we saw lots of fireworks. 

Even if it's not a holiday, a day trip with your family can be really fun no matter what you decide to do.

So get out there!

The Statue Of Liberty looking fantastic!

Subtle Change

Seeing things start to change can be a great thing in almost any situation. Things are changing around us at all times, but most of it is so subtle that we don't even notice unless we really stop and look for those changes. However, when something changes enough that you start to notice it (for the better, I hope) then it gives you a good feeling inside, especially if you have been working for that change.

There is really nothing you can do to force something to change, most likely if you do try to force it, it will backfire on you. But just let change happen, it's a good thing.

Late Night Cereal

Cereal is one of the easiest things to make for breakfast, and it's so good! So why only eat it for breakfast? Cereal is definitely something you can eat at any time of day, or night. Especially night. When you're pullin' a late nighter and you start getting hungry, go run to the kitchen or where ever it is you keep your food, and make some cereal. You can even put it in a cup so it doesn't require a spoon! Personally, that is my favourite way to eat it. College kids use Red Solo Cups for a lot of things, one of those being cereal!

Trust me, you wont regret it!

Mind Warp

I recently happened upon a video of an artist who was given a dose of LSD drew a few pictures throughout his trip. I have to say it was pretty interesting to see how the portraits evolved.

The mind is a fascinating thing that can be easily manipulated by chemicals and emotions. The things that come from that manipulation can be astounding. 

I'm not saying that you should go drop acid, but let you mind wander for a bit, and see what neat things you can think of.

Silence

I've said before that music is a beautiful sound that everyone should experience at least once a day. But, along with beautiful sounds, there are pretty annoying ones throughout the day that we hear as well. I know that there are a few things that really drive me up a wall. Anyway, one of the most beautiful sounds that we do not hear enough of is the sound of silence. Every now and again we need to break away from the all the chaos that we deal with in our daily lives and sit in silence for a minute or two. Some people like to use meditation as a way to further enjoy the silence. 

So, every once in a while. Shut up. Sit down. And enjoy the quiet!

Holding Hands

It doesn't matter who it's with, feeling someone take your hand in theirs is a very small but intimate gesture. Whether it is your significant other, or even your mom, it's a very simple thing and it shows that they care about you a lot. 

This is going to be a rather short post, but hey, some people needed the reminder! 

Go out and hold someone you care about's hand. They'll appreciate the gesture.

You've Got Mail!

Nowadays you can pretty much talk to anyone online or through the phone. Physical mail is mostly gone except for bills and certain advertisements. In the age of online shopping and communication, it makes getting actual letters pretty exciting. But one of the main reasons that no one sends mail any more is because it takes forever for the other person to receive it. And if you have ever ordered something online, or were waiting for a letter from that certain someone, then you know how long that wait can feel. Especially if they give you an estimated time that it will be there. I guarantee that those days will feel like an eternity.

Just ask this guy!

But there is that day, you think to yourself "Man, it probably got lost in the mail" (when in reality it has only been 3 days that you've been waiting). And suddenly, you open your mailbox, and sitting in there is your neatly packaged...package! Woo hoo! You might feel like skipping all the way home (just don't forget your car if you took one!). 

Finally getting something that you have been waiting for can be the most fulfilling feeling of your day. And that doesn't just go for mail, it can be anything from a car, to a kitten, to a...sandwich after a long day of work. Who knows. Whatever it is that you are waiting for, be patient, it will come in time, and when it does, it'll be even better than you though!

We've All Done It...

You laugh when you're friends do this. There was a show on TV about it. You can't help but notice the guy stopped next to you at the stop light doing it...

At some point in time, you just got so into the music you were listening to, you couldn't help but to jam out right then and there. 

This is moderate. But hey, maybe that's how you jam.

You get to that certain part in your favourite song, and you just lose it. You start to sing loudly and do a little jig (as much as you can do in your car anyway). I know that just the other day when I was at the gym, I had my headphones in and was jammin out to some Datsik, when the bass dropped, it made me smile. Sometimes I'll jam out and sing with the song and stuff, but if a song can make me smile like that and give me chills, it must be damn good. 

If I recall there is a quote that goes like this: 

"You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching."

That's William W. Purkey for ya. 

And he is absolutely right. Dance when you feel you need to. Who cares what others think. However, like everything else, there is a time and a place that you should definitely not jump up and start jammin out. Such as, a business meeting, a funeral, and a wedding ceremony (save it for the reception!) 

Various Perspectives

I recently flew up to Wisconsin for a week long trip, and of course I booked a window seat. As I looked out of the window, I noticed how the clouds looked from above. Usually when I look up at the sky, the clouds look almost 2D. Like a really intricate wallpaper or something that is covering the Earth just a mile or so above the surface. However, when you look at clouds from above them, as you are traveling past them at ~500 miles per hour, you notice how poofy and beautiful they are. 

Gorgeous. 

From the ground, the clouds seem as though they aren't really moving, at least not the big ol' huge ones that I'm interested. Sometimes you'll see a little tiny one, just puttering along, but that one isn't important. 

The moral of the story of my trips to foreign lands is: You should always look at things in more than one perspective. It could shed some light on a problem you might be having with said thing.

Trust me, it can be beautiful.

Home, Sweet Home!

Summer is a great time to take trips, see family, and visit friends. Usually when you do one of those things, or travel anywhere for a long period of time, you'll most likely be sleeping in a bed that isn't yours. This might be nice at first. Honestly, I think beds in nice hotels are awesome. But nothing compares to your own bed, in your own house.

Sometimes though, a bed at a friends house can feel like this one here.


Oh ho ho but when you get back home...

Paradise!

Can't Stop. Won't Stop.

If you are a reader like me, then you have experienced a point in a book where you just cannot stop reading. Usually when I start getting tired of reading, I'll go to the end of the chapter and then close the book. However, there are those times when you are reading, where suddenly you get to the climax of the book, or some large event is about to happen and you just have to keep reading to find out what it is. Currently I am reading the 3rd book in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series, and in the past two books, that feeling happened quite a few times. 

It's especially nice when you can read outside

I've stayed up for hours on end reading, just because the book is so interesting. Plot twists suddenly hit you like a ton of bricks, but you love it. You're using most of your mental capacity to stop yourself from having to use the bathroom and you're practically skimming through the text because you are so excited.

By the way, if there is a book that is also out as a movie, read the book first, I promise you will enjoy it much more than the movie. Books let your imagination do most of the work, and for me, it's incredible. 

On the other hand...

A while back I posted on here about having your feet in the sand and how nice it can feel. However, just yesterday I was reminded that walking through really soft grass gives a totally different, but equally nice sensation. I was out at the park yesterday, and it was a little hot outside but the grass was really cool and soft. 'Twas good stuff.

Soft as a baby's....hair.

So when you are walking through a field next time, take your shoes off. Take it easy and enjoy the grass. Just make sure there are no pokey plants in it.
Ouch.
Those'll ruin your day.

Would you like cream with your coffee?

Many people drink a cup of coffee as part of their morning routine. I am one of those people and I think that coffee can be quite...fascinating. "But, Gabe, what could possibly be so cool about coffee?" Well, pour a little bit of creamer in your cup o' joe and you'll soon find out. 

Pretty sweet huh?
No pun intended...

I also found a similar effect with a chrome paint used for painting aluminum. As i poured it and let it sit, it would settle and make these stellar looking shapes, and if you mixed it around, it would create a smooth looking liquid. It was neat to look at.

Anyway, off topic!
Coffee creamer makes your coffee not only taste awesome, but it makes it look awesome as well.
So drink up!

That "New Clothes" Feel

Whether you are a guy or girl, you have to love getting new clothes. I know the stereotype for shopping and all that is mainly towards girls, but I love getting new things to wear. The next day after you buy them, you'll be wearing them, and you'll feel like a badass. Wearing new outfits and such is a big moral booster. Might even make you feel like this guy here 

So Fly

Most likely, depending on what you wear, you'll get at least a few compliments on your new attire. People definitely notice when you change up your routine, and yes that does include what you wear. Shocking, I know.

So every now and then, go out and buy something that you like to wear.

Wear it.

Feel Awesome.

Simple. 

Darn You Eyelashes!

Imagine this. You jump into bed and are getting comfortable, but what's this? You suddenly feel something in your eye! Damn! You rub it and try to remove whatever it is that is invading your eyeball. After a while you try and just deal with it, close your eyes and fall asleep. But of course, it is not that simple, that small object in your eye is at the moment, the bane of your existence. You keep rubbing your eyes until they are all watery and raw (which is a terrible feeling by the way). 

This is you.

After painstakingly long minutes of frustration, with one last swipe of your fingers over your eye, one last attempt at getting the blasted thing from your eye, you are successful! Imagine that. You look on your finger to see what the heck caused you so much pain, and there you see a small black hair, an eyelash. I thought they were there to protect your eyes from debris! What gives?!

Anyways, finally getting that eyelash out of your eye is quite relieving. Especially if you wear contacts.

Good day!

Fresh Snow

It doesn't happen often here in Texas, but when it snows, it's one of the most beautiful things I have seen. Last year I woke up early after the first day it snowed because we had the day off from school (people make fun of us for cancelling school due to a few inches of snow). I was walking to my friends house to go play in the snow with her and the streets and sidewalks had not yet been traveled that morning. So while everyone was sleeping in, or sipping hot coffee in their houses, I was out crunching through the snow. The sound of a quiet morning plus the sounds of snow crunching under your feet is phenomenal. It was the first time that I had been able to do that. Making tracks all the way from my house to her house uninterrupted. 

Kind of makes you just want to jump right in!

So on the next snow day you have, which might be at the end of this year, wake up early one morning and just take a walk through the snow. But make sure to bundle up as well, wouldn't want you to catch a cold!

Lost and Found

At one time or another, we have all lost something. Whether it was something as important as a wallet or a cellphone, or something smaller, like a pen or pencil, we always think of the worst possibly scenario. 

Something along the lines of this guy.

However, whenever you are dreading the worst and suddenly, out of the darkness, a white light shines upon you. Someone is walking towards you, what is that in their hand? Could it be? It is, it's the object you thought would be gone forever! The feeling of having something returned to you once you have lost it is the most relieving feeling in the world.

If you see someone drop something, give it back to them, because you know you would want them to do the exact same thing if you were in their situation.
Sounds a little Cliche..but it's true.

Feet in the Sand

One of the best parts of going to the beach is getting to put your feet in the sand. Sitting there by the water with your feet buried in the sand, sipping on something cold. Some would consider it to be paradise. Usually that scenario is more enjoyable, but personally, I like the feeling of cold sand.

Like if you were to go to the beach at night and kick back and relax. I can only imagine that the night sky would look magnificent there. Great, now I want to take a trip to the beach.. Nothing beats a hot summers day like a day at the beach.

So this summer, head out to your nearest beach or lake and have a good time.

The simple things are the best.

Good day.

Simple Yet Effective

Working out is not everyone's favorite thing to do. I definitely understand that starting out, it can be tough to get motivated. However, once you do it for about 3 days, you'll start getting into a routine and it won't be bad at all. Even if it is something as simple as push-ups and crunches every morning, that feeling of being sore the next day is a great feeling and you'll soon learn to love it.

Also, once you start seeing the results you're looking for, that just motivates you even more to go and push your body. Whether it's weight lose, toning, or building muscle, you are bound to feel much better after doing this for a few weeks. 

It's simple..

So get to it!

Certain Smells

Everyone has a smell that they like, even if other people think it is gross. One of those particular smells is gasoline. I love the smell of gasoline. Another good smell is matches. Little do people know, lighting a match in a room with an odd smell will get rid of that odd smell. Who knew!

Some other awesome smells are freshly cut grass, and the smell of rain.

And the coffee isle at the grocery store...

I could go on and on and on. But I won't!

Use your nose for good, and enjoy those little smells you find everyday.

Old But Good

Remember these guys?

In this picture I'm sure you will see some very familiar faces. It really has a sense of nostalgia to it. I wake up on weekends sometimes (before 1 PM, haha) and watch all those old saturday morning cartoons that I loved as a kid. It gives me a great feeling deep down, enjoying such a simple past time. A couple of my favorite were Looney Toons, Courage the Cowardly Dog, and Samurai Jack. Which by the way, they are planning on bringing Courage back to Cartoon Network in the near future for any of you fans out there.

Anyways, the lesson is: Go back and visit a few childhood favorites every now and again. You'll end up with a big smile on your face, and a brighter day! 

Hot Laundry

Even now that I'm older, one of the best feelings is being close to laundry that you just took out of the dryer. The warm sensation is pretty calming, makes you want to fall asleep on top of it, and most likely forget to put it away. However, if you happen to have metal buttons, you might be in for a surprise. Be careful not to get burned now!

The best way to do it is:
1. Dump the warm clothes onto your bed.
2. Fall onto said warm clothes.
3. Enjoy!

Star Gazing

One of my favorite past times, and honestly one of the coolest things to go do at night is travel out of the city to a place where there are no bright lights, pull over to the side of the road, lay down (I lay in the bed of my truck) and just look at the stars. You'll be amazed at how many you can see when there are no city lights to disrupt them. Sometimes you will even see a shooting star or two! So go out every now and then, check out what the heavens have in stock for you that night. I promise, you'll enjoy the view.

Hit the Hay

The feeling of collapsing onto your bed whenever you have had a long day. It can be one of the best feelings in the world. You feel your body settling, along with your mind. Within minutes you fall asleep.

Sometimes there are days where you just have to keep pushing yourself. You push because you know that when it is over, that feeling of laying down will be the most amazing thing you have experienced all day.

Art Project? Finished!

I just completed my art project for the end of the semester. I finally got all the supplies last night and went over to an empty studio and got to work. Ever hear of a tall painting? Well here is my example of one!

Now. That is not all I had to do. We had to create a real, tangible object, and then we had the choice of putting it in a digital or physical setting. I chose to put this tower into a city. I figured since cities are usually grey shades for the most part, putting this in there would give it some color. Shows, disproportion and disunity. So here is the final product:

Let me know what you guys think!

Getting Things Done

I was supposed to go out of town for the weekend, but sadly I was not able to. Which looking back, it was probably for the best since I realized how much homework I had to do this weekend. I finished a paper last night and it felt awesome. Another thing that I got to check off of my TO DO list. Even though I have a lot more to do, it gives me a little more motivation to keep working towards finishing those other tasks.

If you aren't feeling motivated about getting some work done, start with a small task, most likely it will get you in the working mood.

Headphones and Music

Whenever I feel like listening to some music (which is quite often), I always use my Bose AE2's. After I got these for my birthday I never went back to using earbuds or anything like that. Many people are hyped up about Dr Dre's Beats, but honestly, I like Bose better. Beats have much heavier bass but the sound leaks out of them, and the other sound ranges besides bass aren't that impressive. Now with my AE2's, they have beautiful sound quality, sounds especially good with the music I listen to! You can hear everything so crisp and clear. Makes listening to music a whole different experience in my opinion.

What do you guys and gals listen to your music with?

Stormy Weather

If it were possible I would love to have a gigantic transparent dome in the middle of a field so I can watch a storm as it passes. I suppose I inherited liking storms from my father. He always like lightning and thunder. Watching those bright flashes of light, listening to the pouring rain. Most people dislike the rain, but I find it pretty calming, especially when you walk in it.

PS: In the dome I'd have a comfortable place to lay down so I could just look up into the sky. Perfect.

Complex Color

I was thinking about something today. I find it to be a very complex situation that would probably never happen, but it is possible. When talking about colors. We know these as GREEN RED BLUE ORANGE, correct? But what if someone saw GREEN as GREEN. Like the blue that we know, they would call green. I suppose when learning about language and what words mean what, we really have to trust who is teaching them to us. From a young age it is very easy to manipulate what a child learns. Humm. A little odd to think about.

Another thought. Trying to describe color to a blind person. Try it, really, it's damn near impossible without referring to another object. Cause keep in mind. They cannot see.

Tough stuff.

Pocket Change

One of my favorite things to stumble upon is finding money in your pocket that you were unaware that you had. It's feels sort of like winning a small lottery. That moment where you are looking for something else in your pockets and you feel some sort of paper, pull it out and there is a $10 bill sitting there in your hand. It's pretty great. You feel like there are so many things you can do with you newfound "wealth."

Gotta love the little things.

Small Victories

Small victories can make you feel awesome. You should feel awesome. Even if it is a small accomplishment or not one at all to someone else, if it means something to you, celebrate it. Pat yourself on the back and realize that you have done a good job. 

As an example, the other day I was working on an idea for a Flash animation. I needed to make a button for an interactive video. Previously I had no idea as to how to create a button in Flash, let alone create any sort of interactivity. But I read up on it and it was pretty simple. I created my button and coded it to skip to the next frame of the animation. I felt pretty good about myself at that point. I had gained some knowledge, and could use that knowledge in the very near future. 

Revel in these small victories, guys. Even when no one else cares.

My interesting contradiction

I've come across something that is a little contradicting. As a non religious person, I find myself interested in reading about various religions. Recently I've been reading into Buddhism and Confucianism. Someone said I should look into the Poetic Eddas which is the book of Norse Gods. I don't know exactly what interests me so much about religion. I guess I like to have more knowledge on subjects that aren't very common (to some people). Learning about different beliefs and the reasons behind them is just like talking to people and learning their beliefs and their reasons. It's all very fascinating.

Inspiration or Curiosity?

Thinking about my art style has made me realize what I am curious about, or maybe it is inspiration? Not quite sure which. All I know is that the words "Silence", "Rhythm", and "Pattern" have some meaning to me. I think it is a bit early to determine my art style, but I am definitely on some sort of track.

Random thought.

Thoughts?

Inspirations?

Recurring Music Trends of Mine

I've noticed a cycle that I go through that pertains to my musical interests. As a child I grew up on Alternative and hard rock. My father was really into that genre, so naturally I liked it as well. From there I went into harder rock, maybe even heavy metal. I found Dubstep interesting whenever it started becoming popular. At first I loved the heavy bass and ridiculous drops. After a while though I started listening to more relaxing music. It was technically still considered Dupstep, but it had a much softer, slower sound to it. I still listen to that genre, but added in House and Trance. I'm really feelin' this group called Blank and Jones. Especially their album Relax edition 4. But as of late, I have gone back to my hard rock roots and I'm really enjoying it.

I guess what you should take from this is that over the course of your life you will change quite a bit. But it's not such a bad idea to go back and revisit those good things that have happened in your past.

Just a thought.

Until next time! Take it easy.

Starting to Feel the Routine

That feeling is starting to sink in. I've felt it before. My days are starting to blend together. What I thought was a fun and different environment has become my norm. As I said this has happened before, back when I was living at home. I didn't get out as much as I wanted to because I wanted to go out and do exciting things, and most of my friends were busy. I suppose now my definition of "exciting" has changed a great deal. Now I want to go out and walk, bike, explore, relax, and find peace. It is still fun to be around my friends all the time here in College. However, I can't help the feeling that everything is yet again turning into a routine of sorts. It's not like I do the same EXACT thing each and every day, there are those days where we go out and do things. But even then...

Twister Tuesday

Mother Nature decided to show her fangs today. Tornado touched down near the University. I personally wanted to go up to the balcony and check out the weather. However, I was not able to due to the mass panic that broke out. Everyone rushing to and fro. I've been told all my life to stay calm in emergency situations. And today I flawlessly followed through with that. I have never been in a tornado situation. I was not afraid. Nature does what it wants and we as inhabitants have to deal with that.

Insane. If you have not seen the videos, go watch them!

Healthy Solitude

This summer I plan to have a month of "solitude." By that I mean that I will not be using the internet to communicate with people. Only human interaction. Maybe I'll extend that to keeping technological use severely limited. We shall see. As I have said before, sometimes you just gotta slow everything down and take a look at what is around you. I think this will be exactly what I need to get back on track and really focus on the important things in life.

Let us read and let us dance - two amusements that will never do any harm to the world.
-Voltaire

Have an Open Mind

“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.” 
― Friedrich Nietzsche

This quote right here is probably my favorite of all time. I feel like this is referring to the closed mindedness of people. When you have an open mind there is so much more you can take from the world. You start seeing the beauty in everyday things.

Thoughts?

Converse and learn with those around you

Ya know? Having a long conversation with a friend can really bring the two of you together. I just went out to eat with a friend of mine which is a rare occasion since it is a large group of friends that we associate ourselves with. Anyways, We were at Taco Cabana, despite it being 2AM. After eating and talking for about an hour we came back and talked in the parking lot for another hour.

A word of advice: Learn as much as you can from those around you. You would be surprised what knowledge they can offer you.

Stop and Notice the Beauty of Things

Sometimes it's nice to just stop and look at your surroundings. Whenever I do I notice all the little details and how truly amazing the world actually is. Despite all the war and hate in the world, if you step back and look at the natural aspect of it, it's quite breathtaking. Try it sometime!

Hello Everyone!

Ah, finally trying out this whole "blogging" thing! Let's see what the craze is all about.