"My iPod is a sad place" written by Anne on estrip.org

11/18/08 09:40 - 26ºF - ID#46734

My iPod is a sad place

Ok, so its not a sad place as in its depressing, its a sad place in that the music on it is awful. I have awful taste in music. This morning I've had an awesome rotation of Mariah, the pussycat dolls, the beatles and Lady Gaga.

I just don't put very much stock in the quality of the music I listen to. If its fun, I listen to it, if its not, I don't. Simple as that. That's why it drives me crazy when I meet people who are like music snobs and only listen to independent label artists who perform on "found" instruments from the war-torn regions of the Gaza strip.

One of my favorite bands of the moment is a pop group from Denmark called Alphabeat. The fact that I like such a random band is completely foreign to me. I'm used to being such a Top 40 lover, that actually liking a band that isn't regularly featured on Kiss 98.5 is weird for me. I think this delving into other music phase comes from the fact that my car stereo doesn't work very well and I really can only listen to 103.3, 97 rock and 92.9 and sometimes 102.5 and 104.1. Whoopdedoo.

I also tend to listen to songs they play at the Arena a lot, like City of Blinding Lights by U2 and I Don't Wanna Be in Love by Good Charlotte. I might be the only person in the world who thinks of Jason Pominville taking shots on net when I hear Joel Madden sing "If you've got nothing left, say I don't wanna be in love..."

Anyway, hopefully Jesse, the new love of my life will be in my next class and I can inappropriately ogle him while my professor talks about Young Adult Literature and I name our beautiful future half-Canadian children.

jason writes at 03:00:33 11/19/08 - Comment #42328: I have to hold onto the things I have good taste in, becuase there are so many things I have terrible taste in, women for example. Ask anyone. Music and Beer, baby!

anne writes at 01:39:02 11/19/08 - Comment #42322: Lauren - your last comment= true story "like what you like and don't let the haters get you down :) the same goes for boys ;)" TRUTH. I hate when someone rips on someone else's taste in a person more than I hate when people rip on someone's taste in music

Jason - Lady Gaga is completely snobby, I agree. She has some good songs, but none of them are revolutionary, that's what makes them mainstream palatable.

Um Barbie Girl is the definition of "so bad its good"

MK - AHHHHHHH!! I will fight you

Jesse - What do you mean you're not in my class or Canadian? Then who the hell have I been ogling all semester?!

Peter - yeah, the Edge used to be a really "elitist" (in a way) radio station and for a while that was totally in, I don't think the "in" thing anymore is that kind of music. I personally only listen to the Edge for Shredd and Ragan,

vincent writes at 11:13:33 11/18/08 - Comment #42301: What I would stress is that being a "music snob" is kind of the thing to be right now. To me being a music snob is an offshoot of being a hipster. Right now it's their time in the sun. It's not that EVERYONE is X during Y time period, but it can be very hard to avoid if it's extremely trendy.

In the early 70's it was being a hippie; late 70's/early 80's an Arena Rocker or a Punk if you were in that subculture. Mid to Late 80's a "Grub" or glam metal person. Early 90's a Grunge Alternarocker. Late 90's a Raver. And early 00's someone into Hip Hop or Rap

It's just what dominates the culture at the particular time. It does kind of dictate which bars people go to for adventure to hook up with someone of that scene.

I don't know that's just my take on it. To me music seems to be just another fashion accessory to a comprehensive product line.

tinypliny writes at 11:13:22 11/18/08 - Comment #42300: "found" instruments from the war-torn regions of the Gaza strip."

Hahaha.

I am not particularly selective about what music I listen to but I do draw the line at pop music. I have to argue that being a "snob" is not a choice (at least in my case). I can't think with pop music on. The tunes stick very quickly. You can't do anything productive with catchy little ditties going round and round your hollow head.

So I prefer heavy metal and classical and well.. MarÃa Dolores Pradera!!!! and Milva!!!!!!

metalpeter writes at 07:34:09 11/18/08 - Comment #42292: What a great post, I admit I'm a little bit confused I since you say you like crappy music but I kinda get what you mean. That Good Charlotte song is pretty good, yeah I've seen them and am a fan (don't know much of there new stuff other then that). I kinda remember when only The Edge would play them, that used to happen a lot in Buffalo some band would only get played on The Edge they would catch out side of the Alternative scene and then KISS would play them. Then The EDGE drops that band eventually when if they get big enough. I would have no idea who to suggest who to listen to cause I would have no idea who you would like. Hey if pop is your thing go for it. I myself like edgy stuff but it all can't be Angry Music. I think a lot of the Music Snob stuff comes from seeing bands change there music style and then exploding or from not liking the Industry side of it. I just thought Of a Crappy Band that I like Sum 41, and there alter egos Pain For Pleasure they can play guitar pretty good when they want to. Hey you have to like a band who calls them selves a shity Candian Punk band on stage.

jessbob writes at 07:24:34 11/18/08 - Comment #42291: Hate to break it to you anne, I'm not in your class and I'm not canadian.

jason writes at 06:30:37 11/18/08 - Comment #42286: Oh my God, you guys are so wrong!! But I do have my guilty pleasures too as I said, and I ain't gonna name 'em. ;)

mk writes at 06:04:00 11/18/08 - Comment #42280: AND A BAG FOR MY DOG

heidi writes at 03:22:11 11/18/08 - Comment #42270: I tend toward music snobbishness, but Barbie Girl is brilliant!

mike writes at 01:39:35 11/18/08 - Comment #42264: i just want to say Barbie Girl is most likely the best song of this generation! come on barbie, lets go party

jason writes at 11:05:25 11/18/08 - Comment #42256: I feel like I have to defend music snobs here in some way because there is such a thing as bad music. For example that Barbie Girl track from back when - I think everyone has to admit it is crap.

As a music snob I wouldn't tell someone to not listen to something if they enjoy it. That's what music is for. I have plenty of guilty pleasures. Live and let live. I guess that's where I diverge from the people at Pitchfork Media and honestly I question their shit judgment all the time too.

The thing about Lady Gaga is that she is snobby as hell too, talking about how pop will never be lowbrow, referencing Andy Warhol, and the whole time she's rocking outfits that look like they were repo'd from Earth, Wind and Fire's closet, and playing music that is as base, formulaic and without merit as it gets, even in the pop world.

She's a performer - it's about the performance with her, the sex appeal, the style, things I don't have much use for if the music doesn't match the rest of the effort (although, I'm sure it's a very polished and interesting performance). I don't think it's total bunk, but you know what I like more than that? Country. And that's fucking sad because pop music used to be the Beatles, used to be the Jackson 5.

I guess everything has its context. People don't get excited and dance to Sufjan Stevens. I think that's the happy middle ground that I've found. Why not try to find some middle ground too now that you've dipped your toe in the pool? There is some really awesome, interesting stuff out there that you may love just as much as top 40.

lauren writes at 09:57:07 11/18/08 - Comment #42246: ug. i hate music snobs too! i think the power of pop music speaks for itself... but, i guess i don't listen to pop music blindly...i know what it does to people and how brain washing it can be. and i listen to a lot of stuff that isn't popular and that would never get played on the radio. i say, like what you like and don't let the haters get you down :) the same goes for boys ;)

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Location: Kenmore, NY

11/10/08 07:53 - 36ºF - ID#46634

Hey Team

Hey guys!!

So I'm always reading journals but never post my own. Whoops.

Stuff is going well. School is going well.

I have a car, I named him Jarome. Its a 2003 Kia Spectra, its basically the least sexy car you can imagine. It has totally PIMP tinted windows and a stress buffalo in the front windshield.

Not much else is new.

I write a Buffalo sports blog and the other night we had a get together at Fat Bob's and it was lots of fun. The weird part that was in spite of the fact that there are many Buffalo sports blogs written by females, there were only 3 of us there, and 1 of us came super late after the BPO concert. It was a little weird, but all in all a good time.

How weird (yet awesome) is it (for those of us in school or working on a school schedule) to have class on Monday, then no class on Tuesday. I can totally handle 1 day work/class weeks. WOO!!

Good times all around.

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Location: Kenmore, NY

08/17/08 03:05 - 75ºF - ID#45351

So its only been since April or so

Soooo I haven't posted on here in MONTHS.

What's new:

I'm heading to Buff State in a couple of weeks to start working on getting my certification to English 7-12.

I moved back in with the 'rents in Kenmore, kitten and all.

I still don't have a new car.

May 16th ended up being my ACTUAL last day of work at Lipsitz Green.

Teaching went really well this summer, it just ended on Friday. I enjoy teaching theatre, but working with nothing but theatre kids all summer is shown me that I will prefer the variety of teaching some NON theatre kids as well. Theatre kids are kind of annoying sometimes, lol. They're mostly great, but sometimes you want to tape their mouths shut.

Good times, how was everyone else's summer?

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Location: Kenmore, NY

04/20/08 10:23 - 66ºF - ID#44072

Helllooooo

So I haven't been here in a while.

Here's what's new:

My car was totaled on March 8, I wasn't inside it at the time, I was sleeping in my apartment and my car was parked in front of the house next door. I still don't have a car, but I know what I want, its just a matter of waiting for insurance and tax return money.

I'm leaving my job basically ASAP. I always hated it but the nice weather has made it even harder not to loathe it. Knowing I'm about to get out makes it hard to go in. I've called in 3 times in the last 3 weeks. That's not a lot but considering in the previous 8 months I'd called in about twice, it's highly above average.

I'm moving back in with Jim and Peg when I go back to school. I'm planning on turning MK's old room into my bedroom and turning my old bedroom into a den/office. I'm kind of really excited about it. As long as I can paint it and decorate it.

I'll be co-teaching at Shakespeare in Delaware Park this summer. I was offered the job on Tuesday and I gleefully accepted it. I'll be teaching acting and Shakespeare as well as assistant directing the student show. It's for high school students.

I, obviously, have to get a 2nd job. I'd like to bartend or something like that, basically because those are the only hours I have free. I would be a terrible waitress, so that's not an option.

The Sabres missing the playoffs sucked pretty hard, but I've actually really enjoyed watching the playoffs this season. My #2 team, the Pittsburgh Penguins dispatched of my #1 least favorite team in 4 games, and for that I am appreciative. I really love hockey, it's kind of an addiction.

Um, did I mention that I really hate my job? I'm putting in my 2 weeks notice on Friday. May 9th will be my last day. Wooo! When I first decided to quit, I declared May 23rd would be my last day, and now I've shaved 2 weeks off of my date. May 9th. It'll be awesome.

Wooooo!

Permalink: Helllooooo.html
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Location: Kenmore, NY

02/17/08 11:29 - 38ºF - ID#43367

Project Runway

Hello

Ok, so who watches Project Runway aka formerly one of my favorite shoes ever.

I feel like this season is totally anti-climactic. Last season, I was super duper busy all the time but I still made time to watch Project Runway. From like episode 4 I had strong opinions about each designer, it was awesome. I was biting my nails to see who would make it to Bryant Park and I was crazy excited to see who won.

This season? I didn't even realize it was "decide who goes to Bryant Park" episode until the episode had already started.

I just don't really care. I don't really like Chrisitan but only because he's kind of annoying, he actually is a good designer. I don't dislike any of them, there isn't much tension. They try to create drama with Chrisitian but it doesn't really work. The challenges aren't really that interesting, they didn't travel anywhere, they didn't really have to use crazy material. They had that candy challenge but most people got through it by using fabric from sheets and pillows. It's like this group of designers is really bad and they had to dumb it down. Remember how ridiculously challenging the men's clothing challenge was? That was redonkulous.

Anyway, I like Chris and Jillian. That's sweet.

SIDNOTE. I AM SO MAD. I love the name Penelope. For years I've wanted to name a daughter of mine Penelope. Now this crazy movie about a girl with a pig nose named Penelope comes out. This movie had better be good, and it better not be a huge hit. I hate when things like that happen. Just like I like the name Monica but because of Courtney Cox-Arquette and Lewinsky I feel like I can't name my daughter that. Although James McEvoy is in it, and I like him, same for Christina Ricci and Reese Witherspoon. Maybe it won't be a big disaster for my future offspring.

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Location: Kenmore, NY

02/11/08 11:48 - 12ºF - ID#43277

Hello

It's been over a month since I've updated. Well, that doesn't beat my 2 1/2 year non-update streak I had between 2004 and 2007

Anywho, not much has changed. I still live in the same place, I still have the same job, I still hate the girl whose desk is next to mine. I'm still planning on going to Buff State in the fall to get my teaching certification. I still have a cat named Oscar (Today is his 1st birthday, btw) and I'm still single.

Yep, that about sums it up.

Oh yeah and I was totally at the Sabres game yesterday and let's just say, if you were selling tickets to see Richard Zednik's throat cut open, my seats would've been very expensive, yuck.

I have a hockey blog that I update a lot. If you don't like hockey, I don't recommend reading it, although my friend and I are pretty entertaining.

Here it is: Sabretooth's House

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Location: Kenmore, NY

12/26/07 11:35 - 32ºF - ID#42651

I'm an addict

Ok for those who don't know I'm obsessed with the Sabres and hockey in general. I've always liked hockey but this season without shows to work on or homework to do, its reached fanatical status. If I like something I become obsessed. Ok I don't become obsessed with people I meet but teams, celebrities, things and people I will probably not come into contact with. As there is a distinct possibility I could one day meet some of the Sabres, I choose to abstain from becoming obsessed with them as individuals and choose to know their stats and possibly where they were born and thats about it. I don't generally care to know if they're married or have a girlfriend or if they have children.

Ok so we recently beat the Flyers in 2 games in 2 nights. I decided to peruse the Flyers website only to discover this:

Ok so no matter how many times I attempt to link to the video it doesn't work, so if you really feel motivated go to the Flyer's website and find it.

Its just them reading Twas the Night Before Christmas. It's so awkwardly funny and especially Marty Biron (for those who don't know he's the 4th to read and the Sabres former goaltender) He has the greatest accent. And then, because they like dangling him out in front of the media, Daniel Briere gets the very last line of the story. Oh man I laughed a lot at this. Especially the ridiculous santa hats they're all wearing. Enjoy.

And I just love this picture and like to post it wherever and whenever I can:

The guy dressed as John McEnroe circa 1981 is Paul Gaustad, highest penalized player on the team thus far and resident SabreHottie, (check out those thigh muscles). The gent on the left is the hope and future of the Buffalo Sabres (as his contract length and amount would indicate). Yes, kiddie bike helmet and all, this is the future of the Buffalo Sabres, #26, Thomas Vanek.

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Location: Kenmore, NY

12/03/07 07:34 - 26ºF - ID#42383

Streching it

Hollywood is really stretching it with these "based on a true story black people against the white people inspirational teacher takes rag-tag group of teens and turns them into lean mean school-sactioned team activity playing machines" the latest one I just saw a commercial for is that highly competitive, all the kids want to be the captain of..........the debate team...in what appears to be the 1940s or 1950s.

produced by Oprah, staring Denzel and Forest Whitaker. And that girl who played Michelle Tanner's friend Denise on Full House. Hopefully its better than We Are Marshall which bizombed. It also stars Denzel who helmed one of the greatest high school sports team movies of all time "Remember the Titans". Yesssss

james writes at 09:10:21 12/03/07 - Comment #28821: Minority students are most often poor students or go to a poorly funded school.

If you want to see the poorest, worst performing school in a district, go to the one named after Dr. Martin Luther King. It is really sad that segregation still exists in this way. And cutesy little stories about some intrepid teacher who inspires a class of poor students to excel just seem maudlin and disingenuous.

HA! I am not 100% sure what this movie is even about. I just read Anne's description and it pushed one of my buttons. ^_^

And Peter, I can't tell if I am being for real or sarcastic most of the time. ^_~

libertad writes at 08:32:28 12/03/07 - Comment #28813: I would assume that (e:james) is very sarcastic if not cynical...not in a bad sense. Anyways, the truth is minorities are at a disadvantage statistically, but by being provided with less from the very start contributes to the historical gap in education and economic status in a profound way. I don't even know if that makes sense. All that being said Anne, that movie looks bad.

metalpeter writes at 08:10:13 12/03/07 - Comment #28812: First of all (e:james) I can never tell if you are being real or sarcastic in your comments. But that being said I think these movies to try and remind people that instead of having kids in high school, or droping out to sell drugs. Kids should try hard to stay in shcool and make a better life for them selves. The civil rights movement ended and schools got intergrated but things still aren't close to even. The poor not the black or white kids still get the worset education. I think that the Mega rich hold down the poor and if that means most of them are black also, so be it. I did hear a comedian say about the one about the swim team "Don't waste your time watching it they all drown". Seriously though even if the movie is Bad Denzel will do a great job in it like he does in all his movies. I think this one might have a chance to be good cause it won't be about some guy from a bad hood getting a chance. It will be about someone or some people who can talk and argue and are smart and deserve to be taken seriously. That being said I'm skipping it.

james writes at 07:58:53 12/03/07 - Comment #28810: I have a feeling rich white men are behind these movies.

They want to tell poor minority students in crumbling underfunded schools that they can do great things if they just try harder. Rather than, you know, giving them the same resources well to do white kids have. If they fail, don't win the big game, don't get into Harvard, well... it is because they didn't try enough.

Is Ayn Rand's zombie corpse writing these things?

Permalink: Streching_it.html
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Location: Kenmore, NY

11/28/07 08:03 - 34ºF - ID#42323

After almost 4 years...I've succumbed

I don't get sick. It's like my thing. I hadn't run a fever or been sick other than some sniffles since December of 2003. No exaggeration. I get sick so infrequently that I remember each time I feel crummy.

I started to feel bad last thursday (a week before thanksgiving) and felt bad until thanksgiving, felt better thursday and friday and then saturday felt crummy again. on top of that we always travel during the thanksgiving holiday so I was away from home and my doctor until monday when he scolded me for not coming in for 3 years and then told me I had tonsilitis and sinusitis. Awesome. so I was ordered to stay home until thursday. So Monday-Wednesday has consisted of me sitting on my couch watching tv, checking bad gossip websites, napping and annoying my cat.

I suppose if I only get sick once every 4 years that's not that bad. It's weird, it was almost 4 years to the same weekend because I was sick the first weekend in December and its the last weekend in November. Crazy times.

Taking 3 days off from work has been amazing, I highly recommend it. It's great because I don't feel guilty about it at all, it was doctor's orders. Anytime I take off from work when I don't really need to makes me feel a little guilty. Basically because its really easy to make me feel guilty.

Good times, Sabres are playing well these days *knock on wood* I just knocked on my coffee table.

Come on Sabres!! 6 in a row!!*knock on wood again*

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Location: Kenmore, NY

11/07/07 09:36 - 36ºF - ID#42023

For those that might recall

A few weeks ago I went on a rant about the random guy in my office who has no job description to speak of.

Well earlier this week, I actually saw physical evidence of him working.

I should have taken a picture of it so that I'd have proof. But basically it was a memo to all the attorneys to notify them that it was time to decide how many holiday cards they wanted and to give him back the memo with their name and number requested and that their secretary would take care of sending them out. (technically he's supposed to call us their assistants but I digress)

It was a strange moment to see that he'd actually done something that we could point to and say: Look! Patrick actually doesthings!!!!

What a bright, shiny moment for Lipsitz Green.

In other news, after a friends of mine have and moderate to lots of success on match.com I decided to join. What do I really have to lose? I'm smart enough to know most of the traps to avoid (there could always be crazies out there who have new tricks up their sleeves) and I'm not exactly desperate for love and some of these profiles are good for a few laughs. One guys headline: "If you are what you eat, then I could be you by tomorrow" Simply charming.

So I joined and I've been talking to this guy who seems frighteningly normal...although actuallly a bit talkative (at least online). We had a good conversation going for a while. Although he said some things that were a tad...how shall I put this...gay? I mean its hard to judge because he was typing but he did get really excited when talking about his cat and how his future roommate has 3 kittens are really "tiny and cute". Also the fact that he's moving in with a female friend this weekend seems kind of odd. Now, whatever, I don't care who people live with. He clearly isn't interested in this chick because he's on match.com, but still, its a little odd. (e:mike) I totally have a mission for you regarding this guy, and I know you'll love it.