Another Blog!

FYI, I write about music/tech/law issues on a weekly basis at Music Biz Blog. It's part of my tutorial on music business in the digital age. Enjoy and happy reading!

Batsh*t Crazy

Sorry for lack of posts, readers. I have been swamped with too much activity, and I'm feeling the poise I had first semester melt away. I've hung in there so far, but I don't think I can inch so closely to due dates for much longer. The work is not too hard, far from it. It's just too much.

I am an advocate of working from home. I churn out my best writing and complete my most focused reading sitting at my desk in front of my lap top. I can talk to myself out loud (a pseudo- only child syndrome), I can snack whenever I want to, and I can listen to music without headphones. I listen to soothing study music; music that comforts me or reminds me of my past. This semester, my ch'i (qi) has been interrupted. Two of my classes require I leave the sanctity of my room to complete assignments in the production studio. Another two require I complete listening assignments of music that neither calms me nor reminds me of anything aside for the homework I yet to complete. In addition, I'm writing a thesis I have trouble caring about. I live due date to due date with little inspiration in between. And it's not that I don't want to care. It's that there is no time to care.

I am not at peace! I am away from my cozy house for more hours in a day than I prefer. I'm completing assignments that take hours each, as I fiddle with software, microphones, and plead with the Gelardin Media Library staff. It's not that I didn't know that I'd have listening assignments or that I'd have to use the Production Studio when I signed up and decided to go for the double major. It's that I didn't sum these things up. I didn't anticipate how, combined, they would drive me crazy.

What keeps me sane are nights in. After 9 hours of work on a Saturday, I'd rather watch some tv than go out. St. Elmo's Fire on Hulu. Downloading episodes of The L Word. Playing some guitar. I went out last night, and I had fun. I regret not seeing friends more often. I know time is short, but I'm going crazy. I must spend more time at home. If I'm in my room, I am not doing nothing. I am recuperating. I am watching You've Got Mail. I am wearing my high school sweat pants. I am doing everything.

Don't worry, readers. I'm doing fine and even doing fun things. I saw Les Mis for the first time on Friday for my housemate's birthday! I went to amazing DC Policy Day put on by Future of Music Coalition! I'll be back talking about fun things soon. Until then... I'm crazy.

Busy Bee

Factors preventing me from blogging:

1.) tests
2.) thesis proposals (thesis topic... TBA)
3.) parents' weekend
4.) fancy dinners
5.) work

But hurrah! I have a cell phone. I'll hopefully be back in action Wednesday after attending Future of Music Coalition's DC Policy Day.

Loving Things: Furni Creations

As most of you know, I'm a lover of things. I love bikes, watches, sneakers, sunglasses, etc. This is not to be confused with a love of brand names; I just love the aesthetics of things.

This is why I recently purchased the Farmer watch, a collaboration between Cool Hunting and Furni Creations. It caught my eye when it was spotlighted at Cool Hunting, one of my favorite blogs. So white, so crisp, so delicious. Since living in London, I've worn a watch everyday and have slowly accumulated a few. This was the perfect addition to my small collection. I slapped it on my wrist, set the time, and delighted in my time warp back to the 80s. A week later, I noticed it was running slow.

I sent an email to Furni owner Mike Giles, and he graciously offered to send me a replacement. Two weeks later, I'm delighting in my bright red Raised By Wolves watch.

I like to support independent designers like Furni, but even more, I like stellar customer service. This sounds like a cheap plug for Furni, but I'm just reveling in the fact that I was treated so well. Lesson learned: buy from companies you're passionate about. And if you're not passionate about companies, well, start getting fired up.

Disclaimer: I've worked part-time in retail for the past 4 years. And I love things.