Live From The Library September 30, 2008

To start off, the Farm Aid concert was simply epic. I wrote a 510 word article about it for the Connector…and here it is!

<!– @page { size: 8.5in 11in; margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } –>

Music for a good cause is what Farm Aid is all about. This year bands from all over headed to Massachusetts to give local farmers the support and recognition they deserve. With doors opening at noon and acts starting an hour after, it was literally a day filled with live music and homegrown food. No matter what time anyone arrived there was always something going on. The first couple acts were relatively short, with bands such as One Flew South and The Elms playing fifteen minute sets. Around two o’clock the weather, crowd, and musicians started heating up. Arlo Guthrie who was in Lowell this past August took to the stage with his blue guitar and humor, notably playing “I’m Changing My Name to Fannie Mae”.

There was only a few minutes to wait between each act and the wide variety of artists allowed the audience to chose when they wanted to sit and when they wanted to stretch out and walk around. Outside the seating area was a “Homegrown Village”. There were typical merchandise booths but also displays that helped educate the public on the benefits of family farming. The food was pricey but organic and unique. People walking around with grilled corn on the cob was a common sight at this event.

Around four o’clock you could catch Jakob Dylan who played a mild but strong set. To pick things up again was none other than the legendary Jerry Lee Lewis. His body may have been slower but his fingers moved just as quick as he belted out “Great Balls of Fire”. For the younger generation of country-music lovers was Kenny Chesney who did a duet with Willie Nelson at the end of his set. Nothing however could of prepared the audience for what was coming next.

It was nearing seven and the sun was almost set. There was not a seat empty in the house as the audience crowded in waiting to see the first of four great men, the founders of Farm Aid. The light cast onto the stage was a dusky purple which set the mood for Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds. The crowd was more than pleased as they sung along to hits such as “Crush” and “Ants Marching”. Kicking it up after was Mellencamp with a powerful performance of the meaningful “Rain on the Scarecrow” and ending with one of his first hits, “Pink Houses”. Neil Young took stage next at nine and brought us back to the Crazy Horse days with “Powderfinger”. He abandoned his guitar for a soulful and appropriate version of “Mother Earth” on the organ and ended his hour-long set with a guitar breaking rendition of the Beatles’ “A Day in the Life”. As the crowd started thinning out Willie Nelson came on and the audience used their last burst of energy singing along to the the classic “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys”. Soon enough the night ended and many reflected that music with a message is always the way to go.

School was going good but I just got out of my Art History class…and I think I bombed the test. I’m not the only one because I was speaking to some of my classmates and they all had a hard enough time with the identifications too. I know I would have done better I just need to study harder next time and not have a stressful night. I have Bible Lit next and I think we’re watching a movie. That’ll be a nice break.

I finally started working on that damn Human Values paper. I’ve got two pages in…so only five more to go. Not bad considering the two pages are on one reading, and have about three or four more to discuss. I hate working on stuff the last minute but at the same time it really makes me concentraite and and focus better on what I need to do. I know I’m not ADD but something is going on up there that makes me so…unfocused? Strange. I don’t know.

Anyways. Been looking around for an apartment. I really love the Dutton Street apartments but the cheapest one is 900 a month. I could pay it easily in the summer but right now I’d probably have to get a second job. Something crappy like retail probably. Ick. Riverplace towers is a little cheaper but I don’t know how I feel about high-rise living. Kinda scary. A roomate would be nice but a two-bedroom is so much more expensive. And I don’t have anyone that I can share a bed with, obviosuly.

Oh well, I know something will come through in the long run. Maybe if Sarah ends up going to UML she can move in with me and pay muchos less on tution. -sigh-

I’ve gotta get to class.

Tired. September 18, 2008

I have so much on my plate right now, it’s not even funny.

But as busy/exhausted as I am, I’m really happy that I’m getting my school work done, I’m working, I’m making good money, and I’m involved with the paper and submitting reviews for every issue. I just submitted my book review, which will make this my 3rd review published. I’m really happy about that. I know its not HUGE to be published in the school paper but it is college (a higher standard) and it’s a start. Who knows, maybe this is perhaps a field I would be interested in. Being a critic could tie in nicely to my field of study.

Yeah, I’m pretty happy right now.

How ’bout I make my own scene? September 16, 2008

Last night I posted those stereotypes upon the realization that not only am I a combination of those listed but I’m really just of mesh of my own “thing”. I know that a lot of people probably say that, and it is true but also a lot of people do conform terribly to a group. Not that I really want to define myself but I need something to sum myself up, you know? Its very hard to simply describe my likes and dislikes and when asked, for example, what I like for music I often list a fair vareity of bands. So I think I finally found a phrase…which was actually inspired by my days with Nate (not that I really want to remember those days because ick but whatever, ya know?).

I’m Amy.

I’m an alternative folk-indie rock kid.

Eeesh, sounds confusing!! Haha. I give up.

Anyways…only 4 more days until Farm Aid!!

I have a feeling that it’s going to be freakin cold!!!

College Stereotypes. September 15, 2008

I was on this website that listed the basic categories of college students. It was pretty damn accurate and I tried to pick out the ones that I was basically a combination of and posted ‘em here for my (and your) amusement. Here’s the site if you wanna check it out: http://www.askstudent.com/funny/summary-of-99-of-the-people-you-will-meet-in-college/

THE STUDIO ART MAJOR:
The S.A.M. totes around a humongous portfolios (often containing works of art only other S.A.M.’s can appreciate) manages to whack near passersby’s and destroy other objects in their path. The studio major whine’s about spending all their money on ridiculously expensive studio supplies, yet they have enough for a regular smoke…you know, for the stress. Unfortunately, studio courses are inhumanely time-consuming, so the S.A.M. are almost always held up in the studio labs, yet the degree is absolutely worthless, thus resulting in a downward mental spiraling of the said major students. You could spot them easily by their odd sense of “fashion”, consisting of articles such as striped socks, ripped jeans and unsightly hairstyles. The best way to test if an individual is a studio arts major is to ask him/her to help you count, as most can’t do math to save their lives.

THE INDIE KID
The indie kid is the guy/girl who wear nothing but vintage cloths purchase from thrift stores and listens to music by bands that nobody has ever heard of. Indie kids stick together, always involved in some sort of “intellectual” conversation about a worldly event (past or present) that everybody is not talking about. Often times the indie kid will go out of his or her way to mention something obscure to give themselves “indie cred”.

ACTIVIST ANNIE
Somewhat related to the man-hating feminist but has plenty more to piss her off than just men. Needs to get involved in every civil rights or ultra liberal campaign that has ever been mentioned on campus. Tries to make a cause out of every problem anybody has with authority, no matter how absurd or completely unfounded the complaint.

And that there my friends, is Amy in a nutshell.

Dance Fucker Dance! September 14, 2008

New Offspring? Oh yes.

Still lovin’ school. I’ve even warmed up to British Women Novelists. So far…all A’s on my papers. It feels great to be doing so good again.

Hanging with Sarah when I can, which is great since she’s the only real friend I have left around here. James of course isn’t too far away though and we’re going to Farm Aid this Saturday! Rocky Horror on Halloween in Dartmouth. Can’t wait to see the 20 cent crew again!!! Been hanging at Sharon’s once a week. It’s a really nice escape. Trying to get Bernard involved with newspaper…hopefully he’ll come this week. Which reminds me, I need to call Jim. Adios!

Connector. September 10, 2008

If you go to UML, pick up this weeks publication of the Connector and check the Arts and Entertainment section. I may have an article in there…ok, I do!!! Go read it!! Now!!

Aside from that I have one thing to blog about: creeps. Yesterday around 530 I met my first real creep at UML. At UMD you could find them no problem but UML thus far has been good. So I was sitting outside of the McGauvran last evening waiting for the newspaper meeting to start. So, I’m sitting on the stone steps reading when all of a sudden this guy comes up to me and says “have you ever had to end a perfectly good relationship because of an uncontrolled circumstance?”. I replied, “no, mine usually crash and burn and so ending them is totally justified”. Then he went on and on about drunken sex. Now, this wasn’t some half stoned jock or even an acid tripped hippie talking to me. It was some geeky, mama’s boy that clearly had some mental issues (perhaps a form of autism?). Then he just got really creepy and asked if I was looking to date someone. I promptly replied “no, I’ve given up on that shit and I don’t need anybody” (which is true, I don’t need anybody but it would be nice to cuddle up at night and have someone to support me). To which he said (and this is the point where I, yes me, got totally disgusted) “as long as you have your two fingers right?”. Excuse me? Was this kid who I met like five minutes ago just suggest masturbation to me? Are you kidding me? I just sat there absolutely shocked. Luckily his mother called and he dashed away before anything else could be said. That though, was seriously fucked up beyond all belief. I mean, I’m a pretty open person but I at least I get to know someone before go all sexual on them! Eeesh!!!!

God, men are gross sometimes.

On the bright side: I came out as Catwoman on one of those Batman Personality Tests.

Stress, much? September 7, 2008

I’m beginning to kick myself for taking four literature classes this semester. I have so much reading and writing to do this weekend it’s crazy. It doesn’t help that I work a 10 hour day on Saturdays, so really Sunday is my only day to play catch up. I have no time to go out…it’s nuts. Three day weekends are going to be a blessing. But I suppose I can’t complain too much. I love all my classes (with the exception of British Women Novelists. Those girls are effin crazy!). And I am thankful that I was able to keep my job over the fall. Not being totally broke is awesome.

Ur So Gay… September 2, 2008

and you don’t even like boys!

Sorry, the song is playing and I couldn’t think of any better titles.

So. I just found out that my advisor at UML is basically the liason to everything Jack Kerouac! She has concentrated in beat studies as well as African American lit. I’ve been reviewing all the options for my major and I realized that half the class I’m taking fall under the class, gender, and ethnicity option. So who knows, maybe I’ll get to do womens studies after all! Very exciting…I can’t wait to start classes tomorrow. Also, The Connector has a metting tonight and I think I’ll go, just to see what it’s about and maybe meet some new people. Yay!