Tuesday, February 22, 2011

PhD in a single question.

Yesterday at curling, a national (curling) champion asked me this simple question:, "How is school?" Noting my apparent dismay (which was actually due to my inability to converse with a normal human being), he followed up with, "Wait. Let me change that. How is your soul-crushing research experience?" In addition to being a top-rate curler, he also happens to have a PhD in mathematics.

I laughed and gave him a sheepish look as he walked--and then slid-- away. Actually, grad school is great at the mo'. I don't know if I will say the same in a few years when I'll wish I had worked harder right now, but... it's probably good to chill out for a few days... months... quarters?

Friday, February 11, 2011

Seattle's top street murals: Part 4

(Also, parts 1, 2, and 3!)

This series is quickly becoming the U-District's best street murals, but I promise you, this is only because it is winter and I am tooooo lazy to have to take the bus anywhere when it is raining/"cold"/gross out.

I present to you the campus parkway street mural. Created in 2004, apparently by Seattle students, it caused a big whoop at the time, because it looked too much like actual graffiti. And the city of Seattle didn't want to condone graffiti. But then they realized, "Oh, wait, we are Seattle, goshdarnit!" And they changed their minds.

Now that it's a good six something years old, there's graffiti on top of art that looks like graffiti! Meta! This mural is quite extensive, so I'll just include highlights:

See? These people did this art for FREE!


I love when art hits you across the head. It makes me laugh.


I thought this part was particularly sweet. Check out those elaborate tags.
 
Angry waterfall which happens to be below a bridge above burning land (not photographed).


Poseidon, or some awesome water monster rides a majestic seahorse. The angry waterfall (above) is presumably mimicking Poseidon's mood. Or maybe it's just having a bad hair day.


A motley crew of sailors are about to be pwned by Poseidon.

 

Tower of Babel?

 
So colorful!


An accordion snakes around the staircase that leads up to 11th Ave NE.

 
My personal favorite piece. "THIS IS YOUR DEEP SPEAKING TO YOUR SHALLOW." I love when middle schoolers try to be profound.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

American Idol is the best thing that has happened to J-Lo's career since "Jenny From the Block"

Remember when they chose J-Lo for American Idol, to replace Paula Abdul or Ellen? Me neither.

But now her songs are making a comeback. Dance heavy, singing light, her songs always fun but not super memorable. Main themes: (I) She is a real person, who lives on the block. (II) Dancing makes the world better.

J-Lo top (according to me) discography, and fav parts:

  1. Jenny from the Block (2002)- Hands down Ms. Lopez's best song. I) This is the song where she screams across the earthwaves that she is from "THE BRONX!". "Don't be fooled by the rocks that I got/ I'm still. I'm still. Jenny from the block." Then some dude in the background sings "everyone's got to make a living"... just in case you still thought she was selling out.  
  2. Let's Get Loud (2000) - J-Lo's best dance song. "Let's get loud! Let's get louuud! Let's get louuuuuuuuud!" 
  3. Ain't It Funny (Alternative Version) (2001)- A new favorite of mine, only because of the video. J-Lo becomes a gypsy, and dances You Got Served style in the center of the gypsy camp. 
  4. Love Don't Cost a Thing (2000) - The lyrics to this song are key. "Think I wanna drive your Benz? I don't."
  5. Ain't It Funny (2001) - Umm this is some key Ja Rule (the early 00's best known sh*t rapper). "Baybay. Is that your girlfriend? I've got my boyfriend. Maybe we can be friends." 
  6. Play (2001) - (II) "Feels so right that it can't be wrong".Wannabe electro influences. 
  7. I'm Real (2001) - (I) "I live my life to the limit and I love it". Because anything featuring Ja Rule  has to be included.
  8. All I Have (2003) - J-Lo singing a slow song. With LL Cool J. (I): "I'm good/ Reppin' the girls on the block.
Sorry, J-Lo, "Waiting for Tonight" and "If You Had My Love" don't make the cut.

Looking to the future, J-Lo is supposedly releasing a new album ("Love?") this year. I'm not sure if this is really a single from the album (it's supposedly getting released on Tuesday...), but in the first 45 seconds you can tell it's already good: it's dance heavy, uses the phrase "It's a new J-LoRation", "references Inception, and might (?) include the word "badonkadonk".