Florence + The Machine - Shake It Out

I can't wait for this new album to be released.

Just a little something I wrote, once upon a time...

Want You

I am not going to say that I want you.

You wouldn't believe me anyway;

Not that I don't appreciate that fact,

I sympathize with your need to have proof

Of such things as: Want... and Love.

Declarations are used all the time by claimants

"I WANT you" "I NEED you" "I LOVE you"

But not me, not today.

I already said, I am not going to say that I want you.

Who would want to deal with the hours? Seriously.

Playing games, listening to music, watching the longest movie EVER.

Talking about things of greater substance than the casual

"How are you?"s "What do you do?"s & the "Oh My God, girl, did you hear?"s

The fluff is so much easier to digest.

And I am sure one trick or another would be pleased to discuss them at great length...

WELL, maybe not GREAT length

Oh and by the way, I am not going to say that I need you, either.

I wouldn't begin to know where to put someone so complex.

It is not because I have so many complexities myself.

Rather, I do not have the experience in peeling an onion.

A layer, a layer, a layer...each more uncertain than the last.

I am sure like an onion, there would be crying with each unraveling.

There has got to be a person less intense...

But, I assume not quite as interesting.

So, what if I did say that I want you?

I have some hours to spare in my life.

Perhaps, I have nothing better to do.

But, if I keep thinking that way, does that make you the best use of my time?

I admit I like the games, I enjoy the music & the videos have been wonderful.

AND, perhaps your complexities and the substantial conversations are welcome.

Maybe there would not be much crying, a few shed tears, more smiles and laughs.

Spending time until the morning sun rises over the city.

Maybe, I do need that in my life.

Maybe, I have not had that kind of real moment.

Maybe, I could hear more about the pains & joys of growth.

Maybe, I need the challenge to my thoughts.

And Just Maybe, you are the one to provide that.

Maximizing Economics Students

I have a class that meets Monday, Wednesday & Friday each week from 12:30p-1:20p. At the beginning of this class there is a quiz of five questions on the readings for that day's lecture (Approximately 30 quizzes for the semester). The lowest 10 quizzes are dropped & there is usually anywhere from 1-2 pt curve per quiz with an additional +1, if you provided a face pic for the professor's seating chart. So, clearly all you have to do is show up for the quiz, get 2-3 questions correct on 20 of them and you have a perfect quiz score for the semester.

Now, add in that the professor also posts his notes for the lectures and the PowerPoint presentations that he uses to teach the class. They are cute slides and help convey the material, but the professor himself is rather monotone.

What would be the expected result of the  combined quiz requirement and the note/PowerPoint benefits in a class full of economic students? The result is that a majority of the class decides to leave after the quiz. This allows them to maximize their time, if they a) value leisure over class time, b) have other class work to complete, or c) any other item that the opportunity cost of missing out on would exceed the benefit of staying in class.

The professor, who is a PhD student, should think about writing research on this subject as he has test subjects in front of him...briefly...daily.

Music Video Friday: Eyes By Kaskade Featuring Mindy Gledhill

Until two years ago, I hadn't really heard of Kaskade. I may have heard a song of his or a remix he had done, but I wouldn't have known it. Over the past two years, my boyfriend has slowly introduced me to the music of Kaskade and I've become a fan.

Today's musical interlude is the first single off his soon-to-be-released album. The instrumental track is soothing, foot-tapping, and hypnotic. In short, it's all the good things that a Kaskade's underlying groove has to offer. Mindy Gledhill's vocals are wispy and dreamlike. She delivers the lyrics with a sweet, naïve (in a good way) aching that pulls you in like a gentle tide.

Eyes may indeed be the windows to the soul but ears are the channel to it.

The Greatness of Accepting Death

"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything -- all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. ... Stay hungry. Stay foolish."--Steve Jobs (Stanford Commencement Speech 2005)


I think, this is a profound statement in the way that it lends insight into how highly successful individuals live their lives. If you want to be successful, eliminate the barriers to success: embarrassment, pride, external expectations and fear of failure. Compact, real, possible.

The Hitler Meme

This one is by far my favorite of the "Hitler" series, so I'm posting it everywhere!

Covers...

So, why is it that I only discovered this cover like 2 weeks ago?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyvFhrDzLfY

Life at 34: A Retrospective of Sorts

Be happy. If you want to do something... do it.
Play. And do it everyday. It keeps you smiling.
Smile. And smile. And smile some more.
Love. It's easy. Give openly and willingly to those you care about.
Forgive. You'll feel so much better when you do.
Trust. But only a few.
Have heart. You aren't the only one that feels the way you feel at any moment.
Cry. If you hurt. You're human, it's allowed.
Make friends. Hold them close and cherish the times you spend with them.
Call your mother. She'll appreciate it. Especially, if it is just to say, "I love you."
Be present. I can't stress this enough. Put the phone down during dinner.
Be happy. Be alive.