Life Highlights: Long Day of Travel

 Before leaving, I got to see this lovely yesterday! So happy to have been reunited with Lisa for an hour in Bryant Park.

This morning I woke up in New York, but tonight I will be sleeping in Oregon! It's going to be a full day of travelling, but worth it to see family and friends again. Although I will admit to an odd feeling of homesickness for New York already - especially watching the sun rise over the skyline on the way to the airport today.

I have worked hard these past few months to build a life in the City, and despite the fact it's far from perfect or completely established, I'm happy to say that I've made a lot of progress in the short time I've been here. I have at least three friends that I have regularly seen in multiple social settings, I have a job that pays the bills and helps me build my resume to work in the entertainment industry, I have somewhat figured out my way around Manhattan, and I have my "favourite haunts" already throughout the City. It very much so feels like my "real" adult life (Oregon being my childhood and California being my college days), so going away from it feels very strange - even if it's just for 10 short days to celebrate the holidays.

But aside from this odd sensation of wistfulness, I am excited to see my friends and family. My cousins from out of state are even coming to celebrate our grandfather's birthday party tomorrow! So it will be a whirlwind of visits and catching up, I'm sure. And before I know it, I'll be back to the "real world" of living in Manhattan again.

Life Highlights: Heading Home

Last Looks Before I Go Home

Not a lot of time to write today - I've been preparing to go home to Oregon tomorrow! So more about all of that good stuff later! But suffice it to say I'm already preemptively missing all my favourite spots here like Dean & DeLuca while I'm also excited to go home!

David Bowie: I'm Not Too Sure of the Words

Iman's post from her Harper's Baazar interview on Instagram

Yesterday Iman posted this wonderful article from her interview in Harper's Baazar on Instagram.  By far the best part was the last portion of the essay, where Iman mentions her late, great husband (The David Bowie).  She writes about preparing her speech for accepting the CFDA's 2010 Fashion Icon Award:

I then wrote my speech and ran it by my husband [the late David Bowie].  He made sure that I rehearsed.  He said, "I don't want you looking at teleprompters.  It's your speech; you should know it."  I was like, "God, don't make it so difficult." 

Only a performer like him would know something like this, because when the dress arrived he told me to try it on with the heels and say my speech.  And  I forgot half of it.  He said, "That's why dress rehearsal is done.  You put on the clothes, you stand there, and you will feel it."  Thank God I had him to walk me through that.

I loved imagining the always fabulous, confident Iman stumbling over her words, and Bowie (the iconic musician and stubborn perfectionist) coaching her every step of the way.  But what struck me the most is how hilariously he didn't follow his own advice.

Granted, as a younger man you can see that he completely embodies a character whenever he performs - whether as someone like Ziggy Stardust and Halloween Jack or as the ultimate character of BOWIE himself.  In all of his performances from the 1980 Floor Show to the Diamond Dogs/Soul Tour and Glass Spider Tour, to on stage with Cher or on the Dick Cavett Show to his amazing music videos like those for "Space Oddity" and "Ashes to Ashes", Bowie is the consummate performer.

However, after the 1980s Bowie jokingly refers multiple times to how he needed a book with him to remember his lyrics.  During his interview with Jonathan Ross in 2003, Bowie jokingly responded to Ross, who had asked if he had learned the words to the new songs yet, with the remark:

I've got a big book over there with the words in it.  Well, the amazing thing is - it's an incredible thing - if I don't have the book with me, I will definitely forget the words.  If I've got the book out there - as long as it's turned at the right page, I'll remember the words to the song that I'm doing.  It's really odd.

Granted, his career spanned over fifty years - it would be hard for anyone to recount every single song (Bowie has easily written over 1000 compositions throughout his career).  However, his repeated use of this lyrical cheatsheet even extends to well-known hits like "Let's Dance" (as evidenced by this Instagram interview).

Additional jokes about his musical repertoire can be seen on his 2002 A&E special and during his performance at the Bridge School Benefit in 1996.  And even before "The Book" you can see evidence of Bowie forgetting his own lyrics from his performance on the BBC in 1971 when he nervously introduces his performance of "Kooks" around the 2:34 mark of "Almost Grown" before bleeding into a different version of "Kooks" than what's on the album.  He says, "It's called Kooks - K-double O-K-S.  I'm not too sure of the words cause it is new..."  Not to mention other live performances of his where he will mix up small words or phrases (or even re-arrange whole stanzas).

So, in short, although Bowie may have been one of the best performers to ever grace the stage and one of the best writers to ever live, I chuckle every time I think about the fact that he forgets his own lyrics.  It just goes to show that even the best of us need to rehearse - and even then sometimes we get it wrong.

Life Highlights: A Quick Temp Gig

New York at Night - What a Sight!

Life is pretty strange.  Today was a lovely day - after running some errands downtown this morning, I came back home to pack for my trip and relax.  All in all, everything was set to be quiet day (I had already changed back into my pjs around 1pm and turned on Star Trek on cable).

However, around 14:30 I received a call from the temp agency.  Hoping to hear more about a temp position at HBO they had emailed me about earlier this morning, I was surprised to hear that they were in need of a last-minute temp at a place called Blackstone.  Aside from thinking about the unfortunately named dorm at Biola, I wasn't really sure what else the company was (other than probably something legal and boring).  However, I had no reason not to go - it would be more experience on my resume, I had nothing else to do for the rest of the day, and I could make a few extra dollars - so I said yes.

Even better, I learned I would be paid as if I had worked for four hours of work, rather than the mere two and a half that I would actually be there for.  After running around to put on respectable "business, corporate" clothes, I made it to the office at 15:30, only to find I was filling in as a receptionist on the top floor of the building! Yes, once again I, Jade Herbert, was picked to be the receptionist on the CEO-level, and I must admit that I could get used to the luxury the topmost fancy people live in.

Although nothing like Sony (I'm wearing a full business suit and there's no David Bowie playing in the lobby), the building still offers a stunning wall of windows with a spectacular view (CEOs and Presidents get some great scenery, I reckon).  It's also beautifully decorated - exactly like what I imagine a fancy law firm or a Wall Street tycoon would have - lots of dark wood paneling, leather couches, tasteful vases, a beautiful staircase, and discrete offices which line the hallways.  It almost looks like something out of a movie (or rather, I suppose I'm seeing the inspiration for most movies about New York corporate spaces).  In a lot of ways, temping feels like playing dress-up and walking onto a new film set.  I don't think I would like to work in the corporate world (non-entertainment, that is) every day, but it's fun to pretend for a few hours, learn a few skills, have an inside look at a new company, and get paid for it.

It's a long way down onto E 52nd St

The funniest thing to me is that after arriving here the name seemed familiar to me for some reason.  After meditating on it, I realised why - one of the very first people I met before going to Biola was a guy named Taylor.  He was also a part of the Honour programme, studying poly sci, before he transferred to Penn.  We are still Facebook friends, etc. (all the social media connections), but I haven't been in contact with him since moving out to New York.

I heard that he was out here, working at some firm or another, before I realised that the reason I knew the name was because he posted a while back about being hired at a company called Blackstone! After a quick cross-reference, I confirmed that the addresses of his Facebook company and the building were the same.  More than that, I found out that the original floor I had checked in at was the one he worked on! Although I didn't see Taylor, it did remind me of what a small world it really is, and how God works in mysterious ways, bringing back connections (however vaguely) you never thought you would see again.

Life Highlights: It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Handel's Messiah (standing ovation) at Carnegie Hall

Today I got in the festive spirit! Yesterday I didn't move from bed (physical rest), while today I was out all day participating in spiritual rest.  I went to church to hear the first service in advent before going down to SoHo to continue my Christmas shopping (mixed with getting some soup from Dean & DeLuca) before going to see Handel's Messiah at Carnegie Hall with my friend Crystal! Then we went to TGI Friday's for dinner before wandering around 5th Ave and Madison looking at all the decorations at Rockefeller Center, Saks 5th Ave, and St. Patrick's Cathedral.  It was truly a blessed day!

Most importantly I want to say how much High Art like Handel's music gets me on fire for God! I definitely short-changed the piece when I listened to it last year for Torrey (I did it in a rush, like all good Torrey students), so revisiting it was a huge blessing.  Originally, I was supposed to go with my friend Gretchen, but unfortunately, she got strep throat at the last minute.  So instead I invited my friend Crystal from church.  We had an amazing time - it was my first time at Carnegie Hall and I can't imagine a better "first show" to see there than a beautiful concert dedicated to Christ!

Firstly, the concert reminded me of how special writing and music are as art forms.  God chose music to be played in the Temple of the Israelites in the Old Testament, and there are many Biblical examples of songs/poetry used for communal worship.  He also chose writing to be the medium to convey Himself and the Good News to us over the millennia - the artform which holds Divine Revelation itself.  And hearing the two come together in such a harmonious and pleasing way moved me to tears.  It's perhaps one of the most direct forms of worship I've ever had the pleasure to experience.

Handel beautifully captures the layered relationship we have to Christ.  Despite it being a (clearly) Christocentric piece, most of the work presents Him in light of humanity and our response to Him.  Part 1 is all about the prophecies of a Saviour to save a wicked humanity that is in darkness before celebrating His birth which promises to bring us out of it.  Then Part 2 also begins with how we despised Him and broke His heart with our hatred before it juxtaposes it with His ultimate faithfulness and trust in God, culminating in His glorious Resurrection.  Finally, Part 3 appeals to us to cast away our flesh and put on Christ and His immortality, celebrating His eventual Triumph in the Second Coming.  As Crystal pointed out, what's particularly lovely about this is that Handel doesn't stop with Christ's birth - he goes on to portray His Passion and how all of Christ's life, death, and life (again) are integral in our Salvation (something that most of the Christmas season doesn't talk about).

What I found most striking was how I finally understood why the infamous "Hallejuah" piece isn't the end of the work, despite it being the obvious candidate as a finale.  Although the immediate pieces before it build the anticipation to dizzying highs (repeating over and over again how Christ shall break the chains of death), the entire work before it also seems to be slowly building to the startlingly beautiful climax of His triumph over death.  So it should be the finale, right? Well Handel has a larger idea of Salvation than Christ's Resurrection in the past.  His call to us to put on Christ (using Scripture from Job, 1 Corinthians, Romans, and Revelation) and embrace His love and blessings for us makes way more sense.  It is a reminder of the active work of Salvation that is happening Now and in the Future, rather than an event that happened in the distant past.  It's a call for us to embrace Him and His blessings for us, as well as to celebrate the hope we have in His triumphant Victory over all when He returns.  It's precisely this participation that illuminates that the Messiah is not something to be held apart, but rather an entreaty for us to have a relationship with Him.  It's a chance for us to celebrate and exhalt our triumphant Saviour as well as a celebration of His love for us.

I also loved how the performance once again illuminated for me the sharp contrasts between humanity and Christ.  We despised Him, condemned Him to death, and broke His heart with our wickedness and rejection of Him.  Handel beautifullly portrays this sorrow over and over again throughout the work by having all the solos, choir, and orchestra pick up this theme multiple times.  He also touches on how we infight with each other, squabbling in the darkness, repeatedly throughout the work.  However, despite all of our evilness, Handel interweaves it with beautiful passages and music that demonstrate how God used our wickedness and transformed our hatred into unconditional, steadfast love.  It is Christ's ultimate sacrifice for us that is fulfilled by our wicked actions and condemnation of Him.  In short, God used our hatred and transformed it into being the vehicle in which we are given the most unconditional of boundless love He holds for us.

So overall, this piece reminded me once more what a HUGE blessing Christ, and His love for us, truly is.  I still honestly can't fathom how much God loves us despite our wickedness, and how He continually chooses to bless us when we do nothing to earn His favour.  It truly is the pinnacle of Goodness and Beauty, which Handel lovingly captures in this work.  And I can think of nothing better to "kick off" the Christmas season than a celebration of why the heck we celebrate it in the first place.  The Birth of Christ marks the beginning of promises God has (and will) fulfill to save humanity, and the gift He has given us to participate in a new relationship with Him.  One that is full of forgiveness, grace, and love.  And that seems like a pretty good reason to celebrate to me.

As a side note, in many ways, On the Incarnation would be the perfect companion piece to this lovely work.  

Life Highlights: Getting Ready for Christmas

When you want to decorate for Christmas, but you're on a budget (or as Annaliese called it: yaaasss minimalist xmas aesthetic, or as I called it: leftovers from a film thing)

Now that Thanksgiving is over and my last day at the restaurant is complete, I am getting extremely excited for Christmas! Although I will be spending the actual day of Christmas in New York, I am going home on Thursday to have an early celebration! I have thankfully already finished my Christmas shopping, and I've been enjoyimg watching bits and pieces of the City getting into the festive spirit these past few weeks (obviously starting in all the shops).

I still have a few errands to run, things to pack, and all that jazz, before my flight on Thursday, but I have plenty of time to take care of everything now that I don't work at Mercer anymore! So today was a much needed, well deserved rest day for me! I didn't leave the apartment once - and I know my sore body is extremely grateful for that!

In terms of "Christmas wishlist" items, it's mainly seeing my friends and family and "paying rent". However, aside from that, I recently realised I need a pair of earmuffs and a new black purse (my current one is slowly but surely approaching it's "last legs" stage - a lot of the leather around the strap is peeling), while more frivolously, I've been looking at new duvet covers (since my current one I bought for my freshman year in college) and of course books, books, and more books (right now I want to buy Tolstoy's essay on "What is Art?"). But by far my best "self Christmas present" was what I bought myself months ago - tickets for the David Bowie Is exhibit in March! I am counting down the days until it's a reality.

But in order to properly get "into the spirit" of things, I finally got around to making a Christmas playlist on Spotify, although I haven't arranged the songs in any particular order (I've just put the whole thing on shuffle). It's rather odd to take a break from what's normally Bowie 24/7, but not to worry - I still included his rendition of "Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth" with Bing Crosby (which was recorded in 1977).

Life Highlights: Last Day at Mercer

The weird place underground known as "Sub Mercer" where I enjoyed my Thanksgiving dinner yesterday. I always thought it looked like a speakeasy or a haunted lounge from a spooky film

After languishing over the decision to work in a restaurant two months ago, I finally decided to take a leap of faith and put my two weeks in at the restaurant! So after much anticipation (mixed with attempting to balance temp opportunities and church schedules), my final day at Mercer has finally come!

Although the pay was small, the public horrendous, the hours long, the physical demands exhausting, and the work menial, I will still miss the place in my own way - most particularly (and obviously) because of the people.

Working at The Mercer Kitchen was my first step at establishing a life here in New York City, and the people I met there were my first friends I made. I will really miss my fellow host team of Shelby, Nicolette, Courtney, and Kurly, along with the rest of the front of house team (including the managers).

In honour of the event, I decided to dress up a little before leaving quietly when we close tonight at 1 am (because of course they gave me a last shift as the closing host on Friday). Perhaps one day I will go back and finally try the food there (it always smelled really good).

But for now, I am devouring the fact that today is my last shift and at this time next week I will be back home in Oregon!

Life Highlights: Happy Thanksgiving

All I've done
I've done for me
All you gave
You gave for free
I gave nothing in return
And there's little left of me
All the days of my life
All the days of my life
All the days I owe you 

                          -- "Days", David Bowie

A Very Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!! I am reminded today of how thankful I am for all the blessings the Good Lord has bestowed and to praise Him for all that He has done for me!

I unfortunately worked for 11 straight hours today, so no time for an in depth post about thankfulness and gratitude. Instead, here's the text from David Bowie's own blog that commemorated the 2001 holiday:

Happy Thanksgiving To All

"Not exactly what I meant by a nice bird with a big chest...however."

Thank god heaven left us, Standing on our feet...

It's the third Thursday of November and that means Thanksgiving in the US of A. For the benefit of some of us Europeans that are wondering why we're getting no e-mail from our American friends today, it's because they're too stuffed to move.

Thanksgiving is a time when Americans celebrate, with the aid of food (turkey in particular), the perseverance of the Pilgrims who sailed into Plymouth harbour aboard the Mayflower almost 400 years ago...and it's a nod of appreciation to a rather helpful Abnaki Indian with some pretty useful gardening tips who went by the name of Squanto.

Anyway, you don't need any history lessons from some flaky Limey...so eat, be merry...and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Life Highlights: Sony/ATV

The view from the cafeteria on the 28th floor that I took on Monday

I know I brushed on my experiences at Sony in this blog post, but since it's my last day here, I figured I would do a full commemorative one.

After doing a bit of Googling on my first day, I found out that Sony Music is the second largest record company of the "Big Three" (after Universal and before Warner), and it was originally known as the American Record Corporation before becoming Columbia Records (the name it was known under for most of the twentieth century).  Now, Sony/ATV is technically a separate entity from Sony Music (since it does the publishing and licensing bit of the business), but it's still exciting to work for the same larger corporation that is such a titan in the music industry.  Moreover, because of its history, I was deeply impressed with the amount of songs in their catalogue (which boasts over 3 million in their collection).  The company owns the publishing rights to hits going as far back as the '20s and '30s all the way to this year.  Obviously, the most impressive of which is that I got to work for a company which owns the rights to my favourite Bowie song of all time: "Golden Years".

Aside from the impressive history and catalogue, I've greatly enjoyed my time here - I could definitely see myself happily working at an office similar to this one.  I helped out a little here and there - getting coffee, refilling the fridge, and the like, but for the most part I was left to my own devices.  While here I was able to write on my blog, catch up on email, and (of course) listen to David Bowie - and still getting paid significantly more than my restaurant job and staying off my feet! There was also a lot of free drinks, fruit, and energy bars that, as a post-college graduation young person, greatly appealed to me.  I definitely took advantage of the open fridge policy.

However, more than the work (which, as a temp you basically get all of the pay and exposure without the same level of responsibility) or the free food, what I really enjoyed was the workplace environment.

Everyone here was extremely welcoming - it felt a lot like being the new kid in school.  The office is rather small, so it's no surprise when a new person comes in.  My first day here I was introduced to a majority of the assistants and a few of the executives.  I was able to shake their hands and tell them a little about myself, which was not only great exposure, but also lovely to see that they cared enough to be introduced.  I also got to see how everyone seemed to genuinely care about each others' lives.  It was a true glimpse into a corporate office workplace, but with the added bonus that instead of finances (or paper), the product "sold" here was publishing licenses for great music.

In particular, the executive assistants Emma and Carrie were a bright spot on my time at Sony.  Emma is also from Oregon (Eugene), while Carrie is from London.  It was great to hear a little bit of their stories as well as share my own.  They even liked my David Bowie shirt (yes, the infamous $300 shirt) and my taste in music - so I considered both a great win for everyone involved.  Carrie even advised me about how to get a permanent job at Sony, which was absolutely lovely of her.  Apparently, she also went to film school (but in London), and after working in a bunch of different jobs, she has become an assistant for the past ten years (working as both a personal and executive assistant).  It really is incredibly interesting, the types of people God puts in your life to meet along the way.

Although I am really sad to be leaving such a great workplace, I am truly grateful for how inspired I feel after working here.  In comparison to the restaurant, (where I just felt all my dreams die), I feel like I'm making real progress towards my future.  I'm getting exposure to lots of people in the industry, I get to increase my experience as an office worker, and I get to listen to good music while I'm at it.

Here's to hoping another gig like this comes my way (and this time have it be permanent)!

Life Highlights: Just Can't Concentrate

Sony Square at 25 Madison Ave in Manhattan

I just can't stay focused today for the life of me.  Last night I became really nauseous and had an acute sensation of vertigo that left me feeling rather ill.  This morning it was a little better, but I just can't bring myself to eat anything (proper).  I'm hoping that if I hop down to Dean & DeLuca for some of their delicious soup I will be able to force myself to eat something (and have it stay down).

This morning I've had a persistent headache in my temples and an inability to focus on one task.  In the past five hours I've read dozens of articles, written and abandoned half a dozen articles, replied to a few emails, changed the music in the lobby at least ten different times, and refused to eat anything more than a few mints and some energy bars.

The highlights of my day have been a compliment I received on my excellent Bowie shirt and that I am currently playing his ART in the lobby.  Other than that I can not wait to get off and go home (although first I have to go down to SoHo to get that soup and a thank you card).  Unfortunately I am forced to skip Bible study tonight due to the long hours here, but I really have enjoyed my time at Sony.  I'm sad tomorrow will be my last day, and even more so dreading my last three days at the restaurant (which somehow is still managing to cram 25 hours of work into my schedule).

Therefore, this pitiful blog post may be the only entry for today (despite my other ones being so much better quality).  But hopefully tomorrow I will be feeling better and once Saturday comes around I will officially be free from the restaurant! And perhaps if I'm feeling better (and more focused) I will post one of the articles I started earlier (I still have four hours at work, after all).

In other news, I hope to have yet another gig at a small film production company after Thanksgiving.  God is pretty good (even when I feel miserable).

Current Contemplation: I Was a Bad Film Major

I was never a great "film major" either before, during, or, indeed, after college.

Before college I didn't stay up late watching movies, procrastinate homework by watching endless cinema, mess around with video production in high school (the closest I got was being the yearbook editor-in-chief), or even really make fun short films with my friends.  At best, all I could really say was that I spent hundreds of hours during the summer of 2005 watching the behind the scenes features of Lord of the Rings (extended edition) and endlessly re-watching Benedict Cumberbatch jump off a rooftop (God bless Sherlock).  Other than that, most of my time was taken up by reading, writing, and watching YouTube videos.

During college I enjoyed making student films with my friends more for the company than anything else.  I found I had a passion (somewhat) for movie making - I certainly enjoyed all the laughs I had on film sets and the wonderful disaster that is student film-making.  At the very least I had a great time watching and learning about high art cinema.  And for a while I thought I was going to become an assistant director in the industry.  I devoted almost three years of my undergrad education to learning all the tips and tricks for how to be the best 1st AD in the industry.  However, by my junior year I realised that I wasn't completely happy in film.  Sure, it was (and is) the dominant way we tell stories today, but other than that I really didn't have a passion for it like my other friends.  Or at the very least, my passion certainly didn't manifest itself in the same way - being excited about the "latest gear" (some of my friends know absolutely everything there is to know about cameras), the "latest release" (in Europe, you say? No, I've never heard of it), and the "latest news" (I get it - there's yet another article about inequality in the industry).  The closest I've ever come is to be excited about online and educational content.

Suffice it to say, in my junior year my interests began to wander outside of the film industry.  And, unsurprisingly, my thoughts turned to the music industry at the same time my passionate love affair with all things David Bowie began.  Although I had been obsessed with The Beatles about five years prior, it was Bowie who taught me the art form that is music.  Initially, I wasn't a huge fan of his work.  The only song I knew by him was "Under Pressure", and I thought it was a huge career boost for him to be collaborating with Queen.  However, after a few weeks I quickly realised that he was a musical genius who led the kind of life I wanted to lead.  One where you meet with interesting people, make meaningful art, and collaborate with friends.  I wanted to make a difference and lead a life just like him (minus the cocaine addiction and crazy ex).

Additionally, thanks to the honours programme, I continued to read more than I ever watched.  The hours I spent reading stories, essays, and articles far out passed the time I spent watching movies or television shows (and it still does).  The only thing that would give my reading a run for its money would be the YouTube shows I watch, and even then I still collectively spend more time reading than I do anything else.  I quickly realised I felt more like an "All the Arts!" student rather than a "Film" student.

So by the time my senior year came around, I combined this epiphany with the realisation that the reason I wanted to go into film had stayed consistent.  I had just become more flexible with how I would achieve my goal.  Simply put, I wanted to go into film-making to "help people".  I remembered how much I clung to stories as a means of escape when I was going through hard times during my childhood.  I used film to comfort me when I didn't have anyone else to go to and to allow me to escape from my problems (if only for a little bit).  And I knew that I wasn't the only person to do this little bit of harmless escapism.

However, after becoming (a little less) green (and a lot more into Bowie), I realised that although film "helps people", it is not the only medium to do so.  Art (as in music, painting, film, literature, theatre, etc.) as a whole can do exactly what film does, and in fact it can do more than simply help people escape.  Art can be a spiritually transformative experience which guides people to contemplate the Divine and draw closer to God.

Since I didn't feel constrained to "one art form", I decided to move away from LA (which is where many aspiring filmmakers feel "trapped" into living since most of the industry jobs are located).  I wanted to try and challenge myself personally and professionally so I decided to look elsewhere.  Immediately I wanted to go to London, but without a green card or a student visa it would be difficult to live abroad so quickly.  Therefore, my attention quickly wandered over to the place that Bowie called home: New York City.  Much easier to live in, still far away, and overall still gave me everything I was looking for.  I would be able to have more exposure to a bunch of different art (all within walking distance!) and industries, I would be able to see if I wanted to stay in film, and I would be able to see what Bowie himself saw in his favourite place.

So after the move to the Big Apple, the trend of being a "bad film graduate" remained fairly consistent.  My thoughts turned more to writing over filmmaking or music production.  I was tired of not knowing what I wanted to do, and without a lot of networking, I wasn't able to create any "big time" projects.  I also learned the trick from Bowie that when you get "tired" or "stuck" in your own art form, you should turn to another to help work out whatever problem you're having.

However, since then I've also been taking "temp gigs" to fill my time (as I've previously written about).  So far it's been a great way for me to get an inside look at different companies and meet more people in a lot of different industries.  You may have to be the perpetual "new kid on the block", but you get to have more exposure than on your own.  You also get all the benefits of the paycheque without all of the responsibilities of the job.  In short, it's been a great experience as I'm still trying to figure out what I want to do.

And from here, I've also realised that although I want to work in the entertainment/media industry as a whole, the way I would be working in it can be something I haven't even imagined yet.  I still want to "make a difference" in the lives of others, but I've realised that there's a way to do that which isn't limited to the creation of art.  I can have an impact on the people I work with and encounter every day (it's the "Small Things").  And movies don't "Save People" like how I used to think they did (at best Art can help other contemplate and be more open to the Divine, at worst it's a gimicky, vapid hodgepodge of materials composed for material/earthly gain).  In fact, creating "meaningful" art is an incredibly complex process which I realised I don't have the capacity to create like how I admire (and at times envy) in others.  Instead, I am better at facilitating the process and offering input rather than an outright creation of something new - and I enjoy that (a lot).

For now, I've stubbornly committed to the title of "producer" who wants to work in "children's television", but since working at Sony/ATV for the past two days, I realised yet again that whether or not I firmly want to work in "film" is up in the air.  I thought the matter was settled a few weeks ago, but I keep finding myself falling into music-related things while out here in New York (there must be something in the air).  And to be honest, I like working in the music industry as a "suit".  Sure, it's not the "cutting edge innovation" that I love from Bowie, but to be a part of the same industry he was makes me pretty happy.  The security of a "9-5" that includes weekends and holidays off is also pretty appealing (thank you part-time, minimum wage high school and college jobs).  Not to mention that I've come to terms with the fact that unless I meet an individual I want to collaborate with (for the long-haul) like a Bowie-Visconti partnership, I probably won't want to do (or, indeed, actually become a part of).  Instead, I would be pretty content writing and creating on the side while being a part of a business that furthers the careers of young artists would be pretty rad.  At least for now.

There's still a fundamental part of me that wants to create and has a deep passion for art.  But understanding that I can have that, while also working in a variety of industries in a myriad of ways, is something that's a bit new for me.

So in short, I'm still not a "good film major".  I never really got into movies, and I don't even know if I will still work in my undergraduate field.  But although the film programme I joined was only mediocre for getting a realistic "start" in my industry (I topped out of the production track by the time I was a sophomore), and I wasn't sure I even wanted to go into film by the end of it, I will say that the major was excellent (along with Torrey and Bowie) for shaping my character and identity as a young artist (and businesswoman).  It not only helped me understand more about who I wanted to be, but also the type of workplace I wanted to work in.  And who knows where that will ultimately lead.  Right now, I'm banking on Art.

Life Highlights: A Busy Week

Crystal's friend Preston, me, Michiru, and Crystal posing by the newly decorated Christmas tree at church

Today marks the beginning of what will most likely be my last "long week" for a while. It's a mix of working at Sony for the first half of the week and my last three days at the restaurant for the second half, topped off with going to see Handel's Messiah at Carnegie Hall on Saturday!

There's so much to do I have no idea how I will manage to get through everything, although I am excited to try - especially with the Sony gig, since I would love to work there one day (or in a similar nature with a different company) as an entry level position.

Aside from my crazy to-do list I also had a nice Sunday hanging out with old and new church friends (as pictured above) and packing Christmas shoe boxes at the church. Everything was really great, although at the same time I couldn't help but miss old friends who intuitively understood my jokes and that I didn't have to feel awkward and over-analytical with. However, getting to know everyone more was also extremely valuable and I hope to do so again sometime soon.

I'm really excited to go home to Oregon for a few days next week (!) The only thing that would make it perfect is if I could also see all my California friends and family, although I'm afraid that won't be for a while yet.

In other news, during my downtime tomorrow I hope to write an exciting article on Bowie's use of "call and response" in his music and how that relates to Christianity, to write an outline for the church media I'm helping to create, and to brush up on my general affairs. Working at a music company has been really great at inspiring me to write more about my passion for music history.

Praying for a great week and for my opportunity at Sony to really help me advance forward in my career. (James 4:13-17, y'all - it's my theme verse[s] this season)

David Bowie: Never in the Top of the Pops

Bowie's landmark performance of "Starman" on the British television programme "Top of the Pops" in 1972

As I wrote yesterday, I got my hands on a list of the Bowie songs Sony/ATV owns the publishing rights to, and it's impressive, to say the least (refer to the playlist below).



However, when the book listed all of these songs, it also included it's "Billboard Hot 100"* ranking.  Now, although I rarely pay attention to this list, it is a decent indicator to see what the studios want the public to listen to (and what the masses, in general, are also listening to by sheer radio air play time).  This is what was listed:

"All the Young Dudes" #37 (recorded by Mott the Hoople)
"Changes" #41
"China Girl" #10
"Dancing in the Street" #7 (recorded by David Bowie & Mick Jagger)
"Fame" #1
"Fashion" #70
"Golden Years" #10
"Rebel Rebel" #64
"Sound and Vision" #69
"Starman" #65
"The Jean Genie" #71
"Under Pressure" #29 (recorded by Queen & David Bowie)
"Young Americans" #28

All of the others that are unlisted, but still included in the Spotify playlist didn't break into the Top 100.

Now granted, Sony/ATV certainly doesn't own the rights to every Bowie song (not by a long shot), but the ones that they do own are pretty respectable in their own right.  In fact, these are some of Bowie's most famous songs.  And no one in the music industry (or outside of it) denies the sheer genius and impact Bowie had on both the musical and pop culture scene of the 1970s (and beyond).  To put it another way, in many books about the history of rock'n'roll that I have read, a common breakdown is "from The Beatles to Bowie".  In fact, in the booklet itself, the two highlighted acts are indeed The Beatles for the 1960s and Bowie for the 1970s. 

Yet despite the 1000+ songs Bowie made in over fifty years, his international renown and respect as an artist that changed the face of rock music and pop culture (indeed, the most prominent and important artist since the Beatles agreed upon by fans and critics alike), and the fact that he made a respectable living off of the music he created, it's rather odd to consider that only two of his songs ever hit #1 in the US ("Fame" and "Let's Dance") - so to visually see such minimal representation of his work in the charts is rather jarring.

However, this is rather typical of Bowie's work.  Despite his genius (and his status as a "rock god"), Bowie never really became a commercial success in the way that we think of it today.  "Let's Dance" from 1983 was the peak of his commercial success, and his only competitive Grammy win was for the long-form music video/short film "Jazzin for Blue Jean" from 1984.  That isn't to say he was "short for cash" or "wishing for success".  Many inside and outside of the music industry highly revered Bowie and respected his work, and the man himself was worth around $230 million dollars before his death.  An impressive feat for a "non-mainstream" musician who once joked that he was going to release an album called "4" (in response to the Beatles releasing their "1" album in 2000 which celebrated every "Number 1" hit they had from 1962 to 1970).

Not only does this show how astute of a businessman Bowie really was, but it is also a great example of how the accolades and awards academies may or may not bestow upon an individual is not a guide to whether or not a work is successful or, indeed, worthy of praise.  And as a "five seconds of fame" culture, I think it is more important than ever to remember as an artist to create works that are lasting and meaningful, rather than "just trying to get that one breakthrough hit".  This isn't to say that Bowie himself was so altruistic (indeed, many of his songs were made in an attempt to score that "hit single" - particularly in the American market - and he himself didn't believe there was such a thing as "non-profit art").  Rather, it seems that he was right when he stated, "The only real failure is trying to second-guess the taste of an audience. Nothing comes out of that except a kinda of inward humiliation."

Thus, by working "for himself" Bowie was able to create a lasting career out of an art which, as he described it, had given him, "...over 40 years of extraordinary experiences. I can't say that life's pains or more tragic episodes have been diminished because of it. But it's allowed me so many moments of companionship when I've been lonely and a sublime means of communication when I wanted to touch people. It's been both my doorway of perception and the house that I live in."

And really, in the grand scheme of things, that's the type of career I hope to have in my own industry.


*quick note here to emphasize that all of these rankings are reflective of US chart-listings and not international markets despite my ironic choice to use his performance on a British television show as the opening picture and title inspiration

Life Highlights: Temp Gigs

View from the lobby

I have officially decided I am much better suited to receptionist and office work than anything the restaurant industry has to offer.  I may have to work "longer hours" (and by that I mean a more typical 8-9 hour day rather than a meager 5 hours), but the hourly rate is significantly higher, the physical demands on my body significantly lower, the down time to work on other projects is significantly increased, the temperament of coworkers is significantly improved, and the overall quality of life is radically better.

Although being "the temp" is akin to perpetually being the new kid on the block, the ability to have flexible hours and get insight into a ton of different companies is definitely invaluable.  This may be only my official "second gig" as a temp, but I wouldn't mind if this one was my actual job.  Being a receptionist at Sony/ATV seems like a nice "entry level" position - not too strenuous (insofar as having major deadlines and projects that you have to take home), you're still in the industry (this time it's for music publishing, but it's still entertainment, generally), and it's fairly self-directed and sufficient.  I don't have to report to anyone, I have my own desk, and I am pretty much left to fend for myself.  Not to mention I have a simply gorgeous view overlooking Downtown/Lower Manhattan - in essence, this would be my ideal entry-level position.

It's also great to see more of the business side of entertainment, as per usual, and get an inside look at the inner workings of the whole shee-bang.  Not to mention that I get to play whatever music I want in the lobby, and, really, that is a major bonus (although for fans of my blog, alas, it's not Bowie 24/7 as we're supposed to play "current" or "new" music that the company is publishing).  Which, speaking of, I found a book in the lobby which was internally published that listed their "world's greatest song collections" and HOLY SMOKES! I had no idea that Sony ATV (and EMI) owned the publishing rights to so many classic hits and modern marvels.

Of course, the main players which caught my eyes were: The Beatles and David Bowie.  Which, speaking of the former, the first thing that immediately caught my eye in the work space was a beautiful print of the Fab Four by Terry O'Neill (rock photographer extraordinaire who also captured Bowie during the mid-seventies, most famously during his Diamond Dogs period).  I could instantly tell it was an original, and upon closer examination I was correct - a limited run of "The Beatles Backyard".  Most of O'Neill's prints run for a few thousand dollars, and this one is no exception.  Except, that because it is a limited print, there's not even a price listed.  So it's pretty safe to assume that their pretty wall art (that they have just sitting here by the receptionist desk) costs as much as two months' rent.  Impressive, to say the least.  And I desperately covet it (and all the other memorabilia and music-related decorations that line every office and work space here).

Aside from the excitement I have at the general office space and the company, everyone here is extremely nice and there's lots of free (yummy) snacks and drinks hidden in every nook and cranny of this place (my favourite thing by far).  However, after a short tour of the facilities, I quickly realised every person in this office is a senior level executive or director or vice president of something or other.  Although, I should've probably taken the hint from the fact that the CEO's "corner office", as it were, is literally located just down the hallway from me.  Not to mention that there's a TON of collaborative spaces for song writing, relaxing, and generally taking everything in.  One guy who came in here was super funny, was clearly friendly with the receptionist (and everyone else), and generally a pleasant face to meet.  I come to find that he is a co-writer on the song "Cheers (Drink to That)" performed by Rhianna.

The fact that everyone here seems to be kind and genuinely interested in the well-being of everyone else here (from the assistants and receptionist to the executive directors) is just icing on the cake that I would love to work somewhere like here.  And the receptionist who I'm replacing for a few days is just as kind and interesting as everyone else here.  I really wish that this was the office I worked in every day (or at least something like it).

Below, I offer my Spotify playlist inspired by the book's listing of every Bowie song they own the rights to (hint, it's pretty much almost every major player in the game):

https://open.spotify.com/user/pieces_of_jade/playlist/2XFBIYktKeTdWlf3tyC9wo?si=BXpRGCXLT4637iPUKODjqg

David Bowie: Queen Bitch (Mini-Review)

Bowie during his "Hunky Dory" era in the early 1970s

Oh, the cot is so cold it don't feel like no bed at all,
Yeah I lay down a while and, I look at my hotel wall,
And he's down on the street, so I throw both his bags down the hall,
And I'm phoning a cab 'cause my stomach feels small,
There's a taste in my mouth, and it's no taste at all,
It could have been me, oh yeah it could have been me
Why didn't I say,
Why didn't I say, no, no, no

Today I decided to listen to one of my all time favourite angsty-fun Bowie songs, "Queen Bitch", in an effort to continue on the "feeling feelings while feeling" movement I started yesterday.

I love the youthful angst Bowie puts into this homage to Lou Reed/The Velvet Underground. The (loosely called) love song offers the traditional Bowie twist: despite the fact the eponymous character is the object of his affections (and the main subject of the song), the lyrics are actually dominated by the singer - it is his perspective, feelings, and thoughts we are forced to see the narrative from. As such, he therefore becomes the object of the "relationship" (as it were) rather than the woman. Additionally, because of this, the song also loosely has a "She Loves You" framework - there are three people in the narrative, and the speaker is not apart of the main love story line (and I adore both songs for this reason).

The quoted lyrics are my favourite of the entire song - Bowie completely encapsulates the sensation of betrayal and regret over lost love without becoming a crooning cliche. Instead, the energy of the song and the delivery of the lyrics (more angst-ridden and upbeat rather than forlorn and brooding) lends the singer an element of youthful passion. It's not his one time Great True Love, but a fling he wishes he could've had. As such, the song has a curious duality to it - the singer laments what could've been, but he also recognizes that he is in the prime of youth. He knows that this won't be the last opportunity, as he sings "I could do better than that" repeatedly throughout the song. Thus, he lends the song a more playful tone rather than melancholy.

This lovely contradiction of youth filled with excitement and passion while also bitterly regretful, of lamenting a betrayal while moving on to the next relationship, and the curiously voyeuristic tale while also being extremely intimate is why I always recommend "Queen Bitch" for a broken heart.

All versions of the song are excellent, but I particularly love hearing it resurrected by an older Bowie without the youthful ambition and passion he had at the cusp of breakthrough success underlying the performance. As such later renditions of "Queen Bitch" are always a curious favourite of mine while the original is a classic that can't be ignored.

Current Contemplation: Healing Through Bowie and the Bible

Bowie by Markus Klinko, from the Heathen promotional shoot (2002)

Today was a better day thanks to the always lovely Liz. After having a bit of a mental breakdown yesterday, I called her up and we ended up having a four hour long catch-up/therapy session that I really needed. She helped me process how little I've let myself feel over the past few weeks, as I've been so focused on solidering on and getting through everything I've needed to do at work and church (in between being sick in bed).

So today I've decided to let myself feel unashamedly sad. And it's been good to let myself feel. My soundtrack throughout it all has been the incomparable Heathen album, which has been my rock for helping me "just feel" while Liz recommended I pair my listening with Ecclesiastes (NLT version) and it has truly been transformational in mental and emotional healing. And I know I'm back on track because I am once again deeply inspired and moved by both Bowie and the Bible (instead of the apathetic malaise I had been feeling for the past two weeks).

Special quotes I want to highlight:

We don’t remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now.
Ecclesiastes 1:11 NLT

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace. What do people really get for all their hard work? I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.
Ecclesiastes 3:1‭-‬11 NLT

Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life. And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God. God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past.
Ecclesiastes 5:18‭-‬20 NLT

Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there’s no use arguing with God about your destiny. The more words you speak, the less they mean. So what good are they? In the few days of our meaningless lives, who knows how our days can best be spent? Our lives are like a shadow. Who can tell what will happen on this earth after we are gone?
Ecclesiastes 6:10‭-‬12 NLT

Don’t long for “the good old days.” This is not wise.
Ecclesiastes 7:10 NLT

In my search for wisdom and in my observation of people’s burdens here on earth, I discovered that there is ceaseless activity, day and night. I realized that no one can discover everything God is doing under the sun. Not even the wisest people discover everything, no matter what they claim.
Ecclesiastes 8:16‭-‬17 NLT

I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time. People can never predict when hard times might come. Like fish in a net or birds in a trap, people are caught by sudden tragedy.
Ecclesiastes 9:11‭-‬12 NLT

Young people, it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do. So refuse to worry, and keep your body healthy. But remember that youth, with a whole life before you, is meaningless.
Ecclesiastes 11:9‭-‬10 NLT

This is our number
All my trials
Lord will be remembered
Everything has changed
"Sunday"

A woman with a feeling, loosing once or twice
Who knows how it could be, be tomorrow
I've been waiting for you
And you've been coming to me
For such a long time now
"I've Been Waiting For You"

When we talk, we talk to you
When we walk, we walk to you
From factory to field
How many tears must fall
Down there below nothing is moving

I might just stop wanting you
I might just stop needing you
I might just stop loving you
I demand a better future
"Better Future"

Steel on the skyline
Sky made of glass
Made for a real world
All things must pass

Waiting for something
Looking for someone
Is there no reason
Have I stared too long

You say you'll leave me
And when the sun is low
And the rays high
I can see it now
I can feel it die
"Heathen  (The Rays)"

Life Highlights: A Contradiction

The sky in SoHo was so beautiful tonight - it reminded me of an Agnes Martin painting. I wish I could've captured it to the fullest effect on camera

Today felt like a microcosm of this past month. My mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health have been all over the board for the past two weeks, and in the past twenty-four hours I have felt: happy, morose, optimistic, pessimistic, cheerful, cynical, anxious, peaceful, bitter, grateful, pensive, frustrated, nostalgic, despair, and hope. Just listing some of my emotions today has made my mind go in a tizzy.

It's been a hard month, to say the least. I've been physically sick since early October, and recovering and relapsing in turn between feeling truly sick and just possessing a cough (that has remained constant). I've been homesick for both Oregon and California (I was extremely disappointed that I couldn't attend a free friend's wedding this past weekend). I've been spiritually recuperating since I came to New York (with an ultimately positive direction, even in the day-to-day is a bit painful and occasionally hopeless). Mentally I continue to waver between elation and depression about everything since coming out here regarding everything from my personal life to my professional life. I feel dispassionate and disappointed in my lack of writing talent, and disheartened about the fact I don't have a job in my field or a significant other to share this journey with. I also feel excited for where I'm going next and for what the future holds regarding both my career and dating life. I feel comprised and composed of so many contradictions I'm not sure what to do.

To make matters worse, I don't feel equipped to discuss any of this with anyone (just yet), since I'm still internally processing and dissecting this complicated array of thoughts and feelings.

The only two things I know in the meantime is that 1) God means that there is ALWAYS room to hope and to trust in Him 2) Bowie is a pretty damn good source to listen to when you're feeling any and all of the above emotions/states of mind

Creative Writing: Five Years (Part 1)

James "Ziggy" Odam was not the sort of man you would pick to be the saviour of the world.  He was a scrawny, pale lad from Brixton with few friends, fewer living relatives, and almost no future prospects (at least, that's what his career counsellor said to him after failing all of his O-levels).  So currently, he was a bit of a drifter.  He had been wandering around, playing a gig here and there, while sleeping on the couches and spare floors of the people he met along the way.  And it was between one of these gigs and the next, passing through time with no thought beyond what he was going to have for lunch that day, is where we first meet our hero.

He had a bit of a rough start earlier in the morning.  He had been kicked out of Mary's bed - rather unceremoniously, in his opinion - after a fun night of fooling around and general antics.  Before he had a cup of coffee (or even properly woken up), she had been shoving him out the door, crying and shouting about how he never paid for the spare room he rented from her (he had been under the impression that he lived there because of her generosity rather than his pocketbook).  He couldn't even get a word in edgewise before she had slammed the door in his face.

Muttering under his breath, he had picked up his battered old twelve-string and his worn-out suitcase.  He had been booked at Aylesbury later that night, but between getting evicted and that evening he had nowhere to be.  Although he had plenty to do.  Despite what he had been told all of his life, James had a plan.  He was going to be the biggest musical sensation ever seen.  He and his friends knew they were destined for greatness, but no one reached great heights on an empty stomach.  So he decided to take care of his most immediate need: food.

His brain hurt like a warehouse, with no room to spare.  He had too much ambition on his mind and too little food in his stomach to make sense of why the market square was so crowded today.  He approached the nearest vendor for a bite to eat, but when he tried to find the attendant, he was annoyed to see that no one was there.  Undeterred, James moved from stall to stall before he realised all of them were empty.  Confused, he looked around.  Mothers were sighing, children were whining, and men were crying.  Something was terribly wrong.

James pushed his way past the weeping crowds to the street corner where an electronics shop displayed dozens of television screens in its window.  On every single one was a single message: FIVE YEARS THAT'S ALL WE'VE GOT.

Life Highlights: Fall is Here

My current addiction at their SoHo location

I officially spent two weeks worth of paychecks on....ba ba da dumm....CLOTHES!

Although slightly guilty about not spending my money on things like "food" or "rent", on the other hand I realised two weeks ago that I have NO winter clothes! And this past Friday it was 26°F (?!?!) so they were definitely needed!

I remembered my sister told me about this store UNIQLO and how they were an Asian brand that made good qaulity clothes (especially basics) at a reasonable price. I decided to go in a check them out and lo behold! just like she said everything in the store was excellent. I honestly wanted to buy out their entire stock. The thing I liked the most was that because they're a Asian company, everything actually FITS me proportionately (which is extremely hard to find in American stores because I'm so petite in size). The only exception was pant length, but that's easily fixable.

In the end, like I said, I ended up spending a good chunk of change at their shop, so I might as well have bought them out! I got all in all:

1 winter jacket (burgundy)
1 lighter jacket (black)
1 wool pencil skirt (black)
3 thermal pants (beige, white, black)
2 thermal tights (black)
2 crew neck long sleeve (navy, dark grey)
1 v neck long sleeve (fir green)
2 cable knit jumpers (cream and burgundy)
4 flannels (dark grey, navy checkered, red plaid, navy blue plaid)
1 button up (light grey)
1 mock turtle neck (cream)

And excellent start to a festive and WARM wardrobe if I do say so myself! And even though this isn't a #spon or #ad, I highly recommend them! I tested out my first new outfit today and LOVED it. And I know you will too!

Creative Writing: Rhett and Link Music Video Review

Link (left) and Rhett (right) pretending to be Sandmen

Today I discovered Rhett and Link's music video titled, "Spot the Differences Side-by-Side Music Video".  Although I've mentioned in a previous post how much I enjoy their music videos, this one really takes the cake.

Their songs are always surprisingly good - they're usually funny, with twists in the music videos or lyrics, and pretty catchy (the first song to replace Bowie songs stuck in my head was their iconic "My Hair Song" this past summer), rather than innovative and ground-breaking regarding the actual music (a la Bowie).

But the thing that absolutely stole my breath away was their film-making skills so obviously displayed - the scale of their production and the "movie magic" of making a whimsical dollhouse come to life was truly awesome.  It was one of my only "how did they do that?" moments that I've had on YouTube, since most videos are pretty self-explanatory in their creation.

I loved the concept of the video.  Four narratives regarding five different characters of the Higginbottom family all revolving around sleep.  The young girl being afraid of monsters under her bed, the young boy waiting for the tooth fairy, the grandpa sleepwalking, and the parents being awakened by burglars in the night were all great stereotypes of each age group and archetypical family member.  My favourite scene by far was the one with the grandfather.  The idea that the sandmen act as ghostbuster-esque aliens (beam me up Scotty!) was awesome, and Link's rap was and dance moves were awesome.

I also love how Rhett and Link continue to be creative and have fun when they do sponsor content.  All of their videos that have sponsors behind them are usually fun and creative and turn out to be some of my favourite videos.  This is in comparison to if they saw a patron financially backing them as "limiting factor" and a "bit of a sell out" move (like many film students).  And this video seems to be no exception.  They took the idea of a mattress and bedding company and decided to make an amazing YouTube video to showcase the products, demonstrating once again their innovation as film-makers.

All of this doesn't even mention their dedication to filmmaking due to the fact that they essentially did a live-action "spot the difference" video concept.  Each performance (and you can tell they're separate and not edited in post because there are times where the synchronicity of their performances is just slightly off) had to be done to satisfaction not once, but twice.  As a filmmaker myself, I can attest to how difficult (and time/energy consuming) it can be to just get one take right so I'm always impressed when I see performances taken to the next level like this.

Overall I thought the song was catchy and whimsical, the production value was amazing, and the narrative concept was excellent.  Every time I watch their content I wish I could make something like the comedic duo, and I'm reminded of why they have had longevity in an industry that is all about 15 seconds of fame.

I highly recommend watching it.  It's only 3 minutes and 40 seconds out of your day, and it really does deserve to be put up in my Top Ten of favourite music videos of all time.  Also, it's in 4K resolution so you can see all the little details in the most high of definition.

Life Highlights: Restaurant Countdown

Washington Square Park was beautiful yesterday

NOTE: Even though I technically posted this on 11/11 at 00:53, I wrote it on 11/10 around 16:30, but didn't realise the Wi-Fi didn't go through on it :( So I altered the time stamp to be an approximation.

I officially put my two weeks in at the restaurant! It was scary, but totally worth it. I'm so excited to start yet ANOTHER chapter in my New York adventures of infrequent temp jobs, learning new skills, and making more art (once again).

I have a feeling this will be a much better solution for me, as the restaurant, although filled with lovely co-workers, is just not for me. The hours have been difficult, the pay is only so-so, and the physical demands have had serious ramifications for my (already poor) feet (yay for bunions at the ripe old age of twenty-two).

My official last day is on Thanksgiving, and between now and then I'm also excited to say I have an offer to be a receptionist for three days at Sony! Not to mention that slowly but surely my physical health has been improving, although my emotional health is still wavering (curse you change and homesickness and general mental illness). But on the positive side, like I mentioned in a previous blog post, I get to go home for a large holiday celebration bash at the end of the month! So I'm pretty excited for what's ahead, to say the least.

Overall I'm still excited and happy to have decided on this path of moving across the country, but the day-to-day can be the worst (occasionally). Good thing I've been listening to Christmas music to cheer me up! (And for all you nay-sayers, my Christmas festivities are taking place in early December so this is my actual Christmas month instead of December so I have an excuse to blast "Baby It's Cold Outside" to match the literally freezing weather today).

Life Highlights: Oops!

Truer words have never been spoken (or rather, written) at The Strand today

I was out all day today wandering around SoHo! And I forgot to write until now! (Oops). A better update tomorrow!

Life Highlights: Temp Work Day 1

Justice League Activation in London had an amazing Easter Egg that I saw on Twitter yesterday which has nothing to do with this post other than the fact that I want to share it

Today I got my first call for some temp work at a make-up company! It was definitely an interesting experience.

I went to fill in for a switchboard person (which I didn't realise still existed), and it was interesting to see what it's like to answer phones on the other side of the line. A lot of people, like anywhere you work with the public, were a mixed bag. But the woman I worked with named Mena was extremely lovely. She was super welcoming, kind, and helpful - I wish every workplace had one of her and that my future workplaces will.

The job itself was relatively easy and it was definitely better on my body since I didn't have to be on my feet the entire time, or be out at all hours of the morning/night. I hope to have more work like this come my way as a temporary placeholder before I work in media properly.

Above all I want to get back to creating art (and being inspired by my favourite art[ists]). And I've been so tired and sick (emotionally and physically) lately that both God and Bowie haven't been enough to move me into creating. It also took me longer than usual to remember which specific Bowie performance of his song "The Man Who Sold the World" was stuck in my head tonight (finally realising it was the SNL 1979 gig, which is why my subconscious kept thinking of ISOLAR II even though he never performed it on tour, instead of what I kept thinking it was consciously - from his Reality Tour).

All of these things were some deeply troubling revelations to me today, but with the promise of temp work (with their more flexible hours that still pay okay) my ability to create in between gigs is still preserved.

God, I really need to read a good philosophy book or have a good conversation with someone. I feel drained rather than energized like I was when I first moved here two months ago. But hopefully this will all pass soon enough (just like my sickness and the gloomy weather).

Life Highlights: Feeling Homesick & Christmas Cheer

Bought a few new winter coats just in time for the cold - but I still need some gloves and a nice winter hat!

At the end of this month (in 23 days, to be exact!) I will be going home to Oregon for a week! It's to combine a huge Thanksgiving-Christmas-New-Year's-Grandpa's-and-Mom's-Birthday-Bash, as I will be unable to go home on any of these actual dates.

These past few days I've been feeling particularly home sick (and sick sick), so I'm looking forward to this visit more than ever.  Shane visiting me this past weekend has made me miss all my friends from university (and California in general) - my "home part 2".  This is especially so with this nasty fall weather that's here to stay all week (extremely rainy and cold - a mere 27°F on Friday?!) versus balmy 70°F and sunny that's always in So Cal.  And of course, my friends and family back in my "home home" of Oregon are always missed.  I am looking forward to seeing Annaliese, Todd, my grandparents, and my mom again!

It's weird because in college I definitely didn't feel that homesick.  I had plenty of new things to do and keep me busy - at most I remember feeling a bit wistful for the starry night sky my freshman year of college.  However, other than that I honestly wasn't homesick all that much.  So it's a novel experience to feel homesick on the other side of the country - one that I'm not extremely happy about, but an experience that I think will be valuable all the same.  That isn't to say I haven't felt homesick before, but it's been almost seven years since I last have (when I was fifteen and in the Middle East).

Other than that, I've been determined to get myself in the "festive mood" this month rather than next, as my Christmas will be at the beginning of December! So in honour of that, I listened to the Nutcracker tonight along with watching all the festive-themed GMM episodes.

The latest news aside from this is that I have been obsessed with a new soup I found at Dean & Deluca (by far my weak point for monetary "splurges" for eating out) and I am about to begin a new novel - The Brothers Karamazov, in honour of the fact I didn't end up reading it during what would've been my senior spring semester of Torrey.  So I'm looking forward to an excellent read in time for the holiday season!