What Dreams

eye, originally uploaded by SisterSafetyPin.

May come | or | Dream a little dream.

Funny, when I think about movies with 'Dream' in the title only these two come to mind. Furthering the funny, Dream a Little Dream one of my favorite 80s movies probably more so then all of Molly Ringwalds...Came out in 1989. What Dreams May Come came out in 1998.

Coincidence? More then likely.

However, I didn't wake up with the intent to talk about movie titles. The titles are merely an after effect or rather cause made by the dreams I've been having lately.

I've been dreaming lately. Which, if I'm being honest isn't really new. However, my dreams have been more... confused. Not in the sense that I wake up can not remember what I dreamed about... Or at least not on most days. But confused in the emotion they involve. They've become both disturbing in a nightmarish quality I haven't fully experienced since I was young... And, ok I'll put it frankly romantic. And no I don't mean sexy time. I mean, romantic. Which is a problem in itself. The woman I saw last night was a mash up of a new friend and a random woman I encountered at Coachella.

But the dreams are ccnfused. One portion of the dream involves me in some hellish setting. The other, I guess you could say once I'm 'free' involves a girl. Sometimes the two portions meld. Offering bits of both during both. Last night was a bit of a meld.

I'm a buddhist. However, I've been stressed lately and not practicing as much as I should. Last night's horror part of the story will seem exceedingly strange and unlikely. But I dreamed that I was in a supermarket... |Actually I just realized this was my second dream after waking up briefly. The first one was completely disturbing with no respite of romance or friendship|... with my little sister. And while shopping we passed a group of people actually cooking a full meal. Like a massive holiday dinner type meal. It was annoying because they were blocking the aisle , but they seemed nice so I tried to move on. They offered something to my little sister and she became instantly brainwashed.

Weird, I know whatever. But see, these people were part of the Priesthood. Or for some reason I want to say the priesthood, they may not have been. I think they were just another Nichiren Daishonin offshoot. And they chanted "Namu Myoho Renge Kyo."

For some reason the sound of them chanting incorrectly was terrifying. So I ran. While running I ran into a woman, it was only for a second. A brief respite from the terror, then I was running and dodging again. I don't remember how I got them to stop exactly. I think I shouted, "I'M A BUDDHIST TOO! But you're saying it wrong! It's Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo"

And it was over. Or the terrifying part was. Then I was asking around the supermarket for the woman, and right as I was about to leave she comes out of her office. She smiles and we leave the supermarket while talking and flirting. That's pretty much the rest of the dream summed up. However the world when we left the store... Or rather the landscape was very Mad Max-ish just, barren with very little green.

I don't know... To much stress makes dreams and odd world.

Born Free

M.I.A, Born Free from ROMAIN-GAVRAS on Vimeo.

I know, I know... Still no Coachella 2010 recap! Actually I'm pretty positive you guys are glad about that. I mean, can I wax on or what?

Well I'm sorry if music excites me.

And right now, nothing is exciting me more then the fact that it appears that M.I.A. is back. Clearly, the above video is well, a video and not a photo that I've taken. Well this is a music video [actually I hesitate to call it a music video. Let's call it a mini movie.] Directed by Romain Gavras. In this video, M.I.A.'s first song off of her still untitled and yet to be released newest album called, Born Free.

Now there's much discussion going on about this video. Some are calling it to violent. Some say that it's to sensationalized. Some are going so far as to call M.I.A. a hypocrite.

My take, if you haven't already cottened on... I think it's about time M.I.A. went back to talking politics in her music instead of doing over produced singles with Timbaland. This video speaks to what's going on in the world by bringing proximity. People are saying that this video makes M.I.A. a hypocrite because of how violent it is when she speaks non violence. But more then non-violence, M.I.A. wants people to be aware. And in this video if you substitute the red-heads for any sub-group in existence today, it would show reality.

Honestly, the only way this video could be MORE real is if she used an actual clip of what most would consider 'war crimes' and yet are becoming more and more common practice.

Some people took an overly literal take of this video and said this video is anti-American. However, if you take the cops [or military] in the video and give them accents... They could be any super power in the world. If you dress them differently, they could be any 'terrorist' group in the world.

My opinion? This video is a super shiny mirror. And a lot of people are disturbed by what they see.

Random Thoughts Before Bed

Coachella Campgrounds, originally uploaded by SisterSafetyPin.

Isn't it amazing how after seeing a band live just the thought of the experience instantly transplants you back there?

For example, just now I was outside and I started thinking about Muse while standing outside. And just like that, I'm back in the Polo fields dancing to the Resistance with thousands of other strangers. And the awesome thing about that is, that experience will always be with me. Whenever I hear their music my mind will always instantly go back to the Polo fields.

And just as I was listening to the music that only I could hear, dancing with the feel of grass on my feet still very much there... And just like that, the beginning of the song "No Such Thing" by John Mayer pops in my head.

Opening chords leading into, "WELCOME to the real world she said to me...."

It was crazy. Because at first I had to pause. How did I go from Muse's Resistance to John Mayer's No Such Thing?

However, as I continued to think about it became increasingly apparent. And really, it came to me quickly.

I had a conversation with some of my neighbors at Coachella about this.

Experiences are forever. Money, status, degrees? Sure they could last. But on your death bed, which would you rather have? A bank full of money or a lifetime of amazing memories?

For me, the answer is easy. I want to be rich in experience. I want enough money to get by, anything more is an extra bonus.

And in the meantime, I'll keep dancing to the music only I can hear.

Dare

IMG_3560, originally uploaded by SisterSafetyPin.

Coachella is 7 Days away and I have no idea how to properly put to words how I feel.

After all, the Coachella Music and Arts Festival is much more then a music festival. It's an experience. And describing an experience is a bit like describing a mirage. It'll never be quite like the brilliance you see.

And how could it? How could I explain the experience of listening to the bands that will play Coachella, knowing that soon I'll be experiencing it live? How can I explain the feeling of driving past the windmills, knowing that you're almost there? How can I explain the utter brilliance of standing in the campgrounds at sunset, looking around and seeing flags from every country imaginable and knowing everyone there is feeling the same thing? How exactly I describe restless excitement of coming home? Where music reigns supreme and everyone around you simply gets it?

Because, for those like me... The Campers, the die-hards, the people that attend rain or shine, no matter the tragedy experienced through out the rest of the year... Coachella is a breath of fresh air. A moment of sanity in a world of chaos. It's 3 days of music and 4 Days of celebration. A haven.

And just, how does one explain all that?

Opinion Writer vs Professional Blogger

IMG_4684, originally uploaded by SisterSafetyPin.

Are they equal in worth despite the fact that one is getting paid quite a bit while the other writes out of a labor of love?

According to Paul Carr, a man and writer who will now forever [in my mind] be known as the disgruntled Tech Crunch BLOGGER [though I'm fairly certain he prefers the term writer-with-a-published-book-under-my-belt]... The answer is: Absolutely NOT.

NSFW: Jimmy Wales Wants Me Dead

Is the article I'm referencing, and before you ask... NSFW, is apparently the title of Carr's blog... Excuse me, column that just so happens to only be published online.... on a tech blog

First things first, I have to say... I have so many problems with this "article" it's a little ridiculous. Secondly, I'm not sure, but I'm fairly certain that "The Neutrality of this article..." was added after it was originally posted as a disclaimer. [I also find it interesting that the article's url now has marked-for-deletion at the end]

Jimmy Wales is the founder and creator of Wikipedia. Apparently, he made this statement:

“I don’t see the added value [of opinion columnists] and question whether a newspaper should be paying large sums of money for them anymore… The best of the political bloggers are easily the equal of the opinion columnists at the New York Times.” The section in brackets was added by Carr.

And that has offended Paul Carr to the point where he ridiculously named his article, "Jimmy Wales Wants Me Dead." And proceeds to snark about Jimmy's nickname. Which in my opinion, proves Jimbo right.

What purpose do big name Opinion writers serve? They give you their opinion. What purpose do the best political bloggers serve? They give you their opinion. What is the difference between the two beyond the pay check? The blogger doesn't have to answer to an editor with a bottom line and a big wig owner.

In my opnion, which is that of a Journalist major who has spoken to quite a few notable people in the field, the future of reporting is headed increasingly to the web. To journalists creating personal blogs where they impart opinion without being fettered by gatekeepers. Does their degree in journalism diminish in value because they now run a blog? Do you have to have major in journalism in order to be considered a blogger of worth?

According to Carr, the answer is yes. According to the majority of the commenters of this article, Carr is being unreasonably anti.

But don't take my word for it. Read the article and let me know. You may have an alternate view point and I'd love to hear it. And unlike Carr, I promise not to make a separate post to bash your opinion and make fun of your name.

Lost Boy

IMG_4707, originally uploaded by SisterSafetyPin.

It's about time I've given some reference to Corey Haim, the lesser half of my favorite, Corey Feldman. And what better way then a day in which the title aptly applies to me? You know, minus the boy part.

I left the house this morning about two hours after waking up at 12. I had no real goal in mind. I was vaguely hungry though, so I figured I'd hop on the first bus that stopped in front of my house and get off at the first sign of something good.

By the time I got on the bus I'd realized I forgot my ipod and my phone still isn't activated [we'll get to that later]. However, just yesterday I'd dedicated an hour to loading 12 books on my phone so i figured it wouldn't be a total loss.

Halfway into the ride, about 30 minutes later, I realize I'm actually not that hungry but that I'd get off if a diner still serving breakfast came into view. Another 30 minutes later and I was getting off the bus at a local train station. I hadn't found a diner. And the train was delayed by about 20 minutes.

By the time I got off at the train station a few blocks from my house i realized I felt utterly lost. Completely bereft. Without music playing constantly in my ears i felt like I was walking underwater in alien lands. Truly, a walk I usually navigate daily suddenly seemed to stretch on forever as I made my why home.

When I got home I still felt moderately discontent. So I decided to leave again for the Starbucks a few houses down from my house, in the opposite direction from where I had just come. I didn't want coffee, but I did need something.

As soon as I walked into the room, i felt the air-conditioner and saw two of my favorite baristas. I ordered a Venti Iced Soy Green Tea latte. It had been a while since I'd had one and it was suddenly all I could imagine having right then. As I waited for my drink to be made, the music playing started to slowly filter into my awareness.

Damien Rice | Abruptly cut off and replaced by | the Gorillaz | played all the way through | Followed by another artist...

I was starting to feel alive again. Like waking up. I got my drink shortly after and walked home.

It's 3 now.

Gotta

IMG_4717, originally uploaded by SisterSafetyPin.

Three things. One day.

Thing one. While walking to Starbucks to get my pre-class coffee [Starbucks, because I've degenerated into a level of laziness that no longer permits me to make my own in the morning.] I noticed a snail on the ground. My first thought was, 'gross!' as I continued to walk by. However, a few feet past I thought, 'I should take a picture of it.'

Thing two. While waiting for the bus, I saw a man looking through an ash tray on the top of a trash can for a used cigarette. I offered him a new one. He looked at me like I was crazy.

Thing three. While walking home after my Intro to the Women's Movement class, I pass two women talking and walking in the opposite direction. As we approach to pass each other, I hear the woman closest to me say, "You gotta be healthier." And in the heartbeat that we are aligned, I see the other woman nod and a agree. It's only as I take the step to move beyond them that I fully realize the woman that agreed was holding a half eaten corn dog from the gas station I was about to pass.