Blog

Self-Commodification

slavoj zizek

people love imperfections/something that is excess (object cause of desire) ex Cindy Crawford’s mole

people who self-control; certain image of yourself

humiliate, perverse and talk dirty to friends when you first see them – get that out of the way

http://www.openculture.com/2015/12/slavoj-zizek-explains-whats-wrong-with-online-dating.html

Negativland’s “Destroying Anything”

After watching Negativland’s “Destroying Anything” video, not only did it make me feel highly uncomfortable, but its mesh of sound and video bites added to the overall impression of a collage of unrelated events that actually made some sense. While the message of the video may have proven difficult to comprehend, its underlying message seemed to focus around the ending of the world due to climate change, overpopulation, war, and other natural disasters.

Curating the Perfect Spotify Playlist

Am I right or am I right that you listen to music? Whether you need a melody to fill in a quiet space, jam out in the car with the volume on full blast, or are on the hunt for the perfect accompaniment to your short film, music affects our lives in more ways than none.

But what actually is music? At its simplest definition, music is a form of expression that is characterized as sound organized in time. Music is both a human, cultural, and personal attempt to make sound come together in such a way that it is both pleasing to someone’s ears, as well as conveying what they are feeling through song. Elements of music include pitch, dynamics, rhythm, and timbre to name a few. Music permeates throughout society, crediting as reflecting and influencing human emotion.

Music, as many have come to know, is a potent drug. While it can be streamed over numerous platforms, Spotify provides countless artists, millions of sounds, and a plentiful amount of tunes to make any listener find it daunting at first glance. As Spotify is the source of all your musical wants and needs, whats makes a great playlist are the ones with a unifying theme. While you are free at any time to create as many playlists to fit all your moods, that would also take a substantial chunk of time out of your day to run through all of the platform’s database. Instead, sometimes it is just more fun to discover music and learn some new tunes. So keep on scrolling with your headphones securely placed over your ears and crank up these playlists for hours of Spotify’s best musical offerings.

Have a Great Day!

The best way to combat a bad mood is obviously with some upbeat songs. Just listen, you won’t regret it.

New Music Friday

Every week on Friday, the fine folks at Spotify work to educate its listeners with this pop-heavy blend of new music to keep you up-to-date with the world of modern music.

Throwback Thursday

Look no further for a playlist of songs that transports you right from the biggest 80s hits to those hot “Summer Nights”. They are literally all a blast from the past.

This is . . . Disney

All I have to say is that this playlist provides you with all the songs of childhood, from the Lion King to newer Disney movies such as Moana.

All Out 80s

Obviously a guilty pleasure soundtrack. Lip synch to the high heavens with this playlist.

Funky Jazz, Blues, and Soul

From slow jams to tap on the floor kinda jams, this playlist is bursting with soulful tunes that span almost a century.

Road Trip!!!

The perfect solution to make any commute home from work or even a ten hour ride to see the in-laws feel like a breeze.

Instrumental Study

Here to provide a smooth musical backdrop to put you in the state of mind for studying and working hard.

The Most Inspirational Quotes to Help You Through the Week

I know and understand your struggles. That’s why I’m here to provide a new pick-me-up for your week that will have you feeling rejuvenated and ready to conquer the world despite the Monday blues and Wednesday hump of making it to the weekend. The following motivational quotes will offer the perfect inspiration to guarantee success for your week.

Monday: Get Motivated

Monday is the day of new beginnings, possibilities, and starts. So get it going by demonstrating a positive attitude.

Inspired by Ghandi

Tuesday: Hunker Down

When Tuesday finally dawns, you need to follow up on Monday’s promises and get down to business.

Wednesday: Keep it Going, Keep it Going!!

Happy Hump Day!!! You’re halfway through the week and still going strong! Continue to pursue your goals of the week.

Thursday: Take a Pause

You’re nearly there! Take a chance to pause and reflect on all you have accomplished so far and managed to fit into your busy schedule.

Friday: Stay on the Upbeat

You’ve successfully made it through your work week confidently! While there may have been some bumps in the road, you did not let anything sway your focus. Continue to walk confidently in the direction of your dreams.

Saturday and Sunday: Continue to Strive

While the week may be over, take the weekend to relax and reflect upon what you have done and what you still have left to dream and conquer.

That Time I Lived in Florence for a Year

Ah Florence, where to begin? Yes, one could drone on for hours on end about how Florence, Italy was the birthplace of the Renaissance, which gave rise to the likes of Michelangelo, Botticelli, and DaVinci. However, this Tuscan city will forever be known in my heart as the place where I spent my freshman year of college.

Forget about being homesick. When I first laid eyes on the city of Florence, it was love at first sight. Between the classic cafes serving espressos to cobbled streets and hidden churches, Florence immediately captured my heart. Living la dolce vita for one year spoiled me through the amazing cuisine, history, art, language, and culture that is Italian.

Each morning on my way to class walking from via San Gallo, I would pass San Lorenzo Church and pass by tiny storefronts until I ended up in the Piazza del Duomo, every time losing my breath to the beauty of the cathedral, baptistery, and bell tower.

Many times I would stop at Cafe Gillis or Paszkowski for a fluffy cappuccino with a different pastry to choose from each day. Sometimes I would also walk down to the Arno river to gaze upon the various buildings and Palazzo Vecchio. Then, I would dip into one of the many famous museums within the city, including the Uffizi and the Galleria where Michelangelo’s the David is housed.

When the warmer weather rolled around, my friends and I would often make the half hour trip up to Piazzale Michelangelo in order to watch an amazing sunset and gaze upon the rest of the magical town of Florence.

Why Vanilla Ice Cream is the Best Flavor Ever

Here’s the scoop: vanilla is far from a mundane flavor. Once a person moves away from the connotation that it is ordinary and boring, many begin to see the potential that the flavor carries. While some are strictly purists and prefer their vanilla plain, others heap toppings and sauces that deluge the original taste, but hey, everyone is entitled to their own opinions. The versatility of vanilla lends itself to make millions of combinations with other treats and sweets, from vanilla fudge ripple to providing a foundation for the flavors of coffee and cookies and cream. Literally ANYTHING can be added to vanilla because it is such a light and refreshing base, from brownies and Nutella to fruits, nuts, or hot fudge. Now imagine trying to add all of these items to chocolate ice cream. Not that a person cannot do so, only that they may end up with a mess of dissimilar flavors that do not present a cohesive taste to the tongue.

Vanilla is a universal flavor that can be found in countless recipes around the world, from cookies and tea, to pancakes and french toast. While adding other flavors to these types of recipes may reduce the overall appeal of the other ingredients, vanilla enhances the taste of these dishes and makes it a tad bit sweeter.

The way in which the various vanillas are described depart vastly from the words that they are associated with. For instance, ‘French vanilla’ does not hail from the country of France but rather refers to the incorporation of egg yolks within the recipe. In addition, there are several different types of vanilla beans, including the popular Madagascar vanilla described as being creamy and flavorful. Other kinds may be the the Mexican vanilla, which is smokey and thick, while Indonesian vanilla is more well-balanced.

In any case, I believe that it is safe to say that vanilla is the best flavor of ice cream out there. Just imagine, at this instant, of scooping a warm, gooey brownie into a cup of homemade vanilla and then uniting the two flavors into one delectable bite.