album appreciation: santogold

current tune: "You'll find it my way" by: Santogold

I was first introduced to Santogold or Santigold (because of legal convictions) through my favorite radio station back home out of Vermont called WEQX. They played "L.E.S. artistes" by them and I fell in love with their sound and energy.

I originally thought it was a numerous member band and was surprised to find out that Santogold is comprised of one amazingly talented woman, Santi White.

Santi White is a one woman show with her music and has her studies to back her up in that department. Santi double majored in music and African-American studies at Wesleyan University.


Santi White is a one woman show with her music and has her studies to back her up in that department. Santi double majored in music and African-American studies at Wesleyan University.

And her rad name....it was a nickname given to her by a friend.

Her self-titled album "Santogold" was released in 2008 and contains 12 songs.

check out her album and let it all flow.

a musical connection

current tune: "Love in a Trash can" by: The Raveonettes

I'm on a bit more sleep than yesterday, just got out of my internship (art teacher-apprentice-experience-with the local Cazenovia elementary school), and sitting in the back of Dave's Diner again enjoying the connection between an old man and a young man. They're sitting in the corner in front of a large round wooden table. The kind with dings, dents, and scars all from love. The older man is playing an electric guitar hooked to a tiny amp while the young man is playing with him on a nice acoustic guitar. They're both facing each other as the older man tries to teach the younger about 3-chords.

I'm basking in their connection of similar interests.


This is a spontaneous post all from observation as it's happening.

(random picture that attracted me and like the fit)


I'm witnessing magic.

teal-e-o!

current tune: "Fel Del Av Gården" by: Movits!

I am back in central New York again.

Currently at Dave's Diner in Cazenovia enjoying the conversation of a French family to my right, a good lunch, and wonderful wifi.

I'll be catching up with my weekend and photos/adventures that were had. I wanted to share a particular photo I took on my boyfriend's iPhone. It was perfect. We were in Saratoga for the afternoon and stumbled on a huge overhead door painted bright teal. I was in love.

This is me.
Brightly colored doors/walls are an oddity that attracts me.
And an iced coffee.


I think a coffee book of brightly colored doors/walls would be fabulous!
I already have a great photo, thanks to my photo-savvy friend Shanna, in Ireland and now this!

some traditions will always be classy

current tune: "L.E.S. Artistes" by: Santogold

This evening was a special occasion, and to celebrate like any other traditional middle-class American family, we celebrate by going out to dinner together. My younger sister is having her confirmation tomorrow at the Auriesville Shrine, so we went out as a congratulatory celebration...of the low key variety.

How American.

My sister picked out the Raindancer in Amsterdam. It's classy...but does not have much of the "non meat" selection. In fact it was tough enough looking through the menu trying to find a handful of dishes that weren't accompanied by a meat product. It was a nice small dinner for my mom, dad, sister, my two grandmothers, and my grandfather. I sometimes forget how typically traditional my family gets at times. Sometimes it makes me smile, and sometimes it irks me.

My sister, Joan.
I realized today just how stylish she is becoming as she grows up.
I hope the best for her.

I only eat at this particular restaurant on rare occasions: family anniversaries, MORP (my senior prom, which is way more casual than my junior PROM), and celebratory family dinners. It's nice, but kind of snooty restaurant for the area it is located in.

Of course I had dessert after my salad and small dinner. And it was a classic.

All in all it was a nice occassion. It wasn't going to Denny's or Ponderosa (both of which I do induldge in from time to time when I want good cheap food). Despite all our individual schedules, my family could still make time to meet.

For dinner.

an ode to a captain

current tune: "Notice" by: Gomez

I rented "Persepolis" last night with Matthew (after I could not locate "Eraserhead" and Blockbuster failed to be....uhhh....anything. I loathe Blockbuster and other high corporate movie rental places like this around the county. They boast they have every movie under the sun that you'll need. Do you know why...? Because they would rather purchase C-rated straight-to-dvd horror flicks then actually investing in classics.

When I asked the rather chubby sales associate, he slightly turned his head to the side and asked me if I had the title right. Thanks! I then realized that they didn't have any movies before 1990's excluding the occasional '80's cult classic like the Breakfast Club.

Why am I ranting on Blockbuster? Because my favorite locally and privately owned video rental store just recently went out of business and I am beyond saddened. Captain Video had every video I have ever looked for (all old releases are always $1.00). Captain Video you will missed ever so much, and now I'll have to subscribe to Netflix like every other white picket fence American.




I am rather bitter about the whole ordeal, but it was a small tradition to rent from this small rental place. I used to walk or ride my bike with friends to grab late night movies. It was local, cheap, and wonderfully iconic. Kevin Smith would certainly approve.

great finds at great prices

current tune: "Combat Baby" by: Metric

Yesterday, after my cup of coffee, I ventured down Erie Blvd. with my merc and my music to locate amazing finds at the DeWitt Salvation Army. This particular Salvation Army has to be one of the largest and most diverse ones that I have encountered. As I can not classify myself as a Salvy-connoisseur I do know a good Salvy when I see it.

I love walking around the department-like store and searching for things that go with my taste and things that just stand out in general. There's always new items every time I go in, and always new treasures to contemplate over. A trip to Salvy is unpredictable, because you'll always see different people that come from different homes and backgrounds. I think this is an aspect of the Salvation Army I like the most. No one discriminates, and for the most part, people are polite, humble, and full of character.

Bottom line: I stumbled on some finds that made my day.

This is my favorite find and something that immediately stood out to me amongst the other miscellaneous items there. I enjoyed carrying my new craft around the store before I nestled it in the small noisy cart I had.

Two lovely old 7-up glasses

a rad bright yellow waist belt

and a very comical vintage 1986 sweatshirt from Phoenix, NY

(I hope my friend Kari sees this because this is the town she moved to from Florida)

Do I look ridiculous in this...? Yes.

Do I enjoy it...? Heck yes!

(a sneak peek at the look at my family's retro kitchen at home)

I love second hand things. They were loved in their prime, and still loved even after their first owners.

Besides, character is a great trait.

waking up the right way

current tune: "Cheap and Cheerful" by: The Kills

Today started off slow and nice. I spent my first full "good" night at the apartment. My back is slowly getting used to the "bed" I'm using. For all those who are curious, my bed is a foam mat and a sleepingbag at the moment. I woke up to sunshine, took a shower, got dressed, and packed up my computer to go to Recess for good free wifi and fresh coffee. Plus it would hurt to be seen amongst the locals as a cute indie girl.

My laptop is happily streaming wifi with a better connection than the one I receive in my room and the coffee is both free trade and delish! I am having a great morning!!

Recess Coffee was one of those places I knew about for a long time (ever since I started going in to Boom Babies) but never went over to check it out. With the recommendation from a talented professor, Sanders, I will now be frequenting this place when I can.

the outside, off of Westcott St.

a bit of the inside (where I'm currently occupying)

I'm going to finish the adorable mug of coffee that is patiently sitting on my right and indulge in my free wifi for a bit longer. Salvation Army and work call my name and adventures await!

album appreciation: lenka

current tune: "Bring Me Down" by: Lenka

I would like to keep up with a routine with my blog from a week to week basis. I thought maybe that music would be up my alley for love and that I could start with sharing the music that moves me.

You may have heard a bit of Lenka on VH1 as she is getting bigger over in the U.S. Lenka, Lenka Kripac, is an Australian television actress with a sweet voice and cute picturesque lyrics. I personally enjoy her music as easy listening in the car, or in my room. It's easily optimistic background music and an all-age listening category. She has won a spot both in my itunes and an artist I go to frequently to listen to.

Her first self-titled album contains 11 songs and was originally released in 2008.

visit her more at:

http://www.lenkamusic.com/

I am going to try and keep up with new updated albums (both newly released and old) of music that moves me. Check out new updates every Thursday!

you're a hot, hot mess

current tune: "Black Balloon" by: The Kills

My internet completely blows. My connection is barely slow enough to log me on to facebook, and takes its sweet time when loading blogger. How long am I going to be here...? Oh, right......Now I know how REAL people feel. I'm living off of stolen internet. Slow stolen internet.

And, I have no cell phone signal in my room...

I realize these are setbacks I can get over as time passes on. It is simply just locating the motivation to become an everyday commuter to my internship, then working like a dog at my minimum-wage paying occupation, then driving home to sleep so I can wake up and do it all over again. Do you choose a life of calculated mundane qualities or do you ignore the fact it is so routine and blow it all off to forget everything with good bud and good friends?

I've seen Bill, Rob, and Mike. And somehow through the mix I'll be forcing myself to better get acquainted with the highways, intersections, and streets of Syracuse, NY.

a new nest

current tune: "Bang Bang" by: Nancy Sinatra
(to go along with the Kill Bill movie-theme I've been going on recently)

I have yet to spend a night in my new room, but I took a nap in it. I'm trying to settle in to my new nest and get acquainted with everything.

Things I have learned about my new nest:

- I'm so close to the road that all I can hear is traffic. An annoyance now, but something I'm sure I'll get used to and just drown out.

-I'm going to have to rely on the wifi of the upstairs tenants for my interweb needs.

-The microwave in the dining room is not to be trusted.
(I've already blown through two bags of burnt popcorn)

-I need to purchase an inflatable mattress.
(The mat is too low to the ground and it's rather cold)

-Where are my roomies?
(I wish I could meet them to get squared away about space)


I'm still not comfortable with it as of yet, but I haven't spent a night here. Last night I crashed on Bill's couch after a late night munchie Denny's run, which made me feel more like a nomad. I think this nomadic feeling won't be leaving for awhile as I commute from Cazenovia to Syracuse.

Hopefully I'll get pictures up once someone comes to visit with a working digital camera since mine is still dead.