Short documentary project for my media crit. class regarding the social networking site Facebook.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
A Goodfella'
If you've ever watched the popular Scorsese film Goodfellas and wondered whatever happened to Henry Hill (the real life person on which the film's story was based), take a peak at this.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Loganberry
I'd like to share a little piece of Western New York with the world: Aunt Rosie's Loganberry.
First of all, the mythical loganberry is REAL. It's actually a hybrid berry - a cross between a raspberry and a blackberry. I didn't actually know what the berries themselves looked like until just now when I google-imaged (it's weird that I just used that as a verb) them. This is what I found!
It's amazing how different two regions within a single state can be. I am reminded of this almost regularly when people say "...must be a Western New York thing..." Of course I knew that long island would be a complete 180 from my small town lifestyle, though in many ways is remarkably similar, and that was the attraction for me to come here. That's a blog of it's own however and the real reason I'm writing this is to shout out to my homebase.
I purchased two 12-packs of Aunt Rosie's Loganberry at the end of winter break in order to have a stash while downstate. I wasn't aware that loganberry "juice" was strictly a WNY thaaang until I did some web browsing about where one is able to buy it. I found numerous posts/responses on Yahoo Answers and random web forums from people who had moved from WNY to other places during their life and deeply miss one of their favorite beverages. Awesome! Turns out, it's a rare jewel in the beverage market! Anyway, I recently gave away my very last can to a new resident that moved onto my floor this past week. I found out through the grapevine that he was from the Buffalo area and immediately knew an adorable way to make him feel welcome. I left the cool can on his desk with a little note reading:
Heard you were from Buffalo. Thought you'd enjoy a little taste of home. Western New Yorkers stick together. Everyone else thinks I'm crazy. -your RA (Mattina)
It was music to my ears to hear how excited he was when he saw it and when his suitemates, all of whom I am friends with, asked "Do people really like that stuff up there?" he replied, "Yeah! Everyone loves loganberry!" Made. My. Night.
Every place has little things that make them special and I know that I didn't even realize them until I left home for a few years. So today, take a moment to find something about where you are from that makes it one of a kind.
First of all, the mythical loganberry is REAL. It's actually a hybrid berry - a cross between a raspberry and a blackberry. I didn't actually know what the berries themselves looked like until just now when I google-imaged (it's weird that I just used that as a verb) them. This is what I found!
It's amazing how different two regions within a single state can be. I am reminded of this almost regularly when people say "...must be a Western New York thing..." Of course I knew that long island would be a complete 180 from my small town lifestyle, though in many ways is remarkably similar, and that was the attraction for me to come here. That's a blog of it's own however and the real reason I'm writing this is to shout out to my homebase. I purchased two 12-packs of Aunt Rosie's Loganberry at the end of winter break in order to have a stash while downstate. I wasn't aware that loganberry "juice" was strictly a WNY thaaang until I did some web browsing about where one is able to buy it. I found numerous posts/responses on Yahoo Answers and random web forums from people who had moved from WNY to other places during their life and deeply miss one of their favorite beverages. Awesome! Turns out, it's a rare jewel in the beverage market! Anyway, I recently gave away my very last can to a new resident that moved onto my floor this past week. I found out through the grapevine that he was from the Buffalo area and immediately knew an adorable way to make him feel welcome. I left the cool can on his desk with a little note reading:
Heard you were from Buffalo. Thought you'd enjoy a little taste of home. Western New Yorkers stick together. Everyone else thinks I'm crazy. -your RA (Mattina)
It was music to my ears to hear how excited he was when he saw it and when his suitemates, all of whom I am friends with, asked "Do people really like that stuff up there?" he replied, "Yeah! Everyone loves loganberry!" Made. My. Night.
Every place has little things that make them special and I know that I didn't even realize them until I left home for a few years. So today, take a moment to find something about where you are from that makes it one of a kind.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Greatest Blog Ever.
I was perusing the interweb this lonely evening in March when I stumbled elegantly upon this.
Book Reccomendation
Everyone seems to have their own stories about how dysfunctional their family is. Whether it's that crazy uncle or the cousin who is in jail or your step mother you haven't talked to in ten years. While we each look at ourselves and think that our lives throw especially obscure circumstances at us, it is a comforting reminder to find that we are in fact not alone. I wouldn't be surprised to know that the majority of people who may read this have already picked up this book, but if not - DO IT. This title tends to be the most well known of Burroughs' memoirs, however it was the third of his works that I turned the pages of. It was no wonder to me why it was the most popular though. Awesome read.
I personally love Burroughs' style of writing; I think its because it's very reminiscent of my own writing style. Sarcastic and cynical at times, but genuine underneath. I find myself getting caught up so easily in his stories that before I know it hours have gone by.
I recommend this memoir to anyone and I guarantee it will make you look at your own life a little differently. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll let all your friends borrow it. Get off the computer and do some real reading.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Rockstar Boyfriend
Dan is playing his first show with the band since November tonight. It's at a small-town bar near SUNY Fredonia and it's times like these I am jealous of anyone who gets to go out and see them. It's weird to think that I have actually only seen Dan play music in Fredonia (essentially my hometown) once - and it was roughly 4 years ago prior to me even knowing who he was! I am greatly looking forward to seeing him play (and sing) while I am home for spring break. It's somewhere they have never played before too so it's even a new atmosphere.
I know he reads this and he will probably later make fun of me for being a sap but I'm going to say this anyway: I am so proud of him.
One of the biggest things that I find attractive in a guy is passion. I don't mean passion for me (although that does eventually become important!) but a passion for something that isn't me. A love for something that runs deep and drives a person to set great goals for themselves. I myself am an extremely goal oriented person. I think this stemmed from all the competing in figure skating I did for the majority of my life. A person needs to love something for themselves...to find an outlet. Dan always jokes about how I will be the one bringing home the bacon someday, but I think he is more talented than he realizes. We are our own worst critics no? He has nothing to worry about because his good looks and charm will get him far. ; )
I don't know what my future holds...I know what I want it to, but life is a game and you can't see the route you will take to the win. Whatever the outcome of my goals, I will always support Dan in his dreams and passions - I know he will do the same for me, and certainly has thus far.
I guess I just wanted to write this because I feel very lucky to be a part of his life and share all of these musical experiences that he is involved in. He has taught me so much. It's a shame I won't be able to tell him all about the gorey stuff I learn in medical school someday!
I know he reads this and he will probably later make fun of me for being a sap but I'm going to say this anyway: I am so proud of him.
One of the biggest things that I find attractive in a guy is passion. I don't mean passion for me (although that does eventually become important!) but a passion for something that isn't me. A love for something that runs deep and drives a person to set great goals for themselves. I myself am an extremely goal oriented person. I think this stemmed from all the competing in figure skating I did for the majority of my life. A person needs to love something for themselves...to find an outlet. Dan always jokes about how I will be the one bringing home the bacon someday, but I think he is more talented than he realizes. We are our own worst critics no? He has nothing to worry about because his good looks and charm will get him far. ; )
I don't know what my future holds...I know what I want it to, but life is a game and you can't see the route you will take to the win. Whatever the outcome of my goals, I will always support Dan in his dreams and passions - I know he will do the same for me, and certainly has thus far.
I guess I just wanted to write this because I feel very lucky to be a part of his life and share all of these musical experiences that he is involved in. He has taught me so much. It's a shame I won't be able to tell him all about the gorey stuff I learn in medical school someday!
Why do we need FICTION?
If our real lives seem good enough to be stories, then why do we all swoon over fiction?
ME: Why do we need fiction?
ME: If our real lives seem like good enough stories, then why do we all love to go see fictional movies, read books...etc?
HENRY: because life sucks
HENRY: fiction allows us to fuel our what-if thinking
Professor Baldwin threw this question at us today in class and i wrote it down in my notebook to think about later. I thought it was interesting because I couldn't come up with an answer to it that felt solid. We all tossed out answers like "it helps spark our creativity", "escape", "make believe is more interesting"...but it all felt so...empty. We are voyeurs. If nothing else, it gives us something to get turned on by. Maybe the answer lies in our dissatisfaction with our own lives. You tell me.
Professor Baldwin threw this question at us today in class and i wrote it down in my notebook to think about later. I thought it was interesting because I couldn't come up with an answer to it that felt solid. We all tossed out answers like "it helps spark our creativity", "escape", "make believe is more interesting"...but it all felt so...empty. We are voyeurs. If nothing else, it gives us something to get turned on by. Maybe the answer lies in our dissatisfaction with our own lives. You tell me.
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