Style Statement: SOUND FLOW

Cai Guo-Qiang

2010-08-22T01:01:00.000-04:00

Cai Guo-Qiang is an artist who works with explosions. Fireworks, gunpowder, spectacle.

His work deals with the intersections of Communism and modernity (see below for Berlin Wall reference); spirituality and destruction (see left).

His 2008 show at the Guggenheim, I Want to Believe, was like a good movie: thoughtful, with clear themes, exciting, well-paced, and of appropriate length--I walked through in 1h30.

Tavi: The Style Rookie

2010-08-20T23:03:00.006-04:00

Tavi Gevinson teaches me how to dress for fun, in times when I find the management of my appearance to be only an expensive and overly-serious affair. She has a delightfully distinctive sense of style that she never imposes upon me--she leaves me to my own aesthetic, reminded of what I already knew.

Her blog The Style Rookie deals seriously with feminist issues as well as personal style. I'm glad I'm reading now, and I only wish I'd had Tavi around in middle school.

Let it Sway - Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

2010-08-20T03:18:00.003-04:00

This band just makes me want to put on my favorite sweater, drink a favorite beer, and talk to my favorite friends.

Sounds like The Hold Steady, except made of nice boys from Springfield, Missouri who probably bake cookies when they're drunk.

If you're in Springfield, the band is playing Saturday night at Randy Bacon's. If you're not in Springfield, check their tour schedule because they're probably coming to you soon.

At time of publication, the new mp3 album is going for $5 on Amie Street.

The first single can be downloaded for free:

Sink / Let it Sway - Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

Alexander McQueen - Fall 2010

2010-08-16T13:23:00.006-04:00

Alexander McQueen's last collection speaks to the royal dignity of the individual. To some this may seem incongruous, given the circumstances of Lee's death. Yet I would say that an insistence on the truth of individual dignity is what allows someone to fight as long as Lee did.

The automatic dignity and worth of each individual is, without a doubt, the value I hold most dear. I've learned that others don't necessarily hold this value, especially in regards to their own self-worth, which many think to be earned. As of now, this is the point of view I'm (earnestly) working hardest to be able to relate to.

The Container Store

2010-06-02T21:17:00.006-04:00

I grew up in Springfield, MO where Wal-Mart is a one-stop for most of one's needs, from orange juice to trampolines. My first year at school in Manhattan, I remember feeling as if I was wasting vast amounts of my time going to separate stores for groceries and drugstore needs.

The Container Store is a place so specialized in its merchandise that it always feels to me delightfully, maddeningly Manhattan.

The Container Store is having an Organized Traveler Sale. This exactly reflected my container needs a few days ago. I went to the store, held travel-size bottles and vials and jars of various volumes in my hands, and imagined the empty spaces filled with the liquids that structure my daily routines.

White Noise

2010-06-01T15:02:00.007-04:00

I read the first 50 pages of Don DeLillo's White Noise online.

I bought the book at left this morning. I feel I am reading a different and better novel now.

The big difference is that I read more slowly in print, and so the book proceeds at a conversational pace, rather than a mad dash of witticisms.

The Counter-Protest

2009-09-28T00:31:00.003-04:00

Columbia University is famous for protests. 1968. Ahmadinejad's visit. Hunger strikers. Need I say more?

I don't even want to post a picture of this on my blog, but last week, Westboro Baptist Church members were present at our neighboring Jewish Theological Seminary, holding hateful signs. Westboro is often in the news, as members of the church often like to make and hold signs that say that God hates a lot of people, including homosexuals and Jews.

The Columbia student counter-protest made me feel proud to be a Lion, and so that picture is included in this post (photo credit: The Bwog). The signs read, "God is Love," and that is a rainbow flag in the corner. The counter-protest was organized by the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship.

Style Statement

2009-09-21T00:01:00.001-04:00

The idea of verbalizing a "statement" to define your personal style isn't new. What's unique about Carrie & Danielle is that they're not into superficial Spice Girls labels like "Sexy," "Sporty," or "Posh" to describe your style.

Style is a broad word for Carrie & Danielle. It's the shoes you wear and your wildest dreams. It's your favorite movies and the way you organize your desktop. It's who you are and who you want to become.

This book will help you sum it all up in two words.

My style statement is at the top of this page: Sound Flow. The first word of a style statement represents your foundation; the second word represents your creative edge.

Whether I'm buying a new t-shirt or recentering myself in the middle of a busy day, I've found my style statement to be incredibly helpful in my every day life. In Sound Flow, I find affirmation, challenge, and ultimately inspiration.

It's both my aesthetic and how I tick. This blog is devoted to everything that says Sound Flow to me.

Lucy Sun is on vacation until Monday, September 28, when regular posting will resume.

Psych Studies @ Columbia University

2009-09-18T15:13:00.002-04:00

Here are the two most interesting and lucrative psych studies I have participated in this school year thus far. Both studies are both looking for more research subjects, so contact these labs for an appointment:

Learning Lab at Columbia

Experiment on memory and learning

$10 / hr, approximately 90 minutes long, with an opportunity to win extra money

Contact: CULearningLab at gmail dot com

Social Psychology Study

Open to students over 18 years of age

$15 for approximately 90 minutes of your time

Contact: psychstudy09 at gmail dot com

Music & Arts Library @ Columbia University

2009-09-17T01:03:00.002-04:00

A few hours ago, this Economics major set foot in the Music & Arts Library for the first time in her life. A gorgeous space with good lighting (including excellent sunlight), minimalist decor, and chairs that are comfy but not too comfy, this library is the perfect study space.

There are also study kiosks with CD and record players. Headphones can be borrowed for free from the circulation desk. Needless to say, it's a music library, so check out whatever music helps you study.

The place is unbelievably uncrowded. The Music & Arts Library is located on the 7th floor of Dodge.

Feel Good @ Columbia University

2009-09-16T00:01:00.001-04:00

Feel Good is an on-campus organization that makes grilled cheese sandwiches and keeps business expenses low. This way, we are able to give lots of money to The Hunger Project, which pursues development initiatives in struggling economies around the world.

How you can help:

1. Eat grilled cheese sandwiches. Starting in October, Feel Good will grill every night in JJ's Place in the basement of John Jay. Our classic American cheese sandwich is always on the menu, and this year we are expanding into gourmet sandwiches: think apple and brie, or tomato mozzarella basil.

2. Make grilled cheese sandwiches. You can sign up for a one-hour shift once a week, with a friend.

3. Come to the first general body meeting, Wed, Sep. 16 at 8:30 pm at JJ's Place. The meeting will be short. At this meeting, you can sign up for grilling shifts, get to know the e-board, share your ideas, and eat free food!

4. Let us cater your events and club meetings. We can even create and name a special sandwich for you.

5. Join our Facebook group

Chromeo + Yo Gabba Gabba

2009-09-15T07:44:00.003-04:00

In preparation for flu season, there are lots of scary signs on the Columbia University campus about how it is necessary to wash your hands in order to stop the spread of disease.

I think the most effective public health campaign would be to play this video on a jumbotron on the lawn--Nice N Clean, techno hip-hop band Chromeo's song for children's show Yo Gabba Gabba.

Yo Gabba Gabba is coming to Columbia University on October 4 for the annual Great Children's Read.

Green Porno

2009-09-14T01:01:00.000-04:00

Green Porno is a series of very short, Sundance award-winning films in which Isabella Rossellini dresses up as various animals and explains how they do it.

Season 3 opens today. All episodes are available for free viewing through the Sundance Channel.

Farmville

2009-09-11T03:14:00.008-04:00

A strange sample of my facebook friends are playing Farmville, from my high school geometry teacher to a high school acquaintance who is now a (very glamorous) drag queen.

At first, I didn't really understand the appeal of Farmville. Players maintain a virtual farm on facebook. The only object of the game is to grow your farm the way you like, with crops, animals, buildings and decorations of your choice. You buy seeds for crops with fake money, and you make a fake money profit when the crops are harvested. None of it is very complicated.

As it turns out, the appeal is in the element of choice. Although there are "levels" you can climb within Farmville, "winning" is not defined. You define "winning" by raising a farm according to your own preferences. Much like how "winning" is defined in real life.

As a tutor, I have used Farmville to teach basic math and economics to middle school students. In addition, Farmville is fun--at the center of my farm, there is a very cute duck pond.

Fashion's Night Out

2009-09-10T01:01:00.000-04:00

Tonight (9/10) is Fashion's Night Out in New York City. Hundreds of participating retailers across the city will be open after-hours, in a citywide effort to restore consumer confidence and have fun while doing it. Many retailers will take clothing donations for AIDS-related charities in the city.

There's something nice about shopping at night--perhaps it's because many of us do indeed feel more confident at night than we do at strange hours of the afternoon.

I tend to make better purchases in the evening than I do during the day.

Kraft Clothing Pantry

2009-09-09T01:05:00.005-04:00

There is a perpetual clothing drive going on at the Kraft Center for Jewish Life, located near the Columbia University campus on West 115th Street (between Broadway and Riverside, across the street from Schapiro).

To make a clothing donation, simply walk into the revolving doors, tell the person at the lobby that you'd like to make a donation, and he will direct you to the Kraft Clothing Pantry.

H&M in Harlem

2009-09-08T01:01:00.000-04:00

When H&M first opened a store in the heart of Harlem two years ago, I didn't know how it would last. Ohn two separate occasions, I saw peaceful , passionate protests in front of the H&M, during which the protestors yelled that the store did not hire black people. I looked into the shop window to see a skinny blonde girl hanging up clothing.

I visited the Harlem H&M yesterday and was greeted by a black doorman. Locals were employed in the store, and other locals shopped joyfully. The store is doing a good job of prominently displaying the clothing that looks particularly good on black skin tones. Along with Harlem residents, Columbia students made up a good portion of the shoppers. There were no signs of discomfort--H&M has found a way to become an expression of Harlem, rather than an intrustion upon Harlem.

Choose A Free Song from Amazon MP3

2009-09-04T01:26:00.003-04:00

To celebrate its one millionth twitter follower, Amazon MP3 (@amazonmp3) is giving away a free download credit to anyone who wants it.

The download credit must be redeemed by Sunday, September 6, 2009 at 11:59 PM PDT, so jump on it!

Michael Jackson Glove by La Crasia

2009-09-03T01:01:00.004-04:00

As Michael Jackson prepared to kick off his worldwide tour this year, he chose Brooklyn glove manufacturer La Crasia to make his signature silver glove.

In honor of Jackson's life, supermodel Agyness Deyn wears the La Crasia glove on the cover of Harper's Bazaar Fall Fashion issue. The silver glove has made its mark on pop culture, and fast--for a limited time following Jackson's death, Facebook users were able to send each other a virtual silver Jackson glove.

La Crasia is still making the silver Jackson glove. You can order it for $40 plus shipping ($5 flat rate to anywhere in the US). The exterior of the glove is encrusted with sequins, so the glove is not the most comfortable in the world. Also, the glove sheds sequins from time to time, so wearing the glove everyday is, unfortunately, a no-no. Wearing the glove to parties is, however, a daring go-go.

Artisan Cheese Crackers - Wheat Thins

2009-09-02T01:01:00.000-04:00

I did not think that these would be a good idea.

Turns out, they're a great idea.

The new Artisan Cheese Crackers from Wheat This are delicious. I'm usually not a big fan of cheese-flavored snacks (I find most of them too "orange cheesy"), but Wisconsin Colby Wheat This are a perfect blend of real cheese and nuttiness.

Open Office

2009-09-01T01:01:00.001-04:00

Open Office is a free, open productivity suite. The download includes a word processor as well as software to create spreadsheets, presentations, and databases. The real boon for math-science sutdents and professionals is the software that can be used to write papers that involve lots of formulas.

Unlike Microsoft Word, Open Office is supremely compatible across different operating systems. It is also very easy to collaborate and share documents on Open Office. According to my father, Xingping Sun, the entire math department at Texas A&M is now using Open Office.

Soul Pancake

2009-08-31T01:01:00.000-04:00

Rainn Wilson, the actor who plays Dwight on The Office, helped create the delightful blog Soul Pancake.

The blog explores life's biggest questions in a way that is somehow both serious and light-hearted. Wilson recently signed a book deal to have 'Soul Pancake' the book out in Fall 2010.

Watch the short video for Wilson's own explanation of Soul Pancake.

Written on the City

2009-08-28T01:01:00.000-04:00

written on the city is a website devoted to graffiti that sends a message.

At left--graffiti from Honolulu.

Cities from all over the world are represented on the website.

I only wonder why Springfield, MO isn't represented yet. We have great graffiti.

Baby Carrots + Sabra Hummus

2009-08-27T01:01:00.001-04:00

My brother and I are obsessed with this snack. It's one of the healthiest things we could possibly be snacking on--hummus is mostly chickpeas, and baby carrots are a great source of vitamin A.

We especially like baby carrots with the roasted garlic flavor hummus.

Bull's Horn Comb

2009-08-26T01:01:00.000-04:00

My bull's horn comb was brought to me from China.

Everyone should have one--it detangles without pain, feels cool to the scalp, and combs natural oils from the scalp to the roots.

Fine European Market in Springfield, MO

2009-08-25T01:01:00.001-04:00

The Fine European Market is located at 3630 S. Campbell Ave. in Springfield, MO. It opened a year ago, and stocks not only European goods but Middle-Eastern goods as well. It is not just expensive finery, but also everyday goodies like British digestive crackers and French limonade.

Charm Bracelet

2009-08-24T01:01:00.006-04:00

Springfield, MO artist Denise Kozal makes a delightfully simple charm bracelet.

Charms include Scrabble letters, Mah Jong pieces, inspirational words, and more.

Kozal offers a lifetime guarantee on all her original jewelry.

Denise Kozal is stationed at the Farmers' Market at the Battlefield Mall on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 8:30 am to noonish.

Google Profile

2009-08-21T08:27:00.006-04:00

A Google Profile is an online calling card. A Profile links together your online presences of choice (ie. twitter, your blog) into one coherent web-identity. This can help you clean up your web-presence for college and job interviews, and it can help you start to take control of your own Google search results.

Although there are many online calling card services out there (ie. LinkedIn), Google Profile is the simplest and most viewer-friendly. I feel comfortable adding my Google Profile to the signature of my e-mails, even when addressed to friends and acquaintances, not just "networking contacts."

Plus, I prefer a life in which the line between friends and "networking contacts" can be blurry, anyway.

Laptop + Work Tote: Kenneth Cole Reaction

2009-08-19T17:11:00.004-04:00

Junior year at my school is filled with interviews from the moment you step foot on campus.

Luckily, my little brother found me the perfect work tote.

Microfiber exterior with a convincing and durable faux-leather trim, the Kenneth Cole Laptop Tote is both practical and classy. It comes with a laptop sleeve that fits screens up to 15.4". The accents on the tote are silver in tone.

Plus, the tote was reasonably priced at my local Sam's Club. Check here for your local availability.

Miller Theatre + Melissa Smey

2009-08-19T08:03:00.004-04:00

Miller Theatre of Columbia University just got an awesome new director, Melissa Smey.

Miller Theatre has always been the place to see great performances of classical music, as well as the occasional avant-garde ballet, at a reasonable price (especially with the $7 student ticket price).

Before Smey, the Theatre was never really the place for students to hang out on a Friday night. This year, it will be. The 2008-2009 season starts out with the Wordless Music series, in which musicians collaborate to paint landscapes and memories.

Season standouts for the month of September alone:

Th, Sep 10: Do Make Say Think + Charles Spearin's "The Happiness Project." $20, no student discount, tickets available online.

Wed, Sep 23 and Fri, Sep 25: Kadinsky's "The Blue Rider" In Performance. In collaboration with the Guggenheim, there will be lights, music, and dancing. $7 - $35, student tickets available when purchased in person.

(Photo Credit: Angel Franco for The New York Times)

Sticky Note

2009-08-18T01:01:00.000-04:00

The internet is my favorite mode of procrastination. The trouble with my work is that it often requires a computer. The trouble with the internet is that it never ends.

Enter Sticky Screen. When you need to get stuff done, you can type a simple note to yourself on the sticky note, set it as your homepage for the time being, and remind yourself to stay on the productive side of the internet, and to stay away from the dangerous abyss of facebook and lolcats.

The New New Economy - Wired Magazine

2009-08-17T01:01:00.001-04:00

Now available online for free, Wired Magazine's June cover stories are the best analysis I have read on the economy as of late. Equal parts daredevil, well-researched, and hopeful, the writers at Wired lay out plans to rebuild Detroit, analyse the rise of "Socialism" in online collaborative work, and spill all of Google's secrets.

All the articles are good, and if you're curious about any of them, I can't recommend highly enough.

Avast Anti-Virus

2009-08-16T09:42:00.003-04:00

Are you still paying for high-quality virus protection software? If so, why?

Avast is the best virus protection I have ever used, and I used to pay like a sucker, too. Avast is free for personal use--the company makes most of its money by selling contracts to protect business networks.

I recently downloaded Avast when a particularly nasty virus destroyed even my anti-virus software, Symantec. I quickly deleted the destroyed software from my laptop, and then Avast did a full system check, finding viruses and adware in the strangest nooks and crannies. My laptop now runs like it did two years ago.

Lijit

2009-08-15T01:01:00.000-04:00

If you're a blogger, then Lijit is the diagnostic that you thought you needed an advertising budget to run.

Lijit is a widget that allows readers to search your blog content (mine is towards the bottom of the home page). You can see popular terms, as well as the geographic locations that your readers tune in from. Plus, you can link your Lijit to your other online presences (ie. twitter), synching them into one coherent online calling card.

Free Chocolate Fridays

2009-08-14T01:01:00.006-04:00

Every Friday, Real Chocolate gives you an opportunity for free chocolate. Show up on the website on Friday, fill out the form, and you'll get a coupon in the mail for your choice of the following: Peanut M&Ms, Snickers, Twix, Dove, 3 Musketeers, or Milky Way.

This is legit. My coupon arrived quickly, my chocolate was delicious, and I don't receive spam (except for the occasional reminder that it's Friday, but even these can be turned off).

wesabe

2009-08-13T01:01:00.007-04:00

Want to know where your money goes? wesabe is the best free money flow manager on the net. Upload info on your bank accounts, cards, and cash, and wesabe gives you an ongoing summary of your income and expenditures.

wesabe is a more expansive version of mint.com. The bank options at mint are limited to large banks, while wesabe carries even my local bank (Bank Midwest).

Harper's Bazaar: Fall Fashion

2009-08-12T01:01:00.005-04:00

The September issue of Harper's Bazaar is the best Fall Fashion issue I've seen in my life. I've always admired Bazaar for their clean layouts and, more generally, their ability to clearly communicate the moods behind trends, so that all readers can adapt what they see to their personal budgets and styles.

This issue contains Susan Boyle's first high fashion photo shoot (she looks gorgeous), solid pieces for shopping in a recession, and fashion designers photographed with the cast of Sesame Street.

As always, there's Bazaar's trademark advice: invest in basics. Add a little bling bling, and you're in style.

(On newsstands now)

imgfave

2009-08-11T01:01:00.004-04:00

imgfave is delicious.com for images. Bookmark the images you like and come back to them later. It's perfect for saving design and fashion inspiration, funny images, and anything else you enjoy. Like delicious, imgfave gives you your own webpage filled with the things you've saved, so that you can share them with friends.

WARNING: imgfave can sometimes (but not always) become a stockpile of softcore porn, depending on what other users decide to "fave." Don't visit imgfave at work or with your grandparents.

imgfave is a more accessible knockoff of ffffound, the latter of which is an elite image-bookmarking website popular among professional designers. Images on ffffound tend to be a great deal more lovely than those on imgfave, but ffffound is invite-only, while anyone can start an account on imgfave.

Here's a link to my imgfave.

Max Azaria + Miley Cyrus

2009-08-10T12:37:00.008-04:00

Miley Cyrus took over Wal-Mart a long time ago, but now she's bringing upscale designer Max Azaria along for the ride. Max and Miley have created a clothing line for Wal-Mart that is full of creative, inexpensive basics.

I purchased a cozy plaid dress from the collection. It's designed like a dream--100% cotton, warmly yet playfully colored, and it features sleeves that can be rolled for longsleeves or half-sleeves. Worn with leggings, it's also highly practical for fall weather. The only downside is that the dress comes with a sash positioned to tie around the hips, which flatters absolutely nobody, but the sash is easily removed and can be tied around the waist.

Missouri: State Tax-free Weekend

2009-08-09T01:01:00.002-04:00

Today is the last day of the annual Back to School MO State Tax-free Weekend.

Pay zero state tax on school supplies, clothes, computers, and computer software and accessories.

There are price limitations, so read the official details here.

Meditations - Marcus Aurelius

2009-08-08T01:01:00.005-04:00

"It loved to happen."

Marcus Aurelius was a Roman Emperor and the original master of Flow. His Meditations (thoughts, not monk chants) on living in the moment and accepting what comes while living proactively were written centuries before Oprah was even born.

The Meditations can be read selectively and do not need to be read cover to cover. They make for good bedtime reading.

Internet Time Monitor

2009-08-07T01:01:00.003-04:00

Every summer, I develop the habit of spending way too much time online. This makes going back to school rough.

I've decided to internet detox early this year. I'm starting by simply becoming aware of how much time I spend online. Over the next few days, I'll be trying out some internet time monitors:

Toggl

Tick

yaTimer

If you try these or any other timer, let me know how it goes!

MUJI

2009-08-06T01:01:00.001-04:00

MUJI is short for "Mujirushi Ryohin," which is Japanese for "No Brand Goods." Most everything MUJI makes appeals to my personal style--not because I'm not interested in brands (they fascinate me), but because MUJI products are simple and functional, yet elegant.

The MUJI Business Card Case holds not only my business cards but also my GRE vocab cards. The case is currently on sale at the MoMA store. Not only is this case cheaper than most of the business card holders I've seen, but I just plain like this one the best.

[Yes, I have business cards. The president of the Columbia Women in Business Society somehow convinced me I needed them. So far, I haven't absolutely needed them, but they do make me feel snazzy.]

The Power of Less

2009-08-05T01:01:00.004-04:00

Leo Babauta is the author of the popular blog Zen Habits. Leo teaches others how to become more productive and more chill at the same time. Most notably, he has great advice to offer on staying focused in an electronic age, goal-setting, and establishing lifelong habits (like exercising regularly or waking up earlier).

Leo’s new book, The Power of Less, is a compact form of the most practical advice found on Zen Habits. The book is worth borrowing from the library—even though I’ve been reading Zen Habits for months, I still learned tons from The Power of Less.

For me, the most helpful advice Leo had was on establishing habits. Leo says that most people tend to start on new resolutions with great enthusiasm, only to burn out within a month or two. Leo’s advice is to start small—very small. Even smaller than you know you’re capable of.

For example, if your goal is to exercise 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, Leo recommends starting out exercising 10 minutes a day, 3 days a week. That way, you conserve all that gung-ho new-goal energy, rather than spending it all at once. Each week, you can gradually up the ante until you’re at your goal, and it becomes a habit for life, rather than just a habit for the month of January.

Good Sunscreen

2009-08-04T01:01:00.008-04:00

Even if you’re not worried about getting a sunburn, sunscreen is the best anti-aging agent money can buy.

UV rays go beyond the surface of your skin and break down the collagen underneath. Over time, collagen breakdown results in wrinkles. To delay the arrival of wrinkles, wear sunscreen daily—yes, even when it’s cloudy, raining, or snowing.

Given how much money people like to spend on covering up their wrinkles once they get them--creams, makeup, surgery--a good sunscreen is a good investment.

A good sunscreen is one that you don't mind wearing every day. It should have an SPF of at least 30. You might also consider a non-comodogenic sunscreen (that is, a sunscreen that doesn't clog your pores) to cover the parts of your body that are acne-prone.

I like Neutrogena's sunscreens, as the finish is dry rather than greasy.

What's your favorite sunscreen? Leave a comment.

NOTE: Sunshine is good for you in small quantities! Fifteen minutes of frolicking in the sun without sunscreen on helps you get your vitamin D. In the summer, most of us get our fifteen minutes without even trying. In the winter, it's important to make an effort to get out more, to ward off symptoms of SADD.

Homeless in The Sims 3

2009-08-03T01:01:00.006-04:00

Alice and Kev is the story of a family of two homeless Sims. The blog follows their lives from the day they became homeless, and the story is still going.

What makes Alice and Kev a worthwhile read and not unvarnished digital cruelty is that the author of the blog and player of the game, Robin Burkinshaw, is telling a story, not just performing an experiment. He's created two compelling characters, and he doesn't control every aspect of their lives--in The Sims 3, created characters come with more "free will," so to speak.

Alice and Kev reminds me of one of my favorite plays, Six Characters in Search of an Author by Luigi Pirandello. The idea in that play is that once created, characters each posess their own "plot drive," and basically tell the story on their own. Alice and Kev are two characters so interesting that they're just overflowing with plot drive.

Alice, a young girl, is kind-hearted, but clumsy and not very assertive.

Kev, the father of the family, is mean-spirited, inappropriate, and clinically insane. He hates children and has a nasty temper.

Although it may sound over-the-top, it works, and well.

Park Central Branch Library

2009-08-02T01:01:00.008-04:00

I'm totally spoiled by the Springfield-Greene County library system. I'm sure the New York City library system is pretty good for a system of its size, but it can't hold a candle to Springfield's in terms of courtesy, community, aesthetics, atmosphere, and convenience. For example, in New York City, there's no way to return a book after the library closes. And the library is only open during hours when you'd either be at work or in class.

So every time I come home, I marvel at the awesomeness of my town's libraries. The Park Central Branch is the newest addition to the system, and it is located on the Square. It's nice--Barnes & Noble nice. You know how sometimes you go to Barnes & Noble not to buy anything, but just to sit in a nice place, read, and drink a cup of coffee? You can do that at the Park Central Branch library, too (The Coffee Ethic is right next door), except at the library, you can take home any of the books, CDs and movies on display for free.

Plus, the Park Central Library has sofa cubes. Yes, the inner walls of this cube are lined with plush, red sofa.

That would be my friend Mark sitting in a sofa cube.

The Tribeca Collection

2009-08-01T01:01:00.002-04:00

Most of the time, Coach handbags aren't my style. It's not as if I despise seeing a Coach handbag on anyone else--I just wouldn't feel myself carrying one myself. I like a structured handbag with clean lines, a small logo if any, and not a whole lot of frills. That's just how I roll.

I'm pleasantly surprised by the new Coach Tribeca collection. I would actually carry the tote at left. You probably can't tell from the small picture, but this tote is made of soft pebbled leather--my favorite material for a handbag.

For me, part of knowing my own style is knowing what I like and why, regardless of what I can afford at the moment. There are so many choices in buying apparel in any price range, and there's no reason to settle for something that I don't love, just because I'm not made of money.

On the Coach facebook page, you can print out a coupon and bring it in to any Coach store for a free pencil tin with a handful of colorful pencils in it.

Haroun and the Sea of Stories

2009-07-31T01:01:00.001-04:00

From the first page: "It stood by a mournful sea full of glumfish, which were so miserable to eat that they made people belch with melancholy even though the skies were blue."

I am reading this book with my student because I am tutoring him in the subject of creative writing. Haroun and the Sea of Stories is wildly playful yet tender with the medium of storytelling.

I am also reading this book with my student because he is beginning to learn the concepts of "metaphor" and "simile," and there are about three examples of each on every page.

Alexander Technique

2009-07-30T01:01:00.001-04:00

The Alexander Technique is traditionally used by dancers, actors, and athletes--people whose professions depend on being able to move in a graceful, well-controlled way.

I started learning the Alexander Technique because I'd like to learn how to move in a more graceful, well-controlled way.

The Alexander Technique is basically about moving in a way that avoids unnecessary muscle tension--for example, many of us tense our necks while we are getting up from a chair, which serves no function besides making your neck feel sore at the end of the day.

Alexander Technique can be learned by reading books, taking classes, or both. I borrowed Teach Yourself Alexander Technique by Richard Craze from the library, and I'd recommend it.

Kinetic Man

2009-07-29T01:01:00.001-04:00

Besides my own house, Jordan Valley Park is my favorite place in Springfield, MO. Prime water fountains for playing, excellent hills for rolling, AND A GIANT ROBOT.

Kinetic Man is the work of Missourian artist Russ RuBert (all photos are from his online portfolio). Whenever out-of-towners come to visit me in Springfield, I always take them to visit Kinetic Man. He's simply lovable!

To see Kinetic Man in action, you have to turn a wheel that looks like it could steer a pirate ship. As the wheel turns, Kinetic man's arms and legs move as if he's walking. Also, his square head rotates a full 360 degrees.

If Kinetic Man could talk, I feel like he would be a wise man. He would be a great listener and a great storyteller.

Long Live Kinetic Man!

Free Summer Playlist

2009-07-28T01:01:00.000-04:00

Nylon Magazine and iTunes have put out a rockin' free summer playlist, and anyone can tune in. Like Nylon Magazine itself, this playlist sounds like windowshopping in Brooklyn with your hip, Williamsburg-dwelling friends, who are cooler than you but (usually) don't rub it in your face. Your friends are dressed fabulously, of course--a bit cheaply, as they're in college, but always classy and fun.

Actually, this playlist pretty much sounds like my own hip Williamsburg-dwelling friend, Ari Botsford (the link goes to her delightful tumblr).

Auto Tune The News

2009-07-27T01:01:00.003-04:00

Auto Tune The News is the most ridiculously silly thing I have ever seen. Want to know what the evening news would sound like with mad beats? Yes, yes you do.

The Coffee Ethic: Trash Art Contest

2009-07-25T01:01:00.002-04:00

The Coffee Ethic in Springfield, MO just kicked off a Trash Art (Recycled Art) Contest. Entries are due Sep. 1, and the top 15 entries will be on display for the October Artwalk and put on silent auction.

No element in your piece of art can be purchased, and nothing can be painted.

[More details]

High School Musical 2 at the Vandivort Theatre

2009-07-24T01:01:00.003-04:00

(Photo credit: Mark Shiefelbein for The News-Leader)

Ever since I started being more honest with my Netflix ratings about what movies truly entertain me, I've been a lot happier. My Netfix movie suggestions have gone from wads of pretentious movies that I would watch in theory but not in practice, to "Hey! Want to watch High School Musical 2 again?"

Why, yes! Yes I do.

Lucky for me, High School Musical 2 is playing at the Vandivort Theatre in Springfield, MO through Aug. 2. Gretchen Teague directs a wonderful cast, and together they bring out all the campy fun (and more!) of the original movie.

Sally Trtan and Micah Scoggins play Gabriella and Troy, and in addition to having wonderful voices, the actors are great at capturing all the giddiness of teen romance.

Paige Deragowski plays the rich bitch Sharpay better than Ashley Tisdale ever did. Deragowski's Sharpay is a complex character--dominant and demanding but clearly fragile and insecure. Tisdale's Sharpay is pretty much just annoying.

I thought that the flamboyant character of Ryan would be the most difficult for an teenage actor to play, but Christian Cook does a fabulous job, with sweet dance moves to boot.

The chorus is delightful, and includes cheerleaders, poolboys, and Sharpettes (girls who follow Sharpay around). The antics of the chorus make for extra humor in the Vandivort production that was missing in the movie.

Special props go out to Malia Hu, who plays a Sharpette named Blossom. Despite not being the official understudy, Hu played the role of lead Gabriella at a moment's notice when Trtan fell ill during last Saturday's performance.

For more information on how to get tickets, check out the Vandivort's website, or RSVP to the Facebook event.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

2009-07-23T01:30:00.002-04:00

Slow and Steady Wins the Race is a label that is part fashion design, part witty repartee.

Every two months, the designers at Slow and Steady Wins the Race release several pieces based on one standard wardrobe staple, pushing the envelope all the while. If the topic is "the sweatshirt," they'll make a sweatshirt blazer. If the topic is "the white button-down shirt," they'll make a white shirt with a zipper down the middle.

One of the label's favorite approaches is to strip a wardrobe staple down to it's most basic recognizable characteristics. An oxford shoe is reduced to its standard shape and large, loopy shoelaces--no embellishments. A high heeled-shoe is covered in unbleached canvas. The signature quilted Chanel bag becomes a quilted cotton bag attached to a gold-colored chain.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race loves blending the line between lo-fi and hi-fi fashion. While a Chanel bag gets totally stripped, a grocery bag is made out of alligator skin and sells for $1,000.

Mike Birbiglia

2009-07-22T01:01:00.009-04:00

Mike Birbiglia is a funny man.

There's a casual style to Birbiglia's comedy--his sketches are almost like listening to a story told by your funniest friend. Of course, every one of Birbiglia's gestures is well-planned in advance, but he makes his audience feel like they're his old friends.

If you want to listen to Birbiglia tell a story, he has a segment in this episode of This American Life, starting about 8 minutes into the broadcast.

If you want to see Birbiglia on a glowing rectangle, he's on youtube.

If you want to see Birbiglia on stage, he's going on a nationwide tour, I'm in The Future Also. Tickets for some cities are already on sale. Tickets for his performance in New York City (Nov. 5) go on sale in August.

Swap Tree

2009-07-20T01:01:00.003-04:00

Maybe I've been in college too long, but I've grown to love used books. It's gotten to the point where a brand new book just makes me plain uncomfortable. Same goes for CDs.

I also enjoy donating or selling off things that I no longer want anymore. It's nice to feel that my unwanted possessions are now being enjoyed by someone else, and that I've chosen to surround myself only with things I truly treasure.

In general, I'm of the view that posessions, much like natural resources and money, need to flow in order to do the most good in the world.

Swap Tree is a website that facilitates the flow of posessions--you post a list of books, CDs, DVDs and games that you don't want anymore, as well as a list of things you'd like to acquire. Everyone else does the same. The website helps arrange favorable trades among users (one item for one item), and the users involved can decide whether or not the trade is acceptable. If the trade is accepted by all parties involved, the users ship their items to one another. The only fee is the cost to ship your item to another user.

Users on Swap Tree are held accountable by a system in which users can rate the reliability of other users. Shipping deadines are strict--once a trade is accepted by all parties, each individual is required to ship their items the following day.

I've mostly been bartering the 90's pop music I no longer like for the 90's pop music I am no longer ashamed to admit that I do like.

Similar websites: SwapaCD , PaperbackSwap

Hidden Treasure

2009-07-19T01:01:00.002-04:00

According to makeup artist Bobbi Brown, the secret to good makeup is not more expensive makeup. The secret is natural-looking application with a set of good makeup brushes.

I'm a lot more comfortable with wearing makeup ever since getting a set of brushes--my makeup looks less chalky, and colors blend more naturally.

Plus, I feel like an artist!

Sonia Kashuk's Hidden Treasure Brush Set contains all the basics--brushes for eyeshadow, blush, eyeliner, and concealer. There are a total of three brushes described as "eyeshadow brushes," but the smallest one also works well as a brush for lip-color.

Simple Diary

2009-07-16T02:00:00.003-04:00

Your day was (only choose one)

( ) irresistible. ( ) reclusive. ( ) listening.

Explain why: _______________________________

So begins one of the page-long entries in Simple Diary: Vol. 1 by Philipp Keel. While writing in a Simple Diary, you'll never be asked to describe your day as "good," "bad," or "tiring"--you'll be asked to choose more playful words.

In book form, Simple Diary is avaliable in six colors. Online, Simple Diary is on twitter.

Mind Maps

2009-07-14T04:00:00.004-04:00

FreeMind excites me because it illustrates the flow of my thinking. FreeMind is open-source mind-mapping software, and the download is free.

It's going to change how I do everything--plan projects, outline papers, and study for my Game Theory class next semester.

You can open up a mind map to editing by by a team, and there are handy icons to help you prioritize items in your map.

There's even a smiley face icon to show when you're happy and you know it.

Le Petit Prince

2009-07-13T04:00:00.003-04:00

I studied French just so I could read Le Petit Prince in its original language. It was worth it.

I love the sound of the French language--I find myself reading this book out loud to myself when I want to relax. The Little Prince, being a child, is a master of Flow, completely unashamed of expressing love, confusion, and delight.

Mini Stapler

2009-07-12T04:00:00.003-04:00

Getting a mini-stapler has added so much joy and happiness to my life.

A mini is small enough to fit in my purse, so I always have a stapler when I need one (which is often, as I'm a college student). The Swingline Tot Mini Stapler cost me less than $2, and now I'm going to wax poetic about its ingenious design. First, it uses normal-sized staples instead of those silly mini-staples that other mini-staplers use. Also, it's ergonomically-designed, with grooves on top and bottom for a thumb and forefinger to grip and staple. There's even a small staple-remover built into the bottom.

It's the simple things that make me happy.

F.lux

2009-07-11T07:35:00.004-04:00

F.lux is free software that changes the "temperature" of your computer screen according to the time of day. This means that at night, your computer can emit a warm glow instead of headache-inducing blue light.

F.lux makes for less eye-strain and better sleep. At night, it makes your computer screen look like a sunset.

Just Breathe

2009-07-10T10:44:00.002-04:00

Christopher Brosius is an independent perfumer in Brooklyn who mixes up brilliant, unique scents. His perfumes are bottled experiences.

Just like every New Yorker needs to make a getaway to The Cloisters every once and a while, every New Yorker needs a bottle of Just Breathe sitting on her dresser. Just Breathe is a blend of calming, mind-clearing scents, including Bamboo Leaves, Japanese Green Tea, and Forest. Three varieties of Cedarwood and a hint of Incense add depth and mystery to the scent.

Just a dab of this scent reminds me to Flow. After a few moments, the airy top notes subside, and the Cedarwood base resonates, a forest full of Sound.