Boulevard

I love California. Before, I never understood why people came here on vacations. There didn't seem like much to do or see. However, as I have gotten older, I have gotten to explore my home state a little more. One of the places I used to hate going to was Los Angeles. The tedious drive was always an hour or more of bumper to bumper traffic, and being a bit delicate, I almost always got car sick. Now that I am older and I am in possession of a driver's license, things are a bit different. I get to plan where I want to go and how I get there. The Pacific Coast Highway is my route of choice if I am going south. It plays to my romantic side (romantic in conjunction with romanticism, not the idealized love version, I hate how that is the more commonly used context of the word) and makes the long drive feel less like a chore. Exploring LA is really a treat. Here innovation fuses with style to make building, museums, stores, and restaurants. For those of you who have not read my Philosophy page (located under the Home tab) that is essentially what I am all about. So this summer, I have loved going into the city. Since I am a definite sucker for novelty treats, MILK had been on my radar for quite some time. The whole aesthetic was on par with it cute name, with a hyped up line to match. I must say while everything looked good, it did not deliver for me. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. That is one thing I hate about LA, you can find a lot of experiences like this. It is disappointing to say the least, when something you hoped for wasn't what you expected. Gives me the validation that I want to build something that has it all: creativity and quality. Today, so many things have a designer price tag, and so many rush to grab them. I think in this day and age we are getting a little sloppy and a little stupid. We want what others have even though we can't afford it or we compromise our sense of self to follow a trend. Most of us use Google to find the answers to our homework instead of reading the material. We want the easy way or the quickest way to fame and fortune. For those that haven't heard, fame and fortune don't equal success. Success is a dangerous word, but one of my definitions for it is self - satisfaction. Some of my goals are create films, write articles, design clothes, but I would never dream for them to not be the best. I want the best quality film, the perfect words, and the richest materials. I want to do the work. That might sound a bit hypocritical coming from a smartphone photographer over here, but I am making do with my resources. For me there is a driving force behind what I want to do. I want to create for the people. I aim to connect and introduce new perspectives. I want to remind; remind them of when they were lonely, sad, dissatisfied, so they know not to deliver the same to anyone else. Like a chip on your shoulder. Then I want to give them something. Something that is maybe hard to achieve on their own. With words, clothes, or a helping hand I will bring strength and confidence that will help enhance one's sense of self. I want to do this in order to start celebrating the good and bad, because believe it or not sorrow can be just as beautiful as joy. I want to change the view of the beholder. Stop being sloppy friends, and help others have it all. 

Farm Fresh Bounty

We are now in the home stretch! I start school in two days, TWO! Now I don't mind so much that the season is ending but I will miss the summer produce. I love the farmers' market every Saturday morning. I walk around with my mom and hold the bags, and usually I am rewarded with fresh kettle corn or newly made tamales from the stands. Fruits and vegetables during this season are seriously the best. I mean strawberries are at their sweetest up 'til July, watermelon is good anytime, and don't get me started on tomatoes. It is like Demeter herself put all her happy TLC into these brightly colored beautes. Summer makes me love tomatoes again. It also makes me want to take my healthy habits into the school year. I plan on making more of my lunches (saves money too) instead of grabbing fast food. I'm thinking homemade Greek salad or turkey wraps, alternating spreads between sour cream, salsa, or hummus, just to keep it interesting. This should help me stray from my carb heavy diet. Or if I fall off the wagon and cave, I could pre-cook some whole wheat pasta and mix it with some veggies the night before. Both options are still better than my usual chicken nuggets kid's meal at the Habit (I will admit I also get a shake, but I do not upgrade to the adult size, gotta rein it in somewhere). Let's hope I can stay on track though, fall is the notorious beginning to the comfort food half of the year. But you can always indulge if you're gonna put a little cardio in somewhere. Fo me it isn't really about being skinny, the way I see it is that you are going to have one body for the rest of your life, so take care of it. Predispositions to diseases already run in the family, let's not help the head start right? The elderly ladies I used to volunteer at the library with always told me to take care of myself before I start getting old. That's when everything seems to break down. I fully intend to heed their advice. But they definitely were not helping with all the cupcakes and cookies they kept bringing in every week! Humans... they talk the talk but don't walk the walk.

Summer Sounds

I have decided to start a mini series about the sound tracks of the seasons of my life. This year has just been a breakthrough to me. I think I've gained a confidence and understanding that will ever be unique to me. I have figured out that I want to convey feelings in every medium possible. Feelings are so universal. Hate, Love, Contentment, despair, all encompass a part of the human experience. Yet the varying amplitudes in which they happen to a person in a specific moment are what sets each of our experiences apart. Each measure of an emotion can be captured through film, photography, literature, art, etc. Music is a special unit of measurement in the way a melody can fill your entire being up while words add depth. You can take music and attach it to a moment and it becomes apart of your story. So with that this mini series is an ever evolving log of myself. But I guess this could also be you just finding some great new artists to add to your repertoire. Hey I'm pleased with that too. 

1. Animal Shapes (album) by Geographer - discovered them thanks to the Getty. They give off a mellowness and a whimsy through the creative use of cello and synthesizers, but the lead vocalist and lyrics balance it out with a straightforward simplicity. Also check out a newer song called Lover's Game. Animal shapes is a bit older just because I usually find people's old stuff to be better.

2. Kitsune maison compilation 12: The Good Fun Edition (album) by various artists - I love most of this album when I want to listen to something good and fun. So kudos to the people at kitsune maison for putting together an incredible compilation that satisfies the name.

3. The Neighborhood (albums: I'm Sorry and I Love You) - My sister actually went to high school with the lead singer Jesse Rutherford, and I'm incredibly jealous because I was just a couple years behind! I love Jesse as lead vocals, he really has a nice quality to his voice. The lyrics and beats are really fresh and young, and overall just good music to chill to, whether you're cruising around or cleaning your room. I am also a huge fan of their music videos and cover art, the black, gray, and white scheme reinforces a moodiness that just defines the band and their music. 

4. Lana Del Rey - I had a little bit of a problem with her at first. I refused to even give her music a shot because all the wannabe hipsters were head over heels for her, and there was no way in hell I was joining them. But as it happens one of my best friends is actually a semi hipster (music wise at least) and she would always play her in the car as we went out to lunch. I found myself inquiring about her and after embarrassingly being told it was Lana Del Rey (like I've been living under a rock) I caved and listened to her songs. She has such a uniqueness in her musicality and overall presence. Plus the lyrics are so intriguing, I guess you can say I am in on the infatuation now too.

5. Maiden & Pilgrim by Mø - I found her while perusing the set list of Iceland airwaves. I believe she is Danish, but it doesn't matter what she is, girl's got sick beats.  I think I would describe it as Euro electo pop, but just have a little listen and you'll see.

LACMA

                  

               

               

               

              

              

          

         

     

     

         

Boy am I so glad I am under eighteen. That way I get in for free at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. This was my first time there, but wow this place is such a treat. I have so much appreciation for all the exhibits I saw here, but as you can probably tell, I am especially drawn to the more contemporary pieces. I love being able to mesh traditional things with technology in order to reinvent them. So please enjoy all the pictures I took! Everyone should get to experience this.

Keep Cool

As August, along with summer, nears its close I want to remind all of y'all to stay hydrated, to wear some spf, and to go out and do the things you haven't gotten to do with your free time yet! There's a couple things left on my summer to-do list that I wanna check off. So hurry up! Time does not stop for anybody.