We are Random, We are The Big Idea

Waiting on Ourselves to Change

1 Comment 25 January 2010

When presented with the all too daunting and overwhelming question of the “meaning of life,” I always come back to one answer: the pursuit of self-awareness. The above picture is of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, that is our instinctual needs as human beings. It is pretty self-explanatory, and I’m sure you can draw your own meaning from it.

Is it us that change or is it just our surroundings? Do experiences really change us or do they just change how we think about the world? A few of my friends have left to study abroad in the past couple weeks, going everywhere from Paris to Prague to Madrid to Norway. It got me thinking of my Summer in London and the experience I had there.

I definitely gained some confidence and valuable experience in the Design industry, but how much did the experience really change me? I think making the decision to live abroad, getting accustomed to a new culture and becoming familiar with a new city, have all added in parts to my independence. Sometimes, (if this is not true about everything in our lives for certain people), we do things because we want them to change us in some way, or we want to grow somehow from the experience. I went abroad because I wanted to expand my knowledge not only of another culture but also of myself in some sense.

Last night I was chatting with a friend about relationships which eventually turned into a conversation about change, primarily the question whether or not people can change. I’ve always wanted to believe that people can change, but it’s something I’ve battled with for years. Sometimes we want something so badly that we convince ourselves we can change either ourselves or another person involved. What we fail to see however is that change takes time, and we have no control over someone else’s progress and growth, which is independent from our own.

When we finally can realize actually how little control we have over others, it can free us from the burdens of this naive and usually unfulfilled hope. Often times when we love someone, or even when we don’t, we choose to see that person for who we want them to be instead of who they actually are. Similarly, we see ourselves for who we aim to be instead of who we present ourselves as. Just as when we see, what we experience is affected by what we already know and believe to be true.

I’m not saying that there is no hope for change and growth. I am however saying that it is extremely difficult, and a process that takes years if not a lifetime. And I think that’s ok. For in reality, if we started out perfect, where would we have to progress? As humans we are flawed. I think the trick is to recognize those flaws and address them humbly. If we are to love someone fully, we must love them with all of their flaws and accept that they are human.

If we are to change at all in any way, we must be able to look at ourselves for what we truly are, in an honest light. We must then, and not first, be actually willing to change something. As long as we think it is the world around us that needs changing and not us, we will never be able to grow.

We are Euphonic

Best I Ever Had Cover

0 Comments 18 January 2010

Andy Suzuki & The Method take a fresh new take on the lyrics and melody to Drake’s “Best I Ever Had.” I love these guys. Check it out!

We are Random

Notes from my Journal

2 Comments 18 January 2010

There is a quote I have always liked… it goes something like, “love is an environment which you surround someone with in order for them to grow to their fullest potential.”

In our lifetime, we are constantly moving through different environments. Our moods are affected by so many different factors, both external and internal. I am what you would call a “highly sensitive person.” My mood depends greatly on those of the people around me. It is exhausting living with our emotions day in and day out, our ever changing moods clashing with others. This is where love comes in. It’s like our immune system, fighting off infections and disease. There is no big plastic bubble to step into to protect ourselves from the world around us. But when love is present, somehow the fight seems to fade away and become less important. When someone loves us fully and entirely with all of our flaws, it gives us courage. We are surrounded with an environment which allows us to thrive and grow.

Moment of truth – I haven’t been inspired much on the subject of love lately, but I was looking back in my journal, and I had written this a couple years back. I still think it holds true and not just in romantic relationships.

In romantic love you want the other person. In real love you want the other person’s good.
-    Margaret Anderson

Love is a condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.
-    Robert Heinlein

Keep your heart and mind open always!

We are Du Jour

Pela Wedges by Dolce Vita

0 Comments 17 January 2010

Usually, I’m not so keen on Bubble Gum pink, however… Dolce Vita brings you this Pela hot pink nappa leather criss cross strappy wedge sandals with open toe and back zipper. These beauties are retailing for $166. For Spring, I’d steer away from black and try styling them with some softer neutrals like khaki. Find them here.

We are Du Jour

VANS Factory Girl

0 Comments 17 January 2010

Oh what I would do if it were me in that VANS factory! This girl managed to create a pretty heinous pair of shoes. The originals were so cute! I’m looking forward to Spring already

We are Random, We are The Big Idea

Dalai Lama on Karma

0 Comments 09 January 2010

“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”

“Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.”

“Spend some amount of time alone everyday.”

“Open yourself to change, but do not let go of your values.”

“With realization of one’s own potential and self-confidence in one’s
ability, one can build a better world.”

“Once a year, go some place you have never been.”

“Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.”

“All major religious traditions carry basically the same message;
that is love, compassion, and forgiveness are the important things
that should be part of our daily lives.”

We are Euphonic

Lil Wayne – On Fire

0 Comments 09 January 2010

We are Euphonic

DJ Earworm’s Heartless

0 Comments 09 January 2010

I’m not crazy about all of DJ Earworm’s mashups (except for the one above), but it sure is a great way to sum up the top records of a year. Check out his tribute to 2009 with his mashup, United State of Pop (Blame it on the Pop).

And just in case you were wondering, here’s the track list (of 25 songs) for the master mashup…
The Black Eyed Peas – BOOM BOOM POW
Lady Gaga – POKER FACE
Lady Gaga Featuring Colby O’Donis – JUST DANCE
The Black Eyed Peas – I GOTTA FEELING
Taylor Swift – LOVE STORY
Flo Rida – RIGHT ROUND
Jason Mraz – I’M YOURS
Beyonce – SINGLE LADIES (PUT A RING ON IT)
Kanye West – HEARTLESS
The All-American Rejects – GIVES YOU HELL
Taylor Swift – YOU BELONG WITH ME
T.I. Featuring Justin Timberlake – DEAD AND GONE
The Fray – YOU FOUND ME
Kings Of Leon – USE SOMEBODY
Keri Hilson Featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo – KNOCK YOU DOWN
Jamie Foxx Featuring T-Pain – BLAME IT
Pitbull – I KNOW YOU WANT ME (CALLE OCHO)
T.I. Featuring Rihanna – LIVE YOUR LIFE
Soulja Boy Tell ‘em Featuring Sammie – KISS ME THRU THE PHONE
Jay Sean Featuring Lil Wayne – DOWN
Miley Cyrus – THE CLIMB
Drake – BEST I EVER HAD
Kelly Clarkson – MY LIFE WOULD SUCK WITHOUT YOU
Beyonce – HALO
Katy Perry – HOT N COLD

Visit his website.

We are Euphonic

Have You Heard… 2AM Club?

0 Comments 09 January 2010

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These guys have been growing on me. However they remind me a lot of Gym Class Heroes and Mike Posner and another artist I can’t quite put my finger on (maybe Owl City… you know, the band that sings that corny “Fireflies” song). They’re a bit juvenile and poppy in my opinion, which might be the reason they appeared as one of Seventeen Magazine’s “Prom 2010 Music Downloads.” I’m pretty sure they opened up for Mike Posner too.

Visit their website here.

We are Random

The Night Shadow

0 Comments 09 January 2010

Massow Concept Motorcycles have created the leaping jaguar bike which they call the “Night Shadow.” This bike weighs in at almost 800 pounds thanks to the fiber glass cat. I wouldn’t mind taking a ride on the back of this Jaguar. I’m not sure it looks so comfortable though. My favorite part? I mean besides the whole concept, it’s the headlight coming from the open mouth.