I'm Baaaaack...

It's been a little while since I've been here. I actually even forgot that I had a blog for a little while. I think my absence was caused mostly by not really knowing what I wanted to do with this thing. For a little while it was nothing more than a place where I could express whatever was on my mind. I've realized though that most of the time all I want to talk about is music. I think it would make sense to make this blog a place where I can share my thoughts on different albums and bands that I'm trying out and post playlists and things. Music is a huge part of my life and most of the time I've found that I have no one to share it with. I've turned a lot of my friends on to different music I think they'd like, but no one is as receptive as text box where I can just go on and on until I've gotten out everything I want to say.

Although I'm sure I won't have very many readers, I think it helps to just get it all out. If someone does stumble upon my little ramblings and finds them interesting I hope they speak up and share their thoughts. There's nothing I love more than a good talk about music. So, for now I won't go as far as to say that I'm completely back, but I'll definitely pop in more often.

Lets Compare...

One governor wants his state to secede, while another is actually doing something that matters. This new trend in acceptance and tolerance is amazing!! I hope it doesn't end any time soon.



His speech is amazing. His delivery is a little scrambled, but he's eloquently speaking the truth. This is what people should be thinking about. We are not all equal in this country and it's not just an issue for gay people, but for all Americans. If there are still people in this country who are denied rights because of institutionalized discrimination, it effects everyone! It's amazing that people are finally starting to see the light... and most importantly actually take a stand!

I have many reasons to be happy right now

and one of the biggest ones is the recent decisions in Iowa and Vermont to allow gay marriage. I mean, this is a huge turn of events and hopefully other states will follow suit. Civil unions aren't acceptable... people should demand nothing less than equal rights and protection for all everyone. I can't fathom how someone can believe that someone else should be treated as less than a full citizen of our country because of sexual orientation. It makes me sick to my stomach. We all pay the same taxes, speak the same language, and pledge allegiance to the same flag so why aren't we all treated the same? It's not fucking fair.

Last summer I got into a little debate on a website forum thingy that I visit from time to time about gay marriage and what I said there completely sums up my reasons for supporting gay marriage (and gay rights in general) in only two paragraphs! Don't know how I did it actually. Sticking with the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" school of thought, I found it and I'll repost it here word for word:

I’m a pretty big fan of gay marriage. Putting aside the whole issue of whether or not it is natural, I think the argument that marriage is a religious institution is pretty much completely irrelevant and this seems to be the most prevalent reason behind “disagreeing” with gay marriage. I don’t know the history or marriage or anything, but I’m pretty sure that people committed themselves to each other because they are bound by mutual love and respect (and maybe other things… idk) throughout history long before there was even a word for it. Marriage in our society has become so much more than that; it’s pretty much lost it’s meaning entirely. If tax breaks and other things are of no importance and the only thing one cares about is love, no one would feel the need to have their government get involved. People would spend their lives together of their own choice and for their own personal reasons. Marriage would have a different meaning for everyone and in that way I think it would really retain the “sacred” value that people put on it today.

Once the government gets involved though, any ties to religious institutions that have a significant effect on it’s people becomes nothing less than suffocating for all it’s citizens. Basically, the government should not be able to use the argument that marriage is a sacred religious union between a man and a woman to keep gay people from getting married because in doing so they are seemingly forcing religious beliefs on people through lawmaking, which, btw is kinda illegal…. or I guess unconstitutional. If the label of “marriage” is soley, or at it’s core, a religious thing, it should not be something that anyone can get legally. All US citizens (gay and straight) should either all be allowed to freely marry without religious stipulation or get “civil unions” and leave the officiating of “marriage” to the various religions.

At the core though, it’s really all or nothing for me. Either we all get the same rights or none of us get them at all.

I typically stay away from the whole, love is love stuff because that doesn't work. People who would be receptive to that argument are the people who are already supporters of gay marriage. Opposers don't speak that language. They don't believe that gay people can actually be in love with a person of the same sex so that argument is completely irrelevant in debate. For me though, there isn't really much debate anyway. I say what I have to say and I'm done. I'll listen to anyone who wants to disagree, but I really have nothing more to add than what I just said.

I also don't think the decision should be left up to the public. The general population has a history of only looking out for themselves, not for any minority group. The government has to step in and protect all of its citizens. If it were left up to the people would we still have legal segregation? Would I have been able to go to my high school or college and even meet many of my friends? Would I or my best friend (we are both mixed) have even been born? We can't really know the answers to those questions because fortunately the government did not leave the ratification of the laws that say I am just as American and even as human as any white person to the majority of the population.

I don't see a difference in these issues no matter what anyone says, but I'm always open for someone to try to change my mind.

A little of this... A little of that.

Tomorrow is the first day of April and we're finally getting some weather that actually feels like spring. It's refreshing. Our winter was freakishly warm; flowers were blooming, bugs came out, and it seemed like winter this year just wouldn't happen. Once we got to March, however, Mother Nature, who must feel a little discombobulated right now, brought winter upon us with full force. We had a monstrous snow storm and cold rain pretty much every week with random 80 degree days sprinkled in between. Now, finally we've had nice weather for a couple of days (following about a week of ominously cloudy days and heavy rainfall) with temperatures that aren't too cold, but not too hot... staying in the 60's and 70's. I didn't want to write so much about weather actually, but it's just very refreshing, having a positive effect on everyone I've come across, myself included.

Anyway, the new month means a new playlist and I've already started working on it. I've been downloading albums furiously the past couple of days and found some really great stuff that really embodies the warmth and happiness surrounding me (in the weather and my friends). The past week, when it was cold and dreary, I actually started working on it and found myself drawn to mellow, almost somber music like Soap&Skin (an amazingly talented 18 year old Austrian singer songwriter), various IDM and trip-hop (Telefon Tel Aviv <3, múm, Gridlock (thanks Slavick! I <3 it), Mono (UK), and Hooverphonic <3), Aqualung, and Joy Division (who are never ALMOST somber, but most likely the epitome of it). It demonstrated to me very clearly just how much the weather really does effect mood. But once the sun finally pushed its way back through the clouds I couldn't even listen to it anymore and started over. It's not even half way done yet, but I've never been so excited about one of my monthly playlists that I've not only started it before the month started, but I felt the need to write about it before it was finished. Warmth is contagious.

The point of this post was to share with you (the one, sometime 3 of you that actually read my lonely little blog) albums that I've been listening to non stop the past couple days. So, here they are, the albums that I'm loving right now (in no particular order, of course):


Common // Universal Mind Control
In my mind, Common can never do any wrong and I'm so happy that the world finally took notice of him a few years ago. His latest album is upbeat and relevant, perfect for driving around the city. So far, "Gladiator", "Universal Mind Control", and "Punch Drunk Love" are my favorites.


Dragonette // Galore
Super fun, delicious pop dance music from Canada. A crazy mix of Gwen Stefani, Madonna, Fergie, and Scissor Sisters).


Ladyhawke // Ladyhawke
Seemingly named after that crazy Michelle Pfieffer movie where she's running around the forest doing crazy forest woman things, this girl would be the hipster city version of her. This album is pure joy, nothing but dancey electronic indie (indietronic?) music, which of course is my favorite. I love this album.


The Notwist // The Devil, You + Me
This band and album was introduced/given to me by my friend Slavick, who loves music (almost) as much as I do. This album is slower and darker than the other albums I listed here, but I love this one for its beautiful arrangements, extremely effective electronics, great lyrics, and perfect vocals. It's perfect for night driving. This band has been around for a long time - almost 20 years and I've seen the name here and there, but I can't believe I haven't heard them until recently. This is what Radiohead would be without the arrogance and occasionally contrived lyrics. I totally recommend this album.

Ok, so that's all for now... I have a paper due in less than 4 hours that I haven't started yet so this probably wasn't the best time to blog... but what can I say? I work best under pressure... I have to, I'm the master procrastinator.

Put the Bass in Your Walk!

So, one of my new favorite shows, RuPaul's Drag Race, has recently come to a close. I'm sure anyone reading this has to be as upset as I am to lose it. It's basically America's Next Top Model with drag queens, and of course everyone loves a (good) drag queen. The final three were Bebe, Nina Flowers, and Rebecca Glasscock (who IS very beautiful (and Shannell was like TOTALLY gorgeous and kinda cray cray too), but shouldn't have made it to the top three). I pretty much knew that Rebecca wasn't going to win... or I knew that RuPaul, in all her amazing-ness would recognize more than anyone the qualities necessary to become a "drag superstar."

So, it was between Bebe and Nina. Honestly, they are both good... actually all of the contestants were good, but Nina was the best. There was no one on that show who could perform like her. Her makeup was crazy good and creative and she could dance like no one else. English is her second language, but all we care about is what she does on stage... and let me tell you, she ALWAYS brings it. In the end though, BeBe Zahara Benet won the competition and I can't be mad about it, because if anyone other than Nina was to win, I'm happy it was Bebe. (Even though I might have weird bias for Ongina... OMG I love her!! But I knew she wasn't going to win.) Anyway, here's a little video from youtube of RuPaul's single, "Covergirl (Put the Bass in Your Walk)," the show's theme, with an alternative video of the contestants from the show. I really wish I could've gotten the one of Rebecca and Nina vogueing (whaaa? spelling?) or the final lipsync for your life between Nina and BeBe (It was amazing and intense... they should consider performing together one day!)



I really wish I could see Nina, or anyone from the show, but espcially Nina perform live one day, but Godfrey's, Richmond rinky dink little gay club (and my RVA club of choice... always) doesn't even have a stage. Everyone performs in the middle of the dance floor and it's hella small. I would be embarrassed for any performer of her caliber to even come in there! (Plus, they probably couldn't afford her anyway lol) I can't talk too much shit about Godfrey's though, I love it despite it's crappiness because it's the only club I go to and I pretty much always have a good time. It's the only place where I'll always find some friends (even if I didn't plan to go with anyone) and can drink and dance without having to deal with crazy bright orange half humainoid slutbots assaulting me to get to some meat head guy. But I digress...

Basically, my point is: Nina should've won, RuPaul (and Santino :^])!
Btw, how much do I love RuPaul and Santino?! Together?! They were both pure perfection, as they usually are.

El Presidente

"Rome wasn't burnt in a day." What?

It's 3:31 in the morning and I have to be up in three hours. My body feels like it can't move anymore, can't stand to be awake any longer, but my mind is racing. Someone is driving me crazy and it's affecting my sleep schedule. I don't appreciate it very much and I'd like to ask if this person could please leave my head. I really can't do the can't eat can't sleep shit, I'm sorry.

March 09's Playlist

Apparently March '09 is for nothing more than jumping around the house by myself when I should be doing something better with my time. This is one of my favorites of my monthly playlists, mostly because I've been able to listen to it non stop all month long, which didn't happen with the others. Anyway, without further ado:

1. Yelle // Je Veux te Voir
2. Yeah Yeah Yeahs // Heads Will Roll
3. Ladyhawke // My Delirium
4. Lily Allen // Back to the Start
5. The Presets // If I know You
6. Shiny Toy Guns // Starts With One
7. The Sounds // Queen of Apology
8. Stacy Q // Two of Hearts
9. The Ting Tings // Shut Up and Let Me Go
10. Crystal Castles // Crimewave
11. Black Kids // I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You (still <3 this song)
12. Santogold // Shove It (every time I listen to the album I have a new favorite)
13. Britney Spears // If You Seek Amy
14. Digitalism // Pogo
15. Electric Six // Dance Commander
16. Fischerspooner // Emerge (a song I will never tire of)
17. Gogol Bordello // 60 Revolutions
18. Hedwig and the Angry Inch OST // Angry Inch

This playlist is all I've been listening to. I love it. I'll add the imeem playlist in a bit.

I'm that free loving atheist liberal sending e-hugs to all the conservatives out there.

I tell most people that I meet that I'm probably the most liberal person they will ever meet. Over time they find that it's generally true. I think one of the really great things about being super super liberal is that I can handle criticism and ignorance quite well because I try to afford people the same consideration they should show me (but often don't). It doesn't bother me. Of course in some of those pesky hot button issues like gay marriage, abortion, etc. I can get frustrated and often times quite sad, but I hardly ever get angry.

Actually, I don't see a fundamental difference in values and goals between myself and people with vastly differing political views. I think deep down we pretty much all want the same things, we just have different ideas of how to go about achieving them and different reasons for wanting them. Because of this the only thing that keeps a conservative from being liberal and vice versa is understanding. We will always misunderstand each other. We can't fathom how someone else can possibly think the way they do and we never can until we think the same way, effectively adopting the same beliefs.

This theory in and of itself reeks of liberalism possibly with a dash of naivety, but I honestly believe it to be true based on the knowledge and experiences I've gained over my 22 years on Earth (most people find it hard to believe that I wasn't always like this... I've come a long way). This theory is why no one will ever hear the words "I hate conservatives and/or Republicans, Christians, Mormons, Scientologists (lol), Libertarians, rich people, men, hunters, etc" come out of my mouth. I don't understand or agree with them and probably never will, but I do try my best to make sure that we can all be heard, even though most of those people would rather I keep my mouth shut. I will cringe and then protest against their policies, but I will also talk to them about it (calmly and as open minded as possible) if I need to. I am biased, but I understand and accept that we all are. What matters is how much we try to see that we are all more alike and connected than most people seem to think.

I got this from Facebook, but I wasn't tagged... I just felt like doing it.

Think of 15 films that had such a profound effect on you they changed your life or the way you looked at it. They sucked you in and took you over for days, weeks, months, years. These are the films that you can use to identify time, places, people, emotions. These are the films that shaped your world. When you finish, tag 15 others, including me. Make sure you copy and paste this part so they know the drill. Get the idea now? Good. Tag, you're it!

1. Paradise Now
2. The City of Lost Children
3. Rabbit Proof Fence
4. Water
5. Joyeux Noel
6. Malcolm X
7. Auntie Mame
8. Metropolis
9. The Lives of Others
10. City Lights
11. La Cage Aux Folles (When I was younger I had a much higher tolerance for old movies with subtitles than the average kid. This is one of the many movies my mom made me watch as part of my early film education and I loved it.)
12. Better Off Dead
13. Harriet the Spy (I would say that both the book and the movie had a huge impact on me when I was younger, probably more than any other book or movie ever.)
14. Spirited Away
15. Mary Poppins
Bonus:
16. Cooley High
17. Death Race 2000
18. Dawn of the Dead (1978)

If you know anything about me you have to know that I loooove movies. This was kinda tough for me.

I'm Sick!!!

and it hasn't been fun.  I've been in bed for the past three days and I've only left the house once.  I've watched seasons 1&2 of Project Runway and now I'm on season 3 of Sex and the City.  I'm beyond bored and miserable.  Fortunately the worst part is over though.  Yesterday I slept most of the day and kept getting the chills and then hot flashes lol and my whole body hurt.  It sucked.  

Survey Time!! Woo!

001. Real name → Etenesh Brown
002. Nickname(s)→ Anna (if I don't know you and you ask my name... Try to pronounce Etenesh.  yeah)
003. Zodiac sign → Capricorn
004. Male or female → Female
005. Elementary → JB Fisher Elementary
006. Middle School – Binford Middle
007. High School (Full) – Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts and Technology
008. Gym or Outside – Walking around Richmond for hours
009. Favorite Hobby – watching movies, reading... boring stuff
010. Any Degrees? – 2: nope
011. Currently in a Relationship? – No
012. Phone or Camera → cameraphone
013. Health freak → nope
014. Drink or Smoke? → Drink
015. Do you have a crush on someone? → Yes
016. Eat or Drink → drink... I'm ALWAYS thirsty
017. Piercings → the usual... 4 in my ears
018. Tattoos → nope

HAVE YOU EVER?
019. Been in an airplane→ yes
020. Been in a relationship → yes, though they weren’t serious
021. Been in a car accident → yes
022. Been in a fist fight → yes

FIRSTS:
023. First piercing → Ears
024. First best friend → um I think Lindsey in elementary school
025. First award → Perfect Attendance in kindergarten & 1st grade
026. First crush -> Brandon Bagby in 3rd grade

LASTS:
029. Last person you talked to → my mom
030. Last person you texted → Jason
031. Last person you watched a movie with → myself
032. Last food you ate → ice cream
033. Last movie you watched → The Lives of Others
034. Last song you listened to → Right as Rain by Adele
035. Last thing you bought → rat food for Padme
036. Last person you hugged → umm 

FAVES:
037. Food → most things with tofu
038. Drink → water
039. Clothing → jeans and a shirt and my all black chucks
040. Book → N/A
041. Music → N/A
042. Flower → N/A
043. Color → green
044. Movie → The City of Lost Children
045. Positions → 
046. Subjects → Film, Religious Studies

IN 2008 (fill in the x's) ..... I
047. [x] danced
048. [x]celebrated Halloween (I was a hockey mom!!!)
049. [ ] had your heart broken
050. [x] went over the minutes on your cell phone
051. [x]someone questioned your sexual orientation
052. [ ]came out of the closet
053. [ ] gotten pregnant
054. [ ]had an abortion
055. [x]done something you've regretted.
056. [ ] broke a promise (to myself)
057. [x] hid a secret
058. [ ] pretended to be happy
059. [x] met someone who changed your life
060. [x] pretended to be sick
061. [ ] left the country
062. [ ] tried something you normally wouldn't try and liked it
063. [x] cried over the silliest thing
064. [x] ran a mile
065. [ ] went to the beach with your best friend(s)
066. [x] stay single a whole year

CURRENTLY:
067. Eating → nothing
068. Drinking → water
069. I'm about to → post this
070. Listening to → Fujiya & Miyagi
071. Plans for today → Going to Uno's and then to see Madea Goes to Jail w/Alisha & my mommy
072. Waiting for → KDO to start

YOUR FUTURE:
073. Want kids? → Don't know...
074. Want to get married? → Meh
075. Careers in mind → Meh

WHICH IS BETTER WITH GIRL/BOY?
076. Lips or eyes → eyes
077. Shorter or taller? → taller
078. Romantic or spontaneous → both
079. Nice stomach or nice arms→ arms
080. Sensitive or loud → both
081. Hook-up or relationship → hmm
082. Trouble-maker or hesitant → trouble maker

HAVE YOU EVER:
083. Lost glasses/contacts → yes
084. Ran away from home → no
085. Hold a gun/knife for self defense → no
086. Killed somebody → no
087. Broken someone's heart → no
088. Been arrested → no
089. Cried when someone died → yes

DO YOU BELIEVE IN:
090. Yourself → yes
091. Miracles → no
092. Love at first sight → no
093. Heaven → no
094. Santa Claus → I wish I still did
095. Sex on the first date → 
096. Kiss on the first date → yes

ANSWER TRUTHFULLY:
097. Is there one person you want to be with right now? → yes
098. Are you seriously happy with where you are in life? → no
099. Do you believe in God → no
100. Post as "100 Truths." --> meh

"Don't like his baggy jeans, but I'm a like what's underneath" February 09's Playlist

Finished my February playlist and I'm quite happy with it. These are all songs I really can't get enough of right now and as a whole they totally work for the crazy cold one minute/hot the next weather we're having here.

It's a little annoying that Blogger won't let me copy/paste things into my post. I don't know if I'm just retarded, if Blogger doesn't like Mac/Safari, or Blogger is just a little dumb. This is the reason that my playlist appears to your right instead of in this post. I gotta learn how to use this thing.

Edit:
Ok, so I was right. Blogger doesn't like Safari or Opera. Guess I just have to use Firefox whenever I want to update this thing.

February

I'm a little confused here

because I don't know which direction to take this blog.  I don't really know on what I should focus this thing.  I've had a livejournal for the past 6 years and for some reason I left it.  I went on hiatus and got a Blogger account.  I guess the reason is that when you've been somewhere for a long time and you have people who have been there with you just as long, they start to think they know who you are and what to expect.  I guess I just wanted to get away from that and start over.  Eventually there I stayed away from topics like religion, fashion, and books focusing more on music and politics I guess.  I did post a few poems there too, which was nice.  I don't know.  I mean, one of my old friends from school has an account here and I was going to add her, but all she talked about was god and being a Christian.  I mean, I have no problem with that; it's her blog, but I'm pretty sure she wouldn't be okay with me being atheist and I'm really not a fan of rocking the boat I share with my friends... more than likely the whole thing will tip over and we'll both fall in.  Did I take that metaphor too far?  It's possible.  

I like the idea of having a place where you can talk about your religion (or lack thereof), but I don't want to be the preachy atheist.  I mean, that's just not good for business.  I don't really want to talk about fashion either because I just follow it without implementing it in my personal life.  I don't know what I'm going to do, but until recently I never thought about writing from an atheist perspective.  "Atheist activism", if you will, is actually very important to me.  And by atheist activism I mean just trying to open people's eyes to what it really means to be atheist and fighting discrimination (believe it or not atheists DO experience discrimination even though it isn't nearly as big an issue as racial, sexual orientation, and gender discrimination).  I do feel strongly about separation of church and state, but there are things in the country and in the world that are more important than a bible verse inscribed on the wall of a court house.  Don't get me wrong, I do agree with those groups that fight for more separation, but I fight harder for other causes right now.  

Well, since I just kind of went off on a mini rant, I think I've found my blog focus.  Yay!

Ooh, I'm also writing about music, veganism, books, and my life and all that so Yay! to that too :)

I have a blog and I'm not afraid to use it.

Other than a few negative things here and there, my life has mostly been music since we last spoke, Blog.  I always have to fill the spaces that would otherwise be empty; as long as I can remember I've needed music just to make it through the day.  Right now, "Weakest Spot" by Sondre Lerche (my favorite singer) has pretty much been my anthem when I'm standing still.  When moving, it's "Circus" by Britney Spears.  I really need to get better with ticket buying.  There are four acts I'm missing only because I'm slow: Gogol Bordello (already missed), Morrissey, Bloc Party, and Andrew Bird.  Oh well, what can you do?  I did however get to see Sondre in DC recently and it was AMAZING, especially the part where I met him afterward.  It's still a little blurry.  

I haven't really done much of anything noteworthy lately so here's my playlist for January:

Sondre Lerche - Like Lazenby

Does it Offend You, Yeah? - Dawn of the Dead

Emily Haines & the Soft Skeleton - The Maid Needs a Maid

Jason Mraz - Life is Wonderful

Morrissey - Satan Rejected My Soul

Sondre Lerche - Weakest Spot

VV Brown - Crying Blood

Coralie Clement - Beau Fixe

Gogol Bordello - 60 Revolutions

France Gall - Ne Sois pas si Bete

Hooverphonic - Tomorrow

Britney Spears - Circus