New Romantics

Have you ever spoken too quickly? and maybe even offended someone you respect?

Words are rapid for a person like me. However, I love to read and write and speak so much that sometimes, I declare my thoughts sans consideration for those who may hear them.

This happened to me today. I was rash and stubborn and before I knew it, I had tarnished trust with pride. Basically, I allowed my self-confidence to boil, overspill, and burn the tender flesh of someone I dearly admire.

I do not mean to ask for self-pity; I just want to address my humility. Ever since I was a young girl, the disappointment of others has been my nemesis. I simply cannot tolerate the possibility that I may in fact let down someone, or a group of people, who are trusting in my ability to contribute. Or worse, that I may let down the expectations I set for myself. Being a crazy perfectionist is not my mission, but creating a reputation as a genuine, compassionate person definitely is.

I like to say that I am very self-aware, but in all honesty, I think that even the most confident people are allowed to doubt themselves. Did I speak out today because I was perhaps feeling insecure? Or that I feared my "perfect student" image would somehow be marred by a mistake?

I have only come to terms with these possibilities in retrospect, and with this I want to make an apology.  It's very easy to be romantic this time of year. With all the "crunchiness" and "crispiness" circulating, it's natural to feel like you are as perfect as the shades of shifting leaves, or the taste of pumpkin spice.

But we are humans, not trees, and our nature insists that we do not follow a simple cycle. Making the same changes every fall would be boring, and I for one am thankful for the unpredictability of my life. We can never be as perfect as the fall, for its dependency and reliability is something beyond our species. Perhaps that's why we crave the fall, because it is so constantly lovely. Just the other night at the Tapestry pumpkin decorating party, I was so happy to be with people who are so themselves, not with pride, but with a freely exchanged thankfulness for one another. I am a new romantic, asking to just find myself, somewhere amongst the perfection of this season.

Here, Have a Bunch of Videos!

Hi guys! Maria here.

This blog post comes to you in two parts.
I both sing and dance (not at the same time), so I spend a decent amount of my time listening to not very popular music and searching YouTube for cool dances. It was through doing these things that I found the videos I want to share...

Part I (if this were a vlog, there would be a title slide with cute ukulele music in the background): Music
I recently discovered an album by Sleeping at Last called Atlas: Space. Each song in the album is about a planet and they are amazing. I heard Saturn first and I was hooked. Here are the lyrics to Saturn:

You taught me the courage of stars before you left.

How light carries on endlessly, even after death.

With shortness of breath, you explained the infinite.

How rare and beautiful it is to even exist.

I couldn’t help but ask

For you to say it all again.

I tried to write it down

But I could never find a pen.

I’d give anything to hear

You say it one more time,

That the universe was made

Just to be seen by my eyes.

With shortness of breath, I’ll explain the infinite

How rare and beautiful it truly is that we exist.

And then here are a couple songs to listen to:

Saturn

Sun

Part II: Dance

I recently started dancing again, after having quit several years ago. When I saw this concept video for Breathe Me by Sia, it inspired me to think about picking up dance again.

Breathe Me

Now that I've been dancing for a few years, I've taken to browsing YouTube for dances to my favorite songs. Medicine by Daughter is a song that begs for a lyrical dance, so I was super excited when I found this arrangement.

Medicine

Now that I've completely drowned you in videos...
Hope you are having a good Monday!
- Maria

Appreciation for all things here and now

So, hi,
You know what I like so much about living?
I just love how much you can appreciate the now and the present and when you do that you can forget about the millions of other things you have to do or did or are doing.

If this makes no sense, and you are like what is this girl talking about, I'll expand on my musings.

1. This day today was literally the most perfect day- in the weather sense. I couldn't help but go outside every few minutes because it was beyond perfect. The sun was the perfect full beam. The wind had that perfect hair whipping quality. The temperature was perfect. If you were there and lived this day, you can testify that the quality of the weather was in one word, two syllables, Perfect.

2. So, there are these two trees, one on each side of the driveway,  directly opposite of each other. I've been watching them, observing them, comparing them to other trees, and they've been green all October. I am not making this up but today, suddenly,  both of them, as if coordinated, were bright red. I imagine what I felt is how parents feel when they're proud of their children's accomplishments. I internally felt so satisfied and pleased with their transformation, I did everything I could do to celebrate the arrival of Fall at my doorstep. I took pictures, I stood under the trees, I picked up the fallen leaves and placed them on my mirror, all in effort to commemorate the change.

3. The highlight and the most present moment of this last Sunday of October, 2014 was the Tappy Pumpkin Party. Being around the people of the senior staff, I'm always experiencing something new. Today, it was laughter. Not that I haven't laughed before, but it was entirely different. Maybe it was the company of these minds or the presence of good food and good mood. There was a moment where I was actually laughing till I was crying, and I know its not Thanksgiving, but I am so grateful that we get to work together for the upcoming year.

4. I know I am talking about the present, but even in the present I can't help but be excited by the future. I packed all my wool and synthetics, stuffed all the socks, jammed in all the fleece and I'm ready for Camp Allegheny. My heart dances as I think about the "week" I will spend in nature with some of my best friends. Maybe, I will come back and be like never again, but for now a week off from school, hiking, camping, and bonfires is all I want. I promise I'll be present in the moment.

I don't know what goes on in my head.
Can you relate or are you like I G G BYE?!

Jaagrit

What does it mean to be "Basic"?

"Wow sweater weather! I just love my pumpkin spice lattes and riding boots, does that make me basic?"

As a caucasian female in her late teens being "basic" has been a fear of mine for many years. While some girls strived for Instagram perfection when posting pictures of changing leaves, I have worked toward separating myself from this stereotype. However, while scrolling through my Twitter timeline yesterday I came across a Buzzfeed article titled, "Basic" Is Just Another Word For Class Anxiety. I was intrigued.


The article argued that the term "Basic", which is just a shortened version of the term "Basic B*tch", is the Millennial Generation's way of identifying someone as "inescapably predictable". The Ugg Boots, Starbucks Drinks and leggings have become a staple of a "Basic". Losing the identity of the person behind the straightened hair and North Face jackets. Our generation has chosen to define people based on what they buy rather than what they believe. And what an individual buys does not necessarily have to be a material item, an individual can buy into an image. The obsession with Tumblr and thigh-gaps are perfect examples of the stereotypes that females in our generation look at for inspiration. 




However, we are not the first generation to do this.  The article explains:  




"In the ‘50s, basics were called “men in the gray flannel suit”; in the ‘20s, they were “Babbits.” Back then, the object of anxiety was men’s patterns of consumption, in part because men were still the primary consumers, even for the home; today, women aren’t just consuming more, they are consuming more visibly — which is part of why they’ve become the focus of this generation’s critique. That’s how “basic” is used today: as a means for people anxious about their position within both the purchasing and cultural currency to denigrate [AKA criticize] the purchasing and cultural habits of others."

But whereas in the past men were the main consumers in society, today the role has become primarily female. Therefore, it makes sense that the term basic is often focused on females, especially teenage girls. However, it is common that the most stereotypical “basic” is actually just someone who is a predictable consumer. Someone who will buy from big chain stores and follow trends. The obsession with sites like www.etsy.com, a website focused on selling handmade or vintage items and supplies, stems from individuals need to be unique. We strive to declare our individuality via our capacity to consume differently.

However aren’t there parts of all of us that are “basic”. There is a reason that chain stores are successful. They sell goods that are both high quality and relatively cheap. They mass-produce products, but those items can be sold because they are popular. I may not like UGG boots but you will rarely see me without leggings. And although I think Coffee Tree is better than Starbucks, occasionally a girl needs a Frappuccino.

So here is my challenge for you. Embrace what makes you unique and special, but also learn to love your inner “basic.” Drink your pumpkin spice lattes with pride and feel free Instagram a picture of those beautiful trees, I promise I’ll hit you up with the “like.”

Also feel free to check out 25 Things All Basic White Girls Do During The Fall 

Rachel Stein

Finally Getting Around to Posting...

Hey all, forgot to post on my day this month again! Many apologies... any way I have a really cool thing to share with you today. I mentioned an author/artist in my "About Me" post thingy named Emily Carroll and I wanted to share some of her stuff with you and also her website.

I personally love her art style and she has an AMAZING storytelling style. Her stuff ranges from romance to horror to some kind of mix of both. She does regular "panel style" comics (I don't know exactly what its called...just normal comics) and she has these neat "interactive" comics.

One of her stories "His Face All Red" got a lot of recognition all over the internet, but you still may not have heard of it; I highly recommend it and here it is.

And just do you don't have to leave the blog here is also some of her art:

(for those adventure time fans out there)

In addition to her art, which I adore, her writing is also on point. She is exactly the type of genre I love, but she does lean towards more creepy, scary stories without much of a happy ending. Maybe if you're not into that, you may not like her as much as I do, but I encourage everyone to at least check her out!!

She doesn't have too much on her website at the moment, but if you're looking for a place to start some of my favorites are 

The Prince and The Sea

The Three Snake Leaves

and Out of Skin 

Alrighty! Hopefully some of you guys find this pretty cool!

Peace out, Nina

What's Your Definition of "Good" Music?

My name is Emily and I know all of the words to the "terrible top ten" songs on iTunes and I'm not ashamed. Why?

On Friday night, I went to see one of my all time favorite musical groups, Scott Bradlee and The Postmodern Jukebox (cool name, right?). I had bought the last ticket... I'm talking the actual very last ticket, to see them at the Rex Theater. A sold out show.

If you have never heard of Scott Bradlee, he is a pianist (an incredible musician) who makes YouTube videos of Top 40 popular songs and arranges the songs into jazzified/ragtime versions. He started making videos in his living room with only himself and "lead" singer, Robyn Adele Anderson ("lead," because he has many other vocalists perform in the band, as well), and now he performs with a band including many vocalists, a bass player, saxophone player, trombone player, a drummer, and ever a tap dancer. Yes, a tap dancer.

I got there at six for the 7 o'clock show to meet the band beforehand, who were all incredibly kind. After the little meet and greet, the opener, a swing dancing group from Pittsburgh, began to practice for their 7PM show. They invited everyone in the crowd to join, which I very willingly did. After a short lesson, the best concert ever had already begun. Who doesn't love to swing dance?

After the group practiced, they performed for about a half an hour... And then, after the three hour anticipation, the lights dimmed.

People were screaming- keep in mind, the crowd was packed with a wide range of a few five year olds to several high school kids to college aged to thirties to fifties. There was no demographic. Just people who love music.

A man came out, the "announcer," (who also sang).  He announced that we were going back in time to listen to a radio station PMJFM (Post Modern Jukebox). Scott Bradlee and Robyn came on stage with the rest of the band and started off the show. From Robyn to Ashley Stroud to Christina Gatti to Von Smith, to Scott Bradlee- everyone was incredible. Each vocalist has a voice that anyone would die to have- and Scott's piano skills are out of this world. And each musician, even the tap dancing tambourinist, was clearly well learned in their instrument.

I can hardly explain in words how incredible they were live, but to give you an idea, here are a few of my favorite covers of theirs. I had to choose at random because they are all my favorite.

Hope you enjoy!

(After watching these- isn't in awesome/breathtaking how many possibilities music has?!)

Emily

"Rude" cover by Von Smith

"Timber" cover by Robyn Adele Anderson

(I also highly recommend their covers of Thrift Shop and We Can't Stop... and all of them.)

Also, if you have time, Scott has a wonderful TED Talk about how he came up with the idea and what it all means to him. It's extremely inspiring for all of the musicians out there!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeDgZIw28Fk

Hey Tappy!!

Lately I’ve been feeling really nostalgic every time I see adorable pumpkin and scarecrow displays on front porches, little tiny Halloween costumes in toy store windows, piles of leaves on front yards, and giant bags of king-sized candy at the grocery store. And even when I’m supposed to be concentrating on my homework ;), I find my mind wandering back to this…

My favorite childhood memories of this happy, cozy time are of its sunshiney days that were always perfect for going outside and running through leaf piles with my dog, her little head bobbing out from under the colorful mess every now and again; its lazy Sunday afternoons spent sliding down the endless blue slide at Frick Park with my dad; its inevitable trips to Starbucks made on the way home from the park, a hot chocolate and sugar cookie clutched in my hand; its pumpkin carving extravaganzas–straight from the pumpkin patch to the newspapered kitchen table, ready to be proudly carved into a lopsided jack-o-lantern face; its sweet, sweet, sweet night of Tricks-or-Treats...and the all-out sibling battles that would soon ensue over the mountains of candy collected; its layers upon layers of golden-orange treasures, ready to be raked into piles or tied into crooked front-door wreaths; its incredible after school snack–my mom’s amazing pumpkin bread, straight out of the oven and piping hot; its chilly nights and cozy story times, spent curled under a blanket with my favorite stuffed animals...

I still look forward to doing so many of these things every year, although now I’m a little too old for the blue slide (...but I don’t think I’ll ever be too old to run through leaf piles with my dog! :) I feel so lucky that I’ve been able to grown up with this amazing season. It’s so beautiful and warm and inspiring, and I love every minute of it (even on the sometimes rainy October days...) Fall always reminds me that, no matter how stressful classes and activities and everything in between might be, there are always so many great memories to remember–and, of course, endless chances to create new ones.

Sophie :)

It's Autumn!

Hello All!

I have to say, each season has its own personality...

We are now into fall, which I consider pleasant and mellow - at first glance - as well as dynamic: swelling with changes and happenings.

Here are some activities inspired by the season for us all to have fun with during these autumnal months.

1. Enjoy the outdoors.  Let the mild autumn sunlight seep into your skin.  Look at the depth of the colors on the trees.  Catch a few falling leaves and make a wish.

2. Have brunch.  Relax on the weekend with some yuuummmy food!

These scones are SO GOOD! I made them recently -also so simple to make.   Ooh, and I just want to take a bite out of the picture of these muffins...

3. Jump into a pile of leaves! Relive some hearty fall memories of splaying that neat pile of leaves someone just raked...

4. I'm feeling the Michael Jackson groove this month.  Try these: "I Want You Back", "Human Nature", and "Man in the Mirror".  Well, and of course "Thriller"...

5. Write a letter to a friend.  A down-to-earth, snail mail postal note.  It's alway nice to get a simple hand-written surprise in the mail :)

6.  Fill your lungs with this crisp air...  I love to walk or run or hike in the fall, and let the breeze flow past me.  

Do you notice this too? - I can literally smell pumpkins, leaves, Halloween, and the essence of the season in the breeze when fall rolls around.

7. Curl up with an exciting book... a favorite, a newbie, whatever your heart desires ;) I love when you find a book that's "I-just-cannot-wait-to-pick-it-up-again-and-I-just-put-it-down" good.

8. Spook yourself a bit... read a scary story, go on a haunted tour, create your own haunted house in your basement...

9. Make the most of night coming on earlier.  Make a bonfire or watch the stars.  Have a movie night with popcorn, snacks, fluffy blankets, and laughs galore.

10.  Do you have a fall tradition? Have you been wanting to try a new activity? Or just chill with this new season?  Whatever you're feeling, go for it!

Enjoy Autumn,

Emma P.

Ooccttoobbeerr

Here's a list of my October favorites!


1. FROOT by Marina & The Diamonds

2. Shower by Becky G

3. Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Lorde

4. Papaoutai by Stromae

5. Stolen Dance by Milky Chance


6. Chocolate milkshakes and fries at 1 AM

7. Cold Apple Cider

8. Nutella and strawberry jam on wheat bread

9. Scrambled eggs with sour cream and onions

10. Chicken sausages with sage


11. Midi pencil skirts

12. Freeze Tag

13. Buzzfeed Quizzes

14. Staying in bed all day on Sunday

15. Big ugly sweaters from my parents' closets


16. Dina Tokio

17. Yuna

18. Marina & the Diamonds

19. Emma Watson

20. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie



-Sarah

October Blog Schedule!

Good Morning Tapestry Staff!

Happy October! I hope everyone is loving this chilly fall weather (I know I am... but Fall is my favorite season).

As there is a new month, there is a new blog schedule. I am working on our Tapestry prompt jar, but if you need any ideas on what to write about, let me know.

- Emily



October 11: Sarah

October 12: Bailey

October 13: Emma P.

October 14: Yosra

October 15: Che

October 16: Rachel G.

October 17: Sophie

October 18: Emily

October 19: Avalon

October 20: Stephen

October 21: Nina

October 22: Rachel S.

October 23: David

October 24: Emma L.

October 25: Maria

October 26: Kristen

October 27: Zoe

October 28: Jaagrit

October 29: Nicole

October 30: Faith