Run to the the lights of the city ... 
Cut Copy’s new song. Courtesy of New York Magazine. Devour it. 
Wordddd
First up: I miss Trinity, miss The Mill, miss Vernon Street, miss the Long Walk, miss the Quad, ahhhh!!!
Second: I found this really interesting chart compiled by the New York Times’ ‘After Deadline’ blog that lists the 50 most ‘looked up’ words in Times’ articles - basically the ones that readers need clarified or just don’t know. There are some zany contenders, and its a good way to learn some new words. A few examples: opprobrium, jejune, apoplectic.
And remember Trinity’s boy Sammy Adams’ words of wisdom: “Schools good for one thing, I must add. And that’s having a plethora of my vocab.”
So amidst all the studying, paper writing, and test taking going on right now, it’s nice to periodically take a break. And I have the perfect song to do it to. It’s called, fittingly enough, “Take A Break” and it’s by Canadian singer-songwriter Catherine MacLellan. This blues/folk ditty reminds me of leisurely bicycling on Martha’s Vineyard on a mildly warm sunny summer’s day. I think I have this association because MV’s best radio station WMVY has made this song a staple on their playlist.
Enjoy your break!
So I found this interview that I have to share with you all. It’s with writer David Coggins, who, I must admit, I had never heard of until now. Apparently he’s all over the place, writing for Interview Magazine and a ton of blogs. This video interview is part of this project sponsored by Absolut called “THIRTY DAYS NY”. According to the website “THIRTYDAYSNY is a celebration of the merger of arts and culture. The challenge was building out, organizing, managing, and presenting a live gallery space open to the public for one month in the heart of New York City.” More info about it can be found here. Sounds/looks amazing.
But back to my man Mr. Coggins. I’ve learned a few things about him (and you will too if you watch the interview.) He’s got an impressive pad, with an amazing college of books and random collectibles. He can simultaneously pull off a beard AND a jacket and tie. And he’s pretentious, but in a lovable way. So enjoy this interesting character, check out Thirty Days NY, AND go to the concert on Tuesday.
P.S. David Coggins, if you Google your name and this comes up, please be my friend.
Because they call it a classic for a reason …
Here’s one of the smoothest, relaxing, easiest to sway to songs I know. It’s Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd’s 1962 collaborative jazz/bossa nova “Desafinado”. Listening to it on a rainy, unseasonably cold night is the next best thing to actually soaking up the sun on the beach in Rio.
So here’s an interesting little video I found over at the website MediaBistro. It’s of the cast and crew of Mad Men, one of my favorite shows ever, singing along to the main song from Bye Bye Birdie. In one of the more recent episodes, the folks at Sterling Cooper try to emulate Ann Margaret’s magical sex appeal in one of their advertising campaigns.
I don’t know whether to laugh, cringe, or join in: Don and Betty (Jon Hamm and January Jones) do an excellent dance, Roger Sterling (John Slattery) sings in drag, and Peggy (Elisabeth Moss) texts on an iPhone or Blackberry while still in character and 1960’s garb.
Anyway, it’s definitely a departure from the norm and a real treat.
However you spend it … Happy Spring Break!
Los Angeles, 1950's Style
So right about this time last year I was soaking up all that beautiful Los Angeles had to offer. It was Spring Break and Southern California was sunny, warm, and welcoming. The Connecticut rain and gloom? But a distant memory.
Unfortunately, I’m not repeating my West Coast jaunt this year, but I have these really awesome vintage pictures of L.A. from the ’50s and ’60s to help quench my wanderlust.
I found them on the blog A Continuous Lean, but they were originally posted on Neat Stuff Blog. Both are worthy of your time and visit.
Here’s a cute, kinda funny short film I found. It’s called “Babe” and it centers around two recently broken up yuppies. On the surface, there’s much to love: some Chet Baker and Nat King Cole songs, an argument over who “gets the Prius” - both amidst the backdrop of a drab, black and white diner.
I’d say its trying to self depreciatingly poke fun at the urban, liberal, mildly hip twentysomethings who can often get way too caught up in themselves – basically the exact same demographic who would read a blog called “All Plaid Out”, which is where I found the film. (Did I just implicate myself?) 
