A Living Legend

One of the biggest things that my Dad and I share in common is an appreciation for good music. He was born in 1954 and so he got to experience and see some of the greatest musicians of all time (he graduated high school in '69...hello Woodstock!). I love all music, but there is truly nothing like classic rock. Last Wednesday Paul McCartney came to Charlotte and I was lucky enough to see him with my Dad. Although the tickets were quite pricey (the nosebleed section starting at almost $100), it was worth every penny. He put on such a show and performance I don't know how any one couldn't have a good time! He sang mostly classics which I enjoyed, and all of his own songs except for one tribute which he did to Jimi. He told stories of traveling around the world, hanging out with the most hip artists, and how the band started from nothing and grew to be one of, if not, the greatest rock n' roll band of all time. My favorite was when he sang "Back in the USSR" and "Blackbird". It is not possible for me to put into words just how much an impact they made on the world; I mean, people in foreign countries learned how to speak english from their records and someone a few weeks ago paid 1.2 million for a piece of paper with John's lyrics to "A Day in the Life" (still short of the 1.25 paid for the "All You Need is Love" ones)!! If I could have lived in another time, it would have definitely been the 60's.

Click it or Ticket

All I can say is thank you seatbelt and Honda for saving my life. This was not my fault by the way for those interested! Unfortunately the passenger of the car I collided with was not wearing his seatbelt and slammed his head into the windshield, all he suffered from though was a severe headache and added points to his liscense. Always remember, drive safely.

A day at the Museum

I am in New York visiting a friend of mine from school. Yesterday we went on an adventure into the city. Although I have been to the city many times, it has been over 10 years since I have returned to the American Museum of Natural History. This museum is hands down, one of the best in the world and I could spend a week there and still not see everything! Yesterday, Caroline and I spent over fiver hours just visiting the exhibits we wanted to see. My personal favorite is the Mammals of Africa exhibit. All of the stuffed tigers, elephants, zebras and monkeys seem like they could jump out at me at any minute, just like they did for Ben Stiller. And even though I have been a visitor to the great Empire State more times than I can count, I still like to act a tourist and take pictures of everything; Caroline however, refused to let me ask someone to take a picture of us standing in front of a giant tree stump...she said it was "too touristy". Anyways, we had a great time and it was so great to feel like a kid again and ignore the fact that I will no longer be a teenager in just about four months.

All for Tony

Last night I sat on the couch with my Mom and she flicked on the 2010 Tony Awards. Now, since I don't get out much to actually see a musical or play, I was watching to see who was wearing what. Over all, I was very impressed by most of what people were wearing, from mini-dresses to ornate gowns, everyone was looking their best. At 84 years old, Angela Lansbury didn't let her age stop her from looking great in red gown. Jada Pinkett Smith (and I have to note her husband Will as well who looked so handsome in his patterned tux) and Camille Donatacci Grammer followed suit in red dresses as well, although Jada's was much shorter and accentuated her toned body with large ruffles. I must say, that although I am not a huge fan of musicals, especially Glee, Lea Michele looked drop dead gorgeous in her golden yellow Zac Posen gown. Gotta say that her bangs worked perfectly with the look and her minimal
jewelry just helped to show off the dress and her figure. Cate Blanchett made a bold move by choosing a sleek and fitted silver blazer and matching pants. I must say that I approve of this look and her edgy bob--it really works for her and I would love to borrow that blazer some time. As for Naomi Watts, I was bored by her subdued nude/blush colored gown and black belt. Lucy Lui on the other hand showed everyone how to wear such a neutral color in her tulle Marchesa gown. And of course, Scarlett Johansson looked sultry and beautiful as ever in an emerald Elie Saab gown; it was also nice to see her flying solo from her Ryan. I can't wait to attend some sort of even where I can hopefully wear a gown like one of these (preferably the yellow Zac Posen).

no such thing as a free lunch

As I was browsing the paper today I came across an article about Chapel Hill offering free lunches for families who demonstrated need. This reminded me of my Poverty and Human Capability class that I took Spring term and all that it encompassed. The class opened my eyes to the issue of poverty in our nation and the problems that exist in the way we measure and handle it. I would attach my final paper but it is 16 pages of my opinion that you proba
bly don't want to read during your summer break. I believe the biggest contributer to poverty is the way children are raised and the places they live; when they have parents who never went to school or value and education that mindset is almost always passed onto the kids. As a college student in the world and economy today, I really understand the value of an education and the necessity of one to truly succeed in life. The neighborhoods these kids grow up in affect them as well, especially when they are gang ridden and surrounded by other families growing up in poverty. There is a ray of light in these situations, that the child will possibly see his current life as one he wants to escape and so he will go on to higher education and eventual escape of poverty, but this ray rarely shines through the clouds. Anyways, the big picture I got out of it and the part of me that really changed is the way I now perceive the poor. I used to look at the man holding the cardboard sign on the side of the road as simply a guy who never got a job or put any effort into his life, but after Spring, I understood that being lazy was rarely the case of people living in poverty. There are many changes that need to be made in our welfare system and the treatment of the poor, many that I fear may never be addressed. If you have a chance to take a course about poverty at any time in your career, take it. It will make you question what the American Dream really is now and how it has changed over time.