Things I am Into Right Now

This is a list of things I am into right now:

1. This new computer, and all the neat stuff I can do with it LIKE: watching videos on the internet, playing a bit with that awesome open source graphic design software I learned about last year like Inkscape and the Gimp, webcam chatting with folks, and downloading things without the other applications falling to the spinning wheel of death.

2. Riding my bike in the park again, instead of just transport, cause the weather is so much nicer.

3. FICTION. I kinda forgot about fiction for a hot second, cause I was reading lots of non-fiction, which I needed, but I am really digging getting into some stories.

4. Home-made lipblam recipes.

5. Being outside for things like drinking and eating and hanging out, since the weather is so nice right now.

6. Summer plans. I am full of ideas for the summer and fall. I am ready to shake things up. Like with job number 3, which is a one-day a week after-school gig but could also turn into summer work and perhaps continue into the fall...? Cross those fingers! But yeah, that, or Costa Rica, or you know... just move somewhere. Like Granny says, "It doesn't cost anything to dream."

7. Free music on Pandora and Lala. Loving it.

Elle, you suck!

Man! I am so pissed! Maybe part of this is that I stayed up too late watching my new My So-Called Life dvd box set special features disc (you know you are jealous, and it's okay... you should be), so I am grumpy. Perhaps this outrage will fade by the morning... but I don't think so. This is straight up false advertising! Or I am a moron... but again, I don't think so.

This July issue of Nylon and Elle have a few things in common. They are both "music" issues. I don't really get what this means, there's always stuff about music in both of these magazines, but I guess it just means music is the focus. AND they also both advertise, in big bold letters, "free" music/ songs right on the front cover.

"Sweet!" I think, "Free music to jam to over the summer! Yes!" (You know how much I love free music, just ask indiefeed!)

While Nylon's free music was totally easy to find and download, Elle's alleged free music is nowhere to be found! Nowhere in the magazine can I find any mention of the free music touted on the front cover. Nowhere on their website, using multiple search terms, can I find this free music. I find PLENTY of music that I have to pay for, but none that is free.

I don't know who's idea it was first, but Nylon definitely did it better, because it was actually true! Maybe an intern snuck in the word 'FREE' on the front cover as a practical joke at the last minute. They should get fired. And I should get their job (no shame, I tell you, NO SHAME). I could be a Stylista... maybe? Call me!

I Love Indiefeed and I'm Not Afraid to Say It!

Okay, I'm not sure when Indiefeed.com re-did it's website, but they did and it looks snazzy! Good job, guys. I've been listening to this podcast for a few years now so I don't go on the website too too often cause the episodes are all just on my iPod. I knew that I'd stumbled onto something cool from the beginning, but it wasn't until I was in New Zealand (i.e. without a computer and access to new music) working out on the vineyards (i.e. constantly listening to my iPod) that I was able to actually listen to and process the insane amount of LEGAL and FREE and AWESOME music that indiefeed has given me and therefore realize how amazing they really are.

So, even though indiefeed has been one of my favorite internet things for awhile, I thought I would post the love-note I wrote to them in the heat of the moment a few months ago, to commemorate their website update and tell the world how I feel...


January 29, 2008

Dear Indiefeed,

I've been wanting to say this for awhile, so I'm just going to finally come out and tell you... I love you. Our relationship began so long ago, I don't know when these feelings really started, but I've known for awhile that I can't live without you. You came to me out of the blue in a few years ago in college... late night procrastination trying to find free things on iTunes. You gave me the 'in' I so desperately needed, because with you around, I could finally be the one to know about the cool new band before everyone else.

It started small, with the Alt/ Modern Rock channel, then quickly progressed to the Pop channel. It wasn't too long before your gentle Blues channel was crooning in my ears, and every once in awhile, I'll even dabble in Hip-Hop and Electronica. Sadly, I have limited hard drive space so I cannot download and keep every single episode on every single channel... though I wish I could. I love how you tell me informative tidbits about the band, and let me know where I can find their music and learn more about them. Your judgment rarely fails, not often do you give me a track that I think... OMG what the f**k is this crap? The point, Indiefeed, is that since you've been in my life, my ears haven't been bored, and I have faith that they will never be again, as long as you're around. Please don't ever leave me.

You are awesome.

Love,
CaseyA
lover/ fan for LIFE!


(Equally amazing is that they wrote me back... like the next day. I appreciate prompt communication in lovers. Yay! I win!)