My personality is like a mash up track, two different, almost opposite, but equally good things that join forces to become one amazing SOB that slaps you in the face and can't help but love.
As featured on this weeks episode of Glee, mash ups are succinctly defined as two songs combined to create a "richer explosion of musical expression." While both groups would have been better executed their arrangements at a slower tempo, I enjoyed both performances of It's My Life/Confessions and Halo/Walking on Sunshine. Anywho, mash ups bring joy and a different type of danceability which has entered the mainstream the past few years due to artists like Girl Talk as well as the legal issues at the core of the artform in regards to copyright infringement. Nonetheless, mash ups make people feel damn good!
I successfully passed through my first spin class earlier this week and credit it to the mash ups played. I would like to share some of the wonderful music that got me through the 45 minutes of jumps, 2/3/4s, and leg cramps:
Coldplay/Buena Vista Social Club - Clocks
Cassie/Nick Kamen - Each Time U & Me
My favorite mash up of during the class was Snap Yo Fingers v. Escape (The Pina Colada Song), which I could not find online.
Anyways, enjoy and live your life like a mash up!
10 October 2009
LAND OF THE FREE
Economists have always defended their mantra that there is no such thing as a free lunch. I constantly find free events and disprove that statement time and time again--one of many reasons why I am not an economist. Instead, I believe my self to be an opportunist. Being fresh from the starving college student mindset, if there is a free event, bet your balls that I am making my way over to see if it's too good to be true.
Many have said that DC is city full of "free" lunches. Embassies, hotel reception areas, conference rooms, universities, random townhouses all constantly host some type of event promoting dialouge and conversation about the latest cause or issue. In the last two weeks, I have been to, not one, but two events where I enjoyed spirits that my bank account/conscious would never allow me to frivolously purchase.
The Hudson on M Street and 20th Street NW hosted a free martini open bar paired with a live Sinatra cover band. Now anyone who knows me knows that, as traditional as I am, I find no other reason to get married other than to have a cover band and open bar. So naturally, I got on the horn and recruited good company to share in on this event. While I was skeptical at first, the night turned into a success. Mind you, there were a few spilled drinks on french legs (as displayed by Mr. President, courtesy of thismayconcernyou.com) and Sinatra sounds did not come on until halfway through the open bar, but it was an enjoyable, casual evening. The Hudson had great lighting, the Satin Doll Quartet sounded magnificent, and my company was lovely. The bartender was a bit amateur (dropping an ice cube into my friend's classic martini), but the drinks were like how I like my men--classy, strong, and cheap. As an attempt to recruit more regulars, I would give The Hudson one thumb up since I am no longer an office monkey in the Dupont/Farragut neighborhood, I will not frequent the trek. But if I was still drinking on a company tab and strategizing about a prospective bid, brainstroming a shortlist presentation, or simply trying to impress a client, I would definitely recommend The Hudson. But, now that my clients are three- and four-year olds, this really shouldn't be my scene.
This past Wednesday night, I attended an event hosted by scotch distillery, The Macallan. Pushing their fine and rare scotch, this wonderful company rented a part of the Mellon Auditorium to promote brand awareness. Receiving an email about the event a few weeks ago, again, I questioned the fine print of the invitation. No mention of a price, agenda, or purpose (other than fluffy words to evoke secret-society, high class, exclusivity) was the cause of my trepidation. But, like the event at The Hudson, it actually came together quite nicely. Hors d'oeuvres at the registration area of cheeseburger sliders, duck, and shrimp in one hand and a sample of their 10 year in another, I was glad I had followed my adventurous instinct to say to myself, "why not?" and attend the event despite how weary I had been about the details. Though there were some novice event planning snafus in regards to the line at check-in and distribution/collection of surveys, this event was successful as well. It was also nice to be back at the Mellon Auditorium with the same date, where we had attended the Google Ball. It was somewhat of a reciprocitous gesture (you brought me to the sickest party I've been to, I'm bringing you to sample fine and rare drinks from your motherland). The presenter was a lively Scot who donned a herringbone vest and tartan pants--not a kilt--who took the audience on a tour of Scotland, surveyed the history of the proud country in relation to scotch, and taught the proper way to enjoy this wonderful spirit. While the night was cut short due to David Sedaris speaking at GWU, I enjoyed another evening of pleasant company and good (re:free) drinking. Most importantly, it was a cost-free event that panned out just as I had hoped...and planned to repeat the following night with my housemates. The best thing I learned that night: how to say cheers in Scottish Gaelic. Slàinte mhath, Macallan. Good show!
The lesson of this entry is that with vigil eyes and fingertips, one can find a free lunch. Caveat: approach it with a sense of adventure and prepare for the letdown, since it has happened to me time and time again. But if the spirits are kept high, who knows what amazing and free events can be experienced.
For example, tonight I will be in attendance at a dinner with Barry O, Judy Shepard, Lady Gaga, and Finn Hudson without cost. But that's whole 'nother entry.
Many have said that DC is city full of "free" lunches. Embassies, hotel reception areas, conference rooms, universities, random townhouses all constantly host some type of event promoting dialouge and conversation about the latest cause or issue. In the last two weeks, I have been to, not one, but two events where I enjoyed spirits that my bank account/conscious would never allow me to frivolously purchase.
This past Wednesday night, I attended an event hosted by scotch distillery, The Macallan. Pushing their fine and rare scotch, this wonderful company rented a part of the Mellon Auditorium to promote brand awareness. Receiving an email about the event a few weeks ago, again, I questioned the fine print of the invitation. No mention of a price, agenda, or purpose (other than fluffy words to evoke secret-society, high class, exclusivity) was the cause of my trepidation. But, like the event at The Hudson, it actually came together quite nicely. Hors d'oeuvres at the registration area of cheeseburger sliders, duck, and shrimp in one hand and a sample of their 10 year in another, I was glad I had followed my adventurous instinct to say to myself, "why not?" and attend the event despite how weary I had been about the details. Though there were some novice event planning snafus in regards to the line at check-in and distribution/collection of surveys, this event was successful as well. It was also nice to be back at the Mellon Auditorium with the same date, where we had attended the Google Ball. It was somewhat of a reciprocitous gesture (you brought me to the sickest party I've been to, I'm bringing you to sample fine and rare drinks from your motherland). The presenter was a lively Scot who donned a herringbone vest and tartan pants--not a kilt--who took the audience on a tour of Scotland, surveyed the history of the proud country in relation to scotch, and taught the proper way to enjoy this wonderful spirit. While the night was cut short due to David Sedaris speaking at GWU, I enjoyed another evening of pleasant company and good (re:free) drinking. Most importantly, it was a cost-free event that panned out just as I had hoped...and planned to repeat the following night with my housemates. The best thing I learned that night: how to say cheers in Scottish Gaelic. Slàinte mhath, Macallan. Good show!
The lesson of this entry is that with vigil eyes and fingertips, one can find a free lunch. Caveat: approach it with a sense of adventure and prepare for the letdown, since it has happened to me time and time again. But if the spirits are kept high, who knows what amazing and free events can be experienced.
For example, tonight I will be in attendance at a dinner with Barry O, Judy Shepard, Lady Gaga, and Finn Hudson without cost. But that's whole 'nother entry.
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