I Have Your Little Star

The 11th Commandment

Thou Shalt Not Degrade The Likes Of Others.

If offered, I would add an 11th commandment to never allow a man or woman to degrade another. Too often, we are placed in the midst of heartbreak and hurt because of our words and actions. Especially in an age where social controls our lives and we can begin conversation in seconds from behind a screen, we need to be protected from the little. This should not be a law, it should be a commandment from our God. Words hurt and the combination of most all of the seven deadly sins can result into the degrading of another. This commandment would keep those from happening when it comes to affecting other individuals. 

Thou shalt not degrade the likes of others. 

My Coloring Box Life Colors

These crayon colors are what comprise me. Begin with music, family and work. Sprinkle in some bluntness and hopeful grammar. Bring in some more music with a hint of laughter and Tootsie Rolls. Read some Lean In with a Chai Tea and you then... Have me!

Welcome to the rainbow of misfit colors. 

Silly me. Buy the shirt!

I've cursed every city I've gone to for the past eight years. It all started when I visited Seattle on an annual family vacation when I was barely a teenager, hoping to find some cool souvenir to show off to my friends. I roamed through every store and street car until I finally came across a really cool Seattle Seahawks Tshirt, which would suffice for me. Side note - I grew up loving sports and always watched every game on TV, even as a little girl, so this wasn't weird for me to be this excited to buy a NFL shirt as a souvenir. After the trip to Seattle, I decided I'd make it a "thing" to buy a Tshirt of the major sports team of every city I visit in my annual family vacation. Basketball, football, baseball, basically whatever the city was known for. Well, little did I know that after buying that damned Seahawks Tshirt, I would curse every city I'd walk into for the rest of my life.

That year, shortly after I bought that Tshirt, the Seahawks went to Super Bowl. Cool, right? Well, the Seahawks lost in an embarrassing defeat against the Pittsburg Steelers. That same year I also went to St. Louis to visit some family members. I unfortunately didn't get a shirt that time. Well, good news for the Cardinals, they won the World Series! This would continue to 2012, when I went to San Francisco for the PRSSA National Conference. I shopped around for a shirt, but didn't find one I like. What happened that year? Oh, just the San Francisco giants winning the World Series and the SF 49ers going to the Super Bowl. Ugh.

One - how incredibly weird and creepy is it that every city I went to went to the championship the same year I visited? Two - if I didn't buy their dang Tshirt they'd win a freaking national title? This happened EVERY YEAR. 2006, 2007, 2008, to now. You better believe I've been careful since that trip to Seattle. I'm cursed by a Tshirt. Freaking ridiculous. 

Silly me.

Beware Of The Bananas

Watch out for the bananas! 

Intertextuality Within Across The Universe

ACROSS THE UNIVERSE (2007) - Genre: Film

FOUR HORIZONTAL INTERTEXTUAL CONNECTIONS:

Forest Gump (1994) - Genre: Film
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109830/
Set in the 1960s, Forest Gump and Across The Universe cover some of the same - extremely moving - historical events happening at that time. The Vietnam War as well as the protests surrounding it are two main part in both movies.

Rent (2005) - Genre: Film
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0294870/
In both Rent and Across The Universe, the cast members begin from separate lives and through a series of events, their story lines become one. Diversity of personal, sexual, economical and social statuses play a large role in the eclectic atmosphere each director has set their cast.

Burlesque (2010) - Genre: Film
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1126591/
From a more theatrical perspective, Burlesque shows great resemblance to the numbers in Across The Universe. Further than that, the songs chosen for each film complements the storyline well.

Pink Floyd The Wall (1982) - Genre: Film
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084503/
The Wall and Across The Universe's soundtrack stem from one single musical talent. Completed well before Across The Universe, the director of Pink Floyd The Wall, Alan Parker, began the concept of high production value, musical substance and a pride for art of all kinds.

FOUR VERTICAL INTERTEXTUAL CONNECTIONS:

The Beatles - Genre: Music

Considering the entire soundtrack is composed of reinterpreted covers of their original work, The Beatles are an obvious vertical text of Across The Universe. Using 33 perfectly chosen songs, Director Julie Taymor created the entire film based on the director their songs would take her story. Every song from "Revolution" to "I've Just Seen A Face" (my favorite piece) has a specific reason for their placement and message.

Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix - Genre: Music

Each song and each scene in Across The Universe has meaning to it, just as the characters. In this instance, the characters of Jo-Jo and Sadie are actually a representation of Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. Their relationship of Jo -Jo and Sadie in this movie is reflective of the actual relationship Hendrix and Joplin at the time this is set. They have their ups and downs and fallings outs, then they rise to the top, together. On top of that, they brought their diverse group of misfits and dropouts along with them as stand in parental figures.

Acid Trip - Genre: Hallucinogenic Drug

A tip to watching Across The Universe is to watch for the loopy, colorful, swirled around parts of their journey. Every time you see this, the characters are indulging in LSD, Acid or other kinds of hallucinogenic drug use. Drugs are a big part of this movie as it determines their choices and carries their stories. As a form of relaxation or to think differently, the characters see the world in an acid trip of technicolor. 

The Ringling Brothers - Genre: Theater

In another scene begun with drug use, the characters find themselves across the universe at a circus with the resemblance of The Ringling Brothers' shows. Just as The Ringling Brothers marketed their show to be the "world's greatest," the ringmaster medics that same announcement. Just a little preview of the show and you are wishing you could go back in time to experience the Ringling Circus. 

TWO PUBLIC TERTIARY TEXTS:

Peter Travers - Film Critic, Rolling Stones

http://m.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/across-the-universe-20071018

"Somehow Taymor blends this story with puppets, 3-D animation, the Columbia student riots, Eddie Izzard as Mr. Kite and Bono finding the LSD beat in "I Am the Walrus." To call it trippy would be an understatement. Your head might explode. Just don't accuse Taymor of playing it safe."

Roger Ebert - Film Critic, RogerEbert.com

http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/across-the-universe-2007

"Here is a bold, beautiful, visually enchanting musical where we walk into the theater humming the songs. Julie Taymor's "Across the Universe" is an audacious marriage of cutting-edge visual techniques, heart-warming performances, 1960s history and the Beatles songbook. Sounds like a concept that might be behind its time, but I believe in yesterday."

ONE PERSONAL TERTIARY TEXTS:

BriGuy7783 via IMDb User Reviews

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0445922/reviews 

Creativity Post From Philly

A Hiaku

Philadelphia

Pictures do it no justice

It smells like road kill. 

Letter To the Editor: Folk-Rock Bands and The Etiquette Seen At Concerts

Below is my PUBLISHED letter to the editor:

Dear Editor: I had to write after attending The Lumineers concert last tonight at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater. The Lumineers were amazing. Although, when a folk-rock band has concerts, issues arise. These kinds of concerts are where radio fans meet the organic fans and order is no longer. I can only pass judgment amongst those around me.

I was surrounded by distractions. I could go into detail but the Lead Singer Wesley Schultz addressed it best when he had to ask the crowd to stand, put down the cell phones and actually interact – more than once. After the radio turns off and you go to that artist’s concert, how do you act during the songs you don’t know? Here are my tips: Appreciate the music; Stand; Do not text; and Put down your phones.

The Lumineers perform to show art. Their audience should be attentive, should want the most out of their paid dollar and should be there with respect for the art. They rocked the stage and they were everything I expected them to be. Although, for a ‘new’ band, they came with more expectations for their fans than I assumed they would, but that is how they get respect in the first place. Expecting more from your fans definitely can’t hurt the integrity of your music.

My full critique that is more than the 250 allotted words, please refer to MyreeteW.Wordpress.com.

Maybe tonight, we can see some different tendencies at The Band Perry and Rascal Flatts. We can only hope.

Myreete Wolford

Tuscaloosa

Now, below is the long version I spoke of from above:

Photo by Mark Sink – NPR News

Dear Editor,

After attending The Lumineers concert last tonight at The Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, I knew I had to write this.

Today, The Tuscaloosa News will indefinitely put a review of the concert on press and those readers who attended will agree, while those who did not, will wish they were there.

Likely written by Entertainment Editor Mark Hughes Cobb and filled with the musical jargon’s only he would know to use in a concert review story, this piece will be wonderful and perfectly on point to the brilliant show that The Lumineers put on last night. Aspects of the performance, like “they sounded just like their recorded album” or “they got the crowd involved by performing in the middle of the amphitheater,” will be touched on in today’s piece, but something that will not be spoken of is the audience etiquette or lack thereof.

I frequent concerts. I enjoy critiquing and complimenting the band, noting their quirks and simply taking in the night with some damn good art. I adore all genres of music but have an affinity for folk rock bands.

In all honesty, I couldn’t be happier for the music industry because of how popular that genre is right now. It is the return to good, real, honest music – the resuscitation of tunes after Don McLean sang of a musical funeral, expected foreshadowing and tribute to some of the industry’s best.

Folk music is raw and something that we obviously have been looking for – or so says the ‘top 10’ charts every week. The issues that arise, though, from this new type of music is that when the radio fans meet the organic fans at concert, order is no longer. At a concert where the two are one, I apologize but the only thing I can do is pass judgment amongst those around me.

Last night, I was surrounded by distractions. The woman to my left was going through a break-up, the girl in front of me oh-so-politely allowed me to watch the show through her iPhone screen, the couple behind me decided to grind on me as they did to each other and the group to my right was helping the inebriated come to. When you looked to the stand, anyone with an empty seat next to them was sitting down waiting for ‘Ho Hey’ to play so they could stand and join the crowd. Even Lead Singer Wesley Schultz had to ask the crowd to stand, put down the cell phones and actually interact – more than once.

I love that we can all have something with real words and instruments to listen to but the issue becomes that after the radio turns off and you go to that artist’s concert, how to you act during the songs you may not know?

Here are my tips.:

• If you do not know a song, close your eyes and at least appreciate where you are at that moment. Become present and enjoy the rarity that is the use of instruments and voices.
• Stand. These individuals are performing and working for you. Give them that courtesy of standing and enjoy the reason you paid money to see the show.
• Do not text. Again, you paid to see this band. Text when it is over. If you are texting to make someone else jealous that you are there, a better form of pursuing jealousy is through silence and wonder. Try that, instead.
• Lastly, and this advice comes from a September concert of Passenger in Nashville, put down your phones. One or two pictures, yes, but leaving your phone up for the duration of the song to record a video you will never again look at after that night is useless.

All of these bullets do are tire your arms and deny you the opportunity to truly enjoy what is before you. If you need more of an explanation, YouTube “I Hate” by Passenger. You’ll understand more after a quick listen.

Basically, there are two types of musicians – those who are there to put on a show and those who want to share art. Those who are there for the artistry are those who expect more from their audience.

The Lumineers – and the mentioned Passenger – are the latter. To them, and I say this as if I am on a first name basis with them when I am not, their audience should be attentive, should want the most out of their paid dollar and should be there with respect to their art.

It is positive that these artists appreciate both kinds of their fans – those who only know them from the radio and those who listen to the entire record, pastand current, in order to live by it. Thus, they have no vendetta against the radio listeners who may be a bit out of place at a show, heck the radio listeners are the reason The Lumineers and bands like get to play at venues like The Tuscaloosa Amphitheater.

Although, no matter what kind of fan you are, if you are going to be in the stands or in the pit of The Amphitheater and enjoy your night, do it with respect and take my tips to heart. They are there to better your musical experience.

The Lumineers rocked the stage and they were everything I expected them to be. Although, for a ‘new’ band, they came with more expectations for their fans than I assumed they would, but I guess that is how they get respect in the first place. Expecting more from your fans definitely cannot hurt the integrity of your music – that is certain.

That is my what-for and 10 cents. Thank you for your time and allowing me to write my letter. Maybe tonight, we can see some different tendencies at The Band Perry and Rascal Flatts. We can only hope.

Thank you again for your time.

 Best,

Myreete Wolford

Emails to the editor^

LOST: My Design Dignity

Consider this a blessing to the freshmen. 

I saw you from across the bar..

I knew you weren't going to stay so I followed you to your room. I waited for you to disappear behind the door until I moved down the hallway. I don't know who you had waiting for you in 325 and I don't know your story... But I do know one thing: you'll want to know me.

Bonus: there was no girl waiting in 325, but I did find the man I followed to his room. And damn he's fine!

Hey, Thanks For Being You

Everyone takes a little bit of random kindness differently. 

See how my normal texters react to the tune of "Hey, thanks for just being you."

Death Row or Just Leaving For School?

Ironically enough, 24 weeks ago, I announced my death row meal to the world via Instagram. I did not have to think hard about this but when I told my mother of my choice, she decided to make an event of it. To her, the time spent before my departure to school is just like my time on death row - sad, dreaded and filled with all of my favorite things. Thus, when I go to head out, she invites the whole family over and cooks me my "Death Row Meal."

24 weeks ago, I woke up to the smell of Fresh Turkey Day (That's what we called it)! It was the day I was heading back to school and I knew what to expect for that day's big meal:

• Fresh and golden, oven-roasted turkey
• Mac and Cheese made with Velveeta mixed with corn and peas and topped with some bacon bits
• A side of fruit - preferably watermelon
• A crisp, golden brown dinner roll
• Chocolate milk made from 2% (Usually drink Skim so this is me splurging and Hersey's syrup (lots of it)

After all of that, I would like to have brownie batter (Duncan Hines, double chewy fudge without the extra chocolate packet and raw) for dessert. 

Up until dessert, my death row meal isn't far from healthy but it is the freshness that I want for my last meal - and my mamma's loving in her cooking. But if I had to look and add it up and then celebrate not caring one bit, this would be the breakdown:

153 Calories

360 Calories

184 Calories

86 Calories

87 Calories

158 Calories

340 Calories

In all, my death row meal brings me to 1,368 calories. Something I really could care less about because it is just that good. Although, this assignment is pretty naughty because a meal I called "healthy" above, is really just as fattening as anyone else's meal. 

Crap. Should have just gone for the Steak 'n' Shake chicken fingers and chocolate milk shake. That is only 1000 calories. Screw it. I'm already craving all of this, I'm getting that tomorrow. 

Myreete In Picture

You know those individuals who are very set in their ways and personas? The people who can be described in one word and known by all by that very word. The people who are easy to buy for when the holidays come ‘round. The souls whom are so set in their ways that nothing will hinder their being. These are the girls who are set to be a Disney princess or the guys who will forever be the high school football star.

Yeah, I am none of those people and yet all of them combined. I am the most confused individual and yet the most on track person that I know.

I wont say, “That you’ve ever met” because I’m sure I am just like a lot of people you’ve met – the people who think too much and are consistent in changes but still have some form of a finish line that keeps them up at night. Those people – the ones whom you can’t put a finger on, who you can't really describe without being a little lot a bit off - I am those people.

I’d be happy to say that every person in my life could describe me as a completely different individual and yet, that’d still be me. Thus, when asked to introduce myself, I am stuck with this. Let me show you a little bit of everything that could be used to describe me through pictures. Go.

I’m a lot of things. I am a girl from Louisville, Kentucky who made her way to Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I joined a sorority and I joined some clubs, I met and kept a lot of friends and I am absolutely and completely in love with my family - of all sides.

I am a lot of things but ultimately, I’m just here – on earth – to have a life that stimulates my mind. I can get the most out of anything and usually am down for that adventure.

I believe that each and every person is here to ask one original question. A question that no one else on earth has ever asked; Asking it then answering it is our reason for being.

Right now, I have my eyes wide open and my ears have amplifiers coming from them just to hear to right direction in asking it. I like what I know and what I know my life to be but I am here to find something more than that and if a course on creativity is my conduit, then so be it.

For now, I am Myreete Wolford – derived from the combination of the ever-so-vintage names of Ethel and Myrtle. Talk about taking something old, making it new and calling it creative – just call me 'novel.' It’s like my parents chose my path before I was even born with that one. Thanks, dad.

As a public relations student on an advertising team, backgrounded in marketing with a social media addiction, a descriptor for me could be hard to find... and ellipses might be necessary... 

Thought focuses me, lists calm me and potential is relative to hard work, thus I am in a constant search for my original question and that's why I'm here.

Other than all of that... It's nice to meet you. Have a good day.. and smile because you deserve it.