A series of...

Ok, so I am not being a very good blogger but I'm just going to upload a bunch of wonderful pictures for you..for now....

And then it dawned on me

So compared to last week, this week really flew by. Probably because we had a holiday on Monday, Tuesday was the first day of classes and then before you know it, I am half way through the week. Another great week, with a definite new tradition of Karaoke at Sardo's any day that we can possibly go. Yesterday, a bunch of us went to this really cool improv comedy club in Hollywood called IO. We continued the night by going to this awesome pub called Dillon's Irish Pub......unfortunately luck was not on my side that night. Between physically leaving the door at Dillon's and walking 5 blocks, my driver's license and credit card magically disappeared from my purse and after 4 trips back and forth, I accepted defeat and called it a night. Where this story leaves me is, in the terrible frustrating ridiculous process of figuring out how to get a new license, I was having a conversation with my dad. He went on to say, "Well, Jennifer, are you pretty set that you are going to just stay out there after the program ends in May? Should you just get a California Driver's License?" For some reason, this caused a huge realization that I thought I already knew, but now fully understood. I will more than likely be starting my life out here. Even if I have to wait tables and work three jobs to pay rent, I honestly do not think I will be returning to Texas to reside....and that brought on a wave of emotions.

None of them sadness; though I do and will miss all of my amazing friends and family back in the lone star state, I know that we will see each other sooner or later and keep in touch regardless. Excitement/slightly frightened (ummm I'm really and truly going to be on my own)/eagerness...all of these and more have been constantly pulsing through my body, but I do know that this is the right place for me right now (take my license LA, i'll give you that one).


So this is a picture outside the legendary Roxy Theatre in LA. Etta James, one of history's most exquisite and talented singers, passed away. The world will always remember and celebrate her extraordinary contribution to music.

Speaking of music, I am engrossing myself more and more into music and introducing myself, with the help of my co workers and friends, to styles and genres of music I had never even thought of. And knowing that when I ask anyone I work with for a music recommendation, I will certainly not be disappointed, I am happy to report the expansion of my iTunes as well. I want to talk more about my classes and my incredible professors, but it is Friday and I have a life and a lot of living to get to.

So until next time

Oh, almost forgot...new band discoveries of the week : Queen Ifrica (Reggae) and The Big Pink (Awesomeness)

Realizations Realizations

So wrapping up my first official week working and living out in LA, I realized a lot of things. First of all, there is so much indescribable beauty that exists within this world. Yes, that can apply to the breathtaking surroundings that I am blessed to see (I got so see sunset on Santa Monica Pier) but also in people that you meet and random interactions that one may witness. Human beings are so incredibly complex; their actions beyond my comprehension. All I do know is that you should always surround yourself with people that build you up and make you the best person you can possibly be. Those people that don't make you judge yourself or second guess your actions and opinions....the people that make you see all that is positive and fun and exhilarating about life and its opportunities, they are priceless and I am so lucky to have people like that in my life. My roommates are incredible and I am so happy I was able to meet and become friends with three so different yet amazing women. We had a bit of a Sex and the City moment at our delicious all you can eat mexican buffet (with mimosas) at El Torrito. Another big recommendation for mexican food out here....I am quite certain it will become a tradition. A bunch of the UTLA peeps watched The Descendants at the screening room tonight. Needless to say, it was a great movie but not amazing in my book. Still, there was this one scene that was incredibly moving. When Shailene Woodley's character finds out a certain bit of information (don't want to ruin it for anyone), there is this soundless shot of her crying while under water in the pool as the camera spans out in slow motion; it was really beautiful. Its visual experiences like this as well as audio experiences that make me so passionate about working in this industry. It helps that I am surrounded by people that share this with me.
Artist for today is Rachael Yamagata...incredible singer. But a bunch of us will be spending tomorrow's holiday at Santa Monica beach so I'm gonna try and get a little rest in. All in all.....great week/weekend. Cannot wait to continue the journey.

"Native vigor of impulses and desires conserved by education and experience, the establishment of inner harmony and cooperation among the powers and capacities of the soul, the formation of a life purpose, and the direction of the individual life in accordance with the eternal principles of right that underlie human progress. These are the elements of both strength and righteousness in human character." -Edward Sisson

Playlist Numero Uno

Sooo instead of a normal post today ( I like to switch it up a bit), I have an idea. I am going to make a Spontaneous Playlist. Spontaneous because the songs probably make absolutely no sense when put together, but they are all fabulous in their own way. So here is Playlist Numero Uno for anyone who wants some music gumbo.....

1. Bizarre Love Triangle - New Order (This song is really just awesome.)
2. Just Like Heaven -The Cure
3. Bridge Burning -Foo Fighters
4. Sexy Boy - Air
5. I Just Want to Be Loved - AM Radio
6. Time - Hans Zimmer (yep, were really mixing it up_
7. Hearts on Fire - Cut Copy
8. Edge of the Ocean - Ivy
9. Across the Universe - FIONA APPLE COVER
10. Private Affair - The Virgins
11. Lay Lady Lay - Magnet
12. Fire and Rain - James Taylor
13. Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters - Elton John
14. Besame Mucho - Chris Issak
15. The Greatest - Cat Power

Some artists you know? Some you dont? Some songs you may completely despise? Regardless, hop on spotify and have a listen. After all, it's all music. What do you have to lose?

Getting to know the city

Hello world. So I have a big week ahead of me. My internship with Red Light Management starts tomorrow and I could not be more excited. I've been reading Everything You Need to Know About the Music Business by Donald Passman to start getting a good idea of all of the key roles that contribute to the success of an artist; to say the least, the monetary divisions that surround one act and the vast and complicated methods that must be taken into consideration when forming a contract are really interesting....and I definitely need to keep expanding my knowledge on the subject in order to keep up. I found this awesome coffee shop that I will without a doubt be a frequent visitor of. It's called Bourgeois Pig; here is a picture from inside one of the rooms...


It has a 70's feel, with the photo being taken inside "The Forest Room", which is very Alice and Wonderland. I wanna keep growing my list of great coffee shops so I will definitely keep updating that. My parents and I also went to Kitchen 24, this AMAZING diner in Hollywood. I will tell anyone that comes to LA: you have to try this place. Anything on the menu looks (and undoubtably tastes) spectacular. Another plus, it's open 24 hours.


Song of the Day: "Run Run Back" - The Black Keys (along with the entire El Camino album)

Let the night begin

I am finally moved in! After two days of driving, a few hours unpacking and a good while convincing my mother that I would be careful and not put myself in dangerous situations, I am officially living in Los Angeles. And I am already off to a pretty fun start. It is a friend of mine's birthday tonight, so we will be heading over to MyStudio, a nightclub in Hollywood. It will be fun regardless to to see him and have a good time, but I'm interested to see how the fashion vibe is out here in LA. All i hear is how "LA has a lot of attitude" when it comes to wardrobe, but I will have to see what that means in person.
Another one of my great friends is out here and works with Dim Mak Records, an awesome label that seems to favor electro (no problem with me); he invited me to a release party for one of their artists on Sunday. It will be at Drai's, which from what I hear is a pretty sweet club in Hollywood that sits atop the W Hotel. All in all, I am just happy to start meeting people are getting used to the city. I plan on having a long day of exploration tomorrow. I got to see where I will be working and the building is architecturally exquisite, if I may say so. It has an Italian feel, with a Y splitting staircase and Villa-like rooftops. Also, I realized that it is right next to Chateau Marmont, one of the most legendary hotels as far as music is concerned. I would LOVE to stay there for however brief a period if I get the chance.

But alas, I must cut short. Just got a phone call and I'm off...

To end one and begin another...

And the time has finally come. As a wide assortment of clothes, shoes, books and other odd yet essential items spread themselves across the floor of my room, in dire need of being squished into a box, bin or suitcase, the reality has dawned upon me. I will be making the gruelingly long yet hopefully scenic 2 day route to Los Angeles in a mere 29 hours. A bit precise, I know, but when you have been waiting for this opportunity for years only to realize that the countdown is no longer months or weeks, that is has reached the comprehensible status of being a little over a day away, is.....well, almost incomprehensible in itself. The excitement-with a twinge of nervousness- at starting my life and building my career in LA is slowly yet surely taking over the wide range of emotions that my body and soul are able to experience. I'm in a Ray Lamontagne kind of mood right now. His lyrics, with their raw and haunting truth, tend to be what I fall back on when I sit and think, with overwhelming awe, of how fast time really does fly by.

First and foremost, I am so unbelievably grateful for the friends and family in my life who love me and are who are equally loved in return. It's people such as this who help one realize who they are and what they want in all aspects of existence, for which I am lucky enough to have a decent idea- at least for now. So I just want to take a minute from my mind's incessant thoughts about my future in Los Angeles and what I want to gain there, and focus on how lucky I am to have certain people in my life. I appreciate them more than I could express....which is good because I am not very good with outwardly expressing emotion anyways. But enough of that....

On to a little Foo to soundtrack my continual fail at packing. Until tomorrow...