Oh happy day, it’s the weekend!

Hope everyone had a splendid Friday and such. Last night I was at the Winter Formal with all the Sexy Pitches. At 7:30, we sang 3 of our most up-beat, fun lovin’ songs. I was sportin’ this green get-up from forever 21 and some jade colored eye-make up to close the deal. It was fun to get all spiffed up and attempting at the stylish route while singing my heart out. After a little a cappella, I danced it up with my roommate from freshman year in the Student Union Building’s Multi Purpose Room. I love Liz and I miss her greatly! At any rate, it was so nicely decorated, with snowflakes and white lights in the formation of icicles.  Christine Sweeney and I had some shirley temples, which were scrumptious and then we went out on the dance floor! You know, it was a really nice idea…and I wish the whole school attended as if it were prom in high school. Because it was such a sweet notion, with everyone dressed up to kill and dancing….UH, lovely! I had such a nice time shakin’ my booty off! I get into it, tis true. They even had a backdrop set up where you could take pictures of you and your group. They printed them out within 20 minutes! CUUTE! You know, NPBlogger Jesse was one of the people running this entire event, so I bet she has more information on the winter formal. I just thought I’d touch upon it, since I really thought it was cute and a grand ole’ time!

On Thurs. night the Sexy Pitches and Absolut A Cappella performed a dorm performance in Deyo Hall. So many people showed up, and I just want to thank all those lovelies for coming and supporting the love of music! Thanks again! It was a fun night. Absolut had a bunch of dance-able, crazy tunes like Mambo Number Five, which made me laugh and laugh! Oh I love how they have fun with whatever they’re singing! Us Sexy Pitches debuted a new song as well. Maybe I shouldn’t give it away, because we are performing tonight at The College Terrace on campus (behind the Sojourner Truth Library.) Maybe I should just say to come tonight, and find out! That will start at 10pm tonight to hear more a cappella sing-sations! Get there early if you want a good seat. Ya know.

Obviously I over-estimated my arm-length here. Everyone else looks sexy, while I look like I’m trying to catch my balloon which I mistakenly released into the atmosphere.

It doesn’t even look like my mouth is open, but I swear to you I’m singing.

I love Christine Sweeny’s smile in this. She’s the one in the black shirt singing the solo, “Killing Me Softly!” In the picture, she’s a little to the left of my flailing arms.

All these pictures are courtesy of Christopher Thurston. Thanks!!

Before the concert, today is going to be my reading/homework/laundry/cleaning/working-out day. That won’t be the most joyous thing in the world- I won’t sugar coat it. However, tomorrow is going to be great! Although I was on the waiting list, I’m going to Hunter Mountain to go skiing again! BOOYAH! I hope the weather is nice (with some sun, less wind preferably) and easy does-it on the amount of ice. That would be great. To be honest, I’m not going with ANYONE I know…I just signed up on my own. It was a nice deal! Twenty-five smackaroos for lift ticket, equiptment and lessons if need be. If I wanted to try snowboarding I could take the instructor, but to be honest, I just don’t think I’d have fun. I want to speed down the mountain in tight turns– seeing how many runs I can do. It will be nice to just have a hard ski day and then on the bus ride home, just read or listen to some music. I love being around people, but sometimes it’s nice to rejoice in solitude.

So those are the plans for the weekend! I hope everyone is relaxing!

Kristen

I wasn’t sure if I was going to put this up on here because it’s really random and it basically just shows me being weird, but I decided why not? EVERYONE’S weird…

so it’s basically just random clips that include:::in no particular order::: Me asking my staff what superpower they would have if they had the choice, me dancing to MJ’s “Beat It” with an actual beet, RA Christina admitting a dirty little secret of hers, a portion of my room, and a really embarrassing lip sync to the cuppy cake song (NOTE: this is not original and I totally copied it from someone else on youtube).

I hope that this video does not make anyone rethink being friends with me, nor will it sacrifice my future friendships for that matter.

So…………

……….what superpower would you have if you could have anything?………..

Aside from singing in the shower and in the car and in a club (sans mic) I have never actually sung or played an instrument, but I must say that music of all sorts -no matter my limited involvement- has always been an integral part of my life and my activities.  Recently I attended a fantabulous program hosted by RA Shannon in Esopus where we all just sat together and watched “Across The Universe.”  As it was -as if you couldn’t tell- I have been on a pretty awesome Beatles kick for the better part of a month, and after watching this feature film, I was donezo!  Not a moment was spared for anything but listening to The Beatles.  Ironically, all of my 873 songs on my iTunes are on shuffle (that’s how I roll!) and “Helter Skelter” as made famous by The Beatles, and sung by Dana Fuchs, JUST came on!

Anywhoseandbeez, for as long as I can remember, I have always heard a little background music while cooking, or eating, or doing whatever, and this has definitely transcended into my independent life here at New Paltz.  Even now, while I am writing this blog I am listening to some choice John Mayer.  Personally, music has always had this fancy-dancy way of connecting with my heart and soul.  There are some times when I enjoy my quiet time, when everything is qquuiiieeeett…  Yet, for the most part when I am eating, drawing, painting, printmaking -what have you, I am listening to some music.

It is no surprise that -especially within the last two generations- music has been a pillar of popular society, and most people subscribe to one form or another.  However, I encourage all of you to not only integrate and interact with music on the daily, but to also experience other forms, styles and genres of music.

And, of course:  Enjoy!

The Beatles:  All of it

Across The Universe Soundtrack:  All of it, as well

John Mayer:  All of it -especially the “Where The Light Is” album

Everything-else-on-my-iTunes

Matt Stracq

: D

Hi!:) What’s going on? It’s quite windy outside, and contrary to popular thought, I actually enjoy the wind? Yesterday, I was at a local farm stand getting arugula, carrots, grapes, apples and a lemon and a lime, when I noticed how much I love the change of seasons. Lately, when I’ve driven to the farm stand, I’ve spent much time marveling over the brown and red leaves. The autumn feeling that fills the air never seems to cease to put me in a great mood, but yesterday it was different. When I got out of my car I smelled the fireplace burning from inside the farm stand and all of the trees looked so bare. Now, I know some people would be really upset about the chill in the air, since winter is right around the corner, but I just got soooo excited. This may sound odd, but I love weather. I love the rain, I love sunny days, I love living in an area where our climate fluctuates regularly. So, with that being said, today is quite windy, and as I type this entry, my window is wide open and I hear leaves flying everywhere, and it is just grand! Woo!

Yesterday afternoon I met up with one of my friends that I have know since I was born! My dad grew up on the same block as her mom, and then I grew up on the same block as her, and now we both go to New Paltz.. pretty crazy! Anyway, we decided to walk to Starbucks, which was fabulous, as usual! We had a lovely walk, and then headed to the New Paltz vs. Drew Men’s Basketball game which was sooooo much fun! The Hawk’s Nest was totally full of school spirit and the team did so well!

My friend Chris Thurston took these pictures, so props to him! He is actually the photo editor for the Oracle, one of our school newspapers. Annnnnd, speaking of the Oracle, check out this article that was in this week’s paper: http://oracle.newpaltz.edu/article.cfm?id=3999.

Today, my friend from home came to visit me for lunch. He went home for the weekend, so he stopped by here on his way back to school upstate. We went to Wrapsody Grill and the Bakery and it was lovely:)

Before I conclude, I also wanted to share with you a video from Frost Valley. RHSA went to Frost Valley about a month ago for a leadership retreat, so finnnnnnalllly, here is the video! I hope you like it!

Enjoy this WINDY WINDY day! –Jessie

Just to clarify, for your viewing pleasure I have October’s Video Blog AND a video that includes a fellow NP Blogger, Holly Gooden, and the left arm of OL Ely Fry.

As for the video with Holly, It takes place lest night (10/24/08) on one exciting Friday night at Oscar’s with Holly, Eli and myself.  The three of us were talking about politics and various states when Holly said this…

Oh, and:

“Honey Pie” by The Beatles

Matt

: D

To tell the honest truth, I like my history and social studies classes -a lot.  And when I hear a professor talking about the “hot button” issues in our fair nation, I always get really motivated to make change, because I believe that change does come from such simple, modest roots as one individual, and to quote Gandhi, I’ve always wanted to “Be the change [I] wish to see in the world.” Well, in less than a week, I supported two causes near and dear to my heart.

On this past Saturday (the 18th) I took part in the Gunk Project. Organized and coordinated by Wyatt Krause -RA in Lenape Hall- the Gunk Project was a day of cleaning up out fair Gunk.  Many times during capture the flag on Tuesday nights at 10PM we have had players (Rob Schemitsch and a few others) who have been as brave to swim in the Gunk for the sake of the game.  However, over the course of these capture the flag games we (Rob and Co.) have retrieved some SIX (6) bicycles and FOUR (4) traffic cones. It was then that Wyatt got the idea to have a Gunk cleaning project, aptly named, the Gunk Project.  On Saturday, a few “dredgers” -Rob included- swum the Gunk to remove as much “stuff” from the depths as possible.  To my knowledge, the dredgers worked tirelessly for hours to retrieve a screen door, a paper towel dispenser, two shopping carts, a computer monitor, a skate board, and various debris the likes of which I have forgotten! In addition to dredging out the Gunk, others and I went around to collect some THREE HUNDRED signatures of those that were in support of our efforts, and want to urge the administration in cleaning up the Gunk more, and making our campus more green.

I was very proud that so many students from different Residence Halls came together to clean up our campus, and that I was a part of that group as well.  I believe that moving toward a greener campus, nation and lifestyle, we can all ensure that our lives and the lives of those that come after us will be secured, safe and healthy.  This Gunk Project is a small step because not only do we want the administration to take up the next “leg-of-the-race” but we also want to inspire more pro active actions and good habits in our own lives and that if the people around us.

As for the second bit of getting involved that I am about to tell you about, I feel very strongly about both the subject matter and the actions involved.  On Tuesday (10/14) I got a phone call from one of my best friends, Tim K. who is a sophomore at SUCO Oneonta.  He tells me that there was a protest that took place on his campus that day involving a Christian man and his anti-homosexual views.  He also said that he heard this man was coming to SUNY New Paltz soon!  So after informing my entire Women: Images and Realities class, I waited until on week later on the 21st when he showed.  I saw the men protesting homosexuality of all sorts on the concourse of the SUB on my way to my women studies class, and upon sounding the alarms, the bulk of the students went during the break to protest these individuals in return!

Personally I feel that everyone should be entitled to express themselves in the way that they were born to be, and should never be subject to anyone else condemning them.  In that light I made a killer sign, sporting rainbow colors, that said: “DON’T LISTEN : D.” This also made me feel accomplished because I finally had the chance to demonstrate some inalienable rights bestowed upon me from birth, and protected through the United States Constitution! (What-WHAAT! -Take THAT!!!).

It is in these actions and in voting that I feel my civic duties are being fulfilled, and it is a great start!

With that in mind, I have a very appropriate song selection for this blog:

“Everybody’s Gonna Love Today” by Mika

and

“Why Don’t We Do It In The Road?” By The Beatles

and

“Carry That Weight” by The Beatles

Peace,

Matt Stracq

: D

It should come as no surprise that I post at least one song in every blog.  I like to think if it as my “song-of-the-blog,” but today there will be a blog of the song -two actually.  Thanks to RA Shannon (who was my RA last year) i have been exposed to an artist with soul coming out of his eardrums!  And to tell you the truth, it doesn’t really surprise me that Shannon introduced me to Ray (and a few others) because her taste in music is beyond excellent.  Well, I kind of gave it away approximately one line ago, but anyway, Ray Lamontagne is his name and love songs are his game.  There is one song that really just touches my soul and that is “Trouble.” But the fun thing is that the title makes it sound negative when it isn’t -at least I don’t perceive it to be.  Ray has this very GNARLEY beard and an equally and gnarley, raspy voice.  These are just a few “soul-boosters” to Ray’s credit, but his delivery and “presence” (<even though its just YouTube) are the real attraction.

I also love pairing two songs together that really jive.  I just get them ready on my computer and switch back and forth between the two.  In fact, one of those songs is Ray Lamontagne’s “Trouble,” and the other is James Morrison’s **Tangent: whenever I see that son title I think of “Better Man” by Pearl Jam…  Anywhose!  The two go together like “lamb and tuna fish,” to quote “Big Daddy,” and it makes for a majestic listening experience.

That being said, I’ll keep this one short because I just wanted to let you all in on my musical excursions.

“Trouble” by Ray Lamontagne

and

“Better Man” by James Morrison

Matt Stracq

: D

Top of the mornin to ya all! Well I have exciting news…COMPANY, THE MUSICAL OPENED LAST NIGHT! (The title above is from the lyrics of the opening song, so I thought I’d share…with all those exclamation points and everything!)BAM!

Last night was the official opening and Wednesday night was Gala night. For those who don’t know, Gala is when all the theatre majors each get a free ticket to come see the mainstage production. (We have 4 mainstage productions each year: 2 a semester. We have one musical a year (the 1^st production) and then the other three can be what the theatre faculty decide.)

Anywho, Wednesday night was chock full of theatre majors/minors and others who were given a gala ticket. For example, I gave my gala ticket to my roommate Samantha since I was in the show and couldn’t use mine, now could I?

Gala is always a wonderful, exhilarating, energy heightening experience, because it’s all your friends!! Some people aren’t a big fan of it because, again, since it’s all your friends, they laugh AT EVERYTHING! It gives us as performers over-exaggerated feedback and we’re unsure how it will be accepted the following evening with a paying crowd. However, I feel one just has to embrace all those positive responses because you’ll never get the applause or the laughter that tremendous again.

Anyway, here’s to videos of Gala that I took AFTER the show was finished and all of us are in the lobby, eating cheese, crackers, fudge, and fresh fruit while hugging, smiling and conversing with one another. It’s a lovely atmosphere! And as Marni Strump puts it: “Gala is ALL about the cheese!” I’m not really a cheese fan, but MANY agree with her!

Charlotte Pines plays one of the girlfriends, Marta, and sings the well known song, Another Hundred People. She’s fun and somewhat rebellious. Can’t you tell from that makeup!!

Larissa Goldberg plays April, the flight attendant who’s cute but somewhat odd. She’s one of Bobby’s girlfriends and sings the duet Barcelona with Bobby.

Andrea Green getting ready to play her role as Amy. She’s loving, but a little neurotic at times, which makes her scenes THAT much more hysterical.

Dana Paige Priebe designed all the costumes for the show! Here’s one of her sketches of Amy and Paul during the wedding scene.

All of the married couples and the main character Bobby in their black and white outfits for the Birthday Party scenes. Again, more mastery of Dana Paige Priebe.

Michelle Hines as Joanne, “the boisterous upper-class New Yorker who has been married three or four times.”

Let me go into a basic plot summary of Company. (I found this online by the way.) “Set in New York City, Company tells the story of five couples and their mutual friend Robert. Robert, turning 35 at the beginning of the show, seems to have everything: good looks, charm, and a great sense of humor. Nevertheless, he is still single. In Company he watches and learns from the various couples. He sees both the wonders and pitfalls of relationships. In the end though, Robert realizes that while relationships rarely turn out like they do in fairy tails, life is still better when you have someone to share it with.”

I think to get a REALLY good idea of what Company is about while getting the inside scoop, you should read the article written by one of our school newspapers here on campus: The Oracle.

It has interviews and WONDERFUL concepts of the show by our musical director Stephen Kitsakos. I highly recommend you check it out. Alyssa Jung wrote the article, and I believe she gave COMPANY justice. Thanks Alyssa! Click away!

http://oracle.newpaltz.edu/article.cfm?id=3917

On that note, please, please PLEASE everyone get your tickets to see Company. I can just say from experience, that one of the most amazing feelings in the world is when people you know and love come to see the show you’re in. I’m telling you, it’s the most rewarding experience! And everyone put so much work into just 2 weekends of shows!

Here’s the information:

The theatre department’s first production of the semester, “Company”, will debut Friday, Oct. 16 at 8 p.m. and on Oct. 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25. Sunday, Oct. 19 and 26 performances will be at 2 p.m. at McKenna Theatre. Tickets are $16. To get tickets call 845-257-3880 or go the McKenna Box Office from 11:30-4:30 (I believe those times are pretty accurate. If you’re unsure, you can just call them up.)

I know the price seems a little steep, but listen up students: tickets are $9 ON THURSDAYS FOR YOU GUYS! So take advantage of that I say. You still have one Thursday left!

Break a leg for ALL INVOLVED! We have a wonderful cast, crew, lighting design team, sound design team, director, stage manager, assistant stage managers, etc, etc! Thanks again and enjoy your Friday people!

Its been a good couple of days so far: good meetings, good work time, good meals, good down time -It’s All GOOD!  For one thing, my Women: Images and Realities class gives a ton of extra credit.  Which is excellent because it will help balance out some of me-harder-courses -so if You have any extra credit options, make it your business to capitalize on that! To tell you the truth, I really do have harder classes that I should be studying for right now -no worries, I’m feelin’ A+’s…

Outside of my classes I’ve been doing some pretty exciting things with my time.  I got a haircut yesterday -all went well, I look good -if I do say so myself- lol.

“Hey EVERYONE: Come and See How GOOD I LOOK!”  ~Anchorman.

I also am getting my bike tuned up as-I-write (wow).  I ride a Mongoose Rockadile mountain bike, and I am on that bad boy all the time! So if you see a blue and white blur whizzing past on the roads, its me, say “hi,” please.  Apparently the bike shop I took my bike to has been there for some thirty years and the owner really knows his stuff, so I feel comfortable leaving my bike there.  And I am SO excited to pick it up this afternoon.

Speaking of which, I have a nice little schedule planned out for this afternoon:  no Drawing II class (sadface) but I will be able to do some laundry, study, go to a prayer group, swim, eat, study, pick up my bike (!!!), study, eat again, do some extra credit, see Gideon YAGO, have a house meeting, eat again, and watch the Presidential DEBATE! Woo-Hooooo, Yeahh! Biz-E-Day To-Day, but as you can see, all good things.

Come to think of it, yesterday was a busy day too, because on top of all that I just mentioned, I went to a Study Abroad G.I. meeting and a NRHH G.I. meeting as well!  From what I’ve heard studying abroad is one of the BEST COLLEGE EXPERIENCES EVER! and that information is coming from people that have studied abroad, such as my oldest sister, Marissa, and other peeps.  Personally, I’m thinking of doing a summer session because I don’t want it to interfere with whats going on here at New Paltz -plus, I’d be great to get away for the summer!  Oh, and that’s right, I forgot to mention where I’ll be going: Florence.  I’m an Artist -why wouldn’t I go? lol.  As far as NRHH, it is an organization that recognizes students, faculty, on campus organizations, etc. as part of a regular, weekly, monthly, yearly sort-of-thing.  The members in it are the TOP 1% of Student Leaders on Campus!!! So, wish me LUCK!  Anyway, my application needs to be in by October 31st at 12 NOON.

Look out NRHH, here I come! (I hope : D )

MEWSICK!

(music -haha, I made a joke with letters!)

As of late I have been listening to some CHOICE tunes -and believe me, they be bumpin’:

Sting, “Desert Rose”

and

Jack Johnson, “Girl, I Wanna Lay You Down”

^^*Look this one up on www.playlist.com*^^

Peace Out, Cub Scouts,

Matt

: D

Well hello all and welcome the lovely month of October!

I cannot express enough how excited I am that autumn is flourishing right now, showing off its reds, oranges and yellows for the entire town to witness. Autumn is my FAVORITE season….which works out nicely being in New Paltz since it has SO MANY events going on during this time of year. There’s apple picking, pumpkin picking, carving or painting pumpkins, baking, Halloween costumes, Headless Horseman hay ride and haunted house (a big deal here at New Paltz), not to mention Sleepy Hallow not being too far of a drive. Many a thing to do here this time of year!

Not only are the leaves the colors of a sunrise, but they are crispy and scattered all over campus. I’ll let you in on a little, guilty pleasure I have: I truly relish in stepping on as many crunchy leaves as I can find. I actually scope out for a pile of these leaves on campus. That crackling sound always reminds me of home. Once the school season started, Carmine the bus driver would drop me and my brother off at the end of our court, where we’d race to our driveway. Kyle would usually win, because he’s just a gazelle like that. I wouldn’t care though (usually) as long as I was able to find a good pile of super crunchy leaves and stomp-the-heck-outta-them. Ah memories.

I took this picture right outside of the Humanities building! These are good leaves to crunch, lemme tell ya!

Here are some lovely pictures around campus that I’ve been taking. I told you I marvel the spectacle of autumn, especially here at New Paltz!

Here’s right outside Capen Hall.

I took this on my way to Hasbrouck Dining Hall today.

Some more trees outside Capen Hall. Not all the trees are turning just yet.

You bet I’m gonna gush some more about Autumn. I can’t wait to go apple picking and stuff when my fam comes up to visit. I’m with NPblogger Jessie on this one….New Paltz is the place to go and celebrate the changing of this season.