Resumes: The Only Place Where Tying Your Shoes Could Be Considered Impressive.

In an attempt to flee the overwhelming world of academia and become an “adult”, my time recently has been spent researching the fine craft of resume writing. This is a difficult process. Everyone has varying standards and opinions on appropriate length, necessary headings, relevant experiences, and important skills. When writing resumes, one cannot just openly state, “I am organized. I am a hard worker. I can use Microsoft Word. Hire me.” You must find ways of saying this with different words. So you list EVERYTHING you’ve ever done in your life, adjust and tweak your word choices, and make it say what you want to say.

Example:
Under the heading “Experience” one could list – Capable of tying my own shoes.
An employer could read this and assume the following:
1. This person is organized.
2. This person will work diligently to complete the given task.
3. This person does not take the easy way out (seen by the decision to not buy Velcro or slip-ons).
4. This person can work independently.
5. This person could potentially be a leader and teach others to tie their shoes.
6. This person takes direction well (as they were surely once instructed by someone else on proper tying techniques).
7. This person works well in high-pressure situations (after all they did tie TWO shoes on their way out the door that morning).
8. This person can adapt to new situations. (“One shoelace is already tied before I even put my foot in the shoe. What do I do?!”)
And wondering the following:
9. Did this person anticipate future problems and double-knot their shoes?
10. Was this person doing anything else while tying their shoes? Talking on the phone or packing lunch? This would show ability to multi-task.

Alright, back to resume writing. Maybe I should leave out the smart aleck experiences…

“Vagabonding is an ongoing process of finding new things.” – Rolf Potts

Changing of the Seasons

Fall, Autumn, call it what you like, but it’s here. There are a plethora of reasons to enjoy this pleasant season that is upon us and here’s another list by yours truly with a few to name:

1. The end of 100 degree weather. Open your closet and bust out the pants and sweaters to prepare yourself for those cool, gentle breezes.
2. The music. Fall screams, “Listen to calm acoustic folk rock music and be happy!”
3. Leaves. No one can be unimpressed by the changing of colors on every tree in town.
4. Bridge Day. Enough said.
5. Farmer’s Market + a sweater + coffee + a Saturday morning = Perfect Fall Day
6. Hiking. Is it possible to say the word “hiking” without using “fall” in the same sentence? If words could be soul mates, these two would probably finish each other’s sentences.
7. Pumpkins. Pumpkin beer, pumpkin soup, pumpkin gnocchi, pumpkin pie, pumpkin scones, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin ravioli, pumpkin bread…should I continue?

Time to grab a cup of apple cider, listen to Ray Lamontagne, and prepare for a scenic weekend hike. Happy Fall!

Ray Lamontagne's "Trouble":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_ttbun_YoQ

An Improved Music Festival Experience

If I had an extra thumb, I’d give Bristol Rhythm and Roots 2010 three thumbs up. But for the time being, I guess two thumbs will have to do.

A quaint Southern downtown area was shut down and filled with outdoor music stages and vendors. Multiple restaurants and bars also had stages of their own featuring lesser known, but still entertaining acts. Our first venture on Friday began at an old school theater with seats constructed before obesity became an issue in America. The Infamous Stringdusters featured an amazing dobro player who joined his fellow bandmates to play an upbeat, traditional bluegrass sound. The rest of the evening was filled with wandering and time to check out unknown bands. The Two Man Gentleman Band was definitely a favorite that combined an awesome sense of humor, 1930’s get up, and high energy to entertain the crowd. Dr. Dog closed the night with a unique rock sound and lighting that impressed all.

After missing most of Saturday’s early acts, we arrived just in time to catch a solo female act, Sarah Jarosz, a multi-instrument playing folk singer. She played on a rather large outdoor stage that didn’t seem to suit her gentle musical style and inspired us to move on to the next act. Luckily, Saturday night had a highly anticipated schedule with the Felice Brothers following Cadillac Sky. From the first song, Cadillac Sky showed up ready to rock and entertain the masses. The band’s guitarist, amazed the crowd with not only his amazing playing ability, but his humor that showcased beat-boxing skills and an Elvis impersonation. His plaid shirt ripping, beer belly exposing performance was a highlight of the festival. The Felice Brothers gave an equally entertaining performance that always forces onlookers to question the lead singer’s ability to last the whole show without stopping for another fix or passing out. Still, when you mix an accordion, fiddle, and washboard with electric guitar picking you can’t go wrong. They played all the crowd favorites including “Run Chicken Run!”, “Frankie’s Gun”, and “Whiskey in my Whiskey.”

A vibrant performance by the Carolina Chocolate Drops complete with jug blowing and bones, rounded out the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Festival on Sunday afternoon. An incredible line-up, perfectly organized event, and small time feel made this a favorite festival not to be missed in the future!!


Oh happy days are here!
It's the perfect summer night
And the moonlight's shining clear
Put a pistol in your purse
Cause we're goin to Gettysburg
To the stand of the Greatest Show on Earth!
-"The Greatest Show on Earth" by the Felice Brothers

Music.

Music.
These ordinary five letters strung together seem to produce just another common noun. It’s overwhelming that two syllables could describe this amazing production of sound that is meaningful to people across the world and has been throughout history. Musicians open themselves to personal expression, which if honest, is admirable and refreshing in any genre or at any level. Music comes in an overwhelming variety of styles and can produce powerful reactions. It can make people feel happy, sad, and everything in between. It can inspire or comfort or relax. It can remind us of good and bad times. It can create personal connections. It can distract or make us forget. It can express our thoughts and feelings with a tempo and rhythm that perfectly fit the moment.

Ok, I’ve tried (and probably failed) to put words and meaning to my feelings about music. Now go! Check out a live show or just drive around listening to your favorite album! Let the music inspire you.

Song of the day: Matt Costa’s The Road.
Don't talk, 
don't say nothing
I just packed my things
 and I'm headed for something

Where I'm going,
 well, I don't really know
The road is calling,
 so I've got to go

The Humor of the Dryer Sheet

Maybe I’m the only person who finds this funny (but I’m not even mad). Every now and then, as I cross the convoluted sidewalks through campus I see this one inanimate object lying around that never ceases to make me stop for a laugh.

Picture this:

A girl is meandering along with her fingers busily texting when suddenly she finds a remnant from yesterday’s laundry tucked away, hiding in her sweater. She pulls it out and glances around to make sure no one noticed. “How did that get in there?!” she asks herself. She is shocked and appalled at the appearance of this object that fluffs and freshens her clothes but should only do so in the privacy of her own home. Rather than hold onto this apparently embarrassing artifact until a trashcan appears, she tosses it on the ground and walks away as quickly as possible attempting to hide her face in shame.

A few minutes later, you walk past this girl’s laundry leftovers. You chuckle to yourself as you imagine the entire scenario and look of embarrassment this must have caused her.

Whether you’re stuck in the 9-5 grind or monotonous lull of school, we’ve all got to find humor in the small things in our day to day lives. Keep an eye out for dryer sheets.

I’m not laughing with you, I’m laughing at you.

How are you?

How are you - one of the most common questions asked among the human race. Typically my answer is “living the dream.” 93% of the time this gets a laugh (which is surprising considering how often I use it). Usually people don’t know if I’m serious or being sarcastic leading to the common response of “Are you really?”

And honestly I couldn’t tell you. I just say it because it’s funny. Maybe I’m being overly facetious or maybe I’m being honest. Either way it’s just funny.