7 months ago
Darren King when asked how he feels about religion now
Such a good interview. I usually don’t read or watch MM interviews because I like their music so much, I don’t really care what they have to say if it’s not through music. But I always realize how similar my upbringing is to this band and kind of where we are at now. It’s a pretty confusing time and I’m thankful that they talk openly about it. In talking about relationships, talking about partying, talking about the things you have or how thug you are so much, you forget there is this lack of people talking about more important things. Such as how to heal your soul. Heck, I remember some article talking about how we lack a lot of protest songs in this day and age. We’re missing something in a good chunk of music these days and that may be because we’re not connected enough to ourselves and to others.
It’s fun to dance to a meaningless beat and it’s fun to mourn along with some singer’s relationship gone bad. But it seems songs need to be written about things bigger than this. We shouldn’t get rid of these songs all together. They’re important too. But something grander needs a voice too. I’m always thankful for MM being that voice.
P.S. This is the 2nd installment of Serious Musings on Pop Music (after like 4 months!) and I would like to add Janelle Monáe, Born Ruffians, Lupe Fiasco and Grey Reverend as artist from this generation who seem have something to say. If you would like to help me add some good singer-songwriters to my list, let me know. Or check out the other site I visit as much as this one, my last.fm.
(Source: legendarypurple)
via legendarypurple
2 years ago
Let’s Do Updates:
Because all I’ve been doing is working and actually having a nice life, I still feel the need to put something on Tumblr, so I usually end of reblogging stuff or giving someone cause to deactivate their Tumblr (I’m sorry, REALLY) or posting pics that I really didn’t put my all into. So, to seem more original and to create the illusion that there’s an actual person here, let’s talk about how things have been going, shall we?
First, job is good. Weather has been great. We had a hail storm the other night. It was awesome. We’re planting palm trees in the yard. Fiesta is almost over which to me is good because all I heard on the news last night was drunk-driving accidents. San Antonio knows how to party a little too hard. Parades make a pretty sight though.
Also, congrats to the Spurs so far. I don’t totally care but I do not like the Dallas Mavericks. OK, mostly I don’t like Mark Cuban. Met him once. Kind of as rude as he is in his interviews. Also, I have about $6,000 left to pay off on my student loan. I think that’s pretty fantastic.
Numero dos, I’ve been reading. A Lot. Right now I’m swept up in No One Would Listen by Harry Markopolos.
It’s the story about how the author long ago knew that Bernie Madoff was running a Ponzi scheme and how the SEC did nothing about it. The information surfaced around 2000 so it’s pretty maddening how incompetent they were. I have two other books I’m still taking a stab at. One I mentioned before, Freedom’s Daughters, and another, Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri. I have a goodreads account also if you’d like to befriend me.
Trois, I learned to tie a turban and I watched as little television as possible. I couldn’t tell you what was on, it was all in snippets. But I do remember Elliot Stabler yelling at a perp.
Fourth, in the music world, I’m this close to seeing MuteMath at a festival in Dallas with some friends. This excites me as I haven’t seen them since August and they’ll probably be away for awhile to make a new album after this tour. Also, I’ll be seeing a Phish 3D concert movie in Austin on Thursday. Mostly workin’ and stuff, but I’ll see how it goes. I’m not totally into jam bands but my buddy Christine is a crazy Phish head or do they call them something else? Apparently this band has been around forever but what do I know. At least it’ll get me to Austin. Also, I’ve decided the next US tour WAS do, I will follow them on at least 5 dates. I’ll probably do the same with Born Ruffians and Janelle Monáe. Which is especially special because the latter is touring with Erykah Badu. Befriend me on last.fm?
Last but not least, I’m thinking of some places I want to end up in the Fall and the only thing that keeps coming to mind is Athens, Georgia. That comes from We Are Scientists’ front man Keith Murray doing a stay down there but also because another favorite band, the B-52s, came from there. I’ve never been to Athens but I have been to Atlanta (too big) and Savannah (too many hurricanes!) and have sort of been in the mood to live in the Southeast.
I just love staying in the South. The media gives us a lot of blows for our idiot politicians but I just want everyone to know that Texas is full of some of the most kind-hearted folks with a lot of wisdom. We’re all not meant to be cowboys and a lot of us, born and bred, spend our days marching and fighting against injustices. It can be annoying to hear, “Austin is the only cool thing about Texas because they’re so open-minded.” Really, they’re just full of LA folk (no offense to LA folk but you know how they are. Coming in, gentrifying everything and opening expensive sandwich shops. I make awesome sandwiches myself!). We have good reason to be the butt of jokes. However, a lot of us are just living the dream down here and making things happen. 
That brings me to the fact that I’d love to also move out to the Hill Country or even out West to El Paso. Maybe Houston too but I usually draw a blank when it comes to that city. Houston is sort of one step closer to living in Chicago or NYC. Just a friggin’ huge city that I’m not sure I could navigate! But can you believe it, they have a Museum District! 18 museums! OK, I’ll stop my museum dorkiness now.
So that’s how things have been going. I’m actually feeling really good. I go to bed early (with the exception of this night) and I rise early. I work, I read, I hang with friends, I photograph and doodle. I walk my dog and my dreads have been getting better. My room is spotless and I’ve kept it that way for almost 2 weeks now. I cracked my iPhone screen but I don’t care anymore. And I’m a dreamer again. I’m not so cynical about life anymore. I want to do lots of things and I’m believing that I can actually complete them. So here’s to the last week of April and into the summer. I’m excited! It must be something in the air or maybe it’s all those basketball commercials. Win or Go Home, Miranda. Win or GO HOME.
2 years ago
Hello New Followers!!
Howdy, you all look so beautiful. I already know this because I am Miss Cleo.
Anyways, I took 3 days off from the internet and had fun. Although it is not fun scrolling through missed posts. However, Miranda finished a book and started a new one. Yes, when bored Miranda refers to herself in the 3rd person but it’s only because she is unsure of how to do it in 2nd person. The book Miranda read was Maus by Art Spielgelman. 
I knew cats were Nazis! Sorry, just kidding, dog person here. And I’m starting on (or finishing rather) Lynne Olson’s Freedom’s Daughters: The Unsung Heroines of the Civil Rights Movement from 1830 to 1970. This book has introduced me to lots of fighting women. I recommend you check it out. It’s been an amazing read. It also made me realize that I must find a biography of Eleanor Roosevelt. She probably advocated in more causes than her husband did.
Another thing I’ve done away from a computer is work. I have a new job in a chill place downtown. I’m already pretty bored with it but I remember that a good environment has to start with you so I always note all the beautiful things that surround me during my walk to work and while I’m there. I’m across from an elegant Spanish colonial hotel. It’s near the Riverwalk so I can people watch. I get downtown early so I usually stop at a bench and draw or read. I’ll take a picture of the view next time. Then there’s Sip Coffee Bar which makes a pretty fantastic chai tea. I think I’ll go in once a week to get one. I’ll ease into it better as the weeks go by.
Other fun: I finally bought the Born Ruffians EP, and Some Are Lakes by Land of Talk. I shall post a video later by the latter band because you must be exposed to Elizabeth Powell’s wonderful voice. Applause Cheer Boo Hiss is a lot better but they don’t fail with their latest work. I went to a comedy show with my family to see Kevin Hart. He was funny, his opening acts not so much.
As far as projects go, I will try to finish my zine by the end of the month with what I have. I have a silly idea going that since I get home around the time Judge Judy comes on, I draw out the episode, especially the crazy ones. I have two done already. She’s a guilty pleasure and the plaintiffs and defendants are some special folks. I also will use this week to finally open my Etsy shop once and for all. I’m making some of my photos into postcards and will try to sell some framed 8x10s. I’ve chosen a few that I want to put in there but if you go to my flickr and leave a comment on the photos you like best, those are the ones I’ll most likely sell. So go be awesome and do that!
This has been a spiel on Miranda the Great. Thanks for reading. Tumblr can now commence being once again. Ask me questions, friends!
