Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks are upon us and for the college students going home to their families, this means a temporary trading of questions like "How does a 26% decrease in the supply of cocaine affect the demand for a Kennedy in the White House?" and "What were the effects of the French Renaissance on present day Mauritania?" for questions that are even harder to answer like "What are you doing after graduation?" and "Do you have a boyfriend yet?"
Since an overwhelming majority of the people who read this blog are directly related to me, I decided to take this opportunity to explicitly list all of the subjects I don't want to talk about tomorrow and throughout the Christmas season and, you know, ever again.
Things I Super Don't Wanna Talk About With Stuffing in my Mouth
School
You're gonna say "How's school?" and I will try to keep a straight face while saying "Great!" because I want you to think that I go to class and do homework and study for tests and all that jazz that really loses its appeal after high school. And you will think I'm a few years younger than I really am and then pretend to care about my major to make up for it. So I will save you the trouble of trying to pretend that being a double liberal arts major isn't going to leave me vastly unprepared for the real world.
Work
I don't have a job. So instead I will talk about Carolina For The Kids (Dance Marathon) until you think the 24 hour marathon has already come and gone since I started talking. Actually, I would love to talk about this but we have to save something for my graduation so let's hold off.
Plans
By senior year, every time you come across someone older than you they will ask about your plans for after graduation. Even people who graduated last year and still have no idea what they want to be when they grow up will ask about what you're doing in May. I have no idea. Not even half an inkling as to where I will be in 6 months. So unless you wanna hear sarcastic answers like "finally buying my own Netflix account" or "getting a celebratory tattoo" let's go with don't ask, don't tell.
Love
Because my family has this thing where they think I'm much more desirable than I actually am. It's so confusing to come home to "I'm sure you break a lot of hearts" and then go back to school where the most recognition I get is "Mr. Potato Head is that you?" Imagine my surprise when around the dinner table one of my aunts says "Oh, I'm sure you have to beat the boys off with a stick." Ummm, no, pretty much just my face and personality, no stick necessary.
Things I Would LOVE to Discuss Over Pumpkin Pie:
The Latest Season of The Mindy Project
Danny and Mindy are together at last! I can't decide how I feel about it because on one hand I think they're adorable and soul mates but on the other hand I think that I'm his soul mate so we'll play it by ear.
What I Want for Christmas
I've got my eye on plenty of books this year, at least enough to help me avoid textbooks until after Spring Break. I would also like a new piercing and a cape. Missy vetoed both of those. So this convo topic will run dry pretty quick.
Some Way I Can Legally Trick Someone Into Paying For Grad School
I've only recently decided that I want to go to grad school in the near future but I also have no interest in taking the GRE so...you can see I'm going to need a lot of help to pull this off. With the right amount of plotting and scheming and access to the right trust fund I'm sure I'll figure it out.
Love
So love is on here twice. For the most part I really don't want to talk about it because there is literally nothing to talk about. But on the other hand, at least my family and friends keep asking so they haven't decided I'm hopeless, they still believe that one day I will have something new to report. Just yesterday a friend from high school asked if I had any new love interests. I was thrilled to be asked that, like thank you so much for thinking that could happen! How sweet!
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Timeflies. A Spiritual Journey.*
People often ask me "Rachel, why White Girl Wednesday?" That's a lie. Everyone who knows me knows that I am whiter than fresh cocaine wrapped in an infinity scarf shoved inside an Ugg. But the concept for White Girl Wednesday actually comes from Timeflies Tuesday. Timeflies is a music duo consisting of the 2 most talented human beings on the planet. Cal may be the sexiest man alive and has the voice of an angel, but like an angel that you really wanna make out with. His freestyles have been givin me life for years. And Res is like the John Forbes Nash Jr. of music, what he can do with a beat and a melody and all those other musical terms that I don't understand will blow your mind. Please, visit the Timeflies YouTube channel and see for youself (TImeflies4850). Timeflies releases a new video almost every Tuesday, which inspired me to write a blog post every Wednesday.
Last Thursday night, my dreams came true. I finally saw Timeflies live. It was everything I dreamed of and more. Honestly, it was a spiritual experience. I technically did NOT cry. But I did tear up. A lot.
I ordered my tickets back in September. They were very reasonably priced but due to a Victoria's Secret addiction and complete disregard for reality I had to move some money around to buy my ticket. I think this was an excellent decision because as I informed my daddy, I get the chance to pay my rent every single month, I can only see Timflies this one time. I bought my ticket the day they went on sale and started counting down to November 13th.
It took me the equivalent of 5 Timeflies songs to decide what to wear. On one hand I wanted an outfit that would make them notice me. On the other hand I wanted to be invisible because I was afraid that if we happened to make eye contact I would literally die. And then there was the whole North Carolina weather issue. After being unseasonably warm for weeks, it was approaching temperatures only a Canadian could love outside but the venue was indoors and I knew it would be packed, hot and humid from the blood, sweat and tears of fangirls like myself. I finally settled on yoga leggings (this is not even a joke and I am not even sorry) and a navy top. That's right, I finally tried blavy (black and navy together, something I am normally VERY against). I decided that blavy is as avant-garde as I get and the Timflies concert was the perfect place to experiment.
My friend Liz made it her mission for us to meet Cal and Res. Unlike how I say "I will go to the gym once this month" or "I might eat a vegetable this week" I knew that Liz would actually pursue her goal, which is what impressed and terrified me. When we got to the venue we enjoyed the opening act and tried to dance off our nervous energy at the back of the crowd. We considered meeting my other friends up front but again being in close proximity to Timeflies was not something I was prepared for. As we waited for Timeflies to take the stage, Liz excused herself to get a drink or go fix her hair or something. Just when we started to wonder what was taking so long, she came back and told us she had met the original videographer. Despite my awkwardness, all-consuming fear and better judgment, we followed her outside and actually had a great conversation with him because he was a super chill guy. Had he been a normal citizen like myself I would consider us friends after that night. I think if our paths ever crossed in the future and I explained where I knew him from he would totally pretend to remember me. We bonded over a mutual love for Jeopardy! and he told us that this was the "hypest crowd" they had ever played for. A quote that I am seriously considering for my tombstone (Here lies Rachel Daniel...part of the "hypest crowd" ever graced by Timeflies.).
After the show we decided to split the difference between being groupies and not caring at all. So instead of hanging around the venue or going home, we posted up at some bars within walking distance and kept an eye out for anyone looking suspiciously cool. But eventually we had to just go home and decided to remember this as the night that we ALMOST met Timeflies (and by almost we mean it totally could have happened, right?).
In a way I'm glad I never got to meet them because I wouldn't want memories of one of the best nights of my life marred by passing out or a pending restraining order.
*This blog post was in no way approved by Timeflies. If they read my blog I would likely die of excitement.
Last Thursday night, my dreams came true. I finally saw Timeflies live. It was everything I dreamed of and more. Honestly, it was a spiritual experience. I technically did NOT cry. But I did tear up. A lot.
I ordered my tickets back in September. They were very reasonably priced but due to a Victoria's Secret addiction and complete disregard for reality I had to move some money around to buy my ticket. I think this was an excellent decision because as I informed my daddy, I get the chance to pay my rent every single month, I can only see Timflies this one time. I bought my ticket the day they went on sale and started counting down to November 13th.
It took me the equivalent of 5 Timeflies songs to decide what to wear. On one hand I wanted an outfit that would make them notice me. On the other hand I wanted to be invisible because I was afraid that if we happened to make eye contact I would literally die. And then there was the whole North Carolina weather issue. After being unseasonably warm for weeks, it was approaching temperatures only a Canadian could love outside but the venue was indoors and I knew it would be packed, hot and humid from the blood, sweat and tears of fangirls like myself. I finally settled on yoga leggings (this is not even a joke and I am not even sorry) and a navy top. That's right, I finally tried blavy (black and navy together, something I am normally VERY against). I decided that blavy is as avant-garde as I get and the Timflies concert was the perfect place to experiment.
My friend Liz made it her mission for us to meet Cal and Res. Unlike how I say "I will go to the gym once this month" or "I might eat a vegetable this week" I knew that Liz would actually pursue her goal, which is what impressed and terrified me. When we got to the venue we enjoyed the opening act and tried to dance off our nervous energy at the back of the crowd. We considered meeting my other friends up front but again being in close proximity to Timeflies was not something I was prepared for. As we waited for Timeflies to take the stage, Liz excused herself to get a drink or go fix her hair or something. Just when we started to wonder what was taking so long, she came back and told us she had met the original videographer. Despite my awkwardness, all-consuming fear and better judgment, we followed her outside and actually had a great conversation with him because he was a super chill guy. Had he been a normal citizen like myself I would consider us friends after that night. I think if our paths ever crossed in the future and I explained where I knew him from he would totally pretend to remember me. We bonded over a mutual love for Jeopardy! and he told us that this was the "hypest crowd" they had ever played for. A quote that I am seriously considering for my tombstone (Here lies Rachel Daniel...part of the "hypest crowd" ever graced by Timeflies.).
After the show we decided to split the difference between being groupies and not caring at all. So instead of hanging around the venue or going home, we posted up at some bars within walking distance and kept an eye out for anyone looking suspiciously cool. But eventually we had to just go home and decided to remember this as the night that we ALMOST met Timeflies (and by almost we mean it totally could have happened, right?).
In a way I'm glad I never got to meet them because I wouldn't want memories of one of the best nights of my life marred by passing out or a pending restraining order.
*This blog post was in no way approved by Timeflies. If they read my blog I would likely die of excitement.
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Leave Taylor Alone!
A few weeks ago I came across an internet article titled "The Top 7 Clingiest Taylor Swift Lyrics" and it proceeded to put Taylor down for writing about her feelings. Newsflash...we're all a little bit nuts sometimes.
I have been listening to 1989 nonstop for the past 2 weeks and I am completely in love with it the way Taylor was in love with Conor Kennedy (as in I wanna spend every literal second with this album in Massachusetts surrounded by people who may someday look as good as JFK Jr.). This isn't a "Leave Taylor Alone" post, but it actually is. People ask me all the time if Taylor Swift music is my guilty pleasure...but that implies that I should feel embarrassed or apologetic about loving Taylor Swift...so that's awkward because I in no way am ashamed or sorry for loving me some T. Swift. Taylor Swift has always been there for me. Some people have therapists and friends, I have Taylor Swift (okay, I also have a therapist. and some quality medication).
So in this blog post, I felt the need to defend some of her lyrics because she is too classy and rich and famous to defend herself. And all you are is mean.
I'm dancin on my own, I make the moves up as I go.
Shake it Off
Yeah okay this line may be unnecessary because anyone who has watched an awards show in the past 5 years knows that she makes the moves up as she goes, but isn't that what life is about? Finding your own path and dancing all over it to the beat of your own air guitar? I think yes. And the only thing worse than dancing on your own is standing on the dance floor watching everyone else dancing. Or getting interrupted during a speech, that might be worse.
Put your lips close to mine, as long as they don't touch.
Treacherous
I realize that standing alone, this line sounds pretty stupid and may bring to mind images of eskimo kisses or worse. But the sentiment behind this is so raw, that awful place where you can't decide what would be worse, seeing them or not seeing them (hint...it's seeing them). But I do think it is important to understand this as a lyric and not advice. In real life I don't actually put my lips close to other people's lips. At least not on purpose.
All those other girls, well they're beautiful, but would they write a song for you?
Hey Stephen
Because Taylor totally gets that no one will ever love Miles Teller the way that I would love him. Fun fact, I actually remixed this song to be about a guy I liked. His name was Kegan. The remix was Hey Kegan. It was an internet sensation (to me). Guys, there are so many beautiful girls out there, but how many of those girls are obsessed enough to write a song about you? Probably just me.
Please don't be in love with someone else.
Enchanted
This is almost always my first thought after meeting any new guy who isn't a democrat or serving prison time for committing a felony. I completely relate to the idea behind this song, meeting someone, connecting with them and just praying they don't have a girlfriend. In my case they literally always have a girlfriend. Or a wife. Or aren't interested.
Got a long list of ex-lovers, they'll tell you I'm insane.
Blank Space
Honestly, I wish I had a longer list of ex-lovers. The few ex-lovers I do have will tell you I'm insane but no need to ask them, I will tell you I'm insane.
She thinks I'm psycho cause I like to rhyme her name with things.
Better Than Revenge
If writing about people you hate is wrong, then that would totally make sense but hatred can make for very good songs! I mean, Three Days Grace. And we all talk crap about the new girls who date our exes. My ex could marry Beyonce and I would still be like "downgrade LOL sass girl emoji" (JK Bey please don't smite me).
First thought when I wake up is my God he's beautiful, so I put on my make up and pray for a miracle.
I'd Lie
And I'd lie if I said that when I do my make up every morning (okay, twice a week if I'm feeling flirty) I'm not thinking "today someone will notice that if you kind of squint and tilt your head and are completely blind I'm not so bad to look at". Especially around beautiful guys, my go to face is the huge smile emoji that looks like he's saying "don't look at me I'm ugly". Once again, Taylor Swift is my soul.
And you do what you want cause I'm not what you wanted.
Cold As You
Every girl knows that feeling of rejection, not being what someone wanted. The infuriating thing about this is that guys won't admit it. I ask my guy friends all the time "am I bothering you? do you want me to give you some space" and they say " " yeah they don't reply. Guys seem to think that no response is the best response in these situations and girls (at least girls like me, if they exist) think that no response is the closest thing to a kick in the balls that we will ever experience. But it's whatever.
I used to know my place was a spot next to you now I'm searching the room for an empty seat.
The Story Of Us
Because finding a seat is actually an incredibly stressful ordeal for me. Especially if you're used to sitting next to this guy and then things get weird or he files a restraining order.
I have been listening to 1989 nonstop for the past 2 weeks and I am completely in love with it the way Taylor was in love with Conor Kennedy (as in I wanna spend every literal second with this album in Massachusetts surrounded by people who may someday look as good as JFK Jr.). This isn't a "Leave Taylor Alone" post, but it actually is. People ask me all the time if Taylor Swift music is my guilty pleasure...but that implies that I should feel embarrassed or apologetic about loving Taylor Swift...so that's awkward because I in no way am ashamed or sorry for loving me some T. Swift. Taylor Swift has always been there for me. Some people have therapists and friends, I have Taylor Swift (okay, I also have a therapist. and some quality medication).
So in this blog post, I felt the need to defend some of her lyrics because she is too classy and rich and famous to defend herself. And all you are is mean.
I'm dancin on my own, I make the moves up as I go.
Shake it Off
Yeah okay this line may be unnecessary because anyone who has watched an awards show in the past 5 years knows that she makes the moves up as she goes, but isn't that what life is about? Finding your own path and dancing all over it to the beat of your own air guitar? I think yes. And the only thing worse than dancing on your own is standing on the dance floor watching everyone else dancing. Or getting interrupted during a speech, that might be worse.
Put your lips close to mine, as long as they don't touch.
Treacherous
I realize that standing alone, this line sounds pretty stupid and may bring to mind images of eskimo kisses or worse. But the sentiment behind this is so raw, that awful place where you can't decide what would be worse, seeing them or not seeing them (hint...it's seeing them). But I do think it is important to understand this as a lyric and not advice. In real life I don't actually put my lips close to other people's lips. At least not on purpose.
All those other girls, well they're beautiful, but would they write a song for you?
Hey Stephen
Because Taylor totally gets that no one will ever love Miles Teller the way that I would love him. Fun fact, I actually remixed this song to be about a guy I liked. His name was Kegan. The remix was Hey Kegan. It was an internet sensation (to me). Guys, there are so many beautiful girls out there, but how many of those girls are obsessed enough to write a song about you? Probably just me.
Please don't be in love with someone else.
Enchanted
This is almost always my first thought after meeting any new guy who isn't a democrat or serving prison time for committing a felony. I completely relate to the idea behind this song, meeting someone, connecting with them and just praying they don't have a girlfriend. In my case they literally always have a girlfriend. Or a wife. Or aren't interested.
Got a long list of ex-lovers, they'll tell you I'm insane.
Blank Space
Honestly, I wish I had a longer list of ex-lovers. The few ex-lovers I do have will tell you I'm insane but no need to ask them, I will tell you I'm insane.
She thinks I'm psycho cause I like to rhyme her name with things.
Better Than Revenge
If writing about people you hate is wrong, then that would totally make sense but hatred can make for very good songs! I mean, Three Days Grace. And we all talk crap about the new girls who date our exes. My ex could marry Beyonce and I would still be like "downgrade LOL sass girl emoji" (JK Bey please don't smite me).
First thought when I wake up is my God he's beautiful, so I put on my make up and pray for a miracle.
I'd Lie
And I'd lie if I said that when I do my make up every morning (okay, twice a week if I'm feeling flirty) I'm not thinking "today someone will notice that if you kind of squint and tilt your head and are completely blind I'm not so bad to look at". Especially around beautiful guys, my go to face is the huge smile emoji that looks like he's saying "don't look at me I'm ugly". Once again, Taylor Swift is my soul.
And you do what you want cause I'm not what you wanted.
Cold As You
Every girl knows that feeling of rejection, not being what someone wanted. The infuriating thing about this is that guys won't admit it. I ask my guy friends all the time "am I bothering you? do you want me to give you some space" and they say " " yeah they don't reply. Guys seem to think that no response is the best response in these situations and girls (at least girls like me, if they exist) think that no response is the closest thing to a kick in the balls that we will ever experience. But it's whatever.
I used to know my place was a spot next to you now I'm searching the room for an empty seat.
The Story Of Us
Because finding a seat is actually an incredibly stressful ordeal for me. Especially if you're used to sitting next to this guy and then things get weird or he files a restraining order.
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Be A Dancer, Be Be A Dancer
For those of you who don't follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and in real life as I walk the streets of Chapel Hill, this week is Dancer Recruitment Week (DRW) for Carolina For The Kids Foundation, the organization formerly known as UNC Dance Marathon. I have now posted 3 days in a row and I hope you all realize that it takes an AMAZING cause to make me that active on social media. I will spare you my official CFTK pitch (don't worry it's at the bottom of this post) and translate what DRW is into white girl. Basically, for 24 hours every year we throw the biggest party on campus and this week is when we invite everyone and get the RSVPs so we can start planning centerpieces and appetizers.
If any of you are interested in signing up to raise $150 and stand for 24 hours to benefit the patients and families of UNC Children's, you can go to uncmarathon.org/dance to sign up now! If you still need some convincing, I have compiled the top 5 reasons why I want YOU to be a dancer!
5. Spend 24 hours in very close proximity to myself
If that's not a selling point, I don't know what is. Can you imagine a better way to spend March 20th-21st than in the same building as me? Eating the same food, listening to the same music, taking the same selfies, becoming lifelong friends lasting life. Go on, I'll wait.
4. Free food
That's right, my job is to provide all dancers with meals and snacks throughout the marathon. There will even be, gasp, healthy options. And one of our biggest supporters, Ben & Jerry's, always makes an appearance.
3. Amazing performances
Two words. Bhangra Elite. Bhangra is my favorite, but so many of our amazing campus performance groups perform at the marathon, from step shows to a cappella to dance. There is so much to see and do at the marathon, it really is like a concert or a party with 2,000 of your closest friends.
2. Friends!
Being a part of Carolina For The Kids is a great way to make friends on campus! Roughly 100% of the friends I have made in college were forced to be friends with me thanks to this organization.
And finally, the number one reason to sign up TODAY to be a dancer...
1. The chance to help overcome the burdens of childhood illness by providing major support for the medical, surgical and emotional care of the patients and families served by UNC Children's.
Really, no matter what your reasons are for signing up to be a dancer at our marathon in March, you have personally helped make a difference in the lives of others. I could list so many quotes about giving and service and helping others, but I think I will leave you with a quote from one of the loudest voices of our generation...another random yik yak user.
"Anyone who will stand for 24 hours to help someone they don't even know is a hero to me."
Sign up at uncmarathon.org/dance by this Friday at 8PM to RSVP to the best all nighter of your life!
If any of you are interested in signing up to raise $150 and stand for 24 hours to benefit the patients and families of UNC Children's, you can go to uncmarathon.org/dance to sign up now! If you still need some convincing, I have compiled the top 5 reasons why I want YOU to be a dancer!
5. Spend 24 hours in very close proximity to myself
If that's not a selling point, I don't know what is. Can you imagine a better way to spend March 20th-21st than in the same building as me? Eating the same food, listening to the same music, taking the same selfies, becoming lifelong friends lasting life. Go on, I'll wait.
4. Free food
That's right, my job is to provide all dancers with meals and snacks throughout the marathon. There will even be, gasp, healthy options. And one of our biggest supporters, Ben & Jerry's, always makes an appearance.
3. Amazing performances
Two words. Bhangra Elite. Bhangra is my favorite, but so many of our amazing campus performance groups perform at the marathon, from step shows to a cappella to dance. There is so much to see and do at the marathon, it really is like a concert or a party with 2,000 of your closest friends.
2. Friends!
Being a part of Carolina For The Kids is a great way to make friends on campus! Roughly 100% of the friends I have made in college were forced to be friends with me thanks to this organization.
And finally, the number one reason to sign up TODAY to be a dancer...
1. The chance to help overcome the burdens of childhood illness by providing major support for the medical, surgical and emotional care of the patients and families served by UNC Children's.
Really, no matter what your reasons are for signing up to be a dancer at our marathon in March, you have personally helped make a difference in the lives of others. I could list so many quotes about giving and service and helping others, but I think I will leave you with a quote from one of the loudest voices of our generation...another random yik yak user.
"Anyone who will stand for 24 hours to help someone they don't even know is a hero to me."
Sign up at uncmarathon.org/dance by this Friday at 8PM to RSVP to the best all nighter of your life!
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