Platform Plugs!

Strange title, but I'm wild about alliteration.

I just wanted to post real quick to make sure anyone who happens upon here is aware of the other ways I can be Internet-stalked. My Twitter account is an obvious one -- the feed is right on this blog! -- but there's also my Tumblr. I link back to here most times that I post, but I also, obviously, reblog stuff I think is neat and post some other original content -- namely my uncomfortably candid musings on my life. So feel free to check me out over there too!

Are Daily Updates Really Worth It?

So far I've commented on this blog every day that I've had it (woo! except it's only been, like, a week). However, on days like today, when I'm exhausted from staying up late reading advice columns -- which is totally what I'm doing now -- and going to (some of) my classes and driving around town and all that jazz... on these kind of days, I really don't have anything terribly interesting to say.

I then have to wonder -- is it better to update my blog every day unless it's kind of impossible, or should I only update when I have "worthwhile" things to write? Hmm. I'd love opinions on that one.

In other news, because I've read so. many. advice. columns. recently, I think I'm basically qualified to be everyone's therapist. So if you happen to feel compelled to ask advice of me, I'd be more than happy to help out.

Ok, I actually totally wish someone would take me up on that. I'm just the right mix of naive and arrogant to think I can fix people's lives.

I'm headed "home" to Montgomery tomorrow after I take a test -- wish me luck on both fronts! I already miss Tuscaloosa, though I really could use this break.

Until next time!

#RollTide #RoadTo15 #InItToWinIt

Holy hashtagged title, Batman!

Don't know if y'all know (just kidding! of course you do) but after a stunning night in which Baylor more or less crushed Kansas State and Stanford took down Oregon in overtime. And all of a sudden, the Crimson Tide had a shot again -- which no one, except for all of Bama Nation, saw coming. Much like last November, the stars have aligned for us; now Coach Saban and the team have to keep the momentum going.

I have faith in my team. So much so that all of a sudden this season I actually watch (and mostly comprehend) football. The loss to Texas A&M hurt me. Last night's change in fortunes, coupled with our own 49-0 win, lifted my spirits.

As a girl who's grown up hearing and not really caring about the UA/AU rivalry, I finally get it. I understand the passion so many people have for the Tide.

It's good to be from Alabama.

Ed Sheeran Gets An A+!

As you may know, Taylor Swift's new album, Red, features a duet with English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran called "Everything Has Changed." Sheeran will be opening for Swift on her Red tour next year; since I really like their duet and I'll be seeing him at the show I'm attending in Atlanta, I figured I'd check him out. And, in an exciting turn of events, in November his album + is available to download for only $5 on Amazon!

Obviously, I bought it. I mean, look at the punny title I get to give this post!

I like Sheeran's music overall; I'm not sure how I'd describe his "sound" because the tracks make for an eclectic mix. He goes from Kanye West style narcissistic pseudo rap on "You Need Me, I Don't Need You" to a heartbreaking ballad relating his friend's story (from a first person perspective) of miscarriage on "Small Bump" to a solid pop song about thinking a girl is the bee's knees on "Grade 8." (Yeah, I just said "bee's knees," but it's cool because that's my favorite song on the album.) He's also rather British with his lyrics -- there's a song about London and references to English educational conventions you may not understand (see: "Grade 8") -- which I think is neat.

Recurring themes on the album are being cold (literally and figuratively!) and getting drunk; I can relate as a cold-natured college student... especially since on "U.N.I." he's apparently writing about the experience of ending a long-distance relationship in which one partner is busy at school ("uni," as it were).

Also, there are completely wonderful lines such as, "They say I'm up and coming like I'm fucking in an elevator" and "I want to be drunk when I wake up." Another personal favorite: "Now I'm in position to be another stalker/And everything I say seems to always sound awkward." Because who hasn't had that feeling, right? I hope everyone has. Otherwise this is awkward indeed. Anyway.

I suggest spending the five bucks and giving Sheeran a try.

My essential tracks: "The A Team," "Drunk," "Grade 8," "You Need Me, I Don't Need You"

Also good but less alcoholic-themed: "U.N.I.," "The City," "Lego House," "Kiss Me"

Really, the whole thing is good. Go get it.

Alexandria's Completely Arbitrary Rating: B+

I realize that grade contradicts the title of the post. But I'm not sure if I've ever heard an album I would actually give an A+ so... #sorrynotsorry #whydoesthathashtagalwaysseemrude #whyamiusinghashtagsinmyblog

Let me know what you think about +!

Wait, What's My Major?

If you don't know me, you may be surprised to learn that my majors are American Studies, Marketing and Management.

You may also be surprised to learn that at some point or another I was planning/working toward majors or minors in French, Philosophy, Economics, Political Science, English, Film, German, and probably at least one other thing.

And actually, I changed my mind again this week after contemplating life for a while. Now I think I'll drop my Marketing major in favor of a minor in Public Relations (which is actually more credits than the former; gotta love adding programs across colleges!).

So, next semester I'll be enrolled in classes in Arts & Sciences, Commerce & Business Administration, and Communications & Information Sciences. This is unfortunate because I will be charged separate fees for each of these colleges, and also because to finish in four years I'll have to take 20-21 hours every semester except maybe if I'm lucky my last one.

Yes, I know, I'm crazy.

Unfortunately, I've had a lot of trouble figuring out what I'm interested enough in to commit to studying. This problem is, at least in part, the result of having no idea what I want to do when I grow up finish school. I wanted to be a lawyer before I started college, then I wavered on the old dream of being a writer, then I considered teaching, and now I'm perhaps interested in nonprofit work. I DON'T KNOW. And while that's scary and all, it's also exciting because I'm kind of flying by the seat of my pants through life. Of course, I'd be a lot less anxious if I didn't have to worry about not finishing my degree programs in time.

My theory on undergraduate education is this: Everyone should have the same prerequisites. A year's worth of math, history, science, and literature, with fine arts and economics thrown in for good measure. And then? You should take all the classes you're interested in and that determines your degree. Imagine not going through college stressed out about whether you'll finish a particular degree, you'll know you'll get something for your work -- and you'll only have a degree in what you actually know. Sure, if you want, you can follow a pre-set path to your BS in Finance or BA in English or something. Or maybe you can get a degree in American Culture in a Commercial Context (or whatever the heck I'm studying). It would be a neat surprise and you wouldn't have to take stupid classes that hold up your graduating.

Obviously that is a very rough plan, but I think it's got some merit as a basic idea.

Anyone else feeling perplexed by a crazy curriculum?

How Is This Week Not Over?

Y'all.

I am so ready for it to be Thanksgiving. Not because I like Thanksgiving (I don't eat any of the traditional foods and going home gets boring fast) but because the next few days will be awful. I have work projects, essays, homework, classes, all manner of nasty collegiate problems.

Luckily, there is one thing that always makes me feel better. Hope it does the same for you!

Culture Shock!!!: Twilight Edition

Well. Tonight I saw The Twilight Saga: New Moon for the first time.

I know, I know, I'm horribly behind.

But here's the thing. I read Twilight a few years ago and stopped after that one. I had since seen Twilight, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn: Part I. My general impression was that the storylines were potentially interesting, except for that whole Edward/Bella business. However, now that I've seen New Moon, I'm totally Team Jacob.

I'm sure this is news to no one, but Edward and Bella seem to have a ridiculously unhealthy relationship. He's saying things like, "You're the only reason I'm still living," "When I thought I lost you I wanted to kill myself," "When I thought I lost you again I decided to go kill myself forreal." It's creepy. And Bella, this teenage girl, is all about throwing her life away for a DEAD GUY. I don't think they saw the irony in that whole Romeo and Juliet death scene -- they were two dumb kids who killed themselves because they couldn't be together. To my view, there was no maturity in any of their behaviors, but they felt forced into a  bad situation by their families. It's tragic more for that reason than for the fact that they were together a whole five minutes and it wasn't working out. In Twilight the two main characters are encouraged to act like they can't possibly survive without the other. Awful message for the youth, I'd say.

I mostly prefer Jacob because he's, you know, alive and marginally less of a stalker.

But here's the thing. I would love for fans who disagree with me to explain, logically and articulately, why the Edward/Bella relationship is healthy. I just can't figure it out for myself. Do they come off way more obsessive in the movies than in the books? I'm genuinely curious. After all, I'm the girl who disagreed with the majority opinion that Taylor Swift is pop culture's favorite virgin.

So let me know your thoughts on Twilight's romantic entanglements (not just limited to Edward and Bella). I think we could have a good conversation.



PS It will be a glorious day when I've written enough on here that I don't have to keep falling back on that T-Swift post. But honestly, I'm a little bit proud of it.