I think I am doing this just to avoid my homework. Seriously. I wanted to talk to you guys about art today. Yeah, I know, what I have been smoking/snorting/injecting? Right? For real though, I wanted to talk about self portraits as an art form. Not photographs. Photographs are honest (unless they are Photoshopped). Photographs convey a message from one particular moment in time. They show the world, or the world of the subject, as it was, at that exact moment. I like photographs. I wanted to talk about self portraits that are not photographs. Paintings. Sculptures. Whatevers. For some reason, I find them to be a wishful personification of the artist themselves, or just a very narcissistic. As in, why do artists need to create an abstract, or a concrete image of themselves for display? Is a signature on the piece itself not enough? A tastefully crafted photograph? I get the need to express oneself, after all, that is what I am doing here (and I am aware that this blog, the blog format itself (not to mention Twitter) is inherently narcissistic and self-centered). But to display an image of yourself, crafted in your own mind to the way you want it to look and then expect it to provoke emotion in other people? That's like me saying that I think everyone should feel a certain emotion when they see me. Not just the people that know me. I mean everyone. The bum outside of Beantown. The security guard at Ashburton. The baseball jocks in the gym. The TSA employee at Logan. Does that make sense? I don't know, I'm tired, hot and rambling.

We're not young....anymore?

My first year in my masters program is coming to an end and as I always do at the beginning of summer, I take stock of what I have and sometimes what I don't (this last part can be a bit self-destructive and is advisable only to professional optimists and/or cynics: nevertheless, it's something I do not do often). I find that this is a good way for myself to reflect on the things I have gained, both material (yeah, right!) and abstract (knowledge, skills, networks etc.) and provide me with a reference point.

I can honestly say that one of my classes this year, while entertaining and educational, has not been to my expectations. Bluntly put, the professor teaching it is not the right person for the course. Nothing against the person, I like him/her very much as a teacher and person, but not for that particular class.

But my biggest gain this year has been the intangible knowledge I have accumulated: tales from fellow students and teachers about their current or previous work situations, employment opportunities, and the fact that I can talk my way into a lot of good situations if I just put my professional face on. Moreover, I feel I am starting to plot out a possible career for myself after graduate school. Most of you have heard me talk about what I want to do and where I want to do it, but I really feel like I'm steering myself down a path (less traveled, I hope!) that can lead me to where I want to be and what I want to do. I hope. (Cynical optimism or optimistic cynicism?)

Also, I am sunburned.

Tonight. We are young.

So it has come to my attention that I might literally be the worst blogger in the world. Literally.

Apart from all the self-deprecating shit and destructive thoughts here on Friday the 13th (April at that, whaddayaknow!), I want to talk about something that is near and dear to me.

Music.

Today, specifically about music in advertisement.

We have all heard the rather awkward jingles on the radio, selling everything from tires, cars, chocolate milkshakes and hamburgers to spa days, shampoo and pet supplies. But one thing I have noticed is that new music is more frequent in advertising on American television than it is in Norway. It appears that up-and-coming American musical acts utilize the commercials of brand names to spread their music. Two examples: this video was used in a commercial for an evil conglomerate named Apple. Quite a catchy tune if you ask me. One might even sing along.

This here video was used in a commercial for an automobile maker, and I have to admit, I absolutely love it. LOVE. IT. It might be my favorite song this year. And this is a song that I probably never would have known existed if it wasn't for the medium of the commercial during sporting events (these make up the bulk of my TV time).

My question is, is this a useful marketing strategy? Or do bands run the risk of having their songs labeled "that Apple commercial" or "that awesome car commercial?"

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