"Give back my heart tonight. I'm sick of never smiling 'cause you're so uptight!"

     So, as a music student, stress is everywhere. There are projects due, songs to practice, homework, not to mention MacGamut! With so many things running through my head, the only thing that helps me calm down and regain my focus is...more music!
     One of my most favorite bands to listen to when I feel overwhelmed and completely lost is Playjerise. Their music just gives me a sense of peace and calmness that I find hard to reach with so much going on at one time. This Australian band is just totally amazing. One of my favorite songs by them is "Ocean Of Mine". It reminds me that not everything should or will come easily. Here's the acoustic version!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CKx3MCdn8k
     Another band that I use to take comfort in is Right Away, Great Captain! Like Dr. Vaneman said, we all like to wallow a bit in our sorrow and stress. Well, at least I know I do. This band's music has sort of a melancholy sound to it, but I thoroughly enjoy every bit. My favorite by this band is "Right Ahead, Young Sailor". It's short and sweet, but definitely gets the point across. If you click the link, you'll see what it sounds like...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omDQWh1iFi8&feature=related
     My final "go-to" music comes from a lovely lady by the name of Sara Bareilles. I find her music extremely wonderful and fascinating. Some of her pieces are upbeat and cheerful, while others are more serious. I think I can find a song by this amazing artist to fit almost every one of my many insane moods. Currently, my favorite of hers is a piece she wrote called "Gravity". I think this song is absolutely gorgeous. It's just...well, you just have to hear for yourself!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEXhAMtbaec&ob=av2n
     My music taste changes with the weather and my mood, so these three songs are just a few of what have been getting me through these past couple of months. On any other given day, you can catch me listening to just about anything from John Mayer to The Beatles to Vampire Weekend (yes, Dr. Vaneman, I love them, too!) I'll give just about anything a chance, so if you want me to listen to anything or have any suggestions, just let me know. There's nothing I love more than new music. :)

alcohol, alcohol everywhere and not a coke to drink

     As we get older, we're exposed to more and more things that are considered taboo when we're younger, such as drugs, language, and alcohol. There have been questions raised about a possibility of lowering the legal drinking age to eighteen. Many people believe that the drinking age should remain at twenty one, however, I think it should be lowered to eighteen. It seems to me that eighteen year olds have every right guaranteed to legal adults with the exception of drinking. Face it, at age eighteen, we're allowed to join the army, purchase cigarettes, go to clubs, play the lottery, and even get married. All of these new given freedoms come with responsibilities, just like drinking does. If we're considered responsible enough to vote for the leaders of our country and fight for our freedom, we should also be considered responsible enough to partake in drinking. Since drinking is outlawed to those under the age of twenty one, more and more teenagers are illegally possessing and drinking alcohol. Maybe, if the legal drinking age is lowered to eighteen, fewer and fewer teenagers will resort to secretly divulging in alcohol. By legally obtaining alcohol and drinking it responsibly, eighteen year olds would be experiencing the same treatment as those of legal drinking age. Because some teenagers drink illegally, they are considered irresponsible. However, many people who are of legal drinking age drink irresponsibly. This only goes to show that it doesn't depend on the age of the person, only their own self-control and responsibility.