Pixels with Pigtails

memories 2009

Brandi — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 01:20:55 +0000

I come to you this year in a much better place in many ways than where I was last year. Living alone is awesome. Sure it gets lonely and weird sometimes, but there is no mess except any that I make, I can have lots and lots of “space”, and guess what….no dog howling this year! And I am even going to a social gathering with people instead of staying home alone and crying. Definite plus. All of them.

The one thing I wish is that I could be closer to my family. I struggle with that all the time, especially since my mom is suffering. I know that when I am home for the holidays it seems to take both of their minds off of their troubles for a little bit. That’s the one thing I know for sure I can do…help distract.

So, without further ado….

best of

INDEPENDENCE! SPACE!
-my tried-and-true girlfriends, the few of you left, love you
-trips home to see my family
-notes my parents leave on my pillow for when I get in
-the happy david times (HDT)
-HDT onion/pear puff pastry tarte, bread bowl pasta, mexican rice, red beans and rice, fancy grilled cheese, roasted croutons+scallions, etc.
-“confessor”
-dracula
-first lovely city apartment
-apt. warming
-new friends
-hostessing
-pixie haircut
-anthropologie
-retin a!!!
-couscous
-learning to theme drupal sites
-lucky dog! lol
-being employed at a wonderful place
-“bag of hammers”
-hairplane
-snagging mp3s straight from google
-neon indian
-asian makeup girls on youtube lulling me to sleep
-journaling anew (Renetsil version 2.0!)
-“honey in the sun”
-Rock LOBSTER!!!
-Where the Wild Things Are
-thai chicken panang
-4site.tv redesign! yeah!
-waking up slowly safe in bed at home in the morning, hearing parents’ warm voices in the distance
-Law and Order SVU marathons
-“last dance”

worst of

-uncertainty
-mom’s health
-extreme emotional empathy (useless and maddening insight into
everyone’s temper)
-living with a dog that wasn’t mine
-expectations/failed expectations
-endless rainy days?
-creative burnout
-aimless goals
-lonliness
-that guy from Placebo’s voice, no matter what year
-comcast sucking
-getting upset/jealous over silly things
-feeling trapped/not having my space when I’m in close quarters too long with anyone
-the day back after a long break
-being robbed of half my christmas vacation with family
-bugs/bug dreams

best of (inspiration)

http://www.transformerstudio.ru/
http://www.nbillustration.co.uk/
http://www.orkposters.com/
http://www.designspongeonline.com/
yeah, most of these

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! *party blower-thing noise*

SONG OF THE DAY - Geographer (+ bonus St. Vincent!)

Brandi — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:51:04 +0000

Geographer - Kites

This is a good song.

I’m getting worse and worse at explaining why I pick the entries that I take the time to add to my website, haha. I guess there’s no real scientific explanation–this song gives me those musical butterflies in my tummy when I think about it. Until I play it to death in the next week, of course. Because that’s what I do.

I’ve been on a big mp3 treasure-hunt kick the last couple days….and this is the one that has the goods for me at this second. You know the drill, synthy/bassy hooks, melodic vocals, dreaminess, that x factor. But cello, too? Yes yes yes.

Oh, and for good measure….here’s an absolutely beautiful song by St. Vincent I overlooked on her first album, Marry Me. It’s call “All My Stars Aligned.” The piano just drips like glitter throughout it, and the way she delivers the “you know it’s real” line in the chorus = total brandi-happiness.

St. Vincent - All My Stars Aligned

SONG OF THE DAY - Silverchair

Brandi — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 19:22:42 +0000

Silverchair - Across the Night

Dear Miss Victrix: I’m sorry it took me 7 years to listen to this album :(

“…I don’t want to be lonely, I just want to be alone….”

Tell me about it, Daniel Johns. xoxox

(other favorite tracks on Diorama = Tuna in the Brine, The Greatest View, and World Upon Your Shoulders)

Poor McGruff!

Brandi — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 14:13:16 +0000

Okay, so I’m posting this a little late and I am sure Mr. McGruff is fine now, but what a pitiful story! I also like the implication that McGruff is indeed an actual being not merely portrayed by a human in a suit.

No related posts.

SONG OF THE DAY - Bat for Lashes

Brandi — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 20:51:08 +0000

Another artist I’ve been into a lot lately is Bat for Lashes. Her new album Two Suns just came out a bit ago and I can’t get enough of “Glass” and “Daniel”. Yet again embedded for your pleasure as the whole album is pretty good…

I love when the beat kicks in on “Daniel” with that nice driving feel to it, but just like most of her stuff it’s very ethereal and airy feeling at the same time. Also, check out the artwork and video for the single…Daniel LaRusso/Karate Kid anyone? Too cute. Oh Ralph Macchio, you’re almost as adorable as a young Robby Benson…but not quite ;-)

I also like the way “Glass” kicks off the album and builds up slowly…and then the prolonged, methodical wailing at the end seals the deal. Plus I love all the fantasy imagery she paints with her words.

And don’t forget to check out what made her famous before this album, “What’s a Girl to Do?”…an awesome song and video.

SONG OF THE DAY - Annuals

Brandi — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 18:01:15 +0000

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted anything here! This is such a good find though that I think it’s about time I started sharing again, if anyone is even out there listening anymore. It’s a song called “Confessor” by Annuals from their release last fall, Such Fun (but I mention a few other songs at the end of the post, so I just included this cute embed of the whole album from LaLa for you to navigate).

This is one of those songs I can’t stop listening to…I’m in serious danger of completely killing it as some of my friends and I are prone to doing. The chorus is so mellow and floaty and wonderful and it just glides in like silk. Annuals are a really funky kind of indie band in that I have no idea how to classify their sound: it’s a bunch of great guitars, some folky influence, some awesome harmonizing, and a lot of drive/fun. I feel like it is perpetually driving me forward if that makes sense…it just sits well. There is also a cute video for the song.

The lead singer, Adam, has a really fascinating technique of harmonizing with himself…if you listen closely you’ll hear the soft, lower tone of his singing in the main parts. But at some point he starts harmonizing with a high, passionate, crazed version of himself which I am completely in love with. All the songs on the album that share that technique are my favorites :)

From Last.fm: “Nineteen year-old Adam Baker, a kid from Raleigh, NC with a faultless ear and a potent desire to create unheard-of sounds, is the architect of Annuals. Under Adam’s stewardship, Annuals transform pop paradigms into sweeping, luxuriant sonic landscapes while remaining faithful to a wholehearted emotional core.”

At any rate, check out my favorites: Confessor (obviously), Always Do (talk about melting, you’ll know what I mean when you hear it), Hardwood Floor (are the vocals backwards at the end??), and Blue Ridge (where you discover the root of the album’s namesake). I’m so happy I found this album!!!

memories 2008

Brandi — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 02:02:58 +0000

As I type alone from my new bedroom in my new apartment with the sounds of my new roommate’s hound intermittently howling in the background downstairs because she is the most pathetic, annoying, ridiculous dog I have ever met, I am going to take a moment or two to reflect on all the things that have happened this year. In short, of course (idea via Little Paper Planes).

I think this is the first new year’s eve i have ever been completely alone. usually i’ve stayed up with my parents at home or with my boyfriend. these days, however, ronnie and i are just friends and my parents are in SC. I opted to let my roomie go out with some new people she met on her own as I am tired of the cold, it didn’t sound that amazing, and I just feel kinda blah. let us begin.

best of

my new website!
freedom
rehoboth beach
shorter hair
bonus
my furniture
the gingko curtains
midori days
holidays with my family
reconnecting with old friends
yareia
kellie
marja
lotsa good website designs
“lost”
disney world
fleet foxes
obi best
diana+
“electric feel”
losing 10+ pounds going fruit/veg
sunrise over potomac/airport on the metro
making new friends
“sunfeet”
the sherlock holmes coat
gooney bird(s)

worst of

missing my old life
losing ronnie after 6 loving years
not living in the city
mom being sick
that damn dog
what that damn dog did to our carpet
the neighbor’s dirt bike
having food poisoning like 3 times
no cuddles
no christmas parties
my skin going crazy
growing up
the fear
that disaster of a radiohead concert
losing “friends” for no good reason
“the spirit”

best of (design and/or portfolio)

http://www.designsensory.com/
http://www.iwantdesign.co.uk/
http://summer.tnvacation.com/
http://fall.tnvacation.com/
http://spring.tnvacation.com/
http://dc2009.drupalcon.org/
http://jess3.com/
http://www.viget.com/inspire/

xoxox (happy new year!)

SONG OF THE DAY - Mother Mother

Brandi — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:38:48 +0000

Mother Mother - Body of Years

Another good little 80’s-esque song! I love the chorus! I don’t know what they are talking about, but it sounds good. I also think it’s neat the way the ending comes back in all subtle and grooving. This will definitely be some good flying music…time to see some of my besties in GA! *exhale* :)

bird and the bee / new album

Brandi — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:36:31 +0000

bird and the bee, originally uploaded by Brandi!.

What what!!? http://mog.com/blog_post/content/480/200303

SONG OF THE DAY - Alphabeat

Brandi — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:47:18 +0000

Alphabeat - Fascination

This is a really good, happy pop song. Carefree, mindless moments are very good these days…the chorus is unsinkable and impossible not to sing to yourself. It’s fluff, but it’s good fluff.

“…uh-WHOA-oh, WHOA-ohhhoh!….”