Actually, though, it's a big relief to just have that bill payed off. I can breathe a little bit easier, and can more easily justify spending the fifteen dollars this Saturday to catch the live set of one of my favorite DJs- DJ Vanic- at a cool little venue in downtown Phoenix. I'm looking forward to that one, especially since I'll be going with two of my best friends- one hawt coworker who's going to be turning forty in a couple weeks (although you'd never know by looking at her; I thought she was in her twenties when we met), and the other being one of my best friends from high school whose apartment I blearily stumbled around this morning, getting somewhat ready for the day, after an evening of late-night mac and cheese and online dream wedding dress shopping (Ms. Wang's got some gorgeous stuff in her fall collection, if any of you are brides-to-be with a generous dress budget).
Another show that I'm looking forward to is an upcoming Zella Day concert. Day happens to be performing here in the Valley on the night of my 24th birthday (*visceral, I'm-getting-old, heaving gasp*). While I was planning on "turning up" (as the kids say) that night, I'm now thinking that I'mma have a nice dinner with a few close friends, go to the show, then maybe watch movies or play video games either with or without people that night. OH! Maybe I'll end the night with a personal spa evening- Lush bath bombs, candles, face masks, and reality tv! All that basic, real housewife crap! (Honestly I might be doing spa night with my next paycheck.) Whatever I end up doing, I'm sure it'll be an interesting, fun adventure.
Fast-forward several hours: I'm seated at a lamp-lit table in Gold Bar Espresso- a little coffee shop I've mentioned in a previous post. I'm still coming down from the thrilling high that is retail work, helped along by an icy, lactose-full beverage and a cinnamon-raisin roll. Life is good. Speaking of highs (and rolls, for that matter), I got to hang out with my legal/medical marijuana dealer(boy)friend? yesterday. We talked, played with his adorable new puppy ("Steelo," A.K.A "Steez"), and sat on my balcony while my friend lawfully smoked his medicine. We had a grand ol' time. Aside from balcony-chillin', he and I also talked about and shared our favorite music with one another. One thing I showed him was the seventeen-minute-long music video that FKA Twigs dropped along with her surprise EP, "M3LL155X," last week. While I'm not sure I'm in love with Twigs' music, I will say I'm intensely intrigued by her. She has a solid sense of her image/branding, and I admire that greatly. Her fashion/style is signature, as are her churning, distorted, and hypnotic musical endeavors. I'm also a total sucker for someone who can dance, which Twigs can certainly do, as evidenced in the "M3LL155X" video. While the video may not be for everyone, I definitely recommend that you give it a view if you're into fashion, dance, and bizarre-yet-tight cinematography. I will say, however, that there is explicit language, and ... uncomfortable ... imagery. Not inappropriate imagery- just edgy. There is a particularly fun part that's styled and shot in a way reminiscent of late 90s hip-hop/R&B videos; it's a cool little nod to Aaliyah, TLC, and other such iconic artists.
Here's a link to the video: M3LL155X
(*For the record: I did not partake in yesterday's marijuana smoking, and for the following reasons:
1: Marijuana is for SINNERS and will KILL YOU and I'm basically perfect. Obviously.
2: I do not have a med card, so my smoking of the Devil's Lettuce would not only be sinful, but also illegal, and I'm legitimately terrified of breaking the law. I don't even steal music, on the off-chance that I'll be that sorry mofo that gets made an example of, slapped with a fine of up to $250,000, and/or imprisoned.
3: Even though I've never smoked weed- especially NOT twice- I know it'd probably just make me fall asleep while watching "30 Rock" in the middle of an episode I really wanted to watch and I'm just not the biggest fan of it. So there.)
Chvrches has also released new music, as well as announced the release date of their upcoming, sophomore album, "Every Open Eye," which is due out on September 25th. I'm really enjoying the first two singles, "Leave A Trace," and "Never Ending Circles." There's a depth of emotion in front-woman Lauren Mayberry's vocals that hit me a little harder than anything on the first album, "The Bones of What You Believe"- an album I greatly enjoyed. If you ended up listening to Purity Ring after my post last week, think of Chvrches as their more pared-down, and more emotionally transparent, half-sister.
Alright, so before I sign off on this update/share-with-you-cool-things post, I wanted to invite those who are interested to follow me on Twitter! I've recently decided to be more active on this, the soci al media site I've yet to develop a fondness- or extreme distaste- for. Following me on Twitter will ensure that you are privy to my insights and clever musings on a more frequent level. Like this gem, for example:
"In other news: I've discovered that this pasty white piece of a** can twerk! I've been spending some quality time in the stockroom at work-", "-the bathroom at starbucks, and my ice-cold condo room practicin' the poppin' to various @NICKIMINAJ songs- my queen, my inspiration."
Those two tweets were posted three days ago, and see what you're missing? Pure, intellectual gold.
You are also more than welcome to add me on Snapchat: adamsteilen. I pretty much add anyone who adds me, so go for it! By doing so, you'll be able to have an intimate, photographic glimpse of what it's like to be a 23-year-old, retail-working, lazy weirdo.
Much Love,
Adam