Meagan's Bootleg Series Vol. 1

Today I’m going to tread a little bit into the music world. I recently attended a couple of concerts earlier this month, but the film student in me couldn’t stop observing a fairly new trend: cell phone and camera recordings at concerts. It’s not that I haven’t noticed this has been going on for a while, and it’s not a new thing for people to record or take pictures without permission at concerts, but I feel like it’s definitely changing.

One of the acts I saw, Fitz and The Tantrums , had an audience that was widely lit up with cell phone lights. I am going to estimate that around 50-60% of the audience was filming them, at least at some point or another. It actually got so bad that at one point one of the vocalists, Noelle Scaggs, addressed the audience and told them to put away their phones and start enjoying the music (how embarrassing!). I don’t want to downplay the energy of the show, because it was one of the best [sold out] concerts I had ever been to. However, the cell recording was distracting.

On the other hand, I went to see Iron and Wine and while there was the cell phone recording, it was very minimal compared to the Fitz and The Tantrums concert. This show was also packed, so it wasn’t because of a lack of people. I thought to myself, “why is there such a big difference in the amount of bootlegging at this particular concert?”

The difference is in the marketing. Fitz and The Tantrums have used social media marketing in great way to promote their music. A year ago, no one had ever heard of them, and now they are doing a headline tour, TV appearances, and have music videos showcased on music channels. They are all about Facebook, Twitter, updates, photos, videos, etc., because their fans have pretty much spread the word that they are awesome and need to be listened to. Since they are with a more independent record label, they don’t have the marketing [money] power that big label bands have. Iron and Wine, though a smaller artist, is more traditional in his approach to the music industry. He is about performing to get his name out, release records in a more traditional way – his music is also more traditional (folk/rock).

My ultimate opinion on concert bootlegging? Well, again, not so simple. I personally hate taking the time to take pictures or video because 1- I don’t like carrying things around and 2- I love just listening to and watching live music without the extra medium. However, because our society has largely moved to digital and online, it can greatly benefit small acts and give them great success. Even Iron and Wine uses social media, just not as extremely as others. I know that I find new artists I love online now, because it is free and convenient.

But nothing beats discovering a new artist at a summer concert.

By Meagan Flannery

Summer Job Options: Camp Counselor

Hello everyone and happy summer!

As I write this I am sitting in an airport on my way back to camp! Woohoo! No, I’m not a camper (I’m a little old for that). I am working as a camp counselor for the third summer in a row at Tamarack Camps in Ortonville, MI aka the Greatest Place on Earth. I was a camper at Tamarack for 5 years, and it is where I met some of my best friends. This overnight summer camp was the place to be when I was a youngling. And I guess it still kind of is today.

Most of my friends from my camper years are counselors at Tamarack, with many of these friends working in the same village as me. While I am in charge of campers (ninth grade boys and girls this year), being able to live with and work with my friends is almost like being a camper. I am kind of being paid to be camper…just with a lot more responsibility! That is why I think this is the best summer job ever! Not to mention the camp provides me with housing and food for the summer.

With this being said, the final paycheck is not overwhelmingly large. But, I am not spending any of the money I make during the summer as I am living at camp 24/7 (except for a couple days off a session). So, while you don’t get as much budgeting practice, you do not have to worry about blowing through your paycheck during the summer.

I do realize, however, that not everyone is cut out for camp. Luckily there are other options: paid internship, unpaid internship, a summer job (not camp related), or no job. Phew! That’s a lot of options. If you can afford to not work all summer, more power to you! Though personally, I would get pretty bored after two weeks, especially if all of my friends were working during the day. Then again, if I could travel for the summer, that would be pretty awesome. Maybe a backpacking trip through Europe? One of my dreams is to go to the three big cycling events in one summer (Giro d’Italia, Tour de France, and Vuelta de Espana).

In order to do this, money is a necessity. Which brings us back to our remaining options: internship (unpaid vs. paid) and a non-camp related summer job. If I were a high school junior or senior I would try to go the internship route. Unpaid or paid you ask? Well, in this case I think it would not matter. Any internship will be a great experience (even the and ones that help you figure out what you DO NOT want to do) and will look good on your resume. Plus, in high school, many kids are still supported by their parents so making money may not be of utmost importance. However, once in college, many students are told to start paying for themselves. Therefore, I would go the paid internship route. An internship will be similar to life after college, as students normally get an internship in a field that interests them. While a normal summer job will bring in the cash-money, an internship will be a great experience to scope out your prospective job field.

Wow that was a lot of writing. So in case you missed anything, here are some cliff notes:

• Camp is awesome
• Being a camp counselor is even awesomer!
• Traveling would be sweet if you can afford it
• Paid Internships, in my opinion, are better than summer jobs, unless said summer job is a camp counselor.

-Jesse

Splash Into Summer, by Elizabeth Hernandez

Well, summer is officially here and what could be better than sunshine, sand and salt water? Oh I know. It’s the new fashion trends – and with every passing season something exciting seems to blossom in the world of fashion. But when it comes to this season’s fashion, the spectrum seems to be endless. Here are just a few of the most popular trends.

Floral Print

Even before the summer season officially kicked off, floral print seemed to be covering girls on campus from head to toe this past spring—literally. Girls were wearing the floral sunglasses, tops, high-waisted skirts and even their shoes were covered in plant life. What floral print does for an outfit is add a little bit of a feminine touch. Even the top designers are including floral print in their Spring/Summer 2011 collections. Take a look straight from the runway: (Figure 1, D&G), (Figure 2, Erdem), (Figure 3, Jil Sander).

But let’s face it. We are on a college budget. So what we are looking for is the cheap, but fashionable alternative to the newest summer statements: (Figure 4- Floral Escapade Dress Forever21- $12.50), (Figure 6- Floral Slub Top from Forever21 -$13.80), (Figure 7 – AE Floral Pocket Cami $24.50), (Figure 8- AE Floral Sweetheart Romper $39.50), (Figure 9 – AE Lace-trimmed Floral Cami – $24.50)

Tribal Print

Not only has floral print been a popular pattern for summer, tribal print has also stepped foot into closets around campus. Want to add a little culture to your wardrobe? This print will do just that. So if you aren’t looking for the girly feminine style that floral print provides maybe try something a little more adventurous and ethnic. Here are some trendy options: (Figure 10- Tribal Cuffed Shorts Forever21 $15.80), (Figure 11- Tribal Ikat Print Dress Forever21 $13.50).

Bright Colors

And finally we have a trend that is back from the ‘80s. Can you guess it? If you guessed neon/bright colors, you are right. If there is one thing that comes to mind when you think of summer it is bright and sunny, so why not dress the part? Many of these lively and vibrant colors were featured on the S/S 2011 fashion runways with oranges and corals being most popular. Just take a look at the color blocking on the S/S 2011 runway. If this doesn’t scream bright and bold I don’t know what does!

So you want the pulsating and vibrant look for less?

(Figure 12- Hera One Shoulder Forever21 $22.80), (Figure 13- H&M Multistriped Dress $14.95), (Figure 14- Fierce Blouson Dress Forever21 $27.80), (Figure 15- Sparkle and Fade Paperbag Shorts Urban Outfitters $48.00), (Figure 16- BDG Cigarette High-Rise Jean Urban Outfitters $58.00), (Figure 17- Volcom Frochickie Short $24.99), (Figure 18- RVCA Lotti Shorts $48.50)

By Elizabeth Hernandez

From the Desk of Anne Wrobetz

After spending eight and a half hours on the computer at work, you wouldn’t think I’d want to get on and write a blog entry. But today was the first day on a new job, which always makes me excited to tell everybody I know. After months of internship-hunting, I finally landed what could be close to my dream job! I’m working for an energy research company in downtown Boulder, learning loads and getting great research experience (as one of my supervisors pointed out to me today). This job seems to combine all my interests and degrees. I am so glad that I stuck out the long and harrowing job search process.

It is nerve-wracking to find a summer job. Filling out applications is tedious. Writing cover letters makes me feel like a peppy cheerleader for each company. Interviews are endless minutes of torture where you’re sure the potential employer is mocking you behind that smiling face. The absolute worst, though, is waiting for a company to get back to you. After an interview, I’m always filled with relief, sure that a job offer is only a day away. But one day passes. Multiple days pass. Whole weeks fly by with nary a word about employment. As my school year job winds down, I begin to sweat. My hair starts to look disheveled from worry. I wish that the companies would just call and tear down my hopes; it would be better than this endless waiting. Last summer I waited for nearly two months, filling out endless applications, before finding a job.

But just in the nick of time, I received a phone call. And two days later, I arrived at my job, drenched from the rain and nervous as I’ve ever been. This was to be my first “intellectual” job. I was greeted immediately with a magnificent sight—my own desk. My own desk. My own desk. My own desk. I can still hardly believe it. The entire day was a dream, from the mountains of free bagels and gallons of free

coffee to the endless Excel spreadsheets and Google searches. I’m positively blissful.

So, here comes my advice on getting a summer internship (coming from someone who just got her first):

1. Apply early, apply often. The more companies you apply to, the more likely it is you’ll get an offer. Also, many companies have application deadlines well before summer starts, so keep an eye out.

2. Get your resume critiqued. Many colleges have a career services office designed to help students get really good jobs. A great resume can mean the difference between getting an interview and (literally) being thrown in the recycling bin.

3. Be personable. If you do get an interview, chat up your potential employer. Don’t focus solely on the job and all its boring details (unless, of course, you’re applying to be a circus performer). Employers want to know that you are a fun person to work with, as well as capable, which brings me to my next point…

4. Brag. Don’t be afraid to tell a company about all your achievements; after all, you earned them! Even seemingly unrelated awards will make you seem hardworking and responsible.

5. Keep in touch. Don’t wait for an employer to contact you. If it’s been more than a week since your interview, it is okay to send an email asking for an update on the position. Just don’t bog down the company with requests.

So there you have it! Getting a summer internship can be a long, drawn-out process, but it is well worth it. (Don’t my desk and I just know it.) Another benefit of internships is that they often lead to full time jobs. Start looking early on and you, too, could have your own desk.

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