R.C
  • Home
  • Video Reel
  • Visual Arts, Audio & Writing
  • Turning pages: A blog
  • About Me

   Turning pages.

Life lessons as told by the Beatles

6/24/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
I guess I'm one of those Beatles obsessed people with portraits of Paul and the boys above my headboard (I wish I was kidding) and Beatles vinyls that outnumber all the other artists I have, combined. But obsessed or not, listening to the Beatles enough will undoubtedly draw you to inspiration and a little self realization through their music (damn it, I can already hear my inner 70's vibes coming out). So here are just a few lyrics from the good ol' boys that speak some truth and provide a life lesson or two.
1. "You're asking me will my love grow, I don't know, I don't know." Something
Uncertainty. That mutually pesky and invigorating reality of life. The beauty of uncertainty lies in the potential there within. A spark of interest, whether in a relationship, a passion, or a plan, can grow into a glorious spectacle. Or, it may not. But there's just something about taking that chance.
2. "Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book? It took me years to write, will you take a look?" Paperback Writer
I know what people are thinking when I tell them I'm a writer or into journalism or anything of the sort. Their half smile and affirming nod are actually saying, huh, good luck with that. And trust me, I realize it's not practical. The field's shrinking, major publications are letting go of great writers and writers pursuing an online forum are just becoming indifferentiable from the white noise around them. But writing is what I love and I have to pursue it. Impractical or not, I'm just hoping that someone takes a look. The practicality of your passion isn't what matters;  what matters is the pursuit.
3. "I look at the world and I notice it's turning" While My Guitar Gently Weeps
I've become someone who's seemingly always on the move, and maybe that's because I like it that way. When I slow down, the world seems to swirl around me in its enormity, reminding me that the turning doesn't stop. The world doesn't slow while we catch our breath or seek clarity. It just keeps turning. So maybe it's best to keep right on moving with it.
4. "There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be." All You Need Is Love
Certain lessons are easier than others. And this one's particularly tough for me. I have learned to stop settling, but sometimes I get a little too consumed in looking forward. I get so caught up in the where-I'm-meant-to-be's and the what-I'm-meant-to-do's, that I'm not always present where I am. It's great to move, but sometimes it's okay to just enjoy the place and people surrounding you before you take off.
5. "What would you think if I sang out of tune? Would you stand up and walk out on me?" With A Little Help From My Friends
It's all about the company you keep. There are plenty of people out there who will cause you to second guess yourself, so be around those who believe in you and your passions. The people who count will accept you at your best and worst; and join in on your out of key chorus.
6. "You say you got a real solution, well, you know, we'd all love to see the plan" Revolution
Finding a cause isn't the problem these days. Everyone seems to have an opinion, but no one is really doing anything about the opinions they have. It's become far too easy to be an at home supporter, tweeting your thoughts and sharing articles on Facebook. We need a generation that takes the initiative to really know what they're supporting, to research it and try to do something about it.
7. "I read the news today, oh boy. About a lucky man who made the grade... He blew his mind out in a car. He didn't notice that the lights had changed." A Day in the Life
I realize this isn't a pretty lyric, but I guess that's rather the point. The Beatles certainly have their skipping through lilac fields kinda songs, but no album goes without a taste of reality amidst the sweet taste of carefree dreaming and loving.  Life isn't always pretty. Even those lucky enough to make the grade in this life aren't without troubles of their own. I struggle more than I let people see, so I must assume others are struggling more than they let on as well.
8. "Take a sad song and make it better." Hey Jude
I realize this song is practically a cliche itself these days, but that doesn't change the truth at its heart. I can always be comforted that no matter how sad my melody may seem, I always have the power to change the tune. Each day is a step forward. A step toward a happier song.
0 Comments

When you can't Roo, you  have to pretend to

6/13/2015

0 Comments

 
So the truth is I'm jealous. I'm jealous of the photos, I'm jealous of the incredible music, and I'm even jealous of getting to camp in a hot, sweaty tent all weekend (hah, not). But in all reality, I wish I was  there and despite my best attempts to pretend I don't care that I'm missing out, I definitely do. So here's a quick playlist of favorites from the lineup for those of us who can't experience the real Roo and will just have to make do. 
0 Comments

Spring  into  summer  with  Italian  spring  rolls

6/13/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
My cooking has nothing on Italy's, but after a few short classes there, time spent in Florence with my practically chef of a roommate, Shawn, and my handy Tuscan cook book at my side, it's no surprise that I've been cooking up quite a bit of Italian food these days. One of my favorite recipes (and one that's thankfully not loaded up on carbs like a few I cave and make on occasion) is one I learned in a cooking class at a lovely bed and breakfast in Sienna, Italy. This delicious, easy to make turkey (or chicken) roll up with salty and savory tones is a wonderful choice for a summer evening and is perfectly complimented with a light eggplant Caprese salad and a glass of Zinfandel on the side. So embrace your inner Italian and consider cooking this meal up.

ingredients  (serves 4)

4 turkey breasts, thinly cut (or chicken breasts)
1 carton of grape tomatoes
4 slices of Italian prosciutto
2 slices of Swiss Cheese
Minced garlic
Olive oil
Salt and Pepper
Tomato sauce
Toothpicks

Directions

1. Butterfly or pound turkey breast, if not thin (it is difficult to cook breast roll up all the way through, so the thinner the cut, the better) and salt both sides with a pinch
2. Lay half slice of Swiss on each breast, followed by a slice of proscuitto; roll breast with proscuitto and cheese on the inside, using a toothpick to hold roll in place
3. Quarter one carton of grape tomatoes
4. In sauce pan add olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, and quartered tomatoes; place on light to medium heat for approximately 5 minutes before adding tomato sauce (add sauce to taste, for thicker consistency add more tomato sauce)
5. In separate pan, cover bottom with olive oil and put spring rolls on medium heat for 7 minutes before removing toothpick and flipping to cook opposite side for 7; make certain inside of breast is cooked before removing from heat
6. Plate spring roll, adding tomato sauce over top

optional side: eggplant caprese 

Eggplant, mozzarella, tomato, and basil are all that is needed. Simply slice the eggplant, salt both sides and put in oven on broil until slightly browned. Remove from oven and add tomato and mozzarella on each eggplant slice. Put back into the oven until cheese is slightly melted. Add basil to the top of each tower, and voila!
0 Comments

Summer set list

6/11/2015

0 Comments

 
I'm usually one for more mellow, chill sets, but sometimes you need a little something extra to really get you going. If you told me a year ago I'd post a playlist featuring both Tame Impala and Nicki Minaj, I'd probably laugh. But here it is. Judge... or enjoy and get your summer going.

0 Comments

Josephine: Catering to your cuisine cravings

6/11/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
As if I didn't have reason enough to spend far too many days and far too much money on 12th South, I've found yet another. The line from Jeni's may bleed to the doors of this contemporary kitchen, but Josephine certainly receives traffic of its own. And for good reason.

A rustic, contemporary atmosphere paired with American cuisine isn't exactly a rarity in Nashville, but when you combine a good style with great service and impeccable food, you have a restaurant certainly worth visiting.

My own experience definitely left me happy with my visit. Though I arrived shortly before the kitchen closed, the evening was not rushed in the slightest and I received great service from greeters and bar tenders alike. The drink menu had a good, varied selection without being overwhelming, and the Rosé I ordered paired well with both my starter salad and entree. I even received the all knowing "good choice," nod from the bar tender when ordering the scallops. They certainly did not disappoint. The presentation was beautiful, and the dish, thankfully, tasted as nice as it looked. The asparagus and mushroom were a nice savory contrast to the lemon vinaigrette surrounding the edges of the plate and the scallops were seared to perfection.

While the food was exquisite, I will admit that Josephine is likely not a place college students like myself will frequent. I greatly enjoyed my dining experience, but with a somewhat higher price range and smaller portion sizes, I'll have to settle with Josephine just being a 'special occasion' type of spot.

So, if you find yourself on 12th South on a 'treat yo-self' kind of night, maybe try something different than Edley's or Burger Up for a change and consider giving Josephine a chance.

0 Comments

TURNING  PAGES

6/4/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
So here we are. Here we all are. A little bit lost at times, but turning pages in one chapter as we move toward the next. I know it's cliche and I promise not to bore you with a plethora of used material, but let's not reinvent the wheel. Hate the cliche all you want, but my life has always felt like a book.

Some chapters excite, others are a little dark, some are raw and others lull on, boring you and leaving you ready for any sort of plot development. Characters are dynamic, some losing relevance all together while others surprise you with their capabilities. There are plot twists, small ironies, and maybe a typo or too that the editor just didn't catch.

But the obnoxious part of it all? It doesn't matter how often I feel my own pages turning, life isn't quite as book-like as I sometimes hope. My book is a little different than the books decorating my bedside table. No matter how fed up or curious or anxious or excited I get, I will never be able to flip to the end to see how it all works out.

So here I am. A twenty one year old who just ended an awesome chapter in her life, but is so utterly unsure how the rest of her book is going to turn out. None of us know what will happen on the next page, much less how our story will go. But what we do know is that for now, there are songs to be heard, meals to be eaten, movies to be watched and friends to be cherished as we figure our next chapter out.

Let's turn pages together.

0 Comments

    Turning  Pages

    Enjoying and learning from this chapter as the pages turn

    Archives

    July 2020
    January 2020
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    September 2018
    August 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    September 2016
    May 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    June 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed


Location

New York, New York
  • Home
  • Video Reel
  • Visual Arts, Audio & Writing
  • Turning pages: A blog
  • About Me