Video Post: Aloe Blacc

I am currently obsessed with Aloe Blacc's Song "I Need A Dollar." In today's economy I'm sure we can all relate to the feeling. After looking for his new album Good Things in the record store on several occasions I had to have it special ordered, and am currently still awaiting the much anticipated phone call saying that it's in the store. Take a listen and maybe you'll want to special order one for yourself...

Obsession: Office Space

I am so excited that my triumphant return will be about one of the best movies of the 90's, Office Space. The movie is filled with feelings of frustration, anger and hate for jobs and employers we can all relate to. Consider yourself lucky if you've never had bosses that you just want to flip off, fax machines you dream of taking into a field to smash with a baseball bat and have never at one point or another been able to truthfully say the most famous line of the film: "it's not that I'm lazy, I just don't care."


Because there is so much truth to the situations and Peter begins to act out all of the behaviors we would all so love to do, and gets away with it somehow, the film is humorous rather than irritating. The best part about the film is the ironic use of classic gangster rap. From Ice Cube's "Down for Whatever" and Geto Boys's "Damn it Feels Good to be a Gangsta" the film uses some of the best rap songs (if you look closely the trailer it says featuring the music of Canabus and Biz Markie at the end) and they actually add to viewers ability to relate to the film. When Joanna says "most people don't like their jobs but you go out there and you find something that makes you happy" it reminds me that we might not like where we are at this moment, but we've just got to keep looking and if you're very lucky you might just find a job that you can feel good about.


One of my favorite parts about this movie is Jennifer Aniston's role. Granted, I love love LOVE Jennifer, but she is adorably sweet in this film and plays a normal, down to earth girl who just happens to be beautiful. I love her super long hair that is simply split down the middle, and although most people should probably NOT sport the center part (myself included), we could all work the simple french twists and half pony tails (with a side parts that is). Every guy should take Peter's actions to heart when he just flat out asks her out after having his eye on her for so long. I honestly believe that any guy has a shot with pretty much any girl if he just walked up to her and made a move.

So take another look at this modern classic, seize the moment, and remember there is always another job out there for you.

Recommended: Henry Doorly Zoo

If you've ever lived in Omaha it would be impossible not to have heard about the Henry Doorly Zoo. It is supposed to be one of the best zoos in the nation, after San Diego and Washington D.C., but it is also a central source of pride for the Omaha community. Tucked away at the southern end of 10th street next to what will soon be the bones of Rosenblatt Stadium sits this little gem of the midwest.


As you approach the zoo you can see the Desert Dome from a distance. Home to variety of birds, mammals and nighttime creatures, it seems to be the natural place to begin your zoo trip. Although many animals are contained with netting, many more are given the opportunity to fly freely around the enclosed complex. The birds that are behind netting are beautiful shades of vibrant colors and ornate feathers, and the mammals are charmingly unique to a desert lifestyle. Although the exhibit is extensive, and expensive costing over $30 million, it does begin to get a little repetitive.
One of my favorite exhibits is the Scott Aquarium, a perfect place to cool off on those sticky summer days in Omaha. Fish exhibits are always one of my favorites because they are so colorful and there is so much variety between all the species. The great thing about this aquarium though is that it is so much more than just fish. Set up similarly to that of a stage for performers the penguin exhibit allows you to watch several different kinds of antarctic penguins zip in and out of the water, and can even be watched at home from through the zoo's webcam. As you move along you find salt water tanks that even simulate the waves of a tide pool, a 70 foot-long tunnel full of 900,000 gallons of salt water as well as large sharks, stingrays, and fish. The tunnel gives you an opportunity to see these animals from several angles and literally surrounds you with ocean life.

If you start to get a little tired from walking around you can always take a ride on the steam train (although I must warn you that it is extremely loud), the tram or skyfari. I was surprised to learn that the skyfari ride is just a little over year old, but allows you to view many of the African animals (giraffes, rhino, elephants) from overhead. Although a little nerve-wracking to be suspended so high up its definitely worth the $2 to take a one-way trip, just make sure you don't lose your sandals over any of the outdoor complexes... I'm not sure you'll get them back.

The great thing about the zoo is that it has enough entertainment to make an entire day's worth of entertainment, or you can go catch a couple of exhibits in just a few hours. Either way, at just eleven dollars you're able to go do something different, and help support a pillar of the Omaha community. With over 25 different complexes with animals from around the globe there I'm pretty sure there will be something that catches everyone's eye and will always provide a different experience with each visit.

Photo Post: there are no words

In case you don't recognize him, that's Dr. Dre in the red shiny outfit... Like I said, there are no words.

Some Things Never Really Change

I'm so excited to share one of my absolute favorite musicians of all time in this post! Dave Smallen was introduced to me by my kid brother as the lead singer of a band called Street to Nowhere when I was in high school and I've been listening to him ever since. Very much like Conor Oberst and Bright Eyes, Dave was the front man of Street to Nowhere, especially after the original band broke up and left him to reassemble the group. Their only album Charmingly Awkward is easily on my top ten favorite albums list even after all these years. It has a little bit of an "emo" vibe to it, but it is also some of the most genuine, heartfelt pieces work I've ever heard, and quite possibly has the best drinking song of all time.

Since the second dissolution of Street to Nowhere Dave has stepped out as an individual artist, released his solo CD through his website, and has been playing a few shows here and there, unfortunately mostly in California. His latest album Everything Changes and Nothing Changes is a unique piece of work. I love the title because although the music is still a reflection of Dave, it is also a very different sound than what he released through Street to Nowhere.

I think what I love most about Dave is that he is a true artist. If you look through his website he displays artwork and poems, and on his blog he shows interesting photos from touring, writings, more artwork and pictures of him performing. Dave has a way of sharing a part of himself with the world, putting himself out there in ways I don't think I ever could, and I truly envy him for that. If you're lucky enough to be in an area when he happens to play a show I highly suggest checking it out, otherwise check out his website and maybe support an independent artist and spend a few bucks on his album (it's only $7.99!). You can listen to it all online, but I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Scout: Dry Goods and Trade

If you're as into thrift shopping as I am and happen to be in the Omaha area, you should absolutely check out Scout. This is easily one of the best stores I've ever encountered and I'll be sorry to leave it behind when I head back to the West Coast in a few weeks. A local business started to offer an alternative option to the pricey stores found at Westroads or Oak View, or any other mall across the country for that matter, Scout offers classic, quirky, vintage, and always interesting pieces.

This store is perfect for anyone trying to find their individual style, and more importantly, at a reasonable price. Within the last few years I've found myself turning down beautiful pieces of clothing because they seemed just too overpriced for me justify the purchase. I must admit I'm a little jaded when it comes to the cost of clothing because I am constantly digging through the racks at Goodwill in search for gems that cost just a few dollars, and although Scout is a little bit more expensive, it is still very reasonable and requires little to no digging in order to find an amazing item, or even an entire outfit.

Another great aspect about Scout is that you can sell your old clothes there as well. They are always looking for both unique and classic items, although they are only interested in things in excellent condition, why not bring anything you think you can sell and take what's left over to the Goodwill. Make yourself a little money, or maybe some store credit, and send some good karma while you're at it.

Scout is a store you can feel good about shopping at. It is a store that is built on community support, provides a sales opportunity for local jewelry artists and not only recycles clothes, but paper as well. They promote the use of reusing bags, and make their sales tags out of interesting images from what I believe are old posters.

What I love most about Scout, and thrift shopping in general, is that no one else owns the same stuff as you. Nothing is a bigger drag than picking up a cute hat or scarf at Target, only to see another girl wearing the same thing two days later. I suggest everyone make an effort to shop second-hand, it's better on the environment (you're basically recycling) and your wallet, and nothing is more satisfying than to have someone ask you where you got a sweater and be able to say you paid just a fraction of what they would have expected you to have paid.


If you're don't live in the Omaha area and aren't lucky enough to make a visit, I suggest looking for other opportunities to sell your old stuff and update your wardrobe with a couple new things. Some of my favorites are Buffalo Exchange and Redlight, but I'm always looking for new ones in any city if anyone has any to suggest!

Can't Get You Off My Mind

It seems 90's music has made a return to everyone's stereo these days. As I mentioned in my first post I suddenly had an urge to start listening to my Nirvana and Hole collections, and not a day later two other bloggers I follow (and very much admire) mentioned that they were doing the same thing. While my 90's music collection is limited I recently acquired Lenny Kravitz's entire discography and while I always knew a few of his songs I had never taken a really good listen to him his work as a whole.

Whenever I begin listening to a new artist I usually do a little investigating into them. What I learned about Lenny, other than that is his given name and he used to have realllllllly long dreads, is that he is a true artist. When recording his music he usually plays guitar, bass, keyboard, and drums, and has the ability to incorporate soul, funk, rock, and even a little reggae. Nothing impresses me more than an entire record with songs that all have their own sound, and not only does he accomplish this throughout his discography, but every album is individual in its own way.



Just as he reinvents himself for each album, his look has seemed to evolve throughout his career as well. In my opinion Lenny is the epitome of a fashion icon. Although his looks my be a little extreme, or even just quirky, his style is always forward and unlike what everyone else wears. While accomplishing this seems difficult to me as a female, it must be even trickier for a man to do it. What I think really makes his looks so successful is that Lenny owns it. And as evidence by his performance in the video for his song Again, he really doesn't need the clothes to be sexy, its just an added bonus. I only wish him and Lisa Bonet had stuck together long enough to produce more children as beautiful and stylish as their daughter, Zoë.


Although he's in his mid forties now I think I'd still drop some green to see him in concert. He is supposed to be an electrifying performer, and while I'm sure it would not be the same as it was back in the day, I know the experience would be as unique as Lenny himself is.

Photo Post: I want to be friends with this kid

Can you imagine looking back on pictures of you blazing at twenty and remembering how you had no idea that you would one day be president? Maybe he knew all along? I wonder what he was like back then... looks pretty chill to me. Check check check out even more treasures here

Recommended: Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

This past weekend I was lucky enough to have an opportunity to visit Kansas City, Missouri with my roommate and two friends. After attending a Royals baseball game and enjoying the warm summer nights of the midwest, which incidentally make the best weather for partying, something the people of KC know how to do well, we visited a local art museum called The Nelson-Atkins. My mom had heard about this museum before and although I have made the short trek from Omaha to KC throughout my years here I had never made it to this museum, and figuring I might not have too many more opportunities to get there I suggested that me and my cohorts make a visit.


As you drive past the stone building you cannot help but notice the sculptures that decorate the grounds of the museum, the most noticeable are the large shuttlecocks, or birdies as I'd always known them, resting at various angles on the grass that are then followed by slightly less obvious sculptures made of black stone. The building itself is tremendous with different kinds of granite and marble lining the floors and walls and ceilings that are intricately decorated and stand a hundred feet high. As you weave through the galleries the atmosphere of each room changes, but it all flows with the collection you are viewing.


The cultures represented in building are extensive and many of the pieces are truly spectacular. The first exhibit we viewed was an Egyptian collection and although it was not very big it contained every piece of mummy's burial coffin, including the mummy itself. They have sculptures from ancient Greece and Rome, and a complete suit of armor from the 16th century for a knight and his horse. The collection of Asian art is world-renowned, has been in development since the 1930's and is said to be one of the best collections found outside of Asia itself.


One of my favorite collections was one displaying works from Native American tribes. Although many of the pieces are not nearly as old as the ones from other exhibits (only a hundred years or so old, as opposed to several hundred or thousands), but still demonstrate the culture and spirit of the people who created them. Unlike the other collections this section displays functional works of art like clothing and baskets, instead of the typical paintings and sculptures that you would expect to see at an art museum. I love the integration of culture and beliefs into the clothing and tools that these people used, instead of hanging a painting they carried these things with them everyday.

This museum provides everyone the opportunity to view priceless works of art. My favorite part about this place is that its completely free to the public. I'm a firm believer that art cannot be owned and I love that the Nelson allows everyone to take in these special pieces. The museum is so massive it would be impossible to truly enjoy everything available in just one visit (I didn't even get to mention the modern art collection in this post). So if you're ever lucky enough to be looking for something to do in Kansas City, take in a little history, art, and culture at the Nelson.

The First One

Hey there reader! And welcome to the very first blog post for Let Me Blow Your Mind. This blog has been created for personal expression and to serve as a way to share things I love with the world... or maybe just the cosmic void that is the internet since I fear very few people will read these words, at least for now. My very first post is dedicated to the inspiration of the title of the blog.

After a severe music rut I was inspired to review my 90's music collection after a brief trip to Seattle. I was a very enthusiastic Nirvana fan when I was a freshman in high school, almost a full decade after the band's dissolution, but moved on to more modern bands as I progressed through high school and simply had too many other bands to listen to at the time. It had literally been several years since I delved into my grunge collection and I was pleasantly surprised when I remembered just how much I had loved this genre. Since then I began going through my stock of Hole albums (brought to my attention after the premiere of Courtney Love's Behind the Music) and naturally moved on to the No Doubt collection I've also neglected for years.

After looking over Gwen's career I stumbled across an old classic from middle school. In case you don't remember "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" was a single from Eve's album Scorpion that was released in 2001. Although I am personally not an Eve fan this song features my girl Gwen's vocals, and was also co-written and co-produced by the one and only Dr. Dre and is just dripping with his influences. The combination of these artists made the song enjoyable for both hip hop and pop fans and caught my attention in the seventh grade, long before I could appreciate the impact Dre's touch had on the song. After listening to it with older and considerably wiser ears I am in love with the message of female power these two femme fatales send (even if it was written primarily by Dr. Dre as I suspect), and chose to use the title for my blog.



The video is full of glamorous looks that I can still appreciate nine years later. Both women look simply gorgeous, but maintain their own personal sense of style, something I can say has been reflected throughout both of their careers. I can remember wishing I could pull off Gwen's bikini tops at thirteen, and at twenty-two I must admit that I continue to envy her style. This is the song that set the stage to launch Stefani's solo career, and in the same way I hope using this title for my blog will help launch my career as a writer.

Now don't fight that good shit in your ear, and let me blow your mind.