Even after being here for a few days, it still didn’t hit me that I was actually here. We had so many school-related activities scheduled; meetings, classes, papers to fill out, etc. that it didn’t truly register that I was actually in Rome.
But when we got onto the metro, a violinist was playing a traditional song to which everyone else was singing. There, I felt it! And spit out onto La Piazza di Spagna, home of the Spanish Steps, I felt it! When we meandered through the city at night with a bottle of wine and 5 plastic cups towads the Trevi Fountain, I felt it! And when I made a wish there, as all visitors must do, I felt it! I like it here.
The school took us on a few trips this past weekend, ones that I definitely would not have visited otherwise. We saw Assisi, Ravenna and San Marino, all beautiful little cities in Italy. We stayed at a Holiday Inn, which was something none of us had been used to considering it had air conditioning, decent water pressure, and television. It didn’t seem possible, but each of the cities seemed to be more quaint than the last. Winding streets that could only fit pedestrians and cyclists, hills to make your calves burn and many, many churches. After careful consideration, I decided my favorite place that we visited out of the three locations was San Marino, winning by the breathtaking views from old castles. At first, I was hesitant to go on a trip with 175 American tourists to such small towns, but after considering the places we saw, the people I probably would not have met, and the Italian that I got to practice, it was absolutely worth it.
Week one of classes is over and I am pleased to say I survived. It’s weird to get back into the swing of things, especially with these extreme heat temperatures that are more reminiscent of summer than fall. I walk out my door and perspiration is instantaneous. The heat compounded with an almost-mile walk to my classes makes looking cute a challenge; however, there are ways to beat the heat and the back to school blues, while still looking good.
I have seen some of the most atrocious outfits walking to and from classes. I would have to say some of the clothes have been more awful than usual. I was truly baffled when I saw a girl in a sweater and wedges walking to class. For one, it is 95 degrees outside, and two, wedges to class is just odd. Heels in college should be saved for going out and going on interviews. Fall is just around the corner, but it is not here quite yet. If you are wearing jeans, you must be crazy. Things that should not be worn quite yet: pants, boots, sweaters and long-sleeved shirts. As much as you or I want it to be fall, it just really is not. So please keep those things packed away until it is appropriate.
Things that people should just know not to wear to class (and all things I have witnessed this week), too tight clothing, heels (sorry, I must say it again), inappropriate combinations like a jersey and a jean skirt. You do not have to be wearing a sundress and sandals to class to look cute, but the key is to look appropriate. You are going to class, so be comfortable, but know that even if your super cute pair of wedges is the most comfortable pair of shoes ever, they just really are not class appropriate.
Pray for fall, pray for jeans, but until then, do the best you can under these hot, humid conditions.
Neon Indian’s “Psychic Chasms Possessed,” the reissue of “Psychic Chasms” is streaming live on AOL’s Spinner. It is available today, August 31 via digital download, and will be available physically on September 28.
Neon Indian's "Alan Palomo"
For those unfamiliar with Neon Indian, it’s a psychedelic chill-wave electronica band fronted by Alan Palomo (VEGA, Ghosthunter). The band has been on the rise since 2009 when they released their first single, “Deadbeat Summer,” and has since been named one of Rolling Stone’s Best New Bands of 2010. The debut album, “Psychic Chasms,” has been named Best New Music by Pitchfork.com.
Enter the reissue. It includes all of the songs on the original album, plus nine remixes. The overall sound of the album has not changed at all. Psychic Chasms Possessed is just an extention of the chill electronica lo-fi sound that is the original. Use Memory Tapes, Washed Out, or Toro Y Moi as a reference for Neon Indian’s sound.
There is no need to break the original album down song by song, because the whole album is made up of psychedelic, feel-good jams. Simple melodies, layered in the background with strange sound effects with an 80’s vibe. The highlights: “Deadbeat Summer,” “Should Have Taken Acid With You,” and “Mind, Drips.”
Skip past the “7,000 (Reprise)” to get to the remixed part of the album. It starts off with a “Toro Y Moi” version of “Deadbeat Summer,” meaning more psychedelic, tempo slowed down, much calmer and less harried. “Should Have Taken Acid With You (Body Language Remix)”; same lullaby synth overtones, new bass undertone, and same regretful chorus line, supposedly about Palomo’s ex-girlfriend and a date they had (to take acid) that he missed. “Terminally Chill (Yacht Remix)” starts with rhythmic clapping and broken down synthetic vocals. The only song that has two remixes, appropriately, is “Psychic Chasms,” first with the (Twin Shadows Remix) which starts out slower. Palomo’s vocals are more reminiscent of Echo and the Bunnymen. The second “Psychic Chasms (Anoraak Remix)” starts off with a piano-keyboard sound, and the end of each line echos.
Don’t confuse Neon Indian with a dance band… it’s not exactly that. In fact, it is just what it’s “genre” describes it as. Chill. Listen to them with a drink in hand as you enjoy the last days of summer.
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