Sit! Stay! Boop?

I just told my dog to "SIT." I was surprised by the harsh sound of my voice. I felt a little bit bad. Then it occurred to me: why not teach a dog to sit by saying "boop"?

Since dogs can't understand spoken languages, saying the word "sit" is only beneficial for the trainer. Instead, dogs act according to the sounds they hear from our mouths. So why not associate a word a little bit more pleasant than "sit" with the command to sit. Why not "boop"? Or perhaps "bop"? Or maybe you're more of a "MOOO" person. Whichever one you choose, it will be more fun to say than "sit." And your dog won't know the difference. 

Once again, my little pup taught me a lesson: make everything a creative experience! 

The halls are alive with the sound of music

I am a Meadows student.

This means different things to different people. Some think "art nerd," but others think "lucky."

I fall into the latter category.

Though I have been attending classes in Meadows for about two years now, spending time here never seems to get old. This school is so invigorating! Upon passing through Meadows' heavy doors, my senses become overwhelmed: dancers twirl through the halls without embarrassment, vocalists sing out spontaneously, actors rehearse their scripts in the Atrium, and students actually talk about their coursework outside of class. Even as I sit here now, I can hear a chorus practicing in a nearby room.

So aside from the arts, what makes Meadows different? I think it's the people. The kids here are special. They have great passion for their work and are not embarrassed of it. Plus, eccentricities are alive at Meadows! It's so nice to get away from the socially-concerned SMU campus and come over here, where people take things a little less seriously.

All things considered, I'm super happy I'm here.

Nunca se olvide de tener pasión... Never forget to have passion

When I think of passion, I think of Cuban dancing, specifically the dancing that goes on at La Rosa Negra in the movie Dirty Dancing Havana Nights. Unfortunately, I couldn't obtain the clip I wanted, but I think this one should do the trick:

Look at them dancing... pulses racing, dresses spinning, bodies dripping with sweat... these people are passion.

Passion is often portrayed through sex in movies, and Dirty Dancing Havana Nights is no different.

But what about portrayals of passion other than sex?

What about musicians practicing their instruments? Or artists working with their preferred media? Or teachers helping their students? Mothers nursing their baby? Athletes playing their sport?

The potential to find passion exists everywhere.

In high school, I called volleyball my passion.

Now, art and people are my passions. I love to study both, and find no greater solace than interacting with either the right medium or the right person at just the right time.

Flying bullets and falling thoughts

Did you ever wonder where bullets go when they're shot directly into the air? All bullets that go up must come down, yet no one seems to worry about where they might land.

I can't help but think that bullets are like thoughts. People regularly shoot them out into the universe without considering the potential consequences.

According to The Secret (I just finished reading it), all thoughts become things. When you are thinking, you are sending either positive or negative energy into the universe, depending upon your thought. This energy may affect some one else, but it will always affect you.

So, fill your days with positive thoughts, and you will bring joy not only to others, but to yourself.

Today, I will focus my thoughts on positivity.

Hipsters... A social phenomenon

A hipster medley

They're everywhere you are; sulking in dive bars, memorizing the American Apparel delivery schedule, discussing pessimist theories in indie coffee shops, and smoking Marlboro 27's.

Known for their affinity for irony, hipsters do everything in their power to buck tradition. Wealthier hipsters like to emphasize their garbage can fashion sense. Other hipsters choose to sport nonsensical t-shirts with meaningless images or sayings on them. Exaample: "I Heart Falafel." ...What?

While there exists a variety of different types of hipsters, something all hipsters agree on is the importance of avoiding what's mainstream.

Despite the deliberate nature of hipsterdom (avoiding popularity, doing and wearing what's "relevant*, only inhabiting hipster-approved areas), hipsters unintentionally contradict themselves. While they preach nonconformity on a grand scale, they are actually some of society's biggest conformists.

Talking about what's "relevant" is no better than talking about what's "cool." Shopping exclusively at hipster shops is no different than shopping exclusively at the mall. Pretending to hate something because it's no longer relevant or has become mainstream is equally as silly as pretending to love something because it has become popular.

To me, hipsters are just a bunch "rebels" running around without a meaningful cause. Sure, for some, maintaining a hipster lifestyle is as meaningful a cause as they wish to pursue. Personally, I cannot imagine a life dedicated to looking unenthusiastic, avoiding popularity at all costs, and adhering to a strict code of hipster "relevance."

So, I guess I'll keep doing me, and I'll let them keep doing "hipster."

*Hipsters refer to all things cool at the moment as, "relevant."

As detail-oriented as an HD-TV

You know those people who claim to be all about the "big picture"?

Yeah. I'm not one of those people. Although I do look for the bigger picture in situations where it applies (usually to put misfortunes into context), my mind naturally zooms in on details.

Detail that speaks to me

Until about this past semester, I was completely unaware that other people don't see (not perceive) the world in the same way I do: detailed.

I really realized how strong my relationship with details is during my trip to Steve Wynn's hotel in Las Vegas last weekend. Wynn has made a name for himself in the hospitality industry because of his attention to detail. However, until I arrived at the hotel, I had no idea.

From the moment I stepped out of the cab, the aggregate of all the Wynn's details almost overwhelmed me. Silver mosaic tiles adorn cupolas with six tiny, intricate statues. A subtle metallic sheen was found on the inside of the tea cups. The Wynn logo was stamped on everything from the one-inch wide milk bottle caps to the rolls of paper towel. Jewels, chandeliers, artwork, and elaborate adornments graced every inch of the hotel. Literally, I was unable to find anything in the hotel that looked like it hadn't been hand picked by Wynn himself, down to the very last detail.

After my exclamations of wonder regarding the hotel's decor went unmatched by neither my parents nor my boyfriend, I started to wonder, "Maybe I really do have an uncannily intense relationship with details."

If I was wondering then, I was proven later on that night. My dad and boyfriend decided to play some blackjack, so I tagged along (I don't gamble). The dealer at our table was named Karen, and she has been dealing blackjack for 14 years. As I was watching all the different hands throwing cards onto the table, I noticed something: the Queen has bags under her eyes. I told Karen, and she responded by pausing the game and looking at the card for herself. She seemed shocked. I asked her what was up, and she said, "Honey, after handling these same cards for over a decade, I can honestly tell you you have some attention to detail."

Check out those bags!

Thank you, Karen.

Over the weekend, I started realizing how advantageous it could be to possess this type of attention. Steve Wynn's reputation is literally built upon his attention to detail. Maybe one day I could use my own attention for detail to create similar experiences for people. I doubt I will try building hotels, but I cannot wait to see how my detail-orientation effects my future.

Unfortunately, every upside must have a downside. Though my obsession with details can set me apart from the "big picture" people, it also has the tendency to slooooooooow me down. I just want every detail to be perfect!

So, I've learned (and am still learning) to pick and choose which details are important, and to ignore those that aren't. Though I would love to take all the time in the world soaking up every experience, there's just not enough time.

Oh, time. The world's largest constraint. But what would it be like without it?

Hmmm...

Unexpected encounters

Las Vegas airport

This past weekend, my parents took my boyfriend and I to Las Vegas for my 21st birthday. The trip met all my expectations; we ate delicious meals, browsed through even more delicious shops, went to hit shows, and experienced some interesting clubs, bars, and casinos.

Interestingly enough, the most memorable event was something I had not been expecting at all!

After taking a helicopter over the Grand Canyon, my dad and I returned to our hotel and decided to stop at one of its lounges for a beer (I'm 21 now! It's OK!). Though my Stella Artois was surprisingly refreshing, that was not the most memorable moment of the trip. No, that came when a gentleman sat down next to me at the bar. For all of you readers whose minds are responsible for clogging up half of America's gutters, THIS IS NOT WHAT YOU ARE THINKING. I was with my dad, at a day-time lounge in the Wynn, at around four in the afternoon.

Anyway, a pleasant-looking gentleman sat down next to me at the bar. We didn't really acknowledge each other at first (I'm new at this whole bar etiquette thing), but then he seemed to seem a bit more engaged.

So, I said "Where are you from, Sir?" (typical Vegas ice breaker)

He responded "Orlando but New York originally."

Interesting, I thought. Eventually our conversation led him to ask what I was studying. When I responded, "advertising," a sparkling smile spread across his face. 

I must have looked puzzled, as he felt the need to clarify: "I actually work in the advertising world, business-to-business communications."

And, so began an hour-long conversation about advertising, ethics, spirituality, and social media, with an engaging and passionate man who found for himself great success and happiness in the advertising industry without engaging in unethical activities. 

I couldn't believe how lucky I was! You see, after losing all but $00.86 out of $100 at the slot machines, I thought I had run out of luck. I guess karma felt bad for me!

And thank goodness it did, because I left Las Vegas a bit wiser than when I arrived... and who ever would have expected that!

From the man and my conversation, I was reminded...

• To be open-minded
• To be friendly to everyone
• To always be on my game, because I never know who I could meet!
• To cary my business cards with me
• To not be afraid to start a conversation with a stranger (not that I usually am!)
• To BE ASSERTIVE. I'm so afraid of bothering people sometimes that I miss out on opportunities!
• To believe in myself as much as I believe in others

A little while into our conversation, the man told me to make sure that I never forget my original passion for the advertising industry. However, if I ever feel that passion waning, I should look back at our conversation at the Parasol in Las Vegas. If I do that, I will remember that attitude with which I entered the industry.

To make sure I stay true to my passion, I've made a little contract. Here it is!



JESS JOHNSON'S "NEVER LOSE YOUR LOVE" CONTRACT: 

• Always have passion. It is the most important thing in life.
• Never stop educating yourself, and always ask those burning questions.
• Do not forget your passion for social justice, and the incredible beauty of mankind. 
• Don't ever do something that compromises your values. You never know when you could lose them all.
• Do not forget about your commitment to ethics.
• "I've always been more of a saver of souls than a seller of them."
• Never forget your spark... the light in your eye and the twinkle in your smile and the warmth pouring out of your heart.
• Travel as much as you can afford it. At each spot, leave something positive behind.
• Don't get stuck doing something that doesn't fulfill you, give back positively to the global society, make you happy, keep you healthy, or get you excited. 
• Don't let your work alienate you from your loved ones.
• Stay optimistic, but realistic. 
• Remain down to earth.
• Never stop exploring.

Signed,

Jessica C Johnson