I'm Melissa. This is where I write things down and share new things. Sometimes I even post cute pictures of cats...

if you're looking for my portfolio,
it can be found here, or by clicking any of the links across the top of this page.

I just moved back to Ohio after living in the central valley of California for almost three years. People still mention that I'm all grown up and keep asking how being an adult is going, but I really don't know what they're referring to.

I'm officially a (self-proclaimed) curator -- OF GIFS. GIF CONNOISSEUR. Check it out. My GIF blog even made it to buzzfeed once.
ONE MORE CHECK OFF MY LIFELONG INTERNET TO-DO LIST.

Albums of note UPCOMING/2011/2010/2009
A list of albums from the year that had staying power. Not a top album list, because I haven't heard every album, so that just seems a bit silly to me -- the whole "of the year" thing... although I suppose in my own mind that's what they are...

THE ARCHIVES

Nostalgia
a place where I keep things that are already memories and store things that are currently in my life that will inevitably become memories. Vague enough?

Vestiges of a Life Soon Forgotten
A photographic series devoted to images taken in and around my apartment where I lived for 3 years in college. I moved out for good in December 2009.

Photobooth Sketches
photobooth documentation of sketches i have done and/or found.

Monthly Self Portrait Series
This was a short-lived project that sometimes shows up without warning again on my feed, but definately cannot be considered an "on-going" thing.

My New California Life
What started as an essay series about my experiences living on the left coast turned into a general account of my life here -- through words, photos and other ephemera.

jef etters tips of the day
Jef Etters was a colleague of mine who gave me life tips on a daily basis via a telephone call from a rotary phone. I would then transcribe the tips and post them here for the benefit of all mankind. He didn't know what tumblr was (nor does he now), but he did want to share all his wisdom with the world. enjoy.
PLEASE NOTE: Jef did finally get free long-distance after 7pm EST and will occasionally call to give me tips to transcribe. Be on the look out, it'll change your life.

ScreenCaptureSeries
Funny and or poignant things I feel the need to share with the world via screen capture. This project carries on with the luck that the internet will continue to bring the lulz. I think the odds are in our favor.

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AON 2011: this one is beyond being included in lists.

AON 2011: this one is beyond being included in lists.

AON 2011 Day 28: #1 David Bazan: Strange NegotiationsSeattle, WABarsuk Presented without comment except for: I will not let go.

AON 2011 Day 28: #1

David Bazan: Strange Negotiations
Seattle, WA
Barsuk

Presented without comment except for: I will not let go.

AON 2011 Day 27: #2 Astronautalis: This Is Our ScienceMinneapolis, MNFake Four Andy Bothwell is a marketing genius. He has built his career from the road using social media and word of mouth. This release was no different. Reaching the top of the itunes charts on the day of release was a small miracle, as he and his label had spent no money on marketing the album. Andy attributes this success to his fans sharing the record on twitter, facebook and Tumblr. The fans had good reason to do so: the album is solidly written with intensely personal lyrics, driving guitars, smooth synth lines, and the exciting prospect of performing live with a full band. A simply solid album that will remain on my top album list for many years to come, I’m sure of it.

AON 2011 Day 27: #2

Astronautalis: This Is Our Science
Minneapolis, MN
Fake Four

Andy Bothwell is a marketing genius. He has built his career from the road using social media and word of mouth. This release was no different. Reaching the top of the itunes charts on the day of release was a small miracle, as he and his label had spent no money on marketing the album. Andy attributes this success to his fans sharing the record on twitter, facebook and Tumblr. The fans had good reason to do so: the album is solidly written with intensely personal lyrics, driving guitars, smooth synth lines, and the exciting prospect of performing live with a full band. A simply solid album that will remain on my top album list for many years to come, I’m sure of it.

AON 2011 Day 26: #3 Manchester Orchestra: Simple MathAtlanta, GAFavorite Gentlemen This album has gotten me through a lot this year. A lot more than I care to explain. Sometimes I just would listen to it in my car and scream along. It’s a catharsis I’ve utilized many times in the last few months. Kicking out my feet/ Ruining everything.

AON 2011 Day 26: #3

Manchester Orchestra: Simple Math
Atlanta, GA
Favorite Gentlemen

This album has gotten me through a lot this year. A lot more than I care to explain. Sometimes I just would listen to it in my car and scream along. It’s a catharsis I’ve utilized many times in the last few months.

Kicking out my feet/ Ruining everything.

AON 2011 Day 25: #4 (I was in SF yesterday) Dolorean: The UnfazedPortland, ORPartisan Records I found this late in the year, and didn’t even realize Dolorean was still putting out music. I was immediately hooked, and listened to it on repeat for a solid two days.

AON 2011 Day 25: #4 (I was in SF yesterday)

Dolorean: The Unfazed
Portland, OR
Partisan Records

I found this late in the year, and didn’t even realize Dolorean was still putting out music. I was immediately hooked, and listened to it on repeat for a solid two days.

AON 2011 Day 24: #5 Wye Oak: CivilianBaltimore, MDMerge Records Jenn Wasner & Andy Stack have created another gorgeous album that is full of giant fuzzy guitar work as well as impressive drumming/keys. Both in recording and in live performance, it’s hard to believe this band is merely a duo. Wasner’s vocals float above the dreamy and sometimes chaotic guitar work while Stack is simultaneously subdued and driving.

AON 2011 Day 24: #5

Wye Oak: Civilian
Baltimore, MD
Merge Records

Jenn Wasner & Andy Stack have created another gorgeous album that is full of giant fuzzy guitar work as well as impressive drumming/keys. Both in recording and in live performance, it’s hard to believe this band is merely a duo. Wasner’s vocals float above the dreamy and sometimes chaotic guitar work while Stack is simultaneously subdued and driving.

AON 2011 Day 23: #6 Bon Iver: Bon IverEau Claire, WIJagjaguwar Presented without comment, as all the comments have been made on practically every other list everywhere else on the internet.

AON 2011 Day 23: #6

Bon Iver: Bon Iver
Eau Claire, WI
Jagjaguwar

Presented without comment, as all the comments have been made on practically every other list everywhere else on the internet.

AON 2011 Day 22: #7 The One AM Radio: Heaven is Attached by a Slender ThreadMassachusetts/Los Angeles, CADangerbird Records I’ve been a fan of The One AM Radio for a long time. This record was refreshingly different from previous recordings, sounding new and fresh. The first time I listened to it was in my car on a day with perfect weather. I almost subconsciously rolled the windows down, because with this music it’s necessary.

AON 2011 Day 22: #7

The One AM Radio: Heaven is Attached by a Slender Thread
Massachusetts/Los Angeles, CA
Dangerbird Records

I’ve been a fan of The One AM Radio for a long time. This record was refreshingly different from previous recordings, sounding new and fresh. The first time I listened to it was in my car on a day with perfect weather. I almost subconsciously rolled the windows down, because with this music it’s necessary.

AON 2011 Day 21: #8 Wilco: The Whole LoveChicago, ILdBpm I’ve always liked Wilco, but this album surprised me in a really good way. I find myself listening to it more often than I anticipated, and I don’t really see that stopping any time soon.

AON 2011 Day 21: #8

Wilco: The Whole Love
Chicago, IL
dBpm

I’ve always liked Wilco, but this album surprised me in a really good way. I find myself listening to it more often than I anticipated, and I don’t really see that stopping any time soon.

AON 2011 Day 20: #9 Into It. Over It.: ProperChicago, ILNo Sleep Records Solid record. I can listen to this album on repeat and that’s saying something.

AON 2011 Day 20: #9

Into It. Over It.: Proper
Chicago, IL
No Sleep Records

Solid record. I can listen to this album on repeat and that’s saying something.

AON 2011 Day 19: #10 Thursday: No DevoluciónNew Brunswick, NJEpitaph I’ve been a fan of Thursday since I was a freshman in high school. This album is much different from the songs that made me a fan, but I don’t think the same kind of songs would catch me today that did when I was 14. After getting to see Thursday perform live in Cleveland a few weeks ago, this album jumped the ranks on my list. I’d been waiting to see them play since I was 16, and finally my wish came true. Only while my dream came true, I came to find it was the last time Thursday would be playing in Cleveland. The show was amazing. It exceeded my expectations and is a memory I’d been wanting to have in my archive for a long time. This album may be a lot different than the sounds on Waiting and Full Collapse, but the idea is still there, the sentiment.

AON 2011 Day 19: #10

Thursday: No Devolución
New Brunswick, NJ
Epitaph

I’ve been a fan of Thursday since I was a freshman in high school. This album is much different from the songs that made me a fan, but I don’t think the same kind of songs would catch me today that did when I was 14. After getting to see Thursday perform live in Cleveland a few weeks ago, this album jumped the ranks on my list. I’d been waiting to see them play since I was 16, and finally my wish came true. Only while my dream came true, I came to find it was the last time Thursday would be playing in Cleveland. The show was amazing. It exceeded my expectations and is a memory I’d been wanting to have in my archive for a long time. This album may be a lot different than the sounds on Waiting and Full Collapse, but the idea is still there, the sentiment.

AON 2011 Day 18: #11 Sims: Bad Time ZooMinneapolis, MNDoomtree I love this album. I looked forward to it’s release and started listening to it the day it dropped. Simultaneously honest and upbeat, the album as a whole offers a lyrical account of Sims outlook on the world at large.

AON 2011 Day 18: #11

Sims: Bad Time Zoo
Minneapolis, MN
Doomtree

I love this album. I looked forward to it’s release and started listening to it the day it dropped. Simultaneously honest and upbeat, the album as a whole offers a lyrical account of Sims outlook on the world at large.