Wednesday, December 30, 2009

I will be brilliant.

I've been thinking a lot about dreams lately. Not the kind of dreams you fall asleep with, but the kind that drive you crazy while you're awake. I think about the kind of dreams that you dedicate your life to chasing.

Everyone has dreams. Four-year-olds dream of being doctors and firefighters- although our dreams change throughout the years, they never lose their essence. It seems to me that the older some people get, the more apt they become to settling into someone else's dream; whatever happened to hard work and dedication?

I admire people that achieve their dreams. I also believe that dreams die with your body- you work is never complete. I'd rather be 50 years old with 20 dreams in progress than 20 years old with 50 dreams in my wastebin.

My dreams are who I am, my talent is mine forever. So why do people give up on their dreams so early in life? Whatever happened to becoming a star, a designer, the President of the United States?

You can't teach an old dog new tricks, right?

Wrong. You're terribly wrong.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Guilty Pleasures

One of the best parts about being a college student is having access to the library. That's right, I'm a book junkie.
One of the best parts about going to a liberal arts school (that specializes in BFA degrees in dance, musical theatre, and acting) is the fact that the school library has absolutely nothing to do with books. The better part of our school library is taken up by people singing showtunes, rehearsing steps for African Dance class, and preparing monologues— all of which are not quiet activities. Our library would be more well-suited if the bookshelves were removed and pianos were put in their place.

You've all heard me complain about the noise level in the library before, but one of my guiltiest pleasures while trapped in this godforsaken place is snooping around the industrial printer and picking up other people's papers— it keeps me sane. These papers boost my ego; they make me feel incredibly intelligent. The best part about most of these papers is the fact that they don't make any sense at all; did anyone in this school pass the grammar section in third grade? If this is my competition in the real world, I'm bound to be one of the most successful people in history.

A passage from one of the papers I recently read, in all its glory:
"I think that wone of the points the author was really trying really hard to make was the point of being comfortable with oneself in pubic. How cant you walk of the house in the morning without being wholesomely confident in you!!?"

I can't even begin to dissect this. I especially enjoy the part about being comfortable with yourself in pubic.

Kudos to me.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Monday, November 23, 2009

Lambert's Loss

I caught the very end of the American Music Awards last night, and was completely repulsed by Adam Lambert’s performance. I woke up this morning to a mess of people claiming that his performance perpetuated gay stereotypes and was a setback for the gay community. Lately, we have been under so much scrutiny; the last thing we needed was to see a crazily flamboyant (and self-proclaimed “bisexual”) lunatic grab his pianist’s face and explore it with his tongue.
I understand where these people are coming from, but I think we should feel more offended for the integrity of the music industry. Time and time again, rising artists with raw talent are ignored— it pains me to think of Adam Lambert getting attention because he does a barrel role on stage with a perfectly manicured faux-hawk.
Where is the talent going in the music industry? I don’t know anything about financing an image, but I would think it would be cheaper to invest in someone with a genuine talent who could carry their own weight. The birth of Auto-Tune brought the death of talent. Until we can start recognizing it, I guess we’ll have to settle for stars like Adam Lambert.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Going GaGa

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past two years, you should know (and be completely obsessed with) Lady GaGa. If you've known me for more than two years, you're familiar with the fact that I absolutely could not stand GaGa all throughout her early months. It wasn't until I understood what she was completely about until I started letting her into my life… and boy, am I glad I did! It's like a joke that I'm finally in on, it's like the popular kids have asked me to sit with them at the lunch table.

I went into a meeting with my boss the other day. It was about an hour long— ten minutes consisted of talking about the business; the other 50 were spent gushing over GaGa. She raised an issue that irked me: A tough question to consider:

She recognized that Lady GaGa has an incredible raw talent (which I believe is still completely untapped) and it pains her to see stars like GaGa, Beyonce, and Madonna beginning to pay more attention to their music videos instead of their music. Whether you agree with this blanket statement or not, you have to agree that music videos have become more fierce in the past few years, and our lives are all a bit more glamorous as a result.
I argued that stars like GaGa and Beyonce aren’t just about the music; they are a packaged deal. When I look at GaGa, I love the performance aspect of her. Just like Madonna, I believe that GaGa is more than music; she is a walking piece of art. That's why I personally believe that the music video isn't a lack of focus on her part, but an extension of who she is. Take Madonna for instance: do you think the 'Like a Virgin' tour sold out because people wanted to hear Madonna's voice?

Thoughts?

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

The Library that Could

As I type this, sitting in the library at school, an interesting thought has come upon me.

I look to my left, and an overweight girl is undressing while boisterously laughing with her friends about how she resembles Grizabella from the musical Cats. I look to my right, and there is a group of dance majors using a radiator for balance as they prepare for a midterm in dance class. I look straight ahead— a group of four giggly girls and one overly outrageous boy discuss the relevance of photos posted to a friends' facebook page.

What do all of these things have in common? It really doesn't matter. What does matter is the fact that I am in the library, and all of these people have a blatant disregard for civility. Where is one supposed to go in order to study if the library is full of people dancing, laughing, and talking on the phone?

I believe that this library is just simply a hidden metaphor for a society that has completely gone to shit. I wonder if things like this happen downtown in the NYU Law Library…

Diva of the Day!

Céline Dion - My Heart Will Go On

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

...what a way to make a livin'!

Yesterday was such a great day. I feel like I’m starting to reach the pinnacle of my time in New York thus far; I feel like I'm starting to achieve real goals, things that I set out to New York in the first place for.

Now that I have been working for the magazine for 11 months, my Editor has trusted me with more and more important tasks. I started out doing office work, I moved up to writing film and theatre reviews, on top of listings for a weekly column that appears in the middle of the magazine. Just recently I've had the opportunity to write feature articles that appear not only on the cover of the magazine, but in full-page spreads throughout. Needless to say, I'm very proud of what I've been able to accomplish while working for them.

Just recently, my Editor gave me the task of hunting down a drag/comedic group and writing an article about them for the issue due out in the first week of November. Just yesterday, I got to meet with one of the members of the group and give my first interview! It was great, I feel so accomplished. I was nervous at first (I've heard some interviews from hell), but as soon as we sat down, I wasn't nervous anymore; it was actually pretty fun!

Anyway, now that the interview is complete, I have the daunting task of writing up an article about the group. I feel a lot of pressure, because the group is just starting to get a lot of recognition in the community, and this is going to be their publication debut. I hope I do them justice!

Wish me luck :)

Cherry cherry boom boom

I officially got the last pieces of my Halloween costume yesterday; now it's officially complete.

Can you guess who I am!?

Thursday, October 15, 2009

White Houses

I spoke with a friend via facebook wall the other day (I've been waiting so long to legitimately use that sentence somewhere), and our conversation struck an interesting chord in me. We were talking about all of the fun things that we used to do in high school— the friends that we had, the endless nights we would spend complaining about boyfriends, late-night car rides we shared, concerts we went to, teachers we had— and we both agreed that we would do anything at this point in our lives to go back and live in the naïvety of our high school years if only for one more day. Funny, I can't remember liking anything about my high school years when I was there.

Isn't it ironic how we spend every moment of our lives trying to advance and get ahead to the next stage, yet once we get there, we consume ourselves with thoughts of the 'good ol' days' and how much we want everything to be as simple as it was back then?

Silly, isn't it?

When I first moved into the dorms on 55th Street, the only thing anyone ever wanted to do was go apartment hunting (or worse— jump out of a window!), but now that I have an apartment (that comes with an oh-shit price tag), I would love to spend just another semester back in the simplicity of the dorms.

I wish I had some great philosophical conclusion for you, but I'm still trying to sort it all out myself. Isn't it dangerous to linger in the past? And if so, how much are we aloud to leave behind once we get to the 'next stage?'

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

A break

I can't believe I've been away for this long! It's been seven months already, and I swear I've gone slightly crazy during that time. Maybe writing and making videos was therapeutic for me?

I need to tell everyone about everything that's going on with me, there's no way that I can stay away any longer. Look out, kiddos. The return of SkatMatt is upon us :D

Saturday, March 21, 2009

The Great American Novel

I would really like to write a book one day. I feel like in my short time here on Earth, I have already experienced enough to write seven books. I can only imagine what the rest of my life will bring me...

I know that one day before I'm gone, I want to write a book. I want to tell the world about my life, and I want people to learn from it. I look at people like Augusten Burroughs and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, and I am jealous. The way that they write about their lives is just so compelling, it inspires me.

One day, I know I will do the same.

Monday, March 16, 2009

New Job

Hey everyone!

I start my new job tomorrow! I am super excited, and now hopefully I will have the proper balance of things to do, and spare time :) I feel like before now, so much of my time was spent either job-searching or stressing out about something, that now I will be able to focus my time on one thing, and be able to better manage my free time.

I also moved to Brooklyn while I was away— a good enough excuse for why I haven't updated in so long! I'm not planning on being here for as long as I was at my other place, it was just a temporary fix for my roommate situation at my last place. I'm hoping to get a studio or one bedroom somewhere after this, I have just decided that I don't live well with other people...

I also started eating healthier! I'm eating mainly vegetarian now, just because it makes me feel better about myself. I am still eating some meat, but it definitely doesn't consume a mass part of my diet. I have made the switch to tofu and am officially LOVING it! I eat only organic fruits and veggies, and my body and mood have started to show signs of improvement because of it :)

Hopefully the next time I check in with you all, I'll have news just as good. I hope all of you are doing wonderful, leave comments and let me know what's been up in your life!

Peace =]

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Mood Swings

WHAT IS UP WITH THIS WEATHER? It is seriously having mood swings!

I went today to explore my future neighborhood, and had to leave less than two minutes after getting off the train, because I literally could not feel my extremities. My fingers were so frozen, that I did not realize they were smashed between the seat and the railing on the train ride home for 20 minutes— I couldn't feel them!

I am done with New York/Midwest weather in general. LA, anyone?

Monday, March 2, 2009

That Guy

Ok guys!

I'm done apologizing for going through periods where I don't post. haha =] But for real this time— I'm going to try and stay on top of things!

I've been having a really good time lately... I'm planning on moving to a bigger and better (and cheaper!) apartment within the month! I will be sure to follow up with pictures as soon as I make the move =]

Basically, I have been having a REALLY good time with my internship. It is forcing me to go out more often, and really experience NYC for what it is. I'm out so much now, that people are starting to recognize me. I have become "that guy" that works for Next Magazine, and everyone is trying to jump in front of my camera...

THIS IS WHAT I DREAMED OF! My favorite recent picture:


Me with Yuhuá. I'm really starting to like the genderfuck queens better than full-out drag queens. Much more artistic <3

Peace everyone— I'll be back tomorrow. I promise!!

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Dips and Peaks

My life is getting better and better every day now.

It seems as thought I went through a rough couple of weeks, and now everything is sort of falling back into place. Dips and peaks are natural throughout any kind of cycle, right?

The economy experiences dips and peaks naturally, just like website views and business productivity. Life should be able to have the same cycle, right?

Anyway, my life is definitely seeing a peak right now =]

I'll update with more info later...

Saturday, January 31, 2009

San Francisco

It is so cold in New York City right now. I was thinking earlier about how many of my friends have told me that they cannot stand the cold weather, and would much rather live in a warmer climate. I really HATE being cold as well, but I can definitely remember back to times during the summer where I was sweating so obscenely that I would have given anything to lay in the snow at that moment.

I really wish that there was a city that always had a steady temperature. From what I hear, San Francisco is pretty nice all year-round, and I've had many people tell me that I would fit in well in San Francisco. (Insert obvious joke here) I once asked a girl that was born in California, and raised in various coastal cities: If I were to be a city in California, which one would I be? Her answer was San Francisco.

I know that the only reason I moved to New York instead of California was because I knew one day in the future I would end up settling down in California; I needed to get New York out of my system before then. I wanted to not regret the "what if" questions one day when I was old. Is it worth it to stay somewhere that I know I won't want to be in ten years?

I sit here and look at the screen, not wondering what I wanted to accomplish in this entry. What do you think? Would you live somewhere you loved even if you hated the weather 9 months of the year? Would you begin building a life in a city that you didn't want to settle down in?

I'm not thinking about moving anytime soon, but sitting near the window at Panera is making me really cold and bitter..... grrrr...

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Single Ladies

Aren't I much better than Beyoncé?


Single Ladies- Broadcast your self LIVE

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Good news everyone!

I was informed this morning that the internship I applied for at Next Magazine is now MINE!! After fretting over myself all last week, debating on wether or not my writing samples were good enough, how I acted during my interview, and whether or not I wrote the test copy correctly, I finally found out this morning that all of my hard work paid off!

The internship is for Next Magazine. Next is basically the gay bible in New York City. Anything under the sun that relates to gay living can be found here, and it is heavily trusted and looked upon in the gay community. The offices are very small, there are only about seven people that put together the bi-weekly magazine, and usually anywhere from three to five interns at a time.

I'm so lucky to have been chosen!

Everyone wish me luck! I'll make sure to let you know how everything goes!!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

posi+ive

This is quite possibly the saddest thing I have seen lately. Really makes you think twice...

Saturday, January 24, 2009

New Years Resolutions

Alright guys, I know I'm late!

These are my fun New Years Resolutions: the video is old, but entertaining nonetheless...

Enjoy!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Acceptance

I have decided today that I am too judgmental.

I went for my first time last night to the LGBT Center here in the city to volunteer. I have always wanted to volunteer, and have just figured that now would be the best time to do it. I was the proud wristband-putter-on-er for a new play that the Center was hosting called "Loaded". I didn't quite catch what it was about. From the crowd, I gather that it is about a young boy and an older man that fall in love after being fuck buddies for quite some time. Whatever.

The people that I was working side-by-side with, I realized, I would have easily made fun of had I seen them on the street. Patrick was wearing all second-hand clothes, and had on a bright yellow suede suit jacket. Allen was wearing a funny baret, and a plaid shirt that was probably bought in a corner bodega. Because none of my friends were with me, I was forced to not only hold back from pointing out their flaws, but talk to them, and realize that I have missed probably some of the most interesting people in my lifetime because I was too busy obsessing over how they looked.

Time after time, someone with a funny hat, or a seemingly homeless person would walk in the front doors; they were greeted just the same as everyone that walked in before and after them: with a smile. There were so many people walking around the Center, and there was no hate. It was such a neutral zone, that I feel like I want to go back every day.

I met a transgender individual. His name was Dave. It was absolutely amazing to see everyone talking and laughing and smiling with Dave, and Dave's gender was the last thing on their mind.

The Center definitely gave me a reality check last night. I'm not to sure yet, maybe they are all just social degenerates that accept each other because they have no one else. Or maybe, there really are people this loving left in the world. Either way, I feel like I need more of it.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Taking Chances

What is life without risk?

I moved to New York approximately two years ago on a whim. I wanted to go to film school, and I wanted to be in the city. Since I have moved here, I have discovered that New York City is nothing like you see on Law & Order, it's not anything like you read about in memoirs, and it certainly is not like anything you have seen on MTV. As much as I want to admit that I am in love with this city, it is easier to admit that I fell in love with the New York that has already died.

I wanted to move to the city that never sleeps, I wanted to party all night at places like Limelight, and the Tunnel. I wanted to be a regular at a coffee shop on Avenue A. I wanted to live in a West Village dump that overlooked the river, and grow plants on my fire escape. I wanted to have a roommate that was addicted to something. I wanted to feel in danger. I wanted to be mugged. I wanted to live paycheck to paycheck and not care, I wanted to live a grungy fabulous existence that so many people before me have managed to do in the city.

However, in a post-Giuliani New York, the truth is this:
1. The city does sleep. It sleeps between the hours of 9pm and 7am, and nothing happens in between.
2. Places like Limelight and the Tunnel don't exist anymore, unless you're invited. Things that made clubs fabulous are now illegal, and everywhere is a residential "no noise" zone.
3. Coffee shops on Avenue A are now owned by corporate monsters, and people that work in them aren't friendly. Anyways, who wants to go to an authentic coffee shop when Starbucks has forced their reasonable prices through the roof?
4. "Dumps" don't happen in the West Village anymore. A 300 square foot closet overlooking the river with no running water and electricity during the day would probably run you about $7,000 a month nowadays.
5. The only place that you can find an authentic New York dump is so far away from the city that it's not worth the travel time.
6. No one is addicted to anything anymore. It's too expensive.
7. I have never felt in danger in the city. Tourists pour into every square inch of the city by the millions every day, there isn't enough room to mug someone. Places that used to be dangerous are being taken over by kids whose parents pay their rent, they have become "hip" and "trendy".
8. Paycheck to paycheck? It would be more fabulous if there were something worthwhile to spend it on.

New York is dead. Although there are a bunch of reasons why I still love the city (of which I won't list here), I feel resentful for being forced to love a clean and safe New York when all I wanted was to be rejected and raped by the old one.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Love and Marriage

Why is everyone getting married?

People that I graduated high school with two years ago are already getting married and starting their families! Call me crazy, but I think that 20 years old is WAY too young to be starting a family at in the year 2009...

I'm not saying that people shouldn't get married and start families, but I would at least expect them to have some sort of stable career, and enough finances to properly care for another human being. I don't think the kids having babies nowadays understand what the job entails. Before I have kids, I want to be able to support myself without worries, and see the world. I have a lot of things to get done before I start thinking about taking on a massive responsibility like children!

What do you think?

Monday, January 19, 2009

Polaroid

Why do Polaroid photos always look more interesting than digital photos?

Sunday, January 18, 2009

What's Your Emergency?

Last night I was walking down 75th St, and I noticed that there was a huge pipe sticking out of the roof of a parking garage that was busted. Water was gushing out in every direction, the street was flooded, and nobody was around to notice. It was 4am, and it didn't look like anyone was coming to the rescue anytime soon, so (even though I don't live there), I thought it to be my civic duty to dial 311 and report the broken water main.

Over the course of two blocks, I had listened to five different recordings, all of which covered topics from no heat/hot water, to domestic violence, to the nearest location that offered free NYC condoms. When an operator finally picked up the phone, I had explained the situation in great detail to her, only to be told that I would have to be transferred. I held for another two minutes, talked to three different people, was transferred in total a number of four times, until I finally got a chance to speak to someone that might possibly be able to help.

A woman with a thick accent railed me with a series of questions:
1. What is your name? (I don't think you need my name)
2. Would you like to remain anonymous then, ma'am? (Sure)
3. Is the pipe above the current line? (I have no idea what the current line is)
4. Is the pipe broken in more than one place? (I have no clue, I saw it in passing)
5. Is the street flooded? (Yes)
6. Is the street sunken or about to fall? (I don't know, I didn't go wading through the water?)
-Ma'am, all I need is a simple yes or no question
7. Is your basement flooded? (No, I live more than a mile away)
-Look, I'm just trying to report a broken water main, I'm really not looking for all of this trouble right now
-Well I cannot process your request without this important information


....Really? What happened to just being able to phone in a simple request? Would this happen if I had been trying to report a homicide to 911? It pains me to think of what the world has come to...

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Frozen state?

So, apparently New York City is in a "frozen state", which means NOBODY is hiring at the moment. This is dangerous! Learning about the Great Depression during the 1920's in high school, it seemed unrealistic by today's standards, and it was just plain crazy to think of something similar happening today.

HOWEVER. I am so disgusted with the economy right now, that it's making me physically ill. What kind of world are we living in when all Starbucks locations in NYC have halted their hiring process because they are laying off all of their employees? Are you serious?! I can't even get a job at McDonald's!!

I'm sitting here in Panera and looking at a group of kids whos parents all bought their designer coats, their iPhones, their cashmere Diesel gloves. They will never have to worry about words like "economy", or "depression". I'm not looking at them with envy, I'm not so sure that I would enjoy being one of those kids...

...but right now, a pair of cashmere Diesel gloves is looking pretty good :D

Getting back into the groooove.

Hey all!

Sorry that I kept you waiting for so long! It's been a few months since I have updated, and I miss being in the regular scheme of things.

Since I have been gone, I have started a vlogging channel (my dream!).

What is a vlog channel, you ask? Basically, it's a blog, but in video format.
I also started a live TV show every Tuesday night on BlogTV...

I guess I took some time off of this blog in order to start up the other things. It was definitely worth it!

Email me if you'd like to know where my other channels are at!

PEACE =]