November 9, 2011 by Tegan.

For those who have never heard of them, Airborne Toxic Event rocks the house! I was first introduced to them by my adorable cycle instructor, Michelle (I’m actually going to the concert with her tonight!) about a year ago and it has been love at first listen. In honor of the concert and because I am beyond excited, this is my attempt to convince you to check them out.

 Some facts on The Airborne Toxic Event (Wikipedia):

• The Airborne Toxic Event is an American indie rock band from Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. It consists of *amazing* Mikel Jollett (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Steven Chen (guitar, keyboards), Noah Harmon (electric bass, upright bass, backing vocals), Daren Taylor (drums) and Anna Bulbrook (viola, keyboards, tambourine, backing vocals).
• Named after a section of the book White Noise, by Don DeLillo (Awesome)

Initially a writer and essayist, Jollett began seriously writing songs with an acoustic guitar following a week in March 2006, during which he underwent a break-up, learned his mother had been diagnosed with cancer, and was himself diagnosed with a genetic autoimmune disease that led to the development of two cosmetic conditions: Alopecia areata and Vitiligo. This quick succession of traumatic events spurred a period of intense songwriting and the start of the band.

The Airborne Toxic Event is a mix of lyrical genius and beautiful instrumentals. I love Mikel’s lyrics and as mentioned above, he was an essayist among many other things, before starting the band.

 As a member of corporate America and a fitness/health junkie, I especially love this essay written by Mikel in which he discusses his journey to lose weight while realizing his path in life.

The essay is titled “Brad Pitt Whipped Me Into Shape.”

On realizing he needed to get healthy:

“You can find the motivation to get in shape in the oddest places.

Some guys find it in a doctor’s office after a sobering chest exam or blood test or biopsy. Others find it at a high-school reunion when That Girl from 10th-grade biology doesnt recognize them through the haze of cheap vodka, male-pattern baldness, and so many forgotten years. As any good Russian novelist could tell you, life reaches a crossroads - and big changes follow - when sex seems less likely than death.”

On corporate America weight gain:

“But by age 25, after 3 years in office purgatory, 3 years of meetings and dinners and lunches and drinks, I was up to 225 pounds. Sitting there, listening to these middle-aged men make jokes about their wives over two-martini lunches, I felt caged, fenced in, trapped, old, tired, fat, bored.

I would find myself walking the flourescent-lit corridors of that ungodly building with reams of green-and-white printout paper covered with endless rows of numbers, a big, round gut hanging over the 38-inch waistline of my green slacks, seething about the budget. “Have you seen these numbers, people?” Every now and then I’d catch a glimpse of my reflection in the office glass and wonder who the fat man was.”

Amazing.

Have I convinced you to listen to them yet?

If I have, here are tracks I recommend:

• Changing
• Numb
• This Losing
• Gasoline
• Sometime Around Midnight (This song put them on the map- beautiful)

Check them out people! You won’t be disappointed!
 

Posted in Twenty-something confessions, Life | No Comments »

October 26, 2011 by Tegan.

As many of my wonderful friends, colleagues, family, tweeps and my own conscience have pointed out, I have not been blogging regularly. This post it my attempt to defend myself as well as a promise to my rock star colleague Carla (We both decided that we need to get back into our blogs) and all of you.

–Insert puppy eyes–

My attempt to defend myself- This summer I started a new job as a social media analyst at Sears Holdings Corporation. I couldn’t be happier and I really love what I do. That being said, it also took up a lot of my time. I was also training to achieve one of my life long goals, running the Chicago Marathon. That also being said, I did it! (Finished in a little over 4 and a half hours).

(My amazing friends @KEmilyCox, @jassencho and @black_brandon supporting me before, during and after the Chicago Marathon with hugs and Coors Light. Check out that medal!)

I also recently moved out of my lovely parents’ house and into an apartment in Wicker Park with my best friend Emily. I swear I’m alive! I told you I had reasons why I haven’t been blogging!

The reality- All the said excuses above have been wonderful events in my life, but the time has come and I have decided to dedicate more of the little time I have to blogging.

I think it is hard to keep up with blogging because we feel compelled to dish out a life changing post every time we write. My posts may not always be groundbreaking but I can almost always guarantee an opinion or a laugh (Maybe both if I’m really on my A-game).

Stay tuned- I promise to update more frequently!Much love and thanks to everyone who told me to get back to writing. I feel better already.

Posted in Blogging, Twenty-something confessions, Life, Uncategorized | No Comments »

May 18, 2011 by Tegan.

What words are you using to describe your life, your friends, your talents and your job? Are they positive or negative?

As marketers and on a more basic level, humans, we must master our words and our thoughts. They ultimately become our marketing campaigns, our actions and our lives.

Make your words more positive today. You never know what could happen.

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