Diddy CÎROC House Party

Hosted house party by one of my idols. He worked hard for his.

Which College Major Will Make You Rich?

.
By Nona Willis Aronowitz

Every few months, like clockwork, a new study (the latest from researchers at Georgetown [PDF]) concludes that arts majors can't get jobs and that engineering degrees are the only way to guarantee a living wage. Then The New York Times prints the study's conclusions under a glib headline like "Want a Job? Go to College, and Don’t Major in Architecture." Oversimplifications like these, combined with initiatives in the U.K. and China to do away with non-lucrative majors completely, make me want to throw up. Not only do they laugh in the face of learning for learning's sake and put pressure on kids to choose their careers too early, they also reinforce cultural biases about what professions deserve to make money.

We get it, Georgetown, English majors are poor. But instead of accepting that people like teachers and journalists get paid shitty salaries, how about re-evaluating why we give those professions the shaft? How about encouraging new grads to be creative about what they do with their majors? College students should certainly know what they're getting into when they choose to study, say, philosophy or German, especially with tuition costs and student loan interest rates rising. But those figures should be coupled with a few important caveats.

A future of unhappy robots is pretty bleak. It's well-documented that a good salary alone can't make you happy. That's doubly true if the job isn't suited to your talents. Doing away with arts or humanities, whether in kindergarten or college, gives credence to those horrible parents in movies who crow that "singing doesn't put food on the table" before their kid turns out to be Lauryn Hill. Steering young people into career paths they'll hate is the oldest parent faux pas in the book, and often leads to a midlife career change—or crisis.

Have More Fun

.
Photo Credit: 123RF.com

By Alex Echols
A few nights ago, I had the opportunity to have dinner with a very successful family, both economically and socially (many may say the two go hand-in-hand). Nevertheless, the night was filled with conversations ranging from my aspirations and current projects to what I like to eat to what I do on the weekends. Out of many of the things we talked about that night, some pieces of advices stood out the most:

1) Have more fun. If you think you are having fun in life, try to have more of it. Party hard, practice safe sex, have more movie nights with friends. You will look back and smile instead of looking back and wondering 'what if.'

2) Passion pays off. Many individuals of my generation see the likes of Mark Zuckerburgs and David Karps, young 20-something entrepreneurs/CEOs, and decide they want the same things for themselves without realizing how important passion, hard-work, connections and hard-work really are. If you are passionate about anything, it will shine through because your work will be great and genuine. But never get too comfortable.

3) Have faith in the future, but live for today. Honestly, you don't know if you will be here tomorrow - so as it's very important to try and plan your entire life, focusing on these moments will allow the years to take care of themselves. Carpe Diem.

4) When an ability is innate, follow it. Many times we hear the word 'destiny' and wonder if it truly exist with its evanescent undertones. But it's very important to recognize the blessings of abilities. If you were born to be a writer, singer, dancer, chef, athlete - do it. Maybe you won't storm into the office and quit your job. Maybe you will. Just listen more to what life is trying to tell you. Listen deeply.

5) Wear sunscreen. Towards the end of our dinner, I was introduced to a video by Baz Luhrmann, who once gave a graduation speech to the class of 1999 (time flies, huh). In this video, Baz reiterates some advice we have heard for years, but still do not follow. Why? Maybe because we are scared. Or. Maybe because we take too much for granted. Whatever it may be, an older and much wiser person than myself stated that he agreed 100% with Lurhmann's commencement speech and now, I want to share it with you:



As with all things in life, you will decide which advice you will take. Choose very wisely. But if there is nothing else you take away from this post, let it be this:

"have more fun."

One Life, You Decide™

A Congrats for Creativity

On April 22, Lawrence Yong wrote "I'm on the wait list for University of Michigan and I really want to get in, so I decided to make them a little video!" Well, he's now on another list: Michigan's 2012 incoming freshmen. As a young adult entering college, it is clear that Yong possesses fearlessness, a very creative heart, and drive.

I wish him nothing but the best.

Music: Beirut - The Rip Tide

Awesome idea and video. This is the official video for their song "The Rip Tide."

Directed by Houmam Abdallah

9 Remarkable Beliefs of Successful People

.
Photo Credit Unknown
By Jeff Haden

1. Time doesn't fill me. I fill it.

Deadlines and time frames establish parameters, but typically not in a good way. The average person who is given two weeks to complete a task will instinctively adjust his effort so it actually takes two weeks.

Forget deadlines, at least as a way to manage your activity. Tasks should only take as long as they need to take. Do everything as quickly and effectively as you can. Then use your "free" time to get other things done just as quickly and effectively.

Average people allow time to impose its will on them; remarkable people impose their will on their time.

2. The people around me are the people I chose.

Some of your employees drive you nuts. Some of your customers are obnoxious. Some of your friends are selfish, all-about-me jerks.

You chose them. If the people around you make you unhappy it's not their fault. It's your fault. They're in your professional or personal life because you drew them to you--and you let them remain.

Think about the type of people you want to work with. Think about the types of customers you would enjoy serving. Think about the friends you want to have.

Then change what you do so you can start attracting those people. Hardworking people want to work with hardworking people. Kind people like to associate with kind people. Remarkable employees want to work for remarkable bosses.

Successful people are naturally drawn to successful people.

3. I have never paid my dues.

Dues aren't paid, past tense. Dues get paid, each and every day. The only real measure of your value is the tangible contribution you make on a daily basis.

No matter what you've done or accomplished in the past, you're never too good to roll up your sleeves, get dirty, and do the grunt work. No job is ever too menial, no task ever too unskilled or boring.

Remarkably successful people never feel entitled--except to the fruits of their labor.

TEDx: Embracing Otherness, Embracing Myself

"Actor Thandie Newton tells the story of finding her "otherness" -- first, as a child growing up in two distinct cultures, and then as an actor playing with many different selves. A warm, wise talk, fresh from stage at TEDGlobal 2011."

Beautiful EDC Las Vegas 2012

A Look at Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas 2012
A beautiful Experience with Awesome People
.Forever Young.

12 Habits Standing Between You & Your Goals

.
By Marc

Close the door to the habits that have been holding you back, change the record, clean the house, and get rid of the dust and dirt. Stop denying yourself a fair chance. Stop being who you were, and become who you really are.

Starting today, stop…

1. Playing it safe. – Have you ever tucked something of value “in a safe place” out of fear that someone might ruin it or steal it from you? And then one day woke to the realization that you had hid it so well that even YOU couldn’t find it? If so, then you understand the wisdom of leaving your heart and your dreams in the wide open. To reach for what can be, even when we’re doubtful. To let go of what is lost, even when it’s painful. To live as though we’re brave, even when we’re fearful. These are the trials we face and the choices we make along the path to happiness and success.

2. Letting everyone else decide for you. – When you feel out of control, it can be tempting to look for someone willing to take charge of your life for you. But before you do, consider this: If you put a collar around your own neck and hand the leash to someone else, you’ll have little or no say about where they lead you. Set your own boundaries and run freely within them.

3. Doubting your own dreams. – It doesn’t matter if your hope is to write a book, find lasting love, start a business, achieve forgiveness, heal your body, learn to play a musical instrument, find inner peace, or something else. The first step – and often the longest, most arduous one – is to believe that your dream in possible.

8 Writing Tips from the Great Paulo Coelho

On Writing: I write the book that wants to be written. Behind the first sentence is a thread that takes you to the last.

On Style: Don’t try to innovate storytelling, tell a good story and it is magical. I see people trying to work so much in style, finding different ways to tell the same thing. It’s like fashion. Style is the dress, but the dress does not dictate what is inside the dress.

On Notetaking: If you want to capture ideas, you are lost. You are going to be detached from emotions and forget to live your life. You will be an observer and not a human being living his or her life. Forget taking notes, what important remains what is not important goes away.

On Research: If you overload your book with a lot of research, you are going to be very boring to yourself and to your reader. Books are not there to show how intelligent you are. Books are there to show your soul.

On Confidence: You cannot sell your next book by underrating your book that was just published. Be proud of what you have.

On Trust: Trust your reader, don’t try to describe things. Give a hint and they will fulfill this hint with their own imagination.

On Expertise: You cannot take something out of nothing. When you write a book, use your experience.

On Critics: Writers want to please their peers, they want to be recognized. Forget about this. Who cares? You should care to share your soul and not to please other writers.

via paulocoelhoblog.com

Surround Yourself with Greatness

Les Brown on Surrounding Yourself with Success, Love, Greatness and Dream-Chasing.

The Soul of an Artist

.
By Dr. Cara Barker

Top 20 Characteristics of Soul Artistry:

1. Love of adventure.
2. Willingness to step into the unknown.
3. Desire for discovery.
4. Non-attachment to outcome.
5. Willingness to get lost.
6. Receptivity to get found.
7. Sense of humor.
8. Delight in sharing the process.
9. Capacity to stay present.
10. Acceptance of the unknown.
11. Devotion to trusting the process.
12. Disregard for approval or disapproval.
13. Self-permission to learn 1-12 over a lifetime.
14. Self-compassion.
15. Longing to bring harmony and beauty out of chaos.
16. Attitude of the alchemist: curious about impossibilities becoming possibilities.
17. Tenacity in staying true to what matters most to heart and soul, no matter what.
18. Capacity to begin anew when the ego says "why bother."
19. Refusal to stay permanently discouraged.
20. Joy through playful surrender and creative collaboration.

Live + Design With Intent

Journalist John Hockenberry tells a personal story of how a pair of flashy wheelchair wheels, suggested to him by his young daughter, showed him the value of designing a life of intent and creativity.

The First Wedding Ever Shot in 3D!

Pretty freaking awesome!

"This is a teaser trailer for Stuart and Julia's wedding film shot in stereoscopic 3D on 5K resolution RED Epic cameras - the first of its kind.

The Mirador Estate in beautiful Montecito near Santa Barbara provided an idyllic garden in full spring bloom, resulting in some gorgeous 3D visuals to complement the bride and groom.

Shot and edited by Golden Gate 3D, the entire production was designed around creating a cinematic experience to envelop viewers in seamless 3D that provides a flowing narrative and sweeping scale to the proceedings - the ultimate in futureproof mementos of this special day, able to be enjoyed on the latest technology for decades to come."

Fear of Being Normal

.
[11:28 PM]
I can't sleep because I have insomnia and the thoughts of what 18 hours from now will bring, are keeping me up at night. For the first time since my senior art show in the uni, I am putting my artwork on display for it to be viewed by hundreds, close to thousands of people.

Part of me has the jitters and the other part has the night-before-joys. I've been going through so, so much lately, battling the voices inside, as I try to figure out 'what I would LIKE to do with my life.' But it's so interesting because I already know what I WANT to do with my life - I just have to release the fear, have faith and take that next leap.

I'm scared, but I know it will all be worth it. And I'm writing this publically because I want all my dreamers to know that it's okay to get frustrated and scared at times, dreamers lose their way too, but we never give up because we see the impossible. We would rather die trying than live regretting.

(i'm)possible and so are you
wish me luck for tomorrow

DREAMWORKS ANIMATION ART DEV PRESENTS
ONE LIFE: THE SHOW BY ALEX ECHOLS

This is step one to the next leap...

One Life: The Show

Watch Video Below

Creators: gnarls bay productions


This beautifully crafted colorful montage of images, video and narration has inspired me like no other. I hope you find it do the same. The couple wrote and produced this video while traveling through Chile & Patagonia over a five week span.

what are you waiting for? get out there!

Recognizing Happiness

.
Photo Credit Copyright:
Hersley-Ven Casero

Those of us on the path of personal and spiritual growth have a tendency to analyze our unhappiness in order to find the causes and make improvements. But it is just as important, if not more so, to analyze our happiness. Since we have the ability to rise above and observe our emotions, we can recognize when we are feeling joyful and content. Then we can harness the power of the moment by savoring our feelings and taking time to be grateful for them.

Recognition is the first step in creating change, therefore recognizing what it feels like to be happy is the first step toward sustaining happiness in our lives. We can examine how joy feels in our bodies and what thoughts run through our minds in times of bliss. Without diminishing its power, we can retrace our steps to discover what may have put us in this frame of mind, and then we can take note of the choices we’ve made while there. We might realize that we are generally more giving and forgiving when there’s a smile on our face, or that we are more likely to laugh off small annoyances and the actions of others when they don’t resonate with our light mood.

Once we know what it feels like and can identify some of the triggers and are aware of our actions, we can recreate that happiness when we are feeling low. Knowing that like attracts like, we can pull ourselves out of a blue mood by focusing on joy. We might find that forcing ourselves to be giving and forgiving, even when it doesn’t seem to come naturally, helps us to reconnect with the joy that usually precedes it. If we can identify a song, a picture, or a pet as a happiness trigger, we can use them as tools to recapture joy if we are having trouble finding it. By focusing our energy on analyzing happiness and all that it encompasses, we feed, nurture, and attract more of it into our lives, eventually making a habit of happiness.

via DailyOM

The Secrets of Smiles

"Did you know your smile can be a predictor of how long you'll live -- and that a simple smile has a measurable effect on your overall well-being?"

Check out The Hidden Power of Smiles by Ron Gutman and prepare to flex a few facial muscles as he reviews some scientific studies about smiling and reveals some surprising results about this evolutionarily contagious behavior.

Note - By no means am I stating that Ron Gutman, TEDx or any accompanying parties support One Life: The Show. These supplementary posts are solely meant to further inspire my readers and reinforce the '5 Secrets to a More Fulfilled Journey," which is an identifiable part of my June 14th show at DreamWorks Animation.

Make Good Art!

This was forwarded to me by a constituent. Fantastic, Fantastic Speech by Neil.

Worth the Watch!

The Countdown is On

Get your QR Code Scanners Out and
Go Enjoy the Journey.

Today: Work Hard, Be Happy

One of Will Smith's best performances from Pursuit of Happyness

Calvin Klein x Brooklyn Nets

The fashion house has signed an estimated $4 million deal with the Barclays Center arena -- home of the Brooklyn Nets -- to sponsor a 700-seat VIP area in a "Calvin Klein Courtside Club," according to the New York Post.

Each seat will be decorated with the label's black-and-white logo, in keeping with the stadium color scheme selected by Jay-Z, part owner of the Nets. Calvin Klein will also be a sponsor of one of four entrances to the arena along with EmblemHealth. But, naturally, the CK gate will be the most exclusive, with "Courtside Club" ticketholders riding an elevator stamped with the designer's name in a "street to seat" branding strategy, the Post reported.

The $1 billion Barclays Center opens Sept. 28 with a gala; Calvin Klein, a branch of PVH Corp., generates $7.6 billion in annual worldwide sales, and joins other Barclays "founding" parters including Barclays, Cushman & Wakefield, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Coca-Cola and Ticketmaster.

via Hollywood Reporter

Official Trailer: Electric Daisy Carnival 2012

Get ready to party with 300,000 of your closest friends :)