Feature Story

How Music Has Evolved Over the Years and the Importance of it

-Music is what feelings sound like” –unknown

Music is apart of everyone’s lives almost daily. Simply by turning on the radio in one’s car, listening to an iPod, picking up an instrument, using one’s vocals, tapping a pen, a finger, a hand, practically anything against something for a beat, etc. Music has been around since the beginning of man and has evolved greatly since then as well as become an important factor in many people’s lives.

Many a time I have heard people say, “I wouldn’t be alive today if it wasn’t for music.” Or, “I would die if there was no music.” People feel connected to music when they are listening to it. It is a strong balance for their lives to keep them sane and calm. If someone is feeling blue, all the have to do is turn on their favorite song for that mood whether it being sad or happy or mellow to lift them up and keep them feeling good and righteous; it is a powerful thing for many people. Not only does it lift people up and bring them to a good place it also has many other positives to it. A lot of people have a wide spiritual connection with God through Christian music. Music works in many different ways with many different people.

Music doesn’t just work individually but also in groups. Music can be a way for two people to connect. A man and a woman can connect romantically to the all-famous song, “Let’s Get it On” by Marvin Gaye. Certain types of songs trigger a feeling in people and cause them to act on certain songs. In this case, it connects people in a loving manner. With a song like “Shots”, by LMFAO, people feel hyped, pumped, and ready to go. It triggers a party mode; makes people want to drink and have a good time. In cases with screamo music, people listen to it to release their anger. Music is a way for people to unite together and feel connected and feel like they have something in common to relate to each other off of. One main thing people unite together on when it comes to music is, yes you know it, Karaoke of course! Why do you think people have such a good time with it!?

A lot of music is a stress reliever, a way to let go, kick back, relax, and have a good time. Music definitely can change a person’s mood from one to another. I know music helps me to clean the house faster; it’s very motivational for me!

In the movie Reign Over me, with Adam Sandler, “A man who lost his family in the September 11 attack in New York City runs into his old college roommate. Rekindling the friendship is the one thing that appears able to help the man recover from his grief.” Whenever the man was upset by anything, he had his headphones ready to go to listen to the song, “Love Reign O'er Me” by The Who, to calm him down. He needed it in his life or else he would have a mental break down. Some people depend on music to give them the sanity they need.

Every person has his or her own personal experience or emotions with music. People have their favorite songs, their songs that make them happy, their songs that trigger memories, and so on. It’s all an individual feeling and experience that each person forms as they grow along with it. It mostly depends on a person’s personality and preference of music. Nicole Tufts says, “Music can change what we feel in our souls. It can release us from sorrow and distress, encourage and motivate us, or slow us down and soothe us. Not only does our soul respond to music, but also, as researchers are finding out, so does our body. Music can change our lives mentally and physically.”

Music started out as something for people to express themselves or tell stories in tribes. Today it has evolved into something much more than that. Everyone has made it apart of his or her lives as a top priority, (some people even make it their higher priority, so I’ve heard!) Music is used to get a main message or theme out to the people.

Tufts says, “A good number of examples are as follows; in movies, commercials, plays, soundtracks, wild life shows, cartoons, the news, sporting chants, etc.” Music is placed in almost everything that has a viewer. It has basically become a necessity to life.

Not only has music changed itself from classical piano playing music to hip hop fast paced music but the technology has also changed along with it to make it accessible for us. It has changed from records, to tapes, to CDs, to now being able to access it from the Internet onto an iPod and bring every song we could possibly want, anywhere we want just so we can enjoy it daily at any second of the day.

For me personally I always have background sound or music playing somewhere. It makes me feel like I’m not alone. I always have something there to lift my spirits.

I can’t go a day without hearing music even If I wanted to just because it is everywhere; it’s even in my thoughts. Personally, I’d never want to go a day without music, it is just too powerful!

Citations

"Music Quotes." Find the Famous Quotes You Need, ThinkExist.com Quotations. Web. 27 Nov. 2010. .

"Reign Over Me (2007) - IMDb." The Internet Movie Database (IMDb). Web. 27 Nov. 2010. .

Tufts, Nicole. "How Music Has Changed Over the Years, Page 2 of 3." Associated Content from Yahoo! - Associatedcontent.com. Web. 27 Nov. 2010. .

Discovering Isidro’s Taco Shop

Isidro’s Taco Shop is a unique family-owned Mexican restaurant located off of Del Monte Avenue in Marina, CA. The owner of this restaurant, Isidro, delightfully greets every customer upon entering. Equipped with a manageable drive-thru window, a take-out counter inside, and quaint rooster-themed restaurant seating, Isidro’s welcomes eaters of any pace.

I had the privilege to spend my afternoon lunch with a friend at Isidro’s last Wednesday. I decided to eat inside at a roundabout table, topped with a lazy-susan. The waiter was Isidro’s wife, a very polite and cheerful lady. The service was excellent. My friend and I split an order of chips and salsa, which insinuated into an orgasm of taste buds. By far the best chips and salsa I have ever tasted.

Before the chips and salsa could even arrive, I placed an order for a carne asada quesadilla. The quesadilla was remarkably cooked. The tortilla was of a perfect fluffiness. Wrapped in the tortilla sleeping bag awaits fresh melted white cheddar on top of the finest carne asada meat. This was truly a meal for the finest Spanish palette.

During my meal I had the pleasure to meet the owner himself. I was highly curious as to the rooster theme throughout the restaurant and had to ask Isidro. His response resulted in a lengthy story about investing in cock fighting in Mexico. Believe it or not Isidro’s story is quite the “rags to riches” tale. Isidro worked as a helper at a taco shop in Inglewood, an urban city located in Los Angeles. Isidro suffered poor working conditions, amongst unfair bosses and superiors. Isidro managed to save up enough money to open his own shop, building upon the flaws he encountered. Isidro made a few investments in cock fighting out of the country, and turned into a businessman. Today Isidro owns one of the best low-key taco shops in California, serving a unique spin on Mexican food that many travel far for.

I recommend this restaurant to anyone that has been through a Taco Bell or Jack In The Box drive thru so they can see what a real taco tastes like from a genuine establishment. I give Isidro’s a 10 out of 10 for superb service, an excellent menu, and a dynamic way to eat with their drive thru, pick-up counter, and sit-in restaurant. If you like Mexican food, you will like Isidro’s. Get the chips and salsa!

Opinion on 2010 Elections

In the 2010 Elections i was quite relieved that Prop 19 wasn't passed. If it had been passed, this would not mean good things for the state of California. Yes, jobs would be provided but would someone really want to deal with people continuously under the influence on a daily bases? Marijuana does not cause a valuable drive for people. It causes people to be lazy and relaxed but not have any motives to work or better their future. Not only that but the government would have control over yet another thing in this nation, doing what they will with the product and selling it how they wish. The government would benefit themselves with marijuana and the income. They wouldn't be looking for the health of the people, but for the health of the government. Overall the concern for it would be a drug-free workplace and it is better off not to have the legalization of marijuana than to have it. They don't even go over completely how the driving limitations would take place just as driving under the influence of alcohol takes place. There has been accidents that have occured when people were under the influence of marijuana. People just may get out of hand if it were to pass rather than being careful and aware since it is illegal. It word turns this nation into something else.

In my opinion, i hoped for Meg Whitman to win the election for the governor of California, soley because she is Republican and expresses the same ideas as i believe. On the other hand, i guess i can be called a sexest when it comes to elections even though i am a female myself, i prefer men in politics and am not totally upset by the results. Not only am i fine with Jerry Brown being the governor, i also think it is very interesting how big he is on woman's rights; He supports a lot of good causes. Another important issue is the school systems, he expressed that he would improve them making it easier to transfer classes and also funding of the schools. This is especially good for the CSU's.

If i had to change one thing about the election it would be to change who won the elction for senate. I was hopin that Carly Fiorina would win over Barbara Boxer since she is a Republican. Unfortunately, she only won be seven percent which i'd say is a pretty close call but most of California is Democratic so i'm not surprised by the results.I hoped for Fiorina because she is a strong woman figure who i think could handle the seat in Senate. She was known as a woman who held the most power in business and to incorporate that into politics would give us a strong Senate for the state of California. I also liked that she was such a big supporter of John McCain who i also supported. I strongly agree with Carly Fiorina's views as a Republican following her in the vote against Prop 8, oppositing abortions, and spending money on greenhouse issues will not benefit the people as Boxer wants to do. It will actually hurt the people, costing them their jobs. This is the one thing that i would change about the elections. I do not believe in what Barbara Boxer wants to do and hoped for Carly Fiorina to be in Senate.

2010 elections

The Voters of Monterey

MONTEREY, CA. After months of debating and swaying California’s views on the issues we face today, it’s finally time to come down to it all; it’s game day. Senate will be chosen, governor will be chosen, and propositions will be decided, but what is it looking like in the city of Monterey?

I talked to a man on Alvarado Street named Michael while he was enjoying his meal at Taco Bell who just so happened to be grabbing some lunch before he left to go vote. Michael explained that he was a Democrat and that the biggest and most important issue for him on the ballot was the economy and jobs. He said that he is affected in the economy and it has been difficult for him to keep his job because of the economy. I asked him if he thought the legalization of marijuana is a good way to solve the budget deficit and he responded by saying, “Yes, I think that if Prop 19 passes, it will help with the budget deficit and many more people have a chance to have jobs as well as help with the economy.”

Further down Alvarado Street I saw an elderly man sitting at a table that said, “Democrats register to vote here.” I decided to ask him a few questions on the election. His name was Dick, and I asked him since two woman are running for senate, Carly Florina and Barbara Boxer, how he felt about women in politics. I asked, should there be more or less women in politics, and if women are gaining and earning higher positions?” He responded, “I think it is marvelous for woman to be involved in politics, there should be more diversity and equality in politics.” I asked Dick how the economy is affecting him. He said, “The economy is not affecting me personally but I am deeply concerned for college students. When I went to San Jose State back in the day, I was only paying $4.50 every quarter.” I asked Dick how he felt about the budget deficit in California and how would he fix it, by raising or lowering taxes? He responded, “I deeply regret the budget deficit but I think it is necessary to have it. I think that some taxes should be raised in order to fix it.”

Another man I spoke to passing on the street named John is a Republican. I asked him what he thought about the 2010 elections in general, he said, “People keep talking about how angry everyone is and what they don’t realize is were angry with ourselves. We allowed our government to do this to us. We have not been active enough to prevent it and that now it’s going to change through grass root movements, like the Tea Party.” I asked John if he thought the economy was headed in the right direction, He said, “No, because there are far too many regulations and restrictions and high taxes.” I asked John if he thought that this country is ready for a woman president, he said, “I think at this day in age it’s possible, anything is possible. At the rate were going, unless we find some excellent leaders, it won’t hurt us or help us to have a woman president.”

After talking to a few of the citizens of Monterey Bay, most of the people I spoke to were Democratic. After Tuesday, we will find out if that takes affect tonight after the polls are closed.