LOTS OF STUFF
May 20th, 2010
I can’t stress enough how nice it’s felt to continue to see an increase in subscriptions to Hello,Poindexter!, despite my willful negligence of blogging during these past few months while I’ve been studying at Columbia University. Thanks to your encouragement, I’ll carry on with the occasional chronicling of my endeavor to obtain a second undergraduate degree. (First one is in Photography from Parsons School of Design for those who missed Chapter One). I thank you nice readers, whoever you are, for your (always surprising) interest in my thoughts, and if it’s all really boring, well, you asked for it.
There were many times during the past semester when I thought about reaching out online for advice. It seemed that everyday I was having some kind of (uncharacteristic) emotional breakdown covering an overwhelming amount of personal issues: (including but not limited to) my lack of income from not touring anymore, my increasing student loans and the recent estimation of the horrifying final amount I will owe the government upon graduation, my potentially irresponsible decision to follow my heart into yet another career where I’ll probably never make any money, being 30 years old and having teenagers for classmates who endlessly confound me in their ability to comprehend everything completely and immediately before I have even begun digesting the concepts (thus destroying my chances of benefitting from the curve), the crappy state of the graduate studies system in the U.S, the crappy state of equality for women in the sciences, my nagging obsession with my grades (because good grades in the sciences matter?) pitted against my greater conviction that learning matters more than grades (right, scientists?), and lastly, the uncomfortable awareness that in today’s economy, I should be so lucky to be in this situation at all, and so should probably just shut up and get on with it. I wasn’t looking for sympathy, just a little reassurance that this whole science thing is really worth the trouble and expense. But after much hand wringing, I decided that if I were to ask myself if forgoing a ‘normal’ career with job security (whatever that means), a consistent income (never experienced that), and the opportunity for growth at a company (got that in my own way, I guess), in favor of a potentially resume-wrecking career in the arts has been worth it, I would say, hesitantly, yes, it has been worth it. And I’d recommend it to others. But only if there really is nothing else on Earth you’d rather do, because it takes literally everything you’ve got to give and leaves room for little else, and also leaves you somewhere between broke and Waffle House waitress (Lady Gaga and similar obviously not included in this last assessment). I have a feeling doing science requires just as much if not more. Maybe all things worth doing, do.
Constant fretting aside, I ended up with a pretty great batch of grades at the end of the semester. They’re definitely worthy of pinning up on mom’s refrigerator. And I’m really proud of myself. Although I worked hard the first time I was in college, the arts have always come fairly easily to me, so in that arena I was always competing to be the best in my class. As a science student at Columbia, I’m working my ass off just to be considered even average. And in the past few months, I met even more truly exceptional people who inspired me every single day to be both a better student, and a better person (I’m still working on that last part though). One of my classmates (and friends), Madeline Cohen, has done more selfless good deeds by 19 years old than I’ve done in my whole life. I’m ashamed of myself in comparison. In addition to taking way more classes than any freshman should take in one semester, she was always running off to go to volunteer her time for any worthy cause, from tutoring to mentoring, helping Doctors without Borders and old ladies cross the street, who knows how else she’s spending her time or how she manages it all with that halo always getting in the way. I don’t watch a lot of T.V, but I’ve tuned in long enough to be kept up at night panicking about America’s teenagers. (Heidi Montag makes my uterus shudder in protest) and Maddy might just be the exception to the rule, but she really restored my faith in young women. One of the best things for me about being around younger people has been that their commitment to ‘making a difference’ is still in tact, and it’s really infectious. They’re not naïve, in fact, many of them are really cynical—but like the good, John Stewart type of cynical. I’m really grateful to have the chance to learn from them, and hopefully won’t infect them in turn with my overly cliché, jaded and impatient New Yorker-ness.
A number of other things in the past year made truly life-altering impacts on me, which consequently culminated in my decision to pursue an Environmental Biology degree rather than one in Astrophysics. Astronomy is my heart—and it’s still the fuel that feeds my love for science. All I have to do is look up at the night sky to be reminded of why I want to chase this dream of doing science. But when I get my head out of the sky, I can’t help but see that there is so much that needs to be done down here on Earth. And since I’ve got this one chance to alter the course of my life while at one of the best universities in the world, I feel what I can only describe as moral obligation to be as useful as possible, and considering my strengths, that’s within the environmental and ecological sciences. So I’m at E3B, for anyone that’s interested, this is the program and I can’t recommend it highly enough if you’re thinking of doing something like this:
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/e3b/
One of the last things I posted on this site was a clip from the documentary, The Cove. (Which went on to win an Oscar!) That film is what, I think, first sparked this shift in my priorities, and if any of you have watched it, I’m sure you understand why. Soon after that, I saw a film called Collapse, which was shocking to the point of being paralyzing—I liken it to taking the red pill in The Matrix. Its clear and frightening message about peak oil and the inevitable collapse of our unsustainable world is enough to convince even the most rational person that living off the grid, growing your own vegetables, and trading all your money in for gold bricks might not be as extreme a solution as you would think. I haven’t done any of those things (and am, in fact, writing this blog while on a gas-guzzling CO2 spewing Airbus flying from NYC to Lisbon) but its message has haunted me every day since I first saw it, especially now, as 70,000 barrels of oil gushes into the Gulf of Mexico per day. If you haven’t seen either of these films yet, I urge you to do so, and if you have seen them, I’d love to hear your comments.
Finally, I’m reading a book called, “The Story of Stuff” by Anne Leonard, about just that, the story of stuff—how it’s made, how it’s distributed, and what happens to it all when we’re through with it. It’s one of the most sobering reads of my life. It’s made me examine every little thing I come into contact with on a daily basis. In the course of this flight alone, I’ve been offered a plastics-based blanket wrapped in plastic, plastic headsets wrapped in plastic, a plastic tray with different plastic containers (a quick flip reveals the number “3” within the wheel of arrows—oh, great, it’s the most poisonous plastic, PVC! That’s just what I like my hot food to be in!), plastic cups, plastic spoons…plastic, plastic everywhere. And when I’m finished with my meal, where does it go? Perhaps to a megadump, and/or eventually to one of the plastic garbage islands slowly growing in the Pacific Ocean? It’s enough to make you give up or to give in—to say, to hell with it, gimme the plastic, it’s too hard to resist, it’s everywhere. But both directly and indirectly, industrial chemicals are making us very sick. This probably isn’t news to any of you, but it bears repeating. I’ve posted the video that spawned the book below.
I’m about 6 hours from Lisbon, where I’ll begin a month of touring with Annie and Erika. We’ve got a lot of exciting things lined up for this trip, the top two on my list are playing a show with AIR in Paris, and visiting Athens, which I’ve never been to before. Now that the semester is over, I’ll be checking in more often, and would love to hear from you. Any scientists out there who have advice for me? Or fellow students who are worried about loans and job prospects? Or any other equally concerned environmentally friendly people who have books or insights to share? A.R.S fans who just want to say “Hello” are also welcome, of course.
Thanks for reading.
xxH
M said,
May 21, 2010 @ 1:44 am
What you managed so far is quite remarkable. Going through an undergraduate degree in Columbia and balancing it with touring as ARS, it’s not easy to anyone.
Interestingly enough, I’m 31 and I’m facing similar doubts about my future too.
I majored in engineering about 8 years, I have a nice job and steady income and for the last several months, I have been contemplating the fact to leave it all to pursue a long lost but never forgotten ambition to study Physics. Though it is important, I figured that I have to get all money issues out of the equation of my decision, because it isn’t the reason to why I’m doing this and it certainly cannot be related to my love for Science. Hold on to that feeling, because I think it will guide you through tough times that may come.
Bear in mind of your life experience and use it as an advantage. So maybe accessing research scholarships is tough, when you don’t have a flawess grade average and are competing with Rory-Gilmore-types, but when you get to the real world, many employers value these emotional assets.
I think you are going to be fine.
admin said,
May 21, 2010 @ 3:53 am
Thanks, M!
I certainly hope you’re right. And of course, I’d encourage you to also follow that Physics dream. What specifically do you want to do with Physics? As an engineer, I imagine you already have a pretty strong grasp on the subject…
Ha, I always fancied myself a “Rory Gilmore” type, but compared to Columbia freshman girls? Not so much.
Nuno V said,
May 21, 2010 @ 3:42 pm
Hello Heather!
I’m also studying engineering, but I’m not a scientist (I’ll graduate in a couple of months in Industrial Engineering).
I admire you for following your heart. One of the things that sometimes makes me sad is my standarized way of living. I always do what I’m supposed to do even if it’s not what I feel like doing. I’m controlled by my responsibilities. I’m 20 years old and next year I’m going to start my master’s degree in Denmark (leaving all my friends and family), and I’ll probably will finish it when I’m 22. Then I’ll go straight to some major company and will spend my life working and my youth will be pretty much over. I still want to travel, see the world, learn to play an instrument or whatever I might fell like doing. I love to travel and I would like to see the world (I know this is kind of a cliche, but is true) before tying myself to a steady life. But at the end I know I’ll follow this path, and I’m scared that when I’m 40 or 50 I regret not having “enjoyed” my youth as I should.
You have chosen to do what you wanted to do and I believe that by the end you won’t regret it ever.
About the studies I’m also an apologist (i don’t know if this makes sense in english) of studying to learn, not to have good grades. And you are learning what you love. I know it must be hard to choose, between music and science, what to do in the rest of your life, but I reinforce what M said: you know the real world, employers will value that and If you want to you’ll find a job as a researcher.
As M said you’ll be fine, and if are not fine someday in life, you can reach Hd’A fans (not only as a musician but as a person) like me that maybe will be able to help you in someway.
I’ll watch the films you suggested as I haven’t watched it.
P.S. I just found out about your blog during a break in the writing of an engineering paper. I’ve been listening (and singing) your records all day. I never left a place so joyful as I left Sintra yesterday. (I bought a tshirt in the merchandising stand I hope you get some of that money. It won’t pay your tuition but it might help
)
Nuno
miza said,
May 22, 2010 @ 5:39 am
Sometimes you question yourself whether this is what you really wanna do. That this is actually not the ideal path you had in mind for yourself. True, it’s not always desirable to be in doubt. But it’s also not necessarily a tragedy.
When you reevaluate yourself or the things that you do from time to time, you tend to have a clearer perspectives of everything else. Your conscience build up and you begin to be aware of your strengths and weaknesses. Inevitably, temptations can kick in and deviate you from your current path, diffusing the distinction between what you believe to be right and wrong. It just makes sense to take the easy way out, isn’t it? That it’s just far less strenuous to adopt the conventional way of dealing with such predicament.
But what separates you from most people is not the cleverness, rather the vast degree of knowledge and experiences that you are much more equipped with. Utilising learnt theoretical concepts is not at all easy as there are multiple external variables that can change unexpectedly. Having gone through a series of ordeals and the know-how of dealing with them puts you in a greater advantage of being self-possessed by absorbing responsibility and making the choices that you’ve always believed in and felt that are right for yourself.
You’ve come this far and it’s not easy to be where you are now. Not many people have the courage and the substantial effort, let alone the conscience to appreciate and make-do of what they have. So don’t beat yourself up too much cause i fervently believe that you’ll be fine. In time, you’ll get out of this pit like you always did before. Believe in yourself!
Architist said,
May 22, 2010 @ 9:55 pm
Hello Heather!
It’s a great pleasure to read your words. I hope to talk with you tonight after the show at Estarreja. I’ll be attending it!
I love arts. I saw some of your drawings, they are pretty good, I see them as an inspiration to something.
Now talking about the degree you’re taking, I think you are making the right decision to follow it as I can see that it looks like you’re really interested on that.
I wish all the best for you!
See you later today
Nuno V said,
May 23, 2010 @ 7:19 am
I just got time to see the youtube film about the Story of Stuff. Wow, I have the responsibility to change this chain, as an Industrial Engineer…
I need to start reading some books about sustainable development and corporate social responsability.
Do you know any?
Peter H said,
May 23, 2010 @ 5:00 pm
I think it’s awesome what you’re doing balancing ARS and Columbia like M said. You mention that you meet people that inspire but do you realize that you are doing the same to your readers? I want to say thanks for opening up your life to us and by doing that showing us hope and to follow our dreams. I may not know you in real life but what you write is so encouraging and it reassures me that it was worth obtaining that television/film degree.
I have a question since you’re a New Yorker. How’s the rent in the city? Wanting to go into either television or film, people suggests NYC (I’m near Philly and there is sadly no opportunities here right now) is the place to be.
Have fun in Europe!! =)
nickevancho said,
May 23, 2010 @ 10:01 pm
Hey Heather, nearly midnight here in the muggy midwest. I think I am on my tenth spin of “Sad Song.” I bought “The Bird of Music” today on iTunes after watching the YouTube video a few times. Really digging the tunes. I better pick up the new album, eh?
I applaud you being a musician and scientist. I have a biology degree and work for Cessna Aircraft, but my brother and I have been playing in Darlin’ Maudie for quite a few years. We are a two piece, drum machine band.
I was going to say…no worries about the school loans. You can get a sweet job working as an environmental scientist researching predator prey interaction of the mountain dusky salamander and pay it off in no time. Plus, nature is the best musical inspiration.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
End Ramble. Nick
the.architist said,
May 24, 2010 @ 3:16 pm
Thank you Heather for your great show last night in Portugal and thank you for being such a nice person.
After the show in estarreja, I was standing next to you with my girlfriend.. I wished you good luck with your degree in science. Remember it? :p
I love arts, currently stying architecture at an university at Porto. As a consequence of this I also get involved everyday of aspects related to physics and arts. It would be nice to discuss some of this with you
Sam Long said,
May 24, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
I’m a A.R.S. fan who’s just wanna say HELLO! haha
But i’m on my way to become a scientist (Environmental Biology too) , i’ll be checking you extremely intresting blog every day
Sam Long said,
May 24, 2010 @ 8:57 pm
P.D. “…my greater conviction that learning matters more than grades (right, scientists?)…” +10000
D said,
May 25, 2010 @ 5:29 am
good to see you blogging again! how was photography at parsons? any good?
j said,
May 25, 2010 @ 8:43 am
I also am just a fan of ARS, last year I was at the concert in barcelona BeCool. I’m a little sad because I can not go see them tonight … god! I have so many wanted to hear only you Can make you happy … By the way, would swear you had 21 years old … 23 at most!.
Sorry to leave this comment so banal.
André said,
May 25, 2010 @ 1:21 pm
Hello Heather!
I’m André, from Portugal.
Just saw you 3 playing in Estarreja, the city name you can’t pronounce very well! The concert was wonderful on Sunday!Feel sad of not talking to you a little bit or taking a photo, but had to leave after the concert.
I don’t know if you have an idea but this time you played in some small cities. Estarreja is really small… almost the whole audience was from other places (e.g. Aveiro, like me!). Hope you enjoyed Sintra, there’s even an old Masonry estate where you could take beautiful photos of the band (pics: http://bit.ly/cl5NV6 http://bit.ly/ahIfT9).
Yesterday, I actually found a Portuguese short movie with a song from your band. The short is very simple, nothing special, but at the end shows a little bit of the beautiful landscape of Porto city (watch here http://bit.ly/ccqfUO).
Well, I want to tell you so many things (not about the band, even about your Astrophysics passion) but this comment is already very big and it’s not even nice for the other users. You should have some button to send you private messages directly. You can also reply to my e-mail…
Hope your concert today in Barcelona has gone well.
kiss*
VTR1000 Lady said,
May 29, 2010 @ 12:19 pm
i just wanna thank you for sharing your this information and your site or blog this is simple but nice article Ive ever seen i like it i learn something new today
Sent via Blackberry
Rems said,
June 1, 2010 @ 3:42 pm
Hi Heather,
First thing first, a few hours ago I was at Cité de la Musique, just listening to your show. The very moment Nicolas presents you (all three girls of the band), I remembered your blog, so I thought it was a good idea to thank you through this, though you won’t read this until you have time. But there is more and more posts, from the last time I came here so I’m happy having some things to read.
Well, the show was beautiful, I was so happy you (all) sang a lot of ARS songs, a bit sad because there was no Sad song. I thought there would be a second encore, but public was crap and left everything at the end of the first encore (but maybe you did not have the willing nor the energy for keep playing songs). So, no Sad song for me, it was however my favorite song.
So just, thank you a lot for your show, maybe I was the only person in the public who was coming more for ARS than Air (although I think there was other people in the same situation than me, as I was searching for people who shouted Only you can make you happier or other good sentences). I hope you will come at Paris again, singing more than ninety minutes !
Well, since you posted things, your last post (the one I’m commenting actually) made me things a lot of things. I’m thinking of American people who regrets Pandora, the James Cameron’s Avatar’s planet, where thy wish to live and that they finally cannot find if they continue wasting gas in cars they use to go the theatre. I’m thinking of an Explosions in the sky video in which the band displayed all the resources “wasted” as they flew through to Europe to play their songs.
But we [french people] are not better ; we tried to institue some meetings, the “Grenelle de l’environnement”, which finally (and usually) fails to give real answars to environment problems. We prefer shouting to American and Chinese people for their lack of responsability, and the massive carbon dioxyde they provide per year. But well, I’m not best, because I use a lot of plastic stuff too, not thinking of what massive damage it can provides. A friend told me once a native-american quote : Earth is not given by our parents, earth is lent by our children. Well, I don’t think of any children.
Finally, I was surprised you still studying. But it’s reassuring me, since it shows that you, artists people, are people who have the same problems that your public. I keep studying too, on evening cursus (from 6PM to 9 PM), just after the daily job, but it’s boring, elistic (I’m studying insurance ; less idealistic than your studies). So all I have to do is just say Courage, have faith in what you believe. Maybe I will one day take a guitar and try to write songs as you do - simple ones to debut on.
And don’t think you’re old with your 30-ish behavior, and cannot understand teenage things. The first time I listened to Still Night Still Light, I thought of dark but melodic Alice in Wonderland ; all these naive voices, sweet arrangements, and this feeling about falling into an innocent though black childhood, it could only made by three teenage-in-heart girls.
(Well sorry, finally my default came back and I got in a chatty mood. Hope it won’t be difficult to decipher, I don’t speak/write in english a lot).
Thank you again, see you soon at Paris… and on your own blog !
Beck Henderer-Pena said,
June 4, 2010 @ 11:04 am
Hey Heather,
It’s Beck, the guy who recorded all your music for the Dinner with the Band show (which was a pleasure to do by the way, and a pleasure to mix when it came time to do that… you guys sounded great!)
Really great post. Some very familiar struggles and thoughts in there. And congrats on the new major… sounds really amazing.
I’m sure you have seen it, but if you haven’t, “Food, Inc” is worth checking out. I saw it and the Cove about the same time, and they were both had a big impact on me.
Another Michael Pollen thing I loved was a PBS thing call “The Botany of Desire” based on his book of the same name. Definitely worth checking out.
Also, you might like this New Yorker article I just read while having one of my usual freak-outs about plastic:
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/05/31/100531fa_fact_groopman
I basically just wanted to write and say that it was great working with you guys and you sounded great and were an all around pleasure. Please pass that on to Annie and Erika as well.
But it also occurs to me that I have a friend you might really enjoy meeting. She teaches Astrophysics at Columbia, so you might already know her… her name is Summer Ash. But if you don’t know her, you should meet her. My wife and I are planning on going out on our boat some night this summer with Summer to stargaze and do some celestial navigation dabbling. Maybe you should come with us, if we can work out the timing when you are back from all your touring? Drop me an email if you are interested.
Have fun on the road,
Beck
Kinta said,
June 5, 2010 @ 10:03 am
I’m not sure if I’m becoming a scientist, but I study computer visualistics in the computer science department. ^^
It’s been almost five years at university now (I’m studying in Germany btw) and these years have been a great struggle at times. I often felt overwhelmed by all those courses I had to attend. In the end it wasn’t as ‘fun’ as I expected it to be and I’m glad that I will have my diploma probably by the end of the year, but it will allow me to do what I always dreamt of: creating videogames!
It’s certainly nothing that will actively make the world a better and healthier place to live in, but I hope that I can touch and entertain people with what I do.
And I guess if you love what you will become with your studies all these obstacles that try to blur your vision will only strengthen your determination as you overcome them.
Kinta
P.S. I’m just listening to Au Revoir Simone… for hours. Thank you for the music.
MAARTEN. said,
June 7, 2010 @ 1:36 am
we really enjoyed your show in Antwerp last weekend (:
it was as lovely as always.
http://wrroar.blogspot.com/2010/06/au-revoir-simone.html
I wish you all the best at Columbia
and we’re looking forward seeing you again at Pukkelpop in august!
admin said,
June 7, 2010 @ 2:43 pm
Wow, thanks everyone for all your sweet comments and support! Everyone gave such great advice and encouragement! I want to respond to everyone, so find your name below…
Nuno: It was so nice to meet you at the show! Thanks so much for coming. I’ve been thinking of a good book to recommend to you, but haven’t come up with anything, it’s out of my expertise and since I’m not in school right now (summer break) I can’t ask any of my professors. Here is an interesting blog about the oil spill you might like though: http://gulfblog.uga.edu/
keep in touch! xx
Maarten: Thanks! See you at Pukkelpop for sure! Stop by and say “hello”.
Miza: Your comment was so thoughtful and eloquent, and gave me a lot to think about. I hope you’re right.
The Architist: Thanks so much for coming to our show! I do remember you, and your well wishing my science efforts. Thanks also for complimenting my drawings. The intersections between Art and Physics is one of my favorite topics too! I imagine as an architecture student you must have that on your mind all the time. I absolutely adore Porto, and so next time we play there, come early and we can discuss this subject! I wish all the best for you too!
Sam Long: Hi to you! As a future Environmental Biologist will you start a blog for me to read!? There aren’t enough of us!
D: The Photography program at Parsons is pretty great, I would recommend it to someone who is interested in either Fashion or Product photography since they’ll teach you the necessary skills, but maybe not if you’re interested in documentary or fine art photography. They really value being ‘practical’ at Parsons…I think other universities might have more patience for artistic endeavors.
J: Telling me I look 23 is hardly a banal comment. Thanks
Andre: Thanks so much for those two links! ! I really enjoyed them. I wish we had time to take band photos at that estate, you’re right, it would have been perfect. Well, we’ll definitely be going back to Portugal again. It’s one of our favorite places to play!
VTR1000 Lady: You’re welcome! Thanks for checking in!
Kinta: You want to make videogames!?! You are *awesome*. I wish I could do something like that, but software engineering is out of my league, and oddly enough, what my dad does. Happy you’re sticking with it, and please keep me posted when you’ve made a video game! I want to play it!
Rems: I really appreciated hearing your thoughts about our show with AIR. That show was SO special for us, and we’ve heard so little feedback about it, it’s nice to know that people who like our band liked the show. I think you’re right that there weren’t may ARS fans there! But we’re such huge fans of AIR, I would have played that show to an empty room anyway.
I could say the same to you about having faith in what you believe. I know it’s hard to go to school at night when you have another job, and when you’re tired, it’s even harder to pick up a guitar and have the energy to write a song. Sometimes just doing something small for yourself to refresh your spirit can open your eyes to what you really want in life. Good luck with your studies. xx
admin said,
June 7, 2010 @ 2:49 pm
NICKEVANCHO: Coming from a Biologist and musician, you give me hope. What do you do at Cessna?!
Nuno V said,
June 7, 2010 @ 8:00 pm
Thank you for telling me about this blog. I’ve been trying to find a nice website were I could read the news about the spill.
About the book suggestion I already have one in mind, my teacher recommended it the other day in class. It’s called Industrial Ecology and it’s about how a decision maker in a company can help to create a sustainable development. It’s pretty much what I was looking for
Paul M Lyren said,
June 8, 2010 @ 7:29 am
Heather,
So nice to have you back in the blogging world of ideas! More science was always my plea from your blog - I am looking forward to your continuing adventures in continuing education. As a huge ARS fan and non-scientist lover of science, you are just about the ideal paradigm (redundant?) of a human. Keep up the good work in school even though it is hard. The planet needs you. I am starting drawing classes again in the fall, trying to still work on music and have a 2 year little boy. Your schedule at Columbia and with ARS give me hope it can all be done. All the very best. Are you gals playing NYC this summer?
Afiq M said,
June 9, 2010 @ 12:53 am
Hey heather!!
Drop by Singapore again!! (sound like i’m asking too much. haha)
Just dropping by to say thanks for coming all the way to Singapore to perform. The show was awesome! Plus the interview before the show too. I get to meet you, Annie and Erika in person. Thanks for everything.
good luck with your studies and have fun with ARS
(one last thing, say hi to Annie and Erika for me. Thanks!)
j said,
June 9, 2010 @ 8:39 am
Finally i can go to the Barcelona show, extremely happy. I like your shows just for 3 reasons: 1- Play in familiar places ( not in a big and anti-personal place),2- your songs (of course) and 3-everybody can know you before the show ( I have a LP with your autograph dedicated to me!…little fan moment ). I hope the ARS baby don’t apart from de scene for too much ( a little selfish moment).
Have nice summer .
the.architist said,
June 9, 2010 @ 4:38 pm
Thanks you so much Heather
yea, many times i come out with problems involving physics and arts. That’s nice, I love architecture! It would very good discuss some of this things with you 
It has a long time since you posted a drawing. Upload some more because I admire them
Surely next time you come to Porto I would come early to talk with you. Yesterday, I saw some videos of your show with Air.. Amazing!! I’m going to see them at Sudoeste Festival this summer (you played there last summer)
Continue with your nice personality and its great to talk with you
Underwater said,
June 10, 2010 @ 2:20 am
Hi! I saw you live two days ago in Athens without knowing a lot about your band and you were very good! Although the sound in Bios was not good (it never is…) your performance was great! Congratulations!
It is great that you are trying to combine both your hobby/talent with studies (others would just enjoy their fame and spend the money they made from their performing career).
Keep up the good work in all fields!
Rems said,
June 10, 2010 @ 4:49 am
Hi Heather,
If you need really a feedback about the Air/ARS show, I would say that each feeling of every song took the best part of both bands. For me, ARS means innocence, softness, naive, mysterious, melancholia, you make some very sensitive music with synthetized songs and claviers ; and Air means something more… strong, a virile feminity (or the other way…), less robotic since JB plays the bass and the guitar, much intense but as sweet, like syrup or honey… So the mix between the two bands gave something even more human and robotic, in both ways. It was very interesting !
I just saw that ARS come back in Paris in August, I’ll run to buy my ticket tonight, and see you in two months !
Kinta said,
June 11, 2010 @ 2:49 pm
I would love to see an ARS concert, are there any planned shows in Germany? I didn’t see any on your webpage. ;__;
To be honest, I didn’t expect such a reaction to my earlier comment.
Do you play videogames? If yes, what kind of games? What about Erika and Annie?
I’m working on a litte videogame since May. It’s for a competition and I’m working really hard on it (neglecting the work for university… ^^’). It’s the first time I take part in a contest with a videogame I made almost completely on my own (a friend is doing some character artworks, I’m not very good at drawing). The deadline is Septembre, so then I can show you what I’ve been working on, if you want. ^^
So long, I wish you a great time on and off stage!
Kinta
Elsa said,
June 17, 2010 @ 2:30 am
I am a french woman scientist who got a PhD in biomedical engineering at Columbia. I never thought studiying at Columbia would get me to have common points with a band that I really like! A friend in Paris told me about your incredible story.
I did follow my heart as well when I accepted the offer of Columbia to pursue a PhD. I started there working without pay as a research scientist, having a half-time paying job in a bank. I have had the chance to be suported by my incredible partner (now husband) who was able to pay for the rent while I was studying. Getting a PhD from Columbia was a unique experience and I agree that this place is totally amazing in this field.
Given your sense of concerns for the future of the planet we live on, I am really confident that you will manage to build a wonderful career path after your graduation. I have no doubts about that.
Regarding your classmates, don’t be too quickly impressed by youngers. They might just be better than you at studying the right way for the right test….Just make sure that you get into the topics, it doesn’t really matter how and how quickly…..Digestion can be slow. I confirm that learning matters more than grades. The difference that you see is who makes it to a PhD. Our planet needs scientists and our scientific teams need women, so go for it girl! And don’t be obssessed by grades. There are plenty of examples of people with excellent grades making poor scientists and vice versa. I was not first in my class. Being a scientist in the long temr requires more skills than just resolving equations…Asking yourself the right question is already a skill!
“The crappy state of the graduate studies system in the U.S” : I am now a professor in France and I advocate the US system a lot. At least for the quality of the teaching and the quality of career paths that Professors can follow compared to France. I think people cannot imagine how badly professors are treaten in France (not only salary but socially wise as well…). Be proud of your system. It is only the cost that raises a problem. I am sure that alternate busines models can be found. Making the industrials pay for the education of their recrutes?
“the crappy state of equality for women in the sciences”: This is a huge debate and a huge concern. Science is trusted by men and there must be a reason for that. Making your way through it requires a lot of ego. In our society egos are developed for boys not girls. It is really a state of mind built from your childhood. In France it also requires an incredible partner behind you given my previous point, usually a researcher or a teacher to share times for the kids. This is an amazing job activity (I get to be useful, travel, love what I am doing as a job and get people educated) but I also sacrifice a lot of nights at thinking and working.
Overall you rule and I am sure that your scientific path will make a difference (your songs already made one for 1000s of people)….
Elsa
nickevancho said,
June 18, 2010 @ 11:29 pm
Heather,
I wish I could say I was a pilot with Cessna, but I only fly recreationally. One benefit of working for Cessna, cheap flying lessons.
I really work in the Materials and Process Laboratory. I do a lot of metallurgical testing, aluminum age verifications, and chemistry work. Loads of variety. But a cooler way of putting it: I get to break airplane parts. That way when ARS is jet setting to its next gig, (in Wichita, KS) you’ll know the Citation X you’re aboard is in tip-top shape!!
I do yearn to work in the natural science field. One day I will find myself back there.
Do you like to receive snail mail?
Nick
Angie said,
June 29, 2010 @ 11:14 am
Hi Heather,
Just take it one day at a time. Time goes so quickly, try to enjoy moments from it. You are really good at drawing and I think you could sell prints on Etsy. If you take a part time job, try something like the Library, either on campus or something nearby. I work for the Public Library and they are really supportive and flexible for part-time work (holidays off, weekends only open till 5pm…). I promise you, even if we can’t change the world about making better choices in regards to plastic, chemicals, pollution, carbon footprints.. I want you to know that I’m trying my best to, and I have a feeling anyone who reads your blog is trying too.
Paolo A. said,
July 25, 2010 @ 6:12 am
Hello
i looked at this site once caught in the A.R.S. music and apart of that wich can be the musical feelings and thoughts communicated with music i have enjoyed this blog because is made of actual things we all young person live, around the world.
I’m from South Italy and 30 years old, ah .. no, 31 years old this last 23 july.
Seeing this post i want now to say my concern about the actual work and living conditions for younger people, still referring to the original post, and as i’m a grauduate in Sociology many years ago i will not bother with academic grin but reading Heather’s word i have felt that i can say here what i have thought and builded up thinking aworld image for many years after travelling Usa and Europe.
I see the state of remunerative work with stable income is a worry for many persons including me and i see that many creative persons most of the time tries hard in many fields to find a path: these are called “Liquid Identities” regarding someone that builds up his identity trough many differential stages of activities.
I would like to say to Heather that she is doing well to try to follow the wanting of new studies and at the same time building up music with the group and touring world wide: you should more recognize your luck at this point,even with your troubles, not many can do that.
I do not know why here and in some more place the better intelligent and creative individuals are the ones with more troubles for finding and creating a living : i have came to know that there’s a “power-class elite” that belongs to many previous generation before we were born and these very shitty people are still on our heads spinning bottons in main command rooms where they deicide and ruining the enviromental of the world with plastic, ambient degradation, oil spill and so on.. .
The worry is from many around the world, but a common strengt can join to a solution made up of communication and positive ideas not leading to saturation market (..cars……how many more?)
Innovation and creativity is the point of a new work: if we should all be remunerated to build up a better world made up of care to children centers of specilaists, and biological enviromnetal equilibrium of earth in production point of the consuming mass object, we would be all rewarded with a stable income, is not a positivism idea , is where we just want to work and not steal to have more £££ $$$$ OR EUR.
But the political point? We should burn them all and put young people in.
So i want to say there’s always a battle to fight and a war to win for we young people: to see our green (and not greedy )ideas of a free - stuff and clean enviromental world recognized in politics and social life.
We must grow up with this will and mission, make a better life as it was planne din 1969 revolution. Sadly the flower power people was overwhelmed by the industrial revolution and put apart as a “bunch of hippies under drugs”.But somethiung has remained, even like the class that has the political command.
Someone said “who lives will see” so.. let’s first try to protect our body life from carbon monoxide and all the poison around, suicide apart, we must grown wit hour ideas, even alone.
I want to conclude affirming that the main resource always remain the conjuction relation between man and woman, i always smile when in TV publicity or film fiction the power class pushes on some stereotipes for teh masses of female-female friendness and male group friendeness , at a point where it seems that a man can never say to a girl what he share with the best friend and subversa.
They are always tryin to put down love between man and woman with pornography, fiction, televsion, stamped papers advices…, rights for homosexual couple of two man or two women, insemination for having a baby that will have not a regular family etc… .
So for all of you (and me) keep in mind that the future (and salvation) is the Third, the son of love conjuction of Male and Female Body under God.
I have came to felt like i can only live in this world and his future like the child of my wife (once i found, or i mean …. once i deicide to take her…) and trough him and his life, but not me and not here now seem to fully be a life, is only a mission to procreate.
It is a spermatozoi life ? ( “soon soon …i want be the one cause i’m the best !”)
Just think about it works even with female ovulus (”Enter here once and for all…”).
Our parents thought or not to put us in this life? They cared for sure.
Yes or not we must.
So these are the thoughts that came with Au Revoir Simone music, that are here everyday in my mind and maybe if you all know them is better like a
Jesus Christ parabol
It is comic that i say this but i’m a kind of self religious only….
A salute, a wish for your music, and a for keeping on fighting, and “making the right telephone call “.
Ciao