Igniting the Savvy Co-ed’s Musical Mind

I’m sitting in my room listening to the monsoon occurring outside my window. Air conditioner turned off; I’m throwing caution to the wind. Let the summer heat engulf me, I’m embracing these abnormal temperatures. Lights dimmed low, shuffling through my iTunes, it’s the perfect way to honor this storm. I have carefully chosen five songs of differing artists and genres that will either present an escape from the storm raging in your mind, or take you to the heart of it, inflaming your temperament. If you need more, I have 9.6 days worth of music that I would be more than willing to spew to the world.

The Dreaming Tree – Dave Matthews Band

Of course Dave (I figured after years of worshipping this God of a musician, I earned the right of a first name basis) not only makes the list, but rests firmly at the top. This tale of song cuts deep to the soul, with its heavy underlying darkness capturing your mind. Illustrating a loss of innocence, it forces us to reflect back on our personal memories, relating to the song’s characters. After all, we are in college; our innocence is long gone.

Heart Shaped Box – Nirvana

Mmm…Nirvana. There’s something about this song that I find so…sexy. Kurt Cobain captivates my full attention with his opening single notes followed by a raw chorus filled with raunchy chords. The founding father of grunge, Nirvana makes me envious of those 90s co-eds.

A Movie Script Ending (acoustic) – Death Cab for Cutie

Acoustic version is the only way to dig it as the sheets of rain force you to relax and reflect. Ben Gibbard’s honest voice compliments the melodic repetition throughout the chorus, creating a flawless atmosphere of tranquility.

Comptine D’un Autre été – L’ap – Yann Tiersen

Sometimes words are too much; your pulsating mind doesn’t need the crowding of someone else’s thoughts. In these unavoidable heavy times, cloud your mind with the compelling work of Yann Tiersen. This double-edged sword will either let you escape yourself for two-and-a-half minutes, or fuel the fire burning in your mind and soul, causing you to take a deeper look at your plaguing thoughts.

Home – Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

And as the clouds disperse (since summer storms bring only a quick relief to our busy lives) and you begin to see that hazy sun, turn up your speakers for this prodigiously gorgeous song. It’s simply beautiful. The voices of Alex Ebert and Jade Castrinos are so endearing and pure, they put you in a trance of wonderment. Such innocent lyrics about perfect love, this song has played in my mind throughout my past few months of travel.

“Home is wherever I’m with you…”

Kate Dopazo is an intern with College Lifestyles and a senior at the University of Maryland. With this post, she hopes to spark new musical interests within her readers.

The Savvy Co-ed’s Guide To Aspen’s Hottest Joints

I’ve got my life in a suitcase, I’m ready to run run run away (lyric from Copeland’s “The Day I Lost My Voice (The Suitcase Song)”). What am I running from? Nothing actually, life has been eerily smooth. What am I running to? Aspen, Colorado! My previous posts have entailed spoon-fed survival guides for savvy co-eds. However, if you know anything about this mountain town, you know that there is nothing to survive because this picturesque slice of heaven could possibly be the most charming place the United States has to offer.  So, instead of a survival guide, I unleash a simple guide to the top restaurants and bars that you MUST enjoy during your stay in absolute bliss.

Pacifica Seafood & Raw Bar

Although this high-energy restaurant is a finer-dining establishment, with a little (or rather complete) help from my best friend’s parents, my friends and I found ourselves slathering drawn butter over pounds of fresh Alaskan King Crab legs while awakening our senses with their signature Mojitos. Albeit it caters to a more mature crowd, five classy, college co-eds blended in quite nicely. The meals are healthy, a perfect spot for the health-conscious, summer-bod mindset. I have never understood what the intoxicating appeal a simple Caesar salad has had for many people I have encountered throughout my two decades of life. None-the-less, if you are one who has fallen to its allure and need an alternative to seafood, they have a nice one, with just the right amount of cheese. The seafood is fresh and the drinks are hefty…and strong. What more could you ask for on a hot summer day?  Constantly packed with Aspen’s elite, it’s the ideal place for the trendy co-ed to flaunt her style.

The Mustang

Located on Hyman Avenue Mall, it’s the perfect spot to grab a drink and a bite to eat. Whilst sipping on your Blue Moon and indulging in a bowl of tortilla soup, you can sit outside and enjoy the live mimic of classic rock legends, such as Simon and Garfunkel, Eric Clapton and Fleetwood Mac, which filtrates throughout the street. The servers are spunky and the ambience is light and fun. It’s more appropriate for the savvy co-ed to save some dough while still being spotted in a chic part of Aspen. I wish I tried the Baja fish tacos, since the woman next to me said they were fantastic. If you happen to stumble upon this joint, take a bite and let me know! I suggest having a glass of Aspen’s local brew; it accentuates the magic of this mountain town.

Eric’s Bar

This seemingly quiet, laidback bar was somehow enticing enough for us to start off each and every night. Although the beginning of the week can be slow, it is definitely the jump-off come Thursday. Sensual lighting and modern high-top tables is countered by a grunge upstairs, complimented with a pool table. The outdoor patio is key for summer nights, especially with a packed inside as everyone flutters about for a drink. Although it’s meant for a quick start for the night, without fail, it wrapped us in its guard and kept us there for the night’s entirety on multiple occasions. It is definitely the trendiest spot come nightfall. Of course the seductive co-ed keeps the men on vacation at her beckon call, but never forgets to uphold her class-act demeanor. Flash that smile, bite your lip and charm your way through another drink, but leave them at a close distance. The prowess of the classy co-ed is her temptation peppered with sophistication – an inexorable combination.

Kate Dopazo is an intern with College Lifestyles and a senior at the University of Maryland. She spent the past week as a passerby in the South during a road trip from Texas to Maryland and is finally back in New York…for now.

The Savvy Co-ed’s Guide to Texas – New York Edition

After a recent trip down south, it has come to my attention that there are certain southern elements us Yankees must familiarize ourselves with before crossing the Mason-Dixon line. As a New Yorker, I found myself (ironically) the outcast amongst the “y’alls” and Shiner Boch brews. No longer were people gushing over “the city” (who knew NYC isn’t the only city?).

However, the fantastic appeal of southern hospitality could make any northerner a secret lover of the South. To survive this world, I unveil a few guidelines for the classy co-ed so she can capture the attention of all the helpless souls who have fallen to her undoubtedly wit and charm, and once again, dominate.

1. Country – whether you like it or not, learn it. The chance of you caught in the middle of a soiree and Chattahoochee, by Alan Jackson, starts blaring, I’m going to say is about 90 percent. The chance that 60 Texans explode in full-on song and dance when this comes on, 100 percent, if not more. If you don’t take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with this song, and others of the same nature, you will be left standing there awkwardly as the honky tonk lovers engage in a fantastic time without you. The savvy co-ed has the ability to adapt to all environments, and country is one to master while south of the border.  Also, if you happen to see Kenny Chesney in a dive bar in the British Virgin Islands, apparently the witty thing to say would be “Hey Kenney, I have a keg in the closet.” Had I known this, I would have looked a lot cooler than just staring at him and saying, “that balding guy is Kenny Chesney?”

2. DOC (Drink of Choice) – not Heineken. In fact, anything but Heineken. It could result in you branded with the name “Heiney” for the rest of the night (trust me, I know). A proper drink would be Shiner Boch, Lone Star or Crown Royal Whisky. Of course, the classy co-ed uses this knowledge to her advantage, but does not take advantage of these drinks, because there is little that’s deemed more unattractive than a co-ed who has had too much to drink, or a Yankee who can’t handle the South.

3. Y’all, Not “You Guys” – If you’re staying in the South for an extended period of time, the savvy co-ed must immerse herself in the language. You’re below the Mason-Dixon line, and must play by their rules. “You guys” will leave you mocked, furthering your stance as an outcast. Acclimatize yourself with that southern drawl as if it comes second nature. Not only is it fun, but it also saves you from looking like a pretentious New Yorker who has no interest in other states. It goes without saying that the savvy co-ed’s nature is chameleon-like, mastering the ability to adapt to and command anywhere she goes.

4. There’s More Than One City – No longer can you refer to New York City as “the city.”  Yes, we have the tendency to be self-centered (because really, it’s New York City, the concrete jungle, the center of the universe), and if you’re a Leo like myself, then there’s nothing more valued than pride, especially for this glowing city. However, Leo or not, the classy co-ed renounces all stereotypes, for the time being at least. To them, the city could mean Houston or Dallas. To our surprise, there is more than one city in the world, so when referring to “the city,” we must be more precise.

The summertime opens the realm of travel for the alluring co-ed to explore. However, while she’s on the prowl, she must keep in mind how to uphold her image of class and charisma, though this is rarely a problem, as no world, not even Texas, is too big for her to charm her way through.

Kate Dopazo is an intern with College Lifestyles and a senior at the University of Maryland. After crossing the border and exploring the state of “bigger and better,” she’s looking forward to her next conquest…Aspen!

CL’s Guide for Surviving the 2010 Fifa World Cup

Well ladies, it’s about that time again. June 11 is quickly approaching, marking a complete loss of men to a month of beers and bros as they glue themselves to the TV. However, the classy co-ed does not see this event as a dry spell rid from male affection, but rather an opportunity to illustrate her savvy capabilities in keeping her man more interested than ever. This guide series will show you how to “hang with the bros” while simultaneously maintaining your image as the sexy and classy girlfriend (or potential girlfriend if you have yet to hook and reel this summer’s fling). And what guy doesn’t love it when a girl can dominate both worlds?

Tip # 1 – Educate Yourself

It has been my experience that guys find a girl’s knowledge of sports to be quite sexy and intriguing. This past April I spent a weekend in Newcastle with a bunch of Geordie Footballers. Let me tell you, if I lacked complete knowledge of the World Cup, their accents would not have been the only thing leaving me lost in translation. They actually praised me for my ability to keep up and contribute to the sports talk. And it has come in more than handy when appealing to fraternity men during inter-fraternity leagues. Not only does it provide the foundation for a whole other realm of conversation (and potential date topics), but it also shows that you exceed the norm. Sports are a guy’s weakness, and once you tap into that part of their mind, you have entered into a whole different world of connection.

DO: Read the sports section of the newspaper so you can chime in on conversations pertaining to that week’s game. If you keep tabs on the team your man is supporting, you’ll be able to not only understand what he’s talking about to his mates, but also show that you’re making the effort to entice his interests. You also won’t lose him to a month of gibberish, leaving you in a state of confusion.

DON’T: Dismiss this tournament as a string of silly games. Fifa World Cup is viewed as the Mecca of sporting events and a lack of respect for this cultural entity could leave you with zero bbms, texts or voicemails for the next 4 weeks. Soccer is a unifying force amongst nations and even if you don’t like sports, you can view your knowledge of it as another portal to your intellect. Looks might snag a guy, but intellect keeps them stimulated.

DO: Pick a few players from the two teams your man is watching and check out their stats. You don’t have to know their in-depth scoring abilities or the history of the teams they’ve signed with (though it never hurts), but perhaps compare them with their opposing position. This way, you’ll be able to give a prediction to the outcome of the game. It will make the game more interesting if you’re familiarized with who is on the field and you’ll be able to interact with your man throughout the game. You might even find yourself more involved in the game than you think; it can get very addicting.

DON’T: Gush over players, especially to your man. What’s more of a turn-off than hearing your guy talk about other girls? Nothing. So why would they want to listen to how sexy Cristiano Ronaldo is? They don’t. It also raises the question of whether or not you’re a superficial girl, and that is not the image a classy co-ed wants to display. You can say players are sexy because of their abilities. For instance, if England is playing, you might want to say, “Wayne Rooney’s sole sex appeal is his God-like striking abilities.” Rooney is in no way the epitome of sexy, but the man knows how to work the field. This little comment will not only keep your man from feeling self-conscious, but chances are he feels the same way and will find this common opinion refreshingly cute. Knowing these universal facts about key players during the Cup will give you more than enough chances to demonstrate your savvy ability to tap into a guy’s mind.

DO: Pick the opposing team to win if you’re completely indifferent on the outcome. This will make watching the game a little more interesting due to the appeal of machismo competition. It’s a quick way to subtly flirt and why not heat up this competition with a sexy wager for the loser?

DON’T: Tell your man “get over it, it’s only a game.” We all know that is a blatant lie and it will only fuel his frustration and anger. However, asking, “how can I make you feel better?” will most likely result in a quick change of spirits and a more fun way to spend the rest of the day. It will also break the ice for future games because whether his team wins or loses, you’ll still be able to keep it fun.

We all know how important Fraternity Leagues are, so why not use this event as a learning experience to carry through to next semester? If the savvy co-ed can keep it up this summer, there’s no stopping her in the fall. Good luck ladies!!