To Whom My Soul Is DEPPendent

So I originally wrote this poem (along with four others) for English but I think it's entertaining so I might as well post it on here.  I think it's better to read the poem first and then hear my commentary but if you wish to do the other way around feel free to read the paragraph at the bottom before starting.

If only I could touch thy palm -

Thy soul is a timeless shapeshifter.

Words spoken utter holy paslm,

You wonderful spirit lifter!

You may purify the underworld,

Your soul an endless, holy stream.

One glance - the People's worries unfurled!

You are a glorious daydream.

Just being in your route,

My love soars dangerously high!

I belay all previous doubts,

And believe my ship won't sail awry.

Chaste captain of countless crews!

I beg you! Guide my every step!

For when I must bid the screen adieu,

I whisper, "I love you, dear Johnny Depp."

So this is a fan letter to Johnny Depp disguised as an ode to god to show society's obsession with fame and how celebrities are our new role models.  Every line can apply to both God and Johnny Depp.  I'll point out a few references so you get the gist: timeless shapeshifter = classic actor, people is capitalized as in People Magazine, the underworld is a reference to Alice and Wonderland, My love soars dangerously high refers to the scene in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory where Charlie drinks a dangerous amount of bubbly soda that makes him float, and there's also just a ton of pirate imagery.  Sorry for the shitty grammar but it gets the job done.  Oh and the colors are solely for aesthetic appeal if you were wondering.

TOP 10 REASONS TO BE A BORDERLINE-CREEPY VAMPIRE WEEKEND STALKER

1. They've created a new genre

Their funky mix of classical, African (primarily Kenyan), and alternative music creates a unique sound that sounds somewhat like preppy 80's rock, if music can be considered preppy.

2. Interviews like this >>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3hfpEjDWJQ

3.  Their lyrics are wildly poetic but not too complex for the average listener

Example lyrics from the song Step:Wisdom's a gift but you'd trade it for youth,

                                              Age is an honor - it's still not the truth

                                                            We saw the stars when they hid from the world

                                                             You cursed the sun when it stepped to your girl

4.  They all attended an Ivy League school
The band formed during their senior year at Columbia. 

5. Ezra, the lead singer, had a hilarious and intellectually simulating blogspot during his college years
The Blog: http://internetvibes.blogspot.com/ My personal favorite post/comment thread: http://internetvibes.blogspot.com/2006/02/prep-osterous.html

6.  The Song "Hannah Hunt"
No explanation could do this masterpiece justice so I won't even attempt a flattering overview.

7. Sorry to get all teenage-girl on you but... I mean, they're gorgeous 

8. They've revolutionized the image of a rock band

Commonly spotted sporting sperries, button downs, and plaid scarves, this band is not pretending to be anything they are not.

9.  Fluidity

Their 3 albums have not failed to maintain the very unique VW sound while still progressing lyrically and differing enough in beat where, although similar, each album is exiting and new.

10.  Their Social Media Hilarity

I hereby deem everyone of their twitters (excluding Rostam's), Instagrams, and Vines 100% chuckle-worthy.

Rockstar Goggles

Why this isn't a popular term yet is far beyond me.  I was nostalgically googling my old obsession, Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys, yesterday and I cannot fathom the fact that I once thought he was a hunk, to use my mom's outdated terminology.

Alex Turner -->

This isn't a singular case, either.  There are a handful of musicians that my adoration of seems ridiculous now.  I've done some thinking on this and I think I owe my infatuation to both "the crowd effect" and the "youtube comment effect".


The Crowd Effect - The 1984-esque effect of being swept up by a crowd unintentionally (1984-esque refers to the pandemonium present after two minutes of hate).  When thousands of people at a concert are belting his, whomever he may be, lyrics and screaming their love for him, you can't help but join in on these contagious vibes.

The Youtube Comment Effect - When you are watching either a live performance or interview and all the comments concern how amazing a certain band member or actor is.  Overtime, you may subconsciously start to believe it.

^^Not to say I don't understand my current obsession with Ezra Koenig. He's the best thing since sliced bread.  (Although, to be fair, I may not agree with this statement in a few months)  This just may give insight into WHY I'm fixated on him.

So, as strange as it seems, my obsession of these figures seems to have stemmed from others' attractions.  If this is true, I most likely inadvertently rely on other's opinions for who I like in my personal life, which makes me want to use the term "rockstar goggles" as an umbrella term for whenever your positive opinion on someone of the opposite sex (if you're gay than of the same sex) is due, in large part, to others' favorable opinions of that same person.

BOOYA. My goal for the next week is to make this a thing.

Peace out Girlscout.

A Contagious Psyche

I guess in a strange and subconscious way I've always relied on my older brother to check my identity.  Ever since middle school, really, his blatant criticism has made my personality slowly morph into one that so closely resembles his own.  His two years on me made his friends and identity appear so falsely sophisticated and almost, if I may exaggerate to an aggravating degree, unattainably perfect.  My so terribly misperceiving lens into his life led me to take all his digging remarks to heart - not without a whine first, of course.

Anyways, it's not as though now that I truly understand his identity I am suddenly bitter.  Quite the contrary actually. I'm strangely grateful for his critique and my naivety.  I can truthfully say that without our skewed relationship I would be your typical high school sophomore on a pitiful hunt for "popularity."  I don't even know where I'm going with this...

The point is, earlier this month my brother was expressing his concern for our younger brother's future (who is currently in 7th grade and very different from the majority of 14 year olds to say the least) when he leaves for college in a few months because at this point my younger brother baises as many of his opinions and actions off of what my older brother deems suitable.  During this talk, I found myself pondering the deep impact he has had on me and started to become mildly concerned for my own identity: Am I too much of an offset of my brother? This led to a much broader question: Given that no one is born with their current personality (unless you are in your first year of life, in which case bravo for being so literate at such a young age), how much is too much influence from a single person or group? Or.. Is there really such thing as too much influence? Are others' impacts on you just a way of self discovery, finding what you love and the people you admire?

Let me know what you think, nonexistent followers.  Sorry if this post is pathetic. I will unquestionably read this in around a year and be absolutely mortified.