Posted on by The Joyeux Project

no. 10: turtles all the way down

Good evening, and happy Friday! We finally made it to the weekend!!! 🙂 On the cusp of my final days at home before spring semester begins, I’d like to share a short review of my first read of 2020: the stunning Turtles All the Way Down by renowned author John Green (you’ve probably heard his name attached to novels such as The Fault in Our Stars, Looking for Alaska, or Paper Towns, among some of his other written work).

I checked out Turtles All the Way Down at around 3:00 on Wednesday afternoon. I finished Turtles All the Way Down at around 11:00 on Wednesday evening. It was one of those novels that was impossible to put down – but not in a thriller sort of sense. There were no explosions, no mythical creatures, no magic spells or impossible heists to hook a reader. In fact, the nature of the story is quite contrary to the fantastical. Turtles All the Way Down tells the story of Aza, a 16-year-old girl who experiences severe anxiety and OCD. When Aza’s best friend Daisy wants to solve the mystery of a missing mysterious billionaire through Aza’s link to his son, Davis, she’s not too sure about the idea. But through a rekindled relationship with a childhood friend and his younger brother, Aza sees the trajectory of her life begin to change. Equipped with a true high-school coming-of-age, YA setting, the novel sets out on one of Green’s heaviest quests to date: learning how to cope with love, loss, and above all, the battle waged within oneself.

The most eye-opening aspect of the novel to me was how closely John Green relates with its subject matter. Like Aza, Green also experiences symptoms of anxiety and OCD: and also shares some of her triggers, like anxiety related to bacteria and disease and the struggle to discover what truly drives one to determine the course of their lives. Readers can see what Green’s world is like through Aza’s eyes — at least, to a certain extent. The toll that Aza’s behaviors take on her is heartbreaking in certain areas of the novel, and New York Times editor Jennifer Senior phrases my connection to Green’s protagonist better than I ever could: “One needn’t be suffering like Aza to identify with it. One need only be human. Everyone, at some point, knows what it’s like when the mind develops a mind of its own.”

Turtles All the Way Down may possess a small cast of characters – primarily focusing on Aza, her best friend Daisy, and childhood friend Davis along with his younger brother Noah, but the story never feels small. Green uses this smaller lineup of major characters to magnify Aza’s relationships with those around her, and reminds me a lot of my own grade school friendships. Friends are self-absorbed, or whiny, or overdramatic, but at the end of the day, they’re occasionally all that you’ve got. The reconciliation of Daisy and Aza’s friendship after a harsh falling out near the climax of the novel is a beautiful illustration of learning to accept one’s flaws and actively seeking to improve a relationship. Aza learns some hard lessons throughout the story, and I’m still learning how to best address some of her social struggles.

In the end, I believe that a lot of younger readers can see part of themselves reflected in Aza, and this really contributes to how they view her choices throughout the story, both good and bad. Creating a connection with a character doesn’t justify their actions or flaws, but it allows one to develop a heart for those in similar situations. We all may not have to cope with severe mental illness, but we have experienced the level of comfort of talking to someone digitally rather than in person. We have all listened to or participated in things just because one of our friends likes them. We have all dealt with the tragedy of loss and the anxiety of an undefined relationship. Turtles All the Way Down is beautiful to me because, although it is a heavy read, it shows that everyone is capable of giving and deserving of receiving love. I cannot recommend it enough if you wish to read a valuable perspective on the world – or perhaps to follow the vein of an eccentric mystery.

While I may not have a quote from Shakespeare’s The Tempest like Davis often wrote, I do have a quote from John Green himself:

Mot joyeux d’aujourd’hui: “When you acknowledge that there is nothing repulsive or unforgivable or shameful about yourself, it becomes easier to be that authentic person and feel like you’re living a less performed life.” -John Green

Much love,

Alyson

Posted on by The Joyeux Project

no. 9: glossier

Acoustic playlist running in the background? Check. A $2.99 Subway sub currently digesting? Check. My dog sitting next to me? Check. It seems like the conditions are perfect to breed some happiness this evening! Sit back and enjoy a dive into one of my absolute favorite makeup brands: Glossier! The wildly popular beauty company crafts natural-looking makeup and skincare products “with your real beauty routine in mind.” Wearing these products to enhance my appearance, rather than alter it, is such a confidence booster – I’m always happy when I apply and wear anything by Glossier! 🙂

A product of beauty review website Into the Gloss, Glossier came into existence under now CEO Emily Weiss in 2014. In a direct quote from Glossier’s website, Weiss stated that she was motivated to launch the brand to “make beauty as much of an element of personal style as fashion.” Popularizing the dewy, effortless makeup look of blotted splashes of color mingling among natural tones, Glossier was definitely a large contributor to the makeup trends that we see today. A subtle rebellion against traditional beauty trends of matte finishes, chiseled contour, and smoky, shimmery eyeshadow, Weiss set out to create a brand where “beauty products [were] inspired by real life” (the brand’s tagline).

I first discovered Glossier through the online beauty community – specifically through the thorough and concise Matilda on YouTube. Her dazzling swatches and glowing reviews of the brand’s products motivated me to seek out one of their physical locations while I was on my senior trip in New York City. I will say, it is pricier than the average drugstore brand, but their products are fairly long-lasting: the Skin Tint liquid foundation that I purchased on my first trip to the store is still kicking today! 🙂 The pigmented nature of their Cloud Paint liquid blushes, among other products, also promotes the ‘a little goes a long way’ philosophy – unless having rosy-colored clown cheeks is your desired look, apply these quality items with a light hand!

One aspect of the brand that I appreciate is that all products require no additional applicators to achieve a user’s desired look. Glossier actually encourages application by hand, foregoing the use of brushes or sponges altogether. While I do use brushes for some of my Glossier makeup, it is absolutely not necessary, and allows a customer to focus on investing in quality products rather than worrying about the additional cost of applicators that are often pushed by popular beauty brands.

My personal favorite product so far is the Cloud Paint liquid blush. I was definitely nervous at first application (you’re talking to a girl who was initially spooked by liquid foundation, let alone blush!), but the natural flush that Dusk gives to my cheeks is one I can’t help but admire, even when I’m out and about. Other products I enjoy include the Fawn Lidstar cream eyeshadow, which provides a perfect amount of shimmer and looks beautiful simply framed with mascara, and the classic Skin Tint liquid foundation, which helps even out my skin without getting cakey or feeling heavy on my face. I have yet to explore their popular skincare line other than being a passionate advocate for their Balm.com lip balm/skin salve – which I now proudly own 3 of.

Of course, there is also some more playful options than the subtler ones I have already mentioned – the Glossier Play makeup line features some bolder color choices without being an aggressive punch of pigment, a perfect introduction to experimenting (dare I say, Playing) with one’s beauty routine!

I cannot say enough good things about Glossier. It makes me feel confident, is a delight to apply whether you use your fingers or reach for a brush, and seeks to redefine beauty trends to show that a woman is beautiful just the way she is – there is no need to comply to traditional beauty trends in order to feel celebrated or appreciated in society. Natural is in, and as far as I’m concerned, it’s here to stay! 🙂

Pictured below are the Lidstar eyeshadow and Cloud Paint blush shades- a sneak peak into just how beautiful this brand can be! You can view the Into The Gloss blog here and shop Glossier makeup here. 🙂

Mot joyeux d’aujourd’hui: “Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.” -Coco Chanel

Much love,

Alyson

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Glossier Lidstar liquid eyeshadow – this product is literally like smoothing stardust onto your eyelids.
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Glossier Cloud Paint liquid blush, one of my most favorite products of all time.

Posted on by The Joyeux Project

no. 8: muppetvision 3d

Happy Wednesday, and welcome back to the blog! The week is halfway over now – we’re in the final stretch! The Mario Kart music is beginning to pick up, and whether you’re in first place or eleventh, it’s time to power through to the end! 🙂

Today I am offering you some insights about one of the greatest attractions ever created by the Disney corporation – the dimension-defying, goof-packed romp that is Muppetvision 3D! The Muppets franchise has always been near and dear to my heart, and this gem located within Disney’s Hollywood Studios is absolutely no exception.

The humor presented by the Muppets is a class act: the jokes… the stunts… the banana cream pie (even if it needs more sugar, according to Fozzie Bear)… From the pre-show heckling provided by Statler and Waldorf to Sam the Eagle’s “A Salute to All Nations (But Mostly America),” you can count on some part of this quirky tour de force to warm your heart. Notice I didn’t say laugh — I completely understand, albeit I may be disappointed, if the cheesy jokes and special effects aren’t your cup of tea, though the madcap energy radiating from Jim Henson’s signature creations should be enough to at least produce an endearing effect on the most stoic of audience members.

Much to my delight, Muppet*Vision 3D has been in operation in Walt Disney World since 1991. The film was the final project that Jim Henson directed before his death in 1990, along with seasoned performer Richard Hunt, who passed away in 1992. Knowing that this theme park project was Jim Henson’s final imprint on his beloved franchise makes me hold this attraction even more dearly. His characters remind me how to be a kinder, more optimistic person every time I experience their stories!

I treasure every visit I pay to Muppet Labs, and those that constructed this theatre captured the eccentric essence of the franchise to a T. My personal favorite detail is the painting of Fozzie Bear dressed as King Henry VIII, but there are countless other quirky details sprinkled through the attraction from a park guest’s very first step onto the mat with a spare key underneath it.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to experience this joyous attraction, I hope you will be able to at some point in your life! From the queue to the post-show theatre detailing, it is a masterclass in noticing and appreciating the small things. Also, Gonzo’s pre-show tap dancing really isn’t half bad!

Mot joyeux d’aujourd’hui: “Here’s some simple advice: always be yourself. Never take yourself too seriously. And beware the advice from experts, pigs, and members of Parliament.” -Kermit the Frog

Have a wonderful rest of your week! I’ll see you tomorrow!

Much love,

Alyson

Posted on by The Joyeux Project

no. 6 & 7: patrick warburton & carrabba’s bread

Good evening! I’m so sorry to have missed you all yesterday, my day ended up being quite emotionally taxing and words would absolutely not come for the wonder I had planned for yesterday. While the Joyeux streak may have been broken, this is a good reminder that your best is good enough, even when things don’t go to plan! Today’s post will be structured in two small wonders combined into one — lighthearted topics that brought a smile to my face as I researched and remembered them. I hope you enjoy, and we’ll be back on track for tomorrow!

“Oh. The poison. The poison for Kuzco. The poison intended specifically for Kuzco. Kuzco’s poison. That poison?” “YES, that poison!”

My earliest introduction to sensational actor Patrick Warburton had to have been his voicing of beloved henchman Kronk in Disney’s The Emperor’s New Groove. The film has become so beloved to me that I can’t not smile when I think of the man behind one of my most favorite characters in animated history, and he has since appeared in a few other roles that I connect strongly to.

Warburton is featured as a pilot in the safety instruction video for Soarin’ at Disney’s EPCOT park, a detail that delights my entire family whenever we get to experience the attraction. His screen presence is so charming that you can’t help but feel uplifted watching his performances, unless… his role demands a description of consistent misery. Watching him take on the role of Lemony Snicket in Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events was a bizarre yet highly appreciated crossover straight out of my childhood: Snicket’s book series was a large contributor to my early love of reading, and Warburton could not have captured the dark humor present in the Netflix adaptation’s writing any better.

A California-based actor with 4 children, Patrick Warburton’s kindness to his fans and passion for his art are demonstrative of a generous man constantly working to stay grounded. In an interview with AJC, he said that his family definitely keeps his success in check, allowing him to remember that he’s “just like everybody else.” Artists that have this kind of attitude towards their work blow my mind and push me towards who I wish to become – someone who chooses kindness and humbleness over the transformation of character that often comes with fame and success.

Unfortunately, the carbs that have brought me so much comfort over the past 19 years of my life don’t have much information about them other than copycat recipes scattered across the suburbs of the Internet, but I do have my fondest thoughts to share about an appetizer you all know and love: Carrabba’s bread and herb dip.

When I was in middle school, the warm, beautiful loaves had a thrall so strong that I could eat an entire loaf by myself. Just picture 6th-grade me downing some of the best bread to ever exist while my family looks on in a combination of terror and respect. I have many fond memories from my life sitting around a dining table at Carrabba’s on some special occasion or another with my family (birthdays, my high school graduation, celebrating someone’s accomplishments, you name it), none of which exclude the delightful experience of dunking fresh, crusty bread into a mixture of golden olive oil and an inimitable mixture of herbs and spices (no matter how hard the world tries to duplicate it).

While I don’t know the dark secrets of this Italian chain’s beautiful, beautiful bread, some research into the siren song of carbs brought an interesting detail to light: carbohydrates can act as a mood stabilizer, which explains why I seek them out all. The. Time. No matter how stressful my life can become, I can count on a semi-authentic Italian restaurant to always provide me the complimentary carbs that comfort me like nothing else.

Thank you for your patience and for rolling with the punches on an off day for me! I wish I could promise that another one will not occur, but I’m sure this journey of embracing the positives will not meet some roadblocks of adversity at some point or another. However, I can promise you this: we will get to no. 366, and my falls and slip-ups can exhibit the relentless nature of humanity to seek the good in everything just as much as my most eloquent, on-time pieces! 🙂 That being said, I can’t wait to be back on track tomorrow.

Mot joyeux d’aujourd’hui: “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” -Winston S. Churchill

Much love,

Alyson

Posted on by The Joyeux Project

no. 5: griffith observatory

Good evening! As we’re all winding down with anticipation for the week to come, I’d like to share with you my favorite spot on the West Coast of the US. 🙂 It’s probably more familiar to you than you realize, even if you haven’t been – or even heard of it before! (More on that later…)

Traveling to California with my family after my sophomore year of high school was an incredible experience: the state is beautiful, I ate as much In&Out Burger as my parents would let me, and the stunning green hills that frame downtown LA made sitting in traffic a little more bearable than normal. While I… unfortunately…. exhibited a strong distaste for the bustle of Los Angeles, there was a place a hop, skip, and a jump away from the sensory overload that was downtown that I fell a little bit in love with: Griffith Observatory, nestled on top of Mount Hollywood.

A little bit of background on this magnificent hub of astronomy and other scientific activity: officially opening in 1935, Griffith Observatory has become one of the most popular informal education facilities in the US and is the most-visited public observatory in the world. Griffith J. Griffith (a name I deeply covet), the man who set aside the funds and intentions for the project in his 1919 will, is quoted saying ‘If all mankind could look through that telescope, it would change the world!’ The observatory has been striving to fulfill Griffith’s vision ever since, as there is free telescope viewing available to the general public when the evening Los Angeles skies are clear.

While I did not get to stargaze during my visit, my experience at Griffith Observatory has burrowed down fondly into an alcove of my heart. My family parked a ways away from the building itself, so together we hiked up the hills, making conversation and watching other visitors either conclude their descent or continue their trek alongside us. The observatory is free to the public, so as soon as we reached the top, we began to explore all it had to offer.

Reflecting back on this visit, I think it is the fact it was such an unremarkable experience in such a grandiose place that makes it resonate with me. I was the epitome of a tourist, taking pictures on the observation decks with the Hollywood sign behind me and a California breeze in my hair. I wandered around the interior exhibits, reading plaques and walking through displays about the planets. I tried (and failed) to score a souvenir while meandering the gift shop. My family facetimed our relatives to show them the view, and my sister and I fished for quarters to use large, brassy binoculars to further observe the Los Angeles countryside. A textbook visit to a world-famous planetarium. And yet, it remains my favorite memory from a packed week in the state. Being able to just exist, and to allow white marble and green hills and the stars millions of miles away from you to eclipse your significance for just an hour or two is so powerful. God’s creation has a way of always taking my breath away, and Griffith Observatory allows over 1.5 million visitors a year to observe the exact same splendor. I hope that they can catch a glimpse of this natural glory in the same way that I did.

Some parting trivia about today’s wonder: you can see Griffith Observatory in the 2016 movie musical La La Land, the setting for Mia and Sebestian’s celestial planetarium waltz. Having just seen the movie a semester prior, knowing I was standing in the same place as Ryan Gosling was also a pretty big deal to 16-year-old me. Embedded below is the waltz, which takes place in the observatory’s starry planetarium. Enjoy one of the many stunning visuals from the film against the backdrop of one of my fondest traveling memories.

Mot joyeux d’aujourd’hui: “People love what other people are passionate about.” -La La Land (2016)

Much love,

Alyson

Posted on by The Joyeux Project

no. 4: celebrating birthdays

Today’s wonder is quite the pressing matter be-causeeee…

TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY!! 🙂

I now hold a personal record of 19 years walking around planet Earth… what a mindblowing concept! I’m so glad I’m spending my last year as a teenager working on this blog to express what I love about life. Today, I’m sharing with you some insights about birthdays and why they’re so special to me and my family. I hope you enjoy!

Tracing the celebration of birthdays back through history, keeping track of a person’s birth used to not even be possible! Before the creation of calendars, civilizations had no easy way of documenting when people were born. The tradition of acknowledging an ‘average’ person’s birth – i.e., not a ruler or religious figure – originated during the time of the Roman empire. However, women’s birthdays weren’t widely celebrated until the 12th century. Generally speaking, we can credit the equation of creation of the calendar + Christmas (the celebration of Jesus’s birth) + increased accessibility/affordability of cakes during the Industrial Revolution to equal the birthdays that we know and cherish today. 🙂

Birthdays have always been a big ordeal in my family. Every year, you wake up with the whole family around you and the dog unceremoniously dumped onto your bed, singing Happy Birthday in full force! Breakfast is whatever you want it to be, and the day then rests in your newly aged hands… the excitement of being at the helm of the family for an entire day is almost too much for a kid to handle. Emphasis on almost, of course! The freedom of choice that resides within a birthday reveals a lot about a person, I think. Their true, endearing desires have a chance to be expressed, and the opportunity to celebrate them is so exciting! I always go out of my way to lift up my friends on their special days, even when birthday celebrations aren’t as important to them.

I asked my family why we value our birthdays so much, and I’ll share some of their responses with you:

Whilst preparing my birthday dinner, my mom declared with a smile, “It’s the day we got to meet you!” I’d never sat and thought about just how groundbreaking a child’s birthday is to their parents. Not only is it a high-score in the game of parenting, but it also marks a day that their lives changed forever.

My dad offered up similar sentiments: “It’s the day that the Lord gave you to us! And it’s everyone’s special day when they deserve to be celebrated!” I’m so thankful to have parents that believe everyone is deserving of their own spout of excitement and love.

Upon being asked, my sister replied “I like getting to spend time with others… and getting presents.” An astute answer definitely appropriate for a 13-year-old. 🙂 Especially lately, she’s taken joy in receiving and giving gifts: her card this year to me was beautiful and I could tell that she was proud of her presentation.

In college, my roommate and I have already coordinated birthday surprises for two of our friends. “If I get the flowers and you drive her to the restaurant… If I run to get the cake and you guys keep him occupied at lunch…” are schemes that have floated around our room, accompanied by fits of devious giggles. Knowing that we have the power to make others feel noticed and loved on their birthdays is so exciting – I hope that feeling of loving others well never grows old, no matter the context.

Birthdays are days that love comes in from all corners of the world – even from places and people that we would never expect! I treasure the words and acknowledgement that I receive, and treat them as reminders that I am never as alone in the world as I think I am.

Remember just to reach out with a kind word on friends’ birthdays – or any day! Everyone deserves appreciation, no special occasion required. 🙂

Mot joyeux d’aujourd’hui: “No need to hurry. No need to sparkle. No need to be anybody but onself.” -Virginia Woolf

Much love,

Alyson

Posted on by The Joyeux Project

no. 3: stagedoor

Dieu merci c’est vendredi! I’m coming at you guys with a very late wonder today – my Thursday evening was packed and I’ve been busy all day today, so I’m finally able to sit down with my laptop and a moment to myself to talk to you about one of my favorite experiences as a member of the arts community: stagedooring after a live performance!

Live theatre – or live performances in general – is a beautiful thing that everyone should experience at least once in their lives. Whether experienced in a homey community theatre or on a flashy Broadway stage, the stories being told by performers today are uplifting and important. Having the opportunity to witness this beautiful art is, in and of itself, reward enough (and always will be!).

However… sometimes audiences are able to push beyond the proscenium and have an incredible opportunity to meet performers face to face at stage door, or the ‘back door’ to a theatre accessed only by actors, crew, and other authorized personnel. “Stage dooring” has become an incredibly popular phenomena throughout Broadway history and has become a hot topic for debate in the theatre community. While I have been unable to dig up a lot of hard history on the subject, I do have two things to share with you: one, my stage door experiences throughout the years, and two, how to have your own stage door experiences with respect to the hardworking actors you’ve just watch onstage. 🙂

My first professional show was the ‘thrillifying’ Wicked National Tour, at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA. The tickets were a Christmas gift from my parents, and 14-year-old eighth grade me was absolutely shaking in my boots. A relatively new theatre patron, I was not prepared for the giant that is the untold story of the witches of Oz. My stagedooring experience was a bit unique, as performers were in the lobby collecting money for BCEFA after the show, a Broadway-oriented charity that donates proceeds to finding a cure for AIDS. I met Liana Hunt (she was playing Nessarose at the time) in the lobby that day and didn’t realize it until 2 years later. Absolute regret. My most formative memory from my stage door experience, however, comes from a conversation I had with my dad after we met Carrie St. Louis, who played a sensational G(a)linda.

“Hey, Alyson?” / “Yes, Dad?” / “I heard her saying to those other people that she took opera classes in college that helped her prepare for this role. Would you ever think of doing something like that?” / Cue general eighth grade disgust: “No, I don’t ever want to do something like that. Opera is boring.”

Of course… now I live and breathe opera in college. And have my sights set on portraying the Good Witch herself one day. I think I’ll always laugh about that… it’s funny how our passions can direct themselves into avenues that we would have never anticipated. That day we also had a delightful exchange with a still-green-around-the-edges Emily Koch, the standby Elphaba who had performed that day and eventually went on to play the green girl full time on tour. She complimented my (obviously) yellow coat, and talked to my sister about American Girl dolls. The humbleness of professional performers blows my mind to this day – they are so grounded and just… well… normal. Actors and actresses can hold a conversation about anything and everything just like everyone else – which can be quite jarring after witnessing their powerful performances only minutes prior. I aspire to wield my gifts humbly and treat my audiences as kindly as these talented individuals have treated me.

My next set of stage door experiences are from the 3 times (yes… 3) that I had the opportunity to see Newsies on tour in Nashville, TN, Charlotte, NC, and Greenville, SC, respectively. I was head over heels obsessed with the cast of this show, going so far as to run a fan account and interact with them online as often as I possibly could. Meeting them after their shows made me giddy as… well… a middle school girl (which, to be fair, I was), and they were gracious to put up with my ramblings. Primarily focusing on my Greenville experiences, I handed out doodles to cast members (one ended up posting my art on his social media. I was floored), my sister wrote her favorite performers letters, I got to take a Snapchat selfie with Stephen Michael Langton (who plays my absolute favorite Davey to ever sing ‘the poor guy’s head is spinning!’)…. all alongside one of my very best friends. It was safe to say that I was on cloud nine. (An incredible, classic dad moment note: my father talked to the security guards and orchestra members every time we were gushing to teenage ensemble members and would always tell me little tidbits he learned from them on our walk back to the car. His powers of observation and willingness to thank those that typically go unnoticed in high-energy moments like those will always leave me in awe.)

I have been so privileged to meet those who still inspire me to this day, and played key roles in helping me realize that performing is what I wanted to do with my life. I have many other stage door experiences to share (maybe there will be a part 2 eventually… who knows!), and I hope to one day grant patrons memories of their own that are far warmer than the freezing cold that they braved to meet the performers they love. Of course…. There’s a lot of work to do before then! But it’s certainly something to look forward to. 🙂

Mot joyeux d’aujourd’hui: “It is a curious thought, but it is only when you see people looking ridiculous that you realize just how much you love them.” -Agatha Christie

Have a wonderful weekend! Get some good rest and spend time with those you love – you deserve it! 🙂

See you soon for tomorrow’s wonder (and sorry for the delay!),

Alyson

Posted on by The Joyeux Project

no. 2: the altogether

Happy Thursday and welcome back to the blog! I’m excited to share one of my very favorite bands with you today. As both a music lover and maker, talking about the collections of sounds that I stumble upon and fall in love with is like sharing a piece of my heart with others. Just a warning… I’ll probably be writing about a lot of music over the course of 2020. But I hope introducing you to some new artists, playlists, and pieces will not only help you branch out musically, but also help you get to know me better! I firmly believe knowing a person’s taste in music is a crystal clear glimpse into someone’s soul.

I discovered The Altogether during a period of transitions in my life: I was caught in limbo between my final days of high school and graduation, and the sores of a breakup were just beginning to scab over. Initially the result of some Internet spelunking to find out more about prominent Polygon writer/producer and musician Brian David Gilbert, my introduction to the indie rock group was framed by the pastel album art of debut EP ‘Look Up,’ and colored with the rich acoustic tones of the breathtaking piece ‘Sophie.’ After devouring the ‘Look Up’ EP during an afternoon by my neighborhood pool, I can confidently say I have had the vibrant melodies and stories told by the group’s music bouncing around my ears ever since.

The Altogether was originally a dynamic duo: long time friends, band members, and roommates Jonah Scott and Brian David Gilbert produced their music under ‘Scott and Gilbert,’ a YouTube channel that dates back to 2012 (and is now a hub for the renamed band). Their bond shines through their music in a powerful way – I attribute the warmth of their music to the nature of their friendship. Creating with people that you love is such an incredible experience. Emerging from the creative process with a polished, beautiful product honestly takes second place to the experiences that you’ve been able to share with those dear to you. A true, sappy, beautiful “it’s about the journey, not the destination” sentiment, I know, but I really mean it!

To complete the now-trio that forms the Altogether, some Genius lyric combing showed that female vocalist Sierra Scott did not debut on the EP ‘When We Were Kids,’ but actually sang background vocals on the ‘Look Up’ EP! However, you can hear her beautiful pipes front and center on almost every track on the group’s most recent EP. She is an ethereal, talented artist; I just can’t seem to find much personal detail about her through my research. I’m eagerly anticipating her talents to be featured in the band’s future work!

The group tells stories through their music in powerful ways – I have wrapped so many narratives around the skeleton of ‘Emelina, Right or Wrong’ that I’ve honestly lost count. It’s the type of melody and instrumentation that lends itself to a story; a narrative that is begging to be explored. The sounds of The Altogether ring of relational intimacy and personal reflection from the quirky-confident ‘Five Minutes’ to the quiet, resonant ‘Clean Slated Slate.’ I am seriously honored to experience their music in every listen.

Combing through the group’s Twitter (@altogetherband) shows a beautiful outpouring of The Altogether’s love for their followers. The wonder present in every reply to a fan’s expression of admiration for the band is heartwarming, and shows how aritsts and their followings should relate: meeting at the crossroads of mutual admiration and a motivation to keep creating. No cover, art piece, or sentiment passes by unnoticed, a reality that brought a smile to my face and warmth to my heart.

If you enjoy the song below from the debut EP ‘Look Up’ (or… even if you don’t), you can support/keep up with The Altogether on YouTube, Twitter, Bandcamp, Apple Music, and Spotify (links attached). This powerhouse trio of artists inspires me with their music every day. Thank you for allowing me to share them with you.

Mot joyeux d’aujourd’hui: A problem is a chance for you to do your best. (Duke Ellington)

Much love,

Alyson

Sophie was my most played song of 2019. Sit back and let this piece of genius embrace you.

Posted on by The Joyeux Project

no. 1: stardew valley

HAPPY NEW YEAR and welcome to the inaugural voyage of The Joyeux Project!! Congratulations on another trip around the sun!

No matter what 2019 was for you, I hope that 2020 offers you a clear vision for the future (haha! get it?) and an abundance of opportunities for you to know how loved and appreciated you are by those around you! 🙂

The winter holiday rush is definitely a social gauntlet of epic proportions (ushering in the New Year included), but it also promises… reprieve for college students everywhere from a different kind of obstacle course: the hoops of academia. I welcomed Christmas break with open arms after a brain-melting first semester as a music major, and have found a delightful way to de-stress and fill some of my quieter moments: a beautiful PC game called Stardew Valley!

To be fair: Stardew Valley has been in my life since my junior year of high school, but it has only recently became somewhat of an obsession for myself (and my younger sister – a successful convert). The massively popular ConcernedApe farming sim launched in February of 2016 for Windows, but has since spread to 8 other gaming platforms including Nintendo Switch and iOS.

Stardew Valley is described as “an open-ended country life RPG,” where the player has inherited a plot of farmland from their grandfather who has recently passed away. Throughout the course of play, one experiences all 4 seasons a la Animal Crossing (though time passes in a significantly more condensed fashion), and has a vast amount of activities open to them at all times: fishing, mining, raising farm animals and crops, being the resident social butterfly of the town…. the list goes on and on. A delightful rural sandbox, Stardew Valley allows its players a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of more urbanized life – a siren song that also initially hooks the game’s protagonist.

What draws me to this beautiful, soothing dive into digital agriculture is the fact that the world is 100% in the hands of the player. The village features 12 available bachelors and bachelorettes for the player to court in any way they choose – date, get married, have children, or none of the above; beyond that, the residents of Stardew Valley – along with a few eccentric surprises – can be won over through gift giving and social interaction. You can create your farm to your choosing, controlling how much land you dedicate to what crop or creature and decorate your home to your heart’s content (or be like me and just fill it with chests. we most definitely value function over the HGTV factor on my farm.) Even how you budget your 24 hour day (12.6 minutes in real time) is up to you. Spend all day fishing? Sure. Chop down trees for 12 hours straight? Go for it! Stardew Valley is truly what you make of it, and while it may require some strategy to produce a well-rounded experience, it boasts an upbeat score and beautiful graphics to keep you smiling and at ease every step of your agricultural journey.

To know I can log on and play a game I have full control over in the midst of a stressful day allows me to take a breather and slip into a more domestic world where my largest problem is where I want to plant my apricot tree. Also, there’s in game ducks that you can raise. Ducks. That you can watch grow up. And have adorable quacking sound effects whenever you interact with them. Also, you take care of a resident cat or dog by lovingly filling up their water bowl every morning. Also, I can just sit on the beach for the afternoon and collect shells or go into the mines and collect gemstones while fighting monsters — or both in the same day. Also…. well, you get my point. This game may seem unremarkable in the first few hours of play, but the amount of choice presented to the player and lack of rigid objectives or demanding quest lines present a relaxing landscape bursting with quirky easter eggs and lovable characters. The only problem is… when I say I’ll only play through one day in the life of my farm, it often turns into five!

Thanks for sticking with a more obscure first wonder! Stardew Valley is available on Steam for $14.99. 🙂

Mot joyeux d’aujourd’hui: It’s never too late to start being who you want to be.

Let’s show 2020 who’s boss!

Much love,

Alyson 🙂