Time for TJ

I still cannot believe I was part of this. The MTV TJ is #8 on Time's Top Ten Twitter Moments of 2010 (by the way, that's a lot of 't' sounds...).

Seriously, the whole thing is still so surreal. When I got that call from 'Lauren form casting,' I thought that it would be a little contest tucked away on the MTV website that only really active MTV lovers would know about.... Boy, was I wrong. 

This sounds cheesy- but I'm really honored to be part of this. I had some amazing experiences, met some amazing people.... Thanks again, MTV. 

Twitter Reminds Me of My Failures.

I just followed a local jewelry designer and got this recommendation from Twitter...

Really, because I tried that once and it never worked out.

I (heart) NYC

Okay, I'm not sure if I love New York yet.... but I leave tomorrow for a whole week in the big apple! Things will be slow, if not nonexistent, here on the blog but no worries- I'll be back!

On the agenda:

Tuesday: land in NYC around 10pm, try to find a cab to take me to Amanda's place at Columbia University

Wednesday: lunch with Amanda and Promises, Promises on Broadway!

Thursday: completely open (aka, me wandering the city confused.)

Friday: check out of casa de Klohmann and into the hotel. Kristin gets there that night and we are going to the top of the Empire State Building- Sleepless in Seattle style!

Saturday: Early morning trip to the Statue of Liberty and sight-seeing. 

Sunday: MTV day. 

Monday: back to STL

I've still got a ton of packing, laundry, shopping, and errands to run before I leave... but I'm psyched!

Staying

You've probably heard, but I didn't get MTV TJ (I know, sad face... but read my post from yesterday for all my thank you's! I seriously can't express enough how much I love all you guys for supporting me!). 

Anyway. 

Things I can do now that I know I'm not MTV's TJ:

• buy my Avett Brothers tickets for their show at the Pageant
• stop tweeting... as much
• book a flight to NYC for play instead of work
• buy my LouFest tickets
• RSVP to Liz's wedding
• plan another weekend at the lake
• take off work the Friday of Mizzou's Homecomig and start planning my other Mizzou football tailgates
• start 'living' in my house (including but not limited to going grocery shopping for reals, painting my dresser, hanging up pictures, planning a BBQ...)

The list goes on and on.... don't worry St. Louis, your girl is here to stay!

Freedom!

The MTV TJ contest is (sort of) officially over. Voting has closed on the ZYNC page, so now it is totally out of my, and your, hands. They announce the Final Five on Friday, but no matter what happens, I know I have a ton of people the thank already...

• My sister, who (I think wanted me to win more than even I did and) made me the Facebook page that quickly became 'Danielle 4 TJ' central. 
• Everyone at Atomicdust that was super supportive of my 'sidejob'.
• Girls Guide to the Galaxy for writing an amazing story about me and supporting me along the way. 
• Pretty Little Empire who let me throw their name, pictures, and music all over the internets. 
• All of my family and friends who signed up for Facebook and Twitter just to help me. I hope that you guys get some real use out of the sites and grow to love them as much as I do. 
• The entire St. Louis Twitter community who rallied behind me (even though we may have never even met in person). You guys are awesome. 
• All the Delta Gammas at Mizzou and beyond who took my plea to help a sister out. 
• Chelsea, Amanda, and Madison who all scored 90% on my quiz and confirmed my suspicions that people who follow my blogs (and are in the J School and DG) know me better than anyone else. 
• Everyone who joined and added pics to the I Love Pets group on Flickr
• St. Louis Bread Company, who provided a booth for me to sit in and work (and break down in tears). 
• All of my friends who had to deal with said tears.
• Remy and Mason at The Bull, who supported me on Twitter and on the air; Dana at Show Me St. Louis, who came to my office to interview me; Don at the South County Times; Deb at St. Louis Post-Dispatch; Josh at Mizzou Magazine; Beth at Lindbergh High School; and the folks over at St. Louis Social Media and Technology Report and the Mizzou Alum site.... hope I didn't forget anyone...
• Asher Roth-you are super cool. I'll be waiting to buy your new CD when it comes out for sure!
• All the other TJers.... I'm coming out of the contest with 19 new friends who are exactly like me!
• MTV, duh. Brett and crew.... you guys are amazing!
• And everyone who voted, wrote about me in their blogs, made it their Facebook status, commented on my blogs, RTed me, congratulated me in person.... you all are wonderful. Lucky for me, there are too many of you to thank. Just know that I'm forever grateful. 

And if I forgot you... Sorry. It's been a crazy couple of weeks and I lost my mind back there somewhere. 

MTV asked:

What three MTV moments have resonated with you most?

Made: I Want to Graduate From High School
Forget becoming a cheerleader or skateboarder or homecoming queen, this is one episode of Made I will never forget. It wasn't about being pretty or popular or branching out, it was about something simple. All this kid wanted to do was make it out of high school with a diploma in hand.

When people think of MTV, certain things come to mind: The Hills, Justin Bieber, Date My Mom, oh, and music too I guess- but what people forget about is how current and controversial MTV's programming can be. This Made episode, the True Life series, the issues addressed on countless seasons of the Real World, not to mention campaigns like 'Choose or Lose' have become regular staples on the network. In my opinion, if my generation is any more educated and open-minded, we have MTV to thank.

The 2009 VMAs
No, Kanye stealing the mic from Taylor is not the moment that 'resonated' with me... although it helped. The 2009 VMAs was the first time I really saw the power of social media. The first time I really saw how it was changing our regular habits.

You see, I had been watching MTV's finale of ABDC and the VMA Red Carpet special, but then I switched over to AMC for my weekly dose of Mad Men before the VMAs actually got underway. Minutes into the show, messages like 'F@#k Kanye' and 'Poor Taylor' started popping up on Twitter. Immdiately, I switched back over to MTV, and before I knew it, the trending topics on Twitter were all MTV-related: VMAs, Kanye West, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Shakira and Pink (they were wearing the same dress that night...).

We're not waiting for recap shows or next day coverage anymore. When things happen- big things like Kanye and even small things like what we ate for dinner- we are talking about them right now.


Britney's 'Comeback' at the 2007 VMAs
Okay, I've mentioned this one before... but it deserves to be said again. The night of those VMAs, we had just had our weekly sorority meeting at the chapter house. Instead of trying to rush back to our apartments or dorm rooms, a hundred or so girls crowded into the TV room to try to get a glimpse at their fallen idol, hoping this would live up to past performances- 'I'm a Slave 4 U' with the snake, 'Satisfaction' with that nude body suit, the Super Bowl with Aerosmith and former boy toy Justin and crew.

Every girl in that room had favorite Britney moments- favorite songs, favorite performances, favorite videos. The fact that we were all brought together by a single artist, by a single program shows the collective viewing power MTV has over generations of viewers. Britney is an icon, yes... but MTV is the icon that made her.

“The celebrity you will be interviewing is... Asher Roth.”

‘Eeeee’

-Me, giddy with excitement.

You see, I love Asher Roth. His first big hit, ‘I Love College’, conveniently came out my last semester of college and was my anthem that spring. We blared it down Providence, down Rollins, down College, and of course, in Fort Myers on spring break.

And (confession:) every time it gets to the ‘Freshman, freshman, do somethin’ crazy’ part... I cry.

I am not joking.

So, needless to say, when MTV told me I would be interviewing him for the TJ Challenge... I. Was. Psyched.

What I expected to get from my interview with Asher Roth:
Just a goofy party boy.

What I actually got from my interview with Asher Roth:
A goofy party boy who is also really down-to-earth, honest, and smart.

When I got on the phone with Asher, he was chilling out in LA, ready to hit the pool before a writing session for his new album, which he hopes to be finished with in November or December- just in time for those holiday sales! (Mom Santa, add that to my Christmas list now.)

Writing and recording for the album is in full swing, but don’t expect a tour from Asher any time soon. The self-proclaimed ‘pale white kid’ will wait until summer is over before he goes out touring in the hot sun. In the meantime, he’s got his SPF, his water, and his work to keep him occupied.

He's already promoting his new single 'G.R.I.N.D (Get Ready It's a New Day)', and has a concept for the video that any social media lover (aka me) can get behind-

He’s leaving it up to the fans.

That’s right. Fans submitted their own videos for' G.R.I.N.D', and Asher and his team will pick the best of the best to be chosen (again, by the fans of course) for the official video.

“We want them to feel like this is their project. That they have the control. That they can pick something dope.”

The videos aren’t the only way Asher is keeping his fans engaged while they wait for the next album. This guy’s as active online as an MTV TJ. He stays connected on Twitter and Facebook, and through his seriously awesome website.

“I’m 24, and when we were looking ahead to 2010, 2011, we thought there would be flying cars, holograms, future sh*t... This is where we are. Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, even though that’s faded a little bit. Now, I’m in the music business... I never thought I would be here... and it’s way bigger than just music. It’s about how we are as people. Its about our personality... I want to welcome people into our world.”

And just a note: Asher isn’t logging on via the iPhone. He's got a Blackberry through Verizon... and proud of it. (Anyone looking for a spokesperson?)

There’s no doubt that Asher is most famous for his party anthem, ‘I Love College.’ In fact, when I told people I was interviewing him, all they wanted to know was why he loved college so much. The avid beer pong player (and competitive flip cupper, too) says that besides the obvious reasons- you know, women and drinking, like he says in the song- college is really all about the experience.

“You’re learning about life. It’s a human experience. It’s social. It’s branching out.”

And when asked what he loves more than college, Asher responds without hesitation-

“My family, my friends, and my freedom.”

Cue the ‘awww’s’, right?

I can hear his friends laughing in the background. “They’re laughing because they know I love them,” Asher tells me, before shouting, “I love you guys!”

The new album, tentatively titled The Spaghetti Tree, is all about life after college, but Asher isn’t forgetting about the hit that made him a star.

“Hopefully it sticks around for years to come. I think people really connected with it.”

They sure did. And here's hoping Asher sticks around for years to come too.

(Image credit: Asher's Facebook page. Check it out. And 'like' it.)

Take A Look

That's right, Reading Rainbow. Today's 'get this celeb to follow @daniellesmyname' is none other than Levar Burton. Not only do I love RR (and the theme song, duh!), but come on, who hasn't pulled their headband down over their eyes a la Levar in Star Trek?

Tweet @LevarBurton and tell him to follow me and support #Danielle4TJ! The #savedbytheBelding campaign may be over, but now it is time to #takealook @daniellesmyname!

Hey Hey Hey...

What is going on here?! 

For this MTV TJ challenge, I need to get a celebrity to follow me on Twitter.... hmm, but who to choose. Um duh, what about the coolest guy, from the coolest show around...

Mr. Belding. 

aka Dennis Haskins. 

aka @mrbelding on Twitter. 

I know it's a long shot, especially since I checked him out and he hasn't tweeted in a few months... but I just can't resist! I love Saved by the Bell! 

Want to help? Of course you do!

Tweet @MrBelding and tell him how freakin' cool I am and that he should support me for @MTVTJ! And don't forget to use the tag #savedbythebelding! Let's get his attention!

The Big Three

For this third challenge, MTV asked me to share with you three moments in music that impacted my life. Well, lucky you, here they are (oh yeah, and three honorable mentions too. What can I say, I'm indecisive!)....

Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! (1955)

Fact: I love musicals.

And if you took my quiz, you know that Oklahoma is my favorite musical. Dancing around to this song (and others) in my family room inspired my mother to sign me up for dance class, and the rest is, well (cliche alert!) history. I’ve been dancing ever since- everything from a tap routine to Ball and the Jack, ballet to Send in the Clowns, and hip hop to Sarai's 'Ladies.' My friends even make bets about how many times I’ll say, ‘I did a dance to this!’ on trips. Whatever.... they can laugh all they want. The music we dance to is the music that matters most.

And I’ll never forget that 'Ladies' dance. I still bust it out every now and again...

One Tree Hill

When I had to think of music moments that changed my life, I started thinking of the music I like, and how I came to like it. I quickly realized that most of it comes back to television. Whether it was watching the videos on MTV and VH1 or seeing Brandi Carlile’s ABC promo for Grey’s Anatomy, my love for television is echoed in my musical tastes.

And (I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again... now) there is no show on television that features better music than One Tree Hill.

Say what you will about this show- It’s too soapy! The lead actors left! The lead actors can’t act!- you can’t deny it has great music. From opening with Gavin Degraw’s 'I Don’t Wanna Be' (which, they actually cut from recent seasons) to featuring acts like The Wreckers, Nada Surf, and Jack's Mannequin performing at fictional Tree Hill’s all ages music club, Tric.

One Tree Hill is where I first fell in love with Lupe Fiasco. It’s soundtracks (I have all three) are in constant rotation in my car. In fact, once I was driving one of my music snob friends around and she said, ‘This is a great mix!’

‘Why, thank you,’ I responded. ‘It’s One Tree Hill Volume 2.’

The show may be soapy and ridiculous (a dog ate a dying man’s heart? really?), but you can't argue here- the music is phenomenal.

KSHE 95

Picture this:

Three grown children, smushed into the backseat of their parent’s pick up truck. Their Dad in the front seat, Mom riding shotgun. Dad flips the radio to the classic rock station in Saint Louis...

'KSHE 95'

‘Owwwwww.’

(That was the kids in the backseat, howling in unison. And yes, I’m one of those kids.)

I'm not sure where that howl came from, but I do know that KSHE is one of the oldest continually operating rock stations in the United States, can sometimes be heard from 100 miles away, and well... it rocks. 

I grew up listening to KSHE with my Dad. Howling whenever the DJ announced the station. Uh-huhing every time ZZ Top 'Le Grange' came on. Rambling off ‘Kansas', 'Chicago', and 'Boston' when my Dad made me guess the band, with a hint ‘It’s the name of a place!’

I still may not know all the bands or all the songs (how could you? KSHE plays no repeat weekends for god’s sake!), but it kicked off an appreciation of classic rock in me that will never die.

And 3 Honorable Mentions

Britney Spears’ ‘comeback’ on the VMAs: Imagine one hundred or so girls, crowding into a living room after their weekly sorority meeting, trying to catch a glimpse at the performance that would reinstate their beloved teen idol to icon status. Imagine their disappointment when it turned out to be an epic fail.

Stephen and LC blare Journey from the car: I’m not sure why, out of all the Laguna Beach moments, this one sticks out to me (maybe it is that love of KSHE classic rock?). In my opinion, it was this scene, not Soprano’s, that made Journey’s 'Don’t Stop Believin’' cool again.

Lindbergh High School’s Battle of the Bands 2002: This was the moment I realized I had no talent. Really. All these kids were up there, on stage, playing instruments. I could never do that (trust me, I tried to learn to play guitar once. That lasted about a week.) It was at this Battle of the Bands that my appreciation for live music- of all genres- was born.

Pretty Boys

Aren't these awesome Pretty Little Empire photos? Check out more (and add them as a friend!) on Facebook!

Oh, and don't forget to tweet your love for them with the tag #prettylittleempire.

Mmm, the final video!

This next (and final!) pick actually comes from @tyippie - yep, it's a fan recommendation (hey, that's what this TJ thing is all about right?). And believe it or not.... it's Hanson.

Don't judge, just watch the video.

It's good, right?

Can't Look Away

Adele's 'Chasing Pavements' is another one of those videos that you just can't take your eyes off of. It is so beautiful.

Three Little Words

If you follow me on Twitter, you know all about my Avett Brothers love (mainly because I send a #nowplaying tweet everytime they're on...). This is the song that started it all.

Rock my World

This video seriously rocks my world. I remember the first time I saw it, I sat glued to my television, mesmerized. Just like the kids in the video.

Like it My Way

West Side Story... Beat It.... these may be the inspiration, but Usher's 'My Way' is the best.

Video of Choice

Fatboy Slim's 'Weapon of Choice' is brilliant. Christopher Walken is brilliant.

That's all I have to say about that.

Don't Give Up

I've posted about my love for this video before. Taking over a mall a la New Radicals in 'You Get What You Give; would be a dream come true. So would winnning MTV's TJ contest.

Love This

'This Love' from Maroon 5 started my love affair with Adam Levine and the boys.

The Story of Who I Am...

Brandi Carlile is my favorite. That's all.