Being Geek Chic is a blog for stylish geeks, sophisticated nerds and people who enjoy the musings of a complete dork. Join us as we dream of driving the TARDIS, cuddle with our eBooks and test out an iPad sleeve. It's written by Elizabeth Giorgi and a team of brilliant lady nerds. Meet the team.
Free stock music is hard to come by. Good stock music is even harder to find. But USEABLE stock music, hell, that’s like water in the dessert.
That’s why I was shocked to find a couple free tracks that I can actually see using available this month on iStock.
The first is Life in the 50’s IV:
An hilarious and lighthearted loopable tune suitable as backround music for family album concepts, images of everyday life, stories of young lovers. This music retrieves the tradition of doo-wop and american pop-rock of the 50’s with a four element band (piano, guitar, bass, drums) and choirs.
I can see quite a few good uses for this for tongue-in-cheek concepts.
The second is My Angel (an inspirational hip-hop beat):
Soulful hip hop sample with added space like effects. The melody is made up of tremolo layered orchestral strings. The drums and percussion are light and mixed for a smooth listening experience. The tone of this track is “completion" or “ending", perhaps best used as background music for credits.
This piece is less practical, but set up for a closing shot or for end credits like the composer suggests seems like a suitable fit.
1. Audio books!
Audio books are notoriously expensive. When I went searching for the Lord of the Rings on CD, I was flabbergasted that a used version of the set of 3 was over $40. Being the frugal chic I am, I reserved the series on audio book at my local library and now have the complete set loaded into my iTunes for easy listening whenever I’m in the mood. Over the years, I figure I’ve gotten well over $700 worth of audio books this way.
2. Textbooks
This one is controversial, because not all libraries carry textbooks and those that do often don’t carry the various versions of say, Modern Developments in Environmental Science. However, before you drop well over $100 for the latest calculus book, check to see if the library in your area has the book within 1 or 2 versions. Sometimes, new versions come out solely for new cover art, so see of you can save yourself some cash this way.
3. Movies
Last month, I canceled my Netflix subscription. It wasn’t because of the announcement of their price hikes. I dropped it because I found that I could just as easily get the movies I wanted, even new releases, from my library. Plus, since I can log into my library account and request the movies I want, it’s a similar experience to how my Netflix worked anyway.
If you’re looking to squeeze more out of your entertainment budget, the library might just be the money saving haven you haven’t quite taken full advantage of yet.
Here are five reasons why “21" is No. 1.
1. She’s a younger Susan Boyle. A singer who is preoccupied with vocal passion rather than visual image.
2. She seems real. There’s no artifice or manufactured image. She’s nervous and normal — except for her gift of a great voice.
3. Her album bucks the trends. No Auto-Tune, special guests or dance beats.
4. She has multi-generational appeal. Everyone from the iPod generation to baby boomers is buying her music.
5. She transcends radio formats. All kinds of Twin Cities radio stations play her singles — from the indie-rock-oriented Current to top 40 KDWB to adult-pop Cities 97.
Via Star Tribune
Do you agree?
All of you have to do is watch this video to understand why Charity Tilleman-Dick deserves to be the Lady Geek of the Week. True Lady Geeks live and breathe for their passions. Tilleman-Dick is a soprano who has performed all over the world as a renowned Opera singer. Imagine your passion being challenged by your body? I can’t even imagine finding myself in that position and commend her courage for taking on the incredible pain and transplants that she had to endure. And well, I’ll let you see how her singing career has managed since the ordeal.
Since her experience, Tilleman-Dick has taken on some new responsibilities, according to her bio:
Tilleman-Dick has served as the national spokesperson for the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, working to raise awareness, increase federal research funding, expand stem cell research, and promote preventative and alternative medicine.
If you ever need a little inspiration to get through the days - or when you think your dreams feel far off - revisit this video. Fighting for our passions makes us stronger and Charity Tilleman-Dick is a prime example of that and for that wise reminder, she’s our Lady Geek of the Week.
