Requiescat in Pace, Amy Winehouse (September 14, 1983 – July 23, 2011)

So I heard the news earlier today that British singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse was found dead in her London apartment.  I took this news hard because she has been one of my favorites since her debut on the music scene in 2003.  I had always hoped that the talented young singer would put whatever troubles she was dealing with behind her and make a stunning return to the top of the music charts.  Back to Black was such a definitive music statement, so hopefully her musical legacy lives on.

Later, I got into a conversation with a friend about the so called 27 Club, after hearing about Amy's death.  I don't want to make light of any of the musician's lives whose names appear on that list, by linking their deaths to some supposed curse.  But I have to note the interesting coincidences in the patterns those lives took and how they all came to an untimely end.  Amy Winehouse was an amazing songwriter with the type of voice you can't help but listen to.  We should remember her for that, not simply the bad choices she made in life.  And since, at this time, the cause of her death is unknown, it is a bit premature to look at this as a tragic result of those choices.

I remember her for the music.  I remember many nights when her lyrics soothed whatever emotional ails I had at the time.  I remember the vibrant singer who burst into my consciousness with hypnotic vocals and a personality as lovable as it was rebellious.  The world not only lost a very talented artist, but also a young woman who some called daughter, sister, as well as friend.




This is the Amy Winehouse that made me a fan.  And these are some of my favorite tracks by the 5-time Grammy winner.  R.I.P. Amy.  May your music forever live on.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Back to School, Again, Again....

So at the end of last year, after not being enrolled in college since February of 2000, I began taking classes for my bachelor's degree in English, at the University of Phoenix.  Although I was excited to be back in school again, I was hesitant about attending this school, because people I talked to had negative reviews about it.  I worried that any degree I obtained would be frowned upon, as well as overpriced.  Interestingly enough, I wouldn't be a student there long enough to find out.  In May, I decided to withdraw from the University of Phoenix because my move to Maryland meant I could no longer get the same degree.  Makes no sense, right?  An exclusively online university has stipulations on what degree you can receive, based on where you live.  Crazy!

So I've been looking at other schools since then, mainly ones in the Maryland area, and today I am overjoyed.  Today, I went to the open house at UMUC.

They had an open house near the Largo area.  It was really informative, I got my application submitted, talked with a financial aid adviser, and even looked at the first course I'd be taking.  I'm really excited about the ability to minor in Journalism at UMUC, along with my English major.  These are the two areas I've always been trying to decide between, and now I'll get a strong foundation in both of them.  So finally, I'm back in school.  Again.  Again.   You get the point.

All in all, today was a very pleasant experience, minus the sweltering heat blanketing the DC area.  Right now, I'm really excited, grabbing a bite to eat at L'Enfant Plaza, before calling it an afternoon.

Hopefully you all are enjoying your weekend, and most importantly, beating the heat.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet