Tag: life

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Arts & Entertainment music

What’s In Your Headphones?

As college students, we tend to get ahead of ourselves when it comes to having stress while trying to deal with anything college-related, but from experience and many friends/peers of mine, music is the number one way to destress, focus, or even just to walk around campus. I wanted to get different people’s opinions and find out their way of thinking when it comes to using music to help, so I interviewed three students to understand why they listen to the music that they do. I asked them the same five questions and got very different but interesting answers.

Interview 1: Leslie

1. Is there a certain artist that you like to listen to when you want to destress?

– Tame Impala 

2. How does that artist help you focus?

– The message in their songs, along with the beats, keeps me in the zone. The lyrics aren’t too distracting.

3. What genre of music helps you get into the focusing zone and why?

– Techno or house music. The beats keep me in a constant though instead of having lyrics steering me away from my assignments.

4. What song would you describe your college life right now and why?

– Passionfruit by Drake. It’s good vibes and I feel like I’m flowing through the school work taking it day by day.

5. What song plays in your head when you submit an assignment at 11:59?

– Only Angel by Harry Styles. It had a good mix of buildup and intensity then relief when submitting the assignment.

Interview 2: Alyssa

1. Is there a certain artist that you like to listen to when you want to destress?

– Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish 

2. How does that artist help you focus?

– Ariana Grande tends to make songs that hit emotionally, Billie Eilish makes melodies that ease my stress and calms me down. 

3. What genre of music helps you get into the focusing zone and why?

– Usually girl pop, but if I really want to get into my zone, I usually put on a lo-fi radio station, and I usually tend to put that on for when I study or do my assignments/homework.

4. What song would you describe your college life right now and why?

– My Future by Billie Eilish because It really has you thinking about not only school but life. 

5. What song plays in your head when you submit an assignment at 11:59?

– Count Contessa by Azealia Banks. It has good vibes all around and makes me feel like I’m that girl because I got it done before the deadline.

Interview 3: Ashley

1. Is there a certain artist that you like to listen to when you want to destress?

–  Taylor Swift because she has a song for every feeling. If I’m feeling stressed, I usually put on Evermore or Folklore. If I want an album to hype me up, I’ll put on Fearless because that is just such a good pop album.

2. How does that artist help you focus?

– Her music helps me focus because it creates a certain mood.

3. What genre of music helps you get into the focusing zone and why?

– Pop music for sure because it’s upbeat and motivating.

4. What song would you describe your college life right now and why?

– This Is Me Trying by Taylor Swift because I feel as though anybody can relate no matter what stage of life you’re in.

5. What song plays in your head when you submit an assignment at 11:59?

– Time Of Our Lives by Pitbull feat Ne-Yo because it’s such an uplifting song.

Quote from my interview with Leslie

“The way music has the power to transport you back to a certain feeling or time is beautiful.”

For context, this playlist is one of my favorite playlists to listen to because it’s calming music to help you focus.

Final Thoughts

After taking the time to interview these students, I reviewed everyone’s answers, played all the requested songs, and sat down with them as I listened to everyone’s choices. Even to understand the way a song can mean so much to a person. It’s crazy to think how different each person answered and the type of music each one uses to focus.

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Business Student Life at VC

Top 5 Ways An Auto Detailer Can Save Your Car And Your Wallet!

Our car’s value is always a big deal, especially if eventually there will be a time where you want to sell it. Scratches, stains, and damage from the sun can all be solved, but when it’s not, then your car’s value can really drop! Especially here in Ventura County where we have year-round sun, sand from the beach, and dirt from our fields that could really damage a vehicle over time if not maintained. That’s where professional auto detailing comes in. Auto detailing isn’t just just about giving people a clean car, it’s also about protecting your car and keeping its value. With that being said lets jump into the top 5 things a detailer can do to save your car and your wallet!

1.) Paint Protection

Let’s be honest, when we look at a car the paint is almost always the first thing we really look at. When it’s exposed to UV rays all day there can be swirls on it, there can be bird droppings that burn through your paint, and tons of dust and dirt from the agriculture in our city. These things slowly make your car oxidize or even fade. What we do is use things like wax, paint sealants, and ceramic protection. These things are like different layers of shielding for your car. Preventing paint damage monthly saves you from expensive repainting later and just value drops in general.

Lets hear what a dealership used car manager says about this service

“When someone brings in a car for trade in, the first thing we notice is the exterior condition. If the paint is faded or scratched up, the value drops almost right away .”

2.) Interior Work

Cracked dashboards and worn out leather seats are the worst, especially since it’s so easy to avoid. They don’t just show up out of nowhere; it happens from all the heat and neglect. Interior work like conditioning the leather and protecting interior dashes and materials keeps them soft, clean, and will prevent cracks that make your car look 5 years older. “Cars that are maintained regularly almost always bring the strongest offers,” the dealership manager explains.

3.) Wheel Protection

Brake dust builds up super fast every time you drive, and it’s actually corrosive. If you ignore it, it can permanently stain and damage your wheels. A proper wheel cleaning removes all that buildup safely and can protect the finish of them.

4.) Keeping The Engine Clean

In all honesty, unless your car is a show car or has an impressive engine most people will never really think about the engine bay, but dealerships definitely do. A clean engine compartment shows that the owner cared about the vehicle and it also really helps with spotting leaks or problems early before they become expensive repairs. A good detailer will use degreaser to remove all the corrosive gunk that will build up in the engine and will remove all the debris.

5.) Consistency

The key to keeping your cars value is just plain consistency. Regular washes, interior cleanings, and all the things mentioned above really do prevent small issues from turning into big ones. As  Jeff Myers, the used car manger, said from our interview “It’s much cheaper to maintain than to hire someone else to restore our inventory.” Detailing once every few years just can’t undo years of neglect and use so the best solution is just to keep it maintained year round.

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Advice Arts & Entertainment Business Food & Beverage Food & Dining Local Business Spotlight Nature & Outdoors Student Life at VC

Livin’ Large on Laundry Money

Broke… but romanticizing it.

You might be like most college students, experiencing a specific type of broke that comes in the form of realizing that you have exactly enough money for gas… and maybe laundry. Between classes, textbooks, and trying to have some sort of social life, “fun” starts to feel like a luxury you might not be able to afford.

So I decided to test something: Could I spend and entire day exploring Ventura with just $20?

In the words of Sia, “I love cheap thrills.” This challenge felt like the perfect way to find them. The day started as a budgeting experiment but became a reminder that Ventura is uniquely suited for inexpensive fun. We’ve got ocean views that don’t cost a thing, locally owned coffee shops that still feel personal, and small businesses that remember your face.

Preparation: What you actually need

Before setting out, I kept it simple- A $20 bill, a jacket (because Ventura is a bit unpredictable sometimes), a water bottle, and a small packed sandwich to hold me over.

Packing something small ahead of time helps stretch the budget without taking away from the experience. We’re not trying to “go without”, just spending intentionally.

Morning: Donuts, Coffee, Views

First stop – KD Donuts on Telegraph Road. Not only are you getting what I will confidently call the actual best donut in town, but you’re also supporting a family-owned business that has been part of Ventura for nearly 40 years. It’s a win-win, you get an awesome treat, and you can feel good about where your money’s going. An insider tip: If you’re nice, she might throw in a few donut holes. And let me be clear — it is a requirement that you order the apple fritter. It’s massive. You won’t feel cheated once you feel the weight of it in that little paper sleeve. At $1.75, you kinda feel like you’re getting away with highway robbery. As soon as we drove up, the owner smiled and said,

“I haven’t seen you guys in a while. Did you move? How are you? Come back more often.”

That one comment says everything about why local businesses matter. It doesn’t feel like a transaction, it feels like building community. Our total came to $1.89.

Stop #2 – Daylight & Moon cafe on Loma Vista Road. The space is bright and clean, the staff are genuinely friendly, and they actually care about the quality of what they serve, even if it’s just drip coffee (which is what we’re getting). The coffee is strong and punchy which is perfect to pair with our sweet treat. My drip came out to $3.77.

Running total: $5.66

Stop #3 – With coffee and donut in hand, we set out for Cemetery Memorial Park. This might be one of Ventura’s most underrated spots. There’s something about the grass, sunshine, and island views (all completely free might I add). That’s the thing about this challenge: the best parts of the day were free. We sat, talked, took our time, and genuinely enjoyed it.

Afternoon: More Views, Treasure Hunts, Wandering

After our slow morning, it felt right to lean into another one of Ventura’s natural beauties. We headed up to the Botanical Gardens (which are free on Fridays). If you can time your visit right, it’s one of the best free experiences. The trails wind up the hillside with ocean views that will force you to come back at your earliest opportunity. And if it’s not Friday? I recommend Arroyo Verde Park. Still beautiful. Still completely free.

Stop #5 – The $3 thrift challenge. A challenge within a challenge. To keep things interesting, I added a rule: If you’re going to buy something, it has to be under $3, and it HAS to be something you love – not just something cheap. So you either get to walk out proud that you saved your money… or you find a hidden gem that you really treasure. After scanning shelves and digging a little, I found what I’m pretty sure is a shot glass. But for me, I will be using my $2.14 tiny mug to pot a succulent. If you aren’t as successful as me, you still get some great entertainment and to browse with a purpose.

Next was wandering through downtown. We continue the browsing- but window shopping only this time. Downtown is built for strolling, so you won’t feel like you stand out for not buying anything.

Running total: $7.80

Botanical Gardens.

Coalition Thrift.

Walking Downtown.

Evening: Tacos, Layers, and a Sunset Finale

Now’s a good time to bring out that jacket. We made our way down to Beach House Tacos along the promenade. Tacos and ocean views are always a winning combination for me, so this felt like the right place to close out the day. The menu has plenty of options, but this is where things got interesting. While we were in line, I mentioned the $20 challenge to another customer. She immediately leaned in and said,

“Order the kids street tacos. I got them for my kid once and they were so good I started ordering them for myself too. It’s the best deal on the menu.”

And she was right. The kids street taco plate was $6, simple, flavorful, and more filling than expected. Add a coke for $4, and dinner came out to $10.78. And best of all, it still felt like a real “going out” meal.

Talking to people, exploring your options, and staying open, will all help you find better ways to spend your money.

We took our tacos further out on the Ventura Pier and sat watching the waves roll in as the sun set. Tacos and ocean air. Not bad for laundry money.

The Final Tally

{Morning: $5.66} {Afternoon: $2.14} {Evening: $10.78}

Total spent: $18.58

Money left: $1.42

We stayed under budget and had so. much. fun.

Another great thing about this day was noticing how much Ventura offers when you slow down enough to look for it. Supporting family-owned businesses, talking to strangers, walking instead of rushing, hunting instead of impulse buying. If you’re a VC student who feels like fun is getting too expensive, I’d encourage you to try something like this, maybe not the exact same stops, but your own version. Pick a number, pick a jacket, bring a friend, see what you find. Ventura makes it easier than you think.

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Arts & Entertainment Student Life at VC

Feeling Moody? Just Hit Play!

Music has always been the universal language. No matter what country of origin, listeners are able to distinguish an emotional presence and overall feeling from the melodies, rhythm, and movement of the song. So this got me thinking about the overlooked behavior of choosing music when we have those emotional moments. What makes people put on certain songs? Specifically, when you are feeling sad, happy or angry, does the listener choose music to lift them out of that emotion or stay present in that mindset. I decided to set out get some answers!

The Psychology behind music selection

A lot of different choices can be made based on mood. Picture this, two people are having the exact same awful of a day then return to their respective places of living. They decide they want to decompress their day by turning on their speaker and putting on some music. Regardless of them going through the same awful day, even then, they would still most likely choose music from opposite sides of the spectrum. One might put on more of a Midwest Emo/EmoViolence/ Emo Hardcore and sit in their respective emotions and ride it out. The other might put on more 80s New Wave/ Synth Pop/ Goth Rock and dance it out right there in their living rooms to exert that awful day away. Why does this happen? I wanted to find out what music listeners choose based on their moods.

Instagram poll results

I took to my instagram, posted some polls on my story, and gathered my own data. These polls were centered around 3 major emotions. Sadness, Happiness, and Anger. Respondents were asked about their music choices when experiencing any of those three emotions. Do they choose music that matches the mood or do they choose music that pulls them out of that given emotion. About an average of 50 users participated in the research below. Heres what I found.

Sadness

First up, we have everyone’s good old companion, sadness. When asked about what music they choose, most people chose music that matches their mood. This means they are pressing play on the tunes that make them shed a tear or amplify those sad thoughts. In this way, they’re riding the wave and getting off it when they feel ready to. I think it is important to think about how a lot of the music in the mainstream, regardless of the genre, has a reoccurring run in with sadness. Whether this would be with an Electronic Pop hit about a breakup or a Indie Rock song about hating your 9-5, that all point to the same baseline of sadness. It’s a more normalized emotion within the music sphere and in our everyday and one to be processed, this is where music is often the helpful tool. When in comes to the other 19 percent in the poll, they are the ones to put the tunes to get them out of the pit of sadness. This would consist of upbeat, pop, bright songs to pump up the energy to move through it.

Happiness

When respondents were asked about they hit play on when it comes to happiness, there was also a huge gap that presented itself across the data. It appears that when users felt that they were having a good energy in their day where they felt energetic, happy, and joyful most users wanted to continue that vibe with some tunes to encourage rather than mellowing themselves out. In this instance more fast paced, high energy, bright songs would be in the rotation rather than some stripped back, calm, and grounded songs. This again would be another emotion that would be normalized in our mainstream with songs being used to get us hyped up and happy. This would be considered a more accepted emotion alongside sadness to be able to process through music in a healthy way. Feeling warm, joyful, and excited? Great put on some ABBA!

Anger

Here’s where it gets interesting! Given that the previous polls had a rather huge gap between the answers, this one was actually cutting it quite close. When users were asked about moments where they felt Angry, 55% of them said they would much rather choose music to continue on the rage. 45% said they wanted to put something on that would help them calm down and get to a better headspace. I think with the other emotions in the study, I can’t help but notice how Anger is more of the emotion that is not as easily accepted in the mainstream and in our everyday. It’s violent, its dark, and it can be visceral. As we should know, Anger can and is a healthy emotion to experience yet many user were wanted to choose music to calm them down and contrast the anger overall. When it comes to the choices for matching the mood this could consist of Hardcore, Metal, and maybe even a sprinkle of something Punk adjacent. Those wanting to calm themselves down are going more for the soft and mellow tones of Jazz, Acoustic, or Folk.

Let’s Rewind

At the end of the day, music choice is all subjective and changes from person to person! As mentioned previously, but two people feeling the same emotion and going through the same type of day, won’t neccessarilay mean that they will end up choosing the same music to decompress after a long day. That in of itself is really interesting! The main take away from this study was really the curiosity of how people make their moody music choices and present the findings. This is to get us to be a bit more aware of what we hit play on when we are feeling emotional. Do we go with the flow or go against it?

Moody Playlists

To finish things off here are some of some playlists of songs from my personal library that I would put on for when I fell Happy, Sad or Angry. When comparing myself to the results, I am definitely more of the listener to choose music that matches the mood entirely. I think this is a pretty good representation of myself but I encourage you to make some playlists to have ready when those emotional moments happen!