See previous weeks HERE.
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Hello, I am Amy Dupcak, a 28-year-old vegetarian Aquarian living in downtown Manhattan. I teach English and tutor on the college level, but I’ve also worked as a music journalist, blogger, and editor. And though I’m not a musician, it’s hard to find me without headphones. I’ve covered festivals like SxSW and CMJ, interviewed bands/artists like MGMT and Moby, and written many an album review. Last year, I started a blog called “No Alternative”: a (somewhat) daily fix of NYC-based alternative culture and arts…or just me gushing about stuff. For one series on my blog, I interview people I know, support, and admire about living creative/ passionate lifestyles (Stephanie included), in hopes of inspiring others and learning something new myself. Aside from blogging, I primarily write fiction, and after studying at Sarah Lawrence College, I earned my MFA in Fiction at The New School. Since then, I’ve published a few short stories and nonfiction pieces, and finished my first novel. I like to snap photos, draw spirals, watch documentaries about disturbing things, and make lists: from ‘best albums of the year’ to ‘favorite movie endings’ to things I am thankful for! I “met” the lovely Stephanie Violet through personally knowing the band 100 Monkeys, whom she met a few years ago. Nothing like some sweaty musicians to bring together two girls from opposite coasts.
Find me here:
Blog: No-Alternative
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876. When my mother goes out of her way to do sweet things for me…one time, she drove to my car in a parking lot to place my peacoat inside because she knew I’d be unprepared for the cold.
877. My sister, Laura, who is intricately woven into the fabric of my childhood/self, and who makes for the best Taboo partner. Here’s a photo of us at Cape Cod in 1988; I’m the one with the swimmies.
878. Anything teal-green (it just makes me so excited!).
879. Times New Roman. And Garamond, too.
880. Fireworks at Coney Island.
881. The magic that is Zelda, from original Nintendo to N64.
882. That I got “the good hair,” according to my mom. Also thankful to the friends who have cut, brushed, dyed, and dried all 20-some-odd inches of it, since I haven’t been to a salon since like 2003.
883. The madness that was Fleetwood House, where a smattering of us college kids knew no boundaries, hardly slept, broke our own hearts, and became intensely close friends.
884. Many trusty pairs of Converse and Doc Martens.
885. The smell of old comic books, thrift-store shirts, warm rain, matches, cologne, Nag Champa, and my grandmothers’ houses. The sound of sprinklers, just-spent sparklers hitting water, high notes on pianos, mourning doves, cicadas, and Thom Yorke’s voice.
886. That my favorite spot for brunch is right downstairs and they always know what I want: the Vegan’s choice, without onions.
887. My 2007 California road-trip adventure with my oldest friend, Ariana, which involved hiking in Big Sur, sand-dune sliding in San Luis Obispo, night-time swimming in Santa Barbara, dancing at the Roosevelt Hotel in LA, attending the BFD music fest in Mountain View, lounging on hippie-hill in San Fran, shouting out the car window on Route 1, and much more. Did I mention I love California?
888. The poetry of Anne Sexton, Sylvia Plath, and e.e. cummings.
889. Grunge culture and Nirvana, without which I would simply not be the same.
890. Having known Spencer Bell for two and a half years before he succumbed to cancer.
891. My photographic memory and vivid dreams, which deeply fuel my writing.
892. Old photobooths, and waiting for the photos to dry. Here’s a photo I took of my friend Keegan holding her still-wet photos:
893. My 120GB iPod classic. It took me longer than most to transition from Walkman to Discman, and then from Discman to iPod, but it really just makes life so much easier.
894. Migraine-free days, and the acupuncturist who has helped me for several years.
895. When VH1 Classic plays music videos from the ’80s on nights I can’t sleep.
896. All the time, effort, and care Jim Powers has put into decorating East Village/Lower East Side lampposts with his tiled mosaics.
897. My teeny-tiny handwriting, which bugged the hell out of one high school religion teacher (ha!).
898. Dark chocolate. I usually have a stash of it somewhere!
899. Impromptu dance parties with good friends and good music…especially Madonna.
900. The fact that my mom never moved, and that home is still home.
Oooo.. (#885) Thom Yorke's voice. It's like a big old spoon of peanutbutter (if you're into that sort of thing) for the soul. Dustin and I saw him in concert once - one of the best we've ever been to. I could stare at his swee tlittle lazy eye all day. He could stare at my leg. Match made in heaven.
I first met (internet "met") Amy after meeting the band 100 Monkeys in San Francisco with Nic. I found her on Myspace (remember Myspace?!) after checking out the 100 Monkey's page and we became friends. She's so rad. For all of you ladies who were in High school around the time of 10 Things I Hate About You, Miss Amy went to Sarah Lawrence, people! After hearing stories about some of her adventures, the part of me that always wanted to go away to school, be this independent female and study hard was satisfied through her. When I read what she writes, I, for two seconds, feel like a very stupid girl because Amy CAN WRITE. After those two pass, my insecurities pipe down and awe settles in. If you're into music or art and can appreciate a grungier, less DIYqueen-vintage-cutsey feel, check out her blog.
