Author Archives: Michelle Arp

I actually really enjoyed Voices, despite how uncomfortable some of the monologues presented made me. I felt that many of them were extremely meaningful, and I give major props to the people who wrote them; I don’t think I’d feel so confident telling deep secrets to A LOT of people all at once. My favorite one was the one about the girl who lost her friend. I liked this one because it hit close to home. Before graduation day, my high school class had three people die, and it has made an incredible impact on me. I really liked the way the writer started off, it was very real and you could get a sense of true friendship. I also like the humorous ones, like the bacon one. I was hysterical.

I think that Voices is a very interesting concept because you can get a real sense of someone just by one story they tell. Also, the actors were phenomenal, and the overall presentation of the monologues was very good.

FRO Monologue

My name is Michelle, after “Michelle” on “Full House.” I’m from a small town on Long Island – where everybody knows everyone’s business. I’m at Baruch because I couldn’t afford Pratt Institute in Brooklyn – but I actually do like it here, even though I’m as far from the corporate business type as humanly possible. I want to be a writer and eventually move out to California to be with the mountains and the waves because I’ve always had a dream of moving out west.

Don’t laugh, I’m a world champion baton twirler, ranking 3^rd in the world. I’ve been twirling since I’m 4 and still compete in solo events. I love preforming.

I also love music. Like, you have no idea. If I’m not listening to music, I’m reading a rock rag or a book on music or anything like that. Both of the tattoos I have are rock and roll inspired (which is my favorite genre, but I also have a love of Mississippi Delta Blues, 90s alternative and ska).

I try to live my life by something my favorite author, Jack Kerouac had once said: “Live, travel, adventure, bless, and don’t be sorry.”

I thought the workshop was interesting, although I only read about half of the actual book. While I obviously didn’t understand many of the references he made, I liked how he was down-to-earth and eager to answer any questions we had. I did read SOME of the book, so the parts he mentioned that I knew about, I enjoyed. I really liked how he got the idea for the story – it’s very cool how one incident can spark inspiration and wind up becoming a best-selling novel. I want to be a writer, so I was very interested in the tips he gave and the points he made on his writing process itself, mainly the part about setting aside time to write, and becoming all-encompassed in your writing. That part spoke to me because, as a writer, it makes me seem less crazy for devoting time to working on finishing a piece.

Michelle Arp – FRO-CWB – Blog Post #1

Hey everyone, I’m Michelle! I’m at Baruch to study Music Journalism, so of course I opted to make a playlist for this blog post. The descriptions I put for the songs do absolutely no justice for them, so if ya really want to know who I am, take a listen!

1. God: John Lennon – This song really explains how I live my life. Growing up Catholic in an all-Catholic community, I was taught from a young age about God and why you should fear/worship him. But after years of being exposed to this, I’m not too sure if I believe it. Like John Lennon proclaims, “I just believe in me,” this is how I lead my life; not abiding by what other people say, but discovering truths for myself.
2. Just a Girl: No Doubt – In high school, my only friends were guys. So naturally, I’m used to being treated like one of the guys. It’s weird to be finally treated like a girl, but I guess that’s what I am!
3. Rebel Rebel: David Bowie – I am the misfit, the black sheep, and the rebel in my family. I am the first to go to college NOT on Long Island, I am the first to have a tattoo, I am the first to have a piercing other than my ears (it’s my belly button, so don’t get too excited) and I am the first have an “artistic” kind of life.
4. Dancing Barefoot: Patti Smith – I picked this song for the sole reason that I LOVE this song. So I guess that says something about me…
5. Shining On: Big D and the Kids Table – I listen to this song whenever I’m having a rough day. It’s makes me want to sing along, and it’s ska…who doesn’t love a good ska song? In the version on my Mixpod playlist, the opening words say it all – I always tried to make the best out of living in a bad place (not BAD bad, just someplace where I never fit it).
6. Can’t Stop: Red Hot Chili Peppers – “This life is more than just a read-through.” Well said, Anthony Kiedis.
7. Going to California: Led Zeppelin – This one has a soft spot in my heart. Not only is this song beautiful, but it explains what I want in life. I want to move out to California and just LIVE. I want to sit outside my mountaintop house, and stare out to the world below. I want to feel the warmth on my face on Venice Beach. I want to get lost is Los Angeles. I want the California lifestyle that I’ve lived for 18 years.
8. I Love Rock and Roll: Joan Jett and the Blackhearts – The title says it all.
9. New York State of Mind: Billy Joel– I chose this song for two reasons, one being that Billy Joel is the icon of Long Island, and the other is that as much as I want to move out west, New York is where I’m supposed to be for now. Everyday when I’m on the LIRR, I watch Long Island pass me by, and think to myself how beautiful it is to live there. Then as the train pulls past Woodside, and just before it goes into the tunnel, I look at the city skyline, and it really is breathtaking. As much as I complain about the commute, the disgusting subways, the rude people, and the ever-present smell of urine, I REALLY love Manhattan.

Mixpod Playlist – click here!