I didn't do nearly as well as I did last year. On top of that - I read more fiction and guilty pleasure books this year too. Last year I was on a classics kick and will probably go back to that in 2011. But it is what it is.... my 2010 Book List, in order of being read.
Eaters of the Dead - Michael Crichton
This book was a literary adaption of the ancient story of Beowulf. It was a very literal translation for the first half, then a bit more liberal with the ending. It follows the journey of an Arabic man who is riding with a group of people we now call 'vikings.' There's some great bits of history and culture in there with a story most people already know subtly woven in.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - Hunter S. Thompson
Most people have seen the movie, or recognize the HST costume... I'm a big fan of the movie, and knew that I'd eventually need to read the book it was based on. It was definitely better than the movie (even though the movie does thankfully stay very very close to the book). However, those moments of literary genius are more common in the book. The movie just has that one scene after the worst binge where Thompson wakes up in the god-awful mess and then bangs out an enlightening monologue about why all these children from the 60s are so... empty now. There are several moments like this in the book, and that's exactly what I was hoping for. Its crazy to think this guy actually did that. He really was some kind of mad genius.
How Starbucks Changed My Life -
A big-wig guy from an ad firm gets laid off and forced to find a job with health insurance at 70 years old. He finds that and more at a Starbucks. Sounds ridiculous, but actually was an interesting read. The old guy has some good points to make.... as well as a few that should have been common sense.
Trinity - Leon Uris
Oof. This one was AWESOME. And heartbreaking. But its hard to tell a story set in Ireland any other way. It was a long read, but totally worth it. There's so much Irish history woven in to a fictional story that you're learning about Ireland's past without even knowing it. And if you're actually Irish - its hard to read this and not come out with an anti-English/Protestant feeling.
A Confession - Tolstoy
Popular Russian writer struggles with being intelligent at the same time as wanting to believe in God. He has trouble making the two mesh. Some good arguments in here. I think the purpose of the book is how to look at faith in a different way so as to reconcile faith in God with modern cynicism. However, I personally thought the arguments AGAINST it in the beginning were much better than those posed at the end. Essentially, that's what this book was about - questioning intelligently. He did eventually come to the conclusion that faith and intellectualism could co-exist... Too bad the Catholic church had kicked him out for even asking the question in the first place.
His Dark Materials (series) - Pullman
This series was the first 'new' sci-fi/fantasy books I'd tried in over a decade. I liked these 3 books - the premise was different than anything I'd read before. So many sci-fi series are just rehashed or re-imagined from some other series. This one felt new. It came out about the same time as Harry Potter, and ironically - Potter took most of the flak for being 'anti-christian' with all its witches and magic.... Spoiler alert: THIS BOOK KILLS GOD. Like, no joke. They friggen kill God. Well, they basically euthanize him, but let's not split hairs. Its supposed to be a good thing, and the way the book is laid out, it is.... but still. Yikes. Pullman owes JK Rowling big time for taking the heat on that one.
The Duma Key - Stephen King
Standard King. Construction worker loses arm, marriage, and moves to Florida. Rediscovers painting. And a mysterious presence on the island (key) finds him. If you've read any King, this isn't anything new. But still a fun read, like all King. One of his better endings though. It has one.
Brave New World - Huxley
I've read this before, but didn't really remember it. Now I remember why. Its terrible. Great premise, great idea... hard to read. Moral: Differences, emotions, pain, struggle - removing them from our lives also removes our identity and purpose. A life without them is meaningless.
World War Z - Brooks
Ever read the oral histories of a war? Its single person stories of their experiences during a time of upheaval. This is another oral history, only for a fictitious zombie apocalypse. Sound like an easily forgettable read? Think again. This book hits HARD. Even though the accounts of human decency and showcasing the amazing things our race can do when put to the test are fiction - the emotional weight is real. I'd highly recommend it.
The Road - McCarthy
A young boy and his father are wandering a post-apocalyptic wasteland looking for.... well, anything. Food mostly. This one is a heart wrencher. What do you tell your kids when you're pretty sure everything's NOT going to be alright? Do you keep your morals and humanity and die slowly? Or throw morality to the wind and survive?
Towers of Midnight - Jordan
The next-to-last book in a gigantic series. Its sci-fi/fantasy but the story is so complex and unique that I honestly can't wait to see how it ends. I'd go into a synopsis, but it'd just sound silly.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
30 days of truth (Day 13)
Day 13 → A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough days.
I recently (jokingly) told a friend that I would not give up 311 for her, and got a lot of flak about my decision. In my defense, the premise was not only did I have to give them up, I also had to give up EVER KNOWING THEM. And there was really no reason or warning to this thought-experiment, and quite obviously was posed just so I would give the obvious answer - so in my wisdom, I chose 311 over this friend. As a joke. Right?
I don't think people understand how much of an influence that one band had on me in high school, college, and still today... How many shows I've been to, memories of people and turning points in relationships that happened at those shows. Quoted lyrics, ideologies... Not having ever known this band would probably make me a completely different person.
The thing about 311 is that there's always a song for whatever mood you're in. Feeling down? Listen to Don't Dwell, Don't Stay Home, Beyond the Gray Sky, or Sometimes Jacks Rule the Realm. Or maybe you're feeling great and want something to get geared up? Omaha Stylee, Freak Out, Down, or F.T.B.S. will get you there. Wanna wind down? There's always Amber, Stealing Happy Hours, or Running. I could go on, but you get the idea.
I recently (jokingly) told a friend that I would not give up 311 for her, and got a lot of flak about my decision. In my defense, the premise was not only did I have to give them up, I also had to give up EVER KNOWING THEM. And there was really no reason or warning to this thought-experiment, and quite obviously was posed just so I would give the obvious answer - so in my wisdom, I chose 311 over this friend. As a joke. Right?
I don't think people understand how much of an influence that one band had on me in high school, college, and still today... How many shows I've been to, memories of people and turning points in relationships that happened at those shows. Quoted lyrics, ideologies... Not having ever known this band would probably make me a completely different person.
The thing about 311 is that there's always a song for whatever mood you're in. Feeling down? Listen to Don't Dwell, Don't Stay Home, Beyond the Gray Sky, or Sometimes Jacks Rule the Realm. Or maybe you're feeling great and want something to get geared up? Omaha Stylee, Freak Out, Down, or F.T.B.S. will get you there. Wanna wind down? There's always Amber, Stealing Happy Hours, or Running. I could go on, but you get the idea.
30 days of truth (Day 12)
Day 12 → Something you never get compliments on.
My feet. You don't ever hear someone say, "Hey dude, sweet feet!" As a matter of fact, I don't think I've ever hear compliments given to anyone on their feet. Or their ears. Both two body parts that serve only functional purposes. They ain't much to look at when you really think about it. Go ahead, think about it. Not really any such thing as 'attractive' ears, huh?
Honestly, if I DID get a compliment on my ears or feet, I'd probably be creeped out.
Caboose OUT.
My feet. You don't ever hear someone say, "Hey dude, sweet feet!" As a matter of fact, I don't think I've ever hear compliments given to anyone on their feet. Or their ears. Both two body parts that serve only functional purposes. They ain't much to look at when you really think about it. Go ahead, think about it. Not really any such thing as 'attractive' ears, huh?
Honestly, if I DID get a compliment on my ears or feet, I'd probably be creeped out.
Caboose OUT.
Monday, December 6, 2010
30 days of truth (Day 11)
Day 11 → Something people seem to compliment you the most on.
Okay, guess I've got to make up for skipping the last one.
Ironically, the things I get the most compliments for tend to be the things that I also get the most grief for from different people. I guess that's me, though. Catalyzing. I get compliments on my hair a lot. I also have people asking me if I'm going for the 'mad scientist' look, or ask me, "so... when are you getting a haircut again?" Same story with the way I dress. Sometimes I get compliments, and sometimes people ask what the hell I'm wearing. I get grief for scarves a lot. Guess what people? They work really well. Plus, I think they're cool. I decided in college that scarves were totally worth the risk... in fact one co-worker that sits next to me on my team was in several of my PoliSci classes @ ISU, and he actually knew me as 'the scarf kid.' Its cool, I knew him as 'trench coat mafia.' Super cool (and crazy smart) guy. Anyways.
I used to get compliments on my wit, but I've lost a bit of that, honestly. You've got to have a foil to stay sharp with that.
I get compliments on my guitars and my Silvertone amp at shows quite a bit.
Okay, guess I've got to make up for skipping the last one.
Ironically, the things I get the most compliments for tend to be the things that I also get the most grief for from different people. I guess that's me, though. Catalyzing. I get compliments on my hair a lot. I also have people asking me if I'm going for the 'mad scientist' look, or ask me, "so... when are you getting a haircut again?" Same story with the way I dress. Sometimes I get compliments, and sometimes people ask what the hell I'm wearing. I get grief for scarves a lot. Guess what people? They work really well. Plus, I think they're cool. I decided in college that scarves were totally worth the risk... in fact one co-worker that sits next to me on my team was in several of my PoliSci classes @ ISU, and he actually knew me as 'the scarf kid.' Its cool, I knew him as 'trench coat mafia.' Super cool (and crazy smart) guy. Anyways.
I used to get compliments on my wit, but I've lost a bit of that, honestly. You've got to have a foil to stay sharp with that.
I get compliments on my guitars and my Silvertone amp at shows quite a bit.
30 days of truth (Day 10)
Day 10 → Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.
Guess what, Downer List? I'm skipping this one. I didn't realize that this list should have been called, "30 days of wanting to cut yourself." I can think of a few people that I should probably permanently cut ties with, but that's just sorta mean. An eye roll here and there is bearable rather than having to deal with 'completely cut all ties' drama. I feel like that's just asking for more contact. And the one person I probably should let go, I'd rather cut my arm off than do that.
Guess what, Downer List? I'm skipping this one. I didn't realize that this list should have been called, "30 days of wanting to cut yourself." I can think of a few people that I should probably permanently cut ties with, but that's just sorta mean. An eye roll here and there is bearable rather than having to deal with 'completely cut all ties' drama. I feel like that's just asking for more contact. And the one person I probably should let go, I'd rather cut my arm off than do that.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Why people break up
This was an interesting post. A chart on the reasons people break up and another trending the times during the year that see the most breakups.
I like charts and graphs.
I like charts and graphs.
Monday, November 29, 2010
30 days of truth (Day 9)
Day 09 → Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.
I had a few friends in college that I drifted from when we all moved. We've kept in loose contact, but I've been pretty bad about making the day trip over to see people. I'm trying to be better about that. They're great people and I don't want to lose them as friends.
And what do ya know, one of them just emailed me. Told ya - good people.
I had a few friends in college that I drifted from when we all moved. We've kept in loose contact, but I've been pretty bad about making the day trip over to see people. I'm trying to be better about that. They're great people and I don't want to lose them as friends.
And what do ya know, one of them just emailed me. Told ya - good people.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
30 days of truth (Day 8)
Day 08 → Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like shit.
Hmm, I think I should re-work this list. Some of these are sorta all about bitching. And I really don't think I have an instance of someone who made my life hell... I either get lost or get even, but either way, I don't just let it happen. I'm sure that if I let other people make suggestions for this post that I could get a few submissions. But really - I feel that you only LET people make your life hell, and there's always ways to get out from under that. So its hard for me to place blame on other people. I suppose I could go into people who I hated working with at work, but I tend to move on ASAP if I get into those situations.
Sorry. Crap post. Whomp-wah.
Hmm, I think I should re-work this list. Some of these are sorta all about bitching. And I really don't think I have an instance of someone who made my life hell... I either get lost or get even, but either way, I don't just let it happen. I'm sure that if I let other people make suggestions for this post that I could get a few submissions. But really - I feel that you only LET people make your life hell, and there's always ways to get out from under that. So its hard for me to place blame on other people. I suppose I could go into people who I hated working with at work, but I tend to move on ASAP if I get into those situations.
Sorry. Crap post. Whomp-wah.
Monday, November 22, 2010
30 days of truth (Day 7)
Day 07 → Someone who has made your life worth living for.
Trying to whittle this down to one person might be tough... I'll just say that my mother and two older brothers have done a lot for me, both directly and indirectly.
Obviously, they've all given me a lot of direct support all my life... advice, phone calls, positive vibes, etc. But indirectly, they've made my life literally worth living for by just being themselves. There have been times in the past few years where I was so down that they were literally the only reason I could find to keep on going at all.
On a much less dramatic but no less truthful note: I sometimes also think that its worth living just to observe the unpredictable and wondrous event that is life on this planet. Crazy good or bad weather, the insane coincidences, the vastness of the universe, the newest gadget realized from a childhood sci-fi movie, the unpredictability of people... There's something existentially and fundamentally amazing about the fact that those phenomenon aren't unique to our lifetimes. People have been reveling in these things for centuries... Little feelings of amazement, awe, and understanding that appear in a flash and then gone even faster. Those moments are - in part - I think why we're all HERE.
Trying to whittle this down to one person might be tough... I'll just say that my mother and two older brothers have done a lot for me, both directly and indirectly.
Obviously, they've all given me a lot of direct support all my life... advice, phone calls, positive vibes, etc. But indirectly, they've made my life literally worth living for by just being themselves. There have been times in the past few years where I was so down that they were literally the only reason I could find to keep on going at all.
On a much less dramatic but no less truthful note: I sometimes also think that its worth living just to observe the unpredictable and wondrous event that is life on this planet. Crazy good or bad weather, the insane coincidences, the vastness of the universe, the newest gadget realized from a childhood sci-fi movie, the unpredictability of people... There's something existentially and fundamentally amazing about the fact that those phenomenon aren't unique to our lifetimes. People have been reveling in these things for centuries... Little feelings of amazement, awe, and understanding that appear in a flash and then gone even faster. Those moments are - in part - I think why we're all HERE.
Friday, November 19, 2010
30 days of truth (Day 6)
Day 06 → Something you hope you never have to do.
Man, um... I can think of lots of things I hope to never have to do.
Man, um... I can think of lots of things I hope to never have to do.
- Watch one of my children die before I do
- Kill someone
- Wonder how I'll get my next meal
- Meet a certain someone's future kids
- Fight a panda
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is a big deal. You hear about it all the time, but its actually a bit of a controversy. It hasn't been given out much in the past few scenes of war, due to the drop in "in-close" combat and - allegedly - increasing bureaucratic process.
However, today marks the first time a Medal of Honor has been awarded to a living recipient since the Vietnam War. And he's from Iowa.
Staff Sgt. Sal Giunta's actions are nothing short of action-movie caliber. Here's the official account. I'll break it down for you layman's style here:
Bunch of soldiers traveling down a road. A dozen taliban fighters spring an ambush - an "L" shaped ambushed, designed to separate a team off from the squad, and the squad off from the platoon. Its designed to kill everyone in a small area, then run. So there's 12 taliban fighters shooting rockets and machine guns at just his team.... from 20 FEET AWAY. So, imagine that.
Everyone in platoon is hit - even the medic is killed. The point man is Giunta's best friend, Sgt Josh Brennan. He's hit eight times. Eight. Giunta is 4th man back. The guy in front of him is hit 4 times. Giunta takes one round to his flak jacket, and another off his weapon strapped to his back. Its fucking RAINING automatic weapons fire. From 20 ft away, remember.
Giunta sees that his friend, Sgt. Brennan, is being drug away by two talibani fighters to who knows where. Nowhere good. Giunta leaves cover, runs into the effing middle of this, shoots one of the talibani and wounds the other who drops his team leader (and friend) and runs away. Giunta grabs Brennan by the body armor and drags him back to cover and starts administering aid.
Brennan eventually died of his wounds the next day, but Giunta's actions meant that the taliban were denied a possible ransom or execution, and Brennan's parents were able to have a proper burial for their son.
I heard Giunta's interview on NPR coming to work yesterday. He was asked if he was a "good soldier." He responded that he felt that he was "average. I'm mediocre." He didn't sound like the stereotypical heavy brooding soldier type. He sounded like a completely normal person. Thrust into a warzone. While he may not see himself as exceptional - this story is a tiny microcosm of the people serving our country. Normal people being asked to do extra-ordinary things on a daily basis. Shit like this happens so often that its just another day's work to them. Its a great image of how people rise to the occasion to do whatever it is than needs done.
Its a little late for veteran's day - but here's my contribution: Giunta (and others like you) - you should know that you're anything but average.
However, today marks the first time a Medal of Honor has been awarded to a living recipient since the Vietnam War. And he's from Iowa.
Staff Sgt. Sal Giunta's actions are nothing short of action-movie caliber. Here's the official account. I'll break it down for you layman's style here:
Bunch of soldiers traveling down a road. A dozen taliban fighters spring an ambush - an "L" shaped ambushed, designed to separate a team off from the squad, and the squad off from the platoon. Its designed to kill everyone in a small area, then run. So there's 12 taliban fighters shooting rockets and machine guns at just his team.... from 20 FEET AWAY. So, imagine that.
Everyone in platoon is hit - even the medic is killed. The point man is Giunta's best friend, Sgt Josh Brennan. He's hit eight times. Eight. Giunta is 4th man back. The guy in front of him is hit 4 times. Giunta takes one round to his flak jacket, and another off his weapon strapped to his back. Its fucking RAINING automatic weapons fire. From 20 ft away, remember.
Giunta sees that his friend, Sgt. Brennan, is being drug away by two talibani fighters to who knows where. Nowhere good. Giunta leaves cover, runs into the effing middle of this, shoots one of the talibani and wounds the other who drops his team leader (and friend) and runs away. Giunta grabs Brennan by the body armor and drags him back to cover and starts administering aid.
Brennan eventually died of his wounds the next day, but Giunta's actions meant that the taliban were denied a possible ransom or execution, and Brennan's parents were able to have a proper burial for their son.
I heard Giunta's interview on NPR coming to work yesterday. He was asked if he was a "good soldier." He responded that he felt that he was "average. I'm mediocre." He didn't sound like the stereotypical heavy brooding soldier type. He sounded like a completely normal person. Thrust into a warzone. While he may not see himself as exceptional - this story is a tiny microcosm of the people serving our country. Normal people being asked to do extra-ordinary things on a daily basis. Shit like this happens so often that its just another day's work to them. Its a great image of how people rise to the occasion to do whatever it is than needs done.
Its a little late for veteran's day - but here's my contribution: Giunta (and others like you) - you should know that you're anything but average.
30 days of truth (Day 5)
Day 05 → Something you hope to do in your life.
Hmmm... there's a lot of things I'd like to eventually get done in my life. Maybe I'll just use this post to lay down a quick bucket list.
Hmmm... there's a lot of things I'd like to eventually get done in my life. Maybe I'll just use this post to lay down a quick bucket list.
- Backpack around Europe for about 3 weeks. Amsterdam, Prague, Germany, Italy, Greece... however much I can fit in. Best case scenario would be going with about 4 other people. Won't be a cheap trip, but still.
- Get good at guitar. I know that most people give me attitude when I say that, but most people just don't get it. I'm not good at guitar. I'm an imitator, and I'm not very good at improvisational solo of any kind. I have no idea what I'm doing outside of chords. I know a few scales, but don't understand how to correctly apply them. I need to just break down and take a few lessons. I know what level I want to be at to be happy, and I'm not there yet.
- Find a good girl, get a dog, get married after a few years, have a kid or two a few years after that. All these stupid/ignorant people are breeding like rabbits, and I feel like I have a responsibility to mankind to procreate. Ha. I laughed as I typed that.
- Have the means to have a small guitar shop in a garage or something. Even if its just for me, I'd like to be able to build better and better custom guitars.
- Play at least one show (large or small) in LA, Seattle, New York, and Chicago.
- Grow a decent beard.
- Break 175lbs.
- Have a Vegas weekend. Not a classy one. A crazy Fear and Loathing-style binge of excess and debauchery. Might be harder to pull that off 40 years later, but I'll find a way.
- Sell a piece of my artwork for >$200. I feel like that's a good benchmark of "legitimate artist."
- Learn a martial arts form of some kind. Really, I'd even settle for Tai Chi.
Monday, November 15, 2010
30 days of truth (Day 4)
Day 04 → Something you have to forgive someone for.
This one is actually quite a bit harder - I don't really operate like this. I tend to blame myself rather than others in most situations. I guess I need to work on forgiving people their traffic transgressions, ha. I laugh, but its an honest statement. Not everything needs to become a 'teachable moment' on the road. Especially when I do stupid crap all the time.
I've mentioned that I relate to this guy before, but here's another comic from The Oatmeal that sums this up pretty well.
This one is actually quite a bit harder - I don't really operate like this. I tend to blame myself rather than others in most situations. I guess I need to work on forgiving people their traffic transgressions, ha. I laugh, but its an honest statement. Not everything needs to become a 'teachable moment' on the road. Especially when I do stupid crap all the time.
I've mentioned that I relate to this guy before, but here's another comic from The Oatmeal that sums this up pretty well.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
30 days of truth (Day 3)
Day 03 → Something you have to forgive yourself for.
I guess this is where the 30 days get a little heavy, but I said I'd do it...
When I got out of college, I had a really good girlfriend and to make a very long and complicated story short (and to avoid trying to make excuses) - I was petty and short sighted and elected not to move in with her and foolishly thought we had more time before we needed to think about getting married, when in fact I should have been giving her a ring right then. I wasn't ready to proverbially 'settle down.' Anyways, I sucked as a boyfriend and she left and it wasn't for several months until I realized exactly how much I'd fucked up. The kind of fuck up that you don't come back from. Especially knowing how much she enjoyed where she ended up and the amazing friends she'd made. You can't, in good conscience, ask someone to leave that much positivity to take a huge gamble AGAIN. Of course, I was in a pretty bad place this whole time, and DID ask her to take that gamble. I wasn't in good conscience, okay? Really, an argument could be made that the fact that I did ask her to do that showed that I wasn't really worth the gamble. A better person would let her go. That's really easy to say but much harder to do. Not having contact with her makes me feel dead inside, and every day is a brave face, a complete farce - pretending I'm okay with I'm totally not, hoping that eventually I'll fool myself into actually being okay. But I know its the right thing to do.
Anyways, its 100% my fault that she left to begin with, and I've considered myself a piece of shit ever since. Things probably have turned out for the better for her, so I need to work on forgiving myself for the choices I made just out of college. Lots of kids don't grow up fast enough, but hopefully most don't have to pay as big a price for it as I did. Its an easy mistake to make, and I think I've let it get to me long enough.
I guess this is where the 30 days get a little heavy, but I said I'd do it...
When I got out of college, I had a really good girlfriend and to make a very long and complicated story short (and to avoid trying to make excuses) - I was petty and short sighted and elected not to move in with her and foolishly thought we had more time before we needed to think about getting married, when in fact I should have been giving her a ring right then. I wasn't ready to proverbially 'settle down.' Anyways, I sucked as a boyfriend and she left and it wasn't for several months until I realized exactly how much I'd fucked up. The kind of fuck up that you don't come back from. Especially knowing how much she enjoyed where she ended up and the amazing friends she'd made. You can't, in good conscience, ask someone to leave that much positivity to take a huge gamble AGAIN. Of course, I was in a pretty bad place this whole time, and DID ask her to take that gamble. I wasn't in good conscience, okay? Really, an argument could be made that the fact that I did ask her to do that showed that I wasn't really worth the gamble. A better person would let her go. That's really easy to say but much harder to do. Not having contact with her makes me feel dead inside, and every day is a brave face, a complete farce - pretending I'm okay with I'm totally not, hoping that eventually I'll fool myself into actually being okay. But I know its the right thing to do.
Anyways, its 100% my fault that she left to begin with, and I've considered myself a piece of shit ever since. Things probably have turned out for the better for her, so I need to work on forgiving myself for the choices I made just out of college. Lots of kids don't grow up fast enough, but hopefully most don't have to pay as big a price for it as I did. Its an easy mistake to make, and I think I've let it get to me long enough.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Cooking up a storm
A shit storm...
How not to treat people.
I love this article. Especially the burn about how the 'Editor' and author of the pissy letter condescendingly rebuking the blogger on her writing skills misspells "offense."
Even better that this publication is now the focus of an all-out internet vitriol. Just because something is legal, doesn't mean you won't pay for it somehow.
How not to treat people.
I love this article. Especially the burn about how the 'Editor' and author of the pissy letter condescendingly rebuking the blogger on her writing skills misspells "offense."
Even better that this publication is now the focus of an all-out internet vitriol. Just because something is legal, doesn't mean you won't pay for it somehow.
Who really won / lost the political battle of 2010?
This is a pretty smart article on the post-election fallout.
What happened in 2010 was a party took a stand on a major issue, knowing that it could cost them their jobs. For many - it did. But the lasting effects will be worth it. Biden knew it was a "big fucking deal." It was.
What happened in 2010 was a party took a stand on a major issue, knowing that it could cost them their jobs. For many - it did. But the lasting effects will be worth it. Biden knew it was a "big fucking deal." It was.
30 days of truth (Day 2)
Day 02 → Something you love about yourself:
I took a second to really think about this one... its not a easy as it might sound. You don't want to give a shallow answer, because those are fleeting and cop outs to begin with. 'I like my eyes' or 'I like my hair' are bullshit answers and deep down I think we know it. Its just easier to come with those rather than actually dig for something.
I like that I don't let social norms and castes define what I like, what I wear, and where I go. Because I like X, I don't feel that I can't like Y, just because they don't seem to go together. Maybe its growing up in a small high school where you can be a jock, speech freak, geek, etc. all at the same time. Who knows. Regardless of the reason, I like that I can listen to indie rock (Bright Eyes), techno-pop (Owl City), and dubstep (a N.A.S.A. remix) in the same sitting. I like that I can wear tight jeans and a v-neck one night and a shirt and (loose) tie the next. Granted - I have my own tastes, and those tastes tend to exclude certain things (most contemporary country music for example...) but that's not my point here. Most of my friends are the same way, and I'm sure that's one of the reasons that we ARE friends, but I do see people that only dress a certain way, or only listen to a certain type of music, and if they get outside of that, its some awful secret or shame.
Maybe that's a better way of putting it. I have no issues trying new things - but namely - I love the fact that I have no shame in admitting the things I like. I have zero issues admitting that I like electronica music, I love video games, and occasionally wear fake glasses.
I took a second to really think about this one... its not a easy as it might sound. You don't want to give a shallow answer, because those are fleeting and cop outs to begin with. 'I like my eyes' or 'I like my hair' are bullshit answers and deep down I think we know it. Its just easier to come with those rather than actually dig for something.
I like that I don't let social norms and castes define what I like, what I wear, and where I go. Because I like X, I don't feel that I can't like Y, just because they don't seem to go together. Maybe its growing up in a small high school where you can be a jock, speech freak, geek, etc. all at the same time. Who knows. Regardless of the reason, I like that I can listen to indie rock (Bright Eyes), techno-pop (Owl City), and dubstep (a N.A.S.A. remix) in the same sitting. I like that I can wear tight jeans and a v-neck one night and a shirt and (loose) tie the next. Granted - I have my own tastes, and those tastes tend to exclude certain things (most contemporary country music for example...) but that's not my point here. Most of my friends are the same way, and I'm sure that's one of the reasons that we ARE friends, but I do see people that only dress a certain way, or only listen to a certain type of music, and if they get outside of that, its some awful secret or shame.
Maybe that's a better way of putting it. I have no issues trying new things - but namely - I love the fact that I have no shame in admitting the things I like. I have zero issues admitting that I like electronica music, I love video games, and occasionally wear fake glasses.
Monday, November 8, 2010
30 days of truth (Day 1)
Hmm, I wish this list would have started out on a positive note rather than this but....
Day 01 → Something you hate about yourself:
I hate my Laissez-faire approach to relationships. There's no excuse to be made, even though my natural response is to try and explain it away rather than deal with it (something else I hate about myself). I'm working on it, I swear, but I still need a lot of work. I make like I'm extremely extroverted, but in reality I'm a homebody and a little introverted, so adding that to being depressed/not the biggest fan of myself for the past few years and it only adds fuel to the problem. Still - I'm an intelligent person and verbalizing the issue is the first step to recovery.
Day 01 → Something you hate about yourself:
I hate my Laissez-faire approach to relationships. There's no excuse to be made, even though my natural response is to try and explain it away rather than deal with it (something else I hate about myself). I'm working on it, I swear, but I still need a lot of work. I make like I'm extremely extroverted, but in reality I'm a homebody and a little introverted, so adding that to being depressed/not the biggest fan of myself for the past few years and it only adds fuel to the problem. Still - I'm an intelligent person and verbalizing the issue is the first step to recovery.
30 days of truth
Got this blog idea from Roscommon, and I think its a good way to get back into regular blogging and at the same time have a little personal therapy.
Its called 30 days of truth - essentially you post on a given topic as honestly as possible once a day for 30 days. Here's the list:
Day 01 → Something you hate about yourself.
Day 02 → Something you love about yourself.
Day 03 → Something you have to forgive yourself for.
Day 04 → Something you have to forgive someone for.
Day 05 → Something you hope to do in your life.
Day 06 → Something you hope you never have to do.
Day 07 → Someone who has made your life worth living for.
Day 08 → Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like shit.
Day 09 → Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.
Day 10 → Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.
Day 11 → Something people seem to compliment you the most on.
Day 12 → Something you never get compliments on.
Day 13 → A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days. (write a letter.)
Day 14 → A hero that has let you down. (letter)
Day 15 → Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.
Day 16 → Someone or something you definitely could live without.
Day 17 → A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.
Day 18 → Your views on gay marriage.
Day 19 → What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?
Day 20 → Your views on drugs and alcohol.
Day 21 → (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?
Day 22 → Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.
Day 23 → Something you wish you had done in your life.
Day 24 → Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)
Day 25 → The reason you believe you’re still alive today.
Day 26 → Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?
Day 27 → What’s the best thing going for you right now?
Day 28 → What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?
Day 29 → Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.
Day 30 → A letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself
Its called 30 days of truth - essentially you post on a given topic as honestly as possible once a day for 30 days. Here's the list:
Day 01 → Something you hate about yourself.
Day 02 → Something you love about yourself.
Day 03 → Something you have to forgive yourself for.
Day 04 → Something you have to forgive someone for.
Day 05 → Something you hope to do in your life.
Day 06 → Something you hope you never have to do.
Day 07 → Someone who has made your life worth living for.
Day 08 → Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like shit.
Day 09 → Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.
Day 10 → Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.
Day 11 → Something people seem to compliment you the most on.
Day 12 → Something you never get compliments on.
Day 13 → A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days. (write a letter.)
Day 14 → A hero that has let you down. (letter)
Day 15 → Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.
Day 16 → Someone or something you definitely could live without.
Day 17 → A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.
Day 18 → Your views on gay marriage.
Day 19 → What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?
Day 20 → Your views on drugs and alcohol.
Day 21 → (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?
Day 22 → Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.
Day 23 → Something you wish you had done in your life.
Day 24 → Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)
Day 25 → The reason you believe you’re still alive today.
Day 26 → Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?
Day 27 → What’s the best thing going for you right now?
Day 28 → What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?
Day 29 → Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.
Day 30 → A letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself
Monday, November 1, 2010
Make-up list
I know I've sucked at blogging lately.... sigh. Sometimes I just get bummed about blogging because I feel like its always the same things going on, and never any improvements - and its not fun to document that permanently on the internets, ha.
Anyways, a bulleted list of recent happenings:
Anyways, a bulleted list of recent happenings:
- Tour was fun, albeit exhausting. There was a hell of a lot of driving and sleeping in a cramped van during those first few days. The weekday shows were pretty sparsely attended, like any weekday show for an out-of-town band. But they were still fun and good experience. Yes - in case you haven't already heard my story - I dropped my phone down a drainage grate in Nashville and eventually went in after it by crawling 55-60ft through a drainage culvert 8ft underground. That was the first day of the tour. The weekend shows were a blast with GREAT bands to play with. Friday's show was at a coffee shop that had no issues with bands getting crazy loud. The other bands were super nice and we all talked gear and custom made guitars. CDs and stickers were exchanged and I fought the urge to get my picture taken with one of the frontmen who looked EXACTLY like Jack White. Saturday's show was at one of the coolest venues I've ever seen with a band that just got off the road with Local Natives and supposed to be the local band that's blowing up. They were also really good to us and the people at the show gave us a LOT of love during our set and after we were done, too. We got a lot of compliments. Then we got in the van and drove 18 straight hours back home.
- I finally finished some friends' artwork for their birthdays (which were in August...) I wasn't happy with the first few attempts and didn't feel right given them pieces that I wasn't happy with. I'll try and get my artwork blog updated with pictures soon.
- I made monkey bread from a recipe that mom used to use. It was my first experience with making any type of bread from scratch and I have to admit - it turned out really well. Thanks to homebase for the pre-game tips. That yeast LOVED the secret sugar ingredient! Chemical reactions are crazy.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Scale of the Universe
If you're nerdy, you'll dig this: A movable scale of the universe - from quantum foam and quarks all the way out to the observable universe.
http://htwins.net/scale/
http://htwins.net/scale/
Friday, October 15, 2010
Episode V
This is pretty neat to read if you grew up in my family. 10 things you didn't know about The Empire Strikes Back.
Crazy Sea Life
Saw these on the Google News fast flip this morning. Got a pretty good laugh.
Check out two examples of newly discovered sea life, including the Yheti Crab and the Darth Vader Jellyfish.
-best quote in the comments section? "Lets just hope his Death Starfish isn't fully operational."
Check out two examples of newly discovered sea life, including the Yheti Crab and the Darth Vader Jellyfish.
-best quote in the comments section? "Lets just hope his Death Starfish isn't fully operational."
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Oh, Big Brother...
Man, you guys remember before 9/11 when Due Process and the Constitution were still around and applicable? Those were good times.
Apparently now this is the new norm: Precedents that outweigh simple and clear constitutional rights. Not only is Due Process a farce, apparently you don't need a warrant for anything anymore either. We want you to THINK you've got rights, and to ASSUME that this can't happen to you since you've "got certain unalienable rights." Only, really - you don't. You have them until US Law Enforcement decides that they don't WANT you to have them anymore. Has no one read 1984? Doesn't anyone intelligent get freaked out by how America isn't a free country anymore? That your rights don't apply when you need them to? These FBI losers showed up at this guy's door and demanded their shit back! "Um, no - you planted an illegal tracking device on my car without a warrant. Its mine now." I love that the cops strong-armed the kid just like a cop would.
"Give us our illegal toy back, or this won't go well for you." Really? It won't? You obviously didn't have enough on the kid for a real WARRANT so..... I'm guessing that you don't have shit on him. But keep talking tough, because that's what you're good at.
Of course absolutely nothing will come of this. Oh there'll be a lawsuit. The ACLU or something will sue the pants off the FBI, but nothing will change.
Stupid people think: "but this is keeping us safe from terrorism!" No its not. Wake up. If they feel a warrant is neccessary - they can get one and track, tap, and seize whatever they want to legally. All these 'warrantless' bullshit precedents are doing is stripping US BORN CITIZENS (like the kid above) of their rights. That's you and me. Not some stereotypical jabbering Arab who just got here. This is right here, right now. This is a new, darker America. Welcome home.
PS: FBI - Since I'll just assume you're watching everything we do, here's a tip. Maybe think about getting a smaller GPS tracker and transmitter? I've got one in my pocket right now accurate up to 10 feet. WTF is that thing you put on the kids car? A powerstrip? You can do better than that.
Apparently now this is the new norm: Precedents that outweigh simple and clear constitutional rights. Not only is Due Process a farce, apparently you don't need a warrant for anything anymore either. We want you to THINK you've got rights, and to ASSUME that this can't happen to you since you've "got certain unalienable rights." Only, really - you don't. You have them until US Law Enforcement decides that they don't WANT you to have them anymore. Has no one read 1984? Doesn't anyone intelligent get freaked out by how America isn't a free country anymore? That your rights don't apply when you need them to? These FBI losers showed up at this guy's door and demanded their shit back! "Um, no - you planted an illegal tracking device on my car without a warrant. Its mine now." I love that the cops strong-armed the kid just like a cop would.
"Give us our illegal toy back, or this won't go well for you." Really? It won't? You obviously didn't have enough on the kid for a real WARRANT so..... I'm guessing that you don't have shit on him. But keep talking tough, because that's what you're good at.
Of course absolutely nothing will come of this. Oh there'll be a lawsuit. The ACLU or something will sue the pants off the FBI, but nothing will change.
Stupid people think: "but this is keeping us safe from terrorism!" No its not. Wake up. If they feel a warrant is neccessary - they can get one and track, tap, and seize whatever they want to legally. All these 'warrantless' bullshit precedents are doing is stripping US BORN CITIZENS (like the kid above) of their rights. That's you and me. Not some stereotypical jabbering Arab who just got here. This is right here, right now. This is a new, darker America. Welcome home.
PS: FBI - Since I'll just assume you're watching everything we do, here's a tip. Maybe think about getting a smaller GPS tracker and transmitter? I've got one in my pocket right now accurate up to 10 feet. WTF is that thing you put on the kids car? A powerstrip? You can do better than that.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
email abuse
I wanna be friends with The Oatmeal... We could sit around and hate on lesser beings for hours! I know I've posted a few of his comics lately, but here's another one from yesterday. "If you do this in an email, I hate you."
Friday, October 1, 2010
Bottles of Hope
This is pretty cool.
There's a group called Bottles for Hope that takes used chemo bottles, cleans them, and then sells them for cancer charity. A guy took 108 of these empty chemo bottles and turned them into a chandelier.
There's a group called Bottles for Hope that takes used chemo bottles, cleans them, and then sells them for cancer charity. A guy took 108 of these empty chemo bottles and turned them into a chandelier.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Slaying the Chowderbeast
Its always interesting to see how my, um... tactics look from the outside. The Oatmeal (the guy who does this webcomic) sounds like someone I could identify with.
People don't understand - letting annoying/rude/evil people get away scott-free is like nails on a chalkboard to me. Worse, because I know they'll just do it again more in the future. Why not? Nobody said anything to them before! Even though I know I occasionally make bad situations worse at least it gives these types of people something to think about the next time they do it. Which I'm sure they will. But at least they'll realize for a few split seconds that they're annoying/rude/evil.
"I'm a champ, and you eat seafood from a giant bucket."
People don't understand - letting annoying/rude/evil people get away scott-free is like nails on a chalkboard to me. Worse, because I know they'll just do it again more in the future. Why not? Nobody said anything to them before! Even though I know I occasionally make bad situations worse at least it gives these types of people something to think about the next time they do it. Which I'm sure they will. But at least they'll realize for a few split seconds that they're annoying/rude/evil.
"I'm a champ, and you eat seafood from a giant bucket."
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
random acts of kindness
I've been meaning to post on this topic for a while now, its overdue.
So if you've driven around the Drake neighborhood much in the past 2 years, you've probably seen the guy that stands right next to the road, waving and pointing and smiling and giving peace signs to EVERY car that goes by. I'm pretty sure he's not all there, but he's pretty good about staying out of traffic even though he's pretty close to the road. He's not hurting anybody, just standing by the road, throwing out peace signs with a huge smile on his face. If you wave back - he'll clap and point back at you like you just made his day.
At first I really didn't give him much thought. I'd wave, laugh, and keep on driving. But the past couple of months I've had a few rough days where I would be driving home from work and in a terrible mood, pissed at the world, and saw this guy and got my giant smile and wave - I usually give the peace sign back as that seems to be the one he enjoys getting most - and suddenly my day isn't so bad.
Yesterday on my way home from work, I saw him again - right on the corner by our house! I waved, asked how he was doing, got my wave and smile and went inside. While sitting inside for about 20 minutes I knew he was still out there as I could hear cars honking about every 30 seconds. People honking and waving back I assumed (they didn't sound like mad honks). This guy just stands by the road for a while and makes other people feel good for hours at a time.
There's lots of different types of people out there. Crazy, homeless, or handicapped - its good to see a lot of people getting exposure to someone like this guy so that more people understand that 'different' doesn't always have to get a negative connotation.
Wherever - whoever you are, man.... keep it up and God bless.
So if you've driven around the Drake neighborhood much in the past 2 years, you've probably seen the guy that stands right next to the road, waving and pointing and smiling and giving peace signs to EVERY car that goes by. I'm pretty sure he's not all there, but he's pretty good about staying out of traffic even though he's pretty close to the road. He's not hurting anybody, just standing by the road, throwing out peace signs with a huge smile on his face. If you wave back - he'll clap and point back at you like you just made his day.
At first I really didn't give him much thought. I'd wave, laugh, and keep on driving. But the past couple of months I've had a few rough days where I would be driving home from work and in a terrible mood, pissed at the world, and saw this guy and got my giant smile and wave - I usually give the peace sign back as that seems to be the one he enjoys getting most - and suddenly my day isn't so bad.
Yesterday on my way home from work, I saw him again - right on the corner by our house! I waved, asked how he was doing, got my wave and smile and went inside. While sitting inside for about 20 minutes I knew he was still out there as I could hear cars honking about every 30 seconds. People honking and waving back I assumed (they didn't sound like mad honks). This guy just stands by the road for a while and makes other people feel good for hours at a time.
There's lots of different types of people out there. Crazy, homeless, or handicapped - its good to see a lot of people getting exposure to someone like this guy so that more people understand that 'different' doesn't always have to get a negative connotation.
Wherever - whoever you are, man.... keep it up and God bless.
Monday, September 27, 2010
There's mishaps and then there's THIS
The owner of the company that makes Segways died over the weekend. In a 'segway related mishap.' After reading the full story, the 'mishap' was in fact "falling off a 30 foot cliff into a river on his Segway."
Yet another reason I don't think Segways will ever catch on.
Yet another reason I don't think Segways will ever catch on.
The soundstage is alive...
with the sound of music.
I'm not all that interested, but something tells me that Mom and Roscommon will be.
I'm not all that interested, but something tells me that Mom and Roscommon will be.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
I have talented friends...
Leslie B - holy F this is awesome.
Matt G - your songs deserve complimentary visuals like this. And DANG! Check out the most recent track review! Thanks One Track Mind!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
I'm so tired of being alone...
after all of the crushes have faded
and all my wishful thinking was wrong,
I'm jaded
I hate it
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Have a Nice Trip This Fall...
the tracklist for my autumn mixed 'tape,' in case the track text didn't come through:
Have A Nice Trip This Fall...
1) Don't Kid Yourself, You Need A Physician - Anathallo
2) tristan - failotron
3) A Little Opera Goes a Long Way - Sky Sailing
4) Turnpike Ghost - Steel Train
5) Hitchhiker's Guide - Speechwriters LLC
6) Its Getting Hectic - The Urge
7) Dead Leaves on the Dirty Ground - The White Stripes
8) Broke Down - Radio Moscow
9) Dear Liz - Dave Lowensohn
10) Cold War - The Morning Benders
11) Better Off Alone - Alice Deejay
12) Fire It Up - Modest Mouse
13) For Alex, Who Hates the Word Lonely - Canby
14) Who Knows, Who Cares - Local Natives
Have A Nice Trip This Fall...
1) Don't Kid Yourself, You Need A Physician - Anathallo
2) tristan - failotron
3) A Little Opera Goes a Long Way - Sky Sailing
4) Turnpike Ghost - Steel Train
5) Hitchhiker's Guide - Speechwriters LLC
6) Its Getting Hectic - The Urge
7) Dead Leaves on the Dirty Ground - The White Stripes
8) Broke Down - Radio Moscow
9) Dear Liz - Dave Lowensohn
10) Cold War - The Morning Benders
11) Better Off Alone - Alice Deejay
12) Fire It Up - Modest Mouse
13) For Alex, Who Hates the Word Lonely - Canby
14) Who Knows, Who Cares - Local Natives
ideas in the works
I've always liked this particular painting. Its called "The Great Wave off Kanagawa," a wood block print by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai in the 1830's. There are great wave and flood myths in many different cultures and ancient writings. The biblical flood, Manu, Australian Aborigines, Gilgamesh... all symbolizing a cleansing of the world - a new start.
Just batting some ideas around. I just think it might be better wearing this on my sleeve than wearing my heart on there...
Just batting some ideas around. I just think it might be better wearing this on my sleeve than wearing my heart on there...
Monday, September 13, 2010
Don't kid yourself...
Anathallo - Don't Kid Yourself, You Need a Physician
"In my room, in my room,
in this gospel I have made, salvation is a broken cistern in a handmade frame.
I cut the sheets into a flag,
paint it red,
self-pity hangs over the doorway in. From seven times seventy scraping knees,
blood lets, deficiencies,
these are the layers of bandages, protection from the sting.
In this great lacking,
I've found a way.
...all the secrets of fitness,
all the fitness he requires
is to feel your need for him."
Friday, September 10, 2010
Oh, how the tables have turned...
I was going to leave this topic alone, as I hadn't had any coherent thoughts on the topic and Roscommon already had a good post on it.
But this article I just read from TIME summed up my sentiments on the issue too well not to post.
My initial rants about this so-called pastor running this so-called church were infused with a snarky point of view that this was some kind of sick joke poking fun of the xenophobic types who are trying to prevent the Islamic center a few blocks away from ground zero in NYC. I had made the ironic connection but hadn't really fleshed it out yet.
The TIME article does a much better job of it than I did.
We've spent the past few weeks in America pretending that there might actually be a legitimate reason to not want an Islamic center near ground zero. There isn't. Intelligent people know this. Simple-minded people who can't understand that muslim does not equal terrorist - they're the ones trying to guilt these people into moving. 'The wound is too fresh' said Sarah Palin. (I paraphrased her tweet to fix grammar and edited out made up words like refudiate) This is a dangerous sentiment. Its obviously playing on the heartstrings of other unintelligent people who feel the same way. Smart people stop and say, "wait - what? What wound? 9/11? What did these people have to do with that?" Answer: nothing. They just happen to be muslim. So obviously - they're to blame for the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Never mind that 20% of the entire world is muslim. The rub here is that they're being blatantly anti-Islamic (I'd personally just call them generally xenophobic) but don't you dare accuse them of it!
Now to this week.
Suddenly everyone wants to say, "hey world - don't lump us all in with this one small group of crazies burning your holy book. We're mostly pretty cool." Ironic that people weren't giving THEM (the Islamic world) that benefit of the doubt last week.
Do we deserve that benefit of the doubt? Most of us do. Will we get it? We'll see, I guess.
But this article I just read from TIME summed up my sentiments on the issue too well not to post.
My initial rants about this so-called pastor running this so-called church were infused with a snarky point of view that this was some kind of sick joke poking fun of the xenophobic types who are trying to prevent the Islamic center a few blocks away from ground zero in NYC. I had made the ironic connection but hadn't really fleshed it out yet.
The TIME article does a much better job of it than I did.
We've spent the past few weeks in America pretending that there might actually be a legitimate reason to not want an Islamic center near ground zero. There isn't. Intelligent people know this. Simple-minded people who can't understand that muslim does not equal terrorist - they're the ones trying to guilt these people into moving. 'The wound is too fresh' said Sarah Palin. (I paraphrased her tweet to fix grammar and edited out made up words like refudiate) This is a dangerous sentiment. Its obviously playing on the heartstrings of other unintelligent people who feel the same way. Smart people stop and say, "wait - what? What wound? 9/11? What did these people have to do with that?" Answer: nothing. They just happen to be muslim. So obviously - they're to blame for the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Never mind that 20% of the entire world is muslim. The rub here is that they're being blatantly anti-Islamic (I'd personally just call them generally xenophobic) but don't you dare accuse them of it!
Now to this week.
Suddenly everyone wants to say, "hey world - don't lump us all in with this one small group of crazies burning your holy book. We're mostly pretty cool." Ironic that people weren't giving THEM (the Islamic world) that benefit of the doubt last week.
Do we deserve that benefit of the doubt? Most of us do. Will we get it? We'll see, I guess.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Bad Romance on the Carillon
I love my university. It's true that it is a bit geeky, but things like THIS happen:
There's a lot to like in this video.
1) Check out how nice it is, and how kids are just laying around outside in the grass and on the steps on a Friday.
2) Look at that campanile - THAT'S a campus, folks. Its a giant park in the middle of campus, with all the main buildings around it. What's your campus like, Iowa? Oh yeah - there's a CITY in the middle of your campus. (Granted, I really like the city that's in the middle of your campus, and I still have a little love for your sports programs, but other than THAT!)
3) I like how the assoc. prof. playing it is totally figuring it out on the way. Its gets better and better.
4) How cool is technology that this event took place at noon TODAY. That's five hours ago. Someone taped it, posted it to youtube, someone else saw it, posted it to facebook, I see it in my own facebook feed, watch it, post it to MY fb feed.... Look at how quickly things like this can get spread these days!
There's a lot to like in this video.
1) Check out how nice it is, and how kids are just laying around outside in the grass and on the steps on a Friday.
2) Look at that campanile - THAT'S a campus, folks. Its a giant park in the middle of campus, with all the main buildings around it. What's your campus like, Iowa? Oh yeah - there's a CITY in the middle of your campus. (Granted, I really like the city that's in the middle of your campus, and I still have a little love for your sports programs, but other than THAT!)
3) I like how the assoc. prof. playing it is totally figuring it out on the way. Its gets better and better.
4) How cool is technology that this event took place at noon TODAY. That's five hours ago. Someone taped it, posted it to youtube, someone else saw it, posted it to facebook, I see it in my own facebook feed, watch it, post it to MY fb feed.... Look at how quickly things like this can get spread these days!
"The Oatmeal" - Legos
I love Legos. I also like online comics. Graphs are also humorous. What if you combined all three?!?
Thursday, August 19, 2010
One in Five Americans Are Stupid.
Apparently, one in five Americans think Obama is a muslim. Do people not have brains of their own anymore? That any sound byte by any radical becomes household misinformation?
Monday, August 16, 2010
"ie." vs. "eg."
A fun grammar lesson on how to use "ie" vs. "eg." I wondered this exact question about two weeks ago, and here's my answer in the form of a humorous cartoon!
Friday, August 13, 2010
"Worst Governor Ever"
And while I'm bashing Sarah Palin, here's some MORE evidence on just how awful she is. As if you needed more.
Read this whole story. Its fantastic. Could this family BE more redneck, more police-state, or less professional? I don't think they could.
Read this whole story. Its fantastic. Could this family BE more redneck, more police-state, or less professional? I don't think they could.
Babies of Terror!!
Have you guys been watching the news this past week or so? Its been a crazy week for news. I think the public is getting over-news'd lately. Anyways, that's not my point.
Did you hear about the "Terror Babies" fiasco? Its pretty dang hilarious. Telling, even. So the story goes that this congressman, who is a republican from (where else?) Texas, used allegations that terrorists are coming into the country pregnant, have the kid (a US Citizen) then leave and take the kid, raise him/her as a terrorist, and then send them back to do terrorist stuff. "Terror Babies." He used this as a reason to end the 14th amendment, essentially to stop mexican immigrants from getting their US-born babies citizenship. But that's a harder pill for the public to swallow than "terror babies." Now - I'm not too mad at the congressman in question here. Obviously this theory is effing stupid. Even if it WAS true - you can't just stop giving citizenship to children born in this country. That's like taking away the right to freedom of worship or freedom of speech and then trying to say, "but its still America, people!" What I AM mad about is the AMERICAN PUBLIC as a whole. When did we get so fucking gullible and stupid? I realize there is always going to be a minority of people who are.... less intelligent. That's fine. But that segment seems to be getting bigger every DAY. I just don't understand how people can be duped into thinking that, for example, Sarah Palin is even remotely qualified to be President, or be blind enough to not see right through as transparent a red-herring argument as "terror babies."
Anyways, I thought people might enjoy this clip for several reasons. Anderson Cooper is doing what MORE people in the news should: Rather than bringing on the controversial party and having some hollow dialogue to get them to repeat their views, he brings on the controversial party and point out that they are... well... ridiculous and that people would be even more dumb if they believed something like that.
I think the fact that 'news' organization (most if not all) do too much pandering to try and stay 'centrist' or 'unbiased.' EVERY viewpoint or editorial comes off as fact anymore. "Its on the news, so its gotta be true." There needs to be more call-outs like AC does here, just for the sake of people realizing that every word reported in the news DOESN'T HAVE TO BE TRUE.
I usually try and stay away from comments on news sites, but I thought I'd include one person's (pbmom) post because I agreed with the sentiment pretty strongly.
"I am really quite curious to see where our country goes in the next 2-10 years. These fear-mongers scare me to death. The lies they spew don't scare me, but the fact that some great percentage of our citizens believe this trash terrifies me.
Did you hear about the "Terror Babies" fiasco? Its pretty dang hilarious. Telling, even. So the story goes that this congressman, who is a republican from (where else?) Texas, used allegations that terrorists are coming into the country pregnant, have the kid (a US Citizen) then leave and take the kid, raise him/her as a terrorist, and then send them back to do terrorist stuff. "Terror Babies." He used this as a reason to end the 14th amendment, essentially to stop mexican immigrants from getting their US-born babies citizenship. But that's a harder pill for the public to swallow than "terror babies." Now - I'm not too mad at the congressman in question here. Obviously this theory is effing stupid. Even if it WAS true - you can't just stop giving citizenship to children born in this country. That's like taking away the right to freedom of worship or freedom of speech and then trying to say, "but its still America, people!" What I AM mad about is the AMERICAN PUBLIC as a whole. When did we get so fucking gullible and stupid? I realize there is always going to be a minority of people who are.... less intelligent. That's fine. But that segment seems to be getting bigger every DAY. I just don't understand how people can be duped into thinking that, for example, Sarah Palin is even remotely qualified to be President, or be blind enough to not see right through as transparent a red-herring argument as "terror babies."
Anyways, I thought people might enjoy this clip for several reasons. Anderson Cooper is doing what MORE people in the news should: Rather than bringing on the controversial party and having some hollow dialogue to get them to repeat their views, he brings on the controversial party and point out that they are... well... ridiculous and that people would be even more dumb if they believed something like that.
I think the fact that 'news' organization (most if not all) do too much pandering to try and stay 'centrist' or 'unbiased.' EVERY viewpoint or editorial comes off as fact anymore. "Its on the news, so its gotta be true." There needs to be more call-outs like AC does here, just for the sake of people realizing that every word reported in the news DOESN'T HAVE TO BE TRUE.
I usually try and stay away from comments on news sites, but I thought I'd include one person's (pbmom) post because I agreed with the sentiment pretty strongly.
"I am really quite curious to see where our country goes in the next 2-10 years. These fear-mongers scare me to death. The lies they spew don't scare me, but the fact that some great percentage of our citizens believe this trash terrifies me.
Celebrities can sue trash-mags for telling lies about their personal lives. Can we sue these idiots for essentially yelling "fire" in a theater?
Seriously, the dialogue (if you can really call it that) has gotten out of control"
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Solar Bear
Yeah, I just made that term up. But it sounds AWESOME, right? ...Solar bear. Its like a polar bear, but hotter. Anyways.
So I read in the news today that, apparently, the sun is pissed and shot a 'solar prominence' directly at Earth on Sunday night, which will be hitting us tonight. Satellites beware. The word is that even northern US states might be able to see an aurora tonight. Check out the website for some sweet pictures from NASA.
"What's your favorite planet? ...Mine's the Sun." -will ferrel as Harry Carey on SNL.
Its one of my favorite 'recent' SNL clips. It starts a little rocky and then picks up quickly... right at about 1:00 when the above quote happens... Will Ferrel's timing is hilarious.
So I read in the news today that, apparently, the sun is pissed and shot a 'solar prominence' directly at Earth on Sunday night, which will be hitting us tonight. Satellites beware. The word is that even northern US states might be able to see an aurora tonight. Check out the website for some sweet pictures from NASA.
"What's your favorite planet? ...Mine's the Sun." -will ferrel as Harry Carey on SNL.
Its one of my favorite 'recent' SNL clips. It starts a little rocky and then picks up quickly... right at about 1:00 when the above quote happens... Will Ferrel's timing is hilarious.
Monday, August 2, 2010
The Happiest Meat Night
This weekend marked the 8th annual "Happy Meat Night." It was lower on overall poundage from last year, but I felt that the quality and # of nominations for 'best in show' told a different story. I do think that less meat was ingested than prior years, but the food that was there was amazing. Roscommon's dish, Bacon Wrapped Scallops, won this year's 'Best in Show.' I'll leave the details of that to his post. My dish, Bacon-wrapped Sausage Fatty (aka: Bacon Explosion) was a close runner up or "Best Newcomer." 
Total for this year was 37 lbs of meat consumed. I tried to make note of everything that I ate this year, so here's the list as best as I can remember:
-Fried Chicken Gizzards
-Marinated and steamed octopus (an ENTIRE octopus. that's what you threw in your mouth.)
-Bacon Wrapped Scallops
-Pork Ribs
-Crab stuffed Salmon
-Venison steaks
-Iowa Pork Chops
-Pibil (slow roasted pork)
Qubidae (Persian kabobs)
-Bacon Wrapped Sausage Fatty
-Kefka Kabobs
-Meatballs
-Alaskan King Crab legs
Total for this year was 37 lbs of meat consumed. I tried to make note of everything that I ate this year, so here's the list as best as I can remember:-Fried Chicken Gizzards
-Marinated and steamed octopus (an ENTIRE octopus. that's what you threw in your mouth.)
-Bacon Wrapped Scallops
-Pork Ribs
-Crab stuffed Salmon
-Venison steaks
-Iowa Pork Chops
-Pibil (slow roasted pork)
Qubidae (Persian kabobs)
-Bacon Wrapped Sausage Fatty
-Kefka Kabobs
-Meatballs
-Alaskan King Crab legs
Friday, July 30, 2010
Sleep to dream her
So I finally saw Inception last night. I'd heard a lot of positive reviews and it sounded like a movie that I'd be into. It was. Probably not for everyone, as it was a serious mindfuck but I have to admit that I really enjoy those. I'm going to try to break it down and attempt to write out what I think happened. THAT MEANS SPOILERS. ERON, DON'T KEEP READING.
The basic premise and concept of the movie was based on a new technology called dream-sharing where several people could share the same dream. Actually, this is all really complicated so I'll just send you to this link that explains the concept, and this link that breaks down the technology and specific roles of each of the players. Trust me, its complicated. But understanding the basic concepts is the only way to figure out what was going on.
Okay, so. My theory. Its out there. Blame LOST. I don't think that the two most common theories are even close. 1. The end was real. 2. The end was still a dream. I don't think those theories go far enough. Those theories assume that the rest of the movie was on the level and that just the ending was up for interpretation. My theory: Cobb was the 'target,' not Fischer. There were a bunch of subtle clues and hints that lead me to think that. The most subtle 'inception' ideas were given to Cobb. To 'wake up.' That whole mantra that everyone kept saying to him. To 'take a leap of faith.' Not to 'become an old man, waiting to die alone.' Here are some of the reasons I think the ENTIRE movie was all Cobb's dream, orchestrated by the grandfather.
1. The creepy repeated mantra.
2. The fact that Cobb was able to change things in dreams where he was not the architect and allegedly not the dreamer.
3. There were multiple instances of 'how'd they get THERE?' which was supposedly how you would realize that you were in a dream. It could also have been standard film transitions.
4. The grandfather whose grandkids are now parent-less was the man who taught Cobb. Motive.
5. At the end of the movie, Cobb's kids are exactly how he remembered them, down to the clothes, posture, and AGE.
6. Remember the weird classical music that was played as a "que" to wake up? I'm pretty sure it was also what played in the credits. A subtle 'its time to wake up' for the audience.
Honestly, I'm not all that concerned with the "exactly what happened." The moral seems to be that Cobb's character went from a paranoid whackjob spinning the top at chance he could, ready to blow his brains out if it kept spinning... to spinning it at the end of the movie and then not even caring if it stopped or not. Dream or reality, he chose that plane of existence to be his reality.
At the end of the day, I think that 'The Point' of the movie was not to try and puzzle out what the 'Correct' ending or explanation was.... I think that Nolan wanted the viewers to leave the theater simply with the idea that, obviously, reality is very subjective. Perception is reality. This idea was planted subtly throughout the entire movie (sound familiar?) in little bits that snowballed until the end. It sounds like a stoner idea, "dude are we even really here? are we just all in one big dream?" The Australian Aborigines thought so. I remember being a kid (scary that I was having these thoughts so young) about 9-10 years old and being alone, listening to the ringing sound of silence and trying to push my consciousness outside myself. Thinking things like, 'what are the odds that I'm me? how crazy is it that we exist as we do, with the ability and intellect that we posses? what if I was someone else? what are the astronomical odds that I'm in my family, not some 3rd world refugee or insect?' Yeah, maybe that's why I'm so weird. I got a little too existential at a young age.
In the end I think the title of the movie wasn't inward facing; talking about the idea planted in Fischer (or Cobb depending on your theory). I think it spoke to the idea that WE as an audience had planted subtly in our minds; that reality is subjective. Its is exactly what we make of it. So take advantage of it while we can lest we 'grow old waiting to die alone.'
The basic premise and concept of the movie was based on a new technology called dream-sharing where several people could share the same dream. Actually, this is all really complicated so I'll just send you to this link that explains the concept, and this link that breaks down the technology and specific roles of each of the players. Trust me, its complicated. But understanding the basic concepts is the only way to figure out what was going on.
Okay, so. My theory. Its out there. Blame LOST. I don't think that the two most common theories are even close. 1. The end was real. 2. The end was still a dream. I don't think those theories go far enough. Those theories assume that the rest of the movie was on the level and that just the ending was up for interpretation. My theory: Cobb was the 'target,' not Fischer. There were a bunch of subtle clues and hints that lead me to think that. The most subtle 'inception' ideas were given to Cobb. To 'wake up.' That whole mantra that everyone kept saying to him. To 'take a leap of faith.' Not to 'become an old man, waiting to die alone.' Here are some of the reasons I think the ENTIRE movie was all Cobb's dream, orchestrated by the grandfather.
1. The creepy repeated mantra.
2. The fact that Cobb was able to change things in dreams where he was not the architect and allegedly not the dreamer.
3. There were multiple instances of 'how'd they get THERE?' which was supposedly how you would realize that you were in a dream. It could also have been standard film transitions.
4. The grandfather whose grandkids are now parent-less was the man who taught Cobb. Motive.
5. At the end of the movie, Cobb's kids are exactly how he remembered them, down to the clothes, posture, and AGE.
6. Remember the weird classical music that was played as a "que" to wake up? I'm pretty sure it was also what played in the credits. A subtle 'its time to wake up' for the audience.
Honestly, I'm not all that concerned with the "exactly what happened." The moral seems to be that Cobb's character went from a paranoid whackjob spinning the top at chance he could, ready to blow his brains out if it kept spinning... to spinning it at the end of the movie and then not even caring if it stopped or not. Dream or reality, he chose that plane of existence to be his reality.
At the end of the day, I think that 'The Point' of the movie was not to try and puzzle out what the 'Correct' ending or explanation was.... I think that Nolan wanted the viewers to leave the theater simply with the idea that, obviously, reality is very subjective. Perception is reality. This idea was planted subtly throughout the entire movie (sound familiar?) in little bits that snowballed until the end. It sounds like a stoner idea, "dude are we even really here? are we just all in one big dream?" The Australian Aborigines thought so. I remember being a kid (scary that I was having these thoughts so young) about 9-10 years old and being alone, listening to the ringing sound of silence and trying to push my consciousness outside myself. Thinking things like, 'what are the odds that I'm me? how crazy is it that we exist as we do, with the ability and intellect that we posses? what if I was someone else? what are the astronomical odds that I'm in my family, not some 3rd world refugee or insect?' Yeah, maybe that's why I'm so weird. I got a little too existential at a young age.
In the end I think the title of the movie wasn't inward facing; talking about the idea planted in Fischer (or Cobb depending on your theory). I think it spoke to the idea that WE as an audience had planted subtly in our minds; that reality is subjective. Its is exactly what we make of it. So take advantage of it while we can lest we 'grow old waiting to die alone.'
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
TOMs shoes
I'm late to the trend - but I ordered a pair of TOMs shoes today. Navy Canvas Classics. And even though most of my readers already own their own pair, I know there's a few lurkers out there who read but don't comment (and that's fine). :) So here's the backstory and awesome idea behind TOMs shoes and the "one for one" model that I wish more companies would do.
Essentially - my purchase of one pair of shoes means that one child in need will get a free pair of shoes. So not only do these shoes make me look good... they make me feel good too.
Essentially - my purchase of one pair of shoes means that one child in need will get a free pair of shoes. So not only do these shoes make me look good... they make me feel good too.
Hate Mongering _p0wned!
Another Westboro Baptist Hate Group, er.... "church" protest. Another bad idea. This time it was at SF Comic-Con. Did you actually think you were going to out-protest these people, Fred? They're creatives by profession! Comic artists, video gamers.... They're going to have better signs, better chants, better press coverage, better everything. They're better people than you. Your 'church' (sorry, you don't deserve a capital c) goes miles out of their way to events not intended for them only to tell the people that are there to feel better about themselves and be with like-minded people that 'God hates them' and that they're going to hell. If heaven really does refuse these kind-hearted people and allows your hate infused people, I don't want anything to do with it.
Anyways - enjoy the hilarious anti-protest signs and costumes.
Favorites:
-Sign that reads, "Is this thing on?"
-Trekkie with sign that reads, "God hates Jedi"
-Sign that reads, "Magnets - how the *@!# do they work?!"
It just blows my mind that people can be so misguided that they can make a sign that reads "GOD HATES ______." I thought you were supposed to be religious? Did you even read the bible? The simplest (and perhaps best) anti-protest sign was a response to just that misguided sentiment:
"GOD LOVES EVERYBODY."
Anyways - enjoy the hilarious anti-protest signs and costumes.
Favorites:
-Sign that reads, "Is this thing on?"
-Trekkie with sign that reads, "God hates Jedi"
-Sign that reads, "Magnets - how the *@!# do they work?!"
It just blows my mind that people can be so misguided that they can make a sign that reads "GOD HATES ______." I thought you were supposed to be religious? Did you even read the bible? The simplest (and perhaps best) anti-protest sign was a response to just that misguided sentiment:
"GOD LOVES EVERYBODY."
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Carnavas
Dood.
I've been listening to the Silversun Pickups album "Carnavas" this morning. Its fantastic. Every track is good. Not a single skipped track, which doesn't happen much these days. If I were able to choose what kind of band to be in, it'd be something like that. (Not that I'm not happy with my current band.) Its got all of my favorite stuff: Ambient swirling backgrounds, huge fuzzy guitar tones, syncopated drums, and cool PSD cover art, ha.
I've been listening to the Silversun Pickups album "Carnavas" this morning. Its fantastic. Every track is good. Not a single skipped track, which doesn't happen much these days. If I were able to choose what kind of band to be in, it'd be something like that. (Not that I'm not happy with my current band.) Its got all of my favorite stuff: Ambient swirling backgrounds, huge fuzzy guitar tones, syncopated drums, and cool PSD cover art, ha.
Banksy bombs Detroit
Banksy appears to have made a stop in Detroit and sparked an interesting controversy. Here's the full story.
Basically, there's a gigantic abandoned building/complex in Detroit that the city has been trying to get cleaned up or removed for decades. Only - nobody seems to 'officially' own it. Nobody wants to foot that bill. So the huge eyesore has stuck around.
Now the street artist Banksy has tagged and stenciled his talent onto a crumbling concrete wall: A child with a can of red paint with the message, "I remember when all this used to be trees."
This is the beauty of intelligent street art. Banksy is a damned good artist (as well as social satirist). His works, both legal and illegal, go for 6 digits. Whether or not he meant to - Banksy lit the fuse this cleanup project needed. A non-profit art gallery came to the abandoned site and took/stole/acquired the entire wall it was painted on. Why not? Nobody owns the place.
Only now this single piece is valued at over $100,000. Suddenly people are asserting their rights to the piece via ownership of the site. The City of Detroit is waiting to see how it pans out - waiting with the bill for eradicating the god awful eyesore from their city.
Bansky's message: 'This concrete monstrosity is an ironic slap in the face of the huge forest that used to exist there.' Now - there probably won't be an entire forest supplanted there anytime soon. But his act may have been the catalyst needed to get the ball rolling on, at the very least, putting a tree or two back in the form of a city park or landscaped office park.
Here's some more Banksy outdoor works.
Basically, there's a gigantic abandoned building/complex in Detroit that the city has been trying to get cleaned up or removed for decades. Only - nobody seems to 'officially' own it. Nobody wants to foot that bill. So the huge eyesore has stuck around.
Now the street artist Banksy has tagged and stenciled his talent onto a crumbling concrete wall: A child with a can of red paint with the message, "I remember when all this used to be trees."
This is the beauty of intelligent street art. Banksy is a damned good artist (as well as social satirist). His works, both legal and illegal, go for 6 digits. Whether or not he meant to - Banksy lit the fuse this cleanup project needed. A non-profit art gallery came to the abandoned site and took/stole/acquired the entire wall it was painted on. Why not? Nobody owns the place.
Only now this single piece is valued at over $100,000. Suddenly people are asserting their rights to the piece via ownership of the site. The City of Detroit is waiting to see how it pans out - waiting with the bill for eradicating the god awful eyesore from their city.
Bansky's message: 'This concrete monstrosity is an ironic slap in the face of the huge forest that used to exist there.' Now - there probably won't be an entire forest supplanted there anytime soon. But his act may have been the catalyst needed to get the ball rolling on, at the very least, putting a tree or two back in the form of a city park or landscaped office park.
Here's some more Banksy outdoor works.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Headlines
Not much time to post today, but I did get a chance to go through Google News (of course).
In science nerd news: Protecting the world from massive (and semi-permanent) blackouts using what is effectively giant surge-protectors. How a relatively cheap and easy fix for a problem bound to happen is going unnoticed. Includes a warning about massive solar flares and a great explanation between the difference of volts vs. amps. I had to learn about that so as to not kill myself when I put my hands inside an amplifier.
In always-hilarious Sarah Palin news: In the spotlight this week for tweeting (yes, tweeting) her stance on a mosque that wants to build near Ground Zero in NYC. The best part is that even though her views in of themselves are fantastically xenophobic and anti-muslim, the focus has been on her made up word "refudiate." It's too good. She later tweeted another message trying to fix it using the word 'refute' - which IS technically a word, but still not the right word. After showing the world twice that she's not the sharpest knife in the drawer, she likened herself to Shakespeare in that they both coin new words. Sarah - Shakespeare's words include "lackluster" and "bloodstained" and "luggage" actual new words whose meaning seems intrinsic - you just got confused between 'repudiate' and 'refute.' Also - "wee wee'd up?" Who votes for you? You are a moron. It really is that simple. You didn't even know what the VP does while you were running for that very office! The fact that you think you would make a good President is laughable (another word coined by Shakespeare).
And in The Onion news (its fake, Nic. Just FYI): "Struggling High School Cuts Football—Nah, Just Kidding, Art It Is"
In science nerd news: Protecting the world from massive (and semi-permanent) blackouts using what is effectively giant surge-protectors. How a relatively cheap and easy fix for a problem bound to happen is going unnoticed. Includes a warning about massive solar flares and a great explanation between the difference of volts vs. amps. I had to learn about that so as to not kill myself when I put my hands inside an amplifier.
In always-hilarious Sarah Palin news: In the spotlight this week for tweeting (yes, tweeting) her stance on a mosque that wants to build near Ground Zero in NYC. The best part is that even though her views in of themselves are fantastically xenophobic and anti-muslim, the focus has been on her made up word "refudiate." It's too good. She later tweeted another message trying to fix it using the word 'refute' - which IS technically a word, but still not the right word. After showing the world twice that she's not the sharpest knife in the drawer, she likened herself to Shakespeare in that they both coin new words. Sarah - Shakespeare's words include "lackluster" and "bloodstained" and "luggage" actual new words whose meaning seems intrinsic - you just got confused between 'repudiate' and 'refute.' Also - "wee wee'd up?" Who votes for you? You are a moron. It really is that simple. You didn't even know what the VP does while you were running for that very office! The fact that you think you would make a good President is laughable (another word coined by Shakespeare).
And in The Onion news (its fake, Nic. Just FYI): "Struggling High School Cuts Football—Nah, Just Kidding, Art It Is"
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Project Mayhem
but not THAT "Project Mayhem"
I'm piloting a new database that I've spent the last..... 6 months or so creating here at work. This week is the first time a team is using it exclusively and powering through error messages, drive mapping problems, workflow procedures, etc. Its going about as well as I could have hoped, being that I'm not a contractor, I don't do this for a living, and projects of this scale are usually handled by entire teams of Project Management Analysts, IT Specialists, and a Project Lead. I'm just one guy. So - no - its not going perfectly. But its also not going Chernobyl on my just yet. So I guess things could be a lot worse.
Song for the day: "Communication Breakdown - Led Zeppelin"
I'm piloting a new database that I've spent the last..... 6 months or so creating here at work. This week is the first time a team is using it exclusively and powering through error messages, drive mapping problems, workflow procedures, etc. Its going about as well as I could have hoped, being that I'm not a contractor, I don't do this for a living, and projects of this scale are usually handled by entire teams of Project Management Analysts, IT Specialists, and a Project Lead. I'm just one guy. So - no - its not going perfectly. But its also not going Chernobyl on my just yet. So I guess things could be a lot worse.
Song for the day: "Communication Breakdown - Led Zeppelin"
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Blatently Bought
Apparently Rep. Joe Barton of Texas (where else?) thinks BP should be able to declare bankruptcy and not owe a dime to the Gulf citizens whose lives they've upended.
I don't need to look into any databases or registers to see that Barton's pockets are oily. There's being conservative and then there's being disgraceful. You suck Barton. I hope someone hides crude oil in your next burger.
I don't need to look into any databases or registers to see that Barton's pockets are oily. There's being conservative and then there's being disgraceful. You suck Barton. I hope someone hides crude oil in your next burger.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Stop This Train...
This has been the first year of my life where I've actually felt 'old.' I realize that "old" is a relative term, but what I'm talking about is that for the first time that I can recall - I'm not shrugging off notable benchmarks. When I turned 25, it was easy to think "25 isn't really all that old, its only a few years out of college," and while it is a quarter of a century - it was easy to still feel "young." 26 didn't really bother me either. That's just an example. There's all kinds of things that you don't dwell on simply because of your perspective. Maybe that's it. Maybe my perspective has finally changed.
If I'm being honest with myself, part of it probably has to do with the fact that I've been alone for so long, and I'm starting to get the beginnings of 'The Fear.' Obviously people much older than me have worked things out and settled down, but just the fact that that thought even crosses my mind is new to me. The other part of it is just that I'm having trouble rationalizing the standard benchmarks anymore. I can't find any wiggle room to make myself still think, "I'm still pretty young." The fact that I'm even TRYING to rationalize seems like evidence to the contrary.
The most recent event that triggered the "ugh - I'm really not that young anymore" feeling was my niece friend-ing me on Facebook yesterday. It seems like I held this tiny wrinkly baby not all that long ago. Now she's a tall teenager updating her Facebook relationship status (single, thank god) and posting on people I know's walls. That sort of forced me to shift my perspective a little. For example, I really don't see her parents any differently than I did when she was born. They don't seem or act or look that much older than they did then. I deluded myself the same way - thinking that I'm not that much older either.
But I am. I said to someone this week, "I'll be 27 this year." And as soon as I'd said it, I felt heavier. 27 seems like its on the downhill side of your 20s. (Again - this is all relative. I don't look at either of my brothers or my sister-in-law and see any of them as "old" even though they're in their 30s.) 27 just has some kind of intrinsic property that resists rationalizing it as still being young. 26 was a stretch, but 27 isn't bending to my will the same way. I'm okay, though. I'm not all that concerned with feeling young anymore. What's the point? Why did I think that was a good thing to be? I have new benchmarks for myself, and while they might seems thousands of miles away (literally and figuratively) - just the idea of being okay with where I am as I am is apparently a constant struggle for all ages. And I need to learn to deal with that.
So here's to growing up. And to the flexibility of your own perspective.
--------------------------------------------------------------
"had a talk with my old man - said 'help me understand'
he said turn 68 - you'll renegotiate...
don't stop this train, don't for the minute change the place you're in
and don't think I couldn't ever understand, I tried my hand
John, honestly, we're never gonna stop this train..."
If I'm being honest with myself, part of it probably has to do with the fact that I've been alone for so long, and I'm starting to get the beginnings of 'The Fear.' Obviously people much older than me have worked things out and settled down, but just the fact that that thought even crosses my mind is new to me. The other part of it is just that I'm having trouble rationalizing the standard benchmarks anymore. I can't find any wiggle room to make myself still think, "I'm still pretty young." The fact that I'm even TRYING to rationalize seems like evidence to the contrary.
The most recent event that triggered the "ugh - I'm really not that young anymore" feeling was my niece friend-ing me on Facebook yesterday. It seems like I held this tiny wrinkly baby not all that long ago. Now she's a tall teenager updating her Facebook relationship status (single, thank god) and posting on people I know's walls. That sort of forced me to shift my perspective a little. For example, I really don't see her parents any differently than I did when she was born. They don't seem or act or look that much older than they did then. I deluded myself the same way - thinking that I'm not that much older either.
But I am. I said to someone this week, "I'll be 27 this year." And as soon as I'd said it, I felt heavier. 27 seems like its on the downhill side of your 20s. (Again - this is all relative. I don't look at either of my brothers or my sister-in-law and see any of them as "old" even though they're in their 30s.) 27 just has some kind of intrinsic property that resists rationalizing it as still being young. 26 was a stretch, but 27 isn't bending to my will the same way. I'm okay, though. I'm not all that concerned with feeling young anymore. What's the point? Why did I think that was a good thing to be? I have new benchmarks for myself, and while they might seems thousands of miles away (literally and figuratively) - just the idea of being okay with where I am as I am is apparently a constant struggle for all ages. And I need to learn to deal with that.
So here's to growing up. And to the flexibility of your own perspective.
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"had a talk with my old man - said 'help me understand'
he said turn 68 - you'll renegotiate...
don't stop this train, don't for the minute change the place you're in
and don't think I couldn't ever understand, I tried my hand
John, honestly, we're never gonna stop this train..."
Monday, June 14, 2010
Bio Playlist - Disc Two
Disc Two:
- Roboflow - Pomeroy: I still think "P-O-M-E-R-O-Y" when I type that. Pomeroy was a band from KC that played a lot in Omaha when I was in High School. They were a GREAT live show, and Matt Marone was one of the first guitarists that I saw live and thought, "jesus, I'm never gonna be that good." These guys, Grasshopper Takeover, Mandown - they all played at the Ranch Bowl a lot and we almost never missed a show. Late night stops at Taco Bell after the show and the red eyed drive home from Omaha... good times. The eskimo pie does, in fact, hit you right between the eyes.
- Fake White Van - Short of 1st: This band featured my best friend's sister's future husband as a lead singer and songwriter. I bought the CD without really listening to it as a gesture, but then I put it in and.... I still listen to this album. I only got to see one show, but it was effing phenomenal. "there must be a million words to say to make sense of right now, and I can't even buy a vowel..."
- American Girl - Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers: Another song that got a lot of playtime on gravel roads with the Imogene crew. And at The Dead End - our high school party house. Classic.
- Promise - Eve 6: I'd be lying if I said I wasn't into this kind of pop/rock ballad. Same goes for....
- Graduate - Third Eye Blind: Man, this album was nothing but radio hits.
- Woke up in a Car - Something Corporate: I got this song on a mix cd from a girl I worked at Hy-Vee with who turned out to be the only girl that I think I've ever truly been in love with. Aside from being a great song/band - this girl and her taste in music transformed my entire appetite for music for the rest of my life. So even though its a little bittersweet, it has to be on this playlist. It was really the turning point in my life from radio music and "Wal-Mart rock" to indie music.
- Pardon Me (acoustic) - Incubus: This was the first song I ever learned how to play on the guitar. It was my senior year of high school and I was visiting friends at Iowa State and learned how to play this song on my friend Tom's guitar - upside down and backwards. I realized two things that day: That I wanted to learn to play guitar, and that I would learn to play right-handed.
- Garden Grove - Sublime: I got into Sublime more after I got to college. I always knew What I Got and a few others from Jake, but the rest of the self-titled album really grew on me my freshman year.
- Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic - Police: I'm still into the sappy ballads. That much hasn't changed over the years.
- Love Soon - John Mayer: This song got me into John Mayer, and he later became my guitar hero. But at this point he was just a killer acoustic singer/songwriter. The songs are fun to play (crazy chord voicings and percussive strumming) and the songwriting is pretty dang good.
- F-Stop Blues - Jack Johnson: Jack Johnson was also some of the first music I learned to play. His voice is in my range, too... I listened to this song a lot on campus going to and from classes.
- Stealing Happy Hours - 311: I also got into... this... in college, and this song stood out to me because of the cool guitar Tim is playing over everything. It made me want a delay pedal. The solo @ 3:49 is also one of my favorite 311 solos - Jazzy and melodic, it showed off how good Tim Mahoney was.
- Nice To Know You - Incubus: Incubus' guitarist Mike Enzinger was a huge influence on my guitar playing. The effects that he pulled off on one guitar are insane. The volume swells and atmospheric sounds in this song are a great example of where some my own tricks come from.
- Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground - The White Stripes: Jack White has become my newest guitar idol. The crunch of this songs chorus and the howling feedback of his overdubbed 2nd guitar are just too awesome. The song is so simple, but rocks so hard. Listen to the feedback at 1:56! Man. That's bad ass.
- The Ocean - Led Zeppelin: I got into Led Zeppelin later than I probably should have. Still, once I had an electric guitar, the next pilgrimage you have to make is to learn some Zeppelin. This song shows off the hard rock riffs in the beginning and the jazzyness Page was capable of in the outro.
- Wait Till Tomorrow - John Mayer Trio: I had realized that JM was a great electric guitarist during "Heavier Things" but this live album with his blues trio made me (and plenty others) realize that he was a modern guitar god. This song is a Jimi Hendrix cover and it shows in his playing. Its just a great pop song up until 2:57 - then John starts melting your fucking face off.
- The Mixed Tape - Jack's Mannequin: This is the same guy from Something Corporate and I associate it with a lot of the same things. This song has got me through good times in that relationship as well as the heart wrenching parts of it too. I've made quite a few mixed tapes of my own and the sentiment that Andy depicts is just right on. The piano break at 1:40 made me want to learn piano again. Andy MacMahon is effing great.
- The District Sleeps Alone Tonight - The Postal Service: Another genre-enlightening track. I've been into electronica ever since.
- Atoms - Cashes Rivers: This needed to be on here as its what all these other songs eventually got rolled up into. Listen to my part - you can hear a ton of my influences. Minor Pentatonic blues riffs in the verse solo... The volume swells from Incubus in the chorus and bridge... maybe I shouldn't point that stuff out, ha.
Bio Playlist - Disc One
Disc One:
- Paperback Writer - The Beatles: I remember the Beatles being played very early on in my life... Honestly, there are dozens of Beatles tunes that could have made this list, but when I think about my childhood this one always pops into my head first. Why? Well, when I was super young, I thought he was saying "Paper back Rider." Like it was some kind of horse riding. There's bare-back riding, and there's paper-back riding. It makes perfect sense to a 6 year old, okay? Anyways. The opening riff is still bad ass today.
- The Rainbow Connection - Kermit the Frog: This could be one of the earliest songs that I remember. I don't know if its a cover or what, but its a great song.
- You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon: This song was played a lot by our mom growing up, too. There was a lot of Simon and Garfunkel, but just the era that I grew up was when Paul Simon was on his own again and this song was my personal favorite.
- Oh What a Night - Four Seasons: Another tune with a lot of plays by mia madre. It also happened to be my senior prom theme.
- Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler) - Alabama: I'm not sure if this came from mom or Eron. Either way, this is a fantastic song. Its a bit long, but listen to the whole thing and listen to the words. I dare you not to tear up at the last verse. Try it. I'll bet you can't do it. I cried at Panera Bread this weekend listening to it. "Roll On, Daddy, till you get back home"
- He Ain't Heavy - The Hollies: You can't have brothers like mine and not love this song.
- Dance, Dance, Dance - Steve Miller Band: The Greatest Hits 1974-1978 album could be one of the best albums ever. I didn't realize it at the time, but Steve Miller is a pretty cool guitarist. He did the reverse headstock strat before Stevie Ray Vaughan. Great songwriter, too. This one made the list because of the play it got growing up. "Pick on!"
- Renegade - Styx: I remember sitting in my brothers' rooms listening to this song. That and REO Speedwagon, Whitesnake, and Guns n' Roses. Oh, the 80s.
- To Be With You - Mr. Big: Ha, I remember singing this at a birthday party with a bunch of other people. We thought we were cool. Psh, the girls loved it.
- The Ghost of Tom Joad - Rage Against The Machine: This song came from a compilation album that Jake had for a benefit of some kind or another. I remember thinking that this song was just too bad ass for me to wrap my head around. "No job, no home, no peace, no rest.... NO REST! UGH!" or "sleepin on a pillow of solid rock, bathin in the city's aquaducts.... ROCK!" Its a cover of a Bruce Springsteen song, believe it or not. Tom Joad is a character from The Grapes of Wrath, and the main quote/lyric is something he says at the end of the book before he has to leave the broken remains of his family. (Ma)"but Tom where will you go?" (Tom)"I'll be all around in the dark - I'll be everywhere. Wherever you can look - wherever there's a fight, so hungry people can eat, I'll be there. Wherever there's a cop beatin' up a guy, I'll be there."
- Basket Case - Green Day: Another song that I remember listening to in Jake's room. It was my first illicit taste of punk rock. Mom didn't like me seeing the album cover. (the name of the album is Dookie) There were so many good songs on that album, I think I even may have "borrowed" (read: stolen) that CD from him. I still have it, if you want it back, man.
- Thunderstruck - AC/DC: The black album was in the weightroom all through highschool and since there were only about 4 CDs in there that worked, we got to hear it a lot. Thunderstruck was the first track so since I was usually one of the first ones there, I associate it pretty strongly with waking up and working out in HS.
- All Mixed Up - 311: Obviously 311 weighs huge on my musical roots, but this song in particular was on the radio a lot. Summer in the Omaha area = 311 on the radio with the windows down.
- American Music - Violent Femmes: Ha, this song still makes me laugh. My circle of friends in HS listened to this album quite a bit. I asked Beth to the prom via this song, ha. We were already dating, but still. And like the lyrics, everytime I think of this ugly song, it reminds me of them.
- Mable - Goldfinger: Oh, 89.7. Used to be the best radio station ever. This got a lot of play, and the memory that stands out for me was my friend A. Dreyer changing the lyrics to, "I gotta say that Mable - she's my dog." (He had a dog named Mable) Rabies didn't get his dog, though.
- Pure Morning - Placebo: One of the first songs I ever downloaded with Napster. Man, listen to that opening riff and drum fill! So simple, but it just sound hot and sweaty. I associate this one with driving out to a friends pool on hot summer days.
- Forgotten - Linkin Park: Jake got Hybrid Theory and I pretty much instantly ripped it to my computer. Rock guitar with hip hop lyrics? Yes please. "Hoo-wah!"
- Shine All the Time - Blue Moon Ghetto: I've yet to meet anyone who has heard of this song from outside the Doyle, Castle, and SW Iowa crew. But man, it blew my mind and we played the hell out of this song. They might have been a local band.
- Sheep Go to Heaven - Cake: That same crew got me into Cake. Really it was Becky and Beth. This got yelled a lot driving down gravel roads in shitty cars. A great example that songs dont need to make a lick of sense to be good.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Best Concerts List
Stealing a post idea from big brother.... My favorite concerts of all-time:
- Flobots @ Waiting Room, Omaha
- Girl Talk @ Peoples, Des Moines
- Lucky Boys Confusion @ House of Blues, Chicago
- 311 @ Westfair, Council Bluffs
- Matisyahu @ Westfair, Council Bluffs
- Carbon Leaf @ M-Shop, Ames
- Anathallo @ M-Shop, Ames
- Black Keys @ the Slowdown, Omaha
- Jack's Mannequin @ Sokol Underground, Omaha
- Tegan & Sara @ Sokol Hall, Omaha
- Deathcab for Cutie/Cold War Kids @ Omaha Performing Arts Center
- Weezer @ Aragon Ballroom, Chicago
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
The Big Asshole
This is a great reason why I'd never live in NYC. I know its typecasting New Yorkers, but.... c'mon - 20 people? Not one call to 911? New Yorkers are TOO hard. I get that you've got to be like that to 'survive' in the city, but at what point does your humanity kick back in?
Give me Iowa any day of the week.
Give me Iowa any day of the week.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Radio Lab
The best thing I've discovered in a while. Since This American Life, in fact.
RADIO LAB. Along the same lines as T.A.L., only a little bit more produced. Same quality of stories, though. Subscribe to this podcast. Just trust me on this one. My favorite so far is "Limits."
RADIO LAB. Along the same lines as T.A.L., only a little bit more produced. Same quality of stories, though. Subscribe to this podcast. Just trust me on this one. My favorite so far is "Limits."
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
OMG Shews.
Went on a new shoe rampage. Stupid eBay and their slightly cheaper prices and sweet colorways.
Adidas Nizza Lows - Navy Canvas
Converse Allstar Slip On, Royal Blue
-1 pair per year. Best shoes ever.
and a cool jacket from a few weeks ago:
Adidas Nizza Lows - Navy Canvas
Converse Allstar Slip On, Royal Blue
-1 pair per year. Best shoes ever.
and a cool jacket from a few weeks ago:
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
2010 Breakout Arist
Nice job, Matt!
The singer/songwriter that I play with received an award for being the 2010 Breakout Artist. That kid can write a song. Check out the video of him playing and explaining the song "Tracks." Pretty heavy stuff.
The singer/songwriter that I play with received an award for being the 2010 Breakout Artist. That kid can write a song. Check out the video of him playing and explaining the song "Tracks." Pretty heavy stuff.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Tighten Up
New single from the upcoming Black Keys album.
Frank is the coolest. Frank is a funkasaurus rex.
Frank is the coolest. Frank is a funkasaurus rex.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Yet another Rant
We're at a very dangerous crossroads in our country. Ignorance has become 'acceptable' - even desirable for wide segments of Americans. Now it seems that civility and class are going the same way. What the FUCK is wrong with some people? The past week was a shitstorm of well-documented and heinous acts of incivility and disregard for other human life. There's a GIANT segment of people who simply will not tolerate opposing views. Ironically - these are the same people who love to throw around terms like 'socialist' and 'fascism' to describe their opponents. Now that they didn't get their way - the world biggest hissy-fit ensued last week. But I expected that. What I did not expect was how blatantly Republican leadership defended, harbored - even encouraged in some cases - these acts of incivility. You fuckers preach moral values and American patriotism - but apparently that's just lip service. I expected more out of the GOP leadership to condemn these kinds of actions, but all we got last week was a weak-ass statement from the John Boehner that could have been better if it looked at all like he meant it. It didn't. Worse was the statement from Eric Cantor, accusing the Democrats of 'fanning the flames.' Well, Eric - YOU'RE not doing anything about your crazy-ass constituents, in fact you're playing it down! All they're doing is showing the country what psychopaths your party has created. You've created a monster of ignorance and intolerance, marginalizing the intelligent and moderates in your party.
Disgracing and humiliating homeless people - that's cool with the Republican party. Don't bring it up (even though its a viral video. Sounds like a nice Tea Party!) or your 'fanning flames.'
Spitting on black congressmen and calling them N____s on their way into congress? Guess that's okay too! Says Eric Cantor, 'jeez, whiners - wah wah. I had a bullet randomly fired at my office window and it barely broke the glass. Didn't even make it through my blinds. I wasn't even there at the time. You don't see me whining!" Eric - Fuck off. You didn't get spit on at point blank range and called a nigger on the way to your job as a US Representative. You are a pampered white privileged douche who's never dealt with that before. Don't talk like you have ANY idea what that's like. Don't scold other congressmen for pointing out the shitty things the people your party represent are doing.
What's happening is the DECENT Americans who have a functioning brain understand that this trend of incivility is wholly UNACCEPTABLE. Republican leaders need to own up and condemn these kind of attitudes and bigotry. And not the, "uhh hey guys, don't do that, mmkay?" BS that we saw this week.
But these people are the voting base so that'll never happen.
-end of rant-
Disgracing and humiliating homeless people - that's cool with the Republican party. Don't bring it up (even though its a viral video. Sounds like a nice Tea Party!) or your 'fanning flames.'
Spitting on black congressmen and calling them N____s on their way into congress? Guess that's okay too! Says Eric Cantor, 'jeez, whiners - wah wah. I had a bullet randomly fired at my office window and it barely broke the glass. Didn't even make it through my blinds. I wasn't even there at the time. You don't see me whining!" Eric - Fuck off. You didn't get spit on at point blank range and called a nigger on the way to your job as a US Representative. You are a pampered white privileged douche who's never dealt with that before. Don't talk like you have ANY idea what that's like. Don't scold other congressmen for pointing out the shitty things the people your party represent are doing.
What's happening is the DECENT Americans who have a functioning brain understand that this trend of incivility is wholly UNACCEPTABLE. Republican leaders need to own up and condemn these kind of attitudes and bigotry. And not the, "uhh hey guys, don't do that, mmkay?" BS that we saw this week.
But these people are the voting base so that'll never happen.
-end of rant-
Monday, March 22, 2010
Upon this rock
I'm not even sure what to make of this. Is it a good idea? A bad idea? Seems kinda preachy. Like some republican conservative wanted to make sure that the conservative ideals lived on after... what? The end of the world? I think people are going to be more worried about where they're going to find FOOD and SHELTER, not whether or not the planet's population should be above half a billion or not or whether they should avoid "petty laws or useless officials."
Its interesting that someone thought this stuff was important enough to build the monument. Also interesting that OTHER people disagree with it enough to vandalize it on a fairly regular basis. Some people call it the "10 Commandmants of the Anti-Christ." Yikes.
Its interesting that someone thought this stuff was important enough to build the monument. Also interesting that OTHER people disagree with it enough to vandalize it on a fairly regular basis. Some people call it the "10 Commandmants of the Anti-Christ." Yikes.
Friday, March 19, 2010
R.I.P. Farragut Admirals
good luck "Nishnabotna Blue Devils"
guys - an emergency trip to Howards might be in order to get the last Admirals gear.
guys - an emergency trip to Howards might be in order to get the last Admirals gear.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Kunu Wisdom
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Burger Graphs
I love cheeseburgers. I also love graphs. I'm a nerd, and I've loved graphs ever since the first ACT test prep I took back in JH. "Wait - there's a whole SECTION on this junk?! Score!"
Maybe its all related. I can't seem to process raw numbers in my head that well, but I can process graphs, charts, and trends pretty well. Maybe these graphs gave me an alternative to crunching numbers. They've already been crunched and just need a clear way to be laid out and interpreted. I can handle that.
I digress. The point of this post was that I found a pretty interesting graph on the strength of the McDonalds brand. And a new blog to follow.
Here's a link to the post that sparked my interest. Graphs were too big to post here.
Maybe its all related. I can't seem to process raw numbers in my head that well, but I can process graphs, charts, and trends pretty well. Maybe these graphs gave me an alternative to crunching numbers. They've already been crunched and just need a clear way to be laid out and interpreted. I can handle that.
I digress. The point of this post was that I found a pretty interesting graph on the strength of the McDonalds brand. And a new blog to follow.
Here's a link to the post that sparked my interest. Graphs were too big to post here.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Se7en
Se7en is one of the most fucked up movies I've ever seen. And one of my favorites. Not for the feint of heart - its pretty evil. Mom - don't click the link. Don't even read the rest of the post.
Se7en showcases the sickest things in the hearts of men. And how twisted some people can make the bible. How people can read it all too literally and miss the entire point of it. The movie has some of the most evil things I can think of in it. And the serial killer that somehow tries to justify it as "god's good work." The movie is extremely well acted and well written. It also has some fantastic one-liners.
The last line is great: "Ernest Hemingway once wrote, 'The world is a fine place, and worth fighting for.' I agree with the second part."
Se7en showcases the sickest things in the hearts of men. And how twisted some people can make the bible. How people can read it all too literally and miss the entire point of it. The movie has some of the most evil things I can think of in it. And the serial killer that somehow tries to justify it as "god's good work." The movie is extremely well acted and well written. It also has some fantastic one-liners.
The last line is great: "Ernest Hemingway once wrote, 'The world is a fine place, and worth fighting for.' I agree with the second part."
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
The Boneyard
Cool name for an interesting place. The mouse-over feature is a nice touch. Its crazy how big that place is and how many planes are still just sitting there. And how big some of them are.
Going through dem changes
I felt the need to change myself lately. I spent a few years dwelling on the past and just felt... stale lately. Part of it was legitimate, and part of me just wants to change so people can't 'pin me down' and say they know me anymore. Either way, I've done a few things recently that I've been meaning to do for a while.
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- Growing my hair out. Not sure what I'm going for exactly, but the initial idea was this. Jack White is the one on the left and that's what I'm thinking.
- Working out: I've started working out this year. Joined the YMCA with a few others, started taking Yoga (its awesome), etc. Hopefully I can keep it up. (T.W.S.S.) I've made peace with never being a beefy guy, but I'd like to not be so.... stringy.
- New ink: Much to my mother's chagrin, I got a new tattoo that I've wanted for a while. I really like it, and am happy that I did it. I had made a small sarcastic comment on my Facebook and it backfired a little (sorry bro) - at least I know my family cares. Let it be known that I would never get a tribal or a neck tattoo.
- New instrument: I finally got a piano. I've been meaning to get one for a while now, but finally bit the bullet and got a nice 88-key electric piano. It sounds great and feels great. I'm remembering why I fought playing piano so hard as a kid - my right hand is really weak and can't keep up with my left. Which is frustrating, because nearly every songs 'lead' part uses the right hand. I also have a tendency to get in over my head. I'm currently trying to learn: Swim, Dark Blue, and Rescued by Jack's Mannequin - these songs are HARD. Andrew MacMahon is definitely no slouch when it comes to penning a song on the piano. Also learning a few others including songs by The White Stripes, Lady Gaga, and Deathcab for Cutie.
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