A Christmas Story

This Christmas I had got everything I wanted. I got a wah pedal and a loop pedal for my guitar. A wah pedal increase the sound and actually portrays a WAH sound to the guitar when the pedal is activated. A loop pedal records whatever i play and then plays it back through my amp and allows me to play over top of the track and make music with myself as rythm guitar and as lead guitar. This opened up several doors to my musicianship in the combination of these two pedals. A wah pedal allows for a more soulful blues sound and a loop pedal allows me to be able to customize more of my solos without having to focus on maintaining the chorus of a song. I also recieved more vests and fedora's for christmas whic was exactly what I wanted, as I am trying to bring back the fedora. Also I obtained some sleep pants and shirts form a store that is new to me, Banana republic. I was unaware of this stores existance and thus I didn't know whether to act suprised because it was expensive or act like I needed it because it was cheap. Later I found out that Banana Republic is a preppy store like American Eagle. All in all I had an amazing CHRISTmas got all the gifts I wanted and had an amazing time with my family.

The Blues

Why aren't we singing the blues? The economy is supposed to be in the toilet, and though that may stink it is usually does great things for the creative juices. However, this time around the blues have not made a rebound. I, personally, happen to be a connoisseur of the blues - most especially if it is played on a guitar - but I have heard much in the way of blues. Everyone we needs to grad their guitars and dig deep and really "feel" the emotions that come from a cruddy economy. We need to start singing the blues.

Text and Driving

In my last blog I mentioned Chris Hixson (Jumper) and Melissa Shaw. As you may already know, the wreck they were in was due to texting while driving. If we learn nothing from this terrible accident, then Melissa's death and Jumper's paralysis meant nothing. However, if we learn to ignore our cell phones and stop texting while we are driving and we save a life - then we have honored both of them.

jumper

A few months ago, as we know there was a car crash with Melissa Shaw and Christopher Hixon. Melissa's life was taken but Chris (Jumper) survived; though paralyzed form the neck down. Some would say his life is not worth living because he cannot enjoy anything anymore, however he has given me and all those around him a new meaning to the word determination. Doctors have said that if he continues therapy that by this time next year he should be able to have the full use of his arms. This is great news, but as the doctor says he has to work at it. As of now, he gets up everyday at about ten in the morning to start therapy and is not done until about one in the afternoon. While we are not told the exact stress that these therapy sessions have on Jumper, we do know that he does work diligently to regain the use of his arms. He is a real inspiration to me and all our friends. As we are working to graduate from high school, he is working to get back the basic things we take for granted - use of his arms. He stays upbeat, in a good mood and hopeful about a future. At times when I feel sorry for myself I think about all Jumper has been through and continues to go through and realize that I have nothing to complain about.

Hippie

It seems the Hippie movement is making a comeback. That is something that has never left my house.

For those who have not met my mom, she is a hippie. She even looks the part. She often wears long patchwork skirts, has a peace sign tattooed on her ankle; she loves the Grateful Dead and she can tell you the date that Jerry Garcia and John Lennon died. She tells stories about when she was little that my grandparents used to take her to a commune in Tennessee call "The Farm."

I think most teens believe that being a hippie means smoking pot and getting high. However, my mom does not do drugs or drink alcohol. I would think that a woman who spent time at a commune might know a little more about being a hippie then the teens at school. Mom said that being a hippie can be many different things. For some people it is just a love of a certain type of music that gets them labeled as a hippie. Some people show an abundance of respect for the earth and choose to recycle, reuse and compose and become labeled as a hippie. Others, show an abundance of care and acceptance of others and chose to share what they have...and become labeled as a hippie.

I mean if you think you have to get high to be a hippie, you can think what you want. Just sayin, a lady who has lived doesn't do drugs and doesn't drink no more, but she is still a hippie. So, you don't have to do that stuff to be a hippie.

Avatar

If you have not seen the movie Avatar you need to go out and see it. Go see it now. Stop reading this blog and go see the movie. If you can see it at IMAX, all the better. By the end of the movie you will want to paint yourself blue and grow a tail.

The story line is not original, it will remind you of several other movies you have seen. However, the scenery is exquisite. You will want to reach out and touch these plants and animals. The imagery and technology used in the making of this movie is amazing. This is the best CG (computer generated) movie I have seen. The transition from person to CG is virtually seamless. There are only a few times that you can see that it is CG animation. I could only tell it was CG animation on two occasions and it was made apparent in human faces. It was never apparent to me in the landscape or the alien species.

Again, if you have not had the opportunity to see the movie. Go see the movie while it is still in the theaters.

King Procrastinator

My mom tells me I could procrastinate about anything. She is probably right. I put off everything until the last minute. For instance, I knew I needed to pack to go to my Dad's house. When he showed up at the door to pick me up I was still throwing stuff in a duffel bag. I knew for 365 days when Christmas would be here and I still waited until 5 days before Christmas to buy my Mom's gift. I waited until the day of my Mom's birthday to buy her birthday present. Fortunately, she accepts my procrastination as one of those frustrating, but cute little quirk.

I am not really sure why I do this. It isn't that I think that these things are not important or do not need to be done. Perhaps it goes back to my previous post of everyone wanting a piece of me so for the few moments that I am not being drug off here and there I don't want to have to pre-plan and just want to be in the "now."

Dogs and Men

There is a reason that dogs are man's best friend, because dogs and men are much alike. Dogs are basically four legged men only hairier. Dogs remind us of the freedoms we wish we had. Dogs scratch, sniff, burp and make all other bodily functions without remorse or embarrassment. They stay up howling at passersby or the moon - or both. They have no bed time and no curfew. In fact they have no real schedule to keep. They have virtual freedom! Dogs remind men of what it was like to be a child and give children a companion that is faithful, loyal and true. Dogs are the definition of manhood.

Unless, of course, we are talking about those little foo-foo dogs. Those types of dogs may not define manhood as much as others. I suppose that would depend on the man, but that would be a different post entirely.

Pieces

Does it ever seem to you like everyone just wants a piece of you during Christmas break? It is supposed to be a time to just lay back, hang out with the family and play guitar. But no. I have to spend "X" amount of time with grand parents, "X" amount of time with my dad in Louisville. Everything is so scheduled and regimented it is no longer as fun as it could be. I understand that everyone has things going on and schedules have to be synchronized. Seriously people, lighten up a little, enjoy the season.

'Tis The Season for Rude People

What has happened to the Christmas Spirit? I thought the "Christmas Spirit" enbodied love, generousity, peace and joy. Apparently the people shopping on Black Friday did not get the memo. Black Friday was so bad last year that some guy brought a gun to Toys R Us in Californiaand started shooting. In New York a worker at a Wal-Mart was trampled by a mob trying to get into the store. Though I have not heard stories that bad this year, my mother did witness a pregnant woman pass out in a lengthy check-out line and some people just stepped over the woman so they could check out.

It seems this "Grinch Spirit" is not reserved for only Black Friday. Just take a trip to the mall and watch for a while and you will see that most adults are not enjoying themselves. They are rushing around with frowns or angry faces. They yell at each other or look mad.

Maybe we have no one to blame but ourselves. We allowed retailers to turn a Christian celebration into a retail extravaganza and it is no wonder we no longer experience the "Christmas Spirit."

Mrs Mcdaniel i cannot access moodle or my email i know how convenient this seems from a procrastinators point of view but i have been trying and will keep trying but i may not be able to complete the summary assignment p.s. this is the only way i have to get in touch with u at this point

Mrs Mcdaniel i cannot access moodle or my email i know how convenient this seems from a procrastinators point of view but i have been trying and will keep trying but i may not be able to complete the summary assignment p.s. this is the only way i have to get in touch with u at this point

Crazy Mad Lady Shopping

My mom is a crazy mad lady shopper. I am not talkin' down on her. She knows she is crazy about her shopping. She buys 3 Sunday papers and diligently cuts coupons for a couple hours and the places them in individual envelopes that she keeps in the plastic box. Then she goes through all the the sale ads so she can check and re-check the price of everything. Then she will get on-line to see what is going to be on the sales ads next week to make sure she is using her coupons on the best possible deal. Coupon people, like my mom, they have some made ninja skills.

Once all the sorting is done - then she actually goes to the store. If WalMart doesn't have the better price they have to price match - then take the coupon to reduce the price more and then mom whipped out a "buy one get one free" coupon to go along with the same product. My head was going in circles before the transaction was completed.Today she would have spend $94.88 but after price matching and coupons she only spent $48.44. I feel sure the poor sale associate felt like he just spent his first night picking up soap in San Quentin.

Gettin' Real Romance Novels and Video Games

I realize that men and women differ in many ways. However, I have no earthly idea why women read romance novels. Does reading these novels put romance into thier lives? Does the reader really expect us men to act like the characters in those books? Do you really want to spend your time reading a story about characters that do no exeist?
It doesn't prepare you for real life. Guys just don't act like that in real life. In real life we do fart at in opertune times. Sometimes we smell bad and sometimes we smell bad and really don't care.

Our video games at least prepare us that sometimes life sucks and sometimes things are not fair, which I am told are both true fact of life. Video games also teach us to keep going on even when you have lost someone. Also- video gave are less sexist because your mail or female character can be built up to any level.


At least with the video games we play there is a little less sexism going on. Some of the female characters

Turkey Bowl

The Turkey Bowl is a once a year football game in which many employees from the 54 Pizza Express business and their athletic relatives meet and play a game of football. This game is important way to bring Christ into our lives as well, because we always have a devotion before we actually play the game. We aren't out to hurt anyone either, because at the beginning of the game we identify the married men and those with children so we do not injure them and cause them to be laid off work for and not be able to provide for their families. This game is a 3 year running tradition that is looked forward too all year by employees and family members alike. We all get up around 8 in the morning to get ready, and arrive back home just in time to shower and go to eat Thanksgiving dinner. It is one of the things I look forward too every year.

Gay? How is it used today?

Gay used to be a term whose meaning was only for happiness and love. Then however it was changed to reference homosexual men and for awhile went into a peaceful transition. Today though, gay is used to describe something people do not like and may or may not have feminine qualities about it. For example "Blogging is gay." While the truth of this statement may be up for debate, blogging is considered a feminine ordeal, so in today's language usage, gay was used properly. Calling something gay is politically incorrect and often times quite rude and inconsiderate. especially with homosexual men around. This word today is used in the same tense as the word retarded nowadays. Retarded is used at times when people don't understand something or it is to hard for them to accomplish. Associating these things with words like gay and retarded this is juvenile and immature.

Guy Vs. Girls - Blogging

Blogging has long been considered a very feminine way to express ones self. Forcing a guy to endure the emotional experience that he often masks over is extremely difficult and very uncomfortable. Not only is making someone who has difficulty evaluating his own emotions and applying them to events in his life difficult, but it is excruciatingly stressful when there are time constraints on the amount of blogs one must have. A successful blog for a male would take about a week, that is for one. Asking for ten in one month prohibits a male from any possibility of getting an A on an assignment like this. This is borderline sexism, because in society men are suppose to mask their feelings and be a "tough guy" all the time. Forcing a man out of this shell at such a high speed is dangerous to his self-esteem and his success later on in life. Without a passing grade in classes one cannot graduate and go on to college, but failing due to ones emotions and not knowledge is unfair to the emotionally hard

Are we returing to the past?

In history war has completely changed everyone's view. Are we returning to the time of Hippies?

More people are advocating peace and love more than ever (excluding the free love movement). Many people are turning to drugs for comfort due to stress and not knowing what to do with themselves since the economy crash. People are hating the war and not understanding why we are there and we are hating and mistrusting the government. This sounds like the exact circumstances that the llead up to the free-love movement. I believe it is completely possible that the U.S. could return to giving free love.

Good Music?

Music is more of a relative subject. What sounds good for someone may not sound that good to someone else. However what all music listeners should take into consideration is the influences that go int other music they love so much. For example, heavy distortion style of playing, seen in bands like slipknot and other heavy bands, was first exhibited by Jimi Hendrix. So to not like Jimi Hendrix and like slipknot is completely hypocritical. Another example is if one likes to hear Trans-Siberian Orchestra, but does not like symphonies. Trans-Siberian Orchestra is a group that takes symphonies and give them a rock remix. If one enjoys Slash's guitar playing but ignores the guitar playing of B.B. King and other blues artists, you cannot appreciate truly what is being played.

All in all listening to music and appreciating it are totally different things. Music can only stem from itself, so it is fair to say it is all connected and should all be at least considered but not necessarily liked.

Critical thinking

Today, as I see my peers and I, and even my younger brothers, I see the ability to think critically is deteriorating rapidly. We are taught that their is only one correct answer, and given one correct way to get to that answer. If two people take different routes to the same place and arrive at the same place, how they got there is irrelevant because they still got there. Profound / Critical thinking is hard to accomplish in a world of common conclusions. When we begin to reach something profound, it is then watered down to a common thought. We focus on one answer in modern times, where being profound allows many answers to be correct.

The truth is that we cannot really put a positive correct answer on something. The only problems we can put a definite solution to are problems we create, within a language we invented. We cannot possibly hope to understand something like the universe by using mathematics we created.

Critical thinking is, I believe, the only way to really reach an answer is to gather individual answers from a group of people, and find a common idea in each answer. I believe the common idea is the answer. Because that idea, being assessed by many different peoples individuals opinons, is an un-biased correct answer.



Our children cannot possibly have a chance to understand something as mysterious as the universe without the ability to think about things in outside of what everyone else thinks.

Teen stress

I saw a student today while I was working in the Help Desk and noticed she had bags under her eyes unlike anything I had ever seen. She looked like she had not slept in days. This reminded me of the overwhelming schedule that the school system has pressed onto students, so they may enter college successfully.
Today the main form of stress in teens would have to be school. Teachers seem to believe that their class is the only one that assigns homework, and they do not realize that all the other teachers we have assign homework and it is all due at the same time. On top of that teens get involved with school clubs and sports to attain scholarships for college. So, where is the time to sleep within all this school.
On average teens get around 4-6 hours of sleep per night, teens should be getting 9 hours and 15 minutes of sleep for proper growth and development. In a study I read recently the teenage brain is not designed to sleep until around 11:00p.m.. If that is true and school starts at 8:15A.M. that leaves exactly 9 hours and 15 minutes to sleep. However, 8:15 is the time a teenager HAS to be in school in class. So going by these numbers school is preventing teenagers from proper development and growth through sleep deprivation. In another study I read, the teenage brain was proven to not function at full capacity until around 10:00A.M., that being said school starting at 8:15 leaves teens at a disadvantage from the start.
All this being said, students in order for students to succeed they have to be able to play sports successfully, participate in clubs and organizations actively, and get good grades while only functioning on 4-6 hours of sleep. That is wrong. The school board should be more mindful of how students are effected by this ridiculous system. More and more students suffer from drowsiness, sleep deprivation, and the inability to concentrate.
Lastly I believe many students turn to drugs and alcohol abuse to cope with all the stress and pressure they have on them to make it through school and go onto college. Just this week I myself have already written two essay/ research papers, and by the end of this week, I will have written around five or six. I also have had to study for the ACT in December, and study for other tests that I have in my classes.
The point is that the school board should take time to come and actually look at the students and what they are doing to them not just evaluate the teachers. Oh yeah, and this would take more than one day of sitting in on a class, it would take about a month of sitting in on all classes.
If a school board member had to participate in all the activities, studies, and pressure an aspiring college student had to endure, they would take several days off from work to recover. We can't do that

Prostitution and Pornography

I believe that Prostitution and pornography are very similar. Prostitution is fun and awesome and everything, however diseases are spread through prostitution so pornography would be the safer choice. Pornography is easier and costs less, its a one person ordeal and requires no protection. Unless you can smoothly get a prostitute tested and her no be offended, pornography is the better choice. Also Pornography people are payed to have sex for others enjoyment, so they are usually more attractive then prostitutes.
Men get lonely though and pornography isnt always the best cure for loneliness, prostitutes are a much better cure for loneliness then pornography. However pornography allows men and women to experience their fantasies without actually "experiencing" them, which is a safe way to experiment and discover something about yourself never before known.
This is also what my topic is for a class project, so any ideas would be very welcome concerning this topic.

Music For Real

I believe music is a way to express feelings to complex for words. It is also a way to convey a point that cannot be directly stated, for example someones view on the government, and we all know we cannot speak our view about the government without some kind of prosecution so that is why it is relevant here. For Example "Used to Get High" By John Butler, is a song about being blinded or intoxicated by the government and its warped messages to the people, however if he were to directly insult the government as he does incognito in his music, he would be "crucified" in the media just like the Dixie Chicks.

Beowulf, poem to movie

The poem is all about honor and dignity, but the movie is all about sex. Beowulf's curse and the explaination of the dragon is sex with Grendel's Mother. In the poem it is because someone stole the dragon's cup. In the poem Grendel can't harm Hrothgar because he is protected by God, but in the movie it is because he is Grendel's father. So they changed most unexplained parts of the poem with "sexcuses"

fanship

I don't understand how some peoples need for individuality makes them stop being a fan for a badn once that band becomes famous, it doesnt make sense. On the same token some people don't become fans of a band because they are the "in" band. Its ridiculous that some people want so bad to be an individual that they can't accept a good band only because it might make them seem like they are in the "in" group. Good music is good music no matter who listens to it.

Abstracts

I have abstracts to do for Theory of Knowledge. These abstracts are about anything i want them to be about but we have to incorporate ways of knowing and different areas of knowledge to them so it makes choosing a topic very difficult. I am having trouble thinking of topics and am in desperate need of inspiration. I have to have 7 by the end of the nine weeks and i have 4. I barely have time for a paper like this with all my other classes anyway so any help i can recieve would be greatly appreciated

Purpose for school

Why do we have school? In life could we not learn everything we need to know while working in a specific job long enough. In all reality some one had to make up how to complete the job anyway, so why could that person not teach it to the people around him in a place where homework is not assigned. Homework is the work of the devil that deprives the teenage world of sleep and happiness. I felt this had to be said

Carved by the words that are not said, and those that are;

My step-father almost never compliments anything that I do, however I have figured out why he does this. He believes that by telling my im doing something well ill stop trying to accel in that area. An example of this is when I write a new song he never gives me a compliment on it, he just picks out the parts I messed up or how somehting is not right in the song. Then there are other times he just ignores it and nods his head. However I know most of the songs I write are at least some what good because everyone but him, that I play them for, says they are quite beautiful, or sound like the radio.
When he does compliment me though it seems to mean more than I want it to.

My Hero

My hero is Jimi Hendrix. He came onto the rock scene with an entire new outlook on music and completely pioneered a new way to play the guitar using high gain and treble for feedback. He was also one of the first to experiment with stereophonis and phaser effects for his recordings. his influence is boundless in the world of music, and as a guitar player myself i look up to him as a leader in creativity and passion.

Music

Dude...... music