Me Manifesto - Part 1 (movies and music)

Okay, I sincerely apologize now because I am about to type a novel and you're going to read it out of shear curiousity and it will likely take you all night. Sorry. Also, while I want to take your advice (although not indirectly at me, I agree) and start another topic, actually, topics. You see, even though it would be wise for us to pause and catch up and actually follow through on our thoughts, my mind is already a few steps ahead of itself and while I shall try to cover as much ground as possible on back posts, I shall also start newer, larger topics that are much more...how should I say? Out there than previous thoughts? I don't know, I think my ambition is finally seeing a possible outlet and it wants to create something now. Therefore, in this post (so I don't forget) I shall discuss 1) my movie list, 2) explain my music list, 3) explain my concept list as best as possible, 4) bring up "life lists" as to the best of my understanding, 5) bring up Harry Potter for no particular reason and finally 6) propose a new project for us to undertake...something completely unrelated to everything we've talked about so far, and yet at the same time, totally inclusive in all of this. I would also be lieing if I said this was my plan all along, and yet, I'm not at all surprised my mind took this to that step. Anyways, onwards and again, I apologize for the long read.

Section 1: Movies
1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
2. High Fidelity
3. Jaws/Texas Chainsaw Massacre (original)
4. Alice in Wonderland
5. the Simpsons Movie
Runner-ups: Donnie Darko and For the Love of the Game

My first selection, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is long and by far my favorite movie of all time. It has been ever since I saw it for the first time with Brooks my sophmore year at RIT. I was so blown away I watched it four more times within the next two days. I think that this movie appeals to me so much is because it is how I picture love, or at least the concept of love. I'll be honest, my heart always stepped in front of my head when dealing with women as a young man and it burned me twice, real bad, in identical situations and although I have definitely landed on my feet as far as relationships go, it is hard for me not to picture love as this very bitter, painful experience, one that I hold a lot of resentment towards, and yet at the same time, it is the most pleasurable feeling I can imagine to have that. This movie encompasses that love/hate perspective beautifully, and it's funny to boot! It is also done by my favorite director Michel Gondry, which just adds to the bonus points on that one. I feel completely confident in saying that if I were to see every movie ever made, this would be still by my number 1, I can't imagine a movie experience more complete than this movie is for me. I also recomend, The Science of Sleep.
My second choice, High Fidelity, holds a similar place in my heart focusing on the pain surrounding that magical feeling of love, and it also benefits from using music as a major plot device. I could probably sum up my love for this movie with two quotes from it, "Am I depressed because I listen to pop music, or do I listen to pop music because I'm depressed?" and "I've been listening to my guts when it comes to women for years and I've come to conclusion that my guts have shit for brains." If there is a character I relate to more than John Cusack in this movie, please let me know.
As a horror movie buff, at least somewhat of a- I felt it necessary to include my two favorites. First I shall talk about the Texas Chainsaw Massacre which still holds the only scene in any movie I have seen that made me cringe - when 'leatherface' put that girl on that meat hook, I still have nightmares about that...no wonder I'm desensitized to Eli Roth's supposed gory genius, I'm sorry, the guy is boring. Anyways, this movie sparked my love for horror movies and I'm yet to see it's match in pure horror, the closest being the Blair Witch Project which was more of a chills scary than a full body dirty, sleep with the lights on, scary. In short, the movie changed my life, in that it changed my taste in movies significantly, forever (Children of the Corn had a similar, although less permanent effect in that it lead me to Texas Chainsaw Massacre). Now Jaws - I've seen this movie a lot, and I still don't understand why it is listed as horror, nor do I care. The movie is brilliant - the man versus beast plot to it's most extreme. It features many of my favorite things (if you look at my list) but mostly, water which is 'Jaws' most useful weapon in that it has so much space to terrorize our protaganist with. Other movies have tried to use the shark (the subsequent Jaws movies, Open Water, etc...) but none have come close to reaching that power or fear of the original. As a bonus, both Jaws 2 and Jaws 3 have killer scenes which rank among my favorite cinematic moments, if the movies as a whole were wicked lame. Also, somewhat ironically, it is the second (of three) movies based on books in my list, and yet this is probably the least known book (and rightfully so - it was quite the forgettable read). Completely ironicly, I own neither of these movies (just pointing it out - my birthday is in September and Christmas is only three months after that).
My fourth entry is probably the oddest, although if anyone knew me, they'd understand - Alice in Wonderland is the most brilliant cartoon ever. The movie, for me, not only kind of idealizes my childhood (I actually, don't remember seeing it as a child, although I'm sure I did) but kind of holds that innocence for me when my mind wasn't restrained by the concepts of reality. When my creativity reigned free over my world. The music composes one of the best soundtracks ever (I vote we petition Disney to re-release it), the comedy is on more levels than any movie since, appealing to both observant adults and naive children ("ahoy! That's another nautical expression!") and one cannot help but smile after watching it. Insanity is by far, the greatest comical device...and no, I have never read the book and yes, I understand it is supposed to be much darker than the Disney version portrays - but you know what? It's Disney and I'd rather take in their sugar-coated, rose-tinted version than some dark, drugged out interpretation. Afterall, dark in not necessarily deep.
My final entry, The Simpsons Movie is, well, not even out yet. To be honest, I haven't seen it yet either (I didn't get a bootleg copy or anything) but I'm putting it on the list because I don't feel right not including the Simpsons when they have meant so much to my life and they are, afterall, now in a movie I feel it was only right. Originally I was going to say all past and future Simpsons episodes on DVD, but that would be a very cheap 'movie' to list, since this is afterall my idea to list these things anyways. I don't think I can possibly be disappointed by the movie, even though I am obviously putting a lot of faith in it rocking my world, because I have full and complete trust in the writers and Matt Groening to put out the best possible product for this, if for nothing else, but one more reason to put a finger up to the now miserably failing, Family Guy which fizzled out faster on it's return than my hopes that when Futurama returned, it would return to Fox...actually, I wonder if that is still coming back or what, haven't heard much recently. Anyways, since I haven't seen the movie, I can't actually comment on it's qualifactions to be even on the list, but suffice to say, the Simpsons are as much my family as anyone I'm actually related to and their cinematic debut belongs on this list and I wouldn't be surprised if it climbed a few spots after I see it.
My runner ups are excellent movies in their own right and to be honest, I don't really know why. I think I like Donnie Darko because of it's brilliant anti-hero, his self-sacrifice and his girlfriend, Jena Malone - my one true mega-movie crush. I think my main attraction to the movie is the fact that no matter how many times I see it, I don't think I really truly understand what is going on. As for For the Love of the Game, I really couldn't tell you...it just pulls that emotional string somewhere in me. I wish I had a comparable football movie, since I don't much care for baseball, but this one gets me and it would be near impossible to recreate. It could also be Jena Malone again...I'm going with that. Should I add Saved and Cheaters real quick just to cover my Jena Malone bases?

Section 2: My Music List
First my two runner-ups, Led Zeppelin IV and Abbey Road. These albums are perfect, the latter occasionally drifts into the nonsensical realm that the Beatles were somewhat known for in their later years and it doesn't always work, but with songs like "Come Together" and "Here Comes the Sun" (the latter of which ranks on my top 16 songs) it's hard to argue with it as an album even with it's faults. The former of those albums would easily make this album had I discovered it earlier in my musical formation - the songs are all fantastic and it flows like most albums made today wish they could, but I feel that this is when Led Zeppelin really became cold and distant lyrically, only "Going to California" is able to create that emotional connection that albums that did make my list are. Yes, musically this is best album I have ever heard (although Mastodon's Blood Mountain gives it some harsh competition, even with the obvious influence of...) and most of Led Zeppelin's most memorable songs ("Stairway to Heaven" "Rock and Roll" "Black Dog") but, like I said, this is when Jimmy Page really dove into the fantastical thoughts of black magic and the like and as interesting and possibly captivating as these topics are, lyrically the album does not reflect the full emotional range of previous Zeppelin albums nor does it create that sense of belonging in the band, simply put the album just rocks with no strings attached - it's like the best one night stand of your life, it was great, but you're not likely to remember much in the morning other than the fact that it rocked.
My number one album, like my number one movie, defines me as a person, probably moreso than I should let it. I jumped on the Bright Eyes' band wagon along with the press at the release of Lifted OR the Story is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground. The first song I heard (via illegal download) was "False Advertising" and as soon as I heard the lyric "fuck my face, fuck my name, they are brief and false advertisements" I knew I had found my voice - the one person who understood me (a common misconception looking back, but I was a teenager and that's pretty much what I've determined teenagers do...create a world surrounding themselves). This lead me to an obsession with Bright Eyes that lives on this day, with each new album I discovered a new facet of myself I had no idea existed. Fevers and Mirrors spoke to my wounded heart, letting off the Happiness spoke to my wandering thoughts, so on and so forth, but it all started with this album and my favorite song of all time comes off of it ("Nothing Gets Crossed Out"). It's bombastic - speaking to my ambition, it's self-depreciating - speaking to my ego, and it's long (78 minutes) giving the most possible music since I'm only allowed five CDs all of a sudden. Bonus - I listened to the complete album from start to finish at least once daily for over a year...nothing should be that obsessed over.
XTC's Skylarking ranks second although I have owned for a little over a year and only heard one song off of it prior, but what a song it is. "Dear God" blew me away the first time I heard it and it still does to this day. I now label myself as agnostic, but this still stands as my theme song for my religion if anyone asks. As for the rest of the album, I truly can't complain - it starts out with possibly the best five song lineup I can imagine and they meld together so brilliantly it's as if walking through some fantastical forest where the sun shines through the trees and no evil thoughts can ever enter your mind. Throughout the album it is the most relaxing, tranquil experience and you never want to leave. It's hard to explain everything that you can find on this album, so I recommend you just put it on and shut up.
Oh yes, my cliche pick. If asked a year ago I probably would have said Wish You Were Here since it is mandatory I include a Pink Floyd album on my list and while that album is just as good as Dark Side of the Moon I really cannot deny this albums power. Yes, the lyrics are more often than not, pretty shoddy and yes, the studio gimmicks are kind of a novelty, but on this album with this band with these songs - it works, and it works better than any other album I've ever heard. There's a reason it is one of the best selling albums of all time and occasionally still enters the Billboard 200 - there's no denying it's universal, and yet personal appeal. Enough said - that ominous cover (which I'm coincidentally wearing right now on my shirt) defines album perfection and no one has come close since to matching it's brilliance.
There's a lot to be said about Bob Dylan and many of his albums would fall on a variety of different lists, but for me, nothing is better than Time Out of Mind his triumphant 90s return to form. Including another one of my top songs ("Love Sick") it also includes such masterpieces as "Not Dark Yet" and "Make You Feel My Love" giving us an optimistic dark view of our lives and society. The only sidestep, in my mind, is the sixteen minute "Highlands" which ends the album - without it, perhaps throw in a pair of old Dylan classics in it's place, this album is my quintessential Dylan album for me. Bonus - I was never into Dylan prior to listening to this album, now I'm a huge devotee, ranking him ninth on my top ten artists.
My final album selection is by far the oddest and would perhaps be better replaced with a double disc of "the Best of..." when it comes to the Fiery Furnaces, but alas - that's not the question here, is it? Blueberry Boat stands as my favorite Fiery Furnaces album, although occasionally I may rank it behind Bitter Tea or Gallowbird's Bark or even EP (although never Rehearsing My Choir) it stands the test of time as always returning to the top the list. Honestly, to paraphrase the whole album for you, I could play you the ten minute opus that opens the album and you will be blown away at the sounds coming from the stereo. It's really as if twenty bands decided to play thirty second songs and then mesh them all together and while it sounds terrible, it's bloody brilliant. The best part? This is probably the worst song on the album - songs like "Blueberry Boat" which finds us relating to a Blueberry Boat captain being killed by pirates, or "I've Lost My Dog But Now He's Found" with a clever story about a lost pup, or "Chris Michaels" with it's fast paced, easy to lose yourself plot leading to the anthematic ending. I could go on and on about what this album brings and like Lifted it clocks in around 78 minutes making it the most music for the least CD, but I think I'll end with the albums finale, "Wolf Notes" which encourages every listener to pick up any instrument they can find and just play - who cares what comes out, music is music. Bonus - the best live band I have ever seen, period.

So I began typing this up upon being called into work to finish up somethings and now while I am done (I typed this in my spare time), I have decided to post this and continue to the onslaught at a later date (let's knock down sections 3 and 4 Saturday morning, or at least aim to). I could of course stay and continue working, however as you can tell already, I have a lot ot say and I'd be here all night, most of tomorrow and probably all of tomorrow night and thus, for now, good night. Ta.

Ten things and more

I'll work on coming up with people to invite that would actually write with us. And I won't add another topic this week as I still have two to catch up on :)

Ahhh yes, it depends because this is a position to get me experience and knowledge about being a real life chemist. From there I will go on to....rule the world. Ok not really but since I don't know what to do I'm sticking it out while I think it out.

First of all I will give you my list of my 10 favorite things ever.
1. Relationships-including but not limited to friends, family and acquaintances
2. Music-doesn't really matter what kind, because we listen and live it everyday.
3. Science-mainly chemistry, but physics, biology and technology and other types as well
4. Communication-languages, types of
5. Nature-Sunsets, landscapes, animals, unaltered naturalness
6. Art-photography, paintings, theater, movies, you get the idea
7. Evil-I'll tell you more in my explanations
8. Handmade things-food, crafts, etc
9. Books
10. Beer

Runners up: Books, Sports, and Good

I will be doing my explanations when/as I have time to sit down and type them. Hopefully it won't be too long before I get that chance. But at the same time I wouldn't count on it being too quick.

As for my five cds. I would have to have:
1. 8X10 by Randy Travis. Sorry I know it's not a classic, but I can't go too long without hearing his voice.
2. Yellow Submarine-The Beetles. Kind of a classic mix of their stuff and it always brings to mind the movie, which I love
3. Stunt-Barenaked Ladies-Some of their best work is on this album and they're a good fun
4. Love/Sex Future Sounds-Justin Timberlake-You've always got to have a dance mix and this is one of the best current ones that I'm listening to.
5. Last but not least would have to be the first Nickel Creek Cd, Nickel Creek.

My choices aren't as refined or introspective as they have been in the past, but they reflect my thoughts lately that I just want to enjoy it and take it all in.

So on that note. I will be thinking of my movies and working on my reasons behind my thinking and will refrain from topic naming for the time being. I ask you to continue on as usual. :)
Ta.

Top Five Records

Funny since I just watched "High Fidelity" this morning, oh lists...are anything as fun to make and as useless or impractical? I doubt it. So my top five CDs, or the only CDs I would own if I were limited to five. Excellent question.

1. Bright Eyes - Lifted OR the Story is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground
2. XTC - Skylarking
3. Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon
4. Bob Dylan - Time Out of Mind
5. the Fiery Furnaces - Blueberry Boat

Runners Up...the Beatles - Abbey Road and Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin IV

I'm still working on my explanation of my top ten, so I'll work on these next. My next question - five movies, go.

As for Global Warming, I'm right about with you. Obviously some of the heating we have documented is the Earth's natural cycle, but I think some of it is also due to our own actions. I also think we might be past inevitable point of no return as well to expect everything to stay as it always has been. I don't fear at all for humans as a race, but I have a feeling that we will see a lot of unnecessary deaths as the climate changes and people are too stubborn to change to adapt to said changes...similar to New Orleans prior to Katrina, they had 48 hours to get out of the city and yes, our government fucked up and rescue plans should have been prepared during that same time, that's not the point. To think nature can't win is just ignorant, as all powerful as we are, nature can still take us a couple of rounds without being knocked down once and we ave to respect that. I think converting to renewable resources, particularly solar power, would be the most intelligent thing we can do as a race. Even outside of the environmental reasons, it's just plan and simple more efficient and easier to do on a small scale. If all the shingles in the world were replaced with solar panels, I'm sure we'd generate more than enough power for everything else...just my thoughts. Overall, I'd say expect major changes over the next twenty years, but as long as we are willing to adapt and accept what the Earth hands us, we should all be fine.

Also - I'm doing well, thanks for asking. It sounds like you're really busy, but it sounds like you're doing some pretty interesting stuff and just keep in mind that "shit rolls downhill" so you'll probably just have to wade through it for a couple of years to establish yourself...sounds like you're doing well though, at least. I'll probably have some lyrics up for next week, and it's okay, I already knew you secretly loved me. Also, I gave you admin privileges so you can invite whoever you want too. The more the merrier. I feel like I was going to say something else, but I got nothing so I'm heading to bed. Ta.

Song Lyrics of the day

I was watching CMT because they're actually playing music videos so it caught my eye and they were playing a Nickel Creek video, which happens even less often. It was the video to 'Reasons Why' and I had forgotten how good that song was, so I thought I would post the lyrics. No it's not a subliminal message that I'm in love with you Nathan, sorry. Had to cover that base, just to be clear. The song is simply one that I really enjoy that I had let get lost in the land of my brain where so many songs live. Without further adieu, here they are:
Where am I today? I wish that I knew
'Cause looking around there's no sign of you
I don't remember one jump or one leap
Just quiet steps away from your lead

I'm holding my heart out but clutching it too
Feeling this short of a love that we once knew
I'm calling this home when it's not even close
Playing the role with nerves left exposed

Standing on a darkened stage, stumbling through the lines
Others have excuses, but I have my reasons why

We get distracted by dreams of our own
But nobody's happy while feeling alone
And knowing how hard it hurts when we fall
We lean another ladder against the wrong wall

And climb high to the highest rung, to shake fists at the sky
While others have excuses, I have my reasons why

[Bridge:]
With so much deception it's hard not to wander away
It's hard not to wander away
It's hard not to wander away

Next topic to go with the ongoing

My suggestion for the next topic is...If you could only have five cds, what would they be and why? And as for my list I'll post that after I post my top ten list.
Ta

Global Warming

First of all I'm sorry that it has taken sooo long for me to get back to the conversation. I've been extremely busy and after typing on the computer all day, it's all I can do to make it to bed. So now that I have more energy I have a lot to catch up on.

Utah, oh the place that is the bane of my existence these days. You ask why I am here. I think it is to reaffirm the fact that God hates the Mormons. OK maybe not, but it is because I'm doing some environmental testing for one of the air force bases out here. My job takes me to these places and then abandons me to the fate of well being 1500 miles from everything and everyone I know and says have fun. But yeah I'm here working, have been for five weeks and will continue until the first week in August or so.

My thoughts on global warming...well they're extensive and yet I will narrow them down to a few paragraphs. I don't think it's a crock, but at the same time I don't think it's as pressing as everyone makes it out to be. As a scientist I must acknowledge that the earth is a living entity in and of itself that has a balance that has to be maintained. In that same vein humans are the largest perpetrator of the changes that occur on the planet.
That being said you must also look at the fact that the earth is several billion years old and we humans are only several thousand years old. The cycles that the earth goes through last longer than humans have been around. The geology studies that are out there right now are showing that we are just now coming out of the last ice age. That implies that there will be an increase in global temperatures. This does not mean we should repeal the legislation meant to cut back on emissions or not worry about if what we do will affect the earth. Instead we should take a more pro-active stance on caring for the place we live because it is a limited resource and it is something that we have to be aware of. But overall I definitely think that there is a portion of this heating trend that is caused by the earth's natural cycle. We should not be panicking, instead we should be aware and be conscience of our decisions and their impact on the earth.
I have not read the Rolling Stone article yet although I have to stay the picture of Sting on the front is very nice sitting here on my floor. :) Yes that was meant to be stupid.
That is the overview of my thoughts on global warming. You must now return the favor.

I am currently working on my top ten and will post those as soon as I have it done, but I need some time to think about it. It is a weighty question afterall so until next post Ta!

My Favorite Things

When I first started brainstorming for this list, I started with very specific, detailed items but quickly with such narrow topics,my list would become more like a flavors of the week countdown rather than a snapshot of my mind right now that I will perhaps look back on in five or ten years and notice how I've matured and changed, how my priorities have shifted with the times, even note how society has shaped my point of view. However, I did compile all these little details and then broke it down into broader categories, but that resulted in a run-down of 101 classes at most universities rather than a personal image of how my world is shaped. So, naturally I compromised. I continued adding more ideas, subtracting the ones I felt were kind of tacked on, combining into larger categories and then breaking those down into topics and the end result was a solid 12 (rules were made to be broken) bullets, ranked, along with two honorable mentions which I could have grouped with some of the larger topic fields, but I felt that they deserved to be at least mentioned in their own right while also not quite getting the kind of recognition that the rest of the list is receiving. One thing I did find fascinating while compiling this list was how many of my interests overlapped with other topics, it's as if my favorite thing is a Venn diagram, and this is just my way of illustrating it. I shall now reveal my list to you in dramatic twelve to one traditional fashion, then I shall explain each topic individually throughout the next week from one up to twelve and the honorable mentions. And thus, without further delay, I give you my favorite things...



Honorable Mentions: Lists and Philosophy

12. Bowling - family hobby, along with Euchre and Hearts.

11. Roller Coasters - another longtime fascination of mine.

10. Animals/Evolution - from my early childhood love of big cats to the concept of evolution blowing my mind.

9. Weather - storms and disasters...what more can I say?

8. Mathematics - Pythagoras and other awesome things, bonus: shapes (triangles, circles the suffix -gon) and colors.

7. Words/Language - words, sentences, paragraphs, conversations, Google and mythology.

6. the Simpson's - I think this one kind of explains itself.

5. Family Life - started with walking the dog, but will likely transition into family and friends and eventually, playing the Sims.

4. Architecture/Engineering/Landscaping - a broad topic from skyscrapers and highways, to brick houses, ivy used as ground cover, and Legos.

3. Man over Nature - more so, harnessing lower, for instance windmills, watermills, hydroelectric dams and solar power.

2. Water - including, but not limited to; rivers, rapids, erosion, waterfalls, fountains, lighthouses and catamarans.

1. Music - but more specifically, live music.

Ten Things and Global Warming

It's alright you haven't seen them, although I've meaning to ask, why are you in Utah right now anyways? Just curious.

I think you're right though, that the 2008 will be one of extreme change, so we should be optimistic, I mean, how much damage can be done in 18 months? Right?

So I was walking the dog the other day, and we've kind of gotten into the habit of taking long marathon walks, a good three or four hours just wandering around Kalamazoo and I thought of an excellent talking point for us. What are your favorite ten things ever? And I mean, and all intensive list of concepts, people, places, things, whatever - I don't care if 7 is dragons and 6 is tile floors and 5 is motivation...whatever you want. I'm still kind of working on my list, I have a few things down, but I want to rank them yet and I don't have 10 yet. And don't forget to include the always necessary why - nobody likes just a list of random shit.

So this past issue of Rolling Stone (with the Police on the cover) has an excellent three part article about Global Warming. The first part is a short conversation with Al Gore about his campaign to save the planet in and our of the political ring. The second part is about the Bush administration's do-nothing strategy that has put us another 20 years closer to destruction. The third part is a piece on changes that are already happening that do benefit the environment and what we as individuals can do. So what are your thoughts on global warming? Hoax or problem? Is it too late or can we save the planet? Discuss. Ta.

So first my reply to your question. I'm sorry to say that I haven't seen either movie, although both are at the top of my list to see as soon as I'm some place that has a DVD player again. Hotel rooms aren't very conducive to watching DVDs. So as soon as I see them I'll let you know.

Back to the topic of music for a moment though. I hope that our generation is up to it, because that is what we have. Lord knows that the current political climate is not going to continue to work and when all of the old guys that are in congress now die, or retire, or get kicked out of office, or what have you we are going to have to be there to pick up the pieces or as you said, we will fall much like the Romans did. Knowing that, I think that there will come a time some time in the not so distant future where we will see the government start to have opinions that are much more like our own. It happened in Vietnam, that's why we finally left the conflict. We left because 1) the climate had changed because of media influence and 2) because the political leadership had a turn over and it ended up favoring the younger generation, if I had to pick a number 3 it would be because we were getting our asses handed to us, but that was just bad strategy from the beginning. But I think the climate in politics can and will change to our favor the question is whether anyone our age will want to pick up the torch when most of us are disenchanted with the way things are going in this country. And I think it can happen again, it's just sad when you don't hear people standing up for their right to stand up. The first amendment is one that should never be ignored or forgotten. Ok, I'm done on my soap box for now.

And yes, we did both forget that American Idiot was the best selling album, and I'm sorry for that, because it was a work of art.

Again, I'm sorry that I haven't seen either of those movies, I would love to comment, but it wouldn't make sense since I haven't seen them. Ta.

...and yet we still forgot.

It seems both of us let it slip our minds that the most successful album of 2004 was indeed a political statement against Bush and the war, if we recall. Green Day's "American Idiot" was a huge success as far as record sales go, however, it still failed to motivate any sweeping change.

A response...if you will

I'm so glad I'm not alone in my desire to ave a little conversation that actually requires a little though prior to speaking (or in this case typing, but the response is the same). It seems that whenever someone leaves an institute of learning, they immediately leave anything intelligent they may have had to say as well. "I didn't know" or "it's someone else's responsibility" are more and more becoming acceptable excuses for endangering incompetence. While it still seems little are fetched that stupidity could be the downfall of society, I sometimes fear that this ineptitude will lead to things far worse than we could ever imagine, if not on the global scale, at least here in America where things have already begun crumbling. I feel like a Roman as the empire came crashing in on itself due to spreading of military forces and corruptness in our political leaders. Some serious changes need to occur and it looks like it'll have to start with our generation...now that's some scary shit because I know these kids and I wonder if we're up to it. I hope this thing catches on though, I really enjoying having these types of talks, and yet it seems that there is no real appropriate place for them out in the "real world." Somebody remember to discuss the "real world" at a later date, the whole concept would make an excellent discussion, however, moving on past my own hubris on creating this wonderfully popular blog for us to talk these things out...

As for the music industry, I could not agree more. Mainstream America's silence here during a national disgrace ongoing in Iraq is more unsettling than anything else. Has pop music really gone that soft? Do they have nothing to say? What is wrong with this picture? I suppose first we must look at the movement against Vietnam so we have that starting point for argument. So it was the late sixties and the two most influential artists of all time, the Beatles and Bob Dylan, were at the top of their game and campaigned endlessly against the war (so much, in fact, that the FBI tried to have John Lennon deported). I think this had a major contribution into the protest efforts on mainstream America since it was sold as the cool thing to do - it wasn't at all controversial, it was what the big guns were doing, so everyone could do it. Today, there are no Beatles or Bob Dylan leading the way for songwriters and radio DJs, really it's a big guessing game on what will be popular and what will disappear into pop trivial history. On one side, I see the logic of the record industry staying away from the controversial topics with all of the other problems they are dealing with. The four remaining majors (with another merger imminent) are falling fast to piracy and new competition like cheap DVDs and video games, while the bread and butter of the industry, the teenagers, just don't seem to care anymore and aren't buying CDs as a sign of the times. They keep hoping one amazing hit single will save them, but they have to look bigger than that...and that's the side I see, that they are playing the only game they know how and aren't looking for alternatives. They are playing it safe with songs they know will do well on the radio and staying as far away from controversy as possible, probably as a kind of response to the Dixie Chicks backlash. A boycott like that could be the fatal blow to an already crippled industry. They aren't seeing, however, the main catalyst in the Dixie Chicks situation - the Dixie Chicks' main audience was made up entirely of red state supporters. Pop music is made up of a lot more diverse, politically, audience. I suppose indie rock has always had it's political moments, but unfortunately the limited audience isn't changing any minds or motivating any apathetic listeners. Way back in 2003, the Fiery Furnaces released "We Got Back the Plague," one of the first truly political songs to come out of the indie underground in response to Bush and his antics. I think it may have taken this long because it did take a while for 1) everyone to move past September 11th, as it was such a catastrophic event for us, as a nation to witness and 2) figure out that we were indeed being duped into some pointless war...we all saw the writing on the wall, but couldn't exactly read it until it was too late as we were wrapped up in swell of other emotions. Once the occupation started in 2004, many bands from Bruce Springsteen, R.E.M. and Pearl Jam toured and campaigned for John Kerry and while the concerts were a huge success, they ultimately came up short wen stirring up the vote. Later year, Eminem released his lackluster political single "Mosh," but it was October and most states had already closed registration for those of voting age. The same can be said for P. Diddy's, Moby's and others failed voting campaigns - too little too late. That's not to say music is a complete failure on the political front. More songs came out, for instance Rilo Kiley "It's a Hit", Bright Eyes "Road to Joy" and the Decemberists "16 Military Wives", but after the 2004 election was a bust (how did he get re-elected?) a lot seemed to move on, or lose hope (Bright Eyes went apocalyptic on "No One Would Riot For Less"). The Beastie Boys released "To the 5 Boroughs," both a grieving album for New York, but also a venting of sorts towards the maddening stupidity and bad decisions coming out of OUR White House. With 17 months to go until the next election and nobody seems to be able to wait - now that's depressing!

Now to answer my own question, I prefer the Prestige because the love story in the Illusionists seems too contrived and while it is difficult to dislike a film with both Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti, but I don't much care for Jessica Biel and poor on-screen chemistry didn't help much. As for the Prestige, it was an intriguing story that had me guessing until the very end, plus David Bowie as (my favorite eccentric scientist) Nikola Tesla! Just my opinion though, yours?

Ta.

Discuss

The Illusionist or the Prestige and why?

I'll reply to Jana's posts when I get home, it's time for work. Ta.

Current Songwriters Finally Start Standing Up

Ok, So I'm going to do something weird and do two posts in a row. The last one was a little bit more sentimental where as I'm hoping this one will start discussion. All I have to say is it's about time that mainstream music started hearing some songs about the current war. Throughout the Vietnam war there were tons of songs, everyone was writing a song about it whether in support or against, mostly against. However, in the current day and age, it's almost as if the songwriters out there have either been too apathetic or too afraid to speak their mind.
There were of course a few that did right away, most notably Toby Keith. And there were boatloads of songs about nine eleven itself. But once the "war" started, there was a silence. There weren't any songs coming out that were political in any way shape or form, at least not mainstream. I found that sad and somewhat disconcerting.

Which in turn is why I'm glad that there are now songs finally coming out that are political and that songwriters finally are stating their opinions. There are three that come to my mind right this minute; John Mayer's waiting on the world to change, Maroon 5's recent song makes me wonder and a song off Linkin Park's new CD Hands Held High. I sincerely hope that this is just the beginning of our pop stars speaking their mind. I believe that if the people who are already in the lime light speak their minds more will follow and maybe the citizens of the United States will wake up from their daze and remember that we live in a Democracy that is a capitalist society.

It's your turn, what do you think of the music industry finally speaking up through their music?

Transcontinential Railroad to where again?

Well, I have to say that I miss the conversations as much as you do. I find it very hard to carry get people to have in depth talks about anything and no one seems to care. I have to say I find myself more so than ever now that I've graduated going back to the days of Mr. Loncharte's classes where you and I and a few others would find ourselves engrossed in talks about the book of the week and trying to find connections to our lives. Here I am in Utah. I passed a sign that said Taggart and poof it's like I'm right back there again. And the first thing I do when I get Internet? I e-mail you about it Nathan. Well, shows how much I haven't changed doesn't it?

Ok, so the point of all of this is. That no matter where I go, there are certain things that stick with me no matter where I go and the thoughts of the transcontinental railroad, and the fall of the world are all within that realm of shall I say imagination. I am moving into the real world and in that real world I see more and more of the things we all used to talk about occurring. I'm not sure where the train that we're all on is going, but I do know that I wouldn't trade my time with my friends for anything. So as we take this ride call life, and ask constantly where are we headed? Lets remember to have those conversations that connected us together in the first place. For now Ta!

Welcome

I have been thinking, as I often find myself doing in times of terribly mundane routine of day-to-day existence. I get up, I work, I come home and sleep. I didn't always do this, obviously, but I feel myself falling into a rut that I know is very difficult to climb out of and continuing on this thought process, I determined exactly what I'm missing from my past lives. I always woke up in the morning (or afternoon, but who's watching the clock?), I always went to work...sometimes school, but rarely, and then I would return home and sleep, but never has this routine truly brought me down and I think this is possibly because of the lack of group discussions I have had recently that match the shear intensity of the past. From talking "true evil" (better known as Darth Vader vs. Hitler to those who were there), capitalism vs. communism OR "I'm an objectivist, don't take it personally", even to debating God's existence while stuffing tacos. I'm not talking about changing the world or making any breakthroughs on any fronts, I just want to have some good old fashioned conversations with a group of people I know that will mentally stimulate me and give me something to think about. I'm not exactly sure where I want this to go, but I know I want it...so if you come up with a topic before I do, please - post, anyone who wants it has permission to join in...well, I have to add you, but just comment and I will. Generally speaking, the more the merrier is an excellent motto for these types of things. And don't be limited to the current topic, hell - random thoughts are just as much fun as topical issues. So, I guess since I have nothing else to add - let the discussion begin.