Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Find your passion!

Since I drank more than my fair share of beer last night, I thought today was going to suck. However I found it to be quite enjoyable. I noticed a few things today. Number one, I like my classes a whole lot. I look forward to going to class. In one of my classes we have people who just randomly talk during lecture. Old me wouldnt have cared one bit. However, new me finds myself engrossed in my lecture, so much so that when my prof addressed the issue, I became upset because he stopped. Another thing I noticed is that my profs really, truely enjoy their content. My oceanography prof was going on and on about microscopic phyto and zooplankton today. He was so into it, it was actually quite inspiring to see. Her is a man who gets excited about talking about tiny living organisms and the role they play in ocean floor sediments. In my biodiversity class, my prof was also full of enthusiasm. If you spend 5 minutes in his lectures you soon find out what a conservationist he is. He too gets excited talking about science, ecology, and ecosystems. He was especially inspiring when he began talking about fishing... man does he love fishing.

Anyhow, I had to turn in some hw at my oceanography prof's office, and as I was talking to him, he mentioned that I was doing well in class. I was happy because obviously I like to do well, but I was also glad that he noticed. I told him that it was probably because I like the class a lot, which made him smile and say that he was glad there was one other that finds it interesting. I couldnt help but leave the building and driving home in a good mood. The day was rounded out by a pretty good training session with the academy kids and a decent workout.

So before I hit the sheets, I cant help but feel in a sort of philosophic mood. I feel pretty cliche saying this but I will say it... Find your passion in life and do anything and everything you possibly can to enjoy it. It will make your life much more enjoyable. You really only have one life to live, so why bother doing something you dislike or even hate? Im glad I have a pretty good idea of what I want to do. I seem to be headed in the right direction...at least as of this point in my life. Everythings good! Go out and do what you love! I love you all (even if no one reads this) and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it!

Monday, March 9, 2009

Oldies...


As I am about to go to bed, I am in an oldies mood. I thought to myself, why do I like oldies.... many people have asked me that question before too. I have very extreme tastes in music, and many people can not figure it out... Therefore, some insight on my love for oldies....

1st... almost all oldies songs are carefree. They are written about simple things. They do not talk about bitches, hoes, sluts, drinking, partying, money, and or whatever kind of crap is being sung about today. In my oldies experience three main song themes spring to mind... love (being in, falling in, or losing someone they love) girls, and fun times. Most oldies are catchy and uplifting. If you think about it, oldies are really the first form of modern expression. Most music before the 50s was either jazz, swing, or classical... It was hard to find a way to express one's self, without being frowned upon. These songs are early trend setters.

2... there is a historical allusion in most of these songs. Most of these songs paint a historical picture looking at the popular culture at the time. The Beach Boys talked about surfin, cars, and girls... they were really some of the first rockstars.. if you dont believe me, read up on them. The words and phrases used in some songs are unique and interesting.... for example... 'at the hop' and ' pants so old that they shined'. Oldies are a link to a time when music was easy and happy.

3.. Its a connection to my parents, more specifically my dad. My dad is one of the smartest people I have ever come across. He hates any sort of music that I listen to now, with some exceptions. When oldies shows/ concerts come in town, I like to go see them with him and hear his stories. I find it very interesting when he tells me about the memories he has with some songs.

4... I was a fan from when I was a baby. Since I was a baby, I have been listening to oldies. My dad used to play oldies in the car, at home, and pretty much anytime the radio was on. Plus, when I was younger I was a troubled baby. I had a lot of health problems. I used to not sleep very well and used to cry a lot. The first song that ever put me to sleep was called ' Sink the Bismarck' by Johnny Horton. It is still one of my favorite songs to this day.

I find that no matter what mood I am in, oldies can usually shake my mood. I dont know what it is about them, but I find solace, peace, and hapiness with them.

5 current listens...

- Since I Met You Baby - Ivory Joe Hunter
- Bottle of Wine - Jimmy Gilmore and the Fireballs
- Johnny B. Goode- Chuck Berry
- Little Bit O Soul - Music Explosion
- Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show - Neil Diamond

Enjoy!

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

I almost forgot

A few more things I almost forgot....

Currently, I am upset at HIMYM and Scrubs. They are putting out new shows at an extremely slow and gay rate. I want new episodes from now until the end of time...do you understand me? You are not permitted to sit back with reruns. I expect new hilarity on a weekly basis.... I dont think thats too much to ask for.

Current Music trends...

Currently my music selections look something like this....

Favorite song of the moment - U2 - I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight
Fav album - U2 - No Line on the Horizon
Song with growing promise - Lily Allen - Fuck You
Song with an ability to get stuck in my head - Calvin Harris' Acceptable in the 80s
Shittiest song on the radio - anything with akorn on it, that guy sucks ass
Most overplayed- As much as I hate to admit, All Summer Long by Kid Rock.. its time to move on, that was released what seems to be a year ago atleast.

Also, my mother bought a wii... she loves it, cept for the fact that her trainer says she is 60 yrs old... I guess its hard for mama to realize she is old than she thinks...haha.

A few new things....

Sooo an update since last posting.... I have begun to take salsa lessons, which are fantastic. Myself and three other friends are newly exposed to the world of salsa and part time merengue. Thursday nights are what I look forward to the most during the week now. We found a place in south Toledo, down from where my gma used to live. They offer lessons for 5 bucks. I have to admit that it seemed a bit shady at the time, but we met some really friendly and really nice people.

On a different note, my request has finally been fulfilled. Scolari is out as manager of my mighty blues.... and thank god for that. At first thought I believed it was a quick decision. The man had no coached a club team in years, so why put him in charge of the richest club (the the time) in the world. His bogus excuses after his termination are retarded. He blamed a distance between himself and the players and players going behind his back. Some of that maybe true, but I just feel he wasn't cut out for the EPL. I think he is a decent coach, but not a tactician. He can not change tactics mid game and I believe ultimately, that was his downfall... that and his severe lack of discipline and his loose training styles. Guus Hiddink is a decent replacement, I am undecided as to how much I like him in the manager position.

Continuing onward, I have learned to hate my climate change class. I think my profs are dumb and unconcerned with actual learning. They do not even interact with us, even though it is online, they could still interact. All they do is post one question for us to respond to and thats it. They may help with problems here and there, but otherwise, the class is a joke. I can read a book quite easily on my own. I think most of the students would benefit more from interaction. Instead, they post outside readings, and chapter readings (some of the week's material may have over 50-100 pages of information) and then quiz us over 20 random questions they make up. These questions can be from anything we were required to look over that week. That is complete and absolute horseshit.

As a challenge to myself and from my friend Jenny, I have opted to give up facebook for lent. Some may not know that I enjoy challenging myself with certain ideas, but I do. I enjoy physical, emotional, and mental challenges like these, just to test my abilities. Not to mention, it is a good way to keep from getting way too attached to something.... I am not a facebook addict, I dont care what anyone (Jenny) says. She is an addict herself.. She is addicted to peanut butter and jelly and track 4 on repeat. I say she should have to cut those out instead of her beloved french fries....

Speaking of french fries, I am going to get myself a shamrock shake from Mcdonalds.... quite possibly the best creation ever. Its like holiday crack for st. pat's day and I need to make sure that i pick one up before they disappear.

I recently went to the doc to figure out some stomach troubles. She (is a quack) said that it appears that I am lactose intolerant... which if it is really true, makes me wanna cut out my stomach and get a new one. I really dont believe her because I eat yogurt, ice cream, and drink milk during the day and have no problems. It is only at night that my stomach feels like acting up. (asshole).

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Vh1 classic

This channel is sweet. Especially with these countdowns of top 100 hard rock songs. I have to say though, Bret Michaels needs to end it. I am tired of seeing this washed up piece of crap host these kind of shows. He had one decent showing way back. I will give him Every Rose Has Its Thorns and Talk Dirty To Me... other than that, end it Bret! Go away! You dont see Lou Bega putting his face on worthless crap and self promtional garbage. He was happy with Mambo #5's brief success.

I really cant believe #47 was Bawitdaba. I love the song but come on....47 out of 100 of all time? that seems a bit too soon to put it in the top 50.

Monday, February 9, 2009

What keeps me up at night

As an insight into the intricate and confusing workings of my mind, I have decided to shed some light on my inner thoughts. I usually do not try to talk about serious stuff, even though in reality I have thoughts and concerns for not just myself and my family, but for most of everyone else too. So in no particular order, these are thoughts and concerns that strain my brain....

- As with everyone I am sure, whether they admit it or not, I am not prepared to die yet. I am 25, but I am aware of my own mortality. I know that my parents and others are supposed to precede me, but nothing is certain. Moreover, when I die, I really do not want anything to happen to my body. I like my body. The thought of it being burned or buried displeases me. I suppose I will have to come to terms with death. I am not saying I am afraid of it, Im just saying I am not prepared yet. However, with people like U2's Bono, it makes death seem exciting. Bono has told of a story when U2 was supposed to play, but death threats had been made against the band and specifically Bono. Bono went on with the show anyhow. In the middle of Pride, Bono stepped up and closed his eyes while singing. He has talked about this moment as being prepared to meet his maker. When he opened his eyes, he saw his band mate shielding him from any possible assissins bullet. Now I know thats not a moment immediately linked to death, but its some what comforting (to me at least). But when it really boils down to it, death is something that happens alone.

- Why do people not recycle? There are so many recyclables that are thrown in the garabage everyday. That is trash that CAN be reused and reusing it can prolong our well being on this planet, however short it may be.

- As of recent, I have become less and less found of humans and their behaviors. In general, I believe humans to be unnatural, selfish, and pest that has invaded the earth. Humans repeatedly take and take from the Earth and give nothing back. Everyday I think about that one day when the Earth stops giving and what will happen then. To be honest, its one of the reasons that I do not want to have children. I think that forcing a child to be raised in adverse situations is immoral and unfair.

- I do not understand why more people do not act when they are displeased. I see many people just sit by when things happen that make them uncomfortable, unhappy, or angry. I think people should stand up for what they believe in, even if it means they are alone. It is better to think for yourself than to follow like a mindless drone. I am guilty of this, but I am working to improve it.

- Since I have begun taking more science classes, it has completely changed my outlook on life. I have started to conserve energy. I now find myself when a light is on in our house that is not immediately beneficial. As a matter of fact, I find myself getting annoyed or feeling guilty when lights are left on. I have even power stripped our tv downstairs so that it is completely turned off when we are not using it. I have also started unplugging my phone charger, laptop, and turned off my comp if i am not using it... instead of letting it run. I know these may seem like small things but if many people adopted them, we would conserve and save more.

- I have become a advocat for stewardship. I believe that we must take care of our planet before its too late. I know I am sounding like a giant science nerd, but its for a good cause. At some point our resources with be extinguished... then what? It important to take care of what we have before its ruined beyond repair or gone for good.

- I dont like people who say "its not my problem", "who cares", "it doesnt matter", and/or" so what". Those are all negative phrases that show carelessness, selfishness, a lack of respondsibility or a combination of all three. They are all responses to situations which must have upset or bothered someone.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

check this out

I was recently referred to check out a new artist. My friend and brother Tyler suggested checking out Zac Brown Band's album. I was skeptical at first. However, I have given it a good, thorough listen through and am very impressed. It is a good CD from start to finish. I have to say, that has become something to be desired these days with artists constantly churning out rubbish cds. I highly recommend this album. I think it will come in handy on those summer days where feel good music is needed.