Where I End and You Begin
Sunday, January 16, 2005
For those of you looking for Thursday night's audioblog, I took it down because I thought it to be rather incrminating upong review. If you want the mp3 let me know and I'll get it to you.
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Monday, January 10, 2005
Sunday, January 09, 2005
Tomorrow begins jazz tour. We rehearsed yesterday, and have two rehearsals today. Then Monday we go to Milton Hershey Elementary and Lebanon H.S. Other scholls throughout the week include Amity hall Intermediate Center, Brandywine Heights H.S., Fleetwood H.S., Annville Elementary, upper Merion Middle School, Maple St. Cafe, Central Dauphin East H.S. (I don't get that. How can you be central and east?), then just plain Central Dauphin High and Salem United Church of Chris in Campbelltown. Should be fun. Maybe I'll put an audio clip or two up. Catch you cats later.
(if you are around campus, stop by and hang with us any night this week. DA 201.)
(if you are around campus, stop by and hang with us any night this week. DA 201.)
US warplane bombs wrong house in Iraq
A U.S. warplane has mistakenly bombed a house in northern Iraq, killing several people in an attack likely to inflame anti-American anger ahead of controversial elections due at the end of the month.
Furious residents of the village south of the city of Mosul, say the air strike flattened a villa and killed 14 civilians.
Reuters television pictures showed 14 freshly dug graves after the bombing.
The U.S. military said at least five people died after a warplane bombed the wrong target.
-http://www.abc.net.au/ra/news/stories/s1278946.htm
A U.S. warplane has mistakenly bombed a house in northern Iraq, killing several people in an attack likely to inflame anti-American anger ahead of controversial elections due at the end of the month.
Furious residents of the village south of the city of Mosul, say the air strike flattened a villa and killed 14 civilians.
Reuters television pictures showed 14 freshly dug graves after the bombing.
The U.S. military said at least five people died after a warplane bombed the wrong target.
-http://www.abc.net.au/ra/news/stories/s1278946.htm
Friday, January 07, 2005
i have recently been troubled by the insurgency of
"practical" matters that require stupid logic and general list-making to deal with. it seems as though these matters are conjuring up very boring and uncreative personalities into our sphere of influence/coffee breaks.
-completely surrounded by trees
"practical" matters that require stupid logic and general list-making to deal with. it seems as though these matters are conjuring up very boring and uncreative personalities into our sphere of influence/coffee breaks.
-completely surrounded by trees
Thursday, January 06, 2005
Aquarium
I went to the Baltimore Aquarium yesterday with Rachel and some of her friends from school. It was a lot of fun. I'm amused by Rachel's excitement over little things. So the aquarium was alive with fascinating things and there were lots of gasps and much amazement. Lots of fun. My useless fact for the day: Adult California Sheepheads are female until they are 7 or 8 years old, when the ovaries become testes; fishes then function as males for the rest of their lives. Can you imagine how awkward being a California sheephead would be in a relationship when your partner suddenly changes sexes? That'd be frustrating.
Closer
After we got back from the aquarium, I went to see Closer with Josh and Kristin. It was really good in my opinion but I have to warn you all that it wasn't for everyone. It's really vulgar, obscene, and abrasive. But there is beauty and truth in the movie. I'm in college. I've seen relationships. They aren't clean and neat. People are fickle. That's how things are. So yeah we can all write songs and movies about perfect love stories but that not how the real world works so I appreciate that this movie took a bold step in realism in the romance genre. The "theme" song was Damien Rice's "Blower's Daughter" At the end of the song it repeats, "I can't take my eyes off of you" over and over and one is given the impression that it's a sweet love song. However, as the last chords are ringing out in the song he utters, almost at a whisper, "til I find somebody new" Isn't that amazing! It just twists at the very end and is kind of dark. That's how this movie was and then some. I kept thinking that this is where it would end and everyone will be happy and live on with their prospective partner, but then something else would happen. I thought it was very realistic and refreshing to hear some real emotion and realism projected from this movie.
The Life Aquatic
Like Closer, this movie isn't for everyone either. Rather I don't think most people will like it. It was hilarious. Subtly random and yet touching at times. It is in a completely different style than any movie I've ever seen. Part of that was because of Bill Murray's style. This movie is 100% Bill Murray. The pace, story telling, and overarching sarcastic style is all his. Watching it requires some patience. Also I would say that it doesn't try to wow you with catchy, stylistic production techniques. It's not about shock value. Rather, it's just a really good story acted out by really good actors with some funny comedic situations. Just a lot of fun.
Audioblogger
I've also found this new feature from blogger. I can call a number from my cell and leave mp3 messages on here. So look for them every now and again if I feel like talking to you all. It's now 2:11 and I'm going to go to bed now. Night friends.
I went to the Baltimore Aquarium yesterday with Rachel and some of her friends from school. It was a lot of fun. I'm amused by Rachel's excitement over little things. So the aquarium was alive with fascinating things and there were lots of gasps and much amazement. Lots of fun. My useless fact for the day: Adult California Sheepheads are female until they are 7 or 8 years old, when the ovaries become testes; fishes then function as males for the rest of their lives. Can you imagine how awkward being a California sheephead would be in a relationship when your partner suddenly changes sexes? That'd be frustrating.
Closer
After we got back from the aquarium, I went to see Closer with Josh and Kristin. It was really good in my opinion but I have to warn you all that it wasn't for everyone. It's really vulgar, obscene, and abrasive. But there is beauty and truth in the movie. I'm in college. I've seen relationships. They aren't clean and neat. People are fickle. That's how things are. So yeah we can all write songs and movies about perfect love stories but that not how the real world works so I appreciate that this movie took a bold step in realism in the romance genre. The "theme" song was Damien Rice's "Blower's Daughter" At the end of the song it repeats, "I can't take my eyes off of you" over and over and one is given the impression that it's a sweet love song. However, as the last chords are ringing out in the song he utters, almost at a whisper, "til I find somebody new" Isn't that amazing! It just twists at the very end and is kind of dark. That's how this movie was and then some. I kept thinking that this is where it would end and everyone will be happy and live on with their prospective partner, but then something else would happen. I thought it was very realistic and refreshing to hear some real emotion and realism projected from this movie.
The Life Aquatic
Like Closer, this movie isn't for everyone either. Rather I don't think most people will like it. It was hilarious. Subtly random and yet touching at times. It is in a completely different style than any movie I've ever seen. Part of that was because of Bill Murray's style. This movie is 100% Bill Murray. The pace, story telling, and overarching sarcastic style is all his. Watching it requires some patience. Also I would say that it doesn't try to wow you with catchy, stylistic production techniques. It's not about shock value. Rather, it's just a really good story acted out by really good actors with some funny comedic situations. Just a lot of fun.
Audioblogger
I've also found this new feature from blogger. I can call a number from my cell and leave mp3 messages on here. So look for them every now and again if I feel like talking to you all. It's now 2:11 and I'm going to go to bed now. Night friends.
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
So a few things over the past few days that have caught my attention.
First is just a continued obsession with TV on the Radio. I read a really good article of an interview with them about the New York Art and Film environment in which they grew up. http://www.splendidezine.com/features/tvotr/ Plus I really am enjoying their songs as I listen to them many times and the meanings slowly peel open in layers. I like albums like that. I don't want things to be too obvious. I want to discover things slowly and not in the timeline of the album; through multiple listens.
Something else: I was with Josh the other night at a party (kind of) and it came up that Josh was a pacifist. Some kid there was in shock. He replied, "What! I like violence. It's cool." Someone else said, "That's cool and all but violence is neccesary when someone bombs your world trade centers." I wanted to cry. First off, yes violence in a video game is fun. Shoot the bad guys. I love Halo as much as the next guy (ok, a little more). Violence in movies is cool too. Once again, the imagery of just killing the evil thing resonates with us very strongly. I was watching Kill Bill Vol. 2 tonight and saying how hot Uma Thurman looked at the end of the movie with a gun and Sara checked me on it and it made me think about it. But yeah, in a movie I think a chick (or frankly even a guy) looks pretty cool when she's sneaking around with a gun (that's half of what made the matrix great ... that and leather) However, no I don't think that's really cool in real life. If some girl showed up in my house or came to class with a gun I wouldn't be checking her out, I'd be scared. I don't think this kid knew what he was saying to say that he likes violence. Imagine, upon him saying that, I pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the chest, would not his views of how cool violence is change pretty quickly? And maybe he meant just video game or movie violence but I'm pretty sure he didn't mean that because the conversation went religious then and he sat there trying to convince Josh that Jesus was violent (might I add that everyone there besides Josh and myself were Messiah students) He referenced the destroying of the temples. Such ignorance! Jesus flipped over some tables in the temple and yelled at people = kill tons of Iraqis because some completely non-related terrorists blew up our world trade center? I missed the logic there. I like to think Luke 22:49-51 "When Jesus' followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man's ear and healed him." A lot of people try to justify violence in self defense or in defense of their family and loved ones. Here a disciple tries to defend Jesus (the loved one of all loved ones) and Jesus condemns him and even heals the guy. Jesus is remarkeably non-violent. To suggest otherwise is foolish. There. Had to get that off my chest. It angers me.
And finally from that same party Josh and I got into a morality discussion. We get frustrated when Christianity becomes a list of rules. So I've been trying to look into and think about the whole New Covenant concept. What was the old covenant? What is the New Covenant? Does the new negate the old? Does this mean a lack of rules? Sounds very post-modern to me. Very intriguing. A few scriptures I've been contemplating so far on this:
Galations 3:23 "Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith."
Hebrews 8:10 "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 11No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 12For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” 13By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear."
Finally. Once again, I miss school. I miss my friends. I'm even starting to get excited about classes coming up. Orchestration with Strohman! Counterpoint with Eggert! Film and the American Identity with a team of profs led by Robbins! This is going to be fun. Last semester of senior year. Well. Here we go.
First is just a continued obsession with TV on the Radio. I read a really good article of an interview with them about the New York Art and Film environment in which they grew up. http://www.splendidezine.com/features/tvotr/ Plus I really am enjoying their songs as I listen to them many times and the meanings slowly peel open in layers. I like albums like that. I don't want things to be too obvious. I want to discover things slowly and not in the timeline of the album; through multiple listens.
Something else: I was with Josh the other night at a party (kind of) and it came up that Josh was a pacifist. Some kid there was in shock. He replied, "What! I like violence. It's cool." Someone else said, "That's cool and all but violence is neccesary when someone bombs your world trade centers." I wanted to cry. First off, yes violence in a video game is fun. Shoot the bad guys. I love Halo as much as the next guy (ok, a little more). Violence in movies is cool too. Once again, the imagery of just killing the evil thing resonates with us very strongly. I was watching Kill Bill Vol. 2 tonight and saying how hot Uma Thurman looked at the end of the movie with a gun and Sara checked me on it and it made me think about it. But yeah, in a movie I think a chick (or frankly even a guy) looks pretty cool when she's sneaking around with a gun (that's half of what made the matrix great ... that and leather) However, no I don't think that's really cool in real life. If some girl showed up in my house or came to class with a gun I wouldn't be checking her out, I'd be scared. I don't think this kid knew what he was saying to say that he likes violence. Imagine, upon him saying that, I pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the chest, would not his views of how cool violence is change pretty quickly? And maybe he meant just video game or movie violence but I'm pretty sure he didn't mean that because the conversation went religious then and he sat there trying to convince Josh that Jesus was violent (might I add that everyone there besides Josh and myself were Messiah students) He referenced the destroying of the temples. Such ignorance! Jesus flipped over some tables in the temple and yelled at people = kill tons of Iraqis because some completely non-related terrorists blew up our world trade center? I missed the logic there. I like to think Luke 22:49-51 "When Jesus' followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man's ear and healed him." A lot of people try to justify violence in self defense or in defense of their family and loved ones. Here a disciple tries to defend Jesus (the loved one of all loved ones) and Jesus condemns him and even heals the guy. Jesus is remarkeably non-violent. To suggest otherwise is foolish. There. Had to get that off my chest. It angers me.
And finally from that same party Josh and I got into a morality discussion. We get frustrated when Christianity becomes a list of rules. So I've been trying to look into and think about the whole New Covenant concept. What was the old covenant? What is the New Covenant? Does the new negate the old? Does this mean a lack of rules? Sounds very post-modern to me. Very intriguing. A few scriptures I've been contemplating so far on this:
Galations 3:23 "Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith."
Hebrews 8:10 "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 11No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 12For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” 13By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear."
Finally. Once again, I miss school. I miss my friends. I'm even starting to get excited about classes coming up. Orchestration with Strohman! Counterpoint with Eggert! Film and the American Identity with a team of profs led by Robbins! This is going to be fun. Last semester of senior year. Well. Here we go.
Saturday, January 01, 2005
Happy new years friends. I'm into this band: TV on the Radio. They won the short list awards. They are so odd. I love it. They mix soul and old R&B elements into indie music. It's not hardcore at all. There's some nice fuzz bass. You should check out their website at http://www.tvontheradio.com/
Also you should check out there video at http://www.tgrec.com/movies/staringatthesun.mov which has some amazing effects work in it.
You should also check this site out that I found through a whole chain of links from their site: www.111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111.com/
This is a weird link. Just be warned befor you follow.
That's for all my friends who need stuff to do in the middle of the day during break and have nothing better to do than check thier friend's blogs over and over again and follow links. Whod does that? Anyway. Happy new year. Peace.
Also you should check out there video at http://www.tgrec.com/movies/staringatthesun.mov which has some amazing effects work in it.
You should also check this site out that I found through a whole chain of links from their site: www.111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111.com/
This is a weird link. Just be warned befor you follow.
That's for all my friends who need stuff to do in the middle of the day during break and have nothing better to do than check thier friend's blogs over and over again and follow links. Whod does that? Anyway. Happy new year. Peace.
