"I just needed some time alone, with my own thoughts
Got treasures in my mind, but couldn't open up my own vault
My childlike creativity, purity and honesty
Is honestly being prodded by these grown thoughts
Reality is catching up with me
Taking my inner child, I'm fighting for it, custody"
Pretty darn wondrous.
11.25.2010
11.22.2010
Wishing My Life Away
How much of your life do you spend wishing it away? As I was entering school this morning around 7 a.m., my only thought was "Please let it be 3 p.m. ASAP." That's eight hours right there. If I'm awake for approximately 17 hours, that's nearly half of my day that I'm wishing away. Other days it's even worse. Heck, when I used to be a substitute teacher and work at Target, I'd be wishing away pretty much the entire day. And for what? So after 13 hours of mundaneness I'd get an hour to relax before going to bed? That's crap. I think we should all make a conscious effort to enjoy as much of our time as we can. Just look closely and try to find something nice about your current situation. Anything. I wonder if there was ever anyone who ever lived who enjoyed every single moment of their life and never wished that any of it would pass. Or even the person who wished away the least amount of time. I'd like to meet him/her and find out what they did for a living. And does the prospect of doing something fun make wishing your life away worth it? Like if someone is looking forward to getting through their day so they can go to happy hour afterward, does that make the wishing away acceptable? And do those things that we think will be fun even always turn out to be fun? Usually not. Attaching high expectations to something only increases the chances of it being less enjoyable.
We can't depend on a concert, a bar, or even another person to make us happy.
We have to do it ourselves, and we have to do it as much as possible. Because what else is there, really?
We can't depend on a concert, a bar, or even another person to make us happy.
We have to do it ourselves, and we have to do it as much as possible. Because what else is there, really?
11.08.2010
Should I Buy a PS3?
As I was cleaning my room this weekend, I was reminded of a long lost love I once had. No, it wasn't the girl I had a crush on when I was in fifth grade. Yes, it was video games. I dusted off my old N64 and GameCube, and thought "Man, I really miss video games." I spent many an hour during my formative years sitting around and pushing buttons, and have decided that I would like to do so again. It doesn't matter that I'm a real teacher now or that I'll probably be starting grad school in the next few months, right? I had subscribed to the school of thought that video games were a complete waste of time for a few years, that is until I saw THIS GAME:
Seriously, how awesome does this look? It seems to be a video game that plays like a movie. And after reading more about Heavy Rain, I'm throwing the whole "waste of time" thing out the window. This is right up there with movies and books in terms of escapism.
I think I'm gonna buy a PS3.
I just need to make sure I don't get addicted.
11.01.2010
Grading Candy
It goes without saying that I've consumed a large quantity of sweets over the past few days. A connoisseur of everything unhealthy, I've decided to rate the various types of candy I've eaten with the hope of finding out which is actually the best. Here goes:
1. Milk Duds: "Dud" is the key word here. Chocolate covered caramels that can potentially yank out your fillings? C'mon, you can do better. GRADE: C-
2. Kit-Kat: I've always been a fan of the Kit-Kat bar. Milk chocolate and wafers make for a delightfully crispy experience, and I don't feel entirely like a fat slob after enjoying one. GRADE: A-
3. Whoppers: Vastly underrated. The only downside to eating a pack of Whoppers is that they make one incredibly thirsty, more so than the average chocolatey confection. Make sure you have about a gallon of milk on hand before cracking open a pack. GRADE: B
4. Mounds/Almond Joy: Awww yeah. If it's got coconut, sign me up. Mounds has dark chocolate, but Almond Joy prevails because, well, it has a big fat almond inside, a bonus that's easily comparable to finding a handful of diamonds inside of a pot of gold. GRADE: Mounds: A-/Almond Joy: A
5. Snickers: The candy bar that eats like a meal. Delicious, but seriously, it's just a little too much. GRADE: B+
6. Heath: Criminally underrated, it's like Butterfinger's tastier, more sophisticated older brother. GRADE: A-
7. Charleston Chew: Fantastic stuff, especially when the grocery store is selling the footlongs for a buck. The milk chocolate and vanilla nougat unite for a simply delicious experience. GRADE: B+
8. 3 Musketeers: Similar to the Kit-Kat in that I don't feel entirely like a fat slob after eating one. Also, it's fun to pretend to be French when you're eating one and be all like: "Ah oui, c'est un bar de Trois Mousquetaires." GRADE: A-
9. SweeTarts: This has to be the most superfluous candy in existence. Really, is there anyone out there who is a SweeTarts enthusiast? Like "Yeah, WOOOOO SWEETARTS!!!!" Nah. GRADE: D
10. Peanut Butter M&Ms: GRADE: A++++++++++++++++++++++
1. Milk Duds: "Dud" is the key word here. Chocolate covered caramels that can potentially yank out your fillings? C'mon, you can do better. GRADE: C-
2. Kit-Kat: I've always been a fan of the Kit-Kat bar. Milk chocolate and wafers make for a delightfully crispy experience, and I don't feel entirely like a fat slob after enjoying one. GRADE: A-
3. Whoppers: Vastly underrated. The only downside to eating a pack of Whoppers is that they make one incredibly thirsty, more so than the average chocolatey confection. Make sure you have about a gallon of milk on hand before cracking open a pack. GRADE: B
4. Mounds/Almond Joy: Awww yeah. If it's got coconut, sign me up. Mounds has dark chocolate, but Almond Joy prevails because, well, it has a big fat almond inside, a bonus that's easily comparable to finding a handful of diamonds inside of a pot of gold. GRADE: Mounds: A-/Almond Joy: A
5. Snickers: The candy bar that eats like a meal. Delicious, but seriously, it's just a little too much. GRADE: B+
6. Heath: Criminally underrated, it's like Butterfinger's tastier, more sophisticated older brother. GRADE: A-
7. Charleston Chew: Fantastic stuff, especially when the grocery store is selling the footlongs for a buck. The milk chocolate and vanilla nougat unite for a simply delicious experience. GRADE: B+
8. 3 Musketeers: Similar to the Kit-Kat in that I don't feel entirely like a fat slob after eating one. Also, it's fun to pretend to be French when you're eating one and be all like: "Ah oui, c'est un bar de Trois Mousquetaires." GRADE: A-
9. SweeTarts: This has to be the most superfluous candy in existence. Really, is there anyone out there who is a SweeTarts enthusiast? Like "Yeah, WOOOOO SWEETARTS!!!!" Nah. GRADE: D
10. Peanut Butter M&Ms: GRADE: A++++++++++++++++++++++
10.09.2010
The Seventh Seal
I watched this a few years ago and didn't "get" it.
I just watched it and I "got" it, I think.
This might be the greatest film ever made. It doesn't entertain, it enlightens. You will love this movie. Everyone will love this movie. Why? Because it's about you and everyone. You ARE everyone. We're just a hopeless throng of humanity trying to make sense of life and death. It seems pretty bleak, but one comforting thought does prevail-no matter how skilled you are, you can't beat the grim reaper at chess. We'll all do the dance of death someday, and we'll do it together.
I would like to hug everyone in the world after watching this. I'm serious.
I just watched it and I "got" it, I think.
This might be the greatest film ever made. It doesn't entertain, it enlightens. You will love this movie. Everyone will love this movie. Why? Because it's about you and everyone. You ARE everyone. We're just a hopeless throng of humanity trying to make sense of life and death. It seems pretty bleak, but one comforting thought does prevail-no matter how skilled you are, you can't beat the grim reaper at chess. We'll all do the dance of death someday, and we'll do it together.
I would like to hug everyone in the world after watching this. I'm serious.
Welcome to the Dollhouse
Finally got to watch this for the first time. Thanks, Netflix! It was very heartbreaking and misanthropic, a perfect movie to watch when you're having a bad day and loathe everyone. It really does depict us humans at our most base level, how we just take whatever nastiness comes our way and give it back to someone who's lower on the food chain. I loved how my opinions of the characters changed completely during the 90 minutes. My favorite part was near the beginning, the scene where Dawn was being harassed in the girls bathroom. The dialogue went something like this:
Dawn: Why do you hate me?
Girl: Because you're ugly!
I think this perfectly captures the unjustified hatred which underlies school bullying. My other favorite part was when Dawn was dreaming about everyone loving her. That's all anyone wants, right? Todd Solondz has human nature down to a T here, and anyone who's honest about their interactions with people will appreciate this movie.
Dawn: Why do you hate me?
Girl: Because you're ugly!
I think this perfectly captures the unjustified hatred which underlies school bullying. My other favorite part was when Dawn was dreaming about everyone loving her. That's all anyone wants, right? Todd Solondz has human nature down to a T here, and anyone who's honest about their interactions with people will appreciate this movie.
10.01.2010
The Walkmen: Lisbon
I'm not sure what makes the Walkmen a great band. They just are one. Maybe it's the half-drunk vocals of Hamilton Leithauser, alternating between crooning and yelling. Maybe it's the seemingly effortless strumming of guitarist Paul Maroon. Maybe it's the idiosyncratic time-keeping done by drummer Matt Barrick. Or maybe it's just the horns.
Okay, now I know. They're a great band because they combine all of these elements to create a retro-cool sound, one they introduced on 2008's stellar You and Me and continue on Lisbon, their latest release. Like any Walkmen album, it effectively combines guitar freakouts and muted ballads, and the frequent changes of pace make for a very engaging listen. They rev the engines pretty quickly on Lisbon with second track "Angela Surf City," arguably the disc's finest moment. An instant Walkmen classic, it features one of the most awe-inspiring choruses I've ever laid my ears on. Leithauser pushes his voice box to its absolute limit and the rest of the band follows suit, with Barrick drumming like a madman and the bass undulating like waves during a tropical storm. "Angela's" only problem is that it's only three minutes and twenty-three seconds in length.
A second highlight comes a few tracks later with "Stranded," a heartbreaking drunken lament. "The words aren't coming through," bawls Leithauser, "I'm stranded and starry-eyed." Remember that song by the Airborne Toxic Event where the guy got drunk and whined because he wanted to bang his ex-girlfriend? The Walkmen took that scenario and made a song that's actually good. It's about being drunk and it SOUNDS drunk, as Barrick barely keeps the thing together with his kick drum. And then there's the horns, horns that add to the barroom sway and evoke images of lonely drunk dudes rejoicing in the fact that they won't be taking any girls home tonight.
The record carries on with the infectious "Woe is Me," vibrant guitar pop that may even provoke some booty shakin', and "Torch Song," the old-timiest Walkmen cut of 'em all. Second to last is "While I Shovel The Snow," a ballad that sounds softer than, well, falling snow. "Half of my life I've been waking up," sings Ham. I feel ya dude.
And like all of the albums before it, this one ends with a slow-burner that goes on for miles. Sporting a six-minute running time and a few horn flareups, "Lisbon" doesn't disappoint and can be placed right next to other satisfying album closers like "Bows and Arrows" and "Another One Goes By."
While not a huge departure from their last album, Lisbon does succeed in maintaining the Walkmen's winning formula. If it ain't broke don't fix it, right?
Okay, now I know. They're a great band because they combine all of these elements to create a retro-cool sound, one they introduced on 2008's stellar You and Me and continue on Lisbon, their latest release. Like any Walkmen album, it effectively combines guitar freakouts and muted ballads, and the frequent changes of pace make for a very engaging listen. They rev the engines pretty quickly on Lisbon with second track "Angela Surf City," arguably the disc's finest moment. An instant Walkmen classic, it features one of the most awe-inspiring choruses I've ever laid my ears on. Leithauser pushes his voice box to its absolute limit and the rest of the band follows suit, with Barrick drumming like a madman and the bass undulating like waves during a tropical storm. "Angela's" only problem is that it's only three minutes and twenty-three seconds in length.
A second highlight comes a few tracks later with "Stranded," a heartbreaking drunken lament. "The words aren't coming through," bawls Leithauser, "I'm stranded and starry-eyed." Remember that song by the Airborne Toxic Event where the guy got drunk and whined because he wanted to bang his ex-girlfriend? The Walkmen took that scenario and made a song that's actually good. It's about being drunk and it SOUNDS drunk, as Barrick barely keeps the thing together with his kick drum. And then there's the horns, horns that add to the barroom sway and evoke images of lonely drunk dudes rejoicing in the fact that they won't be taking any girls home tonight.
The record carries on with the infectious "Woe is Me," vibrant guitar pop that may even provoke some booty shakin', and "Torch Song," the old-timiest Walkmen cut of 'em all. Second to last is "While I Shovel The Snow," a ballad that sounds softer than, well, falling snow. "Half of my life I've been waking up," sings Ham. I feel ya dude.
And like all of the albums before it, this one ends with a slow-burner that goes on for miles. Sporting a six-minute running time and a few horn flareups, "Lisbon" doesn't disappoint and can be placed right next to other satisfying album closers like "Bows and Arrows" and "Another One Goes By."
While not a huge departure from their last album, Lisbon does succeed in maintaining the Walkmen's winning formula. If it ain't broke don't fix it, right?
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