Life is just a series of peaks and troughs. And you don't know whether
you're in a trough until you're climbing out, or on a peak until you're
coming down. And that's it you know, you never know what's round the
corner. But it's all good. "If you want the rainbow, you've gotta put up
with the rain." Do you know which "philosopher" said that? Dolly Parton. And people say she's just a big pair of tits.
College football begins tonight. I don't know why I'm glad about this. I only really pay attention around the end of the season/start of Bowl season. College football just seems different; a different atmosphere. Maybe it's the fans, or the bands, or the long standing and often ridiculous rivalries.
One of the best things I've ever seen was in the town of Vienna, West Virginia. Posted on the side of a building, who knows by whom, painted in the blue and gold of WVU was a large sign which read the following:
Best Case Scenario: West Virginia Wins the National Title
Worst Case Scenario: West Virginia Loses Every Game And Rich Rod Wins the National Title
Neither happened, but it's still something that somebody felt strongly enough to post it in his town. I guess because I grew up with 2-3 of every major professional sports teams, that college sports never really clicked for me. But that's OK.
Perhaps this season will bring more awesome things like this.
You can't say I'm ignorant because it takes a lot of brain power to be oblivious to almost all things political. Well, you could say it since I'm ignoring all of it. I know there are lies being told on every side and there are completely obtuse and offensive remarks coming from all over. These things exist all the time, but another presidential election heightens awareness of these things and gives more opportunities for such things to occur.
The great lie is that we believe that our government is run by our elected officials. It's not. The government is run by the civil servants that are placed in power; not elected to positions. Money does play a role; it would be naive to believe it wasn't. But I don't care.
I know it's going on. I am choosing to ignore it. There are bad people everywhere and many of those we chose to govern us are corrupt. There is nothing more annoying to me than someone that's a staunch believer in their political views that thinks I really need to hear about their beliefs and that thinks they can sway me one way or another.
I'm walking away. Not gonna touch it. Here's something funny.
Well I do, a bit, but it would just be another rant about something
and we all know how well that goes, don't we
Simply put, I could write from nothing to too much. And so, keeping that in mind, as well as some slap-dash punctuation ( *&^%$#%^&*()*&^%$#@$%^&*<>":"{+_), I figured I'd just put up a video of something. Here's some Venture Brothers.
Being in this back-end of a town called Charlotte, I don't get to see as much of the football games as I'd like to (thanks to Time Warner Cable's monopoly on cable). Specifically NY Jets games. But tonight, I got to watch them. And boy was it ugly.
Now it is only the pre-season, and these games don't count for squat, but what I've heard and what I saw tonight only makes my blood boil. It may be too early to compare this Jets team to the Rich Kotite era teams, but I think it's a fair assumption. They went 4-28 in the 2 years Kotite was coach, and it looks like this team will give them a run for their money.
The decisions the coaching staff and front office has made, not only this season, but over the past few years are decisions that can get you fired. And that will most likely happen. The way the Jets are playing, with the personnel they have loses games, fans, coaches' jobs, and GM's jobs.
As for the injuries, they happen all the time. They are an unfortunate part of the game of football.
The Jets just seem like they will never turn the corner and become a great team. At least not in my lifetime. If they do manage to right the ship this season, I'll be flabbergasted and amazed.
And very happy.
But that's not likely to happen.
Bring on the paper bag hats, the new coaching staff, and the number 1 pick in the draft.
It's all a bit sad when you think about it. But, then again, the idea of living in some sort of hippie commune where everything is shared doesn't exactly enthrall me either. Besides, it would only be a matter of time before the stronger personalities would try to take control of it.
I was going to do a "Worst Cover Songs Ever" post. But then Cracked already did it for me.
I will say, they got it pretty right. Although, my dad does like the Guns N Roses version of Knocking on Heaven's Door more than Bob Dylan's original version. Guess they didn't hear Avril Lagine's version. Or her version of John Lennon's Imagine.
I am glad to see Limp Bizkit's cover of Behind Blue Eyes made the list. It's The Who's song and should have remained that way.
They also missed on the obvious songs done by William Hung. Then there's this guy.
Rolling Stone did their own list as well, but they've got Alien Ant Farm'sSmooth Criminal on it. I could not disagree more. Maybe it's because I think Michael Jackson was just a novelty act who wore out his welcome in the 80's, but I think they made that song their own. I wont deny that AAF's video is horrendous, but the song is solid.
Well, obviously, it would be the Jets winning the Superbowl. Like a bunch of times. And being all around awesome. Not the gigantic mess they are and have historically been. But that's not happening anytime soon.
Is it?
Still I can dream. And play fantasy football. Although I don't completely get it, I'm still willing to put some money on it.
Let's get this season started.
And, even though this most likely will be his last season as head coach, here's how to start the season off right.
I really am contemplating taking off for a week or two to just recharge. The problem is that it's probably not economically viable, and wont be for a very long time. To go anywhere costs money, and to not work loses money. I suppose paying bills and being responsible is more important than being happy in life. C'est la vie.
Also, work feels a lot like this:
But I suppose all jobs feel like this. From time to time, that is.
The people driving in this town have gotten progressively worse over the past few months. I know the DNC is coming to town soon, but there are really some terrible people on the road.
If it wasn't the bus that decided to block the exit of the gas station that I was sitting at trying to exit, it's people sitting at lights and stop signs, waiting for something that isn't coming, putting a blinker on to go the opposite direction, and then taking off at a snails pace.
Then there's this guy.
No, no; that's not being an asshat
Building on yesterday's theme, this town doesn't want me here anymore than I want to be here.
The best decision I ever made was leaving New Jersey. The worst decision I ever made, so far, was coming to Charlotte, NC.
Or maybe it's that I've stayed here too long. With an ever decreasing number of friends, an almost completely barren job market, and just a general sense of frustration, I seem to be just spinning my wheels. The desire to leave has been around for a few years, but with in the past few month, it's gotten stronger. There are plenty of days where I truly wish I'd never come here at all.
A degree in psychology that was only good for getting me a job in an elementary school, which I then lost when the world went tits-up, seems to be, at this moment, a complete waste of money. Because all you can do with a BA in Psychology is go back to school and get your masters and doctorate.
But I'm so disenchanted with psychology.
People don't want theories and types of therapy. They want a quick fix that they hear about from some pop-psychologist on TV. Making the changes necessary to achieve proper mental health is hard. Very hard. And most people will go for years without so much as incremental improvements. People want a magic pill that solves all their problems. Just a shame that magic isn't real.
Maybe if it was, all my problems would be easily solved. Maybe I'd be where I'm supposed to be. Because if this is where I'm supposed to be, I can't wait much longer to find out what it is I'm supposed to do.
Anyway, here's some comedy to go with this tragic whining.
Going out and about on a day off usually means driving all over the place and spending money. Today was no different.
Now, I may never be at a Carolina Panther's game, but if I ever need to make a Panther's based Sunday/cupcake, you can be damn sure I know where to get some Carolina Panther sprinkles. Or jimmies, if you prefer.
There was also a trip to the movies, but the picture was really just a similar version of this & this. There was also a lovely lady that accompanied me, but no, it's not like that. Partially because, despite any rumors to the contrary, I'm a gentleman, but mostly because I'm inept at that sort of thing. Sadly, I am no smooth operator. That and also because of being sort of a dick to her for years will really put a girl off.
But anyway... A quick trip to Target brought this.
A while ago I watched something that broke down the greatest bands and all their individual parts. This got me thinking. What if you were to describe the archetypal individuals that somebody would want to emulate in order to create their own bad? Or, what if you needed to describe what the quintessential rock n' roll sound should be?
I figured, why not give it a try? So, over the next few months, I think I will, starting with today.
The Voice
The lead singer can have any type of voice. Loud, soft, male, female, high pitched, low pitched, so long as it's in tune (and not purposely sung out of tune) you can make it work. The voice of the band will be a major part in deciding the general style/genre for the band.
Freddie Mercury
As the lead singer and front-man of Queen, Freddie Mercury was as big as a showman as his limitless personality would allow him to be. His voice had an uncanny range; there had never been anyone like him before or since.
In what was one of the last songs he recorded, he produced what could be considered his finest vocals. It was said, while suffering debilitating pain from AIDS, he took a shot of vodka did it in one take. Here's The Show Must Go On.
Janis Joplin
Never mistaken for something smooth and soft, Janis Joplin's voice was as wild as her hair & her spirit. Starting off wit Big Brother & the Holding Company, her howling screech is as distinctive and individual as a fingerprint.
Ann Wilson
In stark contrast to Janis Joplin, Ann Wilson of Heart had a soft and melodic voice that could turn on a dime. Her voice could lull you to sleep, or crack your skull open.
Roger Daltrey
Similar to Ann Wilson, Roger Daltrey had a voice that could bite you if you weren't careful. The Who were largely Pete Townshend's, but Roger Daltrey's voice gave them a complimentary facet to their identity. With many songs in their catalog, his best vocals come perhaps on Love Reign O're Me.
Robert Plant
Perhaps the greatest part of a band full of legends, Led Zeppelin's lead singer, Robert Plant, had a relentless and sometimes wayward voice. Almost blurring the line between a male and female voice, his style gave sexual undertones to Led Zeppelin's music. Powerful, driving, flowing,
I'm not even giving NBC the chance to screw up the closing ceremonies of the London Olympics. I'm going straight to the BBC's feed.
Let's be honest: this was made by the British, for the British, and should therefore be watched as such. No interrupting commercials. No ignorant and bewildered commentators. I can see them looking at the Pet Shop Boys, amongst other things, and having no idea what to say. I could have done without Stomp, if I'm being honest though. Just not my cup of tea.
Anyway, I'm starting a new type of diet tomorrow. It's a type of alternate day fasting. I'm going to restrict my caloric intake to 600-700 calories on 2 days each week; first this Monday, then Wednesday. To celebrate, I'm having burritos. Hopefully this works. I've done everything else except surgery, and I can't afford that.
As I correctly (well mostly correctly) predicted yesterday the wiring was at fault. I checked all the fuses and saw this when I went to check the actual switch.
It felt good to actually fix this without really having to spend much money or really go anywhere. And I did it myself.
Free tool!
And I even found another screwdriver that just happened to be hanging out (literally) under my radiator. I dropped a wrench when reconnecting the battery, went under to look for it, and found this with the wrench.
In the end I was going to have a celebratory beer, but it went pretty skunky. So I settled for a celebratory root beer.
I kinda want to have a party. Not because Facebook is forcing timeline on me. Not that. Never that! I also kinda want a cigar. Anything with Cameroon leaves in it.
No, I just want something going on for no reason. But it is short notice & I'm not sure anyone would come around. So in the words of Weezer
And I'll enjoy the start of the NFL preseason with some Packer/Chargers. Even though it's well into the second quarter and nearly unwatchable.
But, hey - something might happen. Here's a montage of Mike Westhoff, special teams coach from the NY Jets. Just a shame you can tell it was recorded off a TV.
This is as close as we're gonna get to the moon landing for a very, very long time. Unfortunately, space exploration has been deemed an unnecessary expense by our government. I can't help but think there is more to it than simply curtailing frivolous spending of taxpayers money. You'd have to be naive to believe that.
Somewhere, somehow, somebody is making money off the ignorance in American society. Now, I'm not talking about insane conspiracies with giant lizards vying to take control of our natural resources, but what I am suggesting is that some people, possibly very high up in the government, are being persuaded into stifling scientific explorations.
We need to explore. Ignorance is the greatest threat to society & scientific exploration, experimentation, & discovery will keep us from being enveloped in callow ineptitude. To quote Neil deGrass Tyson tweeted the other day:
The day we stop exploring is the day we commit ourselves to live in a stagnant world, devoid of curiosity, empty of dreams.
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) August 4, 2012
Remember, just because you don't understand something, that doesn't mean:
Actually it's pretty big. If it works. The new Mars rover, Curiosity, is landing tonight/tomorrow.
This is huge. Bigger than huge. Depending upon it's findings, Curiosity could redefine life on this planet. This could very well be the biggest discovery in the history of the human race. Or it could a precursor to a real-life version of DOOM/Mass Effect. Highly unlikely, though.
We're not expecting to find life on Mars, only evidence of it having once existing. It may also discover that life in our solar system began on Mars - not Earth.
With the induction to the hall if fame tonight, the new season is upon us. Well, not really. The preseason is, but that's not the point. The NFL is one of the few things I enjoy in life, and the official games are almost upon us.
The one inductee I'm interested in is one of the greatest running backs in NFL history, and perhaps one of the top 5 players for the NY Jets. I speak of course about Curtis Martin. Only Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith, and Barry Sanders have more yards. He may have actually passed one, if not all of them had an injury not shortened his career.
Early day today. Very early day tomorrow. For the amount of time I spend working, I shouldn't have this little money. One thing is certain, though. I'll be looking forward to crashing and getting more than 4 hours of sleep sooner rather than later. So for now, I'll have some raviolis.
Coheed & Cambria have been coming up a lot lately on my iPod. I like the grandiosity and intricacy of their sound. More so their later work than their early stuff; not that I don't like their earlier stuff. Their videos, lyrics, and underlying story that connects all the albums (which only exists in it's entirety in Claudio's head) are very much "out there," but the sound is great. Check out their youtube channel.
Here's a cover they did of a Smiths song A Rush and A Push and the Land is Ours
In other news, I need a vacation. Or just to get away from Charlotte. Or just my apartment.
And a new career. One that I'm not going to wake up in the morning and completely hate life. I have yet to have a job like that.
I hate these bikes. With a passion. I want to throw them into the sea.
At least football season is around the corner. Too bad I'm a long suffering Jets fan. And even Obama's against them.
This is a personal blog, in that, it is written by a person, not a group of people. The views expressed are my own and do have a habit of changing over time. That's personal growth and development for you.
