In the words of Gerard Way, "Teenagers scare the living shit out of me". There can not be a quote with more truth than that one. We are very scary, not only to adults but we scare the living shit out of myself too, if that makes any sense. The clicks we form, the rights of passage we have to go through to be accepted, it is, in every definition of the word, scary. Now, I know that this does not pertain fully to music, skateboarding, or education in specific, but there are elements of all of those that create the horror that is the teenager! (que scary music).
First element, music. Music has always played a major role in shaping youth. Think about rap today, if it wasn't around, there prolly wouldn't be as many gangs and violence today. Hip-Hop and rap are what made it cool really. I have nothing against hip-hop that has a good message and some intricacy, but the "gangster-rap" is just stupid really. But I digress, music affects fashion, it even affects our actions. It is a very powerful tool and the messages that are sent out can be used very easily to control our malleable youth.
Skateboarding hasn't had that much of an effect, except for creating new clicks and maybe more hatred toward today's youth from cops. So I won't delve into it anymore, it is definitely still a factor. I would say that the most dangerous element that has created today's youth is the educational system. Not so much what we learn, but just being in school, surrounded by other people your age. Being in this situation forces people to be in groups. I mean, its not like everyone can be friends, human beings have always tended to stay in groups.
Think way, way back, before civilization. Being in groups payed off, it offered more protection. A predator is much less likely to attack a group of something, than something that's by itself. And think of who you would let in that group, only the strongest and the people you like. Now that is very much true today. Clicks usually consist of similar people, and if you don't really fit in with anyone there you find a different group, which is always scary. And if you're like me and don't really like most of the groups. You find a different group of groups. Getting back to the school aspect, schools are groups in their own. People from Alameda, even if they hate each other, they still have some similarities. Those similarities are usually similarities not shared with people from say, Encinal. And it doesn't stop their, oh no. All teenagers in the city of Alameda can be considered a group, and we all have stuff in common that kids from Oakland don't have. And the same can be true for states and countries and even worlds, talk about clicky. It all makes for a very scary place and if "teenagers scar the living shit out of" you. think what we'll do when were the adults.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Super Duper Hardcore
The hardcore/emo genre had been getting a bad rep in recent times and for good reason. The record labels are pushing them out like a waterfall moves water. It's a bit ridiculous, and there isn't much deviation within this genre, all the bands are starting to blend together. But there is hope, there are a few bands that break this worn formula. Armor for Sleep was much more than your average emo band. They had meaningful lyrics; cascading, and at the same time, elegantly simple guitar riffs. And a sound that has a darker tint to it but not overdone as is with most hardcore bands. I wrote that in the past tense because, unfortunately, they broke up.
Escape the Fate is another great example, they came into the picture right when this movement was getting started, but they still rein over the genre. At least they did before the lead singer and lead guitarist were kicked out, they're still different from the pack but definitely not as good. The rest of this paragraph I will refer to them before the line-up change. They have advance riffs in both guitar and drums. Most of their songs sound different, a trait which most post-hardcore/screamo bands don't seem to posses. They don't overdue the screaming and the lead singer has an amazing voice. They're superbeastly-awesome.
Their is a way to have a good hardcore band its just that really none of them feel like being original, I guess. So what's the deal with napkins? Just kidding, the record labels need to dam their river and only put the best of the best on their labels, so please do us all a favor and give this genre back its good name.
Escape the Fate is another great example, they came into the picture right when this movement was getting started, but they still rein over the genre. At least they did before the lead singer and lead guitarist were kicked out, they're still different from the pack but definitely not as good. The rest of this paragraph I will refer to them before the line-up change. They have advance riffs in both guitar and drums. Most of their songs sound different, a trait which most post-hardcore/screamo bands don't seem to posses. They don't overdue the screaming and the lead singer has an amazing voice. They're superbeastly-awesome.
Their is a way to have a good hardcore band its just that really none of them feel like being original, I guess. So what's the deal with napkins? Just kidding, the record labels need to dam their river and only put the best of the best on their labels, so please do us all a favor and give this genre back its good name.
May Day Rendition Rough Draft
On a foggy Sunday morning, on the outskirts of the city, A man named Doug was driving what looked to be a Mercedes. It actually was but it was in desperate need of repair. Doug was frantically pulling out all the loose ends on his suit, but it was just making it look more ratty. He pulled to a squieking halt outside of a house that looked almost as bad as his car did.
Hey Grant, long time no see, he said to himself while practicing what used to be a well rehearsed and bright smile, his smile was just another thing that had faded. No, that would never get me through the front door. He sat in his car rehearsing his lines for another five minutes before he gathered the courage to talk to him. When he got to the door he knocked, composed himself, and tried to seem calm. The door opened a crack.
"Hey Grant lo-" the door was abruptly shut in his face. "Hey, Come one Grant!" he exclaimed, pounding on the door. "I drove all the way across the country to talk to you." The level of distress in his voice was enough for him to merit another crack of the door.
"What," said Grant bluntly.
"I came to say I was sorry, what I did is imprinted on my conscience."
"I'm flattered, you're forgiven," he said with a more than noticeable undertow of sarcasm. "Now go away!"
He tried to slam the door shut again but Doug stepped in front of it. Not a good move on his part, but he did get in on account of his cracked ribs. Grant dragged the whimpering Doug onto his couch and went into his fridge.
"Here," Grant threw the icepack at Doug's face, he caught it but reeled in pain when he lifted his arms.
"Ow," said Doug "reminds me of senior year homecoming."
Grant couldn't help but reminisce. Doug was on the varsity football team, Grant didn't play any sports but him and Doug played a game with a couple other people after the game. Somehow Grant tackled Doug, and broke two of his ribs. Doug spent the rest of the night in a wheelchair trying to pick up chicks with it for Grant. It didn't work well for Grant but for Doug it worked miraculously.
"That was hilarious, but once again, you took the girl." Grants smile quickly faded at the thought.
"I'm sorry! I've lost it, gone off the deep end. I'm suffering from insomnia, I'm schizophrenic, neurotic, all because of what I did and I feel terrible for it."
"Why the hell should I forgive you, give me one good reason."
"Well, I'll give you a few. One, I drove all the way here from California. Two, you probably broke my ribs again with your door."
"You stepped in front of it!"
"Three..." His mind had already wandered to the scar still prominent on his right cheek. " Well we both know what three is."
"You deserved it."
"I guess so..."
"No, no guessing. You know how hard it is for me to get a girl, and this one really liked me, she was perfect. But you couldn't be satisfied with every other girl in the f-ing entire state, no, you needed mine and no one can resist your stupid f-ing charm."
Doug was immediately regretful of the scar he had given him 5 years ago on the night he had learned of his friends betrayal. His effort to drink himself to death was interrupted by Doug, so Grant broke the bottle and slashed his face.
"I hoped you were just drunk. But I guess you would've done similarly without the drinking. I guess I'm done here."
"Can you get the door?"
"I don't think so."
As Grant opened the door he felt sorry for his washed-up friend, he wanted to say something but he was tongue-tied. All that was left of Doug in Grant's quiet, lonely, house was another missed opportunity.
On a foggy Sunday morning, on the outskirts of the city, A man named Doug was driving what looked to be a Mercedes. It actually was but it was in desperate need of repair. Doug was frantically pulling out all the loose ends on his suit, but it was just making it look more ratty. He pulled to a squieking halt outside of a house that looked almost as bad as his car did.
Hey Grant, long time no see, he said to himself while practicing what used to be a well rehearsed and bright smile, his smile was just another thing that had faded. No, that would never get me through the front door. He sat in his car rehearsing his lines for another five minutes before he gathered the courage to talk to him. When he got to the door he knocked, composed himself, and tried to seem calm. The door opened a crack.
"Hey Grant lo-" the door was abruptly shut in his face. "Hey, Come one Grant!" he exclaimed, pounding on the door. "I drove all the way across the country to talk to you." The level of distress in his voice was enough for him to merit another crack of the door.
"What," said Grant bluntly.
"I came to say I was sorry, what I did is imprinted on my conscience."
"I'm flattered, you're forgiven," he said with a more than noticeable undertow of sarcasm. "Now go away!"
He tried to slam the door shut again but Doug stepped in front of it. Not a good move on his part, but he did get in on account of his cracked ribs. Grant dragged the whimpering Doug onto his couch and went into his fridge.
"Here," Grant threw the icepack at Doug's face, he caught it but reeled in pain when he lifted his arms.
"Ow," said Doug "reminds me of senior year homecoming."
Grant couldn't help but reminisce. Doug was on the varsity football team, Grant didn't play any sports but him and Doug played a game with a couple other people after the game. Somehow Grant tackled Doug, and broke two of his ribs. Doug spent the rest of the night in a wheelchair trying to pick up chicks with it for Grant. It didn't work well for Grant but for Doug it worked miraculously.
"That was hilarious, but once again, you took the girl." Grants smile quickly faded at the thought.
"I'm sorry! I've lost it, gone off the deep end. I'm suffering from insomnia, I'm schizophrenic, neurotic, all because of what I did and I feel terrible for it."
"Why the hell should I forgive you, give me one good reason."
"Well, I'll give you a few. One, I drove all the way here from California. Two, you probably broke my ribs again with your door."
"You stepped in front of it!"
"Three..." His mind had already wandered to the scar still prominent on his right cheek. " Well we both know what three is."
"You deserved it."
"I guess so..."
"No, no guessing. You know how hard it is for me to get a girl, and this one really liked me, she was perfect. But you couldn't be satisfied with every other girl in the f-ing entire state, no, you needed mine and no one can resist your stupid f-ing charm."
Doug was immediately regretful of the scar he had given him 5 years ago on the night he had learned of his friends betrayal. His effort to drink himself to death was interrupted by Doug, so Grant broke the bottle and slashed his face.
"I hoped you were just drunk. But I guess you would've done similarly without the drinking. I guess I'm done here."
"Can you get the door?"
"I don't think so."
As Grant opened the door he felt sorry for his washed-up friend, he wanted to say something but he was tongue-tied. All that was left of Doug in Grant's quiet, lonely, house was another missed opportunity.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Fitzgerald Mini-Dialogue
The character I'm going to examine is Pat Hobby from The Homes of the Stars. Judging by the first line he says, he sounds like he isn't very formal, and by the way he says he's in the pictures you can tell that that would be what he boasts about when he hits the clubs. And that seems like just the kind of person he would be with his apparent alcoholism. His alcoholic need also explains why we would trolley this couple around Hollywood and use the money he was paid in advance on booze. He seems very proud of the fact that he's a writer, even a washed up one, he mentions it on more than one occasion.
He also seems like he has some experience in lying, judging by the "cover-up" of why he isn't writing a picture when he's giving them the tour. Although, he isn't very good at it. He seems to be a very proud person, which is interesting considering the situation he's in, " The "Hello, Pat," rang confidently in their ears." I think he has a very strong sense of false accomplishment. All of his flaws and lying inevitably lead to him getting into even more trouble.
He also seems like he has some experience in lying, judging by the "cover-up" of why he isn't writing a picture when he's giving them the tour. Although, he isn't very good at it. He seems to be a very proud person, which is interesting considering the situation he's in, " The "Hello, Pat," rang confidently in their ears." I think he has a very strong sense of false accomplishment. All of his flaws and lying inevitably lead to him getting into even more trouble.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
12:06
Right now it's February 14th,2919, 12:06 am, if time is even relevant. I have some questions that desperately need answers. We have so many problems but we just need to forget them for a minute and figure this out so that we can live a life of purpose.
To me. it's always seemed like there was more to life than just having a good time. I know it's a worn out question but exactly what is our purpose? Why are we imperfect? Is it because a life of perfection would act as a prison? Nothing wrong or imperfect would mean everything stays constant, life would have no point. Was this done on purpose?
What is sleep? Why do we dream? Why do we need sleep to function, what is it about sleep that recharges our brain? Why is it relevant? What is relevance? Why is that relevant? Why does pain have to be such an unpleasant feeling? Maybe because if we somehow changed it, it would drastically change who we are, and what we are (whatever we are) works, so why would it change? If it did what would happen? Could we lose our conscience, what makes us human? How did our conscience even develop? What is or was its purpose? Do other animals have it? What if they do? What if EVERYTHING IS A LIE? Just a mask pulled over our faces. Exactly what the hell are we?
To me. it's always seemed like there was more to life than just having a good time. I know it's a worn out question but exactly what is our purpose? Why are we imperfect? Is it because a life of perfection would act as a prison? Nothing wrong or imperfect would mean everything stays constant, life would have no point. Was this done on purpose?
What is sleep? Why do we dream? Why do we need sleep to function, what is it about sleep that recharges our brain? Why is it relevant? What is relevance? Why is that relevant? Why does pain have to be such an unpleasant feeling? Maybe because if we somehow changed it, it would drastically change who we are, and what we are (whatever we are) works, so why would it change? If it did what would happen? Could we lose our conscience, what makes us human? How did our conscience even develop? What is or was its purpose? Do other animals have it? What if they do? What if EVERYTHING IS A LIE? Just a mask pulled over our faces. Exactly what the hell are we?
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Pandora Radio
Pandora radio is probably one of the most useful musical discovery tools i have found in a long time. Even as I write this, I am using it to find new artists and build up my library. What I'm guessing Pandora does is analyzes the artists, songs, or albums that you like and looks for similar traits in other bands. As soon as I get all my music back on iTunes I can really just downpour music into it, because every time i listen to Pandora, I find at least 10 new, great, bands.
Pandora is the path to musical discovery, they may not have many indie bands, but they don't just spew out mainstream like every other radio that isn't on Sirius. There is a very large collection of music in their library and every band has a bio, written by an All Music Guide editor, and they usually have all of their albums, and almost all of those albums have a description, also written by an All Music Guide editor. It must have taken them a looooooong time for them to be able to launch this site because there is such a plethora of artists and their music.
One of the only problems I have with it is that it won't recognize the time period of the music you like nor the specific genre, only the traits characterized in the bands music. My other main complaint is the adds that pop up after every few songs and that there is a song skip limit, otherwise it's golden. Until something better than this surfaces, I would recommend this to anyone looking to find new music.
Pandora is the path to musical discovery, they may not have many indie bands, but they don't just spew out mainstream like every other radio that isn't on Sirius. There is a very large collection of music in their library and every band has a bio, written by an All Music Guide editor, and they usually have all of their albums, and almost all of those albums have a description, also written by an All Music Guide editor. It must have taken them a looooooong time for them to be able to launch this site because there is such a plethora of artists and their music.
One of the only problems I have with it is that it won't recognize the time period of the music you like nor the specific genre, only the traits characterized in the bands music. My other main complaint is the adds that pop up after every few songs and that there is a song skip limit, otherwise it's golden. Until something better than this surfaces, I would recommend this to anyone looking to find new music.
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