Nine Bands You Should Be Listening To: Part 3
7. With All Sincerity- I don’t know what it is. As I grow older, I get less interested at what goes on in local hardcore circles; a scene I was once very much involved with. However, as of late, I’ve been more impressed with the music these so-called "crazy, no talent" bands out today have the ability to compose (I suppose that’s why there are three metal bands on this list). Enter With All Sincerity, a band that is no stranger to originality and yes, wild, tough, and fast as anything music. Combining elements of death, thrash, old, and new school metal, With All Sincerity have the certain destiny of inspiring hundreds of kids to start bands of their own. Their brand of belligerent music is poignant, passionate, and purposeful. Having self-released their two pervious efforts, they finally settled down with fellow Texans, Pluto Records, to release their latest full length, The Age Where Nothing Fits. Who says only steers and queers come from Texas? Recommended: Crash! Crash!, Notes Listen Well, and When Good Movies End Bad.
8. Long Since Forgotten- LSF, not LFO are the purveyors of some of the finest new music to hit my ears in quite a while. Not that my opinion matters, but I see a lot of potential in these guys. Yeah I know, thousands of people in bands have potential and talent, so what makes Long Since Forgotten so exceptional? Well, the fact that they had humble beginnings helps. No flash in the pan sensation here, these lads had to work hard, putting out their debut, In All Honest and their follow up EP, Monday 12 AM in DIY fashion. Not a stranger to the label emo as well, LSF play a low-key, medium tempo rhythm that fluctuates adequately between their slow and fast numbers. Their sound could be filed under several categories. Combining elements of Sunny Day Real Estate and My Spacecoaster, Long Since Forgotten has a familiar sound with an unfamiliar phraseology. On their latest, All The Things You Said, lyrically, the band tells a story of sincerity, vulnerability, and passion. Clever writing and bright lines comprise their latest, which was picked up and put out by Rocketstar Recordings. Look for great things to come from this band who hails from the northeast. Recommended: Some Sort of Meaning, A Million Reasons, and Call You Later.
9. 7-10 Split- This was actually the last review I wrote. It was a hard decision to pick the last band to talk about. It's not like a lot of people are going to see this and go out and buy the records. I just want people to be able to read about great bands who usually don't get a lot of exposure. Thus, 7-10 Split is my final pick for a band you should be dancin' it up to. Oh and my friend, you will be doin' a lot of dancin'! A quartet who fuses punk, sometimes poppy and sometimes straight forward, with big ol' metal guitar and drum parts. Sometimes singing, sometimes screaming, 7-10 Split are all over the place as far as diversity goes. They unify sound into a formidable piece of punk pie. While it may sound like they are ill assorted, the listener can expect a consistent sound every time. These boys from the south (GA) are perfecting their sound, maturing as musicians, and moving the scene forward in a speedy and noble manner. They put out their two previous releases on the now defunked Screaming GIANT Records. Their latest, The Stars Have Fallen, is not only their best effort to date, but also one of the better albums to come out in 2003. Put out by New School Records, The Stars Have Fallen is the epitome of good music; fast songs, well written lyrics, heart, and soul. Whatever they are trying to express comes out on the album. The words are well formulated and carefully chosen to express what they were feeling at the time. And in my opinion, that is something mainstream music is missing today. So, be sure to listen to these guys and all the other bands and artists I've listed (especially the independent kids). Recommended: Instruction Manuel, In Denial, Can't Take This, Searching For Talbert Jenson, Coathanger, Three N One, and Heartless.
End Transmission...
Thursday, August 28, 2003
Wednesday, August 27, 2003
Nine Bands You Should Be Listening To: Part 2
4. Converge- Can brutality be beautiful? Converge doesn’t stammer to answer this question. Their response is an insanely fast and intense as hell conglomeration of metal, poetry, spirituality, and splendor. If music could somehow be an infusion of words, notes, and volatility, the end result for this band would seemingly be an incineration of sound. Converge has been together since late 1990 and within months of that, recorded their first demos. Ever since then, they’ve been putting out unyielding albums and don’t show any signs of letting up. Sometimes dark, elegiac, cryptic, and despair-ridden, Converge writes some of the most eloquent tunes in music today. No stranger to addressing contemporary issues as well, they are one of the most underrated bands to grace this industry. Recommended: Minnesota, My Unsaid Everything, Albatross, Heaven In Her Arms, and Concubine.
5. Jai Agnish- Where folk and electronic music meet Christian themes of faith and hope. Jai Agnish creates an attractive sound that appeals to the ears of listeners of many genres and styles. He is the creator of Flygirl, an acclaimed zine that mixes the same premises as his music. His 2000 debut, Automata, exemplifies what he enjoys in life—Christianity, peculiar toy-like sounds, and a snappy melody. Recommended: How You Dream, Deaf Today, and Climb To Remind.
6. Miles Davis- I’m sure I’m getting a lot of blank stares now. C’mon, who doesn’t like Miles? One of the names everyone should be able to answer with when someone asks you about jazz. Miles Davis was an architect of music and his notoriety stands far beyond many other "rock stars." After I got to college, I started to explore more musical genres than I had previously given attention to. Jazz was the first. I scored some traditional jazz and big band stuff. From the likes of Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Chet Baker, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and even Nat King Cole, that’s where I got hooked. In trying to listen to a lot of the different styles and types of jazz, I became more familiar with the significant figures who stood out from their peers. Miles Davis was one of those greats. A world-renowned trumpeter, composer, and musician, Davis played on more than one hundred albums. Many times as both: a player and bandleader. Davis was one of the most prolific artists in recording history and was nominated for an amazing number of Grammy’s (he actually won 6 or 7) and was a frequent visitor to the pop charts. The reason why? He was just that good. His arrangements and instrumentations told stories in a way that no one had ever heard before. And, it was mostly all instrumental. Did you get that? He told stories without words. The music’s validity and depth accurately portrayed the man behind it. From his fights with his psyche and intellect to his own self-endorsed battles with substance addition, Miles Davis wrote some of the greatest songs you never heard. Some consider Miles Davis' work the magnum opus of Jazz because of his constant progression to the music and his capacity to birth several of the music’s most notable styles. He will forever remain a legend in the hearts of those who adore him and recognize awe-inspiring music. Recommended albums: Birth of Cool, Round About Midnight, Cookin', Workin', Kind of Blue, and Bitches Brew.
Stay tuned for more. 7, 8, & 9 tomorrow...
4. Converge- Can brutality be beautiful? Converge doesn’t stammer to answer this question. Their response is an insanely fast and intense as hell conglomeration of metal, poetry, spirituality, and splendor. If music could somehow be an infusion of words, notes, and volatility, the end result for this band would seemingly be an incineration of sound. Converge has been together since late 1990 and within months of that, recorded their first demos. Ever since then, they’ve been putting out unyielding albums and don’t show any signs of letting up. Sometimes dark, elegiac, cryptic, and despair-ridden, Converge writes some of the most eloquent tunes in music today. No stranger to addressing contemporary issues as well, they are one of the most underrated bands to grace this industry. Recommended: Minnesota, My Unsaid Everything, Albatross, Heaven In Her Arms, and Concubine.
5. Jai Agnish- Where folk and electronic music meet Christian themes of faith and hope. Jai Agnish creates an attractive sound that appeals to the ears of listeners of many genres and styles. He is the creator of Flygirl, an acclaimed zine that mixes the same premises as his music. His 2000 debut, Automata, exemplifies what he enjoys in life—Christianity, peculiar toy-like sounds, and a snappy melody. Recommended: How You Dream, Deaf Today, and Climb To Remind.
6. Miles Davis- I’m sure I’m getting a lot of blank stares now. C’mon, who doesn’t like Miles? One of the names everyone should be able to answer with when someone asks you about jazz. Miles Davis was an architect of music and his notoriety stands far beyond many other "rock stars." After I got to college, I started to explore more musical genres than I had previously given attention to. Jazz was the first. I scored some traditional jazz and big band stuff. From the likes of Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Chet Baker, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and even Nat King Cole, that’s where I got hooked. In trying to listen to a lot of the different styles and types of jazz, I became more familiar with the significant figures who stood out from their peers. Miles Davis was one of those greats. A world-renowned trumpeter, composer, and musician, Davis played on more than one hundred albums. Many times as both: a player and bandleader. Davis was one of the most prolific artists in recording history and was nominated for an amazing number of Grammy’s (he actually won 6 or 7) and was a frequent visitor to the pop charts. The reason why? He was just that good. His arrangements and instrumentations told stories in a way that no one had ever heard before. And, it was mostly all instrumental. Did you get that? He told stories without words. The music’s validity and depth accurately portrayed the man behind it. From his fights with his psyche and intellect to his own self-endorsed battles with substance addition, Miles Davis wrote some of the greatest songs you never heard. Some consider Miles Davis' work the magnum opus of Jazz because of his constant progression to the music and his capacity to birth several of the music’s most notable styles. He will forever remain a legend in the hearts of those who adore him and recognize awe-inspiring music. Recommended albums: Birth of Cool, Round About Midnight, Cookin', Workin', Kind of Blue, and Bitches Brew.
Stay tuned for more. 7, 8, & 9 tomorrow...
Tuesday, August 26, 2003
Nine Bands You Should Be Listening To: Part 1
Hopefully, a soon to be feature on To Whom... Recently, I was compiling this list of some indie bands, new music, and stuff I don’t think a lot of people listen to. Some of these artists, I’m discovering for the first time. Some, I've been a fan of for a long time. I think they are all pretty great. I was going to make it one post. However, I’m long winded and it just turned into a mess of information and reviews. So, I made it into three parts, listing three bands into each part. I’ll do one a day, for the next three days. Stay tuned. Listen well:
1. Wes Dando- Not one guy, but a trio of gentlemen from Seattle who gel together some of the prettiest and technical sounds with an almost "quirky" resonance. Not just another indie rock outfit, this band writes sincere and personal tunes with heart, meaning, and soul. Their debut from 2001, The Tired Hours, showcases the brilliance of their sound. A quality in music that has been attempted, but not too often perfected, Wes Dando’s effort is a success. It’s available from Paste Music. Recommended: Coughing Is Contagious, As Bravery Crumbles, and My Confidence, Your Opinion.
2. This Runs Through- Another Florida hardcore band that is newly signed to California's very own Facedown Records. However, this is not your typical band; in fact, it's just the very opposite. With an extraordinary approach to hardcore, these boys blend their riffs and rhythm in the vain of Strongarm (RIP) and Throwdown, with the hope of the once thriving "spirit-filled" scene. That hope being their relationship with Christ. This is one band that is not ashamed to be labeled by their faith. Maybe not quite as technical or loud as the comparisons, but This Runs Through creates a wall-of-sound on their first EP, Until Forever Finds Me, which was put out by Indianola Records. Recommended: A Prayer Upon Revival, I Kiss the Envelope, and The Wind That Brought Us Here.
3. Led Zeppelin- This may seem kind of funny to some of you, but it has taken me more than two years to begin having an interest in listening to these English legends. I’m somewhat beginning to understand the genius that is Led Zeppelin. Formed in 1968, after having some lineup changes, and playing as The New Yardbirds, (to fulfill the original Yardbirds commitments) eventually Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham became the band we know them as today. Writing lyrics with mystic and mythological meanings and incorporating hard rock, blues, and folk styles into their music, they created their own definitive sound. They are also most notably recognized for producing songs and music strictly for an entire album listen; versus the trend of releasing strong singles and having filler for the rest of the record. All Music Guide writes up a good review on the band and gives suggestions for either, the new listener or the casual fan.
Hopefully, a soon to be feature on To Whom... Recently, I was compiling this list of some indie bands, new music, and stuff I don’t think a lot of people listen to. Some of these artists, I’m discovering for the first time. Some, I've been a fan of for a long time. I think they are all pretty great. I was going to make it one post. However, I’m long winded and it just turned into a mess of information and reviews. So, I made it into three parts, listing three bands into each part. I’ll do one a day, for the next three days. Stay tuned. Listen well:
1. Wes Dando- Not one guy, but a trio of gentlemen from Seattle who gel together some of the prettiest and technical sounds with an almost "quirky" resonance. Not just another indie rock outfit, this band writes sincere and personal tunes with heart, meaning, and soul. Their debut from 2001, The Tired Hours, showcases the brilliance of their sound. A quality in music that has been attempted, but not too often perfected, Wes Dando’s effort is a success. It’s available from Paste Music. Recommended: Coughing Is Contagious, As Bravery Crumbles, and My Confidence, Your Opinion.
2. This Runs Through- Another Florida hardcore band that is newly signed to California's very own Facedown Records. However, this is not your typical band; in fact, it's just the very opposite. With an extraordinary approach to hardcore, these boys blend their riffs and rhythm in the vain of Strongarm (RIP) and Throwdown, with the hope of the once thriving "spirit-filled" scene. That hope being their relationship with Christ. This is one band that is not ashamed to be labeled by their faith. Maybe not quite as technical or loud as the comparisons, but This Runs Through creates a wall-of-sound on their first EP, Until Forever Finds Me, which was put out by Indianola Records. Recommended: A Prayer Upon Revival, I Kiss the Envelope, and The Wind That Brought Us Here.
3. Led Zeppelin- This may seem kind of funny to some of you, but it has taken me more than two years to begin having an interest in listening to these English legends. I’m somewhat beginning to understand the genius that is Led Zeppelin. Formed in 1968, after having some lineup changes, and playing as The New Yardbirds, (to fulfill the original Yardbirds commitments) eventually Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham became the band we know them as today. Writing lyrics with mystic and mythological meanings and incorporating hard rock, blues, and folk styles into their music, they created their own definitive sound. They are also most notably recognized for producing songs and music strictly for an entire album listen; versus the trend of releasing strong singles and having filler for the rest of the record. All Music Guide writes up a good review on the band and gives suggestions for either, the new listener or the casual fan.
Sunday, August 24, 2003
What A Novel Idea
"And the hobbits weren’t the only four charming, cheeky English lads to win American hearts."
That’s from an article in Christian History magazine (Issue 78, The Man Behind The Myth) entitled, "An Unexpected Party." This article and whole month’s attention is focused on the life and work of J.R.R. Tolkien. As all of my friends will earnestly admit, I’m not a fan of fantasy writing, film, or anything else of that nature. However, they should know that I’m a fan of history, especially when it relates to my faith. This particular article was addressing the newborn esteem people had for Tolkien in the mid-Sixties. Mostly, the abrupt explosion of interest due J.R.R. Tolkien in 1965 was because the Lord of The Rings trilogy was available in paperback for the first time. "Now anyone with three dollars could buy a passport to Middle-earth." However, as the quote at the top would indicate, there were some other folk from England causing a stir in the states for the first time as well:
"As Phillip Norman first revealed in his Beatle history Shout!, in 1968 the two foursomes nearly fused when the Beatles planned producing a film version of The Lord of The Rings starring themselves. That idea was aborted when the chosen director, Stanley Kubrick, convinced John Lennon and Paul McCartney that a Tolkien film was 'unthinkable,' according to Denis O’Dell’s fascinating account in At The Apple’s Core."
Too bad, huh? We could have gotten a Beatles version of L.O.T.R. instead of A Hard Day’s Night or Help!. Well, I’m sure we’re all content in what came about either way...
"And the hobbits weren’t the only four charming, cheeky English lads to win American hearts."
That’s from an article in Christian History magazine (Issue 78, The Man Behind The Myth) entitled, "An Unexpected Party." This article and whole month’s attention is focused on the life and work of J.R.R. Tolkien. As all of my friends will earnestly admit, I’m not a fan of fantasy writing, film, or anything else of that nature. However, they should know that I’m a fan of history, especially when it relates to my faith. This particular article was addressing the newborn esteem people had for Tolkien in the mid-Sixties. Mostly, the abrupt explosion of interest due J.R.R. Tolkien in 1965 was because the Lord of The Rings trilogy was available in paperback for the first time. "Now anyone with three dollars could buy a passport to Middle-earth." However, as the quote at the top would indicate, there were some other folk from England causing a stir in the states for the first time as well:
"As Phillip Norman first revealed in his Beatle history Shout!, in 1968 the two foursomes nearly fused when the Beatles planned producing a film version of The Lord of The Rings starring themselves. That idea was aborted when the chosen director, Stanley Kubrick, convinced John Lennon and Paul McCartney that a Tolkien film was 'unthinkable,' according to Denis O’Dell’s fascinating account in At The Apple’s Core."
Too bad, huh? We could have gotten a Beatles version of L.O.T.R. instead of A Hard Day’s Night or Help!. Well, I’m sure we’re all content in what came about either way...
Saturday, August 23, 2003
Chores
It’s been some time since I’ve had to do any sort of chores. You know, what your parents made you do to earn your allowance or to get any extra money. Maybe you had the type of parents who just made you do them because you lived under their roof. I think most of us had it more like the latter. Today, I’m working on, oh... about a month’s worth of dishes. A lot were some I got from my friend Bethany Dunlap when she moved. Most, however, are from me being a slacker these past few weeks. It’s pretty gross in there. I can’t believe I let them pile up this much. It actually stinks in my apartment. Maybe even as bas as some of the other houses in my neighborhood, which, if you’ve been fortunate enough to go into some of the other apartments, you would know, it’s really bad. So, I’ve just had some Sick of Change, Stavesacre, and Stretch Arm Strong playing in the background. Maybe I’ll get this done before Sunday. Good washing with ya...
"My mom and dad are always fighting. And it's getting very un-exciting. To get a good job you need a proper schooling.
Now who the hell do ya think you're fooling? But it's not my place oh-no. No it's not my place no no. No it's not my-not my-not my place in the 9 to 5 world. And it's not my place in the 9 to 5 world. And it's not my place with 9 to 5 girl. It's not my place in the 9 to 5 world" Ramones, It's Not My Place (In The 9 To 5 World), from the album, Plesant Dreams.
It’s been some time since I’ve had to do any sort of chores. You know, what your parents made you do to earn your allowance or to get any extra money. Maybe you had the type of parents who just made you do them because you lived under their roof. I think most of us had it more like the latter. Today, I’m working on, oh... about a month’s worth of dishes. A lot were some I got from my friend Bethany Dunlap when she moved. Most, however, are from me being a slacker these past few weeks. It’s pretty gross in there. I can’t believe I let them pile up this much. It actually stinks in my apartment. Maybe even as bas as some of the other houses in my neighborhood, which, if you’ve been fortunate enough to go into some of the other apartments, you would know, it’s really bad. So, I’ve just had some Sick of Change, Stavesacre, and Stretch Arm Strong playing in the background. Maybe I’ll get this done before Sunday. Good washing with ya...
"My mom and dad are always fighting. And it's getting very un-exciting. To get a good job you need a proper schooling.
Now who the hell do ya think you're fooling? But it's not my place oh-no. No it's not my place no no. No it's not my-not my-not my place in the 9 to 5 world. And it's not my place in the 9 to 5 world. And it's not my place with 9 to 5 girl. It's not my place in the 9 to 5 world" Ramones, It's Not My Place (In The 9 To 5 World), from the album, Plesant Dreams.
Friday, August 22, 2003
Goodwill is Grrrreeeaat
Today, I had some errands to run. Nothing overtly exciting. When I was in Chipley, I decided to stop by the Goodwill to see what wondrous, priceless, little gems I could discover for a bargain. I found some books, but I like looking up the ISBN # first to see if there worth anything on Amazon. I looked through the stack of LPs and couldn't find anything that stood out. However, when I was looking through a stack of 45's, off to the side (over by the books), I found these great singles:
The Monkees- A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You/The Girl I Knew...
The Monkees- Daydream Believer/Goin' Down
George Harrison- What Is Life?/Apple Scruffs
The Rolling Stones- Sad Day/19th Nervous Breakdown
The Beatles- The Ballad of John And Yoko/Old Brown Shoe
John Lennon- Instant Karma/Who Has Seen The Wind?
I paid like $3.18 for all of it. The girl at the counter said, "I didn't even know you could still play these things." I informed her (in my own little subtle way), "The best music ever made came out on vinyl."
Today, I had some errands to run. Nothing overtly exciting. When I was in Chipley, I decided to stop by the Goodwill to see what wondrous, priceless, little gems I could discover for a bargain. I found some books, but I like looking up the ISBN # first to see if there worth anything on Amazon. I looked through the stack of LPs and couldn't find anything that stood out. However, when I was looking through a stack of 45's, off to the side (over by the books), I found these great singles:
The Monkees- A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You/The Girl I Knew...
The Monkees- Daydream Believer/Goin' Down
George Harrison- What Is Life?/Apple Scruffs
The Rolling Stones- Sad Day/19th Nervous Breakdown
The Beatles- The Ballad of John And Yoko/Old Brown Shoe
John Lennon- Instant Karma/Who Has Seen The Wind?
I paid like $3.18 for all of it. The girl at the counter said, "I didn't even know you could still play these things." I informed her (in my own little subtle way), "The best music ever made came out on vinyl."
Wednesday, August 20, 2003
Movie Night, Every Night
In the past few weeks, I’ve watched a ridiculous amount of movies. A lot of them are from my own collection and the other stuff is what I borrowed from Chase, Justin, and other various friends. Just so you can know how I spend my nights, here’s a list of most of those films. NOTE: the movies with * are ones I own. Movies with links are ones I recommend-
A Time To Kill*
About Schmidt
Apollo 13
As Good As It Gets
Breakfast of Champions
Bringing Out The Dead
Can’t Hardly Wait*
City Hall
Death To Smoochy
Goodfellas*
Good Will Hunting
Groundhog Day
Happy Gilmore*
Hoffa
Life*
Man On The Moon
Men of Honor
Mickey Blue Eyes
Nixon
Nutty Professor*
The Pest*
Pushing Tin
Release (a documentary)*
Rocketman*
Romeo & Juliet
Rushmore
Say Anything
School Ties*
Sgt. Bilko*
SLC Punk
Stealing Harvard
Swingers
Taxi Driver
The Wedding Singer*
What About Bob
In the past few weeks, I’ve watched a ridiculous amount of movies. A lot of them are from my own collection and the other stuff is what I borrowed from Chase, Justin, and other various friends. Just so you can know how I spend my nights, here’s a list of most of those films. NOTE: the movies with * are ones I own. Movies with links are ones I recommend-
A Time To Kill*
About Schmidt
Apollo 13
As Good As It Gets
Breakfast of Champions
Bringing Out The Dead
Can’t Hardly Wait*
City Hall
Death To Smoochy
Goodfellas*
Good Will Hunting
Groundhog Day
Happy Gilmore*
Hoffa
Life*
Man On The Moon
Men of Honor
Mickey Blue Eyes
Nixon
Nutty Professor*
The Pest*
Pushing Tin
Release (a documentary)*
Rocketman*
Romeo & Juliet
Rushmore
Say Anything
School Ties*
Sgt. Bilko*
SLC Punk
Stealing Harvard
Swingers
Taxi Driver
The Wedding Singer*
What About Bob
Monday, August 18, 2003
First Day Jitters
I remember when I was too young for school. The first time I realized my sister was away at elementary school I was sad. I sat in front of a static-screened TV. I cried, I think because I missed her and felt left out. For the time being Mr. Rogers and a certain overgrown canary would have to be my friends and teachers. Sometimes it's easy to envy the little ones and to covet those days of little to no formal book learning.
Those days feel prehistoric to me. School has taken at least a third of every day I've lived since I was 5 years old. At the least. I've spent almost 6 solid years of my life sitting in classrooms. I'd like to calculate how much time I've spent procrastinating or making excuses for late work or pretending to be attentive or just struggling to remain conscious. I would like to know how much time I've given to homework, how many hours I've spent reading and how much of that was re-reading the same lines over. I'd like to figure up how many times I've thrown a book at the wall or damned school to hell. Wretched Minion.
But none of that math will put me anywhere else. This is where I am and to tell you the truth I like the place. Maybe its taken this long but I think for once I'm comfortable as a student, which is a good thing since today is the first day of the new semester.
Today is one of the most pretentious days of the year. People are never happier to see each other and their noses are never browner. In another sense it is probably the most hopeful day of the college year. The average student can sometimes convince himself that he is going to be above average for a change. So maybe that's all I'm doing. Yet, somehow I don't believe that.
I'm not expecting you to buy into this new proclamation of a better me. I especially don't expect my professors to. Don't believe me. That's fine. This is something that we will see or fail to see as time progresses.
I did better in the spring both by grade and by effort, but I expect to trump that double. This summer I took two classes, made two A's, and learned a lot. Of those 5 weeks of class I was never tardy and was only absent one day for a funeral. No longer is my absentee policy to miss the maximum allowable. No longer is anything short of academic excellence acceptable. I want students and faculty to perceive me as a serious student. I'm even willing to dress differently to get that point across.
I pay for past mistakes, in more ways than one: time and money. My school used to be paid for by a government agency. I lost that. Now it all comes out of my pocket. Something about that makes motivation easier. Also, my shenanigans have cost me a year. That's right, I should have graduated in May. But because I lollygagged so much I added a year to my sentence. That year is composed greatly of retakes.
Being a hot shot graduate and all, this is Jeff's first day not here. I miss him and feel left out. We were students together before we were ever friends, so after three years I've gotten used to that. I'll miss things like talking about what we were learning and keeping each other company in the computer lab. I don't expect to see him today. It's OK. I'll get over it. One day I'll be a hot shot too.
I remember when I was too young for school. The first time I realized my sister was away at elementary school I was sad. I sat in front of a static-screened TV. I cried, I think because I missed her and felt left out. For the time being Mr. Rogers and a certain overgrown canary would have to be my friends and teachers. Sometimes it's easy to envy the little ones and to covet those days of little to no formal book learning.
Those days feel prehistoric to me. School has taken at least a third of every day I've lived since I was 5 years old. At the least. I've spent almost 6 solid years of my life sitting in classrooms. I'd like to calculate how much time I've spent procrastinating or making excuses for late work or pretending to be attentive or just struggling to remain conscious. I would like to know how much time I've given to homework, how many hours I've spent reading and how much of that was re-reading the same lines over. I'd like to figure up how many times I've thrown a book at the wall or damned school to hell. Wretched Minion.
But none of that math will put me anywhere else. This is where I am and to tell you the truth I like the place. Maybe its taken this long but I think for once I'm comfortable as a student, which is a good thing since today is the first day of the new semester.
Today is one of the most pretentious days of the year. People are never happier to see each other and their noses are never browner. In another sense it is probably the most hopeful day of the college year. The average student can sometimes convince himself that he is going to be above average for a change. So maybe that's all I'm doing. Yet, somehow I don't believe that.
I'm not expecting you to buy into this new proclamation of a better me. I especially don't expect my professors to. Don't believe me. That's fine. This is something that we will see or fail to see as time progresses.
I did better in the spring both by grade and by effort, but I expect to trump that double. This summer I took two classes, made two A's, and learned a lot. Of those 5 weeks of class I was never tardy and was only absent one day for a funeral. No longer is my absentee policy to miss the maximum allowable. No longer is anything short of academic excellence acceptable. I want students and faculty to perceive me as a serious student. I'm even willing to dress differently to get that point across.
I pay for past mistakes, in more ways than one: time and money. My school used to be paid for by a government agency. I lost that. Now it all comes out of my pocket. Something about that makes motivation easier. Also, my shenanigans have cost me a year. That's right, I should have graduated in May. But because I lollygagged so much I added a year to my sentence. That year is composed greatly of retakes.
Being a hot shot graduate and all, this is Jeff's first day not here. I miss him and feel left out. We were students together before we were ever friends, so after three years I've gotten used to that. I'll miss things like talking about what we were learning and keeping each other company in the computer lab. I don't expect to see him today. It's OK. I'll get over it. One day I'll be a hot shot too.
Out of Sight, Out of Mind
Those are my thoughts this morning. Today is the first day of classes at my alma materand you could say I kind of wish I was there. Now, even though I didn't start every first year of school on the 18th of August, this is the first Monday of a fall semester that I haven't been going to school in eighteen years. I was at preschool from ages three to four, but I figured that wasn't official enough for everyone. It's pretty freaky, not going to school right now. It's been, for lack of better words, my life, for such a long time that something seems to be missing. "Well, I wouldn't say I was missing it" (Office Space).
Speaking of what's going on. I'm going to interview for a position I recently submitted my résumé to at 1:00 PM today. I don't want to get into all the details because it would take much too long. It seems like a good job and I've already written a little bit about it. Please pray for me because it just feels like my last option. If I hear something, you will too.
Also, I kind of made a deal with God that if he wanted me to go back to Melbourne and live, he would let me get an eviction notice here. Well, this morning, Lamar, the maintenance man for this housing project, knocked on my door and was asking where Sean, my previous roommate, was. Apparently, he is still listed as head of household. I told him we filled out all the necessary paper work and he said he would check out in and straighten it out. I’m sure he’s going to handle it, but it still puts me in a weird predicament. That’s something that could also use some prayer.
So, while the kids are off to school, I'll be out running around looking to be a responsible, career-motivated guy, who is scared about this whole growing up thing and getting kicked out of his apartment.
"Kick back, cheap thrills, you'll do anything for a laugh even if it kills ya. The bridge, you took it out, the ticket taker suddenly lost count. Sleepin' under rays, your teeth crumblin' away. Say goodbye to all responsibility, you never wanted it man." NOFX, Freedom Like A Shopping Cart, from, Heavy Petting Zoo.
Those are my thoughts this morning. Today is the first day of classes at my alma materand you could say I kind of wish I was there. Now, even though I didn't start every first year of school on the 18th of August, this is the first Monday of a fall semester that I haven't been going to school in eighteen years. I was at preschool from ages three to four, but I figured that wasn't official enough for everyone. It's pretty freaky, not going to school right now. It's been, for lack of better words, my life, for such a long time that something seems to be missing. "Well, I wouldn't say I was missing it" (Office Space).
Speaking of what's going on. I'm going to interview for a position I recently submitted my résumé to at 1:00 PM today. I don't want to get into all the details because it would take much too long. It seems like a good job and I've already written a little bit about it. Please pray for me because it just feels like my last option. If I hear something, you will too.
Also, I kind of made a deal with God that if he wanted me to go back to Melbourne and live, he would let me get an eviction notice here. Well, this morning, Lamar, the maintenance man for this housing project, knocked on my door and was asking where Sean, my previous roommate, was. Apparently, he is still listed as head of household. I told him we filled out all the necessary paper work and he said he would check out in and straighten it out. I’m sure he’s going to handle it, but it still puts me in a weird predicament. That’s something that could also use some prayer.
So, while the kids are off to school, I'll be out running around looking to be a responsible, career-motivated guy, who is scared about this whole growing up thing and getting kicked out of his apartment.
"Kick back, cheap thrills, you'll do anything for a laugh even if it kills ya. The bridge, you took it out, the ticket taker suddenly lost count. Sleepin' under rays, your teeth crumblin' away. Say goodbye to all responsibility, you never wanted it man." NOFX, Freedom Like A Shopping Cart, from, Heavy Petting Zoo.
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