Well... seems that I have no time for anything these days. School and work is keeping me busy. I am enjoying it, just wish I had a little more free time. I am curently in class, writing on my blog for the first time in weeks. I am done with the assignment we are currently going over. I am really enjoying all of my classes this semester. I am going to try to start writing on here again because I find it relaxing to do!
What is on my mind today is irrational college football fans. We all have a favorite team (atleast most of us do), but why are so many diehard fans so irrational? Some people can just not admit that their team lost or that is was there faultl; they always have an excuse. The team I pull for is really doing poorly this year. I can admit it and I am still a fan! Why can't we all just be fans with out getting irrationally emotional over things that we have no connections to! Now fans like this is what makes me dislike some teams! Not really for the teams but for the fans!
Well iam going to try to start posting here again because I enjoy it! We will see what time permits though!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
School starts!
School started today and man do I feel a little overwhelmed! I am taking my third music theory class, it has been two years since I have last taken a music theory class and I feel that I have forgotten everything about it! I also have to have Beowulf read by the end of be the week for my English literature class! Not that any of this is a big deal just more than I really expected the first week of class!
I also start two more classes tomorrow! I am taking a physiological Psychology class that will be pretty demanding! I am also debating on whether or not to be I. Jazz band. I did not enjoy it last semester and got nothing out of it. So I am thinking a semester of some independant study will do Me some good!
On a more positive note, my company softball team has just started practice yesterday! It is going to be fun! Not that the team is any good! This is my first year playing, but last year the team did not win a game! A few other new players and I have brought a lot of talent to the team! Hopefully we will at least win a game!
I also start two more classes tomorrow! I am taking a physiological Psychology class that will be pretty demanding! I am also debating on whether or not to be I. Jazz band. I did not enjoy it last semester and got nothing out of it. So I am thinking a semester of some independant study will do Me some good!
On a more positive note, my company softball team has just started practice yesterday! It is going to be fun! Not that the team is any good! This is my first year playing, but last year the team did not win a game! A few other new players and I have brought a lot of talent to the team! Hopefully we will at least win a game!
Monday, August 23, 2010
School Starts Wednesday
Well, I did not post yesterday, just spent the day relaxing. That is what Sunday's are for.
I bought all my books for school today (except one, because they did not have it in stock). I am very excited to start back this semester. I am taking a pretty heavy course load, especially considering I am working a full time job. I have not taken a music theory class in 2 years, due to my work schedule, and I am nervous about that class. I am afraid I will have a lot of catch up to do. I think I will be alright. I will just have to work hard from the beginning. I am excited to get to play in some ensembles again. I am really hoping some people will be willing to do some work outside of school. I would love to get a jazz band together or even some small ensemble work. We will have to wait and see who is willing to do what.
I started a new schedule at work today, in preparation for school which starts this Wednesday. I will not mention the place I work because they tell us not to. I was working early morning in a logistics process. Now I am in the backroom in the evening. I really did not think I would like it, but for the first day it was not that bad. No worse than the other shift was. The plus side is I am the only one in logistics there. It is kind of peaceful. No one is nagging me, no one is yelling, no one really bothering me at all.
Well, that is what is going on in my life today. just getting ready to go back to school and trying to hold down a job.
I bought all my books for school today (except one, because they did not have it in stock). I am very excited to start back this semester. I am taking a pretty heavy course load, especially considering I am working a full time job. I have not taken a music theory class in 2 years, due to my work schedule, and I am nervous about that class. I am afraid I will have a lot of catch up to do. I think I will be alright. I will just have to work hard from the beginning. I am excited to get to play in some ensembles again. I am really hoping some people will be willing to do some work outside of school. I would love to get a jazz band together or even some small ensemble work. We will have to wait and see who is willing to do what.
I started a new schedule at work today, in preparation for school which starts this Wednesday. I will not mention the place I work because they tell us not to. I was working early morning in a logistics process. Now I am in the backroom in the evening. I really did not think I would like it, but for the first day it was not that bad. No worse than the other shift was. The plus side is I am the only one in logistics there. It is kind of peaceful. No one is nagging me, no one is yelling, no one really bothering me at all.
Well, that is what is going on in my life today. just getting ready to go back to school and trying to hold down a job.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Parker
He never ceases to amaze me. Parker is my 22 month old son. He hardly says anything, that has some people worried. The doctor suggested some early intervention, and now we have speech therapist at our house twice a month. Which is great. What they don’t understand is how freaking smart, and stubborn, he really is!
Why do I think he is so amazingly smart? For many reasons! The way he knows his way around my iPhone 4. It is amazing. He can turn it on. Unlock it. Find the folder which the game he likes to play is in. Open the game. Waits patiently through the title screens. Then proceeds to hit the play button, pick a level, and beat them because he knows what he is supposed to do! I have not heard, or read about anyone else doing this at this age.
Also, his mother and I always catch him talking and doing stuff in his room. Things we always try to get him to do. He knows we want him to do these things, and that is why he will not do it when he knows we are watching! When he was much younger we tried to teach him to say "hello" and pretend he was talking on his toy phone. We were unsuccessful for weeks. Until, we caught him doing it in his room. He thought he was alone! If you only knew how happy that made me to catch him doing it! Also frustrated that he doesn't want me to see!
He may not talk much, while we are watching (which I am sure he will come around), but he can work a device I know plenty of adults can not! There is also no telling what we will catch him doing next! Parker is the best thing in my life and always will be! I am very excited to watch his development throughout the years!
I will talk about Parker a lot on my blog. Check back for more on him soon!
Why do I think he is so amazingly smart? For many reasons! The way he knows his way around my iPhone 4. It is amazing. He can turn it on. Unlock it. Find the folder which the game he likes to play is in. Open the game. Waits patiently through the title screens. Then proceeds to hit the play button, pick a level, and beat them because he knows what he is supposed to do! I have not heard, or read about anyone else doing this at this age.
Also, his mother and I always catch him talking and doing stuff in his room. Things we always try to get him to do. He knows we want him to do these things, and that is why he will not do it when he knows we are watching! When he was much younger we tried to teach him to say "hello" and pretend he was talking on his toy phone. We were unsuccessful for weeks. Until, we caught him doing it in his room. He thought he was alone! If you only knew how happy that made me to catch him doing it! Also frustrated that he doesn't want me to see!
He may not talk much, while we are watching (which I am sure he will come around), but he can work a device I know plenty of adults can not! There is also no telling what we will catch him doing next! Parker is the best thing in my life and always will be! I am very excited to watch his development throughout the years!
I will talk about Parker a lot on my blog. Check back for more on him soon!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Stefano Di Battista
This man never ceases to amaze me. My old jazz teacher, Mace Hibbard, first told me about this guy. I have mainly listened to him on YouTube. You can look him up for more on his personel life. I picked up this album about a year ago and loved it. Many great players are on this album. Of course on sax is Stefano Di Battista. On piano is the legendary Kenny Barron. Rosario Bonaccorso on bass.Herlin Riley on drums. Finally, Flavio Boltro on trumpet.
Today, it happened to come up on my play list on my IPhone and I remember why I love it so much. This guy is a monster! His tone is so clean and pure. This CD was a tribute he put together to Charlie Parker. Battista definitely put in study time for this one. Charlie Parker licks are all over his improvised solo's. Which if you are not familiar with Parker solo's, you probably will not be able to pick them out. Never-the-less, this CD is still enjoyable to bebop and jazz fan. If you can get your hands on this CD I believe it will become one of your favorites very quickly.
This video is the one that impresses me most. His genius of using the overtones at the beginning is sick! I have tried and tried to mimic his sound on the beginning of this song but just cannot achieve his greatness!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Andy Mckee- Joyland
I have always been an Andy Mckee fan. At least, since the day I discovered him. For those of you who do not know who he is look him up. As bad as "popular" music is today, I am thankful for the musicians who keep music alive. This is a review of his new album Joyland. I love this album like all of his others. You can feel his love and enthusiasm in every song. Hunter's Moon features Andy's percussive techniques he is so popular for. He plays a cover of Everybody Wants to Rule the World. It is an amazing arrangement of the song. Listen to the original, then listen to his version. There are many other original compositions on this album. Check it out! It will blow your mind. If you have not heard Andy Mckee before pick up this album and any of his other albums.
Facebook Places
Facebook rolled out a new mobile gadget today called Places. It can be used to check in wherever you are. You can also check in any friends that are with you. It is designed to try to, yet again, keep people connected to Facebook longer. There are some privacy issues with this gadget. What else can you expect from Facebook, right? The issue is, that you can post the status of your friends without their permission. People can also view the status of your friends without being friends with that person. These are not major issues but I am sure people will still complain. Also people have to be careful. If you are skipping work or sneaking around on your significant other and post you are somewhere your not supposed to be or the people you are with post that you are with them, this could lead to a lot of people getting into a lot of trouble! There are supposed to be incentives set up as well for checking into businesses. Like if you check into a restaurant or bar you may get a free drink. This being new it may be while before these are setup.
What are they Thinking?
I know this subject has been talked about a lot lately (I am not trying to be original with this post). If you have not heard about it then I do not know where you have been! I am talking about the mosque that they are planning to build on ground zero. I am all about freedom in this country and in no way do I blame this religion for anything that has happened in this country. But... the events that happened on the most tragic day America has seen in my short lifetime, were performed by people who claim to be Islamic and did it in its name. Now we are going to build a place of worship right where the tragedy happened?
I will now argue both sides before I let my opinion be known.
The religion itself is not to blame. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world, especially in America. Most Islamic people claim it is a peaceful religion. This religion is supposed to be tolerant to Christians and Jews, because we are "people of the book" (worship the same God), but do not follow the correct prophet. Never-the-less, there are always going to be extremists. People who are extreme anything seem to be bad. We cannot judge a whole demographic of people because of the few who act badly. Extreme Christians have been known to blow up abortion clinics. Extreme atheist have been known to try to suppress religious freedom. Extreme Islamic believers have been known to form many terrorist organizations. How do they justify these actions. According to many places in the Koran (I am spelling it this way because it is how I choose to) they are told to convert non-believers. Seems pretty much like every other religion right? But there is a catch. It also says if they will not convert to kill them. This mosque is supposedly going to be a history center for the Muslim faith and promote the correct form of Islam in The States. Also, to help Americans better accept the religion.
Now for how most Americans and many people around the world feel... Islam is an evil religion who's followers strongly believe in the doctrine of convert or die. Muslims have always been at war since anyone alive today can remember. The people behind the horrific events that happened in New York claimed to do it in the name of Muhammad. They have caused terror world wide all to try to promote their own religion. In short the Koran says convert or die and these extremists take that very seriously. Is it not a slap in the face that they would build a religious temple right on the site of the very building they destroyed? A place where many people lost their lives! Many Americans feel this religion should not even be tolerated in this country. Trying to build a mosque on ground zero makes many Americans feel like Muslims are trying to take over this country.
Remember, all of the above are things I have read and heard other people say. Now for my personal opinion.
Do not build it there. Pick another spot. America is all about freedom. We are tolerant to all other religions, we cannot be against this religion simply because the events that happened on September 11, 2001. If this be the case, then we should simply ban all religion. Religious people, of every faith, have done horrible things. They justify their acts as part of a certain religion, whether it be Christian, Buddhist, or Muslim. Never-the-less, I am still against them putting it on Ground Zero. Something in honor of the victims, not the murderers, should be put there. I have no problem with building a mosque in America, or even in New York, just not there. We should be tolerant to this religion as we are to all others.
Finally, what are we going to do about it? It is already planned to be put there. They are not just going to decide to move it. Something is going to have to be done by the citizens of America. The government cannot rightfully ban the building of a religious building, but protest can happen and people can get the city planners of New York against it going there as well. Living in Alabama, it is hard for me to make it up there and plan a protest. Also, being a poor college student, it would be hard to make it up there for such an event. But, I will. I will gladly make my way up to prevent this building from being put in this location. I am all for religious freedom and Muslims having a place of worship/history center. There is no need for it to be put there!
I will now argue both sides before I let my opinion be known.
The religion itself is not to blame. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world, especially in America. Most Islamic people claim it is a peaceful religion. This religion is supposed to be tolerant to Christians and Jews, because we are "people of the book" (worship the same God), but do not follow the correct prophet. Never-the-less, there are always going to be extremists. People who are extreme anything seem to be bad. We cannot judge a whole demographic of people because of the few who act badly. Extreme Christians have been known to blow up abortion clinics. Extreme atheist have been known to try to suppress religious freedom. Extreme Islamic believers have been known to form many terrorist organizations. How do they justify these actions. According to many places in the Koran (I am spelling it this way because it is how I choose to) they are told to convert non-believers. Seems pretty much like every other religion right? But there is a catch. It also says if they will not convert to kill them. This mosque is supposedly going to be a history center for the Muslim faith and promote the correct form of Islam in The States. Also, to help Americans better accept the religion.
Now for how most Americans and many people around the world feel... Islam is an evil religion who's followers strongly believe in the doctrine of convert or die. Muslims have always been at war since anyone alive today can remember. The people behind the horrific events that happened in New York claimed to do it in the name of Muhammad. They have caused terror world wide all to try to promote their own religion. In short the Koran says convert or die and these extremists take that very seriously. Is it not a slap in the face that they would build a religious temple right on the site of the very building they destroyed? A place where many people lost their lives! Many Americans feel this religion should not even be tolerated in this country. Trying to build a mosque on ground zero makes many Americans feel like Muslims are trying to take over this country.
Remember, all of the above are things I have read and heard other people say. Now for my personal opinion.
Do not build it there. Pick another spot. America is all about freedom. We are tolerant to all other religions, we cannot be against this religion simply because the events that happened on September 11, 2001. If this be the case, then we should simply ban all religion. Religious people, of every faith, have done horrible things. They justify their acts as part of a certain religion, whether it be Christian, Buddhist, or Muslim. Never-the-less, I am still against them putting it on Ground Zero. Something in honor of the victims, not the murderers, should be put there. I have no problem with building a mosque in America, or even in New York, just not there. We should be tolerant to this religion as we are to all others.
Finally, what are we going to do about it? It is already planned to be put there. They are not just going to decide to move it. Something is going to have to be done by the citizens of America. The government cannot rightfully ban the building of a religious building, but protest can happen and people can get the city planners of New York against it going there as well. Living in Alabama, it is hard for me to make it up there and plan a protest. Also, being a poor college student, it would be hard to make it up there for such an event. But, I will. I will gladly make my way up to prevent this building from being put in this location. I am all for religious freedom and Muslims having a place of worship/history center. There is no need for it to be put there!
About the Blog
Been looking into starting a blog for a while now and (obviously) I finally did. I am not trying to blog for money or fame, although if that came around I would not complain, but simply as a way to relax. I will post to this blog nearly everyday. No promises though! Working a full time job and taking a heavy course load (especially in music) might put me off every now and then. I hope anyone who may read my blog feels free to post their own opinions on subjects and are not afraid to disagree with me. Everyone has opinions, but lets remember to not put anyone down for their own opinions.
Enough about the blog itself. Lets get into my first real post.
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