Thursday, July 16
You never realize how terrible it feels to be single until you get sick. A million pillows can't hold you the way warm, strong arms can. This totally sucks. I feel like I'm in a perpetual state of aloneness. And like I'm catching the flu. Fuuuuuuuuuck ;(
Saturday, June 13
Creative nonfiction
September 22, 2008
Traversing A World in Which Dead Men Tell No Tales
It had been close to a decade since I strolled through the Magic Kingdom. But in the early winter of 2005, I was given my very own key to the pristine gates from my two best friends.
Chad and Kasey conspired together to buy me an annual pass to Disneyland for my eighteenth birthday, and I can safely say it was one of the greatest gifts I had ever been given. The three of us all possessed these cards, which we treasured as though they were made of gold.
My first night there we ran through the gates, hand in hand in hand. It was already fairly late and the park would soon be closing. It was a brisk night in January and the park was all but deserted. As we zipped up our sweatshirts in unison, we made a beeline for one of my favorite rides, Pirates of the Caribbean. It’s located in New Orleans square and right outside the ride there is a corner deli that sells Gumbo in homemade bread bowls.
Now this was after the first movie had come out but before they all but ruined the ride to accommodate it. We were lucky enough to experience it in all its glory, they way it was meant to be. We ran straight to the front of the awaiting boat, which would guide us through this exciting ride. Though the ride is propelled by water, it is almost impossible to get wet…unless you happen to sit in a puddle on the seat of the boat. With my luck of course, I walked off the ride with a wet behind.
The boat immediately transported us to another time as soon as we left the docks. All of a sudden we were floating along in the Blue Bayous of Louisiana. There are fireflies flickering about, houses on stilts and even an old man swaying in a rocking chair, whistling on his front porch. Crickets, owls and bullfrogs create a symphony of sounds. We come to an arch where a skull mounted on crossed swords comes to life to tell us, “It be too late to alter course, mateys. And there be plundering pirates lurkin' in ev'ry cove, waitin' to board. Sit closer together and keep your ruddy hands in board. That be the best way to repel boarders. And mark well me words, mateys: Dead men tell no tales!” We barely have the chance to catch our breaths before being plunged into the pitch black depths below the arch.
When we come out of the tunnel we’re greeted by what looks like an underwater cave. There are stalagmites and stalagtites coming from every direction, and glistening waterfalls echoing throughout the cavity. To the right there are pirate bones scattered along the sandy beach. We go over a small fall ourselves, where I again, somehow manage to get wet.
We see pirates, sans flesh, frozen in time, doing what they do best. Consuming their favorite spirits (we see the glowing liquid pass right through the rib cage), counting their treasure (inspecting some coins through a magnifying glass) and one is even sitting atop a mountain of gold, beaming with glee through his cheek…bones. I am always amazed by the details of the ride. One of my favorites being the piano playing, “A Pirate’s Life For Me” without a pianist to strike the keys.
We make our way through another tunnel which opens into a pirate ship battle in the middle of the ocean. Pirates are brandishing their swords and yelling across at one another. Each side is shooting off cannons and we’re caught in the crossfire! We see (and feel) the cannonballs landing on either side of the boat. I hold my breath as though this is the first time I’ve ever experienced this. As we’re guided through the water we come to a town that has been ranshacked. Pirates have taken over! There is an auction taking place, women are being given away as brides to the drooling pirates on the other side of us. They shout out “we want the redhead!” referring to the busty crimson haired woman tied up in ropes. Beyond this we see several tustles going on between men and women. What once was a scene with men chasing women has now reversed the roles with the women chasing the men who seemingly have ravaged their kitchens. Its plainly obvious that all the pirates are well beyond the point of drunk, slurring their words and joking with animals.
Further on we see a trio of pirates singing the anthem, “Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A pirate’s life for me!” Everything around us is on fire, we feel the heat and see flames bursting out of windows.
We slowly enter my next favorite scene, a series of men imprisoned, attempting to coax a dog into giving them the keys to the barred cell. One of the men is whistling, his lips are pursed and his cheeks puff out with each tone expelled.
The final part of the ride is a shoot out between some drunken pirates. As their guns go off, the ricochet off exposed beams, hanging signs and armor. They are yelling barely comprehensible slurs to one another and two men push a treasure chest up the left side of the river. I think a woman had to have fashioned one of these pirates, as he has a perfect behind.
We make it safely back to the docks all in one piece, and as luck may have it, the two other passengers managed to come away dry.
Traversing A World in Which Dead Men Tell No Tales
It had been close to a decade since I strolled through the Magic Kingdom. But in the early winter of 2005, I was given my very own key to the pristine gates from my two best friends.
Chad and Kasey conspired together to buy me an annual pass to Disneyland for my eighteenth birthday, and I can safely say it was one of the greatest gifts I had ever been given. The three of us all possessed these cards, which we treasured as though they were made of gold.
My first night there we ran through the gates, hand in hand in hand. It was already fairly late and the park would soon be closing. It was a brisk night in January and the park was all but deserted. As we zipped up our sweatshirts in unison, we made a beeline for one of my favorite rides, Pirates of the Caribbean. It’s located in New Orleans square and right outside the ride there is a corner deli that sells Gumbo in homemade bread bowls.
Now this was after the first movie had come out but before they all but ruined the ride to accommodate it. We were lucky enough to experience it in all its glory, they way it was meant to be. We ran straight to the front of the awaiting boat, which would guide us through this exciting ride. Though the ride is propelled by water, it is almost impossible to get wet…unless you happen to sit in a puddle on the seat of the boat. With my luck of course, I walked off the ride with a wet behind.
The boat immediately transported us to another time as soon as we left the docks. All of a sudden we were floating along in the Blue Bayous of Louisiana. There are fireflies flickering about, houses on stilts and even an old man swaying in a rocking chair, whistling on his front porch. Crickets, owls and bullfrogs create a symphony of sounds. We come to an arch where a skull mounted on crossed swords comes to life to tell us, “It be too late to alter course, mateys. And there be plundering pirates lurkin' in ev'ry cove, waitin' to board. Sit closer together and keep your ruddy hands in board. That be the best way to repel boarders. And mark well me words, mateys: Dead men tell no tales!” We barely have the chance to catch our breaths before being plunged into the pitch black depths below the arch.
When we come out of the tunnel we’re greeted by what looks like an underwater cave. There are stalagmites and stalagtites coming from every direction, and glistening waterfalls echoing throughout the cavity. To the right there are pirate bones scattered along the sandy beach. We go over a small fall ourselves, where I again, somehow manage to get wet.
We see pirates, sans flesh, frozen in time, doing what they do best. Consuming their favorite spirits (we see the glowing liquid pass right through the rib cage), counting their treasure (inspecting some coins through a magnifying glass) and one is even sitting atop a mountain of gold, beaming with glee through his cheek…bones. I am always amazed by the details of the ride. One of my favorites being the piano playing, “A Pirate’s Life For Me” without a pianist to strike the keys.
We make our way through another tunnel which opens into a pirate ship battle in the middle of the ocean. Pirates are brandishing their swords and yelling across at one another. Each side is shooting off cannons and we’re caught in the crossfire! We see (and feel) the cannonballs landing on either side of the boat. I hold my breath as though this is the first time I’ve ever experienced this. As we’re guided through the water we come to a town that has been ranshacked. Pirates have taken over! There is an auction taking place, women are being given away as brides to the drooling pirates on the other side of us. They shout out “we want the redhead!” referring to the busty crimson haired woman tied up in ropes. Beyond this we see several tustles going on between men and women. What once was a scene with men chasing women has now reversed the roles with the women chasing the men who seemingly have ravaged their kitchens. Its plainly obvious that all the pirates are well beyond the point of drunk, slurring their words and joking with animals.
Further on we see a trio of pirates singing the anthem, “Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A pirate’s life for me!” Everything around us is on fire, we feel the heat and see flames bursting out of windows.
We slowly enter my next favorite scene, a series of men imprisoned, attempting to coax a dog into giving them the keys to the barred cell. One of the men is whistling, his lips are pursed and his cheeks puff out with each tone expelled.
The final part of the ride is a shoot out between some drunken pirates. As their guns go off, the ricochet off exposed beams, hanging signs and armor. They are yelling barely comprehensible slurs to one another and two men push a treasure chest up the left side of the river. I think a woman had to have fashioned one of these pirates, as he has a perfect behind.
We make it safely back to the docks all in one piece, and as luck may have it, the two other passengers managed to come away dry.
Book Review: The Summit Spring 2008
What do Zack Morris, Count Chocula and Ed Bundy all have in common?
They all hold equal weight in the mind of Chuck Klosterman.
Chuck Klosterman’s book “Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs,” was written for a society of people who love to hate pop-culture. Klosterman has written for many prestigious magazines and newspapers, giving him an in depth look at what makes Americans tick. In this book however, readers get to take a peek inside Klosterman’s mind to see what ideas he himself runs on.
The book reads like a twisted diary, of someone who isn’t afraid to delve into the discontinuity of Saved by the Bell or how Internet porn sites are “the window to the modern soul.” Klosterman is a person who discusses the “coolness” of cereal commercials and compares movies like “Vanilla Sky “ and “The Matrix” respectively.
Each chapter is separated by an “interlude” which may or may not tie the sandwiching chapters together. These interludes were my favorite part of the book, they seem to be taken directly from life as opposed to the actual chapters, which are written on thoughts, sequences and/or collaborations.
In the beginning of the book, Klosterman writes that many of these chapters are the mindless ramblings of many sleepless nights. As a person who also is up late at night with wacky thoughts, I found this book endearing. The off the wall connections made between everything “pop culture” of the 90’s and early 2000’s can sometimes be found as exciting or offensive, but at the very least, always entertaining.
This book had me laughing out loud. SDCP is a book written by a person who isn’t afraid to wave his freak-flag. It’s true, some people make odd correlations, but Klosterman shows that it’s okay to be obsessed with something trivial, especially if it gets someone to think outside the box.
The reader gets to see Klosterman’s thought process and how one thought can invariably lead to something seemingly unrelated. For anyone who’s witnessed an event that triggers a completely random thought, this book is for you. It’s dark, light, semi-serious and quirky, but most importantly, it’s real.
This book is perfect for the college student who is juggling work and school and is looking for an outlet other than zoning out to the mindless crap on television now.
The best part is that it isn’t a page-to-page story. The chapters don’t lead into each other. The reader can pick one that sounds of interest and I can guarantee Klosterman will put together ideas that he or she has never thought of. The book is easy to pick up but close to impossible to put down.
They all hold equal weight in the mind of Chuck Klosterman.
Chuck Klosterman’s book “Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs,” was written for a society of people who love to hate pop-culture. Klosterman has written for many prestigious magazines and newspapers, giving him an in depth look at what makes Americans tick. In this book however, readers get to take a peek inside Klosterman’s mind to see what ideas he himself runs on.
The book reads like a twisted diary, of someone who isn’t afraid to delve into the discontinuity of Saved by the Bell or how Internet porn sites are “the window to the modern soul.” Klosterman is a person who discusses the “coolness” of cereal commercials and compares movies like “Vanilla Sky “ and “The Matrix” respectively.
Each chapter is separated by an “interlude” which may or may not tie the sandwiching chapters together. These interludes were my favorite part of the book, they seem to be taken directly from life as opposed to the actual chapters, which are written on thoughts, sequences and/or collaborations.
In the beginning of the book, Klosterman writes that many of these chapters are the mindless ramblings of many sleepless nights. As a person who also is up late at night with wacky thoughts, I found this book endearing. The off the wall connections made between everything “pop culture” of the 90’s and early 2000’s can sometimes be found as exciting or offensive, but at the very least, always entertaining.
This book had me laughing out loud. SDCP is a book written by a person who isn’t afraid to wave his freak-flag. It’s true, some people make odd correlations, but Klosterman shows that it’s okay to be obsessed with something trivial, especially if it gets someone to think outside the box.
The reader gets to see Klosterman’s thought process and how one thought can invariably lead to something seemingly unrelated. For anyone who’s witnessed an event that triggers a completely random thought, this book is for you. It’s dark, light, semi-serious and quirky, but most importantly, it’s real.
This book is perfect for the college student who is juggling work and school and is looking for an outlet other than zoning out to the mindless crap on television now.
The best part is that it isn’t a page-to-page story. The chapters don’t lead into each other. The reader can pick one that sounds of interest and I can guarantee Klosterman will put together ideas that he or she has never thought of. The book is easy to pick up but close to impossible to put down.
CD Review: The Summit Spring 2008
CD Reviews
Pretty. Odd.
Panic at the Disco
Now in their early twenties, the four members that make up Panic at the Disco have had the ability ride on the coattails of their first release, A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out for longer than any of their fans have surely wanted. With no other ties to their breakout album other than Ryan Ross’ peculiar lyrics and Brendan Urie’s unconventional voice, these young men managed to reinvent the sound of Panic.
Little more can be said for the quartet’s newest release other than it is in fact, pretty odd. To say the foursome have captured the essence of some of the Beatles greatest hits would be an understatement. It seems they have picked up clippings directly off the editing floor at Abbey Road studios.
Aside from the fact that Pretty. Odd. comes across as a slightly regurgitated Fab-Four record, I believe these guys made the smart decision to not emulate the innovative sound of their debut.
In hopes of showing their growth and maturation over the last three years, they have decided to turn the tables on their fans and deliver something completely unexpected. Only time will tell if this risk is to their advantage.
Morrissey Greatest Hits
Morrissey
As the lead singer of The Smiths in the eighties, Morrissey brought post-punk rock to the masses. Since cutting his ties with the band in 1987, he has released enough music to keep an indie rocker entertained for days on end.
With over 30 C.D.’s and singles available for download on iTunes, it must have been pretty difficult to choose the 16 singles that make up his newest Greatest Hits release.
This isn’t the first compilation disc under Morrissey’s belt and may not even be considered up to standard to most die-hard fans, but all the songs have been completely remastered and the C.D. does offer two new singles.
For me, I believe this is a good jumping off point for new fans of the singer and gives a sense of what he’s been up to in the last decade. To get a taste of some of his earlier work I suggest, The Best Of! Morrissey (1997). Morrissey will be heading out on tour later this year to promote his new album.
Pretty. Odd.
Panic at the Disco
Now in their early twenties, the four members that make up Panic at the Disco have had the ability ride on the coattails of their first release, A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out for longer than any of their fans have surely wanted. With no other ties to their breakout album other than Ryan Ross’ peculiar lyrics and Brendan Urie’s unconventional voice, these young men managed to reinvent the sound of Panic.
Little more can be said for the quartet’s newest release other than it is in fact, pretty odd. To say the foursome have captured the essence of some of the Beatles greatest hits would be an understatement. It seems they have picked up clippings directly off the editing floor at Abbey Road studios.
Aside from the fact that Pretty. Odd. comes across as a slightly regurgitated Fab-Four record, I believe these guys made the smart decision to not emulate the innovative sound of their debut.
In hopes of showing their growth and maturation over the last three years, they have decided to turn the tables on their fans and deliver something completely unexpected. Only time will tell if this risk is to their advantage.
Morrissey Greatest Hits
Morrissey
As the lead singer of The Smiths in the eighties, Morrissey brought post-punk rock to the masses. Since cutting his ties with the band in 1987, he has released enough music to keep an indie rocker entertained for days on end.
With over 30 C.D.’s and singles available for download on iTunes, it must have been pretty difficult to choose the 16 singles that make up his newest Greatest Hits release.
This isn’t the first compilation disc under Morrissey’s belt and may not even be considered up to standard to most die-hard fans, but all the songs have been completely remastered and the C.D. does offer two new singles.
For me, I believe this is a good jumping off point for new fans of the singer and gives a sense of what he’s been up to in the last decade. To get a taste of some of his earlier work I suggest, The Best Of! Morrissey (1997). Morrissey will be heading out on tour later this year to promote his new album.
Band Interview: The Summit Spring 2008
Children Of Nova: Where five minds and souls collide in an ever-expanding universe.
When two mid-twenty year-olds found themselves in need of an artistic outlet; a way to express their interest in art, music and the foreign mysteries of outer space, they looked to the website craigslist.com to find their kindred spirits.
The band, Children of Nova, is comprised of Nick (guitar), Colin (drums), Mario (bass), Matt (guitar) and Teo (Vocals). With more than 45 years of talent between them and interests spanning the broad range of film, art, music and television, these five guys would like nothing more than to use their passions to change the lives of their listeners and fans.
Three of the members are originally from San Diego, while Matt hails from Seattle and Colin spent most of his life in Maine. The guys say they collaborate as though they’ve been making music together their entire lives, despite the fact that they’ve been together for less than a year.
The name of the band originated from the minds of Nick and Matt. Who both found an extreme interest in space and it’s never-ending expansion. They had a fascination with supernovas and the idea of people being children of this greater, unknown entity. Thus, Children of Nova was born.
Each member calls upon a wide variety of musical influences that brings together a sound they can only describe as, “Epic Soul Rock”; an amalgam of underground hip-hop, progressive rock and 1960’s psychedelic music. Each of which can be evident when listening to their music. They have come up with a surprising sound that few others could accomplish.
Their lyrics flow in and around the notes and melodies in such an intricate pattern. Lead singer Teo says, “We don’t write your typical songs about ex-girlfriends. Our songs tell a story.” These stories are about searching for a greater meaning to life and not accepting what has been dealt, among others. They all talk about getting inspiration for their music through unconventional outlets. While in the process of writing, “we’ll stop playing and say ‘that reminded me of this part in a movie’ or ‘a piece of artwork I’ve seen,’” states Matt.
These guys are looking to take advantage of life and use their music as a gateway for listeners to use to find their own guiding light. When asked what their ultimate goal is, Colin noted he wanted to travel the world, play music and change lives, “we want to succeed ourselves,” he said.
The guys practice in a living room with mannequin heads on the mantle, handmade artwork on the walls and a sign over the kitchen that reads, “Pretty Pricilla’s Potion and Spell Shoppe.” It couldn’t be more of a bachelor pad, but still gives a sense of sophistication and wisdom.
At first glance, these five guys look like your average twenty-something’s trying to make it big in the music industry. But after taking a closer look, it is understandable that these talented gentlemen are just hoping to share their passion with the world. They are creating a kind of music that they trust will fill the listeners heart and inspire them.
With an innovative approach to music, the five members of Children of Nova have the ability to send listeners out of this world. If you’re looking for a sound unlike anything else floating around right now, check out Children of Nova live at the Zombie Lounge in North Park on March 13th, and at myspace.com/childrenofnova.
When two mid-twenty year-olds found themselves in need of an artistic outlet; a way to express their interest in art, music and the foreign mysteries of outer space, they looked to the website craigslist.com to find their kindred spirits.
The band, Children of Nova, is comprised of Nick (guitar), Colin (drums), Mario (bass), Matt (guitar) and Teo (Vocals). With more than 45 years of talent between them and interests spanning the broad range of film, art, music and television, these five guys would like nothing more than to use their passions to change the lives of their listeners and fans.
Three of the members are originally from San Diego, while Matt hails from Seattle and Colin spent most of his life in Maine. The guys say they collaborate as though they’ve been making music together their entire lives, despite the fact that they’ve been together for less than a year.
The name of the band originated from the minds of Nick and Matt. Who both found an extreme interest in space and it’s never-ending expansion. They had a fascination with supernovas and the idea of people being children of this greater, unknown entity. Thus, Children of Nova was born.
Each member calls upon a wide variety of musical influences that brings together a sound they can only describe as, “Epic Soul Rock”; an amalgam of underground hip-hop, progressive rock and 1960’s psychedelic music. Each of which can be evident when listening to their music. They have come up with a surprising sound that few others could accomplish.
Their lyrics flow in and around the notes and melodies in such an intricate pattern. Lead singer Teo says, “We don’t write your typical songs about ex-girlfriends. Our songs tell a story.” These stories are about searching for a greater meaning to life and not accepting what has been dealt, among others. They all talk about getting inspiration for their music through unconventional outlets. While in the process of writing, “we’ll stop playing and say ‘that reminded me of this part in a movie’ or ‘a piece of artwork I’ve seen,’” states Matt.
These guys are looking to take advantage of life and use their music as a gateway for listeners to use to find their own guiding light. When asked what their ultimate goal is, Colin noted he wanted to travel the world, play music and change lives, “we want to succeed ourselves,” he said.
The guys practice in a living room with mannequin heads on the mantle, handmade artwork on the walls and a sign over the kitchen that reads, “Pretty Pricilla’s Potion and Spell Shoppe.” It couldn’t be more of a bachelor pad, but still gives a sense of sophistication and wisdom.
At first glance, these five guys look like your average twenty-something’s trying to make it big in the music industry. But after taking a closer look, it is understandable that these talented gentlemen are just hoping to share their passion with the world. They are creating a kind of music that they trust will fill the listeners heart and inspire them.
With an innovative approach to music, the five members of Children of Nova have the ability to send listeners out of this world. If you’re looking for a sound unlike anything else floating around right now, check out Children of Nova live at the Zombie Lounge in North Park on March 13th, and at myspace.com/childrenofnova.
Friday, June 12
Monday, June 1
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Sunday, May 17
Saturday, May 16
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