6.06.2009
Humboldt Trip
So we're in Humboldt today. Started the day with breakfast at the Sonoma Cookhouse. It's a family-style place with big serving and great lumberjack food.
Then we stopped by Humboldt University to look around at where my aunts went to school. Great views there. Very green with purple flowers everywhere!
Then made a snack stop at a place called Tony's. Food looked amazing but only had room for a fresh banana shake and some fries.
Presently Aunt Joann, uncle Rob, Spencer, Vernoica, Uncle Mark, Joe, Ian, Bryan, Adam, Sherrie and me are in the van driving up the 101 headed to the Trees of Mystery. I haven't been there since I was really little! Not sure how much longer to go but I'm pretty excited.
5.29.2009
Party City Shennanegans
So today at work there was a little girl in her pretty pink dress. She was about 4 years old. She looks up at the balloons, sees the full-bodied Tinkerbell mylar on display and says in her girly high-pitched voice, "That's inappropriate Mommy! She should wear like a hula skirt and coconut bra or something like that."
I freakin' cracked up!
5.27.2009
The Ten Commandments of Electronica: A Manifesto
1) Know thy music
Electronica is not to be mistaken with any form other than what it is, which is literally any form of music married to a strong back beat with electronic undertones and sound effectsambience." Most forms of electronica are created with the use of computers and other electronic tools for music production. Some well-known variations of electronica are as follows: house, trance, jungle, drum n bass, techno, ambient, breakbeat and hardcore. Some variants are fast-paced and others are slow and melodic, but all have a steady and palpableelectronica is a recent development- this is not quite true. It has been around, in its earliest forms, since the 1920's and has since mutated and shifted into what we recognize today as having a hard-hitting kick and surreal "groove." Electronicacan be merely listened to (which is sort of missing the point of it) but most admirers of this malleable form of music agree that it is best experienced on the dance floor.
2) Feel thy groove
Dance is almost synonymous with music; has been through the ages, since the dawn of Man. Dance helps to release energy, relieve stress and inspire celebration. The form of dance associated with electronica is just as varied as the music itself. Each style of dance fits the music. For instance, if the dancer is listening to trance, the dancer will likely dance with wide, sweeping arm movements that seem to flow, like water (many people have noted that this form of dance is very similar to Tai Chi, a form of martial arts that is focused on health and "centering" one's self). In order to appreciate electronica properly the listener must "feel" the music and allow it to move them. At its core this is called "feeling the groove" or "groovin'". As with break dancing in the early and mid 80's, electronica dance is meant to move in time with the beat and tempo of the music. To watch electronica, as a form of dance, one might think that they are watching a tribal Native American dance. In all honesty, this is not far from the truth, if somewhat removed from the Native American culture. With electronica there are no ceremonies or rituals involved. Rather, it is more like cleansing oneself of pent-up energy and stress, reveling in the music around them as individuals all sharing the same experience.
3) Understand thy culture
Goth. Punk. Slack. You name it, it's there. But the culture associated with electronica changes as soon as the music and dancing begins. No longer are they pasty-faced kids or baggy-slacked wannabes, they are all devoted to the rhythm. Their cares, worries and prejudices disappear when they move to the music and they unite as a single culture and body, intent on dancing until whatever demons lie within are gone and they are cleansed mentally, physically and even spiritually. The world that they have been born into and have been developed by fades into a miasma of music, drums and flowing bodies, very much like a tribe in celebration of life and freedom. Their hearts lighten, no longer burdened by self-consciousness or stress. They could care less what the person next to them thinks of their dancing; there are two things in their world at that point: electronica and keeping up with the music through dance. This is the culture dedicated to electronica. Nothing else applies. Dance and enjoy the music or get out.
4) Thou shalt not refuse the flow
You are here to dance. If you aren't, then stick around long enough and you will be. And if you don't, then there's something seriously wrong. Electronica is all about the movement, as in the actual motion of limbs and extremities. Arms, hands, feet, legs, hips, torso, head… it all has to move. Even when you walk or swim, it's all moving. The intent behind electronica is to immerse you in a total atmosphere of music and rhythm so that your body can move along with it. It's commensurate, like love and passion; courage and action; music and dance. To deny that simple, basic truth of electronica is to deny the most intuitive aspect of your nature; to deny yourself. Hear the music and dance. Feel it pulse in your veins and inspire your body to flow.
5) Thou shalt sweat
Take a walk or a light jog. What happens? You sweat. It's as simple as that. Physical exertion causes the body to need to cool off. Sweat is the way that happens. Dancing is no different. What's more is that it's good for your body. In that sweat are toxins and impurities that your body has been building up for however long and been waiting for the chance to get rid of them. Work it out; dance it out. And why not do it with some moving music to inspire you? Electronica, as we have already stated, drives a person to want to move. It's unavoidable, inevitable. If you've ever danced before in your life then you know the feeling of exhilarationalive. That's your endorphins, which are secreted throughout your body when you exert physical energy. Athletes are familiar with endorphins, as are martial artists, weight lifters, cops, firemen and even some civil servants. Feeling good is the whole point to electronica. It starts with your ears, moves to your body and ends up in your soul. Can you feel it yet? If not, go track down some beats and listen- you won't regret it, even if all you do is tap your feet.
6) Know thy past
There are 12 tones (give or take, depending on which region of Earth you live in) that the human ear can distinguish. We hear them, when strung together properly, as music. It's that simple. Jazz, country, classical, pop, new age, polka… they're all connected by this basic truth: it's music. Electronica is the same thing with one exception in that it incorporates allresistance. Even jazz had a hard time making it into the mainstream scene. When jazz exploded in the 1920's it was associated with "counter culture" and came under fire from the religious organizations, the government and even the news services. In the same way, electronica has been put into a negative light, largely because of the advent of "raves." It is common knowledge that drugs and alcohol are found in abundance at raves. The distinction is that electronica is not a rave. Electronica can be found at raves and so can drugs, but drugs can be found at a Grateful Dead concert, too, so it's a misleading belief that any form of music is responsible for the propagation of any negative influence; the responsibility rests with the people who promote certain types of gatherings.
The upshot is that electronica has a place in other venues. For instance, the drug-and-alcohol-free events where electronica is played are known as "waves." In a wave, electronicathe heart of everything. Dance and music are the focus at a wave. For the fan of electronica, a wave is an ideal spot for taking the opportunity to truly appreciate electronica
Electronica got its start in 1916 when Hugo Balle, Tristan Tzara, Marcel Janco & Richard Huelsenbeck banded together to create the Dada artistic movement. Their whole concept was to focus on music as an inspiration for dance and freedom of expression. Using electronic devices to create music was beyond their grasp at the time, but the movement they started paved the way for such visionaries as Leon Theremin, the inventor of the first synthesizer, to give music a breath of fresh air in1920. The idea of electronica was still far from being realized because it was too new, but in the years that followed music enthusiasts learned more about its applications and possibilities. Bands such as Pink Floyd and Emerson Lake and Palmer employed electronic instrumentation on a regular basis, making the new and unique tones it created almost synonymous with their own musical stylings.
In 1971 Kraftwerk and Tangerine Dream came onto the scene as full-functioning electronic bands with synthetic drum machines and synthesizers. Soon to follow were talents like Jean-Michael Jarre and Yanni. The development of electronica continued to make progress in the musical arena, while the general listening audience was just barely discovering it. People enjoyed the calm, soothing tones that many electronica bands were producing and suddenly things changed. Rock and Roll took on a new face as electronica found its way into the hard and heavy feel that rock brings. Dance clubs and discos showcased hundreds of forms of electronica because the dancing audiences found it to be so easy to move to. Based almost entirely on a 4/4-rhythm pattern, electronica was beginning to inspire people to move their feet and bodies.
Throughout the 80's and 90's electronica shifted and changed and was tested more frequently than any other form of music. Artists quickly realized that it had no boundaries and that it could work well with just about anything that conformed to conventional musical rules.
The history of electronica is rich and full and worth looking into. It will lead a researcher to whole new venues of talent and music that they never really understood or realized existed. To look at the history of electronica, one cannot miss the fact that the music form itself is only about expanding the boundaries of all musical forms. It is about discovery and growth and movement and rhythm and freedom. Nothing else matters in the world of electronica.
7) Thou shalt not worship forbidden idols
Dancing does not require an altered state of mind. As a matter of fact, dancing almost absolutely necessitates a clear mind. How else can you truly appreciate your musical experience? Acid (LSD) screws up your sense of perception. GHB can twist your stomach into knots and make you go limp with no muscle control. Dope (marijuana) simply makes you, well, dopey and far too relaxed to do anything let alone dance. Cocaine turns you into a nervous wreck and dancing won't help its effects any- in fact, dancing will only make cocaine's effects worse because of the workout your blood system is getting.
Quite simply, there are literally hundreds of reasons why drugs don't have a place in dancing. And since dancing is what electronica is all about, the vile stuff people pump into their bodies has no place in electronica. People will make their own choices about what they do to their bodies, but the fact is that it is the individuals who are screwing their lives up, not the music.
Ask any true electronica fan and they'll tell you in a heartbeat that the music is its own drug and that you don't need anything to make it better. Once it gets past your ears you'll be affected. Drugs actually detract from what electronica is meant to do.
8) Honor thy artisans
Art is, and ever shall be, life, as expressed by the artist. It is the audience that dictates the future of art and let it be known, here and now, that electronica, as a form of music andform of art. It is in the celebration of this new art form that people will congregate together and dance. They do so because, to them, life is enjoyable when the music moves them. The dance floor itself becomes the canvas, the dancers are the paint and the DJs are the painters. Extra effects such as sound systems, sound effects, sound bytes, lighting effects and whatnot round out the human art that is the dance floor. The dancers revel in their guidance by the DJ and obey his or her will, succumbing to the flow set by the music. The music is the brush. Look with eyes that perceive and you will see truth of this.
Just like there are many different types of brushes that a painter can use, there are even more types of music available to the DJ. The DJ's art is putting these music genres together in new ways. A solid drumbeat is the toner for the music. In a sense the beat speaks to the DJ, crying out for what type of music is necessary for the beat to be truly enjoyed. The music can be pop, rock, metal, country, techno- whatever the DJ is moved to incorporate. The DJ will know, almost instantly, if the fruit of his or her labors are valuable by keeping a close eye on the dance floor, the human canvas. The mood of the music played can be fast-paced or soothing and slow- it all depends on what mood the DJ gets from the audience, like a painter carefully becoming one with the linen canvas to judge the texture, thickness and grain of the cloth.
The dancers are guided by the music, the paintbrushes, and inspired to move either quickly or slowly by it, at the hands of the DJ. The dancers are entirely multi-faceted. They have a wide range in color, shape, size, emotion and texture.
The dance floor can be large, wide, small, short, poor quality, new, old… a dance floor's only commonality with another is that it is the surface upon which people dance. Ergo, it is the canvas upon which the human paint is controlled and guided by the DJ.
Heed the music; move in a swirl of life and dance; grace the dance floor so that it may fulfill its purpose. This is the basis for electronica, pure and simple. It is art. Honor it as one people.
9) Thou shalt be united
Let us say that you are a fan of electronica, even if you are not, suppose it is so. The night before you went to an electronica party, a dance party. It was an amazing evening. You got there at eight in the evening. Once you got there, you noticed that there were people around you who looked, talked, thought and dressed quite differently from you. At first, you held misgivings about how the night would turn out and then the DJ started a new set. The music began to pulse and beat its way into your limbs and you found your hips swaying, your arms moving, your body dancing. Before you knew it, you were a part of the crowd and dancing the night away with not a care in the world. You felt alive and invigorated and, when you got home at three in the morning, extremely, deservedly tired. It was a long night, but worth every second of it.
Today you are at a café or the grocery store and you glimpse, out of the corner of your eye, one of the dancers from the previous night- a nameless, faceless person who shared an experience of dance and art with you. He sees you, too, and recognizes you. For a moment, you have a connection, a bond. It doesn't matter that he is walking Technicolor, that his nylon baggy pants slightly reflect the cans of ravioli next to him on the shelf, his jewelry is almost alien-like and his tennis shoes are neither fashionable nor clean- in some way that you can't quite describe he is like you. He nods in an almost secret fashion. "Hey," with a mere movement of his head. The two of you are as different as night and day, but one thing unites you: appreciation for electronica, in your own right, artists. Do not underestimate the unifying power of dance.
10) See thy future
They say that the future is unwritten, that it cannot be seen by the eyes of men with pure clarity, that it is a mystery for the greater number among us. If anyone had told Dizzy Gillespie that he would be celebrated as a hero of jazz, back when he was in his teens, he would have thought them crazy. If anyone had told the Romans, two millennia ago, that Christianity would thrive and encompass the globe, they would have laughed (and they did- and then it did). If anyone had told Noah that there would be more than 6.3 billion people on the Earth, after having witnessed the flood of forty days and nights, he would have thought it unthinkable.
The future is hard to tell and even harder to believe. One thing is certain, however: it willThis is the way of things. Electronica, at its heart, is intended for the good of all people. It was meant to give them a way of falling into dance easily, and dance has been, since time out of mind, one of the purest forms of joyful expression. It is a good thing that has evolved with Mankind since its beginning. As long as Man continues to grow and live and create, music and dance will follow closely on its heels. Other forms will come, certainly, but it is the hope and intention that electronica will be here to stay.
come. That which has existed before, if it is good and worthy, will continue to exist.
(copyright 2001 by SeaStar Corporation / StormFront Records)
CST Approved
Electronica is not to be mistaken with any form other than what it is, which is literally any form of music married to a strong back beat with electronic undertones and sound effectsambience." Most forms of electronica are created with the use of computers and other electronic tools for music production. Some well-known variations of electronica are as follows: house, trance, jungle, drum n bass, techno, ambient, breakbeat and hardcore. Some variants are fast-paced and others are slow and melodic, but all have a steady and palpableelectronica is a recent development- this is not quite true. It has been around, in its earliest forms, since the 1920's and has since mutated and shifted into what we recognize today as having a hard-hitting kick and surreal "groove." Electronicacan be merely listened to (which is sort of missing the point of it) but most admirers of this malleable form of music agree that it is best experienced on the dance floor.
2) Feel thy groove
Dance is almost synonymous with music; has been through the ages, since the dawn of Man. Dance helps to release energy, relieve stress and inspire celebration. The form of dance associated with electronica is just as varied as the music itself. Each style of dance fits the music. For instance, if the dancer is listening to trance, the dancer will likely dance with wide, sweeping arm movements that seem to flow, like water (many people have noted that this form of dance is very similar to Tai Chi, a form of martial arts that is focused on health and "centering" one's self). In order to appreciate electronica properly the listener must "feel" the music and allow it to move them. At its core this is called "feeling the groove" or "groovin'". As with break dancing in the early and mid 80's, electronica dance is meant to move in time with the beat and tempo of the music. To watch electronica, as a form of dance, one might think that they are watching a tribal Native American dance. In all honesty, this is not far from the truth, if somewhat removed from the Native American culture. With electronica there are no ceremonies or rituals involved. Rather, it is more like cleansing oneself of pent-up energy and stress, reveling in the music around them as individuals all sharing the same experience.
3) Understand thy culture
Goth. Punk. Slack. You name it, it's there. But the culture associated with electronica changes as soon as the music and dancing begins. No longer are they pasty-faced kids or baggy-slacked wannabes, they are all devoted to the rhythm. Their cares, worries and prejudices disappear when they move to the music and they unite as a single culture and body, intent on dancing until whatever demons lie within are gone and they are cleansed mentally, physically and even spiritually. The world that they have been born into and have been developed by fades into a miasma of music, drums and flowing bodies, very much like a tribe in celebration of life and freedom. Their hearts lighten, no longer burdened by self-consciousness or stress. They could care less what the person next to them thinks of their dancing; there are two things in their world at that point: electronica and keeping up with the music through dance. This is the culture dedicated to electronica. Nothing else applies. Dance and enjoy the music or get out.
4) Thou shalt not refuse the flow
You are here to dance. If you aren't, then stick around long enough and you will be. And if you don't, then there's something seriously wrong. Electronica is all about the movement, as in the actual motion of limbs and extremities. Arms, hands, feet, legs, hips, torso, head… it all has to move. Even when you walk or swim, it's all moving. The intent behind electronica is to immerse you in a total atmosphere of music and rhythm so that your body can move along with it. It's commensurate, like love and passion; courage and action; music and dance. To deny that simple, basic truth of electronica is to deny the most intuitive aspect of your nature; to deny yourself. Hear the music and dance. Feel it pulse in your veins and inspire your body to flow.
5) Thou shalt sweat
Take a walk or a light jog. What happens? You sweat. It's as simple as that. Physical exertion causes the body to need to cool off. Sweat is the way that happens. Dancing is no different. What's more is that it's good for your body. In that sweat are toxins and impurities that your body has been building up for however long and been waiting for the chance to get rid of them. Work it out; dance it out. And why not do it with some moving music to inspire you? Electronica, as we have already stated, drives a person to want to move. It's unavoidable, inevitable. If you've ever danced before in your life then you know the feeling of exhilarationalive. That's your endorphins, which are secreted throughout your body when you exert physical energy. Athletes are familiar with endorphins, as are martial artists, weight lifters, cops, firemen and even some civil servants. Feeling good is the whole point to electronica. It starts with your ears, moves to your body and ends up in your soul. Can you feel it yet? If not, go track down some beats and listen- you won't regret it, even if all you do is tap your feet.
6) Know thy past
There are 12 tones (give or take, depending on which region of Earth you live in) that the human ear can distinguish. We hear them, when strung together properly, as music. It's that simple. Jazz, country, classical, pop, new age, polka… they're all connected by this basic truth: it's music. Electronica is the same thing with one exception in that it incorporates allresistance. Even jazz had a hard time making it into the mainstream scene. When jazz exploded in the 1920's it was associated with "counter culture" and came under fire from the religious organizations, the government and even the news services. In the same way, electronica has been put into a negative light, largely because of the advent of "raves." It is common knowledge that drugs and alcohol are found in abundance at raves. The distinction is that electronica is not a rave. Electronica can be found at raves and so can drugs, but drugs can be found at a Grateful Dead concert, too, so it's a misleading belief that any form of music is responsible for the propagation of any negative influence; the responsibility rests with the people who promote certain types of gatherings.
The upshot is that electronica has a place in other venues. For instance, the drug-and-alcohol-free events where electronica is played are known as "waves." In a wave, electronicathe heart of everything. Dance and music are the focus at a wave. For the fan of electronica, a wave is an ideal spot for taking the opportunity to truly appreciate electronica
Electronica got its start in 1916 when Hugo Balle, Tristan Tzara, Marcel Janco & Richard Huelsenbeck banded together to create the Dada artistic movement. Their whole concept was to focus on music as an inspiration for dance and freedom of expression. Using electronic devices to create music was beyond their grasp at the time, but the movement they started paved the way for such visionaries as Leon Theremin, the inventor of the first synthesizer, to give music a breath of fresh air in1920. The idea of electronica was still far from being realized because it was too new, but in the years that followed music enthusiasts learned more about its applications and possibilities. Bands such as Pink Floyd and Emerson Lake and Palmer employed electronic instrumentation on a regular basis, making the new and unique tones it created almost synonymous with their own musical stylings.
In 1971 Kraftwerk and Tangerine Dream came onto the scene as full-functioning electronic bands with synthetic drum machines and synthesizers. Soon to follow were talents like Jean-Michael Jarre and Yanni. The development of electronica continued to make progress in the musical arena, while the general listening audience was just barely discovering it. People enjoyed the calm, soothing tones that many electronica bands were producing and suddenly things changed. Rock and Roll took on a new face as electronica found its way into the hard and heavy feel that rock brings. Dance clubs and discos showcased hundreds of forms of electronica because the dancing audiences found it to be so easy to move to. Based almost entirely on a 4/4-rhythm pattern, electronica was beginning to inspire people to move their feet and bodies.
Throughout the 80's and 90's electronica shifted and changed and was tested more frequently than any other form of music. Artists quickly realized that it had no boundaries and that it could work well with just about anything that conformed to conventional musical rules.
The history of electronica is rich and full and worth looking into. It will lead a researcher to whole new venues of talent and music that they never really understood or realized existed. To look at the history of electronica, one cannot miss the fact that the music form itself is only about expanding the boundaries of all musical forms. It is about discovery and growth and movement and rhythm and freedom. Nothing else matters in the world of electronica.
7) Thou shalt not worship forbidden idols
Dancing does not require an altered state of mind. As a matter of fact, dancing almost absolutely necessitates a clear mind. How else can you truly appreciate your musical experience? Acid (LSD) screws up your sense of perception. GHB can twist your stomach into knots and make you go limp with no muscle control. Dope (marijuana) simply makes you, well, dopey and far too relaxed to do anything let alone dance. Cocaine turns you into a nervous wreck and dancing won't help its effects any- in fact, dancing will only make cocaine's effects worse because of the workout your blood system is getting.
Quite simply, there are literally hundreds of reasons why drugs don't have a place in dancing. And since dancing is what electronica is all about, the vile stuff people pump into their bodies has no place in electronica. People will make their own choices about what they do to their bodies, but the fact is that it is the individuals who are screwing their lives up, not the music.
Ask any true electronica fan and they'll tell you in a heartbeat that the music is its own drug and that you don't need anything to make it better. Once it gets past your ears you'll be affected. Drugs actually detract from what electronica is meant to do.
8) Honor thy artisans
Art is, and ever shall be, life, as expressed by the artist. It is the audience that dictates the future of art and let it be known, here and now, that electronica, as a form of music andform of art. It is in the celebration of this new art form that people will congregate together and dance. They do so because, to them, life is enjoyable when the music moves them. The dance floor itself becomes the canvas, the dancers are the paint and the DJs are the painters. Extra effects such as sound systems, sound effects, sound bytes, lighting effects and whatnot round out the human art that is the dance floor. The dancers revel in their guidance by the DJ and obey his or her will, succumbing to the flow set by the music. The music is the brush. Look with eyes that perceive and you will see truth of this.
Just like there are many different types of brushes that a painter can use, there are even more types of music available to the DJ. The DJ's art is putting these music genres together in new ways. A solid drumbeat is the toner for the music. In a sense the beat speaks to the DJ, crying out for what type of music is necessary for the beat to be truly enjoyed. The music can be pop, rock, metal, country, techno- whatever the DJ is moved to incorporate. The DJ will know, almost instantly, if the fruit of his or her labors are valuable by keeping a close eye on the dance floor, the human canvas. The mood of the music played can be fast-paced or soothing and slow- it all depends on what mood the DJ gets from the audience, like a painter carefully becoming one with the linen canvas to judge the texture, thickness and grain of the cloth.
The dancers are guided by the music, the paintbrushes, and inspired to move either quickly or slowly by it, at the hands of the DJ. The dancers are entirely multi-faceted. They have a wide range in color, shape, size, emotion and texture.
The dance floor can be large, wide, small, short, poor quality, new, old… a dance floor's only commonality with another is that it is the surface upon which people dance. Ergo, it is the canvas upon which the human paint is controlled and guided by the DJ.
Heed the music; move in a swirl of life and dance; grace the dance floor so that it may fulfill its purpose. This is the basis for electronica, pure and simple. It is art. Honor it as one people.
9) Thou shalt be united
Let us say that you are a fan of electronica, even if you are not, suppose it is so. The night before you went to an electronica party, a dance party. It was an amazing evening. You got there at eight in the evening. Once you got there, you noticed that there were people around you who looked, talked, thought and dressed quite differently from you. At first, you held misgivings about how the night would turn out and then the DJ started a new set. The music began to pulse and beat its way into your limbs and you found your hips swaying, your arms moving, your body dancing. Before you knew it, you were a part of the crowd and dancing the night away with not a care in the world. You felt alive and invigorated and, when you got home at three in the morning, extremely, deservedly tired. It was a long night, but worth every second of it.
Today you are at a café or the grocery store and you glimpse, out of the corner of your eye, one of the dancers from the previous night- a nameless, faceless person who shared an experience of dance and art with you. He sees you, too, and recognizes you. For a moment, you have a connection, a bond. It doesn't matter that he is walking Technicolor, that his nylon baggy pants slightly reflect the cans of ravioli next to him on the shelf, his jewelry is almost alien-like and his tennis shoes are neither fashionable nor clean- in some way that you can't quite describe he is like you. He nods in an almost secret fashion. "Hey," with a mere movement of his head. The two of you are as different as night and day, but one thing unites you: appreciation for electronica, in your own right, artists. Do not underestimate the unifying power of dance.
10) See thy future
They say that the future is unwritten, that it cannot be seen by the eyes of men with pure clarity, that it is a mystery for the greater number among us. If anyone had told Dizzy Gillespie that he would be celebrated as a hero of jazz, back when he was in his teens, he would have thought them crazy. If anyone had told the Romans, two millennia ago, that Christianity would thrive and encompass the globe, they would have laughed (and they did- and then it did). If anyone had told Noah that there would be more than 6.3 billion people on the Earth, after having witnessed the flood of forty days and nights, he would have thought it unthinkable.
The future is hard to tell and even harder to believe. One thing is certain, however: it willThis is the way of things. Electronica, at its heart, is intended for the good of all people. It was meant to give them a way of falling into dance easily, and dance has been, since time out of mind, one of the purest forms of joyful expression. It is a good thing that has evolved with Mankind since its beginning. As long as Man continues to grow and live and create, music and dance will follow closely on its heels. Other forms will come, certainly, but it is the hope and intention that electronica will be here to stay.
come. That which has existed before, if it is good and worthy, will continue to exist.
(copyright 2001 by SeaStar Corporation / StormFront Records)
CST Approved
5.01.2009
We’re #1 baby!!
“The worst air in the US? It’s not in L.A.”*
http://features.csmonitor.com/environment/2009/04/30/the-worst-air-in-the-us-its-not-in-la/
Being number one has it’s downsides.
I grew up in Bakersfield. It was commonplace to see people (and children growing up with me) being diagnosed with asthma, lung disease and other respiratory problems. A neighbor of mine not 5 houses down the street died from Valley Fever, a serious disease contracted from dust in the air. If you ever hear the words Valley Fever, it's almost always a death sentence.
Since I was very young, I remember waking up every morning and coughing like I had a cold as well as having stomach aches until a few hours after I had woke up. I always took hot showers so that the steam would clear out my throat from dust and smog tar. Probably why I’ve never been much of a morning person. Who WOULD be with mornings like that. I never thought anything of it though. I still have to take hot showers just out of habit. Probably why my scalp is so dry and full of dandruff.
I also used to hear about smog from time to time and thought: If we could just build a really big fan, we could blow away all the smog!
In my high school days, I had trouble running in P.E. I had chest pains so I went to see the doctor. I was diagnosed with "exercise-induced asthma" and was put on an inhaler for about a year before I could exercise normally again. One of my sisters has had asthma since she was round 4 years old. From elementary school to about junior high, he had to use a nebulizer every single day to help her breathe correctly.
Allergy season should not be every season. When Clariton and Flonase don’t do anything for you anymore, there’s a problem.
Two years ago, I moved to Fresno (#7) from Bako (#1) for school and love. There is a major difference: I can breathe here! I can wake up in the morning without coughing up a lung. I walk outside and the air smells clean and crisp. On the freeway, I look out and can see the Yosemite mountains miles away. Yes, I know the air is very bad here, but it's very clean compared to my hometown.
However, it does get very beautiful after a heavy rainfall. When the air is clear and you can see mountains all around, there is a comforting feeling. Then that feeling goes away and you realize those mountains are suffocating you.
I go back to Bakersfield to visit 1 to 3 times a month. I love my hometown very much. All of my friends and family are from Bako. But just staying for one night clogs my throat horribly.
*Ya like how they put periods in for Los Angeles but not for the United States? lol
4.04.2009
3.26.2009
Mini Serloin Burgers
3.04.2009
Attention boys and girls
…here’s some fun for both genders and preferences!
As some of you may know, I am a huge fan of dance/electronica/trance music right now. I just can’t get enough of those naughty, dirty, beats! A bonus to these great tracks are the fun videos that are made for them.
One of my favorite DJs is Italian star Benny Benassi. He has had many hits and hosts his own weekly mix show that I get to hear on XM 80 - Area. His hits play on XM 81- BPM.
Now that all the preface is out of the way, on with the rest of the show.
FIRST: A classic video that was made to accompany Benny’s breakout hit, "Satisfaction." It's both hot and fun!
[NSFW]
SECOND: Direct from his mySpace page, Benny has posted a fan-made spoof of the Satisfaction video which, IMHO (I've always wanted to use that!), is just as hot and fun.
[NSFW]
2.25.2009
Hot out of the oven....
...It's the fresh new episode of the Really Shitty Show!
Join us in episode 8 The Physiology of Fuck as we talk aboot
- The recent launch of Street Fighter 4
- Christian Bale's freakout (on Family Guy!)
- Are you a Bro or a Brah?
- PRESIDENT Obama can't take any more snakes on the mothafuckin' plane
- fuck
As always, join us in the forums for more off-topic, tangent discussion.
2.24.2009
Who wears the Watchmen?
One of the neat things about working at a Party City is seeing all of the Halloween costumes before anyone else. Even though we already put in our Halloween orders for later this year, we still recieve flyers and catalogues from the different vendors we buy from throughout the year. Recently, we recieved one of these mailers and I had the chance to look through and see some of the new costumes coming later this year. One that caught my eye, though, was a person with a white, black-spotted mask and hat in a coat. Rorshach, is that you?
Looks like we'll be having a few Watchmen costumes this Halloween. Can't wait to watch the midnight show in IMAX here in Fresno. I'll totally wait in line for that.
FYI
I went ahead and made comments open to anyone. People were having trouble with it in previous posts so I am trying to make it easier.
Being sick sucks. Hope I can get somewhat better before I have to get teeth pulled.
2.23.2009
Game Day
Since I didn't get my teeth pulled Friday and was not incapacitated for the weekend, I went over to a new friend of mine's house to play some video games. I met the guy on Facebook and we've chatted back and forth about tech/comp stuff and thought it would be cool to hang out. So he invited me over for a Saturday of gaming.
The plan was to play the new Street Fighter 4 (which was reviewed by Gafoo on the last episode of the Really Shitty Show) and maybe a couple others. I brought along my own controller - just in case - and my copy of Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. We ended up playing both and I, as usual with fighting games, got my ass handed to me. I have always been the n00b button-masher when it comes to fighting games. I still had a good time with SF4 though.
I mentioned that I had purchased the new Left 4 Dead game on Steam the weekend before when it was on sale. I still hadn't played much of it because neither one of my computers can run it well. It then became a mission to LAN L4D between the three of us. An extra tower, a VGA cable and a mouse later we started slaughtering zombies. Hours after shooting and bludgeoning through two "movies" in the game, we went back to some more SF4 before calling it a day/night.
It felt really good to be around other queers who could just be regular geeky dudes. I felt completely comfortable. We were able to talk about a range of topics from our partners and gay bars to comics and graphics cards. I witnessed a moment of bliss with a life partner and the next moment that person would be celebrating a Special Combo K.O. with Ryu.
It felt especially good because I don't feel like I have any real friends out here in Fresno other than Nacho. I don't even hang out with him as much as I'd like. I got used to having so many people to be around in Bakersfield. I miss that a lot. I guess I'm still looking for a place to fit in over here. A group of people I can share anything with. I know I will always have that back home, but I want that here as well for the times I can't be at home.
Now there are talks of triple couples dinner and a movie/gaming nights with the guys. I can't wait!
2.13.2009
Dinner tonight
Prep
Tonight I wanted to make something nice for Adam and my weekly Date Night. I didn't feel like paying to go somewhere. I really wanted to go all out and cook something.
I guess I was inspired after going to a local farmer's market on the far south side of Fresno to get a free huge bag of citrus fruits. I made the guilt purchase of a few cheap, great looking tomatoes. Then thought of a recipe I saw in the Pampered Chef catalogue I was reading earlier.
I then made my way over to Save Mart supermarket near our apartment to get the main dish. I found the Stouffer's skillet meals on sale and decided on grilled chicken and veggies.
Then I went to WinCo and got the last ingredients I needed. I was on a mission. I knew exactly where to find the WinCo pre-made pizza dough and mozzerella cheese I wanted. Almost forgot fresh basil!
Down to Business
I sliced the tomatoes and sprinkled with salt and olive oil (E-V-O-O). I cut in halves and then set them aside to marinate for a few minutes.
I kneaded some basil into the pizza dough then spread it out flat on my new Pampered Chef baking stone. Thanks Mama!
I grated some mozzerella onto the dough and topped with the tomatoes, grated parmasean (Kraft) and a bit more basil for color. Then bake.
Then the main dish was easy. Cut out contents of the bag into a large pan and heat.
IT WAS DELICIOUS!
What the hell am I supposed to do for Valentine's Day? I try to do stuff like this as much as I can.
Tonight I wanted to make something nice for Adam and my weekly Date Night. I didn't feel like paying to go somewhere. I really wanted to go all out and cook something.
I guess I was inspired after going to a local farmer's market on the far south side of Fresno to get a free huge bag of citrus fruits. I made the guilt purchase of a few cheap, great looking tomatoes. Then thought of a recipe I saw in the Pampered Chef catalogue I was reading earlier.
I then made my way over to Save Mart supermarket near our apartment to get the main dish. I found the Stouffer's skillet meals on sale and decided on grilled chicken and veggies.
Then I went to WinCo and got the last ingredients I needed. I was on a mission. I knew exactly where to find the WinCo pre-made pizza dough and mozzerella cheese I wanted. Almost forgot fresh basil!
Down to Business
I sliced the tomatoes and sprinkled with salt and olive oil (E-V-O-O). I cut in halves and then set them aside to marinate for a few minutes.
I kneaded some basil into the pizza dough then spread it out flat on my new Pampered Chef baking stone. Thanks Mama!
I grated some mozzerella onto the dough and topped with the tomatoes, grated parmasean (Kraft) and a bit more basil for color. Then bake.
Then the main dish was easy. Cut out contents of the bag into a large pan and heat.
IT WAS DELICIOUS!
What the hell am I supposed to do for Valentine's Day? I try to do stuff like this as much as I can.
2.12.2009
Coachella 2009 setlist
So I happened to come across this year's Coachella setlist at random and am posting My Ideal performances if I had the money to go this year. AND the time to see all of them!
Day 1 (Friday)
Paul McCartney
Morissey
Franz Ferdinand
the Ting Tings
Crystal Method
Day 2 (Saturday)
THE KILLERS (definately)
Amy Winehouse (maybe just a bit)
MSTRKRFT
Zane Lowe
Day 3 (Sunday)
the Yeah Yeah Yeahs (give it a shot)
Public Enemy (for nostalgia's sake and to see if Benny Benassi would make an appearance!)
Groove Armada
Paolo Nutini
Day 1 (Friday)
Paul McCartney
Morissey
Franz Ferdinand
the Ting Tings
Crystal Method
Day 2 (Saturday)
THE KILLERS (definately)
Amy Winehouse (maybe just a bit)
MSTRKRFT
Zane Lowe
Day 3 (Sunday)
the Yeah Yeah Yeahs (give it a shot)
Public Enemy (for nostalgia's sake and to see if Benny Benassi would make an appearance!)
Groove Armada
Paolo Nutini
2.09.2009
Post-Super Bowl Q
Has anyone else noticed that all the closet Steeler fans have come out in full force with all their bumper stickers, sweatpants, lanyards and hats AFTER their team wins the Super Bowl?
Random thoughts of the day.
Last night I was able to finally clean up my desk. I had tons of bills, receipts, business cards and homework just strewn about. It makes my desk look a lot bigger! Now, if I could just invent a machine that prevents dust...
I am very poor at the moment. After the rent check goes through - and who knows when that could be - I will have about 20 dollars to my name and around 600 total in bills to pay. Yay for the Minimum Payment. (Yes, I know they are just the finance charges.) It's not too bad. I'll have another check come Wednesday so I won't be too short on money. I wanna do something for Adam this Valentine's Day.
This coming Saturday is Valentine's Day. That means we will be busy all week at Party City 379 in north Fresno. All these bitches with too much extra money to spend will get red and pink paper goods that they are just going to throw away the day after. It IS one of our busiest times of the year along with High School Graduation and Halloween of course. Fun fact: October sales make up for 25% of sales for the entire year.
I started reading the Watchmen again to get ready for the movie release in March. I really want to finish the 12 comics before I watch so I can be one of those uber-geeks who complains that the movie left out so much of the book. Based on the trailers I have seen, the only thing that I know will disappoint about the film will be the time constraint of the studio. Otherwise, it would be a perfect rendition of the gorgeous comics.
RSS Episode 7
The freshest episode of the Really Shitty Show is available for download today at ReallyShittyShow.com
After months of laziness gafoo, dnachoh, onekidneyjoe, mizkutie, xlnova and yours truly are back in action. Listen up as we discuss tech, sex, games and rock & roll! You can also catch up with the past 6 episodes at ReallyShittyShow.com. One more thing: don't forget to visit the forums.
After months of laziness gafoo, dnachoh, onekidneyjoe, mizkutie, xlnova and yours truly are back in action. Listen up as we discuss tech, sex, games and rock & roll! You can also catch up with the past 6 episodes at ReallyShittyShow.com. One more thing: don't forget to visit the forums.
Warning: Explicit Language
2.06.2009
Networking class tonight...
The assignment was: Take everything you know from this class (last 8 weeks) and apply it to the following senario: Track how an email is sent across a network through the internet to another client computer.
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