Last night, I got home from the most amazing trip.
San Francisco.
The weather was amazing, never higher than 64 degrees and never sunny.It was good to get out of the hot hot summer heat of Southern California.
The Bay is so different, and I cannot wait until I can go back again
The sight is a must see and the history it offers is incredible.
Haight Ashbury was my favorite, because of course I was born in the wrong era. I should have been a hippie in the 60's and done something revolutionary.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
12 years for the two American journalists
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/as_nkorea_journalists_held
I don't know what to say.
Let's pray for them.
I don't know what to say.
Let's pray for them.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
The best music for your soul
Today was possibly the highlight of my summer.
Anyone that knows me well enough knows that I live by these words : Taking Back Sunday is the best band in the world.
Today, was the release of their new album “ New Again”.
As I drove my car to my local Best Buy in the 1,000,000 degree heat ( trust me, I live in the hottest place on earth) I anxiously picked up “New Again”, ran to my car ( after I paid of course) and popped it into my CD player.
“ Well my dear what long arms you have…all the better to hold you down”.
Yes, after three long years sweet new lyrics hit my ears and I fell in love with Taking Back Sunday all over again, and again, and again, and again.
My volume was at it’s highest, and I was giving my subwoofers a run for their money trying to catch every vibrating emotion coming from Adam Lazzara’s vocal cords.
I’m a lyric kind of girl; catchy lines, witty phrases, sarcastic remarks, goose bump words and meaningful vocals.
Since the bands last album “Louder Now”, they went through line-up changes, fatherhood, and anything else that might trigger a 3-year gap between then and now. Our June issue of A.P Magazine gave us a slight tease of what we were to expect, and because it was set to be all too personal I wanted to be smothered in everything I could possibly take in.
A.P was right, every song is ridiculously good, and there is no hiding what any of the records mean. Each one of them provides and insight of what has happened the past few years. A detailed slide show of a recollection of memories all dug up and thrown onto pieces of paper to be turned into beautiful and poetic melodies.
“ And now I’m staring at the floor…where my second life just ended…where I lost not one but two friends”.
Yeah, Taking Back Sunday is definitely new again.
Best tracks:
New Again ( because it’s obviously good if the album was titled after it).
Where My Mouth Is ( it’s a slow song, the lyrics are clear, and the vocals fantastic, and the acoustic guitar is overpowering any other instrument on the record).
Catholic Knees ( the title is brilliant, enough said).
Everything Must Go ( the most amazing lyrics on the album. Hands down.)
Anyone that knows me well enough knows that I live by these words : Taking Back Sunday is the best band in the world.
Today, was the release of their new album “ New Again”.
As I drove my car to my local Best Buy in the 1,000,000 degree heat ( trust me, I live in the hottest place on earth) I anxiously picked up “New Again”, ran to my car ( after I paid of course) and popped it into my CD player.
“ Well my dear what long arms you have…all the better to hold you down”.
Yes, after three long years sweet new lyrics hit my ears and I fell in love with Taking Back Sunday all over again, and again, and again, and again.
My volume was at it’s highest, and I was giving my subwoofers a run for their money trying to catch every vibrating emotion coming from Adam Lazzara’s vocal cords.
I’m a lyric kind of girl; catchy lines, witty phrases, sarcastic remarks, goose bump words and meaningful vocals.
Since the bands last album “Louder Now”, they went through line-up changes, fatherhood, and anything else that might trigger a 3-year gap between then and now. Our June issue of A.P Magazine gave us a slight tease of what we were to expect, and because it was set to be all too personal I wanted to be smothered in everything I could possibly take in.
A.P was right, every song is ridiculously good, and there is no hiding what any of the records mean. Each one of them provides and insight of what has happened the past few years. A detailed slide show of a recollection of memories all dug up and thrown onto pieces of paper to be turned into beautiful and poetic melodies.
“ And now I’m staring at the floor…where my second life just ended…where I lost not one but two friends”.
Yeah, Taking Back Sunday is definitely new again.
Best tracks:
New Again ( because it’s obviously good if the album was titled after it).
Where My Mouth Is ( it’s a slow song, the lyrics are clear, and the vocals fantastic, and the acoustic guitar is overpowering any other instrument on the record).
Catholic Knees ( the title is brilliant, enough said).
Everything Must Go ( the most amazing lyrics on the album. Hands down.)
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Angelos Final.
“ A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius” By Dave Eggers
It’s a mouth full to read the title, so I just refer to it as “genius” because, that is exactly what it is.
“This was uncalled for” that’s how the book starts.
I guess, his situation was uncalled for.
This book is 400 and something pages literary greatness. Ok, maybe it hasn’t quite been discovered as that, but you can just take my word for it and read for yourself. But you really get that 90’s feel from it- surely we all remember the 90’s
Eggers does a brief introduction on his middle American/suburban household. His upbringing was normal, he has a sister, he has a brother. A very young brother.
And, he had his parents. Both who mysteriously die of cancer within months of each other.
Because he was now considered to be the man of the house, he was left to take care of his little brother. And, he does. They pack up- move to California, and begin a new life.
While Eggers struggles, to raise his brother, he becomes neurotic, cynical, angry, and I guess a father too.
Although this book seems to be full of heartbreaking work, Eggers leaves no room for anyone to start feeling sorry for him. No, eggers takes rough situations and gives a mundanely response as to how he has handled it; and he admits, that maybe he is a tad bit paranoid. Well, he doesn’t… but I totally get the vibe.
He loves his brother, and aside from his sister, that’s the only person he has left. He does not want to lose him. I get it.
I don’t really understand Eggers; and I guess that is exactly why I consider this to be great literature. I hate reading, and being able to figure everything out. I like mystery, and there is something very attractive about not figuring a person out completely. Eggers is an artist; he does not hide it.
I guess I feel like writing this doesn’t give the book justice; and I feel like I’m giving a boring summary on the book that changed my life.
But, I fell in love.
I love the writing, I love the words, I love the story, I love all the awkward moments… but mostly, I love that this book was the book that re-assured me that I wanted to me a witty- sarcastic writer too.
It’s a mouth full to read the title, so I just refer to it as “genius” because, that is exactly what it is.
“This was uncalled for” that’s how the book starts.
I guess, his situation was uncalled for.
This book is 400 and something pages literary greatness. Ok, maybe it hasn’t quite been discovered as that, but you can just take my word for it and read for yourself. But you really get that 90’s feel from it- surely we all remember the 90’s
Eggers does a brief introduction on his middle American/suburban household. His upbringing was normal, he has a sister, he has a brother. A very young brother.
And, he had his parents. Both who mysteriously die of cancer within months of each other.
Because he was now considered to be the man of the house, he was left to take care of his little brother. And, he does. They pack up- move to California, and begin a new life.
While Eggers struggles, to raise his brother, he becomes neurotic, cynical, angry, and I guess a father too.
Although this book seems to be full of heartbreaking work, Eggers leaves no room for anyone to start feeling sorry for him. No, eggers takes rough situations and gives a mundanely response as to how he has handled it; and he admits, that maybe he is a tad bit paranoid. Well, he doesn’t… but I totally get the vibe.
He loves his brother, and aside from his sister, that’s the only person he has left. He does not want to lose him. I get it.
I don’t really understand Eggers; and I guess that is exactly why I consider this to be great literature. I hate reading, and being able to figure everything out. I like mystery, and there is something very attractive about not figuring a person out completely. Eggers is an artist; he does not hide it.
I guess I feel like writing this doesn’t give the book justice; and I feel like I’m giving a boring summary on the book that changed my life.
But, I fell in love.
I love the writing, I love the words, I love the story, I love all the awkward moments… but mostly, I love that this book was the book that re-assured me that I wanted to me a witty- sarcastic writer too.
Banner Final.
The article that I am most proud of is my last article. It is for issue 12, and although I don’t know if it is going to make it in, I think that it is something that I consider valuable.
The article was a struggle.
I thought that doing an old/new perspective was going to be easy. You know, read an old Banner issue and a current one. Find a similar concept in both. Do some research, and voila! I have an article.
Well, this is exactly how I did it, only the issue I did it on was on Christians being martyred because of their faith.
Not easy.
As someone who doesn’t know too much about the issue that goes on, I was torn. I knew I had to produce a good article, and I knew it had to be honest.
I was surprised to see that not only are Christians being Martyred in international countries, but it is happening in OUR country as well.
This broke my heart. The concept does not make any sense to me. I don’t understand why people would want to punish someone for believing in something so good.
I don’t understand how these issues are being kept in the dark. I don’t understand why we turn our back on something like this…. And I guess, I don’t know how I have turned my back on something like this.
But, what do we do?
I don’t really know.
But I have prayed, and I was blessed to do an article like this. Although I didn’t want to write about something so serious, it was an eye opener. And I am thankful.
I didn’t realize how luck I am to be able to freely talk about Christianity. Or how lucky I am to be just be able to call myself a Christian.
And in the future, as I continue writing for The Banner, I hope to be able to break away from my entertainment comfort zone , and write about issues that will teach me something. Anything.
The article was a struggle.
I thought that doing an old/new perspective was going to be easy. You know, read an old Banner issue and a current one. Find a similar concept in both. Do some research, and voila! I have an article.
Well, this is exactly how I did it, only the issue I did it on was on Christians being martyred because of their faith.
Not easy.
As someone who doesn’t know too much about the issue that goes on, I was torn. I knew I had to produce a good article, and I knew it had to be honest.
I was surprised to see that not only are Christians being Martyred in international countries, but it is happening in OUR country as well.
This broke my heart. The concept does not make any sense to me. I don’t understand why people would want to punish someone for believing in something so good.
I don’t understand how these issues are being kept in the dark. I don’t understand why we turn our back on something like this…. And I guess, I don’t know how I have turned my back on something like this.
But, what do we do?
I don’t really know.
But I have prayed, and I was blessed to do an article like this. Although I didn’t want to write about something so serious, it was an eye opener. And I am thankful.
I didn’t realize how luck I am to be able to freely talk about Christianity. Or how lucky I am to be just be able to call myself a Christian.
And in the future, as I continue writing for The Banner, I hope to be able to break away from my entertainment comfort zone , and write about issues that will teach me something. Anything.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Angelos mid-term
It seems like now-a days the names Rihanna and Chris Brown have to be together.
So many questions were EVERYWHERE.
Did Chris Brown really beat Rihanna? Where is the proof? Have they made a statement yet?
And then, their PR people finally released very vague statements, but it was enough to know the rumors were true and that Rihanna was definitely a victim of Chris Browns assault.
The internet then had dozens of reenacted pictures that showed Rihanna with faux beatings and marks.
But finally, all questions came to an end when an officer leaked out a horrific picture of a battered Rihanna. And then, that picture was EVERYWHERE.
I understand the media, and I understand concerned fans. Everyone wanted to know if something like that actually happened to two people who were never in the media for anything so controversial. And we expect the media to be ruthless and we expect the media to disregard other peoples feelings just so they can get their story. So we expect pictures. Right?
But when someone needs help, and pictures of domestic abuse are taken in confidentiality by a police department that is suppose to be trusted, it is sickening to think that no one is safe. And that information can be leaked if the dollar amount is right. I am completely appalled that something like this would happen from a department that is suppose to be respected. How awful.
I will not make any excuses though, I think that the picture of Rihanna is something that people need to see. There are so many women going through the same thing, and it is always kept hush- hush. And I think that women need to embrace something like this and know that it is okay to say its not okay. I think that women need to know that this happens to a lot of people, celebrities included. But, it is a scary thought to think that many women will think that the lack of confidentiality has been broken, and that nothing they do is going to assure them that their information will not be released. Maybe this could have been done in a more consensual manner. But, is there a consensual manner for something like this?
I don’t think so.
So, I guess we do nothing about it.
And that is sad.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/02/20/rihanna.photo/index.html?iref=newssearch
So many questions were EVERYWHERE.
Did Chris Brown really beat Rihanna? Where is the proof? Have they made a statement yet?
And then, their PR people finally released very vague statements, but it was enough to know the rumors were true and that Rihanna was definitely a victim of Chris Browns assault.
The internet then had dozens of reenacted pictures that showed Rihanna with faux beatings and marks.
But finally, all questions came to an end when an officer leaked out a horrific picture of a battered Rihanna. And then, that picture was EVERYWHERE.
I understand the media, and I understand concerned fans. Everyone wanted to know if something like that actually happened to two people who were never in the media for anything so controversial. And we expect the media to be ruthless and we expect the media to disregard other peoples feelings just so they can get their story. So we expect pictures. Right?
But when someone needs help, and pictures of domestic abuse are taken in confidentiality by a police department that is suppose to be trusted, it is sickening to think that no one is safe. And that information can be leaked if the dollar amount is right. I am completely appalled that something like this would happen from a department that is suppose to be respected. How awful.
I will not make any excuses though, I think that the picture of Rihanna is something that people need to see. There are so many women going through the same thing, and it is always kept hush- hush. And I think that women need to embrace something like this and know that it is okay to say its not okay. I think that women need to know that this happens to a lot of people, celebrities included. But, it is a scary thought to think that many women will think that the lack of confidentiality has been broken, and that nothing they do is going to assure them that their information will not be released. Maybe this could have been done in a more consensual manner. But, is there a consensual manner for something like this?
I don’t think so.
So, I guess we do nothing about it.
And that is sad.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/02/20/rihanna.photo/index.html?iref=newssearch
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Octo-Mom
I’m so tired of hearing about the Octo-Mom.
Really.
The media has handled this issue exactly the way they handle everything else; by making a big deal.
No, I don’t agree with her choices, and I really think that the families issues need to be resolved without a camera recording every minute of it. I think because they are being over exposed, the family is being torn apart. The issue’s that need to be resolved need to be done in a private matter.
Whatever choices she makes should be her decision. But I don’t think that my tax dollars need to provide for a family that she cant provide for herself.
If she wants to go have 10 other kids, by all means go and do it. But, I think that she needs to have the means to do so. I don’t think its fair to he children, herself or any of us that are contributing to the family. I don’t understand why anyone would think its ok to bring a life( let alone 8) into this world if the child can not be financially taken care of. I think its was an irresponsible decision oh her part as well as the doctor that did it.
Have they even questioned the crazy doctor?
The number of children she has is insane. I don’t think anyone in their right mind could possible take care and give their full attention to children when there are that many of them.
And I think about how they don’t have a father figure around. And surely the older children must be seeing their grandmother and mother fighting on public television, and I wonder how that makes them feel. And I wonder if they’re going to end up just as bad as their mother, and I wonder if when they get older, theyre going to be embarrassed for everything their mother is doing. And, I feel sorry for the children, because none of this is their fault. And all they can do, is nothing.
But I don’t think that this has anything to do with Christianity. I have not heard anything about her faith, so I can’t say, but I think that in her mind she is doing the right thing.
And I guess, really she isn’t committing a sin. Whatever it is, I hope that she can take care of the babies the way that babies are suppose to be taken care of. And if she can show them love, then I guess that is all that matters.
Really.
The media has handled this issue exactly the way they handle everything else; by making a big deal.
No, I don’t agree with her choices, and I really think that the families issues need to be resolved without a camera recording every minute of it. I think because they are being over exposed, the family is being torn apart. The issue’s that need to be resolved need to be done in a private matter.
Whatever choices she makes should be her decision. But I don’t think that my tax dollars need to provide for a family that she cant provide for herself.
If she wants to go have 10 other kids, by all means go and do it. But, I think that she needs to have the means to do so. I don’t think its fair to he children, herself or any of us that are contributing to the family. I don’t understand why anyone would think its ok to bring a life( let alone 8) into this world if the child can not be financially taken care of. I think its was an irresponsible decision oh her part as well as the doctor that did it.
Have they even questioned the crazy doctor?
The number of children she has is insane. I don’t think anyone in their right mind could possible take care and give their full attention to children when there are that many of them.
And I think about how they don’t have a father figure around. And surely the older children must be seeing their grandmother and mother fighting on public television, and I wonder how that makes them feel. And I wonder if they’re going to end up just as bad as their mother, and I wonder if when they get older, theyre going to be embarrassed for everything their mother is doing. And, I feel sorry for the children, because none of this is their fault. And all they can do, is nothing.
But I don’t think that this has anything to do with Christianity. I have not heard anything about her faith, so I can’t say, but I think that in her mind she is doing the right thing.
And I guess, really she isn’t committing a sin. Whatever it is, I hope that she can take care of the babies the way that babies are suppose to be taken care of. And if she can show them love, then I guess that is all that matters.
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