if these drums could talk...

voice 2

2009-03-13T10:14:00.000-07:00

In reflecting about yesterday, I guess my students are developing a consciousness of voice and perhaps struggling with the concept of an existence of inherent or intrinsic value of voice, plus all the baggage it carries.

Making them conform to the idea of having a "voice" seems ridiculous, they have ideas, they are not empty vessels drifting over mounds of desert sea.

Thus, I feel funny trying to ask them to "have a voice" when they are full of ideas.

I can't remember who said this, but I clearly hear in my head, said to me, or read at some point, that knowledge is a big mess of contradictions and people make an understand of the information whether "knowledge exist."

With this said, our "voice" is uncertain until we make sense of the contradictions that surround the unconscious voice relegated by our beliefs. Maybe?

I have to think about it some more...

the word according to,

-M

Voice

2009-03-12T10:51:00.000-07:00

Today I was teaching young writers about "voice" and I began to wonder what it means to have a "voice", particularly for myself and explaining this idea to twelve year olds presented something of an exercise in ... nihilism or skeptisim or plain ol' resistence to knowledge and learning?

This whole school year I've been trying to teach my students about intrinsic motivation and the values associated with such behavior and blah, blah, blah, then...bam!

A discussion erupts in the minds and hearts of my young luminaries stating, in unison, "Why should we care about writing what we think, aren't we making up a "voice"anyway?" Then I ask, "What do you mean, can you clarify what you're stating?"

My brightest says to me, "If we really have a voice, then why are we always being told how to behave and what to do, no one ever values what we believe."

This is where I started to become sadden and the room went silent and I asked, "What do you all value? What do you believe to be true to your nature, your heart?"

Nothing...stares...then my video game fanatic answers with a grin, "I value my video games, sometimes life... is invented like a video game." I say, "Really, so if life is invented, does it have meaning?" My smart ass answers, "No, writing has no meaning."

"So we shouldn't write?"

"Yes, because I talk better than I write."

I paused and thought to myself, "what the hell is going on?" I realized they are changing and are at the questioning stage of life, but it was the way the questions happened in class that made me think about when the formation of nihilistic thoughts gather in the mind. Are they changing for the better? Did I ever act this way?

I started to feel like, Bérenger from Rhinoceros, where everything is changing while I'm staying the same and life is out of whack.

Then I thought...

Blank slates, my brown butt, my students walk around in a world dominated by a reality that is partly made-up for them through a 24 inch glass eye that spits irrational venom and here the questions for me becomes, "Can they make sense of a world that thrives on the absurd?" "Was the world as crazy when I was going up?"

Have I turned into one of those people that say, "I remember back when I was (fill in this part)."

I look at my friends children and they all seem fine. Are we fine? My students really caused a tailspin for me, so much so, that I now question what I want from them as students. If one expects greatness, then one should expect crap. But does the quality of the crap make it great then? I need to talk to Dr. K. and have her flex her philosophical sensabilities. That's all I have for now my brain hurts.

the word accord to,
-M

You Too

2009-03-03T20:24:00.000-08:00

L and I would like to thank everyone for a wonderful time this past weekend. We also want to take this time to apologize to all our friends who were not invited. My friends Chris, Mike and the Bag of Donuts brothers were particularly perturbed for not being invited. I completely understand and in all honesty, it all happened so fast, it just happened the way it happened and I feel bad. Let us move past this, and we plan to have another party where I get to invite all my friends, even my band members who surprisingly don't know I'm married. I hope there's no hard feelings. We can all have man hugs later.

oh yeah

"no line on the horizon"

C+ for not being a grower and easily forgotten.

the word according to

-M

Can I Relate? parte dos

2009-01-24T10:11:00.000-08:00

Bueno mis amigos nos permite hablar de cosas nuevas. Creo que todas estas discusiones que hemos tenido, han sido saludable. Mi intención era la chispa de hablar entre amigos, y no discutiendo. Melinda, me molesta que nunca. Creo que nos ayudó a llegar a un nuevo nivel de entendimiento, que sólo puede alcanzarse mediante la conversación entre amigos en un mismo nivel. Te quiero a todos y me importa profundamente de cada uno de ustedes en mi speical manera. Que podamos vivir todos borrachos vida larga y llena de sorpresas.

de acuerdo a la palabra
-M

Yeah, sure buddy, why don't you play that in tempo!

2009-01-21T14:20:00.000-08:00

So yesterday I was in quite a tiff. I couldn’t let the days tribulation just be. Here are some of the irregularities I exhibited:

Feeling sick: which I was hoping to avoid. Thus getting me upset.

Responding to a friend’s blog, which I hardly do. I kept thinking about the word “divide” and just kept getting upset. Which was the theme all day yesterday. I was flustered on feeling festered about festering and was filling up with this volcanic sludge that culminated in an explosion at 3:45 this morning. I’ll write about that in the following paragraphs. On the plus side, the blog made me reflect on my own ideas about parenting, leading to yesterday’s entry.

Wait, there’s more…

Later at rehearsal I was a complete tempo miser, which I never am because our music is about, now to be corny, the ebb and flow of music. We were trying to come up with a new song and I kept getting angrier about every passing note and passage they played because tempos were “all over the place”, than I finally said, “ENOUGH.”

I went into pissed mode and reprimanded my band mates for not knowing how to play their guitars and proceeded to blame them for making me look like an ass when we play out live. They just stood there looking at me, saying nothing, which made me angrier, at which point I said practice was over apologized and left. Don’t worry everything is fine now, I also explained I was “not feeling it” and trying to get in the mood to play was making me crazy.

And more…

I got home tucked in for a nice rest and the damn animals woke me up at 3:45am. Jean-Luc decided he would crap on the newspaper next to litter box, usually being ok, but then he went ahead and announced his accomplishment by making as much noise as possible to celebrate his masterpiece. Needless to say, I was in complete disarray because it was so early in the morning and I could hear this ungodly loud paper rustle in the living room, that when I went to grab the cat to place him in the garage, well guess what…he decided to protest by biting me, I’m talking a break the flesh kind of bite, and that was the straw, because he unleashed the demon that had been brewing all day. Then, I decided to yell at the cat, which without thinking about what I had done, alerted Brody, the dog, that something was wrong and to him that something was a nice pile of almond rocca left by the cat.

So, while I was trying to get the cat placed in the garage, I had my dumb dog eating cat poop, and my demon increased ten fold. I dropped the cat to go for the dog, that I managed to shove from the cat poop, and then I accidentally, in my ruckus, awoke the sleeping giant that is L and she had no clue of what was going on. I’m sure it seemed like a sea of chaotic “tom foolery” caused by me and the pets, I tried to readjust my steering by telling her to go back to bed, not a smart move on my part, because at that moment it was close to 4am and everything living in our household should have been dreaming of electric sheep, plus to finish I had the dog eating poop, the cat running from me and L thoroughly pissed off at me. Not a so good start to my day.

Moments later…

As the silent light alarm shines its morn siren light, L and I had not gotten a goods night rest and were short with each other, that was when L told me some interesting factual research, that she does so well, that yesterday, while it was a day of great celebration, Inauguration and all, it is also the day and time of year, statistically speaking, when people are at their most depressed and choose to off themselves.

What does all this mean?

I blame my crazy behavior on all the bad vibes that were circling me yesterday, caused by all the depressed people in the world... no... universe.

The End.

Xcuse the tiepos, I’m at skul.

The word according to

-M

Can I relate?

2009-01-20T19:10:00.000-08:00

Recently a friend of mine wrote about a divide that happens between friends … a divide between those that have a baby and those that do not. I dwelled on the word “divide” for a while, what it entails, and then reflected on what I would be like as a parent. Agreeing with my friend, I believe I would change and this change would probably be perceived as a divide. While I never voice my opinions on parenting, I strongly believe in what I, as a father would be like, which I will not write about either. I will say this … everyone needs their space to become the parent they choose to become.

In this idyllic moment of reflection I have come to realize that I probably would not want to “hang out all the time” with friends, heck I hardly do it now, thus if and when a baby comes, time would be too sacred, to have to miss my child’s small moments and as a father, man don’t get me started. People change, circumstances change.

L and I have talked about how reclusive we are as a couple and how we would become completely reclusive if we had a child. We also talked about how becoming more reclusive would be a choice we would make as parents. Therefore, we’re not ready to make the commitment to children, because at the moment it is not the right fit for our lifestyle. When the time comes to get “on or off the bus” hopefully it will have been a ride or place we enjoyed regardless of the surrounding world. Until then, we’ll tackle that choice in stride, and we’ll keep on “practicing.”

As for not being able to “relate” to those that have children. I may have somewhat of an idea. Here it goes and I know I’ll get crap for it. To assume that those of us that grew up with younger siblings do not have a clue would be wrong. I understand that the bond shared between parent and child is different than the older to younger sibling bond.

I experienced some of the maintenance required of a young child; helping parents with screaming sister, being awoken at all hours of the night, changing diaper, feeding, preparing a bottle, and watching after younger sister, while it may not be all the heavenly duties, I feel it’s some of the important ones.

I also understand that my experience may be different and unique and a refection of my own parent’s parenting style, regardless, I have an image of what parenting might be and as a teacher … well ... let me just say I sometimes have to pick up where parents forgot to go. But I know that my fellow older brothers and sisters are out there, speak so that you may be heard.

Yes, I know and can already hear the “you just don’t understand or you can’t relate” parade.

Wait......Want to know something, you are absolutely right, because if I did understand and could completely relate, then I would be parenting your child, not you. Only you know what is best for your child and yourself as a parent. (the word "you" is used in a general way here)

This is the a word according to
-M

p.s.
Just wanting to start a healthy converstaion between friends.

@#%*

2009-01-13T18:32:00.000-08:00

I haven't blogged in a long time, lets face the tears, it takes time and can be boring. On the other hand, the book I am reading at the moment begs to be talked about.

So, I received this book, "House of Leaves" over the holiday break and man is it a tense inducing skull numbing semen encrusted page turner. Yes, really.

I have reached the half way marker in the book and I can only guess where this book is going. Since I am constantly accused of "giving away" too much when I am excited about something... I will not say much about thee book (well not until I am done anyway). The book does make me question my better judgement and made me think of my young writing enthusiast friend, but at the risk of losing my friendship with his father, I will not recommend this book to him until he is atleast 17 or 18 years of age. It is one of those books.

I'll write more later, I have to go read

-m

from upcoming album, "now breathe"

2008-04-02T20:06:00.000-07:00

konnichiwa

2007-03-23T18:24:00.000-07:00

hello from the land of the rising sun. the tour went great and reene and i are now on the last leg of our japanese adventures. all the bands we played with were good, there was maybe one band that was just, ok. we had to up our level of playing because every where we played the bands were soooooo good. if your fimiliar with the doug fir, in portland oregon and how things run there, then you might get an idea of the perfessionalism these great people of japan exude. japan is amazing.

this is the first chance I have had to use an internet cafe, so sorry for not writing sooner.

I have kept a journal of the tour and i will post some of what a wrote when i get home. i miss everyone and i look foward to getting back home. I would post some pictures but i forgot my adapter. see eveyone some.

-M

Listening to:
Naan

spider vampire

2007-03-04T22:23:00.000-08:00

There once lived a spider that was really a vampire

He liked to hang-out in cupboards waiting for night

When no one was looking he would hunt by pale grey

On a starry night when the clouds had covered the moons gaze

He was caught off guard, he tried to run, he tried to hide

The grizzly fellow was too great

The spider asked, Mr. Grizzly, “Why?”

Mr. Grizzly answered, “Because Mr. Spider everyone needs to know what a Vampire Spider looks like…HA,HA,HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.

With that said, Spider Vampire left with nothing said

Now Mr. Grizzly lives in fear of opening cupboards

For he knows there will be reprisals

Spider vampire is not alone.

-M

Fourmicaland

2007-02-21T15:46:00.000-08:00

Many moons ago when the crops had failed the city of Antundia, king Dacius the Serious trekked the world searching for vitalizing leaves, but never returned from his journeys leaving his city unprotected.

For the many more moons that followed, the village suffered famine and constant war with the Irrevocable Crimson Union. The I. C. U. as they would later be called captured Antundia and made it their capital city, calling it Mandible City to remind everyone that no one could escape the I.C.U.’s Evil Vice.

The Antundians were made to mine the green moss that grew on the sidewalk and construct protective chambers to expand the new capital, Mandible City.

Old Antundians never lost hope, for on one particular cold afternoon, when the morning dew had turned to ice and work had been doubled, an oracle predicted that Dacius would return from his journey to the Tree of No Return and rid the village of hardships it had endured for so many moons.

Moon, after moon, after moon, after moon passed and Dacius the Serious had not returned.

Antundians were starting to lose hope until word reached them from Dacius the Serious’ birth village Reveland, that none should worry, for in the land of tiny stone, a warrior would rise.

For my lovely Renee.

-M

rainy days

2007-02-16T10:00:00.000-08:00

rain, rain, rain,
grey, grey, grey,
rain, rain, rain,
sun, sun, sun,
what a rainy day,
portland, portland, portland.

-M

lovebirds

2007-02-07T15:13:00.000-08:00

There once was pigeon named Valentine,

Who loved a beautiful seagull named Jonah,

Jonah loved to fly,

All the other pigeons were envious of Valentine’s beautiful seagull,

They would stare into each others eyes for days, longing for the day when they could be together,

But then came along the Poopy Three,

They did not like Jonah,

The Poopy Three tried to intimidate Jonah,

Fearing for Valentines safety Jonah left for help

While Jonah was gone, the Poopy Three picked on poor defenseless Valentine

But Jonah returned,

And so did his friends,

But only one of the Poopy Three was scared,

And where was Valentine,

Jonah searched,

And Jonah's friends searched,

But none found Valentine,

And Jonah,

Well Jonah will always be Jonah.

-M

inspired by Noodle's Annabel Lee

Camerageddon

2007-02-06T11:13:00.000-08:00

I am officially in love with my new camera. It took me about two weeks to embrace my new device. The camera has so many gadgets that I am salivating. I spent three hours yesterday on the tram traveling around town taking pictures, it was great! I took this camera for a spin sucka. I still have not tapped into all the functions. I foresee many hours of adventure and excitement.

I’m also working on a little surprise for all my friends. I wish I could tell you, but every once in a while they read my blogs and if I posted my next adventure it would ruin all the fun. Let me just say that it is going to take me a while to have it ready and I also have to wait for nice summer weather.

By the way, I wanted to also say, I miss my Baltimore buddies. HtesetH and Aicila when you comin’ home. Enough of that mushy crap, I’m tough.

The new Bloc Part is out today. I cheated and listened to it Friday and was shocked. They did a complete 180, totally kickin’ ass on a different level. I’m supposed to be getting a release from B tonight. The party is at our bloc now.

Did you say something?

-M

P.S. I posted new pictures, click on the fisheye link.

Listening to:

Swan Island

Rental Review:

Coming soon...WEEDS

my dear beloved tierra

2007-02-02T09:18:00.000-08:00

Not for long if we keep going the way we are. I was tuning into the BBC early this morning and was given a fair amount of, "open your eyes buddy." They were interviewing scientist discussing Global Warming, apparently earth is warming up faster than early scientist had predicted. Granted we will be long gone by the time California is underwater. They predicted, at the rate earthlings are consuming natural resources the temperature of earth will be significantly changed by 2100ce causing millions to suffer. hummmm.

As a result of all this talk, I was wondering if I will have the longevity to see some of these catastrophes. Suddenly the pages from Issac Asimov, Phillip K. Dick and Ben Bova books started to flash before me. Will I and my loved one's get to experience some form of new world order? Will the computers start to take over and place us in check, we are in the twenty-first century... right. What would Stanley Kubrick do?

What ever happens, those BBC scientist put the fear of dead like a plant in me. I believe the time has come to build my bat cave. If I start building my underground fortress now, I should have it completed by 2050ce when I'm like seventy, or as old as the sea. Maybe Mr. Noodle can help with the designs for this elaborate underground "the plan" like dwelling. Everyone will be there it will be marvelous. and and and....

did you say something

-m

LISTENING TO:

Grandaddy

no more crosses on these eyes

2007-01-26T09:33:00.000-08:00

Lately I've been listening to all kinds of music to influence my drumming, particularly instrumental like rock. There is some really good instrumental rock (the new Isis and the new Maserati which is like Pink Floyd for the working man), but I have to say that I'm really liking Bloc Party and they have slowly started to influence my playing. I was introduced to them on our last tour and I think I made the guys listen to their album every other day because after the tour they asked me, "Have you had enough of Bloc Party."

Of course I said, "NO." I think I've listened to their new song about thirty times...well at least twenty. I can not wait for their new album. I've been talking to Renee about buy their album all month. I haven't been this excited about a new album in a while. Their last album "Silent Alarm" blew the hair off my head, it was awesome, the guys can vouch to that.

For all of you that are not that familiar with them...well all I can say is...what? Your missing out man, get on it and tune in, dig.

Oh yeah, the new Low is also suppose to be amazing. I got some album buying to do. There is also a new Explosions in the Sky.

2007 kicking ass.

what did you say

-m

Listening to: Bloc Party

P.S. The new Interpol is also schedule to be out soon.

>><<

2007-01-24T09:46:00.000-08:00

How is everyone doing?
I've been getting ready for grad school and kind of stressed out. So much so...that I walked home from school yesterday to clear my head. Sounds crazy but it worked, there is nothing like the cool crisp air to calm the nerves. Not to mention one gets to focus on all the ideas that get filtered-out during the day.

A big thanks goes out to Mr. Noodle for inviting Renee and I to the showing of Pan's Labyrinth, great film.

That's all for now

-M

Ideas make me smile...

A TEXAS CHRISTMAS

2006-12-26T21:43:00.000-08:00

SWEEEEEET
-M

MOVIE REVIEW:

ROCKY BALBOA

A= When ham tastes good, eat it.

LISTENING TO:

BLACK MOUNTAIN with my new sennheiser headphones thanks to Renee....SWEEEEEEEEEEET.

hola mi amigos

2006-12-15T13:38:00.000-08:00

The flight was uneventful...well not completely, the food we got on the plane was horrible. Yes a few of you may say, "it's always horrible, what did you expect." Well friends, this meal has quite possibly taken the the grand prize. I'll just say, microwaved pizza in a plastic bag...ummmmm.
Other than that, the flight was good. Our on board movie was that movie with Sandra Bullock and Keanu where they send letters to eachother back and forth through the mailbox of time...Yeah that one...I have to say I'd already seen it at C&K's house, but it was still alright on its second viewing.

WHOOPS

I may have forgotten to tell a few of you that Reene and I were visiting my parents during Chirtmas. We have arrived safe and the weather is a nice seventy-six degrees and holding. The sky is nice and blue and holding. So far we've been hanging-out at home and reminiscing over the good ol' days.
We're planning on visiting Mexico this weekend. I will report on how that went. Visiting Mexico is always a hoot. It's nights of drinky-drinky and more drinky-drinky, plus don't forget all that great Mexican food..just got to remember not to drink the water.
I think Reene really needed a break because she keeps mentioning how happy she is not having to be working and just resting.

I believe we are slowly evolving into winter Texans. We walked around looking at land and what we would do with the land once we owned it, and Reene liked the part about visiting every winter from here on out. I'm not sure...

We'll see...look over there...

-M

LISTENING TO:
Reene's blissful sighs

MOVIE REVIEW:
Coming Soon, Rocky Balboa and Eragon

what do we have here?

2006-12-06T15:32:00.000-08:00

First-off, a big congratulation Mr. Brumley for finishing your Masters in Geography. You are now Ge-Man, Master of the Rhizome. Great work, when do I get a copy so I can read the thing? Don’t hold out, it’s time to share the power of Rhiskull.

As for me, well…

There they are…innocent…painful…all time-consuming…extensive…tormenting…cruel…exuberant…a nightmare…a puzzle…demanding…unbreakable…constant…loyal…incessant…my papers! I am D…O…N…E…DONE. Schooooools out for summerrrr…Schooooools out for-everrrrr…well not really and I guess it took long enough.

What can I say, I’m happy as a clam. I don’t have much more to add other than; I will be posting more now that I have free time again. I hope everyone is doing fine and if you have time go check my new pictures up at Flickr.com just click on my link.

What?
-m

LISTENING TO:
Black Mountain

RENTAL REVIEW:
Miami Vice

B= Miami Vice is nice.

Self and I

2006-11-02T12:56:00.000-08:00

I was sitting hear thinking, “self you got to get it together.” And then I said, “Why?” and then self said, “Because school is almost over and you have not started to write your final papers for your degree.” And then I said, “OK, lay off, you sound like my mom.”

Thus, I might not be able to up-date my blog as much as I would like. So hang on tight and I’ll try to sneak in one every once in a while.

What was that?
-M

LISTENING TO:
Enon
Album:
Believo!

RENTAL REVIEWS:
OK here it goes
Cache
B = My friends hyped it up and I just did not think it was that great.
Flight 93
B+ = Because it was done very tastefully.
Hard Candy
A = Overall sound, but I have to warn you it’s not for everyone.

Hail Caesar

2006-10-28T09:19:00.000-07:00

Man…yeah…right-on…dude. It is official Dec. 10th, WfJ!’s CD is going to be released in Japan, with a possible tour in March. I’m so excited. Off to an early morning today, got up at 5:00am and started working on some school stuff which I finished by 7:00. Now I got the whole rest of the day to go by to the library and look for information on another paper I’m working on.

I’m working on a paper that focuses on the Ideology of Democracy. Democracy was emphasized during the periods between WWI and WWII, particularly through the educational system. I found some interesting information concerning the U.S. educational system right before WWII, very propagandist. Although I’m not focusing on that aspect, I find it intriguing. I’m more focused on giving a narrative of the increased sense of democracy in education or more its dogmatic advocacy and the influence the government had on education. How schools struggled with the U.S. government for regional control over education as opposed to being controlled by the government. I’ll talk about more when I have synthesized the material.

It was good to hear from our Baltimore friends even if we had to call them to make sure they had not been eaten by the wondering chupacabras that wonder the streets of Baltimore. It sounds like they are doing well, thank the maker. I was getting tired of worrying, and I don’t even like them that much…well maybe as much as like my Jabba the Hut action figure.
Oh yeah, I finally got Renee’s mini-ipod thing to work. Cool beaners.

Look over there, what was that…

-M

LISTENING TO:
Autolux
Album:
Future Perfect

RENTAL REVIEW:
ROME
HBO/BBC come together to bring you a great interpretation of the late days of Caesar reign and the fall of Rome. I believe it is right up there with Deadwood. I recommend people watch this telling of Rome because it is not the glazed over Hollywood Rome we’ve seen before.

B+ = Great show dialogue could be better at times.

BIG GEEK vs. little geek

2006-10-26T10:22:00.000-07:00

I was talking to Renee and she was wondering about my band camp adventures. You read right, band camp. If you’ve seen American Pie then you know what I’m talking about. I lived through the “one time in band camp…” and I’ll tell you it’s exactly like that.

Part I
Band geeks do really go to band camp because they like music. The exploits and lessons one learns at band camp makes the experience have a lasting imprint on ones memories. Band camp is by all means full of elitists, stratified from the ultra-cool geeks (which meant they were older) to the bottom feeder-geeks (socially inept newbie). I like to think I was somewhere in the middle…I mean come on my spectacles were taped together, does that not scream geek, by the way I still tape my glasses together when they break. I also lived in the rehearsal halls, until I realized there was a whole different world happening in the court yards, dorms, and dance parties.
Band Camp was usually held in summer at this Lutheran College that was completely void of students. The college was used by schools from all areas around the state.
If you can imagine a college completely open to socially depraved fifteen/seventeen year olds, then you can get an idea of the madness that issued. It was three weeks of pranks, sneaking into the girls’ dorm, and did I mention a crash course in making-out.
Let me tell you the girls are just as bad as the guys. I saw some of the cruel pranks done by girls to other girls. There was this on time at band camp when this group of girls made this other girl give her flute a blow-job. When she was done they called her all kinds of names. Apparently, she was too much of a slut to be in their group. Of course when events of this nature transpire, they are not of a private nature, but held in some weird tribunal in front of as many people as possible.
The chaperones must have been somewhere else smoking pot, because I don’t remember ever seeing one unless there was a concert. This brings me to the Friday night dance party, aka make-out city. I remember attending these dances and looking over the dance floor at a sea of people glued to each other, there was definitely no room for Jesus.
It was around this time when I learned, band camp was not just for learning techniques on your instrument but also learning the techniques of wet sloppy kissing.
This was only the beginning, it was my first year at band camp and I was learning that you could take your instrument seriously during practice hours, but when one was done it was time to turn into the unsuspected bolt from the sky.

More later
-M

LISTENING TO:
R.E.M
Album:
UP

RENTAL REVIEW:
Sanjuro by Akira Kurosawa
A world-weary samurai, what more could one ask for. I believe some of Kurosawa’s grittier shots are in this film.

A+ = I was lost in the murky delight of Kurosawa’s vision.

Did you look at his johnson?

2006-10-20T13:40:00.000-07:00

I was reminded of my preordained fortune of the hereafter when a friend of mine mentioned that my fifteen-year school reunion was coming up. Granted the reunion is not for a couple of years, I was surprised by its proximity and was left thinking… “what the fuck, really?” Has the winds of change crept up on me? Was I asleep at the check-out lane when they were handing-out years? Fifteen-years…really? Well alright I guess so, but I’ll let you know I’m not happy about it, not one bit.
Who was the one that said, “Age gracefully?” What the hell was he/she thinking? I look in the mirror and see an island starting to form and I get worried. Those of you that know me, know what I’m talking about and those of you that don’t, I’m talking about what use to be my silky blackish locks. You say, “What locks” and I say, “You got that right partner.” Did not Samson lose all his powers?
Doctors say stress causes it and I’ll tell you they are right, because every time I’m working on a paper I stress out. The follow morning when I look in that mirror, I swear that island grew some prime real-estate.
But hey who’s complaining I got my health right…wrong mothereffer. You would think, “His chiseled physique and boyish flexibility, he’s got to be in tip-top shape, no doubt about it.” Well your wrong…I’m weak… like a piece of papyrus from 2653 B.C.E... If you sit on my lap, do my legs not crumble?
No... it’s not really like that. Well the island is true and I do have to take old man pills for my acid-reflux, (thanks a lot mom) no more spicy salsa for me. Its ok, I got plenty of spiciness running through my veins, anyway, at least that’s what Renee says.
Also I do have a weak back, I wish I could say it was an old football injury, but I never really played football, being a band geek and all that stuff. (now for the side bar)
I’ll tell you what, band camp rules, while you jocks were staring at each others johnson, I was learning the subtle arts of wooing the ladies in the band hall, by the way I might have made out with your girlfriends back in high school. No not really…well maybe two or three of your girlfriends. That’s the old me…Mr. Dashing…Mr. Debonair…Mr. Clueless, because we were all “it” when we were young.
The new me, is an aging historian wannabe with prime real-estate to sell right off the top of his head, literally, and I’m happy with that. My friends are all great, how may people are able to say that all their friends are truly fantastic. And Renee…well she’s wonderful in everyway. For those of you wondering who the heck is Renee, it’s my special friend's middle name and I don’t want my soon to be life partner's name thrown into the black hole that is the web, some things must remain private. Oh no... for those of you that know us, now know her middle name, um… keep it like a secret, don’t tell her I told you, it’s ok no one reads my blog anyway.
I guess that is all the rambling I will be doing today.

Talk to you soon
-M

LISTENING TO:
The Beta Band

MOVIE REVIEW:
The Departed.
Great story line, I wish that little guy would come up with his own ideas. I think the last good thing he did, that he could probably call his own, was Taxi Driver. Anyway go watch the film if you have not already seen Infernal Affair and if have seen the Asian version go see the little guys version his is also good.

A = Great story and Film
F- = when are you going to do something that’s yours again little man and not like Gangs
of New York. The only thing that saved that movie was Daniel Day-Lewis.

P.S. I also have a bum knee.

Just for Survival

2006-10-13T09:50:00.000-07:00

I’ve been doing research for my environmental history narrative and have found quite a few interesting books and dissertations on the subject. In particular, I found a book dealing with St. Johns which was informative and provided photographs of the area in the early 30’s (My how areas have changed). The question that I keep asking myself is, “How much of environmental degradation is the direct influence of the need for survival or whether interests such as political and economical are pulling the strings?” I realize that “survival” can at times be motivated by selfish needs. Thus, if one applies the Darwin concept, “survival of the fittest” then do the influences on the environment become a result of elite intervention? Also, what are the tipping points in which concerns about the environment are no longer micro, but become a macro? Is it at this point that survival instinct “kicks-in” and a society moves as one? Anyway, this will be some of question I will be applying to my research.
Onto other news, the computer is just about finished and I’ve dismantled my old tower. I’m thinking about rebuilding my old tower and turning it into a hybrid monster computer, assembled by as many spare parts as possible. More news about the computer building later.

I might go see a band called, “From Manhole” tonight. We had a show with them in Omaha and I said I’d go see them when they played in P-town and that time has come. They're a great group of guys and their music is not from this world. So I encourage all and one to go. The show is at Loveland and they will be performing at 9:00pm or so.

Also I have obtained, The M.E.C. Progress Report of May 1969 for one, Mr. Noodle, aka Mitch Dash. I will be going by your place of employment before heading to the mansion this afternoon. I do hope you will entertain me, but a second, as I drop-off this marvelous report. If not, I will see you this weekend at some time.

That’s it.
-M

LISTENING TO:
BRMC (that’s right Alicia, I have caved)

RENTAL REVIEW:
COMING SOON: LADY VENGENCE

HOLY FRAKKEN CRAP

2006-10-09T09:54:00.000-07:00

I’ve got “beef” with the folks at HP computers. Well more like a chipotle bean garden burger kind of beef. You know good when you first think about, good when you eat it, but not so good after a while. Moving on.
As you all are aware of, Renee and I fried our computer last weekend. Long story short, we were told that the hard drive had gone bad and maybe even some ram had become corrupted. We also found out that the folks at CompUSA are not so bad after all. They informed us that the computer was still covered under manufacture warranty; they even returned all our money for the repairs. The folks at CompUSA even said they would have the computer up and running, as soon as we got the recovery disks from HP (problem).
Let me tell you right now, HP keeps all recovery disks under lock and key. I called…was denied…called again…fooled them the second time…got my recovery disk, but of course we had to pay a shipping fee of $27.03.
So hopefully we will be getting our computer soon. I can not wait. I’m tired of having to wait at the computer labs at school for a computer.
A friend of mine has been telling me about this idea or story called “Holy.” I believe that’s what he called it. Well it sounds interesting and I am hoping that people will rally with me in pushing this fine gentleman into finishing his story/treatment. People should visit his site. “Mr. Noodle” discusses his ideas and discusses the secrets of the universe, just go to his link on this page.
I believe that is all for today.

Talk to you folks soon
-M

LISTENING TO:
M83

RENTAL REVIEWS:
The time has come.
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, do I dare say, better than STAR_ _ _ _.
I have seen Season I and II and all I can say is, “holy crap this show is good.” I mean come on; even Renee is on the good ship sci-fi. I recommend this series to all and any sci-fi fan that were left feeling just a little unfulfilled by the Lucas saga. Sit back, crank the surround sound (if applies) and enjoy the ride.

A = man this show kicks-ass

Dead as the wood in our backyard.

2006-10-04T10:03:00.000-07:00

Although I don’t want to turn my writings into reviews…I have to talk about Deadwood. Also I’m not sure if it’s a topic my friends with blogs have written about.
Deadwood is by far one of the better western series I’ve seen next to Sergio Leone’s spaghetti western (the man with no name) in a long time, a real long time. Granted all the characters in deadwood have names, a man or woman’s name is central in kicking around ones clout. But that’s beside the point, Deadwood is an amalgamation of Shakespearean lingo (one has to pay attention or they’ll miss it) with take no shit talk from no one western talk. There are many layers to this series. I especially like the development of a town that does not want to be associated with the U.S. although I think at that time they were still calling themselves a colony.
Most of the characters are well thought out. With the exception of one main sheriff named Bullock, I’m not sure whether the writer wanted him to be over the top “man with a score to settle, sort of” or if the actor is just over acting his character, the jury is not decided on his character quite yet. Other than that small flaw, the show is well executed. Some of my favorite characters are the mayor and the whorehouse owners. There is quite a variety of riff-raff and dark individuals that also makes the show chug along.
That’s all I’ll say about the series and I’ll let everyone else decide. Second season starts off with several surprises of a most stressful nature, do take in watchin’.

As for the home front: took the computer to get fixed and all is well. It might even be running better than before, considering we are keep the bare essentials to make it gooooooo. It was not cheap. We are now proud parents of windows xp home edition…oh joy (damn you gates). Apparently that was the only thing that would make it run again. But it’s ok as long as it works we are happy.
Also, would someone please save us from Jean-Luc. He has started to grow his lion mane for the winter and the house is full, to our knees, with cat hair. Help we’re drowning in the sweet love that is the silky death of Jean-Luc’s golden-locks.
Well that’s all folks.
-M

Listening to:
Slayer

Rental Review:
Battlestar Galactica coming soon. promise

So what do you think doctor?

2006-10-02T09:52:00.000-07:00

In our attempt, our attempt referring to Renee and I, to fix the range hood in our kitchen we managed to also disrupt the drive in our computer. Don’t ask me how it happened; it is a mystery that will forever be in the annals of “computers do not like it when you shut it down over and over without hitting the shut down button.” Well it’s not really a mystery; it just that we were not privy to the intricate wirings of our house. Now we know that if we kill the power feeding into the range hood we are also killing the power that feeds the outlet in our room…what? All I can say is that our house is a delicate flower, where the electrical wiring is a maze of beautiful madness.
Thus, our lessons are as follows: 1.) always make a reboot disk immediately (we didn’t), because you never know when your computer will decide to take a vacation. Making a reboot disk will eliminate taking the computer into an actual repair shop where pricing can be irritating. 2.) Turn off all high-end electronic devices that you hold dear and near to your heart when killing the power to a room, because you never know when the range hood power supply is also connected to an outlet in your bedroom. 3.) Find original electrician that wired the house (if still alive) and destroy him/her. That about covers all the basics instructions to avoid electronic upheaval.
On other news: K&C made and excellent dinner last night and Noodle helped with our misfit computer. Thanks, you peeps are great. Also a shout out to my peeps in BALTIMORE, WHA’ UP MY NIZZLES.

Ok talk to you soon
-M

LISTENING TO:
James Bond 007 Sound Track

RENTAL REVIEWS:
In the middle of finishing Battlestar Galactica. Will post review when I'm done.

Comments

2006-09-30T00:14:00.000-07:00

So it was brought to my attention that I had set my blog to moderate comments, thus no one was allowed to leave comments...well that is all changed. Hopefully anyone can leave a comment good or bad. Thanks for the heads up Noodle.

goodnight all
-m
Listening to:
jean-luc's puuuurrrrrs.

p.s. tour pictures at flickr, check out my link .

Baton Madness

2006-09-29T09:56:00.000-07:00

James Phillip Chasse Jr. + Portland Cops = DEAD…WHY!

What is the deal with our metro cops? They really need to take classes on how to handle people with mental illnesses. I’ve talked to two Portland police officers: semi-retired one and one that works in the outskirts of Portland. If I remember correctly, they both told me that they had classes in handling people with such needs, but that the classes were are not sufficient.
Well it’s time…pause…People of Portland rise up! advocate for police education and let’s stop having incidents of this nature. I’m sure our officers are intelligent individuals and with a little help can learn to be less aggressive. That is all I have to say for now.

On a different tenor, Renee and I are planning to fix several broken items around the house this weekend, should be fun.
I also have to start doing some research on a topic that I have been interested in for some time. I am currently in an Urban/Environmental History class. The class is to study the impact that urban development has on the environment and then when all is said and done, write a historical narrative about the location of our choice. I have picked the Pearl District. I want to get as much information about the urban planning about the area as possible. Thus I’ll be in the catacombs of the Portland Urban Planning Archives and Portland City Archives for most of this term, consequently if I seem busy and can not hang out with all my friends, it’s because I will be doing research and not because I don’t love you.
Also did you know the Pearl District was named in the 60’s, not much of a Pearl back then I would think…or was it better off in the 60’s. You see what I mean, I can’t wait find out all that good juicy information. Now I get to apply all that sustainability talk that Renee is always talking about to good use, I can not wait. I know, I know, I’m totally dorking out, but hey it’s what I like to do. Maybe it will help land some research job later down the line, cross your fingers.

Alright my peeps that’s all for now.
-M

Listening to:
Billy Bragg.

Rental Review:
Match Point = Woody Allen wha’ happen
Let the drag/snooze-fest begin, if you like that kind of thing.
Comparing murder to a tennis ball and chance could make for
a good movie, but not in the hands of Mr. Allen.
Somewhat entertaining and filmed somewhat good.
C- for effort

Excuse the mispells, someone pointed out to me that english is my second language. thus I should be more aware of my spelling. But I said that I like to think of myself as living in the early 19th century where, as long as you knew the meaning of the word the spelling went out the window. so deal...

my inevitable enterprise

2006-09-26T16:40:00.000-07:00

What can I say; I sit here thinking…wow… I am almost done with school and I feel nothing, well I feel relief but, no excitement, no great joy of completion. My vast empty feeling is one that has been part of my venture since the beginning of my ever-expandable reach to spread out my wings in the fight of knowledge. I know what I want, yet there is a feeling of reaching for that something that is attainable but slightly out of reach.
I guess I am starting to feel like…where to next? I know what I am going to do next, but what about after that? It is the “after that” with which I have a problem with.
“After that” is what? Perhaps I am worrying about a feeling that should have no merit. “After that” is nothing because I guess it has not happened yet and I do have some control over what will happen…right?
I think I just scared myself into thinking that I would end up being a vacant casing of regret…I feel better now that I have shared how I feel. My inevitable enterprise, which is to broaden my need for experiment and experience in the dominion of education is only beginning. Therefore I should embark upon the boulevard of “after that” with the hi beams on, that way I can see what is coming or at least be prepared for as much as I can, because I can never be truly prepared for the “after that.”

About all this nonsensical writing. I feel that at times I have to write in circles until I feel better about how I am feeling. I hope everyone can relate. Feel free to add any comments.

Since one ever does (you losers, you know who you are) I’ll feel like no one cares about me and the little feelings I have towards the people that call themselves my friends will start to fade and then poor little me will have to make new friends…oh no what to do?
If you eat that crap up I also have a broken nutcracker you can buy from me because you need a broken nutcracker with all the holidays coming.

got to love the peeps
-m

Listening to: Smog

NEW
My movie/show reviews:

The Venture Bros. = CRAZY CARTOON FUN!!!
The Venture Family fights the Monarch Butterfly
Plus a great assortment of villians in a 13 episode extravaganza.
Adult humor, not for the kiddies.

back to my routine

2006-09-25T09:52:00.000-07:00

monday: nothing and counting.

the guys and i got back early saturday morning. all the shows after the incident were great and we are now wanting to finish a new album.

as for myself...well... i have a bum knee that needs healing and i think i might be catching a cold. a big sorry to K&C and P&A for not visiting with you all saturday. all i could think about was resting my mind and body.
i'll keep this short because i have to head off to class now. i can now see the end of the education/school tunnel. i am happy to be back home and i hope to talk to all my friends soon, even the ones in baltimore.

take care and hope to see everyone soon.
-m

listening to: yeah,yeah,yeahs

on the road again

2006-09-16T12:30:00.000-07:00

hi everyone. we're back in full swing. the new van is working great and the shows have been fair. presently, we are in lawrence, kansas and are staying here a extra night before we make the last trek home. the guys said to say hi to everyone and thank everyone for their support. one more week and back to good ol' p-town.
it has been a trying tour and i think it has brought the band closer together. we can't wait to get back home to put the finishing touches on our new material. we are planning to put out our next album out by the end of this year. also we have interest from an american label, but i can't say much about it yet because i really don't know much about the deal. but i will say it's a label out of chicago.
I also will let everyone in our little secret. we have signed a two year contract with a Japanese label called Zankyo Records. they will be distributing our current album in the U.K. and possibly also be releasing our next album. there is also plans of a japanese tour, we'll keep our fingers crossed and as soon as i know about the american label i will let eveyone know.
can't wait to see everyone soon. renee i'll be home soon.
lots of love
-m
listening to: Uncle Tupelo

bear meets pavement

2006-09-11T18:43:00.000-07:00

for those of you that know me, know that I have been on tour with wfj!. well here's an update. after leaving portland we played several shows and then got sucked into the blackhole, known as st. paul, minnesota. the only good thing to come out of st. paul, besides the transmission being rebuild, was this stuffed bear that jrd won from one of those claw like booths stuffed with toys.

st paul story...
the van fell victim to transmission sickness and marooned us for three days while the great folks at aamco rebuilt her tranny. words can not explain how st. paul sucked the living soul out of us. for three days we lived in this broken down van parked in the lot at aamco and the folks in these parts are not friendly, exception being the aamco guys.
we made our chicago show by renting a kia van which only had room for us and the amps, thus i played on someone elses drums, which was a blast ( thanks to mike from snowbeast). we then drove back the same evening in order to get back to the van that was hopefully going to be done, which of course was not finished until eleven the following morning causing us to rush to our Kalamazoo show.

needless to say, after three days of utter boredom we departed from st paul headed to our kalamazoo show. shortly after arriving into kalamazoo the worst happned. we got what the cops around here call, "t-boned." basically we got hit in the rear driver side of our van by a car going around sixty mph, thus we were flung in the air and did a 180 degree turn. it was unreal, i think there was a moment of weightlessness before we came to a grinding stop. the jolt of the impact caused the backdoor of the van to open sending the bass amp flying out about fifteen feet and along with the amp, the stuff the bear also flew out. the bear will be missed... apparently one of the guys saw a police officer pick the bear up from the pavement and placed the bear on the car that hit us...very national geographic moment.

as we calculated the damage, which was: broken bass amp, broken guitar amp, broken cymbal, bruised arm, bruised heads and a really bruised ankle...all the equipment still worked and after another four days of downtime at beardo's fathers house... are wounds have mended.

we have acquired a new van, all the amps are fixed. ankle, arm and heads are all better. finally we are glad to announce that the tour will continue. we have about twelve more shows that we are going to finish. wish us luck and we will see all of you when we get home.

-m
p.s. I miss and love you very much Renee. xoxoxoxo

THE TABLE-DESK

2006-08-26T09:05:00.000-07:00

s
It has been a long time since I have written anything, and I am sorry. I have been busy working on a paper and preparing for a tour. I have reached the finish line...boy it was a long two weeks, and I even had all four wisdom teeth pulled out... maybe that is why it took so long to write the paper. A big hats off to Mr. Brumley...much respect my friend, writing a paper anymore then 12 pages is a big challenge.

Also a big thanks to Mr.Noodle for finishing our CD package for...wait a minute, I can't tell you yet...TOP SECRET. As soon as I get the GREEN LIGHT, I'll let everyone know all the good news.

I'm so happy, the paper is finished and I've regained my life. Last night we eat dinner with our buddies, C & K. Good Food=Happy Times. Today we're planning to celebrate EL BEARDO'S birthday. So I need to go get him a present and I fear he is a hard one to please. All that beard has gone to his head or away from his head and now he thinks he's one of those ZZTop guys. Thus, he thinks he's a rock star. Damn rock stars.

On other news, the Penley's have reached their destination after selling thier van to some morons...damn that van...those morons will put the fear of Geebus Smith into it.
It's been fun friends, but I now have to leave. I still have to go print the paper.
However, before I leave I will impart some advice my mom once gave me, “Do not poop with your underwear on.”

Take care people and keep kicking.
-m
Listening to: my fingers on the keyboard
p.s. check out the fossil.

pictures

2006-07-27T23:34:00.000-07:00

so i've started to take pictures again and hopefully i'll stick to it. i owe it all to the "great eye" who we will call penner. without her video camera, that has a fancy picture mode, none of my pictures would have been possible. thanks penner.
i find taking pictures relaxing, so in my spare time, when i'm not working on school stuff, i'll be taking pictures. i'm up to about fifty pictures now and i've posted the ones I like thus far on flickr. com, which you can link to by pressing the "photographs" link at the bottom right hand corner of this page.
anywho, i've been busy, that is why my post are far in-between. i'm hoping to keep a tour journal once we leave on tour. have i mentioned i play in a band, well i also play in a band and we are planning a u.s. tour for september. i'll be able to keep a journal while touring, one of the guys is taking a laptop, so it shouldn't be too hard.
i've also been riding my bike to school everyday this week, the weather has been hell that i'm starting to look like a piece of burnt leather. i'm hoping to get back into riding my bike, my love handles have turned into love tires, got to get them back into shape. maybe if the weather keeps going the way it is, it will melt the fat off my body, i'll keep my fingers crossed.

-m
listening to tom petty and the heartbreakers

break time

2006-07-21T12:42:00.000-07:00

pinback...it's all i have to say.

i can't hear you...

2006-07-20T09:19:00.000-07:00

man those roofers work long hours, they didn't leave until 8:00 pm last night and they still didn't finish. i wonder if they would give us a discount since they said they would get done in a day, since last i heard they might not finish until saturday...oh well.
first summer session is over i have a whole two days to party, yeah bring on the strippers. no not really, i have to keep chipping away at my papers. plus i have to write two more papers to get credit for pervious history classes, bummer.

i'll write more later when i get home, i have to go work on my paper now, got to take advantage of the library. this p.s.u. library is so intoxicating, rich with information, i could seriously get addicted...

Summer In Abaddon

2006-07-19T11:32:00.000-07:00

yesterday was heckacrazy. when i arrived home yesterday i had to make a cake for a small gathering we were going to in the evening. but when i got home i got a message from the roofers saying they would be a day earlier to replace our roof... i'm listening and thinking how the hell am i going to prep the house, because you have to have all crap moved away from the house and we had plenty of crap to move, cut the grass(weeds), tear or more appropriately destroy the back patio cover, because it needs to be moved so the roofers can work on the house and get a cake ready by 7pm for the small party. let me tell you...it was not easy, but i got it done. that's right baby, this guy got shit done and let me tell you how i did it.
i got the cake ready to bake around 5:30, which took about thirty minutes to cook and in that time i cut the grass which took 24 mintues and in the remaining six minutes i made the ooze that is tres leches to soak the cake and in the time it took to let the cake cool down i started to prep the house and the patio. 6:05 I started the patio break down and by 6:45 i was done. I never realized that if i put my mind to it, i can finish three tasks at once with the proper time managment, but will i manage my time in the future...hell no...that was a one time thing...we'll see.
today...holy smoke, the roofers are scaring me. they arrived at seven in the morning, which was totally cool, but man they are loud. it seems like at any moment one of them is going to come crashing through the roof and land right in our bed, which is ok with me...wink-wink. i have pinback blaring in my headphones and i still hear the pounding, it's crazy.
pinback kicks ass and i'm really getting into this whole computer mp3 shuffle thing. why didn't anyone tell me how much fun listening to shuffle mixes of music would be. now i need to improve my collection of music, start from scratch, take it back to pavement and keep an ear out for the next music spectravaganza. i'm gonna have to hit the music shops and reconnect myself to the hipster main vain. because i've slowly gone through a hipsterectomy, thus losing any kind of "cool" i might have had at one time.
my friends it will be an adventure.
on other news...i've decided to start this blog from scratch and welcome anyone that would like to partake in stimulating reading and i don't mean my writing, if you read my writing you'll be asking yourself why you spent the whole two or so minutes of your time reading my crap, because ultimately blogs are kind of like a mental or thought diarrhea and some of them really stink and take a long time to really flush out, thus causing a reader to experience a writers (my) agonizing poop.
but, hey i invite any readers to read my friends blogs and mine if they want. by the way, did i mention the crazy roofers tearing the crap off our roof. reene is going to be so happy. it's the summer of change because i feel "the winds of change" a-comin'...no really. it's building time in casa de castichell, four more weeks of school and then i'm free to destroy the weeds in the yard. it's go time bitches, that's right you weeds are going down.
let me tell you something...these weeds have such a fortitude to regenerate themselves that it requires more mental capacity than i have to understand... no, to comprehend, how they keep coming back to haunt and mock my waking existence.
as i sit here, i can see them growing. they look at me with no fear. four weeks i say, four weeks and you will die.die.die. sons of bitches.
i've decided the only way to get rid of these things is build right over them. that's right it's building time just like i said early, it's the summer of change. paint the house, build the patio cover, maybe a small deck i'm not sure, a walk-way to the trees in the backyard and lastly a kiln. if i manage the kiln, then perhaps i can help my friend k build one.
i've got my plate full people. can i get it done...we'll see won't we...

p.s. excuss the typos i'm working on it.

do?

2006-07-17T09:50:00.000-07:00

dodo