What to Write/ Walter White

Obviously I haven't kept up with this here blog but I am looking to get back into it with a little help from 'readers'. I feel as though blurting random thoughts onto the screen is a tad pompous, assumptive, and what I now call 'embarrassingly self important' . I would like to steer towards more thoughtful posts on actual topics. I am looking to keep posts relatively short in order to actually gain viewers. Any ideas? Please post them on my fb wall. For now, please don't wear thick black rimmed glasses or ride fixed gear bikes, and enough with Dubstep already.

Ryan

Thoughts on the coming months

Did you ever find yourself longing to live in a house underground in the middle of the forest during winter? When you came up you would fully appreciate the sun shining on your face and the smell of life all around. Desmond knows what I’m talking about. Hobbits did something like that right? They built houses or little mounds out of the earth? Seems like a good place to get away from Jersey Shore….I know what you are thinking…Snooki might very well be down there with the Hobbits. Lately I’ve been thinking about the transition from winter to spring. Some years we really don’t get to experience a very warm spring, nor do we always get past the mud. My favorite part of spring happens only once. There is a fleeting moment in which my nose catches the smell of life floating through the air. It only seems to appear on the first day warmer than 50 degrees F not C. It awakens something in my body that I cannot begin to describe. I feel as though it could be a very strong shot of Vitamin D (or whatever sunlight gives off) but it is more life affirming than waking up every morning. It reminds me of trees blossoming, baseball games, and the end of school. Interestingly enough spring as a beginning to something new also brings a sense of completion to most of our lives for certain things. As always, spring signals the end of a treacherous school year, possibly even a graduation. Furthermore, everyone’s favorite television shows bring their storyline to a close and open up new possible plots for next year. Although these few examples are not very prominent in the larger scheme of important elements of our lives, they do play a large role to Americans, especially people around my age, just admit it. Of course the gateway to the summer allows our adventurous spirits to finally go wild after being closed off in the cold winter months. The sense of freedom some of us feel at this time of year is something I think all adults long for. There is never really an end to the average American adult’s work cycle (unless they are a teacher), so they are left trapped without much to look forward to besides a vacation here and there. I fear that soon I will not experience the feeling I mentioned before much longer once I enter the work force in years to come. Therefore I have made it my goal to never lose the ambition to make spring and summers feel like my break from the real world no matter what I’m doing. Now let’s all begin to make our way out from our underground homes deep in the forest. Who’s with me?

Sheen Dream

Goo mawning/afternoon…it still feels like morning over here in Western Mass (Aaron Lewis sucks)<---{[mentioning Western Mass made me think of the rise of Staind…WMass’s most popular band…which therefore tells me how much the music around here craps itself….not too different from Nickelback…in one corner we have cock rock from Canada (speaks for itself) and then we have flaccid cock rock. I just read an article claiming Lewis has a country album on the way…oh happy day.}] Maybe it’s because of the lack of sunlight, another gray/grey day. I saw the sun peak out for about 2 minutes earlier this morning (got up at 8:45). This isn’t a tweet. I’m using multiple contractions therefore it’s not a formal essay. My ears are tickled with the grandiose sounds of Sigur Ros…thought of sugar and ice right there (who just thought they saw rice?). Who here is familiar with Iceland? Something to do some ‘search on later. There was a massive volcanic eruption there last year right? A very ‘green’ country contrary to popular belief and Greenland is very ‘icy’. (Fun elementary school fact dere). Upon looking at a couple of words I wrote earlier I thought I read “the sun peaked out for multiple contractions”. Think of the sky giving birth to the sun…deep shit…kinda like most of your toilet bowls at the crack of dawn. Breathe it in…very organic. Final judgment on the Oscars…not bad…stop giving Franco such a hard time…he’s not host material. Why then did he accept the job? Money. ‘The Social Network’ will have a longer lasting effect on film buff humans (naked film critics) than ‘King’s Speech’ so no worries that it didn’t win best picture. I say bring back Billy Crystal as host. General consensus among some friends…less of Andy Richter on ‘Conan’ please. Best misunderstanding of the week: Roommates thinking Adrienne and I saw ‘Beastly’ instead of ‘Biutiful’. I saw a look of horror in everyone’s eyes when we said it was good (still under the assumption we saw ‘Beastly’). That’s really the whole story…well I enjoyed it at least. Oh and I think Beastly should be changed to ‘Beistely’…a film in which a young male’s girl crush turns into Beiste from Glee…let’s see how that goes over with little yellow marshmallow ducks. Can we discuss what it is that Alex Trebek might talk about with contestants during the credits of Jeopardy? I think the general public should practice ‘turn off your computer for a week’ (maybe they already have that…I don’t look up these things)…just like the popular ‘turn off your television etc.’ Let’s get back to our roots of reading and listening to music around a fire or playing cards at the table with some drinks…or perhaps getting outside just for the hell of it…I know I need to do more of that (fat). Then we can go to the Theatre and watch a film like the old days and realize that if one of the major forms of entertainment outside of the house…provides us with films such as Big Momma’s House 3 ‘The downfall of America’ or ‘Drive Angry’…another Nicolas Cage romp then we should all move back into the wild. Has anyone else realized how Cage has a new movie out almost every month? Doesn’t anyone think this is incredibly threatening? Until next time…..slow down. Now turn off your computer so you can stop reading this tripe.

*WINNING*

One post a year seems about right

Welcome back old friends. I also say “hello” or “nice to meet you” to new readers of this corner of my brain. It’s been a long while since I put some thoughts through a keyboard but I’m back for the time being, cheerio.
The snow’s piling up outside and I’m sitting inside reading more often so I couldn’t help but discuss something irking me. Who decided ‘speed reading’ was a good idea? Isn’t it bad enough that we speed through our daily lives? I think of two situations in which speed reading compares; ‘speed eating’ and something I like to call ‘speed living’. Let’s compare life to art (damnit another cliché…I’m breaking the rules of proper writing with one of those…or is including one simply challenging the idea of writing clichés?). We should take time, when we can, to reflect and enjoy most moments (notice I didn’t say all…cause some we would like to forget…you remember those awkward bathroom stall breaches when someone forgot to say “occupied” or lock the door when you knock?) as though we will not find ourselves there again. When I say ‘there’ I mean in a given particular time and space. Minutes in that regard are unique (they seem to pass so quickly…) but I won’t go into that right now because this is already a ludicrous discussion and I’m thankful anyone is still reading on.
Those of us who enjoy reading understand the importance of ‘digesting’ words as our eyeballs hover over each page. The slower the reading, the more time the mind has to paint a picture of the wonderful descriptions the author provides for the reader. What’s the point of reading so fast we are only able to catch “beautiful…..park….on the sidewalk….dogs”? I don’t know about you but I spent some time in high school speed reading and I missed half of the description words that helped give the text meaning.
Going back to the food comparison (talk about a terrible transition)…it’s like going to a nice restaurant where the food has been prepared with care and you shovel down everything so fast you don’t realize what you just tasted. “Well yes it was a bit salty and chewy…and then I remember there was some water I drank at some point..it was a bit metallic”. Okay sometimes we are just so hungry we can’t help it but regardless, the point I am trying to make here is slow down…in everything. Take time enjoying someone else’s creation (music too) because isn’t that what we are all here for, to create? Yes we are all guilty of speeding through everything, but let’s try not to. In some ways it just seems disrespectful to our fellow humans.
All audacity aside, think about how terrible most things are if you do them quickly…yes my friends, going to the bathroom can best be enjoyed slowly….we all know it.






Speed reading sucks.

Eating the Blues with Relish

Can't seem to choose what to listen to right now...hmmm a little bit of Vermont flavor with Grace Potter and the Nocturnals? Perhaps some blues styling from Joe Bonamassa? or the old go to Pixiesdavidbowieradioheadledzeppelin? Sticking with Joe Bonamassa, glad I chose this bastard. Putting me in the mood to play some guitar, always good for a slightly dreary morning; soak myself with the blues. Why don't you take a blues-shower I say and indulge in some guitar fireworks early in the morning (ten...not so much) before breakfast (what is real breakfast?) Some eat steak for their first meal. Sounds like a vegetarian's worst nightmare "Yes sir, I already ate some slaughtered bovine shavings this morning, I cannot wait until lunch for the chicken and then perhaps some grease drenched, blood dripping when-you-squeeze-the-bun cheeseburgers for dinner. By adding cheese I am really taking the cow for all its worth huh? Maybe that's why cows are one of my favorite animals. Thank you for the delicious meals, you are truly giving back to society. Gotta love the sacrifice. When someone (who me?) mentioned sacrifice I thought of the Aztecs. Great civilization that once was. Have you seen the structures? Let's not forget the Mayans or Incas. Those Incas couldn't get much closer to heaven out there in Machu Picchu. What and where is Heaven?

A State of Mind.

That Grace Potter sure is a healthy young woman isn't she? Phew. Love that stuff, go out and listen to "This is Somewhere". Gotta love female singers, soft spot of mine (i.e Jenny Lewis, Neko Case, Joanna Newsom, Grace Potter, Grace Slick, that girl from the Hazards of Love album, Beach House, Cat Power, Fiona Apple of course and the list continues). At this moment Joe Bonamassa is approaching guitar shredding nirvana by doing the opposite of what Nirvana (circa 1992) does...playing very good solos. Sorry Kurt, I still love your songs...but Eddie Vedder is my boy.

Warm weather present yourself! It's time to stop teasing the New England folks. Let's break some records this week huh?

Discussion on IT is coming...via telepathic conversation with Stephanie Sanzo, the originator of the IT concept...and this particular IT is not associated with the Phish festival of the same name, but TreyMikePageFishman definitely get IT.

Guitar feedback, thunderous drums, a shout into the microphone...tap tap tap, a bassline, a keyboard, play the black keys only. Stop the Madness Joyce, or continue on...reach for the Oxen of the Sun, Hendrix was a Third Stone away.

Doo Doo Doo Looking out my Backdoor....*CRASH*


Hasta luego

Top 5 favorite breakfast foods

1. Omlette (Giant)
2. Ham/Egg/Cheese on a Bagel
3. Pancakes with Bacon and Eggs
4. French Toast with Bacon and Eggs
5. Waffle or Cereal with Poptart (Raspberry flavored)


Ete Sen Obruni?

Happy Pappy?

It's Sunday but I'm not seeing much of the sun. After watching Dolores Claiborne last week in Films of Stephen King I'm hoping for a solar eclipse. I don't remember the last time I saw an eclipse...must have been years ago or I was inside at the time. It seems like it is near impossible to muster up any energy to do school work on days like these. How have you all been? I'm wondering what Richard does in his free time...perhaps has an enormous collection of crosswords gathered from the mainland and passes the days doing those. Apparently Jacob just sits near the four toed statue all day and drinks wine and rambles on about philosophical metaphors of the island's significance. Nonetheless I was talking about Lost back there, muchos muchos spoilers...sorry.

In class this week we discussed the fact that WE don't exist, yet we do because others are around to recognize us...perhaps this is why we don't like being alone, we start to disintegrate slowly into nothing more than a conscious mind.

Very sick of those 'Smell like a Man' commercials. Matt and Steve agree that one should go without showering for a while to smell like a man. Let's continue to further the masculinity complex by watching a commercial in which a man 'washes' off grass, sporting and lawn care equipment, hoses, chainsaws (I think)and other objects clearly designated for men. Shit...I accidentally advertised in an attempt to thwart the original ad. At the apartment we are slowly realizing the disturbing nature of most commercials. Maybe we should all turn the TV off or put it on mute when the ads come on (like Simone) to decide what we really matters to us.

Which brings me to what else we covered in class this week. In psychoanalytic terms according to Lacan, we all must enter into the Symbolic world at some point (the normal world as we see it, a place where we fill our lives with things to make ourselves happy, aka following capitalism/the man/patriarchal society). When we enter into this world we lose a 'pound of flesh' which creates a 'wound' that we are all constantly trying to heal throughout the course of our lives. Every time we fill that void with 'something' we eventually pass that point of desire and want something new, therefore opening the 'wound' once more. According to Zizek we will never be truly happy because of this. Yay, now I can go get some cheese and temporarily fill that void. Thanks so much Zizek for simplifying our existence to the point where nothing matters. I think I will take what you said into consideration and try to prove you wrong. I also urge others to discover why life has more meaning than one may think (let's do this by trying to stay out of specific religious territory). I believe a lot of things are important because all we know is our own happiness. The best we can do is fill the 'wound'. I always come back to this but..for example, when you hear a song and it hits you just right while the sun may be setting or you are driving and the wind is just right, or you are with your significant other and things are going well, or you heard it at the right place and the right time, or you heard it in a movie and it reminded you of the moment you cherished in the film when you heard it again somewhere else. There are countless other instances where you may experience something like this and feel a sort of life affirming sensation. I think these are small moments that fill the 'wound' but never go away.

I think if you find and meditate on these moments and you will be a little bit more content each time. I'm not even quite sure what I just said, but I think if you know what I've been saying you might get IT. What is IT you might ask? More on that next time...

Alright enough of that deep stuff...time for some lunch. Oh yes and Fergie, please quit the Black Eyed Peas and become a rock singer, Slash knew what was up when he hired you.

Top 5 worst college basketball bracket selections

1. 2010 (Fuck you Kentucky)
2. 2010 (Fuck you Syracuse for beating UVM and losing later on)
3. 2010 (Fuck you Georgetown for just being terrible)
4. 2010 (Thank you Kansas for ruining everyone else's bracket)
5. 2011 (I'm already fucked)

...The lack of cheese that's getting to me right now.




Watch Jeopardy.



Just wanted to say that the Wild Beasts album is awesome.

Oh My Gawd it's back!... and a top five list

It's been awhile...since I last posted, not that damn Staind song. Looking back on some of these posts; what a grumpy bastard I was, but oh well, no apologies. I'm going to try and update this pretty frequently with shorter posts which call attention to important things in the world of Charts. Ego aside, join me for the last few months of my (and my friends') time at UVM.

Spring break has been a hell of a time let me tell you... All the toilet paper I knead (like the dough), some home cooked dinners, lots of leftover soda from the Superbowl Party, multiple new terms I've learned from Travis like turtling, a new craze hitting Belchertown High School. Apparently it involves one turning someone's personal items inside out when they aren't looking, backpacks are a popular choice for this. What happened to the good old days of the finger circle held below the belt? Have such wholesome games gone by the wayside?

I also spend a lot of time reading Ooooolysays (Ulysses for those of you unlearned readers...ahem)and listening to good music...including Gaga and NOT Kesha. Why does she not receive a $ might you ask? She spent it all developing her whorish image...zing! I brush my teeth with toothpaste thank you very much. By the way I think P Diddy wakes up in a nice bed every morning, not a bathtub. Pop stars, stop copying Gaga, you can't do it, she's an original... and remember she is a LADY, not a strumpet. Katy Perry, be careful, you are almost on my shitlist.

Not too much else going on over here in Belchertown right now...but we'll see what happens over the course of the week. Also, each post will contain a top five list of my choice, if anyone has any suggestions let me know, but today it will be...cheeses of course. Perhaps tomorrow I will list my top 5 high school crushes, the limits are endless, come back and see.

Top Five Cheeses

1. Aged Cabot Cheddar in the black wax
2. Seriously Sharp Cabot Cheddar found at most stores of the Grocery
3. Wisconsin Cheddar...not better than Vermont cheddar, but delectable nonetheless
4. Any other Sharp Cheddar I can get my hands on
5. American/Blue...melts well/Tangy flavor