It’s been a while.

I knew this would happen.

It was inevitable.

I have aspirations of grandeur (however grand writing a blog can be) and eventually succumb to the daily crap life seems so willing to throw at me. Thanks life. You’re a jerk. That said, I’m back, at least for a brief second, and with the time I have I shall present to you, the reader, What I (also a reader)Am Reading. So, without further rambling and spewing of useless riff-raff,

What I’m Reading:

American Gods -Neil Gaiman

Mythology and folk-tales have always fascinated me. In school I always loved to hear the stories of Zeus and Poseidon, Odin and Thor, and Anubis and Seth.  They were gods, yes, but they exhibited expressly human traits and vices, albeit with fantastic powers.  They were the original superheroes.  And theses Super-beings are the focus of Neil Gaiman’s magnum opus.  American Gods. The story follows Shadow, a recently released convict, who, upon returning home, finds his wife dead and his friends gone.  He is soon swept up into a war between old gods (like those I have mentioned) and the new gods of America (Media, Greed, Drugs, etc.).  This may sounds like a particularly contrived  idea but it is handled with such grace and finesse that it never comes off as such.  Gaiman has crafted a masterpiece.

One of the sections I have most enjoyed in this book are the “coming to America” sections that explain how a particular deity found its way into American society and, more often than not, soon found their identity and power to be dementing.  These sections provide Gaimen the opportunity to craft his own myths while paying careful homage to those he draws upon for the basis of the book.

Maps and Legends – Michael Chabon

This one is pretty new. It’s a collection of essays on reading and writing by the sublime Michael Chabon. I have only read one essay so far, “A Trickster in a Suit of Lights,”  But that one essay has completely captivated my mind ever since I read it.  Every day I see or hear something that reminds me of it and I just have to go back and read one section or another so as to more fully understand what he is trying to say. And he  has a lot to say. In that one essay he covers how we should view entertainment, genres, and other thoughts on the modern short story. Very good stuff.  Im sure Ill have more thoughts as I read more of his essays.

The Sun Also Rises - Ernest Hemmingway

I’ve had this on my “to-read” list since a friend of mine recommend it to me about a year and a half ago.  I have a rather rough history with Hemmingway.  He work has just universally depressed me, and not the artsy sort of depressed, no no, the real life sort of depressed. The kind that leaves you all dried up and useless inside. This however is different. Its his first novel so it may just be that he hadnt experienced how terribly AWFUL the world is.  But, so far, I actually really like it. A lot.  It paints a beautiful picture of spain (and a bit of france).  And it is masterfully written. Im not far enough to have any real thoughts on it yet, but so far? Good stuff.

Song of the day

Album of the Day: Plastic Beach by Gorillaz

(SOOOOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD)

These are my picks for the best albums of year 2009.

These are in no particular order, other than the order that I thought of them in.

1. Them Crooked Vultures by Them Crooked Vultures:

Dave Grohl (nirvana / foo fighters, Drummer)

John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin, Bassist)

Josh Homm (queens of the stone age, Lead Guitar and Vocals)

What do these three musical geniuses (perhaps legends?) have in common?  Well yes they are all members of some of the most influential and prolific bands in history. duh. What else?  Oh, there in a new band you say? Them Crooked Vultures you say? What an odd title. And what a great album. The drums are tight and drive the songs foreward with a strong backing tempo. The bass is groovy and full. The guitar is tipical Homm, distorted, groove bassed, and weird as heck.  The vocals follow in much the same vein.  I have serious doubts of Homm’s actual ability to sing, it almost sounds like some sort of monotone moaning. That said, I love it for whatever reason. And the lyrics are his usual “this-makes-no-sense-but-its-awesome” sort. All in all I whole heartedly recommend this album.

2. It Hates You by He Is Legend

I Am Hollywood? Suck Out the Poison? It Hates You. 3 albums. three winners. And in my opinion? It Hates you wins the most.  Third time’s the charm I suppose. Gone are the screams and breakdowns of yesteryear. Gone are the southernish metal riffs. In their place is a dark, dirty, grungy album that never ceases to pull you back down into its cave and weird you the heck out when you think that schylur and the crew are finally calming down.  Take out the heavy and all the weird seeps in to take its place (careful it stains!).  He is Legend has always been one of my favorite bands, and with this album they now grace my top 5 albums of all time. Yea its that good. Seriously. Git you some.

3. Beggers by Thrice

Ah thrice, as He is legend gets weirder Thrice gets artsier….  This is my favorite Thrice album to date.  No doubt about it.  I was always under the impression that the interspersed screams amidst Thrice’s unique take on rock was sort of a “Hey me too!” move amidst the rising popularity of scream-o(bnoxious) bands.  This album does away with all of that. Completely. And what is left, i would say, is Thrice’s magnum opus.  Everything is just very tight, but in that not-so-overproduced sort of way.  And to elevate my love of this album even more I had the chance to see the majority of the songs preformed live before I even heard the record.  Top notch album, top notch performance, top notch band.

4. Daisy by Brand New

Its Dark

Its Deep.

Its Loud.

And its really, really Good.

Brand New has defiantly evolved from the poptastic, somewhat juvinile, Your Favorite Weapon. The lyrics lean more towards the “meaning of life-ish” rather than “Hey I just Broke Up-ish,” the riffs are more cacofonus than punk should be and the vocals sound like someone who has been shouting for a very long time at those darn kids on his lawn. Why wont they leave him alone?! But yes, it is a very good album. This was the first brand new album I owned (I know late to the party, apparently the hors d’oeurves were great too).  I have heard some long time fans were disappointed with the new sound but I love it. And who cares what they think any ways?

5. The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion, by Dredg

Dredg is probably the band that I have listened to consistently the longest.  I started with catch without arms and moved back from there. I love this new album.   Dredg has always elevated themselves above other similer bands due to their inventive use of instruments (they are the reason I know what a steel guitar is) and their thought out, well crafted, and often new age lyrics. Their songs often have a staggering amount of depth. And this album is no different. I whole heartedly recommend this album.

(and because I really cannot just choose 5 here is one honorable mention)

(Secret) 6. Armistice by Mute Math

Mute Math is a live band.  That is they are at their best in front of an audience. Braking things,throwing things, being awesome. This album though, is amazing despite the lack of their physical presence. The drums are still fast, intricate, and the true lead of the majority of the songs. The rest of the instruments fill in the cracks fantasticly. Each and every song has something to love about it. Making this a very strong album. In my oppinion, and I know that I am a minority, better than their first.

Also I saw this album live. It was incredible

Turkey Day

(My little sister just informed me that it is also) Cake Day

But mostly Thanksgiving Day.

A day to give thanks. To think over what we have and do our best to be content with what we have, who we are with, and where we are.

I have so much to be thankful for, though I rarely act like it.

I go to an incredible school with incredible people.

I Have an amazing family, I wouldn’t trade them for anything.

I live a very comfortable life.

I have a house to come home to.

I have food to eat.

I have a warm bed.

I have the best dog in the world.

I love to write and have ample opportunities to express myself through it.

I can read, and DO read. alot.

I can and have experienced many great movies, musical artists, and books.

I have the best friends a guy could ask for.

And most of all? I personally know the creator of the universe.

Thanksgiving is such a weird time, because, though you are thinking about all the STUFF you’re thankful for the real essence of the holiday is forgetting about those things and striving to be a more selfless, more THANKFUL person.  Its difficult, especially for those of us in the great U.S. of A.  We have so much yet all we can think of is what else we could get, or how our current situation could improve. We are called to be thankful in our current situation.  Its hard but it’s something to strive for.

…Learn

If I’ve learned one thing…wait…let me rephrase that, one of the many things that I have learned at college, amidst the intellectual inundation I live in from day to day (with classes and the like),  is that I truly, with all my heart, love to learn. To know things. To argue things (or have discourse as some smart people I know might say).  To be constantly learning things.  Knowing is just something that truly delights me. I think if someone offered me the opportunity to be in school for the rest of my life AND get payed for it. I would take it. No doubt. (But no math. Ever. Math is of the devil. I suspect hell is just a bunch of numbers, everywhere, and the only thing you have to do is math problems all the time. seriously. That would be the worst.) And learning’s ever constant companion Thinking is defiantly prime in my list of “Must-Do” things.  God has blessed me with a brain, it would be foolish of me not to use it.  It is one thing to learn about a subject, to know about it, but something entirely different to have thought it over, explored its nooks and crannies, and developed a unique, personal opinion on it.  I truly desire to take advantage of every opportunity I have here at Covenant to learn every thing I can and to consistently challenge my self to THINK more rather than just fall into intellectual complacency.

…Laugh

Humor is a funny thing. What may be funny to one may be shocking and offensive to another.  As I have been here at Covenant College I have been on both sides of the spectrum many times.  I suppose this has caused me to think about it more (seeing both sides of something often does).  I don’t want to be someone known for crass, perverted, or profane humor.  This may shock some of my fellow in-college-now-generation compatriots but you don’t have to be, have, do any of that stuff to be funny. Crazy, I know.  I honestly desire to laugh, to joke, to be funny. BUT, I also desire to explore the best, most uplifting way to do so, however hard or weird that may be.

…Love

I sure would love (oh man I am undermining myself already aren’t I?) to find a modern definition for “love.”  It would probably read something like this

Our view of Love is skewed and perverted.  I know that I, and pretty much everyone ever from anywhere, desire to be known, wanted, and loved (whatever that means anyways), but we are rarely if ever satisfied by our pursuits. No matter how much we tell ourselves that we are.  I was talking to a close friend of mine about this sort of stuff and she pointed out (quite astutely ) that with all the time we, as relationship craving human beings, pursue the opposite sex we are using time that could be devoted to growing in relationship with our LORD.  Not that it is bad to pursue relationships. But, as my bible teacher said, if they (or you) love you (or them) more then God? Run.  A relationship needs to be edifying and God glorifying, the other person should make you want to be a better person, the best you possibly can be (though this may be an unattainable state). But most importantly they should encourage you spiritually, a relationship based upon a common love of God and the Gospel is built upon foundations that hold up even within the turbulance of disagreements and disapointments. I desire to grow in both my love for others and the LORD. Comitting ones relational future into His hands may be difficult, but the rewards are great indeed.

…Listen

I am a pretty musically focused guy. But that has absolutely nothing with what I am going to write in this section.

Listening. Listening is alot more than just hearing, believe it or not, hearing is not something you can’t control, it is a sense, it is an unavoidable circumstance.  Listening on the other hand suggests a conscious effort to process what you are hearing. I want to be a friend who listens, not just hears, what others say. I truly desire to care about my friends (and acquaintances too I suppose, those scoundrels), and not just in a surface-y sort of way.  This may mean I may have to go out of my way for them at times, something that may not be at the top of my “hey-I-really-feel-like-doing-this-right-now” list, it also may involve confrontation. Not fun. I hate being told that I am wrong. I hate telling others that they are wrong more.  However, doing so shows that you are truly interested in that person enough to want to help them be an even better person than they already are. It also shows that you are listening with interest, not just hearing with indifference.  I desire to really actually care in really real ways about those around me. Not just hearing what they say but listening to it too.

…Live

Living’s hard some times you know?  Beat heart beat. Breath lungs breath. Think brain think. Ok so maybe we don’t have to worry about that sort of living. God gave us a pretty great auto pilot system (thank you for that).  But living to our full potential? Well that poses a slightly more difficult situation.  I waste so much time doing…well I’m not even quite sure what it is that I do.  But I do it. I know I do because I gain nothing by it. Just empty space in my memory. I really desire to live to my full potential, no not perfection, I’m a calvinist I know thats not possible, psh give me a break, but I dont want to be wasting the time I have on this earth. I want to KNOW the Bible, I want to KNOW my friends I want to change something, anything, for the better. I want to be constantly improving in my person and relationships with others and God. I want to be the best I can be. I’m done wasting time. I want to really live.

Song of the Day

New Fang by Them Crooked Vultures

(these aren’t my pictures this time sadly)

Write a paper:

My paper “Print vs. the Electronic Monstrosities” went smoothly.  It was on my continued thoughts of the current rise of electronic media and the downfall of the print medium.  Perhaps after some revisions I will post it on here.

Take a test:

More like ACE a test. I studied for hours for my concepts in physical geography test and I think it payed off (I sure hope so, I hate feeling like I did good only to receive a subpar grade. Thats the worst!).  Even If it didn’t I can now tell you where all the countries of europe are as well as how a “A” tropical climate is modified by a “f” sub group to form a rain forest climate. I promise it’s more interesting than it sounds . . . wait, I take that back, it’s not.

See Brand New and Thrice.

Wow. Thrice. Brand New. Wow. Ah!  This show was amazing. I haven’t listened to Brand New for very long (they headlined) but Thrice has been a band I have enjoyed for several years now. Both acts blew me away. Thrice had a rather simple set, only using the in house lights. This, however, detracted in no way from an incredibly intense show. Dustin Kensrue is amazing.  Brand new on the other hand had a multitude of set pieces on stage, the largest of which was a large gray back drop on which images and video clips were projected that correlated to each song. Very cool.

See Mute Math.

(this one gets 2 pictures because it was so good!)

The best concert I have ever seen was Nine Inch Nails, Jane’s Addiction, and Street Sweeper Social Club.  This concert  was second only to that one.  It was mind-blowingly awesome. The opening act As Tall As Lions were fantastic, exhibiting a massive amount of energy and inventiveness. Defiantly worthy openers to the most energetic and inventive show I have ever seen.  I really can’t even explain the mute math portion of the show. Ask me in person. Then you can watch me flail my arms as I try to capture the spectacle as best I can (even if you don’t care you can laugh at my enthusiasm).

Eat some food.

Yea I ate some. Chartwells sucks as usual. But I ate at red robin for the first time ever and it was fantastic! Somerville and Tim time is always good!

Get some Treats.

…

Maybe.

Be Awesome.

No Doubt.

The basic premiss follows protagonist, John no middle initial Smith, as he awakes from a four year coma to find that when he touches someone he instantly knows about their life, including the future.There are, however, parts he cant see. these are called dead zones (hence the name of the book). Oh, if only all patients awoke from comas with super powers. I doubt I would be the first to run head long into a brick wall in hope of garnering the ability of flight or invisibility…yea…that would be awesome. But, back to the dead zone.  Running parallel to the story of John Smith is the story of Greg Stillson, traveling salesman Greg Stillson, dog brutalizing Greg Stillson,  twisted cop Greg Stillson, youth reformer Greg Stillson  aspiring politician Greg Stillson, future president Greg Stillson.  Their paths cross during a political rally in which Stillson is running for a seat in the house of representatives for the state of New Hampshire.  John Smith reaches out to shake Stillson’s Hand and upon contact sees his rise to presidency and the start of what may be a third world war.  This is where King presents the “What If?” question on which the book is structured.  What if you knew Hitler was going to rise to power in Germany and cause all the sorrow and destruction that he did. Would you kill him?  This is the question haunts John Smith for the latter half of the novel, and in its conclusion (which I wont spoil for you), King provides his view, how HE would answer the question.

This exploration is absolutely fascinating, and it provides a thrilling ride throughout, and the 402 page book is never dull. However, when I finished the book I was much more interested in how King had structured the entire story on one simple question. A “what if?” question. This got me thinking.  ”Perhaps most, if not all fictional novels begin with something as simple as ‘what if?.’”  ”What if the dead could be re-animated? (Frankenstein) ,”  ”What if an evil carnival came to town? (Something Wicked This Way Comes),”  ”What if  dinosaurs existed now? (Jurassic Park).”  The specifics aren’t there and any semblance of personality or character has yet to make its way into the pages of the story, but the basis for the entire plot is contained within that one question.  I suppose this is exciting to me because it means I don’t have to think up a multi-layered plot with true to life characters and realistic situations all right off the bat.  I am allowed to start from the simplest possible point. Like writing duplos, you have to work your way to legos, lest we choke on all the small pieces (hurray for terrible metaphors!).  ”What if’s” provide an opportunity to create a realistic world in which one specific thing is altered.  This grounds a story in reality while allowing for the introduction of the fantastic and, because it is grounded in reality, what may usually be thought of as absurd becomes more acceptable, and seemingly more probable  to the reader.  Now, not all “what if’s” work like this,but all use it to pose a situation and explore its resolution.   So be encouraged! Start small and simple and build from there. This is the upside down pyramid of story growth (I’m really failing with these metaphors tonight…).

What If’s are a  fantastic thing to base a plot for a novel.  And something to think on. It is National Write a Novel Month, after all. Seriously. Get your act together and WRITE! It’s not that bad, I promise!

Oh, and read the Dead Zone. It’s Awesome.

Song of the Day:

Doublespeak by Thrice

Write a paper.

Take a test.

See Brand New and Thrice.

See Mute Math.

Eat some food.

Get some Treats.

Be Awesome.

I love reading.

Seriously. Thats not a joke.

I have spent a small fortune on my addiction (see, I want to have a library when I’m older).  I read anything I can get my hands on.  Well. Anything good I suppose.  I guess I like to see my self as some sort of intellectual (I really am one, I’m just being humble).

So. The reason I am writing about my rather obsessive love of Books steams from three main sources.

First: I just bought a slew of new books, so the thought is still fresh in my mind (man waiting for packages sucks. until you get them, then its awesome).  I try to balance my reading. So I ordered The reason for God by Tim Keller, a book that explores many peoples doubts about the Bible and Christianity, while explaining solutions to them.  This sort of topic fascinates me. I may or mat not struggle with these questions, but I may meet people who do, and I would Like to be able to answer them.  I also got a book of Oscar Wilde quotes, because he is the man, and he makes me laugh (sometimes I even understand what he is saying and i feel smart. its great.).  Finally I got Neverwhere by Neil Gaimen (one of my favorite comic book writers. Lets see how he fairs as a novelist shall we? ) and Under The Dome by Stephen King (Maybe my new favorite author? He is absolutly amazing that is for sure, Ill write more about what I think about him later…), which was a 40$ hard cover pre-order but I got it for 9$. Score!

Second: I had a rather interesting…um… mental fallout a couple of weeks ago. I realized that I had neglected my pursuit for knowledge since I had started College. Ironic,I knon. I suppose my social instinct just got the better of me. I mean getting to know people is great, don’t get me wrong. But I all of a sudden had a EXTREMELY strong desire to KNOW more and to think on a deeper level, and as a result, have deeper conversations and relationships with the people who surround me day to day.  Because of this I started to read my Bible more and more regularly (I now try to wake up at around 7 and get tot the Great Hall By 7:25-ish so that I can just read and talk to people for 2 hours before class) and i began to finish several books I had started near the end of the summer. This “re-hooked” me and drew me back into the wonderful world of readers. There is so much to read and so little time! It really is rather overwhelming.

Finally: I have been stunned by the enormous amount of people I have talked to who absolutely abhor the idea of reading a book. Seriously.  I believe it may be, in part, due to the fact that some people really have difficulty reading in general, and that is totally understandable. But for the vast majority I think it all boils down to laziness. plain and simple.  It sort of reflects the nature of modern day america. Always looking for the easiest way out.  The masses of today are perfectly ok with the telling of a story through motion picture, or even audio formats, because these take no real effort on the receiving end. Its E-A-S-Y. However in doing so they end up starving their imagination. In both movies and audio books some part of the character is defined for you. Whether it be the character’s image, voice and mannerisms or the way in which each setting looks, some part of the creative process, that the writer imparts to YOU, the reader, is being taken away.  Though I feel strongly about this I know that There probably won’t be any change as we get more and more technologically focused (the Kindle? psh, please.  *insert tone of disapproving sarcasm*). I suppose I will have to rest easy in the thought that I can still enjoy books even if the masses cant.

oh well.

their loss.

and those are my thoughts on reading.

Song of the Day:

Lost Year by Mute Math

Wow. College? Really? I am in C-O-L-L-E-G-E? But i still feel like a kid…And maybe in some ways I still am. scratch that. In many ways I still am. But College. The next big step. Its been about 2 months (2 months and 4 days to be exact.), though it feels like its been so much longer. Not in a bad, “this thing is just dragging on and on!” sort of way. But in a “I’ve grown and done so much its rather ridiculous,” sort of way.  Because of this there is no way I could write  about every thing I have thought about and done during this time in one post (believe me it would be an epic), I will most likely write several reflections on different parts of my experience.

Studies

I am in college to study. yes. STUDY! Drill it into my brain. Ok i think ive got it now…well…ah, wait a second…

College is a place that seniors go after their highschool teachers can take no more of them. What can we do with them? they may ask.  ”Oh! ive got it! lets give them over to the professors!” another might reply.  And so we are knocked down the intellectual food chain from senior back down to freshmen (Do you know how long it took me to get there?! Seriously.).  We are introduced to Core classes. We are given MUCH more freedom than highschool ever offered (finally). Though, with this freedom we are also asked to be RESPONSABLE. hm…fair trade I suppose…ha. ha ha. ha.

College is made of classes.

I have five classes. English Comp, Concepts in Physical Geography, Old Testament Survey (these are on monday, wednesday, and friday), Christian Mind, and Concepts in PE (these are on Tuesday and thursday).  Its a pretty easy load. Geography and Old testament are the only ones I have felt at all lost in, and even then it was more my fault for not paying attention.  Here are a few thoughts on each.

English Comp: I love this class. The focus is on four essays, the only grades we get in the class, that we write and continue to revise over and over until they are as good as they can be. I want to be a writer. So exercises like this are actually rather enjoyable for me. I love it . and yes. I am a geek.

Concepts in Physical Geography: hm…what DO I think of this class? on one hand it is increadably interesting. Weather, Maps, Dirt. All of these are covered, especially in the labs. Sadly though, i just really dont care. I want to. But it is so interminably  BORING!

Old Testament Survey: Old Testament is great. My professor, Dr. Ward, is great. He is so kind, rather soft spoken, but amazingly wise. Its a pretty easy class, if you pay attention.  Its a lot of ground that I covered last year in bible class, though I still find it absolutely fascinating!

Christian Mind: This class is alright. We attend a lecture on tuesday and then go to a discussion small group on thursday. Im rather indifferent to it though. Ill be done in a week.

PE: I hate this class. And my teacher is crazy.

I really love to learn, I really really do! Im not just saying that.  I just have the unfortunate mindset of selective learning. I have to make a conscious effort to pay attention in classes that I have no interest. This is just one of the ways I have had to grow within the last two months. Its weird having to apply myself rather than have people direct me in the way I should grow. I am definatly matureing.

I am a work In Progress.

Song of the Day:

The Way We Get By by Spoon

Man, it is GREAT to be back home. I made my first return to asheville today and it was just as I had left it: beautiful, weird, and utterly fantastic.

I began my afternoon by driving over to my favorite comic shop in asheville, Pastimes, to buy the new trade of The Umbrella Academy. I just finished it. It Rocks.

Then lunch with Mr. Adam Lutz at Mamacitas, a local burrito joint which I somehow missed during my 18 year stay in the area.  Chipotle Chicken Burrito. yum. we then rendezvoused with several other Covenant Students and wandered around from shop to shop enjoying the BEAUTIFUL fall afternoon.

Seriously. Beautiful.

After that Anna Harrison, Adam Lutz and I walked through the new park behind the Vance memorial and, after enjoying the new fountains for a bit, on to the French Broad Food Co-op for some tea. I ended up buying some loose leaf rose petals/buds, Chamomile, and Earl Gray along with ten sticks of incense (For a Dollar!).

After that I split off from the group and made a stop at one of my favorite shops of all time. Mr. K’s, a used book store. I didn’t end up finding anything I was looking for inside, but as I was walking out I spied two rather old, rather fascinating looking books in the free bin. They turned out to be Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson and Cabbages and Kings by O’Henry (interesting fact: O’Henry is buried in Asheville)! Score!

I then returned home to an amazing dinner cooked by my amazing mother! Salmon, angle hair, and Caesar salad!

What a day.

Song of the Day -

Spitting Venom by Modest Mouse