N. A double handful
So... I didn't know what to blog about. And if you remember my previous blog "Brontide" in February, you know that when I'm stumped, I Google. In fact today I had an astounding number of google searches for various items I didn't know, but that's a different topic entirely...
And so the Google began....
"blog topics" ..... Results 1 - 10 of about 172,000,000 for blog topics. (0.22 seconds)
Holy Cannoli.
Fourth from the top, I discovered...
http://www.darrenbarefoot.com/archives/2007/09/55-more-blog-posts-i-hope-you-write.html
I love these topics! I stopped at each item and instantly had a thought pertaining to the topic suggested, talk about a muse!
So, without further ado, #1 The Story of My Most Serious Injury
I laughed when I read this. Mostly because, I am known as being a complete klutz. I have zero grace, coordination, or dexterity. Despite that, I could not think of a single serious injury I've ever had. How lucky am I? Not to say that I haven't been without my injuries but I would not label any of them in the category of serious. So instead, here's my top 5 klutziest moments that may/may not have ended in injury...
5. Cross Country camping trip (2004): We went on yearly camping trips as a team to a state park in Rockford where we would do daily runs on the trails, then clown around the rest of the day. I had been running with some people and they decided to head back. I wanted to get in a few extra minutes so I kept going. Mistake #1. As I was running, I started getting paranoid wondering if animals, or a human, were going to attack me. That is after all, how it happens in horror movies. Which leads me to Mistake #2, looking up from the ground and frantically searchign the passing bushes for my attacker. And that's when it happened, I tripped on a log which sent me flying through the air. I then landed with my knee square on, the sharpest rock I've ever seen. I did a triple take thinking I had landed on an arrowhead.
**The image I am about to describe might be too graphic for small children or those uncomfortable with blood and other gross things. You've been warned.**
And THAT's when I saw the blood. It was everywhere, my leg, shoe, the ground. I pity whomever passed that spot after I left, they probably became very concerned for their well-being, as it looked like someone had been murdered there. Being the extremely logical and rational person I am, I did not freak out. I know I had approximately 2.5 miles back to camp, so I did what any tough-as-nails cross country runner would do. I ran back. This little jaunt would easily make my list of top 5 worst runs ever. It was hilly and uneven terrain and getting very hot and humid outside. I was miserable, but just when I thought I could not make it any further, I emerged from the woods. As I saw the look of horror on my coach's face, I suddenly realized what I must have looked like. A bloody, sweaty, dirty mess. Before he could have a full on aneurysm I yelled to him I was ok, I had just tripped and needed a Band-Aid. He laughed as he tried to find a band-aid big enough to cover the gaping wound.
Injuries sustained gaping wound in knee (scar still present), loss of right to run by myself. Ever.
4. Juneau Street (2007)- When I got invited to go with a group of people out for dollar burgers at a local establishment, my freshmen year of college (Spring), I was ridiculously excited. I am not sure why, but it was the first outing I had been invited to in awhile, so I was really looking forward to it. Plus I did not know most of the people, and I was looking forward to meeting a bunch of new people. You all know me, and my love of making new friends :).
I took an extra few minutes to dress up before they picked me up. Everyone introduced themselves to me and off we went, walking towards our destination. We were walking down a hill and I was demonstrating some wicked dance move I had seen on TV. As I went to complete the jump-turn-sashay, I suddenly realized I was no longer touching the ground, worse, I was staring at the ground as I was catapulting down the hill.
I come to rest about 10 feet from my original point of departure. As I recovered I recognized the sound of my 6 new friends dying of hysterics, tears streaming down their face. I had no other option but to laugh as well, because it truly had been a ridiculous fall. But I didn't mention the best part. My outfit I had so carefully picked out? A miniskirt. Yep.
Injuries sustained scrapes, bruises, and the knowledge that my new friends may/may not have seen some articles of clothing typically reserved for my eyes only.
3. My House (Year Unknown, but probably in the 1999-2002 range): My grandmother and mother were sitting out on the deck talking. I thought I would join them. I started running down the hall and then out the door.
The door was made of glass.
Have you ever seen a bird hit a window and fall to the ground only to sit there stunned for a few minutes before slowly hobbling away? That was me.
My grandmother and mother took twice as long to recover from the shock and also, the effects of hysterical laughter.
Injuries sustained were slightly slowed mental processes for the next several hours. And a bruised ego.
2. Cross Country Practice (2003): It was picture day for Cross Country, why I remember that, I have no idea. In any case, afterward, our coach decided we would have practice as well. JV was supposed to do the 2 mile warm up loop, then he'd let us know what to do next. In typically cross form, we decided to make the warm up more interesting by singing the entire way.
So there we are running down Wilson Street, directly across from the old public library, when out of nowhere a very large stick jumps in front of us. Gabby and Amy, my running buddies on either side of me, were able to divert onto the grass, but I was stuck, hopelessly in the path of the oncoming stick. The vicious stick attacks my feet and drags me down with it. I hit the pavement face first.
As I'm getting up I notice a car has pulled up along side us, thinking some well-meaning citizen wished to offer assistance, I brushed off myself off and went over to talk talk to the driver. Then I noticed the car was a gray Toyota Camry, very similar looking to my dad's car. And the driver bore a striking resemblence to Mr. Madaus himself. And he was laughing hysterically. And then he said, "Your a klutz, see you at home..By the way, your mother is going to love this story.." That well-meaning citizen sure was an @$$. :) :) :)
Injuries sustained, bruised ego, sore nose, and psychological trauma of perpetual teasing by parents...
1. My top klutziest moment actually consists of three separate occasions that all resulted in the same injury. So individually, they may not be all that klutzy but the fact they all occurred to me in one lifetime is a bit entertaining....
First Incident: Running around the kitchen to win control of the remote over my brother, I stub my pinky toe on the kitchen table. It breaks and I need to tape it for a month until it heals.
Second Incident (6 Months later): While playing on a jungle gym, I decided to hang from my legs from the top. I slip off and smack my foot on a metal bar. Rebreak same pinky toe. Must be taped for a very long time.
Third Incident (A few years later): While walking in downtown Milwaukee, arms full of books, I notice a squirrel staring at me. It freaks me out a little, as facts about rabies circle around in my head. I walk a little faster, when the squirrel hops along after me. I break out into a light jog, the squirrel picks up speed. All of a sudden the squirrel jumps in my direction, I do a little skip-hop-jump to avoid his talons and fangs, when I stub my toe on the raised sidewalk. Toe and foot is so swollen I go to the doctor, they take X-rays and ask if i had prior trauma to the area. It has healed so haphazardly they say it will never be straight. I have to wear an ugly shoe to keep it straight for a week, then tape it for several more weeks.
Injuries sustained maimed toe and a perpetual fear/hatred of squirrels.
I hope you enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed writing it :) It's true that time heals most wounds, and I most certainly got a good laugh out of this....
Always,
K
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Quiddity
N. - the essence or nature of a thing
Puzzled on what to blog about?
Worried your readers won't find you interesting?
Call us at 555-Blog and we'll help you!
Disclaimer: We don't know how to help you...
Look! I'm advertising on my blog! I'm big time now!
Ok, but seriously, I hate having the bug to blog (haha, that's cute!) but nothing comes to mind to write about. How about... 10 things I've learned from being an RA. This should be good....
1. How to clean up biohazard waste including vomit, urine, blood, and feces. I'm sure that'll come in handy more often than I think..
2. When calling someone at 2 AM don't expect them to be coherent. Don't expect them to be eager to come help you clean something up. Or break up a party. Or help with a building evacuation following a fire alarm. Which always happens in January. In Milwaukee. And there's never a fire.
3. If given the choice, deal with those under the influence of marijuana rather than alochol. How much can they really argue and fight when they are trying to figure out where their feet are and if they can walk to the nearest Taco Bell.
4. I can now discuss the most awkward of topics with anyone, and not even blush. Seriously, once you have had the "People can hear you and your boyfriend in your most intimate of situations" conversation everything else is easy-peazy.
5. Given the resources, motivation and time, anything is possible. Including discovering a way to lock the women's bathroom from the outside. And posting fake notices from the city saying the women's bathrooms were locked due to excessive water usage. And doing this before 8 am class. When 40 crabby, tired, stressed girls are expecting a hot shower. And their RA is hoping to sleep in after a long night of studying.
6. Some people are physically incapable of flushing the toilet.
7. Some people think drawing gentials on everything is a form of art.
8. I am distinctly familar with the sound that a ping pong ball makes when hitting a tile floor. I'm also familar with the sound of ten drunken 18 year olds trying to hide three cases of beer and a beer pong table after I knock on the door and announce "On Duty RA." (ex. Shhhh it's the RA, hide the beer! Hide the girl in the closet!Just be quiet, she won't hear us...)
9. I know how to shut off the water supplies to... the sprinkler system, urinals, showers, toilets, water fountains, and the drain in the kitchen. I also know the nearest mop bucket location at any place in either of the residence hall building on campus.
10. I've learned that being an RA sets you up for a lifetime of great stories to use to start up conversations. For example, When I was an RA, a kid rappelled out of his window. On the fifth floor... OR when I was an RA, I walked past a room with 5 guys watching a movie on a big screen TV. They were discussing the physics and math behind what was happening on the screen. Interested I turned to see what they were watching, expecting Mythbusters or the History Channel. Instead I saw material that would most likely be too explicit to be rated X and most certainly would have made even the most sexually liberated person blush...
How I love my job :)
Always,
K
Puzzled on what to blog about?
Worried your readers won't find you interesting?
Call us at 555-Blog and we'll help you!
Disclaimer: We don't know how to help you...
Look! I'm advertising on my blog! I'm big time now!
Ok, but seriously, I hate having the bug to blog (haha, that's cute!) but nothing comes to mind to write about. How about... 10 things I've learned from being an RA. This should be good....
1. How to clean up biohazard waste including vomit, urine, blood, and feces. I'm sure that'll come in handy more often than I think..
2. When calling someone at 2 AM don't expect them to be coherent. Don't expect them to be eager to come help you clean something up. Or break up a party. Or help with a building evacuation following a fire alarm. Which always happens in January. In Milwaukee. And there's never a fire.
3. If given the choice, deal with those under the influence of marijuana rather than alochol. How much can they really argue and fight when they are trying to figure out where their feet are and if they can walk to the nearest Taco Bell.
4. I can now discuss the most awkward of topics with anyone, and not even blush. Seriously, once you have had the "People can hear you and your boyfriend in your most intimate of situations" conversation everything else is easy-peazy.
5. Given the resources, motivation and time, anything is possible. Including discovering a way to lock the women's bathroom from the outside. And posting fake notices from the city saying the women's bathrooms were locked due to excessive water usage. And doing this before 8 am class. When 40 crabby, tired, stressed girls are expecting a hot shower. And their RA is hoping to sleep in after a long night of studying.
6. Some people are physically incapable of flushing the toilet.
7. Some people think drawing gentials on everything is a form of art.
8. I am distinctly familar with the sound that a ping pong ball makes when hitting a tile floor. I'm also familar with the sound of ten drunken 18 year olds trying to hide three cases of beer and a beer pong table after I knock on the door and announce "On Duty RA." (ex. Shhhh it's the RA, hide the beer! Hide the girl in the closet!Just be quiet, she won't hear us...)
9. I know how to shut off the water supplies to... the sprinkler system, urinals, showers, toilets, water fountains, and the drain in the kitchen. I also know the nearest mop bucket location at any place in either of the residence hall building on campus.
10. I've learned that being an RA sets you up for a lifetime of great stories to use to start up conversations. For example, When I was an RA, a kid rappelled out of his window. On the fifth floor... OR when I was an RA, I walked past a room with 5 guys watching a movie on a big screen TV. They were discussing the physics and math behind what was happening on the screen. Interested I turned to see what they were watching, expecting Mythbusters or the History Channel. Instead I saw material that would most likely be too explicit to be rated X and most certainly would have made even the most sexually liberated person blush...
How I love my job :)
Always,
K
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Philia
Greek- Means love as found in a friendship
At random times I find myself surprised by how utterly perfect life seems to fit together. I know I shouldn't be surprised, God after all, is in control. But it still seems so crazy how in this world of 6 billion people you can somehow cross paths with the right people at the right times. I think about my 3 years at MSOE so far and the people I've met. Some of my experiences have been negative, but so many more, positive. I truly have no idea how I would have made it to this point without the support and love of some of these people.
I feel so blessed to have so many people in so many places that I can count on for whatever I might need, and I hope they all trust me to be there for them too.
I often feel that life is a result of the stars aligning so to speak. Things will always work out, just maybe not the way you want or desire. As a Christian, I attribute this to God putting challenges, successes, and events in your path that you need, though you probably don't recognize the need. Though I get sad, frustrated or even angry when things don't work out the way I hoped or wanted, in the end, I find myself spending less and less time dwelling on "what could have been" and more time just enjoying what's here and now. Perhaps this is what maturing feels like :).
For that reason, when I take the time to step back and look at the big picture, I'm simply in awe at how things come together... How did God know I needed Justin at that exact point in my life? How could He have foreseen how wonderfully amazing he would make my life. How did He know I would have hard times and need someone there to lean on? How did God know that I needed all the friends I've made, I won't name them because then I'll get yelled at for not including others, believe me your all important to me, and I don't hide that fact, you'll know :)..and so many others? I recognize the absolute ridiculousness of trying to figure out how He knows all of that. It's so outside our realm of understanding, but thank goodness for Him, and his gracious gifts of all these people :)
In particular, two people in my life come to my mind who seem to have a distinctly different take on life. They are so caught up in what comes next and next after that, I feel like they don't appreciate all the wonderful things in their life. I hope they can open their eyes and see all those things soon, they are definitely missing out...
This is a little outside my normal topics.. but I was just sitting here and was struck by inspiration, divine without a doubt :)
Back to studying for exams .. yuck..
Always,
K
At random times I find myself surprised by how utterly perfect life seems to fit together. I know I shouldn't be surprised, God after all, is in control. But it still seems so crazy how in this world of 6 billion people you can somehow cross paths with the right people at the right times. I think about my 3 years at MSOE so far and the people I've met. Some of my experiences have been negative, but so many more, positive. I truly have no idea how I would have made it to this point without the support and love of some of these people.
I feel so blessed to have so many people in so many places that I can count on for whatever I might need, and I hope they all trust me to be there for them too.
I often feel that life is a result of the stars aligning so to speak. Things will always work out, just maybe not the way you want or desire. As a Christian, I attribute this to God putting challenges, successes, and events in your path that you need, though you probably don't recognize the need. Though I get sad, frustrated or even angry when things don't work out the way I hoped or wanted, in the end, I find myself spending less and less time dwelling on "what could have been" and more time just enjoying what's here and now. Perhaps this is what maturing feels like :).
For that reason, when I take the time to step back and look at the big picture, I'm simply in awe at how things come together... How did God know I needed Justin at that exact point in my life? How could He have foreseen how wonderfully amazing he would make my life. How did He know I would have hard times and need someone there to lean on? How did God know that I needed all the friends I've made, I won't name them because then I'll get yelled at for not including others, believe me your all important to me, and I don't hide that fact, you'll know :)..and so many others? I recognize the absolute ridiculousness of trying to figure out how He knows all of that. It's so outside our realm of understanding, but thank goodness for Him, and his gracious gifts of all these people :)
In particular, two people in my life come to my mind who seem to have a distinctly different take on life. They are so caught up in what comes next and next after that, I feel like they don't appreciate all the wonderful things in their life. I hope they can open their eyes and see all those things soon, they are definitely missing out...
This is a little outside my normal topics.. but I was just sitting here and was struck by inspiration, divine without a doubt :)
Back to studying for exams .. yuck..
Always,
K
Monday, April 6, 2009
Vivace
Music Term- Describes a piece that is quick and lively
I love music. Seriously, everything about it... I love how you can find a song to perfectly match your every mood, how a song can cheer you up on the crummiest day. I love CD's, concerts and concert T's... I love dancing, I love singing (maybe not all that well, but I don't care).. I love driving alone with my favorite music on, window's open... in my opinion, music is such a spiritual experience.. I think there's a definitive reason why as humans, music is a part of all the major events of our lives.
So I thought, in honor of my new blog playlist, I would make a post about my ten all time favorite musicians/songs/albums. Realizing this is a bit difficult when one has the music collection that I do.. bear with me if I have to stretch to 11 or 12 :) I do, after all, make the rules...
Also, these are in no particular order...
1) Joshua Tree by U2
SUCH a beautiful, empowering album. It's one of the few albums I can sit down and listen to from beginning to end without once touching the "Next" button. Favorite U2 song? With or Without You. As a continuation, I love most all of U2's work, with the exception of their popular song "Beautiful Day." That song annoys me, for what reason I have no idea...
2) Keith Urban - Better Life
This is our (Justin and I) song, decided by me. He might disagree and say either Tim McGraw "Last Dollar" or Snow Patrol "Chasing Cars"... though I do in fact love both of those songs as well, I feel like Keith's song perfectly captures the ups, downs, and everything else of our (and assumedly, many other's too) relationship... It's also upbeat and positive which I love..
3) The Bobs and Jimi
This is an example of me breaking the rules, but I have a good reason... Bob Dylan and Jimi (Hendrix, in case there was doubt) share many of the same songs and I truly couldn't decide between them. I also enjoy a Bob Marley tune or two when I'm feeling the modern-day hippie vibe.. Favorite Dylan song? Rainy Woman #12 & 35. Favorite Hendrix? Hey Joe. Favorite Marley? One Love/Three Little Birds.
4) Justin Timberlakes FutureSex/LoveSounds album
Seriously... I've listened to this album probably 200 times. It's so easy to put in when I'm doing any number of others things from studying to driving to stretching and such, post workout. It also takes me back to my boy bands days without the full on N*Sync "Bye, Bye, Bye" dance.
5) Taylor Swift .. Anything
Yes, I'm your typical girl.. I love Taylor Swift, how fun and cute she is and how her songs always strike a chord in soemthing in my own experience. I also genuinely think that in real life, she'd be a really awesome friend, I have a lot of respect for her and how she manages to stay so down-to-earth despite her celebrity status.
** Already half way done and so many more to include.. now this gets difficult**
6) Frank Sinatra (and Rat Pack company)
Call it my yearning to live through this time period and date a guy who wears a suit and sweet hat every day, but I love Ol' Blue Eyes... Particularly at Christmas time, the only Christmas tunes I truly enjoy breaking out are the Rat Pack's version of anything AND The Chipmunks.. c'mon who doesn't love it? Favorite Sinatra song? Young at Heart or Come Dance With Me
7) Journey, REO Speedwagon
Thanks Dad. After years of me complaining about his music choice, I find myself going back to these two classics, particularly when I'm feeling homesick. Not to mention you can see REO at pretty much any state fair nowadays ;) Favorite Journey Song? Faithfully. Favorite REO Speedwagon song? Time For Me To Fly.
8) "Lazy Eye" by Silversun Pickups and MSOE's very own band Solace (who may or may not still be together...)
I grouped these together becasue they haev a similar sound. Kind of an edgy rock that's still very laid back. It reminds me of that kid in high school who had a bit of edge to him, but was effortlessly cool... think Dylan McKay from 90210 (the original)... These bands/songs remind me to look up new, upcoming bands from time to time.. shakes things up so to speak.
9) The Classic Love Songs
'Nuff said. Those songs that everyone dances to at weddings and you can always count on to be perfect for whatever romantic moment your trying to create. Think "Stand By Me" Ben E. King, "Unchained Melody," The Righteous Brothers, and "My Girl" The Temptations and countless others.... plus that song that goes.. "Here she comes just a-walking down the street, singing Doo-a-didee-didee-dum-didee-dee" was the song my Mom used to sing to me.. OH! Elvis!!! Maybe he should be his own seperate category.. well, you guys get it...
10) Amazing Grace, that one version...
I know this song is, lyrically, quite uplifting (!), but I find something so solemn about it at the same time. I think the best performers of this song are those who are able to communicate that feeling of overcoming adversity through their voice alone. There's a version where the lyrics are sang to the melody of "House of the Rising Sun." I saw it performed at church function once, but since haven't found a digital copy to enjoy (any help from you all?).. it's haunting and beautiful. I could listen to it ten times in a row easily.
**I knew I couldn't keep it to ten**
11) 3Oh!3 (That's a band)
This is my oh-so-guilty pleasure. Their lyircs are not PG, nor are they PG13 in some instances, but they have this irresistible beat that I find awesome. I'm going to their concert this weekend (SO excited). They are one of those crazy indie bands on the brink of total stardom and I look forward to the point when I can say.. "I like them BEFORE they were popular... " Favorite song? Dance With Me or Don't Trust Me.
12. John Mayer and Jack Johnson
Such great summer, chill music. Pretty much anyone likes it, maybe not loves it. It reminds me of sitting around the fire in high school with friends at night.. Favorite Mayer song? Daughters or Slow Dancing in a Burning Room. Favorite Jack Johnson? Do You Remember
Ok, I'm cutting myself off... I could go on for days I'm sure. But maybe this gives you a little insight into the musical mind that is me :)
I love music. Seriously, everything about it... I love how you can find a song to perfectly match your every mood, how a song can cheer you up on the crummiest day. I love CD's, concerts and concert T's... I love dancing, I love singing (maybe not all that well, but I don't care).. I love driving alone with my favorite music on, window's open... in my opinion, music is such a spiritual experience.. I think there's a definitive reason why as humans, music is a part of all the major events of our lives.
So I thought, in honor of my new blog playlist, I would make a post about my ten all time favorite musicians/songs/albums. Realizing this is a bit difficult when one has the music collection that I do.. bear with me if I have to stretch to 11 or 12 :) I do, after all, make the rules...
Also, these are in no particular order...
1) Joshua Tree by U2
SUCH a beautiful, empowering album. It's one of the few albums I can sit down and listen to from beginning to end without once touching the "Next" button. Favorite U2 song? With or Without You. As a continuation, I love most all of U2's work, with the exception of their popular song "Beautiful Day." That song annoys me, for what reason I have no idea...
2) Keith Urban - Better Life
This is our (Justin and I) song, decided by me. He might disagree and say either Tim McGraw "Last Dollar" or Snow Patrol "Chasing Cars"... though I do in fact love both of those songs as well, I feel like Keith's song perfectly captures the ups, downs, and everything else of our (and assumedly, many other's too) relationship... It's also upbeat and positive which I love..
3) The Bobs and Jimi
This is an example of me breaking the rules, but I have a good reason... Bob Dylan and Jimi (Hendrix, in case there was doubt) share many of the same songs and I truly couldn't decide between them. I also enjoy a Bob Marley tune or two when I'm feeling the modern-day hippie vibe.. Favorite Dylan song? Rainy Woman #12 & 35. Favorite Hendrix? Hey Joe. Favorite Marley? One Love/Three Little Birds.
4) Justin Timberlakes FutureSex/LoveSounds album
Seriously... I've listened to this album probably 200 times. It's so easy to put in when I'm doing any number of others things from studying to driving to stretching and such, post workout. It also takes me back to my boy bands days without the full on N*Sync "Bye, Bye, Bye" dance.
5) Taylor Swift .. Anything
Yes, I'm your typical girl.. I love Taylor Swift, how fun and cute she is and how her songs always strike a chord in soemthing in my own experience. I also genuinely think that in real life, she'd be a really awesome friend, I have a lot of respect for her and how she manages to stay so down-to-earth despite her celebrity status.
** Already half way done and so many more to include.. now this gets difficult**
6) Frank Sinatra (and Rat Pack company)
Call it my yearning to live through this time period and date a guy who wears a suit and sweet hat every day, but I love Ol' Blue Eyes... Particularly at Christmas time, the only Christmas tunes I truly enjoy breaking out are the Rat Pack's version of anything AND The Chipmunks.. c'mon who doesn't love it? Favorite Sinatra song? Young at Heart or Come Dance With Me
7) Journey, REO Speedwagon
Thanks Dad. After years of me complaining about his music choice, I find myself going back to these two classics, particularly when I'm feeling homesick. Not to mention you can see REO at pretty much any state fair nowadays ;) Favorite Journey Song? Faithfully. Favorite REO Speedwagon song? Time For Me To Fly.
8) "Lazy Eye" by Silversun Pickups and MSOE's very own band Solace (who may or may not still be together...)
I grouped these together becasue they haev a similar sound. Kind of an edgy rock that's still very laid back. It reminds me of that kid in high school who had a bit of edge to him, but was effortlessly cool... think Dylan McKay from 90210 (the original)... These bands/songs remind me to look up new, upcoming bands from time to time.. shakes things up so to speak.
9) The Classic Love Songs
'Nuff said. Those songs that everyone dances to at weddings and you can always count on to be perfect for whatever romantic moment your trying to create. Think "Stand By Me" Ben E. King, "Unchained Melody," The Righteous Brothers, and "My Girl" The Temptations and countless others.... plus that song that goes.. "Here she comes just a-walking down the street, singing Doo-a-didee-didee-dum-didee-dee" was the song my Mom used to sing to me.. OH! Elvis!!! Maybe he should be his own seperate category.. well, you guys get it...
10) Amazing Grace, that one version...
I know this song is, lyrically, quite uplifting (!), but I find something so solemn about it at the same time. I think the best performers of this song are those who are able to communicate that feeling of overcoming adversity through their voice alone. There's a version where the lyrics are sang to the melody of "House of the Rising Sun." I saw it performed at church function once, but since haven't found a digital copy to enjoy (any help from you all?).. it's haunting and beautiful. I could listen to it ten times in a row easily.
**I knew I couldn't keep it to ten**
11) 3Oh!3 (That's a band)
This is my oh-so-guilty pleasure. Their lyircs are not PG, nor are they PG13 in some instances, but they have this irresistible beat that I find awesome. I'm going to their concert this weekend (SO excited). They are one of those crazy indie bands on the brink of total stardom and I look forward to the point when I can say.. "I like them BEFORE they were popular... " Favorite song? Dance With Me or Don't Trust Me.
12. John Mayer and Jack Johnson
Such great summer, chill music. Pretty much anyone likes it, maybe not loves it. It reminds me of sitting around the fire in high school with friends at night.. Favorite Mayer song? Daughters or Slow Dancing in a Burning Room. Favorite Jack Johnson? Do You Remember
Ok, I'm cutting myself off... I could go on for days I'm sure. But maybe this gives you a little insight into the musical mind that is me :)
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Acataleptic
N.- a person who suspends judgment in the belief that certainty is impossible
Let's be frank, half of the junk we learn in college is useless. Ok half might even be an exaggeration, so why in the heck do we spend at least four years here? Why do we spend countless hours in front of books and computers and professors hopelessly memorizing useless information that we could just as easily look up if we ever had a pressing need to know it? Well, I have a theory... and since this is my blog.. I'm going to share it...
Let's go a generation back, our parents.. they could go to college or not and probably end up in roughly the same position in life. There were still plenty of careers that did not require a four-year degree unlike now, where it seems even fry cooks at McDonald's requires a high school degree and a "fry cook certification" at the very minimum. Go two generations back, our grandparents. College was absolutely unnecessary except for the few careers that truly needed additional training (doctors, lawyers, engineers etc.), so what changed for us? Well I cannot say with certainty where this began, but somewhere between our parents and us, someone started a rumor that you need four additional years of college to be successful. So more and more people went to college and then more and more people felt obligated to go, in order to get a job, stay competitive and all that. Fast forward to today, rumor has it, if you don't have a college degree the best job you can get is the guy that cleans out grease traps at restaurants and with all this biodiesel nonsense, even that requires a special certification. I'm kidding of course, but is it so wrong to think that maybe every job on the planet doesn't need a degree. Shouldn't people be able to be successful because they've spent years on the job learning a trade or industry, not just because they sat through four years of bogus classes that taught them nothing other than to commit a large amount of information to short term memory?
If you don't think college has a negative effect on society I invite you to go check out a high school, or even some middle schools, heck even an elementary school here and there. The pressure to ace every class and get a 30 on the ACT is astronomical. Parents are spending so much time, effort and cash to get their kid into a "good" school because that's apparently the secret to wealth, success, and happiness. I've got news for everyone. The old saying a pig dressed up as a girl is still a pig. Some kids just aren't "college material" and you know what? There's nothing wrong with that. They should be encouraged to succeed in whatever way they find most satisfying and not pushed into this ridiculous "college" ideal that really doesn't mean anything anymore. And those of us in college should really get over ourselves. A piece of paper declaring you fit to work in whatever field you majored in does not make you anything more than a person holding a piece of paper. It doesn't make you any better then the kid from high school who went into automotive work or the kid who's a struggling artist. It will afford you not the slightest bit more happiness.
So the real purpose of college? Truly? I think it's a way to hold off real life for a few more years. At 18, not many people are prepared or willing to jump into the real world. Some people do go to learn a trade, and thank God for that. We need our doctors, lawyers, and engineers just like anyone else. But I'd say the majority of us are, well, too scared to do much else then hide behind a pair of ivory towers.
Let's be frank, half of the junk we learn in college is useless. Ok half might even be an exaggeration, so why in the heck do we spend at least four years here? Why do we spend countless hours in front of books and computers and professors hopelessly memorizing useless information that we could just as easily look up if we ever had a pressing need to know it? Well, I have a theory... and since this is my blog.. I'm going to share it...
Let's go a generation back, our parents.. they could go to college or not and probably end up in roughly the same position in life. There were still plenty of careers that did not require a four-year degree unlike now, where it seems even fry cooks at McDonald's requires a high school degree and a "fry cook certification" at the very minimum. Go two generations back, our grandparents. College was absolutely unnecessary except for the few careers that truly needed additional training (doctors, lawyers, engineers etc.), so what changed for us? Well I cannot say with certainty where this began, but somewhere between our parents and us, someone started a rumor that you need four additional years of college to be successful. So more and more people went to college and then more and more people felt obligated to go, in order to get a job, stay competitive and all that. Fast forward to today, rumor has it, if you don't have a college degree the best job you can get is the guy that cleans out grease traps at restaurants and with all this biodiesel nonsense, even that requires a special certification. I'm kidding of course, but is it so wrong to think that maybe every job on the planet doesn't need a degree. Shouldn't people be able to be successful because they've spent years on the job learning a trade or industry, not just because they sat through four years of bogus classes that taught them nothing other than to commit a large amount of information to short term memory?
If you don't think college has a negative effect on society I invite you to go check out a high school, or even some middle schools, heck even an elementary school here and there. The pressure to ace every class and get a 30 on the ACT is astronomical. Parents are spending so much time, effort and cash to get their kid into a "good" school because that's apparently the secret to wealth, success, and happiness. I've got news for everyone. The old saying a pig dressed up as a girl is still a pig. Some kids just aren't "college material" and you know what? There's nothing wrong with that. They should be encouraged to succeed in whatever way they find most satisfying and not pushed into this ridiculous "college" ideal that really doesn't mean anything anymore. And those of us in college should really get over ourselves. A piece of paper declaring you fit to work in whatever field you majored in does not make you anything more than a person holding a piece of paper. It doesn't make you any better then the kid from high school who went into automotive work or the kid who's a struggling artist. It will afford you not the slightest bit more happiness.
So the real purpose of college? Truly? I think it's a way to hold off real life for a few more years. At 18, not many people are prepared or willing to jump into the real world. Some people do go to learn a trade, and thank God for that. We need our doctors, lawyers, and engineers just like anyone else. But I'd say the majority of us are, well, too scared to do much else then hide behind a pair of ivory towers.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Late Night Question
If you could give yourself any award.. no matter being modest, what award and why?
This can absolutely be a fictional award..
Discuss...
Always,
K
:)
This can absolutely be a fictional award..
Discuss...
Always,
K
:)
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