The End of the Semester Draws Neigh

December is upon us my friends.  November, just like the months preceding, went by quickly.  The end of the semester is coming to a close and I have 1 and 1/2 research papers to finish (already turned in the rough draft of one).  I am looking forward to this chapter ending and another beginning next semester.  I plan to register for classes this week.  Hopefully I can get setup for 9 hours.  Three classes will be challenging with the reading load, but there is no time like the present.

I just got back from spending some much needed time with my family.  What a blessed whirlwind of activity and fellowship.  We watched movies, relaxed, cooked, had some fun conversations, and just enjoyed being together.  I must also say that we ate and we ate well.  I consumed food like a kid who is trying to take it all in the night before being shipped off to fat camp.  Had the camera with me and I took exactly three pictures.  One picture that I took is pretty cool.  One new hobby I am undertaking is making pies.  I want to become an expert in making pies.  I started over break and made three pies including two chocolate creams and one cherry. You can view a picture of this pie as well as others from a recent trail walk (in Maine) at this link:

http://picasaweb.google.com/LucasCalhoun1/November2008#

I am about ready to hit the hay and rock some sleep because I have lots to do tomorrow.  Before I roll-out though, here is a music suggestion:

Mad Season. This band was a mid-90s collaboration between members of Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, and the Screaming Trees.  Mad Season only had one studio record.  This record, Above, had some great songs such as Lifeless Dead, River of Deceit, and one of my favorites, Long Gone Day.  The songs take unique turns ranging from lounge-like, to scratchy rock, and hopeful overtones to harmonious tranquility.  I get a lot from this record.  In fact, I gain new things from each listen.  I am attaching a few videos for you to check out. Two of the video clips are from a Mad Season concert release.  Note the thin, almost ashen appearance of Layne Staley.  In 1995 he was in the midst of a tremendous drug addiction.  Also note that from the mid-90s on, if you ever saw Staley live, he would be wearing gloves and long-sleeves.  This, I am almost certain was to hide evidence of his dependence on IV drug use.  Despite his addictions, the guy could write and sing better than most people at 100%.

River of Deceit

Lifeless Dead

I Don’t Know Anything

10 Year Anniversary of a Thanksgiving Tradition

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, or to many of you, Turkey Day.  As an understood tradition, turkey dominates the day.  I am not a turkey hater, but I would like to share my personal Thanksgiving food tradition.  Every Thanksgiving for the last 10 years, I have been having pizza.  Some of you may be sitting there thinking, “Pizza, seriously?  Dude, seriously?”  This glorious tradition has a back story and I will share it now.

In 1996 I started working a restaurant in my hometown that served Applebee’s type food, but also had a buffet.  On Thanksgivings, we would have a full-Thanksgiving buffet.  For about six years in a row, I worked on Thanksgiving Day and as a team we would prepare multiple turkeys, over 30 pounds of mashed potatoes (in which I had to clean and peel), massive quantities of stuffing, and all sorts of vegetables.  After serving the masses, I would head to the homestead where my family would have created a noteworthy, albeit smaller version of what I had not only cooked just cooked, but cleaned-up only hours before.  I would eventually just have a turkey sandwich and some Ruffles and call it a day.

In 1998 my mom, ever-attempting to please all the members of the family acquiesced to my request for pizza.  That first year she purchased Boboli’s and I made my own glorious batch of tastiness-A true Thanksgiving miracle.  Over the years, I ventured away from base camp and shared Thanksgiving with others. In 2002, I shared Thanksgiving with some friends and you can be sure pizza was involved.  One year, my ex-wife’s parent’s helped keep the tradition alive and I had an out-of-state Thanksgiving pizza experience.

As my family and I prepare for tomorrow, there is much to do.  We will be cooking various Thanksgiving delights, but you can bet one thing.  In the freezer is a special DiGiorno (pepperoni for those scoring at home) with my name on it.

Some tunes to checkout while you do the Thanksgiving thing.

1) Philpot-I have talked about this band before, but they need to be talked about again.  These guys are from Dugger, IN.  A town that is even smaller than my hometown (which is no small feat).  Quick tangent, good piece of trivia about Dugger.  One of my favorite teachers from high school is now the principal there.  Have to give a shout-out to Mr. Roach.  Back to the band.  This is just a good-ole rock band.  The have the classic elements in place.  You have the grizzly voiced lead singer, grainy and edgy guitar sounds, long outros, solid solos, and a great DIY style.  Check out the tunes, Fall and Ohio. The video below is actually Fall, acoustic because I could not find a better version of a rock tune.

2) The Ditty Bops-This duo is known for genre-defining music incorporating elements of ragtime, old-time jazz and other fun theatrical elements.  They are fun and their music is just good to have on when you are doing things around your place and need a happy and satisfying groove. Their lyrics tell a story and they are worth checking out. Tune into the songs, Walk or Ride and Summer Rains.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I Started Growing a Beard…

I starting growing a beard to combat the cold.

Songs of the Week (for me)

I have been jamming to a few songs this week…and by jamming I mean repeatedly listening.  Specifically, I have been listening to one song from Chevelle and two songs from Sanctus Real.  The songs from these two bands pulled me through this week.  I am so blessed to have this music available, especially Sanctus Real.

Song 1 Family System by CHEVELLE

There is something so aggressive and methodical about this song.  I have listened to it for an entire run before.  The repetitive riffs for the guitar, vicious drumming, and screaming are amazing.  I cannot remember if I have heard this song live (seen the band 3 times), but this live video is sick.  I interpret the song to be about dealing with people or family members that are getting to you and they need to back off or grow up. The guitar riffs following the yelling lyric of “JUST GROW UP!” are just pure, hard, rock and I love it. I have listened to this song three times in a row while writing.

Song 2 I’m Not Alright by Sanctus Real

This song has a killer intro and it almost made into my Top Ten of cool intros list awhile back.  This song is an honest portrayal of how in life we can try to be cool, yet often we are broken and need help.  This is an inspirational song, that also rocks, therefore a double-bonus is achieved.

Song 3 The Face of Love by Sanctus Real

(disclaimer: the video is a life feature from a fan…the quality is a bit iffy.) The first time I heard this song, it hit me like a ton of bricks.  I could attempt to describe this song, but I will let the lyrics speak for themselves.  This is a truly powerful song:

I’ve seen your face on stained glass, in colored lights
In pictures of you looking to the sky
You’ve been portrayed a thousand different ways
But my heart can see you better than my eyes
‘Cause it’s love that paints the portrait of your life

[Chorus:]
The face of love
The face of love
You look more like love every day

I’ve read your words in the pages of your life
And I’ve imagined what you were like
I may not know the shape of your face
But I can feel your heart changing mine
And your love still proves that you’re alive

[Chorus:]

You are the face that changed the whole world
No one too lost for you to love
No one too low for you to serve
So give us the grace to change the world
No one too lost for me to love
No one too low for me to serve

Let us see… let us be your face

[Chorus:]

I would advocate that this week, you try to really get inside a song that is special to you.  What does it say?  What meaning is it trying to convey?  Why do you like it so much?  What emotions does it make you feel?  I love when I can get a total sense of a song and what it does for and to me.

Have a great start of the week.

If All Goes Wrong

Blog-post disclaimer.  I am working on a paper for one of my classes.  I am using this forum to type about something else, in hopes that inspiration will come to my paper…we’ll see.

**Disclaimer #2** This is a long-post, but is a great review and I am actually proud of writing it

No, this is not a precursor to a sad story or even a cry for help.  “If All Goes Wrong” is the title to a new DVD release by the Smashing Pumpkins. As many of you know, the Pumpkins are one of my favorite bands.  I would rank them in my top four of all-time.  Not a week has gone by since 1992, where I have not listened to this band.  Their musical catalog is diverse, powerful, inspiring, a staple of my musical tastes.    I have been fortunate to have seen them in concert 3 times in my life.  Once, in 1996 with the original line-up and twice with the new incarnation.

This DVD set is broken into two discs.  Disc one is a documentary of the emergence of the band in its current form, highlighted by two shows in-residency at venues in Asheville, NC and San Francisco, CA. The documentary follows the band, but mostly Billy Corgan through this new journey into a world that may or may not be ready for them.  The film-making style uses many techniques that keep it visually stunning and fresh for the entire running time of 1 hour and 40 minutes.  Billy allows unique access into his world that is unparalleled.  You see him in his Ebeneezer Scrooge pajamas doing hotel room interviews and discussing what it means to be in the newest incarnation of the band. You get to see the band interact with the people of Asheville and San Francisco as they begin this new chapter.

It is important to mention at this stage, where the band stands at the time of this documentary (2007). The band originated in 1988 with guitar, bass, and a drum machine.  Their longest running lineup consisted of James Iha, Darcy Wretzky, Jimmy Chamberlain, and Billy Corgan.  This group of four grew to super stardom in the mid-1990s.  The driving force behind the Pumpkins was and is, Billy Corgan.  While the entire band played live, Corgan would play all of the guitar parts in the recording studio.  He is a perfectionist who is driven to the depths of depression and other issues because of his genius.

There are many amazing things about this DVD set, but a few things really stick out to me.  The first element is the sheer genius and honesty from Billy Corgan.  After filling their one-record deal with Warner Bros. after reuniting, the band struck out on their own.  Billy values and truly seeks to further explore this new freedom.  During the documentary as the band takes in their two residency shows, Billy is constantly writing new songs that are performed either the same day, or within a few days of being written.  His sheer musical genius is impressive.  His honesty also shines through when he is dealt with frustrated audience reactions to set lists that are not filled with their heyday hits.  He refuses to be confined to a box of superstar that is not showing musical growth.  My respect for Corgan has grown ten-fold and I must say that I am inspired.  Not only is he leading his band in a new direction, he is striving to produce work that is ground-breaking, honest, and not the Pumpkins status quo.

I would highly recommend this DVD set.  In fact, please pick up their newest record (released in 2007), Zeitgeist.  I think it is one of their best records ever.

The use of my blog to inspire paper-writing was a success.  I ‘alt-tabbed’ back and forth to my paper and wrote some nice chunks of historiographical awesomeness.

Total Library Domination

Today, I rocked the library for just over 5 hours.  I did this rocking in two chunks of time.  I can tell that I am bound to be a historian by how geeked out I got doing research.  The first portion of the day was spent on the top floor/stacks in the governmental documents section.  I am currently working on a paper on the Fulbright Exchange Program. I was specifically looking at the Foreign Relations of the United States.  The Foreign Relations of the United States series presents the official documentary historical record of major U.S. foreign policy decisions and significant diplomatic activity. The library here has this series in bound and electronic form.  I was specifically looking at the bound periodicals from 1946-1951.

I could have went further, but I moved on to the Congressional Record and Serial Index of Congressional Reporting. I found numerous pieces of legislative activity that will help my research.  There is something exciting about completing a search where you look and look and what you want comes to the surface.

Anyway, this has been a very productive day and I am blessed to have gotten so much done.

Here are some tunes to check-out:

1) Cake-I have been listening to more or less their main radio staples, and am not versed in their overall catalog.  With that said, even their basic radio hits have a unique sound and are fun, diverse, and strong.

2) Jars of Clay-This band is in my top three, all-time.  I always enjoyed them, but I must give a special shout-out to Chips for truly showing me their greatness.  Seeing them live is having the chance to see a truly gifted, and God-understanding batch of musicians perform. I have been jamming on their Who We Are Instead and Much Afraid records a lot lately.  I am lucky to have this band in my life.

Alright, back to the books.  Thank you for reading.  And as always, any comments, thoughts, or music ideas are welcome.

It Has Not Snowed Yet…

As I write, it should be noted that in Orono, ME, there has been no snow.  I must say, I am not complaining.  In fact, I am well-aware that we will get our fair share of snow up here.  From accounts of ‘Mainers’ this is weird. Well, either way, my beard is growing and I am ready.  Not having to shave is quite nice.

The semester is starting to wind-down.  In academic terms, this is when many heavy-duty projects are due.  This holds true for me.  I have two, 15-20 page papers due in the next month.  Also, three full-books to read, one to re-read, research to do, etc.  This seems a bit overwhelming, but it will shake out nicely.  I am praying for organizational strength.  The research paper I am working focuses on J. William Fulbright, father of the Fulbright Scholarship Program.  I have been looking in old-Congressional records and it is exciting.

Now, onto some other items.  If you need a show that is not only witty, but funny and wonderfully acted, then 30 Rock is your show. I am a bit late to getting on board with this show.  For me, it stems from when NBC (for whatever reason) decided to start the fall of 2006 with two shows about late-night television.  I went with the other show, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.  That show was one of the best collaborative cast shows ever. Anyway, check-out 30 Rock.  Alec Baldwin is brilliant and Tina Fey is at the top of her game.  In fact, aside from the movie Outside Providence, this is Alec Baldwin’s best comedic role.

I will discuss the election at more length soon.  I am pleased with the result, more because between 60% and 62% of all registered voters, voted.  While not at the level set in the 1960 election, many people utilized their right to vote.

John Legend has new record out, but I have not listened yet.  Has anyone heard it?  Care to share your opinion with me?

Thanks for reading.

Our Sacred Franchise

This post will not be about getting out to vote.  This is because for most of you, the polls close soon (however, if you have not voted, get your butt to your polling place).

No, this post is more related to the sacred franchise that is our right to vote.  I have been honored to see and hear from so many people about getting out to vote.  Either via the phone, email, Facebook, MySpace, or conversation, it makes me feel great that that so many people are getting out to vote. There was something special about getting a call from my Dad, Mom, and sister as they left their voting place this morning.  We live in a democratic society and we are lucky that we get this chance for our voice to be heard.  I mean, in the 2000 election, Florida was decided by 537 votes.  Our voices are important and I am proud to be an American.

Alright, I am going to bounce and read before the time comes to watch the results come in this evening.  Oh…some music to listen to before I go.  I just got the new Smashing Pumpkins single G.L.O.W. off of iTunes.  This song is solid and there is an instrumental one on the single as well that rocks.

I will be posting in the next day or so to discuss the election and where we stand.

One Song to Change Your Life

As many of you know, music is so important to me. There are many, many songs I have heard over the years that have resonated with me on a higher-level. When I say higher-level, I am speaking of a song that touches your heart in a profound way or stirs up things in you that need a good stir.

Third Day has had numerous songs over the years that have had such an affect. Songs like, Consuming Fire, Show Me Your Glory, and I Deserve? have literally stopped me in my tracks and made me reassess. Recently I have went through a spiritual and emotional awakening. My faith has always been important to me, but lately, that faith has been turned upside down by the Lord. God has shown me many areas that need improvement in my life and I am working through them. One song by Third Day, Run to You, has truly been the go-to song for this new period in my life. The gist of this song centers on the Biblical story of the prodigal son. My connection to this song is more mental than geographical. I am working on giving up trying to be cool or be a certain image and trusting God in EVERYTHING. I realize that some of this stuff may be more than you want to read and that is alright, seriously. I just could not go another minute without sharing the good things God is doing in my life.

“Run to You” By: Third Day-with additional vocals by Flyleaf’s Lacey Mosley

I was tired of waiting
Playing all the games and
Living in a place that was not for me
So I thought it was time
For me to get what’s mine
And to do it all, everything I dreamed
What I thought was the best of me turned to be
All the worst I could find

If I run to you
Will you hold me in your arms forevermore
If I run to you
Will you hold me in your arms forevermore

Now I got a feeling
That I’ve got to leave and
Find a way back to where I came from
Though I don’t deserve it
I know it’s unheard but
Living here without you, my life is done
I confess that I shouldn’t have run from you
Now I know I was wrong

Nowhere to run to
And no one to turn to
I’m dying out here on my own
Long before I even thought of returning
Your arms are wide open
Waiting for me to come home