Reading Factory

This semester I feel as though I am a reading factory.  Each week is consumed by vast amounts of reading.  Now, to start, I am not complaining.  In fact, for the most part I love what I am doing.  I have been looking over my assignment lists and it hit me that in the first two-and-a -half weeks of class this semester I have read 4 complete books (1,100 pages), 1 partial book (150 pages), 2 chapters of another (75 pages), and 5 journals (80 pages) for a rough total of 1,400 pages.  I have not read this much in my entire life.  I am learning a ton and also feeling inadequate at the same time.  I am not sure if that makes sense.

Last week we read a book entitled A Consumers’ Republic by Lizabeth Cohen.  She takes an in-depth look at the economy, culture, and consumer nature of the United States from the 1920s until now.  Very interesting read, especially when she explains the discrimination and adversity faced by African Americans and women.  Two quick examples before I move on.  Did you know that many African American WWII vets were not able to access GI Bill benefits because they were dishonorably discharged?  The majority of the discharges were not for ‘real’ infractions, but due to skin color.  And until 1974 (officially with Fed. Gov. intervention), but in reality way past then, women, even with an income had to navigate a complex bureaucracy in order to get a credit car in their name?  For years and years, women would have to have a man’s name on the card.

Alright, book review time is over…thank you for wading through that.

Some tunes before I head out for supper and onto the library.

-I have mentioned him before, but Cary Brothers.  This guy has some excellent songs.  I would recommend Ride, Honestly, and Who You Are.

-I still have a crush on Schuyler Fisk.  Oh, and she sings as well as acts.  She has a show this weekend in Vermont, but I cannot get there.  I just have too much to do and the drive is 6 hours each way. BOO. I did have a plan to ask her out on a date.

-Oh, some television stuff (or Internet if you are like me and have no TV).  Lost last night, whoa.  Penny’s dad was on the island?  Nice twist Lost writers, nice twist.  Also, I just started season 1 of The West Wing and all I can say is holy cow!  Aaron Sorkin created an institution with that show.

Random Randomness (Especially Good If You Are Bored At Work)

-To start, when I make lists on here the number eight looks like a smiley emoticon.  I am not sure why.

-I have been having some great workouts lately.  My friend Darrell suggested I write about my workouts and I think that idea is splendid.  I know many of you are in your own plans and just let me say, KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!

-Reading and research is literally my job.

-Yesterday morning it was -22 on my walk to the gym, today -17…I have a new appreciate for what 10 or 20 degrees feels like.

-I have been typing a paper on advertisements (New York Times-automobiles from 1920s-1980s).  This assignment coupled with the upcoming Super Bowl made me think about including some of my favorite SB related commercial spots.  The following is the evidence.

Terry Tate is one of my all-time favorites

The talking baby is pretty funny too

Bud Light and Budweiser are always good for some funny spots

AND WHO CAN FORGET THESE (favorite part is what the background singer guy sings):
I will start with this one because I have a mustache.

-Cannot forget about SNL:

25 Things

I am into list-related things lately.  This could be for one of two reasons.  The first reason is that I am not in the creative mood, so coopting someone’s idea and morphing it into my own is just fine by me.  The second reason is that my life is lists right now and this is just a further manifestation of my life.  Either way this is a thing from Facebook.  You are supposed to write 25 things that people may or may not know about yourself.  Here goes, 25 things about LPC.

1) I really like my middle name-thank you Mom.

2) I am a music geek and if I won the mega-super ridiculous lottery, I would probably take a year and just fly to concerts wherever I could go.

3) Money, greed, and especially pride has polarized my rather large extended family to the point where many of us have not seen or spoken to each other in 10+ years.

4) I have seen over 70 concerts since I was 16 years old.

5) My favorite all-time movie is Scent of a Woman (however, if you ask me in two days it may be The Shawshank Redemption or Back to the Future)

6) I saw one of the freakiest fist fights in my life during high school.  We’re talking a dude putting his finger into the other dude’s eye-hole and asking people if they believed in God.

7) I twice rode in Indiana University’s Little 500

I was a child model.

9) I was asked to audition for the Kansas Boys’ Choir in the 3rd grade.

10) I tend to over extend myself

11) I once was married.

12) Per #11, I am a romantic at heart, and I do believe in the may not be attainable Hollywood version of love.

13) I once rode my bicycle across the state of Iowa. (it is not that flat).

14) If I had the resources I would be outfitted in a shirt and tie everyday.  Not Fortune 500 style, more classic and simple.

15) I would love to be a paid professional speaker one day

16) Mom, Dad, Lauren, Lance, and Lane mean more than the world to me.  I am forever in debt for their love and support.

17) Working for persons with disabilities was a career and life defining moment for me

18) God has blessed me more times than I deserve

19) I cry at the end of Field of Dreams-everytime.  “Dad, want to have a catch?”  Whew…gets me every time.  A catch?  Who says that?  I love it.

20) If Kathy Griffin, Ryan Secrest, Sanjia, and the rest of that sort of motley crew were off the air, television would be better for it. This is not really about me, but more of an extension of something I believe.

21) You know how when you buy something and it costs a certain price and someone gives them cash and some extra change in order to get back a specific type of change?  Like a quarter or two dimes, instead of something and a whole batch of pennies?  Yeah, I cannot do that.  People including my Mom, friends, girlfriends, etc. have tried to explain that for years and I always mess it up.  For instance, I will be at a store and think I have it figured out.  Let’s say the bill is $3.48.  I will give the cashier $4.02 thinking I will get $.50 back and I will first get a look of confusion and then a series of coins that I did not want. Please feel free to laugh…

22) I have always wanted to try stand-up comedy, but I wimp-out.

23) I would like another tattoo.

24) I like to drink more coffee than is probably healthy.

25) I learned how to a cartwheel over the summer.

Ok, that was goofy, but that was my list.  I have to jump back into a paper on advertising in my Seminar of Popular Culture class.  Some music before I go.

-Pinetop Perkins.  This guy is an old-school jazz and blues genius.  I have been listening to his record, Pinetop’s Boogie Woogie

-Joseph Arthur. This artist is insightful in his lyrics and balanced and experimental in his arrangements.  Totally geeked out on his song Honey and the Moon

Beard Evolution (I Have Writer’s Bloc-Sue Me)

I am trying to write a paper and the words are not coming so I apologize in advance, this post is a whole lot of nothing.  Well, that would be true if you are not into beard evolution, but I am hoping some of you are.

My full-beard is no more.  I started this thing in October and it grew for over 3 months.  I dug the beard for a longtime.  However, at a certain point, especially when wearing a stocking cap, I felt I looked like Saddam Hussein when he was captured in the bunker by US military forces.  I felt it was time.  The huge goatee was fun for a few days, but that was not enough as I wanted to see my chin.  For the time being I will stick the mustache.

The following is photographic evidence of the beard.  These pictures are similar to the evolution of man posters.  We’ll call this the evolution of a beard.

late-October (had just shaved prior to Halloween to achieve the scruff necessary to portray NASCAR’s Tony Stewart)

early-November

early-December

late-December

early-January 2009

mid-January 2009 (big ol’ goatee)

late-January 2009 (mustache is the newest trend in facial hair-at least in the Lucas demographic)

Music Randomness (survey c/o J. Jones)

Awhile back my friend Jackie gave me a music survey in which you put your music library on random and answer the following questions per whatever song comes up.  The following is that survey…enjoy. Some of the song titles that came up are really funny or strangely true-especially #s 3, 5, 8, 10, 16, 21, 23, & 30

1. If someone says, “is this okay” how do you respond? Anthem for the Year 2000-Silverchair
   
2. What would best describe your personality? Today-The Smashing Pumpkins
   
3. What do you like in a girl? Getaway Car-Audioslave
4. How do you feel today? Paris Arm-Team Sleep
   
5. What is your life’s purpose? Smile Like You Mean It-The Killers
   
6. What’s your motto? Weenie Beenie-Foo Fighters
   
7. What do your friends think of you? Grind-Alice in Chains
   
8. What do you think about all the time? Runnin Down a Dream-Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
   
9. What is 2 +2? Tryin Times-Boyz II Men
   
10. What do you think of your best friend? You Don’t Know My Name-Alicia Keys
    
11. What do you think of the person you like? I’m Slowly Turning Into You-The White Stripes
    
12. What is your life story? Lady Picture Show-Stone Temple Pilots
    
13. What do you want to be when you grow up? Concrete Girl-Switchfoot
14. What do you think when you see the person you like? Tateso Show-Jeremy Enigk
    
15. What do your parents think of you? Love Is-Brian McKnight & Vanessa Williams
    
16. What song will you dance to at your wedding? Ring of Fire-Johnny Cash
    
17. What song will they play at your funeral? Hide and Seek-Imogen Heap
    
18. What is your favorite hobby or interest? Revelation-Third Day
    
19. What is your biggest secret? Wax and Wane-Deftones
    
20. What do you think of your friends? Give a Little Bit-Supertramp
    
21. What is the worst thing that can ever happen? Falls Apart-Thousand Foot Krutch
    
22. How are you going to die? Calling-Strung Out
    
23. What is one thing you regret? Was I Right or Wrong-Lynyrd Skynyrd
    
24. What makes you laugh? Trouble in Paradise-Huey Lewis and the News
    
25. What makes you cry? Spaceboy-The Smashing Pumpkins
    
26. Will you get married? The Chain-Fleetwood Mac
    
27. What scares you the most? Wish You Were Here-Ryan Adams
    
28. Does anybody like you? Lazy Bird-John Coltrane
    
29. If you could go back in time and change something, what would it be? Ana’s Song (Open Fire)-Silverchair
    
30. What hurts right now? Brainiac-Chevelle
    
31. If you would send this to someone else what would you call it? He Went to Paris-Jimmy Buffett

Thoughts on the New President

I have some thoughts here that have been brewing all day.  I am going to pound them out here, using my blog as a place to house what is swirling around in my brain. This may be long, so pack a lunch.

I have now been alive for eight presidential inaugurations.  Throughout my 29 years, viewing them was hit-or-miss.  I can recall some viewing in elementary school, then a gap where I did not check them out.  I read the speech transcripts from both of President George W. Bush’s speeches, but did not watch them live.  Today was the first time I can remember actually making time to watch the whole thing develop.  In fact, my homework was delayed as I realized I was spending time watching the motorcade instead of doing work before the speeches.

For those of you that know me, I tend to think things through and have my own opinions.  However, I strive daily to be a friend, colleague, sibling, son, and employee that puts relationships and the person first showing deserved respect and love.  I say these things as a disclaimer for the rest of this post. One area this flows to is politics.  I have quite a few friends, including my best friend that do not share the same political ideals/perspectives.  I always attempt to listen and learn from their perspective. I do this because I respect the person, but also because my way is not absolute and I can always improve and most importantly, learn.

Despite your politics, today was an amazing day for our country.  I repeat, today was an awesome day for our country.  For starters, we had a free election and peaceful transfer of power.  How many countries can claim such a thing?  Many people were concerned with party politics and did not take the time to think, wow, this is possible because we live in a democratic society. The transfer of power did not include a hostile takeover or fixed election. The second point is that we have a new president that is excited about being American and how collectively as a country we can achieve great things and rise above the current turmoil we face on a daily basis.

I want to now take a moment to say some things about President Bush.  He is a success story in American politics.  Coming from a place of privilege, he could of played out his life by being aimless and not looking beyond the satisfaction of his own needs.   President Bush took his lumps and decided he could be an agent of change in his home state and later on, the nation.  The confidence and enormous courage it takes to run for president is something that I do not think many people can grasp.  I am not saying that Bush did not have help getting to the White House.  He had family backing and many special people paving the way.  This is not dissimilar from FDR and JFK. But, he made it to the White House, he earned the White House, showing many people that it can be done.

My troubles with Bush stem from a few areas.  Like it or not we live in a society that values presence, being articulate,  and all-in-all being presidential.  Besides catering to a segment of the ‘everyman’ President Bush has never seemed presidential to me.  He has trouble pronouncing things that he should have practiced, his world knowledge is suspect, and his desire at times to be a buddy to the press is something I could never respect.  Quick caveat to the press thing.  I read somewhere once that on most days the President gives multiple interviews to a whole host of people trying to get him/her to trip up.  I do not envy this position or think I could do better.  However, whatever your political persuasion, Bush struggled mightily during his two terms.    This is not a President Bush thing, it is a President thing.  Our President should be well-educated and someone whom we as a nation strive to be.  I never felt that with Bush.  Mind you, I would love to have a beer and shoot some pool with the dude, but come on; it is nuclear, not nuuculuur. Now, with all of this said, did I support many of the policies of his administration?  No.  However, he was our President and that is something to be respected and I am proud to live in a democratic society, so I supported him and his office. I am also not claiming that President Bush does not love America or want the country to rise to the best possible level.  In fact, I was mentioning to a friend today that his post-911 television address is in my top-10 Presidential addresses/speeches all time.

I honestly think at this moment in time, President Obama is what our country needs to turn this thing around.  People, we are in a rough spot.  There are estimations that in 2009 alone, the US economy could lose between 2-5 million jobs.  Some of things would have happened under the watch of a Democrat or Republican President.  If our outgoing President was Al Gore or John Kerry, I reckon that some of our current problems would still be around.  However, between McCain and Obama, our country made the right call.  I love that Obama knows that many people did not vote for him and yet he still reaches out with an honest and inclusive hand.  He knows that we have to rally together as a country so we can continue to strive for what our valuable servicemen and women work for everyday.

Today I was moved watching the inauguration. I heard someone say, “what’s the big deal, it’s not like he’s done anything yet?”  Being a historian and most recently gaining further insights into the atrocities perpetuated on African Americans at the hand of a White majority, I was moved seeing history being made.  Less than 60 years ago movie theaters, and other public spaces were segregated.  I am afraid that people my age and even those younger will never learn to truly understand how Jim Crow laws and our slave society forever changed the scope of our country.  Did you know that 50 years ago many hospitals in the North and South would separate out donated blood and plasma to avoid a perceived contamination from people of color?  So if you ask me, the fact that we have a President of color is a big deal.  Our country still has many, many more issued-based rivers to cross.  I feel that at this time, we have a person in office who has the goals, desires, support team, and love that America needs.  I want him at my table.

I am proud to live in America and be American.  I am proud to live in a society that can elect persons like President’s Bush and Obama.  This is how it works folks.  For those of you hating on Obama, you had a fair shot in a fair election and your candidate lost.  Pull up your boot straps and support the new President.  I was distraught for a couple of days in 2004 when Bush was elected, but you know what?  I supported the President of the United States of America because that is what Americans do.  If I would have been compelled I could have joined an organization to support my party, etc.  The basic point is that options are out there and we are blessed to live in a country where these options exist.

Our world comes down to relationships and we must all work together to make our country stronger.  I pledge to stay united and respectful to those I do not agree with and I hope you do too.  Thank you for reading.

I Should Be Reading

Right now I should be reading.  In fact, I am going to type in a record pace in order to return to the book I am trying to finish.  With that said, let us begin.

What’s been shaking lately?  We’ll rock this list style:

-Well, the Steelers are in the Super Bowl and I am excited.  Not many people know that the Steelers are my team.  No, I do not support the Colts, even though I am from Indiana.  I have may Steelers shirt cleaned and ready for Sunday after next.

-The semester is off and running, literally.  I have been hitting the gym with a vengence and that is making my body and soul feel stronger each day.  I have been going with a buddy in my program.  Having someone to workout with always helps and in addition, walking with someone through sub-zero temperatures makes the walk easier.  Quick aside with the gym.  There are a lot of people who hoop.  While running or walking laps around the suspended track I watch.  Yeesh, there is some bad basketball being played.  There is a profound lack of screening, good passing, and do not get me started on shot selection. You give me four other dudes from Bloomfield and we’d show them what real basketball is.

-School is rocking and rolling with many things happening at once.  I had enrolled in three courses for the semester, but something is going to have to give and I plan to drop one.  I am not one to do this type of thing, but I just won’t be able to manage the reading.  The course I am going to drop has not even met yet (prof out last week and MLK Day today) and the other two are all-kinds of reading intensive.  For tomorrow and Wednesday, I have about 700 pages of reading to complete, respectively.  Adding another course with another book is just too much.  With time at the gym, the encyclopedia writing project, grad student government, thesis planning/research, and some semblance of a social life, three courses is too much.

-I began looking for a church to attend in the area.  Yesterday I worshipped at a Methodist church.  I am enjoyed myself, but I need a bit more ummph.  I am praying that God leads me to a strong church home (at least while here in Maine).

On the tunes front:
-With the strategic use of my iTunes gift card, I have purchased a bunch of great songs from some talented artists/bands.  I have been patient with the purchasing because I want to make sure I do not forget anything.  This has allowed me to find a few artists that I have not thought of in awhile, but were esstential to my youth.  I recently purchased some tunes from The Jesus and Mary Chain and Huey Lewis and the News.  The J&MC recently reunited and I would include a website, but I am not sure they have one.  Huey Lewis and crew have a site, but it looks like one I created in a freshmen year computer programming course.  While it says ‘official’ I am skeptical. Either way, holy cow, Huey Lewis and the News hold up.  They have the seminal song from my favorite movie of all time, Back to the Future and many others that embody good ole-rock n’ roll.

I may use the remaining funds on the gift card to buy some music from Tim Buckley.  This experimental, alt-rocker, singer-songwriter from the late-60s and early-70s was the father of one of my favorites, Jeff Buckley.  Tim’s music is melodic, tempermental, sweet, lyrically strong, and in some aspects, ahead of its time.  Both Buckley’s died mysterious deaths, but their imprint on the world is still felt and appreciated.

-

Billy Corgan is a Guitar Hero

I just watched an interview from a Canadian television show featuring Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin.  The interview was honest, candid, and full of excellent stories.  You can access the interview here if you are so inclined.  Side note: Billy has one of the best quotes I have heard from an accomplished musician regarding the Guitar Hero and Rock Band game craze.  Although a proponent of the company and the games (they are featured in a few of them now), he does not play them himself.  Why?  In his words, “Why play Guitar Hero when you are a guitar hero.”  I love that, I just love it.

Have a great day, give someone a hug today, tell someone that you love them, and otherwise ‘keep on keepin on’

Oh, one more thing, right now in Orono it is 8 degrees, feels like -8…

Back in the Gym & Some Tunes

During November and December my time at the gym was limited.  Factors for not going included an overload of schoolwork, temps being cold, and it being dark as night at 4pm.  Honestly though, I would say that excuses kept me in my room, library, or other places to study.  I should have been in the gym.  Mind you, my weight-gain was minimal because my food intake was between roughly 1,000 and 1,200 calories-a-day (majority of the time).  However, at a certain point, yoga and push ups was not cutting the proverbial mustard.

I have decided that even with three courses this semester, a small reader/grader job, and 6 encyclopedia entries to write, I am hitting the gym at least 5 days a week.  This will last until the weather breaks and I can run outside (will still do so from time-to-time).  I figure that if I am going to be pushing my mind to new limits, then why not my body.

I have been getting a lot out of the UMaine gym.  As previously mentioned on this blog, this gym is the best collegiate gym I have ever been in.  I will continue to show this gym whose boss on a daily basis (this is just tough talk because more often than not, the gym wins).

I am looking for a church up here and I think I have found one.  I will be heading that way this Sunday, so please wish me luck.

Some tunes for your auditory pleasure:

Thanks to a generous gift from Santa, a.k.a. Mom and Dad, I am the proud owner of an iTunes gift card.  I am being overly frugal with this card.  One new record purchased is:

School of Seven Bells This band makes undeniably cool sounds with various elements of technology coupled with softly and uniquely lyrics voiced-over by twin sisters.

I have been digging on She and Him for awhile now.  This duo, made up of indie-dude M. Ward and the always lovely Zooey Deschanel, put out a record last year called Volume One.  Seeing Ms. Deschanel in many movies (including Elf where she provided her own singing) I was stoked for their debut.  After listening I was not feeling it at all, in large part because I did not like the song sequence.  In fact, it took until December of 08 to fully realize this frustration. While playing games at a party I turned on their record, but due the volume of the game, talking, etc, I was only able to hear parts of the whole thing.  The parts I heard seemed to flow much better than the album as originally laid-out.  Therefore, if you purchase this record, make a play-list and shuffle the songs around, you will not be sorry.

With that all said, there is something about this group that I love.  Deschanel’s voice is simple, sweet, and strong, all at the same time and M. Ward compliments the singing in a way that is not overpowering, but reminds you that there is a strong musician behind this great singer.  As an aside, I am not going to lie, I have a crush on Zooey Deschanel.

It’s 2009 Baby!

This is not anything new to the vast majority of you.  Many of you celebrated almost a week ago.  I did as well, but I have not really felt the need to post.

My NYE was really great.  I was able to catch-up with many of my friends at a gathering hosted by Nick and his fiance D.  They were gracious hosts and their home is part cozy-central, part Best-Buy & Dick’s Sporting Goods.  I was honored to watch television and play video games there.  Despite some unexpected lower-back pain (not really sure why), we rang in the new year with style.  I feel great about the year that is upon us.  Sitting at a coffee shop before heading to the party, I made a list of goals/dreams/resolutions for the new year that I am quite excited about.  I will touch on these more throughout the year.

Other than that, I have spent the majority of my break hanging with family, friends, my new cat Dave, eating, and not reading as much as I should have.  I am blessed with a whole host of great friends.  I have appreciated the meals, conversations, and overall catching up that we have been able to do during my visit.  THANK YOU.

Before I roll-out to watch some Band of Brothers, I would like to leave you all with some tunes to grab-a-hold of .  Disclaimer: these tunes hearken back to a time when I was 15/16 years old and really starting to rock out.

1) Bush’s Sixteen Stone.  This record is full of radio-friendly rock tunes and the requisite ballad for the ladies.  I have reconnected to this record over break.

2) Silverchair Frog Stomp. These Aussie’s put a great record as youthful 16 year-olds.  Simple hooks, feedback laden guitars, coupled with a side-order of angst made this an excellent album.

-My parent’s (oops…Santa), gave me an extremely wonderful gift for Christmas this year in the form of a iTunes gift card.  I have been planning on some tunes I will procure when I get back to my laptop in Maine.  I will be snagging some music from Aerosmith, Mark Kozelek, and I will try some Elvis Costello (JL, this better be good).  I am excited for new music.

Thank you for reading…I really appreciate it…