Well, here we are.  Another week, another jumbled mess of stuff to sort through.  Important news just surfacing:  Jennifer Aniston calls Angelina Jolie "uncool".  I hope we get a response from Jolie soon.  I know I can't wait to hear a reply.  And in political news:  Bush and Obama.  They met.  What did they talk about?  What did they wear?  What does their body-language mean?  Most important of all:  When and where will Barack Obama get his new puppy from?  These are the questions which confront us as a nation.  I just hope we find answers soon, before we have to start paying attention to boring issues like government control of banks, the massive inflation of our currency, or the expotential growth of federal agencies that meddle in our personal lives.

What is today?  Wednesday.   For me, when it starts raining and the sky turns grey, it seems as if everything takes on a whole different mood.  It gets darker earlier, and the days get a bit more grim.  The prospect of reports, projects, and exams are on the horizon for us students, and there doesn't seem to be too much to look foward to.  Thanksgiving break just can't seem to get here soon enough.

Amongst this whole process, I start to reflect on my own situation in life.  Am I where I should be?  Is where I belong right?  What is wrong or right?  Unfortunately, I don't think many people (myself included) take full advantage of where they are in life.  Or don't say what they want to say, or act when they have the urge to do so.  Sometimes it is a slow process; to learn new things, to unlearn others, and to break old habits.  Questioning life can leave you dizzy, and it can waste time.  And you only live once...

I then made my way over to Midland Plaza where the competition was to take place.  I got there early and did some filming.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qUVwbZfrVM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmh5sAgtZ_I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfetx1Aatgs

Upon hearing the news, I headed for the car.

CHANGE.  It happens.  Its inevitable.  (cliche, cliche, cliche...).  Generally, change has a positive connotation.  Change is seen as an improvement, unless it is specifically associated with something undesirable.  For me, one of the biggest changes in my life was switching my wallet from the right butt pocket, to the left butt pocket.  I'm serious.  My whole life I kept my wallet in the right pocket.  I got used to the way it felt whenever I sat down, or whenever I reached for it.  Then one day, I was driving along and I noticed that my leg and lower back were uncomfortable.  The more I noticed it, the more I realized that the wallet could be causing the pain, or at least made me sit in an uncomfortable position.  So, I decided that it was time to change.  The wallet is now on the left-butt pocket.

Besides the location of my wallet, "change" is a concept that has been applied to the campaign of one of the Presidential candidates.  It is the current buzz word politically.  So, a few days ago I was leaving a local establishment, and I picked up a free copy of City Beat weekly magazine.  I began to read the various articles, and this being election time there were many endorsements, opinions, and other fodder.  Specifically, I started reading an article about how the Obama campaign is targeting so-called "red counties", or those areas with traditionally Republican leaning constituencies.  I was then struck by a quote from a Liberty township resident and volunteer for Obama:

 “I don’t like the Iraq War, think our foreign policy’s been wrong for years and we’re hated all over the world. And I’m disgusted with the Republican Party’s right-wing philosophy. So I decided if they (the Democrats) are worth my vote they’re worth working for.”

What I had a real problem with was the perception that the Democrats are the party of peace and love.  To be clear, I'm not a fan of war either or our foreign policies over the last 100 years or so.  To think that Obama will change our foreign policy is a little bit true.  He wants to draw down troops in Iraq, and keep a smaller force there for the near future, (but also says if killing starts up again we'll have to rush back in).  However, he is also willing to invade Pakistan if needed, and continue war in Afgahnistan.  Perhaps even commit troops to Sudan?  Iran? 

Whenever there is a general misunderstanding and lack of knowledge about history, I think its good to go back and take a look.  Time for a little section I call "Wars of the 20th Century-And the Democrats who started them"

World War I, and intervention in Russian Civil War- Woodrow Wilson

World War II- Roosevelt, Truman

Vietnam War-Kennedy, Johnson

Kosovo War, and Somalia Conflict- Clinton

Its insane to think that if Obama gets elected there will be no wars and everyone in the world will love us.  Its even more insane to act as if Republican wars are bad, but Democrat wars are good.  The previous quote also mentions the "right-wing philosophy".  This administration is anything but right-wing.  Bush will leave office with the biggest federal government budget expansion since FDR.  I doubt Obama will do much to alter that, and will in fact grow the government.  Maybe even invade a country or two?  So, what we are left with is an Oligarchy.

The French have a saying: "Plus ce change, plus c'est la même chose" --  The more that things change, the more they stay the same.

The moral of this blog: You can move your wallet from right to left, but there's still no money in it.

It was only a matter of time.  Indeed, I knew the time had arrived.  That singular momentous momentum, that serendated and serendipidously split in the precious paralax instead and yet to submerge to the instant that moving time was so glorifiyingly blessed, the fragile spec of a membrance was multi-intelligable by all possible grievous sentiment or subjugation.  So, I reached for my D.H. Lawrence.

Superfluous, you ask?  Indeed.  So for example, this is the referent:

 Now the musical experience:

chronojam.mp3 (3.02 mb)

Thank you very mucho.  And now, the DHL: "Tell me a word, that you've often heard, yet it makes you squint, if you see it in print!"  I could create an argument where this quote could in fact perhaps be related in some way.  But, remember, a blog is a blog is a blog is a blog.  have fun

I think I've officially hit the mid-semester funk.  Look, I'm even typing in Times New Roman.  Ugh.  The funny thing is, I havent even started my grad classes yet.  They don't start till next week, which is good because they are short (one night a week for about 7 weeks).  I do have an undergrad class right now to satisfy my licensure requirements.  It’s not a bad class at all, but personally, taking undergrad classes right now is like an orthodontic procedure.  Necessary, but somewhat painful. 

To break a mild spell of blogger’s block, I sometimes look to Cincinnati’s sports teams to provide some topics of interest.  However, I don’t want to trigger my gag reflex, so I’ll just reminisce of the last time the Bengals were in the Super Bowl.  It was a different time back then.  I was nine-years-old.  Bush was in the White House.  (Well maybe not too different).  I remember sitting in the living room watching the orange and black take on Joe Montana and the ‘Niners.  I remember the excitement of all the adults around me.  I became a Bengals fan that night.  Now, nearly twenty years later, I wonder about Cincinnati’s young sports fans.  What will their memories involve?  Maybe an 0-16 season this year?  Ugh. 

In restaurant news, there’s a nice sports-bar not too far from the Mount that I enjoy.  J-Taps Bar & Grill is located on 6441 Glenway Ave.  This place has it all.  Greek owned, the menu features great food including the classic Gyro.  It won’t leave you hungry for sure.  There are great specials, and lots of TV’s which make it a good place to watch a game.  Also, they have free Wi-Fi!!!  The crowd is pretty mixed.  Early on you’ll see businessmen taking advantage of happy hour, and families stuffing their mouths.  For all you Mount students, hit up College night on Thursday ($1 drafts).  Plus the staff is cool.  They also have Keno, so if you’re into the “Crack-Cocaine of gambling” they can accommodate your contributions to education through the Ohio lottery  ;) Well, that about does it from me.  I leave you with this:

I like Samantha Brown.  I have a crush on Samantha Brown.  I want to travel, dine, converse, with Samantha Brown.  She combines pretty, smart, funny, cool, cultured, and normal in a way that few others do.  She makes me want to get a passport, and use it.  There's not much else I can really add to this.  I'm opening up my feelings to the world.

In other news, the Presidential Debate was held tonight.  Unfortunately I caught the last half of it, which is more than I ever wanted or needed to see.  The worst (or one of the worst) parts of this whole thing is the people who want you to "get involved", "have a voice", or "rock the vote".  They emphasize getting out the vote at all costs.  Nothing matters but the fact that as many people as possible vote.  As if that is the whole point of this or any election.  (By now many have moved onto eating the rest of their Chipotle burrito, or checked up on their fantasy football team. )

Reality has become interlaced with Fiction.  In our society, this has manifested itself in many forms.  For example, Fantasy sports.  Here, there is a co-mingling of real events, and a false use and interpretation of those events.  And it is more popular than ever, perhaps more so than the "real" thing.  We want our entertainmant darnit, but this new frontier of semi-reality has become the choice.  American Idol, Survivor, The Amazing Race, Dancing with the Stars, Top Chef, America's Toughest Jobs, America's next Top Model, The Biggest Loser, and on and on and on...

The blurred lines make me wonder, what is reality?  We want the best of both worlds it seems.  The "real" people to identify with, and the captivating made-for-tv storylines and situations that keep us glued to our seats and remotes.  

So along comes Presidential Debate episode II.  Why don't they have a website to poll people after the debate?  Why not just have the loser "voted off"?  The council has spoken.  Get the f out of here.

Dictionary:  "Debate- a discussion as of a public question in an assembly, involving opposing viewpoints."

I'm calling this years "election":  American President

Sarcasm:  Style over substance all the way!!!!!  Just see what kind of things idiots, people respond to.  Talk cleverly, get some laughs, look good, act knowledgeable, be smooth, don't attack, be personable, don't look away, don't look too much, remember the themes, think of the talking points, remember the poles, don't make mistakes...

Gosh, now I know why Simon Cowell is so cynical.  This is a popularity contest.  In all liklihood, Obama will win.  He's a good player in the game.  I have a feeling he'll win the final tribal council.  But ulimately, it is YOU and I that lose.  Our education system has failed us.  I'm certain of this, and I speak as someone who is involved in the education of our young persons.  It goes by different names.  Social Studies, Civics, American History, Citizenship, etc...   We have lost the central ideals that made this country so powerful, so independant, so unique.  Because there's good entertainment and ratings to be had.  We don't know what we believe as a country anymore, because we don't understand our system of government.  Which takes a little bit of effort.  

And now I close with some quotes from one of our greatest founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson.

"A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor and bread it has earned- this is the sum of good government."  -TJ

"History, in general, only informs us of what bad government is."  -TJ

"I sincerely believe that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies, and that the principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale."-TJ

 How about that banking "crisis" eh?  Lets switch to something more appealing.  How about some VP action?

I fish too...

Music is a big part of my day.  On my commute to campus, or in-between classes I usually enjoy listening to music.  My taste varies immensely.  Sometimes its hippie jam-bands, and sometimes its Sinatra.  Bluegrass, folk, Irish pub songs, classic rock, experimental jazz, and old school rap.  Generally, I can appreciate any artist or genre if their music is honest, unique, or of a level of quality.  Yet, I still get into arguments with people about what is good, and what bites.  And I have even been called a music Nazi, or a music snob.  However, I think I'm very open-minded.  I know what I like, and I know what I don't like. 

I don't like the following bands:

1. AC/DC

Why:  Lame guitar-riffs, and the lead-singer sounds like he is struggling on the toilet.

2. The Eagles

Why:  I get a lot of crap for this, but their music is boring and soft.  Not to mention the continuing reunion tours where they cart out their four "hits".

3. Staind

Why:  You can play minor-chords!!! Wow. Now moan some cliche depressed lyrics.  Brilliant!

4 and 5.  Linkin Park and Nickelback

Why: Just because anybody can pick up a guitar, learn some chords, and play a 4/4 rock beat with heavy distortion doesn't mean people should be spoon-fed the crap on the radio.

6. Coldplay

Why: Even if I could hear a word he was saying, would I care?  U2 called, they want their fans back.

7. Aerosmith

Why: Dude looks like a mouth with a corpse attatched to it.  (Also, see #1).

8. Green Day

Why: At least when they were pounding out their pop-punk they were being themselves.  When they started pretending to be thoughtfully-deep songwriters my gag reflex was activated.

9. NSYNC

Why: Backstreet baby.

10. Anyone who was ever a product of American Idol.

Why: Everybody gets their 15 minutes of lame.

Dishonorable mentions go to: The Black Crowes, Korn, Blink 182, Third Eye Blind, Sum 41, Jonas Brothers, Disturbed, James Taylor, Motley Crue, Bruce Springsteen, David Gray.

I'm sure everyone agrees with me.  Right?

Here are some pics from my forray into the world of gardening:

Ah yeah.  You like that don't you?

Its the first day of Fall/Autumn.  Some random words/things that come to mind when I think of Fall:  Leaves, orange, darkness, coolness, fresh air, poetry, death of insects, more school, clothing, fishing,  botched elections, deer, and football.  Not necessarily in that order. 

Also, Fall reminds me of marching band.  Yes I was in the band in high school, and college (undergrad).  Please don't ever make this comment when around me: "This one time, at band camp..."  Just don't even put the thought in my mind.  Anyway, in many ways those were the best times of my life.  Traveling around the state and country.  Feeling the electricity of a friday night football game as we destroyed another opponent.  And the chilly saturdays at competitions when your stomach was in knotts from being so nervous.  Being in the marching band allowed me to go to Disneyworld, DCI competitions, Bands of America, numerous road trips to unbelievable playoff games, bowl games, and the like.  My time in marching band culminated with marching and performing with the Miami University Marching Band right in front of Macy's before Santa Claus came out in New York for the 2003 Macy's Thanksgiving day parade.  It was an incredible experience that I will never forget.  If you never participated in marching band at any level, just know that it is more than dressing up in a funny looking uniform, playing an instrument, and being silly.  Band members are often the hardest-working students as they maintain hectic schedules, hours of rehearsal, and sacrifice their time and energy to provide the visual and aural soul of the school they represent.  The band is a harbor of tradition in the fight songs, alma mater, and school colors, yet it is also reflects the future and continuity of the educational institution in the face of a new member who seeks to carry on those traditions, and takes pride in representing the name on the sleeve of their uniform, just like those who put on a jersey. 

So it saddens me to hear from a Dean of Faculty who says that participation has dropped, and the Mount Marching Band will not take the field for the remainder of this year.  It seems that the status of the band is up in the air.  Hopefully, there will be a resurgence in participation when the administration takes action to "look at ways to increase efforts to recruit more students into the band program."

Hopefully it truly is a priority to restore the marching band, and to see the value of having such an organization representing the Mount.  There is an opportunity to rethink the band's role in our school, and to consider the possibilities of trying to utilize the band as an ambassador to the community in unique ways.  There are many different and perhaps new ways to get students excited about joining an organization.  But generating excitement takes work, commitment, and support from top to bottom. 

In closing, I won't be attending any games at MSJ the rest of this year, for various reasons.  But the day the Lion's Roar Marching Band does retake Schueler Field, I will be in the stands wearing blue and gold.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPNnIFH6_RU

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOfhpGbFS-Q

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx0ktWojxTM

But that reminds me, I came across a band that covers Rush, Metallica, and others using toy instruments.  Their name is Plastica, and they are hilarious.  Here’s a link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jr8BtQRUVq8

End of recap.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc9wIzi96_E