i do not drink. i do not smoke. Because i am a punk and i do not do these things i frequently get asked if i am straight edge. i answer no.
i have always laughed at those born-again Christians who claim to have re-gained their virginity. It is fucking hysterical. If you had sex, you are not a virgin. That is the very definition of the term. Life is a river that only flows one way. You do not get do-overs, re-do's, or Mulligans. What you have done you have done. Own it and learn from it... all of it.
i am experimental by nature. i enjoy the growth that occurs from trying new things. Alcohol and drugs have been a part of that in my past. The experiences i had and the lessons i learned about myself, the world, and perspectives are important parts of who i am today. i value them and do not regret them.
i have learned what i can from those chemicals and have no interest in further pursuing them. i like being sober all the time. i like being dangerous because my mind is working sharply at all times. i like that i am at a place in my life now where my maturity, knowledge, and experiences have given me a level of confidence that i did not have when i was younger so now i face adversities head on.
i hold sentimental fondness for the straight edge movement and have a lot of respect for it. i relate strongly with that movement and enjoy the company of straight edgers as i feel i have a lot in common with them. Out of respect for the straight edge movement, out of respect for my past experiences, and out of respect for myself, i choose not to place that label upon myself.
i believe that freedom is more important than my personal ideals in most situations (of course not all). i actually think that marijuana should be legalized. If it was i still would not use it but it is less harmful than alcohol (a legal drug) and many medications that people take on a daily basis.
i also am fine with other people doing harder drugs such as heroin. If they steal to support their habit or harm someone while under the influence then they have broken laws and should be treated accordingly, but the simple act of taking drugs is something i see as a personal choice. If you want to shoot up and hide away from the world in your living room... so be it.
Your life, your choice so long as you do not harm anyone else. People destroy themselves all the time from a broad variety of things. Should we make fast food illegal for obese people because they are killing themselves with it?
i am proud of the fact that i do not drink and that i do not take drugs, but i am also proud that it is MY choice. i absolutely hate when people tell me what to do so i respectfully want to allow others the freedom to make THEIR choice. If we can respect each other's right to make choices, imagine what other respect might follow.
Dec 1, 2011
Tears Shed
i read an article where a former police chief was interviewed about the recent police handling of protests. He made some interesting points that really have me concerned. Points worth repeating and worth exploring.
The thing that really gets me worked up is that pepper spray and tazers are non-lethal weapons meant to be an alternative to cops using their guns. In situations where shots would be fired cops now have the ability to use these tools to prevent serious injury or death. Are protests a situation where, if pepper spray, tazers, and tear gas where not available, cops would be opening fire? i'd hope not. So why are they so quick to pull out these weapons?
Because these weapons are considered non-lethal cops seem to have become Quick-draw McGraw. If anything happens causing them to feel like they are not completely in control, cops are taking aggressive action to exert their will on others. This philosophy which is prevalent throughout our country's police forces makes the options of peaceful protests or civil disobedience an impossibility.
Now this is a very dangerous thing. When other forms of communication have been shut-down protests are the only way for people to have their voices heard. When people's voices get taken away they frequently are left with no alternatives but their arms.
The unfortunate truth is that police forces are under the control of a very political system. In recent years our political system has become ever more slave to money, corporations, and special interests. Post 9-11 security spending has put military level equipment into the hands of our neighborhood police forces. In a matter of speaking, those with money and influence have a new military at their disposal. Not one sent overseas to procure their interests in foreign lands, but one sent out into our streets to make sure everyone behaves accordingly.
The only way a minority has ever been able to control the majority is through division. Racism, sexism, etc, etc, etc have been crucial tools over the years to keep the majority of people divided. Recently however, across our planet people of all walks of life have been uniting for the greater good of all. This, of course, is a threat to ruling minorities everywhere. What are they to do?
Well, when your usual divisive banter like stereotypes of spoiled, entitle, hipster-hippies, who need baths and to 'just get a job' do not seem to be quelling the uprising its time to send in your army. Politicians call for police forces to 'maintain order' and a dangerous situation is created.
Suddenly you have members of the same majority forced to face-off along a line. Armed men can be scary but numbers can easily be intimidating. When small minds with weapons are forced to stand off against such huge and determined gatherings it is just a matter of time before one or a few of them find themselves far outside of their comfort zone. And that is when the trouble really starts.
Suddenly an 'us vs them' situation is created and the powers that be get exactly what they want: division. The message gets lost, people start choosing sides, unity is gone. Peaceful protests give way to violent movements as the more moderate minded are driven away and the extremes step up in the void.
We all need to be very thoughtful and deliberate in our actions. The more dangerous the items in your hand, the more consideration, care, and compassion we must exercise over our natures. We are all responsible for our own actions, no matter what or who is telling us what to do. Actions taken out of fear will only lead to more action, driven by even stronger emotions.
The thing that really gets me worked up is that pepper spray and tazers are non-lethal weapons meant to be an alternative to cops using their guns. In situations where shots would be fired cops now have the ability to use these tools to prevent serious injury or death. Are protests a situation where, if pepper spray, tazers, and tear gas where not available, cops would be opening fire? i'd hope not. So why are they so quick to pull out these weapons?Because these weapons are considered non-lethal cops seem to have become Quick-draw McGraw. If anything happens causing them to feel like they are not completely in control, cops are taking aggressive action to exert their will on others. This philosophy which is prevalent throughout our country's police forces makes the options of peaceful protests or civil disobedience an impossibility.
Now this is a very dangerous thing. When other forms of communication have been shut-down protests are the only way for people to have their voices heard. When people's voices get taken away they frequently are left with no alternatives but their arms.
The unfortunate truth is that police forces are under the control of a very political system. In recent years our political system has become ever more slave to money, corporations, and special interests. Post 9-11 security spending has put military level equipment into the hands of our neighborhood police forces. In a matter of speaking, those with money and influence have a new military at their disposal. Not one sent overseas to procure their interests in foreign lands, but one sent out into our streets to make sure everyone behaves accordingly.
The only way a minority has ever been able to control the majority is through division. Racism, sexism, etc, etc, etc have been crucial tools over the years to keep the majority of people divided. Recently however, across our planet people of all walks of life have been uniting for the greater good of all. This, of course, is a threat to ruling minorities everywhere. What are they to do?
Well, when your usual divisive banter like stereotypes of spoiled, entitle, hipster-hippies, who need baths and to 'just get a job' do not seem to be quelling the uprising its time to send in your army. Politicians call for police forces to 'maintain order' and a dangerous situation is created.
Suddenly you have members of the same majority forced to face-off along a line. Armed men can be scary but numbers can easily be intimidating. When small minds with weapons are forced to stand off against such huge and determined gatherings it is just a matter of time before one or a few of them find themselves far outside of their comfort zone. And that is when the trouble really starts.
Suddenly an 'us vs them' situation is created and the powers that be get exactly what they want: division. The message gets lost, people start choosing sides, unity is gone. Peaceful protests give way to violent movements as the more moderate minded are driven away and the extremes step up in the void.
We all need to be very thoughtful and deliberate in our actions. The more dangerous the items in your hand, the more consideration, care, and compassion we must exercise over our natures. We are all responsible for our own actions, no matter what or who is telling us what to do. Actions taken out of fear will only lead to more action, driven by even stronger emotions.
Nov 21, 2011
Yellow Or Grey?
Took a happy pill the other day,
went straight down my throat
no water
no swallowing
no nothing.
Does this mean
that i am so happy
that it just instantly
became one with my body,
or that i am such
a pit of sadness
that the pill
was sucked into my abyss
never to be seen again?
Either way
at least that
happy little fucker
didn't waste much of my time.
Meant i could
get on with
the rest of my day
that
much
quicker...
went straight down my throat
no water
no swallowing
no nothing.
Does this mean
that i am so happy
that it just instantly
became one with my body,
or that i am such
a pit of sadness
that the pill
was sucked into my abyss
never to be seen again?
Either way
at least that
happy little fucker
didn't waste much of my time.
Meant i could
get on with
the rest of my day
that
much
quicker...
Oct 31, 2011
Tim Timebomb's Rock N Roll Theater
I have been digging this:
By Tim Armstrong with some very familiar faces. Happy Halloween!
By Tim Armstrong with some very familiar faces. Happy Halloween!
Oct 24, 2011
Computer Selection: The Ultimate Guide To Mac vs PC
Oh the joys of social media. Beyond the benefits of keeping in touch with friends frequently you have to wade through FML's, work complaints, and my favorite: tech questions. With comments like "I love my... and so should everyone else" or from those who have clearly drunk from the magic corporate Kool-Aide, i feel the need to offer a computer guide. Maybe at a later date i will expand it and write about cell phones, etc but for now i will just address computer selection.
Despite what your fanatical friend might say there is no one computer for everyone. Otherwise this would be a short entry simply with a computer name here _________. People are different with different needs and boy oh boy are computers different. To make this as easy as possible I will compare computer selection to politics, two topics which are not polarizing in any way.
Mac versus PC? Just like with politics they both suck. They are just trying to get your money and are thinking more about getting you to choose them (again) the next time around than about actually taking care of your needs right now. More often than not you end up selecting the lesser of two evils. So here we go. (Comparisons have nothing to do with actual parties of the buyers)
Mac, The Republican
Like the Republican Party, Apple wants it's members to think the same, do things the same, and look the same. i do not mean this necessarily as an insult (well, to Republicans maybe). The system is closed. If you want to use a computer and do not want to know or deal with how they work then Mac's are probably for you. The reality is that everyone should be using computers in some capacity today and by not having much freedom of settings, etc Mac's are great for people who are worried about messing things up (because you probably can not).
Like Republicans work great with other republicans, Apple products work easily with other Apple products. It is an exclusive club however and good luck trying to get them to play well with others. Oh, and you need a bit more money if you want to be on this team. Appearance is not the only thing that matters to Apple, money and power do too.
PC, The Democrat
Like the Democratic Party, PC's are trying to encompass an incredibly diverse spread of people. The system is open to anyone. As we know though, with all that diversity and variation sometimes you can have compatibility issues with both Dem's and PC's alike. The price of individuality? Freedom for security? That freedom can be great if you know what you are doing but it also means you can royally screw things up as well.
When picking a PC you need to think like a lobbyist: you get what you pay for. Throw down a little money (say Dell) and the politician/pc will not necessarily always do what you want it to. The more money you spend (say Vaio) the happier you will be with how it works for you (yes, democrats work for lobbyist... sorry to burst your bubble).
Linux, The Independent
Let's face it, if you are using Linux you know your stuff and do not need an over-simplified blog post telling you what computer to pick. Like Independents though, Linux users can be a little holier-than-thou.
Just like democracy, computers are not perfect. There is no perfect system, you just try to find something that works for you as best you can. Like politics, however, people will constantly try to tell you that their choice is right. Sometimes you lose (Bush or Windows Vista?) but so far we have never really won, although we seem to always hope the next one will be better (Obama or Google?).
Ultimately computers, like politicians, will get you excited about your choice for the first few days but soon enough you get frustrated and will be dreaming of the next one.
Despite what your fanatical friend might say there is no one computer for everyone. Otherwise this would be a short entry simply with a computer name here _________. People are different with different needs and boy oh boy are computers different. To make this as easy as possible I will compare computer selection to politics, two topics which are not polarizing in any way.
Mac versus PC? Just like with politics they both suck. They are just trying to get your money and are thinking more about getting you to choose them (again) the next time around than about actually taking care of your needs right now. More often than not you end up selecting the lesser of two evils. So here we go. (Comparisons have nothing to do with actual parties of the buyers)
Mac, The Republican
Like the Republican Party, Apple wants it's members to think the same, do things the same, and look the same. i do not mean this necessarily as an insult (well, to Republicans maybe). The system is closed. If you want to use a computer and do not want to know or deal with how they work then Mac's are probably for you. The reality is that everyone should be using computers in some capacity today and by not having much freedom of settings, etc Mac's are great for people who are worried about messing things up (because you probably can not).
PC, The Democrat
Like the Democratic Party, PC's are trying to encompass an incredibly diverse spread of people. The system is open to anyone. As we know though, with all that diversity and variation sometimes you can have compatibility issues with both Dem's and PC's alike. The price of individuality? Freedom for security? That freedom can be great if you know what you are doing but it also means you can royally screw things up as well.
When picking a PC you need to think like a lobbyist: you get what you pay for. Throw down a little money (say Dell) and the politician/pc will not necessarily always do what you want it to. The more money you spend (say Vaio) the happier you will be with how it works for you (yes, democrats work for lobbyist... sorry to burst your bubble).Linux, The Independent
Let's face it, if you are using Linux you know your stuff and do not need an over-simplified blog post telling you what computer to pick. Like Independents though, Linux users can be a little holier-than-thou.
Just like democracy, computers are not perfect. There is no perfect system, you just try to find something that works for you as best you can. Like politics, however, people will constantly try to tell you that their choice is right. Sometimes you lose (Bush or Windows Vista?) but so far we have never really won, although we seem to always hope the next one will be better (Obama or Google?).
Ultimately computers, like politicians, will get you excited about your choice for the first few days but soon enough you get frustrated and will be dreaming of the next one.
Oct 12, 2011
Donny Darko: I Think We Should Buy Him A Moped
There is much debate in the science community over whether time travel is possible or not. If you approach the speed of light time is believed to slow down. So if you travel at the speed of light for say fifty years you will not have aged, yet everything else will have progressed the fifty years. Is this traveling into the future? Does it count? What is you travel faster than the speed of light? Did that neutron recently pull this off?
There is also a scientific theorem posing that if you were to time travel, the universe would make it progressively more difficult, even impossible, to change anything. This is the universe's way of ensuring that no impossible paradoxes ensue such as killing your Grandfather (if your Grandfather is dead how could you have ever been born to then kill him?). There go your hopes of preventing World War II.
One of my favorite movies is Donny Darko (the director's cut of course, not the compromised initial edit). This movie is infinitely debated all across the inter-webs and by stoned film students alike. If you have a lot of time you are looking to waste do a search up and read away. Unfortunately much of the debates focus on what is or is not possible and the symbolism behind every tiny detail. Why is that fat guy in the track suit staring at them? i find that most of the conversations centered around such things has caused people to completely miss the point.
This is not uncommon in science fiction movies. In Star Wars (another one of my other favorites) i constantly see the same thing. Could there be explosions in space? People pointing out incongruities between the original trilogy and the new trilogy. Again, all missing the point. If George Lucas and Richard Kelly wanted to establish scientific precedent they would be submitting to scientific journals not making movies.
Art, at it's finest, conveys emotion. It helps you to feel less alone in the world. Maybe others feel like i do. Maybe others think like i do. Art combines colors to make you feel sad. Art combines words to inspire you. Art combines images to make you feel at peace.
Donny Darko is the story of someone who is different. Someone who thinks and acts differently than the average person. By the end of the movie he has come to find peace in the fact that he was not meant to fit in to this world. He also gets to see that although he may not fit in to this world he still has a significant impact on it and effects other peoples' lives, often for the better. As someone who often feels different, i have found this movie very comforting.
Do not get caught up in the process. It is a means to an end. A method of conveying the intended message. Thank you Donny Darko.
Oh, but all English teachers are like Drew Barrymore's character (or at least think they are). That part is true.
There is also a scientific theorem posing that if you were to time travel, the universe would make it progressively more difficult, even impossible, to change anything. This is the universe's way of ensuring that no impossible paradoxes ensue such as killing your Grandfather (if your Grandfather is dead how could you have ever been born to then kill him?). There go your hopes of preventing World War II.
One of my favorite movies is Donny Darko (the director's cut of course, not the compromised initial edit). This movie is infinitely debated all across the inter-webs and by stoned film students alike. If you have a lot of time you are looking to waste do a search up and read away. Unfortunately much of the debates focus on what is or is not possible and the symbolism behind every tiny detail. Why is that fat guy in the track suit staring at them? i find that most of the conversations centered around such things has caused people to completely miss the point.
This is not uncommon in science fiction movies. In Star Wars (another one of my other favorites) i constantly see the same thing. Could there be explosions in space? People pointing out incongruities between the original trilogy and the new trilogy. Again, all missing the point. If George Lucas and Richard Kelly wanted to establish scientific precedent they would be submitting to scientific journals not making movies.
Art, at it's finest, conveys emotion. It helps you to feel less alone in the world. Maybe others feel like i do. Maybe others think like i do. Art combines colors to make you feel sad. Art combines words to inspire you. Art combines images to make you feel at peace.
Donny Darko is the story of someone who is different. Someone who thinks and acts differently than the average person. By the end of the movie he has come to find peace in the fact that he was not meant to fit in to this world. He also gets to see that although he may not fit in to this world he still has a significant impact on it and effects other peoples' lives, often for the better. As someone who often feels different, i have found this movie very comforting.
Do not get caught up in the process. It is a means to an end. A method of conveying the intended message. Thank you Donny Darko.
Oh, but all English teachers are like Drew Barrymore's character (or at least think they are). That part is true.
Oct 5, 2011
The Top Ten Albums Of The Two Thousands (so far)
These are my picks for the top ten albums to have come out since 2000. This is probably the only top ten to look quite like this, but that is why it is even more important that i come up with this. To quote Rivers "if you don't like it, you can shove it... but you don't like it, you love it".
10. Postal Service "Give Up" - Death Cab singing over great electronica... how can this go wrong? Who did not like this one though? This inspired more than a few.
9. Taking Back Sunday "Where You Want To Be" - i was worried about the line-up change but boy did it deliver. A genre classic which i still regularly skate and snowboard to. They never really matched it again.
8. Dashboard Confessional "The Places You Have Some To Fear The Most" - Another genre defining classic. Spawned a score of imitators not seen since 90's era Pearl Jam. Acoustic with punk sensibility? i am in.
7. Fugazi "The Argument" - Unfortunately the last Fugazi album barely squeaks into the new millennium. This one really gives "13 Songs" a run for it's money as the best Fugazi album.
6. Angels & Airwaves "I Empire" - Some grown-up atmospheric punk. Rite of Spring has become one of my favorite songs, sneaking into many of my playlists. Creating a new genre.
5. Dropkick Murphys "The Meanest Of Times" - Definitely their best album since Sing Load, Sing Proud. The Kid's influence has been missed ever since. A little bit of everything you like about DKM. If they took a little more time in between each album they probably would all be this good.
4. Rise Against "Siren Songs Of The Counter Culture" - Like 90's hardcore amped up for the new millennium with good musicians. Why has his throat not blown out? And a ballad? Even hardcore kids cry sometimes... even hardcore kids cry. Like TBS they never quite matched it again.
3. Rival Schools "United By Fate" - What would Walter do? Gorilla Biscuits, Youth Of Today, Quicksand... now this. i feel like i have been growing up with him and he never fails to deliver.
2. Thursday "No Devolution" - Most bands peak at some point (see many on this list) but occasionally there is a band that continues to amaze and grow. Thursday have become my absolute favorite band. i have been known to follow them like the Dead. All done on their own terms. Always creative, always artistic, and always passionate. Stay true!
1. Rancid "Let The Dominoes Fall" - AN ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE! A graceful, mature punk album from elder-statesmen of the genre. Ever since it came out it has remained a consistent regular in my listening cycle. Finally a punk album for those of us who are getting old but not giving up on our ideals.
10. Postal Service "Give Up" - Death Cab singing over great electronica... how can this go wrong? Who did not like this one though? This inspired more than a few.
9. Taking Back Sunday "Where You Want To Be" - i was worried about the line-up change but boy did it deliver. A genre classic which i still regularly skate and snowboard to. They never really matched it again.
8. Dashboard Confessional "The Places You Have Some To Fear The Most" - Another genre defining classic. Spawned a score of imitators not seen since 90's era Pearl Jam. Acoustic with punk sensibility? i am in.
7. Fugazi "The Argument" - Unfortunately the last Fugazi album barely squeaks into the new millennium. This one really gives "13 Songs" a run for it's money as the best Fugazi album.
6. Angels & Airwaves "I Empire" - Some grown-up atmospheric punk. Rite of Spring has become one of my favorite songs, sneaking into many of my playlists. Creating a new genre.
5. Dropkick Murphys "The Meanest Of Times" - Definitely their best album since Sing Load, Sing Proud. The Kid's influence has been missed ever since. A little bit of everything you like about DKM. If they took a little more time in between each album they probably would all be this good.
4. Rise Against "Siren Songs Of The Counter Culture" - Like 90's hardcore amped up for the new millennium with good musicians. Why has his throat not blown out? And a ballad? Even hardcore kids cry sometimes... even hardcore kids cry. Like TBS they never quite matched it again.
3. Rival Schools "United By Fate" - What would Walter do? Gorilla Biscuits, Youth Of Today, Quicksand... now this. i feel like i have been growing up with him and he never fails to deliver.
2. Thursday "No Devolution" - Most bands peak at some point (see many on this list) but occasionally there is a band that continues to amaze and grow. Thursday have become my absolute favorite band. i have been known to follow them like the Dead. All done on their own terms. Always creative, always artistic, and always passionate. Stay true!
1. Rancid "Let The Dominoes Fall" - AN ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE! A graceful, mature punk album from elder-statesmen of the genre. Ever since it came out it has remained a consistent regular in my listening cycle. Finally a punk album for those of us who are getting old but not giving up on our ideals.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)