Thursday, January 29, 2009
wake up
I woke up this morning and turned on the tv. what a horrible way to start a day. of course i did not think that at 9am this morning, but i thought about this later: If I am going to wake up and watch tv, why not just sleep more. i watch too much tv because it is easy.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
tea
tea is good. living in michigan, where the january temps are rarely above 20 degrees farenheit, tea is great.
cool and cold days can be just as nice as hot and warm days, but we can't forget that they will never be the same. appreciating a delightfully warm late afternoon in June is nice, but why can't one appreciate the untouched sheet of snow and ice that blankets your backyard, all the while highlighting and frosting the white pines the stand tall and never waiver despite the cold frigid temps of january morning in michigan.
Equip yourself with a scarf, hat and mittens for this match; feature a warm jacket and relax your racket and breathe; it won't be cold forever.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Blueberry Hill
Louis armstrong: a lawnmower/blender with the volume turned just low enough, accompanied with perfectly harmonized horns... whoever he's playin with, they sound great too; especially the pianist. at the end of "hello dolly", he lets out an "EEEEEEEeeeehhhhyaaaaaaaa"
Friday, January 23, 2009
Africa- What if they had guns?
What comes to mind when you hear "Africa"? This class I am taking at Michigan State Univ. has met 3 times thus far, and the major theme of the first few classes has been centered around a negative portrayal of the continent and its inhabitants. So far as a class, we've discussed the history of Africa and exploration into Africa by European explorers. A major point that has been asserted by explorers of Africa is that they are unequal and "uncivilized" when compared the the white man's civilization. Despite things like the Pyramids in Egypt and The Great Zimbabwe site featuring massive ruins and structures dating back thousands of years. Many if not most people could not fathom these structures were built by Africans; people whom European explores claimed were "heathenistic and barbaric".
People are people. A person is a person. No one is the same as anyone else. Recently our world has been about equality and everyone is equal. That sounds simple enough to accept but back hundreds of years ago, when people began exploring the world, it wasn't. Everyone KNEW what a person was SUPPOSED to look like and they KNEW how a person was SUPPOSED to act. So when their boats crashed onto the African coast, all these dark skinned people and white skinned people met... and I wonder, what if they were the ones with muskets and canons instead of the Europeans?
People are people. A person is a person. No one is the same as anyone else. Recently our world has been about equality and everyone is equal. That sounds simple enough to accept but back hundreds of years ago, when people began exploring the world, it wasn't. Everyone KNEW what a person was SUPPOSED to look like and they KNEW how a person was SUPPOSED to act. So when their boats crashed onto the African coast, all these dark skinned people and white skinned people met... and I wonder, what if they were the ones with muskets and canons instead of the Europeans?
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Robina Courtin
This Tibetan Monk is one cool lady. Thanks to my friend Fireball, I would like to share this video with you as he has shared it with me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nasIq4E9nNg&eurl
It doesn't matter if you need to walk a 100 million miles, it will be a long journey, but as long as you have the map, which everybody does, you can be well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nasIq4E9nNg&eurl
It doesn't matter if you need to walk a 100 million miles, it will be a long journey, but as long as you have the map, which everybody does, you can be well.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Buddhist Talk on Loneliness
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fb4IYpKYRA
This talk by a Buddhist in Australia gives some insight into how to deal with feelings of loneliness. One might also call this a form of suffering. Being a buddhist myself, I have always found it helpful to think about the Four Noble Truths, which is a fundmental teaching of Buddhism.
1. There is suffering in life.
2. There is a source for our suffering.
3. Suffering can cease.
4. Suffering will cease by following the Noble path:
Correct thought: avoiding covetousness, the wish to harm others and wrong views (like thinking: actions have no consequences, I never have any problems, there are no ways to end suffering etc.)
Correct speech: avoid lying, divisive and harsh speech and idle gossip.
Correct actions: avoid killing, stealing and sexual misconduct
Correct livelihood: try to make a living with the above attitude of thought, speech and actions.
Correct understanding: developing genuine wisdom. (The last three aspects refer mainly to the practice of meditation:)
Correct effort: after the first real step we need joyful perseverance to continue.
Correct mindfulness: try to be aware of the "here and now", instead of dreaming in the "there and then".
Correct concentration: to keep a steady, calm and attentive state of mind.
This talk by a Buddhist in Australia gives some insight into how to deal with feelings of loneliness. One might also call this a form of suffering. Being a buddhist myself, I have always found it helpful to think about the Four Noble Truths, which is a fundmental teaching of Buddhism.
1. There is suffering in life.
2. There is a source for our suffering.
3. Suffering can cease.
4. Suffering will cease by following the Noble path:
Correct thought: avoiding covetousness, the wish to harm others and wrong views (like thinking: actions have no consequences, I never have any problems, there are no ways to end suffering etc.)
Correct speech: avoid lying, divisive and harsh speech and idle gossip.
Correct actions: avoid killing, stealing and sexual misconduct
Correct livelihood: try to make a living with the above attitude of thought, speech and actions.
Correct understanding: developing genuine wisdom. (The last three aspects refer mainly to the practice of meditation:)
Correct effort: after the first real step we need joyful perseverance to continue.
Correct mindfulness: try to be aware of the "here and now", instead of dreaming in the "there and then".
Correct concentration: to keep a steady, calm and attentive state of mind.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Sports-2009 NFL Playoff Picks
With the Wildcard weekend almost upon us, I would like to preview as well as predict this weekends matchups. These predictions are created by me, therefore, are sure to go wrong...
Atlanta Falcons @ Arizona Cardinals
I can easily see either team winning this one. The falcons have a solid, young team built around their new rookie quarterback and free agent running back Michael Turner. The cardinals have an experienced quarterback in Kurt Warner and a host of other seasoned, well accomplished players. In particular, Larry Fitzgerald is a dog. What a specimen; easily a top reciever for the next 5-8 years. This all being said, I like the falcons to win this game. Arizona played some bad football down the stretch, especially against good teams.
Prediction: Falcons 27, Cardinals 17
Indianapolis Colts @ San Diego Chargers
Both teams are finally playing good football after rough starts. San Diego is not the same tough team they were the last three years. Ladainian Tomlinson is suffice it to say too old for a running back. He may or may not have a few good years left, but he will never be the player he was. I could say the same thing about Peyton Manning too... but I won't. The first half of the season he was obviously "off", but lately his play has been just as good as ever. I think his best years are behind him, but I would want him as my starting quarterback right now and for the next 5 years.
Prediction: Colts 38, Chargers 24
Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins
Wow. Who could have predicted this matchup before the season started. Both teams are solid in that they appear to have few weaknesses. Baltimore sports a rookie QB, however, their 3-headed monster at running back (McGahee, McClain and Rice) absorbs a great deal of their offense, making Joe Flacco succumb to less turnovers. I think the difference in this game will be the Ravens running the ball at will in the first half, and building a lead that the defense will not give up in the 4th quarter.
Prediction: Ravens 26, Dolphins 13
Philadelphia Eagles @ Minnesota Vikings
Unlike the previous matchup between Miami and Baltimore, these two teams are the opposite of rock solid. Phily and Donovan McNabb just can't seem to get along. Minnesota it seems is just a good quarterback away from being an elite team. This game is hard to pick. Which team will show up and play up to their ability. Minnesota's best bet is to feed the ball to their main guy Adrian Peterson and not to forget about their other good back, Chestor Taylor. If the vikings can keep the game close and build a lead from running the ball and playing up to the level of their opponent, they should be able to eek out a victory.
Prediction: Vikings 31, Eagles 30
Recap: Falcons, Colts, Ravens, Vikings advance.
Atlanta Falcons @ Arizona Cardinals
I can easily see either team winning this one. The falcons have a solid, young team built around their new rookie quarterback and free agent running back Michael Turner. The cardinals have an experienced quarterback in Kurt Warner and a host of other seasoned, well accomplished players. In particular, Larry Fitzgerald is a dog. What a specimen; easily a top reciever for the next 5-8 years. This all being said, I like the falcons to win this game. Arizona played some bad football down the stretch, especially against good teams.
Prediction: Falcons 27, Cardinals 17
Indianapolis Colts @ San Diego Chargers
Both teams are finally playing good football after rough starts. San Diego is not the same tough team they were the last three years. Ladainian Tomlinson is suffice it to say too old for a running back. He may or may not have a few good years left, but he will never be the player he was. I could say the same thing about Peyton Manning too... but I won't. The first half of the season he was obviously "off", but lately his play has been just as good as ever. I think his best years are behind him, but I would want him as my starting quarterback right now and for the next 5 years.
Prediction: Colts 38, Chargers 24
Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins
Wow. Who could have predicted this matchup before the season started. Both teams are solid in that they appear to have few weaknesses. Baltimore sports a rookie QB, however, their 3-headed monster at running back (McGahee, McClain and Rice) absorbs a great deal of their offense, making Joe Flacco succumb to less turnovers. I think the difference in this game will be the Ravens running the ball at will in the first half, and building a lead that the defense will not give up in the 4th quarter.
Prediction: Ravens 26, Dolphins 13
Philadelphia Eagles @ Minnesota Vikings
Unlike the previous matchup between Miami and Baltimore, these two teams are the opposite of rock solid. Phily and Donovan McNabb just can't seem to get along. Minnesota it seems is just a good quarterback away from being an elite team. This game is hard to pick. Which team will show up and play up to their ability. Minnesota's best bet is to feed the ball to their main guy Adrian Peterson and not to forget about their other good back, Chestor Taylor. If the vikings can keep the game close and build a lead from running the ball and playing up to the level of their opponent, they should be able to eek out a victory.
Prediction: Vikings 31, Eagles 30
Recap: Falcons, Colts, Ravens, Vikings advance.
Some music
Some artist that I have grown to really appreciate... Led Zeppelin---- a lot of their songs some poeple have never even heard. Their four disc box set I bought several years ago was one of the better purchases of my young life.... The Beatles--- they are the alpha and the omega of music. Why are they so fucking sweet? If I could only have one group or artist to listen to the rest of my life, they would no doubt be it. This love for the Beatles may sound all too common, but hey, they ARE the best... Pink Floyd--- if I could have another group or artist to listen to for the rest of my life, boom it is them. Rock and Roll? Jazz? Orchestral? etc.. what are they? They are Pink Floyd and that is it. That in itself is the highest praise for any band, that is, to create something totally original and different.
These 3 groups all sort of shared the spotlight in the 60s and 70s and I think that is interesting. What an interesting time in not only America, but the world. Their unmatched sounds by today's music I think reflects how raw and new music was back then. I won't write more about that because I do not want to continue to compare bands of then and now. We are different and too different.
Some newer bands I have enjoyed discovering of my lifetime are listed below in no particular order. Personally, I can't and will never get enough of the aforementioned mt rushmore of "rock" ...I would put "music", but there isn't enough room in South Dakota for all the greats in music).
Thievery Corporation
Coldplay
Outkast
Red Hot Chili Peppers
TV on the Radio
Frank Sinatra
Radiohead
Incubus
Bob Marley & The Whalers
Louis Armstrong
The Mars Volta
...that is just a few, I will probably include more in upcoming blogs. I don't try to tell you who to listen to, I simply will give my favorites and you can do what you want with that information.
A great site that I can't help but tell everyone I know about is... listen.grooveshark.com
It works just like a search engine only for music. Check it out and in seconds you could be listening to any song you can think of...
As for actually playing music, I am relatively new. I've been playing the Djembe drum for awhile, and although I'm still learning things, it is a very fun instrument to play. I also own a harmonica which is fun to play too. Lately, I have been learning as much as I can on the guitar. The first few months were, in so many words, rough, but I have come to discover that the guitar, as well as any instrument is about confidence. People, like me, must have this idea that if they don't play an instrument well quickly, they will just give up. It doesn't work that way. You are gunna suck really bad and suck really bad for some time. Eventually, however, you will start remembering, and remembering things about that instrument that you didn't know you knew. Just keep at it. Keep at it until your sweet at it, realize it is difficult so you won't fret and be mad at it.
These 3 groups all sort of shared the spotlight in the 60s and 70s and I think that is interesting. What an interesting time in not only America, but the world. Their unmatched sounds by today's music I think reflects how raw and new music was back then. I won't write more about that because I do not want to continue to compare bands of then and now. We are different and too different.
Some newer bands I have enjoyed discovering of my lifetime are listed below in no particular order. Personally, I can't and will never get enough of the aforementioned mt rushmore of "rock" ...I would put "music", but there isn't enough room in South Dakota for all the greats in music).
Thievery Corporation
Coldplay
Outkast
Red Hot Chili Peppers
TV on the Radio
Frank Sinatra
Radiohead
Incubus
Bob Marley & The Whalers
Louis Armstrong
The Mars Volta
...that is just a few, I will probably include more in upcoming blogs. I don't try to tell you who to listen to, I simply will give my favorites and you can do what you want with that information.
A great site that I can't help but tell everyone I know about is... listen.grooveshark.com
It works just like a search engine only for music. Check it out and in seconds you could be listening to any song you can think of...
As for actually playing music, I am relatively new. I've been playing the Djembe drum for awhile, and although I'm still learning things, it is a very fun instrument to play. I also own a harmonica which is fun to play too. Lately, I have been learning as much as I can on the guitar. The first few months were, in so many words, rough, but I have come to discover that the guitar, as well as any instrument is about confidence. People, like me, must have this idea that if they don't play an instrument well quickly, they will just give up. It doesn't work that way. You are gunna suck really bad and suck really bad for some time. Eventually, however, you will start remembering, and remembering things about that instrument that you didn't know you knew. Just keep at it. Keep at it until your sweet at it, realize it is difficult so you won't fret and be mad at it.
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