Vlog Post #2: Gaga, Geography, and Get him to the Greek

Music Video #3 - Tainted Love by Straight No Chaser

The A Capella version of this song is so good. I love all their music. Check out their site at: www.sncmusic.com. They've got some great hits; their holiday album is hilarious. Check it out!

Post #18 - The End of the World as we know it

Being the odd child that I am, one of my favorite genres in literature and media is those that deal with apocalyptic events and/or post-apocalyptic scenarios. Over the years, I have come across several great works of these types, and i still cannot get over how interesting they are. I mean, there are endless possibilities when it comes to this scenario, who better than a writer or director to explore them all? They bring about a whole new chapter in human history (or future if you will). Media of this type is hugely popular, from 2012 to The Day after tomorrow. I've experienced so many of these and am going to share my few favs with you all. how about I start with some of the books I've read....

Man, this sounds like I'm writing an essay, doesn't it? Haha, oh well. I'll try to have fun with this while keeping you all interested (but if you don't want to put up with me talking about books for the next few paragraphs, you should scroll down. If it helps, just look at the pictures).

One of my all time favorite books that I have read in this genre is "Earth Abides," by George R. Stewart. The story follows the life of a boy named Isherwood (Ish) Williams. At the beginning of the story, Ish is living in a mountain cabin in California, doing research for his graduate studies, isolated from the rest of civilization. At one point, he gets bitten by a rattlesnake and is forced to remain in bed until he can recover. While in bed, Ish gets horribly ill, and fears that he is coming down with something on top of the rattlesnake poison within him. When he returns to health, he travels back to society to discover that everyone has been killed by a deadly disease that has decimated the world's population.

Ish travels across the country, searching for survivors of this terrible plague. While traveling to New York city and back, he comes across and adopts a dog that he names Princess. He meets up with several survivors that are attempting to live off the food and trash left behind in the city. As he travels, Ish realizes that staying in the city would mean certain death, as there would soon be little to no food to live off of. Realizing this, he returns to California where he meets Em, a strong woman who he falls in love with and marries.

Once he meets Em, a new section of the book begins entitled "the quick years" and describes in a few pages the next 21 years of their life, how several other survivors joined their new "colony" and how their numbers began to grow rapidly with the large numbers of children being born. At one point, Ish remarks how "each child pushes the darkness back a little further", referring to the expansion of his now tiny world. After this brief section, the middle portion of the book describes the "year 22," and all the eventful things that happen during that period of time (i will not reveal that here, you'll have to buy the book yourself, the link is given). this is then followed by another interlude entitled "the quick years."  This section marks an undetermined number of years as the colony moves forward in its life. After this, a third and final section marks the conclusion of the book, with an ending that I, myself found satisfying, yet wanting more.

There are several main topics that Stewart inserts into the story, one of these is the resulting return to nature, and how that will affect the world around them. The characters in the novel are forced to endure plagues of ants, and rats. buffalo and lions (i believe it was lions, although I cannot recall, sorry), as the natural words struggles to return itself to the way things were had humanity not existed on Earth.

The second topic that Stewart covers its the loss of technology and literature. Several times in the story, Ish remarks how much knowledge will be lost, and attempts to teach the children in the colony as much as possible. However, the children are reluctant to learn, having never experienced "school" as we know it. Ish fears that the colony will not be able to survive once the things left behind by the "Old Americans" as they are called, are gone. He fears that without guns and bullets, they will not be able to catch game, or without their supply of running water from the dam, that they will not be able to get enough water. However, as the years pass, the subsequent generations learn what they need to survive through Ish's careful guidance. As Ish was attempting to get the children to learn for school, he realized that they would not because it wasn't fun, so instead he tried to make the important things they needed to learn into games and fun activities. so, in an attempt to save his colony, he build the children some bows and arrows ( he "reinvented" them) and gave them to the children to play with. Later, the children took these bows, and adapted them to suit their less childish needs as the guns that they were using began to fail because of rust.


A third topic that Stewart covers is a reintroduction into myth and superstition into this new colony that does not understand the world around them. A child is confused by a coin with a winged lady on it (or something, I cannot remember) and asked Ish if that was what the "Old Americans" were like. The new generations believed the "Old Americans" to be almost Godlike, having built the impressive, yet imposing structures that the new generations know nothing about. Imagine living in a primitive world, but having a structure like the golden gate bridge looming out of the fog. what would you think? Ish also carries a hammer around with him, he's had it since page one of the book when he got bit by the rattlesnake, and it has never left his side since. The rest of the tribe sees Ish as their leader, and when Ish gets old, and asks one of the children to bring his hammer that was resting against the wall, the child refuses to touch it. Ish then realizes that the children have become very superstitious about this hammer, treating it as a symbol of power, and authority. in another time, Ish notices how one of his great-grandchildren explains to him how when building arrows, they fabricate the heads, out of coins. However, they only use "the red ones" for one type of animal, and the "white ones" for another.this lack of understanding about the world is very interesting, and could be where some of our very own superstitions come from.


all in all, i thought this an amazing book, and I will come back to it later, I promise.

So, for those of you that are bored with books, I am now going to talk about a T.V show (Yay!!!!). This show is called Survivors and it airs on BBC America. It takes place in Britain, and follows the story of a couple survivors of a massive plague that killed 99.9% of humanity. It's similar to Earth Abides, I know, but it's different enough and presented in a different media that it's enough to get me hooked.

The main character (and my favorite) goes by the name of Abby Grant. While the plague was happening, Abby's son was away at camp and Abby was left at home with her struggling marriage. Abby got sick with the virus and somehow managed to survive (the only one who did, sorry if that reveals too much, but it had to bed done). Once Abby recovers, she begins to search for her son Peter, because she believes he might still be alive because she survived. Throughout all of season one (in which there are only episodes :( so sad ) she is searching for Peter frantically, searching every possible lead she finds on his whereabouts, not giving up when they lead to deal ends.

Joining Abby as part of the cast is Tom Price, an ex-convict who we know little about; Dr. Anya Raczynski, a doctor that ran into Tom when he got in trouble and helped him out; Greg Preston, a solitary man that wants to go his own way; Al Sadiq and Najid Hanif, a playboy and child forced together after the plague. Each of these characters have their own backgrounds that make them unique, Anya attempts to keep her being a doctor a secret because she was devastated by the fact that she couldn't save anyone from the plague. Greg doesn't want anything to do with them and wants to start a farm on his own, Tom is constantly confronted about his past, Najid is an indian child who lost his whole family. Al, the son of a wealthy father, had been living the good life, and is finding it difficult to adjust to this new world. Abby persuades them all to stick together by telling them that they will be able to survive easier on their own. the speech she gives is really powerful, and brings out the motherly nature she holds for everyone she knows.

I believe one of the major themes this show is teaching us is "are people basically good or evil." In this new world, the survivors have to decide between what is now right and what is now wrong. Am I allowed to shoot someone if they try to steal my food? What are the new rules in this strange world? Tom is always quick to raise a gun to anyone who threatens Anya or the rest of his group. Is he doing what's right, or taking advantage of people? In a time like this, all the rules we currently possess change. what was wrong before might be right now, and vice versa.


through all media of this Genre, it is interesting to read about how the next generation is effected by whatever disaster befell mankind. One such example of this is the novel "flood," by Stephen Baxter.This novel depicts a world that is slowly flooding due to oceans under the crust breaking open, flooding the whole planet over a span of 65 years. near the end of the novel, when some of the main characters are on rafts, (I'm sorry, but I do not have the book and cannot quote it properly) the children are described to be diving down to depths and for lengths that were previously thought impossible to be done without aid. With no knowledge of the "old world," this new generation finds themselves in a world that for them has always been like this. Then have no feelings of loss at all. They have no memory of a New York City, trees, or insects. I think it's amazing how authors depict how the newest generation adapts to their world. It's truly inspirational, even if it's not real.


Well, that's about it. I hope you enjoyed my spiel, sorry it took so long. Next time i'll inform you of what I've been up too. Promise.


See you all soon,
dan

Music Video # 2 - So Soll Es Sein by Ish & Ish

I don't know what it is about this song that i love, but i think it's amazing. When I hear the beginning, all I can think about is a beautiful sunrise. Weird? Probably. Sorry, haha.

P.S Sorry about the video being too large, I'm not sure how to change it, any suggestions?

Post #16 - Welcome to a brand new world

Well hello there, have I seen you before? Perhaps I have passed you while walking down the street sometime. did I say hello? Was I nice? No? how unfortunate. Perhaps we can get to know each other soon. Wouldn't that be nice.

Anyways...

So, first post of 2010!! Isn't that exciting? I haven't posted anything in a while, and like a classic blogger I feel it is necessary that I add this next sentence...

I'm sorry that I haven't written anything in a while.

Phew! glad I got that out! It seems that every blogger that hasn't written in a while has to include that sentence in his or her first post after a long break. I didn't want to be the exception...

Anyways, I'm probably boring you to tears right now. Here's a Kleenex. ha ha.

Sorry.

Anyways, you're probably wondering what my new years resolution is, since i managed to keep my last one perfectly. I'm so proud of myself for that one. So my thinking is that since I did do well on my last, this new one must be that much better. O.K. here it is: to apply myself more in school to get a 3.263 GPA this semester and to get more active by going to the gym more often. If all goes according to plan ( as it doubtlessly will. fingers crossed) I will look like a combination of me, Einstein, and this dude....

ha ha. Idk who he is but I would KILL to look like that. (Take a look at me this time next year and I will look like that...

I WISH)

Anyways, there were some more topics that I wanted to post on this post. give me a sec to try and remember what they are.

Uhhh.... sorry still in vacation mode. Ah! Christmas! ha ha. Christmas break was fun. Not amazing fun, just fun. middle kinda fun. I didn't really see anyone except for the three time all month. Three times in a month? that's kinda sad. even for me. I'm sure I can do better next time. So anyways, I got some nice stuff for Christmas. some books that I had wanted. like this one. I love Robert Jordan (The Gathering Storm (Wheel of Time))!! Then I also got some American Eagle clothing, which is like the best!! Love that store. I'm afraid I can't recall anything else that I got b/c i forgot. oops. But those were my fav. things anyways.

So I'm taking some more classes this semester, 17 credits up from 13. It should be a challenge, but I'm totally up for it. My classes include: Chem 1128Q, Math 1131Q, Engr 1166, Cse 1010 and Psyc 1100. Unless you go to UCONN you probably don't have any idea what those classes are. I'll explain:
-Chemistry
-Calculus
-Foundations of Engineering
-Computer science
-General Psychology
All in all, they will be tough, but interesting. here's to hoping I can keep up!!

So, I recently applied for a summer job at de maximus, inc where my neighbor works. de maximus is a environmental clean-up company that also does various other environmental acts. If I get the job I would be soo excited. I think it would be a great experience for me in my major. Who knows? Fingers crossed

well, that's about it. I can't think of anything else to write, so i'll catch you all up later.

dan

Mood: Relaxed - Just got back from the gym (yes!) and am in a good mood
Music: Pandora, Lady Gaga radio -Love Pandora, and love gaga. She is soo good!!
Location: Dorm room - Chris has like a million friends over.
Later: Work and meeting a friend (hopefully) - First day of work this semester at Putnum. Hope I don't forget everything!!

Video #1 - Piano stairs

Can't we have this everywhere? Thought you might like to see this, it made me smile so hard. To think people would chose physical activity over lazyness. what a shocker!

Dan

Post #11 - My Internet Obsession

So, everyone has their own obsessions, feet, chocolate, post-its, bubble wraps. You name it, someone's got an obsession for it. Mine? Internet websites. NO, not porn smartass. The funny websites, the ones that are so easily addictable.

1. People of Walmart

http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/

This website is soo funny!Just look at this hilarious picture, Chewbacca was spotted in Walmart a while back. Guess far far away and long long ago aren't actually that far away (or long ago).  Some of the pictures on this site are so funny. The outfits some people put on these days. Shame shame tisk tisk. Most of them are down right awar and strage, but they all a hoot! I never knew so many people wore short shorts and tye-dye. Especially old people. Bead outfits, tons of frills, spots and checks, you name it, they've got it!

2. Texts From Last Night

http://www.textsfromlastnight.com/

So if you've never heard of theis website, you must be living under a rock. this website is made up of text messages that people have sent to someone else. They're HILARIOUS! Examples:

(212): It was confusing and full of hummus

(913): I told her Billy Mays couldn't convince me to sleep with her

(443): he was so excited that he found the elusive clitoris. i was like look christopher colombus, just because you found it doesnt mean you knew what to do with it
(519): and then she said I drew a line on her forehead with my cum and whispered "Simba"
(407): i went to disney world today with my friends, met snow white, then saw her later at a bar. she is naked next to me in her bed, passed out. when you wish upon a star...
(919): so I was just driving high and I stopped to let a pinecone cross the road because I thought it was a hedgehog.
(215): i got kicked out of Barns and Nobles cuz i put all the bibles in the fiction section
(847): i took some ambien and I TRIPPED out...i went into my mom's room to say goodnight and i don't remember anything...she said that i got really pissed at her because we were living in the Keebler elf tree and she was visiting other trees, then i started laughing hysterically and she goes "whats so funny?" and i go "there are 7 people sitting on my knees" and she goes "doesn't that hurt?" and i said "no we're sitting in a bowl" and then i capped it off and said "join the crazy train bro" and passed out.

There are so many more of these hilarious texts. They keep getting better and better. On the site, there are pages of "good nights" and "bad nights." You can't help but cringe at some of these, but you're usually brought to tears by the rest.

3. Not Always Right
http://www.notalwaysright.com/
Moe introduced me to this one, and I'm really mad at her because of it. This site is similer to texts from last night, but for this site, employers and workers and such send in conversations they'ver have with some pretty wacky customers. Examples:
The Imperial Left Or The Metric Left
Hotel, London, UK
Guest: “How do you get to a cash machine??”
Me: “You exit the hotel, turn left, and then–”
Guest: “Turn left?”
Me: “Yes, left.”
Guest: “Left?”
Me: “Yes, left.” *pointing with my hand*
Guest: *confused* “Left…right…”
Me: “Left in England is the same as left in America.
Guest: “Oh, okay! I get it!”

Too Much Violence On TV, Even More When It’s Off
Call Center, North America
Me: “How can I help you?”
Customer: “You shut me off!”
Me: “I’m sorry to hear you’re having problems. Let me pull up your account.”
Customer: “I ain’t got no d*** account with you, you rip people off so I figure I’ll rip you off, and then you go and shut me off again!”
Me: “I’m sorry sir, what address is this for?”
(Customer gives his address and is documented for repeated cable theft.)
Me: “I’m sorry sir, but this account needs to be paid for if you want to have cable service.”
Customer: “No it don’t. I’ll just go on back there and hook up my wires and it’ll come in fine.”
Me: “Yes sir, that is possible, but it’s against the law to tap into lines without a paid account.”
Customer: “Well you better make it harder because I’m just gonna go hook it up again, and you better stop unhooking my lines.”
Me: “I do apologize, but I’m afraid we’ll continue to take down any unauthorized hook ups, sir.”
Customer: “Yeah? Well, I’ll be waiting with a shotgun next time!”
Me: “I’m pretty sure that’s illegal too, sir.”
Customer: “No it ain’t! I got the right to bear arms and if you come out here, I’m gonna BEAR ARMS ON YOU!”

Constructive Criticism For The Music Industry

Retail, Massachusetts, USA
Me: “Hi, welcome to **** Music, how can I help you?”
Customer: “Yes, I’m having a little trouble with this CD.” *holds up a Carrie Underwood CD*
Me: “All right, what’s the problem with it?”
Customer: “Well, I was listening to that song, you know, ‘Before He Cheats’.”
Me: “Yes?”
Customer: “Well, the lyrics don’t really make sense in one part.”
Me: “Excuse me?”
Customer: “Well, you see, she says, ‘I may have saved a little trouble for the next girl, because the next time that he cheats, you know it won’t be on me’.”
Me: “…”
Customer: “You see, she hasn’t really helped the next girl at all. She’s saying he’ll cheat again, and that it won’t be on her, so it’ll be on the next girl! That next girl isn’t being helped at all!”
Me: “…so there’s nothing wrong with the CD itself?”
Customer: “The lyrics don’t make any sense at all!”
Me: “Ma’am, if the CD itself plays correctly, then…”
Customer: “Well, I’m saying it DOESN’T play correctly! The words are wrong!”
Me: “Ma’am, there’s nothing I can do to change the lyrics of a song.”
Customer: “Can’t you just call her up, and make her change them? I mean, really, it’s in her best interest, since her song would make more sense, and more people would buy it that way!”
Me: “Ma’am, let me be sure I’m understanding you. You want me to somehow call Carrie Underwood, and have her change the lyrics to her song, which has sold millions of copies, because you don’t approve.”
Customer: “Exactly! I knew someone would understand. The other store I went to didn’t help at all!”
Me: “Ma’am, are you saying that, not only is the actual CD playing without skips, and the disk is not scratched, but that you bought it somewhere else?”
Customer: “Well, yes. So, can you call her?”
Me: “No, ma’am. I can not.”
(The customer refused to understand that I could not, in fact, change the lyrics, and spent another 10 minutes trying to explain why she was upset.)

The Flesh Is Bright But The Mind Is Dimming

Hospital, Mississippi, USA
Me: “Okay, sir, just a few x-rays and we’ll be done.”
Patient: “Please make it quick. I don’t want to glow when I leave!"
Me: “No, sir, I promise you won’t glow. That’s just an x-ray joke.”
Patient: “It’s dark out! I can’t glow or I’ll be seen!”
Me: “Sir, I swear you will not glow.”
Patient: “NO GLOOOWWWIINNG!”
Me: *gives up* “…The glow afterward is so faint, no one will ever see it.”
Patient: “Oh…okay, then. Proceed…

I could go on and on. this is perhaps my favorite website, there is soo much, i could just keep adding and adding the best ones forever!

4. XKCD
http://www.xkcd.com/

this website is all comics that some guy made (sorry, can't find his name at this moment. I'll find it later and edit them). The humour is a little different, and it takes some time to get used to them, but once you do, its highly addictable. He has many themes in his comics, like velosoraptors and things. Some of them are quite cute and sweet, this is one of my personal favourites -->

When you scroll over all of his comics on his webpage, an extra paragraph comes up on the topic. for this one, the paragraph is: this was an actual mock conversation  between me and a friend at TGIF. The waitress walked up around panel 5 and was somewhat put off.

Aren't they all so funny? I'm having trouble writing this post because 'm spending all my time on these websites looking at the comics and stuff. Especially this website. I love it so much. On to the next one...

Oops, that's it, I think. There may be more, but that's all I can think of at the moment.

Later ya'll

dan