Hi!
If you've read my last blog post, you'll know that I was considering a new blog about life.
Then I thought: Why not?
So, here's my new blog: Life Is Beautiful! Check it out!
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
We All Need Quests
Are you watching the Olympics?
If you answered yes, you are one of the more than 40 million people watching.
If a timpanist were to play "bum, bum, da, bum, bum" on an Eb and a Bb, would you instantly know what they were playing?
Well, in the sixteen years I've been alive, I've heard the introduction to the Olympics at least eight times. But, I never knew what the song was called until recently.
I LOVE the Olympics. And, as such, I go through an "Olympics phase" about three weeks prior to the Opening Ceremony. So, this year I took the initiative to discover the identity of the distinct "Olympic theme."
So, after about 2 minutes of searching, I found what I was looking for: "Bugler's Dream" by Leo Arnaud.
Now, this little anecdote may leave you questioning: "Why waste my time?" or "No one cares about your problems, Christian.". But, wait. There's more:
This experience of having a goal and trying to attain it got me thinking: we all need a quest. Think about it: toddlers like helping Mommy do things beacuse it's a task. Little kids, boys in this example, like being called a "big boy." This makes them feel like they have a major part to play in their family, regardless how small their task(s) really are. Even teenagers like to schedule things with their friends and see those plans carried out.
So what in our genetics tell us to have a task and to accomplish it? Why do we need to have a mission?
I think it's because we need to feel like we're needed. If we serve no purpose, are we needed? Do we cease being a thinking and intelligent life-form and just become a caner to society?
I think that's the mentality of the need to have a task.
So, did I get it right? What do you think? Also, let me know if you think I should create a new blog to discuss other, non-musical topics, or just re-direct this blog to less of a music blog and more of your average blog.
If you answered yes, you are one of the more than 40 million people watching.
If a timpanist were to play "bum, bum, da, bum, bum" on an Eb and a Bb, would you instantly know what they were playing?
Well, in the sixteen years I've been alive, I've heard the introduction to the Olympics at least eight times. But, I never knew what the song was called until recently.
I LOVE the Olympics. And, as such, I go through an "Olympics phase" about three weeks prior to the Opening Ceremony. So, this year I took the initiative to discover the identity of the distinct "Olympic theme."
So, after about 2 minutes of searching, I found what I was looking for: "Bugler's Dream" by Leo Arnaud.
Now, this little anecdote may leave you questioning: "Why waste my time?" or "No one cares about your problems, Christian.". But, wait. There's more:
This experience of having a goal and trying to attain it got me thinking: we all need a quest. Think about it: toddlers like helping Mommy do things beacuse it's a task. Little kids, boys in this example, like being called a "big boy." This makes them feel like they have a major part to play in their family, regardless how small their task(s) really are. Even teenagers like to schedule things with their friends and see those plans carried out.
So what in our genetics tell us to have a task and to accomplish it? Why do we need to have a mission?
I think it's because we need to feel like we're needed. If we serve no purpose, are we needed? Do we cease being a thinking and intelligent life-form and just become a caner to society?
I think that's the mentality of the need to have a task.
So, did I get it right? What do you think? Also, let me know if you think I should create a new blog to discuss other, non-musical topics, or just re-direct this blog to less of a music blog and more of your average blog.
Friday, July 27, 2012
The Opening Ceremony
So, as the rest of the world watches, I'm writing a blog post about the 2012 London Olympics!
I'm not going to elaborate too much on the subject because I'm watching it as well but, I think we should remember the rest of the world as we celebrates these Olympics.
Remember those not fortunate as you and those in dire circumstances.
Go world!
I'm not going to elaborate too much on the subject because I'm watching it as well but, I think we should remember the rest of the world as we celebrates these Olympics.
Remember those not fortunate as you and those in dire circumstances.
Go world!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Stories
So, after my failed attempt at trying to create some buzz on this blog, I'm going to try again!
So I saw a quote on the Internet:
"You know my name; not my story. You know what I've done; not what I've been through."
So here's my idea: you know my story (if you don't, look at "16 Years of Music" on May 28, 2012) but I don't know yours. So, until I end my blog, I'm going to feature my readers in blog posts tagged "My Story".
You have a story, how ever small it might seem to you. You deserve the chance to be heard. I assume most of my readers are either my friends or other music people, so this could be really interesting. But even if you aren't a music person, you could end up featured.
I'll give you a window of opportunity: the "My Story" posts will be on Sundays. Email me your story by Friday and it will be considered. All stories will be considered, no biases. Also, if you send a story, it will end up on the blog at some point in time.
So, let me hear from you!
Here's my "My Story" email: usaginger40@gmail.com
Have fun!
So I saw a quote on the Internet:
"You know my name; not my story. You know what I've done; not what I've been through."
So here's my idea: you know my story (if you don't, look at "16 Years of Music" on May 28, 2012) but I don't know yours. So, until I end my blog, I'm going to feature my readers in blog posts tagged "My Story".
You have a story, how ever small it might seem to you. You deserve the chance to be heard. I assume most of my readers are either my friends or other music people, so this could be really interesting. But even if you aren't a music person, you could end up featured.
I'll give you a window of opportunity: the "My Story" posts will be on Sundays. Email me your story by Friday and it will be considered. All stories will be considered, no biases. Also, if you send a story, it will end up on the blog at some point in time.
So, let me hear from you!
Here's my "My Story" email: usaginger40@gmail.com
Have fun!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Firework -Katy Perry
It's been a long time since I've done a review...
So, even though this song was released in 2009, I think a lot about it.
In my opinion, Katy Perry's Firework cannot be reviewed solely on musicality; One must also look at the literary content within the infectous beat and soaring vocals. One must analyze the message of the music video combined with the uplifting lyrics.
"Do you ever feel like a plastic bag? Drifting through the wind, wanting to start again?" It doesn't take to much thought to realize that the lyrics are trying to tell the listener(s) that they are worth something to society. The song goes on to say "You don't have to feel like a waste of space. You're orginal, cannot be replaced." Frankly, I think that these words are meant to remove a feeling of hopelessness and depresssion from the listener.
Now, I'd like to examine the music video. The video, which I will post below, is a series of stories told through silent film, with Firework playing over it. A young cancer survivor in a ward, a depressed homosexual youth, a bullied magician, an overweight teen, and a victim of domestic abuse. These are situations that, typically, leave those involved hopeless, hurt, and lost. However, in all of these cases, the characters somehow manage through, and, become stronger.
The cancer survivor sees a women giving birth and, we can infer, realizes that life is worth something. The young homosexual decides to take a chance and confront his fears of "coming out" by kissing his love interest, who returns his kiss. The magician is bullied in an alleyway, and decides to take out his tricks and amazes his attackers. The overweight girl is very shy and hides from attention; she chooses to remove her clothing, revealing her bikini, and leaps into a pool. The domestic abuse victim is, in my opinion, the most touching. The young boy, (maybe 10?), witnesses his father abusing his mother, and hides from it. As his mother falls, he stands up and confronts his father, pushing him back.
In all these cases, the music perfectly correlates to what is going on.
Finally, the music! The chorus is absolutely stunning. Katy Perry excells at soaring and penetrating vocals. This suits the song well. Unfortunately, however inspirational the text, the melody of the verses is somewhat lacking. However, the lower register and uninteresting melody of the verse contrasts well with the high register and melodic interest in the chorus. The bridge, (Boom, boom, boom, even brighter than the moon, moon, moon...), is very interesting. Combining the onomatopoeia, Boom!, of a firework and the uplifting message of "It's always been inside of you, it's time to let it through...", it does well to connect the two thoughts of explosives and personal image.
So, as you can probably tell, this is my longest review, due to my interest in the message. However, I still would give it four and a half stars due to the content and beautiful portrayal, but not five because of the uninteresting melodic lines of the verses.
Katy Perry-Firework
So, even though this song was released in 2009, I think a lot about it.
In my opinion, Katy Perry's Firework cannot be reviewed solely on musicality; One must also look at the literary content within the infectous beat and soaring vocals. One must analyze the message of the music video combined with the uplifting lyrics.
"Do you ever feel like a plastic bag? Drifting through the wind, wanting to start again?" It doesn't take to much thought to realize that the lyrics are trying to tell the listener(s) that they are worth something to society. The song goes on to say "You don't have to feel like a waste of space. You're orginal, cannot be replaced." Frankly, I think that these words are meant to remove a feeling of hopelessness and depresssion from the listener.
Now, I'd like to examine the music video. The video, which I will post below, is a series of stories told through silent film, with Firework playing over it. A young cancer survivor in a ward, a depressed homosexual youth, a bullied magician, an overweight teen, and a victim of domestic abuse. These are situations that, typically, leave those involved hopeless, hurt, and lost. However, in all of these cases, the characters somehow manage through, and, become stronger.
The cancer survivor sees a women giving birth and, we can infer, realizes that life is worth something. The young homosexual decides to take a chance and confront his fears of "coming out" by kissing his love interest, who returns his kiss. The magician is bullied in an alleyway, and decides to take out his tricks and amazes his attackers. The overweight girl is very shy and hides from attention; she chooses to remove her clothing, revealing her bikini, and leaps into a pool. The domestic abuse victim is, in my opinion, the most touching. The young boy, (maybe 10?), witnesses his father abusing his mother, and hides from it. As his mother falls, he stands up and confronts his father, pushing him back.
In all these cases, the music perfectly correlates to what is going on.
Finally, the music! The chorus is absolutely stunning. Katy Perry excells at soaring and penetrating vocals. This suits the song well. Unfortunately, however inspirational the text, the melody of the verses is somewhat lacking. However, the lower register and uninteresting melody of the verse contrasts well with the high register and melodic interest in the chorus. The bridge, (Boom, boom, boom, even brighter than the moon, moon, moon...), is very interesting. Combining the onomatopoeia, Boom!, of a firework and the uplifting message of "It's always been inside of you, it's time to let it through...", it does well to connect the two thoughts of explosives and personal image.
So, as you can probably tell, this is my longest review, due to my interest in the message. However, I still would give it four and a half stars due to the content and beautiful portrayal, but not five because of the uninteresting melodic lines of the verses.
Katy Perry-Firework
Friday, July 6, 2012
Remembering a Life
I am sorry I have not recently posted a heartfelt, involved blog post recently. This is because my grandmother, Mary Lou Messier, passed away three weeks ago this Sunday.
I cannot describe the pain that comes with the loss of a loved one. All I can say is this Irish blessing.
"May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields.
Until we meet again my friend,
Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand"
God bless you, Mary Lou
I cannot describe the pain that comes with the loss of a loved one. All I can say is this Irish blessing.
"May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields.
Until we meet again my friend,
Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand"
God bless you, Mary Lou
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Happy Fourth of July!
As you go about watching parades, listening to marching bands, remember those who have died that gave allowed you to celebrate another year of freedom.
Happy 4th!
Happy 4th!
Monday, July 2, 2012
Poll Results!
So, if you've been using the web version of my blog, you'll have noticed the poll on the upper, right corner.
For the past 19 days, I've had the question "What's your favorite instrument?" up.
There was not a clear winner out of the answers, but "piano" pulled ahead. Close second was given to strings.
So, here's my question: why? What about the piano makes it your favorite instrument? Get back to me by the 6th and on the 7th, I'll share my thoughts.
For the past 19 days, I've had the question "What's your favorite instrument?" up.
There was not a clear winner out of the answers, but "piano" pulled ahead. Close second was given to strings.
So, here's my question: why? What about the piano makes it your favorite instrument? Get back to me by the 6th and on the 7th, I'll share my thoughts.
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