So I'm in grad school, which means I read. I read a lot. I read all the time. My name is Reading Johnson. I'm not joking this is what I do.
This week alone. I've read 4 journal articles, 2 + book chapters, and I have three more articles I'm supposed to read for tonight.
I wouldn't mind reading so damn much if we were talking about it all. And this week has been nice, we've actually talked about a lot of it, but not all of it. Which annoys the shit out of me. Oh well, most of it is interesting so I shouldn't complain to much.
Back to reading.
Zac
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
"So I guess comparisons to the 1998 National Championship team were a little far fetched"
Well, at least no one got hurt physically. That's all I can really say about the abismal performance of the University of Tennessee Football team last night.
Last night the Vols squared off against UCLA, and the better team and coaching staff prevailed.
First off, let me start by saying that I am not a football scholar. I am simply a fan, a well informed fan, who enjoys the game. And as a member of the University of Tennessee in two ways - both as an alumnus and a current graduate student- as well as a member of the football program in two ways - now a paying member of the audience that gathers on Saturdays and a fan - I have some criticisms to offer.
Before I begin, let me offer yet another preface: I can criticize all I want, it's my right as a fan and I'm not saying that I've got the answers , just as it's every citizen's right and duty to criticize the government. Now with that being said, let us begin.
Phil, seriously what happened? The team looked sluggish, Crompton fell apart, Crompton was erratic, Lincoln was bad (granted two of his three missed field goals were more than 50 yards, which would have been a personal best for him) but still. Fumbles. Mistakes. In my humble opinion poor play calling. But you know what I'm willing to chalk all of that (less Lincoln) up to nerves. It was the first game of a season that had the highest expectations for UT football in quite a while. It was also Crompton's first time to really lead the team, finally out from the shadow of Ainge. And it was also Clawson's first night to really call the plays. So I'll let all that slide. Lincoln on the other hand, is a pro, he started all last year, he could have done better. He has done better, and I know he will do better. And I'll get back to this thought that he and the team can do better in a moment.
Secondly and most importantly I'd like to address Mike Hamilton. I know he wasn't on the field. He wasn't calling plays. But I'll guarentee he was there. If we students are having to suck up the costs to renovate Neyland Stadium, increase Phil's salary to a number much higher than any state employee including both Pat Summit, who win's Championships, and the Governer - then I want a program I can be proud of. So far this season, I've not seen the $90 I spent on a student season ticket go to anything that is supposed to keep our team competitive.
Third and this is to all of us, myself included. The men that stepped on that field last night, Crompton, Lincoln, Foster, Berry on down the line all deserve our respect. While it might not seem like we, the commoners, recieve that same respect from them (i.e. lack of discipline) those men played as best they could. And they are in all actuallity kids. 18 -21 year olds that have the hopes and dreams of an entire state riding upon their shoulders. They practice everyday, sometimes twice a day, sometimes without breaks. Last night, they simply were outplayed and outcoached. Don't be to hard on them, what were most of us doing at that age? Not competing on a national level in front of 70,000 people plus a couple million more on television. So cut them some slack.
And finally I want to say this. And this goes to everyone who gets up in arms everytime something happens involving UT sports. First off, UT Sports. Let's look at that phrase. Univesity of Tennessee Sports. The first word in that phrase is University. This is a learning institution, not a sports machine. So as long as those players lasat night learned something. Hopefully about themselves and the world around them and how they fit into it, then I'll consider it a victory. But that's just the educator in me.
I hope that Mike Hamilton and Phil Fulmer realize that UT is an institue of higher learning, not just a training ground for pro athletes. Because from the cheap seats it doesn't always look like it.
Go Vols.
Last night the Vols squared off against UCLA, and the better team and coaching staff prevailed.
First off, let me start by saying that I am not a football scholar. I am simply a fan, a well informed fan, who enjoys the game. And as a member of the University of Tennessee in two ways - both as an alumnus and a current graduate student- as well as a member of the football program in two ways - now a paying member of the audience that gathers on Saturdays and a fan - I have some criticisms to offer.
Before I begin, let me offer yet another preface: I can criticize all I want, it's my right as a fan and I'm not saying that I've got the answers , just as it's every citizen's right and duty to criticize the government. Now with that being said, let us begin.
Phil, seriously what happened? The team looked sluggish, Crompton fell apart, Crompton was erratic, Lincoln was bad (granted two of his three missed field goals were more than 50 yards, which would have been a personal best for him) but still. Fumbles. Mistakes. In my humble opinion poor play calling. But you know what I'm willing to chalk all of that (less Lincoln) up to nerves. It was the first game of a season that had the highest expectations for UT football in quite a while. It was also Crompton's first time to really lead the team, finally out from the shadow of Ainge. And it was also Clawson's first night to really call the plays. So I'll let all that slide. Lincoln on the other hand, is a pro, he started all last year, he could have done better. He has done better, and I know he will do better. And I'll get back to this thought that he and the team can do better in a moment.
Secondly and most importantly I'd like to address Mike Hamilton. I know he wasn't on the field. He wasn't calling plays. But I'll guarentee he was there. If we students are having to suck up the costs to renovate Neyland Stadium, increase Phil's salary to a number much higher than any state employee including both Pat Summit, who win's Championships, and the Governer - then I want a program I can be proud of. So far this season, I've not seen the $90 I spent on a student season ticket go to anything that is supposed to keep our team competitive.
Third and this is to all of us, myself included. The men that stepped on that field last night, Crompton, Lincoln, Foster, Berry on down the line all deserve our respect. While it might not seem like we, the commoners, recieve that same respect from them (i.e. lack of discipline) those men played as best they could. And they are in all actuallity kids. 18 -21 year olds that have the hopes and dreams of an entire state riding upon their shoulders. They practice everyday, sometimes twice a day, sometimes without breaks. Last night, they simply were outplayed and outcoached. Don't be to hard on them, what were most of us doing at that age? Not competing on a national level in front of 70,000 people plus a couple million more on television. So cut them some slack.
And finally I want to say this. And this goes to everyone who gets up in arms everytime something happens involving UT sports. First off, UT Sports. Let's look at that phrase. Univesity of Tennessee Sports. The first word in that phrase is University. This is a learning institution, not a sports machine. So as long as those players lasat night learned something. Hopefully about themselves and the world around them and how they fit into it, then I'll consider it a victory. But that's just the educator in me.
I hope that Mike Hamilton and Phil Fulmer realize that UT is an institue of higher learning, not just a training ground for pro athletes. Because from the cheap seats it doesn't always look like it.
Go Vols.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
My heart breaks for America and Baseball
In New Haven, CT (coincidently home to one of my best friends) there is a nine year old. His name is Jericho Scott. Jericho plays baseball, and he's damn good. Jericho throws 40 miles an hour and now league officials are telling him he can no longer pitch because it's unfair.
League officials say that it's unfair to the other players, which makes me call shenanigans.
It's the product of the new, "Everybody's a winner" mentality. Which is absolutely absurd. Guess, what life is unfair, you're going to strike out. You're going to fail, you're going to lose games, you're not going to get every job you apply for, every girl you ask out isn't going to say yes. This is what we in the real world call part of life, an unfortunate part of life, but a part of life all the same.
I am by no means a good baseball player. I love the game, but I am at best a streaky hitter and a solid fielder. But I used to play baseball on a draft league team, and we were terrible. I played a motley assortment of positions, but mostly outfield, because I wasn't big enough to have a strong presence in the infield, and I wasn't as good as some of the other guys. The point is I played. I went up to bat and took my cuts and I sat down. I learned about life. Mostly from my Dad who served as coach one year because he happened to be at try outs when they said, "if someone else doesn't step up there's only going to be one team this year."
My Dad has taught me an innumerable amount of things over the years. But one lesson I think I learned the hardest was his philosophy that games, sports, are for everyone. Everyone on our team that year got to bat at every game. Including the last one. I was on deck, there were two outs and Shawn hadn't batted yet. My Dad realized this and just looked at me, and I knew what needed to be done. I walked back into the dugout. That was that. I was upset at the time, but looking back I learned that it's not about winning. Not at that level anyway.
All of that is to say that little league isn't about winning.
It's about fair play. Not about parents trying to recapture their youth, or win that championship they never got. Is it fair that he throws heat like Nolan Ryan in a sandbox? No, but guess what it's not fair that I like to play basketball and I'm not 6'8".
It's about sportsmanship. It's about learning the rules. It's about developing a love of the game. It's about children learning that they should give their best, and how to be part of a team; how to win with honor and loose with grace. It's about learning to shake hands after the game.
Not about winning or losing. Not about telling an incredibly talented individual that they can't play because they're just "too good."
Telling Jericho that he's too good is absolutely absurd. It's no different than telling a running back he's to fast. Or a gymnast that their balance is to good. Now granted, he is astonishingly talented, and maybe he shouldn't pitch. But if he wants to pitch then he should be allowed to.
If this is the generation that we are raising I have serious questions to ask about the state of our society. Baseball is a game. At the end of a game their are losers, but at the end of the day, hopefully everyone learned something. And hopefully we aren't teaching our children that the best way to win, or to get your way, is to throw a fit and walk off the field, but rather to say how can I become better? How can I get that good? Answer: Hard work, perseverance, and proper guidance.
It is my sincere hope that Jericho gets to pitch against kids his own age again very soon. And I hope he sits everyone of them down. And I pray that their parents are there to say, "You did a great job, but it's just a game. Now go shake his hand, look him in the eye, and say, 'good job.'"
League officials say that it's unfair to the other players, which makes me call shenanigans.
It's the product of the new, "Everybody's a winner" mentality. Which is absolutely absurd. Guess, what life is unfair, you're going to strike out. You're going to fail, you're going to lose games, you're not going to get every job you apply for, every girl you ask out isn't going to say yes. This is what we in the real world call part of life, an unfortunate part of life, but a part of life all the same.
I am by no means a good baseball player. I love the game, but I am at best a streaky hitter and a solid fielder. But I used to play baseball on a draft league team, and we were terrible. I played a motley assortment of positions, but mostly outfield, because I wasn't big enough to have a strong presence in the infield, and I wasn't as good as some of the other guys. The point is I played. I went up to bat and took my cuts and I sat down. I learned about life. Mostly from my Dad who served as coach one year because he happened to be at try outs when they said, "if someone else doesn't step up there's only going to be one team this year."
My Dad has taught me an innumerable amount of things over the years. But one lesson I think I learned the hardest was his philosophy that games, sports, are for everyone. Everyone on our team that year got to bat at every game. Including the last one. I was on deck, there were two outs and Shawn hadn't batted yet. My Dad realized this and just looked at me, and I knew what needed to be done. I walked back into the dugout. That was that. I was upset at the time, but looking back I learned that it's not about winning. Not at that level anyway.
All of that is to say that little league isn't about winning.
It's about fair play. Not about parents trying to recapture their youth, or win that championship they never got. Is it fair that he throws heat like Nolan Ryan in a sandbox? No, but guess what it's not fair that I like to play basketball and I'm not 6'8".
It's about sportsmanship. It's about learning the rules. It's about developing a love of the game. It's about children learning that they should give their best, and how to be part of a team; how to win with honor and loose with grace. It's about learning to shake hands after the game.
Not about winning or losing. Not about telling an incredibly talented individual that they can't play because they're just "too good."
Telling Jericho that he's too good is absolutely absurd. It's no different than telling a running back he's to fast. Or a gymnast that their balance is to good. Now granted, he is astonishingly talented, and maybe he shouldn't pitch. But if he wants to pitch then he should be allowed to.
If this is the generation that we are raising I have serious questions to ask about the state of our society. Baseball is a game. At the end of a game their are losers, but at the end of the day, hopefully everyone learned something. And hopefully we aren't teaching our children that the best way to win, or to get your way, is to throw a fit and walk off the field, but rather to say how can I become better? How can I get that good? Answer: Hard work, perseverance, and proper guidance.
It is my sincere hope that Jericho gets to pitch against kids his own age again very soon. And I hope he sits everyone of them down. And I pray that their parents are there to say, "You did a great job, but it's just a game. Now go shake his hand, look him in the eye, and say, 'good job.'"
Monday, August 25, 2008
"English! Mother F#$%^! Do you speak it?"
So here's the deal. We, and by we I mean the vast majority of Americans, speak English. For a quick definition of the English Language, we turn to the ever trustworthy and oh so scholastic wikipedia.
I am speaking mainly to the masses who type the numeral 2 instead of to or too. And the people who replace U for you. Etc. I'm sure you see my point. So let me quickly cover the most atrocious errors I notice.
Stuff you should have learned in elementary school: A grammar lesson from Zac
- I, is a pronoun representing yourself, you should always capitalize it.
- You, to, and too, are words not letters and not numerals, please spell it out.
- Contractions are when two words are joined by an apostrophe. For example, He is fast could also be He's fast. Hes Fast, might as well be someone's name.
- Apostrophes can also show ownership.
- Also two words: subject verb agreement. GET INTO IT!
And finally you are not cool when you abbreviate words. Expend all that brainpower and energy by actually saying "Just Kidding". There are more painful examples of abbreviations but I'd rather not get into it right now, because my brain will start to swell and my heart will start to hurt for the sad state of the youth of today.
So please, respect the English language. And I leave you with this adapted and paraphrased quote from the Big Lebowski's own Walter Sobchak, who originally said, "Three thousand years of beautiful tradition from Moses to Sandy Koufax... You're GD right I'm living in the past."
"250 plus years of grammar and syntax, good enough for everyone from Abe Lincoln and George Washington to Ernest Hemingway and Sandy Koufax, is good enough for me."
West Germanic language originating in England and is the first language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and the Anglophone Caribbean. It is used extensively as a second language and as an official language throughout the world, especially in Commonwealth countries and in many international organizations.Alright now with that being said. I don't feel that anyone, let alone someone without several advanced degrees in English, has the right or ability to change the English Language. I am sick of people butchering the language we speak. It doesn't make you cool or hip, it makes you ignorant. Are you seriously that busy that you can't take the extra half second and half calorie it takes to extend your pinky to the shift key, and/or the apostrophe?
Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language, 25 August 08.
I am speaking mainly to the masses who type the numeral 2 instead of to or too. And the people who replace U for you. Etc. I'm sure you see my point. So let me quickly cover the most atrocious errors I notice.
Stuff you should have learned in elementary school: A grammar lesson from Zac
- I, is a pronoun representing yourself, you should always capitalize it.
- You, to, and too, are words not letters and not numerals, please spell it out.
- Contractions are when two words are joined by an apostrophe. For example, He is fast could also be He's fast. Hes Fast, might as well be someone's name.
- Apostrophes can also show ownership.
- Also two words: subject verb agreement. GET INTO IT!
And finally you are not cool when you abbreviate words. Expend all that brainpower and energy by actually saying "Just Kidding". There are more painful examples of abbreviations but I'd rather not get into it right now, because my brain will start to swell and my heart will start to hurt for the sad state of the youth of today.
So please, respect the English language. And I leave you with this adapted and paraphrased quote from the Big Lebowski's own Walter Sobchak, who originally said, "Three thousand years of beautiful tradition from Moses to Sandy Koufax... You're GD right I'm living in the past."
"250 plus years of grammar and syntax, good enough for everyone from Abe Lincoln and George Washington to Ernest Hemingway and Sandy Koufax, is good enough for me."
Friday, August 08, 2008
Knoxville, TN to Wherever my friends are
I've seen generations come and go from Knoxville. I've watched Knoxville natives wave goodbye to Sun Sphere city and never look back. And I've watched Knoxville disappear in the rearview as I helped friends move states away. I've also stood in the rearview and watch friends move states away. I've watched transplants from various parts of the country come to Knoxville for college and then 4, 5, or 6 years later they leave.
Eventually I'll put Knoxville in my rearview, and sing Rocky Top as I depart to make a living shaping young minds as a College Administrator or Instructor, but for now I've still got opportunities here in what I call God's Country: Knoxville, TN. I feel like I'm still moving forward; more so than some people who have moved away, or at the very least at least as far forward as they are moving.
I hate seeing people leave this place I call home, but I'm also ecstatic for them. I know I'll keep in touch with them for the rest of our lives. I won't be able to call them and say "Let's go grab some food," or "hey, let's go record shopping," but I will be able to call them and say, "Hey how's life?" And I know without a doubt that they're all going to be wildly successful.
So to all those who have left this place we call home, even if you were a transplant, I want you to know I'm still in Knoxville, still a Vol, still moving forward, and most importantly still a friend, just like I'll always be.
Monday, July 14, 2008
So I'm going back to school and I couldn't be happier about that because school is great and hopefully by obtaining the knowledge and training that my master's program has to offer I'll be able to get a job I truly love.
But one thing about going back to school after having been out of the game for a minute is that it's a little daunting. A lot of people have been telling me it must be great to be going back to school, and while it is, it's not undergrad.
When you're in undergrad you can walk around and basically sleep through most of your classes. With a master's or professional program that is not the case at all. I'm really excited about starting classes but also nervous. These classes are going to be much different from the classes I'm used to taking and excelling in. But I'm sure I'll persevere, with God on my side and my crew behind me and all that jazz.
In other news, the band after spinning it's wheels for what we in the biz like to call "a hot minute" has finally started pushing forward again without a new guitar player. We've decided to just start writing new music again, that's what we're best at cranking out hot jams. And it's been refreshing, it'll be nice when we're all back in town again and can really get moving on this stuff.
Also the company I used to work for laid off a ton of people. They closed 48 branches of the company. Which is completely and utterly bogus, but I guess that's just the way the travel industry is heading away from agents and towards self booked online search engines. So I implore you not to shop online if you can at all help it. It's hurting the economy and I've seen it first hand.
And finally I will be performing magic with a buddy of mine named Matt, as a duo, doing a little street performing or "busking". Should be really interesting.
That is all sorry for the break between posts.
But one thing about going back to school after having been out of the game for a minute is that it's a little daunting. A lot of people have been telling me it must be great to be going back to school, and while it is, it's not undergrad.
When you're in undergrad you can walk around and basically sleep through most of your classes. With a master's or professional program that is not the case at all. I'm really excited about starting classes but also nervous. These classes are going to be much different from the classes I'm used to taking and excelling in. But I'm sure I'll persevere, with God on my side and my crew behind me and all that jazz.
In other news, the band after spinning it's wheels for what we in the biz like to call "a hot minute" has finally started pushing forward again without a new guitar player. We've decided to just start writing new music again, that's what we're best at cranking out hot jams. And it's been refreshing, it'll be nice when we're all back in town again and can really get moving on this stuff.
Also the company I used to work for laid off a ton of people. They closed 48 branches of the company. Which is completely and utterly bogus, but I guess that's just the way the travel industry is heading away from agents and towards self booked online search engines. So I implore you not to shop online if you can at all help it. It's hurting the economy and I've seen it first hand.
And finally I will be performing magic with a buddy of mine named Matt, as a duo, doing a little street performing or "busking". Should be really interesting.
That is all sorry for the break between posts.
Monday, May 12, 2008
List's are the best
A little recap since I've been slacking on the blog action.
1. On May 5th, my band Kiss Your Ghost shared the stage with Less Than Jake, which you may or may not know is one of my favorite bands. It was an incredible experience and I feel honored to be able to say that I played a show and then hung out with Less Than Jake. After the show we went to Barleys, Chris and Buddy were the only LTJ members in attendance but The Swellers were there in full effect and so a few KYG members as well as some old friends. Great times.
2. I got accepted to Graduate School. In the fall I'll be starting a Master's (of Education or Science - to be honest I'm not entirely sure as I've seen both M.Ed. and M.S. attached to the program on different websites) program in College Student Personnel. I'll be working toward obtaining a degree which will help me get a job in student activities and student affairs after I graduate. Unless I go on for a Ph.D...... but let's not get ahead of ourselves.
3. I'm getting school paid for. BOOYAH! By the Grace of God I was fortunate enough to land a great assistantship at the last minute with Team VOLS. They'll be paying for school (minus fees and books) as well as providing me with a stipend and health insurance. I say that's pretty freaking sweet.
4. I'm quitting STA Travel. Actually today, Monday 12 May 2008 is my last day. I'm excited about getting some time off before I start my new job on 2 June..... some people say that's pretty worthless that I'm taking that much time off but you know what I have the oppurtunity to do just that and I am really excited that I've got the better part of three weeks to veg out. I might go to the beach. We'll see.
While on the subject of STA I'd like to say a few things about this job. I've appreciated the time I've spent here. I've always been pretty sure that this job was just a stepping stone, but still I've really appreciated the time I've had here. It's been interesting for me to work for a global company. I now have a new found respect for everyone who works in sales. And I've learned what I want to do and what I don't want to do. I've met and worked with and for some great people and I'm thankful for the oppurtunity I've had since I started here.
5. KYG needs a new guitar player, a van, and various other things. If you have a van you want to give me, let me know.
6. I plan on going to the movies while I've got a break and probably cooking some. And I might go to the beach and visit my aunt. Or maybe New England and visit some friends. But that's actually on the agenda for later this summer.
7. High School Football Heroes are playing some shows this summer, which is awesome. I've got it on good information they probably won't be a band full time again, but I'm excited they're playing a few shows.
8. That is all.
1. On May 5th, my band Kiss Your Ghost shared the stage with Less Than Jake, which you may or may not know is one of my favorite bands. It was an incredible experience and I feel honored to be able to say that I played a show and then hung out with Less Than Jake. After the show we went to Barleys, Chris and Buddy were the only LTJ members in attendance but The Swellers were there in full effect and so a few KYG members as well as some old friends. Great times.
2. I got accepted to Graduate School. In the fall I'll be starting a Master's (of Education or Science - to be honest I'm not entirely sure as I've seen both M.Ed. and M.S. attached to the program on different websites) program in College Student Personnel. I'll be working toward obtaining a degree which will help me get a job in student activities and student affairs after I graduate. Unless I go on for a Ph.D...... but let's not get ahead of ourselves.
3. I'm getting school paid for. BOOYAH! By the Grace of God I was fortunate enough to land a great assistantship at the last minute with Team VOLS. They'll be paying for school (minus fees and books) as well as providing me with a stipend and health insurance. I say that's pretty freaking sweet.
4. I'm quitting STA Travel. Actually today, Monday 12 May 2008 is my last day. I'm excited about getting some time off before I start my new job on 2 June..... some people say that's pretty worthless that I'm taking that much time off but you know what I have the oppurtunity to do just that and I am really excited that I've got the better part of three weeks to veg out. I might go to the beach. We'll see.
While on the subject of STA I'd like to say a few things about this job. I've appreciated the time I've spent here. I've always been pretty sure that this job was just a stepping stone, but still I've really appreciated the time I've had here. It's been interesting for me to work for a global company. I now have a new found respect for everyone who works in sales. And I've learned what I want to do and what I don't want to do. I've met and worked with and for some great people and I'm thankful for the oppurtunity I've had since I started here.
5. KYG needs a new guitar player, a van, and various other things. If you have a van you want to give me, let me know.
6. I plan on going to the movies while I've got a break and probably cooking some. And I might go to the beach and visit my aunt. Or maybe New England and visit some friends. But that's actually on the agenda for later this summer.
7. High School Football Heroes are playing some shows this summer, which is awesome. I've got it on good information they probably won't be a band full time again, but I'm excited they're playing a few shows.
8. That is all.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
"I'm your density.... I mean destiny"
So this weekend I watched one of my favorite movies. "Back to the Future" I have now subsequently watched all three of the movies since Sunday. Or rather I put them in my DVD player and went to sleep.
Now my question to you-reader-is this. How do Marty (Michael J. Fox) and Doc (Christopher Lloyd) know each other?
The movie series never addresses this issue. How in the world do a crazy senior citizen scientist and a 17 year old rocker cross paths?
My only hypothesis is this, and I've thought for quite a while about this question.
At the beginning of the first movie, Marty goes over to Doc's lab and plugs into a huge amp. My thinking is that Doc met Marty through a want ad seeking guitarists for a science experiment or because Doc was hanging around a local guitar shop and approached Marty to help him with said experiment.
Now there is another theory I have where they met through a school project, but it seems less likely. Although we do know that Principle Strickland asks Marty if he is hanging out with that crazy Doc Brown.
Another scenario which coincides with the above guitar related scenario is that Marty approached Doc to build him an amp.
These are just some of my ideas, if anyone else has any I'd be excited to hear them.
Zac
Now my question to you-reader-is this. How do Marty (Michael J. Fox) and Doc (Christopher Lloyd) know each other?
The movie series never addresses this issue. How in the world do a crazy senior citizen scientist and a 17 year old rocker cross paths?
My only hypothesis is this, and I've thought for quite a while about this question.
At the beginning of the first movie, Marty goes over to Doc's lab and plugs into a huge amp. My thinking is that Doc met Marty through a want ad seeking guitarists for a science experiment or because Doc was hanging around a local guitar shop and approached Marty to help him with said experiment.
Now there is another theory I have where they met through a school project, but it seems less likely. Although we do know that Principle Strickland asks Marty if he is hanging out with that crazy Doc Brown.
Another scenario which coincides with the above guitar related scenario is that Marty approached Doc to build him an amp.
These are just some of my ideas, if anyone else has any I'd be excited to hear them.
Zac
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Off the grid
So a friend of mine had an interesting observation, AIM has fallen to the wayside. Which got me to thinking.
To paraphrase Steven, in high school everyone used AOL/AIM, once everyone got high speed internet and started to stay connected all the time they started to use the away message. (Brooks 2008). Somewhere along the way Tom started Myspace, and some Harvard kids started Facebook, and then the battle began for obtaining online friends. At the same time cell phones were becoming common place and eventually texting became the primary form of communication for some people.
Now this all leads me to the point that we are forever and always connected to the world around us. In some cases this is a great thing, I'll even go so far as to say that this is generally-90% of the time a great thing. If I want to talk to a friend who lives in California, New York, Seattle, Boston, Atlanta, or Sydney Australia I can do that almost instantly.
Being connected to the world around you is a great thing. What is not a great thing, is being so virtually connected through cellular conversations - both verbally and non-verbally (ie. texting) - that you neglect the people around you. I understand that it's necessary to make phone calls, and to take phone calls while in someone else's company. What I don't understand is when I'm hanging out with someone and they constantly go to the phone for a text message or to answer a call.
Now like I said, I've got nothing against people who take phone calls. I do it, we all probably do it. But if you'll notice, whenever I am hanging out with you and I get a phone call that I need to take, I will get up and answer it in the other room. I won't stand around in front of a bunch of people and chat on the phone, unless I absolutely have to.
Which leads me to my next point.... I think every now and then, it's good for the mind body and soul, to turn your cell phone off. Not if you're expecting a call or anything like that, but seriously try it sometime, don't tell anyone and just turn your phone off. I did it last night, of course I ended up thinking, "I wonder if anyone called?" And no one did but regardless it felt good.
Try it some time, go off the grid.
To paraphrase Steven, in high school everyone used AOL/AIM, once everyone got high speed internet and started to stay connected all the time they started to use the away message. (Brooks 2008). Somewhere along the way Tom started Myspace, and some Harvard kids started Facebook, and then the battle began for obtaining online friends. At the same time cell phones were becoming common place and eventually texting became the primary form of communication for some people.
Now this all leads me to the point that we are forever and always connected to the world around us. In some cases this is a great thing, I'll even go so far as to say that this is generally-90% of the time a great thing. If I want to talk to a friend who lives in California, New York, Seattle, Boston, Atlanta, or Sydney Australia I can do that almost instantly.
Being connected to the world around you is a great thing. What is not a great thing, is being so virtually connected through cellular conversations - both verbally and non-verbally (ie. texting) - that you neglect the people around you. I understand that it's necessary to make phone calls, and to take phone calls while in someone else's company. What I don't understand is when I'm hanging out with someone and they constantly go to the phone for a text message or to answer a call.
Now like I said, I've got nothing against people who take phone calls. I do it, we all probably do it. But if you'll notice, whenever I am hanging out with you and I get a phone call that I need to take, I will get up and answer it in the other room. I won't stand around in front of a bunch of people and chat on the phone, unless I absolutely have to.
Which leads me to my next point.... I think every now and then, it's good for the mind body and soul, to turn your cell phone off. Not if you're expecting a call or anything like that, but seriously try it sometime, don't tell anyone and just turn your phone off. I did it last night, of course I ended up thinking, "I wonder if anyone called?" And no one did but regardless it felt good.
Try it some time, go off the grid.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
So Steven made the astute observation that I haven't posted in a while. Well I've been busy but it's time for another post.
Somewhere along the way I thought to myself..... "Self, going to graduate school would be a great time." This was mainly with encouragement from my parents, especially my dad. Also because I want an advance degree and because said degree will help me attain a job I truly want.
So again somewhere along the way, I thought to myself working at a college in student activities or student affairs would be great. I'd get to work with students and I'd get to be around college kids and hopefully retain some reflexive youth from them.
Then I decided that wasn't for me. Yadda yadda, communication, yadda yadda, I came back to wanting to work with students. Then I thought maybe graduate school for communication. And somewhere along the way, I had what I thought was a great oppurtunity present itself to me, so I applied to UT to pursue said oppurtunity. Well that oppurtunity passed by, and I still hadn't heard from school.
So last week I emailed the head of the department to which I applied and yesterday afternoon at 5:05pm I received an email, welcoming me to the fall class of UT's College Student Personnel program.
So in summation, you're boy is going to graduate school. I can't wait. The opportunity to further my education, and learn how to enrich student lives is what lays ahead and I'm beyond excited.
"So here's to you old Tennessee our Alma Mater true...."
Somewhere along the way I thought to myself..... "Self, going to graduate school would be a great time." This was mainly with encouragement from my parents, especially my dad. Also because I want an advance degree and because said degree will help me attain a job I truly want.
So again somewhere along the way, I thought to myself working at a college in student activities or student affairs would be great. I'd get to work with students and I'd get to be around college kids and hopefully retain some reflexive youth from them.
Then I decided that wasn't for me. Yadda yadda, communication, yadda yadda, I came back to wanting to work with students. Then I thought maybe graduate school for communication. And somewhere along the way, I had what I thought was a great oppurtunity present itself to me, so I applied to UT to pursue said oppurtunity. Well that oppurtunity passed by, and I still hadn't heard from school.
So last week I emailed the head of the department to which I applied and yesterday afternoon at 5:05pm I received an email, welcoming me to the fall class of UT's College Student Personnel program.
So in summation, you're boy is going to graduate school. I can't wait. The opportunity to further my education, and learn how to enrich student lives is what lays ahead and I'm beyond excited.
"So here's to you old Tennessee our Alma Mater true...."
Thursday, April 03, 2008
A look at the best bands in the universe, Zac Johnson Edition.
So I just found out that one of my favorite bands (Over It) is apparently on hiatus, or something. Although no official statement has been released, it seems pretty clear, because half the band is in another new band. Now while I'm really bummed that Over It is apparently no more, and I'll probably spend the next month listening to their records on repeat, I must say this new project they have (Runner Runner) sounds like it will be awesome. I can't wait to get somewhere that I can listen to the songs (www.myspace.com/runnerrunnermusic).
First off, it's the singer/guitarist, guitarist, and drummer from Over It - the singer/guitarist from Don't Look Down, and the Singer/Guitar player from Rufio. I don't know who is doing what. But suffice it to say, I love all these bands so I'm really stoked to check out Runner Runner.
By the way if anyone was wondering I hate the favorite band question. I think it's trite, overused, and uninformative. I have favorite bands but to single one out, I feel would be almost impossible. So after years of thinking, I have an answer to the question, "Who is your favorite band?" And my answer is without a doubt - Less Than Jake.
I could listen to anything they put out at any time and seriously be in another world instantly. I could gush for pages and hours and days even, about how much I love this band, but let's suffice it to say, when I listen to Less Than Jake I want to drive as fast as I can, as slow as I can, scream, laugh, cry, make new friends, call old friends, forgive forget remember, sing at the top of my lungs until my voice gives out, just let the music wash over me, and most importantly live. That's what LTJ means to me. Cheesy? Yes, incredibly. True? Every word of it.
Also on the favorite band list would be (insert drumroll here)
(wait pause drumroll)
And before I get to the list, let's define favorite band real quick. A favorite band is a band that you love no matter what, they can't release anything bad in your opinion can do almost no wrong. That's not to say that you can't think they released a bad album (but a bad album from your favorite band is still better than most albums on their best day.... make sense?), but it does mean you'll be there first thing Tuesday morning when they release the next one. And you always defend your favorite band, you most likely judge people if they don't like your favorite band (although you can admit that said favorite band might not be for everyone). Also you won't stand for trash talk of said band, even if you thought the last album was rubbish you still enjoy it on some level and you won't stand for people dismissing it or the band. You'll respond to any such talk with statements like, "They were a little of their game, but it's still a solid record," or "Yeah it's not as good as their old stuff, but I bet the next one kills." (note if you vehemently deny the lackluster-ness of a crappy album, then you're opinion is written off). I also think it's impossible to say a band is truly one of your favorite until they've released at least, and we're talking a minimum here people, of 2 full length albums.
(ok, so where's that drumroll again?)
Top 8 List (no particular order)(Top 8 because I ran out of steam, and because I figure if they don't come to mind immediately they aren't a favorite band)
You'll also notice that only one band on said list is a band no longer making new music (Mr. Lewis and his News), with the exception of Over It, who just actually released a B-Sides album and whose current status is unclear. Also Cartel is an excellent example of a favorite band who let me down on their last album, but when the next one comes around I'll be there Tuesday morning to pick up the new album because I don't think they can let me down twice.
Also just for grins and craps, let's do a top 4 bands to watch and if they had more albums out then they might be on the list, but due to my own criteria I can't put them on the list yet as they only have one release, or rather one official release.
1. Four Year Strong (technically they have two full lengths or maybe it's a full length and an EP, but only one was released nationally)
2. Valencia (one full length and a full length from the singer that is acoustic says when they release the new album this summer they will be a band I tell everyone about)
3. All Time Low (1 EP and 2 full lengths, but again only one of the full lengths was released nationally, so they're still on the watch list, but the singer kid Alex, he's got pipes, and he does guest vocals for everyone)
4. Forever the Sickest Kids (just the one EP, but they've got a full length coming out April 29, which should be great, but time will tell)
Expect an extrapolated look at all these bands in the near future, and also a list of top 10 defunct favorite bands.
Rock, check out one of the bands listed, you might find something you like.
First off, it's the singer/guitarist, guitarist, and drummer from Over It - the singer/guitarist from Don't Look Down, and the Singer/Guitar player from Rufio. I don't know who is doing what. But suffice it to say, I love all these bands so I'm really stoked to check out Runner Runner.
By the way if anyone was wondering I hate the favorite band question. I think it's trite, overused, and uninformative. I have favorite bands but to single one out, I feel would be almost impossible. So after years of thinking, I have an answer to the question, "Who is your favorite band?" And my answer is without a doubt - Less Than Jake.
I could listen to anything they put out at any time and seriously be in another world instantly. I could gush for pages and hours and days even, about how much I love this band, but let's suffice it to say, when I listen to Less Than Jake I want to drive as fast as I can, as slow as I can, scream, laugh, cry, make new friends, call old friends, forgive forget remember, sing at the top of my lungs until my voice gives out, just let the music wash over me, and most importantly live. That's what LTJ means to me. Cheesy? Yes, incredibly. True? Every word of it.
Also on the favorite band list would be (insert drumroll here)
(wait pause drumroll)
And before I get to the list, let's define favorite band real quick. A favorite band is a band that you love no matter what, they can't release anything bad in your opinion can do almost no wrong. That's not to say that you can't think they released a bad album (but a bad album from your favorite band is still better than most albums on their best day.... make sense?), but it does mean you'll be there first thing Tuesday morning when they release the next one. And you always defend your favorite band, you most likely judge people if they don't like your favorite band (although you can admit that said favorite band might not be for everyone). Also you won't stand for trash talk of said band, even if you thought the last album was rubbish you still enjoy it on some level and you won't stand for people dismissing it or the band. You'll respond to any such talk with statements like, "They were a little of their game, but it's still a solid record," or "Yeah it's not as good as their old stuff, but I bet the next one kills." (note if you vehemently deny the lackluster-ness of a crappy album, then you're opinion is written off). I also think it's impossible to say a band is truly one of your favorite until they've released at least, and we're talking a minimum here people, of 2 full length albums.
(ok, so where's that drumroll again?)
Top 8 List (no particular order)(Top 8 because I ran out of steam, and because I figure if they don't come to mind immediately they aren't a favorite band)
1. Less Than Jake
2. Over It
3. Huey Lewis and the News
4. Punchline
5. Cartel
6. RX Bandits
7. Anberlin
8. Tokyo Rose
2. Over It
3. Huey Lewis and the News
4. Punchline
5. Cartel
6. RX Bandits
7. Anberlin
8. Tokyo Rose
You'll also notice that only one band on said list is a band no longer making new music (Mr. Lewis and his News), with the exception of Over It, who just actually released a B-Sides album and whose current status is unclear. Also Cartel is an excellent example of a favorite band who let me down on their last album, but when the next one comes around I'll be there Tuesday morning to pick up the new album because I don't think they can let me down twice.
Also just for grins and craps, let's do a top 4 bands to watch and if they had more albums out then they might be on the list, but due to my own criteria I can't put them on the list yet as they only have one release, or rather one official release.
1. Four Year Strong (technically they have two full lengths or maybe it's a full length and an EP, but only one was released nationally)
2. Valencia (one full length and a full length from the singer that is acoustic says when they release the new album this summer they will be a band I tell everyone about)
3. All Time Low (1 EP and 2 full lengths, but again only one of the full lengths was released nationally, so they're still on the watch list, but the singer kid Alex, he's got pipes, and he does guest vocals for everyone)
4. Forever the Sickest Kids (just the one EP, but they've got a full length coming out April 29, which should be great, but time will tell)
Expect an extrapolated look at all these bands in the near future, and also a list of top 10 defunct favorite bands.
Rock, check out one of the bands listed, you might find something you like.
Friday, March 28, 2008
"Excuse me, this is my town, get the hell out of it"
Almost ran into my ex-girlfriend last night at a bar. First off that's never happened before, I've seen girls I've dated randomly but never have I just ran into an ex-girlfriend. My buddy Dave alerted me to the fact that she was there, and I watched the first half of the game, then ducked out on the quick.
It was unnerving. I'm over her, but at the same time I'm just not all that keen to see her. I have seen her since and even talked with her at length about various different things, we have a civil relationship and there aren't any truly hard feelings just the sting of a first love. And maybe if I had been prepared to the fact that I might see her I'd have been ok with seeing her. But out of nowhere, it just wasn't cool. Note: She doesn't live in Knoxville anymore, and so I never have to worry about her being anywhere I might go, I guess she was in for Spring Break. Anyway I guess there will probably always be that little bit of sting.
Anyway, emo for the decade, prepare, for immediately after I publish this I'll begin work on a my next post, which should prove entertaining for all.
It was unnerving. I'm over her, but at the same time I'm just not all that keen to see her. I have seen her since and even talked with her at length about various different things, we have a civil relationship and there aren't any truly hard feelings just the sting of a first love. And maybe if I had been prepared to the fact that I might see her I'd have been ok with seeing her. But out of nowhere, it just wasn't cool. Note: She doesn't live in Knoxville anymore, and so I never have to worry about her being anywhere I might go, I guess she was in for Spring Break. Anyway I guess there will probably always be that little bit of sting.
Anyway, emo for the decade, prepare, for immediately after I publish this I'll begin work on a my next post, which should prove entertaining for all.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
The Expedition to Cumberland Ave: A Search for the Soul of a Dying Culture
Last night..scratch that a few weeks ago... after my post work nap, I traveled down to campus (specifically The Strip) in order to grab some food, and listen to some music. As I was searching for a parking spot, I realized that I didn't really need to search all that hard; and as I was walking to BW3's I realized it didn't seem as busy I as I remembered it being back when I was a frequent visitor of the Strip on Monday Nights after band practice.
It seems weird for me to start anything with the following phrase "Years ago" but I'm going to do it anyway.
Years ago, when I was playing in a ska band and living the posh lifestyle of a student lifeguard, I used to frequent a little slice of heaven known as "the strip." Now it's never been a secret that I don't drink, but that has never kept me from heading out to have a good time with my friends. Anyway, as time passed my ska band broke up, I received my Bachelor's degree, and hung up my whistle, and my friends who used to drag me to the strip moved away, and now instead, I get dragged to the Old City or to various other establishments throughout West Knoxville, with a whole different set of people.
Well last night (or whenever I started writing this) I decided that I wanted listen to some live music, and it being Monday night I did what anyone would do, and made my way down to BW3's to listen to the soothing sounds of Tall Paul. I arrived at 9:30 pm, a time when I thought Paul would be well into his first set and I could sit with some friends eat some chicken and relax.
On my way to the strip, I was mentally preparing for bedlam, not just at Wild Wings, but everywhere on the strip. To say the previous night - at Tall Paul's Quaker Steak Set - had been rawkous would be a gross understatement. When I arrived I found a much different scene than the one I had in my head. A desolate ghost town, a skeleton, a shell - of the raucous and rambunctious "side of town" that I had once frequented.
As I entered Wild Wings I sat down with Joe and Paul, two veterans of the music scene and Knoxville in general, and we began talking, which got my mind going and before I knew it I was thinking (as I sometimes have a tendency to do) about the Strip and how it was in a downturn, a spiral if you will. And I began to think why? It took me all of, 1.2 seconds to realize why. The strip has no soul. Plain and simple, there are only a handful of establishments on the strip with soul and those are slowly dying, those with the most soul are already dead.
The few places on the strip that are unique only to the strip, (e.g. Old College Inn, Tap Room, Longbranch, Sunspot) are truly great places. These places are cool, genuinely cool, like James Dean or Elvis in his prime, just plain cool, because they are unique. With very few exceptions these places are the same they've been for years. You cannot go anywhere else in the world and have the same experience. And sadly these original establishments that reside on the strip are fading fast. These places are disappearing like the sunlight when all you want is one more at bat before you have to go inside.
They are being replaced with chains; available in every suburban shopping mall, airport, interstate exit, and turnpike. Why are there 5 chicken joints (let it be known I never say joint, especially when referring to an eatery, but the connotation that comes along with referring to a restaurant as a joint is really impeccable in this context) within a 1 mile radius of one another? Why is there not one really great place to see a rock band any night of the week? Answer: Because America loves cash money and cash money is way easier to obtain through franchised restaurants and terrible terrible jukeboxes than it is through original establishments.
Sad but true. And I can't say I'm any better, every time I pass by the old O'Charley's I contemplate the start up capital and small business loan I would need to get that place off the ground with music, food, and drinks - but for me personally the risks outweigh the possible gain, at least for the moment. And at the moment, I'm not in the place to take those risks.
What I'm trying to say is that "the strip" was a genuinely cool place once upon a time, and has the potential to be that again. It's just that there's to much neon and drive through and not enough soul.
For now I guess will watch and wait as the Strip ebbs and flows again and hope that before long it will start to breathe again as only we - the old, the weathered, the long forgotten Alumni of UT and former/current residents of Knoxville - know that it can. Because it's clear that the strip will never entirely die, as sure as the sun sets the strip will be a place for people to be, even if it is with their head down in their fast food or double triple mocha lattes.
Lets all hope that a little more soul will take up resident on a stretch of Cumberland Ave. called "the strip." Because even though it's easier to die or get hurt when you have a soul, it's worth it. But that's another blog for another day.
It seems weird for me to start anything with the following phrase "Years ago" but I'm going to do it anyway.
Years ago, when I was playing in a ska band and living the posh lifestyle of a student lifeguard, I used to frequent a little slice of heaven known as "the strip." Now it's never been a secret that I don't drink, but that has never kept me from heading out to have a good time with my friends. Anyway, as time passed my ska band broke up, I received my Bachelor's degree, and hung up my whistle, and my friends who used to drag me to the strip moved away, and now instead, I get dragged to the Old City or to various other establishments throughout West Knoxville, with a whole different set of people.
Well last night (or whenever I started writing this) I decided that I wanted listen to some live music, and it being Monday night I did what anyone would do, and made my way down to BW3's to listen to the soothing sounds of Tall Paul. I arrived at 9:30 pm, a time when I thought Paul would be well into his first set and I could sit with some friends eat some chicken and relax.
On my way to the strip, I was mentally preparing for bedlam, not just at Wild Wings, but everywhere on the strip. To say the previous night - at Tall Paul's Quaker Steak Set - had been rawkous would be a gross understatement. When I arrived I found a much different scene than the one I had in my head. A desolate ghost town, a skeleton, a shell - of the raucous and rambunctious "side of town" that I had once frequented.
As I entered Wild Wings I sat down with Joe and Paul, two veterans of the music scene and Knoxville in general, and we began talking, which got my mind going and before I knew it I was thinking (as I sometimes have a tendency to do) about the Strip and how it was in a downturn, a spiral if you will. And I began to think why? It took me all of, 1.2 seconds to realize why. The strip has no soul. Plain and simple, there are only a handful of establishments on the strip with soul and those are slowly dying, those with the most soul are already dead.
The few places on the strip that are unique only to the strip, (e.g. Old College Inn, Tap Room, Longbranch, Sunspot) are truly great places. These places are cool, genuinely cool, like James Dean or Elvis in his prime, just plain cool, because they are unique. With very few exceptions these places are the same they've been for years. You cannot go anywhere else in the world and have the same experience. And sadly these original establishments that reside on the strip are fading fast. These places are disappearing like the sunlight when all you want is one more at bat before you have to go inside.
They are being replaced with chains; available in every suburban shopping mall, airport, interstate exit, and turnpike. Why are there 5 chicken joints (let it be known I never say joint, especially when referring to an eatery, but the connotation that comes along with referring to a restaurant as a joint is really impeccable in this context) within a 1 mile radius of one another? Why is there not one really great place to see a rock band any night of the week? Answer: Because America loves cash money and cash money is way easier to obtain through franchised restaurants and terrible terrible jukeboxes than it is through original establishments.
Sad but true. And I can't say I'm any better, every time I pass by the old O'Charley's I contemplate the start up capital and small business loan I would need to get that place off the ground with music, food, and drinks - but for me personally the risks outweigh the possible gain, at least for the moment. And at the moment, I'm not in the place to take those risks.
What I'm trying to say is that "the strip" was a genuinely cool place once upon a time, and has the potential to be that again. It's just that there's to much neon and drive through and not enough soul.
For now I guess will watch and wait as the Strip ebbs and flows again and hope that before long it will start to breathe again as only we - the old, the weathered, the long forgotten Alumni of UT and former/current residents of Knoxville - know that it can. Because it's clear that the strip will never entirely die, as sure as the sun sets the strip will be a place for people to be, even if it is with their head down in their fast food or double triple mocha lattes.
Lets all hope that a little more soul will take up resident on a stretch of Cumberland Ave. called "the strip." Because even though it's easier to die or get hurt when you have a soul, it's worth it. But that's another blog for another day.
Friday, February 22, 2008
So working a desk job has it's pros and cons. 1.a I know what I'm in for everyday, which is sometimes a pro, but more often a con. 1.b As a result of knowing what I'm in for, I can get my stuff done on the quick like. I could continue on and construct a list of the pros and cons of my work, but I'll save it for another day and another time. So like I said, "As a result..." I can get my stuff done and move on to important stuff, like cruising the interwebs.
What follows here is a list of the websites I use to help pass the time at work. Feel free to cruise them at your leisure. I don't check all of them everyday, but most of them do get at least a cursory glance at some point, during my average day.
Please note I left out the checking of my email and various social networking sites as I find those sites to be understood in the cruising of the interweb.
1. ESPN - Worldwide leader in sports, worldwide leader in awesome website. I use ESPN.com, to see what the "analysts" are saying about the Vols and Cardinals.
2. AbsolutePunk.net - All things punk rock and then some extra stuff. I've been checking this website, just about daily since I was a Freshman in college. So why should I stop know? By the way, this is where I discover tons of the bands I listen to.
3. The Daily Chorus - TDC is a new edition to my daily surfing, but it's great. Music an alternative viewpoint to the sometimes incredible bias that is AP.net. Another great way to find out about new music.
4. UniWatchBlog - "An obsessive study of sports aesthetics." These guys know everything you could possibly want to know about sport uniforms and even more. It sounds lame, but it's really interesting, even if you think you won't like it check it out.
5. Web Urbanist - Such a cool website. They do lists a lot, which I'm a big fan of. It's just really cool. Can't really explain it. Dig through the archives on the site and enjoy yourself. It's like the Discover Channel, only a website, cooler, and less popular, which therefore according to my scene point handbook makes it cooler.
6. Deputy Dog - Taken right from their website, "a frequently updated website dedicated to showcasing incredible examples of the world’s most fascinating architecture, inspirational design, phenomenal natural oddities….the list goes on...". I found this website via Web Urbanist. This site is like the Discovery Channel, that you only get on demand...or something like that.
6. Top Left Pixel - Incredible daily photoblog. If you've ever touched a camera, or taken a picture and thought "Wow that was a nice picture I just took." Go look at Sam's pictures and realize why we're not professional photographers.
7. Knowledge for Thirst - Cool website where these dudes review beverages, they haven't updated in a while, but there are tons of archives and it's interesting.
8. Coming Soon - News on upcoming movies. This website isn't an everyday visit, but it's def. cool.
9. Neat-O-Rama - Random stuff, and it's just that stuff. I just found this website, but it looks like it might quick become one of my favorites, despite it's name.
10. Wikipedia - When you just need to know stuff about stuff.
11. Internet Movie DataBase - Go read the trivia on your favorite movies, but if you want to be at all productive, maybe you shouldn't.
12. A Walk Through Durham Township - More photography, and even more examples of why I'm not a pro.
13. Magic Websites that I'm not going to tell you about, but are worth mentioning that I frequent them.
14. Pick Your Poisons - It's Vinnie from Less Than Jake's blog. I read it, not every day, but I check it regularly.
15. Steven - One of my oldest friends, Mr. Brooks has encouraged me to begin keeping up with the blogging and by checking his blog, I feel that I have to keep this one up.
So those are the sites I visit daily. Check em out. More posted as I find them.
What follows here is a list of the websites I use to help pass the time at work. Feel free to cruise them at your leisure. I don't check all of them everyday, but most of them do get at least a cursory glance at some point, during my average day.
Please note I left out the checking of my email and various social networking sites as I find those sites to be understood in the cruising of the interweb.
1. ESPN - Worldwide leader in sports, worldwide leader in awesome website. I use ESPN.com, to see what the "analysts" are saying about the Vols and Cardinals.
2. AbsolutePunk.net - All things punk rock and then some extra stuff. I've been checking this website, just about daily since I was a Freshman in college. So why should I stop know? By the way, this is where I discover tons of the bands I listen to.
3. The Daily Chorus - TDC is a new edition to my daily surfing, but it's great. Music an alternative viewpoint to the sometimes incredible bias that is AP.net. Another great way to find out about new music.
4. UniWatchBlog - "An obsessive study of sports aesthetics." These guys know everything you could possibly want to know about sport uniforms and even more. It sounds lame, but it's really interesting, even if you think you won't like it check it out.
5. Web Urbanist - Such a cool website. They do lists a lot, which I'm a big fan of. It's just really cool. Can't really explain it. Dig through the archives on the site and enjoy yourself. It's like the Discover Channel, only a website, cooler, and less popular, which therefore according to my scene point handbook makes it cooler.
6. Deputy Dog - Taken right from their website, "a frequently updated website dedicated to showcasing incredible examples of the world’s most fascinating architecture, inspirational design, phenomenal natural oddities….the list goes on...". I found this website via Web Urbanist. This site is like the Discovery Channel, that you only get on demand...or something like that.
6. Top Left Pixel - Incredible daily photoblog. If you've ever touched a camera, or taken a picture and thought "Wow that was a nice picture I just took." Go look at Sam's pictures and realize why we're not professional photographers.
7. Knowledge for Thirst - Cool website where these dudes review beverages, they haven't updated in a while, but there are tons of archives and it's interesting.
8. Coming Soon - News on upcoming movies. This website isn't an everyday visit, but it's def. cool.
9. Neat-O-Rama - Random stuff, and it's just that stuff. I just found this website, but it looks like it might quick become one of my favorites, despite it's name.
10. Wikipedia - When you just need to know stuff about stuff.
11. Internet Movie DataBase - Go read the trivia on your favorite movies, but if you want to be at all productive, maybe you shouldn't.
12. A Walk Through Durham Township - More photography, and even more examples of why I'm not a pro.
13. Magic Websites that I'm not going to tell you about, but are worth mentioning that I frequent them.
14. Pick Your Poisons - It's Vinnie from Less Than Jake's blog. I read it, not every day, but I check it regularly.
15. Steven - One of my oldest friends, Mr. Brooks has encouraged me to begin keeping up with the blogging and by checking his blog, I feel that I have to keep this one up.
So those are the sites I visit daily. Check em out. More posted as I find them.
A toast "To Hope"
{Setting: English pub early 1800's}Friends let us raise our glasses and toast:
"TO HOPE"
Hope: An absurd disposition that our lives can be exactly what we want them to be. And as preposterous as hope is, it keeps us moving, living, loving, laughing, caring, crying, and breathing. It is what keeps our hearts beating. Hope is a fire that burns inside of us and may that fire always burn bright and hot like the sun; never to be extinguished, never to fade. So let us sing together a song of hope, with glasses raised, and hearts ablaze, we sing for hope.
I'll keep it inside I'll keep it alive As long as it doesn't fade
Here's to hope.
This is something I found on my computer that I wrote a while back. One of my few attempts at prose, which will probably wind up a song at some point. I find it poignant right now. As quite a few politicians are throwing around the term "hope" as often as "taxes" and "health care." Sit and ponder hope for a while. It's a fascinating word and as long as you have hope inside you, nothing can defeat you. Where that hope stems from is up to you, and can only be decided by you. Sometimes it's from spirituality, other times, it's simply from the love of those around you. So don't ever lose hope.
Much Love.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Lists bring order to this world we live in, but I rarely follow them
Things I'm stoked about in no particular order at all:
1. Summer and all that comes with it, even if I am working a 9-5.
2. Punchline's new record, seriously when did Punchline let you down? Answer: Never.
3. Forever The Sickest Kids new record
4. Growing my beard back
5. Being a surrogate uncle, it's kind of a wild feeling
6. Less Than Jake's new record
7. The movie "21"
8. The movie "The Bank Job"
9. Possibly getting the chance to drive across the country with one of my brothers
11. The movie The Counterfeiters Seriously going to rule, it's even foreign which gives me street cred both for knowing about it and thinking it's going to be cool
12. The New Jams (Kiss Your Ghost)
Edit: I had some pictures on here on, but I can't get them sized right and I've been messing with it for to long.
1. Summer and all that comes with it, even if I am working a 9-5.
2. Punchline's new record, seriously when did Punchline let you down? Answer: Never.
3. Forever The Sickest Kids new record
4. Growing my beard back
5. Being a surrogate uncle, it's kind of a wild feeling
6. Less Than Jake's new record
7. The movie "21"
8. The movie "The Bank Job"
9. Possibly getting the chance to drive across the country with one of my brothers
10. Opportunities
11. The movie The Counterfeiters Seriously going to rule, it's even foreign which gives me street cred both for knowing about it and thinking it's going to be cool
12. The New Jams (Kiss Your Ghost)
Edit: I had some pictures on here on, but I can't get them sized right and I've been messing with it for to long.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
"It's been a while"
Well, I haven't posted in this in what appears to be two and a half years (and after this post it will probably be another two and a half years - I only searched it out so I could comment on Steven's blog, which I find highly entertaining by the way).
Apparently the last time I posted in it, I was falling in and out of love, in a way. My band which had helped me define myself so easily was breaking up and I had met a girl who made my heart beat a little faster.
Fast-forward. I play in a new band, which isn't defining me, but is just as important to me. That girl I mentioned, she broke my heart, and then I somehow managed to piece it back together. Since then I've met a lot of girls, some worth talking to, others not so much.
And much to my chagrin I somehow wound up in the "real world." Currently trying to fix that.
Since Steven's the only one who will read this, and that's a long shot, I'll say "What's up man? Hope all is well Alabama. Sorry I haven't responded to your email about Disney. I'll get on that."
Apparently the last time I posted in it, I was falling in and out of love, in a way. My band which had helped me define myself so easily was breaking up and I had met a girl who made my heart beat a little faster.
Fast-forward. I play in a new band, which isn't defining me, but is just as important to me. That girl I mentioned, she broke my heart, and then I somehow managed to piece it back together. Since then I've met a lot of girls, some worth talking to, others not so much.
And much to my chagrin I somehow wound up in the "real world." Currently trying to fix that.
Since Steven's the only one who will read this, and that's a long shot, I'll say "What's up man? Hope all is well Alabama. Sorry I haven't responded to your email about Disney. I'll get on that."
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Breaking up is hard to do
So the band is breaking up. Ben decided he wants to go to graduate school at Florida State and he needs to focus on school and his "real" trumpet playing to do that. He also feels like he has done all he could do with PO. And that's fine more power to you for grad school but apparently "real" trumpet playing translates to...."I've decided to give up playing my own music because I don't want to anymore. I'd rather play in a cover band and make money capitolizing off of other peoples music, art, and expression, than play in a band that my friends and I pour ourselves into."
I'm pretty angry about the situation. Yeah, it's time to move on, everyone's kinda working on something else now and thats great. Really just Doug Griffey who is playing with some good friends and then the douche bag cover band. Gordo is playing in his church's praise band so that counts, I guess. As for me I'm not doing anything right now and it sucks a lot.
I think the reason that I'm pissed off is because I've watched certain people throw old ideas out the window in order to make money. Fuck it, I'm not going to sugar coat it, BEN. Yeah I said it, yeah you might at some point read this and if you do, I'm not sorry. Bro, you're one of my best friends in the universe and I'd give you a kidney if you asked, we've been through a lot together but this is one thing I can't back you up on at all, I understand you need money and shit like that, but we used to hate cover bands together, you hated them more than I did, but now that's all changed I suppose. Whatever, it's your call and I shouldn't judge so I'll stop that now.
I'm ready to start something or join up with some people but I don't want to play with idiots. I want to play with people I'm friends with and I want to play some really fun stuff. I'd liken the stuff I want to play to The Movielife, Cartel, Latterman, Jimmy Eat World, Spitalfield, and The Stryder, stuff that just makes you go damn that's fun. I want it to mean something. I want it to come from inside all of us. I want it to be Agressive and Fun, Poppy yet Punishing. Aggresive Pop? Something like that I guess. I don't know.
But lately I've been focusing on school, which is working out well I got an A on my paper in History. I've been slacking a little in my 201 class cause I've yet to buy the book, need to get on that. 250 is going well I beefed a few questions on our first test but I think I pulled a C, at least I hope and it only counts 10 percent the speeches and symopsium groups are huge. Photojournalism is going well we have our first major assignment due monday I need to get on that this weekend.
Anyway to recap the band's breaking up, I really don't like cover bands (sorry to all of you if any of you read this), and I'm ready to do something new, fun, and aggressive.
Much Love,
Zac
I'm pretty angry about the situation. Yeah, it's time to move on, everyone's kinda working on something else now and thats great. Really just Doug Griffey who is playing with some good friends and then the douche bag cover band. Gordo is playing in his church's praise band so that counts, I guess. As for me I'm not doing anything right now and it sucks a lot.
I think the reason that I'm pissed off is because I've watched certain people throw old ideas out the window in order to make money. Fuck it, I'm not going to sugar coat it, BEN. Yeah I said it, yeah you might at some point read this and if you do, I'm not sorry. Bro, you're one of my best friends in the universe and I'd give you a kidney if you asked, we've been through a lot together but this is one thing I can't back you up on at all, I understand you need money and shit like that, but we used to hate cover bands together, you hated them more than I did, but now that's all changed I suppose. Whatever, it's your call and I shouldn't judge so I'll stop that now.
I'm ready to start something or join up with some people but I don't want to play with idiots. I want to play with people I'm friends with and I want to play some really fun stuff. I'd liken the stuff I want to play to The Movielife, Cartel, Latterman, Jimmy Eat World, Spitalfield, and The Stryder, stuff that just makes you go damn that's fun. I want it to mean something. I want it to come from inside all of us. I want it to be Agressive and Fun, Poppy yet Punishing. Aggresive Pop? Something like that I guess. I don't know.
But lately I've been focusing on school, which is working out well I got an A on my paper in History. I've been slacking a little in my 201 class cause I've yet to buy the book, need to get on that. 250 is going well I beefed a few questions on our first test but I think I pulled a C, at least I hope and it only counts 10 percent the speeches and symopsium groups are huge. Photojournalism is going well we have our first major assignment due monday I need to get on that this weekend.
Anyway to recap the band's breaking up, I really don't like cover bands (sorry to all of you if any of you read this), and I'm ready to do something new, fun, and aggressive.
Much Love,
Zac
Friday, August 19, 2005
This post brought to you by the letter Z
So those of you who know me are well aware that I do quite a few different activities on Campus (at the University of Tennessee Knoxville). Some of these activites include but are not limited to working at the Student Aquatic Center (I'm a lifeguard), Student Government Association, Dance Marathon, I also work at the campus radio station as a DJ, and I've done a few other things here and there in my tenure here at the university.
So can anyone guess what comes along with all such activites? Anyone? Bueller? No? Ah, well of course with all activies and such comes everyone's favorite activity.....ICEBREAKERS. Now I've been playing icebreakers for 10 years literally. I'm well versed in them and generally don't mind them at all; in fact I'm probably one of the few people in exsistance who enjoys them. EXCEPT for one icebreaks/name bame in particular.
This Icebreaker would be the "Animal Name Game", yes I know its a crowd favorite, but for me its just a cruel game and has been for quite awhile. My name being Zac my options are quiet limited when playing this game. I mean I could obviously go with "Zac the Zebu" or "Zac the Zebra-Fish" but its all just going to come back to "Zac the Zebra". Same goes for when, if ever the game is played with food. "Zac the Zucchini" is again my one and only option that comes to mind.
Often regarded as just "that letter at the end of the ABCs," the Z is often shunned and pushed aside for cooler letters like R, E, and C (who by the way is an arrogant prick not like R and E who are real class acts). The Z is a proud letter being home to some real bad ass words which just wouldn't be the same without the leading letter of Z. Zone what would zone be without the z? How much would it suck to not have the phrase "I'm in the zone"? And what about Zues, the mythological God of Gods also shares the Z as the leading letter in his name. And of course the Zebra and Zucchini while my only options for name games concerning animals and food are both equally hardass. And there's also the Zepplin ever heard of Led Epplin? Hell Nah, the Z made that band (not really it just fits with the rant I don't want any Led Zepplin are the gods of rock replys). And how could anyone forget Zigs and Zags and Zeniths and Zacchius the wee little man Zippers and Zoos? Who doesn't like the Zoo? And who would want to deal with Button Fly's ALL the time? Answer: not me. And what if you wanted to say you were going to have a quick nap or go to bed, but you wanted to do it with style, well my friends your options would be quite limited without the Z and the phrase "I'm going to catch some Z's" And seriously lets get down to it it takes some balls to be the last letter in the alphabet, anyone can lead it off (although our brother the A does a great job) and (anyone can be in the middle much love b-y) but it takes a special character, namely the Z to be able to hold down the end so well and with such grace and dignity.
So I guess the whole point of this was to show you how important the Z is and ask that you show it some love and respect and say "Hey Z just because you got the short end of the stick with animal and food names, doesn't mean we don't love you just the same. Thanks for all you do Z, we love and appreciate you." I'm thinking about lobbying for a holiday to specifically show appreciation for the letter Z. Anyway I just wanted to bring some light to a very seroius topic that needs some attention the appreciate and respect of the letter Z.
And with that I will leave you as I have successfully wasted enough time to now go shower and eat.
Zac
So can anyone guess what comes along with all such activites? Anyone? Bueller? No? Ah, well of course with all activies and such comes everyone's favorite activity.....ICEBREAKERS. Now I've been playing icebreakers for 10 years literally. I'm well versed in them and generally don't mind them at all; in fact I'm probably one of the few people in exsistance who enjoys them. EXCEPT for one icebreaks/name bame in particular.
This Icebreaker would be the "Animal Name Game", yes I know its a crowd favorite, but for me its just a cruel game and has been for quite awhile. My name being Zac my options are quiet limited when playing this game. I mean I could obviously go with "Zac the Zebu" or "Zac the Zebra-Fish" but its all just going to come back to "Zac the Zebra". Same goes for when, if ever the game is played with food. "Zac the Zucchini" is again my one and only option that comes to mind.
Often regarded as just "that letter at the end of the ABCs," the Z is often shunned and pushed aside for cooler letters like R, E, and C (who by the way is an arrogant prick not like R and E who are real class acts). The Z is a proud letter being home to some real bad ass words which just wouldn't be the same without the leading letter of Z. Zone what would zone be without the z? How much would it suck to not have the phrase "I'm in the zone"? And what about Zues, the mythological God of Gods also shares the Z as the leading letter in his name. And of course the Zebra and Zucchini while my only options for name games concerning animals and food are both equally hardass. And there's also the Zepplin ever heard of Led Epplin? Hell Nah, the Z made that band (not really it just fits with the rant I don't want any Led Zepplin are the gods of rock replys). And how could anyone forget Zigs and Zags and Zeniths and Zacchius the wee little man Zippers and Zoos? Who doesn't like the Zoo? And who would want to deal with Button Fly's ALL the time? Answer: not me. And what if you wanted to say you were going to have a quick nap or go to bed, but you wanted to do it with style, well my friends your options would be quite limited without the Z and the phrase "I'm going to catch some Z's" And seriously lets get down to it it takes some balls to be the last letter in the alphabet, anyone can lead it off (although our brother the A does a great job) and (anyone can be in the middle much love b-y) but it takes a special character, namely the Z to be able to hold down the end so well and with such grace and dignity.
So I guess the whole point of this was to show you how important the Z is and ask that you show it some love and respect and say "Hey Z just because you got the short end of the stick with animal and food names, doesn't mean we don't love you just the same. Thanks for all you do Z, we love and appreciate you." I'm thinking about lobbying for a holiday to specifically show appreciation for the letter Z. Anyway I just wanted to bring some light to a very seroius topic that needs some attention the appreciate and respect of the letter Z.
And with that I will leave you as I have successfully wasted enough time to now go shower and eat.
Zac
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Work Work Work, New Van, Practice, Pack, Pray
That's pretty much my to do list. I haven't written in this in a while cause I've been sick busy with work. Granted for me work consists of sitting by the pool doing stupid shit and playing "high fidelity" (which is the name for the game where you make Top 5 lists of anything). Also let this be known while lifeguarding is not a strenuous job (unless your secondary duties require you to move shit which happens often) it is a draining job, seriously try sitting up right in the sun for hours at a time and not fall asleep. But really work is good I like the pool. So I hung out with my friend the other day we went to Wal-Mart and then we watched Anchorman, it was a good time. It could have been better, but whatever. I don't think she wants to be anymore than friends at the time but that's ok with me cause she's cool. Anyway tour starts on monday. I've got to get all my shit together post haste. By that I mean pack, pack, clean the new as yet to be named van, and then buy some shit. Ok that's enough, I'm going to go watch TV.
Zac
Zac
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