Pray To End Prayer.

I saw a sign at a church today that said "Pray to end abortion" and I thought, why abortion? If you are going to use prayer to stop something why not "pray to end war" or "pray to end starvation"? I know the people involved view abortion in a way I never will, but do they just not comprehend the atrocities that go on around the world. If you really believe in the power of mass prayer, why not start a campaign to "pray to end rape", "pray to end child abuse" "pray to end violence"? I know it is a dangerous step to take to start invalidating a cause by bringing up a supposedly more righteous cause. That line of reasoning only ends in supporting nothing because you reason out helping anyone. There is always someone more needy, someone suffering more, someone who needs more help. Besides this, is there rational evidence for the power of prayer? People on both sides of issues find themselves praying for their side, yet when one side wins, does that mean a god choose a side? Does that mean someone prayed harder, or prayed better?
As an atheist, it can be hard for me to take the power of prayer seriously. I prefer the power of actions. If these people truly want to put an end to abortion, then there are real life things they should be doing. For instance, removing the reasons why people choose abortion in the first place. We as a society constantly tell young women that getting pregnant too young will ruin their chance at a good life. Some even go farther, claiming that all unwed mothers or single mothers are doing wrong by their children. Adoption is a fine solution for some, but there are too many unwanted children and not enough eligible homes.
So let's start here. Stop telling young women that having a child at sixteen will ruin their lives. Support them. I am not saying having a baby alone at sixteen is ideal, but it doesn't have to cut off your options. If women in less than ideal circumstances are supported by a society that values and supports unique families, then pregnant women may feel they have options. We as a society place value on the traditional two parent home at the expense of alternatives, but these alternatives are sometimes the only alternative to abortion. Recognize that single mothers, or single fathers, can have a wonderful life. Separated parents can do a good job too. A supportive family can make all the difference, as can supportive friends. Perhaps guaranteeing women paid time off after the birth of their child (like is common in other countries) could help. Financial support (yes, welfare) for single parents that can't find a good work/parent balance can also make a difference.
How about opponents of abortion boycott all companies with anti-family employee practices. Parents should not have to choose between working seven twelve hour days or working nothing. Parents need time in their work life to raise their kids, and when employers overwork their employees to protect the companies bottom line, it's the families of those employees that suffer.
Let's not forget the women who had no choice in the pregnancy. Pray to end rape. Then actively work to end rape. Teach your children to respect women. Teach them that it is never okay, ever, under any circumstances, to rape. Take a zero tolerance approach to rape culture. Never, ever tell and women anywhere ever that it is in any way her fault. Never side with the rapists. If a women didn't have a choice to get pregnant, give them a choice to end it.
Access to birth control and quality sex education, regardless of their impact on your faith. What is more important, ending abortion or ending premarital sex? Choose one. Recognize the fact that people will have sex. There is no stopping that. But, if provided with access to education and contraception, you can reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies.
And what about gay marriage? Wouldn't more committed, stable, married couples increase the adoption rate? Especially when those couples have to do something outside "normal" procreation to have children. Legalize marriage between pairs of consenting adults, and streamline the adoption process. It may go against the religious and societal teachings of many who hold anti-abortion views, but marriage equality will go a lot farther towards ending abortion. If you want women to choose adoption over abortion, then help ensure those kids will be adopted. Maybe even adopt one yourself.
The bottom line is this, women have abortions because their other options seem imposing. A hardline approach against abortion does little to persuade women to choose alternatives. Support these women and their children. Encourage parents to sacrifice to support their pregnant children. End the stigma of teenage parenthood. End the stigma of unmarried pregnancy. Support programs that help lower income single parents. Eliminated the need for abortion and the problem will take care if itself.
Then let's all focus on the lives after they are born. Let's give those unaborted babies a fighting chance at a future. Let's raise them in a world of peace, understanding and tolerance. End war. End violence against women. End starvation and inequality. Let's work towards a world worth bringing children into.

Triond And Internet Publishing (The Cheap Way Is The Only Way).

Quite a while ago I decided to try to publish some articles on the internet for money. There are many places to do this, and they operate in few different ways. The one I chose is a site called Triond. I write an article on any topic I want, put it into their editor where I have the option of adding pictures and video, then submit. They in turn publish the article on one of many websites they have. These websites are generally set up for different topics, travel, computers, music, and so on. They naturally have the websites filled with ads, and I get a cut of the ad revenue that my content generates for them. Another way they pay is through referrals. Basically, if someone else signs up to Triond through my link, I get a small cut of what they make. Besides articles, Triond also lets you post photos and videos.
I got into Triond as an outlet for writing mainly. A lot of these would have made great blog posts for this blog or Olaf Jansen, but others are best placed on the kind of websites Triond runs. I've written about music (of course) but also current events, video games, veganism, as well as articles about my other websites. Those articles double as free advertising.
I've made very little on Triond so far, but the money is secondary. I enjoy writing, I enjoy getting published outside of the blog world, and I enjoy writing articles on topics I normally wouldn't write about.

Some of my assorted Triond articles:

The Expanding Range of Music Formats: Why People are Paying More for Less
This was my first article. I wrote it about the different formats music is available on, leading up to my thoughts on what people miss out on in a digital only world.

Understanding The Pre-Damaged Output of Black Flag
Damaged was Black Flag's first proper full length release, although they had been around four years, had three singers, toured a lot and put out quite a bit of material. This article sets out to explain their pre-Damaged discography.

Mano Negra Puta's Fever
This is a review of the album Puta's Fever by Mano Negra. One of my all time favorite albums. This is currently my most viewed article.

Rasta Themed Cell Phone Cases and Covers
This one is basically an ad for a Zazzle store of mine. 

Lesser Know Animal Ingredients
A short article on animal ingredients. Vegan's learn fast that a lot of things are not vegan even though they appear to be. This can be enlightening for non-vegans, too.

Nintendo's Home Consoles 
A history of Nintendo's consoles. This was fun to write.

My complete Triond output and be found here.

My Many Star Wars Trilogies.

The first time I went to the theater it was Star Wars. I was around a year or two old and I think I slept through some of it, but I do have a few vague memories of the theater that day. I started collecting the toys around the same time, although it isn't usually called collecting when you're that young.
The first Star Wars movie I had on home video was A New Hope recorded from television. Everyone had collections of movies taped from t.v. back then. That is something we have now replaced with burned DVDs. I probably had Empire and Jedi recorded from t.v. at some point too. Eventually, though, I graduated to buying official copies of the trilogy. I have owned different editions so many times I really should be entitled to a free copy of the next release.
I'd like to recall how many trilogy editions I've owned. I might miss some, but here we go. Dates refer to releases, not to purchases. I've tried to list them in the order I obtained them.

0.5. First VHS release, 1982/1984/1986.
I Wouldn't swear to owning any of these, but I think I had some but not all of the three movies from the original VHS releases. We Probably found one in a garage sale or something like that. I am pretty sure I didn't own real copies of all three until the first trilogy pack I bought.



1. First trilogy box set, 1990, VHS.
I think this was the first time the three movies were sold together in one box set. Three VHS tapes in a fancy slipcase. I think this one had a two piece slipcase. This was exciting because I finally had all three movies.



2. THX box set, 1995, VHS.
These were supposed to be somewhat remastered, with improved picture and sound. The old trilogy was probably wearing out by then anyway.



3. Special Letterbox Collectors Edition, 1992, VHS.
This was the definitive set for me for a while. First time having them without the disgusting pan & scan. This came in a fancy big box with a hologram cover, a collectors book, and a bonus tape. I gave this away when I moved out of 303.



4. Widescreen Special Edition set, 2000, VHS.
This may have been the last VHS copy of the trilogy I owned. This was the second release of the special edition, and the first not to call it a special edition.



5. First DVD release, 2004, DVD.
The first time the trilogy was released on DVD. This is the special editions, with some alterations. This also came with a bonus disc with a two and a half hour documentary.



6. Original trilogy box set, 2008, DVD.
This six disc set features both the theatrical and special editions of all three movies. This is currently the definitive DVD release of the movies due to the inclusion of the theatrical release.



7. Complete Saga, 2011, Blu Ray.
This nine disc set is by far the best release of the trilogy, save for the exclusion of the theatrical. The movies all look wonderful in HD, and the three discs worth of bonus material are a nice touch. It took me quite a while to pick this up, but I recently found it used for ten dollars. Ten. Dollars.



So, I guess that's seven and a half times that I've bought the trilogy, unless I missed one. I currently still have the blu ray set and the last DVD box set. I'm keeping the DVDs just for the theatrical versions. I really had a good reason to upgrade every time. From the first time I could own them all together, to updated VHS quality, to letterbox, which was a big deal before everything came out with full and widescreen options, to DVD, to Blu Ray.

Until next time, may the force... nah.

My Unemployed Life.

I was removed from my factory job of almost seven years recently, ending an almost continual fifteen year run of shitty factory work. I never really liked any job I had, although I would spend short stints tolerating them. Roughly half this time was spent in plastics factories, and with the other half spent working for a horrible multinational corporation. While the work kept money in my pockets and my bills paid, most of the time, I paid a heavy price. I missed countless time spent with family and friends. Social relationships have been strained. Opportunities have been missed. I've also done permanent harm to my body. This kind of work is fine for some people, some people even thrive on it. I, however, have never managed to really make it work for me.
On to my unemployment, or alternate employment. Either between this job and the next, or instead of the next, I am doing quite a few things to try to pay bills. All of them are things I am interested in doing, including this blog. Doing things I want to do regardless of the income generated feels great. None of these things make me feel like I am selling my time or sacrificing part of my life the way that factory work always has.

Blogging.
I have several  blogs. These potentially generate income in a few ways. One is paid advertisements. If you see an ad in the side bar or as a banner, I am potentially paid for the ad placement. Another income source is affiliate links. This is where I include a link to something I am talking about or reviewing, and if someone clicks on the link and purchases something, I get a kickback. Blogging can also be used to promote some of my other endeavors. I really love to write, be it rambling on about some political subject or reviewing some music, or whatever else, and  blogging gives me an excuse to write a lot.

Zazzle.
Zazzle is a online print-on-demand merchandise store. Here a person can design a shirt, sticker, mouse pad, or over a hundred other items for free, then post them for sale. I actually studied graphic design in school, and have always loved doing it. I didn't follow an educational career path into commercial art, and I am sure my talents are mediocre at best, but I still have fun. I have five Zazzle stores so far, and plan to open more in the future. This is one of the endeavors I blog about, sometimes pairing a Zazzle store with a blog to increase web presence of my brand.

Youtube.
Another thing I do is Youtube. I mainly post videos to share rare music, but I also post videos to promote my music or my Zazzle store products, or whatever other cross-promotion idea I can come up with. Most of my videos are monetized, so I get a small advertising payback.

Music.
This is the big one for me. The one I HAVE to do. I am a musician, an artist, and I feel driven to create. My interest in music is so widespread, that there is literally too much that I want to do for me to do it all. I have my band, which is also my main songwriting outlet. We are primarily a recording project right now, but we have not ruled out playing live. I also have my avant-garde, experimental music. This is mainly stuff I put out on my record label, Cities of Agartha Records. This would include my solo material, as well as several side project bands like Johnny Has His Hand and Thequestionmarkis. I would also like to put out other lo-fi/experimental type music that I am not involved in.

Writing.
As I said earlier, I love to write. I have wanting to get into writing books for quite a while now, and there are quite a few things going for a self-published potential author right now. There are several good print-on-demand publishers now that will print your book only when it is ordered, so printing costs are almost eliminated. Many of these include access to good, free distribution. The popularity of e-books has also greatly expanded the market for self-published authors. There is also Kickstarter, which can help fund a great number of projects, including books.

I haven't actually started making much money yet, which is getting a little scary, but I am still going to give it my best. You can check out my many endeavors below. If you think you know people that would be interested in a particular project of mine, please feel free to share the link!

Blogs:
Sky Turns Mad
You are here right now. This is basically a place for me to ramble on about anything I like.
 Olaf Jansen
This is primarily for reviewing and recommending music. A lot of my reviews include affiliate links.
Kitchen Provisions
This is a new one. Basically, I review kitchen supplies that I use. This is another affiliate link based site.
Vid-So-Funny
This is an ad supported site where I just share funny Youtube videos.
Dear Willie Nelson
Besides being a prolific songwriter, Willie Nelson is great at making other peoples songs his own. Here I post about songs I would like to hear Willie sing.
Music Nerd Library
A joint venture with a friend of mine, Music Nerd Library is a kind of Facebook radio show. The idea is we collaborate on a playlist in a different genre every week. It's been a while since we've done an episode.

Zazzle:
Nice Try Lao Che
My first Zazzle store. Also a blog/Zazzle tie in. There is no overall theme to this store, just a wide variety of products.
Lao Che Skate
This is what first drew my attention to Zazzle. My skateboard company, Lao Che Skate is set up as a department of my main store, Nice Try Lao Che. Again, a blog tie in.
RastaPhones.com
This is a newer website I started. I really like rasta colored (green, yellow, and red) stuff, and therefore made a lot of rasta colored designs in my first Zazzle store. As it turns out, rasta colored items sell very good, so I started a store specializing in rasta colored phone cases.
Waiting at Sea Merch
Cities of Agartha Records Merch
Two stores I made to sell band merch. Nothing beats a good merch table at a live show, but print-on-demand options allow a cost effective alternative.

Youtube:
SoberFrank
My main Youtube channel. Like I said, mainly for rare music, but I also do some cross promotions.
Waiting at Sea Youtube
This one is all videos for my band, Waiting at Sea. We started this long before we started our recording project, as a way for people to hear us and get an idea what we were doing.

Music:
Waiting at Sea
My primary band. An acoustic duo and songwriting partnership. We are currently recording. Doing it ourselves, our recording seems to be taking forever. From our website you can find our Facebook, Youtube, Soundcloud, and Zazzle pages.
Cities of Agartha Records
My other musical outlet. Here I can release all my noisy, experimental ideas. I also hope to release projects I don't play in someday.

Writing:
Triond
I occasionally write articles and publish them online through a place called Triond. My articles get published one of their many websites and I get a small cut of the advertising revenue. I also get a referral fee if someone else signs up and earns anything.

Affiliate Links:
Amazon.com
Anything someone buys through this link, or any of my other many links, I get a kick back. I'm not encouraging you to shop there, but if you do, you might as well buy through me.

What Would Jello Do

What would Jello do is a series of short spoken word talks from Jello Biafra.  Most are fairly short, under ten minutes, and focus on one specific topic. I like these, although they don't satisfy my desire for a new spoken word album from him.


#31 Fracking!

#36 The Trouble with the NSA.

#37 Trans-Pacific Partnership.

I Don't Care For Money (Money's Not for Me)

I don't like money. Perhaps it's because so many people make such a big deal about it, and sacrifice so much for it. Don't get me wrong, I realize money can be a means to an end. Not liking money, or not being interested in money, doesn't mean I don't recognize the value of money. I buy things, I pay my bills, I eat. Unlike many, however, I only want to have enough money. Winning the lottery or getting some soul crushing high paying job holds no interest for me. I need enough money to maintain a decent lifestyle, but only to maintain the lifestyle I have now. I don't need a huge house or lot's more stuff. I get by. I could always get by with less.

Embrace: Money
I can truly say I don't give a fuck about your money...

Choking Victim: Money
I don't care for money, and money's not for me...

D.R.I.: Money Stinks
I stayed at home today, and I'm not going back to work, money stinks...

25 Albums.

Back in 2009, there was a Facebook thing going around where you list your top 25 albums. This is my post from February 2009. This would be a little different if I did it today, but it would have been different in January or march 2009. I stand by what I said.

This isn't a list of the BEST 25 , just the 25 that come to mind first. You'll see an improvement as the gin works its way through me.

1. Beck - One Foot in the Grave.  This one made me want to record, any way that I could. I still have not replaced the copy I gave away years ago, but don't regret it either.

2. Sunny Day Real Estate - Diary. There is no describing how I feel about this one. I am just amazed and inspired every time I hear it.

3. Black Flag - Damaged. I could have listed ANY Black Flag release, or ALL of them, but this is the first I ever owned. Greg Ginn and his band have inspired my listening, my playing, and my work ethic.

4. John Lee Hooker - Boogie Chillun. Amazing live album by an amazing performer. This one has John Lee Hooker alone, just the man and his guitar.

5. Jim Croce - Live: Final Tour. The album that got me into Jim Croce, and if you ever seen me drunk enough, you've prolly seen me half passed out, half singing Jim Croce. Thanks Dad.

6. Circle Jerks - Gig. I still remember how it sounded the first time I heard it. To this day, this is the live album all other live albums are judged by.

7. Jimi Hendrix - The Jimi Hendrix Concerts. Not the best collection of live recordings of his, but the one that got me really into Jimi. Again, thanks Dad.

8. Beastie Boys - Licensed to Ill. A car staple. Rhymin and Stealin, No Sleep, Slow and Low, etc... Many road trips would not have been the same. And the guitar riffs... I mean FUCK...

9. June Of 44 - Engine Takes to the Water. There is no comparison, this album is a stand alone classic. Thanks Aaron O.

10. Rollinghead - Daddyhorse. One of my first favorite bands. I saw them everytime they did an all ages. From Music Express in-stores to Music on the Mall. Still one of my all time favorite bands.

11. The Pogues - Red Roses for Me. This album is a perfect frame for my own alcoholism. Everything Shane touches is pure gold.

12. Painkiller - Buried Secrets. The CD that got me into John Zorn. Amazing, brutal, scary, and raw. Thanks Becky!

13. Motorhead - Any. NO list of music is complete without Lemmy. Best metal bands, best hard rock albums, best classical composers, best boy band. NO list is complete without Lemmy.

14. Hayden - Everything I Long for. This is an instant classic. If you don't know you won't know.

15. Desmond Dekker - Rockin Steady: Best of. This is the one that got me into Desmond Dekker, and ska/rocksteady/reggae in general. Fantastic collection. I still have the copy Moira left me at 303. Sorry, Moira.

16. Nirvana - Bleach (20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition). Raw and overlooked. Even if you don't like their later work, you need this one. I traded my first copy for some shrooms. Issac and I used to record School (rather badly) after bribing little Derek to leave us alone.

17. Body Count - Born Dead. Ice mother fucking T and heavy motherfucking metal! Come on people!

18. New Kids On The Block - New Kids on the Block. The one before Hangin Tough. An-gel, girl you make my dreams come true, an-gel, spend my whole life loving you, an-gel, baby you are the one for me, an-gel... that's right, from memory. I went there. You want more... A, is cause I'm always gonna love you, N, never gonna leave you, G, is for your good good loving, E, is for your ever lasting love, L is cause I love you, really really love you. From memory while listing to other music. Bitches.

19. ACDC - Back in Black. I should have Bon Scott material listed here, but Back In Black kind of has the best of both worlds, the band they were with Bon, and the band they would become without him.

20. Mano Negra - Puta's Fever. Get this. Get this now. I first saw Mano Negra on a recording of the Japanese TV show All Nite Fuji, which ended up the name of my band with Benny. This album is perfect beginning to end. Mano Negra may in fact be the best band worldwide, ever.

21. Minor Threat - Complete Discography. I first heard Minor Threat on a mixtape that Jeremy made for PJ that PJ gave to me. The same tape (there may have been two) got me into Black Flag, NOFX, Misfits, Dead Kennedys and CRASS (among others). Thanks Jeremy... Anyways, Minor Threat got me into the whole DC harDCore thing, which was a tremendous influence on both my songwriting, musical work ethic, and lifestyle. Its funny that this drunken mess used to abstain from intoxicants.

22. D.R.I. - 4 of a Kind. My first D.R.I., one of the best. This represents one of my ideal guitar sounds. My ten year old son is now a D.R.I. fan. Fuckin' A!

23. Willie Nelson - Countryman. Willie does reggae. It really doesn't get better than this. Just don't buy your copy at walmart, the edit out the pot leaf on the cover. Toots sings on a few tracks. That's right, Toots Hibbert AND Willie Nelson. Sounds like something out of a dream.

24. CRASS - Best Before. It just feels wrong without CRASS. I picked Derek up after work and rushed up to Music Express before they closed for the night so Derek (who still has my copy of Penis Envy) could buy a copy, before a night at Big Boy, before the dark times, before the Emperor...

25. Flee The Scene. This may be the most important album here, cause it is the one I put out. I was inspired by Dischord and SST to start my own label. Which I did with this CD. I got to work with such legends as The Freeze, Dropdead, and Berwer. Even though we ended after one more release, I still did it, and that's what counts. My compilation has been sold around the world and has been called a punk orgasm. Anyone who doesn't have one can drop me an address and I'll mail you one, or a dozen.

I should have put some others, Urban Riot - A Mile In Our Shoes (the other release I put out), Misfits, Green Day - Kerplunk, Exploited - Punk's Not Dead, Bob Marley - ANY/ALL, The Clash, I Hate Myself - 10 songs, David Allan Coe - Penitentiary Blues, Skrewdriver - All Skrewed Up, Dead Kennedys - In God We Trust Inc., The Animals, Manowar - Battle Hymns ...