In 2009 I participated in a Facebook thing where you list 25 albums that are important to you. I turned it to this post in 2013. This is a sequel of sorts. 25 more albums that affected my life.
1. Willie Nelson - Teatro. There are so many Willie albums that could be on this list, but Teatro is such a great album. From the Django intro to the overall atmospheric feel of the album, listening to this one always makes me play guitar better.
2. Misfits - Legacy of Brutality. The entire original discography is essential, and all equally good, but Legacy is the first Misfits album of mine and still contains some of my favorite Misfits songs. I learned to play guitar to this album. To this day the first thing I do when I learn a new instrument is play a Misfits song or two on it.
3. Frank Lynch - Static Aether. This might seem a little self serving, but it's true, this album is very important to me. It was the first time I released MY music. I'm still proud of the work I did with Fled Records, but releasing my own material was something I'd been meaning to do since high school.
4. Various Artists - The Year In Seven Inches. Both this and Flex Your Head had a big impact on me, but since I already went into Flex Your Head here, I'll discuss the other great early Dischord comp this time around. The bands on here inspired me to write some of my first songs. I still love the short, no nonsense hardcore these bands played. Just direct, simple, fast, heavy music.
5. I Hate Myself - 10 Songs. I'm not sure how I discovered this one, but it fast became a favorite of mine after I found it. The CD version is actually 11 songs, as it includes a comp track that wasn't on the LP version. This band satires a genre while exemplifying it. To A Husband At War is one of my favorite songs.
6. Buckner and Garcia - Pac Man Fever. Eight songs about eight great arcade games, made at the height of the arcade craze. I know it sounds a little dated, but I love it. We listen to this almost every time we go to an arcade. This was out of print for a long time, and when they re-released it on CD they had to re-record it for the release, as they could not obtain rights to the original recordings. This brings up two things I don't like about big record labels. First, it's their music, yet the label isn't allowing them to put it out there. Second, not only is the label preventing the artist control over the recordings, they are just sitting on them. If they don't want to release the music, they should allow someone else to. No one should hide art.
7. The Booked - Feel The Pride. We were going to work with The Booked with Fled Records before we ran out of money. I absolutely love the sound on this album. The songs are heavy and catchy, just the way I like my oi. The split 12" we were working on would have been great.
8. Chvrches - The Bones of What You Believe. This one kinda surprised me. With Youtube on my tv through my PS3, browsing and enjoying random videos is easier than ever. I clicked on a video of Chvrches live on some show, and although the music was very different than what I would normally pick up on, it stuck. Enough stuck with me to get me to track down more of their music, and they quickly became favorites of mine. They not only inspire me to explore more and more music, but they inspire me to make music.
9. Youth Code - Youth Code. Another Youtube find. I had yet to get really into industrial music. Maybe a little here and there. I cannot get enough Youth Code though. They got me to start my own hard industrial project, though time will tell if I stick with it or not.
10. John Coltrane - Soultrane. Technically not my first Coltrane album, as I've had and loved Miles Davis' Kind of Blue for years. This is the first proper Coltrane album for me though, and it holds a special place. His music is so great, and this is the one that started my collection. I love driving around northern Michigan listening to Coltrane.
11. Paramore - Paramore. I've been into Paramore for a long time, and I really enjoy their earlier music, but this album is something else. It's their first since the original band splintered, and while it sucks that half the founding members left, it's proof that the remaining members can endure. What I like most is that this is one of those albums that is more a complete work than a collection of songs.
12. Black Flag - What The. This didn't make the list because it's my favorite Black Flag album, rather it's on here because of what it represents. The return of the almighty, always controversial, one and only, Black Flag. Greg Ginn is one of my favorite guitarists. I've gone on and on about the Black Flag/FLAG controversy, and that's not what I'm doing here. Before the reformation (or reformations, depending on your point of view) Black Flag was one of my all time favorites. Because of this reformation, I got to see the legends in action. Black Flag live was one of the best shows I've ever seen, which is saying something.
13. Guy Clark - Old Number 1. While an older album, I only got into it recently. This is definitely a songwriters album. The kind of album that makes me wanna go lock the door and write song after song. I love any album that makes me NEED to write.
14. John Lennon - Plastic Ono Band. I admit that it took me a long time to jump on the Beatles bandwagon. It's not that I didn't used to like the Beatles (and related material), it's just that one, I was a bit put off my the pedestaling done to them, and two, I hadn't got around to them yet. Now that I've opened myself up to their catalog, I am enjoying it. Besides Beatles material, I've gotten into John Lennon's post-Beatles work. This album in particular is so good.
15. Bad Brains - The Omega Sessions. Perhaps I should have put the Roir tape, or I Against I, or one of the live ones, but I chose this EP for the list because of one song. Stay Close To Me sounds like something I've imagined but never found, until I heard this EP. There is just something about the way this song sounds.
16. Rancid - And Out Come The Wolves. I really thought this was on my first list. This is one of those rare albums that seem to never get old. I had a cassette copy in my car that went everywhere with me. I love all their albums, but Out Come The Wolves will always hold a special place with me.
17. Frank Sinatra - Nothing but The Best. Sinatra is another one I should have been really into for a long time, but I've only recently got really into. He is a classic for a reason. Although he didn't write (he has a total of seven songwriting credits, all shared credits), he is an inspiration as a performer. I listen to his singing like I listen to a guitarist, if that makes sense. I wouldn't normally write about or even collect a "best of" style compilation, but this is a great start to any Sinatra collection.
18. Dead River Drag - Dead River Drag. Rollinghead and Dave Grant in particular were big parts of the 90s Kalamazoo scene and a big influence on me when I was getting into playing music. After Rollinghead broke up, Dave went on to form the short lived Dead River Drag with a few ex-bandmates. I didn't get a chance to see them live or pick up their one release when they were around. I did pick a copy in a used bin quite recently, and I'm happy to take another trip back to some of my early influences.
19. Django Reinhardt - Any. I know it's a cop out not naming an album. I did this last time with Motorhead, and I'm doing it this time with Django. Easily the best guitarist I've heard. There is just no one who plays quite like him. He does stuff with two fingers I won't ever accomplish with four. His body of work amazes and captivates me.
20. Chuck Higgins - Pachuko Hop. I picked this up in a little record store on the Kalamazoo mall based solely on the album title. Mano Negra covered Joe King Carrasco's Patchuko Hop on their Puta's Fever album. I hadn't got into Carrasco yet, and when I saw this album I couldn't remember who Mano Negra covered. I bought this album just in case. The album I got is actually a singles compilation, not the album by the same name. Either one is great. I love the sound of these songs, and I love the sound of Chuck's saxophone. Chuck Higgins and John Zorn both make be want a band with a saxophone.
21. Kris Kristofferson - The Silver Tongued Devil and I. Another songwriter's album. I just love the songwriting on this one. Kristofferson is one of my favorite songwriters. He writes the kind of songs that I wish I could. I love his singing/playing style and I love the overall sound of the album, but the songwriting is my main draw.
22. Willie Nelson - Heroes. I know I've already done a Willie album, but his body of work is such an inspiration to me that I cannot stop at one. Heroes is not only a great album, it's one of those albums that works great as a whole piece, not just a collection of songs. While not an out and out concept album like Willie has done so well several times in the past, the album nonetheless has an overall theme that just works. This quickly became one of my all time favorite albums, and it always makes me want to play guitar and write songs.
23. The English Concert/Trevor Pinnock - Vivaldi Conceri L'Amoroso. Vivaldi is one of my favorite classical composers. While his "Four Seasons" is quite well known, I really like his concertos. This album in particular really sounds great. While I've liked classical music forever, I've never got really into it. Now that I am starting to really explore the genre I am finding it fresh, exciting, and full of possibility. It's like this huge world I am lost in. It's such a deep and varied genre, and there is a lot to explore. It really brings me back to a time when more genres felt large and unexplored.
24. The Animals - The Animals. I discovered the Animals in my parents record collection. Their mixture of covers and originals and their way of making the covers as much their own as their originals continues to influence me. While I could have picked any Animals or Eric Burdon and the Animals album, I picked this one cause it was not only among my first, I always wanted to pay homage to the packaging on this one, especially the "Life-lines of the Animals" on the back of the sleeve. Maybe if I put out an album with a full band sometime I will.
25. Sonic Youth - Sonic Youth. I used to hate self-titled albums. Not the albums themselves, but the lack of an album name. It always seemed like a wasted opportunity to me. I've included five self-titled albums in this list. It doesn't really bother me anymore. Sometimes I even kinda like it. Sometimes it feels right. I'll probably do it myself before too much longer. Anyways Sonic Youth was a big influence on my noisy approach to electric guitar, as well as in influence in my noise recordings.
Well, there you have it. 25 more albums that have been an influence. Some have been in my life for a long time. Some I should have brought up last go-round. Some are just really new and sticking with me right now. I'll have to do this again in a few years.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Friday, December 6, 2013
Rich Verses Poor (Poverty is a Cyclical Beast)
Dave Ramsey angered some people when he shared this list of the habits of the rich and poor. Tim Corley is responsible for the researching and compiling of this list. Ben Irwin wrote this alternative list for his blog in response to the Ramsey piece. Tim Corley's under-researched list, that Ramsey shares and defends, would be better put as a list of what rich
people do BECAUSE THEY CAN. The assumed shortcomings of the poor in this
list are actually by and large symptoms of poverty. Yes, poor people
could want to read more, or want to gamble less, but, Corley's article has more to do with the symptoms of poverty than the underlying cause.
Some points about Tim Corley's article:
1. Rich people eat better, eat less junk food. Of course, they can afford better food. That one's a no brainer.
3. The rich can afford gym memberships, and aren't as often to be stuck in situations that do not allow them to exercise, like working 80+ hours a week.
7. Wealthy parents have time and opportunity to make their kids volunteer.
10. Wealthy are more likely to get a job that demands that much career based reading.
15. This is entirely dependent on the job. If you have to go to work at three a.m., then that means you wake up at midnight. Not very practical. Also, as Irwin writes, poor people are more likely to have multiple jobs, not allowing for a full nights sleep between jobs. His article is more accurate, more in touch with the reality of poverty.
The less a person is paid, the harder they tend to work. I spent time working with people making 9 bucks an hour, less than half of what I used to make. These people worked very hard, a hell of a lot harder than by buddies at my former job (including me at the time). The worst working, laziest, dumbest people I've ever had the misprivilege to work with made much more than me. Poverty level jobs are more likely to be inhibiting to advancing your situation. Take my former employer, for example. Your schedule was up in the air, you only knew it for sure a week ahead of time, and sometimes not even then. You were regularly worked 60-80 hours a week and your shift could change on two days notice. You usually didn't know what you were working Saturday and Sunday until that Friday. With a very strict attendance policy you couldn't call in very often when work changed your plans. You can't plan college or other job training around that. You can't plan anything around a job that gives you zero planned free time. Many people also work multiple jobs just to make a living wage, which doesn't leave time for stuff like college.
Poverty can be all consuming. It's hard to plan out your career and your life goals when you have to make three hundred dollars a week cover four hundred dollars a week in bills, and then feed your family on top of that. You can work hard, full time and then some, but still fall short. When you can't afford the gas to drive to something even if it's free, you are much more likely to spend your free time in front of the t.v. You are much more likely to despair if your situation looks bleak. Poverty is a cyclical beast. Yes, it's true that some people make it from poverty, but they are the exceptions. Most get caught in the cycle, for many reasons continuing the often generational poverty.
Maybe it's hard for those with opportunity to understand. The fact is, the current system isn't one that works if everyone pulls themselves up from the gutter and becomes a successful business owner. the system relies on poverty, it relies on the poor. Whole industries are structured around an underpaid workforce and a devalued consumer. Corporations have many lower level employees yet few upper level employees. If everyone was on top, who would be doing the work? Success does come from hard work, but it also takes luck and circumstance. No one makes it without all three.
Some points about Tim Corley's article:
1. Rich people eat better, eat less junk food. Of course, they can afford better food. That one's a no brainer.
3. The rich can afford gym memberships, and aren't as often to be stuck in situations that do not allow them to exercise, like working 80+ hours a week.
7. Wealthy parents have time and opportunity to make their kids volunteer.
10. Wealthy are more likely to get a job that demands that much career based reading.
15. This is entirely dependent on the job. If you have to go to work at three a.m., then that means you wake up at midnight. Not very practical. Also, as Irwin writes, poor people are more likely to have multiple jobs, not allowing for a full nights sleep between jobs. His article is more accurate, more in touch with the reality of poverty.
The less a person is paid, the harder they tend to work. I spent time working with people making 9 bucks an hour, less than half of what I used to make. These people worked very hard, a hell of a lot harder than by buddies at my former job (including me at the time). The worst working, laziest, dumbest people I've ever had the misprivilege to work with made much more than me. Poverty level jobs are more likely to be inhibiting to advancing your situation. Take my former employer, for example. Your schedule was up in the air, you only knew it for sure a week ahead of time, and sometimes not even then. You were regularly worked 60-80 hours a week and your shift could change on two days notice. You usually didn't know what you were working Saturday and Sunday until that Friday. With a very strict attendance policy you couldn't call in very often when work changed your plans. You can't plan college or other job training around that. You can't plan anything around a job that gives you zero planned free time. Many people also work multiple jobs just to make a living wage, which doesn't leave time for stuff like college.
Poverty can be all consuming. It's hard to plan out your career and your life goals when you have to make three hundred dollars a week cover four hundred dollars a week in bills, and then feed your family on top of that. You can work hard, full time and then some, but still fall short. When you can't afford the gas to drive to something even if it's free, you are much more likely to spend your free time in front of the t.v. You are much more likely to despair if your situation looks bleak. Poverty is a cyclical beast. Yes, it's true that some people make it from poverty, but they are the exceptions. Most get caught in the cycle, for many reasons continuing the often generational poverty.
Maybe it's hard for those with opportunity to understand. The fact is, the current system isn't one that works if everyone pulls themselves up from the gutter and becomes a successful business owner. the system relies on poverty, it relies on the poor. Whole industries are structured around an underpaid workforce and a devalued consumer. Corporations have many lower level employees yet few upper level employees. If everyone was on top, who would be doing the work? Success does come from hard work, but it also takes luck and circumstance. No one makes it without all three.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Abstract Music (Pure Art).
Noise music, experimental, avant-garde, whatever you want to call it, my first experience with it had to be seeing the Boredoms open for Nirvana. I wasn't quite ready yet, but I started listening to the Boredoms a lot within a year from seeing them. Then there was Sonic Youth, and Thurston Moore hosting MTV's 120 Minutes. By the time I was introduced to John Zorn, noise music as an art form had become a part of my life that wouldn't ever go away.
Evolving seemingly independently, I got into playing noise music shortly after I started playing guitar. Maybe because I didn't know how to play properly, maybe because I was too stubborn to learn, but it did seem what I was naturally drawn to. I made many recordings and planned releases, most of which have still never seen the light of day. I was even in a few noise bands, but they were mostly one offs, getting together for one show, or even just one practice.
I was musically adventurous, and I frequented record shops. I found many great and diverse titles that I still love, such as The Miracle of Levitation comp, Azonic Halo, Lull, Yamantaka Eye's violent Hanatarash, and Lee Ranaldo's Scriptures of the Golden Eternity. I was in a record shop in Washington D.C. when I came across John Zorn's Naked City project for the first time. That one really blew me away.
I think, when it comes down to it, noise music is just abstract art. I find my self drawn to abstract art and extremes of art in all forms of art I enjoy. The abstract and the extreme aren't the only things I like, but I certainly have a major affinity for it.
Abstract art is often brushed aside by people as talentless noise that anyone could do. It is true technical skill isn't a factor in abstract forms of art, but that is where the real beauty in the whole thing lay. The way I see it, you have two major factors in a work of art. The artists technical skill, and the artist natural artistry. It's that natural artistry that music cannot do without. That hard to pinpoint "something" that is essential. Technical skill can cover up for that missing "something" to a point. If you have no artistic heart whatsoever, but you have a great talent at, let's say, guitar, you can still make music that people will enjoy. There is nothing wrong with working really hard to get good at playing an instrument.
When you take away the technical skill, however, all that is left is the pure artistic "something". Anyone can bang some instruments together, or splash paint on a canvas randomly. A true artist can make exceptional art without that technical skill. Noise music is that pure boiled down something, with no technical skill hiding it. It's raw, it's extreme, it's real. There is nothing left for the artist to hide behind.
That's not to say experimental musicians don't necessarily have technical talent. Take John Zorn, who makes music many people would call pure noise. He has a technical proficiency in his compositions that would rival the masters, but his chosen field is one where that technicality takes a back-burner.
Honestly, I listen to a very wide range of music, but I have a special place in my heart for "noise". Take away all the polish and technique and training, and you have something as close to pure art as you will ever hear.
Evolving seemingly independently, I got into playing noise music shortly after I started playing guitar. Maybe because I didn't know how to play properly, maybe because I was too stubborn to learn, but it did seem what I was naturally drawn to. I made many recordings and planned releases, most of which have still never seen the light of day. I was even in a few noise bands, but they were mostly one offs, getting together for one show, or even just one practice.
I was musically adventurous, and I frequented record shops. I found many great and diverse titles that I still love, such as The Miracle of Levitation comp, Azonic Halo, Lull, Yamantaka Eye's violent Hanatarash, and Lee Ranaldo's Scriptures of the Golden Eternity. I was in a record shop in Washington D.C. when I came across John Zorn's Naked City project for the first time. That one really blew me away.
I think, when it comes down to it, noise music is just abstract art. I find my self drawn to abstract art and extremes of art in all forms of art I enjoy. The abstract and the extreme aren't the only things I like, but I certainly have a major affinity for it.
Abstract art is often brushed aside by people as talentless noise that anyone could do. It is true technical skill isn't a factor in abstract forms of art, but that is where the real beauty in the whole thing lay. The way I see it, you have two major factors in a work of art. The artists technical skill, and the artist natural artistry. It's that natural artistry that music cannot do without. That hard to pinpoint "something" that is essential. Technical skill can cover up for that missing "something" to a point. If you have no artistic heart whatsoever, but you have a great talent at, let's say, guitar, you can still make music that people will enjoy. There is nothing wrong with working really hard to get good at playing an instrument.
When you take away the technical skill, however, all that is left is the pure artistic "something". Anyone can bang some instruments together, or splash paint on a canvas randomly. A true artist can make exceptional art without that technical skill. Noise music is that pure boiled down something, with no technical skill hiding it. It's raw, it's extreme, it's real. There is nothing left for the artist to hide behind.
That's not to say experimental musicians don't necessarily have technical talent. Take John Zorn, who makes music many people would call pure noise. He has a technical proficiency in his compositions that would rival the masters, but his chosen field is one where that technicality takes a back-burner.
Honestly, I listen to a very wide range of music, but I have a special place in my heart for "noise". Take away all the polish and technique and training, and you have something as close to pure art as you will ever hear.
Monday, September 30, 2013
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.
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.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
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.
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.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
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.
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.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
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.
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.
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