Moist: thing, word
I really hated the word "Moist" for a long time. Hated it to the point of becoming physically violent (in a mostly joking way) to people that said it purposefully to bother me. I'm not sure exactly why, but it just creates an uncomfortable feeling.
I didn't enjoy the character in "Dr. Horrible" because of his name (and because his superpower hit a bit close to home for me).
I still don't like the word or use it, but I won't attack you for doing it.
SEE ALSO: Puberty, I-Know-Something-You-Don't-Know, Rules
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
M - Miles
Miles (Davis): person
When I was in 9th grade my dad gave me a cassette tape of part of "The Miles Davis Radio Project" to listen to. I had been playing the Trumpet (or Cornet) since 7th grade. I listened to it obsessively, beginning with the very significant "Red Wing Debate Tournament Weekend" (which may have been 10th grade). The tape was mostly of 80s Miles, including "New Blues" and "Tutu", both of which rocked my socks off.
That following summer I read his Autobiography (and other biographies) and started my CD collection in earnest. I can remember the exact moment I first listenened to "In A Silent Way" (after returning from a very nice weekend at my friend Laura's cabin in Brainerd), which is my favorite single recorded piece of music of all time. I remember listening to Wayne Shorter's crazy sax run about 13 minutes in to it over and over during the particularly difficult "Concordia Debate Tournament of 11th Grade". I wrote an A+ paper analyzing it for Jazz History in college (the only A+ I've ever gotten)
I now easily have more Miles Davis albums than any other artist. I love every period of Miles. I'd be an Electric Miles apologist, except I don't feel there's anything to apologize for.
I have a sweet t-shirt of Miles looking through his trumpet. I had Grad Pictures taken to match.
I don't agree with all of his personal life choices (like the drug habits, or the way he treated the women in his life), but his music is just too Effing amazing to let those opinions color the his musical legacy.
SEE ALSO: debate, graduation, quotation, In A Silent Way, trumpet
When I was in 9th grade my dad gave me a cassette tape of part of "The Miles Davis Radio Project" to listen to. I had been playing the Trumpet (or Cornet) since 7th grade. I listened to it obsessively, beginning with the very significant "Red Wing Debate Tournament Weekend" (which may have been 10th grade). The tape was mostly of 80s Miles, including "New Blues" and "Tutu", both of which rocked my socks off.
That following summer I read his Autobiography (and other biographies) and started my CD collection in earnest. I can remember the exact moment I first listenened to "In A Silent Way" (after returning from a very nice weekend at my friend Laura's cabin in Brainerd), which is my favorite single recorded piece of music of all time. I remember listening to Wayne Shorter's crazy sax run about 13 minutes in to it over and over during the particularly difficult "Concordia Debate Tournament of 11th Grade". I wrote an A+ paper analyzing it for Jazz History in college (the only A+ I've ever gotten)
I now easily have more Miles Davis albums than any other artist. I love every period of Miles. I'd be an Electric Miles apologist, except I don't feel there's anything to apologize for.
I have a sweet t-shirt of Miles looking through his trumpet. I had Grad Pictures taken to match.
I don't agree with all of his personal life choices (like the drug habits, or the way he treated the women in his life), but his music is just too Effing amazing to let those opinions color the his musical legacy.
SEE ALSO: debate, graduation, quotation, In A Silent Way, trumpet
Saturday, May 22, 2010
P - Paper
Paper: thing
Killing trees and production process aside, I really like paper. While fragile, it also seems to have lasting value. Dropping it doesn't destroy it, and it can't be wiped out by an EMP (though fire and water aren't its friends).
Killing trees and production process aside, I really like paper. While fragile, it also seems to have lasting value. Dropping it doesn't destroy it, and it can't be wiped out by an EMP (though fire and water aren't its friends).
Friday, May 21, 2010
P - Prom
Prom: thing, event
I only went to prom my senior year. I went because I wanted an excuse to go to Red Lobster for dinner (because I'm classy). Luckily, I went with a good friend and had a lot of fun (there was a Limo, and, yes, Red Lobster). The theme was "Moondance" like the Van Morrison song, which was very fortunate, as the following year was, I believe, some sort of miserable "Titanic" theme. For after-prom, a few friends came over to my house and we watched "Catch-22".
I've been a Prom Chaperone for the past few years. Until now it's been an easy gig. Wear a Suit, get fed well, sit on a balcony at a country club and prevent kids from getting their Prom Swerve On on the golf-course fairway. This year, though, it's On A Boat in Baltimore.
I only went to prom my senior year. I went because I wanted an excuse to go to Red Lobster for dinner (because I'm classy). Luckily, I went with a good friend and had a lot of fun (there was a Limo, and, yes, Red Lobster). The theme was "Moondance" like the Van Morrison song, which was very fortunate, as the following year was, I believe, some sort of miserable "Titanic" theme. For after-prom, a few friends came over to my house and we watched "Catch-22".
I've been a Prom Chaperone for the past few years. Until now it's been an easy gig. Wear a Suit, get fed well, sit on a balcony at a country club and prevent kids from getting their Prom Swerve On on the golf-course fairway. This year, though, it's On A Boat in Baltimore.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
G - Guitar, Electric
Guitar, Electric: thing
I have two electric guitars. One is a Fender Telecaster 50th Anniversary 1969 Thinline reissue (semi-hollow body, mahogany, maple neck and fretboard... and the pickguard is starting to warp). I bought it after high school with graduation money. It plays nicely and it sounds good, and is really loud when unplugged.
The other electric I have is a half-size guitar that looks like a Strat that got hit with a shrink ray. It was put together my my friend's dad. They let me borrow it when I went to Wales so I'd have something to play (through my PigNose). I've nicknamed it "The Hatchet" because it's too little to properly be called an "Axe"
I have two electric guitars. One is a Fender Telecaster 50th Anniversary 1969 Thinline reissue (semi-hollow body, mahogany, maple neck and fretboard... and the pickguard is starting to warp). I bought it after high school with graduation money. It plays nicely and it sounds good, and is really loud when unplugged.
The other electric I have is a half-size guitar that looks like a Strat that got hit with a shrink ray. It was put together my my friend's dad. They let me borrow it when I went to Wales so I'd have something to play (through my PigNose). I've nicknamed it "The Hatchet" because it's too little to properly be called an "Axe"
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
W - Wales
Wales: place
I did study-abroad at the University of North Wales, Bangor in the fall of 1999. I chose Wales for two reasons. One was due to ancestry, the other was that no one ever thinks of Wales. At least not that much in the USA. Everyone knows England, and Ireland and Scotland have been romanticized and commodified to death, but Wales is kind of the forgotten underdog, and I liked that. I took 3 Welsh history classes, two music classes and a Welsh language class.
Wales, at least the northern part, had every shade of Green and Grey imaginable. It also has some of the coolest castles (Though historically they were built by the English to trap the Welsh in the mountains).
One of the things that helped me make my decision to move to Maryland was that the School I work at used the Welsh Flag as their emblem (despite having a Scottish Name), though I was disappointed recently when our new mascot costume was unveiled (a cartoony version of Y Ddraig Goch) and it was introduced as having "just flown in from Scotland".
I did study-abroad at the University of North Wales, Bangor in the fall of 1999. I chose Wales for two reasons. One was due to ancestry, the other was that no one ever thinks of Wales. At least not that much in the USA. Everyone knows England, and Ireland and Scotland have been romanticized and commodified to death, but Wales is kind of the forgotten underdog, and I liked that. I took 3 Welsh history classes, two music classes and a Welsh language class.
Wales, at least the northern part, had every shade of Green and Grey imaginable. It also has some of the coolest castles (Though historically they were built by the English to trap the Welsh in the mountains).
One of the things that helped me make my decision to move to Maryland was that the School I work at used the Welsh Flag as their emblem (despite having a Scottish Name), though I was disappointed recently when our new mascot costume was unveiled (a cartoony version of Y Ddraig Goch) and it was introduced as having "just flown in from Scotland".
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
P - Paint Ball
Paint Ball: activity
I've only played paint ball once in my life. It taught me two things: 1) I'd never make it as a soldier and 2)even though I'm not a huge gun fan, paintball is fun. I didn't have any camo to wear, so I had a bright colored longsleeve tie-dye shirt (the only longsleeves I could wear in the summer). I think I'd like it more if I were only playing with people I knew. I was with a group for a bachelor party, so I knew a lot of the people, but there were also regulars playing (the kinds with their own gear that play all the time) which decreased the fun for me. I'm sure I pissed them off too because I had no idea what I was doing. I also remember getting flanked and being shot in the neck (which left a welt). I think I'd like to do it again sometime.
I've only played paint ball once in my life. It taught me two things: 1) I'd never make it as a soldier and 2)even though I'm not a huge gun fan, paintball is fun. I didn't have any camo to wear, so I had a bright colored longsleeve tie-dye shirt (the only longsleeves I could wear in the summer). I think I'd like it more if I were only playing with people I knew. I was with a group for a bachelor party, so I knew a lot of the people, but there were also regulars playing (the kinds with their own gear that play all the time) which decreased the fun for me. I'm sure I pissed them off too because I had no idea what I was doing. I also remember getting flanked and being shot in the neck (which left a welt). I think I'd like to do it again sometime.
Monday, May 17, 2010
S - South Africa
South Africa: place
I used to know a lot about South Africa's history and music. Okay, maybe not a lot, but a decent amount. I became interested in South African history during the very first class I took in college (Survey of Southern African History) which I decided to take because I had recently re-discovered Paul Simon's "Graceland" album. I ended up taking more classes in college and writing my Senior Seminar research paper on protest implications of music in South Africa. I've forgotten a lot of what I used to know, as I didn't pursue it much after graduation, but recently I've decided to relearn what I can.
I have never been to South Africa. Since it's in Africa one probably needs many shots to travel there.
SEE ALSO: Graceland, college, guitar
I used to know a lot about South Africa's history and music. Okay, maybe not a lot, but a decent amount. I became interested in South African history during the very first class I took in college (Survey of Southern African History) which I decided to take because I had recently re-discovered Paul Simon's "Graceland" album. I ended up taking more classes in college and writing my Senior Seminar research paper on protest implications of music in South Africa. I've forgotten a lot of what I used to know, as I didn't pursue it much after graduation, but recently I've decided to relearn what I can.
I have never been to South Africa. Since it's in Africa one probably needs many shots to travel there.
SEE ALSO: Graceland, college, guitar
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