Things Are Looking Up

Over the last few weeks, a lot of things have come together to improve my general state of being and rejuvenate me. I still miss Jenni... but I'm finally starting to come out of the shell I've kept myself in for the last 11 months. And just like everyone told me, I've had to force myself to get out. Setting a few New Years resolutions and actually trying to stick to them has really helped... even though I have really only felt half-successful, I've at least been working at them. I'm out and about more, I've been reading for class now that I'm focusing on college, and I've lost a few pounds. I can't claim victory yet, but at least I've won the first few battles.

Among the things picking me up...

• I've reestablished a ton of old connections with people I haven't talked to in years. Granted, many of these have just been Facebook chats and/or phone calls, but touching base with old friends has been good for me.
• Even though leaving CVHS was tough, the reactions of my coworkers and students has been positive. It may sound strange and even a bit selfish, but it feels good to know that I'm missed. I hope things work out so that I'll be able to return in the fall as a counselor.
• I'm coaching basketball again, something I'm really not good at but that I enjoy immensely.
• I skipped ahead in one of my counseling books and read everything on death and grieving. I didn't really think I was ready for it, but I did it anyway... and I think it helped more than it hurt.

In any case, I've started having these moments of actual happiness. They're fleeting, and I still feel kind of numb most of the time, but just that they're happening has to be a good sign. Next month (maybe even next weekend), I might be looking back at this post thinking about how crazy I must have been to think things were looking up, but I guess that's okay. For now, I'm just enjoying the fresh air. If I need to hide in the shell again, at least I'll be less apprehensive about re-emerging next time.

Read more...

Funny Websites

I've been a fan of failblog.org ever since Layne pointed it out to me some time ago. It is a great way to spend time laughing at stupid mistakes people have made. My personal favorite failblog.org video at the moment is this guy. I'd like to know if he managed to get out without help... OUCH...

Last night, Lyndsey pointed me to another great website: www.peopleofwalmart.com. As you can imagine, it is hilarious. However, it is not for the faint of heart. If you are frightened by mullets or scantily clad (ugly) women, do not follow that link! If you can overcome your disgust enough to roll around in the floor laughing, ENJOY!

Read more...

Lil Wayne = Proof of Rap Music's Decline

[Begin Rant]

Ever since late high school, my interest in music has slowly but steadily been drifting away from rap. Have I found something I like more? Not really. I still enjoy 90's rap more than any other era/genre of music. The problem is that I have been woefully unimpressed with so many songs that have been released in the last decade... and disgusted with the stupidity of so many of the most popular artists of recent years.

I miss the days when rappers actually showed a little bit of intelligence. How about the vocabulary and extended rhymes we got from 2pac?

• "let me start of with my conversation, hoping my information alleviates the hesitation" (apparently, elyrics.net didn't learn the vocabulary lesson... their page shows eleviates instead of alleviates... pathetic)
• "the anticipation of love makin' got you shakin' when I'm standin' near ya"
• "driven by my ambition, desire higher positions so I proceed to make G's eternally, and my mission is to be more than just a rap musician, the elevation of today's generation if I can make 'em listen"

Lil Wayne is a perfect example of how stupidity has crept in. It has always been there, but not usually from artists whose songs consistently top the charts. I happened to hear "Let it Rock" last night and actually took the time to think about a few of the things Lil Wayne said...

• "big a** rocks like on the ground" - You're a real genius there, Mr. Wayne. Nice simile. Big rocks... like the ones on the ground... whoah... I'm blown away by your lyrical skillz.
• "period, like the remainda" - Brilliant! Well, except for one thing... there aren't any periods involved when you calculate the remainder. If I remember correctly, that's second grade math.

Obviously, our education system failed this poor sap. Comparing Lil Wayne to 2pac isn't quite fair, though. Pac had songs that were meaningful and popular... if Wayne has any meaningful songs at all, they're hidden somewhere far away from his hit singles (which have been garbage). And 2pac never made similes a significant part of his lyrics, so it is difficult to find direct comparisons when I'm mainly pointing out how Lil Wayne's similes just don't make sense. I wouldn't want to insult the man and support my insult by comparing apples to oranges. So who makes significant use of similes and actually uses them effectively? Ludacris...

• you punks pucker and pout, bicker and babble, now they all lost for words like I beat 'em in Scrabble
• ya'll got it all wrong like women in tuxedos, and comin' up shorter than five Danny Devitos

These similes actually make sense, and there's even a little alliteration thrown in for good measure. Best of all, Ludacris is popular enough and current enough to displace Lil Wayne's flooding of radio airtime. So when is Luda going to come out with another big hit so I'll have a reason to listen to a rap station again? Not soon enough...

Here's hoping for a rap renaissance that brings intelligence and social issues to the forefront. Seriously, let's at least bring intelligence and social issues back into the picture...

[End Rant]

Read more...