Dear Hippo...

11 2009 albums

2010-02-06T19:25:00.000-08:00

These are the albums I bought in 2009 from 2009, and what I thought of them. In order from best to worst.

1. Mumford & Sons – Sigh No More (9.5/10)
I have no idea how this band manages to do what they do to me. This album is absolutely fantastic from start to finish with it’s beautiful honest lyrics, great melodies completed with a banjo. Can’t wait to see what they come out with next.
Favourite songs: The Cave, Dustbowl Dance, Roll Away Your Stone, Little Lion Man, Awake My Soul, the whole flipping album.

2. Muse – The Resistance (9/10)
Every single track on this album reminds you of how great these musicians are. This is really just as good as their previous album Black Holes and Revelations, which is a lot to achieve in itself. The Exogenesis Symphony is made of so much win.
Favourite Songs: Unnatural Selection, Uprising, The Exogenesis Symphony

3. Owl City – Ocean Eyes (8.5/10)
Took me a while to get into Owl City, but it seemed I finally saw what was great in him at about the same time mainstream did. His songs are cute and deep, simple and catchy.
Favourite Songs: Meteor Shower, Bird and the Worm, Fireflies.

4. David Crowder*Band – Church Music (8.5/10)
Best worship album since, to be honest, David Crowder’s A Collision. In fact, it’s probably better. Apparently it simultaneously tells the history of church music. The experience you get from immersing yourself in this album is just great.
Favourite Songs: Gold Almighty, None Compares; Oh, Happiness!; How He Loves; The Nearness; The Veil

5. Art Vs Science – EP (8/10)
Seriously so much fun. I cannot wait to see these guys live. Unfortunately this is just an EP and only has five songs. It just leaves you wanting more. If their first album is as good as this one, watch out world.
Favourite Song: Parlez Vous Francias?, Flippers, Hollywood.

6. Relient K – Forget And Not Slow Down (8/10)
They have a new sound, and while I like it I do also miss their pop-punk roots. But nevertheless, this is a great rock album and I think This Is The End (If You Want It) actually made me cry on first listen. A huge step up from Five Score and Seven Years Ago, but not surpassing Mmhmm.
Favourite Songs: Sahara, Candlelight, Part of It, I Don’t Need A Soul.

7. Paramore – Brand New Eyes (7/10)
I get a lot of enjoyment out of this album, which surprises me. Didn’t really think of myself as a fan. Only complaint is that the songs all end up sounding the same. And that’s not because I haven’t listened to it enough to distinguish the songs, it’s because they all sound the same. =P
Favourite Songs: Careful, Ignorance, Playing God, Brick by Boring Brick.

8. Powderfinger – Golden Rule (6.5/10)
A good effort from the Finger, much better than Dream Days at the Hotel Existence. But it isn’t great like Vulture Street or Odyssey Number 5. I still listen to those two albums more than this one.
Favourite Songs: All of the Dreamers, A Fight About Money, Jewel.

9. Jars of Clay – The Long Fall Back To Earth (6/10)
I wouldn’t say I’m losing faith in Jars of Clay, nor that they’re losing touch even. But what I like about Jars of Clay is no longer there. I like the beautiful poetic lyrics that are brutally honest. Take Worlds Apart, Frail or This Road as great examples. The album has a bunch of good songs, but it’s probably my least favourite from them.
Favourite Songs: Closer, Heart, Boys (Lesson One), Hero.

10. Evermore – Truth of the World: Welcome to the Show (5/10)
A great concept for an album, it’s all about mass media and propaganda and all that. But unfortunately the songs are just quite weak. Some are really catchy but the novelty does wear off. It only really works if you listen to the whole album, and when I try to do that now I just find myself getting bored of it.
Favourite Songs: Hey Boys and Girls (Truth of the World, Pt 2), Everybody’s Doing It, Between The Lines.

11. Rob Thomas – Cradlesong (4.5/10)
I expect so much more from Rob Thomas to be honest than what’s on this album. I absolutely love his work with Matchbox Twenty but apparently he can’t follow suit by himself. Some of the songs are good, but the whole album is just missing something. It’s pretty personal, maybe I just can’t relate to the album.
Favourite Songs: Her Diamonds, Mockingbird.

Top 10 songs of the decade.

2009-12-31T09:27:00.000-08:00

This is my opinion of the top 10 songs of the decade 2000-2009. Mainly personal opinion, but I did do a bit of research into what other people and publications thought were the best. Not necessarily my favourite songs, or songs I even listen to often. But I admit #1 is only #1 because I think it's the greatest song ever written <3 hahaha.

10. Coldplay - Yellow

9. Mogwai – Friend Of The Night

8. Sufjan Stevens – Chicago

7. Bright Eyes – Road To Joy

6. Sam Hart – Mario Kart Love Song

5. Arcade Fire – Wake Up

4. The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army

3. Eminem – Stan

2. Daft Punk – Harder Better Faster Stronger

1. The Killers – Mr Brightside

2009-12-29T20:56:00.000-08:00

For the past month or so I've been playing Final Fantasy IX. I've made it my goal to have finished each of the numbered FF games (1-13) by the end of next year. (excluding XI, because it's online. I may replace it with X-2, we'll see how we go) I wanted to finish FFIX before the end of the year, which I've done. And it knocks VIII of its pedestal of 'Best Final Fantasy Game' and then poops all over it from the top.

Okay not quite, VIII is a fantastic game. But IX I think is just better. I heard it say that VIII is the emo teenager of the group, and that's probably true. It's filled with as much teenage angst as a song by My Chemical Romance. But that's good. I think the contrast from VII and VIII to IX makes it as great as it is.

The main character, Zidane, is a happy, out-there, womanizing thief with a monkey tail. Compare this to Squall and Cloud from the previous two games, who are all quiet, reserved 'lone-wolf' types (for the most part, anyway). The previous two are in worlds of 'Fantasy meets Technology', where both magic and science combine to create this unique sort of world. IX is a more traditional medieval fantasy setting. It was the refreshing game the series needed at this time, and it was perfectly placed and produced fantastically.

I think what drives this game most are the characters. You can't help but hopelessly fall in love with them in the very beginning. Zidane the womanizing thief. Garnet the young princess who wanted to be kidnapped. Steiner her up-tight, clumsy knight. Vivi the cute little black mage. Zorn and Thorn, the court jesters who, for some reason, remind me of Shakespeare. Then you get to know them and it's like you were trapped from the very beginning, you can't help but care for them and everything. They were all developed really well and I think it's the game's strongest point.

The storyline is another strong point. It's very deep and winding and everything sort of fits together in the end. And for a light-hearted game, it got quite dark in parts. But it wouldn't have worked as well as it did if it wasn't for those little moments. And it tackles some really deep questions. What is our purpose in life, what is death, etc.

The music, as per normal, is fantastic. It took me a while to really get into it, but there ended up being some great tracks which fit perfectly with certain scenes and certain characters. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Nobuo Uematsu is a genius.

The weakest part was probably just the gameplay, I'd say. And this isn't even a huge complaint. At time the random encounter battles just got plain annoying. You just wanted to get out of the freaking dungeon and get some story knocked over or something. Plus some of the normal battles were really quite hard. I'm used to just mindlessly attacking my way through dungeons, but I actually had to put some thought into these battles. Well done!

So yeah, overall I think it's my favourite Final Fantasy game. Next on the list is VI, unless XIII comes out before I get my hands on it. IX is definitely the game I will be directing Final Fantasy noobs to from now on.

There will be spoilers in this part. You're warned.
Favourite Characters:

1. Vivi
Vivi is quite probably not only the best character in the game, but the best character in the entire series. He is a small cute black mage who gets caught up in the part somehow. When they visit the village of Dali, they find out that black mages are being manufactured as soulless weapons of war. Vivi obviously is very effected by that and receives a lot of grief from townspeople who claim his people destroyed their home. Eventually the party find a village of black mages who escaped, learned how to talk and created a small community. Vivi finds outs that black mages are 'stopping' (dying) as they were only created with a limited lifespan of a year. Vivi has to fight with this knowledge that he won't be around for much longer while trying to discover why he was created. He's easily the most relatable character in the game and often times you just want to hug him and say "I know what it's like, I've been through this too." In the ending cinematic (mega spoiler time) you see everyone else, including Vivi's children, but not Vivi. I'm lead to believe that he stopped, which absolutely breaks my heart while simeltaneously making him the best character in the franchise.

2. Kuja
Kuja is the primary antagonist of the game. At first you think he's just the usual sort of deal, guy has a huge ego problem and thinks he can take over the world. But he's a great villian: he monologues (with some beautiful ones in there), has a God-complex, is smart and has the resources to be able to fulfill his plans. When you go to Terra, a different world, you learn the full story (again, spoilers): Garland was created to look after Terra and in order for Terra to survive it needs to assimilate with another world, in this case Gaia, the one where everyone lives. Kuja was created by Garland so that he could merge the two worlds. So really you end up getting this kinda sympathetic view of Kuja. He's not a psychopath, he's just doing what he was made to do. In the end it turns out he is a bit of a psychopath, though. Garland tells him that Zidane was Kuja's replacement and that Kuja is in fact mortal and will die. Kuja can't accept this and basically says "If I can't live, no one can live. That would be unfair." so he destroys Terra. Then he goes to Gaia to destroy this Crystal which is the beginning and end of everything, it is basically life and death. But again, you get this sympathetic view of him when he realises what life actually is, when he is about to die. He's knocked out of this god-complex he has and sees what life actually is. He teleports the party to safety, keeping them all alive.

3. Beatrix
Beatrix is the a general of the Alexandrian army. She's very strong, a great fighter, known throughout the land, all that cliche stuff. She is loyal to the Queen even when she was being corrupted by Kuja, until Queen Brahne tries to kill Garnet. Beatrix then becomes a mostly non-playable protagonist, helping the party protect the princess. Though despite being such a strong female in the story, you also get to know everything that goes on in her mind. And inside she's very lonely, lost between serving the Queen and doing what is moral, troubled by all these things. All her emotions are very open for the player to see. In a big way she's the character which emphasises that you can be a great person, but in the end you're still human. Something that Kuja just couldn't grasp.
Also, Steiner and Beatrix end up falling in love. An unlikely couple, they used to be rivals, but she is perfect for him. He needs a strong woman to keep him in line. It's so cute. hahaha.

Favourite Songs:

Rose of May

You're Not Alone!

The Dark Messenger

Song from her Memories

The Turtles.

2009-12-22T18:57:00.000-08:00

I had an awesome dream last night and thought it would be a great children's story. So I wrote it up.

The Turtles.

Once upon a time there was a baby turtle named John. John was very small, even for a turtle his age, but was very friendly.

One day, when he was becoming a bit older, John’s dad talked to him about finding a partner turtle.
“You have to go out into the big world and find yourself a girl turtle!” said John’s dad.
John didn’t want to go outside. After all, the world was a big place and he was only a small turtle. “I don’t want to go, dad! Why do I have to?” asked John.
“So that you can have children, just like your mother and I did! That’s how you were born!” said John’s dad.

John figured that it was a good idea now as he quite liked being born. So the next day, John said goodbye to his mum and his dad and his brothers and left home to find a girl turtle.

After a day, John had had no luck finding a girl turtle. He had only found two other turtles and they were both boys. They lived in a big amusement park named DreamWorld, it looked like lots of fun and John wanted to go there. John started to feel a bit dry, so he found a big pond nearby and went for a swim. After his swim, he went to lie on the bank so he could sleep.

He laid there for only a minute when he saw another turtle coming his way! And this time it was a girl turtle! She was very pretty, but had a big crack in her shell. John came out of his shell and waited for the girl turtle to pass him. When she was passing him, John made his move.
“Hi, I’m John!” he said as she walked in front of him.
The girl turtle turned to him and said “Hi John, my name is Elizabeth. Nice to meet you!”
“You too!” replied John. “I was wondering if you have ever been to DreamWorld?”
“No, I haven’t!” said Elizabeth. “But I really want to go, it looks like lots of fun!”
“Let’s go right now then!” John said.
So John and Elizabeth both walked to the amusement park together, talking and laughing along the way.

When they got to DreamWorld, it was all closed up because it was night time. They walked under the gate and it began to rain, which was good because they were both feeling really dry after the big walk. They swam in the puddles, walked along the rollercoaster tracks and ate lots of yummy food.

When they were about to leave, John told Elizabeth about what his dad told him.
“My dad said that I need to find a girl turtle so I can have baby turtles!” said John.
Elizabeth was shocked. “Yes, my mum told me the same thing! She told me I had to find a boy turtle to have children with!”
So John and Elizabeth decided they would be together. They found a place in the rafters to live. John didn’t like it, but Elizabeth insisted they live here.

Eventually Elizabeth laid some eggs. She would take care of the eggs, covering them with grass and leaves to keep them warm. John would go out at night and find some food left on the ground in DreamWorld to bring back to Elizabeth.

One day a bit later, the eggs hatched! There were two boys and one girl, who they named Jackson, John II and Katie. John and Elizabeth loved their children very much and were very happy together.

After two months, it had not rained a single time! All the water around the place had begun to disappear and all the turtles felt very dry. Elizabeth was feeling very weak nowadays and spent most of her time asleep in her shell. John came over to her and Elizabeth came out of her shell and asked him why he woke her up.
“We need to find some water or else we are going to die!” said John.
“But I cannot move, and either can the children. We are all very weak.” Said Elizabeth.
“If we do not get to water soon, we will die!” yelled John. He was very worried about himself and his family.
“Then go by yourself, because we cannot go anywhere. We will wait for the rain.” Elizabeth said back.
So John left Elizabeth and their children in order to find some water. Elizabeth was very upset, but she remained confident that it would rain soon.

Many night passed and no rain had come. Elizabeth was nearly about to die and just had to say goodbye to all her children. Elizabeth decided to use her last bit of energy to go down to the ground and into a bush to eat something. When she got down to the bottom she had no more energy left so she laid down on the side of the path.

Along came a human named Mathew. He saw the dead turtle and was very sad. He picked Elizabeth up and walked to the closest bush to put her in. As Mathew was walking with Elizabeth in his hand, it began to rain! As he put Elizabeth down in the dirt, he noticed that the turtle was moving a little bit. He picked the turtle up and said to it “You’re not dead!”
“No, I’m not dead!” replied Elizabeth. “Although I almost was, I was just lucky the rain came. My name is Elizabeth!”
“My name is Mathew.” he said. “Why are you in DreamWorld all by yourself?”

Elizabeth told Mathew everything. She told him about meeting John, about having fun with him in DreamWorld, about having children and about John leaving her to find water. She told him that she was very upset and wanted to find another turtle so she could start another family.

“Well, okay then!” said Mathew. “Let’s go and find you another turtle!”
Mathew began walking around DreamWorld with Elizabeth in his hand when she said “I don’t want to live in DreamWorld anymore.”
“Why not?” Asked Mathew.
“I realise now that it was a bad idea living here. It is very dry and the air smells funny.” Said Elizabeth.
“How do you know it smells funny?”
“Because I can smell the outside air on your hand, and it smells nice.”

So Mathew and Elizabeth began to go outside. On the handrail on the steps they found another turtle! So Mathew placed Elizabeth on the handrail and she went over to the other turtle.
“Hi, my name is Elizabeth! It’s nice to see another turtle around here!”
“Hi, Elizabeth” replied the other turtle. “My name is Heath! It sure is nice now that it is raining.”
Elizabeth told Heath about what had happened, and that she was looking for another turtle to start a family with. Heath was scared because she was very upfront and Heath was shy. Elizabeth kept pushing Heath until he accidentally fell off the handrail! It wasn’t a very long fall, but she heard his shell crack a little, not badly though.

“See, now we are meant to be together!” said Elizabeth. She showed Heath the crack in her shell and it looked exactly like the one in Heath’s shell.
“Okay then.” Said Heath. “Let’s find a home.”

So the two turtles found a home by a pond and had five children. It was always wet at the pond with plenty of food. And they lived happily ever after.

iTunes Quiz Thingy

2009-09-10T08:14:00.000-07:00

How many songs in total?
980

Sort by Song Title; What are the first and last songs?
First: Absolutely (Story of a Girl) - Nine Days
Last: 9000 Miles - Pendulum

Sort by Artist; what are the first and last artists?
First: Anberlin
Last: Zachary Sterling

Sort by Time; what are the first and last songs?
Shortest: Crayons Can Melt On Us For All I Care - Relient K (0:12)
Longest: Darkness and Starlight - The Black Mages (15:23)

Sort by Album; what are the first and last albums?
First: Adagio, by Sweetbox
Last: Yourself or Someone Like You, Matchbox Twenty

Top 5 Played Songs:
1. The Killers - Mr Brightside (174 plays)
2. The Killers - Read My Mind (164 plays)
3. The Killers - Midnight Show (152 plays)
4. The Killers - Human (139 plays)
5. The Killers - Believe Me Natalie (127 plays)

Find “sex” – how many songs show up?
13. I would like to point out that these results are entirely from Justin Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveSounds album, except for a single song from Language. Sex. Violence. Other?, by the Stereophonics.

Find “death” – how many songs show up?
23. Mainly songs by Death Cab for Cutie, or from Coldplay's album 'Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends'.

Find “love” – how many songs show up?
51. Because I love love.

Try and put as many letters as you can into the search, with spaces in between each letter, if one letter takes all the selections out, skip it, and continue, until you’ve got as many as possible.

What song is left?
Jamiroquai - Love Foolosophy

What Letters were used?
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v y

This quiz is awesome because it makes my iTunes library seem so much more diverse than what it is :)

GMH

2009-08-28T22:55:00.000-07:00

I've always had friend issues. I'm the kinda person who constantly worries about things like if his friends actually like him, actually care for him, actually want to know me and want to hang around me. I'm paranoid that my friends aren't actually my friends, I worry that I force myself on people and that I'm only invited to things if I'm within earshot of people at the time they were organising it. Basically, as I said in the first sentence, I have friend issues.

I think it's because I wouldn't want to be my friend. Although I try my hardest to be friendly, to have fun and to really put effort into my friendships, I don't feel as if I've got anything to offer them. I'm quite picky with my friends too, I surround myself with people who are determined, driven, confident and generally pretty happy and fun. Most of these things I'm not. And although I try and use them to bring me up, most of the time I feel as if I'm bringing them down.

I have many groups of friends: church, course, online, etc. I have friend issues with people in all these groups, for different reasons. But there's one group who prove to me over and over again that they actually want to be my friends. That's my high school friends.

Today it was about 9:30am and I was just lying in bed awake. I got a phone call from a friend and it went like this

"Hey bud"
"Get out of bed, you're coming to the beach."
"...But I'm in bed."
"I don't care, you're coming to the beach."
"You don't understand, I'm in bed."
"Look. We'll be at your house in ten minutes. If you're not on your doorstep in boardies at that time, we're pulling you out of bed."

And he hung up.

This single conversation pretty much epitomises friendship for me. He called me, invited me out, knew what I was doing before I told him, so many things which made me know that I was valued. This isn't the only thing, my high school friends are virtually the only people who invite me out to things, who I do things on a regular basis with, who I feel actually want me as a friend. There are exceptions in the other groups, people who I feel value me, but for the most part I miss this feeling in other groups.

I wonder what it is. Is it the fact I was there from the very beginning with the formation of high school friendship group, whereas I've joined other groups? Nah I was there at the formation of YMIS group, and I've been at the church for quite a while. There's always the Christian factor. As much as I don't like to admit it, some of the most judgmental people I know are Christians. Even though we're called not to be. It's funny, we're all accepting of those in other Social classes, such as the disabled or at-risk or unfortunate. But when it comes to people in our OWN social class, Christians hold no reservations in judging people it seems.

So basically, my high school friends Give Me Hope.

Anberlin

2009-08-26T09:04:00.000-07:00

So tomorrow I'm seeing Anberlin. I am so mega-excited.

When I saw the Killers I like did this thing of my expectations of what they're going to play and stuff. I'm doing the same here, see how close I get.

These songs they'll definitely play:
Paperthin Hymn
Godspeed
Feel Good Drag
Never Take Friendship Personal
Adelaide
Breaking
Change the World

These songs they better play or I'm gonna kill a baby:
A Day Late
Dismantle. Repair.
Time & Confusion
Hello Alone
Glass to the Arson
The Resistance
Stationary Stationery (My favourite Anberlin song)
Disappear
Blame Me! Blame Me!
A Whisper & A Clamor

These songs if they play I'll be so happy but I'm not particularly expecting them to:
Audrey, Start the Revolution!
Haight Street
Dance, Dance, Christa Paffgen
Cadence
Soft Skeletons
Naive Orleans
The Runaways
The 16 bit remix of Glass to the Arson. =P

Make sure I update with the set so I can forever remember it. <3

Introduction

2009-08-17T07:33:00.001-07:00

Boy: I wish there was a way I could express it.
Girl: What do you mean?
Boy: Well actually, there is one way.
Girl: What?
Boy: You'd hate me for it.
Girl: Tell me.
Boy: No.
Girl: Tell me.
Boy: No.
Girl: Tell me.
Boy: No, I'd regret it forever.
Girl: What is it?
Boy: You don't want to know.
Girl: Yes I do.
Boy: Why?
Girl: Because I think I want to do it too.
Boy: What?
Girl: Assuming we're thinking of the same thing.
Boy: Which is?
Girl: No.
Boy: Tell me.
Girl: No.
Boy: Tell me.
Girl: You tell me.
Boy: Fine, I want to kiss you.
Girl: Do it.
Boy: No.
Girl: I dare you.
Boy: No.
Girl: Why not?
Boy: I'd regret it.
Girl: No you wouldn't.
Boy: Shut up. You'd regret it.
Girl: No I wouldn't.
Boy: Yes you would, I know you would.
Girl: I'd regret it more if we didn't.
Boy: You're not making this easy for me.
Girl: I thought I was taking a rather direct route actually.
Boy: You are, but you're making it awkward.
Girl: Am I?
Boy: Yes.
Girl: Really? Because if we had it my way it would all be over and done with by now.
Boy: Yes, but I get to savour the moment with my way.
Girl: Would you hurry up and kiss me already?
Boy: Fine. No tongue.
Girl: No tongue.

Contender

2009-08-12T08:15:00.000-07:00

Today was a contender for the "Best Day of My Life" competition I run with myself. Other finalists include my first day in Disneyland, the day I saw the Killers, the day I arrived in Sydney for AusOne and my year 12 formal night. And nothing big happened today, it's just everything I'd want in a normal month rolled into 24 hours. It was seriously amazing.

So as the day started at midnight, I'll start it from there. I hadn't gone to sleep yet but five of my friends were over and we were playing Warcraft 3: Frozen Throne. I have lots of fun at LAN parties and that finished at about 3am when I went to sleep.

I woke up at 10 and went to a friend's house, where we chilled for an hour then headed to the cinemas. We sang along to Relient K loudly in the car. We had car-races through David Jones. We had KFC for lunch. The movie we saw was The Ugly Truth, which I enjoyed so much. I laughed and smiled a lot and it put me in a really good mood.

I came home for a little, had a few quick chats with some online friends before having to duck out again. I went to see a play my friend was in. It was an adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird, in which my friend played Mayella Violet Ewell. She did an amazing job and I really enjoyed all the plays that they had.

Also, while at the school, I got recognised. I'm actually not embarrassed when this happens, in fact I love it. I was recognised by liv (http://youtube.com/livontoast). We're friendly with each other, but never really had the chance to talk at all. I want this to change. Anyway we only talked for quite literally a minute or two, I think she was expecting to be picked up from school at any second. =P This put me in a wonderful mood.

After the plays I went straight to the snooker bar where I played pool with a few friends. And to make it even better, I made new friends! That really, really makes my day so incredible. Afterward we all went to Maccas and just chatted. And even though my 'new friends' managed to find out about my YouTube ongoings within a few hours of meeting me, I had so much fun here. One of the girls is also a huge Harry Potter fanatic like me, so we spent most of the time fangirling over that.

And now I'm home. Maybe that doesn't seem like such an amazing day to you, but I tell you that I'm currently in the best mood I've been in for a very long time. This day has been magical. :)

blagosfyre.

2009-05-25T19:28:00.000-07:00

Howdy gang.

As most of you probably know by now, I've been away for the last few weeks. If you want me to go into more detail about it, with the course I'm doing we need to have some sort of experience with people of another culture. So for 2 weeks we went to an aboriginal community in the Queensland Outback and really helped out where ever was needed. We did teacher-aide work, ran an after-school program, cleaned up the school, and built relationships with the community. If you don't want to know more about it, then unread the last couple of sentences.

The trip was a whole lot of fun. Not only was it great gaining experience working with Aboriginal children, it was a good time to get to know lots of really awesome people from my course. To the right is a photo of the entire Dajarra Primary School and our group. The fact that I'm already incredibly white because I never get out combined with all the dark people in the photo makes me look like a ghost. I love especially Shontelle, the girl in the front hugging Brendon, and Sharndon, the first grader in the front with the awesome hair.

While I was in Dajarra, it was my 19th birthday. It was one of my best birthdays to date. Without me even knowing, all the others guys in my group managed to bake me a birthday cake and we had a mini-party. Also, the kids found out it was my birthday so they spent the day singing (yelling?) happy birthday to me whenever they saw me. It was really nice having other people getting excited about my birthday instead of me trying to get everyone else excited about it.

When I got back from my trip, my mum gave me a gift which you can see the to the left. It's a photo of my baptism in a nice photo frame which says "Confirmed in Christ". I was baptised on Easter Sunday of this year, for your information.

This is the loveliest gift I've ever recieved. My family are all not religious, so it means a lot to me that they'd recognise such an important step in my faith and frame it for me. It still makes me smile every time I look at it as much as I did when they gave it to me.

Anyway, I have to do an assignment on the cross-cultural trip and it's due on Friday. But I leave for Melbourne on Thursday, so I have to get it done by Wednesday, which is tomorrow. Suddenly you see why I'm here. That's right, procrastination strikes again.

True, I need to submit it online and therefore could do it while down in Melbourne. But honestly, who wants to be cooped up writing an assignment when they could be hanging out with internet-famous celebrities? Me, obviously.

Seeing as I've just mentioned it, I may as well dive into it. This weekend in Melbourne there's a Nerdfighter gathering and a Meet & Greet John Green/Reading of Paper Towns. If you can make it, come along! It's going to be a fun time full of camera-rocking nerd jokes and awesome.

Unfortunately for me, I won't be able to attend the Nerdfighter gathering on Saturday even though I'll be in the state. The original reason I was going down to Melbourne was because my church wanted me to go to this conference thing, which is on the Friday/Saturday. It's just convenient that John Green is in town that weekend. But I'll definitely be there on the Sunday and I'm sticking around until Tuesday. Let me know somehow if you want to catch up.

In unrelated news, the other night I bought the Midnight Juggernaut's album Dystopia from iTunes. I downloaded it based off two songs I had heard which I liked, a friend telling me it was 'good', and a little incling that told me it'd be worth the risk. I was a little nervous because the last album I bought of iTunes for the same reasons (Plans, by Death Cab for Cutie) was quite average and I didn't want to waste my money. (luckily, I bought Plans off a voucher I was given so technically didn't waste any money. It's an alright album, don't get me wrong, but I think it relies to heavily on I Will Follow You Into the Dark to make it a good album.)

Dystopia completely blew me away from the very first listen. It's totally amazing and worth buying. It's their only album to date, but when they release another I will be getting it, no doubt. Highly reccomended. Really digging Shadows, Twenty Thousand Leagues and the two songs I had heard previous to buying it, Road to Recovery and Into the Galaxy.

That's all from me, I'll get back to doing my assignment. Ugh. :)

K

2009-04-28T22:23:00.001-07:00

Sorry I missed yesterday, I honestly didn't have a spare moment. =P

2. Relient K

Relient K are the band I relate to the most and for all reasons should be my very favourite, but for some reason aren't. I like them because their songs about self-improvment. As you'll see some of my favourite songs by them are about being lazy, taming the tongue, self-esteem, etc. But they just don't complain about life like most bands seem to do today, they say "well this is an issue in me which I've noticed and this is my journey through it." It's beautiful, really. Matthew Theissen is nothing short of a genius. They also get 15 songs because they're awesome.

15. I So Hate Consequences.
This song is on the Mmhmm album. If you could only ever buy one album on this planet, I would suggest Mmhmm. It's brilliant from start to finish. I So Hate Consequences is quite typical of a song on the album, fast paced pop-punk song with a slow 'resolution' part at the end. The lyrics in this can be a bit emo at times (I wanna run away, I wanna ditch my life) but it's nicely wrapped up at the end. So here I sit, looking at the traffic lights. The red extinguishes the hope that the green ignites.

14. At Least We've Made it This Far
I'm not sure if this is actually true, but I've always regarded this song to be about a long-distance relationship. The two people are madly in love with another but know that their relationship cannot go further unless they meet eye-are-ell so they do. I've never been in an online relationship before, nor do I plan on ever doing so, but I guess I like this song because I have so many online friends who I love deeply. It's generally a very positive song, 'everything's been great so far and now that we've met it looks like everything will be good for a while' to sum it up in a sentence. The way we say 'I Love You' a thousand times, we say those words but we can't look into each other's eyes.

13. Apathetic Way To Be
AWTB is a nice blend of the newish style of Relient K mixed with the cheek of their older albums. It's just about being lazy and apathetic, which I'm sure you already know, I am completely. It's really clever and full of cheek, but also makes it's point. And a half of me's all about apathy and the other half just doesn't care.

12. The Lining is Silver
This is from their newest EP with the best name for an EP ever, The Nashville Tennis EP (What can I say, I'm a sucker for puns). I hadn't heard the phrase 'silver lining' before this song so it took me a while to figure out what it was about. Then I realised it's about seeing the positive aspects in the ordinary things in life. Finding the 'silver lining'. I'm not sure if I'm an optimist of pessimist, I guess it depends on my mood, but this song definitely brings out the optimist in me. I found my new black shoes while cleaning out the bones left in my closet.

11. Bite My Tongue
This song deals with something I have a lot of troubles with: the taming of the tongue. I listen to this song and can totally relate to every word in it. I have an issue of speaking my mind, or saying thing's I'm not meant to, or just generally not shutting up in a certain situation and it's gotten me into a bit of trouble in the past. This song puts it all into perspective for me. Sometimes I say things that I wish that I could take back, the most crucial thing I lack is a thing called tact. And if you're always so intently listening then the smartest thing to say is to tell myself not to say a thing.

10. Mood Rings
I literally lol'd when I first heard this song. It's a song for guys about trying to figure out girls. The song is about how girls are so moody and the only way we're gonna have any chance with them is if we all give them mood rings so we can tell what mood they're in and can act accordingly. The line in particular a laughed-out-loud to is We all know the girls that I am talking about. She likes you Wednesday, but now it's Friday and she has to wash her hair. I just plain loved this song from the first time I heard it. haha. She's so pretty but she doesn't always act that way, her mood's a-swinging on that swingset almost everyday. She said to me that she's so happy it's depressing, and all I said was 'Will someone get that girl a mood ring?'

9. Getting Into You
Second song in a row from the Two Left's Don't Make a Right... But Three Do album! Cool. This song is nothing short of beautiful, I believe about two guys who share an amazing friendship together. A very Godly friendship, like a newly on-fire Christian and his mentor or something. Part of it is about this friendship, but the chorus always brings God back as the centre of the song, suggesting that in the friendship God is the centre of them. I have a friendship like this and always think of this person when this song comes on. When you looked at me and said 'I kinda view you as a son', for one second our eyes met and I met that with the question. 'Do you know what you are getting yourself into?'

8. Who I am Hates Who I've Been
Mmhmm was the first Relient K album I owned and as I said, is by far their best effort. This was a single off that album. It's about becoming a new person simply, getting over the past and changing old ways. It's catchy and meaningful, what a killer combination! I'm sorry for the person I became. I'm sorry that it took so long for me to change. I'm ready to be sure I never become that way again, because who I am hates who I've been.

7. For the Moments I Feel Faint
This is their biggest Christian song and if you asked any Christian what songs Relient K had, they would mention Pressing On and this one. But they'd probably call this song Never Underestimate My Jesus, because most people download songs nowadays with wrong names. Frustrating. And homygosh, when i just mentioned Pressing On I just had the biggest nostalgic moment. I love that song. Anway, FTMIFF has even been performed by my church before and it's lyrically one of the most beautiful things I've heard. Never underestimate my Jesus. You're telling me that there's no hope, I'm telling you you're wrong. Never underestimate my Jesus. When the world around you crumbles, he will be strong, he will be strong.

6. Must Have Done Something Right
This song has never failed to bring the biggest smile to me face. It's happy-go-lucky, optimistic and love-inspired. It's just about how lucky a guy is to have a girlfriend such as the one he does now. It's got some really corny, but really lovely lines and makes me smile just thinking about it. We should get jerseys, 'cause we make a good team.

5. Be My Escape
This would be their best song from Mmhmm, but not my favourite. It's one of those 'christian' songs where you're not quite sure whether it's about God or it's about another person, but I believe it to be about God, especially seeing as it makes reference to some Godly stuff like grace. The meaning of the song is nicely encaptulated by the video clip. It show the band playing in a room with the walls slowly closing in on them, and if I remember correctly at the end they're playing in a field. Maybe not, I haven't seen it in a while. I've given up on giving up slowly, I'm blending in so you won't even know me apart from this whole world that shares my fate.

4. Which To Bury, Us or the Hatchet.
This was my immediate favourite from Mmhmm and I have really loved it ever since. On my old computer, it was my most played song on itunes and is still rather high on this one. It's about people fighting, but more about what they're going to do. Should we end this relationship (bury us) or should we work out the problem and continue on (bury the hatchet, the cause of the problems). This song contains my favourite lyric from a Relient K song. I tried to move you, but you just wouldn't budge. I tried to hold your hand but you'd rather hold your grudge.

3. In Love With the 80's (Pink Tux To the Prom)
Now I wasn't even born in the 80's (though only just, 1990) but I am in love with this song. The song is about all things which were cool in the 80's. I guess I like it because it's catchy and I'm nostalgic and uhh...it's a good song! And I'm only gonna pierce my left ear, and I've been working on this moustache all summer long, and my favourite band will always be Tears for Fears, and I'm gonna wear a pink tux to the prom.

2. More Than Useless
My favourite song from Mmhmm. I can relate to it a lot as I fall into thinking myself as useless more often than is healthy. This song has picked me up and helped me out of that trap many many MANY times before. Sometimes I think that I'm not any good at all. Sometimes I wonder why, why I'm even here at all. But then you assure me I'm a little more than useless. When I think that I can't do this, you promise me that I'll get through this and do something right, do something right for once.

1. Faking My Own Suicide.
I know, incredibly odd choice for a favourite song. I've heard that people know people who love Relient K but refuse to listen to this song (either because of what it's about or because it's crap, I dunno) but nevertheless, it's my favourite song by Relient K. It's all about a man who pretends he committed suicide in order to get the attention of a girl. Weird, hey? I don't know why I like, but I think it's kinda sweet even though this guy would be the biggest jerk in the history or jerks if he did that. I guess I also like it because of it's naivity. The guy in the song truly believes that if he was to fake his suicide, the girl he loves will realise that she loved him all this time and once she admits it, he would "come back to life" and they'd go run away and get married together. I forget what the word for that is. We all know that it wouldn't work and he'd probably lose all his friends by doing that, but the fact he believes it would work...I don't know, it's kinda cute. I just love the song. Here's a really cute video to the song.

So I've made up my mind,
I will pretend to leave this world behind
and in the end you'll know I've lied
To get your attention, I'm faking my own suicide.

I'm faking my own suicide,
Because I know you love me, you just haven't realised.
I'm faking my own suicide.
We'll hold a double funeral, because a part of you will die along with me.

I wish you thought that I was dead,
So rather than me, you'd be depressed instead.
And before arriving at my grave,
You'd come to the conclusion you'd loved me all your days
but it's too late, too late for you to say.

Because I'm faking my own suicide,
Because I know you love me, you just haven't realised.
I'm faking my own suicide.
We'll hold a double funeral, because a part of you will die along with me.

I'll write you a letter that you'll keep,
Reminding you your love for me is more than six feet deep.
You say aloud that you would've been wife,
And right about that time is when I come back to life and let you know,
I'd let you know...

That all along I was faking my own suicide,
Because I know you loved me, you just never realised.
I was faking my own suicide.
I'll walk in that room and see your eyes open so wide,
Open so wide, because you know...

Because you know you will never leave my side
Until the day that I die for the first time.
And we'll laugh, yeah we'll laugh and we will cry,
So overjoyed with our love that's so alive,
Our love is so alive.

Jars.

2009-04-27T02:53:00.000-07:00

So the music series failed epically, much like every other blogging project I've ever undertaken. I'm not even sure if that's even a word, undertaken, but it sounds better than undertook. Rohan, my walking grammar-machine! Enlighten me with your wisdom.

It turns out that I don't have much of a reason why I like most of my music, I just like it because it's good and I was introduced to it! Who would have guessed? So the blogs ended up being pretty boring, just me saying "it's a catchy song, I just like it!"

But it's really my top three bands that are my favourites and I like for reasons, so I figure I'm going to pick it up again but skip 4 and 5. For your information, they are Nobuo Uematsu and Anberlin respectively.

But today, I talk about my third favourite band!

3. Jars of Clay.

They're my favourite Christian worship/rock band. They're sort of a mix of both, half is worship but half is normal christian rock. I'm doing 15 songs because 10 just isn't enough for this amazing band. Also, I haven't listened to the Who We Are Instead and Redemption Songs albums yet, but I hear they're both great!

15. Art In Me
This is quite a clever song about seeing people in creative ways. Not in a 'well you're not a retard, you're just special' way, in a 'your life is an empty canvas which you get to paint' sorta way. It mentions all these different forms of art (painting, sculpting, writing, music) and relates it to a human being. It makes me look at the human race as a masterpiece of God's handiwork, and that to me is just beautiful. I'm not going to post ALL the lyrics, but you can check them out here. Please do so. In your picture book I'm trying hard to see, turning endless pages of this tragedy. Sculpting every move, you compose a symphony and you plead to everyone "see the art in me".

14. Dead Man (Carry Me)
I think this song was and is quite defining for Jars of Clay. Their sound has changed a tiny bit every single album eventually evolving over 10 CD's to what it is today. This song made people realise, or at least made me realise, who the new Jars of Clay is and what they sound like. It's upbeat, catchy and rocky as opposed to all their earliest albums which relate more to folk music if anything. Make me breathe, I want to be a new man, tired of the old one, out with the old plan.

13. Boys (Lesson One)
This is from their newest album, The Long Fall Back To Earth which was released nearly a week ago. So maybe I'm still in the infatuation stage of liking this song, but nevertheless it's really beautiful and I love the strings in the background. When you need it most, I have a hundred reasons why I love you.

12. Fly
I have read that this song was written in repsonse to the lead singer finding out a friend of his had cancer. It's all about sticking by her in the troubling time. The lyrics kinda just make you happy and wish you had someone in life who would say these things to you. Or make you think of someone who has said them to you. And with the sombre story behind it, you'd think it would be quite a sad song but it's not, it's incredibly filled with joy about the friendship. Tears like rain fill up the skies, oh my love I'm not letting go, I won't let you go.

11. There Is a River
I didn't particularly like this song up until recently. It has a very loud and sudden beginning, so I learned to automatically skip it whenever it shuffled. But it wasn't until recently when Rohan mentioned the lyrics of the song in a blog post that I listened to it properly and realised what was being sung. It's about leading hectic a life and learning to let go, relax and focus. It's been a helpful reminder to me a lot in the past month. So give up the right to control the waves that empty out your life. Above wild skies are the rays that break the shadows we design. Give it up, let it go, these are things you were never meant to shoulder.

10. Love Song for a Saviour.
This was pretty much the first significant Christian worship song for me. It's about rejoicing in the lord and has an extremely simple but powerful chorus: "I want to fall in love with you." and as a new Christian, that's pretty much how I felt. I was to new to the faith so I didn't know any complex theories in Chrisitianity, all I really knew was that I wanted to fall in love with Jesus. So I did. This song is nothing short of beautiful. It seems too easy to call you saviour, not close enough to call you a God. So as sit here and think of the words I care to mention to show my devotion...I want to fall in love with you."

9. Boy on a String
Everybody loves puppets. Puppets bring you into a new world which you can let your imaginition run wild. This song is about puppets! I'm not entirely sure, but I think it talks about how we are puppets meant to entertain the masses with, but we aren't hurt by it so it doesn't matter. I dunno. But it has some really beautiful lines in it and is quite poetic. Feel the sadness like Gepetto, watching the life that he created run away.

8. Blind
This is the third song in a row from their first (self-titled) album and fourth so far. Don't worry, there is more to come. This is quite brutal in some parts, but it's just saying that God's love for us is so real and obvious, why do you have to be so blind to it? The song ends with a beautiful string outro and is definitely a brilliant way to finish the album. Cynical, it's just your way. You play the doubting Thomas, feel the scars and wipe the stains.

7. Work
I do believe this is my most played Jars song on my iTunes at the moment. All though that's not accurate, on my old computer I had a few Jars songs on it and the highest was at least 60. Right now Work only has 44. But I love this song, and it has a great video clip too. It's a single take of the band just playing in a tank slowly filling with water. And the singer looks like Professor Snape in it too. Don't believe me? HAVE A LOOK! IT'S TOTALLY SEVERUS RIGHT THERE! I kinda wish he kept the look, but he's always been a lot more macho than this and he seems to have returned to it. All the demons look like prophets, and I'm living out every word they speak. Do you know what I mean when I say I don't want to be alone?

6. This Road
I blogged about this a few weeks back, so I'm not sure how much more I need to say about it. This song is really inspired and poetic, as is most Jars of Clay songs. This road that we travel, may it be the straight and narrow. God give us peace and grace from you, all the day, shelter with fire, our voices we raise still higher. God give us peace and grace from you all the day through.

5. Closer
This is my newest favourite song from them. Obviously because it's from the new album, but I've known it for a while because they released it on the Closer EP a few months back. I only liked it when I listened to the album version and listened to the words. It's a cutsey song with lots of metaphors and stuff about how two people are made for each other. I love it, so cute. =P You're my shirt iron-on, you're the tick, I'm the bomb. You're the L and the V, I'm the O and the E. Am I speaking clearly?

4. Good Monsters
It took me a surprisingly long time to work out what was meant by a 'good monster', but when I realised I kinda liked the song in a whole new way. The idea is that we're all monsters but some of us have our monsterous power which we don't use. Those people are the 'good' monsters, whereas the ones who do use their powers are the 'bad' monsters. I guess it's all about being meek in the regard. I love this song and it too has a really great film clip with the band singing on a plain white background with plain white instruments. Also, it features an epic battle scene between monsters and robots so you know it has to be good. :) All the good monsters rattle their chains and dance around the open flames, they make a lot of empty noise.

3. The Valley Song (Sing of Your Mercy)
This is a sincere and heartfelt worship song. It's one of those songs I can sing no matter if I'm on top of a mountain or in a valley. I really feel as if the two part name is essential for this song because it accentuates both aspects in the song. Christians often use the terms 'mountains' and 'valleys' to describe how their feeling in life. If they're good, they're on a mountain. If they're not too well, they're in a valley. It's used a LOT. Anyway, half the song is about being in the valley and the other half is about being led out of the valley by God thanks to his mercy. It's so beautiful and has brought tears to my eyes many times. And though the pain is an ocean, tossing us around, around, around. You have calmed greater waters, higher mountains have come down! I will sing of your mercy that leads me through valleys of sorrow to rivers of joy. Alleluia, Alleluia.

2. Frail
Another recent find, but it's definitely worthy for place #2. The lyrics to Frail are beautiful and talk about the fragility of us as humans. It has an amazing strings score and singer Dan Haseltine just has a certain honesty and humility in his voice which you can find in no other artist. He's not afraid to call himself an idiot and weak, which is really admirable. This song has so many nice lyrics, the line Convinced of my deception, I've always been a fool is probably my favourite line from a song ever. The idea that you can lie to yourself and then make yourself believe this lie is surprisingly something I've actually come across in life quite a bit, and that one sentence puts it perfectly. Exposed beyond the shadows, you take the cup from me. Your dirt removes my blindness, your pain becomes my peace.

1. Worlds Apart
By far my favourite song by Jars of Clay and one of my all time favourites is Worlds Apart. This song says nothing more than we are broken and need fixing by God. It's delicate, humble, tragic, simple, not at all glorious, and beautifully written. It's not accusing, it just places all the fault back on the individual and accepts all the fault. You just have to check it out, that's all I can say. This song continues to break me on a regular basis. I bolded my favourite lyrics below.

I am the only one to blame for this,
Somehow it all ends up the same.
Soaring on the wings of selfish pride,
I flew too high and like Icarus I collide
With a world I try so hard to leave behind.
To rid myself of all but love,
to give and die.

To turn away and not become
Another nail to pierce the skin of one who loves
more deeply than the oceans,
more abundant than the tears
Of a world embracing every heartache

Can I be the one to sacrifice?
Or grip the spear and watch the blood and water flow?

To love you - take my world apart
To need you - I am on my knees
To love you - take my world apart
To need you - broken on my knees

Said and done I stand alone
Amongst remains of a life I should not own.
It takes all I am to believe
In the mercy that covers me.

Did you really have to die for me?
All I am for all you are,
Because what I need and what I believe are worlds apart

To love you - take my world apart
To need you - I am on my knees
To love you - take my world apart
To need you - broken on my knees

I look beyond the empty cross
forgetting what my life has cost.
wipe away the crimson stains
and dull the nails that still remain.
More and more I need you now,
I owe you more each passing hour.
The battle between grace and pride
I gave up not so long ago.
So steal my heart and take the pain,
and wash the feet and cleanse my pride,
take the selfish, take the weak,
and all the things I cannot hide.
Take the beauty, take my tears,
this sin-soaked heart and make it yours.
Take my world all apart,
take it now, take it now.

And serve the ones that I despise
speak the words I can't deny.
Watch the world I used to love
fall to dust and blow away.
I look beyond the empty cross,
forgetting what my life has cost
so wipe away the crimson stains
And dull the nails that still remain.
So steal my heart and take the pain,
take the selfish, take the weak,
And all the things I cannot hide
Take the beauty, take my tears,
Take my world apart, take my world apart
I pray, I pray, I pray.
Take my world apart.

Worlds Apart.

Are we still friends? Were we ever friends?

2009-04-26T07:55:00.001-07:00

Thinking of when we first became friends, I wonder if we bit off more than we could chew. Or perhaps I just didn’t have the foresight to see that we were never meant to make it through to the end.

I don’t know what has changed since we first met, I’m still the fool I’ve always been. Maybe we’ve gotten to know each other too well, or maybe you’re just tired of pretending to like me.

If you don’t want to be friends anymore, that’s okay. I can live my life without you now. But just let me know that you’re done with this, so I can move on to tomorrow alone.

If you still want to be friends, that’s okay too. In fact, that’s how I’d like it to be. But just let me know that we are still cool, so I can move on to tomorrow with you.

But please, if we continue I have one request; that you would be happy to be my friend. When you say hi to me, don’t look to the ground and mumble under your breath. Rather give me a hug and ask me how my week has been.

To be honest I’ve never really felt cherished as your friend, even after I’ve tried my hardest to cherish you. Not once have you ever told me what I meant to you, and this is why I wonder if you’ve ever even liked me at all. Know that I meant every text I sent you, and that I still do mean it.

Please let me know what to do, I hate being stuck in the middle like this. Do we beat the dead horse or do we try and revive it? It’s up to you really, because I don’t really mind if the horse dies or not. Just let me know.

*

2009-04-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

A little thing that annoys me with most Christian worship bands is that all their music is very similar. It seems to follow a safe formula which ensures a good song. Verse-chorus-Verse 2-chorus-bridge-chorus. It gets quite repetitive after awhile, especially when they all seemingly TRY to sound the same. So when you come across a different christian worship band, it's kind of a big deal. Thus why this band is my sixth favourite.

6. David Crowder*Band

I love David Crowder. They were the first band I saw live and before seeing them live, I only knew about 10 of their songs. My favourite thing about them is that they don't sound like all the other worship bands, and also that they don't forget to have fun. That's another thing that annoys me, they just take it all too seriously. David Crowder will just have fun and make up silly lyrics, like "never ending, always, you will never end because you're never ending." and it's just so much fun to sing. Let your words be little. =P Anyway, top 10 songs.

I just need to say that I only own two of their albums and don't know all their music. These are my favourite 10 of those I know. =P

10. No One Like You. We sing this song at church. And although it is quite typical of worship music, it's just so much fun to jump around and dance to! How could I ever deny the love of my saviour?

9. ...neverending... Haha, the song I quoted before. I love this song because it's just so fun and so silly. The lyrics don't even need to make sense, just have fun while you praise God. Also, when playing this song live David plays it on an altered Guitar Hero controller. Fricken sweet. And this makes all the difference, this changes everything. Making our whole existence worth something so we sing la la la la, la la la la.

8. Remedy. This is the title song from their most recent CD. It talks about how we're all broken and in need of God to come and heal us. Is very beautiful and honest. He is the one who has saved us, He is the one who embraced us, He is the one who has come and is coming again, he's the remedy.

7. I Saw The Light. I'm not sure if this song is an original, as I've heard it was written by like Johnny Cash or someone. But nevertheless, singing this song is the most fun I've ever had worshiping. It's bluegrass worship! The hands begin clapping and the feet begin stomping unconsciously. I can't help but just smile like a doofus whenever I hear this joyful song. I saw the light, I saw the light, no more darkness, no more night. Now I'm so happy, no sorrow in sight. Praise the Lord, I saw the light!

6. O Praise Him (All This for a King). This was the first song of theirs I heard, although at the time I didn't know it was them. My church just played it a bit. Just another quality song and it has an awesome video clip associated with it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpVsF4W8V2Y Turn your gaze to heaven and raise a joyous noise.

5. Rescue is Coming. To completely appreciate this song, I think you need to listen to the A Collision album in it's entirety. A Collision is one of those albums which just unfolds as you listen to it and reveals more of itself with every listen. This song is one of the last tracks on the album, and probably the last 'actual' song. But it's also beautiful by itself and I just love it. There's nothing wrong with me, it's just that I believe things could get better.

4. Can You Feel It? It's really difficult trying to explain why I like these songs. I just like them. This song is my favourite from the Remedy album and it's so beautifully crafted and mixed together. Great for blasting in my car. Can you feel it, the love in this place, can you feel it?

3. Foreverandever Etc. Another song which doesn't take itself too seriously. The name of the song is taken from the last part, which goes "I am yours forever and ever and ever and ever and ever..." and continues for at least half a minute. I have been caught dancing to this song in my kitchen before. I think I'm on the brink of something large, maybe like the breaking of a dawn. Or maybe like a match being lit, or the sinking of a ship, letting goes gives a better grip.

2. Come and Listen. It's so hard to choose which of these top two songs I like better because they're both amazing. Come and Listen is a very simple song invting you to listen to the story of Jesus. The lyrics are beautiful and passionate complimented with a delicate piano backing. It's the opening song to A Collision, which makes it just that much more amazing. Come and Listen, come to the waters edge, all of you who are thirsty, come. Let me tell you what he has done for me, he has done for me, he has done for you, he has done for us. Come and Listen, Come and listen to what he's done. Praise our God, for he is good.

1. You Are My Joy. This song throws you into the middle of it, passionately raw from the first second, and does not even begin to lose this momemtum in the final seconds. The chorus is simple but powerful, just repeating "You are my Joy". Such simple words but with such meaning and truth in my life. And I've said this before and I'll say it a million times again, this song has the best musical interlude in any worship song I've ever heard. I first heard this song when I saw DC*B live and it was the most amazing experience. Stuff it, it's not a hard decision between 2 and 1, You Are My Joy takes the cake! =D

You MUST watch this video

And he set me on fire,
And I am burning alive,
with his breath in my lungs,
I am coming undone.

And I cannot hold it in
And remain composed.
Love's taken over me,
and so I propose
Letting myself go,
I am letting myself go.

You Are my Joy,
You Are my Joy,
You Are my Joy,
You Are my Joy!

And he set me on fire,
And I am burning alive,
with his breath in my lungs,
I am coming undone.

And I cannot hold it in
And remain composed.
Love's taken over me,
and so I propose
Letting myself go,
I am letting myself go.

You Are my Joy,
You Are my Joy,
You Are my Joy,
You Are my Joy!

I need to catch my breath, give a moment.

You Are my Joy,
You Are my Joy,
You Are my Joy,
You Are my Joy!

I'm laughing so hard.

Rockin' wit' th' Famz.

2009-04-19T05:23:00.000-07:00

Day one of my ravings about my favourite bands, and I'm starting at my 7th favourite. That's right, I even have an order of my favourite bands. I'm crazy like that.

Family Force 5.

I was introduced to this band in January of 2008 by a friend named Nick. Well, technically it was Phil but Nick had introduced Phil to them just days before so it was Nick. I was really surprised to find that I liked them, because they're totally not my style of music. Their lyrics are really corny, they were quite considerably a bit heavier than I was used to and their genre is so difficult to place, though they claim it's 'crunk' music. I'm still not entirely sure what that means.

I'm quite lucky that I gave this band a chance. Usually I'd dismiss them really quickly, but something attracted me to click on more of their songs and give them a listen. And I'm totally glad I did.

I saw them live in January of 2009, so a year after discovering them. They are the single most insane band I've ever seen live. It was so loud, people were dancing everywhere, the lead singer Soul Glow Activatur (pretentious names - another reason I'm surprised I like them =P) was rolling on the ground, the drummer Crouton was standing on the drums, and during the encore song Numb, they got us to make a breakdancing circle and everyone did little moves. SO MUCH FUN. Also, when I was lining up to get my CD's signed by them, this guy was playing a Jazzy/Acoustic version of Mr Brightside which me and a random were bopping along to together. But that's for another day.

ANYWAY, my top 10 favourite songs by Family Force 5:

10. The First Time. I actually love this song for it's corniness, which is so weird. It's all about remembering the first time he met this girl (or it could be God, who knows! But I'm more inclined to think girl) and all the things they did. My favourite thing about it is the way he applies all these time functions to his memories, as if he's watching them on a DVD. Quite clever, yet so corny. Remember that time we stayed up all night, I swear we danced until we saw daylight. Step-by-step and frame-by-frame, slow motion let me see that again. Press repeat, 'cause I have to see the first time that I saw your face...

9. Wake The Dead. Another song from Dance or Die. This song is simply about waking up a sleeping generation. It's really catchy and I've even made up my own dance to it, so you know it's good. Don't ask me to show you the dance, you couldn't pay me enough money to. I don't dance like that anymore, don't wear those clothes anymore, don't take that stance anymore. Turn it down, do what you're told. If it's too loud, well then you must be too old.

8. Fever. Oh lookies, third song out of three from Dance or Die! It doesn't help when they've only released two albums to date. =P Fever is just a great song, really catchy and well produced and mixed. There's nothing else to say about it. Fever's got me sweating and you know I'm burning up.

7. Earthquake. This is nothing short of brilliance and very typical of their style. The best time I've ever heard this song was when it was played live, you really need to hear it live to completely appreciate it. But it's such a great song and even includes are cheerleader-styled bridge! 10 point 0 on the Richter scale, shake it like an earthquake, move your tail!

6. Drama Queen. My friend and I used to blast this song in his car all the time. Partly because we laughed at how much it described a certain friend of ours, but mainly because it's amazing! Only these guys could combine a glockenspiel with heavy guitars. You go and talk behind my back, don't you know that's wack, it's a personal attack, ohhh snap!

5. Replace Me. FF5 is a Christian band and this song is probably their most obviously Christian. It's all about being renewed and replaced. At first I didn't like it because his voice sounded...well, whigny to be honest. But I've now grown to really love it. This heart it wants to beat, these lungs they want to breathe. These eyes they want to see, gotta mouth that wants to sing.

4. Get Your Back of the Wall. This is another song which is totally amazing live. The mixing of this song is nothing short of amazing and everything about it is really catchy. Although a bit repetitive after a while, it's very easy to sing. Or yell, whatever floats your boat. This revolution starts when you're moving, don't wanna step to me unless you plan on losing.

3. Never Let Me Go. About a year after they released their first album, 'Business Up Front, Party in the Back' they released a Diamond Edition of the album with some differently mixed songs and 3 new ones, including this one. This addition totally puts the album into the 'remarkable' category. They're all amazing. But I've chosen this one to represent all three of them because it's my favourite. From the ticking noise to repeated whisper of 'never ever let me', the only thing I don't like about this song is it's video clip. Haha. I'll never know when is my time to go, one thing I know for sure is that you'll never let me go.

2. Lose Urself. Don't let the terrible spelling in the title fool you, this song is amazing! This was my favourite song of theirs for so long, mainly thanks to it's undeniably catchy bassline. Also, it was more of my normal taste of music and was really the song which got me into them. I love this song to bits, it's just so catchy! Don't you walk away from me 'cause I got to get you next to me. If you've got game girl, step to me. Just lose them friends and dance with me. Dance next to me, dance next to me, oh please oh please oh can't you see that I've got to get you baby to lose yourself with me.

1. Love Addict. HOLD UP, WAIT A MINUTE, PUT A LITTLE LOVE IN IT. This is by far the best song they've ever written. It was also the first song of theirs I heard, but I don't think that matters with my choice because it was one of my least favourites to begin with! But now I'm freaking in love with, because I can crank it up real loud so people think I'm totally cool but it's actually a song about love. And not the 'bitches and hos' love that drenches mainstream music today, actual love! The lips in the song scare me a little bit.

Hold up, wait a minute, put a little love in it.

Doctor, Doctor, I've got an emergency,
It seems I'm head over heals, a case of L-O-V-E.
It's like I'm glowing inside, yeah a light I can't hide.

And if this feeling is bad, then I don't want to be right,
but what I've got in my soul gives me the highest delight.
Oh yeah, it's better than drugs, in fact it's sent from above.

Hold up, wait a minute, put a little love in it.

Can't kick the habit, I've got to have it.
I'm what they call a love addict, love addict.
Why live without it? Gonna shout about it.
I'm a symptomatic love addict, love addict.

Need a refill 'cause I just can't get enough,
I've got a fever oh yeah, and the perscription's love.
So lay the truth onto me, 'cause that is all that I need.

Hold up, wait a minute, put a little love in it.

Can't kick the habit, I've got to have it.
I'm what they call a love addict, love addict.
Why live without it? Gonna shout about it.
I'm a symptomatic love addict, love addict.

I'm blessed, I must confess,
My heart is pounding in my chest,
'Cause this love's the best,
I'm just a love addict.

Coming down with something outrageous,
look out now 'cause it's so contagious.
This feeling's got me reeling,
so amped up gonna hit the ceiling.
Gotta clear my throat, now I gotta have some more.

Hold up, wait a minute, put a little love in it.

Can't kick the habit, I've got to have it.
I'm what they call a love addict, love addict.
Why live without it? Gonna shout about it.
I'm a symptomatic love addict, love addict.

Can't kick the habit, I've got to have it.
I'm what they call a love addict, love addict.
Why live without it? Gonna shout about it.
I'm a symptomatic love addict, love addict.

BEDA Fail.

2009-04-18T07:55:00.000-07:00

I fail at BEDA. It’s been a week since my last post. I never had faith that I could update my blog for 30 consecutive days, and to be completely honest I thought I was going to fail at about the Day 4 mark. But I got up to day 12 which was NEARLY half way and by the end of it I HATED blogging. So I needed a break. What have you done to me, BEDA? =(

So I took a break (was so angry I didn’t even tell you I was taking a blog) and I’m still a little mad at it So while I still feel committed to BEDA but don’t want to blog, I’ve decided to spend the next 7 days telling you about my favourite bands. My taste in music is something I really like and something I like to talk about. So it won’t be too hard for me to talk about my favourite music every day. What I’ve decided to do is list my 10 favourite songs from 7 different bands in the next seven days. Sound good? I hope so. :]

Starting tomorrow. And by tomorrow, I mean Sunday which is actually today. Yes, I have pulled out of BEDA but at this moment I’m going to be updating every day for a while. =)

Happy Easter. [BEDA #12]

2009-04-12T04:52:00.000-07:00

Hello readers.

I am so incredibly tired right now. I need sleep like a deaf man needs a hearing aid.
See how bad that simile was? I think that proves my point more than anything could.

I had the best easter this year. I would explain it to you, but I'm sleepy. The only reason I'm updating this is because BEDA sucks donkey balls.

You will get a proper blog tomorrow. I promise.

PS. The blog about Barbie being a vampire (or something) is coming after the easter blog too. Watch out for that!

Answers and K-lyrics.

2009-04-10T22:24:00.000-07:00

So one person asked me questions. ONE. That's because Liv is a lovely person and ACTUALLY CARES ABOUT ME. HMPH. (liv is the greatest. <33) style="font-weight: bold;">Q: If I bought you many many fruit tingles but secretly took out all of the green ones and fed them to a polar bear (obviously one that could cope with epic multiple green sweetness), would you still love me?
Yes. The green ones are the best, but this doesn't mean that the others aren't any good. I'd be slightly annoyed at you because WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT TO ME? but it's not enough to make me stop being your friend. =P

Q: The Killers or John Green [I don't know about you, but i'd find this question SO hard. lol]
Oh this is an easy one. The Killers by farrr. Sorry John, but Brandon Flowers has stolen my heart. You can have my nerdy heart.

Q: How's the hair situation? Is it growing? =]
No. My hair doesn't grow. I'm like barbie.
Yeah it's growing rather nicely. People started mentioning that it was growing by about day 4, so maybe it was just cut longer than they thought or my hair is on steroids. Either way, it's growing now and evidently more ranga. Brilliant.

That's pretty dismal guiz. Not enough for a blog post!

I'm currently listening to Relient K. They're definitely my second favourite band everrr. Matt Thiessen has a way of expressing things in a way which resonates with people. Like me, I'm a people. Some lyrics:

"I tried to move you, but you just wouldn't budge. I tried to hold your hand, but you'd rather hold your grudge." ~ Which to Bury, Us or the Hatchet?

"I know that it's so cliche to tell you that everyday I spend with you is the new best day of my life." ~ Must Have Done Something Right.

"When I go down, I go down hard and I take everything I've learned and teach myself some disregard." ~ When I Go Down.

"No one told me how bad I need you, but I somehow arrived at that conclusion all by myself." ~ Give Until There's Nothing Left.

"Never underestimate my Jesus. You're telling me that there's no hope; I'm telling you you're wrong. Never underestimate my Jesus. When the world around you crumbles, he will be strong. He will be strong." ~ For the Moments I Feel Faint.

"I'm sorry for the person I became. I'm sorry that it took so long for me to change. I'm ready to be sure I never become that way again, because who I am hates who I've been." ~ Who I Am Hates Who I've Been.

"Yesterday is not quite what it could have been, as were most of all the days before. But I swear today, with every breath I'm breathing in, I'll be trying to make it so much more." ~ Up and Up.

"Sometimes I think that I'm not any good at all. Sometimes I wonder why I'm even here at all. But then you assure me I'm a little more than useless. When I think that I can't do this, you promise me that I'll get through this and do something right for once." ~ More Than Useless.

"When you looked at me and said 'I kinda view you as a son', for one second our eyes met and I met that with the question, 'do you know what you are getting yourself into?' I'm getting into you because you got to me in a way words can't describe." ~ Getting Into You.

"I've been a liar and I'll never amount to the kind of person you deserve to worship you. You say you will not dwell on what I did, but rather what I do. You said "I love you and that what you are getting yourself into." ~ Getting Into You.

"I've given up on giving up slowly, I'm blending in so you won't even know me apart from this whole world that shares my fate. This one last bullet you mention is my one last shot at redemption, 'cause I know to live you must give your life away." ~ Be My Escape.

"'cause when I looked into your eyes and you dared to stare right back, you should have said 'nice to meet you, I'm your other half.'". ~ The Best Thing.

ENOUGH. ARGH.

Tingle plz. [BEDA #10]

2009-04-10T03:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I asked everyone reading my blog and following my twitter to ask me some questions, so I can answer them today for BEDA. That idea would have worked really well for me today, but apparently I'm not loved enough to receive any questions yet. Crowd-sourcing fail. Oh well, your loss. You're the one who has to sit through another pointless blog post. =P

So today I'm blogging about whatever John tells me to blog about. He told me not to include any jokes about the holocaust, which really ruins any material I had planned as a back-up.

He told me to blog about my epic quest to find a new twitter thumbnail. OKIES!

So a few hours ago I thought "hey, I should probably find a new twitter picture." The reason this thought passed through my head is because my current one is boring and old and has me with hair in it so it's inaccurate. I searched for about 2 minutes, couldn't find anything interesting so I gave up. The End.

Seeing as that isn't a very riveting/long post, he asked me to blog about something else:
John Lacey says: I think you should write about your favourite confectionery.
Good idea, Jonathon! =D

My favourite candy is (are?) Fruit Tingles. Possibly the greatest thing ever is that I can remember the exact moment I fell in love with Fruit Tingles. I read a tweet from sarahheartsny about them, and I remember having this incredible craving for Fruit Tingles. I went out and got some, and since then they have never failed me in being awesome. At one point I was quite addicted to them and consumed a few packets a day. That made me quite sick and I've dropped a fair bit since then. My favourite are the greens, followed by the pinks, multi-coloured, orange and yellow. They are so yummy. If you want to win my heart, buy me a life time supply of fruit tingles.

And all this talk of Fruit Tingles has got me thinking of Zelda. Through the character Tingle. This is how my mind works. It finds the most subtle reference to video games and creates a link. It's not healthy, especially when you're trying to convince people you're cool.

Oh look, it's just gone over midnight. Shame. Oh well, I'm stilling blogging on a regular basis. Tis alright. =D

ASK ME FRIXING QUESTIONS SO I CAN FRIXING ANSWER THEM. xD

The Six Ugh's of Life [BEDA #9]

2009-04-09T07:54:00.000-07:00

Ugh #1: Updating your blog on a daily basis is horrendous when you lead such a boring life that I do. I seriously have nothing to update about, but I'm not going to let that get in the way of me losing this game. Because BEDA is now a game and everything. Oh, and you just lost the game. I can't believe I just said that. BUT THE RULE IS YOU NEED TO ANNOUNCE IT. I'M JUST PLAYING BY THE RULES. DON'T HATE ME.

Ugh #2: I have no self-control. You know when you go get KFC and you feel so good while doing it, but as soon as you're done you realise how crap it is for your body and you start feeling really sick? Well, that's happening to me right now. Metaphorically. I'm in the crudscones stage.

Ugh #3: I got a 'Not Yet Competent' on my first cluster. Brilliant. I only have to redo 3 parts though. Apparently "it looks worse than it is."I don't know what that is supposed to mean, but what the hey. Thank you God for redo's! =P

Ugh #4: It's 1am in the morning and I have to be up in the morning. My sleeping pattern is so terribly out of whack at the moment. I should fix that.

Ugh #5: My blog is still the default everything. I just can't be bothered making it look pretty, I've never been into all that sorta stuff. Some people froth over it but it just ticks me off. haha.

Ugh#6: I won't have anything to update with for the next few days, the next day anything interesting happens to me is on Sunday (so stay tuned!) So I guess for tomorrow I'll do that questions thing that everyone's doing! Leave your questions in comments or something. Yeah.

<3

The Pimp(le). [BEDA #8]

2009-04-07T18:18:00.001-07:00

I have this obnoxious, huge-ass pimple on my lip. It's really quite icky and central and ON MY FACE.

I normally go through a series of views on such things.

Pessimistic: Oh my golly gosh, that thing is HUGE! What's it doing there? It's really quite ugly and disgusting. Ugh, I can't believe I'm stilling getting acne. What's with me? Why does my life suck 3000x more than anyone else's ever could? I don't want to go anywhere, I don't want anyone to see me. I'm gonna stay at home in my cave-resembling room and hide there for a few days until it disappears. I want to die. Life sucks.

Optimistic: Well, it's not that bad. I mean, it's only one pimple. Life goes on. I don't have a perfect face which it is contaminating. Why am I being so shallow anyway? People don't care that I have a pimple on my face, everyone's probably experienced it before. Anyway, it's not like you have a girlfriend or anything who would care about it.

Realistic: You couldn't get a girlfriend if you tried, pimple or not.

Pessimistic: Life sucks.

Not Late and Jars. [BEDA #7]

2009-04-07T07:36:00.000-07:00

It's 12:38AM on the 8th. But I haven't gone to sleep yet, so I don't think that counts as missing a day. I had every intent of blogging before going to sleep. It's still day 7 of April for me. It's the 7th in America still. I could go on forever about why this isn't late, but we all know that it's nearly an hour late. I'm sorry, but I'm not.

So right now I'm really digging Jars of Clay. I've dugged them (what?) for a while now, but I go through phases of my few favourite bands. For the past month it's been the Killers pretty non-stop, but tonight it's by far the Jars of Clizzle. They have a new album coming out in 2 weeks and I'm gonna buy it like the day it comes out. If it's released over here at the same time. I'll ring Word or Koorong about it soon.

Me and a friend are discussing the lyrics to the song Good Monsters. This has been one of my favourites recently, mainly because I began listening to what it said. It's all about how we have the power to be destructive and do wrong, but some of us choose not to. We're the Good Monsters, who have the power to do evil but don't. So basically it's about being meek. Not all monsters are bad, but the ones who are good never do what they could.

Currently the song I have on repeat is This Road. It is a beautifully crafted song, very poetic and submitting to God. It's also very humble, which I find in mostly every song by Jars of Clay.

All heavy laden, acquainted with sorrow
May Christ in our marrow carry us home.
From alabaster come blessings of laughter
A fragrance of passion and joy from the truth

Grant the unbroken tears ever flowing
From hearts of contrition only for You
May sin never hold true that love never broke through
For God's mercy holds us and we are His own

This road that we travel, may it be the straight and narrow
God give us peace and grace from You, all the day
Shelter with fire, our voices we raise still higher
God give us peace and grace from You, all the day through

(Baby I've Got You) On My Mind [BEDA #6]

2009-04-06T06:17:00.001-07:00

Yes that is a Powderfinger reference in the title. Good job on picking it up. Honey you won't ever know...

I have a friend. I know it's surprising, but it's just one. What's truly remarkable is that she's girl. Even more so, she's a cool girl. That's pretty much unheard of.

Anyway, Shawna posted 50 things pressing on her mind lately. I like. I copy.

50 Things On My Mind Recently:

Shawna is a really cool cat and I have no idea how I was ever lucky enough to wind up being her friend.
I need to learn some responsibility, especially when it comes to spending (or saving) money.
Ever since becoming a YouTube partner, I haven't had the motivation to make a video. My goal has been accomplished, what now?
Part of the reason I haven't made a video is also because there are two people who live with me who never leave the house, and I only film with an empty house.
I really hope Ralph gets better soon, it's actually hard not having him around.
I should start my 2nd lot of cluster work soon.
It's so hard trying to prioritise things in life. I fail at it.
I guess it's alright having my sister's boyfriend living with us. The company is okay and my sister has been on her good behaviour for him.
I'm really looking forward to Jars of Clay's new album, The Long Fall Back To Earth.
I haven't been getting enough sleep recently, and it's beginning to catch up on me.
I really hope I get my $900 from K-Rudd, but I don't think I will.
Matthew 5:28, it's just difficult to deal with.
I'm falling behind with my work on Winter Camp, should probably catch up on me.
Do my friends think I'm really irresponsible? If they don't, why not?
I need to beat this level in Elite Beat Agents before I kill a puppy.
I can't take a photo on dailybooth every day, I'm not that good looking or shameless or committed.
I want to go on another weekend holiday like we did last year down to Evans Head.
I really want to learn Japanese.
I'm quite tired at this moment. Feel as if I could fall asleep any second.
If I accidentally fall asleep while blogging and go past midnight, does this mean I skipped a day on BEDA?
Yep, just happened. Hello three hours later.
Pretty glad I didn't sleep over midnight!
Pretty annoyed I missed Good Game, Triple J TV, etc. while sleeping. Not happy Jan.
I need to finish reading the 6th Harry Potter book before the movie comes out this year.
Wait, I need to start it.
I also need to finish Final Fantasy IV so I can start TA2.
There's a new FF Tactics Advance game coming out as Wiiware which is in the style of those tower defense games. Totally looking forward to it.
I knew this was going to be hard for me when I started the list, but I'm halfway and struggling. Brilliant.
I need more hours at work. Or at least, the ability to save money.
Looking at this list, I need a lot of things. I'm so needy.
I want a girlfriend. Or at least, I want a girl I can secretly crush over and she never has to know.
I'm glad I've been catching up with my high school friends recently. I've missed them.
It sucks having 95% of your friends from the church. But at the same time, it's alright.
I'm really falling behind with my bible reading plan.
W/hy isn't Google or Twitter working?
One day I'll clean my room, maybe.
Rob's awesome Venn diagram abilities.
I want dinner.
The Humphrey B Bear theme song is circulating in my head.
I hate Rob for the reason mentioned above.
I really like the Killers.
I still want dinner. I'm actually gonna go and get it.
You can probably tell, but I'm really struggling with ideas.
I have to be up early in the morning. Good thing I napped for a few hours before.
My kitten is so much fun to play with. =D
I pretty much live off 2 minute noodles.
I need a healthier lifestyle.
I should work out sometime. Wii Fit or treadmill?
This guy on tv is a really bad actor. I think he's meant to be gay, but he actually bares an uncanny resemblence to Nemesis from MetroMan.
I'm so glad this is over.

I promise to never put you through this again. I'm so sorry.

Green Heads [BEDA #5]

2009-04-04T19:46:00.000-07:00

I mentioned in an earlier blog post that I'm currently completing a Certificate IV in Youth Work. Sometime last month at lectures we did a little exercise which they suggested we can use with the teenagers and children we work with.

The lecturer had cut out a bunch of photos from National Geographic magazines and laminated them. There were all these different pictures, some of animals, some of man-made objects, some natural structures, a whole range of seemingly random things. The lecturer then asked us which photograph we related to the most. I actually found this to be quite an easy exercise, while others found it really difficult.

The picture I chose was a photograph of some ducks flying off. What I noticed about this picture was that there were about four or five ducks, all but one with a green head. We were asked to share with the group our choice and why we chose it. I told them about how I considered myself to be the duck with the normal head. How often I can see the good traits in other people but never in myself. Everyone is embellished with this beautiful green head except me.

(As a side note, I also chose a second picture. It was a picture of a cheetah hiding behind a few leaves and all you could see of it was its eye. We did this exercise the week after I shaved my head. I explained how I felt a bit vulnerable and open because I would always use my hair to hide my face. I felt as if I was the cheetah but all the trees had been cut down and I was just sitting there in the open. I was met with a lot of "that's deep" comments.)

Last year, the young adult community in my church did a series on the Five Love Languages, which is basically a theory that everyone primarily shares one of these five ways which is how they show love to others. My love language is 'words of affirmation', so when people tell me I'm doing a good job or that I'm valued, I feel loved. It's also how I show others love, I compliment them. If I see talent in someone, I often try to make a point of letting them know I think they're talented in that area. I don't know if they pick up on it or not. However, I never really hear these things back. Or maybe I just don't pick up on them. No matter what it is, it's led to me not knowing what my talents are.

Sure, I'm good at a few things. I can acknowledge that. But I can't find anything I'm great at. Something that I'm passionate about and am dedicated to practicing, rising above everyone else. That thing which people come to me for because they know I'll do the best job and can't resort to second best. My green head.

I guess life is just a journey, and a green head is just a goal. Maybe we can never achieve our green head, because no matter what you do, there's always someone better at it. And maybe once I'm on my deathbed, I'll discover what my green head was and realise I was doing it the entire time.

Fingernail Paint [BEDA #4]

2009-04-04T05:30:00.000-07:00

Life, when broken down and spread out in front of you, can easily be compared with the act of painting one's nails.

On a large scale, life is like the unpainted nails. People exist and they're just there. They're just a presence, company. You see hundreds of people in the shopping mall and know not one thing about most of them; they're just people. In your life story, they have no role. Even though they have their own story, it means nothing to you. They are blank fingernails.

Then there are the painted fingernails, who are your friends. They are the colour and brightness in your life. They make your life interesting and un-blank. They share a story with you, and they've made some little mark in your life, even if it is a prettying up of the fingernails.

The people you know in your life define who you are. Friends are the finishing touches to your life, the fingernail paint of life.

Pretty Girls, The Sequel: Unpretty Girls. [BEDA #3]

2009-04-03T06:10:00.000-07:00

I'm really tired, but I have to blog. BEDA is going to be the end of me. Possibly.

So a few days ago a few people whose blogs I read (namely Hayley Gee and Rohan) posted a list of things which they find attractive and unattractive in the guys and girls (respectively). This is funny because just the day before, I posted a list of really small, petty things which I find pretty in girls. That post was basically just pointing out all the small, weird things which make my heart beat a little faster. But I didn't post the things that I find unattractive. So here we go.

Girls are unpretty:

when they swear. (Honestly, I want to unfollow certain girls on twitter because of their fowl language. Completely turns me off and make me not even want to know her.)
when they smoke. (I will never ever date a smoker. This rule is carved in stone.)
when they do any sort of drug.
when they don't look after themself. (Includes generally being healthy)
when they don't have any direction with their life.
when they have no confidence or self-esteem in themself.
when they are over-confident in themself.
when they wear exhibitionist clothes. By that I mean clothes that are screaming for me to look at the girl sinfully. Seriously girls, dress modestly and you won't have boys staring at your chest. If you don't show us anything we can't be tempted. So please stop tempting us, it's annoying.

There's way more than that, but as I said I'm tired which means I can't think very well. So I'll end it here. Also, I have 8 minutes to publish this blog before the day is over. Better do that right now.

Re-introduction. [BEDA #2]

2009-04-01T21:25:00.000-07:00

It's occurred to me that you guys probably don't know too much about me. If you watch me on YouTube, you get small snippets of whats happening in my life but that's about it. If you follow me on Twitter, you'd know a bit about what I like. But I've never really introduced myself to you, everyone has tagged along with me on this journey (being an online identity) part of the way through. No one has really been there from the start, so what better way to start of BEDA than with me introducing myself.

Hi, my name is Mathew. I am 18 years old and live on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. I am currently completing a Certificate IV in Youth Work, and work at my local church as a youth intern. I am a Christian and love the Lord Jesus Christ.

I grew up wanting to be a doctor. You know, the work in a hospital and heal the sick peoples sort of doctor. However, last year I was metaphorically slapped in the face with a reality check and realised that it was not for me. Right now I'm not sure what I want to do with my life, but I do have a passion for teenage kids and seeing their lives turned around. So I'd like to do something in that area. I spent a year at uni last year, I've deferred this year, but I plan to go back next year.

One of my main hobbies is playing video games, in particular Final Fantasy. Favourite FF game is VIII, but I also really like X, IV and VII. This is quite an expensive hobby so recently I haven't been doing so much of it. This decline in gaming has made me realise that having friends is cool so I do that a lot more now.

I also enjoy listening to music. Lyrics can speak to me in quite a profound way I find, whether they give light to a situation, properly explain something which I'm having troubles expressing, viewing something in a new light. Also I just love it when a song tells a good story. My favourite band is the Killers, and it's mainly because of that last point. Brandon Flowers is a master story-teller and can just link the sounds of the instruments to the words of the song and it's just beautiful. Other bands I like include Relient K, Anberlin and Jars of Clay, all for the other reasons.

Another small hobby is video making. I'm not good at it, but it's something I enjoy. In primary school I realised I had a little creative seed in me and used to put it to good use. However it's since been buried and I'm trying to find it again. I like making videos because it's a way to find the creativity deep within me. One day I'll find it again.

I'm a bit of an odd person to talk to, but I'm also sorta nice and sweet.

That's about all, I'll talk to you tomorrow. <3

Bee Dah. [BEDA #1]

2009-04-01T00:38:00.000-07:00

Hello internet.

I've decide that this month I'm participating in BEDA. If you're not sure what BEDA is, it stands for Blog Every Day in April and I'm pretty sure it was started by Maureen Johnson (Author, Blogger, Secret Sister.) If you can't get what it involves, well, I worry for you.

A few reasons why I've decided to do this. 1) Because I don't keep you guys updated enough, so now I have a month to catch you guys up. B) It might mean I finally get into a habit of regular blogging and #) I obviously have nothing better to do.

Hopefully in this month we'll get to know each other a bit better. Or at least, I'll make it a lot easier for you to stalk me. I haven't got much of a plan yet, it's kinda gonna be a day to day thing.

Today's the first of April, so this is the first blog. That's right, you're being jibbed out of one day. I'm pretty much a genius.

If I don't blog one day, get on my case about it. =)

See you tomorrow.

I think girls are pretty.

2009-03-30T06:20:00.001-07:00

Girls are pretty when:

they smile at nothing.
you catch them smiling at nothing and are embarrassed.
they pretend to be angry.
they impress me with their smarts.
they play guitar.
they can play any instrument.
they sing quietly to themselves.
they hear a song and bop along.
they forget to put their makeup on.
they're wearing daggy old clothes.
they accept that the photo isn't a particularly flattering one but is going on facebook.
Girls are pretty when they are confident.
they pray in that gentle voice.
they aren't scared of roller coasters.
they secretly kinda do want to go on the roller coaster but pretends they don't want to go on while having every intention of going on the roller coaster.
they can go to McDonalds and not complain about how hard it's going to be to work this off.
they can eat more than me. (Call me weird, but it's true.)
they burp and can laugh it off. (Yes, I'm weird. We realised this in the previous point.)
I see something they've painted and they're not even around.
it's cold and the only skin you can see is their face and hands.
under candlelight.
they laugh at something which isn't funny.

I think girls are pretty.

THE KILLERSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

2009-03-28T06:11:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I'm seeing the Killers at V Fest. I haven't been this excited since I dunno. I'll get back to you when I think about it. I knew I'd see them one day, but I didn't ever think it would in my peak of obsession with them. I'm so very very excited.

I'm not going in with any expectations, but I know it will be awesome. Even if they play a crap show, the fact that I'll be there and that it's the Killers playing and holy crap I can see Brandon Flowers with my very own eyes will be enough for me to convince myself it will be awesome.

There are a few songs which I know they will definitely play. Mr Brightside, Somebody Told Me, When You Were Young, All These Things That I've Done, Human, Spaceman, etc. There's others which would totally make my night if they played. Read My Mind (MUST MUST MUST), Midnight Show, Change Your Mind, Jenny Was a Friend of Mine, A Dustland Fairytale. There are others which I have no idea if they'll play it or not, but would be cool. Glamerous Indie Rock and Roll, Bones, Neon Tiger, Sweet Talk, Under the Gun, This River is Wild, All the Pretty Faces, Tidal Wave, Losing Touch. And there are some which I won't be too happy about if they play because there are much better songs, Uncle Johnny, Andy You're a Star, Goodnight Travel Well. Not that I won't be disappointed, just that slot could have been used better. =P

Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo freaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaakinnnnnnnnngggggggggggggggggggggggggggg
exciiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiittttttttttttttttttteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeedddddddddddddddddddddddd whoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I think the greatest thing they could ever do is play the entire murder trilogy right after each other. As an encore. I'd die on the spot.

The Pro's and Con's of Having Hair (or, the lack thereof.)

2009-03-14T01:16:00.000-07:00

Last night my hair was all shaved off for charity. Two other friends were along side me and altogether we earned over $260. I'm so happy with that result.

But it left me with a predicament, that being I now have no hair. I quite like my hair, or at least I did. It was a real travesty to see it go, so in memory of it I've composed the following list.

The Top 5 Unbest Things about Not Having Hair.

5. People always want to feel my head. Keep your dirty paws offa me, kids! I don't like being touched, especially on my head.
4. I have these two freckles on my forehead which are quite ugly. Luckily my hair has always covered them. Now they're quite prominent and pronounced and confidence-lowering.
3. No longer can I hide behind my fringe. I used to use it as a defensive mechanism, sort of like a turtle retreating into it's shell with the threat of danger. Now I'm just vulnerable.
2. My shadow looks really odd without hair. This is surprisingly infuriating for me, whenever I see my shadow I want to step on it's head because it looks so bad. Unfortunately this is mostly impossible unless it is midday.
1. I look bad with short hair. Oh look at that, the worst thing to do with the haircut is the looks. Shut it. I'm vain and need hair to cover the fact that I'm as ugly as a rat. Now everyone can see and I don't like it.

Maybe I'm just looking at this in the wrong light. Maybe (definitely) I had decided I didn't like me without my hair before it was even gone. Maybe I'm just a whingy annoying so-and-so who can't see the good in any situation if he doesn't want to.

The Top 5 Anti-unbest Things about Not Having Hair.
5. When I rub my head, the hair moves about at the base and is quite stimulating. Much like a massage, very nice.
4. It's quite warm where I live, and not having hair makes a big difference.
3. Man it feels good running. No wind-resistance, no flopping about. I imagine it's the same feeling a dog has when it sticks it's head out of the car window. I wouldn't know, I haven't done it yet, but I can imagine.
2. It's very low-maintenance. Normally it's very oily and needs lots of shampooing and all that jazz. But this is awesome, and it dries in no time! You know how ducks have that coating on their feathers which causes them to not get wet? It's like my hair has that when short.
1. Everyone has seemed completely sincere with their compliments. Whether it's "it looks really good!" or "You suit short hair" or "it doesn't look bad", I can tell they're being truthful about it. Also, not one person has said to me "I prefer it longer". Not one! (Except me.) That's a real self-esteem boost for me.

When it comes down to it, I don't like having such short hair but it does have it's positives. I guess I only have to live with it for a few months before it grows back. I should just grow up and deal with it. :)

Google Verb Meme

2009-01-24T04:40:00.001-08:00

You Spoony Bard!

2009-01-12T07:15:00.000-08:00

A month ago I bought Final Fantasy IV and Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift for $30 each from GAMETRADERS ROBINAAAAH. Whatabargain! I've only played TA2 for about an hour (It was a great hour too - I'm really looking forward to starting it properly), I've spent nearly 20 hours slobbering over my Nintendo DS at IV. This game is marvelous in so many ways, even for Final Fantasy standards. I'm even going as far as saying it's my second favourite Final Fantasy game (VIII just trumping it, being my first FF game and consequently making me a fan of the series). But then again, I'm still not finished IV and the ending can make or break a video game.

This game pretty much combines my favourite elements from various Final Fantasies, makes me fall madly in love with it, and then sends me a boquet of roses every week, once a month sending them growing out of a dead kitten. That is, I love it to pieces but there's just a few things which tick me off occasionally.

First, what I like about it:

Active Time Battles - FFIV was the first game to ever try the ATB system, and they seemingly nailed it first off the bat. I acknowledge that I am playing a remake (from 2008, the original created for the SNES in 1991), but from what I hear the ATB system isn't altered very much. The turn-based system in FFX is ultimately it's biggest letdown I believe, Active Time battles are just so much more exilherating and have you on your feet. Whereas it doesn't really make sense having turn-based battles. "Okay, I hit you. Now it's your turn to hit me!"

Character driven Plot - There is one thing I cannot stand about the original FF game, FFI (I played the Dawn of Souls version for the GBA until I lost it.) and that's the lame characters. There is no attempt to form a connection between the player and the characters, they didn't even give them names! Just Fighter, Black Mage etc. I love losing myself in these games and character development really aides this. Granted mostly all the FF games since FFI have had character development, even in the slightest, but IV does it beautifully. This time round, Square seems to have a fetish for making you fall in love with a character and then killing them off. In this picture above this text, up to the part I'm at, 6 of these characters have been killed and all but two have been presumed dead at some stage (I've only just met one). Way to play with my fragile heart. They even killed off two characters in the space of five minutes. Seriously guys, I felt like crying.

Difficulty - ZOMG THIS GAME IS SO HARD. I've attempted some bosses time and time again, trying to beat them. Most bosses will take me more than one shot because the first time I fail dramatically as I try to figure out what the heck is going on and what their technique is. I once died 6 times in a dungeon, just battling normal enemies! And I love it. I love a challenge. It gets really boring and repetitive if you can beat everything without trying. In FFIV, if you don't heal every turn in most battles, you're screwed. It keeps you thinking and really helps this installment stand above others.

Amano Art - The characters were designed by Yoshitaka Amano, who is an amazing artist. The picture to the right is Amano's design for Kain. Although I am usually a fan of Tetsuya Nomura's characters (VII, VIII, X, etc), they all just seem the same. Amano's characters are all unique and beautifully crafted. What? I'm appericiating art? Let's move hastily along.

This Line right here:

Oh, and the bad? I just find myself looking at the minimap instead of the actual game when in dungeons, making sure I scale every single inch of every single room so I get my cool reward. And that it's so freaking hard. :|

And to think, it was the fourth FF game Square made. I hope they're really not losing touch!

Skype list thingy

2009-01-06T21:04:00.000-08:00

These are notes addressed to anonymous people on my skype list:

1. We haven't talked much, but when we have it was lots of fun. Let's do it more often.

2. I don't understand what some people have against you, you're a nice person.

3. You disappeared. Come back. Nao. You're great.

4. You're such a cool person, I just plain love you. You're so thoughtful.

5. I always love talking to you, we get along great and you're lots of fun. Plus we could pretty much have a conversation without even talking because we seem to always know what the other one is about to say.

6. You're seriously one of my favourite people. I love the way your mind works and how you just have a way with words.

7. You're also one of my favourite people. I wish we lived near each other because we'd have so much fun.

8. I don't know where I'd be without you. Honestly, I am who I am today because you're a part of my life.

9. I'd really like to talk to you, but just never find the timing to be right. You're really awesome and I think we'd get along.

10. You've been such a great friend to me in these last few months. You have no idea how much you've inspired me and how grateful I am to even know you. Thank you. <3

11. We get along really well, but we barely ever talk. I want to be your friend. nao.

12. The only reason I have you added is because I thought it would be cool having you added. I don't actually even like you. We've never talked. I'm deleting you right now.

13. I've learned so much from you, and it's great having you as a friend.

14. You're the one person I want to meet the most in the entire world.

15. Why won't skype let us talk? I'd really like to know you. =(

16. I think I know who you are, but we've never really talked and you don't really strike me as someone I'd be interested in getting to know.

17. You're not exactly online much, but you're so much fun to talk to when you are occasionally on.

18. Again, another person who I'd get along with but we just never talk. What's with that man?

19. We've talked once or twice and you're a nice kid, I just don't think you think too highly of me.

20. You have so much love to give, so many smiles to share and you're always there for me. I look up to you so much and I can't wait until you're here in a month. =)

21. I guess you're pretty cool. I don't know you well enough to do one of these for you though.

"My Philosophy... Of Life"

2008-12-25T01:40:00.000-08:00

Life is not a rehearsal.
It's a challenge we all have to meet..
Enjoy yourself, do the best you can.
Each day gone by is not for us to repeat.
Look to this day, for it is life,
The very life of life. In it's brief course lie all
the realities and varieties of existence.
The bliss of growth, The splendour of action,
The glory of power.
For yesterday is but a dream,
And tomorrow is only a vision.
But today, well lived,
Makes every yesterday a dream of happiness,
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore, to this day.

This is a poem I found that my great grandfather wrote. As I hope we all know by know, I have incredible amounts of admiration for this man and I want to be like him in every single way. Even if I did only know him for the first 2 years of my life.

Nice Insults

2008-11-25T04:52:00.000-08:00

I am such a fan of this song

2008-11-22T04:39:00.000-08:00

No idea what these lyrics mean (since when did The Killers' songs make any sense anyway), but I love it nonetheless. Favourite from Day & Age. =D

A Dustland fairytale beginning,
With just another white trash county kiss,
in '61, long brown hair and foolish eyes.

He looked just like you'd want him to,
Some kinda slick, chrome American prince.
A blue jean serenade,
Moon river, what'd you do to me?
I don't believe you.

Saw Cinderella in a party dress,
But she was looking for a night gown.
I saw the devil wrapping up his hands,
He's getting ready for the showdown.
I saw the minute that I turned away,
I got my money on a palm tonight.

The change came in disguise of revelation,
Set his soul on fire.
She said she always knew he'd come around.

But the decades disappear
Like sinking ships, but we persevere.
God gives us hope,
but we still fear, we don't know.
The mind is poison.

Castles in the sky sit stranded, vandalised.
The drawbridge is closing.

I Saw Cinderella in a party dress,
But she was looking for a night gown.
I saw the devil wrapping up his hands,
he's getting ready for the showdown.
I saw the ending when they turned the page,
I threw my money and I ran away
Straight to the valley of the great divide.
Out where the dreams are high.

Out here the wind don't blow,
Out here the good girls die,
And the sky won't snow
Out here the birds don't sing,
Out here the fields don't grow,
Out here the bell don't ring,
Out here the bell don't ring,

Out here the good girls die.

Now Cinderella don't you fall asleep,
It's such a bitter form of refuge,
Don't you know your kingdom's under siege,
And everybody needs you.

Is there still magic in the midnight sun,
Or did you leave it back in '61,
In the cadence of a young man's eyes.
I wouldn't dream so high.

The Murder Trilogy

2008-10-23T04:24:00.000-07:00

Shaking like the devil when she lets me go
Got a new place and now it's so much better.
Falling over myself, the television's on,
I turn it off and smile.

Oh Jennifer, you know I always tried,
Before you say goodbye.

Leave the bourbon on the shelf and I'll drink it by myself,
And I'll love you endlessly, Darling don't you see,
I'm not satisfied until I hold you tight.

Give me one more chance tonight,
and I swear I'll make it right.
But you ain't got time for this,
and that wrecking bell is ringing,
And I'm not satisfied,
Until I hold you

Jennifer, tell me where I stand
And who's that boy holding your hand?
Oh Jennifer, you know I always tried.
Before you say goodbye.

Leave the bourbon on the shelf and I'll drink it by myself
I never liked your hair, those people that you lie with,
And I'm not satisfied until I hold you tight.
And I'll love you endlessly, darling don't you see
I can't be satisfied until I hold you tight.

Leave the bourbon on the shelf
And I'll drink it by myself.
I'll love you endlessly
Darling don't you see,
I'm not satisfied.

I know what you want,
I'm gonna take you to a midnight show tonight.
If you can keep a secret,
I've got a blanket in the backseat of my mind
And a little place that sits beneath the sky.
She turned her face to speak, but no-one heard her cry.

Drive faster, boy.
Drive faster, boy.

I know there's a hope,
There's too many people tryin' to help me cope.
You've got a real short skirt,
I wanna look up, look up, look up, yeah yeah.

We were just in time,
Let me take a little more off your mind.
There's something in my head, somewhere in the back saying
"We were just a good thing, we were such a good thing."

Make it go away without a word,
But promise me you'll stay
And fix these things I've hurt.

Make it go away, oh.
Drive faster, boy.
Oh no.

The crashing tide can't hide a guilty girl.
With jealous hearts that start with gloss and curls.
I took my baby's breath beneath the chandelier of stars and atmosphere,
And watched her disappear into the midnight show.

Faster, faster, faster...
Oh no, no, no no....
If you can keep a secret, baby I can keep...
If you can keep a secret.
She said she loved me.
If you can keep a secret, I can keep a secret.
She said she loved me.
If you can keep a secret, baby I can keep...
If you can keep a secret.

We took a walk that night but it wasn't the same.
We had a fight on the promenade out in the rain.
She said she loved me, but she had somewhere to go.
She couldn't scream while I held her close,
I swore I'd never let her go.

Tell me what you wanna know,
Oh come on, come on, come on.
There ain't no motive for this crime,
Jenny was a friend of mine,
So come on, come on, come on.
Woah-oh oh.

I know my rights, I've been here all day and it's time
For me to go so let me know if it's alright.
I just can't take this, I swear I told you the truth.
She couldn't scream while I held her close,
I swore I'd never let her go.

Tell me what you wanna know,
Oh come on, come on, come on.
And then you whisper in my ear,
"I know what you're doing here,
so come on, come on, come on."
There ain't no motive for this crime,
Jenny was a friend of mine,
so come on, come on, come on.
Woah-oh, oh.

Random CD Reviews

2008-10-15T17:09:00.000-07:00

I randomly decided I wanted to do some real-quick reviews of some CD's I have lying around.

Anberlin - New Surrender: A great album with lyrically deep and guitar-heavy songs. Ordering could possibly detract from the album's overall awesomeness though, and the album is still probably Anberlin's weakest effort to date. 3.5 stars. Favourite songs: Haight Street, Burn Out Brighter (Northen Lights).

The Fratellis - Costello Music: Poppy record which releases a small amount of joy with every listen. My favourite aspect of this band is that they use their mouth as just another instrument, with lots of "badabaps" and "dodados" and whistling. Lots of fun. 4 stars. Favourite song: Whistle For The Choir.

Family Force 5 - Dance or Die: I love how Famliy Force 5 can seemlessly blend dance music and heavy rock with a touch of hip-hop, a pinch of screaming and five tablespoons of awesome. Their distinctive style will have out of your chair and dancing. A very different feel than their first album, but it's good to finally have a style set in stone. 4 stars. Favourite song: Rip It Up.

The Killers - Hot Fuss: This album is the best I've heard since Relient K's Mmhmm. It completely stuns me with every lesson. Influenced heavily by British-pop, completed with a few beautiful rock songs. This album contains two parts of the Murder Trilogy, Midnight Show and Jenny Was a Friend of Mine, with the prelude to these Leave the Burboun on the Shelf found on the raraties album Sawdust. 5 stars. Favourite songs: Mr Brightside, Smile Like You Mean It, Midnight Show, the whole freaking album.

Relient K - The Bird and the Bee Sides: This double-EP is broken up into 2 parts.
The new stuff EP is called The Nashville Tennis EP. You can definitely draw similarities between this and their latest album Five Score and Seven Years Ago, with the exception of a few more tongue-in-cheek styled songs in this. Starts of very well and begins to die near the end, but it finishes before they let the momentum die. 4 stars. Favourite songs: There Was No Thief, The Last, The Lost, The Least.
The old stuff EP is The Bird and the Bee Sides, and you can immediately hear them at their roots again. Although not as wholely strong as The Nashville Tennis EP, it doesn't lose it's momentum. Definitely for fans of Anatomy or Two Lefts. 3.5 stars. Favourite Song: The Vinyl Countdown.

The Killers - Sam's Town: They had high expectations when releasing this album and I believe they definitely met them. More American Rock feel rather than British Pop, but it still works for them. Definitely not as good as Hot Fuss, but it still is one of my favourite albums. 5 stars. Favourite song: Read My Mind.

Family Force 5 - Business Up Front, Party in the Back: This album's only weak spot would be the first three songs make you feel like you're Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, they are very similar. And although there is not set style and ranges from Alternative (Replace Me, Lose Urself) to Hip-Hop (Supersonic, Put Ur Hands Up) to Heavy Rock (Love Addict, Earthquake), it still makes for a brilliant album. Also, the Diamond Edition of this album contains 3 of the album's possibly best songs, so definitely go for that. 4.5 stars. Favourite Song: Love Addict, Never Let Me Go.

Alright, I'm bored now. Enjoy and go buy some CD's.

I love Flowers.

2008-10-14T23:13:00.000-07:00

It's time to discuss that unnerving man-crush of mine that is Brandon Flowers. I mean come on, he's suave, he's sophisticated, he's fasionable, he's sexy and he makes the most amazing music on the face of this planet.

Mustacheless, this would be his Hot Fuss look.

And mustacheful, the look of Sam's Town.

Brandon Flowers is the front-man of the band The Killers. They are my favourite band ever, and I would like to thank Keagan and Chloe for ever introducing them to me. I spend a week obsessing over these guys on a fortnightly basis. I can't explain what's so appealing about them to me apart from the fact their music the best I've heard.

My all-time favourite song ever is Read My Mind, by The Killers. This song is perfect, from the church-hymn sounding synth to the catchy guitar riff and deep lyrics. Brandon himself said it was the best song he's ever written. If there's one thing I want to do in my life before I die, it is to see this song live.

I'm on the corner of Main Street,
Just trying to keep it in line.
You say you wanna move on and
You say I'm falling behind.

Can you read my mind?
Can you read my mind?

I never really gave up on
Breaking out of this two-star town.
I got the green light, I got a little fight,
I'm gonna turn this thing around.

Can you read my mind?
Can you read my mind?

The good old days, the honest man,
The restless heart, the promised land.
The subtle kiss that no-one sees,
A broken wrist and a big trapieze.

Well, I don't mind if you don't mind,
'Cause I don't shine if you don't shine.
Before you go could you read my mind?

It's funny how you just break down,
Waiting on some sign.
I pull up to the front of your driveway,
with magic soaking my spine.

Can you read my mind?
Can you read my mind?

The teenage queen, the loaded gun,
The drop-dead dream, the chosen one.
A southern drawl, a world unseen,
The city walls and a trampoline.

Well, I don't mind if you don't mind,
'Cause I don't shine if you don't shine.
Before you jump, tell me what you find,
When you read my mind.

Slippin' in my faith until I fall,
You never returned that call.
Woman, open the door, don't let it sting.
I wanna breathe the fire again.

She said I don't mind if you don't mind,
'Cause I don't shine you don't shine.
Put your back on me,
Put your back on me,
Put your back on me.

The stars are blazing like rebel diamonds cut out of the sun
When you read my mind.

I have an epiphany halfway through this blog post

2008-10-03T18:48:00.000-07:00

I've lost my spark. I've lost my edge. I'm no longer happy.

I just realised this now. A few months ago, life was great and I was genuinely happy. It's such a great feeling to have, you can literally feel it in your stomach. And those months I spent happy were by far some of the funnest times.

But in the last month and a bit, the happiness has faded. I did notice it, but I thought "it's just a mood, it'll come back." Unfortunately, it hasn't yet.

I don't know what's missing in my life, or even what brings me happiness. It was just there and I snatched it. In recent weeks, I've even found myself saying "okay, try and be happy" which kinda depresses me because I used to not have to try, I just was.

Wait a minute, I've got it! I've been unhappy ever since I stopped attending 12two! 12two is the young adults service at my church. I haven't been able to go because work began rostering me on Sunday nights and I need the money.

Yep, I'm convinced. The reason I am no longer happy is because I'm missing God. BLAH NEED TO GO TO CHURCH =(

I heart music quizzes

2008-09-04T06:06:00.000-07:00

If you've read my old LJ, or are a friend of my myspace, you'd know that I have this unjustified infatuation for music based quizzes. You know the ones which are like "guess what song this is" or "put your thingy on shuffle" ones. Whenever I see one, I am compelled to repost it and others.

So Rohan posted this music quiz on his blog and obviously there was no hope for me. So below will be my answers to the quiz.

HOWEVER!!!
I'm adding an extra one to the bottom, which involved VIEWER PARTICIPATION. So go down and read that one, I'll bold it or something for you for easy searching! =D

So, the first one:

The rules are:
Choose a singer/band/group.
Answer using ONLY titles of songs by that singer/band/group.

I'm doing two bands, because I can do whatever I want! (Me too, Rohan. Me too.)

Band(s) I chose: The Killers & Jars of Clay

1 Are you male or female?
The Killers: Mr. Brightside.
Jars of Clay: Boy on A String. ("He" also works pleasently well.)

2 Describe yourself.
The Killers: All The Pretty Faces.
Jars of Clay: Something Beautiful (I'm kidding! Like A Child =P)

3 What do people feel when they're around you?
The Killers: Bones.
Jars of Clay: Needful Hands

4 How would you describe your previous relationship?
The Killers: Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine.
Jars of Clay: Mirrors and Smoke.
(I haven't been in a relationship, so ignore this question and the next one =P)

5 Describe your current relationship.
The Killers: Change Your Mind. (There are so many good ones for this, such as For Reasons Unknown and Under The Gun)
Jars of Clay: Frail.

6 Where would you want to be now?
The Killers: Sam's Town would be the reasonable answer, but 'On Top' is too funny xDDDD
Jars of Clay: This Road.

7 How do you feel about love?
The Killers: Where is She?
Jars of Clay: Crazy Times

8 What's your life like?
The Killers: Everything Will Be Alright
Jars of Clay: Overjoyed

9 What would you ask for if you had only one wish?
The Killers: Bling (Confession of a King)
Jars of Clay: Redemption

10 Say something wise.
The Killers: Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town.
Jars of Clay: Light Gives Heat

SECOND QUIZ WOOOHOOO!!!
See? I even enlarged the text for you. B-) I'm amazing.

Step 1: Put your iTunes or equivalent on random.
Step 2: Post the first line from the first 30 songs that play, no matter how embarrassing.
Step 4: Bold out the songs when someone guesses correctly.
Step 5: Looking them up on Google or any other search engine is CHEATING!

01. Burning down Neverland, scattering ashes.
02. All around me are familiar faces, worn out places, worn out faces.
03. Lovestruck Romeo sings the streets a serenade.
04. It's hard to argue when you won't stop making sense.
05. For a time I thought there was a thief among us.
06. It's been one week since you looked at me.
07. The heart is a bloom, shoots up through the stony ground.
08. Thinking 'bout thinking of you.
09. You got me dancing and crying.
10. Write down to remind yourself on how it can be.
11. She's got her halo and wings hidden under his eyes.
12. Just in case, I will leave my things packed so I can run away.
13. I asked her to stay, but she wouldn't listen.
14. I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish, I'll be your fantasy.
15. Fever's got me sweating and you know I'm burning up.
16. I watch the proverbial sunrise coming up over the pacific.
17. I used to put my faith in worship but then my chance to get to Heaven slipped.
18. Remember Rio and get down.
19. This is a toast to all the people listening.
20. I wonder what it's like to be the rain maker.
21. Somebody once told me the world is gonna roll me.
22. I see the king of glory coming down on clouds with fire.
23. Called to see if your back was still aligned.
24. Are there no shadows where you are?
25. This is the story of a girl who cried a river and drown the whole world.
26. I used to rule the world, seas would rise when I gave the word.
27. If it hurts, kiss it better. You wear skirts, I write nice letters.
28. Holding you closer, it's time that I told you everything is going to be fine.
29. Leaves are falling down on the beautiful ground, I heard a story from the man in red.
30. Hold up, wait a minute, put a little love in it.

Comment with what you think the songs are. GOOGLE IS BANNED! =D

GugLIElmucci (couldn't resist =P)

2008-08-21T00:53:00.000-07:00

I found out today that Mike Guglielmucci, a pastor of the Planetshakers church, lied about being terminally ill with lung cancer.

For the non-Christians (and non-Australian Christians even), Planetshakers is a church in Melbourne, but is more commonly associated with the conference that they hold annually. The Planetshakers band travels around to most capital cities in Australia, there are huge guest speakers and it attracts tens of thousands of people each year. I've been to three of these conferences ('06-'08)

From about 2005, Guglielmucci has been possibly the key songwriter. About 6 albums were prominently his work. He speaks at most of the conferences and is very inspiring to a lot of people there. I remember in the first year I went, Mike's sermon caused the holy spirit to move in me like it never had before. He had a huge influence in my Christian journey.

The second year I went, Guglielmucci announced that he was sick with lung cancer. The mood was tense and the atmosphere was gloomy. He was nearly crying up on stage. When he was diagnosed, he wrote a song called Healer.* This song is a beautiful, heartfelt cry from Guglielmucci asking God to heal him. It's become something of an anthem to not only the Planetshakers band, but sick people all throughout Australia. This song was one of my favourites from Planetshakers, but now I just can't shake off the feeling it's a fraud.

What would possess Mike to lie about this? Even before claiming he was sick, he was so highly respected and a role-model for thousands of kids.

The weird thing is how this has all happened. First, he announces he was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and writes a song about it. Things would have been easy to stitch up there with an announcement he was misdiagnosed, it would have gotten him off the hook pretty lightly. A year later, at the 2008 conference, he could have announced that he had indeed been healed. That's the most sensible approach I can see. Let the people get worked up about the miracle that supposedly happened, and then forget about it forever. This all involves lying some more, but Mike's obviously not too scared to do that.

I just don't know what to think. I can't judge him (Let he who is without sin cast the first stone) and I'm sure he's going to be asking for forgiveness from everyone, which he'll get because come on, he's dealing with teenagers immature in their faith. But he has lost a lot of respect from me and a whole lot of others, I'm sure.

*I just wanted to say: when I went to find the song on YouTube, Planetshakers had videos of it removed. This happened today, because I watched some yesterday and they were removed today. This is unlike Planetshakers as the general belief is "Let the people worship God", they've never really minded. Just saying.
On a side note, Mike deleted his myspace profile which had photos of him sick and everything. I don't mean anything by all this, just letting you know.

Cause my blog is that place where I tell you my dreams.

2008-06-28T19:08:00.000-07:00

I found myself in the biggest crowd I've ever seen in my life. Who would ever think that a single band could attract so many people, even if they were The Beatles? I shuffled through the crowd, behind a divider and took my allocated seat. Closer to the back than the front, but I could still see if Paul McCartney realised that his last step was on his right foot and wanted to put forward his right foot again but felt awkward so had to do that little shuffle. Rohan was right behind and took the seat to the right of me.

I was never a HUGE Beatles fan, but sure they've made some wonderful music in the past. I don't know why I went to a Beatles concert, especially when there was only two of the original band still remaining, but you know. Dreams do that to you.

There was some pre-show entertainment going on. A sort of large, black lady was about 10 rows in making some crowd interaction. She looked like the bastard child of my old primary school Japanese teacher, Ms. McCabe (Who insisted we called her Sensei Mekaibu) and Opera. Oh, did I mention her name was Maureen Johnson? That's right, Marueen Johnson's black in my dreams. Rohan hyperventilated.

And finally, the show begun! I dashed to the front and somehow managed to get into the front row of moshers. I saw them all, John Lennon (who sort of looked like Juan Mann, now that I think about it), Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, that other dude. They were all there! I thought they had died, but apparently my dream had other intentions. They immediately started playing a song, one I didn't know. But it was amazing. In fact it was so amazing I began singing the words. I became one of those fangirls you see on tv whenever there is a Beatles special on. I was screaming with my hands out, wishing one of them would just bless me with a touch of their hand. I passed out from being extreme and woke up in my bed. Confused I got up, opened my laptop, logged on to Blogspot and began recalling the crazy dream I just had.

Natalie Imbruleigha has a great song about this sort of situation

2008-06-15T09:51:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure how to feel about something.

The kinks on the YouTube Insight Demographics seem to be flattening out. I no longer have a 100% male audience all between the age of 18-25. As I post this, my audience is sitting at a nice, healthy 63% female audience, with approximately 65% of all viewers between 0-18. And that's where it should be. Maybe I could have a bit more chicks watching though. If i work out how, there will be a screenshot so I don't have to explain anymore.

I feel very torn about how I'm supposed to feel. You see, I'm very happy that a good 80% of my 0-18 and 18-25 age brackets are female. It means I'm a stud to girls my own age. Score. But the opens the question: where are all the guys?

They're down in the older areas. Honestly, 95% of my senior viewing (meaning anyone OVER THE AGE OF 55) are men. HORNY OLD SWEATY MEN ON PENSIONS.

And I really don't know if they cancel each other out or not.

What social life?

2008-06-12T05:15:00.000-07:00

1.	university (noun)
	Once a mechanism whereby smart people could raise themselves above humble beginnings and obtain a worthwhile qualification indicating a high probability of being employable. Now a complete con to get kids with high hopes into insurmountable amounts of debt before they even think about buying a house.. then they discover that the job they trained for was entirely fictitious, and they'll have to take any job they can get. At this point, they realise they should have gone into benefit fraud and drug dealing like all their "stupid" friends, who now have houses, cars and big screen TVs. That's pretty much it, hey? I'd like to thank urban dictionary for that wonderful definition! Although it probably should have said something about not giving you a life. Like it is doing to me right now. I have exams starting this Saturday for a week, so wish me luck plzkthx =)

Let's drink until our hearts stop.

2008-05-27T23:50:00.000-07:00

50 shiny cookies for anyone who can tell me where I got the title from. I don't care if it's from something else, you need to guess where I got it from.

I thought I'd elaborate on the point I'm pretty sure I made in my first post. I have a tendency to sorta leave things open for a bunch of questions, like 'why' and ''how' and 'what the hell are you on about'. Although I'm yet to actually be asked these questions, they're all pretty much assumed, especially the last one.

Drinking. It's stupid and silly and gay and stupid and silly.

I'd so much love to say "I don't drink", but I don't want to be chained down to that promise. If there's a special occasion happening and I'm in the mood, I'd like to be able to have a drink without feeling guilty cause I'm breaking a promise I made to myself or having someone come up to me saying "u'z a hippocrit OMG". I don't have any major moral objections to drinking, but I'm definitely not too fond of it.

If I had to throw enough alcohol to kill a small rhino into someone's hand and trust them not to get drunk, it'd be me. I see myself very responsible when it comes to such things. So really, I shouldn't have any objection to drinking because I know I can trust myself with it. I've only been drunk once and that was because I wanted to find what my limit was. Even then, I was aware that I shouldn't be doing anything silly because of my state of intoxication. I was very cautious.

Come to think of it, I don't have much to back up my previous statement of 'alcohol is stupid and silly and gay and stupid and silly', but really I don't think I need to. It's a choice I've made and you have no reason to look down on me if I choose not to drink.

Just to properly stress, I'm not backing myself into a corner by saying 'I don't drink', I'm just not going to drink.

The Sacrilegious Consumption of Chicken

2008-05-26T17:57:00.000-07:00

It is a well known and widely accepted fact that the Colonel is more God than he is human. I think the ratio lies around about 2 parts God for every 1 part human. From hundreds of thousands of different possibilities, he himself managed to pick out THE eleven secret herbs and spices which would culminate a feeling similar to sex, only in a delicious, edible form. Every day, millions (that’s right, millions) of people flock to his restaurants as a daily act of surrender to the immortal being known as Colonel Sanders.

However, I have recently seen a distinct lack of respect in worshipers towards the Colonel. I am appalled at the disorderly conduct of the general KFC congregation. So, I have created a document which describes the proper way to pay your respects. I demand that it be implemented into every restaurant immediately.

Pre Meal:
Before an order of sacrifice is made, worshipers must first declare allegiance to the Colonel. This can simply be done by kneeling in front of a picture of the Colonel, and stating out loud: “I hereby willingly hand my soul over to the army of the Colonel”. Statues can be implemented in more heavily attended restaurants. Once this is completed, and the Colonel is pleased, a meal can be ordered. This must be done by contacting a member of staff (who will henceforth be known as priests. Or chosen ones.) who will pass a monetary offering into a complex machine known as a tithe register, which bears resemblance to a cash register, but also displays many properties attributed to the ark of the covenant in the Christian belief.

Once the sacrifice of chicken has been made by a priest, it is placed in a bucket and handed to the worshiper, in thanks of the offering given. At this moment, the worshiper must once again kneel before a poster (or statue) of the Colonel, hold the bucket above their head and give thanks for the meal. This step is absolutely vital, and can result in excommunication if not conducted properly. After this, the meal can be consumed.

During Meal:
Many laws surround the consumption of the meal.

Every meal must have at least one serve of chicken and 100 calories.
Meals must be wholly consumed within the building. Anyone who eats anywhere else is displeasing in the Colonel’s eyes.
No artificial implement must be used to consume the meal, as it is considered to contaminate the food. The only exception to this rule is a little red plastic spoon which can be used to effectively eat Potato & Gravy (P&G).
Chips have a set of regulations in the way they are to be consumed. If chips are included in the same meal as P&G, they must be individually dipped into the P&G until one is completely diminished. This is the recommended method of eating P&G (as opposed to the spoon method). If a burger is included in a meal along with chips, the burger must be opened up and have the middle lined with chips. This is regarded as the duty of worshipers and not of priests. If none of these objects are in the meal with chips, be sure that it complies with the first law. If so, they can be consumed alone.
Unless you are under the age of twelve, or are ordering on behalf of someone aged under twelve, it is considered childish to include Popcorn Chicken in your meal. It is weak.
Mountain Dew is deemed as the most pleasing drink to accompany your offering. However, all other drinks sold at KFC are still worthy.

Post Meal:
Once the meal has been completely finished, it is to be followed up with a burp and a prayer of gratification. After this, worshipers are permitted to leave. Some believe that cleaning up afterwards grants good luck for the day ahead.

Miscellaneous:
This ritual must be performed at least once a week. Restaurants shall henceforth be referred to as shrines or temples. These are the laws which will ensure a pleasing attitude from the Colonel. Please abide by them to properly respect him for his great contribution towards the global society.

title

2008-05-24T19:26:00.000-07:00

There is a direct relationship between the speed of internet and form of blogging.

Meaning, the slower my internet is, the less videos I upload and the more text blogging I do. Obviously because this takes much less bandwidth and time. But right now, I'm sort of in the middle of speeds. I'm still on dial up, but I also access broadband at the church on occasions if I'm there, and I have reason to believe that I'm getting broadband internet at home FINALLY on Tuesday. Though this news is coming from Telstra, and I'm not actually believing it until I have it.

So right now, I'm in the middle of two speeds. I'm at that exact moment were I don't seem to be video blogging at all, or text blogging! My online social life is completely disappearing! I've filmed a vlog, but I just can't upload it. Maybe Tuesday, we'll see.

But I also don't even have anything to text blog about. So blah.

2008-05-22T06:54:00.000-07:00

I have an issue.

Over the course of my life, I have bought 8 pokemon games. Red, Yellow, Trading Card Game, Pinball, Silver, Crystal, Sapphire and Diamond. Yeah, I bet you didn't know I liked pokemon that much. I'm very mysterious like that.

There's a thing going 'round YouTube and my circle of friends where you find an old pokemon game and play through it using only one type of pokemon. I'd love to do it, but it seems that moving 3 or 4 times in the last 10 years has not faired well for my cherished games, and have gone missing.

I only searched for them for about an hour tonight, and I found Diamond (mainly because it was in my DS, but also because I'm awesome) and also the trading card game, which to me is by far the most useless one I could have found in this situation (possibly excluding pinball). Somewhere out there is my beloved Red with a CAUGHT Missingno AND A MEW! YEAH THAT'S RIGHT. My yellow, which I clocked hundreds of hours on, My Silver which I got with a special limited edition pokemon Game Boy Colour (not the cruddy one either, the Gold/Silver shiny one!), my Crystal which was probably the pokemon game I played most religiously, and Sapphire which was the mother of all impulsive buys.

So as you can see, there's a lot of history in these games! And they can't be found! Because they've either a) been lost or thrown out in the move or b) been sold in a garage sale (which is so not cool - they are MY games!). So I'm a bit annoyed at the moment.

I'm going to have a proper look through all the boxes in the garage tomorrow. Even though I have a feeling Red + Silver may have been sold for about $5 each in a garage sale, I don't ever remember getting rid of Yellow, I'm absolutely positive I still have Crystal somewhere, and Sapphire HAS to be around as it's not that terribly old.

If worse comes to worse, I'll restart my Diamond game. Or I'll go to Gametraders or Cash Converters and pick up a copy. But you all would know how I'd feel about that. You don't get the same nostalgia if you have to buy it again. I'd much rather play with my game cartridge. That way I can play my old file for 10 minutes, delete it, cry for a few hours and then start all over again.

Damn Pokemon could never save more than one file....>=(

Who wants to help me search?

Mitto-who?

2008-05-22T05:38:00.000-07:00

I figured that I liked this whole blogspot thing. Much better than the emo LiveJournal that I keep forgetting to update. With saying that, I've been relatively good with updating it this month! I figure what I'm going to do is have this as my public blog, cause it's cooler and all with pictures, and keep the LJ as more of a personal blog. Which means it'll more than likely become friends-only blog, so if you seriously cannot get enough of the big M (worst self-given nickname ever), I suggest you first get some therapy, and then make a LJ account and make friends with me! I'm only going to re-friend people I actually know, so make it obvious! Like a comment saying "It's me, you idiot.", obviously replacing me with your actual name.

A little about myself. I'm an 18 year old student living in Australia. Let's break that down into detailed, nutritious bites, shall we?

Age. I turned 18 not 2 weeks ago. I've never really been the sort of person to drink (even when I was underage, everyone seems to do it nowadays), go to parties, socialise even. I was excited about being legal in so many aspects, but now that it's here I'm keeping a bit withdrawn for a while. I pretty much decided the week I turned 18 that I'm not going to drink much, party much. I'm not a typical 18 year old, really. I mean come on, I have a blog. :P

Student. I'm studying a Bachelor of Health Science at Griffith University. It's what I want to do, and I am enjoying it so far. Although I'm only in my first semester, first year, so that view is bound to change soon enough. My intention is to swap into Biomedical Science at the end of the year, complete that course, and then get into a Bachelor of Medicine. Yay Mat, let's get the hardest course you can think of AND DO THAT!

Living. Well, what I can make of life. At the moment I'm not doing much of that 'living' thing, as uni takes a lot of time and work isn't rostering me many hours at all. So I am hanging on by a string at the moment. I currently work at Pizza Hut Robina 3 and a-freaking half hours a week.

Australia. My home country, I adore it. I live on the beautiful Gold Coast, in Queensland. And there's pretty much no place I'd rather be. It is Heaven.

You can expect here general ramblings of my life, YouTube stuff, friendish stuff, uni stuff, work stuff, church stuff, whatever stuff and stuff stuff. Hope you enjoy. =)

- Mathew