I'm So Productive

As I sit in my room, laptop perched atop my lap as the title suggests, I am not being productive. I should be writing my edit script, or even scheduling a shoot for a film that is due in two weeks. However pressing these tasks may be, I cannot help but allow certain things to wane my interest in the mandatory. The following nouns and the verbs which accompany them are responsible for my distraction:

1- Stephen King's new novel "Under the Dome": As per usual, I am transfixed by the stories that Mr. King has managed to arrange some letters into words, and these words into sentences that in turn tell several amazing stories in one book. I just wish I could find someone to pay me for reading his books, then reading them wouldn’t be seen as a bad thing.

2- The Soft Pack: One of my new favourite bands. These so-cal rockers are not only putting out great music, but original collections of photos and videos to accompany their tracks. One viewing of their beach performance of the song "Down on Lovin'" will have you too putting your school work aside to delve deeper into the world of The Soft Pack.

3- Tetley Tea: Some people eat when they're bored, some people watch tv. I drink tea, of the Tetley variety. Right now, as I type away, I have a nice steaming cup of tea next to me awaiting my consumption. I don't experiment with tea, I have a brand that I like and that's good enough for me. Tetley offers and perfect balance of real tea leaves mixed with preservatives and chemicals that make for a nice bastardized version of a drink which has been around for a few thousand years. Let’s see how many I'll have today.

4- Making Lists: I'm like John Cusak in High Fidelity. Except I have less vinyl.

Thank you for being a part of my procrastination.

Declan

Time For a Plaid Shirt and an Acoustic Guitar

If only I could find the fountain of youth, my favourite bands could play forever. But alas, there is no such thing as eternal youth, and the demise of my favourite bands will either happen by their choice or mine. After all, there is nothing more pathetic than seeing a bunch of middle-aged dudes trying to play the same music they did so well when they were in their early twenties. But so far so good; bands like Brand New, Moneen and the Ataris are adapting their sound to their age, and looking back at classic examples such as At the Drive In breaking up to avoid forcing their early punk sounds and also to search for a more mature sound. Believe me when I say that I am not against the pop-punk/high energy rock bands, what I am against, however, is the idea of these same bands attempting to create a long-lasting career with these same songs and styles.
Just one listen to Moneen’s latest album The World I want to Leave Behind illustrates exactly what I am advocating. They have come a long way from their earlier days of high-energy jams which can be found on 2001’s The Theory of Harmonial Value. This was a great album, and I will listen to it for the rest of my life, but if I go to a Moneen show in three years and they’re still playing those same songs, I may have to reconsider my love for the lads. I have to stress that The World is a much more mature side of Moneen, even more so than The Red Tree, which was just a step along the way to being the band they are now.
Brand New are another one of my favourite bands who are in the middle of a transition period of their sound (when have they not been?). The differences between 2001’s Your Favorite Weapon and this year’s release Daisy are staggering. Jesse Lacey has succeeded in leading his best friends, and their fans, from their early roots in Long Island’s punk scene into worldwide success. They have managed to do this unscathed, all the while maintaining their credibility, not an easy thing to do in the genre. Along the way they have released some of my favourite songs, and albums, each one completely different than the previous release. Along the way, Jesse has also developed his solo career, performing countless acoustic shows with friends like Kevin Devine. Is this an avenue that Jesse will continue to explore? One can only hope. I don’t wish to see the end of Brand New anytime soon, but I would much rather never hear another Brand New album that isn’t a “brand new” sound.
While we’re on the topic of solo careers branching out of our favourite “punk” bands, there are a few more people who I must mention. First off, the obvious, Dallas Green. Dallas, as we all know, is from the St. Kitts based Alexisonfire. What we also know is that Dallas is one extremely talented singer, and a decent guitarist. Combine these two and what do you get? A career that will live on long after the guys in Alexisonfire have called it quits due to their ever expanding beer guts, and failing vocal chords. Another man who deserves a great deal of praise for his solo work is Kris Roe, of The Ataris. If you aren’t a fan of The Ataris you may not know what I’m talking about, so I will enlighten you. In between Ataris albums (yes, they have more than one), Kris is known for going on solo tours without any set dates, leaving it up to his fans to book shows for him along the way. The result of this is smaller, more intimate shows filled with true fans of Kris’s acoustic performances. Not only is Kris doing these small acoustic shows, his albums are also becoming smaller in a sense. They have been stripped down to basic formats, and the songs speak of more mature subjects. Songs about teenage riots and broken promise rings have been replaced by much darker themes and subjects.
Don’t get me wrong, I value the time that I have with bands like Dead and Divine, A Day to Remember and Protest the Hero. What I’m trying to say is that I know they aren’t going to last forever. The genre itself requires too many variables that expire when the band’s twenties pass; energy, a healthy liver, strong vocal chords, and the ability to connect with one’s audience. While we wish our favourite bands could last forever, we save their music to our computers because we know that our hard drives offer something much more permanent than those bands can ever give us.

Declan

Who is watching these movies?

Variety Online last week featured a headline “’2012’ destroys worldwide box office”. According to the article the “disaster pic brings in total of $225 million”. It grossed $225 million dollars in its opening weekend! Obviously I have not yet seen this film; however from the floods of “wtf’s” (wtf = what the fuck) I have seen this week in response to the movie on Facebook from friends and acquaintances, it has let me confirm my predictions (not a Mayan reference) that 2012 is a crap movie. Really though, who would have thought? There is a scene in the trailer where John Cusack drives a car out of a cargo plane, he drops 100 feet and lands in the snow. Not only does there appear to be any damage (hard to tell because it was so CGI’ed) but he is able to drive away, in the snow, unharmed. This trailer seems so realistic and exciting; it’s no wonder people flocked to the theatre. I feel as if I may be the only person who actually saw that junk trailer because how could someone actually watch a preview like that and then spend $11.00 (plus popcorn and a diet coke with two straws) on such a horrible looking movie? I hate to think society has such poor taste or that they are as stupid as these statistics make them look. It did gross $225 million dollars in the opening weekend though. Okay, maybe society is that stupid.

I think David Fincher may feel the same way that I do. This week when the movie Fight Club was released onto blueray, Fincher (the movie’s director) included a prank, one that I believe has an argument behind it. Those who have purchased the blueray disc are (hopefully) angered when the main menu loads. Fincher has used the start menu of the movie “Never Been Kissed” starring Hollywood bicycle Drew Barrymore to (hopefully) scare his viewers. After a few seconds, the screen changes to the proper “Fight Club” start-up but the initial shock of thinking you purchased “Never Been Kissed” must be devastating (hopefully). Besides being a pretty humorous joke, David Fincher, in my opinion, is making a statement. The film “Never Been Kissed” was released at the same time as “Fight Club” and embarrassingly enough the film crushed “Fight Club” at the box office. Embarrassing and disgraceful considering that a large group of critics (including myself) regard “Fight Club” as one of the better movies of this millennium.

Just look at the box office results every week and you will see some Kate Hudson and Matt McConaughey movie dominating the box office. Future classics, future Oscar winners, and extremely intelligent works of art take the backseat to a bunch recycled jokes and a ridiculous plot about two idiots falling in love. These romantic comedies seem to me as though they are the result of someone opening a script on their computer, changing the setting and character names, and then clicking the ‘replace all’ icon (it’s easier to do than it looks). These movies are the adult version of the Teletubies (ie: the repetition of the same annoying shit over-and-over). The difference is that toddlers aren’t filling the theatres every week to watch a shirt less McConaughey, or a could-they-not-get-a-better-looking-lead Barrymore in some ridiculous role.

In the movie “Fight Club” Brad Pitt’s character says, “Look, the people you are after are the people you depend on. We cook your meals, we haul your trash, we connect your calls, we drive your ambulances. We guard you while you sleep.” When asking the question, “who is watching these movies?” I feel like the Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt’s character) quote may be fitting. The box office records confirm that these fools are everywhere; they are lurking behind every corner, stalking, and waiting to throw money in the face of some undeserving and over-rated actor.

In conclusion I am basically just saying a few things. By supporting movies such as these, you are ruining the film industry; think of this when you decide to go throw away money on a garbage movie. Watch the trailers and read the reviews before going to see a movie. If the trailer looks familiar, it is probably a very similar movie to the last romantic comedy you saw. All this talk about bad blockbusters makes me sick in anticipation for Christopher Nolan’s next Batman, a blockbuster movie with substance. Remember, there is nothing romantic or comedic about another Matthew McConaughey movie. Matt, put on a shirt and do a movie worth watching. You are going to wake up one morning 70-years-old, alone, and with skin cancer. At this point your legacy won’t even fill up a 30 minute television documentary. Finally, although violence is rarely the answer, if you ever see John Cusack would you please slap him across the face for me?



Aaron Bawn

Guy "f-ing" Fawkes: Burning for all of eternity

Tonight is Guy Fawkes Night. For those of you unfamiliar with this festive day, it is a United Kingdom custom that was created after the English historical event called the Gunpowder Plot. To help you better understand I will quickly give you the grade 9 history project version of the plot that has spawned its own celebration. In 1604, King James was reigning over England (and Scotland but he was King James the IV there so I won’t mention that much). King James and the rest of his aristocracy were strict Protestants. Obviously, this religious ideology did not sit well with Catholics living in England at the time (the obviousness stems from centuries of conflict between the two groups). An assassination plot of all the Protestant leaders was developed (the only reasonable solution) and the leader of the group was Robert Catesby. Although Catesby was in fact the leader of this group of Catholic assassins (sounds like something from a Dan Brown novel eh) Guy Fawkes is the one who is now remember. Fawkes was the group’s explosives expert (sounds like something from an Ocean’s Eleven movie eh) and it was most likely Fawkes’ work that would have caused the King’s death. When the plot was discovered by English officials, just hours before it was implemented, Guy Fawkes was captured and tortured for days before being executed.

Today this execution is reenacted on a glorious evening called Guy Fawkes Night. Families all over the world on November 5th celebrate by lighting fireworks to represent the would-be explosion and creating huge bonfires where objects called “guys” are burned. “Guys” are scarecrows or manikins that resemble a human. These scarecrows are created as a representation of Guy Fawkes and are burned in celebration of the failed attempt on the life of the King in the 17th century. Just like Easter, Guy Fawkes Night allows people to enjoy the celebration of a villain’s horrible death (I am only kidding... Guy Fawkes wasn’t that bad).

Guy Fawkes Night is a night that should be celebrated by everyone around the world. Why you may ask? Do I have some love for King James? Not exactly. Of course I do love everyone’s favourite Cavalier, but I would burn LeBron James bobble-heads if I could use it as an excuse to celebrate something. The real reason for my endorsement is that I believe in the idea of celebration. Guy Fawkes Night is just a cool way to go about this celebration. Not too mention, I don’t think we in modern society celebrate enough (Okay, maybe I did mention it). Sure you might say, “Everyone is still recovering from their Halloween hangover by November 5th. It is too early to celebrate again.” As always I respond, “prove it.”

I think we already have a similar instance were there are two celebratory holidays with a short break in between them; do we not? Santa's birthday and New Years are only 6 days apart and that is one of the best times of the year. In ancient Rome, one of the most bad ass historical periods ever (for proof of this please watch the extremely accurate historical documentary starring Russell Crow entitled The Gladiator), the Romans dedicated a whole month to celebration and festivals. This month is what we know as March, or Martius in Ancient Rome, named after Mars, the God of War. I am not saying we should get all of November off (unless that is an option) but let us all have a bit more time for party. Even the tiny people living in Rome many years ago knew how to throw a party (ignore any knowledge of bloodletting that may have occurred in Marius). Can we not just burn some “guys” and enjoy ourselves?

So maybe you’re convinced that we should celebrate something, but why Guy Fawkes Night? You might be saying, “It is such an odd tradition and it happened so long ago.” Besides from my normal response of “prove it”, I will also respond by asking, “Is there anything odd about the holiday that we all know and love, Christmas (sorry Jews)?” Remember, Christmas is supposed to be about celebrating the birth of our savior (well not mine) Jesus Christ. This story of the baby being showered with gold (not golden showered, that’s an R Kelly Christmas video) is easily forgotten when we look at modern traditions. Christmas in 2010 will feature; a fat old man who lures children on to his knee by telling them he is going to come to their house and give them presents (this of course is cooperated with by parents who in the name of the season allow their children to disregard everything they have learned about real life and how they should act towards strangers); midgets dressed as mythological elves who are degraded by the media and large corporations without concern; white collar criminals selling ideas on how to make the most elaborate house of gingerbread; sticks of candy given to children with the knowledge that these stick will increase the likelihood of tooth decay and the onset of cavities; a green plant that is hung up and then if walked under forces those under it into engage in sexual activity involving both participants’ mouths; fake snow sprayed from an aerosol container that although it may look similar to snow, it causes environmental pollution and cancer; flocks of housewives who when together have the capacity to fill shopping malls. These individuals fight over the latest toys, toys made by Asian children who are forced into labour in order to survive; and finally there are the trees that are cut down, dragged home on the roofs of cars and put into a common room of the house, soon to have light bulbs hung off them while listening to songs about roasting chestnuts and being spied on by a fat pedophile. I guess you do have a point, burning a scarecrow is weird. Plus 1604 was a very long time ago; the mythological birth of Christ was only 2000 years ago. I hope within my sarcasms and attempts to offend you got the point.

This article will wrap up (not a Christmas reference) with a general philosophical question. What is the point of our existence as human-beings? Is it not to have fun and to celebrate our lives?... I hope you didn’t answer those questions by saying that routine and working a 9:00 am to 5:00 pm job in the hopes that upon death you can tell the nurse that your riding lawnmower was newer than your neighbours is what life means to you. I am going to celebrate my life while I still can; I am off to throw another “guy” on the fire and give my props to King James.

“It’s a celebration bitches! Grab a drink, grab a glass, after that I’ll grab your ass” – Kanye West


Written by Aaron Bawn

10 Books You Must Read (In no particular order)

Blood Meridian - Cormac McCarthy
Animal Farm - George Orwell
UBIK - Philip K. Dick
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance - Robert M. Pirsig
The Road - Cormac McCarthy
The Brothers Karamazov - Fyodor Dostoevsky
Oryx and Crake - Margaret Atwood
The Gunslinger - Stephen King
Nausea - Jean-Paul Sartre
The Myth of Sysyphus - Albert Camus


Declan (The picture is my ideal reading spot)

Best prank ever!!!

Grand theft music

Disclaimer: Any mention of “stealing”, “pirating”, or “illegally copping” within this article was included for affect only and should not be regarded as truth. To those reading, I always pay for my music because I understand the legal sanctions against breaking copyright laws.

My birthday just passed and I used some of my birthday money to go out and purchase new books. Gone are the days of using birthday money to buy as many music CDs possible. Now, while I read a new book, my bittorrent program is active, downloading all the Metallica and Dr. Dre albums available (Napster reference; come on, it was my 25th birthday). Some might look down on me for my Captain Hook'esque actions; however, I do not care. They might say, “You are ripping off hard working artists. They are going to stop creating music if you don’t continue buying the albums”. To that I say what I always say when faced with questioning (or when inciting the drunk), “prove it!”

I know people might claim that by illegally coppin' the latest gangsta rap album I am taking money from the artist (because most people consider gangsta rap true art). In reality, it is taking money from the music label (ie: the man). It is these music labels and production companies that are exploiting musicians to begin with. I remember hearing somewhere that on twenty dollar CD, the artist makes something like one dollar. The rest of the money gets dropped into the lap of a greedy corporation who uses the money to exploit other helpless artists. Musicians know that the key to their fortune lies in a successful tour. Hell, you see 80 year old men who haven’t had a hit song in 20 years touring and making money (I saw Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Styx this summer. Note: Lynyrd Skynyrd died in a plane crash and I still paid money to see them!). Live performances are what I pay to see. The CD is the preview; it is a way for me to learn the songs so when I go to the concert I can sing along. Artists this summer alone have probably made more money off me then in my total years previous, even when I was buying albums at an alarming rate. Since April I have seen 15 major artists live, with 2 more shows planned for next month (that’s what I thought critics).

I do not see my blatant theft and total disregard for any copyright laws as a method of ripping off of an artist. I see it as their opportunity to gain a fan in me (I am helping the artist by listening to their music without their consent). That is the beauty of the Internet; it allows artists to get their art to a wider audience. People may doubt that power, however just look at the recent trend of YouTube sensations receiving record deals. The exposure works on another level as well. Radio stations can no longer dictate the trends in music. The chains are off and we as listeners are now free to search and download all different types of music that we, 1) may not hear on the radio, and 2) may not have known we enjoyed. An example of this takes me to my new found love for the UK singer/song writer Kate Nash. Although I had heard of her a few years ago and heard some of her music, I can say I probably would never have purchased one of her albums. It honestly just did not seem like something I would be interested in. After downloading the album and listening to it from start to finish, I absolutely love it! Although I will probably still would never purchase one of her albums (for different reasons), she has a new fan, one that doesn’t mind spending a good chunk of change on her live show if she comes to Eastern Ontario (again?).

Radiohead released their album In Rainbows last summer with the premise “pay what you want”. As usual Radiohead is a head of their time and most other bands are yet to follow; however, the idea is still there. The “man” killed Napster and made its corpse into a capitalistic venture. The “man” has been steadily fighting to keep down P2P (peer-to-peer) file sharing like it’s some kind of woman in the workplace (read that in the context of the show Mad Men to avoid any offence). Luckily we have some powerful weapons left. Through the capacity to stream music and the world of torrents, active listeners can fight back against the malice that is paying for music. However, like any social movement we still have our challenges a head of us. Streams can be slow and unreliable, and with torrents there is always that risk of contracting a life threatening virus (computer virus). In conclusion, it is up to us to keep up our pirating, at least until other artists can follow Radiohead's innovative ways (i.e. Giving us free shit).

By: Aaron Bawn

Violent old men

Over the weekend I had my fill of Cormac McCarthy, watching the Coen brother’s adaptation of his novel No Country for Old Men and reading his 1985 book Blood Meridian. Some of the themes and imagery have stuck with me and left me thinking over the past few days. As I woke this morning my stomach was uneasy thinking back to the imagery McCarthy’s stories have so clearly illustrated; in particular, I have been troubled and disheartened when thinking about his representation of the violence and savagery of mankind.

Sheriff Ed Tom Bell, a main character in the film No Country for Old Men, follows the destruction brought about by various parties in the pursuit of a case filled with money. It is clear from Bell’s first introduction that he is the wise, chiefly character. After viewing multiple homicides Bell participates in a discussion with a fellow law enforcement officer. During this conversation it can be determined why the title No Country for Old Men has been used. Bell tells a horrific story involving a serial killer who abducts and tortures the elderly. Upon conclusion of the story, Bell asks, “what is the world coming to?” The atrocities committed against the elderly and the indication of a changing world, one that is becoming more immoral, makes the viewer think, “things ain't like they used to be”. McCarthy and the Coen brothers’ use of the abduction of the aging citizens is no accident. It is symbolism, suggesting that Bell, at this point in the movie, believes that the elderly are not only aliens to this modern society but are victims of the immorality in which the society features.

The horrible and sadistic acts of the story’s villain (Anton Chigurh) throughout the course of the story seem at first to back up the notion of the deteriorating world. However, as we follow the sheriff throughout the course of the movie we see that his beliefs regarding the world may in fact be more closely linked to his own maturation than to civilization’s decomposition. Near the end of the film, and upon his retirement, Bell seems as though he has had time to evaluate his position on the state of society. In a story, told to him during a conversation with his elderly and ailing grandfather, immorality is displayed once again. The difference however is that the story Bell’s grandfather tells takes place in 1908. The story points out to the audience that things may not be changing as much as they were originally portrayed. At this point, it seems to me that the sheriff realizes that immorality is not a recent phenomenon and that the good ol’ days may have not been as good as he once thought.

No Country for Old Men unwinds in the 1980s, a setting that supports the theme previously discussed. The time frame is one that most viewers are still able to remember (those that pass the 18A discretion) and the imagery of things such as the vehicles and clothing effectively date the movie while at the same time induce a sense of familiarity and recollection in the audience. Many viewers may actually refer to this period of time (over a quarter-century ago) as the good ol’ days, a time where violence was less prominent and conservative values flourished. After watching the film however, one is less likely to remember the 80s in such a manner. The extreme violence, unwarranted murders, and sadist mentalities shown throughout the film, mixed with this good ol’ setting show the viewer that violence and psychopathic behaviour is not a 21st century invention. Sheriff Ed Tom Bell’s grandfather’s story is to Bell what the movie is to the viewer.

McCarthy’s novel, Blood Meridian, shows what Stephen Hawking might refer to as, “a brief history of violence”. The novel takes place in the popular media’s Wild West, the mid-19th century in the southern United States and Mexico, and describes the activities of a gang of outlaws. The main character, the kid, follows and is followed by, extreme violence constantly throughout the course of the story. As scalp hunters, the kid and his group commit brutal and savage acts upon anyone who crosses their path of destruction, murdering animals, men, women, and children alike. Their gruesome acts are committed with a lack of moral contemplation, and the imagery of these acts leaves the reader gut wrenched. It is through Cormac McCarthy’s elegant writing style and his proficient descriptions of the atrocities committed by the gang, that he is able to both mentality and morally exhaust the reader. Upon completion of the novel the reader feels almost violated by the extreme brutality that has been displayed. The content in the Blood Meridian and the novel’s historical setting both draw me towards this reoccurring theme of violence and its predominance in civilization.

Within Blood Meridian, the character Judge Holden fills a role similar to that of Anton Chigurh in No Country for Old Men. Both characters are sadist psychopaths who show a great deal of cunningness. Both characters also seem as though they may be indestructible forces. Similarly, as Llewelyn Moss is pursued by Anton Chigurh, “the judge” pursues the kid with intentions of violence and murder. Perhaps these pursuits reflect society’s pursuit to distance itself from violence in attempts to become more civilized, drawing attention to the notion that this violence often seems unyielding. I would argue that these stories of McCarthy’s are microcosms of the history of mankind.

I believe that both stories, although heavy throughout, successfully capture the essence of man. As McCarthy illustrates, man is cruel and unusual and he has been this way for a very long time. In the story of the world the human race is the villain; it is that destructive and violent force that we see in the characters Chigurh and Holden. Mankind’s violent manner is truly God’s unmovable rock; its existence is permanent and fixed as long as our species walk the earth. Through McCarthy’s work one is shown that society is not deteriorating but rather persisting. Perhaps Sheriff Ed Tom Bell’s views were right. Maybe this is no country for old men; however, what’s to say it has ever been?

By: Aaron Bawn

Punk on the Mend

Can anyone put their finger on the exact moment that punk died? I can certainly tell you that I hope to hell it died a long time ago only to save it from the ridiculous suffering that has been the last decade of “punk” music. The commercial success of the Simple Plan’s of the world is the equivalent to shitting on true punk music and the idea that the music was about just that, not a means to a commercially viable end. While I have no hard feelings towards the guys in Simple Plan, or any other pop-punk band in the world, I do have hard feelings toward their labelling. This is true of most genres of music, unfortunately. Punk is just one example that sticks out in my mind as it is closest to my heart. I wish Refused had been right when they released their epic album “The Shape of Punk to come”. Instead of more anthemic songs with powerful lyrics, as well as riffs and breakdowns, we ended up with the same three chord shit over and over again. But the genre, as the title explains is “on the mend”. There are people in the music world that are gaining recognition and doing so in a manner that makes them “punk”. Much more so than the thirty year olds singing about heartache and breakups. I will be focussing on three acts in particular to show the wide range of this new wave of punk mentality.

The first band that came to mind when I began thinking about the resurrection of punk was a pretty obvious selection. This Los Angeles band is a high-energy act that has gone on record by saying that they have to be seen live in order to be fully appreciated. How punk rock is that? This claim may also have something to do with the sound of their releases, which are mainly low-budget independent releases that sound as if they were recorded in the basement of an old insane asylum with home-made instruments. I challenge anyone to find a group of rockers that is holding true to traditional punk rock roots and doing it better than Mika Miko. Note: The Sonics do not count!

When “Be Your Own Pet” broke up, my heart followed suit. Right when I was beginning to see a step forward for punk music, caused mainly by a band that was breaking through and getting some critical acclaim, my hopes were dashed to bits. But aren’t bands made to break up? This break up may have spawned something even more important however, with lead singer Jemina Pearl moving to New York City to pursue a solo career. Let me tell you, it may have been the best decision she’s ever made. While it may seem incredibly cliché to pack up a bag, hop on a bus and move to NYC in search of a career in music there is nothing cliché about Ms. Pearl. Her solo work, while it may not sound as raw and typically punk rock as BYOP, is different than anything out there right now. She has lost the screaming, impatient tones of her musical past and come into her own as a musician. With collaborations with punk legends like Iggy Pop, there is no wonder that I am looking to Jemina to slam people upside their un-expecting heads with her new breed of punk.

My third choice for a band which I consider to be a saving grace for punk is most likely the most controversial, and one that both people who read this will feel is where I lost the plot, if I haven’t already. This group of gents hails from Toronto Ontario (no I didn’t add them to fill my Canadian content). Their name says it all ... Holy Fuck. What makes them punk, you may be wondering? Well, aside from the name, which has cost them several grants from the government who feels that the name hinders commercial success, they are truly unique and remain that way by choice. A band that remains this reluctant to success, while at the same time achieving it deserves quite a bit of praise. They have been praised at every festival which they have attended, whether it is the Wolfe Island music festival, or Glastonbury, they have won crowds over. If a band which is considered by many to be ‘electronica’ can receive comparisons to punk legends The Fall, they must be doing something right.

While these three are in no way the only acts which I feel are bringing punk back from the dead, they illustrate my point, that punk isn’t coming back in the same form, but it has mutated into something totally new. While there are bands like Mika Miko who have a traditional punk rock sound, and people like Jemina Pearl who are looking to the origins of punk rock to slap some life back into the genre, there are also bands like Holy Fuck who sound like nothing else, but maintain that sound rather than compromise for financial compensation.

Declan

"I'm tired of these motha f-ing snakes on this motha f-ing plane!" - Samuel Leroy Jackson

The recent craze in Hollywood is to re-make classic films with slight alterations for effect. Movies like director Christopher Nolan’s Batmans and the new James Bond films are delighting fans while tearing it up at the box office, and with good reason I would argue. These are some of the best movies created in the last decade. The argument that I will be making however is not that there is a need for more of these realistic movies, but that directors need to be more selective when determining if they are going to make these movies. As much as I love a good movie, there are limited scripts, actors and directors available, and not every film can be improved upon.

It is more enjoyable to watch a movie that sucks because the director made it that way than to watch a movie that sucks but is advertised as the next classic. Let me put this point into context to help you better understand. The movies Righteous Kill (2008) with Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino and Snakes on a Plane (2007) with Samuel L. Jackson were both unrealistic and pretty stupid; the difference was that Snakes on a Plane (2007) was extremely entertaining, while Righteous Kill (2008) was predictable and annoying.

The way I see it is today's director is like a car salesman. The first car has a BMW logo on the hood, it is clean and shiny, and the salesman tells you it is one of the best cars a man can drive. The second car is new, but it doesn't look like anything special. The car salesman tells you that this car will get you through your hour and a half (sometimes two hour) commute and it is very reliable; in other words, what you see is what you get. The BMW looking car is the vehicular equivalent to the movie The Spirit (2008) and for some reason you decide to purchase that car. So your journey begins in your new automobile. Things seem to be going fine for about the first 20 minutes but then next thing you know, boom! The wheels fall off this P.O.S. and you are spinning out of control; you just miss a woman pushing a stroller and are almost levelled by a dump truck. The smoke clears and you're parked sideway in a ditch. Shaken up but not injured you exit the car; however, now you are left on the side of the road. You don't have any money for a taxi so you start walking your sorry ass down the road. The whole walk home all you think about how badly you were taken.

Now think, if you had purchased the second car that was shown to you, the movie Shoot Em’ Up (2007), you would have left for your commute at the same time; however, on this trip you would not only make it to your destination, but maybe you would find out this little car had some hidden features. Maybe there is a little gum ball machine in the dash that lets you enjoy delicious gum the whole trip. Maybe this gum is gourmet gum and is the best gum you have ever tasted. Maybe it’s that splash gum with the stuff in the middle that bursts and fills your mouth with delicious flavour... I feel like a piece of gum now. Sorry, I am off track. My point was: disappointments can be daunting, but surprises, they are superb. Put that on the bumper of your new car in sticker form! On second thought, don't. Bumper stickers are ridiculous.

My good friend Bruce Landry once said to a pimp, “Don't sell me the hooker with the heart of gold.” The saying, although in completely different and less creepy context, holds true for movies. Let me know what I am buying! Directors, make the preview accurate of what you are going to show in the movie (note: please do not show the entire movie in the preview because that is as equally annoying).

As much as I love the police academy series, when I show up and pay to see what I think is going to be the Departed (2006), I am a bit frustrated when the criminals are tricked and then detained by a police officer who is using his mouth to make sound effects (regardless of how cool and hilarious that actually is). However, if I show up at a movie that looks really stupid and then all of a sudden this guy is making these hilarious sound effects, my day has been made! So what I am saying is that I will pay to see a bad movie regardless; however if it is marketed as a bad movie I will enjoy it. With that being said, I am signing off and I will be busy for the next hour and a half watching Tommy Wiseau’s The Room (2005).


Aaron Bawn

God hates atheists

Anyone who knows me well would immediately realize that this article is probably not going to be about how God hates atheists, or for that matter it’s probably not going to be about God's hatred for any group of individuals. I don’t feel as though God hates anyone. He doesn't hate terrorists; he doesn't hate Nazis, and he doesn’t hate sexual predators. The reason I don't believe in this hatred is because I am what you might call an atheist. What exactly is an atheist you ask? Well despite what you may have already assumed, it is not a term for people who love terrorists, Nazis and sex offenders. The name actually gives it away; an atheist is someone who does not believe in theism. In other words, it is someone who denies there to be a higher deity or deities. Although nearly all atheists would tell you that they do not know for 100 percent certainty that there is not a God, they do not call themselves agnostics. Someone who is an agnostic says that they are unsure of God's presence or lack thereof. However, an atheist’s doubt is much more than the typical uncertainty. If atheists, such as me, were to refer to themselves as agnostic they would need to do so in all other aspects of life. For example, I do not believe that what happens in the Harry Potter series is real life; regardless of how statistically unlikely it might be, I will probably never be able to be 100 percent sure that there is not a parallel universe in which this does in fact hold true. Therefore, the atheist title is more defining of me because of how I base my beliefs (ie: probability). That is to say, I believe as much in a higher deity as I do in the notion that Hogwarts is an actual academic facility. I also refrain from exclaiming that I am a Harry Potter agnostic. Ok, before you stop reading here my (insert your religion here) brother/sister, this will not be an article convincing you why you need to “come to the dark side”. And with that I will return once again to the title. God hates atheists.

I still don't believe that God hates anyone (I don’t have multiple personalities); however, I do believe there are a large percentage of North Americans that feel as though God does have hate towards atheists. The problem with this belief is that it can affect how my fellow universal agnostics are treated. I have noticed an odd trend in modern society; there is a large amount of tolerance towards different religious belief systems, unless that belief system happens to be one without the presence of a God. A public agenda poll surveyed Americans and found that 74 percent of people believe that raising children without religion is a bad idea (Farkas et al. 2001). These opinions are often reflected in day-to-day life. A conversation between a Muslim and a Jew in North America (this isn't the Gaza Strip) can be a tolerant and respectful one; however, when the third guy enters the bar (or conversation) the joke gets awkward (see '3 guys in a bar' jokes). In fact, the joke (or conversation) can many times turn more awkward than a dead baby joke at an abortion clinic (see the sound of a drum roll). From my standpoint, it seems as though the religious are almost afraid of direct discussion about their beliefs with anyone other than a fellow fundamentalist. I guess it is an easy argument when it's one ancient text’s word against another's; the argument always gets harder when you add in the word of thousands of scientists with visible proof of something (see evolution versus creationism). Once again, it is not awkwardness that I am worried about. It is discrimination.

Discrimination is discrimination regardless of who you think sanctions it. That's how discrimination is bred. The Nazi's felt sanctioned during the holocaust (see Rwanda, see the Spanish inquisition, see the Catholic witch hunts). I was recently reading a story where two university students were assaulted while hanging up posters for a guest lecture on atheism. This is a cut-and-dry hate crime. Imagine if two Christian students were putting up posters about a sermon that was discussed the ins and outs of converting everyday objects to food (see Acts of Jesus Christ). Then imagine these two students where assaulted during this distribution. There would be public outcry. I can see the news headline already, “Devil worshipers attack two of Jesus' disciples, leaving them for dead”. The picture above the article would be of a bony bearded man standing in front of a cross and waving with both hands. Although large scale atrocities have yet to be committed against atheists, I am still scared about the perception of my people.

According to the American Mosaic Project Survey by the University of Minnesota (this is where the rest of my stats will be drawn), although there was a rise in the rejection of Muslims post-9/11, Americans still rejected atheists at a higher rate. The lesson here children is it doesn’t matter what God is telling you to do, just as long as you do believe he is telling you to do something! Another startling statistic is how potential in-laws feel. The study asked the following question: I would disapprove if my child wanted to marry a member of this group…: The results were as follows: Atheist: 47.6%, Muslim: 33.5%, African-American 27.2%, Asian-Americans: 18.5%, Hispanics: 18.5%, Jews: 11.8%, Conservative Christians: 6.9%, Whites: 2.3%. Almost half of society says they would not want an atheist in their family! Do not be fooled. Disapproval in this context is discrimination. Well, I refuse to sit at the back of the bus (unless the cool kids are all back there).

Hopefully as atheism continues to spread and individuals are able to stray from fear, the fear used by religion for centuries to control their followers, some of this discrimination will subside. Another way to help end this discrimination is by bringing attention to it. I have a hard time believing that half of the population willingly discriminates. This means that they are more than likely just ignorant to their behaviour. Along with the illogical fear and ignorance there is still the small few who are just looking for a scapegoat (see Pharmakos and then Leviticus).

As time moves on, more individuals will be stepping out of the shadows of religion and identifying themselves as atheists. I suspect that with this unveiling, some of the people who now are rejecting atheists into their families (the 47.6%) will discover that they may be too late. Surprise! Mix this divulgence with the continual advancements and discoveries of science and it should also help alleviate some this fear and ignorance. To the remaining few, those looking to blame their problems on others, well although my name is Aaron, I refuse to be the scapegoat for anyone; however, I will make you a beautiful yellowish coloured statue of a baby cow that you can all worship (see the Golden Calf in the New Testament).

Side note: Help me determine if this site is real or a joke? Comments?
http://www.truechristian.com/atheists.html


Aaron Bawn


Source:
Farkas, Steve, Jean Johnson, and Tony Foleno, with
Ann Duffett and Patrick Foley. 2001. For
Goodness’ Sake: Why So Many Want Religion to
Play a Greater Role in American Society. New
York: Public Agenda.

My Fears for the Undead

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-cIjPOJdFM



The threat of a bad zombie causes me more stress than the thought of a real zombie onslaught. I can't help but feel a slight amount of rage at the idea that a genre of movies as kick-ass as the zombie variety is becoming a fad. The idea that someone is creating zombie movies capable of causing Duane Jones to roll over in his grave (if it hasn't yet been abandoned by his undead corpse) makes me uneasy. Or maybe I'm just being a paranoid movie snob.

There is something about a film which portrays the downfall of the (living) human race in such a violent fashion, with constant metaphors of refusing to live a life of the nine to five grind, which makes the two hours devoted to sitting in front of a television, or movie screen, more worthwhile. Not only can a zombie movie scare the shit out of you, see 28 Days Later, or make you laugh, Shaun of the Dead, they can even tackle social issues like the casting of the first African-American lead in the great Night of the Living Dead. All of these issues might help illustrate my fear of having such a great genre of film raped by Hollywood.

This unnecessary sense of paranoia has recently been spawned by the latest zombie film starring everyone's favorite New England bar tender, Woody Harrelson. While the premise of the movie is quite cookie-cutter zombie film, with America being ravaged by a "zombie plague" and a select few survivors being left to their own devices, there are a few things I have seen in the previews that raise an eye-brow or two. My one greatest concern is what appears to be a scene which takes place in ... an amusement park? The thought of Woody Harrelson shooting up an amusement park in an attempt to become "zombie killer of the week" is a little disconcerting.

Despite these concerns, I am trying my best to keep an open mind, for there are some positives. First off, a movie that has the ability to feature flesh hungry zombies while keeping the crowd laughing is an amazing combination. Another, rather important positive, is the casting of one of the few positives of the ever popular Superbad, Emma Stone. Not saying that an attractive female role adds repute to a zombie film, but it definitely doesn't do it any harm.

To cut to the chase, I am looking forward to seeing any new zombie movie, or old for that matter. I only hope that it as good as I hope and that I will end up eating my words about good ol' Woody.

Declan

Now Playing: Chad Ochocinco in Death of a Salesman

Last year’s Superbowl between the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers had one of the best endings of all-time. I don't know if I will ever forget Santonio Holmes beautiful toe drag catch in the final minutes to bring the Steelers a head. Directly after the touchdown, in the spirit of showmanship and with the pride of his accomplishment, Holmes had an awesome and unforgettable celebration. Holmes 'borrowed' Lebron James favourite pre-game ritual of tossing powder into the air; however in this case the powder was imaginary and the ball was used to represent the container holding the powder. I was cheering for the Cardinals in that game but I loved seeing the celebration. Shortly after the game Santonio Holmes was not so happy. The celebration caused him to be fined $10,000 (the amount I receive in OSAP to last me the whole year). $10,000 for celebrating!

At the beginning of the 2006 season the National Football League (NFL) amended their guidelines. After this change, touchdown celebrations were highly restricted creating a league where generic attributes of players, similar to that of an "Aryan race", were mandatory. The league was developed into one where creative thinking was replaced with a standardized way of handing a football to an official. The only words that come to mind when I think of this standardization are ‘shit’ and ‘bull’, put them in any order you like.

Some girls (maybe even some uptight dudes) might say that celebrating is too arrogant; however, I disagree. The so called arrogance on a larger scale has been present throughout history’s wealthiest and most powerful civilizations. Look at the Seven Wonders of the World!
Celebrating is far from a recent phenomenon. When a Greek military over two thousand years ago won a battle or founded a city they built large statues and temples to celebrate their success. This ideology did not vanish even after thousands of years. In today’s ancient Greece, the United States of America, there are many monuments that celebrate the nation’s success. The excessive creations on Mount Rushmore and the statue on Liberty Island both share many qualities with the football player who pretends to slam-dunk the football through the uprights. As the Statue of Liberty represents liberation from oppression, a football celebration represents the years of training and experience needed to get to that spot in the endzone. Until the majority of western society decides that excess, whether it is in music videos, popular media or even the government, is evil, please let it exist in my favourite sport.

Getting past a defense and putting up six points then celebrating in the method of one's choice is, in a way, the same as starting a business, becoming successful and then buying a very big house. This idea of celebrating a success is the main premise behind the expression “The American Dream.” The term refers to a life that every American wants. A life filled with success where material possessions and financial security and/or fame are present. This drive for material possessions and the parade of success is what football players are subconsciously promoting when they celebrate after a good play. The continuation of these guidelines may call for Arthur Miller's famous novel, Death of a Salesman, to be rewritten with Willy Loman (the main character) being replaced with Chad Ochocinco.

Regardless of what the famous fat documenter Michael Moore may think about it, our society is based on an economic ideology called capitalism. Adam Smith, the father of capitalism, believed that capitalism was based on competition. In a capitalist society competition is essential because it persuades companies to create products and/or services of high quality in order to make profit. It is this competition that we see every day in each organization’s marketing and advertising. Advertising is the celebration of a company’s product; it in many ways puts down another company. Representatives of the National Football League, who are opposed to touchdown celebrations, claim that the behavior is disrespectful towards the opposing team. This is the same group that says NFL players can only wear a certain brand of shoe because the National Football League gets paid for that shoes advertising. This means that these representatives are outlawing the very thing they are guilty of. By advertising one type of shoe, they are in many ways saying that it is better than other products. In professional sports such as the NFL, players are their own advertising. Kanye West once said that he is so arrogant because he is selling a brand, that brand is Kanye West. This is the same for most athletes. The better an athlete plays, the more money he or in some rare cases (exclusion of the William sisters) makes. After making a brilliant play, athletes should be able to advertise themselves. This is no different than Reebok being able to buy out the rights to players’ shoes because they are a wealthy company.

The NFL is a league that mirrors many of the values and characteristics of a wealthy and powerful society. It is a league where touchdown celebrations reflect many dimensions of success seen throughout history. Both the “American Dream” and such rituals attempt to flaunt personal success. Finally, the most important aspects of capitalism are expressed during a football celebration. This proves that such tactics in the National Football League are not immoral and excessive in other aspects of life. To some it may look like arrogance and showboating, but in all reality, it is the true essence of society.

“I showboat like I am selling a yacht.” - Drake



Written by: Aaron Bawn

“If you have hate in your heart, let it out” - Clayton Bigsby

Recently while compiling a list of what I believed to be the rankings of the best musical acts of all time, I came to the conclusion that this may in fact be an impossible task. How can one standardize and order something with so many different attributes and characteristics, something that is so very personal and unique to each and every person? It can't be done. However, in the world of sports these types of lists are more easily constructed and defended.

In anticipation of an upcoming Mayweather/Marquez boxing match (a fight Mayweather dominated) I sat down at my computer in hopes of finding reputable pound for pound best boxers of all-time list. After an effective googling I was directed towards a list compiled by the writers at ESPN.com. Their opinion of the best of all-time, according to this particular list, is the late great Sugar Ray Robinson. It is the general consensus among those who have ever watched any amount of boxing, as well as, most mammals with the capacity to communicate, that Mr. Robinson is deserving of such a title. So the list starts out pretty accurate. So now I'm asking myself, who is number two? Alright I will be honest, I'm actually asking myself where is Floyd Mayweather Jr. on the list? I won't have to look very far down right? Floyd is one of the last tested and truly undefeated fighters; he is a guy who has stopped legends in their tracks, knocked out other undefeated fighters, and set boxing pay per view records. Feats such as the ones Mayweather has accomplished must make him one of the best of all-time in any informed sports analyst’s rankings. So was Floyd number two? Close... He was ranked number 48. Yes, you are reading that right. Forty-eight. Four, eight. As in two better than fifty!

Most casual sporting fans would have an extremely difficult time naming forty-eight boxers; however, Floyd Mayweather Jr. is not only a well-known name in boxing, he is the a well-known name in general. In a sport that has been declared dead for years, Floyd Mayweather Jr. is a name known by t’weens and housewives; that is saying something in itself. Alright, I'll agree, fame and skill are not always synonymous, but it's not like Floyd has become a household name for his long drives down the Los Angeles freeway in a white Bronco; the guy sets pay-per-view records. If it was not for the fact that Floyd Jr. Jr. Jr. will be born and promptly cleaned off with hundred dollar bills and then laid to rest on stacks of stacks, then I'd feel sorry to man nicknamed Money.

The pride of Grand Rapids Michigan has been getting the shaft for years. After a marvelous amateur career, Floyd followed in the footsteps of many boxing hopefuls and competed for his country in the Olympics. In the semi-finals after the dust had settled the referee raised Mayweather's hand. The problem however was that this referee had suffered from a mistake, something that I explained earlier on. Assumptions can be disappointing, and in this case even embarrassing. The poor referee, having had too closely watched the fight, he had made the mistake of assuming the better boxer and the individual who had a better fight would be judged the winner. Without listening to the decision the judges made, this referee raised Mayweather's hand when in fact he was not the victor. The United States Olympic Committee filed against the judges but without missing a beat Mayweather moved on, reasonably undiscouraged.

Mayweather turned into a professional boxer, following in the footsteps of both his father and his uncle Roger. As a pro in the super featherweight division Floyd wasted no time walking through opponents. I remember one of the first fights of Mayweather’s that I watched. It was against a white fighter who reminded me of a Little Mac opponent in Mike Tyson's Punch Out for the Nintendo Entertainment System; I think his name was Glass Joe? When the bell rang both fighters moved towards the centre of the ring. Mayweather seemed to float just millimeters (US readers please refer to inches) above the canvas while Glass Joe moved very awkwardly, almost as though he was lugging something behind him. Glass Joe hauled his heavy feet in a Keyser Söze-esque demeanor and as these two athletes approached one another, something amazing happened. From Mayweather’s body, a crisp straight jab was launched. The punch hit Glass Joe flush in the face and his head snapped straight back. The punch was perfect and the result was an animation that you would except to see from a bad actor doing a Rocky impression. The punch was absorbed by the entire face and a look of pain resonated in the white fighter’s eyes. It was beautiful! Children boxing all over the world are told the importance of the jab and how it sets up all the other punches. I think Mayweather's father and uncle made sure he knew this tidbit because in the following seconds everything came together. Soon, Glass Joe got a good look at the ceiling and Mayweather walked away with a KO added to his record. I was thoroughly impressed with the dismantling and it was the start of my Money May fandom. Many of Mayweather's fights throughout his career have ended in similar fashion; however, not all his opponents were videogame character look-a-likes.

Floyd captured the super featherweight title in little to no time, and after a couple of title defenses he began to dream big. Floyd had money on his mind so he did what any boxer needs to do to make more money; Floyd put on weight. The victories continued and Mayweather beat the best of super featherweight, lightweight and super lightweight divisions. He faced both hall-of-famers and the previously undefeated boxers and rolled through anyone who was put in front of him. To this date Mayweather has not so much even been knocked down by another boxer in the ring. Although Mayweather’s entire career has been epic, most boxing fans memory is only of a fighter’s fresh battles. Luckily Mayweather’s resume as of recent (with the exception of a brutal loss in Dancing with the Stars) is stellar. In the past few years Mayweather has beaten Arturo Gatti, Zab Judah, Carlos Baldomir, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and most recently Manuel Juan Marquez. These are all boxers with extensive fan bases, boxers who have had their share of glory, and boxers who can attest to Mayweather’s boxing superiority.

To better understand my anger towards those employed by the Entertainment Sports Programming Network I will help dissect the list for you. I have already passionately defended Ray Robinson at number one. Second on the list is Muhammad Ali, followed by Henry Armstrong, Joe Louis, Willie Pep and Roberto Duran. I am going to try my hardest to stay away from biting into the overrated Muhammad Ali, but I will point out his five losses. Five losses are still very low but you must look at the fact that besides the destruction of Sonny Liston by a young Cassius Clay, most of Ali’s famous fights were far from easy victories. Mayweather has destroyed legends; Ali was almost murdered in the ring on a number of occasions. Henry Armstrong has been dead for 20 years and that’s with him living to be an old man. He was born before World War I and ended his career with 21 defeats. Not to put down old-time boxing, because I do believe Jack Johnson was one of the best of all-time, but come on! None of this guy’s fans are even still alive. I am sure he was good back in the 1930’s but boxing has changed. Henry Armstrong is on the list because someone at ESPN had a grandfather who used to talk about boxing with them when they were a child. “I remember when boxing was good. Homicide Hank fought 17 times in 1944! These fighters today only have two or three big fights a year. His fights were always on the radio and it was so exciting to listen to. Those were the days.” Sorry grandpy. I don’t buy it. I think these are the days and I think Mayweather would hurt Homicide Hank in ways he had never before seen regardless if they were wearing Everlast gloves or mittens made of leather.

In case you are not yet convinced I am going to take a look further down the list to help prove my point. Further down the list, but still a head of Floyd are the following boxers (Note: I will not mention the large amount of individuals who are not even household names in their own homes). Roy Jones Jr.: At 36 years old Roy Jones Jr. was knocked out in the second round of a fight by Antonio Tarver. Jones to this date has 5 losses. Evander Holyfield: He has 10 losses in 54 fights, has been accused of using steroids, and has lost most big fights he has been in. Pernell Whitaker: He ended his career with 40 victories (the amount Mayweather has right now). Did I mention he also lost 4 times? Jake LaMotta: He was the story behind a great movie (Raging Bull) but the guy admitted to throwing fights for the mob, 19 defeats. Oscar De La Hoya: Floyd beat him. How does this make any sense? Marco Antonio Barrera: Juan Manuel Marquez beat Barrera and Floyd destroyed Marquez, 7 losses and growing.

There are so many other names on that list to ridicule and arguments to make. I feel like I could write 2000 words on every boxer above Floyd on the list; the only hard part would be getting someone to read these words. The whole point of these arguments was not to bash other great athletes, but more to point out how spectacular Floyd is. I feel blessed to live in the era of Floyd Mayweather. He is a Michael Jordan, a Wayne Gretzky, a Tiger Woods, a Pele, a true great. Unfortunately I have missed Joe Lewis’ reign, I have missed the Rumble in the Jungle, and I have missed a young man named Michael Tyson win the heavyweight championship of world. However, I am not depressed. I get to watch Floyd Mayweather fight in his prime. I will be able to tell my grandkids about Old Pretty Boy Floyd Money Mayweather and how boxing isn’t like it used to be.

See the list here

Written by Aaron Bawn

I am Absurd.

I have to start this blog (I use that term lightly) by saying a little bit about Absurd & Unheard. It is a blog comprised of a few close friends who felt like throwing their thoughts into the endless void that is and has been our home for years; the Internet. For years, I have sat by politely like a stereotypical Canadian chap. But after years of bearing witness, I feel my time has come to get my thoughts out of my crowded notebooks, and my claustrophobic mind.
What you can expect from this blog is as follows:
We, the contributors, all offer extremely varied opinions, beliefs, and tastes. Whether it be music, movies, books, or general annoyances. rest assured that what I post will be entirely different than the other writings on this blog. So check in often, for chances are, if you hate this blog, you will love the next.
"Nothing of me is original. I am the combined effort of everybody I've ever known." I am using this quote as a sort of disclaimer. This blog, for me, is not an attempt to impress the tens of people who may stumble across it. It is a medium to help get my thoughts out of my head and into a world that exists on screens around the world. If you like what I have to say, that is amazing. If you don't, thats good too. Just don't send any hate my way, it would be a waste of time.

Declan