With a semi-formal dinner and dance (dubbed "Highball") coming up at my school in a couple weeks I'm sure many girls and boys will be fretting about what they should wear, who they should go with, and how they should act upon arriving at the event. There will be many hours and many dollars spent in preparation. These thoughts brought my attention to one of my favourite songs by one of my favourite bands. The song is called "Get Fighted" by Alexisonfire off of their 2004 album Watch Out!.
Watch Out! is my favourite album (ever). I picked it up at the age of 14, and although it took a little while for me to get used to Alexisonfire's style of post-hardcore music, once I did I have been in love with the album (and the band) ever since. "Get Fighted" is one of my favourite tracks off the album and I have posted the lyrics below for your viewing pleasure. Like many of Alexisonfire's songs, "Get Fighted" is wrought with musical intensity and lyrical beauty and meaning. Even if this style of music isn't your 'cup of tea' I'd ask that you give the song at least one listen through while following along with the lyrics below:
"So make sure you love like you've never been hurt
and when you dance, dance like there's no one watching you"
'Cause you can waste your time, redefining the day that music died
Or you can spend your life, guilt free and ostracized
'Cause all the fashion in the world can't save you now
It's something, I'll write it down for you
"So make sure you love like you've never been hurt
and when you dance, dance like there's no one watching you"
'Cause this shit is not about pants
And this shit is not about shirts
And this shit's definitly not about hair
This shit is about having a good fucking time
Maybe music isn't dead
Maybe music isn't dead
Maybe we all just forgot what it fucking sounded like
They forgot!
They forgot!
'Cause you can waste your time, redefining the day that music died
Or you can spend your life, guilt free and ostracized
'Cause all the fashion in the world can't save you now
It's something, I'll write it down for you
My greatest gift to you
is a dance floor
free from insecurity
Highball will be here soon and let us remember that we're all intending to have a good time. It doesn't matter how expensive your dress is, who you're sitting with at your table, or how good looking you may or may not be. It is a night to let loose and have fun.
Let's just put on some good music and hit the dance floor.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
b/vlogs.
I wasn't planning on posting tonight, but after a long day (and a long weekend) I have decided to put off my work for an evening. My philosophy paper on the subjective and objective spirit found in Georg Simmel's work can wait for another day...
Seeing as how I am getting used to this whole blog thing I figured I'd share some of my favourite bloggers/internet "personalities" that I have enjoyed in the past and present. I have never really read many written blogs on a regular or consistent basis but I did follow political commentator Warren Kinsella's blog for a brief time after I had the chance to meet the man when he made a guest appearance in one of my first year classes. Being a political commentator, his blog mainly deals with his opinions on current events in both the political and social realms, with a specific focus on Canada's political scene. He is witty and a good read so if you're into Canadian politics I recommended checking him out!
Prior to creating my own, my main experience with "blogs" mainly came from "vlogs" or video blogs. The video-hosting website Youtube enabled a number of individuals to have the ability to put their ideas and opinions online in videos. I will first breifly speak to those "vloggers" I used to watch on a regular basis before moving onto the ones I am currently "subscribed" to.
I used to subscribe to vlogs posted by internet personalities: Dan Brown, Philip DeFranco, and Mr. James and I would look forward to their videos everyday. Brown's videos were meant to be more educational in nature, giving a brief teaching on some topic or subject. DeFranco's videos were mainly about his opinions on whatever was going on in popular culture or the news at the time. Mr. James spoke about what used to be my favourite television show, "Lost", and every week I looked forward to his opinions and insights on that week's episode. However I eventually lost interest in Brown's and DeFranco's videos and personalities and "Lost" ended last year so I have since unsubscribed to these three channels. As of writing, my Youtube account is subscribed to vloggers: KassemG, KevJumba, LiberalViewer, and the vlogbrothers.
KassemG is an all-around entertainer and I find him, and his videos, genuinely funny and entertaining. His vlog series "AsKassem" consists of a lot of user interaction as he gets the topics and themes for these videos directly from his viewers. A good portion of his videos are spent answering people's questions, and his comedic nature mixed in with some ridiculous audience-driven content is always good for a few laughs.
Kevjumba is a fairly typical "youth" (I think he's around my age) and his vlogs are generally about his opinions on conventions in youth culture. Kevjumba is an Asian-American and his videos usually relate to how his view of the world is different from his more "traditional" Asian father. The videos play off how each "generational" character (father and son) interpret and engage in the modern world. While the topics of his videos are of little significance in their insight, kevjumba is an entertaining personality and I enjoying hearing what he has to say and viewing how he goes about saying it. He and his father were also on the last season of "The Amazing Race", so that's pretty awesome as well.
The so-called LiberalViewer is a political commentator and media critic. The main purpose of his commentary is pointing out bias and misinformation found in "right wing" American media (namely Fox News). I initially took the LiberalViewer to be insightful and illuminating but as the bias of which he speaks of became more recognizable to me without outside coercion or forces "highlighting" this bias I lost use for his commentary. While I highly recommend him to those of you who aren't aware of potential bias in the media, I personally feel that the LiberalViewer may be the next on my "unsubscribe" chopping block.
My favourite vloggers would have to be the vlogbrothers. In these videos brothers Hank and John Green "message" one another through posting videos onto their channel, with each video usually pertaining to some interesting topic or idea. These videos usually seek to educate the viewer on some topic (in under four minutes mind you) and I really feel that their approach to the material really succeeds in doing so. Hank is a science geek and John is an author so you get an interesting mix of topics and discussions. My general interests and area of study fall more into the "social science" category occupied by John, and I love hearing his opinions on issues as well as his general observations on whatever. Meanwhile Hank manages to teach me things dealing with science and technology in a way that makes it approachable and exciting, and leaves me wanting more. My attention to the vlogbrothers was first bought on by Philip DeFranco who spoke about John Green's book Paper Towns in one of his videos (a book I have read and enjoyed, although the 2006 Looking For Alaska is easily my favourite work of his). The vlogbrothers are also really good at spreading awareness about issues and initiatives being put on by others. The vlogbrothers seek to end "world suck" and they intended to do this through education and awareness, something their many followers (dubbed "nerdfighters") inevitably grab and hold onto (I know I have). They are truly one of the Youtube greats. vlogbrothers, DFTBA!
So there you have it. Some insight into some of my favourite people on teh internetz. Check 'em out!
Seeing as how I am getting used to this whole blog thing I figured I'd share some of my favourite bloggers/internet "personalities" that I have enjoyed in the past and present. I have never really read many written blogs on a regular or consistent basis but I did follow political commentator Warren Kinsella's blog for a brief time after I had the chance to meet the man when he made a guest appearance in one of my first year classes. Being a political commentator, his blog mainly deals with his opinions on current events in both the political and social realms, with a specific focus on Canada's political scene. He is witty and a good read so if you're into Canadian politics I recommended checking him out!
Prior to creating my own, my main experience with "blogs" mainly came from "vlogs" or video blogs. The video-hosting website Youtube enabled a number of individuals to have the ability to put their ideas and opinions online in videos. I will first breifly speak to those "vloggers" I used to watch on a regular basis before moving onto the ones I am currently "subscribed" to.
I used to subscribe to vlogs posted by internet personalities: Dan Brown, Philip DeFranco, and Mr. James and I would look forward to their videos everyday. Brown's videos were meant to be more educational in nature, giving a brief teaching on some topic or subject. DeFranco's videos were mainly about his opinions on whatever was going on in popular culture or the news at the time. Mr. James spoke about what used to be my favourite television show, "Lost", and every week I looked forward to his opinions and insights on that week's episode. However I eventually lost interest in Brown's and DeFranco's videos and personalities and "Lost" ended last year so I have since unsubscribed to these three channels. As of writing, my Youtube account is subscribed to vloggers: KassemG, KevJumba, LiberalViewer, and the vlogbrothers.
KassemG is an all-around entertainer and I find him, and his videos, genuinely funny and entertaining. His vlog series "AsKassem" consists of a lot of user interaction as he gets the topics and themes for these videos directly from his viewers. A good portion of his videos are spent answering people's questions, and his comedic nature mixed in with some ridiculous audience-driven content is always good for a few laughs.
Kevjumba is a fairly typical "youth" (I think he's around my age) and his vlogs are generally about his opinions on conventions in youth culture. Kevjumba is an Asian-American and his videos usually relate to how his view of the world is different from his more "traditional" Asian father. The videos play off how each "generational" character (father and son) interpret and engage in the modern world. While the topics of his videos are of little significance in their insight, kevjumba is an entertaining personality and I enjoying hearing what he has to say and viewing how he goes about saying it. He and his father were also on the last season of "The Amazing Race", so that's pretty awesome as well.
The so-called LiberalViewer is a political commentator and media critic. The main purpose of his commentary is pointing out bias and misinformation found in "right wing" American media (namely Fox News). I initially took the LiberalViewer to be insightful and illuminating but as the bias of which he speaks of became more recognizable to me without outside coercion or forces "highlighting" this bias I lost use for his commentary. While I highly recommend him to those of you who aren't aware of potential bias in the media, I personally feel that the LiberalViewer may be the next on my "unsubscribe" chopping block.
My favourite vloggers would have to be the vlogbrothers. In these videos brothers Hank and John Green "message" one another through posting videos onto their channel, with each video usually pertaining to some interesting topic or idea. These videos usually seek to educate the viewer on some topic (in under four minutes mind you) and I really feel that their approach to the material really succeeds in doing so. Hank is a science geek and John is an author so you get an interesting mix of topics and discussions. My general interests and area of study fall more into the "social science" category occupied by John, and I love hearing his opinions on issues as well as his general observations on whatever. Meanwhile Hank manages to teach me things dealing with science and technology in a way that makes it approachable and exciting, and leaves me wanting more. My attention to the vlogbrothers was first bought on by Philip DeFranco who spoke about John Green's book Paper Towns in one of his videos (a book I have read and enjoyed, although the 2006 Looking For Alaska is easily my favourite work of his). The vlogbrothers are also really good at spreading awareness about issues and initiatives being put on by others. The vlogbrothers seek to end "world suck" and they intended to do this through education and awareness, something their many followers (dubbed "nerdfighters") inevitably grab and hold onto (I know I have). They are truly one of the Youtube greats. vlogbrothers, DFTBA!
So there you have it. Some insight into some of my favourite people on teh internetz. Check 'em out!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Rise.
"Real revolution begins at learning. If you're not angry, you're not paying attention".
The above quote was said by Tim McIlrath, front man and founding member of one of my favourite bands; Rise Against. This post is going to be dedicated to Rise Against as a reflection on my association with the band, their music, and their message. This post is also timely as their next studio album is set for release on March 15. I wait in anticipation.
The above quote was said by Tim McIlrath, front man and founding member of one of my favourite bands; Rise Against. This post is going to be dedicated to Rise Against as a reflection on my association with the band, their music, and their message. This post is also timely as their next studio album is set for release on March 15. I wait in anticipation.
Very few musical acts have had such a major impact on my life like the one Rise Against has. The first Rise Against album I ever purchased was their 2006 release The Sufferer & The Witness. I don't remember what exactly drew me to the album, but I figure I must've liked the album's single "Ready To Fall". Musically, I found the album to be riveting. It was edgy, raw, powerful, and ultimately beautiful. It was different from anything I had previously been exposed to. It was my first real experience with "punk" music and it got me hooked on the genre. However I soon realized that I had gotten more than a couple good tunes out of The Sufferer as the album drastically altered my perception of myself and the world in which I lived. Lyrically, it expressed thoughts, ideas, and concerns in such a way that I could never amply verbalize. I soon sought out the rest of the band's albums and I've been a fan ever since. Their work generally deals with issues regarding: social injustice, angst, anger, love, hate, loss, friends, enemies, belonging, and alienation. These topics weren't completely foreign to me, but Rise Against was able to lyrically and rhythmically convey them in such a way that really struck a chord.
I soon embraced Rise Against fully and tried to integrate what they taught me through their music into my everyday life. My adornment of Rise Against can be directly linked to an attempt at a vegetarian diet in the summer of 2007 as well as my brief membership with the People Against the Unethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Rise Against turned me into a harsh critic of neo-liberalism, and an advocate for social welfare and equality. I had even created a Facebook group in appreciation for the band which managed to grow to about 150 members. The group had started with me and the adding of a few friends but it soon grew to comprise of many individuals who I have no known common connection with except for our mutual respect and appreciation for everything Rise Against. This may not sound like a huge deal to some, but for me (a teenager who was awkward, shy, and very self-conscious) it was a pretty big deal personally to have created something from nothing and have so many people embrace and share in it. The group eventually died down as administrating it became too much of a hassle, but I managed to interact with some interesting people and make a few friends through the group.
At the age of 20, while I still respect Rise Against and their work, I am currently less zealous about the band and the music as compared to my teenage years. Why? I'm not sure. Maybe it was all a "rebellious" phase that I grew out of. Maybe I've become more cynical as a person, disregarding some of the "calls to action" I had previously embraced. Maybe I adopted a more realist view of the world, seeing that while change is necessary, punk music was not the be-all-end-all road to reform. Maybe I just didn't like their latest album very much. I'm not sure. I'm not even sure why I grasped onto the band and the music in the first place. Maybe I was just an impressionable youth, looking for some ideals and values to grab onto in a world I clearly thought of as broken and dysfunctional. Maybe I was just angry and looking for an outlet, or music that could express my feelings better than I ever could. Or maybe I thought that the message and the music was important and valuable. Maybe I just wanted to be different, because I was sick of the people who were the same. If I ever run into my 16 year-old self again I'll be sure to ask him.
While I am not a teenager anymore, I do recognize the value and the importance of Rise Against as a musical act and as a conveyor of messages currently lost in a lot of "mainstream" music. Rise Against is an outlet of frustration. It is a sanctuary. It is an education. They have taught me a lot. They have introduced many concepts and ideas to me which were previously unknown. They have helped me cope in the toughest of times.
They are a part of who I am.
Some of my favourite Rise Against songs (chronologically by album) for your listening pleasure:
The Unraveling (2001)
[The audio quality is not very good for the following three songs - I apologize. The others are fine]
"Six Ways 'Til Sunday"
"Reception Fades"
"Everchanging"
Revolutions Per Minute (2003)
"Black Masks & Gasoline"
"Blood-Red White & Blue"
"Halfway There"
Siren Song Of The Counter Culture (2004)
"State of the Union"
"Paper Wings"
"Swing Life Away"
The Sufferer & The Witness (2006)
"The Approaching Curve"
"The Good Left Undone"
"Survive"
This Is Noise (EP) (2007)
"Obstructed View"
"But Tonight We Dance"
Appeal To Reason (2008)
"Audience of One"
"Savior"
"Whereabouts Unknown"
Endgame (2011)
"Architects"
"Satellite"
"Midnight Hands"
If you'd like more information about Rise Against, please check out their official website.
While I am not a teenager anymore, I do recognize the value and the importance of Rise Against as a musical act and as a conveyor of messages currently lost in a lot of "mainstream" music. Rise Against is an outlet of frustration. It is a sanctuary. It is an education. They have taught me a lot. They have introduced many concepts and ideas to me which were previously unknown. They have helped me cope in the toughest of times.
They are a part of who I am.
Some of my favourite Rise Against songs (chronologically by album) for your listening pleasure:
The Unraveling (2001)
[The audio quality is not very good for the following three songs - I apologize. The others are fine]
"Six Ways 'Til Sunday"
"Reception Fades"
"Everchanging"
Revolutions Per Minute (2003)
"Black Masks & Gasoline"
"Blood-Red White & Blue"
"Halfway There"
Siren Song Of The Counter Culture (2004)
"State of the Union"
"Paper Wings"
"Swing Life Away"
The Sufferer & The Witness (2006)
"The Approaching Curve"
"The Good Left Undone"
"Survive"
This Is Noise (EP) (2007)
"Obstructed View"
"But Tonight We Dance"
Appeal To Reason (2008)
"Audience of One"
"Savior"
"Whereabouts Unknown"
Endgame (2011)
"Architects"
"Satellite"
"Midnight Hands"
If you'd like more information about Rise Against, please check out their official website.
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