A Small Holiday Blag

I have been a little sick the past couple of days, but I was trying to think of a little fun holiday blog. And I've been stuck on what to do. I kinda wanted to make this into a 'gift' for those who read this. My way of saying Happy Holidays to those who take time to read this.

So I've decided to make a little top 10 list of some of my Favorite Holiday songs. Some of these are for Humor's sake, or for nostalgia, but most of them genuinely are some of my favorite Holiday songs.

Even though I don't believe in a supernatural being that seems to be the focus of "Christmas" or quite a few of the Holidays around the winter solstice, does not mean I am a Scrooge. That being said, let's get to the List.

10. The Smashing Pumpkins - Christmastime



Now, I kind of hate Billy Corgan. His voice is a bit nasally for my tastes, but somehow, it works with the Pumpkins. And this song kind of reminds me of how my parents must have felt Christmas morning; with me as a kid. After all the hustle and bussle of the holiday season, sitting down and watching a child's eyes light up as they open gifts... it could be nice on some level.

09. Bob Rivers- I am Santa Clause


There is something so wonderful about a well done Christmas parody. Using Black Sabbath's main riff from Iron Man is great. And I have an image of Santa sporting "C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S" across his knuckles like Ozzy has "O-Z-Z-Y'. My cousin Miles showed me this a few years back. I'm glad he's more into Black Sabbath and Ozzy more than Santa now, but I thank him for hipping me to this.

08. Danny Elfman - What's This?



So being a former little Goth-y boy, and still being a huge Tim Burton fan, and to a lesser extent a Fan of musicals, this ranks up there as one of my top Christmas songs. Danny Elfman's voice as Jack Skellington is delivering an enthusiastic of wonder is a major turn for the character from "Jack's Lament" earlier in the Film. Burton's creation, the music and clay-mation make "Nightmare Before Christmas" one of my go to Holiday movies. Macabe at times, sure, but Disney has done much worse Christmas Specials/movies. "What's This" is just a fun song, and if it doesn't make you smile, like it Christmas town does for Jack, I have three Ghosts of Christmas that will be paying you a Visit tonight.

07. My Chemical Romance - All I Want for Christmas Is You


This is a recent find for me. I remember the frigging Mariah Carey original, and I loathe it. But Gerard and Co. put a nice little 'pop-punk' spin on it, that makes the unbelievably sappy lyrics a little more palatable. If you really want to torture yourself, go on youtube and see some of the horrendous fan made 'music videos' for either version. I kind of want to stab my eyeballs out due to the one I watched.

06. The Used - Alone This Holiday



Another 'punk-lite' Holiday song. I apologize for the crappy audio on this, but I'm not the one who uploaded the video. The original is on Maybe Memories CD, or iTunes. This is more of a Nostalgic song for me; The lyrics are depressing, but it's a fun song. Good when you're pissed over the holidays. Or just using it when taking a walk out in the snow alone. I actually prefer the version without Kelly Osbourne (Ozzy's daughter) but that's hard to come by.

05. Blink 182 - I Won't be Home for Christmas


This is usually how I feel around the holidays until about a few days before Christmas. I mean, I PROBABLY won't attack someone around Christmas with a baseball bat and get butt-raped in jail for aggravated assault. But one can only have their buttons pushed so much as the days get darker, and drearier. If I end up in jail, please, post my bail.

04. The Vandals - My First Christmas (as a Woman)


What can be more awesome at Christmas than getting what you want? The Vandals, what can I say, I love Josh Freese. A fun upbeat, probably not to serious song about wanting Santa to make you the opposite sex for Christmas. But then again, it is the Vandals. You can never be sure.

03. Spinal Tap - Christmas with the Devil


YouTube does not have a decent recording of this, so I had to get a piano/bass jazz-y version of it. You can find the original on iTunes, I think or any respectable filesharing site. There's a REALLY crappy VHS era of Spinal Tap playing on the Arsenio Hall show. And there is just something hilarious about the lyrics and/or the music in it. Metal + Christmas... it's odd, isn't it? I mean this was released in 1992. A good 4 years before Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Coincidence?
Yeah, Probably.

02. Nine Inch Nails - 28 Ghosts IV



Something about this song reminds me of snowfall or walking in snow. This is not my video to the song, but gives a nice representation of what's in my mind when it plays. Off of Nine Inch Nails instrumental album released in March of 2008 Ghosts I-IV this track has been one of my favorites for this year. at over 5 mins, it's one of the longer pieces on the album. Give it a listen, it's a $5 download off of nin.com.

01. John Lennon - Happy Xmas (war is over)


Street Drum Corps. Featuring Bert McCrakin

The Three Tenors

Maroon 5


This song was originally a protest song about the Vietnam war; although in recent years, I feel it has lost it's meaning. Or it has changed at least. I don't want to preach here (but it might come off as such); It's not what I do well at all. I take this song to be reflective on your year, and if you're working to help this planet, and help and love those around you. I try to, so much and I'm sure you do to. This song is to promote the ultimate ideal of this holiday season, peace on earth and love for your fellow person. Peace can come from a messiah that is to come; or one that has come, died, and will come again. Peace can be simple as extending a hand to someone in need with out thought of getting something in return. Peace is possible, if we hold ourselves accountable for our actions, and we take care of ourselves, and take care of our neighbors.

This Holiday season, lets let the messages of hope, love, light and happiness really take hold. Promote it all year round, take a few minutes each day and do something kind for someone in need. Talk to strangers, make them smile, you might help them when they are having a bad day. Promote people to reach there full potential. Love everyone equally, regardless of race, ethnic background or religion.

Happy Holidays. War, Hunger, Illiteracy, Poverty, Disease can all be over. If you want it. Let's make it happen.

Winter In Maine

Maine is rather pretty; for as rural as a part of Maine that I live in, I often am surprised by the grand beauty of the place. I saw a dear on this drive, and the sunset, although not done justice by this picture, was spectacular.




The house I live at is two levels with an unfinished basement. The basement is mostly used for wood storage. You can see the decorated Christmas Tree in the front window on the right.






My car, in front of the garage, on the ice covered driveway. That is a major downside of living up here; the ice is annoying. Especially when you look at the next pictures.






The road I live on typically looks like this, West which leads to nowhere other than other houses.







Going toward 'civilization'; a church and a post office. And more homes. This is also the way I go towards Presque Isle.







The road leading towards Washburn, heading towards Presque Isle. Usually this road is not as bad...







We have lots and lots of woods. I want to go walking in them, especially now since it's winter and take pictures, but... I don't feel comfortable doing it just yet.












More woods.








I like this picture, with the structure in the right hand side.








This was the road to Presque Isle; I expected this to be better as it is a state road. but No.

Hopefully tomorrow the snow will be done.

Music, Torture and my Opinions

This story that ran on MSNBC is really disgusting. (2 pages)

As someone who is both an avid fan of music and being someone who contributes to an artistic craft (writing), I am offended by this on many levels. I am on a personal level, because as a writer, I would not want any of my works to be used to inflict harm on another person. Including papercuts, or pummeling someone to death with my forthcoming short story collection.

However, I expect nothing less from this administration. Our current resident in the Office of President and his cabinet have no respect for human or civil rights. We have allowed this administration to hijack basic human decency. We let them, through our military branches to kidnap people that we think are 'terrorists', including children.

What drives me crazy is none of this was done with Artist's consent. They used songs that are for Children's shows (I Love You, from TV's Barney), played at ear splitting volumes while shackled in uncomfortable positions. Yes, they've used Nine Inch Nails and Rage Against the Machine, both of whom have been vocal critics of this current administration.

Some musicians see the situation rather differently.

Some musicians, however, say they’re proud that their music is used in interrogations. Those include bassist Stevie Benton, whose group Drowning Pool has performed in Iraq and recorded one of the interrogators’ favorites, “Bodies.”

“People assume we should be offended that somebody in the military thinks our song is annoying enough that played over and over it can psychologically break someone down,” he told Spin magazine. “I take it as an honor to think that perhaps our song could be used to quell another 9/11 attack or something like that."

Okay... so when John McCain was tortured, it would have been okay to play "Born in the USA" at top volume outside of his cell in addition to stabbing him in the groin? I mean, I can have been tortured by music at times, but usually, I can leave.

The point I think Benton is missing is that this will not really stop another 9/11. If you think that the people being held against all international laws are not going to be pissed at the people/country/government that just decided to torture them... let's look at John McCain again.

John McCain recently (Campaign 2008) told reporters that he hated [racial Asian slur here]s. Now, I feel for Mr. McCain. No, really, stop laughing. I do, if he was tortured, I do feel pity for the man that he cannot forgive a race of people. Do I take John McCain at his word that he uses that word only for those who tortured him? No. I do not. Because you're just as racist by saying ' I only use the term N---er for those who act like N---ers.' You're still marginalizing people by the color of their skin, or their heritage. Or any other racist term you may want to sling out there.

If John McCain a war hero cannot let go of his hatred after being tortured (while not legal to torture, it was legal to detain Mr. McCain as he was a uniformed enemy combatant; most of the detainees at GTMO or the other black operations prisons we have set up are not recognized by any international body), who's to say that anyone in our illegal prison camps will let go of theirs?

Torturing people will not stop crazy idiots from bombing something that they want to bomb. Maybe our actions towards those less fortunate than us might stop some of the psychopaths from recruiting people.

And if you morons in the DoD are going to condone music as a form of torture... at least pick something that doesn't make you look like idiots, like Rage, or Nine Inch Nails.

Please, use Springsteen, or Nugent, or some other idiot that has blind patriotism.

It's Been Cold

So, it gets cold up here in Maine.

I really wish we had lightsabers.

It'd make the process of staying warm much easier.










Please note: This is a moose.










And this is me inside of a moose.



Now moose don't like it when you just try to crawl into their mouths, or more unhygienically, up their butts.










So I have to stay warm by killing moose and crawling inside.
They are quite spacious and have windows.

Without a lightsaber, the best way of killing a moose is with a spork, preferably made of titanium.

So you physicists working on lightsaber technology, please hurry. I'm cold.

(Note: I have never killed a moose, and certainly not with a spork. This was just my lame-ass attempt to say I'm trying to keep warm up here.)

Political Rant Ahead.

Recently over a friend's house I was having a grand old time untill someone mentioned President-Elect Barack Obama was going to teach kindergarteners sex education in schools. This was coming from an 18 year-old expectant mother who couldn't shut up about her preggers belly. I shook my head, and said "That isn't what he said. " I got a condescending smirk as she was walking out the door.

Yesterday, my wonderful possible future father-in-law informed me that the United States Supreme Court will now be debating to hear a suit brought against our President Elect for not being born in the US or not having Legal Citizen status.

Today, I got an earfull from some of Jen's coworkers on how Obama is a horrible person because he's a smoker.

I am incredibly sick and tired of hearing these rumors of Obama persist. Obama is a legal US citizen. If a person is born on US soil, he is a citizen. He wasn't born in Kenya, yes his father was a citizen of the UK and Kenya, his mother was from Kansas, he was born in Hawaii. Which incase you haven't noticed, is a state.

'It's the wallet that says 'Bad MotherFucker'

Oh and evidently is a horrible thing to have a president who smokes. This if you ask me, is much better than having an administration who lied to get 4,306 (confirmed dead, there are 3 more who have not been confirmed by our DoD) of our country's people killed in a war we caused. This administration is also responsible for removing habeas corpus if one is labeled a 'Terrorist,' and may not 'torture' you, but may 'redefine what torture is'.

Lets put this into perspective.

Smoking, while unpleasant and kinda gross, endangers mostly endangers the person smoking, and if exposed to chronic consistent tobacco smoke, others around him.

Then we have war profiteering, murder, torture, erosion of civil liberties, suspension of habeas corpus, leaking a name of an undercover agent from the CIA, conducting a war of aggression, disregarding the UN, disregarding various rules of the Geneva Convention.

Look, I am not asking you to love Barack Obama. I don't care what you think about the man, in terms of policy or his private life. I do care that people are spreading lies, untruths and generally being narrow minded because he is young, black and our President Elect.

FactCheck.org a non partisan website, to figure out what is true and what is false. There is enough bullshit out there in the world. So do a favor and stop spewing it. I'm sick and tired of having to correct people. You have an opinion; fine. You want to be ignorant of the facts, spew information that you know is false; go join our mass media. But if you want to engage me in political or social debate, or make mention of something you only heard, and have not actively looked up if it is true or not, you need to shut the hell up, listen to people who HAVE done research, and educate yourself.

You have a brain, use it.

Consumerism, Stomach Sickness, Ice, Snow, and love.

So I finished X-mas Shopping for everyone, I think/hope. What I already obtained from websites, I think that everyone will like their gifts...

I think a couple of things might get here just in the nick of time. Mostly things from little independent shops. Like the xkcd merch, or the questionable content dot com merch.

I want to make a little mix CD to go with some the cards I'm sending out, but I'm not a huge fan of Crimmus music. If I do get a few more ideas (I want at least 15-20songs), I think I need to pirate/download from itunes (give suggestions in the comments section) some wintertime music, or music that reminds you of winter/holidays.

I have a couple of songs I'm putting on there for sure. But it's only like...5 song ideas. So go nuts in the comments section.
Anyway, shopping this year was done entirely online. And it is so much easier. Thinkgeek was amazing to me; and although I wanted to buy a metric-ass-load (it's a real measurement, look it up [also see the picture of birds to the left for an example]) of stuff for myself, I restrained. Various people got stuffs from there.

Amazon.com was a savior for a certain person, but it just wasn't cutting it this year for the most part. However, St.Helen's Bookstore was amazing for one awesome item... someone will have a very special x-mas gift. They were amazingly prompt and what I ordered from there is absolutely beautiful. I ordered something from another indie bookstore, and I hope they are as amazing as I've heard.

I added a few people on my list this year, with small stuffs. A book or a little plushy from thinkgeek. Mostly stuffs that one could put on a desk at their work.

The Onion's online store was a source of much hilarity between me and Jen. They sell fake gift boxes to put real gifts inside. A USB toaster, the iFeast Pet Feeding MP3 Docking Station/Stereo.

The best store that I encountered this year had to be The HungerSite. Not for shipping, or selection, or customer service. But for gifts that mean something more than their value/sentiments... It's good to shop there, and just to click on their links daily. Most of my family got stuff from there this year. They have artisan projects, and the food that you buy and get jewelry or clothing etc. goes to that village/country or to where the artists desire it to go. And if you prefer donating to another worthy cause, they have other sites in their network.

So for the past three days or so, parts of my body have not been feeling so well. I have what I think is gas. Like horrid, makes you want to stab your own small intestines with a spork and then strangle someone with them, kind of pain. Oh, and accompanying this wonderful sensation are two things I thought I'd never really have to worry about. The first is about my passage of feces; the second is about my urine. So if you dislike poo and pee talk talk quit reading now; I will have another bold text to tell you when it is done. So I've been having very loose passage of stool, and not in big quantities. Or sometimes, it's just a lot of gas. For how much the gas has been hurting, and how little poo is coming out, I'm kinda worried that I have the Byrus/'a Shitweasel' from Stephen King's Dreamcatcher. And then their is urination. Although it's not painful, nor an odd color for me, it's much more frequent than I normaly have pass through my body. The urine is my typical fairly clear, which is normal for me. I don't think it's a UTI or and Kidney/Bladder infection, there is no pain, no discoloration or odor change. I mean I know how to wash myself, and I'm surprised by the frequency of my urination, I'm usually a once or twice a day kinda guy; now it's every couple of hours. Just going by my own guestimates, but I think I'm passing about the same amount of urine per day. But it's just occuring much more often. I'm not showing any signs of Diabetes, no weight loss/gain. Oh well, my body just is deciding to freak me out, I guess. Idiotic body.

I am done talking about bodily functions. Now I talk about happy things.

It's been very pretty up here in N. Maine today, at least. I took a few pictures with my camera phone, which I'll post in a few days. Snow on the side of the road/railroad tracks. It's been a nice day. Although it is a bit different driving in compared to SW PA.

I miss Pittsburgh, a little. No so much in the geographical sense of the idea, but my friends and family. I wish I could just BS with JC or Erin for a bit. I want to have an all night coffee and work on music with Matt.

Jen and I are doing well. She's been trying to take care of me while I was a little sick (still don't feel 100%), and I'm a bit stubborn on that kind of stuff. It's one thing to pick up tomato soup for me, it's another to make it for me. It's appreciated, but I like feeling a little self-reliant, even when my body is staging a Che/Castro vs Batista Cuban-like rebellion in my intestines. She has the day off tomorrow, so it'll be nice having a whole day to ourselves. I'd like to just relax and do whatever. Anything but more crappy TV. Crappy movies would be fine, but one can only watch so much scrubs, mash, friends and discovery channel.

Sometimes when I'm here, it still feels like I have to head back to SW PA at some point. That I didn't move here. That sometime I'll have to pack all my shit back up and go back 'home'. Its an odd feeling. Being 1000 miles away from most of the people you know makes you appreciate people a lot more, and makes you appreciate the hell out of the people you have near you a lot more too.

Next time, I'll be more ranty, I promise. This was a pretty upbeat post. I'll be sure to be more angsty and angry.

EDIT: i don't think i said fuck in this entry at all. It's a sad, sad, sad, sad world...