(17 December 2007)
Boy oh boy, talk about boring. Except for Janelle, I haven't seen a new blog come out of MySpace for a few months. We all need to get lives. Or, wait... maybe that means we have lives. Either way, it's cool.
I was in California for Thanksgiving. Erica Stevens officially rocks the casbah for getting me and Elise into Disneyland and California Adventure. The following day, Elise and I went with my parents to hear the L.A. Philharmonic. Did you know that next year, a 26-year old conductor from Colombia is going to take over as their lead conductor? How amazing a conductor must he be to take on that responsibility? Can you picture the LA Phil dancing like the last minute of this during a performance?Now is the time to look at yourself in the mirror and question what you have done with your life.
Did'ya hear that joke about the guy who was playing intramural sports back in October and lost his wedding ring on the field, and he and his wife didn't realize it was missing until later that night, and woke up at 7am in the freezing morning to go look for it and couldn't find it? I think his name was Loel, Nowell... something like that. Man, that was a doozy!
Two weeks ago I had my first all-nighter for school since April 2001. I try to reserve one every six years, just to keep it special.
This movie I list on here, Children of Men? Some of the best camera work I have ever seen. I watched some parts 3-4 times just in awe. The movie is sweet, too.
I can't think of anything else right now. More to come later.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
In Rainbows
(13 October 2007)
This probably won't be an "enjoyable" blog per se. My apologies. I just think this topic is cool.
With each passing month I grow less tolerant of the general music business. Most of the music I most enjoy right now is stuff that isn't too catchy upon the first listen. Over the years, I've concluded that about 90% of the time I like a first song the very first time I hear it, I'll probably be sick of it within a few weeks.
What got me on this tangent? Radiohead released their new album "In Rainbows" on October 10th. Online. And you set the price for which you'll purchase it. What I adore in this is how they willingly spat in the face of every major music label. Rather than signing a contract, they released the dang album on their website. Just up and posted it. No record company, no marketing, no lead single/video, no TV performance tours. The more I think about it, the cooler it is. They are known worldwide, have a loyal following, and have made their music more accessible for the curious fan.
Why do I love this? Bands get fiscally raped so easily. A long time ago I used to think the $17 I would pay for an album resulted in about $12 going straight to the band, when in truth they can expect a $1 profit off any album sold through standard channels. What's worse is this is only after their "compensation" fully reimburses the record company. "For example, if a major label spends $250,000 to record an album, the band must make over $250,000 in royalties until they receive their first royalty check. Once a band sells enough records to pay back the amount to the record label, the band has recouped and will receive royalties on future record sales. Approximately 80% of albums never reach this point which means that most bands NEVER receive any royalty checks. Do the math yourself, if you owe the record company $250,000 and you make $1.00 per CD, that is a quarter of a million CD's you must sell before you collect royalties."
All of that comes from the music producer who penned this article. I recommend it.
Back to my thesis of Radiohead's brilliance in this move. Despite liking many bands, it takes me a while actually purchase a new cd because of the price. Yeah, I'm cheap, and I like it that way. I'll wait until somebody sells it to the used CD store - or one of those amazing Russian music sites, which it turns out are legal if you do the research. If the band I endorse with every $17 CD I buy only receives an average of $1 net profit, am I not supporting their music more by going to the direct source and skipping the middle man?
Which brings me to brilliant idea 2: the customer sets their price. If you want it for free, pay nothing. If you want to support the band, pay $15. Through setting my own price, I contributed what would otherwise have required a $153 purchase of normal discs through typical vendors for Radiohead to receive the same profits. Today I (1) spent $8 less than I would have by purchasing a hard copy of the album, and (2) gave Radiohead a 900% increase on their return.
Could you imagine if this occurred more frequently? What an amazing way for a band to grow their audience. New fans could receive an album for free. Lower price = more demand for the album = higher overall gross income for Radiohead. Both main parties are better off!
I guess this way of distributing music is working. By the end of October 12 - 3 days later - 1.2 million copies were sold with the average price a customer pays being $10. That $10.2 million profit that Radiohead directly received would have only been accrued if they sold over 90 million cds. I hear Madonna is thinking about releasing her next album the same way.
So…yeah. I really shouldn't think so much. If you sat through all of this, my appreciation.
This probably won't be an "enjoyable" blog per se. My apologies. I just think this topic is cool.
With each passing month I grow less tolerant of the general music business. Most of the music I most enjoy right now is stuff that isn't too catchy upon the first listen. Over the years, I've concluded that about 90% of the time I like a first song the very first time I hear it, I'll probably be sick of it within a few weeks.
What got me on this tangent? Radiohead released their new album "In Rainbows" on October 10th. Online. And you set the price for which you'll purchase it. What I adore in this is how they willingly spat in the face of every major music label. Rather than signing a contract, they released the dang album on their website. Just up and posted it. No record company, no marketing, no lead single/video, no TV performance tours. The more I think about it, the cooler it is. They are known worldwide, have a loyal following, and have made their music more accessible for the curious fan.
Why do I love this? Bands get fiscally raped so easily. A long time ago I used to think the $17 I would pay for an album resulted in about $12 going straight to the band, when in truth they can expect a $1 profit off any album sold through standard channels. What's worse is this is only after their "compensation" fully reimburses the record company. "For example, if a major label spends $250,000 to record an album, the band must make over $250,000 in royalties until they receive their first royalty check. Once a band sells enough records to pay back the amount to the record label, the band has recouped and will receive royalties on future record sales. Approximately 80% of albums never reach this point which means that most bands NEVER receive any royalty checks. Do the math yourself, if you owe the record company $250,000 and you make $1.00 per CD, that is a quarter of a million CD's you must sell before you collect royalties."
All of that comes from the music producer who penned this article. I recommend it.
Back to my thesis of Radiohead's brilliance in this move. Despite liking many bands, it takes me a while actually purchase a new cd because of the price. Yeah, I'm cheap, and I like it that way. I'll wait until somebody sells it to the used CD store - or one of those amazing Russian music sites, which it turns out are legal if you do the research. If the band I endorse with every $17 CD I buy only receives an average of $1 net profit, am I not supporting their music more by going to the direct source and skipping the middle man?
Which brings me to brilliant idea 2: the customer sets their price. If you want it for free, pay nothing. If you want to support the band, pay $15. Through setting my own price, I contributed what would otherwise have required a $153 purchase of normal discs through typical vendors for Radiohead to receive the same profits. Today I (1) spent $8 less than I would have by purchasing a hard copy of the album, and (2) gave Radiohead a 900% increase on their return.
Could you imagine if this occurred more frequently? What an amazing way for a band to grow their audience. New fans could receive an album for free. Lower price = more demand for the album = higher overall gross income for Radiohead. Both main parties are better off!
I guess this way of distributing music is working. By the end of October 12 - 3 days later - 1.2 million copies were sold with the average price a customer pays being $10. That $10.2 million profit that Radiohead directly received would have only been accrued if they sold over 90 million cds. I hear Madonna is thinking about releasing her next album the same way.
So…yeah. I really shouldn't think so much. If you sat through all of this, my appreciation.
Off The Record: Volume 9
Boy are YOU in for a doozy. It's late, I'm "waking up" in 3 hours, and I'm tired. You've been warned.
To begin, I will again apologize for the pansy that hacked my account and posted Macy's $500 Gift Card promos on your screen. I don't swear, yet even if by some chance I did, I assure you that I would spell properly— sorry folks, but ebonics just isn't cool outside of 8 Mile. I intend to delete it from each of your pages if you haven't already.
For my birthday, I saw the Arcade Fire live a few weeks ago. If you asked me what one album any living person should get their hands on in 2007, I would say Neon Bible. A rock band that could effectively combine drums, bass, and guitar with a pipe organ at full volume, an accordion, two violins, a baritone sax, xylophone, and a French horn at the same time (while actually sounding brilliantly amazing and profound) will get my vote for being worth it. I'm not a fan of indie music either, as most of it is atrociously half-baked. Yet the album is gorgeous if you give it a few listens... more on that theme in another day or two.
I've mentioned how much I love being married, right? Elise is amazing. Maybe it's the "husband/father" figure in me that is causing me to spend a lot of time now looking for my career after school. I know some great married folk who graduate from college without the slightest clue what they'll do next. I think that's cool—but not for me. I have always enjoyed having a really good plan and filling in the cracks with spontaneity. I like that since I was 15 I had a plan in mind: Eagle Scout, go to university for a year out of state to grow up, serve a mission for the LDS church in beautiful Santiago, come back to school and graduate. Somewhere along the way I ended up in a great Business School and, more importantly, married to the love of my life. I'm cool with that. I liked the road trips and randomizations included therein—too many to really remember. My memory is so bad that when people approach me and say they remember me doing something, I nearly always nod just to support them, caz I have no recollection of it happening.
Anyways, now the plan I've had is close to its final curtain. I'm looking at a few good jobs in the Bay area, the northwest, a few miles out of Chicago… I would be more specific, yet don't want MySpace stalkers to get me. I want to know my next step by Christmas.
On the "school" note, I'll be at some other university for my Master's in a few years. Think I'm a nerd for planning on school well into my 30's? Haha. Laugh now. Cry when I fire you.
I'm the only person I know who has not seen the new Harry Potter movie. Sorry if I won't pay $9 for a mediocre adaptation of good literature. I haven't watched a single one of them for more than $1, and don't plan to start anytime soon.
The Office? We've butchered it. You. Me. Everyone. Watch an episode from the first or second season and compare it with one of the last 4. The colors back then were blander, the characters less polished, the humor more abrasive…. more original. Michael Scott has stopped being uncomfortable and is just an annoying kid. I thought Jim was cool until I saw "The Holiday" and "License to Wed" and realized that it isn't as much that they're all the same character as it is John Krazinski can only play one role. Why don't we take a lesson from the Brits? Rotting teeth and pomp aside, they don't let a quality show frequently go more than three seasons because they know it will begin to stink. I'm just not convinced this season… or the nth… will be up to standards. Us Arrested Development fans need to accept the fact the show would have been bland if it continued. And while I still like Scrubs, the past two seasons have lost the spontaneity as well. My apologies for raining on your parade. Lynch me if you must, yet someone had to say it.
I like our apartment complex in Provo. We're the only college students here. Across the way from us is a family with three little kids around 7- to 12-years old. They're cool. They knock on our door and ask Elise if I could come out and play. When was the last time one of the little neighborhood kids knocked on your door to ask YOU to come out and play tag with them? Boo-yah!
I'm going to run the 26-mile Salt Lake Marathon in April. The race is two days after I graduate. Still not sure how I'm going to prepare for that, yet I appreciate your concern.
Why do I still have the same picture on my Driver's License that I had when I first received it nine years ago? Is that against the law?
OH! Almost forgot! Another music tidbit. Sigur Rós is glorious. The reason I like bands like them and Radiohead (again, more on that in a day or two) is because they understand that to make the best music, you need to be willing to make some junk. You cannot make an earth-shattering creation without failure along the way. Nobody ever got anywhere by playing it safe. How many bands nowadays will put out a risk on the same scale as Sgt. Pepper or Magical Mystery Tour? One of those was a hit, the other was weak sauce. Sigur Ros has made up their own dialect in which they sing their lyrics so that you as a listener can apply the message that most impacts you. I admit that 40% of their stuff is mediocre at best, yet admire the mediocrity because they're trying something totally different that I've never heard before. The other 60% is divinely transcendent beyond any band I can think of. I saw a Facebook group that is called "And on the seventh day, God listened to Sigur Rós." That basically sums it up. What they do with "Njosnavelin" is ecstacy.
And if you've made it this far:
Q: Lowell, why don't you have songs on your MySpace page anymore?
A: Because every time I visit yours, the very first thing I do is turn your song off. If I am relaxed late at night listening to classical, the last thing I want is to have a Country twang, Kanye West beat, or Weezer riff hit my ears. You ever have somebody's song on their page disrupt the music you're enjoying? I admire you and your artist, yet the experience of immediately rushing to turn somebody's song off before the song begins so I could enjoy their page is a major downside to MySpace. If I'm on here I'm probably in my own little "onda"** and am not looking to have that disturbed. All I'm asking for is a little Golden Rule here, folks!
Regards,
Lowell
**" Though there's no literal [Spanish-English] translation that really works, it loosely translates into trip, way of thinking, gig, thing, etc."
To begin, I will again apologize for the pansy that hacked my account and posted Macy's $500 Gift Card promos on your screen. I don't swear, yet even if by some chance I did, I assure you that I would spell properly— sorry folks, but ebonics just isn't cool outside of 8 Mile. I intend to delete it from each of your pages if you haven't already.
For my birthday, I saw the Arcade Fire live a few weeks ago. If you asked me what one album any living person should get their hands on in 2007, I would say Neon Bible. A rock band that could effectively combine drums, bass, and guitar with a pipe organ at full volume, an accordion, two violins, a baritone sax, xylophone, and a French horn at the same time (while actually sounding brilliantly amazing and profound) will get my vote for being worth it. I'm not a fan of indie music either, as most of it is atrociously half-baked. Yet the album is gorgeous if you give it a few listens... more on that theme in another day or two.
I've mentioned how much I love being married, right? Elise is amazing. Maybe it's the "husband/father" figure in me that is causing me to spend a lot of time now looking for my career after school. I know some great married folk who graduate from college without the slightest clue what they'll do next. I think that's cool—but not for me. I have always enjoyed having a really good plan and filling in the cracks with spontaneity. I like that since I was 15 I had a plan in mind: Eagle Scout, go to university for a year out of state to grow up, serve a mission for the LDS church in beautiful Santiago, come back to school and graduate. Somewhere along the way I ended up in a great Business School and, more importantly, married to the love of my life. I'm cool with that. I liked the road trips and randomizations included therein—too many to really remember. My memory is so bad that when people approach me and say they remember me doing something, I nearly always nod just to support them, caz I have no recollection of it happening.
Anyways, now the plan I've had is close to its final curtain. I'm looking at a few good jobs in the Bay area, the northwest, a few miles out of Chicago… I would be more specific, yet don't want MySpace stalkers to get me. I want to know my next step by Christmas.
On the "school" note, I'll be at some other university for my Master's in a few years. Think I'm a nerd for planning on school well into my 30's? Haha. Laugh now. Cry when I fire you.
I'm the only person I know who has not seen the new Harry Potter movie. Sorry if I won't pay $9 for a mediocre adaptation of good literature. I haven't watched a single one of them for more than $1, and don't plan to start anytime soon.
The Office? We've butchered it. You. Me. Everyone. Watch an episode from the first or second season and compare it with one of the last 4. The colors back then were blander, the characters less polished, the humor more abrasive…. more original. Michael Scott has stopped being uncomfortable and is just an annoying kid. I thought Jim was cool until I saw "The Holiday" and "License to Wed" and realized that it isn't as much that they're all the same character as it is John Krazinski can only play one role. Why don't we take a lesson from the Brits? Rotting teeth and pomp aside, they don't let a quality show frequently go more than three seasons because they know it will begin to stink. I'm just not convinced this season… or the nth… will be up to standards. Us Arrested Development fans need to accept the fact the show would have been bland if it continued. And while I still like Scrubs, the past two seasons have lost the spontaneity as well. My apologies for raining on your parade. Lynch me if you must, yet someone had to say it.
I like our apartment complex in Provo. We're the only college students here. Across the way from us is a family with three little kids around 7- to 12-years old. They're cool. They knock on our door and ask Elise if I could come out and play. When was the last time one of the little neighborhood kids knocked on your door to ask YOU to come out and play tag with them? Boo-yah!
I'm going to run the 26-mile Salt Lake Marathon in April. The race is two days after I graduate. Still not sure how I'm going to prepare for that, yet I appreciate your concern.
Why do I still have the same picture on my Driver's License that I had when I first received it nine years ago? Is that against the law?
OH! Almost forgot! Another music tidbit. Sigur Rós is glorious. The reason I like bands like them and Radiohead (again, more on that in a day or two) is because they understand that to make the best music, you need to be willing to make some junk. You cannot make an earth-shattering creation without failure along the way. Nobody ever got anywhere by playing it safe. How many bands nowadays will put out a risk on the same scale as Sgt. Pepper or Magical Mystery Tour? One of those was a hit, the other was weak sauce. Sigur Ros has made up their own dialect in which they sing their lyrics so that you as a listener can apply the message that most impacts you. I admit that 40% of their stuff is mediocre at best, yet admire the mediocrity because they're trying something totally different that I've never heard before. The other 60% is divinely transcendent beyond any band I can think of. I saw a Facebook group that is called "And on the seventh day, God listened to Sigur Rós." That basically sums it up. What they do with "Njosnavelin" is ecstacy.
And if you've made it this far:
Q: Lowell, why don't you have songs on your MySpace page anymore?
A: Because every time I visit yours, the very first thing I do is turn your song off. If I am relaxed late at night listening to classical, the last thing I want is to have a Country twang, Kanye West beat, or Weezer riff hit my ears. You ever have somebody's song on their page disrupt the music you're enjoying? I admire you and your artist, yet the experience of immediately rushing to turn somebody's song off before the song begins so I could enjoy their page is a major downside to MySpace. If I'm on here I'm probably in my own little "onda"** and am not looking to have that disturbed. All I'm asking for is a little Golden Rule here, folks!
Regards,
Lowell
**" Though there's no literal [Spanish-English] translation that really works, it loosely translates into trip, way of thinking, gig, thing, etc."
I forgot about that one..
(30 September 2007)
When your wife- with whom you blissfully spend the majority of every day- says to you, "I miss your blogs, when are you going to write a new one?" you know it is long overdue.
So a good one is coming along. Yet because of time constraints, I wanted to share my favorite poem. Not like I read a lot of poetry, don't think that. After laying dormant in some back corner of my mind for over two years (somewhere next to my old marching band drills and secrets I've long since told) I brushed it up this week for a group project in my Financial Planning class, and afterwards somebody asked me for a copy. I hope you enjoy it.
You
By Edgar A. Guest
You are the fellow who has to decide
Whether you'll do it or toss it aside.
You are the fellow who makes up your mind.
Whether you'll lead or will linger behind.
Whether you'll try for the goal that's afar
Or just be contented to stay where you are.
Take it or leave it. Here's something to do!
Just think it over- It's all up to you!
What do you wish? To be known as a shirk,
Known as a good man who's willing to work,
Scorned as a loafer, or praised by your chief,
Rich man or poor man or beggar or thief?
Eager or earnest or dull through the day?
Honest or crooked? It's you who must say!
You must decide in the face of the test
Whether you'll shirk or give it your best.
Nobody here will compel you to rise;
No one will force you to open your eyes;
No one will answer for you, yes or no,
Whether to stay there or whether to go;
Life is a game, but it's you who must say
Whether as cheat or as sportsman you'll play.
Fate may betray you, but you settle first
Whether to live to your best or your worst.
So, whatever it is you are wanting to be,
Remember to fashion the choice you are free.
Kindly or selfish, or gentle or strong
Keeping the right way or taking the wrong,
Careless of honor or guarding your pride,
All these are questions which you must decide.
Yours the selection, whichever you do;
The thing men call character's all up to you.
When your wife- with whom you blissfully spend the majority of every day- says to you, "I miss your blogs, when are you going to write a new one?" you know it is long overdue.
So a good one is coming along. Yet because of time constraints, I wanted to share my favorite poem. Not like I read a lot of poetry, don't think that. After laying dormant in some back corner of my mind for over two years (somewhere next to my old marching band drills and secrets I've long since told) I brushed it up this week for a group project in my Financial Planning class, and afterwards somebody asked me for a copy. I hope you enjoy it.
You
By Edgar A. Guest
You are the fellow who has to decide
Whether you'll do it or toss it aside.
You are the fellow who makes up your mind.
Whether you'll lead or will linger behind.
Whether you'll try for the goal that's afar
Or just be contented to stay where you are.
Take it or leave it. Here's something to do!
Just think it over- It's all up to you!
What do you wish? To be known as a shirk,
Known as a good man who's willing to work,
Scorned as a loafer, or praised by your chief,
Rich man or poor man or beggar or thief?
Eager or earnest or dull through the day?
Honest or crooked? It's you who must say!
You must decide in the face of the test
Whether you'll shirk or give it your best.
Nobody here will compel you to rise;
No one will force you to open your eyes;
No one will answer for you, yes or no,
Whether to stay there or whether to go;
Life is a game, but it's you who must say
Whether as cheat or as sportsman you'll play.
Fate may betray you, but you settle first
Whether to live to your best or your worst.
So, whatever it is you are wanting to be,
Remember to fashion the choice you are free.
Kindly or selfish, or gentle or strong
Keeping the right way or taking the wrong,
Careless of honor or guarding your pride,
All these are questions which you must decide.
Yours the selection, whichever you do;
The thing men call character's all up to you.
Regarding Music
(25 June 2007)
Here's a Weekend Update: Last Saturday, I ran a 10K. That's only 6.2 miles, so it's nothing that grand. Less so, considering my time was 56 minutes. Yet 'twas the first official race I have entered. I just wanted to try something new.
So I will feebly attempt to discuss a certain aspect of music. Many of you are more qualified to discuss this, so forgive a mediocre attempt.
I grew up in a musical family. Some people grow up listening to The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, perhaps a little KC and the Sunshine Band or the Bee Gees. Well, that wasn't my environment. Everything I heard growing up revolved around classical music. While not able to name specific songs, I was raised with the Brandenburg Concerto's, Handel's Messiah, everything Mozart… savvy?
Of course, my tastes have changed. But there is always that piece of music which, despite how many times I hear it, always does something unique to me. Do you have that song that holds such a special place with your emotions that you want to listen to it constantly, yet restrain the desire to overplay it from fear of becoming so familiar with it that the magic will leave?
One of the movies I watched most while a kid was "West Side Story." I never realized just how much the music and, overall, the message of the movie meant to me until I went to the LA Philharmonic at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion almost eight years ago and heard Esa Pekka-Salonen conduct Leonard Bernstein's "Symphonic Dances from West Side Story." Don't know how nor why, but when that lone violin began "Somewhere" a nerve was struck in me somewhere. I sat crying through the next five minutes. I regained composure once the "Scherzo" began, yet the Finale made me lose it all over again. If you don't know West Side Story, and went on iTunes right now and listened to them, you probably wouldn't understand why.
There are other pieces that almost have that same effect on me. Vaughan Williams' "Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis" is close runner up, as is "Vorspiel" from Wagner's "Das Rheingold." The most modern composition would probably be Clint Mansell's entire soundtrack to "The Fountain" (which is the main song on my page right now, "Death is the Road to Awe." Close your eyes and immerse yourself).
Isn't there a line from "Almost Famous" that says "Let's just all admit how much we love music"? I suppose each person has a song that encapsulates everything we feel music is meant to do. The piece that strikes an emotional chord with us, makes you want to improve, perhaps overcome a vice, perhaps return to a simpler time. Where you feel that entire relaxation of being, as your mind unwinds for a few moments and you can sit back and view everything in life from a greater perspective and realize, for that short span of time, that while you have your personal challenges, on the grand scale of things none of us really has it that bad.
Perhaps I'm not phrasing this correctly. Yet by now you either understand what I'm talking about, or you do not. If not, stay tuned for something more 'entertaining' in a week or two. For those of you who forgive my phraseology, and hopefully grasp what I'm trying to put into words, I was wondering if there is a song, concerto, or _____ that has this same effect on you? Would you mind sharing it down below? I'd be interested in seeing what pieces have this effect on the rest of you. I challenge those who read this to listen to the songs mentioned by others. It's good to expand horizons, cachai?
Regards.
Here's a Weekend Update: Last Saturday, I ran a 10K. That's only 6.2 miles, so it's nothing that grand. Less so, considering my time was 56 minutes. Yet 'twas the first official race I have entered. I just wanted to try something new.
So I will feebly attempt to discuss a certain aspect of music. Many of you are more qualified to discuss this, so forgive a mediocre attempt.
I grew up in a musical family. Some people grow up listening to The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, perhaps a little KC and the Sunshine Band or the Bee Gees. Well, that wasn't my environment. Everything I heard growing up revolved around classical music. While not able to name specific songs, I was raised with the Brandenburg Concerto's, Handel's Messiah, everything Mozart… savvy?
Of course, my tastes have changed. But there is always that piece of music which, despite how many times I hear it, always does something unique to me. Do you have that song that holds such a special place with your emotions that you want to listen to it constantly, yet restrain the desire to overplay it from fear of becoming so familiar with it that the magic will leave?
One of the movies I watched most while a kid was "West Side Story." I never realized just how much the music and, overall, the message of the movie meant to me until I went to the LA Philharmonic at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion almost eight years ago and heard Esa Pekka-Salonen conduct Leonard Bernstein's "Symphonic Dances from West Side Story." Don't know how nor why, but when that lone violin began "Somewhere" a nerve was struck in me somewhere. I sat crying through the next five minutes. I regained composure once the "Scherzo" began, yet the Finale made me lose it all over again. If you don't know West Side Story, and went on iTunes right now and listened to them, you probably wouldn't understand why.
There are other pieces that almost have that same effect on me. Vaughan Williams' "Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis" is close runner up, as is "Vorspiel" from Wagner's "Das Rheingold." The most modern composition would probably be Clint Mansell's entire soundtrack to "The Fountain" (which is the main song on my page right now, "Death is the Road to Awe." Close your eyes and immerse yourself).
Isn't there a line from "Almost Famous" that says "Let's just all admit how much we love music"? I suppose each person has a song that encapsulates everything we feel music is meant to do. The piece that strikes an emotional chord with us, makes you want to improve, perhaps overcome a vice, perhaps return to a simpler time. Where you feel that entire relaxation of being, as your mind unwinds for a few moments and you can sit back and view everything in life from a greater perspective and realize, for that short span of time, that while you have your personal challenges, on the grand scale of things none of us really has it that bad.
Perhaps I'm not phrasing this correctly. Yet by now you either understand what I'm talking about, or you do not. If not, stay tuned for something more 'entertaining' in a week or two. For those of you who forgive my phraseology, and hopefully grasp what I'm trying to put into words, I was wondering if there is a song, concerto, or _____ that has this same effect on you? Would you mind sharing it down below? I'd be interested in seeing what pieces have this effect on the rest of you. I challenge those who read this to listen to the songs mentioned by others. It's good to expand horizons, cachai?
Regards.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Off The Record: Volume 8
I know baby, I know.
I've missed you too.
Familiar with the feeling of having no idea where to begin? Welcome to the club. Let's stick to the basics.
I have one year of school left. Had I planned better, I could be done now. Yet how many people truly feel their first year at school is put to good use? Eh. Had the privilege of making a cool video project for my Supply Chain Management Class. Our group parodied 'The Office' with a video called 'The Tanner' (get it? No, seriously, GET IT?!) I'll post it online sometime, because Tarantino says I should. I added an Economics minor to join my Spanish minor. At least it'll look good on a resume. And yes, I'll be back in school for my Master's in a few years.
After the semester concluded, Elise and I visited California for a week. She's a "Wicked" fan, so was excited when I bought us tickets. Allow me here to send out props to Erica Stevens for taking me to it two years ago (and also for giving us directions to arrive at the Pantages from UCLA…it's a maze!). Truth be told, I enjoyed Wicked more the first time around. Whenever I see a movie or a play the second time, I just sit there looking for all the flaws. This time, I realized 10 minutes in that the guy playing the Tin Man was a kid I did theatre with way back when, and he was an oddball. A few years ago I met the cripple girl, too. That just destroyed any suspension of reality I may have enjoyed during the show.
Of course, I went to In-N-Out probably five or six times, too. How dare you think otherwise. "But Lowell, why do you get such a rush off In-N-Out?" a friend in Salt Lake asked me. My only response was to think of Pink Floyd. Have you ever listened to the Dark Side of the Moon? Eric Whitacre? Shostakovich's 5th Symphony? First time or two you listen, nothing really stands out. Give it time, though, and it envelopes you. Maybe that's only excusing my addiction. Forgive me for appreciating good things.
Back to my California trip… I'm always asked, "Lowell, when are you moving to California again?" Answer: when everyone else leaves. Having the beach, Disneyland, and everything else nearby isn't worth it if you can only avoid traffic by driving before 8am or after 9pm. I am currently living in Sandpoint, Idaho, and doing and internship with Coldwater Creek. "Hey, isn't that a women's clothing company?" Yes. Go ahead and laugh. Elise and I both have good internships up here. I'm working in Management Training and she's involved in numerous HR projects. It'll open up doors in the future. Besides, the area is beautiful. Rolling hills of forest, a peaceful atmosphere, no pollution anywhere, a great job. So go ahead, California, and keep your bloated Mecca of Commericialism™. I'll choose a relaxing, peaceful environment. It is a euphoric moment when you realize how much better many things are outside of Southern California.
On a final note, Elise has been reading my journal this summer. I've kept one since junior high, and have done so very consistently since going to Florida in 2001. And boy, she's been through it all. Any fun date, any random trouble-making incident, my entire experience as a missionary in Chile, whatever might involve you, the reader, she knows… Somehow, she says she loves me more because she knows. Five points for me. [high five!]
Stay tuned for more.
I've missed you too.
Familiar with the feeling of having no idea where to begin? Welcome to the club. Let's stick to the basics.
I have one year of school left. Had I planned better, I could be done now. Yet how many people truly feel their first year at school is put to good use? Eh. Had the privilege of making a cool video project for my Supply Chain Management Class. Our group parodied 'The Office' with a video called 'The Tanner' (get it? No, seriously, GET IT?!) I'll post it online sometime, because Tarantino says I should. I added an Economics minor to join my Spanish minor. At least it'll look good on a resume. And yes, I'll be back in school for my Master's in a few years.
After the semester concluded, Elise and I visited California for a week. She's a "Wicked" fan, so was excited when I bought us tickets. Allow me here to send out props to Erica Stevens for taking me to it two years ago (and also for giving us directions to arrive at the Pantages from UCLA…it's a maze!). Truth be told, I enjoyed Wicked more the first time around. Whenever I see a movie or a play the second time, I just sit there looking for all the flaws. This time, I realized 10 minutes in that the guy playing the Tin Man was a kid I did theatre with way back when, and he was an oddball. A few years ago I met the cripple girl, too. That just destroyed any suspension of reality I may have enjoyed during the show.
Of course, I went to In-N-Out probably five or six times, too. How dare you think otherwise. "But Lowell, why do you get such a rush off In-N-Out?" a friend in Salt Lake asked me. My only response was to think of Pink Floyd. Have you ever listened to the Dark Side of the Moon? Eric Whitacre? Shostakovich's 5th Symphony? First time or two you listen, nothing really stands out. Give it time, though, and it envelopes you. Maybe that's only excusing my addiction. Forgive me for appreciating good things.
Back to my California trip… I'm always asked, "Lowell, when are you moving to California again?" Answer: when everyone else leaves. Having the beach, Disneyland, and everything else nearby isn't worth it if you can only avoid traffic by driving before 8am or after 9pm. I am currently living in Sandpoint, Idaho, and doing and internship with Coldwater Creek. "Hey, isn't that a women's clothing company?" Yes. Go ahead and laugh. Elise and I both have good internships up here. I'm working in Management Training and she's involved in numerous HR projects. It'll open up doors in the future. Besides, the area is beautiful. Rolling hills of forest, a peaceful atmosphere, no pollution anywhere, a great job. So go ahead, California, and keep your bloated Mecca of Commericialism™. I'll choose a relaxing, peaceful environment. It is a euphoric moment when you realize how much better many things are outside of Southern California.
On a final note, Elise has been reading my journal this summer. I've kept one since junior high, and have done so very consistently since going to Florida in 2001. And boy, she's been through it all. Any fun date, any random trouble-making incident, my entire experience as a missionary in Chile, whatever might involve you, the reader, she knows… Somehow, she says she loves me more because she knows. Five points for me. [high five!]
Stay tuned for more.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Off The Record, Vol. 7
(January 9, 2007)
School has officially commenced again at UC-Provo… er, BYU (basically the same thing, though, viewing the quantity of Californians here). I find myself developing a cynical mood towards the small details of college, just as I'm sure we all did in high school, and as we all do with work. With an onslaught of a new semester comes the new students. I love watching newbies; they all dress to impress, thinking with a new semester, new year, and new clothes they're a new person, without ever coming to the realization that they're enmeshed in habits they don't want to break, they don't want to leave their comfort zone, so in a month they're back to the same habits, thinking "Next year will be different." Makes me think of that group on Facebook named "Procrastinators Unite… Tomorrow!"
Enough with academia. I loved my Christmas break. Very much indeed. A family reunion in
Saw some old time friends, too, which I enjoyed. Was the first time I've seen PJ since high school, and was glad to catch up with him. I was filled in regarding what I otherwise would not know, such as (a) who has chosen to be gay since high school, and (b) that despite there being probably over 100 Starbuck's in the Inland Empire, you could skip those other 99, baby, because the one worth traveling to is ten miles away, and even though that one is out of everything you would want, and the hot chocolate tastes like chalky cocoa, it holds its own due to the memories with friends that were created.
I wish
Last Wednesday we boarded our cruise ship in
Long enough. I'm out.
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