this week will be the best in a long time. for many reasons, but very much because of music. here's what i'm talking about.
- 808s and heartbreak. remember when i wrote about my favorite artists releasing music? tomorrow is one of those days. kanye west is dropping his fourth studio album, and i'm all sorts of excited/nervous about it. excited cause it's kanye, nervous because he doesn't rap. we'll see. either way it's something to get amped for.
- tonight i stopped by the cedar falls public library to grab the hobbit (hopefully will have that finished by the end of the week) and i happened to glance at their cd collection, which last time i was there consisted of lots of classical, babyface's mtv unplugged, and timbaland presents: shock value. this time was much better. i found john mayer's where the light is and joss stone's introducing joss stone, two albums interlibrary loan said they couldn't find. super exciting. exciting because the joss stone album is executive produced by raphael saadiq, who is awesome, and joss has a great voice so they will be a great mix, and also exciting because i finally have a legitimate version of john mayer's cover of free fallin' (so incredible.) and also his first released version of in your atmosphere, one of my original favorite songs of his. and even though i've got tons and tons of live jm shows, whenever he releases anything legitimately recorded, i get excited. i'm listening to free fallin' right now and it sounds so so good. the guy sure knows how to record an album. so these two are super great.
- ok as i was writing this next paragraph, i realized that coldplay's new ep, prospekt's march, is actually being released tomorrow (monday) like kanye's album. which means it is 2:43 am and i could go to wal-mart right now and buy the ep if i wanted. holy cow. it's so late but man do i want to hear the ep. i just checked websites of wal-mart, target, and best buy, and target for sure has it the cheapest so i think i'm gonna wait until tomorrow to pick it up. anyway. the ep consists of 8 tracks, 6 new recordings, 2 redos, and i am really excited. over the last five months viva la vida has become possibly my favorite coldplay album, and hearing material that almost made it on the record is really exciting. it's gonna be great.
- saturday night. my fiance and i are seeing al green live. LIVE. a legend. some adults talk about how they saw frank sinatra, after saturday i get to say, for the rest of my life, that i saw al green perform. i am ecstatic. he is playing at an old theatre in downtown kansas city, a real place with a bar in the back and nice seats. we will probably sit and watch. maybe get a drink. it will be a magical night.
what a week. i can't wait to write more about all this music. in the meantime, here's this gem.
nobody sings melody variations like john mayer.
-jon
Monday, November 24, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
we're marley and marley....whoooooaaaaa!
it's november 20th. at work, i've taken to putting on christmas movies when i have a chance, and i have been hearing some serious grumbling from customers about it.
"isn't it a little early to be putting on christmas movies?"
"we haven't even had thanksgiving!"
etcetera. and it's annoying to me. you hear this every christmastime, people get so annoyed that businesses start putting out christmas merch really early and people are putting lights up too early and so on. honestly though, it's always bugged me, and a few weeks ago i finally realized why.
when i was a kid, december would roll around and man would it go slow. like seriously the slowest month ever. it just took so so long to get to christmas. and as a kid i didn't know how to appreciate the season at all. and nowadays, as i get older, time goes so much faster. my weeks have been flying by so quickly. and all i want to do is hold on to feeling you get during december. it is such a great feeling and comes only once a year, why wouldn't we try to grasp onto it as long as we could?
i understand some people don't like the commercialization of the holiday and all that, and i concede that wal-mart did have a gigantic christmas tree up literally on november 1st, but that's not gonna stop me from putting on the 'a charlie brown christmas' album while i study or watching christmas movies at work.
by the way, Top Five Christmas Movies To Play At Work:
5. Elf
4. Jingle All The Way
3. I'll Be Home For Christmas
2. The Santa Clause
1. Muppet Christmas Carol
home alone, home alone 2, and a charlie brown christmas are all excluded from this list even though they are all very near and dear to my heart. the home alones aren't on there because everybody everywhere thinks they are great and for me, watching them more than once a year is too much, and a charlie brown christmas is too sweet to put it on and not give it your full attention.
in two days when i open at work, i'll probably play each of the movies on my list at least once. and thanksgiving is still a week away. bring on the cheer.
-jon
"isn't it a little early to be putting on christmas movies?"
"we haven't even had thanksgiving!"
etcetera. and it's annoying to me. you hear this every christmastime, people get so annoyed that businesses start putting out christmas merch really early and people are putting lights up too early and so on. honestly though, it's always bugged me, and a few weeks ago i finally realized why.
when i was a kid, december would roll around and man would it go slow. like seriously the slowest month ever. it just took so so long to get to christmas. and as a kid i didn't know how to appreciate the season at all. and nowadays, as i get older, time goes so much faster. my weeks have been flying by so quickly. and all i want to do is hold on to feeling you get during december. it is such a great feeling and comes only once a year, why wouldn't we try to grasp onto it as long as we could?
i understand some people don't like the commercialization of the holiday and all that, and i concede that wal-mart did have a gigantic christmas tree up literally on november 1st, but that's not gonna stop me from putting on the 'a charlie brown christmas' album while i study or watching christmas movies at work.
by the way, Top Five Christmas Movies To Play At Work:
5. Elf
4. Jingle All The Way
3. I'll Be Home For Christmas
2. The Santa Clause
1. Muppet Christmas Carol
home alone, home alone 2, and a charlie brown christmas are all excluded from this list even though they are all very near and dear to my heart. the home alones aren't on there because everybody everywhere thinks they are great and for me, watching them more than once a year is too much, and a charlie brown christmas is too sweet to put it on and not give it your full attention.
in two days when i open at work, i'll probably play each of the movies on my list at least once. and thanksgiving is still a week away. bring on the cheer.
-jon
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
love's in need of love today.
finally we can be done with pre-election talk. the problem is that now post-election talk starts. and my goodness is it vicious. i have a feeling in about a day i'm going to wish it was still pre-election time.
the problem i see is this. although everyone is talking about the atmosphere of unity that is coming over our nation, it's hard for me to see it. that's not to say i don't see it at all. america just elected the first african-american president in our nation's history. that is a solid step away from the awful racial division in this country. where it's hard for me to see unity is the callous attacks from both conservative and liberal camps towards the other side. we have our new president-elect, he's black, he's liberal, he promotes change, hope, and unity, and conservatives are hurling rage and hate towards his supporters. on the other hand, the bipartisanship that obama has attested to is nowhere to be found where i've seen. today there was such a smug feeling on campus of "in your face" from obama supporters to mccain supporters. instead of following obama's message of change and hope and unity, the presidential race has been degraded into a "nanee nanee boo boo" contest. it's so petty. both sides are reduced to children because their guy won or their guy lost. this was not what obama, nor mccain, was encouraging during this campaign. do we honestly think that mccain supporters were more interested in ensuring the republican party's future rather than supporting this country, or that obama is getting prepared to make america a communist nation? at the core, i think both parties want the same thing. democracy, freedom, hope to hold on to. it's a shame to get so blinded.
both parties are guilty of it. and it's awful. it makes me doubt the real passion of the citizens in this country to make things better rather than just to have their guy win. i sincerely think that of the 56 million people who voted for mccain, the overall goal was the same as the goal obama supporters ascribed to, to better our nation. but to see supporters of both sides lash out in this horrible way is such a disappointment and completely against what this race was about. this race was about how to move our country forward toward real democracy and freedom, to uphold the ideals that the people who founded this country believed in. neither party should be faulted for having an opinion, and i believe that, even if i don't agree with someone else's opinion. it's sad to me that people automatically disregard things someone says because they supported mccain, or obama, and i'm guilty of that just the same. this country was founded on freedom. i just wish both sides would focus on that more than the differences that divide us. and in the meantime, just because the election is over does not at all mean the time for action is over. our nation is struggling, and this is when it needs its citizens the most. go volunteer at a food bank. pick up some trash. get involved in the political system in your city. ride your bike more. work harder at school. read more. this election does not signal the end of our involvement in our country's betterment.
i think this sums it up perfectly:
-jon
the problem i see is this. although everyone is talking about the atmosphere of unity that is coming over our nation, it's hard for me to see it. that's not to say i don't see it at all. america just elected the first african-american president in our nation's history. that is a solid step away from the awful racial division in this country. where it's hard for me to see unity is the callous attacks from both conservative and liberal camps towards the other side. we have our new president-elect, he's black, he's liberal, he promotes change, hope, and unity, and conservatives are hurling rage and hate towards his supporters. on the other hand, the bipartisanship that obama has attested to is nowhere to be found where i've seen. today there was such a smug feeling on campus of "in your face" from obama supporters to mccain supporters. instead of following obama's message of change and hope and unity, the presidential race has been degraded into a "nanee nanee boo boo" contest. it's so petty. both sides are reduced to children because their guy won or their guy lost. this was not what obama, nor mccain, was encouraging during this campaign. do we honestly think that mccain supporters were more interested in ensuring the republican party's future rather than supporting this country, or that obama is getting prepared to make america a communist nation? at the core, i think both parties want the same thing. democracy, freedom, hope to hold on to. it's a shame to get so blinded.
both parties are guilty of it. and it's awful. it makes me doubt the real passion of the citizens in this country to make things better rather than just to have their guy win. i sincerely think that of the 56 million people who voted for mccain, the overall goal was the same as the goal obama supporters ascribed to, to better our nation. but to see supporters of both sides lash out in this horrible way is such a disappointment and completely against what this race was about. this race was about how to move our country forward toward real democracy and freedom, to uphold the ideals that the people who founded this country believed in. neither party should be faulted for having an opinion, and i believe that, even if i don't agree with someone else's opinion. it's sad to me that people automatically disregard things someone says because they supported mccain, or obama, and i'm guilty of that just the same. this country was founded on freedom. i just wish both sides would focus on that more than the differences that divide us. and in the meantime, just because the election is over does not at all mean the time for action is over. our nation is struggling, and this is when it needs its citizens the most. go volunteer at a food bank. pick up some trash. get involved in the political system in your city. ride your bike more. work harder at school. read more. this election does not signal the end of our involvement in our country's betterment.
i think this sums it up perfectly:
-jon
Sunday, November 2, 2008
quiet.
i just put together an incredible playlist on itunes. actually i didn't do any work, i just threw all of amos lee's albums into a playlist and threw it on party shuff. so great.
but i'm concerned, as i will want to listen to it tomorrow during my day on campus, and campus is so freakin' noisy. noise kills me. and it's everywhere. you can't walk anywhere, drive anywhere, eat anywhere, without being bombarded with just a constant stream of clamor. it's ridiculous. more often than not i'm listening to music, but there are times when even i like just straight silence, but that's so hard to come by nowadays.
for example, i was listening to my al green playlist the other day at lunch, and i walked in to the dining center and to even remotely hear the music in my headphones, i had to turn it up way loud. since that's clearly not good for anybody's ear drums, i had to pause it until i was finally able to get to my table. it's just noise everywhere. the union is noisy, people are noisy, food is noisy to make. it's so obnoxious. and there is a beautiful facet of music that has to be turned up to hear in a semi-noisy situation. amos lee fits that category. so soulful. so quiet. so much depth behind his voice and it gets ruined if it's listened to among hubbub.
i'm longing all the time for less noise. and more melody. and always more harmony. and amos lee's voice is the perfect melody in such a noisy world. listening to him quiets me down so much. click play and close your eyes for three minutes and eight seconds. it's even better if you use headphones.
here's to the quiet.
-jon
but i'm concerned, as i will want to listen to it tomorrow during my day on campus, and campus is so freakin' noisy. noise kills me. and it's everywhere. you can't walk anywhere, drive anywhere, eat anywhere, without being bombarded with just a constant stream of clamor. it's ridiculous. more often than not i'm listening to music, but there are times when even i like just straight silence, but that's so hard to come by nowadays.
for example, i was listening to my al green playlist the other day at lunch, and i walked in to the dining center and to even remotely hear the music in my headphones, i had to turn it up way loud. since that's clearly not good for anybody's ear drums, i had to pause it until i was finally able to get to my table. it's just noise everywhere. the union is noisy, people are noisy, food is noisy to make. it's so obnoxious. and there is a beautiful facet of music that has to be turned up to hear in a semi-noisy situation. amos lee fits that category. so soulful. so quiet. so much depth behind his voice and it gets ruined if it's listened to among hubbub.
i'm longing all the time for less noise. and more melody. and always more harmony. and amos lee's voice is the perfect melody in such a noisy world. listening to him quiets me down so much. click play and close your eyes for three minutes and eight seconds. it's even better if you use headphones.
here's to the quiet.
-jon
Saturday, November 1, 2008
let's be done with this month already.
so today was halloween. i was a die. would've worked better had i had another die to make a pair, but it was alright. i wouldn't have dressed up at all but i was scheduled to work and i was told i had to. so i put this together in the last two days. pretty resourceful for zero dollars. unfortunately it was lost on some people; one guy said, "hey, a jack-in-the-box! nice!" and another old man said "what are you supposed to be, a computer?" yes, sir. a computer. come on people.i hate halloween. it's such a messed up holiday. i don't even like calling it a holiday. there is no joy in halloween. it's a day based totally on fear and evil. and sugar. even from a kid standpoint, there is so little value to be found in such a terrible day.
kids dress up, go to people's houses and say "trick or treat." trick or treat! they are threatening all these people for their candy! it's just teaching kids greed, and that dressing up and being someone you aren't is ok. as far as older humans go, it's a day where it's ok to let that one little "weird" part of you show. this guy came into work tonight with make up all over his face, like he was crying blood slash got cut in his head, and he had painted his shirt so it looked like it was all bloody. and nobody bats an eye! how is that ok?
as far as college town goes, it's always just slut fest (insert current year). the short skirt and low tops are out in droves, like it's their last day on earth to show off some cleavage. go put some pants on girls, it's october 31st, probably too cold for anybody to be wearing what you're wearing.
and i do not understand what our society's obsession is with fear and gore in the movies. there is something to say about being excited, by like a roller coaster or something, but adrenaline from fear is completely different, and to me, it's a terrible feeling. but tons of our scary movies were rented tonight. sucks too, because this last month i have been getting so many people asking me "what's a good scary movie?" since i never watch them, ever, i have nothing to say. i always enjoy when people ask my opinion about films because i work at a movie place, and i pride myself on being able to answer 90% of the movie questions i get asked, but that question is the worst. and i've been getting it all month.
october in general is just a sucky month. it's right in the middle of nothing. right after my birthday and just before the best part of the year. and halloween caps it off. plus midterms. awful.
one good thing happened tonight though. this girl spent a while browsing around the store and then came up and said "what's a good movie?" not the easiest question to answer, since there is literally only one parameter to that question, it has to be good. so i asked her to specify a little bit, and she thought for a second and then said "one that will make me cry." holy cow am i the man for this job. i immediately took her to eternal sunshine of the spotless mind and then just for some extra icing threw in high fidelity. awesome. she was happy to cause she had wanted to see both for awhile. i was able to rent out two of my Top 5 Favorites to this poor girl looking for some non-halloween themed entertainment. plus they are both in our 2 for $1 section, which is totally free until november 17th because family video is celebrating their 30th anniversary. what a deal. another day, another satisfied customer.
i'm just happy halloween has now been over for an hour and a half, and i can start focusing on november. such a great month. i'd like to leave you with this, the funniest halloween-themed video i've ever seen. watch it like three times, and you will probably laugh a lot by the end.
-jon
p.s. shout out to ap for the awesome 'stume idea.
p.p.s. i just realized that my whole outlook is obviously biased since my family never celebrated halloween when i was growing up. so that's really why i don't like it. part product of my environment, part it's a crap holiday.
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