Over the years I've noticed more and more people getting tattoos for reasons that are less and less important. I mean, back in the day, you'd get a tattoo of an anchor if you were a sailor just because of the achievement to show that you went through tough trials to get where you were. Some people would get tattoos of their children's names to commemorate their birth, or names of lost loved ones. Over time tats have come to be less about achievements and more frivolous. People began to get tattoos of the names of girlfriends and the classic "Mom" heart tattoo. More and more novelty tattoos followed these, most popular being characters from pop culture, pictures of flowers and animals, and barbed wire tattoos.
Some of these had meaning mind you. Some examples from my experience with others being a dolphin for being the best swimmer on your team. Another (slightly more extreme) example is a man who legally changed his name to Darth Maul and got a tat of Darth Maul on his calf (If you don't know who Darth Maul is, then I am severely disappointed in you and you need to google him right now. Go ahead, I'll wait... Are you back yet? Good. Now that your a bit more educated I can continue with my pointless rant.). I can understand say getting the logo of a band that has been a huge influence in your life. I can almost even understand the barbed wire tattoo on a guy who wants to get the bump from "tough" to "intimidating." There are some tattoos that I refuse to understand, such as naked or semi-naked people, the dog collar tattoo, the full body tattoo, and the infamous "Hello Kitty" tramp stamp.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
"I've got a fever, and the only cure: IS MORE COWBELL!"
Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a music lover. I play guitar and sing (how well is debatable) and i dabble in several other instruments, such as harmonica, bass, and ocarina (think weird lookin' yet somehow cool wind instrument). I love to play all of these, they all sound lovely when played correctly and they help me to unwind at the end of the day. I honestly believe that it helps me to be more creative than somebody who doesn't care much for music. Everybody should learn an instrument, whether its guitar, saxophone, or just how to keep a beat with a cowbell. Even if you're not a musical person, you should still try to find some kind of creative outlet, be it dance or drawing. Perhaps if we had more creative people then we could finally be rid of this cultural mishmash of infinitely self-recycling crap that we call modern popular culture.
The lack of creativity in today's pop culture scene can be attributed to the lack of willingness to try new creative activities such as playing instruments. All of the "fresh new entertainment" that we see today seems to be recycled directly from the past. All sorts of movie remakes, such as the smurfs, the karate kid, and the A-team, while marginally entertaining, are still just rip offs straight out of the 70's and 80's. Then you have your crappy musical con-artists like Kid Rock, blatantly stealing the music from "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Werewolves in London." I mean, just give Madonna a listen and then Lady Gaga and tell me that they don't sound exactly the same (Even the stupid, weird wardrobe gimmicks).
The lack of creativity in today's pop culture scene can be attributed to the lack of willingness to try new creative activities such as playing instruments. All of the "fresh new entertainment" that we see today seems to be recycled directly from the past. All sorts of movie remakes, such as the smurfs, the karate kid, and the A-team, while marginally entertaining, are still just rip offs straight out of the 70's and 80's. Then you have your crappy musical con-artists like Kid Rock, blatantly stealing the music from "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Werewolves in London." I mean, just give Madonna a listen and then Lady Gaga and tell me that they don't sound exactly the same (Even the stupid, weird wardrobe gimmicks).
Friday, October 21, 2011
The Ice Flame of Krystille: Part 4- Heiron's End
The wind whipped through Heiron's hair as he rode his horse Zephyr through the streets of the village of Grënit. He rode into the neighboring Init'ha wood, weaving through the trees with the skill of a master equestrian. His goal was to reach the house of the newborn boy who was mentioned in his prophecy. This house was in the small, sparsely settled village of Posnä. Normally Heiron would take the road, but this way was shorter, and he feared that he was not long for this world.
Suddenly a voice that filled the forrest. It boomed all around and nearly deafened Heiron. "Heiron, Warlock of Erindiel! You have seen the future as all wizards have, but you choose to tell the world of it! This is in violation of the Warlock-God pact! You have been warned, turn back and die peacefully or we shall retaliate with all of our might! Do not invoke the wrath of Asgard lightly..." Heiron wasn't surprised that the God Odin would contact him in such a way. Not only had the two once been friends, but Heiron and Odin were the ones who signed the Warlock God pact. Heiron began to ride faster and yelled back "My message SHALL be delivered! Even the combined might of Asgard cannot stop me Odin." "If this is your decision... then so be it. We shall see just how much weight your mere words carry old friend!"
Heiron reached a field, on the other side of which was the town of Posnä. Heiron rode faster and faster until he could push Zephyr no more. Suddenly he hear what sounded like a hammer hitting an anvil at an Earth-shattering decibel. A bolt of lightening struck two feet to the right of him and spooked Zephyr into running to the left. Heiron willed Zepher to turn back towards Posnä. "It seems that you need to work on your aim Thor!" yelled Heiron, knowing Thor to be the god of thunder, and that the hammer sound that he heard was from Mjolnir, Thor's hammer.
A voice began to whisper in Heiron's ear "Heiron... Oh Heirooon... Your friend- Elijah was it? He's dead Heiron! We destroyed your tower in Erindiel and killed him Heiron... We destroyed his home, his possessions, him, and.... his FAMILY!" The voice gave a maniacal cackle at this, and tears began to stream down the wizard's face. But then he remembered who the voice must've been, Loki the trickster god. "That's not true Loki! You know it, you've never told a truth in your life!" "There's a first time for everything Heiron! Are you so sure I speak un-truths? Your friend is the only one who knew of the prophecy besides you!" "Clever Loki, but you've forgotten! The prophecy I spoke was in the sacred tongue! Odin would never give your leash enough slack as to kill innocents Loki! Now if you'll excuse me, I have a message to deliver!" Heiron rode towards Posnä, his spirits bolstered by outsmarting Loki and learning that his friend was still alive.
Lightening fell from the sky like an electric rain, but Heiron rode straight and true, shielding himself from the bolts with all of the magical strength he could muster. He made it! He'd arrived in Posnä. He dismounted his horse and ran to the center of town. "People of Posnä! Hear my words!" Heiron was about to speak the prophecy when he realized what would happen to the townspeople if he did. Anybody with knowledge of the prophecy must be silenced, and telling the townsfolk would only give Loki enough just cause to kill them all. Heiron realized what he must do.
"I shall die where I stand on this day. The god Thor shall turn me to ash and a tree imbued with my magic shall grow in this very spot. My ashes are not to be moved, as the shall nourish my tree. When your boys turn 16, have them try to scrape the bark from my tree. He who scrapes the bark from my tree shall have a prophecy revealed to him, he shall be the chosen one as spoken of in the stories of old." He flourished his hand and a seed that shone like a star appeared at his fingertips. "Smite me Thor, I am ready." He clasped his hands around the seed and to his heart, closed his eyes and took his last deep breath. The Ear-splitting "Clang" of Mjolnir sounded, and a lightening bolt flew straight and true for Heiron. Heiron was turned to ash, though his tree's seed remained intact. The village children were shocked and cried, inconsolable even by their mothers. Some of the men stood dazed, the rest got back to their work as if nothing had occurred at all.
Suddenly a voice that filled the forrest. It boomed all around and nearly deafened Heiron. "Heiron, Warlock of Erindiel! You have seen the future as all wizards have, but you choose to tell the world of it! This is in violation of the Warlock-God pact! You have been warned, turn back and die peacefully or we shall retaliate with all of our might! Do not invoke the wrath of Asgard lightly..." Heiron wasn't surprised that the God Odin would contact him in such a way. Not only had the two once been friends, but Heiron and Odin were the ones who signed the Warlock God pact. Heiron began to ride faster and yelled back "My message SHALL be delivered! Even the combined might of Asgard cannot stop me Odin." "If this is your decision... then so be it. We shall see just how much weight your mere words carry old friend!"
Heiron reached a field, on the other side of which was the town of Posnä. Heiron rode faster and faster until he could push Zephyr no more. Suddenly he hear what sounded like a hammer hitting an anvil at an Earth-shattering decibel. A bolt of lightening struck two feet to the right of him and spooked Zephyr into running to the left. Heiron willed Zepher to turn back towards Posnä. "It seems that you need to work on your aim Thor!" yelled Heiron, knowing Thor to be the god of thunder, and that the hammer sound that he heard was from Mjolnir, Thor's hammer.
A voice began to whisper in Heiron's ear "Heiron... Oh Heirooon... Your friend- Elijah was it? He's dead Heiron! We destroyed your tower in Erindiel and killed him Heiron... We destroyed his home, his possessions, him, and.... his FAMILY!" The voice gave a maniacal cackle at this, and tears began to stream down the wizard's face. But then he remembered who the voice must've been, Loki the trickster god. "That's not true Loki! You know it, you've never told a truth in your life!" "There's a first time for everything Heiron! Are you so sure I speak un-truths? Your friend is the only one who knew of the prophecy besides you!" "Clever Loki, but you've forgotten! The prophecy I spoke was in the sacred tongue! Odin would never give your leash enough slack as to kill innocents Loki! Now if you'll excuse me, I have a message to deliver!" Heiron rode towards Posnä, his spirits bolstered by outsmarting Loki and learning that his friend was still alive.
Lightening fell from the sky like an electric rain, but Heiron rode straight and true, shielding himself from the bolts with all of the magical strength he could muster. He made it! He'd arrived in Posnä. He dismounted his horse and ran to the center of town. "People of Posnä! Hear my words!" Heiron was about to speak the prophecy when he realized what would happen to the townspeople if he did. Anybody with knowledge of the prophecy must be silenced, and telling the townsfolk would only give Loki enough just cause to kill them all. Heiron realized what he must do.
"I shall die where I stand on this day. The god Thor shall turn me to ash and a tree imbued with my magic shall grow in this very spot. My ashes are not to be moved, as the shall nourish my tree. When your boys turn 16, have them try to scrape the bark from my tree. He who scrapes the bark from my tree shall have a prophecy revealed to him, he shall be the chosen one as spoken of in the stories of old." He flourished his hand and a seed that shone like a star appeared at his fingertips. "Smite me Thor, I am ready." He clasped his hands around the seed and to his heart, closed his eyes and took his last deep breath. The Ear-splitting "Clang" of Mjolnir sounded, and a lightening bolt flew straight and true for Heiron. Heiron was turned to ash, though his tree's seed remained intact. The village children were shocked and cried, inconsolable even by their mothers. Some of the men stood dazed, the rest got back to their work as if nothing had occurred at all.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
The Ice Flame of Krystille: Part 3- Heiron Rides
The sheer energy that it took for Heiron to recite his prophecy caused him to collapse to the floor. Elijah fell to his side and fanned him with his own large hat. after about ten minutes of constant fanning and semi-gentle slaps to the face, Heiron began to come around. He immediately snatched his hat, accompanied by a chiding "Never take a wizard's hat! If I had died I swear I'd have haunted you Elijah Knoll! Now... did you happen to take anything I said down on parchment?" "I have the very parchment here friend, though to be honest I'm not quite sure that I spelled everything correctly... That whole 'Sacred Ancient Language' thing can be just the wee-est bit confusing." Elijah handed his paper over to Heiron. Heiron conjured up some reading glasses and began to look the parchment over carefully. His eyes widened and he began to look around frantically for something. After a few moments, he looked as if some great truth had just hit him like a brick wall, smacked himself in the face, and with a partially annoyed look, snapped his fingers. An envelope appeared in his hands. He folded the letter neatly and tucked it inside the envelope. He snapped his fingers again and the envelope disappeared.
Heiron rushed off to the stables. He mounted his magnificent white steed Zephyr, and began to ride, but was stopped momentarily by Elijah. "Heiron! Where do you think you're going?" "I ride for Posnä dear Elijah!" "There are storm clouds stirring and you need your rest! A ride like this could kill you!" "I am afraid my dear old friend, that that can no longer be avoided." He gave a loud "Hyaah!" and his horse reared with a sharp whinny. They rode like an arctic wind, away from Erindiel, away from Elijah, and away from death itself.
Heiron rushed off to the stables. He mounted his magnificent white steed Zephyr, and began to ride, but was stopped momentarily by Elijah. "Heiron! Where do you think you're going?" "I ride for Posnä dear Elijah!" "There are storm clouds stirring and you need your rest! A ride like this could kill you!" "I am afraid my dear old friend, that that can no longer be avoided." He gave a loud "Hyaah!" and his horse reared with a sharp whinny. They rode like an arctic wind, away from Erindiel, away from Elijah, and away from death itself.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
The Ice Flame of Krystille: Part 2- Heiron's Prophecy
Elijah walked up the steps of the legendary tower of Erindiel, home to the wizard Heiron, the "Warlock of the West." Elijah had been friends with the wizard for quite some time now, and had come to be something of an assistant in his various conjurings and potions. He didn't bother knocking, for Heiron always saw coming in "his mind's eye." Elijah had asked on many an occasion if he could use his mind's eye to see the future, but the wizard told him that it was immoral and the gods would have his head for such hubris (though Elijah strongly suspected that the man simply didn't know how to).
Elijah had received an invitation from Heiron earlier in the day, asking for him to come to the tower for some tea, which was odd, firstly because his home was in Grënit, which was a very short ride out from Erindiel, and secondly because they'd never had tea in the entire time that they'd known each other.
When Elijah walked into the entrance hall, it seemed more dim, less alive, and less inviting than usual. None of the torches were lit and the hall looked as if it hadn't been dusted since the last time he'd been to visit. He heard a weak, raspy voice call out to him "Elijah my dear friend, I'm over here..." Elijah rushed to his old friend's side. "Odin's eye! What has befallen you Heiron my oldest friend?" "I will not deceive you Elijah, I am very ill. I will die within the next week. Every wizard makes a prophecy before he dies, and I'd have you hear it and record it Elijah, so that it may be remembered." "But what if I can't write it down fast enough? What if I miss words?" "I have faith in you my fr-" Heiron stood bolt upright and began to speak in a strange language. The veins in his head bulged, his eyes rolled back in his head, and his voice sounded as if there were hundreds of others joining with his. Elijah scrambled for parchment and a quill. The words sounded poetic and were of an unknown origin. They are as follows:
Elijah had received an invitation from Heiron earlier in the day, asking for him to come to the tower for some tea, which was odd, firstly because his home was in Grënit, which was a very short ride out from Erindiel, and secondly because they'd never had tea in the entire time that they'd known each other.
When Elijah walked into the entrance hall, it seemed more dim, less alive, and less inviting than usual. None of the torches were lit and the hall looked as if it hadn't been dusted since the last time he'd been to visit. He heard a weak, raspy voice call out to him "Elijah my dear friend, I'm over here..." Elijah rushed to his old friend's side. "Odin's eye! What has befallen you Heiron my oldest friend?" "I will not deceive you Elijah, I am very ill. I will die within the next week. Every wizard makes a prophecy before he dies, and I'd have you hear it and record it Elijah, so that it may be remembered." "But what if I can't write it down fast enough? What if I miss words?" "I have faith in you my fr-" Heiron stood bolt upright and began to speak in a strange language. The veins in his head bulged, his eyes rolled back in his head, and his voice sounded as if there were hundreds of others joining with his. Elijah scrambled for parchment and a quill. The words sounded poetic and were of an unknown origin. They are as follows:
"Terva gra, nova gra, novir Grënit y Posnä
Graven flä, matflä rah, vetin Gard et Culpän
Des Gard flä, Des Gard kree, Natsa Gard no-sai ni
Posnägra, terva Kla, Ichen Flamen Krystllä."
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
The Ice Flame of Krystille: Part 1- The Prologue
Long ago in the realm of Vergäd, there was a man who would rise from humble beginnings and embark on a quest of the ages. This man would come from an unassuming village in a far away land, far from his objective. What is his objective you may ask? It lies far beyond the bustling markets of Grënit, beyond the fetid swamps of Murhgyr, far past the lightening scorched realm of Dedrïr, deep within the tundras of Kränva. Only there in the land of ice and snow, the land lit only by the midnight sun, and where the hot springs flow, only there will the hero of the legend obtain the legendary Ice Flame of Krystille and discover the meaning of this blue crystalline heart gem and what power it holds. Along the way he will meet and lose companions, fight beasts that haven't been seen in millennia, meet gods both friendly and hostile, and rise to manhood through trials that only the elders of Vergäd can foresee...
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Geekin' Out! ( the 1st of many)
If anybody had to ask me what my favorite movie is, I'd have to tell them Star Wars. I. Love. Star Wars! It was literally the first movie I ever saw. I'm not just talking about non-cartoon movies, I mean this was literally the only thing I watched besides Thomas the Tank Engine. I'm not talking that less-than-impressive prequel schtuff, I'm talking the original trilogy, George Lucas' masterpiece (well maybe not Return of the Jedi...). George Lucas was a great story teller, he made us believe that these characters could have existed and these events could have occurred "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..." He gave us the perfect amount of action, adventure, mystery, and humor that kept us (or at least me), thoroughly entertained from start to finish. He used so many elements in his epic that to even begin to list them would take several blogs! He has the "damsel" in distress, Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), who is actually a strong woman like the feminist women of the seventies when the film was made. The desperado, Han Solo (Harrison Ford), is the mysterious companion who is only along for fortune and fame. And finally we have the unwitting hero-to-be, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill). Luke Skywalker was just a farm boy on a desert planet, always longing to get away, living with hims aunt and uncle because he was an orphan, never thought himself special in any way. He finds himself dragged into the quest of the ages, learning about a mysterious power called "the force," meets a wise old mentor named Obi-Wan Kenobi, saves a princess from the depths of a battle station as big as a planet known only as the "Death Star," and destroys said station in a stunt fighter with no assistance from his automated targeting systems!! Man that was a mouthful! Sorry for geekin' out there, the movie is just so freaking sweet! I haven't even talked about Empire yet! But, oh well, thats a geek out for another night. If anybody out there got anything about what I just said, I'm proud of you. Good night and peace to all.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Everything Zen
Lately I've been feeling bad. Things just didn't seem to be going my way. I broke up with my girlfriend, I noticed the way I could be rude, sarcastic, and snide to people, and I've felt a lack of purpose in my own life. But now I've decided to change all that and lead a more fulfilling life. I've become Buddhist.
I've been practicing some Buddhist principals in my own life for quite some time now, but I've never quite "committed" myself to the religion. I always thought committing myself would be too difficult. I thought that everything in Buddhism sounds nice, but the "requirements" were too difficult. I'd have to be nice to all (even those that I regard as enemies), not overindulge in anything (like food, which honestly been most difficult), not hurt anyone (not difficult since I was already pacifist), and completely remove swearing from my lexicon (also difficult, as my friends can attest that I used to swear like a drunken sailor).
I got off to a bit of a rocky start, getting easily distracted in my meditations, and having a few *ahem* "overly spiced sentence sandwiches," but it gets easier every day. My meditations have become more focussed and I have begun meditating on lovingkindness, which I suppose would be the Christian equivalent of saying prayers to the good health of friends, family, teachers, and even enemies. I've found myself to be more pleasant, I smile naturally now, and I now feel emotions, both good and bad, blow past me as if I were a stone in the desert. I feel more at peace with the world.
Allow me to say right here that this is NOT a blog meant to convert anybody from their own respective religions. I'm just telling a story that I felt the need to tell because I am excited about this new direction in my life. For those of you reading this I hope you enjoy my blogs. I can honestly say now that I hope you all find peace in your own way. I'll end this on a quote from the venerable Dalai Lama: "Kindness is my religion." I hope you all have a great evening, and may everybody have peace.
I've been practicing some Buddhist principals in my own life for quite some time now, but I've never quite "committed" myself to the religion. I always thought committing myself would be too difficult. I thought that everything in Buddhism sounds nice, but the "requirements" were too difficult. I'd have to be nice to all (even those that I regard as enemies), not overindulge in anything (like food, which honestly been most difficult), not hurt anyone (not difficult since I was already pacifist), and completely remove swearing from my lexicon (also difficult, as my friends can attest that I used to swear like a drunken sailor).
I got off to a bit of a rocky start, getting easily distracted in my meditations, and having a few *ahem* "overly spiced sentence sandwiches," but it gets easier every day. My meditations have become more focussed and I have begun meditating on lovingkindness, which I suppose would be the Christian equivalent of saying prayers to the good health of friends, family, teachers, and even enemies. I've found myself to be more pleasant, I smile naturally now, and I now feel emotions, both good and bad, blow past me as if I were a stone in the desert. I feel more at peace with the world.
Allow me to say right here that this is NOT a blog meant to convert anybody from their own respective religions. I'm just telling a story that I felt the need to tell because I am excited about this new direction in my life. For those of you reading this I hope you enjoy my blogs. I can honestly say now that I hope you all find peace in your own way. I'll end this on a quote from the venerable Dalai Lama: "Kindness is my religion." I hope you all have a great evening, and may everybody have peace.
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