So today I was thinking about a lot of quotes I've heard about what a "perfect" world would be like. I'm not going to go look for any actual quotes, but there generally along the lines of, "there would be no hunger and no pain, and everybody would share the same ideals, etc, etc". Well ya that all sounds awesome, right? Sign me up. But then I thought about it some more and realized that I don't think I'd like that world all too much.
I guess for me, life is about contrast. Without hunger, there is no satisfaction after a meal. Without knowing what it feels like to be in pain, how can you really say if something feels good? We perceive things based on how they differ from other things, not in how they are the same. If I'm broke, and I find 100 dollars on the ground, then I'm excited. But if I'm a millionaire, well then its no big deal at all. So if we remove that condition of "being broke" in our image of a perfect world, then how do we ever experience that joy of discovering the 100 dollars?
I welcome a world with heartbreak and loss because its the existence of those things that allows me to appreciate the times when my life is full. Being able to grieve is part of what it means to be human, and true self sacrificial love can only exist if there is a possibility that sacrifice may be required. There has to be the risk of loss to be able to make the decision to love someone despite it.
Perhaps there is some way far outside of my understanding that light can exist without the presence of a darkness to shine in, but until this is revealed to me I will be thankful for even the blackest of nights, because without those times I'd never appreciate the beauty of a sunrise.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Dust
A speck of dust is fleeting,
It comes in focus, then is gone
Out of sight before it has a chance
To settle softly in my mind.
But human life is shorter,
When the stars are held in view
Shedding light in seas of blackness
Never mindful of me or you.
So who am I that you would hold me
Like a speck safe in your hand,
Or set me down, crowned with glory
To shed your light among man?
And does dust ever question
When I take pause to watch its flight,
If it’s worth is an illusion
Born of a hopeless, forgotten life?
Yet as I stare, with eyes of wonder,
Like a child with all fear stilled,
At the stars, the dust of heaven
Majesty, my life is filled.
It comes in focus, then is gone
Out of sight before it has a chance
To settle softly in my mind.
But human life is shorter,
When the stars are held in view
Shedding light in seas of blackness
Never mindful of me or you.
So who am I that you would hold me
Like a speck safe in your hand,
Or set me down, crowned with glory
To shed your light among man?
And does dust ever question
When I take pause to watch its flight,
If it’s worth is an illusion
Born of a hopeless, forgotten life?
Yet as I stare, with eyes of wonder,
Like a child with all fear stilled,
At the stars, the dust of heaven
Majesty, my life is filled.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Fake Album Review!
For this post, I decided to put on my critic's hat and take a whack at reviewing a new album.
Just to be clear, the band's name is Fake, and the name of the album is "Fake As Well". I know it can get confusing, so bear with me. Its the first Fake release this year on the new up-and-coming label That Doesn't Exist. The Fake fan base has had an extreme reaction to the different direction they went with the music, and this has lead to very little real feedback for the band. I hope to correct this here.
When I first listened to the album, which is "Fake As Well", remember, I was struck with how weak the opening track was. In fact, it had such a small impact on me that it could have been removed entirely and the album wouldn't have sounded any different. It just felt like the band was completely absent when they were writing it. Fortunately they made up for the oversight with an impressive follow-up track, "Insert Girl's Name Here". The melodic layering of the dual lead guitars was like nothing I've ever heard, but what caught me the most was the way the vocal line hinted at themes in their earlier album, "I'm Making This Up". I can guarantee that this is something the band has never done before. Although I think it is worth noting that even though they were clearly experimenting with new ideas, I could definitely tell it was Fake.
This momentum tries to carry through the rest of the album, but it is broken up by the introspective ballad, "Whose Name Doesn't Matter". The last track, which if you are at all familiar with the band's albums, you probably could have guessed was "Fake As Well", closed off the album impressively, but due to the length of the album I doubt many people will ever actually listen to it.
The thing I was most disappointed with was the lack of creativity front man Notare Alname shows in his lyrics. Cliche lines like "Don't try and look for me, you know you won't find me", and "How much clearer can I say it for you to understand" pop up in the album time and time again, until it almost feels like he was just making them up on the spot. So even though there are a few bright spots in this album, they are the exception, not the rule. But don't get discouraged fans, this is Fake, and I am sure their best work is still to come.
On a side note, if you get a chance you should absolutely go see a live Fake performance. I promise you wont miss the money you spend on it.
Just to be clear, the band's name is Fake, and the name of the album is "Fake As Well". I know it can get confusing, so bear with me. Its the first Fake release this year on the new up-and-coming label That Doesn't Exist. The Fake fan base has had an extreme reaction to the different direction they went with the music, and this has lead to very little real feedback for the band. I hope to correct this here.
When I first listened to the album, which is "Fake As Well", remember, I was struck with how weak the opening track was. In fact, it had such a small impact on me that it could have been removed entirely and the album wouldn't have sounded any different. It just felt like the band was completely absent when they were writing it. Fortunately they made up for the oversight with an impressive follow-up track, "Insert Girl's Name Here". The melodic layering of the dual lead guitars was like nothing I've ever heard, but what caught me the most was the way the vocal line hinted at themes in their earlier album, "I'm Making This Up". I can guarantee that this is something the band has never done before. Although I think it is worth noting that even though they were clearly experimenting with new ideas, I could definitely tell it was Fake.
This momentum tries to carry through the rest of the album, but it is broken up by the introspective ballad, "Whose Name Doesn't Matter". The last track, which if you are at all familiar with the band's albums, you probably could have guessed was "Fake As Well", closed off the album impressively, but due to the length of the album I doubt many people will ever actually listen to it.
The thing I was most disappointed with was the lack of creativity front man Notare Alname shows in his lyrics. Cliche lines like "Don't try and look for me, you know you won't find me", and "How much clearer can I say it for you to understand" pop up in the album time and time again, until it almost feels like he was just making them up on the spot. So even though there are a few bright spots in this album, they are the exception, not the rule. But don't get discouraged fans, this is Fake, and I am sure their best work is still to come.
On a side note, if you get a chance you should absolutely go see a live Fake performance. I promise you wont miss the money you spend on it.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Retaliation!
So apparently I live in a world where dares are still taken seriously, and so now I find myself starting a blog of my own in order to hold up my end of the bargain. In thinking of where to begin I realized there was nothing particularly new that I was equipped to blog about. My life experiences are fairly typical, and I am not particularly passionate about one topic. However, I have a dare to attend to! And so I will periodically jot down some thoughts on my topic du jour, fully confident that I will most likely be repeating the writers of the past (and predicting those of the future).
Unfortunately my adversary has the advantage of a book of prompts, and (even worse) goals! So I may be taking topic ideas from friends or perhaps divine inspiration. Time will tell the quality of this blog... at the very least I hope to have fun.
Unfortunately my adversary has the advantage of a book of prompts, and (even worse) goals! So I may be taking topic ideas from friends or perhaps divine inspiration. Time will tell the quality of this blog... at the very least I hope to have fun.
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