Thursday, December 28, 2006

Centred and Focused

Being home for an extended period of time does have some benefits, especially when that time is quiet and free to be spent as one sees fit. The healthy supply of food doesn't hurt either.

I find my soul is rather tranquil here at home, without the hustle and buslte and distraction of a dormitory. It's very...Jedi like for want of a cooler term. I find myself able to focus on music and reading without my emotions getting the better of me. A few songs and things till hit home, but they don't throw me as badly as they could. to be driven by wanting to play my music well instead of trying to take out my frustrations or anything like that.

I'm not troubled by the things that may or may not be, or the fact that the road of life is openingup to grand new vistas. these do not faze me. they will be dealt with at the appropriate time and not before.

My musical selection has been very mellow as of late, shifting away from the aggresive thrash and melodic death metal that propelled me through the semester onto power ballads (of varying quality) and lighter fare, grasciously provided to me on the CD 'Rod's Radical Rhythms', and even the crooning of Roy Orbison. Yes, this a place of peace. Even when I play my own aggressive fare it is with a cool detachment, and attention to detail that has been lacking as of late.

Of course " life is a map and is quite confusing" , but everyone's life is like that, and mine is no different. I hope the serenity and rest I'm finding here will help me with the coming semester.

May the Peace that surpasses all understanding
Be with you all

Saturday, December 23, 2006

What I've Learned over the Last Week

1. When you see something that looks suspisciouly like the Christmas List you sent to your family, DO NOT GO IN FOR A CLOSER LOOK! it is your Chirtmas list, and will have things checked off. Way to ruin the gift exchange part of Christmas for myself...unless the list is lying...at least somewhat. Come on vacation property in Hawaii!

2. I will not just go away in a game of Wii Tennis. Ask Joel. He may have won the match 3-1 but he earned everyone of those wins. Also, in Wii Bowling, 4 strikes in a row will orchestrate you a come back on your friend who previously scord 3 strikes in a row. boo ya! Addendum: My Wii character is stoked beyond all reason, all the time. He must being getting some...high scores. muhahaha

3. In the Oilman board game, do not push too hard. it will cost you oil in Greenland!

4. An hour of recording will earn you approximately 5 minutes of useful material. And recording tracks underneath each other is much harder than you think it would be.

6. (Five is dead to me). When travelling; if the truck shimmies twice, you should maybe back off the throttle. Also, choose your travelling partner well. It can make a bad situation worse, or can make a bad situation a pretty cool adventure.

7. The 80s aren't coming back. The Transformers will look different. Monter Trucks will be faster. He-Man is not as cool as you remember. But 80s metal will always reign supreme (apparently).

11. (8,9 and 10 are having issues and fistfights). when i get home, i graze like a cow. Mooo! hooray for food with nutrients!

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

A Good Biting Track is What It's Built For

Random Trackside Commentator (RTC): So, Rod, you've done a lot of work on the truck since last we saw you can you tell us a little bit about what you've done to it?

Rod: Well, we've got one of the biggest motors out here, but we've had a few stability issues with the truck which was effecting traction, and really screwing around with us the last few times we'd been out with it. We're hoping to find a little more bite with it once we get it up on two-wheels.

RTC: You talk about balance, how important has it been for you to find it, and put that out on the track.

Rod: It's been huge. Like I say, very few guys can run with the motor that we've got in here, so for me balance has been everything.

RTC: What do you think about the track in particular?

Rod: This is a great track, a lot more consistent than the last few we've tried to pull on, and it seems like we're getting a lot of traction when we put power to the wheels, so hopefully it'll work out. The last few tracks we've been on have been very hit-or-miss, this one seems like one where we can finally put the motor to work and blow away the competition. we had a lot of time to see how things can work, so it looks promising.

RTC: There seems to be a lot of guys eager to get out there and put you away, what do you think about that?

Rod: I guess that just means I'm the one with the target on my back, which is a compliment to the crew that helped me put this thing together. They're still going to have to try and beat me though, because I'm not going to roll over for just anybody on this one.

RTC: You seem confident, even though a lot of people say you're taking the wrong lane and angle down the course.

Rod: Well, I just have to have confidence in the motor and everything else right now. We've done a lot of work since we first came out of CCI and in the last few years we've done and learned alot, so hopefully we can make use of all that and get a straight run for the distance even if people think we're going about it wrong. The truck has changed, and the driver's learned a lot since we got here to CUCA, so we're just hoping to make one last clean pass to the finish line here. Thanks to everyone who's been supporting us. See you at the finish line.

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Growing On Like Mold and Massive Amounts of Confusion

The Growing of Mold
Alright, I've owned the album Sacrament by Lamb of God since...July? I bought it shortly after I saw them live in Toon Town. And you know what it did nothing for me. Zip. Zero. Nada. There was nothing there for me. I didn't want to get rid of it but I had it relegated basically to the backburner of my collection, and I expected it to collect dust for the foreseeable future. I didn't hate it, I just didn't like it in that special way that new albums typically take with me. In my mind bands like Dark Age and Children of Bodom were doing it faster and cleaner and more to my liking.
Time went on. I tried giving it the pity spins in my CD player just for kicks, but still nothing. I knew intellectually that this was an album I should like: it had the makings of a 'Rod' album: the fast guitars, the ferocious lyrics, the intense mid-pitch screams, but still nothing. I was perturbed. I had invested 20 bucks on this CD, I wanted my return dammit!
So a couple days ago Eric and I were in 'Lets watch DVDs that talk about bands and their lives/recording process' mode so we ended up watching the Lamb of God one, because in my infinite wisdom I bought the collector's edition. And it was like listening to it with new ears. I heard the guitar work that I knew was there. I felt the emotion of the lyrics and the vocals, and the pounding of the drums. It was ridiculous. Now, I actually like the album. In short, sometimes things grow on you, and it's awesome.

Massive Amounts of Confusion
Let's turn things over to the boys at Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field, Glen Sui...err Eric Moffett and Rod Parker
Moffett: What the HELL is going on down there? The Riders defence looks...stunned
Parker: Indeed they do. They seem to be holding their own despite the fact that they HAVE NO IDEA what is going on.
Moffett: It doesn't hurt that the opposition have Randy Moss playing. And by playing I mean dropping balls all over the damn field. Those receivers are morons, I mean what do they get paid for?
Parker: Well that's good new for the Riders D because they're coverage well good, has been far from stellar. But at least it's been more solid that the Riders offence.
Moffett: I know. The Riders O has a bunch of retards out there. They had one good play on 3rd and 15, but they struggled mightily after that, and ended up getting rejected in the red zone. I don't know why they pay those receivers? Like come on boys, come on. Not even a field goal. That whole team should be cut.
Parker: They really iso'ed in on a receiver early on and it hurt production in what was looking to be a promising 4th quarter.
Moffett: This seems to be a problem with the Riders in general: Abandoning the running game in the fourth, and trying to take to the air which never turns out for them. I don't even know why the come out in the 4th quarter. My grandma plays better 4th quarter ball than these pussies.
Parker: Well there's still 7 minutes left in the 4th. Any suggesstions for this struggling Riders team?
Moffett: Yes. Don't drop the ball! Keep the defence in a position to make a huge play, go for the forced fumble or the interception and take that to the house. And for the love all things holy, don't committ turnovers, and run the ball! And keep it out of the hands of the morons.

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Stealing this from Lauren

1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button
6. Don't lie and try to pretend you're cool...

OPENING CREDITS: Heaven Can Wait - Gamma Ray

WAKING UP: Starlight Kingdom - Battlelore

FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL: Under the Ice - Blind Guardian

FALLING IN LOVE: The Village of Dwarves - Rhapsody (my iTunes is on a power-metal kick)

FIGHT SONG: Valley of the Damned - DragonForce

BREAKING UP: A Tout Le Monde (Live) - Megadeth

FORMAL: The God That Failed - Metallica

FINAL BATTLE: Elysian Fields - Megadeth

DEATH SCENE: Killed by Death - Motorhead (How hilarious and appropriate)

FUNERAL: Time What is Time - Blind Guardian

ENDING CREDITS: Touch Like an Angel of Death - Children of Bodom

Apparently this is the soundtrack to some strange mystical medieval horror flick. I should get to work on that.

Saturday, December 02, 2006

My Train of Thought has Become a Wreck

Please, excuse this post as it promises to be random, potentially mean, and inarticulate to the max.
I've been at work for 2.5 hours and I've changed CDs more than 5 times. That just doesn't happen to me.

What I am searching for? A voice of understanding? I don't know. I can't it in my music for some reason.

I don't want to be angry I'm tired of it. I'm tired of being jealous. I'm tired of hating myself because of my weaknessess. This is pathetic. Everyone has weaknesses, don't they? So, why do mine seem to be so particularily destructive and damaging? Am I not worthy of what I'm after? This is dumb. Everything is futile!

I Hate your contention
I hate your violation
I hate your corruption
I hate your life destruction

I will resist ENDLESSLY!
~ Transgression - Fear Factory

Why is it people seem to be most capable of destroying what they're after? Is it human nature to lose everything we hold dear through our own doings? Is that the fate of us, do be undone by our desires, or our needs?

You should be a saviour
Once on earth to bleed for the weak
Try Modern behaviour
For a world that cannot seek

This fallen belief I know
Has no prospect
Will never achieve to grow
If we carry on hiding
What is deep inside of us
~ We Who Suffer - Dark Age

It's just frustrating because I know, know for a fact that I'm better than this, that I'm better than what comes through. But who will be there to see me through my follies and weaknessess and darkness. Who will be there to hold me when it all gets to be too much? Do I even dare show that to anyone? Or will it be my guitar that pays for my frustrations again?

Caged inside
I cannot seem to end the battles
Breaking down, I worship the insane
~ Oscillation Point - Scar Symmetry


Is there no other road, then the way of pain? Of course if success comes my way the road was worth, but dammit I've been here before, and I feel like screaming because I am not dreaming.

I cannot get out of here anymore
Cause none of my keys fit the door
There's fear and anger
Hate and love
I must confess
It's out of hand

If there's anyone in
It soon will be over
We'll burn out
Our soul's aflamed
And we're on our own now
Give up your cruel invasion
Your insane I'll show you
~ Another Stanger Me - Blind Guardian

It's hard. This game we call life. This has gotten all out of hand. I wish I could rewind and see the moment where all this came to be. Hopefully if the sowing is sweet, but germanation and growth is bitter then the reaping will still be sweet. If not...gah!

This year wasn't supposed to be like this! It just wasn't! It was supposed to be mop-up duty, simple tricks and fun. How do I do this to myself?

Do not turn your face towards me
Confronting me with my lonliness
You are in a forest unknown
The secret orchard
And your voice is vast and achromatic
But still so precious
~ Black Rose Immortal - Opeth

Friday, December 01, 2006

Holding Out for a Hero

First off I love this song. I've been learning it on my guitar, b/c that's how sweet it is. The lyrics however I'm going to have to change the lyrics for me to sing it. Then my friend Holly was like, it could be a statment abouthe pressures facing men in Western Culture, which I almost dismissed out of hand, but here I am challenging the lyrics because I am bored, and it could be fun. So here we go foolios!

Where have all the good men gone and where are all the gods?
Well, I know some good men. They're hanging out in Founders hall. My particular room number is F217. You should swing by time. As for the gods, there is only one True God!

Where’s the street-wise Hercules to fight the rising odds?
Whoa, smart and strong? Pick one. While I'm not terribly strong, I am smart. Although apprently when I'm clautrophobic enough adrenaline kicks in for me to force my way out of a mosh pit. Fancy that.

Isn’t there a white knight upon a fiery steed?
Will black leather count? And I have my choice of steed if you will, and one definately falls into the category of fiery! *Sounds of tires squealing*

Late at night I toss and turn and I dream of what I need.
That is unfortunate. I recommend seeing a shrink. Or Doctor Steve.

I need a hero, I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night,
Just till the end of the night? Aww man, my cars aren't that fast. Although I would suppose that would depend on your current location. Call me.

He’s gotta be strong and he’s gotta be fast,
a) Hooray for adrenaline b)Oh, you should see my guitar skills.

He’s gotta be sure, and it’s gotta be soon,
Sure, okay. Soon, well contact me. I'll figure out something.

And he’s gotta be larger than life...
Boo yea! I got that one covered! (Get your mind out of the gutter you sickos).

Somewhere after midnight in my wildest fantasy
I'm listening...attentively no less...

Somewhere just beyond my reach there’s someone reaching back for me.
Is that so? I was uninformed.

Racing on the thunder and rising with the heat
Oh yea! I'm rockin' this thing now!

It’s gonna take a superman to sweep me off my feet, yeah!
That's unfortunate. Superman's not real. I'm real enough, and super enough.

...
The rest doesn't really apply until...

I can feel his approach like the fire in my blood
That's right, I ride in on Fire and Thunder. That's how I roll!