Reflections From The Other Side

The other side of the border that is, lol. I think this will follow the standard Random Musings format, but with some random awards thrown in for shits and giggles.

1. Well I now my home office set-up wewt, but not my home theatre yet. Oh where, oh where will it go? Just call it the Earthshaker!

2. Most Over-Played Song of the Year Award goes to...Valhalla by Blind Guardian! Oh man did we go overkill on that song in dorm this year. Thanks to everyone who made this award possible! Runner up goes to every other Blind Guardian song that we listened to!

3. Driving through Saskatchewan by night is far more entertaining than during the day, especially as you realize your night vision is not what it once was.

4. The Award for _______ _____ ___ ____ ____ ___ ____ goes to: Barwein and Rodimus. Keep up the good work!

5. To order the DV-200 or not to order the DV-200. That is indeed the question. Any input would be appreciated.

6. Who wants to go see Children of Bodom and Mastodon in June? I do! Who else?

7. Home is not conducsive to my wanting to play guitar it seems. Apparently I need the ups and down of dorms to inspire me. Or I'm just tired right now.

8. Holy Crap. I have a lot of stuff in my room. Interesting.

9. I'm going to all the concerts I'm interested in next year, even if I have to pay for people to come with me. Please come back Sonata Arctica (although I missed you for a most lovely and worthy cause), Kreator, Napalm Death, Opeth, Arch Enemy and everyone else I forgot.

10. As I looked through my pics I have from throughout the year I realize how much I came to love everyone (even the jerks, j/k) who had an impact on my life this year. You've been great! We've been Rodimus, Goodnight!

11. And so the job hunt begins on Friday. Yay! Blah. It's all the same.

Thanks to everyone who made this year so memorable!

Musings of Randomness

1. Sociology is so useless. I'd contend that philosophy has better everyday application.

2. Spring is upon us and I'm stuck inside. Yay!

3. I get to drive home on monday. yay?

4. I have decided that Heavy Metal is a bit of an anomaly within the music community. Metal bands seem to command a loyalty from their fans like no other genre of music. And by loyalty I mean 'The willingness to punch a naysayer, or detractor of one's favourite band, straight in the mouth, and then pee on him." I can use myself as an example. I was at my very first Megadeth concert there were these two guys standing behind me who were slamming Dave and Megadeth something fierce. Let me tell you, if they weren't a combined 4 times my size, and if I wasn't standing front row of the balcony I'd have belted them right in the collective mouth.

5. I like my tiger-pig piggy bank. It is cute.

6. Go Riders!

Insomni-omni-omni-a

1. What on earth is this? I'm tired yet, I cannot sleep. I eat and eat and I cannot sleep. What ill omen does this portend?

2. Why? Why the fuck won't you get of my head?! I burned that bridge, and yet you...you are still here. I won't miss you if you just go away! Take all your baggage with you while you burn at the stake!!! I know I've left your mind, so do me a favour and leave mine!

3. Is this what happens when you realize that you left someone over a year ago, but they still haunt your waking and sleeping mind? DAMN!!!

4. What strength of will I have been granted has been robbed by those poisoned memories.

5. "Extreme Aggressions
My Emotions, twisted by your lies!"
-Extreme Aggression by Kreator

6. RRRRRAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

7. "Despite all the piety you've been consuming thus far,
A backstabbing motherfucker to the bone is what you are! [...]

A foot away from you is like a bit closer to heaven,
Then again it's like being needled 24/7!"
Needled 24/7 by Children of Bodom

Random Musings XI

1. Easter is upon us. Cool.

2. Finals are upon us. Lame.

3. The Heretic Speaks: "Love and Forgiveness!"

4. 'Metal:A Headbanger's Journey' is one of the best documentary's I have ever seen, not just because of its subject matter, but b/c of its balanced academic approach. So well done. Highly recommended!

5. "I don't know what i'm running from
I don't know where I'm running to
Somethings compelling me
To run into the dark"
- Die Dead Enough by Megadeth

6. These are some pretty weak random musings.

7. I should begin formulating more ideas for my D&D campaign that are sutiably evil.

8. Metal+D&D+Christianity = a Christian. Duh.

Subject Analysis

Case: 1985-PF-10-FR-12-DV
Subject: Rod.
Known Aliases: Rodney. Hot Rod. Rodimus. Pastor Megadeth.
Occupation: Student/ R.A. (for two more weeks).
Status: Single.

Natural Habitat: A room. Filled with enough electronic and sound equipment to shake down a small, poorly constructed house.

Thrives In: Spotlights with prepared material. Spotlights with semi-prepared material. In coffee shops/restaurants with a single (In number and status; although Subject is more than capable of handling himself with larger numbers of the female species) member of the opposite sex. Subject performs admirably in one-on-one encounters, however addition of a same-sex member dramatically decreases Subjects proficiency. Also thrives in darkened settings with extremely loud 'heavy metal' music. Also thrives encased within a vehicle in all forms, densities of traffic and road conditions.

Survives In: Classes of minimal interest. In larger groups settings where the Subject is not the centre of attention (Subject has a natural preference for the limelight it seems). Survives in calmer situations with close friends where there is little or no verbal contact (Subject prefers conversation). Room alone listening to music and reading, although after lengthy stints of social contact the Subject needs these breaks in order to thrive again.

Dies In: Extreme heat and humidity adversly affect both physical and mental functioning. Large conversations where the topic has strayed from the Subject's areas of expertise. Settings where others family's are unsure of how to deal with him. Vast amounts of stress from several different aspects of life although Subject's endurance has increased dramatically within the last Planetary Orbit.

Analysis: Subject is highly versatile, able to survive and succeed in a wide variety of situations. Has the confidence of a frontman, as well as the compassion of a highly-skilled counselor. Could use more support, and acceptance from his father figure, especially after acheiving things thought previously beyond Subjects reach. Rapid influxes of stress still can play havoc with overall functioning, but increased coping, and proactive solutions are decreasing the risk of breakdown signficantly.

Verdict: Highly talented, intelligent, and compassionate. Why this Subject has been unable to find a suitable mate is beyond our analytical capabilites. Subject theorizes he may have fallen victim to the 'Pastoral Barrier'. Further investigation in on-going.

Heart vs Mind: The Ultimate Battle

As I mentioned in one of my previous posts, there is a devastatingly long distance between the heart and the mind on all sorts of issues. Examples include jobs, relationships, musical tastes, vehicle preferences etc. And finally I came up with a suitable analogy for the heart/head relationship.

You know that scene in Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers where Sam is dragging Gollum through the rocky border of Mordor? Notice how Gollum is holwing at the distress Sam (and the elven rope) are placing upon him. Notice the fury, and seeming cruelty that Sam employs uses to keep Gollum heading in the right direction, although Gollum's cries threaten to bring down fire and ruin upon their heads.

So in my analogy, Sam would be the mind, rational, knowing the right direction. Gollum is the heart screaming under the mind's cruel whip. And somedays it really feels that way.

However, my analogy fell apart when I realized that if Gollum had not gotten free the Ring would not have been destroyed. Then I realized Gollum was immolated in the process...so my analogy almost stands up, but not really. So yea, Go Team!

Random Musings X

1. School is almost done. Yay!, or Nay? Classes Yay, People, Nay (cry).

3. I'm skipping number 2 because it is useless.

4. When performing (singing in particular) in front of a large group of people, your nerves play a huge factor in your pitch. When singing Death Metal, or Thrash this does not matter much. However when attempting to sing clean vox they can clearly play havoc with what you think you know. Curse you nerves!

5. All hail the Christian Metalheads whom I can count on one hand! RP, QM, BP, KK, DM, (oops i lied two hands) HK, but I don't actually know the last two. Maybe KP too, I'm not sure. Gee, you'd think we were underrepresented or something. (LP, maybe?). If i'm wrong sing out and let me know.

6. Blind Guardian needs to do some hymns of something b/c they rule so much.

7. I can't wait to DM for D&D..muhahaha. Killing Will Be My Business...And Business Will Be Good!!! *insert insane guitar solo*

9. Opeth = Kool. Killer Tracks: Face of Melinda, Benighted, Black Rose Immortal. (Yes, I'm aware 9 preceeds 8 here, but it's my blog, so STFU NooB!)

8. "Will My Weary Soul Find Release for a While?
At the Moment of Death I Would Smile"
- And Then There Was Silence - Blind Guardian

Random Musings IX

1. Words are cheap. A picture is worth 1000 words. Actions speak louder than words. So why then do we place such value on the things that are said about us? It's kind of contradictory don't you think?

2. And so the circle of life continues, but does anything really change? The world has moved on, but do we move on with it? Or are we just clinging desperately to the shadow of who we once were instead of embracing the changes that have occured within since the last time we checked?

3. Do you ever feel that people's expectations of their relationships are too demanding? Isn't it sad when people become so wrapped up in their false standard for a partner in a relationship, that they miss the good around them? Maybe this is just a way of controlling the population of the western world: raise everyone's expectations so high that no one breeds, and eventually we all just die off cursing ourselves for our ridiculous idealism.

4. Does no one else believe that sometimes, maybe even a majority of the time you have to learn to love someone. Isn't that more satisfying than just 'falling in love'? If you learn how to do something you're less likely to forget it, as opposed to falling which always ends with some form of a landing. In my experience love is not about the feeling so much as it about the commitment of the heart and its secrets to someone else to hold them in trust. Love = Commitment. There is no other way to a successful relationship. (P.S. Don't forget a lion's share of forgiveness).

Metal Degree Program.

As it has become rather obvious that people seem to be confused about what I consider metal, and what I consider 'good metal' I have decided to make a small session of albums that everyone should listen to to get my perspective on the subject:

Metal 101: Introductory Metal. A small class designed to introduce listeners to the more mainstream sound and less complex compositions.
Required Listenings:
Megadeth: Countdown to Extinction or Crytpic Writings
Metallica: The Black Album
Corrosion of Conformity: Deliverance
Hammerfall: Renegade or Legacy of Kings
Dream Evil: Dragonslayer
Gamma Ray: A Blast from the Past

Metal 244: Intermediary Metal: A look at both a more aggressive sound, and more complex compositions found within the genre.
Required Listenings:
Megadeth: Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?
Metallica: Kill 'Em All
Demons & Wizards: Touched by the Crimson King
Blind Guardian: Somewhere Far Beyond
Corrosion of Conformity: In The Arms of God
Mastodon: Leviathan
Jaded: Limited Edition

Metal 333: Advanced Metal: A look at more extreme aggression, and even more complex compositions.
Required Listenings:
Megadeth: Killing is My Business...And Business is Good!
Metallica: Master of Puppets or . . .And Justice for All
Demons & Wizards (self-titled)
Blind Guardian: Imaginations from the Other Side
Children of Bodom: Hate Crew Deathroll
Dream Theater: Images And Words
Dragonforce: Valley of the Damned

Metal 405: Capstone Metal. A look at the best as well as the classics within the genre.
Required Listenings:
Megadeth:Rust in Peace
Blind Guardian: A Night at the Opera
Dream Theater: Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
Opeth: Still Life
Iron Maiden: Rock in Rio
Dragonforce: Sonic Firestorm

You have your course outline. Get to listening. And in the words of Dave Mustaine from the song 'Rattlehead' - "Rattle Yer Goddamn Head!"

Metal vs. Country

In support of my friend who has made some controversial statements about counrty, I have decided to come and support him, b/c no one should find themselves in a hole alone. And if I offend people, meh, it happens.

Topic #1: New Vehicle.
Counrty: Sing about new vehicle
Metal: Sing about having sex in new vehicle.
Advantage: Metal

Topic #2: New love
Country: Sing about her lovingly in twangy voice
Metal: Sing about the beauty of the relationship in soaring Operatic vocals.
Advantage: Metal.

Topic #3: Broken love
Country: Shoot yourself face down in a pillow.
Metal: Blow up the earth. Blow up other person.
Advantage: Metal

Topic #4: Cheating
Country: Leave it in Mexico.
Metal: Fear the wrath of significant other whilst sneaking into your own house.
Advantage: Metal

Topic #5: Heroes
Counrty: Celebrate with whiskey for men and beer for horeses.
Metal: Dedicate an entire album full of soaring majestic anthems.
Advantage: Metal

Topic #6: Anger, Sadness.
Country: Drown it in beer, and dirty women.
Metal: Drown it in blood and dirty women.
Advantage: Draw

Topic #7: Sex
Counrty: Saves a horse. Whoopty-f**kin'-doo.
Metal: Sensually in a turning ring of fire. (Thank you Jaded!)
Advantage: Metal

So for those of you who are too lazy to read the whole thing here's the final tally:
Metal: 6
Country: 0
Ties: 1

Let the flaming begin!

Cool Band Names

Here's some things that could be cool band names. If they're already in use, then I apologize. I'm not going to go out of my way to see if any of them are being used.

Legislation of Sterilization
Legalization of Sterilization
Reverse Eugenics
Bloody Roses
Thunder & Roses
Covenent of Death
Conformed Deviance
Perverted Lover
Cobra Child
Scorned Beauty
Pale Night's Mask
Retributive Justice

Well, I'm done with that now

Extreme Aggression

Gah. Still mad, still furious, and its totally undirected now since i talked about the one thing i knew was buggin me. Now I'm like a walking cluster-bomb of hate. I think the things that are now in my recipie for hate, were probably just little things that I ignored, or made nothing of at the time, and now have become a semi-lethal concoction of anger, frustration and annoyance. So here's the things I can identify that I'm willing to talk about in a semi-public forum.

1. School work. My hatred for it is now complete.

2. I want my shot at the track. (I'm now speaking metaphorically, and if you can't dig that I'll speak leave-aphorically, scram-aphorically, piss-off-aphorically). I learned a lot from my last run. I've had a lot of time in the pits. I've got the engine retuned, and built to a new specification. I'm running a new fuel mixture. I've let air out of the tires for more traction in the rough parts of the track. I've reset the weight balance to help with traction too. The truck this year is definately not last years truck. I'm ready to go, I'm just waiting to find a track with the right bite, and you watch, I'll go down for a full pull this time. No more running out of power and traction at the 3/4 point.

3. I'm not nearly talented enough on the guitar as to allow adequate expression through it.

4. "I forget your name but I want you (want you). And I think it's gone to your head. And I hang on every word you've said, and you know I think it's gone to your head, because I hang on every word you've said!" - Forget Your Name by Gravity Kills

5. Metal does not make people angry. I was angry, and then I found metal. Too bad for you who would believe otherwise.

I'm out of juice. Curse you juice!

Random Musings VIII

1. What is the one thing everyone wants? To fit in somewhere and belong. It's a great concept isn't it? So far this year I'm succeeding with a higher degree of success than my previous two years here, but I'm still not perfectly content for whatever reason. But at least: Forward Progress!

2. You have to options: Do you want to be safe? Or do you want to be Metal?

3. Talking to people about stuff is a good thing.

4. Politely talking to people about stuff is better.

5. Annihilator seems to be a pretty cool Canadian band. Apparently I'm going to have to pick up one of their albums. Set The World on Fire, or Schizo Deluxe? Shout out people.

6. Is it sad when you see your life in a sit-com? Or is it funny because someone else went through it too?

Furious...Rodimus

Gah. So angry, blood-pressure rising, body-temperature increasing, metabolism- off the chart (oh wait that's a good thing).

Have you ever had it where someone has said something to you that normally you would just brush-off and not think twice about it, but the tone in which it delivered just rubbed you completely the wrong way, and settled in to your mind and unfolded itself and its trailer-trash cousins? That's how I'm feeling right now. So frustrated, and angry!!

Normally something like this wouldn't get to me, but for some reason this time it is. Maybe it's b/c the tone reminded me of how a lot of fights with my ex started, and ineveitably ended. I think it's equally frustrating b/c I'm not in a relationship with this person, so to hear that tone was very vexing. And esp. b/c what was said did not jive with my memory of how that situation went down. And that's another thing that makes me mad, the whole sitch went down over 5 months ago, and it was brought back up (by someone else).

This may be the most incoherent rant I've put out in a long time. Have fun deciphering it!

Random Musings VII

Well, after a week of near total seclusion, I have come to the conclusion, that for as many pages of papers I wrote (20+) I have figured next to nothing out that I had hoped to. For those of you keeping track, that's now twice in the last 3/4 months, that I haven't figured out the really important stuff b/c other stuff was getting in the way. But here's some stuff i did figure out.

1. My temper has been very VERY good this year. I've only lost it once (that I recall). Thinking before speaking is a good thing.

2. On the topic of me losing my temper; it has two corresponding anlogies:
i) It is like trying to hand-crank a 572 cubic-inch engine, with summer-weight oil, in -30 degree weather.
ii) It is like trying to start a 572 cubic-inch engine with a killer MSD ignition system, with summer-weight oil in 20 degree weather.

3. The highway is a great place to come up with random musings.

4. Monster Jam this past weekend was cool. I really enjoyed the "Street Warriors" Everyone knows it's called "Tough Trucks." Silly USHRA.

5. Going away from your normal surroundings is a very good thing.

6. Being single isn't so bad. It means I can leave and go places just about whenever I want, and can be friends with as many girls as I want to and not feel guilty.

7. Most things I like are loud, fast, and heavy. My music, and my vehicles both fall into this category. Girls that fall into those categories, I'm usually not a big fan of.

8. Extreme Aggression would make a cool monster truck name. As would Power Thrasher.

9. Titus is an awesome TV show.

10. Grave Digger is the worst thing to have happened to the monster truck world.

Ashphalt Addiction

So, here's some background into my life. What are some my first memories of life as a child? Oh yea, that's right, watching Bigfoot stomping out the competition in the Houston Astrodome while sitting on a stool in my grandparents living room. After that i became obsessed with 'Big Blue Fords' (and i don't mean a cute, oh look he's obsessed with Bigfoot, I mean full-blown, if I had been able to chase down Big Blue Fords on my tricycle I would have). I have worn out more Bigfoot merchandise than I care to remember (thanks mom and dad, I love you). Let me put it to you another way: Pick-up trucks don't look normal to me unless they're sporting 66 inch tall Terra Tires, and have chrome light bars and KC lights. Needless to say my choice in vehicles tends toward the large and retardedly powerful. And watching Titus on DVD has rekindled that part of my soul that is addicted to ashphalt and gasoline (let me tell ya, rehab suuuuucks).

As I watched my old monster truck/truck & tractor pull/mud bog tapes from childhood, that annoying addiction came back. Right now, if someone offered me some high-powered four wheel performance vehicle, I would be gone. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you want to look at it) I'm not mechanically talented enough to build my own street rods and such. I know it's bad when after watching said tapes I automatically want to go try and get my 2-Wheel Drive Ford Ranger stuck in the snow, or enter into a Tuff Truck competition (for those of you reading at home, using 2WD vehicles for this type of activity is an EXTREMELY BAD IDEA).

And I think I've run out of things to rant about so I'm going to go buy some Hot Wheels and feed my addiction with the cheapest vehcles I can think of.

Random Musings VI With Quotes

1. 'God is like Santa Claus, right?' - Matty

2. 'Never is the word God listens for when He wants a laugh' - Stephen King: The Dark Tower

3. 'Can't say what's on my mind. Can't do what I really feel' - Tornado of Souls by Megadeth

4. 'Never turns to more. And we lost the days we thought were ever more' - Never Turns to More by Corrosion of Conformity

5. Ever notice the devastatingly long distance that exists between the heart and the mind? Like the times when your mind absolutely knows that something is one way, but the heart absolutely refuses to listen to what is logically a clear situation. It get so annoying, and can be so ridiculosly painful when you feel two different ways about the exact same situation and/or person. But you're also not willing to sacrifice something in order just to end the pain, b/c leaving it behind would be even worse. Gah!

Random Musings V

1. Valentine's Day = Teh suxxorz. Turn up 'In My Darkest Hour' or 'Tears in a Vial' or '1000 Times Goodbye' or 'Trust' or 'Almost Honest' or 'Tornado of Souls' by Megadeth instead.

2. Interesting fact from Gospel of Matthew class: The Old Testament laws were meant to be a way of reconciling people to one another and to God, not for a legalistic condemnation of people.

3. According to D&D, you may not want to call me to slay your dragon. Large ground based creatures on the other hand are right up my alley.

4. I wonder how much trouble I would find myself in if I posted my list of what makes a Perfect Woman. (I do realize this would be impossible. Make me an offer, and we'll haggle, lol).

5. And Then There Was Silence by Blind Guardian, is proving to be a very difficult song to play. In honesty the lead guitar might be easier than the rhythm guitar.

6. Reading Week is nearly upon us. I have atleast 30 pages of papers to write. Oh joy!

7. My hair is getting so long it's awesome. And it's been windy lately to it blows it around all cool like. All I need now are a mic, a monitor, a stage and thousands of screaming fans and I'll be set.

8. "It's all over you evil Chizzler"

Why I Can't Be a Prince, But a Knight

A) A prince is already rich. A knight survives by his talents (deadly and otherwise).

B) A prince fights for his kingdom. A knight fights by his heart's direction.

C) A prince is famous by bloodline. A knight is famous by his exploits.

D) A prince always has shining armor. A knight's armor is always battle-scored, and blood-stained, a testament to his life.

E) A prince wins the girl by what he is. A knight wins the girl by who he is.

F) A prince is master of many men. A knight is master of his own heart.

G) A prince can risk another neck to get the job done. A knight must risk his own neck to get the job done.

I'm sure I could think of more. But the train has come off the tracks.

Cool Song Quotes

I'm bored, and don't want to do homework, so here are some random cool song quotes.

"I refuse to be brought down by you!
Praise is far away from what you do!"
- Sixpounder by Children of Bodom

"Split your lungs with blood and thunder
When you see the white whale
Break your backs and crack your oars men
If you wish to prevail!"
- Blood & Thunder by Mastodon

"I gave up something I loved
For what I loved even more
And I saved my tears for you
In a vial, and walked away"
- Tears in a Vial by Megadeth

"The load upon my shoulder
Makes me stronger, even bolder"
- Heaven Can Wait by Gamma Ray

And now I'm bored with this too. Laters!