All I hear on todays radio are either has-beens trying to become post-modern diva/ rock stars with a pop twist, or remixed music of has-beens with a post-modern diva/ rock star with a pop twist. Neither are talent filled anymore.
My main focus is the music industry, only because it affects me. I don't think I've spend more than five minutes in the car dedicating my time to celebrity cop outs, who appear to be less than what we give credit for.
I began to think that it was creativity that died in the music mans soul, but now I sway to believe that it's the inspiration of creativity that's become sedated. Somewhere between songwriting and passion, came money. And that's as far as any artist needed to look. After the deal was sealed who cares what they write as long it's catchy enough to make the radio.
What's most annoying about the radio is that it's all the same. Everyones creativity and inspiration is coming from each other and it's all the same music. The songs the general population like (or are being force-fed) reflects their social values...or what should be their social values. Like sex, drive-bys, hating the president or raging against society. We all love these things right? The music industry assumes that we all think in unison.
I'm not saying to change your taste in music, your tastes are fine. From rap to rock, they both express what they mean. But next time you hear a song on the radio, why do you actually like it? I could pick buskers off the street with so much more passion and creativity that deserve to be given a chance, rather than the money-hungry singers that are following that stack of money hooked to a fishing line being tugged by the major record labels.
I've written this only because someone said to me 'you're the first person I know who listens to 70s and 80s music', and I wondered why I listen to it. The only answer I found was that yes, the video did kill the radio star, with half naked women washing cars on television screens singing songs that have no relevant messages other than 'sex is good'. I'm watching MTV for damn good music, not damn good body parts, but I assume I'm not like the population on this topic, we all like watching surgically plasticized women flicking their legs around, right?
Tuesday, 28 August 2007
Saturday, 25 August 2007
Music To Our Ears
Hey guys i have noticed that AYWF is dying down a bit, i know i have not been on this in a while mainly because i havent had much to write about or it has already been resolved.
I have found something to write about and it is going to involve you all who pay attention to AYWF. I dont know how many people have noticed but music actually plays a huge part in peoples lives.
The songs we listen to are usually how we feel at the present time, e.g. parties - dance music. I absolutly love music and im into a wide variety, and i know that most people here value and rate music in there life quite highly.
Basically my point to writing this is because i read lyrics to songs i like and i like to sing along when im alone and feel like singing a bit. I want you to sumbit curtain lyrics to a curtain song you love, and that may have meaning in your life. I want you to post a comment telling me the lyric that has a curtain importance to you and why.
You dont have to, im not forcing you i just thought we could get an idea of the type of lyrics you guys like and how it has become important to you.
I will start us off.
Band: Cauterize
Song: Choke
When the last word's been said and the last tear's been shed,
I will miss you, miss you my friend.
And I can't tell you lies.
Even after all these years I still cry.
What it means to me: This has a distinct meaning to me and although i do not listen to the song often its meaning still stands. This is to do with my brother who i did not know for very long as he died about 9 weeks after he was born. The fact that i did not have the chance to know him as well as i wanted to, he showed me something without having to spell it out in words. He showed me that you should always fight to live, He fought against the odds to last as long as he did, with all the physical problems he faced he was still able to teach me something. For that im thankful and it is something i will never forget for as long as i live.
I have found something to write about and it is going to involve you all who pay attention to AYWF. I dont know how many people have noticed but music actually plays a huge part in peoples lives.
The songs we listen to are usually how we feel at the present time, e.g. parties - dance music. I absolutly love music and im into a wide variety, and i know that most people here value and rate music in there life quite highly.
Basically my point to writing this is because i read lyrics to songs i like and i like to sing along when im alone and feel like singing a bit. I want you to sumbit curtain lyrics to a curtain song you love, and that may have meaning in your life. I want you to post a comment telling me the lyric that has a curtain importance to you and why.
You dont have to, im not forcing you i just thought we could get an idea of the type of lyrics you guys like and how it has become important to you.
I will start us off.
Band: Cauterize
Song: Choke
When the last word's been said and the last tear's been shed,
I will miss you, miss you my friend.
And I can't tell you lies.
Even after all these years I still cry.
What it means to me: This has a distinct meaning to me and although i do not listen to the song often its meaning still stands. This is to do with my brother who i did not know for very long as he died about 9 weeks after he was born. The fact that i did not have the chance to know him as well as i wanted to, he showed me something without having to spell it out in words. He showed me that you should always fight to live, He fought against the odds to last as long as he did, with all the physical problems he faced he was still able to teach me something. For that im thankful and it is something i will never forget for as long as i live.
Saturday, 18 August 2007
The Real Tree by Zoey
This is a post by Zoey, unfortunately she can't post her blogs on here due to connection errors, but she wanted this up here, so here it is!
"Two pictures of one tree. Both tree's looking exactly the same, as they should, being the same tree.
Picture one, drawn by an artist that has simply thought the tree as something that would look nice as artwork. This artist draws the tree how he see's it. Twisting branches, browning leaves, cute pink flowers and thick, old tree trunk.
Picture two, drawn by the owner of the yard in which the tree grows, who has grown up with the tree there whole life.
Who really paints the tree? The artist who has only seen the tree? Or the artist who has sat beneath it's shade, the one who has smelt it's flowers, crushed it's leaves, felt it's sticky sap on the skin, climbed into it's branches and scraped his shins on it's bark?
Now both of these artists may be very skilled when it comes to their craft; however, the first will paint what everybody sees... but the second will paint what the artist alone can see. And only one, will paint the real tree."
Thursday, 16 August 2007
Possibly the greatest fear?
"We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light." -Plato
This quote fascinates me and can reluctantly be found true. As children learn, they overcome trivial, but valid fears of going to sleep at night in the dark. I know that I used to be scared of the dark, I always imagined that there was something that I could never see but was surely lurking inside. Over time I grew out of this fear, and I'm assuming many other people have too.
Men are more mature than children. Nothing short from obvious. But why do men seem to hide in the dark being emphatically afraid of stepping out into the light? Men are discontent to show who they really are and for that very reason, children are afraid to sought out who is looming in the shadows. The men are scared of the children seeing who they really are.
The men are hiding. A mere silhouette in front of the backdrop. Too cruel to be kind, too unforgiving to be forgiven, too scared to be sound. They are aghast at the sight of accepting who they are, so they refuse themselves and become withdrawn from society.
It can be difficult to accept yourself (men), then to accept society (children), but once you do, the fear is overcome. Just like children and their aphotic fears. The light is always the safer place.
This quote fascinates me and can reluctantly be found true. As children learn, they overcome trivial, but valid fears of going to sleep at night in the dark. I know that I used to be scared of the dark, I always imagined that there was something that I could never see but was surely lurking inside. Over time I grew out of this fear, and I'm assuming many other people have too.
Men are more mature than children. Nothing short from obvious. But why do men seem to hide in the dark being emphatically afraid of stepping out into the light? Men are discontent to show who they really are and for that very reason, children are afraid to sought out who is looming in the shadows. The men are scared of the children seeing who they really are.
The men are hiding. A mere silhouette in front of the backdrop. Too cruel to be kind, too unforgiving to be forgiven, too scared to be sound. They are aghast at the sight of accepting who they are, so they refuse themselves and become withdrawn from society.
It can be difficult to accept yourself (men), then to accept society (children), but once you do, the fear is overcome. Just like children and their aphotic fears. The light is always the safer place.
Wednesday, 15 August 2007
The Slippery Pole
Throughout i have made a few analogy's consulting life and how we revolve around it such as one of my earlier blogs (The Hole). I thought about this today in a different way and it was actually something which a teacher helped me realise just by listening to the story they were telling.
'The Slippery Pole'
When we want to achieve something we set a goal, when we want to fulfill it we climb, and at this point in time I'm using the slippery pole analogy. Simply because everyone will understand it. We climb the pole, passing checkpoints to achieve the goal which is at the top of this pole.
It seems easy right, of course nothing is in life which is why people take things for granted. As we climb we may find it harder because we tire or it becomes wet. Not the type of wet your thinking at the moment, but this kind of wet is the things that want to drag you down or persist in making things hard for you. It can be absolutely anything, friends, family, other goals etc. the list is endless.
The point in me writing this is because i want people to understand that even in the wet you can still grip on, as hard is it may be we push ourselves if we want it enough. I have an example of myself which may not be all that interesting but it is troubling me.
I want to become fit. Never easy right. I start the climb by changing my food habits and what not and to some exercise. Simple. For me not so simple, the thing that makes my pole wet and slippery to climb is the fact that i give up easily and are impatient, and to this day i struggle to keep going i simply let myself slip from a goal in which i thought i wanted so badly.
I don't want people to think "just because he fails he is still fine." Well I'm not, I'm extremely disappointed in myself for not being able to continue a process which is laid out for me, its as if I'm disobeying society's perception and stereotypical ways. failing something like this is leading me to have little confidence in myself.
I'm going to continue my way up the pole, hopefully i can come to terms that nothing is all that easy and we have to work for every thing we do not matter how big or small. No matter what goal you have in life the pole is going to get slippery and although it may not be very slippery, its just going to give signs that there is a chance that you can slip by making a little mistake or turning your concentration off for a split second.
The more slippery the pole becomes the harder it becomes to climb if you slip on a extremely wet pole, your going to fall, and your going to fall fast. Nothing is easy in life. People tend to go on thinking that everything will be easy, well it isn't, and hopefully someday your going to come to terms with it, hopefully someday i will to.
'The Slippery Pole'
When we want to achieve something we set a goal, when we want to fulfill it we climb, and at this point in time I'm using the slippery pole analogy. Simply because everyone will understand it. We climb the pole, passing checkpoints to achieve the goal which is at the top of this pole.
It seems easy right, of course nothing is in life which is why people take things for granted. As we climb we may find it harder because we tire or it becomes wet. Not the type of wet your thinking at the moment, but this kind of wet is the things that want to drag you down or persist in making things hard for you. It can be absolutely anything, friends, family, other goals etc. the list is endless.
The point in me writing this is because i want people to understand that even in the wet you can still grip on, as hard is it may be we push ourselves if we want it enough. I have an example of myself which may not be all that interesting but it is troubling me.
I want to become fit. Never easy right. I start the climb by changing my food habits and what not and to some exercise. Simple. For me not so simple, the thing that makes my pole wet and slippery to climb is the fact that i give up easily and are impatient, and to this day i struggle to keep going i simply let myself slip from a goal in which i thought i wanted so badly.
I don't want people to think "just because he fails he is still fine." Well I'm not, I'm extremely disappointed in myself for not being able to continue a process which is laid out for me, its as if I'm disobeying society's perception and stereotypical ways. failing something like this is leading me to have little confidence in myself.
I'm going to continue my way up the pole, hopefully i can come to terms that nothing is all that easy and we have to work for every thing we do not matter how big or small. No matter what goal you have in life the pole is going to get slippery and although it may not be very slippery, its just going to give signs that there is a chance that you can slip by making a little mistake or turning your concentration off for a split second.
The more slippery the pole becomes the harder it becomes to climb if you slip on a extremely wet pole, your going to fall, and your going to fall fast. Nothing is easy in life. People tend to go on thinking that everything will be easy, well it isn't, and hopefully someday your going to come to terms with it, hopefully someday i will to.
Dilemmas: A Series of Significance (SoS): #1 Respect
The dilemma… in most peoples lives is respect, and lack there of. Encounters from other people and there individual interaction with one another plays a massive role in where we stand in our own lives. The problem could as simple as; telling a friend your opinion about another person. The basic fact is, as we (the current generation of young adults) become older, we should learn to respect others more. The only dilemma with this is, everyone has the capacity to accept others, but we choose not to for reasons that are as strong /weak as the lessons that we learn about ourselves. This comes for most after their ‘maturity’ has set in for the rest of their lives. This ‘maturity’ may take as long as 30 years to be fully established in a person, which is disappointing but the harsh reality we come to tolerate and acknowledge in today’s society.
Maybe someday we will learn the full truth about others once we have learnt everything about ourselves first. Self-respect is commonly known as the behaviour we pride ourselves on. The respect of accepting the person we are; towards others and most important themselves.
Maybe the dilemma isn’t respect at all; it could something more sinister we haven’t come to learn yet.
Maybe someday we will learn the full truth about others once we have learnt everything about ourselves first. Self-respect is commonly known as the behaviour we pride ourselves on. The respect of accepting the person we are; towards others and most important themselves.
Maybe the dilemma isn’t respect at all; it could something more sinister we haven’t come to learn yet.
Saturday, 11 August 2007
Short Doses (#3)
For what price…?
For what price does a person pay to have their sins forgiven?
For what price does a woman pay to accept a man’s apology?
For what price do we pay to stop the war between nations?
For what price do we pay to get respect …or be respected?
For what price… must we pay…?
For what price does a person pay to have their sins forgiven?
For what price does a woman pay to accept a man’s apology?
For what price do we pay to stop the war between nations?
For what price do we pay to get respect …or be respected?
For what price… must we pay…?
Confidence lacking respect
It became apparent last night that some men have an excessive adrenaline exploding ego that simply can't be dealt with in the company of their encouraging friends.
Why is it that we feel the need to take confidence so far that it creates intimidation to the other people. I dislike the hierarchy of the metro-scene. Where we dance all night for the sole purpose of achieving someones lips pressed onto your own. And there's no desire, there's never any love in that kiss. It's only for the approval of your friends.
Yes, I may be generalizing, but this a way that so many instances that function like this become uncontrolled and that is when men begin to force themselves onto women.
I saw it a lot last night, where the overall majority couldn't take no for an answer and virtually pinned a woman onto the padded walls and moved their no-longer-idle-hands onto their defenseless bodies. And what does the mans friends do? They clap and cheer him on. To go further, to rub his body over hers and the only thing that separates them both is the cohesion of two sweaty tops that belong to themselves.
Why is it that we feel the need to take confidence so far that it creates intimidation to the other people. I dislike the hierarchy of the metro-scene. Where we dance all night for the sole purpose of achieving someones lips pressed onto your own. And there's no desire, there's never any love in that kiss. It's only for the approval of your friends.
Yes, I may be generalizing, but this a way that so many instances that function like this become uncontrolled and that is when men begin to force themselves onto women.
I saw it a lot last night, where the overall majority couldn't take no for an answer and virtually pinned a woman onto the padded walls and moved their no-longer-idle-hands onto their defenseless bodies. And what does the mans friends do? They clap and cheer him on. To go further, to rub his body over hers and the only thing that separates them both is the cohesion of two sweaty tops that belong to themselves.
Tuesday, 7 August 2007
Modest anger and honesty
I stabbed myself. There. That's what happened. I gave up on everything. Why? When problems seem to snowball, the laws of attraction state that like-things will be inherited. I inherited even more problems. Every time I let something slide, it would come back around twice as big and hit me twice as hard.
How did it feel? Well, scary. I literally scared myself. I was confused with myself but throughly understood what effect it had cast onto me.
Cutting is now an epidemic. People run to bathrooms with scissors in hand and cut away. When an issue becomes so intense, when you just want to stop thinking about it for just a second, the scissors become your gateway to relief. The searing pain absorbs so much of your anger and practically leaves you dry and empty. It's is relief from anger and nothing more. Nothing is restored, only reduced.
When people continue, they are reduced to nothing at all. Lifeless, loveless, dead.
We all need to know that the relief in cutting is only temporary. It never lasts. Ever. There was only one remedy for me. Friends. They pull you through. They are your support, advisers and most of all, are loyal.
I chose to write this blog for awareness. That even though stabbing myself would have never ever occurred to me, it did. It can happen all too easily.
So all I can say is, when it seems like a friend isn't themselves and pushes themselves away. Come closer. Don't listen to the words that profuse out of their mouths. For me, I pushed people away, remained defensively silent and craved attention...only push everyone away again. Don't fall for it. Push through so they can push through.
Postscript: This would be the add-on to 'Secrets are made to be told'. This is one of the larger secrets I've kept. I'm not ashamed, the worst thing I could possibly do was not take anything from this experience. Whatever you choose to do in your life, whether it's good or bad. Learn from it.
How did it feel? Well, scary. I literally scared myself. I was confused with myself but throughly understood what effect it had cast onto me.
Cutting is now an epidemic. People run to bathrooms with scissors in hand and cut away. When an issue becomes so intense, when you just want to stop thinking about it for just a second, the scissors become your gateway to relief. The searing pain absorbs so much of your anger and practically leaves you dry and empty. It's is relief from anger and nothing more. Nothing is restored, only reduced.
When people continue, they are reduced to nothing at all. Lifeless, loveless, dead.
We all need to know that the relief in cutting is only temporary. It never lasts. Ever. There was only one remedy for me. Friends. They pull you through. They are your support, advisers and most of all, are loyal.
I chose to write this blog for awareness. That even though stabbing myself would have never ever occurred to me, it did. It can happen all too easily.
So all I can say is, when it seems like a friend isn't themselves and pushes themselves away. Come closer. Don't listen to the words that profuse out of their mouths. For me, I pushed people away, remained defensively silent and craved attention...only push everyone away again. Don't fall for it. Push through so they can push through.
Postscript: This would be the add-on to 'Secrets are made to be told'. This is one of the larger secrets I've kept. I'm not ashamed, the worst thing I could possibly do was not take anything from this experience. Whatever you choose to do in your life, whether it's good or bad. Learn from it.
Monday, 6 August 2007
Secrets are made to be told
I've kept things inside for far too long. I seem to think that time will fix every single problem that befalls unto me. But I'm wrong. I was unaware that subconsciously it was wearing me down. As if I'm walking down the road with a backpack, and slowly the backpack fills more and more. Why can't its contents just fall out? Why won't the bag just rip open?
We all have our secrets. As much as I don't like to keep them, I have them. I have many failed attempts at releasing them. The problem always was: who do I tell? Who would know how to tackle these problems with such assertiveness that once the coming problem has been dealt with, that is the end of it forever?
My personal issue is that there are so much complications to this problem that it has been made unique. Nobody can relate to a problem like mine. Nobody can give an easy answer to it, nor even attempt to answer it at risk that they would lose confidence and credibility in their own words.
Some things are very hard to hide. I don't intend to keep it in forever, but I'm looking for the right person. I need a resolve more than ever and this new-found public display of depression isn't something I favor.
We all have our secrets. As much as I don't like to keep them, I have them. I have many failed attempts at releasing them. The problem always was: who do I tell? Who would know how to tackle these problems with such assertiveness that once the coming problem has been dealt with, that is the end of it forever?
My personal issue is that there are so much complications to this problem that it has been made unique. Nobody can relate to a problem like mine. Nobody can give an easy answer to it, nor even attempt to answer it at risk that they would lose confidence and credibility in their own words.
Some things are very hard to hide. I don't intend to keep it in forever, but I'm looking for the right person. I need a resolve more than ever and this new-found public display of depression isn't something I favor.
Friday, 3 August 2007
Short Doses (#2)
Stages…and its many different levels can play role(s) to the many things that make us, who we are. Whether if it’s a point in a person’s life, or a specified point in a song that brings forth emotion of memories.
When can the right stage be acceptable?
The dilemma can be as simple as choosing a song on the I-Pod. The certain point where you’re crossed between; an up-lifting song (because your sad) and a cherished song (to recollect lost memories). At what point do you suddenly realise you accept the lyrics for its meaning because it reflects life.
That life was yours.
“…The thing I cherish most in life can not be taken away, and there’ll never be a reason why, I will surrender to none…” - Disturbed (I’m alive) -
When can the right stage be acceptable?
The dilemma can be as simple as choosing a song on the I-Pod. The certain point where you’re crossed between; an up-lifting song (because your sad) and a cherished song (to recollect lost memories). At what point do you suddenly realise you accept the lyrics for its meaning because it reflects life.
That life was yours.
“…The thing I cherish most in life can not be taken away, and there’ll never be a reason why, I will surrender to none…” - Disturbed (I’m alive) -
Update: Expanding AYWF
OK, well James and I are getting excited about this, and we were discussing having an Amateur Youth Writing Faction myspace page. A myspace page would both promote and inform peers about what we're all about.
So to put this idea into practice, I was thinking perhaps we could whip up a logo? If you know anybody that has some talent in the computer graphics area, then please let us know. This would be a big help! Plus anyone who wants to help make the layout of the site, by all means, let us know.
Thanks all, take care, much love.
Your friendly neighborhood Chris-man.
(I haven't posted any proper blogs in a while, I'm try pick it up a bit once we get this myspace project underway!)
So to put this idea into practice, I was thinking perhaps we could whip up a logo? If you know anybody that has some talent in the computer graphics area, then please let us know. This would be a big help! Plus anyone who wants to help make the layout of the site, by all means, let us know.
Thanks all, take care, much love.
Your friendly neighborhood Chris-man.
(I haven't posted any proper blogs in a while, I'm try pick it up a bit once we get this myspace project underway!)
Thursday, 2 August 2007
Short Doses (#1)
I once wondered what happens when you take away the most significant possession of a person’s life.
Does that person then become better or worse off. It’s interesting to think about considering the different types of people in the world.
Some must have their items they hold dearly to continue to sustain life.
Whereas others in life have no houses, let alone possessions,
Are they more or less possibly unselfish and don’t care about much expect to be thankful for everyday that comes their way?
“The Mind Wobbles…”
Does that person then become better or worse off. It’s interesting to think about considering the different types of people in the world.
Some must have their items they hold dearly to continue to sustain life.
Whereas others in life have no houses, let alone possessions,
Are they more or less possibly unselfish and don’t care about much expect to be thankful for everyday that comes their way?
“The Mind Wobbles…”
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