Wednesday, March 14, 2018
Thursday, March 1, 2018
The Doer
The dreamer doesn’t do the work.
The dreamer is just an idealist.
The dreamer dreams a dream
And just fantasizes.
The doer doesn't think the thought.
The doer is just the worker.
The doer is told the idea
And just exercises.
The Maker does more than work.
The Maker doesn’t merely ponder.
The Maker also dreams a dream
But truly actualizes.
The dreamer is just an idealist.
The dreamer dreams a dream
And just fantasizes.
The doer doesn't think the thought.
The doer is just the worker.
The doer is told the idea
And just exercises.
The Maker does more than work.
The Maker doesn’t merely ponder.
The Maker also dreams a dream
But truly actualizes.
What I've Been Listening To
I have goals to be writing at least weekly, but a lot of what I've been writing lately hasn't been for this blog. I've been writing a lot of essays and letters. I've also started two new jobs, so I don't have all that much time to write in excess of my weekly goal. But with all the commuting I've been doing, I've been discovering new music to listen to on the drive. It's all over the place, ranging from indie to oldies to Christian ska, 1950's to 2000's to everything in between. Here's what I've found lately and what I've been listening to (some of them are explicit).
"Things I Don't Remember" - Ugly Casanova
Ugly Casanova, apparently, is a folklore re-branding of Modest Mouse. They generally come across as more experimental and less polished, and don't check all the classic boxes of unique sound Modest Mouse does. Although a lot of their stuff on this album doesn't immediately pop, "Things I Don't Remember" definitely does. My cousin showed me this song while we sat lazily and distracted while playing Rocket League, and this song still caught my attention. Give it a listen--it's a little rough around the edges and, much like Modest Mouse, they're somewhat of an acquired taste. It's tough to make much sense of the lyrics, yet they still fit the theme of what things (presumably) Isaac Brock doesn't remember. If you don't like it at first, give it another listen or two--you'll probably find it addicting. Also, I don't really recommend the video.
"3rd Planet" - Modest Mouse
In the same vein as "Things I Don't Remember," Modest Mouse's Moon & Antarctica album opener isn't easy listening and the lyrics are perplexing. Contrasting with popular music of the day, or even with acclaimed rock music about sex and drugs, Modest Mouse raises some interesting commentary and thoughts about life, religion, the universe, and God. Although I don't know exactly (even after research) what the exact shape of the universe seems to be, this doesn't distract from the point. The lyrics are insightful and "3rd Planet" is quintessential Modest Mouse in what is likely their quintessential album.
"Roses" - Outkast
Although Outkast has no shortage of acclamation, I'm personally hit and miss as to how much I enjoy their albums as a whole. But if there's one thing they're good at, it's putting out excellent singles. Like most other songs on this playlist, this song isn't new. But lately I've found the infectious call and response and the catchy hook so vibing. (The song starts at 1:00)
"Old Friend" - O.C. Supertones
I listened to these guys a lot on my mission--they're one of very few christian ska bands. And they're actually pretty good! The lyrics are somewhat religious, but regardless of belief, I think this song is incredibly humble, kind, and thoughtful.
"Everyday" - Buddy Holly
If you went back in time to the 1950's and walked into a random soda shop, this is the song that ought to be playing on the jukebox. Buddy Holly wrote all his lyrics to be almost exclusively about prospects of love, which is classic for that era. This song is a great representation of that and despite it being an old recording, it still holds up pretty well as a song legitimately worth listening to even now--let alone the impressive historical context in which he wrote it. Even if you've never heard it before, it has such a charming quality that you'll feel like you have anyways.
"Satan is my Motor" - Cake
This is the song that made me think that maybe Cake is worth listening to, besides their ever-popular "Short Skirt/Long Jacket" and their classic cover of "I Will Survive." I really like the metaphor that serves as the basis of the song. Cake also shows off their uncanny ability to write simple masterpieces.
"The Mighty Quinn" - Manfred Mann
I tutor a high school kid named Quinn and he's a legitimate joy to teach. He's quiet, yet hilarious, cynical, yet clever. He told me he was named after this song, so I looked it up--and by all accounts, it seems to be about a cocaine dealer coming to town. That might not be true and whether it is true isn't particularly important, but I find it incredibly fitting either way. It's also worth noting that Bob Dylan wrote it and Manfred Mann perfected it.
"Far behind" - The Hippos
A kid rides by on a skateboard. The camera pans to the front of the school and suddenly the screen fills with students walking, running, riding by on bikes, etc. Music starts to play. Our lovable protagonist walks on screen and even though things haven't exactly been going his way, he's still keeping on. He walks through the front door and into the hallway where students are throwing balled up paper and running through the halls. Two students in the hallway are defacing a sign to instead say "Our biggest mistake was letting The Hippos go extinct."
What song started to play earlier? Pretty much any song on the album "Heads Are Gonna Roll" by The Hippos, but it's most likely "Far Behind." Give it a listen; you'll see.
"Things I Don't Remember" - Ugly Casanova
Ugly Casanova, apparently, is a folklore re-branding of Modest Mouse. They generally come across as more experimental and less polished, and don't check all the classic boxes of unique sound Modest Mouse does. Although a lot of their stuff on this album doesn't immediately pop, "Things I Don't Remember" definitely does. My cousin showed me this song while we sat lazily and distracted while playing Rocket League, and this song still caught my attention. Give it a listen--it's a little rough around the edges and, much like Modest Mouse, they're somewhat of an acquired taste. It's tough to make much sense of the lyrics, yet they still fit the theme of what things (presumably) Isaac Brock doesn't remember. If you don't like it at first, give it another listen or two--you'll probably find it addicting. Also, I don't really recommend the video.
"3rd Planet" - Modest Mouse
In the same vein as "Things I Don't Remember," Modest Mouse's Moon & Antarctica album opener isn't easy listening and the lyrics are perplexing. Contrasting with popular music of the day, or even with acclaimed rock music about sex and drugs, Modest Mouse raises some interesting commentary and thoughts about life, religion, the universe, and God. Although I don't know exactly (even after research) what the exact shape of the universe seems to be, this doesn't distract from the point. The lyrics are insightful and "3rd Planet" is quintessential Modest Mouse in what is likely their quintessential album.
"Roses" - Outkast
Although Outkast has no shortage of acclamation, I'm personally hit and miss as to how much I enjoy their albums as a whole. But if there's one thing they're good at, it's putting out excellent singles. Like most other songs on this playlist, this song isn't new. But lately I've found the infectious call and response and the catchy hook so vibing. (The song starts at 1:00)
"Old Friend" - O.C. Supertones
I listened to these guys a lot on my mission--they're one of very few christian ska bands. And they're actually pretty good! The lyrics are somewhat religious, but regardless of belief, I think this song is incredibly humble, kind, and thoughtful.
"Everyday" - Buddy Holly
If you went back in time to the 1950's and walked into a random soda shop, this is the song that ought to be playing on the jukebox. Buddy Holly wrote all his lyrics to be almost exclusively about prospects of love, which is classic for that era. This song is a great representation of that and despite it being an old recording, it still holds up pretty well as a song legitimately worth listening to even now--let alone the impressive historical context in which he wrote it. Even if you've never heard it before, it has such a charming quality that you'll feel like you have anyways.
"Satan is my Motor" - Cake
This is the song that made me think that maybe Cake is worth listening to, besides their ever-popular "Short Skirt/Long Jacket" and their classic cover of "I Will Survive." I really like the metaphor that serves as the basis of the song. Cake also shows off their uncanny ability to write simple masterpieces.
"The Mighty Quinn" - Manfred Mann
I tutor a high school kid named Quinn and he's a legitimate joy to teach. He's quiet, yet hilarious, cynical, yet clever. He told me he was named after this song, so I looked it up--and by all accounts, it seems to be about a cocaine dealer coming to town. That might not be true and whether it is true isn't particularly important, but I find it incredibly fitting either way. It's also worth noting that Bob Dylan wrote it and Manfred Mann perfected it.
"Far behind" - The Hippos
Fade in
EXT. OUTSIDE SCHOOL--DAY
A kid rides by on a skateboard. The camera pans to the front of the school and suddenly the screen fills with students walking, running, riding by on bikes, etc. Music starts to play. Our lovable protagonist walks on screen and even though things haven't exactly been going his way, he's still keeping on. He walks through the front door and into the hallway where students are throwing balled up paper and running through the halls. Two students in the hallway are defacing a sign to instead say "Our biggest mistake was letting The Hippos go extinct."
What song started to play earlier? Pretty much any song on the album "Heads Are Gonna Roll" by The Hippos, but it's most likely "Far Behind." Give it a listen; you'll see.
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