The Lyrical Styleeings of 311

So it's pretty clear that I have a obsession with the band 311. Even the title and subtitle of this blog are direct quotes or inspired by 311 lyrics. I thought in my tradition of quoting lyrics I would have an edition dedicated to 311 songs. Aside from the great music, I have always appreciated 311's lyrics. They really are inspiring and make you think. Let's start with the song that inspired the blog title (aside from the subtitle lyric):

• Beautiful Disaster (from Transistor)
  

Today seems like a good day to burn a bridge or two
The one with old wood creaking that would burn away right on cue
I try to be not like that but some people really suck
Some people need to get the axing, chalk it up to bad luck

• I'll Be Here Awhile (from From Chaos)
  

Far is solace in the maddening pace
Sad state written on my face
Not a tight rope walk but dance
Uncertain game of chance
But I'll see it through in time...

And if a person place or thing can deliver
I will quiver with delight
Tempted by the hand that could
Blind my vision and sight
But at twenty years of age
In frolic and in rage
I will see it through in time...

But the dawn has come into the endless night
And everything's gonna be alright
But at thirty years of age
Through frolic and in rage
All regressed and healed in time

• Flowing (from Soundsystem)
  

Tick, tick, tick the clock bludgeons your mind
Endlessly replaying times that were unkind
Go away sun, I'm not prepared for you today
It seems you are, it seems you are, huh!

• Creatures (For A While) (from Evolver)
  

My name is volatile
I've been this way a long while
I'd surely like to rest
But energy get's the best of me
It's been a wild ride
I wouldn't change a minute
I can't slow down inside
Guess that's why I live it
To the extent that it's absurd

• Beyond The Gray Sky (from Evolver)
  

It is a gift I know
A moment of bliss that we hold
A firecracker flash of light then on
To the next plane soul remain
Come along if you dare
It's gonna be that you're scared
Lovely life I thank you
For the reason to see the pain through

• Visit (from Music)

He wouldn't say he cared at all if you asked him
You're heading for a fall brother, it goes right past him
In another world, he's in another place
You know the need for speed's just another form of greed

But when you're Jones and your brain's frozen
You're not thinkin' 'bout the choices you're makin'
You're just rollin' on and on, it's anybody's guess
'Cuz no one's at the wheel, at the front of that mess, yes

• Omaha Stylee (from Grassroots)
  

Omaha stylee didn't think there was one
Where you know the radio's weak and the shows are more fun
But you know we fucked up the dance since 1988
Many did not think when they hear that we come from this state

Okay I think I've done them justice. We've covered most of the best albums (in my opinion). Notably I have left off the self-titled 311 album, but honestly if you haven't explored those songs, you probably have never even heard of 311 and might be a lost cause.

Ads I Admire: iPhone 4 - FaceTime Commercial

Above is the full version of the iPhone 4 FaceTime commercial. I really do love this commercial for a number of reasons. On the surface this is a commercial about an iPhone app which really is not very novel considering all of their "there's an app for that" commercials and variations. However, this commercial is not really selling the app, but rather a defining feature of the new iPhone 4. It highlights a main differentiator between the new version and the 3GS (which you upgraded to not so long ago), and more importantly a feature that you do not get from just upgrading your OS.

Their focus on the unique selling proposition is not where the genius lies however. What I love about the commercial is the way that they are able to really showcase how the feature, and by extension the phone, enrich and contribute to you have a more fulfilling life. I know, this is super cheesy, but the creative actually makes me buy it. This is particularly impressive considering that we are currently in a state where much of society consider their mobile phones to be a necessary evil that we have to deal with. It is also executed in a much better way than the heavy handed AT&T commercials (you know the one where changing your train ticket on your quick phone leads to you meeting the woman you are going to marry and having a child that will become the first ambiguously ethnic President of the United States). I personally also love the song and the fact that they are able to convey this message using it as the only real audible component. Congrats to TBWA/Media Arts Lab LA for creating this. All, be on the lookout for all of the variations of this full version that are being rolled out.

Update: The new shorter versions of the FaceTime commercials are seriously lame. Telling the father you're pregnant over the phone is even more tacky than making out at a bar, and no one cares about your husband lying about how he hates your too short hair. In fact if you couldn't see him at least he wouldn't have to give convincing "FaceTime". I suggest a return to less dialogue and emotional music.

State of the Union: Lyrics Style

Those of you who frequent the blog know that I love music, and even more so, I love reflecting on the poignant lyrics. I was inspired by a great trip to the gym, where the ipod's random mix came up with some great songs that seem to reflect my mood as of late. I got a great workout out of it and you get a great new blog post:

• Never Win by Fischerspooner

If I was not me
I would hate me too
Just like you do
I don't need to need you
Tell me what to do
Tell me what to say

It's all made worse by a simple scheme
You're slipping away from me
Can't decide sometimes if it's worth the point
The point is the struggle, insecurity

Hopefully, you make no mistake
If you learned from what you've got to take
Good or bad, it's all going to add up in the end, but
You can never win

• Gold Guns Girls by Metric
  

I remember when we were gambling to win
Everybody else said better luck next time
I don't wanna bend like the bad girls bend
I just wanna be your friend, is it ever gonna be enough?

• Passenger by Deftones

Roll the windows down
This cool night air is curious
Let the whole world look in
Who cares who sees what tonight?
Roll these misty windows down
To catch my breath again
And then go, and go, and go just drive me
Home and back again
Here I lay just like always
Don't let me go
Take me to the edge

• Clark Gable by The Postal Service
  

I want so badly to believe that
"There is truth, that love is real"
And I want Life in every word
To the extent that it's absurd

I know you're wise beyond your years
But do you ever get the feel
That your perfect verse is just a lie you tell yourself
To help you get by?

• Rockstar by N.E.R.D.

Something on your chest
Better get it off
There'll be no one left when we set it off
We ain't gonna take it no more
Since

It's almost over now
Almost over now

You don't succeed cause you hesitate
You think we're fly
But we levitate
Just be yourself
Don't ask us why
Cause if don't we'll make you fly

• Send the Pain Below by Chevelle

I liked having hurt
So send the pain below where I need it
You used to beg me to take care of things
And smile at the thought of me failing

But long before, having hurt
I'd send the pain below
I'd send the pain below

Much like suffocating...

• When Did Your Heart Go Missing by Rooney

I meant every word I said
I never was lyin' when we talked in bed
I'm retracin' every step in my head
What did I miss back then? I was so misled, oh

Hope you enjoyed these inspiring nuggets. As I was compiling these I noticed 1) it seems like most songs really do center around love themes (let's mix it up "artists") 2) some of the lyrics of the songs that I listen to are a little disturbing when you actually pay more attention (not these), and 3) It takes a really long time to create these lyric posts, but it's worth every second.

Love, success, and happiness~

Momma Don't Take My Kodachrome Away

Recently me and a few friends went on an adventure to southern Utah. Lindsey had the brilliant idea to get away for a bit of a red rock vacation the weekend before Memorial Day when everything gets crazy. I think we all needed a break from our lives in the SLC, would hopefully have a bit of sun, and I had been having a hiking craving something fierce.

After the most amazing game of trunk tetris I have ever seen, we set out on our little adventure. As we got further and further south, the more happy I was to get off the grid. Seriously the level of connectivity that we have in these modern times is great, but it can also be oppressive. Sometimes it is nice to just focus on your friends and your connectivity to them.

That first day we encountered a few problems. After a heart pounding ride on the beautiful, yet slightly terrifying Route 12, we arrived at Calf's Creek. It looked like the perfect place for our adventure and the hiking looked very
promising. Unfortunately, all of the camping grounds were full :( We had planned for this a bit. We headed towards Escalante where the next closest campgrounds were.

We checked the first. It was a bit of a dirt pit, next to a construction area and pretty crowded. There were a few spot available, but we decided to go to some spots further up a canyon for more of a true camping experience. The drive went on a bit longer than we expected and the outside temperature gauge kept dropping. Finally we reach the campground for which we were headed. It was beautiful with a lake. However, the temp had dropped 10 degrees, there were bear boxes, and SNOW! We moved back down the canyon to another site we were considering and the story was the same, but with the addition of a creepy middle aged single camper guy. In the interest of preserving our lives and virtue, we headed back to the construction pit... which was now FULL. We got a tip from the ranger and headed towards Escalante Outfitters which we were told had cabins and tent spots.

When we arrived at Escalante Outfitters, it looked very promising. The cabins has nice little porches, and the proprietors were already drinking by the counter (which is where they also sold liquor... in Utah). All I wanted was a cabin and to relax with a cocktail. No cabins available, but they did have tent spots. Now all I wanted was to get my tent set up, and then to relax with a cocktail. We got a nice little spot next to the chicken coup (no rooster though so we could sleep late), and got to the much needed drink (I declared tonight's cocktail hour started at 8).

While hanging out on the grounds we befriended a great couple from the Chicago area, and a young doctor from New York. We began by making fun of them (our international sign of friendship) and then offering them a drink (our international sign of friendship). I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that when asked what we had, we responded,"Beer, wine, gin, vodka, and whiskey." We totally forgot about the rum in the car. We drank, discussed the secret that is Utah (Shhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!), Sammi had stumble #1, and we went to sleep.

I the morning we decided to head to Kodachrome Basin, which had been our original destination until they did not have any spots on Friday. We had been told when we were making our ressie that there were spots on Saturday, and we were hoping that was still the case. If not, on to Bryce Canyon. After avoiding an old Datamark coworker (I was dirty and hungover. People ask me why I always try to look good, and it's because I run into people everywhere), and a great breakfast from the EO cafe, we were off.

We arrived at Kodachrome and were in luck for once. There was a campsite! We got our tents up despite the wind that had been plaguing us all weekend, decided on a hike, and packed our lunches. The hike that we decided on was probably about a 5 mile loop. The hike was extremely beautiful (as you can see from the pictures), and it was exactly what we needed... until Lindsey rolled her ankle jumping of a rock... 10 feet before the point where we had to turn around and go back.

If you know Lindsey's trick ankle, it's no joke. We could be in trouble. Luckily one of us had some hangover remedy pills, i.e. ibuprofen. Lindsey had some and elevated her ankle while the rest of us ate lunch and let everything kick in. Amanda and I found her a walking stick and Sammi acted as the human crutch. We took a nice leisurely pace back which was actually great. Amanda and I got to drink our post lunch beers and I think it was a bit easier to take in all of the beautiful scenery as compared to our brisk early pace. We made it back, got some ice and chewy lemonheads (which are weird), and all was well.

You know what happens next... cocktail hour I declared started at 6 and went until whenever we felt the need to cook something. The wind and and were not really conducive to the relaxing atmosphere that we needed at this time. We noticed that there was a grass patch by the bathrooms and showers that were seemed to not be as windy, and what wind was there was not full of sand. We bought our box of wine and our cocktails over and had the best conversations.

We were feeling much better around dinner time. It was getting chilly so I slipped into my Ace and Gary AGD long johns (and of course took pictures). We had some ridiculously delicious shrimp gumbo. Sammi was the bartender and was whipping up some mighty tasty cocktails (even when it came down to water mixer for me). She also fell two more times. After the final fall it was time to go to sleep. One issue I forgot to mention was that our air mattress had been deflating all trip during the night even though mine was only being used for the second time. That and the cold made the sleep a little rough, but I only woke up once, threw my coat over my head, and went back to sleep.

We went home the next day after a great trip. Amanda and I were super gross and I think only changed once as we really tried to embrace the gross tragedy. We had gained numerous inside jokes, a new understanding of each other, some Facebook friends, and a much needed break from the city. Also, apparently it was rainy up in the SLC that weekend and then we had a late snow storm that week. My forehead and nose were just starting to peel from the long hike. Only in Utah.

"Modern Marvels"

I have made no secret about the fact that I watch a lot of trashy TV. It's entertaining, relaxing since I don't need to think & end up feeling better about myself, and I get to yell at the TV. However those that know me also know that I watch a good amount of educational programming and reading. Hello, do you think all of this interesting conversation and factoids come from nowhere? The History Channel, Discovery Channel, Travel Channel, PBS, etc. yo! Plus, and I cannot stress this enough, TWITTER IS NOT JUST FOR INANE STATUS UPDATES. It's not just about whether or not Ashton Kutcher just got off the pot. Seriously people, depending on what and who you are following it can be a nonstop stream of interesting articles, pics, and tidbits customized to what really interests use. Avail yourself to the wealth of content.

As usual I digress. The point is that one of my favorite History Channel shows has gone down the tubes (no pun intended). I remember when I used to see Modern Marvels on the Comcast guide and what I was going to watch was a no brainer. Now I have to go and see what the topic is before I "give it a try". The topic used to just be the surprising bonus after you had already changed the channel.

The topics of the shows really is where the problem lies. They used to have storied about the latest, tallest skyscrapers, or an incredible bridge, or the latest space technology. All things that I know nothing about, are completely fascinating to most people, and served up in a manner that does not make me feel as if I am trying to get my doctorate in physics. AWESOME. Slowly I have seen a decline, almost as if they are running out of topics. I have written down some of the worst that I have seen lately and they are as follows:

• Coffee
• Corn
• Shovels
• Truck Stops
• Super Steam

If you are not on the page with me yet, those are all super lame. Let me just say that some of these episodes can be interesting. You know in that, "things you didn't know about seeming mundane topics," kind of way. You know what? I basically know how coffee and corn get to our pantries. What's being buried by a shovel is generally more interesting than the tool. I don't need to know any more about the "interesting" things that happen surrounding truck stops, and no matter what you do with steam it is still just water and heat! There is nothing particularly modern or marvelous about any of those things. You have set a higher standard by virtue of your title. Save that pedestrian shizz for an 8 minute segment on How Things Work where they belong.

Yuppies Tie One On

Recently I have been interviewing a lot. Okay let's just get this out of the way. It's not like it's a secret, but I am currently unemployed. Whatever. Things happen. I didn't want to make a big deal about it so this is actually the first time I have explicitly referred to it on any online post.

Anyway, I have been interviewing a lot lately so I have been wearing a lot more ties. While prepping for my last tie worthy interview, I was searching for a tie to wear (I look for the tie first generally and then find a shirt to work with it. Let's be honest the tie is the major "statement" when it comes to men's formal wear). Inexplicably, I noticed that I was speaking to my ties. "None of you are working for me today. Come on ties. Speak to me!" Even worse, now I am asking them to speak back.

Clearly I did not want the ties to talk back, but I needed some inspiration. I have been demanding that clothes give off a vibe lately. Recently after a night out I showed my friends a new shirt that I bought whose color gave off great energy. I believe I said something like, "From now on I am looking for clothes that pulsate with energy. If they don't have energy, I'm like, 'Fuck you clothes! I'm not buying you.'" Okay perhaps a bit aggressive, but you get the idea. Yes I am demanding that most of the clothes that I buy make me feel something and are signature pieces because otherwise it is a waste of money. Pay for something you love and that will last, not for mediocre crap.

That's all well and good, but I also noticed that I have quite the penchant for striped ties. I decided to count and found over a dozen ties that are actually still in the "wearable" pool. Some different colors but mostly blue and silver striped ties. How do you expect to get energetic, storm cloud colored, striped ties? I don't know, but somehow I do. Let's be honest a small strip of fabric can only put out so much "energy". I don't even like "loud" clothes, but rather classic pieces with a quiet confidence and modern edge. Couple that with a powerful knot and you're set. Anyway, I need a new job, because I am feeling the need to find some summer energy before everybody buys the awesome stuff. Oh, and for my interview, I wore a silver and green number ;)

Quote of the Week

We have a double QOTW this week. Yay!




"Did you ever think when you were a little kid you would be in a RuPaul video? I thought I was going to be a doctor."

-Jujubee RuPaul's Drag Race

Quote of the Week

Sorry I'm a bit late but it has been a hectic week. Keeping with the Grey's Anatomy theme:



"I used to have sex injuries with Mark. Mark would always give me great sex injuries "

-Lexie "Little Grey" Grey on Grey's Anatomy


Seriously what is wrong with this woman? I have a feeling one of these "great sex injuries" was a headboard blow to the head.

Quote of the Week

I'm starting a new feature on the blog called Quote of the Week. It will be a funny pop culture quote that I have heard during the course of the week. It will likely come out every Friday, but may be more frequent. Something for you to look forward to. The first is:


"It's okay because we've had sex before. It was recycling. It's like... good for the environment."

-Lexie "Little Grey" Grey on Grey's Anatomy

See I'm Not Shallow. I'm Über Deep Yo

So far this year has been fairly interesting. One of the biggest outlets that I have had has been music. I have always been really interested in music and for the most part have pretty diverse taste (particularly for a Black man ;) ). Many of my friends are the same way (word up Amanda & how should I put this?... others).

Lately I have had a bit more of a specific taste. A lot of the songs are not new. I think that it is mostly inspired by groups like Metric and Stars. A bit more melodic, sometimes slower, some might say at times a bit emo, but not necessarily. A common theme would be some powerful, thought provoking lyrics and a dynamic sound. In the interest of expanding your musical horizons I wanted to list a few of the songs that I have been listening to in 2010, and some of the lyrics that I have resonated (as I sometimes do):

• London Halflife by Metric

Oh watch out, you're only better off with half your life
Otherwise wasted
House of cards, you fall hard

• Midnight Coward by Stars
  

Sweetness, sweetness never suits me, when I get up to take you home
Maybe it's love, love at first slightly drunk
Now I'm walking with the sun in my mouth

• The Reeling by Passion Pit

We dug these holes we crawled into, now they're my home
Now here I cannot feel the wind, can't feel the rain oh no
And I believe in gentle harmony
Well how I loathe all this obscenity
Is this the way my life has got to be?
Have I a single opportunity?

• You Didn't Fucking Mean It by Electric Valentine

If you loved me
Half as much as you said you did
Why'd you leave me?
Break my heart then come back again
If you loved me,
Turn around and just let me go
From the first time
Hurt more than you could ever know

• Wanderlust by Björk

Lust for comfort
Suffocates the soul
Relentless restlessness
Liberates me (sets me free)

I feel at home
Whenever the unknown surrounds me
I receive its embrace
Aboard my floating house

• Everybody's Changing by Keane

So little time
Try to understand that I'm
Trying to make a move just to stay in the game
I try to stay awake and remember my name
But everybody's changing and I don't feel the same

Here are some other songs I have enjoyed lately, but are less poignant/your emo hearts and this blog are about to explode from lyric overload:

Elevator Love Letter by Stars
Soft Shock by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Heads Will Roll by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
White Gold by Metric
Gold Guns Girls by Metric
Cheryl Tweedy by Lily Allen
Take it Off by Ke$ha
Ima Be by Black Eyed Peas
California Soul by Marlena Shaw

Okay we're done. That was a lot of work. I going to have a piece of cake as a reward. Ciao!

To Tweet or Not to Tweet

The other day I was watching a commercial for Kirstie Alley's Big Life... ok then later I watched the show. The point is the show was about her Twitter addiction. Again last night I was watching Chelsea Lately and her and Taraji P. Henson were talking about how they were reluctant to Twitter and first and now they love it. These moments in my life of pop culture brought me back to something that I have been thinking a lot lately: Why is that so many of the people I know my age are afraid of Twitter? Wow now I need to ask why this sounds like a Sex and the City?

I could count on probably 1 hand the number of people who are my friends and are actually active on Twitter. I know that Twitter is not a phenomenon of the young (<24 years old), and 35+ has been what has driven the platform, but 25-34 is fairly high indexing. Plus I have never really been a first adopter of technology amongst my friends. Twitter would probably be the first time, and not just because it was my job. Why do people seem to be so afraid?

I have been asking a lot of people in the age group in question (perhaps because it relates to my job), and the answer to "Why not Twitter?" seems to be that people do not need to know everything about their life. "I'm at the grocery store." "I'm chewing gum." "I'm dumping the body."

Really people? Are you not more creative than that? This is not Foursquare we are talking about (BTW do not get me started on getting my friends involved in that). You're not afraid of status updates on Facebook. Pretty similar. More importantly I use Twitter & my addiction to TweetDeck to keep me up to date with everything in the world that I am interested in. Little bits of info and news just blip on my screen like a stock ticker, ready for me to interact. I read, I share, I take the meal deal at the restaurant nearby, while planning for the hot concert that is happening later that night.

It seems like Kirstie, Taraji, & Chelsea have discovered all of this joy and information. Not sure what is up with my friends, but maybe soon they will grow up ;)

Love is a Verb

I have gone through a lot recently... in a lot of different areas of my life. Strangely enough I think that it all is for the best. I think that of all of the changes, the one that has impacted me the most was my relationship. Somehow I think that things like that also impact the other areas of your life. It went on (and off) for much longer than it should have, although I have no regrets. With that all done I thought I would have this final written catharsis before I move on electronically.

To start, let's get the details of my relationship out of the way. There were good times, there were bad times, and there were downright disturbing times. Both of us were at fault in one way or another for times in each category. It's for the best that it's over. The timing of everything was unfortunate, but sometimes that is how life is. If you have to hide that you are in a relationship or when your relationship reminds you of a bad episode of Six Feet Under or Carrie & Big, you are in trouble. Speaking of Carrie & Big, they are the perfect example of how two people (& millions who watch them) can delude themselves into thinking that their jacked up relationship is just their complicated journey towards true love. It's just a bad relationship that you should end before it becomes a complicated journey towards couples counseling followed by divorce. Ok I let the bitter slip a bit.

Anyway one thing that I have learned (thanks Tough Love Couples) is that you need to remember that love is a verb. It is something that you have to do; have to work at. That is true in relationships and with yourself. Once you lose sight of your own journey of self improvement, everything else in your life suffers.

The aftermath has been a bit rough too. A lot all at once. It was fine at first and then got a bit ugly. Right before we ended it, I was at a delusional point where I started imagining (and perhaps a bit of planning) our future life together. Whatever, make fun of me, but I only share this to illustrate the point that we (at least I) were/was at a place that is hard to paddle back from once you abruptly end everything . Since we weren't right for each other, that was the easy part. The hard part was separating your life from someone you consider a friend. Physical separation is easy. The internet will kill you, particularly because I am a jealous stalker... of everyone. I initially joined MySpace to see what shit my friends were talking about me (a "Lurker" one of my coworkers called me). I would be jealous of someone that was going to a party with 10 kegs when I only have 9. Seeing that someone was still living without me, even with no fun being had, gets to me. Yes I know this is a bit irrational and borderline narcissistic. That has been taken care of though. Luckily when you feel like you need to remove e-contact from someone, but don't want to be "rude", the spirits in the sky resolve the issue in short order :)

Ok, we are done. I feel catharsis (to the point of needing to ralph). No more talk about that. No more blogs and in fact I am trying to not speak "that name" any longer. I have bigger, more interesting, and probably more tragic things to deal with. It's a loss for both of us, but I think in the end everyone will win. Time to stalk that.