I don't think my blog gets enough attention, so I've decided to post this picture for shock value. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!!

Trying to fix your fading dyed hair with koolaid is hilarious! Although it doesn't appear to have worked very well. And I forgot it was on my hands, rubbed my eye, and started it on f*re. Oooohhh well. It was only like 20 cents at least. I'll just drink the next pack.

I have to house-sit a place tomorrow that was recently broken into but the guy says he just bought an AK-47 for me to use if it happens again while I'm there. ^_^

Andrew!


EDIT: AND Giraffes are really hard to draw! They're as weirdly shaped as people. >_<

Giraffes are weird, man. o_O

I'm making this post just to cut down load time on poor dial-uppers. Mainly me at home. Just had to cut that picture-loaded post off the page. =þ

So ummmm....

I

Did

Something

Tonight.

Yeeeaaah...

^_^

It's fairly dark right now but I'm expecting it to lighten up quite a bit.

Also, I should NEVER look like this.

I'd like you to meet my new job: "Hello World" the webcomic. It will be automatically updated at midnight every day except Saturdays and Sundays. And since I'm being paid for this, it won't be one of those things where I make twenty of them and then quit like many other projects I've done. *mutters something about Corious Millerson* Plus I've already got enough made to last until Febuary 11th.

It's already gotten good reviews from the few people that have read it all so far, so hopefully you shan't be disappointed. Keep an eye on it, subscribe to it, whatever you want to do, and if you think it's worthy of sending to your friends, publicity is always handy for me, so please do. =)

(The beginning)
http://hello.gcpower.net/tag/beginning/

(The current update)
http://hello.gcpower.net/

I think I'll develop a nervous habit of working out. Then I'll do it all the time but I won't even notice I'm doing it. Once I've become ripped then I'll work on breaking the habit*.



*not a linkin park reference.

For a guy who lives on his own, I have next to zero concerns since I'm not paying for my residence at all. But I do have to pay for gas, phone, credit card, food, and things like that. I also owe my sister money for the car I bought. Yet I gave my money to the Lord, trusting that he'd provide for me, and thus I was left without enough money this month to pay for the few bills I owed, and I started wondering if I was going to last. However, dad just now gave me $300.00 and I never saw it coming. I thought the Lord deserved credit for that, so I'm posting it here. He's a reliable fellow and I'm thankful for it!

AND NOW IT'S TIME FOR A MUSIC LIST!
Last night on TV I saw one of my F*refly coworkers sing the National Anthem at a basketball game and I started thinking, "If I went to a game, who would I want to hear sing the National Anthem?" Hence this list. Rating is based off of the singer's voice since there's a large vocal range in the National Anthem and it's usually a solo thing with no backing music.

#30 Zack de la Rocha from Rage Against The Machine
He's not much of a singer but I do like his voice. He could rap/monologue/shout the anthem, heh.)



#29 Kurt Cobain from Nirvana
(he's...not available though)


#28 Wayne Coyne from The Flaming Lips
(he'd be weird.)


#27 Aaron Gillespie from UnderØATH


#26 Alex Kapranos from Franz Ferdinand


#25 James Hetfield from Metallica


#24 Björk Guðmundsdóttir
(This one is for Kristen)


#23 Ben Kowalewicz from Billy Talent
(he'd be weird too.)


#22 Thom Yorke from Radiohead
(oh wait, they already covered that...)


#21 Lacey Mosley from Flyleaf
(this one's embarrassing.)


#20 Jeremy DePoyster from The Devil Wears Prada


#19 Jack White from The White Stripes


#18 Regina Spektor


#17 Cove Reber from Saosin


#16 Andrew Bird
(I'd rank him better on the list if he could bring his instruments and loop pedals along)


#15 Mike Herrera from MxPx


#13 Eugene Hütz from Gogol Bordello


#14 Tom Waits


#12 Fabio Lione from Rhapsody of F*re


#11 Win Butler from The Arcade F*re


#10 Nathan Willett from Cold War Kids


#9 Craig Owens from Chiodos


#8 Christian Lindskog from Blindside
(especially if he's allowed to scream)


#7 Reese Roper from Five Iron Frenzy


#6 Dustin Kensrue from Thrice


#5 John Cooper from Skillet
(sorry, Andrew)


#4 Dave King from Flogging Molly


#3 Till Lindemann from Rammstein
(oh creepy creepy)


#2 Matt Bellamy from Muse
(especially if he can bring his guitar/piano)


And the number one person I'd most want to hear sing the National Anthem is...
#1 Colin Meloy from The Decemberists!

I ate him!

I often point out that some people are just really awkward, either socially or just in general. But it struck me today that I'M really awkward! I mean I knew that already, but it just didn't occur to me that a lot of the times when I think somebody else is socially awkward, it might be simply because I'm socially awkward and don't know how to deal with them like a normal person. As opposed to Bethany who actually knows how to have a conversation with pretty much anybody.

oh well.

To continue my superhero comic strip or start on my superhero graphic novel? Both are nigh-completely planned out and organized, but I don't suspect I can handle both right now. I'm think I'll continue the superhero comic strip due to the fact that it's "easier" (in some aspects), I already started it ages ago, and I'm not convinced I can draw well enough for a graphic novel. Not for the style I want anyway.

We're making a new menu for the café! This one features wraps, fancy burgers, pitas, additional sandwiches, and collateral damage! So remember to swing by The F*refly Café next week and try out our new foods! =D

I think this picture is beautiful.

And now it's time for my Top 10 List of Best Albums I've Heard! This is hard to determine since there are so many factors to consider. Some of these are favored above others only by a fraction if anything. It's hard to say overall since they each offer differing content. Oh well, lists are fun so...To the list!

Number one! Just kidding, that's not how these work.
#10 - All's Well That End's Well By Chiodos

It took me a while to get used to Craig Owens exceptionally high voice and funny scream, but their music is just good. I don't even know how to explain it, it's not really catchy or anything. It's just really darn good! If somebody came up to me and said, "Hey Fatso, why do you like Chiodos' music so much?" I wouldn't even know what to say. After calling them something meaner than fatso, I would probably just imitate the apple jacks commercials from the 90's and say, "I just...do!"

#9 Absolution by Muse

This album is incredible, it really is. The reason it's not ranked better on the list is because it's not entirely in the style(s) I most enjoy, and it's loaded with choruses that will get stuck in your head. Is that a bad thing? Nope. But for me it often means the album grows old faster. As for style, well that's just a personal preference, some of the slower quieter songs just aren't my favorite. But Muse definitely knows how to make music and I would wager they're better musicians than most of the bands on this list. ...or at least Matthew Bellamy is. =D

#8 Silence by Blindside

I really like this album. I think it takes some getting used to at first, just like any Blindside album, because their music is a little more all over the place rather than just following the melody or playing four chords repeatedly. But that's one of the things that keeps it fresh. (Bethany, you can have "keeps it fresh") It's also quite admirable because not only do they have to come up with vocal melodies but they also have to come up with complimentary instrument melodies as well. That's tough. Anyway, once you're used to it, this is an excellent hardcore album.

#7 Brother, Sister by mewithoutYou

Not only is this album really good but it's also unique. There isn't another like it, not even amongst mewithoutYou's other works, really. Brilliant poetic lyrics, talented instrumental work to back Aaron's well-known reciting style vocals, and this album more than their preceding two has more singing. Though Aaron isn't the greatest singer (I like that about him) he really pulls it off in this album using his own style. It's great. (It even features a melodica!)

#6 The Anti-Mother by Norma Jean

I'm right at home with music like this. It's very angry and very heavy. But since I'm an artist as well (I guess, heh) I don't want a bland album filled with nothing but pounding guitars and a constant monotone scream, I do enjoy some variety in my angry music, lol. So while Cory Brandan screams his brains out (eww brains) the album also features some turbo singing (including guest singers from The Deftones, Helmet, and Saosin), and some delightful guitar melodies. If you're an angry music hoser that grows weary of straight monotone screaming like As I Lay Dying (sorry Charlie), then stop scaling the high horse and go fight The Anti-Mother!

#5 Drawing Black Lines by Project 86

My beloved Project 86, probably my favorite band overall. Each album of theirs is unique even from each other, and this one isn't an exception. It's my favorite amongst their stuff because I've enjoyed it the most. Even if I get tired of it, I've found I can go back later and it's fresh as a daisy!* It's also a nice change of scenery from other music because the bass is outstanding. I don't know who did the editing but they brought out the bass lines and I'm glad they did. The album doesn't offer much in the way of vocal melodies, but that means it won't get tiresome, at least not for a long while. That's one of the reasons I think I can come back to it again and again. Beauty.**
* (omg strange brew reference!)
** (omg another strange brew reference!)

#4 Lost In The Sound of Separation / Define The Great Line by UnderØATH

I can't decide which album is better. UnderØATH has undergone so many changes and up to this point I'm not that enthusiastic about them. But upon reaching these albums, they easily hit my list of favorite bands. Both albums are very solid and they each have a very solemn and sober mood amidst the chaos and screaming. And although there is indeed chaos and screaming both in guitar and vocals, there is also some delightful singing throughout it all. Both albums go out with an epic ending, which leaves me every time thinking, "Whoa. That was intense."

#3 The Great Depression by Blindside

Blindside again. This album never ceases to astound me. As titled, it is seriously depressing but at the same time it's beautiful. It took quite a few listens to get used to but after learning the songs, it captivated me. For one thing I'm quite impressed at its depressing mood. (its depressing is impressing, ha!) I reviewed it here once before and I believe I said it was kind of a journey listening to it, and rightly so as Blindside took a trip to Africa beforehand, which inspired their music for the album. It wades you through all this beautifully written poetry of doom and gloom, and then ends with the song When I Remember, which might be the most beautiful song I've ever heard. It's had me in tears more than once because after all the depression there's hope and joy. I think this album is Blindside greatest moment. But perhaps they'll outdo themselves in the future?

#2 No Sir, Nihilism Is Not Practical by Showbread

Showbread is weird, man. This album took me about five full listens before I even liked it, but heavens did it pay off in the end! Andrew liked it instantly but I was slow. One of the reasons it takes a bit of work is because the album follows no patterns or familiar roads. It's unique and it's all over the place. One moment they'll be screaming, the next they'll be singing with music so simple it could be directed towards children. Yet, the more I learned the songs and what to expect, the more I realized just how much fun this album can be to hear. For one thing, because of its constant twists and turns (seriously I think everyone in the band has ADD) the album never gets old! I've heard it a hundred times and I'm still not tired of it! If one of their melodies gets stuck in your head, you needn't worry because that melody only plays for 15-30 seconds in one song, then they move on to something else, heh. If that's not enough, it also has a BEAUTIFUL song "Matthias Replaces Judas" featuring Reese Roper (from Five Iron Frenzy) and it also has a song about Evil Dead, so there you go.

#1 Fury of The Doorknobs by Decaying Lawn!

Just Kidding. The REAL number one iiiisss....

#1 Vheissu by Thrice!

My word #1 was hard to choose, especially between these top three (Decaying Lawn excluded.) Vheissu is yet another one that I didn't like at first. Everybody kept talking about how good Thrice was, so I forced myself to listen. At last, one of the songs caught on. It was Moths To Flame. After that I got ahold of the album itself and that's when everything exploded. It was like I gained new wisdom to realize just how fantastic the album is! The first song is a little punkish, almost like their old style, but after that it's new grounds all the way, a complete change of style for Thrice. My favorite thing about this album is the passion. At one moment there will be a swirl of piano, guitars, and perhaps background synths as Dustin Kensrue sings along, and then after it all builds up to the end, he lets loose and starts shouting as the instruments back him up with the most epic melodies. And Dustin doesn't have a shrieking or wailing scream, he just shouts it out and he does extremely well. He is all that is man. =D The album ends with Red Sky, which seems to be liked by most people even if they haven't gotten into the rest of the album. It's an all around great song. Lastly, I'd like to point out that the guys in Thrice are super talented musicians, making use of creative timing and difficult instrumental work. If I were to put anybody on this list in a talent show against Muse up there, it would probably be Thrice. They know their stuff.



THE END!

I forgot I went to the Whit's End building in Colorado! Too much Mount Rushmore made me forget I suppose. ...or the fact that it wasn't that monumental. But it was still Whit's End!

I ought to be updating this more often. I can't be like the masses and sink into facebook oblivion. That's for the fat people. Comics are a lot of work, man. Like to create a whole graphic novel yourself would take approx. five hundred years. You couldn't even do it in a lifetime. That's why I admire guys like Hergé, Goscinny & Uderzo, and Doug TenNapel. And Alex Ross. Oh my goodness. I want to do it though. I shall become immortal.

I might get a new job. Flippity fwang! That'll be an adventure. I just can't STAND the people I work with!! Just kidding. Mom can't really offer me the hours I'd like right now. And I need school moneys!

Is there a word for the act of having done improv? 'Cause improved is already a word. Improv'd? "Jazz is supposed to be improv'd?"

I was thinking I'd write some big thing about Ecclesiastes but then I figured it would be meaningless.