Soggy Waffles - Madonna

New Alice In Wonderland Trailer - wowza

Here is the trailer for what is sure to be next year's blockbuster hit, Tim Burton's "Alice In Wonderland", starring Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter...ought to be interesting. It is a story of Alice going back as a 19 year old, to the Wonderland she knew as a girl and running into her old friends again. Enjoy!

The Race - a poem from senior studio

While cleaning my room, I came across this poem I wrote one [late] night in Senior Studio:
The Race
Bowed legs harbor a slowly-stooping structure: a frame. A frame once upright, now hunched. A frame which supports a head that houses weary eyes. A head that holds a brain. A brain that is a prize-winning racehorse of which caffeine is the jockey and there is no finish line in sight. Legs shaking, body defeated, brain wild and unpredictable. It makes lists. Revives old memories. Wants further stimulation from television, but will not be rewarded. Veteran white blood cells unaware of viruses lurking ever nearer are nestled in their beds for the night while the rookies attempt to keep watch over the structure. A yawn escapes as a digital 4:24 becomes a digital 4:25. Muscles loosen and begin to relax. Teeth earlier drenched in coffee, now lay unbrushed. The brain slows to a trot as the jockey dismounts and leads it back to the stable. There will be another race tomorrow.
-2/3/09
This was scribed about the 4th week of classes...and it was only the beginning of a looooooooooong semester.

A Creed

Some pretty cool and powerful words by a WWI vet

"My Creed" by Dean Alfange

I do not choose to be a common man.

It is my right to be uncommon. I seek opportunity... Not security.

I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state to dream and build, to fail, and to succeed.

I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia.

I will not trade freedom for beneficence, nor my dignity for a hand out. I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat.

It is my heritage to stand erect, proud, and unafraid; to think and act for myself; enjoy the benefits of my creations; and to face the world boldly and say, "This I have done with my own hand, I am a man. I am an American." -

Listen to it here

*Originally published in This Week Magazine. Later printed in The Reader’s Digest, October 1952 and January 1954.

Soggy Waffles - Semicolon

Newords

I've started to notice this phenomenon in recent American culture: using words that already exist, adding a letter or 2 to them, and 'cello' its a new word - or 'neword' (©stephenfloyd09).

Here are some examples:

*Dollar Menunaire from McDonald's

They used this to try and connect with the lazy, cheap, slobs of American society. I mean look at that dude guy in the ad, more like a "hair-don't". Shoulda called this class of people 'Lazeap Slobicans' - basically the same thing.

*Mexicutioner - Joakim Soria for the KC Royals - no Mexplanation needed.


*"Ginormous" from the movie Elf

Yes, our friends at Webster's Dictionary & Other Spelling Books Company have decided to add this 'neword' into their end all, be all book of definitions. C'mon! Its a compound word of both 'gigantic' and 'enormous'. Before you know it 'cotton-headed-ninny-muggins' will be a way for kids to get their mouths washed out with soap.

*Staycation - this is a vacation that you take in your home state or surrounding area

Isn't the point of a vacation to 'get away'? YES. Its dumb to think you need to go in debt to be on a cruise 6 weeks every summer anyways - unless of course you are the captain of a cruise ship. Then I suppose you come to Kansas.

*Bromance - A non-sexual relationship between 2 straight men that are unusually close

Really? We're allowing this? That's just brotastic.

*Scrotegé - looks up to and acts just like a toolbag that he admires

See what I mean?

Since I fancy myself as a 'pun master' of sorts, I have decided to add to this trend:
*Preancé - Someone you are dating who you are sure will become your fiancé soon
*Freevening - An evening all to yourself, especially one with no plans
*Myena - A pet hyena that is only yours
*Gunderwear - A holster for your gun
*Cupgrade - a. Larger drink at a restaurant b. a teenage girl getting older

Have any to add?

Ultimate Road Trip Mix CD

I'm headed out to the Middle of Nowhere KS this weekend so to help get me there, I set out today to make the most awesome road-trip mix cd the world has ever heard. I believe I have achieved a nirvana-like success (not the band, but rather the beatitude that transcends the cycle of reincarnation, ya know.) My list had to include songs that were good for the ROAD, not just good in general.



1. That usually means that they are from the classic rock genre. Because let's face it, when these songs came out people had 8-track players in their cars and engines bigger and louder than a robot playing a pink electric guitar - so the music had to be rockin enough to hear above the roar of these beasty machines.
2. This also means that the songs had to have a good rhythm and lyrics. This also fits most classic rock songs.
3. Songs about cars, traveling, or summertime are a must as well. Some songs, The Mamas & The Papas "California Dreamin'", "Keys to the Hovercar" by Andy McKee, The Beatles' "Ticket To Ride", and "Lowrider" by War unfortunately did not make the cut.
4. Has to be fun to sing to. And I have to know the lyrics to it. Both have to happen.

Here is the list that I came up with, let this ear candy give you brain cavities:
"Born To Be Wild" - Steppenwolf - This has got to be the ultimate road trip song.
"Hot Rod Lincoln" - Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen - Song about a car going really fast, with an awesome bass line? You bet it made the list.
"The Boys of Summer" - The Ataris - I know Don Henley sang the original, but this newer version really lends itself to be a road trip worthy song. Newer rock riffs and less pop strums is why it makes the cut. Plus it has the word "Summer" in the title.
"Takin' Care of Business" - Bachman Turner Overdrive - TCB by BTO just a flat-out sweet song for the road
"Radar Love" - Golden Earring - Their only hit. Maybe the only song they ever wrote. Quality over quantity.
"Sweet Home Alabama" - Lynyrd Skynyrd - This song is SO over played and very predictable to make this list, hence it made the list.
"Here I Go Again On My Own" - Whitesnake - Epic song. Great one to sing along to. A nice break in the midst of so many thunderous classics.
"Summer of '69" - Bryan Adams - Had to make it. Such a sweet ballad. Not to mention "Summer" is in the title. It just had to be. Also, the beginning has to be played very loud.
"The Boys Are Back In Town" - Thin Lizzy - Fun to sing echo on this one. I think these cats are great.
"Crazy On You" - Heart - One of the few bands I can stand that is fronted by a woman. Awesome beginning, awesome chorus, awesome guitar licks.
"Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" - Journey - One of my all-time favorite songs. Amazing from beginning to end. Also have to play this one loud at the beginning. I am a synthesizer sympathizer at heart.
"Foreplay/Long Time" - Boston - A 7:50 song wouldn't normally make a list like this, but how can you not have it make the cut? Such a classic song and the best intro to any song all-time. Yep, just said it.
"Hungry Like The Wolf" - Duran Duran - The "Do-do-dos" of the bridge are perfect for the road. This one barely made the cut, but its classic, has good rhythm, and is fun to sing to.
"Cold As Ice" - Foreigner - One of my favorite bands ever. The beginning is stellar. Although it is a bit slower, it still has opportunity for some good air guitar and air drum parts.
"Rock You Like A Hurricane" - Scorpions - Do I even need to explain this one? Didn't think so.
"Sink Hole" - Drive By Truckers - A fun song to sing along to and has excellent rhythm. Not classic rock, but has that same feeling. Great for crusin'!
"Bad To The Bone" - George Thorogood - BBBBBBBB-Awesome song! Another epic tune (and predictable list-maker).
"Cold Hard B***h" - Jet - Yes mom, this song has a bad word in the title. I'm sorry. Its about this female dog that get frozen stiff... Jet has a sweet classic rock sound and feel to many of their songs and this one is one of those that fits the bill.

Road Trippin' Vol. 1 has been set. Feel free to let me know if I missed an obvious song, but I'm pretty sure I did not. Maybe a Vol. 2 could happen with some less classic rock and some more newer songs, doubt it.

PS - RIP the biggest Thriller of all time.