Oh Monday Nights...

As everyone knows we are in the middle of football season, and I don't have cable. All I have is whatever I am lucky enough to pick up on the bunny ears. Now on weekends this isnt a problem because all games are played on local channels. But what about Monday Night Football? It's on ESPN. Now this may not be that big of a deal to most, but it is a major deal to me. And it seemed like this past Monday that it really hit me that I've been missing Monday Night Football all season, and I didnt like it. I love watching football.

So I'm not able to watch the games on TV. But there is another way for me to keep up with the game, on the internet through something they call Sports Trac. I usually use the one that is on NFL.com. They have live updates about the scores, in game stats, and whatever down it may be and how many yards to go. This definately isnt my first choice to watch a football game, but its all I got...and it will have to do for the time being.

Now Thursday Night Football is much the same, with one small difference. The game is on cable, the NFL Network, and I dont have cable. Although i can still actually watch the game. Through NFL.com for every game aired on the NFL Network they also show the game in real time on the website. Now this is just awesome. I actually just discovered this last week and it was amazing. I was actually watching a football game via the internet. This was serioulsy one of the coolest experiences of my life, I never thought I would be watching live TV on the internet.

Song of the day

"Something I Can Never Have"

Nine Inch Nails (later covered by Flyleaf)

I still recall the taste of your tears.

Echoing your voice just like the ringing in my ears.

My favorite dreams of you still wash ashore.

Scraping through my head 'till I don't want to sleep anymore.

[Chorus:]

You make this all go away.

You make this all go away.

I'm down to just one thing.

And I'm starting to scare myself.

You make this all go away.

You make this all go away.

I just want something.

I just want something I can never have

You always were the one to show me how

Back then I couldn't do the things that I can do now.

This thing is slowly taking me apart.

Grey would be the color if I had a heart.

Come on tell me

[Chorus]

In this place it seems like such a shame.

Though it all looks different now,I know it's still the same

Everywhere I look you're all I see.

Just a fading fucking reminder of who I used to be.

Come on tell me

[Chorus]

I just want something I can never have

Media Experiment

So I was finally able to conduct my little media experiment this past weekend. I ended up doing it on Saturday. Now I know it was impossible to avoid media all together unless i just locked myself in a closet all day. But I chose the forms of media that one would think that I would not be able to live without, my music, internet, TV, and phone. Like I said other forms of media were impossible to avoid, such as billboards and other outdoor advertisements.

This was definately a weird and different experience for me. When I woke up Saturday the first thing I wanted to do was go to my MP3 player, but I stopped myself because I remembered the "Experiment". So I thought to myself, "this is going to be a long day". But luckily I had a busy day scheduled so that it would help me get through it, hopefully. My plans consisted on going to work for my dad, so I had to tell him that we couldn't listen to the radio on the way to work, or at work. He didn't really enjoy that too much, but he did it anyway. I even left my phone at home the entire day so i wouldnt be tempted to call or text anyone and in case someone called or text me I wouldnt answer.

So work was over and we got home. Well it was Saturday, and you know what that means, college football. I wasnt able to watch any of it. What a great day to decide to do my experiment, what an idiot. But I toughed it out and was able to not watch any college football, and OU was playing too. Now that was hard. While my dad was out in the living room watching the games, I locked myself in my room and read a book. That was odd. I typically don't read much, but on that day I would say that I got quite a bit done.

On most days I check Facebook on a pretty regular basis, but not Saturday. That was definately strange. That was probably the first day I havent gotten on Facebook in God knows how long. Im sure some of my friends out there probably thought I was dead or something since I didnt get on, haha.

But all in all I survived. I made it the entire day without my favorite forms of media. Definatley not something that I would want to do again, it pretty much sucked. It was a long boring day. I mean I almost felt Amish, except I still had my truck and minus the cool beards. It was really interesting to see how my day went and not only how different my day went, but also I felt throughout the day. That day made me realize how much my life is consumed my media. But the second it turned midnight I went straight for my MP3 player for some music. The first song that I heard was "How to Handle a Rope" by Queens of the Stone Age (I wonder what the song of the day is gonna be).

Well that concludes my day without media experiment. Results: Terrible. Conclusion: Never gonna happen again.

Now I highly recommend that you go listen to this song, because although they are great lyrics you just can't get the full effect of the song without the actual music and Josh Homme on guitar.

Song of the Day
"How to Handle a Rope"
Queens of the Stone Age

Too late to think or filter anymore
A bitter pill to swallow Maybe you're in a blanket haze of ephedrine
I'm wonderin where the hell you been
So come on and right this wrong the rope

[chorus:]
You got it all right
You got a feeling
I'd rather open up my wrist, let it go
You got it all rightYou got a feeling
Cause devils and ropes around your neck
Cursing them all
And you can't hear it
Can't hear it

Ain't got a mind to deal with anymore
Sabatuer, infiltrator, and maybe more
If you're not blind and deaf, how can we pollute your head?
So come on and right this wrong the rope

[chorus:]
And I got it all right
I got a feeling
You'd rather open up your wrist, let it go
I got it all right, yeah
I got a feeling
Cause devils and ropes around my neck can't even know
Cause they can't hear it

Frustrated With the Media

Ok so I know i was supposed to conduct my experiment "this" time but there is something in particular that is, or should I say not, going on that I just need to comment on. This is something I need to get off my chest, and quite frankly it does upset me to some degree.

The issue that I am referring to is the media coverage, or lack there of, of the UCA shooting. I believe that it was October 26, 2008 when there was a shooting at the campus of the University of Central Arkansas. 3 people were shot, 2 killed and 1 wounded. Now when it initially happened of course you heard about it on TV. But honestly I don't think that this incident got the coverage that was needed. I remember when the Virginia Tech shooting happened last year and that was all you heard for God knows how long, but that is a good thing. Its almost like the people in the media look at this as a story that has already happened. It's not new therefore it isn't worthy of our time because it is something we have seen before. Well honestly I find that terrible. Granted not as many people were killed in this shooting, but people were still killed. Its like their deaths weren't as popular and weren't newsworthy because it had already happened. And like I stated before, I find this terrible. I think a tragedy like this should be seen and heard by all, not only so we can be aware of whats going on but so we can also mourn for those who have passed.

Maybe I'm overreacting to the whole situation but it is how I feel about it, and its my blog...so there.

Now there were actually three choices for song of the day today, and these songs came on one right after the other when I was listening to my MP3 player. They are Sideways by Citizen Cope, Heart Strong by Silvertide and Now I'm a Fool by the Eagles of Death Metal. Now I'm only going to post one, but i recommend you check out the other two as well. Great songs.

Song of the Day
Sideways
Citizen Cope

You know it ain't easy
For these thoughts here to leave me
There's no words to describe it
In French or in English
Well, diamonds they fade
And flowers they bloom
And I'm telling you
These feelings won't go away
They've been knockin' me sideways
They've been knockin' me out lately
Whenever you come around me
These feelings won't go away
They've been knockin' me sideways
I keep thinking in a moment that
Time will take them away
But these feelings won't go away

Purchases Through Media

Ok so I know I was supposed to conduct my little experiment for my next blog entry, but this just wasn't a good week for me to go without my music and internet. It probably would have ended badly. But I promise the next blog entry will contain my experiment. I know you can't wait.

There is still plenty to talk about though. Recently I went to visit some friends of mine and they have cable TV. So getting to be at their house and watch some TV for the first time in I don't know how long was a real treat. Going so long without something like TV you learn to appreciate it and enjoy it when you actually do get the chance to watch it. The majority of the TV that we ended up watching was ESPN, go figure. It was great, I mean I got to see Sportscenter. I can't tell you the last time I saw that.

One thing that I did request to watch was some news. I was hoping to catch up on the presidential election and see what was going on at the moment. Well suprise suprise all I got were news networks trying to get their liberal agandas across. It seemed like everything was negative towards both McCain and Palin and it just makes me sick. Media is supposed to be unbiased, and I just don't think it is fair. It's like they don't even care anything about the actual politics, they just want to see their party in control for some stupid power trip or status symbol. Oh well, thats the country we live in.

On a more positive note I just bought the new Eagles of Death Metal CD, Heart On. Which is weird for me because I usually don't by too many CDs, I just download it or borrow it from friends. But for some reason I decided I actually wanted this CD. It's a great CD. I've lost count of how many times I've already listened to it. I ordered it online, which is something that I've noticed is becoming more popular. People seem to be doing more shopping online. I guess we are becoming so lazy we can't even go out and walk around a mall to buy things. But I'm not judging because I am guilty of it myself. Most recently I've ordered shorts, pants, t-shirts and of course CDs. But still it is something I find interesting that we are starting to do more and more.

Song of the Day:
Anything 'Cept The Truth
Eagles of Death Metal

Ask me why I came so late
Ask me why I made you wait
Here's a story that you ought to know...
I had a little fight
I was dancin' at a Go-Go

I'll tell you anything baby 'cept the truth
I'll tell you anything baby 'cept the truth
I got nothin' but everything to prove
I never smile when I tell a lie
I swear the only one tonight

Ask me if I can be true
Ask me where I'm going to
I say I love you, but you oughta know
I only love the night & I always gotts Go-Go

I'll tell you anything baby 'cept the truth
I'll tell you anything baby 'cept the truth
I got nothin' but everything to prove
I never smile when I tell a lie
I swear the only one tonight

Crisis Averted!

These past two days haven't been my best days when it comes to my media interaction. I will first start off with the lesser of the two situations. When I got back to my apartment from school today I did what I always do, went to get on my computer. Well the internet wasn't working for some odd reason. It showed that I was connected and everything was good, it just flat out wouldn't work. I was not too happy about this at all. I don't have TV so my computer and the internet are my main source of entertainment. If im not on Facebook or Myspace I'm most likely watching TV shows on Youtube or Hulu or some other site like that. But after about an hour or so it started to work, I guess you could say that my life was back on track. How sad is that, haha.

Now for the major situation. Now as I have stated in a previous blog there is a very large portion of my life dedicated to listening to music. Like I said, I even listen to it in my sleep. So yesterday I get in my truck to go to school and I plug in my MP3 player to listen to it in the truck, as always. Well when I turned it on it flashed, "LOW BATTERY". Not good. I would have been able to survive the drive because I have a few random CDs in my truck to listen to, but what I was worried about was spending all day on campus without any music. That is something I have never done, not sure if I even could. But luckily I was able to find my charger in my truck so I could charge it on the way to school. And it just so happened that it got just enough juice to last me all day on campus. Crisis averted.

These two situations made me think though. How would someone handle being without their favorite form of media for a day. Could that person survive, or would it drive them to the brink of insanity? Well I have decided that for my next blog entry I am going to conduct a little experiment. Im going to go an entire day without my two favorite forms of media...my computer and internet, and my music. One whole day without either. So if you see me on campus one day next week and I look a little edgy, you might want to watch out. Just kidding. But I'm seriously not too sure how I'm going to handle this whole situation. Wish me luck.

Song of the Day:
Possum Kingdom
The Toadies

Make up your mind
Decide to walk with me
Around the lake tonight
Around the lake tonight
By my side
By my side
I'm not gonna lie
I'll not be a gentleman
Behind the boathouse
I'll show you my dark secret
I'm not gonna lie
I want you for mine
My blushing bride
My lover, be my lover, yeah...
Don't be afraid
I didn't mean to scare you
So help me, Jesus
I can promise you
You'll stay as beautiful
With dark hairAnd soft skin...forever
Forever
Make up your mind
Make up your mind
And I'll promise you
I will treat you well
My sweet angel
So help me, Jesus
(hey, hey, hey)
Give it up to me
Give it up to me
Do you wanna be
My angel?
So help me!
Be my angel
Be my angel
Do you wanna die?
I promise you
I will treat you well
My sweet angel
So help me,
JesusJesusJesusJesus...

My Life and Media: Brief History

My life is definately affected by the media, that is obvious.Anywhere from TV, music, internet, to just a simple billboard along the highway. I don't think I know of anybody's life whose isn't. But the way that it affects me has changed me drastically just a few short months ago. I recently moved out on my own and I had to make a major decision: cable or internet. ultimately I chose internet. Talk about a huge change going from watching TV all the time, to not at all...unless you count watching the local crap channels that come in all fuzzy.

These days without TV I would say that my main interaction with media with have to be surfing the internet and listening to music. Being the typical college student I tend to find myself surfing the internet alot, it's getting pretty bad. And yes I will admit it, I am addicted to Facebook and Myspace. But who isn't these days? I don't necessarily see that as a bad thing because it is a good way to keep in contact with all my friends who have gone their seperate ways after highschool. It is also a way that you can become reunited with people, like most recently me and my cousin who haven't seen each other in a very long time got in contact on Facebook and have been able to catch up on what is going on with one another. It's pretty cool.

Now on to the form of media that I would say that has completely consumed my life: music. Pretty much if I'm not in class im listening to music, I even listen to it in my sleep. I always have it on, whether be on my computer in my room, or my MP3 player in my truck or my MP3 player with my headphones in walking around campus. Even as I sit here and write this blog I am listening to my music. And I have such a large playlist with such a wide variety of music you never know what you might come across. I would say that the best part about having such a large playlist would be the fact that you could hear a song that you haven't heard in forever and it gets you excited because it's almost like the first time hearing it.

One thing that I am going to do in my blog is that in every entry I am going to post lyrics to a song that I've heard that day that was particularly good to hear.


Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick And Titch
Hold Tight

Hold tight, count to three,
Gotta stay close by me
And hold tight, sing and shout
Just ride my round-about
And hold tight, shut your eyes, girl,
You suit me for size.
Forget the other guys.
You'll never fall each time you call.
Hold tight, hold tight, hold tight.

Hold tight make me feel
What you say is for real
And hold tight, Carousel, girl,
You'll soon ring my bell
And hold tight, we will fly,
Swinging low, swinging high.
We're gonna make the sky.
You'll never fall each time you call.
Hold tight, hold tight, hold tight.

Hold tight, count to three,
Gotta stay close by me
And hold tight, sing and shout
Just ride my round-about
And hold tight, shut your eyes, girl,
You suit me for size.
Forget the other guys.
You'll never fall each time you call.
Hold tight, hold tight, hold tight.