The King-O-Pop’s blog

When I find interesting articles I try to bring as much attention to them as possible so here we go-

http://www.newsweek.com/id/192583/page/1

Here is a fun game I just came up with and you all can play along.  It is a little twist to the old top five list.  Because I am such a huge music buff that loves all sorts of music from classical to metal to jazz, hip hop, alternative, whatever, I get tons of people telling me, "Oh, you must love these guys!"  So I thought it would be fun to do a

Top 5 Bands People Think I Should Really Love But I Can Not Stand To Listen To-

5.  Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band-

      Nope, don't like em.  Bottom line is of course(and this will be repeated through out this top five) they are incredibly over rated.  I just don't get the whole boss thing.  I agree they are very talented and I do really like the song Glory Days, as well as many songs Bruce has wrote for other artist(Blinded By The Light, Because the Night, Light of Day, he did a lot of ight songs) but I just don't enjoy his voice and his performances to me are really very blah, who cares if you put on a 5 hour show if the whole thing sucks.

4.  Elvis-

     Presley, not Costello.  Yes I am going straight for the "KING".  Probably the single most over rated performer ever.  Elvis to me is just a reminder of how prejudice our country was and still is.  Rock and Roll was created by blacks preformed unbelievably well by blacks but got little to no respect or air play until this country singer started his mediocre versions of the black music, he was the Vanilla Ice of Rock and Roll.  I must admit I do really enjoy his later lounge singer gospel stuff(I love In The Ghetto and of course Hunk of Burning Love) but his early "Rock" just annoys me.  But no matter how annoying I find him it is not as bad as-

3.  Dave Matthew's Band-

     I just can't get into them at all.  Every one I know will be shocked by this, and some a little pissed off but I just don't like stoner hippy jam bands.  I understand they are all amazing musicians, but their music is just so boring.  People are always telling me how moving they are, but I just don't see it.  I guess this is another thing I am missing out on from not doing drugs. 

 So that might piss of some of my friends but this one is really going to do the job-

2.  Radiohead-

     So why might you ask would someone who loves music like I do, hate Radiohead one of the most critically acclaimed bands ever?  The answer-Jennifer Fuckin' Aniston.  Yeah, Jennifer Aniston.  I use to read Rolling Stone every month religiously to keep up on music and pop culture.  There was this article when Jen was married to Brad featuring her trying to be the cool Hollywood person.  They followed her into a music store and while she was looking for new CD's for her and Brad.  She states, "You know it is just so hard to find good music these days.  It is like all the band are trying to be Radiohead and they are just not as good as Radiohead."  This just made me hate Radiohead.  Radiohead became the go to band for people that did not really listen to good alternative music but wanted so bad to look like they were cool.  Look, look, I listen to Radiohead!  I'm a deep person that really understands music and emotion!  I am cool, please like me, I am cool.  But the bottom line is they are not really that great of a band and when it comes to pulling out an album and listening to the whole thing Radiohead is one of the last I would even consider.  And Jennifer Fuckin' Aniston, nobody is trying to be Radiohead, no one is that pretenses and self delusional as Radiohead.  Well accept of course

1.  Coldplay-

     Can I be the one that openly states it loud and clear-COLDPLAY SUCKS!  I find there music listenable.  I don't know how they became THE BAND for all the stars to love.  Good lord did you watch the Grammies this year, every band and singer was like "Wow, I can't believe I won!  Cold play was my favorite."  They have became the slightly alternative band that everybody thinks is going to give them the artsy cred they need to be cool. 

Yes it is the blog 17 years in the making.  The Most anticipated blog EVER!!  As all of my loyal readers (yep that’s you Ralph) probably know I am one of the biggest music buffs you will ever meet.  So of course you all have been waiting eagerly for the last 17 years for my personal review of Axl Rose’s long awaited solo album (I just can’t bring myself to call it Guns N’ Roses) Chinese Democracy!  

Well of course when I heard it was coming out finally after the countless number of setbacks and personnel changes I jumped right up the day after it came out when I was bored and had absolutely nothing else to do went down to Best Buy (the only place it is for sale) and picked up a copy (if you want one for yourself they have about thirty five million copies at my local Best Buy, must be really moving of the selves).  Now after waiting for 17 years for this album to come out I know I was going to have way to high of expectations, so I first cleared my head and said to myself, “Now this is just some album I picked up today.  I will only judge it with what is out today.  Not what I think this band should put out, just rather or not it is a good album and worth buying.”  Yep, I looked like a psycho sitting in the Best Buy parking lot having a pretty long conversation with myself.  But I do believe I was able to “Listen Without Prejudice” as my good friend Kevin pointed out is the way George Michaels would do.  So I remove the wrapper from the CD in front of Best Buy like I always do with every CD to make sure the case is not broken before I get to my car and throw away the wrapper in the trash, I do not litter and you should not either.  

I popped the CD in my truck and listened away.  I was in love!  The very first song, which just happens to be the title cut Chinese Democracy, kicked my ass.  Axl belting it out with the distinctive guitar sounds of the amazing (and really fucking weird) Buckethead.  Now I am bias on this one, I have been a big fan of Buckethead since seeing him back in 1999 on the Ozzfest with Primus, great show!  If you enjoy strange and beautiful guitar work I strongly recommend picking up some of Buckethead’s solo projects or better yet catch him in concert, he is currently touring and will be in my home town later this month.  But I digress; this was a really strong tune.  So we go on to song two-Shackler’s Revenge.  This one did not hit me as hard, but still a solid tune with more of the ripping guitar from my friend Buckethead.  Things are looking good; I am thinking this will be a really strong album.  Maybe just maybe Axl really did know what he was doing.  The third tune comes around and well it is there, not quite as strong as the second and nowhere near the first, but hey what album has all “singles” on it.  This is not Greatest Hits Collection, it is just an album.  A weak tune here or there is to be expected.  Well unfortunately that was the best tune of the rest of the album. 

So what is the verdict?   I really tried hard to just see this as just another album and not as a Gn’R album, but the truth is it is being billed as “The Most Anticipated Album Ever!”  So it is not just another album is it?  But the bottom line is with or without the hype it is not that great of an album.  It has a couple descent songs.  Now are they any were near the amazing tunes of Appetite for Destruction?  NO!   In fact it is my opinion that if an up and coming band would give this album to a record company, this album would never see the light of day.   Even with the couple of decent tunes.  Those tunes are good, but not strong enough to carry a whole album.  Seventeen years is a long time to wait for anything, and this was not quite worth that wait.

There is a horrible insurgence happening here in the U.S. and I think it is about time we do something about it.  These people have to be stopped or it will ruin everything we built as a society.  We need a Constitutional amendment to stop it.  It is happing all over the country infecting our youth.  It makes me sick to my stomach even thinking about it. 

I, of course, am talking about people eating cottage cheese.  This is the most disgusting food possible and I do not think the children of the world should be exposed to such filth. 

I am not saying that you can't eat cottage cheese, just please keep it in the privacy of your own home.  It is not about my own hatred for this type of food, it is about the sanctity of lunch and the lunch rooms everywhere.  We must protect our children ban together with me.  It is time we take a stand and bring the government in to protect our lunches.

Some people have told me this is ridiculous, and that we cannot govern what people choose to eat for lunch. I completely agree, but we are talking about a food that is just not natural. If God would have wanted us to eat cottage cheese he would have made it occur naturally. People have to acquire a taste for cottage cheese. This shows us that it is not natural for people to eat cottage cheese. As proof of this it is also not mentioned in the Bible.

If this does not make sense to you, that is ok, for this is how I feel every time I hear an argument against gay marriage. None of it makes sense. Why would anyone make a law to ban something just because you don’t like it, when it does not really affect you at all? I hate cottage cheese, with a passion, but I would never take away someone else’s rights to eat that nasty shit, I just won’t join them in a bowl. I am not gay. I don’t have anything against anyone who is, so I just won’t be marrying one myself. We have way too many laws trying to make us act and believe one way or another. We do not need any more. Let’s be the country we are suppose to be and let everyone be free.

Michael Jackson

ES 101/MWF 2:00-3:20

Nov 9, 2008

o, I was sitting here in a room with a crazy patient that has pneumonia board out of my mind and just trying to stay awake.  When they decided to bring me in a computer to give me something else to do, besides watching to make sure the crazy guy doesn't remove his IVs.  I figured this would be as good a time as any to update the old blogs.  

Well, first of all as you might know I passed my CNA test in February and past the OSBN(Oregon State Board of Nursing) CNA test in April, that was as soon as I could take it after the class ended.  So, now I can say I am board certified, wow.  I started 2 weeks ago at Sacred Heart Medical Center here in Eugene on the Progressive Cardiac Unit(PCU).  Night sift while I go to school during the day.  Working Night Sift is a very weird thing.  I am finding it a lot harder than I thought it would be.  The hard part is not staying up all night, but trying to get some sleep in the middle of the day.  You might think that would be easy, I mean who hasn't taking a nice nap in front of the tube in the middle of the day.  But going from a nap to an actual 6 to 8 hours of sleep is quite a leap.  So the lack of sleep is making me kind of loopy and quite irritable in my off hours.  I can some how manage to be nice and patient with the patients while I am working still. 

I was a little worried about my grades slipping because of my lack of sleep.  The last two chapters of my math class I did not get a grasp on.  I am sure this is because of the lack of sleep for I have always been able to get math.  It is just an exact science with little or no room for error, simple stuff.  So, I was really stressing my final, until I took it on Monday.  At that time I knew the absolute worst I could have done was to get a low A on it.  I checked the class web site three times today and at 3:34 they finally posted the grades and I got a 94%.  Pissed me off!  I really wanted my final grade in that class to be in the upper 90's and it is hovering at 94.   Oh, well still and A, and my other class I have a 96% in so it is a 4.0 for my first summester bach in school in 15 years.  Not bad for a dyslesic car salesman. 

So, I am going to get my BSN and stay in nursing, I just love it.  I believe I have found my true calling, if there is such a thing.  This of course means lots of school work for at least 3-4 more years, but you know I really enjoy collage now as an adult.  If I would have known how easy it was to go back to school and how much I would enjoy it, I would have done this years ago.  Granted I would not have been allowed to because my wife would not have let me reduce my income, the greedy little,  oh that must be the lack of sleep typing sorry about that. 

I lifted this from an email sent to me.  Look it over and find out more about Obama to decide for yourself, I have already decided.

THE BASICS
Here are a few ways you can learn more, get the latest news, and share information with friends:

MEET BARACK
Watch a brief video and learn about Barack's early years, his education, his work as a community organizer and civil rights attorney, and his years in the Illinois and U.S. Senate. This is a great introduction to share with your friends:
http://my.barackobama.com/meetBarack

OFFICIAL CAMPAIGN BLOG
Catch up on the latest news, photos, and videos from the campaign trail and share your thoughts on our official campaign blog:
http://my.barackobama.com/blog

ISSUES
Learn more about Barack's positions on a variety of issues, from his opposition to the war in Iraq to his plan for universal health care:
http://my.barackobama.com/issues

FACTCHECK ACTION CENTER
Barack Obama stands for a new kind of politics -- without the smear tactics that we're all fed up with. You can help push back against negative attacks and distortions right now by telling people about Barack and his background. The truth is only as strong as your voice:
http://my.barackobama.com/factcheckaction

VIDEOS
Watch a few of the more than 500 videos from the campaign trail on our YouTube channel:
http://my.barackobama.com/youtubechannel

OBAMA MOBILE
Our movement is ready to go wherever you are. Text HOPE to 62262 (OBAMA) to receive text updates on your mobile phone and advance notice about local Obama events:
http://my.barackobama.com/mobile

ORGANIZING
Barack Obama got his start as a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago, and since he declared his candidacy in 2007, a nationwide network of supporters have taken this campaign into their own hands, organizing online and their local communities. Here are some ways to get involved:

LOCAL GROUPS AND EVENTS
My.BarackObama is an organizing tool that empowers you to take this campaign into your own hands. Connect with other supporters in your area and find out about local events, or create your own organizing group and schedule your own events:
http://my.barackobama.com

SPREAD THE WORD
Introduce your friends, family, neighbors, or coworkers to Barack Obama. Let them know why you support Barack and encourage them to join our movement for change:
http://my.barackobama.com/invite

BLOGS
There are more than 40,000 supporter created blogs on My.BarackObama where they chronicle their campaign experience and interact with other supporters. Find one for your community or launch your own today:
http://my.barackobama.com

ONLINE PHONEBANKING
Supporters like you have put us within reach of making 1,000,000 phone calls to registered voters by March 4th. Use our online phonebanking tool to reach out to voters in crucial states from the comfort of your home:
http://my.barackobama.com/call

POSTERS, FLYERS, AND ORGANIZING RESOURCES
Print your own posters, flyers, fact sheets, supporter cards, and dozens of other resources from our online resource library:
http://my.barackobama.com/resources

COMMUNITIES
Women for Obama and People of Faith for Obama are just two of the many communities large and small supporting Barack Obama. Explore a few of them here:
http://www.barackobama.com/people

We're entering the final stages of the Democratic primary process, and a strong grassroots network will be crucial to our continued success.

Take a moment to visit www.BarackObama.com and get involved today.

Ok, so this is really part 2 of "My Political Blog."  So if you have not read that one yet, you should really go back and read that one first or you might get slightly confused.  Of course I am not guaranteeing that you won't be confused anyways.  Sometimes I just don't make since.

So, last night I got the chance to go to see Obama speak at McArthur Court in Eugene, Oregon.  On Monday night Tanya text me, "Obama at Mc Court Friday!" 

I text her back, "Let's go!!" 

Tanya-"We have to sign up online" 

Me-"DO IT!"

Tanya-"You DO IT!" 

Me-"I am already in bed, you are in front of a computer."

Tanya several minutes later calls me to let me know that she signed up, but that it did not guarantee us a seat.  That it was still first come first serve, and the RSVP online thing was completely pointless.  "Oh," I told her,"We will just need to get there a couple hours early to make sure we get in.  I did that for Al Gore when he was the VP and got great seats."  Again I still must be quite naive about a lot of things.  I knew Obama was a big deal, I knew he was a great speaker and had good ideas.  I just had no idea that he would be such huge, and I am talking hug draw. 

The speech was to start at 9p.m.  That's right, 9p.m. in the evening.  Doesn't that seem more like a start time for a rock concert than a Presidential candidate's speech.  That is ok, this seemed much more like a rock show than any speech I have ever been to, and I have been to a few. 

We decide that we needed to get there at 5p.m. to get good seats.  We heard there was people lined up the day before already, obviously just a couple of nuts, right?  Nope.  We get there at 5 p.m.   Parked a few blocks away to avoid the after speech traffic and walked over the hill to Mc Court.  Tanya says, "My fear is we are going to get over this hill and see a huge mob of people."

I responded with, "Oh, I know we are going to see a mob of people."  I just did not know it was going to be the single biggest mob I have ever seen in the Eugene area.  This was intimidating as all hell the line stretched out for blocks.  We kept walking it to find the end, that was no where in sight.  As I walk past these thousands of people I just wanted to ask everyone, "Did you RSVP?"

Five blocks go by and still no end in sight but we are looping back around on Mc Court.  This is very odd I think, is the line going to wrap around itself? 

We get back to Mc Court.  What is going on?  We finally get to where the line stops and a sign that says, "Line starts here." 

"Line starts here."  I say as I point. 

Tanya is looking as confused as I was feeling, "How did that happen?"  She asks.

There was a family of people standing there, so we asked them nicely,"Now is this the end of the line or the beginning for these doors?(These doors were on the opposite side of Mc Court as the doors we started at.  Just in case you were confused.)" 

"No, this is the beginning of the line."  The nice young lady with red hair says.

We could not help but laugh.  Some how the two lines over lapped and I had no idea were we missed it.  We told them the story of walking the entire way around this amazingly large sports area.  They laughed and said as they looked at the people behind them,"That's ok, you found us your best friends who saved you spots in line."  It really pays to be nice to people, you never know who is going to turn around and do something great for you.

For the next two hours we got to know our "Long Time Best Friends" as they called us, and they were truly great people.  Very familiar with Penn & Teller, the oldest son being a juggler and amateur magician.  Just great people that we had a lot incoming with.  Except that one of them got there at 9 a.m. to hold spots and we were not going to do that. 

Finally at 6:30 p.m. they opened the doors and ushered people in.  We got great seats!  Twenty feet from where the stage. 

As the place filled the energy level of the crowd grew.  They chanted, they stomped, they started a wave, yep they started a wave. 

I have been to many Basketball games here before, and this building was known across the nation as being loud.  But I have never heard it this loud and seen this much energy here before.  This really made the Gore speech look like the mayor of Reno Nevada giving a speech on abstance.  There was not even half as many people to see him, and he was the Vice President of the United States of America at the time. 

I go to lots of Rock concerts, and I go to big named acts that fill stadiums.  I have never seen this much excitement for Kiss or Bon Jovi.  This was unbelievable. 

It was finally getting close to 9 p.m.  and we were getting louder.  How the Hell is that possible?!  We have been in here for nearly 3 hours and we are still excited and even louder and more excited!  WTF?

The retired Air Force General that was to introduce Obama gets on stage at 9, the crowd is deafaning.  He explains that Obama is going to be slightly late for he is out in the cold talking to well over 3,000 people that could not get in to make court in a soccer field next door.  Mc Court holds 9,000 people.  Eugene, Oregon is a very small town, third largest in Oregon, but still small. 

Obama arrives.  It was electric, I thought people were going to pass out.  Woman were going to throw their bras on the stage.  

I am not going to get into his speech, except to say once again I do not impress easily and I was VERY IMPRESSED!  Tanya and I both went in leaning towards Obama, but still undecied.  We both came out just saying, "WOW!"  Neither of us could even consider anyone else at this point.  He has the ideas, he has the plans, he has the support.  Let us change this country back to its former glory and get excited and proud to say we are Americans. 

I know I can not do him justice in my writing, so I am going to post a bunch of links on my next blog so you can learn more about him.

Sorry these have been so long, I hate long blogs.  I will try to keep them shorter and funnier in the future.  But this just got me so charged up I had to write about it.

I am not easily impressed these days with anyone, especially politicians.  I follow politics probably more than most.  I really enjoy it, and yet hate it.  I believe in America, and the democratic process.  And I hate the democratic process and fear for our future.  Now that might only make since to me, but if you do understand it you are one of the very few that I can relate to. 

I registered to vote the day I turned 18.  I made it a point to do it first thing in the morning and announce it to everyone in the post office it was my 18 birthday.  Of course they were kind of interested in why I was waiting at the post office door at 8 a.m.  I grow up in a tiny town and nobody before or ever after that point was waiting at this post office at 8 a.m. in the morning.  This made me late for school, which made me so very happy.  It gave me the opportunity to announce to everyone in class, "I registered to VOTE this morning!!!"  With of course the great fanfare of say a three year old remembering to flush the toilet, "Good for you, now sit down and get to work."  I never really understood why people were not excited for me. Before that when ever I herd anyone talk about registering or voting I was excited for them, I was even jealous.  They got a chance to make a difference in this world!  I was always so happy to be living here in the United States of America, a country for the people by the people and to be free.  Yea, I was pretty frikin naive. 

I turned 18 March 4, 1992.  This was an exciting time to be a teenager.  The Berlin Wall had fallen, the Cold War was finally over.  We could now focus more attention on the home front and making our great country even better, for everyone.  Get healthcare for everyone!  Make sure that all those wanting to go to college can get there.  Providing great education for everyone, no matter were they lived, their economic standings, or the color of their skin.  Again, I was really unbelievably naive.

I registered as a Republican, yea you just read the last statement right and the last paragraph was me too.  I was fiscally conservative, and thought the Republican part was at the time were I belonged.  Keep spending down, cut government waist, or these not great ideas?  I sure thought they were.  Plus, I believe that everyone has to work for what they get and there are no free hand outs.  I did not see that as falling in to the Democrat Party at that time.  I read every article I could on politics and the candidates that year, to see which one met my ideals the best.  So of course as a first year registered Republican I voted for Bill Clinton, and realized I did not belong in the Republican Party, big mistake there.  Shortly after the election I changed my party affiliation, did not want to do it before hand because I might not get to vote in the election.  And that would have been an incredible heart breaker for me at the time. 

As the years went by Clinton did not get any of the things that I voted for him for done(i.e.-healthcare, affordable college educations, better schools), but I still had hope.  And spending was down!  The budget was balanced, there was even the start of a surplus.  So when Al Gore, the Vice President of the United States of America, was coming the Eugene, Oregon to speak in 1996 you bet your ass I was going to be there standing in line to hear him.  He was a good speaker it was fun and informative, all the Democrats there were positive that Clinton/Gore was going to win the election so the whole focus was on the local elections.  Yea, he was a bit cocky.  But I wanted to make a difference so I volunteered for the campaign and went door to door.   Which gave me a much better insight into the Democrat Party, and there agenda. 

After much thought and information searching, it was obvious that this was not were I belong either.  The Libertarian Party was a perfect fit for me, its basis was exactly what I believed.  I could not believe that there was a party that I actually fit into.  But all the canidates were complete wack jobs and psychos, so off to independent world for me.  This was no big deal because the primary in Oregon has never really mattered anyways.  It was always decided long before it got out her to us. 

As the years went by I became more and more descusseded with politics.  Clinton's second term still did nothing I voted for him for.  There was some other things that he did that were great don't get me wrong, but not the main reasons I voted for him.  It really began to feel like my voice would never really be heard.  Maybe I was too middle of the road?  Maybe I should agree with the death penalty because I think everyone should be allowed to own a gun?  Maybe no one else in the world believes we should help those who are trying to help themselves, but make them work for it?  I felt like I tiny little minority that only Penn & Teller could speak up for.  There were a few years that went by that I did not even vote.(These were bad years were I really lost me in a lot of ways and felt like I sold my soul, but I will talk more about that later this blog is way too long as it is).

Through the years I have always kept up with politics but just did not feel like we the people could do anything about it.  I think an overthrow of the government was in need. 

Now in 2008 it would appear that Oregon's primary is actually going to matter.  So when I heard that Obama was coming to Eugene, you bet your ass I was going to be there.   More on this later.

I have been watching the GOP Candidates Debate tonight on msnbc, because it is usually when I watch Countdown.  And I can not believe these shitheads!  They make me totally sick.  They are so disconnected with the world, I have no clue what fantasy world these people live in.  When asked point blank and I quote, "Was the War in Iraq a bad idea and was it worth the loss of lives and treasure?"  Only one(Ron Paul, of course) was willing to say it was a bad idea and it was not worth the loss of lives!  WHAT THE FUCK?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  How could anyone not see that it is not worth all of our loss?  How do people still listen to these Fucks?  I don't think I will ever get it.

I fuckin' hate this new set up.  I can't get back to my home page without logging out and logging back in.  WTF!  Myspace is now set up better than this VOX.  Good job VOX, you took a great place and turned it into yet another shit hole.