Now there is nothing to special here just a quick little thing I experienced on my way to CC.
I was riding my bike and I met a squirrel, we had a pretty intense stare down. And in that stare down, I am pretty sure he scanned me like a memo and told me things about myself, that even I did not know.
Okay, now I am just starting to sound like Janitor from Scrubs.
What basically happened was, I was riding my bike. Saw a squirrel. Shouted, "squirrel!" At that point the squirrel became startled and made a b-line for Harper.
Straight up, I was about to witness a squirrel suicide.
I felt if this little guy was about to go down in a squirrel blaze of glory and go to squirrel heaven, I should at least name him.
So from the side-walk I shouted, "Dale Earnhardt!"
I think the name fit especially in the circumstances on which this guy was about to go out.
(Too soon?)
The traffic was crazy and I assumed he was a goner.
But like my old football coach always said, "When you assume, you make an ass out of you and me".
There was a little break in traffic and I did not see any marks on the road.
There was still hope.
I looked over the grass on the other side of the road and I saw some scurring, and I saw something scale a tree.
It was Mr. Earnhardt.
I did a fist pump circa the last scene of the Breakfast Club, and shouted "I love you, Dale Earnhardt!"
This is why people think I am weird.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
"Yeah, Well See You On MTV"
I encounter some characters while I am on my bike rides.
Some of which are nice like Pat, a mentally handicapped man that has a disability with his legs, who I have not seen since I have moved from the 12 mile and Harper area. I was happy to see he was still alive and I ended up talking with him at Dairy Boy for a good fifteen minutes.
Then there are the not so nice people.
The people who do not acknowledge stop signs, who walk directly in the middle of the side-walk, people who turn onto one way streets, people who let their dogs pounce on you like wildebeests and people who text while they drive and yell at you for crossing on a red hand, while if it was not for you they would have ran a red light and gone on to meet their maker, seize to be and go on to bird heaven.
Now I have to reveal something. The last thing I described happened today.
It happened at the light at 12 mile and Harper. There was a kid probably waiting with me to cross who was no older than 10. He was freaking out because he told his mom he would be home at 7:30, it was 8.
If you live and or drive in Saint Clair Shores, you know the lights on 10 mile, 12 mile and 13 mile are absolutely horrible. And that is when you are in your car. Imagine if you actually have to cross the street.
One side had the green light and one side had a red light. There was a large break in traffic, so I told the kid, "Walk by the left of me and I will help you cross". (By walking on the left-side of me I formed a human shield ) So we started walking. J-Walking. Technically speaking.
Half-way through, I wondered if this made me a criminal mastermind. What with breaking the law and having someone else with me doing the same. That made me feel awesome.
What made me feel not so awesome was the 16 year old girl who almost hit me. (Keep in mind she had a red light). She also had a Slurpee in one hand and her cell phone in the other and unless if she was Goro and this was Mortal Kombat she had no other arms to spare.
"Watch where you are f***ing going, you idiot," she said.
"Are you joking right now?!" I rebuttaled.
"No I'm not dip-s***" She countered with.
I quipped back with, "Hey, watch your language"
Then I silently chuckled, as if you know me I cuss like a drunken sailor on vacation.
Then I got back to reality from my frugal thought.
She then called me a dumbass.
Then I unleashed possibly my most mean spirited insult ever. Even more mean spirited when I (accidentally) called a Detroit Cop a Thunder "C-Word" when he backed up traffic after the Panic! At The Disco Concert.
I got back on my bike, looked at her and said, "Yeah, well see you on MTV in a year."
For those of you wondering why I said that, you probably have never seen 16 and Pregnant.
Now that I told you that, you are now probably staring at your computer screen going, "Ahhhhhh" and then following that up with, "Man I (Aaron) am an asshole."
But that kid who I helped did not think so.
Because after all that transpired he looked at me and said, "Thanks dude."
He ran home and I starting laughing because all I could think about was how he was going to tell his mom why he was late.
"Mom, you are not going to believe this! There was a guy on a bike and this girl and she had a red light and...."
I hope his mom believed him.
Some of which are nice like Pat, a mentally handicapped man that has a disability with his legs, who I have not seen since I have moved from the 12 mile and Harper area. I was happy to see he was still alive and I ended up talking with him at Dairy Boy for a good fifteen minutes.
Then there are the not so nice people.
The people who do not acknowledge stop signs, who walk directly in the middle of the side-walk, people who turn onto one way streets, people who let their dogs pounce on you like wildebeests and people who text while they drive and yell at you for crossing on a red hand, while if it was not for you they would have ran a red light and gone on to meet their maker, seize to be and go on to bird heaven.
Now I have to reveal something. The last thing I described happened today.
It happened at the light at 12 mile and Harper. There was a kid probably waiting with me to cross who was no older than 10. He was freaking out because he told his mom he would be home at 7:30, it was 8.
If you live and or drive in Saint Clair Shores, you know the lights on 10 mile, 12 mile and 13 mile are absolutely horrible. And that is when you are in your car. Imagine if you actually have to cross the street.
One side had the green light and one side had a red light. There was a large break in traffic, so I told the kid, "Walk by the left of me and I will help you cross". (By walking on the left-side of me I formed a human shield ) So we started walking. J-Walking. Technically speaking.
Half-way through, I wondered if this made me a criminal mastermind. What with breaking the law and having someone else with me doing the same. That made me feel awesome.
What made me feel not so awesome was the 16 year old girl who almost hit me. (Keep in mind she had a red light). She also had a Slurpee in one hand and her cell phone in the other and unless if she was Goro and this was Mortal Kombat she had no other arms to spare.
"Watch where you are f***ing going, you idiot," she said.
"Are you joking right now?!" I rebuttaled.
"No I'm not dip-s***" She countered with.
I quipped back with, "Hey, watch your language"
Then I silently chuckled, as if you know me I cuss like a drunken sailor on vacation.
Then I got back to reality from my frugal thought.
She then called me a dumbass.
Then I unleashed possibly my most mean spirited insult ever. Even more mean spirited when I (accidentally) called a Detroit Cop a Thunder "C-Word" when he backed up traffic after the Panic! At The Disco Concert.
I got back on my bike, looked at her and said, "Yeah, well see you on MTV in a year."
For those of you wondering why I said that, you probably have never seen 16 and Pregnant.
Now that I told you that, you are now probably staring at your computer screen going, "Ahhhhhh" and then following that up with, "Man I (Aaron) am an asshole."
But that kid who I helped did not think so.
Because after all that transpired he looked at me and said, "Thanks dude."
He ran home and I starting laughing because all I could think about was how he was going to tell his mom why he was late.
"Mom, you are not going to believe this! There was a guy on a bike and this girl and she had a red light and...."
I hope his mom believed him.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Make Some Music
So here are my favorite songs, bands, albums, etc. lately. Maybe you will find something you like.
- Fun.- Aim and Ignite: They were one the opening bands for Panic! At The Disco last night, and I was blown away by them. This band is incredibly infectious. You just start to tap your foot and dance. My favorite song on the album is probably At Least I'm Not As Sad (As I Used To Be) or All The Pretty Girls. Both are perfect Summer songs.
- The Killers- Sam's Town/Both of their Live At Abbey Road Performances: Last week I was in a huge Killers kick. I forgot how good Sam's Town was and I re-watched both of their Abbey Road performances. Go out of your way and Youtube them. It is seriously pure bliss.
- The Naked And Famous- Passive Me, Aggressive You: I have said this damn near five times, but this band is the offspring of a one night stand between MGMT and Passion Pit.
- Pete Townshend- Empty Glass: Not a bad solo record at all. It has some really good songs top to bottom and is probably known best for having Let My Love Open The Door.
- R.E.M.- Out Of Time: I think that this is one of R.E.M.'s quintessential albums. This and Automatic For The People. Those two albums make you love this band.
- Isaac Graham- Empty Wheels: Just do yourself a favor and download this album. This album is amazing. He sounds like Old Crow Medicine Show and a dabble of Mumford and Sons. When I listened to this album for the first time my jaw was on the floor for the whole album.
- The Beatles- Please Please Me: It is fun listening to old Beatles records and realizing how frickening brilliant they were. Not one single album is a dud. This album is a perfect example of good old fashioned meat and potatoes Beatles. That scream from Paul on I Saw Her Standing There... Yup.
- AC/DC- Back In Black: Call me Shirley, but I had an epiphany today in regards as to how great this album is. And this was a "comeback" record so to speak. This record melts your face.
- The Adolescents- The Adolescents: They played Amoeba as filler music when the the road crew was setting up for the bands and I was so excited. I am a nerd. When I got home I listened to this album start to finish.
- Descendents- Milo Goes To College: When I listen to punk albums, it is like I am eating Lays potato chips, because I can not just listen to one album. So right after I listened to The Adolescents I played this record. It was just awesome, there is no better way to explain it.
- Dinosaur Jr.- You're Living All Over Me: I can finally say I got into this band. And I love them. This the kind of record that when you listen to it, it feels like you are finding out a new part of yourself that you would have never known about.
- Elton John- Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player: Like Elton John ever made a bad album. I mean come on. He is fricken Elton John. Excuse me, Sir Elton John.
- Parliament- Mothership Connection: Please tell me someone is willing to go with me Friday to see this band. PLEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
- The Smiths- The Smiths: I was in a little bit a of 80s alternative mood earlier this week and if you are in a 80s alternative kick you need the Smiths and you need....
- The Cure- Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me: I do not think I will ever figure out how Just Like Heaven can be so simple, yet so beautiful. I would actually say it is my personal top ten. Man, alternative and pop music used to be so good.
And as for the '80s video of the week: Tears For Fears- Everbody Wants To Rule The World
"If you have a cut scene of your lead singer on beach singing in the sunset... You might be a 1980s music video."
I Love Panic(!) At The Disco... You Got A Problem With That?
In every person's life, whether they recognize it or not, there is a band or song that they associate with a certain point in their life.
For me that band is Panic! At The Disco. Yes, you heard that err read that right. (Trying that real fast five times... the read that right part. Impossible.)
When I look back on possibly three of my favorite periods of being alive, P!ATD (abbrevation) was there.
They were there for me in 7th going into 8th grade with A Fever You Can't Sweat Out, specifically the song Camisado.
They were there for me Sophomore year of High School and that Summer with Pretty.Odd., and their song Northern Downpour.
And they were there for me this year with Vices & Virtues, more specifically with the song Always.
You may be reading this in outrage, shouting, "WHAT ABOUT THE BEATLES!!! IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS!!!... AND EXTRA EXCLAMATION POINTS, IN ORDER TO ASSERT THE CORRECT ANGRY/POSSIBLY URGENT TONE OF WHICH I AM TYPING AND OR SPEAKING, BUT MORE SO JUST TYPING.... AND WELL, THINKING. CAUSE I HAVE TO THINK TO TYPE!!! SEE I DID IT AGAIN.... BEATLES."
To which I say... Of course the Beatles have always been there. They will always be there. But sometimes you have to spread you musical wings and fly to different trees (bands) and nests (genres) and get accustomed to new things.
But when I really look at the impact of P!ATD on my life, I really have to look at their album Pretty.Odd.
I am not lying or exaggeratig when I say that it really changed my life.
I remember actually going out and buying the CD (I know!) and to be honest I have not bought a CD since then, and that was a good three years ago (I know!). I love that album so much, that I actually own it on vinyl as well. You know, the big black circle thingy-thing that you play on a record player.
I heard the first fews songs and I was hooked, tallywhacked, goobly-gooked and completely mesmerized. It was completely different then their first album. And dare I say, it actually sounded like the Beatles.
(Gasp.)
But most importantly, Pretty.Odd. introduced to some amazing people. But one person in particular was the most amazing out of all of them, and her name is Hayley. We bonded over Panic, and became really good friends. And if you told to list of five friends of mine in last five years that have had the biggest impact on you, she would be number 1, 2, and 3.
I know you can not shake an album's hand, because it is not human. But, if Pretty.Odd ever adapted human features and limbs, I would have to shake its hand. Ney, I would have to give it a giant bear a hug and invite to ice skating with me. Just for the fact that it gave me an icebreaker to actually talk to her.
In fact, I actually saw them live for the first time last night with her and her friend Melissa.
It was quite possibly the best/funnest concert I have ever been to. It was muggy, I probably lost 15 pounds sweating, somebodys elbow was in my sternum for a good 45 minutes, I was claustrophobic and I am pretty sure my ear drum my ruptured.
And it was one the best nights I have had in awhile.
It was the kind of night that you did not want to end, but it had to. And you knew that fact, yet you tried all that could to not make it 11:30. You know, one of those nights.
And when they played The Only Difference Between Martyrdom And Suicide Is Press Coverage, I felt 13 again.
And it felt good.
And really, isn't that what music is all about?
For me that band is Panic! At The Disco. Yes, you heard that err read that right. (Trying that real fast five times... the read that right part. Impossible.)
When I look back on possibly three of my favorite periods of being alive, P!ATD (abbrevation) was there.
They were there for me in 7th going into 8th grade with A Fever You Can't Sweat Out, specifically the song Camisado.
They were there for me Sophomore year of High School and that Summer with Pretty.Odd., and their song Northern Downpour.
And they were there for me this year with Vices & Virtues, more specifically with the song Always.
You may be reading this in outrage, shouting, "WHAT ABOUT THE BEATLES!!! IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS!!!... AND EXTRA EXCLAMATION POINTS, IN ORDER TO ASSERT THE CORRECT ANGRY/POSSIBLY URGENT TONE OF WHICH I AM TYPING AND OR SPEAKING, BUT MORE SO JUST TYPING.... AND WELL, THINKING. CAUSE I HAVE TO THINK TO TYPE!!! SEE I DID IT AGAIN.... BEATLES."
To which I say... Of course the Beatles have always been there. They will always be there. But sometimes you have to spread you musical wings and fly to different trees (bands) and nests (genres) and get accustomed to new things.
But when I really look at the impact of P!ATD on my life, I really have to look at their album Pretty.Odd.
I am not lying or exaggeratig when I say that it really changed my life.
I remember actually going out and buying the CD (I know!) and to be honest I have not bought a CD since then, and that was a good three years ago (I know!). I love that album so much, that I actually own it on vinyl as well. You know, the big black circle thingy-thing that you play on a record player.
I heard the first fews songs and I was hooked, tallywhacked, goobly-gooked and completely mesmerized. It was completely different then their first album. And dare I say, it actually sounded like the Beatles.
(Gasp.)
But most importantly, Pretty.Odd. introduced to some amazing people. But one person in particular was the most amazing out of all of them, and her name is Hayley. We bonded over Panic, and became really good friends. And if you told to list of five friends of mine in last five years that have had the biggest impact on you, she would be number 1, 2, and 3.
I know you can not shake an album's hand, because it is not human. But, if Pretty.Odd ever adapted human features and limbs, I would have to shake its hand. Ney, I would have to give it a giant bear a hug and invite to ice skating with me. Just for the fact that it gave me an icebreaker to actually talk to her.
In fact, I actually saw them live for the first time last night with her and her friend Melissa.
It was quite possibly the best/funnest concert I have ever been to. It was muggy, I probably lost 15 pounds sweating, somebodys elbow was in my sternum for a good 45 minutes, I was claustrophobic and I am pretty sure my ear drum my ruptured.
And it was one the best nights I have had in awhile.
It was the kind of night that you did not want to end, but it had to. And you knew that fact, yet you tried all that could to not make it 11:30. You know, one of those nights.
And when they played The Only Difference Between Martyrdom And Suicide Is Press Coverage, I felt 13 again.
And it felt good.
And really, isn't that what music is all about?
Thursday, June 2, 2011
17. Song you are ashamed to admit that you love
I am going to get so much crap for this but... I have a soft spot for 1990's music. Now, after I said that err typed that, you are thinking I am about to drop some Backstreet Boys or Samantha Mumba on you. But I am not, I am about to drop some 98 Degrees on you... Just kidding.
Again.
I am however going to say that I am smidge ashamed to admit that I have a soft-spot for 1990's female vocalists. Like Sheryl Crow, Jewel, Alanis Morissette, etc. I am particularly fond of one song specifically from one those artists.
That artist is Sheryl Crow and the song is Strong Enough.
I do not know what is it is about the song, or Sheryl Crow. Actually, I do. Sheryl Crow is a fox and this song is amazing.
Make fun of me all you want, but like I have said before, if All I Wanna Do comes on the radio, you know you are singing that chorus.
You know...
"All I wanna do is have some fun
I got a feeling I'm not the only one
All I wanna do is have some fun
I got a feeling I'm not the only one
All I wanna do is have some fun
Until the sun comes up over Santa Monica Boulevard"
So in a way, I am not even ashamed I am ashamed of this pick.
And once you watch this video you love this song.
I guaran-shed it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok4SRFbxALQ
But seriously though, Lance Armstrong is soooooo stupid. Why would you break up with Sheryl Crow?
Probably the steroids.
Again.
I am however going to say that I am smidge ashamed to admit that I have a soft-spot for 1990's female vocalists. Like Sheryl Crow, Jewel, Alanis Morissette, etc. I am particularly fond of one song specifically from one those artists.
That artist is Sheryl Crow and the song is Strong Enough.
I do not know what is it is about the song, or Sheryl Crow. Actually, I do. Sheryl Crow is a fox and this song is amazing.
Make fun of me all you want, but like I have said before, if All I Wanna Do comes on the radio, you know you are singing that chorus.
You know...
"All I wanna do is have some fun
I got a feeling I'm not the only one
All I wanna do is have some fun
I got a feeling I'm not the only one
All I wanna do is have some fun
Until the sun comes up over Santa Monica Boulevard"
So in a way, I am not even ashamed I am ashamed of this pick.
And once you watch this video you love this song.
I guaran-shed it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok4SRFbxALQ
But seriously though, Lance Armstrong is soooooo stupid. Why would you break up with Sheryl Crow?
Probably the steroids.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Philosophical... I Guess
I was on my hammock enjoying the weather (and not playing pick-up soccer) today and I was listening to one of my favorite albums: Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society and in the process of three songs and staring at a tree swaying in the wind I thought up of four things, that could either be lyrics, poems, philosophical thoughts or rubbish.
"Sadness is happiness with dust on it. Just take it off the shelf and brush it off. And you will find happiness once again."
"Leaves are strong but their will is weak. They stand strong in the fair weather, but fall once skies are bleak."
"You wear a General's jacket to a protest. You get on your megaphone and wage a war against war. You exude lies and hypocrisy. Not peace and solution."
"I do not ink on my skin to me how I feel. I have a heart. And it is working just fine."
Maybe if my super-cool awesome friends actually wanted to play soccer I would not have the mind of a tortured 1920's novelist.
I blame my friends and that hip-hop.
But mostly my lazy friends.
"Sadness is happiness with dust on it. Just take it off the shelf and brush it off. And you will find happiness once again."
"Leaves are strong but their will is weak. They stand strong in the fair weather, but fall once skies are bleak."
"You wear a General's jacket to a protest. You get on your megaphone and wage a war against war. You exude lies and hypocrisy. Not peace and solution."
"I do not ink on my skin to me how I feel. I have a heart. And it is working just fine."
Maybe if my super-cool awesome friends actually wanted to play soccer I would not have the mind of a tortured 1920's novelist.
I blame my friends and that hip-hop.
But mostly my lazy friends.
16. Song that makes you think you might be a music snob
Also known as: "You know I am just going to hipster the F out of you".
I really am that "snobby" when it comes to music per say. I do however love it when people mis-spell their favorite band and or song.
But if "snob" means I am way into music more than a person should be... well then yes, that is me.
I love finding random bands and or music on a daily basis, and I have plugged this website before and I will again, freemusicarchive.org is an amazing place to find music that you never knew existed.
Case and point a garage/punk band... from Mexico. Yes, Mexico. The band is Los Negretes and they are quite awesome. I got two albums of theirs (for free) and I absolutely love them. Can not understand a single word unless it is "azul" or "escuela" but I feel that just adds to the mystique of the band.
So here is my favorite song of theirs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dEJ5f50ZWs
If liking this band makes me a snob, then consider me Donald Trump.
I really am that "snobby" when it comes to music per say. I do however love it when people mis-spell their favorite band and or song.
But if "snob" means I am way into music more than a person should be... well then yes, that is me.
I love finding random bands and or music on a daily basis, and I have plugged this website before and I will again, freemusicarchive.org is an amazing place to find music that you never knew existed.
Case and point a garage/punk band... from Mexico. Yes, Mexico. The band is Los Negretes and they are quite awesome. I got two albums of theirs (for free) and I absolutely love them. Can not understand a single word unless it is "azul" or "escuela" but I feel that just adds to the mystique of the band.
So here is my favorite song of theirs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dEJ5f50ZWs
If liking this band makes me a snob, then consider me Donald Trump.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)