By thePatrick
So, school has started again. Joy of joys. Thus far, the semester has started off swimmingly. As in, my student loans paid for school (blah) but I still have not received the money from the school. Which, of course, means that I don't have any of my textbooks. Scratch that, I have the one that I need for my Philosophy class. I did talk to the financial aid people today, and they "confirmed" that my check should arrive either today or tomorrow. Not today, but thanks anyway. It's kind of hard to be caught up with your work when you can't read anything. Luckily, it is still the first week, and the professors are at least semi-lenient. But looking past the minor detail of not having money in my bank account or books with which to do any homework, I am fairly calm. Even after having done the math. I only have 3,080 assigned pages of reading. I only have to type 48 pages worth of papers (averaging the page limits for each paper) and do 4 separate group projects. And, with my major, I can always look forward to GRAD SCHOOL!!!
HOORAY!!!
By thePatrick
So, a couple of my coworkers, friends, folks who I need to jam with more often gave me the inspiration for this blog, seeing how they both did this exact same thing. So, the following is a list of some things that I can't live without, no matter how much I should. They are presented in no particular order, other than the order I thought them up.
1) Haribo Mini Rainbow Frogs
Sweet merciful heaven, these things are addicting. And, as opposed to other candies, just when I think that I must be done, there are more. On any road trip of any distance where Christy and I stop for some snacks, if there are any in the store, then they will be purchased by me.
2) Vitamin Water - Essential
There is a reason that they named the Orange flavored Vitamin Water "Essential." I love that stuff. If I have some extra cash on campus, or if I am working a grave, I can pretty much guarantee that there will be a bottle of this with me.
3) The Deftones
I am of the belief that many people are angry, but due to the norms or society, they keep their emotions bottled up. For example, I don't hop out of my car with a crowbar to severely beat the dimwitted individual who just cut me off and slammed on their breaks for the yellow light. Instead, I listen to the Deftones. Especially their Around the Fur album. 
4) Alternative Press Magazine
So, I got addicted to Alternative Press when I was in Iraq. It was amazing that I found a magazine that actually talked about the bands and type of music that I was into. In another country. I probably should subscribe, but I think I would feel guilty asking Christy to let me subscribe to a magazine that's just for me.
5) The Venture Bros.
So, I don't have TV. That's okay, because Adult Swim posts every episode of The Venture Bros. online before it airs on television. This is hands down, the best cartoon that I have seen in a long time. And Christy can even tolerate it in short bursts. 
6) Fruit Snacks
While I wish I could just eat Mini Rainbow Frogs all the time, Fruit Snacks at least give me the illusion of being semi healthy. I mean, it has fruit right in the name! I don't care what brand it is, or if they are in the shape of fruit, smiles, or little cartoon characters, I am going to eat them.
7) MLB 08 The Show
Just ask my wife. There are a few things that I like to do to relax. Most of those things involve playing this game on our PS2 (we're old school). I play a lot. And I mean a lot. So much that Christy hates every single song that is on the soundtrack. It is proof that she loves me, because she is the one that bought the game for me. Sometimes, I think she regrets.
9) Killer Bunnies
This game rules. It can last for hours, get people so pissed off that they swear at their own spouse, and I love every minute of it. Those bunnies are evil, but addicting. If you want to play, give me a shout. Seriously.
10) Hitting the Snooze Button
I do this. Multiple Times. I am not a morning person. I have no idea how I survived the Army. Let's just say that it's a good thing I work a swing shift. I quote this from the site I found this picture:
"The snooze button is 1) a reaction against a too-strict regulation of sleep, 2) an addictive crutch that enables sloth without the social repercussions, 3) a tool that allows transnavigation between waking and dreaming thus giving access to the hypnagogic state."
Couldn't have said it better myself.
So, I think that's enough. I mean, I feel really guilty. At least I would if I still had a conscience. Either way, feel free to follow my lead. It's kind of a relief to get all that out there.
By thePatrick
Hookah Night Reunion!!! That's right, boys and girls! Come one and come all to (insert exact location here later) this Saturday night! Norte and I have talked it over for at least 30 seconds, and we thought it would be a good idea to have people come to Logan this weekend. At least that way it's before school starts. If you know what I'm talking about, then this post is for you. If not, then just accept it for what it is, much like my random song lyrics. See you there! Call for an exact location!
p.s. at the current writing of this post, if Michael Phelps were a country, he would be tied for 16th in total medal count, and tied for 6th with total golds. The man is amazing. Too bad nobody will remember him until 2012 in London.
By thePatrick
Songs that have been stuck in Patrick's head, and so he's going to copy and past up the lyrics here for you to read. Also, their concert was one of the best I've been to in a long time...
The Geeks Were Right by: The Faint
Eyeballs float in wet green grass
I got a chain saw motor that's filled with rain.
But when it sings like Bach the eyes all bulge
Then when the pink sun drops the eyelids fold
While I'm in deep REM sleep or twilight zones
I take a freight elevator and press fast forward
I get to grind these teeth and peek through time
If I could bring things back they'd feedback wild
When I saw the future - the geeks were right
Egghead boys with thin white legs
They got modified features and software brains
But that's what the girls like
The geeks were right
When I saw the future - the geeks were right
Predator skills
Chemical wars
Plastic islands at sea
Watch what the humans ruin with machines
Eyeballs float in wet green grass
I'm in a chainsaw choir in dreams that bend
To let me cut thru time and stretch out Bach
I make the dry eyes roll and wet eyes cross
While i'm in deep REM sleep or twilight zones
I take a freight elevator and press fast forward
So I can grind these teeth and peek through time
If I could bring things back they'd feedback wild
And when I saw the future - the geeks were right
p.s. No, the lyrics don't necessarily have to make sense.
By thePatrick
Alright. Admittedly, I am a music nerd. I know lots of pointless stuff. I play a few pointless instruments. I want to purchase a tambourine. If that doesn't scream nerd to you, then just hold on to your tray tables.
I download and listen to a podcast on a regular basis. The AP Show is put out by Alternative Press magazine, and is a pretty good way for me to listen to new music, either by my favorite bands or bands I haven't heard of. The most recent one played a song by an artist called Girl Talk. Girl Talk can't be called a band, because it's only one guy. And he does mash ups, and they are amazing. For those of you who don't know what a mash up is, allow me to quote wikipedia
"A mash-up is a song created out of pieces of two or more songs, usually by overlaying the vocal track of one song seamlessly over the music track of another... Mash-ups are incredible fun and a fascinating way to reexperience some of your favorite tunes." (read the full article here)
The fact that you can take and sample a bunch of completely unrelated songs and create new ones, and they all sync up to the same beat amazes me. It's something I'd like to get into. But, it takes a lot of work. For example, Girl Talk's "Feed the Animals" cd, which is currently for download, and you can pay the same price you paid for Radiohead's "In Rainbows" (whatever you want, ask me, and I will give you the address) is just a hair over 53 minutes long and has at least 280 different samples if not more. Everything from Radiohead to Jay Z to Ben Folds Five to Journey to Queen to Vanilla Ice to Dr. Dre to Twisted Sister to Prince to the Beach Boys (and more!). It's amazing.
But, probably only if you are a music geek like myself.
