Music Monday #79

This week's song is Bangarang by Skrillex.

Liebster Award #2 .

Recently I was tagged for another Liebster award from Sarah at Dancing in the Dark! So before you read this, go check out her blog. I'll wait right here for a moment...

Done? Okay then.

Just to reiterate the rules for those of you who are nominated below:
1. Write 11 facts about yourself.
2. Answer the 11 questions from the blogger you were tagged by!
3. Choose some other bloggers with <200 followers and tag them (make sure you give 11 questions for them to answer!)

So here we go, part 2, as I add another Liebster Award to my trophy shelf!

parental influence .

While I was in church this morning my mind began to wander and I couldn't seem to focus on what was going on. I began to ask myself why I was even there in the first place. My initial thought was that I wanted to be, until I realized that I really didn't. And so then it was clear I went out of obligation, but to what? Or who? At that point, I then realized one of the main reasons I go to church all the time is because I always went with my parents when I was little. I have been groomed to go to church on Sunday mornings, and I almost feel bad or guilty when I don't.

power outage .

Last night we had a wicked storm that rolled through, and around 10:30 or so we lost power. It's the weirdest thing when you lose power, because you realize just how much you take everything for granted. Everything that you think of doing at home pretty much requires power -- TV, anything on the computer, Playstation, even reading a book because you need to turn a light on (though my mother was determined and proceeded to keep reading with a flashlight). It humbles you to a point where you regress to a time when there were no lights, no electricity. When it got dark outside, you either stayed up by candlelight or just went to bed until it was light outside again. We now have much more freedom in terms of what we want to do, assuming the power is on.

nighttime thinking .

Isn't it funny how it always seems that the best thoughts come to you right before you're about to go to sleep? It's like all of a sudden you can't turn your mind off and it refuses to just shut down and let you est. I remember before I started blogging this would happen to me all the time, and I wouldn't even be able to sleep well at night. When I woke up the next morning my thoughts were gone. Since then, I usually blog right before I go to bed, which certainly sort of clears your head a little bit.

deadmau5: the man behind the mau5 .

I have been a fan of Deadmau5 since I first heard one of his songs, both as an artist and as a person. I read stuff on his blog occasionally, which is always well-written, thought out, and cuts the bullshit. With Joel, there's no beating around the bush and he's not afraid to speak up and speak out if it's what he believes. Quite honestly, it's something that we should all be comfortable doing. Joel has not only changed the idea of a stereotypical DJ (by explaining that he is NOT in fact, a DJ but a producer) and pushed the limits and boundaries of electronic music. His style can go from soft and mellow to hard and driving, and still have the same sweet chord progressions and beats.

sports & doping .

In recent years, and even in maybe the past 10 years, sports committees are cracking down on the dopers. Cheaters, liars, deceivers. They seem like heroes, but they got there by cheating. There will always be large controversies and outrages, removals from the Hall of Fame and records torn down because they wanted to win by drugs. I understand the drive to win, and I understand how incredibly powerful it can be. But I would never let myself take drugs to win. Losing is the motivation that fuels you to be better, to train harder, and to eventually succeed. There is no feeling like coming in first place, knowing that you and you alone were the one that made it happen.

Music Monday #78

This week's song is actually a trio of songs; Trois Gymnopédies by Erik Satie.

red bank .

Tonight's destination was to lovely Red Bank, New Jersey. I haven't been in such a long time, and it was great to get back there and re-live it a bit. Red Bank is that sort of place that has a perfect little downtown, bars, eateries, not to mention some truly awesome waterfront housing on the Navesink.

tdf - the finish .

The Tour de France ended on Sunday, and that means that a champion for 2012 has been crowned in the GC -- and this year, it goes out to Bradley Wiggins of Team Sky. Absolutely unbelievable what Team Sky has accomplished as a team this year -- putting a man on top in the GC along with Chris Froome in second. Two members on the podium and Cavendish adds a handful of more stage wins to his increasingly impressive repertoire of accomplishments.

golf mondays .

Today I found time to actually go golfing (for only the third time this season unfortunately). I went with Tom from work, and must say it is always a pleasure to go golfing with him. We created what we call the Triple H, which is Hominy Hill and Huddy's. I rarely ever go to bars, so it's always great to get a chance to just go grab a couple beers (BOGO at Huddy's with a golf card, which is great) and just talk about everything.

damn near perfect .

Some great quotes I'd like to share I received from a special lady (hope she doesn't mind!)

"I'm ready for it all! The ups and downs and everything in between but I know WE are worth it all!"

"It's not going out of my way if I know how happy it makes you. It's just living life with you in mind."

"It's going to be hard but just remember when I see you... It will be that much better! It is going to work, I don't think twice about that!"

at the edge .

And yet here we stand together at the edge,
and maybe the horizon doesn't look as bright as we want it to.
But that doesn't mean it won't work; that doesn't mean it can't.
I've never felt more alive and that's not something I found one day;
It's from you.
It's like being able to lie down in the back of the old pickup and gaze up at the stars.
And seeing them, knowing I'll never have to wonder where you are.
Because no matter the distance, near or far, I'll always have the memory of you in my arms.
Whatever we decide, we decide together.
Two paths hath come together, and maybe someday soon will become one;
a single stripe left on the face of society. A single, brilliant stripe,
dazzling in the way it sparkles and shines, polished like gold, yet strong like our
metaphorical rocks that hold it together.
Slowly we build a foundation, that will one day hold a great house.
We carefully pour the mortar and take our time with the masonry,
so that it can withstand any sort of calamity the heavens throw at us.
This is not a broken cold-hearted world. This is one with warmth,
and most of all, togetherness.

the BSA and homosexuality .

Well, I've been mulling the idea of writing about this topic over in my mind and after putting it off yesterday and sleeping on it I decided to go ahead and do it anyways. I want to preface this whole post with the fact that I have done little to no research on this topic, and so it's just the few bits and pieces of articles that have slipped through the cracks into my head. The Boy Scouts of America (referenced from now on as the BSA) reaffirmed their decision to ban gays from entering their organization. There are a lot of people that are angry about this, and can't seem to understand why. Well, I'm going to attempt to explore both sides of the argument -- despite the fact I'll probably catch a lot of flack for anything I write.

Music Monday #77

This week's song is Loca People by Sak Noel.

Ted .

So, this post is going to be about the movie that just came out, "Ted". So just so you know, don't read this if you haven't seen the movie yet and are planning to go! I'll most likely spoil the movie for you and honestly, who would want the movie to be spoiled? Of course if you're not planning on seeing it, read away. But you've been warned...

the Liebster Award .

So one of my new followers recently nominated me for the Liebster award, and now I'm going to pass the torch. What is it you ask? Well, here's how the Liebster award works:

1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves. 
2. Answer the questions that the tagger set for you, plus create 11 questions for the people you've tagged to answer. 
3. Choose up to 11 people and link them in your post. 
4. Go to their page and tell them. 
5. No tag backs!
6. Remember to tag blogs with less than 200 followers 

growing up in the 21st century .

When I first entered high school, the problems began. I wanted more independence, and my parents were not so keen to give it. I wanted desperately to be able to explore the world on my own. I wanted to be able to make my own mistakes and then learn from them. I wanted to be able to loosen the leash, to let me fail sometimes. The last thing I wanted, and the last I needed were overprotective parents. At least, that's the way I saw it. The first day freshman year started, I was a changed person. Throughout my four years of high school, I grew farther and farther away from my parents. Since I am still young and my viewpoints have yet to be altered by the chains of parenthood, let me explain something to the mothers, fathers, guardians etc. out there. When your kid begins to push the boundaries, breaking the barrier is inevitable. The thing is, some people will open the gate, and others will wait until their kids break through the fence.

we are all salt .

Today's post is inspired by a writing by Max Dubinsky, which I received in my email this morning. Entitled "What I Learned About the Church While Seeking God Outside of It (Part I)" it hits on some of the major things that have always caused some controversy in the church. One of the most mentioned things in the church today is the argument about tithing. Some say, if you're not giving 10%, you're robbing God of what is rightfully His. But I've always preferred the argument that you should give what you can give, when you can give it -- it's as simple as that. God is no mob boss that will hunt you down and whack you if you can't come up with your 10%.

in good company .

I've had the pleasure of spending time with this wonderful lady lately, and upon my posing the question, she said it was fine if she was included on the blog.

It's been nice to have some good quality company to just do everything and nothing. We seem to agree on lots of things and enjoy doing a lot of the same things. Tonight she invited me over for dinner (knowing that my parents were out and I would be dining alone) and though it took me awhile to do my workout, shower, wash the dishes and finally get my butt over there, I arrived to hamburgers, fries, salad, and a nice meal outside on the patio out back.

in the buff .

This week my brother is down at Virginia Tech getting orientated with my parental units and I've had the house to myself. It's been interesting -- and as always, a little bit strange. When I'm home alone, I enjoy it, but sometimes it's a bit lonely, and sometimes a bit unsettling or unnerving. I think it has something to do with the fact that you're so used to always having people there all the time and it's just strange to have such a large area devoid of any sort of life. All of a sudden the general maintenance responsibilities of the house are put upon you: water the flowers in the morning, get the mail, take out the trash, wash the dishes, empty the dehumidifier, turn on the house lights at night and turn them off in the morning. It kinda makes you realize that there's a lot of shit to be done all the time.

Music Monday #76

This week's song is Coloured Souls by Natty.

secrets to being a good kisser .

So how in the world am I going to type this post without coming off sounding like a total pompous arrogant ass? Good question. But allow me to try... I've been told by several of the people I've dated in the past (and some that I haven't) that I'm a very good kisser (nope, still sounds pompous). And I've never really tried to do anything super spectacular, and it's not like I have some sort of Superman drug-infused tongue that makes people think that I am a good kisser. Maybe it just comes naturally? (yep, very pompous indeed...).

reply girl nonsense .

If you've ever spent any time at all on Youtube, you know who these people are. These are the nonsensical hoes who pride themselves on replying to every single viral video that exists. And then they make stupid nonsensical videos about videos that aren't even viral. They're attention whores who don't put out ANY good content and simply want views. And the reason they get views is because they showcase their tits. I mean seriously, watch one of these things. There is nothing interesting about it and it doesn't do anything but waste your time. So on second thought, don't watch it.

beginnings and endings .

For many summer time is one of the greatest times of the year. For me, it's an odd part of the year, because it's simply the few months that bridge the gap from one year to the next. School year, that is. As much as I like not having to go to class and all the other nonsense and stress that takes place during school, I must admit that sometimes being around all the people my age is preferable to living under someone else's roof. Things are just different at college, as my brother will soon find out when he starts VT.

simple words of wisdom .

There are two quotes I want to talk about today. The first is from one of the daily devotionals I get in my email. The other is from something I saw on a friend's blog. They're simple, yet profound, as is often the case.

heart to hearts .

Heart to hearts are the best. It doesn't matter who you have them with. It could be a friend, a sibling, a love interest, or (while never in my case) a parent. It lets you find out who people really are. It opens your eyes, and brings you closer together. Strands of friendship weave themselves together into a tight knit blanket of looking out for each other, and being there for one another. Relationships improve and you understand more. Asking questions provokes thoughtful answers, and ignorance soon yields knowledge. Some people just get it. These are necessary -- these are one of the best things about life. Sharing, is trusting, is knowing. Sharing with someone, a special someone; sharing a part of yourself that quite possibly no one ever knew before. And that, friends, is something truly special.

atlantic highlands, nj .

Yesterday I took the time to go out and revisit a part of NJ I haven't been to a long time. Not only was it great to go back and visit and dig up some memories, but I got to take a great girl along with me on a date. First, a little bit about the Highlands area of NJ... It's basically like combining a beach town with California with the NY skyline with woods and cliffs. I mean, seriously, it's a bit of everything. You can't NOT like this place.

Music Monday #75

This week's song is I Think I Like You by The Black Box Revelation.

completing an 'about me' .

Since the time I started this blog almost 2 years ago I have never had an "about me" or an "about the author" section anywhere on my blog. I typed out my little blurb that goes underneath my picture in the sidebar, which I suppose I assumed sufficed for all intensive purposes. At one point (probably over a year after I first started blogging) I changed it around a little bit, as my thoughts on it had changed, as they often do over the years. And yet still, I fail to have an "About Me" tab.