allthingsrad

Oh, My Turn on Earth!

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 07:33:57 GMT

When I was a kid, my parents had a lot of LDS videos, books, and CDs lying around the house. We had our favorites, like some of the Living Scriptures series (those things were rad), Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites, or Saturday's Warrior. I was perusing through things at Seagull Book today, and found the absolute classic, My Turn on Earth!

We had a movie night at institute tonight, and this was one of the movies I brought to be voted on. I was really hoping that it'd either be this or Spice World. Instead, we wound up choosing a very heavy drama, The Interpreter, which is a movie I love, but like I said, it's a pretty significantly heavy drama. I think our night could have been significantly more filled with laughter at the campy and hokey goodness that this musical provides. I got home and couldn't sleep so I turned this on and it's playing in the background. I haven't watched this for literally 15 years, and I'm so surprised: I TOTALLY can sing along to all of the songs still! And they're better than I remember! So here are some lyrics to sing you to sleep, and hopefully make good use of YOUR time on earth. This movie really makes me want to get a ginormous pencil to write My Story. Bigger is better - My 'large in stature'ness is enough proof of that.

Eenie Meenie Miney Mo, you can choose the way to go, but if you choose right you will see just how happy yoooooou can beeeeee!!! *groovy 70's beat*

Music Gear I

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 07:45:20 GMT

After a very long leave of absence, I found myself reading 3 very competent blogs, namely this one, this one, and this one, which has gotten me sufficiently bitten with the blogging bug. The pun's intended, and to get what I'm referring to, check out this post on theChung's blog. Ouch!

I'm going to put a disclaimer on this post up front: Though I'm CERTAINLY interested in music gear in all of its forms, I'm self-taught, and inexperienced in most of the musical world. I like to play around, sure, but I am by NO means a professional. In fact, there are 3 Chinese kids who I've been tutoring in piano for less than a month who already play better than I do. So this post is the opinion of a n00b. I'm someone who's figuring this stuff out for herself, and I have no more expertise and credibility than you do. Be prepared, and take it for what it is. kthnx<3.

The first piece of gear and the whole of this post: Takamine's EG523SC - Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Kind of a funny story behind how this lovely guitar came into my possession. I was doing temporary work for the county's HR department over in Martinez. They gave us a whole hour for lunch, which was absolutely unreal for me, as I take 15 minutes for lunch, tops. Lucky for me, the county offices are mere blocks away from Martinez's adorable little downtown area, so I'd take walks up and down Main Street to pass the time. The third day I did this, I bumped into a really nifty guitar shop, where the owner let me goof around on this beautiful little guitar that I'm talking about and let me ask him millions of questions about all things music - especially live looping. I spent the whole of my next day's break there also, talking his ear off and jamming to my heart's content. As I left, I was resolved to purchase this guitar as soon as I had saved up enough money from my job. I returned to work after that break, where the office had been run by all of the temps while the full-time employees were at a mandatory retreat. 3 o'clock rolled around, and the full-timers came back, exhausted from the day. Three of them, one of them being my boss's boss, went into a spare office behind my desk to chat and unwind from the day. I was at my desk working on a massive and mind-numbing project, listening to a book on tape in one ear. A few minutes after they started talking, I hear someone say "Neil Diamond." Then a couple minutes later, someone says "Rod Stewart," and I couldn't help but smile to myself. After yet a few more minutes, my work hit a snag. I got up to ask someone in that office a question, and as I reached the doorway someone in the room said a sentence that had the word "generation" in it. I couldn't help myself. This just came tumbling out:

"At the extreme risk of getting fired and speaking of generations, only people in your guys' generation would be sitting around in the middle of the afternoon talking about Rod Stewart and Neil Diamond."

Needless to say, I got fired the next day. I still stand by my joke, and were I to have the chance to do this all again, I would've done the exact same thing. However, this change of events left me jobless, and without fundage to pay for the guitar that I was madly in love with.

Later that night, I was talking to my sister, and she got it in my head that I should start getting serious about making art my career. I jumped on CraigsList, and within that first week, I made 2000 bucks worth of deals in exchange for commissioned artwork. My sister's a real smart lady. Anyway, after that week, I decided to go back to that guitar shop in Martinez. While I was there, I mentioned that I have some experience in web design, and wondered if we could strike a trade - a website for the guitar. He was not only down with the idea, but he was really excited about it! I'm still working on the site, but he let me take the guitar in advance.

Whew! That was a really long, really rambly story! It's late, and I tend to ramble on little sleep.

Now on to talking about the actual guitar! All of the guitars that I've played before this little baby were the crappy $30 variety. This is a mid-range guitar ($800), with a built in tuner and a 1/4" amp output. It has a jumbo body, which gives it a gorgeous, round tone which I am ABSOLUTELY in love with. It's also a dream to play. There are a couple of key things that I really appreciate - the main one being that the fret board is slightly bowed out, which makes bar chords RIDICULOUSLY easier to play than any of the guitars I've played before. Also, it sounds great whether it's plugged in an amp, or generating its own sound. Plus, it's pretty, and that makes it awesome!

Better watch out for your kids!

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:20:18 GMT

Oh, this makes me laugh.

New Method of Extracting Wind Energy

Sun, 21 Oct 2007 18:49:05 GMT

I'm a LINK to a rad video, and YOU should CLICK ME!

After failed attempts at jimmying up code to embed the linked video to ze blogge, it's apparent that however nerdy I may be, my nerdy skills are not quite on that level as of yet. But the video really made me think. Love the concept, and I think it'd be freaking rad to implement, what with power problems that we're going to have once fossil fuel is gone. ("But Where's the Fossil Fuel Gone?")

And I have a question to ask the infinitely deep void of the internet. I'm wondering how natural power sources like this stand up against EMP's. I don't know enough about how either phenomenon actually WORK and what apparatus is actually altered in each respective process to answer my question. What does an EMP actually destroy in electronic devices? Is it just things that can be soldered back together, or is it more the gunk inside the chips that are soldered to the motherboards? Power sources like these seem simple enough, mostly magnets and friction. So anyone have a guess as to whether an EMP will make building these things impossible, if that EMP were big enough to affect the whole country? Anyway, I hope they do stand up to it. Then, if some nutter EMP's America's brains back to the 1800's, I'll at least have a method of getting a gnarly bolt of static electricity that I can use to fight off the impending zombie revolution. My other plan was to capture and train a Pikachu. I should upgrade to Raichu, you say? Pshh whatevs. They're sooo not as cute as Pikachu. Wouldn't want to be seen on the streets with a Raichu, would I?

Sheri Dew Rocks my Socks!

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 06:56:37 GMT

So I've been listening to a LOT of Sheri Dew's books and tapes in the past little while, and this has long been a thought that has stuck out to me and I want to talk about it:

When we fail to champion one another, we in essence betray each other.
- Sheri Dew, http://ce.byu.edu/cw/womensconference/archive/2000/dew_sheri.htm

There are so many times in my life where I haven't given people, whoever it may be, the benefit of the doubt. Sometimes all I can see is that they've "wronged me" or "hurt me," or (insert whatever you want here) ME. Me, me, me, me. I sometimes don't consider listening to their side of things because I am just too dang busy thinking about myself and thinking about how justified I am for being mad at them and taking things out on them in my own special way.

There are many problems with this. Does it help me? No, it doesn't, I usually don't feel better getting my revenge, I still hurt at what they did and now I've got blood on my hands. Does it help them? Do they want to change? No, they're just pissed at me now, and they've got a special look in their eye that tells me that they wouldn't be none too sad if they did the exact same hurtful thing to me again, 'cause now they're hurt too. Did anyone win? No, the war's just more entrenched now. So then what's the answer? It's relative, but to me, it's a matter of understanding. Getting at the true motivation behind someone's actions by ACTUALLY asking them is a good place to start. A lot of times people do things that hurt or tick me off and they either absolutely did not mean what they did the way I thought they did, or they had no idea that they did anything at all.

And you know what? Maybe that person just had a crap day. Maybe their cat died. Maybe they got in a car accident. Maybe they lost the prize spoon from their coveted spoon collection. Maybe their hormones are all out of whack. Understand before you judge. If you're going to assume, try assuming the best before you assume the worst.

Ingrid and El Consuego

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 08:14:04 GMT

Ok, so since I neglected writing yesterday, today's an obligatory 2-for-1 special rather than a voluntary one. First to bat: Ingrid Michaelson. I like her musics. You should too. Hey, maybe you already do! As the post-ceding video will reference, she's been spotlighted on Grey's Anatomy, and I even heard one of her songs tonight on an Old Navy commercial during The Office's season premiere. So please, stop making her sell her soul out to over-rated TV shows and commercials with old ladies in big glasses. Help a girl out and buy her CD.

And speaking of selling someone's soul, the second spotlight is the raddest of them all. She's ME! Ya, I know, putting myself on the same post as the lovely Ingrid takes either a whole lotta guts, or a huge deficit in brains, but rest assure, dear reader, that I have both. I'll let my myspace do the rest of the talking.

Well, nearly the rest. Do you have a song that you want done? Anything you think would be hilarious fodder for the parody...er? Comments are welcome.

Scrubs and 'Phones

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 05:04:17 GMT

This makes me want to watch Scrubs. I've actually never seen a whole episode. And I've never seen House, much to the chagrin of some people who may or may not read this blog. Back to the clip. Makes the rad-list. Woo to the clip.

And there's a little more. I got new headphones today. As much as I loved my old ones, the sheath of the wire detached just above the mini plug and the raw wire was exposed. I did a makeshift repair - a little hot glue and a lot of love - but I'm just too brutal to my headphones and the sheath is progressively freeing itself from the glue ever further. I've decided to make them emergency-use only and let them rest. I'll probably get some heat shrink some day when I'm not lazy, but finally this segways into why I'm blabbing about this (besides the reason of my love for my old headphones):

Meet the Sony Fontopia MDR-EX51LP. I'm really an impulsive buyer. Many, many of my things have been bought based on a feeling, and these headphones fall under that category. I saw them, had a good feeling about them, and plunked them on the register. I'm quite pleased with them. I'm not exactly an expert per se, but to me they sound great. They're comfy. They're pretty. They're mine.

Favorite aspect: They drown out my roommates singing show tunes.

All Things Go!

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 23:35:36 GMT

You know, there comes a time in every rad blogger's life when they find, yes you guessed it, another rad blog. Go there. Seriously. Go there, peruse, and see the wonder and majesty of the radness thereof. Not only will you find intelligence, but you will find taste, and that, my friends, is priceless.

Oh, and one more thing, when you go, put on the acoustic version of Sufjan Stevens' "Chicago." And don't make a lot of mistakes.

Peace out.

Woot!

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 19:18:32 GMT

Woot.com has long been one of my favorite sites, luring me to check it nearly every day. Here's the story: Every day they have an item that they have a special on. Take it or leave it. Not only do they have great prices on their product of the day, but the main feature (to me) is the brilliant and hilarious write-up on the product. Case in point: Today's woot: Roomba. Brilliant. Hilarious. Woot.

Limitlessly rad.

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 02:21:58 GMT

I want to talk about something that's been preoccupying my mind this week. I see and interact with tons of rad people. TONS. Roommates, best friends, brilliant classmates, professors, deans, church people, etc. For the most part, I hear them talk about other rad people that they know and admire, who they love, appreciate, and aspire to emulate. Then I've known people (sometimes the same who totally admire others (and it's definitely been myself at points along my way)) who, when they talk about themselves, seem like they feel totally worthless, unlovable, and unwantable. They (and I) may feel like it's a fact - unmovable and unbroachable - that they are now, and forever will be someone who is not enough, someone who is not worth people's time, affection, or love.

Thank God I don't feel that way right now, or else I wouldn't be able to tell you this: That is the biggest lie. You. Are. Rad. You are a son or daughter of God, a God who is like the Ultimate Dad. You want a dad who will ride bikes with you or throw popcorn at the movie screen with you or wants to hear about your day? You got it, kid. He loves the CRAP out of you. Literally. He loves you so perfectly and thoroughly that He has sent His Son to make you clean. Here's what you've gotta do:

Sit down
Realize that God's rad. I mean, come on, He invented all things that are fun, rad, and filled with Awesome. He is Infinity out of 5. Inititely and limitlessly rad.
Realize that Mr. Infinitely Rad thinks that YOU'RE Rad.
Realize that He's never wrong, and He never lies. ('cause then He's not God (and not rad. Liars aren't rad.)
Realize that you are Rad, and that you are worth loving, fighting for, and appreciating.
Enjoy your state of limitlessness. (and don't put any more limits on yourself - that's the only place limits come from. The rest can be compensated for)
Tell your friends.

I heard a song today that I thought was rad, so I'm posting the lyrics. You want sheet music for it? It's free and it's right over here. Check out the rest of her site. There's lots of good stuff.

Miracles

Amid the countless blessings the Lord has given me
The light of truth and goodness; the Holy Spirit's peace
I see the many sorrows that his children must endure
So much hurt I long to heal. How can I change the world?

There are hands I cannot hold
Hearts I cannot comfort
Tears that only miracles can stay
So let me love and serve and teach
Those who come within my reach
For miracles begin that way

The Savior walked in Galilee, unknown in many lands
Yet touching every nation by the labors of his hands
Giving light to all the world by teaching but the few
He is my example in the work that I must do

There are hands I cannot hold
Hearts I cannot comfort
Tears that only miracles can stay
So let me love and serve and teach
Those who come within my reach
For miracles begin that way

I will bear the burden of my neighbor in his need
I will share my Savior's love in every kindly deed
He will magnify my efforts, and I'll understand at last
That by these small and simple things are great things brought to pass.

There are hands I cannot hold
Hearts I cannot comfort
Tears that only miracles can stay
So let me love and serve and teach
Those who come within my reach
For miracles begin that way

And the cuteness thereof was exceedingly great

Sat, 22 Sep 2007 18:21:13 GMT

Two words: Holy. Crap.

Bat out of hell

Sat, 22 Sep 2007 04:24:37 GMT

Ran across this today, and it's pretty much teh rad. I love looking at it and imagining to myself what the thoughts of each person is. My favorite is the man in black who's directly above the bat. He's just so smug and beautiful. I bet he's thinking to himself "Sure glad I didn't shell out the extra money for better seats." This picture makes me want to bust out my camera.

The Dig

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 06:35:00 GMT

CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE DETAILS

So here's the gig of The Dig. (Can I get a wut-wut?)

Storyline: Asteroid comes up to earth and says, "Hey I'm an asteroid. You're all gonna die!" NASA says, "Pshh, heeeck no, we be blowin' you up, sucka!"

NASA sends a team of 5:

Commander Boston Low (voiced by Robert Patrick), the main protagonist— a retired astronaut and survival expert
Dr. Ludger Brink (voiced by Steven Blum), an archaeologist and geologist
Maggie Robbins (voiced by Mari Weiss), a reporter and linguistics expert
Ken Borden (voiced by David Lodge), expert shuttle pilot
Cora Miles (voiced by Leilana Jones), NASA technician and political candidate

Crew goes "Whammo Blammo!" Asteroid goes *dies* and crew goes "OMGBBQ, SECRET CREVICE!!!11!!1!" Crew invesitigates (minus the pilots, as they're being very pilot-y and very non-explore-y) and Asteroid goes "Mwahaha, I'm actually a spaceship!" *WHOOOSH!* Crew goes "HOLY CRAP! Abandoned alien world! How do we get home?"

Released: 1995 (a full 3 years BEFORE that cliché movie Armageddon
Directed by: Steven Spielberg (yes, video games have directors)

This game had me and my sister transfixed time after time after time. A little more tech-savvyness and a little less laziness, I'd jimmy up this game onto my compooper in a heartbeat. Any readers who may be blessed with both should do just that.

5 out of 5: Absolutely Rad.

Alanis Morissette

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 06:31:46 GMT

Being the budding psychologist that I am, one of the most beneficial days of my life was the day that my old roommate let me know that Alanis Morissette was much, much more than a one-album-wonder. Yes, Jagged Little Pill launched her into the light, spending 12 non-consecutive weeks at the top of the United States Billboard 200 albums chart and selling 13.5 million copies, but I was honored to discover that there is much more depth to this artist than was displayed by the heartbroken and pseudo-violent lyrics that painted her portrait on the Pill.

Song in point: Everything. Off her most recent release to date, So-Called Chaos is a brilliant capture of her growth after a journey that has refined and honed her abilities as an artist, and her character as a person. I've personally gleaned many, many insights from this album. Check it out: It's a 5 out of 5 [ABSOLUTELY RAD!].

And this article was not even inspired by the above. Reason for writing: Guy Sigsworth. It has recently come to my attention that this talented gentleman, collaborator of both Björk and Imogen Heap, has been working on a new project: Alanis's upcoming album!

FIRE IN THE DISCO!! FIRE IN THE...TACO BELL!!

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 06:28:48 GMT

This is the coolest thing that I've seen in a while...

[EDIT: 9/19/07] So I totally had a dream last night where I was with my family on a road trip, and I decided in my head that I was going to marry a guy whose last name was Sparks so that I could have 3 kids: Danger, High, and Voltage. I still think it's a brilliant idea. Danger Sparks? Totally wicked.

Stardust

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 06:26:01 GMT

CLICK IMAGE FOR TRAILER

I discovered this movie while having a small Michelle Pfeiffer Marathon this past weekend. I started with White Oleander, an old favorite, in the comfort of my apartment and decided that she was so rad that I would dedicate the weekend to her. First stop on my venture to the outside world: Hairspray. Rating: 1 out of 5. Totally Unrad.* Extremely well done, however, it was too contrived and manipulative while not having any real depth. I shouldn't be surprised. It's a musical, and that's their vehicle. It just didn't sit right with me. However, the next stop was had me dazzled.

Stardust. I was quickly enchanted and charmed by this cleverly written and well-acted tale of a fallen star. Was it the irresistably innocent hero, played by Charlie Cox, that won my heart? Was it the brilliantly shining performance of Claire Danes? Or was it seeing the 78 year old David Kelly beat the crap out of our hero with a staff? I think it's safe to say that it was all of the above, plus thousands of moments filled to the brim with laughter, fascination and, of course, radness.

Rating: 5 out of 5. Absolutely Rad.

*Note to the reader: Totally Unrad is not as bad as Absolutely Unrad. This movie has not hit 0.