Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows, Part 1

As a special treat this Thanksgiving break, my mother took my brother Matthew and I to go see the newest Harry Potter movie. It had been a long time since I had read the books though, and I wasn’t sure how much I had remembered about the book (which is one of my favorites, along with books 1 and 4). I would have liked to reread the book before seeing the movie, but then again, I had neither the time nor the energy to do so, so I went.

I liked the movie, more than most of the other ones. I could only point out a couple of mistakes (that I could remember…apparently my reading comprehension/memory skills have been in decline). The last HP movie I enjoyed this much was #4, even though they left a ton out of the movie.

As a general rule, I love the books and don’t like the movies, but if they had made them all this good, I think that might have changed. They certainly could never have made me like the movies better than the books, but I would have enjoyed them more than I currently do. I will say that the DVD releases have a lot of cool extras on them (not anywhere close to the LotR Extended Editions, but hey, most other DVD’s don’t either).

In my book (hehe, get it?), the best movie adaptation of a novel is still held by the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

I think I’ll give it a 4/5 stars. GO SEE IT WHEN YOU HAVE THE CHANCE! =)

So, Yeah...Hi

I haven’t really posted anything with real substance lately, so I thought I would put up a “How I’m Doing” post.

School has been REALLY busy and REALLY stressful this semester. Besides the fact that I’m taking over 6 classes (plus 3 performing groups), most of said classes fall on either a Tuesday or a Thursday, making my class load disproportionate. I’m stressing out about the piano proficiency test I have to take at the end of the semester. While I enjoy playing the piano, I am by no means proficient at it. Fortunately, the professors split it up into multiple parts and you can pass sections of the test. So if I take the test, and only pass 3 parts, I can retake it next semester, and only have to play the remaining sections. That helps a bit with the stress, but I’m still anxious as to how I’ll do, and how many parts I’ll pass.

I haven’t had much time to spend with my girlfriend, Michelle either, which sucks. We both have busy schedules this semester, and she lives off campus, so we really only get to spend quality time a couple days a week.

The good thing is that Thanksgiving break is next week, and the semester ends on December 19th. I need a break right now…

Calvin & Hobbes Wall Art

Simply amazing. If I had the artistic talent, I would totally do this to my room!

A New Beginning

A new semester, a new dorm, a new room, and new roommates. This is going to be a good year! I’m taking 6 classes and participating in 3 performing groups. I’ll be pretty busy, but it should be fun and rewarding.

• Beginning Conducting
• Music History III
• Hymnology
• Instruments in Worship
• Piano Proficiency (aka Class Piano III)
• Problem Solving
• Concert Band
• Concert Choir
• Jazz Band

The Truth

'nuff said.

Is it Good, or is it Just Cool?

I’ve always kind of wondered why people like the things we do. Other than genetic disposition, or even how we were raised, questions like “How the hell did _____ become so popular? They’re not even that good!” come up all to often in my mind. Through this last week or two, I think I’ve found an answer.

I finally got to reading Donald Miller’s “Blue Like Jazz” last month (and I really liked it, btw) and he talks about this issue (I can’t remember which chapter). Also, out of the blue, Andrew Wasson (he’s an amazing guitar teacher on youtube, check him out) talked about the same thing in a video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmZQ2fnXU1o&playnext_from=TL&videos=_ZLdseiz-Ao).

I feel that people today (especially children and teens) have no musical frame of reference, nor musical taste. They buy albums because they are told by society that it is ‘cool’. And us as humans, who have an innate need to be liked/loved will buy said album to connect with other people whether the music they bought is good music or not.

The big culprits I feel are pop and rap “artists”. Most of them don’t write their own songs, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but many of them are cut & paste songs that their producers make for them, and are generically bland. Then the record company takes these bland songs and puts them on the market, and they know exactly who to market it to: Children and Teenagers. These age groups have not fully developed their musical tastes yet, and their musical frame of reference is defined by what their family and friends listen to, not necessarily what they like yet. This is how (I think) people like Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers, Ke$ha, Owl City, and Lady Gaga (I could go on) got so popular.

Really, what Adam Young a.k.a. Owl City does to “write music”, an 8 year old with a Mac can do in Garage Band. His most popular song (Fireflies) wasn’t even written solely by him, Matt Theissen of Relient K had to help him (who you should check out!). Speaking of Owl City, you should watch this YouTube video about them: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyasBBoQqCA

I urge musicians out there to strive to make music that is both good AND cool, so that us as listeners will be happy, and they’ll be happy when they’re making a lot of money (which seems to be a driving force in the music industry, not making a quality product that people will enjoy, but a piece of crap that will make them millions). I also urge us listeners to think before they buy! Don’t buy music just because ‘everyone else’ likes it, or that it will make you cool if you listen to so-and-so. Listen to samples first and decide for yourself “Do I like this? Would I listen to it again? Does the message of the song fit in with my world view?”. You should like a song because you like it, not because you think they’re good looking or because the coolest person in school likes them. Shoot, there are a lot of ugly musicians who are really good (AC/DC and The Rolling Stones for example).

There’s my two cents for the day… I’ll stop now. ;)

An Irish Blessing

I wish you not a path devoid of clouds,

nor a life on a bed of roses,

not that you might ever need regret,

nor that you should feel pain.

No, that is not my wish for you

My wish for you is:

That you might be brave in times of trial,

when others lay crosses upon your shoulders.

When mountains must be climbed and chasms be crossed,

when hope scarce can shine through.

That every gift that God gave you might grow along with you,

and let you give the gift of joy to all who care for you.

That you may always have a friend who is worth that name,

whom you can trust, and who helps you in times of sadness,

who will defy the storms of daily life at your side.

One more wish I have for you:

That every hour of joy and pain you may feel God close to you.

This is my wish for you, and all who care for you.

This is my hope for you, now and forever.