Many indicators of a decaying modern society have been presented for our consideration by various media outlets. Corrupt politicians, smoldering wars in lands afar, a pervasive, selfish sense of entitlement, etc. May I submit a far more telling and atrocious warning of a fast-decaying society.
Romantic comedies.
I rest my case.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Genius
"Genius is a side effect. The true event is a haunted mind."
Sometimes, the things I want to write well up within me and bottleneck. And sometimes it seems as though wanting to write makes it immediately impossible to do so. In striving to imagine, gears grind to a halt.
And thus, inspiration falters, and dies.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
The future is filled with promise...
I, for one, am excited for so many things. Just thinking about the future, and all the things that can be accomplished.
I believe my thoughts are shifting. Most of the my life, I've viewed time as a luxury, something that is not renewable. It is something to be enjoyed. Like a finite indulgence, I've sought to hoard time and to keep it. I've sought to spend time in luxury and idleness, because I felt like that was the ultimate use of time - wasting it when possible. But I'm beginning to realize that is not the case.
Time is money. And if it truly is, what is the best way to spend it? Some splurge with their money, yes. But I think the most important financial decision is a budget, or at the least a savings plan. For instance, I put ten percent of each paycheck into my savings account, and I discipline myself not to dip into that fund. Similarly, time must be portioned to various purposes. First, you must tithe your time. Tithe time for scripture study, for callings and responsibilities to the Lord and to others. Then, pay yourself. Set aside time for personal recreation. Time for movies, games, exercise, music, sports, etc. Then, you need to invest time. Invest it in projects, goals, dreams. Invest it in things that stretch you, or make you grow. Invest it in things that will make you a better person, or more involved in your community/world. Have "irons in the fire".
Right now I have several "irons in the fire". I'm trying to make a short film. It's not a fictional work, more a tribute to someone. I've got several musical projects, various songs I've been working on. Also, I still need to work on that script concept I've had knocking around in my head. Then there are my stories. I've basically abandoned all story ideas in favor of the one that's always at the forefront of my mind. Neverland. That can be glimpsed at this blog here. Then, I have an editing project on illegal immigration, a media review blog, and other various ideas and goals.
I wish college wouldn't give me projects. Obviously, I have enough of my own. And these are only the current ones, there are several other ideas I have, including a musical script, a musical vlog with Beth, and many other story ideas. Can't wait to start work on those.
The future is bright. Carpe diem!
I believe my thoughts are shifting. Most of the my life, I've viewed time as a luxury, something that is not renewable. It is something to be enjoyed. Like a finite indulgence, I've sought to hoard time and to keep it. I've sought to spend time in luxury and idleness, because I felt like that was the ultimate use of time - wasting it when possible. But I'm beginning to realize that is not the case.
Time is money. And if it truly is, what is the best way to spend it? Some splurge with their money, yes. But I think the most important financial decision is a budget, or at the least a savings plan. For instance, I put ten percent of each paycheck into my savings account, and I discipline myself not to dip into that fund. Similarly, time must be portioned to various purposes. First, you must tithe your time. Tithe time for scripture study, for callings and responsibilities to the Lord and to others. Then, pay yourself. Set aside time for personal recreation. Time for movies, games, exercise, music, sports, etc. Then, you need to invest time. Invest it in projects, goals, dreams. Invest it in things that stretch you, or make you grow. Invest it in things that will make you a better person, or more involved in your community/world. Have "irons in the fire".
Right now I have several "irons in the fire". I'm trying to make a short film. It's not a fictional work, more a tribute to someone. I've got several musical projects, various songs I've been working on. Also, I still need to work on that script concept I've had knocking around in my head. Then there are my stories. I've basically abandoned all story ideas in favor of the one that's always at the forefront of my mind. Neverland. That can be glimpsed at this blog here. Then, I have an editing project on illegal immigration, a media review blog, and other various ideas and goals.
I wish college wouldn't give me projects. Obviously, I have enough of my own. And these are only the current ones, there are several other ideas I have, including a musical script, a musical vlog with Beth, and many other story ideas. Can't wait to start work on those.
The future is bright. Carpe diem!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
I have my own mind. I'll say so, if it seems right...
Rush out, out from the center
Not like one side is any better
Stand up as they bend reaching
My best theory is already in me
Well, it's been a little over a month since I last did anything on this blog. So I suppose I'm overdue for some variety of an update. I think I'll talk about recent debit transactions that I have on my bank statement. That'll probably give a good snapshot on my life as of late...
- iTunes - Yup, I've been a good boy lately and, rather than downloading free tracks off of questionable sites, I'm actually buying my music... Recent purchases include "The Cello Song" by Steven Sharp Nelson, "Save the Last Dance for Me" by Michael Buble, and "My Best Theory" by Jimmy Eat World, among several others.
- Native New Yorker - Ah, that was nice yesterday. Andy, Ian and I got together for the first time since our Cali trip and just chilled. That's what we do. We chill. And eat wings. And talk about the opposite gender, which I'm sure is no surprise, seeing as how our "He-Man Woman Hating Club" has seen a broad and intense shift to the other side of the fence.
- QuikTrip - I love you, that is all.
- Jamba Juice - There's really not much to say about Jamba Juice, and yet there is a whole lot to say. I keep buying you, Jamba Juice, for a certain young lady, in spite of that one time the Mango-a-go-go happened to "a-go-go" everywhere, especially the ground and including my clothes. Totally worth it.
Anyway, life is good. I've got a lot of goals to work and improve on. And, in the immortal words of the great Anonymous, "Where there is idle time, there is room for growth."
Adios.
P.S.
School schedule consists of:
ENG 102
Music Theory I
Writing for Online Media
World Religions
Book of Mormon (Institute, obviously)
Sunday, May 29, 2011
May 29, 2011 6:37 PM (in which i deride the internet's lack of capitalization, re-think my blog name, and insinuate all sorts of untrue things about my life)
Why is my blog called "Life in the Key of G Major"? Honestly, it should be "Ben's Boring Bonanza of Bullet-points (Loosely in List Form)" or something extravagantly dumb like that.
1. I have successfully lost myself again. If anyone finds me, please return to 42 Wallaby Way Sydney, Australia. I require regular exposure to sunlight and sunflower seeds. And don't feed me after midnight.
2. I cannot believe the direction modern English has taken due to the internet and texting. Really people? Is it so hard to capitalize? No. It is not. What is hard and involves capitalization is WrItInG LiK3 ThiZ!! LOL, Jk!!
4. This makes my heart happy inside (y'know, where all the valves and chambers are... that place can be happy, too...), for various reasons that I don't understand and should probably hire a psychologist to help me understand:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj-x9ygQEGA
5. I have needed a break for sooooooooo long... I'm so excited for the trip. Little concerned about the dolls we're having come with us. Guess that makes this trip "Guys and Dolls"... kinda awkward. Just wait til the pics come home, Alayna and Daja. Just wait...
6. I ordered two Alabama shirts a couple weeks ago. Why haven't I heard anything about them? I want my shirts...
7. Is a number that indicates wholeness or completeness. Thus, God rested on the seventh day because his work was complete. Thus also the seven seals in the book of Revelation, and other such random intricacies of religion that are neither important nor related to our eternal salvation.
Adios!
1. I have successfully lost myself again. If anyone finds me, please return to 42 Wallaby Way Sydney, Australia. I require regular exposure to sunlight and sunflower seeds. And don't feed me after midnight.
2. I cannot believe the direction modern English has taken due to the internet and texting. Really people? Is it so hard to capitalize? No. It is not. What is hard and involves capitalization is WrItInG LiK3 ThiZ!! LOL, Jk!!
"Oh, I'm sorry. I can't come to the door right now. I'm afraid that in my weakened condition, I could take a nasty spill down the stairs and subject myself to further school absences. You can reach my parents at their places of business. Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate your concern for my well-being. Have a nice day!" - Ferris Bueller3. I learned to play the ukulele last night. It was actually super-easy. I learned some basic songs, such as "I'm Yours", "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", "Stand By Me", "Earth Angel", and some random church hymns. It took me a total of twenty or so minutes to master said instrument. It's true. I have witness(es).
4. This makes my heart happy inside (y'know, where all the valves and chambers are... that place can be happy, too...), for various reasons that I don't understand and should probably hire a psychologist to help me understand:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj-x9ygQEGA
5. I have needed a break for sooooooooo long... I'm so excited for the trip. Little concerned about the dolls we're having come with us. Guess that makes this trip "Guys and Dolls"... kinda awkward. Just wait til the pics come home, Alayna and Daja. Just wait...
6. I ordered two Alabama shirts a couple weeks ago. Why haven't I heard anything about them? I want my shirts...
7. Is a number that indicates wholeness or completeness. Thus, God rested on the seventh day because his work was complete. Thus also the seven seals in the book of Revelation, and other such random intricacies of religion that are neither important nor related to our eternal salvation.
Adios!
Saturday, May 7, 2011
THOR
I've never really thought it a good idea to blog (or do anything, really, that has to do
with feelings and the expression thereof) after 11 o'clock, but... here I am. Poised over my iPod's pseudo-keyboard prepared to bare my soul to cyberspace. Thankfully, there are few enough people that would read this that I'm not in the least bit worried.
I'm so much worse than people think I am. I know that's typical for most people, because we all see the part of ourselves that no one else knows. Even those who are closest to us (or think they are closest to us) can be fooled into thinking that this person in front of them is real, when in fact they are confronted by a papier-mâché parody of our true selves. We cower behind a facade that we engineer to appeal to others, whether out of fear, desire, or a misplaced sense of perception. That is typical of everyone to some degree or another. But this feels different.
Something was brought to my attention lately: false humility. True humility is, it would seem, very hard to come by. As far as I go, I don't believe I've ever been truly humble in my life. And if I have, those instances were rare, a flash of brilliant lightning in an otherwise dismal landscape. More often I craft a crude and false semblance of humility out of self-deprecation, and self-abuse. By diminishing myself, I mislead myself into thinking that I'm being humble. Delusion is a drug best administered firsthand, it would seem.
False humility. That's me. Whether it's because I feel self-conscious, or to feel more socially acceptable, or even just to get a laugh out of people at my own expense, I partake far too much of false humility. By so doing I diminish my true self. One of my goals this year is to learn more about true humility and how to have it.
Now I didn't jump on here just to rant and rave about false humility. There were a few other reasons. Here's the stereotypical list:
1. I went and saw Thor. It was really well done. Very entertaining. And though I doubt the writers, directors, and other creative minds realize it, there are actually quite a few gospel truths embedded in that movie. The biggest one I could see was Thor himself. He is exactly like mankind. He begins very arrogant, prideful, and impatient. Because of this, he makes a huge mistake, and is cast out of his father's presence. He's stripped of his powers and privileges, reduced to a mortal being. However, his hammer is placed nearby, with the possibility of him receiving his power back, but ONLY if he's worthy of it. Once he figures out who he must be, he is given his power back, and he returns to his Father's presence. Just like Thor, each and every one of us has the potential to become like our Eternal Father if we strive to become worthy of that. Powerful message.
2. I've been very anti-social lately. It feels like, no matter how many friends I'm surrounded with, I always have this sense of being completely alone. Like I don't quite fit in right now. I've described it as feeling like a leftover puzzle piece. There's just no place I fit right now. And that isn't anybody's fault, it's just a passing phase, I'm sure. And if it isn't, then oh well.
3. Along with this anti-social behavior is a bi-polar, see-saw effect on my views of the opposite gender. Some days, I'm girl-crazy and want to ask for numbers and dates left and right. However, most of my days are domineered by a brooding, slightly sexist view of women. Not at all a healthy behavior, but there's little else I can do at the moment. I feel like I'm going to remain stuck here for a very long time.
4. The Book of Mormon is amazing. I love reading from its pages. It is a true testament of the living Christ and His Atonement. It testifies of a living God. I know it's true.
And that's all I came to ramble and rant on.
The end.
with feelings and the expression thereof) after 11 o'clock, but... here I am. Poised over my iPod's pseudo-keyboard prepared to bare my soul to cyberspace. Thankfully, there are few enough people that would read this that I'm not in the least bit worried.
I'm so much worse than people think I am. I know that's typical for most people, because we all see the part of ourselves that no one else knows. Even those who are closest to us (or think they are closest to us) can be fooled into thinking that this person in front of them is real, when in fact they are confronted by a papier-mâché parody of our true selves. We cower behind a facade that we engineer to appeal to others, whether out of fear, desire, or a misplaced sense of perception. That is typical of everyone to some degree or another. But this feels different.
Something was brought to my attention lately: false humility. True humility is, it would seem, very hard to come by. As far as I go, I don't believe I've ever been truly humble in my life. And if I have, those instances were rare, a flash of brilliant lightning in an otherwise dismal landscape. More often I craft a crude and false semblance of humility out of self-deprecation, and self-abuse. By diminishing myself, I mislead myself into thinking that I'm being humble. Delusion is a drug best administered firsthand, it would seem.
False humility. That's me. Whether it's because I feel self-conscious, or to feel more socially acceptable, or even just to get a laugh out of people at my own expense, I partake far too much of false humility. By so doing I diminish my true self. One of my goals this year is to learn more about true humility and how to have it.
Now I didn't jump on here just to rant and rave about false humility. There were a few other reasons. Here's the stereotypical list:
1. I went and saw Thor. It was really well done. Very entertaining. And though I doubt the writers, directors, and other creative minds realize it, there are actually quite a few gospel truths embedded in that movie. The biggest one I could see was Thor himself. He is exactly like mankind. He begins very arrogant, prideful, and impatient. Because of this, he makes a huge mistake, and is cast out of his father's presence. He's stripped of his powers and privileges, reduced to a mortal being. However, his hammer is placed nearby, with the possibility of him receiving his power back, but ONLY if he's worthy of it. Once he figures out who he must be, he is given his power back, and he returns to his Father's presence. Just like Thor, each and every one of us has the potential to become like our Eternal Father if we strive to become worthy of that. Powerful message.
2. I've been very anti-social lately. It feels like, no matter how many friends I'm surrounded with, I always have this sense of being completely alone. Like I don't quite fit in right now. I've described it as feeling like a leftover puzzle piece. There's just no place I fit right now. And that isn't anybody's fault, it's just a passing phase, I'm sure. And if it isn't, then oh well.
3. Along with this anti-social behavior is a bi-polar, see-saw effect on my views of the opposite gender. Some days, I'm girl-crazy and want to ask for numbers and dates left and right. However, most of my days are domineered by a brooding, slightly sexist view of women. Not at all a healthy behavior, but there's little else I can do at the moment. I feel like I'm going to remain stuck here for a very long time.
4. The Book of Mormon is amazing. I love reading from its pages. It is a true testament of the living Christ and His Atonement. It testifies of a living God. I know it's true.
And that's all I came to ramble and rant on.
The end.
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