Caroline Smith & The Good Night Sleeps plays at the Secret Garden

Caroline Smith & The Good Night Sleeps plays the Secret Garden from hoovesontheturf on Vimeo.

I love this, so Im reposting it!

Story is:

Before playing their Spike Hill show in Williamsburg, Caroline Smith & The Good Night Sleeps were to perform a few songs in the ever-so-mobile Secret Garden. Their bright-eyed bassist Jesse Schuster had wanted to play an upright bass, but when we couldn’t find a spot that housed one we could borrow, we thought a well-lit patch of a quiet-ish sidewalk, by which their van was parked close to the venue, suited us just fine. Drummer Arlen Peiffer grabbed a glockenspiel and a shaker, and the other three—Alex Ramsey-Blood, Caroline Smith and Jesse—fared well amongst a guitar, a banjo and some finger-snapping. Their sweet songs reigned on the sidewalk, turned a few heads, and evoked kind words from a passing stranger. We topped it all off with a cover of a pretty filthy song, though. All three originals heard here are from Backyard Tent Set.

Smile

Do you smile at strangers? Do the children you encounter cause you to stop and smile? Do you smile are the opposite sex?

Play a great game with yourself, spend a day and predict who will share a smile with you. You might be surprised at what you discover about people.

I think I can pretty guarantee people who don't smile at children are selfish pricks who would make shitty parents and probably shitty friends. I mean who can come across a toddler in the store full of wonder and excitement and not smile as your eyes connect. Ok the exception to my rule about being selfish pricks are teenagers...because most of them are by their very nature selfish pricks. However an adult who can come across a small child and not smile is someone I don't want to have anything to do with.

Old people are pretty much always willing to give you a smile, so I make sure to give them my best dumb grin, cause frankly I look like a bit of a goober when I smile.

A smile costs nothing but gives much. It enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. None is so rich or mighty that he cannot get along without it and none is so poor that he cannot be made rich by it. Yet a smile cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away. Some people are too tired to give you a smile. Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give. ~Author Unknown

So dont be a prick, go out and smile at people! :)

I've learned - Omer B. Washington

I really liked this work, and was humbled to see how my lifes experience doesnt appear to be very unique, as I have learned most of these lessons as well...

I've learned

• I've learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them.
• I've learned that no matter how much I care, some people just don't care back.
• I've learned that it takes years to build up trust and only seconds to destroy it.
• I've learned that it's not what you have in your live, but who you have in your life that counts.
• I've learned that you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes, after that, you'd better know something.
• I've learned that you shouldn't compare yourself to the best others can do, but to the best you can do.
• I've learned that it's not what happens to people, it's what they do about it.
• I've learned that no matter how thin you slice it, there are always two sides.
• I've learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you'll see them.
• I've learned that you can keep going long after you think you can't.
• I've learned that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
• I've learned that there are people, who love you dearly, but just don't know how to show it.
• I've learned that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
• I've learned that true friendship continues to grow even over the longest distance same goes for true love.
• I've learned that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.
• I've learned that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
• I've learned that it isn't always enough to be forgive by others, sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
• I've learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn't stop for your grief.
• I've learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
• I've learned that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other and just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.
• I've learned that sometimes you have to put the individual ahead of their actions.
• I've learned that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
• I've learned that no matter the consequences, those who are honest with themselves get farther in life.
• I've learned that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
• I've learned that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.
• I've learned that writing, as well as talking, can ease emotional pains.
• I've learned that the people you care most about in life are taken from you too soon.
• I've learned that it's hard to determine where to draw the line between being nice and not hurting people's feelings and standing up for what you believe.
• I've learned to love and be loved.
• I've learned.
  

-Omer B. Washington

Lithium

Interesting version of Nirvana's epic tune.

My life Is Average

There is this great site where people (mostly teens it seems) post little anecdotes from their day to day lives, some are really cute. The site can be found here.

• At my new school I sat with a group of kids during lunch that asked me "twilight or Harry Potter?" I answered Harry Potter and they scoweled at me and made rude remarks. The next table over put a bag over my head and screamed "GRYFFINDOR" then pulled me to their table. I just found my new best friends.
• Tonight, after a very romantic dinner, my boyfriend and I walked and sat in a grassy area in the middle of this classy shopping center to look at the stars and be mature adults. Instead, I hit him, yelled YOU'RE IT and ran away. We proceeded to have an intense game of tag in our dress clothes. I have found my soulmate.
• Today, my dance partner (who only has my number so he can call/text me if he isn't going to be in class) texted me saying he was bored. After texting each other for half an hour, we now have plans to go to the beach and build a sand castle, then have a sword duel over who rules the castle. I know I chose the right partner.
• Today a customer asked where the condoms were. I told him we didn't sell condoms. On his way out he said, "I'll be back in nine months for diapers." I laughed until I cried.
• Today, in creative writing, we were told to start writing our short stories and by the end of class, share what we have so far. Everyone had really deep stories about love, loss, or important moral values. Mine was about a spoon named Bobby who went on an adventure to help save the Kettle from being burned by the stove. My teacher asked to see me after class. He gave me candy and asked to keep my story.
• Today, I was bored so I called a random number. A girl answered and was silent, then she said "You have reached the Oreo Company. To receive free Oreos, press one. I'm sorry that offer has ended." I then roared into the phone. She then answered with "NO I WILL NOT BATHE YOUR WHALE!" Then hung up. I want to find this girl, and marry her.
• Today, during English, someone made a zombie joke. I reached into my backpack to pull out my "Zombie Survival Guide". Just as I set it on my desk, I looked up to see my teacher pulling the same book from his desk. He looked at me and silently nodded.
• Today, I was backpacking with some friends of mine, and in the middle of nowhere colorado, on a boulder was painted "Turn me over" This was a large boulder, about 6 feet across, after twenty minutes of intense pushing, we finally got the boulder turned over and painted on the bottom it said "Thanks".
• Today, my dog and I were wrestling. He kept trying to lick my face, but I'd push him away every time he got close. Suddenly he stopped and looked out the window with an intense expression on his face, I decided to look too, as soon as I did, he licked my face. I was outsmarted by a dog.
• Today I was sitting on the quad reading. Suddenly, a guy walks past me, without looking at me, and says "duh nuh", like from the Jaws theme. This happened a few more times and then stopped for a little while, so I went back to my reading. Out of nowhere, a guy in a shark suit tackled me to the ground and then ran off. By the time I collected myself and sat up, nobody involved in the affair was in sight. I picked the right college.
• Today, I came home to my mom scowling, my dad smirking, and my little sister grinning. Apparently, my sister got into a fight with a fellow 5th grader, saying that the Beatles pwned the Jonas Brothers. My sister and the girl argued until my sister tackled her while yelling, "I am the walrus! Goo goo g'joob!" I have never before felt like such a positive influence to my siblings.

Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity

Sir Ken Robinson makes an entertaining and profoundly moving case for creating an education system that nurtures (rather than undermines) creativity.

Tu veux, tu veux pas?

A friend put me onto this french song, it was originally sung by Brigitte Bardo, the version I like is this strange techno/dance version...sounds odd, but I like playing it when Im busy on the computer, lots of energy...but the original version is very cool as well.

*Editted to add links to the song...Original version by Ms.Bardo, here is the version I was talking about, and I apologize for the dancing girl but its the only one I could find! I like both versions though.

Tu veux, tu veux pas?

Tu veux ou tu veux pas
Tu veux c’est bien
Si tu veux pas tant pis
Si tu veux pas
J’en f’rai pas une maladie
Oui mais voilà réponds-moi
Non ou bien oui
C’est comme ci ou comme ça
Ou tu veux ou tu veux pas

Tu veux ou tu veux pas
Toi tu dis noir et après tu dis blanc
C’est noir c’est noir
Oui mais si c’est blanc c’est blanc
C’est noir ou blanc
Mais ce n’est pas noir et blanc
C’est comme ci ou comme ça
Ou tu veux ou tu veux pas

La vie, oui c’est une gymnastique
Et c’est comme la musique
Y a du mauvais et du bon
La vie, pour moi elle est magnifique
Faut pas que tu la compliques
Par tes hésitations
{au Refrain}

La vie, elle peut être très douce
A condition que tu la pousses
Dans la bonne direction
La vie, elle est là elle nous appelle
Avec toi elle sera belle
Si tu viens à la maison

Tu veux ou tu veux pas ? hein !
Quoi ? Ah ! tu dis oui
Ah ! a a a a a a a
Et ben moi j’veux plus !
Ouh ! la la

Barnum Statements

I had a friend who was one of the brightest people I have ever met who read her horoscope everyday, she claimed they were accurate. I suspect she was having some fun at my expense given how bright she was, I can't believe she really put stock in horoscopes.

Horoscopes like most personality profiles are nothing more than Barnum statements. Which are statements of subjective validation in which a person finds personal meaning although the statements themselves apply to many people. This effect was named after nonother than P. T. Barnum, who of course said "There is a sucker born every minute".

Examples of typical Barnum statements are:

• You have a great need for other people to like and admire you
• At times you have serious doubts whether you have made the right decision or done the right thing.
• You tend to be too self critical
• You’re an independent and creative thinker
• You do not accept what others tell you to believe
• Some of your goals seem to be a little unrealistic

The list goes on and on and on.

These types of statements apply to most everyone and of course people see themselves within such statements. Barnum statements are used by psychics and astrologers of all creeds to great success, mostly because people want to believe in such rubbish.

Literally astrology can be defined as the system of beliefs in which knowledge of the relative positions of celestial bodies is used to interpret, predict and organize information about personality, human affairs, and other terrestrial matters.

The astrological charts which modern astrologers use are based upon Ptolemaic tables, which is funny, because Ptolemy left out one of the original signs of the Zodiac which the Babylonians orginally included in their charts when they created this bullshit 4300 years ago...the other really funny thing about these tables, is that they are still used today...if the stars really did have magical effects on our lives, the predictors would still be wrong as their charts have not been updated to reflect the 5 days difference between where stars actually are versus where the charts say they are....oh and for those people who love their newspaper/website horoscope you might be shocked to know these are now created by software which uses random Barnum statements.

Megan Fox - The New Angelina?

I was hanging out with the girls at the spa, when the topic of Megan Fox came up, and one woman commented how everyone thought Megan Fox was the new Angelina Jolie...I normally could give a fuck about such things...but this is so stupid even I need to comment.

Lets compare the two...

Angelina Jolie won a best actress oscar in 2000 and was nominated for another in 2009, shes won 3 Golden Globes, and Megan Fox has...well not...

Angelina Jolie has appeared in over 30 films, several critically acclaimed...Megan Fox was in Transformers.

Megan Fox dated Justin Green...this should pretty much say all that there is. Oh ya, Angelina Jolie hangs out with Brad Pitt...

Angelina also does a little charity work with the UN as a special ambassador...while Megan Fox I hear has seen a globe once.

And really, lets be honest, woman 30+ are way sexier and appealing than 20 somethings...in all cases...

Dreams

All people dream, but not equally.
Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their mind,
Wake in the morning to find that it was vanity.

But the dreamers of the day are dangerous people,
For they dream their dreams with open eyes,
And make them come true.

-D.H.Lawrence

Regrets

My son often brings up hard subjects, he asked me the other day if I had any regrets. Pretty hard question coming from a 7 year old!

I think over the last 3 years I have a couple of pretty major regrets, that are related. I regret wasting so much of my life behind the computer. I think its fair to say I developed a pretty bad video game addiction which sucked away years of my life. I of course had a great justification for my addiction, 'escapism'...getting away from lifes very real and very large stresses. Of course, hiding from lifes problems makes the problems worse not better.

I think the allure of game addiction is strong, and in the end it does nothing but damage ones life and relationships. I have blown up thousands of internet spaceships, conquered hundreds of dungeons...and....so fucking what?! All of those victories and losses mean nothing...I can say all of that time was truly wasted, I have not one thing to show for all of the time I spent wasting away behind the computer, not one.

The other real regret I have is that I have been so passive in my life. I have spent years waiting around for life to happen to me rather than working towards the life I want.

I am the king of self justification, always blaming other peoples actions or inactions for me not working towards the life I want. I know alot of people do the same, blaming their own actions or more correctly inactions on what others do or dont do, its always someone elses fault!!! Frankly its bullshit...if you want something out of life, you need to go after it and work on it...

Music

Remember when bands put out great albums? Like the guys pictures above who put out album after album of awesome tunes. Perhaps Im just getting old, but where are the new epic albums? I hear a new song and think thats's pretty good, then I check out the album and find it has one or two good songs and the rest...well meh!

Its both fun and sad to sit around and chat music with people of my generation, listening to some of those old great bands. I wonder if I am just missing the point with new artists...but I do like specific songs, just not whole albums...well mostly not even 1/2 an album.

I guess I am really showing my age by even calling it an album!! Talking music is still one of my absolulte favorite things.

Brake Lights

I grew up in the far north in Canada, with the closest town 90 minutes away. We often found ourselves driving on the old mountain road alone, not seeing another car for the entire trip. Late at night when driving, it was always sort of a relief seeing brake lights of a car ahead, knowing that we weren't the only ones out there.

I was driving home late one night last week, and the roads were very quiet, ahead of me I could see the brake lights of another car in the distance. For a brief second a wave of comfort fell over me...I had the same feeling which I had as a child seeing brake lights in the distance. It was a very nice feeling, that safety one feels in childhood...it was a flicker then gone...it put me in a good mood...the speeding ticket I had gotten earlier in the evening entirely forgotten.

The feelings of childhood are so special...its a shame we don't see it until we are so much older.

Raven Hair

Raven haired beauty
Bright blue eyes, I cannot meet her gaze
Asking hard questions

Play ground at night, posing for a picture
She won't smile
Ever so serious
It turns out better this way
A bottle of wine
Morning caught us unaware

Old wounds still bleed
Trust again?
Those blue eyes make it hard to resist
Her perfume on my clothes
here I go
again...

How one man beat the KKK

A great story by Johnny Lee Clary about how Reverend Wade Watts, an NAACP leader, disarmed him by being cool, funny and brave.

A Mothers Journey

See this photo journal only if you feel like having a cry. Turn on the captions, although the pictures speak for themselves...

Rules for life!

I've been working on this today, taking stuff from various other lists to make my own, I need to jet right away, so I apologize for any spelling mistakes, or errors in grammer.

1. Life is not fair, get over it.
   
2. Life is too short to hang onto hate.
3. Forgive, but never forget.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will. Stay in touch.
5. Don't worry about winning arguments, worry about finding solutions.
6. Don't carry a balance on your credit card.
7. Never let your gas tank run below 1/4.
8. Be good to your local businesses.
9. Cry with someone, not alone, and never let a loved one cry alone, share their tears.
10. Save money every month, no matter how little.
11. Don't save things for special occassions, live life NOW!
12. Be strange, life is more interesting once you don't give a shit what people think of you.
13. You are responsible for your own happiness.
14. Time heals.
15. Growing old is better than dying young.
16. All that truly matter in life, are the ones we love and those who love us, the rest is just stuff.
17. Accept the past and move on.
18. Count to 10, once the words are out there, they cannot be taken back.
19. Day dream.
20. Dress like today is important, because it is.
21. Laugh alot, especially at yourself.
22. Smile.
23. Give of yourself.
24. Think!
    
25. Be the first to say sorry.
26. Never stop talking, to all who you love.
27. Be a good and active friend.
28. Take pictures.
29. Travel.
30. Don't just stand there, don't let life pass you by.
31. Step outside your comfort zone.
32. If you lack self confidence, fake it, no one can tell the difference.
33. Use good manners.
34. Live up to your word.
35. Meditate.
36. Don't lie to yourself.
37. Reflect on your blessings.
38. Phone calls or visits > Emails/Text/Instant Messages
39. Do things with passion.
40. Read everyday.
41. Don't be an asshole.
42. Be original, don't follow the herd.
43. Learn to cook, much joy can be found in the kitchen, especially with other people.
44. Life is really about other people, never forget its people who matter, don't be materialistic.
45. Do as little harm as possible.

Danger of facebook

I can confirm this is real...LOL!

Issues with Buddhism

I have at times identified myself as a buddhist, as there are many very positive aspects of this religion. The religion itself is very thoughtful, quiet and compassionate, its leader is very likable and buddhism tends to focus on things most people would agree are laudible.

A central part of buddhism is meditation, which regardless of your religious ilk (or lack there of) is something that is always good for a person. Quiet contemplation is a great way to both deal with lifes stresses as well as come to terms with problems one faces.

The central theme of all flavours of buddhism is the notion of enlightenment. What is enlightenment? As with most religions, it means different things to different people, but it all boils down to a "true" understanding of oneself and of the world around us.

Where buddhism fails in a very real sense is that no one ever becomes enlightened! No one ever transcends into some sort of divine state of existance. It simply doesnt happen, because, well, this is it...life is life, there are no dragons, elves, ghosts nor enlightenment. I say embrace the positive aspects of buddhism, or any religion, but don't ever fall for the bullshit promises.

As the Buddha said so very long ago...

"Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.”

Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C.

A great myth about fat

I haven't had much computer time lately, been exploring this strange outside world place! Most blog updates are going to have to happen when I take a break from work. I can't believe I wasted so much time behind the computer over the last 3 years, missed out on alot of living...but that is a story for another blog!

Exercise, losing weight, keeping it off, all things I know alot about...or I thought I did. I recently learned some new things which I would like to share.

The journal Obesity Research by a Columbia University reports that a pound of fat burns 2 calories a day, and a pound of muscle burns a whopping 6 calories a day! Yes, you read the right...6 calories a day for a pound of muscle. That means if you replace 10 pounds of fat with muscle you get to eat 40 calories more a day and not gain weight...40 calories...thats well...not much!

The common wisdom has always been muscle burns alot more than fat at rest, and it does, 3x as much...but both are so low, that just having muscle doesnt really change what you can eat.

Even exercise doesnt burn alot of calories, if you run for 30min, then drink 1 Gatorade you are at a complete wash calorie-wise. Of course exercise has other important benefits besides weight loss, so I am certainly not arguing that its a waste of time. Unless you are doing 90min of exercise every single day, you probably wont lose much weight from exercising is what the latest research shows. The best and most effective way to lose weight is all about the calorie input!

For maximum overall health, a combination of exercise and diet is still the best, but if its just about losing weight, well, you need to do alot more than just exercise. Seriously, 6 calories a day...I almost fell off my chair when I read that.

Greatest Standoff Ever!

Ok, maybe its a guy thing but I love it! It is an excellent illusion to trust and the lack of trust between people...everyone is scared to take the first leap.

10,000 Rockets

Since Hamas came to power in Gaza they have fired 10,000 rockets and Mortars into Israel. These rockets are known as "dumb weapons", meaning that those who launch them only have a faint idea of where they will land.

We have had years and years of Hamas firing these weapons at basically anyone, since they cannot even begin to target them, and the world says what?! Well nothing, no protests in London nor New York...

If France launched 10,000 rockets into Britain indiscriminately dropping all over the British countryside what do you expect the citizens of Britain would demand of their government? Would they expect their government to pay billions of dollars to supply those shooting the rockets with food, water, clothes, electricity, heating oil and fuel? Oh didn't you know that the vast majority of humanitarian supplies for Gaza and the West bank are paid for by Israel? Did you think Iran or Syria paid for them? Think again, the Israeli tax payer has been paying for these basics of life all the while Hamas has launched 10,000 rockets and mortars into Israel.

Don't get me wrong, I don't approve of the vast numbers of civilians killed by the Israelis during this war. Just as I don't approve of the vast number of murders Hamas has carried out to its own people since they came to power (do some searching, Hamas has killed, kidnapped and tortured more people since they came to power than the Israelis have during this war...funny no marches about that either).

Luckily for Hamas and the Palestinians they are closer to victory than ever before...don't believe me? Well, I didnt say it, Hamas leader Ismail Haniya says "We are closer to victory than ever."
Source CNN

Are these people retarded?! How about this for a concept everyone stop shooting each other. Full stop, no more blame, or tit for tat murders. Figure out a way to let normal people get on with their lives. Israel will not be obliterated regardless of what the Hamas charter says, and Israel can't wipe out the Palestinians either. Both sides need to accept that the other isn't going anywhere, and that every single death on all sides is a complete waste as they will have to come to terms with each other at some point.

The very idea that either side claims god is backing them makes me sick, that nonsense may have worked in the dark fucking ages, but not now. Seriously just stop killing each other.