Thursday, March 7, 2019

It's been a very long time

I got caught up in other parts of life over the last few years and things have definitely changed.  I changed churches from BCC to a reconciling congregation, becoming friends with two lesbian couples and several gay men.  As such, life sometimes gets hard.  Whenever draconian policies are ordered into existence, I immediately think of them and how they're affected.  Sometimes, I worry we'll all be forced into permafrost areas in the Cascades where we're to be beaten within an inch of our lives and they let the cold finish us off.  45's mouthpieces often remind me too much of Minimus from Animal Farm. 

I feel guilty partially praising a PureFlix film in my last post here, as I believe that company takes all of their profits and gives them to cold-hearted, right-wing politicians.  A major reason I believe this is they released at least 5 films last year, a crucial election year for control of Congress.  I haven't been able to buy most explicitly religious albums for the same reason. 

I'm no longer a fan of Stryper, their frontman Michael Sweet expressed immense love for Trump during his campaign run, even saying it was okay for him to say "grab them by the [vagina]."  What really is irritating about that is less that a year before, he said "Miley Cyrus should be judged for the sexually explicit things she does."  So if a woman chooses to dress down and say the "f" work, that's wrong, but it's okay for a man to brag about sexual assault. 

This is why I am glad I go to a reconciling congregation, a place where for once, I don't feel judged for my music choices, opinions or questions, I come to be refreshed from the strain of life, get energy to do good things in the world.  I'm not perfect, I'm just learning as I go.  I hope to pick this blog back up because I want a healthier hobby and most social media is boring me as I get older.  See you next time, whenever that is.

Monday, December 29, 2014

How a Razzie-winning film, a song that became a meme and my family saved my life

I seriously never thought I'd be using this website again. Between Facebook and email, this place just felt like...why bother? But I'm not here about that. Something amazing happened this last weekend that has restored my Faith in God. Like all sermon-stories, we're going to start at the beginning, over a year ago.

 So, last year I re-discovered a young woman I met in High School. For her protection, she will only be referred to in pronouns. Like me, she has an anxiety disorder. She is also an atheist and doesn't believe in anything that can't be proven or studied.

"Daniel, why did you have this relationship?"

When you're 24, never been on a date, worried how your life will turn out, you'll say yes. Heck, we had been friends before, no big rifts, just the fact that I couldn't answer her questions, like "why can I not remember my matter being the things it was before it was me?" Eventually, though, you realize you'd like space from that.

 However...

 "Daniel, why would it be so bad if we got married? Marriage is just two best friends living together."

"My brother and sister in law are a lot more affectionate and bubbly than that. I want someone who makes me feel that way."

"They're them, we're us. You're idealizing their relationship."

That was less than a month ago. As you can tell, it was getting bad. And if that wasn't bad enough... "They just had Thomas touch Jesus to attack the Gnostics, why would God allow himself to be tested?"

Yep. Faith attacks. If you don't know what a Faith attack is like to someone like me, imagine this. Imagine you're in a great restaurant, eating a meal. Then imagine someone uninvited sits down at your table and says, "You are going to die from this meal."
Now imagine that happening several times a day over Facebook conversations. That was last week, CHRISTMAS WEEK! I was expecting better from friends on the week of Christmas, but I felt so bad I was actually afraid to use Facebook and didn't even turn the computer on or take it with me the day I left my apartment to visit family for several days. I felt hurt and beaten and without life. But I didn't realize just how bad things got inside my head until I watched what people will probably vote the "worst movie of 2014." No, it's not Left Behind, it's God's Not Dead. I say that it'll win the Razzie because well, let's face it, it has no idea how professors are supposed to act (when I had the closest thing to this, the professor NEVER denied God, but we didn't study Jesus), the philosophers he mentions aren't ACTUAL philosophers, the film is NOT atheist-friendly, though plenty of atheists ARE Christian-friendly and I'm pretty sure there's a group of Muslims also complaining about that one character, too. On top of that, it continues the glorification of Duck Dynasty, which, upon me reading that in a plot synopsis, made me think this film would say "Obama's evil" and "LGBTs go to Hell." Thankfully, the last two were skipped.

However, you're probably wondering... "You're reading this film rights like a standard blogger, how did it 'save your life?'"

The Professor has a wife. The wife is a Christian. The Professor tells his wife to keep quiet about Jesus to keep the marriage happy. God pretty much said, "You marry the person you're dating, THAT'S your life, buddy. You're going to be praying in the dark corner of the bedroom when she's not home, trying to keep her happy. You want her happy, or do you want to be happy?"

Yep, God talks to people, today. And He can be pretty candid about how He talks. And even if God had said nothing, the images were enough to say, "seem familiar, Daniel?" But still, I have a brain in my skull and wasn't sure, so I prayed. My family members, my brother and sister in law, were talking to friends, so I prayed by myself. My brother noticed and I told him everything. He agreed and gave me this advice.

"Until you're not afraid of being alone, you're going to have bad relationships." And this is were the last part comes in.

It's amazing how in this age, a movie can jump from simple 2-hour film to significant part of culture due to the Internet. In this case, I'm talking about Frozen. The film is a year old, and merchandise is still everywhere, "Do You Want To Build A Snowman" and "For The First Time In Forever" have become iconic, Idina Menzel made a tremendous Christmas album and I swear Elsa and Anna are going to replace Santa Claus and Rudolph as Holiday icons. But the song I didn't mention is the one that matters most. It's sung twice in the film by (I mean this, ladies) national treasures Idina Menzel (Elsa) and pop star Demi Lovato. It is of course, "Let It Go." In the film, Elsa's powers have been revealed and she hides herself on a faraway mountain, creating a castle of ice while singing this. I'm not going to post the whole thing, or a link, just the relevant parts. "Don't let them in, don't let them see/ Be the good girl you always had to be/ CONCEAL, DON'T FEEL, don't let them know" "LET IT GO, Let it Go, Can't Hold it Back any more/ Let it Go, Let it Go, TURN AWAY AND SLAM THE DOOR" And most of all: "It's funny how some distance makes everything seem small/ AND THE FEARS THAT ONCE CONTROLLED ME CAN'T GET TO ME AT ALL."

I urge everyone in an abusive relationship, let's get out, let's go, let's not be desperate anymore, let's let it go and take control.

Monday, December 16, 2013

Songs for The Crowners, my band, to learn

Subject to change. Last update 7/30/2015
AC/DC: Shoot To Thrill, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, Thunderstruck, Let There Be Rock, Whole Lotta Rosie

The Beatles: Oh Darling, I Want You (She's So Heavy), Here Comes The Sun, Dig A Pony, I've Got A Feeling, One After 909, I Me Mine, I Saw Her Standing There, Taxman, Drive My Car, In My Life, She Loves You, I Feel Fine, Ticket To Ride, Day Tripper, Paperback Writer, Yellow Submarine, Get Back, Revolution, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Don't Let Me Down, Nowhere Man

Billy Idol: Rebel Yell

Billy Ray Cyrus: Thrillbilly, I'm So Miserable, I'm American, Never Thought I'd Fall In Love With You, Face of God, Amazing Grace, Some Gave All, Enough is Enough, The Past, Stand Still, The Freebird Fell, Achy Breaky Heart, Words By Heart, Stand

Black Sabbath: Neon Knights, Heaven and Hell, Fairies Wear Boots, Paranoid, After Forever, Into the Void, Iron Man, End of the Beginning

Blue Oyster Cult: Godzilla, Black Blade

Bob Seger: Old-Time Rock and Roll

Casting Crowns: Voice of Truth, Praise You in this Storm, Stained-Glass Masquerade

Cheap Trick: Dream Police, I Want You To Want Me

Creedence Clearwater Revival: Fortunate Son, Bad Moon Rising

DC Talk: Jesus Freak

Def Leppard: Foolin', Pour Some Sugar On Me

Deep Purple: Highway Star, Stormbringer, Mistreated, Perfect Strangers, Lady Double-Dealer, Nobody's Home

Demi Lovato: Party, Don't Forget, U Got Nothing On Me, Every Time You Lie

Dio: Straight Through The Heart, Rainbow In The Dark

Guns N Roses: Nightrain, Sweet Child O' Mine, You Could Be Mine

Idina Menzel: Let it Go

Iron Maiden: The Trooper, Wasted Years, Fear of the Dark, New Frontier

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts: I Love Rock and Roll

Journey: Separate Ways (Worlds Apart), Any Way You Want It, Open Arms

Judas Priest: Metal Meltdown, Victim of Changes, Redeemer of Souls, Breaking the Law

Katy Perry: Hot N Cold, Roar, By the Grace of God

L.A. Guns: Never Enough

Led Zeppelin: Black Dog, Rock and Roll, The Ocean, Immigrant Song, Misty Mountain Hop, Since I've Been Lovin' You, Whole Lotta Love, In My Time Of Dying

Lynyrd Skynyrd: I Ain't the One, Call Me The Breeze, Gimme Back My Bullets, Saturday Night Special, That Smell, Simple Man, Free Bird

Miley Cyrus: These Four Walls, Bottom of the Ocean, GNO, The Climb, Wrecking Ball, Can't Be Tamed, Adore You, Drive, Maybe You're Right

Ozzy Osbourne: Crazy Train, Goodbye to Romance, I Don't Know, Believer, Over the Mountain, See You On The Other Side, Not Going Away

Paramore: Ignorance, Brick By Boring Brick, Monster, Ain't It Fun, Last Hope, Crushcrushcrush

Pink Floyd: Comfortably Numb

Queen: I Want It All, Fat Bottomed Girls, Tie Your Mother Down

Queensryche: Jet City Woman, Where Dreams Go To Die, Arrow Of Time

Quiet Riot: Metal Health (Bang Your Head), Thunderbird, Slick Black Cadillac, Sign of the Times

Rainbow: Long Live Rock N Roll, Tarot Woman, Stargazer 

Sammy Hagar: I Can't Drive 55

Scorpions: Lovedrive, Blackout

Steve Miller Band: Abracadabra, Fly Like An Eagle

Stryper: Saved By Love, Renewed, To Hell with the Devil, Free, Yahweh, Always There For You, All For One, Soldiers Under Command

Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown: Lipstick Wonder Woman

UFO: Lights Out

Van Halen: Why Can't This Be Love

Whitesnake: Is This Love, Still of the Night

Winger: Seventeen

2013 in review

What a year! I didn't post much here because I figured most people stopped caring about this blog with me going a little crazy and paranoid, but a heck of a lot happened. Baseball games? Loads of them, I saw the Mariners play four, though they lost each one, usually due to offense, but there were tough pitchers on the mound for the opponents, too (Andy Pettitte and Jeff Szjmardzja). I also saw the Pirates, Indians and Phillies all play, each had their own degree of interest to them, though since the Pennsylvania chapter of my Dad's life appears over, I doubt I will be back. The Hot stove has definitely been active, and I doubt it's going to slow down, with the Mariners making a huge, 10-year signing of Robinson Cano. While he will not magically lift the Mariners to playoff worthiness, it's good to finally have an everyday player who can be a popular face of the franchise for years to come and I hope the young guns (Ackley and Franklin, especially) can produce enough to join him in that circle. Concerts? By the ton. 1964 the Tribute was the tip of the iceberg. Before seeing classic rock came a metal concert not unlike Iron Maiden's from last year, only this was within walking distance of my apartment. It was the band Dio Rising, a tribute band to the late Ronnie James Dio, former frontman for Rainbow, Black Sabbath (he replaced Ozzy Osbourne in the 80s) and Dio. They covered many loud songs of his, as well as some of the more introspective ones. Lynyrd Skynyrd produced a blistering show of classics and they actually opened for Bad Company, who were more laid-back. Sammy Hagar had a partying style about him, yet carried his show with the professionalism you would expect for someone who's been active for 40 years. A week after him came my first Canadian concert, the metal band Black Sabbath. The audience was more rowdy than I'm used to, but the band was great, the music solid and the performance truly memorable. In September, I saw Zepparella at the Skagit Valley Casino, where they played classic Led Zeppelin hits, some of which I had heard the year before at the band's performance at the Tractor Tavern, others were new, like "Misty Mountain Hop," "The Ocean," "How Many More Times" and "Whole Lotta Love." Late in October was my first very local concert, HalloQueen and Voyager. HalloQueen is a Queen tribute, and delivered many Queen hits, including Bohemian Rhapsody and Fat Bottomed Girls. Voyager, though, is a tribute to "Hard Rock and 80s metal," with songs from bands as varied as AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Winger, Motley Crue, Guns N Roses and Van Halen in their setlist. Sadly, everyone, including Voyager, seemed out of their heads by the time that performance took place, it was loud and uncomfortable. The last show was another local club concert, the all-woman AC/DC tribute Hell's Belles played downtown, performing various songs I had heard through life and Iron Man 2. This was a much better show, the club had seating and the band seemed to be having more fun. 2014's concert plans are already underway, I am the proud owner of a ticket to Miley Cyrus' show at the Tacoma Dome on February 16th. I also plan to see Journey and Steve Miller when they come to the White River Amphitheater with a friend from Church. Others I hope to see are Stryper, Billy Ray Cyrus, Katy Perry and if the rumors of rumors are true, Led Zeppelin. I also would like to start a band, if possible.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Contentment, finding it is tough.

Well, this year has been feeling better than before, I've gotten to see 1964 the Tribute at last and will see three Mariner games, hopefully featuring Raul Ibanez and Michael Morse. I will also be spending time with my Dad in July. However, the title is referring to the fact that despite moving out, buying tickets to three Mariner games, making plans to see a heavy metal tribute in my hometown, a Bad Company/Lynyrd Skynyrd concert down South by Seattle AND a Sammy Hagar show over by Marysville (and I'm convinced more artists are likely to announce themselves before the month of May is out), I get annoyed that I don't think I can see Robert Plant and Tony Iommi perform over at the Gorge Amphitheatre over East by Ellensberg. Why? I have more than I could ask for, I'm on my own, I have a good church, good friends, good family, good plans, I don't need this classic English Bluesman or the original heavy metal band to be happy, so why do I act like I do, clawing at friends and sort-of friends as though if I don't get this, I will drown and die unsatisfied. Maybe it's that they're old. Maybe it's that the world is fallen. Or maybe it's just the same old anxiety.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Led Zeppelin Rock Band/Guitar Hero song list

Song Album 
Good Times, Bad Times Led Zeppelin  
Dazed and Confused Led Zeppelin
Communication Breakdown Led Zeppelin
Whole Lotta Love Led Zeppelin II
The Lemon Song Led Zeppelin II
Heartbreaker Led Zeppelin II
Immigrant Song Led Zeppelin III
Since I’ve Been Lovin’ You Led Zeppelin III
Out On The Tiles Led Zeppelin III
That’s The Way Led Zeppelin III
Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp Led Zeppelin III
Black Dog Led Zeppelin IV
Rock and Roll Led Zeppelin IV  
Stairway to Heaven Led Zeppelin IV
Misty Mountain Hop Led Zeppelin IV
Going to California Led Zeppelin IV
The Song Remains The Same Houses of the Holy
The Rain Song Houses of the Holy
No Quarter Houses of the Holy  
The Ocean Houses of the Holy
In My Time Of Dying Physical Graffiti
Trampled Under Foot Physical Graffiti
Kashmir Physical Graffiti
Ten Years Gone Physical Graffiti
Sick Again Physical Graffiti
Achilles Last Stand Presence
Nobody’s Fault But Mine Presence
Candy Store Rock Presence
In The Evening In Through The Out Door
Fool In The Rain In Through The Out Door
Hot Dog In Through The Out Door  
All My Love In Through The Out Door
Rock and Roll/Celebration Day/Black Dog (live) The Song Remains the Same
No Quarter (live) The Song Remains the Same
Stairway to Heaven (live) The Song Remains the Same  
Over the Hills and Far Away (live) How the West Was Won  
Since I’ve Been Lovin’ You (live) How the West Was Won
Dazed and Confused (live) How the West Was Won
Moby Dick (live) How the West Was Won  
Whole Lotta Love (live) How the West Was Won
Rock and Roll (live) How the West Was Won  
Bring it on Home (live) How the West Was Won  
Black Dog (live) Celebration Day
In My Time Of Dying (live) Celebration Day
For Your Life (live) Celebration Day
Dazed and Confused (live) Celebration Day
Misty Mountain Hop (live) Celebration Day
Kashmir (live) Celebration Day
Rock and Roll (live) Celebration Day

Waiting on the Hot Stove

Hi guys. Well, I've been hoping for the Mariners to make a move soon, this slow process seems almost agonizing. I know I want the M's to sign Nick Swisher, but knowing Zdurencik, he's probably going to go with someone obscure and not so good. I'm kind of sick that the M's can't be big players like that. Next year, I plan to see five Mariner games, one game with the Pirates, one game with the Indians, one game with the Phillies and quite a few minor league games. Here's hoping the teams I see at home get what they want.