A Special Day For Music

 Today's a special personal day for music, as it is both Billy Ray Cyrus and Rob Halford's birthday.  Halford was born in 1950 on this day, BRC was born in 1961.  Other important people whose birthday is today include Sean Connery, Regis Philbin, Tim Burton and my late Uncle on my Mother's side.  In honor of the fantastic music of Billy Ray Cyrus and the projects of Rob Halford, this year, I made a 50-song playlist in Spotify:

1.)    Achy Breaky Heart-Billy Ray Cyrus

2.)    Folsom Prison Blues-Billy Ray Cyrus

3.)    Hey Elvis-Billy Ray Cyrus, Bryan Adams, Glenn Hughes

4.)    Ready, Set, Don’t Go-Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus

5.)    Stand-Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus

6.)    Tulsa Time-Billy Ray Cyrus and Joe Perry

7.)    You’ve Got A Friend-Billy Ray Cyrus and Emily Osment

8.)    Brown Eyed Girl-Billy Ray Cyrus

9.)    Over the Rainbow-Billy Ray Cyrus

10.) I Love You This Much-Billy Ray Cyrus

11.) Enough is Enough-Billy Ray Cyrus

12.) The Past-Billy Ray Cyrus

13.) Some Gave All-Billy Ray Cyrus

14.) Never Thought I’d Fall In Love With You-Billy Ray Cyrus

15.) The Freebird Fell-Billy Ray Cyrus

16.) Thrillbilly-Billy Ray Cyrus

17.) Somebody Said A Prayer-Billy Ray Cyrus

18.) Face of God-Billy Ray Cyrus

19.) I’m American-Billy Ray Cyrus

20.) Nineteen-Billy Ray Cyrus

21.) Chevys and Fords-Billy Ray Cyrus and Johnny McGuire

22.) Old Town Road-Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus

23.) Climb to Glory-Billy Ray Cyrus, Eddie Raven, Mark Plummer, Lee Roy Parnell

24.) Killing The Blues-Billy Ray Cyrus and Shooter Jennings

25.) We The People-Billy Ray Cyrus, Montgomery Gentry, Waylon Jennings and Others

26.) Starbreaker-Judas Priest

27.) Diamonds and Rust-Judas Priest

28.) The Green Manalishi with the Two Pronged Crown (Live)-Judas Priest

29.) Living After Midnight-Judas Priest

30.) Never The Heroes-Judas Priest

31.) Breaking the Law (Live)-Judas Priest

32.) Halls of Valhalla (Live)-Judas Priest

33.) Victim of Changes (Live 2015)-Judas Priest

34.) March of the Damned-Judas Priest

35.) Love Bites-Judas Priest

36.) Jawbreaker-Judas Priest

37.) Hell Bent For Leather (Live 1979)-Judas Priest

38.) Victim of Changes (Live 1979)-Judas Priest

39.) Running Wild (Live)-Judas Priest

40.) Breaking the Law-Judas Priest

41.) Hell Bent For Leather (Live 2015)-Judas Priest

42.) Black Wedding-In This Moment, Rob Halford

43.) Man on the Silver Mountain-Rob Halford, Doug Aldrich, Scott Warren, Jeff Pilson and Vinny Appice

44.) Breaking the Law (Live)-Halford

45.) Blackout (Live)-Halford

46.) Straight Up-Phil Campbell, Rob Halford

47.) Protected By The Light-Rob Halford

48.) Joy To The World-Rob Halford

49.) Hark!  The Herald Angels Sing-Rob Halford

50.) Away In A Manger-Rob Halford

I hope you can listen to some enjoyable music today and do some community outreach.  Sunday night sadly saw another senseless Police Brutality Murder, this time in Wisconsin.  I was encouraged by the words of Brewers Manager Craig Counsell (he was a player for the Marlins among other teams when I was a kid) that it was a needless violent act and he would be checking with his players to make sure they were okay.  I'm already doing the best I feel I can do at this point, but if I ever falter, I would like someone to point out my shortcomings.

An 8/21/2020 Release and what I liked last week

 

Last week had a good dose of releases with Miley Cyrus’ single “Midnight Sky” continuing her three-year quality music streak and a surprise EP by hard rockers Halestorm called “Reimagined,” where they covered themselves, reinterpreting their music as more acoustic, more grungy and also featuring Evanescence’s Amy Lee as a duet partner to Lzzy Hale on “Break In.”  It also featured a cover of “I Will Always Love You,” which mostly consisted of just Lzzy and a piano, and is one of my favorite covers this year, up there with the release of Chris Cornell’s version of “Patience.”  Actor/Singer Anthony Ramos, famous for playing John Laurens and Philip Hamilton in the Broadway Musical “Hamilton” and G-Team Soldier Martinez in “Godzilla; King of the Monsters,” also released a song called “Stop,” which is a fun song that sounds like it should be on the radio.  My brother was pleasantly surprised when I showed him the movie I wanted to see during our weekend had an actor from the movie he wanted Mom and I to see (and we did the following night).

 

Speaking of Hamilton, I recommend watching it on Disney+.  A lot of the issues of seeking freedom from tyranny resonate to today and encourage me to do what I can for the Biden-Harris campaign.  Remember that History has its eyes on you, so don’t throw away your chance to help end this pandemic, work for the lower and middle classes and make history for African-American and South Asian women in the United States.  If not, chances are the pandemic will continue indefinitely, the military and police will be used in organized genocide against the LGBTQ+, African American, Native American, Latin American, Muslim and Reconciling Congregation Communities in this country and the United States will die, bankrupt, by being carpet-bombed by the combined forces of the European Union, China, Canada and Japan.  This is not me merely suggesting a “worse case scenario,” this is a very real possibility with that genocidal glutton for wars we cannot afford to keep fighting in power.  And how much do you want to bet he will “executive order” away term limits if given the chance?

 

On a brighter note, here’s the top release of this week:

 

The Aquabats-Kooky, Spooky, In Stereo!  I don’t blame you if you don’t know who they are.  I didn’t know until ten years ago, when the Puppet Strong Bad (from homestarrunner.com) showed up at their Atlanta concert to sing “Pink Pants” off their then-latest album.  This sparked a working relationship between Matt Chapman (the voice one at homestarrunner.com) and the band, and when “The Aquabats Super Show” began airing on The Hub (the Channel that aired My Little Pony; Friendship is Magic and Transformers; Prime), Matt would occasionally play characters while cheap, Power Rangers-esque monsters caused havoc.  Matt’s most fondly remembered character was Carl, a wizard in a wrestling mask with a familiar voice (Strong Bad’s).  The Aquabats mostly make comedy-styled rock and roll, but it’s all original music and lyrics.

 

This is also Demi Lovato’s birthday, and she was the first artist I saw live way back in 2009 at the WaMu Theater in Seattle.  I since have seen her at the KeyArena (now renamed the Climate Pledge Arena) in Seattle and hope to have opportunities in the future to see her, her song “I Love Me” from earlier this year was great.  Happy 28^th Birthday, Demi Lovato!

Ten years ago

I'll never forget what happened ten years ago today, the day the terrorists stole America's security and fear zoomed in.  I was asleep, thinking about the day that lay ahead, going to school then going to practice Muay Thai martial arts.  Dad called so I could let him in, the divorce had happened, but he still took me to school.  Instantly, he walked over to the television set, that's when I knew something was wrong.  I saw the World Trade Center, the tallest buildings in New York City, with smoke pouring out of gaping holes.  I wondered if this was it for the structure, Dad assured me the buildings were too strong for airplane impacts to destroy them.  However, the burning fuel dramatically weakened the steel, and before I went to school, two of our nation's landmarks were gone.  Dad told me someone from the Middle East was most likely responsible.  I agreed, knowing of how Saddam Hussein hated America.  At school, the others blamed Japan for their history of Pearl Harbor and Kamikaze attacks, oblivious of the metamorphosis the nation had undergone in the last 60 years (now 70 years).  I told them to be quiet, stop slandering Godzilla's homeland, my statements fell on deaf ears.  Only the teacher could convince them otherwise from their "destroy Japan" sentiment.  I was nervous to do anything that day, but I was forced to do so by my parents.  In the years that came, the incident would prove to be the thing that robbed me, robbed my of my innocence and put me at odds with so many people.  As George W. Bush turned the fight to Iraq, a movement not unlike the Hippie movement arose, demanding peace at any cost.  I got swept up in this, stating that Bush was the reincarnation of Adolf Hitler through black magic and that he planned the horrible day, that the pilots of death were members of the Secret Service.  Hate fueled me, I despised the military, the Republican Party, this country and the one I called the antichrist, George W. Bush.  However, around 2007, that hate got burned out, tired and worn out from despising so much.  I had a new enemy then, the mass media, and how they portrayed Christians.  With that, I found the most vocal Christians in Hollywood, the Cyrus family, and began adoring them, especially since an episode of Hannah Montana dealt with surgery, which I had just received three months before the episode aired.  With that, there came a new call.  "Some Gave All."  Billy Ray Cyrus is very much a patriotic American Christian and has written and sung that many times, we need to fight for freedom.  My hate and paranoia slipped away, replaced with obsession, needing them to know such a perspective, which had been living deep within me the whole time, was okay, not an easy task when you live in a liberal town like Bellingham.  For that, I've given myself a one-day reprieve from the ban to listen to Billy Ray Cyrus' most patriotic songs.  I have also learned that his daughter is considering following Eastern Philosophy, however, I still feel like I need her and that the world needs her to be a Christian who supports gays.  Today I said a prayer in Church in the hopes that her paths would be made clear and that she wouldn't forget the beautiful sacrifice of Jesus.  I hate Hollywood less, though I do feel they treat people like garbage, and hope that my prayers are answered, and if she does convert, that God will be able to rescue her from any condemnation.
When Bin Laden was killed, it was amazingly refreshing, I no longer had to be angry over the events, it was over to an extent in my mind.  I've heard many differing opinions about the attack, one that really saddens me is the opinion that God let the attack happen so we would trust in him, rather than money and military.  I find it hard to believe that the God who led the children of Israel to the Promised Land, who willingly died for us, would support a man who hates Christianity, Israel and America and believes suicidal murder is not only justifiable, but supported by the divine.  Let's pray for all affected by war and remember, freedom isn't free.

Team Battles

Hi guys.  For fun, I thought I'd list all the teams I make in video games.
Super Smash Bros. Melee-Bowser (Me), Mario, Zelda.
Godzilla; Destroy All Monsters Melee-Godzilla 90s (Me), Godzilla 2000, Destoroyah.
Soul Calibur II-Link, Ivy, Taki.  Link, Sophitia, Cassandra.  Taki, Sophitia, Cassandra.
Mario Kart: Double Dash!!-Bowser and Mario, Bowser and Daisy, Mario and Daisy.
Mario Superstar Baseball-Bowser, Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Baby Mario, Magikoopa, Shy Guy, Goomba.
Godzilla Unleashed-Godzilla 2000 (me), Godzilla 1990s, Kiryu.  Kiryu (Me), MechaGodzilla, MechaGodzilla II.  To be used once unlocked; Godzilla 2000, Godzilla 1990s, Godzilla 1954.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl-Bowser (Me), Mario, Zelda.  Zero Suit Samus (Me), Zelda, Peach.
King of Fighters, the Orochi Saga-Mai Shiranui, Yuri Sakazaki, King.  Mai, Yuri, Kasumi (not the Kasumi from DOA).  Mai, Yuri, Athena (cleared KOF 98 with this team).
Mario Super Sluggers-Bowser, Mario, Peach, Daisy, Baby Peach, Baby Daisy, Miley Mii, Demi Lovato Mii, Brandi Cyrus Mii.
Tatsunoko vs. Capcom-Chun-Li and Morrigan, Chun-Li and Jun the Swan.
Naruto Shippuden; Clash of Ninja Revolution 3-Sakura and Hinata.  Tsunade is often inserted as well.  Yugao and Komachi will likely enter as their own team.
Also, when I played Marvel vs. Capcom 2 at a friend's house, I used Jill Valentine, Iron Man and Psylocke often.

Now, I'd like to get something off my chest.  I am ludicrously paranoid about the default scenario.  I have nightmarish thoughts of things costing 100 times what they do now and China invading America, raping and pillaging for money that we withheld.  Also, I've heard Obama plans to kick Israel out of Palestine.  This is unacceptable, I don't care how you'll look to the Middle East nations, to forsake a relationship for this, to deny a Religious people their Promised Land is the essence of folly.  There must be a way to appease the Muslims living in Palestine without eliminating the world's only Jewish nation.  If Congress members read my blog, I urge compromise and a plan to resolve the default scenario, and a negotiation with leaders of Palestine and Israel.

Political views

This is kind of going out on a limb, but here we go.

                I tend to try to be independent of either political party, but I have some pretty strong opinions of both.  I harbor some animosity to Democrats due to what I’ve seen in my Democrat Uncle and considered self-righteousness, their belief that whatever they say is right due to science and that the Republicans are all idiots.  I fear the extreme leftism I’ve seen in my college days, it is directly inspired by Marxism and believes that Christianity is a lie that is holding back the nation.  I fear this perspective since I am a Christian, such a perspective gaining power would revoke my freedom of religion and send me to the gulag.  I never fell into Obama-worship, though I do think he has some good ideas on how to lead, especially in terms of crises like health care and the economy.  However, I despise his war policies.  I do not mind the withdrawal from Iraq, but we need to be in Afghanistan until bin Laden is in prison.  When I woke up that morning, hearing of the planes destroying this country, I knew whoever was behind it had a heart of steel, a hatred of America.  When I read the statements bin Laden has released, gloating of his glory, the folly of America and a racist attitude to Israel and the USA’s Freedom of Religion, I know this is a man that cannot be let free to roam, or he shall attack us once more, with renewed vigor as he believes himself to be partially successful.  I also think Obama is way too self-righteous and tries too hard to make everyone like him.

                On the subject of Republicans, there is still much animosity and tension.  Whoever decided to make Sarah Palin the poster woman of the religious right ought to be slammed into a wall until their nonexistent brain forms.  It disgusts me how it feels that they have besmirched us Christians by showcasing hatred and coming across as highly unintelligent.  People who should represent the Faith should be people with love, honesty, a blend of science and Faith and a willingness to admit flaws while still being true to themselves. (People like Tory Belleci, Robert Bakker, my minister and the Cyrus family and Lovato family readily come to mind).  We need morals, but we don’t need to be Pharisees, we should be reasonable, not condemning.  On the subject of Evolution being taught in schools, I don’t know if it is necessary, to me, science was best when it was more about the joys of experimentation, the fun of seeing things melt, dissect and form.  Human origins should be taught to children based upon their families in my opinion.  Some angry people may argue for evolution by opposing the miracles of God.  There are still miracles going on today, a house loses heat the week of Thanksgiving and gets it fixed on Wednesday, a man nearly loses himself to drugs, but is led to the light, I nearly committed suicide, but a voice within told me my life was still worth living.  On the subject of homosexuality, I do not belief it is sinful, however, I am not sure if I support gay marriage since I am unsure what’s the difference between a civil union and a marriage.  To me, marriage is when two people exchange rings and vows with the intention of sealing each other together for the rest of their lives, completing one’s life with a sexual partner who you desire to see every day for the rest of your life.  I guess I started off Republican, became Democrat due to the Iraq War and Wiretaps, then became Republican the more paranoid Democrats became, then became independent when the Republicans became paranoid over Obama.  On a related note, I once put stock in the conspiracy theory that Bush had made the 9/11 attacks happen in order to gain emergency wartime powers, however, around 2007, when he seemed to just wait out the end of his presidency, I decided it made no sense that he would kill 3,000 people in a day, then back down from trying to seriously subjugate the American people.  Then History Channel aired their “debunk the conspiracy theories of Kennedy and 9/11” specials, which put all the nails in the coffin.

                For me, the ideal president would be like Optimus Prime from Transformers, the leader of the heroes.  He fought boldly and with self-sacrifice, leading his troops against evil that desired to see them dead.  He was somewhat of a Christ-figure, since he was murdered and resurrected, but to me, he had that humbleness, earnestness, boldness and cool-headedness that leaders need.  Good quotes by him; “Freedom is the right of all sentient beings” “Fate rarely calls upon us at a moment of our choosing” “We will not share our weapons with you, we have seen your capacity for war” “If you desire to see us leave, we shall, but first, ask this.  What if we leave, and your claims that we are responsible for the continuing war are wrong?”