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.

My Top 10 Musicians/Bands

Hi, all.  This is kind of in response to Rolling Stone's "100 Best Artists" magazine.  I haven't listened to quite a few of them, namely because I'm not big on hip-hop, so I thought I'd try my own, deciding it'd be easier to just do ten.  Without further ado, my top 10 musicians/bands.
1-The Beatles
Composed of the four most talented people in music, The Beatles must be listened to.  Every album in their discography has hits, and I recommend everyone should have the albums "1," "Abbey Road," "Revolver," "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," The White Album, The Blue Album and "Anthology 2."  No artist has ever covered such a wide variety of styles, and so mellifluously, too.  You get sad, intense, psychedelic and revolutionary songs with John, fun love songs, and a wide variety of pop with Paul, Eastern philosophy from George, and your friendly uncle with Ringo.  Without The Beatles, none of these other artists would exist.
2-Billy Ray Cyrus/Brother Clyde
While he is regarded as a one-hit wonder, Billy Ray Cyrus is one of the most sensitive men in music.  Blending Country music and Rock music with a style unheard since Ronnie Van Zant, Billy Ray brings intense passion to his recordings.  He is a man with strong convictions, who will also produce good songs to dance to and sing along with.  Brother Clyde is Billy Ray Cyrus producing music in a similar vein to Led Zeppelin, Nirvana and Lynyrd Skynyrd, which really shows how upset he is that sometimes things just don't make sense anymore.  I recommend his albums "Some Gave All," "Storm in the Heartland," "Trail of Tears," "Shot Full of Love," "The Other Side," "Wanna Be Your Joe," "Home At Last," "Back to Tennessee," "Brother Clyde," "I'm American," "The Best of Billy Ray Cyrus: Cover to Cover," "Achy Breaky Heart; 18 Essential Classics," "20^th Century Masters; Best of Billy Ray Cyrus: The Millennium Collection," He's also one of my favorite actors.
3-Miley Cyrus
The daughter of the above, Miley Ray Cyrus is a fun-loving, compassionate teenager who cares deeply for her family and friends (including lovers) and also likes to just relax.  Her music has varied from heartbreak to love to seeking independence.  One of the things I really like about her is that she's a Christian who is friendly with people from other Religions, a John Lennon fan, and a proud supporter of homosexuals.  She's one of the few people in the music industry who seems to be a true person, someone who seems genuine.  Recommended Discography is Disneymania 4 & 5, Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus, Breakout, Hannah Montana; the Movie (which I forgot first time through), The Time of Our Lives and Can't Be Tamed.
4-Lynyrd Skynyrd
A Southern Rock Band famous for its three-guitar lineup and songs "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Free Bird," Lynyrd Skynyrd was the first successful blend of country, rock and hard rock.  With excellent guitar work, the band shows off impeccable talent.  Ronnie Van Zant, the lead singer, also has a lot of heart, singing songs about the joys of a simple life, like "All I Can Do is Write About It."  I highly recommend "Lynyrd Skynyrd Gold" as a way to get started, then the albums "Gimme Back My Bullets (Deluxe Edition)," "One More From the Road (Deluxe Edition)," and "Street Survivors (Deluxe Edition)." 
5-Demi Lovato
One of Miley Cyrus' best friends, Demi Lovato is a very passionate singer, one who puts all of herself into her songs.  Her loud music in her early days easily reflected an independent, free-spirited girl, in fact, I always place "Party" right before Miley's "Can't Be Tamed" in playlists.  Her music is very enjoyable, and her latest song, "Skyscraper," shows a level of maturity few artists her age have ever reached.  Recommend "Don't Forget," "Here We Go Again," and "Skyscraper (Single)."
6-Casting Crowns
A Gospel Band that uses rock-type music to express their message, Casting Crowns really speak to me through bringing their message to the reality of everyday life.  They have great passion for God and are definitely worth listening to.  Recommended albums are "Casting Crowns," "Lifesong," "Until the Whole World Hears," and "Peace On Earth."
7-Addison Road
Another Gospel band, they sound just like Miley and Demi with their pop sound.  I've only heard one album, but I love it, especially "Won't Let Me Go" and "Don't Wait."  I recommending their "Stories" album.
8-Frank and Derol
An indie pop band formed by Brandi Cyrus and Codi Caraco, they present a very soothing sound that is easy to love.  They haven't released anything, but I recommend their song "Back and Forth."
9-Paramore
An alternative rock band, Paramore has a very passionate force in the form of lead singer Hayley Williams.  She is close to Brandi Cyrus, and also has many great songs.  I recommend "Riot!" "The Final Riot," and "Brand New Eyes (Deluxe Edition)."
10-1964 the Tribute
A Beatles Tribute band, they specialize in songs from 1963-1966.  This includes "Please Please Me," "With the Beatles," "Beatles for Sale," "Help," "Rubber Soul" and "Revolver."  They expertly imitate John, Paul, George and Ringo, especially their George portrayer, and are great at playing Beatles songs.  Someday, I hope to see them live.  Recommend their CDs "All You Need Is Live," "Bootleg #1" and "1964 the Tribute."

Transformers; Dark of the Moon (SPOILERS)

Today, I saw Transformers; Dark of the Moon with some friends.  Those who know me know I adore the previous two installments in this series.  I found this installment to be much less carefree than the previous two.  Though Bumblebee's capture in the first movie was sad, the death of Optimus Prime and subsequent Decepticon invasion easily overshadowed it in the second.  This new film features new emotional depths.  In it, Optimus' mentor, Sentinel Prime is discovered.  However, it is discovered he turned to the Decepticons since he believed Cybertron was so important, that they had to ally and rebuild their planet using human slaves.  This revelation and the subsequent reveal of Soundwave and Laserbeak as beings that brought humans to the Decepticons for their own politics was much more impactful than even the death of Optimus Prime.  The film also features a scene where it appears all the Autobots have been slaughtered by the Decepticon Starscream, further showing the darkness of this film.  Ultimately, the film is truly engaging, the characters always impressing me.  It's got a few twists at the end, especially involving the commanding trio of Optimus Prime, Sentinel Prime and Megatron.  Fans of the first two movies and Transformers should check this out.  The only major question I have for the film is the presence of Decepticon star fighters.  The fights were plenty engaging on the ground, and it just felt odd that they never used them before now.  As for the rumors of the possible Spielberg-directed sequel, well, I never saw Soundwave die.  In terms of Faith, we could talk about how some of our best heroes are willing to sell their souls to hold onto the past and strike out against a possible future.  Sentinel only cares about Cybertron, not his subordinate Optimus or the humans he cares about, and was willing to become evil for Cybertron rather than accept Earth as a possible new home.  Similarly, we are sometimes willing to surrender our souls in order to preserve that which is familiar. 

My answers to the previous questions

1.) I was born and raised as a Christian, and though God was always important to me and I loved Touched By An Angel, I started really getting involved in my Faith in 2000, when my Mom brought the soundtrack to Touched By An Angel and WOW the 90s on our road trip to San Francisco.  Before that, God and Jesus were either figures from my Beginners’ Bible, or people in hymns I didn’t understand.  Still, it was mainly a Church thing, and I didn’t bring it into my personal life until 2005, when I attended the Western States Youth Gathering. I guess those two events had the most influence on me theologically.

2.) Every day, I try to do what I can on the Internet to try to spread God’s Love.  I pray nightly and go to Church every Sunday.  Some days, I’ll read passages from the Bible, though my anxiety distorts God’s words, I tend to either not do that or read about the miracles.

4.) There have been a lot of times when God seems very distant, like when I read about animals eating their young and people gleefully using Charles Darwin as ammunition.  God doesn’t seem distant when I pray, and usually, something good will happen, like someone I like will contact me on the Internet or I’ll get to go to an event like a ballgame or a rock concert.

6.) Honestly, I don’t think so.  Sure, I was raised Lutheran and we sing all the time, but I think listening to The Beatles, Bob Seger’s Old-Time Rock and Roll, Billy Ray Cyrus’ Achy Breaky Heart and knowing the Beatles’ drummer was Ringo Starr, aka Mr. Conductor made music more important to me than Hymns did, save possibly Christmas songs.  The Cyrus family made the world of music even more important later on by performing great songs and pointing to artists like Demi Lovato, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Beatles and Led Zeppelin.

7.) No, but my family does pray for me to find employment quickly, and they’ve also prayed similarly for my brother.

9.) Hard to say.  These days, I listen to Addison Road’s “Won’t Let Me Go” and “Don’t Wait” a lot, they sound like Gospel versions of Miley and Demi songs.  I also love Casting Crowns, especially their “Lifesong” album, with great songs like “Lifesong,” “Praise You In This Storm,” “Stained Glass Masquerade,” “Love Them Like Jesus,” “Set Me Free,” and “And Now My Lifesong Sings.”  I used to not like DC Talk’s “Jesus Freak,” but as I get older and angrier at a world that doesn’t understand, it’s become a kind of anthem for me.

10.) This year, I stopped going to certain Internet sites.  Next year, I’ll probably stop going to either the same or others.  I sometimes wash off the ashes, since we have to go to the supermarket and don’t want people staring at us, but if we have nowhere to go, I keep them on.

11.) Yes, I am a current member of the Covenant Denomination, which was founded by Swedish immigrants.  Since the story of Santa Lucia ends with her appearing to Swedes, she means a lot to them.  I love the song, I have three versions of it, sung by Elvis Presley, Luciano Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli.  I couldn’t sing it correctly for you off the top of my head, I don’t know the exact words.  I could hum it, if you want.

The Crowners (my made-up supergroup) goals and hopes to do if/when it becomes reality

Pop Christianity:

A documentary that interviews Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Brandi Cyrus and Codi Carraco about their Faith and the role it plays in their lives.  It also includes interviews with Jenny and Ryan Simmons and the other members of Addison Road, as well as Billy Ray Cyrus and AnnaSophia Robb if possible.  The following questions are the ones that will be asked.

1.)    When did you decide to become a Christian?

2.)    How much a role does Faith play in your life and career?

3.)    (For Miley) Does “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” Play a role in your “Radiate Love” philosophy?

4.)    Was there a time when it seemed like doubts piled up and you couldn’t get out?  What did you do about it/how did you get out?

5.)    (For Miley) Is it hard when the right wing radicals who claim to represent God are calling you evil?  What do you do?

6.)    Does your Church Background play a role in your interest in music?

7.)    Are there any career decisions you’ve had to pray on?

8.)    (For AnnaSophia and Miley) Are there movie roles you chose to take because of your Faith?  Are there roles you chose to avoid for the same reason?

9.)    What’s your favorite Gospel/Contemporary Christian song?

10.) What do you do for Lent?  Do you keep the ashes on your forehead or scrub them off?

11.) Do either you or your denomination recognize Santa Lucia day?  Do you know the song?

  It ends with a big concert featuring the supergroup, The Crowners, consisting of Miley Cyrus on guitars and vocals, Demi Lovato on guitars and vocals, Brandi Cyrus on guitars and vocals, Jon Wasleske on bass guitar and Codi Carraco on keyboards and vocals, with a currently-unknown drummer.  Addison Road may also perform if they so desire.  The setlist for The Crowners is as such:

1.)    I Love Rock and Roll (Miley on lead vocals)

2.)    Praise You in this Storm (Miley and Demi on lead vocals)

3.)    U Got Nothin On Me (Demi on lead vocals)

4.)    While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Miley on lead vocals)

5.)    I Want You (She’s So Heavy) (Miley on lead vocals)

6.)    Jesus Freak (Miley and Demi on lead vocals)

7.)    Party (Demi on lead vocals)

8.)    Can’t Be Tamed (Miley on lead vocals)

9.)    Back and Forth (Codi on lead vocals)

10.) When I Look At You (Miley on lead vocals)

11.) The Climb (Miley on lead vocals)

They may also perform any song they wish, such as “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” “Rock and Roll,” “Free Bird,” “La La Land,” and any song ever written that they’ve every liked since the beginning of time.  Addison Road songs to consider are “Won’t Let Me Go” and “Don’t Wait.”

50 year rooftop anniversary:

Filmed entirely in January 2019, this would be a Fly On The Wall type of documentary in which The Crowners, or at least Miley and Demi, would rehearse, practice and ultimately perform several Beatles songs for the fiftieth anniversary of the famous rooftop concert.  It would be performed on the roof of a building between three to seven stories in length, and the recordings from the top would ultimately be sold as a new Crowners album, which would have the following tracklist:

1.)    Get Back

2.)    Don’t Let Me Down

3.)    Dig a Pony

4.)    I’ve Got a Feeling

5.)    One After 909

6.)    I Me Mine

7.)    I Want You (She’s So Heavy)

8.)    Don’t Let Me Down

9.)    Get Back

All songs would be lead-sung by me, Daniel J. Short.

Mario trilogy:

The Crowners would contribute an instrumental track for the fight scene between a giant Bowser, a giant Peach and the Axem Robo Megazord.  They would also do the backing for Selena Gomez’s cover of “We Need A Hero” for the battle between the heroes and the Axem Rangers.  We Need A Hero is a song from the original Power Rangers series.  In the second film, they’d contribute the ending songs, a re-recording of “Bigger Than Us” and a slow ballad afterwards, possibly a release of Billy Ray Cyrus’ cover of “You’ve Got a Friend” instead of a new song.  In the third movie, a song like “I Learned From You” would be played during the Mario revival scene, the original duet version may be used instead, I don’t know.

Super Smash Bros. 4!

I found out today Super Smash Bros. 4 (tentative title) is going to be released to the Wii U, Nintendo's new console, as well as the 3DS, Nintendo's new handheld.  Ignoring the fact that it sounds like a college for Nintendo students, I'm going to get to the nitty-gritty, what do I want to see.  Something that interests me in fighting games like the Naruto series and the VS Capcom series is the tag-team aspect, where in the middle of a team battle, you can switch out characters.  I am not sure how this would fit in the Smash Bros. gameplay, it's just an interesting idea, I just purchased two Wii games from the aforementioned serieses, Naruto Shippuden Clash of Ninja 3 and Tatsunoko VS Capcom.  The next thing I'd like are the following characters, Jill Valentine (from Resident Evil), and Daisy, Paper Mario, Paper Peach, Paper Luigi/Mr. L and Paper Bowser (from the Mario series).  Not sure if either of these things are present, but Sakurai has proven to be a game programming genius and he is in charge again.  I really hope the Wii U lets you transfer all your data from the Wii, I'd hate to plug in and unplug the machines over and over just to play them with all the save data, that plus the game coming to the 3DS may make me not buy the Wii U (though New Super Mario Bros. Mii does look fun).  Anyway, this is good news for all Nintendo fans and this game should be lots of fun.  For those who know me personally, I will not change the plot of my 3rd Mario movie to fit this new game, but I might/probably will bring the characters from SSB4 in.  I have written out three Mario movies I'd love to make with Nintendo and the Cyrus family, listed below.
-Super Mario: Legend of the Seven Stars, the Movie (based off Super Mario RPG, released for the SNES, 1995-1996, also available from Virtual Console).
-Super Paper Mario, the Movie (based off Super Paper Mario, released for the Wii, 2007).
-Super Smash Bros.; the Movie (based off Super Smash Bros. Brawl's Subspace Emissary Mode, with all characters from Brawl and Melee in the plot, released for the Wii, 2008).
The idea is to have bigger and more evil villains that require teamups between Mario, Bowser and Peach, culminating in Tabuu, who made the two previous movie's villains (Smithy and Dimentio), as well as villains from the Kirby and Metroid serieses.  If Square-Enix is not interested in movie 1, a new plot featuring Fawful will be made.  Any suggestions for it would be cool, I've kind of had some writer's block.  That's all for Nintendo news.
On a sadder note, I've heard the new Yellow Submarine movie has been canceled.  Apparently, the silly-looking Mars Needs Moms' success was directly tied to Disney's funding of the project.  Since the film flopped, Disney pulled the plug.  So, I guess we won't see 3D models of John, Paul, George, Ringo and the Blue Meanies.  Also, Godzilla's 2012 film appears to have been pushed back to 2014.  On a positive note, there is less than a month until Transformers; Dark of the Moon.  I'm excited to see the battles involving old favorites like Optimus Prime, Megatron and Starscream and newcomers the Wreckers, Shockwave and Sentinel Prime.  Michael Bay has directed quite a good series, and I look forward to seeing the conclusion unfold.

Ending May

So, I had a good birthday and birthday party last week.  I also thought you guys should know I redownloaded the Budokan tracks, finding the right blend.  We'll see how long those MP3s last though, they're fun, but not as fun as the legit stuff or the CD of the full rooftop concert.  I also deleted the story in which I "saved the character," the memories were too disturbing.  Also, on Twitter, I got a response from Frank and Derol!  Awesome for me, I actually had a communication with someone who personally knows the Cyrus Family, or one of their members, Brandi Cyrus!  I'm really hoping this will be a sign of things to come, still hoping for the 3-guitar band, now with this setlist.

1.)    I Love Rock and Roll

2.)    Praise You in this Storm

3.)    U Got Nothing On Me

4.)    While My Guitar Gently Weeps

5.)    I Want You (She’s So Heavy)

6.)    Jesus Freak

7.)    Party

8.)    Can’t Be Tamed

9.)    Back and Forth

10.) When I Look At You

11.) The Climb (may be medley with Achy Breaky Heart)

Remember to RADIATE LOVE, all, that's one of Miley's favorite things that I agree with!