Politics and Metal

So, I should be writing a paper right now. Some totally piece of BS about Hungary and the current financial crisis. Apparently, at least two other people are writing about virtually the same thing. Oops?
So, to pass the time, I am reading the webcoming Questionable Content. That webcomic is how I want my life to be. Also, it is more addicting than crack-cocaine...so, way to g J. Jacques, you really fucked over my school life. It is like that 1 week period where all I did was read Tucker Max stories and drink vodka.
In addition to reading QC, I've been listening to a lot of proggy metal/rock today. It started out with some Kayo Dot "Choirs of the Eye"(I enjoy the album, but it can be a bit much and perhaps a little too much prog), Riverside "Out of Myself" (which is consistently good), and now I am rocking out to some old school Amorphis (not prog, but decidedly badass).
Seriously, other than their "Far From the Sun" album, which was a total trainwreck, Amorphis is one of the most consistent bands in terms of quality. I also like how they have managed to switch their style and progress from a straight up death metal to...whatever you would call their music nowadays.


Under the dying sun it comes
Weaving fear but I have none
I know that mushroom cloud
Won't come very near
What do you have to believe in
And all the poison you breath in
The crystal heart shatters within
"Shatters Within" (From 'Am Universum')

Oh shit, another one?

In my effort to do anything that isn't my Hungarian Politics paper, I am updating again! Also, I am feeling in the writey mood, and this helps me write regularly.
So, here's a quick question - how do blogs become popular? I suppose they don't become popular by whining about their personal life and stuff, so maybe I should alter my blog to target a wider audience? But then, how would people ever find my blog? I don't even have the foggiest idea how people read this blog. Is there a way for me to get some kind of...visitor counter?

So, maybe I should start some kind of super pretentious music blog. Those are popular, right?
It would be like whenever I write for Chimes because I usually just use those articles as a vehicle to make snide remarks about indie kids. And apparently, I developed quite a reputation for myself in indie-circles at Calvin. Several of the indie-hipsters are on this trip, and one of them confided in me that they were all a bit curious as to how meeting me would be, because I was always super angry and bitchy in my articles and trashed the music they liked. And apparenty I am super militant/aggressive in class. Also, they saw me at a party this summer. I was leaving, and they saw me crash into a tree. And then fall into the road. And mostly just make an ass out of myself.
But much as I am not into the vast majority of indie music and the hipster lifestyle doesn't really appeal to me, the people are still super nice. Music isn't as defining a lifestyle choice as some people make it out to be. So, hooray for that?

And speaking about music, I know that Ska is dead and that the vast majority of ska bands were terrible/won't stand the test of time (or even the test of a decade or so), but goddammit, I think Less Than Jake is still one of the best bands out there. Sure, they are more punk than ska, but the point is still valid.

One final thing, here is a link to my last.fm site, so that you can see what I've been listening to. I think Last.fm is pretty much the coolest idea in the world because it lets me see what stuff I've been into recently and what my most listened to bands are. So, everyone should get a Last.fm, and then you can friend me!

http://www.last.fm/user/Avalost

A few notes on my Last.fm - I am currently waiting for Porcupine Tree to overtake Placebo for 2nd place (I don't think Kill Hannah will be dethroned anytime soon). I'm happy that Cult of Luna has made such a good showing since typically their songs are a lot longer than other bands'. Innerpartysystem is sitting at #12, but I only got their cd a day before I came to Hungary, so it is pretty amazing that they shot up in the charts so fast, especially since their cd only has 6 tracks on.. Finally, Rapture (the metal band, not that other band called The Rapture) is sitting pretty at #13, but that is a testament to how fantastic they are because for the longest time, I only had 1 of their cds.

Who's Got the Fire?

So, in order to make up for the emo-fest that was my last post, I am totally listening to some stoner metal. How is Corrosion of Conformity so damn good all the time? Seriously, when listening to their music, I can almost smell the booze, sweat, and old cigarette smoke. If it wasn't 11.30am, I'd be drinking whiskey and smoking hardcore.
Something about Southern metal/stoner metal/southern doom really makes me happy. I can tell you that it makes me feel more like a man than when I listen to electro-dance music..
Other than that, I have a paper to write today. About Hungary and the EU. Yeah...we'll see how that turns out.


Broken hearts toast another round
And drink to the lost there's not a soul to be found
Lonely boy says, "Come what may."
I hate to see it always end this way...

"Redemption City" - COC


PS - Stanton Moore's drumming on "In the Arms of God" does wonders for the album. I think all drummers should be jazz drummers.

Friends '08

I know that blog posts like this might be super cliche`, but I thought I would spill my heart out? So, this might be super emo and gay (I can say that because everyone thinks I am), but here it goes.

Sometimes, you hangout with people and they say the nicest things in the world, and you realize just how fantastic they are - not simply because of the things they said about you, but because you get to see a part of who they are that a lot of people don't get to see. And, they are super willing to listen to me bitch about my problems and put up with my emo whining and issues, and they often times provide some much needed perspective.
So like, in all honesty, the major thing that prevents me from becoming a complete blowout is that there are people who totally care about me, even though I have the tendency to really wuss out and feel sorry for myself and try to make believe that I am in this all by myself.
So...to all my friends (all like 2 people who read this), thanks for putting up with my shit and always being super good to me even though in all honesty I usually don't deserve it. And I hope that I am half as good to you as you are to me.
Also, I'm learning that sometimes things just don't work out, even if you really think that it will. And like, maybe you meet someone super fantastic, but then in the end it really wouldn't work out, even if you really wanted it to. Having been such a trainwreck for these last few months was essentially just like taking a gun and shooting myself in the foot. The choices a person makes when super depressed/angsty usually have wide-ranging consequences even though at the time that person might not give a good gosh darn.
I'm done being all emo.



I've got some friends, some that I hardly know
But we've had some times, I wouldn't trade for the world
We chase these days down with talks of the places that we will go

We live on front porches and swing life away,
We get by just fine here on minimum wage
If love is a labor I'll slave till the end,
I won't cross these streets until you hold my hand....until you hold my hand

"Swing Life Away" - Rise Against


(okay, now I am done being emo)

Post-Thanksgiving

Yesterday kicked ass! I love how all American holidays revolve around stuffing as much food in your stomach as physically possible. So, I ate delicious food, drank a ridiculous amount of wine, did some Palinka shots, and watched "Anchorman". I was super pissed that the potatoe-cabbage sauce (it looked a lot like applesauce but was infinitely more delicious) went home with Marilyn, but I managed to survive on a mound of turkey, stuffing, mashed potates, and gravy for breakfast.
Also, I listened to a lot of Apoptygma Berzerk last night, and they are pretty badass.
Also, I am reading the webcomic Questionable Content, and it is pretty good. It may be about indiescum, but sometimes they reference metal bands which is pretty badass. Also, I may or may not be Marten from QC.

Tonight is going to be devoted to going to the Christmas market with KiscDebnekhivsalsmorokskie (yes, we call her that) and Lydia, eating some delicious food, and drinking too much wine.
I really am a wino sometimes.

Also, this semester has been real good because it has helped me get over some stuff that has been consuming my emotional energy. So, take that you tragic past, I'm all over you!

Also, Nena makes fantastic music!!

Haggling/Also

I wish I spoke fluent Hungarian because then I would be able to haggle with merchants a lot better. I have so many great things to say, but they don't really know fluent English and I don't know Hungarian. So the following phrases go unused every time....
"Oh, you're breaking my balls here, breaking my balls."
"Look, I got a guy four stalls over willing to give it to me for 1000HUF, but I like you, so I thought I'd give you the option to give me a lower price before I go back over there."
"Why don't you stop dicking me over with these ridiculous prices, and then we'll talk about whether or not I'm going to buy anything."

I think I might just start trying to haggle in stores in America. Because...why not?

Also...
I really enjoy taking walks through the early winter Budapest streets while listening to Ljungblut.
Hot/mulled wine is real good, real hot.
I really enjoy riding bikes in small Hungarian villages.
"Hair" is a shitty movie/musical. And I hate hippies.
I look tons better without facial hair.

"Aspartame" - Haste
Can we get back to the time when everything was simple then?
"The truth is..." he said. "I thought we'd won."
Each night we lay in desperation.

Always think of the right words when our conversation is through.
Your words on that day, I remember them so well.
(Don't say it if it isn't worth it.)

Winter Comes

Now, I am not a huge fan of winter, but the first few snowfalls are always so beautiful. And today, I was in an introspective mood, craving solitude, and the grey snowswept sky really helped that out.
There are also certain bands/albums that really get me into a winter mood for one reason or another.

"No Sleep Demon" - Seabound
"Northern Lights" - Covenant
"Somewhere Along the Highway" - Cult of Luna

Also, while I wish I was of House Martell, the House Words of the Stark's always resonant with me - Winter is Coming.
(If you catch that reference, you are full of win)

Stuff

So, I am a big fan of mewithoutYou's album "A-->B Life". I used to not really be into mewithoutYou, but they have really grown on me.
I am leaving for Croatia tomorrow. We get to make a fence for some sheep and do some arts and crafts with some kids. That should be exciting.


So I wander and I wander
Your absence beating inside my chest
I try but I can't remember
The color of your eyes- just the shape of your dress.

Heidenfest

Last night, I experienced 7ish hours of nonstop Paganmetal. It was insane. It was doubly insane because it was the last night of the tour, and it seems as though metal bands love pranking each other more than anything else in the world. I have stories and photos, but let me just say, the night ended with most every other band joining Finntroll on stage for their last song, and then the German band Equilibrium ran out with stockings over their heads and started spraying everyone with whipped-cream and beer.

I think the highlight of the night was when the drummer of the Irish band Primordial came out and sang "Spancill Hill" with Eluveitie. Hopefully that video turns out well.


One night as I lay dreaming of pleasant days gone by
My mind was bent on rambling to Ireland I did fly
I stepped on a vision and I followed with the wind,
When at last I came to anchor at the cross of Spancill Hill

Metal

Fucking Finntroll tonight.
It is going to be pure fucking mayhem.

Also, dance mixes rock my world. Especially ones that involve Katy Perry.
(also, "Hot N Cold" might just have been written about me)

Trainwreck

"When the roommates are away, the alcoholic comes out to play."

Both my roommates are gone right now. Most of the people on this trip are gone in Croatia or Vienna. I have nothing to do. So spent the last two days drinking cheap wine and liquor.
But I had some fantastic spaghetti last night.
I have gained weight since coming here. Good thing I have weight training next semester.
Why the hell is no one online for me to talk to?
Third Eye Blind can have my children....I think I tried to post something to that effect last night, but either I fucked up or my computer was being a POS.
Coincidentally, I found out that I can disable my mouse/touchpad. Why the hell I would ever do that knowingly is beyond me.

Dance!!

So, one of my life's goals is to support whatever my friends/acquaintances are doing - so I have totally been rep-ing "Purplehorn" (don't ask) and his musical endeavor - Belle!Funk. His "The Shape of Funk to Come" is a mashup of tracks that make you want to stay up all night and dance. In addition, he has 3 extended tracks of music that could easily be found in any club. Essentially, what we have is dance music good for any party you are at.

http://www.mediafire.com/?mzwbjyxztbf - The Shape of Funk to Come

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=bb4d80f2b0149dd1ab1eab3e9fa335caee95ea7d02a6c34b - Party 2

http://www.mediafire.com/?on0zhrz10fd - Party 3

http://www.mediafire.com/?nz1uztty3ny - Party 4


Belle!Funk is all the rage on the Hungary semester. So download it (it is totally free), give it a listen, and if you like it - fantastic! tell all your friends about it.

Melancholic

How can any one band/album completely nail how I am feeling?
But Eyes of Fire you did it.
http://www.darklyrics.com/lyrics/eyesoffire/ashestoembers.html#1

Post-Election

I spent Election night in Budapest, Hungary getting drunk, going to my Prof's apartment, eating snacks, being drunk, and drunkenly explaining all my theories on 3rd Parties / the Libertarian Party. It was real good. And apparently, I wasn't as drunk as I thought I was because a good number of people thought I hadn't even drank at all.
I got home at 4am, knowing that Apricot Obama was going to be our next president, decided to not sleep at all, packed my bag at 5.48am in the total darkness, was out the door by 6am, and boarded a bus to Prague. It was good.
In other news, Prague is quite possibly my favorite city at the moment. Definitely in the top 3 (the other 2 being London and Toronto).

On to the results of the election - my thoughts are essentially, "Why the fuck do you Obama suppporters still have hope? What on earth has convinced you that he will singlehandedly be able to rebuild the US? This country is fucked and all your catchy little slogans ('Yes, we can!' being the one I hated the most) and youthful optimism aren't going to do jack shit. So fuck off."

In the words of Warrel Dane/Nevermore

If you want to change the world, forget it
The future's not in our hands
If you want to change the world, forget it
The pigs already set in


This video sums up how I viewed the Election/all those goddamned Obama supporters.
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/obama_win_causes_obsessive

This video shows what I wish the outcome had been
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/voting_machines_elect_one_of

Sometimes, I wish...

Oh shit, I am going to be all personal and introspective in this post. Whaaaat?

Sometimes I wish...
I was the kind of guy you would go for.
You hadn't decided to doubt us.
You told me what was going on in your life.
That I would know what to say to you.
I was there right now to congratulate you.
That I wasn't always doubting.
That I could be more like you.
That I could tell you how I feel.
That I was with you.

Election Day

Oh, Election Day! Here is a part of a conversation that I had with him

On Barack and abortion
J - "but one thing that is undeniable is this - barack obama definitely wants to use a tack hammer on your baby's head when it is only partially born. obama is a kind of partial birth abortions, and for that reason he must be stopped! yep. it's the new "partial life abortion" where you can abort a child even after it's lived part of its life "
P - "Barack can legally come into your house and abort your child's life up until the age of 5"
J - "will he have a tactical squad with him? or will it just be him looking like any common crackhead on the street (aka black)?
P - "It will be Muslim terrorists, because that's what he is"


On how the Constitution is unchanging
J - "yeah, i mean the founding fathers had slaves, and that's why i have some toowait why am i being arrested right now for having these slaves!??!i thought that's what black people were for!!!damn you history!

Oh hilarious.

In all seriousness, Warrel Dane probably best describes how I feel about politics

"The Day the Rats Went to War" - Warrel Dane

Blind are the hypocrites, the lizards drunk with power
To idiosyncrasies and blasphemy
The world will be devoured

While the poor men die, the rich men sing
Monetary praises to the war machine
The rats scream for change and equality
While the mechanics of power stain humanity

The union of mutiny spread throughout the moors
The day the rats went to war

Ukraine

Just got back from the Ukraine, and minus the $13 fine and fleas I got from the train ride back to Buda, everything was hunky-dory (to evoke images to David Bowie).
We visited two gypsy villages and both visits were fantastic. The first village we went to, we visited a Reformed church service, and afterwards we paraded through the town (all 25 of our group) with a group of about 10 people from the church who were playing music and singing and dancing (a bona-fide mini parade), and I kid you not, we accumulated upwards of 50 kids by the time we got back to the church. We then proceeded to just play and hangout with the kids for a half hour or so (on a beautiful Indian summer day). Happy Reformation day.