Cooped up? Schmooped up.

I feel really lame telling you about entertainment that has to do with being lazy. It’s almost summertime. I was talking to my friend Amanda, and I was like, “Amanda, what the heck am I going to write about this week?” and she said “Outside stuff. Being active. That sort of entertainment.”

Wow. How true.

Go outside the next chance you get. Tan. Swim (when the lakes are finally warm enough.) Run. Take pictures of the beautiful scenery, if you can find any these days. Go for a hike. Ride your bike. Take a walk to get some ice cream with your friends. Pick up trash on the side of the highway. Pick up skateboarding. Dress up as a ninja with your friends and go film a movie outside while you scare your neighbors and make sure to act as crazy as you can. Be a little kid again!

It makes me sad that a few years ago I was telling my mom, “See ya I’m gonna go play!” or trying to make an excuse for why my new jeans were so muddy. I used to build tree houses that I knew would fall down in a day, but it was the rush of it and the excitement of being outside in the sun and taking in everything around me that made me want to get up in the morning.

People wonder why there’s such a heightened state of depression in the world right now. It’s because there are way too many things that keep us indoors. We’re living in a time where we have to grasp what nature gives us and we need to feel reality in order to be happy. We’re losing ourselves in digital worlds and we forget what’s really important: the simple things.

Have a great summer.

-Kassandra



photo from channel4.com

Bored? Read.

I have been reading ever since I can remember. When I was little I was reading anything I could get my hands on, whether it was the comics from the newspaper, nutrition facts, or the labels on various household products. I always came home from school with books and they were the first things on my Christmas and Birthday wish list. I was a little geek. The thing is I’m proud that I like to read, because without that I wouldn’t have an efficient vocabulary and I wouldn’t have the drive to write. I thank my parents for putting me in workshops to better my skills, even when I was made fun of for it (not that I’ve ever cared that much.)

I think that people are losing sight of what reading actually is. It is the foundation of everything we know, along with writing. If you do not have the ability to at least somewhat comprehend something you are reading then you have basically nothing. Schools are indeed trying to get kids to want to read, but it’s not working. Television is taking over, and although the Internet has many sources for reading, kids aren’t using it as so unless they’re told to. I feel this is a problem.

Reading is entertainment. So isn’t going to the museum and so isn’t taking a walk and taking in what is around you. People are stuck in society right now. They aren’t grasping what is right in front of them. If I didn’t grow up reading I never would have wanted to read, because there are so many distractions.

Magazines are amazing. Books are wonderful. Articles, essays, poems… they’re all so special and the only way people are wanting to read is by being pushed to read for work and school and so forth. If you open up your mind and realize that reading and using your imagination is a form of entertainment, your vocabulary will expand greatly and everything will just seem so much easier.

You won’t feel empty when you don’t have the computer handy or the television on. You’ll be yearning to go home and finish that juicy chapter rather than beat that level in that video game. I’m sick of people complaining that they didn’t get taught the right way in English classes growing up and that’s why they stink at it in college. It’s not true because you should want it, and you need to want it. It’s an essential, and it kills two birds with one very valuable stone.


-Kassandra

Flautist, Flutist The Difference between Beer and Champagne

I started my musical career singing show tunes for the kindergarten kids at "Show and Tell" and recess. It wasn't until the fifth grade however, when I picked up my first instrument; the flute. I've been hooked ever since.

As I matured, my flute playing came along, and I got good enough to hold the first chair in the school band. Then I moved on the the Bangor Youth Symphony Orchestra and availed myself of any playing opportunity I could. I played in All State and took the Gold at several Solo & Ensemble competitions statewide. I was even accepted to attend the Boston Conservatory of Music just out of high school, but unfortunately couldn't swing the cost of tuition, even back then.

Many people never knew exactly what to call me; A Flautist or Flutist? To many, I'm sure it's a mundane argument like tomah-to or tomay-to. In my class and refinement I'd like to suggest the pronunciation is the difference between beer and champagne. I prefer champagne to beer so I prefer flautist.

Regardless of what you call me, I only wish I had stuck to my playing consistently. Who knew you wouldn't need to get to the stage of Carnegie Hall for an appreciative audience, especially in the day of YouTube, where I could post like Nina Perlove here.



The tone I produce is just as rich (if I may say so) and my Selmer Omega Flute is open-holed and has a gold mouthpiece. However, the reality is, my fingers are not as limber any more and I don't play for hours a day like I once did. Nina would blow me right off the map, but with a little more consistent practice on my part, I'd be willing to play duets with her!

by Susan Pattten

Time for Cool Sounds

It really is cool! (Does any one use that word any more?) My love for music and the outdoors come together in the City of Bangor when the concert series "Cool Sounds" ramps up in June. What makes it even more cool is the cost; free!

The "Cool Sounds" concert series kicks off this year on Thursday, June 12th with the Flash in the Pans steel drum show. The concerts are held in Pickering Square in downtown Bangor and never fear if it rains because they'll take it all into the parking garage if necessary. The concerts will feature Blues, Jazz, Rock and more and they wrap up on July 31st, with the Queen City Big Band.

I'm "jazzed" and ready to kick off the summer with some great live music that I can take my young daughter to, without worrying about protecting her from stumbling dunks. Her next life lesson is avoiding men with two left feet on the dance floor.

by Susan Patten

Worship Not These False Idols

Posted By Seth Davis

Yeah that's right, the Bible. I've been coming down from the mountain these last few months and trying to give the commandments of music, metal and entertainment to my vast readership, and now I challenge you all to renege on one of the most popular shows in American history – American Idol.

I say step away, from that false devil. Backing me up is a fellow blogger, Bob Lefsetz from Yahoo Music.com who wrote an article that upset a few Kelly Clarkson fans.

The classic rockers were built on their own material. There were no song doctors. It was directly from their heart to yours. And this has delivered audiences in some cases 40 years after their debut. If you're just singing someone else's song, you're driving the BMW. Someone else can get inside and take the wheel instantly.

If you read his entire post, his point is that American Idol may be good entertainment, but it is not good music. That most of the sales are from popularity than any talent.

I agree and go even further. I feel that American Idol is hampering the growth of new music and furthering the belief that image is more important than quality. That releasing a single you didn't even write yourself and getting it on Itunes is some how more important than a well written album. To me nothing is better than a good band or artist pushing the boundaries of their art.

We live in a society where films mocking other films make millions of dollars. Where remakes turn into prequels and then sequels. Where teen pop star, Hannah Montana portrays herself as “normal”, despite making more money than Britney Spears.

False idols. I am not asking anyone to erase everything on their ipod, or destroy every cd they own. I am simply saying, next time you are looking for some new music, why don’t you try something new.

As always I will provide a few videos to leave my fans with. Artists new and old that I'm sure the "judges" of American Idol would find some fault with.

Bob Dylan - House of The Rising Sun

Tom Waits - Hold On

Army of the Pharaohs - Dump the Clip (Some Swearing)

*Thanks to MSNBC.com for the picture and YouTube for all the diverse tunage.

Iron Maiden

O God of earth and altar
Bow down and hear our cry
Our earthly rulers falter
Our peolple drift and die
The walls of gold entombe us
The swords of scorn divide
Take not thy thunder from us
But take away our pride
(g. k. chesterton: english hymnal)

Iron Maiden Revelations (live 2006)


Iron Maiden has been carrying the torch of heavy metal for over twenty years. I still remember the day I saw their video playing on MTV. Yes, on TV. It was late at night on Head Bangers Ball. It was an odd show that would mix the thrash of Testament and the hair of Bon Jovi. Yet on came a video of their legendary performance at Castle Donington in England in 1988 in front of over 70,000 fans for the Monsters of Rock festival. The bass line had me hooked. They were different.

It wasn’t what they looked like or what clothes they wore; no to my sophisticated teen mind I knew that this was metal.

They had a classic singer in Bruce Dickinson who had and still has an energetic stage presence and could sing with ease. The leader, bassist and head song writer Steve Harris has taken the band through many different eras and over eighteen albums.

They have never had a top radio hit in the U.S., something the band almost embraces as most of their songs are too long for radio play. However they have sold over 50 million albums in twenty three years and just recently played to over 300,000 fans in Brazil. Yet beyond longevity they can be considered one of the most influential bands in music influencing an entire generation of metal. They have won awards, been inducted into halls of fame, and are respected in all circles of music. I leave with the video that hooked me.

For more information visit Ironmaiden.com

*Picture of band from Wikipedia.com

Posted by Seth Davis

The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Sweeney Todd is one of those movies ... like Transformers, Titanic, King Kong or Spiderman ... it's a lot of pressure to have on you as a director because you aren't allowed to screw up these kinds of movies. Epic movies. Famous plots. Historic events. So when I heard that Sweeney Todd was being filmed, I was a little nervous. How are they going to pull this off? But when I learned it was Tim Burton directing, I thought, "Perfect." Then when I saw it was Johnny Depp playing Sweeney Todd I knew it would be one I'd have to see. And nobody could have played it like him.

Let me give you a little backstory. Sweeney Todd is set in London, the story of a barber named Benjamin Barker. When the evil judge falls for his wife, he casts Barker from London in order to have his wife and daughter for his own. Now back for revenge, Barker disguises himself under the name Sweeney Todd and re-opens his barber shop with intentions of luring those responsible for his exile to his establishment for a shave, only to slit their throats in the barber chair.

He befriends Mrs. Lovett (a part perfectly played by Burton's wife) whose pie business is failing. It just so happens that her business is below Todd's barber shop. After Todd's first killing, the idea strikes to use the meat from the bodies as meat in Mrs. Lovett's pies. Her business will be back up and running again and there will be no way to trace the killings.

I know. A gruesome story. And oh, the blood. Oh, the squirting blood. I'm not a fan of blood, but when I knew it was coming, I would peek through my fingers which I clasped over my eyes. After all, its quicker to close up a small peep-hole in your fingers than try to blink at the swinging of a barber's blade.

My brother, convincing me to watch the flick regardless of the gore, assured me I would be laughing by the third kill. I didn't believe him. But he was right. Something about the scene - Sweeney Todd singing a sweet lovely tune, slitting throats and pushing the pedal on his chair to open the floor and slide the body below where Mrs. Lovett would make her meat pies.

Weird. Twisted. I know. But it's an interesting story of revenge and love and there are even a few surprises at the end. I won't tell you, because I don't want to expose the secrets if you haven't already watched it.

Watching this movie was a big step for me. I'm not into movies with lots of blood. Not my style. But give it a shot. Just make sure you watch something happy afterwards or at least before bed because Depp gives an unforgettable performance - one that might carry over into nightmares!

Jillian

Juno

Reading the back cover of the DVD case as I finally sat down to watch Juno, I became a little skeptical of what I was going to see. A teenage girl gets pregnant and searches for the best family to adopt the baby. I wasn't in the mood for a touchy-feely sort of comedy. I was in the mood for laughs.

After the second scene in the movie, I was already laughing. Ellen Page, the young actress playing the part of pregnant 16 year-old Juno, gave a wonderful performance. All of the smart and quirky comments of hers are what made me laugh. It wasn't just her mannerisms, though, it was her delivery. You'll see a few examples in the trailer.



I enjoy Hollywood's recent "honest streak" in creating films where the "life struggle" isn't just getting pregnant. It's also about family, love and the ability to hope for the good in all of those things despite experiences in the past.

"Knocked Up" was brutally honest. So honest that you got a nice medium shot of the baby crowning. And while Juno steers clear of being quite so graphic, there is real material that tells a real story.

Funny. Quirky. Sweet. Watch it.

Jillian

Just Listen

There are tons of ways to find out about music. Swap a CD with someone you know has different tastes than you do, then listen to it in its entirety. Ask a friend when the next local show they're going to is, then tag along.

That's not all. You can go on Myspace and on the Music page, click on a genre you like, or one that you don’t even know. Browse the artists and listen to their songs. Read about them. Go to Google and type in the search engine, “New music 2008,” if you don’t usually listen to mainstream stuff.

Go on your AIM if you have one and look at people’s away messages and profiles and if there’s a good quote, there’s a great chance that it’s from a good song. (You won’t be considered a creep, believe me. It’s flattering.) If you like the lyrics, you’ll most likely love the song, so Google it.

Boomp3 is a good way to discover music.

So isn’t Pandora, where you type in something you like and it gives you something similar that you probably haven’t heard before.

This is just a little advice to be truly happy in life, because it doesn’t just go for music. Live it. Your mother didn’t advise you to try all foods once for no reason. People don’t realize how easily it is to get wrapped up in one’s self, and music is one of the biggest ways to be stubborn and simple minded. I have met so many people who think they have the greatest taste in music, but they only like one thing. Their whole play-list and their entire CD collection is the same song over and over again. They do not have a good taste in music because they only have one taste, and in my opinion that’s boring as hell.

There are so, so many more ways to find out about different stuff. Seriously, I am sick and tired of people claiming diversity when there’s nothing diverse about what they listen to. You can argue and say some people just don’t like certain sounds. This is true, but make sure you actually don’t like the other stuff before you knock it.

-Kassandra Small


Photo from UniqueEvents.com

Daffy Daffodils

You all know I love flowers and one of my favorites, without a doubt, is a daffodil. It's one of the first flowers of spring, it's bright and wonderfully fragrant. Now that being said, I do believe that some people simply take things too far. My case in point, Nantucket, Massachusetts, home of the Daffy Hat contest.

It's all part of their Annual Daffodil Festival which is coming up this weekend. The weekend activities include a Daffodil Tailgate Picnic, Daffodil Dog show and the ever popular, Daffy Hat Pageant. As much as I love Daffodils, I would not be caught dead in a Daffy Daffodil Hat. It really has nothing to do with my self-pride as much as it is about protecting myself from bees!

If you have nothing to do this weekend, you might consider a road trip with friends. This undoubtedly would have to be a festival to witness in person to adequately relay how much fun is had by all attending. Checkout www.nantucketchamber.org

By Susan Patten

photo compliments of the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce

Finals Entertaining?

Let's face it, there are some final exams that are much more entertaining than others. I'm sure most students have never really considered a final to be entertaining at all. I've got one final exam to tell you about however that fits right into Music, Metal and Stage.

A flyer just recently landed in my mailbox at work. It told me really all I needed to know, as the flyer was publicizing an event on campus set for May 2nd at 6pm. It's an invitation to a theater workshop featuring William Shakespeare's romantic comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream.

It turns out that this workshop is a final exam for NESCom's Scene Study class taught by Ken Stack. O' methinks this would be a most worthy performance and student-run workshop to attend!

The workshop will be held outside in the Courtyard of Peabody Hall, weather permitting of course!

So compared to a Probability & Statistics final exam, a Scene Study final exam would definitely rate as entertaining.

by Susan Patten

Earth Day Buckethead Style

posted by Seth Davis

Happy Earth Day

A little bonus post to celebrate Earth Day. Our favorite musician doesn't use many words but he is still passionate about the world around him.

Buckethead- Earth Heals Herself

*Picture from Tv.com

Most Outrageous!

So there I was. Bored on a Friday night. Did I mention I need a life?

Since I only get Channels 2, 5 and 7 ... there has been a lack of television variety in my life. But I stumbled upon a show I had never seen: NBC's Most Outrageous Moments. And you know what? It was scary, amazing and hilarious all at the same time... kind of like America's Funniest Home Videos but without the cheesy host and more for an older audience... i.e. WAY COOLER STUFF!

If you visit them online, not only can you watch videos, but you can also submit your own outrageous moments caught on tape and it might appear on the show. You'll cringe, shudder and shout, while hoping that, despite your gut-bursting laughter, nobody was seriously injured.





New episodes start Tuesday night, April 22nd at 8:00. It's very entertaining and a good way to relax and de-stress before bed because it makes you laugh!

And... laughter IS the best medicine!

Jillian

Fallout 3

Posted by Seth Davis

It has been a long time since the first two versions of Fallout. A post-apocalyptic game with a dark sense of humor and a 1950's style. Now finally after over 10 years the franchise is being reborn by the developers of the immensely popular Oblivion. A role playing game known for its "sand box" openness and an ability to spend hours exploring a huge world of possibilities.

When it was announced that Bethesda Softworks had bought the rights to develop Fallout, fans of the original games hoped for the classic turn based approach, look, and detailed character creation. Oblivion fans wanted a game with no loading screens, fun quests and graphics that pushed their computers to the limits. It seems as news comes out that both sides will have something to be happy about.

Occurring 200 years after the second game you will once again set out from a vault to explore the wastelands of America. By all reports you will have limitless freedom to visit almost any place you want from the destroyed capital to the great monuments of the United States. Players will be able to switch from 1st or 3rd person view. Thus old and new school players will be satisfied.

In addition the quests will offer more branching paths, good or evil? There are rumors that the game will have hundreds of different endings based on your choices. And players will have the option of "pausing time" in combat, and playing turn based. Again satisfying both old and new school players. Many actors and talents are being used for this anticipated game that is expected to be a big hit this Fall.

All pictures and information can be found at the official site

Fallout 3 Teaser Trailer

Kyuss

Posted by Seth Davis

Under light, that I have never seen

Go to the light, reach up to the beam

Under light, under light
Reach up to the sun or you can run

Found the roof, the smallness of it all
Found the roof, you will never fall
You'll never

Classic lyrics from the song "Phototropic", that peaks after a three minute introduction.

Kyuss is not a well known band from the 90’s. However, they have been covered by bands such as Tool and Metallica and affected or influenced the make up of popular bands such as The Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age.

Kyuss released four albums in the 90’s before breaking up. They came from the desert and often hosted parties out in the middle of nowhere with just a generator. This became popular and became known as the Desert Sessions. The band was labeled as “Stoner Rock” and are credited for taking the genre to new heights with their first true album – Blues for the Red Sun. They took the sound of Black Sabbath added more bass, blues and of course the singing of John Garcia.

On their third studio album the band grouped their songs into sets, forcing listeners to listen to certain songs together. The group broke up after their fourth album and guitarist Josh Homme and bassist Nick Oliveri left to form Queens of the Stone Age. A band that in its infancy sounded like Kyuss. Drummer Brant Bjork went on to play in the mighty Fu Manchu. Singer John Garcia played in several bands before ending up with Hermano.

Audio evidence supplied by Youtube:

Kyuss - Phototropic

Kyuss - Supa Scoopa and Mighty Scoop (just ignore the dumb pictures and enjoy the song)

Be thankful we have so many bands that have been touched, influenced, or inspired by Kyuss in some way. As it seems a reunion is not in the works anytime soon.

*Picture is from Amazon.com and is of Welcome to Sky Vally, Kyuss' third studio release.

Mrs. Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous

It's funny ... she's one of the world's most famous and talented female pop stars of our time. But you wouldn't know it if you typed her name in on YouTube. Her music videos are at the bottom. The top is splashed with paparazzi footage and clips catching her in one of her many "Oops"-es.

I'm going to write a post about Britney Spears. But before you navigate away... it's not going to be a post like you'd expect - not going to be a summary of all the mistakes she's made, a collection of irresponsible things she's done in her life, or an outlet for yet more celebrity bashing. My other blog-mates may disown me, but I think it's time to look at Spears' life in a different way.

I sat here tonight watching music videos, interviews and paparazzi footage of this star. I watched her sing and dance as a girl in the Mickey Mouse Club and I watched her being wheeled out of her home on a gurney to be hospitalized for mental evaluation.

It was sad. I actually felt bad for her and that surprised me. I agree - celebrities soak up attention and seek it as a means of boosting record sales. But what happened to being a celebrity because you're talented? Instead, you know you've made it big when you're being criticized in tabloids or in cartoon hits such as South Park and Family Guy. Britney Spears isn't being photographed because of her latest album - she's being photographed for being sick.

I know, I know... I agree she's brought a lot of it on herself.

But she has had a lot of help, too. I don't look at the latest headlines and huff and say "she's so stupid" under my breath. I look at the headlines and think about the tears that came to her eyes when in an interview with Matt Lauer he asked what it would take to get the paparazzi to leave her alone.

"That's my biggest wish," said Spears as her voice cracked. "For them to leave me alone."

Yeah. Everyone has to make a buck. The paparazzi have a job to do. But I don't think we can continue to look at Britney Spears the way the cameras do. She's been in the spotlight since she was a little girl. What if it were you? The so widely sought life of stardom has led this woman to her breaking point.

The price to appear on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? ...Much higher than the bronze star that's there.

Jillian

-photos courtesy of Google images-

Good Stuff

I’ve been asked if I like pop/rap/hip hop music... you know, the stuff that dominates MTV. The answer is YES, DEFINITELY. I just didn’t think that I needed to fill anyone in on that stuff, since it’s on the radio and TV more often than any other genres.

So I guess I’m going to go ahead and give ya’ll a random list of songs I listen to when I’m getting ready to go out, when I’m running, when I’m doing anything I need to be pumped up for. Here you go… and this is just by clicking shuffle and skipping through.

Drink And My 2 Step – by Cassidy Ft. Swizz Beats
Piece Of Me – by Britney Spears
Rock Yo Hips – by Crime Mob Ft. Lil Scrappy
Mr. Me Too – by Clipse
The Next Episode – by Dr. Dre Ft. Snoop Dogg
Go Crazy – by Young Jeezy
Good Life – by Kanye West
Top Back – by T.I.
That’s That – by Snoop Dogg
It’s Me Bitches – by Swizz Beats
Kiss Kiss – by Chris Brown
We Taking Over – by DJ Kahled
Shut Up And Drive – by Rhianna
Drop It Like It’s Hot – by Snoop Dogg Ft. Pharrell
Yeah Yeah – by Bodyrox
Impacto Remix – by Daddy Yankee Ft. Fergie
Make It Rain – by Fat Joe
Tambourine – by Eve ft. Swizz Beats
Ching a Ling – by Missy Elliot
Independent – by Webbie
Lean Like A Cholo – by Down Aka Kilo

I’m not THAT well informed about what’s in the clubs and what not. I do, however, like to shake what my mother gave me once in a while. And, music is music. Don’t judge.

-Kassandra

Photo from haacked.com

Cat Power

She’s an artist of minimalist style. She’s got a knack for dragging you in with her simple guitar playing and delicate, ghostly voice. Her music is a beautifully emotive experience.

Her stage name is Cat Power. She’s from Georgia where she grew up with a pianist and blues musician as a father. She often moved from place to place, living with either one of her divorced parents, or with her grandmother. She says it’s the reason she’s got a love for touring and performing, as well as prepared for it.

Cat Power, or Charlyn Marshall, dropped out of high school and began performing in clubs around Atlanta in her youth. Now she’s 36 and fans can’t get enough of her soothing voice and enticing musical skills. Some people make it by selling out. Some make it being them selves.

Cat Power is definitely herself.

-Kassandra Small

Go Team Venture!

By Seth Davis

I am back again to pontificate and spout off without shame about the entertainment I think you need to be wasting your time with.

Today's lesson: The Venture Brothers.

It can be seen on the Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. Cartoons for adults, insomniacs and anyone with a sense of humor. Season three will be starting in June.

It follows the adventures of Dr. "Rusty" Venture and his two sons, Hank and Dean and of course the family body guard, Brock Sampson. Rusty is living in the shadow of his Bond like father and struggles with things like dating, science and parenting. Villains and adventures are behind every corner. Thankfully Brock has a license to kill and the villains beyond being funny, just plain suck.

The show is from the writers and creators of the super hero cult classic, The Tick. It features a few things that many adult cartoons lack these days: complex characters, a story line, and some sense of continuity. Not to mention cool animation.

However it is in no sense serious. Each half hour show features more crazy villains, sick humor and violence than the eye can handle.

Here is a full episode courtesy of Cartoon Network: Ghosts of Sargasso

Home Grown and Going National

Well, technically she's a transplant but she's been living on the coast of Maine since she was four. She is Juliane Gardner and Castine has been her home since moving here from New York.

Juliane is making headlines as one of her songs will be be part of the ABC show Men in Trees. The episode will air on April 23rd and her song Love and Comforting will be interwoven between scenes.

Juliane released her debut album, Packsaddle Road, back in 2003. Since that time her songs have been used in a documentary about Castine and in MPBN TV series, not to mention getting airplay on the radio.

I really like her style or should I say styles! Check her out at www.julianegardner.net

Kudos to yet another Maine talent making a name for herself in the music industry.

by Susan Patten

photo from www.julianegardner.com