Spring Break

Looks like I forgot to tell my readers that I am going on vacation.

Well, I'm back now. I took a trip to Dallas, just to get away for a bit with my dad. It was a great trip. I originally was going to Six Flags, but due to the weather, I couldn't. Instead, I spent most of the trip at stores looking for parts for my new gaming computer. Now that it is complete, it looks so insane. I can't wait to use it on Guild Wars (which I bought today).

Anyways, I simply love the way Dallas has turned out. I grew up in the suburbs of Dallas (Grapevine) for a good 8 years of my life, and I loved it. To go back 8 years later, it is amazing to see the growth of the city, and to see how much has stayed the same.

I love Texas.

Since I had such a great trip, and it is spring break, I will be making a mixtape to sum up the sounds of my trip.

School Spirit Weeks

Anyone who has gone to, or is going to a public school should know of "Spirit Week."

What this is, is a week where the school tells students what outfits to wear as a theme for the day.

Now, as my readers may wonder, "Why are you typing this?" Well my readers, I have an answer.

For the week the only theme has been Pajama day. Thursday and Friday are Decade Day and School Colors. Tomorrow is nerd day.

Nerd Day? What the hell is this. I do believe that the term nerd has been stereotyped beyond all repair, and also, isin't that a name that could be deemed bullying? This seems kind of hypocritical of the school. I already know what I will see tomorrow. I will see tons of people in short shorts, suspenders, white button ups with pocket protectors, and fake Ray Bans. This is wrong on many levels. Wearing any of those does not make you a nerd. Amongst all of the urban dictionary definitions I feel like the 13th is the most accurate in todays society. If you search Google Images for the word Nerd, all of what you will see, is what I will be seeing tomorrow. I personally believe that this school [for lack of better word] holiday is demeaning, and is wrong.

Also, Decade Day. All I will be seeing for that is tie-dye and fake afro's. This is also another school [and again, for lack of better word] holiday I personally do not like. There was more to our past then tie-dye and afro's. There was the entire generation before that, where people were formally dressed, or just really any other era other then what most people make the past to be.

So [if or] when you participate in these school holidays, think of what they really mean, and how they could affect other people.

Just remember, The guys you call 'Nerd' and 'Geek,' will one day be your boss.

Facebook Chat for AIM?

Today on mashable I read that you can now use Facebook Chat from AIM instant messenger.

Since I am always looking for the most convent way to connect with friends and such on the internet, I decided to try it out.

What is it?: Facebook and AIM Instant Messenger have teamed up and made Facebook Chat be accessible to users who use AIM in their new Beta.

At First Glance: It seems nice that you can connect with a highly used chat program, since anyone who has been on the computer for a while has heard of AIM or AOL Instant Messenger. With this connectivity, it seems flawless.

In Depth Look: Most people have moved past AIM onto other messengers such as MSN or Skype. AIM is hardly used today and has features that are out of date. For anyone on a mac that uses AIM usually connects to it through iChat or some other chat program that supports different messengers.

LLIOF Conclusion: A great concept that should be used in more in later projects. Since I am on a mac, it seems like too much of a hassle for me, and I would much rather use Gabtastik or the intergraded chat itself. I give this new feature a three out of five.

A Simple Thank You

In the past few years I have realized how much kindness can really be a mood changer.

Over the weekend I read an e-mail I got from James Worrell. You might know this name because I used his stop-animation video in my blog back in november. I got an e-mail from him saying a simple thanks for using his video, and also complimenting my blog. This was such a nice message being the first piece of feedback I had gotten about my blog from someone I don't know. Thank you James Worrell, for your kind e-mail reply complimenting me and my blog. Check out his site over at jamesworrell.net and his blog lessismoreworrell.net.

Now to the main point of my blog. Kindness and chivalry can improve any persons day. Some people say chivalry is dead. I think that it is not. Now, it isint always common, but I still see it. Even something as simple as holding a door open for a stranger, or giving someone a piece of gum. The littlest things can be such great gifts.

I do realize that this blog is not going in any direction.

One thing I'd like to mention in a blog about kindness and such, is the Foundation for A Better Life. I'm sure if you own a t.v., then you've seen their t.v. spots. What is it exactly?

"The Foundation for a Better Life is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2000 to promote positive values. The Foundation creates public service campaigns to communicate these positive values, such as honesty, caring, optimism, hard work, and helping others, in order to make a difference in communities. Viewers are encouraged to step up to a higher level and to pass on positive values. These seemingly small examples of individuals living vales-based lives may not change the world, but collectively they make a difference. After all, developing values and then passing them on to others is The Foundation for a Better Life"

I was reading around. They do not accept any donations and are not affiliated with any religion. So basically, it is 100% for the people. This is so rare these days, on a general scale.

I leave this blog with a video for the Foundation for A Better Life website.

"Concert" Foundation For A Better Life from Matthew Williams on Vimeo.

I Miss My Dog.

Today has been a sad day in my life.

My dog of about 9 years had to be put down. It was very sad learning this when I woke up. I knew it was coming on monday. I just had no idea that it would be this fast. I am heart broken, by far. I have accepted it though. We did not let her die, because we did not want her to suffer. We had to put her down, because by tomorrow, she probably could have not walked.

When my family and I got her around 9 years ago, it was great. The first time I saw her was in a parking lot, with the rest of her brothers and sisters. I was petting the other dogs, and then she came up to me. She would not leave my side. A few weeks later, I come home, and I see my dog, sleeping, in my floor. My parents then told me that she had been bitten by a snake, and would be very sore. The doctors said that she could have very easily died, but something helped her pull through. Throughout the years of having her, she taught me how to love. My dog was the most non selfish thing that ever lived. If someone was sad, she would come up, and lay by them. With random licks, she showed everyone that she loved them. Anyone who walked through out door, she greeted with jumping up and down excitement, and a wagging tail. Everyone that met her, loved her. Within the past few months, she started to get really sore and limp. My dad took her to the vet and learned that she was having some problems. Throughout the last few weeks, she could barely walk, and always had her tail tucked. She started spending more time outside, and away from everyone. She barely ate or drank. Then last night, my dog spent a good time out doors. She could barely walk. My dad decided that it was time. He told me that the dog enjoyed her ride there, she knew what time it was.

She lived a great life, getting a walk every day and playing catch or whatever. I am grateful that I got to spend my life with her.

Around a month ago, my friend sent me the video of Oden. A dog, with an amazing story behind it.

Everything Jason Wood said about his dog Oden, is true about mine. It is amazing how well of a bond a human and a dog can share.

I truly wish I could type more about my dog. Right now, my mind is in a scramble because of this though.

I would also like to dedicate a song to my dog. The song is I Love My Dog by Sublime.

I Love My Dog by Sublime

The following video is of a dog named Oden, and his struggle with cancer.

Last Minutes with ODEN from phos pictures on Vimeo.

The Common Stereotype

This is partially a rant, and also how school's have become corrupt. Or at least in mine.

This blog will probably loop and repeat it's self, but oh well. Just want to get my word out.

Note: I will be discussing very touchy topics. If you are very opinionated, or tender to your beliefs, then please skip this post.

Background

If you could not tell already, I do not like sports, or really anything. I am considered 'weird', 'emo', 'scene', or any of those types. I used to get bullied by 'Jocks" and still do to some amount. I don't overly try in school. Not because I'm not smart, I am a decently educated person, but not with schools. With computers, music, and those sorts of thing. I am just a artsy person by nature.

The Point

Here leads over the years of my schooling it seems that with the higher grade I get, the more teachers and schools become focused on school activities on sports and such. High school is my main example. So far I have noticed that teachers, or coaches, have been the less qualified teachers. I go to a high school that has a high standard with 'being the best' at really everything. I do personally believe that people who are in athletics get the upper advantage, or kids in AP classes, more then on the average joe student. The students also bitch and moan when their team loses, and when their team wins, they talk shit to other schools. I personally believe that schools shout not have sports and such, and just have the focus on education. Now, I personally am not a fan of learning, by any means. But I would rather read classic literature pieces like 'Of Mice and Men' then hear about last night's [insert sport name] game. They have already separated religion and schools, but in a way, they haven't. I still hear about teachers mentioning god, jesus, or any forms of religion, or anything in religious context. I do not care if people are religious. I myself am not. But anyways. I do believe that all sports should also be separated from the school systems to get the main focus more on education of students.

Clarifications

Now, I just want to get the following clear. This is just my personal opinion at this very moment. It might change in as little as an hour or so. I have no problem with people who play sports, or support their schools. I don't have school spirit whatsoever. Lastly, I have no problem with religion in any way, shape, or form. Whatever you want to believe is cool with me, and I respect what you believe.

Dear Readers

To all of my readers,

Do not fear that I have forgotten you. I have just been super busy with things around School and such.

I have also been busy working on the new look for Bustyoureardrums and getting the new Mixtapes made.

I should only be busy for the next week or so, then back to full time blogging.

Busy but overall happy,

wtfitsdaniel (@wtfitsdaniell)

Bustyoureardrums is back up!

A while back I had a cd review blog called Bustyoureardrums...

Well, I am off of hiatus and now it is back up!

Http://bustyoureardrums.blogspot.com

Vegetarianism

As many people will know, I am a vegetarian. By personal choice.

I get asked daily, Why I did it, and what do I eat.

The answers are simple.

I did it for the reason that many animals are tortured and beaten when in factories to be slaughtered.

Also to the fact that we over produce and breed these animals. We should just let them grow naturally, and not be overproduced by big industries.

As for what I eat, I eat everything except things with meat. Its not a hard concept to eat. You can take anything made of meat, and just take it off.

Nachos: Take off the meat, make them Bean Nachos. Pizza: Just get cheese pizza. Not a hard concept to get.

Many people say, "Oh I couldn't do that, I eat meat every day." Its just your state of mind. If you put your mind to it, and have enough personal will power to do something, then you can do it. One day, after I saw the following video, I set my mind to becoming a Vegetarian.

I have been a vegetarian for over a year and a half, I am still healthy, and I do not regret becoming one at all.

Here is a video made by Peta.org about the abuse that some of the animals go through in slaughter houses and places where they go before the meet the stores.

Now I should warn you, The following video contains graphic content.

Why many go vegetarian... from David Allen Cobb on Vimeo.