The Carnival, based out of the U.K., has an extremely unique sound that you’ll be hard pressed to find anywhere else. The young song writer, Wendell, takes great pride in his music: “Music is a form of entertainment so you have to entertain. It’s an art so you have to be creative. Music will inspire, influence, and create a different feeling within each and every individual,” he says on the band’s myspace. The Carnival is consists of UK natives
Wendell Jones and Bek Williamson, “Wendell – Piano & Vocals, Bek – Drums & Bass.”

The couple works together to create a meld of many different and extremely unique sounds including the harpsichord, organ, piano, and Vibraphone. Although they haven’t received much publicity yet, one can easily tell that the young musician will make it far with this nouveau sound.

Besides from doing some really great covers (Hey There Delilah – Plain White T’s) Jones’ songwriting carries some great tunes. A two part set, The Murder of Miss De Wise” & The Murder of Miss De Wise Pt. II – A Tragic Symphony carries the tune of the usual lamentable love tale but on a unique melody.

Although the band hasn’t played any concerts as of yet, they have plans to make it big. Currently recording “bedroom demos” The Carnival plans to start “gigging” at the beginning of this year. “We also are going to record our first CD next year at various studios, and you will be able to buy it off our website round most places in the World; as we seem to be most popular in USA and Mexico. Our plan is to get signed as soon as we can, hopefully end of next year sometime, and then the label can then re-release our CD” stated Jones.

“The Carnival is going to be pushed to it’s limits! We want as many gigs as we can get our hands on, we are going to keep pushing forward, and go all the way until we get our dream of releasing a well-produced album and taking it on a world tour and performing it to thousands night after night signed to a respectable record label,” stated Jones concerning the band’s long term plans.

My personal favorite is “Vampires and Ghosts.” So go check out The Carnival… and tell all your friend’s you listen to “Nouveau Romantic Cabaret” and see what they say ;)

Website: http://www.the-carnival.co.uk/
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thecarnivaluk
Purevolume Account: http://www.purevolume.com/thecarnival

Tomorrow in history class Mr. Zegar will host his annual “Communist Party” (joke joke, ha ha) to kick off our entire Soviet “season”, a unit in the IB European History curriculum running until about March. After dining on some kielbasa and Ukrainian pyrohy (compliments of my mother) we will introduce ourselves as a certain socialist/communist/marxist/crazy person of the early Soviet Russian time period. It’s an activity lovingly entitled, “My Favorite Marxist.”

I am..(pause).. Alexei Rykov.

Here is the bio I typed up in spirit of the day:

Alexei Rykov

I was born in 1881 to a peasant family and was active in the Bolshevik revolution activities from the young age of 18 including a role as an elected candidate (non-voting that is) member of the Central Committee at the 5th Congress in London; I supported Vladimir Lenin in his struggle for power over Alexander Bogdanov for the leadership of the Bolshevik faction. After my exile to Siberia, I re-joined the Bolsheviks during the 1917 February Revolution and was elected to the Central Committee during the OTHER October Revolution that year.

After Lenin’s death, I became the chairman of the Council of People’s Commissars (NOTE: I love that word.) (from 1924-1929). I was a strong supporter of the New Economic Policy which restored private ownership to small parts of the economy, especially farming (but not to the land itself), due to the “ravages of the communist war.” I was joined by Joseph Stalin to defeat the economic radicals; his comrade’s rivals Leon Trotsky, Grigory Zinovyev, and Lev Kamenev. However, after Stalin adopted the radical ideas he had so seemingly wanted to rid the world of, he adopted them.

It was after this that I was stripped of my posts, and forced to “admit” my treasonous ideas. In 1936 I was implicated in fabricated conspiracies, tried in Stalin’s purge trials, and executed for treason on the 15th of March, 1938. Hell isn’t all that bad. Lenin and I like to laugh at Stalin while he sits in the corner by himself.

Did I mention? As a nice, little, thoughtful gesture, the lovely Soviet Government annulled my verdict during perestroika in 1988.

I enjoy primping my look with the latest styles. I generally like to keep my face in a charming grimace and primp my wrinkles everyday. I follow up with combing my beard into a nice point-at-the-end goatee and my full head of hair. My hobbies include scowling at people as they pass by and wearing my bleach white collar as high as humanly possible.

Alexander Shopmann, a 55-year-old German retired stockbroker, thought of a bright idea one day to create Smokers International Airline, Smintair for short.

Shopmann claims that in an age of extremely limited freedoms, and cramped/stuffy/terrible airflights, his new airline will offer an experience that a flier won’t be able to find anywhere else. And it’s true:

SMINTAIR reinstates the liberty of smoking in all seats. Non-smokers will find the cabin air more refreshing than on any other flight with any other airline, as SMINTAIR adds fresh outside air to the conditioning system! This is more expensive, as it burns more fuel, but it is seen as an additional service to our guests.

Where do you think those colds you get right after a flight come from? STUFFY AIR!

More interesting “features:” Keep reading this »

It’s hard to not feel like you may be afflicted with some degree of ADD living in 21st century America; we’re so used to doing ten things at once that when we’re presented with one detailed task it’s hard to stay focused.

This thought came to me during one of my English classes; we had been assigned to read Madame Bovary over the summer and then complete a few assignments upon our return. Many of the students complained that the book was terribly boring because of the limitless detail (the novel is written in the style of ‘Realism‘) and that they found themselves quite often skimming over bunches of paragraphs because they couldn’t concentrate. In fact, the novel was extremely popular in its day (1850s) because it was filled with endless detail.

Personally, I enjoyed the book very much. The extreme attention to detail allowed me to “fall into” the book and not be aware of most of the things going on around me. I felt like I was truly a part of every scene.
However, does our “do-everything-at-once-and-in-10-seconds” lifestyle more of a curse or more of a blessing? Does it not allow us to appreciate the full potential of things, such as the novel I have just referenced?

I believe that although our fast-paced environment benefits many aspects of our society (a successful economy and the emergence of new technology every day due to non-stop research), I still think that it is very important to appreciate the smaller, simpler things in life.

“Simple pleasures are always the last refuge of the complex.” – Oscar Wilde

2,996: Tribute to William Cashman, is part of the 2,996 project at http://www.dcroe.com/2996/.

2,996 is a tribute to the victims of 9/11.
On September 11, 2006, 2,996 volunteer bloggers
will join together for a tribute to the victims of 9/11.
Each person will pay tribute to a single victim.
We will honor them by remembering their lives,
and not by remembering their murderers.

William Cashman

William Cashman was one of the great heroes of Flight 93; the flight was the only one of the four planes that did not reach its intended target, instead crashing in an empty field just outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania, about 150 miles (240 km) northwest of Washington, D.C. William was 57 years old.

From the Village Voice:

Billy as we called him, was born in New York City on West 52nd Street and 11th Avenue. He was an alter boy at Sacred Heart Church and a wonderful older brother, who was always there when we needed him. As a young man he enlisted and was a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne, after serving his country he then joined the local 46 as an iron worker and a welder, and he later became instructor, teaching others the craft he had mastered so well. He also held a red belt in Karate and he loved to mountain climb, which is why he was on Flight 93 on that horrible day in September.

Billy was a very generous and considerate guy who was always willing to help anyone in need, especially the family. Everyone has been affected by his absence. Billy, You were truly a gentleman and a hero to us all. We all miss and love you very much and we owe you and the Heroes of flight 93 a great debt of gratitude. You will always be our Guardian Angels, and I hope somehow you all know how much your bravery was appreciated, so please keep smiling down on us. Lord knows we need your help. With Much love and Appreciation,

Your Sisters, Kathleen & Judy

From United Heroes:

William Cashman’s best friend, John “Hesh” Linner, wrote:

Billy was born and raised in the Hell’s Kitchen Section of the West of NYC. After serving in the Air Force, he worked for 40 years as a Local 46 Lather (Ironworker). He was an instructor for many years at the Welding School for lathers.

Billy practiced karate for 10 years, working himself up to a red belt before a stomach operation forced him to quit. He was a quiet man with a wonderful sense of humor who loved a good bottle of wine and conversation with friends. He was never boastful and yet was accomplished at everything he ever put his mind to. He was a very influential and loving uncle to his many nieces and nephews, spending time with them on vacations and at their school activities.

Billy was an enthusiastic outdoors man who loved to hike. He spent many days hiking at Harriman State Park, but his happiest times were spent hiking out west at Glacier State Park and Yosemite National Parks. Billy died on Flight 93 on September 11th. He was on his way to Yosemite along with his pal, Joe Driscoll where they were meeting up with John Linner. These three buddies had made several hiking trips together and it was a time they cherished.

Billy leaves his lovely wife, Maggie and many friends and family members who miss this truly wonderful man. Billy was a calm and patient man who was fun to be around. He was greatly admired and loved by all who knew him. Indeed, it was a privilege just knowing him.

Let us remember the victims and not the murderers.

Keep reading this »

It’s Marilyn Monroe’s 80th this day today.

Marilyn Monroe is one of the 20th century’s most famous sex symbols, movie stars, and pop icons. Her acting in many small roles led to her gradual stardom; known for her sex appeal, beauty, and jaw-dropping presence, she became a star during the 1950s. However, the glamorous star died at an extremely young 36 years old. Marilyn was quoted once as saying the following:

“I want to grow old without face-lifts…I want to have the courage to be loyal to the face I have made. Sometimes I think it would be easier to avoid old age, to die young, but then you’d never complete your life, would you? You’d never wholly know yourself.”

Sadly this was all too true for Marilyn Monroe. The circumstances surrounding her death have been subject to endless speculation and conspiracy theories. However, this has only helped to solidify her reputation as one of the most legendary public figures of all time.

Right Photo – Left: Tom Ewell (Richard Sherman), Right: Marilyn Monroe (The Girl). A famous scene from the film The Seven Year Itch, in which Monroe’s character has her skirt blown upwards revealing her underwear. This has grown to become another iconic moment for Monroe.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marilyn_Monroe
http://ellensplace.net/mquotes.html

For the fun of it I am posting two short essays I have written for two different classes that a total of two people may have interest in reading… so here you are:

Truth is Subjective?
About: Discusses different types of truths and how truths vary from individual to individual.

The Great Importance of the Annexation of the Philippines to the United States
About: An editorial written in the time of the 1900s advocating the the annexation of the Philippines.

Keep reading this »

CLOVIS, N.M. – A call about a possible weapon at a middle school prompted police to put armed officers on rooftops, close nearby streets and lock down the school. All over a giant burrito.
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Someone called authorities Thursday after seeing a boy carrying something long and wrapped into Marshall Junior High.

The drama ended two hours later when the suspicious item was identified as a 30-inch burrito filled with steak, guacamole, lettuce, salsa and jalapenos and wrapped inside tin foil and a white T-shirt.

“I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry,” school Principal Diana Russell said.

State police, Clovis police and the Curry County Sheriff’s Department arrived at the school shortly after 8:30 a.m. They searched the premises and determined there was no immediate danger.

In the meantime, more than 30 parents, alerted by a radio report, descended on the school. Visibly shaken, they gathered around in a semi-circle, straining their necks, awaiting news.

“There needs to be security before the kids walk through the door,” said Heather Black, whose son attends the school.

After the lockdown was lifted but before the burrito was identified as the culprit, parents pulled 75 students out of school, Russell said.

Russell said the mystery was solved after she brought everyone in the school together in the auditorium to explain what was going on.

“The kid was sitting there as I’m describing this (report of a student with a suspicious package) and he’s thinking, ‘Oh, my gosh, they’re talking about my burrito.’”

Afterward, eighth-grader Michael Morrissey approached her.

“He said, ‘I think I’m the person they saw,’” Russell said.

The burrito was part of Morrissey’s extra-credit assignment to create commercial advertising for a product.

“We had to make up a product and it could have been anything. I made up a restaurant that specialized in oddly large burritos,” Morrissey said.

After students heard the description of what police were looking for, he and his friends began to make the connection. He then took the burrito to the office.

“The police saw it and everyone just started laughing. It was a laughter of relief,” Morrissey said.

“Oh, and I have a new nickname now. It’s Burrito Boy.”

Yahoo News Story

Wooohoo! I got my iPod today… I wasn’t even expecting it! It told me I would get the package on the 18th! It’s definitely the 12th, haha. Look at where it shipped from! At first I thought to myself “Hmm… I don’t know what state CN stands for.” Me being a dumbass, and then realizing Shanghai was infact China I figured it would take for ever to get here! Almost halfway around the world!

So I got the thing today, and checked out the tracking for it ( above) My iPod has been more places than I have. Anchorage, Alaska; haha! I find it utterly amazing that a package can make its way from China all the way to my door step in one night!

Now obviously my package did not take 80 days to get here as said in the title; but think of how far technology has advanced from the time that book was set in! (and movie) Also… think of much farther technology will advance in our life times!

Glitz, glam, pearls and high heels. Cut out toes, and furs… 2004 is the 40’s. It is great to finally see the tacky “show as much skin as possible” look go out the window. Even Abercrombie is marketing new looks, and longer skirts! (Thank you!)

Fur coats, jackets and shawls have always given the look of a million bucks. Wear a fur piece, and you know you can walk with that extra little edge of classiness. What a throw in the face to PETA. I’m glad this radical group has the fashion world firing back at them. Maybe they’ll cry and ask where they went wrong. Additionally, it is really quite easy to get fake furs that look real. If you don’t want to spend the money on a genuine fox lined jacket, many department stores offer cheaper polyester “remakes” that look like the real thing. Of course when you touch it, it just will not feel the same.

Pearls and extravagant jewels, why not wear your money on your neck like the cosmopolitan ladies of the 40’s? Pull out your grandma’s old costume jewelry and broaches, they’re all too back in style! Glam up a simple corduroy jacket with 4 completely different broaches on the fold of your collar. ‘Cut out toe’ shoes with high heels are quite trendy, along with the ‘pointy-toe’ look. Classy shoes make any outfit look glamorous… almost.

Remember: This look is definitely not about the brand names! The more exclusive and unique your clothing items get, the classier you will look. If you have got money flaunt it, but work with what you have got! Stray away from blatantly designer wear. (Your brown Louis Vuitton bag!) And throw out those trashy UGG boots and wear real shoes… the kind that created the saying, “Beauty is pain!”