As we come close to the winter solstice, my mind can't help but wander with curiosity of the events that will unfold a year from now.
We are addicted to 'Doomsday', always awaiting the next time our lives, and the world, will come to an end. Why is this? Do we need a constant state of despair to bolster our faith? Do we need to feel a sense of impending doom to excuse a lack of progression? Why is it that we need this constant state of fear?
Which came first, the idea of the end of days, or the creation of the first, and how much of an effect do they have on one another? I see it as completely possible that faith in a vengeful, and violent, god could bring upon the idea of a cleansing of the Earth. There are not too many things stronger then fear, and there are those that hope that as they cower before the awesome power of the almighty, that they will be the righteous clan that will usher in the end and not get left behind.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, if it's all going to end, why try? If the world is going to (insert cause of apocalypse here), who cares what I do? Who cares what I accomplish? The world will be long gone, and myself with it, so why try?
I think that it takes a heavy helping of arrogance to assume that you know when, and how, the world will end. Something as complex as the planet or grand beliefs of eternal proportions, must be difficult to comprehend within its self, but claiming that you know there points of synchronicity is preposterous.
Is it too much to hope for people, hope that fear doesn't bind them, hope that people could exist with purpose, pushing themselves and their ideas forward, so that if the world does come to an end, you can light up a smoke, take a drag, and exhale knowing it's been a great ride.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
The Beauty of Music: Fighting Man by Radiolucent
Fighting Man by Brian Hardeman
This song was written by a couple of the Radiolucent boys after watching The Wrestler, going back and watching it again makes me wish it was actually a part of the movie.
To see what is coming next from Radiolucent, which just so happens to be their debut album, check out their Facebook.
This song was written by a couple of the Radiolucent boys after watching The Wrestler, going back and watching it again makes me wish it was actually a part of the movie.
To see what is coming next from Radiolucent, which just so happens to be their debut album, check out their Facebook.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
The Flow: Mine is a Frost-bitten, Sun-burned Mind by Seth Pierce
The sun was red and furious, and beat down on my retinas so hard it left me delirious
It was obvious I was oblivious, aimlessly waiting for nothing to strike me as curious
Lost in wonderment, wandering through the bad-lands of the damned
My willpower slipping like sand through my hands
My mind got fed up and said goodbye
Going to find shade by way of mirages marching in a parade of oasis
I knew I was wasted, but in a concrete desert wasteland nothing can be waste-less
So I sat down and closed my eyes until I felt weightless
Even though I was numb, sleep never came to take me away
My body was weary but my legs grew restless
So I opened my eyes and stood up
Wishing my lungs weren't breathless
By the stride of night I walked
Crippled, from the sores on my feet to the very core of my crippled soul
Until I couldn’t tell the difference between the two anymore
Invasive to any species
I pleaded with life to leave me drugged or let me keep dreaming
But it rebutted by rebuking me, and left me curled up in a ball screaming in agony
In an arm’s reach of anguish I thought the pain I felt was harder to bear
Than trying to breath under water, without any air
Stretched out like a loving crucifixion for a birthday gift
Scarred by addiction that was too heavy to lift
Licking the wounds on my lacking conscience
Pride fell in love with self-disdain
Having forgotten about forgiveness, that was once supposedly with us
And left me hanging there, scared, for the crows to pick apart
Straw heart, and all
Until what remained of my being were some tattered old clothes
And a dusty memory
No foes came crying to this feux Jesus
Calling up to a miserable excuse for a messiah,
“Savior climb down and save us”
Soldiers betting over his wardrobe
Strangers bickering over his first name
They all went home happy to their fat wives (just the same)
And slept with a mindless absence of tears in their eyes
When they woke and went to work
They witnessed he was gone, vanished like a magician
Grave-robbers must have come under the cloak of night
With a ladder and a dozen men strong
To pry the nails from the hands of salvation
And stole away the so called son of man
For their own personal insurrection
I just wish they had made a mistake
And taken me instead
-Seth M. Pierce
11/26/11
You can view more of Seth Pierce's work at Central Elements
It was obvious I was oblivious, aimlessly waiting for nothing to strike me as curious
Lost in wonderment, wandering through the bad-lands of the damned
My willpower slipping like sand through my hands
My mind got fed up and said goodbye
Going to find shade by way of mirages marching in a parade of oasis
I knew I was wasted, but in a concrete desert wasteland nothing can be waste-less
So I sat down and closed my eyes until I felt weightless
Even though I was numb, sleep never came to take me away
My body was weary but my legs grew restless
So I opened my eyes and stood up
Wishing my lungs weren't breathless
By the stride of night I walked
Crippled, from the sores on my feet to the very core of my crippled soul
Until I couldn’t tell the difference between the two anymore
Invasive to any species
I pleaded with life to leave me drugged or let me keep dreaming
But it rebutted by rebuking me, and left me curled up in a ball screaming in agony
In an arm’s reach of anguish I thought the pain I felt was harder to bear
Than trying to breath under water, without any air
Stretched out like a loving crucifixion for a birthday gift
Scarred by addiction that was too heavy to lift
Licking the wounds on my lacking conscience
Pride fell in love with self-disdain
Having forgotten about forgiveness, that was once supposedly with us
And left me hanging there, scared, for the crows to pick apart
Straw heart, and all
Until what remained of my being were some tattered old clothes
And a dusty memory
No foes came crying to this feux Jesus
Calling up to a miserable excuse for a messiah,
“Savior climb down and save us”
Soldiers betting over his wardrobe
Strangers bickering over his first name
They all went home happy to their fat wives (just the same)
And slept with a mindless absence of tears in their eyes
When they woke and went to work
They witnessed he was gone, vanished like a magician
Grave-robbers must have come under the cloak of night
With a ladder and a dozen men strong
To pry the nails from the hands of salvation
And stole away the so called son of man
For their own personal insurrection
I just wish they had made a mistake
And taken me instead
-Seth M. Pierce
11/26/11
You can view more of Seth Pierce's work at Central Elements
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
The Beauty of Music: Michael Mann
While we are in the holiday season, we take a moment to listen to Michael Mann, of Radiolucent, in another installment of 'Offhand Athens'. His rendition of 'Silent Night' is raw and heartfelt. Hope you enjoy.
Performed by: Michael Mann
Directed by: Kyler Dennis
Monday, December 12, 2011
The Flow: The Ocean
This crude reaction to this accrued attraction
Is a heavy weight on a sinking mind
You see I want to be a man that walks to his own beat
But I want the dirt and the concrete to fall under both of our feet
I want you to be the one that stands beside me atop every hillside
When nothing needs to be said and we just soak in everything together
Like when we soak our feet along every shore and swim as twin rivers flowing towards the same ocean where the depths of what we could learn and experience is unimaginable
But the thing is you've got your beat
And you've got your own river
And though I wish our paths were intertwined like the ivy that kills the tree
Take a moment and think ccafrefully
Which is worse
Suffocating the young limbs that haven't had a chance to grow
Or burning the ivy that couldn't survive without it's victim
But if we were to use our trees as vessels
To carry us down our rivers
Wherever they may flow
Then maybe
Just maybe
I'll see you again in the ocean
Is a heavy weight on a sinking mind
You see I want to be a man that walks to his own beat
But I want the dirt and the concrete to fall under both of our feet
I want you to be the one that stands beside me atop every hillside
When nothing needs to be said and we just soak in everything together
Like when we soak our feet along every shore and swim as twin rivers flowing towards the same ocean where the depths of what we could learn and experience is unimaginable
But the thing is you've got your beat
And you've got your own river
And though I wish our paths were intertwined like the ivy that kills the tree
Take a moment and think ccafrefully
Which is worse
Suffocating the young limbs that haven't had a chance to grow
Or burning the ivy that couldn't survive without it's victim
But if we were to use our trees as vessels
To carry us down our rivers
Wherever they may flow
Then maybe
Just maybe
I'll see you again in the ocean
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Different Point of View: Charles-Ryan Barber
Charles-Ryan Barber, is a dear friend of mine, currently riding his motorcycle, from Athens, GA to Los Angeles, California, with nothing but what his bike can carry and his wits. Earlier this year he ventured down to Peru where he has captured some truly breathtaking images. Here is his different point of view.
To view more photos of Charles-Ryan Barber's, check out his Facebook.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
The Beauty of Music: Rebecca Cash
Offhand Athens: Rebecca Cash from Kyler Dennis on Vimeo.
These are two of my beautiful friends, coming together for an amazing experience, as part of Kyler Dennis' project, Offhand Athens. When this girl sings your ears are blessed, and when she stops, there is a moment of sadness that the world is not as beautiful as it was the moment before.
Ramblin' Man - Performed by: Rebecca Cash
Written by: Laura Marling
Directed by: Kyler Dennis
Friday, December 9, 2011
Tidbit: Love
How can one live with purpose without love? Love is the strongest and most sought after idea throughout human existence.We try to explain it, give life to words through our definition of emotion, but none capture its truth.
We try to synthesize it in everything we do, but when it's real, when
it's felt in a sleeping part of your essence, that has no words, that
has no equal, it can not be replicated.
At the ripe age of young, I am amongst a group that still seems to believe in a connection between souls, two people, that against all odds, find each other, but of course they do, they're soul mates. This idea is intoxicating, a high of heavenly proportions, something to have faith in.
As free love has become integrated into our culture, marriage has seemed to lose the bond of 'till death do us part'. What if all love is, is a chemical reaction, an intense feeling of sexual attraction? Or is free love providing a civilization with the opportunity to easier find our special someone?
I prefer the idea of people sharing a moment, when two peoples lives are running parallel with one another and they find a reason to intertwine their paths, but break away when the moment is over and the direction of furthering their own existence takes them down different roads.
Maybe love is our reaction to fear, that feeling of security in your home, wrapped up in the arms telling you everything will be alright. A need for companionship through the darkness we encounter in the world.
All I know is that I'm going to find the greatest understanding of love in everything that I do, because no matter what love is, what's the point without it?
At the ripe age of young, I am amongst a group that still seems to believe in a connection between souls, two people, that against all odds, find each other, but of course they do, they're soul mates. This idea is intoxicating, a high of heavenly proportions, something to have faith in.
As free love has become integrated into our culture, marriage has seemed to lose the bond of 'till death do us part'. What if all love is, is a chemical reaction, an intense feeling of sexual attraction? Or is free love providing a civilization with the opportunity to easier find our special someone?
I prefer the idea of people sharing a moment, when two peoples lives are running parallel with one another and they find a reason to intertwine their paths, but break away when the moment is over and the direction of furthering their own existence takes them down different roads.
Maybe love is our reaction to fear, that feeling of security in your home, wrapped up in the arms telling you everything will be alright. A need for companionship through the darkness we encounter in the world.
All I know is that I'm going to find the greatest understanding of love in everything that I do, because no matter what love is, what's the point without it?
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Tidbit: Greener Grass
"There" is no better a place than "here." When your "there" has
become a "here", you will simply obtain another "there" that will again
look better than "here". (Author: Unknown)
Stumble Upon presented me with Ten Rules for Being Human, and the 6th rule is what reads above. I believe it to be true in the context that coincides with the assumption that an individual will experience a complete makeover of ones faults. No location can ever be responsible for a persons character, only more opportunities for it to be challenged in the scenarios presented to us. For a long period, in my short life, I hoped this to be false, but I was sadly, and happily, mistaken.
There were a lot of different aspects of being, that I was lacking in my strength, support, and/or mental stability. I attributed the shortcomings in my life to the geographical location of my mind, rather then the location of my principles. Along that path I tried to run, expecting to magically land on the path of redemption and clarity, but in turn hurt many people that did nothing but care and love me.
At the same time, I am a seeker of beauty, and beauty is here, there, and everywhere. The grass is greener on the other side is not always as true as we hoped, but I still need to have a peek and know for myself. I may have long moved past the most beautiful locations and moments in my life, but I would not have captured the glimpse that I did without going out and looking for it.
Stumble Upon presented me with Ten Rules for Being Human, and the 6th rule is what reads above. I believe it to be true in the context that coincides with the assumption that an individual will experience a complete makeover of ones faults. No location can ever be responsible for a persons character, only more opportunities for it to be challenged in the scenarios presented to us. For a long period, in my short life, I hoped this to be false, but I was sadly, and happily, mistaken.
There were a lot of different aspects of being, that I was lacking in my strength, support, and/or mental stability. I attributed the shortcomings in my life to the geographical location of my mind, rather then the location of my principles. Along that path I tried to run, expecting to magically land on the path of redemption and clarity, but in turn hurt many people that did nothing but care and love me.
At the same time, I am a seeker of beauty, and beauty is here, there, and everywhere. The grass is greener on the other side is not always as true as we hoped, but I still need to have a peek and know for myself. I may have long moved past the most beautiful locations and moments in my life, but I would not have captured the glimpse that I did without going out and looking for it.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
The Flow: Black Heart Soldiers
Follow the hollow parts of your heart
Reconstruct the core of your being
And discovered will be
Strength
Will
And Love
And your strength will love even your weakness
Allowing the light of peace to reach us
My eyes used to close to a story my grandfather told
Of a man fighting beasts and demons that threaten us all
The army of the Black Heart Soldiers
The Black Heart Soldiers are beasts that survive off the love in a mans soul
Reconstruct the core of your being
And discovered will be
Strength
Will
And Love
And your strength will love even your weakness
Allowing the light of peace to reach us
My eyes used to close to a story my grandfather told
Of a man fighting beasts and demons that threaten us all
The army of the Black Heart Soldiers
The Black Heart Soldiers are beasts that survive off the love in a mans soul
Devouring all signs of him leaving his anguish to keep him company
We all must fight.
When the warhorn bellowed
The crisp air cut into his face as his legs carried him to his love
His voice quiets to a whisper as he pulls her close
I know you’re afraid
I know you’re scared
But I am prepared to fight the demons back
So close your eyes
Go to sleep
And I’ll see you in mornings light
As he left even he questioned the validity in those words
But only upon the truth of his return
The night continued and he found himself faced with certain defeat
But wave after wave he gave the beasts only the strength of his blade
Their taunts echoed through the canyons
But fell on ears filled with the will of his patience
And as the stars began to fade
Battered and bruised
Only his love remained
With the memory of a promise to keep
Stronger is he now than in the eve of the night
The beasts ran in fear of a man no longer restricted by his paradigm
He knew he must defeat their retreat so they may never return again
When the air fell silent he turned his strides home
But he would not return
Not the man he was
But a man that could conquer all
At times my mind would slip into dreams before my grandfather ended the tale
But each morning I wake with
The strength to stand firm
The will to follow through
And the heart to know love
And my weakness
My weakness is my journey
I know you’re afraid
I know you’re scared
But I am prepared to fight the demons back
So close your eyes
Go to sleep
And I’ll see you in mornings light
As he left even he questioned the validity in those words
But only upon the truth of his return
The night continued and he found himself faced with certain defeat
But wave after wave he gave the beasts only the strength of his blade
Their taunts echoed through the canyons
But fell on ears filled with the will of his patience
And as the stars began to fade
Battered and bruised
Only his love remained
With the memory of a promise to keep
Stronger is he now than in the eve of the night
The beasts ran in fear of a man no longer restricted by his paradigm
He knew he must defeat their retreat so they may never return again
When the air fell silent he turned his strides home
But he would not return
Not the man he was
But a man that could conquer all
At times my mind would slip into dreams before my grandfather ended the tale
But each morning I wake with
The strength to stand firm
The will to follow through
And the heart to know love
And my weakness
My weakness is my journey
The New Beginning
This will be just a general blog filled with all sorts of things, from my own personal things, to beautiful things about the world I feel need to be shared. Hope you enjoy.
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