Well, I went to the Galapagos.
now I really want to move.
Because in the Galapagos,
I can really feel the groove.
When I first got there,
green iguanas everywhere,
sand in my hair,
sun on my face,
I really loved that place,
all that wide open space.
Well, I went to the Galapagos.
now I really want to move.
Because in the Galapagos,
I can really feel the groove.
Well, I rented me a house,
but I never slept inside,
I slept on the roof,
so I could hear the ocean tide.
And sometimes late at night,
with no one else around,
I'd sing along with nature,
add to the sound.
Well, I went to the Galapagos.
now I really want to move.
Because in the Galapagos,
I can really feel the groove.
And sometimes it would rain,
as I lied there and sang,
or the wind would pick up,
bring along a hurricane.
And we'd sit there and sing,
the green iguanas and me,
the stars up above,
the beach, the tide below.
Well, I went to the Galapagos.
now I really want to move.
Because in the Galapagos,
I can really feel the groove.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Eternal Melancholy
[Sung]
Well, I've been saved from
Eternal Melancholy
I've been shown that
It's not all about Me
I've been taken to
a Land of Fantasy
I've been saved from
Eternal Melancholy
When I met her
I knew that she was different
When I talked to her
my heart was wrenched
From my body
my brain from my head
my eyes from their sockets
my feet filled with lead
And I loved her
and after a time
she loved me back
love returned in kind
And she knocked me off my feet
and I couldn't sleep
because I missed her
and she missed me
we talked 'til three
in the morning
I've been saved from
Eternal Melancholy
I've been shown that
It's not all about Me
I've been taken to
a Land of Fantasy
I've been saved from
Eternal Melancholy....
[Spoken]
I can only hope
she feels the same
I can only wish
she felt no shame
and I know that
there is nothing I can do
to make her show
the feelings that course her through
her body, her mind, her spirit, her soul,
her synapses firing,
out of my control
She drives me crazy
She knows who I am
She makes me feel good
Where no one else can
[sung]
Well, I've been saved from
Eternal Melancholy
I've been shown that
It's not all about Me
I've been taken to
a Land of Fantasy
I've been saved from
Eternal Melancholy
I've been saved from....
Eternal Melancholy!
Well, I've been saved from
Eternal Melancholy
I've been shown that
It's not all about Me
I've been taken to
a Land of Fantasy
I've been saved from
Eternal Melancholy
When I met her
I knew that she was different
When I talked to her
my heart was wrenched
From my body
my brain from my head
my eyes from their sockets
my feet filled with lead
And I loved her
and after a time
she loved me back
love returned in kind
And she knocked me off my feet
and I couldn't sleep
because I missed her
and she missed me
we talked 'til three
in the morning
I've been saved from
Eternal Melancholy
I've been shown that
It's not all about Me
I've been taken to
a Land of Fantasy
I've been saved from
Eternal Melancholy....
[Spoken]
I can only hope
she feels the same
I can only wish
she felt no shame
and I know that
there is nothing I can do
to make her show
the feelings that course her through
her body, her mind, her spirit, her soul,
her synapses firing,
out of my control
She drives me crazy
She knows who I am
She makes me feel good
Where no one else can
[sung]
Well, I've been saved from
Eternal Melancholy
I've been shown that
It's not all about Me
I've been taken to
a Land of Fantasy
I've been saved from
Eternal Melancholy
I've been saved from....
Eternal Melancholy!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Saturday, October 24, 2009
On Rock? Rock on!
It was a humid and sunny day as I looked out over the largest bend in the Ohio River in hundreds of miles. If I took just a few steps forward and I'd fall eighty feet to my death, or I would have if I wasn't tied to a belay and two large trees behind me. Welcome to Van Buren Overlook in Otter Creek Park. "On Belay?" I asked.
My counselor grinned, "Belay is on."
I nervously stepped backwards to the edge and gulped. I could feel the wind blowing on my back and smell the pungent Ohio below. "On Rock?"
My counselor looked at me for a minute. "Rock on!"
The thing most people don't realize about rappelling is how hard it is to make that first step. For one thing, you can't actually see where you're going as you rappel backwards. Another thing is the knowledge that you're scores of feet above the earth when you do. I'd experienced this feeling before when I rappelled a smaller cliff in the park that was about thirty feet, but there is a big difference when you add those extra fifty.
I was with Camp Piomingo and it's important to mention that Van Buren is sort of a sacred place for any Piomingo veteran. Camp Piomingo is a residential camp in Otter Creek Park that offers eight sessions a summer of week-long stays. You're almost always told a story on your first night there called Lover's Leap, a Romeo and Juliet rip-off with an American Indian twist. When it comes time for the counselors acting as Romeo and Juliet to commit "suicide", they jump off the cliff onto a lower ledge that isn't visible when sitting on the top of the overlook. Thus Van Buren has a certain mythical quality to it.
It took a few steps to get adjusted to this new, horizontal world. The rock was slick enough to not provide traction to your shoes but rough enough that when I slipped and hit it, it had no trouble in bloodying my knee. I regained my footing, relaxed and continued. As I did, the adrenaline hit. A couple more steps and I was at an overhang where there was no footing, so I sat in the harness and lowered myself. After this, there was only a little wall left to walk before I hit ground.
I've got to tell you, it's an awesome feeling when you hit ground. I unhooked my carabiners from the belay rope, took off my harness, brushed the rope burn off my shirt and difficultly walked back up the trail to the top of the cliff. When my friends asked me how it was, I explained to them they had to try it. I sat down on VB and helped my friends go down. As we prepared to go to sleep back at our cabin, we each recounted the day's many minor injuries and awesome moments. We will share that experience as friends and fellow campers. The adrenaline, the happiness, the bruises and cuts. All ours.
My counselor grinned, "Belay is on."
I nervously stepped backwards to the edge and gulped. I could feel the wind blowing on my back and smell the pungent Ohio below. "On Rock?"
My counselor looked at me for a minute. "Rock on!"
The thing most people don't realize about rappelling is how hard it is to make that first step. For one thing, you can't actually see where you're going as you rappel backwards. Another thing is the knowledge that you're scores of feet above the earth when you do. I'd experienced this feeling before when I rappelled a smaller cliff in the park that was about thirty feet, but there is a big difference when you add those extra fifty.
I was with Camp Piomingo and it's important to mention that Van Buren is sort of a sacred place for any Piomingo veteran. Camp Piomingo is a residential camp in Otter Creek Park that offers eight sessions a summer of week-long stays. You're almost always told a story on your first night there called Lover's Leap, a Romeo and Juliet rip-off with an American Indian twist. When it comes time for the counselors acting as Romeo and Juliet to commit "suicide", they jump off the cliff onto a lower ledge that isn't visible when sitting on the top of the overlook. Thus Van Buren has a certain mythical quality to it.
It took a few steps to get adjusted to this new, horizontal world. The rock was slick enough to not provide traction to your shoes but rough enough that when I slipped and hit it, it had no trouble in bloodying my knee. I regained my footing, relaxed and continued. As I did, the adrenaline hit. A couple more steps and I was at an overhang where there was no footing, so I sat in the harness and lowered myself. After this, there was only a little wall left to walk before I hit ground.
I've got to tell you, it's an awesome feeling when you hit ground. I unhooked my carabiners from the belay rope, took off my harness, brushed the rope burn off my shirt and difficultly walked back up the trail to the top of the cliff. When my friends asked me how it was, I explained to them they had to try it. I sat down on VB and helped my friends go down. As we prepared to go to sleep back at our cabin, we each recounted the day's many minor injuries and awesome moments. We will share that experience as friends and fellow campers. The adrenaline, the happiness, the bruises and cuts. All ours.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Something scary... (Not for Halloween)
Considering I'm about to turn 15, my life is most likely about 1/5 completed. And that's if I die of natural causes at an average age. If I die before then, I'll have even less of my life to spend. You may be older, you may be younger. Heck, if you're a girl you will most likely have had more time than I will. Good for you.
My question is this: If our lives are so short, why do we spend our time sad or unhappy? Don't you realize there isn't enough time in life, much less enough time to be sad/unhappy?
It seems that other people have realized this and cleverly said CARPE DIEM, but I think it's kind of interesting to stop and think about how much time you have left to be happy and do what you want to do. Kind of morbid, too.
My question is this: If our lives are so short, why do we spend our time sad or unhappy? Don't you realize there isn't enough time in life, much less enough time to be sad/unhappy?
It seems that other people have realized this and cleverly said CARPE DIEM, but I think it's kind of interesting to stop and think about how much time you have left to be happy and do what you want to do. Kind of morbid, too.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
I've made a decision
I'm not weird. Everyone else is weird. I'm perfectly normal.
For one thing, I don't run around buying $80 jeans and $40 t-shirts. I wear warm, substantial clothing like army fatigues. I figure that if the army wears them, they must be durable, long-lasting and utilitarian. I don't feel the need to advertise companies for them (Abercrombie and Fitch, etc.) As a general rule, if I wear a shirt with a logo on it, the logo is for something I feel strongly about, like Camp Piomingo.
For another, I don't feel the need to be snotty and preppy. If I don't like someone, I don't hang around them. Sure, I've said mean things and been in a few fights, but I don't feel the need to verbally abuse anyone who isn't like me. I try and be straightforward and keep my mouth shut when what I'm thinking isn't something that should be verbalized.
Next, I have no temptation whatsoever to drink, smoke, use illicit substances, etc. I'm not gonna hate you if you do, but I may question your judgement and whether or not I trust you. Frankly, I can feel good about myself without doing these things. I like being in control of what I say. Going hiking in the woods or hanging out with my friends makes me feel good enough that I don't need to supplement my life with harmful substances.
As another rule, I don't listen to popular music unless I actually value the lyrics, the musical qualities or both. A ton of new music is just not good. I'd rather listen to music that I enjoy, like the blues, jazz, classic rock or funk. Also, it's not that I hate rap. I hate that culture that comes with it. I find many people of the rapper crowd to lack good manners and to be uneducated and, therefore, I do not particularly like this culture. I've got no problem with black people or, for that matter, any racial/ethnic/social class. I just don't like people who haven't got good manners and not a clue who fought in the revolutionary war.
Another thing I see lacking in many people is loyalty. People need to be willing to show what they think, who they support and who exactly they are. Many people are not loyal to themselves, groups or their country. You don't have to hero-worship anyone, but let others know what you think!
Lastly, why don't people care about their history? All the time I see people who don't know what I consider to be basic historical facts. It's ignorant, guys. EVERYTHING YOU KNOW AND BELIEVE IN WAS DETERMINED BY SOMEONE IN THE PAST. It's like a mountain, which you are the point of and which history makes up the main body. It's your job to leave the world in as good as shape as you found it, if not better. You only temporarily live here. Someday you will die and only your impact will be left.
For one thing, I don't run around buying $80 jeans and $40 t-shirts. I wear warm, substantial clothing like army fatigues. I figure that if the army wears them, they must be durable, long-lasting and utilitarian. I don't feel the need to advertise companies for them (Abercrombie and Fitch, etc.) As a general rule, if I wear a shirt with a logo on it, the logo is for something I feel strongly about, like Camp Piomingo.
For another, I don't feel the need to be snotty and preppy. If I don't like someone, I don't hang around them. Sure, I've said mean things and been in a few fights, but I don't feel the need to verbally abuse anyone who isn't like me. I try and be straightforward and keep my mouth shut when what I'm thinking isn't something that should be verbalized.
Next, I have no temptation whatsoever to drink, smoke, use illicit substances, etc. I'm not gonna hate you if you do, but I may question your judgement and whether or not I trust you. Frankly, I can feel good about myself without doing these things. I like being in control of what I say. Going hiking in the woods or hanging out with my friends makes me feel good enough that I don't need to supplement my life with harmful substances.
As another rule, I don't listen to popular music unless I actually value the lyrics, the musical qualities or both. A ton of new music is just not good. I'd rather listen to music that I enjoy, like the blues, jazz, classic rock or funk. Also, it's not that I hate rap. I hate that culture that comes with it. I find many people of the rapper crowd to lack good manners and to be uneducated and, therefore, I do not particularly like this culture. I've got no problem with black people or, for that matter, any racial/ethnic/social class. I just don't like people who haven't got good manners and not a clue who fought in the revolutionary war.
Another thing I see lacking in many people is loyalty. People need to be willing to show what they think, who they support and who exactly they are. Many people are not loyal to themselves, groups or their country. You don't have to hero-worship anyone, but let others know what you think!
Lastly, why don't people care about their history? All the time I see people who don't know what I consider to be basic historical facts. It's ignorant, guys. EVERYTHING YOU KNOW AND BELIEVE IN WAS DETERMINED BY SOMEONE IN THE PAST. It's like a mountain, which you are the point of and which history makes up the main body. It's your job to leave the world in as good as shape as you found it, if not better. You only temporarily live here. Someday you will die and only your impact will be left.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Obama.
Why is everyone so impressed with Obama? The reason he won is he used his race to gain support. A White man can't campaign to be president on the grounds that he is White, but Obama's skin color definitely played a major role in his getting elected. He was a better option than McCain, but why is it that so many people support him to the extent they do?
Obama has not closed down Guantanamo, although admittedly he has set a time-line for it. He hasn't ended the war in Iraq immediately as he said he would. I get that these are both hard things to do, but he acted like he could get them done promptly.
My point is that he hasn't lived up to the expectations he set and yet people still hero-worship him. I think he's doing a good job, but where is the "superhero" he claimed he'd be?
Obama has not closed down Guantanamo, although admittedly he has set a time-line for it. He hasn't ended the war in Iraq immediately as he said he would. I get that these are both hard things to do, but he acted like he could get them done promptly.
My point is that he hasn't lived up to the expectations he set and yet people still hero-worship him. I think he's doing a good job, but where is the "superhero" he claimed he'd be?
Friday, October 9, 2009
too many people
There are enough statistics and other articles on the internet for you to look at. Frankly, I don't feel like having to find all the exact numbers, anyway.
We have a big problem- human overpopulation. It's a sketchy and controversial subject, but anybody with a brain and eyes can tell that we have a problem somewhere. Maybe it isn't the number of people we have, maybe it's the way that these people manage the world.
At any rate, something must be done. We can't stand around and watch as more and more people come into this earth when we don't have any way of managing our waste and pollution output. How is it that we, one of the richest and greatest countries in the world, can't figure out a way to have less of an impact on our environment.
No, I do not advocate genocide or birth-control laws like those of China. I don't think "global warming" or "climate change" is as big of a problem as it is made out to be. At least not yet. I do think, however, that it is maddening when I go for a walk and there is trash everywhere or when I'm in the car and someone throws a cigarette out the window.
There are many environmental problems, most having to do with human impact. Whether you're a Christian and you believe man is the world's keeper, an atheist an have no particular reason to believe this, or one of the many other religions scattered across the world, think about it. This affects everyone: Democrat and Republican, young and old, male an female, native and foreigner. Let's set an example for the world. We have the capabilities to utilize solar power, geothermal heating and many other forms of alternative energy, so why aren't we doing it?!
We have a big problem- human overpopulation. It's a sketchy and controversial subject, but anybody with a brain and eyes can tell that we have a problem somewhere. Maybe it isn't the number of people we have, maybe it's the way that these people manage the world.
At any rate, something must be done. We can't stand around and watch as more and more people come into this earth when we don't have any way of managing our waste and pollution output. How is it that we, one of the richest and greatest countries in the world, can't figure out a way to have less of an impact on our environment.
No, I do not advocate genocide or birth-control laws like those of China. I don't think "global warming" or "climate change" is as big of a problem as it is made out to be. At least not yet. I do think, however, that it is maddening when I go for a walk and there is trash everywhere or when I'm in the car and someone throws a cigarette out the window.
There are many environmental problems, most having to do with human impact. Whether you're a Christian and you believe man is the world's keeper, an atheist an have no particular reason to believe this, or one of the many other religions scattered across the world, think about it. This affects everyone: Democrat and Republican, young and old, male an female, native and foreigner. Let's set an example for the world. We have the capabilities to utilize solar power, geothermal heating and many other forms of alternative energy, so why aren't we doing it?!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
If you know me, you're probably sick of hearing about it.
Summer camps are always fun. I'm sure that other summer camps have their own good qualities and reasons to be attached, but I'm pretty sure Camp Piomingo is unique in many ways.
Recently, someone I've never met before added me as a friend on Facebook. We had a load of friends in common and she decided it would be a good idea to figure out who I was. Turns out she's been going to camp for ten years (compared to my four) and is pretty much famous among the counselors there. We talked for a good hour about experiences from camp and gossiped about the goings-on there.
The point I'm getting at here is that, even though we'd never met before, we were able to connect because of our shared experiences at camp. Whenever I see someone with a Piomingo shirt on or a black hairband around their neck (to indicate they passed the swimming test at camp) I can automatically connect to them. If I happen to be wearing a camp shirt and they notice we'll smile at each other with a knowing sort of look. Just because we go to the same camp, know the same people and have done similar things.
Camp has a ton of great things about it. Since it was founded in 1938, it's had a lot of time to develop rituals and programs. They have an American Indian theme that is able to teach campers the four values of the YMCA: Respect, Responsibility, Honesty and Caring. This sounds kind of boring, I know. But you really learn to get along with others, learn about team work and leadership.
You get to be outside. Camp has multiple programs, ranging from an equestrian program to a traditional program to a traveling program that goes to places like the Great Lakes to Kayak. We do cool activities like rock climbing, caving, hiking and swimming. In my favorite program, in which I participated for the first time this summer, we repelled an eighty-foot overhang cliff and spent a whole weekend backpacking around Otter Creek Park (where camp is located.)
These activities are fun, but they aren't the best aspect of camp at all. What I enjoy about camp the most is the companionship and comradarie you develop with your cabin-mates or program members. Especially in the older, smaller programs, you develop a great bond with the other campers. Personally, I think it takes about to weeks to "feel the love." You start bonding with your counselors and make friends for life. There is a group of about 7 kids that I met at camp that I think I could talk to about anything who would be willing to drop what they were doing to help me. We learned a lot about each other and also learned to respect them for who they were. At least I did.
I feel like I should mention my "posse" whom I attend camp with every year now. I've never been to camp without my buddy Matt. In recent years, a few other people have joined us and I've gotta say we're pretty tight-knit, even if a lot of us don't see each other much. Matt's father and mine went to high school together and now Matt and I go to school together. Matt is one of my best friends and a big part of the reason I go to camp. Well, actually, he introduced me to camp, but that's not what I meant.
Camp used to be about the activities and the ritual, but in the past few years it's become a lot more about going and being yourself. That's what camp is about. It's taught me that you can make friends for a week or two and then never have to see them again. It's taught me to be myself. It's taught me to value loyalty, respect and caring. Camp Piomingo has its share of ghost stories and rusty nails (probably more) just like any other camp, but no other camp has the same atmosphere as Piomingo. Nothing can compare.
camppiomingo.org
Recently, someone I've never met before added me as a friend on Facebook. We had a load of friends in common and she decided it would be a good idea to figure out who I was. Turns out she's been going to camp for ten years (compared to my four) and is pretty much famous among the counselors there. We talked for a good hour about experiences from camp and gossiped about the goings-on there.
The point I'm getting at here is that, even though we'd never met before, we were able to connect because of our shared experiences at camp. Whenever I see someone with a Piomingo shirt on or a black hairband around their neck (to indicate they passed the swimming test at camp) I can automatically connect to them. If I happen to be wearing a camp shirt and they notice we'll smile at each other with a knowing sort of look. Just because we go to the same camp, know the same people and have done similar things.
Camp has a ton of great things about it. Since it was founded in 1938, it's had a lot of time to develop rituals and programs. They have an American Indian theme that is able to teach campers the four values of the YMCA: Respect, Responsibility, Honesty and Caring. This sounds kind of boring, I know. But you really learn to get along with others, learn about team work and leadership.
You get to be outside. Camp has multiple programs, ranging from an equestrian program to a traditional program to a traveling program that goes to places like the Great Lakes to Kayak. We do cool activities like rock climbing, caving, hiking and swimming. In my favorite program, in which I participated for the first time this summer, we repelled an eighty-foot overhang cliff and spent a whole weekend backpacking around Otter Creek Park (where camp is located.)
These activities are fun, but they aren't the best aspect of camp at all. What I enjoy about camp the most is the companionship and comradarie you develop with your cabin-mates or program members. Especially in the older, smaller programs, you develop a great bond with the other campers. Personally, I think it takes about to weeks to "feel the love." You start bonding with your counselors and make friends for life. There is a group of about 7 kids that I met at camp that I think I could talk to about anything who would be willing to drop what they were doing to help me. We learned a lot about each other and also learned to respect them for who they were. At least I did.
I feel like I should mention my "posse" whom I attend camp with every year now. I've never been to camp without my buddy Matt. In recent years, a few other people have joined us and I've gotta say we're pretty tight-knit, even if a lot of us don't see each other much. Matt's father and mine went to high school together and now Matt and I go to school together. Matt is one of my best friends and a big part of the reason I go to camp. Well, actually, he introduced me to camp, but that's not what I meant.
Camp used to be about the activities and the ritual, but in the past few years it's become a lot more about going and being yourself. That's what camp is about. It's taught me that you can make friends for a week or two and then never have to see them again. It's taught me to be myself. It's taught me to value loyalty, respect and caring. Camp Piomingo has its share of ghost stories and rusty nails (probably more) just like any other camp, but no other camp has the same atmosphere as Piomingo. Nothing can compare.
camppiomingo.org
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Title-less
I'm sick and tired of wanting to write something and not doing it. So, I thought I'd try and start a blog (again). Even if no one reads it, I could still put my thoughts into the world. My thoughts. My many thoughts. My opinions. My feelings, resentments and passions. Well, here goes.
I'm gonna put them into the world in the way I want to. There are my "gonna"s, my big words and my random knowledge. There's my political, religious and sociological beliefs. (See? Big Words!) I'm gonna skip my daily problems and stick to broader topics. Whatever, you know? I'm no George Orwell, J. K. Rowling. I'm a strange teenager with strong beliefs and a computer. And maybe a brain. Just maybe. I'm not sure yet. Could be oatmeal! Heck, maybe I'll get bored and quit. Who knows?
Did I mention I'm sitting a science class as I write this? I might as well start with my beliefs. Why is it that I often come to school only to waste half the day waiting on other students to finish their work or for teachers to get the lives together enough to plan a whole class period? Why is it that I've been asking for the same computer log-in information for three days now even though I should have gotten it a week ago?
If I come to school, I want to be doing something constructive. Not waiting for other people. Not doing busy-work. NOt hunting the school for a string of random characters that will activate and on-line parent-teacher conference scheduling system that not all of the teachers even use. I have better things to do. I'd rather be at home doing my own thing or hiking in Bernheim forest than whittling my time away in "jail." Give me my assignments and let me leave so I can get them done.
I want challenging and instructive classes. I want competent teachers and other staff. I want to come to school and not waste my time. Get it together, dudes! For a school system, JCPS isn't very smart.
I'm gonna put them into the world in the way I want to. There are my "gonna"s, my big words and my random knowledge. There's my political, religious and sociological beliefs. (See? Big Words!) I'm gonna skip my daily problems and stick to broader topics. Whatever, you know? I'm no George Orwell, J. K. Rowling. I'm a strange teenager with strong beliefs and a computer. And maybe a brain. Just maybe. I'm not sure yet. Could be oatmeal! Heck, maybe I'll get bored and quit. Who knows?
Did I mention I'm sitting a science class as I write this? I might as well start with my beliefs. Why is it that I often come to school only to waste half the day waiting on other students to finish their work or for teachers to get the lives together enough to plan a whole class period? Why is it that I've been asking for the same computer log-in information for three days now even though I should have gotten it a week ago?
If I come to school, I want to be doing something constructive. Not waiting for other people. Not doing busy-work. NOt hunting the school for a string of random characters that will activate and on-line parent-teacher conference scheduling system that not all of the teachers even use. I have better things to do. I'd rather be at home doing my own thing or hiking in Bernheim forest than whittling my time away in "jail." Give me my assignments and let me leave so I can get them done.
I want challenging and instructive classes. I want competent teachers and other staff. I want to come to school and not waste my time. Get it together, dudes! For a school system, JCPS isn't very smart.
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