Movie Review: Epic

Epic... Great title for a movie. It's hard to believe that there was never a film called that before. OR if there was no one has ever heard of it.

However, when I saw the trailer one thing came into my mind, and if you have seen the trailer more than likely the same thought ran through yours. If you hadn't seen the trailer, watch it, then maybe you can have the same thought.

Now do you see it? It's a movie you have seen before, many of times. Most notable “Fern Gully”. I went into this film thinking about all the ways I am going to tear into it, because it's the same crap I've seen before.

Except that in ONE area it is NOT like all the other movies where someone gets shrunk down to discover a new world. The big enemy of the forest, the thing is that is hurting the forest, is NOT humans. You heard me correctly,the big bad is not humans. The big bad is just rot, natural decay of a forest. It made me so happy! For once I didn't feel like I had liberal crap being shoved down my throat.

So thank you James Hart and others for not writing the same old shit.

Rating: 7 out of the 10 STARS

Movie Review: Hangover 3

Biases, comparing, judgments it is what we all of us as humans do. We can't stop, it's in our DNA. What we can do is not let judgment ruin things. Today I'm writing about Hangover 3, the last in the Hangover Trilogy. I've had a lot of mix opinions from friends about this film. Some like it, some hate it, but the consistent things I hear are these; from those who like it, “It was better than the 2^nd movie.” From those who hate it, “It just wasn't as good as the 1^st movie.”Which to me means no one is judging this film on it's own merit.

Example: When I was younger I watched The Godfather III. I hadn't watched any of the other films yet, but I thought it was a great movie. I then watched the first 2 films in the trilogy and was completely blown away, I still loved the third film even if it wasn't as good as the first two, but almost everyone told me that hated the third. Was it because people are more judgmental than me? Was it because I saw it first? Was it because I have no taste in films? (don't answer that last one) I think it's because I saw it first. I had no preconception or comparison of the first two films.

Hangover 3 had almost everything I could want to round out this series. Funny new characters, lovable old characters, and some strange unique situations to make a laughable good time. Plus, Galifianakis is always funny. But I am not going to tell you much about this film. I want you guys to go watch it and tell me what you think. Is it funny or bad? Are you make judgments on this movie compared to the first two? Please, leave a comment. Next film is Fast 6 I'll try to have that up by tomorrow.  

Review: Star Trek into Darkness

     When I was a child in the 80's, a new series of movies came out based on a TV show from the 60's. I was instantly captivated. At the time, my youth kept me from understanding the nuances, the drama, and emotions of the films. My childhood delight came from the action, sounds, and shiny blinking lights of space. In 1988 a new TV series based on the 60's show came out. It was amazing! I decided to watch the original series and then the movies all over again. This time I got all the things I missed when I was younger, and I fully embraced my new passion. I was now one of the many that the world loving calls Trekkies. Now, as you all know, there is a reboot of the movie series. The latest movie, "Star Trek: into Darkness," directed by JJ Abrams, is out in theaters, and I want to see how it stacks up.

     First, I want to talk about the visual content of the film. Like any Sci Fi or Fantasy movie, a huge part is the look of the film. It begins on a alien planet which, unlike a lot of other worlds I've seen, this planet truly looked alien. More than that it was a great cross between an alien world and a familiar  one that looks like you would expect humans to live on. Then came the space ships, again a beautiful cross between the old ships and ships with a more modern feel. All in all Abrams created a picturesque universe.

     Next, the acting. Those who watched the first reboot movie know the great work done by the new cast. Chris Pine (Kirk), Zachary Quinto (Spock), Zoe Saldana (Uhura), and Simon Pegg (Scotty) are all incredible. So let's focus on the villain played by Benedict Cumberbatch. I know... the man has the name of a hobbit. Which is funnier when you find out he stars in the new Hobbit films as the voice of The Necromancer & Smaug the dragon. However, he is best known for the BBC show "Sherlock," where he plays a modern incarnation of the legendary detective. In this movie, just like everything else, he is astounding. He reminds me of an actor from some storybook, someone that can read a simple monologue and completely captivate his audience. I truly hope he becomes more popular in the States so he gets more roles here.

     Lastly, I want to talk about the part that is near and dear to my heart, the writing. Stories make our world go around, and this one blows me away. The emotions between the characters are wonderfully dramatic. I felt true passion between the friends. There were two crucial underlying themes. The first is that going outside the lines is more revenge than justice, and the second is how emotions can cloud reasonable thoughts. These themes were well laid out and explored, but I didn't feel like it was thrown in my face. The movie was excellent and I'm going to miss Abrams doing these films. I truly hope the next person to take over can fill his shoes. It is going to take a lot for a movie this year to top Star Trek.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10 stars

As usual let me know what you think, and follow if you like.

Movie Review: The Great Gatsby

     I try my hardest to never prejudge a movie before I watch it. I believe that everyone has played the Expectation Game with movies, where we say, “I expected more from this film,” or “I didn't think I'd like this movie, but it turned out great.” So when I heard that a classic American tale was being filmed by someone who, in my opinion, is one of the worst 3 directors I've ever seen (Baz Luhrmann), well... I told myself  "Watch it before you judge, don't leap to any conclusions." 

     As always, Baz Luhrmann didn't let me down. He took a classic story about how changing your outer appearance does not change who you are, nor does having been born to a higher class family make you a good person, and made it into a pretty and sparkly spectacle that I can only guess was aimed at women & gay men.  He gave it no real substance, just a paint-thin veneer of distraction from the mundane. “He is like the gay/female version of Michael Bay.” said a friend of mine. “If the two ever collaborated it would be a movie with Navy Seals masquerading as Chippendale Dancers, randomly breaking into pop songs and blowing shit up.” I couldn't agree more. Except I think Luhrmann's editing is so ham-handed that it would make Michael Bay blush.

     He also cut some of the most important characters from the film. For instance, the character of Wolfshiem, based on real life criminal & gambler Arnold Rothstien, who presented an ever-present danger felt lying behind everything. Even though he didn't even cause the problems, his character made you feel constantly wary.  Except that he didn't exist in the film, removing with it that ominous presence.

     Still, none of this would have bothered me too much. This is, as I said earlier, something I expected from the director. What truly bothered me, what made me nauseous, what almost made me get up a few times to walk out on the film was the music. The story takes place in the “Roaring Twenties”, also known by some as the Golden Age of Jazz. It was the time of Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton, and not to mention Gershwin. Gershwin, for crying out loud! In all fairness there was like 20 seconds of Gershwin at one point in the film, but you can put the whole movie to Gershwin and it would work. Instead every time there should have been jazz playing there was a hip hop song instead. I have no problem with hip hop music, but when your trying to immerse yourself in the 1920's you don't appreciate Jay Z showing up to distract you from the film.

     However, not everything in this film was bad. The acting was fantastic. DiCaprio gave what I believe was his finest performance as Gatsby. I always thought DiCaprio overacted his parts to a certain extent. Not a lot, just that he had a little difficulty with subtlety. But almost ever movie he has gotten better, and in this one he excelled.

     Much like Gatsby himself I have hope. My hope is that the next classic book made into a film is a classic in its own right.

Rating: 3 stars out of 10

     If you enjoyed this review please follow me for more on movies, music, and books. Next week I'll be reviewing the new Star Trek film.

#8 Desert Island Album

Number 8 is a special one for me. “Evgeny Kissin & Kremerat Balitca 'Mozart Piano Concertos 20 & 27'”.

Before I started writing this I asked myself, “How does one describe pure music?”. And before you ask, yes I do sound pompous when I talk to myself. But I could not find an answer to my original question. I could talk about the technical aspect of it, but I always thought that was boring. I could talk all flowery and poetic about it, but then I would sound even more pompous. So if you don't mind I'm going to flounder through hoping to catch a glimmer of this brilliance in the blog.

Let me start with Evgeny Kissin. This man is a genius, and I don't use that word lightly. In my opinion, to use that word a person has to be either truly innovated in their field or perfected their art. Kissin defiantly perfected his art. He was playing the piano by ear and improvise by the ripe old age of 2. Ten years later at the age of 12 he played Chopin's concertos 1 & 2 at the Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory.

I have listen to many piano virtuosos all of them great. Here is the problem that I hear with almost all of them. They are really amazing at playing one period of classical music. Most of them are brilliant at playing the Romantic period. When playing Beethoven or List they sound amazing. When they play Mozart or Bach not so much. Kissin isn't like that, he can play any piece of piano music he wants and he makes it sound beautiful.

I'm going from one genius to another, Mozart. I don't think I need to describe why I think Mozart is a genius. Even if you are not a fan of him, no one can deny the influence musical history. He is my favorite composer. I had a hard time choosing a piece from Mozart, there is only 626 pieces of music. I thought first to pick my favorite recording of his Requiem. Then I thought I would love one of his operas, there is a great version Don Giovanni that I love. However this recording, even only being two years old, is the one I listen to the most.

Mozart piano concerto 27 is a lively a moving piece. It always gives me a feeling of running. Not running away from something or towards something, but just running for the joy of it. Then it slows down and it feels like you sit to take breath. You feel your heart beat and you take a breath. Afterward, to get up and run again. I can't describe it better than that. I know it's only what I picture in my head, but there it is.

Mozart piano concerto 20 is not as upbeat as most of his music. It begins with a heavy orchestral that makes it feel almost as if something ominous is chasing you. Yet the entire time the piano part gives you a since of hope. Which the orchestra starts to follow along with. It feel like Mozart is trying to say the power of positive thinking can change anything. Kremerat Balitca does the best job with this orchestra I have heard in this piece since the movie Amadeus.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7cn_9ZuOq8&feature=bf_prev&list=LLLgbh1ytnydSmPp1cxVlVcw

This is a must have for me on any desert island.  

Conversation with Jess Album #9

JESS:I couldn't wait until I got the opportunity to talk to you about this one - you picked one of my two favorite bands of all time!   

ME:Well I do have exceedingly good taste.

I remember when I first heard the Eagles - I was 14, and had just gotten my first walkman cassette player.  No, I'm not old, or anything.  Anyway, my sister made me a tape of "Greatest Hits Volume 1" of theirs.  One listen, and I was hooked.  The sheer precision of their performances was amazing to me, and the tight vocal harmonies instantly captivated me.  The song "Best of My Love" especially got me - the ending harmonies were so sublime.  How did you discover them?  And what first got your attention?

I first heard of them because the country stars at the time did a tribute album of their works which was incredible poplar. I instantly hated the Eagles and that album, why you asked, because I was in Jr. High and hated anything that was really poplar. You know, because I was a “REBEL”. Then after the “Hell Freezes Over” album came out a was chatting up a girl at a party who really like them. So in my suave Jr. High way I told her, “Oh yay! Me too!”. I'm not sure if that helped, but I got to second base that night, so it didn't hurt. Later I listen to the album without any pre-prejudices, and found them incredible.

Hitting on girls - expanding teenagers musical interests since the dawn of time. "Gregorian Chant? I LOVE Gregorian Chant! Have you heard that one about 'Dies Irae'?"

The Eagles changed dramatically throughout the 70s - beginning as a Country/Folk/Rock group, with Don Henley being mainly a songwriter, to their later incarnation as a Southern Rock group, with Don Henley being the quasi-lead singer, and Timothy B. Schmidt and Joe Walsh giving a very urban edge to their sound.  What period of their music do you like the most, and why?  Or do you even have a favorite?

I don't have a certain favorite. I do, however, love the way they changed. The best bands I know change the way they do things. The Killers change their style ever album, Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Muse, all have a way to change their identities over and over again. IT is a true mark of a great band.

I agree. Stagnation is a mark of the creatively challenged. 

Now, we know that Hell Freezes Over is something like a Greatest Hits compilation - of their original albums, do you have a favorite?

Desperado... I know, I know... It's a sin not to say Hotel California, but you asked the question.

Not a bad choice at all. That one is my favorite of their early period. If it weren't for "Last Resort" and "Wasted Time," it would easily top "Hotel California" for me, as well. 

The Eagles began when Glenn Frey and Don Henley met while working as backup singers for Linda Ronstadt.  Within a week they wrote two songs - Tequila Sunrise and Desperado.  Desperado is obviously the more famous of the two, but Tequila Sunrise is more interesting to me as a musician.  I noticed that you picked it as perhaps your favorite.  I wanted to ask whether the changing of perspectives ever stood out to you: it starts in third person, talking about a boy.  Then it changes into talking about his woman.  Then it changes to first person, where he's unsuccessfully hitting on this same woman. I can't think of another song that changes subjects that much in such a short time (Billy Joel's "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" does, but it's something like 9 minutes long, and it's basically a medley of three unrelated and unfinished songs).  You get a definite glimpse into this world, and it feels familiar, but you also feel like there's far more left unsaid than spoken.

Or am I reading far more into this than you think is really there?

I don't think writing a song in a shifting perception like that is as hard as you think. I just think it's something no one ever thinks to do. Your average writer of something short isn't think, “let me look at this from all angles” just, “here is a point of view”. Which is to bad because it does pull me into the world completely. And no I don't think you're reading to much into this.

Hotel California is musically interesting to me for completely different reasons.  Everybody thinks of it as having this awesome, unmistakable melody.  This is actually not at all true.  There are only three or four notes in the verse, and just a few in the chorus.  If I played them for you on a piano, you might not even be able to distinguish what song it is.  What makes it so interesting is the very unusual chord progression going on behind it, and the way that progression changes the sound of the unchanging melody.  The structure is also interesting - extended intro, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, verse - extremely extended guitar solo.  I can't think of another song with that form.  Do you think its unusual composition helped it to be so successful, or was it a hit despite its strange structure?

I think it's one of those rare beautiful arts in the world. One of the few that ascends the art in which it's in.

As much as people complain about it, things like structure, and non-originality are used because it is what works. Every now and then something will be different but not BAD. Usually when someone steps outside the structure it is horrible. However, every once in a blue moon you get a masterpiece, like Hotel California,

You know me; I love structure. It's one reason I think Toby Keith's songs fade in popularity so fast; he writes a perfect hook, but has no structure to his songs. That said, if an artist can transcend the rules, that's when you find greatness. I think of the great Classical and Jazz composers; they spent years learning all the rules, so that they'd know how and when breaking them would be the most effective. 

Great call on this one. Now I'm not sure if I can put one of my favorite two bands on my top ten list. Damn you, Caleb Baccus! But yeah, great choice. 

#9 Desert Island Albums

Honestly, number 9 I had a harder time picking then any other position on this list. I knew whatever I picked here would kick a lot of albums off the top ten. Albums I truly love from artist like The Cure, R.E.M., Micheal Jackson, and Queen all failed to get on this list because they were either going to be number 9 or nothing. After a lot of listening and soul searching, a lot of listening and second guessing, a lot of listening and asking for advice, and a LOT of listening I finally came to a decision. My number 9 Desert Island Album is the Eagles “Hell Freezes Over”.

Now I know what you are thinking, “of for crying out loud Caleb, That is such a cop out!”, and you are right it is. But I do not think I can get through this list without a cop out or two.

As for the album itself, what can I say that hasn't been said a thousand times about the Eagles. We all know about there beautiful harmonies and mellow sounds. We know they were a huge influence on the rock & roll in the 80's and country music of the 90's. So I guess I'll do my best not to bore you.

There is another slight problem with picking this album, and that's that there is more than one version of it. For those wanting to hear this I suggest getting the DVD edition. It is the one where the Eagles sing Don Henley's “The Heart of the Matter”, which is my favorite version of that song. Before singing the song Henley makes a statement about it that sums up writing, and I mean writing anything, better than anything else I've ever heard. “This song took me 40 years to write, and it takes about 5 minutes to sing.”

I have written a book that is about 90,000 words long. When people hear this they say things like”wow” or “that's amazing its so long”. And they wonder why I am not impressed with myself. I spent 7 years developing a world that would work, another 2 years writing the book, and so far the last 2 years rewriting it. So since my 20's were spent on this book, no 90,000 words don't seem that long when I think about it. So thank you Don for letting me know I am not the only one.

But let's forget about that we are here to talk about music, and music I have a relentless passion for.

This band, in my opinion, has a catalog of music that rivals any other band in history. And like all bands they have the song that started the career. 

Like all great bands they have a song that is my favorite from them. Not necessarily the best, or most thought of song when you think about them, but the one I most relate to. With the Eagles this song is “Tequila Sunrise”. Now to the best of my knowledge, I was never a hired hand. But I was a lonely boy out on the town a lot, and the way it work going up to women you need a push.

“Take another shot of courage
Wonder why the right words never come
You just get numb”

That was most every night of my youth. Sometimes I really miss it.

I could easily keep going on here, but let's face it, there is only one song you the readers want to hear. The song that no matter who you are, no matter how you are feeling, and no matter if you understand what the HELL they are talking about, is the song you want to listen to. So I;m just going to put it on and let you enjoy it. 

I truly think that is all I need to say. Hope to see you back for album #8!

Top 10 Desert Island Albums: #10

 I recently heard “The sweet and sultry sounds...” of a podcast called “The Fish Tank” by David Rodriguez, Hansel Orozco, and Brian Menard. They had an interesting two part episode called “Top Ten Desert Island Albums”. After I heard it I couldn't help but to think of the 10 albums I would take with me on a desert island to listen to. Later that night I was texting my best friend and professional musician, Jess T. Mills IV, about how hard it was picking these albums out. We came up with the idea of doing our own top tens on our blogs. We can do commentary on each others blogs during this. We decided to go one album at a time to delve more deeply into them. Also, if we pick one from an artist it can be the only one from that artist. Otherwise we might end up with 2 or 3 from such artist as Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, or The Eagles. So that brings us up to speed. Hope you enjoy it (although I know you won't enjoy it more than me and Jess), let's begin.

My number 10 album is a recent one, “Harlem River Blues” from Justin Townes Earl. It was released in 2010 by Bloodshot Records.

Let me give you a little history about Justin before I get in to the album. He is the son of singer/songwriter Steve Earle who made his name in the mid 80's with such hits as “Guitartown” and “Copperhead Road”. Steve was a protege of legendary songwriter Townes Van Zandt, whose songs including “If I Needed You”, “To Live Is To Fly”, and “No Places To Fall” are still considered standards in the genre. Carrying not one but two name sakes Justin Townes Earle had a lot to live up to.

Live up to it he did with an album that really explored his depth as a musician and songwriter himself. By the second song on this album, “One More Night in Brooklyn”, I got hooked. The song a beautiful base line that runs through the whole song. 

The album hits a sad and powerful point in the song “Slippin & Slidin”, a song about drifting down into addiction. As an addict himself Justin really let's you feel the downward slide, emphasized by the horns going down. I think he said it all with the lyrics:

Why do I try my luck?

I should never touch the stuff.

But it shouldn't make any difference.

As long as I keep up appearances.

What might be my favorite song on the album is “Chirstchurch Woman”. It is a song of hope, a hope for a better life represented in a woman that may or may not exist. I think I love most the change in attitude through the song. At the beginning he's “doing all right”, by the end:

I should be in my room, man I should learn how to forget.

Well she maybe pretty, but one day I'll get sick of her shit.

I put as the video a live version instead of the album, because I believe it shows some of the style of the album.

That's my number ten, what do you think Jess?

Jess: I enjoy your choice at number 10. It is best album of his that I have heard. I think his singing on the album "Midnight at the Movies" was better, but his songwriting and arranging are masterful on "Harlem River Blues".

Caleb: I agree with the singing, but I think he changed his way of singing searching for his own style.

Jess: I can definitely see that.  One of the hardest things about being a singer/songwriter is finding your own sound; you have to do it for both your voice and your songwriting style.  Not an easy task!  One of the intriguing things to me on that album is the almost triumphant gospel tone on the title track, which is a song about suicide.

Caleb: I've always wondered about that. Something I would ask him about if I ever got to meet him. It is an odd combination. 

Jess: His strength seems to be writing songs that speak to everyday emotions and difficulties. He's not writing about being a rock star, or a millionaire, or a badass, or a criminal who has killed twenty people. He's not writing about his immortal love of a perfect and beautiful woman. He writes about jobs, imperfect women, and the drudgery of life, and he writes it in a way that you know he lived it.  Almost like a modern, country version of Bruce Springsteen.

Caleb: I think that is what pulls me to his music so much. I have always connected to the the songs of struggle and strife. Those and sad songs about love have always been my favorite.

Jess: I remember when I first heard about him from you; you wouldn't stop raving about this new guy you'd found. I thought it'd be worth checking out, and I'm really glad I listened to you. I didn't listen to "Harlem River Blues" first, but when I did I could tell why you were so impressed. How did you hear about them?

Caleb: My brothers wouldn't stop telling me about them, but I had been in a Alterntive Rock mood for weeks so I wouldn't listen to the album. When I final did I was at work and put the album on a loop for about 6 hours. I just couldn't stop listening.

Jess: Awesome, great first album, Caleb.

Caleb: Thanks! Can't wait to hear your number 10. If any of you reading are interested, check Jess's blog, Jester's Journal, at  http://jessmills.blogspot.com/

and check back hear in a week to see my #9 Desert Island Album. 

The Censorship of Huck Finn

            Do you believe that authors should be censored? While we are at it, should we throw out the first amendment altogether? A publisher has come out with a censored version of Mark Twain’s classic American novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In this version, the publisher has switched the “n-word” with the word slave. The reason for this is to make schools feel more at ease with having the book in their schools. I do not believe anyone’s words should be tampered with, especially those of an American treasure like Mark Twain’s timeless classic, because it changes the power of the novel, it does not erase the “n-word” from America’s past, and it is unconstitutional.

 Mark Twain’s novel has grittiness to its language that gives the book its lower class American feel. Twain wanted the reader to feel like they were in the shoes of a poor child in the American south. So instead of writing everything in proper English, he wrote using slang words and phrases that were part of the common vernacular of the time. This was not something often done at the time Mark Twain wrote this novel. However, after reading it many believe that it gave the book more power and feeling then if he had written using only accepted vocabulary. The reason we want children to read this novel is for its powerful moving story.

Changing a word does not erase that word or its meaning from life. Taking the “n-word” out of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn does not mean the word no longer exists. The word still has the past in American life that made it offensive to begin with. Keeping the “n-word” in the novel can teach a lesson to a student that is never easy to learn. That lesson is why and how a word like the “n-word” can become so hated. Also, why someone should never use such a word like that while referring to others. It is an emotional and sometimes painful lesson to learn, but it is one that should not be forgotten or over looked.

Taking an author’s words and changing them to not offend other people is censorship, and censorship is unlawful according to the Constitution of the United States. The change being made is one to make others feel more comfortable. That is not a reason to change anyone’s words. The first amendment is to the freedom of speech. This is exactly the kind of protection that amendment is for. If anyone objects lawfully to this change in the school, then I believe that they could take it to the Supreme Court to have it changed back.

Finally, author’s words are like a painters brush stroke, or a note in a musical piece. You would not want to take out the notes in a Mozart’s sonata, nor censor parts of a painting from Rembrandt. Mark Twain is not here to defend his words, nor his he able to give permission to change them. Without his presence it falls to us to protect his legacy.

Thoughts on the Boston Massacre

                 There are many questions surrounding the famous Boston Massacre. How did it begin? Was there an order given to fire on the crowd? What affect did it have on the aftermath? Looking at depositions and facts collected from people that were there, you can begin to piece this event together and find some of these answers. I intend to show that there was no order given to fire, and that an object thrown from the crowd was the spark that ignited the incident.

First, it is important to know the events that led up to the Boston Massacre. Tensions between the British and the American colonist began to rise after the French and Indian War, known by some as the Seven Year War. In 1763 at the end of the war there were British soldiers all through the colonies. Most were stationed in people’s homes. A new law passed by the government did not allow for expansion by the colonist past the Appalachian Mountains. These things forced on the American colonist made them feel as if they were lesser citizens then those of the British Isles. Furthermore, the British needed to find a way to pay for what they had spent fighting the French and Indian War. They began to tax the American colonist heavily. Taxes on all imports such as sugar, food, and anything else except tea started to get the colonist in an uproar. The Stamp Act in 1765, which is an act for granting and applying certain stamp duties, and other duties, in the British colonies and plantations in America, towards further defraying the expenses of defending, protecting, and securing the same; and for amending such parts of the several acts of parliament relating to the trade and revenues of the said colonies and plantations, as direct the manner of determining and recovering the penalties and forfeitures therein mentioned, was so unpopular that it was overturned just two years later.

The town of Boston itself had been particularly bitter since 1768 when Britain sent two regiments to Boston to enforce the Laws of Parliament. This infuriated the people of Boston. “They will not find a rebellion, they might in fact make one.” said Benjamin Franklin. The tensions of the Bostonians rose rapidly at this time. This lead to many confrontations between the colonist and the British soldiers. Therefore, in March the tensions came to bloodshed.

On March 5, 1770 a group of Bostonians were traveling up King's Street. They began to heckle a sentry in front of the town custom house. The heckling began to escalate, colonists began gathering in groups. Then a group of British soldiers came to the defense of the sentry. After that the reports begin to vary.

In depositions taken from the incident, it is clear that a stick or other object was thrown from the crowd knocking down one of the soldiers. Seven different people gave accounts of an object or objects being thrown from the crowd. What makes this even more prevalent was the fact that there were people on both sides of the political divide commenting on the sticks. Edward Gerrish who claimed to start the argument with the sentry said, “Saw some persons with sticks coming up Quaker Lane.”, a man who was obviously anti-British talking about men with sticks. On the other side was Captain Preston himself who claimed, “While I was thus speaking, one of the soldiers, having received a severe blow from a stick.” A woman named Jane Whitehouse who seemed not to have any political affiliation said, “I saw one man take a chunk of wood from under his coat throw it at a soldier and knocked him down.”

The best evidence of the order to fire not being given is the fact that the shots were not fired at once. Muskets were not as accurate as the later rifling guns. Because of this it was normal military behavior to fire all the guns at once. The famous engraving by Paul Revere showed all the soldiers firing their weapons at once on the command to fire. Revere not being there this is probably how he imagines the event. According to the depositions, as many as five people recall hearing one shot after another before more shots started firing. “Half a minute after first gun to second, same to third.” said Ebenezer Hinkley. Robert Goodall said, “They all fired one after another.” It seems clear that they had not fired all at once the way it was known to occur with the old style muskets.

The thought that the British soldiers randomly fired on and murdered innocent civilians is probably from the way leaders of the revolution used the event. Those leaders got anti-British sentiments whipped into a frenzy. After a few years the colonist got the revolution they wanted, and the Boston Massacre was one of the major reasons for it. In 1775, a month before the battle of Lexington, a ceremony was held at the location of the Boston Massacre. At the ceremony Joseph Warren said, “Take heed, ye infant babes, lest, whilst your streaming eyes fixed on the ghastly corpse, your feet slide on the stones bespattered with your father's brains.”

Response to Grass

 GRASS

by: Carl Sandburg (1878-1967)

ILE the bodies high at Austerlitz and Waterloo,

Shovel them under and let me work--

I am the grass; I cover all.

 

And pile them high at Gettysburg

And pile them high at Ypres and Verdun.

Shovel them under and let me work.

Two years, ten years, and passengers ask the conductor:

What place is this?

Where are we now?

 

I am the grass.

Let me work.

“Pile the bodies high” says Carl Sandburg giving us a dark and dramatic image right at the beginning of the poem. What did Sandburg mean by Grass with its imagery of death and nature? I believe that the author was meaning to show us the effect that time and nature has to have in covering up the destructive force of mankind.

The destructive force of man is evident in the poem. Its meaning is given to us by the mention of well known and important places where a battle has taken place. The author gives the never ending feel of destruction by placing the battles, in chronological order, from two different centuries. Austerlitz and Waterloo taking place in the beginning of the 19^th century, Gettysburg later on during the Civil War, and Ypres and Verdun in the early 20^th century during World War II.

It is written from the point of view of grass, almost as if nature itself was talking to you. Saying that no matter what damage you can inflect time can cover it up. The last stanza is very short and to the point. It rounds the poem out and ties it all together. It gives the impression that in the end there is just nature.

The three stanzas of the poem gives a clear point at the beginning and the end. It moves you to almost a futile look at what we as humans do. Nothing that we as mankind can do will last forever.

Developing Self-Worth

               I have had a hard time in my life developing my self-worth.  Until the age of 28 I thought of myself as useless.  Almost as if I was a waste of space.  Fortunately through my twenties I developed a sense of being that made me feel important and loved.  The first was my love of writing, and the second was my family.

               My writing developed out of a need to express myself when I had no other way to do so.  It is always hardest on the middle child.  You hear that saying a lot, especially when you are a middle child.  My older brother received a huge amount of attention because he was always the star.  My younger brother was given even more attention.  My mother felt that he needed to be protected from his horrible older brothers, being the baby and all of five years younger than us.  So for a long time I felt I had no voice in which to speak.

               In high school I had an English teacher that made me keep a journal.  I had to write in it three times a week.  Suddenly everything I want to say was coming out on paper.  The three times a week became four times, the four became five, and so on until I became writing something every day.  After high school I found it hard to find a place to display my writing.  This was a few years before blogs became common place on the internet.  I began entering contests for poems and short stories.  There was little success to be found.  A few poems, and one short story, got published.  However, none of them were placed high enough to land me in the money. 

               I spent the last few years writing short films for local indie film makers.  It was a revelation to have people laugh at the things I wrote.  Listening to audiences applauds a film I have written gave me more confidence and self-worth then I have known.  Now at the age of 31 I decided that I was going to go to college.  I wanted to do this to strengthen my biggest flaw grammar, and to find better ways to have my voice be heard.

               In my younger days family was a thing to dread.  As I mention before I was a middle child, and as such ignored most of the time.  Things became much worse before my 11^th birthday when my father fell off a tree he was working on.  He suffered minor brain damages.  The savings my parents had dried up fast due to the cost of hospitals.  Life at home became bad after that, and a few years later my parents were divorced.

               My mother wanted to have something that was us, just her and her three boys.  So on every Christmas Eve we would start with a candle light service at the First Baptist Church of Pleasanton.  Then we would have pizza at a restaurant called Pizza Inn.  And last we would drink apple cider and open the presents we would give to each other.  All this I thought was a chore, something I was being made to do when I rather have been left alone.  Looking back I guess I thought that about everything I did.  I was not what anyone would have called a happy child.  Nevertheless, I did it all anyway, because it made my mother happy.

               This last year I went up to my older brother’s house for Christmas Eve like I do every year.  The apple cider has been replaced by beer and whiskey, and my brother makes homemade pizza now.  Instead of the candle light service my brother does a pray before the meal.  This year he mention how we have been doing this since our mother gave us this tradition, and it was her that kept us a family.  That pray made me realize that I belong to something bigger than myself, I was part of a family.  I thank them for being there for me and I am thankful for having an opportunity to write about it.

              

The Car Sped Off... (2nd half)

It was a two bedroom, one bath apartment in the city.  I hadn’t seen Brandon it two years, not counting Christmas.  I was in town because I wanted for him to meet my girlfriend Lacy.  Brandon’s roommate let us in, a big guy named Charles, and we sat in the living room waiting for him to come out of the shower.
Brandon came out wearing blue jeans and a black t-shirt that said, “Define Girlfriend”.  His hair was still wet from the shower, and it looked as if he had gain some weight since he moved here.  We stood up when he walked in.
“Brandon this is my girlfriend Lacy, Lace this is Brandon my brother.” I said.
“Hi, it is nice to meet you.” Brandon said while shaking her hand.
“I’m glad to meet you too.” Lacy said while shaking back.
“So, what do you have plan for us this evening?” I asked.
“There is a little pub just a little ways up the road.  I thought we would go there and have some drinks.” Brandon answered.
“Sounds good, should we take your car or ours?” I asked.
“Since I know where we are going, I think I should drive.” he replied.
“Let’s go then.” Lacy said.
The pub was a little English one called Sherlock’s.  It had a giant British flag hanging on one of the walls. The music was a live band singing cover songs of any poplar Indie rock they could think of.  Low lighting for what they would say is for atmosphere, but I think it is just to cover up the stains and cracks on the wall.
They sat in an area of couches.  There is nothing classy about it, but there was noting classy about any of the places I drink.
Brandon ordered two Dos XX’s for us and a Rum and Coke for Lacey.  He then started to ask her questions, your basic questions. Where did we meet? How long have we known each other? Why would you be interested in a idiot like my brother? You know, basic stuff.
“I need to use the little girl’s room.” Lacey said.  She got up and I watched her go.  When I turned back I saw Brandon ordering another round from the cocktail waitress.   The song being played was a hard rock version of a Scottish folk song.  I was thinking about what people from Scotland would think of it when Brandon asked me something.
“Huh? I’m sorry I didn’t hear you.” I said.
“I said, how is school going?” Brandon asked.
“Well, you know…”
“No. I don’t know.  That is why I asked.”
“I’m not going to go back.  In fact I’m not finishing this semester.  I dropped out, is what I’m saying” I said reluctantly.
He just sat there looking at me thoughtfully.  I tried to ignore it.  I tried to find other things in the pub to look at.  After what was an eternity, or about 15 seconds which ever comes first, I turn back to face him.
“What?” I said.  He just shrugged in response.  “Stop looking at me like that.”
“How should I look at you?” He asked.
“Just… not like that.”
“Are you upset with me, or yourself?”
“Shut up!”
“Okay…” he held his hands up. “I ordered another round, so finish up that beer.”
Lacey return and the night went on like before.  Only I started to drink a lot more than I had been.  And as the night wore on things got a little… blurry.
I remember the first couple of shots, but not any of the ones after that.  I also remember Lacey saying something about slowing down, but I can’t completely recall the details.
We headed out to the car, Brandon asking me if I was okay.  Lacey said that we should get a cab.  I told them that it was stupid idea, I was fine, and there was no way I would leave my car here overnight.  After much debating I relented to letting Brandon drive us.  He had said that while he was drunk he was at least better off than me.
I climbed into the back seat, Lacey took the passenger, where I started to drift in and out of consciences.  Lacey was directing Brandon where to go.  They came up to where you change highways.  It was one of those curvy off and on ramps.  They came up to the yield sign, I knew it well.  There were many a times where I almost had a…
It felt like a house had fell on him.

The car was almost out of sight…  Things could have been different that night.  Brandon said.  Sean knew that he was right, he was the one that should have been driving that night.
Actually none of us should have been driving that night.  Sean knew that was right also.  If he hadn’t of been so angry at Brandon that night, he would have been more open to reason.  Instead he got mad because Brandon just stated the obvious.
Now, what are you going to do about this situation? What can I do?  It’s over, I know that.
Do you think I would be here if it is over?  You…  You are just a figment of my imagination.
That’s right! So do you believe I would be here if you  didn’t truly believe that it wasn’t over?  You are right Brandon.  Oh no, what have I done?
Nothing that you can’t fix. So Go! Be the man I always knew you could be and go fix it!
I took off running to my car, I stopped turn back to the image of Brandon in my head and said out loud.  “I am sorry you died in that car wreak that night.”
I know, but we all have to go sometime.
“I’ll never forgive myself.” I told him.
So don’t let this me one more thing you won’t forgive.
I jumped into my car a went after her.  I drove really fast and caught up to her quickly.  I flashed my lights and she pulled over.  When I got up to her car she was getting out.
Lacey looked to me the most beautiful woman in the world.  Even though she had been crying and her eyes were puffy and red.
“I’m sorry, baby.” I told her.
“Why?” she said.
“I was running away, like  I always do when things get tough.” I noticed my voice started to crack. “I never finish anything, but I won’t let it happen to you.”
“You freak out when I told you.  How will I know you won’t just change your mind again?”
“I didn’t know what to do.  I mean you just kind of threw the I’m pregnant thing at me out of nowhere.  But I promise, I will not freak out on you again.  Well, at least not on propose.”
She smiled, then hung him as hard as she could.
“So,” she said, “What do we do now?”
“I don’t know,” I replied, “ but I won’t give up.  Not on this.”

Turn Around and There You Are

I turn around and there you are

No that was a shadowy light of a star

It burns with the brightness of a dream

I find myself awake in my sleep

Fighting against the certainty of reap

Relaxing in to the rush of a stream

I fight against the on coming storm

A world of strange looking for the norm

In my head you're near in truth far

It has been a day for a hundred years

Why do I fight say my inner fears?

I turn around and there you are

Blank Paper

In front of me on the table

Single blank sheet of white paper

Dreams and desires become able

Quickly down or up with vapor

Stories of goblins and ghouls

Falling below or rising above

Ascending heroes, descending fools

Romantic scenes, unrequited love

Strangers invited in my mind

Words rolling through the street

Praying I won't be left behind

Filling the void in the blank sheet

Running Out of Night

I'm long past lonely, I'm long past right

You and me are here and the ends in sight

Can't you feel the rhythm beating away?

Can't you hear the melody, and what the song has to say?

Here we are, running out of night

It's on the horizon a new day dawns

Hold me quickly now it won't be to long

Some things in life aren't meant to last

Like a shooting star we're burning up the past

Here we are, running out of night

Do you remember the moon and the stars?

When we danced in the headlights of my old broken down car

But no dance last forever so here we are

I want to keep fighting but we're running out of night

I'm long past lonely, I'm long past right

You and me are here and the ends in sight

Can't you feel the rhythm beating away?

Can't you hear the melody, and what the song has to say?

Here we are, running out of night

Texas Saturday Night

Standing on the back porch in the evening air

Watching the smoke drift past the porch light

Cigarette on my lips, wind through my hair

Thoughts on my mind; a Texas Saturday night

Floor's Country Store and dance hall

Chasing down a shot of whisky with a Shiner Light

A smile and wink at a girl by the wall

Another great time; a Texas Saturday night

A truck, a girl, and a road with no name

Pulling off to the side just out of sight

For an impromptu dance in the rain

Beholding beauty; a Texas Saturday night

The cracks of cue balls fill the room

In the background Waylon Jennigs sings

Then good feelings start to bloom

Thoughts on my mind; a Texas Saturday night

2010 Year in Review

    We come to the end of another year. I ask the question, what has this last year been like? Well, it has not been the most productive one I have every had.

    I began the year excited, thrilled even. I had a finished my first novel and I started to look around for an agent. The first rejection letter meant nothing, it was just someone losing out on the next big thing in Fantasy Fiction. A few weeks past and three more letters of rejection. My thought of having a successful book out before Christmas was dying, yet I still knew deep down in my soul that the right agent (the one who liked it) was about to read my masterpiece. A couple of months went by and I received seven more letters, all with the false sympathies of the first four.

Dear Caleb,

 

Thank you so much for querying us with your project. Unfortunately, we did not feel it was the right fit for our agency at this time. Thanks again for thinking of The Knight Agency and we wish you nothing but the best in your writing career.

    But I still refused to be brought down by short sighted individuals. Or companies as the case could be. So I went on sending my outline, bio, and first couple of chapters of my book.

    Summer arrived and so did 12 more rejection letters. It was at this point that I knew that I was not getting an agent. For the next few months I was seriously depressed. I didn't send any more feelers out, nor did I do any more writing. I just moped around like a high school kid with his first broken heart.

    It was completely possible for me to stay in this state for the rest of my life. Luckily, I have one hell of a friend by the name of Maggie Locke Sengele, and she told me via text message, “Well you can get off your ass and stop being a little Bitch.” 

    It is just what I needed to hear, I shall be eternally grateful to her for telling me that.

    So I went about changing my ways. First was my diet, I changed to heather food and less soda. Then I went to the gym, started walking an hour a day. Lastly, I sign up to start school next year. With that I hope to become a better writer. Also hopefully I might end up with a job more in the field I want.

    So while 2010 was a HUGE disappointment, 2011 looks to be on the fast track to something better.