Opeth

Hey guy(s), it's been a long while. I know I haven't posted in a while, and it basically all my fault. Seems like its really hard for me to remind myself to update something unless its right in front of my face all the time!
Anyways, just as a kinda filler until the other poster and I get back into some sort of groove, I'm-a tell you about a band I just discovered via my older brother, Chris.
Their name is Opeth! They're a death metal band, but wait... don't leave just yet! They have a ton of mellow stuff. In fact, they have a whole album that has nothing but mellow songs! Well, mellow compared to their usual fare.
The album is called "Damnation" and so far, my favorite song is the second track, called "In My Time of Need."
Youtube link!: http://youtube.com/watch?v=FHBzSqeM6KQ
I just adore all the weird chords and things they use, and especially the way he delivers the verses all chopped up. Very cool. I do have one of their heavier albums called "Ghosts of Perdition," but I haven't given it a real sit down and listen yet. I did see them live however, which was basically how I was introduced to them. It was great! The concert had a pretty good vibe going around. Plus, the two opening bands were pretty good.

And hey, it was my birthday on Monday! Which, all I did was work and write part of a paper... it would've sucked but I got called/left facebook posts/left voicemails by tons of people wishing me happy birthday, so that pretty much made my day! Love you guys! Then I also got a book of poems by Langston Hughes from Soph, and it is very awesome! Its kinda hard to get used to at first, but once you get in the "groove" of it, it just becomes more beautiful. Very simplistic at times, but thats almost what makes it most beautiful.
I'm also borrowing Rilke's book of hours, which is pretty good... just really hard to get! Plus, there was a ton of introductions that I half skipped through just to get to the poems. It is fun looking at the german translation to see what lines would've rhymed in the original... too bad I don't speak german! But yeah, enjoying both of those.
I've been on a bit of a Dylan kick lately... I bought three of his albums: "Blonde on Blonde," "Highway 61 Revisited," and I borrowed "Blood on the Tracks." So far I've only really listened to "Blonde on Blonde" which I absolutely adore... but I listened to his best of before getting these cds so I am also very familiar with "Like a Rolling Stone." I love that song! Trying to learn it on the guitar now, but most of it is in the memorizing and the delivery! Still, while on youtube, I found this gem:

Enjoy!
'til next time,
-Tom

Terra Naomi

I just got an import of Terra Naomi's CD, Under the Influence, in the mail today. I'm liking it so far! I was listening to her back when it was just her and no drums or bass or extra guitars. She is backed up by a full band this time around, but luckily they add to her music and not take anything away.
You can check out her website at: http://www.terranaomi.com/ .
If you haven't heard her before, heres some of her youtube videos to check out:
"Say It's Possible (Acoustic)"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ARHyRI9_NB4

"Say It's Possible (Official Music Video)"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=9qo8-NlgRa4

"Up Here (Official Music Video, Uncensored)" some eff words and such.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=3CUkylQ7150

Enjoy!
-Tom

Fwd: Thank You in a Christmas Card

I never forward these, but I think this is a really great idea.
If you are wondering why you got this, it's because I sent it to all of my contacts.

Hello All,

    As Christmas season approaches we begin to reflect on how truly fortunate we are, and all the blessings we have been given.  I think that at this time it is only proper to also think of the brave men and women who have risked their lives for our freedom.  I think a small Thank You in a Christmas Card is the least we could do.   Please read on.

This request came  from the wife of one of our heroic vets...

When doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to this address.  If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful special people who have sacrificed so much would get.

A Great Idea!!!


When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the following:

         A Recovering American soldier
         c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
         6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
         Washington,D.C. 20307-5001

If you approve of the idea, please pass it on to your e-mail list. Thank you!

                          Catherine Walsh

--
"Maybe we've been caught signing 'Red, White, Blue and Green!' Well that aint my American dream"- Swtichfoot, from the song American Dream on 'Oh! Gravity."

"Once"

Starring Glan Hansard and Marketa Irglova, “Once” is the story of an Irish street musician and vacuum repairman, and a Czechoslovakian flower-saleswoman. She hears him playing his beat-up guitar outside a shop, and they begin a lasting friendship. They play together a little, her on the piano and him on guitar, while both sing, and eventually record a demo album. The acting was brilliant, although neither Glen nor Marketa had ever acted before. The music is amazing. The cinematography is very limited due to the sub-$200,000 budget. Considering this film was made in Ireland, it is no surprise that there is a massive amount of language. All in all, “Once” is a beautiful, well-made, funny and inspiring film. **** 3/4

Too bad they won’t be making “Twice”.

A Close Friend

Anybody who reads this, please take a moment and say a quick prayer for a close friend of mine and Tom's. Her name is Helen. She contracted e-coli at a young age, which did significant damage to her kidneys.This has caused her, among other things, to be pretty short, and she is thus dubbed a gnome. She is now 17, and is currently undergoing surgery to transplant one of her mom's kidneys into her. The operation is to say the least dangerous, and me and my all my friends would sincerely appreciate if you would just say a quick prayer fot the success of the operation and the treatment to follow. To find out more about Helen or to see how the operation is going, go to www.HelenTheGnome.com, and http://helengnomeupdates.blogspot.com

Sincerely,
Patrick

And now for something completely different...

Heres a filler until one of us gets a proper post up:

Long Time... No Post

Sorry I haven't posted in so long. It's cuz nothing has happened since forever, so I have nothing to post about. I am going to Australia next July with Tom and some other people. Oh, I really don't have much of a job anymore. Well, that's 'bout it.