Yukon, I mean, Australia Ho!

Now, I don’t normally watch many movies.  But in my post-mcat stupor, I couldn’t help numbing the pain with the help of a couple movies.  I like movies that aren’t as cerebral as they are engrossing;  like music, I think that it is not the way movies are able to make people feel certain emotions that is as important as the simple fact that it has this ability altogether.  When I watch a movie, I want to know that I am going to feel something real, whether it be joy, anger, or remorse.  Anyway, I ended up watching two movies that evening, one of which was Pan’s Labyrinth.

This movie was amazing.  There were so many scenes that were just.. perfectly executed, which was in large part due to the impeccable acting.  Another key aspect was the appropriate pace of the movie.  At less than two hours long, I felt that this movie did not have any excess fluff that could have detracted from main story itself.

But I think ultimately, what draws me to this movie is its anti-Hollywood sentiment.  Granted, there are a few overly dramatized scenes, but ultimately this movie leaves the audience feeling rather grounded.  Now, some may be thinking “Hey, why the fuck would I spend two hours watching a movie that leaves me feeling like shit?”  But I think that’s the beauty of the movie; it is only by making the audience feel the lowest of the lows that it is also able to bring up the audience in feeling the highest of the highs.  And whether the audience leaves the movie feeling one emotion over the other depends on the individual him or herself.  But regardless of what enduring sentiment is left in the audience member’s mouth, Pan’s Labyrinth undoubtedly leaves the audience feeling psychologically exposed.    This is accomplished by eliciting a full spectrum of emotions in an absolute, awe-inspiring manner.  This is what makes this movie great.

Cheers,

Ben

Wouldn’t it be nice?

There is a mild poignancy that seems to be wisping in and out of my psyche due to the fact that I will not be here for the following semester.  It’s all so transient though, just like many other thoughts and feelings that run through my mind; constantly displaced, replaced, erased.  But with finals over, and another checkpoint in my rear view mirror, reflection and nostalgia naturally tend to be dug out of the recesses of my psyche.  I’m watching a documentary on Miles Davis.  I was first introduced to Miles Davis by my former drum teacher, Brady, when I was around 13 or 14.  The album was Kind of Blue.  Let me back track; Usually during lessons, I would sit at Brady’s drum kit with a pair of fat headphones on.  He would then play a song, any song.  I would first listen, then play along.  Although at times it was a bit scary, it became an exciting time for me.  I was being introduced to so many different artists, ranging from Marvin Gaye to Astrud Gilberto.  Not only was I hearing this wonderful music for the first time, but I was directly able to participate and put in my own interpretation of the songs, much to the chagrin of my teacher at times.  It was a beautiful time.  I remember how into the music I was, listening to albums over and over again.  Kind of Blue was one of my favorite jazz albums to listen to.  Watching this documentary made me realize how long it has been since I have had that intimate connection with not only Kind of Blue, but Miles Davis in general.

Words cannot explain; all I can say is listen.  Don’t think; just listen and feel.

Cheers,

Ben

November 11th, 2009

My daily schedule : 8am-12am

I am either:

-in class; stats/biotech/beatles

-in MCAT class

-doing research at OH

-doing research on campus

-viewing surgeries at Cedars

-studying; stats/biotech/MCAT

-doing homework; stats/biotech/MCAT

-reading articles ; biotech/OH research

-running

-eating

12am-8am sleep

Repeat.

 

Planned daily schedule in Brisbane next semester (time TBA)

I will either:

-eat

-sleep

-go to class (semi-optional)

-travel

-explore

-relax

-have fun

-drink liquids

-exercise

-beach

-backpack

-laugh

-really live; not fake live

 

I recommend Come Get To This – Marvin Gaye

Best,

Ben

These are a few of my favorite things.

On exams:

[22:17] This be Gonzo: although i always want to aim up high
[22:17] benson shinson: yeah like it’s inevitable that you’re gonna fuck up on several exams
[22:17] benson shinson: that’s just the probability of it all
[22:17] benson shinson: unless you’re ***** *****, who masturbates to her biology books
[22:17] This be Gonzo: hahahah
[22:18] This be Gonzo: that’s a pretty good one

–

Ladies and Gentlemen, Sonny Rollins.

Best,
Ben

“The SD line is like an old girlfriend.. it was good while it lasted.”

So I am currently learning Here, There, and Everywhere on guitar.  While perusing youtube, I stumbled upon this great acoustic rendition of the song.

Enjoy.

-Ben

Eye contact is key.

So,

The other day, I was at the House of Blues in Hollywood.  Better Than Ezra headlined, and I have to say, they weren’t bad.  I can’t say that they were completely astounding in their performance, but it’s okay because :  1.) They’re old (Kevin Griffin is 40!) 2.) They have a new drummer, which undoubtedly has changed their chemistry.  Tom Drummond had noticeable bags under his eyes, while Kevin brought up their upcoming stop at Vegas one too many times.  The drummer seemed more like a robot than a real person, which may be a compliment to his incredible chops, but is generally not something that a drummer wants to be associated with.  Despite this, Kevin carried the show and pretty much single-handedly made this a worthwhile show to have gone to, as I’m sure is the case with most all BTE shows.  The distinctive timbre of his voice, which can be described as both light and nasal, was perfectly complemented with his slight southern accent, all of which added a great amount of character and depth to each song.  Although I felt the balance of the instruments was a bit off throughout the set (a bit too much guitar, bass drum way to loud), there was definitely a sense of being engulfed by the music, which I feel is what great musicians are able to accomplish.  “Absolutely Still”, from their new album Paper Empire was one of the songs that was really able to pull in the audience, with it’s free-flowing chorus and fitting lyrics.  A cover “Laid” was another gem, as the rather psychotic lyrics were complemented with Kevin’s piercing falsetto ‘oooooh ooooh’s!’.  But what really stole the show was Kevin’s solo acoustic performance of Porcelain.  What I really liked was how he switched from strumming up near the neck to back down towards the body of his guitar , which really developed this sort of potpourri of pitches and timbres that ended up creating a complex layering effect that was just so pleasant.   It was just the delicacy in the sound that he was able to achieve that really knocked my socks off.  Not only that, but his vocals contained a sense of lightness, with a tinge of yearning and angst, all of which brought out the great emotions of the song. 

All in all, great show.  Not the best I’ve been to (Feist, summer 2008) but definitely worth it.

“The guitar’s all very well, John, but you’ll never make a living at it.”

Some pics from my trip to New York.

@ Smalls to see Ari Hoenig and his band, Punk Bop

Yes, that’s right.  With Giada De Laurentiis @ Momofuku Milk Bar.  I recommend the pork buns.

Creepy painting @ Minca, a superb ramen house.

@ the Met; some favorites

I like music, but there’s nothing like art.  I need to start going to more art shows and museums.

Quick hits:

- Next book : A Brief History of Time (on deck: Reefer Madness)

-Next album : Highway 61 Revisted

-Next movie : The Wall

-Next workout : Run @ the Rose Bowl

-Next checkpoint : the MCAT

Cheers,

Ben

because the sky is blue, it makes me cry

Headlines:

-Been watching way too much food network and travel channel (the food shows on travel channel).  Have come to the conclusion that if this doctor thing doesn’t work out, I will promptly set my life long goal to being a judge on Iron Chef.

-In the middle of reading 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke.  A bit too science fiction-y and cerebral for me.  Movie is better.

-Learned a little of slow dancing in a burning room (John Mayer) and still in the process of learning Santeria (Sublime).

-Will be watching another episode of Weeds in T-5 minutes.

-Still need to sign up for Bikram Yoga.

-Bill Clinton is the man.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/04/nkorea.clinton/index.html

Anne Frank : The Diary of a Young Girl

Read it.

July already?!

So.

I did a lot today.  I really did.

Regardless, I told myself that I was going to complete another chapter in my MCAT book, and maybe even review some ochem.  This was around 8pm.  But as I finished washing the dishes and sat down at my chair, I caught a glimpse of my guitar.  It’s an acoustic, brand is Abilene (I’m not much of a guitar buff, I only really know the main brands i.e. Fender, Ibanez, Yamaha, etc.)  I brought it down from home after my Yosemite trip mainly to have some sort of musical outlet, seeing as how my drum kit is back at home.  Anyway, I decided to learn Wish You Were Here (wait, aren’t there two songs that go by that title?  One by Pink Floyd and one by Incubus?  Which one am I referring to?  The REAL FUCKING ONE a.k.a. the Pink Floyd one; the far superior song, the original, the real mccoy.  No offense Incubus, who I really do like.  But honestly, what if someone current artist made a song called Billie Jean?  Would you ever be able to respect that artist, considering that he or she was so ignorant as to name one of his or her songs after one of the greatest musical gems in the history of music?!!!?!!!?!?!  No.  Not at all.  AND TO FURTHER JUSTIFY MY ANGER is this interview that was dug up by my friend, Ben Jew.  Here:

~

When you were coming up with the lyrics and title for “Wish You Were Here,” did you ever go, “This was a classic Pink Floyd song. Maybe it’s not such a good idea.”

Boyd: I asked the guys in the control room, “Do you think we should call it something else?” All of them looked at me and were like, “No.” It doesn’t matter that it was a Pink Floyd song, because it’s not like the Pink Floyd song. We’re a very different band.

Lance: Most of our fans aren’t old enough to know who Pink Floyd is.

Einziger: We’ve also stolen song titles from R.E.M. and Björk, and they didn’t come try to beat us up, so …

Lance: … we could take Pink Floyd.

~

… I’ll leave you to comprehend the utter douchey-ness of that.) and found that it is a rather easy song.  I believe that it is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever  heard, with respect to both the profound poetry of Roger Waters and Dave Gilmour’s beautifully haunting guitar riff.  Anyway, learning that song and playing it along with the actual record has increased my mood at least three fold, which wasn’t too bad in the first place.  Moral of the story : Music is never a waste of time and can always be beneficial to you in one way or another.  A relationship with music should be viewed at just like any relationship with another human being; You gotta give a little to get a little.  It’s only those who choose to give a little bit of themselves to music that will ever receive anything from music.

I leave you with the poetry of Roger Waters:
So,

So you think you can tell,

Heaven from Hell,

Blue skies from pain,

Can you tell a green field,

From a cold steel rail?

A smile from a veil?

Do you think you can tell?

And did they get you to trade,

Your heroes for ghosts?

Hot ashes for trees?

Hot air for a cool breeze?

Cold comfort for change?

And did you exchange,

A walk on part in the war for,

A lead role in a cage?

How I wish,

How I wish you were here,

We’re just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl,

Year after year,

Running over the same old ground,

What have you found?

The same old fears,

Wish you were here.

-Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd

Cheers,

Ben