Listened to the entire thing in one sitting, so good.
-
Categories
- Categories
-
Archives
A lot of things have happened since my last post.
Most notably me actually getting into medical school. Probably been the most eventful/difficult/happy/thought-provoking year of my life.
But this post isn’t for reflecting. In fact, this blog isn’t for reflecting. I think I started this blog moreso to be able to share what touches me (metaphorically) with those who are interested. Mostly films and music. Food.. will have to wait. That will probably be a blog unto itself.
A fellow Trojan recently shared with me a fantastic recording of Rachmanioff’s 3rd Piano Concerto. It is sublime. Pianist Martha Argerich beautifully interprets this difficult, yet thoroughly cathartic piece.
If you are even slightly interested in classical music, I would recommend you watch the video below. It is a 5 part series on Youtube.
Cheers,
Ben
Finally after getting over the post-study abroad hangover (which only took about.. half a year), it’s nice to be getting organized again. Everything seems to be coming together in a way that reminds me how much these past 4 years have really helped in my personal development. After going to my interview at Boston University School of Medicine (my first interview), I realized how much I sincerely want to be a part of health care in this country. It really is simply the ethos of medicine that just makes sense to me. Of course, I’m in no way a perfect individual, and it would be absurdly pompous of me to say that I embody anything close to this ideology of the ideal health care professional. Regardless, the attraction towards working in health care just seems to have become more and more intuitive. And isn’t it important for things to make sense before you start truly becoming a part of whatever the hell it is you want to do?
With that said, it would be pretty sick to be a rock star. Just saying.
“Walk away and taste the pain,
Come again some other day,
Aren’t you glad you weren’t afraid?
Funny how the price gets paid.”
-Taste the Pain, Red Hot Chili Peppers
Cheers,
Ben
So,
It’s been 13 weeks since I arrived here, in Brisbane.
Damn, it’s been days since I’ve had any time to form coherent thoughts, nonetheless actually write them down on some medium. So many things have happened within these 13 weeks.. damn putting it that way, it really doesn’t seem like that much time at all! But the sheer weight of everything that has transpired here, during my study abroad experience.. is just mind blowing. It seriously is just too, too intense/crazy/awesome/ridiculous for words..
I just realized how pointless this blog entry is.
Words will never describe this freaking amazing experience.
Cheers,
Ben
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
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
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
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
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
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.
