Straying from my topic...

I have something a bit different from my usual blogs today. I know that I am supposed to be completing some type of a Bucket List, but this week I have something that really excites me.

I love music. I love everything about music. I don't enjoy every single genre, but I can respect the work that goes into creating music. My favorite band, Angel & Airwaves is a band quite different from mainstream music. What they do with music is kind of a blend of U2, Radiohead, and Pink Floyd. Their music can take you into space, and shake you at the core. They place imphasis on themes like love and war. This last week, they released their 3rd album, titled LOVE, on February 14th. The only thing different in this album from the last two, was that it was released FOR FREE. Radiohead did something like this a few years ago, but technology just wasn't ready for it, and it did not go over well. Now, Angels & Airwaves have released something incredibly good, and in just 3 days, they recorded over 350,000 downloads. If ANY album were to sell that many records in the first three days, it would be an instant hit and sensation.

This move for free music cames with a music industry that is ailing. Bands sign to record labels that sell their music. Sure, they gain popularity, but on that $12 CD, the band is only getting about 50 cents to a dollar. People now-a-days download songs for free, and quite easily, and this band's philosophy was that if you could just get the music out there, that they could sell tickets to shows, and even further, try to market the band themselves. They created a website called Modlife that allows bands to give pay per view events, for example, you could pay $5 and watch a concert from a camera they placed. You get interaction with the band when they do video chats. It's a really cool new way to try and market a band, without selling music, and worrying about music pirates. I'm placing a link at te bottom where you can download this album if you want, I promise you will enjoy it.

http://modlife.com/angelsandairwaves/love

If you enjoy it as much as I did, check out their other album, We Don't Need to Whisper or I-Empire.



Great songs to check out on youtube are:
The Adventure
A Little's Enough
Start the Machine
Heaven
Lifeline
Flight of Apollo
Clever Love
Soul Survivor

After all, we could all use just a little more LOVE...

Volunteer. Sort of.

This week, I was challenged by my friend in my Arts and Humanities class to do three random acts of kindness. It sounded like a great idea, something really different and heart warming. So, I decided that this weekend, I was going to make sure that I did not fail his task.

My first act of kindness was a weather related one. I took my shovel and shoveled my entire driveway for my dad without being asked... at 4:00 in the morning. I didn't want him to have to shovel his way out, so I got it done before he even woke up.

The second act involved, yet again, a shovel and snow. I walked down my street to an elderly person's house. I know that he rarely ever gets out because he is so handicapped by age. I shoveled his entire driveway and sidewalk. I hope he appreciated it.

My third act was different from the others. I left flowers on random cars in Walmart's parking lot. I know that sounds weird, but the flowers were cheap since Valentines day was over, and I simply left them on the cars. There's nothing more exciting than seeing something nice unexpectedly left for you.

I think there should be a law where everyone must perform a single act of random kindness a week. Imagine if all of the people in daviess county did something kind for another person, that would be well over 75,000 kind acts each week. The world would be such a better place! Maybe my dreams are too far fetched, but it's nice to imagine a better world. For now, I'll just keep to my own random acts of kindness.

Failure

This week was a total failure. I didn't even attempt to do something semi-interesting this week. I was boring and un-enthused.

I went ice skating on my back deck. I took the trash out shirtless in 28 degree weather. I drove home on a scarry slick road where there weren't any lines visible. I guess that could be facing one of my biggest fears. Not being able to see the lines while I drive is pretty scarry. I made it safe and sound back home, but I hated the experience. I slid multiple times, and my back side of my car came around once. Luckily I was on a lonely road.

This week though, I really did fail. I didn't seem to have the drive to do something different this week. I am very sorry to have to report this failure, but I can assure you that I will be on top of it this coming up week. For now, here's a funny video from the super bowl to atleast bring a smile to your face!