An Owl In The Night

Hello one and all! Okay, so I have been incredibly busy as of late, and I apologize for not posting daily. I will continue to do my best to post daily, but if I miss a day here and there, please don't hold it against me :P

So, as I was leaving my apartment earlier this evening, I saw an owl perched on a fence post that surrounds the pool. At first I thought it was fake, and that someone had set it on there. However, as soon as I stopped to look at it, it turned it's head and looked at me. I stood there for a few minutes just admiring. It's not very often that an owl is so low to the ground, at eye level, and you are able to observe it's movements. While staring at this creature of the night, I started thinking of my grandmother who passed away from alzheimer's a handful of years ago. She loved owl's. I have very vivid memories of being a child and going to visit her. Throughout her house were owl pictures, pillow's with owls on them that she had made, as well as cloth cupholder's, and candle place mat's she had made as well. Since I was young at the time, I never got the chance to ask her why she liked owl's so much. I wish I would have had the chance. Everytime I see something with an owl, or simply think of an owl, I am reminded of her smile, warmth, and love.

I miss her everyday, and think of her often. I just want to encourage you to never waste a moment, or opportunity to ask your grandparents, parents, relatives, friends etc, questions about their life, and their story. In turn, never hesitate to share your own story when asked. It's crucial that we enjoy the limited amount of time with the one's that are close to us. It is something we should never take for granted.

I hope your week is going well.

-Nick

Short and Sweet

Hello one and all. First of all, I apologize for not posting the past couple of days. I have had a very busy weekend, and wasn't online at all. I'm going to keep this entry short. I have decided since this is a daily blog, to include you all. I am looking for any ideas you might have that you would like me to blog about. Though I have many ideas usually floating around in my head, I value and appreciate interaction, as well as ideas. So please feel free to leave you idea(s) in the comment section under this entry...I will be very greatful! I promise I will return to normally scheduled blogging tomorrow (Monday). I hope you all had a great weekend. Until tomorrow.....


-Nick

It's All The Hype!

After seeing the events of today's "balloon boy" incident, I felt the need to write a post about how the media can hype up anything. First of all, I have to say I am glad there wasn't actually a boy who floated away in a balloon. Secondly, I can't help but to wonder if the whole incident wasn't just a publicity stunt. I mean, is it really a coincidence that the family of the "balloon boy" just happened to be on the television show Wife Swap? Some people will do anything to get, or stay, in the limelight. Look at "Octomom." After having way to many kids, she not only got to have dozens of interviews on big name shows, but also received her own show, and a hefty paycheck.

One thing we have to realize is that the media will do anything, and everything, to get the best ratings possible. This includes ridiculous stories like "Bigfoot found", "Octomom", and now "balloon boy." I get annoyed when I see such stories getting all the media attention. Especially when we have such things as war taking place in Iraq and Afghanistan, the health care debate, and problems with our economy. How come such stories as a suicide bomber killing 49 people gets minimal coverage, whilst some story about a boy who wasn't even in a balloon, but hiding in the garage attic, gets top headlines? It's the same reason you don't see very many good natured stories in the top headlines. It doesn't generate ratings, which in turn doesn't generate money. Those are the top two goals of any news/media outlet. Another reason we don't always see such stories, is that they take place on the other side of the world. We have a horrible habit in this country of, "if it doesn't affect me, then I can turn my eyes the other way."

Even when David Letterman admitted to having multiple affairs, the media turned him into the sad victim. Instead of focusing on his behavior, bad decisions, and how hurt his wife must feel, the media put the focus on how he was the victim who was trying to be extorted for money. This all occurred while his ratings shot way up.

How sad have we become as not only a nation, but as a human race, when we simply laugh off, or even promote such immoral acts? When we favor bogus stories, over serious news, and when we would rather see only negativity and death in the news over something positive? It seems to me that Satan surely does have his grip on this world.

I will leave you with a piece of advice-Don't always believe everything you hear about in the news. Even though it really is, "all the hype!"

-Nick

A Tale Of The Impersonal, Weary, Cashier.

Soooo...I failed to make a post yesterday. Sorry about that. I had a day jammed packed full of spending time with friends, as well as several hours of band rehearsal. However, since I want to make sure I post something everyday, I will make two posts today (the second one coming this evening).

There is something I have noticed the past few year's that has been bothering me. What could be bothering me you may ask? It has to do with courtesy, friendliness, and interaction. I have noticed several times over the past few year's, that cashier's have become quite rude. I usually make a point to go out of my way and ask how the cashier is doing etc. Now when I ask this, I really am interested in knowing how they feel, whether good or bad. However, there have been several occasions where when I asked, I was left with only silence. It is almost like I haven't spoken a single word. The other thing I have noticed is when the cashier say's to me "Hi! how are you today?" When asked this question I will typically answer honestly and say, "I'm doing quite well, good, or fine." I then always follow that up with, "How are you today?" Nine out of ten times, I don't recieve any answer at all, once again nothing but silence.

It seems to me that asking someone how they are isn't a legite question, it has simply become a way of saying hello. This frustrates me a lot. If I didn't geuninely care about how you are doing, I simply wouldn't ask. I only ask the quesiton, because I really care. Over the past decade as we have become more introverted due to technology, and fear, we have seemed to also lost our sense of compassion. Now, I'm certainly not saying everyone is guilty at all times of being rude in this fashion. But, there is a good majority of people in my experience who are.

I want to encourage you all to go out of your way today to be friendly to a cashier. Ask them about how they feel, and how their day is, and really mean it. I can understand while cashier's may be weary, and hard pressed to answer your question of how they are doing. They are on their feet for hours at a time. For that reason alone, I have a great deal of respect for cashier's. So if you are reading this and you are a cashier, I salute you, and I also really care for you.

It's time we put an end to this form of impersonal communication.

Thank you for reading,

-Nick

Get Him A Body Bag!

I had a great conversation tonight regarding classic 80's movies, as well as the classic lines that came from them. The movie I have picked for this post, is The Karate Kid. Perhaps no movie was so classic in the sense of the "classic 80's flicks" (well, perhaps Back To The Future?!?!). This is a movie that actually has a good theme: If you are good at karate, you can kick some butt! Okay, well that's not really what the film was about. It's about being the odd man out, searching for hope, and searching for love. I think we can all relate to those struggles. I know I have certainly been there myself. I believe there is a little bit of Daniel LaRusso in all of us. Though I have never quite had a sensei like Mr. Miyagi, I do feel that God acts as my sensei. He is full of wisdom when I'm seeking answers, full of encouragement, when I feel hopeless, and understands the principles of life better than I do. These are all the virtues I see in Mr. Miyagi (though I won't begin calling him God!).

Along with the lessons taught in this film, come perhaps the most classic line in all film...okay, well at least in all of 80's flicks! The line occurs during the final fight scene of the movie, when Johnny's friend and fellow karate student yells out: "Get him a body bag!" "yeahhhhh.....hahahahaha!"

So in honor of this classic scene, I now present it to you courtesy of youtube:





-Nick

Music Is Life

As a musician, just like with writing, sometimes I find myself without inspiration. However, I have noticed when I buy some new albums to listen to, song ideas seem to flood into my head (Even if most of them are at 2am!). This has been the case for me lately. I have written several new songs in the past month. I have also bought a handful of new albums in the past month (See the pattern here?!?!). So I have decided to share with you a list of new albums I have been listening to lately, as well as some that are constant rotation in my collection. So here it goes....

New music:

Muse- The Resistance
Landon Pigg- The Boy Who Never
Pillar- Confessions
Skillet- Awake
B. Reith- Now Is Not Forever
Relient K- Forget And Not Slowdown

New album's coming soon that I will be getting/listening to:

The Swell Season- Strict Joy
Jamie Cullum- The Pursuit
Silverchair- As yet untitled
Fiction Plane- As yet untitled
30 Seconds To Mars- This Is War

Albums in constant rotation in my play list:

The Jackson 5- The Ultimate Collection
The Jackson 5- Love Songs
Jeff Buckley- Live At Sin-e
Jeff Buckley- Sketches For My Sweetheart The Drunk
Jeff Buckley- Grace & Grace Around The World (2 separate albums)
Michael Jackson- Number One's
The Beach Boys- Pet Sounds
Silverchair- Diorama
The Police- Message In A Box
Phil Collins- Hits
Fiction Plane- Everything Will Never Be Ok
Fiction Plane- Left Side Of The Brain
Genesis- Platinum Collection
The Swell Season- Once Soundtrack
The Swell Season- Self Titled
Dishwalla- Opaline
Landon Pigg- Self Titled
Nirvana- Self Titled
The Smashing Pumpkins- Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness
Jamie Cullum- Twentysomething
Revis- Places For Breathing
Sting- All This Time

Sting- Fields Of Gold: The Best Of Sting 1984-1994

Fleetwood Mac- Greatest Hits

Stan Getz- A Life In Jazz: A Musical Biography
Ella Fitzgerald- Pure Ella: The Very Best Of Ella Fitzgerald
Billie Holiday- The Legacy: 1933
Clifford Brown- Brown And Roach, Inc


Until next time...

-Nick

Reflections By The Fire

At this moment (2:32am), I am sitting next to the fireplace in my living room, laptop, well exactly where it is supposed to be according to it's name-on my lap. I have always been fascinated by fires that burn in a fireplace. I grew up in two homes during my childhood that had fireplaces. Not only does a fire provide warmth, to me it also provides a sense of comfort. No matter what stress is taking place in life, I can sit next to a fire and all seems right with the world. Sometimes I will read a book next to the fireplace, or sometimes just simply sit and stare as the flames rise, and the wood crackles.

As I was watching the fire tonight, a thought came over me. Life is kinda like a fire. We as humans are born into this world, thanks to God's craftsmanship, only when the right ingredients are in place. The same is true for a fire. To make a fire, you need the right ingredients, such as wood, a spark, oxygen and so on. Without all the ingredients in place, a fire will never start. A good example of this is in the movie Castaway starring Tom Hanks. In the film, after the plane he is traveling in crashes, he finds himself stranded and utterly alone on a remote island. He attempts to make a fire in order to cook his food, as well as stay warm. Several minutes go by in the film where he attempts to start a fire. He has some wood, and is rubbing sticks together in hopes to spark the fire to start, but all he sees is some smoke rising. He knows he is so close to starting a fire, yet try as he may, it won't start. Finally he realizes he needs oxygen in the mix in order for the fire to start. It's the same with us humans. In order to come into existence, we need the right ingredients, especially the key ingredient oxygen. Without it, we are not brought to life, or allowed to live and thrive. The same is applied in the case of starting and maintaining a fire. The amazing thing about a fire is just when you think it's about to burn out, you can stoke the fire by simply using the poker, and it will come back to life.

I can relate to this in my personal experience with life. There have been times of despair when I felt all hope was lost in life, or when I have lost hope and faith in God. But just as soon as I begin to do so, God puts forth the things in my life (sometimes I don't realize it till much later), let's call them the ingredients, that begin to give me hope in life, and faith in Him. So in a sense, God stokes the fire inside of me, and ignites my hope, thus reaffirming my faith.

I once had a man tell me, you can step out of the will of God, but never out of the love of God. Out of all of the sermons I have heard, churches I have attended, times I have been burned or let down by other believers, these are the words that have stayed with me, and meant the most to me. They are the words that remind me that God does love us, no matter how much we screw up, rebel, curse Him, damage our own bodies, and so on. It also reminds me that God, and belief and faith in God, go way beyond the religious rituals that exist in the world that are human made. I can understand why people turn away from God, or become angry at a church. Sometimes while the right intentions may be meant , the real focus and purpose can be lost. This is something I have experienced personally in my faith as well.

I encourage you all if you get a chance, to take the time to simply sit by a fire and reflect. Life can be so busy and stressful, that sometimes we lose sight of ourselves, and what life is really all about. Even if you aren't able to sit by a fire, take a walk through your neighborhood and reflect on life, and the goodness that exists around us. Sometimes we simply just need to take the time to stop, reflect, relax, and take in the simple, quiet moments of life.

Until next time...stay stoked!

-Nick