Album of the weekend

Kiss-Destoryer 

To some people, this is where Kiss jumped the shark from a weird rock group who still played rock and roll music to more of a pop band who had greater mainstream appeal but gave up trying to still sound like old school rock. 

Bit of truth to that, but since this is was one of my first rock albums I suck it up and deal. 

Kiss. A band you either really, really love, or really, really hate. You either get them or you don't. I love them. Been a huge fan for years. Cheesy? You bet. Good, simple and classic rock? That too. 

Destroyer is a great album with only one terrible song. "Beth". The rumor is that Simmons didn't want Beth on the album, and for once in my life I agree with him. It really takes away from an otherwise great album. "Detroit Rock City" "Shout it out Loud" and "Do you Love Me?" are staples of the Kiss world, and they truly are great songs on an album that is overbashed by some Kiss fans. This is an A+ album. 

Personal attacks

:: sigh :: 

So on my Facebook account I recently blogged my opinion that Planned Parenthood should be defunded. I didn't say anything else but "I stand with Rand Paul who wants Planned Parenthood defunded" That was it. 

Someone messaged me saying my view was "Shameful" and I should "wake up" (his exact words). 

Isn't it frustrating when some people use ad hominem attacks and name calling instead of actually debating the issues? 

Unmasked!

Ladies and gentlemen here I am for your viewing pleasure! 

And don't worry-I wasn't driving. Sitting in the parking lot. 

Does the church ask too much?

Simply put, yes. Sometimes church members don't understand this. Ironically, the leadership sort of does. 

Lifelong members may have a hard time grasping this, and I don't blame them. It's like asking a fish about water. What water? It's just what they live in. 

However, to new members the time and money commitment to the church often times seems like a great deal. I've seen many members say "Well just get over it and do it." No way. That's not the way you should talk to other members in the first place, but in the second it's a wonderful way to be obtuse and cold. 

For me it comes to this: Would I turn down a calling? You bet I would. I have no experience with kids and I am sort of uncomfortable being around them. No, that doesn't make me a bad person and no, I don't hate kids. In a kid centric calling though, I believe strongly I'd be a detriment to them and to myself. So I'd turn it down. I'd also turn down a calling that would math heavy. I need an abacus and two calculators for even the most basic math, so if they asked me to be an accountant you are darn right I'd turn that one down too. 

None of this makes me a bad Mormon. In a way, it makes me a more perceptive one because I know my own strengths and abilities.  

Album of the weekend

I am late. Sorry everyone, been traveling a lot these last few days. 

Metallica-Master of Puppets. 

Been listening to this one several times on my drive. We all know Metallica has taken a severe decline in the past few years, but in reality the decline started with the death of Cliff Burton. Jason Newsted gets a bad reputation from fans for no reason. The other guys treated him like rubbish and he was a truly outstanding bassist. 

Back to Master. 

Battery is the opening song, and it's a actually a morality tale. "Crushing all deceivers, mashing non-beleivers?" I don't think Hetfield is overtly Christian but it's impossible not to read a bit of a religious message in that. It's also one of their best songs ever recorded. My favorites on the album are Battery, Orion (my favorite Metallica song of all time) and Sanatarium. 

The entire album is fantastic. Even though I'm partial to Megadeth and their canon, this is a must have for any thrash fan. 

More wise words from Joan Jett

Being a different looking Latter Day Saint

I was talking with a non-member a few days ago and he asked me “Is it weird being the only LDS in your church who has tattoos and long hair?” I told him “Well, I’m sure I’m not the only one, but even if I was, it wouldn’t bother me much.”

Sure, you are going to get weird stares in temples and some people may frown on them, but in the long run, it doesn’t matter. What does matter is your relationship with Christ and Heavenly Father.

It’s a cliché, but it’s also true. You truly can’t please everyone. Sometimes no matter what you do, how nice you try to be, someone will have a problem with you. It’s never personal; it’s usually their problem.

Often time’s non-members think of religious people as judgmental, uptight and quick to find fault with things. Are their members like this? You bet. Are there people like this in every religion (and yes, even athiests can be like that too)? Yup.

I have to admit, I’ve been very blessed. 99% of LDS I’ve met have been wonderful. Latter Day Saints get a bad reputation-most people who dismiss us haven’t really bothered to get to know any of us.  

Album of the weekend

Album of the weekend

Guns and Roses-Use Your Illusion I  Best songs-Garden of Eden, November Rain, Don’t Damn Me

Poor Axel. For a guy who was once whip thin and had the charisma of Mick Jagger, he’s become, well, I hate to :: ahem :: fat shame, but, oh to hell with the manners, he’s become the rock equivalent of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man in Ghostbusters.

That does not take away from the beauty that is Use Your Illusion I. The best Guns and Roses album, this album is artistically better than Appetite for Destruction-another classic-and seems to have a more mature sound. Instead of the tongue in cheek advocating of drug use that Appetite has, this album takes a more serious tone. The battles and hatred this band has for each other is legendary, and the Use Your Illusion albums are certainly their swan song.  I highly recommend this album, it is truly an underrated classic. 

Jobs

I once knew a guy who had an amazing point of view on work.

In college I worked at an incoming call center as a part time job. It was a female clothing catalog, and it was a great job. I got to sit on my butt, play Game Boy and be surrounded by beautiful women all day. My co-workers were amazing.

Like everyone else has had, we had some amazing bosses and some truly obnoxious ones.

One boss really ragged on him and made it her goal to make the guys life miserable. She was someone who would listen into the calls and make sure we offered other clothing, and told the customers about sales going on. He would continually get low scores from her but it would never bother him. He took it in stride, usually laughing and not viewing it as a big deal.

I asked him, “Mike (not his real name), how do you do this? You keep your head up and have such a great attitude about it.”

His response stuck with me. “It’s just means to an end, I don’t care. It’s not going to be my career.”

I love that attitude. It stuck with me. The same day I had a childhood “friend” make a snarky comment “Oh, Tim, I thought you’d be at that job forever.” I thought of Mike and his attitude.

Thanks Mike, wherever you are. You taught me two things. 1) That childhood friend was a major ass, and so is anyone who talks down to someone in a less glamorous job than they have and 2) view a job as means to an end, not the end itself.

Bad days

My worst days as a Latter Day Saint trump my best days as a non member. Being LDS really is that fulfilling. 

Keeping my mouth shut

On rare occasions I do have the ability to keep my mouth shut. 

In Target once I saw the mom of a woman I went to high school with. I was going to say something, but upon closer inspection I realized it wasn't the girls mom-it was the girl herself. Thank GOD I didn't say anything, for I do not think she would have appreciated being mistaken for her much older mother. 

Album of the weekend

Ramones-Too Tough to Die

This is the essential Ramones album. It holds a special place in my heart, with the song "Wart Hog" being my favorite Ramones song of all time. That's really saying something because I tend to like almost all their songs. 

The album was named after Johnny, who was beaten up in a fight and almost killed. Thank God he survived, our lives would be much less rich if he wasn't in them. His surviving a brutal beating (and it was, read his book Commando to find out more about it) showed he was literally, "too tough to die". 

"Too Tough to Die" has a much harder sound than almost any other Ramones album.

I have a tendency to flirt with nihilism. Her and I have a long standing affair. If I wasn't LDS, I'd be an even bigger egomaniac than I already am. I'd also be more cynical and nihilistic, if possible. 

The lyrics to "Wart Hog" sum up not only my "darker" side, but also the Ramones. "It's a joke, it's a lie, it's a rip off man, it's an outlaw life we're a renegade band". That, my friends, is the best summary of the Ramones and their hardcore fans anyone could ever create. 

Have a great weekend! 

For everyone else who is passionate about politics/religion/hobbies

We often get called too intense or too passionate about our lives. Don't worry, passion is a trait that is lacking in this world. People want to be detached from things because it gives them the right not to care. 

I've always thought that people who downplay others views are often times too stupid to formulate their own opinions. It's based in envy, like most things. 

What goes through their mind might be "I don't have the courage to rock the boat or speak my mind. This girl does. Therefore, I'm going to downplay or dismiss her and her views." 

This blog is dedicated to all of us who love life. The detached need not apply. 

Irritating Facebook posts.

Is there anything more irritating/amusing than people who are very quick to jump on anyone who appears to be acting "holier than thou" or "judgmental"...

than they post those obnoxious, self righteous update statuses like 'I'm against bullying, aren't I wonderful?"  with no sense of irony or self awareness. 

Well, no kidding. Bet you are also against giving meth to toddlers and kicking puppies, huh you noble soul?   

The most controversial topics out there.

Religion and politics? Nope. 

1. Vaccines
2. Evolution
3. Public breastfeeding 

All three bring out emotions in people, they don't think. 

I've also noticed that everyone is an expert in the above listed categories, even if they really have no idea what they are talking about. 

Why are all three so controversial? I have no idea, but it is interesting to me to watch the arguments that break out when someone says anything about any of those topics. 

Boyd Packer, RIP

One of the leaders of Mormon conservatism has passed away. RIP. 

  

Fourth of July!

This tattoo is from Sailor Jerry, a legendary tattoo artist. 

It's the holiday weekend, and I'll be on vacation. Bringing my Ipod with all 80 gigs full of music and audiobooks on a three hour drive to the north. 

Sometimes people get caught up in politics and forget that this is still the greatest country in the history of the world. I am 100% guilty of this. 

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday. Be safe, be punk. 

God bless 

Art set, bullying, and bad art.

The art set loves to bully people. Part of this is because of cowardice, part of it is because they know their friends won’t call them out for their behavior.

Need proof? You got it.

A Milwaukee “artist” (someone with no talent, I cheapen the word “artist” ) has created a picture of Pope Benedict made out of condoms. Haw haw haw. No outcry from the left. 

Remember "Piss Christ"? Google it. 

Remember the painting of the Virgin Mary with elephant dung on it? Google that too. 

These are the same people who practically go into cardiac arrest if someone shows a portrait of Mohammed.

Why does the New York Times have no issue with this? Simple. They know their readers and friends agree with them and won’t all them out on it. That, and they know that if they dare say anything negative about Mohammed radical Islam might blow up the Times building.

Christians are taught to “turn the other cheek” so it makes them easy targets for bullies and cruelty, ironically from the first people who blab about how tolerant, accepting and loving they are.