We Might As Well Be Blind If Seeing Is Believing

...this parable is misleading. Another Envy On The Coast gem for you.

I have a lovely little contest for you today on this fine Friday afternoon! If I was running a business, I would have told you this about a month ago to get the hype up. Alas, you are just reading a simple blog. Nothing to sell here. But a little background first. I love music videos. Who doesn't? I couldn't tell you, but I have 59 music videos on my iPod. And I love them all, so today I am spreading the love. Following this paragraph you will see 15 freeze frames from 15 different videos from my iPod. It is your job to guess what the song the video is for, and what artist each respective video belongs to. You do not have to guess both at the same time if you don't want to, or don't know. And before I said there wouldn't be a prize...and I wasn't lying. I don't know what I can give you. Like I said, I'm not selling anything here. Maybe I'll come up with something. I guest post on my quaint little blog here. That's not much, but that's about all I can give you. And that's assuming that the winner is someone I know. I will define a winner by however I feel most fit in the end. Good luck!

#1

#2
Nine In The Afternoon - Panic At The Disco
(Maddy)

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

#11

#12

#13

#14

#15

What is Melanie listening to right now?: A Fault Line, A Fault Of Mine - Underoath

Envious

Most of you have heard, but my phone has now seen it's better days. I'm surprised it's lasted this long, actually. Getting close to a year! Apparently it was it's time to go. But, I guess if I took a hard fall to a slab of cold, wet, icy concrete, I might break a bit too. So now my cell phone is being held together by a few pieces of electrical tape. Oh well. It works in its bandaged state! That's good enough for me.

So I had this great idea a few days ago. A contest-like blog post. A contest without rewards. Kind of like a Facebook note, but with pictures, and guessing. But, I have chemistry to do and TV shows to watch, so perhaps another day. Consider this paragraph a reminder to myself. Have a great day.

What is Melanie listening to right now?: Fear Of Flying - A Rocket To The Moon

Favorite Song Of The Week

There's been a lot of Nevershoutnever! love splayed across the internet as of late, courtesy of me. Well, here's some more. The Me And My Uke EP came out yesterday, and you should all listen to it. So, in honor of it's release, I give you Trouble (ha).

MY FAVORITE SONG THIS WEEK IS...

Trouble
by: Nevershoutnever!


I'm in trouble
I'm an addict
I'm addicted to this girl
She's got my heart tied in a knot
And my stomach in a whirl
But even worse I can't stop calling her
She's all I want and more
I mean damn, what's not to adore

I've been playing too much guitar
I've been listening to jazz
I call so many times I swear she's going mad
And that cellular will be the death of us I swear, I swear

And oh uh oh uh oh uh oh oooohh ooh ooh ooh
I'm running my mouth just like I got her, but I surely don't
Because she so uh oh uh oh uh ohh rock and roll
And out of my league, is she out of my league
Let's hope not.

I'm in trouble
I'm so cliche
See that word just wears me out
Makes me feel like just another boy
To laugh and joke about
But even worse I can't stop calling her
I love to hear that voice
and honestly, I'm left with no choice

I've been playing too much guitar
I've been listening to jazz
I call so many times I swear she's going mad
And that cellular will be the death of us I swear, I swear

And oh uh oh uh oh uh oh oooohh ooh ooh ooh
I'm running my mouth just like I got her, but I surely don't
Because she so uh oh uh oh uh ohh rock and roll
And out of my league, is she out of my league
Let's hope not.
And oh uh oh uh oh uh oh oooohh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh

Look What I Found In My Mailbox Today

I'm obviously a slight failure at posting enough posts in one month. I might be able to throw in about 4 more posts following this, but they'll be pretty crappy. Oh well. I'm sure you enjoyed the copious amounts of postage this month. I will try to keep it up throughout the following eleven months, although I am not guaranteeing anything.

But, about my mailbox. That's my email mailbox, by the way. The following is an email I received. I thought it was a pretty good one and since I have forwarding things, I figured this post would do.

Luke AFB is west of Phoenix and is rapidly being surrounded by civilization that complains about the noise from the base and its planes, forgetting that it was there long before they were. A certain lieutenant colonel at Luke AFB deserves a big pat on the back. Apparently, an individual who lives somewhere near Luke AFB wrote the local paper complaining about a group of F-16s that disturbed his/her day at the mall.

When that individual read the response from a Luke AFB officer, it must have stung quite a bit.

The complaint:
"Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base:

Whom do we thank for the morning air show? Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 A.M, a tight formation of four F-16 jets made a low pass over Arrowhead Mall, continuing west over Bell Road at approximately 500 feet. Imagine our good fortune! Do the Tom Cruise-wannabes feel we need this wake-up call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyn's early bird special?

Any response would be appreciated."

The response:

"Regarding 'A wake-up call from Luke's jets: On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four-ship fly by of F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew over the grave of Capt. Jeremy Fresques. Capt Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and was killed in Iraq on May 30, Memorial Day.

At 9 a. m. on June 15, his family and friends gathered at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the loss of a husband, son and friend. Based on the letter writer's recount of the fly by, and because of the jet noise, I'm sure you didn't hear the 21-gun salute, the playing of taps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques as I gave them their son's flag on behalf of the President of the United States and all those veterans and servicemen and women who understand the sacrifices they have endured.

A four-ship fly by is a display of respect the Air Force gives to those who give their lives in defense of freedom. We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the letter writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate respects.

The letter writer asks, 'Whom do we thank for the morning air show?' The 56th Fighter Wing will make the call for you, and forward your thanks to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques, and thank them for you, for it was in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation of their lives.

Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you...Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr.

USAF

What is Melanie listening to right now?: Bounce - The Cab

Wait, There's Werewolves?!

A few things have me immensely happy right now.

I'm talking about the blue American Apparel sweatshirt here, people! I now own one, most of you know. Things get done when you send your parents to Minneapolis with a list. I also own a physical copy of Lucy Gray, which I enjoy highly. And the moving picture is Eatmewhileimhot! or Mister Owl (I'm not quite sure which it is at this point...), which is Christofer Drew's other hardcore band, by the way. Their song Mother May I is amazing. And yes, I am aware of how bizarre it is for Mr. Drew to go from singing like an angel to screaming.



I haaattee these kind of operators from nick santino on Vimeo.

This video. Because it just makes me laugh. Nick Santino of A Rocket To The Moon, by the way. I'm also excited for his and Nevershoutnever's full lengths. Both bands are working on their respective albums.


Sam Winchester. And of course...


Dean. Pretty much anything Supernatural, actually. Funny, looking at that scale in the background, I don't think he's 6'3"...

And there is much more I would like to add to this quaint little blog post, but I have to go watch Supernatural. Oh, and the blog post title is not in reference to Supernatural, although some may assume so. It is actually Mr. Aukerman talking about Twilight.

What is Melanie listening to right now?: I Met My Best Friend In Prague - Powerspace
P.S. I freakin' HATE blogger and their whole picture set-up! Took me an hour to do this post!

"All this we can do. All this we will do."

"...we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord."

Barack Obama. 44th President of the United States of America.

Favorite Song Of The Week

So I forgot to mention this a few posts ago, but HAPPY 100TH POST!!! I would like to thank the Academy... But anyway, Fall Out Boy's new album, Folie à Deux came out a little over a month ago and I'm sure I probably did something exciting about it when it did, but I don't remember. It's really good, quite amazing actually, as we all suspected. So from the Fall Out Boys themselves, I bring you...

MY FAVORITE SONG THIS WEEK IS...

20 Dollar Nose Bleed
by: Fall Out Boy (w/ Brendon Urie!)


Have you ever wanted to disappear?
and join a monestary
Go out and preach on manic street
where will I be when I wake up next to a stranger
on a passenger plane, passenger plane

Permanent jetlag
Please take me back, please take be back
I'm a stray dog sick
Please let me in, please let me in
When life keeps tripping
Singing vows before we exchange smoke rings

Give me a pen
Call me Mr. Benzedrine
But don't let the doctor in
I wanna blow off steam and
Call me Mr. Benzedrine (Mr. Benzedrine)
and don't let the doctor, don't let the doctor in

It feels like 14 carats but no clarity
When I look at the man who would be king
The man who would be king goes to the
desert to sing war his dad rehearsed
came back with flags on coffins and said
we won, oh, we won

Permanent jetlag
Please take me back, please take be back
I'm a stray dog sick
Please let me in (Please let me in)
When life keeps tripping
Singing vows before we exchange smoke rings

Give me a pen
Call me Mr. Benzedrine
But don't let the doctor in
I wanna blow off steam and
Call me Mr. Benzedrine (Mr. Benzedrine)
and don't let the doctor, don't let the doctor in

B-b-b-b-Benzedrine
my, my, my Benzedrine
my B-b-b-b-Benzedrine now

The wonderful feeling that is the rest of the proof
is on the television, on the

Call me Mr. Benzedrine
But don't let the doctor in
I wanna blow off steam and
Call me Mr. Benzedrine (Mr. Benzedrine)
but don't let the doctor, don't let the doctor in

Have you ever wanted to disappear?

(After the amazing song, Pete does his thing with a little emo monologue. If you want to read that, go look it up, I don't like it).

Until Her Feet Don't Touch The Ground

I'm feeling quite buoyant today. This afternoon, I guess. The mornings and school are always a drag...and unavoidable, unfortunately. It seems odd to be attending school when frostbite can set in to 10 minutes. AND, I saw on the news today that Aberdeen was at -57 degrees today with the wind chill. Doesn't that suck? I'm sure they didn't have school there. The rest of the world didn't either, other than my school district. Figures. Oh well, only one more day to stumble through than we are all free for three days. Happy Martin Luther King Day!


To be honest with you, blogging community, the whole Martin Luther King Jr. story really makes me sad. We've been studying about it and other things related to the whole equal rights/peace movement in English as of late. It's never really struck me so hard before, but it does now. I saw a Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial commercial yesterday and I got teary-eyed. How could people have been so cruel? It just baffles me. It just seems so bizarre now that people would actually be so hateful to another human being just because their skin was a different color. We all bleed the same color, and it obviously took some people many more killings and deaths of innocent black people to finally see that. I'm just glad things like what happened during King's time doesn't happen as often anymore. It seems awful that stuff like that still happens in places in this modern time, doesn't it? I'm not very good at these talking about my opinion things, but I hope that might spark some thought in some of you, or at least help you understand my complete disgust over everything.

Peace.

What is Melanie listening to right now?: Ocean And Atlantic - Mayday Parade

Favorite Song Of The Week

See! It's been a week and a day since the last one! I can be consistent!

MY FAVORITE SONG THIS WEEK IS...

Swim
by: Jack's Mannequin


You gotta swim
Swim for your life
Swim for the music that saves you
When you're not so sure you'll survive

You gotta swim
And swim when it hurts
The whole world is watching
You haven't come this far
To fall off the Earth

The currents will pull you
Away from your love
Just keep your head above

I found a tidal wave
Begging to tear down the dawn
Memories like bullets
They fired at me from a gun
Cracking the armour, yeah

I swim for brighter days
Despite the absense of sun
Choking on salt water
I'm not giving in
I swim

You gotta swim
Through nights that won't end
Swim for your family, your lovers
Your sisters and brothers and friends

Yeah you gotta swim
For wars without cause
Swim for these lost politicians
Who don't see their greed is a flaw

The currents will pull us
Away from our love
Just keep your head above

I found a tidal wave
Begging to tear down the dawn
Memories like bullets
They fired at me from a gun
Cracking the armour, yeah

I swim for brighter days
Despite the absense of sun
Choking on salt water
I'm not giving in
I'm not giving in
I swim

You gotta swim
Swim in the dark
There's no shame in driftin'
Feel the tide shifting
And wait for the spark

Yeah you gotta swim
Don't let yourself sink
Just find the horizon
I promise you it's not as far as you think

The currents will drag us away from our love
Just keep your head above

Just keep your head above
Swim

Just keep your head above
Swim

Just keep your head above
Swim

I Think It's Time I Broke Some Glass

So, some of you may have heard that I joined a gym last week. No, it's not a New Year's resolution or anything, although it should be. But, my mom wanted to join a gym and asked if I would too, so I did. We went for the first time today. How was it, you may ask. Oh, I'll tell you tomorrow...when I can't move.

What is Melanie listening to right now?: Caves - Jack's Mannequin

if you love something, give it away.

Favorite Song Of The Week

Well, haven't done one of these in awhile! Since November 21st, actually. Trust me, I've been listening to something for the last couple of months, and I've probably had favorite songs too. But, golly I'm just so lazy! But, with that lofty 15-post goal, I might actually make this weekly. Not that Favorite Songs are probably the most boring posts I can post or anything. Now, if only I had something to say was my Favorite Song this week...

MY FAVORITE SONG THIS WEEK IS...

Deadlines
by: There For Tomorrow


I saw just what it does
When its too hard for you to face it
Still pushing you to make it
Its been no new news to me
Cause its all been done before
Four years and we're still counting down
Until all your precious time is wasted
Its been nothing new to me (to me, to me)

We still haven't grown accustomed to the sound
As they all begin to drown you out
Its all been done before

When your deadlines become my days and nights
I'll take all your favorite lines
(When you needed it the most)
As your deadlines end tonight

And you were startled by the fact
That you c-could've had it better off by now
Its not over until the quiet comes down
Oh yes, maybe its too plain
To stand on solid ground
It got old, but you cant blame it all on me

We still haven't grown accustomed to the sound
As they all begin to drown you out
Its all been done before

When your deadlines become my days and nights
I'll take all your favorite lines
(When you needed it the most)
Please don't give up on
When your deadlines become my days and nights
I'll take all your favorite lines
(When you needed it the most)
As your deadlines end tonight

I saw just what it does
When its too hard for you to face it
Still pushing you to make it
Its been nothing new to me (to me, to me)

We still haven't grown accustomed to the sound
As they all begin to drown you out
Its all been done before

When your deadlines become my days and nights
I'll take all your favorite lines
(When you needed it the most)
As your deadlines end tonight x 2
All your favorite lines
(When you needed it the most)
As your deadlines end tonight

We'll say this song has been chosen for the last month. See also: A Rocket To The Moon's EP, Nevershoutnever!'s EP, and Map Of The Problematique by Muse. By the way, that picture was called *TIGHT CLUB*...it made me laugh.

The Clouds Are All On Fire

Does anyone else think it's sad that when I first started this blog, I got in at most 14 posts in a month, whereas now I'm lucky to post 5 in one month? I think it's sad. I'm so un-dedicated. I think i'm going to try and get in 15 posts in one month this year. Yeah...just thought I'd point that out.

What is Melanie listening to right now?: Real World - All-American Rejects

Just kidding. Heh. I'm also realizing the completely random titles I give about all my posts. It's just a year of self-discovery people! Or, blog-discovery, I guess... But do they confuse you as much as they do me? I understand them when I type them, even though they have absolutely NOTHING to do with what I'm talking about, but upon rereading them I'm just completely lost. In case you were curious, most of them are lyrics of the song I'm listening to at the time. Like, "The clouds are all on fire" is from Bloodshot by Jack's Mannequin. In case you were wondering. And "For all I thought I'd ever need, it's hard to face the holidays without" is Winter Passing by The Academy Is... That sentence doesn't even make sense! It has to do with the holiday season and stuff and that's what I was talking about but... I should really pick more fitting titles, shouldn't I? There's also the occasional quote. "Everyone thinks I'm a satist now..." was January 25, 2008's title. Someone said that. Who you may ask? I have no idea. It must have been funny I at the time. Now I just hope it wasn't me who said it. Not that I know what a satist is anyway...

I'm not ready to go back to school yet. Only one whole day left, them I'm forced back into purgatory. I'm sure I'll have just about as much fun as last semester, but I just don't want to go back yet. Can't we have one more week? It's all icy outside! My sleeping schedule is all messed up! I can't go to bed between 11:30 and 1:30 then wake up somewhere between 9 and noon for school! It's really going to be a bummer. Oh well, some things are just inevitable. I've enjoyed not suffering, Chemistry. I've missed you Psychology, but not really. See you in a couple days. *sigh*

What is Melanie listening to right now?: Have Gun, Will Travel - The Audition

(of 2008)

Wow, I never realized how lame my blog was until now. I was just reading old blog posts from about a year ago and...just...WOW. They inflicted physical pain on me from my lameness. I really hope I'm not slowly killing you with these awful posts. But, upon reading the little gems, I found THIS. I may be lame, but goodness I do I have style. Shall I do another one? I think it might be pretty hard. I don't really remember much from this past year. Oh well, I will try. (Oh, and you may notice under the "Next Best Things of 2008" I listed We The Kings and All Time Low, so let me just say I SOOOOO FREAKING CALLED THAT!!!! All Time Low was just named the band of the year for 2008 in AP and both exploded in 2008. So props to Melanie for being a freakin' genius).

My Favorite Albums of 2008:
in no particular order

1. Lost In The Sound Of Separation - Underoath
   
2. Pretty. Odd. - Panic At The Disco
3. There For Tomorrow - EP - There For Tomorrow
   
4. Folie à Deux - Fall Out Boy
   
5. Greetings From... - EP - A Rocket To The Moon
   
6. Daylight Is Coming - Remedy Drive
   
7. Razia's Shadow: A Musical - Forgive Durden
8. The Yippee EP - Nevershoutnever!
   
9. Dance Or Die - Family Force 5
10. New Surrender - Anberlin
11. The Glass Passenger - Jack's Mannequin
12. Underdog Alma Mater - Forever The Sickest Kids
13. Whisper War - The Cab
14. When The World Comes Down - All-American Rejects
    
15. Viva La Vida And Death And All His Friends - Coldplay
    

Most Disappointing Albums of 2008:
in no particular order

1. Fast Times At Barrington High - The Academy Is...
   
2. The Moment - Framing Hanley
   
3. Come Around - Sing It Loud
   
4. Rotation - Cute Is What We Aim For
5. No Gift To Bring - EP - The Almost
   

My Favorite Songs in 2008:
note: some of these songs did not come out in 2008, but I discovered them in the year.
in no particular order

1. Too Bright To See Too Loud To Hear - Underoath
   
2. Mirrors - Envy On The Coast
   
3. That 70's Song - The Cab
   
4. Map Of The Problematique - Muse
5. Vegas - All Time Low
   
6. Pages - There For Tomorrow
   
7. Smelyalata - Nevershoutnever!
   
8. Fever - Family Force 5
   
9. Captives Come Home - Run Kid Run
   
10. Behind The Sea - Panic At The Disco
    

Best Singles of 2008:
in no particular order

1. I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
   
2. I Don't Care - Fall Out Boy
   
3. Viva La Vida - Coldplay
   
4. Gives You Hell - All-American Rejects
   
5. Whoa Oh! (Me Vs. Everyone) - Forever The Sickest Kids

Worst Singles of 2008:
in no particular order

1. Burnin' Up - Jonas Brothers
   
2. Lollipop - Lil Wayne
   
3. I Kissed A Girl - Katy Perry
   
4. Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis
5. Feel Good Drag - Anberlin
   

Best New Band of 2008:
Nevershoutnever!

The Next Big Things of 2009:

I really don't know what to predict for this, a lot of bands are really good and amazing and stuff, but I just can't think of anyone memorable and great enough to go big in '09. And I don't want to be put to shame if my predictions fail, since last year's were so great. Sorry. I'd like to make a shout out to 3OH!3, Nevershoutnever! and Family Force 5, though. I hope you guys make it.

Most Anticipated for 2009:

1. All Time Low
   
2. 30 Seconds To Mars (second year in a row, way to procrastinate, boys...)
   
3. Envy On The Coast
   

Since you people didn't do it last year, I INSIST you make a list like this of your own. I worked hard on mine and I hope you people appreciate all that I do for you. Things like this also entertain me and I'm an evil dictator, so sue me. Just do it.

What is Melanie listening to right now?: Everything We Had - The Academy Is...