Articulation for Junior Year

Were we all born to die? Surely our cells age through every division via mitosis as each succession causes a loss in DNA strands due to the nature of DNA polymerase. Is the fabric of our lives an arrow that crawls from the cradle to the grave? Our time comes and when it does, can you really say you've lived a full life worth remembering, worth dying for? The Greeks believed that only through acts of heroism is a life worth remembering and therefore is a complete and satisfying one.

What constitutes a satisfying life? Is it one where we try to benefit the world in some way, to accelerate and progress mankind? Or is it simpler than that and only depends on individual happiness? Were hunter-gatherers more happy before they settled down and had new worries such as crop failure and territory? Through recent investigations of our fellow ancestors, some might say the life of a hunter-gatherer is simpler and consisted of more free time for leisure activity.

Does one really need to take AP classes? Why must we do all of these things in the first place? Will our progress and achievements really matter in the long run? The universe is made of matter and nothing is forever. So with the short time we have should more of it be spent doing the things that make us happy. More time should be spent on entertainment and leisure activity. Sure, society won't advance much but looking through history, one can see that one man's accomplishment usually meant another's suffering. For example, the industrial revolution reaped great wealth for some and miserable working conditions for most.

So stop the worries. In the end, we'll all just die. Our dreams crumble into ashes as our future blows away but that's okay. Hakuna Matata. No worries. Live life the way it you want to. Run, enjoy a sunset, or just stop and listen to the music of nature. Earth will be inhabitable in a couple million of years anyways. The sun will burn it. So relax. Life begins the moment you stop worrying.

On the Topic of January 31's Shower Thought

In a society dominated by extroverts, you are judged for your outward appearance and your behavior is controlled by the masses of followers who think that they are the leaders of cultural trends.  This characteristic that is favored upon, as shown in the ones who dominate popular culture, leaves the rest, the introverted outcasts and everyone in between, scrawling for their place to belong to.

So you spend you entire life catering to those who you consider worthy beings to judge your value and worth in living on this planet. You spend your whole life getting ready, dressing up for the part to look decent and to show the world that you're a somebody in a society that treats you like a nobody but at the end of the day you can't even look yourself in the mirror and like what you see.

As childhood passes and fades in time, in the same way the voices and faces of the past are gone and forgotten, so to does the bubble of ignorance that protects the innocent until they're supposedly ready to take on the world. But in the most vulnerable of times we are exposed to the harsh realities where ignorance will not save us. It will only lead us down a path feeling content with our lives until we finally deal with our shortcomings. And after years of being suppressed, our problems resonate stronger as it begs to be dealt with. Gone are the days of familiarity and comfortableness.

In a world full of the spoken the out-spoken are left to fester with themselves, only to realize that they'll never be on the same level with them for they lack the capability to express sentiments with extroverted minds. The frustration of wanting to talk but not being able to find the right words, they resonate within our lonely minds and foster anger and resentment for those who can. But it's not their fault that they were born lucky and so we must deal with our handicap and struggle harder just to maintain and decent conversation or maintain appropriate levels of eye contact.

Does the sky not change color or the waves not come crashing down? It is in the darkest our where genius shines through. It is in this time where our voices are most pure when we are not afraid of being heard because we are not heard.

In a world dominated by extroverts I desire the ability to speak my mind but I can not in a way ideal to these people. Whether it be genetics or my upbringings I am hindered in the skill of day to day conversation. But in time the leaves grow anew, as I sit alone in a table standing by the edge of the sea. The sun sets into the vast unknown that is our lives.

In glycolysis, energy must be put into a system for there to be a net gain of energy output. As endergonic  reactions are uphill, so too are our lives at this point in time. But there will be the day, when we reach the point of tipping over, that our lives will begin to have meaning.

I Got Plenty o' Nuttin

"I got plenty o' nuttin, and nuttin's plenty for me" are the words to one of the many songs in Gershwin's opera titled Porgy and Bess. The character who sings this, Porgy, is a crippled beggar who, until he fell in love with Bess, was unhappy. He sings this because even though he does not have many things, he appreciates the non-material values in life such as Bess, the moon, and stars.

Which brings to question, who's happier: the rich or the poor? And does more money mean more happiness?

This reminds me of a poster Mr. Tompkins has on his wall. It is of a monkey sitting on a curb and he's saying, "I've been rich and I've been poor. I like rich better." I believe that having some money and possessions does make the quality of one's life better. It brings security and flexibility. However, Porgy does make an excellent point,

"De folks wid plenty o' plenty/ Got a lock on de door/ 'Fraid somebody's a-goin' to rob 'em/ While dey's out a-makin' more/ What for?"

Having things does add on to the amount of stuff one has to worry about. However, work put into making money is worth it as long as it does not consumes one's life to become the reason for living. Money and material things have the potential to distract people from what really matters, such as love, family, and nature. But as long as balance is kept, money should not interfere with happiness.

More money does not mean more happiness. There comes a point where the excess of money is not needed and so becomes something without value. After that point, money is an object that when enough is owned, greed can start to corrupt one's ambitions. Living in Confucian modesty as shown in Chinese history, is the key to a happy family.  Money means more options and  can lead to a better life if used properly. One such way to benefit yourselves and others is to donate or fund promising projects that will help people.

Money is a human conception and does not necessarily equal happiness. It is a tool used to live a more comfortable life but should not be the object that fuels one's desires in life. There are things more divine and precious in life than money.

Mozart - Symphony No. 25 in G Minor

          Symphony No. 25 in G minor by Mozart (pronounced Motz-art) is one of his best pieces. Used as the opening score to the movie Amadeus, the multitude of violins quickly grasp at the listener's heartstrings and pulls them along for a thrilling experience. I can not listen to this piece without smiling and under certain circumstances, spasm out to let the beauty of the music take me. It is one of two minor symphonies Mozart ever wrote.

          The symphony stays true to traditional form. A symphony normally consists of four movements. The first is usually a sonata with an exposition, development, and recapitulation and is normally played allegro. The second movement slows down to andante. The third picks up the pace into a minuet and trio style type dance. The final movement is allegro and returns to the same key as the first.

          Allegro con brio, 4/4 in G minor: The first movement is most well known. It is full of many memorable motifs utilizing violins and clarinets. It is full of volume dynamics with some dissonance thrown in to keep listeners on edge. Mozart effectively draws in his audience in this stunning first movement.

          Andante, 2/4 in E-flat major: The second, while not as fast paced as the first, is interesting nonetheless. The melody is pleasant and gorgeous. Typical for a symphony.

          Minuet & Trio, 3/4 in G minor, Trio in G major: In 3/4 time, this movement is easier to dance to if one wanted to. The tempo quickens to a brisk walk.

          Allegro, 4/4 in G minor: An excellent resolution to this composition. The themes and motifs of the first movement are reintroduced and have been altered. It brings a sense of completion and resolution.

          I highly recommend watching Amadeus of you are interested in Mozart.

Cowbells

You may or may not know but I wear a cowbell on my backpack everyday to school. Some may be indifferent towards it, others may hate it. I do not wear that cowbell to annoy or impress people. I wear it for myself. I bought the cowbell (it is a key chain) from a popular cross country called Mt. SAC. It is a prestigious meet with a rich history and I was proud to be there but to get back on topic, I wear that cowbell because of the chimes. 

The chimes I imagine stand for freedom. With every step that I take I am reminded of how lucky I am to have two legs that can run on this beautiful piece of land we call the U.S. of A. Every time I hear the twinkling of the bells it, for a moment in time, brings me back to the abstract world I enter on my runner's high. It is a place I like to call home. 

Cross country season is my favorite season. The only reason I can get XCited for fall is because of cross country. My XCitement is XClusive to cross country and not at all to school. Distance running is where I feel free to be who I was meant to be. I have the power to accomplish anything, "Who am I? I am a champion."

Life is a busy race. We do not really have much time to slow down and think about the beauties in life. Well, on that road, on that long run, you get plenty of time by yourself to contemplate. The ideal cadence when running is 180 steps per minute. That's 180 times you're pounding the Earth. You get into a rhythm, Your mind and body become one and your soul is in euphoria. I was born to run and run I shall. 

So the bells will stay on. I will continue to wear it. They are a constant reminder that there is greatness out there. Great things do not come to those who wait. Great things come to those who go out every single day to give it their all. Every chime takes me back on that lonely road miles from my home. Every chime calls me home. If home is where the heart is and my heart is in my left chest, then everywhere I go is home. The chimes ring true to the beat of my heart. 

      

Love Minus Zero / No Limit

The song title is read as a fraction (Love minus zero "over" no limit). Bob Dylan wrote this in 1964 during the beginnings of his surreal and introspective era. It was included in his Bringing it All Back Home album which was released in 1965. Musically, it is very simple and sounds like a straightforward love song and one might be fooled into thinking that for a while. However, the words are insane.

It describes of a narrator who lives in a world fallen in calamity as life around him accelerates and he is losing control. However, "his love" is a Zen figure who stabilizes his grip on reality. She transcends him to a state of elation when everyday life seems to drag him down. She is his spiritual anchor.

My love she speaks like silence, without ideals or violence

She doesn't have to say she's faithful, yet she's true, like ice, like fire

People carry roses, and make promises by the hour

My love she laughs like a flower, Valentines can't buy her.

The song starts off very simple. The narrator introduces "his love" and his depiction so far is of true admiration for her inner strength and beauty. One can tell that his lover is put on a pedestal, shown in her comparison to an unattainable beauty in a flower. The song only gets crazier from here. We begin to have a glimpse into the narrator's life. Dealing with other people only make his life more difficult. The future is exciting yet stressful to think about. He worries about succeeding and fears failure. 

Some speak of the future, my love she speaks softly

She know's there's no success like failure

And that failure's no success at all.

It is almost insane for her to say this. It sounds like filler for the silence. However, she is saying that success comes from trials and overcoming adversity, even making mistakes and failing sometimes. Even if trying does not yield the desired outcome, at least you tried and there's a better chance in succeeding in trying. On the other hand, giving up never results in success. 

The narrator's life is spiraling out of control. HIs work overtakes his time. He may not agree with everyone he meets. However, his love knows when to let go. When things are out of one's control, why worry about it? The ancient religion Daoism teaches that life is a river that flows around you and that you should allow it to flow. The universe may have things predestined and it is best to allow nature to take its course. 

Statues made of matchsticks, crumble into one another

My love winks, she does not bother

She knows too much to argue or to judge. 

Lastly, Dylan decides to reveal vulnerability in his lover. She can not thrive by herself. She needs a home while the narrator needs escape. They give each other their needs which is why they are so entwined. 

The wind howls like a hammer, the nigh blows rainy

My love she's like some raven

At my window with a broken wing.

"Love Minus Zero / No Limit" provides more insight on the role between partners in an unstable environment than a traditional love song. However, the simplistic music structure represents his lover's detachment from the world and the lyrics, his unending roller coaster of a life.

• 
  

The Impact of Bon Jovi on Acoustic Renditions

Do you love listening to acoustic versions of songs from your favorite artists? If so, you can thank Bon Jovi for that! Below is his iconic performance of two of his hit songs, "Living on a Prayer" and "Wanted Dead or Alive" unplugged and stripped down to the core. Rock at its finest.

Today, many of us take acoustic performances for granted. It's always been this way hasn't it? Well before 1989, it wasn't common for rock groups to perform their songs unplugged like this. The same can said for all other genres using electronics to amplify or produce sounds (i.e. Pop, Metal, Doo Wop, etc...)  There was a clear distinction between acoustic music, such as folk music, and electronic music (everything else). Side note: by electronic music I mean any music using electricity to convey, produce, or amplify their sounds; it does not necessarily mean music created on a computer. 

In 1989 Bon Jovi performed at the MTV music awards, back when MTV actually played music! What was to spawn from it no one would have guessed. Fans adored the intimacy that acoustic performance allowed them to feel. They felt closer to Bon Jovi, It gave new depth and meaning to a well heard song. As indicated by the cheering, people loved it.

Bon Jovi's performance at the MTV music awards was so influential that it sparked a whole movement. MTV Unplugged is generally acknowledged to have drawn inspiration from this rendition. MTV Unplugged is a T.V. show on MTV that showcases artists performing with acoustic instruments, usually the guitar. Artists in the 90's such as John Hammond Jr. would perform acoustic versions of their songs more often post-1989.

Bon Jovi may be the most influential rock musician in history. He is certainly my favorite. His music is timeless and remains relevant to this day. His songs reflect an era gone by but its influence still shines. Many people who grew up listening to Bon Jovi look fondly at their music. Current generation kids such as I can find fulfillment discovering such a rich and complex band history. Bon Jovi has done more than to change the acoustic scene. His lyrics touch the hearts of a'many. There may not be enough words to truly appreciate this legend. 

"Dear Lord, Jesus, Buddha, Allah or can I just call you Joe

I've got a lot of things to tell you and some things I gotta know

I'm tired of hearing talk about this world's about to end

If we can die together, then can't we all be friends?" 

- Save a Prayer, Bon Jovi