Goodbye Sonific

My free song generator widget was removed today because the site is shutting down on May 1, 2008.

http://sonific.com/

I think the following song says it all (sorry if some of the lyrics offend thee).  Right-click and download or open it in a new window and allow your browser to play it.  Fire Fox will open it and play it in a new window if you have the proper extensions installed.

Download This Song by MC Lars

Note: I pay for all music I download. In fact, I even paid for “Download This Song” by MC Lars.

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Shoeless Grooves

Review of “Shoeless Grooves”  — Saturday’s Performance

In addition to their amazing skills in Trigonometry, some of my students (and ex-students) have other talents. Ryan was in my Trig class last year and he was in my Algebra II class a year prior to that. His band is described as: Fusion/Jam Band/Jazz. “Shoeless Grooves” played a live gig at St. Thomas Roaster’s at 5951 Linglestown Road on Saturday, April 12, 2008 from 8:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.  Mrs. Charles and I attended along with a plethora of Susquehanna Township students (current and alumni).  I’m not a jazz fan, but I was entranced by the performance.  The four young men (without shoes) shook and rattled Roaster’s in front of a very impressive and enthusiastic crowd of entertained onlookers.  It obviously took long hours and dedication for these men to achieve such an ear-pleasing array of power house rhythms expertly combined into the perfect musical feast.  I especially enjoyed their original compositions (check out their site below).   I sat at an antique table in the back corner of the establishment with a 20 ounce hot chocolate and a unique desert pretzel.  I haven’t felt so relaxed and mentally stimulated by a musical performance in a long time.  I was also proud of the Susquehanna students who came to support Ryan and his talented band mates.  Way to go guys!

Listen to them and view their stats at the following website:

http://www.myspace.com/shoelessgrooves

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Duma Key

What I’ve just read:

“Duma Key” by Stephen King

Stephen refers to his devoted fans as “Constant Readers”. I read “The Stand” when I was in 6^th grade. I was transfixed and instantly converted into a constant reader. For that, I owe him my complete gratitude and respect. “The Stand” was only the second book I had read that wasn’t assigned by a teacher (“The Amityville Horror” by Jay Anson was my first). Ironically, a high school English teacher is still assigning me reading material, but that can be addressed in another blog entry. I read nearly every other book Stephen King has written (an entire library full of his magic and horror).

Nevertheless, I read all 600 plus pages of “Duma Key” and I am sorry to say that the book was a total waste of time. Typically I have a 50 page rule, but I’m more forgiving and patient when it comes to my idol Stephen King. However, this story’s biggest weakness was its lackluster vision and unconvincing plot based on a warped imagination. It was a story about paintings coming to life, and perhaps a miniature figurine that had to be submerged in fresh water in order to stop it from torturing people. I have an overactive imagination, but even I couldn’t come up with something so ludicrous and painfully diminutive despite the expansive conglomeration of text comprising the huge novel. Stephen might have done better to write about a bowel movement. At times, I was embarrassed for my idol. I can’t believe I made it through all those pages only to suffer one of the most pathetic endings I’ve ever experienced in literature.

This does not mean I’ve turned on Stephen. He is a regular columnist for “Entertainment Weekly” and I totally love his articles. However, I’m beginning to think that King should have stuck to his official retirement announcement. His current imagination needs to stay safely tucked within the confines of his demented (slightly aged) brain.

Will I give him another chance? Sure! I only hope he writes his next story about something worthy of my time.

There was one quote that caught my interest from “Duma Key”:

“Okay. As the mathematician said when he divided by zero, here goes nothing.”

Last year it appeared I could do no wrong on my book selections. I read such amazing books as “I Love You, Beth Cooper” by Larry Doyle, “The Road” by Cormac McCarthy and “Nineteen Minutes” by Jodi Picoult. This year has been a bust so far. I haven’t read a fantastic book yet.

I’m currently reading “The Monsters of Templeton” by Lauren Groff. This may be the book that turns the tide. It was recommended by a high school English teacher though…

PS

My pick for best book of 2006 has just been made into a major motion picture. I hope “The Ruins” is even half as good as the novel.

I just read that the movie isn’t so great even though it was written and developed by the author of the book