The Beginning of the End

The middle of June is fast approaching and with that means the start of the death season, or as you may know it, Summer. I hate the Summer, loathe it to it's very core, and all because of the heat. Sure you may thank the sun for giving us such little things like the ability to continue living, but me I shake my fist at it for making me a walking version of Niagara Falls for three months. Don't get me wrong Summer can be one of the more fun seasons because there are lots of good things that come with Summer like the beach, BBQ's, and a bevy of outdoor activities (I got a SIX on the Sun-Stare!) With that I figure I would try and come up with some good ideas for the upcoming Summer season, like actual things to do or try, maybe tips for how to do something better or correct, stuff like that, and maybe it's something you do regularly and maybe it's something you've never tried before but I hope for it to be somewhat useful either way.

• Lots of people do it, few do it right. Sure that can be said about a lot of things, pervert, but it's been my experience it's true more often then not when it comes to Grilling a Steak, so here are some easy step by step instructions.
• Go to the Beach! There is nothing like hanging out with a bunch of friends at the beach tossing a football around and then going for a nice swim in the ocean to cool off. And whats better is its free! End the day with your new skills in grilling a steak and you're set!
• Whats the best part of a water park? That's right, the Lazy River! Something me and a few friends tried a couple years ago but something I won't soon forget. A real lazy river! Basically get a ride a few miles up, handed a tube, and told to have fun while you float back down river to where you parked your car!
• Something I haven't done besides in the comfort of my own back yard but am looking forward to trying this summer is Camping. Real deal camping out under the stars. Camp site, tents, sleeping bag, cooking food over an open fire, the whole nine yards! Seems to me like it would be very relaxing and peaceful, add some alcohol and you've really got yourself a party.
• Pick up a new sport. If not for exercise then why not for fun? The beautiful weather gives you plenty of outdoor time to try out a new sport, get some practice in, find something you that fits you and that you can really enjoy. I find Golf to be relaxing at times, but frankly quite boring. Tennis on the other hand I love and is a great summer time sport for both fitness and fun!
• With the nicer weather here there will be plenty of Carnivals and Fairs that you can find in your area to go and spend a day out of the house at. There is always a wide variety of fairs during the day, usually on weekends, ranging from arts and crafts to food. If day fairs aren't your thing there are always plenty of night fairs and carnivals full of funnel cake and rides!
• Take a hike! Seriously there are plenty of places you can go for a nice hike out in the woods or on a trail in a park. Pack yourself a snack and a bottle of water and go enjoy nature for a few hours.
• One of my favorite things to do during the summer when the sun starts to go down and it starts to cool off was to start up the grill (on the rare occasion it wasn't already going,) and make some Smores! Whats not to enjoy?! Chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallow, and it's always a good laugh trying to put them together around a grill with a bunch of friends.

Albeit not everything possible to do to enjoy the summer and get out of the house it is at least a start! If this list does anything I hope it gets you out of the house and doing something. Stay cool! ∞

Music Makes The World Go Round

I love music. I'm a believer there there is a song for any occasion no matter the mood or situation you're in. I've loved music ever since I was a kid listening to anything my dad was a fan of, hence my love for Billy Joel, and since then have listened to pretty much every type of music with open arms and a chance on my play list. I've gone through phases listening to a certain type of music for months on end until I got hooked on something else from classic rock to classical piano and everything in between. I take that back. Everything in between except country, country you are terrible, anyone who can take music about drinking and women and make it that bad has some serious issues in it's genre.

Music has been my catalyst to happiness on numerous occasions. With that being said I figure what better way to introduce my first post about trying new things and making small changes to brighten up your day then with some music! I've compiled a list of some albums after I asked around what people are listening to right now that they would recommend for others to check out along with a few of my own, and hopefully with a little bit of luck you'll find something on this list that you will enjoy!

Slight disclaimer, I haven't listened to everything i'm listing so if you hate something listed just remember that old saying "Don't shoot the messenger!"

1. Travelers in Space and Time by The Apples in Stereo - Indie Pop, a band I found out about because of a video that had Elijah Wood in it, but very glad I stumbled upon them. Cool robot voices + up beat music = fun to listen to.
2. The Resistance by Muse - Alternative Rock, fifth studio release album by Muse. Not to sure what else to say, they're Muse, they're awesome.
3. Played in Space by Something Corporate - Piano Rock, this actually worked out in my favor as I had a hard time deciding what album to put down. This is a best of album being released later this month.
4. What to Do When You Are Dead by Armor for Sleep - Alternative Rock, another great band, their second album. Band unfortunately broke up in 2009.
5. Drunken Lullabies by Flogging Molly - Celtic Punk, a seven-piece band ranging from boisterous punk to somber they hit such classic Irish topics of love, death, and of course drinking.
6. The Beautiful Letdown by Switchfoot - Alternative Rock, fourth studio album released in 2003 that really got them known and into mainstream.
   
7. My Dinosaur Life by Motion City Soundtrack - Pop Punk, fourth studio album released this past January. Mostly pop they fit into a few genres, this album is associated with punk but undeniably pop with clever lyrics.
8. Runnin' Wild by Airbourne - Hard Rock, often compared to AC/DC they've had a few songs in some video games like Rock Band and Madden 2010.
9. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix by Phoenix - Alternative Rock, one of the few good things to come out of France besides fries, bread, and kisses, this is their fourth studio album and well worth checking out.
10. Them Crooked Vultures by Them Crooked Vultures - Hard Rock, self titled debut album by rock super group formed by John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin,) Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters,) and Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age.)
    
11. Oracular Spectacular by MGMT - New Wave, home grown Brooklyn based band named the 18th best album of the decade by Rolling Stone odds are you've heard one of their songs and don't even know it.
12. We Don't Need to Whisper by Angels & Airwaves - Alternative Rock, 2006 debut album led by Tom from Blink-182.
13. Fearless by Taylor Swift - Country Pop, all that country bashing aside anyone that cute that can make a song about Romeo and Juliet is OK in my book.
14. Legend by Two Steps From Hell - Production Music, production music company whose music has been used in such trailers as Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, The Dark Knight, and Star Trek.
15. Blue Album by Weezer - Alternative Rock, debut album from way back in 1994. Absolutely amazing album with every song being awesome. I'm just glad someone else recommended it because it broke my heart not to list it myself!
16. Wires...and The Concept of Breathing by A Skylit Drive - Post-hardcore, first full length album released in 2008. Noted for frequently referencing Final Fantasy.
17. Where You Want To Be by Taking Back Sunday - Alternative Rock, if you didn't know them before 2004 you did after. They had songs on the Spiderman 2 soundtrack as well as opening for Blink-182 on tour.
18. Hearts for Bullets by Ayria - Electro-industrial, Canadian club and rave music, did a few minor tours in the US of A. Something besides hockey and maple trees for them to be proud of.
19. OK Computer by Radiohead - Alternative Rock, acclaimed as one of the landmark albums of the 90's this album gave them their greatest international fame.
20. Worship and Tribute by Glassjaw - Post-hardcore, the album mixes a handful of genres but leans towards experimental rock with a poppy punk feeling.
21. Sticks and Stones by New Found Glory - Rock, third studio album and first with a major label after leaving Drive-Thru Records. Definitely a change from their previous two albums, little more rock then pop-punk.
22. Lights and Sounds by Yellowcard - Alternative Rock, known for their use of a violin in their songs this is their fifth studio album and takes a turn away from their previous pop-punk sound for a more edgier rock feel.
23. Stay What You Are by Saves The Day - Indie Rock, third studio album and first with a major label. Has some great lyrics and a few of my favorite songs including a music video with muppets!
24. All Hour Cymbals by Yeasayer - Experimental Rock, debut album from Brooklyn based band that got positive reviews from Entertainment Weekly and toured with MGMT and Beck in 2008.
25. Control by Pedro the Lion - Indie Rock, third full length album released in 2002. It's a concept album that covers topics such as infidelity, parenthood, greed, violence, and fear of death.
26. We Are the Night by Chemical Brothers - Trip Hop, sixth studio album debuted at #1 on UK album charts and #65 on Billboard's 200. Won a Grammy for Best Electronic/Dance Album.
27. Myths of the Near Future by Klaxons - Dance Punk, Mercury Prize winning debut album released in 2007 and was listed in the musical reference book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
28. Volume Two by She & Him - Indie Pop, Zooey Deschanel's second studio album released in March 2010, debuted at #6 on Billboard's top 200.
29. Go by Jonsi - Baroque Pop, Icelandic debut studio album released just this month debuted at #23 on Billboard's top 200.
30. ...Is a Real Boy by Say Anything - Pop Punk, considered by the band to be their first official album it was released in 2004 and are mostly identified by their sardonic literary sense of humor.
    

If you've got any other bands that you're currently listening to that you think others would really enjoy by checking out please feel free to comment and let me know! ∞