Thursday, October 14, 2010

Doctober Prescribes a Championship

Being a Phillies fan, I feel that I'm in a fairly good position in terms of how my team is doing. A quick sweep of the Reds, dominated by taking advantage of good opportunities, almost exclusively excellent pitching, and notable Reds' errors marked the series, and now it's time for the San Francisco Giants. Fun fact: the Giants have never won a World Series in San Francisco.

Now as a Phillies fan, I shouldn't be messing with them for that, considering that they have 20 pennants and 5 World Series championships, compared to our 7 pennants and 2 (soon to be 3) World Series championships. But nonetheless, I can take extreme satisfaction in being a Phillies fan at the right point in time. I grew up with the Phillies, but my interest has only grown, becoming real around 2007 and taking off with the success that the Phillies have had. I do predict that the Phillies will win the 2010 World Series, it's just how they do it. I'd like to boastfully predict that the Phillies sweep the Giants and sweep the World Series, but only a few teams in all of sports have never lost a game in the playoffs, the most recent being the Seattle Storm in the WNBA this year.

Realistically, I think the Phillies will win in 5 games (this has no basis in any sort of statistics or data), and win the World Series in 6 games. Who will they face in the World Series? I do like the Rangers a fair amount-I have a little crush on Cliff Lee and Josh Hamilton sounds like a nice guy- but it will probably be the Yankees, which means it's revenge time. But because I want to have some fun with this, the Rangers will beat the Yankees and face the Phillies in the World Series.The Phillies are in a solid position right now, and while they have their challenges ahead of them, they are more than ready and capable of winning their 2nd championship in 3 years and hopefully starting a dynasty.

Wall of Sound

Haven't really posted here for a while, but we'll see if I can actually be consistent in my posting.

This is a new feature entitled 'Wall of Sound', after the famous Phil Spector producing technique. I might post one song, a couple of songs, or in the rare event, even more. Some context may be given based up what I have read (mostly from Wikipedia-a truly academic source).

The first song for today will be "He's a Rebel", written by Gene Pitney and credited to the Crystals, but actually sung by Darlene Love. The song, in honor of the feature's title, was produced by Phil Spector (who is slowly rotting in jail as we speak).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TE5cd5Z4y8

The thing I like about the song is the straight-forward singing of Darlene Love. I think the voice and singing is the part of the song to follow the most. The chorus that starts around 50 seconds in the video is my favorite part, just the vocals with a little bit of music with an attitude. The music behind the vocals can be a little cheesy, like when the music starts, but once the chorus hits, the music turns tough, which is appropriate considering the subject matter and the name of the song.

The song harkens back to the age of greasers and old-school tough guys. I think of Grease, James Dean, and the Outsiders when I hear this song. The POV of the song is that of a girl who's in love or going out with the 'rebel', making the stern singing all the more appropriate during the chorus. Overall, an excellent song that can be listened to for fun any time.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Angel of Steel

Here is a partially completed song I started writing a while ago. There are subtle references to super-heroes in them, but you'll have to catch them. I will be completing this song at some point for a project where I will sing this in class. I've been considering changing to chorus or creating a definite chorus. Who knows, I might leave it as is...

Angel of Steel
Woke up this morning, no point in living.
And I looked up in the sky.
Living was punishment, dark as a bat.
My life was one big lie.

I headed to work, bound there by train
Blackness all around.
The lightning was bright, bright as a lantern
The light was very profound.

Truth did not exist, life was unfair.
My heart a raging fire inside.
It was painful as Hell, straight as an arrow.
Water made it glide.

Got back from work, tears in my eyes.
In a box of rain.
Jumped out of the window, hoping death would see me.
Wishing I was slain.

Up in the sky, a hero of legend.
Flying like an angel of steel.
Swoops down to catch, coming from heaven.
Saving me from death's deal.

We touched down on ground, left me amazed.
He flew off, into the deep blue sky
I was left inspired, found with new wonder

Friday, January 25, 2008

Forsaken Stage

Here is something I just randomly wrote. I have an idea that could turn this into a book but I kinda like this short story.

“Help! Help me please! Help!” said the petite woman as she ran across the stage. However, this stage wasn’t lit up for an opening night show. It was all dark except for the side lights on the outside of the balcony booths. There was a glow to the light, emitting an orange hue piercing the darkness, creating a Halloween effect.
As the woman ran across the stage in the empty theatre, a long white cane like prop grabs her by the hip and pulls her back from where she came. It was in one quick motion, that this aquiline person stole the lady. As the woman’s screaming stopped, somber orchestra music started playing from down below. There was no one there. Then there was some applause, gradually growing louder. Yet, there was no one seated.
It was in this forsaken theatre that life sprang and biological evolution took a turn towards the abyss. A wind started sweeping through the theatre as the rain started weeping. Natural law had no place in this house of god, but neither did uncertainty. And in one fell swoop, there was silence except for a slow dripping sound off of the stage.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

El Tigre

Here is a poem I wrote in Hawaii this summer. I was losing my left big toenail and we were at this nature conservancy. Everyone else in my group was playing tag outside so I stayed in and decided to try to write a song. Here is the result. It doesn't have a tune though a friend tried giving it a Spanish feel.

El Tigre

A rider
Riding through the sand
Traveling many miles
A gun in his right hand

Been going forever
He's a thing of legend
No one knows his name
Some say he's from heaven

He'll help you
If you are in aid
He's the last defense
Against evil's bane

They call him El Tigre
Hero of the all
Fighting for the common man
No matter how small

El Tigre
Defender of the night
He will always protect the people
To his last fight

He lived off the land
'Til 1937
He got into a showdown
With enemy Ricky Ivan

The battle was epic
With blood galore
The bullets pierced his strong body
Straight down to the core

He won in the end
Though a minute too late
People lifted his dead body
Up to heaven's gate

Showered with flowers
Sorrow in the air
Greatly missed by everyone
With love and sweet care

El Tigre
Defender of the night
He will always protect the people
After final flight

Monday, January 14, 2008

Poem A Day

I will also try to post a new poem a day. Feel free to give me critique.

A Very Long Start

Wow, I have procrastinated here for a while. I really haven't been working on my story that much, only have one chapter here. I have been more working on poetry which I will post on this blog.

However, for now, I will post chapter 1 of Dark Leviathan.
Leviathan
By Daniel

Synopsis: The city Domos is a prosperous beautiful city and is a great city in part 1. At the end of part 1, a crime boss comes to start takeover. Part 2 is the city in ruin cause of the crime boss mainly and how Lance Specter, a street level Batman type superhero, tries to fight for a lost city. He is the only good in the city and everything else is consumed by the evil that is that crime boss. Part 3 is how the city is in complete ruin and how Lance Specter now works for the crime boss. Lance Specter’s superhero name is Leviathan and the crime-boss’s name is Behemoth. Part 1 is past, Part 2 is present, Part 3 is future.

Part 1
Chapter 1
The sun glared brightly overhead of the city Domos. There were no clouds in the sky and it was a beautiful day. Allen Specter slowly walked up the glimmering marble stairs and entered Knights Building at 10 P.M. on Tuesday morning. The building was 50 stories high and stood proudly over the metropolis of Domos. As Allen walked towards the elevator, he saw his son, Lance, sitting on a bench by the elevator. It was “Take Your Child To Work Day” and Allen took his eldest child to his work. Lance was only 7 years old but he was smart for his age. He was a calm child but ferocity was always present in his cool blue eyes.
Allen approached Lance and held out his hand, waiting for Lance to complete the display of affection. “Ready to see what I do Lance? I think you’ll be excited when you sense what will be around you.” Allen and Lance walked over to the elevator, Allen was calm, not a bead of sweat running down his neck, while Lance was nervous, not knowing what to expect; going into the unknown. They went into the elevator that was going too take them to floor forty, room seven. The music that was playing in the elevator was “Alive” by Pearl Jam. The elevator doors closed then they felt a jerk as the elevator started climbing upward. As it progressed towards the heavens, Allen started talking. Lance had no idea what he was trying to say.

“Man knows many things
But not all
We think we know everything
But we are just fooling ourselves

The desire to explore
Has been and instinct for ages
Whether it be Livingston or Shackleton
Gragan or Wright

Land, sea, and air have been conquered
Nothing else is left they say
But I know where the Great Unknown is


It's in ourselves
It's in our head
It is what perception and reality are
It's our mind

Physically weak
Infinitly strong
Mind over matter
Is the only truth in this world

To explore it is too explore a maze
A labrynth in design
Traps to protect
It itself omnipotent”

Allen finished the poem by the time the elevator stopped. The doors opened and father and son walked into what was called “The Room.”