Ah, Randomness....

        So, the other day, we got a pedometer. Don't ask why, we just did. Everything in the package looked normal enough, but then I read the instructions. At the bottom of the page, under Notes: it said odd things such as

     3. When changing battery, please call the expert, or maybe cause damage

And my personal favorite,

     4. Breakable does not drop and wet

    I was totally baffled, albeit amused, but then I turned over the box and saw a tiny label that said Made in China. I can only imagine a confused little Chinese lady being handed the instructions in her language and being told to translate them into English. Apparently, she was really nervous!

       When we think of something funny, the same things always pop up in our minds- jokes, weird advertisements, stupid stuff we've done or been through (boy, have I got a collection of those!), and, of course, great (which means stupid) YouTube videos. Here's a list of all that stuff:

   The Jokes: (and to make it even more ridiculous, the first one's Christmas themed!)

            So there was this penguin who just happened to be on his roof on Christmas Eve, and he decided to put out a big bowl of oatmeal. As he was setting the oatmeal by the chimney, his wife joined him (for some odd reason) and asked, "What are you doing?" The penguin replied, "I'm putting out a snack for the reindeer." His wife said disbelievingly, "Yeah, right. Reindeer can't fly! That's ridiculous." And her husband said, "Well, look at us, we're talking penguins."

            Here's the other joke:

Q: How do you know a doofus has been using your computer?

A: Because there's white-out all over the screen!

   The weird advertisements:

            So I saw this really horrific advertisement in the newspaper for a fuzzy bathrobe that was amazing! and so comfortable! that apparently, You'll never want to wear clothes again! Does that or does that not just sound so WRONG?!

   And last, but absolutely not least, the YouTube videos:

              One of my absolute favorite videos off of YouTube is a random short by the actors of iCarly, a silly and awesome TV show. It is appropriately titled April Fools! and just has everyone spouting random and idiotic words and questions. Ointment!!!!  Here's the URL. I also LOVE the fake infomercial for an item accurately named The Sack.

   So, obviously, this is a very random blog post. Why, you ask? Because normal blogs aren't random at all, they are planned, meticulous, and careful. I do not enjoy sticking to the norm. Hence THIS blog. :) I couldn't stick to a regimanted blog schedule if I wanted to...

  

Tyler Ward Replied to my E-mail (asdfghjkl)

     Well, hello, there, everyone! Or, at least, hey, there, one person who reads this. :) Anyways, yes, I am two and a half-ish days off on my postings. (shhhhhhhh) Don't tell anyone.* Anyway, UPDATE! I am currently taking voice lessons and working on my singing skillz... And I am trying as hard as I can to get some covers down so I can record them. So possibly look out for something on YouTube later this month. (Now that I've told the general public, I have to do it, mwahahaha. This is how I motivate myself: scare factor.)

     What else? Oh, yeah. There is this amazing singer who started out on YouTube known as Tyler Ward, and you should check him out. He is definitely an inspiration to me. Plus, he has fabulous hair. (lol) Here's a link to his channel: Tyler Ward Music- YouTube. Anyway, I found a general e-mail for him on his website, and I thought, "Well, hey, why not? I've got nothing to lose and anything to gain." So I sent him a message, asking for advice, and on a whim, mentioned something along the lines of looking for a mentor. And HE E-MAILED ME BACK. :) He said he might be having a contest or something to find a few new artists to work with, and he said he'd keep me posted. Needless to say, I am happy just because he took the time to respect my courage (and *cough* desperation *cough*). So I suppose we'll see if anything happens in the next few months.

     Anything else? Um, I got a new laptop. It is fabulous and incredibly annoying at the same time. Ah, well, whatcha gonna do. Macs....

     Ta-ta for now! I'll type you next week.

*SHAME ON YOU You told, didn't you?

Feeling Blue... Or Green?

   Lately, I've really been thinking a lot about jealousy. We all have it toward someone.... an enemy, a friend, a colleague. I also have trouble with being jealous of others I meet in the music business; I just feel so inferior when I see others’ talent. Why can’t I be that good? There IS this thing called practice and determination, though, and I plan on getting to the place where I personally feel equal to really talented people around me. And honestly, it’s hard. But I am not going to give up, because music is what I live for. And I don’t feel like not living just quite yet.

   To help with my description of this, and to make it more interesting, I’m using the example of my past jealousy toward my brother, who is… well, smart. Not just normal smart, but really smart. It’s really quite annoying, to be honest. ;) He lives and breathes numbers, and I'm just feeling a little.... inferior. You know what I mean. He's really, really smart, and I, being a few years older, almost can't stand it. If you put us each in a chair, and put a huge math problem in front of us, the immediate effect would be this:

  My brother, pencil poised, would be surrounded by a glow, his eyes wide in anticipation, an invisible voice singing aaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!*
   Then you'd look toward my seat. Your first thought would be, "Where'd she go?" Then you would squint, and realize that the very top of my head could still be seen, though barely, above the table. And hey, what do you know, there's something floating above my chair. "Is that a storm cloud?! And it's raining, too!"**

   I've been trying to cope with this feeling I get when someone else is better at something than I am, but it's so hard. But after thinking about this a while, I think I've come up with a list of ways to help both me and you solve the green-eyed problem. Let me know what you think, and if you've got any input, let the rest of us know! You never know who it might help. Here goes:

    1) stop thinking about what they're so much better at than you, and instead concentrate on what you can do that they can't. We've all got our weak spots. Think about the things that set you apart.

    For instance, I'm better at the arts (creative writing, drawing, music) while my brother is better at more.... I guess you'd say technological (?) things (math, all sciences, etc.).

    2) don't compare yourself to them. Why do you feel the need to? Do you think you have to be better than them? Everyone is so different, so unique, we really can't compare ourselves to other people. What will you gain from comparing, anyway? You'll just grow bitter and unfriendly towards that person the longer you feel that way. It won’t help anything.

         This is the concept I struggle with the most. He's around all of the time.... how can I not compare us? This is really a question of will. If you want to remove yourself, you'll be able to. It will take time, and a little help from others, but you'll be able to do it.

    3) This is the last step: feel happy for them. They have natural talents– you don't have to let them know, but be glad they have something they can do well and be proud of. You also need to feel this way toward yourself; get excited about what you can do! Also, my brother’s good at math and science. Do I care about math and science, beyond basic knowledge? NO! So why bother with any jealousy? I now have a live GPS and calculator that I can use whenever I need. The only negative side is the sassiness that comes along with using my brother’s services. :D

    4) Finally, for an extra oomph, use that feeling you get to push yourself to improve, if you still care. Back to my beginning example: Someone’s better at singing than I am? LET THE EXTRA PRACTICE SESSIONS BEGIN. I’m gonna catch up.

           And if you still have trouble letting this go, write it all out. Seeing your thoughts in front of you helps you figure things out. It works.... believe me, I know. :) These are my thoughts. What are yours?

*, ** dramatized version.