Tuesday Facts

The coming weekend marks the annual event and the running of the 82nd 24 Heures du Mans (24 Hours of Le Mans). Here are a few facts about this historic race.

1. On May 26th and 27th, 1923 was the very first running of the event. French drivers André Lagache and René Léonard won the event and completed 128 laps (2209.536 km) around the 17.262 km course.
2. The two leading manufacturers with the most wins in this race are both German companies. Porsche accumulated 16 wins (1970-71, 1976-77, 1979, 1981-87, 1994, 1996-98) and Audi with 12 wins (2000-02, 2004-08, 2010-13). The leading American manufacturer is Ford with only 4 wins (1966-69).
3. Germany is the leading nation in wins by 4 manufacturers (Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche) with 31 total wins.
4. Tom Kristensen (DEN) leads the drivers' table with the most career wins (9) and most consecutive wins (6).
5. The United Kingdom and France are currently tied for drivers with the most wins at 29.
6. The most laps completed is currently 397 laps (5410.71 km), this was done by the Audi Sport North America team driven by Mike Rockenfeller (GER), Timo Bernhard (GER) and Romain Dumas (FRA) in the Audi R15 TDI Plus on June 12th and 13th, 2010.
7. In 1990, an FIA ruling stated that no straight could be longer than 2 km in length. This rule led to the installation of chicanes on the Mulsanne Straight. The year before, the Sauber C9-Mercedes-Benz reached a top speed of 399 kph (248 mph).
8. Pierre Levegh (FRA), driving a Lago-Talbot, attempted to drive the race solo in 1952 only to have a connecting rod break when he over-revved the engine and had to retire 90 minutes before the finish while leading.
9. AJ Foyt (USA) was the first driver to win Le Mans (co-driver: Dan Gurney (USA)) and the Indianapolis 500 in the same year (1967).
10. The race has been held every year except in 1936 (French Strike) and 1940-1947 (World War II).
11. In 1970, only 7 cars were able to receive the checkered flag at the end of the 24 hours. In 1971, only 13 cars were able to finish. In both of those years, only two manufactures finished the race. Ferrari and Porsche.

Tuesday Facts

Yeah I know today is April Fool's Day, but these facts won't fool anyone. Now, for something a little different. Here are some of the historical facts that happened on this day, April 1st.

1938 - The Baseball Hall of Fame opened in Cooperstown, NY.
1954 - The United States Air Force Academy was founded in Colorado.
1956 - Elvis Presley filmed his first Hollywood screen test.
1964 - John Lennon was reunited with his father after 17 years.
1976 - Apple Inc. began operations founded by Steve Jobs, Steven Wozniak and Ronald Wayne.
1983 - Mike Bossy of the New York Islanders became the first player in NHL history to score 60 goals in 3 consecutive seasons.
1984 - Marvin Gaye, at the age of 44, was killed by his father. Gaye's father received probation after he pleaded guity.
1992 - Billy Idol pleaded to no contest to punching a woman in the face. He was fined and told to make public service announcements against alcohol and drug use.
1999 - The Canadian territory of Nunavut was created from being carved out of the eastern part of the Northwest Territories and it covered about 772,000 sq. mi.
2001 - Former Yugoslav President, Slobodan Milosevic, was arrested on corruption charges after a 26-hour standoff with the police at his Belgrade villa.
2004 - Gateway Inc. announced that it would be closing all of their 188 stores on April 9th.
2009 - Albania and Croatia joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Birthdays:
1815 - Otto Von Bismarck (Minister President)
1883 - Lon Chaney (Actor)
1932 - Gordon Jump (Actor)
1934 - Don Hastings (Actor)
1936 - Ron (Ronald Peter) Perranoski (Baseball)
1939 - Rudolf Isley (Singer)
1944 - Rusty Staub (Baseball)
1950 - Samuel Alito (Supreme Court Justice)
1971 - Method Man (Rapper)
1984 - Hillary Scott (Singer)

Music Video Monday

Wednesday Artist

Artist: Letlive.
Origin: Los Angeles, CA
Active since 2002
Current label is with Epitaph Records.
Previous labels were Tragic Hero and At One.
Studio albums: Speak Like You Talk (2005), Fake History (2010), The Blackest Beautiful (2013)
EPs: Exhaustion, Salt Water and Everything in Between (2003)
Known for their progressive post-hardcore sound and socially charged lyric styling.

Letlive. is:
Jason Aalon Alexander Butler - Lead Vocals
Jean Francisco Nascimento - Guitar, Keyboard
Jeff Sahyoun - Guitar, Backing Vocals
Ryan Jay Johnson - Bass, Backing Vocals

facebook.com/theletlive

twitter.com/thisisletlive

epitaph.com/artists/artist/283/letlive

thisisletlive.com

theletlivecrew.wordpress.com

instagram.com/letliveperiod



Song: Younger
Album: The Blackest Beautiful (2013)
Label: Epitaph

Lyrics:
We've got millions of broken necks from looking up at you.
So get your damn soapbox standing, high horse prancing ass down here with the truth.
So don't let those admirers try and fit your shoes,
Because they will then see one size fits all feet and then they will walk all over you.

When only the good die young,
Ain't it ironic I age so well.
When only the good die young,
Ain't it ironic I age so well.

To be the last man standing at the kissing booth,
That really doesn't mean a thing when they're for free and don't taste like they should.
So after you're done drowning in a glass that is half full,
The pessimists all join together and discuss how you never could do it like they could.

When only the good die young,
Ain't it ironic I age so well.
When only the good die young,
Ain't it ironic I age so well.

You and me are a kitschy parody of sincerity, apparently.
Truth is heat, we're burning underneath our seats.
Burning me for not standing.

I love, I love myself.
I love, I love myself, my self abandonment.
I love, I love myself.
I love, I love myself, my self abandonment.

When only the good die young,
Ain't it ironic I age so well.
When only the good die young,
Ain't it ironic I age so well.

You and me are a kitschy parody of sincerity, apparently.
Truth is heat, we're burning underneath our seats.
Burning me for not standing.

STAND UP!
REMEMBER THEIR WORTH!

Tuesday Fact

A few facts about the NHL Playoffs now that we are just a few games away from the start of the 2014 Playoffs.

• Career playoffs points, assists, and goals leader is Wayne Gretzky with 382 points, 260 assists and 122 goals in 208 games played.
• The current active career playoffs goals, assists and points leader is Jaromir Jagr with 78 goals, 121 assists and 199 points in 202 games played.
• Martin Brodeur (still active) is currently the overall leader in career playoff shutouts with 24 shutouts.
• Patrick Roy throughout his playoff career accumulated a league leading 151 wins and 6,561 saves in 247 career playoff games. Brodeur is second on the list with 113 wins and 4,830 saves. 
• The longest playoff game played was on March 24th, 1936 between the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Canadiens. Time: 116:30.00
• Reggie Leach (Philadelphia, 1976) and Jari Kurri (Edmonton, 1985) are tied for the most goals scored in a playoff year at 19 goals.
• Jarri Kurri (Edmonton, 1985) holds the record for the most goals scored in a single series at 12 goals in 6 games against Chicago.

Here are the last 10 Stanley Cup Champions (Series Records and Runner-up):

2013 - Chicago Blackhawks (4-2 Boston Bruins)

2012 - Los Angeles Kings (4-2 New Jersey Devils)

2011 - Boston Bruins (4-3 Vancouver Canucks)

2010 - Chicago Blackhawks (4-2 Philadelphia Flyers)

2009 - Pittsburgh Penguins (4-3 Detroit Red Wings)

2008 - Detroit Red Wings (4-2 Pittsburgh Penguins)

2007 - Anaheim Ducks (4-1 Ottawa Senators)

2006 - Carolina Hurricanes (4-3 Edmonton Oilers)

2005 - LOCKOUT SEASON

2004 - Tampa Bay Lightning (4-3 Calgary Flames)

2003 - New Jersey Devils (4-3 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim)

For more Playoff records visit the NHL website for a full listing and more details.

Music Video Monday

Song: Awakening
Band: Yellowcard
Album: Southern Air (2012)
Label: Hopeless Records

Yellowcard is:
Ryan Key - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Ryan Mendez - Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Sean Mackin - Violin, String Arrangements, Backing Vocals
Longineu W. Parsons III - Drums, Percussion

facebook.com/yellowcard

twitter.com/Yellowcard

hopelessrecords.com/artists/yellowcard/

instagram.com/yellowcardrock

yellowcardrock.com

yellowcardofficial.tumblr.com

youtube.com/yellowcard

Lyrics:
Bottoms up tonight,
I drink to you and I,
Cause with the morning comes the rest of my life.
And with this empty glass,
I will break the past,
Cause with the morning I can open my eyes.
I want this to be my awakening.

I give this one to you,
An anthem full of truth.
I tell you now an epic tale of what you put me through.
And even though you don't deserve one of your own.
A melody,
A song about the life you let go.
I can't believe that I still care enough to write.

Bottoms up tonight,
I drink to you and I,
Cause with the morning comes the rest of my life.
And with this empty glass,
I will break the past,
Cause with the morning I can open my eyes.
I want this to be my awakening.

Yes, I miss you still,
And probably always will.
I'm living with a busted heart that I will have until,
I find the strength I know,
It's somewhere in my bones
To pull the curtain up again,
And get on with this show
At least you know that I still care enough to write

Bottoms up tonight,
I drink to you and I,
Cause with the morning comes the rest of my life.
And with this empty glass,
I will break the past,
Cause with the morning I can open my eyes.
And maybe I will see,
A different destiny.
Like knowing you at all,
Was only a bad dream.
I want this to be my awakening.

No rest for the wicked they say.
Forgive me if I try to change.
No rest for the wicked they say. (No rest they say.)
Forgive me if I try to change. (I try to change.)

Bottoms up tonight,
I drink to you and I,
Cause with the morning comes the rest of my life.
And with this empty glass,
I will break the past,
Cause with the morning I can open my eyes.
And maybe I will see,
A different destiny.
Like knowing you at all,
Was only a bad dream.
I want this to be my awakening.

Friday Funny

Late one night, a burglar broke into a house and while he was sneaking around he heard a voice say, "Jesús is watching you..."

Alarmed, the burglar looked and looked but saw nothing that could of made sound. He kept on creeping and again the voice he heard before say, "Jesús is watching you..."

In a dark corner, he saw a cage with a parrot inside. The burglar asked the parrot, "Was it you who said Jesús is watching me?" The parrot replied, "Yes."

This brought some relief to the burglar, he then asked, "What is your name?" The parrot replied, "Clarence." The burglar said, "That's a stupid name for a parrot. What idiot would name a parrot Clarence?" The parrot answered, "The same idiot that name the rottweiler Jesús."

Theatre Thursday

If you haven't already seen this, I highly suggest that you do find some way to watch it, especially if you are an avid watcher of college athletics. This has been somewhat of a hot button topic for the past few years about college sports. Some of the information may be a little bit dated since this documentary was released last year, and quite a bit has happened since then, but it is still a good watch.

Wednesday Artist

Memphis May Fire
Originally from Dallas, Texas
Current Label: Rise Records

• Formerly under Trustkill Records

Studio Albums out as follows:

Sleepwalking (2009)

The Hollow (2011)

Challenger (2012)

Unconditional (2014)

Two EPs:

Memphis May Fire (2007)

Between the Lies (2010)

Members:
Matty Mullins - Lead Vocals, Keyboard
Kellen McGregor - Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Anthony Sepe - Rhythm Guitar
Cory Elder - Bass Guitar
Jake Garland - Drums

Current music videos that are released are to the songs: "North Atlantic vs. North Carolina" (Sleepwalking), "Ghost in the Mirror" (Sleepwalking), "The Sinner" (The Hollow), "The Unfaithful" (The Hollow), "Vices" (Challenger), and "Miles Away (Acoustic) ft. Kellin Quinn" (Challenger).

New Album: Unconditional will be out March 23rd, 2014.
A song off the new album is featured below.



Song: Speechless
Album: Unconditional (2014)
Label: Rise Records

Lyrics:
It's a mystery, too good to be true.
I find my purpose when I look at you.
I bleed transparent.
It's not the way I choose,
But it's only when I'm vulnerable my true colors shine through.

For a moment,
I'm a poet without words,
Speechless because you love me at my worst.
I don't deserve this.
I let it surface and all I know is today I woke up falling in love again.

Starving artist,
No match for a queen,
But walls come down and love's limitless when you find what's meant to be.
Supernatural, it's more than what we see.
A trust that can't be broken seemed impossible to me,
But I've tasted true love and I believe!

For a moment,
I'm a poet without words,
Speechless because you love me at my worst.
I don't deserve this.
I let it surface and all I know is today I woke up falling in love again.

For a moment,
I'm a poet without words,
Speechless because you love me at my worst.
I don't deserve this.
I let it surface and all I know is today I woke up falling in love again.

Tuesday Fact

With the start of the Formula 1 season being this past weekend, I think it would be a good time to go over a few details about this particular brand of motorsport.

                                                                                                                                                              

• The Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps in 1997 became the very first Formula 1 race to start behind the pace car due to wet weather conditions that would of proved to have been difficult if they had started with a normal standing start.
• In a street course race, like the Monaco Grand Prix, the downforce that can be generated by a Formula 1 car can create enough suction to lift manhole covers. Before the race weekend starts, the covers have to be welded down to prevent this from happening.
• Infiniti Red Bull Racing can trace its origins back to Steward Grand Prix and Jaguar Racing, but with the rebranding to Red Bull, the team did not score a win until the 2009 season at the Chinese Grand Prix after securing the team's first pole position as well. The team has secured four Drivers' Championships and Constructors' Championships, 57 pole positions and 47 race victories since. 
• On June 12, 2011, The Canadian Grand Prix in Montréal became the longest grand prix in Formula 1 history. It took 4 hrs 4 mins and 39 secs to complete after the race had be suspended for approximately two hours due to heavy rain.
• The longest circuit ever used in a Formula 1 race was not the world renowned Nordschleife circuit at Nürburgring at 14.2 miles (22.8 kilometers), but it was the Pescara Circuit near Pescara, Italy. It was a temporary racing circuit that was 16.032 miles (25.8 kilometers) in length. The course was only used one time in 1957 and won by Stirling Moss.
• Niki Lauda won the 1984 Drivers' Championship by .5 points over McLaren teammate Alain Prost. This is the smallest winning margin in Formula 1 history.
• Jochen Rindt is the only driver to win the Drivers' Championship posthumously in 1970.
• Andrea de Cesaris holds records for most consecutive retirements (18, 1985-86 seasons), most consecutive retirements in a single season (12, 1987 season) and number of retirements in one season (14, 1987 season). Of the 208 starts de Cesaris had, he retired from 136 of them.
• In the first 11 seasons of Formula 1, the Indianapolis 500 counted towards the championship standings. The 2009 season was the first season to not have a race held in North America.

                                                                                                                                                              

Music Video Monday

Song: Introduced Species
Artist: Hands Like Houses
Album: Unimagine (2013)
Label: Rise Records
                                                                                                                                                              
Hands Like Houses is:
Trenton Woodley - Lead Vocals
Matt Cooper - Lead Guitar
Alexander Pearson - Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals
Joel Tyrrell - Bass, Backing Vocals
Jamal Sabet - Keyboards
Matt Parkitney - Drums
                                                                                                                                                              
Lyrics:
We don't belong here.

In a way we are all connected,
Threaded together.
In a way we are all suspended,
Bound going nowhere.

Wake up,
Walk on the wires.
Defeat and define.
Wake up,
Evolve and escape,
Unravel, unmake yourself.

We speak in tongues,
And we walk on the wires between.
We don't belong here.
We are the sleeping sickness,
The dancing dreams.
We don't belong here.
We're invaders from the inside,
We're survivors in silver skin.
Shapeless, we move,
Unwinding the wires between.
We don't belong here.

So we'll follow,
Follow down each knot-less fathom to the end.
No more hollow, hollow sounds,
Of echoes, echoes in our heads.

Wake up,
Walk on the wires.
Defeat and define.
Wake up,
Evolve and escape,
Unravel, unmake yourself.

We speak in tongues,
And we walk on the wires between.
We don't belong here.
We are the sleeping sickness,
The dancing dreams.
We don't belong here.
We're invaders from the inside,
We're survivors in silver skin.
Shapeless, we move,
Unwinding the wires between.
We don't belong here.

It's been a long, long night,
And we're still learing how to survive.
Will you walk with me a while,
And see a world with brand new eyes?
We see the signs,
And we're fighting for our lives.
Will you run?
Will you run?
Will you run?

(It's no longer survival of the fittest, now that everyone survives.
But we don't want to survive...
...We want to live.)

In a way we are all connected,
Threaded together.
In a way we are all suspended...

We speak in tongues,
And we walk on the wires between.
We don't belong here.
We are the sleeping sickness,
The dancing dreams.
We don't belong here.
We're invaders from the inside,
We're survivors in silver skin.
Shapeless, we move,
Unwinding the wires between.
We don't belong here.
                                                                                                                                                              

Friday Funny

Somewhere on the back roads of West Virginia...

A lawyer runs a stops sign and gets pulled over by the local sheriff. He thinks he's smarter being this big shot lawyer from New York and has a better education than a sheriff from West Virginia.

The sheriff asks for license and registration. The lawyer asks, "What for?"

The sheriff responds, "You didn't come to a complete stop at the stop sign back there."

"I slowed down and no one was coming." the lawyer says.

"You still did not come to a complete stop. License and registration please." says the sheriff impatiently.

"If you can show me the legal difference between slow down and stop, I'll give you my license and registration and you can give me the ticket for the infractions. If not, you have to let me go and not write up that ticket." the lawyer said.

The sheriff paused a bit and said, "That sounds fair, please exit your vehicle sir."

The lawyer steps out of his vehicle and the sheriff takes out his nightstick and starts beating the lawyer with it. After this went on for a few moments, the sheriff says, "Do you want me to stop or just slow down?"

Theatre Thursday

Wednesday Artist

Artist: blessthefall
From: Phoenix, AZ

Currently have four studio albums released: His Last Walk (2007), Witness (2009), Awakening (2011), Hollow Bodies (2013)

Currently signed under the label Fearless Records. The last three studio albums were released under this label. The band's first album was released under Science Records and then re-issued under Ferret Records.

Look for blessthefall this spring because they will be going on tour here shortly along with Silverstein, The Amity Affliction, Secrets and Heartist.

blessthefall is:
Beau Bokan - Lead Vocals, Keyboard, Unclean Vocals
Eric Lambert - Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Elliott Gruenberg - Rhythm Guitar
Jared Warth - Bass Guitar, Unclean Vocals, Backing Vocals
Matt Traynor - Drums, Percussion



Song: Hollow Bodies
Album: Hollow Bodies (2013)
Label: Fearless Records
Album Production by Joey Sturgis (Production, Mixing, Mastering, Programming) and Danielle Tunstall (Artwork)

Lyrics:
Black souls, empty bodies.
You had me fooled straight from the start.
We pray for an answer.
We have to fight or be hollow just like them.
Walking lifeless,
Have we been left for dead?
Black souls, empty bodies.
We have to fight or be hollow just like them.

They're coming for us now, (whoa)
So don't make a sound. (whoa)
Is there anybody left to see the sun?
Is there anybody left to cure the dead?
Unaware and unawake.
Unaware and unawake.

Every city is burning.
We're all wasting away.
Nothing will end this, nothing to prove.
There's nowhere to run,
All hell is breaking loose.

They're coming for us now, (whoa)
So don't make a sound. (whoa)
Is there anybody left to see the sun?
Is there anybody left to cure the dead?
Unaware and unawake.
Unaware and unawake.

Something tells me we could be here for a while,
And all I know is, if you can't run learn to die.
And now I wonder if we'll make it through the night,
All I know is, if you can't run learn to die.

With the setting sun put the gun in my hand,
Pull the trigger,
Don't fail me now.
With the setting sun put the gun in my hand,
Don't fail me now.

It's starting again,
We're going hollow,
We're going hollow.

Something tells me we could be here for a while,
And all I know is, if you can't run learn to die.
And now I wonder if we'll make it through the night,
All I know is, if you can't run learn to die.

(whoa, whoa)
Don't fail me now.
(whoa, whoa)

(whoa, whoa)
Don't fail me now.
(whoa, whoa)

Tuesday Facts

It's getting to be very close to March Madness with the major conferences going into their tournaments and the teams trying to make a final bid into the big dance. Here are a few facts about the NCAA Basketball Tournament.

• In the 1984-85 season, the tournament expanded to 64 teams. 8th seed Villanova won the championship with a 66-64 victory over Georgetown. The Villanova team is still the lowest seed to win a National Championship.
• Austin Carr, Notre Dame, holds the record for the most points scored by an individual in a tournament game with 61 points against Ohio. (1970 NCAA Tournament)
• The last team to end the season with an undefeated record and won the championship was the 1976 Indiana Hoosiers with a 27-0 record. Other notable teams who completed the same feat were: 1972-73 UCLA Bruins (26-0 in both seasons), 1964 and 1967 UCLA Bruins (26-0 in both seasons), 1957 North Carolina Tar Heels (27-0) and 1956 San Francisco Dons (24-0).
• Mike Krzyzewski (Duke) currently leads all active coaches with the most National Championships at 4 titles.
• Coach John Wooden holds the record for most championships at 10 titles.
• No team seeded 9th - 16th has made the National Championship game.
• Most combined points in a National Championship game is 181 (UCLA vs Duke, 1964).
• University of Nevada-Las Vegas currently holds the record for the most points scored by a single team in a championship game at 103.
• 1977 Marquette team became the first to win a title with 6+ season loses. They had 7 that year and 6 of those loses came on homecourt games.

Here are the last five national title match-ups (Winner in bold):

2013: Louisville vs. Michigan

2012: Kansas vs. Kentucky

2011: Connecticut vs Butler

2010: Duke vs Butler

2009: North Carolina vs Michigan State

Music Video Monday

Song: Through It All
Band: Spoken
Album: Illusion (2013)
Label: eONE Music

http://www.spokenmusic.com/

www.facebook.com/spoken

twitter.com/spokenmusic

youtube.com/SpokenOfficial

https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/spoken/id877877

Lyrics:
I saw the storm,
Felt the wind begin to change.
I saw the sky rip wide open.
I looked away,
Hid my face from the world.
Ran away from everything,
But now I'm back for more.

I heard the sound,
Saw the flashing light,
Watched the day turn into night.
I heard the sound,
Saw the flashing light,
Watched the day turn into night.

Through it all,
We've been thrown in the fire,
We've been lost in the flame,
But we will rise from the ashes again.
All our hearts have been broken,
We've been burned by the flame,
But we will rise from the ashes again.

She watched the world as it slowly slipped away.
Lost all her dreams in the ocean.
She sees this face,
Feels this touch on her hand.
Remembers when she had everything,
One day she will again.
I heard the sound,
Saw the flashing lights,
And watched the day turn into night.

Through it all,
We've been thrown in the fire,
We've been lost in the flame,
But we will rise from the ashes again.
All our hearts have been broken,
We've been burned by the flame,
But we will rise from the ashes again.

You are all that I have,
Everything that I need,
You're the one that I run to,
Everything I believe.
(2x)

Through it all,
We've been thrown in the fire,
We've been lost in the flame,
But we will rise from the ashes again.
All our hearts have been broken,
We've been burned by the flame,
But we will rise from the ashes again.

Friday Funny

This is the true story of George Phillips of Meridian, MS

Mr. Phillips was going to bed when his wife told him that he had left the light on in the shed. George opened the door to go turn off the light but saw there were people in the shed in the process of stealing a few things.

He immediately phoned the local law enforcement, who asked, "Is someone in your house?" and George said, "No," and proceeded to explain the situation at hand. After his explanation, they promptly responded that all patrols were busy, and that he should just simply lock the doors and an officer would be there when they become available.

George said, "Okay," hung up, and counted to thirty, and phoned the police once again.

"Hello, I just called you a few seconds ago because there were people in my shed. Well, you don't have to worry about them now because I've just shot them all." Then he hung up.

Within five minutes of hanging up the phone, three squad cars, an armed response unit and an ambulance showed up on his property. Of course, the police caught the burglars red-handed.

Once of the policeman said to George, "I thought you said that you'd shot them?!?"

George replied, "I thought you said there was nobody available?!?"

Theatre Thursday

Wednesday Artist

Artist: Virtual Boy
Genre: Electronic
Based out of Los Angeles, California

https://www.facebook.com/wearevirtualboy

https://twitter.com/wearevirtualboy

http://www.youtube.com/user/WeAreVirtualBoy

Tuesday Fact

With the upcoming start to the 2014 MLB Season approaching quickly, here are a few facts about baseball.

• Jimmy Piersall (Debut in Sept. 7, 1950 - Last appearance May 1, 1967) celebrated hitting his 100th home run by running the bases backwards.

• Don Baylor is one of two players in history to reach the World Series in three consecutive years with three different organizations. 1986 Boston Red Sox, 1987 Minnesota Twins and 1988 Oakland Athletics. The other player was Eric Hinske with the 2007 Boston Red Sox, 2008 Tampa Bay Rays and 2009 New York Yankees.

• Jack McCarthy, while playing for the Cubs in 1905, threw out three runners at home plate in the same inning.

• The Minnesota Twins, on July 17th, 1990 against the Boston Red Sox, turned two triple plays in the same game. Both occurred in the same fashion - 5-4-3 Triple Play in the 4th inning and 8th inning. The Red Sox won the game 1 - 0.

• Joel Youngblood in 1982 recorded a hit for two different teams in the same day. He has recorded a hit while playing for the New York Mets only to be informed later that he was traded to the Montreal Expos where he joined the team in Philadelphia mid-way through the game and came on as a pinch hitter and recorded a hit for the Expos.

• Ken Ash, while playing for the Cincinnati Reds, was brought into a game against the Cubs with two on and no outs. With one pitch, the Reds completed a triple play to bail out the reliever. In the bottom of the inning, Ash was a pinch-hit which prompted a rally for the Reds to help them go on to win the game 6 - 5. This made Ken Ash as the only man in history to record a win on one pitch.

Music Video Monday

]

Song: In the End
Band: Black Veil Brides
Album: Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones (2013)
Label: Lava/Universal Records

Black Veil Brides is:
Andy Biersack - Lead Vocals
Ashley Purdy - Bass, Backing Vocals
Jake Pitts - Lead Guitar
Jinxx - Rhythm Guitar, Violin, Backing Vocals
Christian Coma - Drums, Percussion

www.blackveilbrides.net

www.facebook.com/Blackveilbrides

twitter.com/OfficialBVB

instagram.com/blackveilbrides

blackveilbrides.tumblr.com

Lyrics:
In the end,
As you fade into the night,
Who will tell the story of your life?

In the end,
As my soul's laid to rest,
What is left of my body?
Or am I just...
A shell?

I have fought,
And with flesh and blood,
I commanded an army.
Through it all,
I have given my heart for a moment of glory.

In the end,
As you fade into the night,
Who will tell the story of your life?
And who will remember,
Your last goodbye?
Cause it's the end,
And I'm not afraid, I'm not afraid to die.

Not afraid, I'm not afraid to die.

Born a saint,
But with every sin,
I still wanna be holy.
I will live again...

Who we are,
Isn't how we live.
We are more than our bodies.
If I fall,
I will rise back up and relive my glory.

In the end,
As you fade into the night,
Who will tell the story of your life?
And who will remember,
Your last goodbye?
Cause it's the end,
And I'm not afraid, I'm not afraid to die.

In the end,
As you fade into the night,
Who will tell the story of your life?
And who will remember,
Your last good-bye?
Cause it's the end,
And I'm not afraid, I'm not afraid to die.

Who will remember this last goodbye?
Cause it's the end,
And I'm not afraid, I'm not afraid to die.

I'm not afraid, I'm not afraid to die...
I'm not afraid, I'm not afraid to die...

Friday Funny

Two guys are at a bar on the roof of a hotel. 

One guy says to the other guy, "I'll bet you a beer that I can jump off this building, let this wind take me all the way around this building, and I'll land back up here." The other guy says, "Are you kidding me? You're on." 

The first guy jumps and, sure enough, he goes around the building and lands back on the roof. "You owe me a beer," he says. 

He goes on to perform the trick several more times, collecting free beer after free beer, until the second guy decides he's going to try to attempt the trick as well. He stands on the edge, looking forward to a free beer from the first man, and jumps off, dying when he slams into the pavement below. 

The bartender says to the first man, "You sure are a jerk when you're drunk, Superman..."

Theatre Thursday

Wednesday Artist

Artist: I See Stars
Label: Sumerian Records
Active since 2006
Music Style: A balance between electronica and hardcore, thus dubbed "electronicore."

Currently have five albums out:
3-D (2009); End of the World Party (2011); Digital Renegade (2012); Renegades Forever (2013); New Demons (2013)

I See Stars is...
Devin Oliver - Lead Vocals
Brent Allen - Lead Guitar
Jeff Valentine - Bass
Jimmy Gregerson - Rhythm Guitar
Andrew Oliver - Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Zach Johnson - Unclean Vocals, Keyboards, Synthesizers, Programming



Song: This Isn't a Game Boy...
Album: renegades_forever (2013)
Label: Sumerian Records

Lyrics:
I think I took it too far this time.
Don't think there are things out there I thought.
My lips are sealed,
Pick up the phone.
I know it's real.

I woke up today feeling, oh so strange in every single way.
I must by out of my head,
As I try to make decisions like these.
I'm so confused;
I never lost my way back home.
I'm so confused;
I swear I lost my way back home.

I think I floated too far this fall.
I float in space 'til I hear my world.
I need a friend.
Is this the end?
I'm losing it.

I woke up today feeling, oh so strange in every single way.
I must by out of my head,
As I try to make decisions like these.
I'm so confused;
I never lost my way back home.
I'm so confused;
I swear I lost my way back home.

I'm never coming down.
I'm never coming down.
I'm never coming down from these clouds.
I try to tell myself,
A king fit for the crown,
A king fit for the crown in this world.

I woke up today feeling, oh so strange in every single way.
I must be out of my head,
As I try to make decisions like these.
I'm never coming down.
I'm never coming down.
I'm never coming down from these clouds.
I try to tell myself,
A king fit for the crown,
A king fit for the crown in this world.

Tuesday Fact

Guess what, since the the Winter Olympiad just ended, might as well get ready for the next Olympics set to be in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2016.

Sports added: Golf (although, not the sport's first appearance, the sport was in the 1900 and 1904 games) and rugby sevens

The United States have won a total of 2,400 medals.

Michael Phelps, United States swimmer, has the most career Olympic medals at 22 total medals. He is followed by gymnast Larisa Latynina (18) of the Soviet Union, and gymnast Nikolai Andrianov (15) of the Soviet Union. (There are three other athletes tied at 13 career medals in the Summer Olympics)

The most recent athlete to collect medals in BOTH Summer and Winter Olympics is Lauryn Williams (USA). She received two Summer Olympic medals with performances in 100 m Dash (Silver, 2004 Athens) and 4x100 m Relay (Gold, 2012 London). The Winter Olympic medal came at Sochi (2014) in the two-woman bobsleigh in which she received a silver medal.

Tug-of-War was an official Olympic sport in the years:
1900, Paris, FRA
1904, St. Louis, USA
1908, London, UK
1912, Stockholm, SWE
1916, NO OLYMPIC GAMES - during World War I, the games were scheduled to be in Berlin, GER
1920, Antwerp, BEL

London, UK has hosted the Summer Olympics three times. (1908, 1948 and 2012)

The United States have been a host country four times. (1904, 1932, 1984, 1996)

Music Video Monday

Song: Carry On
Band: Bayside
Album: The Walking Wounded (2007)
Label: Victory Records

Bayside is:
Anthony Raneri - Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
Jack O'Shea - Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Nick Ghanbarian - Bass
Chris Guglielmo - Drums, Percussion

baysidebayside.com

http://www.facebook.com/Bayside

twitter.com/BaysideBand

instagram.com/baysideband

Lyrics:
Don't confuse neediness for love,
Because obsession never lasts,
And you're insane by a landslide.
Never cared for you much until death do us part.
You'll always be distressed.

Carry on, with the guise of a sheep in a storm.
You're a wolf and you're losing the ground that you're on.
But hey, hey, I've got things to say.
I've lost control of life.
I don't know how many times I've tried,
To undo the knot you've tied.
My face is red, and people change,
I've changed for good this time.

And I've followed you around.
I've seen you all over town.
I've got a laundry list telling me why,
It follows to prove I was right.

Carry on, with the guise of a sheep in a storm.
You're a wolf and you're losing the ground that you're on.
But hey, hey, I've go things to say.
I've lost control of life.
I don't know how many times I've tried,
To undo the knot you've tied.
My face is red, and people change,
I've changed for good this time.

I just can't handle this, I'm just so scared of it,
A challenge fit for a man when I'm just a kid.
I'm all torn at the seams, just like you said I'd be.
If this is love, then I don't want a part of it.
I just can't handle this, I'm just so scared of it,
A challenge fit for a man when I'm just a kid.
I'm all torn at the seams, just like you said I'd be.
If this is love, then I don't want a part of it.

But hey, hey, I've got things to say.
I've lost control of life.
I don't know how many times I've tried,
To undo the knot you've tied.
My face is red, and people change,
I've change for good this time.

Carry on (Carry on)
Carry on, carry on, carry on.
Hey, hey, carry on, carry on.
Carry on,
Carry on, carry on, carry on.

Friday Funny

A police officer in a small town stopped a motorist who was speeding down Main Street.

"But officer," the man began, "I can explain."

Already experiencing a very long and grueling day, the officer snapped back in response, "Just be quiet, I'm going to let you cool your heels in jail until the chief gets back..."

"But officer, I just wanted to say..." the man said.

"And I said to keep quiet! You are going to jail." the officer said sternly.

A few hours had pasted while back at the jailhouse. The officer looked in on his prisoner and said, "Lucky for you, the chief is at his daughter's wedding. He'll be in a good mood when he gets back."

"Don't count on that..." answered the man in the cell. "I'm the groom..."

Theatre Thursday

Wednesday Artist

Artist Suggestion of the day: Tonight Alive

They are a band from Sydney, Australia. They sing, they play music and their influences come from Rufio and Thrice. And if you don't know those bands, you should look them up too.

Tonight Alive is:
Jenna McDougall - Lead Vocals
Whakaio Taahi - Lead Guitars, Backing Vocals
Jake Hardy - Rhythm Guitar
Cam Adler - Bass, Backing Vocals
Matt Best - Drums

Two studio albums have been released (What Are You So Scared Of? (2011) and The Other Side (2013)), along with a few EPs (All Shapes and Disguises (2010), Consider This (2010) and Let it Land (2011)).

They have also been seen on "Punk Goes Pop vol. 4," a Fearless Records series, covering Mumford & Sons song "Little Lion Man."

Their labels are currently Fearless Records and Sony Australia.

They have toured with Anberlin, 3OH!3, We Are the in Crowd, Nevershoutnever, The Offspring, You Me at Six, Hands Like Houses, Chiodos and Sleeping with Sirens.

Below is a music video featuring one of their singles off of their last full length album.

twitter.com/TonightAlive

www.facebook.com/tonightalive

www.tonightaliveofficial.com

instagram.com/tonightaliveofficial

www.youtube.com/user/TonightAliveBand

tonightaliveofficial.tumblr.com



Song: Come Home
Band: Tonight Alive
Album: The Other Side (2013)
Label: Sony Music Australia, Fearless Records

Lyrics:
Spinning around, I'm weightless.
Living it now, just taste it.
It's begun.
We've come undone now.
Spirited, I am free here.
Given it all to be here.
You're the one,
We'll touch the sun.

Oh, Oh, Ohohoh (2x)
We're so close.
Oh, Oh, Ohohoh
Don't let go.

Well if you came home,
You already know,
That I would be waiting,
Cause I have been praying,
For you to stay close,
Under the light of a full moon. (Whoa)
And if you can't stay,
I'll wait for the day,
That you can be all mine,
Stay up with you all night.
So don't run away.
I am the light, I will guide you home.

Taking a step back, wishing,
That you never left.
I'm missing you so bad.
You're the best thing,
The best thing I ever had.
Packing my bags, I'm hoping,
You still feel the same.
Been holding on like glue,
Cause the one thing,
The one thing I need is you.

Oh, Oh, Ohohoh (2x)
We're so close.
Oh, Oh, Ohohoh
Don't let go.

Well if you came home,
You already know,
That I would be waiting,
Cause I have been praying,
For you to stay close,
Under the light of a full moon. (Whoa)
And if you can't stay,
I'll wait for the day,
That you can be all mine,
Stay up with you all night.
So don't run away.
I am the light, I will guide you home.

So let me take you back to the night we had,
Laying under the light of a full moon,
And I would give anything to be there with you.

Spinning around I'm weightless...

Well if you came home,
You already know,
That I would be waiting,
Cause I have been praying,
For you to stay close,
Under the light of a full moon. (Whoa)
And if you can't stay,
I'll wait for the day,
That you can be all mine,
Stay up with you all night.
So don't run away.
I am the light, I will guide you home.

Tuesday Facts

This is Speedweeks. For all those that don't know, it means basically the start of racing season and the 55th running of the Daytona 500. Here are some quick facts about the race.

The first Daytona 500 was held on February 22, 1959.

Richard "The King" Petty has the most Daytona 500 victories at 7. (1964, 66, 71, 73, 74, 79, 81)

The fastest winning race average speed was set by Buddy Baker in the 1980 Daytona 500 at 177.602 mph.

The slowest winning race average speed was set by Junior Johnson in 1960 at 124.740 mph.

The youngest driver to win was Trevor Bayne in 2011 at the age of 20 years, 0 months and 1 day.

The oldest driver to win was Bobby Allison in 1988 at the age of 50 years, 2 months and 11 days.

The only driver to win the Daytona 500 on one set of tires was Tiny Lund on February 24th 1963. This was Lund's first Sprint Cup victory out of 5 career victories.

The last 10 winners of the race (started):
2013 - Jimmie Johnson (9th)
2012 - Matt Kenseth (4th)
2011 - Trevor Bayne (32nd)
2010 - Jamie McMurray (13th)
2009 - Matt Kenseth (qualified 39th - due to changing to a back-up car, started 43rd)
2008 - Ryan Newman (7th)
2007 - Kevin Harvick (34th)
2006 - Jimmie Johnson (9th)
2005 - Jeff Gordon (15th)
2004 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. (3rd)

22 - The number of most wins by a manufacturer (Chevrolet - Still active in sport)

Only on 9 occasions has the winner of the Daytona 500 won from the pole position. The last driver to do so was Dale Jarrett on February 20th, 2000.

Family Winners:
Father Lee Petty (1) and Son Richard Petty (7)
Father Bobby Allison (3) and Son Davey Allison (1)
Father Dale Earnhardt (1) and Son Dale Earnhardt Jr. (1) - Both victories came on February 15th
Brothers Darrell (1) and Michael Waltrip (2)

Music Video Monday

Song: Provision
Band: August Burns Red
Album: Rescue & Restore (2013)
Label: Solid State

August Burns Red is:
Jake Luhrs - Lead Vocals
J.B. Brubaker - Lead Guitar
Brent Rambler - Rhythm Guitar
Dustin Davidson - Bass, Vocals
Matt Greiner - Drums

Lyrics:
You give us dreams to wake us up, you say,
"Take pride in the provision."
When all we see is the face of defeat, you say,
"Take pride in the provision."

My future's finally found me, figured me out.
It's painful. It's tough. I never saw it coming.
Come as it may, because all of this life is a lesson.
I'd rather learn then end up in a cold, covered up dark grave.

These are the words of a man who finally let go.
These are the goals of a man who's laid it all down.

Losing it all made me realize I am the victim,
The culprit, the casualty, and the cause.
Losing it all led me to you.
Losing it all led me to you.

I'm sick. I need sight. I need help.
I need you, and I'm not getting any better.

I am the deceiver.
I'm not getting any better.
I'm the thief, the whore, the murderer.

It's times like these, it's times like these,
You forget who you are.
The way up is down. Truth is found,
When life throws you out and kicks you to the curb.
I'm just as much the problem as the man behind bars.
He did with his business what I do in my heart.

You wronged me. You crossed me. I'll never let it ruin me.
Lessons are learned deep down within my heart.
In my heart.

The worst men make the best stories come true.
The past is a part of me, but not who I am.
I realize my identity is not in what I've seen,
But in what I believe to be true.

I know what I need now.
All that was lost is not lost.
Even the worst of mankind can't disrupt sovereignty.

You've given me the nightmare to wake me up. You say,
"Take pride in the provision."
You've given me more than enough. You say,
"Take pride in the provision."

Friday Funday

Human Resources Heaven and Hell

One day, while walking down the street, a highly successful HR Director was tragically hit by a bus and she had died just moments later. Her soul arrived up in heaven where she was met at the Pearly Gates by St. Peter himself.

"Welcome to Heaven," said St. Peter. "Before you get settled in though, it seems we have a bit of a problem. You see, strangely enough, we've never once had a Human Resources Director make it this far and we aren't really sure what we need to do with you."

"No problem, just let me in." said the woman.

"Well, I'd like to," replied St. Peter, "but I have higher orders. What we're going to do is let you have a day in Hell and a day in Heaven. Once you've done this, then you can choose whichever one you would want to spend an eternity in."

"Actually, I think I've made up my mind where I want to be, and I prefer to stay in Heaven." said the woman.

"Sorry, we have rules..." said St. Peter.

And with that St. Peter put the executive in an elevator and it down-down-down into the depths of Hell. The doors of the elevator opened and she found herself stepping out onto the putting green of a beautiful golf course. In the distance was the club house, to one side were various types of lush tropical trees and shrubbery, to the other was the ocean with the calming sounds and smells of the spray as it crashed against the coast and standing in front of her were all her friends - fellow executives that she had worked with and they were all dressed in evening gowns and suits and they were all cheering for her. They ran up to her and embraced her and kissed her on both cheeks and they talked about old times they have had. They then played a excellent round of golf, and at night went to the club house where they all enjoyed a dinner of steak and lobster. Later on in the night, she actually had the chance to meet Lucifer himself, who was actually a decent guy (kind of cute) and she had a great time telling jokes and dancing. She was having such a wonderful time, that before she knew it, the 24-hour period she had was up. Everyone shook her hand and hugged her and waved goodbye as she got back onto the elevator. The elevator ascended and opened back up at the Pearly Gates and she found St. Peter standing before her, awaiting her arrival again.

"Now it's time to spend a day in heaven." he said. So she spent the next 24 hours lounging around on the clouds and playing various types of orchestral instruments and singing angelically to the most beautiful songs that you could possibly think of. She was having the greatest of times, and before she knew it, her 24 hours in heaven had ran out and St. Peter came and got her.

"So, you have spent a day in hell and you have spend a day in heaven. Now, you must choose your eternity. What will it be?" said St. Peter.

The woman paused for a moment to mull over her options and her experiences she had in the last 48 hours. After doing so, she replied, "Well, I never thought I'd say this, I mean, Heaven has been really, really great and all, but I think I had a better time in Hell."

So, after hearing this response, St. Peter escorted her back to the elevator and again she descended back to Hell.

When the door of the elevator opened again, she found herself standing in a desolate wasteland covered in garbage and filth, resembling the likeness of a post-apocalyptic world. She then saw her friends, dressed in rags and where picking up garbage and putting it into sacks. A far cry from what she had remembered just a day ago. The Devil came up to her and put his arm around her shoulders.

"I don't understand," the woman stammered, "yesterday, I was here and there was a golf course and a club house and we had lobster and steak, danced and had a great time. Now all there is, is nothing. Everything has been laid to waste and all of my friends look absolutely horrid and miserable."

The Devil looked at her and smiled egregiously and responded, "Of course, yesterday we were recruiting you, today you're staff..."

Theatre Thursday

Well, I'm not going to suggest a movie to watch...

Mad about it? My blog. I do what I want.

What I am going to suggest is a TV show to look up and watch.

Wednesday Artist

If you happened to of looked under the "Something Fun" tab above, you might have noticed a list of what day represents what. Now I know that I did say that, with today's posts, I would try to post things related to the arts. This includes everything from music to photography to paintings and whatnot. You may have noticed that this isn't really the case to this point, being that almost everything that I have posted, with the exception of one day, are music related. I am still learning things about the arts, and I'm one to say that I am not the artistic type. But what I do know, is music. That is why the majority of the posts are music related. But, don't worry, I'm still learning, and there will be a little more substance to this than just recommending bands to listen to. But in the meantime, yes, today will be another recommendation for another band/music artist to look into.

With that all said, today's artist is:

Vocal Few

If you are familiar with band The Classic Crime, you will definitely recognize the vocal and musical styling of this musical duo. Although Matt and Kristie MacDonald have created musical renditions that have deviated a little from the rock sounds of The Classic Crime to more of a folk and acoustical sounds, the styling still exists in some manner providing that melodic and gentle sounds we are used to with less of a punch that is still memorable and keeps you coming back for a listen. Posted below are the songs "The Road" from the "Tall Trees - EP" and "We'll Make it Someday" from the "She'll be Right" album.

Tuesday Factoid

Facts about the Americas:

North and South America were named after the Italian explorer, Amerigo Vespucci. First, "America" referred to what is now called South America, but the name soon spread to include North America.

North and South America are sometimes considered subcontinents, with "America" as a single continent.

Lowest point in the Americas - Badwater Basin ,Death Valley, California, United States of America (86 m or 282 ft below sea level)

Highest point in the Americas - Aconcagua, Mendoza, Argentina (6,961 m or 22,837 ft above sea level)

Music Video Monday

Song: Meaningless! Meaningless! Everything is Meaningless!
Artist: Sleep for Sleepers
Album: Everything What Has Been Done Will be Done Again (2010)
Label: Self Released Album

www.facebook.com/SleepForSleepers

www.sleepforsleepers.com

twitter.com/sleepforsleepers

instagram.com/longlivesleep

Lyrics:
Maybe it's the trembling I get when I face my fears at night.
It's all about, you.

Tell me have you ever felt the waves crash over your body and into the deep.
Did you think you could be the one to prove me wrong?
Just prove me wrong.
And for a space between each wall in my lungs,
Should be filled with songs of you.
In the back,
Beneath my feet should spell out your name.
Out your name, out your name.

I wanna breathe with more than my lungs,
And I want your word on the tip of my tongue and mind.
Everything you want me to be.
I'll follow you. (With eyes close)
I'll follow you. (As far as you go)
I'll follow you. (You)

I should have known, I should have known,
That you would calm these waves that I create.
These steady hands, steady hands,
Were meant for more than what they make.
How did you know that I would be falling in love with you?
I should have known,
That I would be falling in love with you.

I wanna breathe with more than my lungs,
And I want your word on the tip of my tongue and mind.
Everything you want me to be.
I'll follow you. (With eyes close)
I'll follow you. (As far as you go)
I'll follow you. (You)

I wanna breathe with more than my lungs,
And I want your word on the tip of my tongue and mind.
Everything you want me to be.

Ooh, I'll follow,
I'll follow (you).

Humanity

First off, I need to say this knowing that I will probably catch some flak for what this post is even about, this is indeed my view. I am going to keep things within perspective of how I view them, and you can correct me if I am wrong about a statement that I might say, because that is welcome. But don't you dare crucify me because my views are different. I have a different background that you and everyone that lives on this Earth. And so be it. Not everyone is nor can be the same. We all have a brain, and it's about time that we all start using it for much nobler things.

By the time you are seeing this, it is already old news, but with my schedule of posts, I really cannot post this during the week to interrupt the already scheduled posts. Remember that Coca-Cola ad that was shown during the Super Bowl? If you don't remember or have not seen it yet, go ahead and stop reading and open up another tab to YouTube and search it.

When I first saw this ad, I thought it was fitting to what this country is all about. After all, even the Native Americans were immigrants as well thanks in part to something called a land bridge. Hooray for geology. But after some searching and some StumbleUpon's, I did notice a blog that stood out to me, and quite frankly upset me. And if you know me any, I'm not particularly one to be overly upset about anything, but for some reason, this one caught my attention and after reading some of the entries, it raised some serious questions about the society we live in. How are we living in a country, that in fact, it's citizens immigrated to this land in some way, shape or form, that are either first generation, second generation, third generation, etc., that is so unbelievably closed minded?

Now, this blog I mentioned is focused on spiteful, racist and downright just disrespectful tweeting from, none other, your fellow American. Granted that this was just a snapshot, just a drop of water in an ocean, of a handful of people who were, I'm sure, 'delightfully' selected based on their comments about how terrible of a commercial the Coca-Cola ad was. Saying such comments as:

 "I feel un-American for drinking Coke today." -What a shame, cause I drink Coke almost everyday and I still feel the same.

"That coke commercial sucked. Mexicans, terrorists, jews, and n****** are not 'American.'" -A stab at almost everything that's not caucasian. But guess what? Terrorism is defined as the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes; the state of fear and submission produced by terrorism or terrorization. That does include any small acts within your own country that effects a small group of people to be under duress.

"why is god bless america being sung in other languages...this is AMERICAN AND WE SPEAK ENGLISH." -You're right, most of us do speak english. But keep in mind, just like our country, the language we use is based on borrowed and dead languages of which is not really of our own.

Let's take a moment to think about this. Did we all forget the lessons that we were taught in American history from elementary and secondary school? I remember a few parts in there how this country is celebrated for our differences but united as one. I don't know, may be my school was different than yours and these things just happened to be omitted from the lessons that are being taught today, since it seems like ages ago since I've been through this. But even still, there are college classes out there that specifically talk about immigration and how that essentially formed this nation. Now, I will admit, I was like this at one time, but when I look back at myself, I was a very naïve high schooler that had zero experience with dealing with any social differences. But that still doesn't make it right in my book.

Just like yourself, I am human. We all make mistakes like this. And it's comments like this coming from people that make me seriously doubt humanity. Granted that this is all well within our right to freedom of speech in the First Amendment of the Constitution, but I feel as if humanitarianism is a forgotten, and the use of the First Amendment is just an easy out for people to not feel any regret for hateful remarks. Maybe it's just me. Maybe I am wrong for thinking that we shouldn't rip Coca-Cola a new one for providing an exemplary advertisement of what America IS. Maybe I am wrong for wanting a peaceful and harmonious place to live without judgement of race or religion. Maybe I AM WRONG. But maybe you are too.

Humanitarianism: An ethic of kindness, benevolence and sympathy extended universally and impartially to all human beings.

Human Beings.

That includes everyone.

Some of you can continue to make the argument that the commercial was terrible or a horrid example of what America is. And that is fine, you are entitled to that, there are always two sides to a story, but you seriously need to take a moment to repeat what you said or are going to say and really, really think to yourself and ask "Is this the image I want for myself?"

Morgan Freeman on "60 Minutes" interviewed by Mike Wallace:

WALLACE: Black History Month, you find...
FREEMAN: Ridiculous.
WALLACE: Why?
FREEMAN: You're going to relegate my history to a month?
WALLACE: Come on.
FREEMAN: What do you want with yours? Which month is White History Month? Come on, tell me.
WALLACE: I'm Jewish.
FREEMAN: OK. Which month is Jewish History Month?
WALLACE: There isn't one.
FREEMAN: Why not? Do you want one?
WALLACE: No, no.
FREEMAN: I don't either. I don't want a Black History Month. Black history is American history.
WALLACE: How are we going to get rid of racism until...?
FREEMAN: Stop talking about it. I'm going to stop calling you a white man. And I'm going to ask you to stop calling me a black man. I know you as Mike Wallace. You know me as Morgan Freeman. You're not going to say, "I know this white guy named Mike Wallace." Hear what I'm saying?

Fun Friday

Three Programmers at the Urinal...

Three male programmers, all three from different companies, were in the bathroom standing at the urinals. The first programmer finishes, then walks over to the sink to wash his hands. He proceeds to dry off his hands very thoroughly and carefully. He used paper towel after paper towel and ensure that every single speck of water is dried off of every spot of his hands.

Turing to the the other two, he says, "At Windows, we are trained to be extremely thorough."

The second programmer finishes up at the urinal and walks over to the sinks and proceeds to wash his hands as well. He uses a single paper towel and makes sure that he dries his hands using every available portion of the paper towel.

He turns, "At Macintosh, not only are we trained to be extremely thorough, but we are also trained to be extremely efficient." he scoffs.

The third programmer finishes up, turns and walks straight out the door with the other two looking at him as he walks by. He shouts over his shoulder as the door is closing, "At Red Hat, we don't urinate on our hands."

Theatre Thursday

Now, some of you may not be sports fans. And those of you that are, some of you may not be motorsports fans and may or may not consider it a sport. Now, lets remember what the definition of sport is. Sport: an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature, as racing, baseball, tennis, golf, bowling, wrestling, boxing, hunting, fishing, etc.; diversion, recreation, pleasant pastime. We are all entitled to our own opinion of what that may be, but I would like to say that I like to keep an open mind. So you can make your own arguments as to what is a sport and what is not, but in the end, if it requires a specific skill to master and is of competitive nature and involves a person exerting some type of physical output, it is a sport in my book.

With all this said, the movie I have selected is a sports film about a race car driver. Some of you may have heard of Ayrton Senna. Definitely more popular on the world stage because of Formula 1. Senna was a 3 time world champion (1988, 1990 and 1991), who collected 65 pole positions (qualified 1st), 41 wins (first win in 1985 at Estoril, Portugal) and 80 podiums (top 3 finish) in 162 races (161 starts) (1984-1994). He amassed 164 points in his career under the old FIA scoring system. This film documents the early life and career if this iconic driver and goes behind he scenes of some his struggles he had to deal with against his competitors, teammates and the FIA.

Wednesday Artist

Artist: Saints of Valory
Formed: 2008 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Record Label: Atlantic Records
Out Now: Possibilities - EP




Song: Neon Eyes (Into the Deep)
Album: Possibilities - EP (2013)
Label: Atlantic Records

Lyrics:
Son, I don't want to run in place, I don't want to run out.
Who the hell runs this place? Still trying to figure out,
Why I have to fight so hard just to put up a fight.

I hear myself loud and clear, maybe just too loud.
Everyone sounds sincere, but shut up, shut up, shut up,
Before you fall apart, right here and now.

Son, in my hands, neon eyes take the lead,
And darling, I know I've made mistakes,
But won't you follow me into the deep?

When, when you hold my hand, hold on for dear life.
'Cause when you look at me that way, you force a riot,
And walls are caving in, you fuel the fire.

Son, in my hands, neon eyes take the lead,
And darling, I know I've made mistakes,
But won't you follow me into the deep?

I don't want to say,
I don't want to say a word. (5x)

I don't want to say, don't want to say.

Son, in my hands, neon eyes take the lead,
And darling, I know I've made mistakes,
But won't you follow me into the deep?

Won't you follow me into the deep?

I don't want to say,
I don't want to say a word.

Tuesday Factoid

American Samoa is the only territory of the United States of America that is located south of the equator.

Area: 197.2 sq. km.

Population: 55,519 (2010)

Time Zone: UTC -11

Capital: Pago Pago

Largest City: Tafuna

Official Languages: English and Samoan

Music Video Monday

Song: Sunrise

Band: Our Last Night

Album: Oak Island (2013)

Video Released in January 2014

Label: Self-Released

http://www.youtube.com/user/OurLastNightBand

http://ourlastnightband.tumblr.com/

https://www.facebook.com/ourlastnightband

https://twitter.com/OLNband

Lyrics:

Full of despair inside a darkness,

Self conscious and scared, held a prisoner of war.

Running out of air, buried in a sadness.

Want a way out of this paralyzing world, 

And the sound of the cries when a family's loved one dies.

It echoes through a vacant room where a young soul still resides.

When the night is cold and you feel like no one knows,

What it's like to be the only one buried in this hole.

You can make it to the sunrise.

You can make it to the sunrise.

Searching for a way to escape the madness.

A dire need for change as we fight for better days.

The hurt and the pain cut deep like a razor blade.

Holding in a cry for love, abandoned and afraid.

When the night is cold and you feel like no one knows,

What it's like to be the only one buried in this hole.

You can make it to the sunrise.

You can make it to the sunrise.

I won't go to my grave, until a difference is made.

I won't go to my grave, until a difference is made.

(Until a difference is made.)

When the night is cold and you feel like no one knows,

What it's like to be the only one buried in this hole.

You can make it to the sunrise.

You can make it to the sunrise.

I won't go to my grave, until a difference is made.

(Until a difference is made.)

Until a difference is made.

(From time to time, there arise among human beings, people, who seem to exude love, as naturally as the sun gives out heat.)

Fun Friday

Quotes:

Behind ever great man is a woman rolling her eyes. -Jim Carrey

I once saw a forklift lift a crate of forks. And it was way too literal for me. -Mitch Hedberg

I like to use 'I Can't Believe It's Not Butter' on my toast in the morning, because sometimes when I eat breakfast, I like to be incredulous. How was breakfast? Unbelievable. -Demetri Martin

I have never been jealous. Not even when my dad finished fifth grade a year before I did. -Jeff Foxworthy

Treat your password like your toothbrush. Don't let anybody else use it, and get a new one every six months. -Clifford Stoll

Getting married is a lot like getting into a tub of hot water. After you get used to it, it ain't so hot. -Minnie Pearl

Theatre Thursday

Because Kevin Spacey? Yeah.. Because Kevin Spacey.

Wednesday Artist

Artist to discover: I The Mighty

These guys have been around since 2007 with a loyal fan base located along the west coast, but have recently been gaining popularity as of late and with the signing with Equal Vision Records. Definitely give them a listen and take a look at the lyric video below to the song "The Dreamer." If you like them, definitely look for them this summer as they will be on the Warped Tour.




https://www.facebook.com/ithemighty

http://www.ithemighty.com/

http://ithemighty.tumblr.com/

https://twitter.com/ithemighty

Tuesday Factoid

Niagara Falls and Great Lakes Facts:

• The falls generate over four million kilowatts of hydroelectric power, this power is shared by both the United States and Canada
• 3,160 tons of water flows over Niagara Falls every second. Now if you do the math on this one it's: 189,600 tons per minute, 11.4 million tons per hour and over 273 million tons per day. 
• 4 out of the 5 Great Lakes drain into the Niagara River. The Great Lakes make up approximately 21% of the world's surface freshwater supply and 84% of North America's surface freshwater supply.

For more facts and information about Niagara Falls check out Niagara Falls State Park website and the Environmental Protection Agency's Great Lakes information page.

Music Video Monday

Title: Unstable
Band: Anberlin
Album(s): Devotion and Vital (iTunes Exclusive)
Label: Universal Republic Records (2013)

Some of you may have heard, Anberlin has announced that this will be their final year together. After 12 years together, a well renowned and storied career comes to a close after 6, and soon to be 7, album releases and 4 compilation albums. Look for their 7th and final album this year and check out dates for their farewell world tour.

http://www.anberlin.com/

https://www.facebook.com/anberlin

https://twitter.com/anberlin

http://instagram.com/anberlin

http://www.toothandnail.com/

http://www.republicrecords.com/

Lyrics:
You came out of nowhere,
But who could you hold, wild horse, unstable.
Do you still do as you're told?
Think you're wild and free now?
Think you can cover me, well save yourself.
Pretend like you don't do what you're told.

Come around, let me in.
How can I talk you down from that ledge,
Unless you let me in?

You heard when I called you,
But you're still lost in your way.
Are you able,
To do just what you're told?
Taught me to trust now.
Yet you have no faith in yourself.
Why can't you believe in what you know?

Come around, darling, let me in.
How can I talk you down from that ledge,
Unless you let me in?

How can I... Talk you down?
Unless you come around,
Come around,
Come around.

Come around, darling.
Let me in.
How can I talk you down from that ledge,
Unless you let me in?

Come around,
Let me in,
I'll talk you down from that ledge,
If you let me in, lovely...

Fun Friday

Thank you TSN for these themed Top 10s.

Theatre Thursday

The movie speaks for itself. I really don't need to go into detail. But if you watch the movie, the underlining theme speaks volumes about human character.

Wednesday Artist

Today's artist, I decided to give the nod to a photographer. Ty Cole made PDN's (Photo District News) 30 new and emerging photographers to watch for in 2013. Taking a look at some of his photos, I can see why he made that list. Every shot seems to tell a story, a history of what I am/who I am. Just by looking at one of his photos, you can spend at least 30 minutes just postulating what the story could be or is trying to be told.

Links:

Ty Cole's Official Website

Facebook Page

Tumblr

Instagram

Los Angeles, Photograph by Ty Cole

Tuesday Factoid

Astronomy notes:

When the Moon was given its name, astronomers, at the time, did not know that their were other planets that had moons/satellites orbiting them. So, they just called it the Moon. Now that we know that there are other moons orbiting other planets, it basically comes down to the capitalization of the name. Earth's moon is referred to as "the Moon" with a capital "M."

Other notes:

The Moon does experience quakes.

The Moon does NOT have an atmosphere.

There have only been 12 people, to this point, that have set foot on the surface of the Moon and they have all been Americans.

The Moon is slowly drifting away from Earth at the rate of 3.8 cm/yr. It has been estimated that the Moon will continue to do so for approximately 50 billion years. By that point, the Moon will orbit the Earth in 47 days than the 27.3 days of what we are all accustomed to (Whether or not you think about this on a day-to-day basis).

Music Video Monday

Title: Cool Kids
Band: Echosmith
Album: Talking Dreams
Label: Warner Bros. (2013)
Directed By Gus Black

http://www.echosmith.com/

https://twitter.com/echosmith

https://www.facebook.com/Echosmith

http://www.youtube.com/echosmith

iTunes: http://bit.ly/176XsQK

Lyrics:
She sees them walking in a straight line, that's not really her style.
And they all got the same heartbeat, but her's is falling behind.
Nothing in this world could ever bring them down.
Yeah, they're invincible, and she's just in the background.
And she says,

"I wish that I could be like the cool kids,
'Cause all the cool kids, they seem to fit in.
I wish that I could be like the cool kids, like that cool kids."

He sees them talking with a big smile, but they haven't go a clue.
Yeah, they're living the good life, can't see what he is going through.
They're driving fast cars, but they don't know where they're going.
In the fast lane, living life without knowing.
And he says,

"I wish that I could be like the cool kids,
'Cause all the cool kids, they seem to fit in.
I wish that I could be like the cool kids, like that cool kids.
I wish that I could be like the cool kids,
'Cause all the cool kids, they seem to fit in.
I wish that I could be like the cool kids, like that cool kids."

And they said,
"I wish that I could be like the cool kids,
'Cause all the cool kids, they seem to fit in.
I wish that I could be like the cool kids, like that cool kids.
I wish that I could be like the cool kids,
'Cause all the cool kids, they seem to fit in.
I wish that I could be like the cool kids, like that cool kids."

Friday Funny

You are on a horse galloping at a constant speed.

On your right, there is a sharp drop off, and on your left there is an elephant galloping along at the same speed.

Directly in front of you is another horse that is galloping at the same speed as you that you cannot overtake it.

Directly behind you is a lion that is running at the same speed as you and the horse in front of you.

What must you need to do to safely get out of this highly dangerous situation?

Get off the merry-go-round...

Theatre Thursday

 

This little piece came out in 2012, "Safety Not Guaranteed" is a comedy that features Aubrey Plaza (Darius) and Jake Johnson (Jeff) working for a magazine in the city, chasing after a story based on an ad place in the paper for time travel. This is where they encounter Mark Duplass (Kenneth), a quirky local who firmly believes in the concept in time travel.

I'll admit, I really did not expect this movie to be much. At the beginning, the acting was a little flat, but as the story progress, you find yourself more in tune with the story and forget about the acting a little bit. It does pick up with a few comical quotes to help with the progression of the movie. I do give this movie a nod and would suggest it to any one who would like to watch this interesting movie.