Books for school!

So I'm still in college, I'm currently a Junior at San Diego State University. Anyway I've been getting by most of my time here without buying books. I usually get them from friends or I just wing it and hope going to lecture is enough. But not today. Today was the day when I REALLY needed to have read the book. I had to do a presentation based on a question out of the book......and well needless to say I was speechless. Literally lost with no frame of reference at all. So I winged it. Let's just say that my grade for my presentation isn't soaring high right now, as a matter of fact it tried to lift off and fell off a cliff instead. So I guess I learned my lesson the hard way, sometimes you gotta buy those damned books.

Newish Music To Me

So I posted about my favorite metal bands before, and how they can always fit me better than anything else. But there are still times where I like to listen to other music. Lately I've been expanding what I listen to so here is a list of some of the bands I've recently found. (Again the order has no meaning)

1) Mouse On The Keys - Post-rock/jazz fusion trio from Tokyo, Japan; formed 2006. The group consists of its former members, “Nine Days Wonder” (a leading band on the Japanese post-rock scene) Akira Kawasaki (drum, keyboards) and Atsushi Kiyota (piano, keyboards), along with Daisuke Niitome (piano, keyboards), who has played drums and composed music for funk/hiphop bands. The unique sound of the band’s drums, two pianos, and two keyboards combines the sense of urgency from rock, hard core and heavy metal with tastes of early/contemporary classical, jazz and various dance music.

2) Tera Melos - Tera Melos is band from Sacramento, California, that incorporates many styles of rock, jazz, ambient electronics and unconventional song structure. They are currently a three-piece (formerly four), consisting of a guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist, bassist, and a drummer. Tera Melos play a brand of music characterized by quickly alternating rhythmic patterns, start-stop dynamics, improvisation, two-handed tapping on the guitar, extended open-ended bridges, and the use of effect pedals and samplers. Though the band has typically eschewed the label of math rock, they are considered recent innovators of the genre

3) sBACH - An American band from Nevada City, California, led by Spencer Seim of the band Hella and drummer of The Advantage. Although Seim plays all instruments on recorded material, he plays drums live, and has a live band which includes Ben Milner (of The Advantage), Justin Hunt, and Keith Dailey all playing guitar and synthesizer.

4) Quantic - He records under various guises, notably, Quantic, The Quantic Soul Orchestra, and The Limp Twins. His music draws upon elements of salsa, bossa nova, soul, funk and jazz. Holland plays guitars, bass, double bass, piano, organ, saxophone and percussion. Much of his sound is original composition with little in the way of sampling of other artists' material.

5) Nosaj Thing -  An electronic music artist based in Los Angeles who derives his influence from hip-hop and classical instruments.

6) Minutemen - An American punk band formed in San Pedro, California in 1980. Composed of guitarist D. Boon, bassist Mike Watt and drummer George Hurley, Minutemen recorded four albums and eight EPs before Boon's death in an automobile accident in December 1985. They were noted in the California punk community for a philosophy of jamming econo, a sense of thriftiness reflected in their touring and presentation, while their eclectic and experimental attitude was instrumental in pioneering alternative rock.

7) MF Doom - An American hip hop artist who has taken on several stage names in his career, most notably MF DOOM, where the "MF" stands for Metal Face or Metal Fingers. He has appeared in several collaborative projects such as Danger DOOM (with Danger Mouse) and Madvillain (with Madlib).

8) KMD - An American hip hop trio in the early 1990s, best known for launching the career of acclaimed rapper and producer MF DOOM, who at the time was known as Zev Love X. Other members of the group were Rodan and DJ Subroc–Zev Love X's younger brother. When Rodan chose to finish high school instead of continue working with the group Zev Love X and DJ Subroc brought in Onyx the Birthstone Kid to fill in the vacant rhyming position.

9) J Dilla also known as Jay Dee - Was an American record producer who emerged from the mid-1990s underground hip hop scene in Detroit, Michigan. According to his obituary at NPR.org, he "was one of the music industry's most influential hip-hop artists, working for big-name acts like A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Busta Rhymes and Common."

10) Bonobo - The stage name of Simon Green (born 30 March 1976), is a British musician, producer and DJ. Green has recorded and performed solo DJ sets under the name Barakas, and together with Robert Luis from Tru Thoughts as Nairobi and Barakas.

Best Cupcake of All Time!

A few days ago a friend of mine and I went to go get lunch at a restaurant near my house, where they don't really have much of a selection. Just a few sandwiches here and there and an ok burger. Anyway we each got our respective sandwiches and then before we left the owner offered us some cupcakes at a discounted price. So being the poor bastart that I am, I jumped at the cheaper cupcake. Now this cupcake wasn't by any means the best I'd ever had, as a matter of fact it was quite mediocre but it was cheaper than full price so I wasn't really about to complain about it. However, I was then struck with the sudden urge to find a superb cupcake. Luckily for me there is a gourmet cupcakery about 20 min. from where I live. So the next day the same friend and I drove over there to get a cupcake that was sure to be better than what we'd had the day before. We'd been to this place before but little did I know that I was going to encounter the best cupcake of all time. I saw the regular selection they have, but I noticed there was a new one that I hadn't tried before. It was a chai spice cupcake. Now I love chai spiced tea so I figured I'd probably enjoy a cupcake of the same name. And oh man was I right. It was just the right amount of sweet it had a hint of the chai, and the it was dusted in powdered sugar. I know I'm not doing this cupcake any justice with my blande description but take my word for it. No cupcake has ever tantilized my tastebuds like that one did. So I suggest to all of you.......go eat a fuckin cupcake.

Sriracha (Rooster Sauce)

Sriracha. Probably the best condiment ever invented. And I'm not exaggerating. This spicy concoction literally goes well with just about anything. I eat it with my eggs, pizza, various types of soup, any and all sandwiches, fish, hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries (mix it with the ketchup), I already said soup but Ramen is in it's own category, steak, mashed potatoes, chicken wings, sushi, and just about anything else you can think of that you would enjoy spicy. This isn't a new discovery by any means nor am I new to it myself, but I just had to pay homage to this delicious asian condiment, that I have grown so fond of. I implore all of you to go out and buy yourself a bottle of this amazing hot sauce, you will not be disappointed.

My Favorite Metal Albums

Alright, so I've been getting a bunch of new music lately, trying to expand my musical horizons. But no matter how many new bands, artists, dj's, rappers, or whatever else I listen to nothing ever beats my favorite genres of all time. Heavy Metal! With so many sub-genres to choose from I can always find something that will suit me better than most of the other contemporary things I've been listening to. So here are some of my favorite Metal albums (not in any particular order really, I can't decide which ones I like better).

1) Metallica- Kill 'em All
Metallica's 1983 debut album. Fucking fast, heavy, and raw.

2) Slayer- Reign In Blood
In my opinion one of Slayer's best albums of all time. Evil, morbid, and of course faster than hell!

3) Megadeth- Killing Is My Business....
Megadeth's 1985 debut album. After being kicked out Metallica Dave Mustaine went on to create another powerhouse of metal that kicked up the speed a notch, quite to my liking.

4) Cannibal Corpse- Tomb of the Mutilated
Cannibal Corpses's 1992 album. One of my favorite Death Metal bands and albums of all time. They take it to a whole nother level that turns most people away, but it's just right.

5) Death- Scream Bloody Gore
Death's 1987 debut album. Known to many as the Godfather of Death Metal, Chuck Schuldiner is among the few accredited with starting the genre. Again another ear splitting, fast album.

6) Lamb of God- Ashes of the Wake
Released in 2004, this is one of more contemporary metal bands I listen to. Lamb of God does a great job of separating themselves from many other metal groups today that really just suck.

7) Pantera- Vulgar Display of Power
Pantera's 1992 album that really showed them come through and make a serious name for themselves. One of the best American Metal bands to ever have existed.

8) Iron Maiden- Powerslave
Iron Maiden's 1984 release. This is one of the first Maiden albums I listened to and became an instant fan. You couldn't be a true metal fan without liking Maiden.

9) Judas Priest- Screaming for Vengeance
Judas Priest's 1982 album, well into their career, this album is one of my favorite and is amazing when heard live.

10) Black Sabbath- Paranoid
Black Sabbath's second release in 1970. In my opinion none of the bands above would even be around if not for Black Sabbath, so it had to make the list. One of the best albums to listen to all the way through over and over again, it all just melds so perfectly together.

11) Burzum- Burzum
Varg Vikernes solo project released in 1992. A very influential album in the Norwegian Black Metal scene. A very eery and dark sound that gives you chills.

If anyone would like to add some other good albums feel free, or if you disagree with my choices, let's have a debate shall we?

Valentine's Day

Alright so no surprise I don't have a Valentine....again. But uhhh it's really not that difficult to just go up to someone and ask, chances are they'll say yes. I'm just lazy. Anyway I'm sittin here in the library thinkin about what I'm gonna blog today and some mother fucker rolled up and says "yo can i sit here" I said of course. Then after like one minute the douche bag gets up and moves over to sit next to some mildly attractive girl (she's really more like a 6/10; she's trying to be extra sexy and find a last minute date by dressing like a whore) then he just sits there. I'm assuming the douche bag thinks he has a shot at it. But little does he know that his extreme inability to talk to women will once again restrain him from asking her out. He is now sitting there idly smelling her when she leans over like the biggest creeper in the world. Well I guess I'm in the same boat with the not asking anyone out. Oh well just another Valentine's Day.

Sonovabitch!

So this morning I woke up to go and take a shower and listen to my music like I usually do. Except today something wasn't quite right. What could it be? Oh yeah MY FUCKING IPOD IS MISSING. The goddamn electrician came over yesterday to fix a few outlets that weren't working properly and before he left he used my bathroom. Where I keep my iPod charging on my dock. Would you believe the asshole had the nerve to take it! Too bad I'm dumb and leave my things lying around like I don't care. I guess this is what I get for being so careless. Oh well. Now I have to call the company and inquire about my iPod and hope the jerk didn't sell it already and hope he gets fired. What a sonovabitch.....

Burritos...

Quite possibly the best thing to arise out of the Mexican culture besides guacamole. Burritos are hands down the most effective way of destroying your hunger. The only sad part is that the more north and east you get from Mexico the shittier the quality of your burritos get. But you can't beat wrapping your choice of meat and rice or whatever the hell you like in your burritos. Best burrito in the world hands down. The California burrito. Carne asada, french fries, cheese, and maybe some sour cream if you're up for it. Best way to recover from a hang over. Anyone care to disagree?

I Love Robes

I recently was given a robe for no reason by my aunt. She told me it was something she thought suited me well. I thought she was crazy. But after a while of just leaving it there in my room, I decided to try it on. Surprisingly, I liked it. A lot. It's fucking amazing actually. So comfortable. Absolutely great for those weekend when you have nothing to do and don't plan on leaving the house. I just have to say that I am a new found robe enthusiast. Since I got my first one I have since acquired 3 more. Now I wear a robe pretty much as soon as the sun goes down and I know I don't have to leave my house anymore. I just needed to express the gratitude and new appreciation I have for robes.