Some random musings and catching up.

1. Sorry I have not been around. Between marching band and grad school, I have been pretty well swamped. Two more weeks of marching band left. It has been a fun ride this year, totally unexpected, and oh so much fun!
2. I think the ability to connect to each other instantly with cell phones by calling and texting can be a great thing. But not after midnight, when I am in bed, asleep. Common courtesy folks. If it is an emergency, it is okay, but if it not, it can wait. Trust me.
3. Speaking of courtesy, when you make plans with someone, if you need to cancel, the way to do that is NOT to ignore them completely. Of course, I am learning more and more that people use that exact method in so many areas of life. I think that is so sad. If you don't want to talk to someone/see someone/whatever, then say so. Ignoring them is just cruel.
4. I wen to the movies yesterday. Saw a great flick in RED. BUt was distracted by this couple in front of me several times, because THEY WERE ALL OVER EACH OTHER. I mean they could not stop touching and kissing each other. It was actually pretty disgusting. If you want to do that stuff in the dark, get a room folks, don't ruin my movie going experience.
5. Farmville is stupid.
6. Actually, I think all Facebook games are. I gave them up all at once, and gained so much more free time. I know that sounds dumb, but it is true.
7. I would really like to learn to ballroom dance. I know I would not be all that good, as clumsy as I am, but I think it would be an interesting experience.

I guess that is it for now, just a quick one. I need to go work out, practice, and do homework. Hope you all have a good day. Will try and blog more when I get the chance. Peace.

The start of Fall

College football is in full swing, and marching band kicked off in full swing last night. I love this time of year! Have not blogged in a while so I thought I needed to get the lead out and do some writing. Here I go with my random musings!

- As I said, marching band kicked off yesterday. The show we went too, well, was at best, poorly run. I have been to so many shows over the years, and I know what it takes to run a good contest. It is a shame that the people who were in charge seemed to be totally confused about how things were supposed to go. Regardless, the kids did a PHENOMENAL job in finals, and really distinguished themselves. So proud to work with them!

- I have been observing people more and more as I have been out and about. And it disturbs me just how rude and inconsiderate people have become. When did it become so much about ourselves, and not about others? We need to get back to the point where we put others first, and stop worrying about ourselves so much. Have some consideration folks.

- To all my female friends who are so concerned about me being single, please understand. I am not sure I want something serious right now. Dating is cool, honestly, dating is so much fun to me! And yes, it will happen when it happens, I know that. So if I gripe about being single or not having a date, I know what you are gonna say! Just let me vent a little. Sometimes that is all I really need.

- And that brings me to my next point. If, at anytime, someone says hi to you, whether on facebook, by text or in person, take the time to say hi back. That could be the difference for that person between a good day or a bad day. Just my 2 cents worth.

- Grad school is kicking my butt, what else can I say.

- Had a slight health scare last week, but all is okay. Really have to focus on eating healthy and exercise. Anyone have any recipes that are healthy they want to share?

- well, I am tired this Sunday afternoon. Great day at church, but very tired. Think it is time for a nap! Have a blessed day y'all!

Pop Culture: Super Hero Movies

As someone who is a big into movies, I have noticed that more super hero movies than ever are being made. I think there are several reasons for this. First, for Hollywood, super hero movies have become a cash cow. And as long as movies are making money, they will be made. One of the reasons I believe they are making money, and my second reason for them being made period is this: my generation has come into it's own. We were the generation that grew up during the comic's boom. I still have so many of my old comics. I just found out they were safe on my last trip home. As a generation, we are in a position to make decision about what movies are going to succeed. And we do. We are also the ones in power at some of these studios. Don't believe me, look up Kevin Smith. Reason number three? Being a "geek" is becoming more acceptable. More and more mainstream media has made being a geek acceptable. And the more acceptable things of the geeky persuasion are, the more we will see them! This is not a bad thing, trust me. I also think the production quality of super hero movies is so much higher. Compare the Christopher Nolan version of Batman to the Batman movies of the late 80's and early 90's. They are completely on a different plain.

But reason four is the reason I am blogging. We are in an era where feeling safe is not something that is common. Mot of the world, including those of use in the US live in some type of fear. The world is not quite the safe place we all used to think it was. And because of that, we are looking for a hero (pretty sure there is an 80's song about this). And people are looking to the movies for this hero. I think it has become a comfort thing. The superhero's we are seeing are flawed, imperfect, and make mistakes. Jut like us. But they overcome those mistakes, and make the right decisions in the end. It shows us that we can recover from mistakes. And when we do things will be alright. And is that not what we all want, to know that when we make mistakes, and we all do, that things will end up ok? I see this as being a BIG reason people are now flocking to see these movies.

That is my two cents worth. Have something in popular culture you want me to blog about? Let me know!

Tuesday and the random thoughts

Okay folks in my blogsphere. I am thinking of doing my blog 3-4 days a week, and each blog have a specific theme. I like that idea. I know I want one to be about pop culture in today's society. I already have a really good subject in mind for my next one. I think one should also be my random thoughts blog. I like writing it. I just need to write down all my thoughts! haha Any advice and input you have would be appreciated! Here we go!

- I have read many books already this summer. I have read all of Dan Brown's novels my first Clive Cussler/Dirk Pitt adventure, and started another book at home, but left it there. I know have three books my Max Lucado I am going to dig into. They are: Come Thirsty, Cure for the Common Life, and Fearless. Will let you know what I think of each one once I finish them.

- Campbellsville is a small place. Population of 10,000, about 2500 added when the University is in session. And we are about to open our 6th pizza place. Gattis, Papa Johns, Dominos, Pizza Hut, Snappy Tomato, and now.......Little Cesears. We also have three Mexican places, and three Chinese places. We have a single steak house, and a new place called Papa's, that apparently is going to be the local Cracker Barrel, just opened. Of course we have the requisite fast food places. But we need some VARIETY! Just my thought. I am excited about $5.00 hot and ready at LC. Cheep pizza fast!

- This is my favorite time of year. Why you may ask? Because I know my favorite season is coming. Fall is on it's way. I love fall, even wrote a poem about it several years ago. I should find that and try and get it published. But it is also my favorite for two activities that happen this time of year: football and marching band. I am stoked because C'ville now has lights at the field, which means NIGHT TIME COLLEGE FOOTBALL! That is a big deal to me. I am so excited to see the Tigers play under the lights!

- Women. You confuzzle me. I don't mean this as an insult, and it is not directed towards one person. But man alive you drive me crazy! I hate the confusion, but I love you for who you are. Just say what you want and stop beating around the bush! It makes my life MUCH easier! Thank you!

- If this last job lead falls through, I am starting hard at my masters. Not sure in what yet, but I am going to get at it. And find a job that will help me pay the bills. I am not asking for much here, businesses of C'ville, just a chance to work. Is that so bad?

- I still wonder if, when I was younger, I should not have just packed up and moved to Chicago. That city has more of a pull on me every day. I think I would really like it there. But what can you do?

- What song, from the world of popular music, always seems to put a smile on your face? I will reveal mine in a later blog.

Think that is all for today. Follow me on Twitter: @alcourington. I post some very random things on there!

Peace, love, and good food for you all!

Reflections on my visit home

So for the last two weeks, I have been in Madisonville. I was performing with the pit orchestra for the community theatre production of South Pacific. It was a Great show. The orchestra was full of top notch players, and I consider myself very very fortunate to have performed with them. I hope to return to the GMCA for another show like that very soon, it was true joy.

Now, since I was gone for two week, and did not blog, I have a TON of random thoughts to get out there! The blog will stay regularly updated, at least three times a week. Here we go!

- Chevy HHR. Know what the HHR means? Hick Hot Rod. Trust me on this one.

- Madisonville, as a city, seems to be crumbling from the inside out. That is just my take. I saw more empty, dilapidated buildings, overgrown houses. I was very sad to see my hometown this way. Too much of trying to build new things without fixing what is there first. And o not even get me started on the roads! HORRIBLE!

- I think I am giving up on finding a teaching job for the year. I am gonna do grad school here. Most likely doing a double master's in performance and conducting. I jut have to find a job here of some type o I can support myself. So, there is the job update! haha

- Have reconnected with some old friends that I had lost touch with over the years. It has been VERY good for me. There is one I have started talking to that has really made a big difference in my outlook on life. This person has really opened my eyes to some things. And has challenged me as well, challenged me to be a better person. I am very fortunate to have this person back in my life. Amazing how God works sometimes.

- For the first time since 1993 I am not teaching a band camp anywhere. It is VERY strange to me. I have always taught camp somewhere for someone. I guess I should take it for what it is. But I miss it, no lie. Hopefully it will lead to something bigger and better!

- Have done alot of reading lately, may start using one of my blog posts to review what books I have read. Could be interesting to see others thoughts.

Well, that is it for now. I had a ton of stuff on my mind at one point, but getting back to Cville and relaxing caused alot of it to go away! Hope you are all well, and STAY COOL!

Twilight

Let me first say this. I am all about pop culture. I enjoy seeing what people are into, the current "it" thing of the day. The thing I seem to have noticed more and more is that the line between what is popular with pre-teens and teens, and what is popular with adults, is blurred. I really first noticed it with the Harry Potter phenomenon, so much so that I read the books, and now I am a huge fan. Is it a bad thing? I don't think so. The books are well written, and tell a really good story. I think anyone can identify with the stresses of growing up that the HP kids go through, because they have been there themselves. I think that JK Rowling has created a world that transcends age and gender. Her stories can very easily fit in alongside J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Tad Williams, and many others. And the movies can fit in alongside Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and the Lord of the Rings. But it is the current fascination that I am not getting at all. Twilight.
Before you jump on me and say I have never read the books or seen the movie, you are wrong. I have read and seen the first book and movie. And I was not impressed. Much like The Golden Compass before it, I read the first book with some excitement. I had heard great things, and I expected to see great things. What I got in both situations were books that were poorly written, and story lines with huge plot holes. I know they are not supposed to be great works of literature, like the classics we are taught about, but my goodness I found both appalling. Especially Twilight.
Now I know so many of you ladies out there are just enthralled with them, and that is fine. The funny thing to me is I know MORE women above the age of 25 who are enthralled with these books and movies than I do those under 25. This is where I get baffled. These books are written for teenage girls. Yet the majority of fans, from my view, seem to be adult women. And that is totally fine. If you want to watch the kid from Shark Boy and Lave Girl in 3D, or Cedric Diggory, be my guest. But when I laugh at you about it, now you will know why.

Cheers

The weekend that was

So, Valentines Day came and went. I could go on for hours about how corrupt I think the whole holiday is, but I won't. I will keep it simple. If you truly love someone, tell and show them every day. Don;t rely on corporate America to tell you when and how you should do that. 'Nuff said.

I am loving the snow. I know many people out there are tired of it, and I can understand that. But we do not get really good snows around here that often anymore. And I really appreciate the beauty of it all. Summer and the hot temperatures will be here before you know it, so take the time to enjoy the snow, you never know when it might happen again!

Very proud of my alma mater's basketball teams. The Ladies are up to #5 nationally, while the men are holding strong at #8. Go Tigers!

Not much else is new. Still looking for a job, still praying hard.

Peace to you all...

The begining

So, why start blogging now? Well I feel like I need to get my opinion on life out there. What can you expect to see here? A little bit of everything. I will comment on what I see in everyday life, the happenings of the world, music, sports, whatever happens to tickle my fancy at the time! Living in a small town in central Ky, things can seem quiet different than the rest of the world, I am out to prove that sometimes we are different and sometimes we are exactaly the same! Looking forward to spreading the words of wisdom I have to you all.