Peter

I forgot about The Matrix... It's a great concept and makes you think about things for sure.

Well, one would expect Black Entertainment Television to be primarily casted by blacks. In the end these channels play what the majority wants to see. So if there are a few of us who think there should be positive music like your example of Little Brother and other decent artists, there are always going to be more that think Bubba Sparxxx and 50 Cent are better, so more popular, so they are played more often. The movies though are directly based on the name (Black Entertainment...), which is why they are played. Juice is a good movie though. To make your point, I'd say in my life I've watched a total of two minutes of this channel.

I don't like the first one much, it's kind of basic. The second one is nice with the silhouette of the tree and how it blocks the sun.

Thanks for the comments. I'm glad there are some favorites across the board.

I'd say it's been a solid three years of not touching the game. But it's nice to post here every once in a while.

I like so much, it would be easier to ask what I don't like... I don't like country, I'm indifferent to techno (I could listen to it no prob but wouldn't put it on my iPod), I don't like European dance music, or much any dance music unless.. dancing, I don't like metal of any form, I don't like "crunk," and there are a few others, but I don't have anything to go off of to list them. I do like most forms of rock: indie, classic, soft, etc. I like alternative, some pop but not much, I like hip-hop/rap but underground which I'd consider almost a different genre of rap because they break through the content barrier of female escorts and bling and whatnot and get into deep conceptual stuff with good rhymes and beats.

I'd say Garden State, but I don't really know why... It just gives a different perspective on life. Fight Club definately makes you think about your purpose and making it meaningful, plus it's a good movie. The Butterfly Effect kind of makes you think about if you could change things what would you do, sort of reflection on life. Donnie Darko certainly made me think, but I'm still kind of baffled on the whole concept, not quite life changing for me.

Went on a short trip last weekend which is pretty much the only time I take pictures anymore. So I took a few alright shots that I'll share. This is just an old barn becase there are dozens like it in Central California at the orchards and berry farms and whatever kind of produce you can imagine except for pineapples and bananas :P. I kinda liked the zoomed blur look on the lanscape...because the picture was taken while zooming down the highway, but the barn stayed sharp. Next is a plant that grows wild in the parks in California with purple flowers on it. In the background, which was poorly captured, is a really cool river scene. But the camera freaked out because there was direct sunlight on the flower but nothing else around it, so it couldn't get the dark river on the light flower very well. _______________________________________________________________________________________ The next few were done out of sheer boredom and a traffic accident resulting in masses of diverted cars, semitrucks, etc. being poured onto the rural highway we were on. It was pretty much dark out, and a little tweaking to the camera settings leaves the shutter open for a little while making cool effects with lights. It was pretty much just messing around, and these were the coolest, I thought. (^My favorite^) _______________________________________________________________________________________ While I'm posting shots, I'll throw in a couple from spring break in San Diego. This was under a pier, supposedly the longest pier in the west coast of USA. It wasn't anything special though. A macro with a crab in it, pretty much the only one there that didn't run away... Then the above pier in the background with some beach. This is a really old church and a palm tree with a shadow. Kind of a boring/cliche shot but I like palm trees since I hardly ever get to see them.

I like The Postal Service. I found it interesting how they made the music though, with Jimmy Tamborello sending music (beats, whatever you want to call them) to Ben Gibbard via the mail (hence Postal Service), and Gibbard would remix them with his lyrics and voice on his computer, then mail them back. Gibbard has a good voice and amazing lyrics.

I spent a quarter of my childhood playing with Legos. Got a bunch of them all mixed up and would just make the craziest stuff, have a friend over and we'd just build all day long then clean them up. Then when I was like 10 I got the Lego Mindstorm set, which was a crude robot for legos but we built cars out of them and saw how fast we could make them go and just do tons of cool stuff. Now... Lego pieces by the thousands are sitting there untouched for six years.

I kind of indirectly referr to Karma when I do things. I'd consider myself a pretty good person based on acts I partake in from community service to donating blood to buying a homless guy a burger. I don't do it because I expect good to come to me, I do it because I feel good after I do it. My head gets bigger, I feel like a better person, whatever you call it, that's my reasoning. So technically it's selfless since I do it for myself. When something good comes to me, I just embrace it, and don't think of how it came to me. I don't think I should have to do good for goof to come to me.

Their website, or again iTunes 30 second preview.

I thought it would be like other RHCP albums where there are maybe three good songs on the thing, but I was pleasantly suprised, because a lot of the songs were very good, and I found that three of the 28 I didn't like. That's a pretty good album, shows that they aren't as burnt out as people think. I'd recommend it.

Finding new bands is something I enjoy doing, so I thought I'd try this out if I can remember to change it weekly :P. Basically I'll put up a somewhat unknown (or maybe not) band that I've found and then a few songs and what I like about them, other bands like them, etc. It might also be a singer/songwriter (technically not a band :wink:). Since obviously everyone will want to listen to the suggested songs, I recommend you download iTunes and search for the song or band in the music store, and listen to the 30 second preview. Then you can buy the song from there. Feedback is nice as if if this helped you, if you like the featured band, whatever. Enjoy. This Week's Band: Kings of Convenience Favorite Songs: Misread, I'd Rather Dance Type of Music: Chill Bio: [link] Website:[link] I definately like the use of different instruments (piano, guitar, violin, etc.) used by this Indie band, as well as the singer's soothing voice. Their songs seem to have a short insrtumental intro which is a good way to get into the song, and overall an acoustic feel, except you couldn't call it that. Lyrics aren't the strongest and most meaningful (at least to me) but they are enjoyable. I'd listen to this music to go to sleep to or just to relax to rather than work out to since it's more calming than uplifting.

I believe that song is "What I Got". I like them, most of their songs are pretty good, but they are like a lot of bands where some of their songs are great but the other ones are horrible.

I'm definately a fan, I like his mellow approach to everything, even his concerts (which is good and bad). I loved seeing him live but it was sort of him just sitting there playing his songs, no talking, no audience ineraction, nothing. It was really great though. I'd say Brushfire Fairytales is his best album, but I'm impressed with In Between Dreams too, either way you can't go wrong. I will say that I'm not diggin' the Jack Johnson and Friends as much as I thought I would, expecially since all of the guests he has like Ben Harper, G. Love, Matt Costa (saw him in concert as well), I listen to regularly as well. Maybe just geared toward a different purpose than why I'd buy a CD.

I'd say either Red Hot Chili Peppers or Dave Matthews Band, both are really good.

I've seen Jack Johnson, Modest Mouse, Matisyahu, Death Cab for Cutie, and Franz Ferdinand, as well as their respective opening acts. Of course when you say live I mean in concert. This summer I've budgeted in a bit of travelling and tickets to see some concerts of bands I like within a day's driving distance. So far only a Dave Matthews Band concert is planned at the end of summer, but more to come as soon as summer tour dates are released.

Aw man, don't do that. I've heard countless stories from my friends about guys who asked "what's your favorite color" on those awekward phone conversations. It doesn't work well. But eveything else Knives said, go for I guess. Just try not to make it awekward for yourself, or it will be for her too. I have to agree with this... "Hey, so what's your favorite food?" Fondue? Can you spell that out? F-O-N-D-What? Oh, U. Got it. Next, favorite color? Magent-wha? Magenta? Haha like thats a real word..." Sounds like you just need to be yourself, it's always a good start to see how her day is going and go from there. "How's your day going? That's cool, why so great? Oh wow, she won 19 million in the lottery? And how much are you getting? laugh laugh yada yada." Sorry, got a little carried away with the one-sided conversations. But you get the picture. Just make it interesting for her, at least if it's funny she won't want to hang up. Chances are she's interested somewhat if you're this far, so don't sweat it, just do it like you ran into her in the halls. Not like you plan out conversations such as those ahead of time, right? Don't even think about what to say until you're on the phone with her.

I'm an Eagle Scout, and I can say the stuff I've learned on the way will have made me a much better leader, etc. But if there is a stereotypical boyscout type, I'm definately not it. I did some great things in scouts as little as I liked the concept at the time. I went to Philmont Scout Ranch and did a 60-ish mile backpacking trip, what a great experience. It's a great thing to have on a college application and resume as well, being an Eagle Scout.

Lucky for you there's another person going through the same problem, maybe you should take some of the advice given to him: http://forum.tip.it/viewtopic.php?t=422435

Having never been a smoker I can't really attest to how hard it might be, but based on the statistics it's obviously very hard to quit for millions of people, so don't feel bad about that (someone mentioned weak mind, etc.). Obviously you're already well on your way, but get some gum (not the nicotine kind) and chew it when you want to smoke to keep your mouth busy, and take some deep breaths as well until the craving passes. I've heard the first three days are the worst so after that you should be good, but don't cave in later down the road, otherwise it's a wasted effort and that would mean you do have a weak mind. Good luck.

I actually was driving over from Reno to Sacramento in the peak of the storm over Donner pass. It wasn't actually that bad but still lots of snow in the mountains at high elevation, so 4-wheel drive/chains were required when the road is even open. Then in San Jose I looked out in the morning (it had been raining at night) and the surrounding hills had snow on them. Didn't second thought it until I realized I wasn't home, I was in the Bay Area and there isn't supposed to be snow there... Here we've had snow in 11 out of the 12 months in the year, I believe July is the only one we haven't had it in. Not uncommon at all, at least not in the Tahoe area. Ski areas usually stay open into the Spring a little ways, maybe we will get a little longer this time.

Here's a source that says about 103,000 people died in America in 2000 due to alcohol consumption. This includes everything from cirrhosis of the liver to falling to death when trying to climb a building (or something else).

Thanks a lot for the honest opinions everyone. It helps a lot. Maybe I'll go back to the same spots and try to redo the pictures. I really am interested in learning to do unique compositions, so that's the biggest thing I think I need to work on as it appears obvious. The camera I have, however cool it is, still won't ever be as versitile as a DSLR, but I can't stick a DSLR in my pocket, so it's a compromise. As for the first shot, since it wasn't staged at all and it was just in the hallway at the hotel, there wasn't much I could do to it other than the post editing (which of course can be changed). The colors do clash, but a red and yellowish phone wouldn't work well there :P. Believe it or not I do have the second photo a little zoomed out with a Mercedes in front of it, but it sort of kills the mood. I got three or four shots of this wall and could come up with some unique shots with a little bit of cropping. I think next time I'm going to try some shots with the signage around there. There's also a lot of orchids and other flora as well as some unique architecture, but I can't really work with that too well. Thanks again for anyone who posted lengthy critique ( :wink: ), I'll definately consider it next shots I go for.