Music #3

My taste in music varies with my mood. My collection includes:

• KJ-52
• Green Day
• Linkin Park
• Three Doors Down
• Three Days Grace
• Bon Jovi
• Kid Rock
• Relient K
• Lady Gaga
• Avenue Q
• Barenaked Ladies
• Fall Out Boy
• Flyleaf
• Lonely Island
• Natasha Bedingfield
• Nickelback
• Pillar
• Red
• Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Simple Plan
• Smash Mouth
• Thousand Foot Krutch
• tobyMac
• Weird Al Yankovic

 You'll notice that, along with the mainstream secular music, I have a few Christian artists in there. I'm not Christian, but I like the music and the message behind it. To me that what music should be, a good beat and good lyrics. 

There are a few songs that have been stuck in my head recently, all have memories attached.

I Will Follow You Into The Dark - Death Cab For Cutie 

  I found this song a few years ago after I suspected a friend was close to death. Not Ashley, someone else. Her name was Amber. I was looking for hopeful songs about death and dying and found this one on a wiki website. When I listen to it I think of it more as a song of love than a song about death. One person devoted to another and willing to go with them so they won't be alone in the unknown, so they can be at peace.

Never Alone - Barlow Girl

  I've mentioned this song before, it is one of my favorites on more than one level and for more than one reason. But the reason I'm listening to it specifically was for the fact that I learned this was one of Ashley's favorite songs before she passed. And watching the music video I realized this song is about losing someone close, not about God specifically. It changes the meaning of the song when you think of it like that.

Sadie Hawkins Dance - Relient K

  I know, this song does not fit with the other two. So why such a light song about a high school dance with songs about death and losing someone? Honestly, I don't know. It just popped into my head last week and burrowed into my ear. I can't get rid of it. I used to sing it at boot camp when I had to clean to keep my spirits up. But I haven't listened to it since then. I wonder why that song?

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Coffee

I met this guy on the plane ride to Michigan for a vacation. Even though we had very different views on things, we also had much in common. Turns out he was a moderately wealthy business man who owned a lot of property and had quite a bit of money.  Apparently his grandfather was an explorer, expeditioner, and gold miner in Alaska. Mike sent me a signed copy of his grandfathers journal free of charge. El Sueno De Oro: The Dream of Gold. Random guy on a plane turned into a free signed book. I guess you never know who you'll meet.

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Propaganda, I mean... "Church Literature"

Literature from different churches.

I find it amusing that no matter how many churches I go to, no matter how many denominations, no matter how many are the SAME denomination, each church believes they are the ones going to Heaven AND what they preach is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

I went to a Pentecostal church that believed woman cannot: cut their hair, wear pants, wear jewelry, and must obey their husbands. No matter what. Or else you risk burning in Hell for all eternity. Oh yeah, and to prove that you are "Saved" you MUST speak in tongues (their version being you repeat "alalalalalalalalalalalalalala" over and over again)

Or how about the hypocritical Assemblies of God church that believed "Love thy neighbor" until it is inconvenient or not benificial. I got in an argument with the Youth Pastor over a friend and all he was worried about was the $80.00 a gave to the church for a concert a few months away. I never brought up the money nor did I care about the money. You can see where their heart really lies. Their version of speaking in tongues is Jesus speaking through the women of the church.

A Mississippi church showed me that its ok to go to a mixed race church, as long as they don't actually mix.

I went to a church in Chandler, AZ where a patron even admitted to me they fall asleep during the sermon. It was my first time there. As we were leaving on of the younger ones flicked me off. You know they are all going to Heaven.

A couple of Mega-churches that show its cool to be secular, just donate money and bring your friends!

Etc, etc.

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Lessons

Various side lessons I passed while in training, 25 lessons in 6 weeks, not including normal classes. All of which were done in class, mostly when my work was done or the class part of the system was down. My teacher was pissed that I was doing side lessons, even though there was nothing else to do. I would have done more, but at the time I could only access the lessons in class. And to prove how well "Formal Education" really works these are the lessons I completed:

"Success Over Stress"
"When the Going Gets Tough"
"Managing Anger in the Workplace"
"Philippines"
"Managing Your Anger"
"Managing and Working With Difficult People"
"Communicating Effectively With Difficult Coworkers"
"Working With Arrogant and Duplicitous People"
"Working With Aggressive People"
"Proactive Approaches to Stop Negativity"
"Managerial Business Ethics"
"The Basics of Listening"
"Making the Change"
"Experiencing Anger"
"Achieving Success Without Authority: Personal Accountability"
"A Manager's Introduction to Business Law"
"Difficult People in the Workplace"
"Working With Negative People and Procrastinators"
"What is Emotional Intelligence"
"United States Army Values"
"Trafficking in Persons Basic Awareness Training"
"ATFP Level 1 Awareness Training for Service Members (CONUS)

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Ashley

Ashley Sherman

Age: 24

Born: 01/28/1986

Died:10/29/2010

This is Ashley as I knew her.

We met the night I started going to church regularly. Paul drove me to church that night and I was in the back seat when they arrived, he in the driver's seat and her next to him. It wasn't until a month later that they started dating. I knew he liked her from the beginning. I was very reclusive back then and didn't get to know her much. Or so I thought. I learned her favorite color was green and she wanted to be a teacher. She was the head of the church puppet team and loved children. She was held back early on in grade school and graduated high school in 2005, the same year I did. She was also a strong Christian.

We hung out a few times after her and Paul broke up, but just as friends, nothing more. I haven't seen her since 2007 when I took a cab out to Belleville, MI where she lived. We had lunch and, later, dinner. I took a cab back and hadn't seen her in person since.

We texted and talked since then, but by that point I was living in Arizona. I learned a lot more about her. She hated her family, but loved them much. She felt repressed and blamed for everything. She was so eager to move out, but with school and bills couldn't afford it. She still went to church, but was no longer a Christian. I don't know at what point she started questioning, but she realized the only people who cared when she went to church were her parents, and that was only because of their reputations. She still loved children, but wasn't so eager to have any of her own anytime soon. She started drinking and partying with new friends. She started living. When she finally started living, she finally moved out, she was close to graduating, and she died.

  She loved reading even though she had dyslexia and trouble spelling. Her favorite genres were the vampire  romance, horror, and fantasy. She used to love Twilight and True Blood. She also read the complete Sword of Truth series and many Stephen King books. It was from her recommendation that I started reading Wizard's First Rule.

  I can't say with certainty whether she was a Christian or not, but her parents seem to think so. But, then again, they never really knew her. Not the real her. She put on the Christian facade for them and the church-goers. Her dad was a deacon and pastor, her mother lead children's church. Only them. Only they judged. Us non-Christians didn't judge her for her actions. I knew she was finally starting to be happy, be free. She was going to visit me here soon. And she was going to be my date to my cousin's wedding in May.

I hope she was happy.

I loved her, but I could never say it. And now its too late.

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Chisholm Clan

 The OLD Wikipedia history of the Chisholm clan

Wiki has since then been updated

I wonder. Is Wikipedia like real-world history? Where it is changed on a whim of the winner? They say history is written by the winners, is that true? Would out history books be different if we had impartial views, or even better, if they were written by the "losers"? I'm curious to see what England, Germany, Japan, Afghanistan and Israel have in their history books. Are they as biased as ours?

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Book Review #15 - Braude's Treasury of Wit and Humor For All Occasions

Braude's Treasury of Wit and Humor For All Occasions
Jacob M. Braude

One of many quote books in my library, this book is easy to read and has a nice index when looking for a particular subject. May be good for speeches or toasts. If nothing else good for a chuckle or two when bored.

3/5

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Book Review #14 - The Gunslinger

The Gunslinger

Stephen King

Read this book in high school. Didn't remember too much so I reread it last month. Like the book, not one of my favorites. You will find a melting pot of horror, fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, and western thrown together into a decent book. Maybe I'll read the next one, but this book didn't hook me like a lot of his stand alone novels do. We'll see how the rest of the series is.

4/5

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Book Review #13 - Late Night With David Letterman Book of Top Ten Lists

Late Night With David Letterman Book of Top Ten Lists
David Letterman

Just a book of lists. Some funny, some not. Most outdated and for the older crowd (late twenties and beyond). Younger generations would find this boring and out-dated. Good book for Letterman fans, but thats about it.

2.5/5

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Detailed Me

DANIEL CHISHOLM - LEVEL 1
POINT TOTAL: 5
LAST ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED:BEGINNER

     I know I've already said quite a bit about me and I'm not trying to be narcissistic. I want to meet people, and almost anyone who reads this will probably never meet me. So this way I can introduce myself to you even though we never met. Its easier this way. I can collect my thoughts and not get flustered at embarrassing questions. So here goes.

     I am sarcastic. That is probably one of the first qualities people learn about me. And when I say sarcastic, I don't mean sometimes. I mean ALL.THE.TIME. I am probably the biggest smart-ass you will ever meet. I am also an asshole, jackass, dumbass, wise-ass, asinine, and just a plain ass sometimes.

     The second thing most people learn quickly is that I am an ass. And yet, not. I am a dick, but a kind one. It is almost as if I have two personalities, but I'm not schizophrenic. I'm a coin. One side heads, one side tails, but both the same coin. I don't know why I do the things I do. Maybe I'm afraid of getting close to people. I've had my share of disappointments. And I don't plant roots in one place long.

     I travel. A lot. I'm a gypsy in every way but name. I've lived in Mesa, Gilbert, Tempe, and Chandler, AZ., Westland and Shelby, MI. When I was in the Navy I briefly lived in Great Lakes, IL, Meridian, MS, and Atsugi, Japan. I've also lived in Washington and California briefly as well. Even if that doesn't sound like a lot, I have only lived in one house for more than 2 years, and that was only because I didn't have a choice. I had to live with my grandma until I graduated high school.

     I am not a family person. Or a people person. I am a loner. I like it that way. Yes, there is occasion where I prefer company, but not often. I like personal space and freedom. I want my own place, but unfortunately I live with my ex-girlfriend. Its a goal for my future.

     I have plans for my future. And they aren't go to college, have a family, become a millionaire or famous or popular. I want to own a used bookstore. A better word would probably be "media store". Its going to have books, VHS tapes, DVDs, CDs, games of all types, records, etc. I want computers for people to use, and game systems for them to play with their friends. Pinball machines and arcade games. A reading room and another for tabletop games. The ultimate media mall.

     I love watching movies and TV, playing games, and especially reading books. I love to escape into another reality, another world. And all these things help me do that. Books the most. Books are a doorway into another dimension. Into another mind. Another world. Games and movies as well, but to a different extent. Books are the best escape from reality. Better than any drug as far as I know. That's not saying much seeing as I've never done drugs.

     I've been called a straight-shooter and even been confused for being a Mormon. And I'm not even religious. I don't smoke or do drugs, rarely drink, and my only really bad vice is swearing. I swear like a sailor, which I used to be.

     I was in the Navy for 9 months, including training. I got out on a "failure to cope" clause, General Discharge Under Honorable Conditions. It was my first real job, and I was too immature to handle it. I survived BASIC, survived "A" School, survived Japan. It was the ship I couldn't stand. That and my boss. I didn't even mind the job. It was 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. Storekeeper, E-3. I mostly worked in a storeroom organizing inventory. I love doing paperwork and inventory. I even organize my media (books, games, DVDs, VHSs, etc)

That's all for now. Want to learn more? Ask me. Talk to me. I have learned a lot during my life, and love learning more.

Other Blogs about me:

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Procrastinators: Leaders of Tomorrow

DANIEL CHISHOLM - LEVEL 1
POINT TOTAL: 5
LAST ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED:BEGINNER

My name is Dan, and I am a procrastinator. Even as I type I am watching Netflix getting distracted at 5:30am. I am not sure why I procrastinate. I've been doing it for as far back as I could remember. Any time I lived with my dad he used to make me empty my backpack because he knew I had homework I didn't finish or even start. I think procrastination goes hand in hand with laziness. I was hoping to use this list, these Achievements, to help me.  Sadly, I've already started my procrastination on this project.  I was supposed to clean this weekend, but I worked Saturday and ended up sleeping all day Sunday. But I can't even use that as an excuse because I've still had plenty of time to clean. And with brushing my teeth I haven't since Saturday morning before work. I know that sounds disgusting, but the really disgusting part is the fact that I haven't regularly done it since elementary school. No one forced me, or pushed me to do it, so I didn't. Without an external influence I don't push myself to do anything that requires work on my part. Anyone know of any ways to change? To strive to reach these goal. To push myself without someone holding my hand?

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Death

      Tears are welling up in my eyes as I write this. I have to alternate between tv and the computer. Ironically, Dead Like Me. I picked that show in particular to desensitize  myself while I write this and think about the past. Its been almost a month now since she passed. Ashley Sherman, age 24. Born January 28th 1986, passed away October 29th, 2010. We were close, but not as close as we could have been. I knew a lot about her, more than most of her family and friends. Without realizing it, I went through the 5 Stages of Grief.  When I was first told via Facebook, I assumed it was a sick joke and denied it. It wasn't until I got a call from a second friend in another state the next day did I start to believe. And even then I didn't want to. I finally accepted the truth when I got the text from her family. Once I found out, I was pissed. Why? She was only 24. She was working her way through college to become a teacher. She just moved out. She had her whole life ahead of her! Why her? Why not me? I don't have any path or future in the planning. I don't have a college education or a career. I don't have any dreams. Then I thought, why bother? Why bother doing anything if I might die tomorrow? It was only a couple of weeks prior to that die that I myself may have had a stroke at work. Why plan for a future I may never see? Eventually I trudged on, shuffling my feet on step at a time. I'm still not over, not used to it. I still want to text her. Call her. Message her. I still remember. I still get sad. I wish I could have changed things. I wish things were different. I STILL wish it had been me instead. But I can't change the past, just remember it.

David C. Brown Funeral Home Belleville, MI: Obituaries

Above is the link to the funeral home where her body is laid to rest.

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Who I Am

DANIEL CHISHOLM - LEVEL 1
POINT TOTAL: 5
LAST ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED:BEGINNER

I'm a night person
A gamer who isn't too into games
A reader who doesn't read enough
A writer who doesn't write
A procrastinator
A wise old soul in a young body
I have a gut, thunder thighs, bad teeth, and only shave once a week
I used to cut
I'm a loner who cannot survive alone for long
I don't plant roots
I'm frivolous with money, but always lend it when I can
I'm irresponsible and pay bills
I'm immature, narcissistic, sarcastic, and passive aggressive
I like the night and darkness in general
I'm a stubborn Aries
I prefer earthy colors when I can
I escape with games, music, biking, and books
I'm intelligent but don't have a college degree
I like collecting and inventory in general
I have a future goal, but don't plan for the future
I'm shy but can be spontaneous

Hope you learned something about me. In my opinion who someone is isn't what they look like, how they act, what religion they are, where they live, who their family is, where they work or go to school. Those are simply signs and symptoms of who they are.  A person is the past, the mind, and the heart. Their goals and dreams, hope and future. Would you see all this in a glance? Or would you assume you knew me before we met? No one is completely the mask they wear on the outside. And the sooner we learn that the more we'll learn about each other and ourselves. Talk, experience, and learn. That will make you your future. Not THE future, YOUR future. Because there is no one future, one path, one answer. But you won't have as a rewarding path if you assuming the Goth walking by is emo and writes bad poetry, the cheerleader is a stupid slut, and the loner is going to either shoot everyone or shoot themselves. Watch, Listen, Speak, and Learn.

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Achievement Unlocked: BEGINNER

     DANIEL CHISHOLM - LEVEL 1
POINT TOTAL: 5
LAST ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED:BEGINNER

     How many of you out there play games? Kongregate, Xbox360, Super Smash Bros Brawl, World of Warcraft; all of these things have one thing in common. Achievements. Everything from killing to surviving, being quick, thorough, or strong, even just beating the game or unlocking content gives you an award. We all like getting awards and achievements, feeling like we accomplished something. Something about fulfilling a goal can be so rewarding.  So I began thinking, why doesn't life has an achievement list? A list of goals and accomplishments I can show off and get rewarded for. A way to "level up" as you will. Then I thought, why don't I make a list. No, not just a list. Not a New Year's List. A Life List. So here it is, my ever changing, ever growing, ever accomplished Life Achievement List. 100 points to a level, how many levels can you gain?

• Post a blog - Achievement: "BEGINNER" Give yourself a pat on the back. 5 points.
• Post On Blog For 10 Days - Achievement: "TWEETER" Link to Facebook. 5 points.
• Post On Blog For 30 Days - Achievement: "THE IN-CROWD" Write a blog about myself. 10 points.
• Post On Blog For 60 Days - Achievement: "JOURNAL" Buy a video game. 15 points
• Post On Blog For 6 Months - Achievement: "BLOGGER" Buy and spend 40 Wii points. 25 points.
• Post On Blog For 1 Year - Achievement: "BLOG MASTER" Buy a book, DVD, and game. 50 points.
• Save $100 - Achievement: "PIGGY-BANK" Spend $10 on books. 5 points.
• Save $500 - Achievement: "PENNY PINCHER" Spend $50 on yourself. 10 points.
• Save $1000 - Achievement: "SAVER" Spend $100 on yourself. 25 points.
• Save $5000 - Achievement: "INVESTOR" Spend $500 on yourself. 50 points.
• Read 1 Book - Achievement: "DR. SEUSS" Smile, you read a book. 5 points.
• Read 10 Books - Achievement: "HARRY POTTER" Buy 5 more books. 10 points.
• Read 25 Books - Achievement: "WHEEL OF TIME" Buy 10 more books. 25 points.
• Read 50 Books - Achievement: "STEPHEN KING" Buy 25 more books. 50 points.
• Write 1 New Review - Achievement: "FAN" Post review on blog. 5 points.
• Write 10 New Reviews - Achievement: "SCHOOL EDITORIAL" Buy a notebook. 10 points.
• Write 25 New Reviews - Achievement: "TOWN PAPER" Buy a book on writing. 25 points.
• Write 50 New Reviews - Achievement: "CRITIC" Buy 5 books. 50 points.
•  Write A Short Story - Achievement: "NOVICE WRITER" Buy a book of short stories. 10 points.
•  Write A Novel - Achievement: "WRITER" Buy 10 books by at least 5 different new authors. 100 points.
•  Run A Mile Without Stopping - Achievement: "TRACK" Buy $25 in clothes. 10 points.
•  Bike 10 Miles In One Session - Achievement: "TRAINING WHEELS" Buy a bike light. 10 points.
•  Bike 25 Miles In One Session - Achievement: "HUFFY" Write about your travels. 15 points.
•  Bike 50 Miles In One Day - Achievement: "LANCE ARMSTRONG" Go out to dinner. 25 points.
•  Own A Car - Achievement: "LEMON"  Drive to Vegas and par-tay! 100 points!
•  Get My License - Achievement: "DRIVER'S ED" Go out to dinner, drink and celebrate! 50 points.
•  Own An MP3 Player - Achievement: "IPOD" Spend the day loading music onto it. 15 points.
•  Work Full-Time - Achievement: "9-5" Go out to dinner. 20 points.
•  Get Promoted - Achievement: "MONKEY SUIT" Go out to dinner. 20 points.
•  Get A Raise - Achievement: "CHA-CHING" Spend $50 on yourself from next paycheck. 20 points.
• Live On My Own - Achievement: "INDEPENDENT" Throw a party. 25 points.
• Live In A Two-Bedroom - Achievement: "SPACE" Buy 2 bookcases. 30 points.
• Brush My Teeth For A Week - Achievement: "ITS A START" Smile. 5 points.
• Brush My Teeth For A Month - Achievement: "FRESH BREATH" Buy a new brush. 10 points.
• Brush My Teeth For 6 Months - Achievement: "SQUEAKY CLEAN" Take more pictures. 20 points.
• Brush My Teeth For A Year - Achievement: "SHINY" Buy a new camera. 40 points. 
• Do 50 Push-Ups in 5 Minutes - Achievement: "SCRAWNY" Join a gym. 10 points.
• Do 50 Push-Ups in 2 Minutes - Achievement: "BOOT CAMP" Buy a game and book. 20 points.
• Do 100 Push-Ups in 5 Minutes - Achievement: "MUSCLE MAN" Buy new clothes and take more pics. 40 points.
• Survive The Buffalo Wild Wings "Blazin' Challange" - Achievement: "BLAZIN'" Blog about event. 15 points.
• Clean Every Weekend For A Month - Achievement: "MAID" Buy a decoration for the bedroom. 5 points.
• Clean Every Weekend For 6 Months - Achievement: "JANITOR" Take pictures of the clean place. 25 points.
• Clean Every Weekend For A Year- Achievement: "MR. CLEAN" Buy another bookcase and 20 more books. 40 points.

Unlocked: What Achievements Achieve In Games: How Achievements Have Become the New High Scores in Computer Games.

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