Ryan Wants To Meet Dave Chappelle

Ryan, apparently had a reflective day yesterday. He was a would-be witness to a train accident, and he discovered that Dave Chappelle looks happy these days. He wants to meet Dave Chappelle, and I think that he should talk to him one day and see how it goes. So, Ryan, if you want to meet him, then click here: Meet Dave. If you want to subscribe to his page on this wonderful site, then click.

thisisdocrivs

Please visit, if you’d like.docrivs often likes to dress up like a robot and do unrobot-like things and sometimes dresses like a hot librarian but still thinks like a geek.

No, jus keeding. However, he does agree with Mao, who is attributed to saying that’religion is the opiate of the masses’.

Is your name noony?

See more progress on: have a website

Well, I do...

...sort of. I have a website, called docrivs.com, and I have a blogsite, called thisisdocrivs. I am also a del.icio.us subscriber, and I am slowly learning XHTML, CSS, Javascript, XML, and PHP.
Some other people share this same goal of creating a website. Other people, including myself, want to be a web designer and design web publish on the web. There is a subtle difference between being a web developer and being a web designer. Web development involves using databases and designing applications for businesses, whereas web design involves more of the creative side of it all.There are other “web” goals that I’ve found on 43 Things

Be a Web Developer

web programmer
be a web visionary
my web site
to be a web editor
be a web master
go to my web page
web desinger
learn web design
be a great web designer
redesign my web sites
be a better web designer
FINISH a web project
web design as a career
Become a Web designer
create a web page
start a web business
learn web programming
build a web service
finish my web page
create my web portfolio
Write a web application
teach web design
build a web server
Master web content
design a web page
finish my web pages

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Why I admire Joe Satriani

I admire Joe, because he expresses futuristic style. He always seems to incorporate the latest sounds, techniques, and ideas of the time into his music. He is a bluesy guitar player who likes to bend and hold onto a note for a while; he plays a lot of blues-structure songs; yet, Joe is not a blues musician. Joe plays the future. He seems to embody that image, as well. I could almost see him wearing Neo’s or Morpheus’ costume from The Matrix, jammin’ away. He da man!!
docrivs docrivs docrivs thisisdocrivs thisisdocrivs joesatriani joesatriani thisisdocrivs guitar guitar artists artists musicians musicians guitarplayers guitarplayers guitarists guitarists

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NewsFlash !!! Humans Are Not The Center Of The Universe

On My Google page I have a feed for Quotes of the Day, and today I was provided with this one about spirituality, religion, and human perception. I also share thoughts similar to those expressed in this sentence.

My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind.
Albert Einstein

evolution darwin darwinianevolution darwinism creationism creation docrivs thisisdocrivs docrivs thisisdocrivs religion spirit spirituality einstein alberteinstein perception religion spirit spirituality einstein alberteinstein perception

riding on the metro...

this place is very crowded and hectic in most areas, but because it is an older city it has a sense of connection with the past. i recall the metro tunnels being very smelly places, though.

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easier the second time

my first tattoo was a rather large piece on my back. that took a long time to finish, and it was rather painful at times. my second tattoo was an celtic cross, designed by a myself and a friend, that was done on the side of my lower leg. that was considerably a less painful experience, for the most part. plus, it didn’t take much time at all. however, the stippling, which was necessary because the gun was homemade, was very painful. all in all, the pain was totally worth it! i love to look at my tattoos. sometimes i wish i could see the one on my back a lot better, though.

See more progress on: get my second tattoo

pen and paper journals vs. digital journals

this is a great idea for practicing my writing, for helping me think, for helping me get through difficult experiences. i much prefer to write with a pen in a notebook style journal, but if it is in digital form, a journal helps me in many more ways. i can go back to it much easier. i can do searches. i can share much easier. i can cut and paste pieces into other documents. i can insert other pieces in between entries.

docrivs.com thisisdocrivs

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start with the lyrics

this is how i write songsi keep a healthy collection of song titles, band names, and album titles. i add to it constantly. then, when i go to write a song, i like to start writing lines, creating potential intros, outros, verses, choruses, refrains, bridges, and breaks. when i have a lot on paper i go to my collection of names and titles and i name my song. then, at some point, i start working on the music. i might start with a drum beat or a full rhythm part. i might start with just a bass line. i might start with a vocal melody. i might start with some chords. when i have a few riffs and parts, i try to connect them somehow to form a verse and chorus or verse and refrain. i might start with an intro or outro. i might start with the bridge. i might just have a chorus. however it goes, i just go with it. the more often i write, the easier it gets to put something down. it always helps to record ideas as soon as they hit, or soon after. i have forgotten way more than i have remembered.thisisdocrivs blog docrivs.com docrivs thisisdocrivs songwriting music riffs Learn to play the guitar guitar properly and get lessons learn to play acoustic guitar, also get a guitar Learn how to make my own guitar and or bass guitar Learn to play guitar according to the Guitar Principles i want to learn to play the guitar and then go to a green day concert and show off my skills to billie joe and see if i could have his black guitar. learn to play a the guitar or bass guitar Find a guitar teacher that will not use the word “lover” in relation to how the guitar should feel in my lap. I am a chinese,I love guitar as my live I want to learn for guitar .But I don't know how to learn for it . who can tell me ? Learn how to play guitar and get a record deal singing and playing guitar. use that money instead on a wicked awesome guitar to appropriate my wicked awesome guitar skills guitar meet Mcfly and just chill out with them and i would like them to teach me how to play the guitar. i have got a guitar but i just can't play anything on it. apart from white stripes. the the guitar play guitar learn guitar guitars I luv music and singing so i guess i want to do music. Play music or produce music write music that affects someone the way music has affected me learn music learn to write music and arrange music scores learn how to learn drum music Learn about music learn to play music Learn about classical music learn to write music learn a musical instrument learn to make music learn more about music learn to read music learn music theory learn musical harmony resume learning music learn about jazz music learn more music Learn a music instrument Learn to compose music learn to mix music

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'it's killing my throat'

As I mentioned in another entry, I once worked as Runner, Production Assistant, and Stagehand for a small production company, contracted by an outdoor concert amphitheatre. I had many interesting experiences, and one in particular was very memorable. I was working the Neil Young show one season. Although I missed Neil Young’s entire show, because I was working, I did get to meet Jewel, who was opening up for Neil. She was staying at one of our finer hotels, and she and her mom and one of her other managers needed a ride from the hotel to the amphitheatre. That was my job, so I was asked to pick them up. I went with the other manager into the hotel and up to Jewel’s room, and I waited inside for a few minutes while the manager talked with her about something. Then, I went back downstairs with the manager and was told to wait, with the doors to my van open, so that the three of them could get right in without much chance for interruption. I had the AC cranked, because it was damn hot. Soon, a beautiful woman appeared in the entranceway to the hotel, walking toward the van. She looked older than what I thought Jewel was, but I didn’t know for sure. I just helped her into the van. Then, an even more beautiful and more youthful woman appeared in a bright-colored sweater, walking towards my van. That was Jewel. I helped her in, trying hard not to stare, blush, or act weird. The manager introduced us, telling them that I was going to be taking them to the venue. During the drive to the venue, Jewel was busy blasting some of the musicians she had been working with either on a record or on the tour. She seemed very angry about the situation. Then, she spoke her first words to me, after she initially said, “hello”. She said, “Can you PLEASE turn down that AC?! It’s KILLing my throat.” Wow, did I turn red, quickly flipped some buttons, and tried to concentrate on getting to the venue as quickly as possible. Although, Jewel, and what turned out to be Jewel’s mom, and her manager, thanked me for the ride, I was wondering if they were just having a bad day, or if it was just like that.

See more progress on: Give Jewel A Ride To Her Concert In My Van

Aimless: Real America

I was teaching a guitar lesson tonight, and I was explaining how learning to play the guitar is a matter of learning the basics and then expanding them to learn the more advanced aspects of playing. My student is in high school, and so he was born no earlier than 1988. He and I are not from the same generation, but he wants to learn about the music from older generations. He doesn't yet understand how artists make songs, how they use chords and scales to make music. It's all new to him.

Anyway, I was focusing on the concept of the 1 - 4 - 5 progression, which is a collection of three chords. The 4 and 5 chords are related, not only to each other, but to the 1 chord, as well. In fact, the 4 chord is only the 4 chord because it is made up of notes that are a 4th (to put it crudely) away from the 1. The 5 chord is only the 5 chord because it is made up of notes that are a 5th away from the 1.

The 1 - 4 - 5 progression is used throughout many styles of music, and it is so common in country, blues, folk, and rock, that if you truly grasp the concept of 1 - 4 - 5, then you can play many different songs. If you truly grasp the 1 - 4 - 5 concept, then you can play anything from Robert Johnson to Chuck Berry to Brooks & Dunn to NOFX.

So, in taking that concept even further, I asserted that what music amounts to is taking sounds that have already been captured and making them your own. It's all been done. There are only 12 notes in "Western" music (which is basically all you can play on a standard-tuned guitar), and they've been played in many different combinations and sequences to make the totality of music that has been played and is still played now. The important point about creativity and originality is that an artist needs to take these sounds, an artistic medium, and take these instruments, beats, props, lyrics, and put some unique twist to the whole thing that makes it unique.

I pointed out to the Ramones, who my post-88 born student claimed to have heard of, and I told him that they liked to play old rock n roll stuff, like Chuck Berry. They liked sounds similar to Jerry Lee Lewis. They took those sounds, and they added their own twist, forging a sound that now serves as part of the foundation for modern pop rock music. There would be no punk rock, as we know it today, no Green Day, no Avril Lavigne, and probably no MTV, as we know it, without the Ramones. They took an old idea and they added a unique twist to make it new again.

Now, hours later, I've read an old blog post by my friend, Ryan. He has re-posted one of his older posts that describe his idea for making a movie, called Aimless: Real America.

Now, I don't think that title is all that original. The title, "Real America" conjures up images of "American Idol", "American Hero", "American Soldier", "Real World", and even "Cops", because it also conjures up all of my preconceptions about "reality TV", a style of entertainment that I've heard too much about.

The title, "Aimless", however, conjures up different images for me. It makes me think of the movies "Road Trip", "Clueless", "Animal House", "Caddyshack", "Airplane!", and many other light comedies that are either one-word titles or they have titles with similar meanings. Aimless implies lack of distinct direction. Aimless implies lack of clearly defined goals or procedures. Aimless implies lack of a point, lack of an end-goal, fruitless, and meaningless. It definitely sets the tone for this film. I'd have to say that Ryan has put a unique twist to an old idea. You could certainly argue otherwise, but it would be Aimless to do so, because the title isn't the only component of the film. The film itself will be unique, because the story will be captured by Ryan, who is a unique individual.

When you see this movie, Aimless: Real America, you will probably laugh, and you might even get teary-eyed, but you will definitely be entertained.

aimless ryan docrivs thisisdocrivs movie film documentary comedy filmmaker roadtrip road roadmovie realitytv

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Hacky Sack

This game rules! It has been frustrating when I’ve tried hard to learn new tricks and kept dropping the bag, but it is also relaxing. I like that you can carry on a conversation with everyone in the circle and still play. The trick, I think, is to wear good sneakers.

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Aimless: Grassroots fund-raising

It's almost 1 AM on a Monday night, and I can't get to sleep.

I'm wide awake!!

So, instead of tossing and turning, I got out of bed, grabbed the laptop, went into the bathroom, and sat on a chair by the window to write and surf and write.

Yesterday... Aigool and I took Sabine and Caspian to COSI, along with Alex, Tim, Petey and Nicky. We got to see the Star Wars exhibit, Oceans, Progress, Space, as well as the interactive exhibits in the back courtyard. There is an interesting site, called TryScience.Org that features a travel guide for people who love science. Check it out.

Tonight... I made some of my Google Notebooks public.

I checked out Ryan's website, Aimless.

I commented on Ryan's ideas for, what he called, "grassroots fund-raising".

Maybe Ryan will put a link to my thisisdocrivs blog in one of his Aimless blog posts. That would be most excellent!

docrivs tag

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Cool Blog Template

I like the template on this blogsite.

Technoraati Profile

Hi, there! This is a link to my Technorati Profile. You can check it out, if you'd like.

Or not.

Why I admire Edward Norton

Ed Norton can play such big, dynamic roles. He goes from the stuttering shy guy in Primal Fear to the white supremacist leader in American History X. He likes those quiet introvert to wild extrovert roles, similar to the character in Fight Club. He’s an exciting actor to watch, and it would be cool to meet him.

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A story about George Orwell

The writings of George Orwell have inspired me in many ways to write, think critically, explore, and act responsibly. 1984 was a big inspiration, as was a class that I took in college, called “Orwell, Orwellianisms, and Technology in Global Society”, or something. We read and discussed essays and other novels by Orwell, Margaret Atwood’s, The Handmaid’s Tale, and the famous 1984 Superbowl commercial for Apple Computer’s MacIntosh. I was intellectually stimulated enough to make me want to write everyday. So, I try to do that without fail.

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Thank you for the great testimonial!!

Thank you, Ryan Powell!!!... for this really good testimonial. I really appreciate what you wrote, and I hope that you are through being "pissed off" with me. I still support you in whatever it is that you do. Aimless is a great idea, and I'm sure that you'll take it to greater heights. I'll be there along the way!

Buying a condo in Downtown Columbus

My wife and I have looked at two projects, so far. The main idea is to continue to be a property owner, rather than a renter, with the added bonus of living closer to where I work. The expense of keeping a Jeep filled with gas and paying $4 a day for bus fare has been too much. Plus, my lifestyle does not allow me much time for keeping a house and yard maintained. I’m not much of a DIY’er, and that’s what it takes to own a home that isn’t brand new. The lure of urban life is starting to interest me more and more, as well. I like the idea of being close to the Main Library, CCAD, Columbus State, the Short North, the Arena District, German Village, Victorian Village, OSU campus, and all of the amenities that come with life in Downton Columbus. Maybe I wouldn’t end up wanting to live there for the rest of my life, but for now, it seems urban life is drawing me in, “like a tractor-beam of hotness”, as Ricky Bobby, the famous NASCAR driver once said about his former wife.

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A story about me

I’ve just put up a new website, which I hope is going to be the start of something really great.docrivs.com

Ok. So, it’s a simple site right now, unpolished and rough. However, there are loads of good content on the way:
Resources for people looking into finding a job in, visiting, or looking at moving to Santa Fe, New Mexico.Teaching materials for guitar teachers and guitar studentsResources for an upcoming article on anarchism, environmental terrorism, the anti-globalization movement, and the role of technologyand much, much more…

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So expensive ...but would be so right

I find Santa Fe to be a place rich in history, art, music, cuisine, and spirit. Santa Fe is a part of what makes up the American Southwest. It sits near the most beautiful mountain and desert areas I have ever seen. Santa Fe inspires me to take part in outdoor activities, like rafting on the Rio Grande, mountain biking on the trails, hiking the national parks, and walking around the various districts of Old Santa Fe. The art gallery districts are superb, filled with great hotspots for eating, drinking, live entertainment, and enjoying being social. Fusion is a word that comes to mind when I think of Santa Fe, but not the kind of Fusion that brings to mind that 70’s-era latin-funk-jazz-blues-rock music. Fusion, as in a dish of Chilean Sea Bass over Thai noodles, served with a side of Dos Equis, and a Cajun rock band that plays Madonna covers!

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