Monkey Mountain – Kaohsiung, Taiwan

I haven’t been posting much.
I’ve been consumed with school and living my miserable life.
But, I came across this video this morning, and I wanted to share.

The video is filmed in Kaohsiung, Taiwan at what’s called “Monkey Mountain.”

Watch the video and you will understand. It’s pretty intense. They’re everywhere.

I highly suggest subscribing to the rss feed at  travelingtolive.com.

It’s written by an American 25-year-old, who decided to move to Korea to teach English.

-Matt

Mark McQwire

Steroids? Me? Psssssssssssssssh.

Mark McQwire has admitted to using steriods when he broke the homerun record in ‘98.

If this comes to you as suprise, you may have a difficult life ahead of you.

Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig said that he was pleased that McGwire had “confronted his use of performance-enhancing substances as a player,” and said that the steroid era had come to an end.*

I’m not so sure professional athletes will ever stop using steriods, but McQwire’s admission is somewhat of a good thing. But let’s be honest, who had any doubts?

-Matt

*Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/12/sports/baseball/12mcgwire.html?hp

The Homosexual Death Sentence

The Sunday Pepper, a Uganda newspaper.

A death sentence for homosexuality?

In Uganda, you bet your ass.

According to the NY Times,  Uganda is activity discriminating against homosexuality.

Legislation was recently introduced  that would’ve sought the death penalty for homosexual acts in the African country. But don’t worry, the legislation has been watered down a notch – life in prison seems to be  the moderate solution.

The best/horrible part about this anti-gay revolution, American religious leaders are behind it.

Scott Lively, a missionary who has written several books against homosexuality, including “7 Steps to Recruit-Proof Your Child”; Caleb Lee Brundidge, a self-described former gay man who leads “healing seminars”; and Don Schmierer, a board member of Exodus International, whose mission is “mobilizing the body of Christ to minister grace and truth to a world impacted by homosexuality” — are now trying to distance themselves from the bill.

Here’s the deal: These three political leaders went to Uganda, ranted and raved about the alleged dangers of homosexuality and now the country has taken their irrational, delusional advice.

These three freaks, all who believe homosexuality can be “cured,” have succesfully primed the counrty to kill and discriminate against gays.

Mr. Kaoma [a Zambian reverend] was at the conference and said that the three Americans “underestimated the homophobia in Uganda” and “what it means to Africans when you speak about a certain group trying to destroy their children and their families.”

What about human rights?

Uganda’s minister of ethics and integrity (who previously tried to ban miniskirts) recently said, “Homosexuals can forget about human rights.”

There is just so much energy against homosexuality in the World.

Nevermind all the rampant corruption and murdering going about in the world, lets go after them gays.

Nothing like religious motivation to spew intolerance.

Humans are bizarre.

-Matt

My 2009 Top 10 Albums

It’s the end of the year, and it’s the time when everyone rolls out their top 2009 lists.

I’m no different.

I was inspired by the kind people over at wfpk.org who posted their lists a few days ago.

Below is a list, in no particular order, of my favorite ten albums of 2009.

1. Silversun Pickups – Swoon

This follow up record is proof the Southern California band is no fluke. The first single, “Panic Switch” spiraled onto rock stations across the country. Personally, I think SSP’s songs like “Growing Old is Getting Old” and “Catch and Release” really display the band’s musical talent.

2. Passion Pit – Manners

I first heard the Massachusetts band in early 2009. The band’s song “The Reeling” catapulted them into indie success. Passion Pit electronic-goodness spread through college radio, blogs and listener supported radio. A recent performance on the MTU award show didn’t hurt the band either.

3. Monsters of Folk – Monsters of Folk

I know, I know. Everyone raves and raves about the indie supergroup, but MOF is actually a damn fine album. Compiled by indie juggernauts Jim James (My Morning Jacket), Conner Oberst (Bright Eyes), M.Ward (She and Him) and producer Mike Moogis, the foursome has put out a brilliant album full of great song writing, near-perfect voice arrangements and smooth grooves. Don’t be afriad to join the crowd, Monsters of Folk is, indeed, the shit. I love the lyric from the song “Baby boomer:”

I think if I was ever king , I would buy a censorship
Where the only books upon the shelves
Were the ones that I had written
Oh, and put them up in borders, set my photo down the spine
To tell the story of the livin’ without forgettin’ those who’d died

4. Wale – Attention Deficit Disorder

Hip-hop these days is flooded with garbage. It’s no surprise when a fresh breath of originality, like Wale, comes along people are relieved. Wale takes blends smooth raps and original metaphors that shine a bit of hope on a hip-hop industry that is quickly falling apart.

5. Kid Cudi – Man on the Moon

Kid Cudi did something I thought was impossible: he proved me wrong. After the song “Day N Night,” which was played ad nauseam, I found myself actually enjoying his album. Upbeat songs like, “Simple As” and “Soundtrack 2 My Life” are signals of an emerging hip-hop where originality and creativity triumph over sensationalism. Check out my favorite song from his album below.

5. Rodrigo Y Gabriela – 11:11

Ok, so this is my strange, no-one-will-understand pick. To be honest, I don’t know much about Rodrigo y Gabriela (pronounced Rod-reego Eee Gab-ree-ela), but I can say that I really like this album. The group is made up of two Mexican guitar players from Dublin. (Strange I know.) This is my second album by the duo and I love it. It’s all instrumental, but still, a very powerful, album. Give them a shot, and I promise you will not be disappointed.

6. Neko Case – Middle Cyclone

With her debut solo album New Pornographer’s vocalist, Neko Case, showed the world she is a powerful solo artist. Along with fellow female artist Jenny Lewis, Case combines brilliant songwriting with precise vocals. Sample lyic:

You know they call them killer whales
But you seem surprised
When it pinned you down to the bottom of the tank
Where you can’t turn around
It took half your leg and both your lungs
And I craved I ate hearts of sharks, I know you know it

7. The Big Pink – A Brief History of Love

The Big Pink, which is made up of Robbie Furze and Milo Cordell, are an eltronic-pop group from England. To be completely honest, I don’t exactly know why I enjoy this album so much. I just enjoy the flavor I suppose. I will admit that I’m absolutely addicted to the band’s first single “Dominoes.” (See below.)

8. Jay Z – The Blueprint 3

It’s impossible to comb over records of 2009 and not include this latest work of art from the jigga man. Quickly bouncing back from the sleeper of American Gangster, Hova put together an album that again forces the rest of the hip-hop community to switch gears. Jay attacks  hip hop’s use of cyborg vocals in D.O.A. (Death of Auto-tune.) “Empire State of Mind” is yet another anthem to fellow New Yorkers. Jay, who claims “made the Yankee hat more than a Yankee can,” further cements his greatness in world of hip hop. You can damn sure try, but you can’t sleep on Jay Z. He’s as solid as rappers come.

9. Drake – So far Gone (EP)

Not often to Mixtapes force record companies to produce an EP to fulfill the public demand, but this wasn’t the case for “Shoppin’ Bag Drizzy.” After a ferocious buzz in the underground mix-tape world and the success of songs like “Best I Ever Had,” and “Successful” Drake has endured a grandiose welcome into the hip hop world not seen since 50 Cent circa 2003. Drake, who has Lil-Wayne like metaphors and a smooth voice, brings something of the indie/college music scene into the hip hop world. Collaborations with Indie artists Lykke Li and Santogold, and his own admission to enjoying Indie acts such as Passion Pit and Miike Snow, are further proof that Drake has the potential to push hip hop into a more creative and experiential realm.

10. Regina Spektor – Far

After an album as stellar as “Begin to Hope,” the odds were stacked against the Soviet Born pop star. But, she proved the masses wrong with her follow up album “Far.” Although “Far,” isn’t as fresh and original as it’s predecessor it still stands on it’s own as a good album. Spektor has taken a step down this time around and left her guitar behind for more piano. Fans can still enjoy the quirkyness of Spektor’s songwriting in songs like “Wallet” where she muses about finding an abandon wallet in the streets of New York with only a Blockbuster card inside. “Laughing With,” is Spektor’s view on the seriousness of God in our society. (Be sure to check out my review of Regina Spektor’s performance, complete with video and audio, at the Louisville place: http://mattchinn.wordpress.com/2009/11/20/regina_spektor_louisville/

There you have it.

If you have any suggestions or rants please leave a comment below.

Let’s face New Year, 2010, like some professionals.

-Matt

n.a.s.a – Spacious Thoughts

I stumbled across this video today.

I found it pretty intense.

The sample is from Tom Waits, who’s a musical genius.

Let me know what you think.

-Matt

Precious: A Damn Fine Film

Gabourey Sidibe as Precious

Lee Daniel’s film “Precious” is a constant reminder of how much suffering there is in the inner-city.

Precious, a film adaption from the book by African-American poet and writer Sapphire, is a gritty look into the life of an illiterate, pregnant and overwheit girl in New York.

Clarice “Precious” Jones (Gabourey Sidibe) is knocked up by her own father, has a child with down syndrome and is constatly at war with her soulless mother Mary. Mary, played by Mo’Nigue, is possibly the best supporting-actress role I’ve ever witnessed. (Oscars rumors have already begun.)

The limited cast includes Miriah Carey as a gritty New York social worker, and Lenny Kravitz as a bizarre, heath-nut nurse who meets Precious while she is delivering her second child birthed through incest.

As the film roles you are given a first hand account of Precious breaking out of her shell and making  decisions on her own.

After the climax, which is a gut wrentching monologue from Mo’Nigue, Precious realizes how dark and twisted her welfare-pumping mother had become.

Precious, who battles AIDS, literacy and a viscous home-life goes on to befriend her lesbian teacher and actually develops friendships with other students in the classroom.

I don’t watch many movies, but I really enjoyed “Precious.”

Go see the film.

Reviews: NY Times & Rolling Stone

-Matt

What’s better than Sarah Palin, how ’bout those who support her.

Unlike Sarah Palin's, my god don't support sending young kids to war.

I  can tell you the first moment I decided I didn’t care for Palin.

When she said the political decision to send my fellow countrymen to fight other humans  Iraq was “God’s plan.”

Sam Harris, a brilliant author, wrote an excellent column in Newsweek about Palin and the problems her ideologies could cause American citizens.

Equally entertaining is Matt Damon’s fears that Palin might not believe in dinosaurs.

The funniest thing about the Sarah Palin isn’t her religious beliefs, or her lack of experience, the hilarious part of the “Palin Phenomenon” is the people who support her. I’ve ran into numerous people who likes Palin because “she is so real.” Not her foriegn plolicy or her economic philosophy. Nope, Sarah Palin keeps it real.

Too bad Hunter Thompson wasn’t around to watch this.

Check these Palin supporters tell you why they like her. (HINT: Not many of them know.)

-Matt (Goin’ rouge y’all)

The Conservative Liberal Dichotomy

“I have to say this in defense of humankind: No matter in what era in history, including the Garden of Eden, everybody just got there. And, except for the Garden of Eden, there were already all these crazy games going on, which could make you act crazy, even if you weren’t crazy to begin with. Some of the games that were already going on when you got here were love and hate, liberalism and conservatism, automobiles and credit cards, golf and girls’ basketball. Even crazier than golf, though, is modern American politics, where, thanks to TV and for the convenience of TV, you can only be one of two kinds of human beings, either a liberal or a conservative.” – Kurt Vonnegut

It's alright to think for yourself.

As we grow older, we make certain decisions more efficiently than we would as a child. You know, as a child I wanted to be a paleontologist. As I grew older I wanted to become a photographer. Then a teacher. Then a journalism teacher. Then a graphic designer. Now, I just wanna be a lonely reporter.

As I grew older, I took a look at myself, the world around me and the people who control it. My father and I disagree a lot on political issues. But he understands. I’m lucky; my parents taught me how to think, instead of what to think.

To many people, I’m a vicious liberal. Below is a list, in no particular order, of topics I care for.

1. War – I’m not a fan. I understand the argument for a strong national defense, but I don’t buy it. I think there are plenty of other, less deadly ways to go about the current “crisis” in the Middle East. Fareed Zacharia, a brilliant Newsweek writer, once suggested limiting property purchases in Middle Eastern countries as way to curb terrorism. I understand something like that wouldn’t eliminate terrorism, but that sort of “out-of-the-box” thinking is something that seems to be in short supply in Washington.
2. Transparency – President Obama said we are in age of transparency. “A new era of openness in our country,” he said. I believe this is highly important. Nothing fuels conspiracy theorists more than government secrecy. As a fan of transparency, this leads me to be a supporter of a larger government that can better provide for it’s people.
3. Equality – As a secular person, I have no moral objections to gays/lesbians having equal rights. That sounds so strange, “having equal rights.” It’s as if I’m boldly claiming, “I LIKE TO BE FAIR!” Why is this even a debate in our country? Unfortunately, I live in one of the worst states for people who like equality.
4. Science – When the Bush administration halted funding for stem cell research, I was blown away. Personal ideologies should never intervene with progressive science.

I could go on, but this is a short informal list.

As Vonnegut sarcastically said, “you can only be one of two kinds of human beings, either a liberal or a conservative.”

It’s true. And it’s utter bullshit. On most issues I fall into the Democratic category. On some issues, like certain economic philosophies for example, I fall into the republican category. But why is there a category at all?

Tom Morello, one of America’s most respectable guitarists, has an interesting philosophy about American politics. Morello, who earned a BA (with Honors) from Harvard University in political science said we need more parties in America.

I can see that. I can understand that. I also know there is no way Americans would abandon the dichotomy they’ve gotten themselves into.

The point of this useless rambles: Be able to defend your philosophy.

Amazing evidence of Evolution

There is a million other things I could be blogging about right now, but I want to share some extrrodanry examples of evoultion.
If I were brave enough, I would take the 5-credit, evolution course offered here at school.
But I’m not.

Unfortunately, only 4 in 10 ten Americans even believe in evolution.

Yup, that's us. Right there above Turkey.

I just don’t understand how so many people can deny the evidence of evolution.

I recently had a discussion with a nursing student who didn’t believe in evolution.

“But, in microbiology, you can actually sit there and watch a quickly reproducing organism evolve,” I said.

The look on her face said it all.

I was staring down someone with a tightly-held religious ideology that would not give way to reason or understanding. I felt sad. There is an entire field of biology that she never get to experience. I truly facinating field.

I begin to wonder what sort of logic she has built in her mind. It is a logic where Earth was just  placed here in an instant and orginims began to change afterward? Does she believe that bacteria or viruses, like the H1N1 influenza virus, possess the ability  to adapt?

Visible example of rodent tooth adaptions caused by their diet.

What about insect colors?

What about mimicry?

How can someone legitimately ignore the overwhelming evidence?

I recently read an account of a high-school biology teacher who was so tired of “teaching the controversy” that is evolution. She hated getting notes from parents. She hated teaching a lesson plan, only to have her students come back after being told that what they learned the day before wasn’t really what happened.

Even I can recall a reported incident of a girl, happily married with and surely a Sunday worship regular, bursting into tears in my middle school when the topic of evolution arose.

If a person says they don’t believe in the Holocuast we look at them with bewilderment, but if the same person claims not to believe in evolution we just shrug our shoulders. (Or worse, agree with their ignorance.)

I’m railing, I know. But it just gets to me when I hear that parents teach their children that evolution is untrue. To me, it seems like the parents are limiting the child’s horizon.

Anyways, check out these brilliant examples of evolution.

Speckeled moths.

Cuckoo Birds. (P.S. David Attenborough is an evolutionary genius.)

My personal favorite example, the many evolutions of orchids.

-Matt

Who Gives A Shit About Tiger Wood’s Car Wreck???

During his downtime, Woods directs traffic in nearby neighborhoods.

This is more important than killers on the loose.

The Assocated Press sends me little bursts of breaking news to my phone.
For the most part, these bursts are legitimate breaking news stories.
Today for example: “President Obama to send 30,000 troops to Afghanistan within six months.”
But Sunday morning I was sent a a message that Tiger Woods had been in a car wreck. I figured it must have been pretty serious to be considered breaking news by the Associated Press. I checked, espn.com, and read that he had already been released from the hospital.
But then I turn on CNN and read that four Lakewood, Wash. police officers had been killed by a gunman who was still on the loose.

So, take a moment and try to understand the logic of whoever sends out these breaking news messages.
“Boy lost in flying balloon over Colorado.”  [check]
“Aspiring reality TV stars crash White House Event.” [check]
“Alleged killer, and suspected child rapist, on the loose after possible killing four police officers.” [pass]
“Tiger Woods involved in a late night car wreck.” [check]

Whoever the hell is posting these messages, which are sent to every phone with the official Associated Press application, needs to reevaluate what they consider “real news.”

This brings me to my next question,…

WHO GIVES A SHIT ABOUT TIGER WOODS PERSONAL LIFE ANYWAYS???

Come on AP, I understand these are (somewhat) newsworthy events, but don’t send me little splatters of information about pro golfers minor car wrecks when  homicidal maniacs running the streets after killing four police officers.

-Matt