The boom where the bass hits

Cheshire Cat rides wherever I go... from the top of my antenna.

I really do love my Suzuki. But she's never had any stereo functions worth writing home about. All up until recently anyway.

When I bought the car, the stereo didn't work. Sometimes it would randomly turn on, but for the most part it would just sit in my head-unit staring at me with it's LCD screen-panel blank. I have a thing for good music, so it was only a matter of time before I bought a nice stereo. Upon installation I found the problem with the old stereo was the poor wiring job one of the previous owners did. So with a much more professional wiring job, a new stereo was installed and I could then rock on.

Well... sort of. After installing the new stereo I discovered the bad condition the speakers were in. The rear two made a kind of bubbling, growling sound. The front two were alright, so long as you didn't turn the tunes up too loud. I just gritted my teeth and dealt with it though, because at least I had a stereo that worked.

But about a month ago I installed a new set of speakers in my car. The sound was instantaneously better. But that wasn't enough for me. While I was at it, I figured I might as well put a subwoofer and an amplifier in there too (I mean while I was spending money and in the mood I might as well!). But while sub' boxes always sound great - they take up a lot of space and I didn't want to surrender all my cargo-space to a monster speaker and its powering equipment. So, I started thinking about where I could install it all, and still have space to haul equipment and gear. I decided the best place would be the tailgate.

 

By mounting the whole kit on my tailgate, it meant everything would take a fraction of the space normally required. So after a lot of planning and considering, I finally got the whole deal figured out and installed. I'm really happy with how it all turned out. And quite pleased with the sound. The Sub' hits fairly hard!

 

The cords move freely to keep from pinching and I still have plenty of room.

 

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Well, if you know me very well, or you've read much of this blog, you have at least a small idea of how much I adore J.R.R. Tolkien's books. They are continually an inspiration to me and my writing. More so, perhaps, than the work of any other author.

Another man was very inspired by the work of Tolkien and that man was Peter Jackson, the director of a trilogy of films based on Tolkien's Lord of the Rings stories. Jackson's recent film endeavor has been to create a trilogy of motion pictures based on Tolkien's literary work The Hobbit. Last December the first installment hit theaters with a flourish and fans flocked to their nearest cinema in order to catch a showing. (Or two...)

The next installment is to be released sometime later this year and only just recently a trailer was publicized highlighting a bit of what will be showcased in the upcoming film.

 

 

After watching the trailer, once again I find myself very excited for another Peter Jackson film release and the next installment of his latest motion-picture trilogy. 

Party

Me? I love parties. I don't really know what it is about them that attracts me, but I'm kind of a big party fan. And while "the more the merrier" is often my motto, it doesn't have to be a big, massive, crowded, body-mass where you can't hear yourself think (Let alone carry on a conversation with someone!). I'm cool with small-sized parties. And two person parties can often be incredibly fun. I'd like to think that wherever I go, I bring a bit of a party with me. Kind of like a party delivery service...

Anyway - semi-recently I came across this hilarious comic page by Anthony Clark. Many may find it not the least bit funny, but I found it humorous primarily because I relate with party cat on so many levels.

Anthony's other comic-strips are equally funny. Check out the whole real here. And party while you're at it. Man... it's been too long since my last party. Probably about time I fixed that.

On another note, my previous laptop's video card bit the dust. And while I realize that I don't really post often, hopefully thanks to a new laptop, I will be able to post more frequently. Cheers! And go throw a party!

Auld Lang Syne:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

and never brought to mind ?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

and auld lang syne?
 

CHORUS: For auld lang syne, my jo,

for auld lang syne,

we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.
 

And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp !

and surely I’ll be mine !

And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.
 

CHORUS
 

We twa hae run about the braes,

and pu’d the gowans fine ;

But we’ve wander’d mony a weary fit,

sin auld lang syne.
 

CHORUS
 

We twa hae paidl’d i' the burn,

frae morning sun till dine ;

But seas between us braid hae roar’d

sin auld lang syne.
 

CHORUS
 

And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere !

and gie's a hand o’ thine !

And we’ll tak a right gude-willy waught,

for auld lang syne.
 

For auld lang syne, my jo,

for auld lang syne,

we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.


 

James Watson version (1711):
 

Should Old Acquaintance be forgot,

and never thought upon;

The flames of Love extinguished,

and fully past and gone:
 

Is thy sweet Heart now grown so cold,

that loving Breast of thine;

That thou canst never once reflect

on Old long syne.
 

CHORUS: On Old long syne my Jo,

in Old long syne,

That thou canst never once reflect,

on Old long syne.
 

My Heart is ravisht with delight,

when thee I think upon;

All Grief and Sorrow takes the flight,

and speedily is gone.
 

The bright resemblance of thy Face,

so fills this, Heart of mine;

That Force nor Fate can me displease,

for Old long syne.
 

CHORUS
 

Since thoughts of thee doth banish grief,

when from thee I am gone;

will not thy presence yield relief,

to this sad Heart of mine:
 

Why doth thy presence me defeat,

with excellence divine?

Especially when I reflect

on Old long syne
 

On Old long syne my Jo,

in Old long syne,

That thou canst never once reflect,

on Old long syne.


 

                Last night was a most-enjoyable one. I went to a friend’s house to chill and welcome the New Year in. We watched movies and played video games mostly, while snacking on morsels that were barely, if at all, aiding to our health. We did break out our guitars (And his shiny, new mandolin!) to play a few bars though.  It was all good-fun. Egg-Nog and Sparkling cider flowed freely for all who partook. We stayed up ‘till midnight, and then some, giving the New Year a hearty welcome and thinking back on the last year and memories that were made therein. A Lovely evening, really, absolutely lovely.

This past year has so flown by. But reminiscing on the times I enjoyed, this year was a blessing to me, truly. I learned so much these last twelve months and met so many fine people. I’ve made some incredible friends and grown much closer to the ones I knew before. I also see where I’d like my life to go. I feel I have a target; a pinpoint, towards which I can begin trekking. Though I know the hike will be long and the path is still all but entirely obscured, I feel I know where I’m headed at least. Now all that’s left is for me to throw my satchel over my shoulder and take the first step. (What a daunting task that seems though. I know I wouldn’t be able to even start this journey without aid of some kind, and that is the strongest reason I cherish my relationships with my dear friends, loving family members, and awe-inspiring Heavenly Father. My hope, my prayer, is that this journey is one He looks down upon with pride and happiness.)

So cheers, mates! For a grand, new year we have to live and experience. This year is ought to be full of as many, if not more, adventures and surprises within. And certainly dark clouds hang over it, ready to cause confusion and sorrow… but we can yet rejoice, for those clouds are not here, and we can prepare to face them with boldness. Cheers to you all. For old acquaintance need not be forgotten for good times sake. I pray all enjoy a Happy New Year.

Ode to 'Nog...

That'd be a pint and a half o' the stuff... Yumz!

 

I chug this ‘Nog because it is yummy.

Over the tongue and down into the tummy.

 

Available only once a year,

It’s certainly sure to bring lots of cheer.

 

Well – that is unless you’re icky;

One of those weirdoes who’s super picky?

 

Perhaps you just don’t realize what you’re-a missin’!

So set down your fanny and have a good listen.

 

Egg-Nog should be savored and sipped.

It’s a crème-a-la-crème so unlike reindeer chips…

 

Creamy and thick, like a shake made of milk,

It’ll sit on your tongue and feel softer than silk.

 

Because of its rarity this drink can be expensive.

Nonetheless this is no time to be pensive

 

‘Nog is a drink fit for the highest of class.

Pleablings and peasants ought better to pass.

 

But if you feel ready for a treat that is treaty,

Something so tasty for you and your sweetie.

 

I’d suggest drinkin’ a keg of the ol’ ‘Nog.

But savor it slow, don’t be a big hog!

 

 

Merry Christmas, friends, family, and fellow hooligans!

A Life of Thanks...

Thanksgiving. A time of thanks. A day of thanks. But why? Why must we restrict our outward display of thankfulness to one day? Are we so unthankful, that we need set aside a day to behave contrarily? I propose radical alteration of this behavior! Thankfulness is not something to fear. It’s something to embrace. Something to use to lift our spirits. Our God has blessed us with life, so that we can praise and thank him. Will we fulfill our purpose?

I know I shouldn’t be the one to say these things. I work a job that wears me to the bone. I hate it and I complain about it every day to my family. I’m one of the significant population of this beautiful, backwards planet that complains as if it were my passion. The Israelites of the Old Testament had nothin’ on me, dawg! And while I’m throwing my stupendous pity party for myself – a dart of realization pierces my soul. Idiot. Fool. Selfish worm. Have you nothing better to do than wallow in your own poor outlook? Seriously, dude! Wake up! I reach in. I rise up. What am I doing? What a fool I’ve been. Feeling sorry for myself, whining like a spoiled child. My God, my savior has been so good to me. And yet I can only see the bad. Am I so blind? Are my eyes so focused to see the blatant in front of me, that I’m oblivious to the greater beyond? I really do have so much to be thankful for. And yet, after thanking the Lord today, will I not complain to him tomorrow? Will next week be chock-full of my whining and whimpering about how bad I have it? Tell yourself no, now. And if – when – you do complain… Bite your tongue and praise the Lord instead. Wake up to the blessings that surround you. Stop wallowing in pity for yourself, and look the bigger picture in the eyes.

So I write a short list of what I’m thankful of, because it’s a cliché way of proclaiming my thankfulness to others.

Salvation. Father God, I praise Thee for sending Thy Son. I am not worthy of preservation, nonetheless you lift me from the waves and set me on dry ground. Praise be to almighty God, halleluiah!

Friends. The many faces that come to mind. The many hearts that have broken mine. I love you all. Each of you. For you often give me the encouragement I need. The love I don’t deserve.

My job. I’m employed. And that’s a blessing in and of itself. Sure, it’s not my favorite thing to do. And driving in to work at two in the morning is a hell of sorts. But I can be thankful that the bills are being paid and I’m being taught good character. (And my coworkers are great at teaching me what bad character looks like. Thanks so much, guys!)

This lovely, beautiful, four-day holiday weekend. I’m sure some folk don’t get that and I’m thankful for it, because it’s just what I needed.

Words. Because writing would be impossible without them. And I love them so much.

Music. Be it praises to be sung to our God on High, or the Dubstep mixes I’m listening to right now, I am thankful for the beats and chords of music. It is a wonderful, beautiful gift.

Time. Time to think. Time to live. Time that ticks so constantly away from us. It cannot be grasped by the hand, it cannot be caught up. So often we chase after it. But we waste it in doing so. I live in time, thankful for what I have and what I have experienced.

That hurricanes don’t attack me and my family. My heart has often been burdened by the victims on the east coast. You guys are in my prayers. You’ve lived through things I couldn’t imagine. Keep up courage.

So much more could I write. And if I sit here and allow myself, I could go on and on. Instead, I need to get up and apply this thankfulness. I need to praise my God for what He has done in my life, the truths he is so constantly showing me. Because that is what matters. What makes this day special. Not talking about thankfulness – but being thankful in the truest form.

At the beginning of this post I asked why Thanksgiving is our only day of thanks. Why we live ungrateful lives all of the year, to talk about being thankful on this one day. Perhaps it is not a day to be thankful – but a reminder to be thankful all year ‘round. To remind us of our purpose, so that we can better fulfill it. I like that idea. I really do. I’ll do my best to live a life of praise – for my God is worthy of all praise and worship. Thank you, my Lord.

Oh – and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Cider...

            Well, fall is in full bloom. The harvest before the long winter. (Though I have a feeling that winter isn't too far off, as the distant mountains are already snow-topped.) What deciduous trees do lie in eyesight; have let loose their leaves to transform into that of bright oranges, yellows, and ambers. This is undoubtedly my favorite time of year. I love the colors and the moods that the short days take on during this time of the year. I love the festivity. The smell of the air before a downpour of rain. The need for sweaters, scarves, and hats to keep warm. And I certainly love the many, tasty things that are associated with the fall. Things like Pumpkin Spice Lattes, Pumpkin Pie, Apple Cider, and Candy Corn. This also happens to be open season for deer hunting. My dad is a hunter, and he passed the intrigue of the hunt down to me. For me, hunting is more about the company I get to keep and the time I get to spend out in creation than really actually bringing down an animal. 
            It’s been raining a lot more as of recently. So on Saturday, when my brother and I, along with several friends, hiked off for a few hours to hunt wild game, we ended up kind of wet. Half the party returned to their homes to warm up, while the other half of us spent the more dry part of the morning hiking around. No deer were spotted by a single one of us, nonetheless it was an enjoyable enough morning.

After our hike was concluded, my dear brother and I hitched a ride with our friend back to where our other hunting companions had returned to. We chatted with their family a bit, had some coffee, began to warm up…

… And then one of their numbers decided, since she had three extra strong sets of hands, that it was high-time they got around to that cider-pressing chore they had been putting off for a week or so. Of course, my brother and I were more than delighted to help out. (I love me some cider… it’s an unhealthy yearning for that golden liquid of deliciousness.) We got right to work, and in a couple hours, all the apples had been sliced, mashed, and pressed into fresh cider. I was the one graced with the job of turning the press, perhaps the most strenuous job.  Of course, like a donkey pulling a cart while its master dangles a carrot before its nose, I was coaxed on to the final product. (Did I mention that I love me some cider? ‘Cause… well, I like totally, do.)

Oh… and… oh… The final product? Not can compare. We speak of a liquid gold, which was no less than absolutely divine. It was like sipping at sunshine on a chilly day. Fantastic stuff.

Roll out the barrel of fun, Chaps! Good-O!

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

 

Back in 1937, on September 21, a man named John Ronald Reuel Tolkien published a "Fairy Tale" novel titled The Hobbit. 75 years later, I wonder if he ever thought the book would garner so very much success. Translated into nearly fifty languages and selling over 100 million copies, this whimsical and inventive tale continues to delight readers of all ages. Personally, I’ve been a fan of the book for years now. I still remember purchasing a copy in a used-books store that I frequently visit. I read the whole thing in nearly a single sitting, and was forever a captive of Tolkien’s spell from then on. His descriptive writing would be my very favorite literature and both his stand alone novel (The Hobbit) and his fantasy trilogy (The Lord of the Rings) still remain my favorite pieces of literary work, only preceded by the Holy Scriptures, to this very day.

In honor of the book’s 75^th anniversary, a second trailer for An Unexpected Journey was released to the public earlier this week. After watching it several times, I am again considerably stoked for the distant, but upcoming release of the first installment of the trilogy of films that will be based on this literary work by Tolkien. It really will be so great.

I thought it might be appropriate to post the first trailer, too. For those who might have missed it somehow. They’re both great.

 

Also – I’d recommend checking out TheHobbit.com. There, you can choose five alternate endings to the new trailer, all of which have about 20 seconds of differing alternate ending footage. There are also some other neat goodies over on that website, so if you’re into that sort of thing, you should go check it all out.

Remember, tomorrow is Hobbit day. (Lord of the Rings fans will recognize it as both Frodo and Bilbo Baggins’ birthdays, thus the date’s significance.) So be sure to let your curly hair out and embrace the hair on your feet. I’ll be attempting to satisfy my enormous, Hobbit-like appetite and shall be going about barefoot whenever possible. I’m just that nerdy.

 

 

Voting...

 

Ah… voting. It’s something that is considered important by some, trivial by others, and entirely disregarded by those who I do not quite understand. Still – it is a very real part of American life for those who have lived long enough to be regarded as significant. (IE: Those who are able to be taxed.) That last statement is meant to be read with the firmest use of irony, with a pinch of snarky distaste thrown in for good measure. Those who live in dear old ‘merica, and plan to exercise their right and ‘duty’ to vote, are more than likely contemplating the slowly nearing presidential elections and all that they imply. These citizens might be all gung-ho for a particular candidate, or still unsure as to who will receive their final vote. Actually, I was in this second party until only just recently.

You see… I’m not entirely loyal to any one party. Some might call me a dirty, low-down traitor because of that. But the simple fact is I’m not radical enough to be a libertarian, I’m too freedom-loving to be a republican, and I’m just not enough of a pansy to be a democrat. Take all that as you will, because it’s absolutely how I feel. (And the only reason I din't say anything distasteful about any of the other parties, is because I simply don't know a whole lot about them...) The more research I do, the more disgusted I am by the two-party system, with all its fault and fraud. I find that the more I look into either the red or the blue, instead of white… I find black, power-hungry greed. And if ever I mention that I have no intention of voting for either of the main, two presidential candidates my words are often met with heated replies that sound something like “Well, then. You do know your vote isn’t going to really count?” or “You might as well vote for the guy you don’t want to get elected, ‘cause that’s who’s gonna’ get your vote in the long run!” and sometimes even, “You might as well not vote at all!” Perhaps you too feel neither of the main runners up have our best interest at heart, and would rather not put their names on your ballot come this voting season? If that is the case, I’d highly encourage you to disregard what those people have to say. Not because the words that they speak are untrue, but because it shouldn’t matter.

For however long a time our liberty remains, we can vote for whom we believe is fit for the position. And whether you believe that that individual is a power-hungry clown intent on the complete destruction of this nation; or a gutless, flip-flopper who doesn’t know ‘yes’ from ‘no’ is your choice, so vote for that person no matter what your neighbor may tell you. Vote as your conscience calls you to vote, not as you feel you are being pushed by mankind and his fraudulent faults. That’s what I’ll be doing. I believe it is not only our duty, as American citizens, to vote… but to vote as we are morally inclined. If I feel strongly to vote for a particular candidate, be he the greatest of underdogs, or the landslide of popularity, I’ll put my vote where I feel I should, not where that nameless yahoo says it should be placed. So I’ll let my conscience choose my candidate, and allow God to do with my ballot as He will.

For goodness sake – I’ve already trusted Him with my life and soul, can I not trust Him with the fate of my vote? Or is He not big enough to alter the tide of the elections in an incredible way?

My opinion is that He, most certainly, can.

In closing… I can’t help but to think on these words that I heard once. “A government is a body of people, usually notably ungoverned.” How terrifying that this quote rings so true. Here’s praying that the next fellow who takes up residence in the White House can again bring us assurance that those who govern us have our best interest at heart, not their own power-gaining agendas.

My Blog...

                Here lies the blog of one Caleb (The Daft Scotsman...). ‘Tis an odd blog, mayhaps, and I am not ashamed to make this thing known, for this blog is mine. Posts here will be sporadically placed, though hopefully at a frequent rate.

Sometimes it may be a sudden thought, some intellectual thing I happen upon quite unintentionally, penned down and pinned here. And sometimes it may be a page torn from my journal, jotted down here that others may know how I observe things and realize, perhaps, that they are not alone and that someone else feels these same emotions, thinks the same thoughts, reacts the same to experiences. Sometimes I may post something utterly mediocre. Something so terribly awful, ‘twas not worthy of the time spent pounding it out on my keyboard for you to stumble upon and skim through. (These posts I apologize greatly for, because I know they will make their way into my blog, no matter how honorable my intentions may be.) I enjoy writing stories quite a bit and I may post different scraps and random things I think up, and am clever enough to jot down before I promptly forget them. But… well, most of all, this blog will more than likely remain a home for my written rants and raves. Sometimes I just need a table to slam my fist down on in rage, or a person to prattle on to about the next ‘best ever’ I come across, and this blog will more than likely remain exactly that.

So if you fancy such things, I invite you to tuck in to this chronicling of my life, as I plod on through the fog and mist of the obscured path ahead. You never know, perhaps my thoughts will be yours!