Hot Chocolate!

What is better than a big, steaming mug of hot chocolate on a frigidly cold day? Um, not much. Today I was sitting in the big blue recliner chair in my living room, curled up with a blanket--and holding my hot chocolate. Outside the wind was biting, the trees were bare of all leaves, and it was so cold it can't even snow. Yeah, it's cold out there! But there I sat, all warmed up, observing the arctic world outside, and it was glorious.

Hot chocolate is perfect for warming up--both your insides and your hands, and it is so easy to prepare: "just add water!" So, right now as you are reading this, if you are cold, go fix yourself a cup of cocoa. It'll help, I promise!

The Decline of Music

What has happened to music? Back in Jane Austin’s day, all accomplished young ladies were required to know how to play at least the piano, and play well too. And even through half of the 20th century, high schoolers would often gather together around a piano, singing songs that were familiar to all of them. Making music was an enjoyable part of their lives, and they weren’t ashamed to sing out loud. Nowadays, do you ever see that?

No, now people think you’re horribly deprived if you don’t have an iPod, or don't know all the popular songs on the radio. And singing accompanied only by a piano? Ouch, maybe more of us should take voice lessons.

I think it would be so cool to be able to enjoy music the way our grandparents and great-grandparents did, but in our technology-dependant world, it’s looking pretty impossible. Now the times have changed, and the only way your average Joe is going to sing is with the radio blasting loud enough to drown out his own voice.

Hey, look at this awesome app I found on iTunes! Everybody should get this! Then no one would have the awful inconvenience of owning a piano!

Quick Musings on Happiness in general

Sorry about the long period gap between posts, we at Zoodle have been very busy with all our other important meetings, and work related issues...*cough cough* but anyhow, I thought I'd write a small post on being happy.

When we are happy, most of the time, there has been a specific cause for us to have this renewed burst of joy. Maybe you just had a great time with your friends, found out you were going to get a puppy, or maybe even you are going out to ice cream with your family, but nevertheless, it brings you temporary happiness.

You can't really describe happiness...it's just feeling great. I mean, when you feel great, you are happy, and most of the time when you are happy, you feel great. They go hand in hand with each other, but you can't really describe the taste, or sensation of it.

Now that I've just given you a bunch of thoughts that you have probably already determined for yourself, time for my opinion of it all. Some of you may scoff, but I think that the default should be happiness. With all that is out there, and the purpose in our life, why shouldn't we be happy? Even when situations are in the dumps, we always know that we will never have any challenge too difficult for us to face. But as the fallen human race we are, we tend to forget this, and disparage about minor things, that seem big at the time, but turn out to be tiny in the whole grand scheme of things.

When you take a step back, and look at this in perspective, it kind of makes you laugh at yourself. When something "Makes you happy," all it's really doing is simply reminding you that life really is good, and that we have a purpose. I'm not saying that it's wrong to get super excited or happy for something in particular, in fact, I think it's great! But we need to keep that attitude always, maintaining a cheerful attitude even in the worst.

Have a great Thanksgiving weekend, and grasp the joy and thanks you will share tomorrow and keep it for the rest of the years to come. Cheers!

(P.S. It's Post 64, which is my favorite number!! Awesome! Now I'm happy! ;D)

Sickness = Zoodless

As we can see from the picture up above, being sick is no fun. But is that all sickness does to you? Deprive you of fun? Nope. Sickness is actually one of a Zoodler's worst enemies, along with dull thoughts, unimaginative brains, and more. The reason sickness falls under this category, is that sickness can turn even the most creative chap into a Dunder-Headed person.



As you can see in the figure above, sickness (Represented by the Green) blocks all creative ports in your brain from connecting and forming an idea. On the left, you see the Healthy person, whose Knowledge Port, (Red) Experience Port, (Brown) Fun Port (Dark Blue) and Imagination Port (Purple) are all flowing their respective juices into the Idea Port (Light Blue) to make all sorts of wonderful Ideas, Zoodles, and other thoughtful pursuits. Now the unhealthy brain to the right, on the other hand, isn't getting any ideas, because the sickness is blocking off each port and coating the Idea port with extra sickness. This is how Sickness blocks off creative ideas.

So now you know about the dangers of sickness, wash your hands before you eat, stay away from peeling paint, and wipe your shoes at the door! Hmm? What's that? Oh am I sick? Yes, as a matter of fact I am. So...?

Hello World!

Greetings, everyone out there. Queso here. I am highly honored to be the newest addition to Zoodle, and will endeavor to post regularly (although most likely posts will be far and few between =}). Currently, I am feeling low on creative juices, so this post is going to be, well, boring. Thanks for inviting me on board!

In Defense of Nightwish...

Oh, the love! Oh, the hate! Oh, the confusion surrounding the symphonic power metal band, Nightwish! Due to the many arising controversies concerning this band, I have decided, in defense of Nightwish, to unearth the many qualities this group possesses in the following statements.

To this day, Nightwish remains my all-time favorite band. First and foremost, I believe Nightwish is immersed in numerous nuances of sound and lyric. Secondly, they are unmistakably unique and authentic, and definitely not dull or boring. Thirdly, their songs are written and composed by a brilliant keyboardist and poet, Tuomas Holopainen. Lastly, I will convey my feelings towards each of the female vocalists, both Tarja Turunen and Anette Olzon.

Some of you might be wondering; what is Nightwish? Nightwish is a female-fronted orchestral-rock band from Finland. They started in 1997 and are currently working on an album-in-progress. Since 1997, they have released 9 albums and numerous singles. From 1997-2005, Tarja Turunen was their lead vocalist. With an operatic style, she defined the essence of the band. In 2005 and the years afterward, Anette Olzon took over the role of lead vocalist. She had a different style, being influenced from Simone Simons from Epica and Sharon den Adel from Within Temptation. The band continues to create award-winning music and shaping the symphonic power metal genre.

One of the defining features of Nightwish are the orchestral accompaniments to metal. A symphony put to metal is one of the coolest ideas ever thought of in music! Syncing electric guitars, vocals and violins (most evident in songs such as Bless the Child) sounds rich and authentic. Some may argue that metal detracts from the orchestra or visa-versa, however I plead quite the opposite. The composer, Tuomas Holopainen can manipulate the metal to enhance the symphonic properties of the music. The dramatic, beautiful symphony can be aided by the course, backbone of metal. With the assistance of female vocals, Holopainen is able to create an extremely epic-like air to the music he creates.

Influenced by extremely gifted composers such as Hans Zimmer, poets such as Walt Whitman, and authors such as J. R. R. Tolkien, Holopainen embeds many metaphors and allegories in his songs. While most of his early Nightwish song lyrics consisted of mythological and fantasy elements, such as metaphysics and nature, but eventually he shifted to a more personal style. Tarja Turunen is quoted as saying (during their 2002 album, Century Child) that the lyrics no longer deal, "with the dreamland we were used to, but with the brutal reality of life."

Whether the transition from female singers Tarja Turunen to Anette Olzon was good or bad move on Nightwish's part, is constantly debated over. Some adored Nightwish for their front-singer and were extremely disappointed when she was fired (the result of a disision by Holopainen enlightened in an open letter he sent to her). Others say they prefer Olzon and that they are glad the lead singer changed. Personally, I prefer the original singer, Turunen, but openly embrace the style of the new singer, Olzon, as well. The most important part is, the Nightwish songs with Turunen continue to live on to be enjoyed...

All-in-all, Nightwish is a fantastic band that creates authentic, thrilling, and unique sound unparalleled by many others.

Weird is the new cool

Is it just me, or do you find it really, odd, annoying, trying, or all of the above when people say, "Green is the new Black" or, "Stupid is the new cool" or something to that effect? It really bothers me. Because what they are trying to do, is either, change the meaning of a word, thus altering the "Hip" language and creating possibilities for kids to say things they don't mean anymore, or they make certain actions ok. It falls under the same line as using words for uses that make no sense! Try 40 or so years ago when they'd say, "That's solid man!" Solid? What's the point of that?

And this is the king of all kings. Now in Merriam Webster's Dictionary, the definition of "Literally" is

1 : in a literal sense or manner : actually literally> literally insane>
2 : in effect : virtually literally turn the world upside down to combat cruelty or injustice — Norman Cousins>

usage Since some people take sense 2 to be the opposite of sense 1, it has been frequently criticized as a misuse. Instead, the use is pure hyperbole intended to gain emphasis, but it often appears in contexts where no additional emphasis is necessary.

We have twisted the meaning of Literally so badly, that now it can mean its exact opposite! Is that disturbing or what?

Anyway, continue with your lives, and just remember, "If at first you don't fricassee, fry fry a hen."

The whole and perfectness of eggs

Is it just me, or is there something satisfying in holding an egg? You would be in the Kitchen, and your mom might be making cake mix, or brownies, and so she gets out the eggs. You become giddy, as your mom lets you crack an egg into the mix. But even before the cracking, when you are holding the egg in your palm, there's a feeling of perfectness. Just the perfect white, round, cold and slightly rough texture of the egg that makes it very awesome to hold. I would always hold it with my hand cupped around it for the most amazing experience possible. And then there is the moment of truth: Cracking the egg to the bowl. Well, it's time to say bye to your friend, the perfect egg, and you crack the egg on the bowl with a satisfying smack, and you pour out it's contents, and look on it all, with a bit of pride, knowing that you did a job well done. You appreciated the egg's roundness, appreciated it's texture when smacking it, and soon, you'll enjoy it's flavor. Overall, a joyous experience...

An Epic epic: Beowulf

Beowulf is an epic written in the earthy times, sometime between the 8th and 11th century. It's one of the finest and most precious pieces of Poetry in Old English, and I, will be studying it sometime later this year in my studies.

And as a side note: I have heard the Movie Beowulf completely twists the story around, so I would not recommend it.

The poem is about the Geaton King Hygelac's Nephew, Beowulf, and how he and 14 companions sail to aid the Danish King Hrothgar. The Danish King's Hall, Heorot, has been ravaged by a savage beast called Grendel for 12 years. Grendel, the monster in human form, has been rendering the Hall uninhabitable, and so this is Beowulf's quest: To rid the Hall of the beast. When Beowulf and his men have arrived, they eat and drink in the hall with the Danes, until the night comes when all but Beowulf and his fellows withdraw from the hall. Slowly, as the night wore on, all of Beowulf's men fell asleep, and when they had, Grendel came and struck out at them all. In the surprise, one of Beowulf's dear friends was killed to his distraught. Beowulf was the only one awake, and though unarmed, managed to wrestle the beast, and with his might strength, mortally wound the beast and have it flee. They then followed the trail of blood to find Grendel.

The Danes now had nothing to fear, and so they all resided in the Hall that night. Safe as they thought they were, the hall was raided by Grendel's mother (She must have been a tough cookie!) and she took one of the Danish Nobles and ran away. But the fearless Beowulf boldly raced after her under the waves into a secret vault. They fought there, and Beowulf bravely defeated Grendels mother. It was there that the body of Grendel lay, and so, when Beowulf emerged from the waves, it was with the severed head of Grendel that he cheered the victory won!

After being richly rewarded by Hrothgar, Beowulf returned to his native land. Hygelac heard his story and showered him with land and money. During the reign of Hygelac and Hygelac's son, Heardred, he was the most well off man in the kingdom. And when Heardred was killed, in a battle with the Sweedes, Beowulf becomes the King of all Gotland.

Beowulf reigned for 50 years in unending prosperity, until a merciless Dragon comes to the land and starts causing destruction. The Dragon residing in a Burial mound, full of treasure, burned even the royal hall to the ground. The Aged King Beowulf resolves to fight this Dragon unaided but for 12 of his warriors. They travel to the mound, and when they reach the entrance, Beowulf places himself by the opening, and shouts a cry of defiance to the Dragon. The Dragon hearing this, rushes with fire gushing out of his jaws, to Beowulf and overpowers him. The sight is such a horrid, awful and pitiable sight, all of the warriors but one run away in fear. The one remaining, Wiglaf, though yet untried in battle, did not run, nor did he flee when even Beowulf told him too, attacked, and helped overturn the tide of battle, and together they did slay the beast, though not without a mortal blow to Beowulf. In Beowulf's last moments alive, Wiglaf shows him the treasures in the cave they have found. Beowulf names Wiglaf successor to the thrown, and then lays his head down...one...last...time....

When Wiglaf and the others return to Gotland to project the news, the people mourn for the loss of their hero, their King Beowulf, and they have a cremation for the king, in which his body is consumed along with the treasure that was found. Wiglaf becomes King, and honors Beowulf, by having 12 Warriors parade around his ashes.

That is the touching, memorable, and wonderfully poetically structured Epic that I will be studying. And though it be 3182 lines, let this keep you not from reading it. And now live the rest of your life, and hopefully, somewhere in your heart, you will have a new respect, for the Heroic, the Brave, the King Beowulf.