Sex drugs and Rock 'n' Roll adventure

Led Zeppelin 1973 (Top RnR moment)

2009-12-15T17:17:00.001-08:00

For my five-minute presentation to the class on a moment that changed music history, I chose to elaborate on Led Zeppelin’s 1973 tour of America. It was their 9th tour of North America, for this edgy English band. It started in Atlanta Georgia on May 4th shortly after the release of Led Zeppelin’s fifth album, “Houses of the Holy” which toped the charts. They continued to repeatedly sell out venues at stadium after stadium across America until they were practically dead from exhaustion. On May 5th at Tampa Stadium, Florida, Zeppelin played in front of 56,800 fans, which broke the record set by The Beatles at Shea Stadium in 1965. In total this tour grossed 4,000,000 dollars. Lead guitarist, Page, later commented on their mental state during the tour saying, “when I came back from the last tour I didn't know where I was. I didn't even know where I was going. We ended up in New York and the only thing that I could relate to was the instrument onstage. I just couldn't....I was just totally and completely spaced out.”

Muse event #2 Flogging Molly Concert

2009-12-15T17:03:00.000-08:00

A month after this semester started at San Jose State, I attended a concert at the event center. The band was called Flogging Molly which is an alternative Irish rock band. Flogging Molly has been one of my favorite bands growing up and I have held it close to my heart ever since. I was incredibly excited when I learned that they were playing at San Jose State, and I was immediately filled with anticipation. Upon hearing I instantaneously purchased a ticket. The concert was one of the most fun experiences I have ever been a part of. From Irish jig mosh pits to people linking arms, it was truly one hell of a party. Before the concert I was able to get the autographs of every band member on a poster of the band. I have it hanging up in my room now. I remember the moment when the lead singer, David King, looked into my eyes, shook my hand and said, “Thanks Brother,” after I said how much I loved the band. It was one of the best concert experiences of my life.

Scholarly Journal Review

2009-12-15T16:42:00.001-08:00

In the opinion of David Henderson, Jimi Hendrix’s music is a direct portrayal of his incredible musical “gifts”. In the scholarly journal, “Jimi Hendrix Deep Within The Blues and Alive Onstage at Woodstock--25 Years After Death”, the journalist, David Henderson, talks of the glories and mysteries of the exalted Jimi Hendrix. At one point he describes Hendrix’s music as the prototype of former greats such as Bo Diddley and Elmore James. Henderson has seen it all. He lived through Woodstock and even saw Jimi “go head to head with Sly Stone, who was then at his height, at the Fillmore East.” Apparently this mind-blowing performance changed his critiquing style forever labeling Hendrix as the model of greatness in music.
Later on in the article, it talks of Hendrix’s mysterious death. The inquest that followed came to the “open verdict” that they could not say how he really died. Evidently, there were people who were not listened to at the inquest. The ambulance drivers who arrived on the sight found nothing but a dead body upon entering Samarkand hotel. There he laid a mere shadow of his former glory with “a wine-soaked towel around his neck.” The inquest was not allowed to be reopened upon the finding of this new information. There have been multiple other theories about his unfortunate death. Though it looked like he overdosed, many believe that he was murdered, perhaps in a racist anti black protest. He ended his journal by quoting the words of Hendrix himself after Woodstock, “Music is magic . . . magic is life . . . Love as never Loved Before . . . Harmony to Son and Daughter . . . man and wife.”

Final Essay

2009-12-02T09:26:00.001-08:00

The Clash of two Beautiful compositions
It was once said that, “Music is what feelings sound like.” Every moment of anger, every moment of love, every moment of complete melancholy can be expressed through music. Without music, the world would be plagued by monotony and would diminish the individual’s capability to use it as an emotional and physical projection. Though music is ideal in expression, there are different kinds of music and covers of different songs. We are left to choose which ones we like the best, sometimes choosing the greater of two masterpieces.
The song “Such great heights” was originally composed by the band called the postal service. With Ben Gibbard, of Death Cab For Cutie, leading vocals and Jimmy Tamborello as producer, the song has a high tempo and lyrics that could practically be found in a poetry book. The first time I heard this song, I fell in love with it. However, it wasn’t until later that I would hear the version of this song that would transcend much of the music that I had ever heard up to this point.
The man goes by the name “Iron and Wine”, and his version of “Such great heights” exceeds the original in many ways. His real name is Samuel Beam and through his vocals and guitar performance, he sets the audience into a binding trance. Instead of having a high tempo for the song, he slows it down using guitar plucking to set the mood of the song. His soft voice sooths the ears and fills one with a sense of happiness along with a wave of sadness that the listener just cannot shake.
The lyrical progression in this song is superior to many of the songs found in the world today. The shallowness of much of the music over the years makes it hard to take a lot of songs seriously. However, then come along songs like “Such great heights”, which is filled with imagery and metaphors that make it such a great composition. It starts of by saying, “I am thinking it's a sign, that the freckles in our eyes are mirror images and when we kiss they're perfectly aligned.” I have thought a great deal about this specific lyric. It seems that if one truly finds his true love, its possible that the two will fit together as one, just as “corresponding shapes like puzzle pieces from the clay.” It is possible for one to lose this bond and have it slip away forever. Individuals over think circumstances and don’t realize that they actually have their love right under their nose.
Even though I prefer the “Iron and Wine” version of this song, the majority of the world prefers the version by Ben Gibbard. This is probably due to the fact that the Postal service version was the original and it came out first. I have heard both songs many times and, as I said before, I have a deep admiration for the Samuel Beam version. With the help of his airy guitar and quietly powerful voice, Samuel Beam turned a great song into an extraordinary one.

Workshop # 2

2009-11-30T11:40:00.001-08:00

A couple weeks ago I attended a muse workshop that focused on Conflict free living. They started out the seminar by explaining what conflict is. They said that conflict is an expressed struggle between at least two parties who perceive incompatible goals, scarce resources, and interference from others to achieve their goals. They later went on to describe the types of conflict. If broken down to the bare gears, conflict can be devised into four sections. First is the avoidance style. It takes place when the person in conflict is not willing to resolve the problem. The second is the accommodating style. This is when the person in target sends ambiguous and indirect messages. Third is engagement style. In this, there are intense verbal and non-verbal expressions and a willingness to engage in resolving the conflict. Lastly, and perhaps the best course of action, is the discussion style. The conflict is resolved by being verbally direct, and if the other person is comfortable with expressing disagreement.

She rapped up the workshop by using the acronym SUR. This stands for stop, understand and respond. In order to resolve a conflict, one must decide to remain in control, take time to understand the other person and decide how to respond. It is in one’s best interest to remain calm and then respond accordingly.

workshop # 3

2009-11-29T23:32:00.000-08:00

Recently I attended a workshop on how to make an effective and efficient résumé. They started of the seminar by saying that “A résumé is like a good ad”, it will get the readers attention by showing logic, credibility, and instilling an emotional response. A good example should have a clear focus and have a crisp, clean layout. The resume should be interesting and engage the reader. Whilst creating a résumé, one should reflect on one’s personal, unique talents that set them apart from the norm. The result of one’s work will create a first impression that is imperative to attaining the job.
After understanding the basic facts, one must take inventory. Making a list of one’s skills is key in the development. Also, educational degrees and achievements along with work experience and personal abilities will make a difference if stated in the text. Another vital part to creating an effective résumé is to research the job itself that one is trying to procure. What is the employer’s shopping list? What skills are they seeking? What are they talking about, what do they value? Lastly it is important to talk to people who work in or attend the same type of program, this will give one an insightful angle on the job in target.

Bucket list

2009-11-22T15:58:00.000-08:00

When I was ten years old I watched my dad sitting in his big leather chair talking of the future. I sat there, a young observant child listening to him talk of the glory days that were to come that would line our lives with ease. As he went on, he finally said, “You know what Raph? I’m going be retired by the time I’m fifty. That’s a good goal isn’t it?” I sat there dreaming of a time when my life wouldn’t be ruled by money any more, and I was filled with anticipation.
At that time my family and I lived in Aptos. We had 27 acres with an apple orchard and 2 horses. We also had 11 cats to keep the ground squirrel population under control. This was truly a child’s playground. I had everything I could have wanted, but still I felt ultimately alone. You see, I was home-schooled as a child. This also would seem like a child’s dream, “being able to live on a huge plot of land, never have to leave, and have two beautiful horses always there for you.” I loved Tobey and Pharaoh, but they were not enough.
I had no friends growing up other than my siblings. I had them to hang out with until the age barrier separated us. My brother was the first to go, he would lock himself in his computer room and work on rebuilding his PCs, a hobby of his. My sisters were next, they were absorbed into fashion and things that had to do with real woman once they hit puberty. Mindless playing on the fields wasn’t their game any more. I was left completely and utterly alone. I did the best I could playing games with myself. One of favorites was to hit the giant Castro beans with my baseball bat. These plants would grow as tall as six feet and made perfect opponents for my lonesome self. I would pretend that they were orcs and I would slay each one of them. However they never kept me occupied long enough.
I would always find myself under the weeping willow tree in the middle of the field. Here I would sit, doing nothing, and would eventually cry myself to sleep. I never knew why I was always so sad, I thought it was something I just had to deal with. This lasted for a long time. I would throw up for no reason, my parents thought I was sick and thus took me to the doctor. The doctor found nothing wrong with me. They eventually realized what was wrong. I was suffering from depression. I kept throwing up every day for a while, but finally they found what I needed, friends. They enrolled me in Saint Nicholas elementary school when I was 12 and I the depression never amplified itself to what it once was.
Life never truly repaired itself. My dad is now 56 and over a million dollars in debt. I hope that in the future I will have the time for my children, and I will be able to retire by the time I’m fifty. However, what I’ve learned over the years is that, no matter how terrible one’s life can get, if this person finds true friends, he or she will not need a bucket list, all one needs is ones friends, and then work enough to live comfortably.

Muse workshop #1

2009-11-17T18:00:00.000-08:00

Uppers Downers and all Arounders
I recently attended a muse workshop that was meant to inform students about the negative and positive effects of drugs. It was also an informative session about drugs that people know about, but might not be sure what they do. They started it out by talking about ecstasy and its effects. When one is on Ecstasy they feel an extreme bond to the people around them and they normally can see the texture of their surroundings better. However, chronic use of the drug can destroy neurons and mess up one’s head. Later the workshop leader split the class into groups and we each did a poster on a certain broad section of drugs. My group had inhalants such as paint nitric oxide and paint. Other people had sections such as narcotics, barbiturates, caffeine, Nicotine, Marijuana and hallucinogens.
Even though I agree that I did learn some things about drugs that I knew little about beforehand, I did not like the way the teacher went about it. The classroom was to small for that many people to be able to work comfortably on that many posters. I think it would be worth it to go to this workshop if one wants to learn more about the dangerous side of life and its ramifications.

If I Ever Leave This World Alive

2009-11-15T17:54:00.001-08:00

One of my favorite songs of all time is called “If I Ever Leave This World Alive” by the Irish band called Flogging Molly. This musical piece is a heartfelt love song, teeming with melody and rustic guitar. It starts out with a subtle soothing melody that seems to caress ones very essence into thinking of the time when one will inevitably die. The singer, David King, talks of the instance in the future when he will leave his true love against his will. If he could, he would find his way back to her somehow. He says that maybe, just maybe, if he dies and his mind is still free to wander the vast regions of the universe, he will find his way back to his only love. He says that he will take away “all the sadness that [he] left behind” with something so simple as his presence being there. He also says “the madness that [she] feel[s] will soon subside” if he is able to reach her somehow. You can feel the singers love for his girl projecting through the sincerity of his vocals. There are other reassuring lines in the song such as, “So in a word don’t shed a tear, Ill be here when it all gets weird,” that instill the feeling of peace in the listener and makes one feel as though maybe everything actually will be alright. All the lines in this song are the true essence of love and the unselfish will for one’s lover to be happy forever even through death.

Talking about drugs

2009-11-02T11:18:00.001-08:00

Temptation
One has to be pretty blind not to see the amount of drugs located in and around a college campus. If one were to go to a party, it would be pretty obvious that everyone is either drunk, or on something else. Thus, it would be difficult to be social in college if one were strongly opposed to all sorts of drugs. However, it is a person’s choice to decide what they want or what they don’t want to put in their body. The main ones that I have seen so far are cigarettes, alcohol, lean (cough syrup), shrooms, Marijuana and Ecstasy.
Even though it is difficult, I would stay away from all of them accept alcohol and Marijuana. The other ones are all bad and are very dire for a young growing person. However, one can also take weed and alcohol too far. The danger is in becoming mentally addicted to the feeling of being under the influence. My recommendation to oncoming freshmen would be to save these drugs for the weekend, or not use them at all. If in the wrong hands, weed and alcohol can tear apart a persons life. The other drugs I mentioned like Ecstasy should be avoided if possible, because the consequences with the law and with one’s body are more detrimental.
There is nothing better in life than finding the people who understand you and love you for who you are. Finding someone who you can hang out with without having to do drugs, but you can also party with, is incredibly valuable. Otherwise by the end of the day, you will find yourself alone, depressed and wondering what you could possibly do to feel better. Looking into the stars alone, one would feel empty and pitiful without the company of a true friend.

Music list number 4= Mellow

2009-11-01T20:11:00.000-08:00

1)Mellow Mood by Slightly Stoopid
The guitar in this song runs incredibly smooth and just seems to comfort one's mind.
2)If I could hold you in my arms by Ray LaMontagne
This is a sad song, but it is soothing in its misery.
3)Wash Away by Joe Purdy
This is the song that I listen to after something bad happens in my life. It helps me cope.
4)Fur by Blitzen Trapper
The story in this song helps one to appreciate the world around.
5)Lua by Bright Eyes
Another sad song, Lua is one of my favorites.

Aria and Will

2009-10-28T14:47:00.001-07:00

I met Aria in my engineering class. He told me of how his decisions changed with each passing year at San Jose State University. He originally started off as a computer science major and fought hard to keep up, but after a while he switched between many other majors. At one point he was even a music major, but fell quickly behind when the material got to complicated for a person without a musical background. Aria’s best piece of advice was to take the humanities course, he said it was one of the best decisions he ever made in his scholarly stay at SJSU. After years of deliberation, Aria finally settled for Business Marketing. He currently has a job lined up for him at a semi conducting company in Sunnyvale.
My cousin, Will Sangervasi, is also a senior at SJSU. Will is one of my heroes and I would trust him with my life. Ironically, he is going into law enforcement. Wills greatest piece of advice was to stick with what you have wanted to do all your life. From a small child Will always wanted to become a police officer. He would constantly be playing cops and robbers with my siblings and I. Now, he is finally inches away from getting his degree in law enforcement. Will has a job set up with the Secret Service when he graduates, as a result of a prier internship he tool last summer. Will had the opposite point of view as apposed to Aria.

Scholarly journal review: Bob Dylan

2009-10-14T11:59:00.000-07:00

The Cambridge Companion to Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is truly an accomplished musician. Recently he released his thirty third studio album. He has been a steady source of music, entertainment, and inspiration of culture for an extremely long time. Many of his works were transferred to texts over time and have been critiqued by the best.
There is no arguing that Dylan had a major roll in finding equilibrium in gender in rock ‘n’ roll and also the relationship between the modern and post modern. Dylan is used throughout the “Cambridge Companion to Bob Dylan,” sometimes to demonstrate how far culture can go in a certain direction. His literary style is truly one of a kind, thus standing out before all others. However, many people find that most of Dylan’s works lack an intellectual tone. I strongly disagree. It is apparent to me that the works of Bob Dylan touches on world problems that existed then, but also world problems that exist now. His lyrics instill a melancholy pondering of life and how it affects everybody. His work was also exalted as demonstration of exactly how it was to live and compose in his time.

Music Memories #3

2009-10-11T16:34:00.000-07:00

After interviewing my dad, I found that he had seen some bands that I would have never dreamed of him seeing. He saw the Doobie Brothers at the venue called Cow Palace in San Francisco in 1977. At the Oakland Coliseum, he saw multiple concerts at the Day on the Green festival from 1973 to 1978. He saw the Doobie Brothers, Santana, Pink Floyd, Chicago, Steve Miller Band, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Beach Boys, Steely Dan, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Eagles, Boston, Joe Walsh and many more. I would kill to See Pink Floyd or Crosby Stills Nash & Young back in the day. The thought that my dad went to those concerts makes me think of the many things that I don’t know about him. He said that he accompanied by multiple friends varying with the different years that he went.

It was about an hour drive to the stadium and they would bring food and blankets and other extra curricular items to make the day more enjoyable. I laughed as my dad told me of the intelligent ways that he would smuggle in alcohol. He would take a cardboard box, put the bottles inside, then get another box of the same size, cut off the top, then fold the flaps of the first box over the second and put the sandwiches and blankets in. He was successful with every attempt.

His favorite bands then were Steve Miller, Fleetwood Mac, Doobie Brothers. Styx, Boston, The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Peter Frampton, BeeGees, Linda Ronstadt, Crosby Stills Nash and young, James Taylor, Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen and many more. He says that he still likes those bands, but he is also open to newer music heard on the radio and played by my siblings and I. He said that if it weren’t for us, he would just listen to classic rock all day long. I do have to say that I wouldn’t mind that. He has always been a radio guy, not attaining many records in his day. However he did get some albums and would string together his favorite songs on a cassette tape to play in the car. It was a big deal back then to have a cassette player in one’s car. He would listen to the radio in the car wherever he would go having a car since he was 16.

His listening to music has declined, he says, in the past 15 years because he has been working out of the home in his own office. He would always listen to music on his way to and from his work. I do have to say that if I did not do this essay, I would not have realized how much my dad and I have in common in what we listen to. I love classic rock, but I also love a vast myriad of other music including reggae, Indie music, rap, and experimental.

I also interviewed my mom, and compared to my dad, we had nothing in common. She was into 50s music that I don’t like so much. She never went to many concerts due to her conservative Roman Catholic parents, thus she never broadened her horizon of music appreciation. Though I wish I could have seen the bands that my dad went to, I’m glad that I was born in this era where I appreciate music of all shapes and sized.

5 songs I hate

2009-10-10T18:27:00.000-07:00

1) "What if god was one of us" Joan Osborne
Irks me every time I here it like nails on a chalk board.
2) "Pocket full of sunshine" Natasha Bedingfield
It was played to muck on the radio and I didn't like it to begin with, thus I hate it now.
3) "Love Games" Lady Gaga
4) "Poker Face" Lady Gaga
Any song by lady gaga just drives me insane, thus two of here songs are on my top five hated.
5) "Rock Star" Everclear
Though I believe that this song is trying t0 be satirical, I think they did a poor job of putting themselves into this song.

Muse event (Beatles cover band)

2009-10-07T20:20:00.000-07:00

In the second week of school here at sjsu, I went to a pretty awesome concert. It was a cover band of the Beatles. Everyone I met there was incredibly nice, and wouldn't think twice before they would chill with you. I sat in the shade most of the time with a bunch of new friends listing to the music I knew so well. Since the Beatles are one of my favorite bands, the happiness I got from that day exceeded all of my expectations.
They played two of my favorite songs while I was there. The first was "Happiness is a warm Gun." When I heard them sing "I need a fix 'cause I'm going down, Down to the bits that I left uptown
I need a fix cause I'm going down," the shivers ran down my spine finally emanating in a calm vibration in my chest. The second was "Lucy in the sky with Diamonds." I have a personal attachment to this song. It reminds me of a great number of things that make me both sad and happy.

study tip # 3

2009-10-07T15:11:00.000-07:00

Another study tip that helps me retain information better than cramming is organizing my studying into certain increments over a course of a couple days. This works better than learning all the material in a couple hours, because one's brain has more time to actually learn the material.

The incitement of these five

2009-09-29T20:19:00.000-07:00

1) Tear You Apart by She Wants Revenge
A story of a man driven to the point of insanity by his crushing desire for lust and the intangible woman in front of him.
2) I Want You (She's So Heavy) by The Beatles
One of the darkest sounding songs ever created, this song embodies the hidden desires that one carries throughout one's existence.
3) Caress Me Down by Sublime
An incredibly sexual song, caress me down talks of the sexual desires and experiences of Bradley Nowell.
4) Black Dog by Led Zeppelin
This is a song that just makes a person go mad with the sound of the guitar and the tempo of the singing.
5) Undisclosed Desires by Muse
The transcendent quality of Matthew Bellamy's sing and the suggestive eminence of the lyrics make this into a passionate unforgettable song.

study tip # 2

2009-09-22T13:56:00.000-07:00

Another studying technique that I regularly use is the creation of flash cards. By using flashcards, it is easier to study and memorize information. It is very handy not having the definition of the word you are trying to remember right in front of you. This gives the brain a chance to remember the information thus cementing into the brain more concretely than ever before.

Googling Myself

2009-09-15T15:51:00.000-07:00

In the future I see myself becoming part of a major company, and leading them in the department of sales. At this point, it really doesn’t matter if I have my name on the Internet. However, I am there several times in various articles because of football. They would always misspell my name in theses clips, so I had to type my name in different ways before I found all of them.

From a Toddler Utill Now

2009-09-13T20:14:00.000-07:00

When I was a child I really wasn't allowed to listen to that much music. I listened to artist such as Raffy, the children's singer songwriter, or other artists similar to him. Every once in a blue moon I enjoy taking out a Raffy cd and listing to his happy voice.

When I was a bit older, from 8 to 13, my sisters were obsessed with NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys. As a result, I had no choice but to listen to them and learn each song by heart. There were also bands such as Nirvana and Soundgarden that I listened to when my parents were not around.

From my teens on, my love and interpretation of music expanded, and I was allowed to listen to whatever I wanted to. My understanding of music has changed to a completely different parallel resulting in my open mindedness towards all music. All in all, my most consistent band that I have been loyal to over the years is Flogging Molly.

From a Toddler ntill now

2009-09-13T20:13:00.000-07:00

My top 10 favorite songs today

2009-09-13T20:11:00.000-07:00

Konstantine- Something Corporate
This song embodies the true essence of loss and failure that one has when realizing that the girl he hurt might be gone forever. To me, this song has more soul and passion than any other song, it also has a great deal of personal meaning to me.
Tiny Dancer- Elton John
This is my favorite song of any Elton John creation. I first heard Tiny Dancer while watching the movie Almost Famous many years ago, and the song stuck with me ever since.
Wash Away- Joe Purdy
This is the song to listen to when everything in your life is in the the worst possible place to be. It makes me sad when I listen to it, yet it helps me to accept the fact that shit happens to just about everyone, and we all truly will end up washing away.
Question- Rhett Miller
I love this song. This is more of a happy song, it makes you feel like there might be hope for a happy future after all.
Under the Bridge- Red Hot Chili Peppers
This song was written by Anthony Kiedis, about his days as a heroin addict. It gives me the inspiration to keep on moving, even when everything appears to be in the dump.
If I ever leave this world alive- Flogging Molly
Flogging Molly was my favorite band as a young teen, and it will forever be close to me.
Waiting for my Ruca- Sublime
The transitions and in this song make it epic. Bradley Nowell's singing style is transcendent to others in the genre of punk rock/ Skah/ Reggae.
Going to California- Led Zeppelin
There are a vast myriad of reasons why I love this song. I choose not to convey them at this time. Going to California will always be close to my heart.
Hide and Seek- Imogen Heap
You just have to listen to this song once in order to fall in love with her voice.
I will follow you into the dark- Death Cab for Cutie
Every one will die someday, but the memory of your love will live on forever, the one that you love the most.

Study tip

2009-09-13T20:05:00.000-07:00

The way that I usually intake information or study is by using mnemonic devices. For example, the second day of school at sjsu I met a guy named Va don, I immediately associated his name with a Spanish don riding on top of a white van. Thus, I will remember Va Don's name forever.

Having fun wiht Sex Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll

2009-08-26T15:40:00.000-07:00

Hello! My name is Raphael Jensen, but I go by Raph. I am a business major, and I enjoy long walks on the beach and having fun. I consider myself to be deep at times, yet happy go lucky when the opportunity presents itself. I chose this class because I have been a fan of music, including classic rock, all my life. I have always yearned for the opportunity to learn about the huge figures of the past that have influence the world I live in to such a great extent.
I tend to mellow down at night by playing my guitar, or listening to some good music. I enjoy all types of music from reggae to rap, from Nirvana to Radiohead and everywhere in between. I'm excited to take a class that will hopefully enrich my knowledge of music but at the same time be a lot of fun.