fUn, mUsiC, stOriEs, iNfOs (fUmUstOfOs)

nArutO fUns 4eVer, yeAh

2008-01-31T20:49:00.000-08:00

Naruto has just grown uP

(buT NOtHiNG hAs cHangeD)

(sTill dA nAruTo we KnOw)

SaSuke is That Yah?

(hE wAs noW fUlly InfluEnced

bY hiS SnaKey*my own term*

Thing)

ThE AkAtsUki mEm.(oBito)

SomE of dA cHaracters oF ShipPuDen

The 2 loYal nInjas of tEam seven(tEam KakaShi)

FM StatIc BioGraphY

2008-01-18T06:11:00.000-08:00

FM StaTIc

(band bIogrAphY)

Trevor McNevan (Vocals),
John Bunner (Guitar),
Justin Smith (Bass Guitar),
Steve Augustine (Drums)

Ahh...summer. Windows down, a wispy breeze relieving the sun's scorching sting, and a stereo blasting the perfect sunny-time tunes ideal for singing along. It seems the flawless setting for any balmy destination. But this is Canada, not generally known for its summertime appeal. However that hasn't stopped the Toronto four, collectively known as FM Static, from writing the perfect summertime anthem album, intended to heat up any spot it's played.

Begun as a fun side-project to their already existing musical endeavors, FM Static was formed by long-time friends Trevor McNevan and Steve Augustine.

"Steve and I were talking about how fun it would be to start another band based around a bunch of songs I had already been working on, on my own, not really knowing what to do with them yet," McNevan recalls. "We've both always been big fans of the pop/rock genre, so we just decided to do it."
What resulted, after hooking up with acclaimed producer Aaron Sprinkle (MxPx, Anberlin), was the band's premiere forthcoming album, "What Are You Waiting For?" due out this July 22nd. The album, bursting with 11 infectious tracks of sunny faced power pop with a twinge of punk rock flair, combines all sides of talent from its collaborators, creating perfected teenage anthems.

"We're content with just writing songs about what it's 'really like' growing up, girls, and all the things that come along with the two of them put together," says McNevan.

This theme stays true throughout their album marked with loves, losses and growth in the face of teen trials, while still keeping a humorous spin on their heartfelt honesty of troubles and triumphs.

Songs like "Definitely Maybe," their infectious premiere single, highlight this mixture of ingredients in its lighthearted take on a hopeless romantic endeavor in the theory that nice guys still finish last: "How much longer? Will this keep getting stronger? / I wonder what she's doin' when I'm singin' myself to sleep. / He's a faker, see ya later, / I wonder when you realize that you mean a lot more to me."

Other standout tracks like "Three Days Later," "Something to Believe In," and "The Notion," all provide listeners with catchy choruses and an underlying positive affirmation that problems are merely temporary and won't stop the sun from continuing its illumination.

This affirmation and catchy style are what will lead audiences, both young and old, to be quick to identify with FM Static both lyrically and musically, and what will certainly heat up the Great White North and beyond this summer!

Thanks to liz for submitting the biography.

'dA bRucE lEe wAlL pAintIng

2007-11-29T04:09:00.000-08:00

Speeding(Touching Love Story)

2007-11-27T20:54:00.000-08:00

Touching Love Story

Speeding

(A girl and guy were speeding over 100 mph on a motorcycle)

Girl: Slowdown. Im scared.

Guy: No this is fun.

Girl: No its not. Please, its to scary!

Guy: Then tell me you love me.

Girl: Fine, I love you. Slow down!

Guy: Now give me a BIG hug. (Girl hugs him)

Guy: Can u take my helmet off and put it on? Its bugging me.

In the paper the next day: A motorcycle had crashed into a building because of break failure. Two people were on the motorcycle, but only one survived. The truth was that halfway down the road, the guy realized that his breaks broke, but he didn't want to let the girl know. Instead, he had her say she loved him, felt her hug one last time, then had her wear his helmet so she would live even though it meant he would die.

Keep On Singing(Sweet Love Story)

2007-11-27T20:52:00.000-08:00

Sweet Love Story

Keep On Singing

Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling.
They find out that the new baby is going to be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sings to his sister in Mommy's tummy.
The pregnancy progresses normally for Karen, an active member of the Panther Creek United Methodist Church in Morristown, Tennessee. Then the labor pains come. Every five minutes, every minute. But complications arise during delivery. Hours of labor. Would a C-section be required?
Finally, Michael's little sister is born. But she is in serious condition. With siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushes the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital, Knoxville, Tennessee. The days inch by. The little girl gets worse. The pediatric specialist tells the parents, "There is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst."
Karen and her husband contact a local cemetery about a burial plot. They have fixed up a special room in their home for the new baby now they plan a funeral. Michael, keeps begging his parents to let him see his sister, "I want to sing to her," he says.
Week two in intensive care. It looks as if a funeral will come before the week is over. Michael keeps nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are never allowed in Intensive Care. But Karen makes up her mind. She will take Michael whether they like it or not. If he doesn't see his sister now, he may never see her alive.
She dresses him in an oversized scrub suit and marches him into ICU. He looks like a walking laundry basket, but the head nurse recognizes him as a child and bellows, "Get that kid out of here now! No children are allowed. The mother rises up strong in Karen, and the usually mild-mannered lady glares steel-eyed into the head nurse's face, her lips a firm line.
"He is not leaving until he sings to his sister!"
Karen tows Michael to his sister's bedside. He gazes at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. And he begins to sing. In the pure hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sings:
"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray..."
Instantly the baby girl responds. The pulse rate becomes calm and steady.
Keep on singing, Michael.
"You never know, dear, how much I love you, Please don't take my sunshine away..."
The ragged, strained breathing becomes as smooth as a kitten's purr.
Keep on singing, Michael.
"The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms..."
Michael's little sister relaxes as rest, healing rest, seems to sweep over her.
Keep on singing, Michael.
Tears conquer the face of the bossy head nurse. Karen glows.

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please don't, take my sunshine away."
Funeral plans are scrapped. The next day, the very next day, the little girl is well enough to go home! Woman's Day magazine called it "the miracle of a brother's song." The medical staff just called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle of God's love!
Never give up on the people you love.

The Blind Girl(Short Love Story)

2007-11-27T20:50:00.000-08:00

Short Love Story

The Blind Girl

There was a blind girl who hated herself just because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She said that if she could only see the world, she would marry her boyfriend.

One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her and then she could see everything, including her boyfriend. Her boyfriend asked her, "now that you can see the world, will you marry me?" The girl was shocked when she saw that her boyfriend was blind too, and refused to marry him.
Her boyfriend walked away in tears, and later wrote a letter to her saying..... "Just take care of my eyes dear." i'll always love you forever..

Letting Her Go Part 1(Sad Love Story)

2007-11-27T20:46:00.000-08:00

Sad Love Story

Letting Her Go Part 1

"I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU! " Jeanne's eyes were wide and filled with tears. She was afraid of what he would say to her.---------------------------------------------
Jeanne was a nerdy girl with thick glasses. She was a junior in her middle school. She was in love with the hottest guy in the entire school.
And now, she told him that she loved him.
"Haha! Shut up. Nobody would like you! Who do you think I am?"
Jeanne had feared he would say something like that. She was devastated. She started running. She didn't want to face him ever again. All these thoughts and feelings ran throughout her head. Until, she bumped into something.
"Hey, whats up?"
She had bumped into James.
"WHAT?! I'll GO TELL HIM! WHERE DOES HE GET THAT NERVE! SOMETIMES, I DON'T KNOW WHY I'M HIS BEST FRIEND! THAT'S IT! i'M GOING TO GO BEAT HIM UP!"
"NO! James! Don't do it! It's not his fault. I was the foolish one to think we can ever date.""But Jeanne!"" No, it's OK! I should go."" JEANNE... James grabbed her by the wrist as she was getting up. Don't go."
Jeanne stared into his eyes and felt so warm and fuzzy; a feeling she didn't feel for a long time. But, she looked away. She saw in such a long time, it felt awkward to feel it again. And then she gently took her wrist out of James' grasp and slowly walked away from him with tears in her eyes.
"Dammit, James! You really did it this time! Jeanne just left you! And why are you trying to hit on her?"
James walked back home with his hands stuffed in his pocket. Thoughts of Jeanne ran throughout his head. He didn't want Jeanne to be hurt by a jackass. He wanted to show her that he loved her. He wanted to show her he cared. But Jeanne just seemed to ignore him. And then, something ran into him. He crashed on the ground and saw Jeanne was on top of him. She seemed to not know whom she crashed into. James smiled.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. I'm very, very sorry. I should have been more careful.. I'm sorry. Can I repay you somehow?""Jeanne", James said, lifting her chin and brushing her bangs. Jeanne looked through his soft eyes and almost melted."James..." said Jeanne. Suddenly, she started crying. James was shocked." J-Jeanne? What's wrong?""I' m s-s-such a f-fool! H-How c-c-can I th-think t-that G-Gyung H-Hoon c-can love me?""Jeanne.. I would not call that foolish.. I actually admire you going up to him and confessing. However, crying about him is indeed foolish. Jeanne, Don't cry about that jerk. Here, let's go to my house. We're right in front of it!" Jeanne nodded.
James led her to the bathroom.
"Take off your glasses. We need to wipe those tears off." He said with a smile. Jeanne took them off without a word. James turned on the water and wet a washcloth. Then, he gently wiped her tears off her face." James.. Do you love me?" James was startled by this comment." Why do you ask me that?"" Because.. it seems like it. Do you?"" Haha! Jeanne, you are my friend."" Oh.. OK. I think I'm not so teary now. Thanks, James."" No Problem. Do you want something to drink?"" Um... OK." She followed James out the door.He handed her a glass of orange juice and they sat down outside on a bench." Are you going to be all right?"" Yeah.. Thanks. But I don't think I'll be able to face him again."" When he calls you something bad, just yell my name. OK?"" OK." she said with a small laugh." But what are you going to do when I call you?"" I'm going to beat him up!"" What if everyone starts hating you?"" It doesn't matter. As long as the one girl I love is happy."" Ooh, James! You like someone?"" Yeah.. Guess. I'll never tell you until you get the right answer."" Hmm... is it Amy? She's pretty! What about Lauren? She's nice and quiet. Or is it Becca? She's generous. Or maybe it's Courtney! She's not all that nice though..."
After a few tries, she gave up.
"Who is it? I'm dying of curiosity!"" Let's see.. she has glasses.. she's in love with Eric, she's sitting right next to me! Jeanne let out a small gasp."" M-Me?" James nodded. Jeanne almost passed out." James! I have declared you crazy." James started laughing." Why won't you believe me? I like you.. I want you to be my girlfriend."" But you're the second hottest guy in school! What if everyone criticizes you for bad taste in girls?"" I don't care¦ I told you. As long as the one girl I love is happy." he said, smiling." No, really, James. No games this time. All serious.. all right?"" Yeah.. I know."" Oh my god..." Jeanne said, covering her mouth with her hand."Jeanne, I just want to be the right guy for you." he said while putting his arm around her shoulder. She leaned against him and for the first time, she felt accepted by someone special."But, James! Why did you say I was just a friend before?""Umm! I didn't feel like it was time yet." Jeanne nodded. She knew how hard it was to say, "I love you." She knew how nervous you would feel. And she knew how hard it was to feel the reject."I understand, James. I'm just glad you told me. I'll think about it.""Jeanne, do you still like Eric?""Yes!""What has he got, that I don't?""I just don't know! I mean! you two look the same! you guys wear things all similarly! but! I like Eric better.""All right! I'll make him like you. He knows he's not going to win in a fight." Jeanne wrapped him in her arms."James! I'm all right. You don't have to do all that." And then he wrapped her in his arms.
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"Eric, can I see you for a moment?""What up, dude?""It's about Jeanne!""Oh no! don't tell me about that ugly! I just barf when I hear her name!""SHUT UP! DUDE, YOU JUST HAVE TO GIVE HER A CHANCE! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?""Hey! I have other girls who want me. The least thing I need now is another girl who is ugly and slow liking me.""She's not ugly and slow! She's kind and beautiful in the inside when you get to know her!""Wait! do you!?""Yes! I do!""Haha! Then why don't you date her?""Because! she's in love with a jackass!""STILL? Haha! Man, she's hilarious! After I rejected her like that?""Hey! please! it would mean a lot to me! just say that you at least like her as a friend and apologize for what happened last time. Man, she came running all the way to my house and started crying! She was just! out of control, man! Just tell her that! please?""All right!""You're the best!""Hey, Jeanne! I'm sorry for what happened last time. I was sort of tired and grouchy. I wasn't in a good mood. I never wanted to say it that way. I like you as a friend. And I want to keep that relationship. All right?" Eric let out a hand for a shake. Jeanne nodded. She let out her hand and they had a friendship shake, which made James smile.
"See? Eric likes you! He just wants to keep the relationship just as friends! All cool with you?""Yes.." she said softly. James took her hand and walked away with her."You all right, now?""Yeah!" she nodded. "But he only wants us to be friends! because I'm a nerd!""Jeanne! Why don't you ever think about me? You know he's a jerk! Why do you mope around for that! So what, if he doesn't like you! Everyone is different, Jeanne. To my eyes, you are a beauty. You can't always think about him! There are other guys out there for you! Not just Eric and me! I really don't want to see you like this."
"James! Do you really love me?""I don't think I need to answer that!" They stared at each other for a long time."James!" She tried to push him away and he staggered a little."Jeanne! answer this for me! do you love me?""James, I never intended to be your girlfriend. I just want to be your friend.""Oh, I see! you're treating me like how Eric treated you. You don't want to be my girlfriend because I'm way different than you. You don't want to be my girlfriend because I'm better looking than you and you're afraid that people will jeer you because of that. Well, you know what? I don't care about any of that!" And with that, he grabbed her and locked her lips into his. After a while, he moved away..

"Oh, you really do love me!" She hugged him."But, Jeanne! do you still have feelings for him?""Yes! I always have, and always will.""Do you want to be pretty? Like those girls over there?" James pointed to a group of girls. They all had big hoop earrings and what Jeanne noticed was that they did not have any thick glasses like her. Jeanne nodded. She was pretty ashamed about it."It's all right, Jeanne. All girls want to be good looking. Even they were ugly once. Everyone is.""Really?""Sure! I used to act like a girl once. I always thought about my appearance, my clothes, and my hair ; just like a girl.""Haha! That's funny!""It's good to see you laugh. Now, Jeanne. I'll help you become pretty'. Then will you be happy?""I don't know. I've never been attractive in my life.." she said innocently."Well, it's time you are!"

"OK! we'll start off with your hair. It's nice and curly. I don't think it's right to put it up in a hairdo or anything. Something needs to go with it. And I have just the perfect thing.""What is it?""Jeanne! we need to pierce your ears.""WHAT?!""AAAAAAAHHH! OUCH!""Well, that wasn't so bad! right?""Yeah right," Jeanne said, rubbing her ears. "James, it's even painful to touch my ears!""Then just leave them alone before you get an infection!""All right! Geez!""Now, we need to focus on your clothes. You can't always have a blouse with a tight sweater squeezed over it, you know. It looks like our school has a dress code. You should have a tight shirt with a miniskirt. That would look good on you."
"OK! now that we have all the clothes and jewelry, all we need to fix are your glasses. We need contacts for your eyes.""How are we going to do that?""I know someone who can get us contacts. I knew my eye doctor for a long time. He can help us with it.""So you want to give her contacts for these glasses?""Yeah. Can you help us?" "Well! the lens are really thick! You must be studying really hard, student," helooked at Jeanne. She smiled and nodded."So! will you take them?""Yeah, I guess. I really like the design. It can be a display. And whoever wants it, can get it. All right, let's get you some contacts." "That was pretty easy, right, Jeanne?""But it's pretty weird not pushing up some glasses every 10 seconds.""Haha. But your new blue eyes look marvelous.""Wait a minuet! You got blue contacts? BLUE?!""Yeah. And the extra pair is just regular hazel... the same color as your eyes.""I want the hazel ones. I don't want to be a Caucasian.""No. Don't you want to be matching with Eric? Eric has blue contacts, too, you know!""Fine!" Jeanne pouted. But James knew inside she was happy. He knew he was going to have to let go of her.
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On Monday, James brought Jeanne to school. Everyone gathered around them and agreed that James and the new beautiful girl was a good couple. James put his arm around Jeanne and took her to Eric.
"What up, man? Who's the chick?" Eric asked."You'll never know.""So tell me!""You want to tell him, girl?" James asked Jeanne."Hi! I'm Jeanne." James and Jeanne smiled when they heard him gasp."The! the nerdy! nerdy girl?""The same, Eric! the same.""Can I talk to you, James?" Eric took James away from Jeanne. "Dude, what the hell is happening here? That's not Jeanne, right?""It is Jeanne! How can you live like that? How can you live with one spontaneous idea stuck in your head? Can't you ever think about Jeanne being beautiful and attractive?""Well! no.""See? I knew this was a bad idea. But she loves you! Can't you believe that? And I love her! so I'm letting her go to the one jerk she loves. Peace, man," and with that, James walked away. "Good luck, Jeanne." He stuffed his hands into his pants pockets. He tried to stop the tears from streaming down his face. Jeanne! if you love him that much! I'll let you go. I hope that jackass won't hurt you.
"So! You're Jeanne! The one I rejected?""Umm! Yeah.""Well! I've thought about it, but I think I want you to be my girlfriend.""Your girlfriend?""Yeah." Jeanne couldn't believe her ears. Thank you, James. "So! do you accept?""Of course I do! It's always been my dream!""Gosh! you have pretty weird dreams! Hey, you look cold. Here." Eric took off his sweater and wrapped it over Jeanne. Jeanne was so happy she was crying. Eric wiped her tears and comforted her.
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After school, Jeanne called James to thank him.
"Hello?"" James! Thank you so much! It went so well between Eric and me!""That's! that's great, Jeanne."" I owe it all to you. Let's go out for lunch or something sometime. I'll pay." Jeanne sounded so happy."Jeanne, I don't think that'll be possible."" Why not?""I'm leaving! to Korea."" What about your parents? Why are you going? How are you going? I just don't believe this!""My parents were dead a long time ago, Jeanne. I have enough money to get on a plane to Korea."" But! what about me? I thought you loved me!""Yes, I do. But you're in love with someone else and I don't want to burden you. I want you to be happy with the one you love and not be pressured by me. Tell Eric that I congratulate him and tell him good-bye please. Bye, Jeanne."
Click!
Jeanne couldn't believe it. She was able to date because of James. She was able to get attractive because of James. She was always comforted because of James! And he was leaving her out by herself in the big, hateful, hideous world. She felt suddenly so scared. She dialed James's number again, but he disconnected the phone. She finally knew who was important to her now.
She quickly dressed into the clothes James had bought for her and ran outside. She was running for dear life to James's house. When she got there, he was right there, in front of her.
Jeanne was so happy she cried out, "JAMES!" He turned to face her. "James, how can you leave me like this?" James looked at her with his soft eyes.
"I'm sorry, Jeanne. I have to leave. My cab's here. Bye, Jeanne." James gave her a peck on the cheek and disappeared into the taxi. She watched the taxi disappear into the curve and watched her James gone! forever. She started crying and crying as if her life was over. But it was! she was now alone in the world, with no one to support her.
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-15 years later-
James came back to America as a successful lawyer. He came back to America in search for the girl he had loved 15 years ago. Everyone in Korea had questioned him. And now that he was back, he was able to search as much as he wanted. But, little did he know there was a problem with that.
"Eric?" James had called Eric. They were in touch the whole time James was in Korea." Hey! What's up?""I came back to America, dude!"" Oh! Umm! OK!""I want to ask about Jeanne. Is she all right?"" You see, James. There's something about that you should know.""I'm getting a bad feeling about this!"" Well, I guess you can say she's happy and well.""What do you mean?"" She's with God, man. She's gone.""Haha. Nice joke. I'm not kidding. Tell me where she is.""DUDE! I'M TELLING YOU! AFTER YOU TOLD HER YOU WERE LEAVING HER, SHE STARTED GETTING DEPRESSED AND GETTING STRESSED! IT WAS HORRIBLE, MAN! WHY THE F*CK DID YOU LEAVE? SHE WOULD STILL BE ALIVE! BECAUSE OF YOU, SHE HAD TO SUICIDE! WHAT THE F*CK IS WRONG WITH YOU, YOU DUMASS JERK! I THOUGHT YOU LOVED HER! I DON'T THINK THAT'S WHAT GUYS WHO FALL IN LOVE DO TO THEIR CRUSH! SH*T! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE. REMEMBER WHEN YOU CALLED ME A JACKASS? You'd better think again.- Click! The phone fell from James's hand. He dropped to his knees in disbelief. He just couldn't believe it. He felt like everything was against him. He felt so angry with himself. He felt like ripping himself up. He wanted to follow Jeanne up to heaven.
For days and days, James didn't eat a morsel of food. He started getting so much stress.

-20 days later-
James was buried right next to Jeanne's grave. His tombstone read:R.I.P.James Park1980-2005
THE ONE MAN WHO LET GO OF A WOMAN AND LOST HER

It Was You All Along Part 1 to 2(Romantic Story)

2007-11-27T20:43:00.000-08:00

Romantic Story

It Was You All Along Part 1 to 2

Part 1

“Let me out!” screamed a terrified eight year old Sung Hoon. He was trapped in total darkness with four walls closing in on him. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he remembered what had happen.He was playing hide and seek with two boys from his school. Their names were Eun Ji Won and Chu Tae Won. Sung Hoon was so happy when they invited him to join them. In school Sung Hoon was the most popular kid because his aunt was the famous actress Jung Yeh Ja but when all the excitement about her was over, he was lonely all over again. In real life, Sung Hoon doesn’t have any friends because all the other kids assumed he was too good to play with them.“Okay,” said Ji Won. “I’’ll seek and you guys hide. 10…15…20…25…”

Sung Hoon jumped with excitement and started running to find a place to hide. He saw a refrigerator near his house. He wondered where it came from but then didn’t care because it would make a great hiding place. Sung Hoon hid for a while and then he heard Ji Won’s and Tae Won’s voices. He wondered what was going on and then he heard a noise.“I hope you like it in there Sung Hoon!”‘What?’ thought Sung Hoon. He tried to push open the door but it wouldn’t budge. He felt trap and started to gasp for air. He pounded on the door and screamed, “Let me out you guys!”Ji Won just laughed. “Why don’t you ask your aunt Yeh Ja to help you? Act like you’re better than us just because she is famous.”Sung Hoon’s heart sank. He couldn’t believe it. He thought Ji Won and Tae Won were his friends but they had tricked him. He began to cry. “I don’t act like I’m better. Please let me out.”Tae Won began to laugh. “This will teach you to mess with us.” Then he and Ji Won left.In the dark Sung Hoon sat and curled himself into a little ball. He was terrified. He was scared of the dark and worse, he was afraid of being alone. Then he heard a knocking.A little girly voice called out, “Is someone in there?”Sung Hoon stood up and banged his fists against the door. “Hurry up and let me out!”“Wait!”

He heard the noise of wood sliding and the door suddenly opened. Just as he saw light coming he pushed his way out. He bent over and began breathing fast because he almost ran out of air when he was inside the refrigerator. Then a pair of Mary Janes came into his view. When he looked up he saw a pair of big brown eyes staring back at him. It was a little girl in pig tails that saved him.They looked at each other for a while and didn’t say anything. Then the girl looked down and kicked her foot into the dirt.“Umm…what were you doing in my fridge?”Sung Hoon looked at her and then he turned away and ran into his house, leaving the little girl staring after him.

Part 2

‘Huh? What just happened here?’ Kyung Hee thought. “Aye! I’ll never understand boys!” she screamed out loud. She was watching Sung Hoon as he ran into the house next door.“What don’t you understand sweetie?” her grandpa asked as he came out the front porch to look for her.“Oh nothing grampie.”“Come here.”He waved for Kyung Hee to come sit with him on the porch swing. She walked over to him and sat on his lap.“Yes grampie?”“Do you like it here?”She nodded her head. “Ah huh. I get to be with you all the time but I’m still mad at mommy and daddy for leaving me.” She frowned and crossed her arms.Her grandpa let out a little laugh. “Silly girl, your parents are geologists. They have to travel around the world. They can’t take you with them because you have school. Besides they’ll send you presents.”Kyung Hee’s eyes got wide. “Presents? A lot?”“Yes.”She clapped her hands. “Yay!”Back at home Sung Hoon buried his face into his pillow and cried. Then he heard a knock on his door.“Sung Hoonee?”Sung Hoon quickly wiped his nose on his sleeve.

“Yes? Come in.”Then his mother came in. “What’s wrong honey? Why are you crying?”He shook his head. “Oh it’s nothing mommy.”His mom looked around his room. “Where are your friends?”Sung Hoon tried his best not to cry. “They….they went home.” His Mom hugged him. “Oh, you’re sad that they had to go home so early?” Sung Hoon held onto his mom tighter and didn’t answer. His mom thought for a while.“Hey I know. A new family just moved in next door.

An old man and a little girl.You can go play with her. Do you want to?”“Okay mommy.”

Yukiko Part 1(Romance Story)

2007-11-27T20:41:00.000-08:00

Romance Story

Yukiko Part 1

The first time for a guy to approach woman during his life, be it a senseless dare or pure admiration, somehow or another, ounce of energy will gradually flow in you until it accumulates pass a climax, then a sudden urge of doing silly things to know her happens. Before you know it, everything happens in a flash, and when you think back, you wondered how on earth did you manage to do or say something as retard.

I am in similar hypothetical situation.I observed her since two days and for some diabolical reasons, something stuck me, whispering to me in telepathy mode that I have to know her.

Must have one of Cupid's bow shot went haywire and got into me - my eyes never left her. She is petite and small, with long flawless hair. Her features were well defined - especially her eyes that captured my soul in the first wink I caught from her. She is not those drop-dead gorgeous model's style, but when she smiles and her two dimples creases into her cheeks deeply, nothing on earth is sweeter than her. Her charisma and the air that saturates around her is angelic and when I am near her, to close for comfort (it's simply stressing), she smelled like a walking conditioner.

I have to know her, if I want this piece of dream to turn into reality. If it were something of my forte, it would have been as simple as snapping my fingers, but I had never approach a girl before. What do you expect from someone who studied in an all guys school since Primary One and not even a single sister at home? Female of similar age don't exist in my environment since I graduated from kindergarten, which was like years ago?

Today is the last day of school, which means starting from tomorrow, two months worth of vacation began. Then, my chances of seeing her will be zero because she doesn't even stay near me; she stayed near my good friend, Jerry, private estate. Fate has enabled us to meet because two days back, because I have been going to Jerry's house and I would only see her at the bus stop. So everything needs to be done today!

She is sitting in front of me and my mind is virtually blank, thinking of a good way to start a decent conversation with her. Then, the bus appeared into sight and my set my pulse racing - I am losing my time resources! The bus slowed down to a gradually stop and we both board it. I chose a seat near the back and sat down, watching her walked passed me and sat behind. A wave of uneasiness washed over me as I could even sense her gaze on my back. There was an internal war waging inside me as I am fighting against trying to walk over to introduce myself and to remain rational. Finally our stop came and we got down. She walked at a quickened pace, reckoning that I am stalking her behind.

Every seconds is slipping passed me and beads of sweats broke out at strategic part of my forehead. I can't let this final chance go by!
She went through the gate of the estate by now and my mind is in state of desperation. Watching her gradually moving towards her block is unimaginable. Come on Cloud you could do it! OR you are gonna lose this chance forever!?

A surge of false strength filled my veins as I ran towards her. When I came arm length distance from her, I delivered a light tap onto her shoulder. She turned around, as if expecting all that would happen and gave me a curious look.

Hi, I was...was wondering if I...I...could get to know you and be your friend??
All the energy in me had expanded in this stuttering sentence I blurted. My face is beginning to blush red with shyness as I waited for any respond. She smiled faintly and gosh, that nearly sweep me off my feet. Five minutes went by and everything happened as smoothly as any successful mission. We exchanged numbers and I learned that she is not exactly local; she is a half Japanese who came to Singapore to study. Her name is Yukiko, which means snow in Japanese ?like her unblemished skin, fair and silky-like.

Then she said she had to leave and with a dumb smile reciprocating her sweet ones, we parted. I looked back at her for one final time, before running and yelling at the top of my voice that I made it. Did I mention knocking onto the lamppost and actually apologized to it?

It was two months since I knew her and we have always talk online. Our relation are like good friends now. Jerry told me to go after her, but my heart doesn't want to sacrifice this stable friendship for now. Maybe because I had never had a girlfriend before and always have this phobia of relationship not lasting behind my head.

I came home quite late and logging onto IRC and yes! She is there. Before I could catch my breathe for walking back home from the bus stop, she sent me a message.

'Cloud, so late still never sleep ar?'I heard my mum's voice lurking in the background, commanding me to finish the leftover food in the kitchen. If my mum knew that I ate in school already, I guess she is gonna skin me alive.'Just came back from school, you?''I waited for you to come online.'Waited for me? Sometimes girls can be such cute little thing. Words like these seemed like healing wards for the day fatigue. Jerry said that guys must be sweet talkers and romantic, well. I am none of the above. But when he stressed his point, I tried learning to be one.

'Why leh? Miss me ar? HAHAHAHA!'I know the laughter was just to cover my embarrassment, but hey, that's a good attempt.'Cloud, I am moody today.''Really.? What happen?''My good friend just broke up with her boyfriend today.'

The Soldier(Inspirational Love Story)

2007-11-27T20:38:00.000-08:00

Inspirational Love Story

The Soldier

John Blanchard stood up from the bench, straightened his Army uniform, and studied the crowd of people making their way through Grand Central Station. He looked for the girl whose heart he knew, but whose face he didn't, the girl with the rose. His interest in her had begun thirteen months before in a Florida library. Taking a book off the shelf he found himself intrigued, not with the words of the book, but with the notes penciled in the margin. The soft handwriting reflected a thoughtful soul and insightful mind.

In front of the book, he discovered the previous owner's name, Miss Hollis Maynell. With time and effort he located her address. She lived in New York City. He wrote her a letter introducing himself and inviting her to correspond. The next day he was shipped overseas for service in World War II

During the next year and one-month the two grew to know each other through the mail. Each letter was a seed falling on a fertile heart. A Romance was budding. Blanchard requested a photograph, but she refused. She felt that if he really cared, it wouldn't matter what she looked like.

When the day finally came for him to return from Europe, they scheduled their first meeting - 7:00 pm at Grand Central Station in New York.

"You'll recognize me, " she wrote, "by the red rose I'll be wearing on my lapel." So at 7:00 he was in the station looking for a girl whose heart he loved, but whose face he'd never seen.
I'll let Mr. Blanchard tell you what happened: A young women was coming toward me, her figure long and slim. Her blonde hair lay back in curls from her delicate ears; her eyes were blue as flowers. Her lips and chin had a gentle firmness, and in her pale green suit she was like springtime come alive. I started toward her, entirely forgetting to notice that she was not wearing a rose. As I moved, a small, provocative smile curved her lips. "Going my way, sailor?" she murmured. Almost uncontrollably I made one step closer to her, and then I saw Hollis Maynell. She was standing almost directly behind the girl. A women well past 40, she had graying hair tucked under a worn hat. She was more than plump, her thick-ankled feet thrust into low-heeled shoes. The girl in the green suit was walking quickly away. I felt as though I split in two, so keen was my desire to follow her, and yet so deep was my longing for the women whose spirit had truly companioned me and upheld my own
And there she stood. Her pale, plump face was gentle and sensible, her gray eyes had a warm and kindly twinkle. I did not hesitate. My fingers gripped the small worn blue leather copy of the book that was something precious, something perhaps even better than love, a friendship for which I had been and must ever be grateful.

I squared my shoulders and saluted and held out the book to the women, even though while I spoke I felt choked by the bitterness of my disappointment. "I'm Lieutenant John Blanchard, and you must be Miss Maynell. I am so glad you could meet me; may I take you to dinner?"

The women's face broadened into a tolerant smile. "I don't know what this is about, son," she answered, "but the young lady in the green suit who just went by, she begged me to wear this rose on my coat. And she said if you were to ask me out to dinner, I should go and tell you that she is waiting for you in the big restaurant across the street. She said it was some kind of test!"
It's not difficult to understand and admire Miss Maynell's wisdom. The true nature of a heart is seen in it's response to the unattractive. "Tell me whom you love," Houssaye wrote, "And I will tell you who you are."

The CD Boy(Hot Love Story)

2007-11-27T20:36:00.000-08:00

Hot Love Story

The CD Boy

A boy walked into a CD store and saw a girl behind the counter.

She smiled and he thought it was the most beautiful smile he has ever seen before and wanted to kiss her right there.

He said "Uh... Yeah... Umm... I would like to buy a CD." He picked one out and gave her money for it.

"Would you like me to wrap it for you?" she asked, smiling her cute smile again.
He nodded and she went to the back.

She came back with the wrapped CD and gave it to him. He took it and walked out of the store. He went home and from then on, he went to that store everyday and bought a CD, and she wrapped it for him. He took the CD home and put it in his closet. He was still too shy to ask her out and he really wanted to but he couldn't. His mother found out about this and told him to just ask her.

So the next day, he took all his courage and went to the store. He bought a CD like he dideveryday and once again she went to the back of the store and came back with itwrapped. He took it and when she wasn't looking, he left his phone number on the desk and ran out...
!!!RRRRRING!!!

The mother picked up the phone and said, "Hello?"

It was the girl!!! She asked for the boy and the mother started to cry and said, "You don'tknow? He passed away yesterday...

" The line was quiet except for the cries of the boy's mother. Later in the day. The motherwent into the boy's room because she wanted to remember him. She thought shewould start by looking at his clothes. So she opened the closet. She was face to face with piles and piles and piles of unopened CDs. She was surprised to find all those CDs and shepicked one up and sat down on the bed and she started to open one.

Inside, there was a CD and as she took it out of the wrapper, out fell a piece of paper. Themother picked it up and started to read it.

It said: Hi... I think you are really cute. Do you wanna go out with me? Love, Jacelyn
The mother opened another CD...

Again there was a piece of paper. It said: Hi... I think you are really cute. Do you wanna go outwith me? Love, Jacelyn

The talk(Funny Love Story)

2007-11-27T20:31:00.000-08:00

Funny Love Story

The Talk

Boy: I need someone to talk to.

Girl: I'm always here for you.

Boy: I know.Girl: What's wrong?

Boy: I like her so much.

Girl: Talk to her.

Boy: I don't know.

She won't ever like me.

Girl: Don't say that...you're amazing.

Boy: I just want her to know how I feel.

Girl: Then tell her.

Boy: She won't like me.

Girl: How do you know that?

Boy: I can just tell her...

Girl: Well just tell her.

Boy: What should I say?

Girl: Tell her how much you like her.

Boy: I tell her daily.

Girl: What do you mean?

Boy: I'm always with her...I love her.

Girl: I know how you feel. I have the same problem...but he'll never like me.

Boy: Wait. Who do you like?

Girl: Oh, some boy.

Boy: Oh, she won't like me either.

Girl: She does.Boy: How do you know?

Girl: Because who wouldn't like you?

Boy: You.Girl: You're wrong. I love you.

Boy: I love you too.

Girl: So are you going to talk to her?

Boy: I just did.

Installing Love(Cute Love Story)

2007-11-27T20:25:00.000-08:00

Cute Love Story

Installing Love

Customer Service Rep: Can you install LOVE?

Customer: I can do that. I'm not very technical, but I think I am ready to install now. What do I do first?

Customer Service Rep: The first step is to open your HEART. Have you located your HEART ma'am?

Customer: Yes I have, but there are several programs running right now.Is it okay to install while they are running?

Customer Service Rep: What programs are running ma'am?

Customer: Let me see....I have PASTHURT.EXE, LOWESTEEM.EXE, GRUDGE.EXE, and RESENTMENT.COM running right now.

Customer Service Rep: No problem. LOVE will automatically erase PASTHURT.EXE from your current operating system. It may remain in your permanent memory, but it will no longer disrupt other programs. LOVE will eventually overwrite LOWESTEEM.EXE with a module of its own called HIGHESTEEM.EXE. However, you have to completely turn off GRUDGE.EXE and RESENTMENT.COM. Those programs prevent LOVE from being properly installed. Can you turn those off ma'am?

Customer: I don't know how to turn them off. Can you tell me how?

Customer Service Rep: My pleasure. Go to your Start menu and invoke FORGIVENESS.EXE. Do this as many times as necessary until GRUDGE.EXE and RESENTMENT.COM have been completely erased.

Customer: Okay, I'm done. LOVE has started installing itself automatically. Is that normal?

Customer Service Rep: Yes it is. You should receive a message that says it will reinstall for the life of your HEART. Do you see that message?

Customer: Yes I do. Is it completely installed?

Customer Service Rep: Yes, but remember that you have only the base program. You need to begin connecting to other HEARTS in order to get the upgrades.

Customer: Oops...I have an error message already. What should I do?

Customer Service Rep: What does the message say?

Customer: It says "ERROR 412 - PROGRAM NOT RUN ON INTERNAL COMPONENTS". What does that mean?

Customer Service Rep: Don't worry ma'am, that's a common problem. It means that the LOVE program is set up to run on external HEARTS but has not yet been run on your HEART. It is one of those complicated programming things, but in non-technical terms it means you have to "LOVE" your own machine before It can "LOVE"others.

Customer: So what should I do?

Customer Service Rep: Can you find the directory called "SELF-ACCEPTANCE"?
Customer: Yes, I have it.

Customer Service Rep: Excellent, you are getting good at this.
Customer: Thank you.

Customer Service Rep: You're welcome. Click on the following files and then copy them to the "MYHEART" directory: FORGIVESELF.DOC, SELFESTEEM.TXT, EALIZEWORTH.TXT, and GOODNESS.DOC. The system will overwrite any conflicting files and begin patching any faulty programming. Also, you need to delete SELFCRITIC.EXE from all directories, and then empty your recycle bin afterwards to make sure it is completely gone and never comes back.

Customer: Got it. Hey! My HEART is filling up with really neat files. SMILE.MPG is playing on my monitor right now and it shows that WARMTH.COM, PEACE.EXE, and CONTENTMENT.COM are copying themselves all over my HEART!

Customer Service Rep: Then LOVE is installed and running. You should be able to handle it from here. One more thing before I go...

Customer: Yes?

Customer Service Rep: LOVE is freeware. Be sure to give it and its various modules to everybody you meet. They will in turn share it with other people and they will return some really neat modules back to you.

Customer: I will. Thank you for your help.

Puppies For Sale(Teens Love Story)

2007-11-25T23:25:00.000-08:00

Teens Love Story

Puppies For Sale

A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the 4 pups. And set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of little boy.

"Mister," he said, "I want to buy one of your puppies."

"Well," said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, "These puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money."

The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer.

"I've got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?"

"Sure," said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle. "Here, Dolly!" he called Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur.

The little boy pressed his face against the chain linkfence. His eyes danced with delight.As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else??stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly another little ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid Then in a somewhat awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up....

"I want that one," the little boy said, pointing to the runt.

The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, "Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like theseother dogs would."

With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers.In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down bothsides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe.Looking back up at the farmer, he said, "You see sir, Idon't run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands."

With tears in his eyes, farmer reached down and picked up the little pup.Holding it carefully handed it to the little boy.

"How much?" asked the little boy. "No charge," answered the farmer, "There's no charge for love."

100 Days Game Love Story(Romance Story)

2007-11-25T23:17:00.000-08:00

Romance Story

100 Days Game Love Story

Message: Peter and Tina are sitting in the park doing nothing, but just gazing into the sky, while all their friends are having fun with their beloved half.Tina: I'm so bored. Just wish I have a boyfriend now to spend time with.Peter: I guess we're the only leftovers. We're the only person who isn't with a date now. (both sigh n silence for a while)Tina: I think I have a good idea. Lets play a gamePeter: Eh? What game?Tina: Eem..It's quite simple. You be my boyfriend for 100 days and I'll be your girlfriend for 100 days. what do you think?Peter: Oookay..Anyway I don't have any plan for the next few months.Tina: You sound like you aren't looking forward to it at all. Cheer up. Today will be our first day and our first date. Where should we go?Peter: What about a movie? I heard that there is a really great movie in theater now.Tina: Seems like I don't have any better idea than this. Lets move. (went to watch their movies and sent each other home)

Day 2:Peter and Tina went to a concert together, and Peter bought Tina a keychain with a star.

Day 3:They went shopping together for a friend's birthday present. Share an ice-cream together and hugged each other for the first time.

Day 7:
Peter drove Tina up onto a mountain and they watch the sunset together. When the night came and the moon glowed, they said sat on the grass gazing at the stars together. A meteor passed by. Tina mumbled something.

Day 25:Spend time at a themepark and got onto rollercoasters, and ate hotdogs and cotton candy. Peter and Tina got in the haunted house and Tina grabbed someone's hand instead of Peter's hand by accident. They laughed togetherfor a while.

Day 67:They drove pass a circus and decided to get in to watch the show. The midget asked Tina to play a part as his assistant in the magic show. Went around to see other entertainments around after the show. Came to a fortune teller and she just said "Treasure every moment from now on" and a tear rolled down the fortune teller's cheek.

Day 84:Tina suggested that they go to the beach. The beach wasn't so crowded that day. They have their first kiss with each other just as the sun is setting.

Day 99:They decided to have a simple day and is deciding to have a walk around the city. They sits down onto a bench.

1:23 pmTina: I'm thirsty. Lets rest for a while first.Peter: Wait here while I go buy some drinks. What would you like?Tina: Eem...Apple juice will be just fine.

1:43 pmTina waiting for about 20 minutes and Peter havent return. Then someone walked up to her.Stranger: Is your name Tina?Tina: Yes, and may I help you?Stranger: Just now down there on the street a drunk driver has crashed into a guy. I think its your friend.Tina ran over to the spot with the stranger and sees Peter lying on the floor with blood over his face and her apple juice still in his hands. The ambulance came and she went to the hospital with Peter. Tina sat outside the emergency room for five and a half hours. The doctor came out, and he sigh.

11:51 pmDoctor: I'm sorry, but we did the best we could. He is still breathing now but God would take him away from us very soon. We found this letter inside his pocket.
The doctor hands over the letter to Tina and she goes into the room to see Peter. He look weak but peaceful. Tina read the letter and then she burst into tears. Here is what the letter said.
Tina, Our 100 days is almost over. I had fun with you during all these days. Although you may be greedy sometimes and less thoughtful, but these all brought happiness into my life. I have realize that you are a really cute girl and blamed myself for never taken the time to knowing that. I have nothing much to ask for, but I just wish that we can extend the day. I want to be your boyfriend forever and wish that you can be beside me all the time. Tina, I love you.

11:58Tina: (sobbing) Peter. Did you know what was the wish I made on the night there was a meteor. I asked God to let us last forever. We were suppose to last 100 days so Peter! You can't leave me! I LOVE YOU, but can you come back tome now? I love you Peter. I LOVE YOU.

As the clock struck twelve, Peter's heart stopped beating. It was 100 days.NOTE*Tell the guy or girl that you love them beforeits too late. You never know whats going tohappen tomorrow. You never know who will beleaving you and never return

The Wedding Vows(Touching Love Story)

2007-11-25T23:12:00.000-08:00

Touching Love Story

The Wedding Vows

"When I was six years old I met him in the playground and he came up to me with a daisy, just the one, and knelt on both knees and asked me to marry him. So I pushed him over then ran away. Two days later he came over and asked if he could play cops and robbers with me and from that day on we played everyday.

At 11 on my first day of Secondary school I was so nervous but at lunch time he came to find me, and we sat down and ate lunch together. We did this everyday for an entire year. You were the first person I told about everything, about my crushes, about my lessons and about all the people I hated, and when I was 13 and thought I was the only one who had never been kissed, you offered to show me how, and by the tree in your backgarden we shared our first kiss.

At 15 we went to our first proper house party, and I got drunk. Even though I made a fool of myself you were there to help me stand strong. You didnt judge and you didnt make fun.
Over the next year we began to seperate, made different friends. I got my first serious boyfriend and you went through quite a few girlfriends. And then it got to May and that meant the prom. Everything had been arranged, I'd been getting my outfit for months and then the day before I found out my boyfriend had cheated on me. The first person I turned to was you. You turned up at my door with a bouquet of roses and a vintage 1950's car.

I laughed that nightI cried that night

We had three glorious yars together, when everyday I would smile. Even on the last when your mother stood up, in the church infornt of your coffin and began reading from your diary:

"I saw you when I was six stood by the bench in a blue checked dress and daisy shoes and I needed to give an other daisy just because.... Becuase i loved you from that day on"

His wedding vows written the day after prom, that I will never get to hear."

Let me Love You(Tragic Love Story)

2007-11-25T23:08:00.000-08:00

Tragic Love Story

Let me Love You

Once upon a time, there was once a guy who was very much in love with this girl. This romantic guy folded 1,000 pieces of papercranes as a gift to his girl. Although, at that time he was just a small executive in his company, his future doesn't seemed too bright, they were very happy together. Until one day, his girl told him she was going to Paris and will never come back. She also told him that she cannot visualise any future for the both of them, so let's go their own ways there and then... heartbroken, the guy agreed.

When he regained his confidence, he worked hard day and night, slogging his body and mind just to make something out of himself. Finally with all these hardwork and with the help of friends, this guy had set up his own company...

"You never fail until you stop trying." he always told himself. "I must make it in life!"One rainy day, while this guy was driving, he saw an elderly couple sharing an umbrella in the rain walking to some destination. Even with the umbrella, they were still drenched. It didn't take him long to realise those were his ex-girlfriend's parents. With a heart in getting back at them, he drove slowly beside the couple, wanting them to spot him in his luxury sedan. He wanted them to know that he wasn't the same anymore, he had his own company, car, condo, etc. He had made it in life!

Before the guy can realise, the couple was walking towards a cemetary,and he got out of his car and followed them...and he saw his ex-girlfriend, a photograph of her smiling sweetly as ever at him from her tombstone... and he saw his precious papercranes in a bottle placed beside her tomb. Her parents saw him. He walked over and asked them why this had happened. They explained, she did not leave for France at all. She was stricken ill with cancer. In her heart, she had believed that he will make it someday, but she did not want her illness to be his obstacle ... therefore she had chosen to leave him.

She had wanted her parents to put his papercranes beside her, because, if the day comes when fate brings him to her again he can take some of those back with him. The guy just wept ...the worst way to miss someone is to be sitting right beside them but knowing you can't have them and will never see them again.

A tragic story that perhaps happens only in the movies. At the end of the day, money is money is money but love is divine. In our quest for our material wealth, take time to make time for our loved ones. There will be a time when we have only memories to cling to.Take this weekend to show our "love" to all that are close to us.

The Nice Guys(Hot Love Story)

2007-11-25T23:04:00.000-08:00

Hot Love Story

To The Nice Guys

This is for that time she left 40 urgent messages on your cell phone, and when you called her back, she spent three hours painstakingly dissecting two sentences her boyfriend said to her over dinner. And even though you thought her boyfriend was a chump and a jerk, you assured her that it was all ok and she shouldn’t worry about it. This is for that time she interrupted the best killing spree you’d ever orchestrated in Halo2 to rant about a rumor that romantically linked her and the guy she thinks is the most repulsive person in the world. And even though you thought it was immature and you had nothing against the guy, you paused the game for two hours and helped her concoct a counter-rumor to spread around the floor. This is also for that time she didn’t have a date, so after numerous vows that there was nothing “serious” between the two of you, she dragged you to a party where you knew nobody, the beer was awful, and she flirted shamelessly with you, justifying each fit of reckless teasing by announcing to everyone: “oh, but we’re just friends!” And even though you were invited purely as a symbolic warm body for her ego, you went anyways. Because you’re nice like that.

The nice guys don’t often get credit where credit is due. And I wish I could logically explain this trend, but I can’t. From what I have observed on campus and what I have learned from talking to friends at other schools and in the workplace, the only conclusion I can form is that many girls are just illogical, manipulative b**ches. Many of them claim they just want to date a nice guy, but when presented with such a specimen, they say irrational, confusing things such as “oh, he’s too nice to date” or “he would be a good boyfriend but he’s not for me” or “he already puts up with so much from me, I couldn’t possibly ask him out!” or the most frustrating of all: “no, it would ruin our friendship.” Yet, they continue to lament the lack of datable men in the world, and they expect their too-nice-to-date male friends to sympathize and apologize for the men that are jerks. Sorry, guys, girls like that are beyond my ability to fathom. I can’t figure out why the connection breaks down between what they say (I want a nice guy!) and what they do (I’m going to sleep with this complete a** now!). But one thing I can do, is say that the nice-guy-finishes-last phenomenon doesn’t last forever. There are definitely many girls who grow out of that train of thought and realize they should be dating the nice guys, not taking them for granted. The tricky part is finding those girls, and even trickier, finding the ones that are single.

So, until those girls are found, I propose a toast to all the nice guys. You know who you are, and I know you’re sick of hearing yourself described as ubiquitously nice. But the truth of the matter is, the world needs your patience in the department store, your holding open of doors, your party escorting services, your propensity to be a sucker for a pretty smile. For all the crazy, inane, absurd things you tolerate, for all the situations where you are the faceless, nameless hero, my accolades, my acknowledgement, and my gratitude go out to you. You do have credibility in this society, and your well deserved vindication is coming.

Piano Tutorial

2007-11-25T22:11:00.000-08:00

Piano Tutorial
A few simple tips for playing the piano

Keyboard Layout

The following graphic indicates which keys on the piano keyboard correspond with the notes on a staff of music. There is no need to know the names of the notes. Just press the key on the piano that corresponds with the note on the written music, as shown on the following image. The black image represents the piano keyboard while the red image represents the notes on a sheet of music overlaid on the piano keyboard. (The notes that correspond with the black keys are not displayed.)

If the written note has a in front of it, play the note immediately to the right on the keyboard. If the written note has a in front of it, play the note immediately to the left on the keyboard. For example:

Relaxation

Try to touch the piano keys lightly and gently. If your fingers are rigid, stiff, with the anxiety of trying to get the right notes at the right time, it will be much more difficult to get it right. A relaxed hand is much easier to get the the right place at the right time.

Enjoyment

Play something you like and that you are familiar with. In time, you will be able to look at any sheet of music and play something close to what is written, but there is no sense adding the burden of playing unfamiliar music on top of learning to press the right key. When we learned to type, we learned by typing familiar words. We didn't learn to type obscure chemical names or technical jargon. The same applies to the piano. When starting out, play what is fun for you. Anything you play will develop your skill.
If you are practicing to play by ear, play what you are familiar with: advertising jingles, TV theme music, popular folk songs, etc.

For improving Fluidity:

Do you play by ear? I recommend you try it. I found that my fluidity went up greatly when I started playing by ear. Or in other words, without any music, sit down and play the melody to some songs that are very familiar to you. Add some harmony as appropriate. This should be music that you have not previously played from a printed page.
Since I started learning to play by ear, the music I play from a printed sheet sounds better. My fingers just seem to anticipate where the next note is going to be, even if my eyes haven't quite caught up. You don't have to become an expert at playing by ear, but if you practice until you can do it a little bit, it will greatly improve your sight reading capabilities!

For Improving Memory:

Another idea that has more to do with biology than anything else, is to play the piece you are learning immediately before going to bed. It should be the last thing you do before laying your head on the pillow. During the day, our brain stores many things in short term memory. These memories are transferred to long term memory during sleep. If you are doing anything after your practice, the memories of your practice session will tend to get overwritten by the events you do later in the day. Playing the song one time just before bed, will bring these memories to the foreground. They will be transferred to long term memory more efficiently.

Keeping the Rhythm

The trick is to play what you play in the proper rhythm, even if you only play a portion of the song. In other words, practice keeping the rhythm going at the expense of everything else. Don't play the cords, or play one or two notes in the cord rather than the whole thing. Before long, you will be able to get more and more notes included in the cords, or you will learn which notes are optional. In most cases nobody but you will realize that there is a note missing.

Where to Put your fingers

For scales:

The orthodox technique, for example if you are going up the scale with the right hand, would be to play the first three notes starting with your thumb, and then after playing the note under your middle finger to play the next note with your thumb again. (The thumb crosses under.) Going back down the scale, starting with the pinky on your right hand, you would play five notes, and then your middle finger would cross over the top of the thumb to play the next lower note.
Playing with the left hand is a mirror image of what the right hand does.

For regular music:

The same sort of arrangement applies, but it is also common to just pick up your hands and move them so that they span the next sequence of notes you are expecting to play.

Playing with Both Hands

(Nearly always) play with both hands, don't try to separate them.
Don't worry about skipping a note here or there in the harmony. If you don't get there in time, just go on to the next one, or make up a harmony! Few listeners will be able to tell. After a while your left hand will develop a feel for where the notes might be expected to be. After a while, your right hand will be able to pick out the melody essentially by ear without having to pay so much attention to the notes on the page, thus allowing you to pay more attention to the left hands harmonies. These two trends will combine together to make playing easier and easier. Doing a little bit of playing by ear, and a little bit of sight reading new music, will help to strengthen these trends.

Children and the Piano

So often, a parent will say, "Don't touch the piano", or "Quit making such awful noise on the piano", then the parent wonders why the children don't want to play the piano when formal lessons start. Children learn best by doing. Let them goof with the keys while you play. (It's less intrusive if you put them on the right side of you!) Or let them make horrible sounds by themselves, and if they accidentally play something that sounds good, be sure to acknowledge it, so it will be more likely to occur in the future. My son by the age of 8 was playing well both by reading music, and by ear, without ever having had a lesson. He just tinkered around. Not saying that there aren't some pretty unmusical things coming out of the piano, (even now), but overall the joy of listening to him play compensates for any bit of patience that was required.

Finding the Notes

To make learning sheet music easier, take a staff of music, cut it up into little pieces, and tape the pieces to the appropriate key on the piano, right up next to the body so they won't be in the way. Here's some notes if you want to try this at your place. You can tell where they go by looking at the staff at the top of this page.

Finding Music

The library is a great place to find music. Especially if you are learning to sight read. You can check out a book, play the songs in it a few times, and then go on to another book. This way, you always have a fresh challenge and don't get bored with the same old stuff.
Sheet music in PFD format may be downloaded from Shopping.Lofthouse.com.

Fake Books

Another fun book to play from is called a fake book. They typically come with just the melodies of the songs, and perhaps recommendations for what cords sound good with a particular part of the melody. You make up your own accompaniment as you feel best. To the uninitiated, it sounds like full blown sheet music, but the pianist knows what's really going on.

Playing by Ear

The grand mystery to playing by ear is deciding which note to start out on. If you choose that note properly, the rest of the music is greatly simplified. It also helps if you play the music in the key of C (no sharps or flats). To choose the first note, hum the last note in the song as a C. Then hum the first note in the song, and match it to the piano. This is simplified, because the starting note will typically be one of the notes in the base cord of the last note. (see drawing below)

Chords

The cords illustrated below, on the bottom staff, are the most typical cords in the key of C, which is the simplest key to play in. The notes on the top staff are typical of what notes you might be playing at the same time as playing the cord.

I usually go about it the other way around. If I'm playing a C note in the melody, I will typically form a C cord with the left. If I'm playing a D with the right hand, I'll typically form a G cord with the left. There's no hard and fast rules, play what sounds good. (The small grids above the staff are for guitarists.)

Organs and Synthesizers

They're all played about the same way. On the piano, folks will often use the sustain pedal so that the note can be played, and then your fingers immediately leave the note and go onto another note. On the organ, you will need to keep your fingers on the key for as long as you want it to make a sound. Synthesizers may allow you to set this behaviour.

A Parting Word

And finally, relax. It's so easy with quick moving songs to let the fingers get all tensed up with the challenge of being on the right key at the right time.

Good article on music industry

2007-11-22T19:05:00.000-08:00

Good article on music industry

Rights issue rocks the music world

Record companies see it as mutiny. Musicians call it an overdue rebellion. Either way, the artists' rights movement has set the stage for combat that could revolutionize the music industry.

What started as a classic David-and-Goliath skirmish over contractual terms could be tilting toward a level battlefield as opposition on a wide range of issues swells against an industry mired in a sales slump.

"The record business is in rough enough shape that something might actually change," says Craig Marks, editor of Blender magazine. "If things weren't so uncertain, so bleak and in such disarray, the industry would be immovable, even with a gun to its head. If there was ever a set of circumstances that could lead to artists making inroads, it's now."

Clinging to the status quo are the world's five major record conglomerates: Universal, Sony, Time Warner, EMI/Virgin and Bertelsmann, represented by a powerful trade group, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). They face challenges from increasingly vocal performers supporting the Recording Artists' Coalition (RAC), whose diverse roster of 150 members includes Bruce Springsteen, Sting, R.E.M., Bonnie Raitt, Madonna, Eric Clapton, Dave Matthews, Billy Joel, Elton John, Linkin Park, Aimee Mann, No Doubt, Puddle of Mudd, Staind and Static-X.

Key concerns from the broad range of byzantine conflicts:

Caps on contract lengths. Most major-label agreements require a commitment of six to eight albums, an obligation that can entail an indefinite term of indentured servitude. California state Sen. Kevin Murray, a Democrat, wrote a bill to repeal an amendment that exempts recording artists from a state law limiting contracts to seven years. After RAC and the RIAA failed to reach a compromise, the bill was pulled Aug. 15. Murray plans to resubmit it next year as part of a larger package also addressing accounting practices, pension plans and health benefits.
Accounting practices. Audits routinely detect unpaid royalties. Music industry lawyer Don Engel, who estimates that labels misreport and underpay artist royalties by 10% to 40%, says industry accounting practices are "intentionally fraudulent." Music writer Dave Marsh describes the process as "an entrenched system whose prowess and conniving makes Enron look like amateur hour." Royalties, based on complex and antiquated formulas that favor labels, are disbursed only after artists pay back advances, recording costs and other expenses. Greg Hessinger, director of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), a union representing 80,000 actors, musicians and other entertainment workers, says this recoupment method "is so replete with ambiguity, complexity and subjectivity that the only true long-term solution is a complete overhaul. Until we can bury the recoupment system, changes must be implemented that provide for greater transparency and a fuller duty to account so that artists can at least be certain that they are being paid correctly."
Producer Steve Albini, trashing label practices in The Baffler magazine, outlines a hypothetical but typical record deal that bestows a $250,000 advance on a young band. The album sells 250,000 copies, earning $710,000 for the label. The band, after repaying expenses ranging from recording fees and video budgets to catering, wardrobe and tour bus costs, is left $14,000 in the hole on royalties.

A California Senate hearing on accounting practices is set for Sept. 24 in Los Angeles.
Health and pension benefits. Soul legend Sam Moore and other artists are suing record companies and the AFTRA Health and Retirement Funds (a separate entity from the union) for pension benefits. Atlantic, which has sold Moore's music since 1967, never deposited a nickel into his pension because of convoluted formulas tied to royalties. Not surprisingly, labels are balking at paying roughly 20,000 artists up to 30 years of back pension and health benefits. The union, negotiating with labels since May, hopes to secure increased access to health insurance and improvements in pension participation when talks resume in October. Among 200 artists who signed a letter supporting the union's proposal are Steve Earle, John Hiatt, Johnny Cash, Marilyn Horne, Carole King, Billy Bob Thornton and Coolio. Copyright and ownership. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, once stated that the record business is the only industry in which the bank still owns the house after the mortgage is paid. Artists are demanding copyright reform and a reasonable means of reacquiring their master recordings. Payola reforms. Labels sidestep payola laws by hiring independent promoters to lobby and compensate radio stations for playing certain records. Opponents say this quasi-legal system stifles creativity and limits diversity. The drumbeat of war has been building in recent years as artists wrestle for self-empowerment and vow to amend a system that let soul greats Otis Blackwell, Jackie Wilson and Mary Wells die destitute. Before she died, Peggy Lee was part of a class-action settlement that won unpaid royalties. Courtney Love filed suit to break her Geffen contract. Prince fled the corporate structure and pitched camp on the Internet, where he sells directly to fans. Tom Petty's upcoming album, The Last D.J., slams industry greed.

Point: 'Corporations don't have feelings'

"The record companies are like cartels, like countries, for God's sake," singer/songwriter Tom Waits says. "It's a nightmare to be trapped in one. I'm on a good label (Epitaph) now that's not part of the plantation system. But all the old records I did for Island have been swallowed up and spit out in whatever form they choose. These corporations don't have feelings, and they don't see themselves as the stewards of the work. They are making shoes, and then they want to go to the Bahamas and get a suntan."

He advises new artists to "get a good lawyer and don't ever sign away your publishing rights. Most people are so anxious to record, they'll sign anything. It's like going across the river on the back of an alligator."
Waits joined the artists' coalition in hopes of exposing the industry's shadowy business practices.
"Artists really do need to communicate and organize," he says. "Don Henley is willing to get a haircut and go to Washington. I'm all for that."

Rock veteran Henley, an RAC founder, is confident the movement will lead to significant change, despite reluctance by some artists to get involved.

"Newer artists don't want to rock the boat," he says. "They're still starry-eyed idealists and haven't been around long enough to be mistreated. Other artists simply don't understand the issues or are too self-absorbed."

A new artist's limited avenues fuel apprehension, says Marks, noting that such midlevel acts as Aimee Mann and Ani DiFranco are content to toil outside the empire, but "most artists want to hear their song on the radio, see their big-budget video on MTV and be on stage in front of 50,000 people. The major labels have access to radio and TV. If push comes to shove, you're being shoved off a fairly steep cliff."

Michael Jackson's recent high-profile leap onto the bandwagon was met with skepticism. In rallying support for his financial grievances against Sony Music, he asserted, "If you fight for me, you're fighting for all black people."

Industry observers dismissed his sudden allegiance as an opportunistic tactic in a heated feud with Sony chief Tommy Mottola, whom Jackson branded a racist and devil. After Jackson joined activist Al Sharpton in condemning unfair contract and royalty practices, MTV.com reported that "the summit came off more like a vehicle for damage control than a constructive outlet for record industry reform."

Even with many artists on the sidelines, "there are enough of us, older and new, who know what's going on," Henley says. "We're going up against labels that have a powerful presence in Washington and have been politically active for 60 years. And yet we're making strides. We're getting help from managers, lawyers and politicians to get the fair treatment we deserve. The pendulum is swinging to our side."

The artists' coalition, which is financed in part by benefit concerts, plans to staff offices in Washington and Los Angeles before Murray's bill resurfaces next year. Though reform efforts in the '50s led by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Stan Kenton fell short, Henley says music's empowered boomer generation, the fuel for the industry's expansion in the '60s and '70s, is better informed and more willing to speak out.

"Like all other corporations, the music industry has gotten greedier," Henley says. "It's about profit, profit and more profit that always comes at a cost of principles. The predicament the record industry finds itself in is of its own making. They've alienated consumers and artists, and whether the rights movement succeeds, the house will fall under its own weight."

RAC detractors argue that contracts are fair and that drastic revisions could undermine the industry. The newly formed California Music Coalition, comprising independent labels, manufacturers and merchandisers, opposes Murray's bill, fearing it will place California at an economic disadvantage and reduce investment in fresh talent.

Miles Copeland, chairman of Ark 21 Records, predicts that passage could significantly harm "the entire music business because of the very visible complaining by a few successful recording artists. If the mega artists succeed with this effort, I feel strongly that it would be at the expense of those artists who have not made it yet."

The CMC, supported by such independent labels as Priority, Hollywood, Restless and Triloka, contends that, because very few records prove profitable, labels need the cushion of long-term contracts to recoup investments and justify risk.
Counterpoint: For every hit, a $6.3 million loss

Music and Your Body: How Music Affects Us and Why Music Therapy Promotes Health

2007-11-22T18:41:00.000-08:00

♥♥♥ Music and Your Body: ♥♥♥

How Music Affects Us and Why Music Therapy Promotes Health

How and Why Is Music A Good Tool For Health?

Research has shown that music has a profound effect on your body and psyche. In fact, there’s a growing field of health care known as Music Therapy, which uses music to heal. Those who practice music therapy are finding a benefit in using music to help cancer patients, children with ADD, and others, and even hospitals are beginning to use music and music therapy to help with pain management, to help ward off depression, to promote movement, to calm patients, to ease muscle tension, and for many other benefits that music and music therapy can bring. This is not surprising, as music affects the body and mind in many powerful ways. The following are some of effects of music, which help to explain the effectiveness of music therapy:

Brain Waves: Research has shown that music with a strong beat can stimulate brainwaves to resonate in sync with the beat, with faster beats bringing sharper concentration and more alert thinking, and a slower tempo promoting a calm, meditative state. Also, research has found that the change in brainwave activity levels that music can bring can also enable the brain to shift speeds more easily on its own as needed, which means that music can bring lasting benefits to your state of mind, even after you’ve stopped listening.
Breathing and Heart Rate: With alterations in brainwaves comes changes in other bodily functions. Those governed by the autonomic nervous system, such as breathing and heart rate can also be altered by the changes music can bring. This can mean slower breathing, slower heart rate, and an activation of the relaxation response, among other things. This is why music and music therapy can help counteract or prevent the damaging effects of chronic stress, greatly promoting not only relaxation, but health.
State of Mind: Music can also be used to bring a more positive state of mind, helping to keep depression and anxiety at bay. This can help prevent the stress response from wreaking havoc on the body, and can help keep creativity and optimism levels higher, bringing many other benefits.
Other Benefits: Music has also been found to bring many other benefits, such as lowering blood pressure (which can also reduce the risk of stroke and other health problems over time), boost immunity, ease muscle tension, and more. With so many benefits and such profound physical effects, it’s no surprise that so many are seeing music as an important tool to help the body in staying (or becoming) healthy.

Using Music Therapy:

With all these benefits that music can carry, it's no surprise that music therapy is growing in popularity. For more information on music therapy, visit the American Music Therapy Association's website.

Using Music On Your Own:

While music therapy is an important discipline, you can also achieve benefits from music on your own. This article on music, relaxation and stress management can explain more of how music can be an especially effective tool for stress management, and can be used in dailly life.

Music never dies(a poem)

2007-11-21T23:45:00.000-08:00

Music never dies,

It is waking, It is the making,

This is that euphony,

The movementThe inspiration,

This is that rythmic sounds,

The Sword came and washed me,

Music that hast taste, Why you worry?

Music that can never fade,

Music that is the poetic minstrell,

Without this love,

I will fake and never increase,

The awakening glory,

That I made it again,

This crown is upon me,

do not depose,

That I as Iam,

Made that crown fall upon my broken soul,

This is that sound of music,

This is that glory,

Behold I dwell on you,

That with your music,

All the demons run away.

Learn How To Play Guitar Chords♀♀♀

2007-11-21T23:05:00.000-08:00

♫♫♪♫Learn How To Play♫♪♫♫

♫♪♫♫Guitar Chords♫♫♪♫

♀Introduction To Chords And The CAGED Fretboard System

Chords are 3 or more notes played at the same time. There are all types of chords, but all will fall under two categories: major and minor chords.

On the guitar there are only 5 basic major chord patterns. These primary chord patterns found on the guitar are C, A, G, E, and D. Together they spell the word CAGED which should help you remember them. All other chords that you will learn in the future come from the C, A, G, E, and D chord patterns.

CAGED is system of fretboard patterns for chords, scales, and arpeggios. It is derived from the unique tuning of the guitar. The C, A, G, E, and D basic chord patterns are just the beginning of the CAGED system. They are the first step in opening up a door to total fretboard domination.

Every other chord, scale, and arpeggio can be built from these 5 patterns. It has been rumored that Jimi Hendrix's vast abilities stem from his knowledge of the CAGED system and look at what it did for him. Understanding and mastering the CAGED system is the greatest achievement for any guitarist and

GuitarAlliance.com Member's Site will show you how to do this and more!

☼First Things First

Obviously the first thing you should do is to learn the basic chord patterns. Below I've taken a few pages out of the member's area that will teach you the basics of playing chords, how to play the C, A, G, E, and D major chord patterns, a complete guide to power chords, and a little bit of chord theory:

♀How To Read A Guitar Chord Diagram

Chord diagrams show you how to play new chords.
Below is a blank chord diagram. Think of it as a picture of your guitar sitting in front of you.
The 6 vertical lines represent the 6 strings on a guitar (low E on left side, high E on right). The horizontal lines represent frets except for the top line which is the nut of the guitar.

♀The Basic Guitar Chord Patterns

Introduction To CAGED

The CAGED system is derived from the unique tuning of the guitar. To sum it up: there are 5 basic major chord patterns on the guitar. These basic chord patterns are the C, A, G, E, and D chords. There are also minor chord version of these 5 basic patterns.
You'll notice that there are chords that seem to be missing such as F chords and B chords as well as chords with sharps or flats. Well, these chords don't have their own patterns. To play them (and all the other major and minor chords for that matter) you have to use one of the patterns on this page, so your first step is to master the chords on this page.

The 5 Basic Major Chord Patterns

Learn and memorize each chord pattern. Take your time to insure that you are playing them correctly. Each pattern is accompanied a picture of the chord being played and an audio sample of what the chord sounds like when played properly.

♀Chord Trouble Shooting

When you're first learning to play chords, it can be very difficult to get your fingers to cooperate. After a few days of practice your fingers will start remembering where to go. It's important to spend a little time everyday with these chords until you are comfortable with playing them.
Your fingertips on your fret hand will become sore and tender to the touch. If it becomes too painful, by all means stop practicing for the day and try again the next day. With steady practice you will develop calluses on your fingertips and this won't be any more problem.
If you're hearing a buzzing sound or the sound of the notes being played sound dull, then your not pressing hard enough on the strings, or one or more of your fingers is catching a nearby string. When you strum the chord each not should ring out clearly. You may find it hard at first to press all of the strings down firmly against the frets. If this is the case, don't fret. Your hands will build up the strength in no time with practice.

Chord Tips:

Don't let your fingernails get too long! They will prevent you from fingering the fret board correctly.
Make sure your fingers are standing straight up and down. Otherwise they may mute other strings.
When playing chords your fingers should be arched at the joints so that your fingertips come in contact with the strings and not the flat fingerprint part of your finger.
Your fingers should make contact with the strings slightly behind the frets if at all possible. The further your finger is from the fret the harder it is to apply the proper amount of pressure, hence the more likelihood that you'll get a "buzzing" sound.
The size of your hand and the width of your instrument's neck can significantly affect which fingers you use to play the chords. All of the chord charts on this site use the most commonly used chord fingerings. These fingerings will work for 95% of all guitarists.
You may come across a suggested chord fingering that you simply cannot contort your fingers to play. In this case try experimenting with alternate fingering