A post in dedication to the great R&B/Soul singer Teddy Pendergrass, who died today
November 17, 2009
morning mormons
I woke up from a 12-hour sleep with a potentially sick throat. Groggily, I was about to surf the internet when I heard the door bell rang. I peered outside the window to see two dressed-up boys with backpacks… and JESUS CHRIST tags on their front pockets. One of them saw me, so I opened the door but left the screen between us. The one who saw me introduced himself and his buddy, saying that they’re going around to talk to people about Jesus Christ. He asked me if I am religious. I said, “No, I’m an Atheist.”
MorBoy: [groan] “Aw, why is that?”
Me: “Well, there’s no solid evidence of any kind of God.”
Morboy: “There’s no solid evidence of no God either.”
He stumped me. I didn’t have any retort. In my defense, I really did just wake up and in no clear consciousness to debate with these Mormons. Moving on, he asked if there was any service they can do for me.
Me: “Service? What kind of service?”
Morboy: “We can take out the trash for you… [There were more service, but this is all I remember.]…”
Me: “Oh no… it’s okay. Thank you though”
He proceeded on to giving me their card. I asked, “So are you guys against gay marriage?” (Of course they are but I just wanted to hear their response).
He responded, “We believe a marriage should be between a man and a woman, but they should get the same rights because we are all human beings.”
And that was my Mormon morning.
October 28, 2009
the hendrix high
Red House – Jimi Hendrix
‘Cos if my baby don’t love me no more.
I know her sister will.
This song sounded extra amazing tonight. My body reclined on the couch, while his guitar riffs strike through my cloudy mind. My friends were doing god-knows-what in the kitchen, but I didn’t care. I just wanted to listen to Jimi.
October 11, 2009
life’s an illusion
Everybody’s Happy Nowadays – Buzzcocks
I was so tired of being upset
Always wanting something I never could get
Life’s an illusion love is a dream
But I don’t know what it is
Doesn’t this sound like The Strokes? Maybe because Buzzcocks originated this sound back in the early 80’s. Speaking of The Strokes, their long-awaited 4th album is still in the works. I hope they bring back some of the sounds that their debut (and my favorite) album Is This It has. In the meanwhile, lead singer Julian Casablancas’s solo album should be coming in November, and I’m already feeling the first song, “11th Dimension.” Sigh, I love his voice.
Jump to :40 seconds for them to start playing
October 1, 2009
how are you?
Why do we bother asking, “how are you?”? Everyone obviously lies when answering that cliche question. Because I do not feel “good.” What I should say is, “I don’t want to answer that because if I do, you might think I’m a pessimistic, depressed complainer who needs to get a reality check. So… how are YOU?” But how do I greet someone without asking that mundane question? Maybe I should try more provoking ones like, “How is your masturbating ritual lately? Oh, you have someone to have sex with instead? Well I guess you now know why I asked that then…….” <sarcasm> Okay, maybe something else that won’t make me look like I have been fucking profusely. </sarcasm>
How am I, really? Not good. Not bad. Our lives shouldn’t be characterized by one word, especially “good.” I HATE THAT WORD. I hate it because I have been saying it too much. It’s a terrible word. It doesn’t say much. It is bland, it is boring, it is an insult! Some people use it when they don’t like something. “What do you think of the movie?” “Good.” The word should be banned from using it alone. It is good with other words like, “Good god!” (did you see what happened there, I told you I’ve been using it too much!!!!) Shit, I digress.
Back to my “good” life- Tuesdays, Thursdays, and occasionally Fridays consist of listening to my grandma’s gossipy talks on the phone, Mondays and Wednesdays are filled with back-to-back classes that seem to knock me out. Like yesterday, I was too exhausted for trees and Arrested Development. Weekends vary, but I tend to be back to my homebody status and get into fights with the dad. Are you yawning yet? Or should I move over to talking about raking avocado tree leaves?
Yesterday was my first poetry day in Creative Writing. I brought in a poem I wrote to read aloud in class and get inputs from classmates. I still need to tweak it up, but here is the original version:
Noose of Nostalgia
Sweat coats the tip of my nose
Sweltering heat that beats us
Salt reaps a heap on tongues
The bird finally stays afloat above the air
Amplifying out Octaves of laughter
Your excitement as contagious as boy bands
Then down goes the bird
Repeat ensues through dinnertime.
New house, new town, new era
Gone is the not the wind
Gone is the bird
The bird whose wings follow not
Debauchery is the new pastime
Fighting is the new fun
Pain is the new love
You is the new you.
I am the new me.
-Linh Nguyen
