Fruit Bats - When U Love Somebody

I just ran across this band (and this song). If you like the Shins, you might want to check them out:




The Fruit Bats

Protest Plane

Hey everyone, there's a Photoshop contest (of sorts) at the Daily News (New York). They want people to add AF1 to photos of New York with Photoshop rather than flying over the city costing tax payers hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Here's my quick submission. Vote for me here.

An Ode to Swine Flu

Mad Cow caused quite a riot
It impacted a global diet
The cows all said moo
But of course you know who,
PETA said, “Beef, don’t buy it!”

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
Or SARS as it’s often known?
You did your worst in Asia
WHO said don’t let it phase ya!
And now where have you gone?

Avian flu is for the birds
But humans sure got scurds
Somehow we can catch this thing
From those feathery creature’s wings
It can kill you in other words.

And now we have the swine flu
This too can possibly kill you
There is as yet no vaccine
Which may not be too keen
Thanks Mexico, we owe you!

Where have I been?

I could go into this long, detailed, heartfelt excuse as to why I haven't written, blogged, called or uploaded any Dlogs recently, but I don't really feel like I owe anyone an explination. You see, when everyone is hanging on your every word it's easy to feel pressure to perform. Fortunately I have overcome that hurdle, and have reached that coveted plateau, whereat I know that it is the quality of my work, not the quantity that will truly leave a lasting mark. With that being said, may I please direct your attention to the most recent episode of the Dlog, posted below for those of you too computer illiterate to find it by tradition means...

Teaching Again

I got a call from Heritage Instructional Services (HIS) administrator, Rachael, this afternoon asking me to teach high school biology for the upcoming school year. Hurrah! Elisabeth will be a full-time student there--taking algebra, American government and worldviews, world literature and writing, and biology--two days a week. William will be taking three classes--geography, writing, and art. Jesse will be taking writing/grammar and art. Classes meet on Mondays and Wednesdays and students complete their assignments at home on the other school days. It's a home-school tutorial and I get to be the biology tutor! I'm already partially prepared, having taught this same text two years ago at St. Stephen's. I'll post more about it soon on my own blog.

Rap Music (is not very good)

New Track

For those of you who can't get enough Vampire Weekend... check out my new profile track in the banner above.

What do you think?

CD Tracks

For those of you who got a CD from me recently, here are the track listings:

My Hanging Surrender - The Wheel
Be Good - Tokyo Police Club
Meg White - Ray LaMontagne
Magic Show - Electric Owls
Pressure - Celebration
Children - Delta Spirit
Dead End Lies - The Presidents of the United States of A...
Ships - Tyler Ramsey
Ashamed - Deer Tick
To The Author (Version 1) - The Sea And Cake
Doomsday - Elvis Perkins In Dearland
Rock & Roll Queen - The Subways
Iron Lion Zion - Bob Marley
Election Day - Blaze Foley

A Quick Tutorial

Hey everyone, I am very glad to see (and read) all that's going on in this family and on this blog. I just thought, for the sake of those less-tech-savvy, that I would show you how to do a few things that will make your posts way cool.

First:

Posting Video (from YouTube) --- Nate, this one's for you.

On the side of the YouTube page you will see a sidebar with tons of stuff. One of those things is the word 'Embed' and a bunch of text next to it. Simply click that code/text and 'copy' it (go to 'Edit' at the top of the window, and click 'Copy').



Now, in your blog post, make sure you are in 'Edit HTML' mode. This tab is at the top of your editing pane.



Click in the editing section (where you write your post), go to the 'Edit' menu again, and click 'Paste'. Now you will see a bunch of code... that's good. Just type your post before or after it and when you push 'Publish Post' that code will auto-magically turn into a video.

Second:

Labels

This is not as big a deal but there is a 'Labels' field at the bottom of the blog post editing pane. You can use Labels to group together posts. So, for example, this post is listed under 'Music', 'Video', and 'Misc'. I could also type anything I wanted, like 'HTML Code Help' and it would create a new Label that I could then use next time I write a similar post.

This can be helpful when someone wants to read all the 'Music' posts or see all the 'Music Video' posts etc.

Just type what you like and separate all words or phrases by commas.

The Concert (Not Wilco)

So, this was one of the songs that the Avett Brothers played in Nashville, TN on Record Store Day. If you look closely you can see me in the upper right hand corner at the 20 and 50 second marks. I know... we (me and Thomas) did get a pretty good spot.

B.E.R.T., Part 3

Tom sat down to a large breakfast. His children had just left for school, a quiet little elementary school in their suburban Virginia neighborhood, and Tom stretched his legs beneath the table while his wife read the newspaper.

"Pass the syrup, would you, dear?"

As Mrs. Randle passed the bottle to her husband, she read, "A glut of calls floods Chesapeake Bay area."

"What kind of calls?" Tom asked. "Like the one we got last night?"

His wife sipped at her coffee and replied, "It doesn't say. Oh, wait a minute." She read to herself for a bit and then aloud again, "telemarketers have been waking cold call customers at all hours of the night."

"Must be some new scheme." Tom mused. "Maybe WalMart has gotten into telemarketing."

The phone rang and Mrs. Randle got up to answer it.

"Hello?"

Tom finished the last of the eggs on his plate. His wife listened for a few seconds and quickly hung up the phone. Tom took the last half a pancake and gulped it down in one bite.

"Who was that, honey?" He asked. She did not answer. Tom look up. "Sarah?" She was staring into space, her eyes were glazed over as though she were in shock.

"Sarah!" Tom yelled. She shook out of the stupor. "Who was that?"

"Another telemarketer." She whispered, barely loud enough for him to hear. And then she continued, still in a whisper, "selling AIR-2 Genie tactical nuclear missiles."

Glory Days (Avetts)

Since I have no clue how to put videos here, I guess just click on this link to see a sweet cover of Glory Days by the Avett Brothers.

The War to Begin All Wars, Ends

This day in history: The American Civil War ends at the Courthouse in Appomattox Virginia. The war of course did not come to a screeching halt, their were still casualties and battles, but the official end was this day, 144 years ago. As far as I remember, Mom can correct me if I'm wrong, I have always been a history buff. My favorite subject was history especially Roman history and American History around the Civil War. I just read a short little article about the Civil War as it introduced modern warfare into the old-school world. Part of the devastation of the war was that traditional strategy was pitted against modern technology. An interesting read if you have the time [article].

Washington

William. Here is my revision for your paper. You will notice a few embellishments, but most of your document has remained unaltered. Very good job, this was well written. Most of my changes simply open up some of the details that you left out.

On February 22, 1732, George Washington was born in the Grape State of Virginia. Texas, in the 1700's was known as the Grate State of Texas and Virginia as the Grape State because of their production of Cheese Graters and Wine respectively. Since then Grape and Grate have been eroded into the modern 'Great' lending much confusion to the debate over which State is the greatest. On April 12, 1743, his father died when he was eleven years old, people often died at a young age in the 1700's. George had to help his mother take care of his sister Elizabeth and his three younger brothers, Harpo, Groucho and Grover.



George also helped run the family business. The Washington family was known far-and-wide as the "go to" people for all things needed for powdered wigs. George was not only the spokesman, he too was a client. George Washington was a great, hard-working student in school. His favorite subjects were arithmetic, intersteller communications, modern dance, swordfish fighting, modern history and Legos™. To this day George Washington holds the Virginia state record in most wins at swordfish fighting*.



When George was sixteen years old he got a job surverying Virginia land pillaging villages up and down the Eastern seaboard. After that he made treasure maps. On January 6, 1779, George Washington married Martha "Twinkle Toes" Custis. Martha was a widow with two wicked children, born of her last merrage to the Admiral of the Martian Intersteller Fleet, Herzog B. Waternoofle. After George was married he sent the children to boarding school in Napal and moved into a Virginia home which once was owned by his brother, Groucho. George's favorite things to do were to boat, fish, hunt pirates, burn villages, browse YouTube videos of himself and most of all he liked to ride his giant seahorse.



George was appointed victoriously defeated his oponents in a bid for the possition of commander-in-chief for the War for Independence from the Tyrannical rule of the Man-Eating-Moths. He was appointed because of his great successes in the French Frog Eaters and Indian Martian War. In 1789 George Washington was elected siezed power as the first President of the United States of America. After being President for four years, President Washington assasinated the King of England and crowned himself Supreme ruler of the World. He was reelected as President in 1792. George ended his second term retired from public life in 1796, and is currently dead.

*Swordfish fighting has recently been outlawed in 48 states.

Limerick #2

Here's a poem I just finished that I thought you'd enjoy. Enjoy.

Note: you have to make limerick a three-syllable word for it to work.

A Limerick written to rhyme
Would not take too much of my time
I could do it right now
And you'd say "Holy cow!"
But I don't subscribe to your religion.

William's Final Draft

William Crum
April 7, 2009

First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of his Countrymen

King George III of England was a harsh king who imposed unfair taxes on his American colonists. While King George III was reigning over England, another important George was born in America. This George grew up, got married, and got his first job. Later, George had many successes in his military work and in the government.

On February 22, 1732, George Washington was born in Virginia. On April 12, 1743, his father died when George was eleven years old. George had to help his mother take care of his sister Elizabeth and his three younger brothers, Samuel, John, and Charles. George Washington was a great, hard-working student in school. His favorite subject was arithmetic. Even as a child, George was always a great help.

George Washington grew up to have a job and a family of his own. When George was sixteen years old he got a job surveying Virginia land. After that he made maps. On January 6, 1779 George Washington married Martha Custis. Martha was a widow with two children. After George was married, he moved into a Virginia home which once was owned by his brother. George’s favorite things to do were to boat, fish, dance, and most of all he liked to ride his horse. George grew up to be a brilliant man.

George Washington had success in the military and in the government. George was appointed by the American Congress as the commander-in-chief for the War for Independence. He was appointed because of his great successes in the French and Indian War. In 1789 George Washington was elected as the first President of the United States of America. After being President for four years, President Washington was reelected as President in 1792. George ended his time in office in 1796 even though the people wanted him to serve a third term.

In the Virginia home on Mount Vernon that once belonged to his brother, George became very ill. George Washington died on December 14, 1799. Because he was so important to our nation, George Washington is known as "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."

An Important Inventor and Writer-- by Jesse Crum

Jesse Crum
April 7, 2009
An Important Inventor and Writer: Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin has been an important man in American history for more than 200 years. Ben Franklin grew up in Boston, Massachusetts. Later, in Philadelphia, Ben liked to read, write, and invent. Ben was a hard worker because he loved his country.
The Franklin family lived in Boston, Massachusetts. Ben Franklin’s parents were Josiah and Abiah Franklin. Ben Franklin was born on January 17, 1706 . Ben Franklin had seven sisters and nine brothers. Because there were so many children, Ben Franklin had only two years of school. He was good at reading and writing but not at math, When he left school he was ten years old. Ben Franklin liked to swim. So, when he was eleven, he invented swim paddles and fins so he could swim faster, but the wood was too heavy. He kept on learning even when he was out of school.
Ben Franklin liked to read, write and invent when he was older. Ben began working as a printer when he was twelve. Ben went to live with his brother James, who was a printer, until he was 21. After work, Ben read by candlelight long after midnight. Ben got married in 1730 when he was 24 years old. He married Deborah Read. When Ben was 24, he also bought a newspaper, The Pennsylvania Gazette. When he bought the newspaper he saw that it wasn’t interesting, so he wrote a better one. Ben also wrote almanacs. Ben also had the first lending library in the U.S. In 1752 Ben proved that lightning is electricity by flying a kite with a metal wire on it in the middle of a storm. Ben had the first fire brigade. It was called the bucket brigade. He invented the lightning rod to help stop lightning from burning the houses, and he also invented bifocals. Ben was a hard worker and liked to invent things that helped people.
Ben worked hard to help his country, too. Ben Franklin helped write the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Ben wrote a letter to General Washington recommending Baron von Steuben to train the army at Valley Forge. He wrote the Treaty of Paris to end the Revolutionary War. He also helped write the Constitution. Ben was a good writer.
Benjamin Franklin received an honor from the French government. It was a medal that said "He snatched the lightning from heaven and the scepter from tyrants." Ben Franklin died on April 17, 1790, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. When he died he was the oldest person in Philadelphia by 20 years. He was 84 years old. He was famous then, and he is still famous today.

B.E.R.T., Part 2

Tom Randle pulled the covers over, settled down in the bed, reached up and flipped off the light. The slight buzz of the electric alarm clock read in bold neon letters 2:13. His wife was already asleep beside him, snoring lightly. But Tom was exhausted and even the noisemaker down the hall wouldn't keep him awake that night. He usually had such trouble falling asleep with all the ambient noise, but he was not accustomed to staying up this late. An emergency call had taken him into the middle of the city for a quick repair that lasted three hours.

The phone rang on the bedside table. Without turning the light on, Tom reached for the phone, pressed the talk button and whispered, "Hello?" He listened for only a moment and hung up without a word. His wife stirred beside him, rolled over and whispered in a groggy voice, "Who was that?"

"No one." He said. "Another telemarketer."

"In the middle of the night?"

"Who sells chemical solutions over the phone?" Tom wondered. He kissed his wife on the forehead and whispered. "Go back to sleep, honey." But she already had.

Want more?  Check out all the stories at Seventh Semester Sophomore.

White Sky - Vampire Weekend

To see the new and sweet Vampire Weekend song, click here now.  Then click on the second to last dot at the bottom of the video.  This will put you right at the start of their performance on the Jimmy Fallon show.

From the Memoirs of General Lee - Entry #37

Ulysses S. Grant stepped out of the tent walking under the sign that read, "Moo Shoo's Opium Den". He staggered across the muddy street to Buffalo Bill's Grand Tavern. Stumbling through the door, he made his way over to the nearest corner of the bar. Ordering a brew he bagan to regain his wits.

"Where am I?" he asked stupidly.

A young soldier spoke saying, "We're still in Gettysburg, sir."

Grant thought about this for a second. He had remembered ridding his horse Sally into town. It had been a beautiful spring morning. Flowers were growing and the children of the town were singing and dancing in the streets. He had also remembered growling at them because he despised singing and dancing children. In fact, Grant felt that at the age of eight all little boys should be sent off to military academy.

"That will teach them to sing and dance," he chuckled to himself. All of this was coming back slowly to his mind, but the opium's effects were still working on his mind causing him to forget why he and his army had come to this dismal little town in the first place. At that very moment, Robert E. Lee strode into the bar, and searching, his eyes fell on Grant.

"There you are you mangy dog," Lee barked. "Are you high?" He did not wait for an answer. "We are in the middle of a game of chess, a game that you suggested we should play to end the war, I am winning, I go to get a drink, and when I return, who just happens to be gone?" Again, Lee does not wait for an answer but gets right in front of Grant and yells angrily, "YOU... you aren't there anymore. You ran off like a sissy!" Grant, cowering, tried to explain that he had to rush off because one of his children had a nasty cold, but Lee would hear none of it. "You know that we have to fight now, don't you?" Lee questioned. Spitting on the ground at Grant's feet, Lee walked out the door calling over his shoulder, "I'll see you at Devil's Den you no-good-chess-player."