So there is this totally cool band called DragonForce.
http://www.dragonforce.com/df/downloads/dragonforce-media
Now, the coolest thing is that I got to see them in concert yesterday. :D They put on a FANTASTIC show, and their all amazing musicians. Their two lead guitarists in particular are amazing. Interestingly, their bassist is also a fantastic guitar player, but since this band is hogging all the talent in the world he's relegated to playing base. lol Anyway, so that was super cool. Unfortunately, I'm rather tired today since I didn't get back home until about 1AM. Also, the clothes I was wearing smell terrible. lol But yeah, it was super cool though and I'm totally glad I went.
The Owner, Heirron
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Update
Hello again, and sorry it's been so long since I've posted anything. I've been feeling somewhat abused by life of late, and have not had a whole lot of time, and therefore haven't thought of posting.
The lake has, of course, opened up by now, and I have seen a couple of boats out already, mostly fishermen. Though reportedly, my mother was a skier in the last week or two, though it may not have been on Waubesa. But on that subject, we now have the pier, and the boat hoists out, which is incredibly exciting! I am simply bouncing with anticipation of things warming up enough to start using the lake again. Way, long, long ago, back in September I think it was, you may recall that I got a new wakeskate and only got to try it once. It has been sitting in the basement ever since just begging to be used. Todd and I are also going to be doing some experimenting with wakeskating behind the fishing boat. That likely means nothing to you, but I thought I'd say it anyway. ;)
I have been keeping up with my fencing, though I have not been able to make it to any competitions in a while, which is too bad, especially since looks like I'm going to have to miss the one coming up on May second. However, I have been taking private lessons for a couple of months now, and I feel like I just made a very significant break-through in my technique. I won't try to describe what it is since it would be hard enough to do in person, and I fear the significance of it would be lost on those who do not fence. For me, however, it was tremendously exciting. :D
I have also had a great many piano events going on recently. Since the beginning of the year, I have been in two masterclasses, one recital, and one competition. Also, in May and early June, I have another competition coming up, my teacher's piano recital, and my very own Senior recital. I don't know if you attended, or remember, Lydia's recital, but this one will be along the same lines, though in a different venue.
There are only a couple of things more that I would like to mention before I go. I just got myself signed up for a missions trip in August. I think it's going to be a great deal of fun, and a spiritually enriching time as well. The other thing I wish to mention, which is entirely unrelated, is that the book, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by Robert Lewis Stevenson, is absolutely fantastic. If you haven't already, you should totally read it. :D
So, with all that being said, I shall be signing off, hopefully for a significantly shorter period of time than before. :)
The Owner, Heirron
The lake has, of course, opened up by now, and I have seen a couple of boats out already, mostly fishermen. Though reportedly, my mother was a skier in the last week or two, though it may not have been on Waubesa. But on that subject, we now have the pier, and the boat hoists out, which is incredibly exciting! I am simply bouncing with anticipation of things warming up enough to start using the lake again. Way, long, long ago, back in September I think it was, you may recall that I got a new wakeskate and only got to try it once. It has been sitting in the basement ever since just begging to be used. Todd and I are also going to be doing some experimenting with wakeskating behind the fishing boat. That likely means nothing to you, but I thought I'd say it anyway. ;)
I have been keeping up with my fencing, though I have not been able to make it to any competitions in a while, which is too bad, especially since looks like I'm going to have to miss the one coming up on May second. However, I have been taking private lessons for a couple of months now, and I feel like I just made a very significant break-through in my technique. I won't try to describe what it is since it would be hard enough to do in person, and I fear the significance of it would be lost on those who do not fence. For me, however, it was tremendously exciting. :D
I have also had a great many piano events going on recently. Since the beginning of the year, I have been in two masterclasses, one recital, and one competition. Also, in May and early June, I have another competition coming up, my teacher's piano recital, and my very own Senior recital. I don't know if you attended, or remember, Lydia's recital, but this one will be along the same lines, though in a different venue.
There are only a couple of things more that I would like to mention before I go. I just got myself signed up for a missions trip in August. I think it's going to be a great deal of fun, and a spiritually enriching time as well. The other thing I wish to mention, which is entirely unrelated, is that the book, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by Robert Lewis Stevenson, is absolutely fantastic. If you haven't already, you should totally read it. :D
So, with all that being said, I shall be signing off, hopefully for a significantly shorter period of time than before. :)
The Owner, Heirron
Monday, March 16, 2009
A Simple Snowflake
That is the title of the latest of my poems. Fortunately, most of the real snowflakes have melted, and despite what you read in the poem I don't mourn the loss one bit. :) I can't wait for summer! Anyway, the poem is pretty self-explanatory as far as meaning goes, though something to think about, what might the snowflakes spoken of in the second stanza symbolize, and how would the effect the meaning of the last two lines? Anyway, enough dithering from me. Here's the poem!
A Simple Snowflake
The day is cold, but I am hot,
For I have shoveled quite a lot.
Though all at once from toil I stop
To watch a snowflake on my mitten drop.
I bend and closer look I take
And instantly my job forsake;
On my mitten all serene
Is beauty like I’ve never seen!
A surging geyser of delight
Tells me, “Jump with all your might!”
But I won’t move
For it would behoove
My rapturous heart at once to break
Should I damage my dear snowflake.
I sit and ponder what I see;
A perfect, shapely symmetry.
I know that every single flake
Is different in its form and make.
But how when they’re so bountiful,
Can each one be so beautiful?
Their beauty is in difference,
And in their difference wonder;
That each one is so much the same
But different from any other.
Yet here’s my snowflake crystalline,
Its symmetry divine.
A spir’d pattern, without a doubt,
Repeated round about.
Finally with gaping jaw
I see a lesson filled with awe:
Beauty is to be unique,
But shapely meaning still to seek.
The Owner, Heirron
A Simple Snowflake
The day is cold, but I am hot,
For I have shoveled quite a lot.
Though all at once from toil I stop
To watch a snowflake on my mitten drop.
I bend and closer look I take
And instantly my job forsake;
On my mitten all serene
Is beauty like I’ve never seen!
A surging geyser of delight
Tells me, “Jump with all your might!”
But I won’t move
For it would behoove
My rapturous heart at once to break
Should I damage my dear snowflake.
I sit and ponder what I see;
A perfect, shapely symmetry.
I know that every single flake
Is different in its form and make.
But how when they’re so bountiful,
Can each one be so beautiful?
Their beauty is in difference,
And in their difference wonder;
That each one is so much the same
But different from any other.
Yet here’s my snowflake crystalline,
Its symmetry divine.
A spir’d pattern, without a doubt,
Repeated round about.
Finally with gaping jaw
I see a lesson filled with awe:
Beauty is to be unique,
But shapely meaning still to seek.
The Owner, Heirron
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Sublime Sleep, or Something Like That
I was tired when I wrote this. 'Nuff said.
Slumber Sweet
Drifting, dreaming, fading away;
A mind that leaves behind the day
Is wafting up while body slumbers
To where time has not its numbers.
High in lofty dreams the mind
Does gleefully its play unwind,
As the body, in sweet repose,
No sign of disturbance shows.
Yet still, in such a restful place,
The mind must sometimes dark things face.
But after turmoil does ensue
Peacefulness the more rings true.
Blessings on your golden sleep,
May’t be always lush and deep.
The Owner, Heirron
Slumber Sweet
Drifting, dreaming, fading away;
A mind that leaves behind the day
Is wafting up while body slumbers
To where time has not its numbers.
High in lofty dreams the mind
Does gleefully its play unwind,
As the body, in sweet repose,
No sign of disturbance shows.
Yet still, in such a restful place,
The mind must sometimes dark things face.
But after turmoil does ensue
Peacefulness the more rings true.
Blessings on your golden sleep,
May’t be always lush and deep.
The Owner, Heirron
Thursday, February 26, 2009
The Tree and The Birdies
Hello again. It turns out that I've been writing a lot recently it seems. :) Anyway, this is a pair a of poems that I did for English, but unlike many of my assignments, pretty much the only restrictions on these was that they be short, and contrasting in perspective. So, they are below, and then I will explain some of the nuances I put in them, since I don't want to make anyone work to find them (not that I actually think any of you would, which is actually largely why I'm explaining them ;-)).
The Tree
Now pluck the leaves, build the nest!
Now break the twigs, mustn’t rest!
This tree will do
Until I’m through,
Until next batch
Of eggs does hatch.
On the tree is hardly a leaf,
But enough for me, what a relief!
Barren and brown, before’t does die
I must build my nest, or I will cry!
The Birdies
Upward toward the sky I’ve spread my limbs
And in my leaves the breeze sang gentle hymns.
With leaf and branch I’ve given nest
To many a bird for its rest.
Hundreds at a time would stay
And I would give my leaves away.
But now the time has come for me to fall;
I hope that happiness is what I gave to all.
Alright, as I said before, these poems go together. It is hopefully pretty obvious that the tree in both poems is the same, and that they also occur at the same time. The first thing I would like to draw your attention to is the pace of the poems. The Tree is (hopefully) rather hurried and urgent, almost frantic, while The Birdies is much more flowing, laid back, and reflective. This relates to how focused on the moment the bird is, and how encompassing the thoughts of the tree are.
The next point to notice is how self-centered and heartless the bird is, and how caring and giving the tree is. This is where you would speculate on the relation between being rushed and selfishness, the bird's relation to modern society, what it might represent, and what my views on the subject might be. You could also speculate on what the tree symbolizes. If you are wondering why I'm not saying, there isn't necessarily anything specific that they stand for. You get to interpret and apply as you think is appropriate to the poems.
One last thing I will mention (since it is the last even semi-subtle meaning pointer there is in the set). You may have been confused by the titles of the poems. After all, The Tree is clearly about a birdie, while The Birdies is clearly about the tree. As you may recall, the poems are intended to emphasize the selfishness of the bird, and the generosity of the tree. To this end, the title, "The Tree," is meant to emphasize the they way in which the tree is being abused by the bird. Similarly, "The Birdies," is meant to emphasize the unconditional generosity of the tree toward the birds that live, and have lived, in it.
Well, that is all! I hope you enjoyed them (even if the stuff after was drawn out and boring!) :)
The Owner, Heirron
The Tree
Now pluck the leaves, build the nest!
Now break the twigs, mustn’t rest!
This tree will do
Until I’m through,
Until next batch
Of eggs does hatch.
On the tree is hardly a leaf,
But enough for me, what a relief!
Barren and brown, before’t does die
I must build my nest, or I will cry!
The Birdies
Upward toward the sky I’ve spread my limbs
And in my leaves the breeze sang gentle hymns.
With leaf and branch I’ve given nest
To many a bird for its rest.
Hundreds at a time would stay
And I would give my leaves away.
But now the time has come for me to fall;
I hope that happiness is what I gave to all.
Alright, as I said before, these poems go together. It is hopefully pretty obvious that the tree in both poems is the same, and that they also occur at the same time. The first thing I would like to draw your attention to is the pace of the poems. The Tree is (hopefully) rather hurried and urgent, almost frantic, while The Birdies is much more flowing, laid back, and reflective. This relates to how focused on the moment the bird is, and how encompassing the thoughts of the tree are.
The next point to notice is how self-centered and heartless the bird is, and how caring and giving the tree is. This is where you would speculate on the relation between being rushed and selfishness, the bird's relation to modern society, what it might represent, and what my views on the subject might be. You could also speculate on what the tree symbolizes. If you are wondering why I'm not saying, there isn't necessarily anything specific that they stand for. You get to interpret and apply as you think is appropriate to the poems.
One last thing I will mention (since it is the last even semi-subtle meaning pointer there is in the set). You may have been confused by the titles of the poems. After all, The Tree is clearly about a birdie, while The Birdies is clearly about the tree. As you may recall, the poems are intended to emphasize the selfishness of the bird, and the generosity of the tree. To this end, the title, "The Tree," is meant to emphasize the they way in which the tree is being abused by the bird. Similarly, "The Birdies," is meant to emphasize the unconditional generosity of the tree toward the birds that live, and have lived, in it.
Well, that is all! I hope you enjoyed them (even if the stuff after was drawn out and boring!) :)
The Owner, Heirron
Blue Roses are Cool
Blue roses are cool. They signify mystery, secrecy, rarity, and so forth. Now, having read differing accounts, I am not sure if blue roses never occur naturally in nature, or if it is just extremely rare. But regardless, pretty much the only way to get a hold of one is to engineer it to have a blue blossom. I've always thought these flowers have a rather fantastical quality to them, and I like deep, rich shades of blue (which is obviously the color a blue rose would be if it did occur naturally :roll:).
All this is to say that I was thinking about it last night, and then wrote this because I felt like it. The lines are in iambic pentameter, and in the course of writing this, I figured out why some of my sonnets sound so awkward. To make them flow nicely, there should be a regular emphasis pattern (iambs for example). Anyway, before I bore you to death, here is the little five line ditty I wrote.
Shrouded in Shadows
The rose that blooms in shades of deepest blue
Does glisten in the silver moonlight due;
A flower that secrets hides within its hue,
Among the trees is seen by wond’ring few;
The rose that blooms in shades of deepest blue.
The Owner, Heirron
All this is to say that I was thinking about it last night, and then wrote this because I felt like it. The lines are in iambic pentameter, and in the course of writing this, I figured out why some of my sonnets sound so awkward. To make them flow nicely, there should be a regular emphasis pattern (iambs for example). Anyway, before I bore you to death, here is the little five line ditty I wrote.
Shrouded in Shadows
The rose that blooms in shades of deepest blue
Does glisten in the silver moonlight due;
A flower that secrets hides within its hue,
Among the trees is seen by wond’ring few;
The rose that blooms in shades of deepest blue.
The Owner, Heirron
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Literary Endeavors
Needless to say, it has been a while since I've posted anything. By this point, probably the only person who will ever read anything on here again is Jenn, who's user name I've forgotten by now (sorry Jenn). Anyway, as per request, I'll be putting up some writing in the hear future. It just so happens that such said future is close enough that I can include my writing on this very post. First is a poem I wrote the other day. I really like the cadence in it. Next is an essay on intelligence v. wisdom that has as yet to be titled.
Whither Will it Go?
How sad’s a verse when it is doomed
And in a grave it is entombed;
When he that gave it birth does naught
Because he’s killed without a thought.
When strivings cease and wars do end
Will these losses that offend
Be made aright and all return
From every grave and every urn?
Or will they better things then do
Than write a human line or two?
Will they better things compose
Than their missing rhymes or prose?
It is not for me to say
What will happen on that day,
When they rise and walk again;
Those who fell into death’s den.
But of this I can be sure:
There will be peace both bright and pure,
And in that glow devoid of strife
They will at last have joy and life.
[Insert Essay Title Here]
Intelligence alone is for fools, while wisdom is for those who have understanding. It is important to note that intelligence coupled with other qualities can be good, but by itself it is close to worthless. It is therefore important to make clear the distinction between wisdom and intelligence since they are often confused or assumed to be synonymous. Many people do not understand the meaning of the words, “intelligence,” and, “wisdom,” causing them to miss the difference between a stockpile of facts, and a well developed ability to make wise decisions.
Intelligence and wisdom, while somewhat similar at their root, are very different in application. Webster defines intelligence as, “The ability to learn or understand from experience; ability to acquire and retain knowledge; mental ability…use of the faculty of reason in solving problems…generally, any degree of keenness of mind, cleverness, shrewdness, etc.” Webster defines wisdom as, “Power of judging rightly and following the soundest course of action, based on knowledge, experience, understanding, etc.” From this, intelligence is nothing more than accumulating knowledge and the ability to solve logic puzzles. Conversely, wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge and thereby make a good decision. Intelligence falls short of wisdom because it exercises only memory and, in some cases, self-centered shrewdness.
Intelligence can be useful, though without question its scope is very limited. No matter how smart a person is, and no matter how much knowledge a person accumulates, there will always be mountains more to be learned. Thus, any application of intelligence is limited to the relatively small portion of knowledge any given person has managed to retain. Even so, there are a number of topics that most people are familiar with, including pop culture, government, world events, educational subjects, and so forth. Since some people naturally excel at retaining this sort of information, they frequently appear to be more intelligent than other people. This can lead to one of the single greatest pitfalls of intelligence: arrogant self-reliance. A person who is generally considered to be smart will always be tempted to think too highly of himself. This is a rather unfortunate situation for a person to be in, for as the Bible tells us, “As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him,” (Proverbs 26:11-12). But if intelligence is not the same as wisdom, how does a person become wise and avoid pointlessly heaping up knowledge, or becoming an arrogant fool?
Wisdom, though fervently sought for, is difficult to attain. What then enables a person to find it? Before this question can be answered, it is important to understand that wisdom is the ability to make the right decision. The distinction between right and wrong requires a moral foundation, and of course, a solid moral foundation will allow a person to make Godly decisions. Returning to the question, Proverbs 9:10 states quite clearly where wisdom comes from: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Thus, to seek out wisdom, a person must first seek out God. This leads to one of the main contrasts between intelligence and wisdom: intelligence labors for the sake one’s self, while wisdom labors for the sake of God. This will in turn promote a number of internal qualities that are necessary to make wise decisions. These include self-control, patience, humility, and an ability to accept instruction, to name only a few, (Proverbs 10:19, 19:11, 11:2, 21:11). With a fuller understanding of what wisdom is, it becomes apparent that it is much more than merely memorizing facts. Instead, wisdom is an accumulation of virtues that leads a person to make morally correct decisions.
It is entirely possible to have a vast intellect and no wisdom whatsoever. If a person knows every point of etiquette, but becomes irate when another makes a faux pas, he has no wisdom. If he snaps at a person slower to understand intricate points of grammar than he, he has no wisdom. If he laughs at correction, he has no wisdom. If he looks down on anyone less intelligent, he has no wisdom. Intelligence comes with pride, and pride comes before humiliation; wisdom comes with humility, and humility comes before honor.
Well, there you have it folks! Err, folk.
Whither Will it Go?
How sad’s a verse when it is doomed
And in a grave it is entombed;
When he that gave it birth does naught
Because he’s killed without a thought.
When strivings cease and wars do end
Will these losses that offend
Be made aright and all return
From every grave and every urn?
Or will they better things then do
Than write a human line or two?
Will they better things compose
Than their missing rhymes or prose?
It is not for me to say
What will happen on that day,
When they rise and walk again;
Those who fell into death’s den.
But of this I can be sure:
There will be peace both bright and pure,
And in that glow devoid of strife
They will at last have joy and life.
[Insert Essay Title Here]
Intelligence alone is for fools, while wisdom is for those who have understanding. It is important to note that intelligence coupled with other qualities can be good, but by itself it is close to worthless. It is therefore important to make clear the distinction between wisdom and intelligence since they are often confused or assumed to be synonymous. Many people do not understand the meaning of the words, “intelligence,” and, “wisdom,” causing them to miss the difference between a stockpile of facts, and a well developed ability to make wise decisions.
Intelligence and wisdom, while somewhat similar at their root, are very different in application. Webster defines intelligence as, “The ability to learn or understand from experience; ability to acquire and retain knowledge; mental ability…use of the faculty of reason in solving problems…generally, any degree of keenness of mind, cleverness, shrewdness, etc.” Webster defines wisdom as, “Power of judging rightly and following the soundest course of action, based on knowledge, experience, understanding, etc.” From this, intelligence is nothing more than accumulating knowledge and the ability to solve logic puzzles. Conversely, wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge and thereby make a good decision. Intelligence falls short of wisdom because it exercises only memory and, in some cases, self-centered shrewdness.
Intelligence can be useful, though without question its scope is very limited. No matter how smart a person is, and no matter how much knowledge a person accumulates, there will always be mountains more to be learned. Thus, any application of intelligence is limited to the relatively small portion of knowledge any given person has managed to retain. Even so, there are a number of topics that most people are familiar with, including pop culture, government, world events, educational subjects, and so forth. Since some people naturally excel at retaining this sort of information, they frequently appear to be more intelligent than other people. This can lead to one of the single greatest pitfalls of intelligence: arrogant self-reliance. A person who is generally considered to be smart will always be tempted to think too highly of himself. This is a rather unfortunate situation for a person to be in, for as the Bible tells us, “As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him,” (Proverbs 26:11-12). But if intelligence is not the same as wisdom, how does a person become wise and avoid pointlessly heaping up knowledge, or becoming an arrogant fool?
Wisdom, though fervently sought for, is difficult to attain. What then enables a person to find it? Before this question can be answered, it is important to understand that wisdom is the ability to make the right decision. The distinction between right and wrong requires a moral foundation, and of course, a solid moral foundation will allow a person to make Godly decisions. Returning to the question, Proverbs 9:10 states quite clearly where wisdom comes from: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Thus, to seek out wisdom, a person must first seek out God. This leads to one of the main contrasts between intelligence and wisdom: intelligence labors for the sake one’s self, while wisdom labors for the sake of God. This will in turn promote a number of internal qualities that are necessary to make wise decisions. These include self-control, patience, humility, and an ability to accept instruction, to name only a few, (Proverbs 10:19, 19:11, 11:2, 21:11). With a fuller understanding of what wisdom is, it becomes apparent that it is much more than merely memorizing facts. Instead, wisdom is an accumulation of virtues that leads a person to make morally correct decisions.
It is entirely possible to have a vast intellect and no wisdom whatsoever. If a person knows every point of etiquette, but becomes irate when another makes a faux pas, he has no wisdom. If he snaps at a person slower to understand intricate points of grammar than he, he has no wisdom. If he laughs at correction, he has no wisdom. If he looks down on anyone less intelligent, he has no wisdom. Intelligence comes with pride, and pride comes before humiliation; wisdom comes with humility, and humility comes before honor.
Well, there you have it folks! Err, folk.
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