Category: entertainment

On a better note,

yourgingerkid1 Comment

And I’m being literal here; I have found a new music obsession. Call me girly, crazy, dumfounded, but I love John Mayer.

More often than not I have found my roommate and I, fellow OVS blogger Paloma, listening to him. His songs really just calm you down and his voice is incredibly smooth. And hey, I’m not afraid to say that.

I’m sick of seeing blogs in general bashing artists. If the artist well-known enough for the general population to recognize their song or name, there must be something appealing about their music.

Even other genres of music are being picked on. I know that shredicusmaximus is a fan of older, classic rock and our own ex blogger, and my best friend, chuckscherza is a big fan of techno. Is it necessary to completely put down a genre and not even bother to listen to another’s opinion of it because you think that yours is better?

It really isn’t. I’ve come out and said that I love John Mayer. Call me a woman, tell me I have an awful taste in music, make fun of me; but I can promise you that it won’t be retaliated.

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Awkward News

sennymcfly1 Comment

This blog is a place where news can be shared between the loving and word-savy students of the fourth period journalism class as well as any outside source who stumbles upon our cozy little news corner known as OVS Journalism Blog. In the short time that we have been here, we have had many outsiders come in and comment on our opinionated posts. Some are quite intriguing. Others are not very important, but at the same time still very entertaining. But, others are…awkward.

OVS news reporter Emma Zornes, who is also a Ginger by the way, recently posted a blog concerning social appearances and how people should keep their opinions of to themselves if they don’t like the way someone acts, thinks, dresses, or presents themselves sexually. It was a well written article that got people’s attention and yes, there were comments. Fellow OVS news reporter Madisen Schay, who is black by the way, left comments followed by an outside blogger who left a HUGE impression on Zornes’ post.

mehhh

Now, due to the inappropriate content on this poster’s blog page, I won’t go into detail about his…interests. Also, I’m pretty sure that this is the reason why Mr. Alvarez refuses to make the comment public. What I will say though, is that the comment he left was one that was so “effective” that I really felt the need to write a post dedicated to the very comment.

So, questionable blog poster, a wherever you are, keep on keepin’ on. Oh, and bee tee dubs, you made things pretty awkward, not gonna lie.

awkward

P.S. How many times can you say awkward in one sentence? Let’s see if we can turn this into a competition.

Introducing The Auctioneers

shredicusmaximusLeave a comment

From meth burnt carpets in Las Vegas hell holes to champagne buffets aboard the Mary Ellen, their mission is to die free and to play music that will enhance the mood and make you become soul junkies.

It was this past spring when my brother introduced me to E.B Sollis. I got his number from my brother with the message saying “tell him you’re down to play with his band when you come out here.” I started talking to the man himself a couple days later when I told him they had some “sick tunes.” He replied, “thanks mang, your bro tells me you’re quite the hunk with an axe,” (yes, we talk like that.) From there, the ball started rolling. We became friends on facebook and from there, I got exposed into the world of a NY rockstar.

Erik and E.B

We met up later when I went to his apartment with my brother. There was Sollis and the rest of them chillen on the couches, the smell of cigarettes filled the room, a couple beer bottles, an ash tray, and a few lighters rested on the glass table by the couch and there were posters and photographs. I went to get a drink and the fridge had a few song lyrics written on stickies with polaroids and funny magnets. I thought “this is the life.” “Yo Ry,” Sollis said, “you know D-Bo went to Berklee too.” “You got in?” he asked. I told him it was the 5 week summer program I got accepted to, “Gotta love Boston man, I’m from there, just keep in mind Berklee ladies are fast, a little crazy, but oh so sweet.” Long hair and a silk long sleeve shirt made him look like somewhat of a Jesus figure, but nevertheless, he was one of the 5 characters that made up the band. Sollis, D-Bo, there’s Ryan the “pianist” as he likes to be referred to. Though he play’s keyboard like a man possessed, he calls himself, “a fxckin piano player.” Reason: “because I got straight class bro.” Chris “The monster” plays bass and Erik shreds along on the guitar. Sollis had a white Les Paul with the word “SOLLIS” written across the body and Erik had his Gibson SG by his side. They asked what I played, I pulled out the Fender Stratocaster I had in my case, “damnnnnn, someone must get the girlies huh?”-Erik.

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Smile for the Camera.

theycallmedameLeave a comment

Click.
Click.
Click.

He hunches over with his camera in hand, turning at obscure angles to try and get the perfect shot of the two cars.

Click.

He stands on his tip toes, his camera far above his head, trying to see form a view that isn’t his own.

Click

He mounts a jack to his own car before attaching his camera and speeding down the winding roads of a mountain.
I’ll edit out the jack later, he thinks to himself while twisting through the turns.

Click.

He smiles at me as I take a picture of him, a wild horse right out of frame, laughing.
“These things are the spawn of satan,” he says to me.

Click.

He waits on the ridge of a mountain, keeping his camera in front of him and his eyes searching.
My shutter speed has to be perfect, he thinks.
There’s a flash of lighting far away, and a smile stretches across his face.

Click.

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THIS IS WAR!

yrreskrapLeave a comment

02-10-2011;War has been declared in the Upper wings of the girls dorm in Ojai Valley School. All girl dormers, take note.

I am currently engaged in a war. A video war that is.

Last night, my friend Madisen Demery and her roommate Joanna Degroof pulled my roommate and I out of our room after study hall into their room. They opened their laptops to show us a video of them dancing to Hannah Montana‘s Party in the U.S.A (click to watch the actual music video). My roommate and I were not impressed. However, they were smiling, enjoying themselves. What they didn’t know was that they had informally declared war with their amateur video.

My roommate and I split from the two girls, and two crews had formed. A music video battle had begun. We ran into the rooms, dressed up as ridiculously as we could with huge necklaces, matching white hats, and nerd glasses, and danced to the song, I believe in Miracles by Hot Chocolate (click on link to watch the video).

We tore apart our dresser and found matching white tee’s (cuz we are so G dawg) and wrote on them. At this moment, I believe that we will win. We will make the best music videos and win this war.

Watch out Maddie and Joanna.

Oh Say Can You Sing?

sennymcflyLeave a comment

You might find this post a massive waste of time, but as a musician I think this story will and should have an enormous impact on the world of music…well, maybe not that big, but perhaps a tickle.

GET THIS!

wow!

Musical goddess, role model and icon, Christina Aguilera – who once acted as a leader in a self-conscious, self-doubting community – made a major boo-boo at this year’s Super Bowl.

X-Tina fans all over the world were on the edge of their seats waiting with anxiety to hear the first note of our country’s theme song flow from Christina’s mouth.

Emotions were on the rise as the announcer introduced the singer to the stadium.

“Ladies and gentlemen, 5 time Grammy award winner, Christina Aguilera!”

Mic raised, she slowly opened her ruby red painted lips and when she sang the first word the butterflies from our stomachs fluttered. She was on fire. Singing with her soulful, trademark melisma – or more commonly known as vocal gymnastics – spirits were being lifted.

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Once upon a freestyle…

dmilesburtonLeave a comment

Today I can honestly say I rapped the first freestyle of mine that I can fully appreciate. No “da da da’s,” no pointless phrases, just pure and utter beauty. When I was done with the first verse, I leaned back into my chair, looked up at my one man audience and waited for a reply. He looked at me and said, “Wow. that was good. I mean like I’d buy that song. I’m serious” When I heard that I smiled.

I’ve wanted to be a rapper for almost as long as I’ve liked rap music, which, as it would happen, is only a couple of years. Now I know, I know, everyone wants to be a rapper, but when you think about it, how many “aspiring rappers” will actually take the steps they need to in order to become one. If I had to guess, I’d say less than 15 percent. The rest, that less than 15%, have to have a lot of luck.

Well, I don’t know if actually becoming a rapper is in my cards, or if it’ll just sort of die off, but for the time being, it’s a real goal. Now I’m betting you’re wondering how spitting one good freestyle validates anything, and in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t. But for the moment, it’s proof that, yes, I can in fact create a song that I’m proud of.

Not to say this is my first song, because it isn’t in the slightest. Nor is it to say that I haven’t made verses that I’ve been proud of before (I’ve made at least a few that I would use in a song and be proud of). It’s more about the idea that this one’s for real, which basically means I’d put it on an album and feel confident showcasing it as a single.

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To Tailor or Not to Tailor

yrreskrap1 Comment

I am writing this blog about a situation.

Let me tell you, I am stuck. I’ve been stuck and I don’t know where to go with this situation.

I am writing this blog about a situation. A situation that involves an upcoming event. The situation.

Prom.

I’ve found a dress. A perfect dress studded with black sequins. Long sleeve, high, padded shoulders, v-neck. The French Connection Samantha Dress. However, this dress is sold out in America. It is gone. I emailed French Connection and they replied to me, giving me a phone number to a store on the east coast that they thought would have the dress in stock. They didn’t.

I’ve emailed and emailed but still I have not received a single reply. I have found the dress at a size 8 (but I am a size 2 or 4). Should I buy the dress and tailor it? Or should I buy it off of the UK site in my size for 3 times as much?

Beach Boys -> Punk -> Metal (fiddle) -> Tech no

smackyjackjackLeave a comment

Having been to many different schools I have  seen, and been a part of, many different music scenes. I grew up in the South Bay of California, or to be more specific, Manhattan Beach. The growing beach town used to be the place to go and soak up the beach life. Now however, it is a rich, very conservative, oddly out of place city.

While I was growing up there, the main music everyone from Jr. High to College were listening to was Punk.  Bands like the Circle Jerks,  Bad Religion, NOFX, and my favorite, Pennywise, were all from the South Bay. These are some of the most famous punk bands on the West Coast, ergo every kid from 13 to the early 20’s wanted to be just like them. I did for a while, then I moved to Ojai.

I moved from Manhattan when I was 12. I went to Oak Grove School for about a year. The music scene there changed from Punk, to Metal. At first, I didn’t find much music in the loud clanging of metal, but after a while, and a little pressure, I did. That went away quickly. The thing that ruined it may have been the “fiddle” immersion in one of the high schoolers metal bands. 

Once I came to OVS, the scene altered dramatically into electronic. This is the one genre that I could never like. Dubstep, tech no, drum and bass. I never like any of them. To me, the music has no soul.

There you have it. Music timelne according to Jack. Beach Boys -> Punk -> Metal (fiddle) -> Tech no. What will it be next?

Puppy Bowl

smackyjackjack1 Comment

Today, the most important football game in American history took place. That’s right, the 2011 Puppy Bowl. The Puppy Bowl, hosted by Animal Planet, is a football match that has puppies for players. The objective is to have the puppies carry the stuffed toy shaped like a football to the other side of the small stadium.

This wasn’t any Puppy Bowl though. This was the 7th annual Puppy Bowl with the Kitten Halftime show. They were better than the Black Eyed Peas though. One of the puppies was called for a call of “excessive cutness”. Which was a bummer because that puppy had a lot of potential.  If anyone were to stray from their couches and change the channel during the really important super bowl, the Puppy Bowl VII would have been the best choice.