The New Realm of Music

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As an enjoyer of many things musical, I have a very opinionated view of where the music scene is going. More recently the electronic/house/trance/dubstep/(or whatever you may call it) scene has been making its appearance.

This certain genre of music started off on the wrong foot in the eyes of the society it was breaking into. Underground raves were popping up all over the place, and kids were dying because of drug overdoses, kidney failure, liver failure, and all things linked to drinking and drugs. It is because of this rocky start that electronic dance music began to make a bad name for itself in the music world.

This music has just started to break the mold it was forced into because of stupid actions of crazy teens and young adults.

There are artists such as Skrillex, for example, who have completely changed their lives because of this music. Skrillex, or Sonny John Moore, was homeless just a year and half before accepting three grammies at the 2012 show. He is now one of the top recording dubstep, progressive, and electric artists that exist. The bad name that this music has been given is being erased with all of the success it has been bringing about.

Just as I am writing this post a song by Skrillex has come on through my headphones, and it gives me a certain feeling. A head bobbing that is uncontrollable, a foot tapping that is contagious, with my headphones in I am in my own world, but others around will know that I am enjoying what I am listening to.

Now, while this music created by artists like Skrillex, Bassnectar, Deadmau5, and many more, it is not created with the traditional drum, guitar, and bass. Rather, it is created with a computer to simulate these sounds, and also to give them a completely different sound. This is not to say that these electric songs can’t have real instruments in them.

In fact the very song that has inspired this is a new single released by Skrillex and the Doors, called “Breakn’ a Sweat.” This track features the traditional Skrillex sound created by computer software, mixing boards, turntables, and midis, with the sound that the Doors have created for years with keyboards, drums, guitar, and bass. The track also features vocals from Skrillex himself and the members of the Doors.

This video features a little bit of what went into making this track.

WELCOME BACK WORLD!!!-Worst Person #21-New York Jets

backinphilly2 Comments

Well Dang its been a while. Tons of time has passed. Summer came and went and here I am back at school and everyone has that look of excitement to begin the new school year. To start us off on the right foot, I’m bringing back everyone’s favorite series, “The Worst person in sports”. Whether it be a team, owner or player, there’s always some sense of athletic mediocrity. This year, we will start with the New York Jets.

There’s a lot I can say. I never addressed it last year but Tim Tebow going to New York was just dumb. There was no reason. I thought Mark Sanchez was quite overrated, yes. But Tebow is NOT an upgrade. And that’s only the beginning.

In the preseason the Jets did not score a touchdown until their final game. The funniest part? The quarterback that threw for the touchdown was Greg McIlroy. That’s gotta be embarrassing.

Now a little recap of…MY EAGLES WINNING THE SEASON OPENER TO…….cleveland. HAHAHAHAHAHA

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The Incredibly Riveting Life of Horace Spareberg: A Comedy.

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Interesting image isn't it? Or is it?!

Horace’s day began like any other.

The alarm clock awoke him at 7:15 like the scream of 1000 banshees. He quickly turned it off.

Horace put his two atypically large feet onto the gelid and icy floor. He took his first two steps of the day down the moderately sized suburban houses hallway towards the bathroom.

Once there, Horace turned the freezing shower water on. Braving the cold, he lathered, rinsed and repeated rather dully for the appropriate number of cycles. After that fiasco, he dried off and went back down the dark hallway towards his breakfast of monoton-o’s and peaches.

While slurping down his cereal, Horace pondered death.  Specifically, Horace wondered what the chances were of him choking on any one of the small, tasteless, bran circles.

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The US and its difficulties leaving Afganistan.

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https://i0.wp.com/www.justicewithpeace.org/files/u1/ObamaHope.jpg

As many of us know, President Obama has made strides to end the unpopular war in Afghanistan. The US military wishes to transition Afghanistan from a US defended country into an Afghan defended country. The US military’s plan to pull out of Afghanistan by 2014 has reached several snags.

For one there is concern that the former Taliban regime will return as US forces prepare to leave the country. This issue in recent weeks has become a more prevalent problem. On August 12th, 2012 a man disguised as an Afghan police officer opened fired on afghan policemen and US Marines. It is believed that this man was affiliated with the Taliban.

This prompted General John Allen to issue an order that all US soldiers must carry loaded weapons on military bases in Afghanistan. These recent events have only served to weaken US-Afghanistan relations.

https://i0.wp.com/afghanappealfund.org.uk/images/afghanchildren1.JPG

Cake Pops

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Today I discovered confectionary perfection.

Mother of god.  Can I just say that cake pops are quite possibly the best thing that ever happened to dessert?

It’s cake.

On a stick.

And it’s all rolled up in that yummy hard frosting, festooned with candy bits.

So I bought some funfetti cake pop mix from Vons and made some cake pops with my sisters.

They’re really easy to make, there’s just a fair amount of time in between steps.

There’s the mixing time.Read More »

Viva Santa Rosa!

equestri vitam4 Comments

So, as promised, here I am writing about the infamous annual Santa Rosa festival in Viterbo. I will start with a little bit of background history. Santa Rosa (Saint Rose) became a Saint circa the 17th century in Viterbo. She was born with a condition that is now called Pectus excavatum. It is a deformity where, either you are born or develop during puberty, several abnormal ribs and sternum. Normally back when Santa Rosa was alive it was known that children born with this condition only lived two or three years.

Part of Santa Rosa’s sainthood came from the fact that she lived until she was 18 years old with this condition, therefore named a saint. Also during her time, it was illegal and not accepted to associate with or give to the poor but Santa Rosa secretly helped the poor by feeding them, giving them clothing etc.

One day as she was carrying a sack of bread to the poor, the police stopped her to question her about the bread she had and to eventually arrest her for her illegal association with the poor.

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Ciao a tutti! – Hello everyone!

equestri vitam2 Comments

As you may or may not know, now you do, I am studying abroad this 2012-2013 school year. I am in Viterbo Italy, which is a small medieval city north of Rome. I am a part of a program consisting of 68 American students from all over the United States. We all departed from Boston Logan-International airport the 30th of August. Most of the first day in Italy is a blur because I was so exhausted, up until the evening when the host family ceremony took place. My host family consists of two parents and an eighteen-year-old sister. Where I live is not in downtown Viterbo but in an outside neighborhood called Bagnaia. I have a 25-minute commute to school on the bus into downtown. Viterbo is divided into two parts, “New Viterbo” and the historical Viterbo. What is the “historical Viterbo” is completely walled in. The historical downtown is absolutely beautiful, while walking through the streets I feel like I’m walking into a picture from a history book. My first full day in Viterbo I was pooped on by a pigeon, which is said to be good luck, and found a worm in my plum at lunch. A little bit of a turn off for my first day, but regardless I can’t express how excited I am for the next nine months here! I’ll be following up with another post about the Santa Rosa festival, as a sneak peek I will just say that it involves a 5-ton, 7 story tower being carried on the backs of 100 men…

Arrivederci!

Goodbye, OVS.

thehungryrunnergirlLeave a comment

Wow. Did this year just end?

I’m sitting in my empty room on a sunny day before graduation, looking outside of my window thinking how OVS made me a happy person.

It’s still unbelievable that I’m here today at Ojai Valley School. Everything just happened all of a sudden in one week during last summer after I met Mr.Alvarez.

First of all, Mr.Alvarez. I don’t know how to thank you. You made my year. If I wouldn’t have met you, I would’ve stucked in New Hampshire being cold, wondering why I run and when and where I can be happy. It’s so strange that you know me very well; you knew I was scared to race, you knew I had to slow down and take one step at a time. I really couldn’t have achieved anything this year without you. You’re the best coach I’ve ever had, and it’s such a blessing to meet you. I will never forget the lessons you taught me, and in college, I want you to be at the Olympic trials in 2016.

Second of all, Serry. You have no idea how much you influenced me. When I first met you, I thought you were just being super nice because I was new to this school but you never changed and found out that you’re just nice from the bottom of your heart. And we have the exact same humor. Everyday, every morning, after lunch, before dinner, we never stopped laughing at the lamest jokes. At that moment, I realized that I’ve met the person who I will keep in touch for the rest of my life. I’m so fortunate that I could have you as a roommate. And I love you so much.

Third of all, all my friends at OVS. Seriously, I’ve never seen a group of people being very friendly and super nice. I am not even exaggerating but when I first came here, I couldn’t believe how nice they are. I was actually wondering why they’re so nice to me… but that’s OVS.

I really can’t express how fortunate I am to come here.

I just realized that this is the last blog of the year, and I think this is the last assignment of high school…

I love you OVS. You changed me and you made me so happy as a person.

Wow really?

backinphillyLeave a comment

Well, the first four games of the Stanley Cup finals did not go as planned. This was gunna be a far more exciting series but unfortunately, the Kings had other ideas.

The Kings had a 3-0 series lead over the Devils going into tonight’s game. Thankfully, the Devils were able to win game 4, and we get at least one more hockey game. That’s good since I’m not ready to stop watching hockey yet. It’s incredible.

Now, as I am a die-hard Devils fan, I’d like to share my thoughts on the series so far. I have nothing good to say about the Devils really. We played strong games for the first two and arguably the worst game I’ve ever seen in game 3. 1 and 2 ended in overtime heartbreak, and really, the emotions of fans everywhere are simply crushed. I love the Devils, but I’m not expecting the Cup will return to New Jersey.

I will leave you all with this, as we close out the year of blogging. Jonathan Quick is the sole reason, if not a huge reason that the Kings are as strong as they are. He has stopped some very wild scoring chances and he only allowed two goals through the first three games, including one that was an own goal off of a defender.

Well, depending on whether or not I decide to blog actively this summer, I will bid you farewell for now. I hope that you will all remember my numerous rants on awful athletes and my love for Philadelphia.

Thank You.

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Me

On the Hill word press has served as a great outlet for all my moods, disasters and has allowed me to document my growth over the past 2 years in America. Regaining my passion for writing through this medium, I am thankful for the experience and I have learned so much.

Blogging has taught me how to write, document and learn from others. With the help of this and my teacher I have been put on my path being connected with a passion for journalism, media and writing.

I don’t know where I’d be today if I hadn’t participated in this class and had the guidance. In fact I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be going anywhere.

It’s strange how by doing the simplest things and making the right decisions we grow and progress so much. Like I’ve said many times before it’s the whims we take and the things we fear the most that make us grow and that’s what’s happened to me.

Today is my graduation. I would have never thought I’d be saying that 2 years ago. I’m so thankful for the education I’ve received, the people I’ve met and the teachers who have guided me making me a better person and putting me on my path. I am also thankful to my parents and I owe them sincere apologies for the way I treated them before the move.

Moving forward is the only option in life, take opportunities and follow your heart and you will find true happiness. Trust me, I’m talking from experience.