Happy Birthday

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU !!!!!!

We hear at TBF want to wish one of the greatest Editors, one of the greatest independent thinkers, and without question one of the greatest friends someone
could ask for:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIE

Marie,

You've stood by me and supported me back in the day up til now and I have never forgotten that and I've never taken it for granted. Thank you for everything and here's to many more years to come.


-Brian

P.S. I do have a gift for you but since I spent the required $20 on it, I didn't want to go over budget on shipping so I'll just mail it, you'll recieve it in two weeks.

---

Wow, thanks for your praise, but I hardly deserve any of it. Twenty-three years, and what do I have to show for it? A couple of blogs, stories and poems, and some various bank blueprints that I collect for absolutely NO REASON WHATSOEVER. No money, no plans--hell, I'm fifty cents too short to even do a load of laundry.

But, seriously, I'm happy that I've at least made an impact in people's lives, and hope that I've made enough friends to camp out on couches when I'm out of school and living below the poverty line with a bachelor's degree in sociology.

~Marie

PS: When did twenty bucks become "required"?

Harlean's Song: Winter Takes a Lover

As I go through my day I see many things that can only feel like home: My job, My friends, That one girl who always takes my breath away. So what happens when you look at something through another pair of eyes? Will everything still have the same effect, will the thing you love become the thing you hate? Or vice versa? I like to think seeing and hearing things through another person's perspective is a good thing, 'cause with someone else as your guide, you may discover things you would've never seen before. So tonight I'm handing the reins of Brian's Song to longtime friend of The Brian Factor and fellow writer Harlean Carpenter.

Harlean: This is my must-hear song from 2006

So for this week I chose "Winter Takes A Lover" By Lovers as this week's

Harlean's Song


"Winter Takes A Lover"
By: Lovers

If you take this away I'll have no one to escort
my fears to the place I have built as my fear-fort
take this away and I'll have no one to hope for
no reason to wait through the winter's sad discourse
no moon-like escape when the night needs a light
source

The look on your face when you loved what I stood for
your smell and your taste like a note on the front
door
a letter to say I miss those sad arms of yours
so I lay in my room and I dream of the colors
that make water move and a body discover
why so many choose to lay with a lover

Because just when you think you're getting well
you see the ring around your heart is held
by some silhouette turned to walk away
but you can tell had a lovely face

Remember the days when you stayed here long before
I had to erase all the pictures of horses
you'd drawn on the space between my nightstand and headboard
so what now, arrange in disappointment order
old lover's names as a decorative border
on a windowpane while the days just grow shorter
or are they the same, and it's me that grows colder?

Like a one-kid army of the good witch
all alone I raise my fist
at night on my bike around your neighborhood
and shout "make me pure, make my heart good"

Well a vigil today is held in an airport
to remember and save a love that could not work
and that beautiful face I never did deserve
and the ferns died away, the ones that we planted
too many mistakes in the care that they wanted
just their skeletons remain now, the garden is haunted

And I'm wasting away in Georgia
but thank God New England's far away
Massachusetts I once loved you
but there's a whole group of states now
I don't want to set foot upon

Where I found your diary's list
of all the things you never did
in that attic full of feelings hid
when you were such a shy kid

In bed do you lay under an afghan
humming and wait to find if the day ends
Without a massive array of self-deprecations?
oh no wait
wait, it's me who does that


Like what you read, want to know more? Then click the
link and learn about Lovers:

http://www.loverstheband.com

"Winter Takes A Lover" is the off of their album "Star Lit Sunken Ship" which is available at all fine music retailers.

Got an idea for a future "Brian's Song", then hit us up and let us know, there's nothing fun and more truer than just sharing some kick ass tunes with the world.

And a special thanks to Harlean Carpenter for wanting to host this week, I know for a fact that she's working on some big plans and I offered to help out in any way so don't be surprised if you hear from Harlean again soon...


Until Next Time,


-Brian and Harlean

TBF: Beauty in Society

Never Gonna Change
By: Saliva

Just as sure as the sky is blue and the ocean too,
I've never lied to you.
And I've never, ever done anything,
That would render me untrue.

But for you I can't say the same,
You have only brought me pain.
There's no use in pointing fingers,
When I'm the one to blame.

And I know that it's over,
And there's nothin' left to say.
And we all pay the prices,
Of the games that we play.
I don't know how to love you,
But I can't walk away.

What do I have to say
What do I have to do
For me to hear you say
I just wanna be with you

What do I have to change
What do I have to prove
You're never gonna change
You're never gonna change

It still blows me away somehow,
When you seem so proud of the damage that you've done.

I'm a puppet in your pageant,
I'm a game you played for fun.

Still now,when I see you frown,
And you see me smile,
And you say I'm still the one.
You know, you are quite the actress,
But I'm just not that dumb.

And I know that it's over,
And there's nothin' left to say.
And we all pay the prices,
Of the games that we play.
I don't know how to love you,
But I can't walk away.

What do I have to say
What do I have to do
For me to hear you say
I just wanna be with you

What do I have to change
What do I have to prove
You¢re never gonna change
You¢re never gonna change

What do I have to say
What do I have to do
You¢re never gonna change...

What do I have to say
What do I have to do
For me to hear you say
I just wanna be with you

What do I have to change
What do I have to prove
You¢re never gonna change
You¢re never gonna change

What do I have to say
What do I have to do
For me to hear you say
You¢re never gonna change...

What do I have to change
What do I have to prove
You¢re never gonna change....


"So tell me what you don't like about yourself?"

In today's society, there is a certain level of beauty that is expected. Actually in all societies both past and present there has always been measuring sticks of sorts of one's beauty. So with the reason made, who and why are people choosing to follow these expectations? I'd like to think that a lot of things play a part:

Self esteem (or lack of)
Other people's expectations
A person's desire to fit in (Peer pressure)
I'm pretty sure that's there's more but but
unfortunately they escape me at the moment...

Tonight we're going into a somewhat different route, I'll still discuss a topic but instead of going all book smart I really just want to give my two cents on this.

So this week on The Brian Factor, we're talking...
Beauty in Society


This topic has been brewing for some time and every time I've attempted to write this column my anger I had towards the whole concept always reared it's ugly head and I would lose my focus. Growing up I always came across societies ideas of what guys should look like every day. Which finally gave me my focus to finish this column I've been sitting on for almost a year.

If you ever look at a magazine you might notice a trend in their description of the "average guy".

So from every magazine I've ever seen, a average guy should be around 6' 2 about 175, completely chiseled and (oh my personal favorite) have hair only on the top of his head... and occasionally his face.

So let's compare the stats between the "average guy" and myself:


"Average Guy":

HT: 6'2
Lbs: 175
Hair: head and face only


Brian:

HT: 5'10 -5'11
Lbs: 300
Hair: Does anyone remember that song "Werewolves of London"

I think there could be a slight difference here....

So what could a person like myself do to match "Average Guy"? Well I would have to....

Get Lipo, stomach stapling, surgery to remove excess skin, botox to get rid of those laugh lines (or in my case stress lines), laser hair removal, intense fitness regime, a spa day, a quality haircut (w/highlights), a tan, some of the finest "reasonably
priced" gear from Abercrombie & Fitch and finally to top it all off some good ol' lasik

What I actually plan to do: Not a GODDAMN THING!!!

I know that I don't fit in a lot of peoples ideas of a dream date and after revealing my weight, the fat jokes will come in and say that I don't fit in a lot of other places as well....

But honestly I don't care. Beauty is perception, and if you only want the most extravagant things in life, then you can have it all but at the end of the road you can't take it with you. You can date supermodels and surround yourself with the creme of the crop but as you live the beautiful life. though there are a couple of things I want you to at least be aware of...

1) There is no such thing as perfection; we all have standards and no two people are alike. If you spend your days trying to impress everybody with those curves and that come hither stare, then you'll be spending the rest of your life always trying to be someone you're not all because you want the world to like you, 5 to 1 they won't love you, but you will gladly bend over backwards just for them to like you.

2) No matter what happens, do be aware of this...

SKIN SAGS
HAIR THINS
BEAUTY FADES...

But why should we care... we're young... for now.

OK I think my anger was seeping through again so I'll take a moment to collect myself....

I'm not saying that beauty as a whole is meaningless, If anything I respect beauty, I just don't think that it should be the only thing required for a love connection. To me it's about personality and really connecting with people. I think beauty is just that extra something, the cherry on top if I had to describe it.

Maybe I'm asking for alot and then again maybe I'm not. This is a topic where the lines of who's right and wrong are blurred again. It's all perception, it's about saying to yourself "what is it you really want??" In my defense to my stats from earlier, I still back up what I said about me not being "Average" but I've lived both the average life and the hectic one. The average life showed me what it is people dream for and the hectic showed me the journey that we go through to get that dream.

So without question I'm not "Average" but honestly...FUCK AVERAGE!!!

I'm real, I'm raw, and I have nothing to lose...

I am a Maverick.. From Beginning to the End.

Soundboard: "HOLY SHIT!!!!!!"

"HOLY SHIT!!!!!!"

So last night I spotlighted Kidney Thieves as this week's Brian's Song. Well I've started posting everything: Soundboards, Brian's Song, TBF and Echoes on MySpace, and I am friends with Kidney Thieves Lead Singer and all around Indie hottie Free Dominguez, She read my post and sent this to me yesterday....


From Free Dominguez:

Wow Brian thank you so much! it's an honor! :)
i appreciate all you've done, it means a lot.

have a great week -
peace
Free


Now i read this about three times just to make sure that it was real and I checked and it is and really just wow is all I can say.

I kinda feel like I've officially arrived at this...

It's a fuckin trip.

Who knew????

Brian's Song: Red + Violet

Have you ever come across really great bands and they were one of those bands that had great music and were still unknowns but you knew that if they had a solid shot at the mainstream that they could be probably one of the best bands out there in music today, but call it fate or the insincerity of the music scene today but things just don't work out and they part ways, leaving behind some incredible music. Well I've come across many bands like that and instead of being your average music fan and basically just horde the music all for me and treat it like a precious hidden jewel in my collection, I decieded to give this band some long overdue exposure. So tonight I'll be showcasing one of my many hidden jewels in "The BriPod".

So for this week I chose Kidney Thieves' "Red + Violet" as this week's

Brian's Song


"Red + Violet "
By Kidney Thieves

He eats red and all violet
Kills fishes with a rock star flag
Caught up in a vacuum breeze where
Moans and cries dissolve in speed

It's your life without a life
Red + violet fades
Red + violet fades

Running out of running time with your life without a
life
Red + violet fades
Red + violet fades

He eats red and all violet
Newer skin makes him giant
And he's bought a grin, soon to leave
Tenor howls dissolve in speed

It's your life without a life
Red + violet fades
Red + violet fades

Running out of running time with your life without a
life
Red + violet fades
Red + violet fades

Please don't send another rose this time
(Please don't, what you hold will fade just like a
rose and you'll be alone)

Please don't send another rose this time
(Can't you see that what you hold it isn't gold)

Please don't send another goddamn rose
The desire's sweet you keep taking blood from me
Please don't send another goddamn rose
Please don't send another goddamn rose

It's your life without a life

Running out of running time and in the end you're
gonna find
Red + violet fades
Red + violet fades

Red + violet fades

Please don't send another rose

Please don't send another rose this time....


Like what you read, want to know more? Then click the link and learn about Kidney Thieves

http://www.kidneythieves.com/index.html

"Red + Violet" is the off of their Greatest Hits album "Trickstereprocess" which is available only at their website.

Got an idea for a future "Brian's Song", then hit us up and let us know, there's nothing fun and more truer than just sharing some kick ass tunes with the world.


Until Next Time,


-Brian

Soundboard: Coachella

"You're gonna wish that the speakers can go up to 11"

Every year comes one the most incredible concerts in the world, The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival down in Indio, CA. This year they've extended the festival with an extra day. Listed below is this year's current lineup. If any of you have the opportunity to go, I seriously recommend checking it out...


April 27

Headliner: Björk

DJ Shadow, Felix da Housecat, Sonic Youth, El-P , Peaches

Arctic Monkeys, Benny Benassi, Gogol Bordello, Brazilian Girls, Brother Ali, Busdriver, Circa Survive, Jarvis Cocker, Comedians of Comedy, Digitalism, Evil Nine, Faithless, David Guetta, Interpol, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Stephen Marley featuring Jr. Gong, Nickel Creek, Noisettes, Peeping Tom, Silversun Pickups, Tilly and the Wall, Tokyo Police Club, Julieta Venegas, Rufus Wainwright, We Are Scientists, Gillian Welch, Amy Winehouse


April 28

Headliner: Red Hot Chili Peppers

DJ Tiësto, Ghostface Killah, LCD Soundsystem, DJ Mike Relm !!! ("chk chk chk") , Erol Alkan, The Arcade Fire, Andrew Bird, The Black Keys, Blonde Redhead, Bojones, CocoRosie, Cornelius, The Cribs, The Decemberists, Roky Erickson and the Explosives, Fields, Fountains of Wayne, The Frames, The Fratellis, Girl Talk, The Good, the Bad and the Queen, Gotan Project, Hot Chip, Jack's Mannequin, Justice, Kings of Leon, MSTRKRFT, The New Pornographers, The Night Watchman, Of Montreal, Ozomatli, Peter Bjorn and John, Pharaohe Monch, The Rapture, Sparklehorse, Regina Spektor, Travis, VNV Nation


April 29

Headliner: Rage Against the Machine

Willie Nelson, Placebo, Infected Mushroom, Paul Van Dyk, Against Me!, Air, Lily Allen, Anathallo, The Avett Brothers, Manu Chao, The Coup, Crowded House, Explosions in the Sky, CSS, Fair to Midland, The Feeling, José González, Grizzly Bear, Richie Hawtin, Happy Mondays, Junior Boys, Kaiser Chiefs, Klaxons, Konono N°1, The Kooks, Amos Lee, Lupe Fiasco, Mando Diao, Mika, Ratatat, Damien Rice, Rodrigo y Gabriela, The Roots, Soulwax, Spank Rock, Tapes 'n Tapes, Teddybears

Tickets go on sale this weekend, So if you got the means, this is so worth it...

For More Information go to:

http://www.coachella.com/

Echoes: A Brian Moment

All Responses Posted On 01/19/07

[I pimped the hell out of the font. I don't know how it'll look. It's almost 2:30 am, and I'm tired. If it's really bad I'll get around to reforming it early tomorrow afternoon.]

Questions Submitted by Amy:

I have three questions for both you and Marie...

1) So how did you guys spend your vacation?

2) You mentioned how Marie helped you out on the blogsite, but how did you guys actually meet?

3) I checked out the link to Brian's MySpace and I saw a "Marie" in Brian's top friends, is that this Marie?

Responses From Brian and Marie:

(Comments in brackets are those that I threw in after reading Brian's responses. Hope it's not too confusing. ~Marie)

1) So how did you guys spend your vacation?

Marie: Sleeping. Then I got sick, so I slept even more. I hung out with some of my peeps from San Jo, including Brian, and met his friend Emile. (I'm still confused as to why the three of us were discussing whores during lunch...)

Brian: We were saying that I needed to get laid and were discussing my options.

Marie: I celebrated Christmas with my folks, and spent a week or so at my boyfriend's house hanging out with his godmother who was visiting. Watched some good movies, read some good books... it was nice and relaxing.

Brian: I was going to meet up with my Brother but he got delayed almost a week so when he finally showed up, we had little time to actually hang out. I still made the best of it though and seeing Marie again was great. The funniest moment was without question when Marie, Emile and I went to the Apple store, we were looking around and Marie saw one of the laptops open and someone had logged on and was streaming a video of guy on guy porn. We couldn't believe that it was playing in the store, and that the picture was very clear, and there it was right in front of everyone, so we busted out laughing and booked, and for the record I had nothing to do with that....

Marie: So you keep insisting. But I don't recall either Emile or I insinuating that you were responsible.

Brian: I also caught a cold on NYE and spent half the day in bed begging to die and the other half of the day doing my laundry... still begging to die. And that was the routine for the better part of my vacation after New Years: Laundry and begging to die... Overall a good vacation.

2) You mentioned how Marie helped you out on the blogsite, but how did you guys actually meet?

Marie: He's been stalking me for years. I figured that nagging him about his spelling and grammar would get him off my uppercase. (Booya! A grammar joke!)

Brian: .....Booya???

[Marie: .....Shut up.]

Marie: Just kidding. We met in high school. I was a loner who hung out with people but didn't give a shit about their petty drama, and Brian was a loner who just didn't hang out with anyone.

Brian: We were a match made in heaven.

Marie: Actually, Brian would just wander around the school at lunch talking with various people from various cliques and frame imaginary movie shots with his hands. (Andres' influence, I'm sure, Bri.)

Brian: Damn straight!! God Bless that man, He was my mentor back in the day... I even learned how to do the Jedi Mind trick through him.

[Marie: Mr. Andres was the coolest teacher I've ever had. (Except for Jim Hooper. But that's a story for another day.) I still laugh when I remember Andres' obsession with Marlon Brando. And when he encouraged my class to write award-winning screenplays "...so you can make money! So you can give me money! Go, my soldiers of literature!" He's so awesome.]

Marie: We really got to talking when he'd come to my first period chem class before school started to chat up the teacher. He started chatting up me and next thing I knew, was proposing on my 18th birthday when I got my drivers license. "Vegas!" he said. "I don't have a car," I replied. He answered, "I can get us a car. We'll have to live under different names for awhile..."

Brian: And what was wrong with that idea, you would have been "Jenny Wong"? I was gonna be "Muhammed Abdul- Jabbar". It could've worked.

[Marie: You may be able to pass yourself as Middle Eastern; but I'd get double takes with the last name of Wong. I'm too damn white.]

Marie: Seriously, how can I not like a guy who has a sense of humor like that?

Brian: i dunno

Marie: (There still is that mystery of why, during my senior year, I would refer to Brian as "The Duck Guy." When Brian and I got back in touch back in '05 via MySpace, I mentioned it to my sister. "The Duck Guy?" She asked. The nickname sounds somewhat familiar, though I can't remember what on Earth Brian did to deserve it....)

Brian: "Duck Guy"? What did I do involving a duck??

3) I checked out the link to Brian's MySpace and I saw a "Marie" in Brian's top friends, is that this Marie?

Marie: Yup. That's me. Brian really likes the odd picture of me in the maroon shirt. *ahem* I wonder why?

Brian: Oh don't be all shy about it, I think she looks great in that picture, Marie has always had a "down to earth" vibe around her, and maybe the stars were aligned or something but every time I see that pic of her in her t-shirt and jeans, I think she looks absolutely beautiful...

[Marie: I really don't like that picture. Mainly because you can see the friggin' veins in my forehead. Have I mentioned how pale I am? You'd expect my Native American genes to show up somewhere!]

Plus she has a great rack... but don't tell her boyfriend I said that, cause then it would be all awkward between us and how could I forget how he offered me pancakes when we first met. You still don't get that kind of generosity these days.

[Marie: You sure do seem to love pancakes.]

---

Question Submitted By Syn:

You've showcased music by Slipknot, Flyleaf, La Rocca, Killswitch Engage, NIN, Tool, Etc.and I think that the shake up of various types of music is really cool but how come you haven't put a focus on Panic at the Disco or My Chemical Romance or other bands that are burning up the airwaves???

Response From Brian:

.... I can't believe you would put My Chemical Romance in the same sentence as Slipknot. I feel dirty now (shudders) UNCLEAN!!! UNCLEAN!!!!

(An Hour Later....)

Now where was I? oh, as to your question... I don't use "Panic" and "MCR" because simply... I really don't like them... They make me very ill. in fact if I even put either of their albums into my collection, my collection would most likely spit it out and piss on it.

Everybody likes their own thing now a days and alot of what's big isn't usually my cup of tea. a lot of my bands are the ones you don't hear on mainstream radio. actually correction HALF my collection you could find on any classic rock station:

Aerosmith, Kiss, Led Zepplin, Bowie, Hendrix, Skynard, Pink Floyd, The Stones, Etc

As for the other half you'd probably find through the web or satellite radio:

All the aforementioned above (Slipknot, Flyleaf, La Rocca, Killswitch Engage, NIN, Tool) Eisbrecher, ILL Nino, Zeromancer, Massive Attack ( which is a personal favorite of both Marie and I), Lady Soverign, Paul Van Dyk, Kidney Thieves, Free Dominguez, Aphex Twin, Rammstein, Rob/ White Zombie, and a whole shit load more. In fact I could even fill an entire page with everyone I listen to.

You will find many artists spotlighted but I doubt you'll see either "Panic" or "MCR" or a lot of "Mainstream".

---

Question/ Comment Submitted by Jim:

I liked this week's TBF, it started off a little slow but if you were just coming back from vacation then it was understandable. I always enjoy your quips and I wonder if you ever feel like you're crossing a line?

Response From Brian:

I will always go as far as I can when I choose to, some days don't require a heavy handed remark or action...

"Even the lightest touch can create the biggest impact"

before I was "all about the issues" then I evolved into "piss and vinegar, fire in my eyes" and now I'm more "responsible yet true". We as individuals continually evolve until the very end, I'd like to think that through it all my heart has always stayed the same.

I sit here thinking about my words carefully because I'm really thinking about this as I'm writing this, re-evaluating the journey I've taken, and you ask if I feel like I've crossed a line here and there, well if you ask me I haven't done that enough.

Maybe it's time for me to evolve some more and start crossing the line.

Brian's Song: Fully Alive

Brian's Song - 01/17/07

Sometimes there are no explainations on way a song is good, sometimes all the stars are aligned just right and it's a damn good song. When I come across somgs like that i'm just like "damn, that's fucking cool". A lot of the time, one would expect to find such songs on the radio, TV, internet and the ever reliable word of mouth, but the funny thing about a good song is often it's a hidden jewel waiting to shine.

So for this week I chose Flyleaf's "Fully Alive" as this week's

Brian's Song


"Fully Alive"
By Flyleaf

Telling Layla's story spoken,
About how all her bones are broken.
Hammers fall on all the peices,
Two months in the cover creases.

Fully alive
More than most,
Ready to smile and love life.
Fully alive
and she knows how to believe in futures.

All my complaints shrink to nothing,
I'm ashamed of all my somethings.
She's glad for one day of comfort,
Only because she has suffered.

Fully alive
More than most,
Ready to smile and love life.
Fully alive
and she knows how to believe in futures.

Fully alive
More than most,
Ready to smile and love life.
Fully alive
and she knows how to believe in futures....


Like what you read, want to know more? Then click the link and learn about Flyleaf

http://flyleafmusic.com/

"Fully Alive" is the off of their self titled debut album "Flyleaf" which is available at music stores everywhere.

Got an idea for a future "Brian's Song", then hit us up and let us know, there's nothing fun and more truer than just sharing some kick ass tunes with the world.

Until Next Time,


-Brian

TBF: A Brian Moment

"Non Believer"
By La Rocca

She belongs somewhere else,
Away from my side.
So run with what you got,
And chase with what you need.
I believe the faithful fell,
Didn't know their way back.
So far away from home,
But brother you're not alone...

And i promise to climb back up here to you,
Waiting for this message coming through...

Is it mine? is it mine?
As she pulls inside
Is it mine? is it mine?
How the lights go white

Do you take the non believers?
Cause I'm a non believer

She belongs somewhere else,
Where pain isn't hope.
And lives get every chance,
Not part of every plan.
I believe the faithful fell,
Didn't know their way back.
So far away from home, but brother you're not alone...


Is it mine? is it mine?
As she pulls inside
Is it mine? is it mine?
How the lights go white

Do you take the non believers?
Cause I'm a non believer

Do you take the non believers?
Cause I'm a non believer

Do you take the non believers?
Cause I'm a non believer

Do you take the non believers?
Cause I'm a non believer

It always feels weird coming back from a vacation and having to jump back in the routines. As much as I wanted wall to wall excitement and maybe a couple of photos for memories, things didn't go the way I originally wanted them to. Hangups, illness, holidays, new developments with friends (some BIGGER than others) and a wedding made up my time away... and honestly I loved it.

So now we're back with a new year and a new beginning for many of us. Even in a time for fresh starts, I still found ways to screw up and now i make my stand to fix those screw ups. I will always gladly admit that I am human and that I am a king in the world of screw ups, but I just pick myself up and fix it.

A common tradition with a new year is to make a resolution to better ourselves in the new year. We do it because we want to be better, cause something in our heads demands us to be perfect. Well maybe I'm a freak because I don't have that voice, instead I have a voice that says: "Don't ever hold back, and it will be OK."

I never plan to be something great, I don't consider myself anything fancy. People often times tell me different and.... I just don't believe them.

I do have faith in myself, and after 2006 I definitely became stronger. I wanted so much for things to be different last year, but I did who knows where and especially who I'd be now. In all of my experiences I've always noticed how that one event that changes you is really a deciding fork in the road, Part of you wants one path and part of you wants the other.

I'm glad with the road I took

Where we go from here, well to each their own.

As for me, I'm going to keep going, I'll be pushing buttons and get my fair share of licks for it and who knows how the world will speak of me both now and after I'm gone... but at the very least I will always be able to say that I always told you the absolute honest brutal truth....

HENCE I HAVE NOTHING TO REGRET

SO FUCK THE PAST AND EVERYTHING BAD IN IT, THIS IS 2007 AND THIS IS THE BRIAN FACTOR!!!


- Brian

Brian's Song: Vermillion Pt. 2

I listen to music because it makes me happy.

Even I can't believe I said happy... But it's the truth, I can think freely with music, I can find that moment of strength that i was lacking and honestly I can function better than any other time in the day when I have headphones on and going through
the routines of my day.

For this week i decieded to hit up what I will gladly claim is one of the best exports out of Iowa since... hogs, corn, soybeans, oats, cattle and dairy products.

We're hitting it hard this week with Slipknot but instead of something to thrash about that will no doubt leave your friends/ co-workers thinking that you have Schizophrenia, I'm going for a deeper cut and choosing a song that got me through the motions when i was really down.

So for this week I chose Slipknot's "Vermillion Pt.2" as this week's

Brian's Song


Vermiliion Pt.2
By: Slipknot

She seen trust in all of me, stretched across my
shame.
All the torment and the pain
Leaked through the cover in me
Id do anything ever to myself
Just to have her for myself
Now I dont know what to do, I dont know what to do
when she makes me sane.

She is everything to me
The unaquited dream
A song that no one sings
The unobtainable, Shes a myth that I have to believe
in
All I need to make it real is one more reason
I dont know what to do, I dont know what to do when
she makes me sane.

But I wont let this build up inside of me
I wont let this build up inside of me
I wont let this build up inside of me
I wont let this build up inside of me

A catch in my throat
Choke, dawn into pieces I wont
No, I dont want to be this

But I wont let this build up inside of me
I wont let this build up inside of me
I wont let this build up inside of me
I wont let this build up inside of me

She isnt real
I can make her real
She isnt real
I can make her real....


Like what you read, want to know more? Then click the link and learn about Slipknot

http://www.slipknot1.com/

"Vermiliion Pt.2" is the off of "Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)" available at music stores everywhere.

Got an idea for a future "Brian's Song", then hit us up and let us know, there's nothing fun and more truer than just sharing some kick ass tunes with the world.


Until Next Time,

-Brian

Soundboard: TBF Poll

"Brand Spankin New or a New Brand of Spanking, Either way, it's all good."

This is a busy week for us here at TBF. We're all new across the board this week!!!

There will be installments this week of "Brian's Song" and an all new "The Brian Factor"

TBF now has the ability to hear your feedback even better than before, cause now we have "The Brian Factor Poll" so come and share your thoughts....

Birthday notice

'This ain't Hallmark, But it'll do....'

We here at The Brian Factor want to wish a Happy Birthday to Emile, A great friend of the Factor and a true kindred spirit.

For over 10 years of raising hell like only we can, we say thank you man.

Brian

---

Happy birthday Emile! I'd say "Have a nice time and go get drunk and laid", but I'm sure you have already. ;) Instead, I'll just wish you another happy and healthy year.

Cheers!

~Marie

Things I've learned in 2006

Things I've learned in 2006:

- I just don't look good with long hair

- I really hate fake people (plastic surgery, cheerleaders, Hollywood, etc.)

- I am a sucker for the following types of Women: Blondes, Brunettes, Defenitely Red Heads, Raven heads... pretty much Women

- I realize what will be the subject of my demise: see above

- I honestly believe that the concept of 'P.C.' creates more hassle than relief

- I try too hard sometimes to be the hero, not because I want to, but because I need to

- I realize that I often come off as mean at times, but that's because I can't be fake.

- Never date younger women, They're always trouble and there's a good chance that they'll sleep around with
everyone except you... I mean... they always have an earlier bedtime and only drink chocolate milk... moving on...

- Nothing good can ever come from a friend bringing a camera to drinking night with the guys

- I now regret three moments from this past year.. one was a woman, one was a car and one involved a piece of
chicken....

Overall 2006 was a good year....