Echoes: Reflection

Responses posted on 03/30/07

A Comment Submitted by Super Editor Marie Re: "Bri...oh, I mean Emile's Song":

We've just had our 100th entry posted here at TBF: Blogspot!


Response From Brian:

DAMN!! My ass has been busy... and the best part is I still have plenty to say. Seriously though shouldn't I get like a watch or something? some balloons or a high five or even a lap dance from Marie for all the work I've done... C'mon Marie Hook it up!!!!

(Marie smacks Brian upside his head)

Ow!!!! Maybe we should... the next question...move on to... (faints)

[Note from Marie: I'm gonna seriously start looking up sexual harrassment laws. You want a lap dance? You've got money. Go pay someone to bump an' grind against you. There was nothing about lap dancing in the contract I signed.]

Question Submitted by Alex Re: "Bri... oh I mean Harlean's Song: Loveless Motel":

"Last weekend I got pretty crazy with St. Patrick's Day and now I have to deal with the aftermath (and my apologies to whomever's Lawn Gnome I stole so I could use the carpool lane on the freeway so I could go get pancakes at 4am...)"

-Brian

BULLSHIT!!!!! What the hell really happened on St. Patrick's Day???


Response From Brian:

Fine! You really want to know what happened, here it is: I went out with Emile to go check out a party that was happening at a bowling alley but a personal squabble between Emile and one of the people hosting the party cancelled those plans and we grabbed a burger and hung out at Emile's house watching "Big O" til 2:30am then I went home and went to bed.

THE END


Comment Submitted by John Re: "TBF: Reflection":

Dude, You so need to get laid

You sound like you're losing it.


Response From Brian:

So I keep hearing... Doesn't mean it's the answer to all my problems, If my sex life or severe lack of was the problem then I just would've gotten a hooker or something.

I was in a weird mood that week. I couldn't really focus and it felt like I had this big ol clound hanging around and I wasn't angry or sad, I just was in this funk and I was questioning alot about myself, so call it what you will:

Doubt
Fear
Confusion
Heartache
A reminder that I'm someone

We all get in that funk at some point, what matters is how we handle it and what we learn from it and I handled it the only way I could: I wrote about it and I guess what I learned from it was this:

...I hurt too...sometimes.


Comment Submitted by Asia RE: Bri... oh I mean Emile's Song - 03/28/07

awwwww you guys are togther now!!! (: how sweet!!


Response From Brian:

huh? wait what?? what the hell are you talking about? I'm not with anybody...

[Note from Marie: Did you hook up with Blondie the Blow-Up Girlfriend again? I hope this time 'round will work out better for you two. ;P]

Bri... oh, I mean Emile's Song

I guess H.C. is finally getting some company. So after two turns at the helm at Brian's Song, we have a new player in this game... My good friend from down the street, Emile. So now while I sit around here and wonder if Marie will ever call me, I'm handing off the reins once again, So take it away Emile....

Emile:

I've been a huge fan of Infected Mushroom since they first came on the scene back in 1999 with "The Gathering". They've taken trance to a whole new level and I can always just relate with them. So outta of all their songs I chose this one cause every time I hear this song I always remember this day I was at the beach and it started raining, and I don't know if it was fate or just one hell of a coincidence but this song, that day, everything was just perfect, you know?

So for this week I spotlight "Muse Breaks Remix" by Infected Mushroom as this week's Emile's Song


"Muse Breaks Remix"

Take it straight up and watch me get in
Feel it when the sun is up and let the vibe in
Don't you feel the rain drops are near
You're the only tool to break the music
And your time is so useless
And your days are not of muse breaks
Feel me get in
C'mon
Feel me get in
Oh yeah

Take me up and out
Cause rainy days are all I feel
I'm walking about
I know that, there's no time
In the days of muse breaks
I had to hang on tight
Looking back I wish I had more time for you...

Take it to your top and now watch me get in
Feel this on the sun and let the vibe in
Don't you feel the rain drops are near
You're the only tool for Regge music
And your time is so useless
And your days are not a muse breaks
Feel me get in (feel me get in)
Feel me get in (feel me get in)
feel me get in (feel me get in)

Take it straight up and watch me get it
Feel it when the sun is up and let the vibe in
Don't you feel the rain drops are near
You're the only tool to break the music
And your time is so useless
And your days are not of muse breaks
Get in

Take it straight up and watch me get it
Feel it when the sun is up and let the vibe in
Don't you feel the rain drops are near
You're the only tool to break the music
And your time is so useless
And your days are not of muse breaks
Feel me get in
Feel me get in
Feel me get in...

Take me up and out
Cause rainy days are all I feel
I'm walking about
I know that, there's no time
In the days of muse breaks
I had to hang on tight
Looking back I wish I had more time for you...


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

http://www.infected.co.il/

"Muse Breaks Remix" is the off of "IM The Supervisor" 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.

And for all those who want to know more about Emile, Hit him up on MySpace:

http://www.myspace.com/sytem_of_a_down


Until Next Time,


-Brian and Emile

TBF: Reflection

QUESTION!
By System Of A Down

Sweet berries ready for two,
Ghosts are no different than you,
Ghosts are now waiting for you,
Are you?

Sweet berries ready for two,
Ghosts are no different than you.
Ghosts are now waiting for you,
Are you dreaming?

Dreaming the night...
Dreaming all right...

Do we, do we know
When we fly
When we, when we go
Do we die

Sweet berries ready for two,
Ghosts are no different than you.
Ghosts are now waiting for you,
Are you?

Sweet berries ready for two,
Ghosts are no different than you.
Ghosts are now waiting for you,
Are you dreaming?

Dreaming the night...
Dreaming all right...

Do we, do we know
When we fly
When we, when we go
Do we die

Do we, do we know
When we fly
When we, when we go
Do we die

I haven't really been myself this week, in fact if I had to describe it I'd say that I've been doing a lot of thinking lately, mostly about myself, my past, my future, even where I am now.

It's all this.. I don't even know how to describe it. A lot of people have been pushing me to figure out my plans for tomorrow, and I honestly just can't give anyone, especially myself an answer. I've just really been out of it this past week, I haven't been sleeping much and I find myself trying to isolate myself more and more. The funny thing is that I don't feel sad, I don't feel depressed and I'm still in this weird phase.

How do you describe a dream? How do you find what it is you're looking for? What am I suppose to do? What do I really want?

I just.. I wonder if I've made or making the right choices? I've lived clean but for my reasons and I know that they're justified reasons and I wouldn't change now but I really wonder if I didn't screw up my chances for something more normal.

Concepts of mortality, never ending debates. Such have become my company this week, unwanted guests that never leave and cause more havoc than relief. I worry that I'm forgetting why I am who I am.

So why now? Was there a reason for this week? What is it that I haven't realized? I hate feeling like this, I know this sounds and more reflects the mind of a crazy person but I honestly felt like "If I put my thoughts down on paper I'd make more sense of the puzzle and solve it so I can move on."

But how do you solve a puzzle that has no answer....

Harlean's Song: Loveless Motel

Last weekend I got pretty crazy with St. Patrick's Day and now I have to deal with the aftermath (and my apologies to whomever's Lawn Gnome I stole so I could use the carpool lane on the freeway so I could go get pancakes at 4am...) anyway, while I worked on my community service it looked like I wouldn't be able to pick a song for this week, but then a good friend with a voice equally strong as mine wanted to sumbit a song. So once again this week I'm passing off the reins off to super-writer and good friend Harlean "H.C." Carpenter, So here she is...

H.C.:

"Nothing annoys me more than truly talented artists who become known for one single commercially viable tune while the rest of their music remains virtually unheard. Ask anyone if they've heard of Jill Sobule, and if you don't get a completely blank look, you'll most likely get something along the lines of "oh yeah, she did that song I Kissed A Girl" or "she did that video with Fabio in it, didn't she?"

This annoys me. Because Jill Sobule is far more than "I Kissed A Girl". She can make you laugh, she can make you cry, she can make think, and she can make you really wonder just how the hell creative minds come up with some of the stuff they come up with, and she does it all in her own quirky, touching, truly inimitable style."

I submit to you now "Loveless Motel" by Jill Sobule as this week's ... Harlean's Song


"Loveless Motel"

It used to be a motel
but now they serve biscuits and t-shirts
I bring my own tea bag
I don't trust the coffee
but the biscuits are delicious
they come eight to a plate
with a big block of butter
and homemade peach preserves

and I wish you were here, my arrogant lover
I'd make you eat grits and the red-eyed gravy
I'd make you sit down with the southern ladies
with the blue pantsuits
I'd talk about Jesus
talk about the weather
watch you squirm as I told them
we were married with two girls
I'd say you were in trucking
and I was a teacher
at a Christian school where the kids are good
and they don't do drugs and they save themselves
before they're married
I wouldn't tell them that you had a wife
that it wasn't me and we just had sex
and they wouldn't be impressed
if I told them you knew Lou Reed

and the stars up on the wall
look down at me like gods
there's Ernest Borgnine and Billy Ray Cyrus
and my favorite, Minnie Pearl

so I go for the coffee
it's not bad, just a little weak
and I ask the waitress for another plate of famous
biscuits
she said you must have a bottomless pit
I said you don't know the half of it
lately I've been so hungry

and the stars up on the wall
look down at me like gods
Minnie, she just shakes her head
she said "girl get your heart out of the frying pan"

it used to be a motel
now they served biscuits and smoked ham
I'll write you a postcard
from the loveless motel


Like what you read, want to know more? Then click the link and learn about Jill Sobule:
http://www.jillsobule.com/jetpackintro.html

"Loveless Motel" is the off of "Pink Pearl" now 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 more fun and more truer than just sharing some kick ass tunes with the world.

Until Next Time Kiddies,


- Brian and Harlean

Echoes

Question/ Comment Submitted by Darla Re: "Soundboard: Marie finally won":

Oh my god, Is that really you? You look so badass!!

Why did you decide to reveal yourself now?


Response From Brian:

If you love it then all props should go to my friend H.C., She's the one who took it. The funny thing is that I rarely take any photos cause I usually blink or make an awkward face, But I think I came pretty damn good and I'm my own worst critic. I definitely am appreciative to have a good friend with a damn good photo eye.

---

Comment/ Question Submitted by Jaimeheart Re: "Soundboard: Marie finally won":

SO mean.. and nice "gun" I wonder how bad I have to be for you to punish me..

So what is ur type?


Response From Brian:

I wouldn't know, I don't date.

I have been thinking that recently though, I mean Ideally I want to meet someone but I fear that my standards may be too high. I honestly couldn't describe what I'm looking for. the Irony is that I treat all my female friendships combined like my ideal relationship since each girl brings out different levels in me:

Marie: I'm more opinionated and we have this outsider bond (we never seem to fit in one specific idea or group, so we just stick to our guns and do things our way) and that keeps us on the same page and I believe she helps me really push harder on my columns.

H.C.: I'm more artistically creative, and I feel more intellectually challenged and with her there's definitely a level of sincerity and a great respect for one another, so she keeps me on my toes.

T.W.: makes me feel more down to earth, more relaxed, We've always had a pretty good time doing anything, the mall, going to concerts and plenty of lunches and there was always a relaxed vibe surrounding us. i don't have to try around her, plus I help bring out the rocker in her, so I kinda help her out as well.

M.P.D.: She's the nurturer, the supportive one. Like any good relationship we'll bicker about little things and still have a good laugh later on. Incredibly open minded and she is definitely the one isn't afraid to get in my face and is the one who puts foot to ass more times than I can (or want) to remember.

Everyone of these women are strong, opinionated, have a twisted sense of humor and are beautiful inside and out, So for me all this together makes up my ideal woman.

Like I said, Maybe I set my standards too high....

---

Comment Submitted by Sean Re: TBF: Evolution:

How can you go against God and embrace this lie!!

When our Lord and Savior returns, you and all sinners will be left to burn for your sins.

I will pray for you.


Response From Brian:

God gave me a voice, God gave me a brain, God gave me a choice. I am merely exercising what God gave me. If you still can't understand that well as a wise man once said:

"if you ain't down with that, I've got two words for ya... SUCK IT"

---

Comment Submitted by Trentluvr1650 Re: TBF: Evolution:

ooooh you played the new NIN for this week, I luv that song!!! it is the SHIT. I luv all NIN, Trent is my God... and I want to be his Queen!!!


Response From Brian:

Actually you can thank Trent & Co. for inspiring the topic, I was stuck trying to figure out my next column and I heard "Survivalism" playing and it hit me Survivalism = Evolution..

From what I hear everyone has been divided about it, you either love it or hate it, and I'm in the love it camp.

---

Comment submitted by Chris Re: "TBF: Scientology":

These guy are fuckin nutz, they should lock em up and toss the key.

Fuck Mr. Tom "I'm trapped in the closet" Cruise lol


Response From Brian:

I loved that South Park episode! Tom is crazy isn't he... But I'll take out a page from R Kelly as he said in that same episode "trapped in the closet" and " I'll pull out my gun!!!" (everyone screams)

---

Comment Submitted by Sandra Re: "Brian's Song: False Flags":

OMG!!!! I lUV massive attack, they are soooo good, I luv ur taste in music ;)


Response From Brian:

Yup we here at TBF are big on MA I even had the privilege of checking them out last summer up in Berkley ( For which I still get flack from H.C. for not giving her a heads up, even though she WAS sick at the time, and it's still a debate that continues to this day)

---

Comment Submitted by Davey Re: "Brian's Song: Idiot Music":

Aw Fuck yeah, you gave the world a taste of Zeromancer, Bout time everybody saw one of the most UNDERRATED BANDS OUT THERE WHOOO


Response From Brian:

I like Zeromancer too, It's too bad they don't have more exposure in the music scene, I think they could be a very popular band if they caught a break.

---

Comment Submitted by Dreamer Re: "Brian and Marie's Song: Mutter"

It kinda makes me miss my mother.lol


Response From Brian:

Man, you see your Mom everyday... I see her every time I hang out with you!!!!

Soundboard: Marie finally won

So after about a year or so of nudging, Marie finally convinced me to post up a photo of myself on the MySpace page, well I finally did it.

So go check it out:

http://www.myspace.com/angelskull

And now I have to convince Marie to stop dancing around TBF headquarters saying :

"I WON, I WON, I WON!!!"

TBF: Evolution

Survivalism
By Nine Inch Nails

I should have listened to her,
So hard to keep control.
We kept on eating but
Our bloated belly's still not full.
She gave us all she had but
We went and took some more.
Can't seem to shut her legs,
Our mother nature is a whore.

I got my propaganda
I got revisionism

I got my violence
In hi-def ultra-realism

All a part of this great nation

I got my fist
I got my plan
I got survivalism

Hypnotic sound of sirens,
Echoing through the street.
The cocking of the rifles,
The marching of the feet.
You see your world on fire,
Don't try to act surprised.
We did just what you told us,
Lost our faith along the way,
And found ourselves believing your lies.

I got my propaganda
I got revisionism

I got my violence
In hi-def ultra-realism

All a part of this great nation

I got my fist
I got my plan
I got survivalism

All bruised and broken, bleeding,
She asked to take my hand.
I turned, just keep on walking,
But you'd do the same thing in the circumstance.
I'm sure you'll understand.

I got my propaganda
I got revisionism

I got my violence
In hi-def ultra-realism

All a part of this great nation

I got my fist
I got my plan
I got survivalism


A great plan, divine whim, the continual growth and transformation of DNA. Reasons that are hidden away, leaving a devoted few to search out the secrets that lie inside us. Questions naturally arise that place all that we know into debate:

- What are we in grand scheme of it all?

- Are we the optimal form?

- What came before us?

- What comes after?

- Will we ever know all the secrets, if any?

Some believe that all before us is of a divine nature and shouldn't be investigated, while others wish to just know. So this week I offer only facts and an inside of my thoughts but as always I leave it all for you to ponder.

This Week on The Brian Factor: EVOLUTION

There are about a hundred ways to tackle this subject but let's get the majority of well known facts outta the way:

- Evolution is the change in a population's inherited characteristics, or traits, from generation to generation.

- Random changes in these genes can produce new or altered traits, resulting in differences between organisms.

- Evolution then occurs when these modified genes become more common or rarer within a population.

- Under natural selection, organisms with traits that help them to survive and reproduce tend to have more offspring. In doing so, they pass more copies of inheritable beneficial traits on to the next generation. This leads to advantageous traits becoming more common in each generation, while disadvantageous traits become rarer.

- Religion hates this principle.

and thus, the principle of Evolution.

Something lives, Something grows to become better then the actual "better" between the two types is determined and the overall "Better" becomes standard. Simple.

Majority of this subject is marred with intense controversy as the theories often tell a different picture than what religion/ or faith often tells us. People hear that we share numerous similarities and we are in essence descendant's to monkeys and ironically they go "ape-shit" that we could be compared to animals when the irony is that while we've accomplished creating a civilization. Inside us still lie the basic primal needs, most notably to feed and to mate.

After my own experiences with humanity, I've come to realize that we aren't like animals in the common sense. Most animals have specific traits/ or system of living and a general understanding or a relationship to it's environment, often times providing a much needed service. WE exist but we don't display these specifics traits/ systems, we learn to adapt so we have no specific environment and have various levels of overall desire.

Besides the concept we know about here, other concepts of evolution have been seen and used throughout time and in society. At the turn of modern civilization, ideas like "Social Evolution" arose and was used to become the basis of ideas like "Class systems" and of course "Racism". It was in these ideals that any and all actions on someone of a different race or upbringing were not only justified, but encourage as a continuing sign that the white man was simply the Alpha, which was understandable, by comparison, most whites had money and power and had established most of the known world and history. and If history tells us anything, Winners always write history.

MY TWO CENTS:

People can honestly be at times Idiots. Actually I aim that at those who can't see beyond their pride of who's right and who's wrong. It's funny how on a subject like this that ONLY science or God created all we know but you never considered other possibilities, Perhaps when you really look at your fight to claim the truth, you'll finally be able to really see what you are and how everything that you believe isn't a polar opposite.

We learn to grow and we learn to adapt and as such we change to suit these adaptations, eventually becoming a superior being. So the question is this? What does this fall under: Science of Faith?

In Religion we aim to live good, true lives, so that when we die, we'll enter Heaven and become an immortal spirit. Now call me crazy but if you ask me Faith is a form of evolution. You learn how to adapt by living a good life, then through these adaptations we shed our bodies to ascend to a higher level of consciousness. Whether you choose to accept it or not, God is considered the ideal in evolutionary terms, we aim to be like God, so we do what we can to survive and to become better.

In Science we learn facts determine what we are and what we do, and we always look for more because we have a nature to want to know where we come from, to show us that life isn't just a fluke, but that our own existence is well justified. Often while in the pursuit of such answers, failures and setbacks occur but they choose to keep going. If life has taught me anything it's that the heart and the mind are flesh and blood, but our spirit is what really pushes us, our spirits give us our strength when physically our bodies are spent, and our spirits can hurt when we're physically healthy. Examine bodies inside and out but the spirit is immeasurable and in instances like this, you need to just go with a little faith.

Evolution does exist, if proof is needed then nowhere else but our souls, evolving isn't just growing an extra arm or being able to fly, it's about changing to become something different so that way we can become better, if you went back and re evaluated your life, you'd recall the times where you had to grow and you had to change in order to survive your world. Inside our hearts we're always learning and growing because that is what we do and there is nothing wrong with that. To understand and accept change is what makes us Human, but to embrace the ability to become better both outward and within, that will make us more...

Brian's Song: Idiot Music

Sometimes you don't have fancy words, sometimes you like a song for no major reason. Now that Marie is back everything feels normal again (and that includes me wearing pants as well and my Public Enemy tapes back in hiding). Overall I'd say it was a good week. So flipping through the BriPod this week I found this buried some ways in, I forgot how I liked this band because it was different in comparison to most of the music scene today.

So for this week I spotlight "Idiot Music" By Zeromancer as this week's Brian's Song.

"Idiot Music"

It's the words you don't say
That keeps ringing in my ear

I feel like an idiot
To think that you really cared

It's the kiss you don't blow
that I keep brushing off my chin

It's the punch you don't throw
That keeps hurting within

I only loved you
I only loved you

It's the words you don't say
That keeps ringing in my ear

I feel like an idiot
To think that you really cared

It's the kiss you don't blow
that I keep brushing off my chin

It's the punch you don't throw
That keeps hurting within

I only loved you
I only loved you

Whatever you do
Whatever you say

Whatever you do
Whatever you say

It's the words you don't scream
That being sucked back in

A dream within a dream
It's not what you've seen

It's what you don't understand
That makes you sharper than

The ones who
Take advantage of you

I only loved you
I only loved you

Whatever you do
Whatever you say

Whatever you do
Whatever you say

Sick of this music
Sick of this music
Sick of this music

Whatever you do
Whatever you say

Whatever you do
Whatever you say

I only loved you
A cellular goodbye

I only loved you

Whatever you do
Whatever you say

Whatever you do
Whatever you say

I only loved you
A cellular goodbye

I only loved you....

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

http://www.zeromancer.com/zentral.html

"Idiot Music" is the off of "Zzyzy" 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

Echoes: Scientology

Comment From Brian:

About now is when you'd be reading "Echoes Of The Factor" but unfortunately there were no submissions for this topic...

I realized that after talking to people that people do have something to say but our lives and obligations force us to prioritize and let's face it, giving two cents on a blog isn't that high on anyone's list; hell, I have pop tarts waiting on me and they're more important than this, but my point is this: People think that if you don't respond within a week then you shouldn't bother saying anything, I never made that rule, so allow me to clairfy for everyone:

WHEN YOU HAVE THE TIME, WHETHER IT'S A WEEK OR TWO WEEKS, A MONTH, NEXT YEAR, IF YOU GOT SOMETHING TO SAY
THEN WE'LL GLADLY HEAR IT, WHENEVER, ON WHATEVER.

Now I have some Pop Tarts waiting on me and I got to focus on next week's topic and I've decided that at the end of every Echoes I'll tell you when my next topic is starting here:

Next Week on The Brian Factor: EVOLUTION