ideas, trends, and open dialogue
Ebakes
a Journalism and International Relations major. Eventually, Eric hopes to work for the Associated Press or as a foreign correspondent for a major new source. He hails from the great wheat filled state of Kansas or as many outsiders call it, “Oz.” While leaving the munchkins behind was an emotional roller coaster, Eric has made Boston his new home. An avid coffee and newspaper comic strip lover, Eric loves to explore any idea or landscape depending on the situation and welcomes all challengers. I primarily speak in the first person but I do enjoy breaking the fourth wall because I know you readers love it. Right? Right.
Posts by Ebakes
In the Studio
Sep 8th
So I’m writing this on Sunday, September 5, at 12:30 in the morning as my radio show, “The Bro Show” has it’s premier showing. Wait, wouldn’t it be a listening? I don’t know. Anyway, things are frantic here at WTBU, The BEAT of Boston University. Broadcasting live at 89.3 FM or 640 AM or online at wtburadio.org. You can call in at 617-353-6400 or watch/listen on BU channel 6.
As I try furiously to not only pick
out rotation songs and log all my songs, I am racking my mind to figure out what I want to talk about during talking breaks (about every four songs). ”Daylight” by Matt & Kim just came on. Awesome, I know. Today’s show was simply songs I love, nothing else. Later shows, once I have help, will be jazz nights, hip hop nights, British invasion, etc. I have to talk again in about a minute, I think I’ll recap and then speak on a band, The Wombats, and their new single I’ll be playing. “Tokyo (Vampires and Wolves)” is the title but I’ve only found it on youtube so far right here. As you can read, I’m flustered and trying to keep up AS I write this blog, but this is what I love and I would never give it up. WTBU is pretty much ALMOST as cool as Culture Shock…..when WTBU people aren’t around….
He would bust one move too many.
Music is one of my many passions, so I figured sense I have no help this week, why not just play what I love? I’m playing a mix of some of my favorites and it’s kicking ass. I’m typing and I dance in my seat. It’s wicked. Seriously, try it out. Then get up and dance for real….Raul. Music allows us to jam out, to express our inner most feelings, and to just relax and cut loose on everything that we hold inside. Music is my medium to express my soul, to add some fun into every aspect of my life. I wish I had a soundtrack just to follow me.
I want to hear what you, the reader, love to listen to. I want to know what makes BU get up and shake what their momma’s “gave ‘em.” So please comment on this and hey, if I can get ahold of what you like and I get enough comments, I will do a complete Culture Shock playlist for an upcoming episode. Much Love! Tune in and support WTBU…..The BEAT of Boston University.
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HELLO READER! WE ARE CULTURE SHOCK AND WE’RE HERE TO MAKE YOUR MIND EXPLODE!!!
Aug 20th
One! Two! One! Two! Three! Four! *cue really awesome jam session with wicked hooks and bass lines as mental background music* Readers, I had two awesome experiences today. I had my first real jam session ever and I saw Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. Let’s tackle the jam session, or “sess” as it’s called in the business/”biz”, first. I’ve been playing guitar on and off for many years now but I was never big on practicing because I would get bored playing guitar alone. To remedy this problem, I convinced my friend and his mother to let him take drum lessons. My plan had succeeded or so I thought. Though my friend did indeed take up the drums, he never really got into the whole “let’s make a band” idea. Bummskies, right? Right. He eventually went onto play as a bass drummer in the drum line at our high school but alas, we never really go to rock out for whatever reason.
What my childhood should've been like.
Well earlier this week my dad, who is reading this (Hi Dad), asked if I’d consider loaning my electric guitar to our church’s youth group while I was in college. Now you may be thinking, “Eric! Don’t do it! You need it in Boston to rock out with!” I actually hope at least one person thought something like that. Anyway, fear not because I have an electrified acoustic guitar I bring to Boston with me. I can still play to my heart’s content and life is good. So I go to my church today to give it to the youth group and I watch them rehearse for a bit and they’re decent enough for a group consisting of an electric guitar, drums, keyboard, tuba, piano, trombone, and a maraca. Very eclectic, I know. As I watch them rehearse, it doesn’t really look to me like any of them are genuinely excited to be there and no offense to Christian music, but I don’t blame them. There is some good Christian music like Five Iron Frenzy or Relient K but the stuff they’re playing is so PC and cookie cutter, I am yawning while watching. I’m more than thrilled that these kids have another outlet for their musical abilities and that they get to playing something other than the music in band/orchestra, but I can’t help but wish they could really cut loose.
Their rehearsal finished, I offered to help move stuff back down from the sanctuary to our youth lounge/cave. In my year absence they’d installed a stage of sorts in a corner. Needless to say, my drummer friend and I took full advantage of the opportunity. As you’ve already been informed, I have never full out jammed prior to this point. Click, BUZZZ, red light. The amp is on, the guitar is plugged in. Jack up the volume. Crash, crash, thump, thump, bam, bam! Ready to go, ready to rock. I don’t know where to start so I just go into some chord progressions I know and a second later in come the drums. Musical magic! I can’t hear a thing I’m playing and my quarter for a pick plan isn’t the best but I’m having the time of my life nonetheless. We just keep going, feet tapping, hands flying, music is born. There is just a perfect fit between drums and guitar it can’t be explained. My hands run up and down the neck of my red Fender, switching between rock, punk, blues, and pop. My drummer friend keeps up no real problems except when I suddenly switch tempo, but a second later he’s good. I play and play, not hearing what I’m producing over his drums but I figure it’s probably right and sounds decent enough. I can hear my song that would make no sense of paper coming together, lyrics writing in my heard, is this what it’s always like or am I just experiencing a one time deal? My youth pastor loves it, my dad loves it, my head pastor……not so much. He’s old school and boring, he doesn’t appreciate the “noise” but you know what? I don’t care, I’ve reached a new level of mind expansion.
Now for Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. This movie is awesome. Like, awesome awesome. I realize that Ebert’s review is probably less kind and more eloquent than mine but I
An epic of epic epicness.
honestly cannot find anything about this movie I didn’t enjoy. Even Michael Cera, who I’m not a huge fan of, was great. He’s still that awkward, nerdy, innocent child like character for the vast majority of it, but he’s genuinely funny at times and his fight scenes are incredible. To top all that off, the soundtrack is mind-blowing. It’s got some of the best rock/punk I’ve heard in a long time. Now to summarize while still being as vague as possible so one of my editors doesn’t commit murder, Scott Pilgrim falls for this girl named Ramona Flowers and they start dating. As such Scott must now defeat her seven evil ex’s. Chaos ensues, tons of characters, funny writing and situations, and of course crazy video game style fights. The fights are easy to follow and make your eyes feel like they’re watching Pokemon on steroids, but it’s all worth it. To top it all off, the love story is legitimately good. You actually care about what happens to Scott and Ramona and the story progresses. If you’re into fun, imagination filled, ADD inducing, indie-esc flicks, you’ll really enjoy this movie. This movie manages to make even Toronto look cool (I jest, much love Canada).
As Neal Mowead once said, “I feel like I’m rambling, which is generally a cue to end the post.” If I’ve learned anything today from my jam session and Scott Pilgriming, it’s this: life always has a million new experiences waiting for you. Some serious, some silly. Never turn one down, it may just open your mind some more. Go to a movie, go to a concert, meet new people! The next thing could be the best thing ever and trump your last best thing ever. Alright that’s enough spazzing for one post. THANK YOU CULTURE SHOCK! GOODNIGHT!
Embrace Your Inner Dork
Aug 9th
Hello everyone, my name is Eric and I’m a bit of a dork/nerd/goofy kid. (Hello Eric). I enjoy many stupid and nonsensical activities like doodling cartoons, dancing like an idiot, and going on long rants that typically start somewhere and end in the most unlikely place imaginable. I dress in my own style and I wear a bandana to do my homework sometimes. I love Hey Arnold! and trying (and failing) to do handstands. Speaking of Hey Arnold!, that kid who what was up. He was what all children (birth defect or not) should aspire to be like. Kind, honest, and proud of who he is. Not to mention his awesome sense of fashion. Can you rock the sweater/kilt and tiny blue hat? Yeah, me neither. The kid has swagga (is that the proper spelling?). I have numerous secret handshakes for each friend and I write/free style raps when I’m bored. You may think I’m a spaz or perhaps a loser, but I will tell you what I really am. I am honest with myself and happy to be who I am.
This kid rolls deep.
Now I’m not saying that any of you lovely readers are not honest with who you really are, but there are those who walk among us who are not. I call them, “Day-walkers,” wait no, that’s Blade. I actually call them, “People with a serious case of care-too-much-what-others-think-of-them-itis.” It’s a serious condition and one that plagues schools world wide, our fine campus included.
Far too often do I see students who act and present themselves in a way that’s not only uncomfortable to themselves but it’s obvious to myself at least that they’re not truly happy. I understand their reasoning; they want to fit in. We all want to be accepted into a group. It’s why we dress and act the way we do everyday of our lives. It’s why we may act completely composed and professional and “cool” with some people and be a total nerd with our closest friends. I myself went through numerous stages in high school and hell even a bit in the beginning of college. It is only when we find ourselves the place that we’re happy and feel safe that we let out who we truly are.
It’s not that I resent these people, but I only wish that they’d feel less obligated to be who they think others expect them to be. Why do we care what our peers think of us? Why do we, as people, feel so in need of other’s approval? Do you really need to spend hundreds of dollars on the “in style” clothing or listen only to the “coolest” music? Do we all really have to be fans of Lost? I don’t think so. Perhaps I’m unqualified to speak on behalf of the majority of students, but from where I stand, it’s sad to see someone with not only a gift, but a passion for something let it go to waste because they fear the reaction their so-called friends may give.
My good friend Raul Fernandez of the Howard Thurman Center (what what) once said, “Do what you love in life and the money will come.” Now, you may not get paid for liking comic books or being the whitest rapper you know, but at least you’ll get the personal satisfaction of having fun doing something you really love. Just have fun with life! People will always come and go and honestly, if your “friends” reject you for the things that make you really you, then screw ‘em. They are NOT worth YOUR time. Be true to yourself and you’ll make real friends who not only like you for what you do, but they’ll respect you for being brave enough to do what you love.
That being said, time to rock out to Passion Pit and play some Bejeweled Blitz. As a very wise Jedi once said, “May the force be with you.”
We all heart dorks.
Dang, That’s A Wicked Umpire’s Tan
Jul 26th
Ok sooooo yes, alright. As of late, if you’ve been keeping up with my last couple posts, I’ve been at a loss for words which is really not my style….ever. I have decided to
YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!
remedy this issue by doing what I used to do on my own blog that I will not shamelessly plug here —–> I told you I wouldn’t, geez have some faith. Basically my old blogs were me rambling on and on about different things that I’d experienced or thought about that day. Usually these ended up being about four pages of nonsensical craziness involving lists, pictures, elaborate imagery, and random tangents shooting off in every direction. Tis true they were most good times indeed when I wrote that blog but alas, I traded up to this lovely blog. Perhaps, it’s all the pressure that keeps me from just sitting down and writing or perhaps it’s simply that I do not feel as inspired to write while at home like I did when I was at school. It’s a mystery, life is a mystery. Boom! I just laid a truth bomb on you.
I’m sitting on my bed trying to think of all that I’ve done lately and the only thing that comes to mind is work, work, work, and work some more. I have already written a post on my job, an umpire, so I hesitate to speak much about it but perhaps I can morph the basis into a post about jobs in general. Sound good? Awesome. Jobs, for the most part, suck. At least that is the general consensus I’ve heard from my friends from all over. A few really enjoy their jobs and hey, more power to them, but for the vast majority of us, we’re not thrilled with our regular jobs. I don’t like to generalize, but I feel relatively confident on this one. Each and every job has some perks and some hellish qualities as well but money is money and we all need money because unfortunately we are not all spoiled blonde heiresses born into money that they probably don’t appreciate at all. I feel like that previous sentence got a bit spiteful…..
I try so hard not to hate you.
Anyway, I think what is important to remember when we look at our past, present, and future jobs, is not what it took from us but rather what we gained from it and I don’t mean your salary. I’ll use myself as an example. As an umpire, I take more *expletive* than just about anyone I know. Does it get to me? On occasion. Do I let it affect my performance? Never. If I’ve gotten anything from my job over the last seven years (dangggggg that’s a long time in retrospect) it’s an infinite sense of patience, an amazing ability of selective hearing, the ability to stay calm under pressure, great people and leadership skills, and a wicked umpire tan. Think farmers tan but only my brow down to my collar bones and my elbows to my hands. Sexy, right? With the skills I’ve not only obtained but developed, I have become a much more confident in not only who I am but in the face of adversity. Balls and strikes may seem insignificant when it comes to fighting what you believe in, but defending those calls have helped me to be more confident in my other choices in life.
I looked up celebrities to try and find a “cool” person you could connect to but alas all I could really find was that Kristen Bell worked at a yogurt stand where she served fruity treats that occasionally had fruit flies in them and that Mickey Rourke went and made sure people paid their “debts” to other certain people. Not quite what I was shooting for but alas, c’est la vie. I hope that you too can take a look back and be like, “Man, that job at the library really sucked, but hey, now I have a new appreciation for books.” Or, “Starbucks was awful but now I can make wicked good coffee drinks for my friends at my apartment.” Or even, “Dude, Home Depot was terrible but now I can build a sweet shed.” (If you think of more of these please comment below!) I suppose if I were to attempt to wrap up my blog in a sentence it would be this: While a job may seem useless and only a way necessary to legally obtain money, don’t close your mind off to the other benefits it could give you down the road. Fin.
I think we all think like this just a bit deep down inside.
Where For Art Thou My Muse?
Jul 13th
So yeah, here’s the dealio. I have been unable to write full posts in quite some time. I’ve started a couple with what I thought were very good ideas and yet when I sit down write and……nothing. Nadda, zilch, no writing for you! I’m not quite sure what the problem is to be completely honest. I have ideas, I think them through, all seems well with the world, but it is the actual process of the writing that seems to have me stumped. My friends, the ink well is full but the quill is broken. By the way, if anyone has seen “The Prestige” before, it is a very odd movie. I had no idea that magicians were such a vindictive bunch. It’s on USA at the moment but I’m not sure if I like it or not. I digress, let us dive into the world of the muse.
I give it 3 out of 5.
Muse, according to the great knowledge bag of Wikipedia, are an English alternative rock band from Teignmouth, Devon……wait….sorry my bad. Though that being said, Muse is an incredible band who I love a lot. I typically am not impressed by an entire album but “The Resistance” is one of the greatest albums all the way through that I’ve ever heard. It’s really REALLY good and in my humble opinion, the best Muse album to date. Their style is unique, their lyrics are well written and cool to hear, and overall they’re very good. From what I’ve heard their concerts are a life experience that all should attend once.
I feel like I got a bit off track there. The “actual” Muses were nine (or three depending on what your read) goddesses in Greek mythology who inspired man to create the arts, literature, MUSic and such that we all see in the MUSEums. Got to love those word roots. Anyway, since this is Greek mythology, there are many different versions as to where they came from or who their parents are, but their abilities are rather universal. Many of the greatest artistic minds throughout history have given credit or reference to the Muses. Homer, Shakespeare, among others have invoked their divine powers to create some of the world’s classic tales. Though they may very well be simple works of imagination to explain where our creativity comes from, the Muses have shaped the world as we know it today. As Dante Alighieri put it so well in his classic The Inferno, “O Muses, O high genius, aid me now! O memory that engraved the things I saw, Here shall your worth be manifest to all!”
Perhaps with this dedicated post, I will be graced with numerous ideas and the words necessary to properly convey them. So oh great Muses, please either fix the pen or find me a muse of my own. With that said, I leave you with a final thought. How ironic is this post?
They're some special ladies.
Searching The Skies
Jun 28th
What is fulfillment? What does it take for anyone to be able to feel full, to feel content? What is it that drives us to always want more? Why are we never satisfied with what we have? How can I stop looking at a glass as half full or half empty, but merely at it as a glass with the right amount of water in it? When do my questions end and my answers begin?
It's too close to tell.
I have an odd ritual of sorts that I’ve been doing, consciously at least, since the summer began. Whenever I get home from work late at night, I park the car in the garage and rather than going inside immediately, like I would think most people would do, I go out in my driveway and stare at the sky. Cloudy, clear, humid, or dry, it doesn’t matter. I don’t do it for any real reason I can think of aside from the fact that I don’t feel complete.
Am I looking to the heavens for answers? Will the massive and radiant moon that bathes the quiet night in light give me a sign? The odds of my friends showing up at the moment are a zillion to none and honestly; all it gives me is a chance to catch my breath and wonder. I wonder, why must my day end? Is this it? What else could I have done to be happier? My mind races back and forth, back and forth, and yet, I am still. The slight breeze reminds me that I am awake and yet the stars have me dreaming.
What makes one feel whole? When does the emptiness become filled? There are any number of things that may fill the void that I’ve yet to experience. Love, a purpose, success, independence, any of the above and a thousand billion more that I could list. Life is, as cliché as it sounds, a great mystery with more questions than Lost could ever fit into ten seasons (Though I’m sure they’d try to prove me wrong).
I, all to often, realize I am very young. Hell, I’m not even 19 yet (though that may not be true by the time this is posted, so I apologize if this is inaccurate and oh hey, happy birthday to me) but I act as though my time is short. One could argue that life is long and full of ups and downs, while others could argue that life is merely a fleeting speck of nothingness in the grand scheme of things, that there is something beyond our mortality. As I’m sure you’ve gathered so far, I don’t have the answers, perhaps I never will.
That's not something you'll see in Boston.
So we’re back to where we started, all questions and no answers. Perhaps this hole in my being will never be filled. Perhaps it will be filled tomorrow. Maybe this all to familiar vacancy is merely what it means to be human. I do not know, no one may ever know, but hey, that won’t stop me from looking at the sky each night.
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