False Alarm, guys!

Recently, the hype about the world ending was really getting me nervous. Admittedly, I wasn’t exactly too excited to hear about an apocalyptic scare after all the recent natural disasters this year. I’m skeptical when it comes to certain things, but talk of the end approaching always leaves a small amount of thought in my head that maybe…just, maybe…this could mean something. But being here, writing this blog, I’m pretty relieved to be able to see May 22nd (and many more days to come!).

It seems to me that as the world progresses, we find more and more reasons to convince ourselves that we are reaching the end. Technology and the media have become a part of our lives so much that a lot of us have found no way to live without our “essentials.” We use our cell phones, the internet, and many of us watch television every single day and without knowing it, we have become connected in the world of networking. If not to be up to date with friendships, we make business with people from all around the world, and should news break out about other countries, other politics, and happenings, it is recorded online almost instantly. That being said, news of a rapture is sure to turn heads. It almost makes sense when people make assumptions as to why we’re heading to the end of our time. Of course, a lot of us choose not to believe such radical idealism. But at the same time, it leaves an uncomfortable, nervous feeling somewhere deep down knowing how far we’ve progressed in time. In the end, however, it’s all going to be over sooner or later. I say we enjoy the present and recognize the blessings we have right now. That’s just my two cents.

Thank God It’s Friday! But really, Rebecca Black? Is she serious?

It’s been less than two weeks and the new viral internet sensation, the music video to Rebecca Black’s new song “Friday” is a riot! In all ways OTHER than good. I mean, this is really something utterly, and profoundly AWFUL that you just have to see it to believe it.

Auto-tune may be a cool effect in music sound producing but one thing’s for sure–it is NOT intended to carry out MIRACLES.

When I see something like this, I take a while to really let it sink in, to really understand that something like this really does exist and really is intended to be taken seriously. But, seriously? It makes me remember the days when I, myself, was guilty of listening to, and liking most of the pop music produced within the “boy band era” circa 2000. And when older people used to make fun of me for this guilty pleasure, being so young at the time, I never really took notice to the lack of effort taken to many aspects of the production of such music. Now that I am older, I can see things like substantial lyrical quality and noticeable production effort, I guess it come with age….I SURE HOPE THAT’S NOT THE CASE WITH THIS SONG. I just pray for the upcoming generations of America to recognize, or be taught to recognize, the trash that tries to pass as music these days.

Anyway, if kids these days are exposed to such garbage and take a liking to it, I guess it’s just an age thing (at least, I hope so). Should this be the case, however…well, I guess I just don’t like kids.

Love and Prayers to our neighbors in Japan

The March 11 earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan left the world with another grave natural disaster. The 8.9 earthquake, and tsunami that ravaged the country and affected other countries around proved to be the greatest that Japan has ever seen in history. Although it has the best earthquake-proof construction in the world (tie-ing with southern California), the tsunami that followed resulted in more than 2,000 deaths accounted for, with thousands more who have also tragically lost their lives.

Disaster relief from many countries, including the US, is busy providing those affected by the earthquake the necessities to get by while the struggle to rebuild and restore things as best as possible goes on without stop. The biggest concern would be the damage done to the nuclear plants in the country’s Fukishima facility. Leakage from these plants could permanently devastate the surrounding region and, in turn, affect the world with radiation. Some say an incident similar to the Chernobyl disaster of 1986 could take place if effort to seal the damaged areas don’t work fast enough.

This is the third of earthquakes we’ve seen in a not-so-short period of time within the “ring of fire” linking many countries along the Pacific Ocean to seismic activity. It’s really quite the rude awakening when such depressing events take place because it reminds the world of the power of Mother Nature. It makes me really realize the important things in life, though. So, in a way, that’s good because the every-day routine of life can be so distracting. It is through disaster that we, as people, really remember who we are and come together as one race, the human race, and look after one another. If only we could be so selfless more often, then perhaps we’d be a lot happier. I don’t know, I feel like it’s been said over and over, but maybe it’s just meant to be something that gets forgotten as the days go by. In the end, life goes on, but what kind of life would be worth living if you don’t take time to look after one another every now and then?

If you haven’t done so already, take some time to Help Out with the relief effort. As with any disaster, anything counts.

R

And so, without further ado, Introducing: The Vandal Squad…and myself.

Hey, I’m Robert.

I’ve never done this before. When my professor in my Communications course assigned this as a weekly project, I was a bit nervous to say the least. You see, I tend to get discouraged easily when faced with opportunity to express my true creativity. Admittedly, I missed the deadline to post this blog. Something a whole class would probably find no problem in doing, I cracked under the pressure and end up with a sorry case of writer’s block. I feel bad for having started of on the wrong foot, but actions speak louder than words.

So…Here we go, first blog:

Having been born and raised in Los Angeles, I have long-awaited the day to really become a part of the life of the young and reckless angeleno. But, being only 18, jobless, and without a car there’s really no way I could be a part of something like this. The way I see it, it’s all about taking baby steps. The day I get to partake in all of this marvelous city’s festivities will come but until then, thank GOD for music bloggers!

Electronic music is a complete obsession. House, Trance, Club/Dance, and hard-hitting Electronica. I love them all. With my growing interest in local talent in particular, it excited me to discover The Vandal Squad. He’s an amazing DJ and California native.

 

Photo Credit: Deathelectro.com

He’s getting quite the buzz in Hollywood and the northern Bay Area. With fans from both ends of the coast, it’s safe to assume his work is definitely worth looking into. Also, having recently been spotlighted in one of the most recognized blog for electronic music, Deathelectro.com, his fan base is only getting larger.

His take on the scene is providing people with an outstanding mix of perfect sound intended to blow all fans of the genre away and fill the dance floors wherever he spins his set. His last gig was at the well-known Hollywood venue, the Avalon, last week and nothing but good reviews were made afterwards.

With the interest in Electronic music rapidly growing in mainstream media, I only get more and more excited for what the future in popular music holds for my generation. With DJs like The Vandal Squad exploding on the scene, I have great, hopeful expectations.

Check out The Vandal Squad on Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/thevandalsquad