Auld Lang Syne And All That Jazz - Part 2 of 2

Thinking back to the day after Christmas...Thursday: We did some shopping. I did my part to contribute to the decline of western civilization by buying "Steal This Album!" by System Of A Down and "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City," for the PS2. We also went and saw the movie, "Catch Me If You Can." I thought it was a really good movie. Nicely cast.Friday: Janice went to work during the day, so Dad and Rebecca and I hung out at home, met her for lunch, and then did some shopping at a very nice music store accompanied by the stage we had seen "A Christmas Carol" on.Saturday: We watched two movies: "Big Trouble," and "State And Main." "Big Trouble," was pretty funny, and "State And Main," was hilarious, as always.Sunday: We returned home after a very nice week with Dad and Janice, and went off to the airport to pick up Aunt Sue from the airport.Monday: The family and Aunt Sue all headed out to Mason Neck park for a walk through the woods, which was actually quite nice. The park had a playground, and I got to relive childhood memories simply by jumping aimlessly on the bridge-type thing that wobbles when you walk on it. Then we had dinner at Honolulu, an amusingly tacky yet good Polynesian restaurant, and did some sight-seeing at night in Washington D.C.Tuesday: New Years' Eve. I had been told beforehand that the parents were holding an informal gathering, and that I could invite a friend or two. I had decided not to invite anyone and simply tell anybody who asked what I was doing for New Years' that they could stop by if they wanted. Well, Ashley called and wanted to stop by with some peoples...so she did (Daniel, Brian, eventually Alex). Andy and Albert wanted to, so they came by also. Finally, Jen and Kristin also wanted to, so they came, along with Jen's brother Chris. The irony was, the only guest we had besides all these Matt guests was Aunt Sue...it turned out none of my parents' or sister's friends were coming. It was a Matt New Years' Party!We did a bunch of random stuff. At one point we managed to crowd everyone into my bedroom, where Albert, Andy, and I played along to a couple of songs on my computer. We watched the movie, "Spaceballs," and part of, "State And Main." For about the last hour and a half of the party, we went out to the front yard and played Truth or Dare, Mafia, and a few rounds of Duck Duck Goose...and oh yeah, 2003 came. Gosh, good times.Wednesday: We went to an evening performance of "South Pacific." I have to admit it was quite good, though there naturally were some numbers that had me groaning because of their lyrics' sophistication, or lack thereof. Apparently the lead guy voiced the character Gaston in the Beauty And The Beast Disney movie...impressive resume, to say the least.Thursday: Really a pretty quiet day. Seriously.Friday: Aunt Sue had to leave this morning, so Mom and Rebecca and I saw her off at the airport. The sadness at seeing her go was soon replaced, albeit temporarily, by getting to see my friend Sarah (Sidenote: I am currently working on a solo music CD, and she will appear on it as a background vocalist). She and I looked at the songs I have for the project, and she came up with some truly amazing background vocals. I'm excited.Saturday: We had an actual band rehearsal! Screaming Silence rehearsed! We were all there, and David actually had turntables...he is finally actually a DJ in our group. We all learned one of the songs that Andy and I had written over the summer. We also had some pizza and watched how far corks flew when we opened bottles of sparkling cider.Saturday night was also entertaining. We had a planned Beatles Filmfest that quickly became a Semi-Beatles Filmfest because an unnamed friend of mine didn't bring, "Help!" So instead we watched, "A Hard Day's Night," and then, "Shrek." We were perfectly justified in doing this, as shown below:Shrek -> Smash Mouth perform "I'm A Believer"Smash Mouth perform "I'm A Believer" -> "I'm A Believer" originally done by the Monkees"I'm A Believer" originally done by the Monkees -> Monkees a knockoff of the BeatlesMonkees a knockoff of the Beatles -> Beatles' movies include "A Hard Day's Night"The peopleage was good too...Ashley, Karen, Ryan, and Rob came, as well as Rebecca's friend Madeline.Ah, what a winter break it was.Peace

Song Lyrics

OK, dedicated to my friend Huy, here is a song to him that uses the melody of "Hey Jude" by the Beatles. Enjoy, those of you who know him.Peace-"Huy Chu"(To the tune of "Hey Jude" by the Beatles)Huy Chu, why look so sad,You're a master, of all things cynicalRemember, to cut us up with your jokes,Make us all choke, on our violent bellowsHuy Chu, why look so glum,You were made to, cause mass hystericsThe minute, your mind creates repartee,Make no delay, entertaining your fellowsSo let it out, don't hold it in,Huy Chu, chagrin, is caused byDepriving us of laughter'Cause all your jokes are like a beer,We laugh and jeer, and still feel itsStrength, the morning afterNa na na na, na, na na na, na...yeahHuy Chu, don't let us down,Keep us rolling, down all the aislesRemember, your natural wit is refinedSo be inclined, to conjure up smilesSo let it out, don't hold it back,Huy Chu, the fact, is that you've aGift for, wit analysisYou make us all guffaw and roarHuy Chu, much more, would cause usTo laugh into paralysisNa na na na, na, na na na, na...yeahHuy Chu-u-u-u-u-u, don't look so sad,You've got friends in, all the right placesRemember, to share the words in your mindAnd you will find, naught but smiling facesChorus:Na, na na, na na na na, na na na na, Huy ChuNa, na na, na na na na, na na na na, Huy ChuNa, na na, na na na na, na na na na, Huy ChuNa, na na, na na na na, na na na na, Huy Chu(repeat 158 times, interspersed with ad-libbed lyrics with no meaning)(Intermission)(Repeat Chorus 1938 times, interspersed with ad-libbed lyrics with no meaning)-Matthew Scarborough

ESSAY SERIES: Modern Inconveniences. Volume I: The Cellular Phone

I'd like to offer my profound thanks to Alexander Graham Bell for inventing the cellular phone...excuse me. The telephone. If you go into any history classroom in the United States, any student can quote for you, word for word, the historic first sentence Bell spoke to his assistant, Watson, over the ingenious contraption: 'Can you hear me now?'Obviously, the telephone has had an immeasurable effect on modern life. As the telephone's presence expanded across the globe, advertisers found that they could suddenly attempt to peddle their wares to people during their meals at home rather than rely on such tedious mediums as marketplaces or word of mouth. Despite these minor inconveniences, however, telephones have continued to evolve and serve the global culture we find ourselves immersed in.The most modern type of telephone, of course, is the cell phone. Cell phones have been outcried against as the cause of numerous automobile accidents. While many continue to simply advocate suspending use of a cell phone while driving, it is only a matter of time until an entire 100-auto collision is caused by a domino effect of one driver crashing, causing one behind them to dial 911 on their cell phone as they drive, subsequently crashing their own vehicle, in turn causing the motorist behind them to dial 911, and so on and so forth.Cell phones also are facing vast opposition from many members of movie and theater audiences, as well as religious congregations, who stubbornly cling to the outdated desire to actually be able to hear what's being said or presented. One of the top defenses cell-phone users employ in these cases is the question of safety. Fervently they cry, 'How am I to respond if while I'm watching this play, my child sticks his head in the microwave and becomes injured, and his brother needs to call me, and I don't answer because my cell phone is off?' They seem to forget all too easily that somehow the human population has managed to survive these scenarios in the past, without the aid of cell phones. Cell phones may be helpful in emergency cases, but they are certainly not essential to living.Cell phones are also being packaged with loads of extra features, all in a rather crass attempt to sell themselves. Some cell phones have screen savers now. They lack, however, the clever ones that have given screensavers their fame, such as the Flying Toasters. They mainly consist of the phone company's logo bouncing around the screen. When a person observes this, it looks like nothing more than if they were to play a game of Pong where instead of a little white ball, they paddle around an Atari logo. The general consumer public is perfectly capable of capturing the same general aura of the screensavers by making a black sign with white lettering that reads, 'Kiss My ATT,' and waving it around in front of its eyes.Some cell phones have built-in cameras. Naturally, photographers will make a mad rush to use cell phones instead of actual cameras. Families will love it. 'OK, kids, I'm going to take your picture with the cell phone! Smile! Damn it, Frank, the phone is playing Mozart again, and it won't stop!' 'You hit the wrong button! Now we have to call customer service!'Cell phones all have songs now. It's as if there's a requirement by law to have a certain number of songs on a cell phone. One of the services that has recently come about is 'Distinctive Ring,' where the phone rings differently depending on who calls. It's only a matter of time before this feature is replaced on cell phones with 'Distinctive Song.' 'Hmm, my cell phone is playing, 'She's Always A Woman.' Must be my girlfriend.' 'Hmm, my cell phone is playing, 'Funeral March Of A Marionette.' Must be the mother-in-law again.' Soon, cell phones will have only music, and no actual ring sounds anymore. Soon, the day will come when no one will still be alive who remembers the days where the only music immediately associated with a telephone consisted of 1.) hold music, and 2.) playing 'Mary Had A Little Lamb,' on the number keypad.Naturally, it's only a matter of time before more and more cell phones with more and more features come into production. They'll replace regular phones and gain widespread appeal even more profound than their reach already because of all the things they can do. They'll be able to double as garage door openers, car remotes, bug zappers, etc. They'll even double as universal remotes...albeit with automated menus. 'To use the Power button on your TV, please press one...to use the Power button on your DVD player, please press two...to switch the button from Power to Volume, please press three...'Cell phones will eventually be stocked with every conceivable feature except the ability to actually make a phone call. You'll be able to page someone, text message someone, leave a message for someone, send a fax to someone, send nuclear missiles at someone, etc; but you will not be able to call them.When this finally happens, of course, humanity will give her cell phone a long hard look, and think to herself, 'Maybe I should just write a letter instead.'-Matthew Scarborough

Matt Tries His Hand At The Obligatory Survey

Alright, usually I don't do this kind of thing here, but it seems like everyone in the entire world is taking this monstrous survey in their LiveJournals. So without further adieu, here's mine.Peace-*5 Things You Are Wearing*1. socks2. pants3. shirt4. boxers5. jacket*5 Things You Can See* 1. spots2. little birds flying in a circle around my head3. dead people4. time passing and hitting people over the head5. the other side of the rainbow*5 Things You Are Doing Right Now*1. shaking my head2. disbelieving3. waking up4. blinking5. breathing*5 Things You Ate In The Last 24 Hours*1. fries2. burger3. coke4. pizza5. milk*5 Things You Did So Far Today*1. woke up2. checked FCPS website3. cursed hayfield weatherman for predicting snow yesterday4. cursed him again5. filled out this survey*5 Things You Can Hear Right Now*1. my fan2. the sound of the keys on my keyboard3. voices in my head4. the song im trying to write5. my head telling me to go back to sleep*5 Colors You Can See*1. white2. blue3. black4. green5. yellowCAN YOU SING: yesLAST CONCERT YOU ATTENDED: bush league conspiracyLOOKING FORWARD TO ANYTHING?: spring breakPERSON YOU WANT TO BE WITH RIGHT NOW? my friendsCONCERNING THE FRIENDS YOU CLAIM TO HAVE---IMPACTED YOU THE MOST: julieSEE OFTEN: my band friends, jen kristin john josh jenny karen etc.WISH YOU SAW MORE OFTEN: everyoneBEST LAUGH: albertBEST EYES: im not sure, how bout jenny when shes not giving me her psycho grinMOST SARCASTIC: mike or albertALWAYS MAKES YOU LAUGH: everybody, to a certain degreeWISH YOU KNEW BETTER: most of the people who arent in band, who are in chorus or drama or other things, my bandmates in screaming silence, and my long-distance peoples julie and cousins dalena and rachelKNOWS YOU BEST: mattBEST OUTLOOK ON LIFE: oh god...um...albertMOST PARANOID: i don't knowMOST INSIDE JOKES WITH: matt or julieHOPES/PLANS FOR THE FUTURE YOU PROBABLY WON'T HAVE DO YOU PLAN ON HAVING PLASTIC SURGERY: noPUT THESE IN ORDER; HEALTH, HAPPINESS, LOVE: happiness and love are interchangeable to me, but happiness, love, healthWHERE DO YOU WISH TO LIVE: in a houseDO YOU THINK YOU KNOW THE PERSON NOW WHO YOU WILL HAVE CHILDREN WITH LATER: i apparently already have kids with no less than three people, so sureWOULD YOU LIKE TO BE FAMOUS: sureWHAT AGE DO YOU CONSIDER 'OLD': hmm...65WOULD YOU EVER CHANGE YOU FIRST NAME: no, but if i had to, to raulDO YOU SEE YOUR LIFE GETTING BETTER OR WORSE: of course (kind of a stupid question)DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF LUCKY THUS FAR IN LIFE: without a doubtCAN YOU SEE YOURSELF CHANGING MUCH: not really noWOULD YOU ADOPT CHILDREN: sureWHAT IS ONE THING YOU HAVE NOW YOU HOPE YOU WILL STILL HAVE LATER IN YOUR LIFE: my love for musicSELF ANALYSIS YOU MOST LIKELY WON'T WANT TO DO YOUR BIGGEST PHYSICAL FLAW: hmm...being so gangly and unathletic i supposeYOUR BEST PHYSICAL FEATURE: ive been complimented on my eyes and smile before, ill go with eyesYOUR BEST CHARACTERISTIC FEATURE: dedication to making friends feel better, i dont knowYOUR BIGGEST CHARACTERISTIC FLAW: obliviousnessMOST ANNOYING THING YOU DO: im not at liberty to answer this questionBIGGEST MISTAKE YOU'VE MADE THUS FAR: assuming i wouldnt feel bad about somethingDESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY IN ONE WORD: cynicalTOP FIVES-NOT in any specific order TURN ON'S:1] Sense of humor2] Intelligence3] Nice personality4] Loyalty5] call me shallow...BeautyTURN OFF'S: 1] Close-mindedness2] Lack of sense of humor3] Evil personality4] Backstabbing5] StupidityBANDS/MUSICIANS: no order!1] beatles2] system of a down3] staind4] linkin park5] screaming silence (and many more...)SCENTS/SMELLS: 1] pizza2] vanilla3] roses4] more pizza5] rainy airVISUALS: i give upFOODS: 1] pizza2] steak3] chinese4] donuts5] certain fruits and vegetablesFAVORITES COLOR: blueHOLIDAY: any that gets us out of schoolCARTOON: the simpsonsNAILPOLISH COLOR: dont wear itSITCOM CHARACTER: jerry seinfeldPLACE TO BE: with friendsPIERCING ON ANOTHER PERSON: whatever suits themPHYSICAL FEATURE ON ANOTHER PERSON: no ideaSOUND: good musicFEELING: ectasyFACIAL EXPRESSION: cynicalFAVORITE DRINK: milk or cokeCOLOR OF EYES: yellow with purple polka dotsONE THING I LOVE: musicONE THING I LOATHE: close-mindednessADDICTION(S): music, computersTop 5 songs people should give a listen (more, but here are the first to come to mind): 1) The Verve - Bittersweet Symphony2) Staind - It's Been Awhile3) Beatles - Free As A Bird4) Foo Fighters - Learn To Fly5) Sense Field - Save YourselfTop 5 things that turn you on about geeky guys/girls i am one, thus i cant answerTop Five movies of the time 1) State And Main2) Blazing Saddles3) The Ring4) Monty Python And The Holy Grail5) My Big Fat Greek WeddingTop five things people should know about you 1) i'm matt2) i'm sarcastic3) i'm going through a phase of deciding i don't want to change myself simply to please others...i hope it lasts 4) i love music5) i'm jewishFive things on your desk right now 1) computer2) mouse3) keyboard4) headphones5) school stuffTop five things you say the most 1) "peace"2) "long time no speak"3) "oh but...that's the funny thing"4) *talking in asterisks*5) random french phrases

Auld Lang Syne And All That Jazz - Part 1 of 2

Happy 2003. Bust out the sparkling cider.On to the review.My sister and I spent a week with my dad and stepmom. It was downright spiffy.Sunday: A performance of "A Christmas Carol." It was extremely entertaining. Sitting in the aisle seat prompted Scrooge to come up and talk to me three times during the course of the play.1. "It won't kill you to crack a smile, you know." (as the play began)2. "Would you like to go in my place?" (when he had to finally make peace with his nephew)3. "See, it wasn't so bad after all, was it?" (as the play ended)Monday: We went to the International Spy Museum in D.C. Also very interesting. We saw a fascinating video that actually taught us how to pick locks! How's that for a public service announcement? We also learned that George Washington and Benjamin Franklin were spies. Can you imagine what the world would be like if George W. Bush were a spy?Agent Covert: Agent Dubya, do you read me?Agent Dubya: I copy you, Agent Covert. What's our strategery?Agent Covert: Proceed to enemy lines disguised in the native clothes in the trunk of your car. Once you get there, proceed to the pay phone across the street from...Agent Dubya: Ah, forget this, Agent Covert. I'm pressing the button. (Sends nuclear missiles to Iraq)Agent Covert: You just signed your own death warrant, sir. You're right outside the Iraqi border.Agent Dubya: Hmm, well, is there a "Cancel" button on this nuke launcher thingamajig?Tuesday: Christmas Eve. We ate dinner with stepbrothers Blaine and Jeff, Blaine's fiancee Jeannie, her daughter Sydney, and her parents. It was very nice seeing everybody. After that the four of us headed to church for the Christmas Eve service. The best part of that was singing, "Silent Night," by candlelight.Wednesday: Christmas. We opened presents and tried 'em out. I'll post a list later, maybe. We also watched the movie, "Showtime," with Eddie Murphy and Robert De Niro. Hmm. It was half-decent.To be continued...Peace

IM Of The Week (Idea Stolen From KT)

The award goes to Jenny! *applause*This entire conversation, aside from some paranthetical comments, is in different languages, primarily French and Latin. A pat on the back to anyone who can correctly translate this entire thing: Jenny: naw Mr. Fortune: yah Jenny: naw Mr. Fortune: yah Jenny: nein Mr. Fortune: ja Jenny: minime Mr. Fortune: oui Jenny: non Mr. Fortune: si Jenny: nec Jenny: mua i win Mr. Fortune: aloha Jenny: salve Mr. Fortune: shalom Jenny: ita vero Mr. Fortune: (clicks tongue) Jenny: ? Mr. Fortune: (african language) Mr. Fortune: (the one with all tongue clicks) Jenny: hehe Jenny: bonjour Mr. Fortune: qu'est-ce qui se passe? Jenny: minime; tu et molestus et stupidus es Mr. Fortune: oui, mais tu es tres mechante. tu es la chien maintenant Jenny: ita vero? ego non tu credo Mr. Fortune: je ne comprends pas toi quand tu parles latin Jenny: malus; ego non caram tibi do Mr. Fortune: tu es tres interessante, je dois parler Jenny: ego tu mordeo Mr. Fortune: est-ce que tu comprends quoi je parle? Jenny: ita vero; tu stupidus es Mr. Fortune: et toi aussi Jenny: et si carebum vide Mr. Fortune: je suis fatigue, je ne comprends pas quoi tu parles Jenny: nunc tacite! Jenny: quid agis? Mr. Fortune: c'est bebe Mr. Fortune: je ne donne pas une merde maintenant Jenny: tuus problemus, non mihi Jenny: ergo, ego non caram tibi do; latinam tu duceo Jenny: doceo* Mr. Fortune: mais qu'est-ce que tu fais? Mr. Fortune: je ne comprends pas! Jenny: malus! Mr. Fortune: tout tu parles est en latin! Mr. Fortune: je ne parle pas latin! Mr. Fortune: latin est tres agee! Jenny: tu francais malus est! Mr. Fortune: tu ne comprends pas quoi je parle. tu ne sais pas Jenny: karena tu doceo Jenny: ! Mr. Fortune: tu n'as fini pas? Jenny: morde; viceo Mr. Fortune: desole, mais nous ne peulons pas continuer avec le latin Jenny: numquam Mr. Fortune: quoi je peux parler? Jenny: *ridiculo* malus Mr. Fortune: tu ne sais pas la francais Mr. Fortune: d'accord? Jenny: desole, mais nous ne peulons pas continuer avec le francais Mr. Fortune: deja vu!