I have a friend, or an acquaintance (someone who I know but haven't talked to much lately), who is the lead singer for a band.  She's young, only a senior in high school, but I really like the band's sound, and I think you might too.  So without more of my rambling, here it is:


Edit:  I realized that it would be smart to provide a link to the band's MySpace page, so here: http://www.myspace.com/arisenmusic

I don't know about you, but I don't like Vonage.  Yes, they are cheaper for some people who already have an internet connection, but really, it's not worth it.

If you didn't know, I'm 19 and I live with my parents.  Well, my Mom and step father.  So he's the one who pays for this.  He decided to switch to Vonage after he was fed up with his current plan and saw that it was about $20 cheaper for the Vonage service.  At first, it was fine.  Soon, however, my girlfriend noticed a loss in call quality.  She's already on a cell phone, so you can imagine what it might be like.  Since the switch, it's been harder for her to hear me, me to hear her, and whenever I'm downloading, or even just randomly, either of our voices will come through choppy, making it near impossible to hear what the other is saying.  But hey, it's $20 a month right?  But there's more!  "Not possible!" you say?  I tell you it is!  Every once in a fairly long while, maybe once a month...for me anyway, the call will just drop.  Then I try to call back, and the Vonage box tells me in this nice voice that the Vonage service is out, and to check my connection to the internet.  BLAME SHIFTING!  My internet works fine.  But there's another thing.  Sometimes the internet DOES go out, so no calls when that happens.  Oh and what happens if the power goes out?  The Vonage box needs power, so no power, no phone.  As opposed to the typical phone line, which doesn't seem to ever go down and supplies the phone with all the power it needs.

Basically, I'm to the point where I'm telling my girlfriend that we should both get decent webcams and chat that way because the quality is much higher.  Last night I was on with a friend, using my low quality webcam built into my notebook (which is why i want a decent one), and she sounded great on hers.  At the same time, I'm on the phone with my girlfriend, and I have to ask her to repeat herself multiple times.  This friend was talking rather quiet too because it was...well, sometime past 12.

Granted, webcams aren't as portable as the modern cordless phone, but perhaps there are hidden benefits.  Perhaps webcams will produce a better conversation, forcing us to sit in one place instead of running around.  It's WAY easier to judge whether or not someone's being sarcastic or not by seeing facial expressions.  We both love sarcasm, but we seem to be horrible at figuring out if the other is being sarcastic.  So this might solve some of that confusion.  Also, we'll be able to see if the other is talking to a family member, and if so, be able to see when the conversation is over between them.  So this might help if we ever did it.  Just throwing it out there.

But yeah, Vonage is NOT the way to go.  Old school phone lines with a corded phone actually are the most secure and highest quality call you can get.  (in case you have snooping neighbors or something)  I'm one of those people that would rather have a quality, reliable product instead of something that's not guaranteed to work, even if that means paying a little more for it.  Except with computers.  I can fix problems I run in to, so that's fine.  But I can't go fix the Vonage server.

So I'm at my local YMCA, on the eliptical. Technically it's a Y express. Gotta love iPods. Anyway I'm here and I was thinking about all of the different exercises and if they are actually effective or if there are more effective techniques. I use the set of machines and the treadmill or the eliptical. Typically I get an hour and a half in up to two hours, four times a week. I definitely see progress in myself, but i'm wondering if I'm wasting my energy or if this is a good as it gets. I exercise Monday through Thursday, and I alternate upper and lower body, upper body on Monday and Wednesday, then lower body on Tuesday and Thursday. I run those days and walk Monday and Wednesday.

I've heard that natural exercises, ones that utilize muscles through more practical motions such as curls adn push-ups, are better for you. I want to try, but i dont know how to do all the exercises and i get mixed results from google searches. So I guess I'm asking you, as I tend to do here, what you think and what works for you.

I'm actually sweating pretty good right now. I should use the eliptical more often. TMI?

Here's another thing. I eat too much. My body can compensate, as I have a high metabolism, but I know it's not healthy. Any of you who tend to eat 'well', how do you keep it going? I've thought about reduced portions or one less meal, but what curbs the cravings?

Actually I've read that I should make breakfast the biggest meal of the day and that combined with a quick morning workout helps boost metabolism and staves off hunger. True?

Ultimately I'm not TOO concerned, it's a lot of curiosity, and I do want to stay healthy.


So Easter's coming up. Random? I guess. Easter time in America means a big meal, but more importantly, chocolate of all sorts, some with peanut butter, some with almods, cherries, and anyrhing else. There goes your diet. I love jelly beans too. Not my absolute favorite, though I hardly have a favorite candy. I plan on spreading the candy eating out over the next month...I hope.

So Easter's upon us. What does it mean to you? Spiritual? Tradition? Another Christian conspiracy that breaches the seperation of church and state set forth by our founders for being a national holiday? Would anyone complain about getting the day off of work anyway?

Myself? I am a Christian. That's my lifestyle. Easter is a great celebration of my Lord and Savior. Now for those few of you reading this who don't agree, don't worry. You won't see me annoying you by telling you how much you need him. I will write a blog here and there about my faith, but I wont spam you personally. That's your choice. Anyway, I love the whole season. People's spirits lift, and the children love it. Who didn't like hunting for baskets full of delicious assortments of candy? I sure loved it.

My grandmother, who is unfortunately quite dead now, used to hide them in the best spots. She left a long trail of notes we had to follow, which provided clues to our next destination. It was exciting. The knowledge that a basket stuffed with goodies was waiting for me would have had me searching all day if that's what it took. The candy was always too good, and more than my parents wished it was, but hey, it's only once a year right?

Ever eat white chocolate? You know, the candy veraion of Eminem. Nothing like what it ckaims to be, but strangely popular anyway. Well, one day I was nibbling on a solid white chocolate bunny, and suddenly it was all gone. Needless to say, soon after it was on the pavement. Since then I havent eaten quite as much of it. Wonder why...

Well, it's been 40 minutes. Time to get off.

This will be the first blog typed from and sent from my iPod. I'll probably have to edit tags after it's up. Hoping it works.