Video Games Made Me a Better Musician? AKA Dexter's Dexterity

I just finished reading a fascinating book about video games called Grand Theft Childhood: The Surprising Truth about Violent Video Games and What Parents Can Do by Lawrence Kutner, PhD, and Cheryl K. Olson, ScD. Essentially it's all about the effect video games have on children, and whether or not they are a bad influence. Spoiler alert: they're not. But anyway, you should read the book if you're interested.

But a section towards the end sparked my interest in another way. It talked about how some athletic kids will play sports games, see a move on the screen, and then go practice it. The video game itself didn't teach the kids the move because doing it with your fingers and doing it with you're feet are two completely different things, but it still motivated the kid to go master it.

But you know what is extremely similar to playing video games? Playing the harp.

Hear me out.

Video games are all about finger dexterity. Whether you're using a controller or a keyboard, you have to move your fingers in very specific directions and for very specific amounts of time. I grew up playing flash platforms on the computer, moving around with WASD as well as using other buttons to sprint, attack, use items, etc. etc. It's taken me a long time to get used to using controllers, but essentially they're the same as well. You train yourself to use specific fingers for specific buttons, and eventually you don't have to think about it anymore.

The same goes with simple typing: after a while you don't have to think about the exact location of a key before you press it. I'm going to toot my own horn and say that I am a fantastic typer. I haven't speedtested myself in a while, but I average about 104 words per minute. I love typing. I love the sound of the keys and the feel of them under my fingertips, and how words just magically appear on the screen. It's awesome and satisfying (especially since I always had such bad handwriting).

Playing the harp, as well as the piano and perhaps other instruments, is also all about finger dexterity. You have to be able to move your fingers independently of each other. Your right hand is playing a melody and your left hand is playing accompanying notes that might be in a completely different pattern. I know, I know, it's not exactly the same as a video game. But it uses a lot of the same skills.

So does that mean that a pro-gamer could jump on the harp and be a master? Not necessarily. Other things are required. The same goes for gaming: just because you're good at the harp doesn't mean you'll be good at video games.

BUT.

I've got a crazy proposition for you. Video games might be a way for a child (or adult) to practice dexterity that could also be used for musical instrumentation. Maybe it wouldn't actually work, but it's a thought. An interesting concept to keep floating around the world.

All of this comes from the fact that I'm good at finger dexterity, whether it's applied to typing, video games, or harping. I have no idea if dexterity learned from one specific area could be applied to something different, but I don't think it should immediately be naysayed. Kids who think they suck at something, and yet excel in video games, shouldn't be encouraged to consider themselves failures. No, they may not be able to make a living off of video games. But a LOT of skill goes into gaming, and a LOT of that skill can be used outside of the game world.

This post is all over the place. I'm trying to be inspirational and scientific at the same time.

Do what you love and give yourself credit where you deserve it and play video games and play music and go crazy and try new things and find ways to turn what you love into something amazing and yeah that's all folks.

--Dexter

Wizard of Oz Music

So my two favorite classic children's stories are Alice In Wonderland and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. "Alice" is currently getting a lot of attention, what with the recent live action movie and tons of music inspired by the stories and movies. But "Oz" is a little quieter. It's kind of sad. So, naturally, I took it upon myself to accumulate as many "Oz" songs as possible and I discovered that there is no internet list of Oz songs. None. Nowhere. It's shameful.

I certainly don't expect to have found all the "Oz" songs in one night, but I certainly will go ahead and share these with you.

Home by Breaking Benjamin has actually been a favorite song of mine for a long time, and it was the only "Oz" inspired song I'd ever heard. It's amazing, so you should definitely look it up.

Don't Wake The Scarecrow by the Felice Brothers is pretty lame. It's pretty boring to listen to, and when you actually pay attention the lyrics you're just kind of like, "...aaaawkward..."

Return To Oz by The Scissor Sisters, on the other, is actually pretty cool. The Scissor Sisters usually have some rather strange music, but this song is a keeper.

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John is the first Elton John song I've really liked. Go figure.

Old Yellow Bricks by Arctic Monkeys is very good. I've been an Arctic Monkeys fan for a while, and yet I'd never heard of this song, which is a shame.

Yellow Brick Road by Kris Delmhorst is very good. It's gorgeous, and ridiculously obscure.

And Your Little Dog Too by Hannah Fury was actually inspired by the book Wicked (which I don't recommend), but it goes fine with the original "Oz" and is very awesome and creepy anyway.

It Was Her House That Killed Nessarose also by Hannah Fury is just as creepy as "Little Dog", though not quite as good.

Those are all the "Oz" songs I've been able to find and listen to. A few others popped up during my search, but I could never find an actual version to listen to, so I don't know if they're real songs or not. But I'm not giving up my search!

--Persy

All-Time Favorite Songs In Alphabetical Order Part One

iTunes may come with a Top 25 Most-Played playlist, but that certainly doesn't ecompass my actual favorite songs of all time. So since an All-Time Favorites playlist is a must-have, I made one, and here I am to tell you all about it.

Of course, at the moment it has 52 songs, so we'll go over them all in sections so I can do each song justice.

And since it'd be impossible to order them in a best-to-least-best fashion, we're going alphabetically by song title.

First up is Alligator Sky by everyone's favorite pop band, Owl City. I believe that the latest Owl City album, All Things Bright And Beautiful, is the closest thing to perfection on Earth that there ever can be. The only thing it needs is a slow, mournful song. Alligator Sky (played 46 times) is a more upbeat tune complete with a rapper (a never before-heard occurence for Owl City songs), and this is probably the only rapper cameo I like. Alligator Sky talks about rockets and space travel and imagination and it's just so...beautiful.

Next is Already Home by another of my favorite bands, Thousand Foot Krutch. Already Home (played 66 times) is definitely one of their most beautiful songs, full of mournful contrasts such as, "The trouble with peace is it never fights, the trouble with love is it's always blind", and the whole first minute of the song is composed of a heartbreaking ensemble of string instruments. There's something so piercing about a violin, especially in a rock song (Skillet, anyone?).

I'm not really a Josh Groban fan, but Bells Of New York City gets me every time. Maybe it's the fact that I first heard it in ballet class with my favorite teacher and one of my favorite combinations ever. But anyway, "Bells" (played 30 times) is a bit mournful and feels like a lonely winter night spent in an unknown city full of strangers. So, naturally, I love it.

Boulevard of Broken Dreams was the first Green Day song I ever heard (unfortunately, it gave me the wrong impression about the band), and it's still one of my favorite songs ever. Like "Bells", it brings to mind a lonely tale of a traveler in unfamiliar cities. "Boulevard" (played 104 times) has been a favorite for a very long time.

On the other hand, we have Clean Up Your Eyes by the little-known Scottish band The Dykeenies (yes, they are named after the creatures in Willow). This song (played 41 times) has many fond memories, from the music video of one of my favorite movies (The Girl Who Leapt Through Time) to using it as an alarm during my Ireland trip. It bursts into life, with Brian Henderson singing out, "Clean up your eyes, and I'll dance alone with you in daytime!" Its a shame all their other songs are crap.

I happened upon Collide by Howie Day only a few months ago by accident, but since then it's become a big favorite. Another slightly melancholy song (are you detecting a trend?), Collide (played 44 times) talks about mistakes and misunderstandings, but how "I somehow find, you and I collide". I think what really made it awesome for me is the line, "Even the wrong words seem to rhyme".

I've always been a bit of a Plumb fan, but the only song I'll listen to repeatedly is Cut. If you thought the other songs were miserable, wait till you hear this one. The story of a depressed girl who only manages to feel anything at all when she cuts herself. It's a heartbreaking story, but Cut (played 50 times) does have a happy ending.

It's rare that I like an acoustic version better than the original, but Die Trying (acoustic) by Art of Dying is so. beautiful. The original version is a rock song completely with electric guitars and hard drumbeats, but the acoustic version (played 24 times) turns it into a beautiful ballad. Whereas the original has a determined tone under the lines "I will die trying", the acoustic holds a promise. "If it takes forever, I will die trying."

Owl City returns again with Dreams Don't Turn To Dust. I love this one (played 29 times) because it's reassuring, promising dreamers everywhere that "Dreams don't turn to dust." It also voices some of my own recurring thoughts with the lines, "I'm sad to see you go, but I'd rather be alone."

So remember that British guy, Alex Day, who read Twilight? Well, he's also a musician, and he recently released Forever Yours (which reached #4 in the UK charts! Go Alex!). I trully love this song (played 44 times). A song of friendship or love, whichever you choose, is like a conversation. "It will be forever mine, and it will be forever yours, that we own the night and it can't be undone. We'll never forget how it feels to be young."

What do you know, Owl City's back again! Galaxies really does talk about space travel. "Armor the airlock, blanket the bed rock, kiss the planet goodbye!" And then you actually get to space, and you get lost! "Dear God, I was terribly lost, when the galaxies crossed, and the sun went dark." But don't worry, you find home. "Dear God, you're the only North Star, I would follow this far." (played 31 times)

I understand that Good Charlotte is known for being bad, but I kind of like them. And I love Harlow's Song (Can't Dream Without You). It's quite possibly one of the most beautiful songs. Ever. "Harlow" (played 60 times) is most definitely a love song (or possibly stalker, but we won't go there), with the dream-like lyrics and chorus, "I don't wanna live this life without you, I don't wanna spend the night without you, I don't wanna know what it's like. I can't dream without you."

If you know me, you know there are two classic stories I'm a sucker for. Alice In Wonderland and Wizard of Oz. While I have plenty of Alice songs, so far Home by Breaking Benjamin is the only Oz one I've found. And it's awesome. It tells the story of Dorothy and her friends of Oz, even going from black and white to full technicolor. Home (played 70 times) also adds a more sinister take to the four Oz characters, with the last lines, "I don't wanna be bold. I don't wanna be cold. I don't wanna grow old. I don't wanna go home."

The next one is also called Home, but, unfortunately, Three Days Grace aren't explicitly referring to Oz. This Home (played 116 times) is an angry song about not having a home, only a miserable little house. "I'll be coming home, just to be alone."

I like most of Florence + The Machine's songs equally, but Howl is even more haunting than the rest. I also can't help but associate it with Howl's Moving Castle. It's hard to beat Florence's voice, and Howl (played 30 times) shows of her talent perfectly. I also get the feeling it's about werewolves, "You are the moon that breaks the night for which I have to howl."

I'll be going through more of my favorites later!

--Persy

Top 25 Most Played Songs

iTunes comes with a Top 25 Most Played playlist, and every few months I like to look at mine and see how it's changed since the last time I checked. These days, it doesn't change much because my ultimate favorite songs have settled into their roles, and since I continue to listen to them, they stay there. But sometimes I look at a song and wonder, "Why did I listen to this song so many times?" So here I am, explaining why I've listened to these songs so many times, and why I will probably listen to them again and again and again.

My #1 most played song, having been played 174 times, is Savin' Me by Nickelback. I'm not sick of it yet. There's something so striking about those first few chords before Chad Kroeger's voice mourns, "Prison gates won't open up for me". As it is with most of Nickelback's slower songs, the lyrics and music are just absolutely beautiful, and it's one of those songs that makes me just stop and smile for a minute. It's also one of those songs that makes me wonder why so many people hate Nickelback with such a vengeance.

My #2 most played song with 149 plays is, strangely, Tainted Love by Soft Cell. I don't know how this song got to #2. I mean, I love the song, but...It's just trange. I was introduced to this song by a 2005 episode of Doctor Who, so it's held fond memories, but that's hardly the whole story. It's got a catchy beat and is fun to sing along with, but...I still don't know why I listened to it 149 times.

My #3 most played song, at 146 plays, is Free by Vast. I can understand this song's placement. I love it. Vast is awesome in general, and the distant cry in the beginning of the song, followed by the sharp electric guitar, is a perfect beginning. The lyrics have attitude as well, and it doesn't hurt that they fit a few of my characters perfectly.

My #4 most played song has also been played 146 times, and is also by Vast. Here starts out slow and quiet, but gets plenty loud later on. The lyrics are amazing, and this is the song where Jon Crosby holds a note for over ten seconds. Whenever I sing along, I see if I can hold it as long as he can, but I never do.

My #5 most played song, played 145 times, is Why Don't You & I by Santana Feat. Alex Band (not the Chad Kroeger version). This song always, always, always, always makes me grin like an idiot and want to dance around. The lyrics are so sweet and the tune so catchy and fun that I can't help but listen to it over and over.

My #6 most played song, Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls, has been played 143 times. This was probably the first GGD song I ever heard, and it's still my favorite. It's so sad and beautiful and it always sounds like John Rzeznik is pouring his heart out into the words. I know I am when I sing along.

I've listened to my #7 most played song 141 times, and that's just counting on iTunes, because there was a time when they played Fireflies by Owl City all the time on the radio. While not my favorite Owl City tune, Fireflies is still amazing, and those first bubbling notes are charming in such a way that very few people can resist it. And let's not forget Adam Young's amazing voice and nack for spectacular song-writing in general.

My #8 most played song, currently at 138 plays, went on a hiatus a while back because I could sick of the first few aggresive guitar chords, and it still managed to stay on my Most Played Playlist. I'm talking about Sound Of Madness by Shinedown, the song with one of my favorite lines, "You can sleep with a gun, when you gonna wake up and fight?"

My #9 most played song also takes breaks every now and then, because Fake It by Seether is a song I've listened to for so many years that occassionally I get a little sick of it. But I've still listened to the catchy rock song 135 times, so it must be pretty awesome.

My #10 most played song is another by the Goo Goo Dolls, but it's not been played 132 times because it's sad and beautiful. Slave Girl is catchy and gritty, with the voice of rougher voice of Robby Takac instead of John Rzeznik. Normally I prefer Rzeznik, but I can't imagine Slave Girl being sung by anyone but Takac. it's a really short song, too, which is probably why I've listened to it so many times.

My #11 most played song is my favorite Owl City song. Vanilla Twilight is beautiful, sad, and hopeful. I once listened to it and only it for a day when I was sick, and I also choreographed a dance to it, which probably contributes it it being played 125 times.

My #12 most played song is another short one, and has been played 122 times. The very first AFI song I ever heard (on Smallville), Prelude 12/21 is haunting and creepy, the recurring line, "Kiss my eyes and lay me to sleep", always giving me chills. Plus it's always seemed like this song makes Davey Havok's voice sound amazing (of course, it always is, even when he's screaming).

My #13 most played song is Mr. Brightside by The Killers, played 121 times. The catchiest Killers song, and it gets points for using the word 'lullabies' (which I have some strange fascination with) and finding a word that it rhymes with (alibis).

My #14 most played song is another song I listened to a lot at one time but is still on the playlist. Supermassive Black Hole by Muse has been played 120 times, and is probably one of the most epic songs ever. It's been featured on both Supernatural and the Twilight movie (or at least, it was on the soundtrack. I can't actually remember if it was ever in the movie), so Muse got exposed to all kinds of people. It's hard to beat Matthew Bellamy's voice.

My #15 most played song has only been played 118 times, but sometimes it starts to get a bit old. Not for too long, though. True Romance is easily my favorite She Wants Revenge song. It starts out with some quirky notes (synthesized?) that lead into Justin Warfield's unique voice singing, "Open your eyes and see me", which, while not obviously dark and edgy, further lead into an angsty song of awesomeness.

I admit it, my #16 most played song is Lady Gaga, Just Dance. But c'mon, Just Dance is super catchy, and I myself love to dance, so hey, of course I've listened to it 116 times.

My #17 most played song has been played 115 times, and it'll probably keep on moving up the list. Open Wounds is my favorite Skillet song, which is saying something since all of their songs are so awesome. The beginning is just so amazing that you can't help but listen to the whole song of angry-but-sad-and-confused lyrics.

My #18 most played song has also been played 115 times, but since it used to be higher up in the playlist, it might not be as much of a favorite anymore. Yet another Vast song, Somewhere Else To Be is an old favorite with customarily haunting Vast lyrics, and Jon Crosby displays his amazing talent some more.

My #19 most played song is more Lady Gaga, and usually I like Starstruck even more than Just Dance, but Starstruck, at 114 plays, has never quite caught up with Just Dance. I have a strange obsession with songs mentioning stars (even if they don't really have anything to do with stars), and since Starstruck also has a good beat, I've listened to it quite a lot.

My #20 most played song is more Nickelback, and I'm surprised there's a 19-song gap between Nickelback songs on this list. But I've only listened to Far Away 114 times, and it's not even my second-favorite Nickelback song, so there you go. Far Away is sad, lovely ballad that again asks the question, why do so many people hate Nickelback?

My #21 most played song finally brings up Thousand Foot Krutch, one of my favorite bands. I don't think I could pick a favorite TFK song, but since I've listened to Fire It Up 112 times, this song must be one of them. Trevor McNevan's voice coupled with hard electric guitar and moments of soft piano with hushed whispers makes this song EPIC.

My #22 most played song brings us back to AFI, and what might be considered as Prelude 12/21's conclusion. I've only listened to Miss Murder 111 times, which is a bit sad, considering how awesome the song is. Not only does Davey Havok (who, by the way, has the best name ever) get to display his gorgeous voice, he also gets to scream. It's got a catchy beat and one of the best choruses ever: "Hey, Miss Murder, can I, hey, Miss Murder, can I..."

My #23 most played song has also been played 111 times, but I think I prefer Miss Murder to Blue Foundation's Eyes On Fire, however awesome the latter may be. Eyes On Fire is creepy in all the right ways, and is hard to sing along with because of the all the perfect rhymes (which is hard to do if you're not Danish.

My #24 most played song also has 111 plays. Walk Away From The Sun by Seether is an old favorite (though maybe not as old as Fake It), and is full of angst and portrays a picture of a weary, morally-blurred traveler finally giving up on hope... Oh, is it just me who sees that?

And my #25 most played song is Just Like You by Three Days Grace, 110 plays. It's curious that Three Days Grace hasn't come up before, since they're one of my all-time favorite bands, but there you are. Just Like You is probably my favorite though, from the good old days (just kidding, I only really like 3 songs from TDG's first album).

The last few songs tend to fluctuate all the time, switching around between Three Days Grace, Seether, Nickelback, Atmosphere, and, strangely, Alexi Murdoch and Adam Lambert.

And that's my Top 25 Most Played Playlist as of 9/29/11. No doubt the last few songs will be different in a month or two, but I have no doubt that Savin' Me will always be on top. I never get tired of that song.

Romance - Just Add Water!

So there's this article containing the recipe for a hot guy.

http://blog.figment.com/2011/09/12/jennifer-knight-shares-her-recipe-for-a-hot-guy/

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHA *wipes tears from eyes, chuckles some more*

This is just so entertaining. I giggled the whole time while reading it, grinning from ear to ear at the fantabulous advice. Muscles like marble (statuesque hot guy), abs like mountains (reeeally tall hot guy), and biceps that'll pull your eye out (...do his biceps have tentacles?)!

So far my mental image is of a hundred foot tall statue with tentacles. He-ello, sexy.

For a more serious view of this super-entertaining recipe, check out my friend May May's article:

http://cactusmaye.tumblr.com/post/10154218476/smoldering-cliches-and-mixed-metaphors

Obviously, Miss Jennifer Knight's recipe irritated dear May May. That's understandable, and I suppose I would've been on a rampage too if I'd been in a different frame of mind upon first reading it. As it was, I just giggled and chuckled appreciatively, treating it like a good joke rather than serious advice. If budding authors do take this seriously, the world will end and I will eat my laughter.

May May manages to go through the whole 'recipe' while including better advice and ties it all up with a great metaphor, so reading her article is actually meaningful whereas Miss Knight's is really only good for a good laugh (sorry, Miss Knight...). May May's right about the personality issue, but we have to keep in mind that this is a recipe for a hot guy. Not a good guy.

So I say read both articles. First Miss Knight's, then May May's. They're both pretty awesome for completely different reasons.

On an unrelated note, how about that Marilyn Manson music video directed by Shia Labeouf? AKA, Shia The Beef. Dear Mr. Beef, Holes is one of my favorite movies and you're a decent actor, but I am now terrified of you. Signed Anonymous because I don't want you knowing my name.

--Persy

I Would Totally Buy That Audiobook, And I Don't Even Like Books On Tape.

So if you know me at all, you know I'm what you'd call a "Twilight-Hater". This, however, is not true. I like Twilight. I don't like the Twilight saga. New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn are just awful. Terrible. Not fit for print. Gag. Okay, so New Moon and Eclipse weren't THAT bad, but Breaking Dawn was just the last straw. If Twilight had just ended with Bella getting vampified, things would've been fabulous, and they wouldn't have had to worry about the werewolves, the evil vampires, or the horrifying mutant baby with an equally atrocious name.

But I digress.

Anyway, I like Twilight, but I also love to hate it and like to make fun of it. Hence, my immense enjoyment of the Alex Reads Twilight videos on YouTube.

Alex Day is a British vlogger, also a musician, most well known (in my opinion) for Chameleon Circuit, his trock band (trock = rock + Doctor Who/TARDIS). Coincidentally, Chameleon Circuit just released a new album that you should go listen to as soon as you watch all of the Alex Reads Twilight Videos.

The Alex Reads Twilight videos are just what they say they are: Alex reading Twilight. He decides to read Twilight, and he makes a video for every chapter, sometimes reading directly from the book. It is awesome. Here's the link to the first video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L253VLwH3w

Once you finish that (and once you've listened to Chameleon Circuit's new album), make sure to check out his other videos, plus the ones of his friends (and Chameleon Circuit's other band members) Liam (littleradge on YouTube) and Charlie (charlieissocool on YouTube). It's good stuff.

--Persy