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| Got myself a job interview this wednesday for Late Night Kirby...and i'm HELLA pumped for that.
Um...Alchemy Index Vols. 3 and 4 are streaming on Thrice's myspace and the album comes out tomorrow in stores. Be sure to check that out seeing as its the second half to my 2007 album of the year. You know its good then!
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| Alright, lets get down to business here. I haven't updated since I was a wee little 18 year old. I'm on to bigger and better things now, like being 19!
You all may be wondering, "What is that Zac Roorda kid doing with his life theese days?" Well, lucky for you, thats what i'm here to answer!
With only 6 weeks left of my first year of the wonderful college experience (and what an experience it is!) I've already had to start planning for the next year's festivities including Housing, A possible job on campus, fall semester's schedule and all that fun stuff that is associated with it all.
Lets start with my impression of the main reason we go to college for, classes, are. I honestly think that college is no different from highschool in a strictly course-work standpoint. I can't find any major differences between what I could take in college and what I was able to take in highschool, apart from the schedule being different day to day but that doens't affect the course at all. Sure, the courses move faster, but I'm pretty sure everyone is able to keep up seeing as highschool pulled you through everything at a monotonous pace. So to anyone scared at what college will be like...think of it as highschool but you live in a huge house with all of your friends who just happen to distract you from your homework and somehow always have something much more exciting to do than doing work. Yeah, that seems like a decent analogy.
So, now we move on to housing for next year. I'm really excited about this one too. Me and 5 other friends (all of us are from seperate towns) found a house that we are going to lease about a block and a half away from campus. We've already gone through the lease agreement and paid our downpayment, so now all we do is wait for the current residents to move out and our lease starts on the first of June. Have no fear Farmington, I will be home all summer. I'm not planning on moving in fully until mid August, but that does mean if you are in Duluth sometime, you are free to come have a bbq or crash for the night. Oh yeah, the house is blue and cream colored and sort of looks like a cake.
I'm also looking into a job on campus next year as part of the Late Night Kirby staff. For all you non-UMDers (which is everyone but peter basicly) Late Night Kirby is the orginization that hold FREE events every Tuesday, Wednesday and occasionaly Friday nights. They typically have bands play, craft nights, movies, card tournaments, etc. Over the many many many events I've gone to held by LNK, I made friends with the main coordinator lady, Bre and she suggest that I applied for LNK. I'm really hoping that I get this job since it pays to do something that I would't mind doing for free and I am already attending a majority of the events, so why not help out in the behind scenes. So uh..yeah, wish me luck!
Anyways..I feel like I'm getting really long winded about something you could all care less about, but whatever. The people here at UMD are just awesome. I love all the friends I've made. College is just this huge melting pot of great people with a wide range of intrests. And now that it's spring and getting nice outside, the "beach" is alive again which is always awesome.
So uh...yeah! Take it easy peoples. I'll try to be less sporadic about updating this, but then again i've said that a few times before.
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| Saying goodbye to a great friend is one of the hardest things to do. I'm sure that everyone has had a tremendous loss in their lives at some time or another. Well...just this last Sunday I (the day before heading back to school) watched my kitty die. Now, anyone who has ever seen my cat knows that he is a big fella and probably one of the chillest cats around. People who normally don't like cats in general loved Lucky. Anyways, when I came home for winter break Lucky had been acting a bit strange and open mouth breathing. He wasn't his normal, cuddly self, however he would purr out of control around me...he wouldn't jump up and sit with you as much. Lucky's final day with us was nothing out of the ordinary, just that morning he had been walking around and lounging like his normal self. My sister had decided to give the cat a bath since he was extremely dandruffy and we were going to take him in to the vet within the next week since my dad had sat by a vet on his plane ride to Dallas and told my dad that he thought Lucky had a form of asthma. Just a few minutes after my sister had started shampooing the cat, Lucky got scared and started to panic (which was normal for him with baths). Lucky bit my sister several times trying to escape and seriously injured her. We think that because of his asthma recently that during this whole panic, he had a heart attack. All of this happened while I was in the living room as well as the only other person home besides my sister. My sister started screaming because of the bites on her hand and arm and ran out of the laundry room to get a towel and was pretty upset. I followed her back into the laundry room to make sure she was alright. Liz let out a scream since the cat was just laying in the sink gasping for breath...
I had watched my beloved pet die right in front of me. Lucky took his last breath and just lied there motionless.
My sister was in the biggest panic of her life because of the injuries on her arm and hands as well as the thought that she had killed our cat. I did what any big brother would do and helped my sister clean her wounds and attempt to calm her down. I called my dad and let him know of the situation at hand. While all of this was happening I tried my best to project that I was calm so my sister wouldn't be scared any more than she already was. Once my dad came home we placed Lucky in a trash bag together which really sent my emotions through the roof. We took another look at my sisters wounds and decided to take her to Urgent Care in case of infections.
That really ends the whole story of Lucky dying and having all of that happen on my last day in Farmington. I was really glad that I was home at the time, both in that being able to see my cat go (as apposed to just being informed) and that I was around to help my sister out. I'm not really sure how that all would have gone down if there had been no one else at home during that incident. And as much as my sister annoys me time to time, I really feel great about how I acted in this situation as the big brother role (something I'm glad that Alex has been to me as well).
Our family got lucky about 10 years ago when my sister wanted a kitty. At her preschool there was a litter of cats that were being given out for free so that they would have a good home. My mother told my sister to pick out one and name it. She chose a beautiful calico cat and named her Princess. After Liz had chosen Princess, there was only a few more kittens left in the litter and my mom had allowed Liz to pick one more. Princess' brother, the adorable black kitten with 3 white spots on his belly was her second round choice. This kitten was named Lucky because he was extremely lucky to have come home with my mom and sister. The two kittens were both the size of about two fists, roughly, and the most adorable kittens in the world. Princess was dainty and loved to play with people's hair while Lucky was a rambunctious little guy who loved to wrestle (moving your hand underneath a blanket with him on top attack it was his favorite). Princess died about a year or two later from not eating and was found dead in the morning by my mom with Lucky standing by her side the whole time. Lucky had lost his sister at a really young age. We got another cat, Star after a few more years but everyone hated her and she was nothing but a walking furrball that peed on things so we gave her to the animal shelter. Lucky was on his own with our family again and we decided that he was fine by himself. Lucky was always one to jump up on your lap, purr as loud as the dryer, and let you know when you needed to pay attention to him. It was really heartbreaking to see him leave us. My mom had always said she wanted to get rid of him so she could get a puppy but we all know she really loved him. She had even told me that I could bring him to college with me if I put him in a fish tank and said he was a "catfish".
I'm sorry that this was such a long post, especially when it was just about my cat. But I finally felt ready to write about this and I even got teary-eyed during this whole typing. Recollecting on all the great times I've had with Lucky I really miss him, but I know it was probably his time to go.
 
RIP: Lucky Roorda
Oct. 1997- Jan. 2008
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| For how much I really enjoy the way things are going now, I sure do think in the future far too often. For example; Lately I have been imaging life on my own, living by myself in a small apartment or renting a room in a condo, having only what I need to survive and be content with myself. Wanting to have a room for my music whether that be listening or creating, just a room where I could escape from the hustle and chaos of the working life. Having a hobby that is unique for myself, something that I can do as a means of letting it all go (I know that seems like the whole music thought, but to me, its not). Cooking for myself is another thing that I wish I could try. My background with food is more than enough to be sufficient and I'll always have a springboard with my mother only a phone call away. Having an adult friend. This one seems hard to explain, but think about your parents...do they have a friend who they see often or go out with other than work acquaintances? I don't think that I see my father ever call up a buddy and watch a sporting game, hit up a bar, talk...anything other than the seldom times his old college room mate comes down to see a concert with him. Anyways, what i'm saying could all be disclaimed since my father is 44 years old and has 2 "adult" boys and a teenage daughter, but what I want is a friend. I want more than anything in the world...is to be sufficient for myself.
I'm sorry for this all being so scatter-brained and whatnot but there isn't much else to do at 5 in the morning.
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| Merry Christmas everyone!!!! My Present to you is my annual Top 10! This year’s top 10 was probably my most difficult to ever create since I acquired a ton of new artists and really broadened my musical horizons. Having a list of about 75 albums (with a bunch missing that I was aware of) made the process of selecting my top 10 a more than one person thing (a lunchtime activity). To be fair to everyone, I’ll post this list just so that you can see what I was dealing with and maybe you can check a few things out from that list (explosions in the sky, 1997, god is an astronaut, kaddisfly, !!!, and many more). I also noticed that the past two years I’ve neglected to write a little something about the albums I chose…so that is back this year along with album covers. Also, did anyone really listen to Mae’s new album…I sort of forgot that it came out?
Anyways..here you go!
10. Dustin Kensrue – Please Come Home
Solo project from Thrice singer gone in a step towards folk and blues. Lyrics are nothing less than heartfelt and thought evoking coming from Kensrue with melody lines that compliment perfectly (surprisingly Dustin’s voice almost seems like it was meant for this style and truly shines on this disc). A great release for eager thrice fans after the success of vheissu.
9.Minus Story – My Iron Truss
Minus Story is a small indie band from Kansas that really pack a punch in their sound. They focus their sound around a solid beat with guitar effects littering the place to really accentuate the vocal lines. I really can’t say much more about the album without you having heard it...
 
8. Sigur Rós– Hvarf Heim
The newest release from the Icelandic post-rock band is a double disc mainly comprised of b-sides and unreleased tracks. This cd was originally the soundtrack to their 2002 documentary “Hlemmur” and was released just after their dvd “Heima” to promote the movie. The songs are nothing different than what you would expect to hear from Siggy…and if you don’t know the sound, well, it is very heartfelt and emotional, calming music all sung in a hybrid made up language.
7.The Honorary Title – Scream and Light up the Sky
Scream is the sophomore release from this New York indie band. Once a duo project, Honorary Title has enlisted the help of two other musicians to really up their capabilities and you can really tell the maturity and growth within the lyrics. All around, a much needed release to really get the ball rolling for the band. I’m having trouble expressing how great of an album this is, but if you like soaring vocals…this is definitely for you.
6.The Color Fred – Bend to Break
Another solo project making the list this year with former Taking Back Sunday guitarist, Fred Mascherino, really proving to everybody what he is capable of (especially me, after taking over for John Nolan, I never thought I would have respected the man). This disc truly packs in a punch from the opening track all the way to the last beat which definitely sets the tone for what to expect from Fred in the future. Not to mention one of his tracks is named “Minnesota.” Fred is also already set up to tour with AVA and Ace Enders (whole other story about solo projects…) which is one concert I would definitely recommend not missing.
5.Coheed and Cambria – Good Apollo I’m Burning Star IV, Volume 2: No World for Tomorrow
The second part of Good Apollo from the rock powerhouse Coheed and Cambria is placing itself at 5 this year. A solid album that really shows everyone what Claudio and the gang are truly capable of in their songwriting and live performances (…my favorite on this years warped tour). For those unaware, Coheed and Cambria’s music is all attached to a story that Claudio wrote called the “Amory Wars” and this album is the conclusion to the entire story. I am not entirely sure on the happenings through this album, but then again, no one is besides Claudio himself. This disc didn’t leave my player for about 2 months straight and is perfect driving music (the Myth isn’t exactly close to Duluth in any means).
4.Band of Horses – Cease to Begin
Having heard this band right before I graduated from High School, I was really pleased in hearing that one of my top summer bands was coming out with another album. Anyways, If you haven’t heard anything from Band of Horses, you are lying to me. Band of Horses have been in tons of commercials in the past month or so, mostly car commercials but still. For the music though, Band of Horses is simply just relaxing and easy listening. One of my favorite chill bands. The simplicity of everything is so relaxing and then they kick it into a heavy jam to really accentuate the upcoming vocal line which is another thing that I love about the band, amazing vocals. His voice is so smooth and complimenting. If this is your introduction to the band, don’t hesitate on purchasing this album and their last release “everything all the time.”
3.The Dear Hunter – Act II: The Meaning of & All Things Regarding Ms. Leading
Having heard a few tracks from these guys a while back, I never cared too much for them. But this release from former member of The Receiving End of Sirens and his band, Act II is truly an amazing release. By the title, you can tell this album is part of a series in a coheed-esque type manor. Part two of six to be exact…all regarding the story of Ms. Leading. The music…oh yeah, the music! Its sort of been a recurring theme of these albums, but really the vocals are what excel in the dear hunter along with crazy rhythms and guitar lines.
2.Circa Survive – On Letting Go
Anthony Green’s experimental jam band, Circa Survive, have really defined themselves on this release. Circa’s second full-length release was exactly what the they needed to get their name out to the public and let people know they aren’t just messing around with guitar effects and the feeling of being heavily under the influence. The guitar lines are so space-like and in your face all at the same time which truly compliment Green’s vocal lines soaring above everything else. To be completely honest, there isn’t much more I can say about this album…it just fucking rocks.
1.Thrice – Alchemy Index Volume 1: Fire & Water
The first two EPs from Thrice’s Alchemy Index, a four part set of EPs that correlate to the four main elements; Fire, Water, Earth, and Air (insert captain planet joke). Coming off of the huge success that was Vhiessu, Thrice decided to change things up a bit and take their sound in four directions, three of which are quite foreign to the fans of Thrice. Fire, the first EP, is mainly a very hard and heavy record, much like the type of material that everyone is used to hearing from Thrice but with a very thick and brutal sound. Water, in the same package is more of a digital and soft album more along the lines of Radiohead ala Kid A. Having seen Thrice live off of this album was really a treat. The harsh rhythms of Fire were really what set the tone for the show and the cool break away songs off of Water really had the crowd in a trance. Thrice has Earth and Air all recorded and ready to be sold, but they are waiting for Spring to release the final two EPs in the Alchemy Index. Expect great things from Thrice in the future, I think that they are truly on the edge of experimenting with a band’s sound.
Alright, that was really long, sorry. Besides all of those albums listed as my top 10..there are really some albums you need to get anyway that I really wish could have made the final list (I didn't feel like doing a top 20 like last year). So here is what you should listen to anyway...
Explosions in the Sky - Suddenly I Miss Everyone
Armor for Sleep - Smile for Them
Golden Arm Trio - Tick Tock Club
Delorean - Transatlantic KK
Scenes from a Movie - The Pulse
!!! - Myth Takes
Rubik - Bad Concience Control
Kaddisfly - Set Sail the Prairie
also check out everyone else's top 10s since I haven't seen a bad album up yet...especially Neil's top album, Panda Bear - Person Pitch.
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