These kids and their newfangled music.

So this week, with the death of Michael Jackson, I got to thinking. You see, that day, and the following one, all the pop and hip-hop radio stations played Michael Jackson songs in tribute. So here's my thought: what happened to all the music icons? I mean, who can our generation really look up to in the same way that our parents adored the Beatles, The Eagles, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, or Michael Jackson? Who has so shaped our generation's music that, if they died, the radio would play their music non-stop? I'll answer that question for you. Nobody.
You see, music today has degenerated into nothing more than a free-for-all, gladiator style death match of competing musicians (and I use that term liberally).

Music WAS Show Business. Music was IT.

These days, anyone gets a record deal, which the record companies then take and warp into something that resembles nothing of the original version. Music today, especially rap, is nothing more than ego-obsessed, proud, gaudy, swaggering "artists" trying to one-up each other.
Now, I will say this; there ARE good songs out there, but it is getting increasingly difficult to produce an original sound while saying the same things (I love you, nobody understands me, life is so hard for me, I want you back etc...)
But back to my first thought, where are all the icons? Why is it impossible for us to rally in the same way that the world followed Elvis? I think that it is because there are so many different branches of music nowadays that everyone can find something that is explicitly tailored to that individual. Everyone wants to be different, to set themselves apart, to define themselves, that they are almost afraid of liking a band that is accumulating a following. Because nobody wants to be the same as anyone else. I miss the icons. Thank goodness someone invented CDs.

Graduation and stuff

Well, seeing as its been forever and a half since I've blogged, I thought that I would throw you all a bone. Because I know how much you all LOVE reading my blog.
Anyway, there have been some fairly Momentous Happenings in my life since my last post...all the way back in April. I have graduated (finally!!) from high school, and am proud to say that I am now a Higley High Alumnus (Alumni? Illumininati?). The ceremony was fine, save for the fifteen minute period where it was sprinkling rain. An interesting side note, it has only rained TWICE on graduation day (May 20) in over fifty years. Last year was the first time in half a century. And I have to say, waking up that Thursday morning, realizing that I was finished with high school, was pretty much the best feeling ever. Except that I had to work that day. Oh well.
So, Momentous Happening number 2: I have my schedule for ASU! I went to Orientation Day and got it all hammered out. I tried to organize it so that my classes fell on the same days, leaving me with a free Friday. It ALMOST worked out, I have just one class on friday. My schedule reads as follows:
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (M,W,F for future reference) from 9:40-10:30 I have Introduction to Sociology. M,T,W,Th 10:45-11:35 is my Elementary Italian. M,W,F at 11:50 I have Adv. First Year Composition. Tuesdays at 1:30 I have a Language Exploration class, and M and W from 3:30-4:45 is my Math 142. Sorry for all the confusion, but who said that college was sinple?
This brings us to Momentous Happening 3: I have officially started my mission papers! I am SO EXCITED!! My 19th B-Day (Nov. 12) is looking closer every day (wait...it IS getting closer every day...) and I haven't started freaking out yet, but I am sure it will set in sometime. My mission prep class is amazing, and My teacher is the best I could wish for. His name is Joeseph McConkie and he knows EVERYTHING! He will be teaching us a lession, and will list off references from everywhere in the scriputres and even conference talks from twenty years ago! It's incredible, I love this guy.
Sorry, but I have to go now. My dad just reminded me that I have to make an appointment to get my MMR boosters (for ASU!!! GO DEVILS!!) and to do that, I must, regretfully, leave the keyboard behind. Alas, parting is such sweet...wait, Lexi, what's the line?