AHAHAHAHAHHA made it

So...I used to blog here a lot. Then I started Grad School and I disappeared because any time I was on a computer I was doing homework. Well, as I concluded my 10 page paper on Sunday evening, I knew that I only had a couple of smaller assignments remaining until I graduate from grad school in April.
I'm so glad to be finished with the program. It took a lot out of me, made me feel frail and mortal, and resulted in me being tired, sick, and blech. These last few weeks have been nothing short of AAARGH! I have work at the high school from 7:15-2:45. We are currently in the middle of the school elections which has found me staying late to do student interviews and such. On Monday and Wednesday I work (once again) at Discovery Academy in Provo until 8:45 at night. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I have grad class from 4:30-7:30.  Plus, we had a new baby (Parker Logan Reeves) on 3-1-13. SO it's been a STRESSFUL month. Well, with the elections ending Friday night and Spring Break next week, I feel that I'm alive enough to come back and type my thoughts/feelings.

Anyways,
I love the Spring Time. I love when the weather warms to the 60's and 70's and life is...alive. The other day during lunch some students and I were playing ultimate Frisbee. Students were flying kites, kicking soccer balls, and a few were even making out under a tree like crazy. I think the kid came up for air twice...yuck.

One of the best parts of Spring is the excitement I feel for the upcoming movies about to be released. Today...I bought my first ticket to a new movie. I got my I-max Star Trek 2 ticket for May 15th.... I'm just gonna go through the list of movies that I'm most excited for, then I'll leave you alone.

(in no particular order)




1.  Iron Man 3- (preview looks awesome, and it'll be interesting to see what a post Avengers movie with an Avenger as the star in it is like.

2. Star Trek 2: Into Darkness- Considering the fact that the J.J. Abrams JUST signed on to do Star Wars VII, this movie will not only rock like the first one did, but shall also give me a good feel as to what we should expect in 2015.

3. Oblivion: Look, I know a lot of people dog on Tom Cruise for his choice of religion etc. But I for one love his movies, and this one looks pretty tight. Never hurts to boast "Morgan Freeman" in the cast either. Love me a good sci-fi flick.

4. Fast and Furious 6: Ummmmmm ok, I know that these movies aren't "great films" for snooty hipsters to enjoy. Fact is though, they are some of the best action flicks ever put to the big screen. In the trailer for part 6, Vin Diesel drives his car through the front of an exploding plane so...yeah...can't wait.

5. The Wolverine: Ok so I said there was no order....but this is probably the one I'm looking forward to the most, especially after the "nowhere near as cool as it could have been" Wolverine Origins, which I enjoyed...but did not LOVE. This could be the best movie of the summer for me.

Year in Review 2012

2012 had a lot of ups and a lot of downs. Personally I was all over the place with grad school and work and stress and such, however the world seemed to be a pretty ugly place this year. From that guy killing his kids and burning down his house in February to the Batman shooting to the Elementary School shooting a couple weeks ago...we live in a messed up place. I've got another kid due in March, and I have to pause and ask myself what kind of world I'm bringing that boy into. Anyways, here's my best of the bests list this year.



MOVIES

I can't really put them in order this year since there were so many awesome flicks. I can however put one above all others.

1. Moonrise Kingdom

This movie was a masterpiece. I've rarely been as entertained as I was when seeing this one. The all star cast was hilarious and nobody tried to steal the show...(though I believe that Edward Norton may have done so on accident). There's one awkward scene on a beach that is easily skipped. Best line of the movie...and of the whole year.   Suzy: Was he a good dog? Sam: Who's to say? If you haven't seen this movie...stop reading and go NOW to your local red box.

2 and 3 are a tie between The Hobbit: An unexpected Journey, and The Avengers.

 

Considering my love for comic book movies, this should come as no surprise that I held this film in such high esteem. This was a risky venture to be sure. Throwing Hulk, Thor, Captain America, and Iron man into the same movie was tough, but somehow they pulled it off. The action was incredible and let's face it: Hulk smash Loki was the coolest part of any movie this year.

 I saw the Hobbit more times in theaters than any other movie this year. This was the first big book I read as a kid. I believe I was in 4th or 5th grade when I first ventured into middle earth. I was so geeked about this movie that I bought 40 copies and made my class of seniors read it so that we could justify an epic field trip to see the movie. I saw it first at midnight in 2d and thought it was good. After my subsequent viewings in 3-d I've decided that this is on par with any of the LOTR films. The action was incredibly cool but the visual feast put together by Peter Jackson was glorious.


Honorable Mentions in Film: I also enjoyed the following films this year: The Grey (Lliam Neeson punching wolves), Prometheus (Alien prequel that was so intense I may have caused serious liver damage) Skyfall (James Bond's most successful venture yet) John Carter of Mars (If you know what the source material was...it was great) . Lincoln and Les Miserables have yet to be viewed by me...but I'll throw em on here anyways. 



Music
It was a great year for albums and a great year for attending concerts. I only bought a handful of albums this year, but I'm a still gonna rank them.

1. The Smashing Pumpkins- Oceania

I know I know, big surprise that I put this as number one. Not everyone likes these guys, and even if you do like them, many people have only casually enjoyed a few of their hits. This is a special album however and is critically acclaimed as a success. Their music used to mean a lot to a teenaged me full of angst and whatever. This album transcends their old hits and puts together a rather incredible collection of loud and soft songs.

The Celestials:

Violet Rays: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0F6qS1XlSM

Inkless: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kukO9PT83IQ


 2. Metric- Synthetica

So a few years ago I saw "Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World" which totally blew my mind and became an instant favorite. I bought the soundtrack and found a track by Metric called, "Black Sheep." I thoroughly enjoyed it, so I bought their "Fantasies" album. It quickly became a favorite, so I was excited to hear that they were going to have a new album this summer. It came out at the same time as the Pumpkins' album so I didn't get into it immediately...but soon thereafter I couldn't get enough of it. Breathing Underwater and Clone are two of the best songs I've heard in a long long time. Enjoy them, pick this album up...just skip the first track if you don't like language. 

 Breathing Underwater:    

Clone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3a9K0c2ue0

Here's a shot of Emily Haines, lead singer for Metric, whom I was lucky enough to see in concert in October.
 
 
 3. The Killers- Battleborn

Look, the Killers are just GOOD. This album is incredible in that it isn't as "poppy" as the other albums this band has produced. Their sound is maturing, and this record is a testament to what a great band is. So many bands like the Beatles start out with kind of poppy sounding songs/albums that hook the general public. Like the Beatles, the Killers have matured and are now making in depth music that still pleases the ear, but also has a bit more to it.

Here's the video for Runaway.... dig it:  


 
So there's my movies and music for the year. I could do a whole article on the best comic books of the year....but that can wait for another day. 

Best Moments of the Year

1- Finding out I'm gonna be a dad again- Boy #3 due in March

2- P-Nut (bass play for 311) answers my tweet about me not being able to afford tickets to the show....he gets me 8th row seats for free

3- Applying for a job as a principal in Alpine School District
4- Hulk smash Loki....

5- Disneyland with my wife and children.     


Here's hoping 2013 finds us and you in good fortunes. Farewell goodnight, last one up turn out the lights 

What's Going ON!? Ghosts, Football, Free 311 Show,...wait did I say G-g-g-ghosts!?

September 16th...last post was in July...my bad.
Been super busy with Student Council and Grad School and Life.

So what's new?

Having a new baby in March...gender unspecified as of yet. Looking forward to spending a few days in the hospital watching basketball with wife and baby.

Moonrise Kingdom is the best movie of the summer. If you haven't seen it yet? Do so, it's gonna win awards this year and it is freaking hilarious.

Football season started...I got a new TV to enjoy it on. Tis beautiful. Digging the plasma.

I didn't have enough $ to go to 311 this summer so I tweeted at the band to wish them a good show...in reply the Bass Player said, "Dude I can't get you in." I was given 3 tickets on the 311 guest list...8th row just off center...it was probably the best show I've been to for them. So tight. 

Found an old record player in my classroom, started stock piling records for "Vinyl Fridays" with my classes. A couple of seniors brought me the Beatles' "Abbey Road" and "Rubber Soul." They are incredible. Student council has been very stressful. Probably more stressful than I was expecting, but we're trying to turn the school's pride up.

Oh....

The other day was ridiculously frightening. So I had to get some stuff from the basement for student council. The basement is located beneath the Pleasant Grove High School Stage which appears on Utah's list of haunted places. http://www.theshadowlands.net/places/utah.htm  The room is full of props from plays which makes the room super creepy. I'd just finished teaching my students about ghost stories and what not the 2 days previous and had been mocking the idea of the school being haunted. While down in the basement getting props I mocked the ghost...oops. As we exited the room and started walking up the stairs I turned the light off so that the room behind me was now dark. A student said, "Mr. Reeves don't it's scary." I replied, "don't worry about it we're fine." Moments later something LOUD crashed against the wall in the room only a few feet behind me. I'm never one to have believed in stories like this, but it happened. I can only assume that something hit the wall where all of the prop swords hang. It was a very LOUD and HARD crash. We freaked, we ran...and when two students went back down to check what it was....nothing was out of place. So...yeah I'm never going down there again.

That's about all that's going on. Life is good, hope it is for you too- JR



P.S. Avengers Vs X-men has been the best series ever. I highly recommend picking this up when it comes out in trade paper back. Just finished issue #11 and 3 words.......Cyclops....Kills....Xavier.

Dark Knight Tragedy...Bale a Hero

Grad school has kept me so busy that this is only like my 2nd or 3rd post this summer. Probably for the best. I just had to take a minute to share some thoughts on the shootings in Colorado. I'm a midnight movie guy. By my count I've seen I believe 5 midnight movies this year (The Grey, John Carter, Avengers, Prometheus, Spiderman)....yep 5. I awoke on the morning of the 21st ready to go see the early showing of Batman at 9:00....but of course first I read the news and saw the videos and got a really sick feeling in my stomach. This whack job piece of $#it decided to ruin the lives of countless people by shooting up a theater for NO GOOD REASON. Really it's sad. This guy's mental state had to be completely gone to do something like this. People will blame the media, guns, left wing, right wing, whatever, but what it comes down to is that someone made a decision that affected the lives of hundreds if not thousands of people. There is no bright side to this story...until tonight.
I just saw on the news...and I am admittedly tearing up as I type this...that Christian Bale...the actor who has portrayed the Dark Knight in this highly successful trilogy...showed up in Aurora Colorado to visit some of the victims of this terrible event. What's most impressive about this is that he did so on his own accord...his own dime. He did not represent Warner Brothers Studios...he's just that kind of a guy. I know Christian Bale got into some hot water a few years back for some yelling on a set or something, but you know what? Slate is clean. I just needed to take the time to write out my respect and gratitude to a guy who went out of his way to help some people in need. I think we all need a bit more of that in our lives. For that I thank you Mr. Bale. "So shines a good deed...in a dreary world"- Wonka

The Smashing Pumpkins- Oceania Review

I just received my copy of The Smashing Pumpkins' new album: Oceania. I've been listening to the free live stream on the weekend and feel like I've given it an adequate enough listen (I hope) in order to give a fair track by track review.

1- Quasar
This is one of four songs from the album that I heard live in October when I journeyed to Vegas to see them perform on top of a Casino...it was great. This is an ambitious track to start the album with since it is probably the hardest/loudest song on the album. The guitars are awesome and explore some cool effects along the way. The drumming on this album is of note because it's the first album released with new drummer Mike Byrne...he does spectacularly. Tracks like Quasar really show off his skills. The vocals have a bit of an echo that make the song sound like it's being performed in a warehouse with an echo, but I dig it.

2- Panopticon
The first time I heard this song was also live, and also came right after Quasar. Whereas Quasar live really got me excited for the album, Panopticon didn't really connect with me the first time I heard it. I listened to my live recording of it a few times and it still didn't grab me. On the album however, the recording is sharp and the little nuances of sound here and there really make it pop. I'm specifically impressed by the cool baseline that Nicole Florentino has added to the track. This one grew on me and continues to grow on me as a great rock song.

3- The Celestials
I don't believe that Billy plans to release a single off of this album, however I've heard rumors that he'd want Celestials to be that single if there was one. This song is beautiful. It starts with accoustic guitar, Billy and I think it's Nicole melodiously singing, "til the end." The song sounds so simple, but then at 1:16 the bass comes in, the background drops out and the bass shows up in a way that no other pumpkins song has ever attempted. By 1:53 I swear I can hear this song blasting from every car radio on the street. This song rocks HARD by the end, and I would love to see this song put out as a single. I think that the average radio listener would leave the channel alone and nod their head to this song.

4-Violet Rays
This songs starts out straight up "weird." Is it 2012? Or is it the 80's? By the time the guitar comes in and the drums kick it up, this song becomes a deep portrait where the lyrics are singled out. "And I'll leave with anyone...TONIGHT." This song seems to bring in a lot of the moodiness that the Pumpkins used to experiment with on Adore and late Machina, but it's infused with more of this new song writing prowess that Billy continues to push. I love this song...not for the radio to blast, but for late nights with my headphones in.

5- My Love is Winter
Probably the coolest title on the album. This sounds like it could have been one of those acoustic songs that Billy writes, performs once or twice, and then abandons. However, he has infused an energy that keeps this song from turning into a drab throw away and keeps it alive. The cool melody that comes from a keyboard of sorts in the middle really shakes things up and the Pumpkins really milk every last drop out of this song...and they succeed in doing so in my opinion.

6- One Diamond, One Heart
Like Violet Rays, this song starts off with a weird synth vibe to it. Sans the vocals I'd never be able to pick this out as a Pumpkins song until about 50 seconds in. I love that Billy and co. like to shake things up and catch the leader unaware. I really enjoy Billy's solo album and some of the synthy-er stuff the pumpkins do. This song hasn't grown on me as much as some of the others, but it's easy listening and comes at a great place in the album.

7- Pinwheels
This song also starts out really weird. The first guitar chords though really transform this song into something special. Upon first listen you are thinking, "where is this taking me?!" The song keeps building and building and then some very Billy-esque guitars come in around 1:33 and layer after layer of tone melds together to evoke strong emotions. The singing is beautiful with Billy singing along side Nicole (I think). This song would also be tough to fit in with songs from the old Pumpkins' catalog, but that's what I like about it. Billy pushes for every album to be interesting. This is by far the prettiest song on the album.

8- Oceania
Much like Paul McCartney and Wings' "Band on the Run" this song is like 3 different songs strewn together with musical thread. We are treated once again to Nicole's awesome bass contributions to the album. I think her membership in the band does a lot to discovering new horizons for their music. Billy used to record/write all of the bass but it sounds like he's let her take the reigns for this album, and it works out really well. The first part of the 3 part play is interesting and on its own wouldn't stand, but then we move to part II where we get all acoustic and deep. It sounds almost Simon and Garfunkel-esque. "Oh would I follow you?" So much honesty in his voice. The song ends in a flurry of cool drums and bass which really work. Zeitgeist had its 9 minute plus "United States" and Billy seems to try to fit one really long track on most of their albums...Oceania works. Again, not as a crank it in your car and sing, but as a, "put your headphones in and explore this."

9- Pale horse
Also heard this song live. The studio version doesn't add much to the live performance, but it doesn't really need to because the point of this song is to chill the listener out after the crescendo of Oceania. This song would also be hard to peg in the extensive catalog of Pumpkins music...but again, that's Billy's aim here. If people wanted 5 albums that sounded just like Siamese Dream then they're out of luck. Those of us who enjoy the progress and the vast soundscape the band has created over the last 6 years especially are pleased with songs like this.

10- The Chimera
This song shakes off any lethargy from the chill tones of Pale Horse. I can only salivate about hearing this song live. They play the opening fast on the album, I surmise that they'll play even faster live and it'll rock. This song really showcases where the band is right now. When the Pumpkins want to rock they can really ROCK. This song reminds me of songs like, "Come on let's go" and "Bring the Light" from Zeitgeist. Faster rock songs towards the end of the album to lift our spirits and remind us that the album is here to rock you in case that has faded from your memory over the last 3-4 chiller tracks. So good, can't wait to hear this one live.

11- Glissandra
The drums come fast and the guitars are howling as this song starts...cool effect. I can see myself enjoying this one live for sure. For now, the album version is good, but suffers from the fact that it is located between the Chimera and Inkless...possibly 2 of the best songs on the album...especially the latter. On its own it's a good song, but it doesn't really do as much for me personally as some of the other songs. Enjoyable, but not the best song on the record.

12- Inkless
The BEST song on the album in my opinion. The riff is probably the best Billy has written since re-starting the band. "The stars are out tonight"....great lyrics to start a song. The drums are tight, the melody is euphoric and reaches straight through the speakers and starts to squeeze your heart. Memories of friends, love, success, failure, it's all there. The solo makes you want to just close your eyes and wander around the room with your eyes closed. I can hear Billy wanting to scream these lyrics as loud as he can...but he holds back...for the album. I can only imagine that he'll be a bit louder during live performances. Really a beautiful song...best on the album in my opinion.

13- Wildflower
Not sure where I come out on this song. Pumpkins have a way of ending their albums with a quiet song (except for Quiet was track 2 on SD...boo bad pun). My favorite ending to a Pumpkins album was on Machina: The Machines of God where they ended with "Age of Innosence." Why? Cause it ended upbeat and energetic. Wildflower is a beautiful song to be sure. Billy has used a lot of synth on this album and the Depeche Mode fan in me loves it. In fact this song reminds me a bit of "Waiting for the Night" from Depeche Mode's Violater. Great song albeit a bit misplaced in my opinion. Still a great one to listen to at night.

Overall if I had to rank this album on a ten star scale I'd give it a 9. Some people will be down on this album because as of now there is no single, and because once again Billy didn't just make a Siamese and the Infinite Sadness rehash to please the radio and MTV...but that's what I like about it. When the album has no single, then you make the singles yourself. In this case- Celestials, Quasar, and Inkless would be my choices...and I'll crank these loud in my car so that others start scanning their stations to try and find them...but you can only find them in one place- Oceania. Definitely some of the Pumpkins' best work. Bravo Billy, Mike, Jeff, and Nicole- JR

Where I been?

Wow...so it's June and I've got some things to catch up. My apologies, it was an incredibly busy end of the school year. But here I am..dunna..Rock you like a Hurricane!

1st off: Let's talk Avengers Review...one word... HOLYCRAPTHATWASAWESOME.

2nd: I had to hike the G the other day for graduation. I lit the thing and hiked back down around 1:30. It HURT. The last time I hiked that I was a sophomore. This time I was 30 and that thing was steep! Hurt going up, hurt coming down. I'm excited to work with the student body officers though.

3rd: I bought tickets for Metric this October...very pumped.

4th: School year ended well, though I was heart broken by the lack of effort given to me by some students. Failure...I guess...is an option.

5th: I'll do a better job from here on out, my summer is open now. Prometheus Thursday night at midnight baby! Will hopefully have a better review for that one- JR

Universal Studios Rides I'd like to See

Just watched a commercial for Universal Studios which touted a Jurassic Park Ride, a Shrek Ride, a Harry Potter Ride, and other such rides. It made me think about how much fun it would be to design rides for a park like that. Then I thought about how much fun it'd be to design really crappy rides based on movies that wouldn't make great rides. Here's what I came up with. I'd love to hear from you as well if you have any great ideas.



The Air Force One Experience-

Experience the classic Harrison Ford presidential action flick from two perspectives. First you'll be a passenger. Ride attendants will tie you up and gag you and leave you in a seat that simulates steady airplane flight for an hour...then you switch roles to that of a terrorist. You will be led to the back of the ride where an animatronic Harrison Ford will tell you to, "Get off my plane" before it kicks you in the rear and drops you 40 feet into a pool of cold water. What an experience!



The Shawshank Redemption Water Slide...Sorta

Feel the excitement of an escape from a creepy prison in the 1950's by crawling on your belly through a replica sewage pipe. We pump realistic...well...real sewage through the ride so just like Andy you'll be able to enjoy freedom that much more!

6th Sense the ride-
The first time you hop on this ride it is absolutely AWESOME! However, it's only fun to ride once cause after that it's kind of predictable and not very entertaining.







The Traveling Pants Experi-ance
You and 19 other tourists will be thrown into a room and forced to exchange pants with someone else. You will also exchange information and become best friends from afar.






Lindsay Lohantastica!
We throw beer goggles on you, make you walk through a jewelery store where you have to sneak a necklace or ring, and then we strap an ankle monitor on you and follow you around the Universal lot for the rest of the day.

Michael Moore Buffet!
When you get hungry between rides (though we don't recommend eating before the Shawshank ride) come to our Michael Moore inspired Buffet. Tons upon tons of buttery foods ready for you to devour. You don't even have to leave your seat! Because of an issue with the foundation (it leans waaaay to the left) the food slides down the floor and right into your mouth!






The Fast and the Furious!
After signing waver after waver, you can take your car to the empty lot in the back of the park and drive as fast and as crazy as you'd like. Make sure to brush up on your Vin Diesel grizzled laugh,
 "eh heh heh" for when you pull an awesome stunt.





 3D Nicholas Cage Show




WHoaaaaahh! NOT THE BEEEEEES! AAAAAARRRRRGHH! The show is 2 hours long and compiles all of Nick Cage's best scenes...also not a good idea to do this after eating at the Buffet...








These are just a few that I came up with on the fly. What do you got to add to that?