The Abandoned Fish Factory

please

2010-05-02T18:50:00.000-07:00

let me just make it through these last three weeks of school
without completely destroying everything i've worked so hard for

asdf;lkjg';lsdkf;aljrdfnskjdfanlksdjafdlkchvxiojkewrfsgdbs

The Diary of a Frequent Keyboard Cleaner

2010-03-12T20:17:00.000-08:00

Entry No. 1

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";jmbgvgtbhnjkl;pghvdvgkmhngbhnjhtgrvghbghnjmhm,grdeswrt'
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as a general rule of thumb:

2010-01-27T15:57:00.000-08:00

i will always have the desire to blog when there is homework to do.

but i'm not going to right now.
later.
perhaps. :)

tomorrow

2010-01-25T00:17:00.000-08:00

the first day of school
and
the first day of liz's adventure

---

TRUST

2010-01-23T01:45:00.000-08:00

that He should leave his place on high,
and come for sinners, here, to die.
you find it strange?
well so did I.
until I knew my Savior.

i am on a road trip with my family [part 3]

2009-12-31T20:25:00.000-08:00

this is all i have to say:
thee more shallows: book of bad breaks
so good.

counting your blessings
as they hatch and grow
you'll start to feel uncomfortable
as each one takes off far away

you read them stories from the book of bad breaks,
every night, when they were sleeping safe inside their eggs.
hoping to impart at least a premonition
about the dangers they'd face.

but barely two, they're lost to you now.

i am on a road trip with my family [part 2]

2009-12-29T22:56:00.000-08:00

today was really cool. we went on two different tours of the (beautiful) kartchner caverns here in so ar. it's pretty sweet here. it's basically the same thing as so cal but in arizona. and oh yes, i made that one up.

today, for me, was one of those days where you end up getting a glimpse of something way bigger and more beautiful than yourself.

this glimpse of mine occurred inside of these kartchner caverns. i love it so much when that happens. plus it was really cool to already know a lot about the caves from the geology class i took last semester. rocks rocks rocks.

also, this rv-cation is going 100% better than it was when i updated last. my family is really great.

---

i like bats.

i like them because sometimes they live in caves.
and inside of caves, there is no light.
there's only other bats, bugs, rocks, and dark.

bats are always safe because they travel in large packs.
which also means that every bat has a lot of friends.

i like bats because they can fly.
they're not so different from us humans, you know.

i think i will spend the rest of my life figuring out how i can become a bat.
because then i will be truly happy.

---

confession: i really have no idea who reads this blog anymore. well, i know some of you. but not all.

---

i wonder if you do. i really have no idea. being of the avid blogger variety, sometimes it's nice to think that you still read mine. even though i hardly post anything substantial often enough to merit even a semi-regular visit. also i'm pretty sure you hate me. i think i have a problem with making some people do that. i wish you knew how sorry i am.

---

previously mentioned in this blog of mine were two goals that i've set for myself.
the one about me finishing 10 songs is coming along really well.
i can't wait to get home and record moar stuffs.

buhbye

i am on a road trip with my family [part 1]

2009-12-28T01:29:00.000-08:00

okay so RV's are weird.
at the beginning of this trip i was way more excited than i am now.
it almost seems like more of a hassle to go on vacation in an RV than just chilling at home. though i'm sure things will start go upwards on the awesome scale when we finally get to our destination. hopefully.

anyways. it's super late-ish and i just finished watching the shawshank redemption (got it for christmas wooo). this is probably the 3rd time i've seen it. and this time i was so struck with a particular message in it that i felt compelled to share my thoughts here in my blog. but i'm tired and i want to sleep soon so i'm gonna try to keep it short.

but anways, with that in mind, you should stop reading here if you've never seen it.

---

okay so throughout the movie there's this idea of being institutionalized by routine, and that change from this routine is (most of the time) inevitable. and when it comes, we have to choose how we're going to deal with it.

if you don't know what i'm talking about, it's basically the contrast between brooks and red, and how they deal with being freed from shawshank after both doing a considerable amount of time there. long story short, brooks is freed after doing 50 years but quickly ends up killing himself because he can't cope with not being a part of the prison institution anymore. he became so accustomed to it that he almost completely forgot that anything else existed, and so when he was presented with freedom, the giant fear of the unknown and unusual overwhelmed him.

that, coupled with the fact that he was really old and a little crazy.

in contrast with brooks, there is red. who is released after doing 40 years, and is faced with the same overwhelming fear that brooks felt, but instead he is able to overcome it and he goes off and lives happily ever after with his best friend andy dufrain.

ack i am so tired.
if you read all of that, you're a champ.
it's hard for me to be all analytical and whatnot when i'm tired.

OKAY SO BASICALLY
what i learned/was reminded of tonight:

things change, and the best things to do are:
- recognize our inability to go back to the way things were.
- fight like hell to overcome the fear that freedom and the unknown present to us.
- this is best done by having placed your hope in something good. like God perhaps.

which coincidentally is also a part morgan freeman has played (bruce almighty).
that's weird/cool. asdfghjhfdgfh

---

in other news, i'm making music and stuff.
i've been posting some of my songs on this myspace i made. they're all works in progress, so i feel reluctant to share. but feedback is a great thing, so feel free to check them out if you would like. and i would love to hear what you guys think.

www.myspace.com/kennychiwa147

goodnight!

all i see is new to me

2009-12-07T08:38:00.000-08:00

it's good:

blakroc is a collaboration project between the black keys and a bunch of sweet hip hop artists.
awesome guys like q-tip, raewkwon, nicole wray, jim jones, and mos def. it's a freaking solid hip hop/r&b album in my opinion. but that's all i'll say about it. it's definitely worth checking out if you like hip hop.

---

last night as i got into my bed, i realized that i spend far too little time in it.

---

10 finished songs by the start of spring semester and biola by fall of next year.
these are my goals. say hello to them.

---

try saying "pika" the second before you sneeze, it makes you sound like an angry pikachu.
also if you don't laugh when you do it, there's something wrong with you.

---

that's all i've got for now.
sorry.

2009-11-04T13:58:00.000-08:00

i can remember a time in my life when this was literally all i ever wanted.

Thailand

2009-10-09T08:51:00.000-07:00

Hi friends!

I'm writing this to let everyone know (if you didn't know already) that I'm going to be in Thailand for the next two and a half weeks. (October 12-28)
(AND I AM SO EXCITED)

I'm going through Hume Lake Christian Camps, and we're basically going to be putting on camp for missionary kids over there. My main role will be to play drums in the worship band, but I'll also be a counselor as well. We'll be doing all this in a city called Chiang Mai. It's actually a really interesting place, you should wikipedia it if you've never heard of it.

If you want to stay updated during our trip, you can check out this link:
http://humeinternational.org/category/thailand/
It should be updated (somewhat) daily with pictures and video, so check it out if you're interested.

Also, I want to invite all of you to support me and the rest of the team by praying for us as often as you're able! Any and all prayers are graciously appreciated!

Well, I suppose that's all.
Goodbye for now!

asdkfhjas

2009-10-01T08:44:00.000-07:00

it's funny to me how i can be so much more fond of my doodles than the pieces that i actually spend a significant amount of time on.

life life life life life life

2009-09-21T09:42:00.000-07:00

I don't know. Everything, it's all just very interesting.

Like how we freak out.
How things turn around.
How years of mild frustration and confusion can be resolved in a single honest conversation.
How we come together.
How we drift apart.
And most notoriously, how we miscommunicate.

For me, there's been a lot to take in over the last month or so, and I'm fairly confident that, for the most part, I've been dealing with things well. But there might be people that will disagree with that. But that's okay.

When I get over my feelings and really think about it, change is amazing.
If not for any other reason than the fact that it's a great catalyst for new and good opportunities.

Anyway, I've been pretty excited recently because I've decided to dive back into this one certain art form that I sort of drifted away from since high school.

I won't deny that it could possibly be my own way of lashing out or something.
But it's a good outlet, I promise. I'm really excited about it.
ART IS VERY FUN.

yay k bye

i dont know what to title this

2009-09-14T17:40:00.000-07:00

Today has been profound.
Though the events of today really just ended up bringing me back to sitting here at my desk, something amazing happened today.
Today is characterized in my mind as an incredible victory. The aftermath of an amazing night that will hopefully be repeated many times in the near future.

I feel so encouraged and affirmed. More than I have in quite a while.
I am completely wrapped up in God's infectious love, so much that I kind of don't even know what to do with myself.

Today has been spectacular.

something i remembered today:

never forget and continually remind yourself of the specific instances in your life when God displays his beautiful faithfulness.

keep going forward

2009-09-04T14:25:00.000-07:00

for the most part, i think that what i'm waiting for is also something that i have complete control over.
but i don't know if this is true.

because if it were,
i would have gotten it by now.

A Musical Excerpt From My Head

2009-07-27T21:00:00.000-07:00

i'm going to be posting more original music in the relatively near future. promise.

oh my...

2009-07-16T23:07:00.001-07:00

i've found myself diving deep into a band.
a band that i should have dove into much earlier than now.

anyways,
this band is called the chariot, and they are absolutely rocking my world.

i've been listening to the chariot on and off since they came out with the fiancèe in 2007.

but i saw them last friday at the scream the prayer tour. it was so dang epic.
seeing a band live always changes everything.

with my recent purchase (of the physical copy) of their latest album titled wars and rumors of wars, it is with confidence that i have allowed josh scogin to have a secure place as my current all time musical hero.

the man who started one of my favorite bands (norma jean) then leaves and goes on to start the chariot. and, in my opinion, significantly trumps norma jean in both creativity and style.

this band is certainly a keeper.
not to mention wars is just so freaking badass.

it is 100% worth it to purchase the physical copy. so dew it. D:

---

in other news, disneyland with meghan and mary is not happening tomorrow. which is sadness.

also, people from NZ are great.

---

2009-07-02T17:27:00.000-07:00

Run, run farmer.
Screaming, "bloody murder".
The daughters of question have been murdered.
Deception is charming.
No, I don't think so.

These things, they harmonize and overthrow.
These things will cure;
but they will tear down.

We are not the ones who carry on.
We are not the ones who wear the shroud, tear down.

Liar.
Condescender.
Words born as bastards.
Our swords will rest, and a course in miracles will hail.

And killers will rise.
Where have we gone wrong?
Understanding laced the web.
I don't think so.

daylight

2009-06-25T01:23:00.000-07:00

i really like staying up late.

i really like meeting new people and making friends.

i really like making videos.

i love you.

regarding the current state of iran

2009-06-20T19:33:00.000-07:00

my friend james wrote this, i'm copying it because it expresses my heart well.

Over the last few days, I've been following #IranElection on Twitter as closely as anyone, and never in my life have I been more horrified.

After a fixed election, the majority of the civilians have taken to the street in protest, and at an increasing rate, they are being arrested and SNIPED from the tops of buildings and helicopters. They are being shanked by plain clothes Basij, the soldiers loyal to the false "leader".

But they don't stop. They protests and rallies are getting bigger every day. These people are leaving their homes and putting their lives at risk because they are tired of being beaten down on. They are tired of being prisoners. They want to be free, and the courage that they continue to show in defense of basic human rights is incredible to me. I can only hope I would do the same.

And as I wrote that last paragraph

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsOPOmmdjZc

a man was shot in the face by a sniper. they are not fighting back, they are not using violence. they're just being killed.

i dont know exactly why i wrote this. i just care. im deeply disturbed by what's happening in Iran at this very moment but possibly even more by the fact that aside from maybe 3 of the people that I'm in some way connected to through this website, no one else does.

If you don't, fine. I can't make you. But if you do, say something. Spread the word. Innocent people are being murdered because they want freedom.

Sound familiar?

win

2009-06-13T20:40:00.000-07:00

the plus and minus format makes blogging so much easier.

+ my current favorite song:

married life - michael giacchino
("Up" soundtrack)

+ trees, beaches, letters, cd's, flash drives

+ i got final cut pro (and photoshop) from someone amazing. they will remain nameless so they don't get in trouble or something.

- unfortunately it goes screwy when i log and capture, so i can't upload any footage. however, i'm determined to work around this. it might be an issue with my camera? i don't know.

+ the lakers are amazing.

+ isaac graduated middle school :D
+/- isaac is going into high school.
+ aannnnd he got the seafarers expansion for graduation. wooooooooo

+/- summer school starts in nine days
+ i'm hooked on grey's anatomy

okay.
enough + & -ing
this is what i've been listening to recently:

i'm still as obsessed with boards of canada as ever.

but i'm also still as broke as ever, so i can't afford to buy any of their other albums right now. which means i'll just have to be happy with the campfire headphase for a little longer. but don't worry, i'm actually 100% okay with that.

well.
i wish i had more interesting things to write about.
goodbye for now. :)

Within some amount of time recently:

2009-06-05T02:06:00.000-07:00

let's try something new!
(okay!)

+ i went up to glendale and stayed with ian for a few days
+ we lit smoke bombs
+ james (franks) came over :D
+ ian and i saw animal collective
+ it was incredible

- the merch table sucked
+/- we had to sit on the balcony:
it didn't really suck. i guess it just made things different.
i mean, i still thoroughly enjoyed the show for the most part.

+ meeting charlie, halo, music, ian's house in general (amazing)
- left glendale

+/- continue the job hunt
- still no video editing software

+ kara came down.
+ liz and i taught her settlers.
- now she is amazing at it.

+ canyon (with ginger & mae leah!), more fireworks, 28 days later

+ we tie dyed. mine was lakers colors. :D
+ late night conversations eventually evolving into mindless tired insanity.
+ i like grey's anatomy now (quite a lot)
- kara left.

+ the lakers played beautifully

+ 75-100

annnd
+ i wrote a new song on piano that i like very much.

:D

woohoo!

(+ plus and minus idea came from the brain of staycie)

a collection of eukaryotic heterotrophs.

2009-05-28T13:12:00.000-07:00

i really hope they play this one:

[guys eyes - AC]

iamsofreakingexcited.
asdfkhgaskjfghaksjhrtagdifubhvs,mdnfgahjksdfakjsdhfgajksdh

:D :D :D :D :D

farewell fire

2009-05-24T00:03:00.000-07:00

[boc]

it was really real.

and it was so just being down there.

but also,
it was putting it down, and lighting it.
then running away.

spewing a shimmering beauty, but ending quickly.
i guess it had to.

what an interesting way to start the summer

i agree.

yay

2009-05-22T07:35:00.001-07:00

yesterday was great.
today will be fun as well.
and i'm actually looking forward to tomorrow with almost everything in me.

:D

lulz

2009-05-19T16:41:00.000-07:00

i thought of something funny earlier today.

however it is likely that someone has already thought of this somewhere out there.

either way, i want to document it. i'm not really sure how.
i tried, and i couldn't really make it into a joke. maybe it would be something on those dumb t-shirts. yeah whatever, i'll just pretend it's a t-shirt. it would look like this:

the word "asthma", and beneath it is a drawing of an inhaler with roses laying behind it, and a caption below that that says "you take my breath away"

^-^

lame i know.

i think it's hilarious.

oh...

2009-05-18T12:24:00.000-07:00

hmm.

---

Lots of doors have closed, but I'm starting to see new ones open.
It's encouraging.

---

I want to make a video during the month of freedom I have between the end of finals (which is this wednesday ahh) and the beginning of summer classes.

However, getting a new hard drive means I no longer have imovie 06 (or garageband). Which makes me really sad. But maybe this will give me an excuse to save up for something (much) better. Like logic or something. I should probably learn how to use those complicated music programs anyway...

But maybe I can still find a way to get garageband. n_____n

What was I talking about? Yeah, imovie 06. I want it really bad. I would save up for final cut, but I would always feel like I could never use it to it's maximum potential. If I bought it with my own money I mean. I'm not a film major or anything. imovie works just fine.

Except imovie 08 is actually the worst excuse for video editing softwhere ever D:

whatever

---

Boards of Canada is most likely becoming my new favorite band for now. I'll probably let you guys know if anything official happens. (lulz)

Their music is really beautiful though. They do an incredible job of painting a unique visual picture with their music.

If you've never listened to them, I would recommend starting with The Campfire Headphase. It's a wonderful album.

I won't try to sell them to you. This music is really worth an honest listen.

---

Well.
I guess that's all for now.

This was a nice little break from studying.
Though I probably shouldn't be taking breaks because my final is in four (freaking) hours.

adfshjklafdsgkjlgf

2009-05-15T00:44:00.000-07:00

check out this album. it's really good.

i'm starting to...

2009-05-12T07:34:00.000-07:00

Right now I'm in the very beginning of the long aftermath of one of the more emotional nights of my life. What happened is simple, but what it means is complex and difficult.

Last night began with my biology class, and with the fear and anticipation of whether or not I'm going to pass it. I can't help but feel like a colossal failure whenever I think about it, since this was supposed to be the semester that I do better than any other semester before. It looks like I still haven't learned much...

When I got home from class I found a letter for me on the kitchen counter. The letter was from Biola. I didn't get in.

It's not all bad, though at the same time, it kind of is. It's not a "rejection notice" the letter said, but more of a "wait notice". They decided it would be in my best interest to spend another year at community college, completing at least 24 transferable units while maintaining a GPA of 2.5 or more, and then reapply for the fall of 2010. But the thing is, I don't want to freaking wait that long. Restlessness is no longer creeping in, it's fully here and all around me. I don't like living at home. I don't like working at Islands. and I freaking hate Miramar.

But in those very thoughts God calls me out and reminds me in the weirdest way, that He loves me profoundly.

Not only am I probably over-reacting, but I've realized that within the last few months I've been getting what I deserve a lot. I've been experiencing the difficult and tangible repercussions of almost every major mistake I've made within the last two years or so. Needless to say, it's really hard. But the worst thing to do in this situation would be to forget that all of this is a trial, and that only by going through it will I be formed into a more Godly man. Complacency is no longer welcome in my life now. I will reject passivity and accept these challenges until I reach the next step in my life: graduating Biola.

Last night ended with strange and overwhelming mix of sadness, anger, and fear, and yet some comfort, while I stared into the face of the most beautiful indian I've ever seen.

God is so good to me.

i'm starting to...
believe the ocean's much like You.
because it gives and it takes away.

These past few weeks...

2009-05-08T22:38:00.000-07:00

I have nothing to fear anymore. Life is genuine, God is so good.
I'm very thankful for my beautiful friends. I've made quite a few new ones. They're all so great. And there's one in particular that I really hope will be with me for a long time. I have a good feeling that she will.

2
God has been giving me wisdom and discernment. Wisdom with girls and music more than anything else really. I've been realizing that the passion He put in me to play (music) for people is just that, something He put in me. I think it would be unwise of me to stifle this desire of mine, so I've been pursuing it rigorously.

3
I have a consistent source of accountability and brotherhood in my life. God has been using him greatly to be a profound encouragement to me, it's amazing. For now, it happens entirely over the phone. Sometimes it kills me, but I'm glad I can say "for now" because I basically always want to give him an enormous hug after every conversation.

4
I've discovered a peaceful place. I love it and I love the people. I feel passionately called to serve at this place for a time. So I will.

5
I confidently believe that it's in God's will for me to attend Biola and study philosophy. As far as getting in goes, I plan to attend sometime next year. I applied for the fall semester, but haven't found out if I'm in or not yet. I was told that I would hear from them by this monday...which basically means that I'm very nervous.

6
My musical palette recently has included the following:

Fleet Foxes
Radical Face
Boards of Canada - The Campfire Headphase
Norma Jean - O' God The Aftermath
Mew - A Triumph For Man

7
I love you all. Blessings! :)

2009-04-14T16:15:00.000-07:00

this music flows through my soul on a line that won't be traced.
this spirit set me on fire and now i'm burning.

when life gets real...

2009-03-28T23:50:00.000-07:00

...it tends to suck.

news:

- i continue to amaze myself with my completely-effing up abilities, i actually have quite a knack for it.
- i'm consoled by my Father, as well as the greatest band that has ever lived:

(they seriously will eat your favorite band for breakfast. )

i usually don't read it when people post poems or lyrics to their blog.
but i'm going to do it anyways because this one is truly a keeper.
(read it like you mean it boy)

light that fuse, back up three steps, and bite down on that bullet.
you've been doing this for way too long, and it can't be fixed.
don't worry, it can't be fixed,
so pull up that chair, and suck down that trouble.

misery is the fuel that keeps this broken down, lifeless instrument running.
i'm sinking in cursory and i'm sinking headfirst.

clear your dusty throat and taste that stiletto.
can you taste that metal?
don't worry it can't be fixed.
don't worry it can't be fixed, so don't worry.

light that fuse, back up three steps, and sink without trace.
hold me down till i stop crying.
i don't want to feel this anymore.
hold you down cause you're not trying.
i don't want to kill you anymore.

is this what you were designed for?
did you think that you had it coming?
hell follows with you.

an incredible work of art

2009-03-20T14:49:00.000-07:00

if you let it, this song will rip apart your soul, i recommend you try it.

"open water" - thrice

ten thousand men sleep down with davy jones,
with stolen treasure they tithe.
the open water chills me to my bones,
but it's the only place that i feel alive.

the ocean floor begins to disappear,
i sense that terrible depth.
the open water is my only fear,
but i'll sail as long as i still have breath (in me).

i'm starting to believe the ocean's much like you,
'cause it gives and it takes away.

between the devil and the deep blue sea
i stare into the abyss.
the open water is an awful thing,
but i'm anxious 'till the anchor is aweighed.

i'm starting to believe the ocean's much like you,
'cause it gives and it takes away.

uh oh.

2009-03-19T00:24:00.000-07:00

i got really curious and i listened to the jonas brothers version of the song "year 3000" a few days ago.
and wow i'm so freaking hooked on it.
fortunately, i only find this mildly embarrassing.

but like... holy dang.
how is a song this catchy? it makes no sense.
i'm going to go dance now.

i should sleep though...
but lyk WATEVR lawl.

aside from this perfect pop-gem, i've also recently discovered Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele
i like him a lot too.

please try tell me this is not as addictive as hard drugs (you can't)

musics.

2009-03-14T21:49:00.001-07:00

i'm digging these albums so freaking much lately.

they're not in any particular order except for white pony.
the deftones have definitely reclaimed the title of "kenny's present favorite band"

push back the square,
now that you need her. but you don't,
so there you go.

i'm going to go get a burrito.
oh and new layout! :D

i won! (sort of) :D

2009-03-13T07:45:00.000-07:00

i had been working on my entry for this contest for two weeks, and it payed off. this isn't arrogant, i'm just really happy :)

tell me, how do you feel?

2009-03-11T13:38:00.001-07:00

like a dumpster covered in a cute wallpaper...not great. pretty low actually.
i'm sick, i have an ear infection in both ears. but i guess the antibiotics are helping.

being sick, i've missed a few days of school. however i think this will be okay. i find it sort of adventurous catching up in school.... sort of.

sometimes i feel that God allows me to get sick like this to help me remember my insignificance. to get my head out of the clouds and quit screwing around. and i think it's working.
this sickness will go away soon (and someday i will too)

however, i'm still alive, i still have faith, i still believe in love, and i love you.

attention stalkers!
[you know who you are]

these links might be of interest to you!
youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/kennychiwa147
twitter: http://twitter.com/Kennychiwa147
dailybooth: http://dailybooth.com/kennychiwa147

sometimes providing this kind of information can weed out the wannabe stalkers from the real ones.
let's just wait and see what happens. :)

- pictures courtesy of www.woostercollective.com -

compliments are weird.

2009-03-01T22:15:00.000-08:00

my camera and i. LOVE each other.

i realized that i'm not as bad as receiving compliments as i think i am.
also, people like my painting a lot more than i thought they would. this is encouraging for me.

and i killed a baby rattlesnake today.

good enough man.

2009-02-28T20:17:00.000-08:00

so i haven't posted in a while. and unfortunately there isn't a good excuse for this. so, sorry. :(

here are some exciting things that have happened during the last month that i think are noteworthy:
- i made another painting for my church (unfortunately, i like it the least out of all the others i've done so far)
- i made way too much progress in fire red
- i made paper boats with my friends, and made a video of it: Rainy Day Boats (and i really like it)
- i learned a new song on guitar.
- i wrote a new song on piano.
- i got a fisheye lens for my video camera!
- all my textbooks finally came in the mail
- i didn't show up to work when i was supposed to because i didn't know i was scheduled, and i got written up for it.
- i burned down islands.
- i got some new pants.
- i bought my mom flowers.
- i figured out the meaning of pain and suffering.
- i ended a friendship.
- i started riding my bike to and from school, sometimes. haha
- i decided that "adagio for strings" by samuel barber is the saddest song i've ever heard.
- and i'm over girls for a while.

by the way, two of the things in the list are lies. hopefully you can tell which.

musical artists i'm currently digging:
-debussy
-chopin
-right away, great captain!
-the walkmen
-ratatat
-animal collective

ALSO!

^if you don't have this album^
please go buy it!
it's great. :)
Merriweather Post Pavilion - Animal Collective

and the most exciting item, i won't say. (suckas)
because i want it to be a wonderful surprise. :)
all you have to do is check out my youtube channel sometime towards the end of the next two weeks, and hopefully you will be happy, and surprised.
http://www.youtube.com/user/kennychiwa147

that's all for now friends!
i love you all. :)

When I saw...

2009-01-20T01:14:00.000-08:00

5:10 pm: My mom is driving me to work. I spent all evening up until now inside, with my friend Liz, making music and (more) videos, as well as getting ready for work. She left to go back up to school today. But she told me that she would probably be coming back down again next weekend.

While my mom is driving, I'm silently thinking about how Liz and I made a video for Mae Leah and how it made her happy. But in an instant my attention is stolen by the most challenging and staggering picture of color and light that I have ever seen.

A dark stretching cloud-wall, resembling a large, sloppy brush stroke from an old brush hung far up in the sky, highlighted by slits of a mix of screaming orange and yellow, it was on fire. All around it were transparent clouds that were not yellow, but gold. It's very presence violated all that was under it, changing everything's true color to a bright orange.

I saw the most beautiful sunset today, and I'll never forget it.

They way that it's beauty shamelessly mocked the orange, human, buildings beneath it. I felt that if hope was ever turned into a visual thing, it would be what I saw then, between 5:10 and 5:15 pm on Monday, January 19th, 2009.

It made me wonder: did anyone else experiencing this sunset the way I did? Was there someone else drinking it in just like me? I really hoped so.

Did you see it?

This Road

2009-01-19T11:01:00.000-08:00

All heavy laden, acquainted with sorrow,
may Christ in our marrow, carry us home.
From alabaster, come blessings of laughter,
a fragrance of passion and joy from the truth.

Grant the unbroken, tears ever flowing,
from hearts of contrition, only for You.
May sin never hold true that love never broke through,
for God's mercy holds us, and we are His own.

This road that we travel, may it be the straight and narrow.
God, give us peace and grace from You, all the day,
Shelter with fire, our voices we raise still higher.
God give us peace and grace from You, all the day through.

(Jars of Clay)

Heavy Stuff

2009-01-17T23:35:00.000-08:00

Why is it so hard to be an example of Christ sometimes?

Why do I learn from my mistakes, only to repeat them again in the near future?
Sometimes I wish I was perfect. Perfect people clearly don't have to deal with this kind of stuff.

But even in bleak times I know that God is steadfast, and I find this very encouraging.

Among other encouraging things is this: I look around and see people like Tim (tnellis.blogspot.com), and I know that he was once not the way he is now. He did not become the man of God that he is now without his own share of struggles. And even though he is a man of God, he still is far from perfection. But that almost goes without saying. The word "man" sort of presupposes the idea of constant imperfection, unless you're talking about Jesus.

Anyways, I have faith God will see me through this hard time. And I'll be a better person from it.

It's official.

2009-01-04T01:41:00.000-08:00

I have a new favorite band:

Animal Collective

Yes, dethroning even the almighty Norma Jean and Sigur Ròs. I purchased their Water Curses EP earlier today which was released in May of 2008, so it's their most recent stuff. The only other album of theirs that I physically own is Sung Tongs, from 2004, that I got for Christmas.

I like to think that I have a fairly decent grasp on the nature of this band, but with every new purchase I find that I am horribly mistaken. I find them completely unpredictable, and I love it. It seems to me that such creativity that is both pleasantly bizarre and pure genius is pretty hard to come by. I feel almost foolish for not discovering them earlier, but I'm glad that I finally have. :)

I eagerly look forward to completing my (presently small) collection of their music!
For those of you who have listened to them, what do you think?

Yosemite & YouTube

2009-01-02T21:26:00.000-08:00

I don't plan on posting every video that I make for YouTube here on my blog, but this is a special occasion. Being that this is my first official video that I made with the sole intention of sharing it with everyone via YouTube. So enjoy!

Also, to you grammar obsessed people, I apologize. I'm pretty sure that "It was probably one of the most cool experiences that I've ever had in my entire life." isn't correct. Oh well.

And I'll admit, I don't think I've got this whole talking to the camera thing nailed yet. But this was my best shot and so I just went with it. :)

Been working to put on good habits.

2008-12-27T23:17:00.000-08:00

Hi friends!

Christmas was totally marvelous for me this year! My family and I traveled up to Fresno to stay with my grandma and have christmas with all of my dad's side of the family. It was such fun! I received such great presents, and since I got a job at Islands in the summer, I actually was able to buy nice gifts for a few of my friends and family!

As far as awesome presents that I was given, I got three CD's: Moby - Last Night, Animal Collective - Sung Tongs, and Laurie Anderson - Big Science.
I've listened to all three in their entirety from start to finish, and I could probably talk about each for lots of paragraphs. But I won't, because I like having people read my blog, and I wouldn't want to torture you guys. But I mean, I don't know. I guess blogging is all about writing and reading stuff. But...uh I'm not sure. I feel like it would be annoying...maybe. I don't want to risk that. Or something. Frick. Shutup kenny.

Ahh! I also got a video camera!!! It's so freaking cool! It's a really nice Mini DV Sony HandyCam. Which, I know, isn't crazy nice or anything, but it's a quality camera and I already know how to use it (and final cut!) thanks to digital media. :) High school may have been useful after all.

Also, the day after christmas my Mom, Dad, brother and I all went to Yosemite! Everything was covered in snow, but the skies were astoundingly clear when we got there. It was maybe the most pristine and beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life so far. Don't feel like you missed out, because I recorded tons of footage and will have a sweet video up soon enough!

Speaking of videos, my YouTube account is: kennychiwa147
Check me out! :)

Oh, and also. A little side note.
The title of this blog entry is a line from the song "Who Could Win a Rabbit" from Animal Collective's album titled "Sung Tongs" (that I got for Christmas).

If you want to broaden your musical horizons, I plead you to check out this album! It's one of the most creative and musically insane things that I have ever listened to, and I totally love it!

animal collective ftw!

December!

2008-12-04T12:33:00.001-08:00

I'm not sure why, but I didn't post anything for the entire month of November. Maybe it's because I realized that nobody reads this blog. So I guess it doesn't really matter. :)

Anyways, it's December! I love December!

Also: I decided that I'm going to buy a video camera and start video blogging and making other sweet videos on youtube! I guess you could say that I became inspired after watching some peoples vlogs.

Plus I already know how to edit videos, and I have iMovie HD AND Final Cut Pro! :)
I know no one reads this, but I'll put the link to my channel once I get that camera and start filming things!

Hooray! :)

Surgery

2008-09-29T00:17:00.001-07:00

I'll start this off by saying that life for me has reached some sort of peak lately, but in the way that things keep getting better and better. It's been something that has been happening for the last few months, but lately things have been remarkably incredible.

I wish I could tell you more, but I wont, and you will just have to be content knowing that I'm incredibly happy with where I'm at right now. I really hope that I can remember these good times, especially when things get tougher and it becomes harder to remember that God is good and life is always an incredible experience that should never be taken for granted.

Anyways, amidst all of these countless amazing circumstances that have been happening lately, there's been this small looming dark spot, that being my surgery. Which is actually scheduled for today, being 12:30 am right now. I won't go into so much detail, but basically they will be cleaning out my sinuses of these weird growths I get called polyps. This will let me not get so many sinus infections all the time and have improved hearing and be able to smell! For the first time in five years! (if you did not already know this about me, I presently don't have a sense of smell because these polyps block it). The reason that this surgery is sort of considered a "small looming dark spot" to me is because there is a risk that I'll go blind or suffer some brain malfunction and become a vegetable for the rest of my life. But I've overcome that mostly, and I have faith in my surgeon. Especially since he's (successfully) done this operation on me three times already.

So anyways I've been imagining what things will be like with my ability to smell fully restored, and I think I expect life to be slightly more colorful and vibrant somehow. But who knows....I guess you do (if you can smell that is).

Anyways, I'll end this by saying a goodbye to my fellow anosmiacs! I travel somewhere that you cannot follow!

Goodnight! :)

Girls

2008-08-26T08:40:00.000-07:00

I'm becoming more and more thankful for the fact that the fall and winter seasons are coming up. Mostly because it means colder weather, and subsequently that girls won't be able to dress like prostitutes anymore. Though I'm sure there will be a few that will still manage.

Maybe they do it for attention, or maybe they're oblivious, but I doubt it. Either way, I've determined that the amount a girl "shows off", or how ever scantily clad she chooses to dress is directly proportional to how much of an idiot she is.

It's true.

Music

2008-08-25T13:30:00.000-07:00

Today was my first day of my second year in college. Which is actually better considered my first year of college because my real first year of college was an absolute waste. Also my first day isn't over yet because I have another class at 5:00 pm. Still, today is my first day of school. Pretty exciting, considering how I'm actually planning on trying this time.

Anyway, I have an Introduction to Music class, and today we discussed the question "What is music?", which was very intriguing. The following is my attempt at conveying and reflecting on my own thoughts, the thoughts of my classmates, and my professors during that hour or so of class.

So, what is music?

Trying to define music from a logical scientific approach is pointless because you would have to say something like, "Music is using some kind of instrument; your hands, a computer, piano, etc. to create and manipulate vibrations that produce different ranges of frequencies." But the commonly held theory about matter, as we presently know it, is that it's all just vibrating atoms. So from that perspective, everything is music. Which is cool, and could be true, but not in the way that the scientific definition means it. Also, we know inherently that music is much deeper and more mysterious than just sound, or even the lack of sound. The experimental American composer John Cage created a piece titled 4'33", which quickly became, and remains as, one of the most controversial pieces of music ever. A performance of 4'33" would begin by the performer sitting at the piano bench, closing the keyboard lid, then setting his watch on it, which he would periodically check just to monitor the time. The performance consists of three movements, during which the performer sits at the piano, not playing a single note, for four minutes and thirty three seconds. What is then intended to become apparent to the viewers is that they in fact are the music. The subsequent mumbling of confusion and amusement that eventually emerges from the audience and reverberates off the walls and ceiling of the concert hall is the entire point of the piece.

A challenging notion indeed, that music is more than creating sound, and can actually be not only not sound but the candid reactions of people in an audience, who don't even realize that they are the ones performing.

There's this idea that music is defined as some kind of universal language. Which sounds nice, but when examined closely is actually untrue. In a literal sense, music does not always convey information the way a language does. (Louis XVI being one of the few exceptions :) ). But even a song that has lyrics containing facts about the life of a French king could only be understood by those who are familiar with the language that the lyrics are in in the first place. In a similar light, music is not a universal language because whatever the original creator of some piece of music meant when creating it (assuming he or she even meant anything in the first place) could be completely misinterpreted by the listeners. Which leads to another point, that music doesn't always have to be auditory. Ludwig van Beethoven, for example, gradually lost his hearing in his twenties and eventually became completely deaf. But he still continued to compose and conduct entire symphonies, adding his name to an ever growing list of countless deaf musicians.

So after exhausting a few more vague ideas of what music is, which really all ended up being more like definitions of what music has become to us today in our modern culture, our teacher eventually stopped the conversation and concluded with how he had been asking this question for nearly his entire life. He told us that the most satisfying answer to him so far has been that music is simply whatever you make it to be. Pure creation. Sometimes it's an expression, sometimes it's not. Sometimes it has motives, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it has melodies and harmonies and dynamics and can be listened to through headphones, and sometimes it's the sound of a confused audience. It's not a universal language, it's a universal phenomenon.

Which means that you can't say that one person is a "better" musician than someone else, or that any "type" of music is better than another, or that one song is "good" and another is "bad". For we are all musicians, but some have chosen to practice and have become more skilled in the way that they prefer to create. There are no different "types" of music, only differences and similarities that some music shares and does not share with other music. And what someone really means when they say that a particular song is "good" is not that it is objectively good, but just that it happens to appeal to their own personal preference. Which raises the question, where do our preferences come from and what influences and shapes them to become what they are?

But aside from that is a question even more intriguing: why are things this way? Why do we all have a desire to create? Why exactly is music a universal phenomenon? What do we find in merely creating that deeply satisfies us?

The Bible tells us that God created us in His image. I think that you can get a lot from this statement, but what presently interests me is that God created us. Maybe this is why music appeals to us. Maybe we were made to be creative in nature because He is creative in nature.

Maybe...um...I don't know...
Maybe I'm finally out of thoughts for now and will be late for class if I keep writing.

The Abandoned Fish Factory

2008-07-14T18:04:00.000-07:00

I'll just get this out of the way up front: I'm not too sure why I chose this as my name for my blog. I guess it just sounds intriguing and cool yet still extremely vague.

I wanted to write a lot about it, about some kind of cool symbolism or something, But really the name just comes from a scene in Heima. The one where Sigur Ròs plays in the dark, underground-looking, concrete remnants of an old fish factory in Iceland. I won't mention anything else about it except for that it's incredibly beautiful.

Sounds interesting? Go buy Heima! It will change everything you know about music!

Oh and welcome to my blog.