Life of Fobbs

Untitled, 25 Oct 11

2011-10-25T09:29:00.000-07:00

Beats keep beating
Hearts keep thumping
In the land of fantasy
Why is it so destitute?

Sky so sunny
Rain so distant
These trees so inviting
Like a midsummer night's dream

Walk over to the road
A one-way street

Walk over to the road
Which way will we take?

Which way will we take?
A question seems so simple
For a one-way street
Leaves little room for error

Where are you going?
The sign says "One-Way"

Where are you going?
Why is this defying gravity?

The clouds thus thicken
When the street signs give lies

Now the question is simple
Which way do I go?
Because only one way
Seems natural to me

Which way do I go?
Is there any way I can go?

Beats won't stop beating
Hearts won't stop thumping
I can't walk past
This one-way street

Out in the distance...
Sunset red envelopes
My legs won't walk in reverse
On the side of this destitute road

Some Final Thoughts

2011-08-22T21:28:00.000-07:00

Well, it's not much. My flight takes off here in about 50 minutes. "Freedom is bittersweet." Those are the words that came to mind as I walked through the security lines, seconds after saying farewell to my family. This is going to be the adventure of a lifetime...the adventure of a lifetime.

While it is very much a bittersweet feeling, I can't even express how happy I feel, how blessed I have been these past eighteen-and-a-half years, for the friends I have made, the things I have learned, and the utter gifts that have been bestowed upon me.

This won't be easy, but I know I can do it. Nevertheless, I can't do it alone. I already can't wait until the day I come back, likely four months from now, to the date. Until then, though, my new life begins, a new and exciting life. I trust that good things will be brought to me, and that I'll be able to more freely express who it is I am.

For everyone I've ever spoken with, helped, gotten help from...anything, really, a big thank you. You all deserve it.

Tomorrow I arrive in the eastern seaboard. Tomorrow it really begins. Hmm.

The Beginning

2011-08-22T16:03:00.000-07:00

I figured I put this up since there's been some family and friends that hasn't seen/read my speech and wanted to hear it...I've kinda been procrastinating on this, so better late than never, right? Mi discurso también está traducido, si haz scroll poquito. ¡Gracias!

The Beginning

Parents, families, teachers, administration, and other members of the community: we, the class of 2011, have gathered here this evening to celebrate our graduation from high school, from four years of making friends, making memories, and—yes—actually learning stuff. We have all been through our ups and downs, the high points and the low ones. We learned about semicolons, DAMSA, and run-on sentences—such as this one, by the time it’s over—, we learned that the shortest path between two points is not always straight, and we even lit our hands on fire—oh, wait, shh… We’ve gone through our challenges, notably the wildfires of 2003 and 2007, but we have also been rewarded with a field trip to the beach, CIF section titles in multiple sports, numerous awards in our music programs, and various guest speakers, including, most notably, the reanimated John C. Calhoun. It goes without saying that it has been an eventful time here at VCHS.

While our four years may be up, and while this is truly our time, our night to celebrate in the face of those gathered, I think it is important that we not leave without reflecting and pondering at the significance of our graduation. Graduation from school is often known as a commencement, and “to commence” of course means “to begin.” Indeed, tonight does not mark an ending so much as it does a beginning—an entrance into the real world, our careers, our further educations, and the rest of our lives.

Beginning tonight, we carry with us many brand new responsibilities. It takes no large headline on the cover of a newspaper to see that the world is going through some rough patches, and whether we like it or not, it is our generation gathered here that will ultimately pick up the pieces. Tonight we are presented with a choice to make, a choice perhaps more difficult and yet more fundamental than…deciding to bear the rising costs of college tuition, or even deciding to enlist among the brave and selfless men and women in our nation’s armed forces.

No, tonight we must decide whether we are to allow the world to continue as it is: with perpetual war, famine, and genocide; or will we vow ourselves to take that stand, together, united, to provide each other, each neighbor, and each stranger with care, kindness, and respect. As the famous Mexican politician, Benito Juárez once said, “Entre los individuos, come entre las naciones, el respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz.” It means, “Among individuals, as among nations, respect for the rights of others is peace itself,” and this is true regardless of gender, race, nationality, language, religion, political affiliation, or sexual orientation.

As we become men and women, we must “put childish things away” and stand up and look out for the community and world around us, rather than do things solely because they will only benefit ourselves. Too often it is the easy way out that we take, but in life, we need to do what is right, “not because it is easy,” in the words of John F. Kennedy, “but because it is hard.” We must take initiative and take leadership, be it in clubs, service organizations such as Kiwanis and the Lions Club, church groups, or even at the workplace. We must not be afraid of taking that extra minute to help the guy that has just dropped his stack of papers and notecards amidst a large crowd. And we must not be afraid to fail, for that will only guarantee disappointment. We must instead hold courage and patience in all that we do, live without fear, and carry on an optimism everywhere we go, and with everyone that comes along on our journeys.

Class of 2011: sitting in your seat right now signifies that you have an opportunity, an amazing opportunity, each and every one of you. Take it, seize it, and change the lives of those around you. I have faith that all of you will do so, and I think everyone watching us tonight shares this sentiment. Class of 2011, it has been an amazing four years here. VCHS has been our home and family. We give thanks to everyone that has helped to bring us there, and we will definitely miss this place in our own way. But now, this is our time, this is our commencement; not the ending, but only the beginning.

Thank you, and may God be in each and every one of you. Goodnight.

Joshua Fabian,

14 June 2011

(Es lo más probable que hay errores in mi traducción...lo siento.)

El Principio

Padres, familias, maestras, administración, y otros miembros de comunidad: nosotros, la clase del 2011, hemos reunido aquí esta noche para celebrar nuestra graduación de la high school, cuatro años de haciendo amigos, haciendo memorias y—si—en realidad si aprendimos algunas cosas. Todos nosotros hemos sido a través de nuestros altos y bajos, los puntos altos, y los bajos. Aprendimos sobre los puntos y comas, DAMSA y las oraciones corridas—así como esta cuando se acabe—, aprendimos que el paso más corto entre dos punto no siempre se queda derecho, y también encendimos nuestras manos en un fuego—oh, espera, shh… Hemos pasado por nuestros desafíos, como los incendios de 2003 y de 2007, pero también hemos sido premiados con un viaje a la playa, campeonatos CIF en varios deportes, muchísimos premios en nuestros programas de música, y varios oradores invitados, incluyendo el reanimado John C. Calhoun. No hace falta decir que fue un tiempo memorable aquí en la VCHS.

Aunque nuestros cuatro años ya han terminado y aunque esto es nuestro hora en verdad, nuestra noche para celebrar a fuente de esos asistentes, yo pienso que es importante que no dejamos sin reflexionar sobre lo significancia de nuestra graduación. La graduación de la escuela también se conoce como un comienzo y a “comenzar” por supuesto quiere decir “para empezar.” De hecho, hoy no se significa una conclusión como un principio—una entrada a mundo real, nuestras carreras, nuestras educaciones superiores, y el resto de nuestras vidas.

A partir de esta noche, levamos muchas responsabilidades nuevas. No necesita un gran título a fuente de un periódico para ver que el mundo está en un tiempo difícil, y si nos gusta o no, es nuestra generación reunido aquí que un día recogerá los pedazos. Esta noche estamos presentado con una decisión para tomar, una decisión más difícil y todavía más fundamental de…decidiendo a pagar la matrícula universitaria que siempre sube, o decidiendo a alistarse entre los hombres y mujeres valientes y generosos de las fuerzas armadas de nuestro país.

No, esta noche tenemos que decidir si permitiremos que el mundo continua como está hoy: con guerra perpetua, hombre extendido, y genocidio; o vamos a prometer nosotros mismos a tomar esa posición, juntos, unidos, para dar todos, cada vecino y cada desconocido con cuidado, cariño y respeto. Como el político famoso de México, Benito Juárez, dijo una vez, “Entre los individuos, come entre las naciones, el respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz,” y esto es cierto sin hacer caso de sexo, raza, nacionalidad, lenguaje, religión, afiliación política, u orientación sexual.

Como nos convertimos a hombres y mujeres, debemos dejar de las cosas de niño y levantamos a cuidar nuestra comunidad y nuestro mundo—dejando hacer cosas solamente porque nos beneficiará. Muchas veces es el paso fácil que tomamos, pero en la vida, necesitamos hacer lo correcto, “not because it is easy” [“no porque es fácil”], en las palabras del ex-presidente Estadounidense y católico, John F. Kennedy, “but because it is hard” [“pero porque es difícil”]. Debemos tomar la iniciativa y dirección, como en los clubs, las organizaciones de servicio como Kiwanis y el Lions Club, grupos en la iglesia, o en el lugar de trabajo. No deberemos tener miedo de tomar ese minuto extra para ayudar al señor que dejo caer sus papeles y notas en fuente de un gentío. Y no deberemos tener miedo de fallar, porque eso nomas asegurará la decepción. Deberemos mantener la coraje y patencia en todo que hacemos, vivir sin temer, y caminar con un optimismo en cualquier lugar que nos encontramos y con cualquier persona que nos pase en nuestros viajes.

Clase de 2011: sentando en esa silla ahorita significa que tú tienes una oportunidad, una oportunidad maravillosa, cada uno de ustedes. Tómenla, aprovéchenla y cambien las vidas de otros. Tengo confianza que todos ustedes si lo harán, y pienso que todos viendo esta noche tienen el mismo sentimiento. Clase de 2011, fueron unos cuatro anos fantásticos aquí. La VCHS fue nuestra casa y familia. Damos la gracias a todos que han ayudado nosotros estar aquí en este momento, y extrañaremos este lugar a nuestra manera. Pero ahora, esto es nuestra hora, esto es nuestro comienzo; no la conclusión, pero solamente el principio.

Gracias, y que Dios estará en cada uno de ustedes. Buenas noches.

Joshua Fabian,

14 junio 2011

These are the Days

2011-08-14T23:03:00.000-07:00

Poem I wrote earlier today. The title/"hook" was somewhat-inspired by the song "These are the Days" by the Exies. Like many of my poems, it caries both a social and spiritual meaning.

These are the days
That are so numbered and few,
These are the days
When skies fade from blue,
These are the days
That seldom hold a clue,
These are the days
We seem to start anew,
But this is the day
I find who is true,
This is the day
I found out
It is you

--14th August 2011

Changes?

2011-08-10T00:40:00.000-07:00

Less than two weeks until I leave for MIT. Here's a little thing I whipped up several days ago:

Flying planes
Like dots in the sky
Shooting stars
But we can't all have wishes
To faraway places
Closer to our homes
And closer to our liberty
We fight so we belong

They say the biggest changes
Aren't really changes
But growing out and up
And seeing the world different
We have it all in us
To make a dear difference
So put your head, so put your mind
And let us love without remorse

--6th August 2011, 11:40

Beginnings of a New Week

2011-07-17T23:57:00.000-07:00

What a time it's been, and what a time it will be, I'm suddenly in the mood to write a poem. But...because I need to sleep soon, I shall restrain myself. This week I'm going to Disneyland, Universal Studios, and Comic Con, and the following weekend is the Steubenville conference (for which I just completed an...entertaining music video!). Finally...summer is here!

Today I also started looking for bedding/other stuff for college. Almost a month a way. Is it all finally starting to hit me? ...Maybe.

Have faith, live long, prosper (yes, I adapted this from a sci-fi, haha...).

--JF

A New Revival

2011-07-13T00:35:00.000-07:00

First of all, nevermind that the title of this post is grammatically incorrect. I figured that, at this "point" in my life, just having finished high school and preparing to walk the halls of MIT, it's time to come back here and begin to maintain this blog once again. Plus, for any of you that remember the old layout...I've given this blog a visual refresher tonight after two years of inactivity. I'm not sure what type of things I'll be posting, but hopefully it'll be interesting enough to keep your interest. If it's not...try to let me know. Nicely.

Most of what you'll see here will be quite random. I'll likely post (edit: so I guess I lied a few sentences back) poems, raps, photos, videos, and...random outbursts of happiness, terror, and sleep-deprivation, both while at home and at school. Are you ready for this adventurous ride? No? Well...that's okay.

Painful Beautiful

2009-07-29T01:30:00.000-07:00

This is only the second full-length song I've written. The other I wrote nearly a year ago. I've been working on this off and on since for a few months ago until I forgot about it completely. Then, about a week ago, I discovered its existence, and I wrote the second half of the lyrics. The lyrics and the tune that goes with it were influenced by Three Days Grace, Skillet, Underoath, Breaking Benjamin, and Killswitch Engage. Also, lyrics in italics are screamed or shouted.

Painful Beautiful

[Intro]

Everything I know is on fire

Changes just making me tire

All around, I look for a light

But in the end, I get in a fight

Stooping lower after every mention

But yet, no one gives attention

To all the crimes that are committed

And the sins that remain unremitted

It seems hopeless

We are thoughtless

Look all around

But there’s nothing abound

Old ties are separating

And the world’s forever changing

For good or bad

I’d never know

For good or bad

I want you to let it show, show, show!

[Chorus:]

Painful Beautiful!

Nothing’s ever the same here, no

Painful Beautiful!

Devolving before our eyes, it’s

Painful Beautiful!

The twinkle in our gloomy future, you’re

Painful Beautiful!

Your new dress is changing you

But no matter what

It’s all painful and beautiful

[Short break]

[Echo about 4x:]

Painful Beautiful!

And so now try to look back

But all the charm, I see you now lack

For the only ones living in reality

Are the ones who found totality

In the Power, Almighty Power

Your touch has turned so sour

After all the times that we’ve been through

So what’s to do about you?

Bright to darkness com-ple-ete-ly

That dress has changed you in-fin-ite-ly

When will you ever see?

You follow me every-place

Leaves me in such disgrace

But I know… (Yes I know)

In the end who’s really right

For I’ll never leave your sight!

It seems worthless

We are heartless

Look all around

But there’s nothing abound

Old ties are deteriorating

And our world’s forever changing

For good or bad

How will we know?

For good or bad

Why won’t you just let it show, show, show?

(Show us all now!)

[Chorus:]

Painful Beautiful!

Nothing’s ever the same here, no

Painful Beautiful!

Devolving before our eyes, it’s

Painful Beautiful!

The twinkle in our gloomy future, you’re

Painful Beautiful!

That red dress is changing you

But no matter what

Your sight’s painful and beautiful

[Instrumental break/solo]

Why will you never change?

What keeps on fueling pain?

What will you ever see

What keeps on killing me?

When will the Master come

And heal your blinded eyes?

[Tempo cools down/music all but stops]

[Softly:]

It seemed hopeless

We’re all mindless

All I ever saw was you

Your sight’s painful

You’re so beautiful

When will you ever see…

Again?

Revolving Doors

2009-07-29T01:00:00.000-07:00

This is a poem I wrote the last day of school, during 6th period PE.

Revolving Doors

Revolving doors spin us around

Leaving us in, leaving us out

Leaving warm-hearted in cold

Heartless winter snowdrifts

With piles of air and water

To drown the helpless voices

Voices of spirit

And voices of honor

The voices of truth at war

With rules all ignored

And sorrow calls for peace

Unheard and drowned all the same

Not one side pulling ahead

But both tearing the world around

Smashing pieces to boiling core

And smashing memories

From brainwashed men

Cries of the Crows

2009-07-29T00:54:00.000-07:00

This is a poem that I wrote a couple of months ago, relatively on the spot. Dunno why I haven't gotten around to posting it here on Blogger, but...here it is:

Cries of the Crows

Always at my side

Brightening up my gloom

Turning bad days around

And making good ones perfect

But you have flown away

And wings I've not grown

To keep from falling

With the rest of our world

I dost sit still

Waiting, trying, hoping

For your own sweet call

That shalln't hear again

For a sense of realism

To see my own existence

But all I feel

Is the burning emptiness

That dost kill frequent

The burning coldness

Of starting over again

For the next time

Of many likely to come

But watching the sky

Spies a bird flying high

A bird familiar yet changed

All the same

As she flies right by

Only later dost she remember

And when she finally lands

The two lone black feathers

Found yet years later

Spell their ultimate Fate

Summer Goals

2009-07-01T23:40:00.000-07:00

Lolz, only half of these are going to get done, I think.

Complete summer school health
Read The Great Gatsby, Invisible Man, Fahrenheit 451, The Book of Genesis, The Book of Exodus, and The Book of Leviticus
Take dialectal journals on The Great Gatsby, and Invisible Man
Produce a very short film
Write a slightly longer script or two to produce in the next year
Watch fireworks on the Day of Independence
Read every single xkcd comic
Self-learn Spanish III material
Memorize the Presidents of the United States
Visit some universities and colleges around the Southland
Visit the San Diego County Fair
Watch Star Wars, Harry Potter VI, and Transformers 2

White Space

2009-04-30T22:09:00.000-07:00

White Space

The white space buzzes in solitude

As birds fly through in V-shapes

All is calm and rests in peace

With white space in a vast

Universe of apathy and morose

Floating on the nothingness

Of the eternal confinement

Is the young boy who runs

Running, through the same white fields

Until he finds he way home

But there is no home

And there are no birds

For they are spontaneous conjectures

Of his young by whittled mind

White is all he sees and

White is all he knows

Until he himself succumbs to the world

And becomes one with the white space

Cloaked

2009-04-30T22:06:00.000-07:00

Cloaked

Cloaked and hidden

Taken from the world

Seen but unseen

There and gone

All in a flash

Ignored and thrashed

Until life shattered

The cloak was not chosen

The cloak grew on

Until it seamed

The cliff was falling

But the cloak was on

And no one saw

And no one rescued

One day they found

The empty cloak

Deprived of life

Its owner hidden

And missing from life

Hidden from the world

And now hidden from light

Roses (Thaw)

2009-04-30T21:56:00.000-07:00

One of three poems I wrote during Spanish this past Tuesday. Check them all out.

Roses (Thaw)

Roses are red, and violets are blue

Until the cold freeze kills them to gray

And the uncertainty that appears

Builds on, until spring thaw

Fireman's Glory

2009-04-25T00:26:00.000-07:00

I wrote this Thursday in Goodman's and finished it Friday during lunch. Somewhat short too, which is odd. There are...so many interpretations. Yet, I think it's very timely. So many ways to look at it. So many subjects. What's yours? Comments?

Fireman’s Glory

Burning wood and fiery cries

Sound the alarm of midnight skies

The fireman comes and runs abound

To deceive and say that all is asound

Except for the one that decides to scream

And from he, tears fall in a stream

As the fireman decides on his strike

With a torch the shape of a pike

One by one, they fight and die

Leaving their lies with a final sigh

Until the sun came up asoon

And the seeds began to bloom

Unnecessary (Love)

2009-04-20T00:05:00.000-07:00

I wrote this earlier today on the whim. It's quite interesting and also contains a pretty profound double-meaning throughout if you can catch it. Read it. Comment on it. Thank you.

Unnecessary (Love)

Some say it’s needed

To keep running in the world

To save our brothers

From lives of misery

Simple things like money

The greedy rich man’s

Sword of deviltry

Or petty entertainment

With its degeneration

And all-for-naught morals

Excess and greed

Are the rules to live by

While peace and health

Call just to the birds

Until a tragedy strikes

And when to turn back

Would worsen it all

Glitz and glamour matter

As their own greatest fib

As a blindfold

For the shameful truth

Hidden in fire

And blurred in lust

And are friends thus so

When all they spread

Are engorging lies

And sinful influences?

Necessities we call

All these backwards things

Which many on Earth

Do easily without

When only one thing

Holds ourselves from

Our utter destruction

When all we need

Is Love

Pressure

2009-04-15T23:37:00.001-07:00

I came up with this mainly this morning:

Pressure

Every day it boils on

Like the soda in bottle

Getting ready to just pop

After each longer day

Wears away to insane

Robbing of his sense

The one little comfort

And his peace and joy

Everything is separated

And all are foreign

Changed and gone

Even as they stand

Right by his side

Maybe he’s here

Or maybe they’re not

Times have changed

But the truth is eternal

And maybe some won’t know

But what in the world

Is to say they’re wrong?

He sees the fork

And turns the way

That will only lead

To a life of success

Before the Pressure

Forever draws him in

In Between

2009-03-15T23:22:00.001-07:00

I’m never happy

And yet I’m never sad

I’m just always in between

Always looking forward

But always holding back

It’s just like I’m never here

With all the stuff upon my life

And the toils of everyday

I’m just never that alive enough

To enjoy all that I have been given

And all that I have earned

I just simply never have time

To be happy or sad

To rejoice or to mourn

For I’m just always in between

You: Stuff About Me

2009-03-09T23:12:00.000-07:00

Let's see who REALLY knows me... So the deal is you post/email/whatever me back this thing with all the answers filled out, and then I'll do the same for you...

My name:

Who is the love of my life:

Where did we meet:

Take a stab at my middle name:

How long have you known me:

When is the last time that we saw each other:

Do I smoke:

Do I drink:

When is my birthday:

What was your first impression of upon meeting me:

Do I have any siblings:

What's one of my favorite things to do:

Am I funny:

What's my favorite type of music:

What is the best feature about me:

Am I shy or outgoing:

Am I a rebel or do I follow the rules:

Do I have any special talents:

Would you consider me a friend/good friend:

Would you call me preppy, average, sporty, punk, hippie, glam, nerdy, snobby, or something else (what):

What is a memory we have once had:

Have you ever hugged me:

Do you miss me...Do you think I miss you:

What is my favorite food:

Have you ever had a crush on me:

If there was one good nickname for me, what would it be:

What's your favorite memory of me:

Who do I like right now:

What is my worst habit:

If you and I were stranded on a desert island, what one thing would I bring:

Are we friends:

Will you repost this so I can do it for you:

25 Random Self-facts

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

Time for 25 random facts about me. (Random crickets chirping in the background.)

1. Plain and simply, I love my friends. All of them. They are usually my motivation and help keep me going, even though I seldom show that they mean a lot to me.
2. The exact same applies to my family.
3. I enjoy making films as a hobby (and, obviously, for VCTV). Tons of fun. Nevertheless, I don't think I want to make a career out of it.
4. Speaking of that, I want to study to become a big-name architect. Can anyone say Berkeley or Stanford?
5. Oftentimes, out of depression or plain old boredom (more lately the latter), I'll write poetry. I love writing of my own free will.
6. I started out my life living in West Esco, moved to Valley Center in 7th grade, and then moved back to East Esco about 10 months ago.
7. I'm trying to make the Lord a bigger part of my everyday life. If you think this is not logical, then...convery, already!
8. I honestly feel that I have been given sort of task or purpose to accomplish in my life, but only time will tell what exactly that is.
9. I'm on the school's academic team. Geeky, huh?
10. I love music, and the world would probably be a much sadder place without it after all. I like all type of music, but rock most.
11. I actually do like some forms of rap and hip-hop. People like Kanye and Common. People like Lil Wayne, however...not that much.
12. I don't always have that high of a self-esteem level. Go figure.
13. I have no life. Again, go figure. Lol.
14. I try to tend to not brag about myself. I don't like it. And I find people boasting about me as...very annoying.
15. I always listen to both sides of any issue or arguement and (tend to) to people's stories.
16. People label/call me a good "advice giver." Fabio the Shrink? Sure, let's go with that.
17. My brother shares the same birthday (in month and day) as me.
18. I haven't been to the movies for almost two years now. Sad? Anyone wanna help me with that, lol?
19. If you wonder where my favorite place to eat is, just look for the two palm trees in the X-shape.
20. I think I have had carpal tunnel syndrome for quite some time now (not that you know what that is). Fun.
21. When I sleep, I have very strange and unreal dreams. That's when I actually sleep long enough to produce dreams, that is.
22. Sometimes it rocks being "the smart one" around. Sometimes it sucks. Sometimes it's annoying.
23. School has been getting rather annoying lately... I blame it on all the work and reading involved.
24. I'm sure most will end up agreeing with me in saying that sophomore year tends to be the worst of one's high school career. It really isn't that bad, though, all the time.
25. Many time I've looked back on my life and honestly asked myself "How?"

And a few more that didn't quite make the cut:

26. Sometimes it's the little things that people say or do that make or break my day.
27. I'm a lot more emotional on the inside than I am on the outside.
28. I have an awesometastic phone! Lol!
29. I'll often look fine and feel dying on the inside; I'll often look emotionless and be joyous in the inside.

Limericks

2009-01-30T09:30:00.000-08:00

This was from an assignment for Dolan's class, to make up a poster, song, skit, or poem based off of the Greek story of Oedipus Rex. Enjoy.

Limericks

There once was a man from Thebes

Who often wore shirts with no sleeves

He married his mother

After killing his father

And as a child he fell out of trees

His parents left him to die

Because an oracle at Delphi

Correctly predicted

That he’d be addicted

To killing his father with pie

He met five men on the street

And with a large stick he was beat

That’s what she said

And then they were dead

It was quite a marvelous sight

Although all this was foretold

He never noticed his wife was so old

Till he uncovered the lies

And gouged out his eyes

But the cheese was covered in mold

(Legend: Lance, Fabio, Nick, Antonio, Ben)

One Man's Hope

2009-01-20T22:30:00.000-08:00

"...Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America: They will be met.

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.

We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness...

We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions — that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America..."

--Barack Hussein Obama
Inauguration Address to the Nation
January 20, 2009

Around and Around

2009-01-18T15:54:00.000-08:00

Suggestions for a better title, perhaps?

Around and Around

I cannot help but sometimes think

Of all the days I just sit there

With nothing to do

And nothing to say

All as our world keeps crashing down

While society only de-evolves itself

But yet they all seem so happy

So pleasant… So careless

So where am I?, I ask myself

On these lonely occasions

Why is it that to be right is wrong?

And that to be wrong is glorified?

What have we come to?

And where have our morals gone?

I cannot help but sometimes think

That I’m at the short end of the stick

That I’m the one caught back in time

It’s the whimsical things of light

That are always blamed on me

And always come around to me

I do what I think is right and just

But sometimes I end up only hurting

Myself and those I cherish

And that in society’s ruthless path

I’m left behind and alone

With only the Truth to save me

When the Day and Time arrives

One Step Away

2009-01-16T20:21:00.001-08:00

Here's a pretty quick rap I wrote instead of taking my Spanish final this morning. It has a rather quick beat that goes pretty much to the verse tune of "Touch the Sky" by Kanye West and Lupe Fiasco. Tell me what you think of it.

One Step Away

Everywhere we go

Through all the twists and turns

We’re one step away

From the glory and fame

We’re just one step away

From winning the game

Until, that is, you see

That it’s the game that deceives you

And you learn ultimately

That it’s the game that defeats you

And now you’re just one step away

From being taken under

You’re just one step away

From making a stupid blunder

That you will regret

But then you think for a moment

Clean your messed mind up

See the light in the tunnel

(The one way over there)

And realize that

We’re one step away

From having it all

We’re just one step away

From forgetting it all

[music begins to fade out]

Only one step away

From climbing back up this cliff

Starting over

Taking the lead

And not looking back

On the other side

Where you’re only one step away

From taking a fall

Finals Week

2009-01-16T13:43:00.000-08:00

Well, to put things short, it's been one heck of a week: good old, er, dreaded, finals week. Pretty much the entire day Tuesday (yes, that includes while at school) was dedicated to studying for our AP Euro semester final, which I apparently aced with flying colors. Most of this week I've gotten off school at noon and had half the day to chill with friends/sleep/watch TV/eat/SLEEP.

The good thing now is that it's over and I have absolutely nothing school-related to do this weekend. I should probably be appreciative of that, as this will likely be the only such weekend until the end of the year. And while my classes won't be changing, there will be some people moving in and out of my classes next week, so we'll see how that works out...

In addition, all next week is this "Breaking Down the Walls" crud, which is supposed "unite the school" and "encouage people to open up and talk to others that they otherwise wouldn't socialize with." Sounds interesting, but we'll see how it turns out. I'm getting the day off Wednesday (2-4-6) to be a part of it. Don't expect your teachers to be doing much of anything next week because of people leaving for stuff.

Which reminds me, here's next week's schedule:

Monday: No School

Tuesday: 1/Assembly-N-1/Assembly-3-L-5 (1:13p)

Wednesday: 2-N-4-L-6 (2:07p)

Thursday: All Classes (2:07p)

Friday: All Classes (2:40p)

As far as this weekend, however, tomorrow I have a party to go to, and Sunday, to my dismay, I will not be watching the Chargers play the Ravens in the AFC Championship. Oh, yes, and my camera is not i n good shape right now...something decided to screw up in the screen...grr!!!... Ah, then there's my phone, of which the pound (#) doesn't work and therefore I can't type spaces in texts...grr... But other than that, life's pretty good. For now, enjoy the weekend (new writing piece later today).

A Friend (All This Time)

2009-01-06T00:05:00.000-08:00

Here's a poem I've written up a few days ago. It's the first full poem I've written since last summer. Personally, I don't think it's quite as good or original as my older stuff, but what do I know, I'm just the guy writting these things. It seems almost childish, but I think it still has a nice ring to it. And if it's not apparent to you after you finish reading it, this isn't about a girl, or anything like that at all. Enjoy.

A Friend (All This Time)

I think I was still just little

When I first saw and met you

You were a friend of mine, yes

But I never really stopped, sat down

And really talked to you for long

When I could play with all my

Other good friends down in the sandbox

And then eventually, undoubtedly,

I turned and left your fading image

Until I fell in the wretched pit

That I thought would only better me

But in turn only battered me

So as I walk down this desolate road

Filled with little more than misery

I see a small, very quiet bench

On which I sit down and think

About everything that I’ve done

Until I turn my head

And to my amazement

I see You, sitting right beside me

On the cold, freezing bench

You went out to look for me, worried sick

And You’ve been here, all this time

In Context (Intro)

2009-01-05T23:44:00.000-08:00

Well, what can I say, this is my blog, where I'll write pretty much whatever's on my mind and then some. Over the Christmas break I spent about a day's worth putting everything together to make this (and my other blog) look how they do now.

Anyhow, so where do I start? I'm sixteen, though you probably already know that unless you've stumbled across this quite randomly 0.o and I'm pretty much taking life as it comes at me as a mixed bag. You could say I do well in school, and my hobbies are pretty much making periodic films, writing short pieces (note the short part), listening to music, doing homework, and being bored (hence this blog, eh?). Let's see, what else... Oh, yes, the Chargers are on a roll right now... I'm 16 and still can't get my license just yet... I haven't even been out driving for about two months since we pretty much lost one of the other cars in what was actually a fairly minor accident (don't even get me started on that), and I should get started on that again soon if I want to be able to drive myself to school by next year. Otherwise I might not be able to manage the trip up and down the hill each and every day. And that would not be good, to say the very, very least.

And then there's my dad, who will hopefully be getting this much better job that he's getting his way closer and closer to. But even then, that would make things easier and yet harder all same. Let's see... What else? Oh, yes, finals (midterms, sorry) are next week, but I don't seem to stressing out about them for some reason. I guess I'm not really worried about them, which is quite good. (I seem like I'm talking to myself, don't you?) My friends and family and faith are all the most important things to me, and they're my motivation and probably don't even know how much I love them all as they read these words. Wait... Now I'm changing tenses, aren't I?

*Blah* It must be the midnight moon, then, making me seem to rant. Oh, yes, and I love music. Pretty much all types. But rock (of all varieties) more than the others.

Anyhow, so that's pretty much a bit of an intro, a very slight, on-the-surface getting-to-know-me. But you already know me. Chow-for-now, and keep reading for what's ahead.

--Joshua Fabian