10.29.2008

RIP Brad We love you bro...

RIP: Bradley Allen Ponder 1986-2008


For Brad
This ones for the poet, and the magick he could write
This ones for the music, cause the music was his life
And this is for the young man who was took before his time
This is for the ones he loved, who were always on his mind

Know the dawn is coming
and know it bring the light
and know God's holding the Brightest Star in Heaven tonight

This ones for the good times, I sure enjoyed the ride
This ones for the whiskey, that kept us out at night
This ones for the pain, that he tried so hard to hide
This is for the Best Friend that I knew in all my life

Know the dawn is coming
and know it brings the light
and know God's holding the Brightest Start in Heaven tonight

This ones for the great man, who helped keep me alive
This ones for when he carried me, in my darkest times
This ones for the day I meet you on the other side
I'll greet you with a bottle, a guitar and a smile

I know the dawn is coming
and I know it brings the light
I know God is holding the Brightest Star in Heaven tonight.



by James Ponder
in honor of his brother Bradley Allen Ponder

Here's two MySpace link's to him and his brother James kick-ass band...

http://www.myspace.com/texasspecial

http://www.myspace.com/swampmouth

Brad passing is unmeasurable and Im still numb and shocked. My deepest condolences to Mlissa, James, family, friends and fans.

What our hearts once owned and had, shall never be lost in our minds. Brad we love you bro. ~Juan Carlos

10.28.2008

The Seven Deadly Sins

I found this interesting with no preaching intented of anything... ~Juan Carlos

The Seven Deadly Sins

1. Lust (Latin, luxuria)

Lust (or lechery) is usually thought of as involving obsessive or excessive thoughts or desires of a sexual nature. Giving in to lusts can lead to sexual or sociological compulsions and/or transgressions including (but obviously not limited to) sexual addiction, adultery, bestiality, rape, and incest. Dante's criterion was "excessive love of others," which therefore rendered love and devotion to God as secondary. In "Purgatorio", the penitent walks within flames to purge himself of lustful/sexual thoughts and feelings.

2. Gluttony (Latin, gula) "Excess"

Derived from the Latin gluttire, meaning to gulp down or swallow, gluttony is the over-indulgence and over-consumption of anything to the point of waste. In the Christian religions, it is considered a sin because of the excessive desire for food, or its withholding from the needy. Depending on the culture, it can be seen as either a vice or a sign of status. Where food is relatively scarce, being able to eat well might be something to take pride in (although this can also result in a moral backlash when confronted with the reality of those less fortunate). Where food is routinely plentiful, it may be considered a sign of self control to resist the temptation to over-indulge. Medieval church leaders (e.g., Thomas Aquinas) took a more expansive view of gluttony, arguing that it could also include an obsessive anticipation of meals, and the constant eating of delicacies and excessively costly foods.

He went so far as to prepare a list of six ways to commit gluttony, including:

* Praepropere - eating too soon.

* Laute - eating too expensively (washedly).

* Nimis - eating too much. * Ardenter - eating too eagerly (burningly).

* Studiose - eating too daintily (keenly).

* Forente - eating wildly (boringly).

3. Greed (Latin, avaritia)

Greed (or avarice, covetousness) is, like lust and gluttony, a sin of excess. However, greed (as seen by the church) is applied to the acquisition of wealth in particular. St. Thomas Aquinas wrote that greed was "a sin against God, just as all mortal sins, in as much as man condemns things eternal for the sake of temporal things." In Dante's Purgatory, the penitents were bound and laid face down on the ground for having concentrated too much on earthly thoughts. "Avarice" is more of a blanket term that can describe many other examples of greedy behavior. These include disloyalty, deliberate betrayal, or treason, especially for personal gain, for example through bribery . Scavenging and hoarding of materials or objects, theft and robbery, especially by means of violence, trickery, or manipulation of authority are all actions that may be inspired by greed. Such misdeeds can include simony, where one profits from soliciting goods within the actual confines of a church.

4. Sloth (Latin, acedia)

More than other sins, the definition of sloth has changed considerably since its original inclusion among the seven deadly sins. In fact it was first called the sin of sadness or despair. It had been in the early years of Christianity characterized by what modern writers would now describe as melancholy: apathy, depression, and joylessness — the last being viewed as being a refusal to enjoy the goodness of God and the world he created. Originally, its place was fulfilled by two other aspects, acedia and sadness. The former described a spiritual apathy that affected the faithful by discouraging them from their religious work. Sadness (tristitia in Latin) described a feeling of dissatisfaction or discontent, which caused unhappiness with one's current situation. When Thomas Aquinas selected acedia for his list, he described it as an "uneasiness of the mind", being a progenitor for lesser sins such as restlessness and instability. Dante refined this definition further, describing sloth as being the "failure to love God with all one's heart, all one's mind and all one's soul." He also described it as the middle sin, and as such was the only sin characterised by an absence or insufficiency of love. In his "Purgatorio", the slothful penitents were made to run continuously at top speed. The modern view of the vice, as highlighted by its contrary virtue of zeal or diligence, is that it represents the failure to utilize one's talents and gifts. For example, a student who does not work beyond what is required (and thus fails to achieve his or her full potential) could be labeled slothful. Current interpretations are therefore much less stringent and comprehensive than they were in medieval times, and portray sloth as being more simply a sin of laziness or indifference, of an unwillingness to act, an unwillingness to care (rather than a failure to love God and his works). For this reason sloth is now often seen as being considerably less serious than the other sins, more a sin of omission than of commission.

5. Wrath (Latin, ira)

Wrath (or anger) may be described as inordinate and uncontrolled feelings of hatred and anger. These feelings can manifest as vehement denial of the truth, both to others and in the form of self-denial, impatience with the procedure of law, and the desire to seek revenge outside of the workings of the justice system (such as engaging in vigilantism) and generally wishing to do evil or harm to others. The transgressions borne of vengeance are among the most serious, including murder, assault, and in extreme cases, genocide. Wrath is the only sin not necessarily associated with selfishness or self-interest (although one can of course be wrathful for selfish reasons, such as jealousy, closely related to the sin of envy). Dante described vengeance as "love of justice perverted to revenge and spite". In its original form, the sin of wrath also encompassed anger pointed internally rather than externally. Thus suicide was deemed as the ultimate, albeit tragic, expression of wrath directed inwardly, a final rejection of God's gifts.

6. Envy (Latin, invidia)

Like greed, envy may be characterized by an insatiable desire; they differ, however, for two main reasons. First, greed is largely associated with material goods, whereas envy may apply more generally. Second, those who commit the sin of envy resent that another person has something they perceive themselves as lacking, and wish the other person to be deprived of it. Dante defined this as "love of one's own good perverted to a desire to deprive other men of theirs." In Dante's Purgatory, the punishment for the envious is to have their eyes sewn shut with wire, because they have gained sinful pleasure from seeing others brought low. Aquinas described envy as "sorrow for another's good".

7. Pride (Latin, superbia)

In almost every list pride (or hubris or vanity) is considered the original and most serious of the seven deadly sins, and indeed the ultimate source from which the others arise. It is identified as a desire to be more important or attractive than others, failing to give compliments to others though they may be deserving of them, and excessive love of self (especially holding self out of proper position toward God). Dante's definition was "love of self perverted to hatred and contempt for one's neighbor." In Jacob Bidermann's medieval miracle play, Cenodoxus, pride is the deadliest of all the sins and leads directly to the damnation of the titulary famed Parisian doctor. In perhaps the best-known example, the story of Lucifer, pride (his desire to compete with God) was what caused his fall from Heaven, and his resultant transformation into Satan. Vanity and narcissism are prime examples of this sin. In Dante's Divine Comedy, the penitent were forced to walk with stone slabs bearing down on their backs in order to induce feelings of humility. (Graphic Pictures of The Seven Deadly Sin girls : Marta Dahlig) One of my very favorite artist. ~Juan Carlos

Associations with demons
In 1589, Peter Binsfeld paired each of the deadly sins with a demon, who tempted people by means of the associated sin. According to Binsfeld's classification of demons, the pairings are as follows:

* Lucifer: pride
* Mammon: greed
* Asmodeus: lust
* Leviathan: envy
* Beelzebub: gluttony
* Satan/Amon: wrath
* Belphegor: sloth

There are also other demons who invoke sin, for instance Lilith and her offspring, the incubi and succubi, invoke lust. The succubi sleep with men in order to impregnate themselves, so that they can spawn demons. The incubi sleep with women to lead them astray and to impregnate them with demon spawn.


Seven Virtues

which correspond inversely to each of the seven deadly sins.

Vice ↓ Virtue ↓
Lust Chastity
Gluttony Temperance
Greed Charity
Sloth Diligence
Wrath Patience
Envy Kindness
Pride Humility

A different set of deadly sins.

The Seven Deadly Sins

  1. Politics without principle.
  2. Wealth without work.
  3. Pleasure without conscience.
  4. Knowledge without character
  5. Business without morality.
  6. Science without humanity.
  7. Worship without sacrifice.

10.26.2008

The dead ARE Dancing! author: Susan M. Stone - Freelance Artist

The dead ARE Dancing!
author: Susan M. Stone - Freelance Artist


THE KILLING FLOOR: La Danza Macabra


As I sit here - thinking too much - listening to a storm, I'm thinking about the best way to approach this review. Sadly there are a lot of people that will probably never get a chance to hear a tight CD like "La Danza Macabra" by a truly great band - THE KILLING FLOOR. This isn’t the first album from the San Antonio locals, and it’s sure to evolve into several incarnations in the future.
I spend so much time playing and listening to music that I just feel it, and I never really take the time to define the reasons. This is one of those CD’s that move the body and soul. However, writing about what you're hearing, instead of just feeling it, requires your full attention; it moves deeper than what you hear, and how it makes you feel. So, with my full attention (and my heart), I'm just going to present my thoughts as I hear them.

THE KILLING FLOOR is: JCM - Guitars & Vocals, Jack Trevino - Drums &
Percussion, Miggs - Bass Guitar, Larry Rimes - Percussion, and Darren Stansbury -
Keyboards

"La Danza Macabra" consists of ten well-written, rhythmically pounding,
and guitar blazing songs. This CD is living proof that rock and roll
is still alive, screaming, and blazing out of Texas. Sitting in with a strong
rhythm section, JCM wails with some powerful guitar riffs and emotional
vocals sure enough to make you believe in channeling. One can only imagine the energy and magic from hearing a live gig. As the CD plays, allow me to elaborate on a few tracks.

About ten seconds into "LIVE", the strong guitar charge, along with tempo changes,
makes it perfectly clear why this was a perfect opening track. It slips into a melodic caress towards the middle, and then weaves into a slow fade. The strong vocals and ripping guitar work build in frenzy with pounding percussion. It’s all very intricate if you listen closely.

The great rhythms and guitar riffs continue through "WHAT I DREAM TO DO". It's
a straight-forward rock and roll, guitar slinging song with the whole band in a
very impressive groove moving from behind. This song defines their
unique sound most profoundly.

"DAY BY DAY" slows things down a bit with some clean guitar lines, strong lyrics,
and hypnotic rhythms. This is the kind of song that can only come from a heart
in complete communion with the instrument. In a time of speed licks, and
tricked out guitars, this song bleeds from a real place.

One of personal favorites "MARY JAYNE" grinds out right from the beginning, and
pulls you down for the count, moving into a brilliant psychedelic guitar movement
with scorching rhythms which binge, and crash back in perfect stride.

"IT'S NOT ME" creeps in slowly with a beautiful and haunting piano intro with
classic guitar softly singing. It then shakes back into a comfortable groove. It's
a lamenting piece to be sure with lyrics like "forgive my sins and have them all washed
away". It winds down with a dark and lovely dirge waiting for delivery while searching for answers. Okay, this might be my favorite!

"HOLE IN MY HEART" reminds me of Stevie Ray - screaming guitar solos and driving rhythm, but it's JCM's ride.

There are some sweet guitar riffs in "STREETS". It's sweet for the soul indeed. With the
lyrics: "If I needed a friend, would you be a friend", this song pleads to the world in the
universal language of music.

"DEVIL'S ALLEY" is a damn fine rockabilly instrumental. I love it! It still has a psychedelic haze in it, but then it rolls back into rockabilly runs and rhythms. It's a great piece.

This sweet disc comes to a close with "MANIC DEPRESSION". What can I say? It's Jimi's song, but it's done with a Texas flavor that made me smile. It's a perfect cosmic twist for the end of this CD.

If you like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmy Vaughan, or Jimi Hendrix mixed with a dash of Santana, and some San Antonio 'moxie', this is the CD for you. Do yourself a favor, and slip into the JCM experience on “La Danza Macabra”.

The Killing Floor is 'on fire', and the dead ARE dancing!

Brilliant!! FIVE STARS ***** author: Richard Scellenberger

Brilliant
author: richard schellenberger

THE KILLING FLOOR: La Danza Macabra


This was really a cd i bought on the few listens of the samples..This album is very very good.. Would like to thank the band for their performance on it..just brilliant

Good Times, Good Music Fr: Alex posted in 2007.


(Thank you for the first graphic work in 2007 Alex!)


Through my dear friend Toni, I was introduced to this band. Now while I'm here in Myspace, I listen to them more than my regular player. So Ladies and Gentlemen, may I please introduce to you,

If you love the sound of a solid body guitar, in the style of Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, or Robin Trower, then give these guys a fair listen. But DON'T get them F**ked Up for somebody else. While they DO have that classic sort of Stratocaster kind of sound, they are innovators, not imitators. Their music is clean, and instrument driven, and not cluttered with a bunch of studio wizardry and hype. The classic sort of blues sound (with just a dash of that wonderful Rocking Texas Flava), is mixed into Good Time Rock and Roll, experimental musings, gentle music that falls upon your ears like a spring rain, and Kick Out The Jams no holds barred rockin'. They do some covers of some classic Hendrix tunes, and it would make Jimi proud. Any band can cover a song note for note, but these guys add their own freshness, and make it all their own. That's the mark of a great band.


They are just really getting up on the ladder of the music biz, and I for one think they will climb high. Personally, I would like to see a piece of their work in the unlockable section of Guitar Hero 3, due out this fall.

They have just finished recording a new album, not sure of a possible release date, check their page for updates. When it comes out, if you like what you hear, BUY (not download on Krapzaa or Crimewire) it to support these guys. They're great musicians, and they love their fans. They have 2 pages, therefore 2 players, so you can really sample and get a feel for what they're about. Click on the links below to go to their spaces and check 'em out!


StArGaZeR

They is the shiznit fer sure.......

Posted by StArGaZeR on August 17, 2007 - Friday 8:03 PM
[Reply to this]


Alex

Great jams, great guys.

Posted by Alex on August 17, 2007 - Friday 10:03 PM
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Toni

OH ALEX GREAT JOB !~!! YOU KNOW I LOVE THEM. THIS IS SUCH A SUPER JOB ON COVERING THIS BAND.
EVERYONE LISTEN UP THIS IS RIGHT ON THE MONEY LISTEN TO "KILLING FLOOR" YOU'LL FIND THEM ON THIS PAGE AND MY PAGE AND STARGAZER'S PAGE. JOIN US IN ROCKING OUT WITH THIS BRILLANT BAND.
THANK YOU ALEX YOUR THE MAN.
I LOVE YOU TOOTS

Posted by Toni on August 18, 2007 - Saturday 2:56 AM
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Alex

Thanks Toots! While I wanted to write about this rocking band, I also wanted to offically kick off my membership in your group. So I was thinking of you when I wrote this, and put a piece of you in with the musical note graphic in the amp.

LET"S ROCK TOOTS!

Posted by Alex on August 18, 2007 - Saturday 3:10 AM
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Toni

OH WOW RIGHT ON ALEX ! COULD I BE ANY BLINDER.. LOL I SAW IT BUT DID NOT CONNECT IT..ROTFLMAO I HAVE REALLY BEEN OUT OF IT.. LOVE THE KILLING FLOOR THERE GREAT. LOVE YOU BROTHER TOOTS

Posted by Toni on August 19, 2007 - Sunday 2:15 AM
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Alex

OK Toni, put down the bong, and step away ROTFLMMFAOPMP

Ya know I loves ya!

Posted by Alex on August 19, 2007 - Sunday 3:59 AM
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Toni

OH NO "BUSTED" ROTFLMFBFAO .. I LOVE YOU BROTHER..

Posted by Toni on August 19, 2007 - Sunday 7:38 AM
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THE KILLING FLOOR

I Love you all and I wish I could just reach out and give big hugs and kisses to each and every one. It just fuels us to keep going and going... I know there's a pallet for this kind of music and again wonderful people like your selfs make all worth our while.

Alex I love the wording and description of our sound. If you don't mind I will repost this on my personal blog. There's some more music on my personal MySpace and the podOmatic site too if in case you want to hear different versions of some of our tunes.

Thanks again for the awesome review and sharing our music to your inner circle of friends and family. Much love and we're blessed to cross paths with you. Stay in touch my new friend. ~JCM

Posted by THE KILLING FLOOR on August 18, 2007 - Saturday 5:08 AM
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Alex

Certainly you may repost, if I can assist in any way, glad to do so.

My man, the music speaks for itself, I just put into words what my ears heard. Do keep up the awesome work!

Posted by Alex on August 18, 2007 - Saturday 3:15 PM
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The Killer In You

Makes a girl proud of her man! ...all the guys, rock my socks.

Posted by The Killer In You on August 18, 2007 - Saturday 6:41 AM
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Alex

You're a lucky woman, and one day your man will be a Star!

Posted by Alex on August 18, 2007 - Saturday 3:18 PM
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The Killer In You

Hehe he's a very lucky man, believe it or not :D

Posted by The Killer In You on August 19, 2007 - Sunday 9:25 AM
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Alex

Ya know, I had kinda gathered that from reading your page and bulletins. Behind every good man...............

Posted by Alex on August 19, 2007 - Sunday 12:59 PM
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StArGaZeR

...........is a crazy blonde Aussie........hehehehe

Posted by StArGaZeR on August 19, 2007 - Sunday 10:44 PM
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Rhonda

Thanks for the head's up here Alex...Great sound. The Killing Floor rocks! and they now have another friend.

Posted by Rhonda on August 18, 2007 - Saturday 5:26 AM
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Alex

And what a truly beautiful and aweesome new friend they have!

Love and hugs

Posted by Alex on August 18, 2007 - Saturday 3:22 PM
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Maude

So where's the music? Do you have a link to their page or what?

Posted by Maude on August 18, 2007 - Saturday 6:58 PM
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Maude

Duh never mind.

Posted by Maude on August 18, 2007 - Saturday 6:59 PM
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Alex

Maude, I just love you to pieces! You are one of my very best friends here! MWAH!

Posted by Alex on August 19, 2007 - Sunday 3:56 AM
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MEL

Unfortunately when you posted this blog I didn't have time (at work) to read it and ol' PS3 freak at home has had the net for a while hooked up to the machine. Mum mentioned this blog to me again last night so I decided that I'd come in and have a read first thing this morning. Great blog, and fanTASTIC that they responded, girlfriends and all! I've made an executive decision to go out at lunch and buy the cd.

I repeat to you the question I asked mum last night..."How come
I haven't heard of these bands, man?????"

Posted by MEL on August 21, 2007 - Tuesday 3:05 PM
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Alex

Men. They're all alike.

There are lots of good bands out there, just got to find them. (It's why Myspace was orginally started)

I just love the sound of a solid body guitar playin' some blues. The Killing Floor was that and much more, so I added them as a friend just to give them a good checking out. Turns out they are not only good musicians, but great folks as well, ya gotta love that.

If you like some serious shredding, check out Alluminati. Also give Transera a listen. (Both in my friends)

I'm finding so many good bands, there's a waiting list for listening!

Posted by Alex on August 21, 2007 - Tuesday 8:12 PM
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Megs

Sorry so long in the comment - you know I am nuts right now. : > ) Loved this blog. It was great. Made me go to their page and listen. And I typically don't like rock so to get me to go there was a big step. I love the sound and the only word I can find to describe it is 'clean.' It was nice,

Anyway - loved the part you wrote "The classic sort of blues sound (with just a dash of that wonderful Rocking Texas Flava), is mixed into Good Time Rock and Roll, experimental musings, gentle music that falls upon your ears like a spring rain, and Kick Out The Jams no holds barred rockin'."

God you are a beautiful writer. If I can work things like that into my writing I will be a NY Times best seller in no time.

As always - it may take me a bit - but I always find time to catch up to you because you make me smile.

Loves

Posted by Megs on August 23, 2007 - Thursday 7:03 PM
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Alex

No worries luv, every second I get to spend with you is a treasure.

Coming from someone who is all the wonderful things you are, your comment on my writing skills is high praise indeed.

You are a dear friend, and I love you for it!

Posted by Alex on August 24, 2007 - Friday 2:48 AM
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