BRBcoffee

Archive for the ‘Life’ Category

Ello

So. This is the story all bout how my life got flip-turned upside down. And I’d like to take a minute, just sit right there, I’ll tell you how I retook my exam without having read any additional literature and aced it. Bel air.

So. 3-ish years ago, I was finishing my first year of Norwegian high school. This was way before i was politically active, at all. My political interest at this point went a little something like: “The idea behind communism is awesome. Unfortunately the attempts were shit, so nobody wants communism anymore. Thus, I do not care at all about society.” Anyways, I finished my year, and one of my subjects, social studies, I failed at. Miserably. On a grade scale from 1 to 6, 1 being you did not pass and 6 being you are my own personal Jesus, I got a 2. Worst grade you can get, and still pass.

Now, 3 years later, I decided to retake this exam. After over a year of political activism, and plans on becoming a social studies teacher in Norwegian high school, this was a matter of honor!!

So I just came from my exam. It was oral, and I aced it!! 😉 Moving on. I got 2 questions: about culture and the problems of multiculturalism, and economic growth in relation to environmental sustainability, Both of which I can talk for hours about, due to my political activism.

Being active in Red Youth, I learn about lots of different social subjects. And that is awesome. At the end of my exam, the guy who was grading me said “are you politically active?”. Of course I am!! Yay!

Vegard,
Political activist

The countdown starts! Twelve days until I make my way to West Virginia for my bestest friend’s wedding! Yay!

Now, it has been almost two years since the McDougall brothers (myself and Amanda…long story) have seen each other, so this is going to be quite wondrous. Anyone who wishes to witness this reunion of epic proportions; I invite you to get your ass to West Virginny.

I’m so looking forward to meeting all the crazy peeps down there and experiencing…The South. I plan on having biscuits with as many meals as possible and going to the infamous Walmart, where many a-special things have taken place.

The flight might be a little hellish, but it could be worse. Besides, my sheer sleep deprivation is going to make for a wondrous roadtrip from the airport to Princeton. We will undoubtedly break out the Michael and have ourselves a little car dance party, so to her fiance, Josh: be prepared.

Upon critical review, I have decided to discontinue this series. Yes, after only one chapter,  it’s done. Ya’ll don’t want to read my crappy writing and it makes for incredibly boring blog entries, therefore it is over.

If you care at all, the status of my essay is a completed rough draft. The final publication will be finished by Friday and that will be that. In the future, perhaps I will use BRBcoffee to bounce ideas around, but nothing more.

Just to specify, I’m not quitting BRBcoffee, just quitting writing about lame English class projects. Worry not my loyal readers! I will be here for awhile yet. Maybe I’ll even develop a life and have really awesome topics to discuss. That is not a guarantee, so until then…

“So long, honey babe,
Where I’m bound, I can’t tell.
Goodbye’s too good a word, babe,
So I’ll just say fare thee well.”

-Elaine

Ello.

So I’m sitting here surrounded by thick books i have to read for my exams coming up. I am not particularly pleased about the situation, and look forward to a change in my life. Anyways, I was digging through my folders and I came across this poem. Thought it was pretty cool, so I’m gonna share it with you.

It’s funny how hello is always
accompanied by goodbye

it’s funny how good memories
can start to make you cry

it’s funny how forever
never really seems to last

it’s funny how much you’d lose
if you forgot about your past

it’s funny how friends can just
leave you when you’re down

it’s funny how when you need someone
they’re never around

it’s funny how people change
and think they’re so much better

it’s funny how many lies
can be packed into one letter

it’s funny how people forgive
even though they can’t forget

it’s funny how one night
can contain so much regret

it’s funny how ironic life turns out to be
but the funniest part of all
is that none of that’s funny to me.

Cheers,
Vegard

Guess what, everyone…

You all get to go through an entire writing process with me!!! Aren’t you excited?! I know you’re already in utter rapture at the idea, so get some poppycorn, fasten your seat belts and away we go!

I plan on this being a sort of series which will come in (semi-)regular installments. This being the very first, I’d like to introduce to you why I am writing and what it is I am writing about. I will even attempt an Intro/Thesis Statement! I find this to be a wonderfully self-benefiting idea because it gives me a chance to get some helpful feedback from all of my well-versed readers.

Let me start by informing you that I have not, do not, and will not write essays unless forced. That being said, I’m writing an essay for my English class. It has to be under the general-topic-umbrella of “Music and Social Commentary.” Now, as some of you may already know, I am a fan of Michael Jackson. Aha, let me rephrase that… I FREAKIN LOVE MICHAEL JACKSON! Naturally, I have decided to write about him; my lovah.

I know some of you are probably snickering at me for my love of the Michael, but that’s okay. Not everyone understands him or even wants to, though it should be accepted as a natural law that he was a musical genius.

The direction I wish to take with this paper is somewhat of a broad one. See, I plan on discussing 3-4 of his songs and the social commentary in each. After compiling a list of possible songs and their related social issues, I have come up with this:

Black or White- racial inequality
Earth Song- environmental concern, warfare, animal welfare
We Are the World- global awareness
Heal the World- similar to ^
Man in the Mirror- making the world a better place
Gone Too Soon- written for AIDS victims (specifically, his friend Ryan)
What More Can I Give?- along the same lines of We Are the World
Morphine- drugs
Scream- public scrutiny/paparazzi, sensationalized media
They Don’t Care About Us- stereotypes, prejudice, police brutality
We’ve Had Enough- situations in Iraq and Afghanistan

After careful deliberation, I have narrowed it down to Earth Song, They Don’t Care About Us, and We Are the World/Heal the World. The last two will be combined since they pretty much deal with the same issues.

And now, what you’ve all been waiting for. *DUN DUN DUN* The Intro/Thesis! Any and all feedback is GREATLY appreciated, and don’t forget to come back for my next installment! Enjoy:

Known for being the greatest pop musician in the history of the genre, Michael Jackson was and still is a musical legend. It is nearly impossible to find a single person on planet earth that cannot name and/or sing along to at least one of Jackson’s songs. What many people are not aware of, however, is the incredible lyricist with a knack for social commentary that was hidden behind those infectious rhythms and that shiny pop veneer. Whether it was world poverty, environmental degradation, police brutality, racial inequality, or simply making a difference in this world, Michael Jackson’s talent for penning socially aware songs left a lasting impression on multiple generations and continues to inspire fans of music worldwide.