Well damn, I left that stupid thing up for seven years? I guess it's time to get it pushed out and put up something else, something more.

Life's gotten pretty strange lately, not just with COVID and the protests/riots, but on a more personal level. Though "strange" doesn't necessarily mean "bad" in this context. Some things are bad, yes, but there are definitely some some bright, bright spots through all the garbage. For one, the recent Supreme Court decision in Bostock Vs. Clayton County, during Pride month no less, is huge, and very welcoming. Even though I'm fairly sure I'd never be fired from my job (but then again, almost anything can happen now, the past three months have proved that), it's reassuring to see there are decent people working in the government.

I finally realized that I want more out of life than to just work and work and work till I collapse. My recent vacation to Colorado showed me that I can have downtime, a life, AND a shot at happiness. I spent time with a very good friend and it proved to be a turning point for me. There is still a lot of work to be done to get to be happy, but at least I have a real goal now. Before, I was just saving up money to save up money; now, I actually have a GOAL that I want to achieve with said money, so that's refreshing. There are still a lot of steps and a lot of hard work to do to achieve my goal, but I am dead set on doing so. I want to move out to Colorado and try and make something work. I want to pursue being a dietitian and/or nutritionist, though that plan will probably wait a little while longer while the current climate proves that I can keep my job and not have to worry about being fired.

I think I've rambled on enough here, just figured it was time to push that old journal out and put something new, something different, for me anyways.

And as always, a closing song. This one was a real toughy, the rest of the journal was relatively easy to write, but picking a song turned out to be the hardest part.

Becoming The Archetype, "Elegy". It's an absolutely beautiful piece, and honestly I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I have. They get called "metalcore" but I definitely get a melodic death metal vibe, coupled with some progressive metal. On top of that, I was also reminded of Elton John's "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding" due to the piano, the length, the instrumental portion making up a majority of the runtime. Makes me think that someone out there needs to start doing covers of Elton John in a metal vein. Anyways, enjoy! Hopefully I'll see you again in a little less than seven years time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BjSCO05pW4

So yep, pushing out that old journal, putting a new one up, this one mostly of music too, since that's what gets my motor running. *laughs* But yes, three of my favorite bands all released new albums this month, and hot damn, has it been awesome.

Summoning released their long awaited work, Old Mornings Dawn. And hot damn, is it ever amazing. It's pretty much what you would expect of them at this point. Bombastic, drum-filled, Tolkien metal. I'd link a song here, but Napalm have been pretty evil about not letting tracks being posted online this early.

Queens of the Stone Age released their long awaited follow up to Era Vulgaris, ...Like Clockwork. This one I've yet to actually acquire, either in digital or physical format, so alas I've only heard the lead single, "My God Is the Sun". But what I've heard, I absolutely love. And one big thing that's got my attention is the fact that Homme got the one and only Elton John to play piano and sing vocals on one of the songs on the album. So yeah, pretty damn excited. Here's "My God Is the Sun":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-90obSa1Az4

Last, but certainly not least, the almighty Black Sabbath released their very, very, very long overdue album, 13. And it's every bit a triumphant return to Ozzy fronted Sabbath as could be expected. They are smoking it, even if everyone sounds just a tad bit tired. But, they are all in their 60s, so it's hard to capture all the energy they had in their youth. But even so, it's still Black Sabbath, and they fucking rock. A quick side note, I actually managed to snag a ticket to one of their shows in Chicago in August, and I am absolutely fired up for it. Cannot wait, first time seeing the might Sabbath. Here's "God Is Dead?":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVfUimq2KeI

Switching gears, everything else in life is pretty damn good at the moment as well. Puppy got his EMT certification, now he's just waiting on the state to send him the paperwork. Been playing a lot of Saints Row: The Third with him of late; before that it was Resident Evil: Revelations. Work goes, still busting my butt at it, and looking for a better job too. So there, that's your once yearly checkup from your friendly neighborhood rhino.

Take care!

-Bacon

Honestly, no real reason I'm posting this, other than Seven Kingdoms released their new album today. "The Fire Is Mine". I just booted it up, and the intro is a nifty little instrumental like what some bands do to open their albums. Anyways, other stuff.

No real other news to report, life is pretty much as awesome as the last time I posted. Boyfriend's birthday is coming up soon, so going to celebrate by writing him a story, and getting him the Doom 3 BFG edition as well.

Other than that, no real other news to report. I hope everyone has a cool and fun Halloween.

And of course, a link to a song, and of course it's going to be a Seven Kingdoms' track. Here's "After the Fall":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hpa6f6s23PE

Well, I think the title says it all. I have finally graduated after 6 years. It feels good, I won't lie. It also feel pretty damn weird too, but that's what happens when a chapter on your life ends, and a new one begins. And speaking of new chapters, I've finally got that special someone in my life. He's a German Shepherd that goes by the name of Chris, and I'll be linking his account once he gets some more stuff up there.

Could not be happier right now, what with Christmas, and family, and the boyfriend, and graduating. Christmas will be amazing this year, and has pretty much already topped last year. I cannot wait for the weekend.

And yep, the last cover in the title there, my birthday is just two and a half weeks away, and pretty jazzed about it too. But, for now, I'll wrap this up.

Merry Christmas to everyone celebrating it, and Happy Holidays extended to everyone celebrating this season. I've been praying pretty hard for a lot, and my faith's been rewarded; I've got great friends, great family, an awesome boyfriend.

And, as always, a nice song to leave everyone with; System of a Down, with a cover of Black Sabbath's "Snowblind":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noosm57F5HI

Maybe ripping off Coulton there, but it's not like he's got a trademark on the phrase itself. Anyways, life is pretty fantastic, even with the hurdles I am facing. Old, good friends have gotten back in touch with me, and I've got music out the wazoo to keep me going too. Figured it was just time to push out that old journal. Even though I am a huge, huge Summoning fan now. It's kind of funny, my tastes keep developing, but some bands I hit on I just can't get enough of. Black metal, death metal, doom metal, thrash metal, power metal, folk metal, symphonic metal; all awesome awesome genres, each with their own specialness. Before I go on rambling about music though, I just wanted to blab to no one about how good things are. Despite all the crap, and all the shit I see happen, and hear about, it doesn't get me down. Goes with having a thick hide! *chuckles* But, yeah, I feel good, and life is great, I look forward to many more years of this all. Belief has been hard for me, I sometimes find myself slipping into nihilism, and thinking there is nothing after this life but oblivion. But, when your prayers get answered, it's hard not to have that belief rekindled. And it's just a little bit more amusing for me when I tell people I'm, gay, a furry, and religious. Definitely gets their head turning.

I'll leave you with some fucking awesome metal: Ensiferum doing a Manowar cover.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tpm-i3U9Ynw

Brus-kuluz taurzur burzu tiil-ob, hush-ob dhurum agh ufum dhurum.
Tor Vautu brus-troguz, urgai-u gukh dump agh tiimor.

Talaan-u ruk-ir tor uruk, Nauru-ir agh kragoru nursu grishurz.
Nork-ulu furtun agh goth, Mordor-ob bot-tuk.

Ghaash agh akul, Nazgûl skoiz, mirdautas vras!
Karn ghaamp agh nut.
Shaut Manwe quiinubat gukh.

That would be the Black Speech, or Orcish, of Mordor.

It's only been 13 years, but the day has finally come! Enjoy all that have it!

Thank God it's here, that's about all I can say. *chuckles* But it will be a good one, I'll be working my butt off, but it will be well worth it.

Wanted to get these guys noticed more here in the States, they are pretty awesome. A whole lot of punk energy, you can just bounce around full of energy with them. So, here is a couple of their songs:

A cover of Roxette's "Sleeping in My Car":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVb4hFI0KXE

"Celebration":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wT9EJMCGyQ

"Love Letter":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbcWOIcf3eE

And here is their Myspace:

http://www.myspace.com/theblacktapes

 baconinator

 zato_dragon

 TyrWolf

 anubisrubberfox

Music, the best way to achieve it.

This time of year is always such a gauntlet for me it seems, because it's three big days all within 3 weeks of each other. Not that I'm complaining, it's nice, always starts off the semester great for myself. I guess the only thing that would beat it, would be to have those three days closer together, all in the same week for instance. But, anyway, enough of a rambling rhino. Of course, there is always good with the bad, but, it helps you grow. This past month has just been full of downers, but things are looking up. Still wish that things were a bit different... that people would get over stupid little things that hold them back. It's just frustrating sometimes... all that work for nothing, it seems. But, enough complaining from me, things are looking better.

Well, I figured I would put this here, rather than in my profile, for two reasons. 1) Things change, and I'm lazy. 2) Chopping up big blocks of text makes it easier to read. So here goes!

Music first, since I am a huge audiophile, in the quantity sense, not quality, though that side is slowly starting to grow on me as well. Genrewise, in very broad sense, I like rock, metal, classical. I dabble in folk and techno, has to hit me just right, and I will like it. And, for the record, Johnny Cash is folk in my book, since country is just awful.

Subgenrewise, let's do metal first. Power/epic/viking metal, whatever you want to call it, my favorite subgenre. Next up is a tie between orchestral/symphonic and drone/sludge. Though, admittedly, I will listen to just about any subgenre.

Rock is pretty much the same, alternative is the highest on my list though.

Classical is the odd man out, it seems whenever I mention it, people don't fully comprehend the situation. "You like death metal and classical? How?" Music is music to me, I don't know what's good, I just know what I like.

Video games, probably my favorite hobby besides music. RPGs are at the top of my list, I am a complete Square Enix whore, Final Fantasy is my favorite, hands down. Not saying there aren't other good series, but FF is my favorite. Yes, fanboy alert. *chuckles* Though, other venerable series include The Legend of Zelda and Breath of Fire.

TV watching has greatly declined, though I have a few favorite series. Those would include the Simpsons, Futurama, and House.

Currently a college student, super senior in Chemistry! I do love it so, yep, giant nerd right here as well!

As for the furry side of myself, I'm a rhino. No idea how such a fursona dawned on me, but it did, and it's fun. One of the few horned species out there, one of the fewer still that can use that horn for something more than just showing off. *grins*

Again, bored while writing a paper, so wikipedia was browsed. And I discovered that a herd of rhinos can be referred to as a "crash". So... umm... well, I guess one rhino doesn't count as a crash, but it's still a cool fact.

As the title says, wanting a distraction from this stupid paper. So, rather than say anything poignant, since... well, I do have my moments, but they are few and far between. So, instead, you all get this. Currently absorbed by this song.

The Sword: Lament for the Aurochs

Laboring in the liquid light of Leviathan.
Spectres swarm around the sunken cities of the Saurians.
Rising up from the void through the blackness of eternal night.
Colossus of the deep comes crashing down with cosmic might.

And none may see again the shimmering of Avalon,
Or know the fates of all the races man has cursed.
Long gone are the ages of the Alchemists,
Now there are none who know the secrets of the Earth.

Harken to the howl of the huntsman's hounds,
Or the clarion of kingdoms doomed and drowned.
Lost to these lands is lore of the high ones;
Sunless skies await the return of the Archons.

Lament the passing of the Auroch,
And the slaying of the ancient Wyrm.
Would you dare to meet the gaze of the Basilisk,
Or face the flames as the Phoenix burns?

And none may see again the shimmering of Avalon,
Or know the fates of all the races man has cursed.
Long gone are the ages of the Alchemists,
Blessed are those who keep the secrets of the Earth.
Lament the passing of the Auroch,
And the slaying of the ancient Wyrm.
Would you dare to meet the gaze of the Basilisk,
Or face the flames as the Phoenix burns?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrOh_md7KIg

(Also, a little post script, as an added giggle, just imagine a rhino, air guitarring and drumming to, in addition singing along with, that. Yeah, that's right, I love to enjoy myself.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOvIot-i6rY

This is just awesome... Enjoy!

Finally figured out the journal thing on here... Oh yeah, you guessed it, I am incredibly slow. *chuckles*