Read, Talk, Listen: In No Particular Order

Coffee Consumption

2009-10-23T18:27:00.004-04:00

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This is a small project I made for my health class. I am proud of it!

A Strong Finish

2009-08-28T19:54:00.005-04:00

Mr. Buster my grandmother's husband, tells me the story of his first wife. The interview took place in the Summer of 2009, in Palmetto, Florida.
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FUCK YOU!

2009-08-28T18:14:00.005-04:00

Anger doesn't solve anything.
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Why So Seriously Funny?

2009-08-19T16:54:00.005-04:00

One of my most memorable summer memories was when I hung out with my friends Cory, and Vinny. For a few weeks while Vinny was visiting before his trip to Europe, I felt we were a comedic powerhouse of a team. All three of us had different demeanors, and attitudes towards life, but this didn't negate the comedic chemistry that often prevails when we're in each other's company. There was one night in particular where we were invited to a party in Sarasota (at the home of one of Vinny's friends). IT was the first time I drank enough to become buzzed. They say alcohol in the company of friends tends to make for memorable bonding experiences. I have had many memorable bonding experiences without the consumption of alcohol, so I don't think that is true. But alcohol does help I'm sure. At the party Cory, Vinny, and I engaged in this activity where we had a notepad and we would communicate with one another as we sat at this round table surrounded by other party goers. One of which was a woman of Vinny's affection. I can recall writing, "Vinny's girl has a nice badunkadunk!" She did.
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Once: Falling Slowly

2009-08-09T00:43:00.004-04:00

In this short audio clip I talk about the movie, "Once", and I sound very-very stuffy, due to me getting over a cold.
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*I recommend seeing the movie, then getting the soundtrack--in that particular order.

My Sister: The Cookie Monster

2009-08-07T01:24:00.000-04:00

I didn't think I would get homesick, but I did, it took about three and a half weeks for me to show symptoms. I miss all my family members, my Mom, my Dad, my Uncle Veasna, my brother David, Cousin Samley, Grandma, and everyone in between, but I really miss my sister Sarah. She's a wonderful young girl, that has an enormous amount of zeal, creativity, and humor. She's quite possibly the funniest person in my family. Then again all the Sanders children have been bestowed with grand amounts of humor! This short radio-interview demonstrates that!

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My sister tells me about her love for cookies!

Re: "Revolutionary Road/The Game of Life"

2009-07-31T03:14:00.000-04:00

I am scared--yes, I am scared. I will be the first person to admit that I am afraid. What is my fear you ask? My fear is simple: The Unknown. I write this in response to Ms. Coblentz's post "Revolutionary Road/The Game of Life". In the post she writes that many times people stop becoming who they wanted to be, and become a whole new person all together in the event of having children, and or marriage. Like her, I have seen this all too often. People become comfortable and begin to deviate from their prior plans. I haven't seen the movie Revolutionary Road, but after researching it I understand much of the drama is fueled by people having to commit due circumstances. Leo Dicaprio's character chooses to stay at a job he is dissatisfied with, after his wife tells him that she is pregnant. Frank chooses not to abort the baby, instead choosing to dispose of his plans of moving to Paris, in search of his calling. This is where the movie picks up, and this is where is gets good! The funny thing about drama, is that it makes entertaining television, and gossip when it is not happening to us. But when we are denied what we want, what we so dearly desire from the depths of our souls, that is when heartache and melancholy occur.

One of the major reasons people do not reach their full potential is fear, and laziness--in that order. What happens is many times a person wants to accomplish...mmmhh let's say become a Professional Motorcross rider. What will happen many times is they will fail. Have you heard of anyone learning how to ride a bike the first time they jumped on? Initial failure is inevitable, but after many more attempts, the probability of failure lessens. But we as human beings are scared of simply falling off the bicycle, and forget that practice makes perfect. People like Richard Branson, Donald Trump, and "The Perfect Phillips-Family" next door didn't get to where they were without practice. But once again we forget this, and choose to deviate. We say that its temporary, and that we will go back.

"For the longest time this desire, this aspiration was my heart. I loved it, and it loved me back, but when the failure occurred, it broke my heart, and I decided to find a new love."

When this happens a new love is found, and it fills that void. But as you know there is nothing like your first love. What's sad, is when we finally realize that we placed our dreams in the attic with the cobwebs, the dream is deferred due to circumstances. When you get children, or become married its so much harder, because of responsibilities. If I told my wife I wanted to do the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain, there is a high possibility that she would say, "NO!" As she grabbed me by the neck, pushing me against the wall, shooting blue fire from her mouth toward the ceiling. I could easily ignore her and buy a first-class ticket to Spain, leaving her a note which reads, "Ta-ta for now!" But what about the children! In the film Frank decides not to go to France because of the baby. Yes chose practicality over sentiment, which makes him a responsible man, but a scared and lazy one as well.

When our lifestyle becomes perpetually idle, yet we vigorously internally yearn for that lost long love, we are being lazy. We think, talk, and cry, but we don't find a means to obtain it ourselves. Because we're too comfortable--lazy to get off the couch, and get what we want. Like the stock character in a horror film who says, "I'll wait here for help. Surely someone will come and rescue us," we shortly begin to realize that no one going to save us but ourselves. Fear and laziness, both, if used in combination are dream-killers." Ms. Colblentz states in her post, "How can we beat this fear? Well, that’s simple: screw the man (pardon the language). You want to become a firefighter? Well do it, sign up for classes, work out and try to capture your dream. You want to move to Paris? Do it, although I suggest knowing the language." As the old saying goes, "Where there is a will, there is a way." We should live by that everyday. During my short experience in life, I have found that the people who display the most angst, and sadness are the people who are not doing what they want to do in life.

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In this short interview I learn why my Dad had to dropped out of FSU. He also gives me advice on how not to make the same mistakes he did. I love you dad, and I will do my best.

Cory V: Women and Mothers

2009-05-12T01:25:00.000-04:00

I know Mother's Day is long past, but I would like to acknowledge all the mothers out there in the world, whether they are regarded as "good" or "bad" mothers. These women have created children, and it is these children who have the ability to create happiness for themselves, other people, but especially their own children. Many times mothers help construct the decision a young man makes when choosing a romantic interest. "I want a woman like my mom, or not like her." Though it sounds a bit creepy, we do this. For males, our mother's give us the initial template for women as we enter the world.

Of course, you can easily say the same thing about the relationship between fathers and daughters. In the macrocosm of things, this leads to the foundation of the whole family relationship.

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In this short story, I talked to a good friend of mine name Cory V. (20 years old) who answers the question, "What do you think about women?"

Young Man with the Microphone

2009-05-11T22:59:00.000-04:00

Rush Hour (1998)
Lee: I like to let people talk who like to talk. It lets me find out how full of shit they are.
Carter: What the hell did you just say?
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My major is History, and I feel my major encompasses the art of storytelling. I've recently realized that I don't enjoy reading novels, or really any fiction books for that matter. From time to time I will read a short story, but I mostly read news articles, history texts, and memoirs. So I have decided to collect stories from people I know and don't know. Recently I have been fascinated with the concept of creating a radio story with a simple microphone, a few questions, and editing software. One day after getting paid I decided to buy a digital recorder, instead of food for my pet bald eagle. It paid off! Since then the eagle has died, and I have dedicated myself to interviewing people and getting their side of the story.

Today I talked to a friend about meeting new people. I don't socialize much. I'm very shy I guess, or weird, probably both. But when I do go out I usually go to places by myself. I told my friend about the time I went to the beach, on the last day of school. I went to the beach as a celebration for my hard work. I always tell myself I will go to the beach, but I always sum up that I'm too busy. But I couldn't tell myself that, this time. So for 4 hours I just lounged on the beach, waded in the water, read a book, took a nap, and spoke to an older gentleman from Canada, who was vacationing with his wife. We talked about the beautiful Florida weather, his pursuit of a Psychology degree for the hell of it, his health care system, and birds. The conversation went on for a good hour. My friend felt that it was pointless to go out to places by yourself, and meet strangers. "When I go out, I go to meet friends." I totally understand that. I do that too--sometimes--rarely--never.

I enjoy talking to strangers, even though I don't do follow-ups. If anything I enjoy talking to people, but at a smaller capacity. Recently a good friend of mine, is aiding me in becoming more social, at a larger capacity. Parties, and casual hang out sessions.

At the same time I am practicing an art that I am continuing to master. The art of listening. I have recently casually started watching the HBO television show "In Treatment". The show features a therapist who directs his patients toward the path of mental and physical health. These people come to him, and simply talk their problems into solutions--well some. But at the same time, they keep coming and one thing I noticed is people like to talk, and they are deprived an attentive listener. If you ask a person, "What do you think about this? What do you think about that?" Asking questions conducive to their answer, the person is likely to go on for 10-20 minutes, maybe longer is the person doesn't smoke.

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Here is a short conversation I had with a man named Mike about Native Americans.