Wicker Basket Coffin

“Muscle mass does not always equal strength. Strength is kindness and sensitivity. Strength is understanding that your power is both physical and emotional. That it comes from the body and the mind. And the heart.” - Henry Rollins

Well said Mr. Rollins. Well said indeed.

Zach

Love is a very powerful word.
People love things that represent a strong feeling inside of them.
People love other people, they love animals, they love music.
Different people love different things.

Hate is a very powerful word.
People hate things that represent a strong feeling inside of them.
People hate other people, they hate animals, they hate music.
Different people hate different things.

“Hate can not destroy hate, only love can do that”*

I choose to love. I will stick to my guns. “I’ll be a hope bringer.”**
I will keep warm in a cold world by inhaling hate and exhaling love.

Love is a more powerful word.

*MLK
**Stick To Your Guns

     This poem is inspired by STYG’s latest CD “The Hope Division”. The lyrics are powerful, the music is powerful, and each song delivers a different message for different situations. But all of the messages are POSITIVE. I know I’ve posted things like this a lot lately but I truly believe if there was more music like this and people listened more there would be less tragedy in our culture and society. Music has an intense power that some people ignore because all they hear is what’s on the radio. They are force fed all the dumb-downed, bubblegum pop, debauchery filled bullshit from “artists” and then people wonder why kids are getting dumber, meaner, and lazier.

     So back to my original subject. Stick To Your Guns is awesome. They’re right up there with Close Your Eyes, The Ghost Inside, Hundredth, Set Your Goals, The Devil Wears Prada, and more in terms of having a positive message to deliver in a world full of negativity. It saddens me that negativity in most circumstances overshadows positivity. There could be 100 positive people doing 100 positive actions but if 3 negative people do 1 negative thing that’s all people notice. It’s unfortunate but true.

     But I hope you enjoy the poem. Listen to good music.

Zach

     I don’t keep up with world events too much. I feel like I have too much of my own bullshit to work through right now that I try not to let too much else bother me. I don’t need any more bad news or hard times than I already have bringing me down. But I do know what’s going on over in Egypt and after seeing so many disheartening posts about what’s going on I figured I’d give my two cents. My homie Jake (whyitscaresme.tumblr.com) has posted many upsetting images and info from the tragedy happening over there, and it’s hard not to take notice.

     What’s going on in Egypt sucks. I don’t wish it on anyone. But sometimes governments need catastrophe to open their eyes. So if I’m glad for one thing out of the dilemma it’s that the people of Egypt are standing and fighting for what they think is right. I wish there was a more peaceful and less tragic way to do so but things are usually darkest before dawn. I wish them the best.

     And mostly I hope that the people of other countries (especially Americans) see how blessed they are to live where they live and live HOW they live. Of course there are wrongs and injustices in the U.S., most of us see them every day. I just hope that people realize there is a bigger picture. There are more things wrong than just “who punched Snooki”, or “Lindsay Lohan going to jail, and not going to jail”. I am truly grateful that I don’t have to wake up in the morning and be worried about my family, or worried that an RPG just blew half my bedroom wall to hell. I sleep in a warm bed, listening to an iPod, with no care other than I wish I had a better job and was living on my own.

     I hope people see that no matter how bad things are for you, they could always be worse. But at the same time, we could always make them better.

Love and Peace,

Zach

     Last night four friends and myself competed in what we dubbed the “Chicken Nugget Challenge”. It was a competition to see who could eat the most nuggets from McDonald’s 50 McNugget deal.

The Rules:
- Each competitor has 45 min. to eat their 50 nuggets.
- The winner is the first person to finish all 50 or whoever has eaten the most nuggets after time is up.
- Competitors can use the bathroom, to urinate, but the door must remain open so the other competitors know you’re not cheating.
- Throwing up = disqualification

The Competitors:
Robert Diaz
Stephen Currier
Ferny Caravantes
James Pruitt
Zach Norris (myself)

The Results:
     It was closer than a lot of us expected. The end results were not what we expected at all. Ferny chewed his 50th nugget as time expired to take the win. Also as time expired I chewed and swallowed my 47th. Robert was 5 behind at 42, James close after at 38, and Stephen came in last with 33 nuggets.

1. Ferny
2. Zach (myself)
3. Robert
4. James
5. Stephen

     I do not recommend that anyone do what we did as it is terrible for your body. Robert and Stephen threw up afterwards, and I felt miserable for at least 20min. This is a very unhealthy challenge for you or anyone else to try. I’m going to be doing extra sit ups this week. A lot of extra.

Zach

(I have a strained relationship with my father. This poem or these lyrics or both *I haven’t decided yet* deals with one of our many issues.)

I never asked for these responsibilities.
I don’t want these expectations to live up to.
Sorry to disappoint, but I am nothing like you.
You gave me my name, and you gave me my body (thanks but no thanks).
But you have no heart, so I built that myself.
Sorry to disappoint, but I am nothing like you.

I have your temper, and I have your anger.
I’m trading them in for patience and calm.
Sorry to disappoint, but I am nothing like you.
I’d look in a mirror and hate myslef, and hate what’s mine.
I’ve realized, I was hating the you inside.
The you behind these eyes.
My immaturity would rage and burn.
Still growing up, I’ve healed and learned.
Sorry to disappoint, but it’s my turn.
My turn to be me.

     I’ve tried to embed videos that I like from Youtube and they always say “embedding disabled, watch on Youtube”. Fuck that. It says Youtube all over the screen, has it on the menu, and the display screen, so why can’t I post something from there to here and let you guys watch it? It’s annoying.

     Fuck Youtube.

Please excuse my french.

Zach

P.S. If someone can educate me on this matter please do. I hate to rant like an idiot if it’s not justified, so please inform me if I’m trying something wrong.

     I want to do what I want and not worry about what people think. I want to progress without thinking about what’s holding me back. I want success I can share with my true friends. I want to be respected. I want to inspire. I want to create.

     I want to make music. I want to own an art gallery. I want to own and operate a clothing company. I want to be a good boyfriend (eventually a good husband). I want to be a good big brother. I want to be a good friend. I want to be a good person.

     I want more tattoos. I want less body fat. I want more sneakers. I want more new socks (cause a brand new pair of socks always feels so good).

     I wish I could sound like a poetic hardass and say “The only thing holding me back is me.” Which is true about certain statements above in many aspects. Unfortunately though, there is more holding me back. Family issues, financial issues, legal issues (nothing bad), and so on.

But…

     I promise I will try my best to improve my situation and achieve all of the above mentioned goals (and more). I’m already working on the art/clothing part, and the good boyfriend/brother/person part. I’ll live life to the fullest, and make dreams come true along the way.

Wish me luck. Your prayers are openly accepted.

God bless.

Zach