What if I told you...

What if I told you that alcohol isn't bad for you?

Me being a christian, I've been peppered with different views on the consumption of alcohol. Views in total support of it and views saying that if you drink it you are possessed by a demon. I'm in support of it. I feel that when consuming alcohol, one must be very cautious though. They must have self-control. As alcohol can influence you, you must be able to have self-control to not get drunk.

The Bible says that your body is a temple, and that you should protect it. By drinking a beer on the weekends, you aren't going to be destroying your body. In fact, drinking a soda every day is probably worse for you than drinking a beer on the weekends. And I know for a fact that having a Big Mac and a large fry and soda is much worse for you and more damaging to your body than a beer is.

I mean, even Jesus drank wine.

Ok, this is going to be a very very very short blog, but really that's all I have to say on the matter. That's just my opinion. Feel free to comment.

How has music changed me?

Music has really changed who I am. It has affected me more than I could have ever imagined. I have been either playing or have been involved with music ever since I can remember. I started playing piano at the age of three, and have steadily explored the world. Whenever I am anywhere, I see the music, I hear and feel the music. Unlike most people, the words don't affect me much. It's the tune. The beat, the rhythm of the song that affects me and changes me.

Everyday after school, I go home and put on my headphones. I sit there and play a song. I adjust the settings for bass boost and I crank it. It soothes me and comforts me and gets me through the day. Its almost like my brain food. I need it to survive.

My family has always had a very large interest in music. I think it all started with my Grandfather. He was my mother's father and had this grand piano. He would always go into the living room, sit down and just play to his hearts content. I was always so awed by how he could just play and play and play and not get tired, and have so much inspiration to create beautiful works of art that I never imagined possible. His skill with all of the music that he play was incredible, and I knew that I wanted it.






Though I never picked up piano much, it was a base. It was the start of my passion. I progressed from piano to guitar, and that's where it really hit off. Starting in 7th grade I began to play on my church's worship team, and it was the funnest thing ever. I was involved, and it felt awesome. I had this cheap black acoustic guitar, that now my friend owns, and it went with me everywhere. Wherever I was in the house, that guitar would be by my side the whole time. It was my companion. Music, was my companion.

Music. What is it?

Now, if you have been reading my blog for a few weeks, you will notice that I have made it seem rather...report-ish. This weeks blog will be different. I'm going to take a step away from the historical significance of music and just think about it. What really is music? I know mathematically it's a series of notes played in a specific rhythm, but what is it to you? What is it to me? Everyone has their own opinions on what music is the best, or the worst. Is it the way that the musical sound waves translate in our brains or react with our ear drums? Or is it something more...?

Music to me is much more than just entertainment. It's a way of life. Music is comforting. It can be hectic, or it can be calm. Music, is almost my friend in a way. It has gotten me through hard times and times of great joy.






As a Christian, I go to church every Sunday. I play on the worship team. The music not only resonates with me, but also with God. I feel like I am able to connect with him in a much deeper level when I play. That my friends, is no physical sound wave. It's almost like a spiritual language.

Music to me is not only through the ears, but through the eyes too. If I listen to a song that is very beautiful, I will close my eyes, and see almost what is like fireworks, exploding in the distant darkness. I see images of sound waves entering my ear in such a colorful manner that it makes my body light up, and colors race out my finger tips. Music is real to me.

As a child, I would always love to listen to music and dance to it. I learned to dance starting at age 12 and have really kept it as a hobby ever since. I feel like music and dance coincide with each other. They work together. They are family. To dance, one needs music, to feel the rhythm and let it flow through his/her body. It is a way to connect with not only people, but with yourself.

My best friend and I both share an intense love for music. Whenever we hang out, we always show each other music that we discovered in the week. I don't think it's scientific at all, I just think this is funny, but right once we get tired all music is amazing. It doesn't matter if it is dubstep, jazz, or even polka, it is freaking amazing.

Now, let me ask you, what does music mean to you?

Romani musica

There is no doubt that Roman history had a massive effect on the world. They were an empire that existed for hundreds of years! Though a lot of their culture was actually copied from the Greeks, they still had music littered throughout their lives. They had many musical instruments that the Greeks did, like the aulos and the lyre, but they also had some other ones as well.
 A lot of their music was used in the military, which was a very important part of the society. The musical instruments that were in the army were usually the tuba, and the cornu.

Undoubtedly the most important instrument in the Roman military was the tuba, or straight trumpet. This was often used during triumphal processions, funerals, sacrifices, and other ceremonies. But it's main use was in the military. This would be used to sound troop movement, and would be needed to be played as loudly as possible. Julius Caesar was known for using these, not only to progress troop movement, but also for retreat. During the Gallic Wars, he fought Vercingetorix, who was also known to use these trumpets during battle.

The second most important instrument was the cornu. This instrument was made into a massive G shape and had a crossbar in the middle for support. This instrument was primarily used for directing troops under a certain sign. In civilian life, it was normally used to call together meetings, announcements or social gatherings. Later on in the empire, it was used to announce the presence of the emperor. The cornu was a very well known instrument and is even captured on carvings like the Trajan column, pictured left.




The Romans, though they copied much of the Greek culture, really drove the military and conquering part of the world, and brought forth civilization in the most barbarian parts of ancient Europe. The Romans were one of the first society's to use brass instruments, and not only brass instruments, but instruments for their military. That translated  and even progressed to the 1700's Europe, with line fighting, as fifes and drums were used to keep the beat of the march, and motivate the troops. The Romans created one of the most powerful empires ever, and set their imprint upon the modern society today.