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    <title>Luceo Magazine</title>
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   <id>tag:www.luceo.net,2008://2</id>
    <link rel="service.post" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.luceo.net/~luceonet/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=2" title="Luceo Magazine" />
    <updated>2008-06-07T08:00:49Z</updated>
    
    <generator uri="http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/">Movable Type 4.01</generator>
 

<entry>
    <title>Newish Content!</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.luceo.net/2008/06/newish_content.html" />
    <link rel="service.edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.luceo.net/~luceonet/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=2/entry_id=92" title="Newish Content!" />
    <id>tag:www.luceo.net,2008://2.92</id>
    
    <published>2008-06-07T07:54:15Z</published>
    <updated>2008-06-07T08:00:49Z</updated>
    
    <summary>It&#8217;s not totally new, but it&#8217;s close. &#8220;Mercenary Alpha Force&#8221; is, by far, our best short film. The final, edited version has long been available, and we&#8217;ve also made available a highly compressed version of the raw footage. I am...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Kirk</name>
        
    </author>
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.luceo.net/">
        <![CDATA[<p>It&#8217;s not totally new, but it&#8217;s close. &#8220;Mercenary Alpha Force&#8221; is, by far, our best short film. The final, edited version has long been available, and we&#8217;ve also made available a highly compressed version of the raw footage.</p>

<p>I am pleased to present, for the first time, the <em>full quality</em>, uncut footage. But it gets even better! This is the new special edition version, featuring subtitled commentary and trivia. Think of it as footnotes. </p>

<p>Anyway, here it is: <a href="/media/mafse.m4v">Mercenary Alpha Force: Uncut Special Edition</a>. Note: It&#8217;s a 300MB MPEG4/H.264 file.</p>
]]>
        

    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>Fake Civil War Love Letters</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.luceo.net/2008/01/fake_civil_war_love_letters.html" />
    <link rel="service.edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.luceo.net/~luceonet/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=2/entry_id=63" title="Fake Civil War Love Letters" />
    <id>tag:www.luceo.net,2008://2.63</id>
    
    <published>2008-01-12T05:18:37Z</published>
    <updated>2008-01-12T05:42:53Z</updated>
    
    <summary>One day, in a moment of inspiration (read: &#8220;boredom&#8221;), I decided to write a pair of Civil War love letters. I think they&#8217;re historically accurate, for the most part, aside from the fact that they have perfect grammar and spelling.*...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Kirk</name>
        
    </author>
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.luceo.net/">
        <![CDATA[<p>One day, in a moment of inspiration (read: &#8220;boredom&#8221;), I decided to write a pair of Civil War love letters. I think they&#8217;re historically accurate, for the most part, aside from the fact that they have perfect grammar and spelling.* These are best read aloud, in your most Southern of voices; try to channel a Georgia-plantation resident.</p>

<p>To my Darling Annabelle,</p>

<p>The days drag on without you by my side. I long to rejoin you in our charming town.</p>

<p>Life on the front is hard, and though I try, it&#8217;s difficult to keep hope. Just yesterday my good friend, James, was hit by a bullet. He&#8217;s alive, for now, but delirious with fever and the doctors do not expect him to last the night. Food, as always, is scarce, and scarcely edible. The bread has more maggots than flour.</p>

<p>But enough of that! My love for you can carry me through my darkest hour, a shining torch to guide me safely back to your warm embrace.</p>

<p>This war will surely soon be over, and I will be home again. Until then, I count the seconds we&#8217;re apart and remain faithfully yours!</p>

<p>All My Love,<br />
John</p>

<p>To My Dearest John,</p>

<p>Your letters are like kisses from the Sun, warming my heart in these coldest and most trying of times. I clutch them to my bosom as if they were your very being.</p>

<p>Father has taken ill, but seems to be recovering well. I do hope he is better by winter. I am sorry to hear about your friend, James.</p>

<p>Lydia is to have the baby any day now. It will be grand to be an aunt!</p>

<p>My heart fears for you. The front is so very dangerous and I worry. Please, come back home to me safe. Write back soon.</p>

<p>Forever Yours,<br />
Annabelle</p>
]]>
        

    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>Mourning a Fallen Victim and Loathing the Survivors, in the Condiment Aisle</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.luceo.net/2007/09/mourning-a-fallen-victim-and-loathing-the-survivors-in-the-condiment-aisle.html" />
    <link rel="service.edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.luceo.net/~luceonet/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=2/entry_id=56" title="Mourning a Fallen Victim and Loathing the Survivors, in the Condiment Aisle" />
    <id>tag:www.luceo.net,2007://1.57</id>
    
    <published>2007-09-22T05:41:22Z</published>
    <updated>2007-09-22T05:57:11Z</updated>
    
    <summary>Years ago I discovered a wonderful new product, Kraft Miracle Whip Hot&apos;N Spicy. It added kick to otherwise bland ham sandwiches. And life was good. Then one day the grocery store was out. In desperation, I decided to substitute a...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Kirk</name>
        
    </author>
    
        <category term="Culture" />
    
        <category term="Personal" />
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.luceo.net/">
        <![CDATA[<span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image"><img alt="mayo.jpg" src="http://www.luceo.net/i/mayo.jpg" width="253" height="480" class="mt-image-right" style="float: right; margin: 0 0 20px 20px;"/></span>Years ago I discovered a wonderful new product, Kraft Miracle Whip Hot'N Spicy. It added kick to otherwise bland ham sandwiches. And life was good.

<p>Then one day the grocery store was out. In desperation, I decided to substitute a bottle of Kraft Mayo Hot'N Spicy. I mean, how different can they be, right?</p>

<p>In transpired, <em>very</em> different. And not different like blue is different from red; more like cake is different from feces. In short, I threw that nasty bottle away after one ruined sandwich. I've managed to survive on regular Miracle Whip, but I still long for its rebellious cousin. Every time I go grocery shopping I walk by the condiment section, casting a hopeful glance at the Miracle Whip bottles, longing for the Hot'N Spicy. Sure, maybe it's poorly named, but it was a glorious product.</p>

<p>In my quest to find it, I searched various stores, and asked friends to look at stores I never shop at. I even looked online. Alas, it seems to be discontinued. And so I used a form on Kraft's site to inquire about it. Perhaps it was not truly gone for good? I didn't even get a response.</p>

<p>My resolve has been tested, but I'm still holding out for a reversal. If <i>Futurama</i> can come back after years of absence, then so too can Miracle Whip Hot'N Spicy.</p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>Disney: The Ultimate Marketing Machine</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.luceo.net/2007/08/disney_the_ultimate_marketing.html" />
    <link rel="service.edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.luceo.net/~luceonet/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=2/entry_id=54" title="Disney: The Ultimate Marketing Machine" />
    <id>tag:www.luceo.net,2007://1.54</id>
    
    <published>2007-08-28T05:36:54Z</published>
    <updated>2007-08-28T06:23:44Z</updated>
    
    <summary>In the last few years, the House of Mouse has carefully honed its skill. They are the exemplar of cross-promotion, and now they&apos;re practically printing money. The Disney Channel serves as a launch pad for young careers, and associated merchandise....</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Kirk</name>
        
    </author>
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.luceo.net/">
        <![CDATA[<p>In the last few years, the House of Mouse has carefully honed its skill. They are the exemplar of cross-promotion, and now they're practically printing money.</p>

<p>The Disney Channel serves as a launch pad for young careers, and associated merchandise. Of particular note is their deftness in music. It all started with <i>Lizzie McGuire</i>. Not only was it a spectacularly successful show, but it turned Hilary Duff into star. Merely acting isn't enough to make it on the Disney Channel now; all of their live-action shows work in musical numbers with varying degrees of regularity.</p>

<p>Their promotional abilities are awe-inspiring. The number one album on this week's Billboard chart is the soundtrack to <i>High School Musical 2</i>, making an impressive debut. This came as a surprise to no one. A true surprise was last year, when the original film's soundtrack quickly worked its way up to #1. This time around Disney was building on a massively successful franchise. The made-for-TV movie has become a genuine cultural phenomenon with the tween set, spurring a live concert tour, an ice-skating show, and myriad branded merchandise from backpacks to party plates and napkins. The original soundtrack was also the best-selling album of 2006, and the sequel has a good start on earning the same distinction for 2007. The success of HSM has also led to reasonably successful solo albums for two of the stars.</p>

<p>Disney works hard to keep its stars in front of you. They make frequent guest appearances in Disney Channel shows, show up as guests on ABC morning shows, and appear in endless self-promotion commercials.</p>

<p>And just what is Billboard's #2 album of the week? Why it's the second <i>Hanna Montana</i> soundtrack. Disney created an entire show about a fictional pop star, instantly transforming Miley Cyrus into a real star. A new episode of <i>Hanna Montana</i> came on after the premiere of <i>High School Musical 2</i>. Special guests: the Jonas Brothers, recent additions to Disney's Hollywood Records label. The Disney Channel has been showing Jonas Brothers music videos for months now, during commercial breaks. The brothers' eponymous album debuted last week at #5 on the charts. Climbing back up to #16 was the original <i>HSM</i> soundtrack. At #34, the original <i>Hannah Montana</i> soundtrack. And it doesn't stop there.</p>

<p>As we all know Disney's all about family. A few years ago, the Disney Channel had a series about some time travelers called <i>Phil of the Future</i>. Phil's friend and romantic interest sang in a few episodes, but nothing big. Turns out she has a sister. "Aly and AJ" then starred in their own Disney Channel Original Movie, which while it didn't feature them singing, did help promote them. Their album is now #46 on Billboard. Billy Ray Cyrus, who stars on <i>Hannah Montana</i> with his daughter, is now also on a Disney label; his album is currently at #74.</p>

<p>Disney works its magic by keeping its telegenic stable constantly in front of its audience. I don't have any vested interest in their success, but I admire clever marketing, and they've got skills.</p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>We&apos;re Back!</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.luceo.net/2007/08/were_back.html" />
    <link rel="service.edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.luceo.net/~luceonet/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=2/entry_id=51" title="We're Back!" />
    <id>tag:www.luceo.net,2007://1.53</id>
    
    <published>2007-08-28T05:30:55Z</published>
    <updated>2007-08-28T05:36:22Z</updated>
    
    <summary>What, you didn&apos;t know we had gone anywhere? Neither did we, at least for several hours. Turns out we had some issues with our host and DNS. Our site was still online, but our domain name wasn&apos;t pointing to it....</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Kirk</name>
        
    </author>
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.luceo.net/">
        <![CDATA[<p>What, you didn't know we had gone anywhere? Neither did we, at least for several hours. Turns out we had some issues with our host and DNS. Our site was still online, but our domain name wasn't pointing to it. For half of the day it led to some horrible page with links to dating services and home loans. I also wasn't able to check my email during that time period (not exactly a major loss). At any rate, we're back, in a manner of speaking.</p>

<p>More problematic is the horrible lack of content. We'll occasionally get a moment of inspiration, but that usually passes before any new article or video can manifest. I'm going to try to do better. It would be nice to have regular readers, but this would require regular, compelling content. That's hard.</p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>Review: 300</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.luceo.net/2007/03/review_300.html" />
    <link rel="service.edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.luceo.net/~luceonet/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=2/entry_id=49" title="Review: &lt;i&gt;300&lt;/i&gt;" />
    <id>tag:www.luceo.net,2007://1.49</id>
    
    <published>2007-03-14T02:49:00Z</published>
    <updated>2007-03-14T03:46:17Z</updated>
    
    <summary>Approximately two years ago, I read Frank Miller&apos;s graphic novel 300 for a literature class. I loved the story, and the visual style. I especially loved that it was based on actual events, which makes it all the more interesting....</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Kirk</name>
        
    </author>
    
        <category term="Reviews" />
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.luceo.net/">
        <![CDATA[<p>Approximately two years ago, I read Frank Miller's graphic novel <i>300</i> for a literature class. I loved the story, and the visual style. I especially loved that it was based on actual events, which makes it all the more interesting. When I found out several months ago that they were making a movie, I began to get excited. At the time the <i>300</i> was relatively obscure, but a major motion picture would soon change that. As the premiere approached I began to hear more and more about it. Co-workers were discussing it and technology sites and magazines gushed. I finally read real reviews and was convinced I'd love the movie. The reviews I read were technically mixed, but that revealed only the failures of some of the reviewers. Criticisms were a portal to the ignorant or misanthropic views of those writing them. Every single "negative" was, in my view, a positive.</p>

<p>Finally I saw it today, on my birthday. It was everything I hoped it could be. It's an inspiring work of art, visual splendor guiding by an <i>uncompromising</i> vision. And that's the crux of its glory. The heroes in <i>300</i> are truly heroes. This is a thoroughly Romantic film. The Spartans are the absolute embodiment of Western values, which is manifest in their deeds and flawless physical attributes. Every one of those 300 is a true warrior, and citizen-soldier. They fight for freedom and justice against an army of slaves led by a sexually ambiguous self-proclaimed god-king.</p>

<p>This point is, I think, worth elaborating on since some reviewers seem so transfixed on it. This story is told exclusively from the view of the Greeks, and this is exactly how they perceived the Persians to be. Xerxes, and the rest of the Persian elite, wore lots of jewels and, from a Western perspective, flamboyant clothes. The film's portrayal of Xerxes is certainly accurate from the Spartans point of view. Moreover, this effeminate view makes Xerxes that much more offensive to the Greeks. After all, these are the epitome of manly men; to <i>submit</i> to such an androgynous figure is unthinkably repugnant.</p>

<p>In all, there is not a single thing in the entire movie that I object to, not one point I thought dragged it down. I was at first a little hesitant about the creation of the queen as such a prominent figure, but she earns her position (and quite dramatically so). Perhaps the aspect about <i>300</i> I find most appealing is the moral certainty. I refuse to see it as some sort of allegory for the current political situation (it predates the 9/11 attacks by several years), but the broader philosophical implications are timeless. Western civilization is under attack by the Persians and a few brave fighters stand to challenge it. They can do so because they are right, and they know they are right. Moral fortitude is a virtue we can never do without. I love that, in a rare occurrence, a film proudly declares modern Western culture, with its love of reason and freedom, to be absolutely superior to everything else. I love that King Leonidas is not some confused soul seeking guidance but rather a resolute leader, armed with the courage that comes from knowing with certainty that your cause is just. I love this movie.</p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>Now That&apos;s What I Call a Bad Idea: Volume 2</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.luceo.net/2006/12/now_thats_what_i_call_a_bad_id_1.html" />
    <link rel="service.edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.luceo.net/~luceonet/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=2/entry_id=47" title="Now That's What I Call a Bad Idea: Volume 2" />
    <id>tag:www.luceo.net,2006://1.47</id>
    
    <published>2006-12-20T04:47:03Z</published>
    <updated>2006-12-20T06:05:18Z</updated>
    
    <summary>This is the &quot;long-awaited&quot; second list of bad ideas from waaaaay back when. Enjoy. Fire-Retardant Charcoal Briquets Collapsible Cribs—Save space! *Warning: may crush baby* Rocket Powered Big Wheel Head Cheese Sharpie Brand 44 Magnum Marker in 5 new scents! KidsCo...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Chad</name>
        
    </author>
    
        <category term="Lists" />
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.luceo.net/">
        <![CDATA[<p>This is the "long-awaited" second list of bad ideas from waaaaay back when. Enjoy.</p>

<ul><li>Fire-Retardant Charcoal Briquets</li>
<li>Collapsible Cribs—Save space! *Warning: may crush baby*</li>
<li>Rocket Powered Big Wheel</li>
<li><a href="http://images.google.com/images?q=head+cheese">Head Cheese</a></li>
<li>Sharpie Brand 44 Magnum Marker in 5 new scents!</li>
<li>KidsCo Little Tyke "Junior Home Smelting Kit"</li>
<li>Anything directed by Uwe Boll</li>
<li>Do-it-Yourself Breast Implants</li>
<li>Single Use Dentures—Never Brush again!</li>
<li>Gasoline-Powered Wireless Phone—40 minutes to the gallon!</li>
<li>"Tuna-Safe" Dolphin Jerky—Now in Teriyaki Style!</li>
<li>Sony Blu-Ray/Betamax/MiniDisc combo player</li>
<li>The Dust Brothers "Unplugged"—Only on VH1!</li>
<li><i>Titanic II: Back from Davy Jones’ Locker!</i></li>
<li>Pack-a-Potty-in-a-Purse</li></ul>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>The Dr Pepper Tower</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.luceo.net/2006/11/the_dr_pepper_tower.html" />
    <link rel="service.edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.luceo.net/~luceonet/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=2/entry_id=46" title="The Dr Pepper Tower" />
    <id>tag:www.luceo.net,2006://1.46</id>
    
    <published>2006-11-27T06:11:30Z</published>
    <updated>2007-08-26T02:23:29Z</updated>
    
    <summary>As many of our friends and family know, my brother and I love Dr Pepper. Yes, we drink other things too, but the DP dominates our beverage intake. When we go grocery shopping, we buy six, nine, or twelve twelve-packs...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Kirk</name>
        
    </author>
    
        <category term="Personal" />
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.luceo.net/">
        <![CDATA[<p>As many of our friends and family know, my brother and I love Dr Pepper. Yes, we drink other things too, but the DP dominates our beverage intake. When we go grocery shopping, we buy six, nine, or twelve twelve-packs of the stuff. For several months now, we have not bothered to throw away our "fridge packs." It started off innocently enough; we just left a few at the top of the stairs that leads down to the garage. Trash always goes out through the garage anyway, so it seemed natural. However, we somehow never got around to throwing the things away. And so the pile grew.</p>

<p>We made plans to throw them away, but it just didn't happen. It got to the point that I didn't <em>want</em> to throw it away. I wanted to take a picture to commemorate the auspicious achievement. Indeed, we even took some pictures; but the stack continued to grow. It took on a life of its own, reaching to the ceiling in not just one row, but another. Soon its powers grew further. It attracted other wayward boxes. Fortunately, our slovenly secret was hidden from the view of guests by a door.</p>

<p>With its height came arrogance. It thought itself capable of overpowering its creators. Alas, that hubris was defeated by nothing more than air.</p>

<p>As I sat in my room, I heard an unusual cacophony, lasting no more than a couple of seconds. Fireworks? Perhaps a bizarre bit of thunder? I go to my door to ask Chad; his look is grave. He had opened the door leading to the garage to see if he had forgotten to turn off the light. When he closed the door, the rush of wind knocked down a portion of the tower.</p>

<p><img alt="The remains of the Dr Pepper Tower after the initial collapse" src="/dptower.jpg" width="360" height="480" /></p>

<p>Realizing the time had come, we knocked down the rest, flooding the bottom of the stairwell with a sea of red boxes. We don't have an exact count, but the total is somewhere around 50 boxes, which represent 600 delicious cans of Dr Pepper. We then sat on the stairs and folded up all of the boxes. We ended up stuffing the folded boxes into intact boxes, six in all, which are now sitting neatly outside our garage awaiting pick-up tomorrow morning.</p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>Speeding &amp; Roadkill</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.luceo.net/2006/09/speeding_roadkill.html" />
    <link rel="service.edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.luceo.net/~luceonet/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=2/entry_id=44" title="Speeding &amp; Roadkill" />
    <id>tag:www.luceo.net,2006://1.44</id>
    
    <published>2006-09-17T22:11:34Z</published>
    <updated>2006-09-17T22:37:04Z</updated>
    
    <summary>Last week Chad and I took some vacation time and went to visit our friends and family in Tyler. We arrived at our parents&apos; house late on Saturday night and left on Tuesday night. Since my brother drove down there,...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Kirk</name>
        
    </author>
    
        <category term="Personal" />
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.luceo.net/">
        <![CDATA[<p>Last week Chad and I took some vacation time and went to visit our friends and family in Tyler. We arrived at our parents' house late on Saturday night and left on Tuesday night.</p>

<p>Since my brother drove down there, I didn't have my own car to go driving around in. My dad, fickle man that he is, finally settled on a black 2006 Ford Mustang GT, some months ago. Short story even shorter, I borrowed it on Tuesday afternoon to go visit some friends. A little before ten, I was on my way back to our parents' house. Having never driven his car more than around the block before, I was somewhat paranoid driving it anyway. Sure, I had relaxed by that point in the day, having had a little more experience with it, but I still wasn't used to the car. Also, his speedometer is labeled only every 20 miles, whereas mine is every 10. In other words, it's hard to see exactly how fast you're going, even more so when you're extra-worried about getting in a wreck. Furthermore, the Mustang has quite a few more ponies under the hood than my Chevy Malibu.</p>

<p>On the way home, I found myself inadvertently speeding on a few occasions, easily topping 70 in a 60 mph zone. Then I turned onto the new outer loop, which does have a speed limit of 70. I'd never driven on it and had only once, in the day, even been on it. I was out of my element in a car that wasn't mine on an unfamiliar street, in the dark. Shortly after coming up over a slight hill I saw a flash of lights on the one other car on that stretch, which was coming from the opposite direction. No, these were not headlights; it was a state trooper. He passed me, turned around, and I promptly pulled over.</p>

<p>I've been pulled over before, back when I was a teenager. This time I was far more calm. I didn't know exactly how fast I had been going, but I knew it couldn't have been that bad, and I thought I had a pretty good case, what with the borrowed car and unfamiliar road. Indeed, I was pretty calm, though I did accidentally start to hand him my credit card when he asked for my license. What can I say, I was still a little frazzled. Then he asked for my proof of insurance. <em>My</em> proof of insurance is in my glove compartment, just like all other sane people. And so that's where I looked. After at least two minutes of looking through every scrap of paper in there, I finally check the center console, where I found the missing document. Who keeps it there?</p>

<p>Turns out I was going exactly 70 mph. Also turns out that the speed limit drops five at night time. I got a warning and an admonition to drive carefully.</p>

<p>My family got a good laugh at my incident, but then it was time for Chad and me to leave. He was driving on the highway to the Interstate when we saw what was, I later found out, the first live armadillo Chad had ever seen. The car behind us surely saw the same armadillo, but it was most decidedly not alive at that point. The stupid thing  was walking across the busy highway when we came upon it. Chad managed only to make sure he went directly over it, avoiding the tires. Unfortunately, Chad does not drive some high truck but rather a ground-hugging Honda Civic. The sound when we hit was startling for us in the car, and I suspect shell-shattering for our departed friend.</p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>Laziness Abounds</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.luceo.net/2006/08/laziness_abounds.html" />
    <link rel="service.edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.luceo.net/~luceonet/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=2/entry_id=42" title="Laziness Abounds" />
    <id>tag:www.luceo.net,2006://1.42</id>
    
    <published>2006-08-16T21:31:43Z</published>
    <updated>2006-08-18T03:17:15Z</updated>
    
    <summary>In an unprecented streak of sloth we&apos;ve done nothing with the site in some time and for this I apologize. I wish I could say I&apos;ve been the prisoner of tribal natives on the rivers of the Congo fighting off...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Chad</name>
        
    </author>
    
        <category term="Site News" />
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.luceo.net/">
        <![CDATA[<p>In an unprecented streak of sloth we've done nothing with the site in some time and for this I apologize. I wish I could say I've been the prisoner of tribal natives on the rivers of the Congo fighting off viscious snakes and saving my eyes from their appalling lack of clothing but that is simply not the case. Nope this is just plain ol' lazy.</p>

<p>However with the weekend upon us and a miraculous collision of time off, Kirk and I just may pull something out of the air and slap it online...now don't hold me to that but it <em>could</em> happen in the foreseeable future.</p>

<p>Anyways stayed tuned for "possible" content!</p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>The Dichotomous Marketing of Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc.</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.luceo.net/2006/06/the_dichotomous_marketing_of_d.html" />
    <link rel="service.edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.luceo.net/~luceonet/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=2/entry_id=40" title="The Dichotomous Marketing of Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc." />
    <id>tag:www.luceo.net,2006://1.41</id>
    
    <published>2006-06-27T05:26:00Z</published>
    <updated>2006-06-27T05:57:41Z</updated>
    
    <summary>I have long loved Dr Pepper. If I&apos;m at home, I drink either iced tea or Dr Pepper. If I&apos;m anywhere else, I stick to the safely consistent DP (I&apos;m particular about my tea). Since tea requires effort to make,...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Kirk</name>
        
    </author>
    
        <category term="Culture" />
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.luceo.net/">
        <![CDATA[<p>I have long loved Dr Pepper. If I'm at home, I drink either iced tea or Dr Pepper. If I'm anywhere else, I stick to the safely consistent DP (I'm particular about my tea). Since tea requires effort to make, even while at home I now usually just grab a can of that sweet non-cola nectar of life.</p>

<p>The company seems to be on a marketing spree. They've introduced new branding and a new selling point: 23 authentic flavors. Wow, that sure is a lot of flavors, and a lot of flavors must be good.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, 7UP has taken a decidedly different approach. They've reformulated their drink to have only five, 100% natural ingredients. Somewhat deceptively, one of those ingredients is "natural flavors," which presumably contains lemons, limes, and perhaps other unknown flavors. To me, the "natural flavors" ingredient listing comprises several ingredients, but I'll let it go. At any rate, the message is that less is more.</p>

<p>Maybe it's just me, but these messages strike me as somewhat contradictory. One says that more is better and the other says less is better. They're both soft drinks so it's not like I'm comparing apples to oranges.</p>

<p>And so here we have two soft drink brands pushing contradictory ideals of what is desirable. The part that makes this blogworthy is that they are both owned by the same company, Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc., which has been a division of Cadbury Schweppes for the past decade. Surely I can't be the only person who sees this as strange.</p>

<p>Were I an intrepid reporter for the blogosphere, I might perhaps call the company to ask them about their marketing schemes. Or perhaps I could march up the Dr Pepper/Seven Up headquarters and demand a straight answer: is less more or is more more? Alas, that would require me to travel upwards of three minutes (by car; I'll start the "march" portion in the parking lot). Yes, I may live on the same street as the headquarters, but I'm lazy, and apparently they're on the third floor of the Cadbury Schweppes building.</p>

<p>And so the contradiction remains, plaguing the world with competing ideals of simplicity and complexity. To which should we strive? <em>non scio</em></p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>My First Day as a Mac Convert</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.luceo.net/2006/05/my_first_day_as_a_mac_convert_1.html" />
    <link rel="service.edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.luceo.net/~luceonet/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=2/entry_id=41" title="My First Day as a Mac Convert" />
    <id>tag:www.luceo.net,2006://1.40</id>
    
    <published>2006-05-24T04:01:40Z</published>
    <updated>2006-05-24T04:16:50Z</updated>
    
    <summary>Today at around 9:20 AM there was a knock at my door. I knew who it was and rushed to open it. Standing there was a very friendly lady from FedEx with a very eagerly anticipated box. I signed for...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Kirk</name>
        
    </author>
    
        <category term="Personal" />
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.luceo.net/">
        <![CDATA[<p>Today at around 9:20 AM there was a knock at my door. I knew who it was and rushed to open it. Standing there was a very friendly lady from FedEx with a <em>very</em> eagerly anticipated box. I signed for it and started yelling at Chad, who was still asleep. I got the outer, shipping box opened then pulled out the real box. Apple has long been known for their carefully designed packaging. It was a far different experience than when I opened my Sony Vaio notebook last March.</p>

<p>Alas, I had to be at work at 10, and still hadn't taken a shower. This gave me ten minutes with my MacBook before I had to get ready and leave. I had enough time to take it out, start it up, and create an account. All day long it was all I could think about. I excitedly told all of my co-workers, all of whom already knew it was on its way, thanks to my incessant raving.</p>

<p>I can now gladly report that, after having used it for hours, I have no regrets. Tomorrow I plan on some more aggressive use. I've got some video editing to get started on and I may even play around with GarageBand.</p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>Building a $50 Raft</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.luceo.net/2006/03/building_a_50_raft.html" />
    <link rel="service.edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.luceo.net/~luceonet/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=2/entry_id=34" title="Building a $50 Raft" />
    <id>tag:www.luceo.net,2006://1.33</id>
    
    <published>2006-03-03T05:48:25Z</published>
    <updated>2006-03-03T17:03:08Z</updated>
    
    <summary> When I got home today, Chad told me his crazy idea to build a pontoon raft. At first I thought the idea insane, but figured it wouldn&apos;t hurt to at least do a drawing and make plans for it....</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Kirk</name>
        
    </author>
    
        <category term="Personal" />
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.luceo.net/">
        <![CDATA[<img src="/i/about/kirk/mariner.jpg" alt="Kirk on a raft" width="420" height="605" />
<p>When I got home today, Chad told me his crazy idea to build a pontoon raft. At first I thought the idea insane, but figured it wouldn't hurt to at least do a drawing and make plans for it. Based off some horribly dirty math, I decided that 16 feet of 6" PVC pipe would hold the two of us and our raft above water. But how much does pipe that big cost? We couldn't find it on the Home Depot or Lowe's web sites, so we went to Home Depot, which is only a few minutes down the road. Turns out 6" is hard to find. We found 4" but that would have required using a lot more, plus it was expensive too. The PVC pontoons just weren't going to happen. We did, however, find some under-the-bed storage bins. At 20 gallons each, I calculated, in my head, that four of them would give us enough support for over 600 pounds. Chad and I, along with the raft, were estimated at 400 pounds, assuming a very heavy raft. Yes, we ourselves are very light.</p>

<p>Up to this point I was by no means commited to the idea. Our biggest problem was the board that would form the basis of the raft. We initially discussed plywood, but then realized it was horrible and that for only a few dollars more, we could get substantially higher quality MDF board. A 3/4" sheet was under $20. That's all good and well, but a sheet is 4 by 8 feet. Chad drives a Civic. We sat around for a while thinking about it. Finally commiting to it, Chad called a friend with a truck and asked if he could borrow it. We bought the plastic bins, plus a cordless drill/driver, which we needed anyway.</p>

<p>We then picked up his friend's truck, went back to the Home Depot, and bought the board, some screws, and two broomsticks. Eventually we could add some dustpans to them for oars, but since tonight's test voyage was to be strictly in shallow water, sticks were enough. Chad said we needed a name for the raft. I threw out, jokingly, the <i>SS Duchess Montana</i>; it stuck. We got it all home and set up shop in the garage. I predrilled holes in the lip of the bins. We applied a layer of sealant to the bins and more or less glued them in place, then screwed them in. We then lifted up our surprisingly heavy raft and carried it down the hill to the creek that runs behind our apartment. This creek, however, is by no means remote. It's right down the middle our our apartment complex, flanked on both sides by rows of apartments. Thankfully it was dark and the creek is down low in a valley. We put the raft in the water and it actually floated. I stepped on; so far so good. Chad got on. Yes, water poured across the top, but it still floated. As long as we kept balanced, the top was mostly above water.</p>
<p>The building process was filmed, and we took photos of most of the <a href="http://porticus.luceo.net/thumbnails.php?album=12">entire project</a>. Tomorrow, maybe, we'll have a friend over to actually film us on the raft.</p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>Our Archives Page</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.luceo.net/2006/02/our_archives_page.html" />
    <link rel="service.edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.luceo.net/~luceonet/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=2/entry_id=15" title="Our Archives Page" />
    <id>tag:www.luceo.net,2006://1.14</id>
    
    <published>2006-02-06T10:26:12Z</published>
    <updated>2006-02-06T10:41:38Z</updated>
    
    <summary>Internet Explorer just crashed and destroyed my rather lengthy entry I had written. Consequently, this one will be substantially shorter than planned. Short Version: I accidentally deleted our archives page a couple of months ago. I discovered this only today....</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Kirk</name>
        
    </author>
    
        <category term="Site News" />
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.luceo.net/">
        <![CDATA[<p>Internet Explorer just crashed and destroyed my rather lengthy entry I had written. Consequently, this one will be substantially shorter than planned. Short Version: </p>

<p>I accidentally deleted our <a href="/archives/">archives </a>page a couple of months ago. I discovered this only today. I painstakingly rebuilt the page, but in doing so, realized that it really sucked. (I took a few hundred words to say this the first time around).</p>

<p>We have 68 articles on our site, and the only link to most of them is one the one archives page, which is nothing more than a hierarchal list of the titles, organized by subject. Our affinity for creative titles means that for many of them, you have very little idea what the article is actually about.</p>

<p>My solution: coming in the near future we will have a redesigned Articles page (which is a better title for the page, for reasons I previously described in depth but, alas, were lost to the glitch). The more relevant articles will be elevated from obscurity, complete with descriptions. Less relevant material, now muddying the waters, can settle into the abyss--alive, but not crowding out the good stuff. For example, no one needs to read our review of Windows XP anymore. Luceo Magazine began in the Fall of 2001. A lot has changed, but there are still treasures in the depths, such as "<a href="/advice/work/holiday.html">Working Retail During the Holidays</a>."</p>

<p><br />
</p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>High School Musical</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.luceo.net/2006/01/high_school_musical.html" />
    <link rel="service.edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.luceo.net/~luceonet/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=2/entry_id=14" title="High School Musical" />
    <id>tag:www.luceo.net,2006://1.13</id>
    
    <published>2006-01-24T02:57:35Z</published>
    <updated>2006-03-03T17:37:23Z</updated>
    
    <summary>I watch a lot of Disney Channel, perhaps more than I should. They now have over 60 original movies (DCOMs), and I&apos;ve seen more than my share. About a month ago, they started advertising the next DCOM, High School Musical,...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Kirk</name>
        
    </author>
    
        <category term="Reviews" />
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.luceo.net/">
        <![CDATA[<p>I watch a lot of Disney Channel, perhaps more than I should. They now have over 60 original movies (DCOMs), and I've seen more than my share. About a month ago, they started advertising the next DCOM, <i>High School Musical</i>, with short, cryptic commercials. All you saw was a tiny, fish-eye view of two people singing a few words. This balooned in the following weeks into the biggest ever DCOM promotion. Apparently they spent twice their normal promotion budget. They peppered magazines with ads that included a code that enabled readers to download one of the movie's songs. Every single break during every afternoon and evening (ie: tween and teen) show was an opportunity to promote the movie. On Friday, January 20, <i>High School Musical</i> premiered. On Saturday, they aired a one-time-only singalong version, complete with lyrics at the bottom of the screen.</p>

<p>I, unfortunately, worked both days. I did not, however, work yesterday, when I finally got to see it. The review in the <i>Dallas Morning News</i> called it vapid--and gave it an "A-." Usually vapid is a bad thing, but the reviewer correctly judged the movie for what it was: light and fluffy fun. It makes no pretense of being serious, and as such, is a far greater success than many of the hopelessly pretentious movies out there.</p>

<p>I'll admit it: I liked the movie. Was it great? Absolutely not. Were there numerous holes? Like Swiss cheese. But that doesn't matter. It is meant as an enjoyable way to spend an hour and a half, and I think it does admirably. The songs are catchy. Indeed, the movie is going a long way towards paying for itself based on sales of the soundtrack. On iTunes, it is currently the #1 album, and holds spots 1, 5, 7, and 10 on today's top song list. In fact, 9 of the 13 tracks are in today's top 30. </p>

<p>The Disney Channel struck gold with this one, but they tend to have good luck with music. <i>The Cheetah Girls</i>, another recent DCOM, has now spawned its own concert tour. The Disney Channel also launched the career of Hilary Duff, who has now sold millions of albums. Whom to look out for: Aly & AJ. These sisters  are being built up by Disney as Hilary repeats. They've got a record out, they're on the aforementioned Cheetah Girls tour; <em>their</em> DCOM, <i>Cow Belles</i>, comes out in March (and is already being promoted); plus they've got their very own Disney Channel original series, <i>Haversham Hall</i>, in the works.</p>]]>
        <![CDATA[<h3>Now with Lyrics!</h3>
Since most of the hits this post gets are for the lyrics anyway, I figured I might as well put them up, so here they are:

<h4>"Start Of Something New" - ZAC EFRON & VANESSA ANNE HUDGENS</h4>

<p>Living in my own world<br />
Didn't understand<br />
That anything can happen<br />
When you take a chance<br />
I never believed in<br />
What I couldn't see<br />
I never opened my heart<br />
To all the possibilities<br />
I know that something has changed<br />
Never felt this way<br />
And right here tonight</p>

<p>This could be the start<br />
Of something new<br />
It feels so right<br />
To be here with you<br />
And now looking in your eyes<br />
I feel in my heart<br />
The start of something new</p>

<p>Now who'd of ever thought that<br />
We'd both be here tonight<br />
And the world looks so much brighter<br />
With you by my side<br />
I know that something has changed<br />
Never felt this way<br />
I know it for real</p>

<p>This could be the start<br />
Of something new<br />
It feels so right<br />
To be here with you<br />
And now looking in your eyes<br />
I feel in my heart<br />
The start of something new</p>

<p>I never knew that it could happen<br />
Till it happened to me<br />
I didn't know it before <br />
But now it's easy to see</p>

<p>It's a start <br />
Of something new<br />
It feels so right<br />
To be here with you<br />
And now looking in your eyes<br />
I feel in my heart</p>

<p>That it's the start <br />
Of something new<br />
It feels so right <br />
To be here with you<br />
And now looking in your eyes<br />
I feel in my heart<br />
The start of something new<br />
Start of something new<br />
            <br />
<h4>"Get'cha Head In The Game" - ZAC EFRON</h4></p>

<p>Coach said to fake right<br />
And break left<br />
Watch out for the pick<br />
And keep an eye on defense<br />
Gotta run the give and go<br />
And take the ball to the hole<br />
But don't be afraid<br />
To shoot the outside "J"</p>

<p>Just keep ya head in the game<br />
Just keep ya head in the game</p>

<p>And don't be afraid <br />
To shoot the outside "J"<br />
Just keep ya head in the game</p>

<p>U gotta <br />
Get'cha get'cha head in the game<br />
We gotta<br />
Get our, get our, get our, get our head in the game<br />
[repeat 3x]</p>

<p>Let's make sure<br />
That we get the rebound<br />
'Cause when we get it <br />
Then the crowd will go wild<br />
A second chance<br />
Gotta grab it and go<br />
Maybe this time<br />
We'll hit the right notes</p>

<p>Wait a minute<br />
It's not the time or place<br />
Wait a minute<br />
Get my head in the game<br />
Wait a minute<br />
Get my head in the game<br />
Wait a minute<br />
Wait a minute</p>

<p>I gotta <br />
Get my, get my head in the game<br />
You gotta <br />
Get'cha, get'cha, get'cha, get'cha head in the game<br />
[repeat 3x]</p>

<p>Why am I feeling so wrong<br />
My head's in the game <br />
But my heart's in the song<br />
She makes this feel so right</p>

<p>Should I got for it<br />
Better shake this, yikes!</p>

<p>I gotta <br />
Get my, get my head in the game<br />
You gotta <br />
Get'cha, get'cha, get'cha, get'cha head in the game<br />
[repeat 4x]</p>

<p>            </p>

<h4>"What I've Been Looking For" - ASHLEY TISDALE & LUCAS GRABEEL</h4>

<p>It's hard to believe<br />
That I couldn't see</p>

<p>You were always there beside me<br />
Thought I was alone<br />
With no one to hold<br />
But you were always right beside me</p>

<p>This feelings like no other</p>

<p>I want you to know</p>

<p>I've never had someone that knows me like you do <br />
the way you do <br />
I've never had somone as good for me as you <br />
no one like you so lonely before i finally found <br />
what i've been looking for</p>

<p>So good to be seen<br />
So good to be heard</p>

<p>Don't have to say a word</p>

<p>For so long I was lost<br />
So good to be found </p>

<p>I'm loving having you around</p>

<p>This feeling's like no other </p>

<p>I want you to know</p>

<p>I've never had someone that knows me like you do <br />
The way you do<br />
I've never had someone as good for me as you<br />
No one like you<br />
So lonely before, I finally found <br />
what I've ben looking for</p>

<p>Doo Doo DooDoo<br />
Doo Doo DooDoo<br />
Do Do</p>

<p>Woa-ah-ah-oh</p>

<h4>"What I've Been Looking For (Reprise)" - ZAC EFRON & VANESSA ANNE HUDGENS</h4>

<p>It's hard to believe <br />
That I couldn't see <br />
That you were always there beside me</p>

<p>Thought I was alone<br />
With no one to hold</p>

<p>But you were always there beside me<br />
This feeling's like no other<br />
I want you to know</p>

<p>I've never had someone that knows me like you do<br />
The way you do<br />
I've never had someone as good for me as you<br />
No one like you<br />
So lonely before I finally found<br />
What I've been looking for</p>

<h4>Stick To The Status Quo</h4>

<p>You can bet<br />
There's nothin' but net<br />
When I am in a zone and on a roll<br />
But I've got a confession <br />
My own secret obsession<br />
And it's making me lose control</p>

<p>Everybody gather 'round</p>

<p>Well if Troy can tell his secret than I can tell mine...I bake.</p>

<p>What?</p>

<p>I love to bake! Strudels, scones, even apple pandowdy!</p>

<p>Not another sound</p>

<p>Someday I hope to make the perfect creme brulee!</p>

<p>No, no, no, nooooooooooo<br />
No, no, no <br />
Stick to the stuff you know<br />
If you wanna be cool<br />
Follow one simple rule<br />
Don't mess with the flow, no no<br />
Stick to the status quo</p>

<p>Look at me <br />
And what do you see<br />
Intelligence beyond compare<br />
But inside I am stirring<br />
Something strange is occuring<br />
It's a secret I need to share</p>

<p>Open up, dig way down deep</p>

<p>Hip hop is my passion! I love to pop and lock and jam and break!</p>

<p>Is that even legal?</p>

<p>Not another peep</p>

<p>It's just dancing. Sometimes I think it's cooler than homework.</p>

<p>No, no, no, noooooooooo<br />
No, no, no<br />
Stick to the stuff you know<br />
It is better by far <br />
To keep things as they are <br />
Don't mess with the flow, no no<br />
Stick to the status quo</p>

<p>Listen well <br />
I'm ready to tell <br />
About a need that I cannot deny<br />
Dude, there's no explanation <br />
For this awesome sensation <br />
But I'm ready to let it fly</p>

<p>Speak your mind and you'll be heard</p>

<p>Alright, if Troy wants to be a singer... then I'm coming clean! I play the cello! </p>

<p>Awesome!</p>

<p>What is it?</p>

<p>A saw!</p>

<p>No, dude, it's like a giant violin!</p>

<p>Not another word</p>

<p>Do you have to wear a costume?</p>

<p>Coat and tie</p>

<p>No, no, no, nooooooooooo<br />
No, no, no<br />
Stick to the stuff you know <br />
If you wanna be cool <br />
Follow one simple rule<br />
Don't mess with the flow, no no <br />
Stick to the status quoooooooo</p>

<p>No, no, no<br />
Stick to the stuff you know<br />
It is better by far <br />
To keep tings as they are <br />
Don't mess with the flow, no no<br />
Stick to the status quo</p>

<p>This is not what I want<br />
This is not what I planned<br />
And I just gotta say<br />
I do not understand<br />
Someting is really...</p>

<p>Something's not right</p>

<p>...really wrong</p>

<p>And we gotta get things<br />
Back where they belong<br />
We can do it</p>

<p>Gotta play</p>

<p>Stick with what you know</p>

<p>We can do it</p>

<p>Hip hop hooray!?</p>

<p>She has got to go</p>

<p>We can do it</p>

<p>Creme Brulee?</p>

<p>Keep your voice down low</p>

<p>Not another peep<br />
No, not another word<br />
No, not another sound<br />
No</p>

<p>Everybody quiet!</p>

<p>Why is everybody staring at you?</p>

<p>Not me, you.</p>

<p>Because of the callbacks? I can't have people staring at me! I really can't!</p>

<p>Noooooooooooooo, no, no, no<br />
Sick to the stuff you know<br />
If you want to be cool<br />
Follow one simple rule<br />
Don't mess with the flow, oh no<br />
Stick to the status quooooooooooooo<br />
No, no, no<br />
Stick to the stuff you know<br />
It is better by far<br />
To keep things as they are<br />
Don't mess with the flow, no no<br />
Stick to the status<br />
Stick to the status <br />
Stick to the status quo</p>

<h4>"When There Was Me And You" - VANESSA ANNE HUDGENS</h4>

<p>It's funny when you find yourself <br />
Looking from the outside<br />
I'm standing here but all I want<br />
Is to be over there<br />
Why did I let myself believe<br />
Miracles could happen<br />
Cause now I have to pretend <br />
That I don't really care</p>

<p>I thought you were my fairytale<br />
A dream when I'm not sleeping<br />
A wish upon a star<br />
Thats coming true<br />
But everybody else could tell<br />
That I confused my feelings with the truth<br />
When there was me and you</p>

<p>I swore I knew the melody<br />
That I heard you singing<br />
And when you smiled <br />
You made me feel<br />
Like I could sing along<br />
But then you went and changed the words<br />
Now my heart is empty<br />
I'm only left with used-to-be's<br />
Once upon a song</p>

<p>Now I know your not a fairytale<br />
And dreams were meant for sleeping<br />
And wishes on a star <br />
Just don't come true<br />
Cause now even I tell <br />
That I confused my feelings with the truth<br />
Cause I liked the view<br />
When there was me and you</p>

<p>I can't believe that<br />
I could be so blind<br />
It's like you were floating<br />
While I was falling<br />
And I didn't mind</p>

<p>Cause I liked the view<br />
Thought you felt it too<br />
When there was me and you</p>

<h4>Bop To The Top - ASHLEY TISDALE & LUCAS GRABEEL</h4>

<p>I believe in dreamin'<br />
Shootin' for the stars</p>

<p>Baby to be number one<br />
You've got to raise the bar</p>

<p>Kickin' and a scratchin'<br />
Grindin' out my best</p>

<p>Anything it takes <br />
To climb the ladder of success</p>

<p>Work our tails off every day<br />
Gotta bump the competition<br />
Blow them all away</p>

<p>Yeah we're gonna</p>

<p>Bop, bop, bop<br />
Bop to the top</p>

<p>Slip and slide and ride that rhythm</p>

<p>Jump and hop hop 'til we drop</p>

<p>And start again</p>

<p>Zip zap zop <br />
Pop like a mop</p>

<p>Scoot around the corner</p>

<p>Move it to the groove<br />
Till the music stops <br />
Do the bop bop, bop to the top<br />
Don't ever stop<br />
Bop to the top</p>

<p>Gimmie, gimmie<br />
Shimmy shimmy<br />
Shake some booty and turn around<br />
Flash a smile in their direction</p>

<p>Show some muscle </p>

<p>Do the hustle</p>

<p>Yeah we're gonna bop, bop, bop <br />
Bop to the top</p>

<p>Wipe away your inhibitions</p>

<p>Stump, stump, stump do the rump</p>

<p>And strut your stuff</p>

<p>Bop, bop, bop<br />
Straight to the top<br />
Going for the glory<br />
We'll keep stepping up<br />
And we just won't stop<br />
Till we reach the top<br />
Bop to the top</p>

<p>            </p>

<h4>"Breaking Free" - ZAC EFRON & VANESSA ANNE HUDGENS</h4>

<p>We're soarin', flyin'<br />
There's not a star in heaven <br />
That we can't reach<br />
If we're trying <br />
So we're breaking free <br />
You know the world can see us <br />
In a way that's different than who we are <br />
Creating space between us<br />
Till we're separate hearts<br />
But your faith it gives me strength<br />
Strength to believe<br />
We're breakin' free<br />
We're soarin'<br />
Flyin' <br />
There's not a star in heaven <br />
That we can't reach <br />
If we're trying <br />
Yeah, we're breaking free<br />
Oh, we're breakin' free<br />
Ohhhh<br />
Can you feel it building<br />
Like a wave the ocean just can't control<br />
Connected by a feeling<br />
Ohhh, in our very souls<br />
Rising 'til it lifts us up<br />
So every one can see<br />
We're breakin' free<br />
We're soarin'<br />
Flyin' <br />
There's not a star in heaven<br />
That we can't reach <br />
If we're trying <br />
Yeah we're breaking free<br />
Ohhhh runnin'<br />
Climbin'<br />
To get to that place <br />
To be all that we can be<br />
Now's the time<br />
So we're breaking free<br />
We're breaking free<br />
Ohhh, yeah</p>

<p>More than hope<br />
More than faith<br />
This is true<br />
This is fate <br />
And together<br />
We see it comin'<br />
More than you <br />
More than me<br />
Not a want, but a need<br />
Both of us breakin' free</p>

<p>Soarin' <br />
Flyin' <br />
There's not a star in heaven <br />
That we can't reach <br />
If we're trying <br />
Yeah we're breaking free<br />
Breaking free<br />
Were runnin' <br />
Ohhhh, climbin'<br />
To get to the place <br />
To be all that we can be<br />
Now's the time<br />
Now's the time<br />
So we're breaking free<br />
Ohhh, we're breaking free<br />
Ohhhh</p>

<p>You know the world can see us<br />
In a way that's different than who we are</p>

<p>            <br />
<h4>"We're All In This Together"</h4></p>

<p>Together, together, together everyone<br />
Together, together, come on lets have some fun<br />
Together, were there for each other every time<br />
Together together come on lets do this right</p>

<p>Here and now its time for celebration<br />
I finally figured it out (yeah yeah)<br />
That all our dreams have no limitations<br />
That's what its all about</p>

<p>Everyone is special in their own way<br />
We make each other strong (each other strong)<br />
Were not the same <br />
Were different in a good way<br />
Together's where we belong</p>

<p>We're all in this together <br />
Once we know<br />
That we are <br />
We're all stars <br />
And we see that<br />
We're all in this together<br />
And it shows<br />
When we stand <br />
Hand in hand<br />
Make our dreams come true</p>

<p>Together, together, together everyone<br />
Together, together, come on lets have some fun<br />
Together, were there for each other every time<br />
Together together come on lets do this right</p>

<p>We're all here <br />
and speaking out with one voice<br />
we're going to rock the house (rock the house)<br />
the party's on now everybody make some noise<br />
come on scream and shout</p>

<p>We've arrived becuase we stuck together<br />
Champions one and all</p>

<p>We're all in this together <br />
Once we know<br />
That we are <br />
We're all stars <br />
And we see that<br />
We're all in this together<br />
And it shows<br />
When we stand <br />
Hand in hand<br />
Make our dreams come </p>

<p>We're all in this together<br />
When we reach<br />
We can fly<br />
Know inside<br />
We can make it<br />
We're all in this toghether <br />
Once we see <br />
Theres a chance <br />
That we have <br />
And we take it</p>

<p>Wild cats sing along <br />
Yeah, you really got it goin' on<br />
Wild cats in the house<br />
Everybody say it now<br />
Wild cats everywhere <br />
Wave your hands up in the air<br />
That's the way we do it<br />
Lets get to it<br />
Time to show the world</p>

<p>We're all in this together <br />
Once we know<br />
That we are <br />
We're all stars <br />
And we see that<br />
We're all in this together<br />
And it shows<br />
When we stand <br />
Hand in hand<br />
Make our dreams come </p>

<p>We're all in this together<br />
When we reach<br />
We can fly<br />
Know inside<br />
We can make it<br />
We're all in this together <br />
Once we see <br />
Theres a chance <br />
That we have <br />
And we take it</p>

<p>Wild cats everywhere <br />
Wave your hands up in the air<br />
That's the way we do it <br />
Let's get to it <br />
Come on everyone!</p>

<p>            </p>

<h4>"I Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" - ZAC EFRON, VANESSA ANNE HUDGENS, LUCAS GRABEEL & ASHLEY TISDALE</h4>

<p>Ya never know what you're gonna feel, oh<br />
Ya never see it comin' suddenly it's real</p>

<p>Oh, never even crossed my minde, no<br />
That I would ever end up here tonight</p>

<p>All things change<br />
When you don't expect them to<br />
No one knows<br />
What the future's gonna do<br />
I never even noticed <br />
That you've been there all along</p>

<p>I can't take my eyes off of you<br />
I know you feel the same way too, yeah<br />
I can't take my eyes off of you<br />
All it took . . . Was one look<br />
For a dream come true</p>

<p>Yeah, we got a good thing goin' on</p>

<p>Oh, right here is right where we belong</p>

<p>You never really know what you might find<br />
Now all I see is you and I<br />
You're everything I never knew<br />
That I've been looking for</p>

<p>Can't take my eyes off of you<br />
Oh, oh, oh yeah<br />
So let the music play<br />
Can't take my eyes off of you<br />
Yeah, the feeling's getting' stronger<br />
And I never ever felt this way</p>

<p>Alright, I see everything<br />
In your eyes. . . Oh yeah<br />
Alright, something's happening<br />
Cause everyone's around but<br />
You're the only one I see</p>

<p>I can't take my eyes off of you<br />
Feelings like I never knew<br />
I can't take my eyes off of you<br />
From the start. . . Got my heart<br />
Yeah, you do<br />
Can't take my eyes off you           </p>]]>
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