My Blog about twins from "Twins 4 twins" website

Here is the link from the "twins 4 twins site. But I'll also copy it in it's entirety below.

http://twins4twins.ning.com/profiles/blogs/interesting-books-about-twins

Nature's Thumbprint: the new genetics of personality; was written by a father and son team. The father Dr. Neubauer used twins separated at birth as the basis of his studies and after studying them for over 40 years co wrote this book with his son who is a writer. It talks about how we are all born with a certain set of characteristics as evidenced by the twins studies, (ie- twins having a lot of similarities even though they were raised apart) but how even identical twins can develop differently when raised apart. Really interesting read if you like that sort of thing. Written in common english not technical jargon so it's relatively easy to understand.

The next book is a memoir written by two female twins who a part of that study. It's called, "Identical Strangers". It follows the twins on there rediscovery of each other in their mid-thirties, and chronicles their journey. It's written in a narrative, interestingly though, the twins take turns writing about the same periods of time and their own personal reflections. It's obviously more of a personal story and easier to relate to.

As for my own experience being a twin, I related to both the books quite strongly. I was finishing Nature's Thumbprint on a plane back from Hawaii with my twin brother, and kept having him read sections as they became relevant.

My brother and I were probably more typical than either one of us, or anybody likes to think, that they are. We were very close growing up, but fought all the time. Then we found girlfriends and rarely spoke nearly as much after that. It seems that when you are close enough with someone that you rely on them and become dependent, it's difficult to break out of that mold in your next serious relationships, brothers or otherwise.

Does anybody else feel this way?

People ask us all the time if we can feel each others pain, or simply if we are even twins. We have prefab answers that we usually use on occasion. We do have what we call a 'twintuition'. But it's really something that you would have with anyone you are close with. Sensing if they are in trouble or harms way. Or if they are experiencing the same seasonal effective symptoms with the loss of daylight and the coming of winter.

I reflect upon it less now that I did when I was growing up, but feel that being a twin is an interesting way to exist. I always knew what it was to be so close with another person to communicate without words, and know exactly what they were thinking with a glance. I guess growing up with so many of the same influences, can only lead to similar thought patterns throughout life. But as we've grown up, we've succeeded in developing a stronger sense of identity.

We're now both 28, and ready to be friends again. We aren't so fiercely fighting for independence. I always knew that this day would come, but we both had to be ready. It's something we always wanted to have back, but we were both going in different directions and to acknowledge the others' gains was to smite are own. I now think that knowing who we are as individuals gives us more confidence in accepting each other.

Thanks for reading this blog.
Please feel free to write me or post comments here.

This Is Alaska. Fun Local Music.

Here's a link to my myspace blog.

http://blogs.myspace.com/just_lonny

Today I blogged about my friends T.I.A. They are essentially a modern ska punk band who range anywhere from reggae to rap. They are from Fairbanks, Ketchican and Anchorage.

They played a show at Bernie's Bungalow (7th and D st.) with another traditional Punk band from Anchorage called Spitshine. The show went amazingly well and it filled the upstairs bar called the Paradise Lounge where Bernie's has a DJ spin dance music on weekend nights.

My friends Shybones (who also help host these band nights every 'Thirsty Thursday') were slated to play but had to back out at the last minute. T.I.A. was asked to play and brought a slew of fans with them to compliment Spitshines loyal following.

It was about as fun as a small local band night could be. Everybody seemed to have a good time as was evidenced by the dancing and screaming that ensued. The dance floor stayed full for the entire set and the excited crowd bounced around with teenage-angst-inspired glee.

From the looks of them, you'd think they were going to sell you your new T-shirt from Pac Sun. Winston proudly wore Buddy Holly glasses and anime styled hair. Larry dressed up in a black button up with the rest sporting cool modern hip clothing.

Spitshine warmed up the crowd with loyal fans singing along to there favorite local punk band, who's lead singer had the names of the songs tattooed on his arm. You would have thought T.I.A. were Greenday or Sublime judging by the audience reaction with the way lead singer/guitarist/songwriter Winston worked the crowd.

A few covers, such as The Pixies "Where is My Mind" which they used to open the set, set the tone for what kind of band they are and what kind of show you were going to see. The originals were fresh and dynamic and sounded decidedly like something you've heard before on some rare Ska Punk B-side.

The bass played by Larry was poppy and fun. Shared lead guitar licks were served up simple and tasty by lead guitarists Winston and Amon. Jordon's trumpet was a perfect compliment to the upbeat ska riffs, and separated them from the mindless metal most local bands choose to perform. Drummer Dana didn't over do it like some drummers do, but provided a danceable energy served with percussive precision and clean energetic drum fills.

Highlights included when trumpet player Jordan set aside his brass for the mike, and rapped a cover of an Eminem/Dre song called "Forgot About Dre" while the rest of the band rocked up the catchy rap samples. This seemed to humor the resident funk-rappers ATF who joined Spitshine for an impromptu mash-up in the previous set.

There appeal seems to be that they are enjoying themselves just as much as they think the crowd should. They are not another pretentious pseudo metal band in GAP clothing and matching pho-hawks. Nor an over-aggressive band you'd think to hear blaring out of a suped-up truck with a confederate flag and a driver wearing an 'affliction' t-shirt with silver embossed embroidery.

They are something far less sinister or deceptive. A fun unassuming garage band that has as much fun practicing at a friends house with a few beers, pausing for causes and such, as in front of dozens of adoring fans. Playing something rarely heard in this state. Pop music.

Go figure. Being entertaining and tasteful are still appealing. Who knew?

For some Great Photos of the Show see J L Photography's Blog

Add them as your friends on Myspace and Facebook and go see there next show!

Check out Shybones, Sunbury and a special treat... the UAA Jazz Quintet for an acoustic show next Thursday at Bernie's at 8pm. (corner of 7th and D st.)

NO COVER!!! Great Live Music!!! Three bands that actually get PAID by the BAR!!! Does that really still happen?

Hope to see you there!!!

T.I.A.: http://www.myspace.com/thisisalaska907

Spitshine: http://www.myspace.com/spitshineband

Sunbury: http://www.myspace.com/sunbury

Shybones http://www.myspace.com/shybones and http://www.facebook.com/shybones

just getting started here on blogspot

Well... I've always wanted to blog. Aside from my blogging on myspace (which has been ok) I've never really spilled my thoughts over the net before.

I'm kind of looking forward to it.

I tend to use many glaring errors in grammar, yet decidedly so... like those dots for example. I use them all to much. I just don't think that a period really holds the "breath" of thought that a few dots does...

As for something pertinent and not mindless drivel... I guess the best thing I could do now is just say what I'm doing with my life.

I've only recently joined the Facebook revolution in the last year. It has really changed the way I communicate. I rarely use myspace now, accept for small uses like bands or young relatives.

Speaking of bands, as a musician of poor morale towards performing in general, I've taken to promoting other peoples art. This has proved to be quite rewarding for me, much more so than promoting my own work.

I started an idea of sorts called the "Musician Venue Partnership" and promptly posted an add on Craigslist. The following morning I had a few responses, one of which from a local alternative Press here in town.

This has lead to a few opportunities promoting music in here in Anchorage. Most notably a "Back to College Bash" at Bernie's Bungalow, for whom I worked gainfully for a few mere months towards the end of this summer.

Also, as a part of being friends with people in bands, you MUST promote them shamelessly. Few know this obligation when entering into a relationship with a known musician. Caution is advised. It can be taxing, and in this town, out right exhausting!

Then to, I find it much easier to be a helping hand than fist of freedom. So I continue my hard work in the name of advocacy. Hopefully not in vein. Only time will tell.

So as you read this, ask yourself if you've done all you can to help your starving artist friend. Have you gone to enough shows? Do you feel guilty for lack of proper prudence in terms of your friends performance art?

If I've got you to at least think about music or art in your immediate zip code, I will consider my job today accomplished.

Go out and support our freedoms of expression. Nomatter what they are expressing. It will enlighten your soul and enrich your life... at least when it comes to water cooler conversations next week.

Intellectual conversations about art, especially those condemning the lack of culture in your community, make you seem like an astute fashionably cultured individual... and very very cool!

So if your community has less culture than a sheeps blood petri dish. Do something about it and create some!

that is all I have... tonight anyhow!

thanks for reading...

~Lonny