All posts by formulateinfinity@icloud.com

About formulateinfinity@icloud.com

Garrett Williams received his BS in Secondary Education, History from Appalachian State University. He also received a minor in English from Keele University in England and has a Masters in Curriculum and Supervision with an Administrative Add-on from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Currently, Garrett serves as an Instructional Technology Facilitator (ITF) and offers technology assistance to students and teachers in his school district. Before moving into his current position he taught United States History and coached wrestling. He was named Teacher of the Year in 2009. Garrett is a life time music fan and has attended concerts from a wide variety of artists including the Beastie Boys, Bob Dylan, Wilco, Pearl Jam, Leonard Cohen, My Morning Jacket, Tom Petty, Buddy Guy, Tribe Called Quest, RHCPs and many more.

John F. Kennedy 11/22/63

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There is a lot being written and posted today about the Kennedy assassination.   The ramifications of the tragic event can still be felt today.

Kennedy’s  famous “Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You” speech has been widely read and debated.  Many interpret the famous quote in that speech as a call to arms to the American citizenry to volunteer and get involved.  Today, however, I find myself reflecting on the quote from a different angle.  So few politicians today are willing to make sacrifices for the nation’s common good.  Kennedy, and many of his peers, would be appalled when viewing today’s political  landscape.   Political posturing and grandstanding has become common practice among the nation’s elites.  It’s as if their win at all cost mentality will make sure that the nation ultimately loses in the end.  Say what you will about the Kennedys, four of their sons volunteered and worked tirelessly for this nation.  Three of them ultimately gave their lives to the cause.  How many politicians would do the same today?

Stephen King 11-22-63 cover

By the way if you have not read Stephen King’s 11/22/63, you should.  It’s a great read and really works as three novels in one.  The interplay of the characters, the Kennedy myth and the Stephen King style is well worth the investment.

Best Block: Stephen King Goes to the Rescue of JFK (Errol Morris)

RGIII is on the Run from Media Controversy

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RGIII runs from the Eagles
RGIII runs from the Eagles

It looks like the terms Washington Redskins and sports media controversy are interchangeable.  The latest incident, Robert Griffin III’s Philadelphia post game comments, has the sports media keeping score on whether Griffin can handle the starting job.  I suspect RGIII is merely experiencing the same growing pains Cam Newton experienced in Charlotte.  The media market in the Queen City has been prone to criticize the young quarterback at every turn.  In fact, the local sports radio personalities owe Cam several royalty checks. Without him they would not make a living.  Cam conversations pretty much dominate most of their airtime (even when the rest of us in NC are more focused on Tobacco Road and college hoops!).

As far as I’m concerned I think hindsight will reveal that RGIII’s second Redskins season was his NFL maturation year.  In music, this is often called a sophomore slump.   I’d be willing to bet RG’s future campaigns will produce plenty of stellar records.   Griffin will survive this latest controversy.  As for the  Shanahans, I’m not so sure.  Dan Snyder’s meddling has been on hiatus for far too long and I suspect having a franchise QB might inspire him to up his involvement.  And so we come full circle . . . the Washington Redskins and sports media controversies will always be one in the same.

Best Score:  Robert Griffin III’s postgame comments create a schism (Doug Farrar)

Pearl Jam from side stage

Pearl Jam 10/30/2013 (Charlotte)

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I’ve wanted to share my impressions of the Pearl Jam concert I attended in Charlotte on 10/30 for some time now.  Fortunately, the birth of my baby boy delayed my efforts.  This life changing (and affirming) event has easily surpassed anything I have ever experienced.  It was the best concert I will ever attend and I had a front row seat!

With that said the other concert, Pearl Jam, was great.  I went with my friend Dave and we had a blast.  I even managed to sneak down to the floor and get some pretty amazing photos.  The band hadn’t played in Charlotte for 10 years and they definitely made up for lost time.  The show was phenomenal!  In many ways Nirvana and Pearl Jam are my generation’s Beatles and Rolling Stones.   Seeing them made me long for that fruitful period of Rock n’ roll that defined my youth.  I often wonder if a new set of bands will ever be allowed to define music the way the bands from that era did . . .

Best Lines:  Pearl Jam plays long, plays hard in Charlotte show (Théoden Janes)

Hello world!

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“I can’t see the end of me 
My whole expanse I cannot see 
I formulate infinity 
Stored deep inside me”

Curtis Kirkwood, Oh Me

Welcome to Formulate Infinity!  I have started this blog as an exercise in self-expression.   Since my youngest days I have been an active writer but after college  I lost my way.   Perhaps it’s the pending birth of my first child or the realization that Pearl Jam is now drinking age.  For whatever reason, I find the desire to write renewed.  Part of this yearning to write stems from the fact that many of my creative efforts center around work.  While these efforts have been very rewarding, I want to create a space that is less compromised and more personal.

For this reason,  Formulate Infinity is long overdue.   I will cover topics that encompass a variety of interests.   Blog entries will include observations on music, technology, writing, sports and, on occasion, politics.  I will also provide my own creative writing entries when time permits.

Formulate Infinity’s name stems from one of my favorite lyrics.  I first heard the phrase when I played Nirvana’s Unplugged album. The record revealed a previously unreleased track, “Oh Me.”  While the song was originally written and performed by the Meat Puppets, Kurt Cobain’s confessional delivery left me completely transfixed.  With Nirvana, this was nothing new. One of the great things about the band was that they always referenced the artists that inspired them.  In this instance it was the Meat Puppets.  In other instances it was Leonard Cohen, Sonic Youth or the Vaselines. Whether it be through their music or through interviews, the band always lead you to new discoveries.  To me, the very best blogs provide the same type of connections for their readers.

 Formulate infinity.  Stored deep inside of me.

I have always interpreted these lines as a call to do something lasting.  Something that comes from within.  Something that is true to your beliefs and values.  Something that will hold up to the test of time.  Hopefully my writing will reflect my core truth and will make a lasting impression on my readership.

In addition, a special thanks to John Gruber (Daring Fireball) and John Moltz (A Very Nice Website).  Their work inspired me to find my own space to fill.