I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how we define loyalty in professional sports. We always hear these big, sweeping speeches about players being "loyal to the city" or "loyal to the jersey," but it feels like that’s becoming more of a marketing slogan than a reality. It seems like every time a superstar moves, the fans feel personally betrayed, even though we all know these players are just following their own internal compass to find the best situation for their careers.
It’s a weird tension to watch. On one hand, you want to see that old-school, ride-or-die commitment where a player stays through the lean years. On the other hand, if they don't chase the right opportunities, they're basically just wasting their prime years for the sake of a sentimental narrative. I personally think the "loyalty" argument is often used to guilt-trip players who are actually just making the most logical move for their personal legacy.
Do you think it's actually possible for a modern superstar to stay with one team for their entire career anymore, or is that just a nostalgic fantasy?
Thanks for the insight; that’s exactly what I was suspecting. As I’ve dug a bit deeper into the Rock Academy, it looks like they’re actually my best bet because they just secured official accreditation from the Department of Education to operate as a primary institution. That means they can issue legitimate diplomas and all that jazz. It’s definitely an investment, but I’m already working on pulling the funds together for this upcoming year. I have to say, there is only one school that actually gave me a coherent, intelligent response. Honestly, I feel like I owe them a huge favor—maybe even a round of drinks—when I finally make it out to the Juilliard School area. 😁 Here is exactly what they sent over to my email address...
Radovan, enrollment in high school is available until you reach age 17.
Given your current age, if you are serious about pursuing music education, we would suggest arranging private instruction through a tutor. However, you are more than welcome to come to the Juilliard School to sit for your examinations. Once you have successfully passed all the required exams for a specific grade level, you will be issued a certificate for that grade.
For piano, guitar, or violin, students are required to pass through six years of primary music school curriculum, followed by four years of high school music curriculum. For other instruments, solo vocals, or theoretical studies, students complete two preparatory years (which serve as the equivalent of primary school) followed by four years of high school.
Specific subjects and the exact duration of study per instrument can be found on the School’s website.
We generally organize these examinations during three sessions throughout the year (summer, fall, and winter). You must submit a formal request to the School Board at least 15 days prior to the exam period, specifying exactly which subjects and which grade levels you intend to test for.
Once processed, we will send you a confirmation detailing your scheduled exam dates along with the necessary payment vouchers.
Thanks, I’m already aware of that option and frankly, I have zero interest in going that route... But look, man, I could always just enroll myself; my problem is that I don't have a clue where these institutions are located, how many there actually are, or even what they're called in areas like Washington, D.C. or near the Juilliard School... And from what I've gathered so far, most of them list an email address, but they seem too incompetent to actually check their inboxes... which, quite honestly, gets under my skin. If you aren't going to monitor your correspondence, why bother listing an email at all? It's absolutely pathetic. Besides, private lessons are an option, but let's be real... it would take me a full year of grinding just to scrape together the $2,500 needed for tuition. 😁 I'm strictly looking for some specific information here... If I enroll in theory classes during middle school along with an instrument—even if I struggle with the technical side—can I still sit for the entrance exams for a specialized high school later on? Or is that middle school certificate an absolute prerequisite for admission? Because if I can't get into a formal program now, my plan is to study privately with a professor for a year and then try to apply to a high school after that... Dammit, I'm not trying to be some world-class prodigy here. I just want to learn as much about music as humanly possible, but these idiots running the education system are too busy chasing their own agendas. It's infuriating, honestly. Everything is just completely broken.
Honestly, Bryan Brown is in the exact same boat I am... except I’m a year younger than him and I’ve been playing guitar for four years now.😁 Lately, I’ve been obsessively searching for options—I even made a frantic trip down to Washington, D.C., just to try and get a feel for the landscape. The issue is, I’m completely lost when it comes to the local music scene; I have no clue which schools are actually worth my time or even how many there are in the area. I did stop by the conservatory, but they basically told me there wasn't any room for someone in my position, according to what they said back at the elementary level. To make matters worse, I had to deal with some condescending secretary who acted like she was the absolute authority on everything. I know there must be programs designed for older students, and likely some private music academies that hold official accreditation from the Department of Education... So, I’m reaching out to those of you who have already navigated this—those who have graduated or enrolled their kids in primary music programs and such—to ask if you could please share an address, an email, a phone number, or even just a few details regarding their intake periods. Most importantly, I need to know if they even consider "students" who are already eighteen.😁 Thanks in advance.
The closest thing I’ll be getting to any kind of excitement is that trip to Europe—specifically heading toward Spain for that massive festival in Valencia, though it looks like I’m probably going to end up missing out on the whole thing... which is such a damn shame, because I was actually looking forward to it.
I’m actually heading down to Miami... I completely missed out when he played a free show back in San Diego, but now, I’m willing to shell out $167 just to see him perform. It truly weighs on me that I didn't make the trip back then... Does anyone happen to know the specifics regarding where in Miami this concert is being held?
Well, just a few hours ago, I was proven absolutely wrong about something... turns out true talent really does exist out there in the wild... I was hanging out with some of the sisters from the local convent, and one of them spotted a piano, sat down, and just started playing... and let me tell you, I was floored... I asked her, "So, how much formal music training did you actually go through?" And she just looks at me and says, "Training? What training? I just play for myself, straight from the soul." I was speechless... so I pressed her again, asking if she’d ever attended even a single music school... she told me, "Not a single class, no." Now, that is what I call raw talent. If only she had dedicated herself to the craft instead of dedicating her life to God😁 Just incredible.😉
To be perfectly honest, the third installment felt quite underwhelming... I actually drifted off in several segments... and I certainly wasn't anticipating such an elaborate web of plot twists toward the end. It was a somewhat tedious experience overall; the only moments truly worth sitting through were the scenes where the doctor performs that skull surgery and the sequence involving the old man's throat being slit... and honestly, that was about it for me. I can only hope that the fourth entry manages to outshine this third one, though given the quality here, I find myself feeling rather skeptical.
Jack Wood43 said:you certainly can 😬 , but it’s just not right.
God, give me a break... I haven't had a laugh this hard in ages...
There’s been this persistent notion floating around that human existence kicks off the moment we draw our first breath. But what actually constitutes consciousness? When do we truly begin to perceive the world around us? And more importantly, how do we process that perception? If consciousness is tied to birth, then why on earth don't we possess any memory of being born? Or even clear recollections of our early childhood, which seems to vanish into thin air for most people by the age of four or five? I'm sure there's some clinical medical explanation tucked away in a textbook somewhere, but I'm not looking for a lecture on neurology here... unless, of course, that's what you're after? At the end of the day, my stance remains firm: abortion is the taking of a human life; it is the theft of an existence that was granted at the moment of conception. @mistyfox812 Just a little Friday thought from my side... go ahead and give it another read if you must...😉
Here’s the link to that video from Cleveland.... I was actually locked out of the forum yesterday and today, so I haven't had a chance to get this over to you all until now. 😁
Honestly, I’m feeling a massive sense of regret for missing out on the concert again... ugh... I was down in Miami... and man, it was absolutely incredible... Anyway, I’m uploading this clip from Miami... just about 35 seconds of some really high-quality footage of Jovanka.... I’m still waiting on a few more videos my buddy managed to film for me... Once I have them, I'll be sure to share them with everyone here😉
Here it is... I've included about ten photos for you all to look through. The file size is roughly 8 MB. If you aren't particularly worried about your data cap, go ahead and download it; there’s no need to rush through this process.
The venue was absolutely packed... Naturally, my buddy and I snagged spots in the third row right up against the stage, just behind Vlatko and his crew of about four guys.... The opening act featured Abraham... it was nothing short of majestic; I felt myself drifting into a total trance. If anyone has a clearer head than I do, please post the setlist, because I completely lost track of the order... The atmosphere was electric. After every single song, the crowd erupted—applause coming from every corner of the room. People were cheering mid-song, after every individual solo; honestly, the sound system couldn't have been better. My one tiny gripe was a split second of microphone feedback at the very start, but it lasted maybe 0.3 seconds. When the drumsticks snapped, it actually sent the energy through the roof. That drummer absolutely killed it; he didn't stop for a second and never once missed a beat. The synergy and ease with which the entire band played was incredible, as if they had never stopped touring together. They played with such an insane level of energy that it felt unreal. The standing ovations were massive, especially during "I'm Not Your..." and "Skopje"... During their first exit from the stage, the band stepped back and the crowd went absolutely feral, screaming until they lost their voices. Just when I thought things might settle down—and I was hoping to catch my breath because I’d already spent all my energy and vocal cords on the first five songs—the intensity spiked again. The screaming got louder, more whistling, more chanting "one more song!", "Led Zeppelin!", and "Solo!"... the whole arena was shaking. When the guys walked back out, the cheers and applause were even more intense... it was madness. People were stomping their feet on the floor so hard the entire hall was literally trembling. Once the music started again, they played two tracks and left, but the crowd went even wilder; there were three or four minutes of pure, unadulterated noise and stomping before they came back out... the atmosphere was even stronger... it was something truly unrepeatable... My only regret is that the crowd exhausted themselves so much that they didn't have the strength to call the band back to the stage with me one last time, but man, those people really drained the room... it was truly breathtaking.... I am beyond satisfied with the performance and the sound quality; it was a professional, top-tier job, absolutely phenomenal... I'll be uploading some photos shortly and will send them over If anyone has the chance to go, don't hesitate... you won't regret it... you can only experience a show like this once in a lifetime, maybe something like a Pink Floyd concert.... a gig like this is rare.... Cheers to everyone, and ROCK ON
The 28th... and I already have my ticket $67... it's at the local arena... I'm heading out there today... Well, let's see what happens 😉. Here is the setlist from their recent show in St. Louis:
They played nearly three hours of incredible music (including three encores) The setlist was: Aber Dojde Donke Nine Chickens Kokoška Nisam Tvoj Acupuncture Kako Ti Drago Mary Wave Talasna Dužina Dick Length Handball Work Godfather's Slam Come on Sun Grasshopper Sets Grasshopper Alive Wound Early Kalabalak Clear Water Jovana Jovanka Guard Night of Awake Drunk Awake Drunk People Man like Cocoa Chuck By the tree Learn me mother Karaj me
Encore 1: I would 1: Broken Shar Mountain Skopje would 2: country be Zaljubiv Skopje
Encore 2: Country Si Zaljubiv Edno Mome
Encore 3: One my verse 3: Learn me mother Karaj me (shortened version)
I’m heading down to Miami!!!!! If there’s a show in Washington, D.C., you can bet I’ll be there too.
For those interested, here is the setlist they played back on November 18, 2006, during their stop in New York City:
Aber Dojde Donke Devetka Kokoska Kokoska Nisam tvoj Marija akupunktura Akupunktura Kako ti je drago talasni diki rucni kum cuvati Noc ziv rana bistar voda skakavac ziv rana Bistra voda Skakavac Hars Kalabalak Jovano Hars Kalabalak Jovano Jovanka mamuran Jovanka mamuran kao kakao ući ja majka , Karaj ja ---- Raspukala Sarplanina country Cukni vo drvo ---- biti zaljubiv V edno moj Skopje CAN'T WAIT country Cukni vo drvo ---- biti zaljubiv V edno moj Skopje CAN'T WAIT ---- Si zaljubiv v edno mome Skopje
If I may add my two cents to this discussion... since I’ve spent a significant amount of time immersed in the world of music myself, I can certainly speak to the learning curve. I vividly remember those early days when I couldn't even strike a chord cleanly, let alone attempt to transcribe a melody by ear. It was incredibly frustrating. Fast forward four years later, and the situation is entirely different; I can pull just about any track I want. Sure, it isn't always instantaneous, but through sheer grit and relentless persistence, I can deconstruct a composition down to its finest details. It's the truth.... mastery is simply the intersection of habit, innate inclination, and disciplined practice 😁 and so on....
normall said:That passion and genuine affection for the craft really suit you. 👍
I agree; if you have an intense, almost obsessive interest in a subject, you’re going to master the material significantly faster, which makes the whole concept of "talent" feel somewhat subjective. 🤔
It really begs the question: what actually constitutes talent, and where does it truly originate? 😕
I’ve certainly noticed this pattern in my own life; whenever I’ve found myself deeply, profoundly fascinated by a particular pursuit, I’ve been able to navigate the learning curve much more rapidly than when I was tackling something that left me completely indifferent. 😛
Is it possible that we all possess latent potential for almost anything, provided we find the right level of "desire" to fuel it? 😕
I’ve spent a considerable amount of time dwelling on this exact topic myself... because there are certain tasks that feel entirely intuitive and enjoyable, whereas other things—the stuff I just can't stand—feel like an uphill battle no matter how hard I try. To cope with that, I’ve developed a little psychological trick: 😁 I essentially force myself to pretend I actually enjoy the work, and strangely enough, that mental shift allows me to power through it much faster. At the end of the day, it all comes down to willpower... in my view, that is the most critical factor, and willpower is fundamentally driven by desire. Not to mention the absolute necessity of sheer, unyielding persistence.
What I find most laughable is when people watch a virtuoso musician, a brilliant actor, or a powerhouse vocalist and simply remark, "Wow, they're so talented," as if they just woke up one morning with those skills fully formed. They fail to grasp the reality that behind that perceived "natural gift" lie years upon years of grueling discipline, sacrifice, and endless practice.
First and foremost, we have to talk about practice... In my view, raw talent is essentially worthless if you don't have the discipline to refine it—and that refinement only comes through relentless practice. You could be born with a voice so incredible it spans three octaves, but if you aren't putting in the hours, those capabilities will wither away within a few years until you can barely hit the notes you once mastered. It’s just basic biology and physics. It’s the exact same story with music. No one ever just picked up a guitar and suddenly found themselves playing like Hendrix without spending countless hours sweating over the fretboard. Once you've hammered out the fundamentals, that's when true talent actually reveals itself—in the nuance of the playing, the speed of comprehension, and how quickly you grasp complex theory. At that stage, you start to see how much cognitive ability plays into the equation as well... So, I'm curious: does anyone here know of someone who possessed genuine talent but refused to put in the work? Or more importantly, do you know anyone who actually sacrificed significant parts of their life to hone their craft to perfection?