Is 'Twilight's' Edward Cullen an SG?

We wouldn't be SG's if we didn't have a post about SM's (Stephanie Meyer, "S" could also stand for Sensitive) best-selling-book-now-a-motion-picture, "Twilight", which opened this past Friday! Yes, I'll admit I read the book. Well technically, listened to the audiobook. Mostly because I think vampires are cool...and high school teenage angst is a sensitive subject I hold close to my heart. (Anyone watch "True Blood" on HBO? I think vampire, Bill Compton can also be considered an SG.)

Me as a vampire last halloween. (photo by Michael Violago)

SENSITIVITY DISCLAIMER: This might be the only blog you'll find a guy writing about Twilight. That's how sensitive we are here at sensitiveguyswithguitars.com. :p



For those who are not familiar with the book, here's really all you need to know: Bella Swan is the new girl at school and falls for the mysterious guy Edward Cullen, who turns out to be a vampire (a good vampire). Bella learns this secret, but that doesn't stop the two from falling in love. Blah, blah, blah...bad vampires come to town and endanger Bella. blah blah blah... Does Edward save Bella? Hmmm...

So fictional Edward Cullen somehow wound up winning the hearts of real-life girls all around the world. I've even seen my female friends' Facebook statuses expressing their love for Edward. It's crazy. Kinda like when I first saw Jessica Rabbit in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?", but not really.

Would Edward be considered an SG? Let's take a look...

• Edward will do anything to protect Bella from harm. If she did get hurt in any way he would blame himself for not being there to protect her.
• Since Edward was born in the early 1900s, he still holds those traditional values and manners of yore that most of the current male population has forgotten.
• Edward who has been "17" for almost a hundred years said he would still love Bella even if she aged. That's pretty sensitive if you ask me.
• Despite Bella's blood smelling so irresistable to Edward's vampiric nature, he controls himself from unleashing that side of him. I think there's a sensitive metaphor in there if you know what I mean. *wink wink*
• Edward glitters in the sunlight. Even his skin is sensitive. :p
  

With that said, SGWG would like to acknowledge Edward Cullen for being a sensitive guy, an SG - or rather an SV, a Sensitive Vampire. Behind those deadly fangs is the same thing that lurks behind the intense argyle we SGWG's adorn: sensitivity.

So now I turn it over to you guys...What do you guys think? Do you agree or disagree? Is there anything I left out? What do you think of the movie? Please share your comments.

Don't forget about our Dec. 20 SGWG show at PJ's Coffee House in Highland Park. The proceeds will be going to charity!
Click here to RSVP now on our Facebook Event page

And if noone is doing anything tomorrow (11/25) and would like to spread some Thanksgiving love, me and a few of the SG's will be playing at a Canned Food Drive/Open Mic at the Bellevile Public Library at 7pm! (221 Washington Avenue, Belleville, NJ 07109)

Advanced Happy Thanksgiving...or should I say Happy FANGSgiving!!!! *nyuk nyuk* :P

Your sensitive guy,
Wonder Marq

Happy Birthday John-Flor!

In another JF related post- it was his birthday today!!

Happy birthday big man. I'm sorry I couldn't celebrate with you, but I'm sure it was like When Harry Met Sally, Love Actually, and Jet Li's Fearless. Cause it was sensitive, but it still kicked ass.

I wish you many more friend :)

JL

John Flor's New Song- Secret Santa

Hey all, JL, aka Big Sensitivo aka Happy McTearson aka The Notebook here.

I just wanted to give you guys a heads up that fellow SG John-Flor has uploaded a new song on his MySpace. It's called Secret Santa and it's like the scent of your first love enveloped on a scarf she gave back to you after you let her borrow it on a cold winter night.

The song is called Secret Santa, and you not listening would make dolphins cry on the inside.

I'll have a new song up soon too, as well as some updates about the shows, but for now, enjoy the magic that is John-Flor. The music is on the site below:

http://www.myspace.com/johnflor

Kudos JF!

JL

My name is John-Flor, and I'm a sensitivaholic.

There, I've said it. Now it's up to me to rebuild my life.

Dear God, it's like you know when you've hit rock bottom when you start to consider in your mind how great of an artist Celine Dion is. I mean, besides her rock hard abs, chiseled features, and eyebrows from heaven, Celine Dion is not supposed to make me cry. But she does. Everytime. Especially when I rewatched the Titanic after 10 years.

Oh wait...I'm sorry, the person who I pictured in my head was not Celine Dion, but Justin Long. I guess I really love those Mac vs. PC commercials.

And by love, I mean I can eat JL and the fat white dude up like they were Tootsie Rolls...

oh no...I've said too much. The Man Up There, please stay with me through these troubled times. And give me the courage to finally sleep without my teddy bear like I have all my life, and put him in the closet like what i should have done 20 years ago. Although teddy reminds me of the real teddy....and by that I mean Theodore Roosevelt, and he's the greatest president ever.

TR was sensitive. And he loved boxing.

Oh crap...here I go daydreaming about TR again. I really gotta stop.

help me,

john-flor.

"20 Questions" with John Violago, your sensitive guy

1. What was the first thing you did when you woke up?
- I prayed to Baby Jesus, thanking him for giving me another chance to be able to do good in this beautiful place.

2. If you're being extremely quiet, what does it mean?
- That means I'm thinking of ways to be a better person and how I could make life wonderful for each and every one of you.

3. Are you an emotional person?
- Yes, I believe so. I cry when I'm hurt, I weep tears of joy when I'm happy and I just couldn't stop the tears to flow down my cheeks when, when...oh god here I go again...

4. Do you want to get married and have children one day?
- Of course. Isn't that why we're all here? In this world? To find your one true love and spread more joy and goodwill through the little ones?

5. Are you close with your mom?
- Oh yes, dearly. Mothers are awesome and they surely know best.

6. Are you happy right now?
- Very happy. Why wouldn't I? I'm surrounded by wonderful people.

7. How is the weather right now?
- Brrrr....very cold. And I'm in need of a big loving hug to keep me warm. Hug me?

8. Are you allergic to anything?
- If anything, I'd say rudeness. Everytime I see people acting stupid in the subway, it just makes me wanna...sneeze.

9. How are you feeling today?
- Today, I woke up feeling the love and having an urge to just go out and spread more of it.

10. Do you think relationships are ever really worth it?
- Is there love in the relationship? Then it's definitely worth it.

11. How do you feel about your life right now?
- Life is great. Life is good. In fact it's so good that I just couldn't...that I just wanna...just wanna...oh dear, here I go again...

12. Do you believe that you are a good boyfriend?
- Well I've always been a good friend. And I've definitely been a good boy. But if what you're asking is, if you were my girl and I was your man? I would definitely make everything 'good' for you.

13. What is the one thing you notice first with the opposite sex?
- Her heart through the beauty of her eyes.

14. Are you a forgiving person?
- Holding on to hate is such a terrible feeling. If you haven't forgiven someone who has done you wrong in the past, I suggest you do it now. I guarantee you'd live a happier, fuller, more meaningful life. I am an SG and I am a very forgiving person.

15. Do you hug your pillow when you sleep?
- I have the tendency to hug whatever is next to me when I sleep. It's in my nature to seek for that warmth and cuddliness :)

16. Do you think you have made a difference in anyone's life?
- I believe all of us could make a difference in everyone's lives. All of us are hoping for change. We all want to live a more fruitful existence. I believe if we want that change to occur in the way we live, it should start in you. If you have changed the way you perceive things and accept the good in mankind, actual change would start to unfold all around you. So, did I make a difference in your life? I would say yes. Because with me just being here, you would have another person who'd love you and accept you for who you are.

17. Were you happy when you woke up today?
- Was I happy when I woke up today? You betcha! Was I happy that you've reached question number 17? absolutely! :)

18. When was the last time you cried?
- Just now, when I found out you kept on reading my answers, and actually cared about me. Thank you.

19. What/Who always makes you feel better when you’re upset?
- I would say my guitar. It lets me convey all my sad emotions into wonderful melodies that let me gather all the pain in my heart and pour them all into thin air.

20. What do you look forward to most in the next six weeks?
- In six weeks, there's nothing else that I look forward to the most, other than seeing all your beautiful faces at our next "Sensitive Guys with Guitars" show @ PJ's Coffee on the 20th of December. It would make me really happy if you're there. So please come! Spread the love! All the proceeds would go to charity :) Details on the right ->

Again, this is John Violago, your Sensitive Guy, thanking you for sharing a bit of your time...

with this, I bid thee farewell and always bear in mind, "A litte love goes a long, long way..."

- JV

An "SG" Can Also Be A Lady...

Dear Diary,

Sensitivity is not only limited to one gender of course.  However imagine if there was a collision of a "Sensitive Guy" and a "Sensitive Gal" in one room... "WHOA!!"  I think we might have to pull out the Puffs... because "A nose in need deserves Puffs indeed."  I myself as a "Sensitive Gal" will cry over a deep haiku or song lyrics that remind me of a past relationship gone sour.  Speaking of sour...  Warheads make me cry.  I'd rather have something like hot chocolate with those little marshmallows in them... "I think I can get something of that sort at a place called PJ's Coffee in Highland Park, NJ??" (*cough*shameless self-promotion)  I may not make much sense, but when you are that sensitive sometimes it just doesn't matter... SG's speak from the heart.

Speaking of hearts... aren't those little candies you get with the messages on them like "Be Mine." on Valentine's Day just the best?

Allow me to formally introduce myself... hmm, I don't know how formal a blog post is but just wait and I'll explain...

My name is Ashley Clack and I am a "Sensitive Gal".  I like to "cupcake"... for those of you that don't know what that is, it's sweet talk.  I enjoy going to pet stores just so I can play with the puppies when I need to be cheered up.  I've probably watched the movie "My Best Friend's Wedding" more times than an 8-year-old had watched the HSM movies.  I like to knit scarves.  And most importantly I am your host for "Sensitive Guys with Guitars".  Besides making you feel like you're in the comfort of your own home, I will be reading/reciting poetry because a "Sensitive Gal" doesn't "spit", and I may also give you a free hug... just because I LOVE YOU!!

On behalf of these fine men in argyle I cordially invite you the evening of Saturday, December 20th to PJ's Coffee in Highland Park, NJ 5pm.  Please stay tuned for the official flyer & more details.

XOXO

Ashley Clack

"Sensitive Gal" & your host

My Life's Soundtrack- With Sensitive Commentary

Dear Diary,

So I've gotten this forward several times where you throw your iPod into shuffle mode to see what the soundtrack to your life would be.

I'm going to attempt to do this right-- the SG way. With added commentary. So here we go.

Thanks to Theresa Lee for the idea. :)
*/--Forward starts here--
IF YOUR LIFE WAS A MOVIE, WHAT WOULD THE SOUNDTRACK BE?

So, here's how it works:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button
6. Don't lie and try to pretend you're cool...
7. Be Sensitive and add why you agree to how fate chose this song for you.

Opening Credits: Heaven- John Legend
- Man, if this were really the soundtrack to my life, I would love for this to be the beginning. Nothing says directed by Ang Lee or Judd Apatow (strangely interchangeable in my mind). But let's be real... this song screams sensitive... even though sensitivity never screams, but rather talks in a soft voice... why? So you'll listen.
Key Lyrics: "Sometimes when we're talking words get drowned out by the sound/Let's get back to touching we'll get back to solid ground"--Amen Jonathan Legend... nothing says I have something important to tell you like getting back to touching... I'm pretty sure I know what that means... you sir... are classy.


Waking Up: City of Angels- Bill Withers
I'm not so sure how this works in my life since I've been to LA all of 3 times in my life. But hey... it's fate so I'll take it. The song does reflect a longing for a location in life. Although sometimes I think it's more of a reference to Manifest Destiny 2.0. Maybe it's a sign I need to get out of Jersey and play in the West Coast. West Coast Sensitive Contingent... I'm pointing at you.
Key Lyrics:"Eastern cities move too fast/And southern ones too slow..." Proof positive that in this Mother Goose world, the west coast is not only the bee's knees, but apparently also the Baby Bear's Porridge.


First Day At School: Lost to the Lonesome- Pela
This is actually the first time I've heard this song on my iPod. I downloaded it as it was the band of a colleague of mine and I never got around to listening to it. There is elements of lonliness in the song, and a longing to be someone... which is exactly what I want to be. Incidentally, I also wanted to be something/someone my very first day of school. If you guessed Fireman, you're absolutely wrong. (The kid riding the Transformers big wheel would have been the right answer... good guess though).
Key Lyrics: "Don't just stand there with your face in your hands/Don't just stand there, clean up your broken glass"- No real significance here, I just liked it.

Secondary School: Virus- Deltron 3030
I heard this song for the first time in college, but it fits my less sensitive, rebellious high school years, when I wore 36 inch bottomed Kik Wear and JNCOs, getting into Hip Hop and giving it to the system. Nah I'm kidding... I had the asian butt cut and was singing Boyz II Men's 4 Seasons of Lonliness to my crush.
Key Lyrics-"I want to devise a virus/to bring dire straits to your environment/crushing corporations with a mild touch/trash your whole computer system and convert you to papyrus"- Apparently my iPod is reminding me that I wanted to get rid of English and write in heiroglyphics...ironically.. Del the Funkee Homosapien, the lead rapper of the group, was from the Heiroglyphics crew.


Falling In Love: We Leanin'- Zeebra
This song is vaguely appropriate, given that Falling In Love to me was like a foreign language to me, and this song is in Japanese.
Key Lyrics- 最高なこのfeeling/You, Me, we dreaming.-So sensitive... no need to translate.


Fight Song: Balloons- Foals
No lie.. these are the lyrics to the song:
There is a thing called //
there is this fuel called //
we can fly balloons on this fuel called //
fairweather storms are all in yr head //
oh there is this thing called..... (L) //
there is thing a thing called
this is all called //
WE CAN FLY BALLOONS ON THIS FUEL CALLED! (Love!!!)
- If that doesn't make you want to fight someone...namely the person who wrote it... Just kidding.. the song rocks.


Breaking Up: Genius- Kings of Leon
Ok. this song has nothing to do with me... and is much less sensitive.. but strangely... it appears to be about breaking up with someone you were having a fling with. That's not sensitive. Shame on you iPod... why aren't you playing my All 4 One playlist... it's 60% of the songs on you.
Key Lyrics- You keep stickin' to me like a prickly porcupine/You're gettin' your information from the grocery checkout line/Are you through confessin' of your little girl obsession/'Cause I was only messin' and I had a little time- Apparently... the Kings of Leon are not Prince Charmings.

Prom: Gangbangin' 101- Snoop Dogg
HOLY CRAP MY IPOD IS F***KING WITH ME. (pardon.. that wasn't sensitive)
Key Lyrics- If you ain't a Crip or a Blood just throw up Westside- She was wearing a red dress... i KNEW I shouldn't have gotten a blue boutineer. At least I threw a W up in her parents face as I passed by... now that's sensitive.

Life: Jim Gaffigan- The Case Against Cinnabons.
Ok so I skipped 2 songs because one was talking about blaming God (Woodlands National Anthem-Arcade Fire)... not gonna do it. The other one that came next was a snippet that had no lyrics. And then I landed on a comedy bit by Jim Gaffigan... and I was like.. why not. For those who don't know the bit, Jim Gaffigan talks about how Cinnabons shouldn't be considered food.
Key Lyrics- How about that Cinnabon odor? You're like, "What's that smell..awww I just got a cavity!"- Well... life sure is sweet (I still think my iPod is messing with me... that's not very SG of you iSGPod.

Mental Breakdown: Walkinonit- J Dilla.
This is fitting. When Dilla died, I was very sad. It was a very tragic passing for music and Hip Hop. Not many people realize the influence Dilla Dog had on music... if you're curious, he produced Q-Tip's Vivrant Thing and Janet Jackson's Got Til It's Gone, which sampled Joni Mitchell. And that's just the tip of his achievements.

The song Walkinonit has no lyrics save a vocal loop of someone singing Broken and Blue. That's how you left the world homie. RIP. TURN IT UP!!

Driving: Vermillion 2- Bloodstone - Slipknot
Kinda a weird thing to have pop up for Driving but sure. And yes, I do like Slipknot...for some reason. This reminds me of driving angry...with a angry demon carnival in the backseat.
Key Lyrics- I Won't Let this Build up inside of me. - You gotta admit... for a masked metal band. That's pretty sensitive.

Flashback: Another Rainy Day- Corinne Bailey Rae
FINALLY a song that's actually up to SG standards. A gentle ballad about being shy in front of someone you dig like a garden just starting up... and that garden... is LOVE.
Key Lyrics- Why am I so shy around you? /Why am I so shy?- Oh Corinne Bailey Rae, it's like you opened up my grade school yearbook and plucked out 12 year old Jay to remind me that I used to secretly refer to girls I liked with my friends with Anime Girl Character Codes ("Man... Akane is so cute! I like Kasumi!... they were Irish and Italian... respectively).


Getting Back Together: Maybe- UpDharmaDown
No one writes love songs like the Filipino Bloc Party. Not so much a getting back together song, more like a "Do I stay or do I go" but good try iPod.
Key Lyrics- When I see you standing there/I still want you here with me- Oh wait... it is kinda like a getting back together song... nice.

Wedding: Boku mo- Nitro Microphone Underground
I speak Japanese, but translating Japanese rap is really difficult. I think my iPod is telling me again, that this stuff is a foreign language to me...Boku mo means "Me Too"... so I think I'll get married... I believe it... my iPod says so.

Birth of Child: I Wanna Do it For You- Lonestar
Don't judge. SG's like Country. It's an unwritten code. We wear argyle, but next to our loafers, is a pair of cowboy boots.
Key Lyrics- I've Heard You Saying That You Need Someone Like Me/Baby, Open Up That Door- Yea I know the "baby" referenced in this song is like a lady baby and not a goo goo ga ga baby...but it fits. Like my hand in hers.

Final Battle: Derka Derk (Terrorist Theme)- Team America Soundtrack
Well... I ... uhm... yea... moving on.

Death Scene: Can't Let Her Go- Boyz II Men
Nothing says touching death scene like a P.Diddy produced club banger. But hey... Boyz II Men could sing from the Appendices of an Organic Chemistry text book and I'd still think it was appropriate.
Key Lyrics- Hey Boyz II Men, why'd you guys let go of Michael "Bass" McCary? I know that you guys replaced him with an actual bass guitar, but that's not cool. He had that quiet cool factor with that cane and well placed "Hey Baby". Can your bass guitar do that? I know there's no lyrics here... but he was great. I know he has sclerosis, but you could have at least had a press conference about this or something. Bring him back...please. <3.

Funeral Song: (PM~AM)-Buddha Brand/Under My Umbrella-Incubus
I'm calling two songs for this because the first one is a slick instrumental by a Japanese rap group. Apparently my iPod is telling me I will die unmarried and not understanding Love... in Japan. The second song that came up is equally strange Incubus's Under My Imbrella... an album written during what seems to be a sad time in Brandon Boyd's life.
Key Lyrics- When I close my eyes/I can see for miles/There's comfort in my dark scene/And chaos in the aisles- Cryptic.

End Credits: Learn- Vordul Mega
I wouldn't mind going out on a vibed out hip hop track like this. HARLEM!
Key Lyrics- Everyday we learn/Every day we turn/To make right knowing the basics- There's not much else to say.. they're the end credits...

And that... was my SG playlist... even though in hindsight, it's not very sensitive, and pretty Japanese... but hey such is life. I hope the other SGs do the same exercise as me...I might have to hound them. :)

Stay Sensitive.

JL

ps. Usher's My Boo just popped up on shuffle as I'm writing this... WHERE WERE YOU FOR THIS POST. My iPod and I are having words later.

Sensitive Guys with Guitars... a Primer...to Your Heart.

Dear Diary,

You know, I think it was Uncle Ben (Spider-Man's paternal figure, not the guy that sells rice... though he's cool too) that said, "With great power comes great responsibility". I agree... and my power, as well as the other sensitive guys who will write in this blog, know that our power, comes from our sensitivity... and argyle... which we all know is the matrix of feeling.

Now to those who might be reading this open chronicle of our thoughts which bleed into this digital paper like the tears of dolphins staring at a Hawaiian sunset, I know what you're thinking. You're probably thinking, "Sweet Peaches and Cream, that has to be the most cliche way to start a blog...not to mention the bastardization of one of the strongest quotes of comic book history".

You know I'm right.

Now you might be asking yourself how in the world I knew what you were thinking... it's simple.

It's because I'm so sensitive that I can read the pages... of your heart. And while I can't read your mind, I knew that as you read those first words, that that beautiful gray matter graciously took the co-pilots chair and told your heart to take the wheel.

But enough of that jibber-jabber. I just wanted to welcome you to the wonderful world of Sensitive Guys with Guitars, or the SGs.

At this point, the SG's are 5 artists strong, including Danny Katz, John Violago, WonderMarq, John-Flor Sisante, and myself, Jay Legaspi. Our goal, to spread our message of sensitivity and argyle through the art of lyric matched with music in the purest form of song, all the while raising money for charities, benefits, and causes that are most dear to us and the community around us. We hope you join us for our concerts to share in us reaching these simple goals.

The shows we hold under the SG will be not-for-profit, with all proceeds from admission to the concerts going to charity.

Our first confirmed show is in Highland Park, NJ at PJ's Coffee on December 20--we hope to see you there!

December 20, 2008
PJ's Coffee
5PM - 9PM
315 Raritan Ave
Highland Park, NJ‎
(732) 828-2323‎

We will also have a show in December in NYC- the info for that is TBD.

In the meantime, we hope will enjoy the upcoming entries to the site. Feel free to browse the artist links, and keep those beautiful eyes of yours peeled on the event calendar.

Til next time,

Stay Sensitive.
JL