I recommend that you listen to the song and read the lyrics first.

Lyrics:

[Hook]
Even the sun goes down, heroes eventually die
Horoscopes often lie, and sometimes “y”
Nothin’ is for sure, nothin’ is for certain, nothin’ lasts forever
But until they close the curtain, it’s him and I: Aquemini

[Verse 1: Big Boi]
Now is the time to get on like Spike Lee said, “Get on the Bus”
Go get your work and keep your beeper chirpin’ it’s a must
Is you on that dust or cornstarch, familiar with that smack man
The music is like that green stuff provided to you by sack man
Pacman, how in the fuck do you think we gon’ do that man?
Ridin’ round Old National on 18’s without no gat man
I’m strapped man and ready to bust on any nigga like that man
Me and my nigga we roll together like Batman and Robin
We prayed together through hard times and swung hard when it was fitting
But now we tappin’ the brakes from all them corners that we be bending
In Volkswagens and Bonnevilles, Chevrolets and Coupe de Villes
If you ain’t got no rims nigga don’t get no wood grain steering wheel
For real, you can go on chill out and still build, let your paper stack
Instead of going into overkill pay your fuckin’ beeper bill, bitch

[Hook]
Even the sun goes down, heroes eventually die
Horoscopes often lie, and sometimes “y”
Nothin’ is for sure, nothin’ is for certain, nothin’ lasts forever
But until they close the curtain, it’s him and I: Aquemini

[Verse 2: André 3000]
Twice upon a time there was a boy who died
And lived happily ever after, but that’s another chapter
Live from home of the brave with dirty dollars
And beauty parlors and baby bottles and bowling ball Impalas
And street scholars that’s majoring in culinary arts
You know, how to work bread, cheese and dough
From scratch but see the catch is you can get caught
Know what ya selling, what you bought so cut that big talk
Let’s walk to the bridge now meet me halfway
Now you may see some children dead off in the pathway
It’s them poor babies walkin’ slowly to the candy lady
It’s lookin’ bad, need some hope, like the words ‘maybe’, ‘if’, or ‘probably’
More than a hobby, when my turntables get wobbly they don’t fall
I’m sorry y’all, I often drift, I’m talking gift
So when it comes you never look the horse inside its grill
Of course you know I feel like the bearer of bad news
Don’t want to be it but it’s needed so what have you
Now question: is every nigga with dreads for the cause?
Is every nigga with golds for the fall? Naw
So don’t get caught up in appearance
It’s Outkast’s Aquemini, another black experience

[Hook]
Even the sun goes down, heroes eventually die
Horoscopes often lie, and sometimes “y”
Nothin’ is for sure, nothin’ is for certain, nothin’ lasts forever
But until they close the curtain, it’s him and I: Aquemini

[Verse 3: Big Boi]
The name is Big Boi, Daddy Fat Saxxx
The nigga that like them Cadillacs
I stay down with these streets
Cause these streets is where my folks at
Better know that, some say we pro-black, boy we professional
We missed a lot of church so the music is our confessional
Get off the testicles and the nut sacks
You bust a rhyme we bust back
Get get back for real niggas that’s out here tryin’ to spit facts
You hear dat can’t come near dat maybe you need to quit
Because Aquemini is Aquarius and Gemini runnin’ shit like this
Yea yea yea yea

[Verse 4: André 3000]
My mind warps and bends, floats the wind, count to ten
Meet the twin André Ben, welcome to the lion’s den
Original skin many men comprehend
I extend myself so you go out and tell a friend
Sin all depends on what you believing in
Faith is what you make it, that’s the hardest shit since MC Ren
Alien can blend right on in with your kin
Look again, cause I swear I spot one every now and then
It’s happening again, wish I could tell you when
André, this is André, y’all are just gon’ have to make amends

[Hook]
Even the sun goes down, heroes eventually die
Horoscopes often lie, and sometimes “y”
Nothin’ is for sure, nothin’ is for certain, nothin’ lasts forever
But until they close the curtain, it’s him and I: Aquemini

[Skit: André 3000]
Master: Finally, Igor! We’ve done it, we’ve done it!
Igor: Yes, master! Yes, master!
Master: Igor, we’ve done it!
Unison: Uh-oh
(Woman Screaming)

Topic: Meaning of Life

We all have ridden a bike in some point of our lives. We all have different reasons on doing so, different meanings. Some of us have used a bike before with the means to commute to some place, others have used a bike with the means to get some exercise in. The point is, that we all have had different means in doing so. However my presentation today isn’t about the reason why people ride bikes, but the bigger picture here; the concept of meaning. I am going to try my best in explaining meaning, the importance of it, how each and every one of our lives has meaning to it, and what we can do about it.

Of course there are religions, like Buddhism, that gives meaning to life and death, such as reincarnation, where after we die our souls take on another entity. Christianity also gives meaning to life, they claim that we are on this earth to serve God and spread His word. But if you don’t believe in these things then you probably have trouble knowing your purpose on earth, if you’ve ever thought about it. Or you just don’t want to know. I am Christian, however I believe there is a greater, more personal purpose for me on earth.

The problem that people have when figuring out life is that it can get really complicated, however it doesn’t have to be.There are three simple steps of life, birth, stuff in between, then death. Here is an example of this, from my favorite show Rick and Morty. *show video*

So let’s go through the steps of life here of Mr. Meeseeks. Step one, birth: Mr. Meeseeks was born out of the Meeseeks Box with a push of a button. Step two: Mr. Meeseeks fulfills the request that he was given. Step three: he “explodes.” And that’s it! His life is complete from birth to death. But this begs the question, what is our purpose? Are we just another version of Mr. Meeseeks that has only a single reason to live? This is an example of simplification, something that we covered in this class a few weeks ago, because step two of life is more complex than this.

It turns out that meaning itself is found in three human activities: Communication, Understanding, and Service. Meaning is found through the communication of others because through this we share our stories and experiences of our lives with each other. The deeper the connection, the more meaning. Communication can also consist of discovery, like going to a country you’ve never been to before. This is exciting and thrilling, something that seems to give meaning. Meaning is found through understanding. This is about the pleasure that can be felt whenever we correct confusion and puzzlement about ourselves or the world. Lastly meaning is found through service. We get a sense of satisfaction like no other when we help others. Making a difference to someone else gives meaning to ourselves.

So if this isn’t enough meaning to life then all I can tell you is that life can mean as much as you want it to. The meaning of life isn’t objective, rather relative. By that I mean we take charge of our own lives, and our futures are in our own hands. So might as well make the most out of it while we can. Give your own life some meaning. What Benny said on his talk, do something that you’re afraid to do. Make meaning out of your own life. Thank you.

Topic: Meaning of Life

• Introduction
  • Bikes relate to meaning
  • Not about the means of why people ride bikes
  • Rather the concept of meaning itself
• Main Point 1
  • Religion
    • Buddhism
    • Christianity
  • Greater, more personal meaning

• The three steps of life
  • Life is easily overcomplicated
  • Life in three steps
  • Video
• Video Analysis
  • Steps 1-3, And that’s it!
  • Begs the question
  • This is oversimplification

• Three activities
  • Meaning is to be found in three activities in particular:
    • Communication
    • Understanding
    • Service
  • Do these things
• Conclusion
  • If that’s not meaning to life…
  • All I can tell you
  • Take charge…
  • Quote Benny

Sources:

• http://www.thebookoflife.org/the-meaning-of-life/

For class yesterday we met outside, at the Gleeson Plaza to participate in the Cyclecide Heavy Pedal Bike Rodeo. I found it to be a very fun experience. The man had a somewhat brief talk to us about his experiences, and about his bicycles. All of the bikes looked really fun to ride so I decided to do so. The first one I rode was the hinge bike, which wasn’t the most challenging, however was hard to turn. I also rode the small bike, which was very easy, the tall bike, and the reverse bike. It was a very fun day and I am glad we had the experience.