In high school, I did not have a place. I had friends, but nearly all of them disliked me. At least, back then they did. I don't know what they think of me now, because I've decided to completely ignore all except 3 people I knew back then. It really sucked that much. I couldn't even find good companionship in my Jewish youth group, which is also partly responsible for the music I listen to now. Strange how you can't find brotherhood in a brotherhood. This being disliked by the grand majority put me in a very weird place. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know where to go. I was just kind of there. I guess "angst" could be the word to describe this point in my life. Thus, my life was dictated by this angst, or (if "angst" is the wrong adjective) this weird place I was in.
Another thing I did in high school was read a book called "Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs: A Low Culture Manifesto" by Chuck Klosterman. This book is responsible for my current taste in music. Well, maybe not really. Let me rephrase: this book made me take a second look at the music I listened to. And, it undoubtedly affected my opinion of music for years and years to come.
I have and probably will always say that music is my life. I say "probably" because I'm a Jewnostic. I'm an unsure person. It's a true now as it was back when I was a teenager. The "music is my life" thing, I mean. Probably the Jewnostic thing, too.
ANYWAY, because I was in this weird place, I listened to weird music. Not bands like Primus or That One Guy. That's weird music, which is actually a genre. No, I listened to bands like Papa Roach, KoRn, and Limp Bizkit. Yes, I listened to Limp Bizkit in high school.
Nu Metal was, basically, metal. What made it different was that the guys who played in Nu Metal bands liked Hip Hop. Because they liked Hip Hop, the genres sensibilities and focus on the beat of the music found it's way into the distorted, electric, fast stuff they were playing. They themselves listened to bands Metallica and Anthrax, but they also listened to NWA and Wu Tang. A great example of this mixture is the song "Freak On A Leash" by KoRn. In the middle of it, there's this weird breakdown where Jonathan Davis does a "noise rap". He babbles fake words in a rhythmic pattern while the other instruments do their clean breakdown thing. While he's not actually saying anything, it's almost like he's rapping. Then the chorus kicks back in and the headbanging begins.
Early in my music fandom, I listened to bands that fell into either Nu Metal or Pop Punk genres. Kind of a strange combination, even though both are related in a strange way. Teenage angst is what's being made clear in these genres. The difference is that guys who are 18 to 24 are in Pop Punk bands, and guys who are 27 to 36 are in Nu Metal bands. Maybe it's just me, but there is something inherently wrong with someone who hasn't been a teenager for 10+ years singing about teen angst. At the very least, there's something wrong with being 17 and getting that message from music created by very un-teenagers. Mr. Davis was, I think, 30 or 31 when "Freak On A Leash" came out.
What did I like about Papa Roach, KoRn, and Limp Bizkit? Honestly, I haven't a fucking clue. I liked Limp Bizkit because I had "friends" who liked them. Just like the teen angst-y music I liked was created by un-teenagers, my musical taste had been created by my un-friends in high school. Like this one guy, Jake. I knew he, for a time, rocked a shirt with a backwards red hat and a microphone on it, the symbol of the Nookie. Then, as soon as I started liking them, he starts listening to Hardcore and Ska. Not at the same time, though. He was also in my Jewish youth group, and was one of the many who hated me for no reason. Although I despise him for what he did back then, I can't deny that he had good taste in music way before I did. I've always been late to the punch.
It was around the same time that I discovered Ska music. But, I discovered (apparently) way after everyone else I knew did. Once I started liking it, it became uncool. Now, their opinion wasn't really influenced by my liking at all. They just liked it, then didn't. I came in when everyone else went out. They started listening to bands like Vega and HORSE the band. Screamed vocals and breakdowns and so forth. I now enjoy that music too. Just now, I'm open about it because I know that I better rep the music I like. And, to tie it all in, I don't really care whether or not I'm late to the punch.
Back to what I was saying before. Thinking about it now, I didn't have a clue as to why I liked any of the bands I listened to at that time. Really, I payed more attention to the band members themselves than the music or lyrics. Mark, Tom, and Travis were funny dudes who loved to play pop punk, and I admired them for that. Jonathan Davis was just a weird/funny guy who wore a kilt and played bagpipes even though he performed Metal. Pretty cool. KoRn also starred in an episode of South Park, and that helped a bit. I'm pretty sure I liked Limp Bizkit because of Fred Durst and Wes Borland. More because of Wes, after I discovered that Fred was a douche. It was all the facepaint, dude.
A lot of my musical tastes then were based on the fact that none of these bands were Country. I was one of those people who said, "I listen to everything except Country." It's actually a really crappy thing to do, completely ignore an entire genre based on almost nothing at all. Then, probably in the middle of high school, I picked up this book by Chuck Klosterman. One of the chapters deals with how he likes the Dixie Chicks. In part of the chapter, he goes into how people say they listen to everything except Country when Country is actually one of the most honest and sincere genres of music. People singing about their everyday lives and simple dreams and so forth. I haven't read the book in a while, so please don't hate me, Chuck, if I get the point wrong. What I took from it is that I should really inspect the music I listen to. And, not automatically hate something because other people don't like it. The odd thing is, the first CD I ever remember purchasing was a double live album by Garth Brooks. And the thunder rolls...
Music is a huge part of my life, so much so that I would go as far as to say I define myself with music sometimes. I read what he wrote, and I took a look at what I listened to. The music I listened to was just... not me. Sure, "Last Resort" is cool and all, but I really didn't need to hear a song about suicide and anger at everything. I wasn't even suicidal. I just liked punching my fists out and banging my head. But that song really didn't serve any purpose in my life. Neither did "Broken Home" or "Blood Brothers". It didn't help that it was all being sung by a dude named Coby Dick (not his real name, but that's what he went by on their first album). My Nu Metal-ness digressed, and I began to dislike any band that had older members singing about young problems, which happens in many other genres besides Nu Metal. Actually, it's just mostly Post-Grunge.
I still listen to bands like Linkin Park and Papa Roach. I get nostalgic, like, "Hey, I used to really like this band!" I still listen to many bands I did in high school. The main difference is that a good amount of them provide more than just nostalgia to me. For instance, take The Starting Line. I listened to their album "Say It Like You Mean It" like a month ago, and it's still probably one of the most amazing albums I've ever heard. It's also one of the few albums I would classify as Emo (at least, in the realm of music I currently listen to). I don't like the term "Emo" at all, but that album really touched me on a personal level. Kenny Vasoli was and is such a great songwriter that he was able to make me connect to a song called "Left Coast Envy" when I actually lived on the left coast. Music that sticks with you then will stick with you now. Linkin Park is another good example. They are still pretty cool to me, especially since they went beyond the Nu Metal boundaries and really embraced their Electronic and Hip Hop side. I mean, I of course love hard and heavy Linkin Park, but I thought Minutes To Midnight was a really great album. Transitional albums are always a tricky thing for bands. It was their first album where they really broke away from their heavier stuff. While most would see that as possibly an alienation of their fanbase, I saw it as just another step in their own evolution. I've yet to listen to A Thousand Suns, but I will take the time to when I do. I'm a fan.
Papa Roach does suck, though.
However, the old/young thing wasn't the only characteristic I became critical of in music. If I wasn't able to connect to a band's music on a personal level, there was no reason to listen to said music.
Best example: even though they came out years after the book, "Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs" is the reason I hate bands like Attack Attack! and Breathe Carolina. Those bands in particular are so unreal, because they cram all these extremely different genres into one package. Genres so different, people who like one would no way listen to bands of the other. Screamo, Techno, Hardcore Metal, Crunk Hop. These are genres that aren't necessarily good in their own right anyway, and they take them and hope to create a fan base out of it because it's just crazy that they'd be put together. People hear it, don't know what to think because they don't know what they're listening to, and then buy a shirt out of sheer awe of what just happened. They want fans based on shock value, and that is totally the wrong reason for anyone to start listening to a band. Plus, embracing the term "Crabcore" when it doesn't even describe the music itself is so idiotic. It's not honest. If you don't know what Crabcore is: whenever the guitarists and/or bassists play their Metalcore riffs, they spread and bend their legs as wide and as much as they can, and then sway from side to side while doing a Michael Jackson-esque head nod to the "music". They look like crabs. Interestingly, Crabcore is actually a perfect description of the music: I feel extremely crabby whenever I unfortunately have to listen to it.
I hate music that is widely hated nowadays, too. Like Nickelback or Creed or the Insane Clown Posse. But, there are many bands that are widely hated that I feel don't deserve hatred at all. I get really pissed off when I read some message board and someone posts something like "TOP 10 WORST BANDS EVER" and then list off bands like New Found Glory or Nirvana or Cannibal Corpse or the Bloodhound Gang. I'm sorry, but do you actually listen to any of the bands you just numbered off? No, you're generalizing because you dislike the genre they fit into. New Found Glory automatically sucks because Pop Punk sucks? It's actually really shitty to do that to a band. I've already said that, and I'll say it again. Plus, NFG have been going for a really long time, and have now earned respect because they haven't just gone away like many would. They are making strong, lasting, HONEST music that reflects them and the states they are going through. Actually, their song "Truck Stop Blues" is literally about the states they are going through. Even more interesting to me is that NFG does not fit solely into Pop Punk; they are Pop Punk and Melodic Hardcore.This is a combination that is becoming more popular and widespread, with bands like Four Year Strong, We Are The Union, and Set Your Goals.
But anyway, these people hear one band from one genre and apparently all bands in said genre suck. It's fucking childish. You know why I hate Creed? Because it's just stupid, angry, and whiny lyrics coming out of a near-40 year old. Lyrics a teenage girl could write in her poetry book. Also, I just can't respect a band with no bass player. It's a needed instrument, goddamnit.
You know why I hate Insane Clown Posse? Because I've actually listened to their songs and they're horrible. Lyrics as dumb as "Fuckin magnets, how do they work?" aside, it's just not good music. I don't want to hear about killing people and Faygo soda. It's all in the gimmick and the entertainment factor. People like them because they wear facepaint and it's something to hide behind. Everyone wants to hide themselves when they're 15. But let's not get into the whole Juggalo thing. I know they see it as a way of coming out rather than staying in hiding. The message they're getting from ICP is to be themselves. Yet again, there is the contradiction of being yourself while wearing clown face paint. I guess someone could make the argument that a group like Slipknot does the same thing by "hiding" behind their masks. But, really what they're doing is creating personas for themselves that literally force onlookers to focus on the group as a whole rather than one specific band member. They go by numbers printed on their jumpsuits. They don't have actual names when performing. ICP, however, throw themselves out there and have named themselves. It is a bit the same, but they are communicating two entirely different messages.
The one thing I do like about ICP, though, is this mythos they've created around their music called The Dark Carnival. Each album represents a different Joker Card and a different spirit in the Dark Carnival. Each of their albums is a concept album relating specifically to that spirit. Hate 'em all you want, but to make a connection between all your own works of fiction like that is pretty cool. Not only the albums they have released, but every album they're going to release. To have an overarching plot over things that don't exist yet is spectacular to me. It's the same reason I like The Aquabats, GWAR, and KISS. ICP still doesn't make good music, though.
All this being said, I still listen to a lot of different types of music that conflict with each other. I guess you could say I'm something of a musical hypocrite, even though I'm not really going against any past thing I've said or anything. Let's put it this way: right now, I actively listen to The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Blink-182, The Beatles, Slipknot, Flight Of The Conchords, and Kanye West. I don't know what the fuck is going on. I can listen to lyrics like "Nobody likes you when you're 23," "I wanna slit your throat and fuck the wound," and "So much head I woke up in Sleepy Hollow" in the same sitting and not at all be taken aback by what the fuck just happened. I know, right? I will add that you shouldn't take "I wanna slit your throat and fuck the wound" at face value (and you never should with song lyrics); it's a metaphor for being in a intimate relationship with someone you absolutely hate. That's how I see it, anyway.
There's two points I'm trying to get across here:
1. I'm very thankful to Chuck Klosterman and "Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs" because I really feel it helped better my taste in music.
2. I am still in a weird place. Really weird.
I'm still angst-y. I'm still not sure what to do or where to go in my life. While most would be stressed out in this situation, I'm not. Not anymore. I'm really kinda comfortable like this right now. I've accepted that I just don't know. I'm 23 damn years old. What the hell am I supposed to know right now? I may not know many things about my life, where it's gonna go and so forth, but at least I know that I enjoy music, and I will continue to listen to all its different incarnations as long as I can. Hell, I enjoy searching for the reason as to why I would listen to a song that included the lyric "I wanna slit your throat and fuck the wound".
Friday, December 3, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
My last published post was in February. Holy god.
So, there's this guy who I don't dislike, but I don't like that much, and he constantly hangs around. He's half-black and half-white guy. What does he do that's so annoying? He constantly brings up his race or lack thereof seeing it as fodder for comedy (i.e. "Dude, look at my skin, I'm not black enough for said stereotype!") He talks about movies a lot, which is alright, but he never stops talking. Ever. He also thinks many are his friends when really he is unfortunately annoying to many. And he always talks about working security at (INCREDIBLY POPULAR ONLINE COMMUNITY), which gets annoying because it's fucking (INCREDIBLY POPULAR ONLINE COMMUNITY).
Since it's getting near Halloween time, he keeps asking me about parties going on and stuff. First off, I'm not a party-goer. At least, I don't have a reputation of being one. Also, it's the goddamn 11th, and college kids never plan that far ahead party-wise. Maybe a week ahead, but that's the limit. College kids have so much shit going on in their daily lives that it's hard to pay attention to anything that's not happening within the next 5 minutes.
As I said, he keeps asking me. And, not only is he asking me, but he says things like, "Don't keep this stuff from me, Peter! I know you!" Great. Now I have to deal with this. Not to mention that his accusation is clearly unfounded. I don't keep information from the guy, he just annoys me to no end. It's not my fault that he has this ability to make people dislike him so much. I'm not doing anything to keep him out of the loop, I simply don't know what's going on. And, it's too early to know anyway.
I'm dressing up as Alan from "The Hangover" for Halloween. I have a really sweet beard and I know where to get all the costume items. It just kinda sucks, though, because now that I have a beard, people keep saying I look like Zach Galifianakis. And I don't at all, it's just they say it because of the beard and nothing else. I used to look like Seth Rogen, and now Zach Galifianakis. Is that bad? Not really, but if you had every single person you talk to come up and say the exact same thing for weeks on end, you'd get sick of hearing it. I came into some relief today because my roommate said I don't look like either. He said maybe Seth Rogen, but not really. I was so happy for like 13 minutes. Anyway, on Halloween, I won't have to worry about people saying I look like Zach Galifianakis because I will be Zach Galifianakis. Or, his character. Then the beard will go away, and hopefully I can lose some weight and just be Peter. That would be super great forever.
I am now a writer of raps. It's really crazy, because this semester seems I'm all about being a writer. Writing short films, writing songs, writing music, writing rap. It's weird, this evolution I'm going through in college. Pretty sweet, though. My friends and I are thinking about recording a bunch of stuff and making a mixtape out of it. We'll see what happens.
I still haven't seen "Inception" or any other movie that I really want to effing see because I have no money. I'm getting paid in a few days, but the money is mostly going to my costume. If I have any left over, then maybe I'll go see something super awesome.
Girls girls girls. They're everywhere. Did you know that? Now you do, and knowing is half the crump.
So, there's this guy who I don't dislike, but I don't like that much, and he constantly hangs around. He's half-black and half-white guy. What does he do that's so annoying? He constantly brings up his race or lack thereof seeing it as fodder for comedy (i.e. "Dude, look at my skin, I'm not black enough for said stereotype!") He talks about movies a lot, which is alright, but he never stops talking. Ever. He also thinks many are his friends when really he is unfortunately annoying to many. And he always talks about working security at (INCREDIBLY POPULAR ONLINE COMMUNITY), which gets annoying because it's fucking (INCREDIBLY POPULAR ONLINE COMMUNITY).
Since it's getting near Halloween time, he keeps asking me about parties going on and stuff. First off, I'm not a party-goer. At least, I don't have a reputation of being one. Also, it's the goddamn 11th, and college kids never plan that far ahead party-wise. Maybe a week ahead, but that's the limit. College kids have so much shit going on in their daily lives that it's hard to pay attention to anything that's not happening within the next 5 minutes.
As I said, he keeps asking me. And, not only is he asking me, but he says things like, "Don't keep this stuff from me, Peter! I know you!" Great. Now I have to deal with this. Not to mention that his accusation is clearly unfounded. I don't keep information from the guy, he just annoys me to no end. It's not my fault that he has this ability to make people dislike him so much. I'm not doing anything to keep him out of the loop, I simply don't know what's going on. And, it's too early to know anyway.
I'm dressing up as Alan from "The Hangover" for Halloween. I have a really sweet beard and I know where to get all the costume items. It just kinda sucks, though, because now that I have a beard, people keep saying I look like Zach Galifianakis. And I don't at all, it's just they say it because of the beard and nothing else. I used to look like Seth Rogen, and now Zach Galifianakis. Is that bad? Not really, but if you had every single person you talk to come up and say the exact same thing for weeks on end, you'd get sick of hearing it. I came into some relief today because my roommate said I don't look like either. He said maybe Seth Rogen, but not really. I was so happy for like 13 minutes. Anyway, on Halloween, I won't have to worry about people saying I look like Zach Galifianakis because I will be Zach Galifianakis. Or, his character. Then the beard will go away, and hopefully I can lose some weight and just be Peter. That would be super great forever.
I am now a writer of raps. It's really crazy, because this semester seems I'm all about being a writer. Writing short films, writing songs, writing music, writing rap. It's weird, this evolution I'm going through in college. Pretty sweet, though. My friends and I are thinking about recording a bunch of stuff and making a mixtape out of it. We'll see what happens.
I still haven't seen "Inception" or any other movie that I really want to effing see because I have no money. I'm getting paid in a few days, but the money is mostly going to my costume. If I have any left over, then maybe I'll go see something super awesome.
Girls girls girls. They're everywhere. Did you know that? Now you do, and knowing is half the crump.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
ANOTHER BLINK-182 BLOG GEEZ WTF
Yes, I'm posting another blog about Blink-182. Don't worry. I won't gloat over how much I enjoy them (both as a band and individually). This post is actually more of a complaint/realization. Please read on.
You see, I've been a fan of Blink-182 for a long time. I don't remember that exact day I started listening to them, but I have been a fan for 10 years. It's been a long time, for sure. A lot has happened since their humble beginnings in San Diego.
When I started listening to them in middle school, my friends hated them. Very few, if any, of my friends liked Blink-182 (or any other pop punk band out at the time). Every time I wore a Blink shirt to school, I had at least one conversation with someone about the validity of my musical tastes. Now, I admit that my tastes at the time were less than satisfactory (Limp Bizkit, need I say more?), but hey, the music spoke to me at the time. And inherent within liking any type of music is haters.
But, when Blink-182 was at the forefront of pop-punk popularity, I remember EVERYONE hating on them. It was either my straight-punk friends who regarded them as "posers", or my metal-esque friends who said I was a pussy because I listened to them, or pretty much anyone else I knew saying "No, you're wrong for liking them." I literally did not know anyone who liked them.
But I did. I loved their fast music, laughed at their potty-mouthed antics, and really listened to their sometimes-joking, sometimes-thought provoking lyrics. They were the first band I really started listening to and following, and I'd be damned if 20 or so people were gonna tell me that the music I was listening to didn't mean something to me. When everyone kept their stance and rode the "WE HATE BLINK" bandwagon, I took a metaphorical leap off that wagon and started walking to the nearest Dude Ranch with nothing but a cowboy hat and boots. I walked through high school like that, too. Metaphorically, I add again.
But really, it was kinda like walking around naked with others pointing and laughing at you. At least I had a metaphorical cowboy hat.
Anyway, I stayed a fan, and waited for what felt like forever during their hiatus. Then, in February 2009, I was ecstatic to find out that my favorite band of all time was back in action, ready to go on a new tour and release a new album. But, something was weird. It seemed like everybody was also ecstatic.
Huh? What happened since my years in high school? What happened to the people who were hating on me? All of a sudden, Blink-182 was everybody's favorite band! Now, don't take this as a stab at Mark, Tom, or Travis. I love them with all my heart! But it's odd, isn't it? For someone who has known nothing but people who are anti-Enema for years and years to suddenly be surrounded by people who enjoy Taking Off Their Pants and Jacket? What happened?
Well, I know what happened. Many things happened. Those so-called "friends" from middle school on grew up. I moved to Northern California and started hanging out with people who actually liked me back and enjoyed what I enjoyed. Blink's sound matured, too. It certainly seemed to be going that way when they released their self-titled album shortly before their hiatus.
The point is that nothing was wrong, of course. In fact, things were right. I found that the band I loved and cherished, the band that made me want to start playing music, those three guys from San Diego, were just as awesome as I knew they were when I was 12. In true punk rock fashion, I did not let others perception of what was cool and what was not get me down. It seems that things have changed for the better, and I'm all for it!
Hey, Blink-182 is a great band. You should listen to them sometime.
You see, I've been a fan of Blink-182 for a long time. I don't remember that exact day I started listening to them, but I have been a fan for 10 years. It's been a long time, for sure. A lot has happened since their humble beginnings in San Diego.
When I started listening to them in middle school, my friends hated them. Very few, if any, of my friends liked Blink-182 (or any other pop punk band out at the time). Every time I wore a Blink shirt to school, I had at least one conversation with someone about the validity of my musical tastes. Now, I admit that my tastes at the time were less than satisfactory (Limp Bizkit, need I say more?), but hey, the music spoke to me at the time. And inherent within liking any type of music is haters.
But, when Blink-182 was at the forefront of pop-punk popularity, I remember EVERYONE hating on them. It was either my straight-punk friends who regarded them as "posers", or my metal-esque friends who said I was a pussy because I listened to them, or pretty much anyone else I knew saying "No, you're wrong for liking them." I literally did not know anyone who liked them.
But I did. I loved their fast music, laughed at their potty-mouthed antics, and really listened to their sometimes-joking, sometimes-thought provoking lyrics. They were the first band I really started listening to and following, and I'd be damned if 20 or so people were gonna tell me that the music I was listening to didn't mean something to me. When everyone kept their stance and rode the "WE HATE BLINK" bandwagon, I took a metaphorical leap off that wagon and started walking to the nearest Dude Ranch with nothing but a cowboy hat and boots. I walked through high school like that, too. Metaphorically, I add again.
But really, it was kinda like walking around naked with others pointing and laughing at you. At least I had a metaphorical cowboy hat.
Anyway, I stayed a fan, and waited for what felt like forever during their hiatus. Then, in February 2009, I was ecstatic to find out that my favorite band of all time was back in action, ready to go on a new tour and release a new album. But, something was weird. It seemed like everybody was also ecstatic.
Huh? What happened since my years in high school? What happened to the people who were hating on me? All of a sudden, Blink-182 was everybody's favorite band! Now, don't take this as a stab at Mark, Tom, or Travis. I love them with all my heart! But it's odd, isn't it? For someone who has known nothing but people who are anti-Enema for years and years to suddenly be surrounded by people who enjoy Taking Off Their Pants and Jacket? What happened?
Well, I know what happened. Many things happened. Those so-called "friends" from middle school on grew up. I moved to Northern California and started hanging out with people who actually liked me back and enjoyed what I enjoyed. Blink's sound matured, too. It certainly seemed to be going that way when they released their self-titled album shortly before their hiatus.
The point is that nothing was wrong, of course. In fact, things were right. I found that the band I loved and cherished, the band that made me want to start playing music, those three guys from San Diego, were just as awesome as I knew they were when I was 12. In true punk rock fashion, I did not let others perception of what was cool and what was not get me down. It seems that things have changed for the better, and I'm all for it!
Hey, Blink-182 is a great band. You should listen to them sometime.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Best Idea in 2010 #1
Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch are like clubs, yeah? In their disctinctly-smelling retail stores, they've got their bright colorful clothes and dance music pumping out their stereos all day. They should really have their own retail dance clubs. Admittance is granted to those wearing Hollister/Abercrombie & Fitch t-shirts. If you don't have one, you must trade in the shirt you're wearing for the duration of your stay. In addition to being a bar/dance club, there are also Hollister/Abercrombie products sold there.
This would open the door to nothing at all. It would just get all those people in one place at the same time. Then they could just be there, away from me. Good night!
This would open the door to nothing at all. It would just get all those people in one place at the same time. Then they could just be there, away from me. Good night!
Friday, January 1, 2010
2009: A Year in Mem-BORE-iam
Yes, I know, and clever title. You only get the highest quality here at PAS.
2009. What an effing year it was for me. For some reason, the good seemed to go hand in hand with the bad through the entire year, even for people that weren't me! I want to go ahead and list a couple of things that made this year incredible and incredibly stupid. I'll start with the bad, which I don't usually talk about. I figure no one's gonna read this anyway.
BAD THINGS
• I had not one, but TWO possible relationships go down the gutter and become nothing. The first one involved someone at school, the second one involved someone at home. The first one involved a girl that ended up going for another guy within a week, and the other involved a girl who pretended to be someone else online in order to "get to know me better". Take a guess at which one I now hate forever.
• I lost some friends over some pretty unimportant things. At least in my eyes. Friendships I truly wanted to keep. I know we can't control how people will feel about us, but it just sucks to know that somewhere someone dislikes or even hates you over something trivial.
• I had to pay quite a large sum for a friend's computer repair because it was broken on the set of a short that I was directing. It sucked mostly because of the money. The guy is super cool and we had a good discussion about what happened. I lost another friend in the process, though.
• My grandmother died. The first close relative I've had pass away. It was a real traumatic experience, and I'm still upset about it. I also have to see my grandfather, who I know is having a very hard time dealing with it. It hurts very much.
• 2009 saw a great many important people pass. Actress Farrah Fawcet, musician and inventor Les Paul, actress Brittany Murphy (still can't believe it), politician Ted Kennedy, musician DJ AM, musician James "The Rev" Sullivan, and, of course, Michael Jackson. Their passings, along with many others this year, were a shock to all who knew and revered them, and it definitely had a deep effect on me.
• My brother and I have become far removed from each other. He has become this other person who I barely know and never get to speak to on a personal level. He just goes and hangs out with friends and smokes pot and my parents and I have to deal with his overly rebellious bullshit every single day.
GOOD THINGS
• I became crazy involved in the theater department at San Jose State University. In the Spring, I made my theater debut and played an old war veteran in a Clue-esque production called "Murder Mystery" it was so fun! Next was 3-Day Plays, in which short one-act plays were written, cast, directed, and acted in front of an audience in 3 days. Pretty insane. I was in two. In the Fall, I took part in a staged reading of a brand new play, and I got cast as a LEAD and a major role in two plays! That is super crazy.
• I discovered a wonderful band known as All Time Low. They are pretty awesome, and their guitarist Jack is a huge Less Than Jake fan. They are awesome and I suggest checking them out.
• I learned about and became a cult follower of a film called "The Room", one of the worst films ever made. I now own it on DVD, own a shirt, and have both attended and co-hosted a screening of it. All this year.
• I got to see The Mighty Mighty Bosstones in Anaheim, one of the greatest ska bands to still be alive and going strong.
• I got to see Journey live in concert for free. That in and of itself is amazing. Top 5 Moments of 2009 automatically for sure.
• I was lucky enough to see my all-time favorite band Blink-182 take the stage and perform again since their hiatus in 2004. Twice. It was so amazing and fulfilling, I almost cried. It should also be known that I spent more money on merchandise on that first show than any other concert in my life. $211!
• I went to some concerts that I would have normally not gone to, namely two metal shows. One for the band Slipknot, and the other for the animated band Dethklok. Both were some of the most intense, fun, energetic shows I've ever been too. I look forward to expanding my musical horizons in 2010.
• I started writing more for film. I even adapted a funny blog post into a play script!
• I officially started a band that is in the process of writing and recording amazing songs that will be spread throughout the world. We are called Time To Renew. I play guitar and sing. It is a dream come true.
All of this is just what I can remember right now, in the wee hours of New Year's Day.
Now, this post is called "2009: A Year in Mem-BORE-iam", but really 2009 can't be categorized as good or bad for me. It sucked and it was awesome. It was literally a 50/50 year for me. It certainly wasn't boring.
Bad or good, though, 2009 has come and gone. It is the dawn of a new decade (literally), and we all need to let 2009 stay back and not get in the way! With this new decade comes new decisions and new goals that we all want to accomplish. I think that now is the time to take a hold on life and GIVE IT ALL YOU CAN. I don't know about you, but I am excited as hell to get this new decade rolling.
"Maybe it's not my weekend, but it's gonna be my year. And I'm so sick of watching all the minutes pass as I go nowhere. This is my reaction to everything I fear, and I've been going crazy. I don't want to waste another minute here."
Happy New Year, everyone. And good luck to all.
2009. What an effing year it was for me. For some reason, the good seemed to go hand in hand with the bad through the entire year, even for people that weren't me! I want to go ahead and list a couple of things that made this year incredible and incredibly stupid. I'll start with the bad, which I don't usually talk about. I figure no one's gonna read this anyway.
BAD THINGS
• I had not one, but TWO possible relationships go down the gutter and become nothing. The first one involved someone at school, the second one involved someone at home. The first one involved a girl that ended up going for another guy within a week, and the other involved a girl who pretended to be someone else online in order to "get to know me better". Take a guess at which one I now hate forever.
• I lost some friends over some pretty unimportant things. At least in my eyes. Friendships I truly wanted to keep. I know we can't control how people will feel about us, but it just sucks to know that somewhere someone dislikes or even hates you over something trivial.
• I had to pay quite a large sum for a friend's computer repair because it was broken on the set of a short that I was directing. It sucked mostly because of the money. The guy is super cool and we had a good discussion about what happened. I lost another friend in the process, though.
• My grandmother died. The first close relative I've had pass away. It was a real traumatic experience, and I'm still upset about it. I also have to see my grandfather, who I know is having a very hard time dealing with it. It hurts very much.
• 2009 saw a great many important people pass. Actress Farrah Fawcet, musician and inventor Les Paul, actress Brittany Murphy (still can't believe it), politician Ted Kennedy, musician DJ AM, musician James "The Rev" Sullivan, and, of course, Michael Jackson. Their passings, along with many others this year, were a shock to all who knew and revered them, and it definitely had a deep effect on me.
• My brother and I have become far removed from each other. He has become this other person who I barely know and never get to speak to on a personal level. He just goes and hangs out with friends and smokes pot and my parents and I have to deal with his overly rebellious bullshit every single day.
GOOD THINGS
• I became crazy involved in the theater department at San Jose State University. In the Spring, I made my theater debut and played an old war veteran in a Clue-esque production called "Murder Mystery" it was so fun! Next was 3-Day Plays, in which short one-act plays were written, cast, directed, and acted in front of an audience in 3 days. Pretty insane. I was in two. In the Fall, I took part in a staged reading of a brand new play, and I got cast as a LEAD and a major role in two plays! That is super crazy.
• I discovered a wonderful band known as All Time Low. They are pretty awesome, and their guitarist Jack is a huge Less Than Jake fan. They are awesome and I suggest checking them out.
• I learned about and became a cult follower of a film called "The Room", one of the worst films ever made. I now own it on DVD, own a shirt, and have both attended and co-hosted a screening of it. All this year.
• I got to see The Mighty Mighty Bosstones in Anaheim, one of the greatest ska bands to still be alive and going strong.
• I got to see Journey live in concert for free. That in and of itself is amazing. Top 5 Moments of 2009 automatically for sure.
• I was lucky enough to see my all-time favorite band Blink-182 take the stage and perform again since their hiatus in 2004. Twice. It was so amazing and fulfilling, I almost cried. It should also be known that I spent more money on merchandise on that first show than any other concert in my life. $211!
• I went to some concerts that I would have normally not gone to, namely two metal shows. One for the band Slipknot, and the other for the animated band Dethklok. Both were some of the most intense, fun, energetic shows I've ever been too. I look forward to expanding my musical horizons in 2010.
• I started writing more for film. I even adapted a funny blog post into a play script!
• I officially started a band that is in the process of writing and recording amazing songs that will be spread throughout the world. We are called Time To Renew. I play guitar and sing. It is a dream come true.
All of this is just what I can remember right now, in the wee hours of New Year's Day.
Now, this post is called "2009: A Year in Mem-BORE-iam", but really 2009 can't be categorized as good or bad for me. It sucked and it was awesome. It was literally a 50/50 year for me. It certainly wasn't boring.
Bad or good, though, 2009 has come and gone. It is the dawn of a new decade (literally), and we all need to let 2009 stay back and not get in the way! With this new decade comes new decisions and new goals that we all want to accomplish. I think that now is the time to take a hold on life and GIVE IT ALL YOU CAN. I don't know about you, but I am excited as hell to get this new decade rolling.
"Maybe it's not my weekend, but it's gonna be my year. And I'm so sick of watching all the minutes pass as I go nowhere. This is my reaction to everything I fear, and I've been going crazy. I don't want to waste another minute here."
Happy New Year, everyone. And good luck to all.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Twilight's Love Affair With the MTV Movie Awards (And Other Ranting at Said Movie Awards)
I really can't think of a clever way to start this blog post, so I'll just go right into it.
For those of you who, like me, refuse to set eye on anything MTV is offering up nowadays (and has for the past 8 years), they had their Movie Awards two days ago. I actually had some interest in watching the proceedings because Andy Samberg, my newest male love interest, was hosting. One of the men behind such comedic gems as "I'm On A Boat", "Jizz In My Pants", and "Lazy Sunday" hosting an MTV-made show. Right away, you can see the tension between each. Mr. Samberg is a comedic genius, and MTV-made shows are not funny. Ever. I eventually forgot the date and missed it.
My college friend, Vicky, texted me the night of the awards, beginning with an inside joke I didn't get. She informed me of a medley of Lonely Island songs sung by LeAnn Rimes and Chris Isaak and others, and I gained interest. But, I didn't see my remote anywhere in my immediate surroundings, and so I didn't switch on my MTV. Mostly because I still didn't want it.
She talked of other skits that, in text form, still sounded hilarious, and so I decided I would, at some point, catch a rerun. I regret that decision for all time.
First off, before I even get into my Twilight rant, let me say this. I don't know how much influence Andy Samberg had in the writing process, but there are clear parts of the show where it's very funny and very not funny, and the funny parts all include him. The jokes just... weren't funny. You could see punchlines coming a mile away. And, even though there were good jokes, it didn't matter much because the audience "refused" to get any of them, instead screaming at innappropriate times.
I should point out that 85% of the audience seemed to be 16 to 16 1/2-year old girls.
Now, also for those who don't know, the movie "Twilight" basically swept the show, taking away 5 of the 10 awards, including "Best Movie." I'm not counting "Best WTF Moment" because that award was clearly invented for no reason at all. My question to the world, at first, was, "Why? Why let this clearly sub-standard film take the glory for things it clearly cannot take the glory for?" It made no sense to me. But then, it hit.
Why would Twilight win against films such as "The Dark Knight"? Such as "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"? Such as... "Slumdog Millionaire"? That's right, it won over Slumdog Millionaire. That was what made me realize why MTV gave so many awards to "Twilight". They wanted to make a funny.
As you know, "Slumdog Millionaire" swept the Academy Awards, taking 8 of the 10 awards it was nominated for. Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay... all of them and more. So, to make a funny out of it, MTV goes, "Hey! Why don't we have a really bad movie sweep our awards! That'll be so funny!" And so, Twilight wins 5 out of 10. Well, that's my theory anyway. I think it's good regardless, because anyone who says "Twilight" was a better movie than "Slumdog Millionaire" is a GODDAMNED MORON.
Goodnight all.
For those of you who, like me, refuse to set eye on anything MTV is offering up nowadays (and has for the past 8 years), they had their Movie Awards two days ago. I actually had some interest in watching the proceedings because Andy Samberg, my newest male love interest, was hosting. One of the men behind such comedic gems as "I'm On A Boat", "Jizz In My Pants", and "Lazy Sunday" hosting an MTV-made show. Right away, you can see the tension between each. Mr. Samberg is a comedic genius, and MTV-made shows are not funny. Ever. I eventually forgot the date and missed it.
My college friend, Vicky, texted me the night of the awards, beginning with an inside joke I didn't get. She informed me of a medley of Lonely Island songs sung by LeAnn Rimes and Chris Isaak and others, and I gained interest. But, I didn't see my remote anywhere in my immediate surroundings, and so I didn't switch on my MTV. Mostly because I still didn't want it.
She talked of other skits that, in text form, still sounded hilarious, and so I decided I would, at some point, catch a rerun. I regret that decision for all time.
First off, before I even get into my Twilight rant, let me say this. I don't know how much influence Andy Samberg had in the writing process, but there are clear parts of the show where it's very funny and very not funny, and the funny parts all include him. The jokes just... weren't funny. You could see punchlines coming a mile away. And, even though there were good jokes, it didn't matter much because the audience "refused" to get any of them, instead screaming at innappropriate times.
I should point out that 85% of the audience seemed to be 16 to 16 1/2-year old girls.
Now, also for those who don't know, the movie "Twilight" basically swept the show, taking away 5 of the 10 awards, including "Best Movie." I'm not counting "Best WTF Moment" because that award was clearly invented for no reason at all. My question to the world, at first, was, "Why? Why let this clearly sub-standard film take the glory for things it clearly cannot take the glory for?" It made no sense to me. But then, it hit.
Why would Twilight win against films such as "The Dark Knight"? Such as "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"? Such as... "Slumdog Millionaire"? That's right, it won over Slumdog Millionaire. That was what made me realize why MTV gave so many awards to "Twilight". They wanted to make a funny.
As you know, "Slumdog Millionaire" swept the Academy Awards, taking 8 of the 10 awards it was nominated for. Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay... all of them and more. So, to make a funny out of it, MTV goes, "Hey! Why don't we have a really bad movie sweep our awards! That'll be so funny!" And so, Twilight wins 5 out of 10. Well, that's my theory anyway. I think it's good regardless, because anyone who says "Twilight" was a better movie than "Slumdog Millionaire" is a GODDAMNED MORON.
Goodnight all.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
The Greatest Way To (Almost) End The Semester
At the request of those involved, names have been changed. Everything else is true and fabulous.
So, on May 19th, I was doing a buttload of editing work at the TV studio in my film building. I was there since about 11 in the morning, either ripping DVDs to edit or editing. My friend Max showed up to hang out for a bit at around 4, and we ended up beginning to watch Shark Attack 3: Megalodon (one of the funniest bad movies ever created) while the ripping continued. My other friend, Chuck, was also busy editing together a reel for a movie audition he had that day. He occasionally asked me to help out, and I obliged because I am an editing master.
My other friend Marj showed up a little after 6:30 to hang out. I was almost done making a final DVD rip before calling it a day, and we all started talking about this awesome hang out spot Max and I found just a few streets down in downtown San Jose. It was this spot right next to this nice hotel and the San Jose Museum of Art, a little pool with three fountains in it. It was sick, and was apparently where, earlier that day, Max had taken a lady friend to and proceeded to woo her. We all wanted to hang out after I was done, and when that time came, we picked up our bags and headed out.
We decided before we actually stepped off the campus that we were just going to get food, and by "we," I mean "Marj and Chuck". Max and I tagged along, as did our film friend Ray. We went to this philly cheesesteak place, they got some food, and we started conversing. Max and I reminisced about the Mortal Kombat movie and how the second one sucked ass and balls. A note for all filmmakers: if you make a sequel and don't want it to suck automatically out of the gates, keep the same actors!!! Some other film friends spotted us as they crossed the street outside and stopped by to say hello. One was the director of the movie that Chuck auditioned for (he had already done it at this point), and the director complimented him on it! After food, Ray parted ways with us. We thought about checking out the fountain spot, but we decided there was really only one thing to do: Rock Band.
Previously, only Max, Marj, and I have played together. We've talked about making a four-piece, and we have an unofficial "member", but we have only really played as a trio. Chuck stepped up to the plate and was our bass player of the night. We picked nothing but 90s songs and had a damn blast. Except for "Wanted Dead or Alive" and "Epic", but we always choose those songs because they're effing sick. Well, I always choose "Epic". Anyway, we played 13 songs total, probably 45 to 50 minutes of playing time. Afterwards, and before we headed back out again, Max and I unveiled the first 10 minutes of "The Room" on Chuck and Marj. If you haven't heard of it, I suggest putting that internet machine to good use and finding out. You will die from inability to breathe because you'll be laughing so hard.
While outside, Marj got a call from his girlfriend and wanted to rent some movies. We headed over to Blockbuster on the other side of campus. It was about 10:20 when we got there, and it was closed. We decided to head back towards my dorm and figure out what else to do. Marj said his girlfriend was gonna be with her friends back at my dorm building, so off we went back across campus.
When we crossed the street from the Blockbuster to campus, we started discussing this recent, f-ed up news article Max had read that morning. Basically, this idiot in Bakersfield was on PCP and, for some strange reason I cannot grasp for the life of me, ate his son's eye out and damaged the other one severely. I could not effing deal with this story properly. The information I received from it was too much for my brain to handle, and I couldn't take it. Then, he mentioned another story about this rapper named Big Lurch who, when on PCP, killed this girl and ate her lungs. My brain is officially down for the count. Then, out of nowhere, this guy walking his bike totally heard our story and confirmed it, first by confirming that the rapper's name was indeed Big Lurch. He started talking about how he tried PCP, and he thought that "it was so boring" (actual quote). He talked about how he had killed brain cells and the ones that were left must've been "well hardy" (more actual quote). We stopped walking and let him go on.
So, to help cope, we made bad puns about it. Max had read about it on this forum and was reading us the replies, most of which were bad puns, such as:
- "Feast your eyes upon the effects of drug use."
- "Eye feel sorry for that kid."
- "An eye for an eye is what this man deserves."
I know, pretty f-ed up. But, despite that, all of us laughed at it. And, we tried to think of crazier ones on the way back to my dorm building. Max gets the award for best ones, although I can't for the life of me remember any of them.
We arrive back in my building and decide to play some ping pong. I check out the stuff and walk over, only to find that the tables are completely taken up by other people (one happening to be this really awesome girl I know and like). Then, suddenly, Marj is no longer with us in the ping pong room, but outside it talking to his GF. We go outside to talk to them, and we discover she is trying to convince him to dye part of his hair purple. He doesn't want to do it. She immediately turns to me:
GF: Peter Awesome, do you want to dye your hair purple?
Me: What? Naw, I like my hair.
GF: Not all of it, just part of it.
Me: Well, it sounds interesting...
GF: You're going to do it now.
Me: Yes.
So we head back up to hear friend's room and I get some purple dye squeezed on me from some cheap-looking bottle. Everyone else has plastic around their hair color, but I have to hold a paper towel to my head. Awesome. While I wait, GF decides to break out this game called Catch Phrase. For those who don't know, it is basically a word-guessing game. You get a word or phrase or character and you have to get your teammates to say it, but you have to describe it without using the word itself. It can get pretty tough. And, we had a blast playing it. The girls started leaving part way through, and soon it was just Marj and I vs. Max and Chuck. I think it was a draw. I eventually got to throw away the paper towel, and the girls and I took a picture of are newly-destroyed hair! Picture soon.
After all these antics, Marj, Chuck, Max and I were all beat. We decided that we would call it a night and I walked all the guys downstairs. Hugs and goodnights, it was indeed the end of the night.
I was very happy that night. Goddamn, I was happy.
So, on May 19th, I was doing a buttload of editing work at the TV studio in my film building. I was there since about 11 in the morning, either ripping DVDs to edit or editing. My friend Max showed up to hang out for a bit at around 4, and we ended up beginning to watch Shark Attack 3: Megalodon (one of the funniest bad movies ever created) while the ripping continued. My other friend, Chuck, was also busy editing together a reel for a movie audition he had that day. He occasionally asked me to help out, and I obliged because I am an editing master.
My other friend Marj showed up a little after 6:30 to hang out. I was almost done making a final DVD rip before calling it a day, and we all started talking about this awesome hang out spot Max and I found just a few streets down in downtown San Jose. It was this spot right next to this nice hotel and the San Jose Museum of Art, a little pool with three fountains in it. It was sick, and was apparently where, earlier that day, Max had taken a lady friend to and proceeded to woo her. We all wanted to hang out after I was done, and when that time came, we picked up our bags and headed out.
We decided before we actually stepped off the campus that we were just going to get food, and by "we," I mean "Marj and Chuck". Max and I tagged along, as did our film friend Ray. We went to this philly cheesesteak place, they got some food, and we started conversing. Max and I reminisced about the Mortal Kombat movie and how the second one sucked ass and balls. A note for all filmmakers: if you make a sequel and don't want it to suck automatically out of the gates, keep the same actors!!! Some other film friends spotted us as they crossed the street outside and stopped by to say hello. One was the director of the movie that Chuck auditioned for (he had already done it at this point), and the director complimented him on it! After food, Ray parted ways with us. We thought about checking out the fountain spot, but we decided there was really only one thing to do: Rock Band.
Previously, only Max, Marj, and I have played together. We've talked about making a four-piece, and we have an unofficial "member", but we have only really played as a trio. Chuck stepped up to the plate and was our bass player of the night. We picked nothing but 90s songs and had a damn blast. Except for "Wanted Dead or Alive" and "Epic", but we always choose those songs because they're effing sick. Well, I always choose "Epic". Anyway, we played 13 songs total, probably 45 to 50 minutes of playing time. Afterwards, and before we headed back out again, Max and I unveiled the first 10 minutes of "The Room" on Chuck and Marj. If you haven't heard of it, I suggest putting that internet machine to good use and finding out. You will die from inability to breathe because you'll be laughing so hard.
While outside, Marj got a call from his girlfriend and wanted to rent some movies. We headed over to Blockbuster on the other side of campus. It was about 10:20 when we got there, and it was closed. We decided to head back towards my dorm and figure out what else to do. Marj said his girlfriend was gonna be with her friends back at my dorm building, so off we went back across campus.
When we crossed the street from the Blockbuster to campus, we started discussing this recent, f-ed up news article Max had read that morning. Basically, this idiot in Bakersfield was on PCP and, for some strange reason I cannot grasp for the life of me, ate his son's eye out and damaged the other one severely. I could not effing deal with this story properly. The information I received from it was too much for my brain to handle, and I couldn't take it. Then, he mentioned another story about this rapper named Big Lurch who, when on PCP, killed this girl and ate her lungs. My brain is officially down for the count. Then, out of nowhere, this guy walking his bike totally heard our story and confirmed it, first by confirming that the rapper's name was indeed Big Lurch. He started talking about how he tried PCP, and he thought that "it was so boring" (actual quote). He talked about how he had killed brain cells and the ones that were left must've been "well hardy" (more actual quote). We stopped walking and let him go on.
So, to help cope, we made bad puns about it. Max had read about it on this forum and was reading us the replies, most of which were bad puns, such as:
- "Feast your eyes upon the effects of drug use."
- "Eye feel sorry for that kid."
- "An eye for an eye is what this man deserves."
I know, pretty f-ed up. But, despite that, all of us laughed at it. And, we tried to think of crazier ones on the way back to my dorm building. Max gets the award for best ones, although I can't for the life of me remember any of them.
We arrive back in my building and decide to play some ping pong. I check out the stuff and walk over, only to find that the tables are completely taken up by other people (one happening to be this really awesome girl I know and like). Then, suddenly, Marj is no longer with us in the ping pong room, but outside it talking to his GF. We go outside to talk to them, and we discover she is trying to convince him to dye part of his hair purple. He doesn't want to do it. She immediately turns to me:
GF: Peter Awesome, do you want to dye your hair purple?
Me: What? Naw, I like my hair.
GF: Not all of it, just part of it.
Me: Well, it sounds interesting...
GF: You're going to do it now.
Me: Yes.
So we head back up to hear friend's room and I get some purple dye squeezed on me from some cheap-looking bottle. Everyone else has plastic around their hair color, but I have to hold a paper towel to my head. Awesome. While I wait, GF decides to break out this game called Catch Phrase. For those who don't know, it is basically a word-guessing game. You get a word or phrase or character and you have to get your teammates to say it, but you have to describe it without using the word itself. It can get pretty tough. And, we had a blast playing it. The girls started leaving part way through, and soon it was just Marj and I vs. Max and Chuck. I think it was a draw. I eventually got to throw away the paper towel, and the girls and I took a picture of are newly-destroyed hair! Picture soon.
After all these antics, Marj, Chuck, Max and I were all beat. We decided that we would call it a night and I walked all the guys downstairs. Hugs and goodnights, it was indeed the end of the night.
I was very happy that night. Goddamn, I was happy.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Me and my Blink-182: A Story of Love
Ladies and Gentlemen, I love Blink-182.
How long have I loved Blink-182? I'm not sure exactly. I believe it was sometime between 1999 and 2000. I remember the first time I spent my own money on a Blink-182 album. It was at a Tower Records (remember those days?) about a mile from my house. I walked in and noticed the "New Releases" rack, and on it was "The Mark, Tom, and Travis Show (The Enema Strikes Back)". When I walked into that Tower Records and saw that album, I didn't even go to the main area to check the normal CD racks. I picked it up and bought it. I remember loving the artwork and all the the little in-jokes on the front and back covers. For example, an animated Janine (the porn actress who models for the "Enema Of The State" cover) sitting on an amp, or the numerous fans with Blink-related tattoos ("Blink Me", "182°", etc.).
It was interesting that the first Blink album I ever bought was their limited release live album. I didn't even know it was in limited release until 2 years ago. But, in hindsight, it was a great way to be exposed to most of the band's music. There's music from three of their albums on that CD. "The Mark, Tom, and Travis Show" also further exposed me to their brand of toilet humor, so much so that any mention of the word "sex" became funny to me.
The first time I saw Blink-182 live was in 2001, during their Take Off Your Pants and Jacket Tour. It was the first concert that I had to drive more than an hour to see. It was at the Coors Ampitheatre in San Diego. I forget who drove me there, and friend of my mom's, I think. I do remember who came with me, the daughter of my housekeeper. We had lawn tickets, which means we were in the way back, behind two full sections and the floor. I still thought we had amazing seats though!
The opening bands were Home Town Heroes, Midtown, and New Found Glory. I think we arrived either right before or during the Home Town Heroes set. I don't remember much of them or Midtown. I was really excited for NFG and Blink. New Found Glory came out with force. All their songs were energetic and exciting. They also did a verse-and-a-half cover of Blink's "Dammit", and that was amazing.
Then, it was time. The curtains opened, and a giant, metal sign with only the word "FUCK" was shown. It was lit on fire. I was ecstatic.
I don't remember too much of the set that night. I do remember that the played the Country Song (owners of the live CD know) and Mark ended it with a loud, uproarious, "Timmah!" (this is when Timmy from South Park was becoming the newest American craze). I also remember purchasing my first Blink merch that night: a t-shirt and a poster. That poster still hangs in my room to this day.
The second time I saw them was during the Pop Disaster Tour, when they were touring with Jimmy Eat World and Green Day. It was at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles. I was SO excited to see that show. Blink-182 and Green Day were my two favorite bands at that point, and seeing them together was a dream come true. I made this as a poster:
I remember the countless hours I spent working on that picture. See those tattoos on Travis' arms? Each drawn individually and pasted in near-correct positions according to pictures of him. Yeah, I know. Schoolwork was postponed for this creation. I remember getting many compliments, and then being told to put it down once the show started. I forgot that it would block people, I guess. BUT, I had such a good time. My friend and I were at the very bottom section right behind the pit, and I was so excited to be closer to the stage, even though I was still far away. I still own and wear shirts and buttons from that show. I still have the poster.
Although it wasn't a Blink show, the next Blink-related show I attended was for the band Box Car Racer. The band I remember playing with them was The Used, but that was it. My friend Irena and I were like 2 of 5 people in the balcony standing up and jumping to the music. It was fantastic.
The last time I saw Blink-182 live before their hiatus was right after their self-titled album came out. It was in Hollywood, and it was such an awesome show. It was my first Blink show where I got to be in the GA area. The guys threw out Famous Stars & Straps keychains and Mark even let his bass out into the crowd! At least, I think he did. I'm not sure. I remember making great friends with this one girl, who I unfortunately forgot the name of. But, she was awesome. She lost the ball from her lip ring. As I was leaving, I waved and yelled at her and she waved back. My first official concert buddy.
Then, the hiatus. I was so sad to hear they wouldn't be making music together again. I was still in high school at the time, and my friends were apparently so happy that they "broke up" and tried to rub it in my face because they knew I liked them so much. But I didn't care. I knew that being a fan of theirs wasn't for naught, and I planned on staying that way.
I listened to Angels & Airwaves a little, and I really liked +44 and TRVS-DJAM. I saw +44 during the Honda Civic Tour with Fall Out Boy. They played Blink's "The Rock Show" as one of their last songs, and I flipped out. Everyone there was ecstatic, but no one could've been happier than me to hear that song live again.
Then, Blink-182 announced that they were officially back together last year. I knew what they were gonna say even before they came out on stage for the Grammy's. I don't care what anyone says, there was not one person who was as happy as I was to hear them say it.
This summer, I get to relive seeing the first band I ever was a fan of again. I'm aiming for the GA tickets, but to be in the building just to hear them play again will be something I will never forget. I love Blink-182!
How long have I loved Blink-182? I'm not sure exactly. I believe it was sometime between 1999 and 2000. I remember the first time I spent my own money on a Blink-182 album. It was at a Tower Records (remember those days?) about a mile from my house. I walked in and noticed the "New Releases" rack, and on it was "The Mark, Tom, and Travis Show (The Enema Strikes Back)". When I walked into that Tower Records and saw that album, I didn't even go to the main area to check the normal CD racks. I picked it up and bought it. I remember loving the artwork and all the the little in-jokes on the front and back covers. For example, an animated Janine (the porn actress who models for the "Enema Of The State" cover) sitting on an amp, or the numerous fans with Blink-related tattoos ("Blink Me", "182°", etc.).
It was interesting that the first Blink album I ever bought was their limited release live album. I didn't even know it was in limited release until 2 years ago. But, in hindsight, it was a great way to be exposed to most of the band's music. There's music from three of their albums on that CD. "The Mark, Tom, and Travis Show" also further exposed me to their brand of toilet humor, so much so that any mention of the word "sex" became funny to me.
The first time I saw Blink-182 live was in 2001, during their Take Off Your Pants and Jacket Tour. It was the first concert that I had to drive more than an hour to see. It was at the Coors Ampitheatre in San Diego. I forget who drove me there, and friend of my mom's, I think. I do remember who came with me, the daughter of my housekeeper. We had lawn tickets, which means we were in the way back, behind two full sections and the floor. I still thought we had amazing seats though!
The opening bands were Home Town Heroes, Midtown, and New Found Glory. I think we arrived either right before or during the Home Town Heroes set. I don't remember much of them or Midtown. I was really excited for NFG and Blink. New Found Glory came out with force. All their songs were energetic and exciting. They also did a verse-and-a-half cover of Blink's "Dammit", and that was amazing.
Then, it was time. The curtains opened, and a giant, metal sign with only the word "FUCK" was shown. It was lit on fire. I was ecstatic.
I don't remember too much of the set that night. I do remember that the played the Country Song (owners of the live CD know) and Mark ended it with a loud, uproarious, "Timmah!" (this is when Timmy from South Park was becoming the newest American craze). I also remember purchasing my first Blink merch that night: a t-shirt and a poster. That poster still hangs in my room to this day.
The second time I saw them was during the Pop Disaster Tour, when they were touring with Jimmy Eat World and Green Day. It was at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles. I was SO excited to see that show. Blink-182 and Green Day were my two favorite bands at that point, and seeing them together was a dream come true. I made this as a poster:
I remember the countless hours I spent working on that picture. See those tattoos on Travis' arms? Each drawn individually and pasted in near-correct positions according to pictures of him. Yeah, I know. Schoolwork was postponed for this creation. I remember getting many compliments, and then being told to put it down once the show started. I forgot that it would block people, I guess. BUT, I had such a good time. My friend and I were at the very bottom section right behind the pit, and I was so excited to be closer to the stage, even though I was still far away. I still own and wear shirts and buttons from that show. I still have the poster.
Although it wasn't a Blink show, the next Blink-related show I attended was for the band Box Car Racer. The band I remember playing with them was The Used, but that was it. My friend Irena and I were like 2 of 5 people in the balcony standing up and jumping to the music. It was fantastic.
The last time I saw Blink-182 live before their hiatus was right after their self-titled album came out. It was in Hollywood, and it was such an awesome show. It was my first Blink show where I got to be in the GA area. The guys threw out Famous Stars & Straps keychains and Mark even let his bass out into the crowd! At least, I think he did. I'm not sure. I remember making great friends with this one girl, who I unfortunately forgot the name of. But, she was awesome. She lost the ball from her lip ring. As I was leaving, I waved and yelled at her and she waved back. My first official concert buddy.
Then, the hiatus. I was so sad to hear they wouldn't be making music together again. I was still in high school at the time, and my friends were apparently so happy that they "broke up" and tried to rub it in my face because they knew I liked them so much. But I didn't care. I knew that being a fan of theirs wasn't for naught, and I planned on staying that way.
I listened to Angels & Airwaves a little, and I really liked +44 and TRVS-DJAM. I saw +44 during the Honda Civic Tour with Fall Out Boy. They played Blink's "The Rock Show" as one of their last songs, and I flipped out. Everyone there was ecstatic, but no one could've been happier than me to hear that song live again.
Then, Blink-182 announced that they were officially back together last year. I knew what they were gonna say even before they came out on stage for the Grammy's. I don't care what anyone says, there was not one person who was as happy as I was to hear them say it.
This summer, I get to relive seeing the first band I ever was a fan of again. I'm aiming for the GA tickets, but to be in the building just to hear them play again will be something I will never forget. I love Blink-182!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Best Text Message Conversation EVER?
Humans and technology. In this day and age, they go hand in hand. Or, hand in socket. Or USB drive. Whatever the analogy, they exist together and their bond cannot be unbroken. Not even when an illegal substance is thrown into the mix. Actually, it serves to make the experience all the more interesting. So interesting that I wanted to make an entry about it.
This text convo isn't really hilarious or unique. It's just... poignant.
The following text convo occurred on March 28th at 11:58 PM. To protect the identities of the innocent, my friend's name has been changed to "Smelly McPoopypants". I will provide in-between text commentary when necessary. And yes, I type out my "ha's" when I text laugh. Shut up.
Smelly McPoopypants: Hola
Me: Hey. What's up?
S McP: Not much... what's up with u?
Me: Nothing, just homework.
S McP: Aww i should do that :/
Me: Hahahaha
S McP: Man im so relaxed... Lol
BOOM. That came out of nowhere. I mean, it's cool that they were relaxed, but couldn't they have figured out a better seque? Then again, the reason behind the abruptness of this text will be explained anyway. Also, relaxing is apparently funny. That will be explained too.
Me: Where u at?
S McP: Everywhere... hahaha...In some car with my friend Lol
Being in a random car is also funny.
Me: Ah, cool.
S McP: Yup... not really that's lame but im high so im relaxed Lol
See, told ya it wold be explained.
Me: So you're not on a car?
I thought they said "On some car." They did not, read a few lines above for proof. I'm a moron.
S McP: O shit did i say that? My bad... im in a car chillin
They didn't notice! I'm not a huge moron.
Me: Oh, alright then. Cool.
S McP: Yeah... my bad ur all busy and im telling u im high Lol...
Me: I'm not busy. It's totally cool.
S McP: Ok sweet... man i need some chill music
Me: I wish I knew some.
I do know chill music. But, I doubted she had DragonForce on her at the time.
S McP: I think i have some im just not in the mood to focus and check... man im lazy
Me: Or high
S McP: Yeah that too... so anywho what hw u doing?
Me: Screenwriting
S McP: OOO ok... what's ur script about?
Me: A road trip to a concert
S McP: Sweet!
I actually am writing a road trip concert movie. It's going well.
Anyway, the convo stopped at that point, mostly because I was writing. I then was getting ready for bed when all of a sudden, at 12:42 AM...
S McP: Dude the doors tickel my ears Lol!
I did not respond.
Goodnight.
This text convo isn't really hilarious or unique. It's just... poignant.
The following text convo occurred on March 28th at 11:58 PM. To protect the identities of the innocent, my friend's name has been changed to "Smelly McPoopypants". I will provide in-between text commentary when necessary. And yes, I type out my "ha's" when I text laugh. Shut up.
Smelly McPoopypants: Hola
Me: Hey. What's up?
S McP: Not much... what's up with u?
Me: Nothing, just homework.
S McP: Aww i should do that :/
Me: Hahahaha
S McP: Man im so relaxed... Lol
BOOM. That came out of nowhere. I mean, it's cool that they were relaxed, but couldn't they have figured out a better seque? Then again, the reason behind the abruptness of this text will be explained anyway. Also, relaxing is apparently funny. That will be explained too.
Me: Where u at?
S McP: Everywhere... hahaha...In some car with my friend Lol
Being in a random car is also funny.
Me: Ah, cool.
S McP: Yup... not really that's lame but im high so im relaxed Lol
See, told ya it wold be explained.
Me: So you're not on a car?
I thought they said "On some car." They did not, read a few lines above for proof. I'm a moron.
S McP: O shit did i say that? My bad... im in a car chillin
They didn't notice! I'm not a huge moron.
Me: Oh, alright then. Cool.
S McP: Yeah... my bad ur all busy and im telling u im high Lol...
Me: I'm not busy. It's totally cool.
S McP: Ok sweet... man i need some chill music
Me: I wish I knew some.
I do know chill music. But, I doubted she had DragonForce on her at the time.
S McP: I think i have some im just not in the mood to focus and check... man im lazy
Me: Or high
S McP: Yeah that too... so anywho what hw u doing?
Me: Screenwriting
S McP: OOO ok... what's ur script about?
Me: A road trip to a concert
S McP: Sweet!
I actually am writing a road trip concert movie. It's going well.
Anyway, the convo stopped at that point, mostly because I was writing. I then was getting ready for bed when all of a sudden, at 12:42 AM...
S McP: Dude the doors tickel my ears Lol!
I did not respond.
Goodnight.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The Rightest Wrong Number
For some reason, my phone gets an awful lot of wrong number callers. It must be easy to confuse with other numbers, I don't know. But, once last year, getting a wrong number was possibly the most amazing thing ever.
I was in my apartment, just walking around doing lord knows what, and I get a call. I look at the ID number. My phone simply lists the phone number that is calling, meaning that number is not in my phone. But, seeing as how I know many people and it just might be someone I know, I pick up. I hear this:
Unknown: Hey man, what's up?
What a vague greeting, no? You don't realize these things normally, but saying something like "What's up?" is so uninformative. If you're not familiar with the voice, you have no idea who's talking to you.
So, I respond.
Me: Hey, nothing much. What's up with you?
With that response, I was hoping to find out an important detail that could lead me to discovering the identity of this phantom caller. He responded:
Unknown: Oh nothing.
Strike. I hit nothing. I hit an "Oh nothing," to be precise. So, I tried once more:
Me: Whatcha doing tonight?
Specific. Challenging. There was no chance I wouldn't get information out of this answer. And I was right:
Unknown: I'm just about to head to Toon's with Tiffany and John.
Ding! I know I do not know this person. I know no Tiffany, and I know no John. At least, no John that knows a Tiffany. And, more importantly, I do not know anyone who knows them both at the same time. I also do not frequent Toon's, which told me that I not only did not know this person, but that they were in San Jose. Just like me. It was then time to hang up. Or was it? I got a strange idea in my head right then, and that idea was, "Don't hang up the phone." And I didn't.
Me: Cool, cool. Can I come along?
The answer to this question would tell me if they thought I was still someone else.
Unknown: Sure man.
They did.
Me: When were you guys gonna head over there?
Unknown: We're gonna be there at like 10.
Me: Cool. I'll see ya then.
I was content. I made people think that I, as another person, would meet them somewhere in town. I was satisfied. But then, it hit.
Unknown: Cool. Oh, can you also give Mark a call?
It was further confirmed that I had no knowledge of the man on the other end. How could I turn down a perfect opportunity like this?
Me: Sure. Should I tell him to meet us there?
Unknown: Yeah, that would be fine.
Me: Cool. I'll see you guys there.
Unknown: Yeah.
Me: Later.
Unknown: Later.
I hung up the phone feeling... powerful. I slept well that night. And, since I may have ruined Mark's night, I hope he did too.
I was in my apartment, just walking around doing lord knows what, and I get a call. I look at the ID number. My phone simply lists the phone number that is calling, meaning that number is not in my phone. But, seeing as how I know many people and it just might be someone I know, I pick up. I hear this:
Unknown: Hey man, what's up?
What a vague greeting, no? You don't realize these things normally, but saying something like "What's up?" is so uninformative. If you're not familiar with the voice, you have no idea who's talking to you.
So, I respond.
Me: Hey, nothing much. What's up with you?
With that response, I was hoping to find out an important detail that could lead me to discovering the identity of this phantom caller. He responded:
Unknown: Oh nothing.
Strike. I hit nothing. I hit an "Oh nothing," to be precise. So, I tried once more:
Me: Whatcha doing tonight?
Specific. Challenging. There was no chance I wouldn't get information out of this answer. And I was right:
Unknown: I'm just about to head to Toon's with Tiffany and John.
Ding! I know I do not know this person. I know no Tiffany, and I know no John. At least, no John that knows a Tiffany. And, more importantly, I do not know anyone who knows them both at the same time. I also do not frequent Toon's, which told me that I not only did not know this person, but that they were in San Jose. Just like me. It was then time to hang up. Or was it? I got a strange idea in my head right then, and that idea was, "Don't hang up the phone." And I didn't.
Me: Cool, cool. Can I come along?
The answer to this question would tell me if they thought I was still someone else.
Unknown: Sure man.
They did.
Me: When were you guys gonna head over there?
Unknown: We're gonna be there at like 10.
Me: Cool. I'll see ya then.
I was content. I made people think that I, as another person, would meet them somewhere in town. I was satisfied. But then, it hit.
Unknown: Cool. Oh, can you also give Mark a call?
It was further confirmed that I had no knowledge of the man on the other end. How could I turn down a perfect opportunity like this?
Me: Sure. Should I tell him to meet us there?
Unknown: Yeah, that would be fine.
Me: Cool. I'll see you guys there.
Unknown: Yeah.
Me: Later.
Unknown: Later.
I hung up the phone feeling... powerful. I slept well that night. And, since I may have ruined Mark's night, I hope he did too.
Friday, March 13, 2009
I never thought this would happen
Last night there was an open mic night hosted by my dorm buildings Hall Government. I usually play at an open mic night, because (a) most of my friends are in the Hall Government or associated with it and like to see me play, and (b) I get to play my music. I love playing music. It's so much fun, so energetic. I don't care if people like it or not, I just love to play.
For those who don't know, I play acoustic ska music with an emphasis on comedy. I have been called an "Acoustic Skamedian," which I think is pretty funny.
I realize that ska music isn't necessarily the best way to make money, but, then again, I don't really care about making money. Sure, making money through music is cool, but it's definitely much more satisfying to play your own music for others to hear and spread it around. Ska is the best genre I know, and I love to play and sing to it.
I've been doing the solo ska thing for a couple years now, since 2007. I've played a couple open mics before that, and it's always fun. I did once get paid, but it was a payment reserved for another performer who didn't come and my friend who was running the whole thing didn't care and wanted to give me money. So, I took it!
Like I said, there was an open mic last night that I played at. This other guy, Tyler, also played their too. He has been playing the other open mics for a while now, and I just liked him ever since he played Blink-182's "Fuck A Dog" in front like 200 students last semester. That's amazing. Tyler's dad, who is always at his open mic performances, is a promoter and I've heard him talk about how Tyler's band has a record deal and is getting big. Tyler's a talented guy, so it doesn't surprise me.
Last night, after I performed and Tyler performed, the dad comes up to me and says that he wants to hire me and have me open up for Tyler's band next month.
Again.
Last night, after I performed and Tyler performed, the dad comes up to me and says that he wants to hire me and have me open up for Tyler's band next month.
He wanted my contact info and told how much he liked what he heard and my personality and stuff, and I just started flipping out in my head. It was insane. I gave it to him and he said he'd call me and we'd finalize it and that I would get PAID. Oh my god. Actually get paid for performing. This is what any artist starting out strives for. To start getting out there and making money so they can further promote themselves and get noticed even more. That's AWESOME.
I still can't believe it's happening. Here's my music MySpace page:
http://www.myspace.com/mrawesomemusic
I need to get my guitar fixed. This is going to be historical.
For those who don't know, I play acoustic ska music with an emphasis on comedy. I have been called an "Acoustic Skamedian," which I think is pretty funny.
I realize that ska music isn't necessarily the best way to make money, but, then again, I don't really care about making money. Sure, making money through music is cool, but it's definitely much more satisfying to play your own music for others to hear and spread it around. Ska is the best genre I know, and I love to play and sing to it.
I've been doing the solo ska thing for a couple years now, since 2007. I've played a couple open mics before that, and it's always fun. I did once get paid, but it was a payment reserved for another performer who didn't come and my friend who was running the whole thing didn't care and wanted to give me money. So, I took it!
Like I said, there was an open mic last night that I played at. This other guy, Tyler, also played their too. He has been playing the other open mics for a while now, and I just liked him ever since he played Blink-182's "Fuck A Dog" in front like 200 students last semester. That's amazing. Tyler's dad, who is always at his open mic performances, is a promoter and I've heard him talk about how Tyler's band has a record deal and is getting big. Tyler's a talented guy, so it doesn't surprise me.
Last night, after I performed and Tyler performed, the dad comes up to me and says that he wants to hire me and have me open up for Tyler's band next month.
Again.
Last night, after I performed and Tyler performed, the dad comes up to me and says that he wants to hire me and have me open up for Tyler's band next month.
He wanted my contact info and told how much he liked what he heard and my personality and stuff, and I just started flipping out in my head. It was insane. I gave it to him and he said he'd call me and we'd finalize it and that I would get PAID. Oh my god. Actually get paid for performing. This is what any artist starting out strives for. To start getting out there and making money so they can further promote themselves and get noticed even more. That's AWESOME.
I still can't believe it's happening. Here's my music MySpace page:
http://www.myspace.com/mrawesomemusic
I need to get my guitar fixed. This is going to be historical.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The Un-Relationship Story
Before I start, let me just say that I have had NOFX's "Take Two Placebos and Call Me Lame" going through my head all effin' day. I love that song. Go listen to it.
START OF POST
I wanted to make a new post, but nothing interesting has happened to me recently. So, let me recall an interesting story from my past. Let it be known, I don't care about the person I talk about in this post at all. I'm going to use her real name, and I don't care if she finds out about this.
In my sophomore year of high school, I had an English class. And, in this English class, there was this girl with glasses named Amy. She was Spanish, I think. I never really knew her too well. I was not interested in this girl, and she did not get that memo.
One fine day, which, by the way, was a Thursday, this black girl in the class comes to my desk and gives me a note. The note is not from her, but from the Amy. She already had people working for her. I used to have the note on hand, because the whole experience that this note started was unforgettable. But, basically, this note said that she liked me and would like to hang out with me and stuff. It wasn't crazy or anything. It didn't say stuff like "I want to have your children and run around covered in twigs and berries" or anything. Just a normal "Hey, I like you" letter. Hey, that's alright.
So then, after the class was over, the Amy comes to my desk and says, "So, what did you think of my note?" I, trying to be as nice as possible while still retaining some form of rejection, say, "Oh, I thought it was nice." This relationship is off to a perfect start, no? She asks me my opinion of the letter and what I think and all this while I'm wondering why she's so interested in me. She mentions going to a movie, and I just react like someone who doesn't know English and just nod my head to everything she says. She asks for my number, and I begrudgingly give it to her, because I couldn't think of a nice way to say "no" right then.
The weekend comes, and I'm doing my homework. Trying to. I've had a problem with doing homework for a long time. Homework has this way of making me do the exact opposite of what it wants me to do. It's like going to a movie and then, as you're about to enter the theater, you turn around and drive home.
Back to my point. I'm doing my homework Sunday night. It's 11:30 PM, which is like the equivalent to 1:30 AM in college time. This means I was tired, and I was probably gonna go to bed as soon as the homework was done. It was due the next day, so it had to be finished. Then, the phone rings. I pick it up, and it's Amy. She's says hi, and I say hi, and then she says, "I want to talk to you." Yes, she wants to have intimate conversation at 11:30 at night. That's understandable. Just let me go and kill 20 people with my bare hands and I'll be right with you. Maybe, in her mind, high school kids never went to sleep, and so her request didn't seem so demented.
Anyway, I say (nearly verbatim), "Um, I'm doing homework right now and I really don't have time to talk." I would think that was a polite way of saying no, no? Amy says, "Oh, uh, ok." I then say something about seeing at her at school and the phone conversation ends. Hey, it's not my fault she had uber-awful timing.
So then, the next school day comes and the next English class comes. I sit through it, doing what a sophomore English student does. Then, the same black girl comes over to my desk and gives me a note. And, may I add, she does it angrily. She throws down the note and walks away. Not exaggerated or anything, but up until that point I did not know what an angry note-handing looked like.
I read the note. It's from Amy, again. And, she was super pissed. Ah, this explains why her black friend was angry at me! I just thought it was irrational anger... oh wait, it still was. I wish I knew where this note was, it was so fantastic to read. I couldn't believe how amazing it really was. I'd scan it and post it for the world to see! She asked me what was wrong with me and why I couldn't give her the time she deserved. She said she was trying to be nice and I was being an asshole. She said that if I couldn't be serious about it, she no longer wanted to be with me.
She broke up with me. Amy broke up with me and we were never in a relationship.
I'm sitting there, and I'm reading this note, and a feeling of "WTF" comes over me. This was even before I knew the term "WTF." I basically have no reaction to it. How am I supposed to? Do I go to her desk and say, "Hey, you're a fucking idiot and you don't know what you're talking about?" I probably should have. I fold the note, put it in my pocket, and show it to all my friends as soon as class is over.
So, that was my first official relationship, and it never even happened!
NOFX - "Pump Up the Valuum". Buy it, enjoy it, love it. See you next time!
START OF POST
I wanted to make a new post, but nothing interesting has happened to me recently. So, let me recall an interesting story from my past. Let it be known, I don't care about the person I talk about in this post at all. I'm going to use her real name, and I don't care if she finds out about this.
In my sophomore year of high school, I had an English class. And, in this English class, there was this girl with glasses named Amy. She was Spanish, I think. I never really knew her too well. I was not interested in this girl, and she did not get that memo.
One fine day, which, by the way, was a Thursday, this black girl in the class comes to my desk and gives me a note. The note is not from her, but from the Amy. She already had people working for her. I used to have the note on hand, because the whole experience that this note started was unforgettable. But, basically, this note said that she liked me and would like to hang out with me and stuff. It wasn't crazy or anything. It didn't say stuff like "I want to have your children and run around covered in twigs and berries" or anything. Just a normal "Hey, I like you" letter. Hey, that's alright.
So then, after the class was over, the Amy comes to my desk and says, "So, what did you think of my note?" I, trying to be as nice as possible while still retaining some form of rejection, say, "Oh, I thought it was nice." This relationship is off to a perfect start, no? She asks me my opinion of the letter and what I think and all this while I'm wondering why she's so interested in me. She mentions going to a movie, and I just react like someone who doesn't know English and just nod my head to everything she says. She asks for my number, and I begrudgingly give it to her, because I couldn't think of a nice way to say "no" right then.
The weekend comes, and I'm doing my homework. Trying to. I've had a problem with doing homework for a long time. Homework has this way of making me do the exact opposite of what it wants me to do. It's like going to a movie and then, as you're about to enter the theater, you turn around and drive home.
Back to my point. I'm doing my homework Sunday night. It's 11:30 PM, which is like the equivalent to 1:30 AM in college time. This means I was tired, and I was probably gonna go to bed as soon as the homework was done. It was due the next day, so it had to be finished. Then, the phone rings. I pick it up, and it's Amy. She's says hi, and I say hi, and then she says, "I want to talk to you." Yes, she wants to have intimate conversation at 11:30 at night. That's understandable. Just let me go and kill 20 people with my bare hands and I'll be right with you. Maybe, in her mind, high school kids never went to sleep, and so her request didn't seem so demented.
Anyway, I say (nearly verbatim), "Um, I'm doing homework right now and I really don't have time to talk." I would think that was a polite way of saying no, no? Amy says, "Oh, uh, ok." I then say something about seeing at her at school and the phone conversation ends. Hey, it's not my fault she had uber-awful timing.
So then, the next school day comes and the next English class comes. I sit through it, doing what a sophomore English student does. Then, the same black girl comes over to my desk and gives me a note. And, may I add, she does it angrily. She throws down the note and walks away. Not exaggerated or anything, but up until that point I did not know what an angry note-handing looked like.
I read the note. It's from Amy, again. And, she was super pissed. Ah, this explains why her black friend was angry at me! I just thought it was irrational anger... oh wait, it still was. I wish I knew where this note was, it was so fantastic to read. I couldn't believe how amazing it really was. I'd scan it and post it for the world to see! She asked me what was wrong with me and why I couldn't give her the time she deserved. She said she was trying to be nice and I was being an asshole. She said that if I couldn't be serious about it, she no longer wanted to be with me.
She broke up with me. Amy broke up with me and we were never in a relationship.
I'm sitting there, and I'm reading this note, and a feeling of "WTF" comes over me. This was even before I knew the term "WTF." I basically have no reaction to it. How am I supposed to? Do I go to her desk and say, "Hey, you're a fucking idiot and you don't know what you're talking about?" I probably should have. I fold the note, put it in my pocket, and show it to all my friends as soon as class is over.
So, that was my first official relationship, and it never even happened!
NOFX - "Pump Up the Valuum". Buy it, enjoy it, love it. See you next time!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
OMG, A HEADER
I have just made and added a brand new header to my page. I took a while, and I sacrificed homework time for it. But, it got done. And, may I say, it is absolutely fabulous.
Now my blog is too legit. Too legit to quit.
Now my blog is too legit. Too legit to quit.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Once, I was driving from Long Beach, CA to my home in Redondo Beach, CA. I was coming home from seeing some friends and local bands perform at this place called DiPiazza's.
As I was driving, I started looking around a bit and noticed a Hancock billboard. I started thinking about what Hancock was about, a poor, homeless, alcoholic superhero. I then began thinking about homeless people in general. I then began thinking about the homeless population of the area that I was in. Then, I wondered how much of that population had seen that billboard that day.
Woah.
As I was driving, I started looking around a bit and noticed a Hancock billboard. I started thinking about what Hancock was about, a poor, homeless, alcoholic superhero. I then began thinking about homeless people in general. I then began thinking about the homeless population of the area that I was in. Then, I wondered how much of that population had seen that billboard that day.
Woah.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
My first official story ever. On this blog. Ever.
Earlier last night (around 9:15), I decided to go to Best Buy and buy the new Jason Mraz CD. I heard a song of his on the radio today while helping to prepare a costume for this theater production I'm in, and was like, "Yes, Jason Mraz. I will buy your CD." I was also probably going to buy a DVD. I say probably because there's an endless amount of DVD's I should own but have yet to purchase.
Anyway, I head over to the Best Buy. I look through the CD's trying to figure out if they alphabetize solo artists by their first name or their last name. Apparently, they do both. I find Jason Mraz's name and We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. is not there. Great. My reason for coming to Best Buy had just been shattered. So, I had to buy something else.
I head over to the comedy CD section because I haven't bought a comedy CD in quite a while. I don't even remember the last time I did. There's a bunch of CD's I already own, a bunch I did not want to own, and few I want to buy. I picked up a CD by this guy Mike Birbiglia. I had not heard of him that much before, but I recalled hearing good things about him. Having not heard his comedy before, I decided this would be the first part of my purchase.
I head up the escalator to the DVD section, for I knew I would not walk away from this Best Buy without at least one DVD in my hands. I notice immediately the "Hits for $6.99" sign, and look under it. I see a couple I'm interested in, but Fracture is the film that catches my eye. When such a good movie is available for less than $10, it must be mine. I decide it will be the second part of my purchase.
Slightly more down the row, I see Pineapple Express. It is the "Unrated Edition". I then take out my iPhone and look up the Wikipedia entry on Pineapple Express. Because I am the type of person that needs to own the best version of a movie out on DVD.
Say a movie called Hat is out on DVD. Then, say that there is a 2-disc unrated edition of Hat. Now say there is a 3-disc unrated edition of Hat with a bonus digital copy. I'm buying that version.
So, the Wikipedia entry for Pineapple Express says that there is an "Unrated Edition" and a "2-Disc Unrated Special Edition", so my mission becomes trying to find the "2-Disc Unrated Special Edition" in the store, otherwise I'm not buying Pineapple Express. I go to the Comedy section to see if there's any more copies of it, and if the "2-Disc Unrated Special Edition" is any of the ones amongst those copies. I scan across from M to R, an back to M and back to R. I look up and down at least twice before I finally hit the P's. I guess there aren't many films that begin with the letter P. That or Best Buy is slacking off. Anyways, once I hit the P's, I find one last copy of Pineapple Express. And guess what? It is the "2-Disc Unrated Special Edition". I decide it will make my purchase a trifecta.
So then, satisfied with my choices for the night, I head to the down escalator. I just randomly look around while on my ride, and then I look to the upper right. I see two tables with video games piled on top of them. On those tables I see paper signs. The signs read:
"Any game with these stickers (example of the sticker in question) is 50% OFF"
My head is frozen in place. I already have one CD and two DVD's. This purchase is already going to be a pretty penny (even though one of the DVD's is only 7 bucks). I ask myself, "Should I travel upstairs and see if there is anything worth purchasing one those tables?" The chances are slim that will find anything that is (a) worthy of being purchased when it has been marked down so much and will (b) work on the one console I own. I think it over until I'm nearly down the escalator, which means I thought it over for a while. Then, I decided. I'll take a chance.
I reach the bottom floor, do a U-turn, head back up the up escalator, and head over to the 50%-off video game tables. I skip over one table, because none of the games are for Xbox 360. I go to the second table and spot some 360 games. I have minimal interest in the 3 games I initially see. I skip the NCAA and MLB-themed games because I am not that into sports. And I don't have much interest in SEGA Superstars Tennis. Then, a game catches my eye. I pick it up. I have never seen this game before. I have never even heard the name before. But I pick it up still. I read the title:
Viking: Battle For Asgard
I turn it over. The following is the paragraph on the back describing the game's plot. I have not changed any of it. There is not much else on the back of this game to help it sell. This paragraph is the only thing that stands between me buying this game or throwing it back on the pile. This is what it said:
"You are Skarin, a rage-fueled Viking warrior hell-bent on revenge. The goddess of death has resurrected a legion of demon warriors to overrun mankind and begin the apocalypse. Wage all-out war to annihilate the enemy and free the Earth from the grip of the Underworld."
I'll start playing it on Tuesday.
Anyway, I head over to the Best Buy. I look through the CD's trying to figure out if they alphabetize solo artists by their first name or their last name. Apparently, they do both. I find Jason Mraz's name and We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. is not there. Great. My reason for coming to Best Buy had just been shattered. So, I had to buy something else.
I head over to the comedy CD section because I haven't bought a comedy CD in quite a while. I don't even remember the last time I did. There's a bunch of CD's I already own, a bunch I did not want to own, and few I want to buy. I picked up a CD by this guy Mike Birbiglia. I had not heard of him that much before, but I recalled hearing good things about him. Having not heard his comedy before, I decided this would be the first part of my purchase.
I head up the escalator to the DVD section, for I knew I would not walk away from this Best Buy without at least one DVD in my hands. I notice immediately the "Hits for $6.99" sign, and look under it. I see a couple I'm interested in, but Fracture is the film that catches my eye. When such a good movie is available for less than $10, it must be mine. I decide it will be the second part of my purchase.
Slightly more down the row, I see Pineapple Express. It is the "Unrated Edition". I then take out my iPhone and look up the Wikipedia entry on Pineapple Express. Because I am the type of person that needs to own the best version of a movie out on DVD.
Say a movie called Hat is out on DVD. Then, say that there is a 2-disc unrated edition of Hat. Now say there is a 3-disc unrated edition of Hat with a bonus digital copy. I'm buying that version.
So, the Wikipedia entry for Pineapple Express says that there is an "Unrated Edition" and a "2-Disc Unrated Special Edition", so my mission becomes trying to find the "2-Disc Unrated Special Edition" in the store, otherwise I'm not buying Pineapple Express. I go to the Comedy section to see if there's any more copies of it, and if the "2-Disc Unrated Special Edition" is any of the ones amongst those copies. I scan across from M to R, an back to M and back to R. I look up and down at least twice before I finally hit the P's. I guess there aren't many films that begin with the letter P. That or Best Buy is slacking off. Anyways, once I hit the P's, I find one last copy of Pineapple Express. And guess what? It is the "2-Disc Unrated Special Edition". I decide it will make my purchase a trifecta.
So then, satisfied with my choices for the night, I head to the down escalator. I just randomly look around while on my ride, and then I look to the upper right. I see two tables with video games piled on top of them. On those tables I see paper signs. The signs read:
"Any game with these stickers (example of the sticker in question) is 50% OFF"
My head is frozen in place. I already have one CD and two DVD's. This purchase is already going to be a pretty penny (even though one of the DVD's is only 7 bucks). I ask myself, "Should I travel upstairs and see if there is anything worth purchasing one those tables?" The chances are slim that will find anything that is (a) worthy of being purchased when it has been marked down so much and will (b) work on the one console I own. I think it over until I'm nearly down the escalator, which means I thought it over for a while. Then, I decided. I'll take a chance.
I reach the bottom floor, do a U-turn, head back up the up escalator, and head over to the 50%-off video game tables. I skip over one table, because none of the games are for Xbox 360. I go to the second table and spot some 360 games. I have minimal interest in the 3 games I initially see. I skip the NCAA and MLB-themed games because I am not that into sports. And I don't have much interest in SEGA Superstars Tennis. Then, a game catches my eye. I pick it up. I have never seen this game before. I have never even heard the name before. But I pick it up still. I read the title:
Viking: Battle For Asgard
I turn it over. The following is the paragraph on the back describing the game's plot. I have not changed any of it. There is not much else on the back of this game to help it sell. This paragraph is the only thing that stands between me buying this game or throwing it back on the pile. This is what it said:
"You are Skarin, a rage-fueled Viking warrior hell-bent on revenge. The goddess of death has resurrected a legion of demon warriors to overrun mankind and begin the apocalypse. Wage all-out war to annihilate the enemy and free the Earth from the grip of the Underworld."
I'll start playing it on Tuesday.
OMG, I have a blog.
Greetings fellow internet viewers. I am Peter Awesome.
Now, it's very likely that you're asking yourself a very important question right now: "Why am I reading this?" I just want to let you know that I don't know.
Recently, I deleted an account from another blogging-esque website which I will call LiveDiary.com. When I wrote an entry on LiveDiary.com, I discovered that many, if not all, of my entries were negative in tone and contained an overuse of words that began with "f". I grew tired of giving off the impression that I was angry at the world. That is why I created this.
Here, I will do pretty much the exact opposite of what I did on LiveDiary.com.
On this blog, I intend to write about experiences of mine. But not just any experiences. The experiences I record here are ones that I find funny, unique, or just incredibly senseless. I've found that in the short time I've been on this planet, quite a few things have happened to me. I've also found that for many of them, when I tell people about them, they laugh. I like that. And so, here we are. I am here to recount my stories for your enjoyment.
Please, enjoy the good things you see here. Thank you.
Now, it's very likely that you're asking yourself a very important question right now: "Why am I reading this?" I just want to let you know that I don't know.
Recently, I deleted an account from another blogging-esque website which I will call LiveDiary.com. When I wrote an entry on LiveDiary.com, I discovered that many, if not all, of my entries were negative in tone and contained an overuse of words that began with "f". I grew tired of giving off the impression that I was angry at the world. That is why I created this.
Here, I will do pretty much the exact opposite of what I did on LiveDiary.com.
On this blog, I intend to write about experiences of mine. But not just any experiences. The experiences I record here are ones that I find funny, unique, or just incredibly senseless. I've found that in the short time I've been on this planet, quite a few things have happened to me. I've also found that for many of them, when I tell people about them, they laugh. I like that. And so, here we are. I am here to recount my stories for your enjoyment.
Please, enjoy the good things you see here. Thank you.
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