Twenty-Five April 2004
Suppose it's about time to write again. So, here is my first update in awhile, back by popular demand!! Well, back by the demand of Brandon, who is popular, thus, a popular demand. Man I am so awesome. Anyhow, a lot of shit has gone down since the last update. I don't really spend any weekends at home anymore. It's either UConn or Ithaca from pretty much every Friday afternoon until Sunday evening, which is pretty excellent. Living at home has been very challenging, especially after being gone for 4+ years. As I am sure most of my fellow graduates can attest to. Don't do it, ever. Graduate, that is. It really is the worst idea in the world. It's not like a degree helps you get a job anyways these days. I advise all of you who are still in school to just start failing your classes, and stay in school and have a good time (especially if you're not going to an expensive ass school). Then, once the economy starts looking up, start rocking your classes and then graduate. I'm kidding, really. Sort of.
Went up to the Dirty Thirty in Boston a few weekends back with Ferg to visit Durante and the Manseaus, which was a pretty sick ride. A lot of our friends went, there was even a Dallas Grab THem tournament in the midst of all the drinking (of which I took third place in). Ferg was in rare form - drunkest I've ever seen the kid. Pounding beers from a pitcher, rocking the Greg Norman hat with these monster headphones, and pushing people off beds. Loved all of it. Spring weekend was this weekend at UConn - pretty effing nuts if you want to know the truth. It was fun, but it X-Lot was a little too crazy for me, I think. I definitely had a good time as I always do visiting Al, but there were so many fucking people that I was just too busy taking it all in to get my drink on, properly. Pretty awesome moment from last nite at X-Lot:
Kyle "Just Finished a Liter of the Captain" Younghans: Hey, why don't you get a fucking haircut.
Kid With Long Hair:What? What the fuck did you just say?
KY:Huh? Oh. No, I was talking to that kid down there.
Kid:Fuckin' better have been. walks away
KY:...Fuckin pussy.
Hahaha, big big fan. Pretty funny. KY was in rough shape, psyched that he survived the nite. All in all, like I said before, I wasn't a huge fan of X-Lot. But just seeing the spectacle of fucking thousands and thousands of kids in the lot made it pretty worth it. Also, gotta say it was pretty awesome being able to walk right past a cop with an open container. Something sort of surreal about pounding a beer on a busy street in front of a cop. The cops were all pretty awesome. Seems like it would be an easy chance to be a dick to college students, but they were very respectful. Thirty arrests, or something like that. You honestly had to try wicked hard to get arrested. I could have raped one of their moms in the pooper in front of them and probably still wouldn't have gotten the cuffs.
The nite before was pretty fun though. We went to Celeron, and I was already three deep from dinner before we started making the trek. And when I say trek, I mean it. Pretty far, but liquid stamina's pretty sweet. Not being in school anymore has kinda lowered my tolerance in a nite to about 8 or so. So when I knocked back Keystone #12, I figured I might be in for some fireworks. (Not to be confused with the actual fireworks set off in X-Lot last nite). Saw a lot of people at Celeron, including Scott "Thug" R trying to mug my ass. Pretty funny. By that point I was plenty the hell drunk, and saw Scott's friend Stone. I just kept babbling about how half of Foulke You (my fantasy team in that league) was on the goddam disabled list and how Stone and I had the same Sox hat. Being drunk's pretty cool. So's drunkdialing. Looking back at my Call Log, I drunk dialed Amy, Jared, Ellen, Michelle, Courtney, Betsy, Kendra, and I think Evan. Fucking love it. Pretty pumped to see Ferg's Diary. "You think you know...but you have no idea." Haha, I'm pretty confident that I sure don't. Manzi was v-happy to see us at X-Lot, not sure if he remembers or not though.
So yeah, good times indeed at the Conn.
I think the coolest compliment I have gotten in the past few months came from Amy, which was, "Btw, you are soooo Seth Cohen that it weirds me out sometimes." Sick ride, I am such a fucking fan of Seth. That show has been all over the place lately. Really really hope that Eyebrows knocks the shit out of Caleb. And Julie better open her asshole to make room for Haley's foot. Hope Marissa gets shot and killed, as I always do. And I hope Luke (aka Ray Pruitt per Scott R) makes a return sometime soon, preferably to help kill Marissa. Summer's been winning me over as of late, and Kirsten remains one of two women over 30 that I have ever been physically attracted to. Not even mentioning anything about Teresa, because I feel like if I start I am going to become so annoyed and pissed off that I'll put my head through this monitor. What a fucking disgusting stupid whore. Her voice is like nails against the board (nabs). See, look at how agitated I am becoming. Maybe Luke could drink and drive again and take out both of those skanks. That would be the only time ever that I would condone drinking and driving. Sometimes the end justfies the means. Or, maybe that's switched. Whatever, dick, get off my back.
I'm out...and if ya' don't know, well know ya' know, SUCKAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Two March 2004
First of all, let me welcome you back to Awesome Thoughts. It's certainly been awhile. Holden said he hated this guy he knew, Carl Luce, because he was always saying "certainly" in conversation. Then he goes on to use it himself for the remainder of the book. Love Holden.
Perhaps this is your first visit to Awesome Thoughts, or even Duckies for that matter. The Duckies family is happy to have you here. Unless, of course, you are a total douche or a Yankees fan (same thing), in which case, you should go toss your mother's salad.
So I've had a "riddle" of sorts in my away message for the past few days. For those of you who missed it, here it is:
A woman attends her mother's funeral. At the funeral, she meets a man and talks with him for awhile. In the midst of all of this, she realizes she has fallen in love with him upon first sight. One week later, she murders her own sister. Why did she do this?
I actually got quite a few responses (n=26). Most people who answered this "riddle" responded with the standard "her sister was involved romantically with the man," or something very close to that, which is comforting. I'll explain why that is comforting in a bit. But in the meantime, here are a few of my favourites:
EC - It's obviously her sister's fiancee, that fucking whore.
Jocko "Craig" LaRue - she murdered her because her sister was a dirty bitch
Kirk Walker - i think it was her sister's husband that she met. besides, she always hated that triflin' bitch anyway
Nikki Scinto - eww. the man is her dad. and she killed her mom. gross
Scott "Scott R" Redman - id say her sister is a big time whore and after the funeral, she rammed the shit out of the guy, so the sister who fell in love with her had to off her (editor's note - i love this one...so funny)
Pole "Paul" McNamara - the man was her father and he was fucking her sister his daughter and they both killed the mother so she killed her sister, and her father is next
Ashley Mosher - because she's blood thirsty . . and can't afford to buy steaks for her at-home dinner date with the man from the funeral?
Becki Paterson - because she noticed her sister had a picture of an actor that resembled the man silk screened onto her panties. couldn't handle it.
Ed "Jumanji" Sujecki (how's that for old school?!) - It was a mercy killing. See, her sister was a red sox fan, and she couldn't bare the thought of her suffering through another season of sneaking in with the wild card and losing to the yankees in the playoffs....again. (editor's note - see the 2nd paragraph of this entry. 2nd editor's note - fuck you.)
Alan Aubin - so the man would show up to her sister's funeral. I know this makes me a psychopath.
Now Alan, that is interesting that you would say that. Yes friends, depending on who you ask, this "riddle" was not seeking a correct answer whatsoever. This is supposedly a psychological measure used to roughly identify those who exhibit psychopathic thought. Apparently, a study was conducted in which this question was offered to psychopath serial killers, and an overwhelming majority indicated a similar answer to Alan's. Some websites dispute this, claiming it to be a hoax (such as www.snopes2.com), and it may very well be one, but nonetheless, rather interesting. Out of the twenty-six people who responded to the question, EIGHT people responded in the supposed psychopathic manner. Get your calculators out, kiddies, that's about 31% of those surveyed. Sixteen males and ten females responded, and out of the eight who gave the apparent psychopathic response, four were male and four were female. That's some pretty interesting shit. So if you're a psychopath, we're not friends anymore. We're especially not friends if you're a psychopath and a Yanks fan. Actually, my dad also gave the psycho answer. I always knew his guinea ass was connected to the family. So thanks for responding, it was fun.
I have been hanging out with Ben and Al a lot lately. It's been really awesome. I love those kids, it's been really nice to get close to them. And by "close to them," I of course mean fucking them in the ass. No, but seriously, it's been a great time. Weekends at UConn have been SICK!
Can't get enough of the show 24. I have been watching season three this year, and I now own seasons one and two on DVD. It really is one sick ride of a show. I highly recommend it. I also highly recommend that you punch a Yankee fan in the back of the head when you see one today. Speaking of baseball, I've got the "Cowboy Up" of the 2004 season: Foulke You. How sick would it be if they sold Red Sox shirts that said that. I'm not gonna wait for them, I'll just make some, if anyone wants in, IM me and I'll hook you up with the details and cost.
Wish I was seeing more of Evan, Brett, the princeton kids, and my Ithaca housemates and friends from my graduating class...but oh well, whaddya gonna do. I miss you kids though. But I have to stress, all the people I met since this summer are totally awesome, it's been really cool hanging out with all of y'all. Hey Scott R, does this qualify as TED? Haha, probably. Jesus Christ, I just re-read this, I feel like I'm writing a goodbye note or something. Maybe I ought to hurl myself off of a bridge. This is an on-line journal now! I've got suicide threats in it, so it's official. Haha, ftsb (fuck that shit bitch). Oh, and fuck the FCC. I don't feel like getting too political, but we need to oust the fucking Bush regime. It's really fucking ridiculous. The goddam government is concerned with Janet Jackson's floppy disgusting tit (I don't use that word, but it really is the only way to descibe it...what we saw was not a "breast") instead of oh, I dunno, maybe Iraq? Or Afghanistan? Or the economy? I'm telling you all, please register to vote, and vote those dickheads out of office, before we regress to the 1920's in entertainment, and before we alienate the rest of the world even further. The Bush regime is making us look awful to the rest of the world. Vote their lame asses out.
Enough for now. And if you don't know, well now you know, SUCKAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Three January 2004
It's time to leave. Scratch that - I am ready to leave: it's not time yet. Forced to move home after not being able to secure a temporary job to pay my rent in Ithaca has been somewhat tough. It's highly discouraging to have to pay rent on an apartment that I don't even live in anymore, and even more discouraging to not have enough money to be paying rent on it. I am supposed to start substitute teaching again soon, and part-time waiting tables and tending bar which I suppose is good news, but until I have those first paychecks in my hand, I'm still nervous. I already owe hundreds to Dad, and my first student loan payment is due in four days. Good combo, huh? With all of these concerns comes the following: I don't want to be here. I have this weird...I don't know what the exact word for it is...maybe "hang-up"? I'll go with that. I have this weird motivational hang-up - if I am not feeling something a hundred percent, I can't get it done effectively. I am sure that sounds like something that everyone endures, but it feels very unique to me for some reason. For example, I want to start my life and job career and such, and even had an oppourtunity to do so (Connecticut Light & Power, where I worked this summer, offered me a full-time position) but I declined. Why? Because this was a position that would keep me on the phones for 8 hours/day, but that wasn't even the largest concern of mine. There was a 14 week training session - now that tells me that if you get through this training session, they're gonna want you there for some time. I have plans of moving away as soon as this summer, possibly at the end of the summer. Even though Connecticut Light & Power is part of one of the largest corporations in the Northeast, Northeast Utilities, I felt a motivational hang-up. I couldn't just work there for 6 months and then tell them I was leaving. I know full-well that NU wouldn't even blink as I turned in my ID and collected my last paycheck, but somehow I feel like I would be shortchanging them. Or maybe those who went to bat for me in the application process, maybe it is them I felt as though I would be letting down. And I would have taken this job if I was someplace I wanted to be and live. Once again, I don't hate it here in Bristol, but I know this is not the place I am going to end up. It's all very fucking weird. And this weird six to eight month period that I have begun is terrible - there's no chance to move forward, only less backward. I am going to be working to become less in-debt. And that wouldn't be so bad if it was just the standard student loans type of debt, but it's not - I currently am $2800 in the hole due to my lease that still needs to be paid on my apartment in Ithaca (in addition to $700 owed to Dad). I couldn't find a soul to take it. So, in theory, if I can pull in let's say $450/week (assuming I sub 4-5 times each week and make some money tending bar), right off the bat one paycheck per month is roughly gone. Then keep in mind the $120.88 that I owe per month for student loans, and I find that I begin each month $520.88 in the hole. I feel like I'm paying alamony for Christ's sake. This period feels similar to a rocky part in a relationship, let's say, not knowing if you're gonna stay together or if you're gonna get the boot. There's nothing you can really do - you can't break things off, because you so very much want to be involved still, but you can't make things go any faster either. You know, this is more like a hangover than a relationship on the rocks. You know your head is going to stop pounding and your stomach will stop churning, but you can't make it better by doing anything. You've got to wait it out. Sure you can try to get some water down ("get a job") or pop some advil ("find someone to take your apartment for a month"), but in all actuality, you've just got to wait it out. And that is some frustrating shit. I'm frustrated. And this was boring.
Parties at the Aubins' have been so fun this break. I watched cKy4 the other day with Amy, and watched Bam and his friends smack the shit out of each other. So, naturally, I started hitting myself in the face and found that it didn't hurt so much. Then at the Aubins' that nite, I was making people smack me in the face when I was drunk. No one would really hit me hard, except for Durante. He was slapping the shit out of me, and I loved it. It didn't hurt that much at all. Maybe I could be friends with Bam someday, after all. Something to look forward to, I guess?
Eleven November 2003
Who needs living on their own, anyway? Haha, I do, that's who, but it looks like that idea's gonna be put on hold for awhile. Strike one! Once IC breaks for the winter holidays, I am moving back home to Bristol, because Ithaca has no jobs. Or at least none that I'm willing to work. I don't want to be washing dishes, selling dope, or sucking dick, so I am outta here. Too bad, I am enjoying myself quite a bit, but hey, that's how it goes sometimes.
One thing I won't miss is my job at Mayer's. Where else can you experience the vices of gambling, tobacco, coffee, and porn all at one place? You'd think it would be a bitchin' like, supercasino or something, right? No, it's a stupid fucking little store near the Commons in Ithaca that is extremely boring and pays me well under six dollars an hour. The only redeeming quality of the whole thing is that the people I work with are pretty cool, but that's not even everyone. Everyday I have to wake up and go to Mayer's, it makes me want to eat my own poop. Terrible. Don't get me wrong, selling incest porn magazines to weird motherfuckers who wear security guard jackets with a 20oz bottle of Sprite in each breast pocket, brownish-yellow long ass fingernails, terrible breath, and Spongebob fucking Squarepants baseball caps is really fucking awesome and really makes me feel like I am contributing to society. Jesus Christ! This is the type of shit I do at my job right now. Going home won't be so bad. Despite how angry this sounds, I am laughing pretty steadily while writing this, so it's no big deal. Gotta keep laughing :).
I guess I haven't much more to write today, but check out the new Belle & Sebastian album, as well as the Darkness. So good!! And if ya' don't know, well now ya' know, suckaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
Twenty-Nine September 2003
Another grey, cloudy, rainy day in Ithaca. This kind of day is actually my favourite. I'm always sort of perplexed by people who complain about the weather on days when it's not 75 degrees and sunny. I pretty much believe that it's become a social expectation to dislike the rain, and bitch about cloudy days. I used to do the same, until I realized that it's not really a big deal at all. So it's raining - I guess the concern would be getting wet, yeah? Do the same people get up in the morning, jump in the shower and start complaining to themselves?
"Son of a bitch, I'm all soaking wet."
How silly! So one might have to wear an extra layer or two - I guess the concern is that it's too cold to comfortable, yeah? But aren't there just as many people who complain when it's too hot? It isn't like we live in a frozen climate like Mars or a boiling one like Venus, and I just have a really hard time believing that people are really that upset about "imperfect" weather. It's another excuse to bitch about things, and let's face it, the majority of people like to bitch...myself included. But I just find it interesting when the bitching occurs and it's totally unnecessary - by "unnecessary," I mean that what is being bitched about doesn't truly bother the person.
It's raining, get over it. Also, if it never rained and was never cloudy, then summer beach days wouldn't be so enjoyable. To quote from one of my favourite movies State and Main..."if you were never down, how would you know when you were up?" Exactly. And even the fact that I just used that line is funny - it's already ingrained that being "down" is compared to "imperfect" or rainy days. But you get the point, right? Relax and stay positive.
Was thinking of perhaps a new career goal - teaching current events/international relations courses to college kids. That would be really fun and interesting, I think. Music and international relations are pretty much the only two things I am passionate about these days..I can already see myself incorporating music into those classes. Maybe I should start thinking about GRE's and grad school and such. And if I were to take on this role, it would keep me fresh and sharp on important issues, and if I ever wanted to persue a diplomat role, it would be a good place to start, I believe. I might even stay in America if I decide to go this route. My only concern about staying in America in terms of my career, is that I'd be way too honest to land a diplomat position. Eh, whatevs, I'll cross that bridge when I get there.
I recommend al-Jazeera news to all of you interested in international relations. It is of course the famous/infamous news station out of Qatar that strives for a fair and balanced look at world issues(no, i'm not talking about Fox's make-believe fair and balanced news). It is really interesting to read about how things the United States does are interpreted in the Middle East, and the differences in which news is disseminated to the public. And it is a great oppourtunity to understand another political, or even social viewpoint that we'd otherwise, never really get a chance to experience. I'm not saying al-Jazeera is the truth, but it's no more not the truth than say, CNN. Of course I offer this, your very own Mister "strives-for-the-middle-and-is-deathly-afraid-to-totally-pick-one-side-or-the-other" Mikey.
One side I can totally choose is that Dick(head) Cheney is a fucking idiot. I trust Bush a million times more than Cheney, and I of course am not Bush's top supporter by a longshot. The latest thing to set me off has been Bush's speech a few weeks ago saying something to the effect of, "You guys thought that Iraq and 9/11 were linked? Wherever would you come up with that crazy idea?" Oh I dunno, maybe from your stupid fucking mouth, Mister President? That's all we heard from the Bush Administration in the speeches attempting to rally the public for a war in Iraq (which, largely worked, despite the consistant protests). Things similar to "September 11 changed the world - we now know how vulnerable we are to attack, and we can't give places like Iraq the green light oppourtunity to take advantage of our vulnerabilities." Which if you take a look at, is a very vague, clever way to trick the listener into believing that the two were linked. And it's not just ignorant people who believed this garbage, really smart people also bought into this and it killed me. Hussein and Iraq was not an easy decision - but don't attempt to manipulate your public into believing something completely untrue. Was Hussein the only political leader to formally celebrate the attacks on 9/11? Yes, he was. But to suggest that he had a part in such an attack is completely assenine and wishful thinking on the behalf of the Bush administration. Think about it this way - if someome is killed, and another person says something like, "Good, I hated that guy anyway," does that mean that he killed him? Can we be pissed off at the person who celebrated someone's death? Of course, but that does not necessarily by any means implicate him in the murder. Capisci?
Bush, perhaps citing his chance at remaining president slowly slipping from his grasp, has had a sudden desire to come clean more often...at least he has said, "we haven't really found any proof that the two entities were linked" which is Bushese for "sorry about that one, I fucked up." (Btw, why does he say these things to Congress only, and not in his State of the Union or other speeches on television? Perhaps taking advantage of the overall ignorance and overwhelming desire to live in a land of "we-can-do-no-wrong-as-Americans-and-we'd-rather-not-hear-about-it-when-we-do-in-fact-act-poorly"?) Rice even had the balls (or the ovaries, whatever) to say "We have never claimed that Saddam Hussein had either direction or control of 9/11" (CNN.com, 17 September 2003). You stupid bitch. Do you listen to your boss's speeches? Cheney is right there with her, saying "It's not surprising" that most Americans believe Saddam was involved in the attacks (NBC, "Meet the Press").
Clark? Dean? Someone start bailing us out please...it hasn't even stopped flooding, more seems to just get added everyday, and that liquid is not water, but international hate and contempt for our country. And no one likes to be hated. Well, not me, at least.
And if you don't know, well now you know, sucka.
Thirteen September 2003
Ahh, Ithaca - post graduation. It's weird being here - weirder than I thought it would be, for sure. The living sitch is pretty cool. Smackie and I share a two person place, and Tim, John, and Pat live right across from us in the same house and all. We've even started a Beer Pong League, that Smackie is making a website for. Stay tuned for that.
But I miss my friends I graduated with. You know (or maybe you don't), after you're in a particular place for an extended amount of time, those people you are close to sort of identify the town, state, whatever you're in...And now that those people have gone, Ithaca feels very different. I'd like to make a few trades - bring back some folks who belong here and give the fucking boot to people I could do without. Hah! But oh well, everyone needs someone they can do without in their life - keeps one on one's toes, I 'spose. And I haven't many people I'd like to leave this town, but I guess the few count pretty big. But ain't that how it goes for everyone?
I am ready to go some place far away, I think. Pedante says he'll come with me, which is pretty awesome. I think he'd be a wicked good room mate. Also, I learned this year that I would not be able to go away by myself as I thought I could. I depend on folks more than I thought. That's okay too. So Mark and I are either headed for England or New Zealand, unofficially. But not to New England or Zealand. Don't worry. Wonder if I'm ready for grad school yet. By next year I mean. Oh well, 'spose I've some time to think about it, huh?
Short update today. Sorry! Adios.
Twenty-Seven July 2003
What up suckas...just enjoying this lazy Sunday afternoon and thought it was about that time to update the hottest website this side of the International Date Line, junior! The summer is going by wicked fast as it tends to do, so I am trying to make some of these days productive beyond my job which swallows up a lot of my time and energy...but hey, you gotta do whatcha gotta do to get some dough, you unda'dig?
I've written a couple more songs this summer. They are called "You Have Come Again" and "Nobody's Paid." I didn't realize, but those two put me at eight solo songs, total. That's a pretty SR. If I work at them enough and I feel confident, I may try to record them, whether it be on my own or with a band behind me. Here's the line-up so far, in no particular order:
1. You Have Come Again
2. Nobody's Paid
3. Tear Free Nite
4. Before
5. May
6. What I Want to do For You
7. Tomcat
8. Candids
I feel like my vocals are growing more and more everytime I play one of my songs, which is a nice feeling. The music in all of them is wicked simple, but as far as I am concerned, personally my chord progressions serve only two purposes: create a mood in the audience, and give me something to yell and scream over. And in all cases so far, it's gotten that done. I am going to start to call places like ABC Cafe and Juna's in Ithaca to try to get some silly solo shows, so I can stay fresh in performing for people.
I've done a bit of introspection ("GOD PLEASE SPARE ME MORE REJECTION!"...sorry, couldn't resist quoting mister ben) over the past couple of weeks, and I figured out why it is that I approach and deal with relationships in the manner in which I do. I am so goddam picky when it comes to me having feelings for somebody, that I can hardly ever find anyone who fits the part - I can think of probably only six people or so that I have really liked in my entire life. So when someone comes along who actually fits into my boundaries, I am completely blown away and I tend to jump in with two feet. And sometimes it works out, and sometimes it doesn't - but either way, I learn a little more about myself and about others, so I can dig it.
Hokey doke, enough for today...and if you don't know, well now ya' know, SUCKAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Twenty-Five June 2003
Holy shit it's been awhile! I've been busy with everything - you know, graduating college, beer, golf, a job, etc... I have neglected my Duckies and my loyal Duckies readers, but all that has come to and end.
Graduating college was one of the most surreal experiences I have had in awhile. They separated us by school (for those of you who don't know Ithaca College's set-up, there is a school for Communications, Health Sciences, Humanities and Sciences, etc.), which was kind of a bummer. Even though my group of friends was pretty spread out amongst the five schools, the majority of those whom I spent time with were enrolled in the Park (Communications) School. So I said "fuck it" and walked and sat with them anyhow. It was especially awesome when they called upon each school to stand up and be recognized, and I was one of about 2 people standing in the Park section when "Humanities and Sciences" was called. Haha, sweet ride.
I thought I would be pretty upset at graduation; to quote Stuart Murdoch, "I always cry at endings," but I really didn't get very emotional at all. I think it has to do with a few things: 1)I really couldn't consciously deal with the fact that I won't be seeing a lot of my college friends for a long time, some maybe ever again, and my defense mechanism was to tell myself, "of course you're going to see them again, silly." Kinda like Sarah Schulte's commonly used away message around that time - "We're not saying goodbye, we're just saying see you later." Yeah, I could buy into that. And 2) I am going back to Ithaca in August, to take the infamous year off from school and my career or further schooling or what-have-you. And that makes me feel better because I have a lot of friends who are going to be seniors, juniors, and even sophomores next year that I will get to spend some more time with.
So graduation came and went - that weekend was pretty fun, I mostly spent all my time with my family and the Aucoins, which was a lot of fun. I swear to Cheadle, I have such a good time when our families get together. The Aucoins are a rare group of people who understand, appreciate, and are not offended by my humour - which makes for really fun group dinners. I really enjoy them.
If you want to know the truth, the last Thanks Mr. Brown show was more emotional for me than graduation was. I had a great time, but you know, every song we played I was saying to myself "Wow, that's probably the last time I'll ever perform that song with these guys or anyone really." It was kind of crazy to think about that. And the crowd we pulled was so great - so many of our friends who supported us all along, and some who were watching their first TMB show ever, but they made us all feel like we were something more than just another college, bar-playing band and for that I am eternally grateful. I already miss playing with those guys, and seeing them for rehearsals and such, and on the weekends. Being in that band was the best thing I did in college, and I thank everyone who came to see us, bought our CD, put the sticker on their car, and Sky, Joey, Bear, Jason, and Gabe for letting me play music with them.
I miss my friends from school. No doubt. Got to see Jared & co. last week in Natick, so that was really nice. But I miss all the other folks. I'll get to see my "orientation leader" buddies come 4th of July at Yager's, which I am looking forward to quite a bit. Already planning out my country mix CD's for that one!
Speaking of planning, I am planning my video application for the Real World, season 15 (we're in 13 right now in case you were wondering). I have to be on that show. I so want to, I think it would be the best. And I will be on it. I guarentee it. Or something. This season has been really good so far - probably my favourite ever. Last season was so bad - they should have called it "Slut Fucking in Vegas" instead of the Real World. How shitty. And what a bad cast. But this season is awesome. For those of you who don't know, I am in love with Mallory. She is the most beautiful girl, physically, that I have ever seen. No exaggeration. I can't wait til I'm on season 15 and we meet at the reunion and Battle of the Sexes. It is totally going to be a sweet fucking ride.
The summer's been slow thus far - got a job at Northeast Utilities which pays well, but is pretty boring. Social life on the weeknites is reduced to watching wrestling, poker nite, and watching the Real World. Which I guess is pretty good. I've been pretty tired though. Next-to no carbs will do that to you.
Okay, enough for this returning edition of Awesome Thoughts...and if ya' don't know, well now you know, SUCKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.
Seventeen April 2003
Sometimes I listen to a song, and it really just blows me out of the water. Not a particular song, but just any really solid song. It makes me so happy, and makes me wish that in my life I could write just one of those songs, yeah? For instance, right now I am listening to Eddie Vedder cover The Who's Naked Eye and it's so awesome. And I'm sure that's how Eddie Vedder viewed the song, and maybe even said to himself, "Man, I hope I can write such a good song someday." And now there are recordings of him covering the songs that most likely influenced him to write in the first place. What a trip it would be, someday, if there were recordings me me covering tunes like In Hiding or Long Road or something like that, which fans maybe traded to one another. And how awesome would it be if I was lucky enough to write a song that people viewed as one of these, and they covered it much like Eddie covered Pete? Wow, my grammar is sucking balls right now. Eh, that's okay, can't win 'em all, yes?
Was listening to Coldplay the other day, as I tend to do, and Clocks pops on (which, btw, is a perfect example of the songs I was talking about in the aforementioned paragraph) and I always pay attention to the lyrics, but one of the phrases kinda caught me more so than usual.
"...cursed missed oppourtunities..."
And I don't want to get into a "Oh my God, college is ending soon and this means so much to me and that means so much and I love this person but oh I hate this person" kinda rant here, but I do need to vent out a bit. I really don't want to look back on school, even so near as a few months from now and say, "Shit, I shoulda done that," on anything. I've got three main regrets already, after being at school for almost four years - I should have at least tried out for the IC Men's Chorus, there's no way in fuck I should have passed up going to Australia when I had the chance, and I should have knocked out the one kid in the world who in my eyes, deserved, and still deserves, to be knocked out. Yeah, I know, "you're such a tough guy, Mikey!" Haha, I know I'm no big shot, and certainly not a violent person, but if you figure that I know probably thousands of people, and there's just one who I feel deserves to get their ass beat, then there's gotta be pretty good reason. But I digress!
I just hope I'm not in the middle of causing any regrets right now. That's why I guess I've become a little more spontaneous towards the end of school, and I feel like everyone could benefit from perhaps doing the same. Maybe you should skip that class on that rare sunny, warm day to toss the 'bee around, maybe you should get your ass out of bed on that cold fucker of a day to get to that class where you'll learn something new that could totally change your life, if you feel a connection towards someone that makes no logical sense except for maybe in your heart, ask him/her out and persue that shit. If you go down, that's totally fine, but it's always so much better to go down swingin' than staring, ya' unda'dig? And who knows, maybe once or twice something beautiful will grow of it, which can only lead to smiles. Just because some of us are graduating, doesn't mean that things should be written off before they have a chance to grow. Everyone could stand to smile a little more, so far as I see it. Cliche? Most likely. But still true, suckers, still true.
No more regrets, kids. What's done is done, and that's fine too...Karma's taking care of us all. Take advantage, y'all...take advantage.
Five April 2003
Holy shit, so today I came up with this awesome idea. I'm really excited about it. I apologize for my enthusiasm, but I think it's really awesome (I can already see LC making fun of this in a future Down With Duckies).
Okay, ready?
Go. I think that in five years, and five years after that, and so on, and so on, and so on, and so on, and so on, and so on....and so on for ever and ever, I would like to try to organize a party with all my college friends. I think that would be so fucking fun. Not a classy party either, I mean one of the sleazy ones we're all used to - the kegs of terrible beer, beer pong tables, loud music, me carrying around a twelve of Beast Lite...I just think that would be so fun. The only problem is I most-likely won't be in the States in five years, so it might be dfficult to organize things. But we should do it. It's gonna be awesome when we're old enough where we have to find sitters for our kids and such, and even better when we're around seventy or something, in wheelchairs and the like. Wheelchair beer pong would be the coolest thing ever. I kinda want to do that now, forget waiting til I actually need one.
Country music is funny.
Also, my favourite thing to do these days is get wicked drunk and then spout off things I probably wouldn't have the balls to say sober. It's the best. I don't even feel silly about it the next day. I think everyone should do that, and if you don't like alcohol, then I hate you. I mean, then you can pretend to be drunk and stuff.
I guess that's it for now, kids. And if ya' don't know, well now ya' know, SUCKAAAAaaaaa
One April 2003
Well, I know I said I wouldn't get personal on my site, because I just am not the type of person to do so...but I guess there are always exceptions to the rule. This is one of those exceptions.
I've been in a really weird mood lately, and I can't really place why. I've been trying really hard to figure out what the hell is going on, and I've done a lot of thinking. The conclusion that I came to was both unexpected, yet relieving at the same time.
I'm pretty sure I'm gay.
It's so stupid to come out on a website, but I don't feel like I have the courage to tell my friends and family to their faces. I have no idea how people are going to react, and frankly I'm a bit petrified to tell most people. I don't know what other way to spillt it, I guess.
I hope, if you're reading this, that you don't freak out. Odds are that I am not, nor was I ever attracted to you, guys, and gals...nothing personal. I just think I'd be happier being with a man.
I've started seeing someone, and I'm really happy. If you'd like to see a picture of us, please click here. Trev and I are really happy together. Please be understanding. Thank-you.
Twenty-two March 2003
Some dude just brought a tour through here (an Ithaca College tour for perspective students and their families), and he was so shitty that I wanted to get up and take the tour o'er. Man oh man, if that douche was my tour guide, I'd probably sooner go to Eatmyass University. Don't get me wrong, they've got a wonderful salad tossing program, but that's about it.
Wartime, eh? Pretty interesting, whether you're for or against it. Especially for our generation - those of us in college, or at least those of us 18+. It's pretty nuts to think that it could technically be one of us out there fighting - maybe it actually is one of us. I wouldn't be able to handle it. It makes me nervous to just watch Baghdad being blown to shit on CNN. This is also the first time we've been at war while being mature enough to think about it and debate it. In '91, I was 10 years old, and I didn't really give a shit. The radio reports would come on in the car, they'd talk about more Iraqis being killed and I would cheer from the backseat.
The plus side of this is at least I've used those 10 years to mature. I can't say the same for many others. Whether you back this war against Iraq or you don't, I find it absolutely inexcuseable to celebrate the loss of innocent lives. It's bullshit. I understand the resentment, and how the majority of the resentment has come from our largely corporate media forms shoving it down our throats ever since we parked our asses in front of a television for the first time, but it still doesn't justify people enjoying the deaths of people who have never hurt us, never even seen us, and largely, aren't even anti-American! Is the concept of war stimulating? Of course. Exciting, even? Sure. But something to celebrate? Not in my opinion. I really wish our cable networks carried al-Jazeera, the brodcasting channel based in Qatar. It would be a nice balance in terms of what exactly is going on in Iraq right now. Anyone who cheers the loss of innocent lives in Iraq, in my opinion, should also cheer 9/11 and not condemn it. Think about that. Why should it be different? Because they're not on our team? Bullshit again. Iraqis and Americans are on the same team - against Saddam and against dying.
Speaking of 9/11, I think it's time that we start preparing for the next attack - physically as well as psychologically. We know it's (or they're) coming, our government has even admitted this. But I too, am still stuck in this state of semi-denial. What I mean is I know it's coming, but it won't properly affect me until it's happened - or maybe after.
In terms of protests, I respect almost all of those involved, but I offer a few challenges.
1. Respect others' points of views.
2. When the next elections roll around, utilize your emotions and viewpoints to the fullest. Don't think Bush should have another term? Get out and vote. Don't think that hawkish senators should remain in office? Vote them out. For that is the true form of protest. I hope the fire inside of people concerning this issue, be you liberal or conservative, remains around election time.
And if ya' don't know, well now you know, suckaaaa.
Eighteen March 2003
Back from Panama City, Florida, which, depending on how you feel is either the Mecca of Spring Break locations, or the firey pits of moral degeneration.
It's probably both.
Sleaze? Check. Beer? Check. Beautiful people everywhere? Check. Beautiful people acting like garbage? Check. Sleaze? Check. Sleaze? Check.
Haha, it was really fun though, actually. Went down with Gerard, Lancey, and Buf, two of Buf's friends he went to high school with (Steve and Bill), and one of their friends, Dave. It was a perfect group of people to go on break with. I was really happy that we all got along so well. Bill, Steve, and Dave were a collective riot. So funny. And Dave's gonna be the next WWE champion too. Y'heard it here first.
Some of Dave's catchphrases:
"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh." (uttered with slight smile on face)
"Own it!"
On Southern Folk there - "We won the war!"
"THINK ABOUT IT!"
Pretty awesome. There were some crazy happenings, good whiffleball games (I happen to own Bill on the pitcher's mound - what up eight strikeouts?), lots of gross beer, beautiful weather, little jared almost falling out of a thong, and much much laughter.
Buf's on his way to North Carolina State Penetentiary - look for him on America's Most Wanted as the Wifebeater Speeder. Bill suggested that Buf wasn't stopped due to excessive speed, but that his chosen outfit for the way home (wifebeater, shorts, and sandals) was the problem. Bill thought it was the fashion police who pulled him over. Which is pretty fucking hilarious.
Good break. Good bunch of guys. Looking forward to visiting those guys in Binghamton, to whip a little more ass in pong. Think about it! Mike = Spring Break Beer Pong Champion!
Peace.
Four March 2003
Just a few quick things. Number one, everything I say here is just my opinion. I think that goes without saying. Number two, I hope this section isn't viewed as a "weblog" or a "blog" or something like that. I would hope that people can realize that I would never post my journal entries on the internet. If that's your kinda thing, that's totally fine and right on for you liking it. But it's just not my bag.
Okay, now with all the administrative shtuff out the way.
Oh my God I met this girl and her name is Adrianna and I am in love with her but she is not in love with me and I cry every nite and I don't know what to do.
That was a joke, see? Playing off of silly web logs. :)
Thinking more about Thanks Mr. Brown coming to an end, after reading Joey's latest entry on his ramblings section. It's pretty crazy that we're almost done. Joe pretty much said most of how I feel, so I won't regurgitate it, but I was kind of thinking a bit more. I almost see it as the way relationships should end, you know? It's a mutual split, not really a break-up. There's no hard feelings, everyone's gonna go and do whatever will make them happy and that's pretty awesome. I often compare being in a band to being in a relationship, but it's pretty great that this isn't ending on a sour or poor note. With that being said, I am extremely excited about starting something new. Being part of, and helping to found Thanks Mr. Brown has pretty much been the best thing I have ever done in college, maybe in my life. All I ever really wanted to do was be in a band that played shows, and put out a CD, and we accomplished that. I learned so much from TMB, and I don't doubt at all that what I have learned I will take with me in the next endeavour(s). I'm really grateful to the guys I've been playing with, and grateful to the people who have come to see us and support us. It's helped me to grow as a performer, a musician, and a singer, and that's pretty awesome. It always pays off to surround yourself with people who are better than you musically (on all levels), because...to be continued...
...if you're surrounded by more talented people, you can't help but grow. It's awesome. Word.
Seventeen February 2003
Happy Seventeen!
Haven't updated in awhile, chalk it up to laziness. Go ahead, chalk it. I said chalk it, motherfucker! I guess I've kinda been busy too though. Dave Lacey's musical has been taking up a lot of my time, but it's going to be really wonderful. I have a small chorus part, but somehow in these small ass parts, I end up drawing the one that has the coolest line. Well, one of the coolest. Last year I got TFox's "Who is really?," which is an sr. Maybe you had to see it . Today we got about a billion inches of snow, it licks my balls. Not to be confused with the popular band Ballz.
Mom and Cesus came up this weekend, along with my cousin Joey and his wife, Anne to see Thanks Mr. Brown play. It was the best. I don't know, but everything fell into place. The truth is I haven't been excited about a Thanks Mr. Brown show since September, and it's no secret that we've lost the momentum we once had. Maybe I should only speak for myself. But I don't know, I think when we first came on the Ithaca music scene in the beginning of sophomore year, we had people talking. We were this two week-old band who managed to place ahead of Ithaca bands who had been around for years, at the 2000 Battle of the Bands. We were fun, we were different, and we had potential. I think we had potential to be what Revision is to Ithaca right now. Revision is the best overall band out of Ithaca I have ever seen. They have it all - musical ability, catchy songs, great vocals, awesome presence, and they draw every time they play. Somewhere along the way, we just lost a step. I think I noticed it when we came back at this year's Battle of the Bands, and it just wasn't there. We placed third, after beating out Revision the previous year. People told me not to let it get to me, but I mean, it was disappointing. Not even the third place finish, I didn't even really care about that, but just our performance. Granted we hadn't played in about eight months, but it was just flat. And I think it remained flat all year.
Until last Saturday nite.
It was the first gig since like November in which the roads weren't shitty, and once they were driveable, people flocked. We must have drawn almost 300 people, and the Alms did a hell of a job drawing as well. I started off the nite with just me and my electric, playing Pearl Jam's Long Road and Coldplay's Green Eyes, and I just had a blast playing guitar in front of people again. The Alms took the stage soon after, and were just awesome. I kinda feared that we'd be shown up. Mark Pedante and company were so fun to watch. A lot of energy, and it's one more band that I will support from here on in.
So when we got on stage after their set, I just felt something kind of different. I was pumped. My family was there, almost all of my friends were there, and I was ready to fucking rock it. And rock it we did. I tend to have two types of shows - those in which I stress my vocal performance, and those in which I stress my performance performance. Saturday nite, I was out to perform. If my vocals suffered a bit, and if I didn't hit every single note I should have, it didn't concern me. I wanted to pump people up, and I was far too pumped myself to not go crazy. The end result came with my best performance I've ever had with TMB, a bruised elbow, a neck that I couldn't move the next day, somewhat of a headache (from whacking it against the bass several times), and an aggrivated jaw.
Rock and roll.
Thanks Mr. Brown will play its final shows over the next couple of months, but for the time being, we've got whatever that thing was we were missing back. It's back. Don't miss our last few shows. We're gonna go out with a bang.
And if ya' don't know, well now ya' know, SUCKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.
Four February 2003
Okay, I know I just updated, but something really funny happened today. I was in the Campus Center lobby area, talking with Devin, Gabe, and Parillo and we were laughing and joking and it was fun and such. Then someone, I don't remember whom (I think it was Parillo) told us to turn around and look at a girl behind us. I turned and saw some girl bent down at a table, talking with someone, and turned back, not noticing anything in particular. Then I looked again, and her thong and her ass cheeks were hanging so far out of her pants! It was so funny, I couldn't stop laughing, and Gabe, Devin, and Parillo were laughing and it was just a really fun twenty minutes or so. Not just because of Thongy McAsscheeks, although her performance was highly entertaining. I wish I saw her face, so I could recognize her around campus and then it would make me laugh even more.
Three February 2003
I've had so many thoughts o'er the past week that I know I'll end up only remembering like two or three of them. But here goes, anyhow.
You ever see someone that you never thought you'd end up seeing again? For instance, an acquaintance of mine just came up to me whom I thought had graduated last year, and thus, thought I would never see again, and we chatted for a bit. Man, it was so weird. Plus, my whole "can't recognize faces" thing made me think that it wasn't even her. But I digress. Anyhow, she didn't graduate, and I don't know why, but I am like really in a good mood from it. It's not even like we were close at all. In fact, I wouldn't even say I am friends with her. So why am I feeling so nice from this? I barely know anything about her. I guess I feel one of those connections towards her. You know (or maybe you don't), one of those feelings like "I don't know you yet, but I have a feeling that if we do get to know each other, a wicked strong bond would form." I don't even mean in a romantic sense. If any of you know anything about Buddhism or Eastern thought, I guess this feeling could be likened to...I don't know, sensing a particular good "energy" or "aura" from someone. She's only the third person I've ever had such a feeling for. How crazy. I didn't even remember her name, I had to look in the damn facebook to remember. I guess my mind kind of subconciously decided that I would never see her again or something, and thus, didn't have to remember her name. Haha, how embarrassing. It's fine though, I laugh about it.
In other news, I've kept up with my gym schedule, which is a pretty sweet ride. I'm gonna have muscles. Heh, probably not, actually, but it makes me feel good when I get done. Actually, I'll probably get some muslces. Especially once the 'roids kick in. Creatine is for pussies.
I did pretty decently, to my surprise, academically speaking last semester. Especially surprising since I had to take Neuroscience. So I was thinking, I was originally set to take Personality pass/fail, but Michelle convinced me to revoke it and get a grade. I was pissed off at first, since we had to write like 17,069 pages for the class, but later realized that if I had taken it pass/fail, that A- wouldn't have counted towards my GPA. As it stands now, I am eligible for the lowest honours again, for the first time since sophomore year. So thanks to her, I will probably graduate with honours. That's pretty fucking sweet.
Okay, short and sweet this week. I'm done.
Home...star....run....run.
Twenty-Seven January 2003
Just thinking about a few things today. One, is I went to the gym today, which was pretty unexpected. I had been anti-gym this entire semester thus far, but when I woke up this morning, I found myself placing a pair of mesh shorts and a huge t-shirt in my bag to take with me to campus. I had just gotten through telling Michelle that it's ridiculous for people to go to the gym for a week, maybe even three and then just stop. New Year's resolution? Pfft. So I said I hated that shit, mostly because I have been that person several times. It's not fair to those faithful gym goers who now have to wait in line for the moron who's convinced that he or she is going to go to the gym like sixty-nine times a day, you know?
So with all that being said, yes, I myself made the journey. So here's my line of thinking - I must have decided to go to the gym this morning, because I finally gained a motivation, whether the source be conscious or not. I figure if I start going, and I peter out like I have done in the past, I will prove my own self-hypocrisy. And that my friends, would hump. It's one thing for someone else to call you a hypocrite, but something altogether different when it's self-labeled. So, if I don't go to the gym at least three times a week til I go to Panama City, I will be a hypocrite. Boom, there you have it. Hopefully I can make it all year, but I'm gonna stick with short-term goals for now. You won't find me swilling creatine drinks like my housemates, but maybe you'll find me in somewhat better shape. No promises, though.
What else? Oh, right. I'm trying to make some sense out of what the hell is going on this semester. It's weird, I'm up most of the time, but there's downtime for sure. But is it shitty? I don't think so. Especially when I place it in some context. How about my situation one year ago, when during this very minute 365 days ago, I was trying to figure out how I could go home for the semester. This is cake, in comparison. Or, even better, I think about a friend of mine, who's boyfriend was just shipped off to Kuwait for six months. And I have the fucking nerve to bum around once in awhile because things aren't perfect? What a self-centered fuck I can be sometimes. I'm not down on myself though, despite that last sentence. I'm just taking comfort in the fact that I can recognize how silly it is to feel that way, when so many other issues are so much more important. The people of Iraq probably have sore necks from looking to the sky, anticipating American bombs falling on them and their houses and loved ones. And I have the nerve to bum out? Nonsense.
This is not to say that people shouldn't get upset, or that we should all play this huge game of "well, this happened to me, so it gives me the right to bitch," or whatever. I'm just saying that it's absolutely necessary to keep things in perspective. Healthier too.
So if I may be so immodest as to quote myself (believe me, I hardly think I'm worthwhile enough to be quoted,) from one of the newer Thanks Mr. Brown songs:
Hey kiddo, said where we goin' today?
Have we been there before?
'Cause I see blue skies, but I don't see a sun.
I guess I'll look, I guess I'll look a little more.
Go on and love today.
Love conquers all of the bad stuff. Or at least makes it easier to deal, so go on and love today. Anything. Anyone. It's fine. Sorry to sound silly.
Oh, one more thing. Remember all that talk about karma that I mentioned last time? I'm completely sold on it. Not even to say I necessarily think the cause is some supernatural force or whatever (because if you want to know the truth, while it would be very ignorant of me to make a judgement either way, I don't really think supernatural forces control karma...just a silly hunch I have), but it just seems to work out. And the main thing that forced me to take a closer look at karma, and helped me deal a bit, has come back and proved itself true. If you're going to shit on someone to make you smile, be prepared to eat it a few months later. It's how it goes, champ.
Okay! Chin up.
Go!
Twelve January 2003
I just watched Avril Lavigne on SNL. Her voice is okay, but I guess this new single of hers, "I'm With You," is supposed to be more of the kind of music she wants to make. I'm pretty sure she said something like that. Anyhow, it sounds like recycled Alanis when she lets loose...eek. She's pretty easy on the peepers, I'll say that. I guess I just like halfway decent looking girls in thrift shop t-shirts who can carry a tune or two. I'm not hard to please, really. Well, kinda.
My new favourite commercial is that one with the father and his little boy watching football and the kid yells "touchdown!" over and over again. Oh man, if that kid isn't the cutest thing in the world, I don't know what is. It's just so awesome.
Jimmy Fallon is kinda funny usually, but uhm, I don't know, he's kinda very much like Benadam Sandlerstiller, no? My favourite parts of SNL are Horatio Sanz always laughing during the skits and Tracy Morgan. He's great. Jimmy's doing pretty well in this skit that's on TV now, but I kinda think Horatio is carrying him.
Yes!!! That commercial just came on! The dad is really funny, too. My favourite "touchdown!" is the one the little tyke says right as Mom walks in. His voice gets all raspy because he's screaming and whatnot. It's so awesome! I know I keep saying that, but it really is.
So after taking two semesters worth of eastern religion classes, I'm pretty sure I have accepted the concept of karma. It very well could be a rationalization, events from last semester were plenty to convince me to buy into it. You know, just that "man, things have got to pick up soon" attitude. I'm not whining (I did plenty of that last semester :)), I'm just happy to begin all over again. It's great. This semester is my last at IC, it's gonna count, you know? It will be hard to focus energy into things that aren't very reachable, and I think it's time to stop fighting that urge to keep doing so. Gotta shoot for efficiency, yeah? Yeah. I'm looking forward to next week, getting back to school and back to my friends and such. The break's been good, but it's time to get back. Pretty ironic that I'm going off on this positive attitude rant, while listening to a rapidly rising and very depressing band on Mikey's list o' good 'uns...I shan't reveal who it is, check out Commentary soon if you care enough. Later later later days.
Nine January 2003
Today, and the past few days have been sort of a big waste. I did get to see a friend of mine that I hadn't really seen since high school, so that was cool to catch up with him. It's nice to see how he's grown and changed, and I started to think a little bit how I have grown and changed since high school. Or rather, I started to think about whether I have changed or grown at all since then. I'm not sure I really have.
Well my music taste has just broadened, I think. Especially lately. If the band happens to be from across that Atlantic pond, and they have piano and strings, I'm pretty much sold. Just take a peak at T7F. I won't go into the details, lest Frenchy and Cheadle start on me for taking the piss out of their jobby job. I'm not sure why American music is sucking so badly lately. I mean of course there are some good bands still around, and even once in awhile a new band from America surprises us and is actually decent. But they seem few and far between, no?
I'd have to say that the biggest surprise for me had to be Coldplay...and I'm pretty sure they were the catalyst for my sudden love affair with European music. Pretty much all Coldplay fans agree that Yellow was their worst song on "Parachutes." I've since taken somewhat of a liking to it, but I was really shocked when I gave the album a listen and found amazing tracks hidden behind the Yellow bohemoth. And their new one, "Rush of Blood to the Head," in my opinion, is the album of 2002. I can go on and on about Coldplay, but I won't.
What does American music really have left to compete with the second European invasion? Radiohead, the Doves, Coldplay, Belle & Sebastian, Sigur Rós, and lesser known acts like Slowdive, Mogwai, and Godspeed You Black Emporer!(who are actually Canadian - close enough) are just incredible. And if you haven't listened to Sigur Rós, do so quickly, as they will become the most artistic, truly alternative sounding band out there, to make it into the mainstream. They'll unseat Radiohead, if they see fit. I really believe this. I don't know, some of these bands are older, but they're still around...what American bands besides Pearl Jam are still around making amazing music? Nirvana? Of course not. Soundgarden? Rage Against the Machine? Sprinkled throughout current acts like Pearl Jam and Audioslave. An argument can be made for Dave Grohl projects, but uhm...who else? Nickelback? Sum 41? Matchbox 20? Third Eye Blind? Don't make me say it...Creed???? And on top of all the shitty music, how is it that all of these shit-producing assholes also happen to be the ugliest fucks alive? Seriously, I know looks don't matter in music (or they shouldn't at least), but how perfect that such heinous music is created by such heinous shitbags.
I think you see my point. So, that's it. I'm moving to London.
Six January 2003
This is pretty cool. My first entry in Awesome Thoughts. I remember, in high school, I used to send Amanda notes and I would always end it with "Random Thoughts." I would just write little silly things, because it was cute. I on the other hand, was not cute. But that's besides the point. I'm a frickin' Adonis now so it's fine. I miss writing and getting notes, that was pretty awesome. My friend Mark and I used to send notes to each other in our freshman and most of our sophomore years. Some people thought we were gay. Haha, that's pretty cool. We just didn't have any chicks to write notes to, so we wrote to each other. Here's an example, from February 1998.
"Hey Richie (that's the same as 'Dickie'),
Que pasa tu asno? Nuestras vacas poopan en la banda. K, be right back. Ok, I'm back + better than ever. I think [name removed] is a babe. I truly believe this. I would like to jump her bones someday. That would rock. Wait, maybe she has to jump my bones. Anyways. The following chicks are babes - [name removed], [name removed], [name removed], [name removed], [name removed], [name removed] and that's it for now. Oh yeah, Mrs. Fournier said 'tool' and 'blue footed booby' today in class. She said, 'What are some examples of tools?' I said [name removed] and [name removed].
Peace, Juventud "
That's pretty cool. Okay, this was my introductory/first attempt. I hope it worked. G'bye.