Top of 2008

Here goes my sorry attempt:

Top 10 Albums:

1. This Will Destroy You - S/T

This band's music takes me places that no other band has ever been able to do. The sheer beauty in their soundscapes is like nothing I have ever heard before. The emotion it evokes within is unbelievable. I listen to this album everyday.

2. Kay Kay and his Weathered Underground - S/T

I was so stoked on this band when I first heard their early demos and not even because it features two members of Gatsby. This is good music that definitely does not seem like it should have been released in 2008. The 10 piece pop arrangements are wonderful. It's music to listen to on a sunny day.

3. Copeland - You Are My Sunshine

What a band. This was by far their calmest record to date. The songs are so well put together and this album has a really good flow. I also really enjoy the two tracks with the female vocals.

4. The New Frontiers - Mending

I stumbled across this band by accident and am so glad that I did. These guys prove that you don't need a lot going on to be powerful. Just listen to the songs "Mirrors" or "Walking on Stones" and you'll know what I'm talking about. So captivating.

5. Forgive Durden - Razia's Shadow

The fact alone that this is my number five shows how good of a year 2008 was for music. This was hands down my most anticipated release of the year. On top of Durden being one of my favorite bands, the list of featured musicians was unbelievable. The album was absolutely mind boggling and definitely will be one I listen to for YEARS to come

6. Damiera - Quiet Mouth Loud Hands

What can I say? Damiera knows how to write damn good songs with super technical guitar parts. I'm in.

7. Lydia - Illuminate

I really like the guitar tone on this record. I'm just gonna throw that out there. It's really crunchy. Plus Mindy is a babe. Oh yeah, the songs are really, really, really good. They definitely blew their old album out of the water. The arrangements on this disc are wonderful.

8. Your Best Friend - S/T

The only "local" band to make my list. These guys are on the verge of breaking it and with a record like this it's no surprise. They put everything that I'd want in a band all in one.

9. The Matches - A Band In Hope

The Matches are a weird-ass band and that's why I love them. Their songwriting on this album blew me away. The progressions they use are unheard of for a pop-based band.

10. Portugal. The Man - Censored Colors

They make my list every year. They are consistently one of the best bands and they're always putting out new music. I really dug the Floyd-ish feel on this one.

Honorable Mentions:

Colour Revolt - Plunder, Beg, and Curse
Saints Never Surrender - Brutus
Verse - Aggression
Playradioplay! - Texas
Panic at the Disco - Pretty. Odd
Polar Bear Club - Sometimes Things Just Dissapear
Matt Pryor - Confidence Man




Top 5 EPs:

1. All Get Out - S/T

Such good songwriting. I'm completely hooked on this band.

2. Ender - S/T

I don't know if they even realize how good this is. I would listen to this all the time even if I wasn't friends with the guys.

3. Maps & Atlases - You and Me and the Mountain

This band is mindblowing. I dream to be able to play guitar like they do.

4. New Found Glory - Tip of the Iceberg

They went back to their roots and put out one of my favorite releases by them of all time.

5. You, Me, and Everyone We Know - S/T

This band is catchy as hell and do so with out losing musical integrity.

Top 10 Songs:

1. Naked and Red - Colour Revolt

The last minute and a half of this song is spine-chilling. So much passion.

2. The Missing Piece - Forgive Durden

It's a love song. So what? Lizzie Huffman's guest vocals are absolutely beautiful and the tradeoffs with Thomas make it that much better of a track.

3. Another Bag of Bones - Kevin Devine

This song is jaw dropping. It's the only way to put.

4. Strange and Unprepared - Copeland

Such a simple song. It's just voice and piano. Aaron really shines with his singing on this one.

5. Mirrors - The New Frontiers

This song gives me the chills every time I listen to it. I can't believe this band is no more.

6. Freedom Blade - This Will Destroy You

The most beautiful song that I have ever heard.

7. Dig My Own Grave - New Found Glory

It's fast and hard hitting. Exactly what I want from them.

8. Wasting All My Breath - All Get Out

Soft, Loud, Soft, Loud. I love the formula of this song.

9. Another night in the rock - Polar Bear Club

I just love this band and this my favorite song.

10. In between Halloweens - The Matches

One day I'll be able to write a song this good.


Top 5 Movies:
1. Cloverfield
2. Wall-E
3. The Dark Knight
4. The Strangers
5. Saw 5

Worst Moment of 2008:
Highschool Musical fad.

Best Moment of 2008:
Obama getting elected

Best TV Show of 2008 (and ever):
Lost



I may add more stuff. This is all for now.

Crazy

I am in a parking lot outside of Panera Bread right now. Last night we slept in the van outside of Meijer. Shortly we will be going to a mall to promote for our show. I love this.

Where to begin?

Last night, I don't know how to describe it, but there was a certain magic in the air. Everything felt so right and I didn't want the night to end. It's crazy to think that these days are turning into weeks are turning into months. Time is flying bye and it only gets better and better as it continues.

The things going on in Tiger! Tiger! land are really exciting. We got on part of a tour with one of my favorite bands, there are talks of getting us on an agency, and hopefully we'll be going in to the studio shortly to record another EP. I couldn't be more excited. I hope to be on tour starting this March and never ending.

Wow

I woke up at 2 today.

I haven't done that in forever.

I need to get things back on track.

Exciting?

We may become a real band sooner than I'd planned.

I want to make an impact on your lives.

Step 1: Go to www.myspace.com/thiswilldestroyyou

Step 2: Turn off all the lights.

Step 3: Play the song Freedom Blade.

Step 4: Lie down.

Step 5: Enjoy

I'll see you on the dark side of the moon.

I am in a really good mood today. :)

BIG FUCKING LOL

I love my life

I seriously love traveling around in a van with my friends and playing shitty shows for 25 kids. I hope to continue this and make it bigger and better. Last night's show was a real uplifter after a few mediocre shows. We shut the power off twice and both time kids were moaning and groaning that we had to stop. Nobody left. It was awesome. And then when we got towards the end of the set I was asking if we had time for one or two more and everyone was yelling two. It was a nice change from our last show when I was asked if we played breakdowns and after saying, "No, we're not that type of band," was asked if I was serious and once the kid got the point that I was he told me that we were gay.

It's Turbo Time

My life is on fucking overdrive. Not in a bad way either. Days and weeks fly by like it's nothing. I love it.

Don't ever give up.

New Song

I'm at the end of this path I have wandered
Through dark and through light all this time never faltered
And I would be lying if I said to you
That this time spent alone left me nothing at all to do

I can not sleep from years and years of dreams
I lie awake with only vivid memories
And all this time I've let this shit haunt me

This is why the public school system is failing.

LET THESE BARRICADES FALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

So I drove to Ohio last nigh to see Means, Saints, and Solidarity. It was totally worth it. Hands down it was probably the best hardcore show that I have ever been to in my life.

biggest laugh ever

http://www.urlesque.com/2008/11/13/videos-of-woman-giving-bj-to-microphone-gotta-love-the-art-wor/

I need this

I am at a good place right now. Things are going well and I'm picking up the slack in school. I feel like after plummeting last week at this time I am now on a high rise back to better things.

The Lions are blowing it again.

I can't believe I'm still awake

We got home from the show like 2 hours ago and for some reason got super slap happy. Somehow we ended up coming up with the idea to make Mackinaw a myspace. It rules.

holy shit.

The venue last night ruled. We played to the promoters but they were super cool and want us to come back for a way better show.

Music

I listened to the IVD full length and Revolutions Per Minute by Rise Against today. These two albums are why Tiger! Tiger! sounds like it does. Take RA vocals and put them over IVD guitarwork...see it now?

Would you buy this shirt?

Today has been a good day!

I woke up in a great mood and got shit done. I feel a change! I'm happy.

Oh, and I randomly got a text today saying, "You better watch your back at all times...your butthole will never be safe again..."

Haha. Turns out it was Dustin. Gosh, I love that dude. I'll be seeing him in December hopefully a few days. It's gonna rule. Oh, and our foosball team (The Ginger Child Predators) is gonna do some more owning!

Let the doctor do the rest...

This cheered me up.

I don't know what to do, don't know what to say.

I seriously feel myself slipping away. I don't know what it is, but all I want to do is get away from the world and just be alone.

I used to meditate. I think I'm going to start doing that again.

All of this shit that I'm piling on top of myself is not making me happy. I just want to fast-forward my life.

Dang, playa.

So I bought gas for under 2 dollars last night. That ruled.

Oh, today at work, there was the biggest tool coach I have seen in a while. It totally made my morning.

Yeah...it's snowing. I can't wait. I love this time of year: hot chocolate, cheesy christmas songs, animated christmas classics, the works.

Punk Rock.

This rules so hard. (click here)

Word dog.

Last night's show was really fun. Things continue to be going really well for us. Party time tonight in Fenton. It's gonna rule.

Am I dreaming?

Seriously? Barack Obama was actually elected President. Not only did he win, but he did so by a landslide with no discrepancies. Seriously, someone pinch me if I'm dreaming.

I hope this is the change we need.

I'm confused.

I think the test I just took had more extra credit points than actual points on the test.

I'm finally a real american!

I voted today.

So many old people. So awkward.

Yeah dog.

I just wrote a 30 second punk rock song that I want to put at the end of our set. It r00lz.

I'm slowly drifting away.

I feel like I'm getting back into my alternate reality. I need to get my head back on straight and finish this semester strong. I can't have a repeat of last year.

Fuck You Family Guy

RIP - KING OF THE HILL

I'm super tired

Big update soon. This weekend has been a blast. I'm currently at Ender's house just hanging out.

WTF!?

Second teacher this year that after missing a class I've came back and they've said that they missed me.

Creepers.

Mini-tour

I'm amped for this weekend.

In case you haven't heard: tigertigershowjournal.blogspot.com

Party.

This is what I was talking about!

I'm like a little girl.

Copeland was fucking phenomenal last night. It was one of the best shows I have ever been to. I love that band.

So we walk in about midway through the opening act (Lights - a indie hipster/bright color/keyboard/dancey band)and we mozy our way up to about where the sound board is (the show was packed!)and I look to my right and standing a foot away from me was Aaron from Copeland in all of his glory. I was too scared to say anything and I didn't want to make a big scene since he was in the middle of the crowd.

Anyways, Lydia was supposed to play next but they crashed their van into a deer the night before and totaled it. Love Drug came on instead. I never really could get into them when listening to them before the show and it didn't really change. They were good, but the singer's voice bothered me after a while.

Then Copeland came on. There was just an energy in the room and I could tell that it was going to be a good night. It started off with just Aaron singing and playing piano to Strange and Unprepared off of the new album. Then they played another song off of the new album before Aaron switched to guitar and they started playing old stuff. They went right into No One Really Wins and then When Paula Sparks. Hearing everyone sing along was so awesome. They then played a mix of old and new the rest of the night with Aaron switching back and forth between piano and guitar and even played Brightest off of their first album. It was beautiful. They ended their regular set with the song You Have My Attention. I know a lot of Copeland fans love this song, but I would have rather heard something else. Oh well.

They then came on for a one song encore and it was California. Just typing this right now is giving me the same chills that I felt last night. I'm going to assume most of you don't know the song, so I'll explain it. On the recording it is a 5:30 minute long song with the first 4:30 minutes being acoustic before it builds up to a full band ending. Basically, it's epic as fuck. Well, instead of doing it that way, they started off the song full band and skipped the first chorus. I was like, "ok, this is a little frustrating but I can dig this." It then got to where the second chorus is and that's when I started getting the chills. The whole band cut out except Aaron and he sang the chorus while just playing the chords on his guitar. Hearing everyone in the crowd sing along with the words and then have the full band come in just made it that much more spectacular.

This band rules and I can't wait to see them again.

This Will Destroy You

Totally destroys my heart.

emo blog alert.

I guess I just need to get this shit off of my back.

My friends disapprove, my parents disapprove, sometimes I wonder if anyone does approve. Here's the thing though, I really could care less. I understand that society tells us to condemn things like this, but if you took a second to ask me about it I think you would realize that it's not really what you think.

I realize that it's not "normal". Really though, when have I ever been "normal"? I'm sorry, but this girl is awesome. I totally do not care that it may seem wrong to you. It's clear that in 3 years we will be problem free. That's cool with me. I'm not in any rush.

I really just want to be best friends. Seriously, I'm sick of bullshit relationships.

Take from this what you will, but just know that I like to make my own choices. I appreciate some of you "looking out for me", but I have things under control.

Dear Parker Munson,

I listened to the entire Copeland discography today. I rule. They rule. I'm seeing them Wednesday night with Lydia. gahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I'm excited.

Okay

Call me a creeper, but there's this dude named Scott Weber who posts on AP.net and the Gatsby forums and in the staff AP.net interview he just name dropped the Swellers. He's from Washington. Fucking weird.

weird.

Today has been Pretty.Odd.

Oh well. I've listened to Durden soooo much. It seriously r00lz. I can't stress it enough.

GOOOOOOOO!

Last night's show was probably one of them most fun shows that I have played in a while. Everyone there was just having a good time. There were no scene bitches just there for the cred. It was all genuine people having a genuine good time.

I just realized that I'm going to see Copeland this Wednesday. YES!

Also, I haven't stopped listening to Razia's Shadow since I got it. Sooooooo good.

Better than Christmas!

I got my Razia's Shadow pre-order.

Yes, it is lol so good.

No Way!

I don't know what I want to say here.

This night ended way too early. I'm not mad - just sad.

:(

Brian's a bitch

I hate you. Leave in the middle of our pimping out the van process.

We sound epic.

Here's the press release for our headlining show at the H-Pac:

Tiger! Tiger! Makes Its Way Home to the Hartland Performing Arts Center on November 7th, Courtesy of Fusion Shows

HARTLAND, MI – October 22, 2008 – After a three month hometown hiatus, Fusion Shows, the independent concert promoter out of Howell, MI, proudly welcomes home Tiger! Tiger! live at the Hartland Performing Arts Center on Friday, November 7, 2008. Doors open at 5:30 pm. All ages are welcome.

Tiger! Tiger!, the progressive indie rock band with roots in Brighton, MI, will make its anticipated return to the HPAC on November 7th. With a new lineup and a raw passion for making and performing music, Tiger! Tiger! harbors an untouchable musical authenticity. Lead singer, Scott Nelson’s, vocals are raw and tinged with biting emotion. From song to song, his lyrics reveal an abundance of profound meta-analysis and self-discovery atop strong
guitar-driven tracks. Rich in what seems to be a democratic optimism, Tiger! Tiger!’s songs speak of progression and change. In Benjamin Linus and the Rise of Deception, the lyrics read, “So join me in this fight/ And let it die tonight/ For we’ll be carrying on/ Carrying on the flame tonight,” seeming to be suggestive of a type of revolutionary push for progressive equality—not exactly the repertoire expected from a band of 20-somethings!

On March 29, 2008, Tiger! Tiger! self-released its first debut EP, The Law Of The Jungle, and has been touring in support. On this special homecoming—the first in three months—the band will be offering its EP at the one-time only price of $1.00!

Joining Tiger! Tiger! in action are special guests A Big Crash, Boherald, Galaxy Down, and Alco.

Tickets are on available for purchase for $7.00 on the day of the show.

Contact:

Nate Dorough

Fusion Shows

Howell, MI

natedorough@gmail.com

www.FusionShows.com

Goomba

Last night's show went surprisingly well. The one dude there hates us, but otherwise it was dope fly.

Why the fuck do girls wear those ugly rain boots. Seriously. I've finally gotten over thinking those ugg boot shits are terrible and now they come up with something 5 million times worse. What the fuck? I don't understand it.

I have listened to this song at least 50 times this week.

oh darling, i claim
responsibility. thought it was one
of those silly things i was
through with believing. but also
true, i blame this awful fate on
you. you're so young and so far,
what fools we are. but there will
always be roads between our homes
and there's an unbroken line from
your door to mine. and i said, "oh
darling, i barely know a single
thing that i'm sure is true about
you, oh what will we do?" and she
said, "oh baby, now that don't
really change a thing 'cause it
feels an awful lot like love,
ain't that enough?" well, oh
darling, i've got an ugly selfish
streak but i'm trying so damn hard
to be what you believe. there will
always be roads between our homes
and there's an unbroken line
across four hundred miles and two
state lines. there will always be
roads between our homes and
there's an unbroken line from your
door to mine.

Honestly.

I just spilled my Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash all over myself in front of like 100 people. What the fuck.

It's amazing.

I went to bed in a super shitty mood last night. Every small little thing was pissing me off. Basically, I was being a little bitch.

This morning I feel changed. I'm excited for the day.

I'm real excited for the weekend. Friday's gonna r00l. Same with Saturday.

I still miss The New Frontiers.

I'm like a baby cause a dolphin makes me cry.

Hootie and the Blowfish is lol so good.

First concert I ever went to. Cracked Rearview Mirror is the shit.

Their singer's new stuff that's on the Country channel is shit.

See the difference?

The shit = awesome
shit = awful

My Day is Fucking Ruined

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I seriously could cry right now. One of the best and most beautiful bands around today broke up. I am so glad I got to see them live last winter. They were awesome beyond belief live. So good.



RIP - The New Frontiers

Thanks guys for giving us an amazing album.

Enough Said

I fucking love this time of year.

One of the most important blogs I've ever posted

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=72257709&blogID=442256833

I can walk through walls.

Last night's show was dope. I thought we played super well and I could tell some new people dug it. That's always good. Venona was dope, too. They sound so much like BTHATS-era TREOS. That's not a bad thing. Talked about a spring tour with them next year. That'd be dope.

Lot's of hanging out and partying yesterday. Good times.

Shit.

Show tonight sucked. Sucked big time.

Ender ruled. They're staying at my house; sleeping in my basement as I type this.

I'm confused, too. Shit's whack.

A new beginning

The show last night was doooooooooooooooope. Not perfect for us, but still damn good. In a few weeks we'll be rolling. I'm so excited.

To top everything off, Thomas from Forgive Durden walked up to Brian and said that our stuff reminded him of The Get Up Kids. More specifically, Four Minute Mile-era Get Up Kids. OMGGGGGGGGGGGG. Then I talked to him later and he told me it again and that that's one of his favorite records of all time. Then he said hopefully we could play together again so he could hear the whole set instead of just two songs. :)

Oh yeah, I also was talking to him about the new album and how he got his guests. He said he knew all of them from touring and stuff except for Chris Conley. Apparently Thomas knew the drummer of Saves the Day and apparently that dude showed Chris the demos that Thomas was working on. So apparently one day Thomas got a call and it was like:
"Hello. Is this Thomas?"
"Yes...Who is this?"
"Hi. My name is Chris Conley, I play in a band called Saves the Day..."

Dude. I couldn't even imagine that happening.

"It's like Christmas"

That was a quote from Ron when we woke up today. Today's the big day. Tiger! Tiger!'s first show back and with Forgive Durden. It's going to be a party.

PS - we built another fort!

I've got my life in a suitcase

I got the new Copeland record yesterday. I bought the deluxe edition. It was well worth the $15 dollars. The packaging is awesome and the dvd that came with it was even better. I wish kids still got geeked up about album art and shit like that. I love just reading through the booklet and looking at all of the pictures. There's nothing better than throwing on the album and reading the lyrics at the same time. It really sets the mood.

Anyways, last night Byran came over and we met up with James Radick. We all ended up playing N64, eating pizza, and playing scrabble. Nerds? Yes. It was baller though. I stayed up way too late.

Durden is tomorrow!

Shred till you're dead!

Maladroit = shred


Two more days until I am sooooooooooooooooo happy.

Weird...

My iPod is so weird right now.

Alkaline Trio
Anathallo
Anti-Flag
Apathetic Critic
At The Drive-In
Bad Astronaut
Bear Vs. Shark
Before Today
Ben Folds Five
Brand New
Cheap Girls
Coldplay
Colour Revolt
Copeland
The Dear Hunter
Dr. Dog
Elliot Smith
Elvis Costello
Eric Clapton
Fastball
Faulter
Forgive Durden
Frank Sinatra
Galaxy Down
Gatsbys American Dream
The Get Up Kids
A Great Big Pile Of Leaves
Heirs
Hootie and the Blowfish
The Influents
Jenny Lewis
Johnny Cash
Journey
Kevin Devine
Limbeck
Lydia
Marvin Gaye
Matt Pryor
The New Frontiers
Phantom Planet
PlayRadioPlay!
Portugal. The Man
Radiohead
The Receiving End of Sirens
Rilo Kiley
Saints Never Surrender
Search/Rescue
Sing It Loud
The Snake The Cross The Crown
Take Notice
Weezer
Wild Orchid Children
The Years Gone By
Your Best Friend
Zero Cool

So weird to me.

HAHAHAHA

Mike Rice > Ron Howard

Boner

2 days.

Go buy the new Copeland record this Tuesday. Then listen to the song "On the Safest Ledge". Absolutely stunning.

Don't look ahead, just run to me
Each step will find the next one recklessly
We'll find ourselves on the safest ledge
Well pardon me, I couldn't help myself
Girl, fall into your life here
If only for a while, I'm here

Could you be happy to fall like a stone
If you'd land right here safe in my arms?
It's fine, lock all your doors through the night
Keep it all right here, safe in my arms
It's fine, it's fine

You felt alone before you ever really knew how alone you were
An empty house, a lonely room
The TV talks the fear right out of you
But you feel like someone's standing by but you'll never know

Could you be happy to fall like a stone
If you'd land right here safe in my arms?
It's fine, lock all your doors through the night
Keep it all right here, safe in my arms
It's fine

The sun burns a hole straight through your old flaws
If you look toward the sky even on your greyest night

Could you be happy now, with the wind in your hair
And your eyes open wide and your feet going nowhere?
Could you be happy to fall like a stone
If you'd land right here safe in my arms?
It's fine, lock all your doors through the night
Keep it all right here, safe in my arms
It's fine

Lolololololol

Holy shit.

Didn't get much sleep for the second night in a row.

We are all the same.

www.myspace.com/theeyesofdeath

New song posted.

Score!

I just got gas for $2.97. It's sad that that's exciting, but gosh, it was a nice change.

I just realized...

I never posted a blog yesterday.

Shit.

Well, look what we've found

Holy shit. I finally heard the new Copeland record. Holy shit. This band never ceases to amaze me. I am beyond excited to see them live in a few weeks. It is going to be breathtaking.

Last night was very enjoyable.

I'm glad that some of you feel like you're looking out for me, but take it elsewhere. Seriously.

Let's buy Hawaii. It's only money, baby.

Poker night started back up. lol, so good. I was out first though. Shit, man. I couldn't afford to lose that 5 bucks. Oh well. I'm excited for tomorrow at least. Nate and Ron can give me as much shit as they want.

The office was funny tonight, too. I wish it was longer. Bummer. It is what it is.

Yes!

Waking up in a fort r00lz.

Day 1

It's 5:19 in the morning. It's been a long journey, but our shelter is finally complete. We are residing deep within the Nelson territories. Brian, Ron, and I are hoping that we can make it through the night.

If you can't read through the lines...We're super slap happy and decided to make a fort in my room. Yes, we're all 19 and 20.

Ooh La La La

So yesterday Tiger! Tiger! worked on background vocal stuff. It adds a whole other dimension. With this we're starting to become what I envision the band becoming. If we get a third guitarist/keyboardist, we will sound huge.

The best part is, we're finally starting to write as a band. Sure, I'll have the basic skeleton, but my bandmates have been adding so much great stuff lately. Terri is phenomenal at this. I can't wait to work on completely new songs. It's gonna be tits.

Thank Mitchell Rice

Finally got that off my back.

Money

I am so glad that I keep getting all of these offers for skating lesson jobs. I am so grateful that I acquired this skill. Getting $35-50 per hour is just wonderful. Can't wait to get a road case for my amp and start saving for a trailer.

Oh how you drive me crazy.

Shit's getting whack.

I just want to muster up enough courage to say something.

Instead I write stupid journal entries.

Fuck.

18 days

I don't know what to do.

With a heart so pure
You could fall so quickly
But don't you dare slow down for me
Were it not for hearts like mine
Calloused thickly
You could fall so easily
Don't you dare slow down for me)

You can take everything I have
Just don't leave my side no, don't leave my side
You can take everything I have
Just don't leave my side no, don't leave my side

Cause your words hit like a train and I can't ignore it
This moment could be our last
You fall in love and I'm running after
You move way too fast

But don't slow down
And don't let go
Hold me close now, lest I fall
They say I don't know how to love the right way
But you make me feel, you make me feel like I do

You can take everything I have
Just don't leave my side no, don't leave my side
You can take everything I have
Just don't leave my side now, don't leave my side

Cause your words hit like a train and I can't ignore it
This moment could be our last
You fall in love and I'm running after
You move way too fast

Cause your words hit like a train and I can't ignore it
(Don't slow down)
This moment could be our last
(Don't slow down)
You fall in love and I'm running after
(Don't slow down)
You move way too fast

Don't slow down
Don't slow down

Cause your words hit like a train and I can't ignore it
This moment could be our last
You fall in love and I'm running after
You move way too fast

Cause your words hit like a train and I can't ignore it
(Don't slow down)
This moment could be our last
(Don't slow down)
You fall in love and I'm running after
(Don't slow down)
You move way too fast

Don't slow down
Don't slow down

I've never been in a position like this. ever.

HAHAHAHAHA

So for that essay I wrote the other day I received two comments on it:

1) please note EMU's policy on plagiarism
2) topic must be relevant to class

Thank science I get to at least do a re-write. lolz. I don't even care which is the funny thing. I may just drop the class. Fuck it. Punx.

Today in my Interpretive Reading class, I was supposed to perform my poems that I didn't practice even once, but I wiggled my way into going Friday. Fuck yeah.

Big Update

I'm gonna do a weekend update. It's gonna be awesome. I'm not only sure, I'm HIV postive...hahahaha. Gosh, I love South Park

So, Friday I worked the Emarosa show. Not a whole lot to say really. Vanity opened and The Years Gone By played second. Other than those two, I had no interest whatsoever. You can read about what happened later that night in a previous blog.

Saturday:

I went to the Dentist. It sucked.

Later in the day I headed over to the BHS Varsity Hockey carwash. I kid you not, it was the first time I ever got my van washed since I got it over a year ago. I'm awesome like that. Afterwards I drove all the fuck over to try and find a pair of mittens/gloves. No success. My hands will have to continue to be cold. Shit.

Brian then came over and we practiced for Parker's punk rock party. It was awesome. Practice...yeah.

Parker's was fun. We played and I forgot words. I'm an idiot. Apathetic Critic spontaneously played "Cars" by Tips and I sang it with them. It was hilarious. Then we played "You don't stop". I love those guys. Dudes, if you read this, "I love you!"

After all the music shenanigans, a bonfire formed. I wasn't feeling it and really just felt like staring up at the stars. I need to do that often. I ended up in the front yard and for a while I was all alone. It was nice and I did a lot of much needed thinking. Then people started coming and ruining my silence. Major buzzkill.

So, when I was done being emo, we went and side and played guitar hero at parker's house. Then we eventually ended up at Allie's house where everyone was playing rock band. Sweet. The best part of the night was when Brian and I were playing pool by ourselves just cracking up. I'm glad we're such nerds.

Today, I went to the Modern Exchange with the band Take Notice. Really fucking funny dudes and awesome music. There was virtually no one there. Great promotion, man. They played first and then two mosh-metal bands played. The second one kept saying, "Come on you fucking faggots. Hit somebody", "Fuck shit up", "Hit your girlfriend or something," and other various phrases. Awesome, guys.

After them Ambush came on. They were fucking amazing. Before one song the guitarist said that the certain song was anti-sexism, anti-racism, and anti-homophobic and that there was no room for homophobia in the hardcore scene. Totally a middle finger right to the band that played before them.

Now I'm at the student center. Homework later tonight.

What to say?

It's Turbo Time.

Just got back from the dentist.

I've had so much in my mouth already and it's only 10:18...

Twss?

My month of October has been made!

Just got back from Big Boy with Mike, Brandon, Ron, Matt, Emmit, and Devin. Emmit wrote a note and Devin's phone number on a napkin without Devin knowing. When we walked out Devin received a text saying something along the lines of "thanks for the tip. :)". HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

Oh, how I’ve been teething, in light of your misleading;

I am listening to Brand New super loud. Their new album is so dynamic. I love it. They actually play to loud and soft parts. Too bad everything else they've done sucks. I take so much crap for saying that, but this is the only good album they've ever done. Also, "The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows" is probably one of my most despised songs ever.

Dude

I had a paper due today. I was supposed to do it last night but I fell asleep. I woke up early today and finished it. Now I just looked at the rubric and I think I did something totally different then what my teacher was looking for...shit.

This is my 69th post!

What better to post than this!

:)

Tonight was good. The rain ain't bringing me down. Someone is playing "mad world" on the piano in the student center. It reminds me how beautiful the world is. I am in love with everything. I control my own destiny.

I sang with AC and was doing scissor kicks out the wazoo. It was a glorious time.

Holy shit. The person playing the piano is now playing "Cutsman" by Horse the Band!

Future

If Tiger! Tiger! ever breaks up, I am just gonna become a singer/songwriter. This man has been my recent fix.

You were right...

Today has been sad.

Damn it.

I didn't remember my dreams from last night. I was hoping for two more segments of what I swore was going to be an inter-locking story. Bummer.

I woke up freezing today and my sore throat was back. Alas, with a little bit of hot chocolate and soy milk drenched apple jacks, all was better.

I listened to Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety this morning while studying for my spanish test. It is so good. I'm gonna say it may just be my favorite album of all time. I wish bands today wrote records like it. Sure, trackwise, there are a lot of good artists around today. No one writes good albums. I'll be waiting.

I wish more people knew this song that I wrote...

"In the summer feeling hot and bold
I paint the town; I'll paint it gold
With these flesh and bones I will shine
I'll carry myself with my newfound pride
Honestly I can't bare to take
10 more seconds of this fucked up place
And I have yet to feel complacency
Yet that's not what people are telling me
I guess
I guess I miss you in last summer's dress
Yeah I miss you in last summer's dress
And I feel
I'll count to ten and it'll all be real
Just count to ten and show me how to feel
And I'll make
I'll make a song so we can celebrate
Oh wait that's right there's nothing that we can celebrate"

I'm so glad I'm out of that frame of mind.

This man knows what's up

40 million refugees with no place on this earth to call their home
One for every aimless graduate with nothing else to show for it but loans
And those of us who make a mark using someone else's blood
Our western stain won't wash away, won't vanish in the flood
It's just deeper with each hurricane and tidal wave and war
Oh whoa oh woh
We want everything we see and once it's gone we just want more


I know what I want.
I know what I should want.
Why can't we have it all?
My eyes are on the prize, but it never seems within reach.
I have persevered through so much.
I'm never giving up.

What about the other things I want. Time is all that's on my side. Is it worth it?

Best thing I've heard all day...

http://henry-vandekooij.newsvine.com/_news/2008/10/01/1941011-nirvanas-kurt-cobains-ashes-to-be-smoked-in-spliff

What's the point of dreaming if it can never materialize?

The new Durden song r00lz. October is gonna be a good month.

I walked into the bathroom a second ago to a dude with his shirt off?

Think.

"A human being is part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. We experience ourselves, our thoughts and feelings as something separate from the rest. A kind of optical delusion of consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from the prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. The true value of a human being is determined by the measure and the sense in which they have obtained liberation from the self. We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if humanity is to survive." - Albert Einstein

I remembered 2 dreams again...

These ones were about kissing girls.

I don't even know how I feel about the one. It involved Chelsea. I confronted her about her new boyfriend and asked her if that was the real reason she broke up with me. After she said yes and explained the situation (they weren't dating anymore), she said that she was wrong and wanted to get back together. Somehow in this dream I remembered my earlier dream (where I kissed a different girl) and was sketchy about it. I had moved on and was about this new girl. For some reason I continued to hang out with her but told her I didn't know about the whole getting back together thing.

First dream took place at Mac's Bar. It was Mac's Bar to me in the dream, but it was nothing like the actual Mac's. The layout was much different and the stage way bigger. All I remember was Sherwood playing. Then I remember helping them load gear out only to come back in and have the bar tender ask me if I wanted to take this girl (I have no recollection of who it was or what she looked like) out to the back grounds. Apparently in my dream Mac's Bar was located on a farm that had all sorts of back grounds. So when I was walking out to take her back there, another girl came up and was like, "I'm leaving. Give me a hug." So I did and then I kissed her. The dream ended there.

I honestly have no idea what to think of these. All I know is that I'm sick and missing class. I have a huge paper due for my Gender and Sexuality class. That's what I'll be doing all night. I also have a Spanish Test to study for. Awesome. Not looking forward to tonight. I'll probably be online all night. IM me or something. I'll be bored.

Hmm

Lucas Coney Island is the only place that can fuck up toast. It actually tasted bad.

If Tiger! Tiger! gets fucked over, I'm gonna freak. This lineup sounds so good.

I can't believe it!

I actually remembered two of my dreams last night. I usually can't even remember any of my dreams, but I remembered two I had last night pretty vividly.

Dream one:

I was in Seattle. It was a family type festival similar to something you would see in downtown Brighton. Anyways, the band that was playing was Invisible Clocks. It is all the members of Gatsbys American Dream. I don't know if it's a band in real life, but there's something like that from what I have read on the Gatsbys Fansite Message-boards. I was ectatic the whole time they were playing. IT was just like Gatsby but they weren't playing Gatsby songs.

I remember talking to Nick and Bobby from the band in my dream. I remember telling one of them that I was just glad to see all six of them playing together again. lolz. Then, the weirdest part happened. Apparently The Swellers were supposed to be playing after them. Billy (Bobby from Gatsbys brother (yes I'm that big of a nerd that I know that and used double parenthesis)) came up to me and knew I was from Michigan so he asked me how good they were. He said he was skeptical because one of their guitarists looked like he should be in Atreyu and was praying backstage. I told him not to worry, they were awesome.


Dream two:

It was at Parker's Anti-Homecoming party. I arrived late. Haha. Fail. When I got there I remember Brandon telling some little kid that I didn't know that basement shows were cool because everyone knew all the words and it didn't matter that there weren't a lot of people there. haha. Then I started watching AC and for some reason they were all using their old equipment. I asked them why and they didn't know either. All of their good equipment was there. They were also doing vocals out of my old bass combo amp. It was funny.

Then I remember getting a call that said it was from my brother, but on the phone was some girl that I didn't know. She asked me for directions how to get there. I gave her really good directions but for some reason she wasn't understanding them so I called her an idiot and hung up. Then I remember calling Carly and asking her when she was getting there. She said not until 2am because that's when her parents went to sleep. Weird. Then I went and sang a song with AC (surprising). Oh yeah, I remember my mom showing up.


I had to post these. I never remember my dreams so I'm hyped.

OMG!

I just ordered Razia's Shadow!!!! I'm beyond excited! BEYOND EXCITED!!!!!!

Damn it, Bobby!

Today should be good.

One of my classes got cancelled! Score!

I'm also going to see Weezer tonight. I have never seen them before and I am wayyyyy excited.

On the bummer side, I'm getting sick. :(

hmm

The days go by
Like sand through a glass
All the time I am waiting
And I'll still be waiting
Because even though there are other fish in the sea
They all seem to be swimming too deep

I'm not rushed for time like I was in the past
I've learned from my mistakes and I'm not turning back
I have my own agenda
Don't tell me what I should do with my life
It will all turn out in due time.

Today has been good.

I started a new skating lesson job in Ann Arbor. For those of you who don't know, I teach hockey specific skating lessons. I already got called gay by an ex-teacher this weekend when I just said skating lessons. Whatever.

Anyways, I was reminded today why I love this job. Little kids are so fun to work with. (Fuck you if you're getting perverted thoughts) They're so young and optimistic. I love it. The highlight of the day was when I told the kids to work hard and that I didn't want to see any slackers. All of a sudden from the back I hear a high squeaky kid's voice say, "Coach Scott, what's a slacker?" It was so awesome. I love little kids.

Also, today was the party for my grandparents 50th anniversary. I saw my grandpa, with tears in his eyes, tell my little cousin that it's okay for old men to cry. It was one of the most emotional things that I have ever had to stomach. It just goes to show the power of love. I'm starting to realize how much family means to me. The two greatest memories I have in the past year have been today and when we had a surprise birthday party for my other grandpa last fall. I have never seen people as happy as those two events. I'm tearing up just thinking about it.

Interesting and a little scary.

According to a 2007 World Health Organization report, 88% of the 4 billion annual cases of diarrheal disease are attributed to unsafe water and inadequate sanitation and hygiene, and 1.8 million people die from diarrheal diseases each year.

That's a lot of diarrhea.

Looks Like The Real Thing

I can tell you're lying
It cuts through my belly
Let the dull colors spill right down to my shoes
And the children gather 'round to lap it up
and the children gather round
I am empty
Others are overfilled on what I've given up, so come on
I can tell you're lying
To them it's Technicolor
I can tell you're lying. It cuts through my belly
Lies this deck is stacked with lies
but no one knows the difference
So what's the difference? You see
we all walk on a string
If I bounce you bounce too
It's all connected
The sun carries the hanging moon from its shoulders and says
"If I don't shine, then you don't shine"
And if I fail and you succeed what does it mean
Their eyes are sunken. Come on look at them
these kids have needs
We balance on a string
When it's all over maybe then you'll see you're
blinded by your greed
Are you blinded?
Are you blinded?
I can tell you're lying

LOLZ

I realize now that the beginning of my last post sounds a little too scandalous for me.

By huffing balloon shit, I meant this!

Shut up

I have a headache from huffing balloon shit.

Obama OWNED McCain in what I saw of the debate.

Practice today was lol so good.

Shit is weird.

You're DEAD!

I'm in geography class right now. We're learning about Russia and my teacher is pretty much exclusively talking about Vodka. What a slut. STFU.

HOLY SHIT, HOLY SHIT, HOLY SHIT

I'm playing with this dude. His new album is going to floor me, I already know it. The following list of people all make appearances on it:

Casey Crescenzo (The Dear Hunter)
John Baldwin Gourley (Portugal. The Man)
Kris Anaya (An Angle)
Aaron Weiss (mewithoutYou)
Danny Stevens (The Audition)
Chris Conley (Saves The Day)
Max Bemis (Say Anything)
Greta Salpeter (The Hush Sound)
Brendon Urie (Panic At The Disco)
Nic Newsham (Gatsby's American Dream)
Shawn Harris (The Matches)
Lizzie Huffman (Man In The Blue Van)

Nic, Shawn, and Casey alone are three of my favorite singers. This is going to be unreal.

It's Back

This show never fails me. Can't wait for the rest of the season.

OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG!

New Durden Album?

Featuring Nic From Gatsbys, Shawn from the Matches, Casey from The Dear Hunter, and many more!

Holy shit!

Thinking thoughts.

You know that sound? Fender guitar through a fender amp. Clean channel (obviously). Sprinkle in a little bit of reverb in there and you have beauty all packaged up for your ears to enjoy. You may not understand it put into words, but you know the sound.

I am in love. Not with a person, not with a place, not with anything in general. I am in love with everything and nothing at the same time. The world fulfills my needs and I've never felt so alive. I breathe in the air every day and just anticipate what is going to come next.

I am so happy with everything and everyone in my life. I could die today and know that I truly lived me life.

Dear Friends.

Please stop smoking. I'm not saying this because I think I'm better than you, I'm saying it because I care about you. Only we have the power to control our lives. Live posi, die happy. I know it's hard to see the big picture, but think about your future. You're hurting yourself and I don't want to sit back idly and watch.

You probably know this, but these are all found in cigarettes:

Ammonia: Household cleaner
Angelica root extract: Known to cause cancer in animals
Arsenic: Used in rat poisons
Benzene: Used in making dyes, synthetic rubber
Butane: Gas; used in lighter fluid
Carbon monoxide: Poisonous gas
Cadmium: Used in batteries
Cyanide: Deadly poison
DDT: A banned insecticide
Ethyl Furoate: Causes liver damage in animals
Lead: Poisonous in high doses
Formaldehiyde: Used to preserve dead specimens
Methoprene: Insecticide
Megastigmatrienone: Chemical naturally found in grapefruit juice
Maltitol: Sweetener for diabetics
Napthalene: Ingredient in mothballs
Methyl isocyanate: Its accidental release killed 2000 people in Bhopal, India in 1984
Polonium: Cancer-causing radioactive element

I need new shoes.

Not really, but these ones are getting super torn up.

I just took a Geography test and it fucked me up. I need to not internet during that class and not wait until the night before to start studying. I do know the location of most countries in Europe because of my late night studying. Too bad that was only a third of the test.

Copeland's beauty never ceases to amaze me. The two songs of the new album that I have heard get me way excited. Seeing them with Lydia is going to be a night of shear bliss.

Normal conversations.

Scott Nelson (4:22):
you would

Carly Wilutis (4:22):
mature.

Scott Nelson (4:23):
immature

Carly Wilutis (4:23)
w/e


This made me crack up more than usual.

Casey Bates

He wants to work with unsigned bands. I sent him a nice long message.

Oh, you don't know who Casey Bates is? Well he worked on this record for one:




He's also worked with Forgive Durden, This Providence, Portugal. The Man, Daphne Loves Derby, The Number 12 Looks Like You, Chiodos, and more!

Punk Rock

Heroes was lol so good.

This picture gets me pumped. My favorite you've taken, Rike.

Oh boy.

Alright, here goes an attempt to try and remember the events of my chaotic weekend.

SATURDAY

Woke up. Duh. Sat at the Rice's for a little while. Came home and we had band practice. Things are starting to shape up. I hope that trend continues. The new songs are dope and our new lineup is even doper.

Later in the afternoon Brian, Mike, Ron, Sean and I all headed out to Ann Arbor for the Swellers/WATU show. First we made a stop at Qdoba. I knew the day was going to be great when I went to pay and found out that my burrito was free. YES! Then some stuff went down outside Qdoba that I'm not going to talk about...

We got to the show and found out that two of the bands had cancelled. Oh well, the three that we wanted to see were still playing. Take Notice was first and they were ok. Way better on recordings, but they're a new band and I think they show a lot of potential. Swellers were up next. They were pretty much the same as they always are. They still don't have the stage presence like they used to which is the biggest bummer to me. I think they made up for it with their new song, though. It was very Polar Bear Club-esque. I dug it.

We Are The Union came on last. This is the second time I've seen them upstage The Swellers on a show that they played together. They are getting ridiculously good. So much energy and everything is spot on. Vocally, all 4 of them that sing are stronger than ever. They said that they were taking time off to write. I am excited.

After the show we got Jimmy John's and went back to my apartment. I was super tired so I ended up falling asleep on the floor while we were watching BASEketball. Sweet, we're staying at my place and I end up sleeping on the floor. haha.

SUNDAY

Sean, Brian, Ron and I woke up gradually and ended up watching about three hours of the show Cash Cab at my apartment. Some of the people on that show were sooooooooooooooooo stupid.

We went back to my house and practiced for a little bit before Ron and I had to go to the show. Saints and Solidarity were playing at the HPAC and I was excited. I set up the lights and hung out before everyone showed up. Pretty typical day. All my brighton friends started showing up and it was nice to see people that I don't get to see often enough.

The show was sick. Wes killed it. I am so happy for/proud of him. I could just tell how much fun that he was having. He's in an awesome bands with a bunch of awesome dudes. It was weird watching him play though. It was the first time EVER that I have done that. haha.

Solidarity was awesome too. I bought their CD. It's dope fly. I like getting more music like that. I can only listen to Comeback Kid for so long without it getting too repetitive.

Anyways, after the show I went with Saints and Solidarity to BDUBS. They're all really funny dudes. Nothing topped when I told Avery that Max (Saints) was talking crap about him. I was completely joking, but Avery thought I was being serious. So Avery texted me and asked if Max was really talking crap about him. Little did Avery know that when he sent that text Max was looking at my phone and opened that text. I laughed super hard and had to explain what was going on.

We went back to Wes' house after and watched some youtube videos and the bands were wayyyyyyyyyyy into these animal books Wes had in his basement. haha. When all the bands went to sleep Wes, Ryan, and I went up to Wes' room where we hung out and talked for a while. I stayed up way too late, but it was worth it.

Heroes season premier tonight.

Lol. So good.

Walking to class today there were these people holding huge signs saying things like, "NOW'S YOU'RE LAST CHANCE. SAVE YOURSELF FROM HELL. FOLLOW JESUS."

So, I'm thinking about making a sign that says, "GOD ISN'T REAL! SCIENCE R00LZ! LOLZ!"

So edgy.

Huge Superweekend update later.

The Beginning!

Day 1 of Super Weekend was a great success. Went to the Eagle Theater in Pontiac. Upon arriving all of my photo friends (Fags) went and started setting up for the pictures they would be taking of Damiera and Fear Before while I walked around with Irv. He showed me the cage match that was going to take place right next door and around the venue.

After that I went up to find all my friends. They were with Damiera. It's crazy because they had another lineup up change. So it was back to only knowing 2 dudes out of the band. Steve was super pissed during pictures. It was funny because usually he's a super nice dude. Anyways, Dave and I talked for a little while and he said that they're going to try to play the Tiger! Tiger! hometown return show. How awesome would that be. Pretty fucking awesome.

Damiera finished up with their pictures and the it was time for them to shoot Fear Before. Oh my science did those guys crack me up. The singer and the drummer were way into just being as weird as possible. I think the picture turned out really well. I'm hyped for my friends.

The locals on the show sucked. Downers was good though. Not great like I was hoping, but good. I am the Ocean made me want to punch someone. How are they a touring band. They were talking/acting like they were on one of their first local shows. IDK.

All my troubles disappeared when Damiera came on stage. I think this was the best that I have seen them yet. They downgraded in their equipment to smaller amps and I think that helped them with their sound. I think since they were quieter, the technicality of all their stuff shone through better. I was hyped.

Then Fear Before came on. I don't really know what I was expecting. I had only listened to them once really before the show. I wasn't all to sure what was coming except that they had a sweet light set up. It was probably the coolest I have ever seen. Anyways, they started playing and it was awesome. Just raw and powerful. They sounded huge and just had so much energy and presence. It was an awesome way to end the night.

Oh yeah, Chiodos showed up at the show. They came in a limo. So punk rock, lolz. Best part was when Craig Owens and his girl toy stepped in front of me. He realized it and apologized to me. That's right. Craig Owens apologized to me. Looked me in the damn eyes. Haha. I think deep down he's a nice dude. Still, his arrogance disgusts me.

To top it all off, while leaving the venue, Mike decides to put a Tiger! Tiger! sticker on the back of the limo that Chiodos came in. Champion.

After running back to the venue to save a gang beating, we made our way somehow to Denny's in Novi. Gotta love the build your own Grand Slam. It's always a great ending to a night; this night was no different! Once our delicious meals and orange sodas were eaten and drank (respectively), we made our way back to the Rice house. I don't remember much happening other than me saying weird shit as I was almost naked and half asleep on the floor.

Day 2 of Super Week has begun. Update tomorrow.

SOOOO EXCITED!!

Super Week begins today.

Friday - Fear Before, Damiera
Saturday - The Swellers, We Are The Union, Take Notice
Sunday - Saints Never Surrender, Solidarity
Monday - Heroes Season Premiere
Tuesday - Brand New
Wednesday - Karaoke
Thursday - Office Season Premier

Don't judge me

I'm pretty sure I'm voting for Obama.

2 reasons.

1. I like his stance on education and seeing as to how I'm going into education, it kinda makes sense.
2. I don't want to see John McCain in office. I fear that day. I know either way it's not looking much better, but the GOP scares the shit out of me.

I do realize that their is a 99% chance that nothing good will come of Obama becoming president, but I think he's more willing to make changes. I hope that for once a president in my generation is not just a mere puppet of the oil companies and lobbyists. I can hope, can't I?

Suck it...

PETA is at my school with a petition to ban KFC off campus. Fuck all you haters, I'm pumped!

This dude gets me hyped.

This is simplicity at its finest. I've been listening to him a lot lately. I could listen for hours straight.

I can't go to NFG this weekend.

But...I just met a kid from one of the bands at the show I'm going to instead. They're fucking phenomenal.

Check them out: Take Notice

Also The Swellers and We Are The Union are playing. I'm psyched.

Come see one of my best friends this Sunday.

Are you serious?

I forever hate the man that wrote this line.

"Expecting music to change a generation is like expecting dogs to talk."

Music is such a powerful thing. It not only changes generations, it helps to shape them. It's ridiculous that someone, let alone someone who according to their website is a music veteran of 20 plus years said this. Fucking music critics.

He was responding to Geoff Rickley's (Thursday, United Nations) blog that he did the other day. Geoff's is truly inspiring. This guy was just taking cheep shots and seems like he didn't even read the article for what it was.

Read Geoff's here.

Read the other one here.

PS

I just ordered my Copeland/Lydia ticket.

As of now I'm going alone. Any takers?

Check this band out.

"Oh my god, what have I become?"
Gosh I can't get enough of that line. I can't get enough of this band. Why are they in our scene? I say that like I'm complaining, but really I'm not. Let me explain to you how I obtain music. Unless it's a band that I'm dying to here or that has proved themselves to me in the past, I won't buy their CD. There's just too much music nowadays to buy all that I want. I do try to support bands that I love by buying their merch and vinyl if I can, but for everyone else, I'll admit I just download it.

Well, this band blew me away so much that I actually bought their CD after a show. I was totally expecting just another mediocre, piano-drive emo band. Boy was I wrong. You would expect to see something like this in a Jazz Lounge, not Mac's Bar. I was speechless.

This band fuses Jazz like guitar with some pop-hooks. Boy am I hooked. It is astonishing. Definitely check it out if you get the chance.

Dear friends.

I am the trend setter.

You trendy motherfuckers. (Except you, Byron. We just happened to make them at exactly the same time without even realizing it.)

Haha. I kid, I kid.

Are you there?

Breathe and I’ll carry you away into the velvet sky
And we’ll stir the stars around
And watch them fall away into the Hudson Bay
And plummet out of sight and sound
The open summer breeze will sweep you through the hills
Where I live in the alpine heights
Below the Northern Lights, I spend my coldest nights
Alone, awake and thinking of...the weekend we were in love

Home among these mountain tops can be so awfully dull
A thousand miles from the tide
But photos on the walls of New York shopping malls
Distract me so I stay inside
I wish the rockets stayed over the promenade
Cuz I would make a hook and eye
And fish them from the sky, my darling, she and I
We’re hanging on so take us high
To sing the world goodbye:

I am floating away
Lost in a silent ballet
I’m dreaming you’re out in the blue and I am right beside you
Awake to take in the view
Late nights and early parades
Still photos and noisy arcades
My darling, we’re both on the wing, look down and keep on singing!
And we can go anywhere

Are you there?
Are you there, or are you just a decoy dream in my head?
Am I home or am I simply tumbling all alone?

I've been super lonely lately. Not lonely in the sense of being alone, but more in the sense of being uncomfortably alone. I have always preferred the company of myself to the company of others. I guess I just miss having someone to talk to about anything. I mean I pretty much had someone nonstop for 4 years. Now everything just gets bottled in. I hate it.

I don't want a girlfriend by any means, but I just want someone there for me. It sucks. There are actually a couple people I really, really enjoy talking to that are new to my life. It's just weird.

I'm dying, I'M DEAD!

We have full band practice today. I say full in a sense that I hope our "drummer" joins officially. I'm more excited about the current state of Tiger! Tiger! than I ever have been before. Everything just feels right for once. I'm hoping and hoping that it works out. We're going to work on new songs tonight. Holy shit am I excited about these songs. They have a little bit of everything and I'm excited to play them for people. They definitely are a lot more involved than our old stuff.

Get pumped.

This is why I love Nintendo

http://www.omgnintendo.com/article/103296/top-ten-all-time-best-nintendo-levels/

Fuck shit like this.

I hate TV more and more everyday.

Oh my god I need a thrill

Cause I've got scars that will never mend
Broken bones that do not heal with time
Some things just can't be fixed

So listen I've got news for you
This is where I'm supposed to be in life
It is what I'm supposed to do"

We had to do a paper in my class about what we thought the difference between living and existing was. I used those song lyrics that I wrote to describe how I feel.

Last year was the worst year of my life. Almost everything bad that could happen, did happen. I feel like I hit an all time low. I needed a change, and I needed one fast. So what kind of change did I get. Well, I quit my band of 5 years, broke up with my girlfriend of almost 2 years, got fired from my job, almost failed all of my classes and gained about 20 pounds. I got really depressed because of all those things. I showered less frequently than I already did, I stopped eating, I just didn't go to class and slept all day. I was a leach; a parasite; throwing everything down the garbage.

Then I met her.

The girl that encompassed everything that I had dreamed of. I was so in love with everything about her. She was an angel in a sea of hags. For the first time in a while, I felt alive. The feelings that I had were quite new. It really was a rush to my head. Yes, that is who that Eyes of Death Song is about. I used to sing it to her for hours just smiling and staring deep into her eyes. Everything was perfect.

In the mean time, everything else in my life was picking up. I had a new band and was finally playing the music that I wanted to play. It was nice not having a job for a while. It gave me time to free my mind. I did end up starting to teach skating lessons again and all of my "students" always brightened my day. Unlike last year, I didn't have any students that I dreaded working with. I had lost weight and was becoming active again. It was a great feeling. I was finally healthy again.

Then she broke up with me. I was devastated. I remember trying so hard to hold back tears at Mac's bar when I found out. I hurried into the bathroom and just sat in the stall crying. Now, if you know Mac's bar, you know it's a piece of shit. Well, the door to the stall doesn't lock...So I was sitting in there crying and some guy comes busting in and yanks the door open. I think he was more shocked than I was. I ran outside as fast as I could so I didn't have to explain myself.

So, funny story aside, I was CRUSHED.

And yet somehow, I wasn't mad. She helped pull me out of the dark and I think because of that I never can be mad at her. Sure, I would still love to be dating her, but I guess it's just not meant to be.

Now all of that aside, I feel more alive than I have ever felt. I am enjoying life, and it's only going to get better. Come October, it's on. I am working so hard to take Tiger! Tiger! to the next level. I won't stop until I'm fulfilled.

You are my sunshine...

I'm calling Album of the Year. Hope I'm not let down.

Be Honest; Be HONEST

Liars and fakes need to die.

I need someone real.

I enjoy talking to you more than I'll ever admit.

I'm so pumped for this!

May I never lose my youth and if I do may I be forgettable

I have a $50 gift card to the movies. Who wants to go see this with me? It features the voices of John Cusack, Steve Buscemi (The Homeless guy in Big Daddy, Crazy Eyes in Mr. Deeds, etc.), John Cleese (Nearly Headless Nick in the Harry Potter Movies!!!!), Eddie Izzard, and many more! 

South Park R00lz

She was sportin' toe like never before. 

I love how smart of a show South Park is. This episode is playing off of the Animated Christmas Classics and Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery". Gosh, I love it.

RECTUS DOMINUS

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Weather like this sucks. There's no other way to put it. Waking up to the sun behind the clouds just sets the tone for a crappy day. Gosh, I could never live in Alaska where the sun doesn't even rise half the year. People probably think I hate the sun due to my pale and pasty complexion, but that is not the case at all. I'm very fond of sunny days. They fill me with joy, literally.

More and more everyday I feel like I grow apart from the norm. I know that I'm not a normal person by any means and nor do I strive to be one, but then again, what's normal? What so many people don't realize is that WE as humans get to decide what normal is. That's why when ever anyone says something I do is weird, I tell them that I could find 10 other people like me that thought it was weird that YOU are weird for not doing it. It's completely subjective. Yes, I am a minority in a lot of my opinions, beliefs, actions, but different does not equal weird. 

Really, I just want to find someone like me. You would think there would be at least one other Straight Edge, Vegetarian, Musician, Nerd, etc., etc. that I could hang out with. And by no means am I saying that I don't like my friends, I love all of them dearly. They all have those traits, just not all of them. Maybe I'm just too picky?

Now, my next point. I hate when people say things like, "Oh, they're just being different to be different." That phrase crushes individuality so bad. IT'S OK TO BE DIFFERENT! I wish the majority of society could get that through their head. We're not robots that need to comply to everything society and pop culture tell us. If you like wearing your underwear on the outside of your pants, go for it. If you think all of the latest fashion trends are stupid, FUCK 'EM. I've seen too many people in my short life just give in to societies social norms. It's bullshit. Individuality is what really makes our lives so interesting. 

Frankenstein is the man, and I hope my kid is just like him.

I keep living the same day.

This gives me hope for music. Find a way to listen to it.

I wish she was my girlfriend

Wow.

I realized how blunt and boring my last post was. I apologize. The internet was not working for me in my first class until about 5 minutes left in class. I wanted to get that posted so I had to rush and couldn't take my time to give Matt Pryor the love he needs.

I woke up today and was confused as shit. I walk out of my room and the light and TV are on and Brian and Ron are wide awake, giggling like giddy school girls. They were so slap happy it was ridiculous. I'm assuming they have crashed since I went to class. I get out in 10 minutes. I guess we'll see.

I'm excited for today. I really don't know why, but I have good feelings. 

You're a few days overdue...

Went to the Shelter to see Matt Pryor last night. What a man. Everything this man touches turns into gold. He played Get Up Kids Songs! I really hope the rumors of them making a reunion/getting back together are true. I would go apeshit.

Kevin Devine was super good as well. I bought his 7". Haven't had time to listen to it yet, but hopefully I will when I get out of class today.

Working the Valencia show tonight. Photoshoot tomorrow. Hopefully band practice sometime this weekend.

Hot Dog!

This is why I could never be famous

People need to stay out of other people's business and shit like this won't happen.

Read about Kanye West!!!

My home away from home.

Many people don't know this, but I was born in Texas. Even though it is a vast wasteland of rednecks and racism, I know that it is also filled with good. I still consider it my home to this day.  What sparked this post is my realization that two of my bigger writing heroes in music hail from the Lone Star State. 

First is Ben Kweller; The man, the myth, the legend. The reason he's so great in my eyes is mainly because he bridged the gap between the energy of punk rock with the songwriting abilities of straight up rock musicians. I think if it wasn't for him I wouldn't like half of the stuff I do today.

Second is Dan Hunter (Playradioplay!). I know that I've heard so many people dismiss his music because of the genre. On the outside, yes, it does appear to be just mediocre synth pop. The thing is, if you dive in and really listen, he is leaps and bounds ahead of anyone else in his genre. On top of that, his blogs are some of the most inspiring things I have read. To be in his position and actually using it to talk about things he believes in (no, not religion), is awesome. 

I guess I'm a little jealous of the both of them, too. I mean, they both had early fame. I'm hoping I can be the next Texan to reach national spotlight.

I'm burning all my bridges

I'm sorry. That wasn't me.

Gosh, I'm such a nerd.

If you're into literature and shit, I hope you love this movie as much as I do.

Why I love this kid...

My friend Nalin just told me this:

"What is gonna fuck Barack over is his inability to produce a male heir. John McCain is just a fucking stud."

hahahahahahahaha

Living La Vida Loca

My spanish teacher is crazy. The only reason I make it through her classes are because of her ridiculous mannerisms. Just picture getting up in everyones face and making them repeat a word in spanish about 10 times. All the while she's making weird fucking noises as she breaks them down into different syllables. Oh yeah, she very rarely speaks English so half the time I have no idea what's going on since I skipped the class before this one. Thanks Dr. Mihaly for "allowing" me to do so. I don't know how I'm going to get through this whole semester without going crazy myself. Should be a fun trip.

Coming to a city near you!!!

Tiger! Tiger! is playing out a bunch this fall. Hope to see some of you there.

10/16 - Mac's Bar w/ Forgive Durden

Lansing, Michigan

10/17 - Club 2nd Floor

Farmington, Michigan

10/18 - CC's Cyber Cafe (Marlette)

Marlette, Michigan

10/24 - CC's Cyber Cafe (Oxford)

Oxford, Michigan

10/25 - Kozy Koffee

Highland, Michigan

10/31 - Bean Counters

Highland, Indiana

11/1 - Dino's Rock Room

Kalamazoo, Michigan

11/7 - Hartland Performing Arts Center/ HOMETOWN RETURN SHOW!

Howell, MI

11/8 - Fenton Community Center

Fenton, MI

11/22 - Refuel

Newark, OH

Many more should be coming in. It's gonna be one hell of a fall for us. Plus most likely a winter tour!!! Get excited. More information at the myspace: www.myspace.com/tigerrock

Apparently I'm forgettable?

Yesterday was the best day I've had in a long time. So much good stuff happened. It's amazing how one minuscule event can change everything.

I don't even know what word to use to describe the feeling I have. I just can't believe it's true. Tell me this, Do you cry in his arms about me like you did for Sam? Fuck you. I did everything for you. I don't ever want to see you again.

Now some girl with the most stupid fucking tattoos (Dragons and tribal bands) just sat down next to me. I want to fucking punch someone so bad.

Fuck You.

I hate you right now.

EDIT: I'm keeping this, but I didn't mean those words. I was just really mad. I don't hate you.