florida

These Days

in ,

These days been going fast. These days are memories that will last.

Got back from Virginia just over a week ago. Been surrounded by all kinds of genuine people every since.

Taking all the necessary steps to get my book published this November.

Getting ready to go to start a new venture with my friend Josh Bermudez.

Went out with my friends Cougan Smith and Paige on Saturday night for drinks. They are just good company no matter what the occasion. Then drunkenly eating Roxy’s at 2am.

Roxy’s is one of just a few 24 hour diners in Portland, Oregon; a lot of personality in this place and good food, too.  A perfect place to kind of try and sober up.

Then Sunday I went to Cathedral Park in St Johns portion of Portland. It’s name is very fitting. The archways of the bridge are huge. From the bridge are good views of Mt Hood and Mt St Helens.

It’s well aged and there are lots of good nooks for escaping to read a book. I even saw not even big enough to walk with a Mohawk!

 And now… now I’m at the airport in Charlotte, North Carolina. I was here just over a week ago flying back from Virginia. This time I’m in transit to Orlando, Florida to see my friends and Portugal. The Man.

Oooooh I finally listened to the newest The Strokes album yesterday. More like listened to it 3 times! So good! That falsetto! What?!? More on that in a later blog; I have a plane to catch. 

I’ve got so many words running in my head to write. It  feels so good to be alive. I feel like I can’t write them fast enough. Just gotta take things one moment at a time.

Florida

in

Flying to Orlando, Florida tomorrow night and flying back Wednesday. I can only take so much heat and humidity. 

Get to see some good friends I haven't seen a little while including Avani's new little creature. That should be fun. She's a double mommy now. Man, that's a lot of diapers.  

Then it's Portugal. The Man with Sarah and Jenny the next day.

Thank you for the early birthday gift, Jenny.

Nothing like good music with good people. Excited to see you guys. 

 

Gator Nation

florida-gators.jpg

Firstly, I can't believe I'm typing about the Gators. I moved to the other side of the country and still surrounded by Gator Nation.

The interesting part is how many people in my newsfeed aren't actually in Gainesville anymore. New York, Chicago, California and so on.

Living in a college town is quite the experience; even though some of you fools are a bit insane, but we all have our passions I guess. I get pretty obsessed with music stuff. 

Deep inside I still want the Virginia Tech Hokies to go all the way still. And I'll still check the paper to see they are doing really well and then lose a couple essential games. But no more than a couple and it will drive me mad. 

So Virginia Tech Hokies and Florida Gators is a football game I would pay a pretty penny to see. Let's make that happen football dudes!  

 

Long Live The Chariot

in

Well it's happening... that time when one of those bands that mean the world to you comes to an end. I know it happens just kind of surreal.

I may  not listen to as much heavy music as I did when I was 18 years old but The Chariot is one of the three I still enjoy through and through.

They have only gotten better album by album and I'm bummed to see them go but they are leaving behind a great discography. I'm trying to throw all my feelings together really quick so bare with me. 

 Let me start out by saying The Chariot was my first real show. I saw them perform with Underoath, As Cities Burn, and mewithoutYou in December 2005 in Jacksonville, Florida at a venue that was called Plush.  

After seeing The Chariot and meeting Josh Scogin the first time; December 2005. 

After seeing The Chariot and meeting Josh Scogin the first time; December 2005. 

I remember meeting Josh Scogin after the show and my eyes were like a deer in headlights. This picture is right after seeing them the first time. This is actually the second picture because I was embarrassed of the first one because my eyes were even more star struck that I asked Josh for a do over.

 

 

Josh Scogin remains the only musician that made me go super fanboy. It took meeting him 3 times to realize he's just a normal dude. So normal and so down to earth; a good ole Georgia boy.

I discovered The Chariot after learning of Norma Jean and hearing that the singer had started a new band. I was in awe of the power in Josh Scogin's voice and wanted to be able to give a captivating live show like I had witnessed The Chariot put on.  

I have had the opportunity to share the stage with them numerous times and for that I am VERY grateful. My last band's final show was with The Chariot, too. I still reference to The Chariot when it comes to being in tune and entertaining live.

Being on stage and sharing a mic in the itty bitty 1982 Bar in Gainesville, Florida with The Chariot will be one of the greatest moments of my youth and of my life. 

I just hope they hit up Portland in their final tour; if not I'll be flying back to the East Coast for sure. 

Thank you The Chariot for inspiring me beyond words. 

It's the end of an era for the scene.

Long Live The Chariot!!! 

 

Too Hot

in ,

When I'm too warm; I have no ambition. Which a major reason for leaving Florida.  

Currently the outside temperature is perfect to me, but this apartment has no AC and the the circulation of outside air is mediocre at best.  

I don't like this one bit. I need a fan of some sort.  

There are far too many books and news articles to read, but this warm apartment has disabled all such longings. I just want to fall asleep and wake up in need of a blanket. 

My Song of The Day

in

Against Me!- T.S.R.​

The party's over
A cd's skipping
It's the same hook repeating
Grows more grating with each passing second...

And the walls contain a resonation, laughter, and conversation.
It was fun while it lasted, but now we should be going.
And I hope everybody had real, real good time
The hospitality's partaken, my head is flying my heart's racing to keep up. 
And I hope I havent overdone it nooo... 
I hope my body can take it. I hope I make the occasion.
It's only this fucked up I start realizing 
all this living is just dying 
and if these are my friends, if this is my home,
if this is how Ii spend my nights, how I communicate, and demonstrate a love of life. 
My eyes roll into the back of my head, if these are the last words that I ever said
No I'm not ready to die just yet.

​