For a blog named Nerd to the Core, I don't talk about nerd things an awful lot.
So George Lucas basically pillaged everyone's childhood when he released his back story for the Star Wars Trilogy. Instead of leaving everything to our imagination, which he helped to build, he used computers to turn Darth Vader from the baddest motherfucker of all time into someone who cries in his bedroom as Dashboard Confessional plays on loop.
But that's another story...this one is about Stormtroopers. What the fuck happened in the 20 year gap? In the Original awesome movies, these guys could not shoot for shit. They never hit anyone. In the prequels, they were able to take down nearly every freaking Jedi in the galaxy. Old ones, they couldn't hit a farmer with a giant glowing vibrator. What the hell George?
I mean, the Empire was able to acquire the wealth of the galaxy, so training methods didn't decline, and there were more troopers during the Awesome era than during the Shitty one, so the numbers argument is out. No, Georgie not only ruined our childhoods, he also can't keep his stories straight.
I mean, seriously. The fucking shot down Obi-Wan while he was climbing up a cliff...and a legion of them couldn't kill Luke? I call Bull Shit!
If George had done those original movies right (no love story, no Jar-Jar, no midichlorians, less Yoda speak, no Chewbacca, no immaculate conception) they could have been the ultimate nerdgasm. You know, those moments that make nerds everywhere smile and sigh as if everything is right with the world.
Examples:
The Dark Knight
World War Z
Them getting the Watchmen movie right

No, instead of every nerd world wide being able to experience the same emotions associated with great sex, George Lucas left us with sloppy seconds.

Thanks George for waving your prick through our childhood and getting your herpes stain all over it.

So here I am, watching the Magic World Championships after having cooked and devoured some delicious pasta (and breaking my pepper mill thanks to the floor).
Oh, and I've had something to drink. Totally inadvertently. I bought a large beverage at the market yesterday and decided to enjoy it tonight. Well, it's stronger than most and larger than most...so I am nice right now.
I was talking to my friend today about how I feel old. I'm a week away from 25 and just feel very mediocre. Maybe it's because the plans for this weekend fell through or maybe it's because I'm approaching the quarter century mark, but I am just feeling very meh. I want to do stuff and find people with whom I can be social...and cuddle with.
Yeah, I know. It's been a year since my last date and I'm just in that "I need human contact phase." I know it's natural and normal to feel this way, and I'm sure it's exacerbated by my beverage, but ugh...
Sorry to have complained...I just needed to get it off my internet chest.

Magic Worlds: Awesome
Mets off season moves: Awesome
Dark Knight of DVD: Awesome
Sanctioned Pauper on MTGO: really awesome

Come dance with me or I'll explode

Well, my Thanksgiving break was pretty awesome (Aside from the leak in my apartment from the person living above me). I got to see my family and catch up with some old friends at the SLC Alumni party.
The party was great- lots of drinking occurred (or at least I think it did, considering the hit my wallet took). It's always weird to go back and hang out with people who remember you as a kid. I mean, I'm always having to shed the aura I had as the awkward kid. Now, I'm just the awkwardly cool adult...with a beard! That counts for something, right?
Back then I didn't own being a nerd-being different. When you're a kid in a summer camp being different is a death sentence. I was short, a late bloomer, and really an all around mess- the quintessential nerd. Of course, now I own that shit. Hell yeah Optimus Prime would take down Mario in a battle royal, everyone knows that.
I was exposed to just how uncomfortable people get around proud nerds at dinner with some other friends that same Saturday. We were talking about books and World War Z/Max Brooks came up. If you haven't read the work of Brooks (Mel's son) I highly suggest that you do- they are fucking phenomenal. Anyway, the conversation turns the the Zombie Survival Guide and the proper way to evade zombies. There I am, talking with one other person in a completely serious tone about the proper techniques for evading zombie death and how it has influence my workout regimen (more cardio!) and there were more than a few perplexed stares. Fuck it I was owning my nerdness and it felt great.
Nerds plus whiskey = bad times however, and at the alumni party I was reminded how it felt as a kid. In other words, I got shot down more time than Dick Cheney's hunting partner. And then I get home and sign into the jDate experiment only to find I am being ignored.
I fail to see why internet dating should give people the right to be bigger assholes than they would be in real life. At least in a bar if I try to mack it with someone and they turn me down, they at least tell me "No." On the internet, I am just ignored- not even a downcast stare. I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were hot shit over there on your side of the internet dating. At least have the decency to say "sorry, I'm not interested." It's common courtesy people. No wonder your using this site.
Yeah, I know, I am too- but not after my subscription runs out.
My friend has been deluging me lately with worries about this guy she met, saying he hasn't gotten in touch with her. Same woman told me to not get in touch with women I may be interested in because I want to appear disinterested. She can't follow her own advice she gave me. Then again, who can follow their own advice- it can't be done.
Okay, I'm done for now.

So changing my routine was a bad idea. Instead of waking up and going to the gym like I usually do I fell back asleep. So when I went to cut my bagel this morning, of course I cut my thumb. This sucks.

Free association

I want to write, but I don't know what the subject matter should be. instead, I'm just going to keep writing.
I went to my friend's housewarming last night and it was a trip. We went to camp and college together, but random people from my high school showed up-people I haven't seen in seven years. So there was a good amount of reminiscing. It was nice, but nothing extremely deep or meaningful, just good conversation. Like it would be anything less? I mean, you always hear how people are like "Holy shit, I ran into these guys from my life that I haven't seen in forever and everyone changed and got fat/bald/lost an eye and has 12 kids!" Yeah, none of that. Just catching up and reconnecting.
I continue to struggle with understanding flirts. When a woman makes eyes with you at the beginning of the evening and then later starts a conversation with you, but then stumbles away...what the hell does that mean? Additionally, how the hell am I supposed to know what the different looks mean? Is there a guidebook?
I got my hands on two Chuck Ragan records and holy shit, I can not stop listening to them. It's just good straight from the heart rock and roll. I know a lot of people think that it's country rock but to me it just has that rhythm and roll. I mean, sure, there's a banjo and a twang, but that does not mean it can't fucking rock.
And rock it does...harder than Rock of Love. But seriously, go listen to Chuck Ragan and revel in how fucking awesome it is.
What? You want more? Fine.
It has that punk ethos but is twinged with banjo and acoustic rhythm over electric crunch and thumping bass. Instead of woahs you get the hum of the harmonica. You get incredibly mature and poetic lyrics over simple catchy melodies. The lyrical hooks, however, are the things that really reigned me in. Simple negations of statements really work for this record and compliment Ragan's voice and introspective stance very well.
I took myself off of the auto-renew on jDate, but I'm thinking I may sign up again at a cheaper rate. I mean, it hasn't been totally useless- I'm just not very patient.

Continuing on this trend of music...when did rock and roll become safe? Well, let me rephrase that, when did rock music become safe? I mean, go back to the earliest days of rock and roll and everything about it was dangerous. It was Black at a time when the color of your skin was enough to get you thrown out of a bar; it was sexy during the family friend 50s. Look at Elvis, he was pure charisma and sex appeal. The music itself had a rhythm that was alien to the normalized ears of America. The rock was boring, it was the roll that was dangerous. I mean, my dad played the blues when I was a kid, and I loved that stuff. That was all roll right there. I grew up and wanted something faster and more aggressive. I found punk and ska, and I loved it. It had some of that same danger, but most of it was polished, clean and fun. But man, did it have rhythm. It was always hidden and obscured by sometimes awful lyrics and vocals. I matured though and I delved deeper into the more roll nature of punk and ska. Now, that glossy sheen has been tarnished a little bit, like car dragged through the mud. Don't get me wrong, I still love punk and ska, but my soul lies with rock and roll. It's that danger, the rhythm, the sheer fun of the music.
Punk embodied the danger of rock and roll. Look at a band like the Stooges or Black Flag or hell, any good punk show now a days. If the lyrics do denote some amount of urgency, then the show itself is scary. You don't know if someone is going to jump off the stage and join in the pit. Remember, I said good shows, like when you see the Flatliners or Big D and the Kids Table in some small basement where the stage is a foot high and security is your own forearm.
Ska, ska is the rhythm. You get down and move to the left and the right in some sort of controlled spasm and you just dance. There's something primal about the circle of skankers that just feels right to me.
So what band really does this for me now? It's still those dudes in the Gaslight Anthem. Their songs really speak to the underside of a safe time. Their songs speak about the other side of the happy life. The dive bars and broken down cars; backseat romance and nightlife with a switchblade. They have all the edge and rhythm of a good punk band and they sure know how to roll.
So now I've been digging on Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings, picking up Tim Barry, Chuck Ragan, and Lucero. This stuff is rock and roll the way it should be. Punk, well, punk rock is something else, like the bastard child of rock and roll. What the radio plays...the radio lacks the roll, it lacks the soul.

Trading Dreams

Last night was the first show we put on here that was done with the help of the new student music programming group (better name forthcoming). It was awesome and a mini reunion for me since one member of each band- The Andrea Doria (myspace.com/theandreadoriaband) and The Homecoming Queens (myspace.com/thehomecomingqueens)- are old roommates of mine from college. It was an awesome time and we had a huge turnout for our "kick off" event. I was a little upset that there were numerous other events happening at the same time (including one or two that were scheduled after we had planned on this) but we'll just do better next time.
The students were great. For the first event that they had worked on, they did a wonderful job and seem genuinely excited with the prospect of doing this over and over again.
I was talking with Matt, bass player from the Doria, last night. he's a cool guy and we come from different backgrounds. We talked about life and he talked about the rough part about being in the band. And here I am thinking, this guy is living my dream. At the same time though, I know I am not willing to do what these guys are dong: touring constantly, living on floors, going into debt. Yeah, I say I want be a rockstar, but in reality, I just want to live my life comfortably.
Guess I'm a bit of a poser.

So story time people: a few weeks ago I took myself out to dinner at a local diner. As I'm pulling into the parking lot I notice one of my co-workers and his family. I thought I was going to have a dinner by myself listening to Pro Tour: Berlin coverage on my iPod. Instead, I get to sit down with a really nice family. Eventually, the talk turns to the fact that we're all Jewish and jDate comes up. You know, that website Jews go on so we can find other Jews and have Jewish relationships, like Woody Allen or Larry David and the women that are like, immeasurably more attractive than they are. Hey, we all can dream, can't we?
So anyway, it turns out that my co-worker met his future wife on the site. Up until then I had rarely considered actually paying for the service, but seeing it in front of my face gave me a nudge in a different direction. Of course, then I got a message from someone on there and I was sold- I signed up for a month. It did not matter that the first woman to message me looked like an animated cadaver, I wanted to see if ti could work for me.
So I've been on there for a week and have talked with a few women- it's very hit or miss. I think, though, I might have found someone to carry on a deeper conversation with. here's hoping.
Saturday is the Filmore 104 Reunion party, also known as The Homecoming Queens/The Andrea Doria playing the school at which I work. I am stoked. These guys are all my friends and I hope that this event goes well. There is a group of students who are dedicated to making the music scene thrive on campus and for their sake, I hope it does.
Also, I love rock and roll shows- who doesn't?

Life, or something similar

Okay, so I haven't posted anything substantial in a while. Sue me.
I broke down and signed up for a month of jDate to see if that could cure my little cash flow problem. Turns out it might, but it's not worth the money I've invested. Instead, I'm doing work on finding a scene up here. A scene where there's rock & roll.
I mean, what happened to the roll? Sometime around 1980 it just became rock and the rhythm was taken out of the equation. I saw Royal City Riot the other day and was like "Holy Shit, a rock and roll band!" Yeah, they're ska but they have the rhythm.
I don't know, maybe I'm on a Johnny cash kick, but I am growing my music taste slowly. First stops include rock & roll and awesome folk.
I mean, how much of the stuff on the radio can you actually dance to? I'm guessing not so much. And isn't that what music is supposed to be about? I mean, not dancing necessarily, but fun. There's no fun in hard rock radio, just misplaced power chords. Not everything I rock out to is happy and peppy, but it sure is fun. Everyone feels something and then, in the utter undulation of punk, lets it all out as one huge cathartic moment. At the same show when I saw Royal City Riot, my friend Phil played with his band The Homecoming Queens. There I was, 24 years old, dancing in the pit like I was 17 again. It was awesome. I felt vibrant and energetic.
I was having fun.
So here it goes, I will hereby listen to any music that has rhythm and makes life fun. For what it's worth, I probably won't be listening to the radio anytime soon because it still blows (except for awesome independent and college stations).
So here's to punk ,to ska, to rock and roll, to fun!

Let's make history people

Get up, get out, vote!

Seriously?

Okay, this week has been absurd.
First, thanks ConEd for totally ruining my weekend and forgetting how to hook up our campus to power. You get the gold medal of life. Morons.
Next, the Phillies won the world series. Now, as a Mets fan, I was going to begrudgingly give them credit.
But everything I have heard out of their mouths after the night they won has been about how they are better than the Mets.
Hey, morons, we know- you won the World Series, the Mets did not make the play offs.
Is your inferiority to New York so ingrained in your collective nut sacs that whenever you get a twinge of joy or anything resembling an erection that you have to remind yourselves that you are some how superior to my home city? We get it- you won, we didn't. Isn't that enough?
Apparently not, since at the parade today, Jimmy Rollins decided to talk smack about the Mets. Except head to head, the Mets won the season series. What the fuck Philly?
I had more to type, but I forgot it in rage.

I had a dream...

..that Barack Obama was performing with the Dillinger Four.

Shards of Alex

This was supposed to be an entry about my experience in the Shards of Alara release events on Magic Online. I cashed out from Traders, bought my cards and settled in to play. I won round one on the back of a strong Exalted chain, and was getting ready for round two when I got a bleep on my phone from security, asking me about this evening's event. We work it out.
Round two starts and I lose game one. Game two, I get bleeped and they need me there. I scoop, drop, and get dressed, only to get bleeped that I am no longer needed. Of course.
Don't get me wrong, I love my job, but the one time I invest in something, this happens.
Oh well, can't complain more than I have. I really do love it here, but have no one to complain to, so I'm complaining here!
Instead I dropped some of my Traders earnings on some common playsets and have been building new decks all night. This Standard is a ton more fun than the previous one.
But now for stuff for the people who have no idea about my sick twisted hobbies...
I never really understood why my friends come to me for relationship advice. I mean, I don't have the best track record in that field, but people confide in me and apparently I am quite sage in this area. Who knew? In the past two months, three separate people have come to me for advice and I have been helpful.
So last.fm is totally awesome. As one student astutely noticed, I am addicted to music, and this website totally feeds my addiction. Now I can listen to just about anything I want to at work. Awesome.
This + punkradiocast + pandora = good times!
So, I'm in here for the rest of the night, and hopefully nothing will happen.

Backstreet Boys =/= Baseball

Okay, seriously, I don't care that they are from Tampa Bay. The Backstreet Boys are just not baseball. They are not hard-nosed, running out double play, home run hitting musicians. They should be no where near the world series. They should be closer to a drainage pipe outside a leper colony.
Also, seriously, what the hell is up with Kevin Kennedy on the Fox coverage? The first thing he mentions before game one is how the Phillies beat out the Mets. Hey, Kevin, genius, the Mets did not even make the playoffs. You totally neglected to mention how they beat the Brewers and the Dodgers, two actual playoff teams, on their way to the World Series. Nice going jackass, twist the knife deeper. Shave your mustache.
For what it's worth, let's go Rays. I hate the Phillies, and I hope they fail miserably.
Why did it take me this long to find out about Last.FM? I really love this site and it has become part of my regular musical rotation at my desk. I am sure all the students really love walking into my office and hearing Polar Bear Club blaring, if they're lucky. I know I have a distinct taste in music but I enjoy being able to listen to music while I work. Heck, I love having a car because it means that when I drive people places, I get to impose my musical will upon them.
Anyway, I love this shit. I can just tool around all day rocking out. It also makes suggestions for things I might like, which is cool- I'm always looking to learn about more music. However, I am wary since they've also recommended that I order cheese on my hookers.
That must be a bug.
back to the point- how the hell do you approach a touchy subject, like free speech? I never want to take away the rights of people to express their view point (I keep a blog for fuffs sake), but I am dealing with people who are not really expressing anything. They just restate information without reporting, and seem to have no regard for grammar and spelling. I am a bit of an ass about this, since I write often, was an English major, and spent time as an editor. Yes, I'm one of those douches who actually goes around looking for mistakes. Yet, when you publish something and out it out there, you don't want to spell committee comity (even though comity is a word).
Yes, I do work at a institution of higher learning.

The stories of my life

A conversation had over G-chat, names have been changed to protect the innocent

Ash: so my drummer, steve was out of his mind drunk saturday night
me: And?
Ash: well, james and i notice that he was sitting on the couch talking to this girl
and we were like "go steve!"
we walk outside for a bit
come back and he's got his tounge down her throat
we were like "yes!"
i go to grab another delicous pbr and i come back watching then go upstairs to a bedroom
we all start chanting steve's name
because we're retarded
we ask him the next day how things were
he said not so good
me: How not good?
Ash: i preface this by saying it is gross
steve had a bad case of whisky dick...so not much was happening after like an hour
me: HAHAHAHA
Ash: so he goes and turns the light on to get dressed
and there's blood everywhere
he screams "OH MY GOD!!!"
me: Did he chop it off?
Ash: he might has well have
apparently, in his drunken stupor, he thought he was bleeding
me: But...
Ash: nope
me: Dude, what happened....
Ash: exactly what you think happened
me: It fell off?
Or did he rub it raw?
Dude, you cannot leave me hanging here.
me: Please dude, please, end the suspense...my stomach is lurching in anticipation.
Ash: dude
please tell me you're not serious
me: I mean like, it's turning...I need closure.
Ash: alright fine
he asked macguyver later if she was a virgin
he started laughing hysterically
and said "you have period blood on your dick!!"
me: Wow, you know what...after like all that
Right before you typed it, I got it.
This just proves how long it's been since I've been anywhere close to a woman and her lady-parts.
Ash: hahahahahaha
i was gonna say...

I was working for the weekend, but I got fired.

I feel like I wasted this weekend. I mean, it started off great. I got second place in Classic PDC and my parents came up for some exploring. But then I got some awful stomach cramps and ended up staying in bed for four hours farting up a storm. This is what happens- I get gassy and cramps, so I have to lay down and fart.
So I was woken up by the Breast Cancer Walk this morning and couldn't fall back asleep. I'm all for good causes, but do they have to happen right outside my window? And then I was confined to my apartment since the roads by me were all blocked. This ate up a good chunk of my day since I had to wait to go grocery shopping, and being the stubborn ass I am, I couldn't do anything else until after I had finished my shopping. But I bought steak, so I made steak. It was good steak, but a bit tough. I enjoy cooking and ate well, and now I have sandwich meat for the week. I heart leftovers. Actually, I don't. I would much rather have people over to eat my food. Any takers? I make delicious vittles.
Tonight there's a ton of good TV. A new Futurama movie, a new Family guy, and game 7 of rays-Red Sox. I am going to be doing a ton of flipping back and forth, but hopefully I'll get all the laughs and excitement that should be coming my way. Although I would much rather be out partying it up with woman and making questionable decisions about orifices, I'll settle for some good old fashion television.
Futurama is one damn funny show. It just hits all the right notes and makes me feel good all over, kind of like Gold Bond. It might just make me skip the other greatness.
Is this what the weekend is? Wasted time and regrets? I mean, I tried to do things, but the weekend just got away from me. I need to start doing stuff week nights as well.
You ever get an album and just listen to it over and over and over? I got a copy of Cuban Ballerina by Dead to Me and have not been able to stop listening. It is catchy and upbeat with great lyrics and fantastic hooks. It is a wonderful blend of pop-punk and hardcore that just makes me want to dance. I know what you're thinking- he can't dance. That's how good this album is- it makes me want to make a bigger ass out of himself than usual. I mean, I could imagine rocking out to this album, or playing it in Obi-Wan while I floor it, or during other things. You know those things. Oh what things I would do while listening to this album.


THINGS!

Like a kid on the fist night of Chanukah

Getting into a band right before their new album comes out can be a great experience. You get to gorge on everything that;s out there in an orgy of musical joy.
And then there's the anticipation of that new album. wanting ti expand upon the experience of this great new aspect of your life. Then the album comes, and you have those wonderful moments of discovery of listening through it a few times to appreciate it as something totally new. On top of all that, you have the history right there to hear that growth.
This has been my experience with the new Dillinger Four album. I only got into the band about a month ago and have devoured their catalog. Then I got my copy. It took me a while, but I'm digging this album more and more. It really is quite awesome and a great extension of what they have done before.

Now I'm looking for things to do tonight. None of my friends are really coming up to where I live for a drink so I'm going to fall back on the skills I learned while I was looking for a job: drive to a bar, have a beer, sober up, leave. Until I establish some social ties up here, that is going to be my life.
I thought i was going to be getting involved in a band, but my contact has basically ignored me for the past three days, which is either a sign of being busy, or she utterly despises me.
Which do you think?

And it feels like summer in October

You ever get a song stuck in your head for a few minutes,and you have the sudden urge to listen to that song, and then you get home, and you can't remember that song for anything. That sucks. That is how I started my day.
This entire four day week has messed with my head. Columbus Day knocked me out of whack and took the life out of a perfectly good rock show. We booked the Andrea Doria (you know, that band I wrote about before) to play and they seriously rocked. They know how to put on a show, regardless of venue, and you can really feel the love and passion in their set. It was just a shame more people didn't show up to enjoy their set.
Maybe next time, we booked them to come back in a month, and this time people won't be gone for the long weekend. It should be a rocking good time, some come out and dress like a pirate...or a hobo...or a zombie.

It scares me that there are people in this country that believe the Bible word for word. Now, I consider myself a spiritual person- I believe in some higher power. But personally, I don't know how one group's infallible book is any more truthful than another group's infallible book. I mean, if both books are equally awesome, shouldn't someone's head explode?

There should be a rule- if you break up with someone, everyone in the world has to discontinue using the scent that person used. It's only fair.

I want to get out. I am looking for awesome people with good taste in music in the greater White Plains area to help me find good bars and awesome things to do. I am a fun guy to hang out with since I resemble a leprechaun while drunk and have been known to jig...poorly. So, for the low low price of a can of PBR and some whiskey, this blog can be the sights of your drunken exploits!

Back to the Andrea Doria- they crashed at my place..myspace? and they are just awesome guys. We had a blast trying to find a decent bar and found a special on beer. We ended up getting a round of Negra Modelo's cheaper than a round of Miller Lite. Now I don't know about you, but that makes for a good night.

That's all for now...please tell me how to make this suck less.
Oh, and if you are a punk band looking for a bass player, I know how to adequately play the bass.

Hey hey hey hey

You ever have one of those conversations that was all at once comforting, perplexing, and utterly infuriating? I had one of those the other day. My life was going great and then I get into this little convo with someone. I wasn't expecting to speak with her, but then we get to talking and I realize the motive behind the chat is to have me life her up while she's feeling down.
Didn't I leave this party before?
Or maybe I was kicked out...
But it's okay, because just a little while after, I had another conversation that restored some faith in my ability to be an all around awesome person. Those are the best conversations, and they usually involve someone asking what's going on in your situation...if you know what I mean.

I mean pants...by situation I'm referring to the parts of your body covered up by censor bars on network television.

Back on topic, as if there was one in the first place. All of you out there should join Tiny Adventures on Facebook and then proceed to buff and heal my character. It's only half as sexual as it sounds, and the game itself is a great time waster. It combines the leveling aspect of World of Warcraft without the insane commitment of time and money. It's a win-win for the nerd in all of us.
This weekend my old roommate Mark is coming down and playing a show here. Afterward, he and his band are crashing at my place, which explains why I cleaned up. These are all cool guys- I wrote about them before at some point. I'm excited because he'll be the first one of my friends to visit my new place and then help me discover the local bar scene- shot not designated driving. This is just what I need to show off my new sense of self worth and amazing physique- and one of those is true.
It is also a chance to show this town what a dirty old man can do with some PBR and Whiskey. This should make for an interesting Sunday morning routine.
Oh well, it should be a blast!

I'm a big weenie

I say this cause I'm watching House, and for some reason, am tearing up a bit.
Oh hey look, it's a sensitive guy- he must be emo.
No, I just cry at TV...and movies...and all the time.
Exaggeration.
Working in my profession is interesting. You meet people who want the easy way out and want someone to clean up their messes for them, even before they are messes.
I am a little surprised at this, even though I'm sure I was the same way.

People really need to learn when to wear leggings and when to wear not leggings.

Tonight we party like hobos!

So I just finished the first event I programmed from start to finish, and it was awesome! Students came out, the bands rocked it hard and everyone looked like they were having a blast. It made me content, and it also made me want to play in a band again.
I came home, flipped on the Hartke and started playing the bass again for a long time.
It felt good. I can feel the tips of my fingers getting hard.
My life is full- I'm active and working. I am writing again, here and about the cards. Now I just need to find a band in which to play.
To craigslist!
Craigslist, the haven of those with limited social skills and weird sexual desires. And now it is my hope for finding a way to play bass and pound out the same three chords for 120 seconds.
Hopefully, this will work out.

I miss being in a band.

The good thing about being a Mets fan right now...

is that I am not a Cubs fan. I mean, fuck, I would hate to be a fan of that team. At least our team isn't a tease. The Cubs are like, your about to score on prom night and your get out the rubber, and your dick just falls off- right there- four times in a row.
And then your date runs away with that guy who just moved in from New York. And he scores. In front of you. A lot.
The Mets had the decency to break our hearts in the regular season, so for that, I thank them.

I have to be careful with what I write here. You see, I am a college administrator and heaven forbid someone comes across and reads my ideas and vulgarity. Like they'd be terribly offended about my thoughts and not the fact that I write pages upon pages about a card game. No, the fact I talk about microwaving cats or post ridiculous Star Wars pictures is the real scary thing. Sigh.
One good thing about my job is that I get to book bands to play (for very little money). It's still cool to just be like, watching music and knowing you helped make it happen. You know, cause I really suck at playing music.
I continue to say absurd things at work and I can't stop myself. It's one of those places where I just feel comfortable, so all sorts of weird shit pops out of my mouth. I should pull a Norm MacDonald from "Dirty Work" and just record everything I say, you know, with a bad affect and Canadian accent.
DW was an underrated movie. Anything that features an army of hookers is good by me. Combine that with nut punches and Adam Sandler as Satan, and you have a late night classic.

And we're back. My boss just called me (well, bleeped me on a NexTel). She's quite awesome and it's nice that she informs me of her brain farts. I, instead, inform her of how I sit in pizza. I'm just that awesome.

I have to start writing again, and this is the start. I have a couple of editing gigs that might be coming my way, and I really want to take advantage of them. Hey, it might be a card game, but it's one I love.

The Mets

The season is over.
We didn't make the playoffs.
I sit here, fettuccine in homemade cheese sauce in a bowl, and cold can of PBR by my side...as I try to work through the emotions of being a fan.
All at once, I am hurt, upset, depressed, hateful, angry, incensed, perplexed, and exhausted.
On the other hand, I am relieved in that doing this for another month would have probably given me an ulcer big enough for Mo Vaughn to fit through.
And also, being a fan, I am hopeful that next season will be better. I now can watch television that doesn't involve nine innings and return to my life as a single nerd looking to meet a special someone.
In other words, I have a whole other mess of issues to obsess over and be upset about.
See, there I go whining again. How blase, how unattractive, how...how...emo.
I don't mean in the good sense here, like Rites of Spring and Texas is the Reason. No, I'm talking about stretch-pants emo. The kind of emo that makes people take vacuum cleaners and weed-whackers to their hair to make a fashion...I mean personal statement. Here's some advice emo-kid: stop it. Just stop it.

So as a fan, what happens now? I pick myself back up and get back out there. I mean, I have to find something to fill the time- mise well be dating.
amirite?

Just my luck

My sister wins a chance to get NLCS tickets for the Mets. Being the awesome sister that she is, she offers me a chance to buy tickets,and I jump at the chance.
Of course, my luck permeates time and space to screw the Mets.

Yes, world, I am taking the blame for the Mets collapse this season!

Thursday, September 25th, 208

Beltran took the bat off his shoulder.

Movin' eighteen miles a minute but not slowin' down for nuthin'

Time for some random thoughts:
*I want to record a CD. Just a rock album, but in the background have the low whine of a police siren. This way, when people are rocking out t my music in their car, they'll constantly be paranoid of getting pulled over.
*The Mets are not a playoff caliber team this year. Too many injuries; too old of a team. If they can rebuild their bullpen for next year, I really like their chances.
*Family Weekend starts tomorrow. I am stoked. Everything should go well, but the weather might throw some monkeys into our plan. The shit-flinging kind of monkeys.
*If the Mets do make the playoffs, I predict they will play the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series, and lose in seven games. The winning pitcher will be Scott Kazmir. Mr. Met will go on a rampage setting fire to Steve Phillips and then beat Victor Zambrano to death with a wiffle ball bat.
*I say the stupidest things at work, and the only witness is my boss. It's a good thing she has a sense of humor.
*If I was terribly injured in a plane crash and all the radio stations were playing "All the Small Things" as they described my terrible turn of events, I'm not sure I would want to get better.
*My neck still hurts.
*jDate is worthless.
*I want my neck to get better so I can get back to the gym.
*I hate talking politics with my parents. They are jaded liberals. I am a hopeful liberal. We're on the same side, but see different levels of liquid in the glass.
*I really hope that liquid is whiskey, and not monkey urine.
*The Minnesota Twins are probably the franchise that is the best at what they do: produce playoff caliber teams year after year. The Yankees used to do this, and then they tried to buy their way to the playoffs every year with success until this year.
*Daniel Murphy is the man.
*I hate having crushes on a woman. It makes everything else about my life infinitely more complex and annoying.
*I went on a cake run today.
*I need a back rub.

That's all for now- go listen to the Dillinger Four.

My butt is wet and saucy

Life is going along like Jose Reyes running the bases. When it gets going, it is really going, but it's just a matter of getting to first.
Please, please, please, you stupid freaking Mets. I love you, just justify that feeling.
I am exploring where I live more and move, and I've decided I need someone with whom I can talk about music. Please, if you have similar tastes to me send me a comment or something. I'm sick and tired of going "holy shit you have to listen to The Ergs!" and getting replies of "I like Kenny Chesney."

I am getting into a groove with work, which is good.

Magic is going to be interesting, as Wizards is thinking about sanctioning the pauper format for at least a little while. This could mean more exposure for my writing. That's really good, but kinda scary. I need top write more.
I wish I had a distinct humorous voice. I've been reading a ton of Brendan Kelly and Mitch Clem, and these guys have distinct funny persona on the web. I want that. I mean, I'm funny looking...does that count?

The Mets and The Ergs

I am trying very hard not to get too invested in the Mets this September, as last year left me in a great deal of grief. Even so, today's loss stung. That being said, i still think they are going to make the playoffs, but it won't be an easy ride.
Chipper Jones is buying stuff from Shea Stadium. This is kinda cool, but also kinda aggravating. I mean, he is a Hall of Famer who loves hitting at Shea so much he named his son after the stadium. But he's a member of the rival Braves. So annoying.

I always have a knack for getting into bands either after they've broken up or during their farewell tour. This is the case with the Ergs, a wonderful punk act from the less than wonderful state of New Jersey. The vocals are not polished or too deep, which makes them perfect. The slightly nasal and emotive utterances are just what this band needs to layer on top three piece assault. The lyrics, however, are nice and poetic. Take, for example the EP Jersey's Best Prancers. The title is a great play on Lifetime's awesome effort, and the music is just tops. A good drive to every song without everything sounding the same and bland. The vocals help to accent the slightly eccentric collection of songs- everything is distinctly punk and yet everything feels to be influenced by other genres. The vocals, which again have the eerie quality of awesome really bring another side out of the recording.
And even with all this mature style, the songs do not take themselves too seriously- they are songs abut falling in love and listening to music with that special someone. Here, the vocals combine with the subject matter to create the image of a talented young person who just is charming enough to get all those people in the world on to their side. In other words, The Ergs don't pretend to be rock stars- they are just normal people singing songs about life in an everyman voice.
Oh, stop listening to me and just go get an Ergs album, okay?

Recovering the Opposable Thumb

So my first big event here is over- all that remains is the write up.
I feel good about how it went, but also bad because there were some minor issues regarding performances. However, the worst confrontations were diffused and will be remedied shortly. But even after a 16 hour day, I still love every minute of my job.
I keep dreaming about fighting, and with the most random people. And these aren't like minor spats- these are bone breaking jaw crunching fights with me doing most of the damage. I really wish I understood what the hell I was thinking.
I'm getting ready to get back into PDC. It's been a while and I just lost the competitive fire I like to have to play the format. Instead, I've been playing a ton of Commander/EDH. It's a nice way to get the non-Spike portions of my gaming personality going.
I am exhausted, I think I need a nap.

Dreams

Dreams can be absolutely ridiculous. Mine always involve too many characters from the law & Order franchise. Really- I don't understand why my dreams are filled with a vengeful Briscoe or an angry McCoy.
The worst part is the episodes never come to an end so I wake up and am left hanging for an ending. Instead, I go back to sleep and dream something else absurd, like trying to work as a cleaning crew in a theater/restaurant that needs to save tablecloths because they have mathematical proofs written on them.

This time next year we'll be right there

It's been a September to remember. I now have a job and I've moved to a new place. I'm employed and have been working nonstop. And I love every minute this new phase.
Sure, I'm tired, and sure, I don't get to watch as many episodes of Law & Order as I am used to watching, but work is some how fulfilling. Of course, that could change any instant. But I don't think that will happen.
Now that I'm settled down, I need to get out again. I put my social life on hold to finish my Master's and find a job. The second half took a little longer than expect, but now that I'm employed I no longer have to use the pick up line "I live with my parents and sleep in a loft bed." Nope- now I have a mattress on the floor!
Music has been just awesome. The Sidekicks, The Ergs, Chinese Telephones, The Gaslight Anthem, and so many others have been the sound track for my trips across the Northeast in search for week and have been filling my new apartment with dulcet tones and driving rhythms for almost two weeks now.
The Mets are doing well, and I hope they continue on that path.
The website I write for will be coming back up soon, so that means more Magic for this nerd.
Now all I need to do is raid an Ikea so I have some furnishings in this new place. I mean, wright now i have a desk and some chairs- not exactly the illest of digs.

Yeah, who am I kidding- I love this place.

Things I will never understand

1) Leggings as pants
2) Politics
3) Crocs
4) Britney Spears

So I move to the new job tomorrow. Well, rather, I take step one in the moving process.

This is quite the experience.

I'm blamin' everyone else, just as long as I never put the blame on myself

I hit the pavement today looking for work. I delivered my life on paper and will now play the waiting game (for alas, I lack Hungry Hungry Hippos).
This is a strange time for me. For 6 years this is when I was going back to school and preparing for the upcoming academic year. Now, with my Master's designed to work at a college, I am sitting around looking for work.
I did not expect to be here. I know I have complained about this a ton, but hey- it's my blog, I can do that.
I was thinking, what's the big deal about a public figure's religion? I mean, seriously, what does it matter who believes in what as long as we don't go around slapping each other with stinky cheese? Sometimes people just make me angry with the fear of things different.
I wish I had more to say, but I'm battling the writer's block.

Rum is for pirates

The title comes from my new required reading- the bad sandwich chronicles. This blog is written by all around dude Brendan Kelly. He sings in bands, plays the bass, and is a funny ass writer. Check it out, the link is somewhere on this page.
My most recent interview went well, but like all things recently, I'm going to have to wait patiently to hear back.
I am finding it really hard to write still. This total lack of anything in my days makes for a very boring life. Today I walked around Brooklyn looking for places to go drink later with friends. So, if you're out there reading this and want to do some bar crawlin' hit me up- I've got time on my hands.
It's a shame really-I'm looking for that bar. You know, the one that just feels right. The one that has albums you actually want to drink to in the jukebox, the teams you want to watch on the screen, the beer you want to drink and the women who will be attracted to you. You know, like that absurd Miller Lite Beer Heaven commercial, only with decent beer, better lighting, and Teenage Bottlerocket playing in the background. Man, that place would be awesome...
Speaking of lies on TV, I am just sick of the news. I'm not hearing any important stories, just different opinions and stories designed to try and make me feel better about the human spirit. I mean, heaven forbid the news ceases to care about ratings and starts to care again about providing information.

Org-gasm

Seriously awesome link right here.
Live Gaslight Anthem set. Totally rad.

Hydra

These bug bites are terrible. As soon as one subsides, another rises up to take its rightful place as most annoying thing ever.

We had the greatest expectations

I want to write more. I just haven't had the ego to do so.
You see, I heard from The Ferrett that writing is the greatest expression of one's own ego. I don't think he was the one who came up with the statement, but he's the source I got so I'm citing him. And the fact of the matter is, I haven't had that much ego in the past few months. Giving two years of your life to a pursuit to see no payoff is enough to put the kibosh on any individual's self-worth.
But I'm clawing my way back up the self-esteem ladder. I've been active (though not as active as I'd like to be). I'm writing about Magic and enjoying music again. And it's fun to write that.
You see, for some reason, the music I listen to and the hobbies I involve myself in seem to make other people chuckle or laugh. Well, screw off people, I like this music and I love playing Magic. And also- why the fuck do you care so much that I enjoy these things? Do you have some sort of sinister plan to invade my brain and take over my body? If so...you're a freak.
I went rafting with the Firing Squad on Saturday. It was a blast and I didn't get a horrific sunburn this time around. You know, the kind that makes you feel like you will never want to be touched again and when it's all done you leave a cicada husk behind in your bed. Nope, just a mild pink on the backs of my arms.
Hanging out with old friends is rough. No matter how much everyone changes and matures, the group still remembers the other ones as the same kid that was awkward growing up. It's nice to grow up, but sometimes i wish these groups would let me- although this time around wasn't so bad. Aside from my lampooned haircut the ribbing was all good natured.
I've also had the opportunity to reconnect with an old friend. He teased me growing up, but we've moved past that. it's great to have mature conversations with people you've know for years. It just makes certain days so much better.
I got to meet Dougherty's girlfriend Hannah. I totally approve (and I know they read this). Dan's been awesome forever and Hannah is a totally awesome woman.
Also, Star Wars Lego key-chains are tech.

So...

I did not expect to be here.
A few hours ago I redid my bartending resume and will hit the streets tomorrow looking for work.
I love bartending. It brings in some money and I really enjoy the atmosphere of aura that comes with the job. All that being said, I don't want to do this.
I just invested two years of my life- all that hard work and sacrifice- in a master's degree. I had to put up with some of the hardest times of my life and I came out better for the wear. I was told I'd go far, and I believed the hype.
I know I'm complaining, but it is my blog, so I'll do what I want.
It isn't that bad- I'm alive and have a place to live. I'm not broke and I'm in good health. What sucks is that I've been the finalist for 7 jobs, and haven't converted one yet. If I were a pitcher, I would have been bumped down to double A by now.
But like I said, I do love bartending. Good money, good times.

One week later

This unemployment thing is scary. I know I am going to hear back soon about jobs, but it spending money is still something I'd rather not do, and it can't be avoided.

Too much

This past weekend was awesome. Camp people, partying, dancing (which shows the mood I was in) and just an all around great time. Big D said it best, my friends are fucking awesome.
However, I am exhausted, and am not looking forward to driving to New Hampshire tomorrow. I am, however, looking forward to my interview there.
Also, the Binghamton ordeal finally came to a close. I wish them the best of luck with their new search.

So the screen to my lap top died, meaning I now have a desktop, since this thing is hooked to a monitor...and a new screen costs 300 bucks plus labor.

No...sleep...til Brooklyn! (Brooklyn!)

So I am back in Brooklyn for the foreseeable future...and boy am I tired and cramped. My parent's home was small when it was the family living one life, but not there are three lives here- that of my parents, that of my sister, and mine. In other words, three homes stuffed into one house. Bad beats.
My drive home was uneventful, but long as sin. Nine and a half hours of being packed into Obi-Wan and unable to reasonably check my blind spots. My passenger was a television covered in bedding.

But I made it, slept for, oh, five hours, and then was up and about to the Eventide Prerelease in Manhattan. I went 3-1 and got some brief interviews with Steven Sadin and Brian David-Marshall of general Magic fame. I entered a second flight, opened a mediocre pool of cards, and went 0-1 drop because I was falling asleep on my feet.

So I went home and watching my streaking Mets win their 8th in a row, and now, with that streak at 9, I am about as content as a fan can be. Just keep on playing tight baseball.

Sunday I drove to camp to help out with the selling of clothing on Visiting Day. It was a blast, except I was exhausted because I had slept maybe ten hours in the past two days, plus another half-day of driving had left me sapped.

Monday is an off day- I'm using today to come up with my presentation for an interview tomorrow. Tuesday, will be rough. Wake up before dawn to catch a train to Boston to interview to catch a train back home.

And there's no space in my house to work out.

Wow...

I know I haven't posted in a while- moving from Buffalo to Brooklyn will do that to a man. Instead, I want you all to enjoy this awesome, yet frightening take on Against Me!

Where the hell did June go?

Not tonight- honey I am on fire

Well, last night sure was interesting to say the least. It started with my trip to Prospect Park to see the Cold War Kids perform for free. There, I met up with my sister and some of her friends.
Needless to say, I didn't have enough Brooklyns in me to make the Cold War Kids all that enjoyable. I mean, my sister yells at me for my taste in music, but this band sounded excessively mediocre.
After the show, they split on their bikes. Speaking of which, what the hell is up with the bike fetish nowadays? My sister and her friends spent way too much time looking and admiring other people's bikes, like some sort of bike porn.
Anyway, I ended up at the Brooklyn Burger Bar, my former place of employment, and ended up having some drinks and chatting up the new staff. I felt bad though- some random guy that started talking to me stiffed the bartender on like a 40 dollar bill. Not fucking cool. Me? I tipped one dollar on every drink I bought and two dollars on the first. So of course the tender complains to me about it...whatever-she was pretty cute.
And then I stumbled home.

On a separate note, the title of this post comes from one of the new Gaslight Anthem tracks of which I've managed to sneak a listen. Holy shit is this album going to be great. Here's a video of the title track from out West:

Drinks?

I need one-anyone in Brooklyn feel like grabbing a drink tonight?

"The Bridge"- The Loved Ones

The Loved Ones are one of the best bands doing it right now. Good hooks, passionate vocals, and basically everything that kicks ass about rock music. Here's a sample:

The Bridge

My Parent's Microwave

I'm staying at my parent's house for the time being, since I need to be in Brooklyn for my cousin's wedding. What scares me, is that when I finish microwaving something, the light panel tells me to enjoy my meal.

But what if I'm microwaving my neighbor's cat out of pure spite? I mean, I'm not planning on eating said cat.

Updates galore

I'm in Brooklyn and tired! Here's what happened since I posted last:
I have a new article up at www.puremtgo.com! Holler at Magic!
The Mets fired Willie. I don't disagree with the move, but I do not like how it was handled. You could almost hear Omar Minaya saying "I didn't want to do this, but I had to." Lame!
I had another interview!

Life is moving...just it interesting directions!

Oh Buster

This sums up my opinion on the entire Willie situation pretty well.

Plans

I hate having to change my plans. I hate it even more when it happens at the last minute.

So of course my life is now up in the air as I drive home Sunday for what looks like 2+ weeks at home. Not how I was expecting to do with the second half of June.

This is for Wagner

The good, the bad, and the ugly; June 12th edition

The good: Pelfry pitched very well and Beltran won the game in the 13th
The bad: Wagner blowing Pelfry's amazing pitching job necessitating Beltran's walk off heroics
The ugly: Obi-Wan after the birds decided to turn it into a latrine

The difference

The difference between public and private schools during economic downturns:
Offices at public schools have to clear a lot of bureaucracy and politics to hire you, taking weeks. Things are out of their hands to a certain extent.
Offices at private schools will interview you one day, and invite you down the next.

Awesome.

PDC and the Mana Curve

My new article (and hopefully my return to regular publication) is up here. Enjoy.

My night with the Andrea Doria

Mark is an old college roommate of mine, and his new band, the Andrea Doria, is doing a week long tour (check them out: http://www.myspace.com/theandreadoriaband ) that kicked off a few hours ago in Buffalo. And I went!

And already I'm part of the band lore. Their tour van has been converted to bio-diesel, but they had a small problem- seems they have a problem with coolant on the tail end of their trip, so I took Mark to Target, and we made a video, of us buying engine coolant.
The show itself was pretty good, but not too many people showed up- lame. But I did get to take the band to Mighty Taco for some cheap eats. Then I got the pleasure of helping them drive around looking for restaurants so they could get some more of their bio-fuel.

This was a pretty fun night, and I'm happy I was able to help out a band that is just getting their start. Good times.

Last night

Would is really kill a bar to play some decent music? I mean, I understand that some music is conducive to the bar scene, but really, do I need to hear "Informer" by Snow every single time I head out?

My Entire Team Sucks

You read this so often in NYC high school bathroom stalls. The joke is that it's the acronym for my beloved Mets, written by the then cocky Yankee fans.
The Mets are going through a rough season so far, but look to be coming out of the funk (despite the plunk you/we lose events of last night). I'm happy about this because it saves Willie Randolph, who is doing, in my estimation, a pretty good job. I think a lot of the hoop-lah surrounding Willie the past few weeks is something I'll call Yankee envy. The Mets were good for two years- arguably better than the Yankees during that span. As such, all us insecure Mets fans (because every Mets fan is, on some level, insecure because of the Yankees) felt it was our turn to act like the assholes and demand things change.

That's not our way- less Yankees, more Rays! Let's go Mets!

New old music

It's great when the bands you listen to lead you to discover other music. This little journey begins with the Lawrence Arms. While I have talked about the label Brendan helps run (Red Scare) previously, and gush over those artists, I will not be talking about them today.
Rather, I'm going to gush over American Steel. I mean, I was first exposed to these guys when their new album had some tracks played on PunkRadioCast, which was pretty bad ass. I then heard the Larry Arms had them open on their recent tour (which I sadly missed). I mean hell, they had to be good. Recently, I picked up that album (Destroy Their Future) and Rogue's March. Let me tell you, I am blown away. There is something so powerful about the vocals n these albums- they are all at once gruff and rough yet refined, and full of soul. Granted, March is less polished, but still you can hear the strain and the heart.
The newer release, out on Fat Wreck Chords, has some insanely moving tracks- the biggest stand out to me is Hurtlin' which fuses that punk aesthetic with some true folksy tune, and an accordion.

If you like The Lawrence Arms, Alkaline Trio, the Loved Ones, the Gaslight Anthem, or other bands like those, pick up American Steel- you will not be disappointed.

Seriously?

Is it June already?

I don't believe it.

W.A.T.U. and the American Legion

So I went to a show last night. We Are The Union; a Detroit based ska-punk band that features Johnny Tsunami of the Flaming Tsunamis.
And you know what, they were pretty darn good. Definitely got a happy hardcore + High School Football Heroes vibe off of them, and it worked. Although I was very surprised by their cover of "Understatement" by New Found Glory. I half sung-along half laughed my ass off.
It was a shame there weren't more people at the show. It would have been nice to have a circle pit to skank in. As it was, I danced a little, but not enough. Oh well.

I then got home and started listening to a ton of music. Hats off to Red Scare Industries. These guys just get great bands. Every album of theirs I have just blows my mind. Here's a list of the artists:
Sundowner
The Falcon
Cobra Skulls
La Plebe
The Copyrights
Teenage Bottlerocket
The Methadones
The Sidekicks

Every album of theirs I have just blows me away. You should listen to this label.

New Less Than Jake

www.punknews.org had a link to a song from Less Than Jake's new album.

http://www.punknews.org/article/29023

This is so much better than their last album. I am stoked.

Can't slow down

Matt Skiba guests on the penultimate track on the new H2O album.

So many things are right with that statement.

It's about time Alex!

Okay, first off, the play list I had for my epic state crossing trip (Buffalo-Albany, Albany-New Paltz, New Paltz-Buffalo).
Here it is

Stage 1: Buffalo to Albany
Less Than Jake, "Losing Streak"
Big D and the Kids Table, "How It Goes"
The Fad, "Kill Punk Rock Stars"
The Lawrence Arms, "Apathy and Exhaustion"
Alkaline Trio, "From Here to Infirmary"
Against Me!, "New Wave"

Stage 2: Albany to New Paltz
Bouncing Souls, "How I Spent My Summer Vacation"
Mustard Plug, "Evildoers Beware"

Stage 3: New Paltz to Buffalo
Streetlight Manifesto, "Everything Went Numb"
The Saint Alvia Cartel, "The Saint Alvia Cartel"
Catch 22, "Keasby Nights"
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "Live From the Middle East"
The Loved Ones, "Keep Your Heart"
Millencolin, "Machine 15"
Strung Out, "Blackhawks Over Los Angeles"

Sweet play list, it kept me going.

I ventured into Buffalo last night. The internets told me there was a music festival at this bar. So I hop into Obi-Wan (that's the Honda) and head down town. I end up at the bar, and I find out it's a biker bar- I'm not a biker. I go inside, and lo and behold, no music festival.
Just bikers.
I'm still not a biker.

I end up at an Irish pub and make nice with the owner.
To the Detroit fan at the bar- I love talking sports, but you were very drunk. Next time we talk sports, please don't touch me.

To the random woman who spoke to me: You totally gave me great fodder; your lines were priceless:
"Wait, so how tall are you?"
"I know this is going to sound like a bad pick up line, but do you come here often?"
Her: "So if you want to do something on june 7th..."
Me: "Well, I hope to have a job by then."
Her: "Oh, don't worry, I don't mean to be mean, but you won't"

Classic.

I know I haven't updated in a bit. I'm just not motivated to right now...but don't worry, I'm not dead.

I wish I had a witty title

So I'm continuing on the job search, currently in lovely New Paltz, New York (anyone wanna hang out or something?) awaiting an interview I am very excited about, taking place tomorrow.
The road trip mix this time has been solid, although much much longer.

Driving in this town when you are not familiar with it is not as easy as I would have liked.

I am tired, but I'm not ready to sleep. The ultimate dilemma.

The Waiting Hurt

This is one of the hardest times of my life.
I've graduated and am now waiting, impatiently, to hear back from prospective employers. I continue to look for new places to send my credentials and also continue to search for things to do.
You see, as of now, I don't have a job- my contract expires today. In the time until I do get a job, I am looking for stuff to occupy my time. Take, for example, blogging. I don't have the urge to do it in my apartment so instead I trudged my ass to a Starbucks to write this little thing...how cliche.
I want to write about PDC and Magic again, but as The Ferrett so eloquently put it, writing is the greatest expression of ego, and when you're not feeling so hot about yourself (no job, nothing to do), it follows that writing should not come so easy. It does not help that since the V3 update, few of my friends are on MTGO enough to get some serious playing in- I hope that changes soon.

Seriously, how good of an album is Losing Streak by Less Than Jake. It is so fucking good.

I really wish I could watch an episode of Lost and have fewer questions coming out than going in. That's not going to happen for a while.

Disconnected

I graduated. I feel like this awesome song right here:

Armageddon

It's been a few days...and they have been rough. Something I saw set off old memories, and now I just want to move on. Seriously...I got dumped almost two years ago, I think it's about time I feel "over it."
As Dad says, though, it can take a long time for a young man to get over stuff like that.
It doesn't help that my life has been on pause for the past two years. Alex the Professional is ready to go; what about the man?

We Can't Go Back

The interview went amazing. I really am looking forward to hearing back from Binghamton in a few weeks.
I also have to set up an interview with New Paltz. Exciting times.

My Binghamton road trip play-list...all aces (in order)
Bouncing Souls- "Live"
Set Your Goals- "Mutiny!"
The Loved Ones- "Build and Burn"
Streetlight Manifesto- "Somewhere in the Between"
The Gaslight Anthem- "Sink or Swim"
Teenage Bottlerocket- "Total"
The Copyrights- "Learn the Hard Way"
Big D and the Kids Table- "Strictly Rude"
Bomb the Music Industry!- "Get Warmer"
Less Than Jake- "Borders & Boundaries"
The Gaslight Anthem- "The Senor and the Queen"

There were a few other albums that I didn't get to play, but I can save those for another road trip.

Here We Go

So after four and a half hours on the road, including three stops (which consisted of three bathroom breaks, three stretch breaks, one food stop, and one phone interview), I am not sitting in my hotel room across the street from Binghamton University, where I got my undergraduate degree, awaiting the interview process to begin in earnest.

This is surreal.

History of a Boring Town

Am I really ready to move again? I want to start my social life again and start dating, but how likely is it that there will be a social scene for me where I end up working? It's been about a year and a half since I've had anything steady and serious, and I'm looking to settle down once more.
Things are going to be better, I can tell. I catch more glances from women now, but I want to do this right.

Oh well, what the hell.

Connect/Disconnect

It has been a long few days. I finished my Master's level coursework.
I'm done.
How fucking scary is that?
I'm setting up interviews that are going to help determine the rest of my life. The rest of my life? I never knew what I wanted to do after I finished college and now I'm getting ready to be a full fledged adult.
Well...it is me, so I'll just be a kid forever...but still.
It's been days of bad jokes and bad decisions. For the first time in a long time, a cute girl commented on the shirt I was wearing (Bouncing Souls skull and crossbones). We start talking...and I don't ask for the number.
To be fair, she was the cashier at Starbucks, and Trish believes she was jail bait. Still, it was the closest I've had to anything in a while.
What the fuck is up with Lost? I hate that show so much I love it. I really just want one episode to end with me having fewer questions than when the episode started.

Is this really happening? Am I really growing up? I still wake up and think I'm 17.

Hand puppets need to make a comeback.

This is a great song:

Really?

I'm done with my Masters classes. That means for the time being...meaning more than a summer vacation, I'm done with classes.

Freaky.

Something new

Magic Online is back, now in Version 3. It's not perfect, but I see the room for vast improvement over the old version 2.5. Am I happy? No, but I'm not upset either. Getting familiar with V3 will take some time, as I've been on the old interface for about five years. By comparison, I've had a total of two days to get used to V3.
Also, I don't get the bashing everyone is doing directed towards WotC. Instant gratification doesn't happen. Get used to it kiddies. I'm not trying to defend WotC here, but I mean, give them some time. I know we have had to be patient, and I also understand the anger at having to wait some more time. In all honesty though, I doubt it will kill any of us.

Me vs. The Mets: The First of Many

Don't get me wrong, I love the New York Mets. Ask my Mom and Dad- my emotions during the summer are eerily tied to the most recent performance of my favorite ball club. However, thy must be kicking themselves right now.
Last year they traded minor league starter Brian Bannister to the Kansas City Royals for Ambiorix Burgos, a reliever. Burgos was supposed to be a project for pitching coach Ric Petersen.
He did not pass the class, so to speak.
Bannister, on the other hand, was one of the best "rookie" pitchers last year (I quote because he had four awesome starts for the Mets in 2006), and this year is 3-0 with a 0.86 ERA.
I'm usually not critical of the Mets front office- hell, at the time I thought the Kazmir trade was a good deal (yeah, I know, I was wrong). However, as soon as the Bannister trade hit the media, I knew it was a huge huge huge mistake.
Looks like I was right, at least for now. Bannister is starting and Burgos is hurt.
Awesome.

Ban the tube top!

This weekend has been rough. The Mets can't win, and I'm facing the vast void of uncertainty that is the rest of my life.
Also, I'm trying to figure out in which direction I should take this blog.
Because I want to be professional, but still opine on the world. For example, I recently went to an event for Jewish students at my school. It was nice and I had a nice time. Except some young women need to learn how to be appropriate. For example, one young woman sitting behind me obviously forgot a belt and did not seem to care that everyone at our table had an excellent view of the "underwear" she was wearing. I mean, is it so hard to ensure that we don't all see what it would look like if your were a plumber in a bad skin flick?
Also, shame goes out to the woman with the thick thighs who decided it would be a good idea to not cross her legs while wearing a short skirt. Now I'm all for a wide variety of body types, but please, be decent. If her legs were skinnier, then some people would have had an interesting show.
Making this all the worse, this was a Shabbat dinner. Not the holiest of days, but still a religious observance. Please, have some class women. Not only that, treat yourself with respect! You are wonderful creations on this Earth, don't demean yourself and your gender with acting like you would at a club during the course of a regular day.
And men, please stop encouraging this behavior. Sex and sexuality is a beautiful thing that should be expressed in certain environs; religious gatherings is not of of these places.

Bored

Does anyone out there read this that I do not already speak with? If that's the case, let me know!

Music and Summer

There's something about certain songs that make you think Spring and Summer. These are those songs that you want to sing out, no matter where you are. They're the ones that make people look at you strange as you walk down the side walk in a skank step; the ones you yell at the top of your lungs in the car, hoping someone hears you and rocks out with you. These are the songs that make you think about warm nights with cold beer and good friends. There are too many to name, but you know the songs I'm talking about.

Those are the best songs.

And a lot of them are ska songs. Nice.

But she doesn't get the jokes told by the late night talk show hosts...

I've been back from Atlanta for a week. The trip was a success, but I honestly didn't think of a good play list for the trip. Sorry, I'll try and do better the next time.
It is a tiring time right now. Between finishing school and trying to do my job search, I am simply knackered all the time. Not only that, but I've run out of interesting things to talk about.
The Mets: Please start playing like I know you can. You're a better team than the one you've been in the past week.
Magic: Wrote another article, but MTGO is shutting down for a week to update to V3. Looks like I'm heading back to WoW.
Dreams: Still absurd. Still no relief.
I'm just looking to that new job as a time where I can reestablish a life and settle down for a little bit. That'd be nice.

Welcome to the New South, Part 7

So it's official: I'm sick. Scratchy throat, stuffy nose, and general blechness. I know I should be out there "conferencing" but right now I'm just plain beat. Between Placement and working on the speakers committee, I am pooped. I've still made it to a number of sessions, but I need my energy to finish off the semester.

But hey, the mets won last night and that is a Good Thing.

Welcome to the New South, Part 6

Opening Day. One of the greatest days of the year. The Mets open this season against the Marlins and I am hopeful that this season will be better than last season. So far, it seems that they're off to a good start.

I just wish I could watch the games.

I'll settle for the radio.

Welcome to the New South, Part 5

I wish they had stairs in this hotel. I feel like a jerk taking the elevator to the second floor.

Welcome to the New South, Part 4

The interviews today went extremely well. I'm very excited about the prospect of pursuing both positions (and the one I interviewed for yesterday). It is very reassuring to know that there are other people in this world who care about Student Affairs as much as, if not more, those I've already come into contact with. With each passing minute my career choice seems better and better.
I've also went to the gym the past two days, helping me to get back on that horse. After a week of being tired/sick/stressed, getting into a weight room felt good.
There was a marathon this morning-it made me think of Mom.

Welcome to the New South, Part 3

Yesterday was fun. Dinner at the Hard Rock took forever (an hour wait?!?!) but it was a nice experience. I ordered the Brisket sandwich, and just ate the brisket. It was fatty and tough, and no flavor. Nothing like Mom used to make.
I slept like a rock and just got back from the gym (and was briefly locked out of my room). But everything is everything, and I'm ready to hit up at least two more interviews today.

Welcome to the New South, Part 2

Well, I'm feeling better. Good thing. I was on time for my interview. Good thing. The suit looked good and I was ready to go. All good things.
Except a miscommunication meant that I missed my interview. Bad thing. It is rescheduled for tomorrow morning. Good thing.
After the interesting goings on of this morning, I went tourist with Heather. We walked around downtown Atlanta and hit up the Coke factory. It was pretty cool, and everyone has to try Beverly soda if they get a chance. I have to say that playing tourist was a nice change of pace. Side note: the pastrami on rye I had was great; very peppery. They only had yellow mustard though- big time party foul.
So here I am attempting to relax before my next interview (which is in just under two hours). And then maybe the gym...who knows.

Welcome to the New South, Part 1

Well, I'm here in Atlanta. It's beautiful- I was able to walk around without a sweatshirt. True gloriousness.
The flight down was uneventful. I started (and have since finished) a pretty sweet book by Charlie Hudson about a zombie hunting vampire. Total nerdom wrapped into one tight crime novel package. I love it.
I am fighting a cold, but tons of sleep is helping to remedy that. My suits managed to arrive without any serious wrinkles. Right now it's really hurry up and wait, and fight the headaches.
This is proving to be a nice experience- I already have run into another Bearcat.

Cause my friends are f**in' awesome...

Here's a secret about nerds:
Get two of us together, and we will have the best conversations ever. Alone, nerds just are mildly awkward fountains of useless information and Star Wars trivia. In groups of two or more, however, is where the nerd really shines. Here, profound literary references go hand in hand with citing the Legend of Zelda. Big words fly out of mouths following rediculous statements aboutt he sexual prowess of Optimus Prime. It is all at once eloquent and disturbing, like a swan crashing into a speeding truck. I urge those of you who have yet to witness such a conversation to find two nerds and have them talk, you will be pleasantly surprised (and possibly mortified).

Bonus Section: Sample conversation starters
Who would win in a fight: The Trix Rabbit or Lion-O from the Thundercats?
Admiral Ackbar: greatest sea creature of all time?
Web comics- that's all you have to say.
Zombies vs. Ninjas vs. Pirates: Who wins this battle royale?
Jason Statham: Is he awesome or what?

Welcome to the New South; Prologue

I head to the ACPA conference on Friday down in Atlanta. It will be my first time in Atlanta and my second conference in three weeks. I am tired, excited, exhausted, elated, and all sorts of other things. I am looking forward to getting into some warmer weather for a few days and am very hopeful about creating prospects for my ever present job search. Speaking of which, I'll be kicking it into high gear again once I get back from Atlanta.

And there will be another mix tape coming up in the future.

Thanks Mark

This is so awesome

We live in life in our own way...

I bought my first CDs in over a year today. When I moved to Buffalo, I shipped my Magic cards and my CDs in a package together. UPS lost that package. Since that time I've just acquired music digitally, but I have to say it feels very good to own physical music again.
Two live albums: Good Riddance and Bouncing Souls. Life is good.

Hear what I'm sayin'...

Something awesome happened today, and it involved the Yankees (and not my beloved Mets).
The Yankees played an exhibition game at Virginia Tech against their college baseball team after attending a memorial ceremony for those who were lost in the tragedy last year.

There are so many things right with this act that I cannot begin to describe them all.

I'm going to focus on one: the power of sport. I love baseball, and I think it is a language that much of America speaks in one way or another. The Yankees scream America in a certain way (look at their logo and their name for cryin' out loud). This game today was a healing process for the Hokies and for America, I feel. America, in two icons, reached out and offered support.
The Yankee players said the right things and acted the right way, trying to bring some amount of relief to what is no doubt still a trying and emotional environment.
For one of the few times in my life, I'm going to say this (but don't you dare hold it against me Mr. Met): Go Yankees.

It's not what you say or do...

Today was a good day. After not really wanting to play, I changed my mind, logged into MTGO, and won the first Classic PDC event of the season. Playing is fun, winning is better (what...I like to win).

I was also listening to Rehasher today-Roger from LTJ's other band. It just reminded me of the first time I hear pop-punk with Dougherty, and how awesome that made me feel.

I miss my bro.

God Loves a Liar

I know I said I wanted to keep up the exercise, and I do. But this week has kicked my ass, so I slept in.
Sometimes, biology wins over desire.

Goodbye to Boston, part 8 and wrap up

I'm back in Buffalo. The trip is over and was largely a success. I saw the person who interviewed me for the school in Colorado this morning, who told me that I should be hearing from someone in their office soon. Good sign.
Conferences are both validating and motivating. I know I picked the proper line of work and that makes me feel good. But then I see the physiques on some people, and I get extremely motivated to continue working out. Validating and motivating; good things.
So now it's time for my ultimate Boston road trip play list. These are the songs that I feel really captured the feel of my trip in sum. These are songs I like, and therefore, do not apply to you.

Dropkick Murphy's: "I'm Shipping up to Boston", "Skinhead on the MBTA", "Boys on the Docks"
Three great songs that describe the trip to the city, getting around town, and the view of the Bay I had from the conference center. These songs represent some of the best aspects of the Murph's: aggressive rhythms and vocals, sing-along anthems, and catchy folk based tunes.

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones: "A Jackknife to a Swan", "They Came to Boston"
What can I say about the Bosstones except that they totally kick ass. "Jackknife" is a great song about the working class of Boston and the lives the people live. Just a great heartfelt tribute song. "They Came" really describes how I felt as a tourist. Yeah, I belong in a city, but is Boston really a place for me? Great mellow beat that leads into an aggressive and subtle outro.

Big D and the Kids Table: "LAX", "I'm Yours Boston"
LAX goes without question. If you need to know why this is on the play list, you are reading the wrong blog.
"I'm Yours" is a whiny melodic tribute. This could have easily been the cover of "New England," but I felt that this song captures the feel of the city and the conference much better. Also, better driving song- this is a road trip after all.

The Flatliners: "This Respirator"
Just a flat out awesome song about life on the road. Short and punchy with a great hook and kick-ass lyrics, this song fits well on nearly every road trip.

The Fad: "Bright Lights"
A typical tour song, but with such emotion that I had to include it here. Hardcore punk mixed with tight ska jams and punchy vocals makes for an excellent anthem for the road.

The Gaslight Anthem: "Drive"
We all know I love this band, but seriously, this song is awesome. Another East Coast anthem about life on the road. Another must for any good road trip.

The Bouncing Souls: "East Coast, Fuck You"
It mentions Boston by name. It's by the Souls. It gets the check.

Smoke or Fire: "Goodbye to Boston"
Good enough to be the title for this opus of posts, there is something about this song that makes you want to sing it from the top of your lungs. I can think of no better song to be playing as I drive out of the city. I had to settle for playing it on my iPod. Good enough.

Goodbye to Boston, part 7

I'm sitting in the hotel lobby, all checked out (or so I think). This trip has been awesome and great fun (but now I'm ready to sleep for days). A couple of thoughts before I go, even though I'll probably summarize everything this evening.
Last night I decided to walk the streets looking for a place to eat. I decided on a Pizzeria Uno. The food was great, but I witnessed a group of youth pull the old "dine & dash." Seriously though, the way this place was set up (narrow walkways instead of the larger dining areas I was used to in such restaurants), it is no surprise that some people would try and pull that off.
It is really scary to think that in under two months, I will be starting all over, probably in a new state far away from everything I've become familiar with. I was talking with Trish about this last night; it's nice to know I'm not the only nervous one.
It's also weird, I keep telling people I want to be near an urban environment. Few people have figured out that this is code for "I want to be by Jews." Granted, I tend to be private in that sort of thing. But even so, use your head peoples.

Goodbye to Boston, part 6

This experience is turning out to be a fun one. I love Boston, I love the conference, I love the people in my profession. It is nice to know that down the line I will be happy with the career path I have chosen.
Everyone from UB has been incredibly supportive of my interview process (still on going). I is great to have people who I rarely have an opportunity to speak with ask me about my process. Again, I love this profession.
Side note from a city boy: the T runs under the convention center and growing up in NYC I'm used to the noises that vibrations that are associated with a subway traveling beneath my feet. Some of my colleagues, not so much. Makes for some interesting conversation.

Goodbye to Boston, part 5

I just went to a session on blogging and Facebooking as tools for developing student communities. About thirty minutes in, I realized that I was just wasting space because I had been to a similar session last year, and left.

What do you think? Is this blog a useful student affairs tool?

Goodbye to Boston, part 4

So you can tell I'm obsessed with a place when I start looking on Hillel for how many Jews there are in a given area.
And now I anxiously await a few e-mails and phone calls from some professionals in the Rocky Mountain State.
It'd be interesting to move into a different time zone, that's for sure.
But this is all jumping the gun a bit. I know everything will work out and when I find mt fit, I will find my fit.

Goodbye to Boston, part 3

The interviews are over, and I am relieved. They were fun, informative, and basically what I expected. One went well, one did not.
The one that did not go well didn't go poorly. Rather, it was just a bad fit. It was a nice interview, but the philosophy of the institution and my own did not meet. I hope this school finds a candidate that will work in their motif, and wish them nothing but the best.
The other interview went very well. Not in the actual Placement location, I was able to relax. The woman interviewing me was kind and we seemed to really hit it off. We are currently trying to set up a secondary interview with her school's director of student life. So to me, that is a very very good thing.

PS, I'm still tired, even though I have a ton of sugar and caffeine coursing through my system.

Goodbye to Boston, part 2

So I'm sitting here in the candidate room, waiting patiently for ten AM to arrive. I really just hope my interviewer remembered to set his clock forward, or else I am going to be quite late.
I managed to get quite a bit of sleep last night, although I have no idea of the exact amount. I think I got into bed before ten, and woke up right before seven. Throw in the clock shift, and I think I got approximately 17 hours of sleep.

And then I cut myself shaving this morning.

I just had the realization that we ate at a tourist trap last night. I hate tourist traps (even if this one was a good one).

Goodbye to Boston, part 1

After sleeping one hour (from 3 to 4 am Saturday), it was time to get ready to sit in a van for seven hours on the way to Boston. Thankfully, the drive was relatively smooth and we were a step ahead of the worst weather. We made it to Trish's home for a wonderful "farm" breakfast that was more than I usually eat in a day. It was awesome.
I managed to sleep a few extra hours the van, but even as I type this, I'm pretty darn tuckered out.
Make it to the conference after getting lost on the streets of Boston for a little bit. Get my name badge but wasn't able to get my materials for Placement.
I head out with the First Year Cohort to this restaurant called Dick's Last Resort where the service is awesome, in that they insult you to your face all the time. It's a nice change of pace and makes for some very entertaining dinner time conversation. I want to write more, but I'm totally knackered. And on top of that, I just walked in the rain for far too long.

New Day

I leave for NASPA tomorrow. I have two interviews and a long van ride with friends. Should be fun. I'll let you know how it goes.

Use your nose

So today a woman walks into my office, and she smelled like Jess. I don't mean to sound creepy, but it was the same shampoo or perfume or something. It wasn't a bad smell, but, I mean, the scent just brought back memories I keep trying to separate myself from. My sense memory with scent is very strong, so one whiff can bring back a whole mess of thoughts.
What happened today was especially disconcerting. One second I'm fine and doing work, and the next moment I'm holding back some tears just because the floodgates opened.
I know I'm going to have to get used to these things, but, dammit, I wish they wouldn't.

This is like sex for nerds

I shit you not...

Kids of the Blackhole

This week has been long, but not in a bad way. We interviewed candidates for next year's program and they were all wonderful. I do no envy those who have to make the decisions about who gets in.
I've also come into possession of two Copyrights album (including Learn the Hard Way) bringing my count to all four of their albums. It boggles my mind how a band can put out four stellar albums in five years and yet some bands never put out one album that is as strong as any one of the Copyrights' offerings.
Carbon-Carbon-Carbondale!
Again, this is what music should be: fun and real. These are songs that could easily have happened to me or people I know. These are emotions I experience on a daily basis set to a beat that makes me forget all the bad stuff.
Anyway, I guess a mini-review of Learn the Hard Way is in order.
This album is amazing- under 30 minutes but you'd never guess, because if you're like me you're playing it two times at least, on loop.
The first track, "Second Hearse, Same as the First" is everything pop-punk should be: catchy melodies, driving beat, and great lyrics that you can scream at the top of you lungs. Hell, every song on this album fits that description, but they do not get repetitive or tiresome. Instead, every song has its own personality and face while still being eminently catchy and smile inducing.
My favorite track off of the album right now is "Out of Ideas," a veritable ode to the unmotivated. On days like today, it is the anthem you need to know that sometimes it's okay to do nothing and just "roll with the punch drunk love song."

Private Radio

Albums I want to buy:
The Fad- "Kill Punk Rock Stars"
The Copyrights- "Learn the Hard Way"
The Action Design EP
And a whole host of patches. I have a old blazer style jacket that was made for patches... and I know how to sew.
Up the punx, or something like that.

I might be dying but I'm not dead yet

So this weekend happened.
But it didn't really.
As I'm driving to Eric's to get in his car and go down to Binghamton, he calls to tell me that the crew coming up from the city has been snowed off the roads and therefore would not be coming.
Jess would not be there.
Not that I was excited, but I sang loudly and talked copiously on the four hour drive down. Which, by the way, was awesome. We just rocked out and talked about old times, women and our inability to understand them, and about how awesome the weekend would be.
We get to Binghamton and the first thing out of Eric's mouth is "I fuckin' hate this place." We were home. We see Zack and Moshe right away. We catch up with Hagerbaumer and the Wongn8tor (aka Wong) and are just totally stoked to be at a concert and not have to work.
Once we get to the Events Center, it's a whirlwind of saying hi and catching up. All four production managers were in attendance, so there's an awesome picture out there. We basically bumped into Against Me! and Dave Grohl a few times; I even watched Serj from System of a Down walk in on some dude taking a leak while wearing a top hat. I never thought my college education would give me that experience.
We ate Nirchi's Pizza and were able to get back stage. I saw so many old friends and got to talk to some people about the open Late Nite coordinator position that I am applying for. I saw BSSL still alive and in capable hands (although I'm sure Moshe disagrees and would like to still be in control).
Eric and I went drinking with Wong and ended up at the Rat. No, I don't know why, because that place is a shit hole. Eric and I split from Wong and went to Pepe's for the best awful meatball subs of all time. It was vacation, so I housed on a meatball sub with nacho cheese. My body hates me still, but it was worth it for the total Binghamton experience.
he next day we were up early and on the road hopeful of hitting up the Bedouin Soundclash show in Buffalo that evening. Instead, it was sold out and we went to a bar to watch the end of the Rangers game (except I'm in Buffalo, so I had to pretend not to be happy when they beat the Sabres) where the tender was awesome and played some Flogging Molly. We then hit up another bar but by that time, I was beat. Next thing I know I'm in bed and it's Sunday morning.

I need more weekends like that.

Let me rant and let me ramble

So this weekend is finally here. I'm anxious, nervous, apprehensive, and you get the idea. After nights of wondering what will happen, a few dreams, and a ton of conversation I am on my way to Binghamton. This should prove interesting.
I'm as over Jess as I'm going to be now. Dad put it best (and I'm paraphrasing here): "Men take a long time to get over their exes- well into their life. After a while, you just get used to seeing them around. Doesn't suck any less though."

I wonder what Mom had to say to this.

Ouchies

My stomach hurts. This usually means I ate too much today; specifically too much crap.
Yet another reason to eat healthily- no cramps that keep me up at night.

Ackbar

This is one of the funniest things ever.

25%

Twice today I've come across people mentioned the "quarter life crisis."
Please shut-up. This isn't a crisis, it's called growing up. And yeah, sorry to say, it sucks. It's hard because it's supposed to be. If everyone could grow up totally normal and free and easy, do you think therapists would make the money they do? I mean, I've had to take long hard looks at my life and realize that this is not where I thought I would be at 24. Hell, I didn't have a plan for after college. For the longest time my life goal was to go to college and graduate.

I did that.

Oh spit, now what?

This is life, and we're supposed to live it. It's a gift; cherish it. I know a lot of times I've complained about the way my life is going ::cough::lastpost::cough:: but all in all, my life is not that bad. Yes, I'm in a rough patch, but that's because I'm growing up.
I've been in a transition period for two years. I came into graduate school knowing I wasn't going to be staying here and therefore never got settled. Now in a few short months I am going to be uprooting again and going into the work force for my first job. Am I scared? Hell yes. It's part of the reason I still am hung up on my ex- it's not her as much as when she represents. Jess represents a stable time in my life- the last two years of college. I had friends, a girl friend, a job, a support network and a goal. Now, I still have the friends and goal, but my support network has drastically altered and I spend my evenings reciting Law and Order episodes, pining for Mets games and wondering if people read this thing.
So please, stop talking about the quarter life crisis- it's a load of crap. You only grow up if you want to. That explains why I'm still acting like some kid. Damn straight I am.

Here's the score

So October 2006, during an already rough patch in my life, I get dumped over the phone. Sucks, I know. We continue to be friends, no matter how bad that always seems to work out in the movies and television. She ends up starting to see one of our mutual friends (who was pissed at me for a variety of reasons, and so we weren't speaking). After they start dating, he agrees to bury the hatchet.
Fast forward a year- I still am looking for a nice girl and haven't been speaking to either of them as much. Life is going okay and I finally do meet a woman, who I end up dumping two months later because she reminded me of me in a bad way.
Fast forward to this week, Eric and I decide to road trip to Binghamton for the Foo Fighters/Against Me! concert. There's another motive here for me, since I am thinking about applying for a job at Bing and a visit could give me an edge. Eric calls our friend who is coordinating while I speak to David, my mentor. As it turns out, Pat, our friend, is road tripping up. In tow will be the ex and our friend/person she may or may not be still dating.
I'm still going, but I'm wondering why life decided to take my vacation and add a side of ajida.

EDIT: Let it be known that these are my feelings on the matter, not necessarily the truth.