So it is 1:33am on Tuesday morning and I should be in bed...
But I had a small coffee at 9:45pm and I hate myself so I'll me up a good hour or two more, figured I might as well write something on here to pass the time.
As all maybe of you who read this know, I'll be back in Lil Rhody this weekend ever so briefly before I embark on my first college spring break experience in Orlando, that will make it up here I'm sure, so wait for that. But I got talking with my classics professor today who just so happened to get his Masters at Brown and spent a bit of time in RI about the puny little state and it got me a bit home sick. Like anyone else who's lived in that place for a considerable amount of time I have a soft spot for it while wanting to be as far from it as possible. Which means I'm pretty excited to spend 3 days there this weekend and then a helluva a lot more there over the summer. There are things you just miss, like the beaches and the food and the familiar roads, and mostly the people. For me, seeing some of my favorite people every time I go back is definitely the best part of the trip. So this weekend I'm hoping to squeeze out some good times before I depart Tuesday night. Hit me up cause I definitely want to spend some quality chill time in RI.
On a totally unrelated note I don't think I've ever shown anyone the scraps of paper in my green note book, I pulled it out of drawer this evening and remembered how cool it was. So if you read this and are interested, just ask and I can show you some of the stupid shit that goes through my head that I unfortunately write down/ draw/ scribble then ask me about it some time. It won't bite... I think.
So that's all for today,
Text, Call, Don't be a stranger,
And good luck on any tests/ finals you have coming up!
Fonts
Monday, February 29, 2016
Thursday, February 4, 2016
If You Don't Slow Down...
whale.
Whale.
WHALE.
LOOK WHAT WE HAVE HERE!
LOOK WHO DECIDED TO SHOW UP FOR ONCE AND WRITE SOMETHING!
~oh~
~hey there everyone~
~long time no see~
~I'm not dead (I promise)~
~and I have a lot to catch you up on~
~please don't hurt me~
So, here I am, in decent health, a semester and 4.5 weeks into sophomore year and finally writing for the first time in a long, long time. Since I last wrote I have been to the World Series, had Thanksgiving, sat up sleepless while my grandma almost died, twice, did Christmas break, hung with the whole squad in bits and pieces, recorded with Chris Piquette for the first time (me personally) got dean's list at school (a lot harder at college) and got back to school, went to Cuba on a life changing trip, organized a cross country road trip, planned spring break in Orlando and managed to work 13 hours a week and keep my grades up this semester.
Now, that may be a little over whelming and if you want more details on any of those, shoot me at text, you know you want to, I'd be glad to elaborate on almost every point. Really what writing that paragraph (run on sentence) showed me was that I have done A LOT in the last 6 months or so and that I should count my blessings and be unbelievably happy with the life I've been given, and I am. But I also am a long term thinker in the sense that I really am always looking at how all this stuff I've done will impact me going forward. And right now I have no complaints, my future is looking like it will be filled with travel, music and friendship with are probably my top 3 things (not in any particular order).
Some details:
Cuba was a life changing experience. For those that do not know, I am half Cuban on my dad's side and this trip gave me just an in depth and unbelievably real look into the life, well being and history of the island 90 miles from Key West FL. The food was incredible, the cigars were impeccable, the rum was well remembered despite our best efforts and the friends were life time on this tropical island that I can foresee in the not too distant future changing drastically. If you ever get a chance like I did, do not think twice, take that chance and I promise you will never regret it.
The World Series: I know a lot (most) [maybe all] of you have no interest in sports, but this is my blog so shut up. The New York Mets have been and always will be my favorite sports franchise and they were in the World Series this year which lead my dad and I to fly into New York on a cold October Weekend and have the kind of emotional experience that I can only relate to being at the biggest concert your favorite artist has ever put on. Slightly different because a concert cannot end in defeat like my dad and my trip went, but none the less it was amazing and I will always remember it.
Christmas break was eventful as all hell, I got to meet my friend C's new girl friend, she's a nice gal and I like them together. I got to meet Gibb's bae too, she gives me a hard time because he like me more, but that's what you have to deal with when you date Gibb. Tom even has acquired ye old ball and chain and I met her for like 40 minutes on New Years, seems nice enough though. Haven't met Maeve's new boyfriend Liam but apparently we have a lot in common, I guess that will come. Some of the best times over break though were just hanging out around campus and stuff with the OG crew, the afternoon at Claire's and Christmas Concert with the old boys were definitely highlights. Finally recording with Chris Piquette has always been a darling in studio and helped us write, let alone record our newest 6 song EP that's gonna be out this May. That studio week was fun as all fun and I love working with all da boyz in Everything or Nothing on these records. So that was my winter break which flew me right back to Richmond where I left the next day for Cuba.
Since I've gotten back to school I've been virtually buried in the day to day of this place. Life really runs here. When you have papers to write and books to read and a 3 hour shift that night and 4.5 hour shift the next day with a quiz... you get what I'm saying. Any way, so I'm writing now because I honestly feel like I'm in the best place I've been, probably ever. Sometimes I like to think back to Senior year which is really when I made a lot of my life long friends and I like to think that that was a huge high point in my life. But looking at myself now, as an individual I think I can say that now, with all those close, life time friends, and a couple hand-fulls of new friends I am in the best place I've ever been. Sure some things could be better, I could always have a few extra bucks, or a slightly nicer car, but that's all gravy on the piping hot plate of food that is my life right now. Long and the short of it is that I think I'm finally ready to dig in and start enjoying it instead of worrying about how things will work out and just trust that they will. I don't want to jinx it but things seem pretty great right now. And I encourage everyone who reads this to look around and count your blessings because I bet for every rotten thing going on in your life you can find three positives. That's just the mood I'm in which is weird because I have to be up at 7:15 tomorrow morning to go shadow a teacher at a high school, which, for all of you non-college students, is an ungodly hour of the morning.
Well I hope this has sated your hunger for the moment. My phone is always on, trust me, so please, please, please don't be a stranger and drop me a text or call me. I promise I'll get back to you that day. If you don't have my number, tough, find someone who does.
And on top of all this, here's some gravy for old times
These are all covers by Scott Bradlee's Post Modern Jukebox, you don't HAVE to listen to the covers, but I highly recommended every single one of them.
1. I Want it That Way (Originally by the Backstreet Boys)
2. Pompei (Originally by Bastille)
3. Steal My Girl (Originally by One Direction)
4. Creep (Originally by Radiohead)
5. Shake It Off (Originally by T swizzle)
6. Titanium (Originally by Sia)
7. Rude (Originally by Magic!)
8. Stacy's Mom (Originally by Fountains of Wayne)
9. Maps (Originally by Maroon 5)
10. Sugar We're Going Down (Originally by Fallout Boy)
Always wishing the best,
Matthew Raul Fonts
Whale.
WHALE.
LOOK WHAT WE HAVE HERE!
LOOK WHO DECIDED TO SHOW UP FOR ONCE AND WRITE SOMETHING!
~oh~
~hey there everyone~
~long time no see~
~I'm not dead (I promise)~
~and I have a lot to catch you up on~
~please don't hurt me~
So, here I am, in decent health, a semester and 4.5 weeks into sophomore year and finally writing for the first time in a long, long time. Since I last wrote I have been to the World Series, had Thanksgiving, sat up sleepless while my grandma almost died, twice, did Christmas break, hung with the whole squad in bits and pieces, recorded with Chris Piquette for the first time (me personally) got dean's list at school (a lot harder at college) and got back to school, went to Cuba on a life changing trip, organized a cross country road trip, planned spring break in Orlando and managed to work 13 hours a week and keep my grades up this semester.
Now, that may be a little over whelming and if you want more details on any of those, shoot me at text, you know you want to, I'd be glad to elaborate on almost every point. Really what writing that paragraph (run on sentence) showed me was that I have done A LOT in the last 6 months or so and that I should count my blessings and be unbelievably happy with the life I've been given, and I am. But I also am a long term thinker in the sense that I really am always looking at how all this stuff I've done will impact me going forward. And right now I have no complaints, my future is looking like it will be filled with travel, music and friendship with are probably my top 3 things (not in any particular order).
Some details:
Cuba was a life changing experience. For those that do not know, I am half Cuban on my dad's side and this trip gave me just an in depth and unbelievably real look into the life, well being and history of the island 90 miles from Key West FL. The food was incredible, the cigars were impeccable, the rum was well remembered despite our best efforts and the friends were life time on this tropical island that I can foresee in the not too distant future changing drastically. If you ever get a chance like I did, do not think twice, take that chance and I promise you will never regret it.
The World Series: I know a lot (most) [maybe all] of you have no interest in sports, but this is my blog so shut up. The New York Mets have been and always will be my favorite sports franchise and they were in the World Series this year which lead my dad and I to fly into New York on a cold October Weekend and have the kind of emotional experience that I can only relate to being at the biggest concert your favorite artist has ever put on. Slightly different because a concert cannot end in defeat like my dad and my trip went, but none the less it was amazing and I will always remember it.
Christmas break was eventful as all hell, I got to meet my friend C's new girl friend, she's a nice gal and I like them together. I got to meet Gibb's bae too, she gives me a hard time because he like me more, but that's what you have to deal with when you date Gibb. Tom even has acquired ye old ball and chain and I met her for like 40 minutes on New Years, seems nice enough though. Haven't met Maeve's new boyfriend Liam but apparently we have a lot in common, I guess that will come. Some of the best times over break though were just hanging out around campus and stuff with the OG crew, the afternoon at Claire's and Christmas Concert with the old boys were definitely highlights. Finally recording with Chris Piquette has always been a darling in studio and helped us write, let alone record our newest 6 song EP that's gonna be out this May. That studio week was fun as all fun and I love working with all da boyz in Everything or Nothing on these records. So that was my winter break which flew me right back to Richmond where I left the next day for Cuba.
Since I've gotten back to school I've been virtually buried in the day to day of this place. Life really runs here. When you have papers to write and books to read and a 3 hour shift that night and 4.5 hour shift the next day with a quiz... you get what I'm saying. Any way, so I'm writing now because I honestly feel like I'm in the best place I've been, probably ever. Sometimes I like to think back to Senior year which is really when I made a lot of my life long friends and I like to think that that was a huge high point in my life. But looking at myself now, as an individual I think I can say that now, with all those close, life time friends, and a couple hand-fulls of new friends I am in the best place I've ever been. Sure some things could be better, I could always have a few extra bucks, or a slightly nicer car, but that's all gravy on the piping hot plate of food that is my life right now. Long and the short of it is that I think I'm finally ready to dig in and start enjoying it instead of worrying about how things will work out and just trust that they will. I don't want to jinx it but things seem pretty great right now. And I encourage everyone who reads this to look around and count your blessings because I bet for every rotten thing going on in your life you can find three positives. That's just the mood I'm in which is weird because I have to be up at 7:15 tomorrow morning to go shadow a teacher at a high school, which, for all of you non-college students, is an ungodly hour of the morning.
Well I hope this has sated your hunger for the moment. My phone is always on, trust me, so please, please, please don't be a stranger and drop me a text or call me. I promise I'll get back to you that day. If you don't have my number, tough, find someone who does.
And on top of all this, here's some gravy for old times
These are all covers by Scott Bradlee's Post Modern Jukebox, you don't HAVE to listen to the covers, but I highly recommended every single one of them.
1. I Want it That Way (Originally by the Backstreet Boys)
2. Pompei (Originally by Bastille)
3. Steal My Girl (Originally by One Direction)
4. Creep (Originally by Radiohead)
5. Shake It Off (Originally by T swizzle)
6. Titanium (Originally by Sia)
7. Rude (Originally by Magic!)
8. Stacy's Mom (Originally by Fountains of Wayne)
9. Maps (Originally by Maroon 5)
10. Sugar We're Going Down (Originally by Fallout Boy)
Always wishing the best,
Matthew Raul Fonts
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Happy 50 days 'til christmas (Oops)
Hey guys...
So...
How ya been?
I've been doing well, thanks for asking...
Yeah I know I haven't written in a while but right now I should be writing a 10 page research paper so I figured it would be a perfect time to start writing about everything that's happened in the last month or so. And at different times I've had almost half a mind to give a lot of these events their own post but I've just never motivated myself to do it... So sorry.
Starting with the most recent thing, I was kinda home in RI last weekend, I flew in Friday night and left Sunday evening... saw the fam and a lot of Abbey people at breakfast which was nice, me and Claire grabbed lunch a titio's and caught up which was nice. And no offense but that all paled in comparison to my Saturday. Now on Saturday my dad and I went to the World Series to watch the New York Mets play the Kanas City Royals. Now if you know me, you know I'm a die hard Mets fan (Read: glutton for punishment) and watching them blow a one run lead in the eighth inning to go down three to one in the World Series kinda sucked, but leading up to a bases clearing double by Ben Zobris in the 8th inning I had one of the most amazing days of my life. Now this was one of the things I wanted to give a post to. A lot of my friends don't really understand my love for sports, they either don't play sports or don't follow them or for what ever reason just don't have the affinity for sports that I do. When my dad and I watch the Mets, or the Jets, or the Knicks, but especially the Mets, there is a generational bridge and compradore among fans. Meeting other fans at the Stadium that night and just becoming friends because we were both wearing blue and orange. Being a sports fan and watching your team succeed is just a such a great feeling. It's like watching people you know have a good performance, but it's also a competition, and there were 175 competitions all leading up to that. You've seen them struggle and over come obstacles and it's a journey unlike any other I'd say. So yeah, it was a big deal for me and something I will remember and treasure for a long, long time. This is up there with Everything or Nothing playing their first show and the births of my brothers that will hold a place in my head forever.
Besides that awesome weekend, I've been working, and doing school work, and trying to write a second EP for Everything or Nothing. We are going into studio in December and I just write down lines and couplets when ever something pops into my head. I have a wacky writing style but C does most of it so I try to keep what I do fairly organized. Started writing in a little black journal, just lyrics and daily musings, I've fallen behind that too though... Guess I am too busy with SCHOOL WORK, or not, I don't know, whatever. I got my acoustic guitar down at school so that's nice to have now. Learned "Get Low" and "Hotline Bling" last night which was a fun little experiment. Besides that my SSIR (Sophomore Scholars in Residence) group that's taking me to Cuba in January is getting closer and we've been hanging out a lot more which is nice to, that could be adding to me not writing. Its gotten to the point where I'm texting some of them more than my peeps back home, which didn't happen very much last year. But it's nice in a way I guess. I still probably do a little too much thinking in my free time, about the future, fantasies and nightmares and just mental wanderings that distract me from living in the moment. I've gotten the new State Champs Album and T Shirt which are both amazing as well as a CD burner so that all my Bruce Springsteen and pop-punk CDs are now on my phone and computer.
I registered for my spring semester classes on Tuesday. That means I am 3/8 of the way through college and that's kinda insane to think about. Again, thinking about the future is very cool but I'm not sure I wanna move that quickly, but at the same time I do. Ah the troubles and trepidations of youth.. Oh and I'm taking bass lessons next semester too so that will be fun, a full 4 months of fun right there. College is so weird, you're living but your not, it's a strange balance between surviving from one deadline to another and enjoying each day for what it can offer. I myself feel like I get lost in the shuffle of the first option a little too much, so I'm trying to work on that.
So yeah...
Nice filling you guys in,
Any questions, concerns or basic bothering notes feel free to tell my secretary
Jk... just text me, let's talk, it's been too long
See y'all on November 19th (the 29th the latest (for real we need to hangout))
Fonts
So...
How ya been?
I've been doing well, thanks for asking...
Yeah I know I haven't written in a while but right now I should be writing a 10 page research paper so I figured it would be a perfect time to start writing about everything that's happened in the last month or so. And at different times I've had almost half a mind to give a lot of these events their own post but I've just never motivated myself to do it... So sorry.
Starting with the most recent thing, I was kinda home in RI last weekend, I flew in Friday night and left Sunday evening... saw the fam and a lot of Abbey people at breakfast which was nice, me and Claire grabbed lunch a titio's and caught up which was nice. And no offense but that all paled in comparison to my Saturday. Now on Saturday my dad and I went to the World Series to watch the New York Mets play the Kanas City Royals. Now if you know me, you know I'm a die hard Mets fan (Read: glutton for punishment) and watching them blow a one run lead in the eighth inning to go down three to one in the World Series kinda sucked, but leading up to a bases clearing double by Ben Zobris in the 8th inning I had one of the most amazing days of my life. Now this was one of the things I wanted to give a post to. A lot of my friends don't really understand my love for sports, they either don't play sports or don't follow them or for what ever reason just don't have the affinity for sports that I do. When my dad and I watch the Mets, or the Jets, or the Knicks, but especially the Mets, there is a generational bridge and compradore among fans. Meeting other fans at the Stadium that night and just becoming friends because we were both wearing blue and orange. Being a sports fan and watching your team succeed is just a such a great feeling. It's like watching people you know have a good performance, but it's also a competition, and there were 175 competitions all leading up to that. You've seen them struggle and over come obstacles and it's a journey unlike any other I'd say. So yeah, it was a big deal for me and something I will remember and treasure for a long, long time. This is up there with Everything or Nothing playing their first show and the births of my brothers that will hold a place in my head forever.
Besides that awesome weekend, I've been working, and doing school work, and trying to write a second EP for Everything or Nothing. We are going into studio in December and I just write down lines and couplets when ever something pops into my head. I have a wacky writing style but C does most of it so I try to keep what I do fairly organized. Started writing in a little black journal, just lyrics and daily musings, I've fallen behind that too though... Guess I am too busy with SCHOOL WORK, or not, I don't know, whatever. I got my acoustic guitar down at school so that's nice to have now. Learned "Get Low" and "Hotline Bling" last night which was a fun little experiment. Besides that my SSIR (Sophomore Scholars in Residence) group that's taking me to Cuba in January is getting closer and we've been hanging out a lot more which is nice to, that could be adding to me not writing. Its gotten to the point where I'm texting some of them more than my peeps back home, which didn't happen very much last year. But it's nice in a way I guess. I still probably do a little too much thinking in my free time, about the future, fantasies and nightmares and just mental wanderings that distract me from living in the moment. I've gotten the new State Champs Album and T Shirt which are both amazing as well as a CD burner so that all my Bruce Springsteen and pop-punk CDs are now on my phone and computer.
I registered for my spring semester classes on Tuesday. That means I am 3/8 of the way through college and that's kinda insane to think about. Again, thinking about the future is very cool but I'm not sure I wanna move that quickly, but at the same time I do. Ah the troubles and trepidations of youth.. Oh and I'm taking bass lessons next semester too so that will be fun, a full 4 months of fun right there. College is so weird, you're living but your not, it's a strange balance between surviving from one deadline to another and enjoying each day for what it can offer. I myself feel like I get lost in the shuffle of the first option a little too much, so I'm trying to work on that.
So yeah...
Nice filling you guys in,
Any questions, concerns or basic bothering notes feel free to tell my secretary
Jk... just text me, let's talk, it's been too long
See y'all on November 19th (the 29th the latest (for real we need to hangout))
Fonts
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Probably Not What You Think
Whelp, it's that time of year again... the longest summer of the year is over as Portsmouth Abbey has reopened it's doors for the 2015-16 school year which means it is pretty much fall now... In the spirit of fall I am going to procrastinate writing a back to school post on what myself and many now college bound adolescence are doing and instead give you one of those games you like so much. In honor of my mom sending down my CD collection today with some other stuff (love you mom) I am going to be making this list from my favorite current CD which is the Killers Direct Hits (it's their greatest hits album). If you haven't heard some of these songs... look them up, I guarantee they will rock your socks. As always these songs could be how I feel about someone, something I feel describes them of just some stupid connection I've made between them and the song... Also this time I will only accept complete lists for review... no more going through one by one.
1. Space Man
2. Smile Like You Mean It
3. She's Just Another Girl
4. All These Things That I've Done
5. Human
6. When You Were Young
7. Miss Atomic Bomb
8. Mr. Brightside
9. A Dustland Fairlytale
Rock On,
Fonts
1. Space Man
2. Smile Like You Mean It
3. She's Just Another Girl
4. All These Things That I've Done
5. Human
6. When You Were Young
7. Miss Atomic Bomb
8. Mr. Brightside
9. A Dustland Fairlytale
Rock On,
Fonts
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Question...
Is there such a thing as not asking for help because you think everyone else is dealing with their own stuff and you don't want to pile on too much more or bother them?
Asking for a friend.
Asking for a friend.
Friday, July 31, 2015
It's a Brand New Day
So it's 2:50am and here goes my second attempt at writing my first post in over a month, the first one was outstanding and I loved how it came out, but technology hates me so no, now I have to dedicate 45 more minutes of my beauty sleep to y'all so enjoy me spill my guts for just a bit longer on this day, whether you're reading this on July 31st 2015 or any day after.
Before you start attacking me for not writing, behold! I have a mediocre excuse! Honestly I was a Prefect at the Portsmouth Abbey School Summer Program and chasing after 7th-11th graders gets tiring, plus the wifi in the dorms turns off at midnight cutting most of my writing sessions short. But all and all I left the summer program last week reaffirmed in my love of teaching, mentoring and supporting the next generation, also got a lot of one on one time with some of the teachers from other schools who help in the summer program. I hope to do it again next year and make even more memories with a new group of kids who impact me the same way this year's kids did.
Besides that I also worked the Newport Folk Festival last weekend with got me within twenty feet of James Taylor which was ones of the coolest experiences of my life, he played his classics and I almost cried, it was beautiful. Starting in 4 hours I'll be headed back to Newport to work the Jazz festival for the next three days which I hope will be just as if not more rewarding.
Before I started writing tonight I thought I had a couple really good ideas to write about: "What teaching means to me" or "how someone can change" but I decided on something totally different because of a TV show. Now I'm not sure how many people know this because I don't go around advertising it but I am a long time fan of the show Glee. I watched it for a few years and was pretty invested in it, but stopped following it after Corey's death and tribute episode. Really for me it wasn't directly connected to that event but that event coincided with a lot of important times in my senior year, bottom line is I'm behind. So last week when I realized the last season was on Netflix I decided to finish it. And honestly having just finished it tonight I must say I was a little disappointed with how they handled the remainder of season 5 shifting straight to New York and ignoring a lot of the new kids and how they then removed that part of the cast all together in the next season. I know the writers were really just grabbing at straws but I wanted to see a little more about new kids, I don't know. But I wasn't really the lack luster final twenty or so episodes that made me write tonight, it was the outstanding Finale. Maybe it was because they lowered my expectations or if they just did a good job, but the time skips and epilogue endings to all the characters were as close to what I could have wanted as possible and the closing scene was probably one of the most fitting ones I've ever seen and it delivered a message that really resonated with me.
The message was that Glee at it's core was a group not about winning but about seeking the joy in the music. And it really made me think of why I have such an affinity for music. And it took me a little while to come up with an answer and I'm still not completely convinced of my own answer but I gave it a shot. Deep deep down in places I'm not crazy about talking about I'm a romantic and some may even say hopelessly so. And I think music speaks to that idea in everyone. Because although music is complex and layered it describes for us a world in which things are much more emotionally vibrant and powerful. You can hear and feel emotion so powerfully through music that it can contact your soul in ways other things can't dream of. I the history of all the shitty advise I've given people among them have been phrases such as "ignore it" "it'll pass" and my personal favorite "just stop doing it". Now these are really stupid pieces of advise from a guy who 90% of the time has no idea what he's talking about but the way I see it, I'm a pretty strong guy emotionally speaking so have course rough ways of handling problems. Most people need more help with them. What music does is it lends an invisible hand through your headphones to catch you when you fall, pick you up when your down and give you a pat on the back when your back on you feet. Music is specific enough so that everyone gets something different from every lyric, but universal enough that if you play a song millions of people around the world know it and can sing together, So yeah, music fucking wild stuff huh?
Anyway it's getting really late now and I need some form of beauty rest. So whenever your enjoying this post, thanks for reading and have a good day. You didn't have to read this whole thing but you did and that kinda cool. A reminder that it's 3:26am and this post is less spellchecked than the first one, sorry. Thanks for sticking around so here's your reward, 2 recommendations and a mini game.
"First Day of My Life" Bright Eyes
"Brand New Day" Joshua Radin
John Mayer
1. "Dreaming with a Broken Heart"
2. "Heart of Life"
3. "Half of my Heart"
4. "Waiting on the World to Change"
5. "No Such Thing"
6. "Vultures"
7. "Heartbreak Warfare"
8. "Gravity'
9. "Who Says"
10. "I'm Gonna Find Another You"
See You Around.
Before you start attacking me for not writing, behold! I have a mediocre excuse! Honestly I was a Prefect at the Portsmouth Abbey School Summer Program and chasing after 7th-11th graders gets tiring, plus the wifi in the dorms turns off at midnight cutting most of my writing sessions short. But all and all I left the summer program last week reaffirmed in my love of teaching, mentoring and supporting the next generation, also got a lot of one on one time with some of the teachers from other schools who help in the summer program. I hope to do it again next year and make even more memories with a new group of kids who impact me the same way this year's kids did.
Besides that I also worked the Newport Folk Festival last weekend with got me within twenty feet of James Taylor which was ones of the coolest experiences of my life, he played his classics and I almost cried, it was beautiful. Starting in 4 hours I'll be headed back to Newport to work the Jazz festival for the next three days which I hope will be just as if not more rewarding.
Before I started writing tonight I thought I had a couple really good ideas to write about: "What teaching means to me" or "how someone can change" but I decided on something totally different because of a TV show. Now I'm not sure how many people know this because I don't go around advertising it but I am a long time fan of the show Glee. I watched it for a few years and was pretty invested in it, but stopped following it after Corey's death and tribute episode. Really for me it wasn't directly connected to that event but that event coincided with a lot of important times in my senior year, bottom line is I'm behind. So last week when I realized the last season was on Netflix I decided to finish it. And honestly having just finished it tonight I must say I was a little disappointed with how they handled the remainder of season 5 shifting straight to New York and ignoring a lot of the new kids and how they then removed that part of the cast all together in the next season. I know the writers were really just grabbing at straws but I wanted to see a little more about new kids, I don't know. But I wasn't really the lack luster final twenty or so episodes that made me write tonight, it was the outstanding Finale. Maybe it was because they lowered my expectations or if they just did a good job, but the time skips and epilogue endings to all the characters were as close to what I could have wanted as possible and the closing scene was probably one of the most fitting ones I've ever seen and it delivered a message that really resonated with me.
The message was that Glee at it's core was a group not about winning but about seeking the joy in the music. And it really made me think of why I have such an affinity for music. And it took me a little while to come up with an answer and I'm still not completely convinced of my own answer but I gave it a shot. Deep deep down in places I'm not crazy about talking about I'm a romantic and some may even say hopelessly so. And I think music speaks to that idea in everyone. Because although music is complex and layered it describes for us a world in which things are much more emotionally vibrant and powerful. You can hear and feel emotion so powerfully through music that it can contact your soul in ways other things can't dream of. I the history of all the shitty advise I've given people among them have been phrases such as "ignore it" "it'll pass" and my personal favorite "just stop doing it". Now these are really stupid pieces of advise from a guy who 90% of the time has no idea what he's talking about but the way I see it, I'm a pretty strong guy emotionally speaking so have course rough ways of handling problems. Most people need more help with them. What music does is it lends an invisible hand through your headphones to catch you when you fall, pick you up when your down and give you a pat on the back when your back on you feet. Music is specific enough so that everyone gets something different from every lyric, but universal enough that if you play a song millions of people around the world know it and can sing together, So yeah, music fucking wild stuff huh?
Anyway it's getting really late now and I need some form of beauty rest. So whenever your enjoying this post, thanks for reading and have a good day. You didn't have to read this whole thing but you did and that kinda cool. A reminder that it's 3:26am and this post is less spellchecked than the first one, sorry. Thanks for sticking around so here's your reward, 2 recommendations and a mini game.
"First Day of My Life" Bright Eyes
"Brand New Day" Joshua Radin
John Mayer
1. "Dreaming with a Broken Heart"
2. "Heart of Life"
3. "Half of my Heart"
4. "Waiting on the World to Change"
5. "No Such Thing"
6. "Vultures"
7. "Heartbreak Warfare"
8. "Gravity'
9. "Who Says"
10. "I'm Gonna Find Another You"
See You Around.
Monday, June 15, 2015
Bring it back to the Title
Well folks, it's 11:11 as i begin to type (ha got 'em) and I figured I just go off what I feel like right now which for all intents and purposes is pretty good.
Now I know you don't care but a majority contributing factor was the New York Mets winning tonight in 11 innings, it was a good time. I also had a couple cups of coffee at like 5pm so that's where the energy is coming from.
Finally I'm on my 3rd listen through of Fall Out Boys' "From Under the Cork Tree" which a fantastic album. I've gotten a good listen to of some classics (Sugar We're Going Down, Dance Dance) some personal favorites (A little less Sixteen Candles, Sophomore Slump) and even getting a good listen to of some songs I've never really considered like "I've got a dark alley and an idea that says that you should just shut your mouth" and "Champagne for my real friends real pain for my sham friends". It's very interesting how listening to songs you KNOW, kinda know and are learning for the first time all in the matter of minutes can change your perspective.
Really what I'm trying to get back to is the title of this blog: "the basics from a bassist". For all the bullshit and metaphors and cryptic posts I put up on this website I would like to believe their is some basic honesty and forwardness in my writing and my musical tastes, style and identity, I like to think of myself as a pretty happy and outgoing person, but I have my moments in which sometimes I just kinda shut down. Recently some people have caught me in these space outs and I feel like they don't believe me when I tell them I'm fine... The truth is I really am. I usually have just been caught in the moment. Usually when people say they get caught in the moment, they reference it later as just being consumed and enthralled by the moment but when I get caught in the moment it's the exact opposite. It's me sitting there, zoned out thinking of all the circumstances and random events that happened leading to the moment, analyzing everything happening in the moment and imagining results of the moment. I actually think it's interesting that people assume there's something wrong or bothering me, don't get me wrong I appreciate the concern, but lets keep it basic here... what do I have to be complaining about? My life is pretty great and I try not to rub it in but I also count my blessings most nights.
As far as music is concerned in tonight's post, "I've Got a Dark Alley and a Bad Idea That Says You Should Shut Your Mouth" has been speaking to me for about the last 25 minutes or so, so I've been listening. It's just droppin little hints here and there for new songs, new ideas, both rhythmically and lyrically and some good life tips, but tonight's post is trying to be light on metaphors so I'll leave that alone tonight. Really with Everything or Nothing moving back into writing mode I've been gearing up to try and bring something to the table and I think I've gathered some material and experience recently I can put to good use.
Wish us luck,
Just some bassist
Now I know you don't care but a majority contributing factor was the New York Mets winning tonight in 11 innings, it was a good time. I also had a couple cups of coffee at like 5pm so that's where the energy is coming from.
Finally I'm on my 3rd listen through of Fall Out Boys' "From Under the Cork Tree" which a fantastic album. I've gotten a good listen to of some classics (Sugar We're Going Down, Dance Dance) some personal favorites (A little less Sixteen Candles, Sophomore Slump) and even getting a good listen to of some songs I've never really considered like "I've got a dark alley and an idea that says that you should just shut your mouth" and "Champagne for my real friends real pain for my sham friends". It's very interesting how listening to songs you KNOW, kinda know and are learning for the first time all in the matter of minutes can change your perspective.
Really what I'm trying to get back to is the title of this blog: "the basics from a bassist". For all the bullshit and metaphors and cryptic posts I put up on this website I would like to believe their is some basic honesty and forwardness in my writing and my musical tastes, style and identity, I like to think of myself as a pretty happy and outgoing person, but I have my moments in which sometimes I just kinda shut down. Recently some people have caught me in these space outs and I feel like they don't believe me when I tell them I'm fine... The truth is I really am. I usually have just been caught in the moment. Usually when people say they get caught in the moment, they reference it later as just being consumed and enthralled by the moment but when I get caught in the moment it's the exact opposite. It's me sitting there, zoned out thinking of all the circumstances and random events that happened leading to the moment, analyzing everything happening in the moment and imagining results of the moment. I actually think it's interesting that people assume there's something wrong or bothering me, don't get me wrong I appreciate the concern, but lets keep it basic here... what do I have to be complaining about? My life is pretty great and I try not to rub it in but I also count my blessings most nights.
As far as music is concerned in tonight's post, "I've Got a Dark Alley and a Bad Idea That Says You Should Shut Your Mouth" has been speaking to me for about the last 25 minutes or so, so I've been listening. It's just droppin little hints here and there for new songs, new ideas, both rhythmically and lyrically and some good life tips, but tonight's post is trying to be light on metaphors so I'll leave that alone tonight. Really with Everything or Nothing moving back into writing mode I've been gearing up to try and bring something to the table and I think I've gathered some material and experience recently I can put to good use.
Wish us luck,
Just some bassist
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