Words Out Of Line

New Location

2010-05-20T14:49:00.002-04:00

http://amymantis.tumblr.com

I've been using tumblr for a while, and I find it easier to use and I like it better. Thanks to everyone that read/reads this. I hope you continue to do so!

Jemsite Award

2010-03-07T11:34:00.002-05:00

As stated in my last post, I was recently honored with Jemsite's Recommended Reader Award! Huge thanks to everyone out there that reads my blog!

Jemsite is a guitar website with forums, blogs, pictures, and more. They really love Ibanez guitars over there! It's a cool site, and I really appreciate the award I recently received.

Midterms are this week so I better get back to work! Again, huge thanks to everyone!

Jemsite
proudly awards
this site as
Recommended Reading

Please vote for it
in the community!

Vote for us!

Catch Up / Jemsite Award

2010-02-27T03:22:00.004-05:00

I feel like Carrie Bradshaw writing at 3 in the morning. I'm surprisingly awake, too.

I was recently honored by Jemsite, a guitar website/blog. I received the Recommended Reader Award which I will post as soon as I can. The HTML code isn't quite right.

I was seriously surprised! Thank you to everyone who recommended me and to everyone that reads my blog. It means a great deal to me. Especially since lately my posts have not been guitar or Berklee centered. The good news is, that's about to change.

Midterms begin the week of March 8th. I am so not ready for them. Ear Training might kill me. I had a quiz today..er, yesterday, and it went pretty well. Paul said it was my best yet, and it definitely was. I hate Ear Training, but I love Paul (because I haven't said it enough).

I'm taking the Jimi Hendrix Lab with Julien Kasper (who is also my private instructor). It's a lot of fun and my Hendrix chops are steadily improving. That man was so incredible. So far we've done Spanish Castle Magic, Who Knows (first two solos), and Wait Until Tomorrow. For our midterm we have to transcribe a Hendrix song. I chose Manic Depression as recommended by Bob. The main riff is really easy. The solo will take a bit of diligence on my part. Don't get me started on my social life. It's great, really, it is. I have problems saying no when it comes to being with friends. I always feel like I'm going to miss something.

I'm taking a course with Livingston Taylor, as in James Taylor's brother, this semester. The class is fantastic. Liv is fantastic. He's so wild; I love it! James recently gave a clinic here and it was incredible. I never realized how great of a guitarist he is. He's an absolutely beautiful guitar player. Magnificent.

I always had assumed that Art History would be boring, but I was wrong. I'm taking Renaissance Art History with Ross Bresler, and it's great. I've been to Florence, Paris, and Venice so I've seen a lot of the paintings and buildings we talk about which definitely impacts my perception of the course. Ross is an art genius. He knows everything, and he's really enthusiastic about it all.

I'm also taking Advanced Computer Applications. It's about building databases, something I don't foresee myself ever needing to know how to do. I'm debating withdrawing from it. I currently have a 4.0 in my major, and I'd like to keep it that way. I missed an assignment and didn't do so hot on my quiz so I'm afraid I might not be able to get an A and consequently bring my concentrated GPA down. I don't know why I care. GPAs don't matter in real life, but they help with scholarships! At the same time I just want to get the class over with. So we'll see what happens.

I've talked about Accounting already. Marty's awesome, but accounting is a snooze. I can see why he's eager to retire. I couldn't imagine doing that for a living, although you can make bank doing it. Which is probably why people go into accounting in the first place.

Now I'm tired. Thank you again for reading/recommending!

Does It Ever End?

2010-02-17T19:25:00.003-05:00

Do yourselves a favor and never get mono. Never. Get. Mono.

For the past seven weeks or so my life has been turned upside-down. I don't even know where to begin to explain it. I'm repeating myself as it is.

You know what, just don't get mono. Unless you enjoy being debilitated for a bit. I have been attacked, compromised, however you want to look at it, I'm answering to something I don't want to. Not that I typically rail against exhaustion, but usually it's caused by running (something I love dearly). In this case, it's constant.

Lately I haven't been myself. I'm usually in good spirits and bursting with energy. At the moment I'm just alright and pretty tired. I feel like I'm copping out when I say I'm tired because I have mono. Those words don't easily roll off my tongue, which is also unusual.

My whole state of being is unusual. My sleep habits are bizarre. For example, I went to bed at 11.30 last night, didn't fall asleep until after 1, and woke up starving at 6. I thought my stomach was going to eat itself, which is odd because I had a bowl of cereal around 10.45, shortly before I went to bed.

Clearly my eating habits have been bizarre, too. My dad and Bob (my second-dad who has done more than his fair share in terms of listening to me whine about mono) said that my metabolism has gone crazy because of mono and they're probably right. Up until this week I was an eating machine. I was hungry all the time. Now I have to think about whether or not I actually am hungry.

My mom said that one of the reasons I've been feeling down is probably due to my inability to run (out of fear of spleen-rupturing, which would really be the cherry on top of this) and therefore I'm not getting any endorphins. Julia said that as well. To quote Legally Blonde, 'Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands.' Not that I'm married, but that's true, and easily one of my favorite lines from a movie.

My workload is fairly daunting at times. Two months ago it wouldn't have been, but given the circumstances it's intimidating. I'm doing too much: 16 credits (a full schedule at Berklee), Peer Advising, Music Business Club, and the Music Business Journal just to name a few. I didn't cut back out of fear of falling behind, but I think I screwed myself over by not taking a step back. I might withdraw from a class if my energy/normal life doesn't return soon.

My doctor told me that one day I'm gonna wake up and be full of energy. On that day I will and go for a long run by the river while crying tears of joy.

Today...Was Full Of Win

2010-01-21T23:43:00.003-05:00

It really was.

It started off alright. I woke up later than planned. Actually I woke up on time, I just opted to hit snooze several times and finally drag myself out of bed at 10.00 instead of 9.00. My first class wasn't until 11.00 anyway, so I gave myself a little more leisure time this morning. Part of it's the mono for sure. I wake up, and either instantly or shortly after I wake up I'm so tired I could roll right back to sleep.

So I went to my 11 o'clock class, Principles of Financial Accounting with the always hilarious Marty Dennehy. A bunch of my friends are in that class, and Marty's fantastic so despite it being accounting and incredibly boring, it won't be that bad.

After class, I scooted over to the bookstore, hastily purchased my books because I was expecting a very important phone call from Mike Davidson of Mike Davidson Recording. I submitted my band's song (they're on the right of this page if you care to listen) to a contest he was having and we won! We won eight free hours of recording time. So those two songs on the right will sound infinitely better in the coming month. We'll also be recording a third song called Doubt which is here somewhere...That really made my day.

Not too long after that phone call I received an email from Kim DeVito (Music Business/Management Department Coordinator at Berklee) saying that I passed the test to get into Advanced Computer Applications. Excellent! The Basic Computer Applications ('Basic' from here on out) class didn't fit in my schedule anyway.

However, I do have a problem with how the system works with this class. Had I not taken the test out and just taken the Basic class, I wouldn't have to take the Advanced class. So even though I technically passed the Basic class, I don't get credit for it. That really bugs me. Whatever. At least I'll learn something new, and I don't have to have a class on Mondays. My Mondays are free of classes and I love it. Not that I've experienced it yet because we started classes on Tuesday, but it will be awesome.

My classes are awesome thus far. It's going to be a killer semester, even with the mono. Things are happening, and I love it.

Down With The Sickness

2010-01-14T12:51:00.004-05:00

Towards the end of my break, I came down with mono. My throat was so sore for a week that I wanted nothing more than to tear it out. I had a fever of 102, and I was just all around miserable. I no longer want to tear my throat out and my fever is gone, but the virus still remains. The only good thing is that it's only contagious via saliva so I'm not quarantined from civilization.

The thing about mono is that it stays in your body for a really long time, and it makes you tired. Really really tired. All the time.

I'm not used to this whole being-tired thing. My energy level is normally through the roof, but as of now I have no energy. It's frustrating. I wake up and the first thing I want to do is fall back asleep. Right now I'm supposed to be doing community service with my fellow Peer Advisors, but it would have drained me, and I have another Peer Advising thing to do tonight. So I opted out of today's first activity. I didn't want to, but I kind of had to.

I haven't exactly figured out how to deal with the tiredness yet. At least not effectively. I'm working on it. I'm also working on figuring out how to be lazy. It's not in my nature to do nothing, especially when I have stuff to do.

Another thing I hate about mono is that I can't work out for a few months. I can't run and I can't snowboard. I have to adjust my diet because I can no longer simply run off all the carbs I eat.

This could last until the beginning of February, which wouldn't be that bad. Or it could last until the beginning of April, which would suck big time.

The only thing I can do is go about my life the way I normally would and sleep when I need to. Contrary to what I may think, my life is not over. Far from it.

Hello Again

2010-01-10T11:34:00.002-05:00

Hello. It's been a while since I've posted here. My tumblog's seen some action, but I've been neglectful of this blog. This is a quick post, but I needed to reestablish my connection here.

Like I said, quick post.

Welcome To Crunch Time

2009-11-29T22:04:00.008-05:00

With only three weeks left in the semester, it seems that everyone I know (including people that don't go to Berklee) is feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and unprepared. Emotionally, mentally, and physically. I know I definitely fall into a few of those categories. I usually have everything all together, and while nothing is out of control, I'm on the brink of losing all control.

All of my friends feel the same way, too. None of us wanted to go back to school. We wanted to skip over Thanksgiving and have it be Christmas (just like the department stores). Where did our drive go? More specifically, where did my drive go? I can't remember ever being this lackadaisical. My MO is to be on the ball, and my energy level is typically off the scale. At the moment I am no where near the ball and my energy level is low. My low is probably normal for some people, and if that is the case, then I don't know how they function. I'm struggling with this, and I still have a thousand words left to write for my article.

Speaking of my article...The amount of work I have to do within the next 18 days makes me exhausted just thinking about it. It came out of no where. Well, not really. It just seems like it did. I had this grandiose idea that I would get nearly all of it done either before or during my all but too brief Thanksgiving break. That didn't happen. So now I have no choice but to do it all now, and avoid death in the process.

So it's back to work for me and for everyone else for the next three weeks. Then we can go home and relax for a bit until the whole cycle starts all over again.

Wish us luck!

Canary (My New Band)

2009-11-26T23:15:00.006-05:00

I'm very excited and pleased to announce that I have a new band (!):

Canary is a new Boston/Berklee based rock/pop and blues band that falls sonically somewhere between Coldplay and the Who with a touch of Eric Clapton.

Driven by Ellis and Amy's in-your-face guitars, Isaac's pounding drums, and Drew's production chops, Canary is looking forward to making a mark in the New England music scene and beyond.

For more information, please contact us at canarytheband[at]gmail[dot]com

The widgets on the right side of the page are an email list you can sign up for as well as a music player featuring two songs. Please check them out and sign up for the email list if you like what you hear! We'll be playing shows (potentially) near you in the new year. What with the end of the semester coming (studying for finals, practicing hard), no full-time bassist, and limited rehearsal time (due to finals), suffice to say that the odds of a show before the end of the year are not in our favor.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I can't wait to really kick it into high gear with Canary.

Seventeen

2009-11-08T14:41:00.004-05:00

365 days ago I wrote a post entitled "Seventeen" because I was going to be home in seventeen days. Well, I decided to do it again.

In seventeen days, I will once again be home for Thanksgiving break. With the exception of Ear Training (I have a test the Monday after break), I want to be work-free. I've been a bit of a slacker lately, and I have more work now than I did at this time last year I think. Well, it's a different kind of work. I like the work I have now much more than I did last year. A lot more. Even the stuff I really don't like to do isn't that bad. It's just boring.

I have the privilege of registering for class a week before everyone else because I'm a Peer Advisor. I have a great schedule, too. No classes on Monday and no classes before 11. My Thursday's intense: class 11-1 and then 2-8 with no break. My last class of the day is with Jay Fialkov, so it's all good. Most importantly, I have Paul Stiller for Ear Training 4. I based my schedule around his class. I'm potentially taking a harmony course on the Beatles. I have to test out of Harmony 4 to do so. Or I can try for a waiver. I'll have to investigate.

I need to get on a better schedule. These next 17 days can kick my ass into gear. The best thing is, at the end of the 17 days, I get to go home and see all my friends that I haven't seen in a while. Including the one and only Bob Thompson.

Berklee Music Business Club Fall 2009 New York Trip

2009-11-03T11:40:00.015-05:00

This post is to provide a schedule and necessary information for all members of Berklee's Music Business Club (MEISA) who are going on the New York Trip. This post is also intended to inform other members of the Berklee Community about MEISA and the New York trips that happen every semester.

To club members going on the trip, if you find these links do not provide much information (head's up: a few don't), then try researching the company online. There are many interviews floating around the web.

For those of you that stumbled upon this, welcome! MEISA/Berklee's Music Business Club is a group of students that are interested in the current state of the music industry. We meet once a week to discuss hot topics going on, have the occasional guest speaker, and to plan trips such as this. Recently we helped organize Berklee's Music Business/Management Department's Autumn Affair. If you would like to keep up with us, check out our Netvibes page to see what we're discussing, and feel free to email us at berkleemuiscbusinessclub [at] gmail [dot] com.

Thursday, November 12th

ASCAP (10.00AM)
Try to become familiar with their "about us" page as well as the rest of the site. ASCAP is a performing rights organization, often referred to as a "PRO."

Sirius Radio (10.00AM)
Browse their "about us" page. Upper-semester members, if you are interested working or interning for them, there is a "working at Sirius" page you should take a look at.

Nettwerk (12.00PM)
Some of you might remember that Terry McBride came to Berklee last semester. Nettwerk is a management company, a label, and beyond. Essentially, it's an all-inclusive media group. Check out their "about us" page and just browse the site a bit.

Remember that if you go to Crush Management, then you are also going to Shapiro Publishing. If you are going to Sony, then you are also going to Orchard.

Crush Management (2.00PM)
A management company that is home to Fall Out Boy, Panic! At The Disco, and Cobra Starship to name a few.

Sony Music (3.00PM)
We will be meeting with the Vice President of of Media Development. Sony is the parent company to many labels including Columbia, J Records, and RCA. Look around the sites to learn more about Sony and their labels.

Shapiro, Bernstein and Co. Publishing (4.00PM)
Shapiro Bernstein is one of the oldest publishing companies in America. They publish some of the biggest names in music. You can read about the history of them here.

The Orchard (5.00PM)
The Orchard is the leading distributor of digital music. Check out their site. Orchard distributes over one million songs all over the globe.

Live Nation (7.00PM)
The world's leader in putting on shows. Their mission is "to maximize the live concert experience."

Friday, November 13th:

Warner Chappell (Time 10.00)
Check out their site. They're one of the largest publishing companies in the world.

Platinum Rye Entertainment (11.30AM)
The world's "largest broker of celebrity talent." There really isn't much else on the site except for that.

Remember, if you go to Paradigm, then you cannot go to SESAC.

Paradigm Talent Agency (12.00PM) A leading entertainment talent agency in nearly every arena.

SESAC (1.00PM) Known as "the other" performing rights organization. Their membership is by invitation only, and their roster is about five percent of ASCAP's.

Fahrenheit Media Group (3.00PM)
Look at their site. This visit is not yet confirmed.

Cornerstone Promotion (3.00PM)
There's a link to a recent article about them. If you are going to Cornerstone, be sure to check it out.

Sterling Sound (5.00PM)
Sterling is the world's largest mastering studio. Take a look at the CDs they've mastered. Very impressive!

When I Can't Sleep, I Blog

2009-10-21T02:51:00.005-04:00

I'm breaking all the cardinal-rules of trying to go to sleep: eating, listening to rock music (U2, to be more specific), and looking at a bright screen.

This whole Amy-not-going-to-bed-until-at-least-two started last week. I came home from a jam, and I was so excited, I just couldn't sleep. I slept great the following night, but then my pattern was messed up after being out until two in the morning Friday and not going to bed until three in the morning Saturday. I'm not sure I like it. I like to sleep.

I recently realized several things causing my insomnia:

1. Running. I'm not running. Exercise definitely helps you sleep, at least running helps me. I haven't gone for a run in a while. A long, long while. Blame it on my schedule, but it's my own fault. I'm not exhausting myself the way I should be in order to sleep the way I want to.

2. Midterms. I've been thinking so much about midterms that they could easily be keeping me up at night. I have one tomorrow, I mean today. It's Ear Training Part One: Dictation. I am horrific at dictation. Give me a guitar, I'll play you back the melody after listening to it once, maybe twice. Make me write it down, it's torture. This time I was smart: I scheduled a tutoring session right before my exam. I'm gonna walk in, and have my tutor play me Lydian and Mixolydian melodies for an hour. I can't think of a better way to prepare for it. Why didn't I think of this before? Paul Stiller used to (he still might) have dictation classes for Ear Training 1 and 2 on Wednesdays at 4. I went to as many as I could, and on my final dictation I got a B+. Practice makes perfect, it's just hard to practice dictation.

My other midterm I'm concerned about is Sound Reinforcement. I'm not so worried now. We reviewed in class today. As long as I do some prep work, I'll be fine.

3. Other things. I have so many little things to do. My lists are everywhere and unaccomplished, which is so unlike me. I have to get back on track. Not that I'm derailed, but my wheels are coming a little loose. Not in every area. Usually my guitar chops get lost in the shuffle (oddly enough) when I'm at school, but I've been spending a lot of time playing. Which is great. I didn't play nearly enough my first two semesters.

I've been thinking too much lately about everything. I think I'm thinking about sleeping too much.

I'm listening to U2's Zooropa, and I feel like it's December of 2008 during finals week because this album was my soundtrack. My mom called me sometime that week, probably that Tuesday, to tell me that she never bought the plane tickets to fly to DC for my cousin's wedding, but it ended up being the best mistake she ever made. A massive blizzard was headed for Boston the day we were supposed to fly. We would have missed our flight. Having never bought the tickets, we got a last-minute deal to fly out on Thursday and we ended up staying at the Willard and eating at Old Ebbit's Grill that night. It's amazing how I associate all that with Zooropa. And the Devil Wears Prada. I watched that movie eight times that week I think. I would put it on whenever I could. Ask my old roommate. Throughout November and December it was on all the time.

I could go on for a while now, but I need to stop myself and try and sleep.

Thank you for reading my late-night ramblings. I hope there are fewer of them.

Six of Ten: Bob Thompson

2009-10-12T19:37:00.009-04:00

My graduation party. June 2008

Anyone that knows me more than to just say hello to knows who Bob is. For those of you that read this and don't know who Bob is, you're about to find out. I was going to save him for the last influence post, but after having dinner with him yesterday, I can't wait that long.

Bob is my favorite person in the world. He's my second-dad, my guitar teacher, my go-to guy to talk about anything with. He's the greatest. I adore that man like you wouldn't believe. Let's put it this way: my mom once said, "If Bob told you to jump off a bridge, you would." I replied, "...Yeah, but Bob would never tell me to jump off a bridge so we don't have to worry about that." I told that to him yesterday over our every-six-weeks-or-so-catch-up-dinner-now-that-I'm-back-in-school dinner. He laughed, and he agreed because he knows it's true.

I met Bob through a mutual friend/guitar player when I was sixteen. I had just finished up lessons with my former teacher Tom. At my last lesson with Tom, he said, "I've taught you everything I can teach you. You gotta go to Bob." Mark (mutual friend/guitar player) was very adamant about me taking lessons with Bob. So I emailed him, told him my shpeel (Berklee, pop/rock/blues lover, Eric Clapton freak, etc...), and shortly after that I began taking lessons with Bob. I had no idea how much impact that one email would have on me.

My first lesson was sometime in May of 2007. I had never met Bob before, I'd only emailed him a few times. The second I walked into his house, it was an instantaneous friendship. A typical guitar lesson is an hour long. My first lesson with Bob was two. My second lesson was three. My third lesson was four. You get the idea. I think the longest lesson I've ever had was six hours. It was a lesson, a clinic, and just some hang time with Bob. It was almost like we'd known each other forever and we were (I should say are) making up for lost time. My friends kind of hated my lessons during the summer because I'd be gone from 4.15 to at least 9.00. Often times I wouldn't pull into my driveway until 10.

Now the entire time wasn't spent playing. Bob and I like to talk a lot. A lot. We talk about everything. It's one of the best and it's probably the most natural friendship I've ever had with anyone. I trust him one hundred percent, which is why I can tell him anything. Not only do we talk a lot, we laugh a lot. Just last night, I set him up perfectly for a joke. It was great. I make fun of him, he makes fun of me. It's all good. He tries to get my going, and sometimes I let him because it's all in good fun.

When I left for school last year, I didn't cry when I said goodbye (temporarily, of course) to anyone. Except for when I said goodbye to Bob. It was heart-wrenching. I get sad just thinking about it. I was sad again when I said goodbye to him in August. It was a different kind of sad, but nonetheless, I was not happy, and it was not easy. I kept prolonging leaving. He could tell, and he didn't try to stop me. I would often play that game with him even in lessons. I love spending time with him. There'd be a lull, I'd quickly glance at the clock, and it would be way too early to call it a night (often times this would be about two and a half hours into a lesson). So I'd ask a question, or say something and we'd start right up again. To this day I still do this with people.

Anyway, back to Bob. Before I met Bob, my friends would ask me what I did with my life before guitar came into the picture. I don't know, really. I did what everyone else did, and I still do, only now guitar takes up much more of my free time. Now my friends ask me who did I have before Bob. And honestly, I don't know. To think about not knowing Bob is very strange to me. He fit right into my life instantly. I can't imagine him not being there. I survived sixteen years without him. It's funny how that happens.

When I would go on vacation, no matter how much fun I was having, part of me couldn't wait to get back home and have a lesson/hang with Bob. We'd play, we'd eat, we'd talk, we'd play, and he became such a part of my routine. He still is. My lessons (up until this summer) were on Mondays. Most kids hate Monday because it's the start of the school week. I loved Mondays (I still do) because it meant that two hours after I got home from high school that I would get ready for my weekly God-knows-how-long lesson.

I've grown exponentially as a musician thanks to Bob. Everything about my skills as a musician are better thanks to him. I don't think I'd be at Berklee if it weren't for him. He (and others) say(s) otherwise, but I don't.

Yesterday my mom said (in reference to me enjoying coming home once in a while), "She gets to see all the people she loves, her mother, her father, her sister, her friends, Bob, and she gets to play her guitar...Let me put that in the correct order: she loves BOB, her guitar, her mother, her father, her sister, and her friends. She won't deny it, either. And we know it's true." It is. For example, I went home for a long weekend in February not to see my parents, but to go out to dinner with Bob.

I would not be the same person had I not met Bob. I can't think of anyone that has had so much of an impact on me so fast. He's one of the greatest people I have ever met, and the person (with the exception of a few high school friends that aren't in Boston) I by far miss the most when I'm not in Maine.

Clearly, I could go on for hours about Bob. I miss him big time when I'm here at Berklee. As much as I love it here, I often catch myself counting down the days (46 or 47) until I get to see Bob again.

What do I do now? I just get lost in my college life, which I love almost as much as Bob.

The Subject Box Looked Naked Empty

2009-10-06T20:24:00.005-04:00

I've been working on Ear Training for probably three hours or so now. I think that qualifies for a break.

I hate it, but I'm determined to get an A. So therefore I will continue to solfege the life out of me. I got a B on the first recitation. I have three more, and I have to get A's on them all. I also had my first dictation exam yesterday. I'm not sure how I did on it. They're hard to study for. The one thing I must say I like better about my dictation exams this year is that the rhythm and the melodies are separate. Instead of having to hear dotted-eighth notes and sixteenth rests, I only have to watch for quarter notes and half notes. That's nice.

Enough about Ear Training, I'll be going back to it after this.

I can't believe it's Tuesday. I am so confused on my days. That's what epic weekends in New York and New Jersey do to you. Now I'm all lost, and it's only going to get worse because I'm going home this weekend. I have a wedding to go to. It should be a lot of fun. Monday's a holiday (Columbus Day. Yes, we here in New England celebrate it--be jealous), which means Tuesday becomes Monday here at Berklee. It's confusing for everyone, and my entire internal calendar will be thrown off for probably the rest of the semester. Between this past weekend, next weekend, Halloween, possibly a trip to New York the first weekend of November, the Business Club trip to New York November 11th-14th, and Thanksgiving, I think all hope is gone. It's not necessarily a bad thing, I just have to pay a lot more attention.

I had a great meeting with Peter Spellman today. He's the head of Berklee's Career Development Center (CDC). The CDC is probably the most underutilized (is that a word?) resource at Berklee. It's also one of the greatest. Located on the 6th floor of the Uchida Building, it's a bit off the beaten path, but makes for a great place to get away without really going away. Peter and I talked about everything from my future to baseball to how attractive Tom Brady is. I had been meaning to go for a while now, but I just didn't. Now I'm going to stop by every week for an hour or so because it's a resource I need to use more.

Great things are going to be happening in the next few months. I'll be sure to tell you all about it either here or on my tumblog. All the posts from here go there (as I mentioned in a previous post), so either one works. I'm not quite sure why I have both, but I like them. So I guess that's why I've got two.

Anyway, as much as I don't want to, I should get back to Ear Training. That test ain't gonna do itself! Sadly...

Berklee 2.0

2009-09-28T00:45:00.002-04:00

This post is so overdue it's not even funny.

I'm a sophomore/third-semester student at Berklee College of Music. The Greek definition of a sophomore is a wise fool. I may be a sophomore, but I don't think I'm a wise fool. I know a lot more about everything this year than I did last year, but I still know I don't know that much.

Last year was an incredible year. I learned so much and met/befriended some of the most amazing people. I would have loved to have started last year the same way as this year. I know it would have been impossible/entirely different, but I feel much better about this year. I'm forever the optimist, and I was an optimist last year, too. There's something different this year...I have a whole new level of optimism and confidence I had no idea I could muster. Even now as I type this alone in the dark, I glance over at my guitars and I get a rush of gusto, if you will. It's an incredible feeling. I wish I could share it with everyone.

Back to Berklee. I have a great schedule this semester. I'm done at one on Thursdays and I have no classes on Friday! Next semester I think I'm gonna flip it and have no classes on Monday. I think I'd like that more. Not that I'm complaining, but if I can do it, I will. Plus, Paul Stiller, aka P-Stills, normally has his Ear Training 4 class on Wednesdays and Fridays. He offered it to me this semester at the last minute (some foolish person dropped it), but I opted to stay in mine because it would give me Fridays off. I probably should have taken him up on the offer but RIck DiMuzio's a nice guy and a good teacher.

I think part of my new-found outlook on life has to do with being a Peer Advisor. It's kind of empowering, not that I'm power-hungry, but it's cool to say, 'Yeah, I'm a Peer Advisor.' I usually get a very enthusiastic response and it's probably the best job on campus. I can't get enough of it.

Scotty Johnson is just about the coolest guitar teacher in the department. I'm really enjoying my lessons with him. He has such a high level of energy and enthusiasm. He's so encouraging. If I don't take him next semester, I'll definitely take his Musical Theater lab. Not only do I love him, I have a burning desire to write a musical. I love musical theater. I've seen just about every show on Broadway that's out right now. There are sixteen musicals out not counting shows in previews. I've seen twelve. I've seen six in the past six months--including Hair twice.

Here's a little twist for you. Last year I was kind of missing having books to study from. I find that having a book makes it easier because you know exactly what to do. This year I have five books (not the workbooks you get for Ear Training and Harmony), and I miss not having them. It's more fun to explore on your own. As much as I enjoy economics, it can get a little dry and that book isn't exactly appealing all of the time.

On that note, I really love my business classes. Especially Taxation in the Music Industry. Everything is deductible! Well, not everything, but I never realized how much you can write off. When worded properly, I think your whole life could be deductible. My teacher is hysterical. I learned that Mick Jagger's lips are insured. Who would have thought...

What else, what else...There's so much to say. As you may or may not have noticed, I don't have any labs or ensembles this semester. I like it because it let's me focus on my private lessons more. I don't like it because I miss learning not only from different instructors but other students as well. Next semester I'll take at least one lab.

My History class is pretty sweet. Not as good as Shirley Tardif's class (BHS kids will understand), but hey, no class ever will be so I'm okay with that. My Sound Reinforcement class is interesting, but the book is so dry. It's a class that is much better in practice than in theory.

So that's about it for Berklee stuff. I've been playing a lot lately with some friends, and it's been good. It's only gonna get better. Be on the lookout for shows in, around, and out of the Boston area in the near future (November-ish).

I also have a great social life this year. Not that I didn't last year, but this year has been much more exciting. So far I've been to two winning Red Sox games (at this point last year I think I was at five, but I had a losing record and in my defense the Sox have been away a lot since I've been at school), and saw U2. I've gone out a lot more. I won't be in town the next two weekends because I have to go to New York (yes, I have to go haha) this weekend. The following weekend I have to go home for a wedding and to have my six-week catch-up dinner with Bob. It'll be good to get away. I haven't been away-away yet. I've been at BU (Boston University) a lot, but no where beyond the state line. It'll be good. No, it'll be great. Don't get me started on New York. There are a few posts about my love for it already.

On that note, I think I'm gonna try and go to bed. I wanted to two hours ago. Clearly that didn't happen. I'm not so sure my morning run will, either...Ah, well. Always tomorrow.

Anyway, I will be posting more regularly either here or my tumblog. All the posts that go here also go there so yeah. It's all good.

It's Been A Looong Time

2009-09-15T21:32:00.003-04:00

I think this may be the longest I've gone without blogging. I've had what I call IBS--Irregular Blogging Syndrome--and I apologize for it. To be honest the only reason I'm writing right now is because I don't have the will power to do anything else. That's not say I don't enjoy blogging, I do. But I've either caught a horrendous cold or contracted a sinus infection. Either way, it's not fun.

I'll tell you what is fun, though. School. I have a great schedule this semester (no classes on Friday!), and I'm a Peer Advisor. What is a Peer Advisor? Well, a Peer Advisor is a third-semester or higher student that acts as a mentor/friend to a group of incoming freshmen. I was fortunate enough to be selected to do this. Am I qualified? I'm not entirely sure. Has it been fun? Fun doesn't even begin to describe it. I've met some of the most amazing people through the program, had an absolute blast on the retreat-like thing earlier in the month, and I have a great group of kids. Oh, and I get paid for all of it.

I really like my new guitar teacher, Scotty Johnson. Today we jammed and basically traded licks and riffs for half an hour. He's really encouraging and energetic and we get along really well. My other teachers are all great, too.

I think the best part about being back is seeing all my friends. I haven't jammed with any of them yet. That's gonna change. I don't have a band yet. That's also gonna change. I'm working on changing a lot of things in my life. All good things. It's going to be a great semester/year. I can feel it.

I thought I had more in me, but I'm giving up and going to bed. I refuse to be sick; I'm going to the Red Sox for Christ's sake (reference to a movie. Name it).

I'll write/share more later.

City Obsession

2009-08-13T11:46:00.002-04:00

I'm currently sitting in Connecticut traffic en route to my favorite city on this side of the pond, New York.

The other day I realized that I have an obsession with New York. All my favorite TV shows are New York-based (30 Rock, Seinfeld, Sex and the City, Ugly Betty). Billy Joel is from New York (so is Alicia Keys). A large part of the music industry is in New York, as well as all my favorite places to eat.

You can't be bored in New York. If you are, then you're a boring person. I'm paraphrasing that a bit, but I believe it. The things to do in New York are endless. As are the opportunities, which is one of the main reasons I'm so in love with it. I feel like anything is possible in New York. I do believe that anything really is possible, but when I'm in Manhattan that feeling is multiplied by a million. Just the thought of it makes me smile.

In a few hours time, I will be walking through Grand Central to hop on a 4 train to my hotel. It's almost as if all my time spent in the city is practice for when I live there, and I will no longer need to obsess over a dream because it won't be a dream anymore.

It will be reality.

Another Post

2009-08-11T17:21:00.004-04:00

I used to be a regular blogger, what happened to me? The summer weather has me spending less time online and more time outdoors. I've also been heavy into karate again (I have about half an hour until my next lesson), and I've just been neglecting my blog. I'm torn between keeping this or only using my tumblog. These posts feed right into there, but those don't feed into here.

I'll keep this for now, but I'm not sure how much longer.

Anyway, I've been writing a lot of songs lately, which is great! I'm excited to get to work on them. I've also been transcribing a boatload of Beatles songs for my lessons, and because they're amazing. The songs are beyond perfect. My next influential post may have to be about them.

I'm going to New York on Thursday. I'm very excited to return to my semi-adopted home. I haven't been since May. I'm overdue for a visit. I swear I could write albums worth of music about New York. I may do that. Write ex-number of songs about the City. I already have one. It's over there on the right. I have a better version that I should post soon.

This has been kind of scattered. I think I'm gonna go now.

Five of Ten: Mick Jagger/Keith Richards/The Rolling Stones

2009-07-14T15:41:00.005-04:00

The second you see this, you know what comes next. It's arguably the most recognizable band logo of all time.

Keith Richards is the most unlikely guitar hero. Maybe that's why I love him so much. He doesn't play flashy solos, he probably couldn't tell you the modes in a major key, nor does he do anything really esoteric.

That's what makes him so awesome, and that's why I was drawn to him and the Rolling Stones. The music the Rolling Stones created (the songs he and Mick pegged) is pure rock 'n' roll (with the exception of their brief/somewhat disastrous disco phase) with a heavy undertone of blues. The Stones started off as a blues band. They also had a few hits before Satisfaction took over the world.

Enough about their history. There are countless books that have it.

I owe this one to my mom. She was a child of the British Invasion, and loved the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. She got 40 Licks for Christmas one year, and that was my first adventure into possibly the biggest musical influence in my life. I played (and still do play) those CDs for hours. I remember sitting in my bedroom trying to master the solo in Sympathy For The Devil. My friend taught me Brown Sugar when I was 15 and to this day it's my favorite song to play--in or out of Open G tuning.

Let's go back to Keith. I have a 1952 Butterscotch Blonde Fender Telecaster Reissue mainly because of Keith. He played them. I wanted one. Bad. I was in Sam Ash in New York City in April of 2006, tentatively on a mission for a new guitar. And it was definitely going to be a Telecaster. I walked into the main room, and I didn't see anything I liked. So I walked through the door on the right, and right in front of me was a beautiful Telecaster. There was no name on it. I picked it up, and plugged into a Fender amp, strummed an E chord, and knew instantly I had to have it.

My dad came in shortly after, and I said to him, 'I'm not leaving the store without this guitar.'

He laughed, and said, 'Well, happy birthday.' I think I was shocked that he bought me that guitar. He knew I was serious, though--about that guitar and playing guitar in general. I had been playing a Silvertone strat for over two years. I felt like I really earned that guitar. I remember the feeling of pure elation as I walked down the streets of Manhattan carrying my Telecaster in its beautiful tweed case. I felt like a real guitar player that day.

To this day, I often find myself coming up with riffs that Keith himself could have concocted up. Some people say he's lazy. I don't care. He's written some of the greatest guitar hooks ever. Jumpin' Jack Flash, Satisfaction, Honkey Tonk Women, and Gimme Shelter to name a few. Wild Horses is one of my favorite ballad-y songs ever.

I recently purchased a Fulltone OCD, and I discovered that I can pretty much match the sound of any Stones song (with distortion, that is). I had a big grin on my face for the rest of the night after I discovered that.

When people used to ask me who I wanted to sound like, I always responded with, 'Keith Richards and Eric Clapton combined.' I wanted the solos of Eric and the feel and rhythm of Keith. I'm still working on combining the two.

I saw the Stones in January of 2006. I probably had the worst seats in the house, but I didn't really care. I heard all my favorite songs live, and witnessed Mick Jagger in his full-on lunatic stage mode. It was fantastic.

Speaking of Mick Jagger. I really haven't talked much about him.

In another life, Micky Mick and I were married. I'm convinced haha! He is the world's greatest entertainer. The man does not stop for a second on stage. On the Steel Wheels tour, he would run up to four miles a night! His stage presence and sense of performance are second to none. He just keeps going and going and going. I used to blast the Stones and run around my house in a Mick-like fashion. I would also strap on a guitar and play along with what I could. Back then I preferred being Mick to Keith when it came to pretend-performance. I could have more fun with it because I wasn't plugged in.

I can't write this post and not mention what Keith calls "The Ancient Form of Weaving." The Stones have had a few lead players. Brian Jones, who was killed in his pool. Mick Taylor, who was with them when they recorded arguably their best albums (Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers, and Exile On Main Street). And my personal favorite, Ronnie Wood. Keith and Ronnie are the "Weavers." Listen to Beast Of Burden, and you'll know what I mean. The two of 'em flow so effortlessly in and out of each other's playing. If they weren't both married, I'd say they might be a couple themselves. Anytime you see a picture of them, they look like a happy couple.

Charlie Watts, the backbone and the provider of the backbeat, is a human metronome. Like Keith, he's not flashy, but he never misses a beat. I wish I had more to say on Charlie. He's a fighter. I'll leave it at that.

As for Bill Wyman, I really have nothing to say. I don't think leaving the band was a good move on his part, but hey, to each his own. I've also heard from many Rolling Stones fans that it's just not the same without him--live, that is.

Here's something I find a little funny. My senior year, I had a class on Bob Dylan (yes, it was wicked cool). During the first class, my teacher played us two covers of Dylan songs. He doubted that anyone would know who was singing. Well, I knew. I guessed correctly, I should say. The first song didn't take me too long to get--it was Sheryl Crow. Other kids guessed right, too. The second one, however, was not so easy to the rest of the class. They were all like, 'Who IS this?' I sat there, focusing very hard on the CD player, and said, 'Keith. Richards.' My teacher laughed and said "very good!" He was somewhat shocked that I had gotten it right. I was quite impressed with myself, as was the rest of the class.

Anyway. Lately I've been working on some "blues-fusion," mainly Robben Ford songs. While I do enjoy playing that style, I'm not aspiring to have a career in that realm. I'll take what I can from those songs and incorporate it back into straight rock, giving my music (mainly the guitar solos) a bit of a different touch.

Robben Ford, you may be wicked good, but you ain't got nothin' on the Rolling Stones in my book.

He's Done It Again

2009-07-06T18:43:00.006-04:00

Roger Federer won his 15th Grand Slam tournament by beating Andy Roddick in another epic match at Wimbledon. The final set lasted thirty games, which is a record. The whole match broke a record (more games than any other match). Andy put up a phenomenal fight, but Roger slowly broke him down physically, mentally, and probably emotionally. If you watched the match, you probably noticed that Roger was not anywhere nearly as sweaty or tired-looking as Andy was.

I became infatuated with Roger some time ago. Having always been a mild tennis fan, I became a much bigger fan in the past few years mainly due to Roger (and the Williams sisters, especially Serena). I used to play, and I might have to start playing again soon.

The best part of this? I finally get my hat!

Unintentional Hiatus

2009-06-28T01:02:00.004-04:00

Wow, I have been neglecting my blog lately. I have no reason, either. I've been busy doing other things, most of which could have easily been replaced with blogging. Ah well, I'm here now.

I didn't get the memo that June is now the rainy season in the Northeast. It's only been sunny for approximately two days all month. It's been pretty depressing.

Other than the rain, everything's pretty rockin'. I've recorded a few songs, take a listen if you want to:

Keep On With The Climb

White Boy Blues

(Sidenote: I'm going to record a new solo on White Boy Blues. I don't care for it, and I can do better. I might even get some full band recordings on here. It's in the works.)

I've been working on a lot of other songs, too. They should be up in the near future so be on the look out! I'm always open to feedback/advice.

Everything else in my life right now is swell. I just need to practice a bit more, sleep a bit more (I should be in bed now...Oops), and run some more (if the sun ever comes out! I hate treadmills). Oh yeah, and go to the beach. I've been once, and it was in May. I didn't think I'd get much time to go, but this is a bit much. I couldn't wait to get back to my coast after being landlocked in the Midwest for a few days, and I don't even think I've been to the beach once since coming back. Sad. Oh well, I have hope that July will bring sunnier days!

I'll write more when I have more to say. I thought I had more to say, but I guess I don't!

That being said, I'm gonna go.

Until next time (which will be soon!), watch this. It's become one of my favorite live songs ever:

Summer So Far

2009-06-16T15:27:00.004-04:00

Sorry it's been a while. I've been meaning to write. I sit at my laptop every now and then with my blog open, and try to write something, but it all felt too forced. So now that I've taken care of business (done my errands), I'm just gonna click away on my keys to my heart's content.

My summer so far has been fantastic. I play music probably five nights a week on average with my band, see my friends on a daily basis, do karate, work/get paid, take guitar lessons, write songs as much as possible (more on that later), and it's only June 16th! If have another two and a half months of this, I will be a very happy camper. I haven't been to any concerts yet, but I've got a few good ones coming up.

While I haven't been to any shows, I did have one of the best times ever last week. I flew to Nebraska to see my friend Natalia. I hadn't seen her since January when she flew to Boston to surprise Julia for her birthday. To recap the whole trip would take too much effort. I'll just say that I had an absolute blast and can't wait to go back. Can't. Wait. I returned home on Friday. I was so sad when I had to leave. I'm not sad to be back home, I'm just sad that Natalia, Annie, Kelley Bruce Robinson, Andy, Teddy, LaDuke, and everyone else I know/met are not here with me.

Anyway. My next trip will be Boston for the 4th of July, followed by New York City at some point during the summer. Both will be wicked fun. My cousin Dale will be here in 16 days, and that's always a good time.

Overall, I was right--my summer rocks. It's been a steady stream of awesome. What more could you ask for? The best part is that it's not even done yet. :)

Branch Out

2009-05-29T00:21:00.002-04:00

Not too long ago, I discovered an independent record label called Branch Records via Twitter. Here's what they do that's different from other labels:
Plant tree's.

For every single cd, digital download, or subscription sold, they plant a tree.

I'm all about saving the environment. At the rate we're going, we gotta do something about it. Every little bit counts. Could you imagine how many more trees we would have if every label did this? Things would be green again.

Artists stay out of debt.
Under their model, their artists stay out of debt.

No one likes to be in debt, and a lot of musicians tend to be in the red. We've heard so many stories about artists getting screwed over financially; it's about time somebody did something about the stuff that the musicians "don't want to hear about." Wrong. We kind of need to know if we'll be able to pay the bills. Kudos to the guys at Branch Records.

They do wicked cool things.
From Scratch and Sniff cd's to sustainable download cards that grow flowers, they are always looking for the next cool thing to bring to the world.

I like it. I like it a lot. I've thought about hand-painting my own CDs to make them a bit cooler than the same laser-printed font and colors. Scratch and Sniff is a whole other level.

I could write more about them, but I need to go to bed before 2 for once. They're a really great label. They have nine or so artists, and if they want a tenth one, they don't have to look any further haha!

Four of Ten: Alicia Keys

2009-05-14T23:23:00.003-04:00

My sister asked me last summer if I could have any job in the world right now, what would it be. I said, 'I'd want to be like Alicia Keys.' She said, 'So basically you want to be a rockstar.' I said, 'I just want to go out and do my thing really really good, like Alicia.' She just kind of smirked at me and walked away.

If that question was asked to me again right now, I would probably answer something along those lines.

Alicia Keys inspires me beyond belief. She makes me want to be a better person. Kind of like Oprah, only musical. She's incredibly passionate about her music, and she's smart. She almost went to Columbia, but then opted to pursue a career in music. Maybe that's why I'm so fascinated with Columbia...

Last June, I saw Alicia in concert here in Boston. When I found out she was going to be here, I knew I had to go. Well, there was a slight conflict: my senior class trip. My first thought was to not go to the show, but I couldn't pass up an opportunity to see the one and only Alicia Keys. So then I thought I would just skip my class trip because come on--it's Alicia Keys! I told my friends that, and this conversation went on for a while:

"But, Amy! It's your senior class trip!"
"Yeah, but..It's Alicia Keys! ALICIA KEYS!"

Then I had a brainstorm, and figured out a way to do both. I was able to go on two thirds of my class trip AND (more importantly) go see Alicia Keys.

Why, why was I so determined to see Alicia Keys? I think it's because she's just that damn good. It's not like her last tour was her farewell tour. To my friends, sacrificing a few days with them for a concert was outrageous, and probably would have been held over my head for the rest of my life. For me, had it been necessary, I would have done it. That says something about how much Alicia has influenced me. She's beautiful, smart, talented, and nice. Why wouldn't I want to see her live? Especially with As I Am being such a killer album, I had to hear it live!

Alicia pushes me to my limit. She's definitely not the only person that makes me push myself, but she's one of the bigger influences, especially musically. Although, as soon as you hear my stuff, you'll be like, 'What is she talking about? I don't hear any Alicia Keys in this!' That's because if I were to try and incorporate some of her stuff into my music, it wouldn't make sense.

And if there's one thing I've learned from Alicia Keys, it's to be true to yourself 100% of the time.

1.33 AM

2009-05-14T01:33:00.003-04:00

If it weren't 1.33 AM, I would write a more extensive post, but I have to wake up in four and a half hours to go to New York.

I will finish up the seven remaining influences.
I will update you on the status of my band.
I will post songs.
I will show you my pedal board once it's complete.

I will go to bed now.

And We're Back

2009-05-09T22:10:00.003-04:00

I'll do the big End-Of-Year-One-At-Berklee post later. After I finish unpacking my life, go to New York City, and get back on a schedule, I'll recap the year and what I've learned.

I just thought I'd let you know that I survived.

I'm going to finishing watching Iron Man, and then unpack some more.

Cutoff

2009-04-20T20:54:00.004-04:00

I'm doing it. For roughly the next three weeks, I am cutting myself off from basically all things related to the internet (Facebook) with the exception of email, the Red Sox, and iChat from time to time. I've become too distracted by it all, and I need to focus my energy on school, guitar, and working out (and the Red Sox) until either:

A. All my work is completed
or
B. May 7th

That being said, I'm gonna go--not a moment to spare!

It's That Time Again!

2009-04-18T13:39:00.002-04:00

Red Sox season has returned! Actually, it returned eleven days ago, but up until yesterday, I hadn't been a part of it.

Last night, Katie Lannan and I went to one of the most exciting games either one of us has been to. If you combine the amount of games we've gone to, it's well over 40. Brad Penny gave up seven runs in the second inning, and to many people, all hope seemed lost. Not to us. The Sox came back and won 10-8. J.D Drew (one of my favorite players) and Jason Bay both had homeruns, and I think every player made it across the plate at least once. I reccommend you read the box score.

I've been to four Red Sox-Yankees games, three playoff games, and I've been to at least two other come-back victory games, but last night's was something entirely different. I know it's only April, and I know it's still early in the season, but last night's game shows how good the Red Sox are and how good they are going to be throughout the season. They just have to get their footing, and then we will no longer be at the bottom of the score board.

24 Days (Until Possibly The Best Summer Ever)! And Other Things

2009-04-14T13:48:00.005-04:00

I only have 24 days left in my first year of college. I don't think there is an adjective that can describe how I feel when I think about it. I'm incredibly excited for summer, but I'm also sad because I've had such a great time this year.

If things go according to plan, then I will have the greatest summer ever--even better than last year, and I saw five incredible shows and went to Europe for a week and a half. There's so much I want to do, all I have to do is do it (like Nike). Take a look at my plans:

--(It looks like) A few friends and I are getting a band together. We kind of had one last year, but it was more like we had jam sessions. I have to play shows this summer, otherwise I will explode. I gotta give my singer/pianist/guitarist a call this week.

--I want to take a few liberal arts courses to save time/money. There are two four-week sessions at USM, and if I can get Art History, Western Civ, and a physical science out of the way, that would be fantastic.

--I have to work. I need money! I need money mainly to buy Red Sox tickets when I'm back at school haha! I also need money to get new gear.

--I want to go back to karate. It's probably my favorite way to work out (with the exception of running). Not only am I burning calories, I'm having a great time doing it, and I'm also learning. I also love my Sensei and my fellow martial artists.

--There are a zillion books I want to read. There are also a zillion songs in me that need to be written/recorded. if I could get some studio time, that would be the cherry on top of everything.

--I absolutely positively have to take lessons (aka hang out) with Bob. I couldn't survive all summer knowing that he's 20 minutes away from me and I don't see him on a weekly basis. That is unacceptable. I want to come back here in the fall and be so much better than I am now that my friends will ask me what I did to get to that level.

--I want some time to chill and go to the beach (even in April, it's calling my name). It doesn't look like I'll have much with that schedule, but believe me, I will. I now know why college ends in May and not June like high school. If it were to go until June, we would all die. At least I would.

I think that's it. I hope that's it! Haha! I don't know how much more I could handle, and still get some sleep.

In other news, I am shooting for all A's (and a B in Ear Training because there is no way I can get an A at this point) this semester and I have been very busy doing work for the past week. My life consists of homework, music, and the Red Sox. I had a ton of English homework to do, and I'm redoing all the stuff I received a B on. Luckily there aren't that many. I did one last night, and it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.

I have a ton of other homework, too. I have an Ear Training quiz tomorrow, a Harmony quiz Thursday, and my Arraning project is due in two weeks. I also asked for extra credit in that class because I have no idea how I only got a B on my midterm. The class is so easy that I slack off sometimes when I know I shouldn't.

I've also been trying to put in two hours of practice a night. I've been reasonably successful. I won't be putting in two hours of guitar tonight, though. Gotta get an A on my quiz tomorrow! It's so nice out, and I've been inside all day Ear-Training my face off. If I don't get an A, I will be very disappointed in myself. I'm working my butt off!

I'll give the Red Sox their own post later this week, but there are four games this weekend--one of them is at 11 o'clock in the morning! I want to go to that game just to say I went to a game at 11 o'clock in the morning. I'll be at Friday's, Saturday's, maybe Sunday's, and definitely Monday's game. I should just say I'll probably be at all of them. Save myself some time.

Okay, back to work I go!

Homework Overload Results In A Hiatus

2009-04-07T12:58:00.003-04:00

I'm drowning in my homework. So as much as I want to post, write/record songs, go to Red Sox games (OPENING DAY IS TODAY!), read, and do ten thousand other things, I have to get my work done. All of the above are incentives for me to get my work done. So with that being said, back to work!

Oh, and if you're in the Boston/Cambridge area, there's a great show at TT the Bear's tonight at 9.00! 18+, $7 to get in, but it's worth it! See you there?

Okay, back to work!

Three of Ten: U2

2009-04-05T01:28:00.002-04:00

Never in my life have I been so influenced by a band so fast.

I went to Dublin last August, and I had been a mild fan of U2 for a long time. I knew of the brilliance of The Joshua Tree album and that they were from Ireland, but that was about it. The second I stepped foot in Dublin, I became consumed by U2. I thought, "Oh, I'm in Ireland. U2's from Ireland. Let's check 'em out."

I was hooked.

I didn't have any of their songs on my iPod at the point. So I YouTubed them like mad whenever I had the chance to. I was so obsessed with them that learned how to play With Or Without You and I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For via YouTube while in Europe. I must have heard half of their catalogue through YouTube on my trip. We left Dublin before we could go see the U2 Wall, but that's okay. I'll go back.

The day after I got home, I went out and bought six of their CDs and played them all the time (The Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby, Zooropa, War, All That You Can't Leave Behind, and How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb). Their music covers every single emotion. Their approach is so different than anyone else I listen to.

The Edge is the epitome of less-is-more when it comes to guitar. There are some very guitar-driven songs/albums, but on songs like With Or Without You, he only plays like..three different licks throughout the song. Pride has one of my favorite guitar riffs in it. There's a lot, and then there's a little. I love it. I want to be able to do more with less like Edge can. He's the only guitarist in the band, and while they can overdub in the studio, there's not a whole lot of looping going on live because Edge (and Larry and Adam) can fill a stadium no problem. I could talk about his effects and his tone for hours, but the Edge is a better guitarist than anyone gives him credit for.

Bad is one of my favorite songs by them. It's prosody at it's finest: it sounds like it feels, and it feels like it sounds. It's empty and almost hollow at parts (to me anyway), but it fills you up. When Bono wails "I'm wide awake I'm wide awake wide awake. I'm not sleeping," I get more than shivers down my spine.

A lot of people don't like Bono because they think he's just doing charity work for the attention. Bono doesn't need to do anything for attention. He's done so much to try and help the world, and sometimes a cause need a famous face to get noticed. As for Bono, he doesn't care if the public thinks he's doing it for the attention. He's doing what he wants to do, and trying to make a difference. I have tons of respect for the man. His voice is phenomenal, and he writes lyrics that move me. He uses a lot of cliché rhymes, but he can get away with it. He's also probably the only person that can get away with saying "sexy boots" more than once in a song.

You can't talk about U2 without Larry Mullen. If it weren't for Larry, U2 might not even exist. He posted a sign on a bulletin board at school, and that's how it all began. Larry is definitely the looker of the band. His drumming is so cool. Bullet the Blue Sky, Bad, and Sunday Bloody Sunday all have incredible drumming. He's not crazy like Keith Moon was, nor is he as straight as Charlie Watts. He falls somewhere in between. The sound he gets out of his drums is incredible. The tone is so great.

People sometimes forget about bassists, but Adam Clayton makes sure he's not forgotten. While his bass does lie in the background, on songs like With Or Without You, New Years Day, A Man and A Woman, and Magnificent, the bass is right up in your face. He's so smooth. I hardly get the chance to play bass, but Adam makes me want to get one. I love how Adam is able to make himself heard and at the same time fall back and jam with Larry.

U2 is truly a band. They have never broken up, the line-up hasn't changed, and they don't seem to hate each other. All of the songs are written by U2. It's a democracy, and I like that a lot. Bono may write the lyrics (he puts that in the liner notes), but there would be no lyrics if there was no music. They all need each other.

I haven't written any songs that are really U2esque, but they're in me somewhere. There's no possible way I could ever say that U2 has had no affect on my music because they have. I can feel it. You might not hear it yet, but it's there. The songs are on their way, and they will be coming at you soon. Very, very soon.

A Little More Truth

2009-04-03T19:06:00.001-04:00

You know, I was going to write some big post about what I want to do with my life, but I decided I could sum it up better in a short one:

I may be a Music Business/Management major at Berklee, but that doesn't mean anything.
I want to write songs*, play shows, build a fanbase as well as an online presence, and release records. In that order. Well, not necessarily, but I need the first two to do the last three.
I want to develop myself as an artist (with help/advice from others of course).
I want to meet and connect with as many people/music lovers as possible.
I want to get in a van and go.
I want to play festivals.
I want to jam. A lot.

So yeah. That just about sums it up.

And at some point in my life, I am going to write a Broadway musical. I just need a story.

*I already write songs, and have been doing so for over five years. You can hear a couple on the right. One of them will be coming to you on an EP and at shows soon.

Two of Ten: Eric Clapton

2009-03-25T00:12:00.007-04:00

I was just talking to someone about Eric Clapton, so I thought now would be a good time to talk about his impact on my life.

There is no possible way I can recount Eric Clapton's life. Read his book. It's a great book.

For a guitarist, I don't have that many guitar-influences (as stated in a previous post). The only one that really comes to mind when I'm asked who I listen to is Eric Clapton. That says something. Most people I know list off players like it's nothing. The only name that drops from my mouth instantly is Eric Clapton.

I didn't start off as a blues player. I started off playing a lot of stuff by the Ramones and AC/DC (Angus Young was probably the first guitarist I ever really paid attention to). I become a Led Head for a while between 8th grade and freshman year. I also was heavy into Nirvana. Then towards the end of my freshman year, I discovered Eric Clapton (and every other band I listen to today really). He was one of my portals. Eric Clapton (and the Rolling Stones, more on them later) showed me the blues. And for the first time, I really listened and felt something.

My whole world changed. I no longer cared for much else but playing guitar and I became infatuated with Eric Clapton. My mom had one of his many best-of CDs. I learned Cocaine, After Midnight, Knockin' On Heaven's Door, Sunshine Of Your Love, and Layla shortly after (not necessarily in that order). The first solo I ever remember transcribing by ear was the one in After Midnight.

I was bitten by the Clapton bug. There was no escape. I bought tons of his stuff. I still don't have all of it today--that will change, I promise. Derek and the Dominos, Cream, his solo work, etc...I couldn't, and still can't, get enough of it.

Probably more so than anybody else (again), I want Eric Clapton's career. He's been in so many incredible bands, and up until his solo career, he only sang when he wanted to. He just wanted to play guitar, and look at where that got him. He's the only person in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame three times (Derek and the Dominos, Cream, and solo), and he can go on tour on a moment's notice--with Steve Winwood.

My favorite era of Clapton is with Cream. This past summer I went from being a big Eric Clapton fan to an obsessed Cream/Eric Clapton fan. I learned like..Fifteen Cream songs in a month. I'm So Glad, Badge, Sunshine of Your Love (again), White Room, Crossroads, Born Under A Bad Sign, Politician, Sleepy Time Time, We're Going Wrong, I Feel Free, Spoonful, Sweet Wine, Strange Brew, Tales of Brave Ulysses, Outside Woman Blues. I was consumed by Cream. I still am. I'm listening to the now.

There's something about Eric Clapton's playing that I can't quite articulate, but if you're a fan, you know what I'm talking about. It speaks to me. There's so much passion in it. It can be a driving force or it can be a gentle lullaby. He can do it all like no one else.

I don't think--I know I play the guitar the way I do today because of him. I use so many of his licks every day, you can't even count them. I had a jam tonight, and we played six or seven songs, including two Cream songs. I play at least one Clapton song every day. Be it Bell Bottom Blues, Crossroads, Layla, Forever Man, Cocaine, Badge...You get the idea.

Not a single day goes by that I pick up my guitar and I don't play a Clapton song. He has become such a big part of my life that if I were to not play a song of his, it would be like not drinking water that day.

One of Ten: Tina Fey

2009-03-22T22:10:00.000-04:00

(Note: These are in no specific order of influence. Tina Fey is the one that inspired me to do these posts.)

I love my life. I do. I'm incredibly comfortable in my own skin and abilities, but there are some days where I just want to be Tina Fey. She's probably my biggest role model, and easily one of my favorite celebrities. I can't think of anyone I have more respect and admiration for than Tina Fey. She's worked incredibly hard to get to where she is today.

For those of you that don't know Fey so well, here's a recap on her life:

-She graduated from the University of Virginia in 1992 with a BA in Drama
-After graduation, she moved to Chicago to attend classes at Second City. Two years later, she was part of the cast.
-In 1997 she became a writer for Saturday Night Live (SNL), and in 1999 she was the show's first female headwriter
-In 2000 she became a co-anchor on SNL's Weekend Update sketch with Jimmy Fallon. She hosted the segment until 2004
-Not only did she write (one of my favorite movies) "Mean Girls" in 2004, she also starred in it.
-She left SNL in 2006 to write, produce, and star in her own show 30 Rock
-She has seven Emmys, two Golden Globes, 3 SAG Awards. She was one of Barbara Walters' 2008 "10 Most Fascinating People" along with a whole slew of other accolades (including being one of People's 50 Most Beautiful in the World)

Look at that. All of this before she's 40 (she's 38).

Tina Fey is brilliant. She got in from the inside of the business. She went from writing the scripts behind the scenes to being the star of the screen--while still writing the scripts. She's also the producer of 30 Rock.

Two years ago when the Writer's Guild of America went on strike, Tina was out in front of Rockefeller Center picketing with her fellow writers and actors (on a side note, I tried to get my mom to go to New York during the strike so I could go hang out with Tina and the countless other actors and writers. It didn't work).

On top of all of this, Tina is still normal. She handled coming out of the writer's room very gracefully. She went from being moderately famous to one of Barbara Walters' most fascinating people (thanks to the GOP's VP candidate) in what seemed like a matter of minutes.

From SNL to Mean Girls to 30 Rock to being Sarah Palin, Tina Fey's got it all.

Here's a quote from her interview with Vanity Fair:

Everybody wants to be Tina Fey, I tell her. Who do you want to be?

“I don’t want to be somebody else,” she says.

And why would she?

Delay

2009-03-22T18:00:00.004-04:00

My apologies. I was without the Internet for a few fantastic days in New York City.

I am going to do a series of posts on people that have influenced me. I used to not want to talk about my influences because the second I talk about how much I love Billy Joel you will immediately hear the influence in my music. I can't hold back any longer. I'm bursting.

So here's a list to satisfy my own needs:

(They're in alphabetical order)

The Beatles
Eric Clapton
Tina Fey
Mick Jagger/Keith Richards/The Rolling Stones
Billy Joel
Alicia Keys
Seinfeld (as in the TV show)
Bob Thompson
U2
The Who

I'll start with those ten. They may change, but that's not likely. If anything, I'll add more.

Anyway, I'm back at Berklee, and there is work to be done and some cleaning to do. In ten short, beautiful days, I will be back in New York City with the Business Club, and I can't wait.

Ten days to accomplish easily twenty days of work. I feel a song coming.

My mind is all over the place these days. More on that later.

Warning:

2009-03-18T00:10:00.003-04:00

Dear Valued Reader,

In the next few days, you will be experiencing many posts on many topics because I do not think there is one possible way to squeeze it all into one post.

However, there will be a string of posts all relating to one topic: Influences. The rest is up for grabs.

Be ready.

Yours truly,

Amy

A Doozie Of An Update

2009-03-12T15:17:00.006-04:00

I suggest getting something to eat or drink as you read this. You may be here for a while.

I don't even know where to begin... Actually, I should begin by doing my Arranging homework or my College Writing homework, but if I don't do this now, I never will. Or I'll screw up the facts because after a while things get jumbled in my brain.

I'll start with Monday.

I don't know what it is about dictation in Ear Training that I can't grasp. If you ask me to play a rhythm or a melody back on guitar, I'll get it after one try. When it comes to writing things down, I get lost. I'm find with intervals and chords, and even rhythm, but melody...Melody kills me every time. I know I didn't get an A on my dictation midterm. I did pretty good on the singing part. Just a few slip ups. I'm determined to get an A on the next quiz/test/final. My teacher, Paul Stiller (easily one of the best teachers at Berklee), said I've made a lot of progress from my last quiz. I'm getting there, in more than one area.

My Guitar Lab midterm went well. I played "Forever Man" by my man Eric Clapton. I made a few mistakes, but it was fine. Got an A on that one.

Let's move on to Tuesday.

Tuesday's my easiest day. I have Harmony 3 with Eric Byers in the morning, and my lesson at 6. I played a song I wrote called Doubt (there's a very rough recording somewhere on the blog) in my lesson this week. So that was cool. I'm often asked who influences me as a player, and the truth is, oddly enough, I wouldn't say I have any really strong guitar influences. Or they're not who you think they would be--other than Eric Clapton. I love Hendrix, I went through a pretty big Hendrix phase last year. Stevie's great, too. But the people that have influenced me the most are Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, and Pete Townshend. One of the reasons I have a Telecaster is because of Keith. I used to (and still do to a degree) want to be Keith, minus the drugs. When I saw the Stones a few years back, I went nuts when he came out playing "Jumpin' Jack Flash." I'm more influenced by songs and songwriters than I am by guitarists. I tried to get heavy into playing, but then I said to myself, 'You're always going to love Billy Joel more than Buddy Guy so just get over it.' I do love Buddy, but not the way I love Billy.

So after my lesson I went to see Ann Coulter and Bill Maher give speeches and debate each other. They decided to participate in Boston's 2009 Speaker Series. After a while, I had to stop listening to Ann Coulter. I just couldn't take it. Bill Maher was hilarious, as usual. I must have been in the Ann Coulter fan section because no one around me was even laughing at Bill. Some hecklers got thrown out, and some guy in the balcony started yelling at Bill Maher and Bill let him have it. It was great. It was a cool thing to see.

Moving on: Wednesday.

Wednesday was a very special day in Boston. U2 came to town to play a "secret show" at the Somerville Theater. The tickets were given away through radio contests, and U2 had their own guest list for the show. I did get into the theater, but not the show. I bought a ticket to the movies. You all know how much I was dying to see "He's Just Not Into You" right? I mean, I could not stop talking about it haha!

I missed the band at the Ritz that afternoon. There was no way I could have made it there in time, so I went straight to Davis Square to try and catch them before they went inside. I missed that, too, but I heard soundcheck! So that was cool. My movie was at 7, so I went in around 6.45. I have never seen so much security for such a tiny place! There were about 10 security guys in the lobby (which is about the size of my room)! There were about 12 of us at the movie, all with the same idea: sneak into U2's show. Well, none of us got in, but I did get to hear the first song ("Get On Your Boots") and the last song ("Vertigo"). I caught a few glimpses of the band at the Q&A thanks to a security guard that Tom (known as @BostonTweet for Twitter users) knows.

I decided to head back into Boston, and hang out at the Ritz Carlton, hoping that U2 would come back before I had to go back. Their entire crew did, but they were in Davis Square for a good portion of the night. The T sadly stops at 12.30ish so I had to get back to the Berk before then. On the bright side, I found a new cool hang place: the Ritz lobby. It's intimately spacious. The staff is great. There's a fire place, and it's quiet. I also finished up some work before heading back to my neck of the woods around 11.45 or so.

So today was also an eventful day. After my Harmony midterm, I went back to the Ritz to see if U2 was still around. If they were, I didn't see them. I was only there for 45 minutes because I had to go get in line for the Paul Simon clinic! I ran into my friend Tom (his blog is here) outside of Berklee, and we waited in line, chit-chatted, and ate scones outside the Berklee Performance Center for 45 minutes or so in the cold waiting to go inside for the clinic. Paul Simon's a character. It was a really relaxed atmosphere. We were able to ask questions, and he played us a few songs. It was a lot of fun.

After the clinic, I had my Legal Aspects class. We got our midterms back. I got a 97! I was pretty excited. That was only the first half. He said the second half is much harder than the first. I'm determined to keep that 97, though. I will be one of the few that manages to do so by the way he made it sound.

My class ended at 6. I bolted back to my dorm, grabbed my digital recorder and my iPod and headed over to Tom's (blog, website)show at the All Asia bar in Cambridge. The show was great, and I met some cool new people, too. I didn't get to stay for the next act. My friend Jordan and I had to finish a case study for MEISA, and I had an essay to finish. I actually just finished it up, yay!

So now I'm watching Seinfeld and relaxing. I did a lot of running around these past few days. I'm looking forward to a lot more relaxing in the next few days coming up.

Ear Training

2009-03-08T20:41:00.003-04:00

Something about Ear Training midterms scare the shit out of me. I never feel like I'm prepared enough. I could practice 18 hours a day every day and still feel unprepared.

I've spent a good three or four hours working on it today. I'm giving myself a chance to watch some TV and finish my other homework before I drag myself back down into a piano room for two hours working out the melodies again.

I want all A's this semester. Badly. As of right now, I would guess that I do have all A's, and I want to keep it that way.

That being said, time to do some homework, and watch a little TV. Then I'm off to a room with 88 teeth chomping at the bit for me

March Madness

2009-03-03T20:10:00.002-05:00

For most college students, March is a very hectic month. Between midterms, spring break, and possible apartment hunting, it can get pretty crazy. I have a very busy month. At first I wasn't super excited about having a week off. I was, but I wasn't super stoked. My feelings have since changed. I cannot wait for break. I'm thinking about my March schedule, and it is not pretty. I didn't utilize my snow day to its full potential, but I did get a free pedal board! Thanks again, Alvaro!

I've got a very busy week and a half ahead of me. I have two sizable homework assignments in Harmony and Arranging due Thursday, part one of my Legal Aspects midterm also on Thursday, and a paper due Friday. I have my Guitar Lab midterm to prepare for, I don't know if I have a midterm in Essentials of Songwriting (I should probably find out), the dictation portion of my Ear Training midterm on Monday and the singing portion of it on Wednesday, my Harmony midterm is on Thursday, as well as my Arranging midterm and probably the second half of Legal Aspects, and then I'm done. I think that's it. I really hope that's all of it.

I should get to work now. I've got stuff to do. There's always stuff to do.

Snow Day Number Two!

2009-03-02T10:44:00.002-05:00

Since I'm from Maine, I understand the New England weather. It's okay for it to be 60 degrees one day, and then two days later it's a blizzard. I just shrug it off. No biggie, except for the fact that it might be global warming.

I am going to be extremely productive today. There is so much to be done. I may only leave my room for a few hours today, but that's okay because there's a Red Sox game at 1. What's better than listening to a baseball game in a blizzard?

Now I'm off to conquer the day. Wish me luck!

The Beginning

2009-02-27T00:00:00.002-05:00

It's all gonna start soon.

I promise. I'm far too motivated, and (dare I say it) ready.

G Stands for Goals

2009-02-25T23:17:00.005-05:00

That's right. G does not stand for Gatorade, it stands for Goals. I went to Career Development Center's (CDC) "Ready, Aim, Hire!" workshop tonight. It was part two, Aim. Peter Spellman, head of Berklee's CDC, ran the workshop. If you haven't heard of him, check him out. He's brilliant.

To sum up the workshop:

-Be proactive. The jobs are not going to find you, you have to go find them. This could be anything from a gig to a cubicle. Go after what you want.
-There is going to be a period of dues-paying. He couldn't emphasize that enough. In any field, there will be a point where you're on the bottom of the totem pole. Embrace it.
-Treat every class as a professional gig. Bob says that good grades are money in the bank. He's right. So is Peter. Take the time to develop a good track record with your teachers. You never know when you might need a recommendation letter.
-Network. Network. Network. Peter said, "When it comes to networking, one plus one equals ten." He also said that before you take any job, try and find REAL people connected to the company. It could really help you.
-Understand what makes YOU tick. What are your assets? What do you bring to the table? Be able to articulate it.
-Be good at self-promotion. Many people don't like self-promoting. The thought of "selling" themselves is unappealing. It's confidence, not arrogance, when it comes to being a good self-promoter. Good self-promoters are "politely persistent", professional, and good storytellers. But the best way to promote yourself is to just be yourself and help others. BE GENEROUS. It comes back around.
-Create success on your own level. Don't go straight for the major label when you can do it all yourself for free! The more you have going for you, the less they (whoever they may be) can take away.
-Always always ALWAYS be in the pursuit of WOW. Go the extra mile. Impress your peers, your boss, your mom, etc... Stand out. Be creative. Be bold. Be YOU.

In case you're wondering, I found that picture of Mia Hamm in this month's Women's Health, and it really hit me. I'm not entirely sure why, but it did. It's taped on my wall right next to my bed. There's just something about it that I find extremely motivating and comforting in some way. The raw passion that Mia has for soccer comes through in it. Maybe that's it.

Anyway, I'm off to bed. One cannot run on no sleep, no matter how hard we try!

Enjoy!

Today, Part Two

2009-02-24T23:30:00.002-05:00

Mission Accomplished:

4. Spend 45 minutes on Ear Training. Check.
6. Catch up in Legal Aspects. Check.
7. Work on a song. Check.

Seven is a good number. I made a list of seven goals for tomorrow. I'll spare you the list (it's not that exciting). Anyway.

If you live in the Boston area and are free this Friday night, don't miss Tom Howie at King's!

Today, Part One

2009-02-24T17:40:00.004-05:00

Told you I'd get back to you! Today was much better than yesterday, and it's not done yet. I made a new list. I'd take a picture, but it would be backwards. So here it is:

1. Declare major. Check.
2. Finish 'Forever Man'. Check
3. Go to the gym. Check.
4. Spend 45 minutes on Ear Training. 1/3 check, I did 15 minutes earlier today.
5. Finish College Writing before dinner. Check.
6. Catch up on Legal Aspects.
7. Work on a song.

I'll post Part Two as soon as I finish the list, which will be sooner rather than later.

Back to the grind!

Lists

2009-02-23T15:45:00.007-05:00

I like to make lists. I like to accomplish things. I made a small list of things to do today. So far I'm batting .000 (spring training starts soon, what do you expect?). I tried to buy the books I needed for class, but the bookstore was sold out AGAIN. Then I was gonna go declare my major, but it's like a tornado outside and I didn't feel like walking down to the Fenway building. I haven't practiced yet. I've been working on getting an apartment for next year, so I'm working on getting that sorted out. Then I just have to organize my room a bit, which I will probably do while watching the Jack Bauer Power Hour also know as 24.

By the end of the day I will be 2 for 5, batting at .200--maybe 3 for 5. If that was a Red Sox player's stat for a game, it would probably be J.D. Drew having a good day while going through a slump sometime in July. Katie Lannan, please weigh in on this.

So I'm going to make up for today's bad day at the plate with tomorrow. I know the day isn't done yet, but I am not going back outside if I don't have to. The biggest bonus about staying in the dorms is the convenience factor.

I will blog again tomorrow, and by that time I will be a declared business major that has mastered Forever Man and has an organized room. I'll have even worked on some Ear Training, finished my Harmony homework (if I have any), gone to the gym, done some reading, finished my Arranging homework, and might even have a song written.

Today was good, tomorrow will be great. Why be good if you can be great? To quote Paul Anka, good is the enemy of great.

Behind The Sun

2009-02-20T18:30:00.005-05:00

Why did it take me so long to find Clapton's 'Behind The Sun' album? I have no answer for that. It's been around since 1985, and while it definitely is an 80s classic in the sense that you listen to it and you immediately think of the 80s, I still love it. How can you not love 'Forever Man'? Such a great song.

Phil Collins may have gone a little too far with some tracks, but overall, I think it's great. I've been listening to it pretty much nonstop for the past few days. It just makes me wanna dance and play guitar. I'm listening to 'Tangled In Love' right now, and I'm just groovin' to it with a huge grin on my face. Much like the one in my two previous posts.

For my guitar lab midterm, we have to pick a song and learn it. I am definitely going to do a Clapton song. My teacher expects it anyway haha! I'm probably going to do 'Forever Man' because it's one of the few Clapton songs I don't already know. Well, there are a lot of Clapton songs I have yet to learn, but you know what I mean.

Anyway, just thought I'd confess my love for Clapton some more. I'm gonna go play now.

Ten Minute Post

2009-02-19T21:50:00.003-05:00

I'm giving myself ten minutes to blog.

Spring break is three weeks away, which means midterms are even closer! I think I will always be in awe of how time flies. It's amazing to me. I can't wait. I love the Berk. I really do, but a break would be good. My short one rocked, I know that this one will be better. I've got so much to do between now and then. I'm going to get it all done and spend my 10 days or so doing what I want. It will be nice.

I'm still in a fantastic mood. Even with my current workload.

It's only been six minutes, but I'm gonna go. That workload needs to be unloaded.

I, once again, am feeling like this:

Procrastination

2009-02-18T12:55:00.003-05:00

I'm not one to procrastinate, but I really don't feel like doing my homework or studying for my harmony quiz tomorrow. I could play my guitar, but it's all ready to go. Snug in its case. Big Red does not want to be disturbed right now.

So here I am blogging while my book is open on the story I should be reading. I have so much to do, and yet I clack away on the keyboard. I'm hanging in the blogosphere--aka procrastinating--when I should be doing many other things. Like what? Well, here's a list (more procrastination):

1. My homework. For some reason my college writing homework never ends. Ellen (my teacher) is awesome, but cut us some slack! As much as I like literature, I'd like to have a life, too. Lately it has been tough.

2. Play guitar. I do go to music school. Sooo, yeah. I'll leave it at that.

3. Apartment/Roommate hunting. Here at the Berk, off-campus housing is not only cheaper but recommended. I need to get on the stick. I found a bunch of places, I just need to go check them out. And find a roomie.

4. Finish a song. I started a song back home and I really need to finish it.

5. Declare my major. I've known I wanted to be a Music Business/Management major since I was 15. Three years later and one and a half semesters in at Berklee and I have yet to declare. What the hell, Amy. What. The. Hell.

6. Swing by Student Employment. A little on-campus part-time job with very flexible hours would be a good way to get some extra cash. I gotta pay for Red Sox tickets some how!

7. Go the the gym/Go for a run. I ate ice cream today. Not good. I even feel a little nauseous. No more ice cream from the cafeteria. NO MORE.

8. Do my other homework. Ellen, please remember that we have more than just your class to worry about. I have Arranging and Legal Aspects homework to take care of. And Songwriting. Gaaaah!

9. Organize my room. Not so much my room. It is pretty clean. My clothes are just shoved into the dresser.

10. Hit up CVS. I need a few odds and ends.

11. Go to the library. There are a few Eric Clapton transcription books that have my name all over them.

Wow, I had even more to do than I thought I did. I'm going to go and try and take care of them now.

Wish me luck!

Meanwhile, Back at the Berk...

2009-02-16T22:34:00.002-05:00

Yep. I'm back at Berklee. Not for long, though! I can't believe that spring break is only 24 days away! Where the hell did the time go!? Seriously. It feels like yesterday I was just getting here. Now I'm three weeks away from being halfway done with my second semester. Okay so I'm kind of stretching out the where-did-the-time-go thing, but still. Three weeks is not that long.

I'm still in a great mood. I have no reason not to be! Life is good! The only thing slightly annoying me is my College Writing homework, but I'm nearly done that!

Today was awesome, tomorrow will be awesome, everything will be awesome. I wish I could bottle up my mood and give it to some of my friends. A few could use it right now.

Back to the grind! There is homework to be done and songs to be written/recorded. I'm gonna try and record a song a week and post it here and/or on Twitter. So be on the look out!

This basically describes my mood/face as of late:

!

2009-02-15T00:13:00.004-05:00

I'm energetic, excited, happy, and optomistic by nature, but for the past 48 hours or so I have been exceptionally excited and happy (yes, I'm excited for something just about all the time).

The main reason is because I had a great night with my favorite person ever, Bob. So I had been looking forward to that for a while and my excitement became uncontainable. We had great food and great conversation. It was awesome. I hadn't seen him in over a month and a half (which sucked)! I came home this weekend to see Bob. My parents even acknowledged that I was here to see him. Seeing them (and being home) is great, but had BT been busy, then I would have stayed in Boston.

Thank God he wasn't. As much as I love Berklee and its world-class faculty, none of them hold a candle to Bob in my book. I'm really looking forward to the summer, mainly because I'll get to see Bob on a weekly basis again. All of my friends hated Mondays in high school, but I loved them. Mondays meant I got to spend the evening playing and learning and hanging out with Bob.

And I'm really looking forward to having my weekly three to five hour night playing and learning and hanging out with Bob over the summer.

Home

2009-02-13T13:15:00.002-05:00

I'm writing this from my own bedroom. The one that has Pete Townshend, Eric Clapton, the Beatles, and many others plastered on the walls.

It's oddly comforting to be home. It's almost like time has stopped. I'm only here until Monday, but I have a feeling that when I get back to Boston my four-day weekend will feel like it went by in the blink of an eye.

I feel like being home will give me some clarity. I spend a lot of time thinking about what I want to do instead of actually doing it. Last semester I was all talk. This semester, I'm all business. I'm all about getting stuff done. Being home gives me time to plan a little bit (more). It gives me time to write. All of what I consider to be my best songs were written right where I'm sitting right now. Even my most recent songs were written here over break. If I could write a few more while I'm here, it would make my life that much better...

...I'm gonna get to work on improving my life.

Eric Clapton

2009-02-09T22:58:00.003-05:00

For a guitar player, I don't really listen to a lot of guitar players. All my favorite music is pretty much guitar-based, but you'll rarely catch me listening to Jeff Beck or Derek Trucks. It's not because I don't like them--I do. I just don't connect with them. The one guitar player I really connect with is Eric Clapton. I love Hendrix, and Stevie's cool, too, but Eric Clapton...There's just something about him.

I went through a huge Cream phase, and I mean HUGE. I learned like..16 songs in a month one time. I don't think I've ever done that with any other artist before. Well, maybe Billy Joel, but still. I was a Cream fanatic. I still am, I'm just running out of songs to learn.

Anyway, back to Eric. I didn't notice until my teacher pointed it out the other day that I rarely use my pinky when I play. She said, 'You're a Clapton fan, aren't you?' I said yeah. 'I can tell because you don't use your pinky.' I had never noticed that, but it makes perfect sense. I've spent hours and hours watching him play, it's only natural that I copy my favorite player. He didn't need it, he didn't use it.

So instead of working on what I'm supposed to be, I've been relearning Cream songs for the past hour or so. Brings back a lot of great memories to say the least.

Clapton is God.

Priorities

2009-02-07T17:21:00.002-05:00

Everyone has priorities, and we're always sorting them out. At least I am. I am constantly organizing my life. Here is my current list of priorities (excluding my social life. That's probably number one):

1. My College Writing homework. I have a buttload of homework for that class right now. I have an essay and two observations due Monday, and I'm going to be an over-achiever and get my stuff that's due Wednesday and Friday done before the weekend is over. It is possible. I am sacrificing my social life, but one weekend isn't gonna kill me.

2. Ear Training. I have a quiz this week. I've been good with getting my work done, so that won't be a problem. I have tonight and tomorrow to prepare for the dictation part of the quiz on Monday, and I have until Wednesday to prepare for the singing part of the quiz. That shouldn't be a problem.

3. Playing guitar and writing songs. I have to write a song with my B string tuned down to A for my lab. That's easier said than done. I was like, 'Oh, no problem...Oh wait, that sounds AWFUL.' So yeah, there's that. I also have to work on stuff for my private lesson. Not to mention, I try to write as many songs as I can. I'm always thinking of lyrics, and when I have my guitar, I'm constantly looking for riffs and hooks and chord progressions that resonate with me.

4. Jamming. I love to jam, everyone here does. I would love to live in an ensemble room and just jam for like..a week straight. No class, no worries, just music.

5. Staying healthy. It's hard to do in college. The food selections here aren't exactly the most nutritious. Knock on wood, I haven't been sick once all year. Basically everyone of my friends has been sick at least once. I try to get at least six hours of sleep a night (easier said than done), and workout fairly regularly. I renewed my gym membership, and I have winter running gear. So I've been trying to keep up with that.

I'm sure there are many more things I could list, but those are my five for now. What are yours?

So Much To Do

2009-02-06T18:15:00.003-05:00

I figured I'd update before I get down to brass tacks and start my homework. I know it's Friday, but I have way too much to do to put it all off until Sunday. Small doses. I also have to clean my room, it's rather disheveled. Plus I want to get ahead because I'm going home next weekend and don't want to have to worry about getting stuff done here. Sometimes I'm an overachiever, what can I say? You gotta get ahead.

I'm really enjoying second semester. I love my classes and everything's just kind of falling into place. Or it's starting to, I should say. It's gonna be good, I can feel it.

I have a ton to do, I should get started on it. I'll post more later.

Snow Day in College!

2009-01-28T13:15:00.004-05:00

Well, it's more like half a snow day because all classes after 2.30 are canceled, but nonetheless and snowday! Woo!

So I'm gonna do what I normally do on snow days: relax, play guitar, and get some work done while enjoying the weather.

If only I had some hot chocolate...

Back to the Grind

2009-01-22T19:13:00.003-05:00

It's funny how I'm about to write about getting back to work, and that's exactly what I'm not doing by writing this. Anyway.

Back to the grind.

Yesterday's feelings of uneasiness have gone away. Not only am I ready to work, but I'm excited to work. I have a lot to do. A lot. I think once I get back into the swing of things it won't be so overwhelming, but I'm ready for it. I'm ready for all of it.

I don't just mean school stuff, either. I'm talking about songwriting and practicing and performing. As odd as it sounds, I get a little intimidated by my own ambitions from time to time. The ambitious, determined, happy, and confident Amy is seen much more often than the one that's not. That's the one you'll see probably 330 out of 365 days a year, maybe more. The other one is a little bit more...I don't want to say apprehensive...The other one, the rare side of me, generally says, 'What are you doing?!?! I'm tired! Stop!' I can't stop now. I've worked too hard to pack it up and quit before I really even get going. I'm still planning a few things, but I'll be ready sooner rather than later. Ready for what? Many, many, many things.

This is gonna be a good year. I can feel it.

Now, back to the grind.

Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch...

2009-01-21T22:31:00.002-05:00

After 34 days of being away, I am finally back at Berklee.

I had a good break. It was fairly unproductive, but that's what a break's for, right? Time off. I'm not sure if I needed it, or if I even wanted it, or if I benefited from it. At the moment I feel as if I did not benefit from over a month off of school. It's weird being back. Maybe it's because I've only been here for five and a half hours. Hopefully it's only because of that. There's a lot to be done in the next three and a half months, and until this feeling of uneasiness goes away, a lot will not be done. It will. I just need to get the ball rolling, then I'll be fine.

I'm eager to start classes. I missed a few while I was at the Inauguration--which was really cool and really cold. Tomorrow I have Harmony, Arranging, and Legal Aspects of the Music Industry tomorrow. Should be a good day. I got all my stuff together when I got back. My life is organized once again. I'm surprised I managed to get it all together in a short amount of time. I have some laundry to do, but that's about it.

Actually, I gotta play guitar.

Nothing

2009-01-15T16:19:00.002-05:00

That's what I've done all day. Okay, I lied, I phoned in for a prescription refill. I've done one thing all day.

It's not like I don't have anything to do. I just don't feel like doing anything. I want to do stuff, but I can't bring myself to do anything. I know it sounds weird, but that's the best way I can describe it. I'm content right now to just sit and listen to Coldplay. Currently they're telling me everything's not lost. And it isn't. I know that.

Hopefully within the hour my headache will go away and I can go back to being productive, which is one of my favorite things to be.

I feel a song coming.

Snowboarding and Music

2009-01-14T00:15:00.003-05:00

In a little while (nine hours or so), I will be snowboarding for the first time in probably three years. Part of me is scared, most of me is beyond excited. Snowboarding was my thing for a good three years of my life. In my 8th grade yearbook, next to my picture is a list of goals and one of them was to become a professional snowboarder.

I was all about board sports from the time I was seven and discovered skimboarding. Board sports have a literal and metaphorical edge to them. I was attracted to them (skimboarding, snowboarding, skateboarding, and surfing) because they were different and exciting. I got good at two (snowboarding and skimboarding. I used to be able to stand up on a surfboard, too) really fast. I broke my teeth on a skateboard, but I still own one.

Snowboarding took the cake, though. It was fast. I was good at it. I could showoff a little bit. And my sister skied so snowboarding was all mine in my family. No one else does it. They all hate it. They're all skiers and can't stand (no pun intended) not being able to move their legs. I hated skiing, with a passion. I begged to snowboard. Begged. For years. Then, when I was ten, I learned how to do it. It took four or five lessons for me to be able to keep up with my skiing family and friends, but after that, no one questioned my decision.

Now, what does this have to do with music?

I asked for two or three years for a guitar before I got one. I wasn't encouraged to get one, but I wasn't told no, either. Like anything else, I was horrific at first, and my parents hated it. So did my sister. Unlike a sport, music takes a lot more time to get better at it. Either that, or I really do have a natural aptitude for board sports. Anyway. I practiced for hours and hours and hours. It consumed me. It still does.

If I were to have to create a list of goals to put in my 8th grade yearbook now, I don't think being a professional athlete would be on there. It would be replaced by being a professional musician.

Both of those goals are scoffed at by people. If I wanted to, why couldn't I be a pro. snowboarder? I would go to a school in Vermont, major in something not too stressful, and snowboard all the time. Same thing with music. Why can't I be a professional musician? It might not be pretty right away. Nothing is. But I know it's worth it.

Just like tomorrow will be worth the pain the comes Thursday. I'm ready for it.

What A Mess!

2009-01-12T23:22:00.003-05:00

My room is such a mess! I have dirty and clean clothes all over the floor, a huge suitcase that still has clothes in it, and I haven't made my bed in two days. You can barely see my bureau, I've got shoes everywhere, and my backpack and guitar case are just kind of thrown off to the side. There's a random shopping bag in the corner. My night stand has piles of books on it, and there are instructions to my camera in here somewhere. I have to clean it tomorrow. Otherwise, I will drive myself crazy.

Most creative people thrive in a messy environment, but I just get distracted. I stop creating and start cleaning.

That's not entirely true, I can work in any environment, I just work faster with less to distract me.

I gotta get some sleep now.

Check out the Ting Tings, in case you haven't already. They're a really fun band!

A Rougher than Rough Recording

2009-01-01T23:50:00.005-05:00

Here's the first of the daily songs. it's called "Doubt" and it has absolutely nothing to do with the movie/play. It--like all songs generally are--is about a feeling I've been having lately.

The recording is very rough because my guitar is unplugged and I'm singing with my retainer in. Click on the title. Enjoy!

Doubt

As Promised

2008-12-31T17:34:00.002-05:00

I can't believe the year is basically over. Wow...Where did the time go?

I promised a big entry, so here we go!

Semester One of Eight:

My first semester at Berklee was pretty good. I met a lot of great people, made a lot of great friends, and jammed with some really awesome musicians. I need to work on Ear Training a lot more this next semester. That was definitely my weakness. I also didn't jam enough. Need to do more of that. Networking as well. I also want to go to the Songwriting club more often, and by more often I mean actually go. I signed up at the beginning of the year with a friend and we had planned to go together, but it didn't happen. We also planned on starting a band, that didn't happen, either. Anyway.

One Wednesday evening in October, I went to the Music Business Gala thing. It wasn't a gala, but I can't remember exactly what it was called. Chris Carlson (here's his blog, good stuff), the President of the Music Business Club at Berklee gave a little speech. I already wanted to join the Music Business Club, but Chris's speech made me feel like I had to join it. So I did, and I met even more awesome people and learned a lot, too. A lot of kids in college were once (like me) overly-involved in high school. Sports, student government, community service, National Honors Society, etc... But once they get to college, they stop doing that sort of stuff. I didn't want that to happen to me, and it did at first, but like most things, I fixed it.

I think the highlight of my semester wasn't even related to Berklee. I went to eight Red Sox games. Eight. That's a lot for someone without season tickets. The John Mayer thing was pretty cool, too, but lately I haven't been Mr. Mayer's biggest fan. Nonetheless, his clinic rocked, but the Sox games were great. I went to seven of them alone, but you're not really alone at Fenway. There are 39,927 other people there. And I'm not even counting the staff or the players.

I didn't write as much as I would have liked to. I only wrote one song really. Lots of ideas, but they were just ideas. That's another thing I need to work on.

(I'll put a whole list of goals/resolutions/things to do at the end of this. I will also write them down. Goals are manifested by being written down. Anyone can talk about doing stuff, but how many actually do it? My guess is not many. I'll admit to being a bit of a talker (not a close-talker like in Seinfeld), but I say I'm gonna do stuff, and I don't do it. Well, that's gonna change, too.)

I saw a fair amount of shows at Berklee, too. Oh yeah, and they were amazing and either free or two dollars. Can't complain there!

Here are the "Academic" Berklee Resolutions/Goals:

--Spend an hour a day at a piano
--Practice Ear Training daily
--Get all A's
--Play more guitar. Let's shoot for an hour a day--at least.

Here are the "Non-Academic" Berklee Resolutions/Goals:

--Get a band together. First thing.
--Write a song a day.
--Meet two new people a week.
--Actually GO to the Songwriters Club at least once a month
--Keep my room as clean as I have been

Looking back, 2008 was a damn good year. Between all the concerts (Elton John, Alicia Keys, Billy Joel, Bon Jovi, John Mayer, Bruce Springsteen, the Who, and all the Berklee shows), the Red Sox games (eleven total, counting the three over the summer), and traveling, it rocked. As I said earlier, I met some really awesome people, and Berklee was good. I really can't complain.

As for non-Berklee Resolutions/Goals:

--Run three days a week; workout twice a week
--Eat healthier
--Look/Feel my best everyday
--Sleep better (haha)
--Find a good, upcoming artist every week
--Twitter better

I'll think of some more, I'm sure, but for now, I'll stick to those.

Happy New Year!

Busy Doing Nothing

2008-12-28T23:47:00.005-05:00

I'm currently watching the first season of 30 Rock on DVD. I really haven't done much else this break. Other than playing at my cousin's wedding, I haven't played a whole lot of music. I've done a lot of listening (mainly to U2) and I'm starting to get back into writing. I had a disconnect with it over this semester, but I had a mini breakthrough with it last night. The song is called "Reflections" as of now, and it's basically an older me talking to my current self. It's not finished yet, but I really like it. It has the potential that my other songs haven't had lately.

I will do a big post tomorrow. I'm so lazy right now, I'm not even going to do labels.

Faraway, So Close!

2008-12-16T09:32:00.002-05:00

In approximately 53 hours, I will be done with my first semester at Berklee. I know I said I wouldn't update, but I'm in MTEC..what else is there to do in MTEC? I already played my final project and handed in my work. I planned on studying, but I left my harmony binder in my room.

So now I just have to wait, quickly get back to my dorm, grab my guitar, and go to my proficiency exam. I've got a bit of a break to do laundry (the pile is slowly eating my floor) and clean before my next class. Then from three until sometime into double digits, you can find me in a practice room. And I swear I will be in bed by 1.30 for real this time. I have my two most important finals tomorrow.

I'm faraway, yet so close. So unbelievably close.

The Last Hurrah

2008-12-11T12:36:00.003-05:00

I'm going to have to take a break from blogging/Facebooking/Twittering until next week. It's finals time, and I need to focus my energy on studying, at least until next Wednesday.

Last night I went to the Battle of the B.E.A.T at Bill's Bar (talk about alliteration). I don't know who ended up winning, I only stayed for the first three acts (thanks, finals). I really only went for the second two acts: Jonathan Carr and Brian Dunne. Both Berklee students, both extremely talented. Both put on a great show. I wish I could have stayed for the whole thing, but there was (and still is) work to be done.

So from the looks of it, if I get an A- on my Ear Training final, then I'll end up with a B in the class. And if my math is correct, then I'll end up with a GPA of at least 3.4 for the semester. It could be anywhere from a 3.4 to a 3.7. If it weren't for Ear Training, it could be a 3.9. One of my goals for next semester is to get all A's. Not that it wasn't a goal this semester, but now that I know what to expect, I'll be able to hit the ground running--in more than one area.

I'm thinking about my dictation final in Ear Training tomorrow, and I'm not gonna lie, I'm scared shitless about it. If it weren't for dictation, I would have an A, guaranteed. Just thinking about makes me nervous. I really want to do well on it. I have to in order to get an A overall on the final. Ahhhh! Haha, I'm..I don't even know. I would really like my finals to be done. I'm cutting myself some slack because it's my first semester here and that somehow justifies it for me. It's a learning experience. It definitely is a learning experience.

I can't wait for the break for several reasons. Here's a list:

--I get to celebrate the end of the semester with some of my favorite people at my cousin's wedding in DC. I'll also get to sit in with the wedding band, hopefully.

--I have tons of ideas that need to be songs, and I have tons of songs that need to be finished. There aren't enough hours in the day for me to write right now.

--I get to see all my friends for real this time. I've seen most of them, but there are a couple that I have not, and that needs to be fixed.

--I also get to see Bob, but that's a given. It is still worth mentioning.

--The cruise. I can't wait for the cruise. It will be epic, and I can gamble!

--I'll be able to play guitar and not feel bad about not practicing what I should be practicing. I'll also get to jam with people that I haven't played with in a long, long time.

--CRANIUM!!!

--U2 will probably announce their tour to support their album due out later this year.

--Mantis Christmas Eve. Yes, it is ON! Liz almost cancelled, but then realized that she really didn't want to, and her children would have been devestated. Plus it's always hilarious.

--Second semester will be closer to beginning. I'm really looking forward to next semester. It will be a semester of epic proportions (inside joke, but I couldn't resist).

I could keep going, but that's enough. As you can see, I have a lot to look forward to.

Well, I have class in ten minutes. Then it's work, a few errands, more work, and a little TV for the night.

Wish me luck!

Hunger Pains

2008-12-10T00:10:00.002-05:00

For the past seven hours I have had the most intense side stitches, and I didn't even go running. I don't know what caused them, but I think it may be because I barely ate anything today. I didn't even realize it until I was talking to my roommate. I've had less than 1,300 calories today, and I normally eat at least 2,000. I could never have an eating disorder because I couldn't handle a pain like this all the time.

So that's what these are. Hunger pains. I'm seriously going to start donating money to organizations that provide food to starving people/countries because what I experienced today is, at the most, one one-hundredth of what a truly starving/emaciated person experiences every day. Every single day. I can't handle seven hours, nevermind a whole day.

Vienna/Torn

2008-12-05T22:24:00.003-05:00

Sometimes I feel like I'm the person Billy Joel is talking about in his song Vienna. I'm gonna break it down:

Slow down you crazy child
You're so ambitious for a juvenile
But then if you're so smart tell me why
Are you still so afraid?

At this point, I haven't really done anything that would warrant Bill to tell me to slow down. However, the rest of the verse is true. If I know I can do it, why am I afraid to do it? I'm not afraid. I don't have time right now to do what I want. "He who hesitates is lost." I hesitated this semester, and I lost, but not really. I just didn't do exactly what I had in mind. I didn't count on needing a transitional period. That set everything back.

Where's the fire, what's the hurry about?
You better cool it off before you burn it out
You got so much to do and only
So many hours in a day

Currently, there aren't enough hours in the day. I've cooled off some things, and I've been setting other things on fire. So that's not really anything new.

But you know that when the truth is told
That you can get what you want
Or you can just get old
You're gonna kick off before you even get halfway through
When will you realize...Vienna waits for you

Oh God...That's so true. I believe in a go-go-go lifestyle because of that saying really. I'm not quite as bad as the person in the song. At least not right now. I've slowed down some stuff and sped up others.

Slow down you're doing fine
You can't be everything you want to be
Before your time
Although it's so romantic on the borderline tonight (tonight)

I tell myself this constantly. I'm always wanting to do more, but I can't always do more. It's a tricky situation. Some people walk through life because they don't want to miss anything. Some people run through life because they want to reach their destination as fast as they can. I fall somewhere in between those two kinds of people. I think I jog through life. I don't spend too much time on any one moment like some of the walkers would do, but I don't keep my eyes on the prize all the time like the runners do. I speed up more than I slow down, though. Sometimes I stop and smell the roses, but generally I'm going at a brisk pace.

Too bad but it's the life you lead
You're so ahead of yourself
That you forgot what you need
Though you can see when you're wrong
You know you can't always see when you're right (you're right)

This part's not so true about me. Sometimes it is, but on the whole it's not. I do get ahead of myself, but I haven't forgotten what I need. I'm quite aware of what I need.

You got your passion you got your pride
But don't you know that only fools are satisfied?
Dream on but don't imagine they'll all come true
When will you realize
Vienna waits for you

Passion, check. Pride, check. However, I can be satisfied. At least for a moment. It doesn't last long because dwelling on anything--good or bad--is not healthy. It's okay to be nostaligic once in a while.

Dream on but don't imagine they'll all come true. How many times have we all heard that? I always find it somewhat amusing and irritating when successful people tell the public stuff like that. You had a dream, and it came true. Well, why can't my dream or somebody else's dream (or dreams) come true? Every single successful/famous person was at one point a normal person with a dream. I don't think Billy Joel's telling us to give up on our dreams, but still, it's not overly encouraging. However, he redeems himself in "James".

Slow down you crazy child
Take the phone off the hook and disappear for a while
It's alright you can afford to lose a day or two
When will you realize...
Vienna waits for you.

At this point, I don't feel I can afford to lose a day. Nevermind two.

And you know that when the truth is told
That you can get what you want
Or you can just get old
You're gonna kick off before you even get halfway through

Already talked about...

Why don't you realize...Vienna waits for you
When will you realize...Vienna waits for you

And Vienna most definitely isn't waiting for me.

I've been feeling torn lately on what I want to do. I know that no matter what I choose to do, I will be happy with my choice. It's just a matter of choosing. One choice (A&R rep) would please just about everyone I know, but I'm not sure if that's what I want to do. It would be the safer of the two. The other option is being a performing songwriter. That would probably please just about everyone I know, but only if I made it "big."

The lyric from "James" that I love so dearly is
Do what's good for you
Or you're no good for anybody

I have time to figure out what's good for me. Thanks, college. I'm going to test out both fields. I'll get a band together for the latter, and I'll intern at record companies over the next four years to get a feel for the first.

To quote one of my own songs:

You've gotta let whatever happens happen
Let things fall into place

More of the Same/A Minor Setback

2008-12-02T22:33:00.002-05:00

I'm back on my productivity kick. Not that I ever really stopped. I've got seventeen days until I'm done my first semester. I have a ton of work to do, too. As well as a ton of working out to do. I don't know why, but I was an eating machine today. I ate everything in sight really. That was not good. I'm definitely going for a run and/or hitting the gym for a vigorous workout. I need to.

That being said, it's full steam ahead for the next two and a half weeks.

I must go, there is work to be done.

Eighteen Days

2008-12-01T16:49:00.003-05:00

Where the hell did the time go? One year ago today I had my audition for Berklee, and now I'm eighteen days away from the end of my first semester. How the hell did that happen?? A year ago I had plans to come here, get a band together in a matter of days, start gigging around Boston, and see where it could bring me. I still fully intend on doing that, just not yet. There's not enough time right now to do that. Everybody has a shit ton of work to do, and with finals two weeks away, there's little to no time at all to start rehearsing.

I'm not complaining at all. I had to ease into my first semester. It was my transition period. Now next semester's a whole different ball game. I will get a band together, and we will play out, and maybe (hopefully) record a demo. I can't wait. My entire break is going to be devoted to writing songs and playing guitar. At the moment, I have very little time to focus purely on the songs. I have way too much other stuff going on to write songs at the level I want to. In eighteen days I will, though. And I will take full advantage of it.

I'm really looking forward to the future. Big time. A lot of stuff is going to happen. Just wait. Just you wait. I know it's hard, but trust me, it's worth it. I'll make sure of that.

Discombobulated, Yet Organized

2008-11-16T17:54:00.003-05:00

I have been ridiculously confused for the entire month. Ever since the election, I've had to ask myself what day it is because the election was on a Tuesday. Nothing happens on Tuesdays. Movies come out on DVDs on Tuesdays, and that's all that ever happens. So that threw me off. Then the following Tuesday was Veteran's Day, giving us a day off from school. Everyday feels like the day it's not. Today's Sunday, but it feels like a Monday. Tomorrow's Monday and it's probaby going to feel like a Thursday. The weather isn't helping, either. It was 65 yesterday. Sixty-five! In November! At least it was the right temperature today. As much as I would love it to stay warm so I could run outside, I would be unbelievably confused.

I can't wait for Thanksgiving. It's not like I need to get away, I just need to see some people. A lot of people actually. It sucks that I only have Wednesday through Sunday to do so. I have to see Bob, my life basically depends on it. And I'm only kidding a little bit. I miss Alex so much more than either of us ever thought possible. I saw him probably 350 out of 365 days a year for fifteen years. To go from that to never seeing someone is a lot harder than you would think. I can't wait to see my sister. Thank God I'll see Drew Friday. And Saturday. And Sunday. There are so many people I could list right now, but it would take days.

Aside from my confusion and heartaches, I'm really on top of my work. I still have 10 days before I go home, so I'll be 100% work free at the rate I'm going. I'm determined to be. It will happen. I have too much to do and not enough time to worry about Berklee.

A Wasted Day?

2008-11-11T20:32:00.005-05:00

As I mentioned in my last post, I'm going to be uber-productive until Thanksgiving break. And I am, and I will continue to do so. I just had a minor setback today, but I still managed to accomplish a couple of things. I finished creating my ideal schedule for next semester, I joined the Tennis and Racquet Club, I finished the rough draft of my essay (which is terrible), I did my Ear Training homework, and I practiced--which is a bigger deal than it should be. All of this was completed between the hours of 12 PM and 8 PM, with the exception of my essay which I completed at 3 AM.

Despite all that, which really isn't all that much, I feel like I wasted today. I woke up late. Granted, I was up late, but still. It's annoying, but it's in the past. So now I'm just gonna keep chuggin' along, full speed ahead for fifteen days.

I'm still on my I-have-to-go-to-Manhattan kick. I won't get over that until I actually go to the city, which won't be until next semester. I have two free weekends from now until the end of the semester. One of which is next weekend, and that would conflict with my productivity kick--which is more important to me right now.

I haven't been productive creatively lately. I'm gonna fix that. Right now.

Seventeen

2008-11-09T21:24:00.003-05:00

Seventeen is a magic number. In seventeen days I will be home for Thanksgiving, which means I have seventeen days to get as much done here as humanly possible. I plan on getting as much practice time in, as well as doing as much as I can in my College Writing and Ear Training classes (I have a syllabus in each class), and working out as much as possible. All while maintaining somewhat of a social life. I want to have a work-free Thanksgiving break. Or at least as work-free as possible. I also need to lose some weight I have recently gained. I don't care about my actual weight (muscle weighs more than fat anyway), I care about how I feel. Right now I don't feel as good as I could physically. Exercise is good for more than just fat-burning/muscle-gaining, too. It's a stress-reliever, and it helps you sleep better (and I'm sure I'm not the only one that could use a better night's sleep). If I may quote Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon in "Legally Blonde"), "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands." So true, Elle. So true.

That being said, I better get to work. There's a lot to do between now and November 26th.

But I Know Just What I'm Needing

2008-11-08T12:08:00.005-05:00

And I don't want to waste more time. Oh, Billy Joel, why are you so good? Honestly, I can't take so much greatness. Words cannot express how much I love that man and his music. He could write the soundtrack to my life. Twice. I really am in a New York state of mind right now. I haven't been since February, and it's killing me. I used to think I could never live in New York, but I have changed my mind. The more I think about it, the more I can see myself there in the future. Either that, or I've been watching 'Seinfeld' and listening to Billy way too much these days. I do have to hit up the city soon, though. I miss it. A lot.

I have my schedule for next semester planned out. The only problem is, as of right now I have 17 credits, and you can only have 16 per semester. You can have more, but each additional credit is almost one grand extra. I can, however, do credit-by-exam for Arranging, and then I'll be able to take all the electives I want.

Speaking of school, I have to get some stuff done. Actually, I have a lot of stuff to get done.

Can vs. Should

2008-11-01T19:42:00.004-04:00

There's always an ongoing battle between what one can do, and what one should do. I have several things I can do tonight, and I have several things I should do tonight. I can go to a party tonight, but I should get my work done. I can go out tonight, but I should play guitar. Well, tonight what I should do wins. I'm gonna get my work done, play my guitar, write some songs, and just lay low tonight. It's good to do that once in a while. I think I would be out of commission tomorrow if I were to go out tonight. So why not be productive tonight and tomorrow? Stay on top of things that should/need to be done and have more time to do things that can/you want to do. Sounds logical to me.

The Halfway Point

2008-10-29T15:56:00.003-04:00

Can you believe I'm halfway through my first semester? I can't. I had three midterms today. Back to back to back. I aced my Guitar Lab midterm. It was almost funny. If my math is correct, then I received a B on my Ear Training midterm, which I'm happy with. I was aiming for a B (an A was out of the question). I completely owned my Harmony midterm. I struggled for a bit, but then I had a breakthrough and blazed right through it. I left the classroom beaming. I felt great.

As you all know, Friday is Halloween. I'm wicked excited for it. Julia and I are going to BC (finally!) for trick-or-treating and a dance. I won't reveal my costume(s) (I might go as two things) yet. I'll let the pictures/videos do the honors.

Now for some random thoughts:

-I haven't talked to Bob in over a week. That's not good.
-I'm so obsessed with the Script that I ordered yet another CD/special package thing from the UK.
-Julia hasn't called me yet. I think she lost her phone in her bag again.
-What am I gonna do with six pairs of tube socks?
-I should put new strings on USA.
-I need to finish these songs.
-Eric's playing his music so loud that the stuff on my desk is shaking.
-There's a really awesome kid playing here tonight. I'm excited.
-My room is really clean. Not that that's out of the ordinary.
-I said a lot more than I thought I would.

Okay well, I'm gonna go do something with my life now.

(College) Life (in General), and the Who

2008-10-25T21:17:00.008-04:00

This is about more than just college life, but I'll start with that.

College..What can I say about it? What can't I say about it? It's a great place. It really is. I've made some really great friends, and it's been a great seven weeks. I have no complaints (other than midterms are coming up), and even though sometimes I crave a campus and books, I know that if I had it I would be begging for concrete and lead sheets.

That being said, I went to my first party tonight. It's funny because my mom was just asking if I had been to any yet and I told her no. It was more of a jam session than a party, but nonetheless there was people and noise (the liquor stores had all closed, not that it had any affect on me). It was pretty fun. I met some cool people, so it's all good.

I have my remaining four midterms this week. Guitar Lab, Ear Training, Harmony, and Writing Skills, in that order. I'm not concerned with my Guitar Lab midterm at all. I have a few patterns to memorize, but it won't be a problem. Easy A. I'm a little worried about my Ear Training midterm because I'll probably end up singing the hardest melodies we've done. It's completely random, but I'll end up singing the most difficult ones. It's alright, I have until Wednesday. I'm not worried about the material on my Harmony midterm, I'm worried about the time limit. I only have 50 minutes, and I really want to ace it. If I study enough, I'll be fine. I know what I know, and I know what I don't know, if that makes sense. I have to work on what I don't know more than what I know, and I know that makes sense. My Writing Skills midterm shouldn't be too difficult. Plus it's not until Thursday. Plenty of time to prepare. I'm more concerned about getting my homework done than I am about doing well on my midterms. I have to write a list of changes I would make in secondary education in America, create a track on Reason, write out a drum pattern with a bass line that grooves with the drums, and study. All of this is due by Wednesday (most of it is due Tuesday).

On top of all that, I have to go for a run tomorrow and start eating healthier. I'm going to start a food journal. I have to, otherwise I'll live off cereal and sweets with the occasional peanut butter sandwich. Okay, so it's not that bad, but it's not that good, either.

I also need to start a "career journal." I know what I want to do already, so it's more like a direction journal. How to get to where I want to be. Technically, I already have one started. My lyrics/idea notebook is exactly that. This one will be much more focused. Which is what I need to be, focused. It's not like I'm scattered now, I just need to straighten a few things out, but don't we all? In a way, I'm waiting to get it together. I actually have a song by that title. It's not done yet. Fitting. Just give me some more time, I swear it'll all work out.

Once again, Pete Townsend acknowledged my existence. I went to see the Who last night with my mom, Susan, and my friend Tom. And once again, it was an incredible experience, and an unforgettable night. The third time's the charm. Last night was only my second. You probably have no idea what I'm talking about, but if you do, you know I'm right. It's almost happened twice, thrice if you count Billy Joel. Next time. This also gives me more time to prepare. I could use it, too. Eventually, none of this will be necessary.

I'm gonna leave you now. Probably somewhat confused by that last statement. Cut me some slack. After all, it's almost two in the morning.

(The funny thing is, that's exactly what I want)

Midterms

2008-10-23T11:48:00.000-04:00

Before I take on the tasks of yet another busy day, I need to update.

I have my first two midterms tomorrow. The dictation portion of my Ear Training midterm, and my Ensemble midterm. I'm not too concerned about them, that's not to say I haven't been studying for them. Studying isn't the best word for preparing for midterms. Preparing is actually a much better term. Ha. Anyway. The rest of my midterms are next week. The only one I really have to study for (and I mean study) is Harmony. Not because I don't know the material, but because I have 50 minutes to make sure I know the material. I fully intend on acing it with time to spare. Fortunately, I have six more days until said midterm. As far as my Guitar Lab midterm is concerned, I just need to look over a few songs and I'll be fine. Thanks, Bob. That class is an easy A. It's almost too easy. And now that I don't have to use the Berklee Method, it's an even easier A.

Ratings Auditions are next week. I was going to audition, but I think I might wait until the end-of-the-semester auditions. I don't really have anything prepared, and since you can only audition once per semester, I'd have a better shot at boosting my ratings in December than I would next week. I know what I want to play, I just haven't worked it out yet.

Tomorrow night is the Who concert!!! I'm wicked excited, you have no idea. It's going to be epic.

I'll write more later. I have stuff to take care of.

The Amy Method

2008-10-20T22:06:00.000-04:00

It's not about Berklee anymore. It's about me. I strongly dislike the Berklee Method, so I say screw it.

I have a new method, and it's called the Amy Method. And it trumps the Berklee Method.

Only BT's is better.

Time to get to work.

A Quick Break

2008-10-19T16:27:00.000-04:00

I needed a break from my homework. I've been at it for basically three and a half hours straight. Yeah, a break is necessary at this point.

There aren't enough hours in the day for me to do everything I would like to. My homework takes up the majority of my time, and usually the remaining hours go to sleeping, eating, and the Red Sox/baseball. With midterms coming up I have to be on top of everything, even if I find some (okay, most) of my guitar-related stuff boring, I still have to do the work. I'm glad that midterms are this week because that means the semester is halfway done. Where has the time gone? I've been at Berklee for seven weeks already, and I've averaged about one Red Sox game per week. Ha!

I'm going to see the Who on Friday. I'm so excited! They are so good live. SO GOOD. I have amazing seats and I know it will be a night to remember.

Alright, back to work. I have to be at BU in a couple hours, and I've still got a decent amount of stuff to do. My mind has to be solely focused on the game tonight. I'm grinning thinking about it.

It's Just A Moment, This Time WIll Pass

2008-10-16T12:31:00.000-04:00

My motivation has returned, but I felt the need to update before I begin tackling my workload.

Honestly, I would love if this semester was done now. I'm not in the mood for school. Even if ear training will help me become a better musician, I really don't enjoy doing it. I refused to sing in class yesterday, and I promised my teacher I would sing Friday so I better be ready. I will be ready. I'm gonna ace whatever he throws at me. I got this.

Continuing on the subject of not being in the mood for school, I have an essay due tomorrow. It's a compare and contrast essay, and I think I'm going to do it on the two presidential candidates. It's the most relevant topic I can think of, and I have sooo much to draw from (which is a blessing and a curse). However, just like ear training, I really don't feel like doing the work. I'm motivated, just not motivated to write an essay.

Harmony might kill me. We went from talking about the modes of a major scale (easy easy easy stuff) to writing out guide tone lines. I know all about guide tones, but writing out actual lines? Easier said than done for me. Now this is something that I don't ever see myself using. Ear training, yes. Creating drum patterns, yes. I use English every day, but guide tone lines? Guide tones themselves, yes. But lines? Well, unless I become extremely proficient at piano, no. I don't think I'll ever be writing out guide tone lines outside of Berklee. I could be wrong, but I don't think I am.

There are some moments where I question my decision. I love Berklee, I do. It's not about that. I do feel as if I "belong" here, I just question whether I "belong" some place else sometimes. I'm happy here, but I know for a fact I could be happy anywhere--anywhere near Fenway Park that is. Ha, I'm kidding. I can be happy anywhere. We all know that. And I am happy here. In the words of U2:

And if the night runs over
And if the day won't last
And if your way should falter
Along the stony pass
It's just a moment
This time will pass

Motivate Me

2008-10-15T18:04:00.000-04:00

I have so much to do right now, and I'm so unmotivated to do it. I came back from long run, all hyped up to be productive, and now I'm just not.

This seems to happen more often than not these days. I get back to my dorm ready to go, sit down at my desk, and nothing happens. Literally. I don't do anything. I obsessively check my email, Facebook, a few other sites, and listen to music. Even right now, it's taking me a lot longer than it should to type this. I don't think I'm having my what-the-fuck-am-I-doing moment. No. Things would be much more extreme. It's a combination of factors. That's all I think it is. The Red Sox loss (I still believe in them), coming back after being home (okay, so that's a roundabout way of saying 'I miss Bob'), and just knowing I have so much to do makes me not want to do it. I don't even think I could write a song right now.

I'm just not feelin' it. I better go before I make myself depressed.

It's All Too Familiar

2008-10-15T01:04:00.000-04:00

The Red Sox are doing it again. They love to drag out the ALCS in an extremely dramatic fashion and then walk right through the World Series. It's emotinally and physically draining, though, to watch your team get blown out by a bunch of rookies (okay, the Rays aren't all rookies). The Rays are an exceptionally good team. But we got Dice-K throwing Thursday.

Thank God tomorrow's an off-day. The Red Sox need it. And I might need it more than they do.

Catching Up

2008-10-09T17:30:00.000-04:00

As I type this, I'm sitting on my couch. I'm home for the weekend, and I have a beautifully hand-crafted schedule that allows me to miss my Thursday and Friday classes (just this once, though. I won't abuse it). I only had one class today, and I would have left early Friday so I decided to take an extra-long weekend. I've spent most of my day catching up with people so I thought, 'Hey, catch up on your blog.' I sat down a few times earlier this week and tried to write something, but I wasn't feeling it. Luckily I am now.

I woke up Monday morning at 8 after getting roughly five hours of sleep to get in line to get a ticket for John Mayer's clinic at Berklee. I missed English and my Guitar Lab to stand in line for two hours. I made myself go to Ear Training, where I ended up having to sing in class, and I failed miserably. It was alright, though. Keep reading to find out why.

Despite the Red Sox loss on Sunday night, a very good thing came out of it: I met and a befriended season-ticket holder. He didn't want to go Monday night's game, so I bought a couple tickets off him--and boy, am I glad I did. Julia and I (and Katie Lannan) enjoyed a fantastic playoff game. The energy was ridiculous. It was definitely the most important game I've been to, and probably the best. It was a blast. I couldn't have asked for a better Monday night in Boston.

John Mayer was hanging around Berklee the few days (he still is. Actually, he's recording with Berklee students until Friday). Word got out that he was in a class in room A15. So I went down and waited outside the door (it was about 8:15 at night when I got there). There were about a dozen other people there as well. Some people left, some people stayed, some people came. Eventually, Pat Pattison (look him up) came out to us and said, 'Okay, I'll open then door, but you guys can't come in. Okay?' We unanimously agreed. At that point, John was talking about how he approaches the blues (perfect timing for me). Really cool stuff. About ten minutes later, Pat Patisson motioned us to come in. I was luckily one of the first people inside the room and had a really good seat. He talked a bit more about soloing and stuff before deciding to play 'Gravity' and let us sing along with him at the end. I met him afterwards. It was cool. Really nice guy. I told him how much I loved his blues and he thanked me for telling him that. As he was walking out of the building he said, 'I wanna go back to 1997! This was my home!' We let him walk out in peace because he let us come in and sing with him. Fair trade, I would say. I was walking down Boylston street later on and I saw him and said, 'Thanks, John!' and he waved back and said thanks again. Pretty neat, eh?'

I should have skipped my Music Tech. class. Once again, it was a complete waste of time, and I was tired from the game and I knew I would have little to no sleep that night, but I went anyway. After my last class and my tutoring session, I went out to meet some friends and camp out to be in the first or second row at John Mayer's clinic. When I arrived (around 6 PM), they were all packing up their stuff. We weren't allowed to line up until 11 AM Wednesday morning. Well, about ten of us were in line outside the Berklee Performance Center (BPC) at 11 PM. A security guard came up to us and asked, 'Hey, are you guys in line for the clinic?' 'No, we're just chatting.' The security guard said, 'Oh, okay,' and walked off. A few people stayed while the rest of us went to Dunkin Donuts to make it look less obvious. And it worked. We stayed out all night. I met some wicked awesome kids. We bonded over our 24 hour (somewhat useless) camp-out.

(Long story short in regards to it being useless: Turns out (I was in class) that everyone in line got kicked out and security was in front of the BPC until then. Well, my group ended within the first five rows so it was fine. Staying up all night was wicked fun, but sleep might have been better.)

John's clinic was amazing. Go here to read about it. I didn't get to ask him a question, but I did get him to play 'Taking On Water'. I was in the second row, and he said, 'I'm gonna play one more song,' and I shouted, 'Play a new song!' And he did. It was wicked cool. He signed my guitar, too. So now I can say I have a John Mayer signature guitar. Ha.

Unlike my other celebrity encounters, I wasn't starstruck by John Mayer. It wasn't because he's just a regular guy (Bruce Springsteen is more of a regular guy than John Mayer is, and yet I broke down after I met him). I don't know why. He's one of my favorite musicians/people. I was so composed when I met him and I didn't (I almost did) cry when he played at the clinic. He hasn't impacted me as much as my other influences have. You can hear Billy Joel in my lyrics, you can't hear John Mayer in my guitar playing. But that could be because we have a lot of the same influences. So maybe I play a lick that Mayer uses, but really it's a Clapton lick. So to me, it's a Clapton thing.

I left immediately after the clinic. I scurried up to my room, grabbed everything I could think of that I needed (and I forgot several things), and left. My dad picked me up. I slept the whole ride home, really. I went to bed at 10:30 last night. I was in such a deep sleep. Sadly, I had to wake up at 9:15 because I had a haircut. My hair looks good, but I'm still kinda tired.

It was weird to be back at my old high school. I went to visit some teachers. I don't really know how to describe what it felt like. After my visit, I went to the Primary School to go see Nancy, who was there for once. I hadn't seen her in months. The last time I saw her was May. It was so good to see her. We talked for a bit, and I showed her my guitar adorned with John Mayer's signature. She's one of the few people that has never heard me play guitar. And it's kind of funny when you think about it.

Even after stopping in to see Marty at work, I'm not done my rounds. I have to go and see Sensei. I told him I'd say hi when I'm around--even if I don't go to class. Plus, it's almost like seeing Mr. Curit.

I get to see Bob tomorrow. I'm so excited. I can't wait. Tomorrow will be the first time in SIX WEEKS that I get to spend quality time with Bob. I need it. Badly. I'm beaming right now just thinking about seeing him.

Talk about having an awesome week. Let's recap:

Sunday: Red Sox game (loss)
Monday: Red Sox game (ALDS victory)
Tuesday: John Mayer meeting
Wednesday: John Mayer clinic
Thursday: Saw Nancy
Friday: Seeing Bob (and Dale and co. arrives!)
Saturday: My cousin's wedding (which is the reason I'm home)

If you made it this far, hats off to you. I'm done

11-1

2008-10-06T01:43:00.000-04:00

I don't know what happened to Josh Beckett last night. He didn't show up for work. I knew it was gonna be a long game when he walked in a run in the first inning, but I didn't expect it the game to go into extra innings and end in a loss. I don't think anyone did--including Mike Scioscia. That wasn't the only weird thing about the game. Jacoby Ellsbury hit a routine pop fly that somehow no one caught (allowing three runs to come in. Nice job, kid), and Jason Varitek got a hit (that in itself is a big deal). It wasn't a typical postseason game. But then again, there really is no such thing as a typical postseason game.

We'll get 'em tomorrow night.

And I will be there.

Soxtober

2008-10-02T16:37:00.000-04:00

October has always been a favorite month of mine. The leaves change, school becomes routine, and the playoffs start. Soxtober. It's back, kids. And for the first time, I can truly be a part of Soxtober. Being a mile from Fenway has more benefits than I can list. The best one being that I could possibly go to every home game--including Sunday's. I cannot tell you how, but if you were to bet money on whether or not I will be at Sunday's game, it's a pretty safe bet.

Running

2008-10-01T17:11:00.000-04:00

I've always had an afinity for running. For as long as I can remember, I've been a fan of the sport. It's so liberating for me. There are very few things I enjoy as much as I enjoy running (baseball and music are excluded, obviously. They are my two passions in life).

Why do I run? I'll tell you why. It doesn't take much to make happy, and not much makes me happier than looking up at the sky when I run. That's one reason why. As I run along the river, I glance up at the sky every so often and grin with pure joy. I then seem to speed up a bit, slow down, look at the sky, speed up, slow down, repeat until exhaustion.

Another reason I enjoy running so much is because it's my ultimate stress reliever. And when I say stress I don't mean stress from school or anything like that. If I have a headache, as odd as it sounds, I go for a run, and within minutes it's gone. Running takes away emotional and physical stress like you wouldn't believe. Between music and running (and other physical activity), it's no wonder why I basically have a stress-free life. Part of it's personality, too, I bet. Don't let drama into your life. Some might say that's easier said than done, but it's really not.

Running lets me think without thinking. I'd rather sort out my thoughts while running than sitting in a quiet room. It really clears my mind. I feel like the weight of the world is off my shoulders when I run--even if it's just for a moment, it's amazing. I feel so empowered when I run sometimes. Like I can do anything. My feet may be on the ground, but it certainly doesn't feel like it. It's a natural high for me. Seeing that sun in that sky...I almost feel like I'm there when I run. Even in the heart of a city, something about running takes it all away. I'm in my own world.

And on top of all of my personal benefits of running, it gets/keeps you in shape. Running a few times a week is unbelievably beneficial to your health. It helps me sleep better (which is good because I still haven't been sleeping well) as well as keep me in shape. But we all knew that, didn't we?

I could go on for hours about how much I love running. You should go try it for yourself.

Oh, and don't use a treadmill. Feel the wind on your face and the earth beneath your shoes.

I'm So Excited!

2008-09-28T12:10:00.000-04:00

I cannot contain my excitement right now for many, many, many reasons. Here are a few of the reasons:

-For starters, I will see Bob in ten days! Ten! That in itself is enough to make me excited. by the time I see Bob, it will have been six weeks to the day that I last saw him. You have no idea how much I have missed him. Ask Julia.

-I'm back in the groove of songwriting. Another cause for celebration.

-A close friend of mine is making huge steps in getting his career as a musician going. I'm so happy for him.

-In 26 days, I'm going to see the Who! THE WHO! As I have written before, I love the Who and they are definitely one of my favorite bands ever. I can't wait to see them. It's going to be amazing. AMAZING!!!!!

-The rain has almost completely stopped. Which is great for more than one reason. Continue reading.

-I have tickets to tonight's Red Sox game! First base side, three rows off the field, right behind the Red Sox on-deck circle. I can't even express my excitement for that. It's the equivalent of seeing Bob. So I have double the excitement that I (as of late anyway) normally have.

It would be an understatement to say life is good right now. Life is fucking awesome--and I don't swear a lot.

We're Getting Somewhere

2008-09-28T00:26:00.000-04:00

And I mean that. Breakthroughs are on the way. I swear--I made a list. This will happen. You don't know what "this" is, but I do. And, right now, that's all that matters.

The gears will turn. But the screws have to be in first.

I've accepted, no, I've embraced where I am right now. I'm very excited about it, too.

Just wait. Just you wait.

Sometimes I'm Bad at Subjects

2008-09-23T11:29:00.000-04:00

I've got some time to kill before my guitar lesson. I know I could (should) be playing right now, but I'm not.

I must say that Music Tech. is the worst class I have ever taken in my entire life. It makes chemistry sound like fun right now. Ask anyone in my class, they'll tell you the same thing. It's just that bad. Tuesday mornings are the worst. It's almost painful. If it weren't for wireless access, I would go out of my mind.

So I finally wrote a song the other night. About time, too (no, it's not about time). I had a bit of a drought, and I'm so glad I finally snapped out of it. It's always a scary feeling for me when I don't write a song (or create something) on basically a daily basis. I've finally found that groove again. I can't wait to see what follows. Pretty soon I'll have full recordings up. Drums, bass, guitars, piano, horns, etc... Just wait. It's on the way. It's on the way.

The only thing that still puzzles me is my inability to sleep through the night. I wake up at least once every night. Julia says it's because I don't hear the train anymore, and it could be. I thought it was because I was anxious for Bob to come home, but it issn't because he's home now and I still wake up. It could be just me not being used to a twin bed, but I don't think that's the case because I remain fairly motionless when I sleep. I have no clue, but I hope I can figure it out soon.

I could say a lot more right now, but I'll stop myself. I've got stuff to do.

Major Update

2008-09-17T23:02:00.000-04:00

Alright, now that I have some time, I feel like I should update.

Berklee has been amazing so far. I've met so many great (and talented) people as well as reunited with some old Guitar Session buddies. All in all, it's been a blast so far. Other than an hour or so at the Registrar's office getting my schedule sorted out (it was a mess), it's been smooth sailing.

My classes are great. I like all my teachers. And I have an awesome schedule. The latest I'm ever done is four o'clock (plenty of time to get tickets to the game), and that's only on Fridays. I'm done at noon on Mondays, three on Tuesdays and Thursdays, one on Wednesday, and four on Fridays. And next Friday I'm done at one because of a concert going on! Woo!

I've spent just as much time at Fenway Park as I have at Berklee. In five days I went to three games. As Julia says, I have become Jimmy Fallon in 'Fever Pitch,' and she's right. Now that I live here, I have to go to as many games as possible. I even met the Guy that Sits Behind Home Plate! That was so cool. Basically I met a local legend. I plan on befriending him, if it's possible to.

It's funny: now that I feel like I'm forced to practice (otherwise I'll be sloppy and not get a good grade for, well, playing guitar (weird, now that I think about it..Being graded..)), I don't practice nearly as much as I did. I'm also kind of on a creative halt. I haven't written a song in a very long time. I have lyrics, and I have music, it's just that nothing fits. I need to get back into the swing of things.

I'm still trying to figure out the proper balance of homework, practicing/songwriting, socializing, and (by far the most important hahaha) going to Red Sox games. I think by the end of the month I should have it down to a science. Or at least by Midterms I'll have it all together.

Sometimes I wonder how I got in. I've heard so many great players, it (sometimes) makes me question my own abilities. But that only happens for a brief moment from time to time.

I do miss my friends (Drew, Alex, and Jordan in particular), and I obviously miss Bob more than I could ever say. My first lesson was weird. Even though I knew my teacher (Thaddeus Hogarth, possibly the coolest name ever) wasn't going to be Bob, I expected him to be. And even though I knew my lesson was only going to be half an hour, I expected to be there 'til who knows when. Yesterday's lesson was much better than my first.

I'm gonna go now. I need to pick up my room a bit before I get ready for bed. I should practice a bit, too. Or maybe I'll go join my neighbors in singing Something Corporate songs. Definitely one of the three.

It Has Been A Long, Long While

2008-09-03T15:46:00.000-04:00

My apoligies. I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, I just didn't update.

I'm at Berklee now. It's awesome. I don't start classes until Monday, so I have way too much time on my hands right now. I went for a walk today and then rode my Ripstik down by the river. It was cool.

I don't have a whole lot to say at the moment. I'll write again later. Once things start happening. I have met a ton of wicked cool people so far. It's gonna be a great year/rest of my life.

Recap: Days Two Through Seven

2008-08-13T15:12:00.000-04:00

I have been a bad blogger lately. So I'm going to try and make up for that. Normally when I am online, I'm talking with my friends (that I miss very much). Anyway. this is all copied from stuff I had written down.

Dublin, Day Two:

We took a bus tour. It was a "hop-on hop-off" bus. So we took the whole tour first, and then "hopped-off" at Dublin Castle. It was cool. The best part was the remnants of the Powder Tower. The Castle burnt down and was rebuilt at some point. Don't ask me when. I don't remember.

After Dublin Castle, we walked over to Christ Church. I'm not a big fan of "touring" churches (we didn't really tour, we walked around it). They all basically do the same thing, some are just bigger or older or of a different denomination. I'm more fascinated with how they built the churches back when they had no machinery. That is very cool. I tend to get bored with places like churches and museums rather quickly. I'm the only person I know that groans when someone suggests (when I'm in New York) going to the Met. It's like they just said, "Let's go stab ourselves in the eyes with needles." Okay, so maybe it's not THAT bad. But still...

On the other hand, the Guinness Storehouse was amazing. It was really awesome--even if we did sort of get lost getting to it. There's a big fountain as you walk in, and like any fountain, the bottom was flooded with coins. We look over and see a kid, maybe six or seven years old, standing in the water taking money! I wonder what happened to him. No one was saying anything. It was quite amusing.

That night we went to the area of Dublin called Temple Bar, named after Sir William Temple. It's where all the street performers go and stuff. Really cool place. Well, we went to a restaurant called "La Med". I had a cheeseburger, and basically died. There were onions ground in with the beef and I didn't know that. Basically, I was poisoned. It was bad. Later that night we went to Bewley's for dessert! That was good. Irish ice cream is amazing. It was very good.

Dublin, Day Three:

We hit up Kilmainham Gaol (Jail) today. It was wicked, wicked, wicked cool. I loved it. U2 filmed a video in the jail's East Wing. I thought that was awesome. I have become obsessed with U2 ever since I went to Dublin. I'm excited about that, though.

We walked over to the Irish Museum of Modern Art. It was weird. I didn't care for it at all. We took a taxi back to our hotel. My parents went somewhere, and I decided to check out a guitar store. Unlike American guitar stores, you can't just plug in and play. They keep the good guitars (Fenders and Gibsons) locked up or behind the counter. I didn't feel like asking to play them because I like my guitars better, and they probably wouldn't have let me because I wasn't seriously interested in buying one. They are wicked expensive, too! An American Standard Strat was 900 Euro! That's like $1500! They're $900 in the States (not that $900 is cheap)! Ridiculous.

We hit up Temple Bar again. This time we went to a reknowned Irish pub (actually, it was a "boxty house") called Gallagher's (Gallagher's Boxty House, to be specific). It was very good. I had a cheeseburger that was onion-free, and a dessert that was to die for. We sat next to these two very friendly Canadians.

That was that. We returned to the hotel and slept.

Dublin, Day Four:

We decided to go out to Malahide and see Malahide Castle. So we took the DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) out there. It was about a half-hour ride. It was also a lengthy walk from the station to the castle. It was a very pretty walk, though. The castle itself was very cool. But what was even cooler than the castle was the playground a little ways back. It was the coolest playground ever. Ever ever ever ever. I'm still in love with it.

And for the third night in a row, we went to Temple Bar. Shocker! Haha, only this time we did something aside from eat. We did a Pub Crawl. You go to a few pubs, and listen to Irish musicians. They play music and talk about the history of it. Then at the end they ask if anybody wants to/can play music. So I did. I played "Blackbird" and "Day Tripper". It was cool. then we ate a place called THUNDER ROAD Cafe!!! Thunder Road! Bruce! It wasn't too good, but still..BRUCE!

Copenhagen, Day Five:

We landed in Copenhagen at around 2 PM local time, and went straight to our hotel. A little while later we called up Steph. She came over around 6, I believe. We ate dinner and walked around the city center. We didn't do anything. The plan was to find a pastry shop, but we didn't. The three of us thought Steph knew where some good places were in the area, but she didn't. So we walked. And walked. And walked. Eventually we walked so much that we ended up back at our hotel. It was an uneventful day.

Copenhagen, Day Six:

We got off to a late start today. So late that I missed breakfast. Even in Copenhagen it rains. It rained today. It rained more today than it did in any day in Dublin..funny. We took yet another bus tour. It was a "hop-on hop-off" tour as well. So we "hopped-off" at another castke, and the Little Mermaid statue. Then we headed back to the hotel, rested, got ready, etc... And then we met up with Steph.

Tivoli Garden is one of the coolest places in the world. It was Walt Disney's inspiration for Disneyland. It was wicked awesome. The rides are so cool. There was one that was a combination of the Flying Trapeze and a slower version of the Dragon's Descent (there was a a real Dragon's Descent there, too). It was awesome. There was an upside-down rollercoaster and a bunch of other cool rides. Steph and I sampled a bunch. We also got homemade cotton candy. It was gooooood.

Steph went back to her place, and we went back to the hotel. It was a fun night.

Copenhagen, Day Seven:

We got up early today! And took another bus tour. We "hopped-off" at the Danish Resistance Museum (basically a mini Holocaust museum). It was very interesting. We also "hopped-off" at the Royal family's palace. We just walked around the grounds.

It was very sunny today! Well, until 3ish. Then it rained for a bit. We went over to Steph's exhibition. It wasn't just hers. It was the whole DIS's (Danish Institute of Design's) summer program exhibition. It was really cool. Steph won an award for her glassblowing, but would you expect anything less?

We took a bus (just a regular bus this time) back to the hotel. And now I'm here.

And now I'm not.

Tu Me Manques

2008-08-09T18:02:00.000-04:00

As much a I love being in Europe, I do miss some people (yeah, you know who you are). It's funny though: Now that I have the Mac, I almost miss them more because I can communicate constantly. It definitely has more benefits than downsides, but still. It kills me in a way to know that I won't see ANY of my friends until the 19th at the earliest, and I won't see Bob until after the 22nd (sucks BIG TIME).

Most of you might ask if I miss them now, what will I do come Berklee time? Well, I'll have Danielle and Julia in the Boston-area. Julia (thank God) is right down the street, and Danielle is a T-ride away. Unfortunately, Drew is going be in UMaine (Orono), Jordan's going to be at Colby (Waterville), and Alex will be in DC (which is actually the easiest for me to get to). But college is different than being abroad with only your family--you make friends at school. Don't get me started on Bob. I hate knowing that I won't see him on Monday. Yes, I'll be in Copenhagen, but a big part of me wants to (almost needs to) see Bob on Monday.

...I just realized why I miss my friends so much. Everytime I've been to Europe, I've gone with at least one of my close friends (and Dale came once, too). This time I'm only with my parents! And we're not going 24/7. I don't have Debbie to entertain me. I don't have Mrs. Roller to get me lost at 1 in morning in Italy. I don't have Danielle to break any toilets or to fall asleep as the maintenance man comes to fix the drain. I don't have Jordan to be my on-again-off-again boyfriend. I don't have Julia to be the only European-looking American with me. It's much different, and I love change, but I think I enjoy Europe with friends more than I do with parents. Not that I'm not enjoying it, but you know what I mean. Even if I have a guitar, I'd rather have my best friends with me.

I think once we're out of Ireland, it'll be much more fun. Dublin's cool, but I can't wait for London.

My European Adventure! Day One: Dublin

2008-08-07T17:31:00.000-04:00

At last, I am here. After much to do (flight cancelation, endless check it and security lines, etc...) I'm in the land of half of my roots. Dublin is not a city in the way I think of a city. There are virtually no skyscrapers, the streets are wicked small, and there's a pub every five feet (no lie). It's still cool, though. It doesn't have the hustle and bustle that American cities do. It's not beautiful in the same way that Paris and London are. It's got its own identitiy that I think it is very proud of.

The plane ride was..well, who honestly enjoys transatlantic flights? Not me. It was fine. Small layover in Heathrow was the same: fine. We landed in Dublin around 10:15 AM I believe. We took a taxi to our hotel, dropped off our bags and then had something to eat. After brunch (I would call it brunch. I had pancakes at lunchtime), we returned to our hotel and took a nap. I slept a good two hours, although it didn't do me much good (I was still exhausted). I took a nice, long, hot shower, and that made me feel a bit better.

We went to a wicked good restaurant called One Pico. It was excellent.

We walked back to our hotel and that was that. My body has no idea what's going on. Should I be tired? Should I be awake? I don't know. It's 5:45 PM back in Maine, and it's 10:45 PM here. I don't know what to do!

21 Hours And Counting

2008-08-04T07:10:00.000-04:00

I have been awake for almost 24 hours. For almost an entire day, I have not slept a minute. I don't know why, I just couldn't get to sleep last night. I went up to bed around 1:30 AM, and just..couldn't. It was weird. Around four in the morning, I was in a really weird state of mind. I would have told you anything you wanted. I don't have any secrets that I can think of anyway, but if I did, I would have told them all to you without even caring. My guard was down completely. That's a weird feeling. Everyone has a guard, myself included. I was vulnerable, but there wasn't anybody around so it didn't really matter.

I still find it hard to believe I'm awake. And on top of it all, I wrote a pretty decent song last night and I went for a run at 5:30 this morning! That is unheard of for me. I was running with the sunrise. I saw it on my way back and it really gave me a boost of energy. It was a really cool sight to see. I hung around outside for a good hour after my run. Partly because I didn't want to open the garage door and wake my parents up (they aren't up yet), but mainly because it was such a cool morning and I just wanted to take it in.

Hopefully I'll be able to sleep tonight.

Bruce'll Stop The Rain

2008-08-04T00:41:00.001-04:00

Saturday night was just about the best night of my life (or at least the best concert I've been to). Based on a purely musical basis, Bruce beats the Who and Billy Joel (the experiences I had at those two shows involve interaction with the artist. So..yeah).

Bruce is my guy. There is no one I love more than him. He's number one. With the exception of Mark Fisher, I don't know anyone that loves Bruce as much as I do. I can't even explain it. Like...I don't even know what it is about him that I adore so much. It's a combination of everything: the music, the personality, the beliefs, the showmanship, the energy, the band...I can't get enough of him. He's the only artist I love 24/7 (okay, he's one of two--Billy Joel). I go through a lot of phases. Some days I want to marry John Mayer, some days he gets on my nerves. I've never said, "You know, I'm not in the mood for Bruce." I'm always in the mood for Bruce. I've been like this for more than two years now, and there's no end in sight. If you get into Bruce when you're young, there's no stopping. You don't just stop being a Bruce fan. His music buries itself deep in your soul. It would take a million years for it to crawl out of you. And the only person that could possibly live for a million years is Keith Richards.

It poured Saturday night. And I mean that. I've never seen it rain so hard in my life. Bruce didn't come on stage until a little after nine. But he made up for being tardy (and he stopped the rain). His set-list was near-perfect. Only Ramrod, Bobby Jean, Darkness, and Candy's Room could have made it better. He's so wild on stage, I love it. I cried several times, to be honest. I get very emotional at concerts, especially at Springsteen shows. As Bob said: It's great to have heroes. Bruce is my hero. As big of a guitar freak that I am, I'll take Bruce over them all. They can't do what he does. Nobody can. And maybe nobody should. His shows are indescribable. He pours his heart out night after night. I would trade in ten Red Sox/Yankees games for one Bruce Show. Yes. I am being 100% honest (when do I lie anyway?). Bruce means more to me than any baseball game could. Game Seven field box seat at Fenway or floor seats at Bruce? Bruce.

I have an inexplicable passion for him. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Bye Bye Manny (Don't You Cry)

2008-07-31T17:44:00.000-04:00

It finally happened. Every year there were rumors that Manny would be traded. Well, this year there were no rumors, only a trade. That's right. The longtime fan-favorite will no longer be seen in a Red Sox uniform. Manny Ramirez has gone to the Dodgers. The fist thing that crossed my mind was, "Wow, Manny's gone. I don't know how I feel about this." The next thing was , "Ha, he went to the Dodgers. He's playing for Joe Torre! That's ironic" (Manny ruined many games for Torre). And the third thing was, "This seems a bit familiar...Nomar Garciapara: longtime fan-favorite traded minutes before the deadline. Red Sox fans shocked. This is all too familiar..."

Now the last thought has a part two. After I thought of Nomar, I remembered what happened in that magical post-season: the Red Sox had the greatest comeback in sports history, and then went on to win the World Series. I had the same exact feeling about 50 minutes ago that I had four years ago to the day: a twinge of sadness, but a good feeling overall. It's ironic the way this trade happened. I think we'll have the same outcome that we had in 2004.

So Manny's gone, and we now have Jason Bay. He's a career .331 hitter in the five-hole, which is fine with me. He drives in about 100 runs a year and has somewhere between 25 and 30 homeruns a season. No complaints there. I'm excited to see how this turns out. Oh yeah, and I'll get to experience the majority of Bay's playing time this season in Boston.

All's Well That Ends Well

2008-07-26T23:13:00.000-04:00

So as you know I went to the Red Sox last night and today (my hotdog theory has been proven wrong--which is almost good because I no longer have to spend $4.50 on something I really don't care for. However, I will still buy the shirts). It was my birthday present. And after much to do, it ended up alright. Let me explain...

I entered one of my parents in a lottery in February to get a chance to buy either Opening Day tickets or tickets from any (or two (they limit you)) Red Sox/Yankees games. I (well, my mom or dad..I think my dad) didn't win the first round. So they put our name in for a second chance to win a chance to buy the tickets. Well, we won in the second round. However, I had to be at school the day you could get the tickets (it was Friday, February 15). I wasn't home to sit at the computer and wait for good seats to come along. So i had my mom do it. She called me up at school to ask me something about the tickets. She eventually gave up. My dad decided to give it a shot. he came back with two loge box seats for two games (last night's and today's..or so we thought). I got home from school and was WICKED excited! I've always wanted to go to a Red Sox/Yankees game at Fenway (although I don't think I can allow myself to go back. I'm 0-3 with Yankee games, and 0-2 at home), and I was going to two. So pretty much, it was the best birthday gift I could have.

Fast forward to July 23rd.

A few days before the games, I'm running around the house looking for the tickets. I said we never got them, my mom doesn't remember, and my dad says we got them and that I took them. I keep saying we didn't get them as I tear my room apart. Needless to say, they were no where to be found. I go online to the Red Sox ticket site to see what to do when it comes to lost tickets. In order to replace them, you have to go to the Will-Call window the day of the game and present your receipt and ID. So we plan to be there earlier enough to get my tickets. Plus I like to be there as early as possible.

While driving down to Boston, I couldn't believe I was actually going to a Red Sox/Yankees game. It felt too good to be true. Well, it turns out it was..sort of.

We get to the ticket window and explain what happened. So the girl was like, 'Okay, hold on.' We waited for about 15 minutes, then the customer service guy in the booth comes on the microphone and says that we don't have the tickets. Somewhere along the line, the information didn't match up (the name on the raffle card didn't match the billing or shipping), MLB sent us an email asking us to fix it (we never paid attention to it, apparently), and we received a credit. I was devastated. My mom felt terrible, and I didn't know how to react. The guy also felt equally as bad. He told us to go to a certain area that will remain unnamed for more than one reason, but he told us to go there because there's a good chance I'd be able to get one ticket.

As we were walking down Landsdowne Street, I thought I was going to faint. My hearing became muffled and filed with static, and I felt light-headed, but I knew I couldn't faint there. Luckily, I didn't faint at all. When we arrived to the unnamed location, I no longer felt faint, but I did begin to cry. Think about it: You drive to Boston, book a hotel, get to the field only to find out you have no tickets. Oh yeah, and it's your birthday present. How would you feel? I didn't want to cry, I didn't think I would cry, but I did. So we're at the spot, and maybe..twenty minutes later, I had a ticket that I bought for face value, and it was a better seat than the one I originally had. How do you like that? Josh Beckett pitched, and I had a blast. Granted, we lost 1-0, just being there was amazing. I still don't feel like I was there. Even as I walked back to the Copley Plaza decked out in Red Sox garb, I couldn't believe I had just walked out of Fenway Park.

So the next day (today), I go down to the same place. Only this time I get there at 12:30, three and a half hours before the game. I stand out in the hot sun for almost three hours. The girl ahead of me in line was looking for one ticket as well. So that didn't make me feel very good about my chances. She got her one seat. It was standing-room-only, but it didn't matter--it's red Sox/Yankees! In my head I was saying, "Dammit dammit dammit! That should be MY ticket!" So I continue to wait. About half an hour after the girl in front of me got her ticket, I got mine. And mine was a hell of a lot better than standing-room-only. I had to pay more for it, but I paid face-value for it so I didn't care. I was in Field Box 50, THREE ROWS FROM THE FIELD!!!!! Field Box 50 is the first section behind home plate that isn't behind the net. Needless to say, it was amazing. Best seat I ever had. I had an absolute blast. Just being there was incredible (again). And to think I almost didn't go down to try and get a ticket.

Even if the Red Sox lost, I had the best birthday presents ever. It's still weird to think that I was there. I don't know if I'll ever allow myself to go to another Red Sox/Yankees game, though. My superstitions may get the better of me...

Who am I kidding? I do believe in superstitions when it comes to baseball, but I think it's all null and void when it comes to Red Sox/Yankees games. Anything, and I mean anything, can happen.

Happy (Almost) Birthday To Me

2008-07-23T17:55:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow is my 18th birthday. 18! I'm still trying to embrace it and realize that it is not as big of a number as I think it is. So many things come with being 18--the most important one is being able to vote. I promise I will vote. I swear on Big Red that I will vote. Another cool thing about being 18 is that I'll be able to enter radio contests! I've always wanted to be able to enter radio contests. I could have won so many free concert tickets. I knew the answers more often than not, but I could never call in to win because I wasn't 18. After tomorrow, that will change.

Unlike many 18-year-olds or soon-to-be 18-year-olds, I could care less about being able to drink in Canada. That doesn't interest me: drive five hours to get drunk. That's just silly. On top of gas, you have to buy the alcohol, AND get a hotel room. And the conversion rate is even. Dollar for dollar. Nope, sorry, you go and have fun, I'll stay home and play guitar.

Starting tomorrow I'll be able to have my own eBay account. That's awesome. I no longer have to use my mom's. I'll be able to buy and sell as I please. I actually have quite a few things I need to sell..And buy.

The only thing I'm not looking forward to about tomorrow is tomorrow. That looks and sounds funny, doesn't it? Well, see, for the past like..five years, I have had lame/uneventful/boring birthdays. Last year I went to the movies with my parents, and backed into my friend's car (that put a damper on things). Most of my friends have been gone for my birthday, and this year is no exception: Drew's in Canada, Alex is in Australia, and if they're not out of the country, then they're working. It doesn't bother me at all this year, really. Tomorrow might be the day I was born, but I care more about the next two days. Instead of having tangible presents, I have something much better, and much more personal: Tickets to two Red Sox/Yankees games. I can be in the worst mood ever, but when I think about those games I instantly become happy. Very few things could be better than that. Fun fact: The day of the infamous fight between A-Rod and Varitek was on my birthday, July 24th, 2004. Thought I'd share that with you. I think it's wicked cool.

At Long Last

2008-07-21T14:43:00.000-04:00

For the first time ever I'm sitting in my den watching 'Stranger Than Fiction' typing this on a Macbook Pro. Yes, a Macbook Pro. After many months (possibly years) of asking to get a Mac, I have one. It's not technically mine, but I get to use it until I get my own at Berklee. I love it. Everything about it is wonderful. I hope that once my dad gets his paws on this he'll never want to use a PC again. Maybe when I get back from Berklee I'll come downstairs to find a beautiful, powerful, and indestructible iMac perched upon a brand new desk.

I would take a picture of it, but the camera is kind of attached to it. Cool.