Berklee 2.0

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 That Time Again!

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

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!

Snow Day Number Two!

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!

Lists

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.

A Quick Break

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 All Too Familiar

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

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

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

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.

I'm So Excited!

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.

Major Update

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.

All's Well That Ends Well

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

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.

Back Again

Europe was amazing as always. I'm in love with Paris. I have to go back, and for more than two days next time. I enjoyed Austria and Italy as well. Mais..j'adore Paris. The only thing I didn't enjoy this trip was that on the last day in Paris I got a wicked bad cold and I haven't quite shaken it yet. My ears are also all blocked up still. Europe was very inspiring. I wrote seven songs in eight days. The only thing I didn't like about my trip was that I didn't have my guitar. So I went eight days not playing guitar. Other than that I had a blast. Oh yeah, and not seeing Bob wasn't fun either.

The Red Sox lost five in a row while I was gone. I shouldn't be allowed to leave the country. I should just have season tickets. The Red Sox would win 75 of their 81 home games if I had season tickets. Or they would win a lot of their games. I'm very superstitious when it comes to baseball. I have to do certain things in a certain order when I go to a game. And mainly, it all boils down to a hot dog. I'll elaborate later. Now is not the time.

I was asked today to write the "class ode" and perform it at graduation. I'm not gonna lie, I'm very excited to do this. I don't even know what I have to do exactly, but it'll be fun. And good. More importantly, it will be good.

High school is almost done, and Berklee is right around the corner. I can't wait. For many reasons. I also have an amazing summer ahead of me. Between concerts and baseball games and Europe again..it's gonna be a blast.

I thought I had more to say, but I guess I do not.

Yankees/Yankee Stadium

I don't normally do this, but I'm feeling very compelled to right now.

I am a die-hard Red Sox fan, and damn proud of it. I will never love a sports team as much as I love the Red Sox. I'm actually proudly sporting my J.D. Drew jersey-shirt right now.

This is not about the Red Sox though. This is about the Yankees and the House that Ruth built--which is about to be taken down.

I don't like the Yankees. I'm a Yankee-Hater, like most non-Yankee fans are. Most Red Sox fans (and probably most other baseball fans that are not Yankee fans) hate the Yankees as a team and as individuals. I don't. I can't explain it too too well, but I'm gonna try anyway.

The Yankees, like any team, are often hated because they are (were) good. They are (were) good. They have 26 rings to prove it. But what I hate about the Yankees isn't that. I hate what their front office stands for. Steinbrenner's the one that started the disgustingly large salaries by giving onuses to whether or not a player could pack the house. Brian Cashman isn't one of my favorite people either. He's actually been making some pretty bonehead moves these days..actually he hasn't made any in the past two years really. The Yankees might be glad they didn't sign Carlos Santana right now, but once he starts winning, they won't be too happy.

Now for the players. There are only two Yankees I can't stand. The first being Johnny Damon. He broke my heart. I don't like him for what he did. He's not even that good anymore. He's getting old, his arm is dying. The only thing he's still good at is running..and we have Julio Lugo, Jacoby Ellsbury, and J.D. Drew to do that (yes, J.D. Drew has been known to steal a base or two).
The second Yankee I despise is Jason Giambi. I think he's a pig--he even looks like one. He's slimy. I can't pick out a single attribute about him that I like. He grosses me out. He's not a nice guy in my book.

As a matter of fact, I actually like (yes, like) some of the Yankees. I think Derek Jeter is one of the classiest guys in baseball. Melky Cabrera is a great player, and I hate seeing Joba come out of the bullpen (although that won't happen tonight. I'm not happy about his father, but I'm not sad that he won't be there). Mariano Rivera has a special place in my baseball heart because he blew the games in the 2004 ALCS. I couldn't thank him (or David Ortiz) enough.

Joe Torre has always been on my good side. I have a ton of respect for that man. He's dealt with more attitudes than he's had to (including Steinbrenner's). I must say, it's strange seeing him in a Dodger's uniform--especially since the Dodger's are the Red Sox of the West. I will miss the ever-stoic face of Mister Torre. As for Joe Girardi..I don't trust him. There's something about him I don't like.

The thing that's killing me is that the Yankees are getting a new stadium. I know it's old news, but my heart drops a bit every time I hear that. Yankee Stadium has so much history..You walk in there and you can feel the history. You can feel the aura. It's an incredible place. I've taken a tour and went to a Red Sox/Yankees game last summer. Fenway is the best park, and my home, but Yankee Stadium is a great ballpark as well. I don't see the reason for a new stadium. It threw me for a loop when I first heard it. If I was a Yankees veteran like Derek Jeter or Mariano Rivera, I would have tried to stop them from building a new field. It's not necessary. I don't know how much pull those guys had, but that's their home. New Yankee Stadium may be beautiful, but it's not the House that Ruth built. It won't feel the same. I'm not saying it should, but I think they're gonna miss it...I know I will.

You never thought a Sox fan would say such a thing. I don't like the Yankees. I really don't. I respect them, but I don't like them. But like Ben Affleck said, "I would rather utter the words, “I worship you, Satan” than “My favorite baseball team is the New York Yankees."

It's Raining

It's raining right now. I'm not a huge fan of rain, or of any precipitation for that matter. I prefer sunshine. Rain puts me in a weird mood. Indifferent is probably the best way to describe it.

School's going by pretty quickly which is great. I can't wait for summer! And then Berklee!! I'm going to several concerts this summer--including BILLY JOEL and BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN! I can't tell you how excited I am! I've never seen Billy Joel. I saw Bruce this past November in Boston. He was awesome, but I know he'll be better in the summer. The concert's at Gillette Stadium, and Bruce is much more powerful in front of 60,000 people than he is in front of 16,000. If John Mayer comes around..man, it'll be the best summer ever. I'll also be taking a two-week trip to Europe in August. Like I said, it's going to be an amazing summer.

I have a band now. After three years of trying to get a solid band together, I think I finally have one. It's made up of myself and three good friends. I play guitar and sing, Matt plays guitar, sings, plays piano and drums, Josh plays bass, and Nate drums, plays guitar, and sings. I've got a good feeling about this. Three out of four of us are going to music school. I think that's pretty cool.

In other news, the Red Sox are 3-1 and we're playing the Blue Jays tonight. I don't think the Jays are any better than last year. They didn't make any big moves in the off-season. They always play tough against the Sox though...It'll be good.

Prom is just around the corner, or according to most people it is. It's a month away, give or take. I am going. I have a date and a dress and a hair appointment and an after-party to attend to. But I don't even know if I want to go. At the moment I don't really feel like it. It's a glorified, overly-expensive high school dance. Yes, I know in a little while I'll be excited for Prom, but as of right now I am not. I'd rather spend the night in dirty ol' jeans and hoodie with my hair up in a messy pony tail playing guitar. That's the difference between me and most people. Give me a guitar, and I'm happy. Give me a baseball game, I'm happy. It doesn't take much.

I know I'm not really weird, but I'm not exactly normal. It's hard for me to just like something. I have to go in all the way. There are some things I simply 'like,' but they are few and far between. I'm very passionate. Actually, I probably passed passionate a few miles ago. People that barely know me could tell you my two favorite things (excluding friends and family, of course), and they are music and the Red Sox (well, baseball in general). And for those of you that didn't know that, now you do.

That about does it, and I need to make a phone call.