Another Post

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.

Unintentional Hiatus

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

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. :)

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!

Tonight (And Other Things)

I have been waiting for tonight for a very, very long time. Why? I'm going to see my biggest songwriting influence ever, Mr. Billy Joel. Yep. That's right. Billy Joel has more influence on my writing than anyone. After I point it out, it's really quite obvious. He's so loquacious, and his melodies are incredible. I'm not anywhere near his ability (yet). He's also been doing this for about 40 years now..Which is about 36 years longer than I've been working at this stuff. That's a long time. Tonight is also the Block Party, which is essentially the "kick-off" of La Kermesse (big Franco-American festival), and I'm missing it. It's very similar to the class trip/Alicia Keys thing, only this time it's, "But, Amy, it's the Block Party!" And I reply, "Yeah, but it's BILLY JOEL! BILLY JOEL!!!" Haha!

Speaking of songwriting, I have been writing a lot lately. I have so many lyrics, and the melodies/the music is slowly forming. As soon as I get my (mom's) Macbook, I'll be able to record and edit and POST my songs. How does that sound to you? It sounds pretty damn good to me. Then once I'm at Berklee..with Logic Express 8..Oh boy..Be ready. That's all I have to say about that. Be ready. Be ready.

Ah, Berklee. I'm getting really sick of waiting for you. Thank God I have an absolutely amazing summer (Alicia Keys, Billy Joel, Bon Jovi, John Mayer, TWO Red Sox/Yankees games, Bruce Springsteen, and Europe), otherwise I may go insane. I'm so ready to get out of this town. I have been for some time. I can't wait to be around musicians and music 24/7. While my friends are struggling with Calculus, I'll be arranging. It'll be funny talking to them about what I'm doing because they'll have no idea/probably be a little jealous because I'm doing what I love, and they're waiting to get to that point. Unlike many, I know what I want to do. I don't have to lay on my bed, stare at the ceiling, and ask myself what I want to do with my life. I've been doing it for about five years now. Berklee is the next necessary step I have to take. And I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm more than willing to give up my social life from time to time to transcribe Billy Joel songs, write a few of my own, and blues out. So what if I don't go out every weekend? I have more important things to do sometimes.

That being said, I have to go get ready, and then transcribe Billy Joel songs. I'll see you later. How much later? That's a good question.

Music Madness

To add to the greatness of this year/summer, I'm now going to see Alicia Keys and Bon Jovi!!! So that's five great shows this summer. Five shows with a side of two Red Sox-Yankees game topped with two weeks in Europe and for dessert--Berklee! I don't know how much better it can get. Oh yeah, and Dale's coming up for at least a week.

I've been playing a lot of guitar lately. I learned several jazz tunes, and transcribed the solo from 'Sunshine of Your Love' today. I didn't have a lesson because of Honors Convocation (explained in paragraph 4) and Bob had to leave at 6, and so would I had I had my lesson. And that's no fun. He emailed me saying that if I wanted more hang time to come later in the week. So of course I'm gonna go later in the week. One hour is not enough time. We usually talk for at least two hours, and play guitar for two hours, and then talk a little bit more. My lessons are any where between one and five hours. And I love it.

I only have 12 days of high school left. 12 days, and then I'm done. After four (long) years. I was done with high school my sophomore year. I've known what I wanted since I was 13 or 14. High school was just..a complete waste of time in the end. If it was optional, I would've opted out. I didn't hate it. I didn't love it. I was indifferent about it, I guess. At least I had my guitar throughout those years. That definitely helped make the time go by.

Speaking of high school, tonight is the Honors Convocation. It's a dinner/award ceremony for seniors graduating Cum Laude or higher, and the juniors in NHS go as well. It should be fun. I have a cute dress, and most of my friends will be there. My best friends are, anyway. I hope I get an award. If I could pick, I'd go with Social Studies or French. I won't get the Music one because I'm not in band.

My right calf really hurts, and I'm gonna go get ready now. Then play guitar a little more, then leave.

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.

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.