Oh What a Night...

This evening I decided I would start playing "Rock Smith."  I began playing it, and well I realized this.  My fingers are killing me, and I realized, if I just keep practicing more often, I can master this thing we call the guitar.  I'm actually pretty excited that I'm going to my lesson tomorrow.  Haven't seen Paul in a while, and a little jam session with him won't hurt a bit.  So yeah...I'm on that wagon again.  However, I head over once a week, so technically I never got off the wagon.  Looking at my fingers and my calluses, well  it's looking mighty fine.

Tonight I've been thinking about the dreams that we have.  Ever imagine what it would be like to have reality take place with just a dream?  I know it sounds crazy and supernatural, but just imagine what it's like if you could do it.  Crazy right?  I think so.  As I sit here and contemplate my own thoughts, I realize I sound like I've been smoking something.  But I'm telling you right now, I don't do drugs, and I don't think it's some sort of pipe dream.  Instead this is just a thought that I've been thinking about.  Why do our minds wander to where they go at night?  Why does our subconscious continues to move while our bodies stop.  It's a crazy thing the human body.

Can you imagine the thought...what would happen if we never had a dream at night?  We dream ever night we sleep don't we?  Isn't that our body's way of telling us that we are alive and functioning?  I don't get it, what makes it so important, and is there a way to control it?  Is there a way to make the dreams become a reality?  Can we make the unknown...known?  I got to stop thinking these thoughts so close to late at night.

I've been doing a ton of research on the Japanese culture lately, and I've definitely been wondering what it would be like to visit Japan in October.  Am I going to enjoy it?  Am I doing the right thing on deciding to go there?  Or is this a bad idea to go alone?  Am I going to get jumped by yakuza members, and I'm going to get attacked by hookers and prostitutes(prostates before the correction) on the streets of Tokyo?  Am I really thinking too much into it?  Well I'll tell you what, I'm open to all of the ideas.  I think I'm in for another fun and crazy trip ahead.  I'm going to do a ton of stupid stuff...cause well, that's what I do.  Nighty night y'all.  Enjoy yourselves this evening.

One day I'm going to be able to play this...until then, I'm going to listen to the sweet guitar licks, and the smooth voice coming out of her.  Makes me smile every time I hear this song.

Mondays and its Witchcraft

It's Monday, it's suppose to be Grind my Gears...blah blah blah.  Yeah, it's not, but I do know one thing.  It is Monday, and as I sit here listening to Frank Sinatra on my record player, I'm thinking where am I going to be in the next 7 or 8 months from now.  Will I be planning my trip to Italy, or will it be Japan.  Lots of good things I guess.  I think in the pass 36 hours I have finally decided.  Lets hold on that European dream trip, and head to the land of the rising sun.  That's right, this year I'm going to Japan.  It's the only logical explanation really.  Well to me it is.  I really didn't want to go to Italy without CL, so this was the best logic.  Well, now that that is explained, there has been something on my mind lately.

Quitting my job and becoming an auctioneer at storage facilities.  Okay okay, seriously that's not going to happen, but man it would  be pretty cool to do something like that.  Who would've thought that there are jobs out there that are like that.  No me, but I'm definitely down with that.  It be cool if they had a job out there where you would test out hotels.  How epic of a job would that be?  Or evening being a sommelier or beer taster.  I want that job.  How do we apply for those types of jobs?  After doing a little research, a degree in hospitality probably would've helped.  Once again, not choosing the correct major is killing me.  Dang it.

Anywhoo, lots of good things are coming up.  Beerfest, Kina concert, St. Patty's day, and many many more to even mention.  I'm getting to that exciting portion in my life again.  Man, there is just so much for me to do and want to do.  Lately, I've been playing with my record player.  I love this thing, something about it, the static-y, cracking sound.  It just sounds right for some songs.  Sometimes it's what makes music sounds right.

You know things have been going well.  I don't know, everyone is doing the right thing, living life, and getting things set up.  I kinda feel we're all at that age.  This is the first time this year.  It's different this year you know.  So as I sit here watching the Sixers beat up on the Magic, it's seems this year is a year of everyone doing their own thing.  I guess I should've expected it right.  Me and Dave had this conversation before, and guess it's just coming to fruition now.  Hahaha, I can't believe how true our conversation came to light.  But that's life for you, and I'm pretty excited about it for everyone.  I guess I say it now more often, after watching Neel's service today.  I realize it's just way too short, this thing we call life.

I guess, cause it is Monday, but you know what really grinds my gears, why do people have to push their religion on me?  I'm a Buddhist, I don't blast it out there for everyone to hear or know, but just because I am, doesn't mean I should be told that I'm not going to see my friends when I pass.  I believe in the afterlife, I believe in reincarnation, so death to me is death.  Am I suppose to be punished because I'm not a believer of Jesus Christ and God.  *Sigh*

Live life people, it's short, and anything can happen.  Be good, and much love folks.

Neel

It's days like these that you don't expect.  When you're young, you learn in life it's gonna be difficult.  We go to school, learn to get a new job, get an education, make friends, get married, and all that other bullshit.  However, who teaches us about death?  We learn it along the way, but we don't really expect it, especially at 27 or 28.  So what happens when one of your high school buddies passes away?  Well you reflect on it.  My friend Neel passed on Monday, and well.  I don't expect that kind of thing.  It sucks honestly.  And no matter what you can't bring them back.

Neel was a great guy.  I remember meeting him during Senior cut day back in high school...yeah I cut.  Good guy, then I remember meeting him again during a beach house party at Scott's after prom.  Then I really got to know Neel while working at Acme with him for about a year and a half.  The kid was great, smart, handsome, and nothing but a gentleman.  It was hard staying in contact with Neel, but my memories will live on.  The kid was great, and that is how I'm going to remember him as.  A perfect gentleman.  Neel wherever you are buddy.  Smile down on us, and protect us.  We're all thinking about you, and wishing you nothing but the best my friend.  You're going to be missed, the world lost a great man today.  Much love Neel...much love.

Don't cry because it's over.  Smile because it happened.  ~Theodor Seuss Geisel, attributed

For everyone out there still holding on to a grudge, let it go...life is to short.  We're gonna miss you Neel, but we won't forget you...take care buddy.  

Happy Chinese New Year Y'all

I know what you're all thinking.  It's Monday, why am I not writing about stuff that grinds my gears.  Well, honestly it's a special day today.  Today is Chinese New Year, and I really wanted to give a shout out to it. Oh and another thing folks...sorry I have been away.  I've been in bed with a bloody cold for the past 4 days, so I technically could not write anything.  So, I'm going out of order a bit.

Anyway "GUNG HEI FAT CHOY!!!" everyone.  That's right it's the year of the dragon everyone.  So Happy Year of the Dragon to you all.  Anyway, they say the dragon is an extremely lucky and mystical creature.  The year of the dragon is suppose to represent the year of great deed, great innovation, and great strides in new projects, and finances.  So move forward with it people, also the idea of moving up a social level in your life is suppose to happen this year as well.  Keep that in mind ladies and gents.  The year of the dragon also represents the year that children born on this date will be extremely intelligent, and very artistic.  Congrats to all those new parents out there.  ^___^

It is the year of positive karmic prospects, and this should be a great year for all.  So open all your windows and doors, let out the old air, and bring in he new.  It's going to be a blasty blast people.  So keep that in mind, and you are going to be in good shape.  Fun, fun, fun, oh and of course good good luck.  ^_^

Totally adding that this year, I'm heading to Italy, making the best of what I got, and I'm totally living the life at this time.  Yup, I said it now, I'm going to do the traveling thing again this year.  What else, I really want to attempt something new as well.  What should I do?  I have no clue.  Well I am starting the running thing.  However, there is something else I want to do as well.  Any suggestions?  Meh, we'll figure that out later I guess.

Totally just stole this from Britt's twitter page, makes me laugh, and brings back some gts.  Hahahaha

Grind My Gears

You know what grinds my gears?  The office.  You ever work somewhere and you print a document, and you get up, ready to pick it up and lo and behold, what is there.  Oh I don't know a stack of about 40 pieces of paper.  So what do you do, well you rummage through about 33 or 34 pages, and you finally come up to your document.  You sit back down and then you think to yourself, what was this document about again?  Lucky for me this hasn't really been a major problem at my own office.  So "legendary," on my end.  However, when it was.  Boy, it did't make me happy.  I use to just look at all the repeated documents, and after about an hour of just sitting there, I would take an entire stack, and toss them.  Or rather, shred them.  Just seems like the most intelligent thing to do.

So here's the thing people, if you work at an office, and you print documents, get up and get them.  And another thing, if you do decide to leave them there for about an hour and a half, expect it to be thrown away.  Possibly by me.  Thanks kindly all.


"Sometime, when you least expect it, you'll realize that someone loved you. And that means that someone can love you again! And that'll make you smile. " - Homer Simpson

Obscure Music Saturday

Last week as I did my obscure music Saturday I showcased Arcade Fire.  However with it, I also added a band, Ran Tan Toon.  I really wanted to do a separate article on them, and well, here it is.  Now before I start this article, and before you start reading this.  I just want to say, keep an open mind folks.  Listen to something thats different and out there.  This is why I choose to write articles like this.  I think everyone deserves a shot, and to me, there is no such thing as bad music.  Everything deserves a listen, and if you are true musician you'll agree with this.  Fun and kitschy music is all and good, however, sometimes it's the artsy and unknown that makes music worth while.  So, as it was said before, keep and open mind, and an open ear, and follow the journey.


So Ran Tan Toon, well there are three musicians, Mark Forchic, the guitarist of the group.  Paul Galdi, the bass player, and lastly the drummer, Andrew Toy.  The band formed roughly about 4 years ago, Paul, the bass player from North Jersey, answered a craiglist ad from Mark to begin forming this band.  Paul being a personal friend of mine and listening to the story behind it all reminded me that the life as an artist isn't the easiest.  However, when you're good, and you have that dream, you shouldn't get discourage.

Not that it has been difficult, but it hasn't been a super easy process, and after a couple of drummers later, Ran Tan Toon has found one by the name of Mr. Andrew Toy.  Put all three musicians together, and you got Ran Tan Toon.  So what kind of band is Ran Tan Toon, well from the words of Mr. Galdi himself, it's a mix really.  It's a jazz band with a big band/jam band feel, an improvisational and experimental band.  They play a medley of music, and they all sound great.  To me, it's between chill music, where I can sit and drink too, or when they want and they kick in with a more intense beat and sound, I'm positive you can dance to it.  Good stuff really.  

If you really want to hear them, you can catch them at a few places.  "Time," in Philadelphia, PA was the first time I heard them live.  So along with the great music, grab a drink, between their liquor selection and beer selection, they have a legendary food menu as well.  They can also be seen at, "John and Peter's," in New Hope, PA; "Valley Stables," in Oakland, NJ; and "Chris's Jazz Cafe," in Philadelphia, PA.  If you get a chance go out and take a listen.  Have a meal, and a drink.  You won't be disappointed.  

So what do you expect to hear from Ran Tan Toon?  Here's what you should expect, from the mouth of Paul Galdi, "If you're going to come to see us, come with an open mind, some of the music will groove to you, and some of it will be an assault on your senses, but come and listen to three great musician who will be communicating with each other and communicating off the audience, we will be feeding off of your energy."  This band is about the whole, and not just the individual.  When you hear the band, and you see that Ran Tan Toon is the name, and you ask why?  The answer is that this is a Frank Zappa reference, and with that in mind, you know where this band is heading.  

Paul asked me how do I feel about his band, and I don't say it because I'm his friend, but I enjoy Paul and his bandmates band.  I told Paul, this is something, if put on vinyl, I would throw on relax and chill.  There's something to be said when your senses go crazy over the sound of 3 musical instruments.  What is it that makes instrumental music so visceral?  Well, if you take a listen, you will find out.  I enjoy the fact that it is so visceral, and I can picture colors and feel the vibration of the music.  Once again this is the kind of music where you can just close your eyes too and just say, yeah, this works.  They just keep you enthralled, they just keep you listening.  And whether you like them or hate them, you won't be bored listening to them.  So give them a shot, keep an open mind, and sit back and relax.

For a few years now, I've been pushing Kina Grannis as an artist.  It looks as though the end of 2011 and now the beginning of 2012, people are starting to notice her, and she's finally getting the recognition that she deserves.  This band right here, is just like.  And just like before, from the ground up, I know that this band will get the recognition that they deserve.  It takes time, but the more they get their music out there, and the more people listen to it, the more it's going to get bigger.  It's these types of artist/musicians that deserve this recognition.  I wasn't wrong about Kina, and I'm pretty positive I won't be wrong about this band either.  

Top 50 (cont.)

Yup, it's another Wednesday, and you know what that means.  My list of top 50 cars to me.  Tonight, the 96 Nissan 300ZX.  Man, I love this vehicle.  They are heavy behemoths, but man are they fast if done correctly.  I remember these cars back in the day.  They were part of the of the big Japanese super cars.  Supras, NSX, Skylines, and the 300ZX.

I remember these cars being extremely quick, and honestly, they were pricey.  However, because of their weight, it slowed it down a bit, however, this was a car to be reckoned with.  The twin turboed version was beastly.  And it had a roar.  Whether it was quarter miles or track run.  The car had oomph, it was a big and clunky looking, and quite boxy.  Not a lot of sharp angles, but to me, it was pretty, fast, and elegant.  Nice...so enjoy the video, and see why I like the car.