Well that was probably one of the most sucessful weekends ever. Josh and I FINALLY turned 21. The party was a hit and it went off pretty well. I was a little skeptical for awhile, but from what i could remember MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
Friday night Myself, Josh, Heather, Cody, Carly, Lago, Davey, Emily, Mills, Eric, Amy, and Kendra all went out to Govenors for a couple giraffes of the home brews they have there. Spent a couple hours there having a good time just hanging out and then afterwards Mills, Eric, Davey, Myself, and Amy all went out to Fin McCools. Boy that place is McCool. The hooters waitress from our summer lives as ice cream men was there and she bought me a birthday shot. Drank some more there and then called it a night. Which was an awesome way to spend my actual birthday good to be hanging out with some close friends.
Then Saturday oh jesus saturday. Saturday morning i very angrily woke up with a hangover and sat around the house all day relaxing before the party. I picked up dave and we all went to Danes for practice before we played. Left went to the bar set up in the very tiny space that it was in. ANd there was a really decent amount of people there which was awesome casue I'm glad that many people cared enough to come get cheap drinks for mine and josh's birthday. We played the show and amidst being fed shots tons and tons of shots. Nothing that tasted good it was all really hard stuff. LOTS and LOTS of whiskey. After the show i can't really remember.
I was woke up the next morning by my brother tom. Somehow and incredibly i made it back to my bed. How i've got no god damn clue.
Then sunday i went back to the Burbs to get a tattoo. They were closed got a new one yesterday and i'm loving it.
Overall AN Incredible birthday. Thanks to all those that were apart of it in whatever way. Thank you all so much. Some how i've made it to 21 and now we can go out for a drink. Anyone and everyone.
I'm sure i'll update more later, but thats it for right now.
Chris
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Popcore?
If someone were to ask me, "Chris, I love pop punk music, but i also really love metal. There's just something about hooks and catchy riffs that get me, but at the same time i love wailing metal riffs and triplets on the open d like everyone does." I'd say look no more my friend look no more.
I randomly stumbled onto these guys on myspace. I still contest that despite all of myspace's faults their original intent has held true, discovering new music and bands.
The band is called Four Year Strong and the cd I actually purchased from itunes (yup you read that right i bought music from itunes) is called Rise or Die Trying. Their single "Heroes get rememberd, Legends Never Die" is an awesome collaberation between metal riffs and squeels mixed with pop vocals and awesome harmonies. I know it sounds odd, but they pulled it off pretty nicely. I'd have to say that a couple of the other songs like "Catrastrophe" has awesome double bass pedal parts, but is something that you could easily see on a Starting Line or Emery record...maybe not emery cause they are a lot better than they are given credit for, but you get what i'm saying.
Anyway check them out if nothing else go here: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=21978073
And check out their single I bet you'll like it.
Also aside from the two songs i have to write and the 15 page paper that is due next week i've taken on a long term personal project to listen to all if not a good portion of the dicography of the following bands: Led Zepplin, Billy Joel, Wilco, and Radiohead.
I've never really aside from Wilco given any of these bands a real chance. It's not that i inherently don't like any of them, but the problem being that i don't have an opinion on any of them. So we'll see how that goes.
Latez
Chris
I randomly stumbled onto these guys on myspace. I still contest that despite all of myspace's faults their original intent has held true, discovering new music and bands.
The band is called Four Year Strong and the cd I actually purchased from itunes (yup you read that right i bought music from itunes) is called Rise or Die Trying. Their single "Heroes get rememberd, Legends Never Die" is an awesome collaberation between metal riffs and squeels mixed with pop vocals and awesome harmonies. I know it sounds odd, but they pulled it off pretty nicely. I'd have to say that a couple of the other songs like "Catrastrophe" has awesome double bass pedal parts, but is something that you could easily see on a Starting Line or Emery record...maybe not emery cause they are a lot better than they are given credit for, but you get what i'm saying.
Anyway check them out if nothing else go here: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=21978073
And check out their single I bet you'll like it.
Also aside from the two songs i have to write and the 15 page paper that is due next week i've taken on a long term personal project to listen to all if not a good portion of the dicography of the following bands: Led Zepplin, Billy Joel, Wilco, and Radiohead.
I've never really aside from Wilco given any of these bands a real chance. It's not that i inherently don't like any of them, but the problem being that i don't have an opinion on any of them. So we'll see how that goes.
Latez
Chris
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
When we're not sure/We're not alone
Today I had one of the coolest experiences that I've ever had in my life. It wasn't profound; it really wasn't an epiphany. It was just an experience that i'll probably never forget because of how awesome it felt.
I was walking down the street today down Irving Park to the redline to go to class. And I threw on Wilco's Sky Blue Sky and for some reason while walking down a busy Chicago street really taking in the music in beautiful weather (65 degrees) was one of the, for a lack of a better word, coolest experiences i've had. It just seemed that the record fit in perfecly with the feel of the city. The gritty style that is the Chicago melded incredibly. The other thing about it was that i don't think the situation could ever really recreate itself. I certainly can walk down the street on a nice day and listen to the record, but it just seems like it won't be as incredible as it was today.
That's my story for today.
My next endevour is to take on the newest Radiohead record. I feel like that will be a rollercoaster of emotions...we'll see.
Also our newest project formally known as Echo Lawrence has been offically renamed to The American Autumn so if you see that frequently on my last.fm..that's why.
Also...also The American Autumn is going to play at mine and josh's 21st bday party on November 24th at a place called Flounders. So let me know if you want more information on that.
Chris
I was walking down the street today down Irving Park to the redline to go to class. And I threw on Wilco's Sky Blue Sky and for some reason while walking down a busy Chicago street really taking in the music in beautiful weather (65 degrees) was one of the, for a lack of a better word, coolest experiences i've had. It just seemed that the record fit in perfecly with the feel of the city. The gritty style that is the Chicago melded incredibly. The other thing about it was that i don't think the situation could ever really recreate itself. I certainly can walk down the street on a nice day and listen to the record, but it just seems like it won't be as incredible as it was today.
That's my story for today.
My next endevour is to take on the newest Radiohead record. I feel like that will be a rollercoaster of emotions...we'll see.
Also our newest project formally known as Echo Lawrence has been offically renamed to The American Autumn so if you see that frequently on my last.fm..that's why.
Also...also The American Autumn is going to play at mine and josh's 21st bday party on November 24th at a place called Flounders. So let me know if you want more information on that.
Chris
Monday, November 12, 2007
The Bridge
I read this story the other day and I feel like it's an awesome metaphor for life and that everyone should read it.
There was a man who had given much thought to what he wanted from life. He had experienced many moods and trials. He had experimented with different ways of living, and he had had his share of both success and failure. At last, he had begun to see clearly where he wanted to go.
Diligently, he searched for the right opportunity. Sometimes he came close, only to be pushed away. Often the applied all of his strength and imagination, only to find the path hopelessly blocked. And then at last it came! But the opportunity would not wait. It would be made available only for a short time. If it were seen that he was not committed, the opportunity would not come again.
Eager to arrive, he started on his journey. With each step, he wanted to move faster; with each thought about his goal, his heart beat quicker; with each vision of what lay ahead, he found renewed vigor. Strength that had left it since his early youth returned, and desires, all kinds of desires, reawakened from their long-dormant positions.
Hurrying along, he came upon a bridge that crossed through the middle of a town. It had been built high above a river in order to protect it from the floods of spring.
He started across. Then he noticed someone coming from the opposite direction. As they moved closer, it seemed as though the other was coming to greet him. He could clearly see, however, that he did not know this other, who was dressed similarly except for something tied around his waist.
When they were within hailing distance, he could see that what the other had about his waist was a rope. It was wrapped around him many times and probably, if extended, would reach a length of 30 feet.
The other began to uncurl the rope, and, just as they were coming close, the stranger said, "Pardon me, would you be so kind as to hold the end a moment?"
Surprised by this politely phrased but curious request, he agreed without a thought, reached out, and took it.
"Thank you," said the other, who then added, "two hands now, and remember, hold tight." Whereupon, the other jumped off the bridge.
Quickly, the free-falling body hurtled the distance of the rope’s length, and from the bridge, the man abruptly felt the pull. Instinctively, he held tight and was almost dragged over the side. He managed to brace himself against the edge, however, and after having caught his breath looked down at the other dangling, close to oblivion.
"What are you trying to do?" he yelled. "Just hold tight," said the other "This is ridiculous," the man thought and began trying to haul the other in. He could not get the leverage, however. It was as though the weight of the other person and the length of the rope had been carefully calculated in advance so that together they created a counterweight just beyond his strength to bring the other back to safety.
"Why did you do this?" the man called out. "Remember," said the other, "if you let go, I will be lost." "But I cannot pull you up," the man cried. "I am your responsibility," said the other. "Well, I did not ask for it," the man said. "If you let go, I am lost," repeated the other.
He began to look around for help. But there was no one. How long would he have to wait? Why did this happen to befall him now, just as he was on the verge of true success? He examined the side, searching for a place to tie the rope. Some protrusion, perhaps, or maybe a hole in the boards. But the railing was unusually uniform in shape; there were no spaces between the boards. There was no way to get rid of this newfound burden, even temporarily.
What do you want?" he asked the other hanging below. "Just your help," the other answered. "How can I help? I cannot pull you in, and there is no place to tie the rope so that I can go and find someone to help me help you." "I know that. Just hang on; that will be enough. Tie the rope around your waist; it will be easier."
Fearing that his arms could not hold out much longer, he tied the rope around his waist. "Why did you do this?" he asked again. "Don’t you see what you have done? What possible purpose could you have in mind?" "Just remember," said the other, "my life is in your hands."
What should he do? "If I let go, all my life I will know that I let this other die. If I stay, I risk losing my momentum toward my own long-sought-after salvation. Either way, this will haunt me forever." With ironic humor he thought to die himself, instantly, to jump off the bridge while he was still holding on. "That would teach this fool." But he wanted to live and live fully. "What a choice I have to make; How shall I ever decide?"
As time went by, still no one came. The critical moment of decision was drawing near. To show his commitment to his own goals, he would have to continue on his journey now. It was already almost too late to arrive in time. But what a terrible choice to have to make!
A new thought occurred to him. While he could not pull this other up solely by his own efforts, if the other would shorten the rope from his end by curling it around his waist again and again, together, they could do it! Actually, the other could do it by himself, so long as he, standing on the bridge, kept it still and steady.
"Now listen," he shouted down. "I think I know how to save you." And he explained his plan. But the other wasn’t interested. "You mean you won’t help? But I told you I cannot pull you up myself, and I don’t think I can hang on much longer either." "You must try," the other shouted back in tears. "If you fail, I die!"
The point of decision had arrived. What should he do? "My life or this other’s?" And then a new idea. A revelation. So new, in fact, it seemed heretical, so alien was it to his traditional way of thinking.
"I want you to listen carefully," he said, "because I mean what I am about to say. I will not accept the position of choice for your life, only for my own; the position of choice for your own life I hereby give back to you."
"What do you mean?" the other asked, afraid. "I mean, simply, it’s up to you. You decide which way this ends. I will become the counterweight. You do the pulling and bring yourself up. I will even tug a little from here." He began unwinding the rope from around his waist and braced himself anew against the side.
"You cannot mean what you say!" the other shrieked. "You would not be so selfish. I am your responsibility. What could be so important that you would let someone die? Do not do this to me!"
He waited a moment. There was not change in the tension of the rope.
"I accept your choice," he said, at last, and freed his hands.
- Edwin H. Friedman
There was a man who had given much thought to what he wanted from life. He had experienced many moods and trials. He had experimented with different ways of living, and he had had his share of both success and failure. At last, he had begun to see clearly where he wanted to go.
Diligently, he searched for the right opportunity. Sometimes he came close, only to be pushed away. Often the applied all of his strength and imagination, only to find the path hopelessly blocked. And then at last it came! But the opportunity would not wait. It would be made available only for a short time. If it were seen that he was not committed, the opportunity would not come again.
Eager to arrive, he started on his journey. With each step, he wanted to move faster; with each thought about his goal, his heart beat quicker; with each vision of what lay ahead, he found renewed vigor. Strength that had left it since his early youth returned, and desires, all kinds of desires, reawakened from their long-dormant positions.
Hurrying along, he came upon a bridge that crossed through the middle of a town. It had been built high above a river in order to protect it from the floods of spring.
He started across. Then he noticed someone coming from the opposite direction. As they moved closer, it seemed as though the other was coming to greet him. He could clearly see, however, that he did not know this other, who was dressed similarly except for something tied around his waist.
When they were within hailing distance, he could see that what the other had about his waist was a rope. It was wrapped around him many times and probably, if extended, would reach a length of 30 feet.
The other began to uncurl the rope, and, just as they were coming close, the stranger said, "Pardon me, would you be so kind as to hold the end a moment?"
Surprised by this politely phrased but curious request, he agreed without a thought, reached out, and took it.
"Thank you," said the other, who then added, "two hands now, and remember, hold tight." Whereupon, the other jumped off the bridge.
Quickly, the free-falling body hurtled the distance of the rope’s length, and from the bridge, the man abruptly felt the pull. Instinctively, he held tight and was almost dragged over the side. He managed to brace himself against the edge, however, and after having caught his breath looked down at the other dangling, close to oblivion.
"What are you trying to do?" he yelled. "Just hold tight," said the other "This is ridiculous," the man thought and began trying to haul the other in. He could not get the leverage, however. It was as though the weight of the other person and the length of the rope had been carefully calculated in advance so that together they created a counterweight just beyond his strength to bring the other back to safety.
"Why did you do this?" the man called out. "Remember," said the other, "if you let go, I will be lost." "But I cannot pull you up," the man cried. "I am your responsibility," said the other. "Well, I did not ask for it," the man said. "If you let go, I am lost," repeated the other.
He began to look around for help. But there was no one. How long would he have to wait? Why did this happen to befall him now, just as he was on the verge of true success? He examined the side, searching for a place to tie the rope. Some protrusion, perhaps, or maybe a hole in the boards. But the railing was unusually uniform in shape; there were no spaces between the boards. There was no way to get rid of this newfound burden, even temporarily.
What do you want?" he asked the other hanging below. "Just your help," the other answered. "How can I help? I cannot pull you in, and there is no place to tie the rope so that I can go and find someone to help me help you." "I know that. Just hang on; that will be enough. Tie the rope around your waist; it will be easier."
Fearing that his arms could not hold out much longer, he tied the rope around his waist. "Why did you do this?" he asked again. "Don’t you see what you have done? What possible purpose could you have in mind?" "Just remember," said the other, "my life is in your hands."
What should he do? "If I let go, all my life I will know that I let this other die. If I stay, I risk losing my momentum toward my own long-sought-after salvation. Either way, this will haunt me forever." With ironic humor he thought to die himself, instantly, to jump off the bridge while he was still holding on. "That would teach this fool." But he wanted to live and live fully. "What a choice I have to make; How shall I ever decide?"
As time went by, still no one came. The critical moment of decision was drawing near. To show his commitment to his own goals, he would have to continue on his journey now. It was already almost too late to arrive in time. But what a terrible choice to have to make!
A new thought occurred to him. While he could not pull this other up solely by his own efforts, if the other would shorten the rope from his end by curling it around his waist again and again, together, they could do it! Actually, the other could do it by himself, so long as he, standing on the bridge, kept it still and steady.
"Now listen," he shouted down. "I think I know how to save you." And he explained his plan. But the other wasn’t interested. "You mean you won’t help? But I told you I cannot pull you up myself, and I don’t think I can hang on much longer either." "You must try," the other shouted back in tears. "If you fail, I die!"
The point of decision had arrived. What should he do? "My life or this other’s?" And then a new idea. A revelation. So new, in fact, it seemed heretical, so alien was it to his traditional way of thinking.
"I want you to listen carefully," he said, "because I mean what I am about to say. I will not accept the position of choice for your life, only for my own; the position of choice for your own life I hereby give back to you."
"What do you mean?" the other asked, afraid. "I mean, simply, it’s up to you. You decide which way this ends. I will become the counterweight. You do the pulling and bring yourself up. I will even tug a little from here." He began unwinding the rope from around his waist and braced himself anew against the side.
"You cannot mean what you say!" the other shrieked. "You would not be so selfish. I am your responsibility. What could be so important that you would let someone die? Do not do this to me!"
He waited a moment. There was not change in the tension of the rope.
"I accept your choice," he said, at last, and freed his hands.
- Edwin H. Friedman
Thursday, November 8, 2007
now don't be alarmed
But im writing this blog from my iphone. Dave and i have been sitting in my room for almost an hour not talking at all and playing with our new iphones. To all the people who say that they dont need an iphone can go to hell straight to fucking hell. There isnt anything you cant do on here. Its been out long enoghthat people have figured out ways around everything. This is the most amazing new toy ive ever gotten.
More to come later. If i ever make it away from my iphone.
Love chris
More to come later. If i ever make it away from my iphone.
Love chris
Saturday, November 3, 2007
So long Cary...
So tomorrow or rather today or actually maybe not today cause the clocks move back an hour...I move officially to Chicago. A lot of shit has happened since I've really wrote any sort of blog entry. Importantly I got a job at the Apple Store in Oakbrook. Yeah it's not totally opportune because that means I have to bring my car to the city with me, but since I'm still paying for it I mine as well use it right? Right. Anyway, umm yeah they apple store totally kicks ass, but unfortunately I'm bound by contract not to talk about it, but lets just say it's awesome, with really awesome people and thats about it. And probably Monday I'll be ordering mine and Dave's iPhones.
So since I've got a job I decided it would be a good time to finally move to the city, so josh, dave, and I are moving all my shit tomorrow in my mom's van.
Moving is really weird. It's weird packing up all my stuff and the not living at home anymore. I wouldn't say like "safety" is going, but it's definitely a sense of security that I'm leaving. Everyone has to leave and branch out sometime thats just life and I'm really excited to start this new life. New job. New place to live. Going to school and a band that actually has a real chance of making it someday. I'm really excited to start this new adventure. I'm nervous to leave this comfortability of going to Cody's after work and school and coming home to my room with my family, but thats how it is and i can't live at home for the rest of my life.
I'm proud to say that in just 3 short weeks i turn 21. Another weird event in my life. It suprised the shit out of me that i got to live 2 decades, but here's another year to add to the books only this time you get to drink while adding it. Its gonna be another odd transition for me because for so long i haven't been able to do things like go to bars. When we used to play shows and stuff at bars i either had to wear a wrist band, got thrown out after the show or had to sit in the car with the windows rolled up. So it will be awesome to break down that barrier especially while living in the city. i'm excited.
I don't know it's going to be an adventure that i look forward to making that huge step of not living with my parents anymore it's going to be an awesome freedom. And plus i've been wanting to move to this city since i moved out to cary. i used to go to shows and say how awesome it would be to live in the city and be so close to venues and be in a band. And now i live like a couple blocks from metro and aragon and vic and riv it's awesome i'm super stoked.
I'm gonna miss everyone that i'm not going to see on an everyday basis like i used to like cody and carly and my brother and my parents and my lil sis, but it's time for me to grow up and break free.
Anywho i have to go to sleep to get up finish packing and do the whole 9 yards tomorrow.
Thats all take care.
Chris
So since I've got a job I decided it would be a good time to finally move to the city, so josh, dave, and I are moving all my shit tomorrow in my mom's van.
Moving is really weird. It's weird packing up all my stuff and the not living at home anymore. I wouldn't say like "safety" is going, but it's definitely a sense of security that I'm leaving. Everyone has to leave and branch out sometime thats just life and I'm really excited to start this new life. New job. New place to live. Going to school and a band that actually has a real chance of making it someday. I'm really excited to start this new adventure. I'm nervous to leave this comfortability of going to Cody's after work and school and coming home to my room with my family, but thats how it is and i can't live at home for the rest of my life.
I'm proud to say that in just 3 short weeks i turn 21. Another weird event in my life. It suprised the shit out of me that i got to live 2 decades, but here's another year to add to the books only this time you get to drink while adding it. Its gonna be another odd transition for me because for so long i haven't been able to do things like go to bars. When we used to play shows and stuff at bars i either had to wear a wrist band, got thrown out after the show or had to sit in the car with the windows rolled up. So it will be awesome to break down that barrier especially while living in the city. i'm excited.
I don't know it's going to be an adventure that i look forward to making that huge step of not living with my parents anymore it's going to be an awesome freedom. And plus i've been wanting to move to this city since i moved out to cary. i used to go to shows and say how awesome it would be to live in the city and be so close to venues and be in a band. And now i live like a couple blocks from metro and aragon and vic and riv it's awesome i'm super stoked.
I'm gonna miss everyone that i'm not going to see on an everyday basis like i used to like cody and carly and my brother and my parents and my lil sis, but it's time for me to grow up and break free.
Anywho i have to go to sleep to get up finish packing and do the whole 9 yards tomorrow.
Thats all take care.
Chris
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