The Highlights (The Tunes)

Not too long ago, I posed The Highlights (not the painting hairs kind). In it, I highlighted several posts from the early days (because many of you haven't been around for the entire year, and you wouldn't want to be left out on the early stuff, would you?).

This post is the follow-up to that post, and highlights some of the writings around bands, concerts, and music I've encountered over the past year.

For some of you, this will be like a stroll down memory lane. For others, you may find new love... or something like that... or nothing like that at all.

In fact, it's quite likely you've already given up and moved on to something else by now. But I'm going to continue anyway. I'm a survivor like that.

So, here it is - enjoy!


-- In 30STM and The Moment, I wrote about how music can be liberating, how it soothes the soul, and how it can create what I call 'The Moment' - a time when you realize that man is good, and that all is alright. Read more about it here.

-- I wrote a follow-up piece a few days later, which actually was written on my phone shortly after the show, and talks about how the music that night inspired a new generation of musicians. It's kind of inspiring (at least I think so). Read on.

-- Here's a piece detailing how I (possibly) saved someone's life at a concert.

-- I wrote how Shinedown and vanilla (the flavor) are an unfortunate combination in this one.

-- I wrote about an unlikely experience with FaceMan here, and then another time about FaceMan's First Waltz here.

-- Somehow hula hoops and Jesus ponies made their way into a post about a music festival here.

-- And here's one about Peter Steele from Type O Negative and Ozzy Osbourne (and how Ozzy's continued existence may be due to some type of artificial life... because somehow he's still alive).

My apologies to Russia – I never meant to ignore you

I would like to take this time to offer Russia the same open letter that I wrote to Ukraine yesterday, because apparently I’m kind of a big deal there as well: aside from the US, Russia is my largest fan. GO VODKA!


Dear, Russia –

I’m sorry. I never meant to ignore you. Can you ever forgive me?

I would also enjoy an all-expenses paid trip to your land for the purpose of (again) speaking English, and drinking your national drink – vodka (also a la Anthony Bourdain) – and traversing your vast land all while live-blogging the journey.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Sorry again.

Sincerely,
JRM

_

An Open Letter to Ukraine

(and also chess – but not “An Open Letter to Chess” also – that would be weird)

---

I have 14 active chess games on my Android chess app. Why 14? Because the first 13 are entirely too slow (minus Con Lee’s games, and sometimes JRG’s, too). Sure, the rules say you have 3 days to move, but really… come on. If you need to take 3 days to make one move you probably shouldn’t join the game in the first place.

On another note, I’m kind of a big deal in Ukraine, which is kind of exciting.

Maybe they’ll send for me and provide an all-expenses paid trip to their country for the purpose of speaking English and live-blogging my travels through their countryside a la Anthony Bourdain, which sounds like a good time to me.

In fact, so much so that I’ll do this:

Dear, Ukraine –

Please send for me and provide an all-expenses paid trip to visit your land so I can show off your wonderful country. Maybe we can also play some chess while I’m there, so long as it’s much faster than one-move-every-three-days.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
JRM

_

More Random, with a side of inspiration

I like that whenever I post about 30 Seconds To Mars there’s always a few hits from Google. They’re not quality hits, but hits nonetheless and count as visitors. Of course, these hits aren’t spending any time on my site whatsoever, and whenever I look I don’t see my site on the first few pages of search results and wonder how they came about. But I still like it. I remember the first time I posted about 30STM, I had a couple weeks of crazy site visits from the Ukraine and the Russia area. When I sought out the originating site, I couldn’t read it. Oh well

Also, this post happens to be on the first page of Google results for ‘writings about hobbies’. Good.

More also, I’m throwing around the idea of having a weekly publication on the site, perhaps called “The Weekly Items of Note” or something like that. It will comprise random things from around the interwebs, my life, friend’s lives, post comments, and perhaps highlights from the week’s posts as well. Or none of that. What are your thoughts on this? Do you want to see a weekly ‘something’ like that? Other blogs do it – have you had enough?

And the final also, I’m in good spirits today. Yesterday I made an important decision which I hope heralds in a new age of my life, marked with prosperity, entertainment, and true value. My hopes are up and my spirits are high; what else can I ask for?

I hope all is well in your world. If it’s not, get after it and put things in line. You know what you need to do.

Now repeat after me: “I make my own destiny.”

_

Saving a life with 30 Seconds To Mars

Friday evening I attended the 30 Seconds To Mars show. You may recall the last time I saw them. This time around was also a good show (even though the show concluded before 10pm), however, a little more eventful in some ways. Please keep reading for the story. It’s sure to be a nail-biter… or not.

You see, we were standing at center stage in the middle of the crowd, at a point where Jared (the lead singer) had everyone take 3 steps forward 3 times during the course of the first few songs (I’m sure you can imagine how we were all packed in, literally, like sardines) When all of a sudden, the crowd in front of me parted and a guy and his girlfriend appeared in a clear attempt to walk to the back of the crowd.

After focusing, I realized he was carrying this girl and was clearly having trouble as she was obviously passed out. I imagine at the start of their journey she faced him with arms wrapped around his neck as he began to walk her backward, and that all was going to be OK for them. By this point, however, she was slumping to the floor – her face in his chest, and his hands desperately holding on below her shoulders.

Xtina quickly prompted me to give him a hand getting the girl out of the crowd (I assume it was my inebriation that didn’t allow me to notice his need for help sooner). I asked if he wanted help, he signaled yes, I slung her into my arms, and off we went pushing through the crowd as I yelled for people to move aside, pardoning and thanking the entire way. The guy was behind me holding her feet, although there was no need since I had her fully in my arms, braced with my left arm under her knees and my right arm under back.

At some point the girl decided to come to, which I’m sure was a little surprising for her to find herself being carried away by a strange man with a hat and a beard, probably much like a soon-to-be bad dream, a kidnapping, or other strange movie scene (unnecessary clarification: I sometimes like to go incognito when in public – full beard, hat, and unsuspecting attire; I don’t like when the paparazzi snap pictures of me. It can be tolling at times. …But I digress).

Fortunately though, she saw her boyfriend in front of her. Unfortunately for me though, concerned for her wellbeing, she tried to sit up in my arms, leaning in the opposite direction from which we were traveling in an attempt to grab hold of her man and claw her way into his arms. Needless to say, this resulted in a very uncomfortable carrying experience for me, which if it weren’t for her coming to, would have been a textbook extraction of a person from the middle of a densely-packed crowd.

Finally, we arrived at a clearing, set her down, the two thanked me, I told them to get water and relax, I turned to go back into the crowd, and realized I was unable to get back to my date. Which was unfortunate because Xtina and I spent the rest of the show trying to find each other after she insisted she was at the first bar on the right when walking back from the stage (which was exactly where I was the entire time, and where I had dropped off the guy & gal combo), when in reality she was at the last bar all the way at the back of the venue… But it was worth it.

_

Happy 2011: A Few (Random) Points

Looks like we all survived; the computers didn’t rise up for yet another year. Yay for us. Maybe next year they’ll attack as previously planned for Y2K. I guess we’ll have to see. Fortunately, we have another full year to prepare. However, something tells me that no one is taking this threat seriously.

So… have you purchased Fast Lane Tea yet from Celestial Seasonings? You should. See my previous post about it. I’ve had several people email to inform me of their purchase. Are you one joining us?

The new wall calendar I’ve received at work seems to be 130% larger than the previous one, and subsequently does not fit on my cube’s wall. Not a fan.

I’ve been searching for a Franklin Covey or other organizer system to meet my needs to no avail. Hopefully avail will happen this week. If not, I’ll have to fashion some sticks and yarn together with some pulp to create the solution best-fit for me.

Already, there are a few concerts lines up this year, namely: Disco Biscuits, 30 Seconds To Mars, and Umphrey’s McGee, all by mid February. Be on the lookout for reviews as per usual.

Did I mention my MBA education is complete? Finally. Not that it took forever, but I’m glad to be done with the homework. However, I have another year’s-worth of free education coming to me so I have to start deciding what direction I want my educational path to go.

Also, I bought a new Jeep. Did I mention that? Don’t think I did.

It seems that things are a little refreshed. While I agree that the New Year holiday is more mental than anything, there’s something to be said about the renewed spirit it can generate if you allow it. Get caught up in the moment and refresh yourself. Keep your head high and your eye on the goal. You’ll get there in one piece.

Signing off until next time.

_

30 Seconds To Mars: Shaping the musician’s mind

~The following was written shortly after the 30 Seconds To Mars show at The Fillmore in Denver, CO on Saturday May 8, 2010~

Some people won't get it, but I do. Tonight’s show changed lives. I don't know that 30STM knows it, but they have shaped a small part of tomorrow’s musicians. Tonight, 30 Seconds To Mars brought the crowd on stage, literally. They brought people of all ages onto the stage; the ultimate showcasing of their fans. Wow, what a feeling! I remember going to club shows when I was young... We were so close that we could touch the stage, and sometimes even the band as they played! Moments like that have made a lasting impression on my life, and may have even impacted me in small ways, causing me to become who I am today. I remember it being absolutely awesome; I still think it is…

Tonight’s 30 Seconds To Mars show was awe-inspiring.

I can only imagine if I were a teenager again, like those standing on stage at The Fillmore before a sold-out crowd, or like those witnessing their peers as they were invited on stage by a band they all adore... I can only imagine if I were on stage with them! Wow, what a memory, what an impression that would be! What an impression that was…

I firmly believe that acts like this are what shape minds and futures. Whether they realize it or not, 30STM has surely instilled a sense of adventure, of determination, and of creativity in at least a few of the minds both on stage and in the crowd tonight; a sense to follow their dreams and become a musician… or maybe even a rock star.

Thank you, 30 Seconds To Mars; you truly are great.

_

30STM and The Moment

Going to see 30 Seconds To Mars this evening and I’m looking forward to it. I’ve been waiting to see them since their first album which was released in 2002. I’m not sure why I hadn’t seen them on their initial touring of that album, or their second album in 2005 for that matter. I assume it had something to do with living in the middle of the New Mexican desert at the time… yeah, that was probably it. I’m sure I could have gone to Albuquerque or El Paso for a show, but I didn’t have any concert-going friends at that time, and I wasn’t nearly as outgoing as I am today. Sad, I know…

But now, I’m perfectly fine going to a show by myself. In fact, it’s looking like that’s what I’ll be doing this evening.

Early on this year, I went and bought 2 tickets to every concert that sounded good at the time, which to this day totals 15 dates for 2010. Some of the months are jam-packed while others have a week or two without shows. I’ve never seen so many shows in one year and I’m pretty excited about it! You see, I love music and live shows, so this is really working out.

I think it’s a waste to miss a band you really want to see; you should always try to make it work. I’ve missed quite a few shows over the years for whatever reason that seemed good at the time, but now I look back and regret not doing everything I could to get to the show.

Music is so liberating, even for only the time you’re listening to it. Concerts tend to soothe my soul, and for a small period during I get a sense that all is well and good. I call this The Moment: it’s a special time; a realization that man is good, or at least these men are good, and that all is alright. It’s a feeling of being one with something natural… a sense of connection with your surroundings… a connection with the people around… a true bond between music and soul.

The Moment is one of those feelings you don’t get very often, if ever in today’s negative-news culture. Because of that, I cherish The Moment and look forward to it. And while I never look for The Moment, it always seems to appear at just the right time, if for only a couple seconds.

You may know what I’m talking about… I doubt that I’m the only one who is moved by the music’s vibes.

_