West Savannah.
Windows down on my way home and it came on my iPod. Took me back to Fall 2000, the start of tenth grade, and riding around in my buddy Dirk’s old Volvo. We were young, we weren’t freshmen anymore, and we had a friend who could DRIVE. Cool nerds who thought we were gangster.
Music is a time machine.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
HBO.
I keep forgetting it’s Tuesday, and that’s AWESOME. It’s my first day back in school so my mind thinks it’s Monday. GOTTA love it when you realize you’ve only got a four-day week until the weekend. It’s like waking up from a “naked in front of an audience” dream and realizing you were sleeping (unless you’re into that, of course).
The last week off was exactly what I wanted: relaxing. Spent a lot of time at the gym and a lot of time with my lady, and otherwise, a lot of time watching “True Blood.”
And it’s true. I’m obsessed. I like the show so much that I wish I was a vampire. It wouldn’t be so bad, flipping day and night and living like a rockstar. Amanda and I watched the first two seasons over the first part of break, but we were itching like V-addicts to catch up on season 3.
Itching so bad, in fact, that I looked online to see if it was available on HBO on Demand. Oh, and it was. Then I looked up how much HBO cost a month. Thirteen bucks.
Hmmm. Never had HBO before. Hmmm. Two months of HBO costs half the price of the DVD set. Hmmm.
GOT IT! And it’s been totally worth it. We are now one episode from being caught-up before the season finale. After that, see ya, HBO!
Nothing like beating the system. Whew. So for now, school. Later, livin’ like Bill Compton and watching the show until it’s drained DRY.
D.
The last week off was exactly what I wanted: relaxing. Spent a lot of time at the gym and a lot of time with my lady, and otherwise, a lot of time watching “True Blood.”
And it’s true. I’m obsessed. I like the show so much that I wish I was a vampire. It wouldn’t be so bad, flipping day and night and living like a rockstar. Amanda and I watched the first two seasons over the first part of break, but we were itching like V-addicts to catch up on season 3.
Itching so bad, in fact, that I looked online to see if it was available on HBO on Demand. Oh, and it was. Then I looked up how much HBO cost a month. Thirteen bucks.
Hmmm. Never had HBO before. Hmmm. Two months of HBO costs half the price of the DVD set. Hmmm.
GOT IT! And it’s been totally worth it. We are now one episode from being caught-up before the season finale. After that, see ya, HBO!
Nothing like beating the system. Whew. So for now, school. Later, livin’ like Bill Compton and watching the show until it’s drained DRY.
D.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Drew vs Food.
Went to Richmond, Virginia on Friday with my mom to help my sister get geared up for her move to Florida.
It was a chill night, and marked two years since I first asked Amanda out, and two years since the Mayer show in Raleigh that she couldn’t go to. RIDICULOUS how fast the time goes. That show still stands out as one of the best I’ve seen, if not the best. He brought it ALL, and it was rainy and emotional and raw, and he played my trifecta all in a row: Gravity>Clarity>Wheel. Couldn’t have asked for a better evening (unless she could’ve made it, haha…)
Anyway, it was cool seeing a bit of RVA. It’s an eclectic city with a vibe similar to Austin and Nashville. A lot of it’s so laid-back that it’s hard to believe it was once the capital of the Confederacy. Guess it’s a concrete example of how things can change, eh?
Went to dinner with the mom and sis to a lil Thai place called “Ginger” where I ate THE spiciest meal I’ve EVER had in my life. It was killer, and I love spicy. I’ve always been a fan of sweating as I eat, but as I struggled through the dish I looked like I’d been at the gym in my jeans and dress shirt. I didn’t even order the spiciest flavor! It goes up to “Make me cry” hot, and I ordered the second strongest, “Thai hot.” The server asked me if I was sure when I chose the spice, and I said “yes” with a cocky grin on my face. HA. Dude smiled back as if he knew something I didn’t…
And he did. My food came out and after the first taste of the first onion, I knew it was going to be epic. The spice had a snowball effect that just kept BUILDING. I tuned out conversations and my mom saying “you don’t have to finish it, you know,” but kept eating.
And I was going to finish it, dammit.
With every bite I felt like Frodo on the quest with the ring of power. The spice was my Mordor and a clean plate was how I would destroy the ring and save the world. Sweat poured into my food and red wine calmed my palette, but I kept going.
Did I get there? YES!
My sinuses were Claritin-clear and I was drenched, but yes, I finished.
But that wasn’t the end. No SIR! We were in Richmond, so fried Oreos were a MUST! If you’re looking for it, Heaven is in RVA in the form of these guys at the Galaxy Diner. SO good.
After dinner, mom told me she felt sorry for how I was going to feel in the morning, but I laughed it off. The food was delicious, I was victorious, and it was a good night.
D.
PS: Mom was right.
It was a chill night, and marked two years since I first asked Amanda out, and two years since the Mayer show in Raleigh that she couldn’t go to. RIDICULOUS how fast the time goes. That show still stands out as one of the best I’ve seen, if not the best. He brought it ALL, and it was rainy and emotional and raw, and he played my trifecta all in a row: Gravity>Clarity>Wheel. Couldn’t have asked for a better evening (unless she could’ve made it, haha…)
Anyway, it was cool seeing a bit of RVA. It’s an eclectic city with a vibe similar to Austin and Nashville. A lot of it’s so laid-back that it’s hard to believe it was once the capital of the Confederacy. Guess it’s a concrete example of how things can change, eh?
Went to dinner with the mom and sis to a lil Thai place called “Ginger” where I ate THE spiciest meal I’ve EVER had in my life. It was killer, and I love spicy. I’ve always been a fan of sweating as I eat, but as I struggled through the dish I looked like I’d been at the gym in my jeans and dress shirt. I didn’t even order the spiciest flavor! It goes up to “Make me cry” hot, and I ordered the second strongest, “Thai hot.” The server asked me if I was sure when I chose the spice, and I said “yes” with a cocky grin on my face. HA. Dude smiled back as if he knew something I didn’t…
And he did. My food came out and after the first taste of the first onion, I knew it was going to be epic. The spice had a snowball effect that just kept BUILDING. I tuned out conversations and my mom saying “you don’t have to finish it, you know,” but kept eating.
And I was going to finish it, dammit.
With every bite I felt like Frodo on the quest with the ring of power. The spice was my Mordor and a clean plate was how I would destroy the ring and save the world. Sweat poured into my food and red wine calmed my palette, but I kept going.
Did I get there? YES!
My sinuses were Claritin-clear and I was drenched, but yes, I finished.
But that wasn’t the end. No SIR! We were in Richmond, so fried Oreos were a MUST! If you’re looking for it, Heaven is in RVA in the form of these guys at the Galaxy Diner. SO good.
After dinner, mom told me she felt sorry for how I was going to feel in the morning, but I laughed it off. The food was delicious, I was victorious, and it was a good night.
D.
PS: Mom was right.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Embracing the nothing.
School is kicking my Tumblr’s ASS right now, but I’ve got a week off and I’m ready to WRITE.
Went up to the mountains for a quiet getaway this weekend and it felt like fall. Loved it. Don’t get me wrong, summer is still in full swing, but it was nice to breathe in cool air for a few days. I’m a big fan of every season, but my favorite times are the transition periods into the next one, when the weather changes and everything feels new. Parallels life on a lot of different levels.
Didn’t get out much while we were there, but I’m not complaining. Spent a lot of the time feeding a new addiction to “True Blood,” which is trashy awesome. I wasn’t sure I’d like it because EVERYBODY talks and raves about it, but it sucks you IN (pun intended). The characters are all great and complex in their own ways, and the plot lines are always pretty twisted. It’s also violent, sexy, and hilarious. I’ve been watching it so much that my Southern accent keeps popping out and the sun hurts my skin. It’s crazy.
It was nice getting to leave town for a few days and do NOTHING. It’s rare to soak in the nothing, and sometimes it wears you out more that doing SOMETHING, but after a while it helps you melt into whatever chair you’re sitting in or bed you’re laying on and you just relax. It’s kind of like stopping to smell the roses or admire a nice view. We run out of time to do things like this, and even when we make the time to do it, we often feel obligated to do something else.
Finding the time to do it and embracing the nothing is one of the most relaxing things you can do, and I hope I get to do it again soon.
D.
Went up to the mountains for a quiet getaway this weekend and it felt like fall. Loved it. Don’t get me wrong, summer is still in full swing, but it was nice to breathe in cool air for a few days. I’m a big fan of every season, but my favorite times are the transition periods into the next one, when the weather changes and everything feels new. Parallels life on a lot of different levels.
Didn’t get out much while we were there, but I’m not complaining. Spent a lot of the time feeding a new addiction to “True Blood,” which is trashy awesome. I wasn’t sure I’d like it because EVERYBODY talks and raves about it, but it sucks you IN (pun intended). The characters are all great and complex in their own ways, and the plot lines are always pretty twisted. It’s also violent, sexy, and hilarious. I’ve been watching it so much that my Southern accent keeps popping out and the sun hurts my skin. It’s crazy.
It was nice getting to leave town for a few days and do NOTHING. It’s rare to soak in the nothing, and sometimes it wears you out more that doing SOMETHING, but after a while it helps you melt into whatever chair you’re sitting in or bed you’re laying on and you just relax. It’s kind of like stopping to smell the roses or admire a nice view. We run out of time to do things like this, and even when we make the time to do it, we often feel obligated to do something else.
Finding the time to do it and embracing the nothing is one of the most relaxing things you can do, and I hope I get to do it again soon.
D.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Musical double standards.
Musical double standards.
There is a musical double standard.
What is it?
It’s guys listening to female singers. For some reason, society says it’s not cool for dudes to listen to chick singers. If you do this, you’re either “gay” (in a derogatory sense of the word) or you’re in the same family as the girl, but what are the odds of that?
Women can listen to it all and there’s no backlash. They blast female singers because they can relate to what they’re singing to, and they rock dude singers because they might be attracted to the guys, but they also respect the MUSIC. (Ladies, I mean absolutely NO disrespect. I’m just jealous.)
And, honestly, that’s what it’s all about.
Respecting the MUSIC.
So what’s wrong with a dude rockin’ the music of a lady?
I’m a fan of several female singers. I love Alicia Keys because she brings Motown with a modern twist and she can BELT it. I’m a fan of Michelle Branch because she carries the acoustic vibe of early John Mayer and she’s talented. I like Paramore because Hayley Williams makes me run faster on the treadmill when she sings about love and some of the bullshit that comes with it. There are several others, but what sucks is feeling the “need” to roll my window up or turn my volume knob down when I approach a stoplight, like it’s a “bad” thing that I’m feeling their music.
The double standard in music is whack. I’ve gotten pretty good about not turning the music down, but I still get that stupid feeling like people are gonna talk shit about the music I like. But hey, it’s MUSIC. It’s LIFE. Fuck it, right?
If they stopped to listen, they’d realize what they were missing. And if it causes an awkward glance from time to time, screw it. Think of the good it does for you and how that outweighs their judgement.
Then turn it up and keep driving.
D.
There is a musical double standard.
What is it?
It’s guys listening to female singers. For some reason, society says it’s not cool for dudes to listen to chick singers. If you do this, you’re either “gay” (in a derogatory sense of the word) or you’re in the same family as the girl, but what are the odds of that?
Women can listen to it all and there’s no backlash. They blast female singers because they can relate to what they’re singing to, and they rock dude singers because they might be attracted to the guys, but they also respect the MUSIC. (Ladies, I mean absolutely NO disrespect. I’m just jealous.)
And, honestly, that’s what it’s all about.
Respecting the MUSIC.
So what’s wrong with a dude rockin’ the music of a lady?
I’m a fan of several female singers. I love Alicia Keys because she brings Motown with a modern twist and she can BELT it. I’m a fan of Michelle Branch because she carries the acoustic vibe of early John Mayer and she’s talented. I like Paramore because Hayley Williams makes me run faster on the treadmill when she sings about love and some of the bullshit that comes with it. There are several others, but what sucks is feeling the “need” to roll my window up or turn my volume knob down when I approach a stoplight, like it’s a “bad” thing that I’m feeling their music.
The double standard in music is whack. I’ve gotten pretty good about not turning the music down, but I still get that stupid feeling like people are gonna talk shit about the music I like. But hey, it’s MUSIC. It’s LIFE. Fuck it, right?
If they stopped to listen, they’d realize what they were missing. And if it causes an awkward glance from time to time, screw it. Think of the good it does for you and how that outweighs their judgement.
Then turn it up and keep driving.
D.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Ramble on.
Sittin' on my porch again. Been out for a bit.
I'm in an interesting place right now. Things are cool, but a lot is changing. You know this. I've complained and celebrated it at the same time.
You ever have anything you complain and celebrate about? It's an odd combination. Same as being excited and nervous about something. One thing's great, the other not so much. I guess it's all about figuring out which side you're on. Half empty, or half full.
I'm half full most of the time, and without tooting my own horn, I like that about myself. I think looking at the world (especially as crazy as it is these days) in a positive light is important and builds character.
Things won't always go our way, but if you keep a good head about it, everything will be all right.
I went out in Raleigh last night with my good friend Daniel. We reflected on old times and kicked it like we used to. It was awesome.
Thing is, we both talked about being 25.
What is being 25? Is it marriage? Is it success? How do we weigh this age? Does it matter?
I honestly think the idea of success is different for everyone.
There's a definition for "success" in the dictionary. I don't feel like looking it up, but it's in there. We all know this. But do you believe in that definition, or your own?
As a 25 year-old going through what I think may be quarter-life crisis reflecting, I believe that success is a personal word. I think we all have our OWN version of success in our heads.
Our generation is made to believe that success is all about money and who you know, but I honestly think that all it boils down to is HAPPINESS.
Who is happy these days? Is happiness the fast-forward life that we choose to live? Is it money? Is it family?
I guess it's different for everyone too.
To me, right now, if you asked me what I thought it was, I'd say it was family, love, and LIFE. School is gonna kick my ass, but I'm happy with where I stand. I wanna make money to support myself and my future family, but I also wanna have fun.
I like where I am, but I'm not a fan of people judging people based on what their own definitions of success and happiness are. I don't like it when people look down on others because they don't think they're living up to certain personal standards. That's YOUR opinion...not theirs'! Get over it.
Live your life. Enjoy it. Embrace it. And support the fact that other people want to live theirs how they wanna live it.
Love it all.
That's what I say.
Damnit.
D.
I'm in an interesting place right now. Things are cool, but a lot is changing. You know this. I've complained and celebrated it at the same time.
You ever have anything you complain and celebrate about? It's an odd combination. Same as being excited and nervous about something. One thing's great, the other not so much. I guess it's all about figuring out which side you're on. Half empty, or half full.
I'm half full most of the time, and without tooting my own horn, I like that about myself. I think looking at the world (especially as crazy as it is these days) in a positive light is important and builds character.
Things won't always go our way, but if you keep a good head about it, everything will be all right.
I went out in Raleigh last night with my good friend Daniel. We reflected on old times and kicked it like we used to. It was awesome.
Thing is, we both talked about being 25.
What is being 25? Is it marriage? Is it success? How do we weigh this age? Does it matter?
I honestly think the idea of success is different for everyone.
There's a definition for "success" in the dictionary. I don't feel like looking it up, but it's in there. We all know this. But do you believe in that definition, or your own?
As a 25 year-old going through what I think may be quarter-life crisis reflecting, I believe that success is a personal word. I think we all have our OWN version of success in our heads.
Our generation is made to believe that success is all about money and who you know, but I honestly think that all it boils down to is HAPPINESS.
Who is happy these days? Is happiness the fast-forward life that we choose to live? Is it money? Is it family?
I guess it's different for everyone too.
To me, right now, if you asked me what I thought it was, I'd say it was family, love, and LIFE. School is gonna kick my ass, but I'm happy with where I stand. I wanna make money to support myself and my future family, but I also wanna have fun.
I like where I am, but I'm not a fan of people judging people based on what their own definitions of success and happiness are. I don't like it when people look down on others because they don't think they're living up to certain personal standards. That's YOUR opinion...not theirs'! Get over it.
Live your life. Enjoy it. Embrace it. And support the fact that other people want to live theirs how they wanna live it.
Love it all.
That's what I say.
Damnit.
D.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
August.
August.
The coolest name of the months, but one of the hottest. It means back to school, humidity, and slightly shorter days. It’s a sleep month where instead of sitting on porches and soaking in the heat, it’s back to the grind.
August.
Eighth month of the year. 2010 is flying by, but I’ll say that again in September. It’s the end of summer to society, but not to the calendar. It’s the start of pre-season football and the trade deadline for baseball. New beginnings and last chances to get the perfect team together, because October is right around the corner.
August.
A time to rush during the week but slow down when you’re off. A time to soak in the remaining hot, orange sunsets and to listen to cicadas before they stop and to outdoor music before they move it inside where it’s constricted to only the paying audience. Everyone knows that like us, music should never be tied down.
August.
I like it.
The coolest name of the months, but one of the hottest. It means back to school, humidity, and slightly shorter days. It’s a sleep month where instead of sitting on porches and soaking in the heat, it’s back to the grind.
August.
Eighth month of the year. 2010 is flying by, but I’ll say that again in September. It’s the end of summer to society, but not to the calendar. It’s the start of pre-season football and the trade deadline for baseball. New beginnings and last chances to get the perfect team together, because October is right around the corner.
August.
A time to rush during the week but slow down when you’re off. A time to soak in the remaining hot, orange sunsets and to listen to cicadas before they stop and to outdoor music before they move it inside where it’s constricted to only the paying audience. Everyone knows that like us, music should never be tied down.
August.
I like it.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Monday night.
I’m sitting on my porch drinking a glass of red wine and listening to the NIGHT.
The crickets are humming and playing their legs like violins, and cars are driving by faster than they should (but I do it too). It’s cool out tonight. Crisp. One of the crickets is louder than the rest. The lead singer while the others provide backup. I can hear drums from a bar down the road. They stopped now, but I’m sure they’ll kick back in a second. Monday night is open mic, and it’s subtle from a distance, but it’s there. My mind is wandering. I miss my girlfriend and my sister and freedom. School isn’t freedom, but a new step. I like the step, but anything new is scary. But scary is good. I heard the other day that the Chinese character for “danger” is the same as the one for “opportunity.” I don’t know if it’s true, but I like it. It makes sense. Lots of things don’t, but that’s part of the fun of it all.
Right?
The crickets are humming and playing their legs like violins, and cars are driving by faster than they should (but I do it too). It’s cool out tonight. Crisp. One of the crickets is louder than the rest. The lead singer while the others provide backup. I can hear drums from a bar down the road. They stopped now, but I’m sure they’ll kick back in a second. Monday night is open mic, and it’s subtle from a distance, but it’s there. My mind is wandering. I miss my girlfriend and my sister and freedom. School isn’t freedom, but a new step. I like the step, but anything new is scary. But scary is good. I heard the other day that the Chinese character for “danger” is the same as the one for “opportunity.” I don’t know if it’s true, but I like it. It makes sense. Lots of things don’t, but that’s part of the fun of it all.
Right?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
