My first blog of the year and it's taken a little longer than it usually does to post one of these. So what lol I've been on a real funky schedule lately. I've been put on mornings, which is usually lead-in to full time. So it looks like good times and good money are ahead. And as far as I'm concerned, it's about damn time. It's been nearly five years since I've been hired by Publix, and for the first time since I've been hired by the company, it feels like all of my hard work has been finally paying off. There have been so many times in my career that I've felt like I've wasted my time, and that me busting my ass has been overlooked, but no longer. Finally, I don't feel like I'm just in it to grab a paycheck and go. I finally have something worth looking forward to. And that makes me feel good about my job. Kinda weird really. But what the hell, I'll go with it.
Tax time, well, for me at least, has come and gone, AND I've still gotta little bit of money to spare. My big purchase this year was (finally!) a smartphone. Yes, the Killer has joined the Land of the Living. That, and, as always this time every year, plane tickets. At the end of this month me and Heather are heading up to Ohio for a week to visit my family. This is actually a big step for me. I mean, don't get me wrong, I go up there every year around this time, and it's always been a good time every year. This time it's different, because this is the first time since Jennifer that I've brought a girl I've been seeing back home to meet the family. So that kinda gives you a little clue as to how serious our relationship is. It's gonna be a good time, for sure. I just know that it's going to be a lot colder than what she's used to. Given the fact that she's born and raised in Florida, yeah, that's gonna be a litte bit of a shock. I'm looking forward to seeing that reaction more than anything :-D
2nd Chance CD of the Week Van Halen A Different Kind of Truth (2012)
Tracklist Tattoo She's the Woman You and Your Blues China Town Blood and Fire Bullethead As Is Honeybabysweetiedoll The Trouble With Never Outta Space Stay Frosty Big River Beats Workin'
I could probably write a book on my lifetime experiences, live or otherwise, about my favorite band of all time, Van Halen. The first Van Halen album I've heard from beginning to end was Fair Warning, which my dad owned the cassette to. I was nine years old. The first CD I ever owned was For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, which I bought in Japan when I was 14. Their album Balance changed my life forever, again at age 14. There've been so many issues with the band over the years. The ugly departure of original and current singer David Lee Roth, the coming and going of second vocalist Sammy Hagar, to Eddie Van Halen being in and out of rehab so many times they might as well have a revolving door in place, and that is only to name a few. Ever since 1998's trainwreck Van Halen III I've waited patiently for new material from the band, no matter what the lineup was. When the band announced a reunion tour in 2007, I was bombarded with a ray of hope. Original bassist Michael Anthony was no longer with the band, which I can live with, even though he's one of my favorite musicians. Being replaced by Eddie's 20-year-old son Wolfgang, the band announced early last year that a new album was in the works. To say that I was excited would be like saying that the bomb dropped on Hiroshima was nothing more than a wet fart. Fast forward to this year, and the song "Tattoo" was released to the public. It took me a couple listens but it really grew on me, and I had hoped it would. And then, the big day came...February 7, just a few short days ago, A Different Kind of Truth hit stores all over the world. Needless to say, my heroes in rock have still got it. For years singer David Lee Roth has sounded like shit as a vocalist, dating back to his solo album, 1994's Your Filthy Little Mouth. But on A Different of Truth, he's sounded better than he has in years. Wolfgang Van Halen is a beast on the bass guitar, as he's a great fir for the band. Eddie and Alex Van Halen sound better than ever on guitar and drums, respectively. The album kicks off with the aforementioned "Tattoo" and just continues to kick you in the face for the next 50 minutes. Roughly half the songs on this CD are rewrites of music they've done in their early club days, pre-first album. Not necessarily a bad thing, as finally a lot of these songs have finally hit the official light of day, such as "She's the Woman," "Bullethead," "Big River," and "Blood and Fire." One of the more fun songs on the album would be "Stay Frosty," which is reminicent of "Ice Cream Man" from the band's debut 1978 album. Some other personal favorites of mine would have to be "You and Your Blues," "As Is," and the blistering "China Town." I really didn't know what to expect to hear when I first bought this album, I just know that I wanted it to be as good as their classic material from the 70's, 80's, and 90's. But after a couple of listens, I'm going to have to say that I was surprised, amazed, and ultimately satisfied with the end product. Welcome back guys. It's about time.
At the tail end of my "healing process," all that was left was confusion. The fear, the hurt, the despair, was all gone. Only confusion and uncertainty remained. Back in January my mind was set. After the way things panned out with one of my ex-girlfriends, I thought it was just simply time to give up. On Florida, on the whole dating thing, and just head home back to Ohio and forget it all. At the time, I thought and felt that everything I knew about being a man was wrong, and that I was in the wrong place to find what I was looking for. There I was, still in my studio apartment (RIP Castle Killskull), nowhere to go in my job because of the constant ineptitude I've had to deal with. Nowhere to do, and nothing more I can truly do with my life as it stood at that moment in time. The spirit of the Scottish Killer was truly broken and there was just simply nothing left for me here.
I can gladly say that three months later I was proven very much the contrary.
A week after I came back from my vacation I met probably the most wonderful human being I have ever encountered. There she was, all of about five feet tall...with shoes lol...and she noticed, from the very beginning, how utterly nervous I was for our first date. Nervous? No, I was horrified. I was sweating like a pig the whole time, I stuttered and stumbled over my words in a way that made my high school self say, "Damn, this dude's got problems." Surprisingly enough, she laughed the whole thing off, which allowed me to do the same. The words came, my anxiety faded, and the rest, as they say, is history. I've truly met the love of my life, finally and at last. This Clark Kent had finally found his Lois. And trust me, at the beginning, I fought it tooth and nail. I was ready to just see her a couple of times and then end things before it began. I figured, "Nah, it ain't gonna work out. Just like always." They say that most people notice when someone captures your heart, but for me, it came out of nowhere, and with time. My faith in true love had been restored, and my faith in the basic good in people had been reunited. Heather McMahon, I love you dearly and deeply. With you, a lot of the anger and confusion has faded, and at the end of it all, there's only you. I'm grateful for everything you've done for me, and I'm thankful that you were the one you finally open my heart once more.
No, I'm not done with this section yet.
I've taken a lot of people out of my life this year as well. People I
thought I could trust. Turns out these people were so wrapped up in
their own bullshit to even worry for a second about me. These are
people that I will never welcome back, for any discernible reason. So
goodbye to all of you, you know who you are. I've mentioned you all in
this column and a refuse to do so again. Also, today, I look back at
how truly miserable I was at my old store location. I was never really
truly liked by most of the people working there, I know that, and I'm
fine with that. I was working in a system that was just simply not
working, no matter what I tried to do to improve. All of my hard work
went unnoticed and unappreciated, and I felt like I spent the first four
years of my career wasting my time. I honestly feel that you have to
enjoy what you do for a living in order to be good at it. And after a
while, work stopped being fun for me, and as a result, I stopped
caring. I was at the point where I was just in there for the paycheck,
and that was it. I ended up moving out of my small, no bedroom
apartment, moved in with Heather in July, transferred stores, and I
can't be more happier than I am these days. The people there recognize
my hard work, they appreciate it, and hell, they even thank me for
coming in to work. Hey, don't thank me, it's what I get paid for. Most
of the customers even ask for me by name because they know that I know
my shit, and I'll go out of my way to help them out.
My quest to take over the universe may just see the light after all lol.
This year, I've done a "Random Thoughts" column or two, and I decided that I'm gonna post the best of them here, not only from this year, but for previous years as well, for your amusement. As always I hope you either get a good laugh or you become offended as hell. Either one's good for me.
The Best of Random Thoughts
- To parents with kids that are throwing a fit cuz they're not getting what they want...Shut your kid up or I will.
- I'm sorry, but fat is not a disability. Get your fat ass out of that electric wheelchair and go to the damn gym!
- Good God Almighty, did Gwen Stefani's solo music go down the shitter or what?! I recently heard one of her new songs, and it sounds like something out of an old school, 8-bit video game. And trust me, if your music sounds like I should be playing Nintendo right now, that's when you know you suck. No Doubt was decent, get THEM back out there.
- When someone tells you that they aren't trying to be a pain in the
ass, guess what? That means that they actually ARE trying to be a pain
in the ass. Trust me, after seeing tourist after tourist over the
years, I know these things.
- If you are a white person, be a white person. If you are an African
American, be an African American. Don't be a white guy pretending to be
black. Me, I'm a small town, pasty faced white boy. I talk in
coherent sentences, I rock out whenever I can, and I think that 50 Cent
needs to be shot one more time. I'm not racist, I'm just for not being
afraid of who and what you are.
- Since I was 4 years old, I knew that Van Halen was the GREATEST BAND IN THE UNIVERSE.
- I don't care how hot she may or may not be. Beyonce has got to be one
of the most annoying people on the entire planet. Every picture I see
of her and she's smiling, it's that kind of knowing smile that says,
"Yeah, that's right, I'm a bitch." Not to mention that her music is by
far some of the worst I have heard in my lifetime. And then, "If I Were
a Boy" hit the airwaves. The first thousand times I heard it, I
thought to myself, "Hey...she's actually attempting to write a decent
song." After that, I realized just how damned WHINY she sounds
throughout the song. No thanks. Oh, and Beyonce, Destiny's Child
sucked too, by the way.
- Justin Bieber....seems that he's EXTREMELY popular among the
prepubescent female community. Coincidentally, he's also just as
popular among the adult homosexual male community. So if you've got
Bieber Fever, and you're not 12 years old OR a girl, you've got a lot of explaining to do.
- I REALLY don't understand the appeal of reggaeton. And no, it's got
nothing to do with its racial background. Every song, EVERY DAMN SONG,
has the same exact beat to it. There's no originality behind that.
Which means there's not one bit of talent behind it. And I'm sorry, but
I only listen to talented musicians.
Those were my best ones over the years, and trust me, BROTHERS, there'll be plenty more to come throughout the year.
It's that time of the year again, kiddies. It's time for...
2nd Chance CD of the Year
(Originally written 9-13-11)
Dream Theater A Dramatic Turn of Events (2011)
After looking at all the CD's I've reviewed this year, it's a
no-brainer that this ends up being the album of the year for me. I've
been a huge fan of Dream Theater since 2009, and after seeing them at
Hard Rock this year, was made into an even bigger fan than before. I
honestly believe that their performance there outshined my first ever
concert experience with Van Halen, in Tokyo, in 1995.
Tracklist One the Backs of Angels Build Me Up, Break Me Down Lost Not Forgotten This is the Life Bridges in the Sky Outcry Far From Heaven Breaking All Illusions Beneath the Surface
This album is an interesting one, and one that I have been looking forward to since hearing their previous CD, Black Clouds and Silver Linings (2009). Since
then, founding drummer Mike Portnoy left the band, citing that he
wanted to take a break from writing and recording. The rest of the band
wanted to continue at the breakneck pace they had been known to go, so
Portnoy left. In the meantime, Avenged Sevenfold's drummer, Jimmy "The
Rev" Sullivan unexpectedly died from an enlarged heart at the age of
28. They enlisted the services of Portnoy to take over the drums while
recording A7X's Nightmare album. After completing the record and
supporting tour, Portnoy made the attempt to return to Dream Theater,
which they declined, saying that they were already on the search for a
new drummer. Enter Mike Mangini. Mike Mangini was famous for replacing
Paul Geary in the band Extreme in 1995. By the time Mangini joined
Dream Theater, however, the songwriting had already been completed. At
that point, all the band did was send the completed tapes to Mangini so
that he can lay down his own drum track, and "add his own shit too."
The result is A Dramatic Turn of Events, released today. I
honestly don't think they could have gotten anyone else to replace Mike
Portnoy, as I feel that Mike Mangini is fitting in quite well. The main
thing that I was worried about upon hearing about the release of this
album was that Portnoy was one of the main songwriters in Dream
Theater. Thankfully, the music did not suffer from Portnoy's departure,
as A Dramatic Turn of Events is just as good as anything Dream
Theater had come out with. Hell, I would say it's one of their best
albums in years. With songs like "This is the Life," "Outcry," and the
album's lead single and opening track, "On the Backs of Angels," it's
hard to argue that point. If I had to introduce anyone to Dream
Theater, this would be the album to start them off with. Definitely
worth a listen.
Thumbs up.
This is obviously my last blog of the year. Hopefully I'll put another one out either next week or the week after. Until that time, Happy New Year, and remember, kids, only YOU can help stop tourism. To close things out, probably my best lyrical work EVER!
1000 Days - completed 7-18-10 after about a week of writing
I. Clarity
Afternoon, mid-July, the whole landscape changed, so did I I stood frozen, diamond in my sights What once was darkness had now become my light
I had my dream once, and it still stands Take these matters into these two hands You have to know this wasn't my plan Even I still can't understand
Then one day, anyone's guess My steel resolve was put to the test I set out to place my bets For in my dreams she always says "yes"
It's all just a dream, but it's my dream...
II. Conflict
What more must I say, to not face this again? My heart's light and heavy at the same time...
Pilgrimage to the north Ever looming, neverending Wage a war in myself "Never break your heart again." From the rich, to the poor Mix these signals, sending Die within but live to tell "Never let you hurt again."
I am pulled to shreds, sings, but sinks instead I am in conflict with my own heart Gain, but lose it all, right from the start
Whipped and weary, full of fear Pride is tested, breaking near Anxiety please disappear "Just do this for yourself."
...I am at a crossroads Which way do I turn? I'm another lost soul Which bridge do I burn?
III. Rise
Like two stars crossing, two ships passing I'm left a beaten man Waited far too long It's too late to turn back
My heart's been yours this whole time These words, yours as I write Why do I feel like I'm torn apart? When did this war begin with my heart?
As far as I can tell, there's no one left but me It's all been explained, but it's only Greek to me...
IV. Fall
"Wake up, young soldier. This nightmare is ending. Those three words, repeating, they're now never-ending."
This heart of mine sits still Those three words cost me dear I'd take it all back if given the chance To make it disappear
A thousand days, the angels sang Now they no longer speak The words came out, as my heart breaks I've never felt so weak
I look to the skies, The stars in your eyes I wish that you were mine Oh, I wish that you were all mine...
I could probably write a book on my lifetime experiences, live or otherwise, about my favorite band of all time, Van Halen. The first Van Halen album I've heard from beginning to end was Fair Warning, which my dad owned the cassette to. I was nine years old. The first CD I ever owned was For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, which I bought in Japan when I was 14. Their album Balance changed my life forever, again at age 14. There've been so many issues with the band over the years. The ugly departure of original and current singer David Lee Roth, the coming and going of second vocalist Sammy Hagar, to Eddie Van Halen being in and out of rehab so many times they might as well have a revolving door in place, and that is only to name a few. Ever since 1998's trainwreck Van Halen III I've waited patiently for new material from the band, no matter what the lineup was. When the band announced a reunion tour in 2007, I was bombarded with a ray of hope. Original bassist Michael Anthony was no longer with the band, which I can live with, even though he's one of my favorite musicians. Being replaced by Eddie's 20-year-old son Wolfgang, the band announced early last year that a new album was in the works. To say that I was excited would be like saying that the bomb dropped on Hiroshima was nothing more than a wet fart. Fast forward to this year, and the song "Tattoo" was released to the public. It took me a couple listens but it really grew on me, and I had hoped it would. And then, the big day came...February 7, just a few short days ago, A Different Kind of Truth hit stores all over the world. Needless to say, my heroes in rock have still got it. For years singer David Lee Roth has sounded like shit as a vocalist, dating back to his solo album, 1994's Your Filthy Little Mouth. But on A Different of Truth, he's sounded better than he has in years. Wolfgang Van Halen is a beast on the bass guitar, as he's a great fir for the band. Eddie and Alex Van Halen sound better than ever on guitar and drums, respectively. The album kicks off with the aforementioned "Tattoo" and just continues to kick you in the face for the next 50 minutes. Roughly half the songs on this CD are rewrites of music they've done in their early club days, pre-first album. Not necessarily a bad thing, as finally a lot of these songs have finally hit the official light of day, such as "She's the Woman," "Bullethead," "Big River," and "Blood and Fire." One of the more fun songs on the album would be "Stay Frosty," which is reminicent of "Ice Cream Man" from the band's debut 1978 album. Some other personal favorites of mine would have to be "You and Your Blues," "As Is," and the blistering "China Town." I really didn't know what to expect to hear when I first bought this album, I just know that I wanted it to be as good as their classic material from the 70's, 80's, and 90's. But after a couple of listens, I'm going to have to say that I was surprised, amazed, and ultimately satisfied with the end product. Welcome back guys. It's about time.
