In the summer of 1995 - at the age of 12 - I attended my first Warped Tour in Philadelphia. I watched bands like Pennywise, Reel Big Fish, and Blink 182. I bought my first band t-shirt from the Pennywise stand. It was the first of countless concerts I would attend.
13 years later, I am working on the Warped Tour. I am a few days shy of turning 25 years old. I'm working for The Color Fred. Bands like Pennywise, Reel Big Fish, and Angels & Airwaves are playing on the tour. If you asked me 5 years ago what I'd be doing with my life at the age of 25, I would not have said this. It is quite strange how life unfolds, and the paths you take along the way.
I've come to meet some unbelievably amazing people in my profession. I am very lucky be able to say this. This tour is filled with old friends, and I am making new ones every day. It's great to be out with The Color Fred. They are some of the sweetest dudes in the world. And once again, I am able to be out with the A&A crew, Ping, and Ben. They really do treat you like family. It's extremely comforting.
My days are filled with sweat and heat and merchandise peddling. I can't say it is a bad gig, because quite frankly it's not. I wake up early, load in, and sit and sell all day. My nights are filled with mingling, barbecue, and welcomed late-night phone conversation with someone who I've become quite fond of. It's strange because this is something that I didn't see coming. It's funny how things like this happen. It's funny how a crush leads to a few sweet kisses, and how that can make 2 months seem just a bit longer. It does, however, give me something to look forward to.
Big things are on the horizon. Hopefully, some music will be written and recorded post-tour. This fall could be quite ridiculous. I will be moving to California by the end of the year, if not sooner. My world is changing, and I don't particularly mind it.
I'm picking up good vibrations.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
Viva Las Vegas
Last week, I went to Las Vegas for one of my best friend's wedding. It was all I could have hoped for in a vacation with friends and more. The weather was perfect the whole time we were there. We stayed at the MGM Grand, and truly lived it up the whole time we were there. We ate great food, lounged by the pool, explored the strip, shopped for obnoxious t-shirts, and on the last night were partying like we were in a rap video. It was ridiculous. I loved every minute of it.
The wedding itself was a beautiful sight. They kept it short and to the point, but it was by far the best service I have ever witnessed. They didn't talk about religion or read any passages, or drag it out and make it boring. They just talked about marriage, and JC and Jackie, and the adventure they were about to embark on. As corny as it may have been, I left the chapel a tad bit emotional, and I'd be lying if I said it didn't make me want to get married.
As with any vacation, no one wanted to leave. But all good things must come to an end, or so they say. We all returned safely to the fine state of New Jersey (or Pennsylvania for our non-armpit-of-the-country residents). One week later, we all dressed to impress and attended the reception dinner in Philadelphia. It was great to see so many friends in one place, celebrating the wedding of someone we all love dearly. It's moments like those when you wish you could freeze time, so that no one had to go separate ways and grow up. For it is an undeniable truth that growing up leads to change.
And alas, I woke up this morning to the phone call confirming that in a few days, there will be a big change. I will once again embark on 2 months of touring. We leave at the end of the week. A part of me is very excited, and nervous, and sad to leave. It's very odd to start a new chapter of your life - a new career. It's very odd to be displaced from the things and the people and the places that you have grown to be so familiar with. I can't say that I don't love the traveling, and being surrounded by and working with great people. There are so many people that I am looking forward to seeing again and spending the summer with. But there are also many things and people that I will miss back home, and not filling my summer with them seems so foreign to me. The grilling, the late nights, the beach, the diner, the city(ies). I mean, tour will be great. The people will be great. But there really is no place like home.
It's funny how growing up, you just want to get away. And when you're older, you're torn between staying and leaving. What comes next?
Wake me up when we get there.
The wedding itself was a beautiful sight. They kept it short and to the point, but it was by far the best service I have ever witnessed. They didn't talk about religion or read any passages, or drag it out and make it boring. They just talked about marriage, and JC and Jackie, and the adventure they were about to embark on. As corny as it may have been, I left the chapel a tad bit emotional, and I'd be lying if I said it didn't make me want to get married.
As with any vacation, no one wanted to leave. But all good things must come to an end, or so they say. We all returned safely to the fine state of New Jersey (or Pennsylvania for our non-armpit-of-the-country residents). One week later, we all dressed to impress and attended the reception dinner in Philadelphia. It was great to see so many friends in one place, celebrating the wedding of someone we all love dearly. It's moments like those when you wish you could freeze time, so that no one had to go separate ways and grow up. For it is an undeniable truth that growing up leads to change.
And alas, I woke up this morning to the phone call confirming that in a few days, there will be a big change. I will once again embark on 2 months of touring. We leave at the end of the week. A part of me is very excited, and nervous, and sad to leave. It's very odd to start a new chapter of your life - a new career. It's very odd to be displaced from the things and the people and the places that you have grown to be so familiar with. I can't say that I don't love the traveling, and being surrounded by and working with great people. There are so many people that I am looking forward to seeing again and spending the summer with. But there are also many things and people that I will miss back home, and not filling my summer with them seems so foreign to me. The grilling, the late nights, the beach, the diner, the city(ies). I mean, tour will be great. The people will be great. But there really is no place like home.
It's funny how growing up, you just want to get away. And when you're older, you're torn between staying and leaving. What comes next?
Wake me up when we get there.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
If I Had My Own World, I'd Build You An Empire...
And...tour is over. Or, ending. We are finishing the trek home. I have done a poor job keeping this updated. So now comes the short-hand long-winded recap of the tail end of this tour.
Driving from Colorado through Utah, Wyoming, Idaho and Oregon was beautiful. The mountains are breathtaking, and they make you feel smaller than you've ever felt in your life. Lots of thinking on those long drives. Sometimes that's good. Sometimes it makes your brain feel like you're going to explode. I've decided to make some changes for the immediate future. Big things happening. Stay tuned for more.
Portland was amazing. We had a whole day off there. I hopped on the train at night and went exploring downtown. What a clean, beautiful city. It seems like a city of young people. The adults even seemed young - like a bunch of Henry Rollins' walking around. I met Lindsay's friends, and they were great. Trip is probably one of the funniest people I've ever met in my life. They came to the show the next day and took me to get coffee at some crazy well-respected coffee shop. I didn't realize how huge coffee culture is out there. It's insane.
After the Pacific Northwest, we moved onward to California. Ahhh, California. It was everything I had expected and more. Magnificent. The Redwoods, the sweeping coasts, the mountains, the Golden Gate Bridge. New goal: save money in 2008 so that I can move to Cali in 2009.
The last few shows were extremely fun. More bonding, hanging, and semi-partying. Chris came back for a few shows. A good time was had by all. I will miss California, all of its sights and sounds and smells, and the people who I have befriended on this tour. Luckily, it won't be the last time I see many of them. This summer will be a blast.
The trek home has seemed to take forever. Hanging with The Color Fred has been awesome as usual. Solid dudes. I can't wait to get home and see everyone. BBQ's at Pat's. The Diner. Parties in NY. It will be a good 2 months. Time to decompress.
See you soon.
Driving from Colorado through Utah, Wyoming, Idaho and Oregon was beautiful. The mountains are breathtaking, and they make you feel smaller than you've ever felt in your life. Lots of thinking on those long drives. Sometimes that's good. Sometimes it makes your brain feel like you're going to explode. I've decided to make some changes for the immediate future. Big things happening. Stay tuned for more.
Portland was amazing. We had a whole day off there. I hopped on the train at night and went exploring downtown. What a clean, beautiful city. It seems like a city of young people. The adults even seemed young - like a bunch of Henry Rollins' walking around. I met Lindsay's friends, and they were great. Trip is probably one of the funniest people I've ever met in my life. They came to the show the next day and took me to get coffee at some crazy well-respected coffee shop. I didn't realize how huge coffee culture is out there. It's insane.
After the Pacific Northwest, we moved onward to California. Ahhh, California. It was everything I had expected and more. Magnificent. The Redwoods, the sweeping coasts, the mountains, the Golden Gate Bridge. New goal: save money in 2008 so that I can move to Cali in 2009.
The last few shows were extremely fun. More bonding, hanging, and semi-partying. Chris came back for a few shows. A good time was had by all. I will miss California, all of its sights and sounds and smells, and the people who I have befriended on this tour. Luckily, it won't be the last time I see many of them. This summer will be a blast.
The trek home has seemed to take forever. Hanging with The Color Fred has been awesome as usual. Solid dudes. I can't wait to get home and see everyone. BBQ's at Pat's. The Diner. Parties in NY. It will be a good 2 months. Time to decompress.
See you soon.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
I Don't Know Which Way I'm Going, I Don't Know What I've Become...
I will be 25 years old in a few short months. 25. What have I accomplished? What am I doing with my life? Where will I end up? Scary.
I have a college degree. I have $110,000 debt due to student loans. I have a job that I love and that pays me to travel. I don't know how well it will pay me. I don't know where I will live after this tour. I've been single for well over 3 years. I'd like to get married and have a family some day, but I don't understand how I will meet someone while doing this job. Nor do I see myself meeting someone back home. And I didn't meet anyone while living in New York for 3 years. I want to make music, but I fear that while my friends also want to, that I may not come home to written songs or motivation. I have more gray hairs coming in. I feel significantly older. I look significantly older. I'm out of shape, and not close to being in as good of shape as I was 2 summers ago.
Why do we put such a concern on what we're doing by a certain age in our lives? Why does our culture revolve around the crowning achievements that people make at age X or Y?
What am I doing with my life?
This was pointless.
I have a college degree. I have $110,000 debt due to student loans. I have a job that I love and that pays me to travel. I don't know how well it will pay me. I don't know where I will live after this tour. I've been single for well over 3 years. I'd like to get married and have a family some day, but I don't understand how I will meet someone while doing this job. Nor do I see myself meeting someone back home. And I didn't meet anyone while living in New York for 3 years. I want to make music, but I fear that while my friends also want to, that I may not come home to written songs or motivation. I have more gray hairs coming in. I feel significantly older. I look significantly older. I'm out of shape, and not close to being in as good of shape as I was 2 summers ago.
Why do we put such a concern on what we're doing by a certain age in our lives? Why does our culture revolve around the crowning achievements that people make at age X or Y?
What am I doing with my life?
This was pointless.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Welcome To The Good Life...
This post is a few days late. Well, close to a week. I'll keep it to a short re-cap of the party and the last few days.
We partied in Canada. It was awesome. Everyone raged. We rolled deep. It was a great time. I love learning more and more about the people that surround me every day.
The last few days were good. Ohio is a worthless state. Learn how to plow your roads. Use your tax dollars.
The only good thing about Ohio is Andrew's house. (Well, and the random girl I kissed...what?) The movie theater in the basement was nothing short of killer. I caught bits and pieces of Michael Clayton while doing laundry. I ripped it to my computer and will watch it later. More comments to follow at a later date.
Joe left. That was sad. But I'm thankful for the experience of working with him and he taught me alot. I'll definitely go out of my way to keep in touch with him and maintain a friendship there. Rad dude. He'll be missed.
Joe's replacement, Ron, also rules hard. Solid dude. I'm very stoked to be finishing out the tour with him. He is yet another person who's experience I can learn greatly from. And it will be fun to hang with him.
Ok. It's 4:08 AM and I need rest. Van call at 9:30. The next post will deal with more serious matters. Read if you dare.
Stay classy.
We partied in Canada. It was awesome. Everyone raged. We rolled deep. It was a great time. I love learning more and more about the people that surround me every day.
The last few days were good. Ohio is a worthless state. Learn how to plow your roads. Use your tax dollars.
The only good thing about Ohio is Andrew's house. (Well, and the random girl I kissed...what?) The movie theater in the basement was nothing short of killer. I caught bits and pieces of Michael Clayton while doing laundry. I ripped it to my computer and will watch it later. More comments to follow at a later date.
Joe left. That was sad. But I'm thankful for the experience of working with him and he taught me alot. I'll definitely go out of my way to keep in touch with him and maintain a friendship there. Rad dude. He'll be missed.
Joe's replacement, Ron, also rules hard. Solid dude. I'm very stoked to be finishing out the tour with him. He is yet another person who's experience I can learn greatly from. And it will be fun to hang with him.
Ok. It's 4:08 AM and I need rest. Van call at 9:30. The next post will deal with more serious matters. Read if you dare.
Stay classy.
Friday, February 22, 2008
If this is only a test, I hope that I'm passing...
Today we had a show in Montreal. We crossed a bridge to enter the city. I believe we drove across Lake Champlain. It was beautiful. The water was half frozen with chunks of ice floating through it. The sun gleamed off of the water, and the city stood above the coast just ahead of us. It was a breathtaking sight. It was a pleasant break in mood.
Montreal seems interesting. I would like to explore it more if given the time and opportunity. I got to eat Vietnamese food for dinner. It was delicious.
I think everyone is partying at the bar next door after the show. That could be a post in and of itself.
On a worse note, we talked about some virtual world called Second Life the other day. It angered me. A lot. Apparently it is a virtual world that operates on real currency. People sit on their computers all day and run fake virtual businesses and make real money. They do fake things on the internet and go to virtual replications of places, instead of leaving their house and seeing the real world. Excuse my vernacular when I say FUCK THAT. Anyone who takes part in that is a moron and deserves to get beat the fuck up. You are stupid. I could go on and on about this, but then I would ruin my night. I'm already in a weird mood as it its.
Also, women are terrible. 3 and a half years and my hope is still lost somewhere at sea. I'm glad that men older than me like Joe and Chris feel the same. Let's get off these terrible topics.
Re-cap of things we've learned/re-learned/acknowledged today:
- I've made awesome friends on this tour.
- I will miss Joe when he leaves after Chicago.
- Montreal is pretty.
- Tom DeLonge is hilarious.
- I need to make music again.
- Women are awful.
- Second Life must be destroyed.
Onward towards the party. Hopefully it will give me something fun to write about.
Keep it sleezy.
Montreal seems interesting. I would like to explore it more if given the time and opportunity. I got to eat Vietnamese food for dinner. It was delicious.
I think everyone is partying at the bar next door after the show. That could be a post in and of itself.
On a worse note, we talked about some virtual world called Second Life the other day. It angered me. A lot. Apparently it is a virtual world that operates on real currency. People sit on their computers all day and run fake virtual businesses and make real money. They do fake things on the internet and go to virtual replications of places, instead of leaving their house and seeing the real world. Excuse my vernacular when I say FUCK THAT. Anyone who takes part in that is a moron and deserves to get beat the fuck up. You are stupid. I could go on and on about this, but then I would ruin my night. I'm already in a weird mood as it its.
Also, women are terrible. 3 and a half years and my hope is still lost somewhere at sea. I'm glad that men older than me like Joe and Chris feel the same. Let's get off these terrible topics.
Re-cap of things we've learned/re-learned/acknowledged today:
- I've made awesome friends on this tour.
- I will miss Joe when he leaves after Chicago.
- Montreal is pretty.
- Tom DeLonge is hilarious.
- I need to make music again.
- Women are awful.
- Second Life must be destroyed.
Onward towards the party. Hopefully it will give me something fun to write about.
Keep it sleezy.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
It's all happening...
So this is where it begins. Laying in a hotel bed in Plattsburgh, NY. Tomorrow we cross the border and drive to Montreal. We are 3 weeks into tour, and it feels like it's just beginning. We still have a month of touring left. I'm still excited every morning when I wake up.
Let me back up and re-cap the events until this point: Fly to LA, Prep, Drive to Arizona, 4 shows in Texas, Eat Texas BBQ for free, make an obnoxiously long haul to Ft. Lauderdale, 2 shows in Florida, Hang in Charlotte and meet Will's friends, Shows in the Northeast, Onwards towards Canada. That about brings us up to date.
Everyone in every band is amazing. I thoroughly enjoy the company of the friends that I share a van with every day. It's a great feeling to pull up to the venue and get hugs and high-5's from the same people you see every day, and for everyone to be excited to see each other. This next month will provide us with some serious hangs. I am stoked.
Changes: I've cut my hair and trimmed my beard. No more mountain man. I was sad to see it all go, but it was time for a change.
Ok, it's time to sign off. Early wake-up tomorrow. I need to make these posts more interesting.
Goodnight USA. Good Morning Canada.
Let me back up and re-cap the events until this point: Fly to LA, Prep, Drive to Arizona, 4 shows in Texas, Eat Texas BBQ for free, make an obnoxiously long haul to Ft. Lauderdale, 2 shows in Florida, Hang in Charlotte and meet Will's friends, Shows in the Northeast, Onwards towards Canada. That about brings us up to date.
Everyone in every band is amazing. I thoroughly enjoy the company of the friends that I share a van with every day. It's a great feeling to pull up to the venue and get hugs and high-5's from the same people you see every day, and for everyone to be excited to see each other. This next month will provide us with some serious hangs. I am stoked.
Changes: I've cut my hair and trimmed my beard. No more mountain man. I was sad to see it all go, but it was time for a change.
Ok, it's time to sign off. Early wake-up tomorrow. I need to make these posts more interesting.
Goodnight USA. Good Morning Canada.
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