two weeks: music video.

love it.

ATX.

Recently, I made a short getaway to Austin, and it was definitely much needed. After a pleasant lunch at Whole Foods, I could not help but make a trip to the Waterloo Records across the street. If I had access to unlimited funds, I could do some major damage to my bank account in that store. Luckily, I have a shred of self-control, so I limited myself to three albums. The first is Other Lives' self-titled album. It was a suggestion from a friend, and I thought, "Why not take a chance?" I'm glad I took that chance. The album is beautiful. This is the kind of music you can really feel. I also appreciate the instrumentation. I absolutely love bands that utilize piano and strings to their full potentials. Here are the lyrics to one of the tracks, "Black Tables".

When the whites of your eyes come through
You'll see something new
With your body and mine raised up
It's good to see you back home
When the life in your eyes wants black
Things return
You've come back
With your body and mine raised up
It's good to see you once more

I also purchased White Rabbits' It's Frightening and Bear in Heaven's Red Bloom of the Boom. Both are very good as well. I'd say that It's Frighetning is very reminiscent of Spoon, while Red Bloom of the Boom is much more obscure and experimental. When the cashier asked if I would like to put my items in a bag, and I said yes, she retorted, "Aren't you afraid of what might happen if you but rabbits and bears together?" Ha...ha...wow.

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After my trip to Austin, I've come to terms with the fact that moving out of state is probably not going to happen this year. As much as I would love to get a job in California, with the current economic situation, finding a good job out there isn't likely at the moment. I've got Austin in view, and let's hope I move there in the next six months. As I stood at the top of Mt. Bonnell (pictured below), I realized just how much I could see myself living there. Austin or bust!

[end scene]

Graduation has come and gone. It is almost a blur in my memory right now. As I walked across the stage to accept my diploma from Dr. Murano, I felt as if I was surrounded by silence. I didn't hear cheers or anything. It was almost surreal. Looking back on the past four years, I don't regret anything, especially my decision to stay at Texas A&M. My first semester was less than smooth. Nonetheless, it has been a whirlwind of an experience. I've had my ups, but I have definitely had plenty of downs. I think that it is important to remember both. The times we are at our lowest are when we learn the most, and I can attest to that.

Summer has begun. I don't have a job, but I'm remaining optimistic. Out of all my friends who graduated this May, only a handful of them have jobs. In the mean time, I'm going to enjoy the summer weather and relax for the time being. In three weeks I'll be embarking on my pilgrimage to Bonnaroo Music Festival, which will include stops in Hot Springs, AR and Nashville, TN. Here's a little tune to get your summer started off right:

sittin' in a tree.

ready, able.

Five years cast once and far alone.
Hope I'm ready, able to make my own;
goodbye.

Ed Droste just has a way with words. It is almost unreal how poignant Grizzly Bear's music can be. I cannot stop listening to their latest album, Veckatimest. The lyrics. The instrumentals. The feelings. The emotions. It has to be one of the best new albums I've heard in a long time. Although I already have an affinity to Grizzly Bear, there is denying how amazing this album is. Just about every track is special. It is rare for me to able to listen to a whole album without the urge to fast forward through my least favorite songs. Case in point: do yourself a favor and check Veckatimest out. Well, when it officially comes out.

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Graduation: The end of an era. In less than two weeks, I will be walking across that stage, shaking Dr. Murano's hand, and retrieving that little piece of paper that took four years to get. I don't think I've fully accepted it yet and won't until I'm having to wake up at 7:00 am to get to campus by 8:15 am. I have to be honest: I'm nervous. I can't lie about that. Do I know what the hell I'm doing with my life? Nope. I'm working on it though, trust me. I've come to so many realizations about so many things in the past month, and no matter what, I feel more than prepared to move on in my life. I know what I want, I know what I deserve, and I'm not trying to seem arrogant about it. Life is just plain crazy at the moment. I think Ben Gibbard can describe what I'm saying best...

Because in my head there's a Greyhound station
Where I send my thoughts to far-off destinations
So they may have a chance of finding a place
Where they're far more suited than here

And here's a little tune for you to listen to...Loney, Dear: "Le Fever" (Take Away Show)

apparently this song is huge hit with my friends.

Thunderheist. Another of my South by Southwest discoveries. How would I describe her? She is a bit reminiscent of Peaches, but she is black. Here is her latest video for "Jerk It."


thunderheist - jerk it from thatgo on Vimeo.

This was definitely the song of the weekend, especially at my Ring Dunk. How fast did I chug a pitcher of beer? 23.5 seconds. Get some.

solid gold.

Here are a couple tunes to get your weekend started:





I couldn't be more excited about the next couple days. Good times. Good memories. Good friends.