beauty in a wicked world.

I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays with great friends, family, food, alcohol, and revelry. Besides working the demon that is retail at Christmas time, I've been enjoying all of the above. Being the first holiday season after my sudden birth into the "real world", its funny how things change. Nonetheless, we all get that warm fuzzy feeling within, no matter how old you are or what life stage you are coasting in.

Its hard to believe that we will be embarking on a new decade in a matter of a few days. Although 2009 has had its highs and lows, 2010 is looking pretty damn good from a close distance. I'm trying to stay optimistic, okay? Geez.

Now, on to the music. I wish I had the motivation to try and create a "Top Albums of 2009" list, but let's be honest, I don't. No matter what, there were plenty of quality sounds to play on repeat. Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear (and every derivative of the band that exists), Royksopp, The Xx, The Antlers, Phoenix, Natalie Portman's Shaved Head, Islands, Dark was the Night compilation, Other Lives, Empire of the Sun, Loney Dear, Thunderheist, The Golden Filter, Girls, The Swell Season, Camera Obscura, Beast, HEALTH, The Dodos, Memory Tapes, Atlas Sound, Wavves, The Thermals, Bear in Heaven...I could "rabble rabble rabble" even further, but I will cease. In addition to the new albums this year, you can't forget the ungodly number of remixes that were created. I'm pretty sure Empire of the Sun and Phoenix were the most remixed artists of the year. Music has been one of the few things to keep me sane this past year. Yes, I know that screams "cliche", but believe me, it isn't an empty statement.

I can't leave you without a music clip or two. Bonnaroo was an absolutely amazing pilgrimage, and here is one of my favorite music experiences of the year. The intensity of it all was ridiculous.

Oh, and standing about three foot from Ed Droste and Grizzly Bear at this SXSW performance...."cream your pants" good. I just wanted to touch him. (That's me in the vest)

One more....The Swell Season in Houston at Warehouse Live. One of the best concerts I've ever witnessed. Oh you know I cried when they performed "Once", and this moment was epic.

Here is the new single from Yeasayer, "Ampling Amp". It is very reminiscent of his past album, but I'd say it is better produced. The drums are sick on this track. The video itself is pretty creative/epic. I'm definitely a fan, and I cannot wait until the new album comes out.

At Bonnaroo, he made an announcement saying, "I know most of you are fucked up and high out of your minds. Please don't overdose." Thank God no one had to drive anywhere. That thought just came into mind while I was posting this.

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Although I have gotten several emails from Bonnaroo over the past few months, the one I received today definitely caught my attention. Bonnaroo 2010 Dates, Pre-Sale Tickets, and Video! Bonnaroo was one of the greatest musical experiences I have ever been a part of. It was truly a pilgrimage of sorts. With Sully as my partner in crime, we made the trip worth remembering. There was no drama (well, except for a certain racial profiling cop we encountered in Marshall, TX), and not having flushing toilets or showers didn't matter one bit. The music, the people, the atmosphere, the widespread drug use, dancing until sunrise, camping in the middle of Tennessee, the mud, port-o-potties filled to capacity....it doesn't get any better. Trust me.

It is safe to assume that Sully and I are purchasing tickets for next year.

Words can't even describe how blissful, amazing, beautiful, heartbreaking, perfect it was. The energy emitting from the stage was out of this world. These are the musicians that truly deserve the admiration and respect the receive. Their sincere demeanor radiated throughout the entire performance. Knowing that these songs reflect Glen and Marketa's actual relationship makes it that much more genuine.

The setlist consisted of the perfect mix of new and old. Hell, they played for about two hours, meaning, I heard just about every song I wanted. There were also several treats interspersed throughout the show: performing "Say It To Me Now" with no amp, bringing a woman on stage to sing with the band (this woman could sang), an intense Van Morrison cover (he was bleeding by the end of the song), etc. Another neat tidbit was the fact that they were performing with the rest of the band members from The Frames.

Most bands attempt to interact with the audience, but you actually believe what Glen and Marketa are saying. The magnetism between Glen, Marketa, and the crowd was just so real.

It is safe to say that a very special evening was enjoyed by all who attended.

Here is Grizzly Bear's latest music video, "Ready, Able," off Veckatimest. This is by far one of my favorite songs on the album.

Oh, and enjoy the extra hour of drinking. I know I will.

Unless you have been completely out of touch with society for the past couple weeks, surely you have heard the story about the boy and his weather balloon. The moment that situation was resolved, I had a feeling there was something very tailored about it. What a surprise...the father, Richard Heene, was behind it all. Heene did it for media attention, and even though its mostly negative, he is getting what he desired. The fact that it was done at the expense of his children makes this even worse. Can you believe how much it has blown up in the news? He is now being compared to John Gosselin as the '"Worst Dad Ever". Don't get me started on the hot mess that is "John and Kate + 8".

No matter what way you look at it, negative publicity is still publicity. The parents are being convicted, but I highly doubt they will receive a serious charge. They have officially become celebrities by default. There are so many different avenues in which a normal person can attain fame: youtube, reality television, social media networks, etc. Celebrity status has become almost a necessity for some. Here is in interesting article on CNN.com about how stardom is becoming a basic need in society.

I think I'll keep to myself and pass on the fame and stardom. Props to the people who can make a short-term living out of being a Default Celebrity, but you have to wonder where they will be in five years. Oh wait, they will probably just become the Richard Heenes of the future.

I'd say this is a pretty fucking clever music video. This is what The Cobra Snake would look like if it were a video sharing site. I'd say the track is catchy as well. Is it surprising that I found this on the iheartcomix website? I could see some fist pumping and feet stomping action taking place while the DJ let this one rip. Oh, and probably some girls snorting cocaine in the bathroom.

Yeah, I know....I've been out of touch with this whole "blogging" thing lately. I'm going to do my best to get back into the swing of things. I refuse to fall into the micro-blogging trap that is called Twitter. No offense to those of you who are avid tweeters, but I give a look of disgust when I hear someone say, "I've got to tweet that real fast." If "Miley Cyrus deleting her Twitter" is national news, God help us.

N-E-wayz...Since I kind of like music, here's a little something to wet your whistle.

You can't go wrong with Basement Jaxx, and anything featuring Sam Sparro is worth listening to. I'm not sure how I feel about his bleach blond hair though. This song just makes me grin from ear to ear. I'm quite excited about Basement Jaxx coming out with new material. Yes its very poppy and catchy, but that's okay sometimes.

I'm pretty obsessed with the new Girls album, Album. It just has a certain novelty and carefree attitude about it. This is a perfect album for a roadtrip with friends. I also love the music video for "Lust for Life". Its very nicely shot in a hipster kind of way. Yes, Pitchfork gave it a very high rating, but P4K does not dictate my music taste. They gave Thunderheist a low score, so they can suck it.


The Antlers' Hospice. Hands down, one of my top albums for 2009. There is no doubt about it. I wasn't sure if it would get much better than Grizzly Bear's Veckatimest (I still listen to it often). This man could sing me to sleep ANY night of the week. The whole album is so serene and relaxing, perfect for a rainy day and a cuddle buddy. Each song tells its own story, some of them almost heartbreaking.

The new Muse album, The Resistance, is decent. Well, its still growing on me. Absolution will always be my favorite Muse album, and I will always love Matthew Bellamy. The XX also made a very good impression on me as well. As far as singles go, here is what I've had on repeat: YYYs - "Heads Will Roll (Passion Pit Remix)", Tiesto feat. Cary Brothers - "Here On Earth", Starfucker - "German Love", Cant - "Ghosts" *Chris Taylor from Grizzly Bear)* Wild Beasts - "Hooting and Howling", Burns - "Turbo (Jokers of the Scene Remix), and Squincy Jones - "Pop My Trunk (Nintendub).

What can I say about my "unlimited summer" so far. From one angle, it has been a pleasant reprieve from the roller coaster that was my four years at Texa A&M. At the same time, it has been a very trying summer. Starting things off with Bonnaroo Music Festival could not have been a better choice. Four days of pure bliss, completely detached from my everyday life. I was surrounded by 80,000 concertgoers, and at every turn there was a music stage in sight. Although it was nice to finally take a shower after those four days, Bonnaroo was an absolutely amazing musical experience. Once I returned from the great state of Tennessee, I stuck my feet in cement, sat at my laptop, and applied to an ungodly number of jobs. I spend a good amount of time in Austin as well. As many of you know, I still don't have a job. *womp womp* I know. I'm trying to remain optimistic, but its getting harder and harder to do. It has definitely been a humbling experience. After four years of preparation, hard work, and interning, I thought I was on the right track. All I can do is keep on keepin' on. In addition to the job situation, the family situation has been stressful as well. So what do I decide to do? Take a last minute, somewhat reckless trip to Europe. Why did I do that you may ask? If I knew the exact reason, I would give you a hint. Nonetheless, Europe was absolutely fantastic. Who knows when I'll be able to take a trip like that again. The city of Barcelona has my heart (the above picture is from Barcelona). The people, the vibrant setting, the art, the architecture, the culture....what is not to love about that place? I seriously want to retire there. Germany was almost a blur. Oktoberfest turned out to be one of the most ridiculous events I have ever attended. "Oh, is it 10:00 am now? I'll take a liter of beer. Thanks." I had an amazing day though. 5 or 6 liters later, I was on a train back to Austria. Word of advice: roller coasters are not meant for the faint of heart OR the drunk. I love roller coasters, but I sure as hell was drunk. I can proudly say I did not vomit! Trust me, I have plenty of stories to share...and some of them will be told in detail on here at a later date.

Once I arrived back in the states and slept off the jetlag, I began hitting the job search again. Hard. I wish I had a dollar for every resume I have submitted. Luckily, I'm not alone in this endeavor, and I've made some new friends to keep me motivated/occupied ;)

Oh, hey there. Haven't been here in awhile. Apparently, I picked the worst time in DECADES in graduate. Although the past couple months have had its few rough patches, I'm trying to remain optimistic about the entire situation. There are plenty of people going through the same roller coaster I am. I have a good feel things will work out in the end. Austin, TX...here I come?

I found this video this morning, and I'm a fan. Here's Miike Snow live, performing "Sylvia".

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".

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:

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.
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.

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

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.

Doves' new album, Kingdom of Rust, was released a couple of weeks ago. It is a great album. I wouldn't say it is their overall best, but it is very good. The video featured above is for their title track, "Kingdom of Rust". I can listen this song on repeat and never tire of it. Something I love about this album is that it goes in two directions: 1) They stayed true to their roots for some of their songs; very reminiscent of past albums. 2) The band took a stab at new styles. A few of the tracks have a more electronic feel (which is the escalating trend these days). No matter what, the lyrics and instrumentals have a strong sense of emotion and passion. Plus, any song that successfully features a string section is amazing in my book. If you've never listened to the Doves before, check out this song below as well, "Snowden."

Standing in a shaded bar, I patiently waited for Loney, Dear to finish their sound check. Honestly, I was just thinking about where I could find an open bar. As soon as the band struck its first chord, I was hooked. Apparently, Sweden has a plethora of musical talent. I finally got two of their albums, and I cannot stop listening to them. There is definitely a contrast between the latest, "Dear John", and "Loney, Noir". "Dear John" is much more dark and emotional. The instrumentals, the vocals, and the lyrics all have a very serious tone. "Loney, Noir", although not happy go lucky, gives more of a sense of optimism. I can appreciate both sides of the coin and both are wonderful. It is nice to see an artist not spit out a repeat of the previous album but with different lyrics.

Although South by Southwest was over two weeks ago, I can't help but talk about it. I left the city of Austin, TX feeling tired, but also in awe from all of the new music I found. That is the great thing about it. You can walk around downtown Austin looking for the band you were dying to see, yet you can stumble upon something you never would have expected. Pete and the Pirates (pictured), Beast from Montreal, Shout Out Out Out Out (no, that is not a typo), Tricky (reminds me of Portishead), K'Naan (reggae version of N.E.R.D.)...this list could go on. You can really see the passion in these artists' eyes. They haven't become jaded by fame and money. Their unfiltered passion for the art is what motivates them. This is what motivates me to work in the music industry. Behind closed doors, it is not a glamourous industry. You don't have to tell me twice. Giving courageous artists the chance to allow the public to enjoy something so personal: that is something worth fighting for.

Of course, SXSW also gives music-goers the chance to enjoy artists they wouldn't normally get a chance to see. Grizzly Bear is an amazing group. Standing three feet away from Ed Droste as he sang beautiful melodies: pricesless. Seeing Kanye West, Common, and Erykah Badu perform on one stage, together: When does that happen?

Until SXSW 2010...

It is finally here. The week I've been looking forward to for the past six months or so. South by Southwest 2009....the land of live music, open bars, free swag, and ultra hipsters. Where else can you see Tom Morello and Ben friggin Harper do a special performance together? I met Wayne Coyne for God's sake! How awesome is that? Although it is stressful planning out my week and my wardrobe, it will all be worth it come Wednesday. I've never had a bad experience at SXSW, even when I wasn't 21. Well, it kind of sucked because I couldn't get into 80% of the venues, but I still had a blast.

Austin or Bust BITCHES.

I finally got a chance to listen to Andrew Bird's latest album, Noble Beast. It's definitely good, but very much like his older albums. Something different is that the second CD is all instrumental. It really showcases his talent on violin (which is amazing). I've seen him live a couple times, and he does not disappoint. Something I've read in other reviews is a complaint about his lyrics. Yes, sometimes his words may not have a clear message on a superficial level, or maybe even a level deeper, but I don't really think it takes away from the overall value of the music. All-in-all, this album is worth checking out.

Another artist I have recently discovered is Plant and Animals (pictured here). On their latest album, Parc Avenue, the song "Good Friend" sticks out to me. The chorus goes like this, "It takes a good friend to say you've got your head up your ass. It takes a good friend to meet you in the park in the dark. It takes an enemy to help you get out of bed. It takes your lover to leave you, to feel loneliness." I could listen to this song over and over on repeat. What do they sound like? Hmm...maybe an indie rock feel with a touch of alternative/Jim Noir/Elbow/The Frames-ish sound? See for yourself. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

I was recently introduced to Take Away shows. I've been constantly watching them. Beautiful music in a variety of settings. Sometimes its in the back seat of a car, the sidewalk of a busy street, or even a grocery store. Here is Bowerbirds performing "Dark Horse".

I'm kind of in love with this video. Why can't life be like this? All I have to do is walk around, break into dance, take off my shirt and wait for others to join me. To end my day, I wouldn't mind dancing around a bonfire either. Get all tribal and shit. Oh, how I love The Presets.
In other news, I've realized that you can find the biggest surprises in the least likely places. I went to Networking Night yesterday (business career fair shiet). Basically, I went to appease my parents and get a free dinner. As I'm sitting there, eating a decent slice of chocolate cake, I was taken my surprise. One of the speakers was an A&M graduate who decided to open up his own film production company. He basically gave his accounting degree the middle finger and decided to do what fueled his passion for life. You don't hear stories like that within the business school. As everyone knows, music is my life, but the business school definitely doesn't nurture that passion. I feel like whenever I tell people about my career goals, they don't understand. Especially in Mays Business School, I feel as if many students choose the path they are "supposed" to. Do I want to working for fucking Hormel, and sell canned chili? Yes, I said Hormel (they were at the career fair). Hell no, fuck no. It was refreshing to hear from someone with almost the exact same views as me. Of course, I had to talk to this guy. I ended up making a really good contact, and we'll see where it goes!

This week's obsession: Grizzly Bear. Yes, I know they are not new, but I kind of rediscovered them because they have a couple tracks on Dark was the Night. "Service Bell" featuring Feist is just fantastic. The top video features the song "Colorado" and the second is "Reprise." In Colorado, Edward Droste sings....When I clung to you there was nothing to hold on tight with, you left me adrift. I don't know why, but those lyrics just hit a soft spot with me. Those moments where you are so attached to something you find comfort, whether it is a person, an opinion, or something you love, sometimes you feel like there is nothing keeping you together. So simple, yet so meaningful. Both of these songs are just beautiful. The instrumentation just brings about feelings of calmness, contemplation, and relaxation.

Although it hasn't officially been released yet, I got my hands on "Dark was the Night", a compliation album of 31 exclusive tracks by artists we all know and love. Bon Iver, Feist, Ben Gibbard, Andrew Bird, Sharon Jones, Kevin Drew, The Decemeberists...just to name a few. The great thing is that they are all new songs, well some of them are covers. It is a great album. You can listen to the whole thing straight through without skipping a track (even though I already have a few favorites). I'm definitely going to purchase it when it comes out. It is being released on CD, LP, and digital. Another great thing about this album is that it benefits the Red Hot organization, a charity dedicated to raising money and awareness for HIV and AIDS through popular culture. Let's just say, I'm a fan.

The album comes out on February 16. Check out the website to get a complete list of artists. Here is a sampling of some of the tracks:

So, listen up. The lineup for Bonnaroo 2009 has been posted. It is fucking fantastic. Nine Inch Nails, Bruce Springsteen, Wilco, Al Green, Animal Collective, Bon Iver, Girl Talk...I could keep going. Check out the list of confirmed acts so far here. I've decided that I'm going to buy a ticket. Why the hell not? I've been wanting to go to this festival for years, and this will be my last little hurrah before I go out into the real world. Why not enjoy a week of roadtripping and living like a complete hippy?

Done and fucking done.

I feel like nudity isn't really looked upon as a "problem" at Bonnaroo. Oh goodness. When in Rome...

Well, besides being drugged on hydrocodone after my wisdom teeth extraction, time has just been movin' along. Or maybe that is because of the hydrocodone? I don't know.

So, Yeargan showed me this website. The Cobra Snake. Please check it out. It basically consists of ridiculously trendy/scene/indie kids at parties. It almost makes me want to vomit. I think if Urban Outfitters, American Apparel, and Buffalo Exchange could produce offspring together, this would be their baby's photo album. I mean, I consider myself somewhat trendy, but damn. I can't even compare to these people. I guess I need to step up my game.

This story is just ridiculous, and pretty humorous actually. I can't believe I only recently found it. I've love the Boondocks and have seen that episode before. Little did I know...

Sometimes you have to laugh about situations like this. It takes a lot to piss me off. If I got truly upset about a situation like this every time it arose, I would have high blood pressure and need anger management by now. The Boondocks are even poking fun of it. As most of you know, I rarely ever use this word. I don't think anyone should use it in any context. It is all over music and the media, but that will never be controlled. Hell, it is used in a lot of the music I enjoy listening to. I'm not going to deny it.

Last night, I had a "discussion" about race relations in the south. It was interesting to say the least.

I feel like this concert has been three years in the making. After missing out on one of John Legend's first tours, I vowed that I would see him in concert one day. Last night, I finally got my chance (thanks to my lovely wife). I love his three albums, but seeing him live was just purely amazing. Excuse my French, but he can fucking sing. When someone can sound like that in concert, his talent is unquestionable. These are the musicians that deserve the respect they get. They aren't celebrities first and then artists. He performed every song I wanted to hear. Hell, I enjoyed every single song he performed. His music is like pure sex. All-in-all, it was just a very special concert. I can't even put it into words. Also, the man barely took a break. It was just song after song after song.

Estelle was a great opener as well. It was definitely a pleasant surprise. I could not believe she did a cover of "God Put A Smile Upon Your Face", but it was sort of an R&B/funk version. It was awesome. She even threw in a little Robin S, "Show Me Love", into the mix. Her backup singers/dancers were just as entertaining as her singing. They were going crazy on stage!

The audience was really into it, and everyone was dressed to impress. It was a very fun and enjoyable atmosphere and a great overall vibe. Let's just say, I left the Verizon Wireless Theater an extremely happy fan. I was in such a great mood after the show that nothing could have upset me. This was one of the best concerts I've been to in quite a long time.

There was no better way to top off the night than with Chances, Notsuoh, and cheesy jalapeno biscuits.

"Bon Iver" is French for good winter. No wonder his album covers are photos involving snow. Bon Iver's album, For Emma, Forever Ago, is one of my top albums for 2008. If you STILL haven't listened to it, you need to get on that immediately. It is quite excellent. This week, his new EP, Blood Bank, was released. Although it is only four tracks long, I think it is a glimpse of what is to come, and I can't wait to see where he takes us. This album is very different from For Emma, Forever ago, but not in a bad way. He definitely focused on minimalism in his first album, but I'm glad his EP isn't just a continuation of that. Still, his music can almost put you in a trance. It is so calming and relaxing. This is the kind of music you listen to when you are sitting on your back porch, watching the sunset and waiting for the stars to appear.

The most intriguing song is Woods. Here are the lyrics:

I'm up in the woods
I'm down on my mind
I'm building a still
to slow down the time.

Yup, that's it. Put those lines on repeat, and you got it. Justin Vernon made use of the auto-tuner, but it isn't used to the point of annoyance. It is just beautiful and almost haunting. This song has sort of an Hide and Seek/Imogen Heap sound to it, except its a man singing. Kanye West would be proud. As far as the lyrics go, I think it is purely saying to slow down and enjoy your surroundings. We all get caught up in things, and life becomes just a blur. Take your time occasionally and just admire what is around you. Take the time to understand what is happening. Sometimes you have to wonder, what am I missing out on? The answers to that question are endless.

My country, 'tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee i sing...

No matter what your views on politics are, today has been a day that will be remembered for years and years to come. It is amazing to say I actually saw something that most thought would never happen. This is something my grandparents probably NEVER believed would actually happen. I could not be more proud right now.

It is obvious that our country is in a state of distress, panic, and chaos. As a soon-to-be graduate, I would be lying to say that I'm not nervous at all. If our nation is really going to change things, the divide needs to end. Barack Obama is our president no matter what. It doesn't matter if you are conservative, moderate, or liberal. The election is over, and we are still all Americans. This segregation needs to end. Obama has really instilled a sense of hope and future progress. It's not going to be an easy fix, but it is going to take a true shift in morale for things to get better. People need to start believing that our country will get past these difficult times.

I've supported Obama since I saw him speak over two years ago in Austin, and today just made it all seem that much more real.

P.S. - will you people stop with your gah damn facebook statuses about socialism and how awesome Bush is? Get over it/yourself.

Ah yes, South By Southwest. I have spent the past two springs breaks in Austin for it, and I have had an amazing adventure each time. So many memories, so many stories, so much music, so many open bars. This year will be no different. Yes, Austin, you will be graced my presence once again. The first round of SXSW bands have been posted. Check them out here: http://sxsw.com/music/shows/bands. I'm excited. Quincy Jones is the keynote speaker this year. That will be pretty badass. I will post the SXSW Party list as soon as it is posted. It's my last spring break. ever. Gotta make this shit count!

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Even though I bought it two months ago, I'm finally deep into my next book, Learning to Die. It's the story of Wilco and how the band began, years and years ago. It is always interesting to read up on the intimate background of bands that have blown up. So far, I'm really enjoying it. I'll let you know when I'm finished.

A couple nights ago, I found myself drinking Lonestar and listening to music with friends until about 4 a.m. I feel like I haven't done that in ages. As simple as it was, it was quite refreshing. Just listening to good, quality music. Radiohead. Bjork. LCD Soundsystem. Beck. Hell, and having 6000 albums to choose from wasn't so bad. Also, it was sort of a reminder of what I need to focus on this semester: finding a career in music. I know I've said it many times before, but it all seems so much more real and relevant now.

I'm about to begin my last semester in college. It has finally hit me like a train. This is it; the end of an era. In five months, everything in my life will completely change. No more studying, no more carefree attitude, and no more college drink specials. I will definitely miss the latter.

This holiday break has been given me a great chance to think about things before I hit the ground running. Goals, family, friends, my life, the future...

P.S. - I can't believe I rode around for about 30 minutes to find a CiCi's pizza in West Houston. And what does the manager have the nerve to say to me? "Are you familiar with how everything works here at CiCi's?" Yes, sir. I'm a fucking pizza buffet professional.

P.S.S - Demitri Martin STILL isn't funny.

Oh, hey 2009. You got here faster than I thought you would. 2008 was definitely a year to remember.

Happy New Year everyone!