Second post after posting my alleged end of year post.

Haha, I guess I lied.

I'm procrastinating the fact that I have to shave my beard. Should have done it last night but I watched mindless television. No excuses now though but I'm trying to make some up.

White Castle Burgers

These things are so evil and yet so good. EVIL! GOOD! EVIL! GOOD! DELICIOUS!

Bow ties and end of year nonsense.

Well, I have a bow tie now. The next step is learning how to tie a bow tie, which doesn't seem quite difficult after perusing some images and videos on Google but practice will be needed.

That aside, this is most likely the final entry for the year 2009. In the past year I've moved out of my parent's home, met and began dating Melissa, started grad school and in several walks of life become an adult. I tell ya, it's weird and I'm still adjusting. The year hasn't treated me too bad but I've learned from the mistakes I've made and 2010 is all about repairing them (the first third should suffice).

What else? I saw some good concerts (The Gaslight Anthem, The Bouncing Souls, Flogging Molly, Bad Religion and Weezer). I read and collected a lot of books (most of which still haven't been read). I guess that's really it.

It's weird how people begin their reflecting on the past year on the eve or close to the eve that signals the end of the year. New Years Eve and New Years Day are just two regular days that have the unfortunate luck of being the last and first days of an ending year and a new year, respectively. These days, to me, are highly overrated and are just another pair of regular days. People still work and people will still go to work after. Nothing ends and nothing stops so why hype up two days over the other 363 days? Something is wrong with this. Know what I'm saying? Something is wrong with this.

Ah well.

Things.

So I'm listening to The Warriors' Genuine Sense of Outrage. I've heard the record before but I'm really digging it right now. Good set of jams.

I also got a busted ankle at the moment. Nothing too serious but I slipped and fell walking down a flight of stairs in the Canal Street subway station. It hurts to move my ankle and foot back.

I'm on break until January 4th. Yay!

Feeling weird and I'm trying to figure it out. I hate feeling weird but I'm already feeling it. I need to find a solution. I must.

Snow

The snowing coming down out there is pretty cool. It reminds me of New Paltz days when in front of the TKE house an igloo was built. It was amazing for the fact that brothers were hanging out inside of the igloo. A tv and an X-box were set up inside of the igloo. Some brothers fell asleep inside of the igloo. Haha.

Huh! Hoo! Huh!

I don't know what I'm saying. I'm just saying I'm saying but I don't know what I'm saying.

Que?

New Territory

Going to a club tonight. Never been before so this will be interesting.

I'm feeling chill right now and I'm 'bout to head out to the train to Newark.

Listening to "Turnstyles" by The Lawrence Arms.

It's Been Awhile

Yeah. It so has. Have a paper to finish for Tuesday. Weekend is gonna be pretty packed. Exciting times. Really exciting times.

Jamming out to Ensiferum right now. Good times.

Every Man Dies...

What is my fascination with the movie Braveaheart? Holy fuck, I think we have a man crush on a movie>

<3 chula =" D

Walking

Well, but I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more!

For her... hell yeah.

... For the world to see!

Listening to the band Death right now. Not death metal Death but this other band with the same name... a true jam.

Yeah.

Walk Among Us

Can't stop listening to this record. It's definitely the best material from the Danzig era Misfits. No doubt there. All the songs are great tunes and Jerry Only's version of the Misfits did a commendable job playing on Halloween.

Get this record if you don't have it.

Down and Up Then Down Again Then Up Again

... Was put in a position in which I had to drop a class... lost that money and credit. I dislike people who teacher without ever actually have had real teaching experience.

Can't win them all I suppose but it sure sucks though.

Halloween is today. The Misfits tonight at B.B. King's. I'm quite excited because this will be the first concert I go to with Franky and no other third parties. I'm excited and happy.

Perhaps I'll go to the show in costume. AWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Time Flies

Gosh, it's been sometime since I skulked around here. The school year is a month in, grad school is a bit over a month in and I'm busy, beat and almost scratching for time. Can't say it sucks but I hate not being able to read for pleasure and choosing the source of that pleasure. In the end it will all pay off.

It better.

I hope.

... Saw KISS on Saturday night. It was great and well worth it. Good songs, great effects and stage show. Can't complain. I wished they played a few more songs of my choice but again, ya can't win them all.

Next up, THE MISFITS on Halloween at B.B. King's in Times Square. After that it seems like a lull will take over. I have term papers coming up that I'll need to devote time so musical extravaganzas will have to take a back seat. I wish I could make a living of attending shows and seeing, hearing live music. It would be KILLER!!!!

Ah well, back to reality.

Fall into Something New

New school year began today. New school year with kids begins tomorrow. Oh snap!

Some things are different and some are not. Here's to a brand new school year of kickassery!!!!

Dream Jobs

Second post of the night because subjects are different.

Riding the subway to Brooklyn College I began to think that I would totally love/enjoy working in a music store as a resident metal/hardcore/punk/rock/select Spanish music clerk. It would be pretty cool to spend my working hours surrounded by music.

If I had the skills to be a music teacher I would probably solely teach rocking music. Classical, jazz and all the "traditional" genres rock too but not as much as the music that is my life soundtrack.

Working for a music magazine would be rad too. Very rad.

Beginning Again

So I have a new roommate. He's a Spaniard and a personal trainer... I guess you could say I'm living with Antonio Banderas.

I also attended my first grad class today. Professor spoke a bit and let us out early so we could head over to Shakespeare & Co. and buy the required reading. Ten books in total; a book a week. Shouldn't be too bad. My second grad class meets tomorrow... hopefully the reading won't be too heavy.

Things are looking good. It's September, working on my Master's, back to work next week (this Thursday & Friday unofficially) and I'm totally into my girlfriend, chula.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Up, down, up, down, down, up, down, up.

Title says it all. Up then down then up again then down again and so on.

Here's hoping for some constant up.

Nice!

Brooklyn College's Graduate Program just got a little bit more heavy metal. Oh yeah.

Sumer Time is Here

Today is the first official day of Summer for me. I spent the past 4 weeks sitting in a classroom over two workshops, which are now done and here I am summer! Here I am for the taking.

Being the exciting guy that I am I woke up at 7:30 today, read a few pages and now am doing laundry. Great time, no? Of course it is!!!

Nothing like being up early on a day that has no real demands except for my choosing to do laundry, work out later and then see the girlfriend later on.

Oh, summer day!

Lost my camera Friday night/early as hell Saturday morning. Damn shame. Damn shame.

Another post?!

I'm home on Long Island visiting the family. Good times for sure. Comic hunting tomorrow with my brother then Warped Tour on Saturday to see Bad Religion and 30 other fairly crappy bands.

That's the plan and I'm sticking to it.

Check it.

I should update this more often. Things are good. Cannot complain. 

I have Spider-Man themed plastic sandwich bags now. For sure, I'm the coolest kid on the block. 

SUMMER!!!

Summer is one school day away. One day away before summer vacation. I'll be taking a graduate course for the first 3 weeks but then it is smooth sailing. Smooth sailing. 

Let the Good Times Roll!

I'm happy and this summer looks poised to be a rockin' one. I'm happy. 

Collector.

... Had an epiphany last night courtesy of my friend Prince. 

I'm a collector. I'm a harbinger of collections. I have an 8 foot bookshelf devoted to my volumes of the printed word. I have two DVD towers of 50 DVDs each. I have two or three boxes sitting in my closet full of CD cases. Most of my CDs are in two binders, the rest on my computer. I have rubberbands hanging on the knobs of two of my desk drawers. I have two fraternity composites. I have this, I have that. 

I collect so many things. How is it possible to function with so many objects when the directive of living in New York City is to be a minimalist? That's tough. It is tough. 

Chances are I'll be going to Borders today or tomorrow to buy a new book... I don't want to waste the coupon and 5 dollar kickback I got as a reward from buying so many books at Borders. 

It's never ending. 

Oy, been a long, long time.

Since moving out, posting around here has taken a major backseat. Summer is almost here. Teaching days are in the 2 week range so it's a matter of getting through the days. 

Tons of new music to listen to. Several books to be read. 

Good times are ahead. Just trying to remain optimistic. 

I Live!

I am not dead. I am alive! Yay!

It's been quite some time. Since I moved out, I've been a bit disorganized with stuff so yeah. 

I'm applying to Brooklyn College for grad school. I have tons of newly downloaded music to listen to. I'm really tired and I cannot wait for June to be here. 

Mother's Day is this weekend so home is where I'll be. 

Next week is the Los Padres reunion workshop/seminar. I hope it's fun... it's been six years since I saw anyone associated with Los Padres. SIX YEARS!!! 

Living on your own is tough business. 

Sick, sick.

Went home for a few days to sleep on a couch and enjoy the presence of my family. It was good. I miss not seeing them on a daily basis. I'm anxious for the summer when I'll be able to see them more. It makes me smile and happy. 

Got Opeth's Blackwater Park and Shai Hulud's Hearts Once Nourished with Hope and Compassion. Good stuff but I'm feeling the need for more ska and happy punk. Dark music is good and all but some upbeat tunes is always solid in the grand scheme of things. 

Need to find a balance. 

SNS Reunion?

Hung out with Willxcore last night. Fun times. 

Headed home now. I'm excited... get to see the family, hang out with my brother, possibly watch some How I Met Your Mother episodes and just enjoy a good Easter weekend. 

SNS reunion might be in the works. 

Musical Observation 2

Listened to The Living End's Roll On record this morning on my way to work. It brought back an a mental flood of images, thoughts and such. It's odd how this record's opening track, which is also the title track brought back the memories. 

I'll tell you why. 

This morning was dreary, cloudy and a millisecond from rain. Thankfully it didn't rain until I got to the safe haven known as work. I remember hearing of The Living End for the first on an equally dreary day way back in the ninth grade. I find it incredibly odd and having to be of such depth and meaning that I revisit this band's record an equal day about 9 years later... give or take a month. Very. 

I saw the video for "Roll On" on MTV when they devoted a weekend to showcasing videos of new, up and coming bands. The Living End were one such band that was played along with Kid Rock's "Bawitdaba" and I'm sure videos from bands like Korn, Limp Bizkit, Incubus and System of a Down even though some of the just mentioned bands were somewhat established already. 

The point is, that is was good to hear a record that I essentially stumbled upon and discovered during the growth of musical taste. The Living End were given a chance to be in on the ground floor and they did not slack because I still listen to them and still follow them. I have never seen them alive and I really should next time they come through New York. It would be fitting to see them perform. 

Just so odd how my morning have become these "walks down memory lane." Even more so because I am literally walking to the train station when the mental flood of memories is unleashed. It's a nice thing to think about. 

I miss those days of my younger self. Things were less murderous back then. 

Musical Observation

Walking to the train station this morning, I noticed something about myself. I tend to, at least in the last week or so, that I prefer heavy metal or some variation of it in the morning. Then in the afternoon, I prefer something more along the line of punk rock. 

Now to contradict myself, this afternoon on my way home, I chose to listen to some symphonic metal in the stylings of Bal-Sagoth. Not bad. I wonder, though, did I subconsciously choose metal this afternoon over punk after realizing my observation this morning? Was it my subconscious attempt at some sort of rebellion against myself? 

Hmmm. 

I've begun The Color of Water with my sophomores and The Great Gatsby with my juniors. For myself, I'm reading Jason Christopher Hartley's Just Another Soldier. It's amazing stuff.  

I take thee literature...

So I joke around that I will not get married to a woman but rather to my growing collection of literature. My grandma would say how pretty soon I would be able to establish and open my own library or book store with all the books I own. 

I'm one or two volumes short of doing that probably. 

Bought some new books today: 

1. Drown, Junot Diaz

2. Rum Diary, Hunter S. Thompson

3. My Custom Van, Michael Ian Black

4. The Worst Years of Your Life Anthology

5. 100 Successful College Application Essays Anthology

I read a lot. 

I was asked if I would teach Advanced Placement English next year. I'm thinking about it. It sounds pretty awesome. I think I might. I think I will. I will do it... I think. I'm pretty sure the decision has been made and I'm just dealing with moving the response from the inside of my head to the outside. 

I really like Screeching Weasel. It makes sense I discover a great band after their demise. Figures. 

Fuku!

Hey, all, checking back in. I know it's been sometime and I know that you've all have been waiting anxiously for my return. If not then Manowar lied to me. 

My current profession is going and I talk about it highly. Subconsciously, I'm sure I know I plan on doing this for a long time but consciously I need to get it out there. 

About two weeks to go before I Spring Break. It's been about a month since I had last an extended break from work to rest up, physically and psychologically. 

I just finished reading The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz. Amazing piece of literature. It instantly made my personal canon of significant literature. This is something that I salivate at the prospect of teaching at some point maybe in a senior English elective. Diaz is true talent and master of the written art. I'm one compliment away from being a groupie. 

The Great Gatsby and The Color of Water are both on deck, warming up for their chance to start. Should be an interesting April to say the least. 

Fuku. Indeed. Makes me wonder if my family doesn't have a fuku. Shit would be funny if the Benitez clan did. Fuck. 

Moving on up.

I live in Brooklyn now in a 3 bedroom with a good friend. We need a third roommate. 

What?!

On Tuesday, looked at apartments. On Wednesday I decided to take one and then proceeded to tell the parents. On Thursday I relaxed and yesterday, I signed the lease. It's official. 

I'm moving out on my own. 

Started packing up my life today... it sucks. I have so much crap it is unbelievable. So much. Packing sucks. It is one of the banes of this world. 

The next week or two are going to be very hectic. I'm just dreading it. I'll probably acquire an ulcer out of this. WOO! 

On the other hand, I am now a proud owner of a Minidisc player and hundreds of minidiscs containing an enormous collection of heavy metal. I'm excited... very excited. 

Metal Thrashing Mad!

Checked out Soilwork, Darkane, Warbringer and Swallow the Sun last night at the Highline Ballroom, which is next to a Western Beef supermarket (awesome!) and couple of "projects." 

First off, it was a good show. Warbringer was the highlight of the night with a blistering 30 minute set that just killed. This band seems promising and rocked... I never found myself lapsing or getting bored with their set. I'm excited. 

Soilwork was good even though they played a few songs of Stabbing The Drama, which I dislike. Not to bad. Overall, it was a good experience since the last show I went to was Amon Amarth back in November. 

The major highlight though is that I met Chris Krovatin by casual accident. Complete casual accident even though I in my constant thinking and musings I wondered if he might be at the show since Soilwork is playing. The thoughts were proven true and Mr. Krovatin proved to be a very chill dude. Now I have to work on getting Mr. Krovatin to visit the school I teach at and drop some knowledge. It would be amazing. 

That's really it. 

Will be checking out a few apartments tomorrow. Dreams might be coming true. Oh snap. 

Gaslight Anthem

Gaslight Anthem tickets came in the mail today. HUZZAH! YES! WOOO! I'm excited. 

Furthermore, the following are some of the best lyrics I've read and heard. Amazing, simple imagery. 

I was crawling around in my head in the haze of a trance.
Rico said, "I'ma turn you onto a sound, cool out your head.
This is the sound from Camden town."

And then I heard it like a shot through my skull to my brain,
I felt my fingertips tingle and it started to rain,
When the walls of my bedroom were tremblin' around me,
This ramshackle voice over attack of a bluesbeat,
Tellin' me he's only looking for fun.
This was the sound of the very last gang in town.

As heard by my wild young heart, like directions on a cold dark night,
Sayin', 'Let it out... You're doin' all right.'
And I heard it in his chain gang soul.
It wasn't just the same sad song.
Saying, 'Let it out, you're doing all right.'
And I'm doing all right, are you doin' all right?

And I carried these songs like a comfort wherever I'd go.
They was there when my summers was high, there when she left me alone.
Saying... 'The soul is hard to find.'

And I never got to tell him so I just wrote it down,
I wrapped a couple chords around it and I let it come out,
When the walls of my bedroom trembled around me,
To this ramshackle voice over attack of a bluesbeat,
And a girl, on the excitement gang.
That was the sound of the very last gang in town.

[Chorus]

That was the sound...
I hear the sound...
Do you hear the sound....
I hear the sound...
Of the very last gang in town...

I don't know what I will do when Gaslight Anthem plays this song ("I'da Called You Woody, Joe"). 

Ugh.

Today was long. 

I will never tire of listening to Amon Amarth. Never. 

It seems like my nose will be perpetually stuffed. I should see a doctor about this. 

Today was a long day. 

Rumblings and Rumblings.

Just finished reading Klosterman's IV. It was amusing. The piece of short fiction at the end was quite interesting. It started off fairly Klosterman-like and then took a sharp turn from which I don't think I recovered from. And then before I could realize I hadn't recovered I finished reading it. 

So it goes. I miss Vonnegut. I should be more into Vonnegut. 

Moving onto Who Can Save Us Now? It's a collection of short stories about super heros. Should be engaging. 

Finally got back to hitting up the gym. 3 days so far. I need and hope to keep this going. As a result of this I've been tired all week. I felt like going right to bed as I was finishing my dinner. Now I'm up. I'll be up for another hour or a bit more. 

I should be sponsored by the Gap. I almost exclusively wear clothes from the Gap... and band shirts on my off days from work. I really should. 

The following record is cool. 

Ah! I'm at work!

Yep. I'm posting from work. At the moment, I'm in an empty classroom with all the students desk and chairs lined up in sloppy rows. The lights are off because I want them and because I'm choosing to use the natural sunlight coming through the windows.

The last song off From Autumn to Ashes swan song record, Holding a Wolf by the Ears just ended.

Regents grading will resume in 20 minutes for the day. The entire second part needs to be graded by the end of the day or else...muahahahaha.

New semester next week... no schedule yet.

Dix Hills tomorrow night for Milhouse's birthday.

Very lame post but it needed to be done.

Procrastination Nation

Saw someone on the A train reading The Savage Detectives. It was a dude so I didn't talk to him. Even if it had been a chick I doubt I would have spoken to her. Blah. Good book but it should be read in groups so people can discuss and break it down after reading. 

Picked up some CDs today at the old high school haunt of Bleeker Street Records. The Misfits' Static Age, Screeching Weasel's Weasel Mania, and The Clash's second record, Give 'Em Enough Rope. 

I'm listening to AFI instead of my new purchases. I'm a fool. 

I bought a stack of essays to grade and so far I have only 60 left to grade. If I can grade half of what's left tomorrow then it's a success. I left 30 essays at work and by the end of first period on Monday I'll have another 30 essays. Argh! I also have the English Regents to grade this coming week. Crap fucking crap. 

I feel the sudden urge for some breakfast foods. It's 9:45 PM. Beer will be drunk soon. I need to get back into the groove of exercising. It's not good to slack off on that aspect. 

I need to creatively write more. Fo' real. 

Two A Days

Finished Attack of the Theater People. There might be a sequel coming in a few years. The ending is so wide open it would be silly and insane for Marc Acito not to write a third book featuring protagonist  Edward Zanni. 

Tomorrow on the morning train ride to work I'll be tackling Chuck Klosterman's IV. Should be good since I've enjoyed two of his other books, Fargo Rock City and Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs. 

A fairly fun weekend recap.

Let's do this in order. 

Friday; I stayed at work to do some grading and hanging out with Shenkman and Dwyer while Shenkman showed Glory to some of his kids after school. After the movie ended around 4:45 or so we went and watched the second half of the boy's basketball game. They won and the three of us went in search of a bar around the school neighborhood to drink at. Found one and it was fun. Good times. Hope it leads to more. 

Saturday; bussed up to New Paltz and met up with B. Gold and some of his friends from Albany. A bottle of Svedka and an 18 pack later and we headed to the bars. The bars were fairly dead but enjoyable. It was a good night of drink and experimentation of some sorts (I'll leave it at that). 

Today, Monday, I have off. Not planning on doing much. I need to workout and stick to it despite the amounts of work to get done at work. 

I really need to start writing again. 

I'm reading Attack of the Theater People. I have about a third to go. It's a quick read and a welcome respite after The Savage Detectives, which was a brutal, intense read. 

The semester has 5 days left to go. Four this week and one next week. Changes need and will be brought around for the spring. 

Hoo-ahh!

Finished reading The Savage Detectives. It was an exhausting read but a good read. The narratives describe a "romantic" nomadic lifestyle that reminded me of why On The Road is a great book and why I fell in love with the movie Y Tu Mama Tambien. Wonderful stuff I aspire to. 

A week and 3 days before the semester ends for my kids. A week and 3 days before the January English Regents. Time to go crazy. 

I should be grading 4 pairs of essays. Don't want to though. Celebrated Dad's birthday and now I'm full and tired. I'll grade them tomorrow morning before period 1. 

Crazy Town is a guilty pleasure source of bad rap-rock tunes. 

This is the current listen at the moment (Soundtracks usually suck but when done well they are rad and boss.): 

Teacher Spending

Not that this is a real complaint but, about an hour ago, I spent 30 bucks on making copies of rubrics and sample essays for my students. This "camelbacks" into my complaint of how a NYC teacher's "Teacher's Choice" stipend was reduced from $250 to $150. 

Bastards! I hate the people in NYC office that govern something like this. Do more with less... such crap. 

I firmly believe that schools will be successfully run and governed when it is a council of actual teachers, who spend their days in the classroom trenches. It's the only way. We're headed for change or so we're told. Let's revamp the education system of NYC and this country altogether. Siempre pa' adelante! 

Guilty

Wow, I just downloaded a few tracks from Crazy Town's debut. You know the guys that did that song, "Butterfly." 

I feel dirty and ashamed of doing this but the songs I chose to download are sort of catchy in bizarre way. I can't deny the fact that this band managed to write some catchy songs. I'm still disgusted with myself though. 

::Shivers in disgust::

The Sleeveless Hoodie

Why does it exist? What was the purpose when the sleeveless hoodie was created? I never got the point to it. Come on, it also looks ridiculous. Even if one wears it while working out at the gym (which I should be doing at this moment) it still looks ridiculous. It's a lousy article of clothing simply because the purpose of the hoodie is too keep warm when a jacket is too much or too cumbersome. So by deleting the sleeves off of the hoodie the hoodie's purpose is eliminated. It just doesn't work. This is why we have vests to wear.

Ironically, a vest is usually worn over a hoodie to provide the warmth of a jacket without the cumbersomeness of a jacket. Ha! 

"I'm cold enough to have to wear a hoodie to stay warm but I don't need the sleeves because my arms don't get cold." 

Why?! It just doesn't make sense. 

New Beginnings

13 days of sleeping in late, lounging like a lazy bum and doing a majority of absolutely nothing are coming to a close. The days are shifting back to 5:30 am alarms, 6:34 trains, working till 2:30, tutoring sessions and the state of feeling there is not enough time in a day. 

Yes, I know started the first sentence above with a number. 

The Gaslight Anthem is the greatest band I have heard in such a long, long time. It's unbelievable how good their music is. It's also weird, I feel, that my ears have gone from enjoying the harsh sounds of metal to the slightly, slightly more mellow sound of punk and bluesy rock. It's so weird. I need to write more about this later. Hopefully I won't forget. 

Still reading The Savage Detectives. I saw a young lady, probably 'round my age with a copy of it on the train on Saturday night. She had a softcover copy. My copy is hardcover. What does that mean? Who knows. 

Back to work tomorrow. Here's to a new year that will for once in my life bring some serious changes and progress. Time will tell.