I do live!

Yes, I am alive and well. It's been quite sometime since I last posted but things have distracted me and pulled me away such as graduate school, my teaching job, sandwiches and music.

What's there to be said?

I received an A and an A+, respectively in my two graduate courses. This past fall semester was by far the toughest graduate semester I have endured. Nothing particularly progressive but a lot of time consuming work to be completed. Now, it's onward to the penultimate semester. This time next year I will have completed the work for my Master's and I will obtain my professional teaching license as well as a nice little raise that'll allow me to step up my living conditions. Perhaps my own 1 bedroom. Time will tell.

In all honesty, this post is probably entirely about music. Some people do lists such as a "top 10 movies," "top 10 songs," "top 10 books," "top 10 youtube videos" and so on and on and on. I'm probably someone prone to make or aspire to create such lists but I'll just summarize a few high points (that I remember too).

In no particular order.

1. Seeing Bad Religion at Irving Plaza.
This was the first time seeing Bad Religion play a full headlining set outside of the Vans Warped Tour, the 2010 edition of the tour, which completely sucked. Not even Andrew W.K. and Every Time I Die could salvage it for me. Anyway, seeing Bad Religion shred their way through a 90 minute, give or take a minute, was an incredible experience. I went by myself, ate a sandwich before leaving, had a few beers throughout the night and completely rocked out for them. I got as close to the stage as possible and as soon as the band hit the stages I was bopping and dancing all over Irving Plaza. I must has easily perspired 2 gallons of sweat. My clothes and my sneakers were soaked. I wore two shirts and perspire through both of them. It was a great night because I was able to vent so much built up stress from work, school and coping with my grandmother's cancer. Heck, the concert followed up the news that Ita's cancer was pretty spread out. Initially I was upset I was going to this concert alone but in the end I'm glad I went alone. It feels more special this way.

*This bad Religion set was late 90's jams up till now. They did close out with some older classics. It was bliss during "American Jesus." The whole show was but that one performance was so serene and soothing and enchanting.

2. Melissa
My girlfriend and I celebrated a year together in June and then we celebrated every month. I love her so much. I see her being the one even though subconsciously I've already discovered that she is the one. No point in say more. She treats me well and takes care of me. I love her smile and everything about her.

3. Seeing Gaslight Anthem in concert three times.
The first was at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park. They played outside on a really warm New Jersey night. A Jersey band playing in front of a New Jersey crowd. A 100 minute set that was cut short 2 or 1 songs. Damn curfew. Ah well, it was amazing. Such passion, such heart. They truly are a great band. They are what they are. I'm humbled to witness this band. I bet this is what it must of felt like to see The Clash live.
The second time was at Radio City Music Hall on September 30th. My lady and I showed up late because we went hunting for food. We searched for a pizza place and could not find one in the vicinity of Radio City. Weird but that's how it went. It was humid and the back of shirt was drenched but it was another amazing performance. The placed was packed and the whole crowd could be heard singing. It was cute to see the band on stage because their set up was so minimal in comparison to the size of the stage. A few amps and a banner hanging behind them was their entire stage show, if it can even be called that. Just like at Asbury Park, a dude was brought out to jam with the band while Brian Fallon just sang. It makes me happy to know I've seen this band play to very amazing shows. Incredible.
The third time was in early December. They were opening for My Chemical Romance at Roseland Ballroom. They played a compressed set (they were on stage for about an hour). It was good and it was their only show in the area for sometime since they had been touring nonstop. It was nice but it seemed to lack an intimacy I felt in the previous two shows. Still special.

That's really it. I bought more sweaters and I also put on more weight. Sick.

Now, I continue traveling to my teenage years via the music I bopped around with then.