Inconceivable!

Well, hello again. Didn't expect you back, although I can't say I'm disappointed. Well, I guess you're here for a reason, so enough with the pleasantries. Surprisingly, I have a few noteworthy events to share. Again, I would like to remind you to keep your expectations really low. Like think of a number between 1 and 10, with 1 being no expectations and 10 being high expectations. Got a number? OK, now take that number and subtract 3, and then divide that new number by infinity. You see, that math joke I just pulled out should be warning enough that you probably won't enjoy this post due to the unbearable *I was going to put cheesiness or corniness right here, but realized that both adjectives are derived from root words that are foods, and seeing as how my blog is not edible, I chose to put this little disclaimer* and will end up leaving prematurely. With that said, let us begin.

As I stated in my last blog, my social life is slow to say the least, and riding a wave of new found optimism, I decided to try and change that. To your surprise and my chagrin, I have yet to commit myself to an intimate, consensual relationship with a female. I mean, I'm attractive enough, and my personality is above average. Perhaps my confidence could use a boost, but overall its never been a problem. No, the problem seems to be effort. I just haven't put any effort. I know what you're going to, "That's what every guy who doesn't have a girlfriend says." Well that may be the case, but I can honestly say that I never really tried.

That was until a few days ago. I can't really go into detail without compromising myself, but lets just say there's another shepherd tending that flock, if you know what I mean. Another car is parked in the parking space I wanted. Metaphors aside, I think you catch my drift. And the thing that kills is that that parking spot was open for two whole years, and all I had to do was put my car in drive and just ease my way in there (by the way, this metaphor is not meant to be sexual at all). I guess timing never really was my thing. That's not to say I've given up. On the contrary, I've been told to step up my game now; as they say, the fun is in the pursuit!...

Bull-Shit! I've been in this game too long with no tangible results to show for it to enjoy the pursuit. Maybe in like 10 years, when I've been laid at least 20 times I can get some kick out of it, but as far as I'm concerned, its go big or go home...alone. Well, that's all I have to say about that.

A few days ago, I e-mailed the lead singer of Bridge & Tunnel, a punk band from Long Island that I really like, about doing a show in Ithaca. He e-mailed me back. That is why punk rock fucking rules, its about people and music and that's it. It's that simple, and it should be. I love its accessibility.

I do have some good news. I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance by taking the bus. And, I just found someone who goes to Cornell and enjoys the same music I do. And he plays the guitar. The band is finally starting to come together. For those of you who don't know, I decided to start the year with a list of things that I wanted to do, and starting a band and playing a show is one of them. I'm hoping we can lay down some A Wilhelm Scream covers, and piss off my dorm mates in the process.

Publish Post

Also good news, I just bought a few things from the Bridge Nine (the record label of a few bands I like) web store, including a Polar Bear Club shirt and a few posters. Well, the shirt caresses my body perfectly. I mean there really isn't anything like getting a shirt that fits well. Also, I got a free Chasing Hamburg poster. Awesome!

Recommendation of the Day: Transit. They are a energetic punk band in the mold of Crime and Stereo and other melodic hardcore bands. Their latest release Stay Home is extremely solid, catchy, and a promising sign of things to come. I highly recommend them.

Thanks for tuning in.

Anybody Want A Peanut?

Hello good people, and welcome to my blog. I got Get Up Kids blasting on my radio and I'm in a particularly creative mood, so it seems like an appropriate time to get blogging. Today was as uneventful as any other day. This has become a growing trend as far as my days go, and it's making me a bit unsettled. Anyways, coming back to Cornell has made me realize the following: 1) I am way to cynical for my own well-being, 2) this cynicism has led to a paltry social life, 3) the paltry social life has led to a slew of existential crises, 4) existential crises, while productive and necessary, inevitably make me even more cynical. It's a vicious cycle, but it's not as hopeless as it may seem.

Music seems to be the primary outlet through which I rid myself of these "demons of consciousness" as I like to call them. Everybody is familiar with these demons. Its that little voice that tells you that no matter how hard you try things will never change, and if they do its for the worst. And for me at least, this little voice only gets louder the more I try to get rid of it. I find the only way to cope is to drown it out with loud, hot, steamy, dirty punk rock; nothing else will do. Polar Bear Club, A Wilhelm Scream, The Swellers, Thrice, The Get Up Kids, Hot Water Music, Bridge and Tunnel, Propagandhi, etc all seem to be effective, albeit temporary, remedies for the little voice inside my head.

I'm not a schizophrenic if that's what you think. I'm not a schizoid either (at least I hope not). I'm just having a hard time creating meaningful relationships with interesting people. "Do they have to be meaningful?" is probably what you're thinking. Well, yes and no. Human interaction in general is always a good thing, but in order to truly appreciate that connection there has to be something behind it, whether its there from the beginning or it evolves as the relationship does. I'm going to stop there before I lose anymore readers (Roman, Vivek, you guys still reading?)

Recommendation of the Day: Dexter is without doubt one of the best TV shows on today. I won't go into details, but I highly recommend it. You can thank me later

Album Review of the Day: Yeah, so a few friends and I were anxiously waiting for the album release of a band I mentioned earlier--Polar Bear Club. Well, it finally leaked a few days ago, and much to our chagrin, it did not live up to all the hype that, admittedly, we generated. Maybe we had our expectations too high, and its not necessarily a terrible album. But in the context of their previous releases, it definitely comes in last place. I say all this with hesitation because their last release, Sometimes Things Just Disappear, didn't wow me initially either, so I would need to give it at least a few weeks to grow on me. That said, I just feel like it lacks the emotional intensity that PBC is known for. The only standout tracks are Living Saints and Boxes, which were released on an earlier EP, so they don't count. PBC is still one of my favorite bands.

Thank you to the three people who read this, and you know who you are.