Lean On Me

I never really saw myself as somebody that people would run to, but apparently I was wrong.

I've found myself in a position where I've become several people's confidants. It's interesting, but it's also quite a bit of responsibility. I felt good that I wouldn't have to deal with a lot of stupid freshmen relationships and problems when I got used to being a sophomore. People were more mature. Not by much, but at least we weren't freshmen.

But, I've found that many of my friends are freshmen, which means i still have to deal with their ridiculous antics. I don't mind it really. It makes me feel wise. I even have to deal with some of my own classmates occasionally too. It's usually relationships that I end up trying to intervene in, and usually I talk to the guy. I don't know as many of the girls.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm not really some busybody going around trying to fix people's lives. It's not like that. But when something needs to be said, I'm gonna be the one to stand up and say it. I'll try to be soft. A lot of problems between people come down to a simple misunderstanding. I'll let them know the problem, and let them consider it. Just to make sure that they're aware of what's going on, what other people are thinking.

It's entertaining really.

I don't understand why people would want to confide in me specifically. Personally I seem like a bad candidate for such a thing. But apparently that's just me, because I have often found myself offering advice to a troubled person as best I can, on everything to music to girls to depression. Somebody recently told me I should be a psychologist.

I guess I'm a comforting person. Ha. Alright. I just try to be there, I suppose....

First Gig

Disclaimer: That is not me, nor is it my guitar.

Apathy and distraction suck, let me tell you.

I rue the day that teachers invented BlackBoard (online homework system). I had a tough enough time doing homework in my room all alone. I'd get distracted even then. How did they think it was that good of an idea? Wasn't it obvious that people would end up on Facebook, or YouTube, or anywhere but where they are supposed to be?

Ugh. It sucks. My grades for this semester aren't going to be too hot, not at all. My grades this first quarter were really bad with Dad and all, and I'm not having much luck trying to make up for it this quarter.

But it doesn't matter, and you know why? I've already made up my mind about my career, and I'm fairly certain that I'll want to do the same thing for ages. I want to be a musician, plain and simple. I actually just played my first gig this last Friday at the Dream Cafe. It didn't turn out like I expected (I was double-booked, took shifts with two other musicians, and ending up playing (and singing) mostly on guitar) but for the most part it turned out well. It's a miracle too - I got the job just as I ran broke, and now I've got enough to make it through the month. Barely, but still.

So I'll try to keep up with schoolwork, but I'm not honestly too worried about it. With my music, I've got plenty of backup plans. In fact, if I do go to college, it will be mostly to try to do something more with my music, maybe join some cool music program.

Also, I kind of lied about Save For Rachel. Underestimated production time and what-not. Still looking to get cover art and booklets and what not. So may be a couple of weeks, because I'm heading to Seattle this coming weekend. Sorry, any BK readers.

For now though I'll try to keep up with my homework after practicing piano. That's my priorities right there.

A Much Needed Update

Lately, I've lost interest in the blogging career, as you may have noticed. Part of it has been that I've been busy, but part of it has just been my own forgetfulness and laziness. But Mr. Harris and Rachel are both reading this, and that's enough to keep me going. Hell, maybe even Brian and Silver will pop in. Shout-out to any and all of my readers.

Well anyway, I'll try to get you up to speed.

The album's well on it's way, and the final product will be fourteen to fifteen songs in length. The genre, I believe, is folk indie rock. It's just whatever I write really, but from what I've heard, that's what my music sounds like.

The school band is on the road to putting together an awesome show for the end of the year, one combining elements of shows such as Stomp, Blue Man Group, that sort of thing. I will have an entire solo piece to myself. The whole thing will be amazing. I hope that you can come. Details will follow later.

Troy and I have both been kicked out of Event Horizon, the old band we were in, for what we see as very dumb reasons. I won't go into it in length, but we are in a new band now. Ironically, it's the one that we were very competitive while we were with Event Horizon. They're called The Absolute. We're not half bad.

I have a new piano teacher, named Danny Beal. Me and Jules split paths a while ago out of mutual agreement. Despite that sad fact, Danny is really good, and I think he's perfect for me. Unfortunately, I haven't been getting to practice as much as I would like, but I am trying. Danny tells me that he had taught kids similar to me before who are now playing at clubs for $400 upwards a night. Sounds like one hell of a backup plan for me. ha.

The campaigning starts next week. I'm running for Junior President. I have plenty of campaign ideas and posters already. If you're a sophomore and you're reading this, please vote for me, and tell others to do the same. Third time's the charm. (I've run twice in the past)

I've also managed to reach the epitome of nerd-dom. Dungeons and Dragons. Yep.

I've finished Mondays by now, and started a new book called Luck. I think I'll post the first chapter or two of that here later. If you want to receive Mondays, leave a comment with your email, then delete it (I'll see it, but you won't be spammed).

That's all I can think of right now. I'll try to post again soon.

Save For Rachel

I may not have mentioned that I've done a lot of composing music lately, but I have been. In fact, with all of my old music (some of it having been remastered recently) and the new music I've managed to do, I've compiled a rough draft of my first album, called Save for Rachel.

The name of the album comes from an inside reference and I girl I'm falling for. The original name was Save for Wilson, and it was inspired by the first day of band. When we got to school, there were several boxes with 'Save for Wilson' written on them. Mr. Haskell pointed out that it'd be a good band name (or as he mentioned, at least better than 'Death Cab for Cutie'). At any rate, since that point I've been determined to start a band or do something involving that phrase. This is a compromise, and a step towards actualizing the full goal.

As for Rachel, she's a girl. And I like her. Enough to dedicate an album to her and give the prototype to her with a bonus track.

I've got other plans for the album, though. I think I'll keep the name, but I plan to add some more songs, fine-tune everything, and sell it at school for next to nothing. I can also use this to my advantage. You see, I'm running for Junior Class President. So, normally, I'll charge two dollars per album (still really cheap), but if it's a sophomore and they pledge a vote, it's a dollar. Say what you want about selling votes, but it's my material, and it's a fair discount.

I'd post some of the music up, but I don't know how. If anybody knows how to post up MP3s to a blog, please leave a comment, trying to explain, or just linking to something that will. Much appreciated.