Video Games, Ska Shows, and Bike Pedals (AKA "Real Life")

I know. I'm a sick, twisted, disgusting human being. And I love myself for it.

Greetings. I figured it was time to update you all on my endeavors over the past week, what with the whole "real life" thing getting started for me, or whatever. To be honest, so far it's been pretty damn good. I'm still working, and the days that I haven't been working, I've been hanging out with friends (mostly my beloved Jacob Scudder, who happens to be my second biological father. Please, don't ask...) and sitting at home mostly. I've done a wee bit of artwork, as you can see, as well as work on guitar and bass. To be completely honest though, most of the time I've spent sitting on my couch, playing video games. I can't tell you how good it feels to finally be able to do stuff like that again. I don't play them quite as much as I used to, and when I'm busy, I barely have time for them, which is a hard fact of life for me to swallow. I gain so much more from playing video games on the couch than just weight (the Oreos and I have a mutual understanding with one another), believe it or not. In fact, I'd bank that the reason why I'm so outspoken and imaginative with my work is because of all the time I spent as a youngin' racking up levels and collecting coins, controller in hand. I'd say it was one of the few things I actually enjoyed as a kid growing up, and I definitely wouldn't be who I am today if I was never given that little grey and purple box. Enough reminiscing though, that's for lame-o's.

Besides blowing the heads off mutant psycho midgets in Borderlands, I've been trying to expand my outdoor fun as well, seeing as how I'll be stuck sitting at a desk under a heat lamp for the next 4 years of my life once college starts. I've been going on bike rides, and I even took a trip to the beach with Jake yesterday. The water was pretty flippin' cold, but I strode into the water all the same. My friends were freaking out trying to figure out how I could just walk in like that, as they chilled themselves to the bone just dipping their toes in. What can I say? I've got the skin of an alligator, and the tolerance of a honey badger. I just don't give a shit.

While Jake and I were out and about, we also went to go see The Hangover Part II with his girlfriend, and her friend. I've never seen the first movie, but to be honest, it sounded way too overhyped to be as good as everyone said. About 1000 people told me it was the best movie ever made, and I immediately started to hate it, seeing as how I thought it looked like shit. Anyways, I went to go see the sequel, and it was meh. I liked the way the movie was filmed, and I enjoyed the plot to a degree, but as far as the humor content, I only let out a light chuckle I think twice. I just didn't find the movie to be humorous whatsoever. Maybe it's due to the fact that I feel no sympathy for people that do stupid things when they're drunk and wake up with a hangover, but I digress. I don't regret seeing it, but I definitely don't see how people could like it so much. I know, I know. Everyone's a critic.

On a slightly more awesome note, I've already made plans to see 3 different ska shows this Summer with my pals. I'll be seeing BAMF!, a fun-loving ska band with hardcore breakdowns at Frankie's Inner City in Toledo, Ohio next Tuesday, June 7th. Not only are they playing, but they'll also be selling copies of their brand new EP, Never Feed A Bear A Whole Pizza. Here's a sample:

On July 21st, I'll be seeing Streetlight Manifesto co-headline with Reel Big Fish at Clutch Cargo's in Pontiac, Michigan. These two bands got me into ska like no other, and I've been waiting for a chance like this for years. It's finally come. Here's a sample of Streetlight and RBF:

Finally, I plan on arranging a trip back to Frankie's Inner City in Toledo on September 23rd to catch Michigan based ska band, Mustard Plug perform! These guys are rapidly becoming one of my favorite ska bands, and there's no stopping the whirlwind that will tear apart Toledo when they perform that night. Here's a nice sample of their music as well:

And yes, I like ska, in case you didn't already notice. It's one of the purest, most upbeat forms of music I've ever listened to, and it makes my life so much happier when I'm listening to it. I recommend you do the same.

Other than that, I've just been kicking back, and enjoying the alumni life. I'll be in for a rude awakening before long, I'm sure, but for now, I'm just gonna sit back and suck up the spotlight. Have a nice week everyone.