| | Well, it has been quite a while since I have updated the neglected Xanga. To say a lot has gone on since March 8th would be the biggest understatement ever but I will do my best to update everyone who may or may not care.
First and foremost, on a bright and steamy day in early June, I graduated form Ohio State with a bachelors in journalism. It was a rather enjoyable aside from the whole sweating my balls off thing. Former President Bill Clinton spoke to us graduates which was pretty sweet. He didn't mention his wife or really directly talk politics at all, which made me extremely happy. I am not overly sentimental but I didn't want my graduation to become a political rally and it really didn't which was nice. Our group was the last one called to receive the diplomas and we were instructed to take our degrees and we could just leave the stadium. Once again, I am not too sentimental, but still I found the whole thing rather anti-climactic. It was almost like, "OK, your checks cleared, now hurry up and get out of here so we can get some new fresh money in here." Kind of a jaded way to view my last real day of college but I guess I just calls it like I sees it. Whether or not I will do anything with the degree is another story all together...
Which leads me to discuss the situation with the band. The last few months (particularly the last month or so) have been crazy to say the least. As some of you know the Great Transparency has been on and off tour for the last 3 or 4 weeks as the opening band for something called the Losing Myself Tour. As I type this, I am sitting backstage at a small venue in Greensboro, North Carolina. It has been a very trying situation for me. I am very much a homebody and so anytime I am out of my comfort zone, I get...well...uncomfortable. This tour, while it has been immensely fun, it has been hard being away from my home, family and friends. I miss everyone back in GC and what I wouldn't give to stop by the Treehouse, if only for an episode of Hells Kitchen. (Don't worry, I have been keeping up. Bonnie and Rock in the final?! I understand Rock, but Bonnie? Are you serious?!?! Jen got jipped!) The only thing is, it looks like I am going to have to make the road a part of my comfort zone.
There is interest in the band by a few record labels that would make this band an even more "full-time" gig. One such label is a very small one called ToneCrash. It is owned by a man named Barry. Now Barry used to be a part of the HUGELY popular christian band, Audio Adrenaline and has been producing bands for years. Dudeman has gold records, platinum records, Grammy nominations and Dove Awards all over his basement and that was just a really cool thing for us. In fact we spend this last Wednesday and Thursday at his home studio tracking a song just to see how we feel about recording with him. The thing with this is when Barry started the label, he had enough money to produce two bands records, with promo and distro. He released the full length of a band called Two Empty Chairs earlier this year. Not that we would be his last shot, but I would feel some pressure if we went with ToneCrash. Not only would we be his second of two bands, but if for some reason it tanked, we would totally screw the label. This is all talk but it is a concern of mine personally. I guess we will cross that bridge when/if we come to it. We don't know what will happen in the future though. We have about 4 weeks left on this tour and we will come home and explore our options. We aren't really sure what is going to happen, but we just have to keep our heads down and keep at it. I am pretty happy about where the band is going.
However, this means I am in no hurry to head out and start using my journalism degree. I mean it is something I really enjoy doing, but it is something you need to eat, sleep, breathe and live. It is nothing you can half ass. You need to be intense and I don't think I will be able to give it enough attention, plus if something happens with the band, I would hate to sever ties with a publication and leave some bad feelings. I will probably get back from this tour and lay low for a little while and recharge my batteries, then head out and try to get some worthless temp job. Though I secretly am worried that I will end up like Ryan at Dunder Mifflin on The Office, I am just looking for something to earn some money to pay some people off and save. I am living at home right now to help with my expenses. I know it is never a step up to say that I am moving in with my parents, but right now it is just what the doctor ordered. Plus if I need to leave, I will feel less bad about leaving a temp job than a real journalism job. Oh well, I guess time will tell.
The final big change in my life is on the relationship front. I have recently started dating a girl named Katie. Many of you met her at Dans wedding (Congrats again dude!) and she is just an all around cool girl. We used to work together at the Schott and is a junior in English at OSU from Lebanon, Ohio. She is a huge supporter of the band and all that jazz which makes things very easy on both of us so things are working out well on that end.
Finally, here is what has been invading my iPod recently.
Gogol Bordello - Super Tarantula
Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger
Paramore - Riot!
Starting Line - Direction
Imogen Heap - Speak for Yourself
Hidden in Plain View - Resolution
Boys Night Out - S/T
Take care of yourselves and I will see you in September with plenty of stories! Feel free to call if you want!
We're got one chance to break out
And we need it now
'Cause I'm sick and tired of waiting
sick of this fucking apartment.
-The Academy Is "Black Mamba"
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| | Posted 8/4/2007 12:49 AM - 14 views - 0 comments
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