Love Shawl

I can't believe I'm reading Twilight. Lame to the max. He sparkles in the sunlight? What the fuck.

"...when you lose yourself for a minute or two."

I said that Empires' "Howl" was a surprisingly good debut album. Well, I've come across something even better. An album whose status as "debut" means absolutely nothing. I haven't actually listened to the entire album yet, so, yes, it is possible that my opinion will change. Possible. Unlikely.

The album of which I gush is the self-titled release by California group The Airborne Toxic Event. This is the some of the best music-crafting to come out of my generation. I say crafting, not making, because art like this isn't simply made. It is labored into existence with sweat and blood and every essence of life that Airborne Toxic Event has infused into their creation.

The first song I heard was "Sometime Around Midnight," an enchanting ballad complete with acoustic guitar and a string arrangement that never borders on superfluous. The purity of the song is derived from its truth. This is the debilitating rush of emotions you feel when you see your past love. Romanticized, maybe, but no more than necessary for sound lyrics.

I read a review on their myspace page that said, and I paraphrase, that Airborne Toxic Event is music of a rebellion, a rebellion against endings of life, love, etc. They represent the recognition of these imminent endings, and the courage to keep on dancing. I can articulate all I want, but I'll never beat that, so I don't think I'll try.

Buy it.

"Rock ‘n roll as rebellion, though not against anything as arbitrary as an elected authority or political body, but a revolt against endings—of love, life, and innocence...we all still hurt, die, and break in two. Airborne’s triumph is the unwillingness to budge in the face of that futility, and to keep dancing anyway.”
www.myspace.com/theairbornetoxicevent

"We could have truly had it all"

I'm so on top of things right now. Instead of working on the last high school english paper I'll ever write, that's due tomorrow, I'm blogging about how I'm not working on it.

Empires' "Howl" is so good. Excellent album, very mixed, doesn't hurt that the last song is a ballad entitled "Hayley." It's sad, but pretty. The rest of the album is a kick in the pants. It's danceable, catchy, has decent lyrics. A fantastic album, and very surprising for a debut album. It isn't even being released for sale, just free download on the band's website. As grateful as I am for the free music, I would love to have the album in a material form. I love album jackets. So much fun to flip through. Anywho, for the random person that stumbles across this journal and moves on, never to return, check out this album.

I should probably get on my paper, but I have a cough and no motivation. Sweet. Marching practice tomorrow. What a cult.

Subject line of the day: "Hayley" by Empires

"Keep your head on straight"

Haven't gotten my English paper back yet, but I have gotten my history paper back. Turns out if I had handed the history paper in on the day it was due I would have gotten an 86. As it is, I got a 36. I'm looking at it as a win. Even though it was ten days late, it was a good paper. It was a load of bull, actually, but I'm not complaining. I'm looking forward to receiving my English paper back. I gave it to my teacher, and her face lit up. "It's so long!" That's what she said. (pardon the puns) Hopefully she finds my four and a half pages of babble somewhat worth the paper and her time.

MCR concert tonight. Then A Dog's Breakfast ( www.adogsbreakfastmovie.com ). I'm not a freak, I swear...

Subject line of the day: "Destination Anywhere" by Sugarcult

Teen angst makes me lol

"Poor Grendel's had an accident... So may you all." I love this book.

My English paper is a week late today. I'm almost done, though. Getting there.

My History paper is nowhere near completion. I've barely begun it. It was due on the 25th of april. Hmm... a tad late, no?

First exam tomorrow, second the next day. Then I am done with those two classes. English and history will be the only ones left. It's a beautiful thing.. I still have 300 pages of reading to catch up on in History. I also may be failing that class by now? Last time I checked I had a C, but that was a while ago. I may be in trouble now.

I'm so close to the end, but it doesn't really register. I know the date I get to leave. I know it's only a month away. It still feels like I'll be here forever.

Those are my biggest problems right now. You know what? I feel good.

"Baby, life is like a ride on the freeway."

Filling out forms is not my idea of a good time.

I got my job for another summer, but I still have to send in the application for camp staff. Money-making aside, I'm now unable to attend NYCC on Sunday (for which I had a no-line media pass) or see the $12 show in Hartford on Saturday because I'll be working. I suck at that job, but I am wicked broke.

And the ranting begins:

Re: Social ineptitude.
I'm sick of being awkward. It gets in the way every day. I make a terrible second impression. First is fine, second brings the awkward to brilliant heights, third and beyond are usually alright once I settle down a bit. However, my second impressions may often leave people slackjawed or stuttering, but I do NOT want people to set me up with their friends, date-wise or not. It doesn't work out as people hope. Also, the situation it puts me in is highly embarrassing.

Re: PDA.
Congratulations! You have a boyfriend or a girlfriend or a goat or whatever!!! YAY for you! Friggin fuck all night long and tell all your friends about it! I don't give a shit. I DO give a shit about having to sit across from you while you try to dislocate each other's jaws. Hands where I can see them, please. Tongues in one's own mouth only. It seems a testiment to people's faith in their romances that they have to make out RIGHT NOW, it CAN'T WAIT. Why touch each other now (in public) rather than later (in private) unless there is doubt that you will be together long enough to take advantage of a later time? If you want to hold hands for a few seconds, hold a door open for the other, give a quick peck, that's is perfectly fine and understandable. If people like each other, they should want to be together, that's how it is. When the spit starts flying in my direction because you're drooling into each other's mouths too much, I draw the line. Honestly now? Is that really necessary? Think about it, really think about it. Take a few minutes to ponder. After you've done that, wipe up your drool and wipe off the goddamn table.

Subject line of the day: Staring at the Sun, the Offspring.

"That's where we went wrong..."

Final term.

I've read over my past posts and have discovered a plethora of errors in both my spelling and my grammar. My goal for this coming year is to pay attention to my typing to maintain some form of dignity.



Chuck Ragan's "Bristle Ridge" cannot be released soon enough.