Today:

Up, listening to LCD Soundsystem, last minute grab of stuff.

AP psych, alright, did some of the packet will listening to Schroeder, liked it, think I'll continue doing it that way. See how it works on the next test.

Spanish: The less said the better. I've gotten a new system where I place a tic-mark down on a piece of paper every time Mrs. Mac does something that annoys me. She got 17 today.

English: People are stupid and bombed the quiz, so she had us make collages on symbolize pertaining to the book. (Don't look at me, I got an 85, and I don't think I wrote more than 12 sentences total!) I finished mine in 40 minutes because I didn't care. Easy enough.

Lunch, talking about the party saturday and the aftermath, which is apparently Bonnie's parents taking a strong disliking towards Bill. Not just for the sex comment, but for the swearing. We have the same opinion as to her parents being a little too demanding, especially of Bonnie and us as being her friends. No swearing? I understand that not everyone has the mouth of a sailor that I do, but considering some of the things I've heard come out of Bonnie's mouth, she's about on average with me.


Physics, do a lab, manage to fuck it up (I don't think I've done one lab properly in this class the entire year), although it's not my fault. Oh well.

Home, raining so I don't take the dog out, homework, work on the composition a bit more, fixing sax rhythms and cello parts and all that. Internet, definite date with Wayne for jamming. Good practice session on drums today. Retuned kit sounds really good, snare might need to be a bit tighter though. Starting to get back in the rhythm (sorry) of it.

Internet, showering, blogging, bed.

Edit: Thank fucking GOD that today is the last day of March. What a soul-sucking month.

Jesus, seeing my last blog was on WEDNESDAY. What the fuck.

Nothing to report from then until Friday. Stayed in Friday, big whoop. Oh, I got my RIEPS Graduation Portfolio done, huzzah! I can get that fucking thing off my back. Even if it gets handed back for "revisions" it's done, effectively.

Saturday was Bonnie's Party.

Original plan was going to the URI Pool, but Bonnie had forgotten to check the times and realized they closed at like 4 PM. Oops. A quick call to everyone and she's set up everyone to go to Lazergate at 8:30.

I get to the house around 6:40, clearing out my car beforehand because I said I would volunteer driving people. The thing about Bonnie's house is that it's... pretty tacky. Like, REALLY tacky. It has this whole Nautical theme, and it's filled with useless crap EVERYWHERE. It really reminds me of the old house at Emma G Lane, because it's just so fucking small, I wonder how she can live in it sometimes. But we cram in there, some how.

Walking towards her house I see a bumper sticker on a silver SUV that says "Big Bang Theory: God said 'BANG' and the universe was created!". Her parents are very religious, which is fine, but it's borderline the creepy religious parent kind. Still... nice people though. We eventually all roll out, not before her mom worrying over the directions (figures. It seems my parents are the only people that don't get worried that their kid is ALL THE WAY IN PROVIDENCE OR FURTHER! Well, they might be worried, but not for the same reasons as the other parents I know). I'm in the car with Kevin Northup, Bobby Mulligan, Bill Wilson and Joe Brennan.

In retrospect, I'm REALLY surprised we didn't get pulled over.

So, we're on the highway, driving along. The directions say to get off at exit 7. So we do. What we neglect to remember is that once you cross state lines, the exit numbers start again. Oh boy.

We end up in Barrington. You know, now I see why all those kids have nothing to do but drink. It helps.

Drive down Barrington for a good 10 minutes before we realize "OH SHIT" and turn back around. Get back on the highway towards where we wanna go. We're here! Fall River! There's the exit going RIGHT PAST OUR CAR.

Kevin failed to get into the exit lane in time.

No problem, we'll just take the next one and just go as straight as possible south.

Oh sweet dear God, no.

One half-hour and "Fuck me we just went around in a motherfucking circle" later, we get back on the highway, at Lasergate. At 9:30.

Welp, there goes our slot.

But we manage to get the 10:20 slot, and go to McDonalds for dinner (I did not eat as I was not hungry).

We play one game of lasertag, one game. And I came in last place. I was expecting 2 more for me to find my groove. Shit.

The ride home is much more fun than the ride up. We end up listening to WRIU, making fun of the DJ who sounds like he's pressing the "cough" button in order to do bong hits, and sing along to The Beatles and Simple Minds. Very very good ride home, and we were considering pooling our money and buying Bonnie a vibrator for a gift. Although, personally, even as a gag, I'd rather she'd just get some use of it than have it collect dust. Gotta keep that hysteria away!* (name the allusion for a gold star!)

Back at her house, where one of the funniest moments I've ever witness in my life occurred, no hyperbole.

We're sitting around her living room, talking, telling stories, when Bill brings up the time he and Bonnie tricked me into thinking they had sex on their trampoline. I was like 14, liked her (still do. I don't care, she doesn't read this blog, I don't really think anyone does except for one person. New idea, if you read this blog, leave a comment!) And basically I really didn't think they would lie to me. It was a dick move then and still is kinda a dick move now, but, this is neither here nor there, it is important for the backstory.

So I'm sitting there, sulking and smiling, picturing myself punching Bill's lights out, because he deserves it, just a little. Now, Bonnie's dad comes in, hanging by the doorway (with no door) just to see how it's going, I think.

Keep in mind Bill is sitting with his back towards the doorway, and his hood is up, so he has no peripheral vision at all.

He's near the end of the story, and we're all trying to shut him up, giving him cues such as "Aw good story man!" and "Man that's so funny". Bill proceeds to throw all these cues out the window and end his story with the quote "And then Bonnie and I made sweet love".

Two feet from the father in the doorway.

I have never seen a bigger, more terrified expression of Bill.

Karma is a bitch, but only to the people that deserve it.


Home, listening to "The Flaming Lips" because I've made it some weird tradition that if I go to southern MA, I have to listen to that record. I don't know why. Although I don't know why I thought "Sleeping On The Roof" was a bad song, ever. Staying up until 4, listening to music. Good times.

Today:
Up at 10, internet, dog walk to "Oranges and Lemons"

Just general relaxing for the weekend.

Got an email from Wayne, we're semi confirmed for next sunday to try and see if we can work something out between us. I hope it goes well. I'd really like to work with him (Although I'd really like to work with Meccalily, but something tells me Wayne and Martin had something of a fall out a few years ago). Oh well, I think we're going to run through some songs of his that I know and see where it goes.

Retuned my drum kit today. I think it sounds much better as a whole now. Hope to play it on my dad's little cover version of "Wall of Death" along with bass, just to try it out.

Blogging, Flaming Lips and XTC before bed.

Jesus what a long day. I hardly remember tuesday.


Up, listen to "The Velvet Underground"

School-eh. What can you expect? Math was boring, but Dig. Photo made me laugh my ass off thanks to Brendan and talking about the portfolio. Band was alright. Detail work today, hardly played the whole class. Wondered if there was something with Matt, our bell player. He seemed to be messing up way too much for someone with a sucky playing style. I'm wondering if he has a learning disability. It certainly would explain some things. Civics, gave my speech, meh. Worked in "Taking Tiger Mountain" (the play) in there, went over better than I though it would.

Teaching at the elementary school. They all did really well this lesson. Though Bennett was his typical "acting out" self, and Sam... well. I was kneeling to help Sidney through the worksheet, and all of a sudden I feel someone rubbing my back. Not like a brush, but a circular motion. I turn my head and see Sam...

"Uh, Sam? What are you doing?"
"Massaging your back"
"Well... uh, thank you Sam, but aren't you suppose to be doing that activity over there with the other group?"
"Yeah..."

And he continues for a good 4 seconds because the idea is not getting in his head.

"Sam, go play with the other group."

And then he runs along... I had no idea what to say to that...

Meet with Mike about comp. He likes it. I made him smile today, that's a first. Saw Dan Healey on the green playing football, didn't want to say hi because that would be weird... Saw Pete and Nick while waiting for Mike. Oh boy, everyone is just out in force today.

Home, 2 hours of AP psych. Urgh. Barely finish, then summative reflection... Shower and off to bed...

This is my 30th post! Hooray!

Up this morning, no music, didn't feel like any, listened to NPR. Story on the 4,000th soldier to die in the Iraq war. A little depressing but put it in perspective.

School: Schooly. Didn't really do a lot today but that's fine by me. Managed to scooch out of giving a presentation in civics by literally SECONDS. Bill gets down from the podium, teacher looks at me, I look at teacher, bell rings and I give high-fives. I wouldn't have minded giving it, but it's the principle of the thing. Driving home, "Talk of The Nation" on NPR had the same story on the 4,000 dead soldiers. A wife giving her testimonial on how her 4-year old daughter is coping since she never saw her father, and never will. Almost couldn't handle it. The fact that I have actual physical real-life friends over there (shout-out to my main man Joe Parker kickin' it in Iraq) makes it all the more real. I fear that one day I'll be reading over the obituaries and find his name. Hopefully not.

This war is all kinds of fucked-up.

Home, internet, taking the dog out. Listen to "English Settlement". Alright, not amazing, not bad either and at least it's warm out. Home, no homework except study. Have to re-write my english reflection for the portfolio as Ms. Tarasevich graded it but lost it. Not really a good teacher academically. We don't do dickity-shit in that class but at least it's a rest period for me from spanish and B-days in general. Pick up pizza from Junction (oh my god all the way in North Kingstown), take the scenic route and listen to Meccalily. Speaking of...

Wayne Belanger emailed me saturday asking how everything was going. Long story short, he's asked me to faux-audition for his band. He mentioned he has scrap of songs, and I do this a lot online, taking scraps of songs and putting parts over them, pretty much like Brian Eno, without being Eno (Remember, Justin is the fourth deadly finn). Honestly I think I'm usually better at this in a pop-songwriting environment than on my own. He's invited me to his house to put my grubby mits on his instruments to see which combination work out the best. We shall see....


Oh great, and now I've blogged myself away from studying. Well, time to go rectify this...

Easter Theater

Woke up saturday, showered, did normal things. Relaxing until about 4 when we head up to NH. Get a copy of my score done. One down, one to go. Got to put it into overdrive this week. Hopefully can meet with Mike., and this in gear. But, other things right now. Go up there, was introduced to Kate and Tim's new dog Sarabi. Sweet little thing. General good happenings commence. Easter dinner loaded with animal products and carbs. Ate till I was full, had a Guinness with dinner, not a bad thing at all. Then played poker with the family, did better than expected, came in third. Not bad for my 5th time playing ever. Stay in until 2 AM where sloppy playing and going all-in on a hand I was sure was fine as Tim was half bluffing his way through the game. He had a flush, I had three of a kind (or Three Of A Perfect Pair, I kept calling it). I was out. They kept playing for about an hour. I blew up my mattress in the living room and watched Adult Swim. Venture Brothers, NOVA and some other shows kept me up until about 3:30.

Woke up at 9:45 to my mom, my aunt and my cousin waking me up. I contemplated going into the bed my mom was in, she offered it, but I knew I was just going to sleep until noon and I won't feel very good if I sleep in that late, as I was pretty well rested to begin with.

Home, relaxing, checked my bag and realized tomorrow is an A-day, so I have no homework tonight! YAAAAAAAAY! Absolutely beautiful out. Gromit gets back from the kennel, take him out listening to XTC's "Apple Venus Vol. 1" and absolutely great. Sun beating down on my face as "Easter Theater" plays and "Knights In Shining Karma", just absolutely great. A brief two days of peace in an absolutely horrible month. Home, some TV and internet. More relaxing. Watch Futurama, check up on my internet after leaving it for 2 days, I managed to cope, somehow. Currently listening to A Post Modern John at the 2005 Luau, and listening to monitor it's status as I dump it to my computer to digitize it. I don't WANT to go to school tomorrow, and I might turn in early (How many times have I said that and gone to bed at 11?)

I really need to be better on blogging.

Thursday: Don't remember alot from school. Probably nothing important... Jazz band is good. Dan the drummer is a freshmen and it shows in his playing. We have to do Birdland (crappy arrangement) and he's sorta dragging. I can tell he's tensing up from playing fast, so I tell him to just relax. He does, gets it better. Work on blues jams for everyone. Take a few solos, do fine. Try not to wank out with a solo. Afterwards get a call from Bill saying he wants to go to Mahi Mahi. Pick him up and head to Dans. Lots of fun, talking, then eventually heading out. Somehow I end up driving, oh well...

Drive up, we get there early. Head to AS220 for something to eat and to warm up. Finish and head to the club. Almost get denied because the bouncer read my ID wrong. See the drummer, say hi. Says that he could have gotten me on the guest list if I emailed him. Guess I'm moving up in the world. Great show. The new tunes are good and the old ones are getting more revamps. Bill seemed to have a deer in the headlights look to him, as to be expected. Drummer broke his stick and threw it out. Caught it but gave it to Bill... Was good to see Jay. Get out of there after Mahi's set and head to Denny's. Get off at the wrong exit (too early) but was going to go down Route 2 to get there but it was closed off due to a big accident. Get there, see the company, get a milkshake, talk for a while. Give Kate and Bill rides home. Home, dicking around, bed at 3.

This morning, get up at 12. Dick around, restring my noise guitar, using HEAVY HEAVY strings. Tune it to C-G-D-G-B-B using 2 Gs for Bs but it won't stay in tune, too much tension. Swap them out for 2 regular Bs and it's fine. Usually those aren't the problems anyway. Chores, took a 2 hour nap at 6 PM, woke up at 8, pretty shabby. Get a call from Pete saying Matt is putting together a house party tomorrow and wants to Troop to play, taking top priority. Call my parents frantically trying to see if I could work something out. Talk to Justin for like 2 hours about all things. Hope his detox is going well, although he was getting progressively buzzed as our conversation went on, but not horrible. Internet...

Parents get home, and "negotiations begin" although honestly they aren't negotiations. I left them a message explaining the situation, so they know whats up. I explain that we get first priority over all other bands. My dad says "It's a house party" and I say that it's not partying, but the chance to play, and I've never heard a faster "no" in my life. Some negotiations. Not to turn this into a "RARRRRGGH PARENTS" angst filled rant, but she really didn't even all me to give my full argument. I knew nothing was going to help though, so I just stood cross armed and stared silently at her while she talked. I just hope there will be other shows, and tomorrow I'm not just stuck listening to music by myself. Which will probably be the case...

Up in the morning, yogurt for breakfast. It's raining out, decide to take the third VU record as it fits the mood.

School, schooly. Have an assembly on drunk driving that take out a good portion of civics, so yay for presentations. Typical story. Harmless kid taken away by a drunk driver. Heartbreaking, but honestly good to get the story out there. A few kids were talking and the presenter whipped them, with good reason. If they are the people I think they are, then maybe a little cleaning on their side of the gene pool would not be a bad thing... I don't wish death, but jesus christ I hope they grow up, or at least keep their offspring the hell away from me and my own if I have any.

Home, still raining. Internet, short dog walk. Finish uploading the Meccalily 2005 set. Next is the PMJ show, but I think that won't happen until next week. Oh well, they've been sitting on minidiscs for 4 years, it can probably wait on their for a few more weeks. Talk to Dan, apparently the rest of the week is out with schedules so we can't get a practice in. At least we got another song done!

Tomorrow, last day of school before long weekend, woo hoo! Think I shall my camera and my music score with me to keep my occupied for the NH trip, but I might get nothing done. Who knows how this goes? Also, Mahi Mahi! yaaaaaaay.