10:54 AM - 30 is in the books, and I still have so far to come...

so lets see, where to begin, how to tell this story in a million words or less

30 is a big birthday, at least that's what I've been told, and I've been thinking too much about my upcoming 30th birthday for too long I wanted to do something big, but didn't think I had the character to pull off a big bash for myself, something about that felt too pretentious...

low and behold, as the day approached (yesterday, June 29th)
i grew increasingly weary of the reality of the day and what it
meant, means...whatever, nothing really, it's just a day right.

i had to shake this off, my twin brother had flown to florida and was rolling Cadillac style on the 30th bday tip, in the comforts of home in florida and
the hospitality of my older brother Jeremiah, and the loving company of my
parents, so, needless to say, yesterday...in new york city, I felt a little alone

but there was secret fixins in the works

all weekend had been building because my gfriend was MIA and aloof, my roommate was ready and willing, my family are all in florida and while i reluctantly meandered through the day, I started my day by getting into a fight with Roxie whom I was convinced was only half interested in what this day meant to me...what
and actress

so had a great brkfst at Relish with the roomie, then followed by a jam session and then he finally convinced me to go to the city and spread my wings a little

interestingly enough, June is also Gay Pride month, so we arrive in the city to go to Guitar Fucker and the whole city is overflowing with the chelsea army bouncing around draped in rainbow flags and dikes on bikes that look like they could have taken Arnold in the first Terminator movie, I instantly thought of my brother Andy and gave a silent "Go Queers" chant to myself...

stopped in Diesel to pick up some duds for my dinner date with Roxie, which I was reluctant to attend at this point given my pseudo character "Grouchy McJerkface's" presence thoughout the day...had a margarita at my favorite jam El Cantinero and then headed home through gridlocked Pride Parade traffic, getting more and more anxious about the way this day was turning out...

upon my arrival home, there was one clue that I didn't heed to closely, but looking back now, I see that the writing was on the wall...there was a pizza guy standing outside my house calling...only my buzzer is broken, I asked him twice what apartment he was therefore and the fucker didn't answer me twice...even he knew.

I pounded on my neighbors door saying "yo fuckers, your pizza is here"...then went upstairs and opened the door to my place.

"SURPRISE" erupted from my apartment, and there was my gorgeous girlfriend and all my friends standing in my living room, complete with decorations, balloons and tons of home made food...all courtesy of my baby...I was floored, not only did I not know, but it was magical...2 years in a row, my brother got me last year for my 29th on the 29th, and now Roxana, aided heavily I think by all those who had to keep a straight face when I saw them at some point over the last few weeks...and by KP of course.

no detail left out, no stone unturned, even Jon and Rana Kaplan came out, and brought their hero of a boy Rex ( who'll be 4 next month ) to party...I even got a private rock concert in my living room from 3 of the best players in NYC, Jon Cornell on bass, Marc "Hammer Hands" Slutsky on skins, my roomie KP tearing up the guitar, and Garen of Kill The Alarm on guitar and vocals...they played 3 songs, one for each decade and need I say, my lead vocals on "It's My Motherfucking Birthday", a Kingsland Studios original, were awesome...but these boys are pros, and after that, killed it with KTA's "Shout It Out Loud" and Pearl Jams "Alive" then I don't think Pearl Jam in the flesh could have covered that anthem any better than these four did...to a T, and thanks to Aleen and Allison for capturing it all on camera, WOW!

All in all, I underestimated just about everyone, especially myself, I guess I make a better impression on great people than I thought, thank you to all who attended, all who knew, all who helped, and all who made the beginning of this year, the best one yet.

PERFECTION NEVER KNEW WHAT HIT IT, I'm still ecstatic, I'm so tired I can't sleep.

jhs

ps - my regards to Luke White and his family, who was unable to attend, oh yeah...and this one is dedicated to my father, Raymond Edward Swart Jr....my hero.

Currently listening : Ten By Pearl Jam Release date: 1991-08-27

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5:01 PM - it’s the final countdown!

like every single person I grew up with this year, except Joey LoCrasto, he's a year older, were all turning thirty and it's my turn in only 3 days.

in three days, I'll no longer be a twenty something, younger folks will see me as old
older folks will ask, "my God man, you're thirty freaking years old, when will you grow up?"

to the former, I say, I'm 24 I swear it!
to the later, I say, NEVER!!!

if you see me saturday after midnight or anytime sunday, buy me a drink, soda, popcorn, lapdance, dinner, lunch, brunch, the new iPhone, whatever you can swing, I promise I'll add you to my top friends if you do...

jhs

Currently listening : Ritual de lo Habitual By Jane’s Addiction Release date: 1990-08-13

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11:20 AM - mission accomplished

a well earned comp flight to LA on tuesday

welcomed, received and accommodated
by Dana Stoltzer, known that kid nearly 18 years.

good times, no obligations.

a '95 dw keller kit
G5 Quad core...loaded.
snare drums.
cymbals.
hardware.
and a guitar...

puppies a plenty and iron maiden amidst good peoples

back into the crib, back out to Aryia for great sushi
back into the crib, back out to the strip...
back into the crib, back out into the sunshine.

i feel like mario must feel when he gets the
mushroom and fire flower all at once.

jhs

rollin' on his 24" with everybody sayin'...ba bump ba!

Currently listening : Seventh Son of a Seventh Son By Iron Maiden Release date: 2002-03-26

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8:51 AM - long time coming...

i can tell you why it is that alcoholics fall off the wagon...temptation.
i can tell you why it is that relationships come to an end...miscommunication.
i can tell you why it is that I haven't written in a while...the combination.

I suppose that's a better reason, or at least an authentic one. Basically, starting back in November of 2007, my life became a shitstorm of eggshells and non routine i wouldn't wish on anyone, stiffling in face. I am glad that at this point I have the pleasure of pursuing my dreams as a reality.

For months, while I waited for my living situation of 6 years completely disintegrate before my eyes, much of it was my fault looking back, but it still didn't require the meltdown that took place, we could have been more civil about the growing needs of each others personal and professional aspirations and tried to work it out a better way, but in the end, what in this life worth doing is ever easy?

All I could do was wait it out in hopes of something bigger and better. My ex roommie is and was and amazing guy, in every way but one...he and I had run the course to resentment, a horribly irresponsible financial system that was draining my pockets, my patience and ultimately my desire to coexist. (I won't bore with all the details, but lets just say that maintaining the lions share of a sick apartment laiden with all my gear (it's a fuckton...10 guitars just to start) and a 24/7 revolving door isn't easy or cheap) But in his defense my weaknesses as a roommate and a person was my innate ability on two levels, my compassion and my "my way or the highway attitude, created the monster it became...nonetheless, that is now 6 weeks in the books and nearly every waking moment since then has been about one thing...the dream.

I overhauled my apartment with the help of Kyle Paas, what a guy! and the good folks at American Express I spent a bunch of money I'd been saving, and I'm happy to say that I'm doing a little bit everyday, some better than others, but nonetheless, I feel that for the first time since I began my metamorphasis 3 years ago, that this time, I'm where I wanted to be the day I graduated college nearly 8 years ago...

so to those of you who know me, miss me, or just want to get reacquainted, now's the time...My life once again and for ever is open for business...

Jeffrey

ps - a special thanks to Roxana for all the greatness and spanish lessons along the way

Currently listening : It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere By Slash’s Snakepit Release date: 1995-02-14

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2:33 PM - Dantes Inferno...

I've recorded quite a many artist at THe Cutting Room over the couple years I've been there, almost all Hip Hop and R&B. Most of which aren't in my record collection, but this past week I started working with one of my favorites...Mos Def on his new record with Downtown records, who also has the Eagles of Death Metal and Gnarls Barkley. I didn't see his most recent film yet, but now maybe I will, I could use a good laugh.

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9:26 PM - The Luck ’O The Irish

Happy St. Patricks Day!

Whose going to probably not remember today when tomorrow comes. I mean, it’s the only day of the year when you see uniformed police officers ( at least in nyc ) drinking till they can barely talk or god forbid, shoot straight. The parade started an hour ago, and I wish I was there, something about starting a binge before noon really envigorates the soul...and the liver.

My brother is on his spring break and decided to travel, so he’s missing his first St. Patty’s Day in NYC. For shame.

On another note, things is changing everyday, and life is getting better and better, even though time keeps ticking by, I just realized I’ll be 30 in a few months. Not sure if that’s a milestone or a speedbump, it’s been a long december, jan, feb and march, but there’s reason to believe, maybe this year will be better than the last...

jhs

Currently listening : Recovering the Satellites By Counting Crows Release date: 15 October, 1996

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5:30 PM - estoy muy enferma

everyone is sick...

i had a fever for the first time in a long time, for nearly 3 days, finally going back to work tomorrow, my lady fan is sick now with the same shit, and she just got over being sick on antibiotics less than a week ago...

chemtrails? some say...

diet?

exercise...pffya!

well, to those of you yet to get ill this season, watch out, it's spreading like wildfire and it's no fun...

jhs

Currently listening : In Defense of the Genre By Say Anything Release date: 23 October, 2007

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8:56 AM - together again

my brother has recently become a member of NYC society as he begins his graduate study
at Columbia, he sure is a smart guy. Studying all kinds of fancy psychology and education
together, in hopes of making the world a better place for the future generations. Little does
he know he's already making it a better world for mine, most specifically...ME.

jhs

Currently listening : Diana Ross and the Supremes - The Ultimate Collection By Diana Ross & Supremes Release date: 07 October, 1997

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6:01 AM - year of the new

this year I plan to make a concerted effort to forget what I already know and like
and try most every new thing that comes my way, same input...same output.
So this year, I'm going to flip the script and go about things without even going about them,
try and do something bigger than I've ever done, better than I've ever done...
if were going to be in a world war sometime in the next few to 20 years, I better start kicking
some ass now so's I can get in my licks while the gettins good!

Whose with me? Anyone wanna make a record, tons of money, and then celebrate it everyday?

I'm down...

Jeffrey

Currently listening : Show Your Bones By Yeah Yeah Yeahs Release date: 28 March, 2006

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6:38 AM - the lull

now is the time between xmas and new years, businesses might as well not even be open this week, although I'm sure there are certain businesses that thrive during this period, it must be painfully obvious to many that this is the most unproductive week of the year. You might as well give your employees a paid vacation this week, cause you aren't going to get much work out of them, too anxious for new years, to excited from xmas still. Let's just silently agree that getting paid to work this week is a waste of employers money and...getting paid to work this week is a welcomed waste of the employee's precious time.

jhs

Currently listening : Hot Fuss By The Killers Release date: 15 June, 2004

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