...and I actually missed the Midwest.
Current mood: thankful

Last weekend two of my best friends got married. "And you made it to both weddings?" is the comment people usually make. And I tell them, "They married each other." And they get this really great disgusted look on their faces until I tell them one is a girl.

I haven't had that much fun in a long time. And I was in INDIANA! I couldn't believe it. I've been very disconnected since I got back to LA. I do miss all my friends there (how great to see all the PYOCA people). But I've got some great ones out here too.

Well, a big congratulations to Brandon and Katie. And don't forget without me, you would never, ever have met. Your children owe me their lives and I plan on collecting. Mwah, ha ha.

6:43 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Work

So I was writing numbers on sandwiches today and I realized that there must be more to life.

I want to play in a band again. So any musicians in LA that want to get together, let me know!

8:41 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

A little dissapointed with my state
Current mood: contemplative

So I just watched the documentary "Who Killed the Electric Car." And maybe its because I'm a democrat, or maybe its because I live in California, or maybe its because I don't enjoy paying $3.40/g for gas... no, it's because I have seen the smog over LA and can't believe how little is being done that I'm writing this.

I cannot comprehend that with all the "sudden" publicity of global warming and our current oil status (our oil status being that we still need it and are willing to shed American blood in a foreign civil war to continue to buy it at constantly increasing prices) that the electric car has not made a drastic push back into the public's eye.

I believe in the hydrogen economy. Don't get me wrong. But it's still several years away. Hybrid cars are a big step. But the ones I keep looking at are still tens of thousands of dollars out of my budget. Saving the environment shouldn't be reserved only for the rich. I am doing my part with recycling and what I can, but driving is the most harmful thing we as Americans do every day. I commute 15 miles to work and 15 miles back everyday. And most of those days, I sit in traffic for an hour both ways. Exhausting the ozone.

I made a video when I lived in San Diego for an alternative fuel station and the cars they power. And the hydrogen fuel cells are coming. But we have got to get into electric cars soon.

Unfortunately, big oil companies and automakers (who make a lot of off not only the cars, but the replacement engine parts in the cars) stand to lose millions of dollars in the process. They get those MILLIONS from your and my pockets. Hurts. Doesn't it. I'm all for capitalism. They want to make money and I respect that. But I know that their billion dollar industry won't collapse if they lose a few million dollars in spare part sales while promoting a clean, electric car. However, I don't have a million dollars to spare. Do you?

I'm looking for ways to help. If you know any, tell me. There is NO reason that we should be so dependent on oil today. We shouldn't have to pay so much at the dealer, service station, gas station, etc to keep our cars running. Electric battery capacity has to have reached a new level where we can travel 300-400 miles on a charge. You don't go any further on a tank of gas. Plus if electric cars were made on an asembly line like gas cars, the cost would plummet and probably become cheaper than these combustion engine cars.

I can only hope the next administration, whether it be Democrat or Republican, cares about the survival of the air, quality of life and the continued existance of life on this planet.

I am a little dissapointed with my country.

11:47 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

The Worst Movie Ever
Current mood: crushed

Epic Movie made me weep.

Words cannot explain how bad this movie was.

I almost cried it was so bad. Seriously tears were welling up.

If someone asks if you want to see this movie... kick them in the shins. When they are crying on the ground asking why... kick them in the teeth. (Unless they're a lot shorter than you, then kick them in the teeth first.)

I have lost my faith in Hollywood. I curse that sign! And I do, 'cause I can see it from my window.

BUT!!!!!!

I just got an email from my friend in San Diego and he wants to put on The Complt Wrks of Wllm Shkspr again with the same cast!!! So, I get a chance to do my favorite show of all time AGAIN!!! Happy Birthday to me indeed! I am going to see about transferring down to SD with my new position in Starbucks. Which... by the way is awesome! I love it. I was really thinking of quiting, but now I make more money AND have the authority I've needed for a while (that sounds big-headed... well, I've never been known for my small noggin... especially when I shaved my head in NYC...whew! That was...interesting).

And I'm playing percussion with a group of guys on Venice Beach on the weekends and I'm still playing open mics in LA, so I'm having a blast!

And (shockingly!) our government has dicovered $10 billion of "mismanaged" money in Iraq's rebuilding process. Personally, I'm shocked. Who would have ever suspected George W. Bush of wasting money in something so unpopular. He's always seemed so level headed and economically responsible (I trust the sarcasm was implicit).

Well, I just got in from a run and smell like a brothel (not really, but that word has been going through my head ever since a visited... um... heard the word on jeopardy the other day. Hopefully now it will leave me in peace).

In conclusion... Don't see Epic Movie unless you take someone that you wish ill upon and George Bush sucks... and the Colts rule all!

12:55 AM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

I miss the anticipation
Current mood: cynical

So we finally got some feedback from our album... three rejections. ... ... It hurts... a lot. But our producer assured us that there are dozens of others labels yet to respond, and not to give up hope.

"Stylistically, this type of music isn't selling right now." In some ways, that soothes the blow. It's not, "Wow! Mama Mia! These guys suck!" In other ways it makes me weep for the music industry (even more than I have been). Now we're in a place musically where talent isn't even a factor (I know this isn't a new revelation, but that fact is standing in the spotlight in my head), the major labels have acquiesed to what the people buy, but they don't realize that the majority of people (not you dear reader. My friends are above this) buy CDs based on what the labels decide to sell.

Take recent bands that all have a strictly unique sound. The Killers, KT Tunsall, Modest Mouse, they all were not in their time "stylistically... selling right now." But because they were promoted by their labels people went en masse and bought the albums. And rightfully so, these are bands that have a wonderful sound brought to light by the labels that recognized talent.

Oddly, the music industry is doing almost exactly what politicians should be doing. The music industry is only pushing what it thinks the public will support. Whereas politicians hide clauses in important bills, to help themselves which stalls the bill and ignores the public clamoring for progess. If the House of Representatives paid as much attention to what the people who elected them in their states wanted as the music industry does, voter turnout would increase and people might have a little faith in the government again. I should say I would have a little faith in the government again. There, I'm being just as bad as the politicians I'm speaking against. How dare (without asking and talking directly to people) I assume I know what others believe about government officials.

I bet if you suspended their constantly increasing paychecks (in this time of slow economic recovery, many bills have salary hikes in their clauses for our representatives, so we can pay them more for not asking us our opinions. Have I gone too far, when has a representative or a senator called you or anyone you know and asked your opinion on anything... exactly. How do they know then?) until a time when they provided evidence that they actually knew what the people they represent want from their government, they might actually start working and understanding where we really stand on the issues. And more people might feel compelled to form opinions on the issues if they felt they were actually heard.

This wasn't what I started writing about. We will continue to hear from record companies and playing the numbers game, we should get signed by somebody. But even if none of these labels pan out, (insert inspirational music here) we will have Tomas submit us to dozens... nay... hundreds (music cresendos)of independent labels! And we won't stop until the good name (cresendos) of Goldfish Don't Bounce is known throughout the world! (Music Climaxes in a flourish of persuccion and brass end fff as the band dons capes and instruments and flies off to continue spreading joy and peace to all who desire it... I gotta stop drinking in the morning.)

Well, I feel relieved. I'm gonna go for a jog.

Mark

7:36 AM - 6 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Glorious Relief
Current mood: optimistic

Odd, isn't it? How one day you can think about walking in front of heavy traffic and the next day you feel like you could walk through heavy traffic and not be crushed under the weight of a thousand ton freight.

Yesterday, I was on cloud nine. And for no good reason. My car was held an extra night because they were sent the 'wrong' part. What kind of automechanic doesn't specify the car to get the right part. Maybe I should write a letter and get some of my small fortune back.

I paid most of the bill myself and my wonderful parents allowed me to put some on their card. I'm paying them back no matter what they say.

Despite the fact that I won't be able to go out ANYWHERE for another month until my financial flow is back on track. I'm elated! I think that I go through those 5 stages of grief at light speed (no light speed is too slow... prepare ship for Ludicrous Speed. Sorry, Spaceballs was just on). I go from anger to denial to... to... to acceptance in about 12 hours. Even regulars at Sbux were asking why I was so happy and I didn't have a good reason.

God is great and he sent me some amazing people in the last few days. And I've had comments on my blogs from my favorite people. That's right C.I.Tizzle, you're up there on my list. Don't worry.

Anyway, I leave in 8 days to fly to Maryland to pick up Justine and drive her across the country to live in LA. I love driving across the country and Justine is a barrel of fun. Plus we get to drive through Vegas where we met three years ago at fight camp.

Suddenly I'm concerned about being in close quarters for four days with a girl who is proficent in all weapons...hmm.

Well time to go to the beach and run. Oh the rough life of Southern California. Anytime anyone wants to come visit, I've got a pull out sofa waiting for you. Justine's got it until she finds an apartment, but that shouldn't stop anybody from visiting. I'll show you the joys (and traffic) of LA. Come with multiple people and we'll go on the Price is Right. It films about a half mile down the road! I see people walking around all day with their name tags and pretend I know them form high school. It passes the time. (yeah, I'm super cool!)

Love life and recycle your old ink cartridges. That's what my old grandpa used to say.

11:08 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Why now?!?
Current mood: crushed

I just clopened. That's Starbucks terminology (I'm sure its not sbux patented) for closing one night, having a beer and trying to fall asleep before 1am, waking up at 4am and driving to work by 5. 

On my way home from work, my car sputtered to a stop JUST on the 10 Freeway. "Fortunately" for me a tow truck was behind me when I turned on my hazards and he shielded traffic for me to merge. He told me I was out of gas. To which I replied, "You're a rotten liar, you scally-wag!" That prompted him to drive off. So, I looked at my 1/4 of a tank and prayed that my gauge was broken. So, I hopped over the fence protecting the common streets from the fearsome Freeway System of Southern California (which, honestly, I've always wanted to do). I walked the 1/4 mile to a gas station and paid $10 for a 1 gallon tank and $3.07 for a gallon of gas and promptly walked back to my car and "filled" it.

Much to my non-surprise, it did nothing. My car wouldn't start. I pumped the pedal with my foot and checked the fuses. Unfortunately all my fuses were fine, which meant that it had to be the fuel pump.

~~~~~Follow me back 9 months to a cold winters day in Limon, Colorado. My Dad and I valiantly driving a Uhaul from North Carolina to LA, have our fuel pump die and we lost an entire day on the road--> go forward again in time and thanks for traveling (please remain seated until the captain turns off the seatbelt sign).

So, I have to call a new tow truck, because Captain "Helps-not-a-lot" took off. So, I talk to Justine for 2 hours while this truck comes to take me back to Santa Monica! Thank God for Justine calming me down. I was livid! I call one of my co-workers (the only person I know in SM) and she was filming all day and was almost asleep. Her husband comes to pick me up and drove me all the way to West LA. About 10 miles completely out of the way (for those of you Hoosiers and such <-- that's you Tiff!).

My manager reimburses me for a $30 cab ride in the morning. Honestly, this was nice. No music, but I didn't have to think on my way to work.

Then 2 employees don't show and we're understaffed. Luckily, I had a veteran crew. I go to the maintenance shop and they make me wait for 20 minutes before telling me that all they needed was the go ahead to start working.

My friend, Akino, takes me to lunch and then we went to the beach and played on the swings. She did her best to make me forget about the $1034 repair bill that I'm staring at.

I just threw down almost $2500 for the CD in NYC. Which I wouldn't take back. The record is awesome and we should hear soon about getting signed. But my vacation pay didn't go through and I don't get paid til Friday. So, I swallow my (bankrupt) pride and call the 'rents. And my wonderful, wonderful, wonderful family lends me enough money to make up the rest of the bill.

But they ordered the wrong part and I have to wait one more day without my car and I have to open in the morning. Patty's coming to pick me up, and I hope we make it on time to work.

I'm more than completely broke right now. It's overwhelming. I have never had to worry about money until just now... it really does suck!

But It will all work out. It has to. I have great friends, great family and God on my side. I'll make it. And if everyone could send me $5 in the mail, it would really help. Let's hold a telethon. Everybody loves a telethon (or is it Raymond?). Anyway, just send those Lincolns my direction <-- jk. Don't send me money, or I will send it back P.H.

Focker Out!

9:08 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

The suspense is Killing me!
Current mood: excited

I'm so anxious about this record deal. I want to get signed and then really start working. I can't wait to sit down with the guys and write, play and make some amazing music. I think our album is great. But when we were together everything just started falling together (Pleasure of my own company!). This is a great collaboration. I think Bryce's addition is key. He's funny! I had no idea how funny he was till the trip. We've got talent, the work ethic, understanding how to compliment each others' instruments, now we just need the break!

GOLDFISH DON'T BOUNCE RULES!

11:15 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

My first Blog... oh, its so cute
Current mood: aggravated
Category: Blogging

Okay, this is my first blog and maybe my last depending on how it goes...

First of all, I'm going crazy with this record deal thing. Somehow I got it in my head that we were supposed to know anytime. But I talked (texted) Tomas the other day and he said it'll be FOUR WEEKS! So by the end of the month I'll know. Then I'll kiss Starbucks goodbye and start on the debauchery filled road to rockstardom.

Starbucks: Okay. I don't know what happened when I was gone, but I come back and suddenly I've been sleeping with one of my coworkers. Who I asked about this rumor and she unconvincingly denied it. Which is ridiculous because so many people told me she told them point blank that we were in a relationship or "intimate." I don't know what is to be gained by this. Now she's overcompensatingly denying everything. Even gone so far as to say she thought I was gay. Which is horse shit! Everyone's been telling me she's had a crush on me for months and I've just said, "no, she's my buddy. We play video games together." Boy, was I wrong. I just want a little bit of honesty. Really, own up to your mistakes and let's move on. It's not that hard, it might take a little maturity, but I don't think that's out of the question.

So, I've pretty much lost my best friend out here. Then my other best buddy, Mooney, already has a core group of friends and he's crazy successful as a stuntman (saw him on TV last night on "Who wants to be a Superhero?"). So I don't get to hang out with him like I'd like to.

I feel like I've come back from this amazing NYC experience, recording with the band, hanging out with this great group of guys (that I can't wait to get back on the road with... in an actual tour bus and not Ramon's Jeep hopefully) and now I'm in LA and I'm starting over. I'm pissed!

I feel like I live at Starbucks and the regulars tell me that too. I do feel good at work (Unless drama girl is there). They want to promote me and I want to move up. More money, same number of hours.

So, if you've made it this far, you're probably thinking, "Wow! His blog is bringing me down." But they'll all be happier than this. I just needed to get some things outta my head and written somewhere.

Join me for my upcoming peppier (AND MUCH SHORTER) blogs.

Mark

10:54 AM - 3 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment