Here's my next attempt to continue blogging on MySpace...
Hmm where to begin. I'll just start off by letting you know what i've been listening to lately. Go check these records out!
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago Bon Iver - MySpace Transmissions E.P. ^^ this band is phenomenal. If you're into really airy indie rock tht could possibly put you tos sleep. It's good to listen to while you're doing other things like reading, studying, designing, drawing etc. The second C.D. I listed is free, so if you can't find it, hit me up and i'll send it to you. Anathallo - Canopy Glow [out in November ;-)] Manchester Orchestra - Catalog Acceptance - Phantoms [I know, old school] Goo Goo Dolls - Catalog Alert the Sky - Burger King E.P. For the Fallen Dreams - Changes Means - To Keep Me From Sinking Secret & Whisper - Great White Whale Saints Never Surrender - Brutus Take it Back - Can't fight Robots Modern Life is War - Marshalltown
K, that's it for music.
On a side note, Manchester Orchestra and Anathallo are both coming to Covington, seperate dates, but still, stoked for that.
Design work has kept me busy as of late, I have a ton of projects going on and some of them are moving slowly due to clients getting back to me about revisions... buttt, i'm plenty busy. If you didn't know, I relaunched my design company, we have a website in the works, but you can go to it and it will re-direct you for now.
I've been keeping up with politics I suppose, just because it's that time of year, it's the first election I can vote, and the debates have been on. I'm not gonna sit here and talk about it though, I just don't feel that's appropriate to sit here and voice my political opinion without someone asking, I actually think it's quite rude.
The weather is pissing me off too... It gets cool, and then jumps back up in the 80's. Tired of that crap. I'm ready to be comfortable in jeans and a hoodie, and of course a plaid western style shirt, which has just consumed my closet as of late **see profile picture**
Man... I'm literally just kinda winging this haha. Maybe i'll write more later, but for now i'll leave you with this pragraph...
Sorry if Brooke and I have been busy, we DO miss all our friends, and we DO want to hang out with you. To us, we seem like a pretty boring couple, but hey, if you wanna hang, we're always looking for something to do, and 9/10 times we're looking for an inexpensive and somewhat free form of entertainment.
Here are some things we do...
-Midnight Hockey on Friday/Saturday nights -Trips to the bookstore, most of the time just to browse -Going to the dogpark -Watching movies, rented or theatre -Dinner at a restraunt -Coffe (of course) -Playing Super Smash Brothers (which we might do soon) -Hanging out and having a fun beverage... not partying, but talking and just having a fun beverage. - Hiking (once the weather gets cool) - Bon fires (usually at the stuban's) - UFC nights
For whatever reason, I stopped blogging on here. Whatever.
I'll probably start back soon.
I guess... An update on life is in store.
I have come to the conclusion that it is my duty as a Christ follower on this earth to not sit here and tell people the difference between wrong or right, or even tell them what they're doing is wrong or right, but instead just show people love. After all, how is Christ supposed to be present if the love, both spiritual and physical isn't there?
I am not working at a "real" job right now. Meaning I don't work for the man haha. I have found my niche doing design work full time. A decision I made earlier this year, and honestly, I didn't expect it to pay the bills, and support me this early. But nonetheless, im doing it. I stay pretty busy throughout the weeks with multiple projects. I filed for an LLC, which is basically small business liability, registering my company as an actual company.
I will be re-launching my design company in the coming weeks, it's getting closer to that time. New name, new website, new myspace, everything.
I also go to Atlanta in a few weeks to look at, and consult buying a direct to garment printer with an investor. That's pretty sweet.
I am still in love with a girl. Her name is Brooke. We have two chillin' named...
Indie (Independent Rolfus "no holds-barred" Showalter-Williams) and Rigby (Rigby Cat Showalter-Williams I)
I live at home. Yeah bitches
O Jerusalem has taken a back seat of sorts. Not broken up by any means, our schedules are just crazy this semester, we'll probably pick it back up after it's over. I'm working on a new band with Mark from OJ, Drew, the old drummer of OJ, and this amazing songwriter named Aaron. It's good times.
I'm also in school still. About to finish up 2 associates degrees in Graphic Design, print based media, and web based media.
Then it's off to UK for Bachelors in Telecom We'll see what happens.
Anyways sorry for the long update.
I guess it needed to happen. -Jaye
Currently
listening
:
Turn It Around
By
Comeback Kid
Release date: 2003-03-04
So i'm offering an amazing deal right now. I'm selling my 80GB iPod in perfect conditions (has been in a case since the day I opened it, and it's running fine) with ALL the music that is currently on it.
Here is all the stuff that is on the iPod.
80 Gigs worth of space:
5,000+ songs already pre-loaded onto the iPod. Some of the artists on the iPod include...
As Cities Burn As I Lay Dying Between the Buried and Me Brand New Blink 182 The Chariot Chiodos Circa Survive Coldplay (full catatlog) Dane Cook (full catalog) Dashboard Confessionals Death Cab For Cutie Demon Hunter The Devil Wears Prada Every Time I Die Fall Out Boy (full catalog) Incubus Jimmy Eat World Johnny Cash Justin Timberlake Kanye West The mars Volta Metallica New Found Glory (full catalog) Nirvana Norma Jean Radiohead Rage Against the machine Sky Eats Airplane Sting/The Police Stone Temple Pilots Third Eye Blind Thrice (full catalog) Underoath (full catalog) Zao and TONS MORE!!!
Most of Season 3 of The Office Most of Season 3 of Lost Some Season 2 Episodes of The Office
Hostel 2
The Sound of Animals Fighting FULL LIVE DVD
As well as two games I bought from iTunes Texas Hold Em ($4.99 value) Phase (a guitar hero like game you can play with any song on your iPod $4.99 value)
All of this can be YOURS for $200.00, which with all of the stuff on this iPod is a STEAL!!!!
Also... Throughout the whole month of August, I will throw in a free case ($35 value)
I think it's safe to say that i've had quite the eye opener recently. In the last few months, God has placed an INCREDIBLE amount of compassion on my heart. I've really just been humbled, and have been placed in complete humility at the feet of others.
Actually within the first few seconds of even typing this, i've almost been brought to tears. My hands shaking, and i'm currently having one of those strange out of body experiences as if I personally am not even typing this.
Regardless. It all started this winter when I abruptly left my very comfortable job, blessed with a huge design project that left me financially stable, to being in a huge rut with clients. I took a side job working for my parents when I wasn't busy with school, and collected hours in order basically say ok, i'm out of money, I guess i'll take a pay check. I know that's kind of unclear.
Then recently i've taken on about 8 or 9 really exciting projects... but money has run low, I made so pretty irresponsible financial decisions and blew alot of my cash in the past weekend, it's dumb but I understand that there is a much bigger picture.
I'm embracing the fact that I never, ever want to so sound that I have an incredible amount of money. I just don't want it. This country is going through a recession where money is hard to come by, and yes we as human beings need money I guess, but more than anything, God has really placed it on my heart to just not care as much.
I'm sick of this need, this consumer based addiction of things I have to have. It's not about gathering enough money to buy things, it's about being blessed with enough money, and things to give it away.
I have so much shit just sitting around my home and it's time to give it away, sell it, whatever.
Compassion is so much more than doing that though... it's about this unwarranted love for other things that aren't as "important"
Im just so sick of taking things for granted. Im ready to just enjoy a stress free life... detach from the things that drag me down and just have fun.
Upon finishing this blog, I am completely inspired by the fact that such a huge weight is being lifted from my heart and my soul.
I've been granted a wellness, a happyness in my heart in which I haven't felt since i've become a follower of Christ.
Im blessed for my friends, my family, my girlfriend, John, Mark, Matt and Mandy, my band, my son indie and my new daughter Rigby haha, Cyrus and his girlfriend, I dunno... you all know who you are
Thank you for sharing in such a strong body of Christ, such an amazing church that we have built together. It's time to take a step further and just live an unwarranted life, sharing our blessings with others, and conquering our convictions.
I feel kind of weird typing out O Jerusalem lyrics, but last night I sang these words and they never meant so much to me.
This is an excerpt from a new OJ song we've been playing called "Losing Balance" It's a song about living life to the fullest, and moving way past your hardships to look on better things.
----------------
Life is worth so much more than fighting convictions It's about taking care of the ones you love And never looking back My God My Everything All I have is you
----------------
Thanks sorry if this was rambly and unclear I just had it on my heart.
PLAYLIST -----------
Thrice- Vheissu, Air Life in Your Way- Catalog As Cities Burns- Catalog Sleeping Giant- Dread Champions of the Last Days
Just Letting Everyone Know
Current mood: adventurous
The next two days or so i'm going out of town, and won't be around the computer, which means no design work.
Not that hardly any of my clients would read this haha... but... yeah at least i'm putting it out there.
Tomorrow... Headed to Nashville for what promises to be an amazing show of As Cities Burn, The Glorious Unseen, and of course, the always amazing Life in Your Way. It will be good to see the people I look up to so much, and call friends again before I won't see them for a very long time.
Crossing my fingers for some old stuff :-/
Then Wednesday i'm going with my dad to help him with work and make myself some mulah. I'm also trying to coax him into going down to my grandfathers lake house to fish with his dad, and yeah my grandfather. I think he would really like that. Also to spend time with my greatgrandmother before she passes away.
I will spend alot of time on the road reading, studying logic, and reading design books. Anyways... again, sorry if you can't get ahold of me.
So your band wants to tour huh?
Current mood: imaginative
There's a great blog called Indie Band Advice, it's amoung one of my favorites because it offers some pretty sweet advice from someone "in the biz."
There was an amazing post a few days ago in which I felt the need to re-post here. Basically the topic was...
How can my band tour with the gas prices?
Anyways... first i'll give you my thoughts on the blog. This guys is completely 100% right. Read his words, take his advice, and don't ruin your lives. Because you WILL ruin your lives. However, there isnt anything wrong with regional touring as long as you can afford it, but within reason. Some people do it because they love, that's awesome, those people also have day jobs, and generally go back to them.
I can't tell you how happy I am to work from home...seriously. It cost me $80 to fill up my tank yesterday and I immediately thought of you guys...with the rising cost of gas it's crippling the young, touring bands out there. And in perfect timing, James sent me an e-mail asking for advice on what to do because they simply can't afford to tour.
Topic - What to do when you can't afford to tour
Advice: My opinion on touring has dramatically changed over the past year. For me, the bottom line is this...unless you're supporting a legitimate, headlining band that will give you the opportunity to perform in front of at least 100 new faces every night...don't tour. What?! I know...crazy. Contrary to everything you've heard I'm sure. Here's the thing...can you pull 300 kids from your hometown yet? No? Then you're not ready to tour. Yes? Then what about your neighboring major market 3 to 5 hours away? Can you pull 300 there? No? Then start working on that. You see? Why drive to Ohio if no one there wants to see you? People rarely go to shows excited about the support bands..that leaves you in the position of performing for people who really don't care. Now let's say you drove all the way to Ohio...you're incredible and have great songs..you play for 50 people as the opener..and 5-10 people love you. Great. What are they going to do for you over there? You can't get to them unless you're on another tour...can you afford to do that? Drive out for those 10 people? No. Instead, you need to focus your attention on finding the next 10 local people who love you. People you can play for on a monthly basis.
Fans are fans. It doesn't matter where they live. Gone are the days of hitting the road and breaking your band. I know the purists are going to argue with me on this one..but forget the national van and trailer routine. Take your time. Build locally, then regionally, THEN nationally if the nation wants you. You can spend 2 months on the road performing for mediocre crowds, sell a little merch, get paid next to nothing for your performances, and come home in debt...OR play once a month to a sell out 340 capacity venue and make $3000 on performance and another $800 in merch. Do that in your surrounding 4 major markets and you'll make money, keep overhead low, build a fan base, and see results. "But I want to be a household name and a famous rock star, not a hometown hero!!!" Get over it. hahaha.. I don't mean to be blunt...but seriously..get over it. If that's your inspiration...you're about 10 years too late. Moving forward, and I've said this before, only those you are motivated by the sincere passion of music will have careers. Find the fans in your backyard first...then build from there.
Ben
Currently
listening
:
Misanthropy Pure
By
Shai Hulud
Release date: 2008-05-27
So... If you get pissed off about this blog, know that Brando started it haha... I was waiting for someone to get pissed off about this, and it happened, so here I go.
Please also know that this blog isn't about one specific party, possibly a number of individuals/parties.
Ok...
1.) People probably care that your band broke up, it sucks when you do put time and effort into it, I know, i've been on this side of things, AND i've almost been on this side of things with the band i'm in right now. BUT, people don't care as much as you made it out to be, in other words, 9 million effing bulletins.
The second part of this is... You don't hang your dirty laundry out for everyone to see, no matter how pissed off you are, no matter how bad the situation is, ultimately it's stupid, unprofessional, and childish. You just don't do that... Sorry but that's how it is.
2.) People that namedrop... Are a joke. We've all done it, i've caught myself doing it. And in all honesty there are situations where I wouldn't blame certain people that name drop.
Example. If I ever hung out with Gordon Ramsay, I would probably name drop his name...
BUT People that basically build their lives, and egos on the soul basis of this, are pathetic. People can smell your bull crap from a mile away, and in all honesty, it just makes you look stupid.
3.) Bands... The first thing a band should do is practice. Learn to play your instrument, write HONEST, and MEANINGFUL songs, tighten them up, and THEN YOU CAN FOCUS ON PROMOTING YOURSELF.
I'm tired of seeing bands, where the first thing they do is create a damn MySpace profile... Jesus... Give it a rest, because THEN you just break up 5 weeks later. What the hell?
You probably had a band name before you ever practiced.
Anyways Sorry to sound preachy, but I just got kinda cheesed off for a second. Take care God Bless -Jaye
Currently
listening
:
Remove the Earth
By
The Advent
Release date: 2008-02-12
Super stoked on today... I've stayed busy lately, knock on wood, and it's almost therapeutic. Sometimes I find myself so unmotivated, but today... different story.
Anyways, just wanted to share some stuff for whoever is interested. I'm renovating my design myspace, gonna try to get it up and running hopefully by the end of the month. I know that seems forever for just one myspace, BUT my layouts are becoming MUCH more intricate, and are taking longer... not to mention the fact that this month is pretty busy.
Ichthus is next week, it should be a blast, needless to say im a little stressed out for what all still has to be done.
Anyways... here are some things im enjoying right now.
Arrested Development- Never watched it before, have always heard great things... it's incredibly funny.
New Misery Signals Record- Wow... just wow
The Glass Ocean's debut E.P.- Great folky post punk/post hardcore stuff, kinda in vein of really old Mewithoutyou.
Metallica- Gearing up for the new record that (crosses fingers) hopefully will take them back to their glory days.
*SIDENOTE* Did you know they are the second biggest band of all time, and they are the biggest american band of all time. That's nuts considering they're as heavy as they are... I mean c'mon no doubt that they're heavy.
Cooking- Thanks to the great Gordon Ramsay, i've been inspired to cook more
That's about it right now... also planning my new room set up has made me addicted. :-/
Season 4 of Lost is almost to a close, and I think all of us Lost fans are stoked about it. This season we've gotten alot of answers, and even some more exciting answers have been posed. Long gone are the days where the show gives us meaningless episodes, in which I think we're all thankful.
However, after doing some research, I found some INCREDIBLY interesting facts, in which give us insight to some VERY BIG questions, that have been right in front of our eyes, even before season 4 aired.
*NOTE* If you haven't seen season 4, or the most recent episode of LOST, DO NOT read on until you've seen it.
ANYWAYS In the last few weeks, we saw our trio of Hurley, Lock and Ben going to visit the mysterious Jacob. To our surprise, via Jacob's medium Christian Shepard, Lock was given the instruction to "move the island." What's that supposed to mean right? Next, Ben informs Locke that they are going to travel to Station 6, THE ORCHID to "move the island." We then find out that The Orchid is some sort of greenhouse (or what seems to be one) and that inside holds the key to moving the island.
So the question is, how are they going to do it? What does the Orchid contain that "moves the island" etc.
Well... the answer to these questions have actually already been given to us, AN ENTIRE SEASON BEFORE THE FINALE!!!
A hidden special feature on the season 3 DVD set of LOST gave us a brand new, very odd Dharma video.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=4bTvAUVPyLI
This video actually tells us about The Orchid long before we hear about it in the show. According to the video, The Orchid is there to study a "Casimir" type of effect, in which holds the key to alot of the questions we have.
After reading about it, to sum it up, the Casimir effect is when two magnetic forces react to each other, they create a small blip that is unmeasurable by space and time, and in theory is actually displaced (similar to a wormhole, or a black hole).
You can read more about it here... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casimir_effect
If the island has a natural Casimir effect, and the Dharma Initiative can harness, and perfect the effect itself, they can almost do a sort of teleport type of thing to wherever they need to be. Hence the polar bear being found in the desert, Ben ALSO winding up in the desert, etc.
It also bring up the theory that THIS is why the island is hidden from normal view, and has certain time displacement properties. The fact tat it has this Casimir property, completely displaces it from normal time and space.
This is also the way they are going to MOVE the island, enhancing this effect so much, that it teleports it somewhere else.
The above are all various fact and theory, and yes you can believe what you want. I think one of the questions while knowing this is what pressing the button every 108 minutes actually does. After understanding alot of what i've recently read, I think it kind of combats the timeloop theory, but also supports it. Maybe by pushing the button every 108 minutes, they were keeping the Casimir effect going. When the button wasn't pushed the first time, it caused an opening of sorts for Oceanic 815 to crash, and the second time, when it was destroyed, it allowed Witmore's people to locate the island, POSSIBLY weakening the Casimir effect, and letting them figure out the special coordinate in which one must travel to locate the island, or this "wormhole"
Anyways have fun with it we'll find out more next week.
breezy
blessed
adventurous
awake
imaginative
bitchy
