A work In Progress

ramblings/thoughts/realizations.
-Im too good for somethings- not trying to be an ego maniac. Its just the truth.
-The past two Octobers have sucked the big one. Oct. used to be my favourite month.
-The school I teach at is on the verge of some really bad shit happening. gang war type stuff. I really worry about the kids.
-October is wayyyyyyyyyyy better with someone you are romantically envolved with.
-I need to sit down with a good book and have no worries for one day. (come winter break, come)
-I need to go camping while the leaves are still awesome. (any takers?)
-I love teaching, but really hate the bureaucracy and paperwork envolved.
-I wish I was around in the 1920's. People really believed in revolution then.
-Maido's on Frankfort ave. is a really good restaurant.
-This weekend should be better than most.
-Remember, Remember the 5th of November.
-I need to start making lists that A) keep my thoughts/needs more organized and B) keep me accountable to my dreams and responsibilities.
-Dream big, and keep dreaming.

Go vegan, stay vegan.
xxx

Current Music: Affront.

LIE, LIE, LIE
Fuck Columbus, fuck imperialism. Why do we have a holiday in honor of this person? Come, let us reason.

1. Columbus and his crew are responsible for the deaths of at least 1 million native Caribbeans. They suffered through disease, murder and overwork.
2. Columbus and his men enslaved the native populations.
3. Columbus and his men NEVER touched American soil. The Bahamas were as close as he got.
4. Columbus was lost.
5. Columbus went to his death thinking he found a western route to India.
6. The ancient Africans knew (and proved) the world was round well before christ's birth. As well, most scholars during Columbus' time knew this.
7. His men raped natives.

This man deserves no holiday. Give it to Malcolm X instead.

PS- Go vegan, stay Vegan.

PPS- I think I am going to apply to teach abroad next year. A teacher from the Phillipines told me all about what he does, it seems amazing. We shall see.

Current Music: Downcast

Today Im wearing my 7 gen shirt that depicts the congress building, an american flag, a prison and a factory all on fire. Seriously fuck this 9/11 shit. Yes it is unfortunate that "average" americans died, not the top capitalists. However, we shouldnt be suprised when our foriegn policy that does nothing but deliver death, forced labour, and environmental destruction gets a backlash. No Im not saying that its great that it all happened. Im just saying lets eliminate the cause of "terrorism." Lets look in the mirror-and throw a brick!

Last night was amazing. I still dont know how to sum it up, but let me say this- it was the best show I have been to in a LONG LONGGGG fucking time. And this is right after I saw Gorilla Biscuits. The comradery I find at vegan sxe shows are unexplainable. Strangers talking to each other-with smiles and no bullshit attitudes. Hugs from people you just met. Positive mentalities. Intelligent things to say-not just this song is about_________ (fill in the blank of whatever is cool in hardcore ie. Nike, Bros, shitty boston stuff) I will forever back 7 Generations and Gather. Both bands are doing things for the right reasons. Chris from 7g is the nicest, most positive energetic dude in hardcore. Also to make this even better, the show was in the middle of a corn field in rural Indiana. That made it even more unique.

well Im outta here. I think I am gonna do Australia this summer.

Haven't updated in a while...shame shame.

School year is still going way better than expected. Student quote of the week: "God is a pimp...look at all those naked girls" (After seeing the creation of adam by Michelangelo)

Tomorrow is 7 Generations/Gather show in Indiana. Im excited.

Gorilla Biscuits was excellent. EVEN though it was in Nashville. EVEN though it was at $rockettown$ Even though it seemed like only 30 people had even heard Gorilla Biscuits complete discography and not a song on some random sampler. Forever fuck internet generation hardcore. Makes it too cheap.

So I decieded I need to take an epic trip. Either Spring Break or the first few weeks of summer...my ideas so far:
Melbourne, Australia-summer break. Ticket would be costly, but I would have a free place to stay, adn I have wanted to go there for a long ass time.
Norway and Sweden-Spring break. Ticket is medium priced, and I absolutly love the Scandinavian way of life.
Barcelona-Spring break. Cheaper ticket, Barca looks amazing, I could also hit up southern France
Buenos Aires-Summer Break. Cheap to get around, looks like the coolest place out of my options.
we shall see where I end up. If I dont have any major expense coming up, I could have enough saved for a ticket in 2 months.

Current Music: Indecision

So far, this school year has gone by amazingly. Its awesome to be reminded daily why I chose the profession I am doing. My students are very sharp, into rebellion, and very open to me. So far-very good repore, and I have had no behavior problems. That is pretty rare for Western.

Things are looking up!

Go It Alone show was very good-minus being hoarse for 3 days straight and sounding like Napoleon Dynamite because of it.

I made badass vegan fondue...too bad you arent here to enjoy it with me.

ok Im going to bed.

Current Mood: tired
Current Music: Lion of Judah

So I too shall play the plus/minus game
Lately in my life:
+Traveling
+Hanging out w/B
+Meeting new friends (Mike, Josh, Ana)
+Hanging out With Kyle P
+Rex being the coolest cat
+Netflix
+The new First Step record
+Reading a ton
+Seeing some badass bands (Die Young, TWT!, D2N!, Sinking Ships, Spanish Bombs)
+Hiking/Swimming in the Little River Canyon
+Good shows coming up: Go It Alone on the 15th and Gorilla Biscuits on the 30th

-Israel (21st century Nazis)
-Is this the Summer of selling out? (many either sxe, vegan or vegetarian)
-Heat
-The feeling of helplessness
-Coming home to a bunch of gnats
-No Chicago Soy Dairy today
-Distance between people I care about

I guess there are more positives than negatives. Thats good.

Current Music: Damian Marley

because this is funny

Summer of fun is still in session... get into it!

2 updates in one day
Starting this Wednesday, I will be spending the rest of July in Birmingham, AL.

Summer break is still ruling. Not working rules.

I will be at the following shows, hopefully I can see some familiar faces at them:
July 16th- Down 2 Nothing, Sinking Ships, That was Then. Birmingham, AL
July 25th Another Breath, dead Hearts, Breaking Ground-Louisville,KY
July 29th- Die Young-Birmingham, AL
August 30th- Gorilla Biscuits reunion!- Nashville, TN

If anyone wants to hangout, get in touch with me, I only have a couple days left in Louisville.

Ciao

Current Music: Nueva Etica

Italy won the world cup.

Good thing they had plenty of practice

Too bad. There is always hockey season coming up.

twwwwwwwwooooo thousand!
Man I just went on a reminiscing binge tonight. People that used to be in my life, those that have stayed are the most loyal people I know, those who are gone I still miss the feelings and fun. Nothing can stay gold eh?

Summer has offered plenty of fun so far, teaching summer school is easy money, and I get to actually have decent interaction with the kids.

If anyone wants to get into fun stuff this summer, Im down, let me know.

Current Music: The Smiths- "girl afraid"

Today the World Cup of Football begins. Im excited, and am actually going to watch it at my mom's house.

My birthday party is this saturday 7pm-whenever @ my house. Vegan BBQ, yard games, dj brando, and good times. You are invited if you want to come.

Current Music: Time Flies

What a 24 period
Man the past 2 mornings have sucked, from being alone on friday again, to waking up today, and apparently EVERYONE on our block got towed because there was some race, but the sign did not say no parking. NOT COOL. So now Im out $105, same with Brandon.

Try not to dwell on those things however. Im blessed to have got to spend quality time this week with those I love, blessed to have a mind that is liberated, blessed to have a job in which I truly love, and might be impacting young men and women with no hope or anger issues. Speaking of school, I have opened one students eyes to veganism, she approached me wanting to know everything I know about it, so I gave her the book "How it all Vegan," and she ran with it since. Everytime I see her in the halls she is carrying it.

Spring Break begins in 6 days, I still dont know what Im doing, or where Im going, all I know is that Im heading south.

Current Mood: Upset
Current Music: Blue Monday

People change. Thats life. I read my LJ, dating all the way back to 2000. Thats only 5.5 years ago, which doesnt sound that long, but it is, especially when you are my age. Some of the things I said were quite comical, and some were very prophetic (and true). Who knows what the next 5.5 years hold.

I really hope that I dont burnout this year. My mentor is kind of worried that due to my excessive hours working out side of school, plus my lack of sleep could be detrimental, to my career. Talking to Lauren made me think that I dont really have to worry all that much about it though, because if things dont work out with the K-TIP, I can always move to Tennessee. Looking at Amanda's photo website really made me miss Tennessee. Listening to Lucero makes me miss Tennessee.

This weekend should be fun though. Im excited, I know Brandon is too! I bought a lot of stuff for the new house...grown up stuff. Its strange. Also, I am not allowed to listen to the Amelie soundtrack anymore.

In good news- I love being with the kids I teach. I talked a lot about Ahimsa today, maybe some seeds will be planted. Anddddddd if you ever get a chance, Jim Henson's company has a new movie called 'Mirror Mask' that beats any Tim Burton movie I have seen in the realm of fantasy. Its almost like a Chagall painting on film.

PS-The Lorax tattoo is coming soon too!

Current Mood: tired
Current Music: Time Flies!

Happy valentines day
you'll be given love
you'll be taken care of
you'll be given love
you have to trust it

maybe not from the sources
you have poured yours
maybe not from the directions
you are staring at

trust your head around
it's all around you
all is full of love
all around you

all is full of love
you just aint receiving
all is full of love
your phone is off the hook
all is full of love
your doors are all shut
all is full of love!

-bjork gudmunsdottir

My internet has not been around at all for the last month or so, therefore that is why I have had a lack of updates. The new house Brando and moved into is pretty sweet-by that meaning it always amazing to come home to, and I dont get depressed being at home. Its an 1800's house in the heart of the Highlands. Loving it! Tomorrow my cat moves into also!

Teaching has been a struggle this week, I feel like Im not good at all, maybe its because things have been so hectic, who knows. I really REALLY want the kids to enjoy learning, and create lesson plans that are unorthodox to what they are used to. Most days are very unstructured, with plenty of chances to use teamwork and discussion. However, its hard for them to get used to it. Apparently Im the popular teacher on campus, because they all say they can see that I truly care about them, and them learning. Thats what has gotten me through this week.

If you want to start a letter exchange with me, email me, and I will send my new address:)

Current Music: Joy Division

I have survived the first week of teaching, havent gone crazy, things are going better than I thought they would, and things come natural to me. I reckon this is a good sign, and I am in the right field. I am putting off lesson planning for 2 of my classes, I need to finish that once I am done internerding.

Saturday I recieved my vinyl package from RevHq. In that, I recieved the Die Young/7 generations split. AMAZING! Great to see hardcore bands doing what hardcore bands should be doing. Rocking the boat, making mainstream culture feel uneasy. Essentially, the record is a calling out of "sheep in wolves clothing." I wish I had the time to write the song explaination by 7 generations. If you own this record, or see it for sale, pick it up, read it, consider it. I will be going to see Die Young in Nash in a few weeks. I wish I was going to Evansville tomorrow, but I cant on a work night, and Im budgeting my money this month.

Seize the moment mes amis!

Current Music: Coldplay - "x&y"

Life has been different to say the least recently. I have my own classroom, and am teaching fulltime now. First two days have gone rather well. There is a HUGE difference between middle schoolers and high schoolers. The students are pretty well behaved, and in general are good natured. Hopefully this semester will be a good one. I know it will be better than the last.

Mentally, things have been tough in my life. Once again, I am in one of those ruts in which nothing really seems right, and I am usually melancholic. Im sure listening to RTS and Shai Hulud as much as I have been isnt helping either. Brando and I need to move badly, this house is pretty depressing too. We are looking for a 3 bedroom house, but nothing is in the area we want so far.

adios amigos.

Current Mood: tired
Current Music: Reach the Sky - "open roads"

Seriously
Why is it that I am constantly thinking I live in the wrong country...well even wrong continent?

Good news- I was hired yesterday at Western High School! I will be teaching 9th and 10th grade social studies. Western has the highest dropout rate, and the lowest test scores in the state of Kentucky-this is where my heart is, and Im grateful to be given this opportunity.

Im going to be flexing my mind this break. There are a few books calling me to get lost in them. That and I need to do some hardcore lesson planning. There is this video game called whiplash that is amazing! Brando and I have been giving it some good playtime, and thats saying a lot because I usually dont get involved in games.

Current Music: Birthright

I didnt get the job. Basically, I was lied to and lead on. Right now, I am jobless, without health insurance, and will probably have to move out of the appartment unless I find something quick. I definately am not in a good mood about this, but everything happens for a reason. At least my mom and brother keep telling me this. The thing that sucks the most is that while I was being told that I was the man for the job (for 2 weeks) I could have been applying around, or taking jobs in Lexington, or other random Southern towns. Tomorrow I am going to the board here in town, tell them my situation, and hopefully they can maybe get me an emergency certification for this semester in ECE or something along those lines.

However, yesterday was pretty sweet in terms of UK basketball beating the shit out of Louisville! C-A-T-S bitches!

Current Mood: annoyed
Current Music: Shai Hulud- Hearts once Nourished With Hope and Compassion

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