I'm not too sure what to call this one.

There's this girl. And. She's dating a close friend of mine, and. People our age are cruel. See, this girl has a past, and apparently she's made some incredibly stupid choices, but so has EVERYONE and it's completely messed up because kids just dig into those choices and twist and manipulate and distort them until nothing's left. That's not right. Cause i was reading this girls tumblr, cause she and my girlfriend have become friends, and she's honestly an amazing person. Like. Really. I barely know who she is as a person, but i can see she's not 'that girl'. Or, she's not now. Maybe she never was? It's not my place, or my right to speculate on that. All i know is that she makes my friend happy, and i can only assume he makes her happy. And that's all that really matters, y'know? The point is, the hypocrisy in people these days is astounding, and i'm regularly ashamed of what a hypocrite i can be. Must be something they put in the water. Point is; hop off.

Next, why are kids so damn sad these days?? (Again, me being a hypocrite, -insert endearing smile here-) Oh wait. I know why. Cause things are f@%%ing different now. I wasn't shaken when i saw the cops shooting at some dude a few weeks ago. I wasn't shaken when i saw a major drug deal going down (major). I'm not bothered at all with chatting with the pregnant 14 year olds in the nurses office. I wasn't phased when i heard this chick tried to blow up my school. Now i don't pretend to know why i'm not bothered by this stuff, but you gotta figure, maybe this stuff is why kids are so sad. I mean, that and the doctors giving medicine to 4 year olds that can't sit still. But. That's another rant.

Lastly, my band's first gig is tomorrow!! To say i'm excited is an understatement. And for those 45 minutes where i'm playing it up on stage, and my friends and family and people i love are watching me are there...well. I can forget about this stuff. Cause that's how i deal with this...stuff. Music. You should try it sometime. And. If any of you who read this know the girl i was talking about up there? Try and be a little less...cruel. And listen to this. Please.

Annie- Safteysuit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79TEYqDCc48&feature=related

"There was a girl named Annie
She had a very pretty face..."

Peace

~Sam

Living just to keep going! Going just to be sane!

You need to go watch this music video. Maybe I'm the only one who thinks this is hilarious. But...probably not.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpaPBCBjSVc

These guys are also one of my newer favorite bands! And, these guys are really talented. And the crazy thing is, there's TWO of em! Just two guys. And i've seen live recordings, and let me tell you! They can really play. More importantly, when it comes to blues/rock. That's the sort of guitar i aspire to play. It's got a dirty soulful feeling that i LOVE. I really can't get enough of it.

And, while my posts have been getting increasingly more sporadic, i promise to try and start posting more often, so the handful of you that read this might actually see some new stuff once in awhile.

Until then!

Peace

~Sam

Thank you, Mr. Radin.

I love Joshua Radin. He's probably my second favorite musician ever. (Counting Crows being the first)

One Of Those Days- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeUld1J2odA

That's about it.

That song can say more than i can type in this post.


"It's just one of those days"

~Sam

"It's all too much, for me to take...

..the love that's shining all around you"

So when i'm feeling really down, i listen to this song. Why? Cause it makes me happy. But...it's all too much. It really is sometimes! Not much else i can do at this point but just disappear and listen to some really great tunes.

And no. I'm not gonna explain why i feel this way. Cause i can't at this point...and i think for this post i've just gotta tell you, and you, and you, and all of you:

"Floating down the stream of time, of life to life with me
Makes no difference where you are or where you'd like to be

It's all too much for me to take
The love that's shining all around here
All the world is birthday cake,
So take a piece but not too much"

I'm gonna try and cheer up...and figure my stuff out. Maybe you should too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MnFXPYZAn0

Peace.

~Sam

I said please don't slow me down..

"....If I'm going too fast
You're in a strange part of our town..."

I love this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8-tXG8KrWs

Reptilia- The Strokes

And I've spent all morning playing guitar! And drinking grape juice. I like grape juice. Not *white* grape juice. Naw. Real men drink the purple stuff. Or Purple Drank. That too.

No really. In 7-11. Purple DRANK. With an A. It exists.

I love America.

Now. I had a pretty awful week. I've had a pretty awful few weeks. But i think this is the turnaround point! All i can do is go up from here! And after spending a morning drinking Grape Juice and playing some really good music...well...i think things will get better.

So! First off, i played my Strat for the first time in a few weeks this morning, which is a big deal! Cause me and my Strat have an interesting relationship. First off, it's a Squier Strat, which is made by Fender, but it's the budget model of Fender's Stratocaster. But! My Strat sounds...really, really, nice! And. It looks damn good too. See, i got the Strat in '08 for Christmas, and it was my first electric. And i love it! But...here's the thing. I love my Strat. But EVERYBODY uses em, and for good reason! They're basically the face of rock n' roll. My teacher/idol uses em, Clapton does, Jeff Beck does, Buddy Guy does, EVERYBODY uses em! But i love the Strat for *specific* reasons. I really like how thin the neck is, and how easily i can play with the volume knob while i'm playing, you can't do that with a Les Paul. But! I really dislike how lightweight the Strat is, which is why i mainly use my Tele/Les Paul in band situations...the Strat just doesn't cut through enough for me. But, i think i decided this morning that when i go away to college, i will have bought an insanely nice sounding/looking Fender Stratocaster, and i will love it to death. So. that's that.

Wow. I'm a guitar dork.

Next!

"SoCal is where my mind states,
but it's not my state of mind.
I'm not as ugly, sad as you.
Or am I origami?
Folded up and just pretend,
demented as the motives in your head."

Love. This. Song.

Inside Out- Eve 6

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8Xb_7YDroQ

And! Parade Candy's gonna start gigging around!! I cannot WAIT! Cause we sound really good! And really, really tight. And. Oh boy. This summer is going to be freakin' fantastic! I can't wait.

Well. I Think it's about time for me to put some shoes on and go see a special someone. And.

"Well the sun is out today, shining through the sky
Shining down, healing you, in the corners of your mind
Well i'm better now I'm gonna be just fine
Says the old man, sun fishing all the time"

Narcissistic? You betcha. But hey. It's a nice day outside.

Later guys!!

"Yeah, the night's not over
You're not trying hard enough,
Our lives are changing lanes
You ran me off the road,
The wait is over
I'm now taking over,
You're no longer laughing
I'm not drowning fast enough."


Peace

~Sam

Cause that's not the world i live in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZpDzrfxAt0

My World- 3 Doors Down

So. I really can't wait until summer. Hell. I can't wait till i'm 25. Least then i can drive. And maybe my brain won't be....me.

"Your stuck on a chain
And your toeing a lie
Seems like everytime that you catch up
You only fall behind"

See, i think it's natural to go into these little funk filled days. Or in this case week(s).

"And your trapped inside this world you made yourself
but that's not the world I live in
this is not the life for me
cause my world is bigger than your problems
and it's bigger than me"

Now, generally i wouldn't bring all my own stuff to this blog. And i don't plan to! But. This is my space. If y'all read it, and enjoy it? Well. That's great. But certainly be prepared for these musing posts.

"There is always someone to blame
for the things you do yourself
you think that everything that's going wrong
is because of someone else"

Cause really, i use this blog to vent, and to put my thoughts out there. And i'm gonna continue to! Cause i will NOT be a kid that keeps all that stuff inside. That's not me. That is not my World.

"it's not the world I live in
this is not the life for me
cause my world is bigger than your problems
and it's bigger than me"

And i'm sorry. I truly am, that i act quiet and closed off sometimes, but it's how i deal with everyday, and not so everyday stress. It's just a system i have. I don't like it when i feel this way, but it usually works.

"cause i'm lonely outside and i'll look on in"

Because i WANT to be able to keep a handle on things. I don't WANT to feel bad or sad for no real reason. But. It's normal. And the fact that i can recognize that now, and not turn this into a huge rant is a sign. Of what? I dunno. Still. It's a sign.

"And that's not the world I live in
this is not the life for me
cause my world is bigger than your problems
and it's bigger than me"

And i really hate that i can affect the people close to me when i dont act like myself. Cause i understand there's quite a contrast between normal-happy-smiley-Sam and sad-Sam. I understand this. And i hate that i can bring others down. Cause that's generally not my goal. And i also don't like that this is another 'sad' post. But y'know? Oh well. Maybe it helped.

And.

"it's not the world I live in
this is not the life for me
cause my world is bigger than your problems
and it's bigger than me
cause my world is bigger than your problems
and it's bigger than me..."

Peace

~Sam

Sun Fishing

So. This is a song i wrote. And. I dunno if it's ever gonna make it past the concpet-chords-singing-stage. But. I rather like it, and i figured it was time for a new post. So here yah go!

'Sun Fishing'

Saw an old man lying in the bottom of his boat
One hand on his fishing pole, the other on his throat
And as he looks up to the morning, stormy sky
He see's the sun shining down like the best thing in his life

He say's, "I'm alright today, I'm gonna be just fine."
And today could be the best day of the rest of your life
So come on on smile now you're gonna be just fine

Gotta let those tears fall down, wipe 'em off and cry

Well, saw a young man running through, running through the street
Flashlight between his hands, his heart, it's very weak
He sees you running down, running down the hill
You leap into him and your hearts begin to heal

She say's, "I'm alright today, we're gonna be just fine"
Cause bad things, they come and go, acceptance comes in time
And i know you're angry now, but you're gonna be just fine

Break your heart to pieces, just to see you cry

It's all right

Cause an old man came to me, said the sun is here to stay
Get out your dreamin' mind, just move into the fray
Cause it's gonna be alright today, it's gonna be just fine
And today's the tomorrow of the yesterday of your life

You say: "I'm alright today, i didn't even cry"
And if i break my heart to pieces, well maybe i'll just die
But i'm alright today! I'm gonna be just fine

Well the sun is out today, shining through the sky
Shining down, healing you, in the corners of your mind
Well i'm better now I'm gonna be just fine
Says the old man, sun fishing all the time

Sun fishing

All the time




And there yah go! See. It reads kinda disjointed, but it sounds alright! And. The basic idea behind this is basically a song about how the singer can't seem to hold on to the happiness he's found, and how he's always 'sun fishing'. I think at least in this song, the 'sun' translates literally to the happiness this guy just can't find, or can't hold on to.

And that's...that's about it!

And. Here's YOUR song!

Sex and Candy- Marcy Playground
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDAXltfj8-Y

Enjoy!

Peace

~Sam

Return of the RAMBLE POST!!

Righto. This one has no point. At all. So tell yah what, here's your song:

"Well you looked right down, took up my hand, and you looked just like an angel. Yes, an angel"

Worlds Fallen- Uncle Chunky

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfy_wub6uuY&feature=related

And now i can just...type.

The past few days have been something great novels are made of, teen angst! And lots of it! Not that they've been bad. Oh no. These past few days have been great, this whole Spring Break has been great. But, i don't really know what's up inside my brain at this point. I know that everything's gonna turn out just fine, and in a day or so i'll be feeling completely different, but....blargh.

See, i KNOW i have a great life. And any normal/sane/rational person would be overjoyed to be where i am right now. But naaahhh...apparently that's just my thing. But, really all i can do is put on my special smile, get up tomorrow, and throw myself back into the swing of things.

I'm actually excited to be going back to school.

Ooooh boy.

Peace

~Sam

Less than three!

I'm listening to the String Quartets version of Bad Religion's 'American Jesus' it's Easter Sunday, i've just had one of my better days all Spring Break, and these past weeks have been better than i can ever remember things being.

I guess, i'm not used to a consistent level of just...happiness, i mean sure, there are those good days, and those moments of euphoria and i still have those. But, just the ever present happiness...well, it's pretty nice.

So! This is a a short post, and i've spent the last hour typing a few words here and wasting time on Facebook.

Oh well.

"I'm just a guy with a guitar
singing a song for you
I'm just a man with a musical vibration flowing through"

Mishka- Guy With A Guitar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buwJoXaa81c&playnext_from=TL&videos=1GKu-Uv76r8

Happy Easter, everybody!

Peace

~Sam

Go! Don't Stop!

So I've been feeling a little strange in the past few hours, and i couldn't really figure a way to address these feelings, then i thought, "Oh wait!" And now i'm here.

Basically, i'm feeling very undecided and scared for the future. Sophomore year's almost over. Next year i'll be a Junior, taking all AP and Honors (except for math) courses and then...Senior year. Now while i was taking a shower and listening to Temper Trap's 'Down River' i realized that while i thought i had an idea of what i wanted to do with my life i honestly don't have a clue anymore.

I had been toying with the idea of getting something in psychiatry, and maybe becoming a therapist, but today it hit me that i honestly have no idea what i want to do with the rest of my life.

But.

It's ok.

And i'm NOT going to be a hypocrite. Because people have come to me stressed about this stuff and i always tell 'em: "Don't stress, you've got plenty of time to decide"

And i'm going to listen to myself. Because i do have plenty of time to decide, and in a few months i could be feeling completely different.

All that matters is the present. And i'll be damned if i let the distant future affect me now.

Temper Trap- Down River

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2DluY5xnPo

'Think about it'

Peace

~Sam

Who will save your soul?

Jewel- 'Who Will Save Your Soul'

"Who will save your soul when it comes to the flower?
Who will save your soul after all the lies that you told, boy!
Who will save your soul if you won't save your own?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG602tjDzGs

Great song.

And. I hate Spring right now.

It's 10AM, i should be in school, but due to allergy's and sickness, i'm not. So instead i'd figure i'd write a nice long blog post to pass the time. Problem is, i can't think of anything to write about, so i suppose i'll restart Jewel and let myself just...type.

So, here we go!

Here's a topic:

Self image!

For most people, kids/teens/adults, self image can be a pretty slippery slope. There's a fine line between appreciating who you are and being a conceited ***hole, and i think that it's very hard to find and navigate along that line.

It sure was for me!

Cause i'm not gonna lie, this year has been the first year that i'm truly comfortable and at ease with my body, and the first year i can remember in awhile where i'm completely comfortable taking my shirt off.

Secondly this post is not geared at anyone specifically! I can name a few people who don't quite realize how attractive/handsome/whatever they are! And these are my friends! Guys and girls! And i totally understand that, cause i know from experience what it feels like to not be entirely comfortable with yourself.

Moving on to the next song!

Third Eye Blind- 'Bonfire'

"Lightning comes and lightning goes
And it's all the same to me
Let it in
Cuz I want you so
I can hardly breathe or release
Into one thousand pieces
I have broke into
Over you
The chain will soon be gone,
I keep burning on and on and on"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzSEC756PUE

I really like this song. 'Cause i wear a chain...for reasons of my own, and i love the lyric:

'Into one thousand pieces, I have broke into, Over you, The chain will soon be gone, I keep burning on and on and on'.

Good stuff!

OH BOY!

Spring Break is in two days.

I am...soooooo super excited! 'Cause i've got a pretty amazing Spring Break planned out! I'm not going anywhere...but...it should be really, really nice.

And! We finally have a band name! (I'll explain that whole topic in another post at a later date) But!

'Parade Candy'

I like it. A lot.

And! We're definitely an 'Alternative' rock band, and i love it!! On one song i've got a wah pedal and reverb, and on another i'm going balls-out on a Tele and overdrive. I love it! And. I'm suitable excited for our first gig, which should be in a few weeks.

So, i think i've wasted your time enough with this rambling, long post. But, y'know? That's OK. And really, try and learn to wake up in the morning, go to the mirror, and say "This is me. These are my flaws. Cool" Cause that's all anyone can do! And! Stay happy! Cause i guarantee that someone out there loves you, be that friends, family, or me! So chin up! And stay happy!

Now if you'll excuse me, i'm going to sit in my basement and play Call Of Duty. And wish that Friday will hurry itself up.

Peace

~Sam

Back in the day...

So today, in my 5 minutes of free time i realized i still have my old box of Legos under my bed.For you young whippersnappers with your doo-dads and gizmos, Legos were colored blocks that stuck together to make fantastic things.

Anyhoo, this got me thinking. I'll be 16 in July, and it was only 6 years ago that i was running around my yard with my buddies, pretending that our sticks were swords and playing with Legos up in my room. 6 years ago.

6 years.

I don't know why this all hit me today...but in 6 years i'll be 21, in about 2 years i'll legally be an adult. Woah.

In 2 years i'll be off at college.

Woah.

Hell, i've still got some old Nerf guns in my closet.

Remember those?

Jesus. I'm growing up.

Woah.

But i'm not complaining! Because this are different now, but not necessarily any worse. True, things are a helluva lot more complicated now, and there are some pretty low Lows. But there's also some pretty high Highs.

"Only a teenage Wasteland"

Moving on, kids are incredibly busy these days. Take my day for example. I was up until 12:30am studying for my Government class, woke up at 6, went to school, came home, got a haircut, went to see my girlfriend, came back home, practiced guitar, ate dinner, went out to the store to buy clothes, and now i'm here. Good day.

However! Back in the '50s all kids needed to worry about was going blind from too much 'happy hands'. Christianity. Morals. Wonderbread. Mayonnaise. Jello. Good stuff like that.

Nowadays kids that are 14 or 15 years old are getting pregnant.

Now that's fucked up.

But i suppose that's just the world we live in, and honestly, it scares me sometimes that drugs and sex and all sorts of illicit and illegal stuff is such an accepted part of day to day life.

But am i complaining? Nah. Just thinking i suppose.

At any rate, i can at least thank God, or whatever higher power you believe in for good music, good friends, and one special girl.

Here's your song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGRtHd7UdYA

"Juliet, when we made love, you used to cry.
You said, "I love you like the stars above, I'll love you 'til I die".
There's a place for us, you know the movie song.
When you gonna realize it was just that the time was wrong?"

Peace

~Sam

The Selfish Post.

The reason this posts is titled as such is that this is honestly me just typing what i'm thinking. Generally i have at least an idea or something that i try to convey, but no. Today is just me typing exactly what i'm thinking. So if you're still reading this, thanks in advance for putting up with this post today.

Lets do this.

Here's the song first. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FGk_Wxppr8&feature=related

I hope you check that out, cause..that's a great song. And i guess it means something to me.

Alright. So here we go. I hate the fact that i'm pissed for no real reason, and i can't hurt the person that needs to be hurt.

(I'm not editing this post, so don't be too worried...my English teacher calls this a stream of consciousness writing. Basically all the reader can do is enjoy the ride while i vent my little heart out)

Back to my thoughts; I HATE that i can't hurt this person. Because honestly, i would. And i might sound horrible for saying that, but the truth is i would. Without a doubt. And i guarantee if i ever get to the opportunity to, i will.

Why? Why would you say that Sam? (Is what you, the reader, is asking)

Well, because if you f**k with people i care about you'd better believe i'm not going to let you walk away.

But i can't. And i know that i won't. Still, it makes me the slightest bit angry. Most because i feel helpless, and i really, really don't like that feeling.

Next, what's up with guys my age taking advantage/treating girls badly? Hmm? No. Man up. Don't pull that s**t around me, cause once again, i'm not letting you walk away.

Moving on!! Well that's about the end of the violent-Sam-thoughts. 'Cause of course i gotta be mature and realize that people make "mistakes" and that it's wrong to hate a person you've never met with ever fiber of your soul.

Like i said; moving on.

No wait, i lied.

This is the fact of the matter. I don't pretend to be strong, intimidating, or 'badass'. BUT. If you hurt people i care about, you're gonna find yourself facing a whole different Sam.

And that's all...i think.

So. As a re-cap, i think that does it for my pissed off thoughts. I think typing everything above me has been good, and i could delete it all now, but then this whole post would have no point.

Next, you gotta remember that times change, and that life moves on. I'm not going to be a hypocrite and dwell on all this stuff above me, cause like i've said before; Things in the past are there for a reason. You've gotta deal with your stuff and do the best you can to help other's with theirs.

But ooooh boy. If i ever meet that guy. Well. We'll see.

(Joking)

(Or am I?)

Peace.

~Sam

Getting my 'Sessions'!

"Don't want no damn religion, because I'm not prepared to die"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKgYVj1yNhI

Great lyric.

Moving on!

Today was....fantastic, to say the least. This past week has just been one of those weeks where you feel so very lucky to be alive, and i've enjoyed every minute of it. It's been a great week for several reasons. Some of those reasons have really contributed the most to make this week amazing, but i suppose that's another story.

Anyhoo! I'd say i'm super excited for these coming weeks, and in my mind they can only keep getting better! So a re-cap of this short little post is...try to enjoy your life. Sometimes all it takes is to really think about your situation to realize how very lucky you are.

And take a look at that song! Sessions- Counting Crows.

Peace,

~Sam

All i can say is that my life is pretty plain...

It's finally Friday! I would be lying if i said i wasn't super happy right now, i have SUCH a great weekend planned out! This Friday afternoon has been terrific so far, mostly because i just got back from a great lesson, learned a new song, and really fixed up my acoustic to a really sweet guitar. (not that it wasn't sweet before, it's just mega-sweet now)

Then tomorrow i've got band practice with some buddies, which is always fun, and hopefully we'll finish up our set list. Then Sunday should also be pretty great! Fun plans, and then swimming in the afternoon.

Now i'm not gonna lie, these past few weeks have been tough. But i think everybody's owed some time to be in a funk, thing is, i'm done with it. Things can only get better from here, and maybe i'll take some of my own advice for once and cheer up!

Anyhoo, here's the song i learned today, and the newest addition to the band's set list!

Enjoy!

No Rain- Blind Melon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYlAwvz8uwc

~Sam

Don't think about it too much.

************I'm typing this on our ancient Mac, so if anything is misspelled, please forgive me and i'll fix it when i get the laptop back*********

So we are finally going back to school after almost two weeks off. And I've gotta say, the last couple of days have been really, really interesting. My last post was also kind of a downer, so i guess this one is the one where i come back and have something optimistic to say.

But the truth is, this is a blog, and the only purpose it serves is for me to basically say what i'm thinking. Most of these posts aren't planned out so if i have a downer post one day...well that's just how i feel.

However, today has been a pretty good day.

Originally i was going to post a piece of writing that i had been working on over our snow break, but then i decided against it, because it is also kind of a downer, and might be a little confusing. But i think that that's ok. Because this is something that is true, and genuine, so i have no problem sharing that with anyone reading this.

(and for the few of my close friends who do read this blog, don't worry, i'm fine, this is just how i've been feeling)


He's sitting alone, staring at his computer screen, listening to the piano in the background. The singer's voice is masculine, but tender and seems to reflect how he's feeling in his heart. He doesn't know what to think anymore, only knowing that he can feel the unpleasant feeling creeping through his body, a feeling that can only be described as disgust, or resentment. Perhaps a mixture of the two. These feelings begin to well up inside of him, begin to consume his mind until only blurred colors and noise is left. So he does the only thing he can do, he stand up and walks out into the falling snow. The snow is cold as it falls in his hair, his mouth and his eyes. His body grows numb and the wind begins to sting his skin. But there is beauty in the snow; in the sadness. Ever the optimist, he tells himself everything will be alright. But ever the cynic, he knows that all the facts remain. He'll try to play it off, he might even come close to believing himself. But all he can do is put on that special smile he has, the special smile his friends have come to know.

Now, a few days later, he's one the floor. The constant rythm of push-ups and the burning in his arms seems to fit with the electric guitar and yelling voices in the background. He's not going to cry. It doesn't hurt that much, and if it did, he couldn't. As he gets to fifty he turns over onto his back and begins the sit-ups. It's a certain therapy which he has perfected in the past...but it doesn't always seem to work. It helps him, but nothing is fixed. But now he's ready, he has been for longer than he might have realized before.

But now this.

He didn't want to know that, he didn't want to accept that. To accept this. He tells himself he won't pay attention, that he'll shut those thoughts out. But, like a drug, he goes back and continues to look for more. He doesn't want to accept this. But he knows it really doesn't matter either way. And those feelings start coming back, the resentment, and the disgust. It surprises him. He thought he was better than petty jealousy.

But he's stronger than that, and he tries to make the steps to understand that things in the past are in the past for a reason.

She. Him and her..them? Just words he tells himself. Perhaps tomorrow will be better.

And he smiles to himself. The piano has come back on in the background.

Everything is going to be alright.



~Sam

The One About Valentines Day

"Another lonely Valentines day..ho-hum"

No.

Stop that.

Cheer up!

Today's post is only about the holiday we refer to as Valentines Day.

Now if you've got a significant other, good for you! You're a luckier man/woman/child than me, but if you don't.....cheer up for Christsakes. Very few things in life are permanent, and you can change anything that you aren't happy with. If you don't like your position in life, then change it! Do your very best to try and improve.

And above all...be happy. Things will always get better.

Here's a nice upbeat song.

Einstein On The Beach- Counting Crows http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2hv2-1vquI

Personal note: I can't control how a person might feel. I pride myself on doing the right thing and being the very best person i can be, nothing i'm every going to do is going to intentionally go against this. All i can do is do the best i can to my ability.

That's all anyone can do.

~Sam

Hey there! How you doin'?

So there is 3 feet of snow on the ground.

See, for any out-of-state readers, 3ft of snow in Washington DC is the equivalent of a nuclear holocaust. No one is outside. All the stores are closed. Trees fall in the streets. No one has any power (except me). It's basically the end of the world.

I'm kidding. Sort of.

While some people go absolutely bonkers, us normal people get to sit back and enjoy the snow. So far, i have succeeded in procrastinating over all my school work, got a pretty cool book (World War Z, zombie book, pretty sweet, check it out) and learned some new riffs (Latin guitar, pretty cool stuff)

It's been pretty nice so far!

This post is mostly me rambling. I apologize for that.

Well.

Here's an little something:

I've been trying to get comfortable singing, because i'd love to be a guitarist AND a singer. And so far it's been pretty going pretty good. But here's the thing: I am NERVOUS when i do! I think i've gotten better, but it's so different than playing a guitar. Plus, in my opinion, a lot less consistent.

Ah well. Something to work on i suppose.

Aaaaand, here's your song! Pretty popular in the 90's, and totally my type of music (plus i learned and love the chord progression)

Run Around- Blues Traveler: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pCDs_0zbNo

Enjoy!

Peace

~Sam

Life.

That was one of the harder things I've ever had to do.

But life still goes on. It's not going to stop because something you had to do was difficult, you've got to keep running along with it. You've got to be able to move on.

You've got to do the right thing, and be the best person you possibly can be. You've got to give it your best shot and hope for the best.

Because that's what life is. It's a series of decisions where you need to decide how to act. Hopefully, things work out in the end.

I'd like anyone who has ever made a tough decision, and wants to move on, and continue to live life to listen to this song.

It's sad..but hopeful.

Long December- Counting Crows.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRrbn6f1Cy0

Check it out.

~Sam

Teachers...and Uncle Chunky

So for this entry i'd like to talk about teachers who are very important in my life.

I have two incredible teachers, Mike Sampson who teaches me jazz, and Tony Grasso who teaches me blues and rock. Now i love learning jazz, i find it interesting and VERY challenging. But i absolutely adore blues. Musicians such as B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and especially Eric Clapton are my idols. I'd love to be able to play as well as they do someday.

We're getting off topic here.

Anyhoo, this entry is mainly about Tony Grasso and his band, Uncle Chunky. It's mainly blues-rock and they sound awesome. So I figured I'd just share a few links with whoever is reading this.

Here yah go:

Tripping On Reality- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBVvWyQAxOU

Anything For Love- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0K5quo0BAg&feature=related

Worlds Fallen- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfy_wub6uuY&feature=related

Alright Tonight- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFh6RQi0sq4&feature=related

http://www.myspace.com/unclechunkymusic

Check 'em out.

~Sam

TwentyOneFrets

It's good to be home.

The reason i stopped blogging a looong time ago was because i honestly had no time the beginning of sophomore year. Well, it's the second semester and i think that it's about time for me to pick up blogging again. So i give you... *Dum Dum Dah DUUUUUUM* drum-roll please.... "TwentyOneFrets".

I'll explain the title.

Even though Wikipedia tells me that a standard guitar has anywhere between 19 and 27 frets, mine all have 21. Now i picked this title for two reasons.

1.) Guitars and playing music are two of my absolute favorite things to do. I loooove guitars, and i desperately want to learn and grow as a musician.

2.) Lets see if you can follow this convoluted metaphor: My guitars have twenty one frets, and six strings. Now you can play a near infinite source of music on those 21 frets and 6 strings. That is a near infinite amount of beauty and art that a person can create, as well as a near infinite source of joy, sadness, and any other emotion you can think of. I draw a connection between this and life.

Namely music and life, because for me, the two are equally important.

So. That's my big first post about this blog. I will be consistently posting new stuff on a very rigid whenever-the-hell-i-feel-like-it schedule...or roughly every few days.

Also, on the old blog i generally signed off with a song. So here's a very special song.

It's done by 3 Doors Down and i can honestly say it changed my life.

"Your mistakes do not define you now, they tell you who you're not."

I've tried to make this my motto.

Anyhoo, here's the song.

"It's The Only One You've Got" 3 Doors Down

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIm3EspcZS0

Peace,

~Sam