Okay, well let's see.

First, about a month ago, I decided to waste three dollars on a coffee (because I hated them at the time), and discovered that I actually loved it. I've had coffee everyday since then. It's good stuff. I can't believe I didn't like it before. Oh well, but yeah, mocha = brilliant. I actually named my new bass mocha. I bought a bass a few weeks ago, it's pretty tight, I like it.

I played solo at Oskar Blues one night, for some Guitars Etc thingy. It was awesome... And a week later I played with the All Stars Jazz, which at the same time I got the opportunity of joining another jazz combo with my friend Andy who plays vibes and other percussion stuff. We both want to go to Berklee next year, and we both are going to try out for the Grammy Jazz Ensemble. Basically... It would be righteous if I got into that -- first I would get to go to California and the Grammys, second it would be with a friend, third, I would get to bypass the Berklee audition. So... That's cool.

Well, I go to Boston next week for a Guitar Camp. Hah, a guitar camp I actually get to participate in -- since the first week of June I've been interning at Guitars Etc for their guitar rock camps. It's actually pretty great, today is the last day. Basically, it kept me on a routine, cause God knows I needed one! Otherwise I probably would have ended up being lazy and unproductive. So yeah, it got me up, got a coffee at Ziggi's, go over there and teach some music... Good times.

I must admit, I am pretty loopy right now -- yes it is all legal. I am on a million pain killers for an oral surgery I had a few days ago. It hurts like hell, and my face is swollen, so it looks like a square. But whatever, I am relaxed on all these drugs. I got teeth implants and bone grafts. Fun fun? Now it looks like I got into a gang fight. A few people have given me an odd look today, hah, I find it entertaining. Gotta enjoy life!

Oh yeah, another jazz combo hah, I got into the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts... Yeah... So that's like... 5 groups I play in... I'm gonna start taking vocal lessons too. I'm pretty psyched for that.

If I'm rambling...blame the drugs! I swear...

What else... I'm going up to Copper Mountain tonight with my family for their Guitar weekend. Get to watch some sweet guitarists I haven't found out yet but yes! And, they usually have niiiiice guitars on display, always making me feel lame and wishful.

School is coming up, which means this damn extended essay has to be done. I've got about 2,500 words right now. Ah. And I have pretty much only worked on it at Ziggi's... I am here too much. And yes, I am here right now... Drinking a mocha non-fat no skim double shot. YAYY. I will be semi-awake for rock camp thing tonight.

So pretty much, my life is very busy and productive with musical endeavors in a nutshell. It's a good life... This is where I want to be. The people I meet are fantastic!!

That would be my summer. Time for BOSTON!! Time for overcast and rainy weather!! Time to miss school to play music!! Hah! Yes!

I need to get back into the photography shenanigans sometime... I kinda miss it. But anyway, I'm reading Atlas Shrugged...and I can't get over how ingenious it is.

If you haven't read Atlas Shrugged, DO IT! I'm about a third of the way through it right now (It's like 1300 pages....), and Ayn Rand is freaking brilliant, (She's the author if you didn't know). If you like thought provoking books, intertwined with brilliance and philosophical landmarks, then you should definitely consider it. If it's any consolation, it even tops Hitchhikers... So yeah... That's saying a lot since I love Hitchhikers and the way Douglas Adams writes...

This book has even gotten me really into reading. I have never been so excited about reading a book in my life. Most of the books I read it was something to get through, but definitely not this one.

Hope you all are having a swell summer!!

Yay, I'm 17. Goin' down to Nissi's tonight with the family for some live music and dinner. Never been there before so that'll be fun. What's even more exciting is that a year from this day is when I will graduate high school and be a legal adult!

But anyway... A few updates I suppose --

Music:
I'm getting a new guitar soon, and then I'm going to go play it on Pearl Street all the time. Got some recording stuff for my birthday, so I'm going to be doing tons of that. I realized I don't really want to be in a rock band right now, I've been getting really into jazz, so I'm just going to write stuff for this jazz combo I'm in and then also for myself solo. I feel better that way. I got a paid gig as a percussionist for Fiddler on the Roof musical playing in Boulder -- so that's cool! Just lots of rehearsals and shows, but hey I'm used to that thanks to Tech. Also I'll be going to Los Angeles with the All Stars for recording and gigging next summer, so that's exciting too.

Job:
So, I'm probably just going to pick up random gigs to play it currently, but later on I might want to apply as a hostess for Oscar Blues opening up in Longmont, cause I will probably play there with the All Stars, lots of live music and musicians to talk to, and I love the place in Lyons, so it'd be a perfect place for me!

Random:
So I got this sketchbook for my birthday, and I am really loving it actually! I'm not the best at drawing, but it's helped me relieve a lot of stress. Also, I have been driving a lot more than I used to. (Which was a lot to begin with if you were wondering). I guess I really loving driving, and just go wherever the road takes me. Denver, Boulder, Mountains, wherever.

Other:
I picked up this Bob Dylan biography book, and have decided I want to be him -- just with a few additions and subtractions if you know what I mean.

Here's just some stuff I'm planning on doing over the summa.

1. Working on the Extended Essay for IB... Planning on lots of Ziggi's runs.
2. Work on my audition for Berklee which is going to be August 15th. Ah!
3. Write lots o' music with new mics to come.
4. Play on Pearl St. with my acoustic.
5. Go on a camping trip with some airsoft friends.
6. Join Jazz Combo, and be the guitarist. Arrange/compose music for it.
7. Try to find a job? Maybe as a hostess for a restaurant?
8. Two different guitar camps. One in Longmont, one in Boston. Woo!
9. Go to the beach with my family and visit my NC grandparents.
10. Go on an epic adventure hiking at Estas Park with a couple friends.
11. Spend lots of the time in Boulder!!
12. Get a membership at the Rec Center, and actually start getting a work out routine goin'.
13. Learn to swing dance. Yes.
14. Go see some musicals or shows in Denver.
15. Concerts! Must see concerts!
16. Get senior pictures done.
17. Lord of the Rings marathon party.
18. Hopefully play lots of Dungeons and Dragons and Magic!
19. Airsoft games and OP's.


I'm planning on; being extremely productive, while having immense loads of fun, while working towards future success, while getting into better shape, and becoming a better musician all at the same time!

Right when everyone is freaking out about the Swine flu I have to get a bad cold and a 100.1 degree fever. Awesome. On top of that, I have so much I have to get done and can't afford to miss another day of school. I am forcing myself to take lots of medicine because I hate taking medical related pills...(I don't know why, I just do). If they are supplements, it's fine, but when it's like Advil or whatever then no.

And yesterday when I was planning on helping tech crew strike a set, I started coughing like a maniac. I've been really wanting to help when I have free time, and when I finally do, I get sick. AHH. What's also weird is that for the first time ever, playing guitar today just stressed me out. (???). I think it might just be because of the condition I'm in, but I couldn't play for any longer than 30 minutes until my hands just couldn't function normally, and that's when my fever got worse. Luckily it'll be another week or so before I have another gig.

Which brings me to another point, a good one! This past semester I have been playing out more than I ever have before. It seems like every week now I am playing in a concert, a dance, or other random events with my guitar. It's made me happier than ever. It seems I've found my niche. Not to say I didn't know this before, but it just seems to get better all the time. Plus, it seems opportunities are opening up to me like never before too. I'm talking more to many musicians and engineers getting tips, and Doug Carmicheal is starting an All Star jazz combo that I will be joining/auditioning for in the end of May. He said it's going to be all about improvisation and whatever you want it to be about... I'm definitely going to compose and arrange some music for that group over the summer!

Also on the brighter side of things, my mom is going to help me buy new gear for my music world. I need some condenser mics for my recording studio, since I only have one dynamic, and she is offering to help me buy them! Along with this goes appropriate cabling too. I'm also getting new effects pedals, since I have like $120 worth of gift cards to Guitars Etc from Christmas. People know me well. Probably like a harmonizing octave one, since I've wanted one for a few years but never had the money to get one.

One scary thought though is that I'm auditioning for the school of my dreams, Berklee, in 3 months. *screams*. Reliable people say I'll do fine, but I am still crazy nervous and self critical.



*must feel better by tomorrow for Biology, Math, and TOK ahhhh*