You fucking look at me like when girls are jealous!

I want to talk about a few different things in this post, so bare with the gaping holes in continuity.

So this is the first summer that I don't really have a summer. Well, to put it more clearly, this is the first summer where I will be taking classes ALL summer. Believe it or not, I don't mind it. I am currently in my first Shakespeare class, and I am actually enjoying it. I am learning a lot about writing through the class, even though that isn't the classes intention. I also am enjoying the plays we are reading. It's so weird. I guess this is growing up, as they say.

Now on to things less boring.

A little background for those who don't know. I have a friend named Joe, and Joe is a professional wrestler. I finally went out to one of his matches the other day. It was absolutely incredible. I was blown away by how well planned the entire event was, and each wrestler delivered a spectacular show. Heres a video of the highlights from the event.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1geSY6lZqvY&feature=youtu.be

My heart goes out to Joe. Keep doing your thing man.

The last thing I want to talk about is something that happened to me a few months ago, and has been bothering me since I walked into work today.

There was this one lady that I was helping at the store. While I walked to the back to pack up what ever it was that she was shipping, she went to her young son and said something to the effect of "Look at that fat boy with his pants falling down." Now I am a thick skinned guy, I can certainly emotionally handle someone pointing out the obvious about me. What makes me so utterly furious about this particular scenario is that this woman was teaching her young son that not only is it ok to judge people, but to judge them while they do you a service.

I didn't find out that she said this until she left the store and my co-worker Joe let me know. I wish I had actually heard her say it though. Cause I would of loved to go off on her.

Let me make this clear for everyone. WE ARE ALL PEOPLE! Next time you are getting fed up with someone at their job, just take a step back and realize that they are not machines put there for your convenience, they are people with emotions and lives.

And I am sure that wasn't the first or the last time that woman has murmured something judgmental to her kid, and I am damn sure she isn't the only one doing it.

I guess what I am trying to say here is this.

As people, it is in our nature to judge other people. But if we all become a little more conscious of the fact that everything we do has repercussions, we will be able to overcome nature; we will be able to evolve. And finally, if we can't overcome nature, then don't perpetuate the idea that it is ok to judge a person based on their looks or beliefs. We may be able to prevent the next terrible tragedy if we all just think a little more than speak.

Traditions, our mission: To listen, learn, and pass them on.

Wow, 2 posts in 1 day. I'm a machine...

Anyway, about a week or so ago I posted an entry on here about the backyard show at Tom Fasano's. One thing that I mentioned in it was that 2 bands packed up and left after they played. Well, little did I know that more people read this blog than I thought and I recently got a response to that comment.

Ben Ross of the band Butterfly Convict sent me a message on FaceBook apologizing and explaining the circumstances under which they had to depart after playing. Although I greatly appreciated the message, this is not why I am posting this blog.

While I was reading and responding to Ben's message, I was thinking about the current state of things in the Long Island Scene. To be honest, I could not be more pleased.

There is a group of kids still in high school that are inheriting the scene, just as I once did when I was 16.

...I am having such a hard time putting my thoughts into words.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I don't think there is anyone out their more deserving of the Long Island Scene and and all of its glory than these kids today. Finally, there are kids that are hell bent on preserving the scene and making it better rather than tearing it apart with violence and destruction of property.

I can't speak highly enough of all of these kids. Chris Regan, Kevin Burke, Bobby Sciacca, Pete and Matt Boonshaft (even though Pete is in college), Teddy Sahr, Rob Pietrzak all from No Good News, Ben Ross from Butterfly Convict, Mark Masterson who at 15 started LIMS Radio and at 16 started Meadowbrook Records, the mastermind behind the Long Island Local Bands page Matt Reddan, Sal Salamone and Jon Argondizza and the dudes from Last Great Hero, Sebastian Paba and Alex Melnyczuk, Tom Fasano and Kevin Calame and We Took First, Tom Wherring and Jonathan DiMitri from State Lines. And there really are so many more out there to name, like Bryan McElwain.

When my generation inherited the scene, we let it fall through the cracks. We gave into ridiculous standards and stood by when dicks like the ones in Thug Squad came and fucked up shows. Its up to all you guys to uphold a moral and ethical code of arms and shun any assholes that try and impede on it. You need to preserve the integrity of the scene by supporting each other and all the bands that work their asses off to bring music to you and the rest of the scene. Support DIY ethics so people like Jake Zimmerman can bring an end to Pay to Play and scene monopolies.

We have worked so hard to bring the scene back, don't let it fall apart again. Keep these traditions, and when you get to be where I am, pass them on down to the next batch of kids singing their hearts out.

Veterans like myself, Travis McGee, Mike Ventimiglia, Desmond Zantua and Matt Lagatutta all have really high hopes for you guys, so don't let us down!

Go out their and rewrite the history books!

http://longislandmusicscene.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page

Thats the closest thing to getting away...

Last night was one of the better nights I have had in a long, long time. The Vision was one of my all time favorite local bands, and to see them one last time was truly breath taking. I feel sorry for anyone who wasn't there last night.

I was really stoked that the after party was so intimate. Its not often that I get to be surrounded by all of my closest friends and just drink to the night while we bullshit about everything and anything. I feel so blessed to have my friends. Without them, I would be nothing more than an empty shell. And I really do mean that. We all define each other, in one way or another, and I am happy that my friends define me well.

I walked into my house at around 6 AM, after a few of us hit up Bagel Boss. It was really weird walking into Bagel Boss and it being dark, and then walking out and it being light. I'm glad that we really did dance the night away though. Haven't done that in a long time.

These past few weeks have been a little odd. I can't believe I am actually enjoying my summer class. I don't know if its because I genuinely enjoy the class, or if its because its an excuse to leave my house and experience human contact. I have this strange feeling that its the latter, because on days like today, I just sit in my room, alone, and stare out the window hopelessly. It sucks. And once again thats why I am so grateful to have such an awesome group of friends.

I have been leaving my house a lot to work with James in his basement. I have come to love working down there. Once again for the aspect of being able to be out of my house in the company of a good friend. But also because I really do enjoy constructing things. I can't wait till the basement is done. All this hard work and effort is gonna pay off big time.

I guess thats all I really have to say.