Happy Birthday Lauren!

Sunday night I went to Lauren's birthday party. We went to Ayza on 31st, which is this classy wine/chocolate bar. It was absolutely lovely, but even lovelier than the atmosphere was the great company. After Ayza, two of Danielle's friends showed up and we walked to Angels and Kings, where we were told it was lesbian night. there were like 5 people at the bar. How come gay bars area always so packed, but lesbian bars are few and far between? Anyway, we sat and hung in our group for a while and then Danielle's friends left and Jason showed up with his friend Amanda. We left lesbian night and walked somewhere for kareoke. Crista and Danielle left and the rest of us sang a shitload of kareoke. I did Torn-Natalie Imbruglia, Darling Nikki - Prince, The Denial Twist - The White Stripes....I could go on. It was a long night. We sorta closed the bar.

On our way home we stopped for Apple Jacks and candles so Lauren could blow them out. We then came home, took a music video of us dancing to Mika, Jason dyed his and my hair and then me and lauren started on some collaging. All in all a great night. i woke up feeling like crap though.

Reality Robert

Thursday morning I hopped on a train back into the city to interview reality Robert for PTTV. I met up with Alex and Ariel in midtown and we went up to Robert's office. Robert must have looked up info about PTTV because he seemed to be well versed in the ethos of our organization. This knowledge of us led to a less interesting interview, however it lead to more neutral, less conspiracy based communication. Anyway, I think I am really beginning to love conducting interviews. I think it would be really cool if I could make a documentary and travel to a bunch of places to try to debunk some social institution/group.

After our interview, me and the girls got some Korean food and I hopped on a train back to LI. Lauren picked me up at the train and I made a fire and mojitos in the back yard. We read ghost stories and played music and later on Carrie came over. It was a nice semi-laid back evening with some good drinks and some good girls.

Having a Coke and Eatin' a Tomato

Last night I hopped a train out to Rockville Centre to catch Lucas Carpenter at Vibe Lounge. This guy is an incredible musician and used to date Lauren. He plays a whole bunch of instruments and has a loop pedal so that his songs just build and become really amazing and multilayered. It really is astounding. I met this girl Crista, who used to date one of my friends from HS and is now BFF with Mike Del Rio. She is really great. I always get excited when I meet new girlfriends. It is really hard to meet really down to earth people sometimes. Anyway, after the show we went to a diner with Lucas and Mark Rose (the band that went on after)and then MDR met up. It was a really great, laid back night.

Lauren told me this great analogy that is synonymous for the strategy of pursuit of our love interests. They are like tomatoes. You can't ignore them. You have to water them, but they aren't ripe for the picking yet.

Oh boy

I have been rather evasive, but not out of neglect, out of sheer transportation confusion/poor planning. My computer and I have not been seeing much of each other. I went to the beach, as usual, on Sunday and then met up with Lauren after for band practice/hanging out. We practiced a bit and then passed out while watching 'Thirteen'. This morning we had high hopes of getting brunch, but only wound up with bagels. My fingers are sore. So much music playing within the past 30 hours. We have so much fun and get so much done. It is really really great.

Here is a video of one of the songs we wrote and have been working on.

Jam-Packed with Musical Fun

Wednesday was a really great day. I started the day a bit early with Kim, coming over around noon to do yoga in McCarren park. After finding our chi, we got some delish Indian food in the burg and went back home to practice. We blended so well together and really accomplished a lot in a matter of a few hours. This thing is really coming together. We are definitely going to start playing shows in the end of August. I just may have booked our first one. Yay!

After a wonderful jam session, Kim and I decided we deserved a beer before she went home and I went to work. We went to Duckduck, this cute, little, duck-themed local bar.

After a couple of brewskeys I went to PTTV to help orientate some new members, and got put on the spot to fill in and facilitate the meeting. I was a tad absent minded, being put on the spot like that, and I had to leave early. I think I do way better at being the center of attention when I have some time to mentally prepare. I asked the collective about my band playing at our screening in the garden and they all seemed OK with it, I just have to OK it with the garden.

After my meeting, I went to see my friends in 'In India' play a show at Trash Bar. I went by myself, which is something I am trying to do more lately. However, I knew that Lauren S was gonna be there, so it wasn't like I would be completely alone. The boys played a great show, and I swayed and tapped my foot accordingly. They had open bar for a bit before the boys went on, so I was in for some quick drinks. After they went on, I found lauren, who was accompanied by Ariel and Jani. I then played pool with the boys (terribly) and threw back a few jack n' cokes.

After I was fully satisfied with my networking skills, talking to an abundance of strangers, I hit the road. I talked to some guy who does booking at Trash Bar. I have a feeling it is going to be pretty easy to get shows. I am really excited that everything seems to be coming together.

Bandsies

Today I woke up, did some Yoga and hung out with the fam. My uncle and 2 cousins were here from Maine this weekend. We watched Monday morning cartoons and had some breakfast. They are such great kids. On July, 4th I had a conversation with MJ about global warming and he was really impressing me. He absorbs information like a sponge and is remarkably intelligent for his age. Ethan is so adorable with his awe-inspiring conversationalist skills, and i am really proud to say that they are my cousins/nephews.

After a family oriented morning, Lauren came over for some sushi/band practice. We had a lovely lunch and came home and wrote a song. I find it so incredible how well we work together. She is wonderful with song concepts, eloquently written one liners, and is really knowledgeable musically.

I Told You We'd Make It

My life has been taken by storm due to musical influence. We had a band practice on Sunday night after my fathers day festivities and I introduced Lauren (Keys, Bass & Back up Vocals) to Kim (Violin, Electronic, & Back up Vocals) to each other. They totally hit it off and we are all really stoked to start doing songs together. We decided that we are going to try to do a cover of Radiohead - Paranoid Android just to get it started. However, also in the mix is Explosions in the Sky, the Cartigains, Rilo Kiley, the Beatles, Andrew Bird, Metric, and Van Halen amongst others. I am really ecstatic that this musical project is coming together and with such talented musicians. Both of my girls went/almost went to school for music, did all county/nyssma/all state and one of them actually used to play gigs with Miley Cyrus and Ashley Tisdale (She said it was as a joke, but I am mucho impressed). Anyway, I will have some songs on here soon. I just wanted to post some "Paranoid Android" so you could listen to it and pretend it was being played with violin, keys and little old me on my guitar (oh and some drums...somehow).



OH and other good band news. Last night I recorded this song with my boy steph and he told me that I could hold onto his drum set for a while. Woohoo! Free drums!! I am so glad that I have a practice space and that drums are being added to it! The pattern of the universe is certainly in my favor!

Awesome Combination

Friday night I had a lovely band practice with Lauren. We came to a conclusion on what song by Rufus Wainwright to play while feasting on dark chocolate and wine. We will be covering 'Between My Legs'. Below is an awesome live rendition of it, watch closely because at the end a certain someone (echem Jake Gyllenhall) makes a hilarious guest appearance.

Dance Monkey

I meant to post a video of Jason tap dancing with a fro wig...but instead my computer posted a recording/video of me and lauren jamming/writing our new song. oops! I will get that Jason vid on here ASAP