Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Super Troopers

As we near the end 2009 I have been doing a lot of time of reflecting over the past 10 years and what exactly has been done with my life. Really there is nothing better that sums it up better than the opening of this movie. "Super Troopers" is a movie that my friends from home and I found during one late night at blockbuster. We had at the time, no idea what we had just found, yet one hour later and after watching the opening sequence about 30 times, we had found our movie of the decade.

This movie is probably one of my favorites comedies of all time. It ranks up high with Old School, Zoolander, Royal Tennenbaums, and even the Hangover. All movies that I could watch none stop for days or like some people like to say, my five dvds I would bring with me to a deserted island.

Super Troopers is based on corrupt cops up in Vermont who have more of a knack for practical jokes then they have for actually taking their jobs seriously. A majority of their time is spent brainstorming new and fun ways to mess with stoned college students and most of all the rookies on their squad. The entire movie is an instant classic. I think that I may have even burned out my dvd in college I watched it so much.

The opening of this movie is hands down my favorite from the last 10 years. Anyone who hung out with me in high school or even in college for that matter will understand why, I can not stop laughing. "you are freaking out....mannnn". :)

Your gem of the day brought to you by me is the first 8 minutes of this movie:

YOU ARE WELCOME!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Christmas Shoes

Well this post is for one person and one person in particular. He happens to be one of my favorite people on this side of the planet, and for good reason. Hes my brother Rick or like I used to say it...the Rickenbocker... da da daaaa**symbols** ha. Okay enough of the inside jokes.

This kid is a class act. Unlike most kids his age who are out getting hammered being a kid in their early 20s this guy has his head on straight and is busting his ass to be the best doctor that the east coast has ever seen. He spends most of his days around the Rutgers campus and his nights split between working ridiculous shifts (7pm-7am) at both the Emergency Room at Morristown Memorial or at the EMT Squad where he has been a volunteer since he was 16. I look forward to him regaining his normal life again one day soon but for now he knows whats at stake and he is ready for war. I am so proud of this kid in ways that he will never understand. He is my rock. He is my best friend. He is the one person in my life that I can call no matter what time no matter what circumstances and somehow he has something smart to say.

So today Rick, this post is for you. This post is for you to celebrate the end of your Organic Chem final. The close to end of the rest of your exams and well close to a nice well deserved break. Did I mention he is going to squeeze picking me up at the airport in his busy schedule? Again, fantastic brother. So Rick this song is for you, I know it is one of your all time favorites. Every time I hear it I think of you and laugh uncontrollably.

Can't wait to see you!

PS: Yes I know this song is incredibly sad, I guess its just one of those "had to be there moments". If you actually like this song please refer to: "Butterfly Kisses" haha. :)

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

What I Did on My Winter Vacation....

Some people like to travel, some people like to shop and some people like to drive around the country following a band in search of a perfect show. I am proud to say that I am one of those people who throw caution to the wind in search of good music. Many people in my life have always questioned my ability to go out on my own, to do my own thing, to really do those things that others look upon as completly ludicris or a waste of time. To me that is the beauty to what they will never understand. They will never understand the feeling it is to give into somethin gthat is so much bigger than yourself, to hang out or to bond with complete strangers in a surrounding that is so comfortable to both parties that it seems as if you have known them your entire life. This feeling is one of the many reasons why I love going on Phish tour and why nothing in this world can hold a candle to being on it.

Last week Dec 3rd-5th I left Richmond in search of some good times with one of my best friends Beth. Our plan was simple. Leave Wed night, be in NYC for the shows at Madison Square Garden on Thursday and Friday nights then jump in our car Saturday morning and join the rest of our Virginia Crew at the show in Charlottesville on Sat. night. Easy.

Everything was working out just as planned, we got up to NJ (with no help from the pouring rain) stayed at my fabulous fathers house who sat for an hour with me trying to explain to him that phish tour is different this time because I am actually responsible with a real job. He wasn't understanding, it was a Wednesday night, I should be in Virgina asleep getting ready for work on Thursday instead of a concert run. The conversation went nowhere, fast. The next morning drove into NYC to quite literally "get this show on the road". After a day of doing everything a typical tourist does in NYC during the holidays (30 Rock Tree, Macy's Windows, Ice Skating etc), it was time for the show and most importantly time for a drink. This is when the trip took a fantastic turn.
We were sitting at a bar very close to the venue at MSG having a few drinks discussing our excitement for that nights show when the bartender did a very smart thing. He put on a Phish show. I believe the set started out with Wilson...beth and I high fived, we saw another couple in the corner of our eye start dancing and another two just stand up and get really excited.
We had found our people. Bianca and Jason are from Albany and April and Lorcan were from the great state of Vermont. We all knew right away that this was going to be our crew for the next two days and we were all set for a good time. We sat at the bar getting to know each other, having some drinks getting excited for the show when before you know it, it was time for the show. We all quickly got all of our things together and started making our way to the door, yet not before we yelled out one more thing at our new crew. 5 o'clock tomorrow, same bat time, same bat channel.

We took to the streets of NYC with one thing in mind. Phish at MSG. The last time Beth and I had seen this band here was back at New Years 2002 better known as: The Return. Its been almost 7 years, we were in the greatest city in the world seeing (in my mind) one of the greatest bands in the world, at the greatest venue in the world. There was just about nothing holding us from having a good time. There was this buzz outside MSG that felt just like 2002.
These heads out here were ready for a good show and well lucky for us so was the band. That Thursday nights show was unbelievable. With a awesome "Punch you in the Eye" opener the band blazed through what was an amazing first set which also included one of my personal favorite Stevie Wonder tunes "Boogie on Reggae Woman". We knew this show was going to be good but neither one of us were prepared for what was going to be thrown at us during what was probably the most epic second sets I have had to pleasure to witnessing.

To anyone who doesn't know. MSG is a small venue, it holds just shy of 18,000 people and well its known as a small dome. There is hardly a bad seat in the house, to the contrary the place is so fun to see a show in because it feels as if everyone is huddled around each other creating on intimate setting. I have read articles that bands particularly love playing MSG because the "floor moves" and often if a crowd is really jumping down and getting into it the rafters move under the musicians feet, something that bands always say is a real treat.

Anyways, this place went "bat shit crazy" during the second set. The set list was full of heavy hitters: Down w/Disease>Piper>Fluffhead>Cities>Free>Halley's Comet>2001>Bowie. "Are you kidding me!! They really just played that!?!" was pretty much the only thing I was processing during this set. The place felt as if the roof was going to tear off the top and the place was just going to explode. Thats what I love about Phish shows especially indoor shows. You get this sense of community, this sense of looking around the room knowing that you are not the only one dancing your feet off but you are surrounded by 18 thousand people feeling and doing the exact same thing. Its a hard feeling to describe, yet once your in it, you will never forget it. Night 1 was complete and it left me completely speechless. I felt like I had danced my legs off, I had barely a voice and it looked like I had just gone to battle. As Beth and I sat on the subway back to Brooklyn for a quick rest, we looked at each other and said.."Wow, do we really have two more nights of this??"....

To be continued tomorrow....(obviously can write for days about this...)

Thursday, December 10, 2009

THANK YOU

This morning I threw a party for all of the great volunteers that I have the pleasure of working with everyday. I am the Director of Volunteers for a Hospitality House here in Richmond (www.hhhrichmond.org) and this morning I had about 50 volunteers come in for a brunch thanking them for their time and to wish them a happy holidays. As I walked around the crowd mingling with the people who make my job look so easy I no joke had this song playing over and over again in my head.

All I could think of was my friend Tara's birthday party, when I was in middle school. Her mother took about 12 of us girls to go see a Boys 2 Men (with a Montel Jordan opener may I add) at PNC Bank Arts Center in NJ. I remember standing on a garbage can at the back of the lawn section watching them perform this...haha. good times. Maybe now it can get out of my head....

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

The Avett Brothers

Well I'm in love...again. This bands song is soon to be banned from my apartment building due to the amount of times I have been playing it. Artist: The Avett Brothers Song: I and Love and You. This is a band I really can get behind. Based out of North Carolina this band of literally brothers has flown under the radar for the last several years relasing albums and playing small clubs and bars yet I have a feeling it won't be for too long. I stumbled across it while driving back from NYC this weekend and well, its amazing. I'm sure its not the last time I will talk about them...Enjoy!!

Monday, December 7, 2009

2009 in 90 Seconds

Here is a review of my 2009 in 90 seconds. A lot happened this year....lost a job, gained a job, went to five weddings, skydiving, first wednesdays, moms 5k, lots of music, lots of good times... Enjoy!

"I Got A Blank Space Where My Mind Should Be...."

Good morning everyone,

Well as I try and piece my life back together after what was a ridiculous two weeks of phish shows including what has to be hands down the best three nights of music I have ever seen in my life (thursday, friday, saturday) I am trying to get my head back on straight. As I try and compose myself at work watch one of my highlights from Friday nights show at Madison Square Garden in NYC. Phish had done a full cover of the Rolling Stones "Exile on Main Street" during their Halloween show in Cali, so I was really hoping for a cover off of the album during this run....and well I got it! Watch below as they just absolutely kill "Shine a Light". Pay attention to the lights during this song, they were so on point! And yes I promise I will update this soon with full reviews and pictures from each night...

Now back to reality...