Sprechen Sie bitte langsamer. Я не понимаю. Yo no quiero pensar.

Hello my homo sapiens,

It has been a long couple of weeks and I'm blogging more out of necessity than responsibility. Meaning- I'm blogging to get all the chaos jumbled in my cranium out somewhere not because I have posted in almost three weeks...

First off with some bad news, it's been almost a week since my uncle passed away on September 11th. He is someone who was very good to me as a child and was there through many of the bad times that seemed to find me. I don't want to dwell on it too long since it's still fresh in my mind and very depressing. All my love uncle <3

Today is a Thursday which means my week is basically over. No classes on Friday, just a few work hours which are no big deal...then I'm on a bus home to Boston where I will be until Tuesday morning. My mother's birthday is in April but we're celebrating it this weekend. Why? Because my mother is in love with U2...who just so happen to be playing in Massachusetts on Sunday and Monday. Back in March or so, I got us tickets for this Monday. Mind you my mother is young, she hasn't even hit 40 yet, and has been listening to U2 for a little over 25 years now and has yet to see them. I'm glad to have bought tickets for us to go together since U2 has always been something we've shared and reminds me of home when I'm away. I also bought us seats on the good, ole reliable Rockbus to take us to and from the venue. She was freaking out when I got tickets...she's probably freaking out now that it's so close. Wait until the day comes I take her to Graceland...

At this point I'm reading almost 2-3 books a week, while learning two languages, and taking two courses that are writing intensive (but should also be labeled reading intensive). I work 4 days a week and am part of 3 organizations on campus. I HAVE NO TIME. It is stressful but I enjoy always having something else to do...I get bad when life is stagnant. It's very depressing to me. Obviously I like to have time to relax and that's when I procrastinate on Youtube or go to the movies and live a little.

One thing I wish I had more time for was music. I live by albums and there is nothing more I want then to hide between my headphones when times get overwhelming. I haven't been keeping up with any new albums or songs or artists...that's just not how I do. I usually stumble over things and they squeeze there way into my collection. One video I would like to share with you is H2O's video for their song "What Happened?" The image I posted above is of the shirt I'm wearing...an H2O shirt (surprise!) and line from this song...and I couldn't agree with it more. Plus, Matt Skiba from Alkaline Trio sings during the bridge (correct musical term? I think so) and adds his awesomeness to this already kick-ass band. So take a look and I'll see you all back in the 617 this weekend.


Never forget what it feels like to be young.
-Napalm

H2O What Happened feat. Lou Koller and Matt Skiba

Rancid: Never fell in love until I fell in love with you...

Post Recap of July 28, 2009

Computer problems delayed this post, more will be explained in tomorrow's blog.

What did you do on Tuesday? I went to the House of Blues on 15 Landowne St. Boston, MA to see what you all know as the loves of my life. Well my musical life. RANCID. My day started off slow with about an hour delay of the Green Line trains. All branches because of a disabled train at one of the other stations. I LOVE the MBTA, I rely on them, but the Green Line is the enemy. Just a useful enemy. Walking around the corner towards Lansdowne street showed the flocks of Red Sox fans making their way to Fenway which is right across the street from the HOB. This would be a good time to tell you that the Sox game started at 7 and the doors opened for my show at 6:30. I showed up at 2:30. At 2:30 I met 4 other people also waiting as early as I was, two of which had just moved to my home/hometown of East Boston. The lead singer of Billy Talent was parading up and down the street but of course I didn't know who the fuck he was, BECAUSE I barely know anything by Billy Talent. Later on, a few of the guys were playing wiffle ball across Lansdowne and Mr. Tim Armstrong (Rancid) joined in on the game. I have met Mr. Armstrong so when I and others tell you he is extremely down to earth, willing to talk with fans, and quite gentlemanly I might add. Believe it. This man is my hero if I ever decide to have one.

As I stood outside with my new "I'm only here for Rise Against" friends, I also explained to them, I only showed up for Rancid. Word for word, I get as a response- "Well I don't know about Rancid fans but Rise Against fans are absolutely insane". I just shrugged and said, I wouldn't know- knowing in the back of my mind that they weren't ready for Rancid fans. After sweating for four hours outside and then another 30 minutes in the hallway, we were finally allowed into the venue. I stood through Billy Talent, quite still I might add, still enough to get a video for a friend who is a fan. Crowd was quite dull except for a few fans who occasionally pushed me forward once or twice. The lead singer is very energetic and it would be a good show for those who enjoy their music.

Rancid was second of the night, which I still don't understand HOW they could be just a supporting band, in my humble opinion. First chord played and hundreds of bodies pushed forward. The guy in front of me obviously didn't want to be touched and continuously tried to push us all back. He was just met by a stronger push, slamming him into the barricade each time. If you can't handle being in front for all of the crowds, just not the band you want to see, I personally say- get lost. Leave the front for someone who cares. One song alone, I counted 21 crowd surfers to be picked off by security guards. Yes, I made sure to count- just for you my dear blog readers. Matt Freeman even broke out the pure white stand-up base for "Civilian Ways" from their new album Let The Dominoes Fall. Go look it up. People were being asked to be pulled from the crowd because the force crushed all the air from their lungs. I stood on my toes, letting the pressure from the bodies around me hold me up, and belted out every song. Old and new. My official statement: Seeing Rancid in concert is better than sex. Period-ended. No one will ever know how much their chords, their words, all their songs mean to me and what they have helped me through over the years. I feel like Tim Armstrong took my life and put it on every CD they have made. I don't remember the entire set but I do remember "Bloodclot" and "Nihilism" thrown in with "Fall Back Down" and "Last One to Die". An overall great mix of music from albums over the last 16 years. Including my personal favourite which they have played every time I've seen them- "St. Mary".

Just as soon as it began, it was over. Supporting bands not getting enough time I think they deserved. Sweating, panting, legs wobbling I pushed my way through the crowd -wetter than I was at Warped which was outside in the pouring rain. I walked right out the fucking door without looking back. No Rise Against set for me or the other 50 or so people who left with me after Rancid's set. I hope your Rise Against crowd was good guys 'cause now you know how Rancid fans show their love for their boys.

I froze my ass off on the train, in the most glorious pain there is. Rancid, by far, the most amazing band I have known in my time. Of course that is just my opinion and it works for me. Go see them live if you like any of their music, even if you know one song, go, you will not regret it. That's all I have for you tonight my friends. This post cannot contain the excitement and emotion I wish it could.

"Here it is
Here I am
Turn it up
fuckin' loud"

Until next time darlings.

"When I got the music, I got a place to go."
Love,
-Napalm

Who's Shapiro? Warped Tour 2009: Just about what I expected...

Sorry for the wait. Post recap of: 21 July 2009

And what did I expect? Not much. Out of the numerous bands there that day, I was determined to see three of them. The rest, I couldn't have cared less if they were playing at all. For the line up - Check out www.warpedtour.com

Now don't get me wrong, it was great for a lot of people and I'm glad. I also love the idea of Warped Tour's festival style with the ridiculous amount of bands that do play. I just personally disliked most of the bands -felt like so many just sounded all the same- and also felt like years past have been multiple times better. And some guy at South Station was rambling on about "Shapiro" to a person in the seat across from him that only he could see. Who the hell is Shapiro?

It rained like a motherfucker! And that is no lie. Every inch of me was soaked, including my electronics. This is why you get this post so late, I was PISSED all morning. I had photos and videos of three bands I wanted to see, total number of all media on my camera when I left the venue: 222 The number of photos that were uploaded to my computer before the camera had an error and deleted practically everything: 61

All anger aside- Bad Religion, NOFX, and Anti-Flag completely kicked my ass, PWND me, and all that other shit- they were wicked. I went to Warped in'04 and missed Anti-Flag, so getting to see them front and center was pure sex. They played around 2:55, mixing old and new into their set, keeping everyone happy. All the 12/13 yr olds who only knew of their last two albums eyed them, confused, as the rest of us broke out, chanting along to "You gotta die, gotta die, gotta die for your government, gotta die for your country, that's shit!" They were an amazing, amazing, wicked awesome, best part of my day by far. Chris #2 (Barker) is always the highlight of my life. Talk about some fucking energy, that guy has it. The vocals, the moves, the usual jumping into the audience, and of course, the wall of love. You have to be there to know. Also, you have a few photos of him here from the performance because (he is THE MAN) they were the only ones that survived from the bands I enjoyed :( but hurrah for AF. They rocked my world.

(5:55 p.m.)Bad Religion was in fine form, no matter how many jokes they make about their age, they still own you on stage. An awesome performace of Generator, one of my personal favourites, got the crowd moving. I had great footage that was lost, video of "Sorrow" and even a guest appearance by NOFX's lead singer Fat Mike, joining in for the chorus of "21st Century Digital Boy" [<- there are parenthesis in there somewhere but I'm too exhausted to remember]. After the BR set, NOFX took over, also in fine form but in a more intoxicated manner. Fat Mike enjoying Vodka & milk from a red solo cup on stage. An "old man's drink" as he says. The set was covered in rainbow flags as the guys played on the idea of this being one of the more liberal states in the nation. The boys being ridiculously, and humorously liberal themselves, meant no offense and anyone who took any are assholes. "Bob" was a crowd favourite of the night, as well as The Racist Joke Song. They also graced us with a new song they had just written in the bus about Massachsuetts, I loved it, I agree...it's too fucking cold here. Probably one of my favourite in the NOFX set was their cover of Rancid's "Radio", but that's just because Rancid are the loves of my life. After NOFX, I said FUCK IT. Skipped out on the 2-3 other bands I didn't want to see and waited on the warm, dry bus to take me back to Boston.

Well that was most of my Warped! There was more to it but I don't want to own your life by having you read anymore of this blog....BUT! I am now the proud owner of two RANCID tickets for TUESDAY, at the House of Blues [Boston] with Rise Against and I believe Billy Talent (I didn't know BT was still around) so I am a happy narrator. Until next time, where I may share more Warped with you.

Keep it wet.
Love,
-napalm

An AntiClimatic Morning

Just a little note: If you do get a post from me tomorrow -Tuesday the 21st- it's going to be another late one. I will be at Warped Tour tomorrow and don't know when I will be back or if I will want to write at that time.

Evening you delicious people! You have no idea what me and the internet have been up to today. Buy, sell, trade, tickets- it's all about tickets! I'm too addicted to my music to stop! I'm trying to see Rancid & Rise Against next week all the while trying to hook up with some kid who wanted to buy a Warped Tour ticket for TOMORROW! It's all quite insane but hey, whatever happens - happens. Also got my loan today, approved, so now I can go to school and be in debt some more! Fun fun.

I honestly don't have any inciteful reviews for you today. I could review a new movie I watched earlier or talk about some music but this morning has jsut been too stressful. There may be a chance I have the urge to post later, and if I do I wil be right back here typing. Tomorrow night or Wednesday will sure to have a much longer post seeing as I will have to tell you all about my Warped exploits. Hit up www.warpedtour.com to check out the line-up [which I'm not too happy about] or for more dates.

"God bless the concrete and chaos it keeps."
Until further notice.

Don't forget the streets.
-napalm

Set Off A Spark

I watched a video on the net today (which I take no credit for) that got me thinking. Now it's nothing too philosophical - you know, how humans are the dangers to themselves or what we can do to save the ecosystem. It was simply a musician talking about his life, what he loves, where he comes from and I just wanted to say it's amazing how one musician can touch the life of some kid he may never even hear of during his time on this earth. Listen to what he says...think about it. I feel where you're coming from Tim, thanks for remembering us. And thanks for taking a few minutes out of your day to spend it with me. I'll never forget.

Take care.
-Kristiana



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0PGTClWa1Y







photo taken by some girl on Lansdowne St. Drawings by me.