Where I have been

Ok, I was talking to my friend Mel and she said to me, "You don't really blog anymore do you?" Which I replied, "Actually not really." And that triggered me to think: why the hell haven't I blogged. I really don't know how to answer that question other than, I don't know. I know, boring answer but its the truth. I also thought I should bring back the "pic of the week" iIdea and post a picture blog at least once a week with the story behind it. I will do my best to keep up my end of the deal. Ok so whats new with me you ask?

• Golf Camp is over
• I'm a freelance writer(Ironic isn't it since I haven't written in here for a loooong time)
• I'm a certified golf instructor. Who wants lessons?
• I might be writing a cookbook
• I live in Pacific Beach

I think thats about it for now but I wanted to touch on a story about a 9 year old author. Not just any author but NY Times-best-freaking-seller! Alec Greven has written three books: "How to talk to Moms", "How to talk to Dads", and "How to talk to Girls." Friggen genius. Which inspired me to write more, hence this blog post. So to keep my end of the bargain, here's a pic from my mother and sister's visit in April. Kudos to JD for taking the pic. Thanks Jenn.

I'll Examine You

No, not that kind of exam sickos. I will examine you with my words and ideas. I know I haven't written in a while but I'll use the cliche', "I've been busy" excuse. "What am I going to read while I'm bored at work?" this really pretty girl with the initials A.S., tells me. Well, here you go.

So here's whats new: I am now a writer for Examiner.com as the San Diego Music Examiner. Its basically an online magazine where local writers share their thoughts and expertise on the subject they choose to cover. I obviously write about the music scene here in San Diego. For those of you that know me really well, I'm sure this doesn't surprise you. Its pretty neat to say, "I'm a writer now". Hmm what else. Oh ya, golf camp is over in a coupla weeks so needless to say I'm really stoked. Plans you ask? FIND A J-O-B!! Which I think I already have. I'll let you hopelessly devoted readers know!

Golf camp ending means, I am moving out of my current place and moving in with two good buddies. We have narrowed it down to Pacific Beach or Mission Hills. I'm hoping we get this place in PB because it sits 2 blocks from our favorite bar, Cass Street. This would mean shuffleboard tournaments every Sunday. You're jealous admit it.

Me Mum and sister are flying in April 18 and staying a week. How can I put up with my mom and sister in one place for a week you ask? Trust me, I've asked myself the same question over and over and I still don't have an answer. One thing that I am excited about is to see the looks on my moms face when I take her up to Hollywood. I'll be sure to have my camera ready.

Ok I'm done here now. Here's your job: GO READ MY ARTICLES AND SHARE THE LINK WITH YOUR FRIENDS!!

Goodnight now!

Bullying the Jukebox......

...because its fun.

There are rules in life. There are rules in dating. There are rules in drinking outta the milk carton.....And there certainly are rules in jukebox playing.

I guess you can call this one of my idiosyncrasies, but I absolutely loathe people who don't know how to pick songs on the jukebox. Some jukeboxes are super old skool and only come with songs 1989 and prior. And for those establishments that have those, consider yourself lucky. With those, it's almost a fail safe that you will find the proverbial "rad" song to play.

Like my 80's vocab?

Thought so.

Yes, you will run into some problems like, "Walking on Sunshine" slipping through the cracks. Wait, what just happened?? Hopefully by the time something like this happens, I've drank enough where I simply just cant hear.

As a public service to you, I have a list of songs that you may and may not play on jukeboxes.
(in no particular order)

Play these songs and these artists:

1. American Girl
2. Hey Joe
3. Blowin' in the Wind
4. Ring of Fire
5. Any and I repeat any Beatles song
6. Elvis
7. The Who
8. The Police
9. Frank Sinatra
10. Louis Armstrong
11. Etta James
12. Everyday-Buddy Holly
13. Stand by Me
14. Free Falling
15. Eric Clapton
16. D'yer Maker
17. American Pie
18. Billy Holiday
19. Louis Armstrong
20. Thriller
    

Ok, so you see me working with what you should play.

DON'T play this songs or artists:

1. Kelly Clarkson
2. Eminem
3. Death Cab for Cutie
4. Blink 182
5. Brooks N Dunn
6. Celine Dion
7. Josh Groban
8. Any, and again I repeat any, American Idol contestants "hit"
9. I'm Yours(Eddie disclaimer: I like Mraz, but this song is played out so I don't want to hear it at the bar)
10. Sarah Mclachan-theres a time and place for her and the bar isn't it
    

So, you see me working here, yes? Ok, good. I'm sure I offended some of you Generation Y people but then again, if you are 21 then chances are you haven't heard of any of the songs on the "Please play this song on the jukebox" list. Do yourself a favor, talk to your older sister or brother and culture yourself with some good music. There's more to life than ho's, bitches, sluts and money.

Good Night, and Good Luck

This is....

This is what I use to escape.
This is what I use to write music.
This is something that makes me feel alive.
This is something that inspires me.
This is what allows me to share my thoughts with the world.
This is what I get lost in.
This is something that means a lot to me.
This is something that has changed me.
This is something that makes me think.
This is poetry, made with wood and strings.
This is my guitar....

It is a part of me.

"Geez, Eddie, where have all the posts gone?"

Ok, I know I have been lacking on the "weekly picture posts" but I've been busy.

I went to L.A. last October for a Rancid show which was a great time. I spent about 4 hours in Hollywood goofing around before the show. And to be honest, thats a long time to be in Hollywood by yourself, let alone with a group. One can get restless quite easy. It was a cool fall afternoon while I was there so it was great hoodie weather which I sported all afternoon. And keeping with my number one rule when going to a show: never wear any clothing sporting the band that you are about to see. You just don't do it. As a title of a Rancid song, Unwritten Rules. That's what it is.

I like this pic cuz I think it's L.A. in a nutshell. Graffitti, billboards, and gates to a public parking area. Love the gate part.

Ok, I'm done. Goodbye for now.

New picture every week

So I got to thinking.

A lot of people share their lives in words. Whether it be a blog, songs, poems or books, people write their thoughts down on paper and write a story. Obviously, I'm doing the same with this blog.

I thought I'd add an element to my blogging world.

I was thinking about sharing a picture a week with y'all and post it on here. I thought I'd post photos on what I'm doing and where I've been and what I've seen. I will of course write a little tid bit about the photo(where its located, what I'm doing, bob loblaw....) you get the idea. And if you know where the last part in the parentheses comes from, then you're just awesome.

With that being said...drum roll please.

The picture involves a 500 Rummy game between my father, my sister and myself. Not to mention, a coupla whiskey and cokes. This glorious event happened on Christmas night. My score is on the left, my sister in the middle and dad on the right. I grew up playing 500 Rummy with my father and was never able to beat him until a coupla years ago. Since then, he has only beat me one or two times. Looks like the torch has been passed. And God help my sister, she just cant remember what people have in their hands.(a key to winning) She doesn't stand a chance. And please note the "W" next to my score.

Victory.

Mornings with Mom

They happened Monday thru Friday while I was home. They were very simple, yet the most memorable. She ate her oatmeal while we spoke. These talks were in the car. I drove her to work. We'd cover politics, work, love and life all in about 10-15 minutes. The conversations were short but different everyday. One thing that remained the same was the mutual feeling of enjoyment of each others company. And that's all that really mattered. It was always dark outside and most of the days, the roads were covered with snow. As I pulled up to her office, the words, "See ya at 5:30" became a routine. I always looked forward to the next morning to see what new adventure awaited us.

It's funny how the little things in life such as a car ride mean the most to you and its the time you remember the most. Of course, the mornings with mom had to end because I had to leave, but the time and memory will last forever.

Thanks Mom.