Back to "NORMAL"

Oi. Hola. Bonjour!
Greetings...from Chanhassen, MN. Almost fully, basically decompressed after my trip abroad. Getting used to being back in MN. I always forget that the combination of jet lag plus a lot of thinking can actually drain a man. Yikes!
Today was good! I've been working all week at Lifetime Fitness in the cafe, enjoying it most of the time. :) Filling in shifts when I can, working about 30ish hours a week. Let me tell ya- it's great getting hours! Today was nice. I woke up, LATE, and went for breakfast with a good friend from high school, Peter. He was incredibly gracious even though I was like 45 minutes late, due to my alarm either not working or a combination of my brain and alarm not working! Then I went and got a nice haircut. I then zipped off to work for about 2 hours to help cover the lunch rush at work. Hey- any hours are better than none, yeah? After that, I went home, took a 20 minute catnap, and then proceeded off to Starbucks in Chanhassen to see one of my best friends from high school, Emily! It's always great seeing Emily because she's so down to earth and wonderful and someone I genuinely trust as a friend. An iced chai is always nice. We just chatted, had dinner at Culvers, and I bumped into some people I went to middle school with. Weird. But nice. :)
I then went off to Eden Prairie where I met up with a good friend from college, Steven. He is such a wonderful breath of fresh air and such a good guy. We chatted about life and things in our lives. I forgot how much I missed him. He lived down the hall from me at college, and it'll be sad we won't be in the same building next year, but we'll make up for it. :)
I bought the Beyonce DVD which was filmed at the Wynn in Las Vegas. Incredible. Such a versatile, poised and incredible performer...not to mention singer. As far as pop singers go these days, she is at the top of her game. She really knows her music, her voice, and she is such an icon in her own right!
Hmmm. what else. Can't believe it's the middle of June already! Can't believe it's been 3 weeks since Brussels and a little over a week since I was over in Britain. I miss the deep connections over there. The positivity. The feeling of a community, in a sense, I suppose. The feeling of waking up every day, uncertain of how the day will measure up or what will happen, but knowing that something interesting will happen. I will try to make every day here in Minnesota count as best I can. :)
I am so blessed in so many ways. I have so many friends here and abroad, and I have always known deep in my heart how much they matter to me, but now I'm realizing it even more in a sense, I suppose. They are all doing different things in their lives. They all speak differently. They are all beautiful people inside and out. They are just good people. In life you meet people...well, obviously, but you never realize how much they mean to you until the moment hits you.
Anyways. :)

Off to bed soon. Planning on doing some recording in the morning! :)

Peace and love.

xxx

CHRISTINA AGUILERA: BIONIC: A REVIEW

I really do appreciate when an artist is able to reinvent themselves, I really do. I also appreciate when artists realize their own strengths musically and stick to their strengths, while making a few risks here or there.
Christina Aguilera's latest album "Bionic" was an album I was looking forward to. Having loved loved her jazz-influenced "Back to Basics", released 4 years ago, I was hoping for a fresh new album. I enjoyed the first single off of her latest album, "Not Myself Tonight"- a good club track that was reminiscent of her old 2002 hit "Dirrty". But all in all, this album is a sonic mess. Christina is one of the most assertive vocalists out there in pop music, but the majority of these songs sound influenced by today's radio. Christina is an artists who should be influential towards pop radio. Bring back someone who can sing. I'm sick of Ke$ha. Seriously. And all that autotune. But back to Xtina. Songs like "Woohoo" are just distasteful, and for the majority of the record, she seems like she's forcing this hyper-sexual material on her listeners. It's lost the playful sensuality she had before, more or less. It's no surprise this album has not charted well on Billboard, as well as underselling in expectations and sales.

What could've been an organic piece of work, becomes a tragic mess. (The tracks "Lift Me Up", produced by Linda Perry, as well as "You Lost Me", written with Sia, are the 2 best tracks). But seriously. Stick to a few collaborators and producers next time if you want a cohesive album, Christina. This is a hot mess.

2/4 stars.

Final TRAVEL Blog...not a "final" blog post though. :) xxx

Today was nice. Slept in a bit. Went to Tesco’s to go pick up some biscuits, ribena, and some goodies. :) Tea party anyone? Got completely drenched in the rain. Not fun...Deesha was right, wearing flip flops was completely stupid on a day like today! Haha!

I’m actually looking forward to going home. It’ll make me appreciate the people I love out here even more so. And yes..Belgium was still the highlight of my trip. BUt so was Brighton...playing an open mic night was awesome...seeing holly was incredible! Ged...I should just say, “screw uni, let’s get broke becoming buskers!!” We’ll write the next #1 hit and we’ll be awesome. :)

Ehm. What else. Not looking forward to the 6 hour ahead jet lag I shall be facing when I land in Minneapolis. EEEK! I’ll need some time to decompress after this trip, that’s for sure.

So I met up with Bella, Caroline, Owen, Helen and Mark and we had a lovely supper at Bella’s. Great people. Great community. People I hold in the highest regard. A very English type of dinner, considering the salads and cheese and bread and whatnot. Had a nice glass of red wine...you know...black coffee and red wine are growing on me. Never thought I’d say that.

I ate too nicely on this trip. It’ll be time to make use of my employee Lifetime Fitness membership and get my ass back to the gym. Haha. It’ll be nice to have a steady paycheck and get to work more hours at LTF. I even miss my boss. OF COURSE I miss my boss. She makes sure I get paid. :P.

Can’t wait to see a bunch of old high school pals this Saturday at Old Chicago. Tradition much? Hopefully seeing my buddy Brandon from St. Thomas on Saturday...ASHLEY?! WHERE WILL THEE BE?!

I’ve realised in life there are people you can always count on. Family. And the friends that know you better than you know yourself...the ones that have the best interests for you as a person. You know who you are...abroad or in Minnesota. I love you.

So...you UK kids ready for me to be back in oh...about a year’s time? I try to keep contact as best as possible because you mean the world to me. Ged- whether you are in China or in London, I shall definitely be seeing you in the near future. That’s a promise...*raises my BUSH beer*. For feck’s sake, get your buh-hind over to America. We’re nice. I promise. I know if/when you get to America you will be criticising everything we do...but you’ll secretly love it! *Shelby, a trip to China might have to be in the works... ;) * Holly. I’ll come see you in Brighton, of course! ALAN my man...my English-basically kinda American friend...I’ll be seeing you. Max & Rosie... my loves...love you both! Best of luck at Uni! Deesh- all the best. I love you to bits. Don’t ever forget that. Vicky M.- we will meet up again. you’re pretty awesome. always classy. :) Matthew Barlow. Shame i didn’t get to see you. give me a ring sometime...


Anyways. It’s late at night....must rest up for my long journey back to the states.

Peace out folks. It’s been real. I’ll keep blogging and maybe a few of you will keep up with it and read it. ;) Love you all. Minnesota folks- can’t wait to catch up with ya’ll. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


PS- Shelby, are you still up for getting a flat? Let’s say...June-August...possibly in Brizzle?! We will get work visas and live like poor artists.

Today

Wow. just realised I hadn't blogged in a while oops!
I'm staying with a family here I met last year on my gap year, and I'm in Bristol now. It's been um, up and down to say the least, but all I can say, due to privacy reasons, etc, that a hell of a lot can change in one year...
Where to begin? Life is good. Met up with my friend Max and Rosie a few days ago in Bristol. We had some cider, pimms, beer, etc, and life has been good. So great to see them! I saw a lot of students I worked with last year in Bristol, oh, and even a friend I made working with from St. Augustines in Trowbridge. Vicky was lovely to see! Bath is always a great place. *Note to self/others*: the boston tea party tea place is simply awesome.
Reflecting back on time here i was asked where my favourite place was to have visited. I somehow blurted out belgium. it wasn't aesthetically the most beautiful place in the world, but the company i shared was incredible. and it was refreshing to be able to speak openly and candidly with someone I can now call a FRIEND. :) Cheers to you buddy. Not to mention...the belgian beer was awesome... ;)
Brighton was almost on par with Belgium. I love both in different ways. I loved the sea-side town of Brighton and seeing HOLLY! :) I'm blessed to have wonderful friends out here!
OH MY GOSH. So yesterday, i was out in bristol town, and i went to this bowling alley to meet my friend claire, and i bumped into a californian who has gained citizenship here...she offered me a room in her house for £190 a month, and i was like, OMG. I should just take a job at the bowling alley and live in England...but I think it might make me hate England more, rather than love it. England and I have a nice love affair. :)

So within this year I would like to...find my inner creativity. Hopefully I'll come back inspired from these trips and excursions. Maybe make a band...or a duo...or something...*cough cough...you know who you are...Jon/Ged!!! maybe do more things musically. i don't know. i just don't know. but anyways. :)

I think in a few years time, after university, i will definitely settle out here. i don't know where. i don't know what i'll do. but I will do SOMETHING. Ugh. Anyways.
I don't know if I feel like a cup of tea the moment. haha. it might keep me awake, yeah? Anyways.

oh if you haven't noticed yet, the photos are on facebook. hehe. :) xxx

I'm back in Minnesota within 2 days. :( I'll miss you all here. Holly. Ged. Steph. Mondairs. Vicky. Naomi. Kate. Helen. It's been real. Love you all. xxx

a meandering reflection...

...a meandering reflection...

Standing on your porch. Several stories up.
The Belgian sun is going down under the city’s skyline.
Sipping on a beer, smoking my bad habit
A creative wandering mind is in awe and looks for wonders.
The world is my oyster. The people are my pearls. The conversations are like diamonds. Crazy. Unpredictable. Sane. The real ones never shallow. Can you ever really be truly or deeply known by anybody or anything in this short lifetime? I saw a quote...”Life is not short...we make it short.” Somehow, I sadly think this rings true in the lives of many people.
I sometimes wonder why I acted the way I did when I initially met you. I really don’t know. That question floats around my mind from time to time, and that’s one of the few things I wish I hadn’t done...been so damn cold the first time meeting you. I am usually fair and give most things and everyone a fair chance. I think I was intimidated...or just feeling bitchy. Hmmm. But sometimes, you have to go through small hoops. This was probably the most gradual and realistic beginning of a friendship I’ve encountered. Many times, I was either thrown into a group of friends, or just had to put up with people, and then they were my friend, or I had too many mutual friends that I ended up calling them a friend. I realized this was one of the very few times where I started with really nothing, besides one mutual friend, a bad start, but a great beginning. I just regret having acted the way I did, and it still makes me cringe inside when I think about it. Somehow, we managed to move on. All I can say is. Some people are a breath of fresh air. Give someone a chance. I dare you. Don’t hold back or become intimidated...no matter how intelligent or sarcastic they are. :) They will surprise you. Thank you (you know who you are) for showing me to look beyond initial well, not appearances, because you weren’t exactly ugly... :) More like, initial meandering thoughts and confusion and uncertainty and apprehension and fear. I was so insecure at the time, I felt like someone was reading me, and I reacted...badly. It’s one of those out of this world, out of body out of soul things, where you just feel so vulnerable...I was dealing with some apprehension at the time, including an eating disorder and uncertainty of where I was in life, and it’s not an excuse. These were just things that were going through my head all in this one moment and someone came and popped my bubble...
So. I know I apologized to you before.

But. I apologize fully and again for the initial meeting. But I’m glad we’ve gotten past that. I really am.

All the best to YOU. I’m proud to now call you my friend.

-P-

Brussels...pictures soon. i promise. :)

Okay. ON the 30th of may, i wa in brussels. had a lovely time in brussels seeing GED! We were talking about how we never actually got to KNOW each other or just talk until I got to Brussels. So blessed to have made and gotten to know a great friend. Brussels was nice...definitely not the MOST gorgeous place on the planet, but the company made up for it! So the night was fun. Had a good time. DRANK TOO MUCH. Smoked one too many ciggies and spilt beer all over someone's trouser.... *cough cough*. Could never tell whether this particular person was angry with me or just pretending. Well...they WILL wash. :)
I bought Ged and I some chips afterwards...and I had to try to follow Ged back to the flat and he threatened to to leave me in a puddle...it twas a FUN night. Just a note...belgian beer is MUCH stronger than american beer, and when you get offered orange vodka and oj, the beer has already kicked in and made you tipsy, and the vodka tips you on your back-fanny. fun. times.
I've done a lot of realizations...wondering although i have many friends and whatnot, which ones really know me? I had great conversations with Ged here in Brussels and it was refreshing to connect with someone who is intelligent and full of wit, and such a bucket full of sarcasm. Ged- if you are stalking this blog, know that I had a blast and hope to see you again in the near future wherever you may be. :) Cheers buddy.

So some highlights of Belgium, besides getting soaked in the rain, would be playing music with Ged. He plays guitar quite nicely, and we both sing, so we did some stuff like kings of leon and greg laswell and cary brothers and yes...FALLING SLOWLY. Music is the best form of communication. I think we should start a proper duo. :)

So...after I left in the morning after, sort of hung over and whatnot, i had a 4 hour bus ride from london victoria to stoke on trent. GRRR. Kind of bristolish but not as nice and it was rather dodgy feeling haha. met up with steph smith, a friend from st brendans, and she introduced me to her american mates anastassos and rachael. it was quite nice. we all got on quite well. Nice seeing a university here in england.

so what else. well. now i'm in bristol visiting my dear friend, deesha!!!! it's 11:36 pm right now and i'm exhausted!!! more later.

xxx

the past few days....

28 May 2010

The past 2 days have been quite nice. Landed in Oxford in a timely fashion, only to find out that I stopped at the Thornfield station, rather than the City Centre. Oops. That threw Brother Owen and me off track by about an hour! We caught up, had some dinner, and we returned to the De La Salle Provincial house which was quite lovely. I then went out for a smoke and bumped into Brother Aidan, head of provincial of the De La Salle Brothers. Very nice! Had a nice lie in until about 9 am, and woke up, had breakfast, and wandered around Oxford for a bit. Forgot how BEAUTIFUL Oxford was and is!!! After a not too ‘iced’ vanilla latte, a few wanderings around and whatnot, I then met up with Owen who had my luggage in his car, and I set off for the bus station.

What’s with me and busses these days? I can never seem to get anywhere nearly on time! I wasn’t pressed for time, but I arrived in London about a half hour late. Followed the signs to take the underground from Victoria Underground to King’ Cross/St. Pancras. Got through initial immigration pretty well. This brings me to now.

Sitting on the Eurostar. My ears are going to POP sooon! Eeek! I am well excited to see my good friend, Ged in Brussels. Ged worked with the Kintbury team last year, and although we didn’t get along the first moment I met him, we have kept in contact and he has become a good friend.

They really SHOULD invent wireless internet for the eurostar, unless my computer is rubbish at picking up the signal. Ugh. I have lived on Diet Coke for the past couple of days, not gonna lie! That and cheap sandwiches and snacks from vendors near the coach stations, etc. Eating on the go. That’s what I’m mainly doing. :)

Hmmm...what else. So much is up next. Have gotten in touch with many of my friends in Trowbridge and am hoping to meet up with many of them as possible! I hope to go and visit some of the schools and colleges I worked in last year. Rosie and I had a quick chat on the phone, and she was such a dear. Love her! Can’t wait to see her and Max!

So yes. Um...after Brussels, which I’m staying at for the weekend, I’m headed for Stoke-on-Trent to see my friend Steph! She was at St. Brendans Sixth Form last year where I had worked, and it will be fun to see her and meet some of her friends! I am then headed to Bristol for most of the week, and hoping to catch up with another Kintbury team member from last year, Liam, in London town. I am supposed to receive ‘Liam’s tour of London’ treatment, which is well exciting!

I really do not want to come back to Minnesota. I know my journey has hardly begun but it is hard to think that in a matter of a little over a week I shall be back in Chanhassen all summer long. That’s almost unbearable. Ah well...it will just give me a reason to return. over. and over. and over. and over. and over....and over...again and again and again. :0

Peace out, rainbow trouts!!! I shall see if Ged has internet so I can upload photos and upload this blog! (I am typing it as a document on my computer at the moment!)

Cheers.

xxx



29 May 2010

Landed in Brussels. Totally loving it. Ged is in good form. Our phrase of the weekend is “mind-fuck”. Pa ha. Being 6 hours ahead in London, and then realising on the Eurostar that I am 7 hours ahead here in Brussels, “messed” with my head. Last night was fun! Got in about half eight. Met Ged at Brussels-Midi, and we then took the underground and walked to his flat, where I met his jovial flat-mate. We then chilled out a bit, I had a Belgian beer, a ‘Bush’, as it was called, and it was 12% proof. Yikes. Then headed out, missed the jazz festival, but went to some pubs and a jazzy bar, where we met some of Ged’s flat mate’s friends. This French girl tried to teach me to waltz...which didn’t go so well!!!
Had some Belgian fries on the way back to the flat and caught up with dear o’l Ged. What a great person. He even let me sleep on the bed, while took a mattress on the floor.
So today, I explored Brussels with Ged, had a beer, walked around and he showed me where he worked at the European Parliament. I love having great conversations with such an intelligent and wonderful person. What a good guy...and I’m pretty sure he’ll be reading this blogpost, cheeky little stalker. ;)
OH YES. Breakfast was quite nice...they call these bacon pieces ‘lard-ons’, and we had them with eggs, croissants, black coffee (YES! I DRANK MY COFFEE BLACK!) and juice, yogurt, ham, cheese. Quite yummy. NOM NOM NOM. We had a great time after he sorted out some working out this and that with his Polish parliament boss dude.
So...yes. There’s something wonderful about walking around a city with a friend and just sharing life stories I suppose. I am enjoying my times and my friends out here.

Tonight. Ged is making rice and sausage. OH MY GOSH. We went to this Morrocan shop that had a ton of food and everything you could want in a store...besides cigarettes, PA HA, and we bought ketchup, while I bought some iced teas and diet coke. Tonight, we are expecting some company, people from last night, etc, so I’m hoping things won’t get too frickin’ crazy, as I don’t want to be “mind fucked” (perdon, mas francais, s’il vous plait!).

Anyways. Having a freakin’ blast here. I will be sad to leave here tomorrow, but shall be seeing Steph in Stoke-on-Trent.

I miss my friends out here, and I’ll miss them muchly when I return back home.

xxx

Oh Brighton.

The past few days have been nothing short of amazing. Landed on Tuesday at about noon. Realised I printed everything EXCEPT my bus from the airport to the coach station. Oops. Spent an extra five quid doing that, which wasn't that bad, but heck, it's still money. England was quite warm when I landed. I rang Holly Humphrey and I set off on a what was supposed to have been a 2 hour ride to the seaside town of Brighton, turned into a 3 hour bus ride. Fun times.

When I landed in Brighton, I felt like I was so "home" again, so to speak. Even though I had never been to Brighton, there were elements of the town so familiar and so English to me! Holly met me at the bus stop with open arms and we chatted a bit...we then took a bus back to her flat and I unpacked, got settled, and then we headed out for drinks and dinner at a little pub with her mates Morgan and Morganna. Morganna was from Los Angeles, studying at Occidental, psychology I believe, and Morgan was the sweetest little British girl you could have ever met! Holly and I bought each other drinks, (I had my usual...JD + Coke...as well as cider!). We had some thai food which was delicious, considering it was a freakin' pub!!! We then walked a few streets over to the Cobbler, a music pub, where I heard all sorts of great music on an open mic night...although, there was this creepy bassist there who wanted to play music with everyone and he looked like a meth-head, no joke. BUt other than that, got to hear Holly's boyfriend, Kit, sing and play. He's a wonderful person and they are so perfect for each other! And he's Scottish...and he owns a kilt! Kind of badass! :) Holly convinced me to go up and sing/play piano, so I, being too nervous to do anything original, I did 2 Patty Griffin tunes, 'When it Don't Come Easy' and 'Rain'. They liked it, well, that's what they said anyhow. :) AND I got a free pint for doing so, so that made me have a great night!

We got back to the flat around 1 in the morning I believe. i was tired, feeling jet lagged. I slept in 'til noon when Holly came and knocked and I showered, got ready for the day, etc. We went walking around Hove and Brighton, giving me a quickie tour of the town. Beautiful beautiful town, by the way! I bought some asian sweets from this sweet shop which happened to have some american sweets and cereals for ridiculous prices! almost 7 pounds for a small box of lucky charms!! Jeez! Holly and I went into some awesome vintage/retro shops, and then we went to go grab lunch with Morgan and Morganna as well as Morganna's friend, Greg. We went to this place that had "toasties" (basically, well, grilled cheese haha), but in like various flavours and combinations. I had a delicious steak one! Yumm!

OH. We went to this cupcake shop afterwards. They seriously had the most beautiful cupcakes ever! I will post a picture and Brighton pictures when I am NOT in a bus, but it was the most delicious cupcake in the whole damn world! I kid you not!! NOM NOM NOM. (That became our saying throughout the whole trip!)

Afterwards, Holly and the whole lot...we went to the pier, which was essentially an arcade, and they had a beautiful oceanfront. Mind you, the sun wasn't being too friendly that day, so I had to imagine the sunshine. Beautiful town. I'd get so distracted here if I studied here lol!!!

After that...we went back to the flat. Sat on the roof, which was well awesome, and Morgan and Morganna were drawn cupcake drawings for a tattoo by Holly. (Yes. They got cupcake tattoos. Today. as a matter of fact LOL!) We then were joined by Kit, Sam and Simon, some of Holly's friends, and we went to Tescos to go buy food and drink for a barbecue. Barbecue was loads of fun. Sitting on the roof. Sipping cider. Eating nice food with wonderful people. Couldn't have asked for a better time. What a great way to start off this journey!!! :)

Hmm what else. Well now, I'm sitting on a megabus, headed for Oxford. I can't wait. I'm seeing Br. Owen tonight for dinner and staying with the De La Salle brothers. I'm heading to Brussels tomorrow to see Ged.

Peace out.

xxx

2 weeks time...oh the reminiscing.

When I think back to the time where I was most happy, it was an ocean away from Minnesota. Was I living in a bubble? Perhaps...but life is full of bubbles...we just create new bubbles or find new bubbles, which become our safety zones...or places of familiarity. I made so many close friends....these are good people, I must say. Real people. Honest people. Humble people. Kind people. Loving people. Selfless people. They taught me more than they realise. I felt so inspired. I felt alive. I remember standing on the "cliffs" or "large hills" in the southwest of England, right on the English channel...and having one of those moments where I realised..."Damn, it feels so good to be alive." I had never had that moment in my life, really, to be honest. Walking the streets of Prague at 3 or 4 in the morning was so liberating. Traveling from various countries without getting lost. Traveling alone. Meeting new acquaintances. These are the things which made my life so good.
Things all seemed to just sort anti-climaxed, I guess you could say, when I left the 24th of July to head back home for Minneapolis, MN. There are always going to be more people one would have hoped to have closed ties with. There is more I wish I could have done.
I guess you could say, for once in my life, I was actually living and breathing...not just existing, feeling hooked up to an oxygen tank trying to muddle through this life. I was breathing real air. Living real experiences. And realising how blessed I was.
Flash forward to the present. I'm at a university in St. Paul, MN. I have friends here, yes...but it's just not the same. People frustrate me. They rarely make me angry, but they frustrate me. I frustrate myself as well. I want to know that paying $40,000 a year for 4 years is going to be worth it. That I have made something of myself. That I lived life to the fullest. I'm just spinning my wheels it feels like.


Anyways..


just some much needed venting/reflecting before I embark on a 16 day trip to England and Belgium.

xxx