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