Delusions of Grandeur

In just a few short weeks, I will be departing SLC for a month long greyhound bus 'tour' around the West. I say 'tour' because I am taking along a guitar and plan to play music all along the way, to include (hopefully) a couple of shows with some friends to back me up with a band. This is something I have wanted to do since my discharge from the active-duty Marine Corps, but it just hasn't been feasible before.

While it would be incalculably cool, for me, to have those friends come through with the back-up bands and more legit gigs...I am prepared for this tour to consist mainly of me playing for change at bus stations and hitting the open-mic nights wherever I go. Still, it is shaping up to be at least a little bit better than that. I've got one house-party show lined up for Lincoln Nebraska on July 6th, to kick off the cross-country jaunt. Also, I know so many people in Tucson where I grew up that if just half of them will turn out for a show, it would be pretty successful.

I am spending my days making calls, sending emails, and searching out venues. It is quite the organizational undertaking, even to just get a hold of everyone that I am trying to visit and coordinate a good time to come through their town. Also, next week we're going to try to get some solid demos put together, so I will have at least a home-made CD to give out along the way.

It's exciting!

Quick Musings on Nerdy Activities

So yesterday was a pretty good day. First of all, my old Scoutmaster from Tucson and his wife stopped by, as they are traveling up to Montana. We reminisced about our (sometimes) scandalously bad-ass boy scout troop, and traded tales of their youngest son, who is couple years older than me and was one of my clique's anti-role-models.

Then I was joined by my friend, and Genre Zero drummer, for my introduction into the "Game of Thrones" card game. It was pretty fun - although I think my basic starter deck was a little underpowered compared to his - those rich Lanister bastards! It's a pretty solid CCG, with some well-functioning original game mechanics that deviate (in a good way) from the now-standard Magic: The Gathering card game model.

After that, we went to an indoor archery range. I haven't shot a bow in over a decade...in fact, maybe not since I was actually in the boy scouts.

Graduation Weekend Pictures

Last weekend, despite all the highfalutin' purchasing and talk of cameras, there were sadly few pictures taken. My uncle was, however, the dedicated photo-journalist. The many pictures and movies he was taking throughout the weekend left with him, sadly, and I only have a few that my family managed to snap. Above is a panoramic taken at "This is the Place" state park, where we took my aunt Lynn last Friday. Below is the sea of graduates:

I am in the far group, across the aisle. I sat in the fourth row from the front, a couple seats in from the aisle, with a friend who was graduating with an arts administration degree. It was really nice to have a buddy to go through the ceremony with...you rock Shan!

And finally, here I am with my mom (awww!):

"..."

Well I walked in the commencement ceremony on Saturday, had an excellent party, got my band shut down by the cops, moved the party to a friend's house...

...and I am still a little bit too stunned to know what to say.

All I can really put together is: Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who has helped me get so far. Thank you to my family and friends for your kindness and generosity.

I have a lot to do...