Update from yesterday.

His goodness continues. I got a job. Its part time so im still looking for something that is more career-esque. In answer to your question, Gabe, i am looking for customer service stuff, or that kind of work. Thanks for your prayers and support.

God is good

I would just like to go on record and tell everyone why God is good.
So Monday march 3rd i was laid off. Its a good situation and i was even given two weeks to find other employment. Still a bummer, but i was determined not to let it get to me. Well from then to now i have been trying to find something to do just so i can pay my bills while i find the job that i really want to do. With my efforts coming up mostly fruitless, i was starting to get discouraged but i refused not to trust God.
Well today was hard to get out of bed. I mean i was just at the end but i got out of bed anyway and went to work for the 4th to last time. The fog was thick. Like couldn't-see-across-the-street kind of thick. I gloomily drove down the same road i have for the past two years but my mood was getting to me. I said a quick prayer as i have been doing these past two weeks and felt no better. Sitting down at my desk i turned on my computer and asked my co-workers how their evening was but i didn't listen. I didn't care. All i could think about was "what the hell am i going to do on Monday?" Well, i remembered that my sister said something about needing someone to file stuff in her office. I sent her a text and got some good news back. I still don't know if i have the job but it doesn't matter.
The point i would like to make is that even in my times of woe, God is there. He is in control. You feel Him in good times and need Him in bad times. Why? What if we felt Him in bad times too? What if we were just as excited about Him when we are jobless, homeless, going through divorce, watching someone die? I think all of these things and then the woman that i am about to spend the rest of my life with sends me this. (thanks baby)
"If I don't have something, it's because I don't need it, and it is an opportunity not only to lean on His wisdom, but to thank Him for what He has given me. I don't need to know WHY my life is the way it is, because I know WHO directs my every step."
Just my thoughts, i would love to hear yours.

Band Names

Some exciting things are happening in my musical realm. My band has been having killer practices full of jams and the hits just keep on rolling out of us. The other thing is that we are ready to go to the studio and start playing gigs. Here is the problem: we have not a name. If anyone has a suggestion they would like to throw our way (or a few), it would be greatly appreciated. Here is what we have thought of so far.
Mercury Morris.
I know he was a football player but his name would make a really good band name. We would not be naming our band after him, just using his nomenclature. Concerns include: none of us are really football fans and thus we are in no way paying homage to him, and i heard he is kind of a jerk. I don't know if i really want to be associated with him. But his name is so cool.
Reggae Pegasus.
Man, this one has been floating around for a while and i really like it. It even comes with a no-brainer mascot/logo. Also no one has come up with it thus far, at least not on myspace. Concerns include: we dont play reggae music nor are we enthusiasts of the ways of the Rastafarian. I would hate to be misleading in that regard and i don't want people to think that we are reggae. Sure rolls off the tongue though.
Thats all we got so far. Please, please, please let me know if you have anything.
Please.

More of the tippety top...

Oh... you thought i was done? No sir. Here is the stuff that i listened to in college that changed me a lot. It was the stuff that took me out of the safe place (4/4) and into the odd (7/8). If you will...

Preface: Jacob and Dan may or may not be real people.

College: These are albums that remind me of my time in college. Great times.
1. Muse, Absolution.
This album is like nothing i have ever heard before. I was in Jacob and Dan's dorm the first time i heard it. Jacob pointed out the alternating clap and snap... destroyed me.




2. The Secret Machines, Ten Silver Drops.
This was one of the first albums that really took me out of my comfort zone. It was like a gateway drug to other musics that i hold so dear today.






3. The Beatles, White Album.
for about a month and a half i exclusively listened to this album in my dorm while i played WOW. Jacob never knew...






4. Moe., Wormwood.
Jam, jam, jam. The best guitar tone/solos that i have every heard. Great jams, good sound. Tasty.





5. Queens Of The Stone Age, Era Vulgaris and Songs For The Deaf.
I found both of these at about the same time. Songs for the deaf featured Dave Ghrol on drums and was the first of theirs that was really popular. I didnt really listen to them until Era Vulgaris came out. I soon realized what i was missing which is why i put these together.

6. System Of A Down, Hypnotize and Mesmerize.
System is a band that is fast and precise but weird as all get out. If you can stomach the vulgarity and sift through the political mumbo jumbo, it is really good musically. They also came out within three months of each other and put together made a triangle with the cases. Kinda fun...

The tippety top.

So my buddy Steve asked the question, and i had to answer. Here are some of the most influential albums in my life

First and foremost i will address the raidohead issue even though i would not put it in my number one slot. Sorry boys and gal, but i must disagree. I think the bends had a lot more influence on me... sorry.




For me its near impossible to narrow it down to three to five and top albums are always swirling in and out for me. but i think i can narrow it down to a few... categories! I mean i have faves from all different walks of life. I guess the only preface that i can give to a post as loaded as this is that you really should support these artists and buy some of these albums. I would not lead you astray. Here they are in no particular order.

The early days: When i first discovered my own music.
1. Stone Temple Pilots, Core.
I still remember the first time i heard this album. Blew me away. Still does.







2. Barenaked Ladies, Gordon and
The Tragically Hip, Day For A Night.
I don't think you could be a Canadian adolescent in the mid 90's and not have these as favorites.




3. The Smashing Pumpkins, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.
If you have ever listened to this one from stem to stern, you know why its on my list.






4. Pearl Jam, Ten.
Steve knows...you should too







5. Rage Against The Machine, Rage Against The Machine.
Every now and then an album comes along that just makes you want to swear and break stuff. This album is no exception.





Classic Rock: That phase everyone goes through when the artist of your day make dumb music.
1. The Beatles, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
My Father had(s) this on vinyl and it was one of the only ones that we still have. I remember being like 6 and listening to this album, making it the first one i listened to all the way through by myself.




2. Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon.
I refused to take this out of the first slot in my cd booklet. To this day i don't think i have listened to one album more than this one, and it will be a while before i trump that record.



3. The Rolling Stones, Sticky Fingers.
Completely a guilty pleasure. And no, its not real.





4. Led Zeppelin, Presence.
I know its not I, II, III, or IV, but its my fave. Don't know why.








New School: Music is getting good again and i think we are only seeing the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
1. The Killers, Sam's Town.
If you know me at all, i have told you to listen to this album.







2. Sam Roberts Band, Chemical City.
I saw this band randomly as they opened for the aforementioned Tragically Hip. They remain the only band that i had to have their album after only having heard them live.




3. Death Cab For Cutie, Plans.
So good. Thanks mike.






4. Nada Surf, Lucky.
Brand new and i cant stop. I work with some guys that really opened up my musical mind. Thanks Guys.


So there they are.

...come on greg

Disclaimer: The beginning of this blog may come off as whiny but is simply an allusion. Thank you.

I have been really uninspired artistically. Musically i have been doing alright which i will explain, but in general arts i have been lacking something. For instance i think back to college when i used to come up with silly little anecdotes about how i met them. Some were funny and some were serious, but all were stretching my mind and making me think. I guess i just haven't been thinking recently. So i have decided to remain positive and just do some random writing. Here we go.

I miss the old house by the river. Times were tough, but we made the best of it. That old house was good to us. It was built long ago so it had some wear but it was nicer than most its age. It was one story with a porch all the way around. We would play on and under that big porch all day and sometimes into the night. That was our castle. Our fort. Our childhood.
In the summer the river slowly groaned by beckoning us to fish, swim, play or relax. The sun warmed our necks while we splashed around in the murky water, my brother, sister and me. Every afternoon Mom would call us in for lemonade and fresh apples.
About half way between the porch and river stood a large apple tree from which we hung a tire swing. I was never really a fan of that tire swing. It was too high for me and looked more fun than it was in actuality. The thing i loved about that tree were the apples. Hanging there calling out to my taste buds. Big golden delicious apples. They always take me back to that house on the river.

A little rusty but that was fun.

New music to check out.

I got a few albums that i think everyone should at least give a listen to. I have also taken the liberty of linking (thanks steve) all of their my spaces so that you can give them a listen. Have fun!
#1. Nada Surf, Lucky
This album is one of those that you should listen to start to finish. If you like Death Cab For Cutie, or The Shins, i strongly recommend this one. It has that classic indie feel. Sweet melodies complemented by harmonies give you that good feeling when you listen. Again as i said its one of those that is good from start to finish.
#2. The Killers, Sawdust
If you have listened to the killers at all and have liked what you heard, you have to pick this one up. Some of the tracks were bonus songs on their first two albums, so they aren't new news, but the rest are previously unreleased tracks. When you listen to this one it doesn't feel like an album, which is ok cause it isn't. If you ask me, its kind of more of the same, but if you are a huge fan like me, this is pretty good. (oh and if you arent a fan i strongly suggest you go and pick up sams town)
#3. Bruce Springsteen, Magic
Now i know what you are thinking... "isnt he a little old to still make music?" I understand this mindset cause if you have heard John Fogerty's new one, you know what im talking about. But this is not the case. It is just rock. No frills, no fluff, just good music. No more to say... its just good.

Alright thats good for now. Let me know if you find anything you like.

The Begining

Strike up the band, don't change that dial, and scuttle the crows nest! Greg is back in the world of the blog. I am going to tackle the issues that no one cares about and share my opinions on things that probably wont affect your life. "Well isn't that exciting" you say to yourself with a grimace. Yes..... yes it is. I would like to start by dedicating this blog to all of the people who read it. Without you I will more than likely quit writing. Now lets get this train wreck a rollin!

I work with a company that does most of its business on ebay and if you know anything about what is going on right now in that world, you would know that they are changing their feedback policy so that sellers can no longer leave feedback for buyers. More than likely this means nothing to you but just in case you are interested, here is a link to the thread that my company started. http://forums.ebay.com/thread.jspa?forumID=113&threadID=2000507599
I haven't quite decided weather or not to get involved in the debate, but the guys in my office are going nuts with it. I mean its not like its going to change the world, but it might change some things about internet commerce. Other companies are already starting to gain more in the seller department, including amazon and wagglepop. Czech them out if you get a chance or care.

So i think thats a pretty good start.