It’s been 11 months since I wrote a song. ELEVEN MONTHS. 

My parents made me take up the piano when I was five years old.  I wanted to try the violin, but since my other two brothers were going to play the piano, I had to as well.  I hated piano lessons.  I hated going, I hated learning, I hated practicing, I hated recitals, I hated it all.

My piano teacher, Miss Holmes (God rest her soul), was incredibly strict and would call me "Man Child" whenever I was unruly (which was quite often).  She'd stomp her feet and ask me how the heck I put my pants on in the morning because I have no brain.  I remember how I once feigned sleep so that I could skip my lesson.  Yes, I actually pretended to be in such a deep sleep that NOBODY could wake me up.  My brother stood over me and yelled "HEEEEEY!!!!!" until his throat was sore... but I didn't move a muscle.  Miss Holmes knew I was faking though, and was extra hard on me in my next lesson.  

That was the lesson where I learned that I can't POSSIBLY have a brain because if I did, I would be able to play the piece that placed in front of me.  I seriously thought she hated me, but in time I realized that she loved music so much that she swore she'd somehow punch it through the thick skull of mine.

I loved Miss Holmes to death and I miss her every single time I touch a keyboard.

Lately I've found myself tinkering on the piano more and more... there's a sense of peace that comes with those 88 keys... and lately, I've been needing that sense of peace just as much as I've been needing oxygen.

Miss Holmes taught me how to love music.  She taught me how to listen to music.  She also taught me how to share music... for without sharing it, it would die.

So I dug up an old manuscript of a piece I wrote back in college.  I was never great at transcribing my own pieces, so this one was fairly loose with a lot of "creative freedom" available to the performer.  Let me put it this way: aside from the basic melody, everything else is improvised.  The manuscript consisted of one page that notated the melody and chord changes, and a sentence that said, "Just go for it."

I don't see how I ever graduated from college.

You can find the recording of the piece, "Down the River," on my main page.  It's the first song that pops up on the music player.  I sincerely hope you enjoy it and find the sense of tranquility that I was shooting for.

I love the piano.

Hey all you good people!

Just wanted to let you know that TheFrontloader. com is running a contest from today until Friday.

The prize? A free copy of Depeche Mode's new album, "Sounds of the Universe!"

Yes, their new album drops today, and you can win it just by visiting the site and leaving a comment with your favorite Depeche Mode song/moment. That's it!

Click here to read all about it.

Thanks for reading and be good!



Get Loaded!

I know it's been over four months since I've written here, and for that apologize. I've been busy with school and TheFrontloader. com... the site is growing nicely and is shaping up to be exactly what I wanted to do here but couldn't. I still have yet to implement Frank "The Tank" Hippo, though... all in due time.

Anyhow, one of my professors brought up an interesting query. He asked us if we'd date someone that had horrible spelling skills if English were their first and strongest language? Would we date someone that couldn't use their, they're, or there correctly? Would we date someone that couldn't use your or you're correctly?

He went around asking all of us individually. Wouldn't you know it, everyone said they would... even me.

But then he showed us an online personal ad that looked like this... be sure to focus on the "Personality" section.







YIKES.

After seeing this ad, I had to confess I changed my answer. I may seem very stuck-up right now, but I honestly can't see myself dating someone who can't even spell "really." True, some may argue that perhaps the person wrote this in a rush... but I would counter that with the fact that this is the FIRST impression he gives to someone. He's gotta put his best foot forward, and this is his "best."

So to say he probably rushed this wouldn't be logical. It would make MORE sense that he carefully constructed this ad to reflect his intelligence, personality, and attention to detail. Wouldn't you do the same?

If this is his BEST... YIKES.

Which begs me to ask you the same question my professor asked us: would you date this person?

I really hope I didn't come across as stuck-up here... but I think it's a valid question that I'm sure we've all asked ourselves before. What are our intellectual standards in the person we date?

Thank you always for keeping in touch with me. It truly means a lot! And please visit TheFrontloader. com for updates on Ol' Swap. You can even follow me now on Twitter and find out what I'm doing on a regular basis. I just cut up a cat today in class... exciting, huh?

Be good.

Get Loaded!

Man, there are some things in life that I will never understand.

So I'm in the bathroom, brushing my teeth like a good boy. Keep in mind that have braces, and just a couple of weeks ago I had a surgery to A) extract a baby tooth and B) attach a chain to an impacted tooth to pull it over to where the baby tooth USED TO BE. Yeah, it looks awesome.

I brush as thoroughly as humanly possible. You know how they say you should recite the Alphabet while brushing? Well, I recite the whole bloody DICTIONARY. I brush, brush, brush... I make sure I get way in the back, way on top of the gums, and all those nooks and crannies. I then use this little tree-like brush to get in between the braces. THEN I floss... in between every single one of those bloomin' braces. The whole process takes me like fifteen minutes.

After I'm done, I rinse with some Listerine.

Here's the part I will never understand.

After rinsing, I spit. What comes out shocks me... a grain of rice. Yes, a whole F***IN' GRAIN OF RICE.

How is this possible???? Where did it COME from?

I look at it in disbelief. I actually stare at it for a good thirty second, wondering if the "Crap Between Your Teeth Fairy" is somewhere around, laughing like a hyena.

HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN???????????

Has this ever happened to you?

Be good.

(Go Chargers)


Get Loaded!
Copy the code below to add this image to your profile

<center><a href="http://www.thefrontloader.com"><img src="http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h201/tommyl888/banner1.jpg"border="0"></a></center>

Thanks to all that commented on my last blog regarding how you would rate your 2008! It was a very interesting read, and I have to say that the end result was just as my professor predicted.

You see, I got the idea during class when the professor asked us all to rate our 2008. She explained to us that, for the most part, the average of all the numbers would end up somewhere between 4 and 5. We didn't believe her until we all submitted our numbers... she counted them, averaged it all out, and amazingly enough, the number was 3.9.

I thought this was such an interesting idea that I had to see if she was right... and she was! The average number from you all came out to be 4.98!!!!! WOW.

Now, I know that it's just a small cross-section, but it gives you an idea of how we're doing in our little piece of the world.

Professors DO know what they're talking about!!!!! I'd better take better notes.

Be good

Get Loaded!
Copy the code below to add this image to your profile

<center><a href="http://www.thefrontloader.com"><img src="http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h201/tommyl888/banner1.jpg"border="0"></a></center>

It's a little past the two week mark into 2009... how are you all doing? I know that I haven't been around much here on MySpace, and for that I apologize. Classes have resumed, and this semester's gonna be juuuuuuuuuuuust a bit trickier than last. By the way, I got straight "A's" last semester!!!!



WOO HOO!!!!!!!

Yeah, I know that The Chargers didn’t make it to the next round… but I’m still gonna say that they’re gonna win the Super Bowl! I don’t understand HOW they didn’t beat The Steelers, though… I sent good vibes, and even refrained from watching the game because everytime I watch a game, they lose. Do you SEE the sacrifice I made?So yes, getting straight “A’s” was a wonderful feeling. I need to hunker down this semester and make sure I keep it up.

Getting back to what I was saying at the beginning of this blog… it’s past the two week mark in 2009… is your year going as planned so far? When does it actually FEEL like 2009 to you? I mean, to me it still feels like 2008. I usually feel like the New Year has come when it hits February or even March. Weird, I know, but that’s usually how long it takes me to get used to writing “2009” on my checks.

A lot of my friends have expressed to me that "2009 had better be better than 2008!!!" I agree with this, but it makes me wonder if I actually say that EVERY year, or if 2008 actually DID suck the big egg. On a scale from 1-10 (10 being the best), how would you rate YOUR 2008?

To be honest, I'd rate my 2008 as a 3.

Pretty sad, I know, but let's face it, 2008 didn't exactly do it for me. I had to do a few things that I didn't exactly want to do... most of them involved a three-legged woman named "Larry," which gives you an idea of just how bad things were. Yep... it was definitely one for the books, but it's not a volume that I'd want to read again, nor would I recommend it to anyone, EVER.

Without going into detail, I'd really like to know how you'd rate your 2008.

Now, I'm not trying to write a "Misery Loves Company" type of blog here, I'm just trying to get a general feel of how everyone did last year. My dad usually tells me that as long as we're honest with ourselves, we can improve... so if you had a crappy 2008, don't be afraid to share it! If you had a GREAT 2008, please share it as well!!!!

I think it'd be really interesting to see what the average number is. Sure, this isn't a great sample of the entire population, but it'll give us an idea of what our piece of the world is like.

Incidentally, I am guessing that MySpace does NOT subscribe to the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" motto, because their new blog editor SUH-HUUUCKS, just like their new music player. I'm having a devil of a time writing and previewing this.

Be good.

Get Loaded!
Copy the code below to add this image to your profile

<center><a href="http://www.thefrontloader.com"><img src="http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h201/tommyl888/banner1.jpg"border="0"></a></center>

Happy New Year!!!! I know it's five days past, but Happy New Year!!!!!

Here's a question: how long is it ok to say "Happy New Year?" One month? Two? A couple of weeks?

I had a quiet New Year's eve... I didn't watch tv, didn't go out, nothing. I just stayed in, made some cornbread, and ate the whole pan. Ah, I did put honey on it... good times.

I'll tell you who DID have a great New Year's celebration: SHERMAN.

Yes, he went nuts and is just NOW recovering.

He's written a post about it at TheFrontloader.com... here's a little bit form that post:

This morning, Mr. Swapmeet Louie rudely woke me up with the words, "Hey, Sherman!!! Are you dead??????" He then poked me a few times with a ten-foot pole, all while commenting on how I apparently smell from sleeping in my own urine, feces, and vomit. I uttered a few grunts and groans, asked for a cup of green tea, and found the strength to clean myself up. This is the most coherent I have been this year.

So far, 2009 has been a blur to me.

Yes, I know it is now five days into the new year... yes, I know that the holidays are over, that it is time for everyone to get back into the swing of things, back to the grind, back to the rat race... I know all this, but you see... none of that applies to me because I am a little stuffed bear. Do you see any little stuffed bears along side of you on your morning commute? If you do, then I want to have what you are having for breakfast.

Right now, you are probably wondering, "What did you DO on New Year's Eve???" Well, after going through my digital camera, I found this photo.... CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING

There's a lot of new stuff posted, so please stop by and check it out!

Here's just a taste...

LATEST ARTICLE: Uncle Tupelo: March 16-20, 1992 (Spin of the Week)

FEATURED ARTIST: PT Walkley

SHERMAN'S BOX O' CHOCOLATES: I Have Finally Recovered

OTHER RECENT ARTICLES:
~Prince: When Doves Cry (Bit O' Covers)
~This Weekʼs Top 5 Most Played Songs From Swapʼs iTunes
~U2: Live at Point Depot New Yearʼs Eve 1989 - parts I and II (Bootlegs)
~Top 8 Resolutions for the New Year via the 80ʼs (Lists-A-Mundo)
~Elvis Presley Outtakes V (Rare Recordings)
~The Black Crowes: Horsehead (Acousticalifragilisticexpialidocious)



Get Loaded!

Why is this man celebrating?

Maybe because his team, the San Diego Chargers, just pulled off an impressive finish of the regular NFL season...


WOO HOOOOO!!!!!!!

Yes, the Chargers are the AFC West Champs!!!!!! Was there ever any doubt?

Um... yeah.

I'll admit that when the Chargers went into December with the dreary record of 4-8, I had all but written them off as playoff contenders. That's my fault for not believing, and I'll do my best to avoid that attitude from now on...

Now they're 8-8 and headed for the postseason. 8-8 is a pretty hum-drum record to have, but the point is that they're IN the postseason, and anything can happen.

Remember the last Super Bowl, where the NY Giants upset the then "perfect" New England Patriots? David vs. Goliath. Classic story.

So there's no telling what can happen now, because the slate is wiped clean and everyone's basically holding the same chances as the next. One game, winner takes all.

Wow. What a great, late Christmas present!!!!!

I hope you are all doing well! Did your team make the playoffs?

Be good.

P.S. - if you haven't visited TheFrontloader. com lately, now's the time! There are new music articles, and a Sherman story that celebrates the meaning of Christmas.

Get Loaded!