Exception To My Rule

I usually don't like artists covering other band's music, but I'll definitely make an exception here...

Iron and Wine's cover of Love Vigilantes by: New Order

Buy me these and...

(via oliviaallin)

(via jawsandstarwarsagree)

we can live here, happily ever after...

(via oliviaallin)

There Is Always Hope...

So Friday night, I met up with a few friends at Dexter's, in Thornton Park, for a couple of drinks. I usually don't make my way around that area, but decided to, on account of bidding farewell to our friend Joe, who's moving to Tampa. It's kind of ironic that a few weeks back, we were welcoming Carlo back to town, and now this week another friend is moving out. Guess it's like that saying: "For every person who dies, another is born." Oh Life! You and your silly games. Anyway, we started with a few drinks at Dexter's and soon migrated over to Burton's, to switch it up, since we hardly drink in that area. Around midnight, everyone started to bail and head home. WTF?! We only started drinking around 9:30pm and I wouldn't even consider it heavy, "Let's get wasted", drinking at all. What a tease? It's like only sticking in the tip! I know we're all older now and don't drink as much as we used to, but give me a fucking break. We were mostly drinking beers for Christ sake and only had a round of shots. Come on! It's not like we were all recovering from a rough night of drinking, the night before. I tried my feeble attempt to coax a few friends to stick around, but to no avail. It's bad enough we only go out drinking once a week, but to call it a short night, really blows. I didn't plan to get completely wasted, but to at least stay out a little longer, since I hardly go out anymore. Sometimes I think, I need to make new friends.

In my mind, there was no way I was calling it a night, especially that early. Seeing that both establishments were pretty dead and filled with douche bags, I decided to make my way downtown. Just me, myself and I. I hoped to run into someone I knew, so that I wouldn't look like a complete alcoholic, drinking by myself at the bar. My first stop, Matador. I had a beer and caught up with my friend Christina, who bar tends there. I really like the place. Everyone who works there is madd cool and super friendly. Plus the place doesn't get really crowded, like most bar in the area. Also, my friend Eric offered to give me one of his old decks to mess around with, so I didn't have to buy a complete, new set. Cool! Luckily, making my way upstairs, I ran into my friend Leo. We talked for a bit. My plan was to finish off my night at BBQ Bar and hopefully meet up with Celina. I haven't really seen her since Nicole came down to visit, which was in March. Considering it was almost 1am, I downed my beer and said my good-byes.

Like any typical weekend, downtown was riddled with the same crowds of people, drinking their cares away into complete oblivion. So why not join them, right? I made my way down the crowded streets of Orange Ave. and finally made it to my final destination. Final destination? I don't like the sound of that. It sounds like a resting place to die and stay for eternity, which wouldn't be too bad of a place to spend it, minus the cigarette smoke. Anyway, I cut the stupid line to get into BBQ, and was greeted warmly by Elvis aka Jeb, the bouncer. There's just something about the place that makes me feel accepted and right at home. Maybe it's the tattooed patrons, indie/hip-hop music, or just the foul stench of cigarette smoke, that make feel comfortable when I'm there. Even though it's become over populated with bros on the weekends, I still consider it Orlando's only, dive bar. Don't get me wrong, I've done my share of partying it up at nice clubs. As I got older, I was tired of wearing dress shirts and nice shoes, just to go out drinking at some mediocre night club. I was more comfortable wearing a t-shirt and kicks at a local bar. Anyway, everything worked out, since I ran into Celina and Justin. She introduced me to her friend Beth, who just got a super rad hair cut. It looked really cute on her. We drank till the lights came on and they had to kick us out. I love shutting places down. Stupid Orlando and it's 2pm drinking law!

If there's any moral to this stupid story, it's to never give up. I could've easily gone home after Burton's, since I had no one to drink with, but I was determined to enjoy the rest of the night and made the best of it. True, my so-called determination was fueled by alcohol, but generally speaking, I refused to give in. As I've gotten older, I've learned to not stress myself out, with situations I can't control. In my mind, everything happens for a reason. I just try to make the best of the cards, that I've been dealt. You can either fold or continue to play. In the end, it all worked out. Even though I spent the majority of my Saturday recovering, it was well worth it. I like to tell people: "When all seems lost, there is always hope."

On a side note, I got high last night and decided to watch "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". Definitely a good call. I've been meaning to see it, since it was written by one of my favorite authors, F. Scott Fitzgerald. Overall, it was a great adaptation of the short story.


Well hopefully, everyone had a lovely weekend. If not, maybe this will cheer you bastards up. Look, it's a Red Panda! I want one so bad.





-Signing off from the trenches-

Prepare To Engage, In 5,4,3,2...

(photo via rachelunleashed)

So, um... Hi. Great party, huh? I see you know Dan. That's funny because I know Dan. That's so crazy! What are the odds, right? Uh, no, I wasn't staring at your chest. I was just admiring your tattoo. I have a couple myself, you know. So, you live around here? I stay right down the street. Maybe you can come over and we can swap tattoo stories. I even have an extra sleeping bag. We can have sleep over and I'll make you blueberry Eggo waffles for breakfast. You like pizza bagels? Man, I love those things. No, I don't know why I'm sweating so much. Uh, yeah, maybe you can settle an argument between my friend over there, yeah the guy who's eating all the cheese puffs, and myself. He doesn't think your carpet matches the drapes, if you know what I mean. Where as I think they do. Wait, where are you going?! We haven't exchanged numbers yet. What do you mean you don't believe in phones?! Um, let me guess. You don't want everyone up in your business. I'm the same way, babe. I get it. It's your nonchalant way of telling me, I'm getting laid tonight. That's cool. Don't worry, I'll play along. Give me a minute before you come over, I gotta grab the sleeping bag out of my tree fort, or as I like to call it, After Party Central.

Few Seconds Of Fame

Big thanks to Knight for posting my tattoo on his tumblr, Fuck Yeah, Tattoos! and for those who reblogged his post.

Loose Lips, Sink Ships

I was digging through an old shoe box of photographs the other day, when I came across this picture of you. It brought to mind the first day we met, like it was only yesterday. I even remember that vintage, pink dress you wore that summer afternoon. You looked so innocent, as if you didn't have a care in the world. As I recall, we met in the fiction section of a Barnes & Nobles, while looking for the same book. Seeing as it was the last copy of The Catcher in the Rye on the shelf, I kindly insisted you have it. In return, you gave me a smile that will forever be embedded in my mind. As you walked off, I couldn't help but feel like I was letting something wonderful get away. But I shook it off and proceeded to ask the clerk if there were anymore copies in stock; when you came back and generously offered to let me borrow it once you were finished. I guess you must have felt the same way too and that's what brought you back. We exchanged numbers and everything took off from there. The more we got to know each other, the more we fell deeply in love. Everything was moving so quickly. One week, we're just dating; and then the following week, you're moving into my apartment. Our friends thought we were crazy and making a big mistake, but we didn't give damn. We were young and madly in love.

I'll never forget that day I came home from work, to find you waiting by the front door with your hands behind your back. At that moment, you reminded me of a little girl who was dreading being scolded by her parents. You looked so adorable. We've been together about a year at this point. You said that you had a surprise for me and not to look. As I closed my eyes, you had me hold out my hands. You placed your soft, fragile palms on top of mine and said: "Now, look down." I anxiously opened them to find you had those words tattooed on the outside of your hands. I was taken back at first, since you chose one of my favorite sayings to have tattooed in such a visible spot on your body. But I could tell from the look in your eyes, to that beautiful smile on your face, it was your way of telling the world you loved me. I don't think I've ever experienced unconditional love, until that very moment. Some days when I get into my car, right before I put the key in the ignition, I sit back, close my eyes and think of how your face lit up with sheer joy that evening. My only regret is that I never got to tell you how much that romantic gesture meant to me. Sometimes, I can't believe it's already been five years since you passed away that very, same night...

Reliving My Childhood

I wouldn't mind geeking out on these bad boys. I still love the book to this very day. It definitely had my imagination going as a kid and I'm counting down the days till October. The movie trailer is a must see. Read more about the 6 character kubrick set, here and here.

Saturday Boozin'

So this past Saturday, my friends Aneel & Sue hosted a welcome back BBQ, for our friend Carlo, who recently moved back from Las Vegas. This is him towards the end of the night. Awesome!

They couldn't have picked a better weekend to BBQ and booze it up, since the Hatton vs. Pacquiao fight was also showing that night. Perfect! Nothing like the combination of the three, to kickoff the weekend. I finally got to try the much anticipated bison burger, that I've been hearing so much about. Yes, I said bison. It's not a typo. Jelly? To say the least, it wasn't bad. It's more of an acquired taste, since the meat is uber lean. I recommend you try it, if you're a fellow carnivore. With all the food and booze being served, I made sure to pace myself so I could last throughout the night. Overall, good times were had. Wish I had more friends that barbecued. Did I mention Pacquiao kicked ass? No? Well he did. I was so stoked he came out swinging like a beast. He definitely represented for the all Flips (Filipinos).

Lately, whenever I want a good laugh, I find myself reading "Missed Connections" posts, on Craigslist. Now that's some funny shit. People can be so pathetic sometimes. If you don't believe me, I suggest you read some. What I find so hilarious is that most of the posts on there, are ridiculously vague about the encounter, IE. "we passed a few times in the food isle wish could have talked at walmart around 6.00 pm saturday may 02. you had a blue top" WTF?! Are you serious? You hope to track down this person with that kind of description? Did they also have hair and eyes?! I hope these morons never witness a murder. Come on people! How about more intimate details of this so-called meeting, since you're going to far lengths as to posting it on Craiglist? I know it may sound "stalkerish", but if you're willing to post it on the interweb for others to see, you might as well go full-on stalker with it. I do wonder if any serious relationships have ever come out of it? Now that'll be a hoot!

On a side note, I've also decided to start skating again. My friend Eric has been trying to persuade me for sometime now. I haven't shredded since I was in elementary. This should interesting. Now I just need to cop a board to mess around with...


I hope everyone had a good weekend. If not, hopefully this will help. Look! It's baby pygmy goats!


-Signing off from the trenches-

Oh By The Way...

(photo via la-passante)

I'm such a sucker for tattooed chicks. I wish I could come home from a long, grueling day at the office, to have her lying on my bed. I can see it now. She'd be waiting patiently until I walk through the bedroom door to pounce on me, like lions pick off weak antelope. I'll be in complete shock to even wonder how the hell she got into the house, let alone in my room. She'll rip off my clothes as if they were on fire and then throw me on to the bed. No words would be spoken, just passionate love making for hours on end. We'd take little, 10 minute breaks to smoke weed and try to muster enough energy to go at it again. After sex, she'll lay her head on my chest. We'll cuddle till the sun comes up without saying a single word. Then when I think I've finally found my soul mate, that I'm the luckiest guy in the world, she'll utter those words that would destroy any hope of us being together: "Oh by the way, you're all out of pot. I smoked most of your stash waiting for you all day." Chicks.