Jan 19, 2017

I lay in bed for a while in the morning after waking up early enjoying the morning and watching some shows before finally accepting a job around 9am. I worked at Bacon School in a resource room, and it was an easy day. Dave came over, we picked up Tracy and Christie then met Chuck at Barnes & Noble to head to Barcade. We got some good beers before Tracy and Christie headed to the Fillmore for Anti-Flag.

Dave, Chuck, and I stuck around and played some games and had some more beers. We played Mortal Kombat and Double Dragon, and I played a little Ms. Pac-Man. I drank a couple more beers quickly before leaving and I was feeling good for the Reel Big Fish.

We got into the Fillmore just as the Fish were playing their first song and we headed up front. They played a few songs before getting into playing Turn the Radio Off in its entirety.

Dave and I had a good time dancing for most of the show. I went over and danced with Chuck a little bit on the fringe of the pit. It was an appropriately long set and it was a ton of fun. I really like that they put the full album in the middle of two other little sets.

Nov 10, 2013

It was another early wake up day. Not sure if that's holdover from DST or just me getting to sleep early. Probably both. I met Ryan in the morning for the gym a little earlier than planned because we both were up. We did weights and machines, but neither of us were feeling it too much so we left after we did 5 or 6 exercises. He wanted to stop to get some lunch at Subway so we stopped there and then headed over to the course.

I played a good game except for a few holes. As is the norm. I had 4 birdies I believe, including hole 18 from a pretty far distance putting. I was happy with that. The weather was perfect so it was really nice being outside. Sadly I didn't take advantage of that after I went home and had food and relaxed until it was time to head to Sayreville.

Jeff, Kate, and I sat in the car for a while drinking Fort Collins beers and Dogfish Head Black & Blue while we waited to go inside. We went in and met up with Franklin and Kody until Goldfinger came on. Halfway through the first song, Jeff told me Mike Herrera from MxPx was playing bass! Pretty sweet surprise. 

Their set was awesome and I went up on stage for Mable. It was a really good time and the crowd was great too.

The Reel Big Fish were up next, and they were no worse for having recently lost yet another member in Dan Regan. Their set was great also. We had fun dancing the whole time and taking short breaks during new songs. The drive home seemed long as it always does from Starland. I was tired by the time we got close to home but luckily Jeff woke up from his nap to talk to me. I had no trouble getting to sleep when I fell into bed. 

May 5, 2012

Ryan and I made our way up to the rock climbing gym in the early afternoon and did belay climbing for an hour or so. I like it more than the bouldering walls since I feel more comfortable and there's more to climb.

He dropped me off at Iron Hill Brewery around the corner where I met Sam, Jeff, and Jordan for the Cinco de Mayo Home Brewer's festival. It was ten bucks to buy a glass and then get it filled with as much home brewed beer as you wanted. I started with an Orange IPA and a Plum IPA, both pretty good. Soon after Kate, Chuck, and Erika showed up to join in.

I found Seth and he gave us a taste of his English Breakfast stout that is in the running for Iron Hill's contest and I think it should win. Mostly so I can drink more of it, but it was absolutely the best beer I tried there. Runners up were the Habanero IPA and a Triple Chocolate Stout. I love craft beers for the unique tastes. We had fun hanging out there a few hours and talking until they were starting to shut down.

We hung out at Jeff's for a short time and got some food before crossing the bridge to go to XFinity Live at the sports complex to see the Reel Big Fish for free! We weren't there long before they came on stage. It took the crowd a few songs to warm up to them, but it was a classic, if not slightly shorter, RBF set and we were dancing in the pit in no time.

The show got over early, but we came home after anyway and I spent the rest of the night inside. A slightly disappointing ending to an otherwise really fun day.

Nov 25, 2011

Ryan and I met at South Vineland Park to do our workout outside in the nice weather. We replaced a few things and added a hill run to the mix. After four sets of exercises with a hill run each time I was exhausted. We kept adding it still. We did a run around the lake after we finished.

Kate, Chuck, and I went to Dave's and then headed to Atlantic City. They stayed at the car and we went to Firewater's to get some drinks before the show. We had quite a few but we took the Jitney so we had a way back.

We got into the House of Blue in time to see the Reel Big Fish starting their set. They were entertaining as always played what we've come to expect.

I had to keep dragging Kate into the crowd to dance then we went over by the bar and I danced some more over there. We all had a lot of fun. The Fish never let us down.

The ride home seemed very long but we made it. I was ready for a shower and sleeping.

Jul 30, 2011

I got dropped off at Randy's Bike Shop in the morning and grabbed myself a brand new road bike! This is her. I love it.

About a dozen or so people met up in front of the shop and we got ready to go out for a group ride. We stopped across the street at the fountain for a group shot (which hasn't been posted yet or that would be here.)

Junior led us on a leisurely ride through Bridgeton. It was slow because we had all kinds of people with us so not everyone was trying to ride quickly. I wanted to see what my bike could do but had to wait it out.

We stayed on the road and went to Mary Elmer Lake to take a break. It was a perfect day to ride since it wasn't so hot and humid.

We sat down at the picnic area and ate our lunches that we brought. Peanut butter & jelly, mmm. I talked one of the guys that came with us about getting together for a ride sometime in the future. Junior took a couple of us on a ride through the dirt trails and I soon learned the limitations of a road bike. I didn't get stuck for too long.

After the fun ride I dropped by my mom's house to show her my bike and talk for a bit. I spent some time out back shooting this dragonfly. I rode home, finally able to get some speed. It felt nice to pedal hard and feel the difference between that bike and my old one. I'll be cutting some time off of my previous rides.

Dave picked me up and then we got Chuck and traveled the PA turnpike to Allentown, grabbed some slices of pizza, assumed our usual parking spot at the bottom of the hill, turned on the music and cracked open some beers.

We hung out down there for a while as we waited to go into the Croc Rock for the show. We had several beers and drank a bottle of Dave's wine between the three of us. It was the first time I'd had his red wine and it was really good.

We entered the bar and hung out having a beer until Streetlight Manifesto came on. It was insanely hot inside the venue so we were happy to find they opened the side walls and the outside lot so we could go cool off while still enjoying the music. I found Tracy and Mandie out there so we hung out and danced where it was much more comfortable. Streetlight was good; I should really listen to them some more.

We went and got another beer and another slice of pizza between bands and then hauled back up front when the Reel Big Fish took the stage. I don't know how to describe their shows anymore. They were great.

We had a lot of fun in the pit even though it was almost impossible to dance with the crowd packed from wall to wall. It was so amazingly hot in there I almost had to take a knee between songs to catch my breath.

They played a few songs that they almost never play. It was kinda cool to see a change up in the set (though they refuse to stop playing the many versions of "S.R.") The last few songs were a lot of fun and I got to dance with Tracy and Mandie, before she leaves the mainland for Hawai'i to live! Hope we gave her a good sendoff!

Completely drenched in sweat and exhausted, we left the show, drinking as much water as we could get our hands on. Dave got us home in record time and with almost no point where I was worried. It was another wonderful experience with the Fish. I've never not had a good time.

Nov 20, 2010

After I got a few things done at home in the morning, Chuck and I headed to the Ritz East in Philly to see 127 Hours. Though we had been warned of its graphic nature, the movie turned out to be an amazingly emotional and inspirational story that made me want to go out and do a lot more while I can. And it made me want to see it again right away.

We went to The Abbaye for food and beer after the film. We split some vegan wings and each got a seitan cheesesteak. I could barely eat mine because I can't eat much at all since I got sick. It was delicious once I did eat it though. We tried a handful of different beers as well. Chuck had some really good dark beers. The ones I had were pretty good but not on part with what I usually try there. Either that or my taste buds are being weird because nothing has tasted normal lately.

Jeff and Dave met us at Mako's on South Street before the show to have a few more beers. That's our beeramid on the table.

Chuck and I weren't thrilled with the drop in beer quality but still preferred Pabst to Miller High Life. There were some members of the opening band at the bar playing Reel Big Fish music.

Jeff started us on the trend of playing music on the jukebox since there was nothing playing and we got to listen to whatever we played right away. I much prefer getting to choose the music in the bar.

We played the whole Taking Back Sunday album "Tell All Your Friends" over the course of the night as well as some Gratitude, Yellowcard, Bad Religion and plenty more. We stayed at the bar for a while since the show started pretty late.

We went across the street to the TLA where we met Ryan and Erika and made our way to the middle of the room as the Fish took the stage. They opened with "Sell Out" again and then into the usual shenanigans.

The crowd was a lot of fun and everyone was dancing, even Chuck, Ryan and Erika! We had a lot of fun even though the set seemed fast. It always does when you're having a good time.

For once I didn't have much trouble falling asleep when I got home. It was a long day.

Jul 16, 2010

I met Tracy and Tina at their house and headed to Camden, drinking water on the way in an attempt to be hydrated for the day. Seriously? 25 dollars for parking? I know it's supply and demand but come on, it's a little ridiculous.

We went into Warped Tour, my first in three years, and found the giant inflatable schedule to plan out our day.

The Reel Big Fish were coming on just a few minutes after we got there so we went up to the main stage to see them. They had a really good crowd too.

It seemed like they played a lot of songs. They were a great way to kick off the day!

We walked around to find out where everything was and came upon this band, Left Alone, on a side stage. They were a good punk bank that sounded a lot like Rancid. It turns out that these neo-punk rockers have nothing to rebel against except other bands. They did nothing but talk shit on emo bands the whole time for their hair and whining. I feel like it's pretty juvenile and stupid, just play music and if you don't like other bands, don't listen to them.

We took a little break from the sun inside while there were no bands we wanted to see. We were approached by a guy with a petition to stop cruelty to elephants and another guy who was giving away books for money...

Four Year Strong was up next on the other main stage. They opened strong with some good new songs and then an old one or two. They had technical problems with one of their amps or guitars which caused them to spend a majority of their set talking to the crowd and playing bits of cover songs. Once they fixed the problem they only had time for one more so they finished with "Heroes Get Remembered.."

The band we were all most excited to see was on the main stage next. Motion City Soundtrack killed it as always. They're always a lot of fun.

They played almost all of my favorite songs in a row. I love pretty much all of their music so it's hard for them to disappoint me with a song but the set was great and they seemed like they had a great time.

I headed over to the side stage to see AM Taxi, whose CD I just got recently. They sound good live but they don't have a lot of stage presence. I guess they're a fairly new band so they didn't have a big crowd either. I think they might get more popular.

I headed back to the main stage to see most of the Bouncing Souls' set. They are a great old punk band. They play for their fans and they still seem to be having a blast doing what they do. No complaining about other bands or anything, they're just there for the music.

I went back across the lot to see Hey Monday. I only caught their last three songs: a new one that's really catchy and I think will be great on the new CD, a cover of "My Head" which they did really well and "Homecoming." This was my first time seeing them but I'd like to see them play a proper show one day.

Inside, Ace Enders slowed things down quite a bit for us with I Can Make a Mess Like Nobody's Business. Whatever he does in music, it's always sincere and really good. He ended the set with The Early November's "Baby Blue." Great set.

It was break time after that so we got food.. well, pretzels. It was a delicious pretzel. Overpriced of course but it was nice to eat something. It was also nice to sit down for a little while in the shade.

Set Your Goals played as the sun was getting lower and hiding behind clouds so they breeze off the river felt nice and cool. I still don't know a lot of their songs but they are entertaining.

I made the mistake of going to see The All-American Rejects, whose songs I love but whose live performance leaves much to be desired. It was basically Tyson Ritter theater. He was being very strange and seemed annoyed at the crowd when they didn't know songs off of the band's first album. He pretended to go to sleep on stage because the crowd was so boring and then taunted them when they got excited about them playing "Move Along." He just danced around and refused to sing a full verse. That was when I left.

I went inside to see Sum 41, who were arguably the best band of the day. They put on a great show and really get into it. They played a ton of great songs and the crowd loved it. I was hotter in the mass of people during their set than I was at any point during the day under the sun. I hope they play some club shows soon.

The Rocket Summer came on the stage right next to them so I stayed to watch a song and a half but sadly, Alkaline Trio was playing at the same time.

Alkaline Trio played a great mix of old and new songs, pulling out a few that I didn't expect and hadn't heard in quite a while. As headliners they're supposed to play longer than the rest of the bands but it seemed like their set got cut short.

We got a chance to get into the crowd one last time as they played some of our favorite songs but the ending was anti-climactic as they just left the stage awkwardly and never returned.

We went to Olive Garden on the way home for some real food. I ate so much. I was really hungry after not eating much all day so I suppose it makes sense. I ate a bunch of breadsticks with my soup and finished my raviolis, which I usually can't do.

When we got back to Tracy's we attempted to figure out some plans for later in summer before I headed to home to get a refreshing shower and lay down.