Mix and Match

So there are a few things going on that I should probably give specific attention to in three separate posts, but eff it - I'm lazy.

With that said, I present to you The (current) Life and Times of Mr O - A Three Part Saga

Act I - The Golden State:

I got back from California on Sunday after having an incredible week. Inevitably, there was some drama but it sort of came from an unlikely source in my brothers. Ironically, a few summers ago my brother Nick and I formed a bond and became super close. This time, it was my cousin Katie and I. She was the one who I had flown out to watch graduate and she was the one I spent the majority of my time with. While we probably set a record for laughs and hugs, it was her flat out asking me "why don't you just move out here" that got to me. For the first time in my life I didn't have a straight answer. I'm out of school, so what's holding me back? Right now it's the fact that I am at a good job gaining valuable experience. But best believe if I were to get laid off, I am picking up the phone and calling my Cali family immediately.

Here are some highlights from the trip:

*Becoming known as a car killer (my cousin got in an accident on the first day and after borrowing my Uncle's car it wouldn't start the next day)

*Spending an entire day at Six Flags Magic Mountain. I'm not usually a rollercoaster guy, but I had a lot of fun. Best ride? Riddler's Revenge.

*Walking along Ocean Avenue with the lovely Jeanette as my LA tour guide

*Having a section of family and friends take up three rows at my cousin's graduation. And being one of the loudest groups there.

*Seeing Pirates 4. And liking it.

*The competitiveness of Wii Bowling

*Eating some wonderful BBQ

*Hanging out with two sets of families and killing time by chatting, playing games and taking tons of pictures

Let's just say I was really really (really) sad when I touched down in Atlanta on Sunday. And if I was a betting man, I would put everything I had on me returning to California. Maybe sooner rather than later.

Act II - Summer Lovin, Happened So Fast

I think one of the most depressing things about graduating college and entering the "real world" is that you no longer have a summer. You know, the months when things slow down and you can kind of take things casually. Now that I'm at a big boy job, June through August is going to be feel exactly like February through April, only much much hotter. With that in mind, I still have some goals for the summer months, including

*Finally f**king learning the piano. I have felt inspired to make music lately and I want to see that through. Maybe, just maybe, 2011 will be the year that happens.

*Getting lost in TV and videogames. I know this may sound like a "dumb" goal to have, but I miss the simplicity of enjoying a game or being addicted to a TV show. The last one I watched was Friday Night Lights and that was so good I couldn't even think of watching something else for a while. But now I'm ready to get back in and I have some contenders including Smallville, Veronica Mars, Californication and Weeds. Most likely though, I'm going to start off with 24. As for video games, my cousin Brian let me borrow LA Noire. I've only played a few hours but I already love that game.

*I don't have a weight loss goal as in pounds shed, but I want to get into a "healthier" lifestyle. Even if it means just getting up and walking a little bit in the morning, it's at least a start.

*Also a BIG finally, is starting a music blog. I know that's what this has kind of evolved into, but I'm talking one that deals strictly in music. One that I can show on a future resume. And one that was inspired by a fellow blogger. This is the most important and expect to hear more about it soon.

Act III: Please, Don't Lose Your Faith In Me

Using music as the perfect segway, I am counting down the days until June 28. That's when the reunited original lineup of Taking Back Sunday finally puts out their new cd. It is two weeks away and if the four songs I've already heard are any indication, I am going to be far from disappointed.

There's only a handful of bands I get giddy over, but TBS is one of them. The last time I counted the days for a cd was Coldplay's "Viva la Vida" in 2008 (another "giddy" band). I did a countdown on myspace bulletins (remember those?) so I'm thinking I might do something for this release.

The latest track they released is "All This Now" and you can hear it below: