We're Back --- Directions

     After a long break you guys, I'm finally back. School has started and is in full swing but I haven't forgotten about you guys. Everyone knows what fall brings. A new school year, an end to the warm, sticky, sweet weather of summer and getting us prepared for the cold winter ahead. For some reason I find solace in the cooler temperatures and the ever changing leaves of the giants of our world, the trees. It always brings me hope and gets me to finally realize that my life has some kind of direction.
     

     The name of this soundtrack was inspired by that feel that I get every fall. Taking a direction and sticking with it. Although the summer brings flings and all sorts of things that make your life happy, fall leads us into the winter where like a liquid, our feelings become concentrated and focus on that one thing we strive for. Take it and squeeze it for all it's worth. Your dreams will become reality if you let them. Stop denying that feeling you want so bad and go out and get it. Life takes time and gives us a lot of room to fuck up. Let your life become your dreams. And without further adieu, Ladies and Gentleman, Directions.

     The Switchblade Soundtrack Vol. 6 - Directions

         

         01. - Hanging High - Lykke Li

         02. - New Slang - The Shins

         03. - Pressure - Company of Thieves

         04. - Borrowed Time - A Fine Frenzy

         05. - Peace of Mind - Selah Sue

         06. - Shiny on the Inside - Leona Naess

         07. - Walking on a Dream - Empire of the Sun

         08. - Changing - The Airborne Toxic Event

         09. - Canvas - Imogen Heap

         10. - The Freshman - Verve Pipe

         11. - Your Hand in Mine - Explosions in the Sky

         12. - Best Day Ever - Mac Miller

     I know that this volume is kind of an emotional roller coaster but that seems to be how the fall goes. You get built up and broken down over time until the warm sweet embrace of the spring time. I really hope you enjoy this one guys. To all of your directions never stop dreaming about finally reaching your destination. 

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Living, and Partly Living

     Today has been one of those days that I've been calling practice. It's been raining steady all day and it's good practice for when I move to the Great Pacific Northwest. I was browsing the internet this morning and stumbled across these wonderful inspiring images. You know I have to share these, guys. I'm one of the most encouraging people I know and am always telling people to chase their dreams. I think it comes from the philosophy that I want people to do the same thing for me. That whole "Be the change you wish to see in the world". I'm tired of hearing people say "that's a stupid idea" or "you'll never be able to do that". Go for it and fuck people that say shit like that. 

     The only thing that the world ever asks you to do is be you. There is only one you in the world so quit trying to copy someone else. If you want revolutionize the world of business, go for it and make sure you take steps everyday to get yourself to your final goal. If you want open your own surf shop, what are you waiting for, find retail space, advertise and do it! Even if you just want to collect Nikes, I'd suggest starting with a pair of air maxs because they never go out of style. Chase your dreams and never let anyone convince you you're making a mistake. Being happy is never a mistake.

2,087 Miles

     It's that time again ladies and gentlemen. Time for another installment of your favorite running, monthly mixtape, The Switchblade Soundtrack. August is a big month for everyone here on the East Coast. Vacations to the beach, last hoorah parties and packing your stuff for another school year. Last but not least dusting off the old fall jacket for when the weather gets a little chilly. I decided it was time to give my fans a taste of my own little world. The Switchblade Soundtrack Vol. 5 - 2,087 Miles is me stripped down to an extremely emotional level. Get to know these songs and you'll know exactly how I feel about my daily life.
      Since it is the most intimate installment of the Soundtrack, personally I feel as if it is the best one yet. Which brings me to the title. I had a tough time coming up with a name for this one and anyone who knows me, knows I come up with the best team names at Trivia Night. I decided to name it 2,087 Miles due to the fact that the city of Seattle is exactly 2,087 miles from where I am now. You may ask why I've been obsessed with Seattle in the past month and the answer is simple. I've never felt a more powerful emotional connection with a place like I did in Seattle. I may have been the legendary memories that I have from the trip but something about Seattle and the Pacific Northwest simply spoke to me. Calling me softly as I sat and stared through the Fir trees, telling me this is where you belong. I may have said it in sync with the spirits of the Northwest but it was an incredible experience.
       To save you guys from the spiritual mumbo jumbo, here it is. Like myself, I hope you all find that place in the world the simply speaks to you. Whether it's in your backyard or halfway across the world. Go out and find it. You'll never regret finding your one true home. You guys should know the drill by now.

The Switchblade Soundtrack Vol. 5 - 2,087 Miles

          01. The Town - Macklemore

          02. Circles - Incubus

          03. Barton Hollow - The Civil Wars

          04. Assassin - John Mayer

          05. Right There - Nicole Scherzinger

          06. In The Dark - Dev

          07. Fire in Your New Shoes - Kaskade feat. Dragonette

          08. Swagga - Excision and Datsik

          09. Hang With Me - Robyn

          10. Punching in a Dream - The Naked and Famous

          11. Sleepyhead - Passion Pit

          12. Time Flies - Lykke Li

          13. Go Do - Jonsi

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      There you have it kids. I'll see you next month with the September edition which should also be killer. Peace out, family.

Cathedrals in my Heart

     Since I haven't dropped a music post on you guys for a while, I thought I would come back to them in style. Not only have I been a Coldplay fan ever since Parachutes but I've liked every album more and more when they come out with a new one. Although technically it's not a new album, their newest release is probably one of the closest songs to my heart they have ever released. I've come back to songs and applied my own meaning on top of them from past albums but Every Teardrop is A Waterfall could not have come out at a more perfect time.

     I can remember hearing this song about a week before I left for my trip in Seattle. I was still in quite a good amount of pain from the huge ordeal that went down at the end of April but this song came to my rescue , literally. To this day I still hang on to every word that this song sung to me that first night I heard it. Lines like "You can hurt, hurt me bad, but still I'll raise the flag" and "Cathedrals in my heart". Words that simply spoke to me and told me all of the tears I shed in pain and suffering can now be tears of joy. Listening to it on the plane right before flying over the Emerald City was simply one of the most incredible things I've ever experienced.

     After landing and seeing scenery like this above, I literally could not shut up about how beautiful everything was. After the first cigarette since Philadelphia everything was perfect and I think that's literally why I fell in love with Seattle. I guess you could say it was love at first sight and I am now truly a believer in it. I don't think I'll ever forget that experience and the way I felt when I landed. I was exhausted walking through SeaTac airport and almost fell asleep sitting on my suitcase at the arrival pickup area but once I saw that car pull around the corner and we were off on the 405, I was instantly recharged with love and a sense of beauty. I leave you with a little advice that I saw on a church sign. Sometimes good things fall apart so that better things can fall together. 

A Few Simple Rules...

      One of the legendary nights out in Seattle ended up with a hangover the size of the entire state of Washington. The best time for philosophy is easily when you are half alive and attempting to make food while still intoxicated from the festivities. The best hangover activity is closing all the blinds, sitting in the dark and watching a movie. Shutting the world out and tuning into a wonderful film. Our choice, The Dark Knight. One of the Joker's more profound lines was talking about living by rules. It instantly sparked a conversation about the rules we live our lives by. I thought I would share with you kids my rules of life.
      To start, my first rule is never lower your standards. Settling for work that is simply not up to par will never get you anywhere in life. I like to put all my effort into the things I work on until I am satisfied with my work 100%. It took me a while to learn this simple rule and I learned the hard way. I've taken advice from some great people but this one comes from my old man. Simply, never lower your standards in any aspect of your life.

      My next rule isn't really a rule just a simple guideline for living. It's not about where you come from, it's about where you're going. Too many people look back into their past and simply shutter at the thought of things that happened in the past, happening again. Life begins a new each and everyday. No two days are ever the same. The past can only repeat itself if you want it to repeat itself. Thinking about how you don't want something to happen will only force you to think about what happened and, naturally, it is most likely to happen again. This rule also plays into the first rule about keeping your standards high. If you don't think about what happened in the past and only think about where your perfect future lies, simply make it happen. It's really not hard to dream, the hardest part is doing all the work to realize your dreams.

     My last rule is pretty cheesy but it's always done the job for me. Follow your heart without a doubt, your brain will do all the thinking once you get there. Life isn't calculated, it moves on the currents of wind called change. Change is a fickle beast but once you learn how to accept that winds come and go and learn to ride those winds, Life becomes a lot more simple. Your brain is wired to keep you safe and making safe decisions will never push your boundaries and let you grow. I can't tell you how many people I've met that fear change. I hate when things stay the same because new things don't come into my life and possibly light things up for a while. Confidence is key for this rule. You must be confident enough that you have the strength to pick yourself up if you happen to fall. Remember, things never change when you're staring at the ground.

     One of my favorite sayings has always been that "Nobody said that life is easy but they always promised that it would be interesting." It rings true no matter what stage I've been in. The last thing you should remember when making your own rules about life is always try to bring a positive light to the people you meet. The world already knows enough pain and suffering and you never know what kind of day someone is having. If you're the one person who throws them a casual smile or even a friendly hello, you might just save their life. Keep your standards high kids, no one ever lowers the bar. Jump for the moon.