I was just about to write a post on the rash of celebrity deaths this year so far and how they affect us, but it was a giant bummer. I try to avoid giant bummers when I can. So instead, here is a list of a few famous people whom I don't know but that I'm glad are still alive as of this writing. (This is my list, by the way, you can make your own if you don't like these people.)
Well, that was interesting.
With the help of my niece and my sister, I had this great idea to go surprise my mom in Ohio for Mother's Day. I left this morning and I was trudging my way up Interstate 65 through the rain showers when traffic came to a standstill. I've come upon a few t-jams (I'm calling them t-jams now, I guess) in my day, so I was a little frustrated but not too concerned.
After several minutes without so much as a small lurch forward, I put Falkor in park, leaned back and closed my eyes. I figured the F-150 behind me would gently alert me if things started to move. About 20 more minutes later when I jolted awake, the sea of cars hadn't budged.
Two miles and three-and-a-half hours later, everyone was forced to exit in Cave City, Kentucky (Dinosaur World!). Apparently there had been a huge accident with some sort of chemical spill and the northbound lanes had been completely shut down. I took a much needed lunch/bathroom break at Wendy's (I know, I know, but I'm a sucker for fresh hot nuggs) before winding my way back through the detours to the highway.
About this time, I started doing some travel math and realized that my plan had been completely derailed. While it would still definitely be a surprise, I didn't think knocking on my mom's door and screaming "HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!" while she was sound asleep had the same appeal. So, I called Mom, wished her a happy day and headed back south to Nashville.
I passed the destruction of the accident featuring a tractor-trailer that had literally been torn in half, its contents still strewn across all lanes despite the dozens of emergency workers on the scene cleaning things up. My frustration, fatigue and self-pity were tempered by my sympathy for the people on the other side of the highway. The line of cars going the other way now stretched over five miles past the exit.
I also started to think about my mom and how much she's been through in her life. Some of it was my doing, but I'd like to think I'm responsible for more good than bad. She would never dole out a day like this and I don't believe much in signs or fate, but 1/3 of a day in the car in an attempt to make her happy doesn't seem so terrible for a Mom like her.
Happy Mother's Day, Mama!
After lots of editing program crashes and screaming at my computer, the official video for my song "Be Somebody Who Has Somebody" is now up!
My original intent was to get this song up for Valentine's Day but the technology of the world had other plans. I'm proud of it though and I'm glad it's done now. It's still close enough to be relevant, right? RIGHT?!
Have you ever had a project that didn't quite go your way and instead slowly drove you mad? Tell me about it in the comments. Seriously, I want to commiserate with you.
Don't forget to click over and pre-order the EP below!
Hello friends and neighbors!
Happy, the first EP of the Mental State Trilogy is almost here!
You can pre-order it now over at my Bandcamp page and get a download of the first track "This Time it's Different; This Time It's Better" immediately! The rest of the EP will be emailed to you on the release date or mailed to you if you order the CD!
I'm so excited I could just spit! But I won't. Because this is a happy time. Click it! ↓
Since my big 3-0 is coming up and I'm narcissistic enough to write articles entirely about myself—here is a list of 30 fun facts about DJ:
FACT: Along with my older sister, I once microwaved the corpse of a dead toad until it exploded. Our plan was a miracle resurrection. The two of us were made to re-clean the microwave multiple times under parental supervision. The family never used it again.
Follow-up Fact: My Grandpa still thinks this is the funniest thing that has ever happened.
FACT: My favorite colors are black and white. Each time someone points out to me that "black is actually all colors" and "white is the absence of color," I thank them for their contribution to science. I then show them all of the black and white items in my possession before I kick them in the shin.
Follow-up fun fact: In kindergarten, a girl once told me that I didn't know how to color because I used the black crayon too much. I haven't touched a crayon since. (This fun fact is not entirely true.)
Follow-up fun fact #2: I grew up pronouncing "crayon" as "crown". Anybody with me on this? No? Alright.
Follow-up fun fact #3: I also didn't know there was a difference in the pronunciation of "pin" and "pen" until I was 19. I still feel shame about this.
FACT: My eldest sister took me to see a Led Zeppelin laser light show when I was 14. I had never heard Zeppelin before that day and I had only played a few grunge licks on guitar. It changed my life forever.
Follow-up fun fact: Laser light shows now make me sort of queasy.
FACT: I would totally be into being a scientist if there weren't so much math and science involved.
Follow-up fun fact: I really just want the lab coat.
Follow-up fun fact #2: I want a lab coat for my birthday.
FACT: I had a goal to visit all 50 states before age 30. My arbitrary rules stated that drive-throughs counted but airports did not. I made it to the contiguous 48. I have extended the deadline to age 31. Hawaii next week and Alaska this summer.
FACT: My new goal: All 193 recognized countries before death. I'm thinking of counting airports this time.
FACT: Current count: 7 with airports. 6 without.
FACT: As a child, I would occasionally get grounded from watching Cincinnati Reds games because I would get too angry.
FACT: As a child, I would occasionally get grounded from playing Nintendo® because I would get too angry.
FACT: I still have to stop myself from watching sports and playing video games when I start getting too upset.
FACT: Each year, I informally attempt to get myself to like a new food that I previously disliked.
2005- Bell Peppers: YEP
2006- Peas: DONE
2007- Mushrooms: CONQUERED
2008- Asparagus: VANQUISHED
2009- Cucumbers: LOVE THE CUKES
2010- Tomatoes: DOMINATED
2011- Onions: STILL ON THE FENCE BUT IF THEY'RE COOKED, I'M GOOD
2012- I'm thinking eggplant, mussels or zucchini
FACT: I don't like feet.
FACT: Sometimes I sprint away from a basement or a dark place if I'm feeling a little freaked out. Yeah, I'm 30 years old.
FACT: The movie That Thing You Do! had an alarmingly influential role in determining what I wanted to do with my life.
FACT: My first public performance on guitar was the 9th grade talent show in which I played John Lennon's "Imagine" and Led Zeppelin's "Ten Years Gone" with my band GWC.
Follow-up Fun Fact: GWC stood for "Guitars, Women and Cars."
Follow-up Fun Fact #2: After GWC, the bands that I have been in with silly names:
Satellite of Love
Like Buttah (one performance)
Tubb n' Chubb's Fat Funk Fiesta
Brother Big Bad
FACT: I have spent roughly 900 collective hours performing in full cowboy garb. That's over a month if you add it all together.
FACT: My personal record for consecutive hours asleep: 15, when I was 15 years old. And no, I wasn't sick.
FACT: My personal record for consecutive hours awake: 40, when I was 16 years old. And no, I wasn't sick. But I felt like it.
FACT: My personal record for consecutive days without bathing or showering: 4, on tour in the UK when I was 25. The first place that was available was a bath without the option for a shower. It was almost worse than going for 5 days.
FACT: I once ate an entire canister of Planters Cheez Balls in one sitting.
FACT: I floss my teeth every night.
Bonus Fun Fact: I was hoping to be a bit more in shape at 30 (the canister of Cheez Balls probably didn't help with that) and I'll never be good at setting realistic goals for myself. But overall I'm pretty damn thrilled to be where I am at 30 years old. Thank you to all of you for helping me make it this far. Cheers!