bakuto

I was in the airport on a long ass overnight layover and going back and forth with ThanatOZ and she convinced me to go out and into the city. I'd always wanted to move there, but never had the chance, so there, so it really didn't take much. She also informed me that apparently there was a "super moon" or something of that nature, so I went out to shoot it. On my way to the city, I noticed that all of the streets always circle and lead back to the airport. So, I never made it to South Beach. However, what did end up happening, is that there was this deep ditch with water and all kinds of vegetation in it... so I decide to jump it. A I was mid air over it, a fucking alligator decides to jaw up and snap up at me! Needless to say, I about shit myself. I mean, I'd been in Miami for three hours and this shit happens? Doesn't it take some people three years in that city before they get around to that?

Anyhow, moving on...








So, after getting back to the airport all sweaty as shit... due to my attire in the photo above. With my favorite pair of jeans just torn to shit.

Then, on to my flight and on to Panama City for a two hour layover... in which I met a couple cool people that were going to be on my flight to Medelln.

It's funny because on the flight down, I noticed that a lot of the really big houses in the mountains had greenhouses right next to them. No judgement... maybe they're flower enthusiasts. Or bonsai trees. It was brought to my attention that apparently all the rich people live in the village around the airport. Which is a startling surprise given that here in the states, it's the other way around. It's too noisy!!!

Ok, so the flight from Panama City was about an hour, hour and a half tops. The line through immigration was about two hours. Not only that, but I was selected "randomly" for further screening. Horrible things happen in that room people. Horrible things. Things I'd rather not brag about in a blog. Although... yea, I'm the dumbshit stupid enough to smuggle drugs IN to Colombia... what the shit? Upon my release and considerable questions to myself as to why, a quick look around the long line kind of filled me in. It was filled with either other Colombians, Barbie blonds or guys that wear stuff from an Abercrombie catalog... then here I am, walking through with long hair and tattoos for sleeves. I know I know, "But it was random..." However, I didn't see anyone ELSE go back for it. Russell Brand was right though... whether there's drugs up there or not, your holiday is pretty much ruined. So, I left and stepped into Colombia, hoping that for the love of god, this trip is worth everything that I'd gone through. It wasn't off to a good start.

I met up with this guy and his son... I think he was 16 or 17, from Miami that were going to be staying for about three months and we ended up sharing a cab. So, that was really good fortune on my part. They were really cool and we were supposed to meet up later on in the week, but I'd misplaced the paper with their number on it. Hmm... I really need to get a handle on that, I used to do that with a lot of girls' numbers as well. Anyhow, so we're on the hour long ride through the mountains to Medelln and as soon as they break and you can see the city... it's just breathtaking. I tried my best to get a clear photo, but there was a lot in the way... in addition to the cabbie speeding.



Random fact that I learned there... did you know that Pablo Escobar made so MUCH money that rats ate through one billion dollars of it... every year? Also, I heard a rather entertaining story about how he went to a prison that he had built for himself. I'd share with you, but the person that told me was much MUCH better at it.

Upon my first leaving of my hotel, I stopped by this Cuban place and got a Mojito... what, I REALLY like mojitos. I don't think it's a gay drink. Mohhh-heet-to. It seriously took twenty minutes, but I'll be damned if it wasn't good. I mean... it was like "fifteen minute wait" good. Still. Then, I went on to this place called Arepita that was just great. Later on, towards the end of my trip, they actually hooked me up with a black El Ron Medelln Aejo t-shirt that they wear there and didn't charge me for it, so that was pretty cool.






I actually took up residence on these stairs for about an hour and a half... just watching the world go by. It was pretty interesting.


Then I went into a cathedral...










Then I kind of snuck into this other hotel... whose name currently eludes me. Apparently, they have a restaurant on top that rotates.



At night time, Medelln just had some rather interesting lighting options. I loved it.





So I was at this bar and saw on the menu that there was a shot called the Thundercat. Being a child of the 80s, I HAD to try it. Who am I kidding, I went in there just to try that. I had some Club Colombian beers as well though. So, it's a shot that they set on fire and it tastes like cough syrup... I immediately thought of the Flaming Homer. Let me just say, the cats were loose. That thing was POTENT. Although, now that I think about it, it may be due to everything I'd had beforehand. Oh, funny story, so it was also brought to my attention BY a Colombiana, that apparently it's the dream of most Colombianas to meet an American and come back to the States with him. I didn't really think this was true, but at the bar where I had the Thundercat, the waitress was polite and everything when I'd ordered food, but then I took off my sunglasses (I have blue eyes... just in case you didn't know) and after I ordered a beer, she was gone for a while. I assumed t the restroom or something. It happens. Then, when she came back with my beer, true story... she was sans bra. Seriously. Then, instead of being in the back doing things and being gone a lot, she started standing by the bar, watching the tv... that was above and behind me, jumping on my every need. Coincidence? Maybe... but I've never gotten service like that in the States.

Previous story notwithstanding, admittedly, THIS has to be the theme song of my time in Medelln...


Actually, I got to spend a few days with ThanatOZ while I was down there. Who, incidentally has a new set out as of a few days ago, Wild Whisper

Go leave it some love and see if we can't finally make this one pink, yea.

Here she is opening her birthday present, since I won't be down there for hers.





Then there's her Black Milk outfit that she's so fond of


Haha, she's actually a rather goofy girl, but oh so in the best of ways



I took a photo next to this statue because I wanted to show that there was no hard feelings. I mean, he CLEARLY has me beat.



I rather like how in Medelln, most of the restaurants aren't like airtight. They have this thing to them where they seem outside, in a way. They also have a lot of "buildings within buildings" aesthetic to some as well.



You see that, she draws you in, being all sweet and giving you the big innocent, then tries to get tactical and drop the hammer. By the time the food came, I had more of her boats sank though. She tells it differently, but still.






Something that I learned in this park, is that there are few things that will draw negative attention to yourself, like yelling "La Policia!" and pointing. Admittedly, I'd been smoking for the first time in a while and was asked to be on lookout. It's not as though I was being an idiot, I just didn't have volume control right away, but I caught myself though... so it's all good. Also, this guy came by that was selling incense, so I bought a bunch of it, to a stick of which is burning as I type this.







Annnnnd the stroke of midnight going into my birthday


Some night shots from the roof of my hotel



Then, my birthday:

This is one stylish shirt... haha, the photo would have been perfect, but I think she moved.


The objective at the moment here, was to look as Gringo Tourist as possible. She had the camera, so I had to do the whole "Cartman's Cleeeeeek" thing.



We rode some buses and I can honestly say, this made me fall for the city even more. Just looking around at everything. Something that surprised me though, was that vendors and musicians will come onto the bus and pitch their humble wares. I think they may have a deal worked out with the bus drivers, as I never saw any of them pay. So that's pretty interesting. At one point there were these two rappers that came on that got a lot of donations, it seems they made a fan of a lot of people. We went to this building called the Americano (I think) that has a theatre there with English speaking movies and Spanish subtitles. In addition to a lot of other things, like English classes and such. On the top floor, there was this place called Colombo Cafe, that after an issue with the elevator, we made it there finally.
The view behind the bar looked like this


So we go downstairs and see a movie. We were about fifteen minutes too late for The Great Gatsby, so we caught one called Starbuck, from Canada. As my luck would have it... it's from Quebec... so it's all in French. With Spanish subtitles. Haha, it was quite the challenge, reading the Spanish subtitles and trying to translate, while hearing the French language and involuntarily trying to translate that as well, going back and forth and forth and back. It was a pretty charming movie though. We also stopped by this park before the movie, where it's apparently legal to smoke... so that was rather interesting. A glance around revealed a rather random and eclectic group of people.

We then made our way to a restaurant, in which this is what I kind of mean by the "Building in a building" esthetic


Then I had some cake for my birthday. They didn't have candles at the restaurant, so we had to improvise by using my lighter. Now that I think about it, I didn't make a "birthday wish" when blowing it out. Well, I suppose that I probably just didn't see a reason to do it. For the most part, anything I could've wished for at that moment, I already had.






Afterwards, it was about that time and sadly, we went our separate ways...


This was a rather cool looking cathedral, but the cabbie was going to fast


So, once I got back to my hotel


It was on. I started barhopping El Poblado like some kind of alcoholic Frogger




Well, it seems that SOME things are universal in ANY language




What? I'm a fiend for mojitos... you know, without the gravelly laryngitis "Colin Farrell" voice anyhow. I did get a pretty awesome bowl of popcorn for it being my birthday though. Besides, when the bartender says "Dos por uno" you don't say "No" and decline him. You say "Thank you sir, may I please have another?"


These payphones were EVERYWHERE, which is in starting contrast to being in the States, as it's hard to find one anymore, let alone one that works.







I rather like how they always do the little napkin bow ties on their beers. Anyhow, it was at this point that it began to rain pretty heavily, which you know I love (like nature's birthday present to me) and I started to think that it was kind of a bummer being alone on my birthday... but, as I thought, you can submit to the defeat of sulking... or dance in the rain like a champ. I'll let you guess which one I did


I met some people at this next bar, one of which was from Orlando and had been in Medelln for about two months. They all seemed pretty fun. They knew the bar staff, so as soon as we were all "friends" I kind of got plugged into that as well.






This drink was called a "Lolita." I thought it considerably appropriate to get, being as to why I was there, as far as nicknames go anyway. It's supposed to be a shot, but I just had them fill up glasses with it... because that's just how I do things.

Which is funny because at that bar, I met up with a group that had a a couple British girls and an Aussie guy. Although the other guy had said he was from Oakland... but interestingly enough had a South Pacific accent. Actually, as I type this, I'm wondering if he might have actually said Auckland. A quick vocal run through has revealed that yes, the two do sound incredibly similar, especially with a Kiwi accent. But then... why would he cheer when I'd said "Go Raiders?" Takes all kinds... takes all kinds.

These next few were at this... I think it was a Thai restaurant's bar, (I think) that was up a steep flight of outside stairs. With my drink, the sever actually yelled "Oye, gringo!" So... to anyone reading this that's in the service industry, that's EXACTLY how you get bigger tips. Take note. Yes yes, ANOTHER mojito. I swear, in Medelln they put lemons on everything.




About right here, in the rain... I passed by a bar on my way back to the hotel, that was playing some Billy Idol. So, as I passed, I realized that my hair was finally long enough to do hair tosses. I don't know, in my drunken stupory, it felt like some kind of victory.


So, I met up with ThanatOZ again the next day, but this time it was POURING rain. So hard that on the roof of the restaurant, it was pounding so loudly that I had a hard time hearing her. I'm not actually a fan whatsoever of how I look in this next photo, as I tried to be funny and it didn't come through. I did put a photo of her that she absolutely hates, so I suppose I owe it to her to at least do this much, to endure the same.





Wha...? Rum? In a juice box? Ho-ly shit... I AM going to love living in Medelln!


Aw, boooo....! I missed it




Ok, so my last night in Medelln... I spend about two hours in the spa downstairs, between the hot tub and the steamroom. Then, I'm trying to get some sleep when the people in the room to my left were just bare bones all out fucking for a while, loud as shit. But you see, I was forced with a dilemma, they were also listening to this loud ass reggaeton. So... yea, I kind of wished they'd fuck a little louder, so that I wouldn't have to hear the music. So then, somewhat late, mind you, they stop... only for the people in the room to my right to start up with their amorous fucking... in between Doors songs, but I digress. It's moments like those that I was glad that I was in the corner. Oh oh... but cherry on top, I'm in the shower the next morning rocking out to some Dramarama, getting my Cinema Verite on, when lo and behold, those cheeky fucks actually had the gall to call down to hotel security on me. Seriously. What the shit!?

So, I leave and go to buy me some "juice boxes" while also getting something to eat, then come back and pack up, and get some photos of the hotel.

Not really sure why... but this guy caught my fancy. I mean... it's Saturday afternoon and amongst all of the hustle and bustle, he thought it a good time to just sit down and read the paper



And here you thought YOU had a rough job... can't knock THIS guy's hustle...


The best $3 beer I've ever had, in the Glass Elevator... Yea, it's 10AM, big whoop, you wanna fight about it?





Holy shit! Boricua Bongos... never thought I'd see THOSE in Medelln.

In a music store, where I actually went from guitar to guitar, making it look as though I was testing them out, but really I was trying to bang out a melody for a song I'd written the night or two before.




A warning to anyone staying in Colombia... Be ready to be sandbagged like fuck by the hotel at the end of your stay. Apparently things like taxes and such aren't included when you book it... And they ARE high. They wanted like almost $200. Luckily, I got off with only having to give them $20. Lucky me, Although, someone had told me that you can get all taxes refunded back to you at the airport... of course this wasn't until AFTER I had seated into my plane. Surprise surprise.

Seriously, lemons... on EVERYTHING.


Annnnnnd a Colombian sunset outside my plane window, as though it were kissing me goodbye.


So, after a heartfelt goodbye at the airport, because my plane was about to board, I tried to bang through security as soon as possible. When leaving, they actually send your carry-on through the x-ray and you through the detector, like usual, but whether anything pings or not, you still get the wand AND they search through your carry-on by hand. Once through that, I was walking up to get in line to get stamped out of Colombia, this woman at about 5'4" with a green uniform and a hat that read "POLICIA" came over and instructed me to lift my arms, as she is about to search me. No worries, I've got nothing. However... this wasn't so much a search as... seriously, I am not making this up, it was a full down grope. I kid you not. Cupping of the ass while kneading it tenderly. I was kind of conflicted though, because damn she was actually rather cute. I don't know, there's an actual element of sadness to the fact that the most action I got in Colombia was from La Policia... going in AND leaving.

So I get through there, only to get to the stamp out guy and he asked how long I stayed, I answer "I don't like six or seven days" to which he responds "Well, it says here that it's been six" To which I reply "Yea... that's what I said." Anyhow, begrudgingly he stamps me out and I'm in full sprint to my gate... only to be hit with the reality that my flight had been delayed by two hours. SHIT! I could have spent more time saying "Goodbye." Although, that's status quo as far as my luck goes, so I wasn't really surprised.

All in all, my time in Colombia was rather cool. There was some bitter, a lot of sweet and definitely some fun. Hell, I actually banged out writing four songs (Almost five) while I was down there and clearly I got some good photos. I didn't however do about half of the things I wanted to, being as time was a factor. I didn't get to do a photo shoot... which I somewhat wish I'd have known that I wouldn't, then I wouldn't have brought everything with me. Also, I didn't get to do this ceremony, nor contribute to the graffiti of the city. However, in a few ways, I actually did more than I thought I would, so who knows?

Honestly, I had to cut this blog short (I know, you're scratching your head at the mention of "short") as I've seriously been at it for a few hours now, sifting through photos that I spent an hour organizing so that I could find them easier when uploading them here, only for my Mac to go and disperse them anyhow. I have no idea how Radeo has the time to do this in her blogs. Well, she probably doesn't give consideration to the order or put a bunch of accompaniment commentating like I do. It's a complex, I can assure you. So, soon, I'll have to load up the rest of my photos from Colombia, city views from the roof during the daytime and such, as well as my photos from Panama and that whole "thing."

In closing on the subject of Medelln, I'd like to thank ThanatOZ for EVERYTHING. Even though time wasn't on our side, my birthday was still pretty damn special.

Sooo... when I was in Colombia, watching a DVD, there's a trailer for a movie called Shark Night, I think... Has anyone else seen this trailer, or even the movie? Well, just in case, it's here for you.

Anyhow, at what point after the first guy gets eaten up, does it actually sound like a good idea to get back in the water? Like anybody??? All you have to do is NOT go back into the water. Go home, stay in the cabin... shit, play volleyball on the beach... the sharks won't get you. How hard is it to stay out of the water?

Saw The Great Gatsby in a theatre that was like rented out for me or something. Literally, just my guest and I... nobody else. Not a single soul. Haha, it was a big ass theatre too. Fantastic movie by the bye... I just hate how they kind of preluded it so much. It kind of steals away from the story when there's no big reveal at the end. Oh... shit, my fault, spoiler alert, it kind of steals away from the story when there's no big reveal at the end. Other than that, it was a rather great movie. The visuals were great, the soundtrack, just everything. Hell, even Toby McGuire was pretty tolerable.

The next night, I went with another friend to see Now You See Me. It's funny because I was at the theatre and it was going to start in less than ten minutes... But National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is coming on the tvs in the lobby. Ugh, decisions decisions... I went and saw the movie though. It too was actually pretty good. They could have developed the characters a little more, but I get it, there were more than a couple, so it would either be that, or moving the plot forward. It also left some questions. Well, for me anyhow, but I tend to focus on the wrong things a lot. So that could be it.

Funny thing, I'm really starting to weird people out now. The other day, I was driving my car up High Street and I'm in the Downtown area, and people are walking across the crosswalk, just turning their heads and looking at me all weird. Picture this, Jag with the sunroof back, tall white looking guy in a suit... rocking the fuck out, to THIS song

At first it was just mild nods and that got some awkward stares... then I got INTO it... which turned the awkward stare level up considerably.

So in anticipation of a recording session on Saturday, I met up with my friend on Friday so that we could discuss the goals and things we want to accomplish in the session, this way, we can hammer everything out, and not spend actual recording time trying to. So, we went to a hookah place called Sahara, which I rather like by the way and we're seriously there until 5AM. Which is really not a good idea, as I was getting my back worked on Saturday afternoon and I have a ritual that I usually do, which includes a full night's sleep. Well, that's gone. Anyhow, at Sahara, we were actually having birthday cake with the owner and some other fun things so it was kind of worth it. I got home and had absolutely zero sleep, so I went in to get needled on, having been awake for about 30 hours. Haha, I got about two hours of work done and it stung a bit. I actually didn't really get a chance to do anything ritualistic this time. Well, I didn't drink the night before, so that counts I guess. My back piece is actually really taking shape and isn't too far from being finished. Although, my next session is on Sept 22... and I really kind of want to be out of Columbus shortly after that, but I know I have more than one session left. Quite the quandary. So, I gave hm my number and told him that if he had any cancellations, to give me a call and I'll come down. One of the disadvantages of having an artist that books up three months in advance, I suppose. Currently, I'm a little over 24 hours of actual needle in skin time on my backpiece. So, it shouldn't be too long now.

So, I leave my tattooists and come home to get my Les Paul, some drumsticks and my lyric book... and I sit down to make sure everything I need is in the compartment of my guitar case, brass picks, strings, things of that nature. Then, the next thing I know, it's past 2AM and I'm lying in bed with my light on. Which is funny because I actually got a lovely message from somebody not but a minute or two right after I woke up. It wasn't my friend, but a rather nice message nonetheless. Shiiiit... I need to set up another session now... which blows. That's one thing about knowing people that have studio set ups, but then you're limited to THEIR schedule.