Ho-hum, blah dee blah...
So...This is my first journal entry. I've never kept a journal before. But I just moved to Portland about a month ago and since this site is located here I figured it would be a good way to meet new peple and get information about the place and things to do.
Anyway, I'm supposed to be cleaning my apartment today and upacking, but as you can see I'm not being very productive.
Anyway, I moved to Portland from Colorado Springs, CO because my fiance had a job offer here and because Colorado Springs is where right-wing religious zealots and pro-Bush war bigots go to make babies and retire. I'm originally from the poverty stricken wasteland of Shreveport, LA. We moved to Colorado Springs with my band (Raised Under Reagan) http://www.mp3.com/raisedunderreagan for reasons that are a little complicated and I don't really feel like going into it. Anyway, due to our recent move to Portland, Raised Under Reagan is on a temporary hiatus. Hopefully, it won't be a permanent one. The rest of the guys are moving to California and I guess they are going to continue with the band in my absense and I'll work behind the scenes sending them new songs and whatnot.
You may ask why the band doesn't just split up and why I don't start a new one. The best explaination I can give is that RUR was my idea and I am the main songwriter...so they're a little fucked without me staying on as a songwiter at least. AlsoI don't wish to start a new band because I feel that Raised Under Reagan is the best band I ever have and ever will play with. My brother (Chris) and I started RUR in August of 2000. Chris is the best bassist I have ever known in my life. By a long shot. I have yet to play with anyone who even comes close. While the bass player isnt usually an important part of punk music, it was extremely important in RUR. Its kind of like trying to imagine Rancid without Matt Freeman. So basically, I know that if I start another band, it will never live up to my expectations. I will never find a bassist I like. I cant even start a new temporary band or side project or join another band because I want to keep my songs for RURsee the dilemma?
Anyway, thats another matter that will have to be dealt with later. As of now, Im in Portland. It seems like a cool city but I dont know anybody and I dont know where to go. The punk scene here is kind of hard to come into as a newcomer, because I dont know where to find information about it. Now, Ive looked at the Willamette Weekly, and The Mercurybut they dont really have the info Im looking for. Im looking for local shows not touring bands. And the little bit of info I see about local shows doesnt really provide me with much information. And since my paycheck is almost entirely used up on necessities for survival, I find it hard to be willing to pay the cover to see a band I dont know if Ill like. Anyway, it may just be a gamble Ill have to take. And luckily, money isnt as bad as it was when I first got here, so maybe Ill have more to spend soon.
Up till now, my time in Portland has been very lonely and boring. I go to work 40 hours a week. It feels like all I do is work. And when I get off work, I feel too tired to explore. The lack of friends and any creative outlet is beginning to get to me.
This is my only day off for a while. Unfortunately I need to spend it cleaning and unpacking. Which I need to go do now.
So...This is my first journal entry. I've never kept a journal before. But I just moved to Portland about a month ago and since this site is located here I figured it would be a good way to meet new peple and get information about the place and things to do.
Anyway, I'm supposed to be cleaning my apartment today and upacking, but as you can see I'm not being very productive.
Anyway, I moved to Portland from Colorado Springs, CO because my fiance had a job offer here and because Colorado Springs is where right-wing religious zealots and pro-Bush war bigots go to make babies and retire. I'm originally from the poverty stricken wasteland of Shreveport, LA. We moved to Colorado Springs with my band (Raised Under Reagan) http://www.mp3.com/raisedunderreagan for reasons that are a little complicated and I don't really feel like going into it. Anyway, due to our recent move to Portland, Raised Under Reagan is on a temporary hiatus. Hopefully, it won't be a permanent one. The rest of the guys are moving to California and I guess they are going to continue with the band in my absense and I'll work behind the scenes sending them new songs and whatnot.
You may ask why the band doesn't just split up and why I don't start a new one. The best explaination I can give is that RUR was my idea and I am the main songwriter...so they're a little fucked without me staying on as a songwiter at least. AlsoI don't wish to start a new band because I feel that Raised Under Reagan is the best band I ever have and ever will play with. My brother (Chris) and I started RUR in August of 2000. Chris is the best bassist I have ever known in my life. By a long shot. I have yet to play with anyone who even comes close. While the bass player isnt usually an important part of punk music, it was extremely important in RUR. Its kind of like trying to imagine Rancid without Matt Freeman. So basically, I know that if I start another band, it will never live up to my expectations. I will never find a bassist I like. I cant even start a new temporary band or side project or join another band because I want to keep my songs for RURsee the dilemma?
Anyway, thats another matter that will have to be dealt with later. As of now, Im in Portland. It seems like a cool city but I dont know anybody and I dont know where to go. The punk scene here is kind of hard to come into as a newcomer, because I dont know where to find information about it. Now, Ive looked at the Willamette Weekly, and The Mercurybut they dont really have the info Im looking for. Im looking for local shows not touring bands. And the little bit of info I see about local shows doesnt really provide me with much information. And since my paycheck is almost entirely used up on necessities for survival, I find it hard to be willing to pay the cover to see a band I dont know if Ill like. Anyway, it may just be a gamble Ill have to take. And luckily, money isnt as bad as it was when I first got here, so maybe Ill have more to spend soon.
Up till now, my time in Portland has been very lonely and boring. I go to work 40 hours a week. It feels like all I do is work. And when I get off work, I feel too tired to explore. The lack of friends and any creative outlet is beginning to get to me.
This is my only day off for a while. Unfortunately I need to spend it cleaning and unpacking. Which I need to go do now.