Back to Loyola tomorrow morning...

Miss you!

Last Day At Giuseppe's

I suppose I should say a few words on today's topic, since it is a pretty big occasion in the timeline of Adam Romo. Well folks, Monday was my last night working at Giuseppe's Italian Restaurant for the 2009 summer and, very possibly, ever again. I am happy to have worked there from May 2002 to August 24, 2009, and to have met/worked with all of my coworkers in these past 7 summers. Thanks to Ron and Lisa for all you've done for me.

And now, a very brief, very half-ass mobile-photo blog of my last shift.

Meatballs.

Orders. Booooo.

Marinara Sauce. Meat Sauce behind it.

Bucket of Fettuccine Pasta.

That's a deep fryer, kids.

Me with a Mexican. Hola, amigo.

Vodka. For... Vodka Sauce...

Chicken Portabella Sandwich. Yeah I make those...

My last meal: a Medium Steak and Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Pic does it no justice.

Well, that's about it. Now time for a few days of cleaning my room, getting my junk together, going shopping, visiting a couple people, then time to head back down to Baltimore for another year of Jesuit education.

Best Music Videos #5-1

Note.. there are more than 5 videos in the top 5... I know to you that might be against the rules, but this is my blog so I'm making the rules...

5a. There are two videos at number 5. Both of them are have many similarities, in that they are both beautifully done and that they both start with the end and work backwardsss...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqQTODR3kR8

5b. Watch them both, decide which one you like better, then mentally place that at #5. ok? ok.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqWLpTKBFcU



4. One of the most interesting videos I've ever seen, not to mention there's so much that could be debated over this video. I love how it fits the song perfectly, especially near the end...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqkawrslzJA



3. You can't help but feel good after watching this video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrivjzw0RlI



2. Were almost there! And now... Mr. Christopher Walken.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7Ky5R-vxns&feature=fvst




1. The moment you've all been waiting for! Here it is, hope you've enjoyed these awesome videos!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcOZ6xFxJqg



hahaha... just kidding... here's the real number one.. (can you imagine if i actually did that?)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_qMagfZtv8




There you have it... and now, a list of videos that are also good that you should check out next time you're on a youtube break.. consider them "honorable mention"...

(in alphabetical order)


Beastie Boys - Sabotage
Beastie Boys - Triple Trouble
Beck - Loser
Beck - Girl
Foo Fighters - Everlong
Green Day - Basket Case
Guns N Roses - November Rain
Jamiroquai - Virtual Insanity
My Chemical Romance - Helena
N.W.A. - Straight Outta Compton
Nine Inch Nails - Closer
Outkast - Hey Ya
R.E.M. - Losing My Religion
Radiohead - Street Spirit (Fade Out)
Radiohead - High and Dry (US Version)
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Can't Stop
Smashing Pumpkins - Today
White Stripes - Seven Nation Army

Best Music Videos #10-6

10. That probably took a while to clean up all those small pieces...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q27BfBkRHbs



9. Sometimes our reality doesn't live up to the expectations of our dreams, but the reality seemed to turn out ok for this kid; (p.s. note the bunny ears on the drummer)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE-ML-BAAfY



8. This video gives an entirely new perspective on the song, depicting the angst of a father who lost a daughter. Dark, yet beautiful. Not to mention one of the best drum solos ever...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0s5UOVsMDg



7. Ok, this is the last one by them on here... oh, and you're Mary Tyler Moore.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiIC5qcXeNU



6. If you don't like this video, I feel bad for you son...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W80Ae5hEOA


Only 5 videos left!!

Best Music Videos #15-11

15. I want to try and do this sometime but I'm afraid I'll always do it to the wrong people and someone will beat me up...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3lTQljbKLw



14. This is just hilarious. At least to me... Probably not on too many critics "top (whatever)" lists...

http://video.yahoo.com/watch/2683580/7847019



13. I could never get past the mine cart...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mn67vSHIdOs



12. I actually think they sound better with Animal...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4mDIpYHxWY



11. There's no way a can of Sprite would do that...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oqXVx3sBOk ...and by the way never have i related to a character more than to that milk carton.


10-6 are next, will your favorite be on there???

Best Music Videos #20-16

One of the things that I procrastinate with is this website called youtube. Perhaps you've heard of it, maybe through a friend. The thing i use it the most for is watching music videos.



"What makes a good music video?" you ask, in my fictional dialogue between the two of us. Well, i'll tell you.



The three things that I feel make up a good music video are: the quality of the visuals standing alone, how the visuals relate to the song, and the overall enjoyability (not a word! hehehe) of the video.



So, after an extensive process of debating amongst...myself... I've managed to come up with, what i feel, are the best 20 music videos. I hope you enjoy.



(Note: the actual song does not factor too drastically into how I would rate a music video. For example, Madonna's Like A Prayer is a really good video, even though I don't listen to that song. However, it's obviously less likely that i've seen the video if its for a type of music that i don't like. Hell, the Jonas Brothers could have the video of the millenium for all I know...



Also, I'm only annoucing these 5 at a time, in hopes that you'll actually watch each of these videos. Each one is a really fine work of short film brilliance and fits their respective song tremendously.)



Here we go!



20. The most recent video on the list, this video took all the other procrastination devices on youtube and put them into one video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muP9eH2p2PI


19. Ah the days of the songs before the parade...

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=3267265



18. The most excercise I get on a daily basis...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTAAsCNK7RA&feature=SeriesPlayList&p=628E2109105B0C62&index=7


17. This video still gives me chills, and i love it. Also helps me remember how good his songs used to be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahZgsNvVA4I&feature=channel


16. Critics say that Everlong is their best video....... Its got nothing on this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhfWzCPRPtg&feature=channel





15-11 coming soon!!!!

Concerts I've Been To

Not quite as impressive as the list on Brian Klein's blog http://bgklein.blogspot.com/2009/08/general-attempt-to-list-every-band-ive.html, but it contaians better bands... ;p

Here's a list of all the bands I've seen in concert (I think i've covered 85% of them, not taking into account opening acts that i forget and/or weren't memorable enough to leave an impression on me aka their name... in no paraticular order):


Incubus (x3)

Radiohead

Audioslave

The Roots

Tool

Pearl Jam

Queens of the Stone Age

Nine Inch Nails (x2)

Does it Offend You, Yeah?

Stone Temple Pilots

Kanye West

Lil Wayne

Taking Back Sunday

Bob Dylan

Iggy & the Stooges

Foo Fighters

Serj Tankian

Against Me!

Lupe Fiasco

Third eye blind

Lostprophets

CKY

Weezer

Angels & Airwaves

Modest Mouse

Mimmicking Birds

Bloc Party

Kings of Leon

Queen

The Rolling Stones

Bruce Springsteen

Rush

311

The Beastie Boys

Hot Hot Heat

Bedouin Soundclash

Death Cab for Cutie

Franz Ferdinand

Sparta

The Bravery

Ted Leo & the Pharmacists

Seether


And now, which actually took me longer than the above, here are the 5 best performances i've ever seen:

5. Incubus - 6/2004 - my first legitimate concert, and their best setlist of the times i've seen them

4. Radiohead - 8/2008 - my favorite band, put on a tremendous show, played their entire new album, which probably affects the only reason why this isn't #1, in that there were so many of my favorite songs that I wanted to see that were left out...

3. Audioslave - 11/2005 - one of the best nights of my life, 4 of my favorite musicians, 3 rows back in atlantic city, and they played Audioslave, Soundgarden, AND Rage songs. EP-IC.

2. Tool - 6/2007 - the best indoor concert, and by far the best visual effects I've ever seen at a concert, and i highly doubt there is one better.

1. Beastie Boys - 7/2007 - the best concert I've been to, nothing but energy from the three mc's and one dj their entire set, which included all of their hits including my two fave classics "Paul Revere" and "Brass Monkey" (the only ones missing were "Fight for Your Right" and "Girls", but trust me, they wern't needed). The crowd was so energetic as well, as everyone in the general admission crowd was bouncing up and down and dancing the whole time.


Great moments from concerts (no order):

Kings of Leon - performing "Fans"
Audioslave - performing "Killing in the Name" by Rage Against the Machine
Incubus - performing "Stand By Me" by Ben E. King
Radiohead - ending with "Everything in Its Right Place"
Tool - starting their show (and effects) with "Jambi"
Pearl Jam - performing "Baba O'Riley" by The Who

Bands that I haven't seen but want to

1. Red Hot Chili Peppers
2. Rage Against the Machine
3. Silversun Pickups
4. Rise Against
5. Metallica

A Couple Days in the Life...

All of the following things happened to me in a recent 48 hour span.


- Got pulled over, was given a warning

- Drove 200 miles, the last 35 was bumper to bumper and took me 2 hours, thanks shoobies…

- Worked 17 of those hours

- Took a shot of something at 5 am, then had a peach with some girl while discussing a threesome

- Took some big gulpsss…

- Sucked at thumper

- Made fun of Christie lol

- Heard the following line from Rich's gay neighbor: "Dude stay with her cuz she is hott! Look at her! I'd tear that skirt she's wearing off in a second!" (laughter and utter shock) "What? I mean so I can wear it!"

- Showed up an hour late for work stuck in traffic with no phone to alert the boss I’d be late

- Had some lady from PA tell me as she pulled into a parking space in front of me that the space was only room for one car, while I, who live in NJ and work half a block away from said parking space, routinely park/drive by there if it’s taken and see 2 cars parked there easily, then gave her the finger and drove off.

- Walked into work still hungover/buzzed (at 430pm)

- Talked to 3 different cops – one pulled me over, one called me a dumbass, one said he could smell that I came from work

- Ended the night with a delish cake

Rapid Fire: Things On My Mind 8/6

I feel like all of you feel that you should be feelin what I’m feelin on some of the most recent topics. Due to the economy, I can only write one or two lines about how I feel about each issue. Thus, here’s a rapid fire edition of Things on My Mind:


1. The Cliff Lee trade: It’s definitely the smartest move the Phils could have made. No need to give up Happ and Drabek for a horse.

2. Not getting Halladay: He’s great and all, but I still don’t think it’s smart to give up Drabek

3. Funny People: Adam Sandler’s best film in a long time, and shows that Apatow doesn’t just grind the same formula into every movie

4. Serving mornings: It’s nice not to be in the kitchen, but honestly, making like, what 25 bucks on average? I’d rather just sleep in…

5. Pearl Jam – The Fixer: Very cool track, and pretty catchy. Lyrics written by their drummer so they’re not too impressive but they are still cool.

6. The amount of Yankee shirts that Klein has: Well, the amount of Phillies shirts I own is steadily increasing… I think at a higher rate too. I got three in the span of a week during the All-Star game so if I keep that average up, I’ll have one for every Phillie that ever played by 2011.

7. Panic at the Disco losing 2 members: Hahahahhaha like I actually am going to waste your time…

8. Me saying that I won’t waste your time, even though I have possibly the worst blog since Rob Manning’s “You Know What Really Grinds My Gears”: Umm, ok… you win.

9. The ‘stache: Yes, I still have it. No, you can’t touch it… unless you ask nicely. No, if you’re one of the people who read this blog, no mustache ride for you…

Things I’d Rather Do than Go to Work

Well I have to leave for work in about an hour, and I really REALLY do not feel like going. Since I REALLY don’t feel like going and/or moving from my computer, I will now come up with 20 random things that I would rather do than go to work tonight. And if you know me at all, you’ll know that these things that I will come up with are already things I try to avoid on a daily basis... but hey, I’d take them all over going to work…


1. Intentionally fall down the stairs

2. Look at my fantasy baseball standings

3. Hit up redtube and search “guy on guy”

4. Watch Ryan Howard strike out 4 times in a game

5. Drive all the way to work, fake an injury as soon as I get there, leave to go to the hospital, and drive back home

6. Hump a midget

7. Duct tape my feet together, walk/hop 1.5 miles to Wawa, order a turkey shorti, and hop back

8. Purchase something from the Loyola Bookstore

9. Watch a Dancing with the Stars marathon

10. Get hit in the nuts by Sarah Reback or Brett Biggs

11. Deal with a 3 hour hangover

12. Deal with a 3 hour class taught by Rockefeller

13. Click this link: http://socialstereotype.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/gangsta-chimpweb.jpg

14. Drink an entire fifth in one day

15. Listen to every Fall Out Boy song released one after another

16. Wash my car in a thong in front of the neighbors

17. Watch the entire Vida Chronicles

18. “Go get the controller…”

19. Go to the post office and mail a letter to myself

20. Think of 20 things that I’d rather do than go to work and write about it in my blog.