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