This Must Be It. Welcome to the New Year.

So, another year is slowly coming to an end. Looking back on it all, I think I've made a ton of progress. But that's not to say that I definitely fucked up here and there along the way. And I think I've finally grown a bit too.

Academically speaking, a year ago, I was sure that my efforts in school were mostly for naught; I couldn't get my GPA up to where I wanted it to be and my overall effort and attitude towards all my classes just sucked, and I knew stupid shit easily affected me. Now, I finished this semester (the toughest one yet, by far) by winding up on the Dean's list, despite skipping an occasional class or failing a class at the midterm point. I worked my ass off, and gave my GPA a shot in the arm. I'm looking forward to the remaining semesters that I have, and just doing all that I can to make the grade, and graduate. Just because I know I can do this. Let's just say that I have a new fire lit beneath my ass and I've a new attitude towards my studies.

I accomplished one of my goals by finally visiting Europe (Vienna, Austria) this past summer, and meeting some of my cousins for the very first time. I'm very lucky to have met Philipp, Cathrine (Catze), and Christine (Tin-Tin). They have really made me humble, seeing how they live in Europe. They make the most of what they have in their small flats, and they work extremely hard in school and outside also. I mean hell, Philipp makes violins. How amazing is that? Not to mention that they are fluent in at least 3 languages. Cathy and Tin Tin are also having a blast here in Chicago; they love The Bean, Superdawg, Girodano's, and Michigan Avenue. They have yet to see the Sears Tower, Navy Pier, and Kevin McCallister's house. Yes, of Home Alone fame. I'm fucking stoked for that adventure!

Speaking of personal goals, I finally saw Oasis a few weeks ago at the Allstate Arena. I don't have to say how much more awesome that concert was; I will spare you all. Besides, I dedicated a post to that already. I can't wait 'til they return to town!

I've developed a tolerance for alcohol! w00t! Yes, I am weaksauce, I'm not going to lie. But lately, I've been open to partaking in a drink every now and then. Hell, my Dad and I sipped sake a few weeks ago; it's pretty tasty. The New Year's Eve festivities will be taking place in a few hours, and my 21st birthday is less than 6 months away. Originally, I wanted to be sitting in Wrigley, scoring the game with an Old Style/Heineken and a bag of peanuts, but the Cubs are off that day. I suppose that'll be more time for me finally enjoying Wrigleyville the way any fresh 21-year-old would: absolutely gooooone.

Speaking of baseball, I miss it a lot. I miss the summer, watching my Cubbies on TV or at Wrigley. Sure, it was an extremely promising season, with Fukudome (thanks for winning our hearts on Opening Day and for giving the people yet another classic name chant at Wrigley), Johnson (for "the catch" against the Nationals and speed), Edmonds (for finally leaving the Dark Side known as St. Louis), Harden (I don't care if Lou's got you on a 90+ pitch leash, your stuff is still fucking sick), and Gaudin (nice soul-patch/goatee) being added to our roster. Sadly, all us fans got in return was another disappointing season. But as my buddy Andy says, "it's better to have disappointing baseball than none at all." Spoken like a true Cubs fan. Only a few more months left!

A New Year's resolution: Control. My. Spending. I've learned many lessons about money, but I still can't seem to put my teachings into practice. That's all.

"The love life? What? I still have one of those?" I thought that a few times during the year. But I'm glad to say that I've been over Rachel for some time; I'm happy to know that she's really happy now. As for me, I'm still being stubbornly patient, and trying to find some time before I tell this girl at school that I like her. Yeah, I'm fucking high school about it. It's lame, I know. But, I will pull the trigger in the near future. I swear.

As for my friends, I've developed more friendships at school along the way, and they'll always have a place in my heart. They're all too cool and unique not to have a spot. However, my El Groupo buddies and other friends have always been there, and no matter how many times we've hung out, I never get tired of them. Some would say to get new ones, but they're too awesome. I could never do that. But, I think I've been falling out with a few, and I really don't mean to. I like keeping my friends close to me. Some would say that's a bad thing, but I say fuck 'em. I love my friends.

And now, a few goals for the New Year:
I hope to keep in touch with a few old friends more often, even ones I haven't talked to since early high school or elementary school.
I want to try and stay in shape, despite my laziness.
I want my music to finally be heard, and stop being in the "writing stages." I've been working on one for ages....
I want to read more. Being in many secondhand bookstores lately has reawakened the bookworm within.
I want to be involved, more in tune with things around me.

That'll be all for now. I hope each one of you out there has an awesome New Year's celebration. Here's to our resolutions!
And just because, I'm putting this Zolof video in here. It's too catchy to be ignored.

Oasis: The Dig Out Your Soul Tour, Chicago. Best Show, Ever.

I just saw my favorite band, and one of my musical idols, Noel Gallagher onstage at the Allstate Arena a few hours ago. I can't describe how I feel at the moment, except for full; Dave and I had a feast at IHOP after the show. It's just an incredibly awesome feeling to see your all-time favorite band come up onstage in your hometown, singing all their greatest songs: the songs that I've learned and loved to play and listen to all these years. I knew from the second Liam started singing (extremely well, better than some live versions I see on YouTube) that it was going to be one hell of a show.

Here's the set list, from what I can remember. There were some interesting choices, and a surprising omission:

1) Rock 'n' Roll Star
2) Lyla
3) The Shock of the Lightning
4) Cigarettes & Alcohol
5) The Meaning of Soul
6) To Be Where There's Life
7) Waiting for the Rapture
8) The Masterplan
9) Songbird
10) Morning Glory
11) Ain't Got Nothin'
12) The Importance of Being Idle
13) I'm Outta Time
14) Wonderwall
15) Supersonic

ENCORE:
1) Don't Look Back in Anger [Acoustic]
2) Falling Down
3) Champagne Supernova
4) I Am The Walrus

A few last fanboy observations....
-The opening acts, Matt Costa and Ryan Adams & The Cardinals weren't that impressive to me. Costa just had his acoustic guitar and his last song was slow and a cappella.....for an arena show? No thank you.
-The new touring drummer, Chris Sharrock, is the best drummer Oasis has seen since Alan White. He fucking wails on those skins like no one's business.
-People in front of us left after Wonderwall. Lame-wads.
-Noel's acoustic version of Don't Look Back in Anger sent chills down my spine, as did Champagne Supernova; it was played flawlessly.
-I'm happy that they played Wonderwall without the lead guitar being an electric; it sounds better that way.
-I am so fucking happy they finally unleashed I Am The Walrus as their final encore.
-Where was Live Forever?!?! :'(

Okay, that's all. Oh, and you can never go wrong with a corned beef hash & cheese omelet at IHOP.

So Begins Finals Week

Contrary to popular belief, I am not dead, missing, or giving up on this. I've just been extremely busy for the past 2 weeks or so, writing papers, finishing up assignments and programs, and working.

Honestly, it doesn't seem like finals week. Last week, I took two of my finals, and beat the shit out of both of them. I got a 100% on my History of Chicago final, all I'm waiting for now is the result of my Musicianship Lab final. My Classical Guitar class audition/jury went really well. Despite two mistakes, I know I played great. I just finished my Music Theory take home exam, and despite it's seemingly simple nature, it was the most tedious exams I've ever taken. At this point, I really don't care about some of the errors I didn't already correct. I hope I wake up early enough to get down to Loyola and turn it in...stupid screwy sleeping pattern. I have my last two finals on Tuesday, and I will be studying all day for them. Then, I can kick back, relax, and await what's coming to me:

-My Starbucks gig! Recently, my friend Katrina told me about how this one Starbucks (Dempster & Karlov, if I remember correctly) has this open mic dealy on Saturday nights. Turns out that this Saturday (the 13th) they need someone to play for the last hour of the store's operation. So, I took it up. I have the cover material, it's just that I have to condense it and make a set list to fill at least half an hour, and practice. I'm really fucking stoked, yet very nervous, as usual. Oh well, at least I'll get free coffee, and get a chance to entertain all the fine folks in the establishment!

-OASIS! Holy shit, I can't believe it's going down in less than 5 days; I've been waiting for the chance to see them for such a long time, so I've been really excited. I'm going with my buddy Dave, so it's going to prove to be an awesome time. This reminds me of a time when we saw Coheed & Cambria last year in November, except this time it's my favorite band that we're going to see. I'm already predicting their set list; I hope that when they play Champagne Supernova, I don't die from shock. Well.....I would definitely die happy!

-Celebrating Christmas & New Year's with my Austrian cousins! You have no idea how excited I am for this, either. My cousins Cathrine aka Catze and Christine aka Tin-Tin are coming to the Windy City for the holidays. They couldn't have picked a better date and time to fly in: Christmas Eve, at 4 PM. Not only are me and Dad going to have to deal with O'Hare during one of the busiest times of the year, we have the party scheduled at our humble abode. So this means we have to help Mom dress up the house, get cooking supplies, and pick up various catering orders set for that day. It's going to be fucking bonkers that day, but in the end, I know it will be all worth it. It's Christmas! They're staying until the 5th or 7th of January, so during that time we're definitely going to be showing them to all the kick ass places Chicago has to offer. I've missed them since last June, so it will be a nice reunion. I hope to learn even more German phrases.

Oh, let me just say that Manny Pacquiao is a fucking beast. I saw the fight he had yesterday vs. Oscar De La Hoya yesterday night at my Uncle's house, at Brandon's birthday party. He dominated De La Hoya so much, it was ridiculous. He was way too fast for the Golden Boy; he rearranged his face pretty well. I'm sure you all heard about it. I consider this to be the passing of the boxing torch, bringing in a new era of boxing.

That'll be all for me today. I'm sure by Tuesday evening, I'll definitely have more time for this.