The last month has taught me quite a bit about myself, and more importantly, my surroundings. When I was in college, I mused about how great it would be to get laid off from a job so that I could collect unemployment, smoke pot all day and play video games ... wow, how times have changed ... as a 29-year-old, I've come to realize that getting laid off and the ability to collect unemployment are nothing like the dream I once had ... I now understand that I actually crave structure, and enjoy having something to occupy my mind for 40 to 50 hours a week ... I don't smoke weed or play video games anymore, and drinking all day, every day, just doesn't make sense, unless you are the person who designed this website ... perhaps, I've just been trained ... brainwashed into believing that I need the security of a cubicle to maintain my sanity ... regardless, I don't miss my old job and am rather looking forward to starting my new one, as a very promising lead has arisen ... in case you haven't realized this, we at REAX aren't doing this for money ... we are doing it because we love music and care a great deal about our local scene ... most us have outside careers in order to get by ...

Since I have returned home to Tampa, quite a bit has happened ... I nearly lost my mind ... pushed someone I cared about away ... had a fascinating conversation with John Allen from Light Yourself On Fire (look for it in the next REAX) ... more importantly, I've seen some amazing shows at Crowbar and New World ... two of my favorite local bands have made some big changes in their sounds recently ... Win Win Winter has a new guitar player, and they continue to blow me away with their versatility ... every time I see them, I leave fulfilled ... Auto!Automatic!! has also changed up their sound quite a bit over the past year or so ... they've gotten a lot heavier, and a lot more interesting than I ever thought they could be quite honestly ... what they have done is very impressive, and seems a lot more complex ... 

The night is always darkest just before the dawn ... I firmly believe this to be true ... it's difficult to see the light sometimes though, and sometimes you are just deceived, a feeling that I have become all too familiar with of late ... but I've learned that no matter how bad things get, the importance of being earnest and kind can never be understated ... it costs nothing to be honest, loyal and true ... the peace that embracing this knowledge affords your soul is immeasurable ... I'm ready to move forward with my life now ... alone, comfortable, and excited ...