My none-too-serious interview with Carbonstone is now live on YouTube! Give it a watch!
Personal blog
The Mostly Music Podcast
I finally did it, y’all! I finally decided to start a music podcast. My sister-in-law has been encouraging me to do this for well over two years now: she says I’d be great at it because I’m so passionate about music.
I posted the idea to my Facebook page, and it was met with enthusiasm and several bands/artists looking to be interviewed. I fully intended to get the ball rolling before now, but technological issues impeded my progress. However, I am fairly certain I should have that sorted soon, and then I can begin scheduling video interviews.
Luckily, I had the chance recently to meet up with Maryland-based metal band Carbonstone and do an in-person interview. They played a show in Alabama and of course I went! As many of you know, I interviewed frontman Corey James for my blog earlier this year, and I reviewed their latest single, “Damaged Like You.”
With Carbonstone was Anoxia vocalist – and Corey’s wife – Chrystal James. She was gracious enough to agree to be interviewed as well!
Having already discussed music pretty thoroughly, I decided to have a little fun with Corey and Chrystal, and Carbonstone guitarist Neely Johns, for this interview. Since I titled my blog (and podcast) “Mostly Music,” we took on topics other than music, such as movies, dessert toppings, and places they would love to visit. But we naturally discussed a few music-related things, too.
The video is going live tonight on my new YouTube channel. For now, that’s the only place it will be. I added subtitles because both Chrystal and I had a couple of instances where we didn’t speak loudly enough, given that we were in a bar and there was a lot of background chatter. I will improve, though! I was just happy that my first in-person interview was with someone I had talked to before. It created a certain level of comfort, and I think that really comes through.
I would love it if y’all would check it out! Consider your viewing of it an early birthday gift. The video will be available at 5:30 p.m. CST.
Posing as a Travel Blog, a.k.a. My Colorado Vacation
I spent last week in Colorado. Trinidad, to be exact. I flew out to visit my brother and sister-in-law, and to enjoy five days far away from my job.
We didn’t plan things to do, we just did them. My brother smoked burgers and ribs because I love his cooking. We traveled highway 12 and ventured up to Simpson’s Rest, neither of which we’d managed during my previous trips due to the weather. He took me down to New Mexico, over the Raton Pass, through Carson National Forest, and into Eagle Nest. On my last full day, we drove to Rye and checked out Bishop Castle. I climbed to the second highest level there, but was too chicken to go to the top (especially since it was raining and the stairs and rails were wet).
Other than that, I had downtime with family. We ate good food and watched a lot of Netflix and Hulu. I convinced my brother to sit through the Fear Street films (he actually didn’t mind them), and I think I got him hooked on “Outer Banks.” Oh, and I was introduced to my newest furry nephew, Lucifer.
I could go on and on. However, I’ll just tell my story in pictures. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, after all.
(The cats get uploaded as individual images. I’ll group each day trip into a gallery.)
A Whole Lotta Good, But Also Some Bad
Hello, all! I hope this post finds you well. I just wanted to jump on here and give y’all an update on things.
I have four interviews in progress, though one seems to have stalled out because of circumstances beyond his control. I’m really looking forward to sharing them, Carbonstone’s in particular. I have also been receiving emails from various promoters requesting that I share singles and tour dates for bands they represent. I was followed on Facebook by Paul Crosby Management, which is cool (and if you’d like to follow too, here’s the link 😉).
I have almost finished yet another book for my Goodreads reading challenge, so keep an eye out for my next update post about that.
As for the bad news, I had to miss the Alter Bridge show in Nashville because I was too sick to go. I went to my doctor yesterday and he put me on an antibiotic and a medicine meant to break up congestion and help keep my lungs clear. I was gutted to skip the concert, but there is a bright side. I should be well in time to enjoy my brother’s visit this weekend! And we may have missed Alter Bridge, but I’m taking Mom to her first Shinedown show in April so… I guess we’ll recover. Haha.
Thank you to everyone who even acknowledges this blog. Drop a comment if you’d like, telling me something good – or bad – that has happened lately, or just how you’re doing today!
Cheers!
A Few Things…
The majority of my posts over the last week have been previously scheduled posts, so I figured I’d give y’all a real time update on my life in general.
We lost my uncle (my dad’s youngest brother) last week. His funeral was Sunday, the 1st, which I hope is not a sign of how our 2023 is going to go. The aftermath has been rough: I won’t pretend I was super close to my uncle, but I wasn’t prepared for that generation of family members to start dying. I mean, my grandmother is still trekking along! And yes, I know that’s not the way the world works; people don’t always pass from oldest to youngest. However, I can tell you that I’ve made my peace with my grandmother’s inevitable death, as she has had health issues for a while now and I have thus had time to accept what’s coming. But my uncle? That one blindsided all of us.
On a positive note: it is now 19 days until my date with Alter Bridge! I have three interviews I’m in the process of wrapping up (and one I just started), so get ready for those. And last, but certainly not least, I have been putting a lot of time and energy into the Facebook page for this blog and it seems to be paying off. I’m gaining followers and my blog views have increased and I’ve been interacting with some really cool bands/artists. If you’re interested, the link to that page is below.
I hope all of you had a Happy New Year, and the first four days of 2023 have treated you well! Be ready for my first Goodreads Reading Challenge update soon!!!
Goodbye, 2022!
I hope this post finds all of you well. I just wanted to do a little personal blog to say thank-you to everyone who is following me. 2022 has been quite a year for me, and I hope next year is even better! It’s bound to be, really, considering I’m kicking things off with an Alter Bridge show… 😁🤘🏻
I already have two interviews lined up for early in 2023. Be ready for those, and in the meantime, feel free to revisit the ones I’ve already done. I’ll link them below. If you know of any bands I need to check out – or try to interview – leave a comment. I really want to do more song and album reviews next year, and I hope to do a bi-weekly Bands/Artists You Should Be Following post.
- Wes Grissom of Ancient Sins
- Awesome Ray Ray
- Andy Bawden of Call of Sirens
- Brett Bellomy of Empire Springs
I will be participating in the GoodReads Challenge again. I think my goal will be 40 books this year. If you have any author or book recommendations, please share them with me!
Also, my second 30 day challenge begins tomorrow! This time I will be posting about movies. As always, I invite you to play along on your blog or in my comment section.
I never make resolutions, but I do have one for 2023. I’m not going to voice (or write) it at the moment; however, I will be very open once I’m in the process of getting it done. If resolutions are your thing, may you smash them! If not, I hope you kill whatever goals you set for yourself. It’s been a rough few years, and we all deserve a much better 2023.
Cheers!
Browsing Pinterest For Cool Sights – Destination Three: Neuschwanstein Castle (Germany)
Location: Schwangau, Germany
I actually stumbled across this castle on Google first and thought it looked like something from a fairytale. As you know if you’ve been following this blog, I went through a two year obsession with Rammstein, which in turn led to a fascination with their homeland and its many interesting travel destinations. I’m sure this is not the last post you’ll see about something cool/breathtaking in Deutschland.
Browsing Pinterest For Cool Sights – Destination Two: Caerphilly Castle (Wales)
Or, more accurately, the dragons that don the shoreline of one of the surrounding artificial lakes.
Location: Caerphilly, Wales, United Kingdom
The castle was constructed by Gilbert de Clare in the 13th century and is an amazing sight in its own right…
But what caught my attention on Pinterest were the dragons. They started with one that breathes smoke.
A second dragon was added, along with a nest holding eggs. Then, two babies “hatched,” and they are adorable.
Four Months of Challenges
I am about to embark on a 30 day challenge. Actually, I’m doing one each month from December to March. I figure this is a good way to ensure I have something to post every day even when I’m struggling for inspiration. The four I found are:
- 30 Day Song Challenge
- 30 Day Film Challenge
- 30 Day Horror Movie Challenge
- 30 Day Book Challenge
Feel free to do these along with me, either on your own blog or in my comments! I would enjoy the company 🙂
Seeing as music is my main focus here, I’m going to start with the 30 Day Song Challenge. Tomorrow will be day one, so get ready!
Browsing Pinterest For Cool Sights – Destination One: The Hill of Crosses (Lithuania)
Location: Jurgaičiai, Lithuania, north of the city of Šiauliai
This is a site of Catholic pilgrimage. You can learn more on Wikipedia if you’re interested.
Just looking at the pictures, I find this place to be eerily beautiful. Check it out for yourself.
Mostly Music 