Every Night's Another Story

I can’t wait to hit the stage and say hello to Jersey

October 6th, 2011

On Sept 10, I got to go to the Early November reunion show in Philly. Let’s start with the setlist:

For All Of This
Sesame Smeshame
A Little More Time
All We Ever Needed
Ever So Sweet
The Course Of Human Life
Fluxy
Hair
Figure It Out
Ashala Rock
Something That Produces Results
Sunday Drive
The Rest Of My Life
Driving South
Money In His Hand
Baby Blue
Decoration
Every Night’s Another Story

I waited in line for like 6 hours

Ellie had the idea of doing a BBQ while we wait. We brought a ton of burgers and a grill with us. While “waiting in line”, we opened up the back of her car and started grillin. We made tons of burgers for everyone who wanted one. They were actually way super good.

Talking on the phone while waiting

While waiting for the show to start, we went around the side and hung out with Ace and Ultra Bill. “WHAT!?”

At the show, I met up with several people that I met 7 years ago on the Early November message boards. Some were cool. Some were weird. Not everyone came that said they were going to but here is the group when we decided to take a picture

Oh, and we saw a show. I was a “front row Joe”

Between the opening bands (Man Overboard and Into It. Over It.) I decided to give my feet a rest and sit on the floor. Man Overboard started, there was not another chance to sit down.

After the show, we went and got another pic with Ultra Bill

He was super busy, but I met up with my 2009 person of the year, Jeff.

After the show was the after party at a bar. I went there and hung out with Erin, Ellie, Jose (drummer for I Can Make a Mess). There I discovered that if you play naive and ask for a non alcoholic drink, they were somehow willing to give you it for free.

Around 1:00, I was ready to go so I decided to head upstairs to say goodbye to Jeff. He pulled me a chair next to him and said to come hang out. I spent the next couple of hours just talking to him and being introduced to every one of his friends and family members that came by; he would stop them and tell them how much he loved me and how I was one of his top 3 fans and the reason he loved playing live shows. He kept talking about how rad Utah shows are and how we are always his favorite place to tour (he has also mentioned this in several interviews). Sergio came over to give me a big hug and hang out. I got to meet B-Rett.

tl;dr – I spend a couple hours with one of my musical heroes while he kept telling me how awesome I am and how grateful he was that I came out there. We ended the night with a pic.

It was one of the greatest nights of my life.

Angstd

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Every single car on the new jersey turnpike Has their hazards flashing for a fireworks display

October 6th, 2011

Through a twitter comment someone made, I found out that Ace Enders, frontman for The Early November, was doing a solo acoustic show the night before the big show; the show was not announced to the public. It was up in Ewing, NJ at The College of New Jersey. Ellie was working, Erin was getting in late, someone had a death in their family, and everyone else I knew was busy so I drove up there alone.

I made the drive up there and found that the show was being held in a small cafe in the corner of their student center. Ace’s sister Robin opened the show, and then Ace got up to play a decently long set:

Golds Rush
Timshel
Driving South
When I Hit the Ground
Figure it Out
The Best Happiness Money Can Buy
Ready Ankles
Lame Duck
Sunday Drive
Body Like Mind
Hair
Baby Blue
Old Man……….
Salvy

There was also about 30 minutes of him rambling

I waited an hour or so for the show to start. There were a lot of interesting people to watch since it was in the student center of a college

I made a couple friends. I sat next a fan named Melanie. Her camera was used to take the album art for Gold Rush. It still had some of the paint on it

Before the show started, I went and hung out with Ace for a bit. Just two guys hanging out

Sunday Drive

When I got talked to him, I was pleasantly surprised that he called me by name. I knew he knew exactly who I was but I didn’t think he remembered my name. While walking out of the show, his wife stopped me and was like, “I thought that was you! I kept looking over during the show and was like ‘Is that Derek?’”. She thanked me for coming out introduced me to their 1 year old son, and then chatted with me for a bit. It was a rad night.

I then drove back to Merchantville to get me some sleep.

Angstd

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p-p-p-past the pyramids and the Liberty Bell

October 6th, 2011

In September, my favorite band and one of my passions, The Early November, did a reunion tour in Philadelphia. The band broke up a few years ago so when they announced a reunion show in PA, I had to be there.

I got there Thursday night, had a ton of confusion with the rental car, and then started making my way to Merchantville, NJ. I spend the first couple of nights at my friend Ellie’s house; Her parents had a spare bedroom that they decided to let some unknown kid stay in. I spent the next couple of days in South Jersey and Philly.

Landon’s friend Hillyard said I had to go to Rita’s and get some “ice water”.

My first stop in Philly was of course Citizens Ball Park. GO PHILLIES!

It was an away weekend so this statue of the Phillie Phanatic had to do

I hit up a bunch of historical sites that were rad

I stopped by that one LOVE park that is in movies and TV. I of course had Amanda in mind

I ate me a legit Cheese Steak at Geno’s

I hung out with Ellie’s mom’s boyfriend’s dog

The streets had trash cans that I was not familiar with

I paid too much for a crappy breakfast at some health food reseraunt

Oh, and I went to the concert. More to come…

Angstd

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And I think that I see that big blade coming to slice open a great canyon

October 6th, 2011

At the end of August, I did a private trip down the Grand Canyon with the family. My dad and his brothers were all raised as “river rats”. At an older age, they decided to do one last trip. The brothers and kids.

Here are some of us after packing the boat the day before the trip.

The first day on the river was one of the worst days of my life. By the end of the day, I wished I was dead.

Me and the G-Dawg

Random shot on some smaller rapids

Getting ready to unpack the boats for the night

I got a couple of chances to unwind and feel one with nature and stuff

We went to a place called “The Little Colorado”. There was a cool little mus slide thing

I passed out cold during an extended lunch break

I’m pretty rad

The hike out, at South Rim, sucked bad. But I triumphed

“We did it!”

The trip was a ton of work but an experience I will never forget. I had a lot of fun. The best part about it was getting home to see Amanda.

Angstd

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We’re in love, sweet love

October 6th, 2011

I haven’t dedicated much any time to blogging lately. I have been very distracted with work, vacations, school, and this girl named Amanda. With all of that going on, I probably should have been documenting this important time….

I’m getting married!

Let’s catch up through pictures:

I went on a few vacations and missed her a ton

I got back, made her give me a haircut and trim my gross neck beard

While on the Grand Canyon, I decided I liked her… so I put a ring on it.

This is just after proposing. She does not like this picture but I love it

We did lots of cool stuff like watch the U slaughter BYU. We still had fun.

We went to a LONG (but good) fhe at the church.

We went up to Deer Valley for the Stage Bagging Competition. This is my hot bagging fiance.

I was her number one fan… although I can’t claim credit for the sign.

She kicked butt but didn’t quite win. She still bagged my heart.

She got a goody bag.

I made her come take family pictures with us

We also took some cute pics. They will be perfect once some zits are photoshopped out.

Ashli just brought up the fact that I was pushing Amanda over. We laughed.

We’re gonna get married there.

And the story continues…

Derek

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Yeah

July 18th, 2011

Homework night…

Angstd

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While we’re out to waste your time

July 18th, 2011

Angstd

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I’m not imagining how you give me the shivers

July 18th, 2011

The weekend has reached an end. Tme to start working for another one.

Tonight, Amanda and I went down to Nate and Cass’ house to play games. Amanda has some great beginners lu…. skill at Monopoly deal. She put me to shame. Nate pulled off a win as well. Next, we played trouble. I think was the first time that I have ever played a full game. Tis time I had the beginners skill and pulled off a win. Lastly we played two games of Rumicube? Case had some pretty sweet moves which led her towin the first game. I insisted we play a second game before we call it a night. I wanted to leave ona high note. I did.

After we got back to Orem, Amanda and I hung out in her front yard. She is quite the grass architect.

Fine leather jackets:

- Abuse being handled in the 40′s

- Breaking Bad started off it’s season tonight. I need to get caught up.

- Fry and I spend our Saturdays in a very similar fashion.

Angstd

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And do you know why I can’t sleep at night

July 17th, 2011

I got to spend last night in the hospital having a sleep study done. My doc thinks I may have sleep apnea. The night vas very long. I could hardly sleep. I slept like I was camping. I have to wait a couple of weeks for results.