The Only Decent Things

So, I was watching the movie Next the other day on tv. Very few good things I can say about that movie. I mean, its a Nicholas Cage movie so I'm not really surprised. The only good things I can say about that movie was 1) Jessica Biel (mmm, pure perfection) and 2) the following quote:

"There's an Italian painter, named Carlotti, and he defined beauty. He said it was the summation of the parts working in such a way that nothing needed to added, taken away, or altered. And that's you. You're beautiful."

Usually don't like shit like that but it caught my attention. Figured I'd share it.

Ok, that's all for now. 

Till next time.

Rex, out. 

Relativity (in 2 Parts)

Part 1:

So, I've been working on a lot of old music recently (for ...You're Welcome and Ancora stuff) and I can't help but think about where I was when I wrote those songs. I really think that's the greatest thing about music. No matter how long ago it was, I know exactly what I was doing whenever I first heard/created these songs.

Example: the other day I was mixing a track for ...You're Welcome and I had a flashback to the exact moment I wrote the lyrics and what I was feeling that led me to write them. I mean, it was a pretty depressing moment, but it was over 2 years ago and I still felt that same level of emotion. It was crazy, to say the least. The craziest part was that by being within those emotions, it made me focus more sonically. Like, I wanted it to sound the way that I felt. Hopefully I portrayed that properly.

Music really is timeless. I mean, there are some Ancora songs that we played when our band was still Ambition by Agreement...that was over 7 years ago. Granted, those songs have gone through some changes, but I still get that same thrill playing them now. I still get pumped whenever I hear the (new) intro to "Stalkers" as I did when we debuted it at the talent show in our junior year of high school (that was a shitty show, btw).

All in all, I think music is the single most transcendent thing in existence. No matter where you are, no matter how many things have changed, no matter how many years have passed, music will forever put you back in that exact moment you first heard and/or created that song. Crazy deep, right?!

Part 2:

This is going to sound...well, it IS a bit hypocritical, but have you ever wished somebody lived up to their potential? I mean, it's a little different for me because I can't say that I've actually done shit with my life since high school. With that being said, I still think my point is valid. Shall I proceed? I shall...

About a month ago, I was going through my timeline and commenting on the crazy shit I was seeing. I got to one tweet in particular and read it out loud while Evan was playing NCAA Football 06 on the original XBox (don't hate, we're old school. Vintage, nigga). Before I could even tell him who it was, he said, "wow, that girl's a joke. She needs to get her shit together." Now, I have a history with this girl, and she's easily one of the most attractive girls I've ever laid eyes on. She's also a really great person. But she has some SERIOUS character flaws (into some shit I refuse to be involved in). So, Evan and I talked about this for a while, and I remember saying that I wished she lived up to her potential. Not even full potential, just a portion. If she had, I can definitely say things would have played out differently. I mean, I'm not dwelling on the past by any means, just something I thought about. 

Here's the kicker though: how many people have said the same about me? I don't have a lot to show for myself. I mean, I don't get into any trouble, never been arrested, not addicted to any drugs. I may be a little bit of an alcoholic, but who isn't?! Ok, I'm kidding...kinda haha! Anyway, I like to think that I don't have any major character flaws that force people away. But, then again, who really thinks they do?

So, how many people have passed on me due to me not finishing school, or because I'm 23 and don't have a job that I'm proud of? I'm a pretty ambitious person, I want to do major things. What if I've been passed over because people don't think my ambitions are realistic?

Don't get shit twisted, I'm not diving into any sort of self doubt by any means. I generally tend to think I'm a fairly/severely confident person. Just a thought that crossed my mind recently. Food for thought...

Anyway, I'm gonna make an attempt to be a productive citizen. Wish me luck!

Out,

Rex

Fed Up

It seems like as of recent I've been becoming more and more fed up with my job. I love the environment and my coworkers, but I really can't stand the clientele. I feel like a lot of the people that enter that establishment feed into all the negative stereotypes us servers have.

I think most of my fellow service industry folk can agree with the fact that's its almost impossible to approach every guest or table with the same mindset. Example: if I get sat with a middle-class white couple or family, I'm going to be in a far more positive mood than if I get sat with Shondrika and her loud ass hoodrat friends or Bubba and his camo-wearing redneck buddies with confederate flag sleeveless shirts on. Not being a dick but 9xs out of 10, that middle-class white family is going to tip in a far more respectable manor than black folks or rednecks. Now, every now and then you'll get your surprise but it's usually a pretty foreseeable outcome before you even make it to the table. 

Now, I guess I should go in depth as to what an appropriate tip is. If a server provides exceptional service (keeps your drink full, suggests items, smiles, ya know, basic shit), then a 20% tip is the standard, no less than 15%. Fuck what Oprah said. I tend to overtip a bit just because I relate and I'm usually tipping my friends. But if your server/bartender does a good job, they deserve to be tipped accordingly. No ifs, ands, or asses. Besides, we literally depend on tips as our source of income as we get paid far below minimum wage AND usually have to tip out a percentage of our sales no matter how much money we make. 

So, let me give you my experience from earlier today.Twas a slow day at work, had a couple tables here and there, when I get sat with a couple slack-ass ratchet bitches who looked like they picked themselves up straight off the couch, put on some house slippers, and came out to eat. No makeup, hair nappy, one bitch didn't even bother to put a bra on. Got their drinks, suggested an appetizer, then proceeded to take their order. Not only did they not even attempt to read anything on the menu themselves, but they barely paid me any attention at all while I'm trying to take THEIR order. After struggling to make it through that process, I put their order in, bring them silverware, and delivered their food when it was ready. Refilled drinks, asked if everything was ok. Of course they ran my ass all across the restaurant as if they were the only people in the world. Halfway through their meal, I get sat with a party of young black kids. They seemed to be polite, educated, and well-mannered. And I was told it was going to be 8 people, so I had the opportunity to add gratuity. Then, 1 person didn't show...then only 5 of them ordered meals. No gratuity for me. Ok, whatever. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. Meanwhile, I cash out the previous table, tell them to enjoy their day, and continue taking care of my other table. These ugly ratchet bitches left me NOTHING!!! Ok...still have this party to look forward to, right?! They ran me a little, nothing too crazy. All was well until they asked for their checks. One kid told me that he was gonna pay some of his tab in cash and the rest with his friend's card. Bad sign. Cashed them out, waited almost an hour for them to actually leave to finish cleaning the table. All together their checks were over $60. I made a total of $3 off of them. Completely unacceptable. It also didn't help that those were the last 2 tables of my shift. Not a good way to end the day. I technically lost money serving them. 

Moral of the story: if you don't know how to take care of the people taking care of you, or if you can't afford to do so, stay your happy ass at home. Plain and simple. Cuz it's getting to a point where I may snap on your bitch ass and ultimately get fired because of it. It's common sense, common courtesy.

I hope this gives a little insight into what servers go through on a day-to-day basis. Get your act together people.

On that note, my black ass is going to sleep. Working on some music bright and early tomorrow.

Later,

Rex

Loyalty and a Rainy Cinco

Ok, anyone who knows me knows that I can cut people off in seconds. Half the time I don't even realize it, just a subconscious thing. It's almost like a natural response. Sometimes I try to go against this reaction, but the logical part of my being overpowers pretty much everything. I think it's a survival technique.

A little story...

A couple months ago I was put in a very awkward and extremely frustrating situation. Someone I had so much respect and love for decided that their comfort and need for support was more important than having my back. Things were said about me that we're false, unwarranted, and flat out uneducated. Needless to say, I got really pissed. Cue argument. Cue outrage. Cue hurt feelings.

Cue my subconscious natural response.

I didn't necessarily want that to happen. It just did. And there was nothing I could really do about it. And now I'm afraid things probably won't ever be the same with this person. Logic tells me that this is most likely for the better. Still sucks tho.

The worst part is that it wasn't caused by this person. And it won't be the fault of anyone else it could happen to. Remember when I said it was a survival technique? Yeah, I guess it's something that's adapted over the past few years, since like 2009 I guess.

Oh well. Shit happens, we move on, right?! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

On to a lighter and really fucking awesome note...

...new music today!!! Josh and I had a really productive, fun, and drunk recording session the other night. Putting the final touches on that muhfugga as I type this! Shit, I tried to tell y'all...

Happy Cinco de Mayo
Get drunk, be safe, don't do anything I wouldn't do (so do EVERYTHING)

Peace
Rex