Who the hell are ya?!

[The DARK]

Nope, not yet. My hair's not black, even though it looks like it in the pic.  ;) Though otherwise the resemblence is uncanny...

It really is.  And I can't believe you're only 16.  You're more mature than half the 'adult' men on here.   :P

Only because I have time to think out what I have to say. Sadly, I can seem pretty awkward in real life.  :-/

Age isn't really a definition of maturity, though. I think back to reviews of Juno when it came out, when a lot of people were saying that 16/17 year olds don't talk like that or know that much. In reality, it's pretty shocking how accurate that film is in a lot of ways. I happen to know someone quite similar in real life, fun-loving but wise beyond her years.

You are gonna get things a bit different from my perspective though, as obviously I haven't seen enough of the world.

[tomEisenbraun]

Haha! Awesome! I graduated from Wheaton Academy in 2005? Also hung out with a select few from Wheaton North here and again. Frequented the hell out of La Spiaza in downtown Wheaton all summer of 2006.

Where'd you do high school?

I graduated Wheaton North. . . uh, let's just say a *few* years before you. . . and went to COD for a year and a half before I moved down to Champaign/Urbana. If you ever saw a blue and white VW bus riding around town (I hung out a *lot* in downtown Wheaton and Glen Ellyn when I lived there) that was me!

Which part of Carol Stream/Wheaton did you live in? I used to live right down the street from the old Pleasant Hill school off of Geneva rd.
Crazy.

Oh wow, so it's been awhile but...I lived on the Southeast corner of Army Trail and County Farm. Little townhouse in there. Pretty crazy, but if you check this out (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=41.938255,-88.161432&ie=UTF8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ll=41.938255,-88.161432&spn=0.001119,0.002159&t=h&z=19&iwloc=addr) and zoom in all the way you can see my white Jeep parked next to my stepdad's green Jeep in the driveway of our old house.

I worked in Lombard for the last year and a half of high school at the Guitar ER--how long  have you been in Urbana/Champaign?

(I get the "you look really familiar!" pretty often for some reason. Are there some faces that are just prone to that kind of recognition?)

[Taterbug]

 :)

[pawpaw]

bump. ( I always liked this one and wished more people would do one  :))

[j_rud]

My name is Jason. Im 26 and live just outside Philadelphia in the suburb of Lansdowne. I graduated from Bloomsburg University with a BA in social work (minor in sociology), and Im a behavior specialist who provides therapeutic support to individuals with Autism. I also write/design behavior plans and protocols. Im halfway to a masters degree in social work but took some time off because Im thinking I may want to switch fields.

Im not originally from the Philly area; I grew up in a small town on the side of a coal mountain in northeast PA called Shenandoah.  Its a tiny, blue collar town. Im 100% Polish and proud of my heritage. Im proud of my small town, blue collar upbringing and I try to make sure I retain it despite living in an urban center with a white collar job. Im still a Coal Kid at heart.

I moved to Philadelphia after I graduated to move in with a girl I met in college. I told her I was going to marry her 3 weeks after we met. That was 6 years ago, and we were married last November. GivenToFly was there, he got a little lit and  danced his ass off to the sweet sounds of the 70s. Nothing gets a party movin' like classic R&B.  Perhaps I should post the pics...whatta ya think Dan?

The only thing that matches my passion for My Morning Jacket is my love of the New York Giants. The first time I watched a football game, in 1988, I saw Lawrence Taylor wreaking havoc and I knew then there was no other team for me. I dont like to sound snobby but Im a very knowledgeable football fan and a student of the history of not only the Giants but the entire NFL. Its the greatest sport in the world. I played in high school and was pretty good, good enough to play at a small college, but lost that opportunity through a combination of a moderate knee injury and some really poor decisions. I played rugby instead and had a great time doing it. While I love football, rugby is the hardest game I have ever played in my life. Its not for everybody. Thats part of the reason I love it.

I also love cooking, barbecuing to be exact. Im not talking about a gas grill, either. Real barbecue is made with time and charcoal. "Low and slow". Like any other skill its not easy and it takes practice, but Ive gotten pretty good at it. Last Thanksgiving I did a 25 lb turkey in my smoker. It took 9 hours and by the time I got done I didnt even want to look at it let alone eat it, but our guests said it was great lol.

Im also getting into photography in earnest. I have an old but good camera and Im having fun tooling around with it and exploring different parts of Philadelphia.

I also snowboard, but I havent in over a year, just not enough time to get up to the mountains living down here. For a stretch of 5 years I was lucky enough to go to either Vermont or Canada every winter. Ive been to Hunter Mtn, Mt. Snow, Killington & Pico, Sunday River, Sugarbush, Okemo, and Mont Tremblant. Im hoping to get out again this coming winter.

And, of course, I love MMJ. Ive been listening since At Dawn was suggested to me by Mugsy, the owner and proprietor of Mugsy's Records, the only decent music store in Bloomsburg (closed now, of course, with a Starbucks in its place). Ive seen the band 4 times starting in 2005 (opening for Pearl Jam, at the Electric Factory in Philly, Radio City, and 2 weeks ago in Louisville) and have tickets to 3 more shows this year (DC, Philly Festival Pier, and New Years at MSG). Every time Ive seen them GivenToFly was there too, we're kind of partners in our Jacket obsession.

And thats about it.

[BH]

Im a behavior specialist who provides therapeutic support to individuals with Autism. I also write/design behavior plans and protocols.

Hey that's awesome!  My sister set up her own autism school here in Missouri called the Center for Autism.  In fact we just had a charity golf tournament yesterday for it.  That's a tough job but she really loves it.  Those kids are amazing. If you ever need and job and want to move to Missouri (Yeah right, I know.) let me know!

This is one of my favorite stories about someone with autism.  Those sketches just really get to me.   -->

http://www.logtv.com/films/autism/video.htm

[pawpaw]

It's good to hear from ya j_rud. I grew up snowboarding A LOT, but for the past 10 years or so have only averaged 2 or 3 days a season. I recently moved about an hour and a half closer to Tahoe though, so I'm hoping to get up a little more this year.

And we already knew that you're an incredible football snob!  ;)

[ycartrob]

Im halfway to a masters degree in social work but took some time off because Im thinking I may want to switch fields.

I have my MSW; what are you thinking about switching to?

[YouAre_GivenToFly]

I moved to Philadelphia after I graduated to move in with a girl I met in college. I told her I was going to marry her 3 weeks after we met. That was 6 years ago, and we were married last November. GivenToFly was there, he got a little lit and  danced his ass off to the sweet sounds of the 70s. Nothing gets a party movin' like classic R&B.  Perhaps I should post the pics...whatta ya think Dan?

Get cha back up off the wall!

[JacketGal]

Below are ChiefOkonoko and I. We met through the music (and isn't that a fine way to meet?)  MMJ is a huge part of what brought us closer.  From what I understand this band has brought together some kick ass folks.

So....my name is Angela, I live in Lombard, IL and work in Chicago. I've been here all of my life and love this city. Chiefy works and lives in LA. We're trying to get us together but it's been tough. We both work at public universities and love our jobs, so that makes it tougher. We have a secret way of making it work -- we travel to see each other and we usually catch a show while we're at it.

First Jacket show was May 2004 - I was expecting a so-so gig. I walked out of that venue a changed woman. I could do nothing but talk about, listen to and learn about this band. They literally blew my mind and continue to do so. I got to host the Z release party in Chicago which was so damn cool. The venue, Schuba's also had Bobby Bare and Catfish Haven's CD releases that night so we were in fine company.

Since that time I've been lucky enough to see the Filmore gigs (both 2005 & 2006), a ton of Z shows and I will never stop. They just keep evolving and it seems that they evolve in a way that makes me love them more. Some bands evolve and end up leaving me cold.  

Here we are at the Louisville gig 8-16-08. We met MylifeisOught there as well as Teo, Mrs. Teo, AmD and Ms. Yvon. Super, super people! Although, we have hung with Ms. Y before (she rocks), it was our first time meeting the others. Good to meet you and hope to meet more of ya as time passes.

"Whooo! I made a nasty decision
To love whoever I want just-a whenever I can"

Y'all rock! 8-)

[j_rud]

I meant to include a few pics to go along with what I was talking about, but forgot to. Figured I'd just add 'em on...

Me and the wife


New York Giants Super Bowl parade. Yeah, I traveled up from Philly. Yeah, I had Jameson for breakfast.


Iron and Wine himself, Sam Beam



My friend Greg and Dan (GivenToFly) in the Louisville airport, 5:30 AM, morning after the Louisville show. Louisville bars are open till 4AM...we knew that was a recipe for disaster....

[YouAre_GivenToFly]

Ok so now that I'm both drunk and passed out in pictures on this page alone, I'll introduce myself.

I'm Dan, 21 yrs old, just starting my senior year at a small college in Philadelphia. I'm majoring in psychology with a minor in criminal justice. My main area of interest is PTSD and the effects of combat on troops after they come home (increased suicide, crime, divorce rates, etc.). I'm not sure how I can get a job with that, but we'll see. I've got a great girlfriend who I've known since I was about 15 (shit... has it been that long?), and dated for the last 3 1/2 years.

I've lived in the same house in the Philly suburbs my entire life. I like it, but I'd much rather be in New Hampshire. My family has been going up there since the 70s, a little house on a lake, and I love it. Maybe someday I'll end up there.

Music is a big deal to me. Metallica was my first love back in high school, then I became a Pearl Jam follower. I heard MMJ was opening for Pearl Jam back in 2006, and I was pretty pumped since I had just gotten It Still Moves. Those 2 nights MMJ blew my mind in a way PJ really never did. Saw Jim James solo about 2 months after that, and then my first proper MMJ show in Philly that December. Since then I've been to Radio City, Louisville, and heading to DC, Philly, and New Years before the year is out.

Besides music (and of course MMJ) I also play guitar. I was in a band in high school, we weren't too bad, but we sure weren't good. I like to bike in Fairmount Park, play lacrosse, go to Phillies games, photography, brewing beer, and when I get the chance go on the occasional mountain hike in NH.

New Hampshire





Fairmount Park, about a 2 minute walk from my door.


The girlfriend and I at j_rud's wedding (pre-drinks)

[Penny Lane]

Ok so now that I'm both drunk and passed out in pictures on this page alone, I'll introduce myself.

I'm Dan, 21 yrs old, just starting my senior year at a small college in Philadelphia. I'm majoring in psychology with a minor in criminal justice. My main area of interest is PTSD and the effects of combat on troops after they come home (increased suicide, crime, divorce rates, etc.). I'm not sure how I can get a job with that, but we'll see. I've got a great girlfriend who I've known since I was about 15 (shit... has it been that long?), and dated for the last 3 1/2 years.

I've lived in the same house in the Philly suburbs my entire life. I like it, but I'd much rather be in New Hampshire. My family has been going up there since the 70s, a little house on a lake, and I love it. Maybe someday I'll end up there.

Music is a big deal to me. Metallica was my first love back in high school, then I became a Pearl Jam follower. I heard MMJ was opening for Pearl Jam back in 2006, and I was pretty pumped since I had just gotten It Still Moves. Those 2 nights MMJ blew my mind in a way PJ really never did. Saw Jim James solo about 2 months after that, and then my first proper MMJ show in Philly that December. Since then I've been to Radio City, Louisville, and heading to DC, Philly, and New Years before the year is out.

Besides music (and of course MMJ) I also play guitar. I was in a band in high school, we weren't too bad, but we sure weren't good. I like to bike in Fairmount Park, play lacrosse, go to Phillies games, photography, brewing beer, and when I get the chance go on the occasional mountain hike in NH.

New Hampshire





Fairmount Park, about a 2 minute walk from my door.


The girlfriend and I at j_rud's wedding (pre-drinks)

have you ever been up around north conway/mount washington area? i've spent a lot of time up there...one of my favorite places. i've hiked some of mt washington and have done a few other hikes up there. specifically, the village i used to go to is callled edelveiss--i've also done some skiing at wildcat--just wondered which area of NH were you talking about--

[YouAre_GivenToFly]

The lake I stay at is in central New Hampshire, near Plymouth & Bristol, about 40 minutes west of Lake Winnipesaukee. I haven't been up north in a few years, but I have driven up Mount Washington. I also remember taking the aerial tram up the side of Cannon Mountain and doing the rim hike there. That was amazing.

[pawpaw]

Hey Angela and Dan, great posts!

Hey Dan, I was at a wedding this weekend where the groom and all his friends and family were from Philly. The bride and groom now live in a part of the city that can't remember the name of but starts with the letter 'M', and is near a big park (maybe the one from that picture, which is awesome, btw). All the Philly guys were loving the California bridesmaids, and we all had a great time partying down on the central coast.

[Penny Lane]

The lake I stay at is in central New Hampshire, near Plymouth & Bristol, about 40 minutes west of Lake Winnipesaukee. I haven't been up north in a few years, but I have driven up Mount Washington. I also remember taking the aerial tram up the side of Cannon Mountain and doing the rim hike there. That was amazing.

haven't spent much time in central--although i did go to the town Ken Burns lives in? (can't remember the name) i completely understand why you love it--i would live there if there were just more jobs in northern new hammy--(other than ski instructor or golf pro)

[j_rud]

Hey Angela and Dan, great posts!

Hey Dan, I was at a wedding this weekend where the groom and all his friends and family were from Philly. The bride and groom now live in a part of the city that can't remember the name of but starts with the letter 'M', and is near a big park (maybe the one from that picture, which is awesome, btw). All the Philly guys were loving the California bridesmaids, and we all had a great time partying down on the central coast.

Manayunk?

[pawpaw]

Hey Angela and Dan, great posts!

Hey Dan, I was at a wedding this weekend where the groom and all his friends and family were from Philly. The bride and groom now live in a part of the city that can't remember the name of but starts with the letter 'M', and is near a big park (maybe the one from that picture, which is awesome, btw). All the Philly guys were loving the California bridesmaids, and we all had a great time partying down on the central coast.

Manayunk?

Yeah, I think that's it...I was pretty loaded when we were talking about that though, memory not so good. Is that a pretty cool part of town?

Great morning-after-at-the-Louisville-airport shot Jason. It looks like you boys did Philly proud  ;D

[j_rud]

Hey Angela and Dan, great posts!

Hey Dan, I was at a wedding this weekend where the groom and all his friends and family were from Philly. The bride and groom now live in a part of the city that can't remember the name of but starts with the letter 'M', and is near a big park (maybe the one from that picture, which is awesome, btw). All the Philly guys were loving the California bridesmaids, and we all had a great time partying down on the central coast.

Manayunk?

Yeah, I think that's it...I was pretty loaded when we were talking about that though, memory not so good. Is that a pretty cool part of town?

Great morning-after-at-the-Louisville-airport shot Jason. It looks like you boys did Philly proud  ;D

Yeah, thats definitely the hippest young neighborhood of the city. Certain parts of West Philadelphia are on the upswing as well, as is another neighborhood called Fishtown which is a bit north of Center City. Manayunk is nice and definitely a trendy area, incredibly expensive to live on the main street. I'll be heading up there next week after the Festival Pier show for the Red Bull SoapBox Derby. That whole week is going to be ridiculous.

As for that shot; those 18 hours were a whirlwind. We got back in Philly precisely 24 hours after we arrived to the airport for check-in. I sat on the curb trying to make sense of the last days events when I just blurted out "Holy shit, did that all really just happen?"  :D

[YouAre_GivenToFly]

Hey Angela and Dan, great posts!

Hey Dan, I was at a wedding this weekend where the groom and all his friends and family were from Philly. The bride and groom now live in a part of the city that can't remember the name of but starts with the letter 'M', and is near a big park (maybe the one from that picture, which is awesome, btw). All the Philly guys were loving the California bridesmaids, and we all had a great time partying down on the central coast.

Manayunk?

Yeah, I think that's it...I was pretty loaded when we were talking about that though, memory not so good. Is that a pretty cool part of town?

Great morning-after-at-the-Louisville-airport shot Jason. It looks like you boys did Philly proud  ;D

Yeah, thats definitely the hippest young neighborhood of the city.

The hipsters in NoLibs might disagree.