Alive, but trembling

Hello. Every now and then, I tend to post something here to the effect of "I'm still alive, and I haven't abandoned the blog." This may be an "I'm alive" post, but the connotation is a little different this time. Today should have been a fairly normal day. I had a few interviews scheduled, and returned to my apartment to grab lunch between them. I left the apartment at 12:15 for my second interview, and returned around 1:40. My intention was to stop by my apartment, change out of my suit into more comfortable clothes, and head out again to go grocery shopping. Instead, I found my apartment inaccessible.

Police barricades cut off that entire side of the block.

Unbeknownst to me, three incidents had occurred in my brief absence. The first was a minor collision, blocking some traffic. The second followed from the first, with an 18-wheeler backing over the car behind it (well, under it, but you get my point). Apparently, there weren't any critical injuries in either of those cases. That can't really be said of incident #3. In the third incident, which was apparently unrelated to the others, a man was shot in the stomach about a minute's walk from where I sleep every night. On learning that, from the comfort of a Starbucks a few minutes away, I started shaking for reasons other than the unneeded caffeine.

I've lived most of my life in a pretty quiet neighborhood with little in the way of danger. My sister's car window was smashed once, and some possessions stolen, but I certainly never felt that my life was in peril. On moving to a new city, I'm about a month into my new life before someone gets shot in the stomach half a block away mere minutes after I leave. So yes, I am still alive.

Alive, but trembling.

Guitarman, out.

Transitions

You've probably noticed that I've been less than active lately. I don't really have time to post a review today, but I figured that I at least owe my readers an explanation for my relative silence. I graduated with my BA in international economics and philosophy on the 13th, and moved into my new apartment on the 19th. Lately, I've been using most of my time on the hunt for employment, and haven't had time to write here. Hopefully this'll change once I get a job and a stable schedule. I have a few interviews lined up for actuarial and financial positions, so hopefully I'll get my foot in the door somehow. Once I do, I'll be sure to keep you updated.

Until then,

Guitarman

Finals, finals, finals

With my final undergrad semester coming to an end, I've been kept pretty busy. Between working on term papers and searching for employment, I haven't exactly had much time to post here. Thankfully, there's a bit of a lull at the moment, so I've come to share some avant-garde metal goodness with you.

Hailing from Poland, Ketha play metal with prog sensibilities and a strong underlying groove. #!%16.7, the EP I've linked above, wastes nary a moment of your time, and clocks in at around 16 minutes over 12 tracks. In reality, it plays more like one song in twelve parts than a collection of short songs. The musicianship is excellent, the grooves are airtight, and the brass section is just right. I recommend it highly.

Until next time, Guitarman out.