DUSK AND AUTUMN

The first time I talked to Chris Carrabba, I think I was still the office manager at Alternative Press. Most of my days were spent sorting mail, cleaning up after our gastrointestinally challenged cat Ogre and dreaming of writing pieces for the magazine that were more than 50 words. It must’ve been late 2001 or early 2002, and the whole editorial staff was prepping for AP’s “100 Bands You Need To Know” issue. I had been trumpeting Dashboard Confessional’s awesomeness for months and I’m pretty positive that I got the assignment mostly because Jason Pettigrew was tired of me nagging him everyday.

Hypothetical-yet-completely-possible conversational reinactment:

Me: “Hey, Jason! I’ve seen the future of music and it’s all about a lil’ punim named Chris Carrabba!”

Jason: [Growl.]*

Me: “No, really! I saw him play with his band Dashboard Confessional a couple weeks ago at the Beachland Ballroom and the place was packed. Plus, all the kids were singing along. It was like Children Of The Corn—but in a good way.”

Jason: [Annoyed snort.]

Me: “C’mon… I can do this! Let me do this!”

Jason: [Snarl.]

Me: “Lemme write it. Lemme write it. Lemme write it. Lemme write it. Lemme write it. Lemme write it. Lemme write it. Lemme write it. Lemme write it. Lemme write it. Lemme write it. Lemme write it. Lemme write it. Lemme write it. Lemme write it. Lemme write it. Lemme write it. Lemme write it. Lemme write it. Lemme write it. Lemme write it. Lemme write it. Lemme write it. Lemme write it.”

Jason: “Fine.”

And… Scene.

(Note to future journalists: Never give up when you believe in your pitch! Just make sure your pitch is on-the-money.)

I remember Jason let me borrow his office for the interview and I sat perched on a wobbly stool—which, if I’m not mistaken, Jason still uses to this day—and waited for Chris to call from his Florida HQ. He had just stopped teaching full-time but had gone back to school to visit his former students for a holiday pageant or something. (Swoon, right?) I had what felt like a million butterflies swirling around my stomach and about 30 seconds into the interview, I knew the convo would change the course of my professional life. It sounds hokey, but I just knew in my gut that Dashboard Confessional was on the verge of exploding and I was about to capture the swell before the storm.

I’ve been lucky enough to talk to Chris a bunch over the years and the two of us have even become bros, which still causes me to pinch myself on a regular basis. Now, any good writer knows that you shouldn’t write for anyone else but you—not your editor, not your audience and especially not your subject. I try to live by that guideline as much as humanly possible but I have to admit, I squealed just a smidge when I got the following text from the beau of the boulevard:

Here’s the interview Chris is talking about. Let me know if you agree!

* Oh, it should also be noted that despite the above depiction, Jason has always been my biggest cheerleader. He’s been a mentor, a bestie and a constant source of wisdom and unfathomable humor. So what’s with the ‘tude? Oh, he just hates “pussy emo music.” For a man raised on Revolting Cocks, can you blame him?

Tags: music, stop the presses!, yay for besties!

FALLING OVER ME

This summer has been one big heap of marital bliss for me and my besties. First, it was my BFF Jessica, who got hitched in Ithaca, New York, at the beginning of August. Then, it was my oldest and dearest pal Lesley, who tied the knot in Cleveland a couple weeks ago. Seeing as I was bestowed with the honor of being MOH—that’s “maid of honor,” for the wedding layman—I hoofed it back to attend to my bridal duties.

Not only did I get to spend some QT with the bride before she became a Mrs., but it was rad to see my fam and friends. I can’t believe it’s been almost a year since I moved from C-Town to Los Angeles. Dang, it feels like an eternity and a flash, at the same time. When I first set my wagons West, it was only to accept a job at Buzznet. I had absolutely no desire in the world to live in L.A. In fact, after I first moved, I most def shed a tear or two over my darling, lil’ old apartment on Lake Ave.

Sure, I moved to L.A. for my career™, but building a life with Buzznet wasn’t meant to be. My tenure at the site only lasted six months, which was definitely a buzz-kill. Knowing what I know now, I’m not sure if I would’ve made the same decisions, but can’t help but credit this year’s professional and personal rollercoaster with opening up a ton of opportunities that would’ve never existed if I were still in Cleveland. That’s something I believe 110%. So, sure, I’ve had a couple huge, colossal, Biggest Loser-size boulders placed in my path over the past six months, but I’ve managed to work my way around them, slowly but surely.

In fact, I celebrated two pretty big triumphs this past April. Not only did I successfully turn 30 without a nervous breakdown but my second book Wish You Were Here was released by HarperCollins on the very same day. Not a shabby way to usher in the next decade of my life, if I do say so myself. I’m not sure why I decided to share any of this with you guys. I guess it’s because this site is also one of the few things that bring a smile to my face on a daily basis. The Les Simes Army might not be large; but we lack in numbers, we make up for in heart.

Case in point: I recently received the most amazing email from a girl named Lauren. Take a look-see…

I can’t tell you how rad it was to get up one morning and see this in my inbox. Freals! Keep ‘em coming, peeps. I’m only a tweet away!!

Tags: fans, frequent flyer miles, wish you were here, yay for besties!

NEW GIG: WORD INVENTOR

Big ups to MONSTERRUNBYCOYOTES!

Tags: yay for besties!, yummy confections

VOCAB IS DELISH

I think I invented a new word. Check it!

Cupdate

[kuhp-deyt] noun, verb, dat⋅ed, dat⋅ing: A social appointment, engagement or occassion arranged beforehand with another person and revolved around either 1.) the presence of cupcakes, or 2.) the act of consuming cupcakes.

EX] “I totes have a cupdate with the lovely Jessica Louise tomorrow night and I’m heaving with excitement!!”

What’cha think??

Tags: yay for besties!, yummy confections