I haven’t had a chance to recap the Carbon Leaf concert yet that I went to on Saturday, but man what an amazing experience that was.  I was front row, dead center and was just rocking out to all 3 bands.  Just When I thought there was no way Carbon Leaf could top the adrenaline that Scythian put on display, they proved to me outright why they are my favorite band.  Wow, I can’t wait to tell you guys all about it!

Yesterday, I woke up early and started writing.  I got 3 solid pages written in the new book yesterday, and I’m stressed because I want to write so much more. There just isn’t time and time constraints are crucial to getting these thoughts out.  I’m having to write it in little complete bursts of thought…very stop and go.

The point is that it’s progressing.  I have the chapters outlined.  Now it is just filling in the content.  Plenty of updates to come.  I’ll let you know when things start developing further!

So just to start, this was an amazing night.

I had messaged Barry, the lead singer and Terry, the lead guitarist, about wanting to give them part of my book that was inspired by their music.  I got there early, parked at the garage that turned out to be attached to Ram's Head.  I found a bathroom and then saw that the hallway connected to a bar, where I heard Carbon Leaf performing their soundcheck.

They had a pre-enter ticket you could buy, and last time I saw Carbon Leaf I wanted to be front row.  I decided to buy it and wound up front row center, right in front of the mike, and hung out there with some new friends I had made while waiting in the bar.  Three bands were slated to play that night: The Alternate Routes, who my new friends were raving about, Scythian, who blew my mind away, and Carbon Leaf, who beyond a doubt proved to me how influential and inspiring they are.  Seeing them from the front part of the second balcony was cool, but front row was all raw emotion and passion.

I wound up really getting into Alternate Routes, had the praises my friends were saying to me confirmed, and took a bunch of pictures.  Then Scythian came on and I honestly did not know what type of celtic-on-steroids action I was being witnessed to.  I wound up taking so many pictures that my camera batteries were dying in both my camera and cell phone before Carbon Leaf even took the stage...and they were my sole reason for coming and being front row!

I was so blown away by Scythian, who I had NEVER heard of before, that I was worried that I'd like them better than Carbon Leaf.  Then Carbon Leaf comes out and absolutely blows my mind.  The lights alone that they had complementing their songs was incredible.  My good buddy Erin wanted to come so badly and, when they played Life Less Ordinary I decided to stop taking pictures with my phone and call her for one of our favorite songs.  I held the phone out since I was in the front...and Barry took my phone.  I have a flip phone still and he was making fun of me for not having a smartphone...he loved it!  He gave it back after he finished the song...Erin was actually part of the show too!

After the show, all the members of all 3 bands hung out, had some drinks and talked with everyone who stuck around.  I walked over to Barry first, we joked about my phone, took a picture with it and I gave him the chapters from my book, along with a letter to all the guys!  I went around and met all the guys, told them my story, what I had been through and how Indian Summer launched my first marathon run, and they were blown away.  JON, Jason and Carter all seemed really into it, Barry and Terry remembered me from my messages...but honestly, it just meant so much to not only say thank you, but tell them how they have made a difference for me.  To give them something tangible as a symbol for that impact is perfect.

Indian Summer was the first album that drove me.  4 songs, mentioned in a later post, drove my marathon training.  This was the first album Jon was bassist for...and of course, I put the wrong bassist's name in the letter to the band.  I felt like such an idiot  because it truly was Indian Summer onwards that have inspired me and I felt like I completely spit on the people who have impacted me.  (I'm just blaming that on the personal things being dealt with right now.  Just adding it on.)

I apologized as soon as I realized, and Jon told me that it's fine, it happens all the time and how much he appreciated my words and gesture.  On top of all that, I got each of them to sign Indian Summer AND the concert actually ended with all three bands playing Let Your Troubles Roll By.  Seriously.  I got to meet Alternate Routes and Scythian too, but that will wait for another post. Great night to be had again soon!

Tonight I am finally getting to see CArbon Leaf again.  This band largely propelled my success in my first marathon.  What About Everything?, Grey Sky Eyes, Life Less Ordinary and, of course, Let Your Troubles Roll By were four songs I listened to on every run despite having near 100 songs in my running playlist for Baltimore.

If you haven't heard Carbon Leaf, you must at least listen to those 4 songs.  They will not only impact you, but make you smile at life and feel happy no matter what mood you are in or what you are going through.  This will be a great night...recap to come!!! =)

Last night was hard.  I had a family member pass away after spending the day sorting through their belongings at their place.  We knew it was coming, but it was still a shock that it happened as suddenly as it did.

Yes, I know I have been on a Carbon Leaf kick, especially with as fulfilling and fun as that concert was, but in times like this (and honestly any time) I always come back to Let Your Troubles Roll By, my favorite song and one of the songs that always helps to push me on no matter what.  It'll take time to get through, and thank you to everyone who sends their wishes and prayers, but for me I am just going to keep looking forward, remembering what I have learned and continuing to live life to the fullest.  You can't change the past, only learn from it.  I plan to do that and keep impacting others the way I am visibly seeing happen.

With that...:

"She plays her life back in slow motion to keep in touch with the raw emotion, (but it's okay because) you've come far, and though you're far from the end, you didn't mind where you are 'cause you know wher you've been."

It truly is the quality and not the quantity that you have.  I'm very selective with who I let get close, but the small circle that is there is amazing.  I don't know what I would do without them, their driving support and refusal to let me give up.  Yes, even I want to give in sometimes, but my friends always enter in and slap me back in alignment.

This post is just to thank that small circle of friends that, without havinh them in my life, would mean that I would not be near the person I am right now.  They are my determination and I can't thank them enough for always being by my side.

LOVE YOU GUYS!!! <3.  - Greg