2020

2020

2019 brings the end of the year and the end of a decade. Since 2010 it has felt like this decade was nothing but struggle after struggle, hardship after hardship, testing the bonds of love, faith, family, and friendship. There have been many bright moments in the past ten years for me. Hard lessons were learned along the way, and with those lessons came many opportunities to grow as a person. 

2010, my dad is diagnosed with cancer, as is his brother. He's given 6 months to live by most estimates but my brother gets him on the list at MD Anderson in Houston through various political networking he's built over the years. That year he was honored with the Saint George Award for his works with the Cub Scouts as a leader and the Boy Scouts. He was proud that my brother and I both made it to the highest rank of Eagle Scout. That Christmas we celebrated our family, no extravagant gifts, pure love and thankfulness for every moment we had with each other. 

Dad with his Saint George Award

Myself at the Canyon

For my time in college, I spend time learning to cook, to dance (ballroom and Latin), learn the guitar, and start streaming videogames. I travel to Nashville, TN with a friend and we sightsee and check out the music scene, I meet Gavin DeGraw in a bar after he sang Same Old Blues - Freddie King, and strike up a short conversation not knowing what a big deal he is. I learn more about Elvis on the trip and visit some historical places for the blues. 

In 2012, my grandmother, a master cook of Mediterranean food in our family passes away. 

I get my Boss RC-30 loop pedal for my birthday and start recording solo tracks that I'll eventually have the courage to go out and be a solo act musician.

In 2013 I really started heavily collecting comics, mostly DC's New 52 and all sorts of Superman, Action Comics, Supergirl, and more. The family business celebrates 50 years in operation.

A few years later, I graduate college with a degree in Commercial Music in Guitar and Vocals. The Music Director/Organist at my church retires. He taught my brother and I to play piano when we were young. I land that job playing guitar and building a church choir out of nothing. People volunteer and we grow over time as we learn 200+ songs throughout the decade. 

Car wreck in Oct 2014. The 2010 Toyota Yaris is totaled.

In 2014 in my small hometown, my Blues/Rock/Jazz Trio consisting of guitar, bass, drums and myself on vocals wins the "best music group" award. A small achievement in many eyes, but still quite a good one. My dad and I split the price on an Alvarez Nylon String Classical Guitar we buy at the local guitar shop in town for $136 as I venture out to learn Classical Guitar at Texas Tech. I bruise my ribs, suffer hairline fractures to my skull and right hand in a car collision on the way to work. I'm lucky to be alive after this and my life changes a lot. I spend time at home with my parents as my dad nurses me back to health when I can barely move without my back feeling like it's falling to pieces.

Alvarez Classical Guitar in 2014

2015 opening of a local music venue

In 2015 my dad and I adopt a Beagle, Presley after my brother shares a story about his life on the ranch. Months before the dog our family had, a Cocker Spaniel named Sassy, who lived with us for 21 years, human years, passed away on Christmas, my lifelong friend and companion. We were able to open our hearts and our home to Presley. Presley was a dog on the farm that would block the sheep from getting in the pen because he didn't know any better. He tried to play with coyotes and the ranch dogs saved his life. Life on the farm was not for this Beagle, we knew there wasn't another choice but for us to adopt him. We've all loved him dearly ever since.

The Raffle Guitar. 1980's Yamaha

Throughout 2015 I spend the year gigging as a solo musician, something I thought I could never do. I use a loop pedal as I play guitar and sing over my tracks. I meet Jazz Guitarist John Pizzarelli for a masterclass and watch him play at the theatre. 

Near the end of the year, I go to a local music venue where I join a raffle. I spent $20 to buy a few tickets ten minutes before the drawing, said a prayer that if music was what I was supposed to be doing, send me a sign, and won a Yamaha from the 80's. Everyone there is upset because they all know I own a ton of guitars but this one means so much more to me. This becomes my workhorse acoustic guitar in the church. I spend the holidays writing a song that I think is about a girl when my mom gives me some horrible news.

2016 is also the year of guitars, I purchase many guitars and a lap steel. I buy Mr. Gold the Gold Strat, my Gold PRS Custom 24, the Jazzmaster, Lucille, and many more. I get my Canon Rebel T5 and the photography journey  I've always been on finally gets a proper beginning. 

My brother and I on a train ride during 2016 Campaign season.

Meeting Jazz Guitarist John Pizzarelli

It's not long before 2016 is a year of great sorrow. My father passes away after a long battle with cancer. This year, I face a lot of difficult feelings, growing up, grief, acceptance. My brother and I know from this day on, we'll never be the same. With great grief, comes an understanding, kindness, and acceptance. I realize the song I was writing at the time was about him and me. I spend the fall working on political campaigns in Bryan/College Station one last time with my brother and use the money to purchase my 2015 Volkswagen Jetta SE.

Shooting photos outside a coffeeshop in 2018.

2018 I invest and build a gaming PC. I travel to Washington D.C. and tour the city, visiting all the museums in the National Mall and spend many days exploring. 

For New Years 2019 we travel as a family to Santa Fe, NM during one of the harshest winters I've ever had, during one of the worst colds I've ever caught, we have a good time, but I'll never forget how miserable I was. I still enjoyed every moment I could.

Throughout 2019 I learn a lot about how petty and cruel people can be, whether they are family, friends, or even members of the church. I learn some of the people that hate me the most were close by. I learn people that harbor hate and become violent when they are upset over something small, they finally let it out and it changes our family forever. There are things they said that can't be taken back. I handle the situation well and remain peaceful throughout. I turn 30 years old during this fractured family time and things are uneasy. There are lots of things to worry about and change takes time. Our family changes, perhaps for the better as we stay small and tight-knit, my friend circles also let people go as I form closer relationships with the people I care about.

I've learned to love the people around me as much as I can while I can. I value every moment and I make sure I'm spending every day doing something I love. That I never stop learning, growing, and challenging myself. I spread love because I have no time for hate. I know I'll face many difficulties along the way, but if I can make it through my twenties, I'm not afraid of what my thirties will be like.

Thanks for reading. I'm wishing us all a blessed 2020 and another decade of great memories, friendships, and love.

Aaron

Star Wars Chronological Marathon 2019

Star Wars Chronological Marathon 2019

It’s probably been about 14 years since I last saw Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Since then I’ve felt understandably uneasy about watching any more Star Wars films. As I was between the ages of 10-16 when most of the Star Wars prequel movies came out, I judged them pretty harshly as a young guy craving mostly action and lightsaber duels.

Some of my complaints were based around not really caring about young kids adventures and more about what Luke Skywalker was up to. When I got to see an older Anakin it was in a love story in Episode II that I slept through most of. There was too much talking and politics that I didn’t really care for at the time. I didn’t really have many complaints about Episode III since to me it was awesome and pretty epic and lead into the treasured original trilogy.

After I had watched the prequels I got more into Star Trek than ever and started to enjoy it more than Star Wars.

By the time I got around to the sequel trilogy, I approached it without the disappointment that I had for the prequels. I was lukewarm on Star Wars and I haven’t really watched anything or re-watched anything in years, despite my love of the franchise didn’t really care what the sequels were going to be like or if they were any good. I watched The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi entertained but still indifferent.

It wasn’t until November 2019 when I decided I would re-watch the entire series of movies from one through nine and including Rogue One and Solo. I watched 1, 2, 3, Rogue One, Solo, 7, 8, and after this morning, episode 9. I had never seen Rogue One until this marathon! Maybe it was time for the absence of Star Wars in my life that changed my mind, but I realize my heat for the prequels was slightly misplaced and I began to enjoy every moment of the series and linking together details and events from the series. (Han shot first)

As an adult, I appreciate the lore and worldbuilding, the politics, down to every conversation and detail that could be linked to future and past events. I was watching attentively, not on my phone or any other distraction. I even appreciated the love story and saw moments of Episode II I’d never seen (due to the snooze fest it was for a youngster).

When I got into the original trilogy I remembered exactly why I love Star Wars so much and it made the whole journey worth it, but it wasn’t over. I actually never wanted to purchase in on the original trilogy unless I was able to have the original theatrical cuts which showed Han shooting first. This is a silly reason to not want to own one of your favorite series, but it established hon as a rogue smuggler and not a clean-cut good guy, it’s what we call a “character development.”

When I got into the sequel trilogy I found characters I identified with and I saw my old beloved characters interact with them which made the transfer of the franchise into their hands all the more beloved. From the Jedi Rey, to the reluctant Storm Trooper Finn, to the dashing Pilot Poe Dameron (my favorite), and the new Droid BB-8 that doesn’t replace R2, but is a fun companion to have.

I guess this massive disconnect from the series probably helped me appreciate the sequel trilogy more than everyone else that felt extremely disconnected and hated every character and blamed it on how “Disney ruined Star Wars.” I guess the different thing about watching Star Wars now from when I was younger is that we have the Internet to connect us all, to find other fans and communicate with them. Suddenly liking Star Wars is the cool thing to do and it’s fun to feel like you fit in when you’re just being yourself.

Oddly enough I’m excited to see a follow up to Solo more than anything, and see where the franchise goes after this trilogy ends. I’ve recently played the Star Wars games Fallen Order and Battlefront II and I can't get enough.

I’m back in and finally appreciating every moment Star Wars has to give like I used to. sure some movies are better than others throughout the entire saga but I’ll always have my favorites but I’ll still appreciate each step in the journey. Because they all have meaning in the grand scheme of things. for Mia took the perspective of both the child and an adult to enjoy the series, and while Star Wars is made for people of all ages it really brings out the kid in you. I guess there’s something for everyone and Star Wars sure knows how to bank on our nostalgia.

I guess my recommendation is to do a chronological watching of the entire series and see how you feel about how everything connects.

Now that it’s done I’m on to watching the Star Wars Clone Wars series. Thanks for reading.

Aaron