About
Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat… yes, my name is Chris. But the nickname Cam has been with me for the better part of my life, and at this point it’s a ratty, old security blanket. It’s dirty and filthy. It’s covered in coffee stains and has some less-than-negligible holes in it. I’ve left it out in the rain, I’ve lost it, I’ve found it, I’ve used it as a cape. I’ve pulled it over other people’s eyes and I’ve kept warm in it at night. To hell and back, I have carried this informal moniker upon my shoulders. And while it may be scuffed and worn, it still shines brightly both in my life and the lives of so many others. So please… let’s bypass the formalities; call me Cam.
Continuing onward… I’ve lived in the same area my whole life and at this point am ready to get out into the world to see what else is out there for me. Not that there’s anything wrong with Philly and its suburbs, but c’mon… there’s gotta be something more. I was born in ’84 (I’ll give you a second to do the math) and raised within the confines of the Catholic education system. As such, I find myself not particularly drawn to Catholicism (at times even, repelled by it), but I do enjoy studying and learning about different religions and philosophies (read: “not self-righteous, just curious”). I’ve always been a big fan of learning in general. My whole life people have told me I’m smart, but between me and you – I don’t buy it for one minute. Being smart implies a type of finality, I’m much more keen to think there are plenty of things left unlearned… unchallenged. I’d much more readily admit myself a student than the alternative. I’m not smart, I merely have the potential to learn. That being said, and in need of a segue – I speak three languages fluently: English, Music, and Humor. The first being my weapon, the second my home, and the third my nature.
My favorite holiday is Christmas. Hands down. No contest. Christmas destroys the life essence of every other major holiday. (I’m looking at you, Arbor Day.)
I enjoy writing. I’ll write papers, essays, journal entries, short stories, screenplays, poems, vignettes, notes, lists, scripts; you name it. Hell, I’ve even played editor and proofread a (now published) book. Words have always fascinated me, probably because they’re so bloody powerful and have gotten me into my fair-share of trouble. I’m absolutely meticulous about my vocabulary choice and my spelling abilities (cough neuroses cough). I like using the right word for the right situation and have become fairly quick at expressing myself clearly and precisely. I’ve gotten into the wicked habit of tearing through the New York Times crossword puzzle in pen, because I’m that much of a self-confident ass. But, like most people, I don’t do the majority of my talking with a pen, but my mouth. Of course, that’s assuming it isn’t occupied by my foot. I’ve been known to push conversational boundaries, and more often than not will consciously and deliberately cross the line; not to instigate any sort of ill-will but rather to inject a healthy, albeit explosive, burst of life and energy into whatever exchange is taking place at that moment in time. (Side-note: I’m vehemently opposed to using big words in conversation simply because of their size; nor can I tolerate people who use big words to sound impressive or to confuse others. I am a sesquipedalian, I appreciate the rare polysyllabic gem; but why use six syllables when two can deliver the same meaning and impact? End Side-note.) My favorite use of language, however, is song lyrics. Nothing can surpass the power of merging poetry and music.
I got hooked on music when I was very little. My parents would put on music and just let me do my thing; be it dancing, “singing” along, or just smiling. My grandfather (and my dad for that matter) both play the electric organ, so I’ve always been heavily influenced by the ability to create music. It was only a matter of time before I started messing around with the Gulbransen organ that’s been in our family longer than I can remember. Next thing I knew (circa 4th grade) I was playing clarinet in the school band and taking piano lessons. The rest, as they say, is history. Over the years it’s been a very heated, vitriolic at times, and passionate relationship that I’ve had with music. I picked up (and sometimes discarded) the alto saxophone, the trumpet, the baritone saxophone, the guitar, and the bass along the way – not to mention singing. I was in my high school band, but more importantly I was in a band with friends. See, I picked up the guitar to get girls. (No, not really, but it’s such a rock ‘n roll thing to say.) And while playing a guitar one day in the school’s band room, I was approached and asked to join these two other guys in a music outfit. We played a bunch of shows together for a solid two years, we even got to record in a professional studio; before my sorry ass got kicked to the curb. We were young. Shit happens. I hold no grudges. Since then I’ve stuck primarily to guitar and piano (and occasionally the bass). My passion has started to lean towards audio production specifically. The idea of working in a recording studio makes my head spin. Of course, I did intern at a recording studio once… but that was pretty much a huge crock of shit. The people there just seemed more preoccupied with making money than the music itself… guess that’s what I get for being a romantic though. Had I my own recording studio, rest-assured it would be so much more than a studio. It would be a sanctuary for artists and art alike. A veritable haven for creativity… And with any luck it’ll win me a Grammy or two and get me laid on a more than consistent basis!
I will eat mint chocolate chip ice cream anytime or anywhere. Summer or winter, it doesn’t matter. It’s my addiction. My super delicious addiction.
See, I have a very graphic sense of humor. Yes, I can do subtlety and wit. I appreciate wordplay and slapstick; but I gravitate towards tickling the more basic and primal nodes of the brain. Why? They’re the great equalizer. I don’t care who you are, everybody has heard, told, and appreciated a dirty joke at some point in their life. Granted some may be more tame than others, but it’s an intrinsic part of the human spirit. (Important note: No, I don’t think you need to use coarse language or make lewd comments to be funny. There is a time and place and audience; the trick is knowing when and where and whom.) Along with tapping into people’s basest thought patterns I thoroughly enjoy fucking with people’s conceptions of normalcy and propriety. I have no qualms about making a total spectacle of myself in public if it makes people smile. (Yeah yeah, I didn’t get hugged enough as a child and am desperate for attention and approval… spare me.) Making people smile is my second great love. Music being the first. In the immortal (and irreverent) words of the late comedian, George Carlin, “I think it’s the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately.” This has always been my philosophy, not just with humor, but with life in general. I believe in pushing boundaries, testing limits, scaring the shit out of myself on a regular basis, and doing things I’m convinced that I can’t. That’s, in part, what this site is about. I’ve always been convinced that I’d be better off as a web designer – that for some reason I couldn’t handle the… “responsibility” of having a website. Yeah, sure, my audience will probably only ever be family, friends, and the occasional Googling-nomad, but there’s a certain level of pressure involved with keeping a site updated and functioning properly. My whole life I have been notorious for leaving projects half-finished. This time I’m sticking it to myself to follow through.
Some random information about me (since I feel like free-writing for a moment): I have two cats, Sputnik and Lily. My electric guitar is named Josie. I founded a computer company, called GreyStar Systems, with three of my good friends. My favorite liquor of choice is Jack Daniels. I’m a huge movie-buff, I will watch just about any movie, though I’m particularly drawn to dumb comedies and sci-fi. I’m happiest playing music, but camping is a close second. Speaking of camping, I’m an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. Which means I can tie knots, build fires, survive in the wilderness, and other nifty things. Some things that I’m hoping to do in the near future: take a photography class, take a cooking class, get my acoustic guitar fixed. My biggest fear is losing love. I prefer the color blue. I don’t keep normal hours; I’ve been known to go for walks at 4am. I still genuinely believe in the potential of the human race, which has landed me the label of “naive” and “sucker” more than once. I hope to have my own dog and a recording studio someday. Anytime is a good time for Wendy’s french fries. … I feel better getting all that out. Onward!
I have a not-so secret soft spot for slick, over produced, bubblegum pop music – It’s a little bit sickening at times.
So what’s the deal with this site? I’ve given a lot of thought about what this site is and what it isn’t. And I’ve decided that rather than try to label and define this site as being for a specific purpose, I’m going to leave it at this: This site is my own little slice of the internet. It’s a place where I can rant, post pictures and music, re-post interesting articles I find online, host my projects, dialogue with friends, and otherwise do whatever. I’ve always been a firm believer in keeping my options open. Ask any of my close friends, I have a harder time than most coming to a definitive decision on some things; and when I do come to a decision, it’s not unheard of for me to completely change my mind halfway through. C’ est la vie.
Anyway… Thank you for coming to my site and checking it (and me) out! I’ve worked hard to get everything up and running, and knowing that other people get a chance to appreciate my hard work makes it all worth it. Feel free to poke around, and if something interests you please leave a comment or drop me a line. I love feedback (preferably constructive, but I’ll take what I can get). Thanks for reading!