Corey Stories

Folgers and Demos

Last night some peeps and I filmed a video for a Folgers jingle contest- which was really fun! We had one take just as a joke where I sung the entire thing up an octave, Brandon chose orchestra hits as his keyboard sound, and our guitarist wore a paper crown made by a second grader!!!! Need I say more?

Then later, we sat in the dark in the den of the apartment, with monitor speakers and a visualizer and listened to the c.d. so far. It was SUCH an epic experience. It just felt legendary- especially since Hannah was talking about how she was remembering back to when we were all in high school and seeing us play for the first time. I was really surprised by the reaction. Usually people don’t get that excited about music. But they were genuinely extremely excited about this 8)

V-day

So v-day night Amanda and I went to a restaurant neither of us have been to! A little diner at the corner of Athens. We had some dinner, then walked around downtown at night! We found some cool courtyards and took pictures.

The following week was mostly me just finalizing one song. Not recording or even really editing- just making sure everything was perfect. It turned out great!

Saturday my Mom, her friend, Amanda and I went to the zoo! It was ballin’. There are some animals that look like pokemon- others that I feel should be my pet- and a gratuitous amount animals that are BOTH of those things. Red pandas, tanukis, giraffes, ya know!

Speaking of which, having a walrus as a pet would be amazing. Just imagine if your neighbors come over to visit and suddenly find themselves face to face with a giant, drooling sea creature!!!

That night we shot a Folgers jingle video (which I’m gonna have to re-shoot tonight). Then drove up to Athens for a Ke$ha themed party my sister was throwing!

Monday/tuesday I finalized another song.

Early February

This past week was like 4 times crazier than I thought it’d be.

Tuesday I drove home to give my Mom her stolen credit card (stolen by me! hahah!) and record Brandon’s piano solo. Then went back to Athens that night.

Wednesday recorded about FOUR songs with Jackie! YES!

Thursday- I drove from Athens to Atlanta to meet up with a keyboard gear guru. He was amazing to talk to and we REALLY clicked musically. And I had Fellini’s for the first time! Then I drove to Athens to pay a rent check.

Friday- Finished the last of the drum tracks with Patrick!

Saturday- Went to a German bakery with Matt, Skye and Stevo. We sat outside, ate food and played chess! It was great! Then Matt and I went to the Mall of Georgia to hang out, buy Matt a jacket and Amanda a Valentine’s Day gift 8)

Stayed up all night Saturday night getting my keyboard setup going and learning the worship tunes for the next morning. I set off the alarm going out the door, we couldn’t fit the keyboard into the car at first, and by the time we left, it was the time I was supposed to be there. But it turned out fine! The service went great!

Then I slept from 1-7pm and hung out with my family! And THAT’S a week. Whew.

Today I woke up to Amanda giving me a giant heart full of chocolates, a giant 2-layer red velvet cake, mini red velvet cupcake things (whoopie pies?), a pair of boxers, a basket full of cakes and honeybuns and candy, and a red bouncy ball with cool writing/drawings on it! IT WAS AMAZING!!!! AAA!!!!

I got her a cool Hollister shirt she wanted, a picture to put in this picture frame that’s very important to her, and I just got her some roses and I’m taking her to dinner! yeyuh! We both have an insane amount of work this week.

Mark’s leaving for Europe on the first of March, so I have to make sure the entire cd gets done well beforehand. o.0

Recording

I’ve been doing a lot of recording lately- knocking out these drum tracks with Patrick!

Which means this album is getting really close to being done. I was so psyched it was ridiculous!!!!

But my to-do list is getting crazy. Even so close to the finish, I have to polish my vocal tracks, record and edit Jackie’s, record Patrick for a few songs, do some post-production work to make sure it’s turning out how I envisioned. I also have to record Max and Brandon’s solos, help design the album cover, and set up the website with Amanda’s brother. And film a music video!!!!!

I’m also trying to break into playing contemporary Christian worship. Paul’s been helping me out. I have to do a bunch of listening research- and attend some services, meet up with a guy who’s going to talk to me about gear and sounds, get a setup working, and then I have some dates booked already!

ALSO! I’m trying to get into teaching. I have to go talk to some places and make a bumper sticker for my car (Max said half his students are from an ad on his car!).

WHEW! WHAT AM I DOING SITTING HERE!??!?

Sardines

Last night I was part of a large group of people that played sardines in Wal-Mart! YES!

Did some more recording this past week!

Snowed In

I forgot to mention one of my New Year’s resolutions is for this to be the BEST year of my LIFE so far!!!!!!!

That said- this past week has been INCREDIBLE.

I drove up to Athens on Sunday night because there was a snowstorm a brewin and I wanted to spend it with Amanda! I got to my apartment, started unpacking and backing up some files when Amanda called and said if I didn’t leave then I wouldn’t make it to her dorm. I finished up what I was doing, packed up a backpack (took about 15 minutes) and headed out BUT COULDN’T drive. Imagine driving where you can’t brake. Or steer. Amanda and I were upset :(

Hannah showed me how to make real snow slushies! I walked around in the snow really late at night while listening to a rough cut of my 12 minute epic called “Rain”

The next day I threw on some Spock’s Beard- The Kindness of Strangers and walked through the snow to meet Amanda halfway. We chilled in the snow, got pizza, watched Lost.

There was a game day at Megan’s, then banagrams and Quelf at my place!

Amanda’s birthday was on thursday! A bunch of us went to celebrate at the delicious DOUBLE M! Yes that’s right- such a Mellow Mushroom! Then we had sweets and partied at the apartment 8)

Friday I made an updated version of the Sonic 2 ending that I’m SO proud of! Then that night we partied it up again! I also learned that Matt Beaty will be filming my music video as part of a class project!

Saturday was me and Amanda’s 7 months! We went with a giant group to see the Zelda Musical that UGA students put together! It was HILARIOUS and pretty well done too. Then we walked through campus to downtown to hit up The Grill! That night just felt epic, like it was brand new. You know? I LOVE that feeling. Then we partied it up again 8)

Also- it should be specified that I never really get DRUNK. Just a couple healthy drinks!

And finally, last night Amanda and Katie and I went to see a movie, but then didn’t because the line was MASSIVE. So we went downtown to Starbucks which was great. And then Amanda and I went to Blaine’s to watch The Fantastic Mr. Fox. That movie exceeded my expectations so INSANELY thoroughly that I can’t really begin to describe it. Just watch it!

Korean Karaoke/Athens

Korean Karaoke is AMAZING. You go into a room with your friends, then sing (two people at a time) while lights flash and you’re standing on a table!!! YES!!!!

I just got back to Athens tonight. I want this album done. I’m ready to start publicizing it and see how people react! I feel so sure that it’s going to be a hit 8)

Christmas and New Years Day

One of my New Year’s Resolutions is to keep up with this thing!

This winter has been amazing! To summarize:

- going to Amanda’s Uncle’s lakehouse. riding the ATV around and building a snowman taller than her 8)

- ice skating

- making a boat cakewreck

- getting about 12 hours of music for Christmas, and a WAY professional keyboard! -and snow!

- discovering and watching 100 Girls at Nancy’s

- attending my Sister’s New Years party in Athens

- watching the best episode of the best show ever: Adventure Time!!!!! (Power Animal)