Ethan profile picture

Ethan

The Concert Whore formerly known as The Suburban Samurai

About Me

My profile is under construction. I am currently sifting through the 3,000 pictures I took in Europe and I will put a bunch up that I deem worthy. A good many of them will be of the Giant's Causeway and Fountains Abbey, two of the highlights of my trip. In the meantime, here is a bunch of information to entertain you...
ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT ME?!? (There's a lot of info here, so pay attention! There will be a test...):
PLEASE NOTE: You will notice that I don't claim to have 50,000 friends. This is because I only add people that I have actually met (and a few bands) to my friends list. If you want to say hello to me, please send me a MESSAGE, not a friend request. I love to meet new people. I will pretty much talk to anybody, but my friend space is reserved for friends and family... Thanks.
My life is an open book, and here it is, for your reading amusement, enjoyment, whatever. If you think this is too much information...well...don't read it...I don't care.
I am the second youngest of 11 kids (5 brothers and 5 sisters). My family is really the most interesting thing about me. I have seen a LOT in my life and most of it has made me a better person. I can take anything that is thrown at me and keep smiling and laughing throughout everything.
I grew up in the woods of Western Mass (I'm talkin' more cows than people) but I'm not a hick.
I love martial arts. I practice Tae Kwon Do in a small school in Western Mass. When I resumed my training after 10 years of being without it, I finally found a huge piece of my life that had been missing. I travel two hours each way, once a week to train at the school where I grew up. I have never found another place like it. They are my extended family. I recently tested for my red belt. I may eventually put a video of some of my test up on my page. Check back soon...
I consider myself an actor... I'm not doing it professionally YET, but I am taking steps toward a career in film and television. My main goal right now is to begin filming my demo reel. I have written so much material that I need to hone down into 5 or 6 scenes that will exemplify my diversity as an actor and my general ability. As soon as each scene is worthy, I will post them on my page.
When I'm around my friends (or anyone, really) I am usually "on." I love to entertain and I love to make people laugh. Ok, sometimes my jokes are pretty bad, but I will get you laughing and I will always cheer you up...
I play guitar. Mostly fingerstyle, but I enjoy playing some classic rock and popular stuff, too. I have a really bad habit of learning the beginning riffs of a song and not the end. I don't know why...
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I LOVE going to see live music. In 2006 I saw over 35 major venue shows and 2007 is set to be even better. Here is a list of most of the shows I have seen, or have coming up:
2006 WAS A GOOD YEAR:
-Kid Rock
-Edwin McCain
-Train w/Brandi Carlisle
-Staind w/Hurt & Three Days Grace
-Rob Thomas w/Jewell
-Nine Inch Nails w/Bauhaus
-Bonnie Raitt w/Keb 'Mo
-Gipsy Kings (played for 3 hours, no kidding)
-Pink w/Matt Nathanson
-Ian Anderson plays orchestral Jethro Tull
-Ozzfest (Zakk Wylde/Black Label Society, Avenged Sevenfold, Dragonforce, Lacuna Coil, Hatebreed, Disturbed, System of a Down, Ozzy Ozzborne)
-Poison w/Cinderella
-Rollins Band w/ "X"
-Better Than Ezra w/Sister Hazel
-Godsmack w/Shinedown and Rob Zombie
-Family Values Tour (KoRn, Deftones, Stone Sour)
-Journey w/Def Leppard (yes that's spelled correctly)
-Tool w/Isis (lawn seats at the Tweeter Center)
-Tool w/Isis (Right in front in the pit at Verizon Center)
-Eric Clapton w/Robert Cray
-Good Charlotte
-Red Hot Chili Peppers w/Mars Volta
-Death Cab for Cutie w/Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
-Aaron Lewis of Staind solo acoustic show (sat 4th row direct center and went backstage to meet him afterwards)
-Bob Dylan w/The Raconteurs (Jack White's new band)
-Disturbed w/Stone Sour, Flyleaf, Nonpoint
-Hinder
-Tenacious D
-Dinosaur Jr.
-Goo Goo Dolls
-The WHO w/The Pretenders
-Godsmack w/Shinedown, Soil
-Damien Rice
-Kiss 108 Jingle Ball (Nelly Furtado, The Fray, Fall Out Boy, Nick Lachey, Pussycat Dolls, KT Tunstall, Chris Brown)
-Matisyahu
2007 WILL BE EVEN BETTER:
-Aaron Lewis Acoustic
-Fall Out Boy
-Tanglefoot (you probably haven't heard of them)
-Rusted Root
-Everclear (met the band after the show)
-Sevendust (We went backstage to two shows in a row, back to back nights...)
-Killswitch Engage w/Dragonforce
-John Mayer (the last 4 shows were over 5 nights, which equals a pretty good week with very little sleep...)
-Gomez w/Ben Kweller
-Nickelback w/Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace (I got there late and missed BB, who is the opener I came to see. I will see them soon...)
-Evanescence w/CHEVELLE (I was a happy bastard watching Chevelle. They have been my favorite band for over a year...)
-Taking Back Sunday
-Buddy Guy
-GUSTER
-The Killers
-Third Eye Blind
-My Chemical Romance
-JET
-Breaking Benjamin (See...) w/Three Days Grace, Puddle of Mudd, Red.
-Velvet Revolver
Shows I have coming up:
-The Nightwatchman (Tom Morello Acoustic)
-Roger Waters
-Nickelback/Staind/Daughtry
-Goo Goo Dolls w/Lifehouse
-James Taylor: one man solo acoustic -The Format -G. Love & Special Sauce w/Slightly Stoopid -The White Stripes
-Rock The Bells tour with Rage Against The Machine, Cypress Hill, Wu Tang, Public Enemy (yeah, boiiiieeeee), Erykah Badu, Mos Def...and more...
-BB King
-Warped Tour with Killswitch Engage, Bad Religion, Coheed And Cambria, New Found Glory, Flogging Molly, and 25 other bands...
-Weird Al Yankovic
-O.A.R
-Projekt Revolution with: Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance, Taking Back Sunday, HIM, Placebo, more
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I have two tattoos and no piercings. I had an earring before it became popular, and took it out when every other guy in high school seemed to be getting them just to be cool. The tattoo on my back keeps getting bigger. Now it has lots of color. I can't wait til it's done. Only seven or eight more sittings... I already have another one planned. Yeah, they are addictive.
I don't drink (insert Adam Ant song here). I never have. I will try a sip of something to see if I like it, but I have never actually drank a drink. I have never been blitzed, hammered, tipsy, or even so much as buzzed. I have also never tried any illegal drugs. I don't even like to take something when I have a headache... If that bothers you or if you think I'm some sort of loser because of it, then you need to grow the fuck up! Look, I'm not a "straight-edge" or anything and I don't judge you for doing what you do (and I mean that), so you sure as hell shouldn't judge me for what I DON'T do. I DO know how to have fun and I DO know how to make sure the people I'm out with have fun. Hey, I like it when my friends drink some and loosen up around me in a bar. It (usually) means they laugh at more of my jokes... Besides, I am always the designated driver so that's good for everyone, right?
On the other hand, I don't usually like hanging out in bars. It's never really been my scene. I get sick of the predatory nature and the meat market aspect of it and I get sick of watching people make really bad decisions. I tend to end up worrying about people. I do enjoy going to clubs sometimes. I do like to dance. On my best friend's birthday, I danced for 5 hours straight...then I went out in the snow. Oh, I was a little cold...
I don't really give a shit what other people think about me. I must admit it bothers me a little bit if someone doesn't like me. That is, of course, if I feel they are worth thinking that much about... It also bothers me if someone doesn't trust me which, I realize, is somewhat unreasonable. Again, if you know me (or if you have ever given me the chance to prove this to you), you understand this. Someone once told me that the definition of integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching...well, I still have mine. Overall, think what you will about me. I...don't...care.
I hug EVERYONE! I give real hugs every time. I usually hate it if someone gives me a half-ass hug. You know what I'm talking about. When I hug you, you're getting the real deal. There are occasions where a quick hug goodbye is warranted, but not too often.
I promise you that I am unlike anyone you have ever known. I pride myself on being anything but typical. Don't assume anything about me and don't try to figure me out until you take the time to get to know me, or you will probably fail.
I have been described as easy going with a twist of fun, a true gentleman, a hopeful romantic, and a compulsive knight in shining armor. Gee..thanks... Overall, I am proud of the way I am. I treat people with respect and I don't really have any enemies that I know of. I like to make people feel good. I will give someone a little gift if I think it will make them smile. Women often read too much into the things I do. Trust me, I will tell you if I like you as more than a friend. I hate playing games with someone's emotions and I just won't do it.
My life is an open book and I wear my heart on my sleeve. If you ask me something personal, you had better be prepared for an honest answer. Oh, and about crossing the line... What line? You will pretty much always know what I'm thinking. Is that a downfall? You may think so, and I just don't care. That's just me.
I am fiercely loyal. I consider my friends to be my family. On that same line, I have two rules when entering a relationship: I won't cheat and I don't help other people cheat. Every time I tell a woman this, they think it's just a line. Let me put it to you this way: I have been on the shit end of that conversation and I don't ever want to cause someone else that pain...
Which brings me to using lines... If I tell you that I think you are beautiful (or that you have pretty eyes or any one of a hundred other compliments that may be accurate on a case-by-case basis), I am not saying it to get in your pants. If something as simple as dropping a line will get me into your pants, I'm pretty sure I don't want to follow the path of the guys who (...ahem...) came before me. I am brutally honest and pretty damn straightforward. When I talk, there isn't much of a filter on what I say, as long as it won't hurt your feelings.
I will drive for hours to see a friend without thinking twice about it. If I miss you and I want to see you (or if I think you need some cheering up), don't be surprised if I show up. I LOVE TO DRIVE (maybe it's from growing up in a town where you need to drive 20 minutes just to get milk). I will sometimes drive into an unknown area and try to get lost so that I can find my way out again. I have always driven a stick. I LOVED my '96 Accord. I finally retired it at 336,000 miles (she needed a new clutch, since I was still on the original...) I now drive an Acura 3.2TL Type S. It is an automatic, BUT it IS tiptronic, so I can manually shift it AND it actually has D1-D5 so I can literally take it through all the gears if I need to. I LOVE this car...
My favorite toy is my motorcycle, a Kawasaki Vulcan 750. It's my first bike. I had to rebuild the front end in order to ride it, and I learned all there is to know about the bike by working on it. I am in the process of piecing my two parts bikes into a second bike, just to see if I can. I love the challenge. My next bike will be a Honda, probably a VTX 1800R. I need something more comfortable for my trips to NYC...
I can juggle and I pretty much always have my juggling equipment in the trunk of my car. Now, you immediately think that makes me a geek (and you are probably right), but what if I told you that I juggle FIRE?!! Actually, I do have torches and I do juggle and breathe fire, so I hope you don't judge me until you at least check out the show. High risk of lots of physical pain = less geeky! (also see the "why I don't drink" section above)
(unrelated:) I have a very high tolerance for pain
Some cool stuff you will pretty much always find in my car: My telescope (don't knock it, I will show you some really cool shit), a boogie board (been in there since 1994, I don't really know why. It did help me dig a stranger out of a snowbank once...), juggling stuff including two sets of clubs, torches, etc., maps books of pretty much every town in New England and some of NY, a full tool kit, and ME!
I love staring into the night sky when I'm out in the middle of nowhere, when it's clear and you can see so many stars that they start to blur together. One of my favorite things to do is to lay on my back in a field and count shooting stars. If you have never seen one, you just need to grab a blanket, pick a spot, and watch for five minutes...I would be happy to do this with you.
I don't sleep much. I am usually up until at least 2 or 3, often times later. If you have my phone number, it means that you can call me any time if you need me. I'll probably be awake anyway (see last section). Nobody has ever taken me up on this...
I LOVE to watch movies (see last section). I have around 600 DVDs and a really nice home theater. One of my favorite things is quoting movies back and forth with my friends. I enjoy pretty much every genre, without discrimination. I laugh out loud sometimes and, yes, I cry at the sad flicks (I bawl at the end of Big Fish every time). Don't you judge me... I enjoy staying at home and watching a movie just as much as going out (except maybe to a concert).
I love to play pool, either with my friends or by myself. I'm pretty good at really difficult shots like combinations and bank shots, but I can't seem to shoot a long, straight shot to save my life.
I love to go on roller coasters, the higher and faster, the better...
The following quote sections are very new, so I will add to them, but I don't have much time to do so right now. If you have a favorite movie line, send me a message and, if I deem it worthy, I will post it here.
Some of my favorite lines from songs (I will try to add one every once in a while, to keep things interesting...):
You can take me down.
You can show me your home.
Not the place where you live,
But the place where you belong.
-Toad The Wet Sprocket, Something To Say
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Honest is Easy.
Fiction's where genius lies.
'Cause it's easier sometimes,
not to be involved,
somehow I make you believe.
-Guster, Demons
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And, of course, here are some movie and TV quotes:
-Aim high, Willis! Aim high! -The 40 Year Old Virgin
-You should never underestimate the predictability of stupidity -Snatch
-Real loss in only possible when you love something more than you love yourself -Good Will Hunting
-Define irony: a bunch of idiots dancing on a plane to a song made famous by a band that died in a plane crash... -Con Air
-How do you shoot the devil in the back? What if you miss? -The Usual Suspects (had to at least have one Kevin Spacey quote in there)
-Lying is the most fun a girl can have without taking her clothes off. -Closer
-You know what love is backwards? It's E-V-O-L. Evil! Pure evil! Granted it's spelled differently, but it's the same thing -The Trojan War
More to come...
MySpace Class

My Interests

LOOK OVER THERE ------

I'd like to meet:

Someone who is as easy going as I am...

Music:

I listen to anything and everything, from Henry Rollins to Sonny Rollins. Lately I find myself listening mostly to lesser known artists whose lyrics hit really close to home and whose guitar work is exceptional (check out my friend Brian Webb's page)...

My favorite band since 1994 has always been GUSTER! I have seen them over 30 times live... Other current fav's include Brian Webb, the Jake Incao Band, Tanglefoot, Chevelle, Three Doors Down, Johnny Cash. I will post an extended list later...and it IS extended (the list, that is).

I will give any group a chance if I can see them perform live. No joke, I have lost some of my hearing due to the many, many concerts I have been to (in my stupid days, I didn't wear earplugs...). I once saw over 45 live shows in one year. The past few years I haven't seen many shows at all. I'm making up for that this year. If you ever don't know what to get me for my birthday, get me concert tickets, and I'll go.

---In my changer right now:
1. Comedy mix (including Dane Cook, Dat Phan, & Billy Connelly)
2. Johnny Cash-the Legend of Cash
3. Another random mix (mostly heavy stuff)
4. Chevelle - Wonder What's Next
5. Brian Webb - Broken Folk
6. Tanglefoot - Full-Throated Abandon

Movies:

My favorite film of all time is SEVEN SAMURAI. Akira Kurosawa was a genius.

My other favorites include: The Princess Bride, The Notebook, The 40 Year Old Virgin, anything with Jackie Chan, Jet Li, or Tony Jaa...

Here's a quick random mish-mosh of great flicks that just come to mind as I'm typing today:

Shaun of the Dead
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Say Anything
A Simple Plan
Sanjuro
Yojimbo
Rashamon (okay, so that really means anything with Toshiro Mifune)
Snatch
Grosse Pointe Blank

I'll finish this list more in depth later. Trust me, this section will take me a LONG TIME.

Television:

I've really gotten into watching TV on DVD. There are no commercials and I don't need to wait a week to find out what happens. Some favorites (don't judge me): CSI, Coupling (the original British version, not the shitty American remake), Lost, Survivor, The Shield, Family Guy, Robot Chicken, MythBusters, The West Wing, The Simpsons, 24.

Older shows that are now gone: Brisco County Jr., Tour Of Duty, Firefly, Quantum Leap, Grounded for Life.

Books:

Books are those things made from trees with pages and word things in them, right?

Heroes:

My Mother who taught me about love, kindness, listening, and the true meaning of selflessness. My father who taught me about respect, self-dicipline, patience, and trust. My brothers and sisters who have taught me about bonds and support. My friends who have taught me about forgiveness and loyalty. My martial arts family who have taught me about awareness and self-improvement. THANK YOU ALL!