I don’t think any of my favorite memories of John are appropriate for public display. Suffice to say that everything noteworthy discovered between the ages of 15 and 18, I discovered with John. From the third Led Zeppelin album, to casual substance abuse, to Girls.

Which, like Led Zeppelin, must be capitalized.

It’s impossible to properly articulate the nature of that bond with words alone. You could break out of Alcatraz with someone, and yet it still wouldn’t be anything like escaping childhood.

It doesn’t just affect you, it doesn’t change you. It really defines you.

I don’t just think of John, he’s a part of me. To this day, I hear his laugh whenever I see something he would have found funny. When I set up a wisecrack, it’s his voice in my head telling me how to pace it. Coz, Alan if you’re out there, you guys too. I feel like the four of us went to the movies, caught a new one called Life, and everything we saw that day became inside jokes between us forever.

I don’t personally believe in any kind of idealogical afterlife, but John gave me something to aspire to, something worth earning. He’s alive. He’s immortal. At least to us. He walked out to a permanent standing ovation from everyone in his audience. Not just for showing up, but because he was amazing.

Gibson Les Paul Studio Baritone ($1,500)
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/msg/1062101436.html

It took me three years of searching before I got my hands on this guitar- I played in a metal band that tuned down to low B, and this is the only Les Paul built for it as far as I know. And of course black was the hardest color to find.

But money is tight, and I no longer play in that metal band. This guitar sounds beautiful in standard tuning as well, but it’s just more than I need now.

If you love Gibson but tune real low, this guitar is perfect for you.
Deluxe Gibson hardshell case in mint condition (combination not even set) included.
28″ scale, 24 frets, ebony neck. 490R alnico magnet humbucker in neck, 498T in bridge.

It’s in damn near mint condition. Has spent most of its life in the studio. No nicks or scratches.
Originally paid over $2,000, but asking original retail price.

Gibson Les Paul BFG ($1,000)
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/msg/1037531034.html

What a beast this guitar is… 2007 model, since discontinued. Open Zebra BurstBucker 3 in the bridge and an open P90 in the neck. It sounds as mean as it looks. Brendon Small used one of these to record some of the Metalocalypse / Dethklok songs. I used it for metal but also for messing around with southern blues; the raw, dirty tone works well if you’re looking for something with soul.

Guitar is in great shape; stays in tune better than most of my others, no loose knobs or jacks.

Gibson hardshell case included. The metal near the case latch is bent a little bit, but it closes just fine.

Gibson Les Paul Faded DC Special ($800)
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/msg/1037498717.html

2006 model, since discontinued. I only see one on eBay, and it’s going for over $1,300. I’ll take $800 for mine. There’s a couple minor scratches and nicks, but it plays great. In fact the playability was what sold this guitar to me. I went into Guitar Center to buy a Les Paul Studio that was priced much higher, but it just didn’t have the feel & craftsmanship of this DC Special. Changed my mind right there on the spot. It’s got personality.

Two P90s. Very light guitar, very jumper friendly. Has a “soft” feel with the wood stain finish (as opposed to a thick glossy coat of paint) but a very rich, bluesy tone. I went back and forth between standard and open blues tunings, and it always sounded great. Gibson gig bag included.

I’m also selling a Behringer ADA8000 A/D D/A Converter for $150.

Incidentally, Johnny spotted this on a blog today:

One kid that I’ve got high hopes for sent me this link yesterday. We talked about it for 20 minutes, both equally impressed and pissed. We’re all so burnt out on marketing- it’s the same thing, over and over. The same ideas. The same transparent desperation to “go viral” despite being a completely manufactured antithesis of all truly viral phenomena.

But this is the coolest thing I’ve seen in a long time. And the execution is flawless. Click, and watch the trailer for the new Wario Land game. I promise you, you’ll have to watch it two or three more times. Which makes it more than just cool- it’s extremely effective. By the time you move on, you will most definitely be very aware of the product being sold, with a clear understanding of what it is and why you should buy it.

So what’s best for everyone now, especially me of course, is to come back on the scene sans emo journal, and focus on my resumé and creative output; More than just what I’ve done, but how I did it and what cool shit other people are beating me to doing. I guess I’ll be embracing the blog format a little more than I ever have before, but hopefully that’ll make this site more interesting to more than just my Mom.