Catching Up: My Brother the Marine, Revolver, Santiago Adaptation

I've been neglecting this blog lately due to a lifestyle that has been less fun, more productive and painfully far from nutritious. Fortunately I just got a bottle of multi-vitamins sent to me from home, so things are looking up.

Revolver - the entertainment magazine that I've helped create for the hordes of English-speaking socialites in this smog smothered city - has taken over most waking hours of my day. My role has become more administrative, operational and managerial and less journalistic. Though I enjoy being part of the process and making shit happen, I miss my former gig as a happy-go-lucky music writer. I'm still writing, just not as much. Need to do something about that.

My stint as a news/sports writer for The Santiago Times is nearing its end. I've cut back on my daily news articles and will now only contribute the beloved "Basketball Barrio" (my weekly column on the Dimayor (Chile's professional basketball league)) to THE TIMES.

I've also started teaching English classes to support my two-meal-a-day diet and the strict alcohol regimen that helps me deal with said diet. I've lost 15 pounds since my arrival and haven't enjoyed a job as much. As with most jobs you love, it's not generating much income - so instead of finding a lucrative profession - I sold my truck. I heart bandaids.

One thing that has been bothering me is the little time I've spent playing the guitar. I've had no time for much else outside of the magazine, work and concerts - and my stress levels during the past month have been red-lining - so it might be time to pick up my six-stringed friend from Japan. Ganbarimasu-yo!

Another thing that has had profound effects on my psyche is the time leading up to, and the recent departure of my brother Elliot (see post titled: A visit from my brother) to boot camp and Marine stardom.

To say that I love him, am proud of him and miss him (along with the rest of my family) doesn't need to be said...but it feels good saying it and it makes other people feel good too - so I say it.

Most people who are close to Elliot know the freak substance of human intelligence they're dealing with. I'm not sure if these same people, all of them, know how funny, strong, persistent and driven he is though. The Marines evolved a bit this week, and if they don't know it already, they'll figure it out soon enough.

He scored 98/100 on the test that determines what fields he'll be able to work in (forgive my butchering of the armed forces terminology). He's 24. He's a Crossfit nut. Eye-witness reports say that he was at the front of the squad (troop/platoon/cabin....whatever you call it) as they loaded onto the bus.

I've never been prouder of anyone - and this is just the beginning.