SUN RAPED

So the beach was a bad idea. We went to New Simerna beach (on the Altlantic coast) and it was amazing fun, but don't be fooled... there were brutal consequences for my disregard of Florida's mother nature. First off, I was reminded that hydrating is of upmost importance when you plan on having nothing but beer in this Florida summer sun. Secondly, I was taught a hard lesson that it really does matter to reapply sunscreen here in Florida. You see, in California, one application of Banana Boat is more than enough. Not the case here in Florida. Needless to explain myself any further, I ended up dehydrated (beer minus water) and toasted (not from the beer, mind you!) So the whole weekend was basically ruined for me. I could barely move and had blisters all along my chest (I'm probably making it sound worse than it actually was). Don't be fooled though--I wasn't able to wear a shirt for a few days. I just layed there all day (my back wasn't bad burnt bad at all) and saturdated myself with aloe until the skin would reject it's moisture. I actually gave myself a vinegar treatment, too. To this day, my skin had the greenest tinge to it from the aloe and I faintly smelled like that of a salad. However, just yesterday I found redemption in the fact that sun burns eventually begin to peel. Instead of the stinging pain, this time I started to itch all over. I wanted so bad to preserve the tan, but once I jumped in the shower, my skin became really soggy and the dead stuff just started to come off. So comes the end of this fiasco.

Serving an internship with Relevant Magazine over the summer: negative $1,500.
Taking a weekend trip to the beach with the rest of the interns: $10.
Another lesson learned in skin protection: priceless.

Don't tell me I didn't learn anything this summer...

ITS A GREAT DAY TO SLEEP

So we went to print today... thus concluding my first full issue here at Relevant. I have 8 weeks down... 2 to go. It's been a long journey and an amazing experience, but I think there is still quite a bit of learning I can get in before I leave. Half of the interns left (today was there last day) we just went out to lunch and stuff. I have a bunch of pictures from today (I'll send the URL to the album once it is created). I'm way too tired to do anything right now... way too much sun for me. Chris and I left the office after lunch and just came home and laid out in the pool for probably 2 hours listening to this new podcast that he found today. It is a completely random, vulgar, and funny. So the sun took a lot out of me. Once we got done with that, I just came back inside and watched some FRIENDS.... ate some dinner (PB&J) and now I'm getting ready to go to bed at the wee hour of 10pm here. Chris and I (along with the rest of the interns) are going to the beach in the morning and making a day of it. Gonna go soak in some more sun... have a beer or two... enjoy the Atlantic while I can. I'm pretty excited about that. I'll probably be taking pictures with my phone. Not brining my camera on a beach trip ever again... not after last time. Anyway, I'm sure ya'll will see those pictures soon too. Anyway, it's been great updating you (not so much) on what I've been up to. I should get some sleep... the sun will come fast. Be kind and love.

TILLY AND THE WALL

Went and saw Tilly and the Wall tonight. Didn't have my camera, but I had my new phone with me so I took a few shots. Above is from the show. It was a pretty good show and I'm glad I went. Hopefully more shows to come...and maybe with a photopass. PlayRadioPlay is coming to Orlando in a few nights--who knows what will happen!

THE ALBUM LINK

Ya'll can check out the rest of my pictures here. They aren't amazing, but I was somewhat pleased with the results. I really found myself limited with only my wide angle lens. Anyway, let me know what you guys think. I've realized lately that more people read my blog than comment on it. If it is easier for you to just comment via email, then you can email me at justin.r.sledge@biola.edu.... or phone call. Whichever works best for you! Anyway, a new post to come soon. I hope everyone is fantastic.

THE TOUR THAT WARPED

Went to Vans Warped Tour yesterday here in the lightning capitol of the WORLD. It was pretty awesome. The bands I saw: Norma Jean, Anberlin, We The Kings, Angels and Airwaves, The Color Fred, and Matishyahu. I missed Jack's Mannequin and Maylene and the Sons of Disaster (DAMMMMN) but it ended up being really great. I got the photo pass for Angels and Airwaves and got to go right up on the stage and take picture for the first few songs. The photograph above is one of the ones I took. I debated on putting up more on the blog, but I'm making an online album of all of my shots and they should be up in the next few days. Anyway, for those of you who don't know... Tom DeLonge (pictured above in the brown shirt) is one of my favorite people so it was awesome to be able to take these pictures. Anyway--good experience. Hopefully soon I will have the link provided so ya'll can take a look at all of my photgraphs from yesterday. That is all for now. Let me know what you think. Be kind and love.

THIS PHOTOGRAPH IS PROOF

First of all, I welcome you to my living quarters! I took some photographs of the house I've been staying at the past four weeks. Will also be in the house the remainder of my 6-7 weeks here. I had just ambushed this particular photograph in time before the big storm hit last night (regular occurance). The road you see here in the bottom of the photograph is Eastwood Drive. My room is the furtherst left window in the front of the house. I knew a few of you wanted to see pictures of the house... so here it is! I will try and post some of the other pictures I took--the pool etc--later today. Until then, go and listen to the newest Relevant podcast featuring my roommate and fellow intern, Chris "Formal" Goodson. Quite a character, indeed. Warm wishes.

EXCITING WEEK IN O-TOWN

No... not the band unfortunately. (If you got that joke, then I pity you). Anyway, the past week at here has been pretty busy. I've been non-stop on In-Design creating the new media kits--although, I did manage to take some pictures yesterday of Philip in his office. Philip has been busy racking up revenue this past week. I've been helping out a little bit, but it's really all him. Relevant's future is looking really bright due to him. Not only are we getting new advertising clients, but we are also doing a lot of agency work with Relevant Solutions--a branch of Relevant Media Group that acts as an agency that gets contracted for design and marketing purposes. Anyway Philip is making things work in a lot of different ways and in a very healthy way when it comes to the future of Relevant. All in all, it was a very productive week. Not necessarily for me, but for Relevant in general. Besides work the past week, I haven't been up to a whole lot. Been working out and dieting. The workouts are tough and the dieting isn't too bad. I'm beginning to feel a little bit better about myself although I haven't really seen a drastic change. So that is going good. Last night a bunch of us were invited over to Jeremy's apartment. He is the art/design director here at Relevant. Anyway, he and his wife just got out of debt from school, etc. Pretty impressive. Anyway, we had a "green" party and everything was decorated in green to celebrate their accomplishment. Tonight Jesse (design intern), Chad (marketing intern), and I are going to a hardcore show at the House Of Blues. Demon Hunter and Oh, Sleeper are the two main bands and I'm pretty excited about it. The warped tour is coming to Orlando on July 10th and I might be able to get backstage pass through Relevant for that. (Finally.... some restitution!) Also this past week (on a completely different note) I watched probably the most beautiful movie I've ever seen. The title of it is "Once" and I won't say too much about it because I want you to watch it. It literally is the only movie that has almost brought me to tears and encouraged and motivated me all at the same time. On top of that, the cast was all no-names in the movie industry. The soundtrack became one of my favorite soundtracks ever and the songs have become my recent favourites. If you haven't seen this movie, I would greatly recommend it. It's directed by John Carney. Go out. Rent it. That's all from me out here in Orlando. Will post more this weekend... maybe a little more about the movie. I love you all and take care of yourselves.