Snow, Sun, and a Reality Check

So it's been snowing the past few days, which I'm majorly pumped for. I love snowboarding and Skiing so this is definitely a great time for me. I'll be hitting the slopes of 7 springs this coming weekend during the day, and I'll be DJing both nights this weekend.

And now for the sun: This past summer I was lucky enough to be involved with PghRX's Rehab on the Rooftop, which was a sick way to spend a sunday in the warm summer months. I brought my video camera and finally took some time to put a little sample together. Big shout out to all the DJ's that participated, and Digital Dave and Nugget for getting us all involved. Also, PghRX for putting it all together and Clique Vodka for coming through in a big way.

Let me know what you guys think about the video! Trying to improve wherever I can!

And on a more serious note, a good friend of mine Brandon "DJ Bonics" just got out of the hospital today, and I know I speak for our community of friends when I say Thank you, Lord. You can read more about it on Bonics' Blog Here. Thoughts an Prayers go out to him, and hopefully his story can help to inspire others.

Steelers vs Ravens tonight, it should be one heck of a game... But I'm sure we're all looking forward to seeing what Harrison's Tab will be at the end of the night!

Here We Go Steelers, Here We Go!

-Mike

It's That Time Of Year...

This Thursday is that one day of the year over-eating is encouraged. That's right, it's Thanksgiving time again. Some people roast their bird, some people deep fry them. Some people eat homemade cranberries and some eat them from a can (I'm not a big fan of either). No matter what you eat, or how you eat it (for all the cavemen and women out there who enjoy roasting over an open flame and eating with your hands), there are a few things that are certain about Thanksgiving Thursday:

1) You're going to eat WAAYYYYY Too much

2) It's going to be an awesome decision until you see desert, then you're going to feel like you're going to explode

3) Someone in your house is going to be glued to the TV watching football all day

4) Leftovers will most likely last you the next 2 weeks (at least that's how it's been in my house)

Oh yeah, and #'s 5 &6?

Thanksgiving Eve and Black Friday.

Drink it in, people. The night before Thanksgiving is historically The Busiest bar night of the year (followed by New Years Eve in 2nd, and not including the Wildest day of killing your liver, St. Patrick's Day). It's the night that most people are home to see family, college kids are back from school, and most of the people from high school you may have been waiting to see, or never cared to see again, will be out and about. For those who are used to the wild night's in Pittsburgh on the weekends, you know what kind of mayhem awaits some of these poor souls. What you may not realize is that this night can become amateur hour in the blink of an eye. And the police know this all too well. If you're out on the town, and you know someone on south side, just plan to crash at their place. Or Catch a cab, or get a hotel room. No matter what, driving after this night of crazy drinking and reminiscing can get ugly quick, so save yourself from potential disaster be plan for the night.

Then the day after the feast of the year is that notorious shopping day known as Black Friday. You can bet your sweet @ss that I wouldn't be caught dead near a mall on this day, but for you brave souls venturing out to try and find the best deals, God Speed. I think I've only gone shopping on this day once in my life, and when I got to the mall at about 2 in the afternoon, the mall was still packed, and every store looked as barren and looted as every zombie/apocalypse movie ever released. It was kind of a funny sight to see, but I was bummed when what I was looking for was sold out, and the next best thing wasn't discounted at all, and wasn't really what I was looking for. Don't get me wrong, there are some great deals out there on this day, and some people love shopping on this day, but personally, I'll be doing my shopping another day.

This is one of my favorite holidays, mostly because it's really about coming together with family and friends, and those are things you can't buy in the store. Sitting around the dinner table, telling stories and enjoying each other's company is one of my favorite things, and I have a feeling this year is going to be another great one, which I am eternally Thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Mike

It's November people, which means I'm long over due for the newest post. First up, an update on the new blog/site. Design is coming along well, and I'm working on boosting the power of my old PC to use as the server for the site. Got a few friends helping me out with the code to hopefully make the new site absolutely awesome.

New music to check out:

Cee Lo - Bright Lights, Bigger City - It's a tight track, and yet another reason Cee Lo is an under appreciated monster of the music business.

We Are The In Crowd - for all my punk fans out there, had a chance to check these guys out at the Hey Monday/Cartel show this past week in Pittsburgh, and I've gotta say, they have what it takes to make it, they just gotta keep true to the music and the fans. Their stage presence was great, the crowd was going crazy, and I've been rockin their EP since I left the show

and while we're on the subject

Cartel and Hey Monday @ Alter Bar 2010 - The show was a blast, hands down! Three opening acts, some better than others, but Cartel made the room explode with energy! Playing some well known and well known tracks like "Say Anything (Else)" and "Burn This City," plus some newer tracks, The crowd ate it up. As their set came to an end, they gave a shout out to all their fans who saw their last show in the steel city with New Found Glory, they wrapped up their set with a dope cover of "My Friends Over You" which made me jump around like back in the day. Then Hey Monday came on to wrap up the night. Only knowing a few of their songs, I had a hell of a time, and of course they played "I Don't Wanna Dance" which had the whole crowd going crazy, and the lead singer showed her ability to keep the party going when she stopped the music, called out two d-bags trying to get into a fight in the middle of a great time, and told them to grow up and stop ruining everyone's night. Reminds me of a DJ buddy of mine who used to do the same thing back in the day (HAHAHA!)! I have to say that I was absolutely floored when they Pulled out a cover Jason DeRulo's "In My Head" which had the crowd jumping and waving hands all over the place! Very pleasant surprise! All in all, it was a great night, mad props to my buddy Sandy for letting me know about the show and letting me tag along.

4/5

Well, it's time to get back to the grind, little bit of redesign work and some long overdue mixtape work to get done today.

Until next time, I'll See you on South Side

-Mike

Blogging (pt.1)

OK so, it's been a while since the last post. I know, I know, I need to put more up more often. Well, I'm here to tell you today that that is soon going to happen. I've been doing a lot of thinking over the past few weeks, and over this past weekend it started to hit me: I have no 'Effin' clue what I'm doing! So I got down to it, and I've started thinking about ways to overhaul the WGL blog. I know, there isn't much here, but I've been browsing the web (like everyone else) and been thinking about other blogs and content that I'm interested in and maybe you are too? So I've thought about this: Why not ask you guys and girls? So here it is: What do you guys like to look at on the net? I'm open to all ideas because I want you to be able to connect to the site and see information on what you want to see! Idea's I've had so far:

Music - New Tracks/artists/bands/etc., Played out tracks, up and coming artists/tracks

Media - TV, Video Games, Websites, News, Gossip, Sports

Social - Who's out and about? Who's rocking the latest gear and what is it? What are you getting into? What's your favorite spot (Bar, Club, Gym, Park, Building, Coffee Shop)?

I'm a Pittsburgh guy through and through, so I'm sure that the beginnings of these sections/ideas will revolve around the city, but truth be told, this Blog was created with the intent to expand my horizons as well as provide entertainment for you all. Now I know the chances that someone outside of Pittsburgh is reading this, but if you are, First let me say Thank You, and second, Let your voice be heard!!!

Let me know what you guys think!!!!

Music Is Life, Pt. 1

Music. We hear it everywhere we go. Sometimes we like it, and sometimes we don't, but the undeniable fact is that it's everywhere.

Everywhere.

To some, it's a drug of choice. New music, new sounds, new beats, classics that haven't been heard before or haven't been heard in a long time. Each one creates it's own high to the listener.

Music is one of those things that defines the human experience. We use it for everything. We use it to motivate ourselves. We use it to help lift us up when we are down. We use it to express ourselves when words just aren't enough. It's hard to think of life without music.

Not everyone will like the same kind of music either, and that's what makes it great. I looked at my music library this week, almost 19,000 songs! But the crazy part isn't that if i pushed play at the first song, I wouldn't hear the same track for almost 2 months, it's that I want more.

If you enjoy music, you know it's addictive. You hear a song, and you might not like the rest of the album, but then you might like it and go out and buy all the other records by the same group or artist. I know I've done it, and maybe it's just me.

All I really know is that when either I find new music or someone points out some new stuff to me, there's no greater feeling than just chillin' out and just listening to the music, alone or with friends. Doesn't Matter. In the end, it's all about the music.

Time to fly. More to come on this later...

In the Beginning..

Well, Here it is. My Blog. Dear God, what am I thinking? Wait, that's most likely, what you're thinking. Or maybe you're thinking, 'Who Is this guy?' How Rude of me...Pause. rewind. Go.

My name is Mike Ley (yes, it's pronounced like the potato chips and no, it's not fake). I am a DJ/college grad working in the real world. I live a double life, but not like secret agent double life ( that would be friggin' Bad Ass tho). I work a 9-5 like most (and I use this term as lightly as possible) "adults", all week long doing computery stuff, go out with friends and other DJ's during the week, and on the weekends, I DJ at a club in Pittsburgh, and party with my buds.

So why did I start this Blog? Great question. Still working on the answer. No, seriously, I started this blog because I have some out there ideas and some wild times in Pittsburgh, and other places I travel to for fun and for work.

Oh yeah, there will be big posts on those travels, that I can assure you.

What do I want to get out of this? Nothing, except for getting my thoughts out there and making some new connections (and maybe a little self promotion from time to time). I'm looking forward to responses, ideas, commentary, and shared experiences. Let's just call this whole thing one massive "social experiment within the human experience."

Get it? Got it? Good. Now, I have one last question...

Wanna get Leyed?