In January of this year, as I have been doing now for several years I made a list of some things to do more of this year. What the list doesn't show, and which I actually succeeded beyond my wildest dreams at is what I did less of this year. So while on the surface I didn't accomplish even half of my goals, I actually did remarkably well this year.
from my blog on 1/25/08:
1. Elect a new president.
2. Learn more Mandolin Chords.
3. Finish the the third Shitting Glitter Album.
4. Finish the Fourth Shitting Glitter Album.
5. Run More than last year.
6. Read Ulysses - Then make Jason explain it.
7. Spend more time with Jason. Somehow, Some way.
8. Start blogging short pieces of fiction.
9. Play in Greece.
10. Be a good person.
1. Elect a new president. This I did! There wasn't much choice but I actually go tmy first choice. This year marked the first time which I have ever contributed to a campaign, for anything, and I did so more than once. Now the hard part begins, it's time to as a nation to hold our leaders to a higher standard than we have in the past. In the coming year, when I make my new list, this Item will be on it.
2. Learn more Mandolin Chords. Shit! This I didn't do. I have no real excuse for this. Other than to say the first ones came easy and I got out of the study this year. I will do better by this instrument this next year. It may even make the list again.
3. Finish the the third Shitting Glitter Album. This was in some ways out of my hands. I basically finished my part. There are a few songs here or there that I wrote or involve me but I can't really be the one to move these forward.
4. Finish the Fourth Shitting Glitter Album. I will not be involved with any further Shitting Glitter albums.
5. Run More than last year. I kicked this Items ASS! Very proud of myself. starting in February I ran basically 3-4 days a week, working up to five to sixe miles at a time. There were some longer runs in there, none over ten. I'm proud of myself here. I even started adding some calestenic exercises in the mornings.
6. Read Ulysses - Then make Jason explain it. No Excuse offered here. I joined a book club, it takes more of my reading time. I didn't totally slack but I do still need to read Ulysses.
7. Spend more time with Jason. Somehow, Some way. I maybe saw Jason for more total hours this year... still not nearly enough.
8. Start blogging short pieces of fiction. I split the difference here and started privatly writing a longer piece of fiction.
9. Play in Greece. This was a far reach that was doomed from the start. It turns out that I'm glad it never came to be. It would have been rather awkward.
10. Be a good person. I was a good person this year. I'm proud of that. I did the right thing when it was hard and I helped other people be better.
I will make a new list in the new year. Enjoy yourselves. 2008 was a year of transition, I'm so glad I lived through it.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Christmas in Kansas (as best as I remember it)
I arrived in Kansas City late on the evening of the 18th. It was foggy and there was some freezing rain here and there. As we left the airport and began to drive south towards my parents house the temperature began to get above freezing. Royal greeted me with a nice big jump upon entering my parents house. I greeted him back and had some left over pizza and went to bed.
Friday the 19th.
This was the only day in which my parents worked while I was there. I woke relatively early and started to do my usual pushup situp routine. Royal thought that this was game that he and I were playing, where he was suppose to crawl under and over me as much as possible. When I came downstairs mom and dad had already left and Adrienne was just about to walk out the door.
Royal was very glad to have me at home. He told me that he was about to go for a run and wondered if I'd like to join him. I decided that sounded nice and dressed then as warm as I could.
Royal is an excellent running partner, unless another person happens to be near by, in which case Royal will dart directly in front of his running human in order to great the Johnny run past me.
Our first run together was rather chilly. We ran what I assume is south from my parents house on the Indian Creek Trail, winding our way through the Nazarene College. We put in a slow 5 miles, during which time I learned that when it's that cold outside you burn a lot of energy just trying to stay warm. I returned to my parents house rather beat.
For lunch I joined my sister at her work that day. First I had a fun tour of her place of lawyering, even snapping this picture of my sister in her office. What a BIGWIG she turned out to be.
She took me out to lunch at a fun Indian food establishment. Korma Sutra in Overland Park. It was excellent and I would recommend it to my parents.
After lunch I decided to drive about the Kansas City area some since I had a vehicle and I always enjoy a trip through old stomping grounds. While out I stopped in a used record store. I was shocked to find a cutout bin copy of a Friend's indie release record for 1.99.
That evening I traveled to Jason and Ginger's home. They took me to dinner at the 75th Street Brewery.
I had an Excellent Portabella Mushroom sandwich. It was very nice to have dinner and catch up with two wonderful people whom I don't get the pleasure of seeing nearly enough. After dinner we returned to their home, where I got in some excellent cat time. Here is their newest family member, Lucy.
Ginger went out with her friend Brad and Jason and I stayed in singing and playing the guitar. It was great to be back in that scene with Jason, who's been taking guitar lessons and has really come along. He is much better than I am now.
I learned at 3am that morning there is no more sneaking into my parents house without waking anyone up (as if any of those worry warts were sleeping). Royal gets just as excited at 3am as he does at 3pm.
Saturday was simple. I played Wii with my dad and sister in the morning. Then I took Royal for a magical 7 mile run. There was a light snowfall through out my run and but the air was a bit warmer. I headed what I guess is slightly north east this time on the same trail as the day before. Royal did excellent. He is almost as fast as I am. When we returned home he was beat so I laid on the floor next to him so as to not make him feel bad.
I spent the rest of the day lounging. Mom and Adrienne made excellent homemade pizzas for lunch. I began that afternoon to read Garth Stein's "The art of Racing in the Rain".
Sunday the 21st. It was 8 Degrees outside. Too cold to run, to cold to really leave the house. I was pretty obsessed with "The Art of Racing in the Rain" at this point. I read on it until it was finished. Mom then took Adrienne and I to her school to tour her library and to try and get us lost in the maze that she works in. It's a large school. We stopped at blockbuster and rented some movies, including my favorite Mumford.
That afternoon we watched "Burn After Reading" which was fun and rather clever, also poignant.
That Evening I hauled out my old drum machine, the Roland tr626 which Ronnie gave me oh so many years ago. I set up in a corner of the basement and played along with my old classical guitar. So fun to call up many of those ancient preset rhythms and rock out. I worked up a fun cover of Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" as well as some original tunes. When I left I took the machine with me and I'm now on some crazy quest to use it for a new S no S album. It's funny how one piece of gear can inspire a person to create. In this instance it's simply for the convenience, it's such an easy piece to use and I already know how it functions.
I finished the book in the evening. I will read it again at some point, it was so recommendable. A great story told in an interesting adorable way.
Monday 12/22/08
Ronnie, Lisa and Caitlyn were kind enough to drive up for a visit. We had sandwiches upon their arrival and caught up on old times. It's always a pleasure to see the Hendershotts. Ronnie and I drove out to Guitar Center that afternoon so I could pick up a gift for Devin. I settled on Drumsticks and a Drumstick bag, I like to encourage anyone I know to be a drummer, they are always such a pain in the ass to find.
That night mom made Chili and we all gathered around the table to eat. After dinner we Devin called and told us we could open one of his gifts early, the game "Apples to Apples". I was delighted to win two back to back games and end the evening the raining champion.
We then watched Juno but I was coming down with a pretty severe cold and had to retire early.
Tuesday the 23rd.
I awoke to the sound of Royal going nuts upstairs. Apparently Ronnie came downstairs with his hair down and Royal was not prepared for that. I slept in as late as could and then joined everyone upstairs. The weather for traveling was apparently not very good and the Hendershotts knew they would soon have to be getting on the road. We had lunch together and as soon as their visit began it was over. I was grateful to see them and pleased they had found it important enough to drive down to see us.
The rest of Tuesday was simple. I tried to get as much rest as possible. We watched "Step Brother's" that evening and watched the weather and waited for Devin and Dylan's flight. They ended up getting in around 12:45. I was already in bed. Dad had to do some pretty hairy driving to get them back that night.
Wednesday the 24th.
Christmas Eve was a nice traditional day for the Streckers. I woke up to find that Devin and Dylan were still asleep. Dad made me one of his Spicy Elmo sandwiches for breakfast, which happened to be a real treat. I kicked around the house and tried to muster up the voice to jam a bit with the Drum Machine.
I borrowed dads truck and drove out to have a look around and my old work. I've always been one who likes to return to the scene of my old self. I found much had changed around the nursing home where I use to entertain the elderly. They had added another building and were in the process of ripping up the driveway around the center.
Next I ventured into the great mall of the great plains where I used to go on my lunch breaks. It was still pretty much the ghost mall it always was. I found nothing of any value to buy.
We had the Strecker family traditional Oyster Stew that evening. We gathered around Grandma and Grandpa Streckers old dining room table to eat the meal which had been served so many times before on so many Christmas Eves past. We talked about family and the future. It was really a nice meal. The picture does the meal no justice.
We ended the evening playing Apples to Apples. I won one game out of 2.
Christmas Morning.
We all got around and moving about 10ish Christmas Morning, the big day. We all congregated in the living room to open presents. what follows are some of the wonderful gifts which I received. Thanks to everyone in my family for all the nice things they gave Angela and Myself.
Adrienne cooked our Christmas Lunch. It was Amazing. Hopefully the beginning of a new tradition. She made Broccoli and Pecans, Rib Roast, a Cheddar Pudding and Carrots. I think there was a Potato on the table as well but you know I don't care about that.
Before I knew it I was headed to the airport. It was a great trip and I will look back on it fondly. Willie Nelson's Stardust album played in the background as mom and dad drove me to the airport.
My flight home was uneventful. I was thrilled to see Angela again after 7 days without her.
Friday the 19th.
This was the only day in which my parents worked while I was there. I woke relatively early and started to do my usual pushup situp routine. Royal thought that this was game that he and I were playing, where he was suppose to crawl under and over me as much as possible. When I came downstairs mom and dad had already left and Adrienne was just about to walk out the door.
Royal was very glad to have me at home. He told me that he was about to go for a run and wondered if I'd like to join him. I decided that sounded nice and dressed then as warm as I could.
Royal is an excellent running partner, unless another person happens to be near by, in which case Royal will dart directly in front of his running human in order to great the Johnny run past me.
Our first run together was rather chilly. We ran what I assume is south from my parents house on the Indian Creek Trail, winding our way through the Nazarene College. We put in a slow 5 miles, during which time I learned that when it's that cold outside you burn a lot of energy just trying to stay warm. I returned to my parents house rather beat.
For lunch I joined my sister at her work that day. First I had a fun tour of her place of lawyering, even snapping this picture of my sister in her office. What a BIGWIG she turned out to be.
She took me out to lunch at a fun Indian food establishment. Korma Sutra in Overland Park. It was excellent and I would recommend it to my parents.
After lunch I decided to drive about the Kansas City area some since I had a vehicle and I always enjoy a trip through old stomping grounds. While out I stopped in a used record store. I was shocked to find a cutout bin copy of a Friend's indie release record for 1.99.
That evening I traveled to Jason and Ginger's home. They took me to dinner at the 75th Street Brewery.
I had an Excellent Portabella Mushroom sandwich. It was very nice to have dinner and catch up with two wonderful people whom I don't get the pleasure of seeing nearly enough. After dinner we returned to their home, where I got in some excellent cat time. Here is their newest family member, Lucy. Ginger went out with her friend Brad and Jason and I stayed in singing and playing the guitar. It was great to be back in that scene with Jason, who's been taking guitar lessons and has really come along. He is much better than I am now.
I learned at 3am that morning there is no more sneaking into my parents house without waking anyone up (as if any of those worry warts were sleeping). Royal gets just as excited at 3am as he does at 3pm.
Saturday was simple. I played Wii with my dad and sister in the morning. Then I took Royal for a magical 7 mile run. There was a light snowfall through out my run and but the air was a bit warmer. I headed what I guess is slightly north east this time on the same trail as the day before. Royal did excellent. He is almost as fast as I am. When we returned home he was beat so I laid on the floor next to him so as to not make him feel bad. I spent the rest of the day lounging. Mom and Adrienne made excellent homemade pizzas for lunch. I began that afternoon to read Garth Stein's "The art of Racing in the Rain".
Sunday the 21st. It was 8 Degrees outside. Too cold to run, to cold to really leave the house. I was pretty obsessed with "The Art of Racing in the Rain" at this point. I read on it until it was finished. Mom then took Adrienne and I to her school to tour her library and to try and get us lost in the maze that she works in. It's a large school. We stopped at blockbuster and rented some movies, including my favorite Mumford. That afternoon we watched "Burn After Reading" which was fun and rather clever, also poignant.
That Evening I hauled out my old drum machine, the Roland tr626 which Ronnie gave me oh so many years ago. I set up in a corner of the basement and played along with my old classical guitar. So fun to call up many of those ancient preset rhythms and rock out. I worked up a fun cover of Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" as well as some original tunes. When I left I took the machine with me and I'm now on some crazy quest to use it for a new S no S album. It's funny how one piece of gear can inspire a person to create. In this instance it's simply for the convenience, it's such an easy piece to use and I already know how it functions.
I finished the book in the evening. I will read it again at some point, it was so recommendable. A great story told in an interesting adorable way.
Monday 12/22/08
Ronnie, Lisa and Caitlyn were kind enough to drive up for a visit. We had sandwiches upon their arrival and caught up on old times. It's always a pleasure to see the Hendershotts. Ronnie and I drove out to Guitar Center that afternoon so I could pick up a gift for Devin. I settled on Drumsticks and a Drumstick bag, I like to encourage anyone I know to be a drummer, they are always such a pain in the ass to find. 
That night mom made Chili and we all gathered around the table to eat. After dinner we Devin called and told us we could open one of his gifts early, the game "Apples to Apples". I was delighted to win two back to back games and end the evening the raining champion. We then watched Juno but I was coming down with a pretty severe cold and had to retire early.
Tuesday the 23rd.
I awoke to the sound of Royal going nuts upstairs. Apparently Ronnie came downstairs with his hair down and Royal was not prepared for that. I slept in as late as could and then joined everyone upstairs. The weather for traveling was apparently not very good and the Hendershotts knew they would soon have to be getting on the road. We had lunch together and as soon as their visit began it was over. I was grateful to see them and pleased they had found it important enough to drive down to see us.
The rest of Tuesday was simple. I tried to get as much rest as possible. We watched "Step Brother's" that evening and watched the weather and waited for Devin and Dylan's flight. They ended up getting in around 12:45. I was already in bed. Dad had to do some pretty hairy driving to get them back that night.
Wednesday the 24th.
Christmas Eve was a nice traditional day for the Streckers. I woke up to find that Devin and Dylan were still asleep. Dad made me one of his Spicy Elmo sandwiches for breakfast, which happened to be a real treat. I kicked around the house and tried to muster up the voice to jam a bit with the Drum Machine.
I borrowed dads truck and drove out to have a look around and my old work. I've always been one who likes to return to the scene of my old self. I found much had changed around the nursing home where I use to entertain the elderly. They had added another building and were in the process of ripping up the driveway around the center.
Next I ventured into the great mall of the great plains where I used to go on my lunch breaks. It was still pretty much the ghost mall it always was. I found nothing of any value to buy.
We had the Strecker family traditional Oyster Stew that evening. We gathered around Grandma and Grandpa Streckers old dining room table to eat the meal which had been served so many times before on so many Christmas Eves past. We talked about family and the future. It was really a nice meal. The picture does the meal no justice. We ended the evening playing Apples to Apples. I won one game out of 2.
Christmas Morning.
We all got around and moving about 10ish Christmas Morning, the big day. We all congregated in the living room to open presents. what follows are some of the wonderful gifts which I received. Thanks to everyone in my family for all the nice things they gave Angela and Myself.
Adrienne cooked our Christmas Lunch. It was Amazing. Hopefully the beginning of a new tradition. She made Broccoli and Pecans, Rib Roast, a Cheddar Pudding and Carrots. I think there was a Potato on the table as well but you know I don't care about that.
Before I knew it I was headed to the airport. It was a great trip and I will look back on it fondly. Willie Nelson's Stardust album played in the background as mom and dad drove me to the airport.
My flight home was uneventful. I was thrilled to see Angela again after 7 days without her.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Seasons Pass
At the cusp of a new season I suppose we all grow a bit reflective, the romantics among us perhaps more than most. My big holiday trip over I find myself on such a cusp.
I flew into Kansas City the on the 18th and returned on Christmas Day. It was a fine holiday and I was so glad to spend it with my family and be able to return the day of and spend time with Angela. I'll blog further about the trip in the coming days.
I went for a walk yesterday, on my walk I couldn't help but refelct on the season that I've just lived through. I'm not speaking so much about a calendar season or any particular temperature marker season, but just a vague personal season. I suppose my this season for me lasted from March of this year till now. In that time the weather changed a couple times. My residence changed. My girlfriend changed. My Band Changed. My body Changed. My Hair Changed. My friends changed. My job changed. I lost a beloved Uncle. The way I spend my time changed. I traveled back to Kansas 3 times in this season.
My 7 day trip to Kansas was the last thing that I really needed to be able to assure myself that this season was over for me. It's now time to move bravely forward and begin a new one. I wish to keep all the habits I have established in the old season. I will continue to work out. I will continue to be good with my money. i will continue to arrive early to work and show up not as the living dead of the season before this one. I will continue to forgive as much as I can. I will cointinue to love fully.
I will blog in the next couple of weeks my goals for the new year as well as the progress report on the goals of this past year.
I have grown and I'm proud of myself. I'm proud of you too.
I flew into Kansas City the on the 18th and returned on Christmas Day. It was a fine holiday and I was so glad to spend it with my family and be able to return the day of and spend time with Angela. I'll blog further about the trip in the coming days.
I went for a walk yesterday, on my walk I couldn't help but refelct on the season that I've just lived through. I'm not speaking so much about a calendar season or any particular temperature marker season, but just a vague personal season. I suppose my this season for me lasted from March of this year till now. In that time the weather changed a couple times. My residence changed. My girlfriend changed. My Band Changed. My body Changed. My Hair Changed. My friends changed. My job changed. I lost a beloved Uncle. The way I spend my time changed. I traveled back to Kansas 3 times in this season.
My 7 day trip to Kansas was the last thing that I really needed to be able to assure myself that this season was over for me. It's now time to move bravely forward and begin a new one. I wish to keep all the habits I have established in the old season. I will continue to work out. I will continue to be good with my money. i will continue to arrive early to work and show up not as the living dead of the season before this one. I will continue to forgive as much as I can. I will cointinue to love fully.
I will blog in the next couple of weeks my goals for the new year as well as the progress report on the goals of this past year.
I have grown and I'm proud of myself. I'm proud of you too.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Yay!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Too Much for Words
My Uncle Al Passed away last week. It was a very sad surprise. Devin and I travled back to Kansas for what turned out to be a very moving beautiful service.
Here are some random kansas photos.
Here are some random kansas photos.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Mission retrieval
Its been a wonderful holiday weekend. I missed not seeing my family on the holiday, but christmas should make up for that.
On the walk to the subway I passed a parade and walked through some festival.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Kitty sitting
I got a guess pass to Angela and Devin's gym today. We went and worked out and had a hot tub. Nice day.
Watts Towers for Thanksgiving
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Simple Pleasure
Last night was a perfect night in my life. As I left work it began to rain. It was dark and a tinge on the gloomy side. I was listening to the Ron Reagan show on am 1150 and driving home with my thoughts. Hollywood looks so much nicer in the rain. The layer of grime is almost removed and the dull light helps to filter out that which you don't always need to see.
I Don't recall what the show was about and it doesn't really matter. I was thinking about the piece of writing I started during the day, as if under a spell.
I adore having projects in my head. So many of them stay that way entirely, but they are just as important to me as the ones that come out. To be able to turn an idea over and over in my head is magic and meditation at the same time. I get myself so carried away sometimes. With this going on my drive home was over before I realized it.
There was princess parking in front of our building when I pulled up. Angela was home waiting when I got in, just finishing up her chores and projects of her own. We hugged and compared notes about our days.
At 6:30 Angela had a house call to make, one block over on Ogden. I changed into my running clothes and walked her to her appointment. There was no rain at this point, just the smell of wet and wonder.
As Angela and I said goodbye out front of her house call I started my run. I was a tiny bit sore from the run the day before so I started very slowly. Often when I run concentrate on deep full breathing and muscle relaxation. I did this for the first mile or so as I ran down Santa Monica Blvd, letting go of another day at work, getting the kinks out of my body and mind.
My mind again began to drift towards my novel project. I was thinking about the summer in which it's set and about all the people that drifted in and out of my life during that time.
Soon structured thought crumbled away. I was left with the lights around me and the rhythm of my body at run. At Peace. The rain threatened to return, and I hoped it would.
At home I shower and dressed. I was awaiting Angela's text so that I could walk her home from her house call. I tried on first a pin striped shirt, white tie and Armani sweater. Something about it was too much. I tried on a new blue and black sweater, it also didn't fit my mood. It's an amazing feeling to love ones wardrobe. I went through many years of hating my clothes. It's now a priority in my life to enjoy the clothes I have to wear. I finally settled on a nice black long sleeve undershirt and a shirt which says "Arms are for Hugging the Dandy Warhols". I put a hat and scarf on top of this and walked on block over to meet Angela.
It had rained while I was in the shower, so again everything was wet.
As we walked home I asked her how work had been. She smiled and told me.
Angela had decided earlier in the day that she would treat us to a nice dinner out with the money she made from her house call. She usually cooks wonderful perfectly flavored meals at home. This would be a nice treat, but the bar was very high for the meal out to live up to.
We decided that we should walk to dinner and enjoy the lovely weather, and also feel free to have a drink and not have to drive or pay for a cab. We chose Cheebo on Sunset, a restaurant that neither of us had ever been to. It's the closest eatery north of our house.
The walk through the light drizzle to Cheebo was wonderful. We talked of many things and had our usual fun.
Inside Cheebo was crisp, cozy and warm. We poured over the menu and ordered two beers. We settled on Rigatoni w/ Sausage and Mushrooms in a Cream Sauce, and a Pepperoni Pizza. The Pasta was to D.I.E.! We had a very pleasant candle lit dinner.
While we were in the establishment it began to rain hard. This excited us. Our walk home was wet but not to the point of annoyance. As Angela pointed out, "How often do you get to walk in the rain when you don't have to go any where but home?"
Indeed.
I Don't recall what the show was about and it doesn't really matter. I was thinking about the piece of writing I started during the day, as if under a spell.
I adore having projects in my head. So many of them stay that way entirely, but they are just as important to me as the ones that come out. To be able to turn an idea over and over in my head is magic and meditation at the same time. I get myself so carried away sometimes. With this going on my drive home was over before I realized it.
There was princess parking in front of our building when I pulled up. Angela was home waiting when I got in, just finishing up her chores and projects of her own. We hugged and compared notes about our days.
At 6:30 Angela had a house call to make, one block over on Ogden. I changed into my running clothes and walked her to her appointment. There was no rain at this point, just the smell of wet and wonder.
As Angela and I said goodbye out front of her house call I started my run. I was a tiny bit sore from the run the day before so I started very slowly. Often when I run concentrate on deep full breathing and muscle relaxation. I did this for the first mile or so as I ran down Santa Monica Blvd, letting go of another day at work, getting the kinks out of my body and mind.
My mind again began to drift towards my novel project. I was thinking about the summer in which it's set and about all the people that drifted in and out of my life during that time.
Soon structured thought crumbled away. I was left with the lights around me and the rhythm of my body at run. At Peace. The rain threatened to return, and I hoped it would.
At home I shower and dressed. I was awaiting Angela's text so that I could walk her home from her house call. I tried on first a pin striped shirt, white tie and Armani sweater. Something about it was too much. I tried on a new blue and black sweater, it also didn't fit my mood. It's an amazing feeling to love ones wardrobe. I went through many years of hating my clothes. It's now a priority in my life to enjoy the clothes I have to wear. I finally settled on a nice black long sleeve undershirt and a shirt which says "Arms are for Hugging the Dandy Warhols". I put a hat and scarf on top of this and walked on block over to meet Angela.
It had rained while I was in the shower, so again everything was wet.
As we walked home I asked her how work had been. She smiled and told me.
Angela had decided earlier in the day that she would treat us to a nice dinner out with the money she made from her house call. She usually cooks wonderful perfectly flavored meals at home. This would be a nice treat, but the bar was very high for the meal out to live up to.
We decided that we should walk to dinner and enjoy the lovely weather, and also feel free to have a drink and not have to drive or pay for a cab. We chose Cheebo on Sunset, a restaurant that neither of us had ever been to. It's the closest eatery north of our house.
The walk through the light drizzle to Cheebo was wonderful. We talked of many things and had our usual fun.
Inside Cheebo was crisp, cozy and warm. We poured over the menu and ordered two beers. We settled on Rigatoni w/ Sausage and Mushrooms in a Cream Sauce, and a Pepperoni Pizza. The Pasta was to D.I.E.! We had a very pleasant candle lit dinner.
While we were in the establishment it began to rain hard. This excited us. Our walk home was wet but not to the point of annoyance. As Angela pointed out, "How often do you get to walk in the rain when you don't have to go any where but home?"
Indeed.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
The Brandon 500
This is the 500th post. Some of my posts barely count and others are epic. I say that my blogs average 223 words. Interesting math huh? I just made it up.
Today I started something. I started writing a novel, or perhaps a novella. I haven't figured that out. It's loosely based on the event of my life the summer I graduated from high school. Is it a young mans coming of age story? Perhaps... Is it a story of drunken juvenile behavior? Most likely.
I don't know why I have always wanted to write about that summer, or why I decided this week to do it now.
I don't know that I'll finish it, or that I'll get very far. I certainly have my doubts about weather it will be any good but I've started it.
I'm already having some difficulty in deciding how based on real life it will be. 10 years after the fact it can't be based to greatly on reality. The characters will be similar to some of the people in them, but they won't be so familiar after all this time. I will certain take many liberties with myself.
It's exciting none the less and it gives me something to think about, as if I ever had a shortage of that.
Today I started something. I started writing a novel, or perhaps a novella. I haven't figured that out. It's loosely based on the event of my life the summer I graduated from high school. Is it a young mans coming of age story? Perhaps... Is it a story of drunken juvenile behavior? Most likely.
I don't know why I have always wanted to write about that summer, or why I decided this week to do it now.
I don't know that I'll finish it, or that I'll get very far. I certainly have my doubts about weather it will be any good but I've started it.
I'm already having some difficulty in deciding how based on real life it will be. 10 years after the fact it can't be based to greatly on reality. The characters will be similar to some of the people in them, but they won't be so familiar after all this time. I will certain take many liberties with myself.
It's exciting none the less and it gives me something to think about, as if I ever had a shortage of that.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Have a look... See
Good Morning. I've been blogging a lot lately and I'm only 2 posts away from 500 so I am going to throw up a bunch of pictures here today to pad my stats.
Angela and I feel that this is how Simone looks best, with no ears... you be the judge.
Frusciante has had a very full day at this point, he can't be expected to look perky all the time.
This lovely store is "Tiger LA" at Venice and La Brea. Grr!
This is how Frusciante gets so tired.
Craig's new dog Nikki is also very tired. She is a lovely rescue pup. She will take any love that you have to give. Sometimes that love makes her this sleepy though.
Nikki and I pal around in the office.
Bridget and I pal around in the office.
Buddy does his impression of me in the office.
Here is a bottle of 1978 Dom Perignon that my Craig gave me as a joke. He wrongly assumed that since it was 30 years old it wouldn't be any good. However, it was refridgerated for the last 20 of those years. I had a hell of a time removing the cork but once I did there was the familiar pop and then the taste of liquid gold. Okay, so it maybe was a Tiny bit past it's prime but how could I tell? We drank it lovingly.
A face anyone could love.
Pink Light bulbs! Amazing! Where you ask can you find pink light bulbs? Sunday we went to a crazy estate sale. This woman must have lived in this same house since the 40's and collected pink light bulbs the whole time by the look of it.
Here are some lovely glasses which Angela purchased for 8 dollars. The estate sale was made even more odd by the fact that the entire staff running the sale happened to be hearing impaired. I wonder if that was by chance or design? You can't haggle so well with a language barrier. I did haggle the glasses down from 10$ to 8$ by simple showing the man the cash. He looked at the cash and the glasses, then he grabbed the money and hit me with it. He then smiled and nodded yes. It was adorable.
After a long day people and kitties get tired. You do to.
Angela and I feel that this is how Simone looks best, with no ears... you be the judge.
Frusciante has had a very full day at this point, he can't be expected to look perky all the time.
This lovely store is "Tiger LA" at Venice and La Brea. Grr!
This is how Frusciante gets so tired.
Craig's new dog Nikki is also very tired. She is a lovely rescue pup. She will take any love that you have to give. Sometimes that love makes her this sleepy though.
Nikki and I pal around in the office.
Bridget and I pal around in the office.
Buddy does his impression of me in the office.
Here is a bottle of 1978 Dom Perignon that my Craig gave me as a joke. He wrongly assumed that since it was 30 years old it wouldn't be any good. However, it was refridgerated for the last 20 of those years. I had a hell of a time removing the cork but once I did there was the familiar pop and then the taste of liquid gold. Okay, so it maybe was a Tiny bit past it's prime but how could I tell? We drank it lovingly.
A face anyone could love.
Pink Light bulbs! Amazing! Where you ask can you find pink light bulbs? Sunday we went to a crazy estate sale. This woman must have lived in this same house since the 40's and collected pink light bulbs the whole time by the look of it.
Here are some lovely glasses which Angela purchased for 8 dollars. The estate sale was made even more odd by the fact that the entire staff running the sale happened to be hearing impaired. I wonder if that was by chance or design? You can't haggle so well with a language barrier. I did haggle the glasses down from 10$ to 8$ by simple showing the man the cash. He looked at the cash and the glasses, then he grabbed the money and hit me with it. He then smiled and nodded yes. It was adorable.
After a long day people and kitties get tired. You do to.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Sleepytown
I'm listening to a new song by my brother Devin. It's called Sleepytown. For those of you who read both of our blogs you will have already noticed Devin blogged about it this week. I was lucky enough to hear it once last night at his apartment. It's rough and the mix needs some work but the song itself is really all that matters at this point and as far as things I've heard by people I know i enjoy this hands down the most.
Perhaps it's because I come from the same place as my brother. I can Identify with the characters in this song. I understand the yearnings of living in a sleepytown.
More than identifying with the content of the song it's the melody, It's undeniable in the chorus. There is emotion dripping through the auto-tune, and that is no small feat. I want to be a part of this song, but I can also understand that Devin needs to sink and swim on his own musically for a while. Devin is by far the most truly motivated musician that I have ever had the pleasure to work with. The secret to Devin's success though is that he loves it, and he will continue to get better at writing songs and recording them because he enjoys it so much.
This song and Modern Life, which I was lucky enough to hear earlier in this year represent a sort of culmination for Devin. Everything he's been listening to and everything he's learned from his work in his current band have taught him how to do a great deal within the construct of a five minute pop song. Smash that knowledge against the new frontier of singing and writing the lyrics and you get the possibility of magic.
Godspeed Devin. I feel proud to be your little brother.
Perhaps it's because I come from the same place as my brother. I can Identify with the characters in this song. I understand the yearnings of living in a sleepytown.
More than identifying with the content of the song it's the melody, It's undeniable in the chorus. There is emotion dripping through the auto-tune, and that is no small feat. I want to be a part of this song, but I can also understand that Devin needs to sink and swim on his own musically for a while. Devin is by far the most truly motivated musician that I have ever had the pleasure to work with. The secret to Devin's success though is that he loves it, and he will continue to get better at writing songs and recording them because he enjoys it so much.
This song and Modern Life, which I was lucky enough to hear earlier in this year represent a sort of culmination for Devin. Everything he's been listening to and everything he's learned from his work in his current band have taught him how to do a great deal within the construct of a five minute pop song. Smash that knowledge against the new frontier of singing and writing the lyrics and you get the possibility of magic.
Godspeed Devin. I feel proud to be your little brother.
Ups
It's now dark when I get off work. I really don't like that. I really don't understand daylight saving time. It really musses things up for me. I had for the past 8 months been enjoying the routine of stopping off on my way home from work to run on soft dirt and steep hills each day the sun and the earth had been slowly adjusting their positions which was allowing for a nice variety in temperature and light quality. Then of course humans threw their hand in and in that hand was an axe. Like most things human their was no subtle action involved. Chop Chop. Suddenly in one adjustment from those meddling hands my evenings were changed. Too dark now to run on steep hills and soft dirt.
I'm now left running on concrete and through traffic on much flatter surfaces. It's not so peaceful but its not horrid. I am just glad that I am still enjoying it 9 months in. In fact I still love to run. It's such a nice feeling and I feel better all the way around in life because of it.
Last week when one of my bosses was ill I found myself needing to get to work a bit earlier. I suppose it makes up for all the times I was late in the years prior to this one. I started setting my alarm a little earlier each day and would you know I didn't totally hate it? I wasn't completely exhausted, or any more so than I usually am at the end of day. I actually like it. So last Friday even though the boss was back in good Health I still woke up early. I didn't though rush off to work. I walked into the living room near two sleeping cats and started to do some push ups and sit ups. It was nice. Having worked my lower body so much in the past year my upper body was starting to get jealous.
I have continued this new morning exercise routine all of this week. It's been very nice to me. I feel much better throughout the early part of my day. I eat better in the mornings and for lunch having put in the time to work on improving my physical condition.
It's all around ups.
Keep it ups.
I'm now left running on concrete and through traffic on much flatter surfaces. It's not so peaceful but its not horrid. I am just glad that I am still enjoying it 9 months in. In fact I still love to run. It's such a nice feeling and I feel better all the way around in life because of it.
Last week when one of my bosses was ill I found myself needing to get to work a bit earlier. I suppose it makes up for all the times I was late in the years prior to this one. I started setting my alarm a little earlier each day and would you know I didn't totally hate it? I wasn't completely exhausted, or any more so than I usually am at the end of day. I actually like it. So last Friday even though the boss was back in good Health I still woke up early. I didn't though rush off to work. I walked into the living room near two sleeping cats and started to do some push ups and sit ups. It was nice. Having worked my lower body so much in the past year my upper body was starting to get jealous.
I have continued this new morning exercise routine all of this week. It's been very nice to me. I feel much better throughout the early part of my day. I eat better in the mornings and for lunch having put in the time to work on improving my physical condition.
It's all around ups.
Keep it ups.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
A picture worth $25,000,000,000.00
I just saw this picture on the Huffington Post. I can't find the story it's linked from but I assume since it's under the same heading as the proposed automobile maker bailout that it's something to do with their begging session in congress. Can someone tell me for sure?
At any rate I find this picture absolutely, completely hilarious. Only truly serious people can laugh, and this is really the funniest it gets. OH MY ME!
Another sign of the times, frowning fat cats.
Do you think they practiced?
Monday, November 17, 2008
Funny Circles
Sometimes when I'm missing me I go read in my blog about what I was doing or thinking during this time of year in a previous year. It's a good exercise. It allows me to remember what a fool I am capable of being and it also allows me to recognize progress. It's like those helpful telephone poles on the side of a road. Except for when you go crashing into one as I have done in the past, then they are not so helpful... Forgive me, I've run on.
Today I went back to 2005 and was happy to find that I had blogged on the 17th of November that year. I always enjoy reading a post from exactly the same day in a year past. This particular one was funny to me. It was entitled "Some Words on Words and Reading"
I still pretty much believe what I believed on that day about this particular subject and I don't have much more to report, except my little stab at book clubs. Oh my me, would you believe I have come so far as to now be a member of a book club? In it's defense it's a very small book club. We are currently reading Raymond Chandlers "The Long Goodbye". I'm only a chapter in, having just picked it up yesterday but I like it very much already.
This blog also made me really want to find another copy of "The Wind in the Willows" to take Kansas City with me.
Yes, I'm going to Kansas City in December and I'm so frickin' excited I can hardly stand it. I can't even begin to make these little digital letters tell you how much it warms the heart to think about a holiday with my family. I am so grateful to have my family, truly my life has been blessed.
perhaps some year coming I will look back on this little blog and be reminded of this feeling when I really need it. How about that?
Thanks to Adrienne for the picture of royal. He was travelin' with the family on the way to see Caity perform in her high school musical. I can't wait to meet this little guy.
Today I went back to 2005 and was happy to find that I had blogged on the 17th of November that year. I always enjoy reading a post from exactly the same day in a year past. This particular one was funny to me. It was entitled "Some Words on Words and Reading"
I still pretty much believe what I believed on that day about this particular subject and I don't have much more to report, except my little stab at book clubs. Oh my me, would you believe I have come so far as to now be a member of a book club? In it's defense it's a very small book club. We are currently reading Raymond Chandlers "The Long Goodbye". I'm only a chapter in, having just picked it up yesterday but I like it very much already.
This blog also made me really want to find another copy of "The Wind in the Willows" to take Kansas City with me.
Yes, I'm going to Kansas City in December and I'm so frickin' excited I can hardly stand it. I can't even begin to make these little digital letters tell you how much it warms the heart to think about a holiday with my family. I am so grateful to have my family, truly my life has been blessed.
perhaps some year coming I will look back on this little blog and be reminded of this feeling when I really need it. How about that?
Thanks to Adrienne for the picture of royal. He was travelin' with the family on the way to see Caity perform in her high school musical. I can't wait to meet this little guy.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
The red light glow
I'm sitting outside in front of our apartment next to a small fountain that bubbles softly. I can hear three different televisions coming from neighboring apartments. I cannot make out a word from a warble.
I'm sore today. I worked at my bosses house yesterday. She had a storage shed that needed to be emptied. I moved the entire contents of the shed into the house and the garage. I lifted crate upon crate up a ladder and into a loft type area. I am sore today but it feels nice.
One of the televisions around me has now made itself distinct. I hear the play by play of a football game but I have no idea whose playing. especially at this hour.
My two favorite neighbors just returned. They allowed their doggie out to come say hello. It was very nice.
Last night we went to the drive-in. We saw role models and I slept through a good part of hellboy 2. The movie was good but I was beat. Normally Angela falls asleep at the drive-in.
Off I go.
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