Friday, February 27, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
The Last Ran Steps in a Neighborhood?
As I sit here before my home computer there is still sweat dripping from my face. I have just finished a relaxing 6 mile run. Perhaps my last in West Hollywood, the community which has been my home for the past 6 years. I have loved living here. I have felt proud and connnected to a vibrant creative community while here. It is a city not without it's problems, but certainly further along than most. Attitudes are more open and the general level of engagment in life by it's citizens seems to me at least to be a bit higher than many other places, certianly more than any other place where I have ever lived.
Tonight as I ran I just took it in. I ran down streets which I have adeventured through for some of the most interesting years of my life. I didn't experience an overwhelming feeling of emotion, just a calm peace that comes with the meditative nature of a good long run. I have come to the end of my time in West Hollywood at a great moment for me.
Moving to atwater village is exciting for me. To be in love with somone who brings out the best in me, and who pushes me to do more and be better in life is something special. I believe we deserve a new community to make new wonderful memories in. I am looking forward to creating in new ways, with a new freedom that comes from being able to start fresh, and establish my own space.
Tonights run was beautiful. I am so glad that I find such joy in this activity. It is responsible for such a deep sense of who I am.
My brother and his boyfriend will continue to live in WeHo, so I won't be staying away compeletly.
It was a great run.
Tonight as I ran I just took it in. I ran down streets which I have adeventured through for some of the most interesting years of my life. I didn't experience an overwhelming feeling of emotion, just a calm peace that comes with the meditative nature of a good long run. I have come to the end of my time in West Hollywood at a great moment for me.
Moving to atwater village is exciting for me. To be in love with somone who brings out the best in me, and who pushes me to do more and be better in life is something special. I believe we deserve a new community to make new wonderful memories in. I am looking forward to creating in new ways, with a new freedom that comes from being able to start fresh, and establish my own space.
Tonights run was beautiful. I am so glad that I find such joy in this activity. It is responsible for such a deep sense of who I am.
My brother and his boyfriend will continue to live in WeHo, so I won't be staying away compeletly.
It was a great run.
Keeping the House on the Hill
This past Sunday I was out in Malibu helping my good friend Hoagie place a drainage culvert back where it belongs. The rain had eroded the dirt and concrete around the top and caused the 25 ft section of pipe to slip about 3 feet down the hill and come lose from it's concrete anchoring at the top of the hill.
The process was interesting. it involved removing rocks and debris from the top of the pipe in order to make it light enough to be pulled up the hill by a vehicle. Once we accomplished that we tied a cable around the pipe which we anchored to some sections of rebar driven into the ground. On top of this we then stacked rocks and bits of concrete, followed by a chicken wire type item.
We then cemented the whole thing in place as best we could.
It was really a fun day. There really is something in me that enjoys working in the physical realm. Maybe I wouldn't like it if I had to do it daily, but over the last year working at my different friends houses I've learned to do a lot of things that I didn't know how to do before and had fun doing it. When I was very young I assumed I would be a farmer and I think that seed is still somewhere in me. It's no longer what I would choose for my life, but I have an appreciation for the labor no less.
I dream to one day have something like a house and a yard, if I'm particularly lucky maybe a few acres to do with what I choose. It's a beautiful thing to get dirty, even if it's in the name of keeping your house on the hill.
I drove back to town at the end of the day with a big smile on my face. I was filthy and the cement on my skin was sucking all manner of moisture from my body, but I felt great.
The process was interesting. it involved removing rocks and debris from the top of the pipe in order to make it light enough to be pulled up the hill by a vehicle. Once we accomplished that we tied a cable around the pipe which we anchored to some sections of rebar driven into the ground. On top of this we then stacked rocks and bits of concrete, followed by a chicken wire type item.
We then cemented the whole thing in place as best we could.
It was really a fun day. There really is something in me that enjoys working in the physical realm. Maybe I wouldn't like it if I had to do it daily, but over the last year working at my different friends houses I've learned to do a lot of things that I didn't know how to do before and had fun doing it. When I was very young I assumed I would be a farmer and I think that seed is still somewhere in me. It's no longer what I would choose for my life, but I have an appreciation for the labor no less.
I dream to one day have something like a house and a yard, if I'm particularly lucky maybe a few acres to do with what I choose. It's a beautiful thing to get dirty, even if it's in the name of keeping your house on the hill.
I drove back to town at the end of the day with a big smile on my face. I was filthy and the cement on my skin was sucking all manner of moisture from my body, but I felt great.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
I'm turning 30!
If you wonder what to get me for my birthday I was thinking ikea gift certificates. I was thinking before home depot gift certificates but then I saw a computer desk that rocked my socks off, and I changed my mind.
Honestly though love, attention and inspiration are the most wonderful gifts you could give me.
Thanks for nearly 30 years of memories.
I'm moving!
Friday, February 20, 2009
3 D
Last night Angela and I went with some friends to see Coraline in 3d. I have to say I was blown away. This was the second 3d movie I've attended in the past few weeks, the first being My Bloody Valentine. I am really impressed with where they are taking the theater experience, of course like anything I'm also a little concerned with the unintentional side effects, such as to what extent will some moveis subsitute the 3d effect for believeable characters and a good story? Really though there are plenty of shit movies made in 2d so my concern isn't that great.
The story behind Coraline and the animation would be stunning in regular flat picture anyway. My Bloody Valentine was certainly improved by being in 3d, but it's a slasher picture so what really does one expect? It was a thrill ride and I'm not ashamed to use that term.
I'm so excited to see this advancement. It really makes going to the movies special, even if it now costs 30 bucks for two people to see a movie together. 35 if you count the small bottles of smuggled in champaign.
Perhaps my favorite part of Coraline were the night sky backgrounds. It reminded me so much of Western Kansas on a clear night in my childhood. I really really long to see the sky this way again. The last time I experienced so many star would have had to have been at night in Tahiti. I love the feeling of wonder that comes with feeling your true proportion to the universe. Not even a drop in something far larger than a bucket, so good for the ego to remember it's place, it's another demintion entirely.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Work is crazy
Snow in the Distance
I think it takes better pictures too. Here is a shot of the snow from the front door at work. Pretty.
Friday, February 06, 2009
Bouncing Out of My Soul Excited
We begin moving in 21 days. I'm as excited as the title of this post would lead you to believe.
It continues to rain. Boxes are starting to pile up at our house. There is much to be done in the way of transferring services and making a seemless move.
I had a great week of feeling healthy and alive again after my cruddy illness. I ran every day and worked out each morning.
I worked on a new chord progression for Invisible Material over the week. I'm excited to jam it out in rehearsal tonight.
It continues to rain. Boxes are starting to pile up at our house. There is much to be done in the way of transferring services and making a seemless move.
I had a great week of feeling healthy and alive again after my cruddy illness. I ran every day and worked out each morning.
I worked on a new chord progression for Invisible Material over the week. I'm excited to jam it out in rehearsal tonight.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Street or a river?
Every Day is a Choice
Today as my boss walked through the office and asked me, in a snide tone, when I was going to change my hair back to blond, it occurred to me at that moment that we make tiny choices everyday and the type of world that each of us lives in is dictated by those choices. If you ask almost anyone if they would like to live in a new vibrant world where unexpected things happen and there are new things to behold each day I believe that most people would say that they would like to live in that world. The reality of our world is that this is and easy possibility for us, it's a choice away. You can live in a new world or you can hide from it, every moment while you are on this planet.
There are people that do things, that change things, and there are people who fight change and don't take chances. It's obvious to me that rewards are only heaped upon those that seek them, that risk embarrasment and nays from the naysayers to get them. There is no reward for not trying. For keeping your same hairstyle or haircut. If you talk to no one new there are no new friends. If you listen to nothing new there are no new favorite songs. Read nothing new and you will never again experience the joy of connecting with a book that means something to you.
I just recently learned this lesson again. I balked about my new band recording already. I said we weren't ready and thought poorly about it's outcome. This was fear on my part and I tried to get out of it. Luckily Robin had enough belief to make it happen, I am grateful. I enjoyed the experience and its out come fully. I love to play guitar and make records, yet still the fear nearly got the best of me. This is why I blog today, not to admonish anyone, because I understand how easy it is to make the wrong choice, or make no choice at all. I don't want anyone to unknowingly live in that world.
Lets put our best foot forward and support each other in new endeavors. If someone tells you they are doing something don't let the first thing out of your mouth be a negative. Don't tell someone what is wrong with a new plan or idea first thing. Look for and express the good in it, because it will improve your world too if the people around you do new things. It could lead to something new and beautiful for you. It's a very simple choice.
You may not like my hair black, you may not like my new bands recording, but what does that get you? You have nothing new to love if you don't decide to love it.
I am learning now not to build my sense of self esteem from that which I have alreday accomplished, I want to build it from how I will react to situations in the future. Not that which I've already stored in my mind, but my ability to process and adapt to the new things that come to me.
There are people that do things, that change things, and there are people who fight change and don't take chances. It's obvious to me that rewards are only heaped upon those that seek them, that risk embarrasment and nays from the naysayers to get them. There is no reward for not trying. For keeping your same hairstyle or haircut. If you talk to no one new there are no new friends. If you listen to nothing new there are no new favorite songs. Read nothing new and you will never again experience the joy of connecting with a book that means something to you.
I just recently learned this lesson again. I balked about my new band recording already. I said we weren't ready and thought poorly about it's outcome. This was fear on my part and I tried to get out of it. Luckily Robin had enough belief to make it happen, I am grateful. I enjoyed the experience and its out come fully. I love to play guitar and make records, yet still the fear nearly got the best of me. This is why I blog today, not to admonish anyone, because I understand how easy it is to make the wrong choice, or make no choice at all. I don't want anyone to unknowingly live in that world.
Lets put our best foot forward and support each other in new endeavors. If someone tells you they are doing something don't let the first thing out of your mouth be a negative. Don't tell someone what is wrong with a new plan or idea first thing. Look for and express the good in it, because it will improve your world too if the people around you do new things. It could lead to something new and beautiful for you. It's a very simple choice.
You may not like my hair black, you may not like my new bands recording, but what does that get you? You have nothing new to love if you don't decide to love it.
I am learning now not to build my sense of self esteem from that which I have alreday accomplished, I want to build it from how I will react to situations in the future. Not that which I've already stored in my mind, but my ability to process and adapt to the new things that come to me.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Visible, Invisible Material
Here is a little more on invisible material for those of you that don't have facebook pages and therefore can't see the facebook page...
The bio:
When Robin Hall settled in Los Angeles (after setting sail round the world from New Zealand), he had an insatiable urge to start a rock band. “It's just cos' rockin' out is part of my genetic make up...I need it.”
Hall had his first attempt at a band, but things didn't quite fit...and then, in due course and with some patience it solidified and gained a foundation with the Strecker bros: Brandon on guitar and Devin on drums. The trio was joined by special guest Jasten King on bass as they recorded their debut EP in January, 2009.
Collectively known as Invisible Material, Hall and Co. make music that is fun, fun and melodic. From the manic pop-punk of “Gonna Get Drunk & Tell Her That I Like Her” and “More of a Man Than Me” to the jangly, retro feel of “The Folded Page,” they keep it upbeat and danceable.
“I'm attractive so I don't need to be deep and complex to compensate for a lack of anything...I just wanna do what resonates with me and create something that gets peeps toes and feet tapping,” Hall said.
The name Invisible Material was an evolution of the name Dark Matter, that had already been taken. Both were lifted from the presentation at LA’s Griffith Observatory Planetarium...of which Hall has attended no less then 8 times. “It's kinda my church service” Hall said.
And a bunch of pictures robin took the other night at the recording session:
The bio:
When Robin Hall settled in Los Angeles (after setting sail round the world from New Zealand), he had an insatiable urge to start a rock band. “It's just cos' rockin' out is part of my genetic make up...I need it.”
Hall had his first attempt at a band, but things didn't quite fit...and then, in due course and with some patience it solidified and gained a foundation with the Strecker bros: Brandon on guitar and Devin on drums. The trio was joined by special guest Jasten King on bass as they recorded their debut EP in January, 2009.
Collectively known as Invisible Material, Hall and Co. make music that is fun, fun and melodic. From the manic pop-punk of “Gonna Get Drunk & Tell Her That I Like Her” and “More of a Man Than Me” to the jangly, retro feel of “The Folded Page,” they keep it upbeat and danceable.
“I'm attractive so I don't need to be deep and complex to compensate for a lack of anything...I just wanna do what resonates with me and create something that gets peeps toes and feet tapping,” Hall said.
The name Invisible Material was an evolution of the name Dark Matter, that had already been taken. Both were lifted from the presentation at LA’s Griffith Observatory Planetarium...of which Hall has attended no less then 8 times. “It's kinda my church service” Hall said.
And a bunch of pictures robin took the other night at the recording session:
I am Well
I am still attempting to get the green sludge out of my lungs, however I am starting to feel completely human again. Last night for the first time in over a week I was able to get out and put in a good five miles. It felt great. My body hasn't completely withered into a mass of molasis during my forced inactivity.
The sun is no longer already tucked in when I begin my evening run now, this is a major encouragment. It means soon I will be back on trails, running on dirt and surrounded by nature. The Challenge will then be increased, as will the enjoyment. The view will be better thats for certain. There will soon be new territory to explore as well, because it would appear that one of the items on my things to do in 2009 is set to come true sooner than anticipated!
Okay fine, I'll totally spill the beans. Angela and I have found a new place. It's next to griffith park and has many amenities, including a huge patio, which I have wanted for ages. But more on this later. I felt like I wanted to talk about something else and then I've been distracted so many times I now can't think of it. Still though, this changes helps me to feel well. Very well.
In addition my new band, Invisible Material seems to be picking up a great deal of moment. I'm really excited by our recording and all the fun that we had making it. It seems like we are all really motivated now to write more songs and see what we can make happen. Being in a totally live rock and roll band is a great time.
Work is busy as hell. I shouldn't be doing this but I have been busting so much as that I felt the need to jot down a note. I feel as though it's my reward. It makes me feel well.
This morning was also the first time since my chest crud that I have been able to do some simple exercises before work again. I did not do a full 3 sets but I did some quality calestenics. I am well. I am excited.
The sun is no longer already tucked in when I begin my evening run now, this is a major encouragment. It means soon I will be back on trails, running on dirt and surrounded by nature. The Challenge will then be increased, as will the enjoyment. The view will be better thats for certain. There will soon be new territory to explore as well, because it would appear that one of the items on my things to do in 2009 is set to come true sooner than anticipated!
Okay fine, I'll totally spill the beans. Angela and I have found a new place. It's next to griffith park and has many amenities, including a huge patio, which I have wanted for ages. But more on this later. I felt like I wanted to talk about something else and then I've been distracted so many times I now can't think of it. Still though, this changes helps me to feel well. Very well.
In addition my new band, Invisible Material seems to be picking up a great deal of moment. I'm really excited by our recording and all the fun that we had making it. It seems like we are all really motivated now to write more songs and see what we can make happen. Being in a totally live rock and roll band is a great time.
Work is busy as hell. I shouldn't be doing this but I have been busting so much as that I felt the need to jot down a note. I feel as though it's my reward. It makes me feel well.
This morning was also the first time since my chest crud that I have been able to do some simple exercises before work again. I did not do a full 3 sets but I did some quality calestenics. I am well. I am excited.
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