Song: "Heretic Pride" - The Mountain Goats
Food: Salad and beer
Where did my Sunday go? I discovered this CouchSurfing.com thing, so I believe I spent more time with it then necessary. Trying to spend more time in Cali then I had originally planned in order to line up my destinations properly, so I sent some messages to a few folks in Monterrey CA asking if their couch was single and ready to mingle.
I have been making my cousin Andi a playlist of music tonight. I am going for the more obscure stuff as her and I have covered the popular stuff we both know by heart. It is next to useless to share details of this kind of thing, so I will not. I will make you a playlist too though, if you want me to, just axe me.
Going back through this much music makes me miss many of you terribly, but I have a big day tomorrow and no time to tell you about that. Short post, but not as short as J Robert Oppenheimer.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Santa Cruzing, USA (pt 5)
Song: "Diamonds On the Soles of Her Shoes" PandC Simon
Food: Cheese Pizza
Called up a local pub about their open mic and they said they were already full. Bummer. I went walking and found me a nice little spot on a cliff in someone's backyard and I played songs for the hummingbirds and even the dastardly snakes that eat my frogs. I was hungry so I thought I would first try to make lunch money by playing a few songs downtown, and wow, every corner on Pacific Ave has some sort of bum like me busking. Even more disturbing is none of them have any dough in their offering plate. I found me a corner by a taqueria and played a few songs. Didn't make any money, but three 5 year olds danced pretty hard to one of my songs, though I am pretty sure they can, should, and will dance to anything. We got down none-the-less.
Met up with Andi B and ate some of Woodstock's pricey, greasy, delicious pizza and then headed for this pub for the open mic. Not so upset I didn't get to play, because it was some loony gal playing watered down blues and no one was listening to her, just drinking their watered down blues away at the bar. We had a beer and nodded along with her for a bit. Andi's friend Taylor said she had a drum set, so I went to her place to play for a while. She is a damn good drummer and it was a lot of fun. Reminded me of my days playing with the "Ya I'm Friends with Dan" band. I walked back from her place and passed the historic Santa Cruz Boardwalk on the way.
Food: Cheese Pizza
Called up a local pub about their open mic and they said they were already full. Bummer. I went walking and found me a nice little spot on a cliff in someone's backyard and I played songs for the hummingbirds and even the dastardly snakes that eat my frogs. I was hungry so I thought I would first try to make lunch money by playing a few songs downtown, and wow, every corner on Pacific Ave has some sort of bum like me busking. Even more disturbing is none of them have any dough in their offering plate. I found me a corner by a taqueria and played a few songs. Didn't make any money, but three 5 year olds danced pretty hard to one of my songs, though I am pretty sure they can, should, and will dance to anything. We got down none-the-less.
Met up with Andi B and ate some of Woodstock's pricey, greasy, delicious pizza and then headed for this pub for the open mic. Not so upset I didn't get to play, because it was some loony gal playing watered down blues and no one was listening to her, just drinking their watered down blues away at the bar. We had a beer and nodded along with her for a bit. Andi's friend Taylor said she had a drum set, so I went to her place to play for a while. She is a damn good drummer and it was a lot of fun. Reminded me of my days playing with the "Ya I'm Friends with Dan" band. I walked back from her place and passed the historic Santa Cruz Boardwalk on the way.
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| From Cruzing USA |
Friday, January 29, 2010
Santa Cruzing, USA (pt 4)
Song: "Make A Difference" (title needs work)
Food: PB, granola, bread
Drinking a warm IPA as I write this, so forgive me if this blog post is more awesome than me.
Several items fill my heartbrain (that is the part of the brain that hosts the feelings and thoughts that most people think actually live in the human heart. Look it up: www.ofcourseIjustmadethatup.com). These items are: family, bunny rabbits, and Lykke Li's song / music video "Little Bit". Two of them developed into a poem, and one of them developed into a burning desire to dance with Lykke Li and to ask her to laugh at my poetry. Development people. Just not sure what exactly comes from said development.
Today's word is "communication". Usurping wireless internet signals from your neighbor does not necessarily aide the attempt to hold steady Skype conversations or even write lengthy electronic mails. Who's complaining? It is called for-free! I still cannot express the joy I have whenever I hear a strange electronic beep and I think to myself "Is that my cell phone?", only to remember that I do not have a cell phone. It feels great to laugh at myself in those moments, and to feel the free space in my jean pockets. Think of what I can do with all of that space. I can smuggle light bulbs or I can slap my upper thigh to the beat of the passing train.
I have been playing chess over the inter-nets with my nameless friend who lives in Florida. He finally made a move today, so I think I will post a snap shot of my board to let you guys know where the game stands. Please do not post your suggestions for the next move as that will make the game ungentlemanly. My buddy is the white or negative pieces and I am black or color pieces. It is whites move.
*I suppose the more ridiculous my post, the more obvious it is that I didn't really do anything noteworthy that day.
Food: PB, granola, bread
Drinking a warm IPA as I write this, so forgive me if this blog post is more awesome than me.
Several items fill my heartbrain (that is the part of the brain that hosts the feelings and thoughts that most people think actually live in the human heart. Look it up: www.ofcourseIjustmadethatup.com). These items are: family, bunny rabbits, and Lykke Li's song / music video "Little Bit". Two of them developed into a poem, and one of them developed into a burning desire to dance with Lykke Li and to ask her to laugh at my poetry. Development people. Just not sure what exactly comes from said development.
I have been playing chess over the inter-nets with my nameless friend who lives in Florida. He finally made a move today, so I think I will post a snap shot of my board to let you guys know where the game stands. Please do not post your suggestions for the next move as that will make the game ungentlemanly. My buddy is the white or negative pieces and I am black or color pieces. It is whites move.
*I suppose the more ridiculous my post, the more obvious it is that I didn't really do anything noteworthy that day.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Santa Cruzing, USA (pt 3)
Song: "The Way It Is/Changes" Bruce Hornsby/2pac
Food: Thrifty Ice Cream, located inside Rite-Aid Pharmacy
I went to the bank three times today. That is two times too many in a week, and four times too many in a month, but I made it through. Bank of America does not even have the free lollipops, what a jip, especially when you know that the overly made-up 22 year old gal working the service desk is not going to like the garlic on your breath and you want to stare deep enough into her eyes until you know that she can be convinced to run away with you and stop wearing all that make up and get to talking about books and fires and stars and sing harmonies with you.
Andi B and her buddy Doug took me on a tour of Capitola, CA. Cool place, probably best for vacationing or the like, but we saw some interesting things. For example, we went into a Thomas Kinkade gallery. It was hilarious, the guy working the place was a total Kinkadian apostle man it was funny. He was telling us about his buddy Thomas's birthday and showing us pictures of Mr. Kinkade painting the original of this painting (which was the reproduction of a duplicate which was a duplicate of a print which was a print of a recreation).
I played my second open mic tonight at a coffee shop slash anarchist library. Traded pieces of myself for pieces of others. I kept very little from most, and wanted more from others. I played the song listed above and another of my own, with good reception, I'm happy about it.
Thanks for listening. New pictures uploaded, old pictures remembered.
Food: Thrifty Ice Cream, located inside Rite-Aid Pharmacy
I went to the bank three times today. That is two times too many in a week, and four times too many in a month, but I made it through. Bank of America does not even have the free lollipops, what a jip, especially when you know that the overly made-up 22 year old gal working the service desk is not going to like the garlic on your breath and you want to stare deep enough into her eyes until you know that she can be convinced to run away with you and stop wearing all that make up and get to talking about books and fires and stars and sing harmonies with you.
Andi B and her buddy Doug took me on a tour of Capitola, CA. Cool place, probably best for vacationing or the like, but we saw some interesting things. For example, we went into a Thomas Kinkade gallery. It was hilarious, the guy working the place was a total Kinkadian apostle man it was funny. He was telling us about his buddy Thomas's birthday and showing us pictures of Mr. Kinkade painting the original of this painting (which was the reproduction of a duplicate which was a duplicate of a print which was a print of a recreation).
I played my second open mic tonight at a coffee shop slash anarchist library. Traded pieces of myself for pieces of others. I kept very little from most, and wanted more from others. I played the song listed above and another of my own, with good reception, I'm happy about it.
Thanks for listening. New pictures uploaded, old pictures remembered.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Santa Cruzing, USA (pt 2)
Song: "In Your Eyes" Peter Gabriel
Food: Wildflower Honey, Santa Cruz Farmers' Market.
Laundry day. Ya, because I was so unorganized and rushed when I was leaving Austin, I packed a large assortment of dirty clothes. By the way, the rest of what I own is in my car at an outdoor car storage (parking space) in Austin, behind a giant, strong, fortified, impenetrable, Fort Knox of a fence. It is 5 and a half foot tall chain link with chicken wires. I don't think the chickens are who I am worried about stealing the bottle of Vitamin C in my passenger seat.
The guy at the laundr-O-mat today schooled me on his salsa recipe. It's time my blog had a recipe:
Cut some avocado chunks and put some lime and lemon juice onto them. Blend habanero, serreno, jalapeno and thai peppers up with some tomato sauce. Add the avocado chunks and chunks of tomato and cucumber to cool it down. Easy. Sauce.
Walked around a lagoon, thought about time, played footbag net with some righteous brothers, smoked pot with some righteous brothers, and stared at the ocean for too long. Good to be here with my cuz Andi B and her roommate Rebecca (SHOUT OUT, whass up!). They cooked me pizza tonight and all I had to do was dishes. Shoot, this is livin'.
Phyllis, if you are out there, I miss you.
Food: Wildflower Honey, Santa Cruz Farmers' Market.
Laundry day. Ya, because I was so unorganized and rushed when I was leaving Austin, I packed a large assortment of dirty clothes. By the way, the rest of what I own is in my car at an outdoor car storage (parking space) in Austin, behind a giant, strong, fortified, impenetrable, Fort Knox of a fence. It is 5 and a half foot tall chain link with chicken wires. I don't think the chickens are who I am worried about stealing the bottle of Vitamin C in my passenger seat.
The guy at the laundr-O-mat today schooled me on his salsa recipe. It's time my blog had a recipe:
Cut some avocado chunks and put some lime and lemon juice onto them. Blend habanero, serreno, jalapeno and thai peppers up with some tomato sauce. Add the avocado chunks and chunks of tomato and cucumber to cool it down. Easy. Sauce.
Walked around a lagoon, thought about time, played footbag net with some righteous brothers, smoked pot with some righteous brothers, and stared at the ocean for too long. Good to be here with my cuz Andi B and her roommate Rebecca (SHOUT OUT, whass up!). They cooked me pizza tonight and all I had to do was dishes. Shoot, this is livin'.
Phyllis, if you are out there, I miss you.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Santa Cruzing, USA (pt 1)
Song: "Bees"
Food: Apple Cider Vinegar
Made it to Santa Cruz. Dope, easy transport options from the big city to here. I feel like a local, but clearly am not. Example: my train ticket cost me $7.75 so I inserted a $10 bill into the machine. I assumed the machine would not give me anything back in terms of change, but some coins and a ticket came out of the machine. I.. what the hell? Why quarters? A couple quarters? This is a mistake. Walking to the service window now, "Sir, I did thisss for thisss and why did this give me back.. one, two, three quarters?" "Sir. Look at the coins again." They're dollar coins. I suck so bad.
Weak story, and not all that reflective of my current state of universe digestion. Digesting.
You know what, girls are fantastic. Not being sarcastic. More on that later, maybe. And also, I don't have great pictures today. I will spoil this blog rotten with pictures, thinking its an easy way to explain things, but not really explaining anything. Let me explain something, I feel if you want to get something done in this world, you have to do it "obliquely", and therefore don't really accomplish what you set out to do, but something even better!
I am not positive yet what that means, but I drew a diagram I have thought about lately (please comment):
Food: Apple Cider Vinegar
Made it to Santa Cruz. Dope, easy transport options from the big city to here. I feel like a local, but clearly am not. Example: my train ticket cost me $7.75 so I inserted a $10 bill into the machine. I assumed the machine would not give me anything back in terms of change, but some coins and a ticket came out of the machine. I.. what the hell? Why quarters? A couple quarters? This is a mistake. Walking to the service window now, "Sir, I did thisss for thisss and why did this give me back.. one, two, three quarters?" "Sir. Look at the coins again." They're dollar coins. I suck so bad.
Weak story, and not all that reflective of my current state of universe digestion. Digesting.
You know what, girls are fantastic. Not being sarcastic. More on that later, maybe. And also, I don't have great pictures today. I will spoil this blog rotten with pictures, thinking its an easy way to explain things, but not really explaining anything. Let me explain something, I feel if you want to get something done in this world, you have to do it "obliquely", and therefore don't really accomplish what you set out to do, but something even better!
I am not positive yet what that means, but I drew a diagram I have thought about lately (please comment):
City of St. Francis (pt 5)
Song: "Wolf+Lemon"
Food: Garlic
Alarm clock failed me, but I huffed it to the Mission district for the free tour of Anchor Steam Brewery. I was late, but they let me in, just in time to learn good stuff. Anchor Steam uses 85% of 3 day fermented beer and 15% percent of one day fermented beer in the secondary fermentation process. This is to achieve a certain alcoholic content and also a level of carbonation. They also flash pasteurize everything before bottling. This is to "get rid of micro organisms that can sour the beer and lower shelf life". Wimpy.
*Note - Ya I'm Friends with Dan Brewers (TM) does not flash pasteurize.
The tasting was great though, and nothing like free drunkenness at 11 AM. Their "Old Foghorn" is the jam turkey.
Then I walked to "The Castro" (holy moly). A group of men were suuper friendly to me and helped me find my way further north so that I could finally see the Wave Organ. It happened, and I knew it would, but it was low tide, and the Organ does not work properly. Then I jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge, in my mind.
For foodings, I took several buses in contradicting trajectories until I finally ended up at "The Stinking Rose". Not bad. I spent more money than I have been and the food was alright. They used to be well known for the strongest garlic dishes, but they have toned it down due to customer complaints. What?? Tonight I went to the "Hotel Utah Saloon" and spent too much time and money there, but met some interesting people to say the least.
I ended the night pissing on a bush in Union Square.
Tomorrow I am off to Santa Cruz to see my cousin Andi B. Very excited, it has been a while since we have hung out, I did not have a beard then. Goodbye "Union Square Backpackers Hostel", its been real. And thank you San Francisco.
Food: Garlic
Alarm clock failed me, but I huffed it to the Mission district for the free tour of Anchor Steam Brewery. I was late, but they let me in, just in time to learn good stuff. Anchor Steam uses 85% of 3 day fermented beer and 15% percent of one day fermented beer in the secondary fermentation process. This is to achieve a certain alcoholic content and also a level of carbonation. They also flash pasteurize everything before bottling. This is to "get rid of micro organisms that can sour the beer and lower shelf life". Wimpy.
*Note - Ya I'm Friends with Dan Brewers (TM) does not flash pasteurize.
The tasting was great though, and nothing like free drunkenness at 11 AM. Their "Old Foghorn" is the jam turkey.
Then I walked to "The Castro" (holy moly). A group of men were suuper friendly to me and helped me find my way further north so that I could finally see the Wave Organ. It happened, and I knew it would, but it was low tide, and the Organ does not work properly. Then I jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge, in my mind.
For foodings, I took several buses in contradicting trajectories until I finally ended up at "The Stinking Rose". Not bad. I spent more money than I have been and the food was alright. They used to be well known for the strongest garlic dishes, but they have toned it down due to customer complaints. What?? Tonight I went to the "Hotel Utah Saloon" and spent too much time and money there, but met some interesting people to say the least.
I ended the night pissing on a bush in Union Square.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
City of St. Francis (pt 4)
Song: "Black Beach"
Food: Siam Thai Lotus
Big day! Though every day is a big day when your brain is so small. Most of my friends would be very proud of me, maybe my mom, because I got up early and went to church! Right?? "Glide Memorial" church is known for their "Celebrations" every Sunday morning. Wonderful choir and band, I got a little down with my get down kno'wt I'm sayin... especially for a guy with no soul. Now, it was not quite the Harlem church experience I share with good ol J friend of mine, but it was good. The church is definitely geared toward helping the needy around San Fran, and the needy are definitely in attendance. This ain't your "grandma drivin the Cadillac to service" kinda church, so it was nice.
Most of the day centered around Golden Gate Park and music in the rain. Saw the predictable Haight and Ashbury area, whatever. To escape the rain and cold I caught a blind (bus that is) and ended up on the west of town at Ocean Beach. Great! Played guitar in the sand. At some point a very young boy came up to me and said "Hey Dad", immediately realized his mistake, and ran off wanting to cry I think. His true father and I talked music and he told me how to get the train back to down town.
Post - Drank a Miller Chill for a dollar before last night's Cold War Kids show. The show was really good, and the openers were decent. Didn't realize Cold War Kids were a San Fran band, and they definitely received the home town love.
Food: Siam Thai Lotus
Big day! Though every day is a big day when your brain is so small. Most of my friends would be very proud of me, maybe my mom, because I got up early and went to church! Right?? "Glide Memorial" church is known for their "Celebrations" every Sunday morning. Wonderful choir and band, I got a little down with my get down kno'wt I'm sayin... especially for a guy with no soul. Now, it was not quite the Harlem church experience I share with good ol J friend of mine, but it was good. The church is definitely geared toward helping the needy around San Fran, and the needy are definitely in attendance. This ain't your "grandma drivin the Cadillac to service" kinda church, so it was nice.
Most of the day centered around Golden Gate Park and music in the rain. Saw the predictable Haight and Ashbury area, whatever. To escape the rain and cold I caught a blind (bus that is) and ended up on the west of town at Ocean Beach. Great! Played guitar in the sand. At some point a very young boy came up to me and said "Hey Dad", immediately realized his mistake, and ran off wanting to cry I think. His true father and I talked music and he told me how to get the train back to down town.
Post - Drank a Miller Chill for a dollar before last night's Cold War Kids show. The show was really good, and the openers were decent. Didn't realize Cold War Kids were a San Fran band, and they definitely received the home town love.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
City of St. Francis (pt 3)
Song: NONE! The missing sounds of the wave+organ.
Food: Moe's on Grant Ave
Despite the opportunity to lay back, relax, and figure some initial things out I have decided to leave the comfy nest of Asi Falcon to stay in the big city. Her and I hiked the city today, on the epic journey to see the Wave+Organ, but we found to our dismay that A - Russell is poor with directions and B - It only sings at high tide. Staying tonight at "Union Square Backpackers Hostel", dorm room for $20 bucks. Not South Am prices, but what do you expect? Here is a picture from lunch with Walter:
Now I am off to the Fillmore Auditorium to see the Cold War Kids, maybe some beers before. Asi headed back home because she knew, if my underarms smelled this bad now, how bad they would smell after a rock concert. Thanks Asi for all your hospitality! Hope you get some more Skip-Bo practice (you need it) and enjoy that cleaned out dryer lint-trap.
Friday, January 22, 2010
City of St. Francis (pt 2)
Song: "Untitled 1 and 2", Russell Knudson
Food: Rosarita Refried (Vegetarian), red onion, torts
Still in Lafayette CA. Road to Walnut Creek, thanks to Asi for letting me use her version of my favorite transportation machine. Wrote a little bit, but mainly basked in the confused glances of the locals.
It still is raining a bit, but the afternoon consisted of a soggy hike up a hill to overlook the town and scream at people from a distance with guitar accompaniment. No bears, no bears.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
City of St. Francis and area (pt. 1)
Song: "Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor" performed by Entrance
Food: Casa Gourmet Burritos, Lafayette CA
St. Francis was dope. We will see if the city lives up to it's namesake.
In the meantime, Lafayette and Berkley are getting rained on by my 1985 model feet. It is raining water here as well. Saw an exhibit of a collection of paintings by Mr. Ralph Borge. I have thought very much about him, his paintings ("Autumn Journey") and an open letter written by him on the creative process.
Analisa Falcon is the host with the most, and I'm pretty sure is already getting sick of me. I haven't talked to her about it yet, and she doesn't know about this blog, so I am allowed to post it. She is great though. We sang some Boyz II Men at karaoke last night after her kind friends had us over for a pot luck and drinking games - college style. At some point I was forced, by game rules, to pound a Bud Light, which I did not complete 100% first go. The 75% I did complete, mixed with the enchiladas, really brought me back to my days at Regurgitation University, though I did not have to give a presentation last night, only wanted to puke.
I did however terrorize the house - unscrewed light bulbs, mixed up the DVDs and their cases, etc. I can't understand why Analisa is getting sick of me. ?
Berkley is alright, nothing punched me in the eye. Met some pretty nice folks, gave my old trench coat to one of the craziest people I have seen in a long while (he was screaming obscenities at walls, but was super friendly to people who walked by), and thought about "Save the Planet" kind of people. Forgot my camera, so no pictures yet.
Food: Casa Gourmet Burritos, Lafayette CA
St. Francis was dope. We will see if the city lives up to it's namesake.
In the meantime, Lafayette and Berkley are getting rained on by my 1985 model feet. It is raining water here as well. Saw an exhibit of a collection of paintings by Mr. Ralph Borge. I have thought very much about him, his paintings ("Autumn Journey") and an open letter written by him on the creative process.
Analisa Falcon is the host with the most, and I'm pretty sure is already getting sick of me. I haven't talked to her about it yet, and she doesn't know about this blog, so I am allowed to post it. She is great though. We sang some Boyz II Men at karaoke last night after her kind friends had us over for a pot luck and drinking games - college style. At some point I was forced, by game rules, to pound a Bud Light, which I did not complete 100% first go. The 75% I did complete, mixed with the enchiladas, really brought me back to my days at Regurgitation University, though I did not have to give a presentation last night, only wanted to puke.
I did however terrorize the house - unscrewed light bulbs, mixed up the DVDs and their cases, etc. I can't understand why Analisa is getting sick of me. ?
Berkley is alright, nothing punched me in the eye. Met some pretty nice folks, gave my old trench coat to one of the craziest people I have seen in a long while (he was screaming obscenities at walls, but was super friendly to people who walked by), and thought about "Save the Planet" kind of people. Forgot my camera, so no pictures yet.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Oh Austin
will miss you so very much. You and all of the critters that scurry in your hairs. Wonderfully sad.
I will be back though! Austinites, please keep a space on your floor open for me when that hot ol' Austin summer rolls around.
Some Highlights
I will be back though! Austinites, please keep a space on your floor open for me when that hot ol' Austin summer rolls around.
Some Highlights
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Portland - Night 1
Ran around town, as usual. Got the rained on. For why? Very dense downtown, I like it. Many people out walking around despite the rain. Pretty girls with curly hair and sad demeanors (yodi!). The light rail is fucking amazing from what I can tell. I don't think I will have much of a chance to peep the bike and bus method of the city, but it has a presence for sure. Also, it was not hard to tell the "green/eco" philosophy floating around, BUTTT I am downtown where everyone gotta be cool, and its cool to at least say you are the green.
Shower, Berbati's Pan, Voodoo Doughnut, bar trouble maybe, though I need to wake up early to run before work. Maybe Rock Bottom brewery to see what they got.
Tomorrow night I will stay in Portland, I believe at a hostel a bit west of downtown, and try to get over to some open mics (one of these days I will work up the nerve to play the two songs I got). Otherwise, check out Powell's Book City for some used tings Ive been wanting. Not sure why I think it is still acceptable for me to buy books.
Flying out at noon on Thursday for a 7 hour flight through Calif. Last day of work on Friday.
Shower, Berbati's Pan, Voodoo Doughnut, bar trouble maybe, though I need to wake up early to run before work. Maybe Rock Bottom brewery to see what they got.
Tomorrow night I will stay in Portland, I believe at a hostel a bit west of downtown, and try to get over to some open mics (one of these days I will work up the nerve to play the two songs I got). Otherwise, check out Powell's Book City for some used tings Ive been wanting. Not sure why I think it is still acceptable for me to buy books.
Flying out at noon on Thursday for a 7 hour flight through Calif. Last day of work on Friday.
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