Monday, December 31, 2007

2007

Wow. We should be fired from the blogging community for this kind of behavior. Needless to say we've been busy. But who hasn't?

Highlights:

Being busy.
Our road trip to Portland.
Moving down to the big city.
Going back to school.
Owen discovering the drums.
Being re-introduced to the genius of country music.
Remaining happily hitched.

This coming year we look forward to:

Getting rich.
Getting smart.
Maybe getting pregnant.

"For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice."
- T.S. Eliot

Here's to 2008!

Thursday, December 06, 2007

nobody knows me, by lyle lovett, might just be the most beautiful song i've ever heard.

Monday, December 03, 2007

What are you looking at?

"Oh, the silent majesty of a winter's morn, the clean cool chill of the holiday air, and an asshole in his bathrobe, emptying a chemical toilet into my sewer."

Monday, November 26, 2007

I am thankful for Thanksgiving. It was cold in Big Bear, but warm by the fire with the sound of Vince Guaraldi, the heavenly scent of turkey and pumpkin bread pudding, and the company of family with our old yeller dog. We came home a bit early to take part in some vip actions at The Wiltern, where we were fortunate enough to see two good good bands. We made a lovely breakfast at home Saturday morning, took care of some business, then made our way to the Long Beach for some games at said band's abode, chicken pot pies with Davey and Donia, and some stimulating conversation with Tim and Shauna until 5am. I don't think we've been awake that late in a long time, and I now remember why. All in good fun nonetheless. Last night Amber broke out the china, and we did foods and wines with the Smiths, joined by whiskeys with the Gloyds, and here we are at Monday. The house is getting all Christmas'd up, and I am excited for the season, bringing celebrations of the birth of our King, eggnog, and some special visitors from a big city far away.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

By the way, I invented a dream recorder that plugs into my head when I sleep. This one is from last night.

Moca

When we went downtown, we saw the work of Takashi Murakami.
It was great. Go look at it. Online or in person.

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Thursday, November 15, 2007

We are going to the Smith's. Then we will walk to the Metro and ride it into downtown to look at some arts and eat some foods. Why? Because it's the opposite of sucky.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

No Age

Tonight I got out of class around 9-ish, drove down to Echo Park, met the Patty, got some beer in, and saw these guys. Good good show. Listen to Everybody's Down. We had a nice chat about living in Los Angeles, how there are plenty of things that suck about this town, as well as plenty of things that are really great when taken advantage of. Good timing.

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

The Sierra

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Yosemite was magnifique! So peaceful and beautiful and therapeutic. We met up with Ryan and Jen at 3am, drove north, and arrived in the park by 8am, in time for breakfast at The Ahwahnee. The wedding was great. The food and the open bar and the music were great. The weather and the hiking were lovely. Thus the drive home was a bit of a bummer. But tel est la vie. This photo, among others, is the work of Bradley. Our battery died for a good portion of the trip. We want to go back in the spring, when the water is running, and hike the Dome. Who's down?

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Friends!

I had to start a new flickr account because awhile back flickr merged with yahoo and so when I tried to get in as an "old skool member" it wanted a yahoo password which I gave them to which they said it wouldn't work because it was already tied to another account. Anyway, I started a new one, so if anybody wants to be photo friends, it's here.

Monday, October 22, 2007

11:57

Tonight I stayed after class to study minerals, thus my brain burns, like southern California, with all of their different names. Pyrite. Augite. Biotite Mica. Plagioclase Feldspar. It actually feels like my brain is turning into said minerals and eroding into sediment that will flow down through my head and body and settle in my feet. That will suck.

The other night the wife and I made our way over to Hollywood's Arclight Theater to see The Darjeeling Limited. The Arclight was both great and crappy. It was nice looking inside, and it had great sound. It also cost $14.00 a person, and there was popcorn all over our seats. The Darjeeling Limited, in our collective opinion, was fantastic. Wes Anderson at his second best (only to them Tenenbaums). Beautiful imagery, classic style, and great characters partaking in hilarious dialogue. I would recommend it. I do. There is a sort of supplementary short film called Hotel Chevalier available for free on itunes that would work both before or after seeing The Darjeeling Limited. It was a little shocking, mainly the whole Natalie Portman naked bit.

Yosemite in one week. I am excite!

Goodnight.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Run-on sentence

Tonight I got out of class a bit early so I hauled my ass over to The Echo where I didn't have any cash which led the door-man to feel sorry for me and give me a free ticket that allowed me to meet up with the Pattersons inside and enjoy an awesomely loud Boris show. It was great!

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Cedar in a wood stove

Some people in Simi Valley got up this morning, got dressed, and then got killed. All before 8am. And I spend some days sitting around, not calling friends or riding bikes with my wife; not hiking in the mountains or going fishing in the ocean. I get upset over a parking ticket and the rest of my day has no chance.
There is still so much I want to do and see and experience. I don't want to die yet. I want to enjoy everyday to it's fullest. Why is it so easy to get distracted? Why is it so easy to forget that this can all go away?
We are going to Big Bear this weekend, where my dad will turn fifty, where the air is cool and clean, where one can see that it's autumn by looking at the trees and the sky, rather than just the calender. I want to soak it all in, so much that when we get back to Los Angeles some of it will evaporate out and turn a few leaves red, or fill the room with the scent of cedar in a wood stove.

Friday, October 05, 2007

Breakfast Club

We would like to have a breakfast club because breakfast is the best! This is our idea:
A different person/people will host said breakfast club at their home on Sunday, some time after church. The host will set the menu and provide the main course, while the guests bring any necessary extras. All are invited, and welcome! If you are unable to participate every Sunday, it's fine - come when you can. Obviously, the more we get together, "the happier we'll be"! However we understand that a lot of us are busy; there is no reason this should feel like another commitment. Matt and I will get it started. So this Sunday, October 7th, Breakfast Club will be at our place around, say, 1-ish. Please spread the word. Give us a comment, a call, or a text so we can know what to prepare, and so we can let you know what to bring. Thanks!

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

High and Low

Every once in a while, when the day is drawing to a close, Amber and I like to exchange a high of the day and a low of the day. On Sunday we agreed that our high was walking in, and our low was walking out.

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What a heartbreaker.

Saturday, September 29, 2007

Matt B's last post got me started

Awesome fighters of bad guys. Good looks. Hot babes. Insane machines. I can almost taste the green Otter Pop in my mouth as I sit on the blue shaggy carpet and stare up at one of thirteen available channels.





Saturday, September 22, 2007

I don't think I've ever seen this city look as beautiful as it looked today.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

The Morning

Some strong coffee, a couple eggs, and a little M. Ward make for a nice rainy morning. I was just checking the news when I looked out the front window and saw what looked like a high school couple breaking up and getting back together a couple times. It reminded me of my high school break-ups and make-ups, of which I'm glad are long since gone.

Off to work.

Monday, September 17, 2007

Still More Fire

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Even though we got out of town two days ago, I'm trying to stay updated on this thing so all of us old mountain folk can be in the know. The above photo is of a DC10 that reloads somewhere off the mountain, and can drop 24,000 gallons of retardant, covering an area just shy of a mile. My dad and I watched this the other day from Castle Glen. It's insane. That on top of a few smaller planes and a handfull of helicopters makes it quite a spectacle. There are 2,245 fire fighters in the woods, and the burn area is at about 16,000 acres. They're saying you can see the smoke from Vegas. Is this true?

They canceled school. Now all the BBHS kids can go smoke pot in the Sugarloaf woods and start another fire. Here are two more photos.

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Saturday, September 15, 2007

Fire

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We came up to Big Bear for a wedding and some more stuffs: drums and fishing poles and printers. When we got here, she was on fire. This photo is from yesterday, when it was five acres. Today it's four thousand acres and the number one fire priority in the country. A little scary. We were at a lake house last night, after a hipstered snowboarder wedding, and the sky was bright orange and almost beautiful. Anyway, it needs to go away. I got a haircut. Now my beard looks as big as Gandalf's. I'm going to shave it. And I like The Kinks right now. Alot.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

We're getting there

We've been unpacking our belongings for what feels like a month. In reality it's been a week. Sometimes I look around in love with our stuff, and other times I feel like it's a bunch a crap that belongs back at the thrift store. However we did get a new couch and a new bed, both of which are very nice looking and comfortable. We're almost all settled in, but right now I need a break, thus, I blog. Some thoughts: The weather is getting much more tolerable, maybe even nice. I added a unit to my existing four geology units by signing up for some field trips, and I'm looking forward to them. I miss the people that don't live here anymore. I've been paranoid lately that a stray bullet is going to hit and kill me while I'm driving down the freeway. Weird. It's a bummer for Cold War Kids that Meg White went and got sick. I want to go to the mountains. Not Big Bear, though it's beautiful right now, but the real mountains. Maybe the High Sierra. I guess we will be in Yosemite in October. That should suffice. I've got some homework to do, right now.

Friday, September 07, 2007

Move

More details later. For now; change, furniture, paint, stress, heat, work, beer, sleep, gasoline, money, school, beer, money, and school. Ratatouille was great, and Harry Potter is all over. More later.

Friday, August 24, 2007

It's late. Yesterday I finished Order of the Phoenix, and today I got half way through Half Blood Prince, all whilst working. Now it's late, and I'm tired.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Happy Birthday Matty!

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It's Matt's birthday today, and as you all know his favorite thing to do is "max out real hard!" Unfortunately, this will have to be postponed for a couple of weeks. Around the 7th or 8th of September we would be delighted if any of you, or all of you, would come out to the Big Foot Lodge with us and enjoy some drinks and pleasantries. I will post again when we have the date and time nailed down. Thanks! Here's to Matt Pool, a fine man!

P.S. We would also like to wish a very Happy Birthday to Matt's birthday friend, Lindsay!

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Hey!

We've acquired a pad. Move in date is Sep 1st. It's roughly in this area, so once we're settled we'll have to make merry with a bbq or something. Good times await, followed closely by school times. Here's to them.

Thursday, August 02, 2007

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Oh Hello

We are well. We're in L.A. for a bit, trying to find a place to live so's I can start school. If anyone knows of any places, pass it on. Thanks!

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Potter Party!

Sunday at the Gloyd home. Info here. Now go get your blumin' movie tickets.

Sunday, June 24, 2007

road trip #3

we are driving home from our trip right now. we are on the barren 395, through the mountains. for the last four hours we’ve been listening to harry potter so matt can get caught up. matt is now hooked on harry potter and our marriage, therefore, has grown tremendously.
matt and i are sad to leave the open road behind but also excited to be coming home and getting started on... well we are still sorting that out. for the month of july, at least, we will be in los angeles. while in la we hope to, as matt likes to say, “max out real hard!”
we didn’t do a good job of posting while on the road so here are some more highlights of the trip.

portland:

roller skating at the oaks
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playing pool at the backstage
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birthday celebrations at the edgefield
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harry potter ice cream cake
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being with suzanne, joey, and our new portland friends
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portland rules! it is beautiful, has great places to eat, lots of cool free things to do, and you can walk everywhere. we agree that we could move there and have little trouble transitioning. the only problem would be a place called st. cupcake where i would spend too much time and subsequently gain 300 pounds.

lake tahoe:
in tahoe we were straight out of a toyota tacoma commercial. we went rafting in the truckee river, kayaked, rafted, and fished in lake tahoe. we gambled, ate great pizza, and enjoyed the company of our lovely hosts the castaneda’s.

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Friday, June 15, 2007

Road Trip #2 - Photos

Hi. My Flickr account is being poopy so I grabbed a couple of quick photos to stick here. Hopefully I can get the lot of them up asap.
An update: Portland is cool. The weather is weird, but people say if you don't like it just to wait five minutes. They're right. Sprinkly and dark one minute. Sunny and hot the next. I love it. We went to a theater the other night and had some food and some beer and watched Arrested Development. That was sweet. And last night we went to a Beaver's game(Triple A future Padres). That was sweet too. So for now, here these are:

The tunnel up the 101.
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The Bridge Street Inn.
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Joseph B. Strauss' Bridge.
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Mr. Talbot.
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A Redwood, next to Amber.
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Portland.
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Nickel arcade.
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Chris and Sean.
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Rocco's pizza.
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My bebe.
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Me.
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The ghosts of S.and S.
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Joey.
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Joey.
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Rose garden.
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More later.

Monday, June 11, 2007

Road Trip

I'm writing from a small coffee shop on 39th in Portland. We've been in town for a few days now and are having a great time. Initially my plan was to write every day, or close to it. Instead I've been making a lot of fart noises with my mouth, and not posting. For that I am sorry. So I will do my best to get caught up.
Day 1. We made our way down to Los Angeles to spend some time with friends. Amber and the ladies threw a party for Becca and we doods played golf, and later lit a backyard on fire.
Day 2. Then it was off to San Diego to visit Grandparents who are moving to Texas. We checked into a fancy hotel and had a fancy dinner, compliments of Mom and Dad's Christmas giving’s. We visited G and G Pool the next day, as well as our good ol' boy Trailer, and then crashed at Uncle Tom's house.
Day 4. We were up with the sun, and made our way back up the 5. We had a sweet breakfast in Pasadena with Matt and Lisa, and then it was up the 101 to Cambria, where we checked into the Bridge Street Inn hostel. This place was beautiful. We walked around town, and decided on a little place called Robin's for dinner, where I had a braised lamb shank, and Amber ate lobster enchiladas. We enjoyed a bottle of wine, compliments of the aforementioned M and L, and called it a lovely night.
Day 5. The next day we drove up the 1 through San Simeon, Big Sur, and stopped for lunch at a little pub in downtown Monterey. Then it was through San Francisco, over the Golden Gate Bridge, and on to Santa Rosa to stay with the Talbot's. We spent the night catching up and playing around with the boy.
Day 6. We had a laid back morning. Breakfast at the Omelet Express. A few photos with Charlie Brown and Snoopy. Then up to the redwoods, where we hiked beneath the massive giants. It was beautiful to say the least. We stood in the silent presence of greatness, and we were glad. After that we bbq'd and, being in wine country and all, drank wine. We talked into the night, then slept.
Day 7. We had early coffee, hugged goodbye, and drove to Redding. I drug Amber around town to all the old hangouts. Then we caught up with Peter at an indoor soccer game he was playing. We had pizza and visited a F. L. Wright church that I had never seen, and then went back to the Black's place for cocktails and lot's of Wii Bowling.
Day 8. Coffee at Sue's, a few goodbyes, and the 5 north. Peter hitched a ride with us, which meant Amber, who was peacefully reading her book in the backseat, had to put up with us blasting Dragonforce all the way to Lake Shasta. We had lunch in Ashland at The Black Sheep. Shepherds Pie and Beans on Toast. Then the long haul through the rain to P-town. We got in to Suz's, and caught up for a bit. Drove down to Joey's work for some soup and free beer. Then spent the rest of the evening playing pool at a sweet McMenamins bar called The Backstage.
Day 9. Breakfast at The Cup and Saucer. The Hell's Huevos were completely awesome. After that we headed downtown to snoop around. Powell's books is everything I've heard and some. Time consuming. We made our way back over the river for hot dogs, ping pong, and buck twenty-five Pabst at Zach's Shack. Then we went to The Avalon, which was probably Amber's favorite place so far. Two words. Nickel Ski-ball. Among other amazing five cent arcade games. After that it was darts at The Horse Brass.
Day 10. Coffee and Bagels at Chris's work. Downtown to 23rd Street to shop around and book the wife a haircut. Then back for Joey's acoustic show at 9 Muses, where we ran into a young lady by the name of Annie Bethancourt, also playing. We spent the rest of the night maxin' there, a'sippin.
Day 11. Today. A Monte Cristo at The Cricket. Some photo swapping back at Joey's place, a.k.a. The Purple Barn. And then it was goodbye to Peter, Sean, and Scarlett. And here we are.

So far this town has been a lot of fun. My opinion as of now is: Lots and lots of good food and sweet hangouts, amazing houses, and piles of liberal hippies. Now our goal is to get down to business. Visit schools, and really figure things out. We'll let you know how it goes. And I'll get some photos up asap.

Thursday, May 31, 2007

So today I uh, pet a wolf. You know, nothing crazy. That's what I do sometimes. I pet wolves.

Monday, May 21, 2007

Let's burn some dust here. Eat my rubber!

Our departure date is set at June 4th. And we should be back on or around the 28th, to, i guess pack up and go where ever it is we will go. Fun drivey times draw nigh. Friends long since seen. School visits. Future plannings. Lot's of expensive gas. Eventually documenting our exodus into the wild unknown. But before then, work. And more work. Then a camping jaunt to the nuclear tits as I believe rp put it. Sweet.

Does anyone have a thule rack we could borrow?

Friday, May 18, 2007

Breaking the seal

It's been a bit since I've roamed these parts.
We've been making plans, and working alot. Trying to save some dinero for the road. Packing. I built a sandbox for the kids, and there's a good chance I'll be in it more than they will. Lately I've been bbq-ing dinner to baseball on the am radio, brews, and beautiful sunsets, and quite enjoying it. I've also just closed some three or four books that I'm not currently feeling, and, at the request of d, begun reading The Fountainhead. It's a thick'n, but great so far.

That's it for now.

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

The working day has ended,

and I'm at home drinking cold Coors light. I spent it picking up Water Will Serve letter's, picking up trash, and schmoozing a client. "Ya man, we'll have your carpet in and your door knobs on and your wine fridge in by the weekend man. No worries. Totally."
Will we? I think so.
I've been doing alot of electrical plans lately, and I've come to a conclusion that no shower should ever go without a can light directly above it. That's how we did ours and I will say it's a beautiful thing. Bright shining nudity in the morning.
Dinosaur Jr. will play on Friday, and I will be there.
We're packing up the house, and it's weird, and I filmed it so we will always remember it.
And yes, I youtubed it.

Friday, May 04, 2007

So

Fantasy baseballin', coffee drinkin', Dinosaur Jr. concert figure outin', and about to be a' fence buildin'.

Y'all?

Monday, April 30, 2007

M and L B, and the MLB

We had a fun weekend. Friday night at the with-child Newlove's for ice cream. Later at M and L B's where, after midnight, we partook in some beer, martini's, Patron, absinthe, more tequila, some sherry wine, and The Office. Chilaquiles and a Bloody Mary for breakfast. Later it was off to Ventura where 32's of High life were had in a parking lot, followed by a Rio Bravo church benefit. Then a late night trek down the 5 to San Diego for some work, family times, and an insane but ultimatly depressing game at Petco, where the Dodgers ended up taking a 5-4 win after 17 innings. Bummer. Other than that... tired.

Monday, April 23, 2007

Strange indeed

I shaved, and it made my cheeks look chubby and my mouth look like a little beak.
We went to Vegas for a few days where we saw the in-laws, hung with Rose, drank Keith Richards' at Nate's bar, won money at the roulette wheel, and played pool in some heshin ass corner of the city.
The Bethancourt's ascended the mountain for one of the most layed back weekends we've had in a while. We offroaded to Butler Peak, now a.k.a. Butthole Peak. Nottingham's with Josh and Andrea. Cards with Kahlúa and milk until 5 a.m. In fact yesterday we left the house only to puff a pipe and buy some Rolling Rock.
It's strange to think that we are only going to be on the homestead for another month. Strange indeed.

I want to play rock music soon.
I want to test myself all the day long.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

It's blowin up a gale

There was random snow today and wind that blew my beanie off. Basically sucky stupid weather.
I was going to have to go the San Diego for work today, but I didn't. Instead I had my hair cut. And tonight I think I'll shave my beard. On Sunday Shane said to my brother, "For not being able to grow a beard, Matt can grow a pretty mean beard." But it's buggin. It's prickly and thick and food gets in it. So I'm going to shave it.
Been in the mood lately for old music. Old Shins and American Analog Set. Yo La Tengo and American Football and Badly Drawn Boy. Some old Death Cab and Elliott Smith. Nostalgic stuff.
Speaking of nostalgia, I was youtubing old cartoons like Talespin and Darkwing Duck. But this one really took me back:


P.S. Grey's Anatomy, I'm afraid I'm hooked.

Monday, April 09, 2007

Not soon enough


road
Originally uploaded by mattamberpool.
Come the end of May the wife and I will finally hit the road. For a few weeks we will be held down by nothing, and I cannot stand to wait. Destinations may include but are not limited to: The PCH, San Simeon, San Fran, Santa Rosa, Redding, Grants Pass, Eugene, Portland, Truckee/Tahoe, Yosemite, Vegas, Phoenix, and whatever else. I'm looking forward to it. Good stops? Anybody?

Friday, April 06, 2007

Zany Week

-We spent the better part of it under the impression that Amber was with child. Sparks flew. Emotions ran high. As we were discussing when and how to brake the news we found that she was indeed not pregnant, but a bit behind. This moment was met with both relief and sorrow, and has since had us thinking, maybe sooner? We shall see. There are just too many beautiful babies being birthed these days. The niece and nephew, the Chapman baby, and the fresh Hamilton baby. Ah the chapters of life.

-Less significant but still exciting, the ol' humble abode is currently in escrow, and is scheduled to close at the end of May. Finally our plan to lift anchor is in view. But before that, we want to have a last hoorah, if you will. Maybe early May. We'll make some solid plans, and spread the word. A farewell post, maybe some photos, can be expected from the wife.

-Snow Bladed my guts out on Monday with Mr. Patterson.

-Got a sweet phone call from D, in Florida at the time.

-Amber got employee of the month. She rules.

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Monday, March 26, 2007

High of 24° Mañana.

That's dumb.

Doing a tile job for Mom and Dad.
Getting paid by way of a new notebook with fancy video for games and crap.
Excited to be online from home like the rest of the world.
Excited for this sweet action to come out.
Excited for baseball to begin.
Not happy about the return of the cold.
Excited for the return of the heat, which includes bicycles, flip flops, hair cuts and beard cuts, beer over bbq'd fish, and offroad's to Butler Peak.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Books! Check Em' Out!

i love subbing at elementary schools because i always come across the best books. the last two days i was in a 3rd grade class and i borrowed and read a book called the tale of despereaux. give it a read! it will fill you with light and make you crave soup!-a

Monday, March 19, 2007

...

Saint Pat's this year was all kinds of radical. Sweet friends. Good food. Oceans of beer. Nintendo Wii. A haphazard fantasy ball team. And a new default conversation topic which is, as Matt B. observed about nine times, "Come to Big Bear! Man totally come hang in Big Bear!"

I am lame. But honestly... come to Big Bear
I'm thinking a weekend after the lake opens to boats. I'll get a cabin, or we can camp. I'll get a pontoon to bbq on and swim from. Doods and doodettes. Doods can fish and drink beer, and doodettes can like, make candles out of pinecones and shit. When's good?

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Saturday, March 10, 2007

It is Nice Day! I LIKE!

Waxing the neighbors hacked world wide web waves.

It really is wonderful outside. I think when Amber gets home we will break out the cruisers and hit the bike path, and maybe a hot dog. For some reason I'm in the mood for a hot dog. At a ball game. Soon enough.
Last night we went out with some of Amber's Bear Mt. work buddies. We ate and drank Mexican. Then drank bowling. It was alot of fun getting to know some new people with different interests who live in the same town. And now I've got a fishin' friend for fartin' and fiddle faddle.

An Update:
300 cut my turds yesterday.
Thermopylae reading is adding a wrinkle to my brain.
Wilco does a beautiful thing with "Sky Blue Sky".
Modest Mouse does an almost annoying thing with "We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank". Though parts are good.
Kings of Leon do an almost cheesy thing with "Because of the Times". However I'm enjoying it. It's like they've given up being something fashioned and are just sticking with the first sounds that come along. It grooves.
This guy did a nice thing by giving me the above three.
The Sword will ignite my hair and burn my head into a scabby ball on Monday.

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

F-ing F-ancy.

R. and J. P.

This past weekend's Magic Kingdom trip was certainly a pleasure, thanks to the above two. We were given free admission with our comp. Club 33 park hopper's. Our dinner reservations were for 5:45pm, which gave us loads of time, so we grabbed breakfast in Downtown Disney at The La Brea Bakery. Panini's topped with fried eggs. Then we hit Tower of Terror right off the bat. After that we pretty much just cruised, sharing our Disney facts and enjoying the environs. We fit in a rickety Matterhorn trip, a turkey leg (new to me), some Shooting Gallery, pineapple softserve in The Tiki Room, mint juleps with fritters, the wildest ride in the wilderness, some goat petting, parade crossing, and a not that rad new Space Mountain jaunt. By now it was about 5:30pm, making it time for real awesomeness!
We then made our way back to New Orleans Square while I threw on a sweater. We snapped a few in front of the door, rang the bell, and were let in. We checked our bags and chit-chatted with the hostess about some of the history. Then we piled into the French lift to the second floor, where a second hostess was waiting. Leisurely we were guided through Walt's final creation. It was bigger and more picturesque than I had expected, with exquisite attention to every last detail. We walked through a lounge alley, past a great bar and wine locker, into the main dining room. On every wall was hung original concept art pieces for The Haunted Mansion and The Pirates of the Caribbean. Our table was just next to a patio french door, and set with fine china. Our server Curt was textbook, answering any question, and describing each plate with flawless definition. Everything was right in the world. I put a couple photos here and a poorly lit video here. Dinner for me went as follows, less the flawless definition:
A Grey Goose Martini.
A gourmet cheese dish with a sage and a brie who's names fail me.
A Pinot Noir bottle who's name also slips my mind.
A crab tart of some kind.
A Filet Chateaubriand with sauce Bearnaise and Perigourdine, potatoes and assorted veggies.
A mousse dish with an awesome topping sauce and sorbet pastry.
A glass of Tawny Port.
Coffee.

So there you have it, hence the title.

Honorable mentions:
Had a fun fun rock show with Rio Bravo.
Amber met Buster Bluth.

Thursday, March 01, 2007

Recapitated!

Not sure where to go over this chicken soup. Last weekend The Pattersons and soon to be Harbaughs ascended the mountain for some major max outage, where many a great time was had. Except for Murray's. That place is really slacking with the good dive vibe lately. Nonetheless we made the best of it. Highlights? The term Spread Savage was birthed and used extensively. We broke our "Stay Up Super Late Playing Celebrity And Drinking Super Amounts Of Beer" record. Matt and Lisa, we need a rematch. Seriously. We displayed awesome ski skills on the slopes, followed by awesome bloody mary swollowing skills at the lodge. All in all a sweet weekend. Who else wants to come? We love company. Really. Or who wants to camp soon? Spring time?
So today was nice. It's been awhile since I've had a break in work with nothing to do. I awoke around nine, went in to work and finished a 10 acre plot plan in 1/30 scale. Then I had lunch with my Dad. Then I went and had a soy latte and worked on my book. It was great to be on my own and utilize this little town for more than just sleeping and working.
We finished Arrested Development last night. That made us sad. What a great show.
I think I'll shred on Saturday. Club 33 on Sunday! Rio Bravo show Monday. Be there! Then next week someone will love our house and make a sweet offer. Then we'll sell it and hit the road for a bit. Then we'll win 10,000 bucks on a scratcher and fly to Acapulco where we'll eat fish and smoke hand rolled cigarettes and wear straw hats and short shorts.
Good. I'm glad we've got that figured out.

Monday, February 26, 2007

33

In less than a week the ever closed doors, that to me once represented something only dreamt about, will be opened.
In less than a week the curtains of exclusivity will be pulled away, and we will be VIP, even if just for a moment.
In less than a week, we dine at Walt's finest.

The anticipation bubbles deep within my entrails.

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Pour la France!

Everytime I see a Sofia Coppola film I feel like, "Auh... whatever. It was cool and all but, uuhh." Then sure enough it creeps up and haunts me. My thoughts and dreams and the way I talk. Then I watch it again and feel as though I'm watching the greatest movie I will ever put into my eyes and ears, feeling like I have a connection with it that only I can understand. It's wierd that it can go from making a fart noise with my mouth about it, to rewinding a part over and over. But it can, and such was the case with Marie Antoinette lastnight. Very well done, and one I'd like to own. I thought the music was bueno, particularly in this scene where she uses The Cure, followed by the party scene to New Order. Good stuff. And a good picture. Recommended. I've since been burning my eyes up on the French Revolution, and all of it's little linked what have you's. That's it.

Lost tonight. With dessert.

Let me eat cake, oui oui.

Monday, February 19, 2007

So I went ahead and picked me up a viral upper respiratory tract infection.

The amount of crap that has flowed from my nose today could fill nine pickle jars. Maybe next time I'm battling the ravages of the common cold, I'll avoid drinking colossal amounts of beer from sun up to sun down.

Sunday, February 11, 2007

This would cheer up anybody



It did the job for me.
"Why the bitching?" you might ask. Well Arch. school is looking like more of an '08 thing than an '07 thing right now. In other words, I'll be receiving my degree in a wheelchair.
I don't know what the problem is. The lack of significance that I or my parents placed on my education maybe? I barely graduated high school because I ditched more than I attended. I would rather sit in my car eating donuts and listening to Screeching Weasel. I applied to bible college about two weeks before classes started, just because I saw everyone else going to college. That lasted one semester, of writing half assed papers on justification by faith and sneaking up to the back 40 to smoke cloves. Then I dicked around a couple of bro'd out community colleges and dropped out to deliver pizza. And here I sit, eight years a high school graduate, no where near what I envisioned as a boy. I'm not unhappy with who I am. I've learned a lot, married my soul mate, and have gained some valuable work experience. Yet I regret some of the choices I've made.
So what did I do? I came home last night, got drunk on Beefeater, and cried to my wife about it. And she's so good. She cuddled her husband's bitchy little head in her lap, played with his stupid hair, and proceeded to lift up the shades on the situation.
So there you have it. And it's a new day. And I'm ditching church to sit at home in my underwear and play on the internet. But it's nice, rain outside, tea inside. No sense dwelling on the past. It's time to sludge through the glop that is my educational near future.

And to my wife, that road trip is looking better and better by the second.

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Sometimes I hate myself

And trying to go back to school makes me want to puke.

Thursday, February 08, 2007

An update, and other truths

I'm ass tired. Today I worked way out in the countryside, driving a three geared dump truck, pulling up fence posts, and petting horses.
Arrested Development has been really making us laugh lately. I think Buster Bluth is collectively the favored character, with Gob close behind.
I've also been flixing The Sopranos, and watching them without the company of the wife. For some reason she's just not into them. I'm not sure if it's the drug abuse, or the nudity, or the language and relentless violence. Just not sure.
And while on the subject of televised entertainment, Lost is again ruling my life. Last night's episode was very satisfactory indeed.
M and L Bethancourt ascended the mountain for some hang time that went by far too quickly. Pesto Premavera pizza, Pabst Blue Ribbon, and a gem of a card game by the name of Hand and Foot were enjoyed into the wee hours. Good times were had.
I've been spinning a great Kinks album called Muswell Hillbillies, thanks months back to one D Heule and one N Warkentin. "Here Come The People In Grey, To Take Me Away!"
I was let off work early the other day, when I drove right home, put on my boots, grabbed up the ol' M3, and hit the slopes with the wife for the first time this year. It's was beautiful. So much so in fact, that I was filled with awe, which I believe allows me to say it was Awesome!

Friday, February 02, 2007

Rosie you said it.

Uninspired. And I don't think a song can help me here. I need something more. Something robust and warm, like Spring.
Or Budweiser.

That's it.
Lots and lots of warm Budweiser.

Droning day in and day out. Work. Then work. Then come home too tired to do anything but go to bed at nine. We make ourselves nervous sometimes doing this. What are we becoming? We need action. We need to shake it off. And we will. This weekend friends will come up, and max. And this year we will drive to Portland, and see about living there.

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Sage Clips

A trip to a fancy studio
+ A few poorly lit video segments
+ A new but limited Windows Movie Maker
+ Two lunch breaks

= This, the first of many probably not great movies.

Monday, January 22, 2007

And tonight at Detroit Bar

I'd do some guest list action but... it's free.
So come haaaaaannngggg!!!

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Doods and Doodettes

We Ann Lynn boys will be playing at Spaceland tomorrow evening with The Colour boys, so come hang. If indeed you do want to come le' may know, and I'll see about doin' some guest list action. Sweet? Sweet.

Monday, January 08, 2007

Other things get crazy.

Weekend - Rose, Suz, Jen and Shant in town, smokin' Church Warden's, and puttin' cocktails away.
Yesterday - Rio Bravo rehersal in Pasadena.
J11 - Rio Bravo show at Spaceland.
J14 - Ann Lynn rehersal in Riverside.
J15 - Ann Lynn recording at Sage and Sound.
J16 - Ann Lynn recording at Sage and Sound.
J17 - Ann Lynn recording at Sage and Sound.
J18 - Ann Lynn show at Spaceland.
J22 - Ann Lynn show at Detroit Bar.
J26 - Ann Lynn show at Morongo.
J27 - Wife and I to Vegas, maybe? By the looks of things, maybe not.
F11 - Possible Ann Lynn show at The Knitting Factory.
F24 - Possible Ann Lynn show somewhere else.
In Between - Work and Date Wife as much as possible.

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Work gets crazy.

When I first began working at DED&C, I was put out in the field, on the jobs, picking up trash and driving the rickety old trash truck to the dump and back. Work was easy above all, in fact the most difficult issue to cross my mind at the time probably went something like, "Do I, or do I not have enough time to finish a cigarette right now."
That was a few years back, and things have changed a bit. For example, yesterday I had to draw a picture half the size of a windshield, perfectly based on the following:

EXHIBIT "A" LEGAL DESCRIPTION

ALL THAT PORTION ON THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 11, TOWNSHIP 2 NORTH, RANGE 1 WEST, SAN BERNARDINO MERIDIAN, IN THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ACCORDING TO THE OFFICIAL PLAT OF SAID LAND, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:

BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE WEST LINE OF SAID SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 11 WHICH BEARS SOUTH 16'38" WEST 277.92 FEET FROM THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF LOT 339 OF TRACT NO. 1876, AS PER MAP RECORDED IN BOOK 27 OF MAPS; PAGES 49 TO 53 INCLUSIVE, RECORDS OF SAID COUNTY; THENCE SOUTH 89° 43'22" EAST 79.30 FEET TO A POINT ON THE WESTERLY LINE OF STATE HIGHWAY; THENCE ALONG THE WESTERLY LINE OF SAID STATE HIGHWAY SOUTH 7° 19'30" EAST 348.72 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING THENCE NORTH 39° 43'22" WEST 125.762 FEET TO THE WEST LINE OF THE SAID SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 11; THENCE ALONG THE SAID WEST LINE OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 11, NORTH 0° 16'38" EAST 126.08 TO THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE PROPERTY CONVEYED TO ROBERT M. LEONARD, ET UX IN THE DEED RECORDED DECEMBER 8, 1961 IN BOOK 5606, PAGE 413, OFFICIAL RECORDS; THENCE EAST ALONG THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID LEONARD PROPERTY TO THE SOUTHEAST CORNER THEREOF, SAID CORNER BEING A POINT IN THE WEST LINE OF THE STATE HIGHWAY; THENCE SOUTH TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING.

It was gnarles.