"People either love me or they hate me, or they don't really care."

2010 is coming to an end. Not blowing up, plagues destroying mankind, things falling into darkness kind of end, but just a new year. This year flew by. I feel like I've been saying that for the past 6 or 7 years. Maybe time is just slowly moving faster than it used to. Maybe not.

I'm watching Book of Eli while I write this, lying in a warm bed next to Kim (in deep sleep), listening to the rain outside. I love me some post apocalyptic stories. I'm really liking the score by Atticus Ross in this film. I also recently watched the third movie in the Planet of the Apes series. I've always loved the original Planet of the Apes, but I never got around to seeing any of the other ones in the series.I was always told they were bad. After watching number 2 and today number 3, I can see that for myself. With the expectations of them being down right horrible, these 2 sequels were actually pretty damn entertaining. I agree with what I was told in that they weren't great, but they were a lot of fun and presented some neat ideas. (For instance, in the second POTA film, there was a group of people who spoke telepathically that prayed to an altar which consisted of a gold nuclear warhead). Needless to say, I'm looking forward to watch the last 2 or 3 of the series.



The lunar eclipse was neat.

Kim and I made a ginger dead house yesterday. Using a common gingerbread house kit found at Trader Joe's and some gingerbread men cookies (along with strawberry jam, raisins, and other readily available items) we were able to a gingerbread house under attack from the ginger dead men.







Top 10 movies I want to see before the year is up:

10. Winter's Bone
9. Toy Story 3
8. I'm Still Here
7. The Kids Are Alright
6. Micmacs
5. How To Train Your Dragon
4. The Fighter
3. Tron: Legacy
2. Somewhere
1. True Grit

2 months later and it's all about to end

"You're such an inspiration for the ways that I will never ever choose to be" -MJK

It's been a little while since I wrote in here. I've been busy. Now we are all settled in our new-ish place. We got a couch and a bigger dining room table. We have all the shelves we need for the most part. Thanksgiving came and went all to quickly. Kim and I went up to her aunt's house in Auburn and her family was up there. I love being around them because they are all so friendly and easy to get along with. Also, Auburn is beautiful and the weather was perfect. I agree with Kim that it does feel like a mini-vacation up there. A nice little escape.

Christmas is coming up faster than I can say "Ampersand, stop attacking my feet" and I'm pretty close to being done with shopping for gifts. Kim and I are going to do meals on wheels again and I'm looking forward to that.

Working 2 jobs...well more like 1.5. Trader Joe's is going well, but I'm not too big on working till 1am. Hopefully I won't be doing that too much anymore. Once I've been there for a while I will try to get a set schedule or at least a schedule not involving 1am shifts...or too many of them. The other job I work a day or two a week for like 4 hours a day. I'd like to work that job more, but there's just not much for me to do. I like interacting with the customers though. That's something I've missed, but give it time.

We went and saw 127 Hours the other day. It was really well done. I thought Danny Boyle did a fantastic job at what could have been a kind of boring film about a guy trapped in one spot for 127 hours. I'd really like to read the book now and see what that's like. We also saw the last "girl" film, The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest. As a film by itself, I don't think it was that great and if people saw it without seeing the other ones, they might be bored. Thinking of all three films as one film instead of a trilogy makes it much better. The characters are what make it great for me. Lisbeth Salander might be one of my favorites in recent years.




(I didn't realize for a while that the 127 Hours poster is an hour glass...)


Top 10 most dangerous foods to eat while driving:

10. chicken (breasts and thighs)
9. sub
8. ice cream
7. burrito
6. go-gurt
5. sushi
4. eggwhich
3. Any open faced sandwhich
2. Anything with syrup
1. An open faced sandwhich with syrup

I wish I were Calvin or Hobbes and then I could try sugar bombs.

Week into October. Kim, Ampersand, and I are all moved in. Roughly 90 percent of our stuff is unpacked. We are in need for a bookshelf with books stacking up on both sides of our three other bookshelves. We read more than anyone I know. I wish more people read because I love talking about what I've recently read and love hearing what Kim loved about her recent book. I guess that's one of the reasons we are just right for each other.



Now that we have a proper fridge and freezer, we can have milk which means we can have cereal! I love cereal!!! I think I might get a new box of cereal every time I run out. It's a plan.



Directly behind the fence surrounding our backyard is the iron horse trail which is pretty awesome. My house growing up had the same thing which came in handy countless times. Needless to say we will be putting that to use.

We got tickets to see A Perfect Circle the second night (out of three) they're performing which means we get to see them perform Thirteenth Step in its entirety. I've seen them play 4 or 5 times and they are excellent live. One of those bands that are way better live than on CD.



Started a job which I'm working until mid October, but might continue if hours are cooperative. It's easy work and a fun environment. The people I work with are funny and really easy to get along with.

Kim and I went to the hardly strictly bluegrass festival this weekend. There were a few artists I would have liked to see, but since we were really busy all weekend, we just went for the one artist I had wanted to see the most. Mike Patton and company performed the entire Mondo Cane album (covers of Italian pop songs from the 1950's and 60's) which was incredible. I love his passion for all kinds of music. I think that is rare that a person is that in tune with so many different genres and takes it in and filters it out through so many different projects.



What are you doing for Halloween?


In honor of me re-discovering the Judgment Night sdt, here is this list...

Top 10 soundtracks (roughly in order):

10. Pan's Labyrinth
9. Lost Highway
8. Requiem For A Dream
7. Escape From New York
6. Halloween
5. The Social Network
4. Amelie
3. Ennio Morricone Anthology
2. Sunshine
1. The Fountain

"We're the neglected, the never resurrected, agonies of the few."

These last few weeks have been kind of crazy. Job hunting and place hunting fools. We found a place, so that's one less thing on our plate. Next up, find a job! I have a few prospects, but it's not the same as having the security of a steady income...now that I have to pay rent.

October. My favorite month...for the most part. This year especially. With it being fall (not that you can tell by the weather), October already starts out being awesome. Kim, Ampersand, and I are moving into our new place in Walnut Creek the first weekend. Not only that, but on Sunday, we are going to the Bluegrass festival in SF which is free. The selling point for that is Mike Patton performing his album Mondo Cane which consists covers of Italian pop songs from the 1950's and 60's.



Pumpkin everything and cold weather begging for me to wear hoodies. As soon as this heat goes away, I will be a happy camper. Just a rockin' and a-rollin'.

On October 19th, Kim and I are going to see Jonsi perform in Oakland. Last time I checked, tickets were still available. We saw this show earlier this year and it was beautiful and jaw dropping from start to finish. I can't recommend this enough.

jónsi - sinking friendships (live) from Jónsi on Vimeo.

I finished reading The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. I really enjoyed it and it kept me wanting more even though I've seen the film. I also finished reading Never Let Me Go and Imperial Bedrooms.

Never Let Me Go was incredible. I loved his style of writing. The way he drops in subtle clues as to the main characters unclear situation was clever and stuck in my head. Even when I put the book down, I couldn't stop thinking about it until I picked it back up again. I'm curious to see how the film turned out because I'm a big fan of Mark Romanek. Imperial Bedrooms is Bret Easton Ellis' latest; also a sequel to Less Than Zero. While not as whimsical, Ellis has a style all his own. The wit and sarcasm are both present...as is the violence. A quick and enjoyable read.

Currently reading The Stand, Carter Beats the Devil and Tell-All.

Top 10 albums you should check out right now:

10. Jimmy Eat World - Invented
9. Azure Ray - Drowning Down The Moon
8. Bad Religion - The Dissent of Man
7. Amanda Palmer - Covers of Radiohead with her ukelele
6. Tim Kasher - The Game of Monogamy
5. Blonde Redhead - Penny Sparkle
4. Mates of State - Crushes
3. Mike Patton - Mondo Cane
2. Jonah Matranga - You're All Those Things and Then You're None
1. The Social Network soundtrack (Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross)

By the time the first bombs fell, we were already bored.

Quick little update...

Long time, no entry. Not much time for the internet and not much of an internet signal for me anyway.

Quest was alright this summer. Got to know some of the staff more which was awesome. Chaos was had and handled. Kim and I rocked that shit and I love working with her.



I punched the CBEST in the face and am looking for subbing jobs. Also looking for part time jobs so Kim and I can move out and move on. I'm planning to go back to school for my ted sped credentials aka teaching and special ed.

A friend and I are slowly moving a little film project forward. We're both researching and contemplating where to take the story and characters and what not. More to come on this.

Loving the new Jonah Matranga, latest Arcade Fire, Moon soundtrack, latest Alkaline Trio, latest Band of Horses, etc...

Recently enjoyed Inception...three times, Babies, Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Girl Who Played With Fire, The Square, 12, Prison Break, and a handful of others with commentary.



Recently saw Iamani, Two Sheds, and Jonah at Giman and had a great time. There wasn't too big of a crowd so it felt incredibly intimate. It was great to see Iamani and Jonah again. Haven't seen them in a while. Always full of positive energy and love. I've been meaning to check out Two Sheds, so this made me happy. I really enjoyed their music. Picked up their cd and was very happy to find a hidden cover of Talking Heads' Psycho Killer on there. Very beautiful music. Kind of shoe gazish, but lovely.





Also saw Pinkerton. They are a Weezer cover band formed of members from various different local bands. This is only their second show. Daniel and I went to their first show where they covered Pinkerton from beginning to end. This time they played through the blue album from start to finish. Loved it. The whole crowd was singing along and it was just great fun.

Been reading Carter Beats The Devil, The Stand, and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

I will update more often now...sans daily photos. Forgot one too many times and decided to discontinue.

10 things that are me:

10. warm fresh bread
9. looking through other people's playlists
8. thrift stores
7. waking up and getting a drink of water in the middle of the night
6. new hoodies
5. taking pictures
4. long car rides
3. a good movie
2. singing along in the front row
1. reading while it's raining

...pt. 2

now all caught up to yesterday...Tuesday, June 8th.

They must fight ever more fiercely, in order to deny what they know to be true.

Long time no update. Sort of. I've kind of fallen behind on updating the picture a day deal. I've still been taking them, but have not been putting them up as often as I'd like. Two more days of work and then I shift to working at Quest camp.

Kim and I saw Far May 29th at Slim's. First time since their new album. The new material sounded incredible, especially the slow building "The Ghost That Kept on Haunting". Floored me.





The next morning we went up to Kim's aunt and uncles house in Auburn. It was beautiful up there. We went on a hike that kicked our asses and just took it easy. They got a new horse so we were admiring that. Also, dinner was delicious. They cooked a mean feast and we ate our fair share. Speaking of eating, back to not drinking soda. I did this two years ago and I felt good. I did it for quite a while, then fell off the wagon when we went to Europe...gladly. I feel like I've gained some lbs so cut the soda. I've also been walking more. We walk around the Lafayette reservoir which is just under 3 miles. It's pretty and quiet and is not daunting. I'd like to work up to running around it though. I've never really been a long distance runner...but I guess 3 miles isn't that long of a distance compared to some marathons...or all marathons.

We're going to Tahoe this weekend which should be fun. It will be nice to get away for a few days before being submerged in Quest.

To catch up, here are 11...
























Top 10 albums that remind me of summer:

10. Elephant (The White Stripes)
9. Ugly Organ (Cursive)
8. Amputechture (The Mars Volta)
7. Team Boo (Mates of State)
6. Ultimate Escape (Tsunami Bomb)
5. Designing a Nervous Breakdown (The Anniversary)
4. Agony and Irony (Alkaline Trio)
3. With Teeth (NIN)
2. Good Mourning (Alkaline Trio)
1. Anchors Aweigh (Bouncing Souls)

We'd be all bloodied up if our words were fists...

Finally. Far's new album was released today. I got the vinyl in the mail yesterday and it's beautifully packaged. 2XLP. One is blue marble and other is white. I streamed their whole album last week via their myspace and it's just incredible. The more I listen to it, the more I get into it. I'm really looking forward to seeing them play the new material this Saturday at Slim's. It would be nice for hottub to be back as well, but Far is good enough. I'm also planning on making a video for Deafening for the contest to win $1,000. That'd be a nice chunk of change to put towards my financial aid...or part of it anyhow.

Kim is feeling better. Let's hope it stays like that. It bums me out when she's sick. I wish I could transfer some of her sick time over to me so she wouldn't have to miss out on work, school, being well, etc...

It's raining at the end of May. I like that we get like...a day of rain surrounded by other days of good weather. It's a welcomed break and I don't have to drive in it constantly if at all. It'd be nice if this continued into the summer.















Top 10 ANIMALS!!!!

10. Animal by Against Me!
9. Dogs
8. Animal from the muppets (have you seen him drum?! He's awesome, but no Buddy Rich. [see below])
7. Cats (scottish fold!!)
6. Animal Arithmetic by Jonsi
5. Koalas
4. The Animals by Walking Concert
3. Chimps
2. Bats
1. Sloths

I got third eye you can pry open...right here.

Tool tickets go on sale tomorrow and this excites me. I haven't seen them since 10,000 Days came out which was a little while ago. They sound incredibly epic live. It's always so full and spot on. They always leave me a satisfied customer. Now, how about a new album?



New Chuck Palahniuk book came out last week. I want to read it, but am not dying to do so. The story itself doesn't sound too compelling, but we'll see. I've read somewhat mixed reviews on it thus far. I think I'm more excited about the new Bret Easton Ellis (a sequel to Less Than Zero!) and Stephen King's latest.

Kim is feeling better and it seems the reactions of stopped as of recently. This makes me happy. Seeing her in that much pain was wearing on me. I can't imagine how it felt, but it didn't look like it was comfortable at all. Here's to hoping they figure out what the hell is going on soon...like now.















Top 10 most beautiful films:

10. Fifth Element
9. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
8. Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
7. 8 1/2
6. Lord of the Rings trilogy
5. Amelie
4. Apocalypse Now
3. Mulholland Dr.
2. The Fountain
1. Sunshine