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

I didn't really say everything I said.

Kim and I went and found 3 out of the 6 Banksy pieces in S.F. last Saturday. After that we stopped in Berkeley for dinner and watched Exit Through the Gift Shop which we both loved. It was hilarious. A wonderful documentary. Banksy is incredible. I know it's not necessarily legal what he does, but he really should get carte blanche to tag where ever he pleases. We are going back on Saturday to check out the other 3 works that we missed. Hopefully they will still be there unscathed.





I am planning on signing up for the CBEST (so I can substitute teach) on August 8th. Marked on the calender and everything. I feel I am making the right choice to go in the direction of teaching/working with kids.


Kim and I are planning a little art project(s)/sale. It's kind of (not that) top secret, but are hearts are in full gear...we just need to catch up. This excites us. I am guessing this is how she feels as well. More details soon.















Top 10 places I would like to visit:

10. Thailand
9. Australia
8. New York
7. London
6. Alaska
5. Greece
4. Italy
3. Ireland
2. New Zealand
1. Iceland (watching Sigur Ros' Heima sold me on this...)

Time will lead us to the same realm

Quest is right around the corner. 8 weeks full of all sorts of characters. It's always a blast to get to know these kids that are so incredibly unique. The picture a day thing will be fun for those 8 weeks. If you don't know what I'm talking about, it's a summer camp I work at...



This will be my fourth summer as a counselor and it's something I look forward to every year since I began.

I'm wrapping up reading Salem's Lot and Big Machine. Big Machine keeps building up and then letting me down. Over and over. It's kind of annoying, but I want to see how it ends. A little less than a 100 pages to go. Salem's Lot however has been building and tearing out throats along the way. I'm loving it.

I've been using my holga camera more which I enjoy. I just love the quality (or lack there of) and the colors.

I'm watching On Any Sunday...



...and they said that there was a scientific study (in 1971 mind you) that stated besides soccer, this sport exhausted the body the most or something. Kind of surprised me so here it is for you...but you could probably care less about that.

Banksy was in SF recently with touring with Exit Through the Gift Shop and he did 2 pieces in the mission district and china town. This excites me and I want to go see them (and that film) this weekend. Let's see if I can't make that happen.

Damn! Ice racing!?!? Nuckin' Futs! Sorry...On Any Sunday again. Even though it was made in the early '70's and the narration is almost accidentally comedic, but it's fun.















Top 10 artists I wish I could have seen before they died:

10. The Ramones
9. Michael Jackson
8. NWA
7. Jimi Hendrix
6. Joy Division
5. Johnny Cash
4. Queen
3. Nirvana
2. The Beatles
1. Elliot Smith

I love their love.

Walking through Berkeley with an 8 year old shouldn't have to be like playing a game of paperboy. Eyes constantly moving looking for the next obstacle. It usually isn't. Out of all the time I've spent in Berkeley, the homeless men and women have not been disruptive or offensive in any way shape or form. Occasionally there is the man walking about, shouting profanities, but other than that the people unfortunate enough to be homeless tend not to hound too much for spare change.

The other day, I was walking with an 8 year old girl and we turned the corner to a woman bent over, with her pants around her ankles, pissing on a garbage can. It took me an extra second to realize what was happening and what I should have done. I calmly said "Hold on a second" and turned us around walking back towards my car. As we were walking I was watching this girls reaction to what she had just seen. I'm sure it was utter confusion, so I asked her "Did you see that?" and she said she had. I told her she was crazy and sometimes there are crazy people around. At first I thought this whole situation was funny, and it is to some extent. Then a flurry of other emotions kicked down the door. Mainly sadness.

Kim and I saw Jonsi last night (35/360). It was an incredible show. It had a great stage set up that involved what looked like the side of a war torn building (instead of windows, there were video screens that appeared as windows) and a screen behind that. Also there were a few blocks of thin cloth where videos were projected as well. It was really a unique experience that doesn't happen very often at rock shows or music shows in general.
















Top 10 sequels:
10. Back to the Future 2
9. Lethal Weapon 2
8. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
7. Road Warrior
6. Lord of the Rings: Two Towers
5. Empire Strikes Back
4. Aliens
3. Terminator 2
2. Godfather 2
1. The Dark Knight

He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot, will be victorious.

I see lots of people are excited it's spring break. I'm not one of those people. It just means I have to work much more. That being the case, I did get to go walk around the bay in Berkeley, eat chili cheese fries, go to the Oakland zoo, and...well that's about it.

Ampersand is becoming more of a cat and less a kitten by the day. It's just the little things she does. They grow up so fast don't they? Oh time, so tricky. I wish I had more of it. More time for everything. Little bit here...little bit there.

More new music coming from Minus the Bear and The Dead Weather. Damn it! I can not wait. I find myself needing music more and more recently. Trusty companion! Truly my sidekick. Speaking of music, I'm going to see Jonsi next week which should be awesome. I've seen pictures of his stage set up and it looks like something new.
















Top 10 track 1's (this list is off the top of my head...)
10. "Hollow" - A Perfect Circle (Mer de Noms)
9. "All the Love in the World" - NIN (With Teeth)
8. "Sunday Morning" - Velvet Underground and Nico (self titled)
7. "Vicarious" - Tool (10,000 Days)
6. "Kid A" - Radiohead (Kid A)
5. "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground" - The White Stripes (White Blood Cells)
4. "Sink to the Beat" - Cursive (Burst and Bloom EP)
3. "Private Eye" - Alkaline Trio (From Here to Infirmary)
2. "What I've Always Wanted To Say" - Far (Tin Cans...)
1. "Burying Luck" - Minus the Bear (Planet of Ice)