ecko: September 2006

9/20/2006

Summer Reading

I'm a little disappointed that I only read two books this summer. My summer reading record, probably disappointing to some, was 11 books which included a few of Daniel Quinn's books, a re-read of all of Alex Garland's books, and 5 or 6 Star Wars novels (read "nerd"). Usually the summer serves as the perfect time to read all the material that doesn't pertain to work or school--as I'm usually away from one or the other, both mentally and physically--and the summer weather makes for an excellent outdoor reading environment. My schedule this summer was hectic and most of my reading was left to either late at night when I suffered from bouts of insomnia or while traveling to and from Seattle.

"The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien

I spent the first half of my summer reading this book. It was recommended to me back in college from my old roommate who was an English major first and a History minor second. He recommended the book not because of the great story telling but based upon the war stories of the soldiers of the Vietnam War. I enjoyed this book even though I’ve probably read over everything that makes this a repeated best-selling book. What I enjoyed most were how well the stories were told—I’ve never been a soldier and I’ve never been to war, but while reading this book I somehow felt as if I was sitting up in the trees or somewhere in the back of the pack witnessing first-hand the emotions of horror and mayhem the soldiers were going through. It was through O’Brien’s surrealistic tone and recollections from memory that made this book chilling and exciting.

"The Devil in the White City" by Eric Larson

I'm deeply fascinated by architecture, especially the history of architecture in the United States. This book was recommended to me in college as supplemental reading material when we discussed the White City and the formation of urban planning. The book was also recommended by girlfriend who knows about my fascination with architecture. Anyhow, this book is chalk-full of architectural history mostly pertaining to Chicago, the 1893 World's Fair, and the White City. From what I have been told, the architectural accounts of the book are all researched facts. At over 400 pages long, the amount of study and detail put into this book is incredible.

Did I mention the serial mass-murderer in the book? In this great account of U.S. architectural history, the author inter-weaves a serial mass-murderer into the storyline. As gruesome as the murderer was, I tended to gloss over his murderous ways in favor of the history. Yes, I’m a nerd.

9/19/2006

Fallingwater

I've always wanted to visit Fallingwater. I'm a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright and Fallingwater is probably the most recognized Wright home. It's also one of my favorite examples of a home built into its environment. Unfortunately, this animation is probably as close as I will come.

9/17/2006

At the Show

9/16/2006

MxPx in Bremerton Tonight

Be there or be square.

9/12/2006

Continuum

I have a love/hate relationship with John Mayer. Actually, I can't say that I love the guy, but I do like what he does. I like his guitar playing--he is a very talented and technical guitar player--probably one of the best of the singer/songwriters out there right now. I hate the lyrics to roughly 80% of his songs--save 3-4 songs per CD (prior to "Continuum"). I like his voice--it's very smooth and soulful, he knows his vocal range and doesn't overestimate his ability. I hate the face he makes when he sings--I don't know if he needs his meds or if he just shit himself. I like that he "knows" music and talented musicians. I hate that he's arrogant about it.

With all that said, I'm really enjoying his new album "Continuum." Mayer has come along way from the days of "running through the halls of my high-school." This album is a more mature Mayer exhibiting the higheset level of his guitar playing ability, song writing finesse, and ear for producing. There is substance to this CD that was lacking on his previous studio albums. I can't quite put my finger on what it is, but it's there. Of all the Mayer albums, he gets this one right--the CD speaks for itself and I highly recommend it.

9/07/2006

Douchebag Until Further Notice

I shouldn't even be posting the video as it's title puts off the very city I am working in and trying to make a better place, but maybe if enough viewers e-mail the creator or reply to the video and help him realize that he is upset with a person and not the City that he might change the title of his video.

Your e-mail to him might go like the one I sent him earlier,

Hi.

There is a lot taking in place in Bremerton to help "right" the "wrong" impressions people might have about the city. If you don't believe it's taking place, I invite you downtown to where the change is starting to take place.

Bremerton has historically had an issue with slumlords and your issues with the Iguana's is no exception. A lot of the agencies who are tied to the cities revitalization are working to oust these slumlords in attempts to make the city more attractive for people to live in.

I ask that you reconsider the title of your video. Maybe if it were re-titled, "Joe Iguana is a douchebag" or "Joe Iguana is a rapist" it would degrade the Iguana's rather than the city.

Thanks for your time.

9/04/2006

One Year Ago

On Sunday, my girlfriend and I reached a milestone in our relationship--we celebrated our one-year anniversary. Although it might not seem like such an accomplishment, it really is. Especially when you consider that my girlfriend and I are complete opposites--she, unorganized, messy, highly intelligent, and attractive and me, organized, clean, smart (ass), and odd-looking. For all my lacking qualities, she has, and visa-versa. The saying is true, "opposites attract."

For our first real date one year ago, that was outside of work, I asked my girlfriend to the Bumbershoot Music Festival with the promise that a bunch of my friends were going to attend and that it would be a lot of fun. Fast-forward to the day of the show and only one of my friends decides to show (I begged him to come with me the night before). Fast-forward to when we get to the show and somehow my only friend disappears into the Beer Garden an hour into the show only to return home 3 hours later without explanation of how he got home, with his departure I thought for sure I would be in "awkward silence hell."

Fortunately, we connected. We talked the entire time, we found we had similar interests (including music) and similar goals and dreams. It was unreal.

To celebrate our one-year anniversary, we went back to Bumbershoot. This year's show was just as special as the previous year. None of our friends came and like last year, we talked the entire time. This time around I was welcome to hold her hand, give her hugs, let her use me as a giant pillow, and kiss her when I wanted.

The last year has been without a doubt the best year of my life and I owe it all to my girlfriend. We have done a lot in the last year and we have great memories to carry with us. I don't know what's in store for the next year, but I am definitely looking forward to it.