just what, exactly, was i thinking?

I was cleaning my room recently and came across an old journal type book I've had since college. I knew what was in it and felt that the opening pages [lists of "Top 5s"] could be pulled out and thrown away. I knew they were outdated. Skimming thru some of the lists, one caught my attention and got me to stop and read through it: Top 5 . . . Dream Jobs. In he words of my younger, foolish college self:

1. club owning DJ/Bartender
2. Photographer
3. Executive Produce/Talent Scout for a record label
4. Owner of a music store
5. Lawyer

So, as tonite's entry asks, what was i thinking?

I can, somewhat ashamedly, admit that #5 was placed on that list simply because I knew I was going to law school without really knowing what I wanted to do in life. [As for the rest of that list, I'd say I've grown up about some of it and also refined some of the ideas behind certain entries.]

I think most people would be really happy to have found employment in one of their top 5 dream jobs. I found employment as #5, but it never really deserved to be there . . . and more generally, the entire list was somewhat youthful and confused. I didn't even have 5 things for the list at that time in my life.

And while most would find great joy in knowing that they work, or have worked, as one of the top 5 dream jobs, it's pretty tough to realize how far you are from any of those dream jobs. Some think dreams of rather childlike; we all need to grow up one day and get realistic about things. But is that really so? An old favorite quote of mine is a passage from James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues," which reads

While there's on so much you can do with it, the only way to find this out is to try; to try and make it do everything.

Another favorite [one's the precise language escapes me right now] is that one should aim for the moon because even if u miss, u may still hit a star.

And so I'm left to wonder about when one should be realistic and now hold onto some of the dreams in life. Obviously, bills need to be paid and reality comes with its difficulties. But even as I grow older, I still find myself living in my head...a place of dreams and fantasies and things of all possibilities. Sometimes I worry that it's not a place to spend as much time in as I do.

**********

The answer to this entry's question is that I was looking for justification. I wanted a valid reason to go to law school . . . and to be honest I got to law school and met many people who had much better reasons for being there than I did. I came up with reasons for going to law school. And more importantly, I really enjoyed law school and learned a lot form the experience. I have no regrets about going to law school. But that doesn't mean I don't have questions in life now about precisely what I want to do. The job I had over the past couple years taught me many things and helped answer some questions about just what I want to do and what I want in life, but it also created some new questions as well. As I ramble on about this I think that many of my questions are normal and just a part of life and "growing up" and facing this thing they call the real world. I think I'm just expressing some of these normal thoughts out loud, in a manner of speaking, for the first time in a while as I haven't really discussed the issue(s) at length with anyone. I think it's time to do something about that . . .

**********

And now, the current Top 5 dream jobs, in no particular order and also without really knowing all there is to know about the stated profession(s):

1. artist [primarily a photographer but also a mixed-media artist]
2. teacher/professor
   
3. architect
4. journalist
5. . . .

it's kinda funny that, altho revamped and rethought, i still struggle to fill out position #5 [this is actually nothing new for me as i often struggle to complete lists like these for reasons beyond me]. some sick, foolish, funny part of me wants to put something relating to the law. it would be a truer statement now than it was a handful of years back when i wrote out that original list. but i don't think i could put something like that in good conscience right now simply because, even if turns out to be true, i'm yet to really properly define it.

but that's OK. life's about figuring it out. u can have all the dreams u want, u can even attain those dreams and think u know exactly what u want to be or to do in life . . . and then it can all change. it's all temporary i guess.

why?

u ever wonder why the world is the way it is? i'm guessing we all wonder about it at some point, in one way or another. tonite i started wondering why it is that, as they say, bad things happen to good people...and also why good things happen to seemingly bad people.

maybe the more important question is: what are u going to do about it (with "it" being the way the world is). i mean, in some ways u can't do anything about the why, even if u understand it. but, we're taught to believe that we can do things about our current circumstances, whatever they may be. changing present circumstances can be difficult and exhausting tho...and it again begs the question of why some are able to do it with what seems to be more ease than others.

it makes me wonder about whether external forces play some role in everything or whether we really can just change things. for example, my present job situation. i need to find new work (and i'm ready to do so and really want to do so). but sometimes i wonder why something doesn't just fall into my lap. i've definitely heard of such things happening...and i've also heard of people lining things up with much more ease than i ever have in the past. this is just an example and not something i mean to belabor or whine about (i know that currently i need to put more effort into job hunting as i have been out of the country and taking things easier as a personal break for myself).

i think this topic can easily blur into one about religious beliefs...it's probably in part related to such beliefs. i'm comfortable with my religious beliefs and feel i've reached said comfort by first being brought up in a certain religion, then learning at least a little about different religious, and finally reaching a point of questioning things and establishing my own set of values and beliefs on religion in general...but after babbling about this for a paragraph, it's not really the direction i want to go in here.

...as usual, i don't really know where i want to go with this and am just jotting down whatever comes to mind. i'm coming to realize this space really is just the ramblings of an odd individual who sometimes gets inspired to write but then grows distracted. maybe that has something to do with the why of things in life and the world...haha.

the more and more i think about it, i feel that while the why does matter and is of importance and consequence, it's not determinative of outcomes and one needs to focus on what to do about one's circumstances. this is very difficult for me personally for a couple of reasons. first, i'm just curious and always feel like if i know why then i'll be better able to deal with whatever it is...it provides a sense of closure at times and comfort at others. the second reason is that oftentimes it's difficult for me to really motivate myself into action mode. usually i'm scared...scared because i don't really know what i'm doing or what step to take...scared of failure...scared to even admit that...and on top of all of that, part of me just hopes that if my intentions are there and they're good, then something good will just happen.

so, when good things happen to people, is it just something that happens or is it something they make happen? that's a more accurate question in terms of my nite's wonderings. my personal guess? it's a combination of the two...things do just happen and people also do certain things to either make things happen or put themselves in situations where things can happen.

day of turkey & thanks

It's been a long time since I've done any blogging. I've got the easy excuse of the fact that I was traveling for a month, but even then I could have found the time and means to write a little something. And even before the trip it was possible to spend more time on this blog. But honestly, I felt uninspired for much of the time I wasn't writing. While away, I spent a fair amount of time thinking about writing and things to write about...hopefully I'll get to those topics shortly. But, today is the day of the great turkey, more commonly known as Thanksgiving.

So, what am I thankful for? Before I get to that, I'm going to admit that I had a slight panic attack of sorts yesterday as I became overwhelmed with figuring out aspects of my near future and my current life situation of not working. During said period of being overwhelmed I of course spent some time thinking and wondering about things and realized that, no matter the situation there's plenty of things to appreciate in life, especially with Thanksgiving and the holiday season going on.

And now, onto some of the many things I"m thankful for this year: my friends and family, the opportunity to spend a month traveling...and to be able to spend most of the time with my mom and a good amount with my brother (as well as a friend in London who was one of the more gracious hosts I've ever had). I'm thankful for the opportunity to meet a good number of new people during my trip...it's always nice to make new friends. I'm thankful that there are so many people back here who were happy to see me return and are such good friends in general. As a way of generally summing up what i'm thankful for, I'll say the following: I'm thankful for all that I have and the opportunity to see what tomorrow brings. I'm also thankful for the things I lack in life that I'm looking for, because it's important to have things to strive for in life.

I hope everyone has had or is having a fantastic, delicious and safe Thanksgiving. more writing to come soon...

finally, some ramblings...

i think this has been my longest absence from this space since i began writing here...and as with all the other times a gap in writing takes places i feel pretty lame about it. the past few months have been pretty eventful and involved a lot of change and adjustment, but all in a good way. but in the rush, hubbub, and tumult of it all it's been all too easy to become lackadaisical...and not just with the blogging but all the responsibilities of daily and adult life.

in all honesty, at times it becomes a bit frightening. like terrifying. one way to look at it is to see it as a lack of "gumption" or ambition. it easily comes off as that...but i know that isn't the issue. it's more of an existential crisis of sorts, one where i'm at the stage of knowing many of the standards that have applied (or at least existed and seemed to apply) are in ways irrelevant now, but i'm frozen and unsure of just what to do.

leaving LA and a job that left me dissatisfied was the first step in attempting to deal with the realizations of life and actually a way of preemptively dealing with the paralysis. in a way, it accelerated the paralysis...but in a good way. it avoided or curtailed a period of denial, i guess.

anyway...these are just tonite's ramblings that may or may not lead to anything of substance. life's tough to figure out. i'm hoping that this week's trip to Greece will help figure a few things out...a bit cliche, maybe...but hey...u never know, right?

weekend up [north]

I guess it's only fitting that my first post since the big move [which went quite well a couple weeks ago for those wondering] is a weekend recap from me heading out of town and away from SF. Ironic in a way, but fitting too. I headed back to Meeeeeechigan for a close friend's wedding this past weekend...which involved 4 flights in 6 days, as well as a road trip to Glend Arbor from the A2. On with the highlights..

• an ironic return to LA
• McDonald's at the airport
• a very brief nap
• forgetting 2 cameras
• stealing cheese bread
• the road trip north
• "I've got a question..."
• Pasties
• friends noticing that i wasn't as lame after the change in circumstances
  
• "Control yourself, take only what you need from it"
• "It was all a dream, I used to read word up magazine!"
• getting us everywhere we were going
• the bomb ass cabin
• the mugs
• so many of the homies all together again
• Roth getting busted sans ID
• the server
  
• stupid wrestling
• beer down Deefs' pants
  
• late nite pizza
• Al's uncharacteristic jokes
• roaming Glen Arbor for a bit
• cherry wine tasting
• the hot tub...in the rain
• suiting up
• the wedding itself
• the sweet live band
  
• Crown & Coke and the cool bartender
• crappy pizza
• the after party
• someone coming thru with the clutch auxiliary cable
  
• the MJ glove
• tearing a hole in my pants
• boom-dizzle's adorable kids
• stumbling around in the morning
• brunch
• laughs with good friends
• doing a little driving on the way home
  
• so many random, funny comments and remarks that i didn't memorize but know were said
• getting to spend some time with my parents
• bday dinners
  
• jalapeno chicken and green beans with pork
• bday brunch
• a nite in LA with Ted Maroon
• going overboard at the Habit
• something like 4 burgers in 6 days
• the movie hook up on the plane
• the awesome weather in SF
  
• the crazy old ladies who lost a cellphone
• getting back to the pad

It was a big weekend that was epic and much needed. It was great to spend time with family and old friends [but who are still some of my closest friends]. A funny little escape from what really is an escape already. More words need to be written here...hopefully I'll make that happen.

weekending

Over the past 2+ years, I traveled to San Francisco for the weekend on many, many occasions. At some point, I began to document these travels as they were a great escape from the daily grind and also true highlights for me. Many of my closest friends live in SF and it's a City I love as much as any other in the world that I've had the opportunity to experience. During the many weekends up there I made a lot or great memories and have also made some new friends to add to the amazing collection of established friends I already had up there. I was often asked, "when are you going to move to SF?" To which I responded: as soon as I get a job.

A couple months back I was talking with a good friend about the whole moving deal. We were discussing a joking desire of mine to get laid off, as then with the allotted amounts of unemployment checks I'd happily move to SF. He pointed out that there's a point where that $475 a week or so doesn't matter and it's just time to move.

Well...that time has come. This past week I informed my office that I was going to be leaving the firm and Thursday ended up being my last day. So...I'm moving on up to the City where I belong.

And now I can explain the delay in posting the list of highlights from my most recent trip to SF. It was the end of an era as we celebrated my good friend Peter moving out of San Francisco (for the second time) to New York for grad school. But, knowing what I did at the time, this last weekend trip was also the end of the era of me traveling to SF for simply a weekend jaunt. The next time I'm there, it will be on the permanent...and I can't wait.

With all that in mind...let's do this one more time:

• yet another delay...but not as long of a delay as the earlier flight i tried to get on
• good talk with the oldest of friends
• playlisting up
• buying a buckeye a beer
• good company on the plane
• a ride from the airport
• rice and chinese sausage - the meal of the weekend
• drinks, good conversation, and old friends
• LBP
• glimpses of the future
• jowling
• Farmer Brown's brunch and bottomless mimosas
• getting hooked up
• Peter in love
• buying some beer for the partay
• a brief chill out session
• beer pong & regaining my form
• 2 bounce shots
• hearing from Los
  
• the greatest pong shot ever
• metro burger and tots
• the house party
• Sam and friends coming out!
• a capella
• the soul pole
• dancing the nite away...and the legs hurting the next day
  
• rick rolling the party [again]
• all the greenhills kids
• entouraging up
• Ed's porridge-like late nite rice [don't trying making rice in a rice cooker whilst drunk]
• the day of 3 drunks
• watching some awful soccer
• napping up
• chasing down muni buses
• hanging out watching movies
• a ride to the airport
  
• a fitting end to an era

I can't put into words how much the weekends away have meant to me over the past couple of years. They were necessary and help me keep my sanity. I can't wait to get up to the Bay and actually be around those I am close to and in the place where I feel I belong. I also can't believe it's happening. All I know is that I'm thankful for all the good times and good friends. I'm also thankful for the warm reception the news of my LA departure has gotten and the welcoming feeling I'm getting from those up in the City. See u soon, SFC.

weekend not updated

last weekend's update will be coming somewhat soon...probably during next weekend sometime. apologies for the delay and brief hiatus. it was a bit weekend, end of an era in some ways. more to come...

25 [reworked] things

There are innumerable stupid things that I believe or believe in, probably for no good reason. Often I find I have no explanation for these beliefs or that any explanation I may offer sounds ridiculous, nonsensical, or lacks any persuasiveness. Yet these "beliefs" [or simply statements] kinda define who I am as a person. Below is a list of 25 of these beliefs and statements, as well as just some random facts about me.*

1. If a girl can't dance, it's a deal breaker.
2. Prince vs. Michael Jackson - if you say Prince, I will forever hold it against you.
3. I take personal offense to a guy cutting his hamburger in half.
   
4. Altho I love dancing [which most ppl already know], I would rather DJ on most occasions.
5. I strongly and diametrically oppose a college football playoff.
6. I collect artwork from my friends [if u're an artist of any sort, please hook me up].
7. My shopping addictions: shoes and watches.
8. I'm ambidextrous.
   
9. I get really into Christmas.
   
10. As a child I refused to eat fruits and vegetables. While I do eat some now, I wish I really liked them.
11. This clip brings endless joy to my life.
    
12. I own a collection of awesomely bad dance movies.
    
13. I thoroughly enjoy intentionally misspelling things; there are good reasons to not do things as some might say they should be done.
    
14. fotography is my first passion, over music and dancing.
    
15. One year, when I was a kid, I got hit by a moped in Greece. It made my arm hurt.
16. Its' the people in life [esp. family and close friends] that make it what it is and that's why they're so important.
    
17. I find nothing wrong with eating McDonald's.
18. I've been known as "the Bootleg Queen."
19. I tend to dance on BART platforms.
20. I think I watch TV and movies to simply escape from my own thoughts and just be.
    
21. I really enjoy going to grocery stores late at nite.
22. I often have private dance parties in my apartment.
23. I love driving and will happily be the guy to drive my friends around when we all go out.
24. Bacon is the greatest food ever.
25. There's no such thing as too far, at least not with the right people. And those are my favorite people.
    

* I can't lie, this list was originally inspired by that rampant "25 Things" note that spread like wildfire around the facebook.

Friends

Many of my closest friends are those I made in high school. I was fortunate enough to meet a great group of individuals during those formative years and I believe our shared experience played an important role in forging a lifelong bond among us. In many ways you can see similarities between all of us...yet at the same time we are all our own individuals, unique in our own ways and with varied and different tastes [altho we also share much in common]. As a group it's sometimes hard to see the variations, at least as well all spend time together...be it drinking, dancing, pontificating about random things in life, or in whatever activity we choose to engage in.

Yet I think our differences become apparent as you see the groups of individuals we've grown close to and call friends outside of our close knit high school group. As I perused Facebook a while back I came across some pictures of one of my friends spending time with old college friends. It made me think for a moment about the friends of my close friends that I have met and interacted with over the years.

What makes each of us individuals, unique and all our own among this close group, is expressed [I think] in those individuals who are our other friends. Not to say we don't express ourselves even when we all hang out...but I think you can see the individual in all of us and how different we all are by those we associate with outside of one another [I don't mean to make our group of friends sound elitist or anything along those lines].

I guess the reason this is of any interest to me is that I strongly believe that, in many ways, you are who you associate with in life. [I'm sure I've expressed this sentiment before in this space.] And so it's funny to think about my friends and the different groups of friends they each have...and then to think about all of us being as close as we are.

a weekend later

whoooooops...so this one managed to slip by until it was, well, the next weekend. a good long holiday weekend up in the Bay, altho i missed out on meatfest '09 due to yet another southwest airlines delayed flight...ughhh. aside from that, it was an overall good time with some especially good, meaningful, and important conversations had over the days. on to the highlights...

• avoiding the major delay, sorta
• Oakland
• eye contact
• dancing on BART platforms for the first time in a long time
  
• BART weirdness
• muni'ing all around town
  
• Nick letting me in
  
• more King of Thai
• being the mysterious guy drinking at the bar by himself
• the dj dropping "I Want You Back" & "Axel F"
  
• old cubans
  
• one of the homies rolling out
• the "I don't have time to make your drink" bartender
• law school homies
• sudoku while sitting in the bus stop at like 2:30 am
• Ed's early arrival
• friday feeling like sunday
  
• the Pork Store Cafe and sitting with strangers
• the stranger's French Toast
  
• all the old school sweet rides
• the idea of rolling in an 80s Ferrari Testarossa while listening to 80s music and dressed in 80s clothes
• parking next to a Nissan GTR
• getting some keys [hopefully symbolic]
  
• a stupid amount of sushi
• Ed rolling out b4 heading to Mexico
• the Marina, Circa, soup
• the dj at Circa
  
• getting bought a round of shots by a girl
  
• of course heading to Gravity
  
• free round of beers since the guy [temporarily] lost Deefs' card
  
• owning the stage at Gravity...simply because no one else was
  
• a last round at not Gravity and another free shot
  
• chocolate-glazed donuts & getting used for donut holes
• leftover sushi
• BART'ing out to Richmond
• meeting some new ppl
• the great food at Al & Hank's
• a great talk with Hank
  
• winning my only game of beer pong/beirut
• getting in some dancing
• the crazy lady who stopped us from getting to the roof
• grabbing dim sum to go solo-style
• nap time
• Popeye's & the pigeon
• another good talk
  
• being the option that doesn't suck
• the extra day
  
• the support for what some may think is a stupid idea

a longer lists of highlights than i was anticipating, a sign of a good weekend. as with every other weekend up in the Bay, i'm sure there are things that have been omitted...impossible to remember it all i guess. the weekend provided some topics i'd like to explore but i'm a bit too lazy right now. and i'm craving dessert in some form [like those chocolate-glazed donuts].

but, i leave you all with this:

why don't girls approach guys more often?

Michael Jackson

Many words have already been written since the world found out about the tragic passing of Michael Jackson. Yesterday was simply one of the saddest days in music. Learning that Michael Jackson had suffered a cardiac arrest and was being hospitalized brought my day to a pause, followed by frantic checking of various news outlets for more information. The news of his death was at first met with disbelief and followed by a sense of shock. In some ways it is yet to sink in.

In talking with close friends about his passing, I find the only way to take comfort in anything is by appreciating the gifts of his music and dance moves. For many, it is or was his music that made him so special. This holds true for me as well, but his amazing dance moves were equally important. Seeing his dance moves growing up in the 80s, I couldn't help but want to dance. Although never coming close to emulating his talents, his dance moves and the rhythmic beats of his amazing music simply inspired movement in me.

It was clear from an early age that Michael Jackson was a special and talented individual. With time he grew to become the King of Pop; a star like never before. With his music, dance moves, and music videos he shaped a generation. His musical impact was felt in all parts of society and across generations; his music opened doors for many others to follow. He managed to bridge gaps between cultures and in so doing he brought many people together. Simply put, he broke down barriers. And beyond the impact his music had, he strove to make the world a better place.

It's nice to see how much love this world has for Michael Jackson, especially after all of the ridicule he received in recent years for his eccentric behavior. It is undeniable that his career and life took an unfortunate turn, yet it is equally undeniable that few, if any, have ever faced the pressures he did. Growing up a childhood star as he did, in many ways he was never given the opportunity to really be a child, a kid. From a very early age he was a star and in the limelight; he was the star in a groups of stars. Undoubtedly, these early experiences (or maybe more so the lack of some of the normal childhood experiences) shaped him in ways difficult to understand or explain. Without any semblance of a true childhood, Michael Jackson "grew up" and managed to become the biggest pop star that ever lived (further removing any slim chance of normalcy in his life). But in time, his star would fall almost as far as it had risen. Faced with accusations and rumors of all sorts, Michael Jackson eventually withdrew from public view...and the times he did resurface he was often met with a less than friendly response. In recent memory, his amazing contribution to the entertainment world (and really the world more generally) had been overshadowed by the controversies he became embroiled in.

I wholeheartedly believe that some of his eccentricities were simply a necessary part of him being the amazing, talented musician, entertainer, and performer that he was. Some of course were side effects of his less than normal upbringing. And yes, there were things that simply didn't make sense or felt wrong. At the end of it all, Michael Jackson was an amazing individual who will forever be remembered for the music he left us. It's a gift many of us will continue to cherish.

Thank you, Michael Jackson, for all you gave us. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and fans. My hope and belief is that Michael is now in a place where he is free of the many burdens that followed him in recent years.

once again, a bit terrified.

title sums it up. i am feeling terrified yet again as i hang out in my apartment and ponder things. after a good talk with one of the people i am close to in my life whose opinions i value highly i feel a bit surer of my life plan for the foreseeable future...but as i feel a little more settled on a decision i find myself that much more terrified and this emotion makes me question the decision. i think it's natural...but nothing changes the fact that i'm pretty much terrified right now. ahhhhhhhh!!!

what to do

i fin myself asking a lot of questions about life lately. it's actually more asking the same questions over and over again, sometimes in different ways. but it all boils down to the following: what to do? what to do about the circumstances in life that i'm unhappy with?

i get conflicting opinions from the various people in my life...their different views are entirely expected and make sense. some say to take what sounds to be the safe road. others say now is the time to take a different, riskier step. i find myself leaning in between, hoping to find a happy medium between the conservative, responsible approach and a more freeing, riskier, less known path.

it's terrifying trying to sort it out and figure out what to do. i find myself too consumed with worry about what to do that i find myself paralyzed by the uncertainty. coupled with the unhappiness brought on by the present circumstances that i'm trying to do something about [and obviously trying to figure out what to do about], i simply want to sleep, to shutdown, to hibernate or become a hermit and in that way simply run away from it all.

doing something about everything is scary. doing something about everything is hard. and it's easier to do nothing except that it accomplishes the opposite of helping. i'm at one of those points in life where it feels like screaming might help. but it won't really...instead things just wear on me and begin to have a negative effect on me.

yet here i am...thinking, not acting as much as i probably should...kinda just continuing to freak out and wonder. hopefully writing this and realizing all of this helps motivate me...maybe i don't need motivation to do some of the things i could because that's simply not the path for me in the end. time will tell. and while i'd say i grow impatient, it's not so much that but rather that i'm tired.

flailing

in an internal regard, it's been a difficult few weeks. a lot of questioning and attempts at figuring some things out...but without many answers or much progress. the confusion and uncertainty is draining, tiring...and the discontent with other aspects of life [which simply spurs the confusion] at times feels insurmountable. it leaves me feeling as tho i'm flailing about...trying to grasp hold of anything with which to pull myself up and onto stable ground.

but this just all makes it sounds worse than it is. yet in a way it really is all that there is...

someone confirmed some of my personal suspicions today. difficult to hear, of course...but at the same time ...well, there is no "at the same time." as much as i need a change, that very need of a certain change has led to a different kind of change...not one that is beneficial. the only thing i can say is that i'm as tired of it as the next guy.

the feeling of being a malcontent is unbecoming and simply unenjoyable. what to do about it is daunting at times but i guess it's best to just reflect and notice the many great tendencies of those around me. they tend to set a good example, one i sometimes lag behind. i guess this solves some of the riddles facing me. and hopefully i can get back to not allowing the others adversely affect the person i'm looking to become in life.

classin' it up a bit

My brother was singing with the SF Symphony this past weekend and as is customary i made the short trip north to attend one of the performances and also spend whatever free time he had with him. it's been really nice over the past couple years having him come out to the West Coast much more often than he did during my first 7 or 8years out here. it's allowed me to see much more of him than i did those earlier years. it's allowed us to grow closer and be more of a part of each others' lives and simply know more of what's going on in each of our lives. growing up we weren't the closest but it's been nice to feel that change with time and age.

anyway...

• boozing at the airport
  
• getting a ride from the airport
• "How many hot girls are we missing out on because they're fat?"
  
• meetin' Ed's parents
• a bombtastic home cooked meal [thanks again for having me over Ed's parents!]
• the decision to simply chill on friday nite
• late nite run to King of Thai
• movie'ing up with the boys
  
• breakfast with Nick and Ed
• getting asked how i would like my bacon: medium or well done [i'm so happy i was asked this]
• big ass biscuits [no, that is not a euphemism...for once]
• window shopping
• actually shopping [cufflinks - woohoo!]
• the ridiculous search for parking
• North Beach Street Fair
• bomb ass gyros!
• trouble deciding on dinner
• suiting up!
• Belden Place
• taking in the symphony and getting to see my brother perform
• Jardinière for drinks
• "Are you still with what's his nuts?"
  
• curbside stripshow
• bootie mashups!
• the approach
• dancing it up
• Little WT dancing it up
• shirts off
• white pants
• a solo slice of Seibel's
• dim sum
• a little golf [hitting the golf shop and the range]
• pong shots
• more King of Thai
• Ed's filming his pong shots
• biting it on the stairs
• a ride to BART
• BART arriving at the perfect time
• finally ending the run of 5 flights in 8 days

all in all, a great weekend full of a variety of events and activities. anyway...such a good weekend is always tiring as well. off to get some rest i go...with still plenty of thoughts on the mind.

reunion weekend...takin' it back to the old skool

Apparently 10 years has passed. Funny to think about for a variety of reasons. One, it kinda totally makes sense. Two, while much has changed, much hasn't. Three, well...i don't have a 3 right now but i'm sure i could come up with some more reasons.

1999 - when many of my still closest friends and i graduated high school together. This past weekend was our 10 year high school reunion (along with reunions for the classes of 1989 and 1984) back at the old stomping grounds, as they say. altho there wasn't a lot of hubbub to the event and only a small number of us actually made it, it was a fantastic time getting to see old friends [many of whom i am still close to after all these years] and just kick it.

the weekend was a reminder of how important those high school years were for me (and i'm sure many of those close friends) and the wonderful opportunity it was to get to go to school with all those individuals. it's great to see these old friends and have things just continue in a natural manner, much like they never skipped a beat.

anyway...the weekend got me thinking more and more about the things that are already on mind and some of those thoughts will get explored here as there is a serious need for such writing. but, i've spent enough time blabbering...a weekend of travel means a list of highlights...

• the airplane with not enough rows [OK...this turned into a lowlight because of the guy who ended up getting seated next to me and smelled like he hadn't showered in days]
• rediscovering the joys of the PSP
• being home
• sleeping in my new old room
• sleeping in
• the perfect weather
  
• Treasure Mart
• a belated Mother's day dinner
• Kilwins ice cream
  
• driving the old van
• jalapeno Krunchers
  
• darts and beer at Arbor Brew Co.
• California kids kickin' it in the Ace Deuce
• heading out to Greenhills and seeing some old friends and teachers
• kickin' it at Alexa's
• ChrisT. and Julie providing musical entertainment
• Alexa's old creative writing materials
• hoops in the old room
• yet another gathering at Meditterano
• Corky still asking for gum, 10 years later
  
• everyone rolling out to Skeepers
• 5-0
• a change of venue to a place somewhat classier
• dancing it up in Ann Arbor
• late nite grub at the Fleetwood Diner
• a call out West on the walk to the van
• moving furniture
• the Sunday visitor from South Bend
  
• an early father's day dinner with the family

a fantastic weekend that, as previously mentioned, has spurred many a thought in my mind prompting me to continue realize how much i still need to figure out in life. but as a good friend reminded me today, it's not all supposed to planned out...

anyway...i'm too tired to get into all that now. i'm just ready to kick back and veg.

frequency

for some time now i've been taking steps in an attempt to get myself to post more frequently. i consistently disappoint myself in these efforts but still i try. what i noticed last nite is that the frequency of posting was really at it's height the first few month after i started this blog. i don't know why, but it felt like i'd been posting at a more regular pace for a longer period of time.

as the two year anniversay of this blog approaches (just over a month to go), i find myself writing a little more and feeling more of an actual need to do so (if not an inspiration to spend some time writing). as with before, this increase in writing is prompted mainly from discontent with certain aspects of life (but not an overall and general unhappiness...don't worry).

the lesson from these realizations is that in many ways this blog is like personal therapy of sorts. it's a place to express random thoughts, feeling, and emotions and attempt to work thru and deal with some of these things. it's a space that acts like a journal in many ways and probably explains why the attempt at turning the blog into posting multiple items a day of random links and what not didn't last. plus, that' just a difficult task that is a job in its own right in many ways.

anyway...i grow distracted by the episode of iron chef i've got on the tele right now. off to veg out and chat online a bit.

musical changes

so...i meant to go to sleep a while ago but that's clearly not happening. instead it seemed like it would be a good idea to sort thru the music on my computer and remove some stuff from my iPhone [ughhhh...i hate owning an apple product as many of my close friends like to tease me about this fact] that i don't really listen to or need on there. a few realizations:

1. i've got a few albums that i really need to listen to in order to determine which song i really do and don't like on said albums [so i can thus make space in the 8 gbs i have.
2. once again, an album by one of my favorite artists dropped without my knowledge...dagh! i have only myself to blame...what's up with me?
3. i just bought said album thru amazon's mp3 store. it's the first album by this artist that i have not bought in CD format and to be honest i feel kinda funny about it. call me a purist or whatever [wouldn't i have to be into vinyl to really be a purist?], but there are certain albums/artists where owning the hard copy has some meaning to it. i was able to get the album for $8.99 tho...i'm sure it would cost around $16-$18 in store [if i could even find it there] as it's a double disc set and likely an import. ughhh...i guess in certain cases it's just nice to have a physical copy of things.

well, i'm exhuasted and think i'll go pass out listening to some of that music that i need to listen to in order to try to clear a little more space...

the interesting topic of regret

over the years i know i've had discussions with close friends about regret. in our more youthful days [i.e., in our formative days] i remember many of them speaking of not living with regret. it's a fantastic mentality to have and definitely something to aspire to in life. but i find it hard to achieve in actuality.

it may just be something i experience and my close friends who i discussed the topic with don't struggle with. and it's not necessarily regret on my part. it's more a feeling of wishing i'd taken some different steps because i can see how various steps i did take got me to where i am now in many ways.

the story involve more than just steps taken...in fact it's more about steps not taken. sometimes it was out of a fear and uncertainty...a lack of belief in myself. other times it was holding on to something and hoping things would turn out differently than they in fact did. it's funny because sometimes steps weren't taken due to a naivete while other steps weren't taken based on a much too cynical view of things.

at the end of the day, i'm where i am...and it's a pretty good place. yet as the last few entries of substantive writing indicate, this good place is not the right place. today i tried to take a step towards figuring it all out, at least by seeking out some information on some of the possibilities that exist. it's a complicated mess in some ways...but maybe it's just because it's not yet the time to have some of these mysterious that make up life figured out. it's obviously possible that a time will come when it's clear that no matter the circumstances it's clear what needs to be done. but i'm not at that place [yet].

anyway...i'm exhausted from the past month of traveling and keeping busy...time for the first nite of going to sleep in my own apartment without any need to wake up for anything tomorrow since april. goooooooooooood nite!

they don't dance no more?

as i've been sick the past few days, it's taken a little longer to get to this post about the long weekend up in SF. i must admit, the weekend involved a bachelor party for one of my good high school buddies and so some highlights are off limits and cannot be printed here or anywhere...that's just the way it is. all in all a great weekend and definitely worth the drive to and from SF...as well as the cold i caught during the weekend. and this is true even though the weekend involved no dancing on my behalf [aside from the random me dancing to whatever music happens to be playing whereever i happen to be]. highlights...

• finally getting to the open road
• time on the road with good tunes
• a table full of old friends [that's when the bachelor party began]
• the key under the mat
• the most comfortable sleeping situation ever
  
• early rising for golf
• miserable golfing conditions
• finally making it out to the course with good friends and playing the first full 18 in i don't know how long
• breaking in the new clubs [i sucked tremendously, especially with the new putter]
• trekking even further south for an awesome lobster sammich
• finally getting to see Ed...the guy housing me for the weekend
• the continuation of the bachelor party
• meeting up with Ed at the second lamest house party ever
• Ed's inability to find the hidden key at 4:30 am...even tho it was right there in front of him
• wine tasting in Sonoma and Napa

• JERKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• a quality burger
• Los, the women's bathroom, and "Sabrina, are you in here?" [one of the funniest things EVER]
  
• playing drinking games 'til 4 in the morning
• pizza shortly thereafter
• dim sum
• the lack of traffic on the road home
• Chevron french vanilla cappucino [mmm...sugary coffee-like stuff]
• getting to celebrate multiple occasions with friends
• finally getting home

there were many laughs, jokes, witty comments, and other moments that definitely belong on this list. some escape me, some just cannot be shared. there were some low lights, including getting sick and missing out on the baseball game i was supposed to go to with a good friend from law school...but overall it was an amazing, exhausting, but also in a way refershing weekend.

**********

more and more i realize where i want to be, where i need to be, where i should be. i'm trying to find the focus to get there and make it happen...but even with all the reason in the world it is hard and terrifying in many ways to do. honestly, i just wish something would happen and it'd all be taken care of...but i think part of the hesitation relates to the fact that even tho i know where i want to be, there is one big thing i'm unsure of these days and that's just what i want to be doing while there. in some ways these are vague statements that can be read in very literal terms or much more metaphorical ones. i'd say that both interpretations are accurate in many respects.

the scary part is that not knowing aspect. a lack of sureness and really some sort of goal or plan in a way...something i feel i should have by now in many ways. a lot goes into these feelings and these thoughts...stuff that has never really been explored in this or any other blog of mine. in fact, some of these things have never been explored in any focused manner, aside from random musings and probably late nite talks with close friends. i wish i could go back to some of those conversations. the great talks u have with a close friend when u're sleeping over at each other's houses back in high school...where u're just talking before passing out.

but that's a digression and another of the many tangents in the world of Lou. the yearning for such times has more to do with the need to actually explore some of these feelings, concerns, emotions, etc. it's a need to figure some stuff out...even if maybe i just figure out that i need to be completely irresponsible. who knows. anyway...enough with the seriousness on the blog for tonite. i'm off to bed...where i'm sure i'll pass out thinking about much of what i'm writing about...but in more detail. g'nite world.

lost and confused...

well...maybe not so much confused. but i definitely feel lost much of the time these days. i mean, i know where i'd like to be and where i'm trying to get to, in a general sense...but at the same time i'm unsure of exactly how to get there and all the details of where i'm trying to go.

it honestly feels like there's no one place i'm trying to get to and that any final destination i think of will be flawed in one way or another. obviously some will be less flawed than others...so there's that. but this nagging feeling is somewhat bothersome (hence the term nagging i guess).

let me know,
do i still got time to grow
things ain't always set in stone
that bein' known, let me know

let me,
it seems like streetlights, glowin'
happen to be just like moments, passin'
in front of me
so, i hopped in the cab and
i paid my fare
see, i know my destination, but i'm just not there

all the street lights, glowin'
happen to be just like moments, passin'
in front of me
so, i hopped in the cab and
i paid my fare
see, i know my destination, but i'm just not there

in the streets
in the streets
i'm just not there
in the streets
i'm just not there
life's just not fair

it seems like streetlights, glowin'
happen to be just like moments, passin'
in front of me
so, i hopped in the cab and
i paid my fare
see, i know my destination, but i'm just not there

all the street lights, glowin'
happen to be just like moments, passin'
in front of me
so, i hopped in the cab and
i paid my fare
see, i know my destination, but i'm just not there

all the street lights, glowin'
happen to be just like moments, passin'
in front of me
so, i hopped in the cab and
i paid my fare
see, i know my destination, but i'm just not there


in the streets
in the streets
i'm just not there
in the streets
i'm just not there
life's just not fair
life's just not fair

in many ways, my theme song these days. i'm not going to whine about how "life's just not fair," but i definitely would say "i know my destination, but i'm just not there." and being in such a position, it's easy to see how and why some might say life isn't fair.

anyway...the moral of the story is that it's tough knowing a chance is needed but wondering just how much u can do about. it's easy to become impatient...to forget to simply focus on those things that are in your control. i guess after tackling those things, all u can do is figure out some of the things that remain unknown.

makin' it happen...

i'm coming to realize that my friends are right. when it comes to the biggest "problem" in my life [i put it in quotes because it's not so much a problem but a circumstance that affords many opportunities but isn't exactly what i'm looking for in the grand scheme of things], u simply reach a point where u gotta do what u gotta do. u can complain, whine, hope for change, will it to be different all u want...but at the end of the day u gotta make it happen.

obviously there's a lot that's out of my control. today another friend told me to quit saying hopefully it'll happen and start saying it will happen. positive thinking, right? one of my close friends from back in the day was saying that u either care enough to do something about it or u don't; u get to a point where u get so fed up with things that u pretty much spend every free moment to make it different...or u up and just make it different without the assurances u may feel u need to make such a drastic change.

while i'm not at the latter point...i'm definitely more motivated than i have been in a long time. and while nothing may come of my efforts for some time, all u can do it keep at it and know that things will workout as they may and as they should. for now, it feels good to simply begin to see myself putting forth some effort without the hesistancy of previous times...

two in a row...

I'm in the midst of a run of many weekends of travel and plans that started out last week with a trip to the City...and was followed by a trip to the City this past weekend. The main reason behind this trip was to get in some time with my brother, who is in SF for the week. As with all the trips, it was a good time full of great company and many laughs. The usual highlights below, followed by some thoughts sparked by events of last weekend and talks of this past one...

• no delays
• the girl who changed her entire outfit in the shuttle, while sitting right next to me
• a surprisingly solid burger from the Metro Caffe
• "Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeyit."
• a little old skoll Entourage "You'll never work again!!!"
  
• trying to find the magical bar on Geary
• Ruby Skye VIP style
• Peterade
• walking out the door to amazing weather and the perfect start to a great day
• dim sum
• lots and lots of walking...and some window shopping [and some actual shopping]
• the mailman shirt
• a slice from Blondie's
• realizing it would be cooler to watch hoops at a bar, as opposed to watching NBATV with no sound in the Bloomingdale's Men's Lounge
• tapas and sangria ["tapath and thangria"]
• "moosepaw"
• sparks up!
• catching up with my brother
• the Johnny Drama of the party
• blow the whistle...do doo doo do!!!
  
• sneakin' out [but getting caught]
• bootie mashup!
• the chocolate on Ed's shoulder
  
• the doods with their shirts off
• 3 separate departures
• brunch
• man date: move and SFMOMA
• sf burrito
• a ride to the airport from Los [thanks, bru.]
  
• getting to see the people i missed out on last weekend
• lots of good laughs
• quality time with friends and family

**********

I have previously written about my chameleon like nature...probably some time ago. I think that one of the side effects of such a nature is sometimes losing a hold on one's own identity in some ways. It's easy to see the different person one can be in different settings...and then wonder just who u really are at the end of the day [something I know others have wondered at times]...and more importantly in some ways whether anyone else knows who u really are.

Yet at the same time, sometimes u see the identity from those who do know u the best...and sometimes u don't like what u see. Personally, feeling misunderstand has long been correlated with my goofy sense of life. In many ways it's something I've grown accustomed to, but while I'd like to think it doesn't matter...it's still something that is meaningful. It's all the more meaningful when u feel those u are closest to don't understand don't understand.

As for recent events, what I'm coming to realize is that it's time for some change. Obviously, something easier said that done. It's difficult to really figure out where and how to begin. But I do know that some of the circumstances of life do play a role in things (e.g., living in one place and looking to get to another can make a person somewhat sour at times). It's easy to get trapped, thinking it's all too much. But all one can do is take one step and then another...

Once again it's time for change, or more accurately, growth. In finding a general sense of happiness and also comfort with the circumstances of life, it has become easy to get complacent. At the outset of this blog, I was in need of growth and certain change...I had a sense of focus and purpose. I think that was reflected in the writing I did at the time. Now I see that with time I've become a bit less than what I would like to be with myself. It is important to continue to strive for growth and to know that we can all make our improvements. Yet there is also a need to balance that with a sense of understanding of who you are as an individual and acceptance of that for all the good that it is...

a break is over

I took the month of April off from traveling, and in particular from visiting my preferred destination for weekend jaunts. Well, that is all coming to a screeching halt. After spending the past weekend in the City to celebrate a good friend's berfday, I'll be heading up again this coming weekend, as my brother will be around, and then again two weeks after that for a long weekend [and to celebrate another good friend's berfday...albeit a few days late].

The time away, couple with some other recent events, was a simply reminder of how great the City is and how wonderful it is to get to spend time with some of my closest friends in the world. I'm hoping to get to see some of those I didn't get a chance to spend time with over this most recent trip. As is customary, the list of some of the highlights...

• finally getting into the City
• the "Apologize/Don't Stop Believing" mashup [low point for some, starting point for me]
  
• sparks'ing up
• repeatedly crossing to the wrong side of the street to get a cab
• a table of old friends
• cheap drinks, good conversation
• "you have to check that hoodie."
• the girl with the dance moves [seriously, i may have fallen in love...too bad i have no idea who she was]
  
• Ed: "I have a one."
• late nite pizza
  
• Ed: "It's Persian beautiful."
• brunch at Eats
• finally meeting the girl from Ohio
  
• Kentucky Derby preshow, but no race
• not following Los
• the journey to a magical land in the woods
• "CLOSED"
• "We're open for 12 minutes" and the unwelcoming bartender
• a great day out in the fog
• more great conversation and lots of laughs
• Ohio, America's other armpit.
• running uphill [turns out it was about as fast as walking]
• fried egg n cheese sammchies, part 1
• letting dinner come to u, House of Nanking style
• drinks, Deefs' jukebox selections, chillin'
• setting off the dance floor like we do
• the rude cabbie
• egg n cheese sammiches, part 2
• finally getting some sleep
• dim sum takeout
• watching hoops
• watching hockey
• watching Beerfest
• the frozen screen
• Ed with the ride to sfo
  

harsh realities

As a high school student, I remember spending many an afternoon [and often an early evening] in my school's darkroom. When the time to figure out where I wanted to go to school came around, one of my good friends worked on a portfolio to submit to the Savannah College of Art and Design. My brother was already in college studying music at the University of Michigan. At the time I considered, ever so briefly, the idea of pursuing photography or art more generally. I never really felt I had the talent or skills necessary to become successful at photography, not enough so to make a living, support a family one day, and so on.

Because I saw as too risky it was something I ended up turning away from and failed to pursue. I do not regret that decision...in many ways photography is still a passion and hobby of mine, albeit one I need to spend more time developing [in all honestly, the thing I probably miss the most is all those hours in the darkroom...printing pictures is simply therapeutic for me in many ways]. But I do sometimes wonder what would have happened if I didn't have to worry about the whole economic side of things.

At the same time, I know how lucky I was to have all the opportunities available to me outside of the arts. I figure that I probably was not going to reach a level of achievement or accomplishment that I would have been satisfied with in the arts and so I'm OK leaving to be a hobby, an interest, a passion [altho who knows...maybe that's just a rationalization and telling myself what I need to hear to be OK with that decision from over 10 years ago now].

But while I likely did not have the talent and instead had other opportunities, there are far too many who do have the talent but who simply cannot pursue their dreams or fulfill all that potential because they are not so fortunate. I came across this article a couple weeks back and it really saddened me in many ways and reminded me just how important it is to support the arts and to support artists.

First, no teenager should have to face all that the young girl from that article has had to face...not by that stage in her life. But worse is the fact that pursuing her musical talents is simply not an option to her. It is clearly unfair to her, but it is also a travesty for the rest of us...as we lose out on all her ability and all she could potentially create. It is unfortunate that this young woman and many others like her face a world in which they may not even have the opportunity to discover their talents due to a lack of funding for the arts.

A society can be judged in many ways by its arts. A lack or creativity, especially when it is due to a lack of opportunities to discovery and explore one's creative talents, is indicative of a lack of culture and civility. Obviously that is a somewhat highfalutin statement that makes me sound somewhat ridiculous...but the arts are important on many levels. Most of all, the provide an important role for many of our nation's youth. They are an outlet to find oneself, to express oneself, to work through the many troubles of adolescence, and also an alternative to many of the ills that ail our youth. Further, the creative process allows for development and growth...not only on an individual level but also as a society and nation. Stifling creative also stifles innovation...something we are in need of more than ever in this time.

Personally, tho I didn't end up pursuing anything artistic in life, my brother has and that friend of mine did eventually end up S.C.A.D., and it's important to ensure that our society appreciates and encourages such pursuits. Such creativity needs to be nurtured...

[this post was originally intended to appear and does appear on my music blog.]

travel must

via hypebeast.

oooooooooooooh....i NEED this...except there's no news on it's release. boo. even so, just the concept of this is brilliant. depending on where i'm going, how long i'll be gone, and what i'll be wearing on said trip, sometimes traveling with more than one watch i s a must. and this is an awesome way to not have to worry about damaging said wonderful items. a sweet design to keep those watches safe as u travel the world.

The watch tube is made of an anodized aluminum exterior with a neoprene lining. The tube closes featuring integral locking pins and also features a tool for removing watch straps.

defunctatory

No...i do not think that's a word...but it sounds cool. And it's like the definition of my blogging. Defunct and perfunctory. It's sad too...i've got thoughts and links to share aplenty. But all too often it ends up forced or not happening it all.

It seems no matter what approach is taken, the results end up the same: infrequent and/or uninspired writing for the most part. The goal is some semblance of regularity and relevance. And so i renew my attempts yet again...but without really doing so. It's a blog...whatever ends up here will end up here...and I'm sure I'll continue posting random cool items [hopefully lots of art, shoes, and watches] along with substantive [or at least substantive for my goofy mind] thoughts and words as well.

The lesson for now is that this is my space and it's about enjoyment, growth, and really whatever else i need it to be at the time that i'm sitting in front of a computer writing here...and it's nothing more than that...it certainly isn't work or a chore or something i need to do when i'm not really feeling it.

Now...off to attempt some writing on music...

ooooh...purrrrrrty

via hypebeast

a white version of the Leica M8. look pretty while taking pretty pictures. wOOt wOOt!!!

juice!

via GEEKOLOGIE

And now it comes in packaging that makes it clear just what kind of juice it is! No more reading labels [reading is overrated...wait...or is it fundamental?]. All i know is these look awesome and i love all things awesome.

Desiged by Naoto Fukasawa, a Japanese industrial designer, i hope to see this in grocery stores across the nation soon...altho i really doubt that will happen.

some catching up

Aight...been slackin' and so i'm going with an oversize post tonite...

Money bear.

via Like cool

A teddy bear made from dollar bills? Awesome! You can even up him [or her] up and replace the filling with your own crumpled dolla dolla bills. Awesomer! Price = $1,250.00. NOT AWESOME.


An Imaginary Life

A short film about what happens to the imaginary friends we all end up leaving behind. It's a sad part of growing up...and this just makes it sadder. All the more reason to refuse to grow up and remember that age ain't nothing but a number and a state of mind.



Ghost in the Machine

via iri5

A sweet collection of works by iri5, an artist whose specialty is non-traditional media. These works are made from old cassette tapes...impressive.




Your Inner dj.

Learn to dj in a few short classes [or even just one extended session]. DJ 4 Life offers classes in dj'ing and will teach u all u need to get those wheels of steel spinning. Hot ladies interested in you as the pictures below display not guaranteed. At least I assume they're not guaranteed. But if they are, sign me up!

Editorial update [4.25.09]: the nyTimes is biting my style!

Checkout this article.

Hotel in the air.

via Limited Hype

The world's first flying hotel, also the world's largest helicopter [to be expected when it doubles as a hotel] is set to take off this summer.




Mmm...BACON!!!

via Bacon Salt

I'm sure you know I love bacon. Well...many of us have heard of Bacon Salt:


Some of us are lucky enough to know about Baconnaise:

But the real question is, do you know about Bacon Lip Balm?

Air Yeezy's...the making of...

via complex

Article on the process behind the hyped Air Yeezy shoe. Let's of sweet pics to go with.

weekend diversity

Time for another weekend recap...lots of fun without the exhaustion some weekends come with...and tho it was another weekend in the City [not the greatest example of diversity], it was full of some adventures outside the ordinary...

• doing basketball drills [OK, I have NO idea what this refers to...but it was on the list of highlights i put on my phone as the weekend went by and so it appears on this list...no questions asked]
  
• new keys
• oversize sushi
• a whole bunch of the high school crew reunited
• old skoll chillin
• getting proof
• finally seeing what bubble lounge is all about
• analyzing the guys at the club
• back to old skool chillin
• late nite pizza with the boys
  
• no 2 stop cabbie
• brunch @ La Boulange
• watchin' hoops
• playin' hoops
  
• 2 blocks
• Gym up!
• watchin' more hoops
• NOPA
• angry Los
• good laughs
• Los and his sweating out fat theory
• back to the old skool
• Corona in cans [ughhhh...]
• girls from Arkansas
• effing people up
• finding a good place to stand
• poking and ass slapping
• the "Live Your Life/Let's Get It On" mashup
• cupcakes!
  
• Crab Benedict - a different approach to brunch
• seeing the new pad
• mini-golf!
• trophy [pictured above] and prizes
• time in the South Bay
• another ride to the airport [thanks!]
• the note [pictured below] i found on milo when i got back to Los Angeles

Sadly, I must list a couple of downers:

• doods standing on the dance floor
• delays at the airport

But all in all a great weekend with a variety of experiences and friends...definitely reminded of what's so great about the Bay...not that I needed it. And once again, Happy Birfday to B. Chan!

Air Yeezys on Air Yeezy

via hypebeast

The much hyped Nike Air Yeezy...while not available yet...made an appearance or three at SXSW on the feet of...well...Yezzy himself as well as some of his G.O.O.D. musicians. And they look fresh...Oooooooooh