Grizzly Adams DID Have A Beard!

I saw Grizzly Man tonight. While it wasn't what I expected exactly, it was still fantastic. The documentary's star, Timothy Treadwell, wasn't a hero or a savior of the grizzly bears he swore to "protect" in Alaska. He was, however, a very interesting and tragic bipolar man, and the movie was more human than anything. Yes, there was beautiful and amazing footage of huge bears and cute foxes, but they weren't the focus. Instead the movie explored Treadwell's character through his footage and his friends. I was impressed that he was treated so well as the subject, his insanity was never made fun of and never made sentimental. He was a troubled but inspired man who allowed a very interesting glimpse into his world, the terrific highs and equally extreme lows. Bears seemed to Treadwell the manifestation of God, of perfection. They symbolized a simple and perfect life, one which spoke to him and accepted him and loved him, while the narrator and director points out that realistically they seemed entirely indifferent towards the human, a notion supported by the fact that one of them killed Treadwell eventually. But when the man professed his love and his gratefulness to the creatures, his conviction was beautifully admirable and at the same time crushingly sad.

On another note, Billy Joel is to music what Thomas Kinkade is to painting.

"I had some fun with the river, hiding the periscope of a vintage submarine in its depths, and a bobbing bottle, perhaps containing a love note to my wife Nanette."

-Thomas Kinkade on "London"

I don't want clever conversation
I never want to work that hard
I just want someone that I can talk to
I want you just the way you are.

I need to know that you will always be
The same old someone that I knew
What will it take till you believe in me
The way that I believe in you.

-Billy Joel, "Just The Way You Are"

Sentimental crap! All I meant was that I struggle with the idea of Good/Bad art. And music seems separate than visual art, and I don't know if that's even fair. But a song can be shmaltzy and have cheesy lyrics and generally regarded as bad. A painting usually doesn't tell you things the same way a song does. Perhaps it's more like an instrumental piece. Even the most atonal and grating instrumentals can be interesting, similar to how the most abstract paintings can be beautiful. And if there are words in the music, it can add another dimension and improve the song, or detract from it. Regardless, Billy Joel is terrible in my opinion, and I have reasons. If you disagree then I am glad you have a connect with the piano man and can enjoy "Uptown Girl." My loss, right?

-The Team

Random L.A. Day

I woke up at 5:20 this morning. We drove to the British Consulate in Los Angeles and I was told my visa would be ready between 2 and 3 that afternoon. I didn't think to check when the building closed, and when I came back it was too late. And now I have to drive back down tomorrow morning. I am infinitely disappointed, in myself and in the way things turned out. I'll pay the price tomorrow in a lonely and inefficient trip to the City of Angels.

We spent part of the day in Venice Beach. I can't stand places like Venice Beach because of the tackiness and the tourist-y nature of it all. Gross people hawking cheap wares on one side of the boardwalk, and seedy shops on the other. I've always experienced a dilemma when asked by the needy for spare change. I usually decline because I think that I don't want to support them begging, as if they could possibly be doing something better if they had the initiative. But then again, who am I to decide that they have other options? I have no idea what it's like to be them, to be in their worn out filthy shoes, to be tired or hungry or needy. So then I feel bad, and am stuck again. If only there were a better way to show a want to help than giving money. Money is only as good as what it buys, and of course that could be any number of things, respectable or not. One thing I don't like is the disrespectful people who ask for money, and when turned down they seem to heckle you. Yeah, it's got to be frustrating begging for change on the street, but that's just unnecessary.

I'm glad I got to see Sarah before I leave. When we went to dinner, a conversation about art piqued my interest. One person said they hated one of their art teachers because she didn't like the person's work. And on top of that, she was an even worse professor because she liked the art the person didn't like and didn't like the art that this person did like. How can you say something like that? Art is entirely subjective (obviously) and therefore I can't see the basis for the person's reasoning. It is entirely too self-righteous to say that what you like is what is Good and what you don't, nobody should. But this person was convinced that the teacher was a bitch and that was that. Should art even be taught like that? Of course, because it helps focus and foster ideas and improve technique, and so on, but other than that maybe it shouldn't be critiqued except for pretensiousness. But even that is silly because critiquing exposes the artist to different viewpoints. The flaws in the method are apparent though, as art must be interpreted and then judged, and the value of that judgment is difficult to set. For example, I cannot stand Frieda Kahlo's work, but she is a famous artist and is loved by many. So what should my opinion mean to anyone but me? Why would it mean anything to her? Art is tricky, perhaps that's all I can conclude. I couldn't stand to make art for a living, with these disparate ideas in my head, pulling me one way or another, away from honesty as it would seem.

-The Team Hates Billy Joel

Buddha Revisited




Today was Buddha Rock hike #2. James, Mel, Brian Switzer and I went this time, and it was fun as ever. My sister, let me tell you, is gnarly. She approached the Leap Of Faith with little-to-no hesitation, and on the way back she even got caught in the middle and fell to her certain death, only she is so quick that she landed on a super small rock 7 feet below and was able to get around to safety. She tore up her fingers and I felt terrible for letting her do it. Except I knew she was perfectly capable- just as capable as me- and should have shown her the best way to jump before it was her turn. We got some sweet jumping pictures too, which I've decided are my favorite kind of photographs.

I've loved hanging out with Melissa this summer, and am very happy that she does so well with my friends. She fits in because she's sharp but easygoing, and never a hassle. I appreciate her more and more every day. It's too bad she starts school tomorrow.

Tonight we went to a random party in IV. I use the term "party" loosely, as there were four girls and one guy in the house when we got there. Although it was a bit lame, it made me wish I could go to some sweet parties on the beach during the year there, they must be awesome. We were on one of those houses on the cliffs overhanging the water, the ones that are about to fall in the ocean but have spectacular views. We left early because we're all going down to LA tomorrow at six in the morning. In my infinite stupidity I put off getting my visa from the British Consolate until now (5 days before I leave) and now I've got their only appointment, at 9:00am in Westwood. Thank God I've got friends willing to stick it out with me, I love them.

-The Team

Sunset Junction Street Festival

So we were in the very most front for the concert! The VERY MOST FRONT. That means we were stuck up against the rail for upwards of four and a half hours. But you know what? It was worth it! The Walkmen took the stage at 6:30 and Melissa and I got to see our boyfriends, Matt and Hammy. They seriously rocked and even played new songs! We were the first to hear some, I think. And when they played "The Rat" the tempo was pushing 500bpm, I'm pretty sure. That was the second best moment of the concert and probably a top 10 of my life.

Visualize:
















Then John Cale came on. He was a founding member of The Velvet Underground and kicked things off with a Velvets song. I was excited to see him at first, with him being a legend and all, but that soon faded as he got into seriously boring old man jams. It lasted way too long, and made my sister sick. Really.

Visualize:
















And finally at 9:30 Rilo Kiley came on. Jenny Lewis is beautiful. I will marry her and Melissa will marry Hamilton from The Walkmen and we will hang out all together all the time, we decided. They are so fun to watch live, their music lends itself well to live performance. It was heck of fun and dance-y and then at the end the #1 concert moment happened. #1 of my life, that is. They played "Portions for Foxes" and everyone was going insane crazy and the band had awesome energy. It was rock n roll!!! And before they left the guitarist (formerly Budnick of Salute Your Shorts fame) threw out big fake flowers and I caught one and Mel stole one from the chick next to her. We then made our getaway!

Observe:



































-The Team

Three Things

Finally I've found a haircutter I like. She cut my hair back in the winter and did a great job, and I decided to go back and she did it again. It's nice having short hair! Part of the reason I didn't like getting it cut was because I looked so much younger with it short, but this time I think I look a little older. I like that, it's a little more serious and a little more fun. And a lot less hassle.

Perhaps you've heard of the webcest controversy. If you haven't then check it out because it is hilarious! Jeffrey Rowland of OverCompensating came up with the word and intended to introduce it to the modern lexicon, and Wikipedia wasn't accepting it. But perhaps this is just one of many roads to linguistic fame. What a funny word (go to the website for examples and definitions of webcest). I'm all for it- there is definitely a place for the word, because it can describe a situation uniquely and effectively. Tell all your friends, or don't.

I'm glad to be able to wax philosophical with James. If he wasn't here I would have gone insane by now due to inability to discuss abstractions and personal thoughts with anyone but my blog(self). We had intriguing discussion this evening at Beth's pool party while everyone was inside probably still talking about New York Life or something similarly trifling. Things connect in such amazing ways, from the stars to God to nothing to ourselves to everything. It's comforting.

-The Team

Edgy and Controversial

I am getting my haircut at 12:45 and I am scared. I always get anxious because I'm never sure how I want it styled. I get incredibly sick of it being so long and dumb so it's getting cut short. I want it UK style. What is UK style anyways? Cool. My wonderful sister always helps out by cutting out the boys with cute hair from her magazines. And usually she goes with me to these ridiculous hip salons or whatever, but this time she has golf practice. It won't feel right without her.

It has been fantastic spending time with Mel this summer, I am lucky lucky lucky to have a sister I get along with so well. There are times when I'm just overwhelmed with pride for that goofy kid- I really love her. And now she's made the golf team and I think that is RAD. Whadda sis!!

In news that sucks, Mario Baseball won't be out until a few days before I go. People are getting all up in arms about the super violent and super sexual games, when all I want to play is cartoon baseball. It's edgy and controversial, I know, but so addicting.

-The Team

To be Alone with You

I've been on edge lately and I feel terrible that I get so upset. Even when I can't find the source, or when nobody's at fault, I take it out in disgraceful ways. Biting remarks that aren't funny anymore, aimed at people that are my friends. I am ashamed. Problems others have that I don't understand should make me empathetic, not agitated. It's hard. Who am I to act so selfishly? I am sorry.

I believe the most amazing thing in the world is grace, in all its beauty, and I've disgraced myself. I am disappointed. That is a powerful word, disgrace, and I find it especially poignant now. Thinking of the people I love and what I say sometimes, it's terrible. I find fault in everybody and I don't think of understanding it. I chalk it up to stupidity or something similarly pathetic, when what I've just done is the only thing truly stupid. So I'll start with myself and work from there. The world is not a collection of objects seeking my approval. We are all reflections of each other, of a God, and it is much more constructive to embrace and love that instead of being lazy and blind to it. There is grace in everyone and everything, and it is to be appreciated. How I can be is disgraceful, and that is significant.

-The Team

I am a Detective

The New Pornographers' Twin Cinema is as good as they say. As good as they say! I don't think anyone can touch A.C. Newman as far as being a master of melody.

I played golf yesterday and broke my dad's driver in half with my anger. I am an idiot!

Know what else is idiotic? The culture of depression that seems prevalent in the are/theatre world. I'm grossly stereotyping, obviously, but what I'm talking about definitely exists. And I'm referring to people who seem to want to mask their natural happiness or contentment because they find being sad or stressed to be more complex and interesting. It's terribly self-conscious and affected, and not at all useful. And short-sighted and self-destructive. Sadly, after a time the feigned seems to become the real, and people develop problems they wouldn't have had otherwise. It's ironic that people subscribe to this notion and think they are becoming more individualistic, or deep, which is the absolute worst and most cliched descriptor in the language, when really they are becoming samey. I could make jokes about Converse and cigarettes, but I'll leave that to James, who I conferred with about this last night. I'm disappointed that this happens, because if people disregarded these inane ideas I bet they would be more productive and interesting, and happier.

-Team of Detectives

A Hike and a Drug Rant



Today was wonderful because it was packed, but never rushed. We went to the Buddha Rock in the morning and it was as much fun and as amazing as ever. With each hike there I come to appreciate the view and the experience more and more. We got to jump around on the rocks and climb and lay out overlooking the entire city from thousands of feet above it all. We were up there for hours, and when we came back it was time for La Super Rica. It is the best restaurant, ever. This is not hyperbole, it is that good. They had my favorite, the Tamal de Verduras, and the classic Pechuga Suiza, a vegetable tamale and a chicken quesadilla. On top of that I had an excellent second dinner at home. It was nice to see my parents some, I feel bad being in and out (mostly out) of the house so much, because I miss them and really enjoy relaxing and watching baseball in good company. I am planning a family hike on Sunday, which will be very cool. And finally I saw Sin City, which was very good, and visually fascinating.

An interesting topic came up today, along with some strange debate. We got on the subject of drugs, and what would be okay to try and what wouldn't. Some said they would try things like ecstasy, based on the reasoning that trying new things is good, and might be fun. Others thought that was the absolute worst mentality to have, especially toward something like drugs. I was part of the latter group. I'm sure any drug would be fun, but that isn't nearly a reason to take it. I have an interesting view on drugs, one which isn't entirely reasonable but I feel strongly about nevertheless. They seem to me somewhat of a pathetic crutch, something irrational for the sake of being irrational. We can all enjoy ourselves without them, but with them we are so out of control or badass and subversive that we might as well be on them, having fun. It comes at a price, yes, but that isn't the only thing that makes me disapprove. I think I just have a fear of them, actually, I know I have a fear of them that could be just as irrational as it is to take the substances. I am scared of drugs, just like they want you to be, and I can't seem to get beyond that. I have absolutely no desire to ever smoke or inject anything, which is terribly square-ish but very true. I'm not the kind of person who will try just anything in hopes that it will turn out fun, I am pretty happy with what I've got already, which isn't at all adventurous but isn't senseless either. But, when I think things through, I realize that I am too condescending on those who do things like drugs, because it is their choice and they are still great people and my friends. It just isn't for me, and I shouldn't worry because I know it's never a problem for me to not get into it. I may wish others didn't, but I wish a lot of things. And then there is the argument that drinking also messes you up, so it's hypocritical to disapprove of drugs. And there is much truth in that, except it's socially acceptable to drink. And silly as it seems, to me that is a perfectly valid reason to enjoy drinking and not to do drugs, because there is even less benefit- they're still not that cool. I could do without a drug-induced high like i could do without a million other fun things like base jumping or gorging on junk food or tantric sex, things not worth my time. But again, it's personal, and it can be alternately embarassing and a source of pride, but never shameful.

-Team

Darts of Pleasure

Adam's back, and it's been much fun these last couple days. Going tidepooling today was a highlight, although walking barefooted on rocks covered completely in mussels hurts, and walking barefooted on beaches in Goleta and not getting them covered in tar is impossible. We found some crabs, which is always exciting, and we fed them and other small marine animals to the anemonies. It was a gorgeous afternoon, and we played stickball and frisbee lay-out and had sand olympics also.

I can't articulate what I want to say about the time at the beach and in the tidepools. I'd like to say how it is simultaneously blissful and reckless, adventurous and mellow and more fun than anything. It's neat how we end up running around and building and destroying just like a little kid would.

My mom told me something interesting today, that my sister and her were talking about how funny it is that I love BMWs so much, because I used to be so self-contained and uninterested in material things, especially ones so silly as luxury cars. I think it's funny too (not in a bad way), because I remember when all I wanted to do was skate with my friends. Seriously, that was everything to me. We would sometimes concentrate on tricks and sometimes just talk and make fun of things or listen to music. Like the beach, it was always an adventure, but a low-key, harmless, and eminently enjoyable one. Since then I've come to enjoy a range of things, from the unnerving and rewarding concept of faith, to the frivolity of things like an expensice pair of jeans and the thought of BMW cars. I am a more materialistic person, yes, but I'd like to think I am still modest without rationalizing. I haven't lost sight of things, and I often find myself questioning the (un)importance of purchases and appearances. But again, this is only something I find interesting, not something upsetting.

Tomorrow I am going hiking to my favorite place, the Buddha Rock! It is a secret place in the mountains overlooking Santa Barbara, and right before you get to the cave rock at the end there is a Leap Of Faith. It is a rock to rock jump over a deadly chasm. Only the chasm isn't really as big as it seems, and it would only really hurt if you managed to fall in, it wouldn't kill you. It is as exciting as it sounds!

-The Team

*Clap* "YEAH"

The Angels killed on Thursday. Fun to see so many runs scored, and to see Curt Schilling and David Wells and Manny up close during batting practice before the game. Good to be in Laguna again too, I didn't realize how much I missed it there. Friday night Mel and I saw The 40 Year Old Virgin, and it was flat out hilarious! Steve Carrell is really funny.

My man James has joined the ranks of the blogosphere (stupidest name ever), only to sabotage it with trenchant wit and clever irony. It's also hilarious.

I got an email from Erin today, she is in Edinburgh and loving it. I miss her! She, like everyone else, advises that I bring warm clothes. Attn: Everybody: I am bringing warm clothes. Edinburgh is as far from Paris as it is from the Arctic Circle. Anyways, in Erin's honor here is a page on her fav horse/mascot: Gunrock. Courtesy of the new Aggie Pack page. yeah.

The O.C.

Today I'm off to Anaheim, where we will hang around until the Angels play the Red Sox tonight. Then we will see my PoPo (grandma!) in Laguna Beach (drama!) for a couple of days and be back Saturday afternoon.


The Angels are going to lose hard, not only tonight, but every night until the A's win the AL West. I'm sorry, but that's just the way the world works. But I do hope Chone Figgins hits for the cycle tonight and steals 7 bases and makes some crazy catches at 4 different fielding positions.

-The Team

Drake Tungsten!


Go get: Drake Tungsten - Six Pence For The Sauces EP

Why? Because if you are a Spoon fan, and I'm assuming you are, then you will want to hear Britt Daniel's old band. There are 5 songs on the EP, including an old version of "Chicago At Night," one of my favorite Spoon songs, and an old version of "I Could Be Underground," which might be my favorite Spoon song.

-The Team

P.S. Also, as long as you're doing what I tell you, go ahead and listen to 89.3 The Current. It streams AACPlus, which sounds exactly like cd-quality (better than mp3) and takes less bandwidth. And of course they play good music!

I Pity The Fool


Why is Davis booking sweet bands this year instead of last? Now Bright Eyes is playing October 27 at Freeborn! I'd like to see him. Despite all the things that are said about him and his music, I'm Wide Awake It's Morning is a great album at the very least. It shaped and soundtracked much of my winter/spring and I came to love both its lonesomeness and hopefulness.

I've found something to help forget about the shows I'll miss in Davis: the Sunset Junction Street Fair! It's down in L.A. at Santa Monica and Sunset, and it's $10. And who's playing? Well Saturday August 27 at 6:30 The Walkmen take the stage. And after that, at 9:30, Rilo Kiley's up. YESYESYESYESYES etc.

In other interesting news that's not really news, thanks to John for showing me this. It's Mr. T's rap video about appreciating your mother. He saw the Sufjan Stevens quote in my AIM profile from the song "Decatur, or Round of Applause for your Stepmother":

Denominate her! Go Decatur! Go Decatur! It's the great I Am. Abominator! Why did we hate her? Go Decatur! It's the great I Am. Denominate her! Go Decatur! Go Decatur! It's the great I Am. Appreciate her! Stand up and thank her! Stand up and thank her! It's the great I Am.

It turns out these bear a remarkable similarity to the Mr. T song. So, Sufjan is just copping the criminally underrated Mr. T? Perhaps...

And also, if you have can find me any Marah songs then show me, because I've been rocking them lately and am almost convinced that I should get their album. They sound like The Boss. Like, exactly.

-The Science Forum

On Penguins and Plans

I finally saw March of the Penguins! I love movies like this one and Winged Migration. I learned that there isn't anything in the world cuter than a baby penguin. I also learned that penguins lead a very tough life, and there seems to be little else but hardship and love throughout it. Their lives can be described as discouraging, to say the least, but they manage to display some touching love even in the roughest times. Like, 80 below (neglecting wind chill). True, the dedication to their young could be ingrained and so on, but to see that kind of affection is inspiring nonetheless.

A PLAN I HOPE BECOMES REALITY:
The movie only bolstered my somewhat unsubstantiated desire to go to Antarctica, and this is how it will happen: First, I come back from Scotland with a vast geological knowledge and an immunity to cold climates. Then Gary hooks me up with ODP and I go on a cruise to Antarctica and core sediments there. Then I can get that funny certificate that says I've been to Antarctica and have received the Royal Order of the Penguin or something like that. Come on people, let's make this happen.

In Love




























yay!

-Team Love

Stand up and Thank Her! (It's the Great I Am!)



Back from San Francisco! What a wonderful city, and what a wonderful time I had. Thanks to Mom and Mel for making it so enjoyable.

I'm still unsettled about being home and feeling stranded in the sense that I'm away from so many of the things that made me happy this last year, people and places in Davis and elsewhere. But instead of feeling sorry for myself, feeling uninspired, feeling helpless and feeling anxious, I think I should start thinking differently. I am going to try harder to look around me for help. To look at things constructively, and in recognition and reverence. Everything from the vast and intricate physical world, to the most abstract and incalculable impressions, to myself, and to you. There seems to be something quite divine in that, which is comforting as I feel I am realizing a relationship with God and what exactly that means to me. I think this will help me keep sight of things, remembering what is important and how it relates.

-Science Team

Oh, oh, no

I am leaving for a few days. I hope tonight didn't ruin everything. I hope I did not call you and make a fool of myself, although I probably did. And if I didn't, you were probably next or I was scared, so don't feel left out. What a way to leave things.

All of my love,

-Brian

Fruit Bats

I bought the Fruit Bats' Spelled In Bones today. It is very good, especially the song "Born In The '70s." It's got a very rocking falsetto part, which does it for me. It seems on par with their last album Mouthfuls. I tried to get Holopaw's Quit +/or Fight but the only copy was used (it only came out Tuesday) and cracked and missing the liner notes. So I passed.

I wrote a poem tonight called "Fruit Bats" and I hope you like it.

Deep in the tunnel
We are dark and afraid
And the bat on the ceiling
He is stoic and staid

I am brave!
I am through!
In rejoice
I hold fast to you.

Today in the car
We are alone and abased
In the light of the dash
We find our face

We are brave!
We are through!
In rejoice
I suffer you.


-The Team

We Ain't Goin' to the Town/ We're Going to the City


I had dinner tonight with family friends from Italy who are staying here for the summer. It was so freaking good, eggplant parmesan and homemade foccacia and what-have-you. In the company of the Europeans I became really eager to go to Edinburgh and get started. It's been a bit agonizing lying here in wait, as if it would be better to just go now and skip the waiting and its inevitable anxiety. But I also felt a relief tonight, as if being in their company made me less anxious and more genuinely excited about it all. If I am fidgety now, it is for the wide-eyed wonder and anticipation more than it is the nervousness.

You may have noticed the Secret Crocodile Adventure Club icon over to the right. I'm assuming you know what we're all about. Right? As far as I can tell it's a club just for the sake of being an exclusive, mysterious, and completely awesome club. Other clubs I belong to (and so should you):

Loch Ness Monster Adventure Club - Finding Answers, Ignoring Facts

Club Sea Power - Features beer bar, beech leaf and amplified music (Brumaire CCXII)

Clubs that are even less real than the aforementioned, that I would belong to and so should you:

Calligraphy Club/Bombardment Society/Rushmore Beekeepers/Yankee Racers/Kite Flying Society/Max Fischer Players/Piper Club (4.5 hours logged) - "So tell me Curly, how do you know Miss Cross?" "We went to Harvard together." "Oh that's great. I wrote a hit play and directed it, so I'm not sweating it either."

Zissou Society (Blue Star Cadet) - "I think your Team Zissou ring might've caught me on the lip."

-Team Zissou

Where I'm At! (?)

In my ambivalence I can't think of something to write about coming home. It's impossible to summarize how I feel about being here concisely. I love most of all seeing my family. And my friends. I'm also unsettled because of the brevity of my stay and my impending departure and all I have to do in between then and now.

Does anyone read books? I feel like I need to read something right now, to make me feel like I have more time here, or at least to remind myself that I have plenty of time to relax. But what should I read?

I like the idea of reminding yourself. Small things you can do or think which keep you appreciative. There are always things to appreciate, things that should be appreciated, but of course they become obscured sometimes. Sometimes they aren't even relevant, they can just be moments that make you content whenever you're able to re-live them or revisit them mentally. There are more than I realize, and just that thought makes me happy.

And as far as real things go, I like what Fluxblog has to say about Death Cab for Cutie. "...like a contemporary literary fiction writer's conception of what a sincere indie pop band would sound like." Exactly.

-Science

Goodbye Davis!

Today is my last day in Davis for a while. Hopefully I will stop by in December and see people for a few days. I am glad I got to meet Heather before I go. We went to lunch and now I know that she is very sweet- she even got me a smoothie! So thanks to her for making the last day that much nicer. Except in my absentmindedness I dropped the half of the sandwich I was taking home, which was kind of sad.

If you feel like listening to what I'm listening to, then you should be listening to CocoRosie. It is like a girl TV On The Radio, but a little less machine-sludgy and more folky. Or it is not like that but I really can't describe it well. They have some pretty voices though. Go to Epitonic and download "Good Friday," which I think is their best.

See you in S.B.

-The Team

There's Something I have to Tell You

All the glory that the Lord has made/
And the complications when I see His face/
In the morning in the window./
All the glory when He took our place/
But He took my shoulders and He shook my face/
And He takes and He takes and He takes.

I like this because I don't understand it fully. Or maybe because I do. Times when I feel the weight on my shoulders, when things really seem to take from me. When things build up and I must bear through them, I think of this lyric and I am comforted. I don't know if this is what Sufjan meant, especially since the song is about the death of a friend. But it's most definitely open to interpretation, and I've likewise found something very important in it. The complications. How He takes. It's all very real sometimes and I am grateful to have something to relate to. To see how fortunate I am.

-The Team

Watch It

Video of the Sufjan Stevens show I attended in S.F. can be downloaded here (scroll down a few entries). Thanks to You Ain't No Picasso for that.

I took my physics final today early in the morning. Thank goodness that's over. I want to see that movie about penguins.

UPDATE: This is the show from the next day, same place. Doesn't matter though, because it's a little better.

UPDATE: British Sea Power is on the latest in Target's Odds Against 7even short film series. Where is Target going with this? Oh well, I love BSP!

-The Team

Music Videos

Cliptip is a music video blog, a novel idea indeed! I watched, among other things, M83's "Don't Save Us From The Flames" and realized that it really is Alex Greenwald of Phantom Planet in the video! Check it out.

I love M83. I love how the last album was very pastoral and natural, while the new one is very stylish and city-lights awesome. Check them out.

Thank you to Ken and Gary for making my last day at work happy and taking me out to lunch. All I do is go out to lunch! Because it's nice.

-The Team

Seismicity


I was sitting outside the M.U. with Keith, eating breakfast, when a very forward individual, who I at first figured to be one of those petition or club people, came up to me and introduced himself and sat right next to me. Turns out he was just a freshman-to-be at Summer Advising, and looking to make some fast friends. Like, really fast. He even got my number so we could hang out some time (I don't have the heart to decline things like that, even when they are so strange). And when he saw that it's an 805 area code number, he said that he was from the 805 also, specifically Santa Barbara, specifically Dos Pueblos High School. That's where I went. What a strange, strange coincidence.

I had a good work day too! I got to use the saw in the back of the building with Carrie and I found an old seismograph!! It would later turn out to be a data plotter, which I assume needs to be connected to an instrument in order to plot anything but a very straight line. Carrie and I had a really nice lunch and after that I rode that seismo/data plotter home. I plugged it in and saw that it didn't react to any movement, but it did draw a convincingly straight line.

Michael at Neighborhoodies said that it costs them $13 to stock Art Brut, and after that I needed no more convincing that buying it for $11.99 was a deal. You can, too, if it interests you. As you can see I'm wary of the plug...

-The Team

A Few Things


Neighborhoodies makes customizable clothing. It's terribly indie, and the ads are ubiquitous (indie kids pouting in shirts with the dumbest slogans and sayings- at least you can have them say whatever you want). But they have a music store where all cd's are $11.99 with free shipping. I think that's cool, especially since I can get Art Brut there cheaper than it would be at Armadillo, were it actually at Armadillo.

I wish I had a link to a transcript of Stephen A. Smith's long interview with the great Allen Iverson on his new show Quite Frankly. I could go on about how fascinating A.I. is and how unlike many other sports stars he is. He is great, and I'll leave it at that.

And finally, what is with this? I pressed that button on the top right of the Blogger pages that says Next Blog and this was the random blog it took me to. Does this guy profit from this at all? It's even dumber than spam mail, because nobody will find that site and those who do won't click an ad for "coke coupon diet spenda: detailed info on coke coupon diet splenda." At least it's funny.

-The Team is not cleaning his room very fast

No Artist - No Title



Work can be so frustrating. We sat there today for 45 minutes scratching our heads because the coordinate system of the samples we were measuring didn't match those of our magnetometer, so the data that came out wasn't corrected accordingly. And then the instructions for our very specialized machine were obviously wrong and of no help. So for almost an hour we attempted what seemed like the hardest math problem ever, and I was at the same time bored stiff and intrigued and impatient.

Nearly every day we get samples from SAFOD, process them and ship them back. They don't interest me. But we did get some samples from where the youngest T. Rex ever discovered was found. That was a little cooler, but they didn't tell us anything about the dinosaur's age like they had hoped. Despite the only passably interesting projects we're undertaking, work feels better and better as I take on more and more responsibility around the lab. Even the frustrations only add to the satisfaction in the long run, if only because I feel like I'm actually putting myself to use. Of course there are days which I feel are totally wasted being in the building all the time, but that's when the pay comes in.

Some people listen to songs before they come out and then rant and rave about them and make them easily available. I usually don't get into that, but in this case it's a song from a compilation, which really isn't the same as an album proper by an artist, and can be streamed freely anyways. I'm rationalizing of course, but compilations aren't quite statements like cohesive albums are, and usually consist of b-sides or covers or obscurities. And in this case, I'll buy the compilation anyways because it's got some great bands covering one of the best albums ever.

So the song's just okay. Haha, I guess that's what I get.

Finally, about fast food: Today I wasn't looking forward to my lunch break because I didn't bring anything from home (d'oh!) and knew that meant I had to get a sandwich from that damn Sub City place in the Silo. I hate the Silo, but it's close and the M.U. sandwich place isn't even open. So Sub City makes very bland sub sandwiches that cost a lot- they are the exact same ones as we made ourselves in the DC last year. To make things worse, the worker was singing to the customers, by which I mean she would take the entire order in song. So I decided I would break the habit and get Carl's Jr. I don't like eating fast food anymore, not only because it's not healthy etc. but because there are almost always better options. My love for sandwiches usually makes deciding against fast food an easy task anyways. But I got a burger and it was pretty sad. Can't say the same about the fries because my love of potatoes is very indiscriminant. It all made me remember some kids in class a while ago discussing the (de)merits of fast food, and coming to the conclusion that it is ONLY to be eaten while on car trips. That is too true. Something about long car rides or road trips makes it seem not only edible, but essential. Whether it's the cost or the familiarity or just the irresponsibility of getting the fattest burger possible, I don't know. But it's awesome.

-The Team