I'm trying to remember something interesting

but I really can't. I've got a lot of thoughts circling my little head, but don't want to jump the gun by blurting them out here, and the rest are just things that will be answered very soon anyhow...

Ah, yes, I remember, a conversation I had recently about the relationship between Kenya and I. No, this is not a lament, just a matter of fact; the question being, "If you two were together for so long, why didn't you get married?"

To understand where that question comes from you'd have to know that we were together for AGES(6 years). The simple answer is that she and I, always in conversation, agreed that we never would get married, that we didn't need it, and it wasn't necessary for our relationship to progress. It started out that we agreed that we weren't "forever." I always felt that she needed to be free and not settle down soon. That also applied to me, I never felt I was ready for that, and even if I was, I wouldn't have known.

After we'd agreed we weren't "forever," things just progressed as they might. We shared all the good things in a relationship and very few of the bad. I guess in that progression "forever" for me became marriage, and for her... well, honestly it never, ever, came up or I never heard it from her.

A long time later, and some of my own mistakes, looking back I can say we got into a rut and neither of us had the time to do anything about it. We both were back in school, me finishing my degree and her part way through, both working. We rarely saw each other, I had little time for anything and when I did I wasn't the most pleasant, always having things on my mind... Communication broke down and ultimately I was so focused on school I didn't see breakdowns in our relationship. I still had faith we didn't need marriage, faith in our relationship, and I'm sure she believed I'd be reluctant to marry or engage since we'd always agreed that we weren't "forever."

All in all, it just never really came up as a serious conversation and by the time it probably should of, we were both beyond anything like that.

Now I'm just beyond.

Saw some Art in Seattle

There weren't any specific exhibits that I liked, but I did identify a few peices that I really liked.
Leaves, by Gloria Petyarre
Jessica Penn in Black With White Plumes, by Robert Henri

And, strangely I really was drawn to Remington; specifically, Outlaw by Frederic Remington

Here's something I've really been considering.

It's often said 'patience is a virtue,' and I think I'm a pretty patient person.  What I'm wondering about lately is, what am I being patient for?  What is so virtuous that my patience is warranted?  I don't have anything particular in mind, just in general what and why am I waiting?  Am I missing something while I'm being patient?  Just a thought really...

Seattle's nice in the sunlight.

For the longest time I've never been a real fan of Seattle.  I always get strange looks from people when I reveal that, but honestly it's just never held that much appeal to me.  This is not to say that I'd ever turn down an opportunity to go to Seattle, see the sights, etc etc...  I've just never had the same feeling for Seattle that I do for anywhere else I've had the chance to go; call is "wanderloathe" maybe.  

Recently I've had to be up in Seattle often, unfortunately I've had to be inside most of that time, but I have to admit it's growing on me a bit.  No, I don't think I'll ever find it terribly endearing...  I've been fortunate enough to see it often enough on sunny days that it makes it much more appealing;  Also, I've had the fortune to spend some time with a good friend of mine Allan.  He had to work often, but getting the chance to see the cit from his point of view is certainly better than being a total stranger... 

Guess who's coming to town

A little surprise for me and a huge surprise that she's actually going to stop in the Tri-Cities for a gig. The one and only 'My Brightest Diamond' An excellent artist out of Brooklyn, if I recall correctly. I was introduce to her music I think a year or two ago for the "Day Trotter Sessions," and was really impressed with her voice. I'm anxious to see her live and looking forward to the show; 11/17, The Red Room, 8pm, 711 Vineyard.

Hopefully I'll have my health enough to go!

Figured I better get something up here.

Got a new CD in the mail today, all the way from AUS(OZ). Been waiting a bit for it and was concerned it might get lost in the move, but it came!!! The Bang Gang, D is for Disco, E is for Dancing, a follow up to their Light Sound Dance double from what seems like only a few months ago, but I guess it was more like a year. It's another jam packed discoey dancey hand clappy thing as they do best. Being for AUS they feature several nods to Australian artists and songs, which are of fine with me since I seem to be picking up a fair share of artists from there. Stand outs are the always pleasant Fred Falke; so synthy Cut Copy; and some new noise from TMVR!!!

That's it, not much going on else...

Something that makes me smile

The accessibility of Drum and Bass and it's producers. Now, I'll be the first to admit that Dn'B isn't the most lovable music out there, but I can think of a lot worse. Never-the-less, I fell in love with the music many years back, as in over 13; wow, it's really been that long! That's probably the longest most consistent thing I've got, and these day's it's been much less significant to me; getting old I guess? I digress, one thing I've always appreciated about it is how easily I've been able to get in contact with the producers of songs that I really like. Not all the time, but more so than not. It's really a close knit group that significantly utilizes the internet for all facets of the genre; the subculture surounding it onto production across borders and oceans and naturally distributiona nd promotion. I'm smiling now because I got a responce from a producer about one of his songs I've heard demos of recently, 'Cloudspotter', by Simon V. Thankfully this song will see release soon on the "'Ambassadors 4' compilation, coming out early next year on www.santorin.de!" Yay for transparency and Thanks for the good song. Hear a sample.

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Now playing: Cloudspotter
via FoxyTunes

Beaming joy.

As in that beaming smile when you are so proud of yourself, or having so much fun, or so in to what ever you're doing. Am I getting old, or has it just been forever since I've seen that? Until recently... When I was introduced, and by introduced I mean watched some video's/heard some songs, to the two man band, Matt & Kim. I haven't really tried to determine if they're a couple, but it sure seems that way. When they are playing their music, all I can focus on is how beaming her smile is as she beats on those drums. It's so refreshing to see this person up on stage playing their heart out and loving every minute of it, so much that they just can't contain themselves! I can't really tell if he smiling since he's got a microphone in from of his face, but I'm starting to think maybe so? Either way, it's just cool to see someone that happy about what they're doing, and it's infectious; now to find some more!

An old item from way back

So I was rummaging through some of my old things today, kind of throwing things out, kind or organizing, etc etc when I cam across a little"ticket" from ages ago. It was when I was 19 or so, the first night I met Tera, if recollection serves me. The circumstances of that part of my life mean that this was some sort of clandestine engagement in a dark building in Spokane, which housed a party. This was one of the more memorable ones because the location was really interesting, the lighting was simple and effective, and there was an interesting theme to the party. At the entrance to the party, at the back of this old brick building, and beyond the "coat check," was a gift alter with little knick-knacks and doo-dad's that you could take. Strewn across it also were these little tickets; the subject of this post. I didn't want to take anything big and grabbed one of the tickets without looking at it. On the ticket in bold print were four phrases which I have always felt related to me in some weird, some would call it karma, way. So, I happened upon this ticket and here I post these four phrases; I'll leave it to my friends to let me know if it really relates or I'm just being fanciful:

a night in june
a pleasant smile
a short-cut
a long vacation

There you have it, just as it was printed. Bonus points for anyone who knows the name of the game this ticket belongs to; the back of the ticket has a marching bugler type character with a suitcase that has the words "Russell Games" written on it? Super mega bonus points for anyone who was there and recognizes anything I've described or can name that party? Building details are that at the time it was used for Paint balling and the walls were painted black!!!

I threw it away.

Running (ACTUALLY)Saved My Life

I swear this, and I will do everything in my power to keep running as long as I live. The story is simply this; I was training for a marathon, running often and at most opportunities. I ran with my pack so I could go play ULTY, a running game. Then I'd run home. I ran miles and miles, I ran into injury and was pissed with the downtime. I ran and I ran, then I ran some more. Occasionally I'd get sore and think I'd pulled something, so I'd rest. This usually relieved the pain, but after a while the pain didn't go away as quickly as I was used to(overnight). At this point I did something about it. Started seeing doctors etc etc. If it wasn't for my diligent running, the pain I was noticing might never have been noticed as soon nor treated with such urgency and could have become a much more serious condition. Thanks to running, we caught it early and I'm thankful for that. Here's that story; http://adamsbulletinboard.blogspot.com/

Kate Bush is saving my life

I swear it. For the past dew days I've been listening to Kate Bush and it is really impressing me how much I enjoy her music. I remember her 80's hit "Cloudbusting," from various 80's compilations I've received. I've liked the song, not blown away by it, but found it pleasant. Anyhow, I was recently reading a blog in which one of the contributors dared another to perform The Sensual World at karaoke. Although an inside joke, I was really taken with the song; somekind of sensuality I'm trying to find in myself again, I guess. So the song really impressed me and I went out and got a bunch more of Kate Bush's music, watching videos etc etc. I know she's not the next big thing, but I have to say I'm really impressed with her music, her artistry and work in general. She is a unique artist and shouldn't be overlooked.

Best live performance picture I've seen.

Although I'm a fan boy of Crystal Castles, you can't dismiss the fact that this has to be the coolest photos of a live performance.


-- Alice Glass of Crystal Casltes. -Credit to

Fraser C

The short list

I made a short list of things I'd like to get done before to long. Updated 12/09

To Go:
Gold Coast, Australia - visit my cuz' there
Ireland - must do a biking tour of the whole dang thing.
6 month tour of Europe - backpacks and hostels
Mongol Rally!!!
Exuma Cays - Kayaking

To Do:
B.A.S.E. Jump
Learn a musical instrument
Learn a new language

To See:
U2 - I got my tickets!!!

Soulwax - this is noisey, you've been warned.

NEVEREVERLAND

My first surgery, woo woo! (Adenopathy)

I went in for surgery for the first time in my life a bit ago. I was very excited, not nervous but anxious, for it as it was my first. I don't live far for the surgery center, so I walked down. I arrived and checked in. I was in the waiting room for not long at all, and a nurse came and escorted me back to a room for pre-op. I stripped down and put on my gown with the little stockings that they have you get in. The nurse started me on an IV of electrolytes/saline, and took my temperature and general bio-info. The first doctor to see me was my anesthesiologist; she was a nice woman who looked extremely familiar to me, but I couldn't place her. I think she just has one of those faces that is common, in a good way. While I was speaking with the anesthesiologist, telling her I wanted local anesthesia only, my surgeon came in and marked on me where he wanted the incision. After that the surgical nurse came and wheeled me into the operating room. There, I was helped onto the operating table and covered with some sheets. After a bit the anesthesiologist began to administer the local and then the surgeon began. After a little bit I began to feel a bit of what seemed to be slicing, which I mentioned. After that, I didn't feel anything else. The anesthesiologist was at my head, and kept speaking to me which was nice. She told me when it was out and I asked if I could see it. A little later, they showed it to me and I was surprised how big it was. It wasn't long and they said I was all done and they began having me get up and out, back to the pre-op waiting area. I sat there a while with the nurse and the anesthesiologist. They left what they took out of me, and I grabbed it and tried to get a better look at it. The nurse asked if I wanted my sister, and I said if she wanted to come back it'd be fine. After that, we waited a bit until they said I could go, and they wheeled me out to my sister in her truck.

Overall this was a really pleasant experience, I'm healing well, and I have no predjudice against seeing the doctor in the future. I await my biopsy results...

My 9/11 Memorial

I honestly don't think much about it, but, I do remember a time I'd been there, which I'm thankful for.

It was 99/00, New Year's time; Kenya and I had gone to New York for it. This was, I think, her first time out east; mine too. I'd wanted to go to New York for a long time, and New Year's always meant a lot to me, so it was perfect. Kenya was always up for travel. As it happened the World Trade Center was one of the sites I was keen to visit. I had no idea what I was in for, I just knew it was in New York... We took the subway, everywhere and, down to the World Trade Center. We exited the train and to our equal surprise, even dismay, we entered a mall that was located under the World Trade Center. I don't think either of us could believe it, and we were a little bit taken aback by the existence of a mall beneath the World Trade Center, it was just so tacky, so American. We made our way up to the ground levels of the World Trade Center, coming up an escalator into the North Tower, I believe. We started walking around and, noticing a huge line, we weren't sure what it was for. We walked up to a gentleman working at the elevator and quizzed him about what was going on:

"What's the line for?"

Going up to the observation deck, sir.

"Oh, How long does that take?"

4 Hours, sir.

"How can we get up there right away?"

There is a half hour wait for a table at the restaurant, sir.

"Can we get a reservation?"

Black shoes and tie required sir.

"Oh, ok thanks!"

And with that we walked away and continued to explore the grounds of the World Trade Center and take it in. I did get to see it, to gaze up from the ground as it reached to the sky, to admire the unique architecture. I was disappointed that we didn't get to go up to the top, but I was glad we were together in New York; it was such a mild winter and we saw so much of the city.

When we went back to New York for 00/01, we didn't even bother with the World Trade Center, just kept to ourselves a bit, it was such a cold winter, it was so fun to see New York in a white out... It was that morning of 9/11/01 when Kenya's mother called us, telling us to turn on the television. We were both getting ready for work and found this request rather odd and tedious, but I turned it on and couldn't believe my eyes, thought it was a hoax, but never once felt fear. I was angered that Kenya and I hadn't made it up to the top of those buildings, was disappointed. It wasn't until they came crashing down that I really felt more glad that we had actually been there.

When I reflect on it now, I'm very glad we actually saw the World Trade Center, were among the towers, and have that experience. I would only change my reaction to being told, "black tie and shoes;" I'd have gone back down to that mall and we could have bought nice new clothes, just so we could have lunch up there...I always think like that now, just do what it takes to get the most out of any moment, make the moment, because it's the only thing for sure.

Memory Re-Enactment 1

This is a memory about 7 or 8 years old. Special thanks to Terry and Kenya(yes, really) for adding to the story details. Names changed to protect the innocent.

It was the weekend, date I can't confirm. My buddy Terry was down from Spokane for a party, I was with Kenya at the time. Evening started typically, Terry's friend was throwing a party at the tunnel; an old railroad tunnel under the interstate near the Washington/Oregon border. Vodka and Gatorade were involved. The genius behind this was myself, believing it to be better than mixing it with anything else...could have been wrong there? We mixed the drinks in the Jack in the Box parking lot on 395. Terry had some rum and mixed that with soda he bought at Jack in the Box. I don't know if I drank on the drive down there, but I doubt it. We made the drive, I drove. It was dark, it was warm, we got there and Terry and I started drinking.

There were a few people there already, a lot of cars lined the road and we had to park a ways back. Terry and I took our Gatorade bottles mixed with vodka and walked up to the tunnel.

Halfway down the tunnel, a table was set up with speakers and turntables. There was a generator out the back of the tunnel. Quite a few people were in the tunnel, lingering about, or on their way. Kenya arrived later with some friends and we met up later. We walked into the tunnel; since Terry was going to be playing, I brought my records just in case. The acoustics in the tunnel were horrible, “like playing in a ventilator shaft.”
It was going to be a while before Terry got to play, so we went on exploring the area; there was another cave further down the road.

Kenya and I walked on down the road, out the tunnel, into the cool night air.

It was a beautiful summer night and we were up for "adventure." It was only a short distance to the next cave and we all walked there. Terry hung back because he’s more social than I am, and was talking to a lot of his friends. I was hesitant to go into the dark cave without any light, it was so dark and the cave seemed so vast.

We continued inside, and the cave seemed so huge, almost like there was a cavern inside. We caught up with a few people in the cave and tried to look around a bit, then continued on.

Because it was night, the cave seemed to go on and on, but it finally did come out and all we could hear was other people talking and the river water. Terry came through a bit later, walking through the second cave, telling the girls that were with him to hold him because he was scared, which was some bullshit he made up so women would touch him in the dark and he didn't have to pay for it.

We all headed down closer to the water and while Kenya went with some friends to a rock formation that was jutting out into the river, I began speaking with a couple of guys who wanted to go up on the cliffs. They seemed like nice guys and together we went up a steep trail to the cliff above.

The hike seemed pretty short. We got up there and were looking around. I've always been afraid of heights, and I wasn't anxious to step so close to the edge. We rummaged around up on the cliff for a while until someone got the bright idea to start throwing rocks into the river; probably me. I loved this idea and began merrily chucking rocks off the cliff and shouting "boom sha-la," “oh gosh!” and other classic Jungle MC phrases. Terry was down below with Brittany and a few other people when I was up above chucking rocks, screaming. Kenya was still with people out on the rock outcropping as some of these rocks seem to have come very near to hitting them.

This went on for several minutes until I heard Kenya screaming my name as she stormed up to the cliff, "Adam, what the hell are you doing?" "There are people down there, you could've hit someone!" Not to be misunderstood I tried to point out, “I’m not throwing the rocks at the people, I’m throwing them to the water.” This didn’t help my case and she was very angry with me; read me the riot act as she marched us all down the slope back the tunnel.

It was a gentle slope back to the tunnel and was traversed with ease, even in my condition. We walked under the power lines and could hear the loud hum from overhead.

When we got back to the tunnel Terry was up to play, he played for a while and then let me play for a bit. I really messed it up because I was not at all sober, and the acoustics mentioned earlier, but I had fun. Later, I went to the car and passed out for a long while. I awoke when the police came and broke the party up, sending everyone home, stating that they could see our lights from across the river and that it was a dumb place to have a party because of that. Terry must have left earlier with someone else because he only remembers me telling him about the cops, and I know it was late because a lot of people had already left and there were a lot less cars on that little road.

My first skydive

I remember about 4 years ago, my girlfriend at the time had wanted to go skydiving. I was always concerned about the cost, but we DID go. I had always been trying very hard to find things that she and I could do together. We had a lot in common, did many things together, but I was keen to keep things interesting between us and do many different things together. With that intention, I got really into the idea of getting certified to skydive and even bought the SIM manual to study and train for certification so we could jump without assistance. That wasn't quite what she had in mind, but she sure wanted to skydive.

We finally made arrangements to dive that summer. The day finally came around and it was a beautiful clear sunny day, like so many of them are around here. We met with her friend and some family at the airport and then went through a brief training video. Then, it was out to the plane. The plane could only take 4 people at a time, and since we were required to jump tandem we had to split up between either me and my girlfriend, or she and her friend. Pleasantly my girlfriend stuck with me and after we watched her friend dive it was finally our turn. We put on our jump suits and packed into a plane you WOULD want to jump out of, with 2 dive instructors who would be our tandem jumpers. She was with the tall guy, I was with the round guy. The plane took off and it seemed like it took forever to get us into the sky. On the flight up we could see all kinds of things; my house, her house, LIGO, Hanford reach, all of the cities etc etc. It was a really cool view. The way we were loaded into the plane made it such that she would jump first and I would jump second. It went just like that; she jumped, with her tandem jumper, and they were gone, gravity works, then it was my turn. My tandem jumper and I moved to the edge of the plane and I sat out, looking down for my girlfriend/her jumper. Immediately I felt sick because I couldn't see them, the next thing I hear, "keep your eyes open, I'm going to flip you." And then we were gone. I kept my eyes open, watched as the plane seemed to just lazily drift away, and then I was looking at the ground again, and looking and looking. It really felt like a long time; I was able to look around, notice a few things and take in that you actually get to freefall for a fair amount of time. I finally saw my girlfriends shoot, and felt a lot better; by the time I was taking that in he pulled the shoot and we began the float down to the landing pad. My tandem jumper gave me the cords to steer for a while, but my arms began to cramp up and he took them back and we slowly made so arcs as we came into the landing zone. We landed and all was well, but when people came up to me they said I looked sick.

I told them all that I was just afraid of heights, but that was never the whole truth. Yes, I was/am afraid of heights, but what really got me so sick was when, looking off the edge of that plane, looking for my girlfriend, looking for her shoot, and not seeing any sign of them; all the horrible thoughts that I had, that I had lost her, that she had died, that I'd never see her again, witnessing something that horrible, it all scared me so sick, but I could never and never did tell her...

Now, I'm suddenly interested in diving again and I just may have to pursue that if I get any time.

How would you spend your time?

This question was emailed to me by a friend at work:
Living in a realm where anything is possible, if you were now living in the big city of your choice (NY, London, Dublin, etc.) and you earned enough money where your bill were paid with extra spending money, what kind of activities would you be doing? How would you spend your time?

My answer:

Sorry, this is all kinds of scatter brain.

Ok, well, I’d definitely try to get a lot of culture, ie theatre and the arts. I really do enjoy being active, so that would be a big part of my life. I realize I gravitate toward more counter culture activities, so I’d do things like that, but I’m also interested in traditional sports so I’d like to do those. In addition to theatre and arts I’d go to sporting events, but mostly with friends as a social activity. Music of course is a given, I’d try to stay as on top of music as I do now and go to shows, but still remain selective and not just go for the sake of going, as in, I like the Rolling stones, but I don’t need to see them. I would travel for any of the activities mentioned above. I would celebrate birthdays in grand style. I would drive fast all the time, not reckless, but you know. I guess I would really try to be a “renaissance man,” and try my best at many things, concentrating on a few. Being a gentleman is important to me so I’d do my best at that. Ultimately I’d be at home as little as possible but have as much fun as possible. Along the travel lines, I’d definitely try to do epic type of trips, like snowboard vacations to Russia, scuba in the Caribbean, etc etc.

This all makes me think about a phrase that’s been circling my head for ages now: “everything, all the time” as in I’d like to do everything all the time, but it’d best be stated as “anything, anytime.” This is of course within certain constraints, I’d don’t want to engage in anything base or morose. I also wrote a blog about how I want to do many things but not get mired down in all the politics/lifestyle that seems to come with them, and that is speaking to me now, as in I’d want to do many of these things, but don’t want to make it a constant. If that makes sense.

Google apps is super

I've been geeking out for the past couple of days on google apps. I'd been threatening to put some pictures on Picasa for sometime... I finally followed through, it's easy and seems secure also. I only posted one album of my roommate Jon, friend Mark, and I hiking the Multnomah Falls area. It was one wet trip; had been totally clear on the drive down there and as soon as we got there it started raining...for the whole hike. The other cool goggle app I've been impressed with is reader. All I can say is, 'slick!" I never realized, 1. how much stuff I read on the interwebz, 2. how much other stuff I want to read. I'm such a consumer of information. I subscribed to my friends blogs, several music blogs, and several news sites esp New York related(call me crazy). Now if Google can just come up with a calorie calculator, workout tracker, food journal, and etc etc... Maybe I'll send them a note

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Now playing: Girl Talk - Feed the Animals
via FoxyTunes

Another reply to my neice...

eeek, so you had to ask didn't you!?!?! Well, lets keep it honest here... Running is in sad shape. I've not been able to get back into the groove since my injury in May. Yes, May. I've just found too many diversions and excuses, and constantly threatening to get back into it... I haven't forgone fitness or anything, just been biking more than anything.(I love my new bike, it's a speed thing...) I'll just be getting back into my normal schedule which had me up to 9's/13's when I was injured. We should do some runs together for sure, when you're here, we'll all go, the whole ollython and then some, eh? No idea if Grandma will do it, but that could be interesting...She's pretty tough! Don't know about your parents either, the more I read the more I'm thinking it'd be good to have people available at certain points to, yes, cheer us on, but also provide various snacks that we've trained on and know will contribute to our success...you know? Times haven't been to bad I'd say, but I definitely need to step it up to get to Boston. My short track is really decent in my opinion, but I'm still shooting for faster. I turned in a sub 6' over 2 miles, so I'm pleased, but need to go a lot longer to make it count. We can do this, all of us! I just need to quit loafing. Enjoy your adventure there, I brag about it and I know your dad does too!
XOXO
Adam.
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Now playing: Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel - Make Me Smile
via FoxyTunes