I’m not having much luck in my first choice of “things to do after I’m done at Canterbury.” The craigslist job board for Santa Rosa isn’t providing many opportunities to apply for jobs. So I’m left with also figuring out what Plan B really is. Do I stay in Los Angeles, which often sucks away my will, and is so expensive, just because its the easiest option. Do I look to move back to Oregon, even though I have no idea on how I’d pay to move my stuff back up there? Is there some other place I should think about going?
Really, like Ray sings above, the whole process has left me feeling kind of empty. Change is coming and I need to work on making sure its good. As one of my friends pointed out last weekend in Salt Lake…I sure thought I’d have more things figured out by the time I was this age than I do.
Thanks to the kind folks at Losanjealous, I was able to see The Avett Brothers last night at the El Rey Theatre. It was my first time seeing them, as the couple times I had planned to see them in Portland, it ended up falling through. The brothers were full of energy, which was good for me as I had just returned from Salt Lake City, and was a little tired. It was my first time seeing a show at The El Rey, and its a pretty cool venue. Anyway, if you like bluegrass/alt-country, check out The Avett Brothers, they are great live.
Here is a clip from their show Saturday night in Solana Beach, CA (there weren’t any on youtube from the the LA show yet):
The owner of the coffee shop I frequent (Cafe Corsa on Figueroa & 23rd), gets to test ride this on Sunday:
Yes, that is the new 2008 Ducati 848 Superbike, which is technically not for sale yet (he’s riding a demo unit). Probably a little bit too much bike for my virgin motorcycle dreams…but still so pretty.
Granted, I don’t watch a whole lot of non-Sports related television anymore, but the writers strike is going to really damage television as we know it. Without the ability to produce new episodes of the standard dramas and sitcoms, the networks are resorting to filling the schedule with new reality tv shows. The sad thing is, even these they are managing to do poorly.
Sunday night on NBC saw the return of American Gladiators. Originally run as a syndicated show from 1989-96, it has been “revived” for prime time viewing. The basic premise is that two contenders compete against each other in a series of challenges that test physical strength and stamina. Complicating this competition, is each event has “Gladiators” that they must face. These gladiators are basically pro or amateur bodybuilders (or in the case of the men ex-football players).
Out of morbid curiosity, I watched Sunday’s special two-hour premier. Having watched some of the original run, I was curious to see how it would be updated for the 21st Century. In probably a good move by the producers, not much had changed. There was perhaps more safety equipment, but the basic format and challenges hadn’t changed much. What was sad, is that the production seemed to me to be worse in this new version. At least in the first episode of the night, the editing seemed to be pretty shoddy and rushed. Plus one contestant and one gladiator were injured. Not a good way to start off a new show. The second episode of the night did seem to improve a little in the editing department, however it still seems a bit rushed. The transitions between show and commercials could also be improved.
I will not be watching tonights episode (in its normally scheduled time). If the writers strike carries on much longer, I feel that it will definitely be a major blow to the networks. Will even the people that like reality tv finally get sick of it all? I know I am, and I barely watch tv as it is. What will I watch tonight (Besides the BCS Championship Game)? The Daily Show and Colbert Report’s return to the air without writers.
Last year, my friend Elizabeth and I set out to read a book a week (or the equivalent by the end of the year). The first half of the year, I was doing pretty good, however, with the move to L.A. things slowed down significantly during the second half of the year. My final total for 2007 was 30 books. (The list is here). Elizabeth ended up making it to 52 (Her list is here).
Since I didn’t make it to last years goal, I’m starting anew with my 2008 project. My goal is to at least improve on last years total, while still striving to attain the book a week goal.
To start of this year’s project the following books are on the nightstand queue: The Audacity of Hope by Barak Obama How We Are Hungry by Dave Eggers You Shall Know Our Velocity by Dave Eggers Hocus Pocus by Kurt Vonnegut Sacred Games by Vikram Chandra Getting Things Done by David Allen (re-read) What’s Your Poo Telling You? by Josh Richman & Anish Sheth, M.D. (a gift from Elizabeth) The Secret Lives of Men and Women: A Postsecret Book compiled by Frank Warren
That should get me the first few month’s at least.
I’ve also got a few books in mind that I plan to read this year: Tree of Smoke by Denis Johnson The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco The Chronicles of Narnia Series by C.S. Lewis (Yes I know its a crime that I’ve not read these yet) People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
Inspired by this list, I’ve decided to keep a list of books I’ve read in 2007. I’ll more than likely be doing less individual reviews and just updating this list as I finish books. Anyway…enough of the rambling explanations, on to the list.
Last book finished:
30. Atonement by Ian McEwan. (Finished 12 Dec 07)
See the Complete List below the cut (its starting to get long):
I’ve got such great friends and family. Elizabeth saw the above artwork at Stumptown (one of my old haunts in Portland), so she emailed my family and a bunch of my friends and they all chipped in and got it for me.
