Stuff

When I got home from work today, I looked in the mirror and finally saw someone who looked well. I thought I'd celebrate feeling well by capturing it in a photo.

I've tried to take more self-portraits of late, or simply be in photos more frequently. For so long, I've been behind the camera, which I prefer. But I look through albums or photos on my computer and realize how infrequently I appear in them. I have so many photos of my travels, or just everyday events, and I'm almost nowhere to be seen. I almost feel self-indulgent or vain when taking a self-portrait or asking someone to photograph me, but I really just want to document the changes that take place with me and those around me as the years pass. I want to be able to look at old photos with my kids one day and have them ask, "That's you? What happened?!"

Maybe I'm thinking of this stuff because of my impending birthday. After 30, you get to where you almost want people to forget it's your birthday. Of course, I'm sort of contradicting myself by mentioning it here. Good job.

Switching gears...President Bush gave his annual State of the Union speech earlier this evening. Nothing he said was too unexpected. I guess his saying that the U.S. is "addicted to oil" and that we need to depend more on alternative fuels in the coming years was a bit surprising. He wants to us to be completely free of foreign oil dependency by 2025, which is a good start, but I think 2015 (or sooner) would be a better goal. It would be so beneficial to us enviromentally and politically if we could eliminate the need for fossil fuels and say "screw you" to the Arabs. We have the technology; we've had it for years. Time to make it happen. If we can send a rocket to Pluto, we can utilize alternative fuels.

In light of the political atmosphere of the day, I'll end this entry with an old adage, which I understand is sometimes attributed to Winston Churchill:

If you're a conservative at twenty, you have no heart. If you're a liberal at forty, you have no brain.

Finally Getting Better

Today was my first full day at work in over a week. I'm finally feeling well enough and have enough of my voice back to handle an entire work day. I started feeling sick on Tuesday of last week, and one week later, I was feeling bad enough to give in and go to the doctor for antibiotics. I usually try to ride out a cold or flu without medications, but I'd had enough and it was time to address the problem. I was given a "new" antibiotic called Azithromycin, which I started taking 2 days ago. I guess it's kicked in, but I was already feeling a little better by the time I started it and I've noticed no dramatic improvement. Anyway, it will only work if I have a bacterial infection- if it's a virus, it won't do anything. At least I'm doing something. I'm hoping I'll feel almost completely better by Monday.

Although I've felt really lousy over the last week, I did enjoy the opportunity to have some extra time at home. Having free time to enjoy life outside of work is so important. I'm thinking of what I can do in the future which would allow me to have that priceless free time I value so much. Teaching is something I always have in the back of my mind as an option, but I would most likely have to go back to school for either a credential or a master's degree, depending on what level of education I'd like to be involved in. I've considered freelance design or photography gigs as side jobs, which I've done on occasion, but I think I'd like something a little more steady. There are a couple of other ideas I've kicked around, but I need to make some decisions about what else, if anything, I'd like to pursue.

On a different topic, I sometimes think of adding regular "features" to this blog, like "CD of the Week" or "Web Site of the Week". But, I'd rather keep this blog less structured and more spontaneous than that. If I have a CD I'd like to review, or I find a cool web site, I'll just post it when I'm compelled to.

I'll start with a CD. Once in awhile, I'd like to discuss a CD that I recommend- perhaps an album that went under the radar, or some forgotten classic, or simply an underrated little gem that deserves some praise. And although it won't be a weekly occurrence, CD of the Week has a nice ring to it. So, without futher delay...

CD OF THE WEEK

Long Gone Before Daylight
The Cardigans

I got into The Cardigans in late 1998/early 1999 with their album Gran Turismo. A five-piece band from Sweden, The Cardigans had been putting out sugary pop for 3-4 years by that point, mostly stuff you'd hear on KROQ or 91X here in SoCal. "Lovefool"- a cute, syrupy little number- was probably their most recognized song up to this point, and it seems the band was hugely popular in Japan for whatever reason. Most of their stuff was sweet, disciplined, fun yet respectable, happy guitar pop.

With the release of Gran Turismo and it's single "My Favourite Game", a super-catchy, riffy little tune, I checked them out live at the Glass House in Pomona (a great venue). The show was excellent, and lead singer Nina Persson had an impressive stage presence to go along with that beautiful voice of hers. I bought the album, which was a little darker and serious than previous efforts, and it was an instant regular in my CD player.

For five years, that was the last I'd heard of the group. I found out they had released an album in Europe in 2003, but it had not been released in the U.S. until March 2004. That album is Long Gone Before Daylight, of which I learned as of only about 6 months ago. I asked for it for Christmas (thanks, Miles) and it's the best album I've heard since Coldplay's A Rush of Blood to the Head from 2002. The album exudes warmth and maturity, with simple yet often poignant lyrics. Warm, melodic and understated guitar work abounds, along with smart bass, restrained drumming and subtle keyboard work. But the star of the album is Nina Persson's beautiful, rich and womanly voice. You can hear the experience and wisdom in her mature tones, and the band provides just the right backdrop for her in almost every song. The album is mostly quiet, often slow and sometimes melancholic. This is not the pop fare the band served up in the mid-90s; this is a reflective showcase of their growth as musicians and people. Each song is very good to excellent, the last song "For the Boys" being somewhat of an exception (it was an add-on for the U.S. release and doesn't quite fit with the rest of the album).

I've played this album almost daily since I got it. The band has since released Super Extra Gravity, which is still available only as an import. I picked it up yesterday based on the strength of Long Gone, but I'm sorry to say it's somewhat disappointing. Stick with Long Gone Before Daylight- needless to say I highly recommend it.

Key tracks: "Communication", "You're the Storm", "Live and Learn".

Disappointment

Well, number 7 won another AFC title in Denver today. However, it wasn't the Broncos old number 7- it was Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger, who ironically wears that number to honor his idol John Elway. The Steelers beat the Broncos 34-17 to earn a spot in Super Bowl XL (40).

Pittsburgh came out strong from the start, and also got a few breaks. Jake Plummer had 4 turnovers today- 2 pathetic picks and 2 fumbles. The Broncos had 5 turnovers at home all year before today. You can't win when you give the ball up 4 times. Denver did claw back into the game to make it interesting at one point, but it was basically over when Plummer threw the pick that gave Pittsburgh a 24-3 halftime lead.

Plummer had his best season as a pro (his ninth in the league, third year in Denver), but faltered (again) in the playoffs. He didn't play particularly well in the win against the Patriots last week, and he played poorly today. Although I like his style of play (good scrambler, throws great on the run, highly competitive), he's not a good pocket passer, and makes too many bonehead mistakes when he's being pressured. It's hard to say they should unload him, but I think they should start thinking about an alternative at QB.

Anyway, the Steelers are the better team and they showed it today. I'd like to see them win it all now.

Aside from the crappy game, I'm still sick and literally cannot speak. I lost my voice on Friday, and it has yet to return. I hope it's back by tomorrow morning, and that I'm feeling well enough to work.

Well, it's was only a game...and it's only a cold. In staying positive, I'll end with a quote from one of my favorite presidents, Abraham Lincoln:

We are as happy as we decide to be.

A Busy Week

The past week has been a busy one. Brenda arrived at LAX Friday night, and she stayed until Wednesday. During her stay, were able to reconnect and talk at length about the future, and I think we have a greater understanding of just what our wants and needs are. There are still some issues to resolve and some questions to answer, but it was a good start.

On Saturday evening, we went to visit my parents for dinner and the Broncos-Patriots divisional playoff game. Dinner was good- Mom's stew and home made "Annual" Bread. Annual Bread is a family favorite, but it's made so infrequently that it's referred to by that name. It's practically an event in itself.

As far as the game went, the Broncos took advantage of many New England mistakes and beat the champs 27-13. Needless to say I am pretty happy about that, as it puts the Broncos in the AFC Championship Game. Sunday would decide Denver's opponent, and in wild rollercoaster of a game, the Steelers upset the Colts at Indianapolis. As far as I'm concerned, those two games couldn't have gone much better. Had the Colts won, Denver would have had to play them at Indy, where they've struggled greatly over the last few years. Pittsburgh's win puts the title game in Denver, where it belongs! The Steelers are an excellent team, with a lot of impressive offensive and defensive weapons. However, I'm optimistic, and I know Denver can beat them. It's going to be a very tough game, and Pittsburgh is definitely capable of pulling off the win. But seeing as the Super Bowl is the day after my birthday this year, it would be a nice gift to have the Broncos playing on Super Sunday. Go Broncos!

Brenda and I hung out at Belmont Shore on Sunday afternoon, checking out the shops, people, and the beautiful canals and homes in Naples. We had dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, a Middle Eastern place called Open Sesame. The food is great, and the atmosphere is really cool. It's a busy place with a lot of interesting customers.

Monday was a nice day off- we just went to Irvine Spectrum for a red bean and boba slush at the Tea Station, and to people-watch. That evening, we watched Sideways, one of my favorite movies, which Brenda really liked.

Tuesday morning I awoke for work, feeling a cold coming on. Since then, it's gotten worse- sore throat, congestion, headache. And as I write this, I basically have no voice. I stayed home from work on Wednesday, went home early yesterday, and I'm staying home today. This cold is a nice little gift Brenda brought with her from Mexico. Gracias, chica! Anyway, Tuesday night we celebrated my parents' birthdays with Miles and Lisa at Lascari's in Whittier. It was fun and it was nice to see everyone, but I was a little out of it with my cold.

I took Brenda to LAX on Wednesday evening, and she made it home safely. We tentatively planned on her coming back for my birthday and the Super Bowl, but we have a few more things to discuss before committing to that. We'll see...

A final note- I've been more interested lately in proverbs and quotations, which can often be simple yet so profound. I found this one by a guy named G.K. Chesterton to be interesting, though it should be taken with a grain of salt:

Tolerance is the virtue of a man without convictions.

Until next time, a few photos...


Mom's Annual Bread




Silliness in Belmont Shore


A nice Karmann Ghia, Belmont Shore


Mussels on the shoreline


Apartment building and dock, Naples

Filler

This little entry is an attempt to pacify the masses while I prepare photos for a Year in Photos entry I'm hoping to post soon. I didn't realize how many photos I have that still need to be adjusted. I've been going through hundreds of digital pics. I enjoy it, but it's time consuming. It's getting a bit late for a 2005 review; I wish I had done it 2 weeks ago. Better late than never, I guess.

The above photo is of a Matchbox Honda Element that Cory's mom asked him to give me at Christmas. It was very sweet of her to remember that I have an Element, and I appreciate her thoughtfulness!

Brenda is coming back to visit me this weekend. It's been a little over two months since she left, so we have a lot of catching up to do. We have a lot to talk about regarding the future as well, so it will be a very full and hopefully productive weekend. It would be nice if we could also squeeze in some fun stuff, too. We'll see...

A Wet Start to 2006

So 2006 has arrived, and it's brought rainy, gloomy weather with it. Although I was holed up a bit over the last few days, I did manage to get out a little. On Saturday the 30th, I drove south to the Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego. I'd always heard so much about it over the years, but never took the time to check it out. I was pleasantly surprised at just how cool it really is. It's an urban renewal in a historic district, with great old buildings, pubs, restuarants, galleries, etc. There are some of the usual commercial regulars like Starbucks, Borders and a mall, but there are a surprising amount of original businesses. It's got a great atmosphere, lots of people and energy.

I've always liked the idea of San Diego as a place to live, but the Gaslamp makes it even more enticing. With the San Diego Bay, Old Town, a real city downtown, the great weather and its proximity to the Mexican border, San Diego is definitely on my short list of places I'd like to call home.

New Year's eve was spent watching Cinderella Man. Yep- as the clock struck midnight, I was home alone watching a DVD! Frankly, I was happy to do so. New Years' Eve is so overrated. It never seems to live up to the hype. Plus, I am content with time to myself- I welcome the solitude.

On New Year's day, I went to Amoeba Music in Hollywood to trade in some old, unwanted CDs and DVDs for a few new CDs. I picked up Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac, Shangri-La by Mark Knopfler, and All Over the Place by The Bangles. I'm happy with the selections, and they will make nice additions to my music library. And I do consider it a library- just as significant as a literary library in anyone else's home.

After Amoeba and a quick, rainy trip to Pasadena, I visited Miles and Lisa at their place. We just hung out, chatted and watched most of On Any Sunday, by Bruce Brown of Endless Summer fame. It's a 1971 documentary about motorcycle riders, and it was cool to see the old school bikes and the characters who rode them. Plus, the soundtrack is a mellow, cheesy and funky slice of the early 70s.

Today, Lisa and Miles stopped by for a quick lunch and to pick up my Honda CB160. It needs a little carb work to run perfect, and Miles generously offered to take it to their place to work on it. It would be nice to finally having the bike running great. Thanks, Miles.

I also watched a little football over the weekend. It was the last week of the NFL regular season, and my Denver Broncos tied for second best record in the league at 13-3. It's their best record since 1998, the year they won the Super Bowl. I think they'll make it to the AFC Championship, most likely against the Colts. The Colts finished 14-2, and are everyone's favorite to win it all. I hope Denver can at least win their first playoff game, which they haven't done since that '98 season.

Well, after a little more than a week off, it's back to work tomorrow. It was a nice break, especially since I didn't have to be somewhere. I usually take a trip when I have extended time off, but I stayed home this time. I was great to wake up each day and decide spontaneously how I'd like to spend it. I could go for another few weeks like that.

Happy New Year to everyone, and here's to a great 2006.


San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter.