this...then that...

Westside Stories: Ready, set, go....

2011-01-17T11:10:00.002-06:00

Golding has begun for my groundbreaking! This is happening fo reals.

Seriously!

Here is a breakdown of the process:
• 22 months since buying my plot
• 9 months to sell my house
• 2 moves
• 5 architects
• 5+ house plans
• 2 alternative energy sources planned
• 2 variances approved
• 3 budget changes
• 2 banks
• 2 appraisals
• 4-ish meltdowns

The real fun begins on Feb 1!!

Please to Enjoy: Besties of 2010

2011-01-17T10:57:00.003-06:00

what i am listening to, this exact second...
(Sorry, I think the 2 downloads don't exactly match up with the list order....whoopsy.)

Link 1
Link 2

1. Cousins . Vampire Weekend
2. Cause For Alarm . Heavy
3. Ten By Ten . Bluebrain
4. I Can Talk . Two Door Cinema Club
5. Snowflake . Malachai
6. I Feel Better . Hot Chip
7. After the Storm . Mumford & Sons
8. Trap Doors . Broken Bells
9. Cold War . The Morning Benders
10. Sun Hands . Local Natives
11. Nothing Like You . Frightened Rabbit
12. Goblin . Adam Green
13. Feather . Little Dragon
14. My Companjera . Gogol Bordello
15. Trophy Room (Live At Union Chapel) . Slow Club
16. The Only One . The Black Keys
17. Leave House . Caribou
18. Not In Love . Crystal Castles
19. Looking The World Over . Gemma Ray
20. Pretty Little Heart . Free State Revival
21. My Own Sinking Ship . Good Old War
22. Starring . Freelance Whales
23. Rococo . Arcade Fire
24. Eliza Doolittle . Eliza Doolittle
25. Imma G (Memory Tapes remix) . Dem Getaway Boyz
26. Rill Rill . Sleigh Bells
27. Dreaming Of Another World . Mystery Jets
28. Darkness Descends . Laura Marling
29. Phone . Magic Kids
30. Bright Eyes . Vonnegutt
31. Answer In One of These Bottles . Caitlin Rose
32. I Can Change . LCD Soundsystem
33. Our Hearts Are Wrong . Jessica Lea Mayfield
34. Mouthful of Diamonds . Phantogram
35. Bright Lights Bigger City . Cee Lo Green
36. Cameras . Matt & Kim
37. Like A Fading Rainbow . Jenny Wilson
38. Garbage Truck . Beck
39. Anyone's Ghost . The National
40. Expiration Date . Pomplamoose
41. Crazy For You . Best Coast
42. To Binge (Feat. Little Dragon) . Gorillaz
43. King Charles . King Charles
44. The Strangers . St. Vincent

Westside Stories: Glow Balls!!

2010-10-04T16:39:00.003-05:00

Kinda been obsessing over glow balls for my house lately....

Viso Bolio Base Lamp

Unique Interiors Bulb Pendant

Sonneman Bubbles Pendant

ET2 Larme Mini Pendant

Dioscuri Wall Sconce

Viso Globo Pendant

Viso Bolio Pendant

lines i like, out of context: "the rum diary" hunter s. thompson

2010-09-07T18:50:00.004-05:00

In no particular order:

1. Like most others, I was a seeker, a mover, a malcontent, and at times a stupid hell-raiser. I was never idle long enough to do much thinking, but I felt somehow that my instincts were right. I shared a vagrant optimism that some of us were making real progress, that we had taken an honest road, and that the best of us would inevitably make it over the top. At the same time, I shared a dark suspicion that the life we were leading was a lost cause, that we were al actors, kidding ourselves along a senseless odyssey. It was the tension between these tow poles– a restless idealism on one hand and a sense of impending doom on the other– that kept me going.

2. I was feeling better now, warm and sleepy and absolutely free. With palms zipping past and the sun burning down the road ahead, I had a flash of something I hadn't felt since my first months in Europe– a mixture of ignorance and loose, "what the hell" kind of confidence that comes on a man when the wind picks up and he begins to move in a straight hard line toward an unknown horizon.

3. I had a license to wander.

4. There was an awful suspicion in my mind that I'd finally gone over the hump, and the worst thing about it was that I didn't feel tragic at all, but only weary, and sort of comfortably detached.

Please to Enjoy 80: Black Cab Sessions

2010-08-29T20:08:00.003-05:00

Here's a collection of my fav Black Cab Sessions and you don't even want to know how many hours I spent gathering these...totally worth it though. :)

Link to file

1. Erland and the Carnival
2. Eliza Doolittle
3. Little Boots
4. Summer Camp
5. Driver Drive Faster
6. Hafdis Huld
7. Vincent Vincent and the Villians
8. Steve Mason
9. Bill Callahan
10. Bombay Bicycle Club 1
11. Lykke Li
12. Lissie
13. Smoke Fairies
14. Savoir Adore
15. Marques Toliver
16. Official Secrets Act 2
17. Official Secrets Act 1
18. Slow Club
19. King Charles
20. Laura Marling
21. Laura Marling 2
22. Noah and the Whale
23. The Virgins
24. Winter Sleep
25. Holly Miranda
26. Brute Chorus
27. Duckworth Lewis Method
28. Ed Harcourt and Graham Coxon
29. Champagne Champagne
30. Jeffery Lewis
31. Alela Diane
32. Sixto Rodriguez
33. Speech Debelle
34. Amadou et Mariam

Dating Woes: Variety is the spice of life...

2010-08-27T20:39:00.009-05:00

Why the EXACT same pose 3 times? And why always in the bathroom mirror? And why the hard hat AND sunglasses!?!?

Westside Stories: Lighting options

2010-08-06T09:34:00.007-05:00

Trying to sort through the gagillion options for lighting and I am stuck. There are 3 different looks I am torn between. All can be really cool, but will sort of lock me into a certain style. Maybe I need to build 3 houses so I don't have to decide.

The Factory Look:

The Mod Look:

The Nelson Look:

Things my dad hates: birthday edition

2010-08-04T12:38:00.003-05:00

Quickie weekend in St. Louie, and I was reminded just how hard it must be for dad to be dad...hating with so much hate...not that I ever really forget, just gets foggy through the 300 miles. It's nice to have "opportunites" like birthdays, to clear out the fog.

In no particular order:

1. Cake

2. Singing

3. Singing in preparation for eating cake

4. People who eat cake
5. Acknowledging cake eaters, drinkers or singers are even in the room

6. Canadians who eat cake (see earlier posts about Canadian hates)

7. Presents

8. Having to open presents

9. Having to look at the open presents for more than 2 nano-seconds

10. Family stopping by (not exclusive to birthdays)

11. Onions (Still a hate worthy of re-mentioning)

12. Drinking lemonade while eating cake

13. Drinking alcohol while eating cake
14. Smelling the cake

15. Liberals

Please to Enjoy 79

2010-07-25T15:42:00.003-05:00

what i am listening to, this exact second...

Link to Please to Enjoy 79

1. Sun Hands - Local Natives
2. Little Kids (Ladytron Fruits Of The Forest Mix) - Kings Of Convenience
3. Let’s All Die - Jack Peñate
4. The Chorus In The Underground - Great Lake Swimmers
5. Solo - Chew Lips
6. To Binge (Feat. Little Dragon) - Gorillaz
7. Implode Alright - Built By Snow
8. Nighty Night - Jenny Owen Youngs
9. HollyWood Shampoo - Champagne Champagne
10. LNY - The Hot Press
11. Coin Laundry - Lisa Mitchell
12. Fading World - Malachai
13. San Francisco 1906 - Capybara
14. The Night The Night from Chelsea Silver - Chet
15. True Romance (True No. 9 Blues) - Golden Silvers
16. Stillness In The Move (Dirty Projectors cover) - Solange
17. Sick Muse (Adam Freeland Remix) - Metric & Adam Freeland
18. Surprise Hotel - Fool's Gold
19. Dandelion - Charlotte Gainsbourg

Dating Woes: Meet Skullmaster69

2010-07-12T21:15:00.001-05:00

I have no words....good thing he does.

"My thoughts on a 1st date: I would start with dinner (either at a restaurant or smoking on my grill), casual conversation to get to know each other a little better, and determine the mood we are both in, with the goal of getting both of us relaxed and in a good mood. I enjoy a good wit and humor and I hope I can bring you to laugh also (if you do desire to have a deep and serious conversation, I can hold my own). Then on to a bar to play some pool and/or darts and maybe even one with karaoke so I can sing to you. Afterwards, if you desire, we could go back to my place (or yours) for a nightcap and talk about whatever we like, listen to music or we can play a game, or watch a movie or simply just relax together, or to an all night coffee house, and talk. If not we can call it a night."

Westside Stories: JAMDAR Logo

2010-04-04T10:50:00.003-05:00

Here is snapshot of the possible business card and logo that I designed for my architect, Jamie. I did a buch of options playing around with several names (my fav part since I love words so much) but I loved the 60's International Enterprise-ness of this one! I can just see it on a lapel pin and vinyl suitcase. :)

Westside Stories: 4th time's the charm?!

2010-04-04T10:35:00.006-05:00

Just finishing up plan number 4, a smaller version of plan 3. Fingers crossed this one is affordable because if not, I just paid a ton of money for a pile of houseless dirt. So far each change has lead me to a much better place, so no complaints....it's all part of the adventure.

Plan 1: Eddy

Plan 2: Hans

Plan 3: JamDar 1

Plan 4: Jamdar 2

I am kinda famousy...and damn cute.

2010-03-17T16:27:00.003-05:00

www.shoeboxblog.com

Please to Enjoy 78

2010-02-21T15:53:00.004-06:00

what i am listening to, this exact second...

Link to Please to Enjoy 78

1. Androgynous - The Replacements
2. Pull My Heart Away (Jamie xx Remix) - Jack Penate
3. Action/Reaction - Choir of Young Believers
4. Rambling Man - Castanets
5. There Are Too Many Birds - Arthur & Yu
6. Let's Go Surfing - The Drums
7. Days Drag - Holiday Shores
8. Crimewave - Crystal Castles
9. Trick Pony - Charlotte Gainsbourg
10. Seven Seas - Echo & The Bunnymen
11. Four Holy Photos - Hockey
12. Ten By Ten - Bluebrain
13. The Strangers - St. Vincent
14. Home Sweet Home - Sad Brad Smith
15. Sleep Tonight (Junior Boys remix) - Stars
16. Otha Fish - The Pharcyde
17. My Lady - Kevin Barker
18. Soda & Pop Rocks - Champagne Champagne
19. Moonsurfin' - Malachai
20. Paradise Circus - Massive Attack
21. On The Moon - A.A. Bondy

Westside Stories: a rough kitchen plan

2010-02-14T16:58:00.003-06:00

Here's a rough idea of what I am thinking for my kitchen, pretty sure it will change 50 times before I order my cabinets! But I am really liking the white cabinets with the walnut on the walls. There will also be walnut on the wall across from the kitchen to sort of section off my living room space.

Here are couple of materials I am looking at for countertops: eco-tops and epoxy resin greenstone

Westside Stories: a Sneak Peek....

2010-02-14T16:45:00.003-06:00

Getting excited!!!!!!

Front Elevation

South Elevation

Dating Woes: My #1 global match....SIGH...

2010-01-24T00:28:00.006-06:00

Click on the photo below to meet Shitbag, my closest match on OkCupid. Seriously?! Sweet baby Jesus why?

Dating Woes: could not find the rotate button...

2010-01-23T15:14:00.003-06:00

Ready...

Aim....

Fire!

Westside Stories: a plot only a mother could love...

2010-01-18T10:27:00.003-06:00

Jan 15th I officially paid off my land. No turning back now. Here's what thousands and thousands of dollars buys you! Good thing I can visualize!

Please to Enjoy 2009

2010-01-01T10:30:00.005-06:00

what i am listening to, this exact second...

Here are some of my fav songs from 2009. I tried to get it down to one group, but no dice. I am super proud of the fact that I got it down to 50, which was brutal, AND, there is not one Animal Collecive song on the list! I might be the only human to not include them this year.

Link to 1-25

Link to 26-50

1. 1901 - Phoenix
2. Telling me things - Blakroc
3. So Light Is Her Footfall - Air
4. Look Up - Bradley Hathaway
5. Change of Heart - El Perro Del Mar
6. Dog Days Are Over - Florence And The Machine
7. Gold Coin - High Places
8. Too Fake - Hockey
9. Plastic Jungle - Miike Snow
10. jumping jack - tUnE-yArDs
11. Basic Space - The XX
12. Bye Bye Bye - Plants and Animals
13. Empire State of Mind (feat. Alicia Keys) - Jay-Z
14. For Better...Or Worse? - The Postmarks
15. Rococo Zephyr - Bill Callahan
16. Song of the Sad Assassin - Why?
17. I'll Fight - Wilco
18. Roll Away Your Stone - Mumford & Sons
19. The Prowl - Dan Auerbach
20. Cold Fame - Band Of Skulls
21. Sunlight - Harlem Shakes
22. Until The Lion Learns To Speak - k'naan
23. Auditorium - Mos Def
24. To You - Headless Heroes
25. Start + Stop - Jenny Owen Youngs
26. Tightrope - Yeasayer
27. While You Wait For The Others - Grizzly Bear
28. Sit Down By The Fire - The Veils
29. In Our Talons - Bowerbirds
30. Oviedo - Blind Pilot
31. You Pick Me Up - Farmer Dave Scher
32. Cutdown - Matt & Kim
33. Natural Light - Casiotone For The Painfully Alone
34. Saint Jerome - Coconut Records
35. Beard Of Bees - Clem Snide
36. All The King's Men - Wild Beasts
37. Accusations (Gavin Russom Remix) - The Juan MacLean
38. Luna - Fanfarlo
39. Fuck You - Lily Allen
40. Fake Blues - Real Estate
41. Headdress - Amazing Baby
42. Too Young To Love - The Big Pink
43. Always Like This - Bombay Bicycle Club
44. Body Down - Jack Peñate
45. The Afterlife - YACHT
46. I Have Nothing - Noah and the Whale
47. Concrete - The Features
48. In This Lonely Town - Jeremy Jay
49. All My Days - Alexi Murdoch
50. Hysteric (Acoustic) - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Dating Woes: FWB

2009-12-15T13:27:00.003-06:00

Ha! Saw this on the the blog and it cracked me up...I would love to spend a day in Russ's brain...but only if I had a fool proof escape plan. ;)

www.shoeboxblog.com

quote of the day

Any guy who offers the “friends with benefits” option is likely to be bad at both. – Russ

Dating woes: Ummmm....what?

2009-12-12T10:18:00.003-06:00

Just got this email that sorta confused the crap out of me...not really sure how he came to some of the assumptions about my nature just by my profile, which says things like, I like zombies and peanut butter, but maybe that is code for crazy... Note to self: must rewrite profile and remove all subliminal messages that are beacons to crazy pants men!!

Hello Raka upon your adventures

What you express here on your profile I find to be delightful, open minded & Open hearted. So, are you really real? If so are you open to explore what is possible together?

As for your sassy ass, yes also intriguing hint about your figure, I sense it could just be your sweet ends to a means........of a very special adventure just for two :) Oh, btw, yes I am very tactile.

Here are a few aspects of myself:
Laughter is still The Best of All Seasonings! Oh, and btw, I love to cook, esp. couple cooking.
Likewise, I enjoy movies and cuddling—and yes at times it can be just cuddling.
Oh, and yes I love to dance, enjoy most music, doubles tennis—although it has been a few years. Moreover, I Love Living Life!

Oh, know that I am as real as you. I don't say what I don't mean. And there is no need to deny truths.
You are one, who actually seems to embraces her true self. And seeks to discover all of her depth within, and desires to be her most true self within this womanly being. You certainly have the courage to still be vulnerable, as well as having the guts to be confident, assertive, peaceful, joy filled.

I seek one woman, much like yourself I sense, who can be confident, strong character, and assertive when beneficial. And also who embraces or might be curious about whether or not she has a submissive kinky nature to offer to One. Of course, while she also is who she is in the vanilla world around family, friends, church perhaps, career, neighbors, etc.

Note to ms m, I’m in the Kansas City area, south on the Ks side.

Also, please note that my photo is not on here because the format doesn’t seem to match so it doesn’t upload here. So when you write to me there, which is much more convenient for me, then I’ll gladly respond and attach my photo for you. My email: xxxxxx@gmail.com

So when are you willing to consider sharing a glass of wine, or a cup of coffee/tea , Mastering FUN--non-harmful, non-evil, non-condescending, just plain ole Fun or at least a walk n talk with sincere conversation?
Sooner than later !

With mutual respect,
Lust, Laughter, Leather, & lace
MrD

Oh, and... Oh, and... ;) I wonder what he looks likes...stay tuned...gonna try to find out. He does after all, enjoy doubles tennis, although it has been a few years.

Westside Stories: Another James...

2009-12-05T13:26:00.003-06:00

So Jamie D, introduced me to Jim Woodfill, a super cool artist who does amazing things with light, movement and sound. Hoping he will be able to collaborate on some kinetic lighting for my house!!! He is all about re-purposing, stripping down to the bare essentials, focusing on details and sort of the subtle unexpected (that's my take anyway, he might describe himself differently). Since he will make James #3 on the project, pretty sure it is meant to be. I really want to build and design my whole house solely with people named some derivative of James.

www.jameswoodfill.com

Dating Woes: So many hats....

2009-11-22T20:03:00.006-06:00

I like guys who let me know all their likes on their heads. It just keeps things simple.

Dating Woes: Bri laughs at my pain...

2009-11-20T15:20:00.003-06:00

Here is today's Chuck and Beans on the shoebox blog...inspired by yours truly...sigh... :)

Thanks Mr. Brian Gordon!!

Westside Stories: the fortune gods approve...

2009-11-19T16:22:00.003-06:00

Just got this amazing fortune at lunch today!
Thanks for the affirmation fortune cookie gods!!

Dating Woes: Real strange real fast...

2009-11-14T15:48:00.004-06:00

Red flags?!? Anyone see ANY red flags?? This entire chat took, at most, 3 minutes. I should call him, right? Maybe he's the one....

IhaveaBIGbrain: youre very pretty

raka: wow. thanks

IhaveaBIGbrain:hi im adam

raka: rachel

raka: nice to meet u

IhaveaBIGbrain: pretty name and yes nice to sort of meet you rachel

IhaveaBIGbrain: how did you know i love really pretty curvy women like you!??

raka: lol. didn't know

IhaveaBIGbrain: now you do

IhaveaBIGbrain: so tell me how much you like tall men with shaved heads!

IhaveaBIGbrain: i would like you to get a pen for my number, i want to hear if your voice is half as pretty as you are

IhaveaBIGbrain: tell me when youre ready

raka: u don't mess around. ;)

IhaveaBIGbrain: are you multi chatting?

raka1978: at this second?

IhaveaBIGbrain: yes

raka1978: nope

IhaveaBIGbrain: why so long to respond? (NOTE: I responded in about 4 seconds)

raka: doing stuff

IhaveaBIGbrain: okay sorry to take you away from your stuff

raka: no worries, you're fine

IhaveaBIGbrain: i want a woman that is nice, kind, funny, smart, very pretty like you who likes to be submissive sometimes but only sexually, yet she still has the power if that makes sense

raka: yep. makes sense.

IhaveaBIGbrain: call me NOW to say hello at 908 803 XXXX

IhaveaBIGbrain: making me wait? (NOTE: he sent this message about a nano second after he sent me his number)

Room with a View: The Circle of life...

2009-11-05T20:44:00.007-06:00

My pumpkin could just not handle a week at 1610! Seriously. Only MY pumpkin self destructed under the pressure of the frat house. :) And, where did did the roaches come from and why are they basking in the "juice" left from my hipster pumpkin?!?!

Please to Enjoy 76

2009-11-02T20:47:00.002-06:00

what i am listening to, this exact second...

Link to Please to Enjoy 76

1. Infinity - XX
2. The Gun - Lou Reed
3. Violator - White Williams
4. Funnel Of Love - Wanda Jackson
5. Have Love Will Travel - The Sonics
6. Tokyo - Telekinesis!
7. The Vowels Pt. 2 - Why?
8. Seven (Martyn's Seventh Mix) - Fever Ray
9. Neighbor Down The Hall - Benji Hughes
10. Thorn In Your Side - The Postmarks
11. Peace Like A River - Paul Simon
12. In The Morning - Candie Payne
13. Stay The Night - Ghosts
14. Before I started to Dance - Quixote feat Lisa Li Lund
15. Your Rocky Spine - Great Lake Swimmers
16. Looking Glass - Little Dragon
17. White Collar Boy - Belle and Sebastian
18. Vanished - Crystal Castles
19. Cape Canaveral - Conor Oberst
20. Deadbeat Summer - Neon Indian
21. I and Love and You - The Avett Brothers

Dating Woes: Lumberbilly? Rockajack?

2009-11-02T12:59:00.004-06:00

So, discovered at lunch that this is apparently what I am looking for... if only life were as easy as Photoshop!

Aural Pleasures: GOGOL Bordello, Liberty Hall

2009-10-30T20:50:00.002-05:00

Here are some amazing views from the Gogol Bordello show in Lawrence...it only took 2 songs for him to get shirtless and sweatastic!!!

K-10 and the burning sky

Westside Stories: SOLD!!!!

2009-10-21T18:38:00.004-05:00

This happened a little while ago, but I didn't want to post it too early and jinx it.

YAY!!! Only took 6 crazy months. (Gonna ignore the fact the buyers are complete a-holes and I lost some cash moneys....)

Dating Woes: Monday mornin dip...

2009-10-21T16:15:00.004-05:00

Ok, so SlayerDave29 has sent me several messages, and I have been actively ignoring them, but then the hot tubs ones started...(BTW, the "invite" was sent on sunday night...appealing as a Monday AM hot tub first date sounds, I didn't respond...mistake?!)

Dating Woes: Fo shizzzy?

2009-10-20T13:38:00.004-05:00

So the last 3 guys to view my profile have the following names:

1. Belaaazzzy617

2. Maceeezy

3. Realeazzzy43

Dating in Misshizzle is the bizzle. :)

Room with a view: my 1610 LOVES...

2009-10-12T22:01:00.013-05:00

Raquel Redemption...

5 Remotes, 1 Baton, 1 TV, 2 batteries to share

My lucky "R" I found on move in day...and the duct tape light switch

Pioneer bucket sink

Good. Clean. Fun.

Trophies

The Glow Horse trumped the TV

TOM BEAR

Romance Resume Sevices....the rent doesn't pay itself.

Tweet! Thx E!!

Dating Woes: Waa waa waa...

2009-09-27T22:45:00.001-05:00

A snippet from a guy in Omaha...

"Don't let this piss you off but I could do without the billion boring half-ass little tattoos going around. They are great and all, I just wish they were not all the same boring ugly pastel colors and artistic quality of a hallmark card."

Please to Enjoy 75

2009-09-27T21:16:00.002-05:00

please to enjoy = 50% new + 50% new to me + 50% songs from back in the day + 50% songs that don't quite fit

Link to file:
https://rcpt.yousendit.com/745799453/94fce158c8d6b82185f7b2880d448f96

1. Relator - Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson
2. Dancing On Our Graves - The Cave Singers
3. Animal - Mike Snow
4. The Ruminant Band - Fruit Bats
5. Map of the World - Monsters Of Folk
6. the Fox, the Crow, and the Cookie - mewithoutYou
7. New In Town (Fred Falke Remix) - Little Boots
8. The Crook of My Good Arm - Pale Young Gentlemen
9. Oh, The Places Two - Lake
10. Midnight And I - White Rabbits
11. What Difference Does It Make? - The Smiths
12. Wonderlust King - Gogol Bordello
13. Two Towns from Me - Blind Pilot
14. Little Secrets - Passion Pit
15. The Cave - Mumford And Sons
16. I Could Be Dreaming - Belle & Sebastian
17. Anyway You Choose to Give It (Boy-8-Bit Remix) - The Black Ghosts
18. Look Up - Bradley Hathaway
19. Death By Diamonds And Pearls - Band Of Skulls
20. She Loves Everybody - Chester French
21. Crystalised - XX

Dating Woes: a Star!!!

2009-09-20T16:30:00.003-05:00

My first star find on Ok Cupid!!!

Dating Woes: A pretty decent guy....

2009-09-19T23:13:00.003-05:00

Sigh...at least he is, "...comfortable with who I am and the size of my penis without having to slap someone in the face with it to prove how big it is," because that would just be awkward.

My Self-Summary

I am a pretty decent guy. Sometimes I can be pretty depressed and sometimes I feel so good I think I might cry. I am learning to love myself and my life. I spent too much time doing the opposite and trying to destroy myself. I get kind of lonely sometimes because I don't have much of a social life but I am trying to work on that too. I am definitely a work in progress but I wouldn't have it any other way. Though I guess really everyone is a work in progress so maybe that is a non statement. I try to live a good life and treat people with kindness and respect but don't really expect the same out of people. People sometimes make me sad if I think about them too much. I guess I have too high of expectations. That's what people tell me...though I am pretty sure everyone has limitless potential and I try to see that in everyone I meet. Even when it's REALLY buried under crap. I hate social expectations and I like to say things that catch people off guard or make them uncomfortable.....sometimes when I think about space and the universe as a whole I feel so small I feel like I can't breathe and sometimes I feel like this whole life we live is just a dream and I expect to wake up at anytime but I continue on and on despite how tiny I am. I like to think about things on a cosmic scale because I feel it puts things into perspective and if your whole life is just a fart in the wind as far as time goes you don't take things so god damned serious. I get sooooo tired of everyone taking everything so fucking serious. Most of the shit we worry about doesn't even come close to mattering. Some things matter but for the most part it's all just a pissing contest. I don't care for pissing contests or dick measuring of any kind. I am comfortable with who I am and the size of my penis without having to slap someone in the face with it to prove how big it is. I am a bitter angry man who is also peaceful and full of love for my fellow humans but despise them at the same time. I am a walking contradiction and will never get lost in the conciseness of the masses. I dont water things down or walk on egg shells. I tell it like i see it and I don't stroke egos just so you'll stroke mine. Tell me the ugly hard truth even if it breaks me down. I'll get back up and offer up my face to the universe for another scar.....

Going through the change...

2009-09-18T16:26:00.009-05:00

Here is a brief overview of my cartoon self going changes...directly related to Chris Grine's mood. :)
How much fun is it to work with cartoonists? No, really....how much fun is it?!? Check out Chris's awesome robots with stuff at www.shoeboxblog.com

Westside Stories: Architect PICKED!

2009-09-17T15:22:00.006-05:00

Finally decided on an architect, Jamie Darnell...and having to send out the break up emails to the others makes me feel all barfy. Feel really good about my choice....but if he changes his mind like the last one, I might have a breakdown...

CANNOT wait to get started. This is all starting to feel real again.

Please to Enjoy 74

2009-09-13T17:22:00.003-05:00

please to enjoy = 50% new + 50% new to me + 50% songs from back in the day + 50% songs that don't quite fit

Link to file:
https://download.yousendit.com/cmczV0p4bEErV3cwTVE9PQ

1. I Would Be Sad - The Avett Brothers
2. I Know What I Am - Band Of Skulls
3. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat - Beck
4. Eid Ma Clack Shaw - Bill Callahan
5. Fireflies - Chris Garneau
6. Everytime I'm With you - Dark Night of the Soul
7. Being Bad Feels Pretty Good - Does It Offend You Yeah?
8. Concrete - The Features
9. Fortune Teller - Forest Fire
10. Technicolor Health - Harlem Shakes
11. Dark Sedan - Karl Blau
12. Breaking It Up - Lykke Li
13. Into The Galaxy (Metronomy Remix) - Midnight Juggernauts
14. Only from Huggable Dust - Okay
15. Secret - The Pierces
16. Street Boy (Bonus Track) - Rodriguez
17. The Thrill Of Thirty Seconds - Skint & Demoralised
18. My Boys - Taken By Trees
19. Jazz (We've Got) - A Tribe Called Quest
20. Sit Down By The Fire - The Veils
21. These Few Presidents - Why?
22. Psychic City - YACHT

Dating Woes: wtf

2009-09-12T16:27:00.003-05:00

Caption: I do love sunsets. (TRUE STORY!! Couldn't make this up if I tried.)

....I kinda wanna go out with him.

Dating Woes: my ONLY woo-er...

2009-09-12T13:43:00.003-05:00

Meet Dew Drop Down, he is "not really in a relationship place" but is interested in pursuing a "sexual partnership"...for the love of God....sigh.

Tear.

Dating Woes: FUNNY pic series

2009-09-12T13:22:00.010-05:00

Ok, so after several people bugged me about telling some of my dating stories, I decided to post some of the highlights. I can't actually comment on dates, because you have to GO on dates to comment about them. :) Hopefully soon...you will be able to FULLY share in my dating pain. Till then, here are some funny pic series that I have run across.

1. Blurry Guy

2. Visor. No Visor.

3. Same guy, same weird angle, different places. (note: on one of the photos the caption says that he was surprised when someone took his pic. But you can see his arm holding the camera...and it is exactly the same as the others...hmmm.)

Please to Enjoy September: Strummin Boys

2009-09-07T14:35:00.002-05:00

Ok, so I have missed a few months...had a few things going on, but hopefully I am back on track.

please to enjoy = 50% new + 50% new to me + 50% songs from back in the day + 50% songs that don't quite fit

Link to file:
https://download.yousendit.com/cmcxUXVnUzhreEEwTVE9PQ

1. Paranoia in B Major - The Avett Brothers
2. Summer Heads - Rhombus
3. Restless - Langhorne Slim
4. Baby's Hammer - The Features
5. Burning Stars - Mimicking Birds
6. House Of Valparaiso - Calexico
7. In This Lonely Town - Jeremy Jay
8. Burning Stars - Neight
9. Pistol of Fire - Kings Of Leon
10. 2 Atoms In A Molecule - Noah And The Whale
11. Hand on Your Heart - Jose Gonzalez
12. I'm the Man - Kansas City Bear Fighters
13. All Over Town - The Kooks
14. Coal/Ivory - Pale Young Gentlemen
15. Roll Away Your Stone - Mumford & Sons
16. Top Yourself - The Raconteurs
17. Shangri-La - M. Ward
18. When We Embraced - Micah P. Hinson
19. I'll Be Your Man - The Black Keys
20. All My Days - Alexi Murdoch
21. Beard Of Bees - Clem Snide
22. With Strangers - Little Joy
23. Gamble Everything For Love - Ben Lee

Dating Woes: NO words.....

2009-08-31T15:14:00.005-05:00

I just had to post this....but it is waaaay to sad for me to talk about....yet..........my life is just.....I have no words. Thanks Chris Grine, for laughing at my pain. :)

Westside Stories: SIGH...now for the hardest decision.

2009-08-27T08:40:00.006-05:00

I went from being unexpectedly Architectless, to having 3 awesome choices and all are small business and/or start ups which I love supporting. Still haven't decided....here are the contenders...

Stephen and Ersela: Agency
• Bro and Sis-in-laws of my new neighbors, Sarah and Thomas Mueller
• Fancy NYC Architects, who are currently part of amazing fellowship
• Only gonna be here for the design phase, which I didn't originally realize was an issue.
• A staircase designed by Stephen http://www.architectmagazine.com/technology/dynamic-descent.aspx

Dominique and Ryan: Davison Architects
• Working on a LEED Platinum and Energy Star house right now
• Super nice
• Do extremely detailed drawings, which will make all our lives easier
• Have worked with my builder Jamie before
• http://www.davisonarch.com/

Jamie Darnell: (Recently left El Dorado to do his own thing)
• Built this amazing house that is in my new hood http://www.dwell.com/articles/plains-gold.html
• Had some awesome ideas of how to make my box, less boxy
• Have the exact same style
• http://www.eldoradoarchitects.com

Room with a View: Moving in...

2009-08-18T09:50:00.006-05:00

I gots my key and officially started moving into 1610 West 41st....into a lovely room with lots of "character". Here are some highlights of my new digs.

1. Grime level one, since been removed, and to be honest, I might have been a part of making the grime, during one of the many nights spent drinking in this very kitchen.

2. My room, complete with DIRECT access to the shower though the giant hole in the wall.

3. Party hard, recycle hard.

4. Killer guard frog.

Westside Stories: Goodbye trusty old desk...

2009-08-16T19:26:00.003-05:00

One more tiny chunk of my former life gone. Super sad to see this desk go, but I refused to move all 250 lbs of it again. Hope Kyle from Craigslist treats her well.

Things I loved about my desk:
• It was discolored in all the right ways.
• It had secret drawers and pull out tables for all my typewriter needs.
• It was born the same time I wish I was born...early 60's.
• We spent hours and hours and hours together during my design bootcamp time at Design Ranch.
• Pretty sure I could've survived nuclear fallout under it.
• There was sand in all the drawers from the sandblasting, which made finding a pen, like a tiny beach vaycay.

Gluten Hates My Guts: Zucchini Pesto Potato Magic!

2009-08-16T18:26:00.002-05:00

Got inspired for this little combo after eating an amazing Zucchini Pesto soup at Happy Gillis. It is gluten-free and depending on the pesto you use, dairy-free too. My tums is thanking me for this little experiment gone really right!! So far, I have just been eating it as a main dish, but I bet it would be amazing with brown rice.

Zucchini Pesto Potato Magic: All parts are approx., mostly cause I am a rule breaker. :)

• 2 Medium zucchinis
• 4 Red potatoes with skins left on
• 1 Can of Artichokes or 1 box of frozen
• 1-2 TBS of pesto (Highly recommend Emily's amazing Basil Basil Pesto)
• 2 TBS Olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon, zest is nice too
• Couple shakes of dried minced onion
• Couple shakes of cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper to taste

Heat olive oil in a pan, then add chopped potatoes with skins on. After a couple minutes, add the zucchinis, chopped, and everything else, EXCEPT the pesto. Let it all simmer together until veggies are the tenderness you like. I like the potatoes a little crunchy, so I let it cook for around 10-15 minutes. Turn off heat, add the pesto and mix around. Then eat! Yum!

Gluten Hates My Guts: Intro to the Body Ecology Diet

2009-08-16T13:03:00.001-05:00

So, I ran across this book, The Body Ecology Diet by Donna Gates, on a website and it seemed like the answer to all of my issues. I am only half way through it right now but, very soon, my Body Ecology experiment will begin!! Just have to psyche myself up...it is not the easiest program to understand, much less, actually follow. It seems like a worthy experiment though!! I will be posting successes, failures, recipes, results, loves, hates etc.

Here are the issues it says it will fix or balance:
• Headaches
• Depression
• Low sex drive
• Food allergies
• Sensitivity to odors and tobacco
• Joint and muscle pain
• Digestive issues
• Poor Sleep

Here are the basic theories....which are all about balance:
• You need to eat foods that are balanced with expansive(sugar, coffee) and contractive(salt, meat) properties so your body systems can function properly.
• You need to balance your body's acid vs. alkaline so that yeast, which feed on the acids, cannot survive.
• 80/20 Rule #1 - stop eating when are 80% full so there is 20% room for your tums to digest.
• 80/20 Rule #2 - meals should be 80% alkaline veggies and 20% acid protein
• Eat/Avoid foods for your blood type.

Westside Stories: 1 Step Forward, 3 Steps Back

2009-08-16T13:01:00.001-05:00

Wow. What a couple of weeks! After losing my architect, having zero people look at my house, garbage disposal breaking, computer dying, dad having another stroke....things are finally looking up. Slowly, but at least headed the right direction. I really should have been more specific when I yelled out into the universe I wanted to totally change my life. I should have added a few more exceptions to my "totally". Lesson learned!

On the bright side, I found a new Architect team that I am super excited about. They are a husband/wife team from NYC and the in-laws of my future neighbors, who are also building green on a budget. As much as I HATE the whole "everything happens for a reason" crapola, I truly feel like this combo of architects and builder are going to work out great!!

I am also moving on up, to the norther side, to deluxe room in a semi-sty. My friends Jason and Tom have a spare room since Ghattas is going to KU to be Dr. World Domination. I will be packing up the 4 boxes of stuff left in my life and living the next year+ with:

this guy....

and this guy...

and this guy (plus 80 more of his gnat friends that hang out in the bathroom).

Pretty sure all of this adds up to lots of adventure. Good thing, since I will not have cable or money left to go anwhere after my 3 rents/mortgages. UGH! Can't wait!!

Fingers crossed I sell my house before the stress of not selling it makes me crazy...er.

Joshy vs Chipotle!!!!!

2009-07-24T09:27:00.003-05:00

Challenge: 2 Chipotle burritos in 15 minutes

Who: Baby Joshy Dusel Cakes Man Angel VS 2 Chicken Burritos with the works.

Westside Stories: LIGHTING Loves!!!!

2009-07-14T15:44:00.007-05:00

Been searching lotsa sites for lights for all my rooms. Here are some of the final contenders...of course I haven't really thought about "budget" yet, so.....

Design Within Reach

West Elm

Tom Dixon...totally drool worthy....

Some Amazing Sites!!!
http://www.lbclighting.com
http://www.kartell.com/
http://www.ylighting.com/
http://www.tomdixon.net
http://www.skinflintdesign.co.uk
http://www.bestlite.com/

Westside Stories: WOE is me...kinda

2009-07-14T13:31:00.006-05:00

Highlights of the past few weeks:
• Met with Architect and Builder and finalized floor plan!! (See above)
• Started reading up on LEED and it is so uber comprehensive, I am not sure I'll ever know if I am getting things done right.
• Moved all my personal belongings into Aaron's house (huge help!!!!)
• Lowered my house price for the 2nd time...getting a little nervous, but my realtor is awesome.
• Buried a St. Joseph statue in my backyard, only to find out there is already a statue from the owners before me!!
• Started exploring flooring, kitchen, lighting and landscaping ideas. SOOOO many choices. More to come on those!!
• Found these amazing reclaimed factory lights for my kitchen, but they SOLD!! Boo! The search continues.

• Started searching out roommate situations on Craigslist...pretty sure I am in for an adventure for 18 months.
• Found out my neighbors are going to have giant houses, not sure if that is a good thing or bad thing yet.
• Been spending several hours a week at Roasterie, Javanaut and Broadway cafe for house showings. Pretty much homeless at this point.
• Had a minor panic attack in Wilson Lighting. The realization I will have to pick out door knobs and handles and light switches and floor stains and tile colors and ceiling heights and stairs and sinks and everything....am back to being excited though.

Westside Stories: HOUSE Listing

2009-06-17T10:29:00.003-05:00

http://www.postlets.com/res/2327449

3.5 Amazing reasons you should buy my house:

1. It is in fabulous Brooksideshire, in the southern moors of Kansas City.
2. My Carport is outta this world.
2.5 The garden gnomes stay. Even the one with mooning butt.
3. Cute as a button, people. CUTE. AS. A. BUTTON.

Westside Stories: OPERATION Sell my life

2009-06-01T11:02:00.006-05:00

Had a giant garage sale this past weekend, May 30-31, and sold everything that I don't need to survive for the next year...well, mostly. After hours of up and down stairs, dragging stuff outside, skin burning, pricing, drinking, wheelin and dealin, sweatin, and clowning around (see below), I sold massive amounts of stuff for a few dollas that are going in my "Ridicously expensive couch" fund.

Here are some pics and a movie of Joshy doing what Joshy does best!

SOFTEEEEEEEEE!

2009-05-13T16:25:00.006-05:00

Live from Crosstown Station with a cover of the Yard Birds, For Your Love!

With special guests: crazy whacked out dancer couple!!!!

(sorry for the shakiness, was trying to balance around the previously mentioned whacked out dancer couple)
(Also sorry for the video being squished. blogger just seemed to do it, and I can't make it normal again.)

Just another Saturday night in KCMO...

2009-05-13T15:42:00.004-05:00

This was one of the acts at the (PG-13 Rated) Donkey Show at Crosstown Station last Saturday. So cool that there are Kansas Citians cooling it up for all to see.

Westside Stories: INTRO

2009-05-13T13:44:00.003-05:00

May 1, 2009: Ok, here I go...

Just closed on a plot of land, 37 x 126.5 feet to be exact, on the Westside in KCMO!! Been dying to be a part of this hood for years and years and days! Yep, that amazing pile of dead sticks and trees that butts up to a half burned down garage, is mine....almost all mine...in several more payments of thousands of dollars. :) Couldn't be more prouder or exciteder. Now to sell my house so I can get this party started!

Over the next 15+ months, I will be tracking my adventures in building green (LEED certified) with a mid-century modern twist, on a really tiny budget, while living bare bones style in a studio apt!! My architect and builder and subs, who I will be sure to introduce you to, are Westsiders themselves all trying to adapt greener lives. I will post lots of links and ups and downs and advice and questions as this all unfolds...so stay tuned!!

Please to Enjoy April: Covers

2009-05-11T09:31:00.004-05:00

please to enjoy = 50% new + 50% new to me + 50% songs from back in the day + 50% songs that don't quite fit

Link to file:
https://download.yousendit.com/U0d4eVdncG9GOFRIRGc9PQ

1. Digital Love (Daft Punk) - Alphabeat
2. Careless Whisper (Wham) - Ben Folds
3. Thriller (Michael Jackson) - Ben Gibbard
4. Love And Happiness (Al Green) - Big Youth
5. You Give Me Fever (Peggy Lee) - The Cramps
6. Heart It Races (Architecture in Helsinki) - Dr. Dog
7. Boyz in the Hood - Dynamite Hack
8. Independant Woman (Destiny's Child) - Elbow
9. Borderline (Madonna) - The Flaming Lips
10. Black Bird (Beatles) - Foo Fighters
11. I'm Into Something Good (Herman's Hermits) - Jeff Tweedy
12. Wild Horses (Rolling Stones) - Jewel
13. Hurt (NIN) - Johnny Cash
14. I'm Not Gonna Teach... (Black Kids) - Kate Nash
15. Black Betty (Ram Jam) - Nick Cave
16. Just (Radiohead) - Nickel Creek
17. Friday Night Saturday Morning (The Specials) - Nouvelle Vague
18. Fade Into You (Mazzy Star) - Pedro The Lion
19. Against All Odds (Phil Collins) - The Postal Service
20. I Wanna Be Sedated (Ramones) - Rhett Miller
21. Since U Been Gone (Kelly Clarkson) - Ted Leo & the Pharmacists
22. toxic (Britney Spears) - tristan prettyman
23. Patience (Take That) - The Wombats

Please to Enjoy 73

2009-05-06T12:25:00.003-05:00

please to enjoy = 50% new + 50% new to me + 50% songs from back in the day + 50% songs that don't quite fit

So, I guess the only posts I can manage these days...in between facebook and twitter updates, are musicy. Ah well....that just gives my dad more time to hate new things that I can add to the ongoing list.

Link to file:
https://rcpt.yousendit.com/682918658/3abb2c116d130b4cd4384e6dcf02ce12

1. Beard Of Bees - Clem Snide
2. Bows In Your Arms - The Young Republic
3. Cello Song - The Books featuring Jose Gonzalez
4. The Crook of My Good Arm - Pale Young Gentlemen
5. Days and Days - Fantastic Plastic Machine (feat. Coralie Clément)
6. Electric Relaxation - A Tribe Called Quest
7. Erase The Lines - The Whispertown 2000
8. Forest City - Newspapers
9. Gold Guns Girls - Metric
10. Hysteric (Acoustic) - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
11. Is This Sound Okay? - Coconut Records
12. North By North - Faded Paper Figures
13. Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh - Say Hi
14. Poke - Frightened Rabbit
15. Real Desire - Dan Auerbach
16. Remind Me - Röyksopp
17. Rivers, Veins, and Roots - Mimicking Birds
18. The State I Am In - Belle & Sebastian
19. Strictly Game - Harlem Shakes
20. Tightrope - Yeasayer
21. Train Song - Feist + Ben Gibbard
22. The Will to Death - John Frusciante

Please to Enjoy: March - Sexy Time

2009-04-03T09:39:00.002-05:00

please to enjoy = 50% new + 50% new to me + 50% songs from back in the day + 50% songs that don't quite fit


Link to file:
https://rcpt.yousendit.com/670816141/47abca42bfc181703db64639ae2ae581

1. My Little Heart - The Postmarks
2. Gimme Some Lovin' - G Love and Special Sauce
3. some sugar - Nina Simone
4. Fuck her sweetly - Tenacious D
5. Right for Me - Justin Timberlake
6. Black/White - The Raveonettes
7. Wrestlers - Hot Chip
8. Bonnie And Clyde - Jay-Z
9. U.R.A. Fever - The Kills
10. #1 Crush - Garbage
11. The Operation - Charlotte Gainsbourg
12. Sunshower (acoustic) - Chris Cornell
13. Playground Love (Cover Air) - Phoenix
14. Heartbeats - Jose González
15. Daydreamin' (feat. Jill Scott) - Lupe Fiasco
16. The Prowl - Dan Auerbach
17. The First Taste - Fiona Apple
18. Fade into You - Mazzy Star
19. Give me a Reason to Love You - Massive Attack
20. Post-War - M. Ward

vocab upgrade: Blue Beard by Vonnegut

2009-03-05T21:54:00.007-06:00

So, in an attempt to biggen my brain, I have been moving on down my reading list, started a few years ago. Here are some fancy words I came across that I didn't know...and the photos that popped up in flickr when I searched with my new fancy word. Sort of magical really....

Blue Beard by Kurt Vonnegut:

pal⋅pate

1 verb (used with object), -pat⋅ed, -pat⋅ing. to examine by touch, esp. for the purpose of diagnosing disease or illness.

con⋅cu⋅pis⋅cent

–adjective

1.	lustful or sensual.

2.	eagerly desirous.

a⋅lac⋅ri⋅ty

–noun

1.	cheerful readiness, promptness, or willingness: We accepted the invitation with alacrity.

2.	liveliness; briskness.

ob⋅se⋅quy

–noun, plural -quies.
1. Usually, obsequies. a funeral rite or ceremony.

Please to Enjoy: 72

2009-03-05T21:43:00.002-06:00

please to enjoy = 50% new + 50% new to me + 50% songs from back in the day + 50% songs that don't quite fit

Link to file:
https://rcpt.yousendit.com/658576660/d428f465b90a8f1c9d434efcb8df7a5c

Please to Enjoy 72:

1. Still Here - Girl Talk
2. Birds Fly Away - Theresa Andersson
3. Float - Sissy Wish
4. Last Words - The Real Tuesday Weld
5. Hiding On the Staircase - New Young Pony Club
6. No One’s Better Sake - Little Joy
7. Photobooth - Friendly Fires
8. Don't Give A Damn - Chairlift
9. Scared - Albert Hammond Jr.
10. Saturdays [Reprise] - Cut Copy
11. Fuck Was I - Jenny Owen Youngs
12. tonight+you+belong+to+me - ?
13. The Dusty Foot Philosopher - k'naan
14. Love is a shotgun - The Quiet Company
15. Oh, La - Ra Ra Riot
16. Fall of the American Empire - State Radio
17. When It Stings - Pictures Of Then
18. Good Arms Vs. Bad Arms - Frightened Rabbit
19. A Thing For Me (Breakbot Remix) - Metronomy
20. Be So Happy - Heartless Bastards
21. Microphone - Coconut Records

Please to Enjoy: January - Favs

2009-02-28T12:13:00.002-06:00

please to enjoy = 50% new + 50% new to me + 50% songs from back in the day + 50% songs that don't quite fit

Link to file:


https://download.yousendit.com/Y2o5R0llUzczMWtLSkE9PQ

Please to Enjoy: January - Favorites

1. I Want It All - Warren G
2. Being Bad Feels Pretty Good - Does It Offend You Yeah?
3. We Danced Together (SebastiAn Remix) - The Rakes
4. Love Will Tear Us Apart - Joy Division
5. Please Please Please - Shout Out Louds
6. Big Poppa (Explicit Album Version) - The Notorious B.I.G.
7. Speed Law - Mos Def
8. Indonesian Love Song - Student Union
9. Oceans & Streams - The Black Keys
10. Hypnotise - The White Stripes
11. Idioteque - Radio Head
12. Eye - Smashing Pumpkins
13. Use Me - Bill Withers
14. don't stop believing - Journey
15. Good Song - Blur
16. Chinese Translation - M. Ward
17. Japanese Gum - Her Space Holiday
18. Young Liars - TV on the Radio
19. Uh - Fujiya & Miyagi
20. 519 Kids - MGMT

lines i like, out of context: "Downtown Owl," chuck klosterman

2009-02-12T19:40:00.003-06:00

In no particular order:

1. Before electricity, nothing really happened. Every conversation would have been identical, unless somebody got cholera or was mauled by a badger.

2. Is there any feeling better that being in bed? What could possibly feel better than this? What is going to happen in the course of my day that will be an improvement over lying somewhere soft, underneath something very warm, wearing only underwear, doing absolutely nothing, all by myself? (this is my EXACT thought process every morning!!)

3. Many of the laws in 1984 seemed practical. The world would be better off if everyone had to publicly validate why they were having sex with someone.

4. I always did the best that I could. Which was slightly better than almost okay, most of the time.

5. You just pour in a bunch of Everclear and vodka and schnapps and rum, and then you fill up the rest of the garbag can with Kool-Aid or Tang...That shit is liquid fucknuts.

6. That is when I started to understand that things were very, very different for me. My life had been prefucked.

7. It was like filling the nozzle of a hair dryer with dry ice, holding it one centimeter from oyur retina, and plugging it into an electrical socket. It was like being Helen Keller, in Greenland, naked.

8. So this was the situation. The situation was this: Mitch had to get inside his car, or inside somebody else's car, or inside anything can contained qualities of "insideness."

9. It does not matter what you have been right about, and it does not matter how often that rightness is validated by others. We are what we cannot do.

someone else's list...

2009-01-30T13:27:00.004-06:00

I ran across the list below on a blog, which I forgot to bookmark, so I can't remember who posted it originally. oops. Anywho, love the insights. Sometimes it is nice to relearn the obvious.

Here's an extract So you want to be more creative, in art, in business, whatever. Here are some tips that have worked for me over the years:

1. Ignore everybody.

2. The idea doesn't have to be big. It just has to change the world.

3. Put the hours in.

4. If your biz plan depends on you suddenly being "discovered" by some big
shot, your plan will probably fail.

5. You are responsible for your own experience.

6. Everyone is born creative; everyone is given a box of crayons in
kindergarten.

7. Keep your day job.

8. Companies that squelch creativity can no longer compete with companies
that champion creativity.

9. Everybody has their own private Mount Everest they were put on this
earth to climb.

10. The more talented somebody is, the less they need the props.

11. Don't try to stand out from the crowd; avoid crowds altogether.

12. If you accept the pain, it cannot hurt you.

13. Never compare your inside with somebody else's outside.

14. Dying young is overrated.

15. The most important thing a creative person can learn professionally is
where to draw the red line that separates what you are willing to do, and
what you are not.

16. The world is changing.

17. Merit can be bought. Passion can't.

18. Avoid the Watercooler Gang.

19. Sing in your own voice.

20. The choice of media is irrelevant..

21. Selling out is harder than it looks.

22. Nobody cares. Do it for yourself.

23. Worrying about "Commercial vs. Artistic" is a complete waste of time.

24. Don't worry about finding inspiration. It comes eventually.

25. You have to find your own schtick.

26. Write from the heart.

27. The best way to get approval is not to need it.

28. Power is never given. Power is taken.

29. Whatever choice you make, The Devil gets his due eventually.

30. The hardest part of being creative is getting used to it.

31. Remain frugal.

32. Allow your work to age with you.

33. Being Poor Sucks.

34. Beware of turning hobbies into jobs.

35. Savor obscurity while it lasts.

please to enjoy 71

2009-01-10T20:43:00.004-06:00

please to enjoy = 50% new + 50% new to me + 50% songs from back in the day + 50% songs that don't quite fit

Link to file:
https://rcpt.yousendit.com/640998518/33d8d9887a51971728fd1a8d61eb5cb8

please to enjoy 72:

1. Fucken Awesome - Spiderbait
2. Breathe & Stop (max romeo disco remix) - Q-Tip
3. Pablo Picasso - The Modern Lovers
4. Second Chance - Liam Finn
5. Hey Doll Baby - Vetiver
6. Fan - New Young Pony Club
7. Walk In the Park - Oh No! Oh My!
8. High on a Mountain Top - Loretta Lynn
9. I'm On Fire - Bruce Springsteen
10. In The Beginning - k'naan
11. Where Next Columbus? - Jeffrey Lewis
12. Skeleton Boy - Friendly Fires
13. U.R.A. Fever - The Kills
14. Acho Um Pouco Bom - Cansei de Ser Sexy
15. Nosebleed - Illinois
16. All Caps - Madvillain
17. Daylight - Matt & Kim
18. Suspended In Gaffa - Ra Ra Riot
19. Don't Bother Me - The Blakes
20. Bang! Bang! - The Knux
21. Parentheses - The Blow
22. Hurricane Jane - Black Kids
23. With Strangers - Little Joy
24. Unknown Legend - Tunde Adebimpe

please to enjoy: me, and me too!

2009-01-10T18:35:00.004-06:00

Ok, I think I finally figured out a simple way to share my random "please to enjoy" cds without having to burn 15 copies for the brave souls who want them.

There are going to be 12 themed mixes, one per month, and this set of 2 cds that I made for a friend that are songs that are a part of me, for lotsa reasons, for better or worse. :) I will gladly accept cds about you...and explain some of the weirder ones on mine if you are wondrin.

Link to file:
https://rcpt.yousendit.com/640978486/00d3ff8db82031f286a9e24b80a6caa6

Also, I am still going to posting my good ole please to enjoy mixes semi-regularly.

please to enjoy = 50% new + 50% new to me + 50% songs from back in the day + 50% songs that don't quite fit

please to enjoy...me:
1. Drinking Coffee - Rufus Wainwright
2. Expectations - Belle & Sebastian
3. Act Nice And Gentle - The Kinks
4. Good Days Bad Days - Kaiser Chiefs
5. Dirty Mind - Ben Lee
6. Love of the Loveless - Eels
7. I Will - The Beatles
8. Together - The Raconteurs
9. Electric Feel - MGMT
10. Drop it like its Hot - Snoop Dogg
11. Revelry - Kings Of Leon
12. Overpowered - Roisin Murphy
13. Solo Impala - The Fashion
14. Walking On A Dream - Empire Of The Sun
15. Heart It Races - Dr. Dog
16. Oh, Sister (Bob Dylan cover) - Andrew Bird
17. Move (Cut Copy Remix) - CSS
18. Psychotic Girl - The Black Keys
19. Hi-Fi - M. Ward
20. Too Drunk Too Fuck - Nouvelle Vague

please to enjoy...me too:
1. Dancing In The Moonlight - Billy Corgan
2. DARE - Gorillaz
3. Lived In Bars - Cat Power
4. The Warning - Hot Chip
5. Strolling Down the Highway - Nick Drake
6. How Low - Jose Gonzalez
7. Four Leaf Clover - Badly Drawn Boy
8. Lullaby - The Cure
9. Creator - Santogold
10. Through the Roof 'n' Underground - Gogol Bordello
11. Young Forever - Aberfeldy
12. Good Ol' Fashion Nightmare - Matt & Kim
13. Downtown - Peaches
14. Go It Alone - Beck
15. I'm On Fire (Springsteen Cover) - Bat For Lashes
16. I'm Straight - The Modern Lovers
17. Big Jumps - Emiliana Torrini
18. Willow Tree - Chad VanGaalen
19. Top Yourself - The Raconteurs
20. Reasons To Love You - Meiko

A Karaca Gray kind of Christmas

2009-01-09T10:38:00.005-06:00

Spent my first xmas in Chicago with my bro and Chip, Gray also making a first time xmas appearance, and it was an awesome time. Feel so lucky to have cool new family traditions, like champagne at every meal, caviar, gourmet meals by Chip, live piano music from a mostly in tune piano, scrabble, baby drool, new friends and family, catching up on shows, and chicago snow slop! (granted, there were af few parts I could have done without...what exactly does it mean to be called a liberal communist by a crazy person?!?!)

Here is a snippet of the annual xmas eve tree lighting....with real fire...

And here is our perfect little grinch.

1st Annual THXgivin in October!!!

2008-11-03T20:44:00.003-06:00

Highlights:
• No water at my house, party moved to Sir Bretly of Brooksideshire's house.
(Muchos Thank Yous Bret!!!)
• Turkey started at my house, finished at Bret's
• "Baby Come Back" was the soundtrack to turkey carving.
• Argyle!!!
• Joshy wins for Most Effort....Adam wins Least Effort (seriously, you could have at least worn matching socks)
• Rachel - Turkey and cranberry salad
• Aaron - Sweet potato bake
• Bret - Cheesy potatoes
• Adam - Stuffing
• Joshy - Rice Krispie turkey
• Amanda - Creamed corn and green bean casserole
• Albert - Bread and berry shortcakes
• Casey and Lori - assorted breads
• Nina - mashed pumpkin pie
• Lindsay - Pumpkin custard
• Kristy - Mac and Cheese
• Mandy - Her sweet self :)

Man oh man, we are so thankful....

tuesday's with joshy!

2008-10-15T20:43:00.003-05:00

Place: Skillet Licker Cafe, 6th Street, KC, Kansas

Rating: 5 outta 5 Joshys!!!!!

Highlights:

• Fresh donuts! Before your food comes out! Fresh frickin donuts!
• Joshy's tenderloin sammich was bigger than his face.

• Super nice waitress / owner?

• Old school juke box with fancy tunes

• Bandages held on by rubber bands (someone has been watching MacGyver)

• B.J. and Top Gun are tied in our 13 Tournament of Champions
• Bootsie pulled a crazy fast win out her ass. Probably will never happen again.

My Sweet Sweet Dream.

2008-09-21T16:47:00.003-05:00

Here are the things my dreams are made of....

1. Abandoned school + just the right amount of drama + alpacas = new home

2. Commune living + short taxi bus to and fro to hallmark + film crew = bazillions of $

3. Cash money from bank of LaWanda + covers from disco parties = mortgage

4. Sam Rockwell + Justin Theroux + me = good times INDEED :)

5. Good friends + green living + talent shows + potluck dinners + fully stocked bar + a gymnasium + boiler rooms with semi-legal activities = paradise

Pardon my blogstapation....

2008-09-16T22:32:00.012-05:00

Ok, it has been a ridiculous month...hence the need for this flush of updates.

Tuesdays with Joshy: (where we've lunched...just the facts, none of the details)

• Blanco in Westport

• McCoys in Westport

• Jerusalem Bakery in Westport (this was a Tuesday with JUST Joshy...no amanda)

• 2020 in the Crossroads (this was a Tuesday WITHOUT Joshy)

• Sol Azteca on Southwest Blvd.

• Gates on Main

• Succotash in the River market

Misc. Happenings:

• Aaron turned a year older while bowling

• Bretly is a sexy sexy dancer....and i might be a liar...if you believe everything you hear on video. (couldn't figure out how to rotate the video. whateves.)

• Amanda and I went on a Burlesque Extravaganza

• Tailgating + Whiskey + 100 degrees + more Whiskey = trashy-ness

btw, dr. pepper plus whiskey is a magical combo.

• I learned that Caterpillers each pizza (see below)

• Got a new, fantastic, beautiful, perfect, highly advanced for her age, tiny, cuddly NIECE!!!!

• Saw the world's worst movie at the east side of kcmo's best Drive-in.

• Played some Ewok Magic trivia.

• Saw some free movies.

• Became a design prof at KU. I am rocking the chalk again and they are paying me. crazy.

• Maybe I am the daughter of a spy...but maybe not....but maybe. hmm.

• Farmed in the rain...for 4 hours...at the butt crack of dawn...in the mud...voluntarily.

• Met 3 super duper awesome artists!!!!!

• Totally got promoted! crazy.

Bands, bands and more bands:

• It's Over

• Bacon Shoes

• ACB's a few times

• Restavrant

• Vampire Weekend

• White Williams

• Aaron Hale minus the boy detectives

• Wye Oak

• Albert's high school reunion

• Cut Copy (SO AMAZING!!!)

• The Presets

• A few more that I can't remember

whew! caught up just in time to get behind again. ;)

just in case: kinda cool but sorta lame super hero powers

2008-07-28T16:42:00.003-05:00

1. Making change for a $20

2. Roller skate feet

3. Making people moist (non-sexually)

4. 2 left wings

5. Clapping really super fast

6. Making people itch (again, non-sexually)

7. Spraying honeydew smells, skunk style

8. Xray vision, but only through shoes

9. Retractable cape

10. Swiss army toes

11. Giving people spontaneous Dyslexia

12. Being impervious to large amounts of caffiene

tuesdays with joshy!

2008-07-28T10:38:00.005-05:00

Place: Dagwoods Diner, 1117 Southwest Boulevard

Rating: 3 outta 5 Joshys*

Highlights:

• Lotsa coke memorabilia

• Super faux wood formica

• Lotsa men, just a few teeth

• Bandages held on by rubber bands (someone has been watching MacGyver)

• B.J. has first win in our 13 Tournament of Champions(es)

• Bootsie is bringing up the rear with the least wins

• Parking lot full of ice cream trucks, draw your own conclusion

*Food was grease-tacular, but the atomosphere was a little...rough. Bring a buddy, just in cases.

minutes from potluck: 7.23.08

2008-07-24T13:59:00.003-05:00

Host: Chateau Du Lamoreux

Meal: Turkey Beef Oatmeal Burgers and some fixins

Game: Lotsa random talking

Highlights:

• PBR and Sunny D!!!

• Cupcakes con fungi
• Ants on a log, leads to the Great Raisin Debate of 08

• Cat highway

• Adam's wild-n-wacky imperialistic mayhem dream (see above)

please to enjoy: videos i heart right now

2008-07-17T10:08:00.002-05:00

She & Him - Why do you let me stay here

Solange - I decided

Vampire Weekend - A-Punk

minutes from potluck: 7.9.08

2008-07-14T13:44:00.005-05:00

Host: Westport Flea Market

Meal: Burgers and contraband burritos

Game: Trivia

Highlights:

• Woodstone Principles pulled in at 4th place

• Won some smallish t-shirts (almost as cool as the cold hard cash)

• Joshy gave up magna-doodle duty

• Aaron mentally blocked his whole Australia trip :)

• None of us foreigners know ANYTHING about the Royals! Or space. Or Southpark.

things my dad hates pt. 3 (submitted by LaWanda, my mom)

2008-07-14T11:23:00.007-05:00

In no particular order:

32. LaWanda's cooking

33. LaWanda's cooking smells

34. LaWanda's cooking sounds

35. LaWanda's driving

36. LaWanda's parking

37. LaWanda's parking spot choices

38. LaWanda's movie choices (all Canadian)

39. LaWanda's reasoning

40. LaWanda's gardening

41. LaWanda's sewing

42. LaWanda's favorite TV shows (all Canadian)

43. LaWanda watching Jay Leno (Jay Leno is a "communist")

44. LaWanda's vacuum cleaner

45. LaWanda's dishwasher sounds

46. LaWanda moving his stuff around

47. LaWanda's stinky cat food

let's get to know: raymundo

2008-07-10T22:41:00.008-05:00

Assorted Facts and Figures

1. California - Ray Ban - Top Gun

2. Super Secret Special Spot

3. Gin!!

d. Brazilian Wax Dance

5. "Why can't I have pineapple?"

6. Bears-n-Boots-n-Underpants

7. Nice tots

8. Trampy Psychos

9. Number 1 Softee Fan

10. Rides dirty (see above)

11. Sharpie on skin action

12. Keeper of the butterscotches

13. Flusterbated

14. Fellow lover of Rob and Big

15. Teal-ish nail polish

tuesdays with joshy!

2008-07-10T13:12:00.030-05:00

Place: Grand Slam Burgers

Rating: 4.5 outta 5 Joshys

Highlights:

• TOTS!!! (I like to nibble them, Joshy and Top Gun like to mouth them)

• Minor stint as beverage passer outters

• Top Gun shunned cream soda in all forms

• Official start to 13 Tournament of Champions(es)

• Joshy is rockin last place...no offense

• Bootsie LOVES chest hair

things my dad hates pt. 2

2008-07-09T15:13:00.003-05:00

In no particular order:

18. ice crunching
19. tv volume over 5-6 bars
20. gossiping
21. gossipers
22. rushing around (rushing includes doing more than 1 thing a day.)
23. Minnie Driver
24. Diane Weist
25. smells–yes, ALL of them
26. noises
27. popcorn at the movies
28. people at the movies
29. the movies at the movies (I Heart Huckabees got 46 EMPTY stars, see pt. 1)
30. VW beetles that are not Turbos
31. Canadian TV shows (see pt. 1)

minutes from potluck 7.2.08

2008-07-09T10:01:00.009-05:00

Host: Ghattas, Adam

Meal: Hoagie Extravaganza

Dish of the Night: Cut throat tie between Lindsay's Strawberry Surprise and Bret's Cinnamon? Cherry? Apple? Jello? Explosion

Game: Sitting around telling embarrassing stories.

Highlights:

• Midge!!

• Katie's brush with tortured homeless people

• Rubbing and stroking on the orange couch of love

• Flash floods, hail and crazy winds

please to enjoy: songs stuck in my head

2008-07-08T19:13:00.011-05:00

1. Through the Roof 'n' Underground - Gogol Bordello

2. Riding on the Metro - Berlin

3. One Last Time - The Kooks

4. Alala - CSS

5. Fernando Pando - The Virgins

8. Top Yourself - Raconteurs

just in case: roller derby names

2008-07-08T19:08:00.005-05:00

1. Queen ElizaDeath

2. Killadelphia (for baby joshy)

3. Acid Reflux

4. Squeaky Cream

5. Live Bait

6. Scabulous

7. Scrape Jelly

8. Goldie Blocks

9. Dread Ex

10. Boom Boom

11. Chesty Galore (for top gun)

12. Turkish Delight (for me)

lines i like, out of context: "a decade of curious people and dangerous ideas," chuck klosterman

2008-07-07T09:05:00.005-05:00

In no particular order:

1. Crazy things seem normal, normal things seems crazy. Gusty winds may exist.

2. I have developed a romantic relationship with the process of dipping.

3. It's not that less is more; it's that less is everything.

4. To me, that's part of what Myxomatosis* is about–it's about wishing that all the people who tell you that you're crazy were actually right. That would make life so much easier.

5. The problematic rub is that–over time–choice isolates us.

6. ...women have always understood the nemesis-archenemy dichotomy. Every woman I've ever known has at least one close friend whose purpose is to criticize their actions, compete for men's attention, and drive them insane; very often, this is a woman's best friend.

7. I'm not sure how much I love my country, but I'm pretty sure I don't like any of the alternatives (except, of course, the speed-walking juggernaut that is Canada).

8. Perhaps. Perhaps not, but perhaps.

9. Q: If given the choice, would you rather (a) only abide by the rules and morals of society that you personally agree with, or (b) have the power to slightly adjust the rules and morals that currently exist (but these adjustments would then apply to you and everyone else, all at the same time).

10. The only options are to be "pro-pirate" or "pro-chump." We are pirates by default. And this is depressing (or at least it is to me.) How I long for those bygone days of adoring ninjas! Argh.

11. There is a line in the Diary of Anne Frank where that little courageous Jewish girl mentions how she can smell the cold when someone from the outside enters the attic. Well, I come from North Dakota. I can fucking see it. You lose, Anne Frank.

12. I only smoke angel dust just before going into the office on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. I'm going to assume the reasons for this schedule are self-evident.

13. I will attempt a hoax: it will be my intention to trick Nikki Rumble into believing that I am a raging homosexual. I will also pretend to be nearsighted. This will be a two-pronged hoax.

*A virus that inadvertently devastated the British rabbit population after it was introduced in the 1950s, covering the countryside with bunny carcasses.

summer reading: what i have read as of 6.29.08

2008-06-29T15:44:00.002-05:00

Dry - Augusten Burroughs

172 pages of A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius - Dave Eggers

Killing Yourself to Live - Chuck Klosterman

30ish assorted magazines

First few chapters of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - Hunter S. Thompson

39 pages and counting of A Decade of Curious People and Dangerous Ideas - Chuck Klosterman

nicknames (some unfortunate)

2008-06-29T15:30:00.004-05:00

In no particular order...or significance:

babygal

roo butt

rachel roo

sonny (dad's generic name for everyone)

little k

raka

rock

CARACAS VENEZUALA (always shouted)

sex (a complete misnomer)

bootsie

antika

missy

la cucaracha

la cu

karacaracaraca

tiker

teeks

pansa

melons (...dumb boys)

summer reading: what i want to read

2008-06-27T09:03:00.002-05:00

Dry - Augusten Burroughs

Franny and Zooey - J.D. Salinger

Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs - Chuck Klosterman

The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

Slaughterhouse Five - Vonnegut

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass - Lewis Carroll

Kitchen Confidential - Anthony Bourdain

Go Ask Alice - Anonymous

Naked Lunch - William S. Burroughs

The Sun Also Rises - Ernest Hemingway

things my dad hates pt. 1

2008-06-26T09:38:00.003-05:00

In no particular order:

1. Nachos

2. People who eat nachos

3. Canada

4. Onions

5. "Damn crowds that follow us where ever we go"

6. Old people

7. Loud people

8. People who smoke

9. People who drink

10. People who drink and smoke and eat onions

11. Foods with sauce of any kind

12. Movies made in Canada, by Canadians

13. Bad breath dressings

14. I Heart Huckabees (see #12)(Note: Does not matter if they are actually Canadian or filmed in Canada, they are accused of being Canadian and hated.)

15. Young punks

16. Using your brakes (if you can't coast to a stop in time, you are driving like a young punk, see #15)

17. Liberals

lines i like, out of context: "killing yourself to live" by chuck klosterman

2008-06-26T09:10:00.007-05:00

In no particular order:

1. The fact that he could not do something correctly–yet still do it significantly–is all that anyone needs to know about punk rock.

2. I am not qualified to live here.

3. ...I find your ideas fascinating. You are a fascinating Cracker Barrel waitress.

4. I can't decide if I'm impressed or underwhelmed...

5. Art and love are the same thing: It's the process of seeing yourself in things that are not you. It's understanding the unreasonable.

6. I'm still alive, but I feel myself dying, person by person by person by person.