I don't know how yet, but this has to happen. I may not like Florida, but Gainesville is forever my hometown. And these bands.... they're the reason I do how I do.
And so it is. Just like you said it would be. Life goes easy on me, most... of the time.
Head Thought
Yesterday's almost sunset / fog settling in by the Fremont Bridge.
Picture of the Day
Cold
Today it got cold again and it did so rather quickly. I could feel it in my knees. I still need to laundry .
Download my Book For Freeeeeeee!!!!
I have been told by my publisher that an ebook version of my book will be available as a free download this Friday, January 17th!! That's pretty cool, eh?
The truth is I don't fully get into the ebook thing. I don't fully get the ebook thing. I like that it makes people learn and such, but it's just not how I go about my reading with the exception of news and social netowrking.
Anyway... I want you people to download it!
It's free!
The unfortunable side is that it will not include my illustrations and my personal font, but when I finished that collection of words it was the feeling of one moment ending and the simultaneous beginning of another.
It's not how it looked.
It's the combined energy of how those lines stacked together and my soul was shook.
How every poem made me feel: uniquely and as a collective whole.
So maybe it's the best way to read the book. An honest look at my humility and awkward optimism and personal hells.
It don't make sense unless you read it, but what I'm trying to say is you should DOWNLOAD MY BOOK FOR FREE!
I was also asked by my publisher to tell you nice people that you should leave reviews. I think asking for flattery directly is kind of silly and not truly me, but if it gets more people to notice my book and future work which I believe is even more thought provoking insanity!
Then boom! Yeah! Leave reviews! Be honest! Tell them you like potatoes just like me.
I just want to give people a little hope amongst tragedy. To show people there's magic if you just believe.
DOWNLOAD MY BOOK FOR FREE ON FRIDAY!!!!!
I'LL REMIND YOU AGAIN!
I KNOW I'D FORGET THIS EARLY IN THE WEEK, TOO.
Meow!
Life
Nothing has went according to plan this last week or week and a half. Most of it seems absolutely absurd but it feels so good.
I would expand but I have work that needs done. I'm sure it'll all come tumbling out whether in words or art eventually.
I'm just glad that the rain is back. Winter winds in Portland are so intense. I laid awake for hours last night just listening to them howl by the houses and assist wind chimes in frantic chorus.
Life is what you make it; make it awesome.
Dinner
Cards
Last night I saw free music at Rontom's on East Burnside. I drank beer, danced, and hung out with good folk.
Ialso "found" a deck of cards! Now I can play war with random people; it's only card game that really matters anyway.
Then I fell asleep cuddling with Smoggie Catt on the couch.
Well that's all the words I have for now. I have work to do. Goodbye for now Interwebs.
Jim Morrison
Yesterday I spent the entirety of my day feeling like I was in Jim Morrison's head; whatever the schmuck that means.
Last Night
Picture of the Day
Last Night
The poster flyers by the current artist at The Goodfoot are badass.
There's no escape quite like song and dance.
Megan, Gretchen, and D-Love (I think/hope that last name is right.) It's kind of a blur.
Anyway thank you three for the moment of hospitality.
My hat still smells like cajun fries. Do I just flip it inside out?! Hmmm....
Some Words of Mine
December was by far the most challenging month of my life as an adult. A lot of almost opportunities and almost trues.
There's not a lot of talking to do on the subject because that's you move forward.
You break when you got to, be true, and get through.
All was not bad, a lot of it was good. It made up for the difficult. It made up for the confused.
I think shared knowledge is power and we should all be more in tune.
I spent the greater part of the month lost in moments, unsure how to convey to people who read these words.
The answer is not one answer. It's through pictures, it's through words, it's through song.
I don't know a lot of things, but I do know we all deserve to be free. Free from our minds. I know I am.
It don't make no sense sometimes, but what's that ever mattered? Not much does.
I just want to create and distribute magic to all of you. I hope you feel inspired to do so, too.
Cell phones make great tools but they are not a requirement to appreciate the sunset or the moss covered roofs.
Feel the suns warmth on your skin, take time to breathe, and most importantly BE FREE!
Because 2014; It's the beginning of the end of the corporate machine.
Volunteering, David Lynch, Sparklehorse
Volunteering
Yesterday evening after work I volunteered at the Oregon Food Bank with a couple coworkers.
There were a lot of people and the stacks on stacks of raw food was mind numbing to me.
The mind blowing part to me though is the amount of people in this state and country that will STILL go without food.
Anyway.. volunteering was a good feel. It's something I've been wanting to do since arriving in Portland but haven't made time and/or got around to doing.
I really want to volunteer with the Arboretum here or anything that puts me around the parks department and great trees of this forest.
Note to self: volunteer more.
As I said before there were a lot of people at the food bank last night. Tis the season though, eh?
But they said they will have just as much food to distribute out in the coming months but only a fraction of the people volunteering so let's do it friends. Let me know if you are interested.
David Lynch
I have officially watched "Fire Walk With Me" and the first two episodes of Twin Peaks. I get it people. To all of you who've been telling me to watch it for years it's begun.
Will Marshall, if you're reading this. I'm damn sorry it took so long. I have to admit the foggy cool air of Portland made it easier to watch though. Wicked stuff man.
Sparklehorse
I've heard the name Sparklehorse more than once over the past year and thanks to Kieran Arnold, I finally sat still long enough to soak in his tunes.
From old to new it's all quite genius.
It's full of feels and intimately dark at times but it's fucking fantastic. I only have the most popular album which he did with Danger Mouse at the moment.
It's good but I recommend looking up the older stuff on Grooveshark. It's so good. Hauntingly good. Listen to the few tracks I've posted below.
They are more poppy than the older stuff but it's all relative. It's the kind of stuff that makes you sit still and sink into your chair a little more.
Well that's all I've got for you guys for now.
Listen to Sparklehorse. Watch David Lynch films. Volunteer to help your community.
Happy Christmas 2013
Happy Christmas 2013 from Smoggie Catt and Me. I truly believe the world can achieve a greater peace if we take time to think.
We all got a bit of magic in us. I encourage you to find it and share it. Let the friends you have know you appreciate them.
Take time to rest. I'm so thankful to be part of this forest I'm in.
The interweb is great, but there is a greater goodness in shared experience. Thank you to everyone who has taught me that.
Jackie, Jordyn, Joel, Cass, Josh, Daniel, Hero, Tracy, Astrid, Heather, Tylar, Kelsey.. and so many more; I like you all greatly (Smoggie does, too).
Thank you! Thank you for enhancing my story.
It's all fragmented realities and other star stuff so get lost in it. Happy Christmas 2013!
Carol of the Bells Cover
My friend and former bandmate covered one of my favorite Christmas songs.
It's loud and crazy and highly recommended. A fun take a classic song. It's not the kind of song you listen to it through your laptop speakers. Let it surround you. Listen to it loud!
Keep fucking shit up Cohdex!
Christmas Eve Grocery List / Troutdale, Oregon
This past week I was fortunate enough to spend some time in Troutdale, Oregon just outside Portland.
I was able to sit by the Sandy River and bask in it's magic. Thank you fate for that opportunity.
I need to blog more in the eve of the happenings but so much happens that sometimes you just have to play catch up later.
These pictures are from said adventure.
My Christmas Eve Grocery List:
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- Grits
- Eggs
- Dave's Killer Bread
- Strawberry Jam
- Ninkasi Oatis Oatmeal Stout
Happy Christmas Eve to all!
Embrace all the magics life gives you!
Goodnight!
Happenings
I haven't been interwebbing as frequently lately.
I don't know what that means I'm doing with my time. I think I hang out with people some of that time.
I sleep between 1-4pm. The rest of the time I spend drawing pictures, drinking coffee, trying to read and not be distracted. All of that in no particular order: shuffled and repeated. Yeah that's what I'm doing.
Also, my books have come in! You can buy them from my interweb store.
Otherly, Christmas Time is upon us. It really doesn't feel like it. Maybe it does in a way. Hmmm...
I left my favorite coffee mug when I hung out with Cody the other day. I miss Floyd very much.
What else? I don't know right now.
Buy my book! Read it's words! Happy Christmas! Goodnight!
Business and Fluffy Things
Business: I think I fixed the error with my web store! You can properly buy my book from my website now! Just let me know if it's giving you nice people any more errors.
Don't forget I will have my physical copies sometime next week. I'll let you know exactly when i have them. So technically you're ordering from my site is a preorder.
You can buy it by clicking this pretty picture below:
If the idea of a preorder puts your nerves on edge you can also order the book at these other outlets:
from my Publisher's Website! http://goo.gl/JoA3C8
off of AMAZON! http://goo.gl/G4UwAz
Fluffy Things:
Smoggie and I fell asleep watching Ninja Turtles on the couch. It was the perfect end to a perfect day of wandering.
There was hot chocolate, Doritos, and cuddles.
Smoggie Catt is the best friend I could ever ask for.
Today!
Things I did in no particular order:
- I drank coffee.
- I woke up and got out of bed before 9am and didn't have work today.
- Josh and I finalized the order for the first batch of Sleepwalking shirts.
- I made eggs and yummy toast.
- My book was officially published and is live on the world wide interwebs.
- I bought a pair of glittens (glove/mittens). They are made of alpaca wool.
- i bought marshmallows and stamps amongst other random things.
- I got a new nose ring. Nothing fancy but it doesn't have the ball thing. Yay!
- I wandered. I wandered a lot.
- I saw the most astonishing colors as the sun set. It's one of those moments you want to share with everyone but don't think they would get why you're losing your wits.
- I bought a new sketch pad.
- I drank more coffee.
- I did a lot of thinking about things and stuff. I need to write more of this down, but I didn't want to quit moving. It was cold and there was too much to be seeing.
- I saw Joel and Cass. They are splendid people with a very vocal cat. Kind of like Smoggie Catt but more sass. Kind of like Denver Kitty.
- Today was a beautiful day.
- I am still anxiously awaiting the return of the rain.
- I drew pictures.
- I listened to music.
- I lived and contemplated the act of living.
- Today I was once again thankful to live in the Pacific Northwest corner of planet Earth where everywhere I look is magic.
- Now I will let my imagination wander to the music of Muse.