1. What was the first band you saw in concert?
I’m almost ashamed to admit it because it takes my cool factor go down to about two, but it was Michael Jackson during the Victory Tour. I had seen some small bands before that, but it was my first real concert.

2. Who is your favorite artist/band now?
It’s always changing, but right now its Mates Of State.

3. What’s your favorite song?
Again, it’s always changing but right now its Flicker by Calamine

4. If you could play any instrument, what would it be?
The sitar.

5. If you could meet any musical icon (past or present), who would it be and why?
Perry Ferral would be fun to party with. It would also be cool to spend a weekend with Jerry Garcia.

I just looked up the cover of the Time magazine that was out on the date of my birth. Somehow the cover seemed kind of appropriate for today. Maybe. You can find the cover that was published during the week you were born too.
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Aldous Huxley is a genius. I first read Huxley my freshman year in college. The book was called The Doors Of Perception (complete text), from which The Doors got their name. I read this back when I had a solid interest in psychedelics. Then I read Brave New World (complete text) which to this day remains one of my all time favorites. I also read Chrome Yellow (complete text and .mp3).

Last night I finished reading Island. Huxley can often get a little too philosophical for me, such was the case with Island. In addition, much of the book centers around eastern philosophy and spirituality which lost me. As a result, the book took much longer to finish than it should have. Some parts of the novel I had to force myself through. That being said, the novel overall is pretty good and worth reading once. It has the typical of good writing and ideas expected of Huxley, but it’s not one of my favorites. The plot is weak (simply a vehicle for Huxley to explain his ideas on society at large) and the ending is abrupt. But as a social satire, the novel is very effective.

Most of the novel concerns itself with how people in an ideal society would interact with each other and their environment. The novel presents us with a society that conducts itself, in the eyes of Huxley, in the best possible way that humans can, given their physical and spiritual flaws and restrictions. Huxley has always been great at turning the word “idealist” back into a positive by describing with pragmatic knowledge what in our present world is not working, and more importantly, proposed solutions; this novel does a great job of this.
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My weekend in 10 fragment sentences:

Went to bed early on Friday.
Skied on Saturday morning at Winter Park.
BBQ’d on the mountain.
Beautiful weather.
Snow tan.
Cleaned apartment on Sunday.
Hung out with Sabrina, her sister, and brother in law.
It was the first time I’ve seen them since we split up.
She was grumpy.
I enjoyed myself.

Last week I went to go get fitted for a tuxedo for one of the aforementioned weddings. Next door to the formal wear store is a bar that I used to frequent when I lived in the Baker Neighborhood. While sitting at the bar people watching and trying to look like I belonged there, I noticed Young Fishbone waiting tables.

I got her attention, she didn’t remember my name but she was real happy to see me. She sat down for a little while and we told each other what we’ve been up to over the past couple of months. It was a nice little surprise. Lots of hugs and winks and shit.

Afterwards I was feeling pretty confident so I gave Sabrina a call. She invited me over to her moms house (she was house-sitting) and we watched VH1’s sexiest people and drank screwdrivers. It was actually kind of boring.

Much like Liz, it seems that many of my weekends this year may be taken up with weddings. Now don’t get me wrong, I can really enjoy good wedding. If the actual ceremony is short and sweet yet poignant, and the reception is fun, a wedding can be a blast. Not to mention the chance to meet new people, dancing, free booze and dinner (sometimes), and good friends.

But I have a lot of them this summer. Maybe too many.

And it may be a bit of a drag doing all the travelling, dressing up, and schmoozing. They can also be pretty expensive when tuxedo rental, wedding gift, and accommodations are all included. But more than anything I’m honored to participate in the weddings I’ve been invited to be a part of, and I’m glad to witness the love and pride of my friends committing their lives to each other.
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1. How many houses/apartments have you lived in throughout your life?
A quick count says that I have lived in at least 6 houses, 4 apartments (including the one I live in now), and 1 dorm.

2. Which was your favorite and why?
For a year, right after college, I lived in a 100-year-old mansion in the Capital Hill neighborhood. It was huge. It had a large yard, remodeled kitchen, hardwood floors throughout, pool table, porch, deck, five bedrooms, three bathrooms, four fireplaces, and all the original built in bookshelves, cabinets and mantles. I know for a fact that unless I win the lottery I’ll never live in a place that nice again.

3. Do you find moving house more exciting or stressful? Why?
Stressful, because it is just a lot of work. Once I’m all moved then I get excited.

4. What’s more important, location or price?
Location. Price is dependent on location.

5. What features does your dream house have?
A warm place to sleep. Oh yeah, and a swimming pool.

I went to McCormick’s Fish House and Bar last night after work. Me and some friends have a new “standing happy hour” and this was the first one. The attraction to McCormick’s, for me anyway, is their happy hour snack menu. Everything on the menu is only $1.95 and items include, among others:
-Chutney stuffed jalapeño peppers.
-Steamed black mussels in curry and cream sauce.
-Seafood cakes with tartar sauce.
-Crudité with ranch dressing
-Salmon croquettes with red chili aïoli
-Potato skins with broccoli and cheese

The menu changes frequently depending on availability of ingredients. Another attraction is that The Cruise Room is next door. As for the “standing happy hour” only three other people showed up (of the 20 to 25 invited, not even the guy who started it showed). Maybe more people will show up the next time that I decide to go.

A letter never sent. I originally wrote this letter back on December 17th 2001. It was one of those letters that never gets put in the mail. A letter created intentionally for its recipient when it was being written, but never actually making it there. Written mostly for therapeutic reasons, but only in hindsight. If never sending the letter was for better or worse, I’ll never know.

Spring has sprung. I singed up for ultimate again this season. I decided to try out a different league though. The league I was using before was fun but games were on Sunday morning and this tended to destroy entire weekends. Monday nights should be much better. Hopefully this new league will work out. I know I have a fun team.

Ultimate is a great sport to play out here strictly because of the attitude of the sport and its players. It’s highly competitive and great exercise. There are no referee’s, the entire game is played on by an honor system with the spirit of the game being the one main rule. After the games are done a tailgating atmosphere develops. Usually a couple of kegs are brought to the fields and everybody sits around watching the last games, sipping beer and getting to know each other. It’s tons of fun and a good chance to spend time outdoors with new friends. I’ve met a lot of great people playing ultimate over the past four years and I look forward to another great season. I post more on how our team does as the season develops.
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