you've got a body like an hour glass, it's ticking like a clock

It's been awhile. Apologies.

I'm back at school, getting back into the swing of things in terms of homework/commitments/responsibility/etc. Don't get me wrong, I love summer and being with my friends from home, but this was a long one. Every summer before this one my job was manual labor. I would do floor work, painting, yard work, basic cleaning. It was a convenient, well paying job that fell into my lap seven years ago (just saying that makes me feel old).

As I talked about a few times here, I did enjoy the ride operator job I had this summer, but it lacked the productivity of manual labor. There were projects to finish, completed products to take joy in. As such, this summer felt lackadaisical. I felt lazy and bored most of the time.

That being said, I haven't had much in terms of free time since I've been back. My responsibilities as a College Adjustment Peer took up all of my time the first week, and classes are already in full swing to keep me occupied now.

It's going to be a rough semester, but I'm actually looking forward to it. My classes are dauntingly difficult, two of them in particular (one of which is essentially the only class that teaches me how to be an English teacher, pressure, I know), but I'm looking forward to actually being challenged again. I'm trying to become more active in my education, doing things like reading the assignments and developing more insights. You know, be a college student.

Have you ever found yourself intrigued by someone you know nothing about, for reasons you can't comprehend? I've found someone interesting.

Rum on a Saturday

Sometimes small events can restore your faith in humanity. Grinaldo Artusi and I met up with a high school friend of mine at the local Irish Fair a few days back. Both Grinaldo as well as my high school friend are of heavy Irish descent, something I cannot claim to be true of my own herritage (Polish Power!). We decided to go, not only to see my friend before we both departed for collegiate life again, but also because Flogging Molly was playing.

Now I'm going to be honest, I can't even remember the last time I actually listened to Flogging Molly. This was proven to be true when I struggled to recognize about half of their set. But Grinaldo and I had seen them the last time they had headlined this particular festival (two or three years back now) and figured it would be an enjoyable, and equally importantly free, way to spend the evening.

Anyways, it was probably about halfway through the concert. We were hovering towards the back half of the crowd (as I've said before, I'm getting too old for the front row shenanigans) and somehow our position became part of the path for those headed either towards or away from the hazards of the pit that was rapidly expanding in front of us. A bearded fellow, no more than a couple years my senior, was attempting to squeeze past us and was visibly having issues finding a suitable path. Those who know me well will understand how rare the following is (Grinaldo: recall the gent in front of us at The Dark Knight?). I slid to the side and said, politely I might add, that he may pass this way. He stopped just in front of me, turned to face me, and said, "That was very nice. Would you like some rum?"

He ventured into his pocket and retrieved a flask style bottle of Captain Morgan from his pocket. I accepted his offer, took a swig of his rum, and returned the bottle (sidenote: I didn't even require the offered Cola chaser. Spats, you should be proud of me). The concert continued, the bearded fellow continued towards the stage, and the night ended...well actually it ended with a party and an odd reunion with yet another high school aquantence. Oh, and a smokin' hot cousin. But that's another story...

outside there's a boxcar waiting for us

I made a new stencil today. It's of an old school 35mm camera. I was researching tips for door decs (since my College Adjustment Peer job requires me to produce these goods for all my freshman) using a site my good friend Grinaldo/Tommy Artusi (hence forth referred to as Grinaldo Artusi for time saving reasons. Also, it sounds badass) suggested, when I remebered the suggestion of my good friend and fellow stenciler Dos Equis. Being as the class that binds these freshman together is photography theme, I decided to do a camera stencil (Camera Stencil is apparently the name of a font, making it incredibly difficult to google).

I found this picture and decided to recreate the stencil in it, as it seemed both fitting and vintagely badass.

It turned out about as well as I would have hoped.

My return to school vastly approaches, though it seemingly cannot come fast enough. I miss the hustle and bustle of that life, the productivity that comes with it. I'm excited to meet new people and see my friends again. I guess what I'm saying is that I'm ready to go home.

Also, I'm thinking of starting another blog. I love this one, and worry not loyal readers, I would continue this one just as it is now (or however I want damnit). But when I started this blog I talked a lot about music and movies and other art/media forms and to an extent, I miss doing that. I like sharing new bands or images with people. Thoughts?

all i hear is king me love me watch me did he love me honey kiss me is she off me naughty you've been naughty ladi dadi move your body

Maybe I needed (need) some time off. Deal.

Things that have crossed my life lately:

Hypothetical question: Let's say you're the father of a small child preparing to spend the day with said small child, as well as the wife, at a theme park of sorts (maybe like the one I work at). Putting yourself in these shoes, picture yourself in front of the mirror, picking out clothing let's say. You presumably have a collection of t-shirts (meaning hopefully more than one t-shirt) and a dressy shirt or two. When reaching your hand out, hoping to bring it back grasping the day's torso wardrobe, would the t-shirt you retrieve be the trusty and ever-so-classy "Miller High Life" shirt? Maybe I'm the only one who has issues with father's toting their beer preference while riding small trains with their child. It just feels...tacky. Like the mom's sporting matching Hooter's t-shirts with their teenage daughters.

I like that regular citizens like myself band together against the injustice that is the speed trap. My drive to work includes one of those 45 mph roads that could easily be 60 mph, you know the type. And on a particular curve of this road, police officers seem to enjoy parking in initially hidden locales, stalking their prey on the everyday speeder such as myself. Now I've seen these coppers repeatedly and as such have learned to drive cautiously, but my road compatriots don't seem to be privy to this same knowledge. A few days ago I was approaching this curve when a van in the incoming traffic lane opposite ours flashed his headlights a few times, indicating the lurking danger. Appreciated, fella.

I have an unnatural love of replacing the word "of" with " o' ," as in Barrel o' Monkeys. Again, deal.

As of this last week I have become infinitely cooler, what with my receiving an early birthday present in the form of a record player. Much of my time not spent at work is now being used for cruising used record stores of the physical and occasional online variety. I don't spend much (usually between fifty cents and four dollars), but have already built up a respectable collection including, but not limited to: The Who, Simon & Garfunkel, Cat Stevens, the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, Toto (though I forgot it in Cedar Rapids last weekend), and William Elliot Whitmore (though admittedly this wasn't a used record, but was totally worth the $12 I threw down at the Electric Fetus (winner in my contest for best store name of all time)). That should about reestablish any cred I've lost by having D&G glasses. It's nice to be back in the indie world.

Dos Equis and I wrote some music when I visited him a week ago. It was one of the most cathartic experiences I've ever had. The songwriting progresses, more on that later (once I purchase a new pack of strings).

Finally, I saw these cats last night:


DOOMTREE


It was off the hook.