Smokin'

Not smoking illicit substances with my dangerous friends, rather, smoking a fine cigar at the Shilo Inn of Beaverton at the moment. They've got free wifi and are cigar friendly so I'm studying for my second Anthropology midterm of the semester here. Fun stuff! I think this is a great place to make flash cards for sure. I'm also recommending the song below, I found the album last year and found it great to revisit it today. Enjoy!

Midterm

Studying for my Anthropology midterm, listening to this album that just came out today, sipping a Tecate and getting a cuddle from my hound. Not too bad...

Feeling a bit homesick for Australia. This song as well as the album it's from reminds me of the early part of our time in Australia. Maybe if I close my eyes and listen to it a buttload of times it'll feel as if I'm there!

Sep 12th

Been too long since I've updated my blog! The last few weeks have mostly been spent working 2-3 days per week and the rest of the week going somewhere. I've been to the coast, Seattle, Vegas and currently in Klamath Falls. Only the finest destinations for moi. Currently chillin with my main man Winston and listening to some funk music, such as the song below.

Sunday-Wednesday

I recently had a job change and now have Sunday through Wednesday off...every single week. This is my first day off from everything since the last week of June. Holy balls I have no idea what to do with my time now and I love it...hard.

Real Estate - It's Real

Friendship and cigars

Sometimes I like to smoke cigars with my freakin homies.

Washed Out is good and talented

Here is a song from the new album. I like it very much.

I am off of the Facebook

Today I decided to pull the plug on my Facebook account. It wasn't an easy decision to come to but ultimately it felt like the right thing to do. No doubt there are plenty of benefits to being connected to so many people in one spot. But after reflecting on the days before Facebook I was reminded of my relationships prior to that and how much stronger they were back then.

It gets kind of exhausting trying to think of the best or wittiest thing to say to somebody's status. Sometimes people get bummed if you don't say anything about their status. Also I don't care to know what some guy who I sort of knew in high school had for lunch or what their political leanings may be. Plus, I'm really excited to see how I fill the time when I'm with a group of people and they all get on their phones to check in, or make comments and what not and I'm not a part of that.

In the end, I would rather have strong and meaningful relationships with a few people than surface-only, mediocre relationships with 250 people.

June who?

What the hell happened to the month of June?? Man I seriously need to figure out how to get more out of my time. Between work and school I am pretty well stretched thin. I glanced at my blog and saw I only posted once last month. Then I had a moment where I realized it was July already and already in the thick of a new term at school!

June was good, at least the part of it where I was mentally aware of it. Wrapped up my first term back at school with a strong 4.0, nothing like jumping back in after a freakin' decade and making a splash! Also had a couple nights where we were able to pal it up with some friends. I ended the month with my birthday and a surprise visit that weekend from my Dad and my little bro as well as their significant others.

Here's hoping the rest of the summer isn't so hectic and more time can be spent having a social life and having time to be a rascal!

Snoop-a-Loop

This song is pretty old but it is as timeless as Freedom and it inspires me to strive hard towards my goals in life.

This song rocked my socks off this morning



This song is included on an EP released by Canopies, you can name your price and buy the album here:

http://canopies.bandcamp.com/

blokes weekend

So TB went to Klamath Falls to help her mom find a new place due to her job relocation. I stayed home since I need to go to work on Tuesday.

It's kind of weird having all this free time. I haven't had two days in a row off for a little while between school and work. So Winston and I have pretty much been chilling. I ran out of coffee today so decided to go get some serious gourmet shit. I picked up an Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, basically the best beans from Ethiopia; the birthplace of coffee. So it had to be good.

But I couldn't brew it in a busted up French Press that needs replacing. So I went a step further and picked up a Hario V60 ceramic pour over cone. This slow pour over method takes about 3 minutes if done properly. I grinded the beans and methodically poured into the cone until ready. Double damn, what a nice cup of coffee.

I really like tinkering with new things/products and kind of nerd out a bit if you couldn't tell, but it's all in good fun.

I took Winston for about an hour and a half walk today. He was good for the most part, got distracted by squirrels mucking around but that's about it. We also encountered a strange yet friendly lady who started giving Schnauzer grooming advice that was not solicited by either Winston or myself.

Winston has found a new favorite thing to do here in the apartment. He loves to stick his head out the window and talk S to birds, squirrels and the general public. It's pretty fun watching him be protector of the home.

Travel Lust

Man I want to travel so hard right now. There is so much freakin stuff to see en el todo mundo! But for now I have to stay disciplined, my girl and I have to get through school. If I could go anywhere right now, it would have to be Singapore.

Singapore looks incredible for a variety of reasons. It is a super urbanized, Asian city-state. There are over 5,000,000 people who reside there, so there should be plenty to do. The food is rumored to be top notch. The fourth largest economy in the world with a strong currency. Also close proximity to a bunch of other kick ass countries.

Americans can get a 6 month working holiday visa there. 2 years ago we would have already taken advantage of this opportunity. If anybody is reading this and feels a little tempted to look into Singapore a bit further, don't question it; just go.

Here is a link to start applying for your 6 month visa.


Singapore Working Holiday Visa

Sounds like electric glitter and festivity

Jam of my day

This little nugget of goodness came through on Pandora today...and I like it. Listen to it really loud.

Cigar season

Today was a nice day, in fact nice enough to announce that it is cigar season. In Oregon, when it rains 7 or 8 months of the year, the rest of the months signify a very special time.

Today before registering for summer term classes, myself, my lady and my dog went for a family stroll in the neighborhood.

I lit up a Tatuaje Havana VI Angeles and we were on our way. Upon our stroll we happened to walk by Rich's cigar store. I had to go in to see what the haps was, it's cigar season for cryin' out loud. I stumbled upon a Fuente Opus X Perfecxion X and purchased the S out of it.

So all in all it was a very productive day!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Amor con mi novia, schnauzer divertido, cerveza y guacamole

Realization

Today I have realized I am made of the same ingredients that has allowed me to have an awesome past. I can use those same elements to make an awesome future happen as well. It is liberating to know and realize truly when you are in control and on top of your game. It feels good to be back on top.

Holy balls! The sun is out!

Nice to finally see the sun out and to see all the white winter legs in shorts! I thought this song fits pretty well with a sunny day. I'm not sure how long this sort of weather will last, so make sure to squeeze this lemon for all it's worth!

The funk

Thought I would take a quick break from work to share this jizzity jam I just heard on Pandora. Makes me want to gyrate in some swank/sleazy Euro nightclub. Enjoy!

Back to Skool!

Well I went back to school last week. I have quite a bit of work ahead of me so I'm just putting one foot in front of the other. I just got my first math quiz back (my bugaboo subject) and actually received a passing grade! If you round it up I would have a B, not bad for my first outing!

It has been fun to exercise my noggin again, I am anxious however to champ through it so I can get back out and about and see some new continents. For now I will live in the present and just enjoy the experience.

Also, I found a new (to me) song that I have been into lately. It's called "Little Morning" by Nick Howard. The lyrics are a little mushy but the actual music to it reminds me of a lazy weekend morning romp session. Good stuff!

Peace Homiez!

Bibi-whoa

Oh snap, today I just found out that Bibio has a new album coming out on April 4th! Here is a track from the album that I found enticing. In case you don't know about Bibio, he's a pretty talented dude. Give his album Ambivalence Avenue a listen as well.

Yesterday Terra and I were able to spend an evening with  a dear friend, Gabriel L. Gurule. It was a fun night. We decided to step out on our healthy eating as of late and make some burgers, drink a couple beers and listen to rapping music.

I've got family coming in today. Mom, Dot Com, my little bro bro Tyler and his lady Steph. Not sure when Jess and Andrew will be in, but they'll be around sometime. I'm excited to reunite with family! I am also stoked for everybody to meet our little man Winston. All in all it looks like it should be another nice week!

Lose a Dogg, gain a dog

This week we lost a Dogg, which is a damn shame. The good ones seem to go too quick, from Bruce Lee to MJ.

Fortunately for me and my little family we gained a dog. Even though it's a temporary situation (we are fostering him) it is great to have such a gent of a dog to hang with us.

Winston

Not sure what to do with his pig ear

Spring forth

Some big things coming up. The biggest I can think of is my 7 year anniversary with Terra! March 14th is the day, wowzas! It has gone by so quickly and I wouldn't change a thing. We will be certain to have many more adventures together.

On the 18th we are taking in our first foster dog. His name is Winston and he is a 5 year old mini schnauzer, we are both so excited to meet him.

Then the following week we will be able to visit with the fam coming up from California. It should be a lot of fun.

Good developments with Spring around the corner, I swear the improvement in weather puts me in optimal mental and physical health. It's nice to become reaquainted with that state.

Cash Money

Lately my whodi and I have been having hip-hop pancake breakfasts. Tonight we did it for dinner. Don't get it twisted.

Yikes!

Sheesh! Today was a rough day at work. It was a real kick to the scrot, in a learning kind of way. Anyways, good thing I can make a bomb azz Spanish Coffee. Thanks for the recipe Huber's!

Please note that the drink recipe calls for ground nutmeg. I did sprinkle some lovingly atop the cream but you cannot see it in the picture.

Me and m'lady are going to go to the Toro Y Moi concert at the end of March. I think it will be a great deal of fun. Here is a video that I find to be satisfying.



Also here is a picture from a few months ago when I had a brief stint working at Borders.

Have a funky fresh week suckas!

Homiez

This past weekend was a lot of fun. I got my work on both days but also got to hang out with some good friends both nights this weekend. There were laughs to go around and a couple of beers and a glass of milk or two with some scissorkicks thrown in for good measure. Nice coming off of a positive weekend and starting the new one off right. I have a good feeling about the week approaching.



A good song, as well as album that I enjoy pretty hard right now.

Snugs,
TA

New Radiohead album out today!

Album is called The King of Limbs

Cool song I found today. Sunny sounding music for a cold ass day.

Escaping the cold

I was at work today contemplating how cold it is and thinking about some warm escapes. Upon doing just a little research I found a sweet deal to Baja California Sur, flying into Cabo. From PDX I found an airfare for $416 round trip. To me, it seems there are no excuses not to go if you have a little free time and some extra cash laying around. Check out orbitz and book a trip. It's probably the best decision.

Scissorkicking with a dog

Yesterday I found my new favorite thing to do whilst in Salem. Grab the nearest dog and scissorkick with it. The dog pictured is named Penny. She is a toy poodle that belongs to Heidi Blakley of Salem. Try it next time you get the chance.

Feeling kind of sick

Today has been nutz. Out of nowhere I got pretty ill. Gnarly fever and all. I really hadn't felt sick for probably more than two years. It's good to test the limits of the immune system though. Plus Terra has been really looking after me. The best thing to do is rest, take it easy and just let the bug pass. I am currently watching Casino.

Most people have probably seen this, but if not I strongly recommend it. Watching it makes me feel better, and it also makes me happy. Find a clip below to see what you're missing.

google for music

Here is a quick tip to find some free music using google. A lot of people already know about this, but it doesn't hurt to help eh? Use the following search in google and see what comes up.

-inurl:htm -inurl:html intitle:”index of” mp3 “Wu-Tang Clan”

Wu-Tang Clan is the example, just put what you are looking for in there and hopefully you'll find what you're looking for. If you are finding free music, try to not be a total stiff and perhaps attend a concert or find some other way to show your support of the artist in question.

Indecisiveness

This morning I was faced with a multitude of tough decisions. We were out of coffee so I decided to run to the Fred Meyer down the street and replenish supplies. While I was there I thought I would pick up some breakfast items. It took probably 10 minutes to settle on a choice for coffee. I would go back and forth reading the descriptions on each one and trying to find the one that I could most identify with. Another 8 or so minutes was spent on bacon choice. I'm really not sure why it was so hard to choose. I like to make snap and confident decisions. Today didn't start out like that. Mundane story I know, but why in the heck can the most simple of choices seem like the most complex obstacles sometimes?

Blackbird Blackbird – Pure (Official Music Video) from Isaac Bauman on Vimeo.

Mission Statement

This blog has been set up primarily for selfish reasons. I have been wanting to find a creative outlet that can be maintainable with my day to day lifestyle. I hope that anybody who chooses to read this can also get some joy out of it as a byproduct. Thanks.