forget el nino... the economy is the best scapegoat ever.

being poor can be rough. especially in the middle of an economic catastrophe. as a 24 year old I shouldn't have nearly as many unemployed peers as I do. It isn't all bad though. Being a Poor is a journey full of all sorts of adventures. And there's nothing like being poor to make you appreciate the cheaper things in life. as the economy continues to tank and more and more people join the ranks of us Poors, finding good and cheap entertainment is either becoming more accessible, or i'm just getting really good at it. my current favorite cheap-o forms of entertainment:

*dollar bowling ( in fact, you really dont even need to bowl to be entertained at a bowling alley. this is a prime people watching location. people who get dolled up for a night of bowling are HILARIOUS!)
*1/2 price pizza at papa murphys! (this is great! after 8 any unclaimed pizzas that have been called in for are 1/2 price! steal of a deal!)
* friend who have jobs that benefit me. (read: i get free stuff from them)
* feeding dogs peanut butter!
*free bagel friday at noah's!

it's the simple things in life. and really... as long as you're not this guy, life has to be pretty good.

I have a neighbor who works for a dance production company whoin exchange for volunteering at events can hook up some pretty sweet tickets to see the awesome dance companies that come to town. last week i was able to see Chunky Move, a modern dance company (which, speaking of people watching, modern dance performances bring in some fantastically entertaining individuals for such an activity) from Australia. It was a really interesting concept for a show, which also had dialog. They had the stage split in half with a curtain with an audience on both sides. So you're only seeing one part of the show. It toys with the dr jekyll/mr hyde theme as well as what it is to be a performer. It was fantastically done. I was able to go twice, seeing both sides. here's a video montage of sorts from the show. (disclaimer: there may be some pg-13 language)

has anyone been following the madness of the pirates in somalia?

crazy scary. and slightly awesome. i know if i were on a ship taken over by pirates i would be very conflicted. part of me would be thrilled! a real interaction with REAL pirates! but mainly i think i'd be so scared, i would soil myself. so i'll keep away from somalia for now. just the same; pirates, thanks for keeping the news interesting for me and way to keep people on their toes. just maybe try and tone the violence down a bit.

apparently chris issak (who incidentally has been made an honorary Australian citizen. (!!??)i didnt know this was possible! but i want this! i want to be made an honorary citizen of LOTS of places. Australia would be as good of place as any. i'd also like an honorary degree from somewhere. anywhere really. so if you happen to hear of a place of education looking for someone to bestow that upon, send em my way. ) has a show on the bio channel and recenlty had Yusuf Islam (formerly cat stevens) as a guest. apart from isaak being a horrible interviewer it was a good watch, and if you happen to come across it i would highly recommend it. He's releasing an album, Roadsinger, next month. He has all sorts of people collaborating with him including dolly parton, alison krauss, and paul mccartney. this is from a BBC performance, but beautiful just the same. doesn't he have one of the most soothing, smooth voices? he plays and sings with such ease! i can't wait to hear his new record.

march madness

how has march passed by so quickly?! this month has been a whirlwind- but i suppose the same could be said about most months lately. march started off in a great direction, as i took a weekend road trip to utah for jason and paul's commitment ceremony. it was a beautiful day and i was glad to have made it down to be a part of it. for only having been there for a few days, i think i was able to see more people than any other visit. i missed seeing brady, but being able to see the rest of the firth clan was a lot fun.



these three were taken by j&p's fantastic photographers (in case that wasn't painfully obvious)


jason, myself, b-alexander, and paul


the drive home was the most treacherous trek yet. multiple sightings of cars flipping, frozen roads and crazy snow storms were survived.




miss sheyda & so, two of the many folks i was able to see.


do i just not pay attention to my apple cores enough, or is it a strange thing that i found sprouting seeds in my fruit?

not a week after seeing dani and liam in utah, they were in oregon and poot and i were able to share a fun filled dinner with the two of them. liam is such a smart little cookie!

i've been trying to spend more time developing my martha stewart skills for when the day comes that we meet and i will have to impress/win her love. b-alexander and i came up with a concoction that is one of my favorites thus far:
fried ice cream...
....with marshmallow mateys!!! (brand name lucky charms? not in this girl's pantry! haven't you heard?! we're in a RECESSION!) corn flakes seemed too boring (and also another item missing from this girl's pantry.)
it was delicious and devoured before any other pictures could document the wonderous treat. which is just as well, because although tasty, was not a real looker of a treat.

i have less than 48 hours to come up with a good april fool's joke. any ideas?!

in this i approve

I thought living in Portland, a city that prides itself in the bizarre, I had seen my fair share of strange things and places. Little did I know, I had no idea what bizarre even meant. Modern Toilet, however is more than familiar with the true concept of weird. It's a restaurant in Taiwan that has the craziest theme to ever hit the food industry. And I mean ever. What else would a restaurant with a name like Modern Toilet have to offer but a bathroom motif? Being a lover of poop jokes and having a crude sense of humor not much different than an 8 year old boy, this place has officially made it on the list of places I will see... if I ever find myself in Taiwan. I won't hold my breath, but really, how awesome?! A business that can *almost* literally serve you poop, and be so successful! Well done Modern Toilet. Two doodies waaaaaaay up.

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I don't know much about Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, but from this article I can say I definitely like what I see. Sebelius says "My Catholic faith teaches me that all life is sacred, and personally I believe abortion is wrong," (Oh! but wait!) "However, I disagree with the suggestion that criminalizing women and their doctors is an effective means of achieving the goal of reducing the number of abortions in our nation." Hizzah! This is what we've been missing! Logical politicians who can see past their personal beliefs and create laws that are ethical! Abortions are going to take place whether they are legal or not. Lets leave that decision up to individuals and their doctors. Not politicians and activists. This lady, even if hilariously coined the "enemy of the unborn", has my approval. Here's to you, Ms. Kathleen Sebelius, for trying to take the bias out of our nation one policy at a time.

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music, travels, and celebrations

i took the train up north to see David Byrne with b-alexander to celebrate his birthday. it was a gorgeous day, seattle standards aside- clear skies and perfect hoody weather. i had a lot of fun walking around town taking pictures. i wish i could travel by train every where i go. it's really too bad our countries railways had to fall by the wayside of the automobile. I wonder if the railroad would be asking for a bailout had the industry stayed strong. something deep inside me whispers no. i guess mr nilsson was right. nobody does care about the railroad anymore. it's a shame.

David Byrne was phenomenal and i'm pretty sure i missed my calling in life (or at least what i think my calling should have been), which was to be a dancer for david byrne. really. they were fantastic! we made it to the show a bit late, and were slightly startled to see david byrne, his dancers, and the band, dressed in white outfits that weren't too unlike LDS baptisimal clothes. This wouldnt be too strange, except we were at the Benaroya Hall... which has pipes that are all too similiar to the Tabernacle. of course the similarities were a coincidence, david byrne isn't trying to make a religious statement, but it took a minute to get use to the sight of it all.


seattle







i've seen a lot of bands mulitple times, but never within a single tour. Murder By Death, a band full of movie nerds with obscene musical talent, are currently on a tour playing two of their concept albums back to back. Even though i've been to many MBD shows, Upon seeing they were playing in Eugene and Portland i thought why not?! and hit them both up. it was loads of fun, and although it's not something i'll make a habit of, i'm so glad i went to both shows.


they had clips of old films playing during the set, two of which i have recently watched in my film class! alas! i feel my college education is coming in (somewhat) useful! hizzah!

eli and b-alexander, having birthdays only a few days apart, had a joint party extravaganza! fun and cupcakes were had by all!

music of 08

i've never been much of a new years resolution list maker, however i always look forward to making The Best Of lists at the end of the year. here it is february, and i have yet to complete any of the lists i've started. my laziness is particularly disappointing, because i love turning my top ten albums of the year into a mix. having an entire weekend to do with it as i please, i am going to not only complete my list, but get the mix a mixin. and so, for all of you (who are probably highly disinterested) i present the best 11 albums of 2008!

dr. dog- fate

sigur ros - Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust

murder by death - red of tooth and claw

bon iver- for emma, forever ago
sam philips- dont do anything

tv on the radio - dear science

department of eagles- in ear park
my morning jacket – evil urges
ray lamontagne - gossip in the grain
son lux- at war with the walls and mazes

ratatat - lp3

almost made its (if my list were to extend to top 14)

okkervil river- the stand ins

frightened rabbit- the midnight organ flight

MGMT - oracular spectacular

what did i miss? what were your favorites, music or otherwise?

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lets do this:

burbanites

i am on my way of escaping from the suburbs and am in the process of house/apartment looking. after lots of online searching, i came across my dream home. now all i've got to do is come up with 3 roomies that would make it affordable. oh man, what a house!take a look see, fall in love, and come move in with me!

because i am planning on getting out of beaverton as quickly as my monies will allow me, last night was spent trying to get the most out of what the burbs have to offer. ben and caitlyn joined me in the exploration. Our favorite was probably Friends Cafe & Pub. it's a tiny little joint by nike campus filled with "regulars" of the country singin, karaoke lovin, reno playin, 40 somethings. We saw entirely too many scrunchies but had a grand ol time. ben even managed to wow everyone with his karaoke skills... of course to the great joe cocker's with a little help from my friends. it was well accepted by all. the best part of the evening was the lovely surprise of discovering my point and shoot is once again in functional order! hizzah! here is some proof of our good times.

ben in all his joe cocker glory
(the red flowers really pulled the place together)