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damn

Finally; the weekend.

Inspiration

Fleeing the terrifying "whomp whomp" of the dubstep circus that is my job, I chanced upon this when I got home:  Jojo Mayer in Frankfurt.  Yes! I think this solo is musical and Jojo gets a lot out of his relatively modest kit.  His cymbal selection is unique, and allows him to create trashy, ambient, washy sounds that are complimented by his articulate sticking and practiced dynamic range.

So now I want to practice, but it's 11:55 PM on Sunday evening and it'd be nice to get some sleep too.  I'll be at it early tomorrow though, at least until my Atoma 220 diamond plate shows up and I try to get some of these knives into shape...  I've been reluctant to put imperfect edges on the knives with stones that aren't flat.  None of my stones are flat.  I've been putting a fairly decent edge on my gyuto with them, but I haven't tried to touch up my yanagi-ba since it was professionally straightened and sharpened.  It needs to be run on the 8k at least, but possibly on the 1200.  I'll figure it out once my stones are flat.  I'm going to use the diamond on a cheap knife for practice too.

Yes!

the torture never stops

Or so the Zappa song goes.  I've been playing drums every day, and doing the Tai Ji and Gung Fu.  I've professed quite often that these occupations are all I need out of life, but I'm always doing something else too so I'm probably full of shit.

The version of this song on DVD 2 of ZPZ is excellent.  Dweezil plays his most original solo of the show, pulling some radical screams out of his guitar.

I can't wait to be in school again.  It might ruin my life too.

sushi spot

My work throws the best parties.

And everyone came, except a couple kids who are under-age.  Robert Goodman's was a good spot, small and intimate, but the music sucked.  The dubstep at the end got everyone dancing...

everyone except the dudes.  DUDE.

Hieroglyphics

It was refreshing to see a hip-hop collective that really enjoyed rapping that night.  Just saw these guys live here in Humboldt.  Super sweet show!  Independent emcees who really had a great attitude.  I could tell they were beyond stoked to be here.  The crew were running around on stage, full of energy and stoked at the welcome they received.  The pound or so of pot thrown onstage in the form of joints and blunts might have fueled their enthusiasm as well...if there's one thing Arcata has plenty of, it's weed.

Having listened to Obama's address this morning on the tax cut package he just signed, I'm slightly more inclined to push into current events and pull a blindfold off my eyes.  For quite a while now I've been immersed in history and ignoring the present.  It seems a prudent student would focus at least a chunk of ones time on the present.  Regardless, Obama wants us to be bold and courageous, so I'll attempt to make him happy from without the political spectrum.

Been working on my drums a lot, much more on my hands though.  They're doing alright; Paul seems fairly content with my recovery from surgery and pushes me as always in the workout.  Tai Ji has been enlightening, as usual.  I'm slightly frustrated but ready to jump back in the game now that I'm no longer sick.  Illness is very frustrating when you're a 22 year old who feels he should be invincible.  Nothing like sitting on a toilet for a few hours a day to help that fantasy crumble.  Finally got my toe operated on as well, so maybe that won't irritate me as it has in the past and the poor thing is no longer so infected.

Paid off my bills, still have some savings; if I survive the holidays intact then I'll be well enough off to buy books for college in the Spring.  My Dad just reminded me that I have to buy my own phone this month, gradually weaning me off the teat.  Well, I've been spoiled long enough...

Lots of people want to play music with me lately.  This should be refreshing.  I've been making noise all by myself for a long time now.  I wish I could say that I used all the free time I've had to do plenty of serious wood shedding and improved a lot.  Perhaps I have, somewhat, but it's never enough.

sweet!

Just got home.  Woooooooooooh.  Now to unpack and do laundry.  My 275mm Yanagi is coming back perfectly flat and sharper than most razors, it should arrive in a couple days.  The repair ended up costing 85.00 after shipping, but who cares? It's still cheaper than a new knife and in better condition.  In the future hopefully I'll be doing that myself though...

Boston was sick, can't get enough of it.  The weather would get old though.  I want to go through the fine art museum there a dozen more times, the budhist section was awesome, and I saw Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh...!!!  All sorts of neat stuff from the pyramids in Cairo too.  Stepped into a hole in the wall jazz club and watched some Berklee kids cruise through a bunch of straight ahead stuff.  It was fun.  Brandy and Tiven took Hannah and I out to the Italian district for some dope food and good wine.  The pumpkin ravioli and truffle foam were awesome, but I liked the dessert best.

Florida was much warmer.  Swimming in the ocean with just swim trunks and some perfect waves in the middle of a rainstorm is surreal.  I've never been in ocean water much warmer than 50 degrees F.  Went out to some excellent sea food with the 'rents and learned how to surf (well, I suck at it so far, but it is fun).  I met a bunch of crazy relatives and had a good time with lots of food and family, hot weather and all that.  Spent the last few days visiting my Niece and Nephew in Cocoa at my sister Kristin's place.  Her and Davin took us out to sea world and we had a blast surfing.  Lots of good pictures for posterity and all...