Apologies

So Blogosphere, it's been a couple days.

Where have I been?

Not here.

But why?

Here's the list of reasons behind your neglect:

1. The man's birthday. Since I am someone who thinks celebrating birthdays is uber important, we have been meeting friends, having bonfires, sharing drinks, etc. for the last couple days. His birthday is also behind reason #2.

2. Painting Bill Murray. As I explained in my post about my Etsy account, I have begun a ritual of painting one of Mark's idols on a canvas every year and giving it as a present. This year: Bill Murray. And true to Bill Murray and the characters he plays, he is proven to be slightly difficult.

3. Desperately trying to finish my current book, Signora da Vinci by Robin Maxwell, so I can move onto Parker and I's book club book, The Passage.

4. Working. Yep, that's right. I let work get in the way of my blogging. How terrible am I!

5. Life. It has a funny way of interrupting itself.


So hopefully, tonight or tomorrow I will have finished the painting, the book and be home from work, in time for a real post. No promises though.

A Birthday Weekend: In Review

This upcoming Tuesday is the birthday of my favorite person in the whole world: Mr. Mark Jay.

To celebrate, I bought tickets for him and I to a concert in Nashville, TN. While Guster is one of our favorite bands, neither of us had ever seen them live. A travesty for such avid concert-goers like us. I had heard great things about Guster live, but I did not anticipate the phenomenal show they put on.

Here are some of the highlights:

1. A fan in the crowd screamed out "Eye of the Tiger" as a request in between songs. Before we knew it, the drummer and bassist hopped right on board and started playing the iconic song. After singing a full verse and chorus of the song, they stopped and the lead singer Ryan Miller said "Now stop screaming out shit." Mark and I were impressed.

2. October 1st was the anniversary of Ryan Miller's wedding to his wife Angela. They had been married for 5 years and she was kind of pissed that he was not going to be around for such an occasion. To make her feel loved/better, Ryan called her during the show. True to her womanly form, she didn't answer (a woman scorned). So Ryan left a voice message that began like this: (very quietly) "Hey babe, it's me. I just wanted to call to tell you..." And this is where we, as the audience, came in and screamed "Happy Anniversary Angela! I love you!" Mark and I will forever be on Angela Miller's voice mail.

3. After playing a tremendous set, with songs from every album they've ever made, Guster went on to play a 7-song encore. 7 songs! Insane. The second to last song was Billy Joel's "My Life", which was fantastic. The final song was by far the best...which is why I recorded it. Enjoy my lovely video-stylings.

4. Mark walked away with a set list. For a couple years now, Mark has been a collector of these fine sheets of paper and, after screaming at the top of my lungs "It's the bearded man's birthday!!!", we walked away with one. Mark can't contain his excitement.

All in all, a fantastic night and a fantastic concert. I shall leave you with a nostalgic picture of the venue. Adieu Nashville and thanks a bunch Guster!

Short and (Bitter) Sweet

I worked a double today. I am exhausted. Therefore, I can only muster a small post.

Mark reminded me of this beautiful commercial tonight while we sat talking about the fate of the world. While I'm not necessarily in support of using a sensitive, touching, heartbreaking issue to further commercial/capitalist gain, the brilliance of this commercial cannot be denied.

Enjoy (and weep). I sure as heck did.

 

Also, remind me to talk about the walruses. The walruses must be addressed.

Things I Love

Since this blog claims to be about things I love, it's about time you learned of my love for a special man. He is funny, intelligent, well-dressed, talented and handsome.


That man is Jimmy Fallon.

Why do I love him so?


The following video demonstrates just one of the many reasons. Coincidentally, another man I love--Justin Timberlake--is also present. There is a whole lotta love going on here.

Interest vs. Passion

I have always envied "passionate" people. People who cannot keep themselves from following/fostering/developing their passion. I find that I am interested in so many things (too many things, even), but don't really know if I'm passionate about any one thing. I'm sure that there is a concert pianist somewhere who started playing at 4-years-old, because they couldn't keep themselves from the keys, that is wishing they could tear themselves away to paint, to cook or to run, but I'm doubtful. It just seems, from the outside, that those with a passion just have a better sense of direction, a life goal that drives them constantly.

I discovered yet another one of those passionate people in a Huffington Post article. Meet Mark Boyle.




Mark Boyle was an economics and business student who decided in his last year of school that the only way he could change the world was to live entirely without money. Amazing. He, like Colin Beavan (aka--No Impact Man), have been so moved my our culture's lack of care and awareness about the environment and the priorities of the commercialized masses that they make drastic change.

While I wish I was so moved to be this passionate about a similar cause, I--as I said previously--have rarely developed such passion, such dedication. So, the only thing I can do is do my best, in small amounts. I can only act as a person interested in changing, but not quite passionate about it just yet. I have already started bike-riding at least 3-4 times a week when traveling to places close enough and safe enough to bike to. I have begun doing most of my grocery shopping at the local co-op grocery store, buying local and organic when possible. I also have not bought a piece of clothing or shoe-ware in over a month (and for those that know me, that is quite a feat).

Passion requires commitment. While I cannot yet commit to many things--being an artist, being an environmentalist, being a professional--I can be interested in them. Baby steps to passion, as Bob Wiley would say.

Review #1

A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius

By: Dave Eggers

I just finished this 437-page book this morning and, after some contemplation, I think this book is a 7 out of 10 stars. While I really enjoyed the book, for many reasons, there were a few things I just could not get over, namely the ending.

 

PROS: 

• Witty--very witty. Laugh out loud funny at some point. All you need to do is read the preface, the final statement of which is "Here is a drawing of a stapler:" and a drawing of a stapler follows. Genius.
• Very insightful, philosophical discussion about the meaning of life and the meaning of death. If you don't have time to read the whole thing, I recommend Part VI (which Eggers describes in the table of contents as: "WHEN WE HEAR THE NEWS AT FIRST. [Some mild nudity]--all the hope of history to date--an interview--death and suicide--mistakes--keg beer--Mr. T--Steve the Black Guy--a death faked, perhaps (the gray car)--a possible escape, via rope, of sheets--a broken door--betrayal justified."). Pages 201-217 are most brilliant, in my opinion.
• The writing style is very Vonnegut-esque--train of thought, slightly ramble-ish, but most realistic from my point of view. This may be seen as a con in some people's books but I love it. Because of it, I think the story rings much more true.  

CONS:  

• The whining. While Eggers does a great job of making tragedy comical, there are points of the book when you just want to yell "GET OVER IT!" Now I can't imagine losing both parents within a short time span, as he did, and I'm not trying to be insensitive, but he does harp on some points for a little longer than necessary. It makes him, or his character, a little less forgivable.
• The rambling. While I mostly enjoyed his writing style, there were points that I had to put down the book because it was too much, too fast. I found myself only being able to read this book in 20-30 minute increments because I felt I was ingesting information too quickly and my head would start to hurt.
• And last, and very least, the ENDING. For such an intelligent book, it was kind a stupid ending. On the last page alone (which is only a half-page long), Eggers uses some variation of the F-bomb 11 times. While I understand why he did it, I don't necessarily think it was the smartest choice. The ending fell flat--it was almost as if he gave up--and I would bet money that the ending is what kept A.H.W.O.S.G. from winning the Pulitzer.

 

So there it is folks, my first book review. Despite its pitfalls, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius is truly a great book. I highly recommend it. 

Next book: The Passage by Justin Cronin. The reviews and discussion of this book will be a collaborative effort with the talented and lovely Ms. Parker. Who is excited for apocalyptic vampire tales? This girl.

Snippet

"I mean, am I the only one seeing the solipsism?"

--Dave Eggers, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius

I am about 60 pages away from finishing this very interesting, very thought-provoking, very comical book. Hoping to post a review of it here later on tonight, after work. We'll see if bad television gets the better of me and keeps me from this task. Til then, live long and prosper.