It's been four months since I last posted anything to this blog.
unhealthy thinking indeed.
I'm back at it. Just for me. To remember where I am, why I am here, why all this matters. In the past four months, since July when I saw the President speak, things have changed and they havent changed. Hm, scratch that last sentence because I didn't even say anything. Empty words. Politician words. That's one thing I now understand after 3 semesters studying public policy here in DC. Wait, scratch that again, while I'm studying policy, I'm really just learning how to cut everything apart and analyze everything objectively. Which isn't always very fun. No room for opinions here, that's politics. No room for personal ideologies, that's politics too. Just numbers and peer-reviewed journals. But then again, even numbers can be biased. I've learned that stats and economics are simply tools. Every peer-reviewed article has another refuting it. And another refuting that. The fucked up thing is...nobody is right.
But nobody is wrong, either. That's what they're trying teach us. To make your arguments, you have to understand the other side. As Professor Dietz [NSA/CIA guy, who has probably been the most interesting prof I've had here at Mason] has said, you do not want to be that guy, the one sitting behind whatever superior when a questions arises that you/your superior hadn't prepared for. But in understanding the other side, you just become jaded with the whole process and realize that you'll never convince anyone of anything because everything is relative! Einstein even proved that! So what is and what isn't? What is right and what is wrong?
I've learned that I still carry with me strong opinions...but I also realize that every opinion I have has a counter, and every counter is also valid. Fuck. That means none of us are right or wrong. It's all relative. Even the concepts of equity and equality are subjective. And that's why shit doesn't get done here in DC. Because it's so much easier to just hunker down in your cave of "my truth" and defend it to the end. Forget understanding the other side, MY side is the right one, and hence, the only one that matters. That cave is a good place to be. especially if you can convince others to hunker down in there with you. But the other side of the aisle is always thinking the same god damned thing. And as of 6:43pm on Saturday, November 12th, I realize that that is the essence of politics.
Politics drive policy. Simple as that. Posturing. Rhetoric. All of it is useless in policy, worth its weight in gold when re-election comes around. Many think it should be the other way around. In fact, you would think it would be the other way around. But that's just no fun and that also leaves no place for $$$ to enter the picture. No inflammatory language to throw at the other party. Admitting, "oh, I understand your point" is fantastic for policymaking but toxic for politics. The policy guy/girl is never right because he/she knows there is no Truth (capital T). There is always a counter. And that's just terrible politics. Why go grey when there's black and white?
Oh, first world problems.
At the end of the day though, I still want to understand all sides. It matters. Maybe not for practical reasons, but for personal ones. Although I'll never understand why God asked Herman Cain to run for president.
Someone please provide the counter-argument to my rant. I know it's out there.
11.12.2011
7.06.2011
white house
I heard these words first-person:
"But the bottom line is that our core values of responsibility, opportunity, making sure that the American dream is alive and well so that anybody who is willing to put in the time and the effort and the energy are able to get a good education in this society, find a job that pays a living wage, that they’re able to send their kids to college without going broke, that they’ve got basic health care, that they’re going to be able to retire with some dignity and respect, that that opportunity is open to anybody regardless of race, religion, or sexual orientation, that that basic principle- that’s what holds us together, that’s what makes us Americans. We’re not all tied together by ethnicity or a single religion; what ties us together is this idea that everybody’s got a shot. As long as you carry out your responsibilities, you can make it. You can get into the middle class and beyond. You can start a company and suddenly help bring the whole world together. That’s what makes this country outstanding. But in order to do that, it requires us to both have a commitment to our individualism, our freedom and creativity, and our idiosyncrasies, but it also requires us to have a commitment to each other, and to recognize that I would not be president if somebody hadn’t helped provide scholarships to my school and you would not have Twitter if the DOD at some point and a bunch of universities hadn’t made investments in something that ended up becoming the internet. And those were public goods that were invested in. You and I are sitting here because someone somewhere made an investment in our futures. We’ve got the same obligation for the folks who are coming up behind us. We’ve got to make sure that we’re looking out for them, just like the previous generations looked out for us. And that’s what I think will help us get through what are some difficult times and make sure that America’s future is even brighter than the past."
- President Obama, July 6, 2011
"But the bottom line is that our core values of responsibility, opportunity, making sure that the American dream is alive and well so that anybody who is willing to put in the time and the effort and the energy are able to get a good education in this society, find a job that pays a living wage, that they’re able to send their kids to college without going broke, that they’ve got basic health care, that they’re going to be able to retire with some dignity and respect, that that opportunity is open to anybody regardless of race, religion, or sexual orientation, that that basic principle- that’s what holds us together, that’s what makes us Americans. We’re not all tied together by ethnicity or a single religion; what ties us together is this idea that everybody’s got a shot. As long as you carry out your responsibilities, you can make it. You can get into the middle class and beyond. You can start a company and suddenly help bring the whole world together. That’s what makes this country outstanding. But in order to do that, it requires us to both have a commitment to our individualism, our freedom and creativity, and our idiosyncrasies, but it also requires us to have a commitment to each other, and to recognize that I would not be president if somebody hadn’t helped provide scholarships to my school and you would not have Twitter if the DOD at some point and a bunch of universities hadn’t made investments in something that ended up becoming the internet. And those were public goods that were invested in. You and I are sitting here because someone somewhere made an investment in our futures. We’ve got the same obligation for the folks who are coming up behind us. We’ve got to make sure that we’re looking out for them, just like the previous generations looked out for us. And that’s what I think will help us get through what are some difficult times and make sure that America’s future is even brighter than the past."
- President Obama, July 6, 2011
7.02.2011
roo and beyond
It's been a while since Bonnaroo, but this is the first real downtime I've had since. So go figure.
That farm in Manchester, TN is hot, sticky, and DUSTY as hell, but I think I had some of the best times of my life out there. Bonnaroo is absolute insanity. People just not giving a fuck and having a grand old time. Sweating for 4 straight days in a cramped RV with 8 people (although I cannot complain at all since, well, we had an RV and most had tents)...I took 1 shower, ate junk food every day, and partied the eff out. I drank gallons of water and inhaled (what seemed like) metric tons of dirt and dust. Rode a ferris wheel, danced into the night...still nothing I can say here really describes Bonnaroo. It's another dimension. From catching MMJ on the massive main stage, to smashing up close for Girl Talk, to partying into the night with Bassnectar, to rocking the Silent Disco, to finally catching Arcade Fire light up the stage after 3 years...it was an amazing experience. I think I lost a few years of my life that weekend. But totally worth it. I'd do it again.
Top 4 performances...because if you know me, (spoiler alert) you know Arcade Fire took the cake. Feel like I need at least 3 suspenseful, unknown picks to make this list a tad bit compelling....so here goes.
4) Deerhunter - Highlight of day 1 (Thursday). It was a low key day, perfect for kicking off the madness that would ensue throughout the weekend. Never seen Deerhunter before, but have heard their albums...wasn't sure what kind of live show to expect. Turns out Deerhunter set a high bar. Bradford Cox has a big voice - not totally evident on recordings. "Earthquake" was simply haunting live.
3) Pretty Lights + Bassnectar - Highlights of day 2 (outside of the MMJ-AC back-to-back, of course). What a party. Having never seen either artist, I just knew there would be lots of glowsticks and hulahoops. Truly an audio-visual bombardment. By 2-3am, it's party time at Roo. Bassnectar and Pretty Lights hooked us up with the beats to keep it going. Epic.
2) CWK, Devotchka, Explosions in the Sky - All ridiculous...all bands I've spend lots of $ on over the years. These are bands that never fail to impress, no matter how many times I see them. Simply great live bands. Like an ACL 07 Reunion!
1) Arcade Fire - I gush about Arcade Fire every chance I get. I hadn't seen them in 3+ years. I always say i'm not religious, so AC is the closest thing I can have to a truly spiritual experience. Yeah, my love for their live performance is that deep. They came on back-to-back with MMJ, which rivals AC for sheer grandiosity and live execution. Still, AC is AC. They hit all the big ones, from 'Intervention' to 'Tunnels' to 'Ready to Start' to 'Laika'. To enjoy that with thousands at Bonnaroo was truly...I don't know if there's an adjective to describe it. The new tracks are ridiculous live. Never heard 'Rococo' in person. It was beautiful. 'Sprawl II' = amazing. I can't want to see them again. Now if only they'd play 'Kettles' one more time.
I returned home after a marathon drive back to DC. Two days later, I had the privilege of seeing Yeasayer at 9:30. Apparently, a few of them are form the Baltimore area and grew up attending shows at 9:30. They said, no less than 3 times, how 9:30 is the best venue they've ever played. The longer I was in there (which was the first time, actually), the more I realized that they could be right. Great sound, great setup, intimate...9:30 is a gem. It only made Yeasayer's performance that much more amazing. That day, I realized 'Tightrope' is one of my favorite songs. I also realized that Yeasayer kills it live (2080 and ONE are HUGE), and everyone should do themselves a favor by seeing them at least once. This was #3 for me and I still want more.
Everything I just wrote about happened in one week. Life is moving so fast right now. I am loving it.
Next on tap: Animal Collective @ MPP, Battles @ 9:30, Interpol @ 9:30, Bassnectar @ Armory, Explosions in Baltimore...
That farm in Manchester, TN is hot, sticky, and DUSTY as hell, but I think I had some of the best times of my life out there. Bonnaroo is absolute insanity. People just not giving a fuck and having a grand old time. Sweating for 4 straight days in a cramped RV with 8 people (although I cannot complain at all since, well, we had an RV and most had tents)...I took 1 shower, ate junk food every day, and partied the eff out. I drank gallons of water and inhaled (what seemed like) metric tons of dirt and dust. Rode a ferris wheel, danced into the night...still nothing I can say here really describes Bonnaroo. It's another dimension. From catching MMJ on the massive main stage, to smashing up close for Girl Talk, to partying into the night with Bassnectar, to rocking the Silent Disco, to finally catching Arcade Fire light up the stage after 3 years...it was an amazing experience. I think I lost a few years of my life that weekend. But totally worth it. I'd do it again.
Top 4 performances...because if you know me, (spoiler alert) you know Arcade Fire took the cake. Feel like I need at least 3 suspenseful, unknown picks to make this list a tad bit compelling....so here goes.
4) Deerhunter - Highlight of day 1 (Thursday). It was a low key day, perfect for kicking off the madness that would ensue throughout the weekend. Never seen Deerhunter before, but have heard their albums...wasn't sure what kind of live show to expect. Turns out Deerhunter set a high bar. Bradford Cox has a big voice - not totally evident on recordings. "Earthquake" was simply haunting live.
3) Pretty Lights + Bassnectar - Highlights of day 2 (outside of the MMJ-AC back-to-back, of course). What a party. Having never seen either artist, I just knew there would be lots of glowsticks and hulahoops. Truly an audio-visual bombardment. By 2-3am, it's party time at Roo. Bassnectar and Pretty Lights hooked us up with the beats to keep it going. Epic.
2) CWK, Devotchka, Explosions in the Sky - All ridiculous...all bands I've spend lots of $ on over the years. These are bands that never fail to impress, no matter how many times I see them. Simply great live bands. Like an ACL 07 Reunion!
1) Arcade Fire - I gush about Arcade Fire every chance I get. I hadn't seen them in 3+ years. I always say i'm not religious, so AC is the closest thing I can have to a truly spiritual experience. Yeah, my love for their live performance is that deep. They came on back-to-back with MMJ, which rivals AC for sheer grandiosity and live execution. Still, AC is AC. They hit all the big ones, from 'Intervention' to 'Tunnels' to 'Ready to Start' to 'Laika'. To enjoy that with thousands at Bonnaroo was truly...I don't know if there's an adjective to describe it. The new tracks are ridiculous live. Never heard 'Rococo' in person. It was beautiful. 'Sprawl II' = amazing. I can't want to see them again. Now if only they'd play 'Kettles' one more time.
I returned home after a marathon drive back to DC. Two days later, I had the privilege of seeing Yeasayer at 9:30. Apparently, a few of them are form the Baltimore area and grew up attending shows at 9:30. They said, no less than 3 times, how 9:30 is the best venue they've ever played. The longer I was in there (which was the first time, actually), the more I realized that they could be right. Great sound, great setup, intimate...9:30 is a gem. It only made Yeasayer's performance that much more amazing. That day, I realized 'Tightrope' is one of my favorite songs. I also realized that Yeasayer kills it live (2080 and ONE are HUGE), and everyone should do themselves a favor by seeing them at least once. This was #3 for me and I still want more.
Everything I just wrote about happened in one week. Life is moving so fast right now. I am loving it.
Next on tap: Animal Collective @ MPP, Battles @ 9:30, Interpol @ 9:30, Bassnectar @ Armory, Explosions in Baltimore...
5.30.2011
beyond new england and exploration of the eastern coast
I stepped foot in West Virginia yesterday, for the first time ever.
I hiked in along the Appalachian Trail, just outside of Purcellville, VA. That would be the 12th state (plus 1 District) I've been in over the past 7 days. It was also the first time I stepped foot on the legendary trail. It's been an epic run these past few days...
Ask me a year ago, between Makers rocks at Bar 107, where I'd be on my 26th birthday and I'd have never guessed the opposite corner of the country. Somewhere in New England, driving around, and sharing brews in Portland, Maine.
Life is so good right now...
...and Bonnaroo is right around the corner. Cannot wait to see the Arcade Fire for the first time in about 4 years. And MMJ, and Cold War Kids, and Deer Hunter, and Devotchka, and Beirut, and even Wiz Khalifa?
I hiked in along the Appalachian Trail, just outside of Purcellville, VA. That would be the 12th state (plus 1 District) I've been in over the past 7 days. It was also the first time I stepped foot on the legendary trail. It's been an epic run these past few days...
Ask me a year ago, between Makers rocks at Bar 107, where I'd be on my 26th birthday and I'd have never guessed the opposite corner of the country. Somewhere in New England, driving around, and sharing brews in Portland, Maine.
Life is so good right now...
...and Bonnaroo is right around the corner. Cannot wait to see the Arcade Fire for the first time in about 4 years. And MMJ, and Cold War Kids, and Deer Hunter, and Devotchka, and Beirut, and even Wiz Khalifa?
4.02.2011
here and there
I've already been back in dc for 2 weeks...and it's still cold! At least the cherry blossoms are blooming. Although the sheer number of haoles walking around the tidal basin is insane. This is NOT Los Angeles...
Anyway, regarding spring break - I actually came back to dc more tired than when I left - a sure sign it was one of the best spring breaks ever. Recap - chilling with an old friend for the first time since Davis and smashing on a Suehiro $4.20 lunch special; finding the park at the end of Crenshaw Blvd (2x) and its ridiculous views of Catalina with the lady; finding suede shoes at the Rose Bowl swap meet; hitting up the old watering hole with the Tuesday night happy hr crew (bar107); saying "what up" to Olga (who recognized me-awesome) and buying some fantastic Mexican food; having fish tacos 4 times in 1 week (fuuuck yeahh); cracking open some nice bourbon with the homies in Culver City; tan tan ramen (2x- Kiraku/Umemura); oh yeah, and Vegas for the 1st/2nd rounds of the NCAA tourney. Holy crap. That was one week. Epic.
Then I come back to dc, only to find my way into one of the sickest potlucks ever (with beer pong a sweet bonus). Wandered around Shaw and found my new favorite coffee shop (where I am as I type). And many good things to look forward to- Philly. Bonnaroo. Baseball season. Warmer weather.
I'm most thankful for everything I've learned in the 7 months I've been here. It's only been 7 months, but that feeling of stagnation is completely gone (not that home is ever bad thing-I absolutely love you, LA). I realize the beauty of Los Angeles that I couldn't really see before I left- the change of perspective is a beautiful thing. After a few years, I'm moving in a direction again...and I love it. There's routine, but it's new. There's still bills, but I'm paying for something new- I think that counts for something. Seeing the clouds, the sun, the rain, and the snow (yeah, the novelty is still there) is a whole new thing here. I miss the breeze off the Pacific and I miss the 65-85 degree window that Los Angeles perennially exists in, but I'm loving seeing the seasons change for the first time in my life- something you can't see without actually living in it, the streets covered with snow, the trees blossoming, and birds returning after the cold winter.
I guess the only sucky thing is school...Eff. Oh, and the odd feeling I get when I'm not the only one with a key to my apartment...but I can't complain. Life is good. Enjoying the ride...
Anyway, regarding spring break - I actually came back to dc more tired than when I left - a sure sign it was one of the best spring breaks ever. Recap - chilling with an old friend for the first time since Davis and smashing on a Suehiro $4.20 lunch special; finding the park at the end of Crenshaw Blvd (2x) and its ridiculous views of Catalina with the lady; finding suede shoes at the Rose Bowl swap meet; hitting up the old watering hole with the Tuesday night happy hr crew (bar107); saying "what up" to Olga (who recognized me-awesome) and buying some fantastic Mexican food; having fish tacos 4 times in 1 week (fuuuck yeahh); cracking open some nice bourbon with the homies in Culver City; tan tan ramen (2x- Kiraku/Umemura); oh yeah, and Vegas for the 1st/2nd rounds of the NCAA tourney. Holy crap. That was one week. Epic.
Then I come back to dc, only to find my way into one of the sickest potlucks ever (with beer pong a sweet bonus). Wandered around Shaw and found my new favorite coffee shop (where I am as I type). And many good things to look forward to- Philly. Bonnaroo. Baseball season. Warmer weather.
I'm most thankful for everything I've learned in the 7 months I've been here. It's only been 7 months, but that feeling of stagnation is completely gone (not that home is ever bad thing-I absolutely love you, LA). I realize the beauty of Los Angeles that I couldn't really see before I left- the change of perspective is a beautiful thing. After a few years, I'm moving in a direction again...and I love it. There's routine, but it's new. There's still bills, but I'm paying for something new- I think that counts for something. Seeing the clouds, the sun, the rain, and the snow (yeah, the novelty is still there) is a whole new thing here. I miss the breeze off the Pacific and I miss the 65-85 degree window that Los Angeles perennially exists in, but I'm loving seeing the seasons change for the first time in my life- something you can't see without actually living in it, the streets covered with snow, the trees blossoming, and birds returning after the cold winter.
I guess the only sucky thing is school...Eff. Oh, and the odd feeling I get when I'm not the only one with a key to my apartment...but I can't complain. Life is good. Enjoying the ride...
2.17.2011
I am getting old.
I hear that a lot now from folks I know, most of which are peers of mine, so I guess by proxy that means I'm getting old...?
Yeah, I guess. I can say I've been around for a half-century...25 years. I was born before the cold war ended. Before the Internet ruled us. Or cell phones for that matter. Same age as Radiohead though.
I don't feel old. Unless I go hit at the cages for an hour after a long break, in which case I blame it on me getting old and not me just complaining more. I really don't feel old though. There are so many things that I'd like to do and so many places I'd like to see. I'm still planning on doing most of 'em. And I keep adding to the list.
Old is relative. Time is just another dimension of relativity. Everything is fleeting. Flux. Enjoy the ride.
Bonnaroo.
Appalachian Trail.
Glen Canyon.
...working on it. You down?
I hear that a lot now from folks I know, most of which are peers of mine, so I guess by proxy that means I'm getting old...?
Yeah, I guess. I can say I've been around for a half-century...25 years. I was born before the cold war ended. Before the Internet ruled us. Or cell phones for that matter. Same age as Radiohead though.
I don't feel old. Unless I go hit at the cages for an hour after a long break, in which case I blame it on me getting old and not me just complaining more. I really don't feel old though. There are so many things that I'd like to do and so many places I'd like to see. I'm still planning on doing most of 'em. And I keep adding to the list.
Old is relative. Time is just another dimension of relativity. Everything is fleeting. Flux. Enjoy the ride.
Bonnaroo.
Appalachian Trail.
Glen Canyon.
...working on it. You down?
2.15.2011
Capitol
I learned yesterday that every state gets to send two statues of famous state figures to the US Capitol for display in the rotunda, crypt, etc. California has a statue of Junipero Serra (sure, I guess...he did 'civilize' the native heathens) and.....Mr .Ronald Reagan. For the record, the following must have missed the cut:
Caesar Chavez - guess they thought a state holiday was enough? All he did was organize farm unions which still hold strong today. Or is it because he was born in Mexico? Wait, Reagan and Serra= both not Cali natives...
John Steinbeck - A Cali native, hailing from Salinas - capturing the plight of poor dust bowl-ers and winning a Nobel Prize...
John Muir - mapped the most beautiful wilderness in CA, more than 100 years before gps, bear canisters, or even trails. Guess the ol John Muir Trail is good enough? Too bad 95% of the world will never set foot on it...
Harvey Milk or Mayor Moscone - assassinated for being gay/a supporter of gay rights...guess the federal gov't (McCain?) just wouldn't be cool with this just yet. A shout-out from Gus Van Sant didn't help the cause either...but how cool would it be to have a statue of the two of them?
Jackie Robinson - granted, a Georgia native, but a Muir High School grad (Pasadena), a Pasadena City College grad, UCLA BRUIN, and decorated veteran. Oh, and he broke the color barrier in MLB...but for the Brooklyn Dodgers so...maybe not.
Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo - First European to explore the Cali coast.
Huey Newton and Bobby Seale - Yeah, nobody's ready for that yet. But it might be kinda cool.
Coach John Wooden - played for Purdue, sure, but he is a Bruin, and an inspiration, for ever. See my Bruin bias?
Idda voted for any of em before Reagan...and I'm not a Reagan hater- I'm totally indifferent on the guy. But he a bit recent...and not that big of an actor. Give it some time! Let his legacy simmer a bit, then take a look 50 years from now. In the meantime, can we please have Clint Eastwood, Jim Morrison, Tupac, Dr. Dre, Grace Slick, or Jerry Garcia?
Or how about this guy? Most awesome dude to ever hail from Torrance, CA.
They're making a movie about him. word.
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