North

So tomorrow I head home for Thanksgiving. I'm more excited to see my parents more than anything. I've never really got behind the gluttony of Thanksgiving, at least in the eating sense. I'll probably do Yoga, read, and hang with ma and pop.
Taking a step back, I was particularly excited to go to work today. Not so much because of the mysteries of science that await me but the food that I was bringing in for co-workers. Lately I've been cultivating my sourdough starter, Lucinda. Yes, her name is Lucinda. I figure anything I have to feed twice a day deserves at least a name. She's about 2 months old and I think she's really hitting her stride. Plus I've been trying a bunch of new bread baking techniques combined with my own experimentation.
So I wake up at 4:45am like a kid eager to open his presents, setting the oven to 500ºF to bake the two loaves I've been proofing the last two days. All in all, I think the loaves turned out pretty well. I still think there is a bunch that I can improve on, which is a good problem for me to have. My co-workers on the other hand ate that shit up. Loved it. It is a good feeling to have something you worked really hard on appreciated that much. A much needed feeling.
I also brought in a growler of the latest batch of kombucha I made. That did not go over as well, mostly because people were afraid that they would get "sick", despite my assurance that they would be fine. But some people did try it and really enjoyed it. Some even wanted some SCOBY to start brewing it themselves. Again, another warm swell of pride.
I'm sure my co-workers think I'm a nut for bringing in all this fermented food, but honestly, it's all science to me.

Role Reversal

As I write this entry, I'm alone in my apartment. Been that way most of the day. I got a lot accomplished today: bottled my week old kombucha and started 3 more gallons, tried some new sourdough techniques, did yoga in addition to my normal workout. I feel satisfied. Still alone though. Weird. It hasn't been like this in almost two (2) years. Typically, I'd be the one not at home while my roommates were huddled in their respective domicile enclaves. Not today, not tonight. Both are at the homes of respective friends. Granted, I suppose I could be doing the same thing, but I feel I should stay in this moment. To embrace it; to fully take in how quickly life changes and the absolute uncertainty of it all. And that is the silver lining, anything is possible. Been at this game for nearly 28 years now and I can safely say it is still the best fucking game in town. So I'm just going to sit and take it in. Alone.

P90X

A group of co-workers and I started the P90X routine this last week. Now, I'm sure the primary reason that they wanted to do it was to get into shape. However, I consider myself to be in decent shape so I wasn't sure why exactly I was cajoled into joining the group, particularly when there were plenty of others that wanted in, and space was limited. Huh.
At any rate, I guess MY primary motive for joining the group was to try something different (novelty) as well as having the camaraderie. I had only heard of P90X and wasn't exactly familiar with it. So I did a bit of research and watched a few videos. Basically, aside for Tony Horton being an absolute douche nozzle, I think the program is great from the perspective of helping the average joe, who lacks direction and motivation, to get into shape. It clearly lays out a work out routine and provides detailed instructions on how to perform all the exercises. Now, Tony isn't exactly reinventing the wheel. He just slaps dumbass names onto well established exercises and arranges them into an easy to follow program. I will admit though, the routines are pretty intense and I enjoy the challenge. The abs ripper program (affectionately renamed the ass ripper) is particularly challenging. I'm using this to supplement my current workout regimen and so far have really been enjoying it. All in all, I think this will be a good experiment.

On a lighter, stupider note, we are in discussions concerning a porn version of the program aptly titled P69XXX. We've hit some snags in storyboarding, but I think the stakeholders are on board with the project. The adopted core mantra/philosophy of P69XXX is centered on the "3 Gets": 1. Get money 2. Get fit 3. Get off.

Current listen, fucking love Polish heavy metal:

Rowing on three fingers of Rowan's Creek Bourbon...make that six fingers

The Future

Pictorially


















Musically

Color me antiquated

I ran into an "acquaintance" the other day on a leisurely stroll downtown. It appeared obvious that a chat would ensue so I reached into my pocket to stop my walkman cassette player. Somehow incapable of properly turning it off, I removed it from my pocket to get a better estimation to the problem and my obvious stupidity. Upon seeing the walkman, ACQ gave a mocking chuckle. "What?" assuming the laugh was directed at my obvious defect with electronics.
"What the fuck is that?".
"Umm, a tape player."
"You still have one of those?"
"Actually, I have about 8 in various stages of decay. Not sure why, should probably just toss the broken ones away."

Basically the conversation steered into the realm of me not owning an Ipod and the ridiculousness of listening to music on tapes. Ok, let's evaluate. I've had a Walkman since I could remember. The first tape I bought was Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" or maybe it was Meatloaf's "Bat Out of Hell", not important since both are classic. My tape collection has slowly grown from there. Clearly, I dabbled in latest raging media formats such as CDs and mp3s, but have since returned to tapes and records as my primary source of music.
At any rate, tapes are cheap as shit, cheaper than mp3's (unless you download of course) and they sound, well, more nostalgic, I hesitate to say better. Honestly, it really boils down to the quality of analog or digital system to accurately evaluate sound quality. And, well, a Walkman is not a high end sound system. So the argument on quality is pretty moot and probably in favor of the Ipod. My argument stayed in the pasture of personal preference. At its most basic, there is just something about that analog hiss that is really fucking religious to me. Plus a tape is tangible, a mp3, not so much.
Additionally, Walkman's are super cheap, 2 bones at your local thrift shop.
Making mixtapes is cathartic and the extra labor involved enhances the quality of the product. Making a tape is real-time dude, not point and click and you have a mixed "tape" CDr. Please don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with digital media, I imbibe lots of it. But when it comes down to it, I'll choose my Walkman over the Ipod. Mostly because I'm so fvkking kvlt.

E.

A Not So Good Night in the San Pedro of the World

it's unlikely that a decent poem is in me
tonight
and I understand that this is strictly my
problem
and of no interest to you
that I sit here listening to a man playing
a piano on the radio
and it's bad piano, both the playing and
the composition
and again, this is of no interest to you
as one of my cats,
a beautiful white with strange markings,
sleeps in the bathroom.

I have no idea of what would be of
interest to you
but I doubt that you would be of
interest to me, so don't get
superior.
in fact come to think of it, you can
kiss my ass.

I continue to listen to the piano.
this will not be a memorable night in my
life
or yours.

let us celebrate the stupidity of our
endurance.
CHARLES BUKOWSKI

Particularly pertinent this evening