It is highly probable that there is not anyone who laughs at me more than her, although the competition for top spot is all contained in this image.
It is as it should be.
Merry December. Be nice to all.
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
12.09.2017
LAUGHTER, AND ITS DIRECTION AT THE ANGELS.
I confess to a certain level of affection for these children’s mother.
It is highly probable that there is not anyone who laughs at me more than her, although the competition for top spot is all contained in this image.
It is as it should be.
Merry December. Be nice to all.
It is highly probable that there is not anyone who laughs at me more than her, although the competition for top spot is all contained in this image.
It is as it should be.
Merry December. Be nice to all.
4.16.2017
HANDS-FREE EASTER.
Do you know what would be really scary?
he asked us from the backseat as we drove through the dark forest.
No,
we all mumbled.
What if...
he continued.
What if you were the only person living in the world, and it was always dark? Like pitch black dark?
That would be scary,
we all agreed.
And what if...
he continued:
There were no stores, or houses, or anywhere to stay or get food?
Very scary.
I agreed.
And if there was no light, then nothing would be able to grow.
Yeah.
he agreed.
And there wouldn't be any animals. And nobody else would have lived before you, so nobody would have invented anything.
That is sad and scary,
I said.
And what if...
he continued.
What if you were stuck on a cliff too, and the only thing you had to eat was grass, in the dark?
I would probably walk off the cliff.
I said.
Well...
he said.
Too bad, but I forgot to say that you would also be paralyzed.
Whoa,
the rest of us murmured amongst ourselves as I deftly navigated our motor vehicle through the thick night woods.
This is getting dark.
Yeah.
he said.
And plus you'd be hanging by a rope from the cliff, so it would be pitch black and you'd be the only person in the world and you'd be paralyzed, and maybe you'd be bald.
This is stressful just thinking about.
I said.
I'm going to have nightmares tonight.
Well,
he said.
Maybe you'd also have a phone.
Well,
I said.
There wouldn't be any satellites or service or other people to talk to.
He pondered very briefly.
There might not be any other people,
he began.
But you could use the phone to call Jesus and talk to him and ask for help.
What a great idea!
I said.
That is beautiful!
Actually...
he exclaimed.
...you're paralyzed, so you wouldn't be able to pick up the phone.
Your scenario,
I said.
is truly dark. You have a lot of stories in you.
Happy Easter.
May you always have someone to talk to, regardless of mobility, lighting conditions, or access to technology.
2.14.2017
Hey Becca,
Did you remember to buy the plane tickets to Madrid...or was that my job? 😬 If so, I am so sorry, and we can still watch a movie or something tonight. Happy February 14. I appreciate you, and your flexibility. With scheduling and such.
- Joseph
- Joseph
12.02.2016
3.27.2016
IN WHICH WE VISIT A BAKERY WITH MY M.I.L.
RISE.
No.
I said to our eight-year old daughter.
For the 47th time, we are not taking you to see Deadpool for Easter.
But why?
she asked.
Because.
I said.
Because.
No.
I said to our eight-year old daughter.
For the 47th time, we are not taking you to see Deadpool for Easter.
But why?
she asked.
Because.
I said.
Because.
Bake Sale / Case Study Coffee.
I quite enjoyed my drip from CSC.
10.31.2015
ESTONIAN BUCCANEERS IN LOVE.
Another low-key Saturday night. Business continues, however, especially when one is involved in Estonian military intelligence. Ever vigilant, always on call.
6.21.2015
FATHER'S DAY.
I apologize for this non-political post, but I wanted to let you know my annual Father's Day listening, just in case you need to know.
1. I always begin with the 1962 Duke Ellington and Count Basie classic on vinyl "The Count Meets the Duke." It's impossible to not feel your body being filled with vigor and spirits being grooved to the sky after a track or two.
2. ABBA's 1977 "The Album," also on vinyl, but starting with side 2 and the underrated "Move On," then closing out with the ubiquitous but still great "Take a Chance on Me." A little tricky on LP, but keeps me hopping. Or one of my children, except I had to flip over the record myself today because apparently they're secretly making me a card or something.
3. Rachmaninov's Piano Concertos. Varies from year to year, but this year it's Stewart Goodyear and Czech National Symphony Orchestra's fabulous interpretation of Nos. 2 & 3. Spine-tingling delicious. Played as loud as speakers can go.
4. Dan Deacon/Chemical Brothers. Selections, mainly from 2015's Glass Riffer, 2012's America, 2009's Bromst, 2010's Further, and 1999's Surrender. Digital melody collagist vs. kings of big beats. So good.
*two song segue: Xavier Rudd's Time to Smile and and Set Me Free; his current collab with United Nations*
In the afternoon by this point.
5. Lana Del Rey/Neko Case/Mates of State/Sea of Bees. Selections, which always include Blue Velvet, Shades of Cool, West Coast, Off to the Races, most of "The Tigers Have Spoken," Staring Contest, Palomino, Long Way Home, Like U Crazy, For the Actor, Willis, Gone, and Take.
*wild card, depending on the day's tone and events, but will provably involve ending with some Tom Waits, Phosphorescent, Franz Ferdinand, Fun., and possibly M.I.A., depending on where we're at and how loud of an outdoor dance party we can have at that point.
As the French band Stardust sang in '98, "Music Sounds Better With You."
It was the only song they ever did.
But it's true. It does sound better when you're around people you love, and the inverse is true: You Sound Better With Music. Everything is better with music, and everything sounds better with a soundtrack. So whatever you're doing today, hope you are scoring it with something that will make it even better!
Happy Day, universe. Music sounds better with you.
1. I always begin with the 1962 Duke Ellington and Count Basie classic on vinyl "The Count Meets the Duke." It's impossible to not feel your body being filled with vigor and spirits being grooved to the sky after a track or two.
2. ABBA's 1977 "The Album," also on vinyl, but starting with side 2 and the underrated "Move On," then closing out with the ubiquitous but still great "Take a Chance on Me." A little tricky on LP, but keeps me hopping. Or one of my children, except I had to flip over the record myself today because apparently they're secretly making me a card or something.
3. Rachmaninov's Piano Concertos. Varies from year to year, but this year it's Stewart Goodyear and Czech National Symphony Orchestra's fabulous interpretation of Nos. 2 & 3. Spine-tingling delicious. Played as loud as speakers can go.
4. Dan Deacon/Chemical Brothers. Selections, mainly from 2015's Glass Riffer, 2012's America, 2009's Bromst, 2010's Further, and 1999's Surrender. Digital melody collagist vs. kings of big beats. So good.
*two song segue: Xavier Rudd's Time to Smile and and Set Me Free; his current collab with United Nations*
In the afternoon by this point.
5. Lana Del Rey/Neko Case/Mates of State/Sea of Bees. Selections, which always include Blue Velvet, Shades of Cool, West Coast, Off to the Races, most of "The Tigers Have Spoken," Staring Contest, Palomino, Long Way Home, Like U Crazy, For the Actor, Willis, Gone, and Take.
*wild card, depending on the day's tone and events, but will provably involve ending with some Tom Waits, Phosphorescent, Franz Ferdinand, Fun., and possibly M.I.A., depending on where we're at and how loud of an outdoor dance party we can have at that point.
As the French band Stardust sang in '98, "Music Sounds Better With You."
It was the only song they ever did.
But it's true. It does sound better when you're around people you love, and the inverse is true: You Sound Better With Music. Everything is better with music, and everything sounds better with a soundtrack. So whatever you're doing today, hope you are scoring it with something that will make it even better!
Happy Day, universe. Music sounds better with you.
5.10.2015
MOM'S DAY.
Magic,
Countess,
you are magic.
Or at least unexplainable science.
A jolly Mum's day to you.
Thanks for being a treat.
You are kind of neat.
Countess,
you are magic.
Or at least unexplainable science.
A jolly Mum's day to you.
Thanks for being a treat.
You are kind of neat.
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| Add caption |
4.05.2015
1.19.2015
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. AND STREET SWEEPERS.
“If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as a Michaelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, 'Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.”
Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Ahead and together we bumble forward and sideways into the unknown.
People talk about what a big deal courtside seats are, but personally I think there's plenty of charm to a bird's eye view.
— with Matt Nutter at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter.
12.31.2014
12.28.2014
12.13.2014
IN WHICH OUR PIONEERING SOULS SEARCH FOR THE CHRISTMAS SPIRITS.
His sister found us a prime piece of real estate overlooking Pioneer Square to watch the Christmas Tuba Concert.
As people crowded in and swarmed around, he pulled out paper and pen,
and began frenetically designing signs & posters;
the most memorable of which said the following,* printed in bold letters:
"Give Me Money"
As he held up the sign, and waved it around, I shook my head,
simultaneously impressed with the bold entrepreneurial spirit...
...and trying desperately not to make eye contact with anyone.
The tubas were great. Don't miss it next year, Northwest peeps.
____
*assisted with the spelling by his collaborative partner & sister
____
11.27.2014
A MAN, A PEELER, A LEGEND.
Every once in a while, I imagine that there's somebody in the world faster than me at peeling potatoes. But then I realise that, realistically, no. Not a chance.
10.29.2014
CHAMELEON.
Can you still see the paint on my face?
he asked, worried.
Or did it come off?
Let me look.
I said, inspecting him closely.
Yep, I think some of it's still there.
he asked, worried.
Or did it come off?
Let me look.
I said, inspecting him closely.
Yep, I think some of it's still there.
9.22.2014
TIPS FOR THIS MONDAY.
1. Find some Ella Fitzgerald to soundtrack the day with.
2a. If you're madly into the sports, then the football will be broadcast on televisions next weekend (I have on good authority), so if everything else in your life is horrid today, and you love the "gridiron,"* then it will be back soon, and you can look forward to it.
*football term for "football field"
Happy Mondays, all
IF ONLY (OUR SON'S WISH LIST).
You know what would be really fun?
he casually queried the room.
What?
I asked.
It would be so fun,
he said.
to have a funny dad like Bill Cosby.
Yep.
I said.
Wouldn't that be great?
We all nodded, and wondered what it would be like to have a funny father. Yep, that would be so amazing.
2a. If you're madly into the sports, then the football will be broadcast on televisions next weekend (I have on good authority), so if everything else in your life is horrid today, and you love the "gridiron,"* then it will be back soon, and you can look forward to it.
2b. Posture: shoulders back, head up.
3. Commit to not prematurely celebrating holidays.
4. Get some coffee somewhere new. Or hot chocolate, or chai, or warm goat milk, or invent a new one, or ask your barista for their secret fave recommendation.
5a. Two things: A) my birthday is next weekend (disregard #3) and B) Alt-J's delicious new album This Is All Yours comes out today. Put those things together. Thank you.
5b. If you're in a boring meeting, start mentally planning your next Halloween costume. Making a totally rad costume is doable in the fifty cent to three dollar range.
____
____
*football term for "football field"
Happy Mondays, all
IF ONLY (OUR SON'S WISH LIST).
You know what would be really fun?
he casually queried the room.
What?
I asked.
It would be so fun,
he said.
to have a funny dad like Bill Cosby.
Yep.
I said.
Wouldn't that be great?
We all nodded, and wondered what it would be like to have a funny father. Yep, that would be so amazing.
8.31.2014
STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER.
another quiet afternoon in the strawberry fields forever
(these are not strawberry fields; I just liked the sound of it)
Their new thing has been playing baseball in parking lots.
An important reminder that there's always a fresh way to approach an old activity.
Or at least return to playing it where kids did 70 years ago.
(these are not strawberry fields; I just liked the sound of it)
Their new thing has been playing baseball in parking lots.
An important reminder that there's always a fresh way to approach an old activity.
Or at least return to playing it where kids did 70 years ago.
7.04.2014
INDEPENDENCE FOR ALL-ISH.
INDEPENDENCE, PT. 1. / Flags of Freedom.
Well, today's the day the flags on Main Street are blowing in the wind, and I listen to Neil Young (see above) and know that I am surrounded by those who will stand by me.
(Note how I just sneakily crammed the titles of three five-star songs in there)
And our son stomps around in his faux-British accent and wood sword with duct tape with orange Crocs on backwards. This here's what America's all about. Happy happy, all.
INDEPENDENCE, PT. 2 /
How many GOOD SONGS can you think of with titles that include the words:
: freedom, independence, fight
(Not that those are the defining words of today; they just get used a lot)
They can be variations (e.g. free, independent, fought)
They do have to be of sound quality.
The pen is mightier than the spear,
but a good stick
can write huge messages in the sand that
aliens will able to read from light years away.
The power of thinking big.
Well, today's the day the flags on Main Street are blowing in the wind, and I listen to Neil Young (see above) and know that I am surrounded by those who will stand by me.
(Note how I just sneakily crammed the titles of three five-star songs in there)
And our son stomps around in his faux-British accent and wood sword with duct tape with orange Crocs on backwards. This here's what America's all about. Happy happy, all.
INDEPENDENCE, PT. 2 /
How many GOOD SONGS can you think of with titles that include the words:
: freedom, independence, fight
(Not that those are the defining words of today; they just get used a lot)
They can be variations (e.g. free, independent, fought)
They do have to be of sound quality.
The pen is mightier than the spear,
but a good stick
can write huge messages in the sand that
aliens will able to read from light years away.
The power of thinking big.
5.26.2014
BUSTER KEATON, FROZEN, MATHEMATICS UND MEMORIAM.
The first time I remember seeing a silent film was at the now-extinct Organ Grinder; a pizza parlor with mediocre food, but a million-dollar organ that soundtracked Charlie Chaplin shorts shown on a projector loop. I loved them.
A movie called Frozen came out last year. Finally saw it a couple months ago. Dug it. Good flick. I think it found an audience.
Recently, I pulled out a film for family cinema night, and the children waited with bait breath and grins for the evening's cinematic surprise to reveal itself. I chose...
...The General. Buster Keaton's 1927 classic black-and-white silent masterpiece about a Civil War engineer trying to rescue his train and his woman from Union spies (yes, he's not exactly on the right side of history here, but in this case, it's beside the point. See Das Boot for further elucidation on this).
The children did nothing to disguise their disappointment and disgust. Fortunately, I am strong of soul and thick of skin and I am father, so I know what's best. We proceeded.
When I was in college, I had to take Calculus. It was very, very hard for me. I have come to love mathematics since, but my brain does not inherently process topics such as Calculus well. I had to work extremely hard just to receive a middling grade, and I think the professor was rather surprised at how jubilant I was at this middling grade. But I was. I worked hard for it, and it forced my brain to learn to process information in a way that was not natural or easy for me, and I came to respect and appreciate the thought process behind it. I don't think people who understand Calculus easily are necessarily smarter than many people whose inherent skills lie in other areas, but they certainly have my respect, and possibly envy.
I had to do a fair amount of explaining the first twenty minutes of The General. A 21st century kid doesn't necessarily grow up immersed in the language and style of silent films, with their frequently drawn-out sight gags, title cards, and melodramatic interactions. But by 30 minutes in, they were fully engaged; laughing uproariously, cringing with suspense, anxiously awaiting the resolution of our hero's fight for love and honor.
The General is a tough film to watch 80+ years on, when you are accustomed to a very post-modern reliance on snappy dialogue, snappier visuals, self-realization, and, uhh, actual color I love so much about film over the last quarter century; I am not a purist or a traditionalist in that sense. But I am someone who LOVES history in general, and who believes strongly in the value of trying to recognize, acknowledge, understand, and remember what has come before. Cinema might seem a trite thing to speak of on Memorial Day weekend, but to me the principle of acknowledging the past; the sacrifices, the early pioneers of what make our lives possible today in terms of big things (independence, freedom) and little things (cinema, culture at large) is one that is...important. So easy to accept what we have now without looking backwards to see how it came to be.
I'm okay pushing kids a bit outside The Now; I could care less about making sure they're up on every hot movie or hip song or cool toy; I don't want to constantly shield them from all access or awareness, but I want there to always be an understanding that interesting things and ideas are not just indigenous to RIGHT NOW; that there are whole worlds beyond the stretch of the immediate present that can, with education and attention, come to be deeply appreciated. And sometimes even end up being very enjoyable. But they might require a little work; a little investment of time and a willingness to set expectations aside and...work a bit to enjoy them.
It's easy to enjoy the things that are a reflection of our world and culture today. Really sweet little movies like Frozen that possess charm, amazing visuals, and a bit of a contemporary counter-culture message. I think it's a little* harder to enjoy things that are out of date, that push you into a world that's not familiar or contemporary or easily understandable.
We were driving along this weekend, talking about our favourite funny films. My daughter, amidst a handful of others, included:
"...the one with Buster Keaton and the train. What was it called?...oh yeah, The General."
My heart leapt, and I promised myself to go shopping for some Marx Brothers this week...
Thank you, to the many, who have looked out for your loved ones as well as strangers; who have sacrificed and paved way for the lives we enjoy now; whose actions in the past are too-frequently forgotten in the excitement and hubris of the now. Thank you.
Also, thank you, Mr. Newton, for inventing Calculus. I'm still not that good at it, but it is very good exercise for my brain, and I have learned to appreciate it a lot...and enjoy it a little.
May you all have a peaceful resolution to the long weekend. Au revoir.
*lot
A movie called Frozen came out last year. Finally saw it a couple months ago. Dug it. Good flick. I think it found an audience.
Recently, I pulled out a film for family cinema night, and the children waited with bait breath and grins for the evening's cinematic surprise to reveal itself. I chose...
...The General. Buster Keaton's 1927 classic black-and-white silent masterpiece about a Civil War engineer trying to rescue his train and his woman from Union spies (yes, he's not exactly on the right side of history here, but in this case, it's beside the point. See Das Boot for further elucidation on this).
The children did nothing to disguise their disappointment and disgust. Fortunately, I am strong of soul and thick of skin and I am father, so I know what's best. We proceeded.
When I was in college, I had to take Calculus. It was very, very hard for me. I have come to love mathematics since, but my brain does not inherently process topics such as Calculus well. I had to work extremely hard just to receive a middling grade, and I think the professor was rather surprised at how jubilant I was at this middling grade. But I was. I worked hard for it, and it forced my brain to learn to process information in a way that was not natural or easy for me, and I came to respect and appreciate the thought process behind it. I don't think people who understand Calculus easily are necessarily smarter than many people whose inherent skills lie in other areas, but they certainly have my respect, and possibly envy.
I had to do a fair amount of explaining the first twenty minutes of The General. A 21st century kid doesn't necessarily grow up immersed in the language and style of silent films, with their frequently drawn-out sight gags, title cards, and melodramatic interactions. But by 30 minutes in, they were fully engaged; laughing uproariously, cringing with suspense, anxiously awaiting the resolution of our hero's fight for love and honor.
The General is a tough film to watch 80+ years on, when you are accustomed to a very post-modern reliance on snappy dialogue, snappier visuals, self-realization, and, uhh, actual color I love so much about film over the last quarter century; I am not a purist or a traditionalist in that sense. But I am someone who LOVES history in general, and who believes strongly in the value of trying to recognize, acknowledge, understand, and remember what has come before. Cinema might seem a trite thing to speak of on Memorial Day weekend, but to me the principle of acknowledging the past; the sacrifices, the early pioneers of what make our lives possible today in terms of big things (independence, freedom) and little things (cinema, culture at large) is one that is...important. So easy to accept what we have now without looking backwards to see how it came to be.
I'm okay pushing kids a bit outside The Now; I could care less about making sure they're up on every hot movie or hip song or cool toy; I don't want to constantly shield them from all access or awareness, but I want there to always be an understanding that interesting things and ideas are not just indigenous to RIGHT NOW; that there are whole worlds beyond the stretch of the immediate present that can, with education and attention, come to be deeply appreciated. And sometimes even end up being very enjoyable. But they might require a little work; a little investment of time and a willingness to set expectations aside and...work a bit to enjoy them.
It's easy to enjoy the things that are a reflection of our world and culture today. Really sweet little movies like Frozen that possess charm, amazing visuals, and a bit of a contemporary counter-culture message. I think it's a little* harder to enjoy things that are out of date, that push you into a world that's not familiar or contemporary or easily understandable.
We were driving along this weekend, talking about our favourite funny films. My daughter, amidst a handful of others, included:
"...the one with Buster Keaton and the train. What was it called?...oh yeah, The General."
My heart leapt, and I promised myself to go shopping for some Marx Brothers this week...
Thank you, to the many, who have looked out for your loved ones as well as strangers; who have sacrificed and paved way for the lives we enjoy now; whose actions in the past are too-frequently forgotten in the excitement and hubris of the now. Thank you.
Also, thank you, Mr. Newton, for inventing Calculus. I'm still not that good at it, but it is very good exercise for my brain, and I have learned to appreciate it a lot...and enjoy it a little.
May you all have a peaceful resolution to the long weekend. Au revoir.
*lot
5.11.2014
MOTHER'S DAY 2014
Sometimes when I was younger, I would worry that my mom might forget about me, or lose me, and that is why I developed an interest in creating systems and processes that solve recurring problems such as this, as illustrated here. The genius of my system has been validated in the decades since, as my mom has rarely forgotten about me, and has always gotten my back, although she's not strong enough anymore to carry me around anymore in a backpack, which is sad and makes me question her physical endurance.
Mom, there are so many liars out there today that I don't want to compete with, so I'm going to avoid using the B-word and just say: thanks for not merely teaching your kids how to win at games other people have invented, but to create our own games, thus perpetually ensuring success. I still wish you would have taught me how to win at basketball though, because it would feel good to be the best basketball player in the world, and I'm not, so that's definitely an area where you could have done better. Aside from that, you have performed competently, with flashes of magnificence, and in many ways, you remind me of a really good mom, and actually you are. Thanks, and we've got your back too. HMD.
Mom, there are so many liars out there today that I don't want to compete with, so I'm going to avoid using the B-word and just say: thanks for not merely teaching your kids how to win at games other people have invented, but to create our own games, thus perpetually ensuring success. I still wish you would have taught me how to win at basketball though, because it would feel good to be the best basketball player in the world, and I'm not, so that's definitely an area where you could have done better. Aside from that, you have performed competently, with flashes of magnificence, and in many ways, you remind me of a really good mom, and actually you are. Thanks, and we've got your back too. HMD.
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