Post-Grad Ponderings

…and it ends on the porch.

2009-04-27T19:39:00.000-04:00

I’m not all too sure where it began. And at this point, it doesn’t seem to matter. Its late April, due to be 91 degrees tomorrow, I’ve rekindled my love for unsweetened ice tea (thanks dad) and two trees provide subtle cover between their green leaves and pink flowers. Reminisce of late evening weekend decadence are piled in the corner, while once structured candle wax seals the lumiere to the porch.

It’s been nearly a year since graduation and I feel no less excited for tomorrow than I did June 17th 2008. While “big life events” seem to benchmark our memories, graduations, weddings and birthdays are not the events that I recall. Hacky sack during AP Government outweighs prom by light years. Porch nights and Mario Kart over shadow move-in-day like king sheets on a twin bed. And walks that start before dinner and end after breakfast may be the pinnacle of my past, yet.

As the birds answer their own questions and have more to pick at, off the branches of trees, I’m having a hard time holding the structure of the week/weekend. It all blends together, the clothes do not change, my habits stay consistent and I don’t look forward to two days any more than I do the other five. I’ve always appreciated times of discomfort and downright agony as times when I could really look at myself. Cause who’s ever aware enough to scrutinize anything when they’re happy?

Well, it seems for the first time, that I am aware of myself and in no state of discomfort, either physically or mentally. (Canvas slip-ons and linen pants- case in point.)

This is not to say I haven’t enjoyed, and more importantly appreciated spring in the past. Is life what I’ve made of it, or how I remember it?

The ice in my tea is beginning to melt and the record just ended. Seems like a good time to grab something long sleeve.

--d.

Horn tunes...lots and lots of horn tunes.

2009-04-07T14:06:00.003-04:00

In order for this entry to be truly understood, you should head here, and allow the salty-sexy sounds of Black Joe Lewis and The Honey Bears to flow through your bass poundin computer speakers…
Last Tuesday, I was coming home from a tasty dinner of potato flautas and chicken tacos when I ran into my neighbor at the local provisions…great dude (also a Midwest transplant) who instantly started ranting about some horn band he was checkin out at The Middle East later than night. After a bit of email checkin/CBS drama watching, I stammered down the street and forfeited last night’s tips for entry into The Mid East Upstairs.
I was instantly bombarded with an onslaught of horn and drum and soul and funk…did I mention horns?? The opening band, who will forever remain nameless, and who I had yet to know- was my introduction into a live-horn double whammy of a week. Nomo hit the stage with a casual vengeance, waltzing into a set wrapped around a quiet baritone sax on the right hand corner of the stage. All I could think was how thrilled I was to have gotten off my ass and done something with my Tuesday night.
I was particularly susceptible to the evening, as I had been pleasantly surprised by the suggestion of an old friend at the local record shop a few days before. I walked in with a mission: Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings. (The Dap-Kings you may recognize as the backing band to Amy Winehouse as well.) And I walked out with Brotherman, a soundtrack to the blacksploitation film of same name, which was never produced. I’ve grooved no harder than I did that first evening with those records in a constant back and forth across my turntable.
Two nights after my Nomo experience, we had an event at Uniform (my primary place of business) where the tunes were provided by Ken Powers, premier DJ of The Pill, local dance night in dive bar central, Allston Rock City. My betterhalf, coworkers and I decided to check this Pill out the following night, so after a tasty burger we headed westward, into what…we were not quite sure. Arriving at Great Scott, it was a mish-mash scene of hipsters and slouchers, slackers and pre-madonnas. We fit right in.
There was a bit of noise over the crowd, typical set break top-40s. It was one of those nights that happens each spring, where everyone realizes they can leave the house sans-coat, and allows that joy to carry them through the crowded, sweaty mess that is their peers.
Not long after we arrived, the opening band to Ken’s set strode onto the stage, and a wirey-wiesely figure got on the mic. “Ladies and Gentlemen, from Austin Texas, Black Joe Lewis and The Honey Bears!”
For the second night that week, I fell victim to the power of the horn, and tapped my toes to stir the gods. I smiled, and I rocked…and I hooted and hollered my way through an hour of soul crushing Texan rhythm and blues. For the second night that week, I couldn’t imagine what I had been doing if I hadn’t happened upon the live tunes going on minutes from my caving-in humble abode.
Halfway through the set, a shadowy figure grazed by and I spotted a familiar bat inked across his arm. That ol’ buddy from the record shop and found his way to the Black Joe Lewis gig…from Sharon Jones to The Honeybears, it had come full circle. It’s a small city when you play it right, and that’s something I can’t seem to remember until I'm reminded. Cheers to that, and if you're still rockin to BJL & THB's...I end my rant with them. --d

2009-03-24T11:27:00.002-04:00

Last night I told myself I was going to blog about Elvis Costello...and I think that sentiment sums up what I've been up to for the past 19 days.
I went to Iowa City, Iowa back on March 6th for my sister's dance performance. She is a ballet/education double major and is now part of the dance company at school. She even spent Spring Break in Mexico City, traveling the show with the company. The experience of being an older sibling, going to my younger sibling's event put everything in perspective in a way that nothing else ever has. Whether it's a performance, graduation, or wedding, watching a younger sibling in her own environment, a place that I have nothing to do with, did a lot to show me what I left behind when I came to Boston. Before she went school, I could accurately picture my sister's life while I was away at school. Going to the same school, hanging out in the same surrounding towns, and at least for the first couple of years, living in the same house.
But now she has her own life, her own setting, a place that I've barely seen, let alone experience. When I was younger, I liked to think that the world stopped when I went to sleep. When I broke up with my girlfriend sophomore year of high school, if just made sense that she would cease to exist...Imagine my surprise when I bumped into her at Barnes & Noble five years later, over winter break.
I've often thought of an idea or a conviction, but kept my conclusions reserved until the idea has been tested. This trip was that test for my thoughts on the lives people lead after I've left them. Yes, egocentric, I know. But lets get honest, how else do I relate to the world? "The reality of the cup is that it is there, and it is not me." --Sartre. I'm just getting gritty.
The company of my turntable last night, was yet another test of conviction, though far more deliberate...
Elvis Costello is one of those artists that's easy to love, and en vogue with his recent collaboration with Jenny Lewis. My admiration/slight addiction with the Rilo Kiley front lady has spilled over onto Costello, though I've enjoyed The Beat ever since I saw Fast Times at Ridgemont high in 1995. I have a couple of his records, and was excited to pick up Momofuku, his newest effort, released in 2008, and featuring Ms. Lewis as premier backup vocalist.
And so yesterday, I put my Elvis Costello fanhood to the test, playing three records...nonstop, until all the Elvis I had played through, and I could, once and for all, claim my love for EC and his assorted backing bands. The test was a success: he's passed the exam of time (his catalog spanning roughly 30 years) and I loved every minute of it. From Pump It Up, to The Imposter and American Gangster Time, it was an Elvis Costello rock-show...in my Central Square bedroom.
My conclusion for the bulk of March, 2009...check in with those you left at home, they've probably become extraordinary, or at least, pretty cool people since the last time you hung out with them. And listen to Elvis Costello/Jenny Lewis. Cheers --d

Viva La Siesta.

2009-03-04T17:09:00.003-05:00

They say that a snake sheds its skin four to eight times a year. They also say that you have completely different cells now, than you did some time ago (exact timing I can't quite remember). As I research pesto recipes online I am beginning to realize the truth in what "they say." Granted, I am no snake, boa constrictor or other species, but in certain ways, ways that are certainly more important than skin, I feel like a completely different person than I did...some time ago.
It may all just be a consequence of my environment, though I can't help but feel that there's been a shift leading me toward home made salsas and a new-found interest in the gadgets of Crate & Barrel. Band t-shirts now go under button downs and over dark wash jeans, instead of year-round faded cords. Surface examples, sure, but for the first time that I can remember, I found inspiration in the morning, inspired enough to do something about it, not just sleepily enjoying the sunrise.
Every Wednesday I wake up for work around 6am, a time that I used to think was reserved for high schoolers and those who work the elusive "9-5." But this morning in particular, I opened one of my sets of blinds, allowing in a sun that has just recently began to wake up with me on these mid-week mornings. Everything from the frigid floorboards to my bagle warming in the steam from my shower (me being too lazy to plop it in the oven while I wash my hair) brought some amount joy to an already above average morning.
The day continued on, but I kept coming back to the morning, not wondering why it was so good, but merely wondering how I could repeat it as often as possible (still not fully understanding why it was so good to begin with.) Thinking about such things is not foreign to me, but it still felt different. I understand that the same thought processes feels different when more life experiences are behind them, but understanding something, and experiencing it with that understanding in mind, are two totally different things.
My hands are dry, and cracked with white lines from a day of cardboard and paper. I begin to understand a mid-afternoon pleasure that's been foreign to me, as school was often followed by work, and I could never embrace a proper nap in high school or college. It appears that now, in my twenty-third year (soon to be twenty-four), the nap and I are going to draw closer, from aquantinces to lovers in a matter of months I'm sure.

15 Albums

2009-02-22T20:25:00.002-05:00

Inspired by a buddy's Facebook Note, here we are...

The Challenge: Think of 15 albums that had such a profound effect on you they changed your life or the way you looked at it. They sucked you in and took you over for days, weeks, months, years. These are the albums that you can use to identify time, places, people, emotions. These are the albums that no matter what they were thought of musically shaped your world. When you finish, tag 15 others, including me. Make sure you copy and paste this part so they know the drill. Get the idea now? Good. Tag, you're it!

1- Buddy Holly, Best of...
For lack of a better compilation, any Best of truly will do. Buddy Holly taught this subruban dude how to appreciate the roots...Everyday.

2- Blink 182, Dude Ranch
It's 1997, I'm 12 yrs old, wearing over sized blue camo shorts and I have found something special in Dammit, Voyeur (though pales in comparison to Toot's Peeping Tom) and A New Hope. Many-a bus rides and study hall periods were spent reading X-Men books to this striped down, fully popped record.

3- Green Day, Dookie
It's loud, short (39 min) and irreverent, and its all I needed out of music while playing Tony Hawk Pro Skater.

4- The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Let's Face It
Though my reggae tastes of be striped down in years to come, without The Rascal King, I never would have found the likes of Desmond Dekker and Ken Booth so soon, stopping off at Rx Bandits and Satori along the way. The Impression That I Get was the theme song to my first car, 1995 Ford Windstar, hunter green...it had soul.

5- Fatboy Slim - On the Floor At The Boutique
It was freshman year of high school I believe, and I decided to become a breakdancer. I wasn't bad, if I remember right...which is iffy. But what I do remember is this record being played over and over as we totted lenolym from driveway to basement to deserted after school meeting room.

6- Cake, Comfort Eagle
Sophmore year, for sure. It's Current Events class, and TG throws a couple Cake records my way. That summer I got my first longboard in Stone Harbor, NJ. Shadow Stabbing is still on my top 5 songs of all time, and Love You Madly is taps toes and hearts alike.

7- The Rocket Summer, Calender Days
Pure, unadulterated pop music. It's a small child's birthday party on a record, and if we all remember a little place called The Beat Kitchen, all I can say is confetti...confetti.

8- The Animals, Retrospective
Much like Buddy Holly, it may be more the band than the record in the case of The Animals. It was The Animals that showed me why soul and rock 'n' roll were meant to be brought together in a Brit-rock manner. Baby Let Me Take You Home...it don't get much better than that at 2am, beer in hand and lady on your arm.

9- Rancid, ...And Out Come The Wolves
Though their later effort lacks...well...everything,

Rancid's third record is 19 songs of pure West Coast punk rock. I realize in 2009 "punk rock" is nothing short of The Jonas Brothers, but ten years back and Rancid ruled over a pile of lesser known (and for good reason) acts. In a scene that fizzled faster than The S Club 7, AOCTW has survived.

10- Jurassic 5, Quality Control
Another b-boy favorite, J5 takes the hip hop cake on this top 15. They follow a long tradition of quality mc-dj team ups, but for me, it was the perfect combination. Jurass Finish First - nuff said.

11- The Wailers, Burnin'
They may be overplayed and over praised, but before Marley became the poster child for Jamaican tourism, he was part of the Wailers. Peter Tosh was still in the band, along with Bunny, Family Man and Bob, they redefined reggae (Think what Alan Moore did for comics with The Watchman or the film The Jazz Singer in 1952.) I Shot The Sheriff and Get Up Stand Up aside, this record came to on the B-side, with Put It On, Duppy Conquer and Small Axe.

12- The Aggrolites, Reggae Hit LA
Dirty...soul...funk...reggae. Aggro is it for modern reggae. period. Though Countryman Fiddle blows doors on their first record, Free Time is the all-in-all of reggae post 2000. Of all the shows, and all the dancin, its The Aggrolies that have provided me with the greatest show experience of my life. 4 times.

13- Trojan Boxset: Rocksteady.
Stripped down, analog reggae music. Without the years 1966-1968 reggae would be nothing more than upside down ska beat. Granted there would be no complaint there, but with the advent of lovers rock, reggae has never been the same. Red Red Wine, Wear You To The Ball and People Rocksteady are just 3 of 50 tracks that were my reggae training as a junior in high school. Doesn't hurt that Steve Borth from RXB and Satori introduced me the Trojan Boxset series.

14- Rilo Kiley, Under The Blacklight
Granted, Rilo Kiley has been a house favorite for years, and their newest sound is far from The Frug, but it seems that anything Blake Sennett and Jenny Lewis touch stays with me long enough to find itself on this list. Rabbit Fur Coat and Sun, Sun, Sun were both on the short list, but it was Breakin' Up and 15 that succured Under The Blacklight as representation for the Sennett/Lewis catalog.

15- The Clash, London Calling
Prepering for this record with their two previous ones, London Calling is the pinicale of my Clash experience. From stat to end, its Illinois, its New jersey, its backpackin, its road trippin, its Boston. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, London Calling is anytime, anywhere.

Scoopin' Tunes...

2009-02-03T23:24:00.006-05:00

These days, most scoop nights yield a bit of work, a lot of reading, and a good amount of people-watching from behind the counter and atop a makeshift stool...two milk crates to be exact.
But tonight was different. Tonight, time went by with little thought of when time would go by, and before I knew it, time had gone by. It started with a staff meeting, nothing crazy, just a chance for there to be more than one person in the shop at a time, a rare chance these days. I missed most of the meeting as I was "working" as well, thus preparing the few milkshakes that came my way and missing the musings of my managers reminding us to get back to basics and wear close-toed shoes. I'm sure there was more, but like I said...milkshakes.
Some of my mid-meeting visitors were not ice cream seekers at all, but two communications students from Simmons. Their purpose for coming, if not for ice cream, was to track down willing subjects for a project for a film editing class. They were interviewing folks on their connections with music, as well as gathering answers to High Fidelity-esque questions: favorite record, tracks, genres, etc.
As it would not be appropriate for me to miss out on the dress code review and the upcoming B&J's Facebook promotions updates, I promptly asked them to return post-meeting.
They did, and somewhere out there (well I can probably narrow it down to the Simmons dorms) is me babbling on about rocksteady, The Clash, Belle and Sebastian, and my first concert (other than a handful of Christian hardcore and ska shows in middle school, my first major show was Rusted Root at a small club in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 2001).
A quiet man with minimal distinguishing features came by and ordered a one scoop of chocolate fudge brownie. After procuring and enjoying his purchase, he approached the counter and inquired as to the players we had been enjoying. My tunes of choice this evening focused on Cake and their records Comfort Eagle, Prolonging the Magic and Pressure Chief.
Again, music was the topic of choice, and I couldn't help but muse over my coming weekend, which will include an evening of full of good tunes. This Saturday I'm having a close handful of friends over to enjoy the finer things in life, an evening of BYOB/M if you will.
Each person will be bringing a bottle of choice craft beer and a short mix tape (5-7 tracks) to share with the group. Compiling my selection has been a daunting task filled with light bulb memories of songs long forgotten and the mental thumbing through of my iTunes in search of the perfect musical conversation topic.
The evening winded down with a snowy walk home, the Harvard to Central Sq. trek filled with larger than life flakes, a single worn path along Mass Ave, and a well kept eye out for a new record store opening up on the edge of Central. Weirdo Records is an online shop-turned-store that opens its doors on Friday the 6th. A perfect pre-listening party destination.
As I write this I've been listening to The Cardigans and their record, Life. Recorded in 1996, I was eleven, and I believe my first CD was given to me at Christmas, The Space Jam soundtrack. R. Kelly and I have come a long way. Returning to my past has produced unforeseeable treasures. cheers --d

P.S.

A bit of babble...

2009-01-26T11:59:00.002-05:00

The more I wonder through the freedom of schedule-flex the more time I have to wonder and thing. I wonder if I would think of the same things I do know if I was sitting in an office with slacks and a shirt with six-seven buttons. These things that I think, they are trival and mundane, non consequential and timely, but always prevalent it seems. I recognize the patterns as they happen, which is something new, and I believe comes with age. Whether it's listening to Jenny Lewis non-stop for days upon end, or falling asleep to the same forward thoughts of future and fond memories of the past, I have grown to enjoy my own patterns, and at least until this moment...have done so while weilding off the powerful attack of the mid-winter cold.
I've been fighting the sniffles for days now, ignoring the signs of fatigue brought on by bike riding in tempuraturs bellow that of ten, eating nothing but burritos and falafel....though I refuse to believe that the diet of kings has anything to do with my current physical disposition, as I believe it has everything to do with my emotional demeanor. Though at the conclusion of this little writing exerices I will partaking in what I hear, are some damn fine hamburgers at the Miracle of Science Pub. Local MIT hangout I hear, I'm looking to infultrate on behalf of the low brow working class. Welll...not to sure if I am low brow, or can be considered part of the working class? Huh...what young adult plight do I assosiate with? Definitly not young professional...and I'm not currently in school. It seems I lack a peer group at which to identify, not uncommon, in fact, I'd say its down right per usual.
Any stage of life you have yet to live through can only been seen as compartmentalized for convenience. With only so many outcomes, the future appears less scary. But as you get into a stage of life, the variences and x-factors present themselves, and it becomes obvious that no one, and I truly believe no one, does it the same as another. Nothing is as it seems until its over and you can look at it again, and then you realize it is, only what you remember it to be. It's an introspective time here on Watson Street.

The Hulk is Always Greener on the Other Side...

2009-01-12T12:33:00.004-05:00

Welcome back New Year readers! While you've enjoyed a semester break, I packed my winter solstice into one fantastic week at home. Chicago brought a first-night Snowsera gig (my best buddies band, who is shamelessly promoted at the bottom of this blog) at Schubas downtown, lots of family focused around Christmas cookies, specifically the little balls with nuts and frosting, and the Blokus board. If you've yet to challenge your loved ones to a game of Blokus, run, don't walk to your nearest board game retailer and pick up this game de force.
Objective: silently make alliances while destroying those who lack telepathic bargaining skills.
A fan favorite in the Allison house hold at the holidays.
I thought I was going to truly miss the "semester break," but whether it be in the Gap stock room or at the Noodles and Co. counter (I realize that you may have never heard of this haven for noodle lovers, but if you ever venture out to the Midwest or beyond, look 'em up, your pallet will be elated) I was always working during these breaks. So slinging ice cream, countin comics and selling clothes were far from a stretch for this workaholic.
Workaholic, a label that I've been pinned with for most of my late teen, and all of my early twenties life. Have I been fortunate enough to enjoy my place of employment, the people I work for and with, and on the whole, the customers who frequent my places of business, absolutely. Do I love my weekends that fall on Monday and Tuesday...without question. So why have I always picked up shifts, stayed late, and had no problem coming in early?
I like productivity, I like contributing to something other than myself, for in turn I feel better about the time I do take for myself. Which is an interesting way to look at it - for all things that I find worthy of my time, is time taken for myself.
Wanting what we do not have is somewhat of a tradition in the human condition. And how we go about it is what differentiates us from one another. Wanting what we don't have can either be interpreted as wanting what another has, or wanting to better improve what we already posses. It can even be identified as wanting to free ourselves of something we are already carrying. Perhaps this has been the catalyst for my love and infatuation with the superhero genre. Modernized archetypes handling the woes of the every-man with challenges that mirror yet idealize our own. The villain most always wants what the hero has, becoming the incarnation of the hero's ideal, turned on its head. (See Iron Man's Iron Monger). Iron Man himself expresses his need to improve himself by improving his armor, taking it through stages that parallel what he is going through personally. Heroes such as the Hulk or Wolverine are on a constant search to expend their past ghosts and relieve the pain that comes with their genetic and genetically altered charges. Though, all the while, they follow Spidy's Uncle Ben philosophy, "With great power, comes great responsibility."
So what it is that I take from my comic readings?
The story isn't told in one issue, or in one arch...a story never truly has an end, merely a lead in to the next adventure. It ain't over until life is so uninteresting that you stop stop picking up your own book every week. Hell, when I stop enjoying life to the point that I can't find even an ounce of worth while experience in the simplest of tasks, the important will never be appreciated, and that is a life not worth living. Cheers --d

I Have Arrived!

2008-12-15T12:21:00.002-05:00

Happy Monday y'all...We've made it another week, plugging through Watchman, working comics, clothes and ice cream, and enjoying this 60 degree day here in Mid-December Boston.
The Holiday hits keep on coming, and no punches were pulled at the Watson Street Holiday Fiesta! Last night, my neighbors and I got together with our better halves and enjoyed a little suaree, filled with miniture food, good tunes and some ol' fashioned holiday cheer. Its nice to get to know the people you've been living next to for the past four months, and it felt quite grown up to be at a party that was not focused around drinking and video games...no need to worry, we broke out the N64 late into the evening. Sometimes all it takes is a night of getting to know people over eggnog and shared woes of the landlord to make a place feel a little more like home. Living in the dorm, you not only live with people, but you go to class with them, and eat in the same cafateria...but apartment living yields stairwell passes and the occasional door hold if one is not carefull. Four years ago I moved to Boston with the hopes of making it a second home. Well, eight semesters, seven jobs, two places of residence and a degree later, this place has never felt more like home. One thing they don't tell you on the tours and in the brochures, is that you never lose one home to gain another. With Chicago and Boston under my belt, and while I have no plans of leaving anytime soon, the obvious question is- where to next? With 60 degree days in December (we always seem to start where we end up don't we?) and some early afternoon sales at the shop, life is looking good. And I've even got my moms cookies to look forward to next week. cheers --d

Christmas, comics and crab rangoons... (not in that order)

2008-12-08T14:52:00.003-05:00

Happy Monday...it is a rare Monday off for this post-grad, and after some Chinese food delivery, a little Love Actually and a fear of the 15 degree reading on the online thermostat, I've retreated to my bed for a bit of pondering.
"Christmas is all around..." Yesterday, Sunday- it was the first long-lasting snow of the season. A constant flurry whipped around landing anywhere but the ground for the better part of the morning. A setting fit for a slow walk through Cambridge, from Central to Harvard Sq, on a mission for crepes, gifts, and shared memories. There are certain elements of my life that have shifted instantly from one step to the next, "MTV editing" as my old film professor coined for the type of editing that is quick and unforgiving. The acquisition of bills. the compounding responsibility of scheduling your own classes, doctor's appointments...life. But there are other, far more abstract elements that change slowly as my life moves onward. My appreciation for the holidays is one of those tracking-shot type changes.
Each year I wake up on the brighter side of early- the morning after Thanksgiving- and head out to the Christmas Tree Farm for a little do-it-yourself pine cutting. We drag the tree three agonizing quarters of a mile back to the van, place it in the tree vibrator, freeing the dead needles from the ride home strapped to the hood of the Odyssey. Christmas music ensues and a day of tree lighting and ordainment hanging is upon us. As a middle "too cool for" schooler - this was a day I'd much rather spend on the sledding hill, or in the middle of an epic clash between aged high schoolers and us of youth on the snow ball battlefield. Not understanding the importance this day had on my poor mother, waiting for me to grow up and not only appease her, but truly appreciate that which the holidays have always provided...tradition, shared experience, appreciation for a year of work, and damn good cookies.
Well this year, the morning after Thanksgiving left me dozing on a train, city-bound for a day of work. No complaints there...just...not tradition. I didn't think much of it until I was in the middle of bringing home my first, very own Christmas tree. Now, a Christmas tree is never just one's own. It is my girlfriend's, my roommate's, her boyfriend's, and everyone else's who comes by between now and when we all head to our homes, for a taste of aged tradition. But until then...we're making it up as we go along, and I could not have asked for anything more. After yesterday's snowy adventure, there were cookies, there was music, icing, decorating, laughing, crashing on the couch for Christmas movies...new tradition.
I haven't seen any new films in the past week, or done much reading, though I have made a serious dent in The Watchman. It's my second tour through Alan Moore's earth shattering 1985 graphic novel. An old boss/current friend of mine is itching to borrow it, so I must make my way in haste. The piece has been optioned for a film, and is due for release in March, Moore has completely removed himself from the project. Avid readers of this blog may remember a thesis I wrote (and often reflected on here) regarding the philosophy of film. It was a concept that I explored, attempting to pinpoint the importance of film in the development of our subjective reality. In the spirit of my own past studies, I am having a hard time accepting the film as something valid, seeing as its source's creater has declaired that his novel could not be reproduced in any other medium. Regardless, The Watchman is about to impact a whole new audience...though the orginal commentary on mid 1980's global politics, the essence of the super hero and the eternal question "Who Watches Thw Watchmen?" will most likely be lost behind 300-esque effects. Bitter? Not in the least...I'll be first in line, March 8th - midnight. See you there.

got milk?

2008-12-01T12:10:00.003-05:00

Happy Monday...as I come off an enjoyable holiday weekend I am overwhelmed with the influence of this minute's hottest pop culture.
I've breached the cover of Junot Diaz's wildly popular novel starring nerd-galore, Oscar. While I am only 49pgs into The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao - I am enthralled by the blend of Dominican-geek-teenager despair that makes up the self-deprecating main character. I'll provide a more comprehensive commentary when I've finished the story - for now, I can say that I was hooked by the comic/"speculitive genre" refrences, but have stayed for the eerie insights into universal adolecence that Diaz has proposed.
Two pieces of art I can fully commnet on are but the new Bond film, and the indie - Milk.
22 films strong, the Bond franchise is something I grew up on. Coupled with Jean-Luc Picard, Bond was the epitmity of cool at age 12. (X-Men was another childhood infactuation, so you can imagine the excitment my inner/very much outer kid experienced watching Patrick Stewart portray Professor Charles Xavior in not one, but three X-films.) Bronsan (Goldeneye) was the first Bond I saw, Connery, the best. Though my favorite film would have to be Licence to Kill starring Timothy Dalton.
Quantum of Solace brought Bond back for revenge...and as a revenge film, it hit all the marks. But as Bond film, we were missing some serious plot-points, things you come to expect from 007. (One of which not being The Dame Judy Dench reprising her role as M...a show-thief if I've ever seen one.) Not a once, did we hear those immortal words, "Bond, James Bond." Gadget Extrodinare, Q was no where to be found, and the "shaken, not stirred" emphasis was minimal at best. Though, we did have our Bond girls...no complaints there.
Daniel Craig has brought a personallity to the character in the sence that Bond is invested in his missions as more than mere assignments, thought without the Bond traditions, expectations are sorely not met. Again, good revenge flick, but as a modern instlament of the MI6 architype...I'm left wanting to pop in the dvds just to rekindle my faith in 007.
Milk...a film I knew very little about, always a tight-rope situation. Until last night, I would adamantly claim Fast Times at Ridgemont High to be Sean Penn's greatest film...what can I say, I have a soft spot for Mr. Hand, piano key scarves and Forrest Whitaker. Portraying Harvey Milk, Penn truly captured the essence and energy of the politcal figure. The entire casting was spot on, it was nice to see James Franco do something a bit more interesting than his as-of-late-slapstick, and Emile Hirsch is becoming one the most versitile actors of my generation (note- Alphadog.) The splicing of actual footage with what was filmed for the picture was done well, and Danny Elfman's music brought the final project together.
So what am I thankful for? Good art, inspiration, the beautiful day here in Boston that is allowing me to keep the door open at work, Spicoli, El Triunfo...the greatest tacos in town, and they've just arrived - cheers. --d

Don't Stop Believeing, Cruiserweight

2008-11-18T23:53:00.003-05:00

I'm perched in my thinking chair, a rarity at this hour on Tuesday nights, as I await a 6:20am wake up call oh so soon. New comic day is upon us, and with the JSA special, Uncanny X-Men and Final Crisis tie-in on deck, its gonna be a doozy! But tonight is the night an ol' fav, Cruiserweight, graced the stage of TT's but three blocks from my house. If you are unfamiliar with this Austin, TX outfit, imagine the Charlie Chaplain of front-ladies...sans mustache but mega pantomime and oodles of stage persona. I can't help but laugh as her hand motions and facial expressions tell as much of the story as her lyrics do. Stella is backed by her two brothers, Ernie and Yogi, their friend Dave rounds out the band. They're a toe-tappin crew who remind me how the simplest of metaphors and peppiest of beats put together in a clean, unique and distinct style bring the best out of a November night. And I'm not the only one...the audience is sprinkled with the Cambridge vets out to enjoy a good set mid-week and under 21 fan-girls sporting the newest alt-rock uniform of colored tights, cowboy boots and funky tops inspired by Jenny Lewis, Zooey Deschanel and the like. Few things warm your heart like a good band on a cold night after a long day in retail. Its the little things that remind you why you've moved to Central Sq.

The night was capped with a dance contest to one of their old hits and a cover of Journey bringing beers in the air every dreamer to their knees...don't stop believing Cruiserweight, you're all right in my book. --d

http://www.myspace.com/cruiserweight

Contemplation yielded by travel...who knew

2008-11-17T19:18:00.003-05:00

As I write this (though posted later) I am traveling back from Seattle, approaching Denver for my connection to Boston. Brought there by a wedding, my girlfriend and I enjoyed all that Seattle had to offer. From Pikes Place to the Experience Music Project, we tramped cross the Northwestern city. The last, and only other time I was in Seattle, was to take a look at the University of Washington...a highly plausible option for undergrad. It was fun to come back, and we were able to spend some time across the Sound in Bremerton, where the wedding was held.

As we all know, there are certain things you only get to do at very specific ages. Crying in public: 0-5 yrs. Coloring outside the lines: 3-8 yrs. Going on a date...and getting a ride from your parents: 13-16 yrs. Going to an obscene amount of weddings in a short amount of time: 23-25 yrs. After my years of tears, coloring on the walls, and embarrassing rides to the movie theater, I have entered into one very interesting point of my life. This particular ceremony was held for my girlfriend's good friend from college, but has caused me to obsessively contemplate the futures of me and my good friends. There's the first best-friend journalist who's slotted to tie the knot next summer, where yours truly will be presiding over the duties of best man. And the best-friend (#2) front-man who's poised to rock and roll till his heart's content, while enjoying one of those sickly healthy relationships. Watching someone change their life in such an anticipated moment does a lot for the well being of one's psyche.

In this case, this wedding has caused me to solidify my post-grad decisions once again. While in college, I always had an idea of where I was going to be in the next couple of months. From September of 2004, I knew exactly where I was going to be come May of 2008, allowing me to take chances within the comfort of structure. Since then, this post-grad freedom has repeatedly caused me to qualify my actions with justification, as I have no commitments besides the ones I chose. Granted this was true in college, but I made a four year commitment four years ago, and now its time to decide if another four your commitment is in order, or are a series of <1yr commitments to suffice? I am weary to take comfort in committing for the sake of committing, though giddy at the prospect of stability as it yielded so positively the first time around.

What I've pulled from this weekend more than anything, is to take comfort in the process of discovering what it is I want to commit to, find solace in the temporary, and accept when it comes permanent. And to enjoy coloring on the walls, cause one day, you just won't be able to do it anymore. Cheers --d

(And check out GIRL TALK...its dance music you'll dance to by yourself : )

Siamo Nella Stessa Barca

2008-10-20T18:50:00.005-04:00

Happy Thursday folks...hope you've enjoyed the week and gearing up for the weekend. I have some very exciting news in the life of this post-grad: In addition to my current jobs I have added Comic Clerk to my resume. Last Wednesday I traveled to Million Year Picnic in Harvard Sq at 7am to fulfill my clerk duties. Much like the new releases of records on Tuesdays and theatrical films on Fridays, Wednesday is the faithful day when new books are released. In addition to talking comics, organizing comics, breathing comics and sleeping comics...I'm getting paid. Can't beat it.
I partook in a bit of culture this weekend, enjoying Boston Ballet's rendition of Cinderella. It was an amazing performance at The Wang Theater, and made even better with some killer seats ten rows back from the orchestra. The Boston Ballet preformed the show with a 1920's art-deco influence, modernizing the age-ol' classic. The dancing was phenomenal, and struck a chord as my sister is a ballet major at a school back in the Midwest. With a meal at CPK before... and after the show (don't ask) a better Saturday afternoon could not be asked for.
Before entering Suffolk I took myself on a forty-nine day backpacking trip through Europe. I graduated high school in Chicago on a Saturday, flew to Boston for Suffolk Orientation on Sunday and headed straight for London that Tuesday. By happenstance, I was born in Milan, Italy and having only lived there for a few months before moving to the states, I always had this drive to return. In my senior year of high school, I decided that I would travel to Europe the next summer. After visiting and applying to colleges, getting into Suffolk and others, I put all my energy into planning this trip.
The summer of 2004 turned into an amazing ride through six countries in seven weeks that I began and finished on my own. There has not been a collective of experiences that has taught me as much about myself, people as a whole, and life, as this trip did. Though I was traveling on my own, I met over 150 people throughout thirteen destinations. Some of the most memorable being the Italian jugglers I met in Barcelona. These five kids, ages 15-18 were riding their bikes to Paris for an international juggling festival. I spent ten hours with these cross-world peers of mine. After a long conversation with one of the girls, I realized that even though we had grown up on opposite sides of the world, we very much had similar outlooks and philosophies on life. I made the off handed comment, inspired by the Spanish port we were enjoying..."We're all in the same boat" She understood what I said, but not what I meant. After explaining the indium, she responded, "Ahh...Siamo Nella Stessa Barca" It was my phrase in Italian, and being one of the most beautiful things I had ever heard, I of course had her teach me how to say it. In this impromptu language lesson, she used my left forearm as her slate and I have since commemorated the event with a tattoo of the phrase between my left elbow and wrist.
One regret many assume I have is not studying abroad in college. Anyone who has studied abroad assumes its the regret of others that they haven't. I never once wished I had spent a semester elsewhere in the world, but that is only because of my own travels and the promise I make to myself to explore the world independently. One can never truly appreciate the size of the boat, through the stories of others or the books one reads. It is by actual lived experience that any ounce of understanding comes one's way.
If you're reading this and have yet to enjoy the conversation of another in a place you've never been, let that be my one piece of advice...whether its in college, studying abroad, or throwing yourself into another environment for any amount of time, take time to understand other people by experiencing them. If you have explored yourself through your interactions with others, take the time to remind others to do the same. Until next week - enjoy life -- cheers

And with the diploma came...

2008-10-06T18:07:00.004-04:00

Happy Thursday rabble rousers...hope you all are enjoying the week. With hours dedicated to ice cream, clothes and comics there was little to complain about the past week and a half. I spent my last entry catching you up on my Suffolk past with the anticipation of filling you on what I've been doing since crossing the stage over four months ago...
As I wrapped things up at Suffolk I started two brand new money-making-endeavors. These positions began alongside my last Suffolk role as a Conference Coordinator for the Summer Program office. My first job put me behind the world renown dipcases of Ben and Jerry's. There's something about scoopin ice cream in the summer that just doesn't seem like work. Don't get me wrong, blood, sweat and tears have gone into happiness of many-a customer. Especially when I took perch atop the Ben and Jerry's truck I was manning on the Esplanade come 4th of July, and slipped and fell, crashing down on what was luckily, a closed ice cream cooler. This job has yielded positive results as I've begun shift-managing at both the Newbury St. and Harvard Sq. locations. (find me rockin' and rollin' with a straw fedora, mention this blog and get 10% off...no joke!) As fall has begun to slip in, with cold feet on hardwood floors and nipped ears on cross-bridge bicycle rides become daily routine...good tunes, Chunky Monkey milkshakes and straw hats bring a little summer all winter long.
While I love my summer vibes, it is fall fashion that puts a hop in my step. At the same time I took up the mantel of "scooper", I also began my learnings in the inner-workings of small business. Uniform, a mens clothing store in the South End of Boston welcomed me into their ranks. A small shop that collects pieces from numerous clothing lines from L.A. to Amsterdam, Uniform has shown me what a personalized shopping experience can do for both the customer and the store. I still have a long way to go, but when part of my job was getting to know the regular customers and what they liked, I knew that my past experiences of working the stock room at The Gap were going to be of little use.
Between the two jobs, I'm putting plenty of hours in, supporting my self in an apartment in Cambridge and continuing to learn everything I can...including what's to know from my weekly stash of comics.
I've found that many of the people I've gotten to know in college are expecting these life changing scenarios to present themselves, and for their daily lives to begin to fit into a 9-5 work week. Those of us I can visibly see are the most happy are those who are embracing change, not holding on to the past, put also not dropping whats important to them, in order to make room for "the next step".
I've always wanted to put myself back in the classroom as a teacher or professor. Most recently I've wanted to teach philosophy to upper-level high school students. These are things that I very much want for myself...but not when I'm 23. When I explain this to many "adults" I usually responded to with the understanding that I'm "taking time off"...the best teachers I've had are those who have lived experiences that they bring into the classroom. And I would never want to teach anybody anything if I could not relate to it myself. At age 23, I want to enjoy not working 9-5, living in Cambridge, going to shows on weeknights and saving money for pending travels, see next post! So no...not taking time off, just enjoying life, which if anything, is the most important thing college taught me.
In response to my good buddy, Gonzo, and his comment to the last post, I've retitled this here venue to something a bit more appropriate. It's not quite what he recommended, but I hope he digs...till next time when we tackle foosball dinner tables, past travels and the weeks events -- enjoy life, cheers.

Welcome back ramblers...

2008-09-25T00:29:00.005-04:00

Welcome back to Senior Struts - and now that I've graduated, I'm searching for a new title...any thoughts? I'll be unvailing the new header next week...
After graduating Suffolk four months ago I've returned to this venue to recount my adventures post-graduation. For those of you new to these readings, allow me to introduce myself...
My name is Drew Allison and I attended Suffolk for the past four years. After visiting over fifteen campuses from Boston to San Diego, Chicago to Seattle, I settled on Suffolk.
As most of you know, or will soon find out, picking a college is much like digging for that proverbial needle. Not only that, there are a slew of needle-looking-pieces-of-hay to distract you. When I visited Suffolk in the October of my senior year, three things immediately grabbed my attention: I had never been to Boston, and growing up outside of Chicago, the prospect of full-time city life was appealing enough. But other cities had done the same, so it was up to the school to complete the sell. I was able to sit in on a philosophy class after my campus tour. Its funny calling them "campus tours" when there are more non-Suffolk buildings along the route than university facilities. But that was it...Suffolk only makes sense in the context of the city. The connotation of Suffolk was different for every person on that tour, and yet, works so well for so many different types of people.
Back to that philosophy class I mentioned...it was an entry level ethics class with one of the full time professors. As I sat, waiting for the class to start, I was invited to a weekend paintball game...yep, this Mid-Western highs school senior was suddenly apart of this East Coast community. This coupled with the amazingly interesting lecture and discussion had added to the overall good-vibe I had gotten from Boston, and Suffolk. Between the school-within-a-city vibe, friendly folks, and stimulating philosophical discussion...I was hooked.
I moved to Boston in the fall of 2004 from Chicago and lived in Miller Hall up until one month ago. After my freshman year I was hired as an RA (Resident Assistant) and began working for Residence Life and Summer Programs, a relationship that would last three and a half years. Also in my sophomore year, I was hired as a Trustee Ambassador and tour guide with the admissions office.
I was lucky enough to enter college knowing what it was I wanted to study. Even knowing this, I was still tempted to pick a "practical" major and entered Suffolk with a focus in advertising. Day one I went to the registrars office, picked up a change of major form, and headed to the philosophy department. The only other thing I knew, besides knowing I wanted to study philosophy, was that I did not want to spend my whole life competing, constantly trying to outdo others for a chance to move upward in my profession. Naive perhaps, but I still hold this belief today. Competition is inescapable, but by minimizing it, I've improved my quality of life exponentially. In my sophomore year I declared a film studies minor within the communications department, and incorperated my film interest into my final undergraduate philosophical endeavorer. I spent the past four years studying numerous fields of philosophy, focusing on phenomenology and what I called "the philosophy of film", completing my studies with a year-long honors thesis.
As I wrapped up my career at Suffolk I sincerely felt as though I had something to say. And not just an homage to remembrance, but an insight that was universal yet readily overlooked. I feel that too often people spend days of celebration merely remembering what had come before, never taking a moment to sit and appreciate a day, such as graduation, for what it is. It was with the motivation to remind everyone to enjoy the day that I applied to be the student speaker at graduation. The auditions were on reading day, the last day of the semester before finals, and if you are a philosophy major with a thesis to defend, the most important week of the year. The early morning adrenaline burst must have been enough, as that afternoon I got the call, awarding me the responsibility of the only student speaker at my graduation. I could not think of a better way to sign off at Suffolk. With four years worth of friends and mentors, and my family in front of me, it was a tough day to top.
Well I think you have a good idea of where I've come from, and in the next weeks I'll give you an idea of where I am now, and where I plan to be. If you have any questions, comments, or thoughts please leave a message! Until next time...enjoy life -- cheers

The End?

2008-04-10T13:33:00.003-04:00

Spring...has sprung. Is there much more to say about that? Well yes, frisbee at 5pm in the park, be there or be square.

After ten months of research, outlining, drafting, editing, re-editing and re-re-editing, my senior thesis is in the books! While there still may be weeks left in the semester, relaxation has commenced...With San Francisco but five days away, and the Langorne Slim show this evening, life does not get much better than this...oh wait, I watched Empire Strikes Back last night! This viewing was a direct result of a lightsaber sparring match I had with a resident of mine a few nights ago (see pictures bellow).

Not much else to update, just enjoying the days as they come. Apartment hunting, job searching, existential exploration...sometimes I feel like a neo-urban cultural circumnaviagtor of experiences...with a rockin' soundtrack. enjoy life...

Current Song -- Breakin' Up -- Rilo Kiley

Over done, not cajun style...

2008-04-02T09:35:00.003-04:00

Good morning...This post has been a long time coming, and I due apologize for the lack of presence throughout the month of March. But here we go with some heavy duty updates...

Since I've been here last, I've enjoyed all those shows I listed before, geeked out at a comic book convention, and have reached near completion on the year-long thesis. We've been uber-busy at admissions as well (hence the lack of posts) with tons of events for incoming students. Its been great having so many prospective students on campus, nothing better than being busy at work...

As always, there are some amazing shows on the horizon! Saul Williams, who you may know as a spoken word artist is playing at the Paradise next Tuesday in support of his hip-hop record. If you are a fan of TV on The Radio, Williams is in the similar vein. Folk/blues/raw/rockin' Langhorne Slim and dirty/funk-filled Aggrolites are playing at The Middle East next Thurs and the following Tues respectively. Excellent evenings of relief in the midst of final papers and real-world planning.

I just found out that I will be doing an awesome trip to San Francisco with the admissions office, working a national college fair. While I'm there, Rilo Kiley is playing downtown. I love that city, I love to talking to people and I love that band, it is truly a win, win, win situation.

As you've heard throughout the year, I've been diligently scribing away at my honors thesis, and we are all happy to hear that it is nearing completion!! Come Monday, the paper will be finalized and turned in for review. To describe the excitement to come would fill a novella and still would not come close to fully articulating said excitement...perhaps I will embark on the great American Novel. Thoughts?

Back to footnotes, bibliographies and title pages...be back soon, I promise! enjoy life...

Current Song -- I Love To Dance -- Langhorne Slim

Who Listens to Music?

2008-03-04T11:33:00.003-05:00

Tuesday is as Tuesday does here in Boston...its been a good morning so far, and the day holds promise for the hours to come. I left last week with excitement for the Limbeck Band show, and I come to you today riding still on the wave of lovely lovely times had at The Middle East. The opening bands weren't bad for what they were...which were opening bands. House of Fools pulled some toe-tappin S. Carolina rock, which prepped the scene for The Travelin' Limbeck Bands S. California breed of shoulder-shakin jams. This kicks of what's going to be a Spring filled with one dance band after another...

Spring Break yields three shows in one week - Bad Manners being supported by The Allsotonians (some two-tone ska for midweek skankin), followed by The Honorary Title (Indie-rock duo that promises to pull on my heartstrings) and finishing with the icing on the cake...Tilly and The Wall! If you don't produce smiles with the sounds of Tilly, you're not appreciating the finer things in life.

Later in the season, The Aggrolites will grace The Middles East downstairs. Aggro is one of the top reggae acts this side of the Atlantic, and it will be their ultra-funk dirty reggae that will fill anticipations until mid-April. Plus, there are rumors of Toots and The Maytals playing the Paradise Rock Club (2 nights worth!), which will be the highlight of the semester! Toots Hibbert is the premiere survivor of reggae's golden age, with decades of performing under his belt, this will kick off spring in true Moon-Stompin' Fashion!

With all this music flowing around, I've had to buckle down on some serious thesis work. With only one month to go before my final draft is due, it's crunch time! Things are right on track, and I am more than looking forward to getting this year long project off my hands as to allow myself to focus on the uber-pertinent matter or securing an occupation come summer's end.

Life is good, Manchester United is on point to take the top of the Premiership table, by the lead of the Rinhaldo/Rooney powerhouse...and summer=frisbee is right around the corner!

Current Song -- Countryman Fiddle -- The Aggrolites

Hi, My Name is Drew, and I'm a Blogaholic

2008-02-28T13:58:00.002-05:00

Twice in one week, we're coming out of that blogging ebb and entering an era of constant updates! Life is still good, still rollin along. Everyone around me seems to be counting down to something. My buddy is counting the days till graduation, a friend back home waits for spring break, and a girl a work anxiously twiddles her fingers at the prospect of the up coming weekend. Me...I'm not counting at all, but instead trying to enjoy this minute, leading into the next minute, and will hopefully ride that wave for as long as humanly possible. Until I learn to surf (which is goal #2 in my life after developing a solid sense of self, philosophy major remember?) I'm going to ride out good vibes, if you're not expecting anything, then there is no way to be disappointed...and life therefore, is good...always. (That's a metaphor for life up there, dude surfing...ponder that hombre.)

I suppose this will be a life-long effort, for as I sit here, I find myself very excited for the Limbeck show I am going to this evening. Limbeck...a wonderful band from Orange, California. I've been listening to them since high school, and seen them countless times, and they never disappoint. They're playing The Middles East Upstairs, and I'm bringing some friends who have never heard them before. I am thoroughly jealous of their ability to experience Limbeck for the first time, for we all know that everything from music to love to burritos, are experienced best the first time around. (That's Limbeck there...cute right?)

Hopefully this weekend will yield even a fraction of the good times of last, but I have no expectations, so no doubt good times will be had. Life is rapidly approaching, real jobs, real apartments...luckily I'm not expected to learn how to tie a tie anytime soon - enjoy life...

Current Song -- Julia -- Limbeck

I'm Not a Suit, I Just Wear One...

2008-02-26T12:29:00.002-05:00

This inconsistent blogging is as much an issue for me, as it is for you...trust me! So much happens, and it's all so fleeting, there is no way to remember all the wonderous moments that comprise my day, regardless, we must try...

My love for B&S (see post bellow) has yet to wane, though I have discovered Amy Winehouse's first record, Frank, and my iTunes has yet to play much else for the past week. (Though I give credit to the newest Rilo Kiley record Under The Blacklight and Saul Williams' self-titled release, where credit is most obviously due.)

I enjoyed a weekend of surprises...no plans were made, just good times. Late night food is soon to become a tradition for this "barely-eat-anything-after-9pm" dude, as it is hard to resist crab rangoons at any hour, though once spring is fully sprung, I may need to institute a ban on Chinatown as too not OD on MSG.

I started today with a nice early morning knock from my Assistant Director in the res hall...as it is RA Appreciation Day, and he was appreciating me, it was hard to complain. Plus, he brought bagels...Honey-oat wheat bagels : )

I am a big fan of appreciation, I feel I spend most of my day appreciating the ability to do most of the things I do. This being my third RA Appreciation day, it has yet to lose its charm, its always nice to love the ones your with...even (and perhaps especially) your co-workers.

So I know I've proselytized about these fellows before, and their banner is at the end of this page, but this incredibly sexy group of Illinois dudes rocks this quartet, Snowsera, and they are in the running for Best New Band in Urbana-Champagne IL! Check em out, www.myspace.com/snowsera , and if you like what you hear, place those votes, http://www.cumusicawards.com/2008/awards/vote From one purveyor of music to another, thank you.

So the day is packed, there's a tour under my belt, an RA lunch to come, a bit more time in the office, a lecture on international communism (w/free Thai food! are we seeing a pattern in this blog, music & food?) a possible game of GO and the Suffolk Rams lady basketball team have their last home game tonight! Then home for some good ol' fashion homework. Hopefully I'll keep you posted (no pun intended!) sooner than later! enjoy life...

Current Song -- The Moneymaker -- Rilo Kiley

Belle and Sebastian is My Valentine...

2008-02-14T13:45:00.002-05:00

It is upon us, the Hallows Eve of Love...a day where hearts are exposed in chalk-candy form and we put our happiness in the hands of those with the single rose...

I could not be happier! I've adopted an early waking sleep habit that rose me around 8am. Wide awake, I enjoyed a bit of lounging, and started the day with Belle and Sebastian's "Dear Catastrophe Waitress." One of the best albums of our time, and sums up my take on love in a two-lp set. B&S has an amazing catalog of records spanning the past 9 years. I've included the cover art for their records in this post...to give you a visual tasting of their sound.

I had a nice tour this morning, private, a mother and son from Western Mass, and just partook in a chili-garlic stir-fry from our Law School Cafe.

We're in the midsts of RA selection for next semester, and I'm administering my third interview of the week this afternoon. Hopefully it will go well, sending me to enjoy some quality time with some quality friends, and to kick off this glorious long weekend!

On Tueaday, Program Council put on the annual Build-a-Bear event, where 150 bears were offered to the Suffolk masses for stuffin 'n' lovin! I missed out on it last year, so I was sure to make it this year. His name is Remy LeBeau, French Casanova, past member of the X-Men and he is snuggly!!

The thesis is cooking along, and with no school on Monday, I've got a 6 day weekend...senior year : )

I recently got an email from a friend of mine who is studying abroad in Kenya, and she spewed so much good will that I had to pay it forward...enjoy the day, love to love...and show it. Its something I love doing all the time, but today, it's just so easy! enjoy life...

Current Song -- If She Wants me -- Belle and Sebastian

Doon't Say We Never Do Antyhing Nice...

2008-01-31T11:50:00.000-05:00

Last night comedian Lynne Koplitz was on campus. You may have seen her on comedy central or elsewhere, and I must say, I was thoroughly impressed. My live comedy experience is limited, but this was a riot...and quite informative.I learned about everything from life changes as you hit your mid-30's to how women fake orgasims...I mean, the things you can really bring home to the dinner table. It was a solid mid-week evening, that will carry me calmy into the weekend.

This was the first full week of classes, and by full, I mean 5 straight days of the Univeristy actually being open. I've dove deeper into the philosophy of War and Truce, reading up on Kant's article "Perpecual Peace" and have emerced myself in the language of Truth Functional Logic. I've begin editing the draft of my thesis from last year, and am focusing on some more technical phenomenological research. A deadline was set as well, my thesis is due the first week of April, and the defense is scheduled for the end of that month. So with about 8 weeks to go, if I appear a bit frazzled for the rest of the winter, you'll all know why!

My pop-culture vices are being fulfilled to the max this week...First, yesterday marked Alex Ross's return to Marvel Comics! Captain American #34 came out yesterday, and not only did Ross draw a varient cover (shown here) but the new Cap was introduced. I don't want to give too much away, but your favorite WWII sidekick may be dawning the red, white and blue...

And tonight, as if you didn't know...is the triumphant return of LOST! With only 8 episodes written so far, we'll see how long season 4 will last, but regradless, I can't wait to see what's going on with our favorite castaways, others and frensh jungle woman!

With a friends birthday (dejavu from last weekend I know) this should be a great end to the week. At least before I continue my research and start sending out cover letters to possibly my future employers! Cheers -- enjoy life...

Current Song -- Sun, Sun, Sun -- The Elected

Art Breaks My Heart...

2008-01-25T10:10:00.000-05:00

Like I promised, I made my way to the ICA last night...and after a half-hour walk along the water, we embarked on a 2hr excursion through the hallows of modern art. As expected, there were some incredible pieces, including a rug made of thousands of tiny pins, a room filled with foam mattresses that had silhouettes of people dug out of them, and a video piece featuring a gentleman mimicking his hunting heritage by shooting his groceries in the supermarket with a bow & arrow before purchasing them.

But none was as creepy as Cornelia Parker's "Hanging Fire." I came around a corner to find remains of a burnt art studio, suspended from the air, resembling a still explosion. The instant my eyes settled on the piece, my heart raced and a single bead of sweat attacked my cheek from my temple.

I've included pictures of two works similar to that which now haunts me. (to the left - "Heart of Darkness". to the right - "Cold Dark Matter") Trust me when I say that a picture does no justice...as if they ever do.

When I first laid eyes on the piece I felt as though I was looking into the future, and suddenly knew I was destined to experience a blaze similar to that which created the shards of wood and nails I was staring at. There are few times when art effects you as much as "Hanging Fire." It is my destiny to travel to a small island off the Western Coast of Japan, train for several life-times...return to the frozen flame with a centuries old Japanese blade, and defeat that which as tortured my soul. It is for this reason, that this was my favorite piece in the gallery.

Current Song -- So Subtle -- Snowsera

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Weekday Prep for Weekend Par-tay

2008-01-22T13:08:00.000-05:00

The semester is in full swing, and for the moment, work, school, comic reading and movie watching are in a harmoneous equilibrium. I've managed to catch up on weekly issues (comics) and add pages upon pages of reading with logic problem sets into my weekly dose of mental exercise.

Today's a workin day, with classes tomorrow...which means I'm listening to The Moldy Peachesall day long! If you're not down with TMP's you best get on that pronto...they're more geeked out than Weezer...if that is humanly possible.

This seems to be a week of preperation...we're preparing the phil. film meetings, classes are in the clickity-clack stage of the roller coaster and my leftover Chilli's chips and salsla are in the mirowave...

The ICA (Institute of Contemporary Art) happens to be free on Thurs. nights after 5pm, and is conviently located just across the water in South Boston. Once some fellow philosophy enthusiests get out of class, we'll be adventuring over for some culture to kick off the weekend.

I'm on RA duty tonight and Friday, which could be worse, I've got Lost Season 3 to catch up on before the 31st ans a slue of graphic novels to dive into if the residents opt to behaive. With a friend's brithday on Sat the weekend is looking promising. Enjoy life...

Current Song -- Hold On -- Tim Armstrong

2008-01-15T17:26:00.000-05:00

With the first day of the semester behind me, it appears that '08 holds some significant promise. I had a wonderful break in Chicago, with a trip-within-a-trip to Cancun for New Years! It's amazing how the sense of home is very different everytime I go back. What constitutes home, and how that notion relates to where I am in my life, always seems to clarify my current outlook or attitude on the given moment. So for that effect, home was great, but I am thrilled to be back!

Second semester senior year could not provide a better schedule, and with only two classes, both on Mon and Wed afternoons, my days are wide open for riding bikes and playing frisbee...come sping anyway. But in the meantime, it'll be snowy walks and bar room banters to pass the non-working hours away. As far as academics goes, I'll be enjoying Philosophy of War and Truce and Advanced formal logic. Phil War should be truly interesting...the class consists of me (interested in logic and aesthetics, which is a paradime in and of itself), the professor and about a dozen poly-phil interested peers. The class focuses on the (possible) false dicotamy of War and Peace. The idea is that there is an existant middleground between these two extremes, and that the societal norm of dicotamies is plain wrong. I wonder if dicotamies are inherint within ourselves, and thus are manifested socially and politically? I'll keep you posted as this all developes.

Advanced Formal Logic is an extention of the Formal Logic course, and focuses on the notion of Truth, and how logical reasoning will eventually lead us to an understanding of that Truth. We will spend our time learning the tools of the logic trade, and completing problem sets. It's a blend of arithamtic and philosophy, and is a concept that is more applicable to my daily life than anything else I've learned in any other class. I'm not delusional enough to think that I'm a logician by any stretch of the means, but the amount of logical falicies out there would astonish you. Eventually we will transend logic and discuss the theory of logic in terms of metamathmatics.

The two seem to compliment each other well, but more than anything, it just feels great to be in the classroom. You can't beat it when your "job" is to learn, which is cleche enough, but something I will definatly miss come May.

This afternoon I will be enjoying Juno for the second time! Parker Posey watch out (though Broken English may have stolen my heart, turned it inside out, gave it back in broken-puzzle form, and taught me to speak French) I think we may have a new queen of Indi-ville USA. Elen Page brings sarcasim to a whole new level. With refrences to the likes of The Thundercats, slight chuckles were pleantiful the first time around, and will hopefully lead to an appreciaton of the follow-up jokes that I missed while laughing at the leading jokes durring the first screening. (Reference Superbad for a similar experience.)

This is one of the best times of the semester. Most people are yet to be jaded and spring is somewhere in sight. Enjoy life.

Current Song -- All Right Now -- Free

Fancy dancin Snappy dressin

2007-12-06T13:31:00.000-05:00

Greetings from the land of frozen city sidewalks and endless good times had! It has been quite the week, and slowing down is no where in sight. Since I've been here last, I've explored the inner workings of Buddhist philosophy, began my shallow dive into Kafka's existential themes, continued on the path toward top spin perfection via table tennis and billards, enjoyed some Japanese cinema and brushed up on my Twist...yes life is good.

Finals are well under way, and a with the completion of 31 more pages of writing, I will put Fall '08 to my rudder, and cruise westward toward the setting sun....of Christmas presents that is! But before the sun sets, it must rise, and tomorrow the sun will rise on resurrected dancin feet! Tomorrow night is the Winter Ball, and unlike the high school Drew, I'm quite looking forward to this here school dance, may that be a result of the impending cash bar? One can not say.

I'm lacin up in hopes of some quality tunes, none of this modern hippity hop, these toes only tap to ol' rhythm and blues! They sent out a link where we could request songs, so I've been puttin in the good word for the likes of Sam The Sham and The Pharaohs, Dave Clark 5, The Animals and Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels. Here's to hopein I get to Twist at least once tomorrow night!

Saturday will prove a rockin-steady dancin groove. I'll take a break from film phenomenology, and head over to the Middle East for a matinée reggae extravaganza, starring the one and only Satori Band from Southern California. I've been waiting to see these guys for years, needless to say, I'll suit up for an afternoon of dub rolls, ska rocks and reggae bounce!

Here's to The Sweet Little Rock and Roller in all of us! enjoy life...

Current Song -- Johnny B. Good -- Chuck Berry

Save the Cheerleader...

2007-11-29T10:53:00.000-05:00

As I'm sure you've assumed, this is the final stretch here at Suffolk University, Fall - '07. It is around this time that a moment of clariety sweeps over each and every student, follwed abruptly by a series of moments flooded with panic, and if your lucky, a second wave of calm hits, for you realize that every semester it gets done, and every semesterit gets done well.

This process came upon me two nights ago, and since then I have been dilligently (or as dilligently as a philosophy student can work without getting distracted by his own ramblings) working on final papers and my thesis. All is well, like I said, life is good when you realize that the work is pleantiful, but so is time, I don't know why everyone keeps saying there's never any time!

After Eastern Philosophy, a buddy and I spent two hours playing the Japanese board game Go. If you've never experienced Go, it is a game played on a grid of 20x20 squares with 361 stones, 181 black and 180 white. Unlike most games, where the goal is to capture the opponenats pieces, the objective of Go to perserve space. You do get points for captured pieces, but instead of building an army, the stratagy is to build a castle with moveable walls. It was my friends first time, we played for two and a half hours, and did not even finish a game. It was quite intense, but the time flies, and it puts you in the perfect state of mind for a night of writing papers.

After Go, we had a wonderful dinner with all the tour guides at a little place in the North End. After a hearty serving of pesto with fettucini, it was a full evening of mental excersize.
With a class canceled today, it's a bit of work followed by paper #1, dinner and ending the evening with a little paper #2.

Things to come, a visit from my uncle who lives in Southern California. He'll be here on business, and I'll have two nights to show him around the city, an excellent way to end the semester! And also...the final episode of Heroes! I have kept my love for this show out of this blog for way too long! I could not be more excited for next weeks episode, unless of course it wasn't the last one of the season! Regardless, it is going to rock my socks, guranteed! I am a big fan of the online graphic novels, and I hope they continue to produce those, like they did over the summer in between seasons. If only Lost was starting!!

Current Song -- I Believe in Love -- The Pioneers

Chi-town - Bean-Town and everything in between...

2007-11-27T11:26:00.000-05:00

Ahh the post holiday, get back into your groove day...nothing else like it. I hope you all enjoyed your holiday/long weekend...Mine was fantastic, and even a little longer than expected.
After closing down the dorms on Wed, I made a quick stop at the comic shop to get some reading materials for the plane. The flight to my parents houses in Chicago was easy as cherry pie, I even got on an earlier flight!

I spent four days enjoying good company, watching stellar cinema and catching up with family, friends, and most importantly, my English Springer Spaniel -- Harley! My first night home, a good friend of mine played a show downtown, so it was a great welcome home! (Shameless plug #1 -- www.myspace.com/snowsera --those are the dudes, above) I was scheduled to flight out Sunday mid-day, and I should have knowen that I was jinxing myself by reading about Camue's Absurd in the terminal, for a two hour delay turned into a cancled flight, and I wasn't able to fly out until Monday night! Luckily I wasn't missing class, just work, and it ended up that I was able meet a fellow tour guide, who had graduated last year, in Chicago for lunch.

After lunch I rolled through Ikea, which is always a treat, my deminer was a mix between kid-in-a-candy-store and deer-in-the-headlights. It made me want to buy an old brownstone and turn the inside into a Sweedish haven for high end (though low cost!) interior design!

And now that I'm back, it's time for finals! Finals week for a philosophy student starts three weeks before the actual "finals week" and ends right before the designated test time-span. No tests, just papers. Good times ahead, it's good to be back! --enjoy life...

Current Song -- Money -- Apollo Sunshine

Two Days Till Turkey Day...

2007-11-20T13:32:00.001-05:00

Good afternoon...I write today with a smile on my face...a smile with one and only cause...I woke up to a sea of snow outside my window...and I can not be happier! Ignoring the lack of snow sticking to the ground, it was a lovely walk to work- watching all the snow flakes sticking to my p-coat. While my stomach rumbles for burritos, I'm looking back on the past few days, and man...good times were had.

After a rockin Open House on Sat (1200 people!!!) where I was able to talk the crowed at the info session and escort the creative types to the fine arts school, I had a spell on the couch, and enjoyed a relaxing night catching up with friends over North End pizza (Ernesto's, the only place for a decent slice) and beverages.

Sunday was filled with visions of Vietnam and chinese food...I spent the day working on my research paper for American Cinema, which focused on Vietnam Films. After watching Apocalypse Now, Platoon and Full Metal Jacket, I rocked a ten page analysis on the genre of Vietnam War films.

In the mists of that (which was successufly completed at 2:30am this morning!) I supplied my floors with a Pot Luck Thanksgiving Dinner...complete with over a hundered dollars worth of chinese food! (Hsin Hsin, the only place for a decent ragoon) After dinner, we transformed the lounge into a haven for Mario Kart 64 racers. 20 contestants were narrowed down to 9, of which the top four competed in the finals. You will be happy to know that after a narrow win in the Wild Card race, your's truly took the championship race, claiming the title! This was a step above my second place last year, fists were raised and pride was seccured. Two programs, chillin with over 50 people, can't beat it for a Sunday night.

It was a relaxing day in the Res Life office yesterday, but the highlight of Monday was definatly my screening of Full Metal Jacket. I've seen my share of Kubrick films, but never this one, and I was not suprised in my utter enjoyment of this film. Kubrick's ability to present his subjects in a surreal environment, where everything seems natural, and even the most extreme events somehow find their place, puts this Vietnam focused film above the rest.

After class this evening, I will be celebrating the long weekend with some philosophical banter spiced with pop culture interludes and sprinkled with a wide aray of musical analysis (Revival Ska and 80's hair metal have the topics of conversation as of late) while frequenting The Public House of Brighton. Cheers...to the sublime and the beautiful -- enjoy life...

Current Song -- Well Respeted Man -- The Kinks

Wed...when day?

2007-11-14T16:31:00.001-05:00

Good evening...this afternoon finds me relaxing away the mid-week break. It was a successful weekend here in the city, and I'm gearing up for a crazy Suffolk weekend to come. The highlight of the weekend came in two waves...Saturday night I passed out at 11pm, well deserved, but not after watching the Dynamo take out the Wizards in the MLS Western Finals. The 2-0 final score was not a surprise, but the threading goal from Houston to seal the victory was much more satisfying than the Rev's bicycle kick last week. So Sunday is game day, MLS finals, Revs vs. Dynamo!
But not before the Suffolk Open House on Saturday! This will be my seventh big admissions event, and I must say that nostalgia is setting in, as after this year these eight hour fiesta's will be no more!
And before that...the first Senior Event is taking place at the Bell and Hand on Thursday! After watching most of my friends enjoy all the Senior Events last year, I am most definitely looking forward to a year of cheap outings! So until I have wonderful recaps for all the events this weekend...it's time to hit the books as to fully enjoy the days to come! Enjoy midweek...

Current Song -- Free Time -- The Aggrolites

Lars and the Real Girl

2007-11-07T11:08:00.000-05:00

Good morning...As I get my day going, all I can think about is Lars and the Real Girl. If you're from around the city, and haven't been to the Landmark Theater in Kendall Sq. - check it out! It is a tiny little theater tucked behind the square, and surrounded by cute little pubs and restaurants, perfect places to discuss film...and meet crazy dudes.

If you've seen the preview, you know that Lars orders a life-size doll to be his girlfriend, and while you kind of get the psychology behind it, nothing prepares you for how tragically romantic and heartfelt Ryan Gosling's character is. You forget that it's a doll halfway through, because you realize that before you can love anyone else, you have to truly love yourself, and that's what this film is about, Lars learning to love himself. On top of Gosling, Emily Mortimer (Matchpoint) and Kelli Garner (Thumbsucker) offer a strong matriarchy that is key for this film to work. As the friend of mine who saw the movie with me said, it was surprising to see so many strong women throughout the film (there were more than just these two). It was as if the female population of this back woods Wisconsin town knew how to tend to Lars out of instinct, while the men, including Lars' brother, could only come at him with confusion, resistance and mockery behind his back, all with the exception of an incredibly endearing priest. Anyway, go...see it...

While I was out after the movie, discussing it and other things, a curly-haired gentleman came over and asked if he could take pictures of me for some sort of artistic research. He took about five pictures, and claimed that he hadn't seen anything like it (me) since he was in Brooklyn two weeks ago. He asked me what I did, and we got into a little talk about post-post-modernists and their obsession with linguistics after I told him I was a philosophy student. After he left, my friend asked me if that happens to me often, and I was quick to say not really, but thinking back on it, I have been a slue of characters throughout my days in Boston and elsewhere, and it truly has become second nature to talk to fellow wanders, cause I've realized, you do not need to be on the road to wander, in fact, you may do your best wandering in your own backyard. And no matter how many characters I meet, they always leave me with a subtle feeling of "odd" just to remind me that I am at least somewhat aware of social normality's, but more so, an overwhelming feeling of hope, hope that leads to an excitement for tomorrow.

There are tacos in the cafe today, lets eat!

Current Song - Kilroy was Here -- The Move

Movies. Movies? Movies!

2007-11-06T11:31:00.000-05:00

Happy Tuesday! I hope this finds everyone enjoying a rainy New England day! It's been a relaxing week on my end, though I have successfully written the introduction to my thesis! It's time to get to the meat of paper, but first there is much training to be done. The date is set, The Mario Kart 64 Kick Asphalt Tournament will convene on Nov. 18th. This is an event that I held last year at Miller Hall, where we had 16 racers, two TV's and a whole bunch of pride that was given out and taken away. I personally made it to the final two last year, and will be making a run for first! I lost it on Choco Mountain last year, so Peach and I are training daily until the 18th. This year we will be securing four pu-pu platters for the event, my crab rangoon obsessed psyche is just a tad bit excited.
You gotta love when there is a film screening on campus, that you have to go to for class. James Carroll is a Scholar in Residence here at Suffolk, and there is a film adaptation of his novel Constantine's Sword screening in the C Walsh theater in three and a half hours. On top of that, I have a film class at 5:30, for movie number two of the day. This rain lends itself to a perfect movie watching day.
And just in case I don't watch enough movies before 9:50, I am making my way to the Landmark Theater in Kendall Sq. for Lars and the Real Girl! I'm a huge Ryan Gosling fan, ever since The Believer. I've never been to the Landmark Theater, so it'll be a nice little mid-week adventure.

I'm expanding past the screen into the realm of live theater tomorrow night, as a friend of mine is staring in the one-woman show "The Yellow Dress" here at school.

Super exciting sports news that does not revolve around football or baseball....

REVS vs. FIRE Thursday night for the Eastern Conference Championship!!!! I'm trying to get a ride out to Gillette Stadium for the game, old home town vs. new home town -- too awesome! Reason number 36 that soccer rocks, tickets for the Eastern Conference Championship...$18 : ) enjoy life...

Current Song: Radio -- Rancid

It's been November for Thirteen and a Half Hrs...

2007-11-01T11:48:00.000-04:00

Good afternoon! It's a cloudy Nov 1 here in Boston...a good day for some mid-afternoon studying followed by late-afternoon, early-evening and late-evening video game playing. You see, I'm on duty this evening, which means I have to stay in, do rounds, and make sure all is well at Miller Hall. These evenings are always well suited for key relaxation time...especially after a week such as mine.

It was an exciting Halloween weekend, filled with tricks and treats...I settled on the Wolverine costume in case anyone was wondering, and I kept my eye out for a worthy Super Villian all night, but it seems they we are all much too fearfull to make their presence known.

The Student to Student Info Session went off without a hitch. We had around 125 prospective students and parents on campus, we battled some early morning rain, but it turned into a nice fall day by mid-afternoon.

There was the obvious excitment of the Red Sox Penant victory on Sunday. I was on duty, but it was still good times, and the parade strolled right through campus yesterday! I had a nice view from the library window. It has always interested me how the city has embraced the Dropkick Murphys as The Red Sox Band for occasions such as this. Don't get me wrong, it's great, most places in the country don't embrace the local music genres until they've become "classics" and Dropkick deserves the credit. Personally, I prefer Do or Die, old Dropkick, or if we're talking Boston bands, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones had to be one of the best third-wave ska acts around. Lately I've been reverting back to bands such as The Animals, The Kinks, ooooooold Rolling Stones and so on, very refreshing stuff...you can't get much better than a chorus from The Animals, you just can't.

One of the best part of my RA job is planning programming for the building. I'm cookin up the second anual Mario Kart 64 tournament as we speak, and yesterday we executed an event for over thirty neighborhood kids to come and trick-or-treat in the dorm. There were over 90 residents participating in having their rooms available forthe kids to come and get candy. And one of the quads even turned their whole corner into a haunted cave, strobe lights, Exorsist music, black trashbags and fake blood...there isn't much more I have to say about that.

Now...I hope there is some Midwestern representation in my reader pool, or at the very least, I hope there are some salivating tounges out there when I type the word Chipotle...

I understand that Chipotle is big on the West Coast as well, but it's a darn near institution in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, and they have just opened one in Davis Sq.!!!!!!

My buddy and I made the Red Line treck to Somerville and stuffed out costumed faces with tasty tasty burritos. If you have never enjoyed a Chipotle burrito, do your self a favor and find the nearest branch and proceed to order a steak burrito with pinto beans, hot salsa, sour cream, guac, cheese and just a touch of lettuce...you will not be disapointed.

While I'm on the subject, also check out Burritos on Fire in Allston, to put it simply, a mom and pop burrito heaven.

On my way back from Davis Sq. I got off the T a stop early to make my way through Beacon Hill, so I could see all the kids trick-or-treating! Kids and Halloween may be one of the greatest things ever. The best cosutmes were defiantly the alligator, Supergirl, a two year old Elmo and father-son team of Draculas. As I passed the State House, I came by a slue of tractor-trailors and movie equipemnt. They were shooting Pink Panther 2 in and around the State House! Ever sense Fever Pitch, there have been so many movies filmed in Boston, and around Suffolk specifically.

The set of Matt Damon's character's apartment in The Depareted was built ontop of our law school. And the sequal to The Bachelor was filled inside the law building. Now we've got the Pink Panther 2, who knows whats next!

On that note, it is back to GRE studying, as my second attempt is scheduled for Monday! Purhaps the antonyms and analogies will up my vocab and I'll impress you with my stellar diction in next weeks post!

Current Song: Eve of Distruction -- The Turtles

If My Life were a Wes Anderson Movie...

2007-10-24T11:04:00.000-04:00

Greetings; patrons to my thoughts! I hope all is well with yourselves...it's been a lateral week for myself, lots of movement, none of which up or down, just back and forth, and sometimes circular.

It's interesting being a non-sports fan in one of the biggest sporting cities in the country. I do enjoy soccer, and I play my fair share of ultimate, but baseball, football, just never did anything for me. But I'll tell ya, life is all about surrounding yourself with happy people, and with the Red Sox where they are, there are plenty of happy people to be found, which is always good news! (But forget all that, I want to see the return of Malone, Stockton and Horniceck -- The Utah Jazz of the mid 90's my friends...those were classy players on a classy team!) {Stocktin to the left...being classy. espn.go.com}

But enough about the sporting aspect, though I am excited about some billiards going down tonight and this weekend! My dad was in town last week on business and brought me one of the family cues, nothing better then a little pool at the end of a day filled with Eastern Philosophy! {That's Brahman there, the Divine God Head...kinda looks like Stockton doesn't it? vegetomaina.com}

I just finished my Eastern Phil. midterm, which marks the end of my midterm season. (And yet another reason to spend the night at the pool hall!) The excitement is not long lived, as the sad realization that my senior year is a quarter over already, and the real world looms ahead like the worst blind date of my life. She's been sold to me as a wondrous time -- and I know all about her interests and hobbies -- but no matter what, I'm still going into it blind! Well, at least I can pick the restaurant and eat well!

But enough Senior Stress, this is Senior Strutts, and boy have I been Struttin this week! Sunday, I was able to attend my very first comic book convention! Fifteen minutes from my dorm, I spent Sunday afternoon fingering through long boxes looking for House of M #5 (Which I found!) and other rarities...I even picked up a blown up poster version of The Incredible Hulk #181 - which is the first appearance of Wolverine! After which, I played a best of seven ping pong set with a fellow RA. This is a tradition that started this summer, and whenever our schedules, we're down in the basement of the 150 Tremont Res Hall rockin out table tennis style! The rest of the week has been homework and what not, but not without a little NHL '08 for 360...the stress reliever of choice for the 14th floor of Miller Hall. {That's #181, I'm workin on that pose for this weekend! static.flicker.com}

The rest of the week and the beginning of next look quite promising...

We have Halloween coming up - which is always a rockin time. I"m torn between two costumes this year. It's between the Canucklehead X-Man, Wolverine, and the pill tossing MD, Dr. Mario from Super Smash Bros. -- any thoughts?

(wolvie - andrew.cmu.edu and doc mario - content.answers.com)

We've got our Student to Student Info Session on Saturday, which I am very much looking forward to! These are my favorite events, because my fellow ambassadors and I get to do all the talking. I figure if I'm going to be there at 10am on Saturday morning, I might as well do something!

An interesting event that's going on next week is a concert in our C. Walsh theater. But not just any concert, but a Sitar concert! I've never seen Sitar live before, and after seeing The Darjeeling Limited two weeks ago, and loving Ravi Shankar for a long time, needless to say, I am looking forward to Tuesday evening very much!

That reminds me...go see Wes Anderson's new film, The Darjeeling Limited. You will love, it will make you happy and put smiles and your faces...trust me - enjoy life...

Current Song - Play With Fire - The Rolling Stones

Weekend Starts on a Thursday...

2007-10-18T12:05:00.000-04:00

One of the glorious things about being a Senior is that the confines of traditional weekends do not apply. (Much like how the great thing about being a philosophy student is that the confines of traditional thinking do not apply!) This week, due to some kind professors, my weekend started yesterday around 4pm, and will continue until Tuesday around 1pm! To say that I love my schedule would not be saying enough!

I've taken on an Honors Thesis this year, which has been taking up most of my time, but in the best possible way. In addition to studying Philosophy, I am minoring in Film Studies. I've combined the two in this project, where I am studying the philosophy of film. My working thesis revolves around the idea that film combines elements of theater, literature and music to create a phenomenological catharsis in it's audience. So in addition to my Eastern Phil. - American Cinema and Existentialism classes, this is where my academic focus is at the time being. (That's Husserl above, kingpin of Phenomenology)

They've just released the course listings for next semester, which is always an exciting time! It's great being able to look at all your options, and figuring out what you're going to take! It looks like I'll be taking Philosophy of War and Truce and Hong Kong Cinema while I finish up my thesis, not a bad way to wrap up my undergrad career!

I had the pleasure of being on duty last night! Now, I realize this needs some explanation...in addition to working for the admissions office, I am an RA (Resident Assistant) and have been for the past two years. I've actually had the experience of living on the 14th floor of Miller Hall all four years of college, and in the same room for three of those years! Part of being an RA, is that you are on duty about 9 nights a month, where you have to be in the building and do rounds, make sure everything is kosher, stuff like that. Luckily everything was quiet last night, it would not have been pretty if anyone had interrupted my Super Mario World playing. That's right, I've held onto my Super Nintendo and Sega, key elements to successful dorm living!

These posts will get shorter, I promise! I've just gotta catch all you up- so you'll understand the posts to come. And there will be many - revolving my thesis, RA events, the Grad School application process and everything else that I get the pleasure of experiencing on a daily basis -- Like meeting a Canadian professional downhill skateboarder by the name of Mike in the Boston Common yesterday! You can't make this stuff up -- enjoy life...

Current Song: Today is the Day -- Apollo Sunshine

Today is the Day...

2007-10-18T11:56:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Senior Strutts! This is a brand spankin new blog from the heart of a Suffolk University Senior! I was told that this will be read primarily by prospective students, in the hopes of getting a glimpse of what the life of a typical Suffolk Student is like...well, that's impossible. There is no typical day, or typical person. But, there is a type of person here, a type that manifests itself in many different ways, and I am one of those manifestations.

I'd like to start this blog with a few desclaimers--

1- I am a Philosophy student. This means that I will forgo grammer and spelling for the ability to get my expressions out to you as fast as possible, thus perserving the raw emotion behind the material.

2- I am a Senior, therefore my life is far busier than that of an average first year student. So don't get freaked out that my life seems so busy, because trust me, it wasn't always like this!

And with that, this blog begins! Enjoy, make comments!

Current Song: Squeeze Box -- The Who

Post 1.0

2007-10-16T13:05:00.000-04:00

The Tales of Nacho and Toes...

The tale of these furry land & water birds is not for the light of heart. It is surrounded by passion and fantasy, realism and Super Mario World. Stay tunned, and you will forever be changed...