The Wallet Story.

So, last month when I was out in Seattle visiting my friend, Josef, we were walking up Pike Street in the Capital Hill area when we passed by this shop that sold custom messenger and courrier bags. It was after-hours, so we spent a good few minutes staring into their windows looking at their beautifully made, custom appliqued bags. Something small and red caught my eye in the window. It was a wallet. A wallet that I hoped would be mine someday.

One month and a slew of emails later,



in through the mail comes my CUSTOM MADE randL Wallet made by Jean and Chicka in Seattle.

Turning a new page.

My 35mm Canon SLR has stopped working; there's something up with the electronics in it. My parents had given it to me as a graduation gift when I finished high school. Seeing that I can buy a new body for about $100, there's no point to getting it repaired.

Now, I have some thinking to do about a new camera and where I can put that $100 towards. I know what I want, I just have to come to terms with it and dive in. Be prepared for something spectacular.

Something simple.

I got off work early and walked up to the Hirshhorn.

Passed the WWII Memorial and traced the letters of Oklahoma's name with my finger-tips. Absence, I guess, really does make the heart grow fonder. This is one of the reasons why I'm scared to go back.

Walked around the art museum barefoot for an hour or so.

Art seems to make more sense without shoes on.

And God was a Giant Pixelated Mario.

I'm trying to spend as much time outside as I can this season. I love reading on my back deck and watching the birds in the backyard; laughing at GB as she stares longingly out my bedroom window, doing her cat-chirp when a bird or squirrel catches her bright green eyes.

As I soak up more and more sun, I'm reminded of summer days long-past; photos of my brothers and I, dark tan with scraped elbows and knees, our bikes laid out in the front yard (who needs kickstands?). Playing on our monkey bars at the house in Maryland, the swing-set, jumping from the top of the play fort, we didn't care about our landings. Mom yelling at us, Danny on her hip, telling us to be careful. I think I got a concussion on that playset; knocked myself out and later wandered into the house, nose bleeding, not really knowing what was going on. Think I scared Dad to death.

Fireflies, ladybugs, frogs, earthworms. I've actually caught a few of each so far this summer. Carl thought I was crazy when I showed him a frog I had picked up. They like their chins rubbed.

And now, summer nights with friends, talking about our own adventures and stories "you wouldn't believe." Random dreams only a few would understand; our thoughts on life and books we've read. Boris Pasternak and Vladimir Nabokov, Nintendo and bike helmets and new car radiators; Shiner Bock and bike races, photographs and sudden downpours. Even scraped knees and elbows.

Adding to the Arsenal.

1961 Canonet 19.

I'm taking it out this afternoon to shoot a test roll on my lunch break. It's clean, functions well, and I got it for cheap!

More information on Canon Rangefinders can be found here. They're a good, all around camera-- although this one weighs a ton and a half.


I also recently acquired a Polaroid SX-70 Model 3-- and broke it within 3 hours of having it. Because I'm a genius.

Hyperventilating.

I can't breathe.



EDIT (and a bit of an explanation):

The Verve have been my favorite band since I was fifteen years old. It was the late nineties (ha) and britpop was at its peak; bands like Oasis, Blur, Travis, Manic Street Preachers, Kula Shaker, Stone Roses, Supergrass were all on top of their game, bringing new (and now, somewhat cliche) sounds to rock and/or roll.

Ashcroft, McCabe, Jones, and Salisbury (and Tong) were it for me. From their first single, All in the Mind, thru bootlegs of Voyager One and their Northern Soul days, and to their final epic escape of Urban Hymns and last release, Sonnet-- The Verve defined my teenage existence in a small town away from what seemed the world. My mother still reminds me, "I'm so glad you've widened your musical horizons since that 'verve' band."

Previous references to The Verve in Kate Space can be found here and here.

Let the Damage Begin.

Seattle: June 7-11, 2007.

Chicago: May 11-13, 2007.

Adding to my list.

A while back, I published a list of things I'd like to do, but haven't; this is the update to that.

-Catch a tumble-weed
-Paint a house
-Survive a homecoming (going back to Oklahoma for xmas)
-Live more than 1,200 miles away from my parents
-Ride an airboat
-Live overseas
-Bake Grandma's apple cake
-Plant (and maintain) my own garden
-Bike a standard century

Things that will hopefully happen in the next five years:
-Hike the App Trail
-Volunteer for an AIDS foundation
-Work for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
-Visit Africa; Africa is going to change the world

Slight Observations.

Again, bullets.

- Summertime is officially here and I want to have a cookout in the coming weeks to celebrate. I may have to get some citronella candles.

- Bowling with Kian, Adrienne, and the AVT kids!

- Saw BRMC with Matt on Saturday. They are still one of my favorites and the new album is rockin'.

- Leaving for Seattle this evening to visit my BFF from high school; I haven't seen Josef since we graduated in 2001. We may have a moment in the airport this evening when he comes to get me. Tears may be involved. Just sayin'.

- Speaking of my trip, this morning I woke up a little late and in my half-asleep haze I locked myself out of the apartment. I gave my keys to Teki (she's cat-sitting) and forgot to leave my door open. Thankfully my neighbor has a spare set (especially since I still have to finish packing!).

- Last night John and I went to the Regional Air Guitar Championship at the 9:30 Club. Word to describe the experience? Amazing. Finished up at Ben's afterwards for good eats.

- It's also bike season. Although due to recent busy-ness, riding hasn't happened as oft as I would like, the summer's still young. Purchases include John's new (old) Raleigh Pursuit and I'm picking up an old Bianchi beater next week. Ah, Craigslist.

-Reads: I finished Dallas's book, Drive Like Hell, a few weeks ago. It was awesome and reminded me of home and stories my dad used to tell of Old Florida (the book is set in Georgia in the 1970s). Currently reading the third Harry Potter book, but will probably have to start the fourth at the airport this afternoon. I'm also planning on taking along Michael Chabon's new book, The Yiddish Policeman's Union. Chabon is my favorite author and I can't wait to crack into his newest novel. I'm sorry I missed him when he was in town a couple weeks ago.

Alligators...

...cleaning up the world, one Burmese python at a time.

Currently.

-Vitamin Water XXX (blueberry pomegranate) is my new love.

-Using Mom's old Pentax ME Super with slide film makes me feel like I'm living in the seventies; her Polaroid lands me in 1981. I'm thinking of buying a used Yashica from the camera shop. It's in good condition, but not as manual as I'd like it to be. And I think Dad's Yashica lenses will work with it. Dad's Yashica lenses are old, manual, and screw-mount and won't work with the newer Yashicas (post-1975). I'll see what I can dig up on future trips to used camera shops.

-Riding: Did 28 miles on Sunday, 10 mile quick ride last night with friends from work.

-Reading: Getting into Scott's book so much that I've had to put Dallas's down. I feel like a jerk.

-Writing: Trying. And I'm scared of applying to school.

-Music: BRMC, Jeff Tweedy, old Verve stuff, Pete Seeger, even some Bobs (Dylan, Schneider).

-Seeing Olivia in Chicago this weekend. I can't wait. Adventures are guaranteed (as are bright colors, giggling, and other outlets of silliness).

Reviews.

I wasn't the only one slightly disappointed at the Blonde Redhead show the other night.

Much like going to the opera, a BR show is beautiful but not particularly fun. Hence the people leaning on the railing of 9:30’s balcony with their heads propped in their hands for the last couple songs, even though it wasn’t even midnight yet.

I left about 25 minutes into their set. I was bored and was running on two hours of sleep.

I enjoyed their opener Fields very much, actually. Their new album came out yesterday.

Photos (of plants).

Adventure.

Went on a walk through the Woodley Park area today.

Free-flow: Florida Edition.

Went to Florida last weekend. To St. Pete to see my grandmother and my aunts. Did the usual St. Pete things, I mean, we're from there, so being a tourist isn't really an option. Helped with a crossword in her kitchen, had a glass of coke in one of the old Muppets glasses we used to fight over when we were kids. Opened the refrigerated pantry just to open it. She still makes her own peanut butter. Although the house has been redecorated a bit and the carpet's semi-new, it's still Grandma's house, still my Dad's house. Could even say it's still my house, since it's the only thing that's stayed the same my entire life. I think her grapefruit tree is dying-- but the pineapples are coming in fine; bananas, too. Helped get a branch off the roof. She needs a new tree for the front yard to keep the sun out of the house.

Spent time after time out on Pass-a-Grille. Taking that left turn on Gulf Boulevard and driving under the Don Cesar just like always. The Gulf was blue for me for the first time-- I'd never visited in the spring before. Didn't go near the water, are you kidding? It's April. The Gulf's not for swimming until at least July when it's as warm as bath water and the porpoises are out; you can see their fins crest the water just past the sandbar. I miss catching sand-dollars, live ones, and letting them tickle my palms; watching the coquinas dance in my hand; playing with dead jellyfish that have washed onto shore; stomping on the sand while walking in the water, warning the stingrays that you're coming; bobbing up and down with the waves as the tide rolls in; finding the catch of all catches: horseshoe crabs with their prehistoric armor and finicky legs.

Took a last minute right instead of going straight back to St. Pete one day. Headed out to Fort DeSoto. I think it was the first beach I'd ever been to, or at least that's where the pictures are from. We'd picnic there; less tourists. The current's so strong you can't swim, but the beach is quiet. I parked the car and walked over the dunes on the trail, straight out to the water and stuck my toes in. Freezing. Seagulls were flirting and playing in the surf; I always thought seagulls in Florida really do live the life. I got a sunburn over my left arm and chest on the way home. The sun can be brutal, especially when you're least expecting it.

When not at the beach this trip, visited our usual digs: Harvey's on 4th Street, John's Pass and Hubbard's out on Madeira, Rio's for Cuban sandwiches although he's changed the bread and they aren't as good anymore. I've never been to Florida without going to John's Pass for dinner. Times have changed though, instead of fishing cruises, folks are more interested in casino boats and Jetskis, parasailing and speedboats; dolphin-sightseeing with free beer after 5pm. At least the pelicans still zoom in thinking there's a fishing boat or two bringing in their catch. My family is from Old Florida, before Disneyworld and tacky souvenirs touting girls in bikinis and prideful debauchery. Is the Sponge Market still out at Tarpon Springs? Is the diving still good there? Dad showed me they put Rosewood back on the map after all these years. Cedar Key used to be his favorite place. He used to ride his bike down 30th Avenue and go fishing at Coffeepot Bayou. This is our Florida.

Went up to Ocala for a day to see my other grandmother, my aunt and my new cousins. It's kind of strange having babies in the family again. Nice to see my grandmother's paintings; touching things I used to play with when I was little. Photos of us as kids, of my Mom and her sisters as kids. The couch, the chair, seashells I used to look at as a child, but could now hold and touch as an adult. She had the tea set I gave her for Christmas set up in the kitchen; said she wanted to paint her bedroom in its blues and greens. Mimi always makes me think of the ocean. She grew up on Key West, her family's spent generation after generation there. Maybe the ocean makes people paint beautifully. My watercolours will never be like hers. Mom has one of her paintings of mangrove trees. Going to Mimi's makes me want the ocean. And I can't even swim.

Leaving Florida is always bittersweet. No matter how often you return, it's changed; it's changing. I just hope that I can remember all the stories my Dad's told me. So that I can remember, too.

There will always be more questions.

BBC News | Americas | Washington diary: Virginia Shootings

All this happened, more or less.

Kurt Vonnegut.

Vent.

I don't believe it's a personality flaw to not want to go to graduate school.



That's one of the problems with going through an 'arts'-focused program; sometimes one doesn't need a degree to prove themselves, well, good.



I should just go back and get my biochem degree like I had decided in the first place.


Besides, lab goggles are schexy.

Make it this.

"Take your intellectual life and make it this; immerse yourself, focus. And see what happens."

And so I am. I met with one of my mentors the other day-- I needed help and a push in the right direction; make myself a timeline and write and write. Read, too. Baby-stepping through case studies and nonfiction, old newspapers and interviews; wishing I was wearing galoshes as I wade knee-deep in history; filling up pages in my composition book slowly yet steadily-- reminding myself that the tortoise was the winner in that age-old tale.

Now I have the swimming pool wall from which to push off. Do I know how to swim? No. But I can tread water for as long as I can; maybe I'll even make it to the other side, towards the deep end.

Opening Day.

There are 2,430 games in the regular season every year. Holy cow.

Let's play ball.

Mud.

It's good for you.

April showers are coming.

First grade: Rescued by a neighbor because I got stuck in the mud in a construction site. Lost my shoes.
Second grade: Woods and creek behind our townhouse = fun laundry days for Mom.
Third grade: Mud-fight with all the neighborhood kids.
Fourth grade: Getting my younger brother to drink a "chocolate milk" and playing in the new school's construction site; did you know you can sled on mud?
Fifth grade: Soccer. Rain. Mud.


Earthworms, frogs, stained clothes, footprints through the house: Spring is here.

Routine.

I have none. Or any that last more than a week.

OK, so brushing my teeth and margarita night don't count.

The point is, I hadn't been able to find my work badge since Friday. It's in a different pocket, bag, drawer, cubby-hole every day. The damn thing gets around. Found it in my rain coat two hours after I was supposed to leave for work today. Well, I left for work and was a stop down on the train when I realized I didn't have it. Again.

The same thing happens with my Metro card. I'm hopeless.

Oh, dear.

I think 2007 will be the Year of the Show for me.

Add these to the upcoming list:

Mar 20: Pete Yorn (with Theresa)
Apr 7: Anti-Flag (with my youngest bruva)
Apr 10: Ben Folds (with Theresa)
Apr 13: Bob Schneider (with the usual suspects)
Apr 25: John Vanderslice (with my oldest bruva)
May 6: Blonde Redhead (solo)
May 16: Arctic Monkeys
Jun 2: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club


Note: Apr 19-23 I'll be in FLA, and May 11-13 I'll be in Chicago. Doing fun things.

Add Western Mass. for Memorial Day.

And is it bad that I'm thinking about going to Lollapalooza for my summer adventure?

It's here!

Belle & Sebastian's single, Jonathan David, is here!

Why is this record so important to me? While I was attending Tulane, I worked at their campus radio station, WTUL, and this single was a 'merit' run. A merit is something new, a song that should be on heavier rotation. I kinda cheated the system though; Jonathan David was the merit, but I always played one of it's B-sides, The Loneliness of the Middle Distance Runner. I played the song I loved and got my merit points.

And for the past six years, I've been whistling this tune to myself. Usually absent-mindedly.

Chicago.

I'm visiting my friend Olivia in Chicago in May. And I get to go to this. I can't wait. I've never been to a big city with sky-scrapers before. Well, I guess London counts, but I never actually saw them because I stayed in Westminster.

Looptopia:

Premiering May 11, LOOPTOPIA will be America’s first dusk-to-dawn cultural and artistic spectacle showcasing the vibrancy and excitement of Chicago’s historic Loop neighborhood through musical and theatrical performances, unique shopping and dining opportunities, indoor programs, outdoor exhibitions, architectural tours, artistic installations and mesmerizing light displays.

Inspired by “White Night” events in Rome, Montreal and Paris, LOOPTOPIA will feature over 75 events staged throughout the Loop including museums, gardens, plazas, cultural halls, storefronts, theatres, night clubs, libraries, cinemas, restaurants, loading docks and alleyways.

LOOPTOPIA will literally transform the entire Loop into a sensory playground with cutting edge lighting and design elements that will immerse the Looptopia visitor in amazing sights and sounds.

LOOPTOPIA’s first-year footprint roughly extends from Wacker Drive to Congress Parkway and from Dearborn to Lake Michigan. We hope to add to this area in future years.

From a audience member perspective, LOOPTOPIA provides the opportunity to be inspired and awed by the talent of over 50 of Chicago’s cultural and artistic partners- all in one night. An additional 15-20 Loop retailers, entertainment venues and cultural centers will extend hours – in some cases until sunrise - with unique and energizing and amazing programming.

I can't wait.

Shows and Shows.

Busy. Started off Friday night with The Thermals show at The Black Cat (photos in previous entry)...

Sunday night my brother and I saw the Scissor Sisters. The show was one of the best I've ever been to and seeing Jake, Ana Matronic, Babydaddy, Del Marquis and Paddy Boom in action was great:





Tuesday, my friend Kian and his friend Nick joined me for Badly Drawn Boy (aka Damon Gough). He's a brilliant song writer and I've been listening to his music since I was about 17, still in high school. It was a complete joy to finally see him live. Damon played most of his new album, Born in the U.K. and sang for over two and a half hours!

The Thermals at Black Cat

Like Whoa.

Rain Nightclub (Ballroom, if you will) = Huge Mason reunion

Haven't seen anyone in a while? Just drop on by there on a Thursday night, I guess.

Sometimes Fairfax really does feel like a small town...Last night was quite the blast from the past.

------
This is what I feel like when I'm at a bar:


This is what I feel like whenever I'm at a Club:

Mary -effing- Katherine Gallagher. Comfort zone: gone.

Congratulations, Scott!

This past weekend, Team Nabokov had the pleasure of attending the book-release party for Grand Avenues hosted by the ever-lovely Happy Booker. We welcomed many reunions with old pals from George Mason University's University Writing Center and former professors.

But of course, the evening was all for Scott.


Kate, BR, Theresa, and Scott.


I hope I can do this some day. I mean, for my own book that is.


We tried not to embarrass him (too much).

I Did It Again.

The problem I have with Nick Hornby novels is that whenever I pick one up and start reading it, I can't for the life of me put it down. True for High Fidelity, About a Boy, and now A Long Way Down.

My reading list gets bumped again.

Tom and Katie.

Just a slight observation made by T-bop. Hilarious.

Time to roll up my sleeves.

Over the past two years, little known to some, I've continued researching and redesigning my Tulsa piece. Now, the real work begins. I've bought my super-pens and college-ruled composition books, found my Library of Congress Researcher's card, and I think I'm ready to get into the realm of putting together an actual piece of history. I'm also planning a trip to Oklahoma this winter to dive into the University of Tulsa's archives.

All I can say is, writing a book is hard. Writing nonfiction is harder.

I'll be hanging out after work at the LOC a couple times a week. Yay!

Note: If you're like me and have to write everything by hand and then compile and type it out, I highly recommend the PaperMate X-Tend retractable medium ballpoint pen. They allow me to write for hours without aching.

Redesign.

Gave the Space, if you will, a facelift for its second anniversary.

Content. (maybe.)

1. satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else.

Riding home with all three of my brothers listening to Pete Yorn on a Friday night.

The next couple of years are going to be full of transitions and changes. The four of us have been all we've had our entire lives because we moved around so much. And it will happen again soon. My oldest brother is thinking about college in Florida, my middle brother is already out in Lexington attending VMI, the baby in the family will graduate high school in 2008. The world has different plans for each of us. We just have to wait and see.

Come this summer, the house my parents live in now will be the longest they've been in one place since before I was born. How long will they stay there? Unknown. But it's the house my brothers grew up in; three brothers over five years from childhood to near-adult and adulthood, and me, looking in from the outside. My home has always been that brick house on the edge of the world in Oklahoma; watching the storms bubble green and sweep in from the West, standing on my back porch leaning into the wind and allowing myself to let go and be held by it.

I look at my life and the places I've lived, things I've done, opportunities taken and wasted. I'm currently living in my twelfth place of residence (not counting school). I've lived in six states. I've met people that have changed my life; I still do. And for some reason, I keep asking for more.

Love, life, happiness (and my brothers): nothing more, nothing less.

Blatant Advertisement.

Grand Avenues: The Story of the French Visionary who Designed Washington, D.C. is now available at your local bookstore. Written by the greatness that is Scott W. Berg, my professor and nonfiction mentor, Grand Avenues explores the life of Pierre L'Enfant and his Washington.

It was truly a pleasure to witness Scott's work from research to final project throughout my undergrad time at George Mason University, and I'm excited to finally have the final work-- nice paper choice, Random House, bravo-- in my possession!!!

Checked the Borders in Fairfax tonight with good friend T-Bop. They're right in the front with the new nonfiction releases. Ready. Go.