Eats, Rhymes & Life

Photo

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:56:18 -0600

Kanye may have Hova but to me Lupe Fiasco truly epitomizes the Windy City

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:27:54 -0600

Kanye may have Hova but to me Lupe Fiasco truly epitomizes the Windy City

Flight Pattern

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 21:15:33 -0600

While flying back from SF last week, I was seated infront of 3 college aged women who decided to run their mouths the entire flight. Normally, I am not one to ease drop but it was impossible to avoid with the sheer volume they were speaking (plus my phone was dead so music was a no-go).

What struck me about their conversation was not so much what they were saying but their bravado and empathy towards what the other passengers around them might think of their opinions’. As they swore loudly, I caught myself thinking “Jesus, their are children on this plane,” but I could not help but smile and think…ah the bliss of being young and dumb. I am not going to go over the top here and talk about how long ago those days were for me. Honestly, it is the not so distant past and I say plenty of thoughtless things. Still, there is something to be said for those times in your life when you can act like a total a-hole and truly not care who notices.

Sleepytime Village

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 19:24:01 -0600

Sleepytime Village

Photo

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 19:45:06 -0600

Photo

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:15:33 -0600

Photo

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 06:14:52 -0700

Random Musings

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 20:56:24 -0700

So I have been desperately meaning to write a whole bunch of posts but it has not happened so I at least wanted to get them down somewhere.

-My entire life I been a churchgoer. I have scaled back from going every Sunday as I did as a kid. Recently, I heard an NPR story about people who do not believe in God and how they described it as somewhat of a frightening feeling knowing you are in it alone. Recently, I made the decision that I did not want to believe in God anymore and it’s interesting I finally fully grasp the NPR story. It is an incredibly empowering yet frightening feeling when one feels as though they are in it alone. It is up to you and only you (melodramatic, I know).

-Since I do not want to go out on a total low serious topic, why does REI always have size 48 waisted hiking pants on sale. I do not mean to sound callous but seriously….

Is there a term for someone who believes in God but doesn’t want to?

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 22:16:00 -0700

Is there a term for someone who believes in God but doesn’t want to?

Need to get my mojo back

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 13:03:34 -0700

Need to get my mojo back

Sea Change

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 11:45:48 -0700

I have lived in the same place for the past 6.5 years, crazy it absolutely blows my mind considering prior to that I had moved nearly every year. I know everyone says life moves fast and things change but these notions have never become so clear since recently realizing my living environment has dramatically transformed over the past 6 years.

I moved into my condo at 25 as a renter from the original owner. My then girlfriend, now wife were clearly the 2 youngest tenants in the building. People seemed to look at us as the youth of the building. The ones who were going out while the other residents were going to bed. Hosting impromptu get togethers for Super Tuesday or some other off the beaten path events and just taking in absolutely everything we could. I was blissfully naive that things would stay this way forever.

A few weeks ago, I had to run my dog out at like 1030 before I was going to bed. Decked out in sweats, a t-shirt and flip flops (mind you it is 20 degrees out), I get into the lobby with my dog and see a group of 20 somethings all decked out just getting their evening underway. They laugh at my attire as clearly I am in for the night and give a confused look like how could anyone’s day be done so early. As, I climb the stairs to my place I cannot help but smile, oh how things have changed over the past 6.5 years.

Photo

Sun, 27 Jan 2013 16:45:14 -0700

True Grit

Sun, 27 Jan 2013 16:41:45 -0700

True Grit

Photo

Sun, 20 Jan 2013 11:21:34 -0700

Mainstream

Sun, 13 Jan 2013 17:45:06 -0700

For the most part I tend to steer clear of mainstream pop music. Not that I consider myself a music snob, I just tend to like a bit more depth. That is a conversation for another day though.

Stating what I have above, much to my pleasant surprise I cannot get enough of Macklemore’s album The Heist. So refreshing to hear a rapper not utilize the same old predictable ciphers and lyrics. Macklemore challenges listeners to think while bobbing their heads, which is legit. And honestly how can you not love someone who told the President of Interscope records to f themselves.

College

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 20:12:15 -0600

With my little brother going away to college today (yes, I have an 18 year old younger brother) it got me thinking about 5 things I would recommend to him.

1. Always sit in a new place in your classes the first few days, this is a good way to meet some new peeps (I was a groomsman in a wedding for a dude who I met on my first day of Lit 1 as a freshman).

2. Leave your dorm room door open when just hanging around, again a good way to meet people.

3. Be adventurous with everything except for dinning hall fare. When you go to school in Iowa there is absolutely no reason to be tempted by cafeteria sushi.

4. Push yourself outside your comfort zone. Even if a quarter of your high school is attending the same college, give yourself a fresh start to truly find yourself

5. Enjoy the independence. College will most likely be one of the freest moments of your life and you will be paying down your loans for a while after, so you may as well enjoy

Back

Sun, 05 Aug 2012 11:12:47 -0600

Wow, wow wow…how the hell has everyone been? I have been a major slacker. Here is what has been going on though.

1. I was in Costa Rica for 10 days and wanted to stay there forever. Such an amazing country with the coolest people in the world. May post photos, undecided. I ate a ton of rice and beans, learned to surf (finally) and struggled with Spanish as the Ticos spoke English as if it is their native language.

2. I have been obsessing lately about this band The Lumineers. I am sure you know them, the band with that massive radio hit Ho Hey. They are from Denver and their album is incredible

3. Need you help. My wife teaches second grade and typically spends the first 3 months of the school year in a 90+ degree classroom (no AC). She is raising money through donors chose so she can get an AC unit and foster a better learning environment in her classroom. Please feel free to donate (tax write off) or repost the following link.

http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=828764&sharebar=true&utm_source=dc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=proposal_approve

For all your gratitude, I will promise to post more

"Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride"

Sun, 10 Jun 2012 20:57:07 -0600

“Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride”

- Hunter S Thompson

"Do one thing every day that scares you"

Wed, 09 May 2012 22:51:49 -0600

“Do one thing every day that scares you”

Burrito Please

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 23:07:24 -0600

This past weekend I ate a total of 5 soft shell tortilla shells over 3 separate meals. Although this is not newsworthy, nothing amazes me more than the shear amount of breakfast burritos, I consume living in the mile high city. Enjoying the taste of green chili is a must for anyone attempting to fit in with the natives.

Not sure why but regionally foods and the communities they are connect with have always fascinated me. Recently I have started to wonder if the foods shape these communities or the communities shape the foods? Examples below.

Denver - Breakfast burritos: A giant mix of free spirit. Compact and handheld which makes it quick and easy to scarf before a hike or base jumping

Chicago - Hot Dogs: Rubbery and weathered on the outside while salty within much like Chicagoans and there cynicism

Iowa - Pork Tenderloin: Inviting much like the crispy outside of the sandwich. Nothing fancy on the inside but consistent and reliable like pork

New York: Pizza: Thin crust with tons of toppings. New Yorkers are the toppings that interact with one another in an incredibly tight space but make it all work

Montreal: French Fries with Gravy: Most other places people would think you were nuts for slathering a french fry with gravy but Canadians are so friendly that they just go with it