I sleep in the arms of the grey king and queen...

asleep_in_arms @ 2009-05-21T13:29:00

2009-05-21T20:30:27Z

Do any of you blog on a blogger or blogspot account? If so, link it up....I think I am done posting on LJ (not that I did very often anyways).

New blog...

2009-05-07T23:20:01Z

So I have created a new blog (Lost Suns & Drift Theories) that will focus on the progress of my varying art projects (film, writing, photography/painting and music). I will still post here just as rarely as I ever have and will still be reading other peoples posts here. I just wont be posting here about that stuff anymore, so if you are interested in following along with any of that please add me at that website. Thanks!

asleep_in_arms @ 2009-05-01T13:51:00

2009-05-01T20:52:42Z

Has anybody else noticed the suirge in Russian usage of LJ? I was trying to find a few new communities to join on here and every page was dominated by Russian text.....I think I am gonna have to move on from LJ and find something more usable for me.

Zombies....

2009-02-18T18:19:25Z

Things....

2009-01-26T21:42:22Z

- I think I want to cut my hair again. It is getting too long.
- I want to start reading a new book: and actually finish it instead of putting it down to read a different one halfway through (I have a long list of potential candidates).
- The Grand Canyon in March is gonna rock.
- Appleseed Cast are playing in February, anyone want to go?
- Cooking Indian food at home is really fun.
- I think 2010 may be the year I finally decide to really travel....on the table as possibilities: India, West Africa (Senegal maybe), Morocco, or Mexico's central valley. Any takers?

General Update

2009-01-12T23:50:09Z

I went to the Getty yesterday (pictures forthcoming). It was really fun. Its a really beautiful place. I think I liked just walking around more than the exhibits. Though there was a cool exhibit on Russian Avante-Garde book art.

I made Ginger Ale from scratch last week. It came out okay, but I dont think I kept it warm enough for the yeast to do its thing properly, it happened to be cold for those few days. I am going to try making Kvass pretty soon. Then I'm gonna try making mead. Beverage making has turned out to be kind of fun. I've been cooking too, and eating healthier. I bought a stir-fry pan thing (wok) and made potatoes, spinach, red bell pepper, and ginger in a ginger curry sauce that I made from scratch. Its fun flipping things around in the wok. It came out pretty good. I'm going to be making cornish game hens this week I think.

If you have not seen it: go see Gran Torino. It was really really great. I am going to see Valkyrie today. I may or may not post about how it is. There are a lot of good looking movies out lately.

I am at the beginning stages of working on a new musical project with Nate. It is kind of influenced by Hum and a heavier distorted kind of sound. I also made a myspace for my piano/orchestral/filmish music that can be found here. I feel like I am recharged and have a renewed interest in music altely. Not just making it but listening to it as well. I've started buying music again a lot. I think I am going to go get a portable record player and start digging through vinyl bins again searching for good jazz, funk, and progressive rock. I'm currently wanting a copy of Miles Davis' Bitches Brew on vinyl. If you have that or In a Silent Way, and dont want it/them: let me know. Since I have not had a turntable in some time I have not gotten to listen to the Weather Report album I got from Han. I listened to the samples online and it sounds pretty solid, strong Latin influence/very rhythmic.

I think some friends and I may drive up to the mountains this coming weekend to drink beer and play in the snow. It should be fun. I think I am also going to a gallery opening in Costa Mesa on Saturday after work. If anyone wants to join in for either please let me know. :)

Lastly: I love my apartment/living situation.

Greenaway

2008-12-17T00:42:22Z

"Tulse Luper decided to move as soon as possible to New Zealand so as to be as far away as possible from Belgium."

asleep_in_arms @ 2008-12-09T15:17:00

2008-12-09T23:23:02Z

I suppose it is time for a life update:

I have moved. For those of you who don't know. I now live off of Harbor right near the 405 in Costa Mesa. The place is really nice. Lots of space and light. I have my own bathroom, which is also really cool. I am living with Nate. For those of you who do not know: Rory has moved to Santa Cruz.

I am still working where I have been working, so there is no change there.

The new Glider album has come a long way and is hopefully moving along (Rory is working on stuff currently, I hope). The book Katie and I are writing is starting to take shape a bit as well. It has turned into, as we call it, "a schizophrenic Amish road trip".

Wow, I thought I had a lot to say and update,, but I guess I don't. Well, back to not working.

asleep_in_arms @ 2008-11-06T18:33:00

2008-11-07T02:46:04Z

Life is good lately. I am moving on December 1st into a new apartment. Rory will soon be moving up north (to Santa Cruz) and I will be living with Nate. We got a place 1 mile from my work, right off the freeway. It's a nicer place than the place I am in now with a more open floor plan. I think it will be really great. I have taken up cooking lately. I have made a Tuscan Turkey soup and Green Olive Chicken Couscous. I think I am going to try to cook a lot more and eat at home, rather than out and about. It turns out I can make stuff that tastes pretty damn good. Plus there are always more recipes to try. I may delve into baking a bit once I move as well. Over the last two days I have been reading (and finished today) The Trial by Franz Kafka. It was really good and I highly recommend it. The new Glider disc will be available soon too. So look for that in the coming week or two. I am happy with where my life is right now. It is looking better every day. Good times. Marissa is moving soon too. That is sad. It always sucks when friends move away. A few are doing that soon. I wish them the best, but will miss them being around. Anyways, time to go take a shower and figure out the rest of my evening.

asleep_in_arms @ 2008-10-28T21:22:00

2008-10-29T04:25:21Z

you are lightcyan
#E0FFFF

Your dominant hues are green and blue. You're smart and you know it, and want to use your power to help people and relate to others. Even though you tend to battle with yourself, you solve other people's conflicts well.

Your saturation level is very low - you have better things to do than jump headfirst into every little project. You make sure your actions are going to really accomplish something before you start because you hate wasting energy making everyone else think you're working.

Your outlook on life is very bright. You are sunny and optimistic about life and others find it very encouraging, but remember to tone it down if you sense irritation.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

asleep_in_arms @ 2008-10-28T13:20:00

2008-10-28T20:23:46Z

So I went and looked at an apartment today. It was so close to my work I could walk to work if I felt like it. The rooms were bigger than my current apartment. It had two bathrooms, which is awesome. It was a little older but had AC/Heat. It seems really solid. They have two units available and a December 1st move in would be possible....Daniel was swamped at work and was unable to check it out. I hope he has not decided to bail. That would be a big bummer. I'm not sure how well he will like the place. But the price is so right and the location so great. Are any of you looking at moving somewhere soonish? If so hit me up (the jobless or those with pets need not apply).

asleep_in_arms @ 2008-10-28T10:00:00

2008-10-28T17:02:39Z

Glider's music has been used in various campaign videos for Damien Ober, a Libertarian Candidate for the Washington DC position of Shadow Senator. Here are two of them. He's doing a few more featuring our music as well. Check em out if you feel like it.

Soooo cute!

2008-10-28T06:35:15Z

This is so rad! I cant decide if I like this one (with Mad World playing) or the original version (with original music/sound). Anyways, this was the last one I watched so I'm posting this one.

RR

2008-10-21T22:17:58Z

As most of you know...for the most part I do not really put much faith in politicians or in politics in general. But this was something I could definitely support. Especially considering the alternatives.

Haircut

2008-10-21T05:45:25Z

So the new hair looked better yesterday, but it still looks pretty good. I like it a lot. Click the lj-cut for pictures....

Weekend Update

2008-10-20T19:35:15Z

So it was an interesting weekend. On Thursday I had started having a pain in my abdomen. It was a pretty dull pain. I didn't think too much of it. Later that night I started getting fevers/hot flashes that lasted anywhere from a few seconds to 1o minutes. I went to work on Friday. The pain was a bit worse. The fevers were still coming and going. I wasn't feeling well at all and got up to go over to the water cooler to get a drink. As I took my first sip I was hit by nausea and an intense desire to not eat or drink anything. I did take a few more sips, as I felt I needed it. I excused myself to go outside and get a bit of fresh air. While outside I decided to call my doctors office. I tried to make an appointment but was told they did not keep office hours on Friday and were in fact on their way out. They did inquire as to the nature of my need for an appointment. I explained my symptoms. They told me to go to the emergency room immediately. That it sounds like appendicitis and that my appendix could rupture and I should go now. I went back into the office and told everyone I was leaving. Made the mad dash in the car to the ER. I don't know if it was adrenaline or what, but I was frantic trying to get there and the pain, nausea, and fevers all got worse. Once there they did blood work, a CT scan, had me drink some stuff, put iodine into my IV (for the CT scan), and did urine tests. After all the results came back it turns out that my appendix does not appear to be inflamed or swollen or in danger. They also checked my kidneys for kidney stones and for general health. Everything checked out. I am then told that it could be something I ate, it could be a viral infection, or that there was a less than 1% chance that it still could be appendicitis and is just not far enough along yet for them to tell. If it gets worse I was to come back in 12 hours for a retest. I am to stay away from spicy and fried foods and alcohol. Terese came over, after I got back from the hospital, to keep me company and we watched movies and hung about. That part of the day was nice. The next day I was feeling mostly better. By Sunday almost completely better, just a super dull pain in my abdomen. Today I get to work and the pain is back, but the fevers and nausea are not. I am going to give it another day or two and if it is not better I am going to make an appointment with my doctor to see f we can get to the bottom of this (now that I know it is at least not immediately life threatening there is not as big a rush). Hopefully after a lot of water and eating lite it will clear out and I will be fine.

The rest of the weekend was nice. I did not play the show in Los Angeles with C is for Carlo like I was supposed to (for obvious reasons). They played though. Saturday I mostly stayed around the house with Terese, ran some errands and whatnot. In the evening we went down to the harbor in Dana Point and got dinner at The Jolly Roger. It was the first solid amount of food I had had yet. It was good. Sunday I did something crazy (but that I am happy I did): I cut my hair! By comparison to how it has been for at least 12 years it is pretty darn short. I like it. After the ER trip it was nothing to get my hair cut, lol. I would normally have been terrified to do so. I think it was just time for a change. Sunday night I ate dinner with Marissa, Terese, and their mom and watched a pretty bad movie about Andy Warhol and some chick he exploited. In addition to a lifetime movie about a high school girl with HIV, which was also really bad, but was at least so bad you could find humor in it. Now I am at work. In a little bit of pain, but not terrible. I hope it subsides tomorrow or the next day. Despite the events on Friday I am sad to see the weekend go. I don't really want to be back at work right now, but I'll deal. At least my boss offered to/covered my shift on Saturday night. That was very nice of him.

Maybe if I remember to do so I will upload some pictures of the new hair for those I don't see regularly to check out. In other news: I re-bought a Nick Drake album and a Pixies album. I missed both. Good times.

MBV

2008-10-03T16:32:02Z

1am: I lay my head down to go to sleep. The sound of white noise as if from a TV station that I don't get reception for is in my ears. It is a familiar sound. Years of being in front of amplifiers cranked up to eleven makes you used to it. Off in the distance I hear what sounds like someone banging two trash can lids together. It seems a few blocks away. It continues. I think to myself "wtf is this shit? How am I supposed to sleep with that going on?". It goes on csshhhhhh-kush-csshhhhh-kush-csshhhhhhh-kush......suddenly I realize I am only hearing this sound in my right ear. I think maybe I have lost hearing in my left ear. I roll over on my arm in bed and feel my pulse....it is in time with the trash can sound. Suddenly it hits me: someone is not banging trash can lids together a few blocks away outside. I am hearing the blood rush through my ear pulse by pulse. Eventually I fall asleep. I wake up without the trash can lids but with a pressure in my right ear that has not ceased. Low frequency sound physically hurts me.

My Bloody Valentine was rad. Yes: I did wear earplugs. Earplugs don't help much during 'You Made Me Realize' (which was definitely the high point of the show). I wish Kevin's vocals during 'Soon' had been just a bit louder. Surprisingly I really enjoyed 'Only Shallow'. I was sad that they did not play 'Soft As Snow (but warm inside)', but I did not expect them to. Hopefully the pain/pressure in my right ear will depart soon. I woke up and hit the alarm a number of times. I was ten minutes late to work. It was worth it.

asleep_in_arms @ 2008-10-01T22:59:00

2008-10-02T06:02:59Z

I think I want to buy a telescope. That is all.

asleep_in_arms @ 2008-09-29T22:44:00

2008-09-30T05:52:52Z

So I am back at the apartment now. I had been house sitting at my mothers for ten days. All in all it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be (in no small part to the company I kept while down south). It is nice to be home though. It feels nice to be in my own bed and (hopefully not tmi) use my own bathroom again. I think the older I get the more of a homebody I become. I really love being in my own space. Especially now, since I rearranged the living room, cleaned up the kitchen, bought new towels for the bathroom and just generally improved my living situation at home. It's really nice. I've been spending evenings (the two I've had since getting back and the few before I left) in the living room snacking and watching TV/reading. This is a pretty boring post, but I just wanted to reflect on how, no matter how much I may hate this apartment, it is home to me right now and in many ways I do love it. I'm comfortable here. I'm happy. Life is good. Have a great evening everyone. :)

Hahahahahaha

2008-09-24T02:55:38Z

This is not by me. What follows is a message board post from someone many of you know. I am ommiting the name, however the hilarity will likely remain for some on my friends list....the rest of you may even end up with better hair care, maintenance, and style.....ROFLMAO!!!!!!
___________________________

The Trick to Perfect "Bed Head" Hair

For several years I've been complimented on my hair. No matter where I go, guys (and gals), ask me what products I use and how I use them. It's never failed me and the whole process takes me but a mere 5 minutes! I have straight, medium-short brown hair, but it works no matter what color hair you have. In fact, if you are starting to loose your hair or have a receding hairline, this is a great style to have for you too! Casual, or black-tie dinner, it works great for either.

The Tools:

> "Manipulator" shampoo by Bed Head.

> "Crude Clay" by Sebastian.

> Bumble and Bumble "Styling Creme" or D:FI "Heavy Wax"

Shampooing:

> Wash your hair with the above mentioned shampoo on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Most "with it" guys know this, but in case you don't, washing your hair everyday with shampoo ruins your hair. In fact, the best hair days I've ever had have been on the second or third day after my last shampoo. I've also tried just about every shampoo on the market and the above mentioned shampoo is the best by a long shot. It removes anything you put into your hair.

> SIDE NOTE: Please, do NOT, by any means, use a comb under any circumstances! Using a comb not only can scratches your scalp uneccessarily, but it also removes any chance of getting really great "bed head" effect! Unless you have a chronic problem with knots, stay away from the comb! Trust me.

The Technique:

> After you get out of the shower, towel dry your hair (don't scrub). Using a blowdryer, gently blowdry as you run your hands through your hair, back and forth. Be VERY careful NOT to overdry your hair. The last thing you want is to have totally dry hair before you apply product. You want your hair to be just a tad damp. At the same time, you do NOT want totally wet hair before you apply product, as this can also be detrimental to the process.

> On slightly damp hair, use the Crude Clay by taking about a dime sized amount onto your fingertips and work it onto the rest of your fingertips until all the visibile chunks are gone. Then start working it into your hair starting with the roots - lower back, then lower sides, then top middle. The last part you should touch is your front bangs. You should be going back to the Clay a couple times, each time only retrieving about a dime-sized amount and rubbing it onto your fingertips before applying.

> Now, you should start the shaping process. This is a totally personal technique depending on what looks good for your shape of face and profile. You'll generally know right away when you've got it right. When you aren't sure, you probably haven't found it yet. For me, I prefer shaping my hair from the sides toward the middle for the semi-Jude Law effect, however I'm not balding like he is, so I think mine comes out much better than his. But remember, for you guys losing your hair, this style looks great for you as well!

> Now for the final touch - the Styling Creme or Wax. The reason for using one of these is because they are adding a slight sheen to your hair. The Crude Clay that you used previously has a matte finish and it's a powerful product that you use to get shape. Now, you are finshing off with a product that has slight sheen to it which will give a great color contrast that will last throughout your work day. When using product that has sheen to it, it adds a slight darkening contrast effect to your hair, no matter what color hair you have. And that adds subtle, but killer contrast and texture. Using just a tad of either the "Styling Creme" or "Heavy Wax", rub into your fingertips and gently mold the front bangs until you get the shape you like. Then take a little more and grab chunks of the back and pull slightly out.

> That's pretty much it! Although this reads like a long process, it really only takes about 5 minutes tops. Once you master the technique, that's it!

> One quick note. If you live somewhere windy, get yourself a bottle of firm hairspray and use it sparingly at the end of the process. This is a lifesaver in windly conditions.

Just remember to shampoo every two days to maintain the great look. Obviously, on the second and third days, you don't need as much of the Crude Clay. Often times you won't need any at all. Just shape with your fingers and lightly hairspray for hold.

Your friend,

************** (username removed)

________________________________________

Maybe I'll include some of the responses later.

Bitching, Weekend Update, Books, and Dreams

2008-09-22T17:09:03Z

The weekend was great fun. I got sun burnt. The water at the beach has gotten pretty cold now. A few weeks ago it was so warm, it was frigid on Saturday. I stayed in anyways though. Eventually you just go numb and it's not so cold anymore. Later there was hot tub and bloody mary time. Which, as always, was lots of fun.

I bought a new book (A Far Country by Daniel Mason) by the guy who wrote The Piano Tuner, which I had enjoyed a lot. So far it's been mostly description of the setting and has not really gotten to plot. I like his writing style a lot....it is very fluid. He doesn't use a lot of quotation marks or 'said _________' type stuff. He just writes and you are more or less expected to know who is saying what. Sometimes he will clarify if it is absolutely necessary though. The writing feels really natural. It was that way in The Piano Tuner as well.

I dreamed a lot last night. It was different than normal. Usually when I dream, I remember it very vividly when I wake up....and then slowly forget. This time, I did not remember dreaming when I woke up. Memories started to come while I was driving to work. I was thinking about conversations I had had.....and then I thought 'wait....how could I have had that conversation?'.....I dreamed a bunch of conversations that could not have happened. A few of them with people from my past. A few with people I don't even know. I skipped around from conversation to conversation in my dreams. It was strange to think of them as real....only to realize I must have been dreaming. I woke up in a good mood though. They must have been nice dreams. Anyways, back to work......

asleep_in_arms @ 2008-09-19T10:29:00

2008-09-19T17:30:19Z

I did this for someone...so i figured why not......
__________________________________________________________

If you're on my friends list, I want to know 36 things about you. I don't care if we never talk, or if we already know everything about each other. Short and sweet is fine... you're on my list, so I want to know you better!

Comment here and re-post a blank one on your own journal.

01) Are you currently in a serious relationship?
02) What was your dream growing up?
03) What talent do you wish you had?
04) If I bought you a drink what would it be?
05) Favorite vegetable?
06) What was the last book you read?
07) What zodiac sign are you?
08) Any Tattoos and/or Piercings? Explain where.
09) Worst Habit?
10) If you saw me walking down the street would you offer me a ride?
11) What is your favorite sport?
12) Do you have a Pessimistic or Optimistic attitude?
13) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me?
14) Worst thing to ever happen to you?
15) Tell me one weird fact about you.
16) Do you have any pets?
17) What if I showed up at your house unexpectedly?
18) What was your first impression of me?
19) Do you think clowns are cute or scary?
20) If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be?
21) Would you be my crime partner or my conscience?
22) What color eyes do you have?
23) Ever been arrested?
24) Bottle or can soda?
25) If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it?
27) What's your favorite place to hang out at?
28) Do you believe in ghosts?
29) Favorite thing to do in your spare time?
30) Do you swear a lot?
31) Biggest pet peeve?
32) In one word, how would you describe yourself?
33) Do you believe/appreciate romance?
34) Favorite and least favorite food?
35) Do you believe in God?
36) Will you re-post this so I can fill it out and do the same for you?

Wine anyone?

2008-09-18T23:15:50Z

So, my plans got canceled tonight. I am no longer tracking piano for a friends album in Whittier. It is being rescheduled. I want to drink wine. You all should come drink wine and hang about my apartment. That would be cool. I will likely crack open a bottle when I get home, anyone is welcome over anytime after that. Hit up the cellular.

asleep_in_arms @ 2008-09-17T20:07:00

2008-09-18T03:26:09Z

Things rock lately:

Today, I totally bonded with the co-workers that were in the office about our mutual dislike about certain other people in the office. It's lame, but I feel like my job is a happier place now that we all know we feel the same way. It was a good day at work. I got Vietnamese for lunch and a cinnamon roll for breakfast. Last night Daniel called to see if I wanted to go to Detroit Bar. I'm try to go out and be more social lately (instead of lazy and sitting around home, which I can very easily do). So, I went. While waiting for Daniel to arrive I was at the bar and an old guy sat next to me. It turned out to be an old manager of mine from when I did audio equipment sales. We talked for a while. He is now managing third party product specialists/reps for Pre Sonus, Monster, and Audix. I got his card. I am thinking about seeing if he can hook me up with a position. I like my current job just fine. I'm content and happy. But I think I've too often chosen the easy content route in the past few years. Who knows? Maybe my life could rock even more....lol. So I am going to look into it and at least see if it would be a possibility/better situation for me. It would get me back in the world of audio equipment, which I would love. I can talk about audio stuff all day long. It would be a lot of travel though. Anyways, its a thought. I just got back from Target, where I bought a bunch of stuff that I have needed FOR EVER, but have just been too lazy to get (like, for going on a year or two....). In addition I got a really badass new hoodie. On the way home, I ran the last bit of a yellow light, behind a white SUV. Really, it was mostly red when I was going through. Right as I cross the other side lights flash up on the SUV. He pulls over the guy in front of him! I was so psyched it wasn't me. I didnt even realize it was a cop. To top off the awesomeness of this week so far (and this is quite possibly the gayest thing I have ever posted) I am trying a new shampoo and conditioner this week and my hair is softer and smells nicer than it ever has. Go me.

I'm so jazzed right now, I am gonna crack open a bottle of wine, turn on some tunes, and do the dishes (which anyone who has been to my apartment can tell you is a huge ordeal).

Starting Friday I will be staying at my mom's place in Mission Viejo for a week or so, watching her animals while she and Chip are in Pennsylvania. Rudy (the older of the two dogs) is apparently very ill. Which sucks. I am terrified that something major is going to happen while they are away. Things always happen to the animals when my mom is gone. We lost two cats while on trips as a kid. One year a third cat got hit by a car out front of our house. Thankfully the cat is fine. I am a bit worried about the dog though. If it turns out to be really bad, my sister (who is a vet tech) will come down and help out. Which I am extremely grateful for.

All the scariness of the animal situation aside: it looks like it will be a fun weekend. I hope all of you have a fun weekend. If you live in south county, hit me up next week as after the 6pm or so, I will likely be sitting around.

asleep_in_arms @ 2008-09-16T09:31:00

2008-09-16T16:32:04Z

A co-worker just bought me a Breakfast Jack. Then refused my money. Today is starting off great.

:)