Turqouise Nation

2005-04-18T14:10:00.000-07:00

Viva Iceland

I am not sure if anyone else is intrigued by this story. After 8 years in Japan, Bobby Fischer has found a home among the geothermal hot springs and cod loving inhabitants of this quaint island nation. There needs to be more places in the world that open their arms to anti-semitic, ex-world champion chess players that have also spent time in radical communes. The Jermey Schapp story airing on ESPN is one that should not be missed. I have to say that I find Bobby fascinating to listen to. It is yet another example of a brilliant human being unable to cope in the world. I don't sweat the guy for his match in Yugoslavia, but his comments immediately following 911 on radio(in the Phillipines) did not help his case any.

I have wrapped up the job in Colorado so I am back in Santa Fe full time. School is starting to get busy and we are gearing up for the tourist season at Mighty Western Furniture. I plan on doing a bit of traveling this summer, so be on the lookout. The weather has been beautiful. The muse has been trying to hike as much as possible. One can stumble upon some interesting things in the desert. I will post photos as soon as I learn how.

I wish that I had more exciting things to talk about. I do have some advice for people that want to go back to school: if you are bringing in a resemblance of a substantial income and are not planning on going into a money making profession(doctor, lawyer, chiropractor), then save your money. Simply build a library of classic books and attempt to strike up conversations at the local coffee shop. There will be a chance to date again when Howard Dean runs in 2008. I do, however, find it ironic that I am nearly making my teacher's salary a month only working 30 hours and doing something that Ross' dad taught me when I was sixteen. I am welcoming the summer with open arms. Hopefully I can survive in this desert.

I will posting more frequently now that I have a battery of papers due in the next month. I will be near the computer more as well as trying to find ways to occupy my time rather than completing the academic tasks on hand.

2005-04-04T18:25:00.000-07:00

FOEVA

I apologize to the nation as a whole for my shortcomings on this here blog. I have actually been super busy with school and work. We are a little slow at Mighty Western Furniture so I have been working in Colorado for the past week. I will continue this job for another week or so and then return to the confines of the heated shop. The whole twelve hour day thing is already getting old. Oh. yeah, and driving back to Santa Fe on Mondays and Thursday for classes sucks as well. The job, however, is pretty cool - I am renovating old army trucks into mobile mudlogging units. Basically, I am putting in new floors and cabinents for geology crews to conduct research while oil crews are drilling.

I did have a little off time a couple of weeks ago. I spent a lovely few days with Hjalmer and Karen in sunny Florida. If anyone out there is looking to enhance his/her self-esteem, a trip to the land of round, tan geriatrics will certainly do the trick. I returned to Santa Fe to humor a phone call from Lars in Salt Lake. I proceeded to buy a plane ticket and enjoy three days of waist deep powder. I will provide more updates later and perhaps include a few rants as well.

2005-02-22T11:57:00.000-08:00

Sinbad!!!

Thank god for TBS. i had the opportunity to watch First Kid this past weekend. I am unable to decided which of Sinbad's theatrical masterpieces is funnier - First Kid of House Guest? I think that Sinbad has created a genre of his own. I would equate said genre to the immortalization of Zubaz. For some reason, Sinbad can sport the active wear and still make it cool. What ever happened to Sinbad? I am sure that his overwhelming fame forced him into seculsion. Perhaps he is a neighbor of Johnny Depp somewhere in the middle of France.

2005-02-08T20:05:00.000-08:00

Now Read This!

I promise that I will soon start downloading photos in addition to my traditional banter. In the meantime, however, you are all stuck reading my banter. Todd's recent entry concerning, among other things, the reading of the classics has inspired me to compile a list of great books. I spent the day crafting furniture and thinking of my list. I invite any dissention to my selections. I will try to include numerous genres. So, without further to do, the highcountry's list of must reads.

Modern American Fiction:

John Steinbeck: The Grapes of Wrath, Travels With Charley, and East of Eden

The Grapes of Wrath provided an arena for Steinbeck to blow the whistle regarding the treatment of the migrant farm workers that were caught not only in the trap of the Great Depression, but the eventual and ongoing movement from an agrian to an urban society.

Travels With Charley: This book is a memoir of sorts that contains many prophetic statements about the loss of local color and ultimate urbanization. The section about Steinbeck's time in NoDak is especially interesting. As Teddy Roosevelt would say - bully.

East of Eden: Though clouded by the noteriety garnished from Oprah's book club, this is a great read. This book provides not only a familial history, but a geographical one as well.

Substitution for East of Eden: Check out Wallace Stegner's Angle of Repose - Another great book. I feel this book follows the same archetype. For some reason, I am intrigued by literature of place. This book reinforces the importance of geography in a literary setting. it is often argued that Literature of the American West opposed the ideology that a story must be universal to be canonized. The setting as a functioning character in the story opposes this philosophy This is an argument in itself and I will take up this conversation at a later date if you are the one buying the beer.

A River Runs Through It
Norman MacLean

This is an excellent read that takes less than an afternoon. Anyone that has ever been to Montana should pick this one up. I actually conducted a miny workshop concerning this novella to fellow grad students last fall. Again, I have little time for elaboration. I have five days of lectures and discussion questions if anyone is interested.

Cermony
Leslie Marmon Silko

This book just kicks ass. A piece that I feel transcends the guru movement surrounding the Native American genre. Silko explores the identity crisis of a WWII vet in the character of Tayo. This book is truly a journey for the reader.

Reservation Blues
Sherman Alexie

For those of you who read Reservation Blues or watched the movie Smoke Signals, the characters will be familiar. This book parallels the life of Robert Johnson. Again, too good to give away.

The Outlaw Josey Wales
Forrest Carter

Think about movie for God's sake!

The Big Sky
Arlo Guthrie

The archetyple western

Moby Dick
Herman Melville

This book is an exploration of America's fixation with the sea. When juxtaposed with Western expansion many wonderful observations can be made. Ahab is an absolute psycho.

The Old Man and the Sea
Ernest Hemingway

One can never go wrong with the story of Santiago and Manolin. This is one of my favorites. I used to teach this book. My first reading was conducted in Mexico a number of years ago. I would suggest checking out the Spencer Tracy movie as well. "A man can be destroyed, but not defeated."

I am going to suggest three American poets as well: Walt Whitman, Robert Frost, and Allen Ginsberg

-I feel that one should read Whitman and Ginsberg together. Both of these individuals manage to embody my feelings about this country, both good and bad, in their works. I also want to go to New York whenever I read these works. The best PBS program ever was a literary biography of Whitman hosted by Ginsberg.

Frost: This guy was alive for a long time and managed to chronicle Americana in his works. I especially appreciate his literary progression that parrallels that of this country. His early poetry has been criticized and labeled as romantic marketing. I guess I like Frost for the same reason I detest James Fennimore Cooper.

BRITISH

Shakespeare

My favorite two plays are "King Lear" and "Julius Caesar"

i feel that each individual should at least read one Shakespeare play in his/her lifetime. Check out Sir Laurence Oliver as King Lear. Is Sir John Gilgood a better Brutus or Caesar? How about Marlin Brando as Marc Antony? Again, I am always open to conversation about Shakespeare. I also have great photos of mother and I at Shakespeare's birthplace.

Emily Bronte
Wurthering Heights

For some reason I have also found this book to be haunting. A must read for any fan of the Smiths and/or the Cure.

IRISH

A Star Called Henry
Roddy Doyle

The author of the infamous "The Commitments" penned a great novel depicting the Irish Revolution. This book is awesome. I felt like I was in the revolution when reading this piece. If works like this were used to teach history, kids might acutally learn something. AFTER READING THIS, I finally forgave Mr. Doyle for Mustang Sally.

James Joyce
-I read The Dubliners. I would suggest Ullyseus of Finnegan's Wake if you have two weeks to lock yourself in a room for 2-3 weeks. I asked my friend the other day if he ever got through Ullyseus. His response, "no, but the last time i picked up the book I used it to cut coke." This is exacly what Joyce will do to you.

RUSSIAN

One Day In the Life of Ivan Denisovich
Aleksander Sozhenitsyn

Darkness At Noon
Arthur Kestler (sp)

Two great works that chronicle Stalinistic Russia.

At least one book by Dostoevsky

Anton Chekhov
"Gooseberries"

This short story is required reading. If you guys have time to read through this list, look this story up on the computer. It is excellent.

OTHER:

Wobegon Boy
Garrison Keillor

For some reason I just loved this book. i have actually read it a number of times. I bought it when I lived in Ireland. It is one of those books I started reading in the bookstore and couldn't put it down until I went to bed.

Brave New World
Aldous Huxley

Cliche but excellent

The Bible

You will finally understand what every poet and author prior to 1960 is talking about.

The Iliad

This book is badass - action movie for academics

Beyond Good and Evil
Friedrich Nietzsche

This work does not justify nihilism or anarchy, but it does promote alcoholism.

-I have left some off the list, but I hope that this gets some wheels turning.

2005-01-28T13:33:00.000-08:00

A Symbol Unity, or Some New Menu Items?

It is more than evident that this nation has been polarized since the presidential election. There is, however, hope. I was just flipping through the channels and I witnessed something I have never seen before: MTV and CMT were playing the same video. First of all, MTV rarely plays videos, but to see the same video on both channels? Come on people...if Nelly and Tim McGraw can come together and exploit the youth of this country, can't we all come together?
Who else has heard the song or seen the video? Sweet Jesus! Most of you know that I really enjoy shitty music...Tim McGraw and Nelly both have their respective places in my Ipod, but wtf. Even I have to draw the line somewhere. My God, I can handle Aerosmith and Run DMC, or Cypress Hill on the Lollapolloza tour, or even larry listening to ONYX in his flashy Oldsmobile, but don't mix my hunting tunes with my nightclub/NFL highlight film tunes. Certrain things were never meant to go together: seafood items and the word salad - example: shrimp salad: doesn't sound too good, does it? WNBA - one too many letters. Ohhhh....I just about forgot, country-rap, sounds like a f##king promotional menu at Applebee's. Excuse me, can I see your country wrap menu? Oh, the ranch, buffalo chicken wrap sounds splendid, I will have that with the onion petals and a hurricane.

2005-01-19T19:33:00.000-08:00

Who is the ultimate jury?

As many of you know, the weekly itinerary here in the nation includes 25-30 hours a week at Mighty Western Furniture. Most days, we have a selected classic rock station blaring out tunes as we reconstruct relics representative of the primativa genre of furniture making. For tourists and wealthy patrons, these pieces represent the spirit of the southwest and provide colorful decor for overpriced adobe homes and less than adeaquate water supplies. For the native american of the southwest, the spanish colonial style represents the attempted assasination of a culture and the stealing of homelands that equate to the death of the spirit of the southwest. I just thought of that and it seems really ironic.

Anyway, enough about that...the reason why the nation calls on its allies is to figure a serious question: who is the judge/jury that canonizes music into the classic rock genre? As we all know, these stations will usually play and ecclectic mix of Jackson Brown, Steely Dan, a ton o' Tom Petty, Traffic(when Steve Winwood was cool), a bit of Journey, the Doors, and numerous other acts that need not be mentioned. There are also some geographical classic rock bands. Example: the stations of the aforementioned format will play the Grateful Dead and Peter Tosh in both Colorado and New Mexico. I have never heard these bands on a classic rock station in other areas, not even Bozeman, Montana.

To the heart of the question:
I have noticed some new members have been inducted into the fraternity of classic rock. The Red Hot Chili Peppers - selected songs from their catalog have been harnessing quite a bit of play time. Under the Bridge and the song from the Coneheads movie are the only two that I have heard. Another odd induction is REM. The only song they play, however, is Orange Crush. I am not a huge fan of the rem, but I know they have better songs than that. I also know these songs are taking airtime away from Journey and the other tremendous musical accomplishments that Steve Perry released during his solo career.

Does anyone out there know who these people are that have the jurisdiction to lump the peppers and rem with the likes of Meatloaf and Micheal McDonald? Yes, Micheal McDonald - not only a Doobie Brother, but a stellar solo act and recently a Motown Act. The guy is like the U2 of classic rock.

2005-01-18T17:21:00.000-08:00

back in the groove...

We at the nation are back in the groove of things after a lengthy vacation. Although I did spend last week working, it still seemed like an extension to the vacation. I started school yesterday. We are currently tackling Homer and Chaucer in Middle English. Whenever I get drunk in Minot, which is a lot, I will express myself in "the tongue."

Exciting news - I am supposed to have sixty pieces of furniture finished in the next 20 weeks. We have a show in Denver at the end of May. It will be exciting to find out if any of my creations fall apart. Oh...be on the lookout for the new Mighty Western Furniture hats due out later this month.

Other than that, people in Santa Fe have been protesting the inaguration for the last week. It is a festive atmosphere and Tim Reynolds marched against inaguration on Saturday. I hear that Phish is going to reunite in the Plaza and free vegan goodies will be available to all the dissenters. There is also a buzz that Metallica is playing a screw the inaguration/down with Napster concert in Phoenix. Oh, I almost forget, the Eyes of Oedipus, the kickass Doors cover band from Akron, will be playing a screw the inaguration/help the cool countries hurt by tsunami (cool countries are the ones where American travelers can write their own prescriptions) in Vail.

Most of the other hip ski towns will have screw the inaguration parties as well. Those poor kids of doctors and lawyers caught in a vicious world of running lifts, doing eightballs, and drinking microbrews with cliche names that somehow reflect the area. If Kerry would have won, these kids would...? I don't know what those kids have to complain about. But, the screw the inaguration party will be the hottest thing since the day Warren Miller filmed the spring ski party where people skiied across a man made pond and girls raced down the mountain with their boobies hanging out.

Hicountry's Inaguration Day:

Get up at 6:45
-urinate
-make coffee
-drive to work
turn on classic rock radio
-make furniture with a southwest flair
-listen to Brooks and Dunn on the way home

-Here is where the protest starts
-Pregame with an adult film and some coors light
Either go to a bar or watch television
-Call Larry and tell him how drunk I am and that he is a girl
Plus, I will not buy anything to screw up the economy(except for gasoline, beer, and pork products)
I am trying to change my ways, but Rome was not built in a day.

HAPPY SCREW INAGURATION DAY!

I

2005-01-10T10:04:00.000-08:00

sweatin'

Dylan was sweating me when I was home because I failed to update the blog during my little vacation to the frozen tudra. I had a really fun trip. A number of people made it home for the Christmas holiday, and then I spent a coupld of days at the World Junior Hockey Tournament in Grand Forks. That was some of the best hockey I have ever seen. It also doesn't hurt that Semrau rolls out the red carpet when I come to town. Wolsky joined me for the tournament. Hjalmer and Karen also made an appearance in Grand Forks for the bronze and gold games. The Canadien fans were hilarious. I never seen that many drunk people in my life. It is like Christmas at the Carlson multiplied by 10000 and everyone wearing team Canada gear.

It is Monday morning and I am getting ready to go to work. Parke called me at 8 this morning and told me to wait until after lunch to come. I usually don't work on Monday because I have school, but classes do not start until next week. I am going to work this week and spend the weekend in Colorado Springs watching UND play CC.

I am taking the trip with a buddy of mine that I used to teach with. He had some cancer cut out of his mouth last week and is waiting for the diagnosis. Hopefully, he and I are celebrating in the Springs.

It was great to see every one over the holidays. When are you guys coming to Santa Fe?

2004-12-14T21:55:00.000-08:00

#3

No, it is not a Dave Matthews song, it is the epic made for television film by ESPN. It chronicles the life of the intimidator, Dale Earnhardt. I had the privelage to see this cinematic masterpiece on Saturday. It is tough to pigeon hole this film into any one genre. I would say that it is an ecclectic mix of 8 Seconds and Days of Thunder with a sprinkle of the George Strait classic, Pure Country. God, I should be puttin' the rubber to the road instead of spinning my wheels in graduate school. Instead of pondering existence and substance, I could be drinking Busch Light and putting smooth moves on the ladies at the track. The film does well documenting the feud between Dale Waltripp and Dale Earnhardt. Apparantly Earnhardt was looked down upon for his lack of education. He didn't finish high school, but he "had it in him, and no one could take it out." I thought racing was like junior hockey except the drivers never finish their GREs.

I am on the second of my two papers due on Thursday. I wrote quite the essay on ol' Fred Nietzsche. I would have never imagined that the world is merely a fiction. I am listening to Snoop right now on my ipod. I bet Fred and Snoop would have got along well.
Fred: "your democratic ideals are a falsity, all you fools equate intellectual freedom with a synthetic belief in your economic freedom that is a mere illusion created by the established morality."
Snoop: "Fred, I agree with all the s*** you say about the b****es. I gots no clue about that mutherf***in s*** you yappin about now. Snizzle, remember that s*** you asted at the start of that s*** about Good and Evil. S*** what was the question?"
Fred: "Supposing truth is a woman - what then?"
Snoop: I don't how you do s*** in Germany, beeotch. Boo-yaaa...if it was me, I would f*** truth and smoke a fatty with Nate Dogg,"

2004-12-09T14:00:00.000-08:00

Post

It has been forever since my last post. School and work have been keeping me super busy. I have two papers due a week from today, and then it will be a white Christmas in the land of Dakota. I hope that all are gearing up for the annual hockey game. I have Eide's number. Larry, your ass is grass as well.

Did anyone catch the Daily Show interview with Paul O'Neill? I will honestly say that my feelings about the current administration changed in the span of 30 seconds. O'Neill's comments were eye opening. As most of you know, my politics are generally on the right, but I am starting to come around see what the hub-bub is all about. O'Neill compared his time with the Bush adminstration to his time with Nixon and Ford. The basic synopsis of the conversation is the fact the earlier administrations had accountability. Again, I know I will get slammed because it took me this long, but hey, I try to have faith in my convictions. But, I have to thank Mr. O'Neill for letting me hear it from the horse's mouth.

This brings me to my next concern - I saw the larry King interview with John Stewart last night on CNN. Mr. Stewart spent the day at CNN - check out what he did on Crossfire. Does anyone else find it disturbing that the majority of young professionals in this country get their news from the Daily Show? The question I pose: is the Daily Show truly satire - meaning that it is not merely entertainment, the comedy, in effect, is trying illicit some change? Does anyone else thing about this? It seems like our generation, with a big fat highlighter on drunken graduate students like myself, are happy to live in apathy. Is it the fate of our generation to sit around and bitch and never strive for real change. People will argue this point about the past election, but that was, in essence, an effort to make a cosmetic change.

I guess this post seems odd because if I really want to help the environment I could drive a smaller car, always make sure to use green bags, and be super aware about what I buy/consume. I could donate money instead of buying all the worthless shit that i purchase. There is some shit I could do to help my selected problems intrensically. I have been thinking about this stuff ever since I quit teaching. I felt like I was making a difference, but the time there just ground me down.

I have to get to school - happy holidays

2004-11-05T13:50:00.000-08:00

majestic beast expired

I have been away a long time. School and work are keeping me super busy. In fact, I will be writing a paper on Descarte this weekend instead of attending a reffing clinic in Gunnison. I met Hjalmer in Colorado last weekend for a deer hunting trip. Needless to say, we both killed majestic beasts. Mine, however, was more majestic than the old man's. As soon as I figure out how to post photos, you will all get a glimpse.

Colorado was a nice break from Santa Fe. Everyone around here is wearing black trucker hats and listening to Dave Matthews ballads after a crushing defeat in the election. I was really surprised. I was pretty confident that kerry was going to win.

2004-10-11T21:32:00.000-07:00

John Kerry - Senator, Candidate, Highcountry's Neighbor

That's right folks, John Kerry is holding up in Santa Fe to prepare for the last debate to be held on Wednesday. I guess he had a town hall debate here earlier today. This city is overwhelmingly liberal - huge surprise for a place that boasts 400 art galleries. I have some photos to post, and I will as soon as I figure out how to accomplish that task.

I have been keeping really busy going to school and making distressed furniture. It is actually a really cool process. In addition to assembling and finishing furniture, I am also apprenticing as a wood carver. So far I have been working a ton with a chisle and learning some basic techniques - photos on the way soon. I had a buddy visit town this past weekend, yesterday, today, and tomorrow are all recovery days. Just another reminder that I am getting too old for weekend benders.

Back to the old election...is it ever going to be over? I am going to throw up if I see one more attack ad. Did anyone see Drew Berrymore's Choose of Lose special? Just because she has suddenly found enlightenment with a realization that she can be part of the democratic process, she has a sudden obligation to encourage people to make their voices heard.

I also had the opportunity to see the infamous Sway provide a rallying cry for the youth to get there on election. I wonder if the Limp Bizcuit effect will prove to be a factor in November's election.

A suggestion to all: Buy the book put out by the Daily Show.

2004-09-29T19:11:00.000-07:00

Computer Problems...

My computer is now functional and I can again justify the money I throw at comcast every month. I have a digital camera...as soon as I figure out how to post photos, visions of Santa Fe and my exciting life will float around the world wide web.

Right now I am in the process of writing a paper that is due tomorrow. It is on Aristotle's Metaphysics...I have no idea what the hell I am talking about. Hopefully, two more pages will be puked out so I can go down to the bar and have a couple of cocktails.

I found out yesterday that I am working in a studio and am an apprentice craftsman. I am really enjoying my new job - it is just the boss, me, and cochese the cat. We make distressed furniture and listen to classic rock. Today we listened to the classic rock station for six hours, the talking heads, and finished the day with a little Jimmy Buffett. The process of distressing furniture is interesting - it is the same concept as wearing well worn jeans. It just blows my mind that people pay 600 bucks for something that was designed to look 100 years old.

OUt

2004-09-20T13:03:00.000-07:00

Chips Free...Dinner Extra

I ate at the best damn restaurant in the city last week. I have to say that the NM culinary styles are to my liking. I have also logged in a full week's work at Mighty Western Furniture. Parke is a great guy to work for. If anyone is in the market for cowboy furniture, I can get you a discount, and the muse receives a commission as well.

I just had a meeting with one of my professors. I am trying to write a paper on metaphysics...oh, but I am too busy blogging and watching reality tv. Is anyone out there watching the new season of the real world. I cannot believe that Arramo is gay. This season's slut is among the sluttiest in the history of the program. If I were in MJ's shoes, I would be making a whole issue of Penthouse Letters.

I am one of the 5% that really cares about the NHL lockout. The news of the lockout was just behind the daily results for the WNBA in most major newspapers. What is up with America's Next Top Model coming from the Magic City? I saw a guy from Fargo on Pimp My Ride. I hope she represents a little better than that clown.

I drank beers this weekend, but failed to witness anything cool.

2004-09-13T13:30:00.000-07:00

Equality...

Wow...I am happy that this weekend is over and the Muse is still in one piece. The city of Santa Fe celebrated the Viva Fiesta. It all started Thursday when a large puppet was burned signifying the burning of all negative things from the last year. It is rumored that the Viva Fiesta is the archetype for the Burning Man. Anyway, I had class Thursday night and work on Friday, so I had to wait until Friday evening to join in the celebration.

I ingested plenty of cocktails no doubt, but I was more intriqued with the carnival type atmosphere downtown at the Plaza. I listened to a number of mariachi bands. I also caught a couple of local acts on the main stage. The funny thing about the whole weekend was the fact that I felt like I was back at the NDSF. There are freakshows everywhere, and SF is no exception. What is it about carnivals that brings people out of the woodwork? I saw a number of people who made me feel really skinny and really good looking. A tattoo clad Larry would have fit in perfect walking around shirtless.

The streets were lined with russian roulette food stands. Not only is the food offered a tad on the unhealthy side, but every bite increases the probability of contracting hepatitis or a food born illness.

Vikes smoked the Cowboys yesterday. My prediction: Vikes will go 11-5 and we will all be talking super bowl in december. The Vikes will then choke in the playoffs and talk of omnipotent Vikings fans will be of the I told you so sort.

2004-09-08T18:48:00.000-07:00

Oops...

I hit the publish button instead of the insertion code. I will put up the intended site later on. Anyway, I have been looking through the 300+ galleries in Santa Fe to find Mikey's work. It turns out his stuff is in a gallery less than three blocks from my house. It was really cool to see his work.

After looking at said artwork, I wandered downtown. One of the only corps that has a location in downtown Santa Fe is the Gap. Who was staring at me from the window...the larger than life Josh Duhmal. He and Sarah Jessica Parker are the new Gap folks. The whole larger than life window stickers are disturbing to say the least. Well, there are two famous Minotians, maybe my life story will end up being an after school special.

A fare amount of the weekend was spent bbqing on the porch. We enjoyed numerous grilled meats and lovely pasta salad. I have met a number of interesting people in this town. I have yet to meet any republicans. It seems that every time I engage in a conversation, the subject of politics comes up. I was talking to a painter in a gallery today - he stated that the sagging art market in Santa Fe is Bush's fault. I have decided I will change my vote if I find out that Bush is behind all the advertising in adult magazines. If Kerry will pass laws to make sure that 90 pages of porn will actually be 90 pages (even 86), he will be my man.

I have been looking to the Goo Goo Dolls and Gideon Yago for all my political advice. Gideon, the edgier younger looking Carson Daly, has taught me that one needs not to wear ties - pastel shirts, top button open, sleeves slightly rolled, and a five'o clock shadow are all one needs to interview the president or Mr. Heinz.

The Goo Goo Dolls and other politically savvy musicians and entertainers have taught me that a life in Hollywood, cocaine and tour buses, and the school of entertainment allows one to make sweeping political statements to thousands of people. If my vote is ever determined by a drunken night at a Limp Bizcuit show, I will kill myself. The only entertainer I would even consider listening to is the great John Anderson. John Anderson is too punk to get involved in politics. He is way to preoccupied with growing his blonde Samson like locks, his radical beard, and refining the style that he pioneered in the late 80's(those radical country western shirts emblazoned with leather, TURQOIUSE, beads, and/or feathers).

If John Anderson were president: women would be allowed a straight tequila night once a month, the DUI limited would be raised to .25 (.3 after concerts and in rural areas), the NHL would not lock out, there would be public health care ( a free 5th of whiskey with every cold, duct tape, band-aids, and super glue would be available at the local store free of charge), the war in Iraq would be over, NO MORE WNBA, and his cabinet would consist of two people: Brooks and Dunn.

2004-09-08T18:43:00.001-07:00

2004-09-08T18:43:00.000-07:00

Unemployment almost over...it is all it is cracked up to be!

I start work on Friday. My employer was not quite ready today, so he bumped the starting date a little. Even though I have been going to school, not working is a little odd. I feel like there is no reason to get out of bed because my classes do not start until the afternoon. It is this feeling of retirement - there is really no hurry to get anything done.

I had a very Minot weekend. Not only did I drink heavily, some Minot elements popped up in Santa Fe. I called Reggie to find out the location of Mikey's art work here in Santa Fe.

2004-09-04T17:21:00.000-07:00

Santa Fe Style...

OK...so I felt that it was time to change the title. The elevation is the same, but this place just isn't the high country. I am really starting to enjoy this area. Today I walked around the open market in the Plaza. There was plenty for sale, but the current financial status of the muse makes any purchase difficult. This will hopefully all change next Wednesday. I have a meeting with a woodworker to do his sanding, staining, and installation of doors, gates, cabinets etc...

Last week I bit the bullet and put my stuff together for substitute teaching in case my quest as a woodworker fails. I really want to work for this guy so I can learn a bit about building custom furniture. He does some super cool stuff. My worst nightmare is substitute teaching. I feel that some time away from the world of secondary education will be beneficial to my constitution.

I have a week and half of graduate work under my belt. Perhaps a change in potlical views, a renewed interest in Dave Matthews and pot is in my future. My segement this semester focuses on theology and philosophy. The reading load and the subject matter are both a bit heavy, but I find the program enjoyable thus far.

Anyone suffering through the World Cup of Hockey(formerly known as the Canda Cup)? The USA is sucking hind tit. For God's sake! We lose to Canada, then Russia, and then pull it out for a win against Slovakia. We are lucky that the wall fell or hockey would be unbearable to watch. It does interest me that Czech and Slovakia did not come up with new names when they split. They could have thought of something that would promote tourism. Do kids that visit Europe spend five days in each country? Or, do they count them as one so as not to mess up the European tour esatablished before the fall. If this country split into three parts would we call ourselves United, States, and America? Or, would it be Dakota, Texas, and Cleveland?

As soon as I figure out my camera, I will post some photos. Until then, you are stuck reading my worthless observations.

2004-08-30T12:52:00.000-07:00

Back on Track...

We started classes last Thursday, and I am slowly gettting myself back on track. My internet will be connected in a couple of days. This blog will be getting a face-lift in effort to radiate a more southwest flair.

I spent the weekend wandering around the Plaza(downtown area). If anyone is looking for some crazy art, come on over and visit. I was unaware that Santa Fe is one of the largest art markets in the country. The city also boasts over 400 restaraunts. I have started to acquire quite the taste for chile. For those of you that plan on venturing back to the magic city for the holidays - heed my warning. I am going to buy a bushel of green chiles for the freezer.

Kerry mania has taken over this town. Yesterday there were some large protests. I was not aware that the Demos were going to demonstrate all over the country. It is nice, however, for those folks that hate all that is moral and good to have a platform to demonstrate without the expensive travel costs and charges for extended cell phone coverage. I have come to one conclusion: the Democrats possess much more wit when comes to bashing Bush.

Seriously, I know that many of you are concerned about this election, please don't think that i am a Kerry hater. I will vote for the candidate who steps into this NHL lockout. My first few days at this college have tempted me again to move to the Great White North. My desire is not based on political ideals as much as having access to SCTV reruns and pies made of meat. Sometimes we get so hung up in the issues that we forget little pleasures like meat pies and Gene Leavy.

One more thing interesting about New Mexico. Many of the casinos and ALL of the strip joints are dry. A strip joint without alcohol is like...a strip joint without alcohol. Just another reason to move north.

2004-08-23T13:59:00.000-07:00

Lo Siento

The Muse is back and in full force. A summer of gopher shooting, binge drinking, and working is all wrapped up. The high country is behind me, and I am looking forward to a new life in the land of turqoiuse, aleins, and green chile. That's right, the muse has relocated to sunny Santa Fe, New Mexico to pursue a masters at St. John's College.

I am currently relaxing in the Magic City. Ross has suddenly resurfaced after a couple of years in Hawaii and a brief stint in Asia. He will be roaming the Northern Plains for around six months. Wolsky was also back on the scene from S. Carolina. We managed to slide down some fish bowls at the world famous Dakota Lounge. Greg and Lula were there to witness the display. I will post some photos when I return to Santa Fe.

Brief Rundown of the summer:

June - July:

Worked most of the month. Headed to Detroit to participate in Lars' wedding. Made the realization that Detroit is the shittiest place in the world. I would rather spend the next ten years eating my own shit than live in Detroit. Pictures can do no justice as to just how shitty that place really is. I went to Des Moines for a little while as well. La Familia spend a lovely Independence Day together. We also discussed the importance of hand guns.

Spent the rest of July working. I also turned 27 - only 13 more years and I will have an excuse to be overweight.

August:

Worked until the 14th, moved to Santa Fe, and then on to ND for some r and r.
We are going out to eat tonight, and I hope to meet up with Baehm later on. I have many more stories to tell.

Santa Fe in a nut shell: I have a place in a hippy's melrose place. My neighbors are some of the most interesting people I have met in my life.

2004-06-11T13:54:00.000-07:00

Back in the Saddle

I am back in the highcountry. Currently I am at the high school watching Christine finish the yearbook. I had a wonderful evening in Douglas Wyoming. I will try and post some photos soon. I will try my best to keep this updated. I will be back on track with postings when I start Grad School in the fall.

2004-06-09T21:16:00.000-07:00

Hail Pierre

I created a post a couple days ago only to lose it. I had scripted a fair amount of my journey, but the post is lost somewhere in cyberspace. I will be hicountry bound early tomorrow morning. I have had quite the enjoyable stay here in the magic city. We had a whale of a storm earlier this week. The hail and rain would generate at least a belly laugh out of the railroad tycoon James J. Hill. I think that Pierre Minot and Erik Ramstad were having an indian wrestling match in the sky. My money would have to go on Pierre. I felt the storm was a punishment aimed at me. The demons of Minot were crashing down because I have disrespected this city.

The remedy for the demons came on Monday night when I finally tracked down the infamous Bahem. We manged to squeeze down a fair number of cocktails at the world reknowned dakota lounge. If you have not been to the Mecca of drinking that is Minot, then I suggest you put on your drinking boots and make a pilgrimmage. The Dak should be your first prayer stop. I suggest Monday night for the 7 dollar all you can drink special. I will write more extensively on the Minot bar scene when I regain my senses.

Update time: I receieved an email from Captain Leisure(Ross T.). He is currently in Vietnam on vacation. He will go to Laos next. He said that he is really enjoying himself. I am excited for him because he is trying to put together enough money to shoot a cow with a rocket launcher. It costs two hundred dollars. I might wire him the money.

I am staying in Douglas, Wyoming tomorrow night. If anyone is in the neighborhood, I will be at Chutes bar and grill watching the game. What the hell happened to Detroit last night? I hate the Lakers!

2004-06-03T11:30:00.000-07:00

Magic

I am being swept away by the majestic beauty of the Magic City. My head really hurts because I mananged to stomach an even baker's dozen of Coors Light last night. I managed to fend off the Minot demons until last night. Sometimes you eat this city, and sometimes this city eats you. It ate me up and spit me out! There is just something about Minot that enhances the drunken experience. Is it going to Applebees and hearing "how many for supper then?" How about, "oh...geez!"

LC is here in all his unemployed glory. My "happy" state last evening in conjunction with my pathetic appearance this morning takes a little heat off the Portland pansy. Anthony just made a surprise appearance from the big apple. Welcome Anthony...thank god I have another excuse for a bender.

Things I have accompished so far in NoDak:

-A baker's dozen of Coors Light in one evening
-Reshingled the back shed
-Fixed the power washer
-Had a routine eye exam
-Bought trim for Hjalmer's fortress(the back garage or country coach lair)
-Watched a VH1 marathon - Surviving Nugent

Plans for the next few days:

-Another baker's dozen
-Pre-finish trim, fasten to garage
-Go to the lake and catch a number of fish
-Shoot firearms

We are also going to spread the ashes of our beloved Trash. For those of you that are unaware or have forgotten, Trash was the family a dog. She was a black lab and a cornerstone of the Carlson Family. I would like anyone that has any memories of Trash to post under the comments section as we are on the heels of the Memorial Day. There will be a short service on Saturday at Casa del Norte (the Carlson compound on Douglas Bay) followed by a potluck supper.

Favorite Trash Memory 1:
She once at a tarp at our landfill. It was a large blue tarp covered in meat. It took her almost two weeks to completely shit the tarp out.

Favorite Trash Memory 2:
Her running into the sliding glass door a number of times at Rice Lake.

Favorite Trash Memory 3:
Gunz and I getting her drunk at the casa del norte. We would listen to contemporary country cds with our shirts off downstairs on the patio. Beer would poured on the concrete, and an intoxicated Trash would sway to the sounds of Dolly Parton's "Islands in the Stream."

Favorite Trash Memory 4:
Bahem and I were cutting down trees in the backyard. Hjalmer was yelling at me, and I was not listening. I cut the wedge in the wrong place - the tree fell and crushed the kennel. Hjalmer yelled and then laughed.

God Speed Trash...You are stilled loved and missed every day.

2004-05-24T09:29:00.000-07:00

Would You Like to Touch My Monkey?

I was working on the ranch this weekend. The gentlemen working alongside the muse found the monkey thing quite funny. Randy attempted to touch my monkey with the backhoe.

I went to a killer party on this guest ranch on Friday night. They do a thing for the neighbors every year - they had an open bar and some super good food. My buddy, one of the neighbors, invited me along for the festivities. There are a ton of hotties working there for the summer, both domestic and foreign. I feel in love a number of times. The dude ranch thing is pretty funny; it reminded me of the show Hey Dude. There was a leather worker there who had on the most ridiculous boots I have ever seen. In order to wear these boots, one would have to be either a leather worker or have a ton of money. The food was excellent and the beer was so cold that it hurt. We finished the night at the Parshall Inn.

Sad news here in the highcountry - one of the students from the high school hit and killed a bicyclist on highway 9 Friday night. That is the road that runs from here to Silverthorne and on to Breckenridge.

Stanley Cup Finals start tomorrow. The NHL is projecting the worst ratings in finals history. I am all for the Flames of Calgary. Do you fear and respect the Lightning? Am going to be the only one watching these games?

I am in the process of cleaning out my classroom. We have the kids until Thursday, Friday is a work day, and then I will be off to Dakota del Norte for a little R and R. LC is taking some time out of his busy schedule to make the trek home.

I figured out where Wolf, LC, Dylron, and the British employee would be this weekend if they were residents of the high country. Shakedown Street will be playing three days in row - sounds like one of Dante's levels.