We went to Boston Quite some Time Ago

and it was a good trip. We drove up through southern New England right as autumn was yawning and rubbing her eyes. Boston offered some nice distractions, not the least of which were the eats. The north church part of town was so old I couldn't stand to stay there for too long. Just like when you were in your grandparents' bedroom as a child and looking around at the old pictures and letters, felt a surging spike in your sense of mortality, though at the time, you didn't know that's what it was, you just wanted to go outside and run around and play until you didn't know up from down. Or play video games until your eyes rotted. Yeah. Just like that. Here... are some photos.

Brazil Day

Jorge on the big screen. They had these huge monitors and entire set of amplifiers for every block or so. The police started restricting movement from block to block once the main stage fired up.

Miranda and a samba dancer. A lot of birds died so you could enjoy this photograph.

These guys were playing on Little Brazil street. In the background some travel ads. Apparently Julio Bogoricin is the place to be.

August 31 was Brazilian Day. We were able to see Jorge Benjor perform. He's gotten along in years but I am here to say that he rocks the block. This was free by the way. Just one of those goings-on about town.

The Home Stretch

Northward on 35th

(Glancing behind)

It has since grown back, a little

My hair-growing capacity remains (more than can be said for ET)

I also shaved my hair right off

What do you propose to do about it?

September, is that you?

Okay, here's what happened in August.
I saw Radiohead at All Points West. I was extremely close. They were incredibly loud. Here are some shots!
That last one was during National Anthem and gives you an idea of the sort of lighting capabilities they brought on this tour. Pretty magnificent.
I also got a job working for Industrial Acoustics Company (IAC) located in the Bronx. (website: www.industrialacoustics.com) They are a niche company specializing in the design and manufacturing of acoustically-rated structures.
I am working as a contract mechanical engineer, preparing drawings and releasing orders to the shop. It's a good thing to be having an income that's for sure. The smaller scope of the company (compared to LM) makes everything a bit more real... visibility is higher. It makes your contributions more rewarding and your mistakes more 'educational' (everyone sees you f'ed up).

After my first week at work Miranda and I flew to Colorado to visit her dad. He had organized a party of about a dozen of his friends to take a ride on the Winter Park train. This takes you from Denver up into well, Winter Park. The beautiful views gained from the passenger cars were only enhanced by the encyclopoedic knowledge of our railfanning hosts. "This is where Train x de-railed and crashed into the ravine", "These dummy cars were placed to block the severe winds which were frequently dismantling freight trains".
I didn't have my camera for this but you can find plenty of pictures of Winter Park on a google search.
I also had my first encounter with an 'alpine slide' at our destination. This is basically a downhill concrete bobsled course to be taken at high speeds by the rider, by means of a small personal cart with a simple brake mechanism. Now, I'm not saying you should go out of your way to experience this, but if any form of opportunity even begins to arise, my advice is to cease upon it fully. I nearly compromised the cleanliness of my trousers.
Here's a poached shot of one of the turns:

More later folks. Ta ta for now.

No News is No News

Waiting on job offers, looking for interviews. Bored a lot, ho hum dee dum. Here are some things I've been up to:

1. Playing classical guitar.
Right now I'm learning Chopin mazurkas arranged for guitar.
2. Watching all of The Mighty Boosh episodes on Youtube.
3. Watched Good Bye Lenin yesterday. I recommend it. Very original concept and clever writing. Set in Berlin, about a young man who works to convince his heart-attack prone mother that the wall never collapsed after she awakes from an 8 month coma during which the wall did in fact, come down. You are led to believe the motive for this is the doctor's warning of 'no big surprises' for the mom, but it becomes clear that maybe this is something the main character is also a little obsessed with. The score is also quite beautiful. Yann Tiersen composes. Check it out.
Laters.

It is Official

I now reside with Miranda Payton in Astoria New York on 35th Street and 23rd Avenue in a studio apartment. Let me tell you: it is hard rock. If you ever think about dropping what you're doing to go live in New York for a while, consider this a resounding wink of affirmation and pat on the back. You made a good choice. On the other hand don't feel too bad if you're not up for it. It's really none of my business. I did just get back from the kickest assest bicycle journey of my entire living days. My apartment is only ~4 miles from midtown Manhattan, and taking the bike path on the Queensborough Bridge it's a pretty straightforward shot. Everyone who has been to NYC doesn't need to be told just how stimulating it is to walk up and down its vivacious avenues and boulevards. But hear this from me now: next time you're here (if NYC's your bag) make it a point to bring or rent a bicycle and tour the city in this medium. It is incredible. I am still reeling from it as I sit typing. Maybe I'm still in bright-eyed pilgrim mode but I doubt it. The very fact that I am a pilgrim who has spent his 24 years outside of anything like this place, seems to preclude my being desensitized for a very long time. Also, I really really love this place. Austin, you cool, but if you're going to be a city, take notes from this place. Seriously. Alright, enough words, Time for some pictures.

The precarious jalopy. Pretty much everything we own is on or inside this vehicle.

Nice countryside. Tennessee or Georgia, I can't remember.
We were driving through a nice storm here. The lighting was interesting.

The room with all the stuff thrown on the floor. There's a bed there now.


This is a shot of the northern tip of Roosevelt Island from a park in Queens. Manhattan towers behind.

A view of the Southern bit of Randalls Island from Queens.
I'll put up some more later.

Fiasco, More Like

Well loyal readers I dropped the ball this week. No posts for a long time and a shame too because I had some pretty swell adventures since. Last weekend a handful of buddies and me went to San Antonio to see what all the fuss is about. I guess we were around for Fiesta but I don't know if we actually participated officially in the event, oh ... wait I guess we did see the parade.

Grendel the... Stegosaurus? Not what I envisioned

That was alright. What blew my mind the most was a visit to Natural Bridge Caverns, and while this might be the most touristey thing to do around this area, it sure was more fun than a gaggle of police motorcycles cruising slowly down a crowded street in formation with strobes ablaze. I had a whole lot to write about this trip but it is late right now, perhaps I'll revisit it in later posts. I can say this: if you think descending into the caverns is boring or stupid you lack any kind of spark of wonderment and appreciation of any and all things mindboggling.

I call this one "Cthulu Rock"; unfortunately someone else gave it a much lamer name a long time ago