Protected: Again

I wish I had a better understanding of. . .

I wish I had a better understanding of science. It’s a subject that while I find fascinating, I have to admit to not understanding a lot about. Don’t get me wrong, I get the basics, I passed geology, biology and so on, but things like string theory - you’re over my head.

I subscribe to Wired Magazine, a publication that focuses its attention on technology and science, both subjects I enjoy reading about. As I read through the magazine I often find things that I stop and think - wouldn’t it be great if I could fully understand what I’m reading. The laymen explanations are interesting and I find myself on the cusp of understanding it, but there is a road block I run in to.

When it comes to understanding things, I often find comfort in the abstract. Pictures, sounds and experience - this is how I learn best. It’s ironic I’m a writer I know, but in the end communication is where I excel. In all forms I’d like to think.

But when it comes to the black and white of math and science, I find it difficult to understand. I don’t know what it is, but for some reason it’s just an area that I find difficult to communicate in.

But it sure is fun to learn what I can understand.

The Soundtrack to our Lives

My office space shares a wall with the printing press at the Independent. Throughout the day the awards on the wall will rattle as the experienced machines wind up and push papers from the beginning of the line to the end, adding to the unique soundtrack to my work week.

A snapshot from my old desk

Throughout the day this is just one of a number of sounds I hear, from the hum of my car’s engine to an individual talking about what is going on in their world. All of this builds up to make the backdrop for my life.

We live in a time where sounds are more persistent than ever before. Refrigerates hum, fans blow, clock radios play horrible radio music and cellphones ring. It makes you wonder how this plays on our moods and emotions.

I was listening to This American Life, “Maping” episode. One of the story tellers met with the editor of a newspaper in Georgia, who found music in the world he lived in. From the hum of his computer to the heater that kicked in from time to time.

The editor was so interested in the subject that he took the time to “map out” the sounds and where they played as chords. As I drove from Granite Falls to Dawson it was interesting thinking about what sounds play out in my life - because there are a lot. I almost always have some sort of stimulation or droning going on in the background.

If the television isn’t on, I have music playing. I sleep with a fan to avoid the reality of the tinnitus in my right ear. The printing press and computers hum throughout my work day (not to mention the radio playing in the back of the plant which I often try to cover up by using my iPod). There is a lot of sounds that 100 years ago likely wouldn’t even be imaginable.

How does this effect our mood? Does this make a day better or worse? Is it healthy to have this constant stimulation?

Stop and listen to the world around you right now. Is your television on? The radio? How about the fridge? It’s amazing what our soundtracks really sound like.

If only I had a theme song that was a little more interesting than a printing press.

Ten Albums I’m listening to Oct. 2007

Every now and then I think it’s important to write down what music is really rocking ones world at any give time, so I’m going to try and keep a monthly look at the music I’m listening to heavily and see how it changes through the year.

For Oct. 2007. . .

• Dashboard Confessional - The Shade of the Poison Tree
• Loudon Wainwright III - Strange Weirdos (Music from Knocked Up)
• The Get Up Kids - Eudora
• Stereophonics - Pull The Pin
• Jimmy Eat World - Chase This Light
• Saves The Day - Sound the Alarm
• Radiohead - In Rainbows
• Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
• Ozma - Spend Time on the Borderline
• Say Anything - . . . Is a Real Boy

There is a bunch more that I’m digging into right now, but that’s a snap shot of some recent listens, some older (Get Up Kids is a rare b-sides disc that I just now found) and there is some interesting stuff coming out this month including the new Say Anything double album which I’m jazzed about.

Even Robots dance to Spoon

TiVo Season Pass List (as of now)

Well the new Fall season is a few episodes in by now so I thought I would throw out there my list of shows TiVo is recording for me (all in basic quality).

• The Office
• Heroes
• My Name is Earl
• House
• Bones
• Life
• Bionic Woman
• Pushing Daisies
• How I Met Your Mother
• The Big Bang Theory
• Journeyman
• 30 Rock
• Scrubs
• The Simpsons
• Family Guy
• South Park
• Mythbusters
• Digging for the Truth

I also happen to tape Grey’s Anatomy and Chuck on VHS because my TiVo can only record one thing at a time (will I get the new TiVo HD soon? Only time will tell). At any rate I realize I watch way too much television. I also let it record random stuff throughout the week. But that’s why I have TiVo right?

Portfolio work

I have finally gotten around to posting some work examples on the site. It’s not as clean and pretty as I would like, but I think it will get the job done. If you check out the work page you’ll get a chance to see my published work.

To get it done I am simply saving the pages from the Independent Web site and reposting them on this server. Because of that most of the images and ads are lost, but the important stuff is still intact. I’ll try to continue posting more of my stories as time goes on, so keep an eye on that page.

My latest column

I had a lengthy blog post prepared to discuss the new direction Radiohead has taken with the distribution of its latest album, but I took the opportunity to put a better thought out explanation in print. Check out my latest column in the Independent.

What’s it worth to you

Something or nothing? Either way it can be yours now. I’ll tell you more later.

Take a tour with Mr. Smith

Kevin Smith is one of my favorite writers, directors, strange personalities out there and I’m constantly reminded why when I peep videos like this. He works with the Tonight Show from time to time with his road side attractions. This is the first one he did, you can find even more on YouTube.