Soundtrack

One thing about being separated from all of the people that I used to hang out with is that my sphere of influence and, inversely, the circle that influences me is completely different. So, in order to bring you guys back home up to speed on what's hip in my world. Here are some songs that are keeping me going in Oakland.

In This City- Iglu and Hartly

Geraldine- Glasvegas

Microphone- Coconut Records

Paul Revere- The Beastie Boys

Dancing Choose- TV on the Radio

Welcome To The Occupation- Cold Wars Kids

Don't worry, I'm not one of those guys that thinks that I have a "superior" taste in music. But these are some songs and artists that I think you would enjoy! So... enjoy!

Finally

So, as long as I have been here in Oakland, there has been one thing eluding me. I haven't been painting. Call it lack of inspiration, motivation, or just plain laziness, I just haven't been able to put paint on canvas like I did in Redding.

I think I figured out what my problem was. For a while my furnace wasn't working, so I have been experiencing cold for sure. I was trying to paint warm colors, but just wasn't finding it... So, I made a late night trip to Michael's and picked up some warm "cafe" colors. This is what I painted: 

All Dressed Up, With Nowhere To Go

 I am glad that I was finally able to get something. Note: the copper color is actually metallic, but I couldn't get a picture to show it.

Later.

What I Miss.

So, almost three weeks is all that has passed since I left Redding and already in almost every conversation I have had with folks from back home there has been this common question: "So do you miss Redding yet?" 

First of all, you speak of it like it is inevitable that I will eventually miss Redding.

I don't.

But here is a short list of things I miss FROM Redding.

I miss poker.

I miss the patio and Sunday nights.

I miss my Grandparents.

A lot.

I miss someone else buying all of the cranberry juice that I consume.

I miss all of the friends that I left behind.

However, I am NOT homesick. It is awesome here. The weather is typical Bay Area weather, and I love it. I love working in the resource center and I love that God is moving here. 

P.S. If you thought that my parents are missing on the list above, they have both visited me in the last week, so I guess they don't count or something.

Realizations and Discoveries

First of all, I apologize to those of you whom I told that I would try to keep this up to date. I have a plethora of excuses, none of them any good.

On this adventure that I am on, I kind of feel like I am putting myself to the test, finding out what I am made of. So, I guess I will make a list of the things I am finding out about myself. 

I am lazy. I know this one was fairly apparent from the git-go but I mean, seriously. I let dirty dishes stack up until I am out of both plates and bowls (and effectively let my options for food dwindle to snack bars and chips). Ridiculous.

People watching is my new favorite pastime. The people in the bay area are way more interesting than Redding!

I can actually save money. Weird. In direct contrast to the laziness factor, being "out on my own" has actually brought out the best in me in this part of my life. I hope that I can save enough to get out to New York!

I am not a great cook. See post below.

Why I Need A Girlfriend:

This post is for those of you who thought that I wouldn't be able to cook for myself when I moved out. Well, I showed you? Read on.

So it was around 11:15 when inspiration struck. I decided that some bacon sounded really good. I stumbled into the kitchen, flipped on the lights, and grabbed some bacon from the freezer. I popped it in the microwave to defrost and while I was waiting the wheels began to turn. I saw my bag of tortillas and flippantly thought bout all of the things bacon could do in a tortilla. And so, the bacondilla© was born.

And now, you can clog your very own arteries with my step-by-step instructions.

Step one:

Throw some bacon in a pan, on high heat (turn down slightly when sizzling becomes so fierce that you fear for you life). Continue flipping until the perfect level of charredness is achieved. There should be a nice pool of grease in the bottom of the pan. When finished, leave pan on low and remove bacon. DO NOT REMOVE GREASE.

Step two:

Lay out a tortilla with two Kraft Singles and lay your charred bacon over, then lay two more slices of cheese on top. Finally, add the second tortilla on top.

Step three: 

Put your bacondilla into the pan and crank the heat up. Flip after 20 seconds or so, and repeat on opposite side. Remove from pan onto plate.

Step four: 

Let stand for at least 2 or 3 minutes. That bacon grease is still hot smarty pants.

Step five:

Devour.

So Long

Three words I spoke as I walked out the front door to leave Redding behind:

"So Long Redding"

As I climbed into my car, I thought more about these words.

So long have I awaited this day

So long have I enjoyed the friends here

So long have teachers, mentors, friends, and family members prepared me for this day

So long have I imagined living elsewhere

So long have I been here...

So long Redding.

At it Again

So it has been a while since I've gotten to paint and I've finally gotten back at it. This thanks in part to being commissioned to do two pieces. Commission work is awesome because I get to paint, knowing that it will pay for itself. 

Anyhow, the first one is kind of a painting of my last blog, check it out if you have yet to read it.

Its called: So Distant

The second one was a lot harder to get started but it really came together as I kept going.

Along For The Ride

In other news, I am moving on Sunday. I am so excited. For those of you who don't know, I'll be living and working in inner-city Oakland with World Impact.

It is an exciting season of life in which I am finally realizing a call and following. Plus, I get to leave Redding and experience something new.