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.