“Some people are born into their passions. Some never get them and don’t care. But I think if you’re really struggling to find it…it’s almost certainly for a reason. I think the depth of your struggling is the sign there’s something there. Something in you that’s trying to get out. People who don’t have passions don’t struggle.”

(as posted on dorkyturtle's tumblr log)

Better late than never, right?

1. Tell us a 4th of July memory you have. Lighting fireworks off a dock with a handful of folks, while the rest of the them were across the pond singing drinking songs and watching the show.

2. What's your favorite food to eat at a picnic or outdoors? Do you have a recipe you can share? If you do, please share. Fruit is my favorite outdoor food, though watermelon seems to be more trouble to eat than it’s worth. Also, SMORES!, although since I’ve gotten older, I can only eat one before feeling ill from the sugar overload.

3. What are your thoughts on those cameras mounted on traffic lights to catch drivers blowing through red lights and issue tickets? Are they a useful traffic control device or just moneymakers? I don’t see a problem with them. If people didn’t run red lights, the cameras would cost more than they’re worth so they’d stop using them. If they’re still up, I’d figure they’re necessary. Besides, I like the fact that when I get a ticket, it sends me video (via a website online) of my infraction.

4. Inspired by this New York Times article: Describe your ideal burger. What do you top it with? What kind of bun is it on? What sort of meat (or non-meat if you're a vegetarian/vegan) is it made from? Be deliciously descriptive. My favorite burger is from Mooyah. I order a Mooyah Junior with American Cheese and BBQ Sauce, and an order of fries. Simple and ohsoyummy.

5. The city of East Moline has a law prohibiting profanity in any public place. Tell us about a goofy law in your city/state/village/county/etc. Not sure if this is true, but a website says there’s a law in Texas that it’s illegal to take more than three sips of beer at a time while standing. (Ref: http://www.eldar.org/~ben/funny/html/180.html and http://www.loonylaws.com/Texas.htm )

6. BTTW/WTTW
BTTW: Camping with the DFW Hash House Harriers this weekend!
WTTW: Dealing with my advisor, who doesn’t seem to be very familiar with the process of signing up for classes. It’s like pulling teeth to get anything done.

7. Standard audio question
Ended up listening to music from the 1960s on the drive to and from camp. There was some fantastic music written then! I’d pick three favorites, but I can’t remember what all was on them and for some reason the compilations are impossible to find online (they were sold exclusively at Best Buy and were sponsored by Rolling Stone).

A woman whose blog I've been reading for years just revealed that Intel is footing the bill for ten things on her bucket list (100 things to do before you die).

Once again, I find myself incredibly happy for someone I don't even really know... I think Maggie is the perfect person to have and share these experiences through her writing and photography. I look forward to living vicariously through her experiences. :)

This afternoon, I was wondering what my ten experiences would be, if Intel sponsored me. Here are a few ideas I had:
1) Go to circus school (studying aerial silks and chinese pole acrobatics)
2) Watch the sun rise over the treeline in the jungle from an ancient Maya site in Guatemala
3) Attend a film festival (e.g. Cannes, Sundance)
4) Spend a Semester at Sea
5) Work on a cattle/horse drive, or as a ranchhand
6) Go to performance driving school
7) Attend the UCLA/Getty Master's Program for the Conservation of Archaeological and Ethnographic Materials
8) Swim/scuba in a subterranean river/go cave diving/swim in cenotes
9) Remodel an old house with my own two hands
10) Live outside the US for one year

I think I'll keep this list around and try to knock it out on my own.

What things are on your bucket list?

From the Wrecked diva, Jennifer: If I were Farrah up in heaven, I'd be PISSED OFF!!! "I was finally gonna get a People cover for the first time since the 70's, and here comes THIS bitch?!?!?!?!"

1) What was the celebrity death that upset you the most?
There hasn't been one yet that I've been particularly affected by. I was pretty sad about Elliott Smith because I had just started getting into his music (thanks to Jesse!) when he passed. But that's a selfish kind of upset, which I wouldn't count. (That was in 2003, can you believe it!?)

2) Do you really believe in the 'bad things come in 3's' thing?
No.

3) Who's your favorite old-timey movie star?
I don't have one (wow my answers are boring today).

4) What are your plans for this summer?
Get things arranged to get back into school in the fall. This is proving infinitely more difficult than I think it has any right to be, as of yesterday. Otherwise, my plans for this summer are to keep myself outside my comfort zone and experience new things, because after this summer, I'm burying myself in school and not looking up for a while.

5) BTTW/WTTW
BTTW: Seeing Jenny Lewis live. Fun time at karaoke last night. An exciting weekend coming up.
WTTW: I was going to post a long detailed rant about this whole school fiasco that happened yesterday, but I just don't have the energy. In short: The school system seems to have some major issues, and despite gargantuan efforts on my part to straighten things out, it seems to be getting more complicated.

Top 3 audio
Wilco (in my head)
Rilo Kiley/Jenny Lewis
Shakira (this is Erik's fault for mentioning her at lunch)

1. Favorite MJ song/ video/ random memory/story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMnk7lh9M3o

2. Can you moonwalk?
No, but I can pretend. :P

3. Tito, Jermaine, Michael, who were the other two in the Jackson 5?
No clue.

4. Write and answer your own question
Is it Friday? Yes. (Woot!)

BTTW/WTTW
BTTW: The week is over.
WTTW: School red tape (OMG KILLKILLKILL)

Top Audio
Jenny Lewis (live on Tuesday - yum!)

1. What's something you've tried to change about your core self, but you ultimately had to decide to just live with it?
I’ve changed a lot in my life. I don’t think there’s anything I’ve had to “just accept and deal with” about myself. I think I’d be disappointed if there were something I felt like I was stuck with and couldn’t change.

2. Same question, but share a successful change you made.
Most recently, I seem to have finally let go of the idea that I need a core group of friends. My friends are going through a lot of changes right now, and as a result, I felt a little left out of their lives. But then I realized that I am responsible for my own experiences. If I’m not getting what I want or need out of my friends, that’s not their fault. I just needed to get out more, make other friends, put myself outside my comfort zone, and see what happens. So far, that experiment has been wildly successful, and I even somehow feel like the quality of time with friends has increased, even if we’re not actually physically hanging out as much.

3. What kind of concerns, if any, do you have about our food supply. (For background, I've been involved in a discussion about the movie Food, Inc., though I have not seen it.)
I tend to not worry about that sort of thing.

4. What's somewhere you haven't been for at least 10 years that you'd love to go back and visit?
Most of the trips I’ve taken have been in the last 10 years. I’m skipping this one, except to say that San Francisco is most likely my next out-of-state trip (to see my uncle, aunt, and their dogs). :)

5. BTTW/WTTW
BTTW: Easily, my entire birthday weekend. Started out with a massive party at Rosie’s house during which there were no fights (yay!), and only two people got sick. Lots of different circles easily converged and people seemed to have a great time. I had a BLAST! Then Saturday consisted of lunch at my favorite seafood place (Landry’s), an adorable ½ birthday party for Celeste, and a mellow evening with Mattie and Brad at home. Sunday, I went to my parents’ house to celebrate Father’s Day and my birthday (it was great to see family), and then had dinner at another favorite seafood place (Sea Breeze Fish Market & Grill) near my house. Then another mellow evening. Plus, I used birthday money to buy my ticket to see Jenny Lewis at the Granada on Tuesday (I’m so glad they had some left this morning)!

WTTW: Poison Ivy is the devil. I can handle pain pretty darn well, but PI itch? Unbelievably torturous. Luckily, I have an awesome doctor who gave me Prednisone, which is knocking it out WAY faster than the Benadryl did. And I think I might’ve escaped any scarring, so that’s good.

Top 3 audio ...
Lots of Rilo Kiley this week.

1) Who was your first celebrity idol/crush/object of adulation?
I'm sure there was someone earlier that I don't remember... but Angelina Jolie is as far back as I can recall.

2) What's your ideal setting for a show (music)?
Small, dark, cavernous, intimate. Examples in Dallas-Fort Worth: Gypsy Tea Room (not the ballroom), The Cavern, The Wreck Room

3) What's your favorite Rhett solo song? (or anyone in a band who also has a solo project)
Firefly
4) What's your favorite sunblock?
I use Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 30 sunblock almost exclusively.
5) BTTW/WTTW
BTTW: Ran my first hash last Saturday
WTTW: Being on the receiving end of drama I didn't ask for.

Top 3 audio?
Been listening to my Ben Folds station on Pandora. Some of my favorites from that station are:
Ben Folds (and Regina Spektor) "You Don't Know Me"
Ben Kweller "Nothing Happening"
Pedro the Lion "I Am Always The One Who Calls"

Since the Wrecked Poll is delayed today, I'm opening up the floor to questions. Who's got 'em?

---

Question 1: What did you want to be when you grew up, when you were a kid?
In preschool, I wanted to be a ballerina. Then around middle school, I wanted to be a veterinarian (until I found out how much science was involved, ha!). In high school, I decided I wanted to be the next Evelyn Glennie (professional solo percussionist).

Question 2: What was your most memorable vacation ever?
Probably the trip to New York with Ryan. His family was so caring and loving and generous. And there was great food and entertainment. The city itself is mesmerizing – all the people, the tall buildings, the constant busy/noise/activity. Got to ride the subway! Made me realize how lucky I am to see that much of the sky at once here in Texas.

Question 3: What music do you tend to play when you're on long road trips?
I listen to podcasts on the road. This American Life, Radio Lab, and The Moth are my favorites. If I do listen to music, it’s usually really upbeat (Daft Punk) or really mellow (Supreme Beings of Leisure, Sigur Ros) – not much in between.

Question 4: BTTW?
Ran my first hash last Saturday - think trail running plus beer. It was fun, dirty (mud!), and met lots of nice folks.

Question 5: Top3Audio?
Been listening to my Ben Folds station on Pandora. Favorite tunes on that station: Ben Folds (and Regina Spektor) "You Don't Know Me," Ben Kweller "Nothing Happening," Pedro the Lion "I Am Always The One Who Calls"

I've discovered a new activity which I quite enjoy... It's called hashing.

In a nutshell, it's a group of people who enjoy trail running and drinking, so they've combined the two. One person (called the Hare) marks a trail, usually ahead of time, with dots of flour and/or chalk marks on the ground. When the hash starts, you follow the marked trail. Sometimes the trail misleads you and you have to go back to a designated checkpoint and try to find the right trail. The trail is usually at least a couple miles long, and usually ends up someplace where food and drinks are abundant (someone's home, a pub, or restaurant).

The trail running is my favorite part. Last Saturday's hash included trails zig zagging in the trees, forging creeks up to my neck, wading through mud, climbing through bramble bushes, and shimmying across some large city pipes eight feet above the creek.

I met lots of really interesting people, and there are all ages and types of people there. Many folks brought their dogs. Some people ran the whole thing, others walked the course. It's not a race, so there's no rush, except to say that you really shouldn't be last unless you want to be penalyzed. ;)

Even though I'm sore still from last Saturday, I'm going again tonight, and will probably go to the Grapevine Quarterly this Saturday evening.

You can check the calendar here: dfwh3.org

I'd love for you to join me!

1. What is the most uncomfortable weather to you? How do you deal with it? I hate cold weather, mainly because I have to layer clothes. I detest wearing sweaters and long sleeved shirts. I deal by staying indoors as much as possible, and by having a couple of cold weather pieces that work extremely well without being constricting (my North Face Redpoint jacket was one of those smart purchases).

2. What's your favorite crayon color? Cadet blue is my longstanding favorite. I also like Crimson.

3. What body of water do you prefer? Lake, ocean beach with action, rocky ocean coastline, shallow river for fly-fishing ...? I am not very fond of water, but I did enjoy the creek at Flipside. Clear-ish water, deep, and lined with rocks and boulders to lounge upon.

4. What in your everyday life is political -- ie, you keep yourself in check even if you're not necessarily pleased with something because what's important is the greater good? Do you succeed usually? Drama exploding in my circle of friends. Keeping my mouth shut, despite my opinion, is a new thing for me, and I’m learning how much more awesome it is to stay out of the drama than it is to make my voice heard. I think I mentioned this in last week’s poll.

5.BTTW/WTTW
WTTW: Admitting that it wasn’t working and deciding to break up with Brad.
BTTW: The talk went much better than I expected, and we’re still very good friends.

Top 3 audio ....
Nothing much this week. Been reading “Water For Elephants” by the pond most afternoons instead. Highly recommended reading!

http://www.wired.com/entertainment/hollywood/magazine/17-06/pl_screen

I got a forward at work today, and some of the jokes made me smile.

One is of a caution sign on a large machine that says, "Caution: This machine has no brain. Use your own."

Another is a table with "We waited 30 minutes - no service" written in ketchup and mustard across the tabletop.

And my favorite:
A warning sign at the zoo says, "Please be safe. Do not sit, stand, climb, or lean on zoo fences. If you fall, animals could eat you and that might make them sick. Thank you."

PS - I need entertainment - comments, links, and forwards appreciated!

We are reorganizing our floor at work, and I move to my new desk/cube space on June 19th. Right now, I have a 9'x9' cube, decorated in various XKCD comics, artwork by Daniel Merriam, and some Battlestar Galactica comics. When I move, I'll have the same space, and I want new surroundings.

One guy in our office has huge pieces of MC Escher's Lizards on one wall: http://momastore.org/wcsstore/MOMASTORE1/images/m_39883.jpg

Another desk has a row of red model cars along the top of his file cabinet.

What are your cube decorating ideas?

1. How did you get your current job? Is it what you thought you'd be doing? If not, or if you're between jobs/in school, wA-ou want to do?
The job I had before this was pretty far away from where I was living. The job I have now is very close to home, and the best part about it is that they are flexible with my schedule so I can go to school. I’m happy here (I work with numbers all day – primarily in Excel), but someday (probably a long time from now) I hope to work on an archaeological dig in some sort of preservation/archives/administrative support role.

2. Street team for somebody. What band do you think should be huge, if the rest of the world only had some decent freaking taste?
Rilo Kiley. Two talented singers who know how to jam, have fun side projects (The Postal Service, The Watson Twins), and don’t take themselves too seriously. They’re not afraid to change it up a little, and it always sounds good. They’re fun to see live, and I like that they actually talk to their audience while on stage.

Recommended first listens:
“The Good That Won’t Come Out” (from The Execution of All Things)
“Does He Love You?” (from More Adventurous)
“Portions for Foxes” (from More Adventurous)
“Silver Lining” (from Under the Blacklight)
“15” (from Under the Blacklight)

Recommended first album: More Adventurous

3. What was the fanciest meal you ever prepared? Did it turn out the way you wanted?
Baked chicken with garlic rosemary potatoes. It was surprisingly good, considering how little I cook.

4. What long gone TV show should they make into a movie? Who would star in it?
Carnivale. Keep the same characters as before and maybe add some new ones. I still wish the books had been written, at least, since the show was cancelled.

5. Best/worst/tuneage. You know the drill.
BTTW: Learning some really interesting life lessons this week.
WTTW: Friend-related drama

Music:
Anticipating the new Riceboy Sleeps album (release date 7/20) from Sigur Ros frontman and his boy. Listening to a sample track on repeat for now.
The Field (@jephjacques – artist from Questionable Content – on Twitter did a nice track-by-track review of the new album the other day)
Rilo Kiley, as usual ;)

1. What do you recycle in your own house?
I don’t recycle anything, unless you count reusing plastic bags. We have a building trash chute, but no recycling options.

2. Plans for Memorial Day weekend?
I was out camping at Flipside, hence the late reply.

3. If you had to play a pick-up game in any sport, which sport would it be?
I wouldn’t mind playing some tennis. Haven’t played in a while, but really enjoy it when evenly matched (I’m not very good).

4. What are you allergic to?
Nothing that I know of, though my throat had some problems earlier this year that my doctor attributed to allergies.

5. BTTW/WTTW
BTTW: Flipside
WTTW: Returning to normality after Flipside.

Top 3 audio ...
oontz, oontz, oontz, oontz…
boots and pants and boots and pants…
and for some reason, Vampire Weekend has been stuck in my head for two days.

1. What’s the most recent new thing you’ve learned how to do?
Make cheesecake brownies from scratch. YUM.

2. What brand/style of sneakers/tennis shoes do you own? Do you tend to buy the same ones?
Merrell ( http://www.merrell.com/us/ ) trail running shoes. And yes, I try to stick to the brand (for sneakers and for work shoes) because they fit my feet so well.

3. What are you most likely to order at brunch?
Something with potatoes. And lots of ketchup.

4. What’s your favorite – be specific – Mexican food?
If this were “Latin” food, I’d pick Pabellon Criollo from Venezuela, but since it’s “Mexican,” I’ll say tamales – homemade.

5. BTTW / WTTW
BTTW: The entirety of today. Last final turned in, doctor’s appointment went way better than expected, drove to work with the Old 97’s blaring (TFTC, if you care) and the windows rolled down, had lunch with the team at Le Madeleine and dessert at Paciugo, more driving/windows down/music loud (with Holly this time), and am only working for another 1 ½ hours today.

WTTW: Nothing. Except maybe handwriting my seventeen page final exam for Archaeology. That sucked, but only for a few hours.

Top 3 Audio
Old 97’s
Rhett Miller
My Chemical Romance

1. When's the last time you were hit, if ever? By, like, a hand?
No one’s ever hit me out of anger. Usually it’s an accident.

2. What's your feeling about your middle name? Do you have more than one?
I no longer have a middle name. It is a long, boring story.

3. Whom do you miss? And WHAT do you miss?
I miss the S Factor class. A lot. Hell, I miss dancing, period.

4. What's the next non-food thing you know you have to buy?
Probably something for Flipside, but not sure what.

5. BTTW/WTTW
BTTW: Finishing all but my last final exam. Seeing Old Crow Medicine Show on Wednesday night. Surprise Burner crowd at karaoke last night.
WTTW: General stress.

Top 3 audio ...
iPod on shuffle
Rilo Kiley
Old Crow Medicine Show

1. What was for breakfast? Banana, granola, and orange juice

2. What's for lunch? Lemon butter shrimp and rice, leftover from earlier in the week

3. What was for dinner last night? Chicken noodle soup

4. Best dessert you've had recently? Tres leches at Taco Diner

5. Dessert everyone likes but you don't? Tiramisu

6. Food you dislike but wish you didn't? Pasta salad

7. Last good restaurant meal you had? Taco Diner – the crispy chicken enchiladas verdes were YUMMMM

8. Food you've never tried or only tried once and would like to try or try again? Anything and everything. Been doing research on Guatemala and really want to try Kak'ik (turkey soup) and Pollo Pipian.

9. Besides water, your most common non-alcoholic beverage of choice? Izze! By the way, there are three new flavors – Lime, Ginger, and Birch!

BTTW: Gearing up for Flipside
WTTW: Exams, presentations, reading assignments, finals to study for… school OVERLOAD.

Top 3 Audio: Sigur Ros, This American Life podcasts, Delerium

The lineup was announced this morning.

http://2009.aclfestival.com

I'm torn as to if I want to take the time off work, and if I want to spend as much on a ticket again. But... Lots of good acts...

Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, Beastie Boys, Kings of Leon, Ben Harper and Relentless7, Thievery Corporation, John Legend, The Dead Weather, The Levon Helm Band, Ghostland Observatory, Sonic Youth, Mos Def, Toadies, Flogging Molly, The B-52s, Lily Allen, Citizen Cope, Arctic Monkeys, The Decemberists, Coheed and Cambria, Andrew Bird, Girl Talk, STS9 (Sound Tribe Sector 9), Phoenix, Bassnectar, Bon Iver, !!!, Avett Brothers, The Airborne Toxic Event, Medeski Martin & Wood, Clutch, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Grizzly Bear, Heartless Bastards, Passion Pit, White Lies, Dan Auerbach, The Walkmen, The Scabs, Reckless Kelly, Devotchka, Blitzen Trapper, The Virgins, Here We Go Magic, Eek-a-Mouse, K'naan, Asleep at the Wheel, Dr. Dog, The Raveonettes, The Knux, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, State Radio, Los Amigos Invisibles, The Felice Brothers, Federico Aubele, Raul Malo, Daniel Johnston, Poi Dog Pondering, Brett Dennen, Rodriguez, Henry Butler, Preservation Hall, Sam Roberts Band, The Greencards, Sara Watkins, Walter "Wolfman" Washington, David Garza, John Vanderslice, Zac Brown Band, Todd Snider, School of Seven Bells, The Dodos, Robyn Hitchcock and the Venus 3, Alberta Cross, Deer Tick, Bell X1, Aleda Diane, The Wood Brothers, The Parlor Mob, Rebirth Brass Band, Marva Wright, Terri Hendrix, L.A.X., Lisa Hannigan, The Low Anthem, Sons of Bill, Suckers, Sarah Jaffe, Cotton Jones, The Henry Clay People, Papa Mali, Jypsi, Vince Mira, Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights, Mimicking Birds, Jeffrey Steele, Jonell Mosser, Leatherbag, Keith Gattis, Damien Horne, Sarah Siskind, The Dexateens, Nelo, Danny Brooks, Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, The Soul Stirrers, The Durdens, Palm School Elementary, The Gospel Silvertones, Diaconos, Quinn Sullivan, Ralph's World, Q Brothers, Milkshake, Telephone Company, Loose Cannons, Lunch Money

Seeing Girl Talk is almost worth the ticket price alone ($185 for a three day pass). I'm currently in Front Gate Tickets' "waiting room" to purchase tickets.

1. Last thing you returned?
A packet of homework, completed, to my Spanish professor.

2. What do you have irrational cravings for?
I can’t think of anything I’d consider irrational. I crave Pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) or La Madeleine’s tomato basil soup often, though.

3. Who do you need to forgive?
Myself, for some of the things I did in my early twenties. I was quite selfish, and could’ve made better decisions. I’m quick to forgive others, for the most part.

4. How are you with chopsticks?
When I was in high school, I learned how to play four-mallet marimba with the Stevens grip, and, oddly enough, I use a similar-but-slightly-modified grip for chopsticks. It works pretty well.

5. BTTW/WTTW
Best: Met with my advisor (John Pipes) at UNT to discuss my degree plan. There are so many classes I want to take – but I only need so many hours to graduate. I just might be in school for the rest of my life, collecting degrees, as a hobby. :)
Worst: Fell into a heavy funk yesterday and became very overwhelmed, unmotivated, and discouraged.

Top 3 audio
Vampire Weekend
Sigur Ros
Grand Archives