music and baseball

this weekend i saw bright eyes at temple buell theatre in denver. cool venue which provided seating as any typical theatre would. how appropriate is it have a concert in a seated atmosphere? well, with the type of music bright eyes is it worked out well. it was great to see bright eyes evolve. they started off with about 5 songs from their latest album, cassadaga, and then started playing a variety from their other albums. this is somewhat unusual for bright eyes. they usually play the entire album in which they are promoting during the tour and maybe, if you're lucky, a couple older songs. now i've been to a handful of bright eyes shows and i can easily say that this was the best one. so full of energy that you left the theatre with a childish mischievous grin on your face. if they're near you the show is definitely worth catching.

on another note. i joined a double A baseball league, which consists of post high school and college players, in denver and played my first game this past sunday. now i haven't played baseball in nearly 6 years. sure i've played softball every summer since, but it's a bit difference. the size of the ball in your hand for one. it's a different throwing technique altogether. not to mention the 80mph fastball that's being hurled at you one pitch and the next being a 55 mph change up or curve ball. the adjustment between the too is difficult, not much time to react so your swing better be fast. i needed to hit a batting cage before the came but didn't have time. so i went in without facing a pitcher in six years. i went 1-4 with a double, two RBI's, a pop-up, grounded out and struck out once. despite the disappointment in myself, i was making contact. because i was new to the team, who's played four games prior, i was stuck in the outfield, right and left field. a couple more games, a few trips to the batting cages, i'll be hitting like i used to and hopefully playing shortstop and throwing a few pitches. so much fun to be playing baseball again.

damn those pixel people

as the title sets this up, it's gonna be a complaining entry
i'm so tired of people sending photos that are 1GB each
i don't blame the senders,
they're taking pictures and sending pictures
it's a beautiful thing.
i curse those pixel people that market cameras
that are now easily 7, 8 and 9 MegaPixel
to make you think you need that much pixel action.

you don't!

what is a mega pixel?
think of it as dot density that makes up an image
a higher pixel count means more dots in a space
more dots means the ability to enlarge a foto picture
more dots and a large picture means you got it, a bigger file!

i don't know if this is true actually, but as a rule i use:
2 mega pixels lets you print a photo really well
3 to 4 mega pixel lets you make 8 1/2 x 11 size
and the higher, say 7 mega pixel
would allow you to enlarge a foto to the size of a huge sheet of paper
or even wall size.

when's the last time you've printed a digital foto?
let alone blew one up to fit on your wall
you just wouldn' t do it with an automatic camera
which most of us use.

personally i shoot with either 2 or 3 mega pixels
it's all i need and allows many more pictures on a card

gas, coffee, cupcakes

I read that gas will go to $4 a gallon in seattle this summer
the headline was "summer bummer", but I disagree
to me it's about time, England still pays about $7 a gallon
I think the headline should be "pass on gas"
I'm excited to watch it climb and anticipate our reaction,
as I'm sure it'll become self-centered sounding like
"that damn war, I can't believe this is happening (to me)"
I got a lot of hugs if you need a brace.

I'm still guiltily sleeping in
today I woke to 4 elderly asian lovlies walking on the street
they were fully hooded in parka-like antartica gear
I thought it must be cold out for sure
of course it wasn't, they're just built for heat
I found that heat in the 105d yoga studio

the "look for work quest" has been brilliant
no job yet, but do I feel networked
very soon I have the luxury of letting the network work
while I take advantage of weekday excursions
I try to job hunt, yoga, read, study, eat nice everyday
I'm also brainstorming my strategies for homeownership

I'm going to write a book on seattle coffee shops
actually it's been done, I pass
but for internet need I've tried them all
and there are only about 3 that hit the sweet spot -
a good americano, fast connection, ambience, music
I like Herkimer's on Phinney Ridge,
Fremont Coffee in an old house in Fremont and
Cupcake Royale in Ballard

that's it for today, more balancing it all
kids just came in for cupcakes,
how damn cute.

plans

i started reading tonight, but i only feel like typing
i'm reading about native american spirituality
how that links to eastern philosophies
how close that could be to western religions
so far i'm not seeing the links

i'm studying garage plans as well
how to build one with a loft above it
types of roofing, insulation, furnaces
searching for stores with used materials
buying used tools off craigslist
thinking about kitchen workspace heights
and stove, fridge, sink arrangements
i'm meeting with lenders for the loans
and architects to draw up the plans
and the city to grant the permit
that part is all too regulated

i'm happy on this new site
i'm writing online like i would write in a journal
tidbits that jog memory
or invoke conversation
that share perspective and events

i have met a whole new world of people being single
seattle has all the people that make the world go round
right now it's a natural social networker and his loomer
his girlfriend that builds tapestries from her swedish loom
they are wanting to start a good house space
we're talking about using my house in june
there's so much to plan for to ready the house
but it's not mine yet, there's little i can do
but plan

but maybe the planning isn't worth the time
maybe it'll fall into place once moved in
i'm trying to focus on the great place i have now
this inn, where i sleep more than i ever have
it's peaceful, the decorating es tranquilo
the space quiet, the walls have stories
i want to share it but not sure if it'd be right
for now here are some pictures

Earth Day

i knew it was Earth Day, april 22nd
i was reading the Seattle PI from the library
i was compelled to share some thoughts from astronauts

----------

"You change because you see your life differently than when you live on the surface everyday. ... We are so involved in our own little lives and our own little concerns and problems. I don't think the average person realizes the global environment that we really live in. I certainly am more aware of how fragile our Earth is, and, frankly, I think that I care more about our Earth because of the experiences I've had traveling in space."

-Eileen Collins, first female space shuttle commander.

"It was the only color we could see in the universe. ... "We're living on a tiny little dust mote in left field on a rather insignificant galaxy. And basically this is it for humans. It strikes me that it's a shame that we're squabbling over oil and borders."

-Bill Anders, Apollo 8, whose photos of Earth became famous.

"It's hard to appreciate the Earth when you're down right upon it because it's so huge. It gives you in an instant, just at a position 240,000 miles away from it, (an idea of) how insignificant we are, how fragile we are, and how fortunate we are to have a body that will allow us to enjoy the sky and the trees and the water ... It's something that many people take for granted when they're born and they grow up within the environment. But they don't realize what they have. And I didn't till I left it."

-Jim Lovell, Apollo 8 and 13.

----------

i can't write to motivate you, i can only do a better job myself
when i'm in nature, breathing clean air, watching birds, smelling seas
there's nothing more motivating than having this earth around longer
the words from these astronauts gave me a great beauty and respect
well worth billions in the space program, if only to engage ourselves

wind of grace

there are 3 floors and a basement
i've counted roughly 22 rooms in the house
this doesn't count a porch, 2 decks and a backyard garden
but it does include meditation and yoga rooms
the shoes are off at the door
placement in on some nearby shelves
the kitchen has a viking stove
there are no wireless networks found in range
mobile phone service works sporadically
i read at night and do some writing
i rarely eat dinner it seems
there's not to be meat in the house
but it's ok outside on the bbq
i can use fish sauces and soup bases
the owner eats only raw foods
raw foods mean uncooked or juiced or dried
i have a color photographed zone sticker for the 4runner rearview
the commuter bike has a hanging home in the basement
my room is filled with old hung windows
and japenese tiger black and white water paintings
my rent is paid through the end of may
half that of normal rent prices
my room is furnished, i have a down comforter
it faces east, i see the sunrise crest over the cascades
the 3rd floor open space is a perfect olympic sunset vantage point
other guests come to stay, renting the other rooms
i met a couple from Lake Chelan, orginally from Germany
it's like i'm living in an adult youth hostel
it's the Wind of Grace
a word of mouth inn for the like-minded
i'm honored.

still changing

it seems that it's time for change. i quit my job today, or at least put in my two weeks notice. i decided to give them three weeks in order to sort out my multiple projects i have been working on lately, they ate that up. i was starting to get more responsibility, more concurrent project, more expectations of me, more confidence in me. i get a short feeling that i let them down today, well maybe not too short, it's a weird feeling. i dislike letting people down, especially those who believe in me enough to give me the responsibility i was given. i had become quite close to one of my bosses, a mentor of mine if you will. when i told him today i felt i let him down, i felt he was somewhat disappointed. he said he understood my decision and reassured me that he would hire me back anytime, which gave enormous comfort.
so my career path has changed. i will no longer be designing building, i will no longer be using the degrees that have prepared me for this job. i'm moving on after realizing i can't sit behind a desk all day crunching numbers. there's more out there. so now i'll be brought on as a project engineer for a construction 'builders' company on a path to project management. this company receives their jobs from owners with ideas and then see the project to the end, overseeing every detail that constructing a building inhibits.
i'm leaving a pretty relax working environment. i will now have to work full days on fridays. my dog will no longer accompany me to work. i will now be spending and hour and a half commuting each day instead of walking four blocks. however, i will be managing project now instead of fattening my ass in a chair, i got my requested three weeks of paid vacation. more stress, less freedom. i'm starting at the bottom again needing to re-establish myself in a new company. i'm looking forward to starting my new job and all the possibilities that will follow.

ps...if you hadn't noticed mi hermano, mateo, has joined my blog while moliver is being rebuilt or moved completely. complications in which i won't act like i know how i could explain. so no, i didn't buy a house, well not yet anyways. if you look at the bottom of each post it will tell the author.

S Kenny

I week ago right now, today, I learned I wasn't going to El Salvador
A week later, right now, today, I own a house.



I was spending time at a coffee shop, all last week
internet time was passing my days
I found an old house under $300k in a great neighborhood
the next morning I drove by
the owner let me in, she had lost her husband and was moving to TX
she was selling, driven by need for change

that afternoon I went to the Department of Planning in dowtown Seattle
figured out if I could build the garage loft, the city will allow it
my realtor and I went to look on Saturday, with a friend as inspector
I made the offer in that night, we expected multiple bids

8 bids were in by Sunday night!
listing agents were pissing off buyer's agents
my lady Judie hung strong, was persistent, was charming
we won! I got it for just $25k over asking price.
I close on may 28th.

it's located in a great part of town
close to new and upcoming, surrounded by other fancy homes
and also close to much diversity
now I need to get a job.

house from the front


super cool ivy growth in the back


future loft building site

grip it

I feel like rambling
things just keep happening
maybe it's spring

i looked at house to buy today in seattle
i'm likely making an offer tomorrow
i want to build a garage and loft
live in the loft, rent the house
be specific with renters
make an inner city hippy house
keep it high on positive
and art and love and vegetable meals
save the trees and all that sh*t
it's a rare find, the city
with fruit trees and room for a dog
i'd like to buy a dog
it'd have to like travel
on buses, trains, planes...

i posted links to new video and photo pages today
there's not much up, but it will grow
showing pictures and clips from what's going on

i met a architect redhead today, carina
ely lost her phone, no latina communication
susan came out of with barely a hello, too soon
nina wants to get together for a story
my mom is my favorite
hopefully i can have a daughter someday
girls, hug 'em, always

looking for a new job
don't want to work, just want a house
and land on an island
i'm looking forward to working
so i can save and get money appropriated and working
so i can quit and go experience more life
there can never be enough of that

you know when you can fell something
when it just feels right around the corner
don't ignore those feelings
don't look too hard
just pay attention

Believe

I'm tired of the complaining about "it not being great" and passiveness coupled with indecision and worry and fears and bullsh*t... blah blah blah...

If you don't like something, change it.
If you don't like the radio, play a CD.
If the CD is broke, play a tape.
Likely you don't have a tape player, so hum a song.
And if you can't hum, listen.

If you don't like the food, make some yourself.
If you're fat, stopping eating crap.
If you're thirsty, don't drink soda or boose.
Believe.

If you want some fun, stop planning.
If you don't like getting your hair wet, get a life.
If you're truly unhappy, read the obituaries.
If you are unhappy with how something is turning out, stop holding on.
If your relationship is missing just something, try harder.
If it's still missing, hug kiss and say goodbye.
If you can't find love, know there's no one special someone.
Be who you are, they'll come by.
And if you screw that chance up, you'll get another.
Believe.

If you don't like corporate legislation, stop buying Starbucks.
If you don't like the politics, tell them how you feel.
Our only power with America is how we spend our money.
Believe.

If you don't want to work, don't spend.
If you want to travel, for f*&k's sake, hang it up and go.
If you are feeling like a racist, likely you are.
If you don't have time for your dog, you're irresponsible.
Believe.

And if your plan is not working out, it's because you've missed the fork in the road, start again, it'll be fine.
Believe.

Breathe, smell, taste, feel, see.
It's everywhere.
Believe.

can't hold it off

it's time to start writing again. i had this fleeting idea after the original moliver.com server died that i would just capture video giving up still photography and writing, but writing has become too much of a habit, too engrained, it doesn't want to stop.

recently that's all i've had to be my navigation, what feels right. i came home from central america about 6 weeks ago, since i've lived with friends, on an island, tripped over to montana for easter and as of late bouncing coffee shops and dodging different all night parking spots while i sleep in my 4runner. routine needs to be soon.

it is near, it's time for a job, a house, a daily plan that doesn't require me to think about what i'm going to do the next hour, and then the next, and then...

my return to central america has been put off for a couple months. i was planning on leaving tomorrow for another 6 weeks, pero no mas. i'm not going back until june now, after i hopefully have a job that will pay me to go. it's the right call, there are too many job opportunities and momentum with houses, realtors, kayaking trips, etc to saunter off aimlessly looking for something that i won't find but have to be patient for through its creation. love that feeling.

pictures soon to come, some i have some great ones of family and mountains and just life in general. hello to jeremiah's audience as well.

gracias a geremias para su blog.

neko case...

...was one of those experiences that you cannot put into words. i've tried sitting back and rehashing the night but found myself as i did at the show, speechless. her vocals own your skin as 'goose bumps' flare at every change in her voice. this sound is quite unique and i found it hard to classify a genre to her style. since i've been at a loss for word while describing the night, i asked my mate to give me his definition and here's what he spat..." i would say country-flavored, bluegrass influenced, rock with the most incredible voice since Patsy Kline". thanks jtm, your description will put an intriguing taste in every readers' mouth.

check out some sample tracks from the ever evil myspace link here.

expectations where surpassed and my anticipation for the sasquatch music festival has grown immensely.