Well I'm not quite sure where to start with the updates. This summer was great. I adventured. And not just in the Summer. I adventured in the Winter, Spring and Autumn as well. I just realized that it almost feels weird to say Autumn. I want to say Fall. But what is Fall? No. It should be Autumn. I submit that we do away with calling Autumn any name other than Autumn.
I've crossed off lots of places on my list (see page titled "Places") and also added many more places as I've learned of them. I stared down an angry bull moose, fought a bear, and swam in the Colorado River. Well, actually that's two truths and a lie. The lie may be obvious, however the truths may surprise you. Another random fact: A rainbow in the dark isn't just a cool 80s rock song written and performed by Ronnie James Dio, but rather it is an actual occurrence, perhaps even a phenomenon. Truth. I type this as a witness to a real life rainbow in the dark. All it takes is a perfect combination of full moon positioning and a light rain shower. Believe it, my friends. This is not to be confused with a moon-bow, which is a ring around the moon at night caused by thin low cloud cover and/or fog.
I miss fog. Utah doesn't really get fog. One of the ideas behind this blog was the fact that I am a small town guy from the greatest place on Earth (Pacific Northwest) living in the land of desolation (Utah). With that in mind, I miss Oregon, a LOT. I did make it back to visit for a longer trip this summer than I had been able to in previous years. A week and a half. And it still wasn't long enough. But of course it never is. Oddly, rain, and of course fog, are a couple specific things that I really miss. It may sound strange to some. But it's true.
I've been listening to Elliott Smith tonight. With a recent find of the XO album at a local thrift store, I now have six(6) different full length albums and two different bootleg collections in my Elliott Smith iTunes playlist. It's on random at the moment. There is only one release left to get. The final posthumously released album titled "New Moon". It's been ten years (plus a couple weeks) since Elliott's passing, which the coroners report could not conclude was suicide. (Attention rock and roll conspiracy theorists). One of the bootleg collections I have includes some very good songs, though I haven't been able to track down any info on the collection itself, which is titled "thirteen+1". I found it at my favorite independent record store several years ago and paid about 12 bucks for it, if I remember correctly. I think I'll ask for the final album for Christmas this year.
Speaking of holidays, my neighbors have put up their Christmas lights. I still have 4 jack-o-lanterns on my front step that aren't mushy yet. Something is fundamentally wrong with that scenario. Perhaps that I haven't even mentioned the major holiday that occurs between the two I just referenced. Yes. I believe that Christmas lights, Christmas music and all related Christmas cheer should not be enjoyed prior to Thanksgiving Day. Ah, but here I am, a hypocrite. Not three days ago, I was driving with my girlfriend (details later) to see a movie, and while on the way we were discussing this very topic of premature Christmas music, which she believes is okay. After she told me one of her least favorite Christmas songs, I promptly began singing it with a clever smile. But then I stopped suddenly and shouted, "What Have You Done!?" To which she laughed quite a bit. Yes, I was enjoying Christmas music prematurely in absolute hypocrisy of my stated beliefs.
The movie we were on our way to see was Ender's Game. I was pleasantly satisfied with it. In fact I plan to see it again at a matinee showing, for two reasons: We had bad seats because we bought our tickets late and because it was just cool and I want to get more out of it. An interesting theme is **Spoiler Alert** how we act differently when we think something is just a game. Our morals go out the window, we just want to crush the opponent regardless of their intents, thoughts, feelings, etc. Also, I've realized that we have been trained to expect sequels of movies. At the end of any movie the first thing many people will say is something to the effect of, "Oh they left it open for another!" While being excited about a continuation of the story is fun, it also can be anticlimactic and cheats us from solid appreciation of the current film at hand. Personally, I'll be perfectly happy if there isn't a sequel to Ender's Game. It ended on a good note, leaving something for the imagination. Dear Hollywood, Do Not Deprive Us Of Our Imagination. Then again, I've been told that there is more books from which the film originated, in which case if they choose to make more movies, I'm okay with that too. But I'm not going to expect it.
Well I think perhaps this should come to an end soon as it is past my bedtime. When one works at 6am each weekday, it is in one's best interest to adhere to one's bedtime. Or at least try! The details on the aforementioned girlfriend will have to wait until another post. I will leave you with this advice: Go on an adventure. See Ender's Game. Ramble on.
