Sal Song is Dead

This is finished

2010-11-01T10:37:00.000-07:00

I am done here. the heart is dead. But then there was light!

Littletrout.tumblr.com

go there for some music and what not

What I bought.

2010-06-21T22:49:00.000-07:00

Just found this in an old cigar case I found while going through a chest of drawers Sal gave me a couple months before he past. I remember this chair.
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What I Bought.

What I bought was an old orange chair.
Inviting with the arms of a grandmother.
An anchor, really. A line taught to the floor.
Well, I sit there and I read. I put my feet up
on one of the family's old wooden dining chairs.
Inherited somehow.
Kind of like parting a pack, when you think about it.

The orange fabric is scuzzy with age though taught as a youth.
Its got a hugging type of feel to it. Sitting there it pokes you.
Gently while wispering funny stories at your sides.
The back rest is concave. Most likely from too much elderly usage.
A borrowed pillow returns the plush vibes it once gave off.

What I bought was relaxing comfort.
Both physycally and mentally.
A chair to call my own in a world i'm revisiting.
We'll get to know each other over the coming years.
Until the dust becomes too unbearable
Or your springs become too brittle and break
But I see none of that happening anytime soon.

Lexington, KY 1991
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The Means

2010-01-24T14:32:00.001-08:00

Sal sent me a little piece of paper a few years ago. He told me it was something that fell out of an old hat box, which he was taking to the trash. As an apologizing for not actually sending me the hat, Sal sent along lengthy essay about some wandering neighborhood cat. I guess that was when i really realized he was starting to go. This little poem was found at the bottom of the envelope.
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The Means

I'll catch up with the rest of them.
Run out of this fog wearing the best matched clothes of them all.
I'll meet them at the finish line.
But after it's over I'll be able to take that shit off, returning free.

Fort Worth, TX 2/14/1990
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Chanbara

2010-01-12T14:26:00.000-08:00

I think if Sal were still alive and kicking I'd have shown him this video. I remember him asking me if I were into Myles Davis and some other jazz artists. My taste for jazz unfortunately came a bit later as well as my taste for the music of At the Drive-in. I'm sure, though, that Sal and I could have reconciled the differences between the two artists and he could have really liked this band. This one's for you, Sal.

Back to school!

2010-01-06T10:53:00.000-08:00

Finally a last push towards the end of the semester. Papers and projects. Most of the students have been showing up to class completely unaware that there was actually homework during the break. This made for a real awakening once class started last Monday.

Here's a poem from from the mid seventies. I think it tells a good waking up story. Makes me feel all rosy inside.

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Looking around the room. I've awakened in a foreign bed.
Not so bad as there is someone here with me.
Soft scratching sounds as my hair rustles against the pillow.
Warm orange light coming in through the wall of curtain covered glass.
Its fresh. She must have opened the window.
I wonder what I'll eat for breakfast. Last time it was pasta.
Today warm bread and jam. Espresso on the side.
I have not a care in the world.

Gretna, NE 7/16/1976
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Forever New Year

2010-01-03T12:31:00.001-08:00

I made it back from Budapest last night. It felt as if yesterday was split into two days. The first part was spent traveling (16+ hours by bus and train from Budapest to Jena by way of Bratislava, Prague, and Dresden). The second part punctuated by the ever human quest for nourishment (a trip to subway followed by a very mouthwatering supermarket visit). Now, however, I am waiting for sleepiness to take over as I watch 'State of Play' and anticipate the new day tomorrow. Classes begin again for me at 2pm. A relaxing reintroduction into curricular matters is slowly taking over.

Christmas was another amazing adventure altogether. I had no expextations except to eat, and eat we did. I was met at the Roman airport by my good friend Giulia, who was kind enough to let me stay with her and her family. From the 23rd to the 28th of December mastication was the main activity. Though on repeat occations the Itallian family with whom I was staying made it implicitly clear that the amount of eating going on during the holidays is not normal and by no means should be a measure of the typical Italian's lust for food. If I were to come back any other time, they promised, I would see a very typical culture of food. During these five days my mouth was literally overrun by all things edible. On the 24th the meal consisted of five rounds of fish. The meat came the next day. It was on the 26th when i thought to myself, "I could never live here. Its an Italian restaurant with no end." That is by no means a negative. But growing up with the American food culture i have become very used to trading off food nationalities as my desire sees fit. By the 28th it was time to say goodbye to Rome for a while.

I caught my plane back to Berlin where I hopped on a train to Dresden. In Dresden I was layed over until about 3am on the 29th when my Hungarian bus arrived to take me away to Budapest.

For the four days I had some company. I would be spending alot of my time with two very pleasant Brazilian exchange students, Bernardo and Gabriel. I've known Gabriel since the beginning of the winter semester so it would prove no problem to pal around with them and see what trouble we could get into. Where in Rome I just ate in Budapest I just danced. I was able to bring in the new year by dancing for seven hours straight. It was at dawn we finally made our way back to the Hostel. The new year should prove to be a good one. I'm very glad to meet you 2010. Double digets is cause for double trouble? sure.

I Found a poem in Sal's box written while bringing in the year 1982. It must have been a somber and reflective time for him. It's not so much a sad poem as it is contemplative one. Enjoy...
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Forever New Year -

In a forever new year I trace dark wrinkles between thumbs and index fingers.
... I walk and remember those connections like tendons severed for lack of interest.
... I gaze around rooms and contemplate the cracks and lives of dust bunnies.
... I make a reference, though whispered, in homage to all things humanly created.
In a forever new year I wait for the sun to rise and watch as this space gains a soul.

Cody, WY 1/1/1982
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The Snap

2009-12-22T12:12:00.000-08:00

Before I hit the road tomorrow to Rome I thought I'd share another poem from Sal's earlier days. It's one of my favorites.
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The Snap-

Took a break to snap the fingers a few times.
You see, I've been working up a technique, here.
Never been really good at the snap in general.
Giving more chances than I should seems to be my nature.
In this spirit I gave it a few more tries.
A snap, a quick little kick of a couple appendages.
The middle finger and the thumb.
Though this may be disputed, it's what I've shined to.
I'm sure there's some wildly deep meaning for these two fingers,
But who's the time to get into that debate.
The problem I run into when snapping
Is my fingers haven't grown out of their soft macaroni phase.
This lends to my utter inability to grasp any finger-centric
Operations that cross my path.
Just send the task on down the line.
It's going to be the way of this 'snapping gesture' as well.
Damn lousy fingers...

Bismark, 6/13/1970
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The box keeps giving.

2009-12-20T10:13:00.000-08:00

A another lost poem by my good friend, Mr. Song. May he rest in peace.
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Insect Love -

The man jumped in order to punctuate his thought.
He jumped up straight with purpose and fluidity.
The jump was nothing special, though.
To be honest I almost missed the thing.
Tragedy struck on the return landing.
The poor man landed and ended a black ants life.
To be clear I love a good bug squashing.
But I had my eye on that ant.
Had my eye while the man was ranting and sputtering.
It held my gaze as my mind began to wander.
What are you ant? How do you think?
For a moment I was in love.
I contemplated my life with the ant.
A six hour ant foot massage.
I became restless and my eyes watered.

Thud

The ant was a wreck.
It's bunda continued to squirm around.
Trying to separate from the crushed head.
I Held my breath as long as I could.
My ears popped with pressure.
How long is too long?

"Sal!"

I coughed out and inhaled.
Looked up and panted.

"You know you killed an ant?" I asked.

"Hmm?" the man didn't understand.

"That ant there." I came back clearly.

"Lets get some food." he muttered with a shrug.

I ate twice my weight in french fries for my lost companion.
Because what is there to do after realizing your love has no boundary.

New Jersey, 12/20/1985
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I think I'm in love.

2009-12-20T07:44:00.000-08:00

I think I'm in love with with a Bolivian climate negotiator but I just don't know how to tell her. I feel it would be advantageous to take a trip to her country, say hello and just see what happens. Life.

Incredible

2009-12-19T09:37:00.001-08:00

A Present Day Family Hux

2009-12-18T12:33:00.000-08:00

Last day of classes before the Christmas break. Next Wednesday I will be on my way to Rome til the 28th. I am really excited to spend the holidays Italian style. This will provide many opportunities for me to make an ass of myself, Tony style.

And for your enjoyment here's another poem from the shoebox of the late Sal Song:
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A Present Day Family Hux

Pockets need a datebook like a bomb needs a fuse.
Keeping them dates like it's the mid-eighties and your Claire Huxtable.
Swinging your hips while your way-too-cool-to-look-cool husband rants about jello near the couch.
Disorganization is the cesspool of the gods and playground of the devils.
Please be sure to remember to jot down names AND numbers.
Because who knows what may come up later?

Idaho, 4/17/78
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Debate Class

2009-12-17T15:37:00.000-08:00

I took some major time off to contemplate the death of Sal. You see he's been morphing into something really different since he'd past. For a moment there i didn't even think he was truly dead. I stumbled upon a shoe box with some of his poetry inside. I'm sure he wouldn't mind me putting it up on the nets...

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Debate Class

Eating an ice cream cone from the bottom up - AKA 'stuffed-crust style' -
is equal to the writing of a word made up of consonants but only using vowels.
Turning pages only because there may be a chance of a paper cut
is equal to rolling on the ground. period. because who rolls on the ground?
Petting animals from ass to head just to give them a different feeling
is equal to making movie posters to books you have never read.
Debating the moral worth of soft drinks in terms of their fattening qualities
is equal to believing in the premise of 'Pay It Forward'.

Ontario 7/19/1980
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Damn, I really miss that guy.

Picture = Damien Frost "Me and Jill Stowell reflect on our lives while smoking crack in a cheap motel room somewhere in South Western Australia"

It's about damn time

2009-11-17T13:53:00.001-08:00

This planet has just waited to damn long for this.

christmas time

2009-11-14T08:09:00.000-08:00

Do They Know It's Christmas? from Scott Aukerman on Vimeo.

Motherfucking deer bit me in the neck!

2009-11-07T07:44:00.001-08:00

Joe v. the Deer 911 Call sound bite 911 Calls sound bites

Butterfly 911 Emergency Call sound bite 911 Calls sound bites

Never Gonna Catch Me sound bite 911 Calls sound bites

Twins: the metaphor for how it really is.

2009-11-06T06:36:00.000-08:00

I was sitting towards the back of the bus this morning. It made a stop at Gustav Fischer Str and two twin boys about 4 years old take the seats on either side of their mother. I spent about five minutes just staring at them while bobbing my head to the music coming in through my headphones. Three minutes in one of the twins is staring back at me imitating my head movement. Our eyes meet. It was strange. I knew he had no idea what he was doing or imitating. Quickly I looked away, as would I have done with a peer after being caught staring. It was then that I realized what these two small kids were, to me anyway.

In my twisted thoughts they started me thinking about some long and linked chain. A chain of people. A chain of organisms. These two small boys linked by their mother to everything and everyone around them. My eyes and thoughts started to wander around the bus mingling with the other passengers. I was recognizing connections all over the place. the mothers body language to the kids and the kids' to the older couple sitting adjacent. There was also this seemingly disgruntled woman of about 27 who looked like she wanted nothing to do with these kids. It could have been their hygiene as I could definitely smell some kid stink being wafted about.

It was at that moment that everyone turned into a tribe of monkeys or apes. all their sideways glances and shifting about to get to the most opportune spot without having to interact or create conflict with the others. It was animal behavior. I was at peace. We are no better and we are no worse than those friends we keep in the wilderness, our bestial counterparts.

I would whistle in octaves

2009-11-05T05:52:00.000-08:00

I'm gonna find you, love.

2009-11-04T08:20:00.001-08:00

Fugazi - Repeater

2009-11-03T14:21:00.000-08:00

This song is too damn good.

Primer

2009-11-03T14:01:00.000-08:00

I just finished watching this film. It was made on a 7,000 dollar budget and is just over an hour long. Just long enough to really twist your brain in a knot.

The holloween costume of my dreams

2009-10-31T05:37:00.000-07:00

The man's got moves...

Best carved pumpkin yet -

2009-10-28T02:12:00.001-07:00

I could only wish to have those skills. It's actually been a long long long time (too long in fact) since my last pumpkin carving adventure. I need to change that.

JEFF the brotherhood

2009-10-27T01:54:00.001-07:00

Lovin' it

2009-10-26T12:58:00.001-07:00

A failed attempt at a long distance kiss on the cheek.

This is just inspiring, in some circles anyway

2009-10-25T13:31:00.000-07:00

Palestinians claiming to have created the worlds largest dress. If I were there I'd take a a load of people, have them hoist the dress up like a flag at the Olympics and run that thing through the streets for years. It's like Cinderella's new glass slipper.

Last Night's Dream

2009-10-24T15:16:00.001-07:00

A short picture from my whacked-out dream in Japan last night. I had no idea where I was, why I was there, or how I got there. Probably one of the best dreams of adventure I've ever had.

Even the big faces frown sometimes.

2009-10-24T14:28:00.000-07:00

It was really reassuring to read this article by Michael Ian Black. Of course it's the story of how stars of entertainment get down though they are obviously recognizable staples in many peoples' lives. It did, though, touch on some strong universals of (American) human life that I sometimes feel myself dealing with; especially while being semi-estranged from my comfortable country of origin. It was a sort of internet therapy. This one's for you Mr. Black.

Philly

2009-10-24T03:08:00.000-07:00

This is just too good. especially after Thursday nights episode of It's Always Sunny.

Phillies Fan Fail
von failblog

First Man in Space

2009-10-23T16:12:00.001-07:00

Watch Joe Kittinger in How to Videos | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

... and he still looks like he would do it again.

CSI is the new statue of liberty

2009-10-23T07:59:00.001-07:00

My Beacon.

Studying German to keep on top of my "game." Iwould not like to say game so much, being an off-and-on sport hater. OK. 'Studying German to keep on top of my "horse."' Revisiting The Band.

2009-09-04T22:43:00.001-07:00

Twin Peaks parody by Saturday Night Live (1990)
by Malmignatte

Me and myself dating in Jena

2009-08-13T03:12:00.001-07:00

Went out on a little excursion with myself in Jena. Brought protection to take care of my feminine side.

No problem, I fixed the photo for you guys. You can thank me later.

2009-08-09T02:32:00.000-07:00

This is a true-to-life representation of my influence on this band. Almost reminds me of practice.

Ok. Now I'm finished being self-indulgent.

Crazy message, crazy scary message.

2009-07-30T02:21:00.000-07:00

Car Font

2009-07-28T10:14:00.000-07:00

iQ font - When driving becomes writing / Full making of from wireless on Vimeo.

I thought this idea was amazing. Well, it is a pretty great idea. The second thought I had came about the time I realized that it was carried out thanks to Toyota. I have nothing against Toyota (actually probably some), just wouldn't want their name all over my sweet font.

This one's for the graphic designers in my life.

Great crazy cartoon

2009-07-28T01:05:00.000-07:00

BIRDY NAM NAM - THE PARACHUTE ENDING from Steve Scott on Vimeo.

This blew my mind. I have to admit that it was the first thing I saw after I awoke. The first thing after I wake up always seems really super intense.

Everything is so lazy and relaxed nowadays. Might head out to a great new park i found yesterday and hang for a few hours.

2009-07-20T12:46:00.000-07:00

So Much

2009-07-06T12:36:00.000-07:00

So much has been passing along. I'm really not quite sure what to make of it all. I think what I'm trying to say here is that I'm sorry I haven't been keep this thing regularly updated. Will get right on it.

As for the previously mentioned passing occurrences, I'm sure they're just typical poofs of thought, which I have probably been dwelling on too long as of late. Been feeling super existential recently. Always a good way to be.

So Badass

2009-06-24T23:02:00.001-07:00

Daryl Hannah, scientist arrested at W.Va. protest

Mulder

2009-06-22T11:58:00.001-07:00

nice card mulder.

This one's for you.

Culture is el número uno

2009-06-20T03:17:00.000-07:00

For Real.

Y'all be missed

2009-06-18T09:51:00.000-07:00

Man I miss you all.

TLUG

2009-06-16T09:02:00.001-07:00

Dearest TLUG,

It took so long for me to find you today, TLUG! I just wanted to ask the experts you hold within some questions. You seemed to keep running away. Göschwitzer Strasse 41 please be kind. I don't bite, I promise. You have all the knowledge and I just wanted a taste. Maybe next time you won't run so fast.

Your friend,
Sal

See I, with a few other students, have to prepare for a presentation over environmental protection measures here in Germany. One assignment is to seek out and converse with an expert in the field. Its just so damn hard to get a hold of one. And then there's the whole building running away thing too.

St. Michael's Church

2009-06-15T15:14:00.001-07:00

Friday I went out for a little stroll around town. You know, what else was there to do than get out into the open air. I was letting my whims take me wherever they would lead. Every now and then this giant church caught my eye. It makes me think about all it has gone through and what it still holds inside. I have visited it before but only spent a minimal amount of time there. See, I was trying to dadge the uncomfortable 'I-don't-want-to-have-to-make-a-donation-to-your-church' feeling. But Friday was different, in that I kinda of did want to make a donation to that church and check out what it had to really offer. I wanted to get my full 2 euros worth.

The large dark entrance doors were very open, as they always are for some reason. I thought, "Why not?" So I go in with the intent to snoop around the catacombs a little more than I had last time I was there. There I discovered a semi-hidden room i was too frightened to look into. And when I entered it this time was a little more stunned at the contents. Three large sarcophagi and a small baby-sized one. All were adorned with old baroque-style, over-the-top elegance.

After my trip under the church, there was a woman who allowed me to go up to the top of the locked bell tower. That was a total surprise to me. She pretty much walked up to me with an odd glimmer in her eye and stuffed me up the tower for 1.50 euro. Whatevs. So i go up the endless stair and pause at all the landings to investigate. If i were to work at this church it would take me a hell of a long time to feel comfortable with all the kooky creepiness they have stowed away there. For god's sake man. But finally at the top it was all worth it. To be able to look over the city center from the bell tower that I see looming over it from the street everyday was pretty great.

Thanks unknown church lady for letting me check out the churchy things you have there. Thank you St. Micheal's church for being crazy old and making me feel overly adventurous.

This one's for you, bros.

Berlin the second

2009-06-15T11:47:00.000-07:00

This was a really great time. Most of the weekend was spent riding some form of public transit, as you can plainly see. Thanks Kate for the great weekend. Thanks Jon for the great weekend. Thanks Berlin for opening yourself up to me once again. Keep on and stuff.

Tom Hanks

2009-06-15T10:41:00.001-07:00

Tom Hanks has been seriously media savvy as of late. I laughed my ass off while he was playing a hysterical version of himself on SNL's Celebrity Jeopardy.

This one's for you, bro.

MIND

2009-06-12T03:48:00.000-07:00

The map of coming characters. A flowchart of sorts.

Got it worked out now.

2009-06-10T12:15:00.000-07:00

I have been silently brainstorming some ideas for a zine I want to put out. Well not really a zine but a rather a random pamphlet of thoughts and creations of mine. The collective art thing kinda has been put on hold for a while. That was a great idea as well and I will be definitely going back to that in the future.

This thing, though, is going to be a view of Sal Song, the person of many lives. A sketch. You'll be seeing him in many different rolls through very very short conversations with random people. There will be conversations with you fans of the Sal Song who has toured for decades. Convos with the Sal Song who disposes of dead gangsters. Talks with the Sal Song who dies on his death bed. its endless right? Right.

desert

2009-06-08T14:58:00.001-07:00

On the boarder between Saudi Arabia and Oman. From Google Earth.

Home

2009-06-04T14:34:00.000-07:00

Blows your mind a bit. I was researching renewable energies in Europe for a class presentation and ran across this little gem.

John Berkey

2009-05-30T16:32:00.000-07:00

John Berkey.

Berlin and Her Wonderful People

2009-05-30T02:01:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the good times my dear friends.

Nightsky

2009-05-24T14:37:00.001-07:00

Galactic Center of Milky Way Rises over Texas Star Party from William Castleman on Vimeo.

Lights

2009-05-21T06:47:00.000-07:00

The soccer stadium has a pretty epic lighting system. Straight outta the GDR.

Surprises

2009-05-20T08:39:00.001-07:00

This morning I was pouring out a bowl of cereal when a LIGHTSABER WHISTLE fell into the bowl. Eat it Dave. I'll let you play with it when I get back. Trust me its worth the wait.

I have started to attempt to learn Japanese. This is only one of the three alphabets that one needs to learn. Hopefully by the time I'm 55 I will be able to speak it. The actually alphabet table in the photo was made and given to me by a Japanese woman who I am helping learn English.

Lazy Sunday

2009-05-17T10:28:00.001-07:00

Went to the river to read a bit. While I was there I met a moth whose wings had seen a bit too much action. It just fluttered on up and landed on my book. A few minutes later it decided to fly away. I read it a few sentence. Then there was a rustling in the woods to my left. I looked over and saw a dog flying into the river. The owner had run up to the bank while holding the small dog and chucked the thing right in and ran off. Im going to try that when i get back.

Spacetime means funtime

2009-05-17T05:39:00.000-07:00

Source

The Space shuttle and its docking with the Hubble space telescope.

Wow. The photo was taken with a shutter speed of 1/8000th's of a second.

Options

2009-05-17T02:07:00.000-07:00

I bought these chicken flavored instant noodles at the small asian goods store in the mall. When I payed for them I thought they were going to just be the noodles and the flavor packet. You know, just your typical Ramen. But nay. This pack came fully loaded. Bells and whistles. You got your noodles. Check. You got your flavor pack. Check. Whoa, whats that? Yep. That's the red chili pouch for when you want things to get a little interesting.

So I sat there and looked at all the options I had just uncovered. Well not too many actually, but more than I was used to when it comes to Ramen noodles. I then start to crush the pack of noodles. I don't really care for the long noodles dangling from my fork. Crushing them is the best solution. I make my way to the kitchen and pour them out into the bowl. Suprise.... Flavored oil (unfortunately not pictured). That's right! One final option pops out of the bag. These YumYum noodles are the Thai equivalent of Cracker jacks. And after finishing the meal I have to say they were the best instant noodles I have tasted.

A+

PARTY time

2009-05-16T02:10:00.000-07:00

pizza pizza pizza. man I miss pizza. I could totally go for a thick supreme right now.

fireworks

2009-05-15T00:13:00.001-07:00

Bread

2009-05-13T11:22:00.000-07:00

So I have been eating so much bread over the course of my satay here. It has become my staple food. Not a bad thing by any means. I just find it interesting to eat so much bread. Thought I'd be eating more pasta. Nope, more bread. Little baguette thingies. Pastries in the morning. Cheap wheat loaf bread. Pigeon food. The list goes on...

Ive also begun scouring the city for the cities best bread in various categories keep tallied in my head. The categories range from the best damn tasting bread to the cheapest. I'm hoping to find a happy medium be tween the two in order to declare my bread of choice. Winner will be posted later.

some new vids from GER.

2009-05-13T01:19:00.000-07:00

living on the trail

2009-05-09T01:55:00.001-07:00

footballers showing off at the mall

2009-05-05T13:22:00.000-07:00

I guess it was early in the morning but... no wait it was practically noon and the mall seemed a bit busy. I was there for the supermarket. I had to pick up some sour cream (for the baked potatoes i have yet to actually make), a tomato and some cheese. These soccer players were all over the place. I wonder if they actually mean anything to anybody. I suppose they do... there is a fellow American in a few of my language classes who has taken to wearing the Jena soccer club jersey every game day. Probably just has to support his team. I can't blame him though. I myself have a German soccer jersey back in America waiting til the 2010 world cup. Its probably going to stay there until then.

2009-04-30T10:47:00.000-07:00

Rainy day doodle

2009-04-29T11:20:00.001-07:00

Grails & Silver Apples | NYC @ Knitting Factory | Nov 22 2008 | Silk Road from UN:ART:IG on Vimeo.

Effing amazing guitar wolf video

2009-04-29T10:25:00.001-07:00

Goodbye forever super lady

2009-04-26T02:27:00.000-07:00

I always knew you were cool.

Martin's Geburtstag!

2009-04-26T01:54:00.000-07:00

Some more thinks i thought of

2009-04-21T13:46:00.000-07:00

Take it apart dot net

2009-04-21T13:07:00.000-07:00

http://www.takeitapart.net/

All your how to video needs in regards to taking electronics apart.

ALSO: http://www.toddholoubek.com/

This guy was on Mtv's The State. and is now a sweet NYC art teacher. has some crazy ideas. iDig.

Some vids

2009-04-18T15:06:00.000-07:00

Some birds I witnessed while I was out and about today on a walk.

Cars followed strictly by people followed strictly by cars. Strange.

oH hELL nO

2009-04-15T03:44:00.000-07:00

So I thought i was over being all anxious about the place I am living. I mean last night I gave it up and drank beer and played poker with my roommates (though only till midnight, as it seems poker and gambling isn't our strong suit). I know know better sign of becoming accustomed to the place you are than gambling. I mean it. Luckily I won the game.

But today I awake with the feeling that, damn... all is lost. but i also have the unbelievably powerful optimism that comes with being me. So I say to my early morning pessimism, "Nay! Awkward beast, go back to your cave and hide." See- the thing is i had hopes of taking these amazing classes while I was here. I had hoped to take a class on the United Nations, and the government of Germany. But as it turns out taking a university-level course in politics is no easy task to begin with. Then I have to add the fact that it is in a different language compounded by the reality that the professors giving these lectures don't really care how much you understand. They merely want to stand and talk (extremely fast) for an hour and forty-five minutes. So I'm going to have to put those classes on hold till next semester.

This semester I am going to spend becoming extremely good at speaking German, in the hopes that someday next fall i can actually take a class taught primarily for native Germans.

And by the way...

fucking owns

I'll be baking banana bread later.

SEAZ TURTZ

2009-04-13T13:32:00.000-07:00

Al gore says::: Germinea

2009-04-13T06:50:00.000-07:00

Al is greatly ecstatic about the way the country is being run, here

Germany and probably Europe in general smell way different than the places i come from. Sadly, i have become accustomed to the smell. it was disturbin at first. it was an unrestrained sweetness, and eerie lightness i could never find the source of. the stuff was probably seeping out of the ground or something.

Also: to much cobblestone. For the first week here i constantly had to deal with foot pains. I'm over it know. my feet have come to under stand that if they want to be my feet they have to grow some balls and start being man feet. I am now three men - no feet.

I cant bring myself to shave. not quite sure what it is. I do have a hunch, though. The first day here i brought my shaver and the power adapter into the shower room, but was unable to actually put it into the wall and power the thing up. It was probably due to the cleanliness of the place. I didnt want my hair getting all over the place and having to spend the time cleaning it up. But ive come to like it know. might let it grow till i leave in August. who knows?

I found a great skatepark i have been inching in on. will report back later

2009-01-29T11:15:00.000-08:00

I cant wait to be a member of a type-one civilization.

2009-01-28T15:20:00.000-08:00

doood. wtf.

ASTRONOMY POST

2009-01-25T13:02:00.000-08:00

these are amazing looking illustrations of johannes kepler's solar system. at the time there were only six planets (during the 1590's). kepler thought one could describe relationship and distance between these planets in terms of five 'platonic' solids, which were then enclosed within a sphere, represtnting saturn's orbit. kepler's book was called "mysterium cosmographicum" or the cosmographic mystery.

ASTRO_STACHE alert!

the great comet of 1577 (c/1577 v1): europe saw the light and it was good. they all asked each other, "what what what? planets aren't the only thing out there?"

2009-01-25T12:58:00.000-08:00

NEVER FORGET

2009-01-23T12:47:00.000-08:00

played skate 2 for the first time last night. though I am completely new to the game(s) and only played skate 1 a few times, it sounds like a big deal. i spent about 3 or 4 hours playing it with isaac, megan, and nick. quite great. love is good. it awesome skating as an overweight woman, no matter what anyone says.

2009-01-22T07:20:00.000-08:00

This is totally someone riding a chocobo in final fantasy. i love you all the fantasy artists of the world. who knew? who knew? who knew it wouldn't be until 2009 and the inauguration of a wizard for president til you all were taken seriously.

~~sal

2009-01-21T19:21:00.000-08:00

but then again i can always dive into a phatty nasty beard, right?

for real don carlos? really? i kind of want to be up in that hair.

Effing rulzzz

2008-11-19T08:43:00.000-08:00

I love this shit

... and the information about me becomes even more useless

2008-11-16T22:43:00.001-08:00

I remember selling my soul for a carton of milk while attending private school.

The scar of a gash set into my left shin still gives me a wincing pain feeling more than 7 years later

With every paper I write I still have the habit to work procrastination into my schedule

I suppose i have always wanted to enjoy a seedy addiction to altoids, but the mint never got its hook set in me

Never will i understand the intricacies of 'bridge' or 'five card stud'

I will conquer my fear of nuance

"You will not kill me 'pe diem'"

All too often I catch myself cutting my nails too short

I love to pour old, skunked beer down bathroom sinks

Continuity?

2008-11-16T16:06:00.000-08:00

plus

equals continuity?

I'm getting the feeling I love to crave. Its that desire to push forward in academic works. Currently: writing a research paper for middle eastern politics. The focus is on the comparison and differences between the late Yasir Arafat and the New Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas. The focus is a bit vague but i might be able to hone it in a little bit. Nevertheless, I am extremely excited to put my words on the the page and see what really comes together.

2008-11-16T09:21:00.000-08:00

with:

When will the segregation end

Environ #4

2008-08-29T11:52:00.000-07:00

Environ #3

2008-08-29T11:21:00.001-07:00

Environs #1 and 2

2008-08-17T17:10:00.000-07:00

upon further consideration

2008-08-16T11:54:00.000-07:00

upon further consideration i will allow this to flourish yet again. though this begs the assumption that it once flourished. i make one demand, however. capitalization, proper punctuation and perfect spelling is out. on the street. asking strangers for dollars.

now we can have a fun-filled relationship with one another. input-output.

it will be great fun.

2008-06-30T14:39:00.000-07:00

minor point of non-interest # 314

I used to live and die by this movie from age 12-13. I feel it will continue to hold the same position within my heart fro years.

new project: sound scapes. i hope to get a podcast going of different sound environments and back stories. it should be up in a few weeks, well as soon as i figure out how to host an RSS feed on a website for extremely cheap. Im not sure what i hope to accomplish with this. perhaps it will make my life more accesible to other people. it will probably end up being a boring 5 to 10 minute span of time noone will get back. i aim to avoid that though. i will keep you posted.

loose that tie and dawn the cape. lets all do away with something completely unnecessary and substitute it for something even more unnecessary. lets take pop, or soda, for example. quite unnecessary if you ask me. replace it with bottled iced tea and you have done away with something that was not needed and replaced it with its equivalent. I'm not sure where i was going with this last paragraph. better to quite while you're somewhat ahead.

~~sal

2008-06-19T13:08:00.000-07:00

the democratic republic of the congo

two rubik's cubes

I have about 30 more of these to do. they're my rendition of guilt free tagging. spray paint and burlap. i have some more ideas to put down in stencil form. i will post them as they come.

love and air
sal

uraca majora

2008-06-06T08:22:00.000-07:00

my apologies to the few who are entertained by my ramblings, however few and far between. i well post some sweet shit in a few days, but i have to do something first. i cant tell you what it is or it will ruin the surprise.

~~~sal

2008-05-18T15:24:00.000-07:00

So in order to continue [peeking my head from the toils of school semesters, I should announce that the leaves in front of my house are busy making baby cells and growing. I predict that they will become larger than the last two years combined. Yes, the leaves on my trees will grow so huge that the only time they see 90210 is when they step on the scale.

Well, vermilion is my playground this summer and it has begun. I played very well last night as well as this morning. I feel like I am reverting back to my childhood mind. The mischievous one. Smashing cellphones with cinder blocks and burning lilacs and balloons. playing with snakes and skateboarding. road trips around town in hot, beautifully sticky cars and breakfast at noon. cigarettes on stoops with friends who, much like myself, have nothing to do but create something to do.

I got the photos I took with my instamatic camera back the other day. I was super stoked to get them back and super bummed when I did. the photos were in terrible quality and the workmanship of the lab was definitely not worth my money. I am just going to do them myself from now on. the photos on the other hand turned out alright. i have to brush-up on my distances as there is no in-lens focusing tool. It also loves the color red and chooses to make the picture red whenever it feels like it.

This past week i finally made it back to the national music museum. Its amazing I'm not there more than once a year considering its free for students and is no more than a few minute walk from my house. I love the Asia/Africa exhibit. you could/should fill a whole floor with the music from these two distinct and musically rich areas. Instead, they opted to squish then together. Still very beautiful though. I bought this postcard of the room for 50 cents. I love these gamelan instruments. I believe they are one of only two complete sets in the nation. I had the chance to play them a few semesters back and it was inspiring. Viva Indonesia.

new experiments

2008-05-15T18:22:00.001-07:00

"Found" this under the bridge today. I have been experimenting with wheatpasting as of yesterday. I couldn't wait to start putting something down on to random objects. Below, the first one is on a big piece of steel. the second is on a cinder block. the third is also on a big piece of steel. so much awesome fun. Shitty quality pictures due to my shitty phone.

New times in the same town

2008-05-09T06:50:00.000-07:00

I finished my last final yesterday and mowed my lawn to get that amazing summertime feeling back in my mind. I slept for a well deserved 13 hours last night and now all I want is some McDonald's Breakfast!!!!!!!! *&^$^$^%#&

(*&^(*&%9
*&(% Yessssssssss

To Do...

2008-05-06T12:53:00.000-07:00

- ride my bicycle everywhere
- layer the streets with beautiful spray paint
- have a blast
- acquire a beach towel
- swim in the river at least once a week
- dance in the summer rain in underwear
- find enough change to buy one PBR 24oz can per day
- read when not doing items mentioned above
- make lots of art
- practice my german skills
- find more food (flies, spiders, gnats) for my pet spider, Cherry Nut. this spider knows how to eat.
- climb to the roof of as many buildings in Vermilion as possible.
- live cheaply and freely
___________________________________
___________________________________

Richard Selesnick and Nicholas Kahn

The photos these two create are ridiculously imaginative and on a ridiculous scale. They can go from earth to space and back to earth and the viewer doesn't even have to blink. I was turned on to these guys thanks to Dave who was telling me about Henry Darger.

This guy has the most depressing and awe inspiring back story ever. A custodian that no one ever really knew in the early part of the 20th century. lived in an extremely small space. wrote over 15,000 pages of imaginative story, which made him posthumously famous. drew these watercolor images to go along with the story (about seven sisters, the Vivian girls).

2008-05-02T14:43:00.000-07:00

Summer is for lovers

2008-05-02T14:26:00.000-07:00

I am totally getting myself hyped right now on this summer's tours. I want to make this country bleed piss and love me at the same time. I want to draw on the statue of liberty and hang with my hobobros. Colt 45 R'US. I love you and miss you so much already Minneapolis. We sure had a great time, didn't we. When ever I go to the cities it is a completely different experience. All of them great, of course. Its strange and very much a beating heart in the middle of the plains. I don't think I could ever live there, though. I love residing in a town where I can be in the middle of nowhere cornfield lane in no more than 3 minutes.

Next language to tackle = Afrikaans. If I know German I can easily handle Afrikaans, they're practically the same language.

Hours of wakefulness - 28.

Sleep is weap(k)

2008-05-02T06:25:00.000-07:00

Im currently at the 'cool stage' of being awake for way too long. its that time, when you do not go to sleep the previous night, that you feel totally laid back and suave as hell. I could totally be on the fresh prince right now, but only if the fresh prince were comparable to 007 in badassness and MC Hammer in being 'too legit to quit.' yes that would perfectly sum up my attitude right now. but what did i get out of it? i wrote the most enthralling 10 page paper on German poetry in the early Age of Enlightenment. Core to the hard all the way to the max.

For some reason I need to post some pictures of both dragonflies and kids birthday parties. its summer you know...

oh fuck yeah, im totally tearing it up top-side morning style with DAVID LEFT. dudes sew kewl.