had my first week of classes.  it was thursday afternoon before i really understood what i’m supposed to be doing –which turns out to be much more to my liking.  i gave a 7 minute presentation to the grads and grad faculty on friday showing my work.  i raced through 8 pieces, and then everyone sat and listened to a 4 minute sound piece i made years ago.  it was awesome (the presentation…though the piece wasn’t too shabby either).

i’m no good at making friends outside of necessity (think about it…), so i’m still working that angle.  i met a few folks at the post-presentation happy hour who could be pretty cool i think, but i’m still kinda sizing everyone up and being anti-social.  however, 7 sierra nevadas in to the night, i think i held my own on conversation.  i do have a habit of being a little too academic while drinking ( “so…you’re more of a modernist then?  not a fan of post-modernism?  what role do you think the gallery plays in that?” *cricket cricket cricket*).

so yeah.  things are surprisingly good and natural here.  for those of you having a shit time…and i know there are several of you…here’s this.

go to the link on the left that says “king bobby” and watch the feist / kevin drew video.  it made me reevaluate the song, and feist as well.

“you know it’s time that we grow old and do some shit”

for fuck’s sake!  indeed sir, indeed!

i started school today (…err, yesterday).  it’s weird.  i dunno what the prof’s expectations are, but i’m sure i’ll figure it out one way or the other.  boo yah.  enjoy the times, yo.

yesterday was my “incoming graduate orientation”.  after a brief run-down of the program, i lugged old photo enlargers out to the dumpster, then hid in the bathroom for an hour.  after that, we had lunch at the student union (bizarre…won’t do that often) and drilled masonite boards.  fun.

today is august 21st, and the high temperature for the day is 81 fucking degrees!  tomorrow is 79.  i’m assuming this isn’t normal weather for up here, but it is awesome.  we decided to take nico to wilson park.  it’s a really nice shady park about a mile from our house.  good times.  got a photo.

got a few new records the other day.  the first, as mentioned before, was the dodo’s new one.  it’s really really good.  at least i love it.  it’s much more concise and more polished in terms of engineering and songwriting, and that’s a bit of a departure.  i like it anyway.

also got an old classic:  the zombies’ odessey and oracle (their spelling, not mine).  nick, if you’re reading, you have to get this one.  sooo good.  school starts on tuesday for me.  i am nervous as hell, but will survive.  salut!

new dodo’s record…i’m 1 minute 58 seconds in, and i fucking love it.  more to come, friends.