Wish You Were Here.

So it goes: Some memorable quotes from Kurt Vonnegut

2012-02-09T13:51:00.000-08:00

I recently picked up my copy of Slaughterhouse-Five after finding it buried amongst the stacked novels in the corner of my room. I have not read Kurt Vonnegut in a year or two and not touched Slaughterhouse-Five in over five years. I figured it was about time to read the master again. I almost forgot how wonderful Vonnegut's writing really is. Even though he passed away from this earth, we are reminded that the most important thing we can learn from Tralfamadore is, "when a person dies he only appears to die. He is still very much alive in the past, so it is very silly for people to cry at his funeral. All moments, past, present and future, always have existed, always will exist. The Tralfamadorians can look at all the different moments just that way we can look at a stretch of the Rocky Mountains, for instance. They can see how permanent all the moments are, and they can look at any moment that interests them. It is just an illusion we have here on Earth that one moment follows another one, like beads on a string, and that once a moment is gone it is gone forever."

Although a person's influence cannot be measured simply by quotations, I listed below several of my favorites. Enjoy.

"We went to the New York World's Fair, saw what the past had been like, according to the Ford Motor Car Company and Walt Disney, saw what the future would be like, according to General Motors" from Slaughterhouse-Five.
--> This quote strikes me because of my particular obsession with the theming (and "disneyfication") of space. I write my entire MA thesis about it actually. Hah.

"There is love enough in this world for everybody, if people will just look." from Cat's Cradle

" ...Sometimes I wonder if he wasn't born dead. I never met a man who was less interested in the living. Sometimes I think that's the trouble with the world: too many people in high places who are stone-cold dead." from Cat's Cradle

"'Maturity,' Bokonon tells us, 'is a bitter disappointment for which no remedy exists, unless laughter can be said to remedy anything.'" from Cat's Cradle

"Listen:
The waitress brought me another drink. She wanted to light my hurricane lamp again. I wouldn't let her. 'Can you see anything in the dark, with your sunglasses on?' she asked me.
'The big show is inside my head,' I said" from Breakfast of Champions

"You are pooped and demoralized. Why wouldn't you be? Of course it is exhausting, having to reason all the time in a universe which wasn't meant to be reasonable." from Breakfast of Champions

"History is merely a list of surprises. ... It can only prepare us to be surprised yet again. Please write that down." from Slapstick

"That, in my opinion, was the most diabolical aspect of those old-time brains: They would tell their owners, in effect, 'Here's a crazy thing we could actually do, probably, but would never do it, of course. It's just fun to think about.' And then, as though in trances, the people would really do it — have slaves fight each other to death in the Colosseum, or burn people alive in the public square for holding opinions which were locally unpopular, or build factories whose only purpose was to kill people in industrial quantities, or to blow up whole cities, and on and on." from Galápagos

one more...

"Time is liquid. One moment is no more important than any other and all moments quickly run away." from Bluebeard

...So it goes...

"You'll get it right, sometime. You will"

2012-01-11T11:50:00.000-08:00

Hot Water Music, Trusty Chords

"You'll get it right sometime. You will."

I tell myself that everyday.
"You don't need to latch on to anything.
You'll just end up back here
In your little limbo scene."
It's repetitious and exhausting.
I might need some therapy;
Anything to keep me in check through the day.

"Don't think about your lover.
You're already steady shaking."
I might need a sedative,
But I hate the taste of medicine.
"You just need to let her go."
These pills shaking in my hand
Just make me feel defeated,
Like I'm not able to just let her go away.

I hate this place but I love these chords.
"An empty fate just means an even score."
And the pain this morning...
It filled my head.
It's Jameson.
It means that I'm not dead.

And I just can't seem to get away
There's no such thing as escape,
Even with the sedatives
You're always in the same state,
Clutching to a limbo scene.
You're never changing anything,
You just stop the shaking.
And it's constantly repeated through the days.

This one below is another live version by Dave Hause (The Loved Ones) with Chuck Ragan (Hot Water Music) at the Revival Tour

Dave Hause and Chuck Ragan

And just for good measure, here is a video for At The Drive In who is reuniting!

ATDI, One Armed Scissor

In The City That Never Sleeps

2012-01-07T13:23:00.000-08:00

I recently spent a fun filled week in New York City. I had to travel out there for a job interview, so I figured that I would make the trip worthwhile and spend New Years Eve in the city that never sleeps. I spent New Years out there 3 years ago and it was a great time, so I knew I would enjoy this trip as well. And I was definitely not disappointed. There is really something magical about the City. It is hard to put into words, but the freezing weather, pricey drinks, and packed streets are simply breathtaking. I don't think that I have ever been to a place like it. Maybe that is why I keep going back.

Side note: I had an argument with my friend over an ad that said New York City was the greatest city in the world. I couldnt believe the arrogance of the advertisement and honestly, I didnt believe that it was true. I figured that the "greatest city" will always be a completely subjective opinion, as people may believe their own city (whether its Tokyo, Sydney, or even Phoenix, Arizona) is the greatest. Each person has their own definition of "greatness", so I thought that there will never be a way to objectively describe a city as THE greatest. But...after spending another week in the Empire City, I am getting closer and closer to believing that ad.

It all started with Lucero at Brooklyn Bowl. This great place combines delicious food, bowling, and a stage for one of my favorite bands on Earth all in one venue. Lucero played a two-hour long set filled with some of my favorite songs. I wish it would have lasted all night, but 2 hours is a pretty darn long time on stage! Great start to my week long stay.

Lucero
http://youtu.be/n2UIqhXd0uE

The next night was New Year Eve. We brought in the new year with friends at Norman’s Kill after starting with dinner at Mesa Coyoacan in Williamsburg. Although a relatively low key night, I had a great time spending midnight with friends and whiskey.

Jalapeño Cucumber Margarita

Classic.

My first ever "pickleback" shots!

Happy 2012!

But, don't worry, we kept the party going all new years day! It started at an early hour of 10 am with some dancing. My friends and I were going to go eat in the AM, but the restaurant was crowded so we decided to just hang out at my friend’s place instead. Someone turned on Katy Perry, which started the girls dancing, which forced the boys to get up as well. I'm not the hugest fan of Katy Perry (in fact, I think she is pretty terrible), but I couldn't help getting jiggy wit it (yeah, i just said that) and doing a little bit of table dancing. It was the first day of 2012 - I had to start it off right!

After taking a power nap in the afternoon, we went out to watch the New York Giants take down the hated Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.

I relaxed all day on January 2 in order to prep for my interview on January 3. I spent the afternoon watching Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. Wow. It blew my mind. The movie actually does a great job of translating Jonathan Safran Foer’s novel of the same name into a film. Oskar, a 9-year-old boy, is neurotic and scared as Foer describes and Sandra Bullock does a wonderful job as mother. I would definitely recommend this movie. Plus, I had the interesting experience of watching Extremely Loud, which revolves around 9/11, in the city that 9/11 most tragically affected.

Oh – and I almost forgot...Roberta’s Pizza for lunch! Nom nom nom amazingly delicious pizza. I wish that I had photos...

I’m just going to skip the interview part, but it went well and I got to walk around in Harlem for a while and get to know my (hopefully) future neighborhood.

Then I got to go to Freeman’s down this forlorn alley in the city. A little hip spot situated in the back of a graffitied lane. I enjoyed some tasty mac 'n cheese and artichoke dip on the side. I also got over to Richardson’s back in Williamsburg and ordered a couple of Hot Toddies to warm up my freezing cold body.

Richardson + Freemans

Good message, odd use of wheatpasting

Urban art.

My final day consisted of lots of walking around the city. Swung by Starbucks, stopped by my friend’s office, ate a tasty burger, walked around Times Square, perused the New York Public Library, and even delivered some hot chocolate. After all that urban hiking, I met up with a friend for dinner at Eataly, an indoor marketplace owned by renowned chef Mario Batali. We ordered clams and a meat/cheese platter. So tasty! I finished up my nights in NY with a game of Tiger Woods on PS3 and a couple of drinks at a nearby bar.

New York, you are wonderful. Don't forget me, I'll be back soon.

Beng Mealea Temple, Cambodia (my favorite shot)

2011-12-07T18:01:00.000-08:00

Beng Mealea Temple, Cambodia

2011-12-07T17:55:00.000-08:00

Although located about 70km away from Siem Reap city center, Beng Mealea temple is one of the few Angkor structures that remains relatively untouched by restoration. It was just beautiful.

And just for good measure, a couple of me...

Phnom Penh, Thanksgiving Weekend 2011

2011-12-01T02:04:00.000-08:00

...Now for the Thanksgiving festivities!

We Wear Pink on Tuesdays

2011-11-17T20:26:00.000-08:00

I had heard about certain days being reserved for particular colors in Thailand, but I didn't really believe the rumors. I knew that pink was popular, but really had no idea that it had vomited (in the nicest possible way) all over the city. Then I remembered all of the fighting in Thailand a few years ago when protesters took over the airport and shut down much of the travel throughout Bangkok. At the time, it was the Red Shirts versus the Yellow Shirts. Basically, the Yellow Shirts criticized former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the Red Shirts supported him. After some skirmishes, the Yellow Shirts disbanded, but the Blue Shirts came in! It was Bloods vs Crips all over again…but in Thailand!!!!

I’m not going to bore you with the rest of the story, but you can find an article about it here:
http://www.groundreport.com/World/Thailands-Colorcoded-Protests/2895381

Anywho, I heard about all of this and was a little worried about the colors I should be wearing. Did you know the Thais even have a color for each day of the week? And your clothes are supposed display these colors for good luck. Yes…really.

Monday = Yellow

Tuesday = Pink

Wednesday = Green

Thursday = Orange

Friday = Blue

Saturday = Purple

Sunday = Red

After lots of thinking, I played it safe and decided to wear patterned clothes. Great call by the way. But this is neither here or there.

I arrived with my friend K in Thailand by van. It took about 8 hours of sitting squished in the last row, but we finally made it! Neither of us had any Thai Baht, nor a map to see where we were staying. You could say that we were well prepared. I had written down an address, but even after pronouncing Pranee Building five different ways (Prahhhnee, PrahnEEE, Praenee, PorahnE….etc), no one could understand what we were saying. Im not very good with accents haha. We finally found our destination and met up with one of K’s friends, Miss C. We were all starved so we went searching for delicious Thai food. Sadly, we ended up eating at some Thai version of McDonalds. Not a good start. BUT, then we got beers on the street and hung out with some street vendor that had little fish in a snow globe type thing attached to his gold chain necklace. He was a bad ass for sure. We shared a couple drinks and called it a night. The next day was K’s birthday and we had to be rested!

…Im already tired of writing and I have only been through the first night…man…im lazy….

…I'll carry on…in bullet points haha

Things we did in BKK:

Bangkok Art and Culture Centre

The first exhibit freaked me out because it displayed 90+ works of art that were all devoted to the Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Actually, not just devoted to the king, but in honor of his 84th birthday. I'd say that is a pretty darn good birthday present. After viewing these paintings for a couple minutes, I almost walked out of the place. I know that Thais revere their king, but most of these were bordering on godlike representations of him. You can find the exhibition description here:
http://www.bacc.or.th/exhibition/detail/guid/f83684ce7b3b9558b72091bf665c8163

It was a creepy scene. Luckily, up the stairs from the King exhibit were hundreds of works by contemporary Thai artists. These were amazing! I don't know if it had to do with the fact that I saw almost no expression and freedom of thought in the King exhibit, but there was so much creativity housed on the 9^th floor. I was blown away. Great stuff.

MBK Mall

One word: Wow.

Think about the biggest mall that you have been inside. Now shrink the aisles, shops, and space. Then blow it up to 10 times its original size. Huge! And yes, they had shoe shops galore…which makes Conor a happy man. I couldn't resist for very long, but held out for a single pair of shoes.

Dinner + Drinks

Happy Birthday Mr K!

We all went out to a nice birthday dinner at a northeastern Thai place (down some alley, then across another alley, before entering another alley and immediately on the right side). Anywho, this place was beyond delicious. Fish, sticky rice, fried chicken, salads, and my favorite: Sausage. Sai Krok. Mmmmmmmmmmmm.

We went out for a couple drinks after our dinner, but the sumptuous feast was definitely the highlight of the night haha

So that was my brief stint in Bangkok. 2 nights of eating, drinking, and shopping. Now on to The Naka Island in Phuket and the island vacation that I always dreamed of.

Things in Phuket:

Got picked up in a BMW 7 series from the airport. Baller.

Took a private speedboat to the island. Baller times two.

Villa accommodations, private saltwater pool, private steam room, outdoor shower, delicious breakfast buffet, hotel staff on-call, Thai boxing classes, finished off with a lovely body scrub and massage. All free of charge.
Baller times one hundred and thirty!

Jealous yet? Its okay. I don't get to experience holidays like this very much (if ever), so I HAVE to brag just a little bit…

The villa

The speedboat

The beach

The other cool stuff

After 5 days of wonder, I hopped on a plane back to Bangkok and then traveled for the next 10 hours by bus to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Totally worth it.

Oh Thailand, I want more of you!

Great Expectations, We Had the Greatest Expectations

2011-11-03T19:18:00.000-07:00

The Revival Tour, 2011
with Chuck Ragan, Brian Fallon, Dan Andriano, and Dave Hause

...and my favorite track from their set, "Great Expectations"

Horoscope for Friday November 4, 2011: GEMINI

2011-11-03T18:52:00.000-07:00

"Here's a vignette described by columnist Thomas Friedman: 'Ludwig Wittgenstein once remarked that if you ask a man how much is two plus two and he tells you five, that is a mistake. But if you ask a man how much is two plus two and he tells you 97, that is no longer a mistake. The man you are talking with is operating with a wholly different logic from your own.'

I'd like to suggest, Gemini, that for you right now the whole world is like the man who swears two plus two is 97. At least, temporarily, you are on a very different wavelength from your surroundings. In order to understand what is coming towards you, you will have to do the equivalent of standing on your head, crossing your eyes, and opening your mind as wide as it will stretch."
7DAYS magazine

...time to free my mind!

Chief

2011-10-18T19:35:00.000-07:00

Mr. Soeum Soeuy, Chief of Krouch Village

*We had a fun time comparing tattoos! Its all about making connections, right?

Recent Ruminations about Research and Writing

2011-10-15T00:41:00.000-07:00

It has been a pleasure to come back and work in Cambodia once again. Re-engaging with Cambodian villagers has truly been rewarding. But in the past few weeks it has become increasingly difficult to distance myself from work even after I leave the office and villages.

I have tried to remain as objective as possible by accumulating statistics to supplement my interviews and fighting the urge to seek out the exceedingly impoverished.

But, as I sit here in my office, taking notes about our field interviews this past week, I can't help getting teary eyed. And I am not one for crying. In fact, I hate it. It makes me feel weak. But it's happening.

I have met so many villagers in these past few weeks with stories of destitution. A woman who would not disclose her HIV positive status to us for fear of village backlash. A man with three kids who is confined to his home because of Tuberculosis. He can't even walk, let alone work in the rice fields. He sold his land after his wife died to feed his children. He shakes when he talks and can't laugh because it hurts too much. Another woman who went to four hospitals before finding a doctor that would operate on her. She sold her land in order to cover the expenses, but even five months after surgery, the pain has not receded...because her cancer has not gone away. A village chief who is obsessed with village security because his daughter was murdered in a botched robbery attempt when she was an innocent, six years old.

It's just not fair.

I generally write to heal my own wounds, but this time around I'm hoping that writing will help alleviate pains that others have.

This is an excerpt from one of my most recent community profiles (names have been changed):

"Among these many positives at the village level, individuals still struggle to complete their daily tasks. We interviewed a beautiful woman named Cheu Chhoeuth, who is 42 years old and lives with her husband. She has two children who visit regularly, but they are both married and live with their respective partners. Many months ago she developed pains in her stomach. Cheu dealt with the discomfort for weeks until she decided to seek out advice from the local Saen Sokh health center. After misdiagnosing her pain as a “stomach ache” and providing her small amounts of medicine, Cheu knew that she had to travel to a more reputable hospital. She first went to Kralanh Referral Hospital, but they sent her to Siem Reap in order to receive treatment. This is quite a difficult journey for villagers. Siem Reap is over 75 km away, so villagers must hire out motobikes or ride in the backs of trucks in order to travel that distance. But, she paid for the journey east because she knew that her condition was serious if she was being sent all the way to Siem Reap city center. Once in town, the Siem Reap Referral Hospital urged her to seek specialized assistance from Kong Rithy Clinic, also located in Siem Reap. Kong Rithy took x-rays, but said that they could not perform the operation because they lacked the proper equipment. So, she was sent back to Siem Reap Referral Hospital once again, where she finally had surgery to remove a tumor in her ovary. She spent over 800.00 USD on the operation and associated costs. Cheu even had to mortgage her family’s land to pay for her surgery charges.

After months of recovery, the pain has not gone away. Instead of returning to Siem Reap Referral Hospital, Cheu ponders how to pay for the exorbitant expenses once again. During our interviews, she sought answers to why her pain did not go away even after she spent so much time and money trying to solve the problem. I thought about Cambodia. I thought about the medical clinics that treat poor villagers. I thought about their lack of resources and knowledge for handling serious ailments. In the end, I couldn’t muster up a response that would alleviate her concerns. I just kept thinking that her pains are going to get much worse before they get any better.

Cheu Chhoeuth can no longer carry out any manual labor, which has taken a toll on her family. Her husband makes bamboo nets to catch fish and works out in the rice fields, but it is not enough. She would like to open up her own home front store, but does not have the start up money any more. Instead, Cheu spends her time thinking up delicious meals for her family and watches the grandchildren while her daughters work. Because of her inability to travel long distances, her cooking has diversified in recent months. Luckily, a vendor comes to the village daily, so she does not have to travel to Kralanh market in order to buy supplies. Even though she continues to try new recipes, she always goes back to her favorite dishes: sour fish soup and pork with fried eggs. Cheu cannot even go to fetch water from the well herself, so her daughter carries heavy buckets back and forth. This task is even more difficult when her nearby well dries up during the dry season and she is forced to travel to the rice fields for hand-dug pond water."

The worst part is that there are thousands of these stories. She is not the only one.

Its heartbreaking.

Overlooking National Road 68, Kralanh District

October 10, 2011. Field Visit.

2011-10-13T02:24:00.000-07:00

Overlooking Kralanh District rice fields

Delicious Treats: Singapore

2011-10-06T09:05:00.000-07:00

I could not wait to get to Singapore. Work was busy as usual. I was trying to get used to Cambodia all over again. The rains had flooded my apartment once again. I actually waded through knee high water to reach my tuk tuk that was taking me to the airport. I though I was good to go, but no. Once I got to the airport, we had a 3-hour flight delay because a bird had flown into the engine compartment. Hmmmm. More rains were coming and I was anxious to get out of the country for a long, relaxing, food-filled weekend. Like I said, I could not wait!

Even though it was F1 racing weekend in Singapore and there were lots of racing-inspired activities taking place, I was most excited to eat my way through the island. And boy oh boy, I was not disappointed!

Get your taste buds ready….

Boon Tong Kee chicken was right across the street from where I was staying. Definitely some good grub. Supposedly some of the most famous rice in Singapore. A perfect lunch. Great inexpensive street-type food.

Brussel Sprouts restaurant, overlooking Robertson Quay. They had a long list of Belgian Ales and some oh so delicious mussels. I don't know why, but I really just love me some mussels. My main goal in Singapore was to eat some fresh seafood…and this was a great meal! We ended up getting two orders, because I’m a fatty haha.

PS Café, rooftop bar looking onto the Singapore skyline. I only got a Caesar Salad, but I definitely sampled Kim’s chicken and sumptuous mashed potatoes. Plus, a Manhattan and triple layer chocolate cake makes Conor a happy man. Mmmmm I cant stop thinking about that chocolate cake. It's a wonder how I’m not 400 pounds with my love for sweets.

Steamboat in Chinatown. I have had hot pot before, but the amount of fixings that this steamboat offered was amazing. Veggies, clams, mussels, beef, lamb, shrimp and a Tiger tallboy on the side. And because eating was such an event at this place, it may actually have been my favorite meal! Yep, really. I’m a sucker for do it yourself types of meals. Especially ones where I can go back some seconds…and thirds…and even fourths.

Smith Street noodles, also in Chinatown. I have been here before and will go every time that I make my way to Singapore. I would say that it was dim sum, but I have been corrected over and over again. The proper term is “la mian" and "xiao long bao". However you say it, I want more!

For some late night eats, I went over to Spize. Its right next to Boon Tong Kee RICE. So, literally, across the street. Nothing special here, just darn good food. Had some prata and curry and taste-tested some noodle dish. This place brings back memories from my first trip to Singapore. On my way out, after staying up all night (but before catching my early as hell plane at 6:00 am), we stopped by Spize to grab a bite. I don't remember much of anything about it, but it brings back good times nonetheless. Mustache, anyone? Hahaha.

And because Singapore has so many damn malls, I made it to a Japanese restaurant called Ichiban Boshi on the bottom floor. Who knew that a mall could house such delectable treats? I ate so much sushi! And then ate some more! You know in the Simpsons when Homer drools over his memories of delicious food? Yeah, it’s like that. Dripping saliva, literally coming out of my mouth. I think sushi makes me goofy too (check the pictures below).

Oh, and I can’t forget about my memorable dishes at Kilo! Restaurants that are hard to navigate towards are always the best ya know. Well, I had duck that made my mouth water. Coupled with some white wine, tasty appetizers, and some homemade ice cream, it was to die for. Plus, the owner Javier was a pretty rad guy (except for the fact that he wore a San Francisco Giants hat. Luckily, he won me over a with a free tequila shot).

And besides all of that, I hit up a GH Mumm F1 party (yes, Mumm, the champagne for all yall that don’t know). I felt so damn classy drinking endless bottles. And plus, I would never be able to get into something like that here in Cambodia…or even in the States. Do they even sell champagne in Cambodia??? Haha. Its good to have friend with connections.

Over the weekend, I hopped on a boat and traveled over to Batam, Indonesia for the night. It looked like a pretty odd, industrial city but weddings are always a great time! And this Muslim wedding was my first! No alcohol involved, but the endless buffet food was enough to push me through. Plus, watching over 400 people dressed up in bright orange dresses was amazing! Perfect for a people-watching anthropologist, right? They also have this cool tradition in Indo where community members and businesses create these floral signs and post them all around the wedding location. As we were driving up, we saw dozens of giant, brightly decorated signboards congratulating the happy couple. And I can’t forget about Lucas. He was this little Singaporean boy that came over for the wedding with his parents. He also told me that he hated me within the first five minutes of getting off of the boat. He hated me? What? I couldn’t let that happen. I had to win him over! And, true to form, he changed his mind about me after I chased him around the wedding and put him up on my shoulders. He even let me flip him upside down and carry him around. A crazy ball of energy, but it truly is those small, unpredictable connections that really make events great! Its too bad he wouldn’t leave me alone for the entire trip haha.

Don’t worry, I made it to Orchard Road too and had my fill of mall shopping. Luckily, I didn’t go too crazy and just bought some essentials at Uniqlo. The store is kind of like a Japanese hipster version of H&M. pretty great stuff at reasonable prices, especially for Singapore! Although, I forgot to return and get me some new jeans, but oh well. I got enough colored dress socks to keep me going for weeks!

In between all these events was walking, running, Lord of the Rings marathons, and, of course, some manual labor. Wait, what? People are not supposed to do that kind of stuff on vacation. Unfortunately, I volunteered to paint some doors at my friend’s place in exchange for letting me crash there for free during my entire stay. Why did I do this? Because I am a nice guy? Maybe. But I also wanted to show off my painting skills. Bad idea, Conor. When will I learn? It took me 4 or 5 long days to paint these damned things. For some reason, the original paint on the door refused to be scraped or sanded off. I spent most of my time prepping the stupid things before I could even put a coat on the doors. Although, I must say, they turned out pretty great! I think they really pull the apartment together. FYI, any time you go from puke green to semi-gloss black there is going to be some improvement haha.

Alrighty, I think that is enough about Singapore. As you can tell, I loved every minute of it and will probably be back in the near future. I just need to win the lottery first because I am pretty sure that Sing stripped me of almost every dollar that I had. Maybe I will earn enough Cambodian Riel to purchase a flight back!

Back Alleys

2011-10-05T22:00:00.000-07:00

Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 2011

River Valley Road, Singapore, 2011

Journeys...

2011-09-22T01:39:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite sayings from Loven, co-owner of Poetry and Art Deli in Cambodia and a vernacular artist:

Word. Amazing.

oh morning sun!

2011-09-16T00:31:00.000-07:00

What a difference a few days makes!

The river has stopped flooding. The sun is shining bright in the sky. My house has had some time to dry. I am probably going to move back in this weekend! It still smells a little like wet dog, but I think it will be okay with a fan and some candles haha. As long as we don't get consecutive heavy rains that flood the Siem Reap River, I should be alright in my room.

Also, I bought a motobike on Wednesday, my bank account seems to be functioning again, and I reacquainted myself with Cambodian villages yesterday. It is still an adjustment, but things are beginning to run smoother. Now I just need to take some pictures of my motobike!

I will be going out to the Villages next week for a few days. They are located about two hours away, so we will be staying out there in order to get an early morning start on research. I am thinking that we can do 2 villages each day, which will be great before the Pchum Ben holiday the week after. Everything pretty much shuts down during Cambodian holidays, which will allow a few days break and some time to start my write-ups in a comfortable coffee house setting.

Still trying to meet all these “new” ex-pats in Siem Reap. The turnover in this city is really quite amazing. But everyone here seems pretty wonderful, so I’m sure it won’t be too bad.

And most importantly, I found good Mexican food!!! Yes, really. There is this place called El Camino across the Siem Reap River that actually has delicious Mexican food. I ordered a pollo asado plate, while also tasting some of a veggie taco. It’s all tasty! I have a feeling that I will be eating at this joint at least once or twice a week.

A couple days back, I took some photos of my sister out in the rain, modeling Push Pull handbags. I put up a sample for y'all. Enjoy.

I’m almost off for the weekend. Got to take care of a few more things. See ya around.

...and then the rains came

2011-09-12T20:08:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of sun in about 5 days. And even as I write this, the dark clouds are beginning to cover the skies. It will probably rain this afternoon. And then again this evening. And then possibly throughout the night. Just like yesterday.

Last time I was in Siem Reap, I lived off of Route 6 outside of the city and far away from Siem Reap River. But this time around, I moved into a cooler neighborhood closer to downtown and near friends. Unfortunately, my new spot is also two blocks from the river. Not a great place to be during heavy downpours. I figured some of the rain would dry up throughout the day, but nothing much has happened. The water continues to flow throughout the streets, creating streams within rivers and ponds within lakes. I am actually astounded at how much water has come down recently. I don’t remember it being this bad during my previous stay.

Our house was doing pretty well for the first couple of days – it seemed to be draining smoothly outside. Some of the neighbors’ yards flooded, but ours remained relatively dry.

And then the hard rains came.

Water slowly seeped up from under the house and through the drainage systems in place (shower/toilet/etc). I thought it would just remain in the living room and potentially the bathrooms, leaving my nearby room completely dry. Well, I shouldn’t have assumed that. I got home from work yesterday afternoon to find the landlords taking buckets of water from my room. The whole thing was only a couple centimeters deep, but it spread like wildfire. It was throughout the first floor and outside patio. Although it spread throughout the house, I am so very lucky to have landlords who moved most of my things up off the ground. My clothes and electronics were saved. They also gave me a place to stay on the second floor of a neighboring house, although it is not quite as nice as my room that I moved into initially. I moved over as much as I could before the rains started again. Yep, they came again. I have removed almost everything and propped the windows open in the hope that the daylight will help the water evaporate.

Although I do have another place to stay nearby, I walk through a moat up to my apartment. And I will most likely be there for a couple weeks. Its only takes a few days to raise the foundation (see “add concrete to raise the inside of the house”) but they have to wait for the water to drain first. And that may take a while.

Unfortunately, this also means that my scheduled village visits for this week have been postponed. The village roads are all washed out. A moto may get out there, but its not guaranteed. So much for getting off to a strong start. I’m stuck in our office editing documents. It is work that needs to be done, but not as fun and/or interesting as fieldwork. It just means that I am going to have plug away in the next couple weeks to make up for missed field visits.

I am still happy to be back in Cambodia and excited for my work, but the country is kicking my butt right now.

Here are some photos from my neighborhood:

First Day Back in the Reap

2011-09-07T18:00:00.001-07:00

Well its about 6 am here and I have gotten less than two hours sleep since I landed. I guess that why those experts tell you that you shouldn’t sleep on the plane haha. On a positive note, I already finished book one of The Hunger Games!

My flight took off some 30 minutes from LAX, but caught some amazing tailwinds and ended up actually arriving early to Seoul/Incheon. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to take in the wonder that is Incheon International Airport because I had 1 hour to go through transfer and catch my flight to Siem Reap. I was really in no dramatic rush, but there is always that little shadow hanging over you…threatening, “Hurry! What if you don't make it?” And I know “what if”. On my last trip out here I did indeed miss my connecting flight and was stuck in Incheon, a stuffy little airport city, for an entire day (since they only have 1 flight per day from Korea to SR) with no extra clothes, deodorant or toothpaste. Nonetheless, I made it through quickly and hopped on a 5-hour flight that was about half-full of passengers. So I took full advantage and lied down across all three seats and slept. It felt so good!

Although my arrival in to SR was rainy and humid, I had my wonderful friend Sol and my sister waiting for me at the airport with smiles and hugs. Even though I could barely fit all of my luggage into the tuk tuk (I knew this was going to happen), we made it safe and sound to my new apartment!

I had never seen this space before, but my friend Jam hooked me up with it and told me that it was a legit, clean living space with hot water and A/C. Hot water AND air conditioning? I’m sold! He was right. I share a living room and kitchen with a couple up above, but I pretty much got my own little bachelor pad downstairs. And the outside patio is simply wonderful! Once the rain stops, I’m making some coffee and sitting outside. Plus, Jam greeted me with a beer upon entering. So far, so good.

Although I am wide-awake, I am pretty brain dead right now. I am going to try and get a cell phone today, re-new my drivers license, pick out some custom made shoes, and definitely stock up on the essentials: teepee, soap, fruit, plug converters, and whatever else I can remember this morning. I got one day to recover before I start work tomorrow morning at 9 am.

Oh so happy to be back!!

All of the Lights

2011-08-21T08:56:00.000-07:00

Balboa Park, San Diego

Dusk

Quick Weekend up in Sacramento

2011-08-18T21:18:00.000-07:00

What do Mumford, Rise Against, Christina Perri, and Chuck Ragan all have in Common?

2011-07-22T18:01:00.000-07:00

...they make wonderful music! duh.

Rise Against, Make It Stop (September's Children)

Chuck Ragan, Do You Pray

Christina Perri, Arms

Mumford & Sons, After the Storm

The Emerald City

2011-06-19T20:32:00.000-07:00

A Couple Photos from Niland, CA

2011-06-08T08:08:00.000-07:00

Some basic facts about Niland:
(taken from city-data.com)

Population (2007): 1,287
1:1 female to male ratio
Median Household Income (2009): $20,364
64.6% Hispanic, 33.0% White, 2.4% Asian
Gateway to Salvation Mountain and Slab City

On our way home from work out in the desert, I was taken aback by one beautiful (and decrepit) building in Niland. I asked the our field crew to stop for a few minutes so I could take some photos. See below:

My Top 5 Records!

2011-05-22T20:17:00.000-07:00

In the wake of seeing System of a Down yesterday evening, I decided to compile a blog devoted to my favorite 5 albums of all-time (with appropriate "honorable mentions" because five is simply to difficult to choose)

Some of the fine print before I begin:
"Favorite" meaning a combination of great, noteworthy music that also stood the test of time (ie. I did not throw out the album after two weeks of playing it on repetition).
I can listen to the record at almost any given time.
These are not necessarily my top 5 favorite artists, nor my top 5 favorite songs, but ALBUMS. The music flows well together and I can sit an listen to them in their entirety.
I have hyperlinked a couple of songs off of each for your listening pleasure.
The albums are listed in no particular order.
Thank you kind peoples.

Okay, so here we go...

System of a Down, Toxicity

Watching them perform last night only solidified my love for System. Yes, they scream and yell, but the energy they put into each and every song is amazing. It all started with their self-titled release in 1998. Their rawness of "Sugar", "DDevil", and War?" cannot be matched. They left me itching for more. Then, their second album hit in 2001 and blew my mind. Serj and the rest of System are outspoken about the continuing war on terrorism and force you to question your daily actions, urging and imploring for a peaceful revolution. And by the way, Serj can sing! Not just some heavy metal screamer, he has some legit vocals! I would recommend putting on some headphones for this record and blasting away my friends.
My favorite song on this album, and probably in my top 5 songs of all-time by any artist is
Chop Suey. Loud and powerful, just how I like it.
Another great one is Forest.
And dont forget Aerials.

Lucero, Tennessee
Call it what you will: southern rock, alternative country, cowpunk...its damn good. Tennessee is their second release (2002) and has been a stalwart in my music archive. If you are feeling sad or lonely, this album is for you. If you are having a down day, and need someone that understands you, it is Ben Nichols. His words will touch your soul.

Nights Like These
"It's nights like these, the sad songs don't help
It's nights like these, your heart's with someone else
It's nights like these, I feel like giving up
It's nights like these, I don't seem to count for much

Yet I've only got this one wish
That I was good enough to make you forget
The only boy, who ever broke your heart
Cause nights like these tear me apart

The beer tastes like blood, my mouth is numb
I can't make the words I need to say
She had a weakness for writers
And I, I was never that good at the words anyways"

There is a reason "Nights Like These" is tatted on my arm.

Also listen to this beautiful piece:
Here at the Starlite
And finally,
Darby's Song
Grab a bottle of whisky, sit on your porch overlooking the sunset, and blast Tennessee. You may cry, but it will be the best cry of your life.

The Gaslight Anthem, The '59 Sound

Another sophomore release in my favorites list. With an amazing ability for storytelling, and an honesty thats relatable, these guys power through 12 songs of awesomeness. If you arent hooked by the first song, Great Expectations, then you must not have any blood running through those veins. There is just something so heartfelt and virtuous about this band. I can't really put it into words...which is why they do it for me haha.

Some beautiful excerpts from Old White Lincoln:
"If I could write, I'd tell you how much I miss these nights.
Where we dig around the bones, try to find peace and patches for the holes.
I lit a cigarette on a parking meter.
Corner boys told her how I was dying to meet her.
Like a prayer I said, on a dead man's knee.
You drove up like a parade.

You and your high top sneakers and your sailor tattoos.
Your old '55 that you drove through the roof.
Of the sky, up above these indifferent stars.
Where you just kept coming apart, straight in my arms."

And definitely try out Meet Me By The Rivers Edge:
"See I've been here for 28 years.
Pounding sweat beneath these wheels.
We tattooed lines beneath our skin.
No surrender, my Bobby Jean.

We've been burned by all our fears.
Just from growing up around here.
Our father's factories marked our cars.
While Eden burned against the stars.

And Sally said, Sally said.
I can't take no more regret.
It cut us deep, into our souls.
Came and climbed into our bed.
And Sally said, Sally said.
Meet me by the River's edge.
We're going to wash these sins away.
Or else we won't come back again.

You know I had these ballroom dreams.
That, as a child, came to me.
I was a boy in Grandma's arms.
A mother's pride and a wounded heart.
And I was full with fiery wonder.
You wore Audrey Hepburn pearls.
You were the only one who understood me then and the only one who will."

Do yourself a favor, check these guys out next time they are in your town. You will not be disappointed with their live performance.

Strung Out, Element of Sonic Defiance

It is like everything good about Strung Out came together to produce a masterpiece. They have, I believe 9 albums out (not including live records and the like), but none of them come close to the ferocity of Element of Sonic Defiance. Only 8 songs, but 8 breathtaking songs. Strung Out has been one of my favorite bands since high school and this album will never be strewn aside in the depths of records piled up in basement boxes. And yes, I still have that glimmer of hope that Strung Out will play at my bachelor party and they will play this album in its entirety. Crazy wish? Nah, just love for the band that got me through those awkward teenage years and continues to provide inspiration and direction in my life.

Listen to:
Scarecrow (dont mind the crappy sound)
Razorblade
Savant

Aretha Franklin, I Never Loved The Man The Way I Loved You

The Queen of Soul's first record on Atlantic. Filled with hits like
Respect
Dr. Feelgood
Dont Let Me Lose This Dream
And my favorite Aretha song A Change is Gonna Come.
It may be a Sam Cooke song, but Aretha belts it like nobody else in the business. That good ol' Memphis soul always puts me in such a wonderful mood!

Okay, so now for my honorable mentions...Bruce Springsteen, Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J.

The Boss gets me all giddy inside! He is such a stud and this first studio album cuts to the core. You can't deny him and although Born to Run, Born in the USA, and others have more acclaim, it is in this first album where he introduces himself to the world and truly demonstrates himself as "Boss".

First, listen to Blinded By the Light.
Then, slow it down, kick up some dust, and unwind to Lost in the Flood.
And finish it up with an upbeat For You.

And, because I must include this band, Bad Religion, Stranger Than Fiction rounds out my list. You can't mess with a punk band that has been around for over 30 years and still makes kick ass music. And just because Stranger Than Fiction is one of their most successful does not take away from it's indie cred or phenomenal sounds.
Just listen:
Incomplete
Better Off Dead
21st Century (Digital Boy)
(and I agree that the videos do not do them much justice. Hey, punk bands didnt make too many videos back in the day haha. Give them their props and listen to their records.

Well, there it is. My top (almost) 5 albums. I look forward to listening to the next great album that disrupts this masterpiece. But until then, these will be on repeat over...and over...and over again.

If you didnt know already, I love me some music!

Desert Landscape

2011-05-16T21:12:00.000-07:00

Conor's Bucket List: Slab City

2011-05-16T21:08:00.000-07:00

I came to know Slab City (and nearby Salvation Mountain) through watching Into the Wild in 2007. From that moment on, I knew that I had to reach out and travel to this miraculous location.

Some facts about Slab City:
: It was originally WWII barracks that were abandoned (Hence, the leftover concrete slabs)
: It was inhabited thereafter by some left over servicemen, then became a popular place to live for some years
: Although the permanent population has continued to decline, snowbirds continue to flock year after year
: It looks like a derelict camp site from a distance, but is actually a well-run community, complete with a library, meeting rooms, concert stages, a pet cemetery, a church, and ONE shower
: If residents need any services, they travel to nearby Niland about 3 miles away
: It is one of the most unique places I have ever visited. Yes, really.

...Overview of Slab City

...Salvation Mountain

...Water tanks dressed with some crazy humanoid/animal sex

...Pet cemetery

Mojave Desert, CA

2011-05-05T20:57:00.000-07:00

The great thing about working in such remote locations is finding so many unique photo opportunities. Check below. Ever seen a mattress, a phone book, hockey skates, and some shattered computers sitting on top of a rock quarry in the middle of nowhere, California? Have you ever seen the Caltrans (California Department of Transportation) maintenance center? Or even knew one existed, especially out in Mojave? Yeah, me either. Just amazing.

Lady Gaga: 59 Questions

2011-04-29T18:30:00.000-07:00

This post is taken from the May 2011 issue of Esquire magazine, which i just recently subscribed to. It comes from a column titled A Thousand Words by Stephen Marche. And, honestly, this is the most on point description of my feelings toward Lady Gaga that I have ever seen. It is like he reached inside my brain, used his advantage as a wonderful writer, and published it so we could all love life just a little more.

(you can find the article here Lady Gaga Fifty-Nine Questions) or you can just read below, with my favorite questions in bold...

Why does Lady Gaga provoke so many questions in me?

How can she be so fascinating while being so utterly boring?

Why is she so famous?

How is it possible that I can hear a ringtone of "Poker Face" during the intermission of a classical piano concert at Carnegie Hall one week and the same song blaring from a decrepit radio in a tin-roof fruit stand in the cloud forest of Costa Rica the next?

How has she become as recognized and as global as the American dollar?

How can she mean so little and so much to so many?

And how does she contain so many contradictions that seem to pass unnoticed by both her high-art sycophants and her mass audience?

For example: How has she become a sex symbol when she has no tits and no ass?

How can she be called a musical pioneer when she produces the blandest and most forgettable music, not just of our time but perhaps of all time?

Aren't her fifteen minutes up yet?

Why is she even bothering to release an album this month?

For what reason?

To achieve what?

For we are right now at the end of Lady Gaga's career, aren't we?

When she emerged from an egg at the Grammys to sing "Born This Way," wasn't everybody thinking that the song sounded just like Madonna's "Express Yourself," only emptier?

Remember when rumors circulated that she was a hermaphrodite?

Remember that first blush of her weirdness?

Now that it's worn off, can't we see her for what she is, a brand of easy-listening transgressiveness?

Because what exactly is new about Lady Gaga?

Aren't her costumes — the meat dress, the bubbles, the cigarette glasses — all the most obvious theft of ideas the surrealists had in the 1930s?

Aren't they all copies of things you find in museums?

And her antics?

Her supposedly radical fusion of performance art and pop music?

Ever heard of Yoko Ono?

Does no one remember when David Bowie put big spiders onstage and they were just a silly distraction from his great music?

Isn't the main difference between Lady Gaga and the earlier generation of glam rockers that she needs more distraction because her music is so much more banal?

Isn't Lady Gaga just Britney Spears spackled with art-school clichés?

A controlled and controllable Amy Winehouse without the drugs and the unforgettable songs?

Or is she somehow all of them at once?

Isn't the real question how Stefani Germanotta learned to please everybody — the marketing manager at her label as well as the late Alexander McQueen as well as Elton John as well as Francesco Vezzoli?

Behind her pose as a radical creative, isn't it a little too easy to see the good Catholic schoolgirl who gets what she wants and doesn't upset anybody?

Does it make any difference that she's trying to do what Madonna would want her to do rather than what the Madonna would want her to do?

Ultimately, is it any less restricting to bow down to Father Warhol rather than Our Father Who Art in Heaven?

(And is that why she has kept her fabulous Italian nose? Is that why she has kept the one feature of her body and soul not processed to the point of androidism? Because she doesn't want to upset her actual father?)

Isn't Lady Gaga, deep down, just another messy blond with daddy issues?

Why did we all laugh at Björk when she wore a swan but cheered Gaga when she wore Kermits?

Was it because Björk's radical openness is terrifying in its boldness and uniqueness whereas Lady Gaga's subservience — her obvious posiness — is reassuringly slavish?

Don't we all enjoy, in a sick way, how obviously she would do anything for our attention?

Why do we want that?

What is wrong with us?

Is it that Lady Gaga is representative, outside of whatever private crisis has led to her deep need to please, of a generational shift?

Isn't it telling of the millennials that even their most radical pop star, their rock 'n' roll monster, is fundamentally a pleaser?

So doesn't Lady Gaga represent, in the end, a profound closing of the collective soul rather than an energetic bursting-forth?

A maze with no exit rather than a path to new worlds?

Or in 2011 has everything worth saying been said and everything worth doing been done and ripping off the recent past will have to do?

That there is no escape from the maze and so all we can do is expand it?

Are we entering a world in which the new amounts to nothing but endless recombinations of songs and images we have already heard and seen before?

Is creativity as such dead?

Or am I exaggerating?

Is she just another dumb pop star who will go away, leaving no trace, in a year or so?

Know what terrifies me, though?

What if she never goes away?

What if her fifteen minutes turns into fifteen years?

Lady Gaga's greatest achievement as a celebrity and an artist is her self-consciousness about the ephemerality of fame, so why hasn't she already vanished?

What if she morphs into a machine capable of pleasing everyone everywhere all the time?

Will there be no difference, in the end, between the robotic and the fabulous?

Will we all be completely Gaga?

Yes.

"Gaga's most iconic outfit is perfect: transparent without being revealing, empty without being clear."

Tests, Lies, and The Race to the Top via newgeography

2011-04-24T07:54:00.000-07:00

I read a quite disturbing post this morning over at newgeography.

"The new modus operandi: Leave aside achievement throughout the years in high school, the stream of G.P.As., the difficulty of courses taken during the years in 9 to 12, and any creative projects done by students. Base everything on standardized tests."
Depressing.
Is this the way out education system is heading? I hope not.

Assuming a comparison to India actually makes sense, the statistics (especially the suicide rates) are astounding.

A Lonely Remnant

2011-04-20T20:08:00.000-07:00

While hiking through the desert outside of Baker, CA, I came upon this chair all by its lonesome. Surrounding the chair were scattered bottles, ceramics, gasoline cans, and even a nearby totaled car half-buried in a ditch. Isolated and abandoned, this chair stands alone.

Anthropologies of Tourism

2011-04-17T07:26:00.000-07:00

I wrote up a couple of essays for my friend, Ryan Anderson, on his website anthropologies. I think you will like the current issue, since most people can relate to tourism and travel. Now think of it from an anthropological perspective. Can't? Well, then read on my friend!

Anthropologies of Tourism

My first essay is titled "A San Diego Cultural Narrative" and deals with Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, an urban public park that has grown as a popular San Diego tourist destination.

The second essay is filled with photos (and some text) from Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

A sample photo:

Give them a look! And don't be shy about engaging in the conversation and/or asking questions.

Ole Diesel, Please Take Me Home

2011-04-14T18:21:00.001-07:00

Chuck Ragan, "Ole Diesel"

The tired winds blow and the restless go home and the haggard lays down to sleep
Where the hours go slow and the beauty we know is the love, now that is the key

Lay awake and breathe while the fire overtakes me
Down this lonesome road
Ole diesel, please take me home

When the curtains do close and the night becomes old and the willing go on their way
And no one's in sight so they shut down the lights
Since the bottles all have gone dry

When it rains son, it pours Heaven opens its doors to drop hell straight from the sky
The open road’s gone and the darkness is calm
Enough to take your dear life

Stay awake and breathe, and struggle to stay in the lines
Down this lonesome road
Ole diesel, please take me home

When the curtains do close and the night becomes old and the stragglers all find their way
No one's in sight so they shut down the lights
Since the bottles all have gone dry

Stay awake and breathe, while the fire overtakes me
Down this lonesome road
Ole diesel she brought me home

The tired winds blow and the restless go home and the haggard lies down to sleep
Where the hours go slow and the beauty we know is the love, now that is the key

Outside of Baker, CA

2011-04-12T20:39:00.001-07:00

Look at those rains rolling in!

WWII Commemorative Wall. San Diego, CA

2011-04-03T15:33:00.000-07:00

"Unconditional Surrender" San Diego, CA

2011-04-03T15:28:00.000-07:00

Looking Back on Cambodia

2011-03-29T22:33:00.000-07:00

Im currently looking over thousands of photos from Cambodia. Its got me all nostalgic and thinking about the great year I had abroad working in the Kingdom. Amazingly enough, it is almost April 2011...which means it has almost been a year since I left that great country. So, in a quick break from other writing compositions, I have pulled together a few memorable pictures.

Cheers to Kampuchea! I hope to see you again...

Book Reviews by Conor Muirhead

2011-03-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

Good morning all!
And welcome back to my semi-regular installment of book reviews. In this latest chapter, I have some magical books (...that were then turned in to movies), my usual lump of postmodern fiction (...that should be turned in to movies), as well as a couple of random, off the shelf books (...that may or may not have flopped at local independent theatres).

Chocolate Mountains, CA

2011-03-09T10:14:00.000-08:00

No, this is not the surface of Mars...or even the moon. These photos come from the Chocolate Mountains located in Imperial Valley, CA. I had heard about the pretty distinct features on this mountain prior to my deployment, but I was still amazed at the unique, reflective brown patina that grows on the surface of all the stones. All of these stones on the southern end of the Chocolate Mountains, aka Black Mountain, seem to be from a relatively recent Pliocene vesicular basal volcanic flow and were then slowly covered by a bacteria that gives them this unique sheen. The pictures may not quite do the terrain/scenery justice, but trust me, it was an amazing sight. Below these first few photos are some other shots I got to take of the surrounding area. I have always had a fascination with transportation, so these power lines (...transporting electricity) stretching across a deserted landscape make for some eerie, post-apocalyptic type of shots.

Echo Park Overpass

2011-03-09T09:56:00.000-08:00

While waiting in line to watch Lucero at the Echoplex attheecho, I stood at the Glendale Blvd/Sunset Blvd junction. I was pretty amazed by the murals underneath the overpass, so I decided to return a couple days later and take some photos. Although these photos turned out okay, I still need to return at night to recapture the overpass's unique charm.

Concert-going Etiquette

2011-02-18T11:58:00.000-08:00

Lucero.

Yesterday evening I went to see Lucero at the Echoplex in Los Angeles. A good venue and a great 2-hour set made for a pretty outstanding experience.

That being said, I have found certain types of concert-goers to be the most maddening people to experience a show with. If you are on this list, please put on your headphones, stay at home, and do not make an attempt to ruin a great show. (This sounds kind of angry, right? Whoa. I guess these individuals get me a little fired up.)

It goes as follows:

(1) Sing-a-long Sally. "I do not know if you know this, but I paid to see the band on stage."..."Oh, you know all the lyrics and are their biggest fan? Hmmm"..."Do you also know that you dont sound anything like the band on stage that has put out multiple records and practiced day and night to achieve greatness while you, for the past 3 months, have sang alone into your mirror...right?" I know you think you are great, but please let the singers, sing. Try the air guitar instead. You will look cooler doing it too!

(2) Picture Happy Hal. I do not mind if you like taking photos occasionally. You should get a couple of snapshots of the event. It makes for good memories. But thrusting your camera up in the air over 100 times during the set is ridiculous. What makes it even worse is that you have no idea how to operate basic settings on a camera. Don't use flash when there is a giant with a white beanie towering in front of you. You know what comes out? A glowing moon-esque shape situated smack-dab in the middle of your shot. Also, learn about angles. You think that the exact same photo of Ben Nichols' face over and over again is going to turn out great? No. Try moving around the venue for some diversity. Honestly, I would be alright if venues just banned cameras (and possibly even iphones, which people think take grrrreat photos) except for those that had photo passes. Most importantly, you cant enjoy the show if you are so focused on finding that "perfect" shot! Take snapshots with your mind and listen to what is being played onstage. Thanks Hal.

(3) Wasted McWasterson. Try not to get too wasted at shows. Friends are forced to take care of you, you don't remember any of the set, and you could possibly turn into (1) or (2) above. This is especially important if you are a large male that likes to think he can dance. My mind conversation goes as follows: "Yeah, I see you stumbling to my right trying to get up to center stage. Dang, you are shwasted and probably about 6'4", 230. Oh no, you are coming closer. No, please dont step on my feet or spill my beer! Pleeease. Ouch! That hurts! Dangit, I think my toe is broken and am soaked with not only my Sierra Nevada, but also your PBR. Wonderful."

Also, please note that PDA during a concert should be reserved to dimly lit spaces and wall areas. And for gosh sakes, see the opening act. Then, two years down the line, you can brag to your friend that you saw them "before they hit it big".

If you are not one of those individuals mentioned above, I am grateful that we have something in common and thanks for making the concert world a better place for all to enjoy!
Cheers.

Image courtesy of: http://www.rollogrady.com/rollo-grady-sxsw-watchlist-volume-7/

Another Side of San Diego

2011-02-08T19:39:00.000-08:00

As I have found out during the last six months of archaeological surveying, San Diego is more than just sunny weather and beautiful beaches. Although I enjoy those features greatly, I have found the eastern regions of San Diego County to be genuinely stunning as well. Yes...Im talking about parched desert landscapes, rolling mountains, concrete highways, and even those despondent border territories. Those types of places almost never advertised in tourist guidebooks. Residents of these hinterlands somehow set free intimate stories and mysterious secrets of an unconventional San Diego. Stories of journeys, of wanderers, of deliverance. Stories of continual struggle and relentless survival. Stories of LIFE.

I met an elderly man named Ed this morning while I was waiting for some contractors to show up to my job site. We spoke for over an hour about his trek to middle of nowhere Anza Borrego Desert, propped against desert mountains to the West and miles away from the nearest grocery store or gas station. Not only was Ed the caretaker of the surrounding historic property, but he chose this obscurity with his wife of almost 50 years in a trailer home with his beloved black pickup truck. I admit...I have always thought that these strangers living in sticks were unfriendly and unapproachable. To my discontent, indeed some of them are. But Ed is different. Although he likes his solitude (and chuckled as he called urban areas the "shitty city"), he immediately greeted me with a handshake and questions of how he could be of service. As we laughed on two piecemeal office chairs staring into the rising sun, Ed reminded me that we all have amazing stories. It is people like him, which live in spots I call "odd" that make this southern border county so fascinating.

Watching the sunrise over Cuyamaca Lake on my way to work this morning.

And on the way back.

Overlooking Anza Borrego State Park on my journey home.

Lucero "What Else Would You Have Me Be?"

2011-02-03T21:04:00.000-08:00

I will be seein' this wonderful band in a few short weeks!

San Francisco, a visual vignette

2011-01-31T20:28:00.001-08:00

...On the 101, just south of the City

...WWII fortification turrets on the bay's hillside

(my favorite shot 1)

...Overlooking SF Bay on a gorgeous, gorgeous day

...California Academy of Sciences

(my favorite shot 2)

(my favorite shot 3)

...SF Bay from Berkeley

...at the Warriors game!

...photos on the drive up to SF

Sneak Peak: SF

2011-01-30T20:34:00.001-08:00

!Nueva Música!

2011-01-20T09:22:00.000-08:00

I seem to spend entirely too much time and money on new music. But since I received a new 160gb Ipod (yeeeeeeah!!!) for Christmas, I just have not been able to resist the urge. Along with Season 4 of Mad Men, two seasons of The League, and a couple of ESPN's 30 for 30 specials (note: if you are a Dodgers fan, definitely check out Fernando Nation), I have bought the albums listed below...

Disclaimer: you may judge my music selection. That's A-okay with me. Yes, its been...well...somewhat "poppy" recently but thats part of the fun of music: I can keep searching for tracks that parallel my current conscience!

Mariachi El Bronx, "Mariachi El Bronx"
I finally came across this album. I saw them back at a street fair in San Diego and couldnt get enough of their mariachi outfits and alter egos. I have been listening to The Bronx for a few years now and was happy to hear about their side project that now seems to have become a full-time gig. Although the album is certainly good, it just doesn't compare with their live performances. My favorite tracks are: "Silver or Lead" and "Slave Labor".
Grade: B+

Theophilus London, "I Want You"
My friend Kurt provided me a copy of this album. He was into it and said I would probably dig it as well. Yeah, he was right. Its a nice blend of old school hip hop, a little but of soul, african beats, with even a little touch of late 80s rollerskating rink swagger. Overall, this music sounds NEW and FRESH and really puts me in a good mood. My favorite tracks are: "I Want You" (Marvin Gaye cover), "Light Years", and "A Strangers Heart".
Grade: A-

Lil Wayne, "I Am Not a Human Being"
I bought this after I heard the single "Right Above It" on the radio. Although this album sounds like Wayne, I really think that he just simply puts out too many damn albums without perfecting each one. I give the guy props for flowing and recording straight tracks, but at some point you need to make a more concerted effort to ensure that the lyrics actually make sense. Also, 10 of the 13 tracks have at least one featured artist (with Drake being on 3 of them). Wayne occasionally spits a wonderful rhyme, but most of it is a little confusing. My favorite tracks: "Right Above It (ft. Drake)", "Bill Gates", and "Whats Wrong With Them (ft. Nicki Minaj)".
Grade: C-

Cee Lo Green, "The Lady Killer"
After my friends Liz and Niral raved about this album, I just had to purchase a copy for myself. Plus that song "F*ck You" is just so damn catchy! Another feel good album that should be listened to before going out on the town, a sunny afternoon bbq'ing in the backyard, or if your trying to seduce your lady friend. I would say it is the perfect "first date" album: quality music that spreads a positive vibe and guarantees a good night. Plus you can sing along "F*ck youuuuuuu and f*ck her too!" without caring too much about the obscenities. My favorite tracks: "F*ck you", "Satisfied", "Fool For You (ft. Phillip Bailey)".
Grade: A-

Nicki Minaj, "Pink Friday"
I must admit that I did not have high expectations for this album when I purchased it. I really just wanted to hear a new age female rapper, since its been days since they've been popular (note: I miss you Eve, Lauryn Hill, and MC Lyte). I must say that I was pleasantly surprised. Although there are some down tracks, overall its dang good. Whomever does the beats for all of Young Money's artists is redonkulous! The second track with Eminem, "Roman's Revenge" has some of the dirtiest lyrics Ive heard in days. And surprisingly, I was into it hahaha. Best listened to when working out (or when you need that extra anger to push you). My favorite tracks: "I'm The Best", "Blazin' (ft. Kanye West), and "Dear Old Nicki".
Grade: B+

Bruno Mars, "Doo-wops & Hooligans"
After listening to Nicki Minaj, I needed some happier/poppier music to balance me out. I had just heard "Liquor Store Blues (ft. Damien Marley)" on the radio and it spoke to me. Seriously. It made me want to go out and buy a bottle of cheap whisky and some Marlboro's, put on Bruno Mars and skank to the music. Tracks like "Marry You" and "Count On Me" are a little more uplifting and set a good tone for the album. My favorite tracks: "Grenade" and "Talking to the Moon".
Grade: B

Mumford & Sons, "Sigh No More"
I just recently purchased this album, so I haven't given it multiple good listens yet, but it seems heartfelt and brilliant. Itunes review states, "Mumford & Sons eschew beards and bellbottoms for well-crafted songs, performed and recorded with an honesty that borrows a little from those bygone bands (ie Vashti Bunyan, Fairport Convention, etc) in order to bring something wonderfully new to the table". Pour a pint of strong ale and sit by the fire for this one. My favorite tracks (so far): "Winter Winds", "I Gave You All", "Awake My Soul", and "The Cave".
Grade: TBD

I also recently found a bunch of music in one of my dresser drawers that I had neglected for far too long. It included Buena Vista Social Club, Eliades Ochoa, The Gipsy Kings, Ibrahim Ferrer, Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, and Leonard Cohen. Oh the joys of re-discovering music after a long lapse!

I just got my hands on the new Deer Tick album, Reflection Eternal's "Revolutions Per Minute", The Whigs "In the Dark", Nas & Damien Marley's "Distant Relatives", Citizen Cope's "Rainwater LP", and The Hold Steady's newest release, "Heaven is Whenever". Stay tuned.

"Turn on, Tune in, Drop out." Timothy Leary
Keep listening my friends.

For Wanderers, Dreamers, and Lovers

2010-12-23T09:00:00.000-08:00

Upon my sister's return from living in Italy, she gave me a cool leather-bound journal. Although the gift itself was pretty sweet, it was passage inside that really inspired me. I almost broke down in tears as I read it walking the streets of San Diego.

"Some people do not have to search,
For they find their niche early in life and rest there,
Seemingly contented and resigned.
At times I envy them, but usually I do not understand them...
And seldom do they understand me.

I am one of the searchers.

There are, I believe, millions of us.
We are not unhappy, but neither are we completely content.
We continue to explore ourselves, hoping to understand.
We like to walk along the beach; we are drawn by the ocean,
Taken by its power and unceasing motion, its mystery and unspeakable beauty.
We like forests, mountains, deserts, hidden rivers and lovely cities as well.
Our sadness is as much a part of our lives as our laughter;
To share our sadness with the ones we love is perhaps as great a joy as we know, unless it is to share our laughter.
We searchers are ambitious only for life itself and for anything beautiful it can provide.
Most of all, we want to love and be loved, to live in a relationship that will not impede our wanderings and prevent our search.
We do not want to prove ourselves to others or compete for love.

This passage is for wanderers, dreamers and lovers who dare to ask of life everything which is good and beautiful."

- Anonymous

Thanks Meg. It means more to me that you will ever know.

Mid-flight. Watching the sun come up somewhere over the Pacific.

newgeography.com

2010-12-14T07:57:00.000-08:00

newgeography
My new favorite website. Check it out.

The article that tickled my pickle:
Cities That Prosper, Cool or Not

Christmas is coming!

2010-12-09T17:17:00.002-08:00

As I prep for this weekend's holiday 5K in San Diego (and by "prep" I mean get my awesome costume ready) it dawned on me that Christmas is only a few weeks away. This year's Christmas has been much different than last year...presumably because they do not really celebrate Christmas in Cambodia. In fact, I even had to work on December 25 last year. Boo. Anywho, this coming weekend will be the first of many festivities. Holiday run, Liz's Christmas party, and probably some of that terribly hectic holiday shopping. I've been jamming to the music for a couple of weeks now and it's finally here! Needless to say, I am grateful to be here with my family and friends as well as soooo thankful for this wonderful holiday season.

Tis the season...top 5 Christmas movies (in no particular order because that is close to impossible :)

-- Elf -
With lines like:
"Buddy the elf, what's your favorite color?"
"We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup."
"I just like to smile! Smiling's my favorite."
...and of course
Santa's coming!

-- It's a Wonderful Life --
Contains probably the romantic line in history...
George Bailey is walking Mary home from a holiday dance and asks, "What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey. That's a pretty good idea. I'll give you the moon, Mary."
Ahhh so beautiful

-- The Muppet Christmas Carol --
Anytime that you get muppets to tell the greatest Christmas story of all time, it is destined to be great!

-- Home Alone --
One image:

Plus, it has an exceptional soundtrack!

-- A Charlie Brown Christmas --
The dance scenes are excellent

and who can forget Charlie Brown's sad little Christmas tree

Also...Love Actually is not specifically about Christmas, but it gets my Honorable Mention vote

Last, but definitely not least, this is the Muirhead 2010 Christmas card! Enjoy!

Hawaiian Vacation

2010-12-08T10:54:00.000-08:00

Hello!

I am fresh off a nice family vacation to the islands for Thanksgiving. I got to see some old college friends on Oahu before traveling over to Kauai to see my auntie and cousins. I had not been to Hawaii since 2002, so it was great to be over there again.

Some pics from the week:

After a couple mile hike up Diamondhead, you get a spectacular view of Waikiki

Looking out onto the Pacific

Hikers get to actually walk through the various concrete bunkers. This is taken from the top of a spiraling staircase

Looking into the sunset

Man, it must have been a little scary to walk these concrete halls at night

A loooong set of stairs to reach the top

Cloudy sunset over Northshore, Oahu

Turtles relaxing on the sand

mmmm delicious fresh shrimp

At the Dole Plantation maze. It took Angie and I 40 minutes to get all 8 drawings. But, if it were up to me, we probably would take taken over 2 hours. Angie was actually following the map, while I was going off "feeling" haha.

The koi fish liked food haha. Look at those mouths!

Pineapple everything!

Angie ziplining into the lavatube at the end of a great day

Meg

My dad going all in

Upside down zip...over 1800 ft across the valley!

Dang, were so tough

All 4 of us strapped in and ready

Sunset with tiki torches

Looking off yonder

Such beautiful purple colors

We saw thousands of fish! It was really amazing

The fire dancers at my first ever Hawaiian luau!

While hiking Waimea Canyon, these are the views. You will need a second to take it all in

Waimea Canyon lookout spot

October Events

2010-11-02T21:42:00.007-07:00

This past month has been a mixed bag of events and details. Although I have yet to find full-time employment, I have been picking up some contract archaeology survey work. It is a perfect job for me: we are out of town for extended periods of time, I get to walk outside all day, and I don't need too much archaeology expertise to succeed. Additionally, I have met some great people on my field crews. That being said, I have learned a great deal on a few short surveys and look forward to my multiple week survey starting tomorrow (Wednesday).

Moreover, this past week was a great few days. The arch survey team stayed at Buffalo Bills Casino in Primm, Nevada. If you know me at all, then you know that I like to gamble (a little...). I made sure not to spend any of my per diem money, but placed a few strategic bets on NBA games while trying my hand at Blackjack. I didnt bet much, but I ended up coming away with an extra $38 buckaroos. Not too shabby! Upon my return from Kern County, I got to dress up and participate in a bunch of Halloween and Day of the Dead events.

Kern County Archaeology Surveying

Day of the Dead at Mission San Luis Rey

Etsy Photos

2010-10-16T18:47:00.006-07:00

FYI
I got some prints (shown below) for sale on Etsy!

Conor Muirhead's Goodies

Go on...click the link...buy some cool stuff from a wonderful guy

There will be some more coming soon so keep checking back!

Cooking Up a Storm

2010-10-14T18:00:00.007-07:00

Eating delicious pumpkin-apple pie last weekend in Julian inspired me to cook up a storm this week. A few days ago I decided that the pumpkin-apple pie was so good that I wanted to make it for myself. I had made pumpkin pie before, but this was my first time making a complicated pie recipe (I found out later that it really wasn't that complicated haha). After baking a sumptuous pie, my parents asked if I could cook dinner for their dinner party tomorrow (Friday) night. Of course I agreed. I decided on a turkey lasagna and caesar salad with tiramisu for dessert. I hadnt ever made any of these from scratch before so I looked up some recipes. I found that Ina Garten, aka "The Barefoot Contessa", had some delicious recipes for all three. It was perfect!

Pictured below are some shots of the food. Mmmmm im hungry just thinking about it.

I still have the caesar salad and tiramisu to complete tomorrow before the party. Although I love making food, Im a little nervous about the tiramisu. I just keep telling myself that I wont screw it up haha.

Angie devouring pumpkin apple pie in Julian

Ok...go

Getting the apples ready for cookin

Pumpkin is seriously the best flavor ever

The finished product. Mmmmmmm nom nom nom

Moving on to round two. My ingredients for this wonderful lasagna recipe

Cooking up the meat and sauce. Oh man, the whole house smelled delicious!

Saving it in the refrigerator until the party tomorrow night. I cant wait!

...and now the worst part: washing dishes!

Ugh

Recent Reads

2010-09-30T16:30:00.014-07:00

I have been reading some pretty diverse books recently, so I thought I'd share some of my reviews.

My most recent book was Small Crimes in an Age of Abundance by Matthew Kneale. I randomly stumbled on this book while I was at the library perusing through fiction. I liked the cover (an overstuffed pig) and had a good laugh at the insert description. It was a series of short stories, many that dealt with traveling in foreign countries. As the insert states, "As the deftly crafted tales gain momentum - tense, funny, and always compassionate - they illuminate the uncertainties of life at home and abroad."

Another read was Demons in the Spring by Joe Meno. If you have not read Joe Meno, you are missing out. Hairstyles of the Damned is hands down my favorite, but they are all pretty darn good. The library didnt have one of his full lengths, so I settled for short stories. I generally dont enjoy short stories all that much, so it was weird that they happened to be my last two books. Unlike Small Crimes, I did not feel an overarching theme except for the fact that they were generally somber accounts that never quite offered a solution.

I finally read a Chuck Klosterman book. Although I was hoping to start with Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs, I settled for Downtown Owl. This novel focused on three main characters (history teacher, an old timer, and a high school backup quarterback) living in Owl, North Dakota. Sound boring? Well, you are wrong. This was a great book! It is a pretty quick read, but thoroughly enjoyable. I am excited to read some of his other works.

After all these years of hearing about Ayn Rand and Atlas Shrugged, I felt I would be disappointed with the (extremely long) novel. So much to say about this novel but Id rather just sum it up with a phrase: "Who is John Galt?" Although I did not necessarily agree with many of Rand's core beliefs, I still took so much away from the novel. It was well-written and amazingly delved into the human psyche as individuals constant battle with work, family, government, core values, progress, money, and so much more.

Interestingly, while I was reading Atlas Shrugged, I got a little fed up with its bias and had to read (and by "read" I mean skim and try to understand pieces) The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Frederich Engels. I read a newer edition of the book...one which had an introduction by Eric Hobsbawm. Talk about contrasting reads hahaha. I dont agree with all the tenets set forth on The Communist Manifesto either, but I found it necessary to set off the laissez-faire that Rand promotes. Although a tough read, I think everyone should have a go at it.

I have been back to the Glendale Library a few times recently, and picked up some great books. Currently, Im reading Chuck Palahniuk's Rant. After I finish, Ill probably move on to The Trial by Franz Kafka or Underground by Haruki Murakami. Oh, and I would eventually like to get to those those Stieg Larsson books that EVERYONE seems to be reading.

Archaeological Field Technician. Take One.

2010-09-20T09:04:00.018-07:00

Lots of water and brightly colored gatorade? check.
Hiking shoes (double socked for comfort)? check.
Brown paper bag lunch (complete with turkey and cheese sandwich)? check.
Camera (with optional belt carrying case)? check.
Borrowed compass? check.
Fake Ray Ban sunglasses? check.
Crazy looking, ridiculously wide-brimmed hat to block the sun? check.
Cheap Casio wrist watch I haven't used in two years? check.

Man, was I ready for my first day in the field!

As you probably know, I have been actively searching for full time employment since my return from Cambodia, gulp, 5 months ago. For the most part, I have been doing odd jobs such as landscaping, house painting, yard work, house sitting, and whatever else comes up. Although a few jobs have been inside a nicely air conditioned room, the majority have included manual labor out in the piercing Los Angeles heat.

Anywho...

I got a call last Tuesday at 5:30 pm from my friend Adam who works at a Cultural Resource Management (CRM) company down in San Diego. There was a last minute project that came up but no one was available to pick up the slack. So, even though I have not specifically had archaeological field training (because Ive always done ethnographic field research), he was in a bind and needed me by 6:45 am the next morning. I was stoked! Good pay and the possibility for a more permanent job position sounded wonderful. I was very nervous about my arch knowledge, but I figured that dated concepts from my undergraduate archaeology classes would help...at least a little.

We went out as a team of four to eastern San Diego County to follow some "lines" (telephone poles) in areas of proposed development. NOTE: No, it was not "development" as in "suburban gated housing development", so dont worry. We hiked for about 8 hours that first day. I was the designated photographer for the field work. This was a perfect situation, as I love photography and, probably more importantly, I had no idea how to write field reports haha. I did not know what to expect, so everything was new and exciting! We found milling features (manos, basins, slicks) as well as glass and metavolcanic flakes. But some of the most fun I had was trying to create stories for all of the odd stuff that I saw (e.g. backpacks stashed behind large boulders that had been cut up by US Border Patrol [why did they do this? what were the bags carrying? clothes? food? drugs? Who used these bags?], shotgun shells surrounding hundreds of shattered glass beer bottles [were these persons getting drunk and then shooting their trash? How often do they come out here to do this?], empty sunscreen bottles [were people crossing the border really wearing sunscreen while hiding out in the desert?]. Needless to say, I was flushed with information throughout the day.

I wont go through the next two days of survey, but it included a lot of hiking, writing, asking questions, and, of course, finding super duper cool features. I had a wonderful time, learned a ton, and trying to get back on for more long-term work. Lets see what happens. Fingers crossed.

So fresh, but not so clean after 8 hours of sunshine

Mortars, basins, and slicks

One of the interesting things about taking photos while surveying is what you must include in the photo. Although, technically speaking, this is not a perfect photo, I included the numbered telephone pole in the background, direction of the shadows, as well as the measuring tape that will help future surveys and/or excavations because they establish context.

Ceramic pot sherd on a granitic outcrop with basin in rear

Close up of the sherd

Slick on small granite outcrop

Although the surface doesnt really look that smooth, notice the difference between the upper and lower sections of the photo. The bottom is much more worn down. Moreover, the slick would have been even smoother but exfoliation has taken its course.

Flag and tag! These are all locations of possible features and/or artifacts. It was a densely populated area.

Another context shot with line as well as barbed wire fence. We climbed through a bunch of those fences. Luckily, I didnt get caught! haha

See that slope? Yeah I climbed up, then down, then up, and then down again. And we didnt traverse across...we had to follow the line straight up the hill!

Beautiful scenery while sittin on top

APE shot of the line

Santa Fe Depot (San Diego, CA)

2010-09-14T08:46:00.002-07:00

Santa Fe Depot opened up in 1915 to accommodate visitors to the Panama-California Exhibition in San Diego. San Diego's goal was to become the West Coast terminus for Santa Fe Railway's transcontinental railroad, a battle that they eventually lost to Los Angeles.

Here are a couple of snaps from my last visit to the Santa Fe Depot.

Viva la Revolución: A Dialogue with the Urban Landscape

2010-08-20T11:12:00.027-07:00

Location: Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego / City of San Diego
Exhibition: Viva la Revolución: A Dialogue with the Urban Landscape

Quoted from MCASD website:

"For the first time in history, the majority of the world’s population lives in urban communities. The urban setting and its corresponding lifestyle are major sources of inspiration in contemporary culture. This is an historic revolution in visual culture, in which the codes and icons of the everyday—found on the streets in graffiti, signage, waste, tattoos, advertising, and graphic design—have been appropriated and used as an integral part of contemporary art-making. The urban landscape inspires and serves as both a platform for innovation and a vehicle for expression for many artists. The city itself, its buildings, vehicles, people, and advertisements, are not only the surface where the art is applied. The city fuels the practice.

A multifaceted exhibition that explores the dialogue between artists and the urban landscape, Viva la Revolución: A Dialogue with the Urban Landscape features works both in the Museum’s galleries as well as at public sites throughout downtown San Diego."

The exhibition included over 20 domestic/international artists. More importantly, the street art was displayed not only in the museum, but on the streets. Pretty cool to think that this once "illegal" street art is now commissioned to beautify areas of landscape. Check out the website and then check the public site to see locations throughout southern San Diego:
www.mcasd.org/vivalarevolucion

As Sharon Zukin states in The Cultures of Cities: "Public spaces are the primary site of public culture; they are a window into the city’s soul." This becomes glowingly apparent as we look around our urban environment. Its peoples, its places, its history - the city's continuing transformation of space through social exchanges, memories, images, and daily activities. This dialogue between environments becomes extremely important as people continue to pour into cities and create/modify/reshape public spaces.

I loved the experience and I took some photos so you can see what I saw. Also, Stephan Doitschinoff (CALMA), who you see below, is my new favorite artist. Cheers.
www.stephandoit.com.br

Stephan Doitschinoff (CALMA)

Stephan Doitschinoff (CALMA)

Stephan Doitschinoff (CALMA)

Stephan Doitschinoff (CALMA)

Shepard Fairey

Shepard Fairey

Shepard Fairey

Dr. Lakra

Dr. Lakra

Dr. Lakra

OS GEMEOS

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Vhils

JR, Women are Heroes

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Los Angeles River Bike Ride

2010-07-28T18:27:00.004-07:00

Art Displays

2010-06-29T09:01:00.008-07:00

Over the past few weeks I have seen some amazing art displays presented through contrasting mediums. I find it interesting how the type of art as well as the unique display is entirely contextual – based on location, audience, materials, artist, and others. Presented below are three varied locations throughout Los Angeles: (1) Los Angeles Country Museum of Art, (2) Dwell Magazine Design Show, and (3) Figueroa Street.

(1) LACMA is one of my favorite museums. They display a wide variety of traditional and contemporary art from all over the world. As many museums do, LACMA consistently battles with creating an active museum environment rather than the traditional static museum. They do have a couple of hands-on exhibits, but for the most part, everything is attached to a wall and only involves viewing a canvas. Some of the more interesting photos are posted below. My favorite piece is called Sin Título by Valeska Soares. The artwork is based on Italo Calvino’s novel Invisible Cities (1972). I also find the photo with the security guard fascinating. Notice the child running in the background while everything else (including the security guard) is immobilized. Just goes to show how various ages experience museums. Lastly, I like the contrast between photos three and four. Both are exhibits but the displays are drastically different. Photo three shows the Latin American gallery and is much more active than photo four of the Asian American gallery.

(2) I went to the Dwell On Design show this past weekend hoping to find some cool ideas for landscaping my parents’ front yard. The magazine is amazing and I figured that this would be an interactive show that would provide some direction and insight. Unfortunately, it was basically a bunch of booths selling furniture, appliances, and decorative art. The photos shown below are from my favorite exhibit that showed pieces of art from various different Asian countries. The designer’s goal was to show that “Asian art” is not all the same and can vary based on location and upbringing. Unfortunately, the “best” exhibit was placed along a sidewall so not many people got to see it. Sad.

(3) I am really amazed by all of the new construction in downtown Los Angeles. I could remember coming down here in high school and eating at the Pantry before practically running out of the area. During the day, the area was populated with business people, but looked abandoned at night. Now, much of it has changed. Luckily, street art still covers many of the unfinished buildings. This American flag is spraypainted on fragile plywood that acts as a gate on the first floor of a halfway constructed complex. The shattered window was near the American flag. This area has historically been marginalized and only now after millions of dollars spent on the Staples Center, LA Live, the LA Convention Center, as well as surrounding hotels and restaurants, new luxury condos are popping up everywhere.

Unemployment

2010-06-25T12:32:00.003-07:00

I heard on the news yesterday that there are 6 times as many people applying for jobs than there are jobs are available. This does not mean that there are 6 people applying for 1 job (which would actually be awesome!) but that there are 6 times as many unemployed persons ready to work but cannot because there are simply not even close to enough jobs available. No wonder I dont hear back from 90% of the jobs that I apply for.

Depressing. The cartoon below pretty much sums up my current situation.

Wind Farms (Palm Desert, CA)

2010-06-15T10:41:00.001-07:00

"How you doin?"

2010-06-11T08:39:00.005-07:00

Just before I left Cambodia, I bought all 10 (yes, TEN) seasons of Friends at the Russian Market in Phnom Penh. I was a little worried about the quality of the discs and if they would even work on an American dvd player. But I bargained the price down to 12 bucks, so I figured "Eh, if it works it would definitely be worth it!"

Long story short, I have just finished Season 1 and it could be one of my best purchases abroad.

Breakdown:

Each episode: ~23 minutes
Total episodes: 236
Total minutes of enjoyment: 5428

Based on the fact that I paid 12 buckaroos...

Price per episode: $0.05 --> a nickel per episode! And if I re-watch episodes, then the price drops even more. Like whoa!
Price per minute of enjoyment: $0.002 --> wow!

The only negative note: I have to here the Rembrandts "I'll Be There for You" 236 times. Ugh.
So, Thank you Rachel, Ross, Joey, Monica, Phoebe, and Chandler.

P.S. did you know that each friend was getting paid 1 million per episode by the ninth season? A bit ridiculous.

Denver and Boulder, Colorado

2010-05-26T19:49:00.008-07:00

This past weekend I went out to Colorado for Kurt and Emily's Wedding. I was super excited to get out there because they are some of my best friends and I havent been out to Colorado in a few years when I visited a friend at CU Boulder. Although I didnt get any pictures of the actual wedding (because I was IN the wedding and busy busy busy), I got some cool photos in Denver. I must admit that Denver is my new favorite city and has been added to potential places of employment. There are tons of bike paths and dog parks and it is not even close to as crowded as a Los Angeles or even San Diego. I know the weather is not as always quite as beautiful as it was last weekend, but I was sold almost upon arrival!

Current Events. California. Conor.

2010-05-12T09:14:00.003-07:00

Last weekend for Mothers Day, my family and I went down to my aunt and uncle’s beach house (and yes, its amazingly beautiful!) in Newport Beach. We went down a day early on Saturday to relax and hang out before the rest of the family got there for the party on Sunday afternoon. Their house is right next to the Wedge, a famous bodysurfing spot, so I had a great time watching those crazy guys in the water. Luckily, there wasn't much swell, so there weren’t too many people in the water (and no one got injured!). Next up was some beers and a Lakers game!

At half time I decided to take a nice bike ride around the beach. I decided that because the sun was setting and the scenery was beautiful, I should make it a much longer “full” ride. Well after about 30 minutes of riding on the streets, I hit a rough spot. I have a road bike with skinny tires, so large breaks in the road aren’t good for me. In order to get around the area, I weaved right…right into a parked SUV! I had a little cursing spout before looking at the PARKED vehicle to see if I had done any damage. There was a giant dent in the side of the car where my shoulder had hit and one of the taillights was broken! I freaked out! How could I create such damage? I didn't hit it that hard. I mean, I didn't even fall off my bike! I calmed down and quickly reassessed the damage. On second glance, I found yellow paint marks in the dent and there was no debris from the taillights on the ground. The dent was also much bigger than anything I could have created haha. It had to have been from a parking column or something like that from some previous accident. I decided that there was no possible way that that dent was from me and I looked up to ride away. To my left, there was a large family (7 people!) staring at me. For how long? I have no idea. Probably the entire time I’ve been ogling this mess. I shot them a nervous smile and rode off embarrassed as ever. I also realized that the family probably thought I had taken out the car when I hit it! Shoooot, I peddled faster and faster to flee the scene…

Needless to say I woke up with a sore shoulder the next morning and some cut up knuckles. Luckily, there was no damage to the vehicle and I came away pretty clean. I then went for another, longer bike ride on Sunday morning with all those cool cicylists in tight, neon orange spandex and mirrors on their helmets. I looked pretty sweet in my jorts and Adidas Sambas. Yep!

Next on list: Apply for more jobs.

After: Vegas, baby! I’ve never been for a bachelor’s party, but Im pretty sure its going to be a blast. I just need to remember to put some Rohypnol in my friend’s Jager shots!

hahahaha

Back in Los Angeles, CA

2010-05-03T14:57:00.009-07:00

I came to the realization that I had left Cambodia when I walked through Immigration at the LAX airport. The Spanish that everybody was speaking sounded so familiar, yet did not immediately register in my brain. Although I understand Spanish relatively well, there was a strange disconnect and nothing would compute. I had been immersed in Khmer for so long that another language, even though previously familiar to me, sounded dreadfully foreign. Then I looked up and realized that the Customs agents were not Cambodian, neither were the baggage claim assistants nor the police standing in the corner. Even though my sister and I had traveled through Singapore for a couple days prior to our arrival in Los Angeles, I was undeniably still in vacation mode, assuming a return to Siem Reap with my NGO job waiting.

…then I pulled my two large bags from baggage claim and gradually made my way to the airport exit where my girlfriend and parents awaited my arrival.

I had always figured that it would take a little while to adjust back to “American life”, but I never thought that it would be this strange and mentally draining.

I moved back into the small guestroom in my parents’ house, but everything I own is packed away in boxes or suitcases. Some of my things are upstairs in my old bedroom (which is now an office), some are stuffed in the garage under plastic wrap, but most are stacked down in the basement with labels like “Anthropology books”, “thesis stuff”, and “dvds”. Should I take these out? Where can I put them? They wont fit in my room and I figure that I won't be staying in the guestroom forever, so I leave them to collect more dust. Then my mom asks me if she can borrow a scarf. Simple enough question. I say yes, assuming that I know where the hell my scarves are. I end up plowing through boxes for 30 minutes before finding one. But where are the others? Why are they not with my scarf that I purchased in South Africa? Where is the one I bought out in New York? How about the few that I just brought home from Cambodia? I have no idea and am too lethargic to keep searching through my bags and boxes.

I feel like I have arrived back at my house, but I don’t really feel “home” yet. It was like nothing had changed, but everything had changed. How did this happen so quickly? It has only been ten months, but it all seems to be drastically different. I know that I am not alone in these feelings, but it still makes me apprehensive. And I must say that people who live and work abroad, rather than travelers on holiday or long-term backpackers, have it tougher. In order to be comfortable and happy going through daily life in a foreign environment, you must completely engulf yourself from day one. Although you remain an outsider, in your heart, you are immersed in a new life, learning everything you can to survive. And its those mundane, daily occurrences that become the most important to repeat. No matter the geographic location, you develop a regular schedule that involves certain activities and interaction with particular peoples (e.g. Field visits out to Sambour on Wednesdays or Quiz nights at the Funky Monky on Thursdays). When you sever those ties and move away (possibly forever), it’s very difficult to regain consciousness and sense of being.

It has been almost two weeks now since I arrived back at LAX, and things are starting to get a little easier. Bella, my beautiful bicycle, is back in action. My friends and girlfriend in San Diego are still super awesome. My dog Leo is a little bit fatter and fuzzier, but remembers who I am. My automobile driving skills are getting much better. And, sad to say, I am quickly regaining all of the weight that I had lost abroad.

I will see what happens in the next few months, but right now my body and mind remain unsettled. Many times I just get the urge to purchase a ticket, hop on a plane and fly somewhere…anywhere to get away.

"I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today.” William Allen White

Weekend in Luang Prabang

2010-04-04T19:10:00.005-07:00

A few weeks back (maybe even a month?) I went up to Luang Prabang with my friend Sol. The hotel that he works for here in Siem Reap is opening up another location in Luang Prabang so I tagged along on his "business" trip in order to finally get up to the wonderful country of Laos. Luang Prabang is similar to Siem Reap in many ways, although not yet hit as hard by development in response to tourist cravings. Oh but dont worry, its coming!...but I digress. Sol and I signed up for a two day adventure tourist package in which we went trekking through 3 local villages, stayed overnight up in the hills, and then kayaked down the river on the way back to the city. No matter how pre-packed this whole adventure was (every traveller gets to see authentic village life! - except modified by the constant travelers sleeping in their homes, eating their foods, and bathing at their water tap hahaha), I still had a great time. Also, notice all of the smoke in the pictures. throughout these months, residents burn the countryside in preparation for rice growing season. It was okay initially, but got pretty bad by the time we left.

Mapping Activity

2010-03-30T20:19:00.004-07:00

For our organization's Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), we carry out a mapping activity in order to get all of the participants involved and to have a little fun. We also use it to identify important village landmarks, housing areas, and well accessibility. I have a great time doing it b/c I dont need to speak too much Khmer to get involved with everyone. Plus, I think they all like seeing a westerner on his hands and knees trying to ask them, "Is this a tile roof or a metal roof?" or "Does this pump well function?" and "How any kilometers from the road to the rice fields?". Posted below is a picture of my first draft drawing. Now, I have to go through the extensive write-up process. 2 villages, 35 participants, 15 activities, 3 khmer staff, and 1 barang. Its a large undertaking but so much fun!

Plus, there happened to be a 3-day carnival at one of the nearby pagodas so I got to drink with the men and ride the carousel. I find the way that the men drink very difficult to handle. They drink way too much in a short period of time and then are done for the evening. I would rather spread out the drinks so I can last longer. No such luck with these guys haha.

Keeping My Cool

2010-03-28T05:07:00.002-07:00

Hello Hello-

I think I know why they deem this month "March Madness". I havent even watched one game of the NCAA tourney, but I have definitely experienced some madness out here in Cambodia. In order to keep myself sane, I have been listening to Ben Harper's Live From Mars album (disc two) non-stop. I just cant get enough of his lyrics and soul. Posted below is my favorite song, "Walk Away". Plus, its at the Hollywood Bowl where I used to work back in they day! Its one of the best concert venues ever! Ive spent many summer nights enjoying live music at the Bowl. Note: Ben, there is over 17,000 seats not "10 or 15 thousand really good friends"! hahaha

I will be finding out a bunch of new work information in the next few days and then I will let you know what the dilly is out here. Thank you Ben for keeping me balanced amongst this craziness. "They say if you love somebody you have got to set them free, but I would rather be locked to you than live in this pain and misery". So beautiful.

Khmer Wedding Weekend

2010-03-09T01:43:00.013-08:00

This past weekend I went to an amazing 2-day Khmer wedding for Saloth, my co-worker, and Dane. It was a long festival, but full of great fun, delicious food, and tasty drinks! The first day included the actual wedding ceremony, while the second day included the walking of the fruit and a huge, dance-filled celebration! I cant even count the number of times that I was instructed on how to dance Khmer. It seemed that every person thought I could dance better if I followed them exactly. Too bad each person had a different step, so I never learned anything! Oh well, I had a great time and danced to my own beat for almost 3 hours. Overall, a wonderful time!

Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh

2010-03-04T23:11:00.000-08:00

Security Prison 21 (S-21), Phnom Penh

2010-03-02T00:22:00.014-08:00

Last weekend while in Phnom Penh I visited the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (aka Security Prison 21, aka S-21, aka Chao Ponhea Yat High School). It was converted from a high school into a prison and interrogation center during the Khmer Rouge. All the rooms were transformed into tiny brick and concrete cells, barbed wire was laced throughout the encampment, and various types of torture chambers were scattered throughout the complex. It was a pretty depressing location and took me a long time to finally make it through the four large buildings. It is estimated that over 17,000 people were imprisoned between 1975-1979. There are only 7 known survivors.

Note: I understand that seeing this situation is difficult, and that is one of the reasons why I excluded many of my photos that showed persons. In all honesty, it was difficult to stomach while I was at S-21. Additionally, I do not intent to strictly parallel Cambodia with the Khmer Rouge. As you know, it was a terrible time in the country, but in no way do current Khmer define themselves by these events. They are remembered as a part of history, but not their entire history. Lastly, many Khmer Rouge soldiers held out in villages up until the mid 1990s. The "official" time frame was 1975-1979, but in reality, it was from the 1950s up until the mid-1990s. Two of the villages we work with were sporadically invaded by the ex-soldiers for years after 1979. In fact, that is how villages decided on a village chief. The Chief served as village protector not only from the Khmer Rouge, but also from the Cambodian military and determined Vietnamese soldiers. Pretty amazing people. Just droppin some knowledge for you. Cheers.

The Final Stretch

2010-02-23T18:36:00.006-08:00

So after many long, long nights of thinking about my stay in Cambodia, I finally decided that I will return home to the States in April when my contract ends. Although it was a very difficult decision because I love Cambodia and the work that I do, I have some people and things that I could just not do without. Before I arrived here in Siem Reap, I never imagined that I would love it this much. I have made some amazing friends, learned some remarkable lessons, and worked with some great people. And I may still come back in the future, but there are things at home that I need to take care of first. I think that it is good to second guess some decisions before they are finalized because it forces me to evaluate pros and cons of it all. I am still a little scared of adjusting myself back to American life (job? housing? finances? family? friends?), but it is the best decision. I will be able to attend all my friends' weddings this summer, hopefully travel up to Yosemite with my family, go to Disneyland, and eat In-N-Out and Mexican food until my hearts content! After the summer...well I will probably be spending more late nights contemplating life.

I still have a almost two months here and I am going to live it up! I will be going to Phnom Penh this weekend and Laos for a long weekend in March. I also will be going to Takeo Province for extended fieldwork in March and returning (hopefully) with my sister for Khmer New Year in the villages. Who knows what comes after in the US of A, but I will try to take it in stride.

Cambodia - thank you for a wonderful time and I will miss truly miss you

Oaxaca, Summer 2007

2010-02-21T23:07:00.004-08:00

Oaxaca is an amazingly beautiful place. Unfortunately, I lost about 500 photos from my excursion down south. These are what remain...

Across Cambodia

2010-02-21T18:16:00.010-08:00

I was going through a bunch of photos this weekend and found a few that I had forgotten about. Ahhh Cambodia, the Kingdom of Wonder!

Shades of Orange

2010-02-14T19:52:00.005-08:00

Local Boutiques. Siem Reap.

2010-02-11T19:33:00.017-08:00

These are some of the shops that I frequent on a regular basis. They are all owned and operated by friends...and are marvelous!

Circle, Alley West. A new socially conscious boutique opened up by two friends from Phnom Penh.

Circle, Alley West. This charming dragon is one of Lauren and Rachel's wall hangings - that they found at the dump. Yep, its quite amazing what you can find!

Poetry, Alley West. A great display on the way upstairs to Loven and Don's art gallery.

Poetry, Alley West. A sneak peak at what the gallery offers. I love the floor!

Wanderlust, Alley West. One of the displays in Elizabeth's gleaming boutique.

Wanderlust, Alley West. Need earrings? Wonderlust has an amazing collection.

...If my family is reading this, now you know where all your gifts came from!

Check them out:

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2010012231000/Siem-Reap-Insider/fashion-boutique-lends-a-hand-to-the-less-fortunate.html
http://circlecambodia.wordpress.com/
http://www.yellowpages-cambodia.com/shopping/art-galleries/poetry-38957.html

http://www.wanderlustcambodia.com/html/

Applied Anthropology?

2010-02-09T18:32:00.013-08:00

So I have recently been a little agitated with the amount (and type) of fieldwork that I have been able to carry out. I feel like I have started back at square one and my employer still does not understand the importance of deep ethnographic data. Although I enjoy simply getting out to the field, I spend too much time carrying out specific tasks (showing potential donors the villages, carrying out 20-question closed ended surveys, etc) and not getting enough time to simply get to know who we work with. Since much of field research does not necessarily have an immediate financial or physical outcome, people assume that it would be better for me to work on office stuff. Right now, I am creating an exit questionnaire. Ehhh boring. I thought that after this many months of working, I would have finally convinced them of "what I do", "why it works" and "how it will help" --not just right now, but continually in the future...which is most important, right? (I might also add, I think that this happens across the board, in many organizations with many anthropologists (and even other fields) trying to put their skills to work outside of academia.)

Without a doubt, I am partly to blame. If I was fluent in Khmer, I would have a much easier time in the field. Its unfortunate b/c a Khmer staff has to always accompany me - I can't really go alone. On the other hand, fieldwork is so much more than only verbally communicating with others. Just spending one day in one of the villages, I can write up tons of notes that will help all parties involved. Over time, those notes will provide a base for developing projects that take into account LOCALS. It is a unique skill set that others either cannot understand or simply dont care to see its benefits. If we are going to actually help people, then we need to spend as much time out in the field as possible. We cannot ethically and effectively work with villagers if we do not know who they are and what they do on a day-to-day basis. By introducing ourselves into their lives, we have affected their livelihoods. Now, we need to make sure that it is a positive influence. At least in this case, we reached out to them - not vice versa, so there is even more pressure to develop programs that take them into account while correspondingly helping the community grow. Material additions (aka. ring wells) are nice, but they need to be accompanied with nonmaterial elements.

Is that the main concern for applied anthropologists? Does the public simply not understand what anthropology is all about? Are they still stuck on "Indiana Jones" or "Jane Goodall"? Is there really a simple question with such an obvious solution? Hmmm. When I looked up Applied Anthropology online, Wikipedia stated that applied anthropologists can attempt to answer questions like: "How can anthropologists on Human Terrain Teams help the military identify enemy elements in Iraq?" Really? Most anthropologists would not engage in this behavior because it violates ethics that we hold so dear. It would not be about understanding and assisting the local population; it would be about the US military gaining an advantage in WAR. In all honesty, it is completely untrue to say that this is a "typical" question for applied anthropologists. Its ridiculous in fact.

Is that what I am fighting for -- for people to understand how I can be of use? For people to grasp what anthropologists do and how we can positively affect the future? Geez, that seems like a tough sell.

Okay, my rant is done. Enjoy your day!

Saigon Central Post Office

2010-02-07T03:55:00.003-08:00