often unreasonable

So I decided... Paramore.

2010-01-21T16:24:00.005-05:00

I can’t help but to keep going back to the Hype Machine’s Top 50 albums of 2009 for inspiration. Aside from albums I already had in my library on the list, I’ve probably added another 25 that I discovered. Some of them were bands I had never heard of - I love discovering something completely new (i.e. Mumford & Sons, see my post from last week). However, some of them were bands that I knew of, and had heard some of their music, but just never paid much attention to.

So, emo isn’t my thing. I’ll listen to it (and maybe enjoy it) if someone else is playing it, but 99 times out of 100, I’m not going to pick it on my own. That being said, though, I respect it and appreciate it for what it is. That’s why I really surprised myself when I really enjoyed exploring Paramore’s new album, Brand New Eyes.

Now, I realize I’m jumping on board a bit late here. I know they’ve been around since 2005 and that this is their 3rd album and that Riot! went platinum and all that, blah blah blah. I’m not going to say that I gave all of their albums that much attention, BUT from what I do know and what I’ve read from credible sources, this is their best album yet. The band co-produced the album with Rob Cavallo (Green Day, My Chemical Romance, etc) and brilliantly proved themselves, despite being so young. Favorite Tracks: “All I Wanted” and “Turn It Off”. Hayley Williams’s voice in “All I Wanted” is, simply put, chilling and breathtaking.

I don’t have any hatred (in fact, the opposite) for the other members of Paramore, but what I want to know is: when will Hayley Williams go solo? She’s only 21 and she’s extraordinary. I just can’t help but wonder what she’d be like solo (the song “Teenagers” from the soundtrack for Jennifer’s Body DOESN’T count). Is that so wrong?

For those who read this and were tired of listening to banjos – this was for you. Well, it was for me, too. I’m always trying to expand my horizons. Dear emo music, I’m sorry for all the times I said I didn’t like you. Love, J.

(You can still listen to most of Brand New Eyes using Hype Machine's link above. Otherwise, try their last.fm page. If you like Paramore, and especially like a strong lead female vocal, try Metric's new album Fantasies - also one of the best from 2009.)

Happy listening!

So I decided...Mumford & Sons

2010-01-15T12:40:00.005-05:00

First thing’s first – I’ll credit A with introducing me to The Hype Machine, a great music blog for discovering new and eclectic material. Over the past two weeks, I’ve curbed my Pandora usage to exploit the availability of full album listening for 2009’s Top 50 on the blog. You mean I can just click here and listen a whole album? All of it? For free? Don’t mind if I do…

While most of the artists I ran into on the list were at least somewhat familiar, I definitely ran into some gems that flew under my radar this year. Of course, the Top 10 were the heavy hitters: Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear, Phoenix, Dirty Projectors, The XX, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Passion Pit, Antlers, Fever Ray and Girls. This week, though, my material is coming from the guys in the number 50 spot: Mumford & Sons. Dead last. Hadn’t heard of them. Love at first listen.

The guys have been together only since late 2007, released some of their first singles in mid-2008 and, finally, released their debut in October of 2009. They were lucky enough to produce Sigh No More with Markus Dravs, who has worked with the likes of Coldplay, The Arcade Fire and Bjork.

Favorite tracks: “Sigh No More” and “The Cave”. Although, I’ve listened to the whole album without skipping tracks about a bajillion times now. That says a lot, for me, about both the cohesiveness of the album and the quality of individual songs. I really enjoy the clever reference to Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing in “Sign No More” and it offers a remarkably soulful opening. I can’t put my finger on why I like “The Cave” so much, but I do. So there. For something dark, try “Dustbowl Dance” – one line says “You will pray to the God you always denied/And I’ll go out back and I’ll get my gun…” Enough said.

If you check these guys out and like them, I also suggest Fleet Foxes. I don’t know who is actually reading this, but I’m sure you all are tired of me picking music with banjos (judge if you want, but I like it). So, for next week I’ve got something different in mind to waste my breath about…

So I decided... Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

2010-01-05T15:46:00.000-05:00

As a genre, I don’t think indie folk really does Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros justice. A World Café article on NPR dubbed them a psychedelic folk troupe and I think that’s more like it. Their debut album came out in July and ever since, they’ve been all over the radar as an avant-garde band for 2009.

My first exposure to ESMZ (that’s what I’m going to call it, okay?) was “Home” as a part of NPR’s 2009 recap. You can’t help but to fall in love with that song, even if you don’t appreciate any of their other music. The lyrics are just unabashedly amorous and whimsical, enough to melt the coldest of hearts. The buck doesn’t stop there though, “Carries On”, “40 Day Dream”, “Simplest Love” and “Om Nashi Me” are equally as affectionate. Watch the 10 piece group fronted by Alex Ebert and Jade Castrinos and the feeling only grows. I can’t help but think about John & Yoko when they perform together, singing lines like “She got jumper cable lips/ She got sunset on her breath now/ I inhaled just a little bit / Now I got no fear of death…” or “Holy Moly, Me oh My, you’re the apple of my eye/ Girl ain’t never loved one like you…”

I’m a little bit in awe of what they are and what they do and I still don’t quite understand it. It’s like a bunch of random hippies got together (probably with at least a little pot) and just started playing and writing together. When I suggested one friend listen to it he says, “man, they just don’t make music like this anymore!” to which I responded, “it came out this year! don’t you feel like it’s from the 60s or something?!” I’m interested to see if there’s a large movement for this kind of revival of folk music that is reminiscent of the 60s and 70s, but I don’t expect it to trump Lady Gaga in the charts or anything (I also love her, no hate here).

Hope you enjoy listening, and if you don’t, well…oh well. Among those currently on my radar for future posts are: Mumford & Sons, Muse and Fanfarlo… be on the lookout!

So I decided...To Make Broken Spaghetti Risotto & Chicken Saltimbocca.

2009-12-29T21:52:00.000-05:00

So, I like to cook. Maaaaybe you read my post about grilling? If you didn’t, you should. Just earlier today I finally started blogging about music like I’ve been wanting to, and I mentioned as my final note that I wanted to start blogging about recipes and some of my cooking adventures. I’m not going to promise a weekly post like my music blogging, but as often as I try a new recipe or feel compelled to share.

For my first adventure in cooking: broken spaghetti risotto and chicken tenders saltimbocca. I originally saw these two recipes presented together on an episode of Rachael Ray’s 30 Minute Meals, the tenders served on top of the pasta or as a first course. I just kinda “served” them together.

First of all, let me say that this wasn’t a 30 minute meal. With the first experience behind me I MIGHT be able to get it all done in 30 minutes, but I wouldn’t bank on it. Risotto by its very nature is to be cooked slowly, although the broken spaghetti cooked faster than traditional risotto made with rice would have. Okay, second of all, I take issue with a few details Rachael uses to describe things in this recipe, a) “medium” saute pan and b) spaghetti broken in to “small” pieces. Note that the recipe calls for 1 pound of spaghetti. I don’t know what planet I was on when I thought 1 pound of spaghetti would fit in a “medium” saute pan - large people, go with a large, deep pan. And for the record, when she says small pieces, she means tiny. Like, we’re talkin’ 2-3”, max. The rest of the recipe, though, was pretty good. The mushroom stock was great and incorporated with the pasta quite well in about the time frame she suggests. Despite the little adventure I had with the not-quite-big-enough saute pan and a-little-too-big pieces of spaghetti, the pasta turned out delish.

Now, the oven roasted chicken tenders saltimbocca were easy as pie (actually, I don’t think that’s appropriate because some pies are quite complicated). Just wrap fresh chicken tenders with sage and prosciutto, coat them with S&P and EVOO and let the guys bake. Simple, elegant and delicious. Great served with the pasta, but would also serve well as a hors d'oeuvre.

I got a dutch oven for Christmas, so be on the look out for a recipe to be cooked in that bad boy (I REALLY want to try to make Julia Child’s boeuf bourguignon)...

Aaaand if anyone is interested, one of my favorite new sites for finding random recipes without any agenda is tastespotting.com.

So I decided...To Start Blogging About Music I Love

2009-12-29T12:12:00.002-05:00

This is a special time of the year for music lovers. The whole interwire is abuzz with “Best of 2009’s”. What’s even more special is that we’re closing out a decade, giving the opportunity for all sorts of lists for the best music from the last 10 years. I’ve been in heaven reacquainting myself with music from just this past year, let alone the entire decade. My quick and dirty assessment of 2009 in music: phenomenal. I will say that I have taken more interest in music in the past year, so that may have a little to do with it. However, I think this year saw some great new artists emerge and saw some artists that have been around the block really shine brilliantly. What I DON’T want to do is make another list - it’s been done, look ‘um up (shout out to A and her blog). I will give a nod to some of my favorites though:

The Decemberists - The Hazards of Love
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Up From Below
Passion Pit - Manners
Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Lady GaGa - Fame Monster
Neko Case - Middle Cyclone
Samantha Crain & The Midnight Shivers - Songs in the Night

Rather than having a fleeting post about one of my favorites from 2009 - I’m gonna get to it, hold on a sec - I’d like to post about an artist once a week. Ambitious, I know, but music is something I feel inspired enough to write about that often (I think). So what better time than now to start? Won’t necessarily be a new artists or new albums or anything like that, just someone who’s music I feel like sharing. SO, with that... I want to write my first post about Sarah Jarosz.

She hails from just outside Austin, Texas, which right away signals to me that she’s been exposed to great music her whole life. According to her bio, she’s been singing since she was 2, playing piano since she was 6 and mandolin since she was 10 (somewhere along the way she’s also added claw-hammer banjo and guitar to her repertoire). Her debut album Song Up in Her Head released in June, just a few weeks after she graduated from high school and turned 18 - you know, minor events. In my humble opinion, it’s beautifully executed. Of the album's 13 tracks, 11 are her own. The other two? Intelligently covered songs in “Come On Up To The House” (Tom Waits) and “Shankill Butchers” (The Decemberists). “Shankill Butchers” was haunting when I heard on The Crane Wife, but I get chills when she sings “...they used to be just like me and you/they used be sweet little boys/but something went horribly askew/now, killing is their only source of joy...”. Oh, and let’s not forget to mention that “Mansinneedof” is nominated for a Grammy (Best Country Instrumental) - no big deal right? It’s tough for me to pick a favorite track though, I really love the album as a whole.

So anyways, check her out *listen here*. She has a beautifully lissome voice that I think will impress you, even if bluegrass (I like to call it newgrass) isn’t your thing. I can’t wait to listen to her as she grows.

Next Up: did I mention that I want to write a weekly recipe/cooking post?

So I decided…To Finally Post Again. About Beer.

2009-10-08T12:59:00.012-04:00

I love beer. Lots of people do. But I really love beer. I haven’t always felt this way, though. When I was in college, I definitely preferred liquor beverages and if I did drink beer it was Bud Light. Now, don’t get me wrong, I still have to drink cheap beer sometimes. I will drink Bud Light if I have to, although my light, watery beer of choice is Coors Light. And I love PBR. With lime. Redneck on vacation. Don’t ask.

When I can, though, I love trying new craft beers and enjoy learning about what goes into brewing, similar to what lots of people do with wine. I especially love supporting local and NC breweries. If I find a local beer I love, I’ll do what I can to get it. If they bottle, awesome! If not, most of the time you can pick up a growler and enjoy it that way. Aside from just buying their beer, it’s also really great to visit the breweries and tour them. So far, I’ve only seen Lonerider (alternating Fridays and Saturdays), but I can’t wait to tour Big Boss (every second Saturday at 2) and Triangle (every Saturday at 1).

Last weekend, with a group of great friends, I took on the Durham World Beerfest. A-mazing. Albeit, a little overwhelming. Now, it was really hard to remember all the beers that I tried, a) because there were over 100 beers and b) because after so many samples, anyone’s memory would be a little fuzzy. After looking back over the BeerFest Program, I was able to piece back together the most memorable beers to me and I wanted to share my opinion (duh). It will become readily apparent from the list of notables what kind of beers I prefer, but all of these breweries have other phenomenal beers for those who like IPAs, Stouts, Ambers, etc. I’ve included a company or two that weren’t at the BeerFest, but who deserve note, as well as companies whose beer I did not like/try, but that are from NC and encourage others to support. My new personal favorite is the Shotgun Betty by Lonerider. I may be biased since the guys let us hang out after the festival, but I had been looking for a new hefeweizen and I certainly found it. Some surprises of note in the bunch that I liked were Hazed & Infused dry-hopped ale (not usually a hops girl, but this was well-balanced) and the Beerlao lager (brewed with jasmine rice, interesting flavor). Hope you find a beer you’ll love from this list and maybe something new to try! Maybe I’ll find some time to start my own home brew…

NC Breweries:

Lonerider (Raleigh, NC) – Shotgun Betty

Big Boss (Raleigh, NC) – Harvest Time Pumpkin, Monkey Bizzness Farmhouse Belgian, Helle’s Belle

Triangle Brewing Co. (Durham, NC) – Belgian White Ale

Carolina Brewery (Chapel Hill, NC) – Santa’s Secret

Top of the Hill (Chapel Hill, NC) – Old Well White, Blue Ridge Blueberry

Red Oak (Whitsett, NC) – Hummin’ Bird Helles, Amber Lager

Mother Earth (Kinston, NC) – Weeping Willow Wit

Duck Rabbit (Farmville, NC)

Aviator Brewing Co. (Holly Springs, NC)

Highland Brewing Co. (Asheville, NC) – Cattail Peak Wheat

Carolina Beer Co. (Mooresville, NC)

Foothills Brewing (Winston-Salem, NC) – Hurricane Hefe

Outside NC:

Starr Hill (Crozet, VA) – The Love

Terrapin Beer Co (Athens, GA) – Sunray Wheat

Moon River Brewing Co. (Savannah, GA) –Wild wacky wit

Charleston Brewing Co. (Charleston, SC) – Half moon hefe

Boulder Beer Co. (Boulder, CO) – Hazed & Infused dry hopped ale

Spanish Peaks (Denver, CO) – Crystal Weiss

New Belgium (Fort Collins, CO) – Mothership Wit

Sea Dog (Portland, ME) – Blue Paw Blueberry Wheat

Blue Point Brewing Co. (Patchogue, NJ) – Blueberry ale

Dogfish Head (Milton, DE)– Punkin Ale

Widmer Brothers Brewing Co. (Portland, OR) – Drop Top Amber, Hefe

Unibroue (Quebec, Canada) – Maudite Ephemere

21^st Amendment (SF, CA) – Hell or High Watermelon

Lao Brewing Co. (Veintaine, Laos) – Beerlao lager

So I decided...to boot-scoot and boogie.

2009-08-10T21:43:00.005-04:00

Every once in a while you really need a truck. Moving has recently brought this to my attention. In order to move a washer and dryer to the new place I called in a favor to my 16-year-old-oh-my-god-he-can-drive little brother. Being from Eastern North Carolina he, naturally, drives a Chevrolet Z-71 Silverado. With the lift, giant tires and dual exhaust. Duh.

Who the hell cares, right? Me. For some weird reason I love driving that thing around; I can think of a myriad of explanations for this. Among the most popular are: 1) Napoleon complex – little girl needs a big truck and 2) you can take the girl out of Edgecombe County, but you can’t take the Edgecombe County out of the girl.

Now, none of this alone would be worth blogging about. However, I experience another phenomenon when I borrow trucks: I can only listen to country music when driving them. I really enjoyed my Michael Jackson music emersion and thought I’d do the same thing here. So, for your enjoyment, amusement or maybe even disgust, here (in no particular order) are 10 of my favorite country songs to listen to while driving around in a big truck like a pseudo-redneck:

1. “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” Brooks & Dunn
2. “Ain’t Goin’ Down (‘Til The Sun Comes Up)" Garth Brooks
3. "Chattahoochee" Alan Jackson
4. "Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)" John Michael Montgomery
5. "Deeper Than the Holler" Randy Travis
6. "Forever and Ever" Randy Travis
7. "Fishin' in the Dark" Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
8. "The Race is On" Sawyer Brown
9. "Norma Jean Riley" Diamond Rio
10. "Song of the South" Alabama

These songs are only the tip of the iceberg; I left out music from some of the greats: George Straight, Reba McEntire, Clint Black, Travis Tritt, CDB, Dixie Chicks, Hank Jr., Dwight Yoakam, Alison Krauss and the list goes on and on and on (I included Randy Travis twice because I absolutely love him). Would it be totally cliché of me to say that "they just don’t make country music like they used to”? Yes, but it’s true. Now that I’ve traded with my brother and have my car again, it’s back to being a hipster-wannabe with Kings of Leon stuck in my head…

So I decided...30 is the new 20.

2009-07-29T11:21:00.004-04:00

The title here is a little bit of a misnomer. I didn’t decide that, I’m sure it was Oprah or someone that gets the credit, I just bought into it. Jay-Z also wrote a song about it, 30 Something (“30’s the new 20, I’m so hot still…”). In any case, this is all inspired by A’s 23rd birthday today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Birthdays always get you to thinking about the time that has passed and, of course, the future. It provokes a little bit of self-reflection. Today made me realize that I am just as close to 30 as I am to 18 – that’s how old I was when I got my student ID picture taken and I still carry that card. Spooky. That means that 30 pretty much just rang the doorbell. For anyone who is closer to 30, already 30 or *gasp* over 30, I know you’re thinking it’s silly, but there’s nothing wrong with a little constructive introspection at 24.

I thought this year that I’d be bummed and experience this whole quarter-life crisis that you always hear about (thank you, John Mayer for reiterating). Instead, I’ve tried to embrace it. I’ve found this new confidence in who I am and who I want to be. I don’t know if I was afraid before or what, but I’ve developed a take-me-as-I-am-or-leave-me-the-hell-alone attitude. It’s all made me realize that you have to be your own biggest fan. When I was younger I think I relied on my friends and family for that too much. I undoubtedly need their support and love them all for loving me the way they do, but you have to balance this with a healthy amount of love for yourself. I think it was Lewis Grizzard who once said, “I may not be much, but I’m all I’ve got.” Note: this doesn’t mean arrogance – some people certainly take it too far.

I heard Maya Angelou speak earlier this year to a crowd of mostly college-aged folks, and all she kept talking about was finding yourself and how important it is. I thought, “I better listen to what she has to say, she’s Maya-effing-Angelou”. I think that weighs heavy on you in college, or at least, it did me. It’s this whole phenomenon of leaving home and “spreading your wings”, but I think, like a lot of things, it doesn’t come to you until you stop searching for it.

I guess all I want to say to my friends and whoever might read this is: have the courage to be yourself and things will fall into place. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, just be sure to learn from them. Give love and gracefully receive love. I’m still certainly learning as I go, but now more than ever, I’m looking forward to the journey. Okay, that’s enough cheese for now.

“I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and kick ass.” –Maya Angelou-

So I decided...to honor the King of Pop

2009-06-30T15:21:00.005-04:00

We all feel something a little strange when we experience a celebrity’s death. For most, it’s certainly not because you had a deep bond with that person, but more likely because they had some kind of influence on your life in an indirect way. Seeing someone in movies and on television allows for this strange sense of connection even though you’ll probably never meet. For me, this is particularly the case when I hear someone’s music, especially if they are also the writer. It’s an intimate form of artistry that evokes emotion and a sense of experience, aside from being entertaining.

This post has obviously been inspired by the recent death of Michael Jackson, of whom I was a big fan. I certainly don’t want to pretend that I am some music critic, but I love his music and I wanted to post about my reflections on his work. I thought a fun way to do this would be to go over each of his albums, listen to them over and over again (everyone around me is probably sick and tired of hearing it) and try my best to pick my top 10 favorite Michael Jackson songs of all time. Here goes…

Honorable Mentions: “Scream” from HIStory (1995) and “You Rock My World” from Invincible (2001)

Unlike most of the songs from the previous album, Dangerous (1991), I felt like “Scream” revisited this bass-driven, “hard” sound that Jackson and Quincy Jones brought to Bad (1987). “You Rock My World” was a surprise and a good, modernized version of classic Michael Jackson.

10. “Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough ” from Off the Wall (1979)

First single off this album, and I think the best. This is where the King of Pop born…

9. “Thriller ” from Thriller (1982)

The video for this song is entertaining, albeit a little strange. I love the bass line and the horn work in this song. Not a #1 hit, but how many times have you tried to imitate that dance? Enough said.

8. “Black or White ” from Dangerous (1991)

Easily the best song from this album. I would argue that this maintains Jackson’s tradition, though some tend to disagree. I think it was culturally relevant and topped the charts for reasons other than riding Bad’s coattails. Can't help but have a strong connection to the video and it's huge prime time premiere with Macaulay Culkin.

7. “Man in the Mirror ” from Bad (1987)

Jackson didn’t do a whole lot of “ballad” work, but this is the best. It stood out from the styling of the rest of the album and it paid off: another number one hit. The man was versatile.

6. “Beat It ” from Thriller (1982)

A classic in its own right. Quincy Jones wanted rock-n-roll and he got it and who better to feature on the track than Eddie Van Halen?

5.” I Want You Back” from Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5 (1969)

A young Michael made the Motown label glad it left this song for the Jackson 5, rather than the likes of Gladys Knight & The Pips. More than a few critics have placed this song on the top hits of all time list…

4. “Bad ” from Bad (1987)

The second single from the title album and one of five #1 songs. Jackson created a more “hard” sound on this track and changed his image from the younger version of the pop star – and not always well-received.

3. “Billie Jean ” from Thriller (1982)

This song is no less than legendary. The Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever television performance of this song and the unveiling of the “moon walk” solidified his status as not just a pop icon, but the pop icon.

2. “Dirty Diana ” from Bad (1987)

It was a #1 hit in 1988 and Rolling Stone still called this song “filler” for the album. I don’t care what anyone says, I love the edge of this song and the more I listen to it, the more I love it.

1. "The Way You Make Me Feel" from Bad (1987)

To me, this song is Michael Jackson. You hear the style he brought to Off the Wall and Thriller with a little bit of the new flair he intended for Bad, you can even hear a little of Motown Michael in this song. The third #1 hit from Bad: unstoppable.

This was a really hard list to make and evolved even as I was writing it. Overall, I love just about all of his work. He made a great impact on the industry and I hope that the world will remember that, despite the struggles he faced in his lifetime.

A Farewell to Cricket

2009-06-26T00:09:00.006-04:00

When I graduated from college, I had about zero ideas for where I was going. I started one job about 3 days after graduation, but I knew that a new one just across campus was in the works. What did I want out of a job in research? Well, an incredible experience from some of the best scientists in their field is certainly a perk. I truly enjoy the everyday challenges of my work, too. I’ll tell you what I didn’t expect to find, but certainly did – a true friend. Have you ever met a new person who it didn’t take you long to figure out was truly good to the core? Malcolm Gladwell in Blink would say that this is a natural ability of our subconscious to quickly and distinctively judge things in this way. So while I had my initial judgments, I have also spent the last two years creating a bond that I now fully recognize the magnitude of.

When K (I’ll use her signature format for this post) first started talking about leaving the lab and going to medical school, I have to say that I selfishly wanted her to stay another year. Now, I am truly happy for her in my heart of hearts. That’s what you ultimately want for your friends – happiness. I am lucky to see everyday how excited she is about this new season in her life, and share in the occasion (and definitely in the planning!). I am not typically your sentimental type, but here I feel it is both appropriate and necessary.

So this is one of my forms of a farewell to Cricket, because I know that the blog is near to both our hearts and will stay that way. I will miss her dearly and it will never be the same without her. I hope for her only the best of the best. Lastly, I will be as cheesy as I know how to be and quote Sex and the City…

“After all, things change, so do cities, people come into your life and they go. But it's comforting to know that the ones you love are always in your heart... and if you're very lucky, a plane ride away...”

So I decided...Everything is Better Grilled.

2009-06-18T11:54:00.004-04:00

Growing up, my family always spent Sunday afternoons at my Grandma or Great Grandma’s house to eat and congregate. This is a tradition that I really cherished and it’s something that has really stayed with me throughout the years. In this way, cooking and entertaining has always been a source of comfort for me. Now that I don’t have those Sunday afternoons at home anymore, I find myself seeking that comfort through beginning my own traditions in my young-adult life.

Like I said, I’ve always really enjoyed the comforts of cooking and entertaining, but when I got my first grill this all when into overdrive. I really had no idea what I was getting into at the time. Now, I never pass up the opportunity to have people over and fire up the grill, in hopes of sharing that feeling I always had growing up. What better way to spend an evening than with good friends and good food? I’m pretty sure most of my friends are really happy that this is something I enjoy doing and they reap the benefits of it, but that’s what it’s all about!

I will try, at least once, to grill just about anything. If it’s meant for the oven, who cares? I’ll cook it on the grill anyway just for fun. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love to cook in all sorts of ways – hello, Crock-Pot, I love you – but grilling is my absolute favorite. If I had to pick my favorite thing, I’d say it’s the beer can chicken. I rarely follow a recipe for anything I do, except as maybe a general guideline (also something I picked up from generations of women in my family), but there is nothing quite like a cajun chicken (orrrr a bone-in turkey breast). Throw in some fresh veggies from the NC State Farmer’s Market (let’s say, fresh corn on the cob, for instance) and maybe some fresh cornbread in the cast-iron… see what I’m saying? This is only the beginning: ribs, steaks and pork shoulders, oh my!

Now, throw in a few lawn games (cornhole, ladderball, bocce, etc), maybe a few dogs running around the yard, some good music and you’ve got the perfect entertainment package. It’s something I look forward to doing for the rest of my life and I hope my friends do too. Even when I’m preoccupied with all my other obsessions, I always find time for food…

So I decided...Love Can Be Unconditional

2009-06-16T13:47:00.004-04:00

I have always loved animals. I had a rabbit, hermit crabs, a turtle (before they were illegal) and begged for a dog until we got our rat terrier when I was 10 (who is still alive and kickin’ it). Growing up my Dad also had a golden retriever, who I remember fondly as a friend and companion for the weekends I spent at his house. Of course, as a kid, you don’t really know what responsibility goes into having a dog; you just know that they are fun and loving in a way that really impresses you, even at a young age.

I’ve always thought of myself as a “dog person” and a “big dog person” at that. I’ve always had a great connection to the canines in my life, even those that didn’t belong to me and my family. Naturally, when it came time to move away from home for college, I wanted one of my own. For my first Christmas away from home, my mom got me a stuffed puppy – really funny. In retrospect, she was, of course, right that I didn’t need a dog in college. Duh. So I waited anxiously until graduation. I talked and talked and talked about getting a dog. I did all the research and read all the books (read: The Loved Dog by Tamar Geller). I read all about different breeds and their personalities and wanted to find the perfect match. I don’t know if my mom actually thought it was a good idea or if she was just tired of hearing about it, but she surprised me early in the spring semester with the idea of a puppy for a graduation present. I nearly jumped out of my skin. So I decided on a golden retriever and milled over breeders until I found a suitable one and then I milled over names.

Sutton the golden retriever. That’s Sutton Tweedmouth of Carolina, to be exact. He launch me into this culture of dog parks, pet stores & bakeries, weekend trips to different swimming holes and daily trail runs (Umstead State Park is one of our favorite places). Luckily, Sutton and I also have great friends to share time with – shout outs here to Amanda & Kolby and Chris & Gunner. Funny how you become a pair like that when you have the kind of dog that goes everywhere with you…

What has developed over the past two years with him has been a whirlwind of laughter, tears, adventure, frustration and, above all, love. Pure, unadulterated love. I never imagined I could have this kind of emotional attachment to an animal, but he is my unwavering confidant and companion. This may all sound strange and desperate to someone who doesn’t understand such a relationship, but I also know I’m not alone here. I look forward to everyday I have with him and I hope there are many, many to come.

If I had the time, money and space I’d have a whole pack (having a golden retriever farm should have been on my original list). And why not turn my love into a career – both a veterinary practice and a dog bakery. And somewhere between all this, I’ll continue my dream of being a DJ…

So I decided...Tuesdays are Two-Fers

2009-06-15T13:01:00.010-04:00

There is nothing quite like going to watch a baseball game and having hot dogs and beer in the summer. If you’re lucky, like I am, the park is just a short drive away and really evokes a sense of community spirit. This is something that I have really embraced while living in the triangle and I just can’t get enough of the Durham Bulls and Wool E. Bull (and thankfully they play 6 months out of the year!).

This year, I’m going all out – I even bought a t-shirt to wear to games (AND I got a cap at the season opener). What kind of fan would I be without paraphernalia? I try to go see the Bulls at least once per week that they are in town. Typically, this has turned into a Tuesday night tradition for me and my friends with the advent of the 2009 season “9 Inning Vacation” – option #3 is Tuesday Night Two-Fer with any two terrace reserve seats for $9. Going to the games also contributes to #12 from my original post: planning group outings.

Farm league baseball is something that I feel a connection to as a part of American heritage, and I happen to love the Bulls as a North Carolina native (and I love the movie Bull Durham). The Durham Tobacconists were founded in 1902 and went through a myriad of phases as the Bulls, the Raleigh-Durham Mets, Phillies and Triangles. For the longest time, they played in that great old park built in 1926 (rebuilt in 1939 because of fire) and then came the new DBAP in 1995 – a beautiful venue in downtown Durham. As a side note, the Durham Dragons, a pro fast-pitch team, played in the old park for a while after the Bulls moved to the new DBAP. Then came Wool E. Bull in 1992. I love mascots in general and think it would be fun to be one, so seeing him at the games is just the icing on the cake. My favorite is when he rides the go cart around the field. Priceless entertainment. What is it about an over-sized cartoon bull??

There are lots of games left in the season, so if you live in the area, you should go show the Bulls your support! And in case you were wondering, Option #1 is $9 box seats, and option #2 is terrace reserve and peanuts for $9, not to mention that there are $1 concessions on Thursdays and fireworks every Friday. If I can find time to go between being a DJ and a pro rock climber, surely you can too…

So I decided... I'm disappointed

2009-06-09T20:17:00.007-04:00

On the heels of Apple’s WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference), I had to write about my love affair with a phone.

Let me say first of all that I had no idea that the new iPhone 3GS would be available so soon; I’d have predicted a more holiday-timed release. Despite being an absolute iPhone fanatic, I have found myself feeling lackluster about the iPhone 2k9 announcements. My focus has been on the 3.0 OS release - my heart will be pounding until June 17 - and let’s be honest, I just got the 3G in December so I wasn’t keen on dropping another several hundred dollars, but I could have dug up the money with enough enthusiasm. I had already decided in the back of my mind that if the unveiling was compelling enough, I’d probably be reeled in. Lucky for my wallet, I was just as disappointed in the new hardware as I expected to be. Not only are there no major overhauls, but Apple is doing more to sell new customers on the 3G by making it available for only $99 (to all of my friends who don’t have one yet, this means I will be bombarding you). So what’s new with the 3GS? 3-megapixel camera (up from 2mp), video recording/editing/sending capability, a digital compass, voice commands and better battery life. That’s about all I can gather. It’s supposed to be “up to 2x faster” too, but the rate limiting factor is ultimately going to rely on your cellular/wi-fi connection. So, unless you are really excited about taking mediocre videos, save your money and just get the 3G.

Don’t be fooled by my seemingly bad attitude surrounding the new iPhone 3GS. If you’ve got the cash, buy the thing! Once you own this device, be it 3G or 3GS, your life will change. I can’t rant enough about its capabilities and how the applications will completely shift your perspective on both productivity and entertainment. I know that some people are into the Blackberry OS, but trade me for an iPhone for 48 hours and I won’t be able to pry it from your hands. I think the only person I couldn’t convince would be someone who just absolutely has to have tactile buttons, but I think even they could be hypnotized by the myriad of features. I love that Apple allowed the developers to be in the driver’s seat with SDK. They provided an innovative platform that gives the best developers in the world a venue for brilliance. Need GPS? In the palm of your hand. Need to know a great restaurant in an unfamiliar city? Done. Want Pandora radio at your fingertips? No problem. How about a freaking level to hang pictures? You see where I going with this? And all in a neat little device that is completely intuitive to use. I could go on all day here, but I’ve got to go work on my plans to open a dog bakery…

-DJ Brizzle

So I decided... that I love airports.

2009-06-08T15:08:00.007-04:00

So I am digressing already from my original blog proposal, but maybe not really? (Although, it wouldn’t be at all out of character for me to do so) I am exceptionally intrigued by the breadth of sociology encompassed in the crossroads of an airport. I’m immediately reminded of the opening scene of Love Actually. Now, I couldn’t find a good clip of this in English because of copyright laws, but this homemade video serves the same purpose without the overly sentimental tag line, “love actually is all around” (the David Gray track in the background is still a little much). Speaking of overly sentimental, this also reminds me of the John Mayer song, Wheel:

“And airports see it all the time / When someone's last goodbye

Blends in with someone’s sigh / Cause someone's coming home

In hand a single rose…”

Seems kind of cheesy and emotional, but my interest is at least slightly analytical in nature. The fascination exists for travel by planes, trains and automobiles, but I can’t help to be bombarded by it in the airport. I knew a journalism major once that had the idea to travel by train all over the US and just talk to people – to see who they are, where they are going, how long they’ll be there. I think it’s a wonderful idea and I think it would translate beautifully into a book and/or documentary (has this already been done and I don’t know about it?). Maybe I’m just nosey, but for everyone I see, I want to know their story. Maybe they are coming home, maybe they are leaving home. Maybe they will be back soon, maybe they are leaving that place forever. Maybe they are happy, maybe they are sad. Maybe their story is interesting, but maybe it’s just as boring as mine. Lucky for me, this captivation is enough to keep me occupied and distracted from all the things about airports that should completely annoy me and ruin the allure of traveling (read:(your name here) laughed’s post about TSA).

On top of all of this, I just love planes and the science of flight. I still haven’t gone to the flight observation deck, but it’s been on my list of things to do for quite some time. Maybe I’ll squeeze it in sometime between becoming a professional bowler and training for a marathon…

-DJ Brizzle

So I decided... to start a blog.

2009-06-04T14:05:00.006-04:00

I'd be remiss if I didn't give my friend Kate a lot of credit for this one. She's a "Bloggy McBlogerson". She introduced me to the world of blogging through a few of her favorites and sharing became a culture for us. Before I started spending long days in front of the computer at work, I could have cared less about a blog. Nevertheless, I always find things to preoccupy myself and they are quite entertaining. So why sit back and let everyone else on the interwire have all the fun? So, I got my inspiration from my life (of course) and my never-ending pursuit of some admittedly ridiculous ideas. I once made a post on facebook about this when the "25 things about you" was going around like a virus. That post is my starting material and I hope that this blossoms into a comical, yet endearing look into my obsessive, compulsive world:

1. Becoming a jockey.
2. Being DJ Brizzle.
3. iPhone.
4. Joining MENSA.
5. My cholesterol levels.
6. Marathon running.
7. Let's make that half-marathon running.
8. Avril Lavigne songs.
9. Crock-Pot recipes.
10. Sutton the golden retriever.
11. East Coast-West Coast rap rivalry.
12. Planning group outings.
13. The Carolina Cup.
14. Barack Obama and Yes We Canvasing.
15. Trying to start a blog with Kate.
16. Missed connections on craigslist.
17. Murderball (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZDW5zth8oc)
18. Watching Beverley Hills, 90210 online.
19. Pandora Radio.
20. Natalie Portman.
21. Diet Coke.
22. My future veterinary practice, Horse & Hound.
23. My future dog bakery, Sutton & Sullivan's.
24. Bev Perdue.
25. Guessing the price of bulk candy.

Now this list was created on February 2, 2009, so keep in mind that my preoccupations are ever-evolving. Some go as quickly as they came (i.e. #4), some are recurrent (i.e. #13, #25) and some never go away (i.e. #2, #20, #21, #23...).

This is just a jumping off point. I just plan to share these things and many others in detail so that I am preoccupied (of course) and you can be intrigued, disgusted, amused or whatever you'd like to feel. Enjoy!

-DJ Brizzle